If Elvis Is Bored, He Hides It Well
by Bill Hance
Nashville Banner

There's talk in the tight-lipped Elvis Presley compound that the famed 38-year-old entertainer is becoming "bored" with his personal appearance tour. If he is, he hides his feelings well, because both of his Nashville concerts Sunday were loaded with excitement from start to finish.

Presley hip-swiveled and karate-chopped his way through a long string of songs, from oldies like Hound Dog to the more recent American Trilogy and Steam Roller Blues. For the first hour, the capacity audience in Municipal Auditorium heard comedian Jackie Kahane and the Sweet Inspirations, a black rhythm and blues trio. They entertained for the first hour. Then it came time for Mr. Presley.

At the crescendo of his theme song, "Thus Spake Zarathustra," adapted from "2001: A Space Odyssey," Presley casually strolled from behind the curtain, nodded to his musicians and singers, bowed four times to all sections of the screaming audience and then grabbed his guitar. While his dazzling white suit was overshadowed momentarily by thousands of flashbulbs, Presley cut loose with C.C. Rider and Mean Woman Blues, then cut the pace with Love Me Tender and You Gave Me a Mountain.

But the slow songs drew about as much response from the estimated three to one female dominant audience. Presley seemed to feel each drum and guitar bat with a body shake he's seemingly perfected over the years. Each movement was accentuated by his outfit, so the girls say, which can best be described as a white flare bottomed, form fitted suit heavily encrusted with multicolored studs. As usual, he wore a high collar shirt with a white scarf.

At times, the audience was just as interesting to observe as Presley. A line of Metro policemen lined the front of the stage to ward off any approaching females who might try to come in contact with the former truck driver. And some did. One young woman went charging down the center aisle just as Elvis swung into (A Hunka' Hunka') Burning Love. "I've got to get up there," she screamed. "He wants me up there with him." "No, he doesn't, lady," calmly replied Lt. Richard Ordway.

She was not the only one trying to come in contact with the singer. Another spoke with Patrol Sgt. L.I. Miller before the show started, trying to convince him that he should deliver a folded pair of undergarments to Presley before showtime. "I didn't know what to do at first," said Miller. "Then I told her as politely as possible, 'no'." Presley performed for a solid hour. When it was time to leave, he did just that, directly to a waiting green Cadillac and back to his suburban motel room.

Whether Presley is becoming disenchanted with his highly pressurized tour, still remains in question, although rumors are circling. But it looks as though he will remain in the public eye at least until his shows fail to be sellouts. When his road ordeal is over, Presley will go to Los Angeles for about a month before moving on to a four-week engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton Aug. 6. But the LA layover may not be enough carefree relaxation time he claims he's hankering for. Time will tell.

Courtesy Of Scott Hayward