The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters explained

The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50s Masters
Type:box
Artist:Elvis Presley
Cover:Kingofrocknrollboxset.jpg
Released:June 23, 1992
Recorded:July 1953–September 1958
Length:5:39:26
Label:RCA Records
Producer:Ernst Mikael Jorgensen
Roger Semon
Prev Title:The Lost Album
Prev Year:1990
Next Year:1993

The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters is a five-disc box set compilation of the complete known studio master recordings by American singer and musician Elvis Presley during the decade of the 1950s. Issued in 1992 by RCA Records, catalog number 66050-2, it was soon followed by similar box sets covering Presley's musical output in the 1960s and 1970s. This set's initial long-box release included a set of collectible stamps duplicating the record jackets from every Presley LP on RCA Victor, every single that had a picture sleeve, and most of his EP releases. The set includes a booklet with an extensive session list and discography, and a lengthy essay by Peter Guralnick. It peaked at #159 on the album chart and was certified a gold record on August 7, 1992, by the RIAA. Further certifications were for platinum on November 20, 1992, and for double platinum on July 30, 2002.

Contents

The first four discs present the Elvis masters in chronological session order. Disc one commences with "My Happiness," a private test demo from the summer of 1953 at Sun Studio and the first recording ever made by Presley, and continues with the complete Sun Records masters through track 19. The remainder of disc one, and discs two through four, comprise the entirety of his output for RCA Victor during the decade. Disc four ends with an interview by Presley prior to his departure overseas to serve in the army in 1958, released on the EP Elvis Sails. Included as well are the officially released recordings on RCA Victor for each one of Elvis' four feature films of the 1950s: Love Me Tender, Loving You, Jailhouse Rock, and King Creole.

The fifth disc compiles rare outtakes and unreleased recordings, starting off with the companion acetate to "My Happiness" in an early version of "That's When Your Heartaches Begin." Tracks two and five are more acetates recorded by the standard Presley trio of Elvis, Scotty Moore on guitar, and Bill Black on bass, at an unknown location in Lubbock, Texas, during January 1955, presumably around the time when Buddy Holly converted to rock and roll after seeing Presley in concert. Tracks three and four present live recordings from the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1955, again with the trio. Tracks thirteen through sixteen present live recordings from the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1956, with the trio plus drummer D.J. Fontana. An outtake from the Million Dollar Quartet sessions appears on track nine, with the following personnel: Presley, Carl Perkins on guitar, his brother Clayton on bass, Jerry Lee Lewis on piano, and W.S. Holland on drums. Although Johnny Cash is billed as the fourth of the headlining quartet and his presence is corroborated by anecdotal evidence, aural evidence of his participation on record is difficult to discern. The remainder of disc five contains alternate takes of released masters.

Collecting every master recording made in the 1950s, The King of Rock 'n' Roll encapsulates the era for which Presley remains most revered, that of the young international phenomenon at the forefront of the rock and roll explosion. RCA issued three similarly configured box set companions for the subsequent decades of his career. The 1960s output was collected in two releases: From Nashville to Memphis, consisting of everything he did not record for film and television soundtracks; these were collected in Command Performances. Walk a Mile in My Shoes compiled his "essential" 1970s recordings.

Professional recordings made at Sun Studio, RCA Studios in New York and Nashville, Radio Recorders in Hollywood, and at the studio soundstages of 20th Century Fox, Paramount, and MGM in Hollywood. The furlough recording session of June 10, 1958, took place in RCA's newly constructed studio in Nashville, where Presley would continue to record through 1971. Original recordings produced by Sam Phillips or Steve Sholes.

This compilation received a 1992 Grammy nomination for Best Historical Album, only to lose that award to the boxed set The Complete Capitol Recordings of The Nat 'King' Cole Trio.

Track listing

Chart positions for LPs and EPs from Billboard Top Pop Albums chart; peak positions for EPA 4114 and EPA 4325 from EP chart commenced October 1957; positions for singles from Billboard Pop Singles chart. Certain recordings derive from acetates or from primitive recording equipment, and are not of professional sound quality; these are marked with an asterisk.

