Elvis Presley was truly untouchable at the peak of his powers, as seen in his 1956 performance of “Hound Dog” on The Ed Sullivan Show. At just 21 years old, Presley owned the stage like nobody’s business. The young star presented the full package as a performer despite having only begun his music career just three years earlier, fresh out of high school.
As soon as Sullivan says Presley’s name, the crowd starts going wild and they don’t stop for the rest of the show. You can’t blame ’em, as Presley is just dripping with charisma and confidence. His baritone sounds absolutely gorgeous, and he’s got stage moves for days! Presley is backed up by a grooving band, and the King syncs his dance moves with the drummer’s fills. The band really delivers the goods, with one of the highlights being the jamming solo provided by the electric guitarist.
The vintage performance kept fans coming back over the years, and currently has 31 million views on YouTube. This made the live cut the second most popular performance ever on The Ed Sullivan Show channel. Presley appeared on the show on October 28, 1956. In 2006, The History Channel called Presley’s appearance on the show one of the 10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America, as it was one of the major stepping stones on The King’s path to world chart domination.
Fans were amazed by the power of Presley’s performance, adding comments such as “Hard to believe he was only 21 here. So polished and confident!” and “Elvis had such energy to move like he moved whilst singing and dancing. No one is like him by a long shot. He was unique. That is why he is remembered so many years after passing away.” Presley always delivered the goods live, as seen in his performance of “Jailhouse Rock” during his iconic ’68 Comeback Special.
1956 was a big year for Presley, as it marked his transition from an up-and-coming artist to a breakout star. The young singer enjoyed two top 10 hits on the US country chart in 1955. However, his real big break came in 1956 with his first Billboard Hot 100 number one hit, “Heartbreak Hotel”.
The King went on to score a total of five number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1956. “Hound Dog” was one of his chart-toppers that year, and the single was also notable for being his second UK number two hit.
If you wish to immerse yourself in the world of the “The King” himself, Elvis Presley, feel free to subscribe to his YouTube channel for more performances. You can also connect with his fandom on his Facebook page.