"Heartbreak Hotel" is a song recorded by the American singer Elvis Presley. It was released as a single on January 27, 1956, Presley's first on his new record label RCA Victor. It was written by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden, with credit being given also to Presley. A newspaper article about the suicide of a lonely man who jumped from a hotel window inspired the song. Axton presented the song to Presley in November 1955 at a country music convention in Nashville. Presley recorded it on January 10, 1956, in a session with his band, the Blue Moon Boys, the guitarist Chet Atkins and the pianist Floyd Cramer.
Elvis Presley's first hit record, "Heartbreak Hotel," reaches #1
"Heartbreak Hotel" is a song recorded by the American singer Elvis Presley. It was released as a single on January 27, 1956, Presley's first on his new record label RCA Victor.
Historical Significance
"Heartbreak Hotel" is a song recorded by the American singer Elvis Presley.
Key People
Events Before
"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)
"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)
Bhutan issues its first postage stamps
The first postage stamps of Bhutan were issued in 1962, the same year that the first motorable road was opened.
Marian Anderson is the first African American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera, singing the role of Ulric
Marian Anderson is the first African American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera, singing the role of Ulrica in Giuseppe Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera"
American film director Stanley Kubrick (26) weds second wife, Austrian theatrical designer Ruth Sobotka (29); divorce in
American film director Stanley Kubrick (26) weds second wife, Austrian theatrical designer Ruth Sobotka (29); divorce in 1957
"The Millionaire" TV series premieres on CBS
"The Millionaire" TV series premieres on CBS
Events After
Sputnik 1 Launch
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite, igniting the Space Age and the US-Soviet Space Race.
An Irish Republican Army (IRA) unit attacks Brookeborough Royal Ulster Constabulary barracks in one of the most famous i
An Irish Republican Army (IRA) unit attacks Brookeborough Royal Ulster Constabulary barracks in one of the most famous incidents of the IRA's Operation Harvest
Aviator Howard Hughes marries 2nd wife actress Jean Peters
Aviator Howard Hughes marries 2nd wife actress Jean Peters
South African golfer Gary Player (21) weds childhood sweetheart Vivienne Verwey, until her death in 2021
South African golfer Gary Player (21) weds childhood sweetheart Vivienne Verwey, until her death in 2021
English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 2nd divorce from English actor Michael Wilding, after almost 5 years of marr
English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 2nd divorce from English actor Michael Wilding, after almost 5 years of marriage
More from the 1950s
Sputnik 1 Launch
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite, igniting the Space Age and the US-Soviet Space Race.
space explorationscience technology
"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)
"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)
death
Emil Jannings dies
Emil Jannings, Swiss-born German actor, known for german actor, died on 1950-01-02. Emil Jannings was a Swiss-born German actor who was popular in Hollywood films in the 1920s.
The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market
The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on April 21, 1956?
- "Heartbreak Hotel" is a song recorded by the American singer Elvis Presley. It was released as a single on January 27, 1956, Presley's first on his new record label RCA Victor. It was written by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden, with credit being given also to Presley.
- Why is Elvis Presley's first hit record, "Heartbreak Hotel," reaches #1 significant?
- "Heartbreak Hotel" is a song recorded by the American singer Elvis Presley.
- Who was involved in Elvis Presley's first hit record, "Heartbreak Hotel," reaches #1?
- Key figures include Elvis Presley (singer and actor).