25th April 1975, Friday

[Graeme]

Day number 14718Site Date Map

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[Private Presley]

April 25th found Elvis in Jacksonville, Florida, for one show. The place sold out months ahead and once again 11,000 wild fans crammed into the show for another $100,000 gross. Lines formed two hours before the gates opened as fans talked Elvis and grew more excited by the minute. So many events took place before the concert, and I'll try to relate some of them to you.

To describe the happenings in one word, it would have to be "hysteria". There was only one really bad thing that happened, that being the arrest of a ticket scalper. However, hold on to your hats for this, because tickets were being sold by scalpers for as much as $200!! One man was seen on the street screaming that he would give $50 to anyone for a ticket.

Earlier in the day, three women were staying in the Hilton Hotel lobby where Elvis was staying, hoping to get a glimpse of him. They had no success so when the time came they left for the concert only to find upon their arrival that they had lost their tickets. They madly drove back to the hotel and could not find the tickets, so they completely missed the show. Talk about frustration!! WOW. That must be the ultimate.

One gal carried a large sign into the concert with her name and telephone number on it in large letters. She said she doubted he would call, and if he did she said she would probably faint anyway.

Many fans, one an 18-year-old girl, and another a 40year-old man, said they would go see him if he came every week, and they hoped he would. One fellow and his wife came to the show in Elvis T-shirts with a Picture of the King on the front. They said they loved rock music, but that Elvis somehow stood above that and he was more of a mystical experience for them.

Another fan claims she saw him on the balcony of his hotel suite and he jokingly started to climb over the edge. One fellow who had Seen the concert summed up the feelings of many fans when he described what Elvis meant to him. He said Elvis brings back all the good memories. He noted how Elvis had managed to change with the times, but still stay the same, and that meant a great deal to him.

But this isn't all that happened in Jacksonville. Those folks just plain had "Elvis Fever". One gentleman tried to get to Elvis' hotel room for a visit by carrying a baby in his arms and hoping the police guards would not question him. Needless to say the "Babe in Arms" technique failed and he was escorted to the elevator.

https://www.elvis-collectors.com/ccshowrev16.html

      

[Private Presley]

[Private Presley]