The Elvis Years – 31 August 2018

For Volume 1 of The Elvis Years, we track the beginnings of Elvis's incredible career: from his birth and humble upbringing in Tupelo, to his pivotal move to Memphis and Sun Records fame. Beyond Sun, we then return to the studio sessions where Elvis made his mighty RCA major label debut.

Further in, we profile Elvis's original band, the Blue Moon Boys: guitarist Scotty Moore, bassist Bill Black and drummer DJ Fontana. Plus we take a look at his harmonious vocal backing quartet The Jordanaires. There's also an in-depth investigation into two of Presley's main collaborators from the period: Sun Records producer and label boss Sam Phillips and prodigious songwriter Otis Blackwell.

Other Volume 1 features include a look at 50s rockabilly Mecca the Louisiana Hayride, Elvis's first pop No. 1 single Heartbreak Hotel, the heralded Million Dollar Quartet session – with Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash – and a sightseeing trip to Presley hot spots in Tupelo.

His first four seminal Hollywood film roles – Loving You, Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock and King Creole – are also given due attention, as are his fascinating connections to the UK. Lastly we feast our eyes on Presley's lavish 50s wardrobe and take a listen to a few of his lesser-spun wonders from the era. So join us as we retrace the King’s footsteps, from Tupelo to Stardom…