In the early 1950s, rock and roll was often seen as a wild, rowdy genre confined to bar halls. But that perception was about to shift in a big way. One of the key figures responsible for rock’s rise to mainstream fame was none other than The King himself—Elvis Presley.
Today, Elvis is a household name, recognized across generations. But nearly 70 years ago, he was just an ambitious young artist trying to make his mark. That all changed in 1956 when he made his very first television appearance.
After the buzz generated by his promotional clip for Heartbreak Hotel, Presley caught the attention of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, who invited him for a six-week run on their CBS variety show, Stage Show. On January 28, 1956, Elvis made his electrifying debut, performing Shake, Rattle and Roll—and music history was never the same.
Relive the moment that started it all—watch Elvis’ first TV performance below! His raw energy and undeniable charisma set him apart from the start. Let us know what you think in the comments!