Santa Monica, CA – February 2, 2021 – SOFA Entertainment/UMe has unveiled a timely, newly-produced behind-the-scenes video of Elvis Presley’s historic polio vaccination prior to his appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in October 1956.
Posted on The Ed Sullivan Show YouTube channel (watch HERE) as the U.S. combats the COVID-19 pandemic, the video takes viewers on an informative, two-minute journey about the inspirational role of the then-21-year-old star as the U.S. faced a terrifying polio outbreak.
Elvis’ historic initiative promoting the polio vaccine made headlines and played a crucial role in influencing teens and young adults to get the vaccine and help defeat the disease.
Featuring iconic BTS footage from the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s legendary appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” images of his backstage vaccination, his public service statements about polio, recent news events, and even a recent segment from The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, the VNR is designed to connect today’s events to a past challenge by presenting an aspect of Elvis Presley’s legacy that contributed to saving millions of lives.
About The Ed Sullivan Show YouTube Channel
Nearly 50 years after The Ed Sullivan Show wrapped its final episode and charmed TV viewers for the final time on Sunday night June 6, 1971, it officially joined the streaming universe to live on forever when UMe and SOFA Entertainment Inc. announced an agreement for the global digital rights to The Ed Sullivan Show library, which encompasses the influential television program’s historic 23-year primetime run on CBS. Marking the first time that Ed Sullivan Show performance and guest segments are officially available in their entirety across streaming services worldwide, The Ed Sullivan Show’s official YouTube channel uploads new segments daily featuring iconic personalities, music legends, comedy greats and more.
About Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley is one of the most influential pop culture figures of the 20th century. Often referred to as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Elvis’ commanding voice and charismatic stage presence unleashed a musical and cultural revolution that changed the world. Over the course of his extraordinary career, Elvis was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards (3 wins), sold over 1 billion records worldwide, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and was named “One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation” by the United States Jaycees, as well as the 2018 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In addition to his musical accolades, Elvis starred in 33 films and made numerous television appearances.
More than 60 years after his global debut, Elvis’ legacy is stronger than ever. His life and music have inspired countless hit musicals, movies and TV series’, fiction and non-fiction books, musical covers, and commercial endorsements, as well as a robust merchandise program spanning collectibles and fashion collaborations. An enduring symbol of “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s” stardom, Graceland, Elvis’ Memphis home, is the second most-visited home in the United States after the White House, drawing over 600,000 visitors annually and tens of thousands of fans for its Elvis Week celebration. With more than 15 million fans across social media and a growing multimedia presence, the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” continues to inspire today’s most influential musicians, designers, entertainers, and social influencers and captivate audiences around the world.
For more information, visit elvisthemusic.com. Shop Elvis products at shopelvis.com.