Disc one

Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP Issue Chart Peak
1. My Happiness2:31 1953-07-18 1990 2227-2 Elvis: The Great Performances
2. 1:55 1954-07-05 1954-07-19 Sun 209 For LP Fans Only
3. I Love You Because2:42 1954-07-05 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley
  1. 1
4. 2:35 1954-07-05 1976-01-08 CPL1 1349 Elvis: A Legendary Performer
Vol. 2
  1. 46
5. 2:02 1954-07-05 1954-07-19 Sun 209b A Date with Elvis
6. 2:31 1954-08-19 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley
  1. 1
7. Tomorrow Night+ 2:58 1954-09-10 1965-08-10 LSP 3450 Elvis for Everyone
  1. 10
8. 2:24 1954-09-10 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley
  1. 1
9. 2:27 1954-09-10 1955-03-05 Sun 210b
10. Sydney Robin, Bob Shelton, Joe Shelton 2:32 1954-09-10 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley
  1. 1
11. 2:12 1954-09-10 1954-09-25 Sun 210
12. 2:38 1954-11-12 1954-12-28 Sun 215
13. Jack Sallee 2:12 1954-11-12 1954-12-28 Sun 215b
  1. 74
14. 2:15 1955-02-05 1955-04-10 Sun 217 C&W #5
15. Stan Kesler and William E. Taylor 2:36 1955-03-05 1955-04-10 Sun 217b
16. 2:24 1955-07-11 1955-08-06 Sun 223
17. 2:28 1955-07-11 1955-08-06 Sun 223b C&W #1
18. 2:31 1955-07-11 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley
  1. 1
19. 2:01 1955-11-20 1983 6414-2
20. Ray Charles and Renald Richard 2:23 1956-01-10 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley
  1. 1
21. Mae Axton, Tommy Durden, Elvis Presley 2:08 1956-01-10 1956-01-27 47-6420
  1. 1
22. 2:34 1956-01-10 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley
  1. 1
23. 2:24 1956-01-11 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley
  1. 1
24. Aaron Schroeder, Claude DeMetrius, Hal Blair, Bill Peppers 2:33 1956-01-11 1956-01-27 47-6420b
  1. 19
25. 1:58 1956-01-30 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley
  1. 1
26. 2:11 1956-01-30 1956-05-04 47-6540b
  1. 31
27. Bill Campbell 2:09 1956-01-30 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley
  1. 1
28. So Glad You're Mine 2:20 1956-01-30 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis
  1. 1
29. 2:01 1956-01-31 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley
  1. 1
30. 1:58 1956-01-31 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley
  1. 1
+ overdubs added prior to release on LSP 3450

Disc two

Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP/EP Issue Chart Peak
1. 2:08 1956-02-03 1956-08-31 47-6642b
2. 2:37 1956-02-03 1956-08-31 47-6642
3. Lou Kosloff and George Mysels 2:40 1956-04-14 1956-05-04 47-6540
  1. 1
4. 2:16 1956-07-02 1956-07-13 47-6604b The Real Elvis
  1. 1
5. Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley 2:02 1956-07-02 1956-07-13 47-6604 The Real Elvis
  1. 1
6. 2:13 1956-07-02 1956-09-28 47-6643b
  1. 20
7. Vera Matson and Elvis Presley 2:30 1956-08-24 1956–11 EPA 4006 Love Me Tender
  1. 22
8. Vera Matson and Elvis Presley 2:41 1956-08-24 1956-09-28 47-6643
  1. 1
9. Vera Matson and Elvis Presley 2:13 1956-08-24 1956–11 EPA 4006 Love Me Tender
  1. 22
10. Vera Matson and Elvis Presley 2:08 1956-08-24 1956–11 EPA 4006 Love Me Tender
  1. 22
11. 2:50 1956-09-01 1957-01-04 47-6800b
  1. 21
12. 2:43 1956-09-01 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis
  1. 1
13. Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley 2:23 1956-09-02 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis
  1. 1
14. Webb Pierce and Wiley Walker 2:10 1956-09-01 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis
  1. 1
15. 2:23 1956-09-01 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis
  1. 1
16. Gene Sullivan and Wiley Walker 2:20 1956-09-02 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis
  1. 1
17. 1:51 1956-09-02 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis
  1. 1
18. Red Foley and Arthur Williams 4:10 1956-09-02 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis
  1. 1
19. Lee Rosenberg and Bernard Weinman 2:31 1956-09-02 1957-01-04 47-6800
  1. 1
20. 2:26 1956-09-02 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis
  1. 1
21. 1:56 1956-09-03 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis
  1. 1
22. 3:22 1956-09-03 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis
  1. 1
23. 1:53 1956-09-03 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis
  1. 1
24. 2:05 1957-01-12 1957–04 EPA 4054 Peace in the Valley
  1. 3
25. 2:05 1957-01-12 1965-12-03 47-8740
  1. 33
26. 2:31 1957-01-12 1957-07-01 LPM 1515 Loving You
  1. 1
27. Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley 1:56 1957-01-12 1957-03-22 47-6870
  1. 1
28. 2:15 1957-01-13 1957-07-01 LPM 1515 Loving You
  1. 1
29. 3:22 1957-01-13 1957–04 EPA 4054 Peace in the Valley
  1. 3

