On Sept. 13, 1970, at the Curtis Hixon Hall in Tampa, Fla., my husband and I went to see Elvis in concert. He was totally awesome! At one point he laid down on the stage and said "Well I think I'll finish the show from here folks, but then maybe not I might get attacked." Then he got up. When he threw a scarf into the audience I almost got it, but a woman in front of me jumped up and got it. But I did get a very sexy look and smile from him. On the way to Elvis' concert our car blew a freeze plug and my husband took off his white shirt to change it. It was behind the manifold. And my husband got a sunburn, but he said it was worth it as he enjoyed Elvis' concert. We always wanted to meet Elvis, because I wanted to tell him how much I love his singing especially his gospel songs. And hubby wanted to thank him for keeping him out of the business. — Kay
My memory of Elvis is watching the '68 comeback special and seeing the greatest performance of rock and roll on a stage! — Joe
We all have experienced defining moments in our lives where our surroundings seemed unnoticed except for what was being focused on. Seeing Elvis on stage at the Hilton in 1973 was such a powerful moment, an intoxicating moment where time stood still, a potent moment where nothing else was noticed or even mattered except for his magnificent presence on stage. My young eyes of 27 years could not get enough of what I was beholding. Never had I ever seen such great beauty, such colossal sexiness, such overwhelming charisma in a human being. Elvis simply took my breath away and my whole world shut down only to remain enraptured in awe. And then he began to sing, ending me further into a fascination unbeknownst to my naive youth. Elvis has rocked my world for 37 years with his overpowering magnetism and oh-so intoxicating voice! A thrilling and magical moment embedded in my eternal memory of the greatest and most captivating entertainer who ever lived! — Junet
The first time I saw Elvis was November 17,1955 when he sang at the Municipal Auditorium in Texarkana, Arkansas. Johnny Cash was there also and had to sing a little longer as Elvis was delayed when his car wrecked on the way in from Memphis. Scotty Moore and Bill Black sold signed Elvis pictures in the audience that evening for $5 each. I should have bought one. — Don
The first date with my future husband (no strings attached) was a trip to Hawaii. We saw Elvis' concert and then went to his suite at the Hilton Rainbow Towers. It's a night I'll always remember as we talked — while my date told stories about him — with him and Linda Thompson until the sun came up. — Karen
When Elvis first appeared at the International Hotel, now the Hilton, in July 1969, he, like all performers on the Strip regardless of their celebrity status, was required by then-Sheriff Ralph Lamb to have a work card issued. This meant they had to personally come to the Courthouse and apply for the card.
My mother was working in the Civil Bureau at the time and learned that Elvis would be coming downtown that day to apply for his card. In person. I was 12 at the time. She called me at home. It was summer break. I rode the city bus downtown and went to the third floor of the Courthouse to wait for Elvis to appear. But I realized after a few minutes, I had nothing for him to sign when he did show up. So I ran down to White Cross Drug Store on Fremont, bought a copy of Teenbeat magazine with his photo in it, along with a pen, and raced back to the Courthouse. For the next three hours I stood outside the elevator waiting and, obviously, attracting a lot of curious looks. Then, at about 5 p.m., the doors opened and there he was with a bodyguard on either side. I was 12, so he and his companions appeared very larger than life, physically and otherwise. He stepped off and I said nervously: "Can I have your autograph, Mr. Presley?" He mumbled something. I still don't know what, signed the magazine page, gave me his famous (again mumbled) "Thankya," and walked off. My encounter, after hours and hours, lasted about 10 seconds. But I still have the signed magazine photo in a safe. Where one day it will become my daughter's keepsake too. — Donald
I was one of the lucky fans who got to see the king in person. Actually, I saw him four times. One time in Tahoe, I was able to catch a scarf. I ran up to the stage to wave to him and he returned the gesture and threw me the scarf. To this day, I have that scarf put away in a safe place. — Cecilia
Two friends and I — who are about the same age as Elvis — had an electrifying evening witnessing him performing and gyrating early in his career at the Missouri Theater in St. Louis while he was touring with the Grand Old Opry. I believe it was about 1956, and we had never seen anything like it before. Soon afterward we heard "Heartbreak Hotel" soaring up the charts, and the rest is history. — Jim
Two friends and I — who are about the same age as Elvis — had an electrifying evening witnessing him performing and gyrating early in his career at the Missouri Theater in St. Louis while he was touring with the Grand Old Opry. I believe it was about 1956, and we had never seen anything like it before. Soon afterward we heard "Heartbreak Hotel" soaring up the charts, and the rest is history. — Jim
When I worked at the Frontier Hotel in 1970, all the females in the Sales Department were given by management free tickets to the Elvis dinner show. Elvis apologized that he was sick from the flu but would still kiss the women who were willing. All my co-workers left the table for Elvis' kisses except for me — I wasn't catching the flu from anyone! On Monday, all the females called in sick with the "Elvis Flu" and I had to do my work and cover for them as well... — Rita
My favorite memory of Elvis was running into him and his mafia coming out of the lounge at the old Castaways. That was back in 1970. I got to shake his hand and tell how much I enjoyed his music. And also seeing him perform at the Las Vegas Hilton. (International back then.) He was a classy person and a great entertainer. — Terry
A year before Elvis passed away he performed in Oklahoma City at the Myriad. During his performance he told us that he was going to turn to the audience sitting in the balcony behind him, and as soon as he said that about four ladies jumped from the balcony. Of course they didn't get near him for security already had approached them and escorted them off stage. After he finished performing his song, and before he proceeded to start his next song, he asked if the ladies who jumped were okay. They were fine and well, back up in the balcony. Then Elvis turns back to us and states, "If you ask me, that's what I call bionics!" The crowd laughed and enjoyed the show! He was FANTASTIC! Back then Bionic Man, Bionic Woman and Bionic Dog were popular series on television. But if you ask me Elvis was Bionic! — Kay
Returning home late from my late night shift at a Geneva, Switzerland, restaurant, I noticed that Radio Luxembourg was playing an "all Elvis music evening" without interruption. When they announced that Elvis had died earlier, I was devastated. My sisters had worshipped the man. I knew his music, but I was too young to have been affected by his antics. The significance of that tragedy has remained with me until today. What a sad and unexpected event! I am now a U.S. citizen and resident in Las Vegas where this man's success was launched worldwide. — Patrick
I saw Elvis in 1971 and liked him so good I went back in August 1972. I found his nickname was "Chief." I was at the second table and yelled, "Chief!" He turned and smiled. — Dugan
