14th October 1956, Sunday

[Graeme]

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[Graeme]

      

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[Private Presley]

October 14, 1956

During his breakout year of 1956, the future "King of Rock & Roll" made three appearances in San Antonio. Elvis made his final appearance at the Bexar County Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas on Oct. 14, 1956 - just days after radio stations across the country were playing his latest release "Love Me Tender."

Just before the concert, Elvis was given a plaque by fan club members. In exchange for the bronze plaque which his myriads of teen-age admirers bestowed on him for favoring them with a visit. He, in turn, presented the presidents of the two local Elvis Presley Fan clubs, Sharon Porter and Linda Windham, with a shirt and a tie. The shirt was one from right off his back. Where the tie came from, no one seems to know. The 21-year-old rock 'n' roll performer was also interviewed by the press, including an interview with Al Hitchcock from Radio KEYS in Corpus Christi. He talked about his upcoming film debut "Love Me Tender." When he was told that he'd make a fine actor, Elvis responded by saying that "I'm trying to learn. I'm not very good at (acting), but I'm sure trying to learn."

Just before going on stage in San Antonio that day, Presley was made an honorary member of the Beautify San Antonio Association and was even given a badge that said "Elvis Refuses to be a Litter Bug."

[Private Presley]

[Private Presley]

      
                              Elvis and rockabilly singer Sherry Davis

[Private Presley]

[Alan]

Fantastic info and photos PP, and the interview as well!!

[Alan]

From "The Wild One '56" :-
             

RUDY GRAYZELL (Rudy ‘Tutti’ Grayzell worked on tours with Elvis during the 1950s): He (Elvis) had so much presence. When I first met him, I got goosebumps. There was something about him, he had so much electricity. I thought he was from another planet. He was beautiful, a real handsome man, and | wasn’t used to seeing anybody who was dressed the way he did. The girls went crazy for him. They'd lift up their shirts and rip their brassieres: “Here sign these!” They'd throw underwear and everything at him on the stage. All the stuff they'd do with Tom Jones later on, it happened with Elvis first. Unbelievable! It was a time I'll never forget — something I'll tell my children. I remember he was fooling around one time singing ‘Tutti Frutti’ and he said, “You should've recorded that — ‘Rudy Tutti’. So for a while I billed myself as Rudy ‘Tutti’ Grayzell.

San Antonio Express Wednesday October 17, 1956 QUIET MOMENT - Here's evidence that Elvis Presley can be quiet and serious on occasion. Just before going on stage at his Sunday afternoon show here, Presley received this honary membership certificate in the Beautify San Antonio Assn. from Miss Dora Brown, Miss Beautify San Antonio for 1956. He also got the jumbo “Litter Bug” badge. The ceremony was arranged by the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

      
Elvis to Leave San Antonians Something to Remember Him by
San Antonio News
October 12, 1956 [sic]

When Elvis (moan) Presley (sigh) sings and gyrates in San Antonio Sunday (screams), he's going to leave his thousands of San Antonio fans something to remember him by. In exchange for the bronze plaque, which his myriads of teenage admirers will bestow on him for favoring them with a visit, he'll present the presidents of the two local Elvis Presley Fan clubs, Sharon Porter and Linda Windham, with a shirt and a tie. The shirt, presumably, will be one from right off his back. Where the tie will come from, no one seems to know. The 21-year-old rock ‘n’ roll performer is best known in fashion circles for his unbuttoned collar. Elvis should be able to afford this demonstration of generosity. One of those helping to promote his appearance here estimates that it will net around $10,000. “Of course.” It was added, “that’s just a conservative estimate. It could be double that if the town really went wild.”

And a large section of the teenage segment seems likely to do just that. Miss Georgia Young, in charge of ticket sales at her record shop at the Alamo Piano Co., says ticket sales are way up there, although she wouldn't give figures, because, she explained, A.V. Bamford of Hollywood, who is promoting Presley’s four Texas appearances, mightn’t like it. “He's the greatest thing we ever had,” says Miss Young. “Most of them buy a record along with the ticket. And they even kiss his picture on the ticket.” Ninety per cent of the purchasers, naturally, are teen-agers, and the other 10 per cent are to adults who are (or pretend they are) going merely to accompany their sons and daughters. The performances will be at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Bexar County Coliseum, and Miss Young is trying to discourage Presley devotees who say they will be at the coliseum at 6 a.m. to get a good seat, close up. “The doors won’t be open that early,” she says. Exact time of the opening will depend on the size of the crowd, she added. “There’ll be plenty of Bexar County policeman to control the crowd,” she said, “and special ones for Presley.” Elvis and his troupe probably will arrive Sunday from Houston, where they are scheduled to perform Saturday. Departure time has not been disclosed.

