Elvis Presley Once Said His ‘Most Embarrassing Performance’ Was With A Real-Life Hound Dog

The late Elvis Presley experienced the “most embarrassing moment of his career” on The Steve Allen Show during his performance in 1956. He had to sing to an actual basset hound named Sherlock on the show, which made him rather uncomfortable. The dog ignored Elvis throughout the rehearsal, as Allen encouraged him to “get to know” her.

This performance was an attempt to control the outrage over Elvis’ dance moves on The Milton Berle Show, and NBC was concerned that Elvis would spark some controversy yet again, so they asked him to be still. Thankfully, he gave a good show with Sherlock, even though he would rather not have.

Elvis sang ‘Hound Dog’ to Sherlock the basset hound

The “Suspicious Minds” singer performed one of his popular songs, “Hound Dog,” to Sherlock, who watched him in a bow tie and top hat; however, it was not originally written or sung by Elvis. The song was originally recorded by Big Mama Thorton in 1952, and he was inspired to create his version after seeing Freddie Bell and the Bellboys perform it at the Sands in Las Vegas.

RELATED: Elvis Presley’s Backup Singers Once Walked Out On Him After Disturbing Rant

Despite feeling humiliated, Elvis successfully serenaded viewers on the show, as he did other audiences with “Hound Dog.” The cover quickly became one of Elvis’ favorite closing songs and concerts, and is still one of his most known songs today.

NBC feared he would misbehave

In a bid to win back the favor of viewers who wanted Elvis off the show, NBC asked that he sing to the basset hound. “Well, you know, a couple of weeks ago on ‘The Milton Berle Show,’ our next guest, Elvis Presley, received a great deal of attention, which some people seem to interpret one way and some viewers interpret it another,” Allen said as he introduced him on stage. “Naturally, it’s our intention to do nothing but a good show.”

One of the singers in Elvis’ backup group, The Jordanaires, said that Elvis would never have turned down the performance, no matter how embarrassing it was for him. The backup singer named Gordon Stoker added that Elvis “always did the best he could with whatever situation he was given.”