Web posted on: Wednesday, October 28, 1998 1:14:45 PM EST

ATLANTA (CNN) -- In 1956, Elvis Presley took the country by storm. The year of the King of Rock 'n' Roll saw Presley tour from coast to coast, watching his popularity soar as teens caught the fever of his gyrating performances that shook the music world to its 1950s conservative foundations.

It was the year Elvis made history. He toured through 50 cities; made his first TV appearance; released his first LP (which became the first million-selling album); appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, commanding the highest ratings ever, and the biggest fee.

And Elvis capped the year with the release of his first movie, "Love Me Tender," which opened at New York's historic Paramount Theater to incredible hype and a swarm of screaming fans.

Now, a collection of photographs of that fateful year, some never before released to the public, can be enjoyed in the new book, "Elvis Presley 1956."

The photos, black and white shots of the King during his heyday and before informal access to him was disallowed, were taken by photographer Marvin Israel, who covered Presley's rage across America for "Seventeen" magazine. Only two of Israel's pictures -- out of an estimated 500 -- were ever published in the magazine.

"Elvis Presley 1956", published this month by Harry N. Abrams, Inc., contains nearly 60 photos of Presley taken from January to December of 1956. Some capture Elvis interacting with fans backstage, others show the King doing what he did best -- perform in front of his frenzied fans. Near the end of the collection, the book offers touching pictures of Elvis mother and father during Elvis' visit home to Memphis.

While the book is a record of the changing of the guard in music, it's also a tribute to Israel, who became an influential art director and artist, but received little acclaim for his work with Elvis. Israel died of a heart attack in 1984, seven years after Presley died.

• CNN special section: Viva Elvis!
• CMA to honor Elvis Presley
• Elvis scholars join fans to commemorate The King's life

• Elvis Presley's Graceland
• Elvis Presley Database