February 25, 1961 - Elvis appears in Memphis at a luncheon in his honour, and numerous recent awards Elvis has received are shown to the press and others attending. A press conference follows. 'Elvis Presley Day' is proclaimed by Tennessee Governor Buford Ellington.
Every year after this, (and before) Elvis donates money to a list of Memphis-area charities, eventually reaching fifty or more, usually around Christmas time. Within a few years, to show their appreciation the city gives him a massive plaque listing fifty charities
Then, Elvis performs one afternoon show and one evening show at Ellis Auditorium to benefit around thirty-eight Memphis-area charities. Other than the Sinatra television show, these shows are, so far, Elvis' only live performances since his army discharge.
Elvis Presley 25 February. Memphis, TN. Ellis Auditorium (2 shows)
Pearl Harbor Benefit. Mar. 25, 1960
Elvis and Colonel Parker bought 50 of these special seats and donated them to patients from Tripler Hospital in Hawaii. Elvis' benefit raised more than $52,000 for the memorial fund. On March 30, the Hawaii House of Representatives passed Special Resolution 105 thanking Elvis and the Colonel.
The benefit for the Arizona memorial could be considered a good career move in that it helped Elvis become more acceptable to an adult audience, but his career was not the only reason Elvis agreed to do the concert. He had a sensitive, generous nature, and throughout his entire life, Elvis gave freely to charities and other worthy causes, whether he received publicity for it or not.
Five years after this benefit, while in Hawaii filming Paradise, Hawaiian Style, Elvis visited the completed memorial and placed a wreath there. Photographers and reporters rushed in to record the event, but Elvis sent them away. He did not want his visit to the memorial to become a publicity stunt.
Elvis Presley
25 March. Honolulu, HI. Bloch Arena
Elvis Presley Honolulu, Hawaii March 1961
Stop, look and listen baby that's our philosophy .... First thing in the morning, last thing at night ... look, stare everywhere and see everything inside .... Stop, look and listen!
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