Elvis Presley ‘Memphis Sessions’

It was 43 years ago, in January of 1969, that Elvis Presley began recording what has come to be known as the 'Memphis Sessions'. These studio sessions yielded some of the most incredible recordings in the singer's career.

Elvis had just reemerged from a musical exile, having devoted most of the 1960s to his movie career. He was still enjoying a resurgence of popularity and creative energy from the 1968 'Comeback Special' on television, and entered the studios with a newfound confidence.

Those historic 'Memphis Sessions' would see the recording of the songs 'In The Ghetto', 'Suspicious Minds', 'Kentucky Rain', 'Don't Cry Daddy', and 'Rubberneckin'. The songs were strong and so were the musicians. Producer Chips Moman made sure that the songs were the best of the best that were presented to Presley during the five weeks of recording, which commenced on January 13th, 1969 at American Studios in Memphis.

The songs were scattered over several releases, but the best source to get them all in one package would be the Suspicious Minds: The Memphis 1969 Anthology, which was released in 1999. It's available as a download or on cd.

'Suspicious Minds' would go on to reach Number One later that year, and would be Elvis' last chart topper during his lifetime.

Check out a live performance of 'In The Ghetto' circa 1972: (via elvis.com.au)