Elvis Dazzles Crowd At TCC Arena
by Wood Simpson
Tucson Daily City
November 10, 1972

Elvis Presley, guarded like an easily breakable bauble, pranced on stage at the Comminity Center Arena last night wearing a glittery tank suit open to the navel and dazzled a capacity crowd of about 9,500 with a 'medley of the rock and roll songs that made him famous.

Forty. bodyguards reportedly lined the backstage area, waiting for Elvis' limousine to arrive at the center's rear entrance. All photographers were evicted from the area before Elvis would emerge from his car, then police ringed the stage for his approach.

However, Elvis did pause long enough backstage to speak to a gravely ill Tucson child who had expressed a desire to meet the idol of the 50s. "He was very nice to her," one source reported, "and gave her his autograph." Presley, who was backed by a big, brassy band from Las Vegas, put together a polished performance, combining upbeat renditions of "Don't Be Cruel," "One Night With You," "Heartbreak Hotel" and "I'm All Shook Up" with more contemporary songs such as the Beatles' "Look Back."

His arrival on stage was heralded by one woman who, high up in the seats, saw the superstar and let out a shriek. During his performance, police were required to restrain a few women in the front row from climbing on stage to touch the singer.

Presley, giving the fans the full benefit of his famous leer, occasionally tossed out a scarf as a favor, eliciting sighs and more screams. The audience, most of which appeared to be in their 30s, gave Presley a rousing ovation following each number.

At 37, Elvis has sold an estimated 96,722,000 singles and appeared in 32 films. His sultry smirk and hip-grinding rhythm remain today much the same as when he hit the big time in 1954 with "That's All Right, Mama" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky."

He still contends he suffers from stage fright but looked at ease during his performance last night. He rushed off the stage following his final song and was immediately whisked away by Ms waiting limousine. He barely spoke to the audience during Ms performance, although at one point he remarked: "It's a tough way to make a living."

Presley, whose comeback in this decade can only be described as one of the most remarkable show business developments of modern times, is now regarded by insiders as one of the two most popular entertainers in the world - 'the other being the Rolling Stones.

His reclusive personality remains a mystery, but his brief meeting backstage with the wide-eyed child suggests that the country boy turned millionaire has retained a laudable sensitivity to those less fortunate than he.

Courtesy of Archie Bald