January 28, 1956 --> The Time Has Come!

Regarding "Blue Suede Shoes" according to C. Perkins, Elvis promised him he wouldn't release his version on a single, but would release it on an EP. The reason being, so his version wouldn't collide with Carl's. Carl was in hospital watching TV when Elvis came on and sang his song...cool. Good post, Doc. Nice to know that it was Elvis who was in control if the music. Shame it didn't stay that way because it was his decision that paid off.

Actually, if Carl saw Elvis doing "Blue Suede Shoes" from his hospital bed, it would have been on Tuesday, April 3, 1956, when Elvis sang it in San Diego on the Milton Berle program. The near-fatal Perkins accident occurred early Thursday morning, March 22, 1956, in Dover, Delaware as Carl and his band were heading to New York.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Perkins#The_accident

Out of respect for the fact that Perkins had to cancel his March 24th appearance on "The Perry Como Show" that evening, Elvis chose "Money Honey" in place of "Blue Suede Shoes" for the first of his two songs on his final "Stage Show" visit.

In addition to the previous suggestions regarding the reasons for the lack of "Heartbreak Hotel" on the first two Dorsey Shows, it's my understanding that Elvis was obliged to offer his song suggestions / set lists to the network prior to the recording of said single.

As such, he would have chosen dead-cert killers from his live repertoire, as noted above by John.

Great information, George Smith, and a very credible reason for holding back "Heartbreak Hotel" on January 28.

Thank you!

But the second week ...

In addition to the previous suggestions regarding the reasons for the lack of "Heartbreak Hotel" on the first two Dorsey Shows, it's my understanding that Elvis was obliged to offer his song suggestions / set lists to the network prior to the recording of said single.

As such, he would have chosen dead-cert killers from his live repertoire, as noted above by John.

Great information, George Smith, and a very credible reason for holding back "Heartbreak Hotel" on January 28.

Thank you!

But the second week ...

Hmm, maybe he had to nominate advance songs for two weeks? Maybe...

Great information, George Smith, and a very credible reason for holding back "Heartbreak Hotel" on January 28.

Thank you!

But the second week ...

Hmm, maybe he had to nominate advance songs for two weeks? Maybe...

Interesting, but possible.

If Elvis did submit a song list to CBS producers, RCA must have been apoplectic regarding his choices for the second appearance.