On July 2, 1956, a 21-year-old Elvis Presley entered RCA’s New York studio for a recording session that would become one of the most important days of his career. By the time he left, Elvis had recorded “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Any Way You Want Me.”
Elvis was already becoming one of America’s most talked-about young performers. His television appearances had attracted millions of viewers, but they had also caused outrage among critics who considered his voice, clothes and movements too provocative. Instead of slowing him down, the controversy only made audiences more eager to hear what he would do next.
Elvis Presley Perform “Hound Dog” on The Ed Sullivan Show
“Hound Dog” had already become a sensation before Elvis recorded his famous version. Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the song was first recorded by blues singer Big Mama Thornton in 1952. Elvis later transformed it into a faster rock and roll performance that became a showstopper during his concerts and television appearances.
Finding the right studio sound was not easy. Elvis reportedly worked through numerous takes because he wanted the record to capture the same excitement audiences felt when he performed it live. The effort paid off. “Hound Dog” reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 100 while the other side of the single was about to become an even bigger success.
Elvis Presley Perform “Don’t Be Cruel” on The Ed Sullivan Show
“Don’t Be Cruel,” written by Otis Blackwell, revealed another side of Elvis. Where “Hound Dog” was wild and confrontational, “Don’t Be Cruel” sounded smooth, playful and effortlessly confident. Released together on July 13, 1956, the two songs created a double-sided phenomenon that dominated American radio and record sales.
“Don’t Be Cruel” rose to No. 1 while “Hound Dog” became one of the most recognizable performances of the early rock and roll era. Both recordings were later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, with “Hound Dog” entering in 1988 and “Don’t Be Cruel” following in 2002. They were also included in the original version of Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Seventy years later, “Hound Dog” and “Don’t Be Cruel” still represent the moment Elvis Presley moved beyond being a controversial new television star and became a defining voice of rock and roll. In one historic New York recording session, he created two enduring classics that conquered the charts, entered the Grammy Hall of Fame and continued introducing new generations to the power of the King.