Gasp. We have been in the Presence. Elvis Presley has, like the man said, come a long way from Memphis and Sam Philips' funky little recording studio. But eighteen years, surprisingly, haven't changed things that much.

True, we're all a little older. As the sweet 16s of the 50s ran for the stage last night, hoping for a touch, maybe a scarf from Him, the flesh wobbled a little, but they were way out there and didn't notice. Elvis didn't shake quite like used to, and took proper care in those leg splits, but when he opened his mouths, it might as well have been 1957.

The Richmond Coliseum was sold out weeks in advance, and those who bought came. It was a 50s crowd, bouncing in the seats, squealing in recognition of each song, shaking their heads when He looked their way. Whenever Elvis turned his head, the house was strobed with flashbulbs. A vocal crowd, yes but tame. And, predictable, predominantly female.

The suspicion lingers that a lot of people there last night came more to see the man (um the legend) than to hear his songs. As we left the hall, there was plenty of "at last I've seen Elvis in person." Presley hasn't played Richmond in 14 years.

The man still rocks and rolls. His hour set was spiced with things he saw become classics: "C.C. Rider," "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," "I Can't Stop Loving You," "Funny How Time Slips Away," "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You." And his own hits from the 50s "Don't Be Cruel," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Love Me Tender," and a song borrowed from Big Mama Thorton, "Hound Dog." To Presley credit, he sang it last night like Big Mama likes it.

When you see idols like Elvis, you've got to wonder if he's ever tempted to try communicating with the crowds. So many of his crowds seem to want Elvis-the-image before them, not Elvis-the-person: h struts, he gives the grand gesture, is every inch the showman, backed by a massive orchestra and chorus, each song climaxing in great Mormon Tabernacle crescendos. His audience eat the spectacle up, they keep straight faces and teeter with anticipation when the band breaks into "Also Sprach Zarathustra," signaling His entry, it never occurts to them that there might be something crass about that. Every adrenalin0booster is there on time.

Oh, you're tempted ro gag at it all, but it works. After 18 years, no matter how polished, even antiseptic Presley may be packaged, the reaction still comes from the gut. Red velvet replaces black leather, but only in your eyes.

Underneath the showmanship, the man as a talent bursts out. He is a personification of what rock 'n' roll is all about, and none of the Colonel's sham and tinsel can hide it, not in Memphis, not in Vegas, and not in Richmond.

The show was tight well-prepared, cut and dried, and don't think the audience don't know that. But it was Elvis.

Courtesy of Richmond Public Library