Elvis Presley | Fair & Expo Centers Freedom Hall | Louisville, Kentucky | June 26, 1974

Courier Journal, by Billy Reed (taken from the book 'Elvis, The Concert Years', by Stein Erik Skar)

A middle-aged ex-truck driver from Memphis, Tenn., last night drew a throbbing, screaming mob of some 20.000 to Louisville's Freedom Hall, which - of course - was the largest mob to inhabit that spacious edifice since the last time he was in town. When he finally came on stage, with his hand playing the theme from '2001: A Space Odyssey', his familiar wide shouldered, slim-hipped body was draped with this incredible outfit.

The style was sort of what you might call 'Early Aztec Buck Rogers' - with blue sequined peacocks on front and back and peacock feathers on the flared trousers.

Plus view Elvis Presley Video Elvis at the Armory, Louisville, Kentucky: November 25, 1956 New page link

The news feature from WHAS11 TV shows Elvis playing at the Armory, Louisville, Kentucky on November 25, 1956. Although silent, it shows the impact of his show and the arena packed with people. Pure magic!

External link Kentucky woman reunited with late mother thanks to Elvis Friday Flashbacks New page link

Elvis Presley Video Elvis Presley: Louisville, Kentucky, June 26, 1974 New page link

Elvis introducing Glen D. Hardin (Elvis On Stage, by Keith Alverson)
Elvis introducing Glen D. Hardin (Elvis On Stage, by Keith Alverson)

And then, for some 45 minutes with flashbulbs popping like fireflies in the darkened auditorium, while strobe lights flashed with machine-gun rapidity, while graying grandmothers and halter-topped teeny boppers stood side-by-side and screamed out their ever-livin' lungs, Elvis Presley took everyone on a trip through time and space, a journey from reality to yesterday to fantasyland and back home again. He stood up there wiggled and waggled, postured and pouted, snarled and snapped. Alternately cruel and caressing, and always laughing - at himself, at his band, mostly at the audience - Elvis proved once again that he still is the only man alive who can bring thousands of women to their knees by standing on his right foot and wiggling his left foot in the air.

The Presley show last night was superb, if you like Presley, although perhaps not worth the $100-$175 that some scalpers reportedly were asking for tickets. The crowd got what it came for - especially the lucky women who latched onto the the multi-colored autographed scarfs that Elvis continually wrapped around his sweaty neck before bestowing them on members of the audience. Everybody on leaving, seemed to be in a happy, contented mood. The entertainment was so captivating, in fact, that it almost made you forget the slick, high-pressure hard-sell that proceeded it. On the way into the auditorium, before the show, at intermission and after it was all over, hawkers were all over the place, pushing everything from the Giant Elvis Photo Album ($3) to Elvis opera glasses ($9) to Elvis buttons ($1). And for the unfortunate majority unable to get close enough to the stage, management thoughtfully provided Super-Sized Elvis Autographed Scarves for a mere $5. Presumably, these scarves were not pre-dipped in Elvis sweat. But, then, who's to know the difference?

Elvis Presley Photos

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Elvis Presley Video Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD

Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.

This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.

The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.

Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.