In the heart of March 1977, the air in Alexandria was electric with excitement as the legendary Elvis Presley graced the stage at the Rapides Parish Coliseum. The memories of those concerts still linger vividly in the minds of those fortunate enough to witness the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in person.
One such lucky attendee was Brad Smith, a wide-eyed 17-year-old senior at Holy Savior Menard High School. He recalls the thrill of that momentous occasion, his voice still tinged with awe. “I got to see Elvis Presley. That was the first concert I ever went to,” he reminisces.
Back in those days, $15 was a substantial sum for a teenager without a job, but Smith managed to scrape together the money to purchase a ticket. The details of how he acquired the funds have faded over time, but the memory of that night remains as vivid as ever.
The anticipation for the concert was palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting the two shows Elvis was scheduled to perform in Alexandria. Smith was part of the fortunate audience on the first night, a show that sold out within an astonishing 30 minutes. Andrew Godfrey, now 78 and a former Town Talk employee, attended the second night and remembers the crowd‘s enthusiasm vividly. “Elvis sounded great, the best I can recall 46 years later,” he fondly recollects.
In his personal blog, Godfrey penned his reflections on the concert. He recalls a moment when Elvis, in need of rest, had one of his backup singers take over briefly. Despite this, the energy in the arena remained high, a testament to the devotion of the fans.
Fay Day, a seasoned Elvis enthusiast, had the privilege of seeing the King perform multiple times, both in Las Vegas and Baton Rouge. She fondly remembers attending both of the Coliseum concerts. Day’s father, Jimmie Thompson, owned the arena where Elvis had performed as part of the Louisiana Hayride in 1955. She still cherishes an ad clipping from that time, evidence of the early days of Elvis’s rise to fame.
Day’s first encounter with Elvis was relatively unremarkable; she barely paid attention to him during his performance at her father’s arena. Her mother, Nean Thompson, was the one who interacted with the budding star, selling him a snow cone. “She remembered him. I really didn’t. I mean, I remember her pointing him out to me, but it didn’t matter to me,” Day recalls. However, as time went on, she too became captivated by his unparalleled talent.
As the lights dimmed and the iconic theme from “2001: A Space Odyssey” filled the air, Elvis took the stage and the crowd erupted in excitement. Smith describes the experience as “insane,” with Elvis delivering hit after hit, including the unforgettable “Blue Suede Shoes.” This very song had introduced Smith to the world of Elvis, captivating his young heart and transforming him into a dedicated fan.
Despite being seated in the distant reaches of the Coliseum, Smith vividly recalls Elvis’s performance, his voice dripping with emotion. He remembers the King’s earnest rendition of the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody,” a moment that showcased Elvis’s raw talent.
The legacy of those concerts endures, etched into the memories of those who were fortunate enough to be there. As time marches on, the emotions of that night remain as potent as ever. Elvis’s sudden passing in August 1977 shook the world, leaving a void that could never truly be filled.
For Smith, the memory of that concert has remained a shining beacon in his life. “Since then, no other concert I’ve seen has lived up to that one,” he reflects. “It’s Elvis Presley. I’ve seen a lot of bands, lots of concerts, but it was Elvis Presley. How many people can say they have seen Elvis Presley?”
Indeed, the echoes of that fateful night continue to resonate, reminding us all of the magic that was Elvis Presley and the unforgettable moments he brought to the stage.