Presley Packs Coliseum
by Lane Crockett
Shreveport Journal

There would have been no surprise Saturday night if the roof of Hirsch Memorial Coliseum lifted three feet when Elvis Presley walked on the stage. The screams, shouts and applause were thunderous. Little else would have been expected since Presley, who wrote himself into musical history, commands the largest fan following in the world. One thing can always be said for a Presley show - you always get your money's worth if you are not deafened by the noise. This was Elvis' first appearance in Shreveport since 1956 when he fulfilled an obligation to the Louisiana Hayride where he got his start.

A bit heavier (he is reported to be losing weight since his operation a few months ago) and of course older, Presley still has the magnetism that catapulted him to worldwide fame with the advent of Heartbreak Hotel, which, incidentally, he did not sing at the Saturday night edition of his show. First came the impressive overture to "2001: A Space Odyssey," then Elvis surfaced and the Hirsch mob (complete sellout of around 11000 and more) came out of their seats.

Part of the fun of seeing and watching Elvis is also seeing and watching those who came. Girls, anywhere from juts out of diapers to sensible shoes, go wild, simply wild over Elvis and quite of few of the men let out with a few "right ons Elvis." Presley generates the kind of excitement few other performers ever do. It is somewhat akin to mass hysteria and in more than a few cases downright worship from both sexes. All is as it should be since Presley's contribution to the musical world was to turn it around so that rock is still referred to as before and after Elvis. The Saturday show contained a few Elvis' biggest hits and songs enthusiastically greeted by the crowd. Such million sellers as Love Me, Love Me Tender, I Can't Help Falling in Love with You, Burning Love, Don't Be Cruel, All Shook Up, (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear and Hound Dog.

The most excitingly produced number was a stirring and bombastic rendition of How Great Thou Art that literally shook the arena. It also proved that other than a legendary rock star, Elvis also is a very good singer and one who has gotten better with passing years. But he still retains that certain rawness that fans first recognized and expect from him. Another well staged song and, since it is a new one, sure to be popular, was T-R-O-U-B-L-E. It's in the groove of those early Presley hits and is currently climbing up the charts.

As he did in Monroe last year, Elvis took Olivia Newton-John's Let Me Be There and turned it into a rousing, knocked out song with impressive backup from the Stamps Quartet and especially the bass singer, utilized several times throughout the concert. He also ran through a version of Olivia's If You Love Me Let Me Know. Other songs included were Johnny B. Goode, featuring Shreveport's James Burton on guitar, see See Rider, Dixie and one of his very earliest hits - Mystery Train.

The Sweet Inspirations are still with him and turned in a rocking set including Philadelphia Freedom and Lady Marmalade. They also gave a mini-medley of Stevie Wonder hits - For Once in My Life, Suspicion, You Are the Sunshine of My Life and All Is Fair in Love. Prior to The Sweet Inspirations were Voice, a male trio, and comic Jack Culhane. All appeared on the Presley show in Monroe. Presley said before he departed the coliseum that if the crowd wanted him back all they had to do was call. I imagine there will be quite a few.

Courtesy of Scott Hayward