Record #0671: Don't / I Beg of You – ELVIS PRESLEY

 

RCA Victor 47-7150 (original) USA, 7. January 1958
Words & Music by:  Side A – Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller; Side B – Rose Marie McCoy, Kelly Owens
Musicians: Elvis Presley (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Scotty Moore (lead guitar), Bill Black (upright bass), D.J. Fontana (drums), Dudley Brooks (piano), the Jordanaires (backing vocals), Millie Kirkham (backing vocals on side A)
Recording sessions: Produced by Steve Sholes at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, CA, Side A – 6. September 1957; Side B – 23. February 1957
Highest chart positions:  Side A - US #1, US R&B #4, US Country #2, UK #2; Side B - US #8, US R&B #5, US Country #4.

This was Elvis’ first single of 1958 and it put him back on the top of the charts. Both songs were also included on Elvis’ fourth compilation album “50,000,000Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong”, which was released in 1959.

The session of side A took 8 hours starting at noon. It included “My Wish Came True” (28 takes), “White Christmas” (9 takes), “Here Comes Santa Claus” (2 takes), “Silent Night” (9 takes) and “Don’t” (7 takes).

I have already posted a 1977 re-issue of this single here. I missed Millie Kirkham’s backing vocals in that post.

List price:  Very Good+ is $12,50, Near Mint is $25. Picture sleeve is $45 for VG+ and $90 for NM. 2001 re-issue sleeve has text “This is a replica of the original packaging” on rear side, at the bottom. That’s $4 for a NM.