On April 30, 1957 Elvis Presley recorded the Leiber and Stoller song ‘Jailhouse Rock’, as featured in the King’s third motion picture of the same name. Later that year the song went to number 1 in the US and became the first song ever to debut at number 1 in Great Britain. Subsequently it was recognized by the Grammy Hall of Fame and the American Film Institute.
Some of the characters named in the song are real people. Shifty Henry was a well-known LA musician, not a felon. The Purple Mob was a real mob and Sad Sack was a US army nickname for a loser.
In the movie, Mike Stoller had a small role as a piano player. The plot follows Presley’s character, Vince Everett, who is mentored by his prison cell mate who recognizes Vince’s talent. The dance sequence to Jailhouse Rock is often cited as Presley’s greatest moment on screen.