      
      

“Hey, nice slippers.”

      

Tom Diskin, Colonel Parker's right-hand man, asked Sherry Davis what she thought about Elvis. Her reply was noncommittal. “He’s a good showman,” she said. “Yes, but what do you think about him personally?” “I don’t know. I’ve never met him,” Sherry responded. “Well, we'll just have to take care of that,” Diskin promised.        When they arrived in San Antonio, Diskin took her over to Bexar Coliseum and barged into the press conference. He introduced Sherry to Elvis, who did a quick double take. Sherry strongly resembled Debra Paget, who Elvis had a crush on, whilst making the picture, Love Me Tender. After a couple of brief introductions, the press squeezed her out of their questions and eventually, the room. That afternoon, while she prepared for the unscheduled afternoon show, a knock sounded on her dressing room door. She opened it to reveal Elvis, leaning against the door frame. He apologized sincerely for the rush treatment at the press conference earlier and wanted her to know how much he appreciated her on the team. She thanked him politely and shooed him out of her dressing room, closing it firmly behind him, but not before he managed

to plant a kiss on her cheek. The bedlam of the San Antonio shows that day exhausted Sherry, but not enough to turn down Gordon Stoker’s offer to take her to the Alamo. Though it was already closed, Stoker knew she desperately wanted so visit the historic site, so prominent in Texas memory. So, they drove his Cadillac into the old town and strolled the hibiscus-bordered paths, reading the plaques. When they returned to the car, one of the San Antonio's finest stood sizing up the Cadillac. “Is there some problem, officer?” Stoker asked. “Is this your car?” asked the officer. “Yes sir,” replied Stoker. “It has no license plates,” stated the officer. “Yes sir, I can explain that. You see, we're with the Elvis Presley show and...well, the girls in the audience connected with Tennessee, guess they thought this might be Elvis’ car.” “Ah.” The officer nodded in deep thought for a few moments, but the explanation seemed bizarre enough to ring absolutely true, because he sent them on their way without a citation. When Gordon Stoker and Sherry returned to the motel, they hung out by the pool and discussed scripture. Both had grown up in fundamentalist homes. At this time, Nick Adams arrived, swinging from Elvis’ balcony, making chimpanzee noises, and wearing nothing but a smile. He dropped to the ground beating his chest and knuckle-galloped over to a hastily vacated chaise lounge. In ten strides, Sherry had a motel door between herself and the missing link. A few minutes later Gordon Stoker's apologetic voice called through the door. Elvis wanted to see her, “Did he?” replied Sherry. Completely cheesed, she stomped across the parking lot to give the singer a piece of her mind. Elvis met her at the bottom of he stairs with a smile. He took her resisting hand. “Nick has something he'd like to say to you,” said Elvis. “I'll just bet he does,” Sherry replied. Sherry allowed herself to be led up the stairs. Elvis tugged her into a room where the now fully-clothed Adams issued an apology for his primal behavior. “I don’t often meet decent girls, It’s so nice to actually meet one.” Sherry wasn’t impressed and turned to leave. When she reached the hall, Elvis slid into her path ... “You're a good lady,” Elvis whispered. She returned his gaze pointedly. “Yes, I am.” “Well, don’t ever change. Without my faith, I wouldn't be where I am.” Elvis offered her a gentleman’s arm, and she grudgingly accepted. Elvis walked Sherry to her room and stopped at the entrance. He gave a brotherly peck on the cheek and told her to stay sweet. She thanked him and started to swing the door around but noticed his feet. He wore crocheted booties made for him by one of the Jordanaires’ wives. But at that moment his big toe stuck out of little hole in the top. “Hey, nice slippers.” And Sherry closed the door.

      

Marie Mendoza looks over Elvis’ right shoulder as he signs his autograph on the poem she wrote for him.

      

Marie Mendoza and Elvis.

      

             
GONE - Elvis Presley is whipped up to a lather here as he gyrates and tries to sing above the thousands of girls screaming
and sighing at Bexar County Coliseum. He failed!
             
SENT? -
(Above) ... with emotion, this bobby-soxer screams loudly as Elvis sings a particularly ‘gone’ series of rock ‘n’ roll songs.
Note the girl on the right who brought binoculars to get a closer look at Elvis, but finds her girl friend a bigger sight instead.
      
Thousands Scream For Elvis
By Connie Collum, Teen-Age Editor
San Antonio Express,
October 15,1956
      
Thousands of fans screamed, sobbed or gazed in a stony trance while Elvis Presley bumped around a raised stage in Bexar County Coliseum Sunday afternoon. Paid admissions totaled 6619 at the first of his two shows, in San Antonio Sunday. Ninety per cent of his audience were teenaged and female, but one middle-aged matron on the front row watched him with starry eyes. Sunday night's performance, before a similar audience, was a repeat of the afternoon ‘concert.’
      

