KWXY Presents ● Wink Martindale’s “The Elvis Presley Story” a National Radio Special

Dewey Phillips (left), Wink Martindale (center), and Elvis Presley (right), June 16, 1956. Photo Courtesy Wink Martindale

Elvis Presley, often referred dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll", is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.

Wink Martindale’s “The Elvis Presley Story” explores the career of this most iconic entertainer through insightful and engaging interviews from those that knew him best. According to Martindale, this 14-hour program on Elvis Presley is the most comprehensive story on Elvis ever produced.

Wink Martindale and Elvis Presley at Wink Martindale’s Top 10 Dance Party on WHBQ Television, Memphis / June 16th, 1956. Photo Courtesy Wink Martindale

Wink was a close friend of Presley’s. Martindale says he became a big fan after listening to the first airing of Presley’s single ‘That’s Alright Mama’ on July 8, 1954 after listening to it from inside the radio station at WHBQ in Memphis where he worked at the time. Shortly thereafter, Martindale had Elvis on his TV show ‘The Teen Dance Hour’ which would become The King’s very first television appearance on June 16, 1956.

“The world of music and entertainment has changed so much since the night Elvis Presley’s ‘That’s Alright Mama’ was first played on the radio,” Martindale said. "I was there in the station that night, and that’s when I first met Elvis. He and I became great friends and we remained friends until the day he passed".

“I’m so fortunate to have witnessed American music history,” he said. “And I am thrilled to be able to share ‘The Elvis Presley Story’ with a new and worldwide audience.”

Martindale first aired parts of “The Elvis Presley Story” immediately after Presley’s passing in 1977 during a nationwide radio tribute special in his honor.

Listen to Wink Martindale's "The Elvis Presley Story" this morning starting at 9am PST on KWXY Music Radio 92.3FM ● 1340AM ● streaming at kwxy.com and ivoxradio.com