Today marks the 70th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s self-titled debut album release.
The King’s first LP spent 10 weeks at No 1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart after its release on March 23, 1956.
The record was also the first rock and roll album to top the charts and was certified gold in 1966 and then platinum in 2011.
RCA had signed Elvis for a record-breaking $40,000 in November 1955 and the album included The King favourite Blue Suede Shoes and covers of rock and roll hits like I Got A Woman and Tutti Frutti.
The famous cover of Elvis Presley has The King’s name in bold pink and green, while the famous shot saw the rising star singing his heart out during a live performance.
Interestingly, the original photo was cropped below the waist, which was presumably due to Elvis’ controversial hip swinging and spread legs; dance moves that were later cut from an Ed Sullivan TV performance due to their sexual connotations.
The iconic snap was organised by The King’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, who hired William “Red” Robertson to photograph the singer the summer before.
According to The Telegraph, the photoshoot took place on July 31, 1955, in Tampa, Florida, during a show at Fort Homer Hesterly Armoury.
Elvis was billed last while comedian Andy Griffiths headlined and Robertson got to work capturing The King when it was his turn on stage,
Afterwards, The Colonel spotted the power of the famous image, which he used in publicity material before the album came to be.
Originally, celebrity photographer Popsie Randolph was thought to have taken the photo since he took the casual portraits on the back sleeve of the album, while Robertson’s front cover photograph went uncredited.
The Elvis Presley album cover would go on to inspire The Clash, who used the same font and colours for their 1979 album London Calling.
Designer Ray Lowry said to was “a genuine homage to the original, unknown, inspired genius who created Elvis Presley’s first rock and roll record.”
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