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Elvis Presley - Russwood Park, Memphis, Tennessee - July 4, 1956
On the evening of July 4, 1956, Elvis, Scotty Moore, Bill Black and DJ Fontana headlined a benefit concert at Russwood to a reported 14,000 fans, many of which had waited since morning to sit as close as they could (actual attendance is believed to be around 7000). By 5:00 p.m., a half hour before the gates opened, hundreds were jammed solidly before the turnstiles. The charity event was for the Cynthia Milk Fund of The Memphis Press-Scimitar and the Variety Club's home for Convalescent Children.
It featured over 100 performers backed up by the bands of Aaron Bluestein and Bob Morris that all volunteered their services to perform in the 97 degree heat and lasted more than three hours though the band closed the last half-hour. The Jordonaires were also flown in and appeared as surprise guests.
Starburst, Elvis onstage at Russwood Park, Memphis, Tennessee, July 4, 1956
Elvis Presley and Scotty Moore on stage at Russwood - July 4, 1956
Elvis on stage at Russwood - July 4, 1956
Elvis on stage at Russwood - July 4, 1956
Bill Black, D.J. Fontana, Elvis Presley and Scotty Moore Russwood - July 4, 1956
Dewey Phillips emceed the show while local police, fireman and Shore Patrol from the Navy worked security. Elvis was brought to the park in a squad car during the first act of the show but when fans learned of his arrival out front they besieged the car. They left and returned just before he went on. When he finally took the stage wearing all black except for a red tie and red socks, pandemonium broke out as fans broke from their seats and swept to the stage. He asked them politely to return to their seats since it made it difficult for people in the back to see. As a door prize he gave away a $600 gold ring he owned with his initials set in 14 diamonds. At one point he told the crowd 'You know those people in New York are not going to change me none. I'm going to show you what the real Elvis is like tonight.' They then performed 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'I want You, I Need You, I Love You', 'Blue Suede Shoes', 'Long Tall Sally' and 'Hound Dog' amongst others.
At the end of the show Elvis retreated though a phalanx of police and Shore Patrolman to a squad car backed up to the rear of the stage. Fans rolled around the car like a wave and two Shore Patrolmen and a policeman were picked up and carried back like feathers but Elvis grinned as the car pushed through the crowd.
The event had grossed about $13,500 for the charities. Their appearance that night in the park came almost two years to the day after they first recorded 'That's All Right'
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Back Link Elvis Presley 1956
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