Elvis exploded on the guitar, bumped his hips and claimed ar age 35, "I been ah doin' this stuff since I was a mere baby - doin' stuff Tom Jones just learned about."

Elvis Presley was earning $1,000 a minute and turning on girls wearing everything from sandals to orthopedics.

"You Ain't Nothin' But A Hound Dog" erupted in Miami Beach Convention Hall, jammed with $10 customers. The night before it was Detroit. Elvis' personal appearance tour was rolling ... seven cities will make the enduring entertainer a guaranteed $750,000.

"Blue Suede Shoes" ... "Don't Be Cruel" ... "All Shook Up" one after another, Elvis giant hits of the 1950s had his followers stomping feet, clapping hands and unleashing deafening shrieks.

Presley, looking trimmer than he did 14 years ago when "Heartbreak Hotel" sold by the millions, broke up the place at first by deepening his voice and drawling, "Hello, my name is Johnny Cash."

As he performed on stage, police surrounded the area with uniformed muscle. "Security is tighter than when President Nixon was nominated here at the Republican National Convention," said an auditorium spokesman.

Nobody talks to Elvis. Not even a bellboy. No reporters. No fans except those who exchange words when he's performing. The mystique continues, even at age 35, for one time truck driver from Memphis.

"I can't arrange anything," said a promotion man for the Elvis tour. "I just line up police protection, rent limousines and sell a few tickets. Elvis doesn't know my name."

The fans who devote their dollars to Presley are varied. A pregnant woman claimed here that, "I had to see him, even if the baby comes when I get excited."

A blind boy was ushered in by policeman. He seemed overjoyed at just hearing Elvis.

Backed by superb musicians and the utmost in background singing. Presley's hold on his people is as firm as it was in 1956. Sheltered as he is, Elvis knows the other guys are around, though. He mocked Welsh singing idol Jones, imitated Glen Campbell's highpitched voice and did a sickening Engelbert Humperdinck.