The Church that rocks
Methodism helped launch the stratospheric success of Elvis Presley. That’s an interesting fact that emerged while researching our cover story for the spring 2021 edition of Roof ‘n’ Roots.
The session became one of the most momentous in Elvis’s career
We discovered that the singer’s first sessions for music giant RCA Victor took place in a building that belonged to the Methodist Church – 1525 McGavock Street in Nashville.
It was a chance happening that we came across this fascinating piece of rock history. We were working on the story about MMHS resident the Revd Derek Aldridge – who is chaplain to UK fan organisation Strictly Elvis.
Elvis and his band turned up on 10th and 11th January 1956 – at the studio space that RCA shared with the Methodist Church’s Television, Radio and Film Commission.
The session became one of the most momentous in Elvis’s career. According to US-based Asbury Church, it was also a highlight in a little-known chapter of Methodist Church history.
Elvis and his musicians recorded five songs over two days — a cover of Ray Charles’ I’ve Got a Woman, I Was the One, Money Honey, I’m Counting on You and Heartbreak Hotel.
Its success marked the beginning of Nashville as a major recording centre
The single Heartbreak Hotel was released on 27th January. Its success marked the beginning of Nashville as a major recording centre.
‘There was this excitement that Elvis recorded here,’ said Phil Arnold, who joined the Methodist Church’s Television, Radio and Film Commission in 1967.
‘That was our calling card when people came in,’ Phil added. You can read the full story here.
