Fans Screamed, Cheered Concert
by Diane Russell
The Macon News
April 25, 1975

Before the band could complete even the first note of "2001," the song which always marks Elvis's arrival on stage, the 11,000 fans in the Macon Coliseum screamed in anticipation.

The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the "King" appeared, an action that was to be repeated again and again throughout the sold out concert.

As Elvis dressed in blue and silver, began singing "C.C. Rider," the crowd quieted, but only temporarily.

Every song he sang and every word brought screams from the crowd. Women jumped up and down or sat mesmerized with their hands to their faces. The young and old were enthralled by Elvis Presley.

The audience laughed and applauded when Elvis mistakenly began to refer to Macon as Atlanta.

Elvis quickly corrected that mistake and made up for it by reaching for a scarf. Women throughout the audience shrieked.

During the next song Elvis handed out three of his blue and white scarves to women in the audience who unashamedly fought each other for them.

EVERY THRUST of his guitar or body caused pandemonium among the women. This was especially true of his rendition of "Burning Love," a showcase for the Elvis style which caused Ed Sullivan to censor Elvis's first network television appearance from the waist down.

Other audience favorites included "Dixie," "Let Me Be There" and "If You Love Me Tell Me So." His program also featured "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me," "It's Midnight," "My Boy," and "T.R.O.U.B.L.E."

A cry of dismay rose from the audience when Elvis began "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You." his traditional closing song.

The audience stood and screamed in the middle of the song as Elvis bent to pick up a blue sweater tossed to him by a fan and instead of throwing it back to her, lay down on the stage and kissed her.

Elvis then completed the song, waved to the fans, walked off the stage, and stepped into his limousine waiting just behind the stage. The audience was still standing and cheering.

Courtesy of Francesc Lopez