Elvis Presley: Elvis Presley | Classic Albums

Duration: 49'37''

Synopsis

A look at the creation of Elvis Presley's eponymous debut album, which brought about his meteoric rise to superstardom in 1956. The film is filled with performances from 1955 and 56, interviews with Elvis and rare home movie footage of him at play and work, offering fresh insights into his life and his recordings. Featured songs include Blue Suede Shoes, Shake Rattle and Roll, Tutti Frutti and Elvis's first million-seller, Heartbreak Hotel.

Further Information

More clips from Classic Albums

Amy Winehouse: Back to Black | Classic Albums

Amy Winehouse: Back to Black | Classic Albums

BBC Four | 2018 | 59'13''

Series looking at the creation of some classic rock albums looks at Amy Winehouse's second album, 2006's Back to Black.

Fleetwood Mac: Rumours | Classic Albums

Fleetwood Mac: Rumours | Classic Albums

BBC Four | 2008 | 59'37''

This programme considers the significance of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours.

Jay Z: Reasonable Doubt | Classic Albums

Jay Z: Reasonable Doubt | Classic Albums

BBC Four | 2008 | 53'43''

Brooklyn-born Jay-Z is one of the most successful and creative hip-hop artists of all time. His remarkable rise to fame was heralded...

Paul Simon: Graceland | Classic Albums

Paul Simon: Graceland | Classic Albums

BBC Four | 1997 | 59'19''

This edition looks at how Paul Simon's Graceland made an enormous impact with its blend of rock and African rhythms.

Peter Gabriel: So | Classic Albums

Peter Gabriel: So | Classic Albums

BBC Four | 2012 | 58'29''

With the release of So in 1986, Peter Gabriel achieved a level of success that had thus far eluded him. Gabriel famously started out leadi...

Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon | Classic Albums

Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon | Classic Albums

BBC Four | 2008 | 49'02''

This edition looks at the legendary Pink Floyd album Dark Side of the Moon with interviews with Roger Waters, David Gi...

Queen: A Night at the Opera | Classic Albums

Queen: A Night at the Opera | Classic Albums

BBC Four | 2008 | 49'06''

A Night At The Opera, the fourth Queen album released in late 1975, is a mix of hard rock, pop, opera, music hall camp and tradi...

Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life | Classic Albums

Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life | Classic Albums

BBC One | 1997 | 59'09''

Already firmly established, Stevie Wonder spent over two years making this album. It was finally released in 1976 af...

The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds | Classic Albums

The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds | Classic Albums

BBC Four | 2016 | 59'05''

This edition of the series celebrates the 50th anniversary of the release of Brian Wilson's masterpiece, The Beach Boys' album Pe...

The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Electric Ladyland | Classic Albums

The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Electric Ladyland | Classic Albums

BBC Four | 1997 | 59'36''

In 1968, with his career at a crossroads, Jimi Hendrix went to New York to record this album. It was to be th...

More resources about Jazz and Blues

Experience of living with Jim Crow | Rick Stein Tastes the Blues

Experience of living with Jim Crow | Rick Stein Tastes the Blues

BBC Four | 2014 | 1'42''

Rick heres how some of his Blues heroes grew up under the Jim Crow laws and how they defined the genre itself.

Back to Black (2024)

Back to Black (2024)

BBC Two | 2025 | 1'53'04''

The life and music of Amy Winehouse, following the development of her unique talent and passion as she became a singular and iconic musician.

The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds | Classic Albums

The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds | Classic Albums

BBC Four | 2016 | 59'05''

This edition of the series celebrates the 50th anniversary of the release of Brian Wilson's masterpiece, The Beach Boys' album Pe...

2007: Amy Winehouse | Glastonbury

2007: Amy Winehouse | Glastonbury

BBC Four | 2007 | 59'02''

Amy Winehouse performs twice in one day at the festival in 2007, taking to the Pyramid Stage in the afternoon followed by an evening set on...

Amy Winehouse - The Day She Came to Dingle | Arena

Amy Winehouse - The Day She Came to Dingle | Arena

BBC HD | 2012 | 59'32''

Documentary telling the story of the day Amy Winehouse recorded a stunning acoustic performance in a church in the small I...

Amy Winehouse | BBC One Sessions

Amy Winehouse | BBC One Sessions

BBC One | 2007 | 29'55''

Another chance to see a 23-year-old Amy Winehouse at Porchester Hall where, hot from her triumph at the 2007 Brits, she gave a special one-o...

Amy Winehouse | Later... with Jools Holland

Amy Winehouse | Later... with Jools Holland

BBC Two | 2023 | 33'51''

Jools takes a look back at one of the world's most iconic artists of the 21st century, celebrating her short yet remarkable career.

Amy Winehouse in Her Own Words

Amy Winehouse in Her Own Words

BBC Four | 2017 | 22'52''

Portrait of Amy Winehouse through interviews and performances, some previously unseen. Including Glastonbury, Later...with Jools Holland and t...

Amy Winehouse: Back to Black | Classic Albums

Amy Winehouse: Back to Black | Classic Albums

BBC Four | 2018 | 59'13''

Series looking at the creation of some classic rock albums looks at Amy Winehouse's second album, 2006's Back to Black.

Billie Holiday | Icons

Billie Holiday | Icons

BBC Two | 2019 | 12'45''

Raised in abject poverty, Holiday's unique singing technique saw her become one of the world's great recording artists before she chose to shine a lig...

Dockery Farm and Blues music | Arena

Dockery Farm and Blues music | Arena

BBC Four | 2017 | 5'48''

Charlie Patton is considered to be the forefather of the Delta blues and worked on a plantation known as Dockery Farm.

Reclaiming Amy

Reclaiming Amy

BBC Two | 2021 | 57'49''

Marking the ten-year anniversary of the death of Amy Winehouse, her closest family and friends, including mum Janis and dad Mitch, reveal the truth about the ...

Rick Stein Tastes the Blues

Rick Stein Tastes the Blues

BBC Four | 2014 | 59'00''

Rick Stein pays homage to the Mississippi Delta's blues and to the great dishes that go hand in hand with it, from fried chicken and turnip green...

S01E06: Amy Winehouse | A Life in Ten Pictures

S01E06: Amy Winehouse | A Life in Ten Pictures

BBC Two | 2021 | 59'15''

Amy Winehouse's image is known around the world. But just a handful of iconic shots and private snaps reveal a new story: an e...