The man whose hip-shaking, guitar-picking styled ushered in the era of rock and roll in the mid-50's will be at Hampton Roads Coliseum April 9.

The man, of course, is Elvis Presley, at first a curiosity, labeled a passing fad, but today a lasting American tradition.

Presley's early style combined country and western and rhythm and blues and his own Memphis innovation.

His early records - "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog," "Love Me Tender," made history in sales and produced an instant teen-age idol.

Followed quickly by movies, the records continued, and the idol refused to fall.

His popularity was so great that, Presley was followed into Germany by movie crews who continued to film the former truck driver.

The Hampton appearance will be one of about 10 the entertainer will make this year.

For the past decade or so, though appearing in Las Vegas often, Presley has limited his other show business activities to a few live shows and about one movie a year.

To his fans, now young adults with young children of their own, Presley was something like the American dream realized by a hard-working Tennessee truck driver.

He was the "poor boy who made good."

Presley was the product of both his outstanding, untrained voice, and the careful public image developed by Col. Tom Parker, who "discovered" young Elvis, and has since carefully guided his career.

Presley's movies have been clean and simpl, the kind of movie a parent could take a 10-year-old to whithout fearing a deluge of four-letter words or an embarrassing scene he might have to explain to the child later.

Presley has played a number of roles that all seem to be an image of himself - the poor, rough hewn boy with the big heart who makes good, despite hardship, and with a little help from his friends.

Tickets have not arrived at the coliseum, but mail orders are being taken. Prices are $10, $7.50 and $5.

The tickets will not be available on Ticketron outlets.

Courtesy of Hampton Public Library