22nd October 1956, Monday

[Graeme]

Day number 7959Site Date Map

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[Alan]

From "The Wild One '56" :-
      

Monday October 22        Elvis rehearsed at home with his band, and The Jordanaires for his second performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. After a brief run-through of the four songs they were going to do on TV, they all sat in a little circle on the floor singing spirituals, with Gladys beaming on the couch. Every so often she would join in and softly sing a line, while June (Juanico) never shy about her singing, took the alto part on ‘In The Garden’, which had been part of her high school graduation ceremony. Later that night she and Elvis drove out to Mud Island, where they had ridden Elvis’ motorcycle at what seemed like 100 miles an hour on her first trip to Memphis.

      
JUNE JUANICO: Elvis’ mood quickly changed the minute The Jordanaires arrived at his Audubon Drive home to rehearse
for the upcoming Ed Sullivan Show. He greeted each one with a handshake and a pat on the back before making all the
introductions. Within minutes of meeting the talented quartet, I felt as if I had known them forever. After a brief discussion of
business, they went to the den and sat in a tight circle in the middle of the floor. Elvis moved over, making room for me by
his side. They practiced the songs they were singing for the Sullivan show until they thought them good enough. Then after a
short break, they began singing just for fun. The magnificent voices of The Jordanaires, was, for me, the thrill of a lifetime.
Even my goose-bump had goose-bumps.

Starting out with a few traditional barbershop quartet selections, to loosen up the vocals chords, the tempo changed to
fingersnapping gospel songs. Mrs. Presley was sitting on the sofa across the room, facing me and Elvis. This was one time she
didn’t stay in the kitchen. Feeling overcome with the Holy Spirit, she raised both arms in the air, shouting, “Hallelujah!” The
rest of us followed in unison with a big ‘Amen.’

When the group paused for a moment, trying to think of what to sing next, Mrs. Presley requested ‘Amazing Grace’. “Now
you're in for a real treat, baby,” Elvis said, knowing how much I loved close harmony. They sang every hymn I had ever
heard, and some I had never heard before. ‘How Great Thou Art’, ‘The Old Rugged Cross’, ‘In The Garden’ were among
my favorites. After a singing session lasting close to three hours, my three-hour piece of heaven ended, and The Jordanaires
finally said good night. They would have stayed longer, but the tenor and baritone voices were beginning to get a little hoarse.
Elvis and I saw the guys out to their car and watched them drive away.

[Alan]

The telegram from the 20th shows that the telegram was sent to DJ Fontana.
      
Each of the members of those performing on the Ed Sullivan Show may have each been sent a similar telegram.
      
What it shows is that despite the Jordanaires getting the only mention from June Juanico the rest of the band had to sit there throughout 3 hours of mostly gospel songs or they did the set list for the show first then Scotty, Bill and DJ left leaving the Jordanaires with Elvis.