It’s July second, and on this day in 1956… Elvis Presley walked into RCA Studios in New York City and took full control of the recording session for the first time in his career. What followed would become one of the most iconic moments in rock and roll history. Over the course of the day, Elvis recorded “Hound Dog,” pushing through 31 takes to get it just right. He also recorded “Don’t Be Cruel,” a track that would pair with “Hound Dog” as a groundbreaking double A-side single, and “Any Way You Want Me,” a ballad that showed the depth of his vocal range. This session not only produced three of his most memorable recordings but also marked the moment Elvis began shaping his sound on his own terms.