Elvis Wiggles

“He's wonderful,” she said, “I don’t see anything wrong with him.” Elvis, in black suit with white tee-shirt and bucks, stood straddle-legged, wiggling his hips, as fans fell to their knees before him and beat their palms and heads against the floor “Ahh, I want him. I want him!” screamed one fan in a pink dress (Elvis’ trademark is pink and black). Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I just want to touch him!” she cried. A girl collapsed on the floor. As police picked her up to carry her out, she struggled, ran, was recaptured and carried screaming out of view of her idol.
      

Fan Weeps

Another fan sat on the floor and wept throughout Presley's part of the show. “I like him so much,” she sobbed. Elvis was the calmest person in the Coliseum. Once, as he leaned limply over the mike, arm swinging loosely and hair hanging over his face, Elvis looked out as his hysterical fans and laughed. The screams grew louder.“Id like to do a song,” he said. Only the beat of the music can be heard over the cries of the audience, but Elvis can be seen - and the faster he gyrates, the more frenzied his fans become.
      

Fans Rush Stage

Several fans rushed the stage and were escorted out. One girl did not know her name. “Oh, oh, oh,” she babbled incoherently, not taking her eyes off the stage, “I don’t remember.” His appeal is indescribable, they say. “I'm not here to find out what it is,” one girl explained.“He just makes me feels so crazy,” squealed another, hugging herself. Screaming was at its height and fans were pressing closer to the stage as Elvis finished his last number. He gyrated off the stage on the last notes of the song and jumped into a waiting car. The car left rubber streaks as it squealed out of the Coliseum. The escape took eight seconds.
      

Mob Dressing Room

Hundreds of screaming young girls mobbed the dressing room door chanting, “We want Elvis! We want Elvis!” They refused to believe he had gone. Fifteen minutes after Elvis’ departure, the Coliseum proper was almost deserted. Two girls sprawled across chairs. “We're gonna rest awhile, man, we're tired,” they said. They were coming back for his 8 p.m. performance, they added. Seventy-five of Elvis fan club members were at the Coliseum at 7 a.m. Sunday. Others arrived as much as six hours before the show.
      

Friends of Elvis

“We've been here cheering for Elvis,” they said. Hundreds chanted, “Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Come On Elvis, Let's Go!” Fans were asked to give consideration to the acts preceding Presley's appearance. The audience cheered when they were told that the performers were personal friends of Elvis’ and clapped enthusiastically for the hour and one half variety show. Besieged by the press (each San Antonio High School sent reporters) in the dressing room before his appearance, Elvis was calm, friendly and cooperative.
      

Really Nice

“He's really nice,” said a photographer. He hugged fan club presidents and contest winner Marie Mendoza, Sharon Porter and Linda Windham, answered questions, posed for pictures and signed autographs quickly, then was rushed to the midst of his hysterical fans. “I'm doing the best I can,” he said of his music. “I let each day take care of itself.” Of his success he said, “Kind of scares you!”
      

[Alan]

From "The Wild One '56" :-
      

The Evening Show

             

Colonel Parker handed the promotion over to A.V. (Alfred Vincent) Bamford for this short tour of Texas. Bamford, orginally from Cuba, was one of the earliest promoters of country music. The vast majority of Hank William's shows were promoted by Bamford. He also promoted a number of Elvis’ early shows, as well as those of many other emerging talents.

(Above right) Correspondence between A.V. Bamford and Colonel Parker, Febuary 23. 1955.
      
             
      
San Antonio Light - October 22, 1956
      
Barbara Ann Dupree, the attorney's secretary, and Bobbie Nell Klatt, the USAA staffer, are two Elvis Presley fans who figured out a way to get autographs last week. Shortly before the end of the night performance, they left the coliseum, drove outside the coliseum grounds and waited for the car, which was to whisk Presley away to the Flamingo Motel. Earlier, the girls attended a performance and familiarized themselves with the routine. They had a pair of white gloves and a photo they wanted Presley to autograph. First, they got one glove signed when his car stopped for a traffic signal light. Then, upon his arrival at the Flamingo, he autographed the other glove and photo.
      
             
                    
             
      

After singing the final song of the evening — “Hound Dog” — Elvis leapt from the stage and ran to a green Ford parked very close by waiting to whisk him and his friends — Nick Adams, Gene Smith and Eddie Fadal — out of the Coliseum. They headed for the Flamingo Hotel, on 1131 Austin Highway, where they were booked into the George Gobel Suite.