15th September 1955, Thursday

[Graeme]

Day number 7556Site Date Map

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[Private Presley]

The Elvis Presley group rejoined the Hank Snow Jamboree when they played the American Legion Auditorium in Roanoke, Virginia, at 8:00 p.m. Elvis Presley was billed as "extra special by popular demand", and the Roanoke Times referred to him as the "Hillbilly Frank Sinatra".

Tickets were $1.00 in advance from the Roanoke Record Shop or $1.25 at the door. The show was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, which was raising money to support the children's sandlot baseball program.

As the Hank Snow tour progressed, Elvis' charismatic touch was repeated in city after city. There were signs at all the concerts of a special feeling between Elvis Presley and his fans, who threw flowers, notes, and assorted gifts onto the stage.

The feeling of love and identification with the music seemed to go far beyond previous concert scenes. Such a feeling was evident between September 11 to 22, 1955, as crowd grew larger and more boisterous, and audience cheered Elvis Presley while ignoring the other acts.

The promoter who brought the Jamboree to town - who was also the owner of the Roanoke Record Shop and was not only unable to keep Presley's records in stock - quickly ran out of dollar concert tickets as well.

There was an air of excitement on September 15, 1955, when the Jamboree opened in the American Legion Auditorium. There were whispers backstage that Hank Snow was unhappy with the way that Elvis Presley had upstaged him during the tour. It was to Colonel Parker's benefit to initiate bad blood between Elvis Presley and Hank Snow. Since Hank Snow was a fifty-fifty partner with Tom Parker in Hank Snow Enterprises, he would be entitled to half of Elvis' future royalties if young Presley signed with their company rather than going with Parker personalty. During the tour, much to Parker's satisfaction, it was very uncomfortable backstage. There was also common agreement among the performers that the crowds turned out to see and hear Elvis Presley.

Although all decisions with respect to Elvis' career must by contract go through Parker's office, Bob Neal negotiates a new one-year contract with the Hayride, at $200 a performance, a raise of over 1000 percent. Vernon Presley signs the agreement, which goes into effect November 11, 1955, and carries a penalty of $400 for each missed performance beyond the one every two months allowed. One can only surmise that this represents one last attempt by Neal to assert his independence and that it is endored by Vernon out of an ingrained hunger for financial security and an almost desperate uncertainty about the future.