On October 16, 1954, a 19-year-old from Tupelo, MS, made his first appearance on the stage of Shreveport’s Municipal Auditorium. That Louisiana Hayride appearance launched Elvis Presley on a meteoric 23-year career that led to his being named the “King of Rock-n-Roll.” Just a couple of weeks after that first appearance here, Elvis signed a contract with KWKH to appear on the Hayride every Saturday night for a year. Actually, his parents signed the contract because Elvis was underage. That contract was renewed a year later.
In 1956, a promoter by the name of Col. Tom Parker bought out Elvis’ contract with KWKH for the grand sum of $10,000 and a promise that Elvis would return to Shreveport for one final Hayride appearance. He did so on December 15, 1956. Because of his immense popularity by that time, the show was moved from the Municipal Auditorium to what is now Hirsch Coliseum. The hoard of screaming teenagers who turned out for the show that evening, and the fear that they might storm the stage after the show, prompted Hayride Producer Horace Logan to announce that, “Elvis has left the building!”
Under Col. Parker’s management, Elvis’ career progressed from touring and recording to movies and television. His career was interrupted by a two-year stint in the U.S. Army when he was drafted in 1958. Over the course of his career, Elvis recorded hundreds of singles, 24 studio albums, and 17 soundtrack albums. He made 33 movies and 3 TV concert specials. And he’s been inducted into five music Halls of Fame.
Elvis died, suddenly, at his Graceland Estate in Memphis on August 16, 1977 at age 42.
In 1956, a promoter by the name of Col. Tom Parker bought out Elvis’ contract with KWKH for the grand sum of $10,000 and a promise that Elvis would return to Shreveport for one final Hayride appearance. He did so on December 15, 1956. Because of his immense popularity by that time, the show was moved from the Municipal Auditorium to what is now Hirsch Coliseum. The hoard of screaming teenagers who turned out for the show that evening, and the fear that they might storm the stage after the show, prompted Hayride Producer Horace Logan to announce that, “Elvis has left the building!”
Under Col. Parker’s management, Elvis’ career progressed from touring and recording to movies and television. His career was interrupted by a two-year stint in the U.S. Army when he was drafted in 1958. Over the course of his career, Elvis recorded hundreds of singles, 24 studio albums, and 17 soundtrack albums. He made 33 movies and 3 TV concert specials. And he’s been inducted into five music Halls of Fame.
Elvis died, suddenly, at his Graceland Estate in Memphis on August 16, 1977 at age 42.