Disc three

Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP/EP Issue Chart Peak
1. Fred Fisher, Billy Hill, William Raskin 3:20 1957-01-13 1957-03-22 47-6870b
  1. 58
2. 3:16 1957-01-13 1957–04 EPA 4054 Peace in the Valley
  1. 3
3. 3:53 1957-01-19 1957–04 EPA 4054 Peace in the Valley
  1. 3
4. 2:39 1957-01-19 1957–04 EPA 4041 Just For You
  1. 16
5. Scotty Greene Wiseman 2:31 1957-01-19 1957–04 EPA 4041 Just For You
  1. 16
6. 2:28 1957-01-19 1957–04 EPA 4041 Just For You
  1. 16
7. 1:26 1957–01 1957-07-01 LPM 1515 Loving You
  1. 1
8. Lonesome Cowboy 3:07 1957-01-15 1957-07-01 LPM 1515 Loving You
  1. 1
9. Hot Dog 1:17 1957-01-18 1957-07-01 LPM 1515 Loving You
  1. 1
10. Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King, Anita Steiman 2:35 1957-01-24 1983 CPL1 4848
11. 1:45 1957-01-24 1957-06-11 47-7000 Loving You
  1. 1
12. 1:58 1957-02-23 1957-07-01 Loving You
  1. 1
13. Rose Marie McCoy and Kelly Owens 1:50 1957-02-23 1958-01-07 47-7150b
  1. 8
14. Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King, Anita Steiman 2:29 1957-02-23 1958-10-21 47-7410
  1. 4
15. 2:05 1957-02-23 1957-07-01 LPM 1515 Loving You
  1. 1
16. 2:37 1957-02-23 1957–04 EPA 4041 Just For You
  1. 16
17. 2:12 1957-02-24 1957-06-11 47-7000b
  1. 20
18. 1:47 1957-02-24 1965-08-10 LSP 3450 Elvis for Everyone
  1. 10
19. 2:26 1957-04-30 1957-09-24 47-7035
  1. 1
20. 2:02 1957-04-30 1957–10 EPA 4114 Jailhouse Rock
  1. 1
21. 2:12 1957-04-30 1957–10 EPA 4114 Jailhouse Rock
  1. 1
22. 1:51 1957-04-30 1957–10 EPA 4114 Jailhouse Rock
  1. 1
23. 2:05 1957-04-30 1957–10 EPA 4114 Jailhouse Rock
  1. 1
24. Billy Hayes and Jay Johnson 2:07 1957-09-05 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album
  1. 1
25. 2:23 1957-09-06 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album
  1. 1
26. 1:54 1957-09-06 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album
  1. 1
27. 2:23 1957-09-06 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album
  1. 1
28. 2:35 1957-09-07 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album
  1. 1
29. 1:54 1957-09-07 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album
  1. 1
30. 2:22 1957-09-07 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album
  1. 1
31. 1:53 1957-09-07 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album
  1. 1

Disc four

Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP/EP Issue Chart Peak
1. 2:10 1957-09-05 1957-09-24 47-7035b
  1. 18
2. 2:33 1957-09-06 1959-06-23 47-7600b
  1. 12
3. 2:48 1957-09-06 1958-01-07 47-7150
  1. 1
4. Danny 1:51 1958-02-11 1978–12 CP1 3082
  1. 113
5. 1:53 1958-01-15 1958-06-10 47-7280
  1. 1
6. 2:16 1958-01-15 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole
  1. 2
7. New Orleans 1:58 1958-01-15 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole
  1. 2
8. 1:38 1958-01-15 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole
  1. 2
9. Aaron Schroeder and Rachel Frank 1:46 1958-01-16 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole
  1. 2
10. Lover Doll 2:09 1958-01-16 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole
  1. 2
11. 2:06 1958-01-16 1958-06-10 47-7280b
  1. 25
12. As Long As I Have You 1:50 1958-01-16 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole
  1. 2
13. 2:08 1958-01-23 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole
  1. 2
14. Young Dreams Aaron Schroeder and Martin Kalmanoff 2:23 1958-01-23 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole
  1. 2
15. 1:15 1958-02-11 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole
  1. 2
16. 1:54 1958-02-01 1958-04-01 47-7240b
  1. 15
17. 2:24 1958-02-01 1965-08-10 LSP 3450 Elvis for Everyone
  1. 10
18. Bert Carroll and Russell Moody 2:13 1958-02-01 1958-04-01 47-7240
  1. 2
19. 2:04 1958-06-10 1959-03-10 47-7506b
  1. 4
20. 2:12 1958-06-10 1959-06-23 47-7600
  1. 1
21. 2:22 1958-06-10 1964-09-22 47-8440
  1. 16
22. Bill Trader 2:36 1958-06-10 1959-03-10 47-7506
  1. 2
23. 1:49 1958-06-11 1958-10-21 47-7410
  1. 8
24. Expanded Interview Segment 12:34 1958-09-22 1958–12 EPA 4325 Elvis Sails
  1. 2

Disc five: Rare and Rockin'

Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP Issue Chart Peak
1. That's When Your Heartaches BeginFred Fisher, Billy Hill, William Raskin 3:20 1953-07-18 previously unreleased
2. Fool, Fool, Fool1:51 1955-01-06 previously unreleased
3. Tweedle Dee
  • (live)
2:07 1955-04-30 1984–03 RCA 89387 Elvis: The First Live Recordings
  1. 163
4. Maybellene
  • (live)
1:58 1955-08-20 1984–03 RCA 89387 Elvis: The First Live Recordings
  1. 163
5. Shake, Rattle & Roll2:16 1955-01-06 previously unreleased
6. Blue Moon of Kentucky (alternate) 1:03 1954-07-05 1987 RCA 6414-2 The Complete Sun Sessions
7. Blue Moon (alternate) 2:55 1954-08-19 previously unreleased
8. I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone (slow version) Stan Kesler and William E. Taylor 2:40 1955-03-05 1987 RCA 6414-2 The Complete Sun Sessions
9. 2:53 1956-12-04 previously unreleased
10. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (alternate) 2:07 1956-02-03 previously unreleased
11. Shake, Rattle & Roll (alternate) 2:25 1956-02-03 previously unreleased
12. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (alternate) Maurice Mysels, Ira Kosloff and Tom Hamilton 2:40 1956-04-14 previously unreleased
13. Heartbreak Hotel
  • (live)
Mae Borden Axton, Tommy Durden, Elvis Presley 2:54 1956-05-06 1980–08 CP8 3699 Elvis Aron Presley
  1. 27
14. Long Tall Sally
  • (live)
2:15 1956-05-06 1980–08 CP8 3699 Elvis Aron Presley
  1. 27
15. Blue Suede Shoes
  • (live)
4:59 1956-05-06 1980–08 CP8 3699 Elvis Aron Presley
  1. 27
16. Money Honey
  • (live)
2:34 1956-05-06 1980–08 CP8 3699 Elvis Aron Presley
  1. 27
17. We're Gonna Move (alternate) Vera Matson and Elvis Presley 2:30 1956-08-24 previously unreleased
18. Old Shep (alternate) 3:53 1956-09-02 previously unreleased
19. I Beg of You (alternate) Rosemarie McCoy and Kelly Owens 1:51 1957-01-13 previously unreleased
20. 1:48 1957-02-14 previously unreleased
21. 1:24 1957-02-14 previously unreleased
22. Young And Beautiful (alternate) 1:09 1957-04-30 previously unreleased
23. I Want to Be Free (alternate) 2:06 1957-04-30 previously unreleased
24. King Creole (alternate) 2:04 1958-01-15 1991–01 2229-2-R Essential Elvis Vol. 3
25. As Long as I Have You (alternate) 1:24 1958-01-16 1991–01 2229-2-R Essential Elvis Vol. 3
26. 1:48 1958-06-10 1991–01 2229-2-R Essential Elvis Vol. 3

Personnel

The Jordanaires

Love Me Tender Sessions

Million Dollar Quartet

Charts

Chart (1992)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[1] 52

Notes and References

  1. 223.

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