Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley | February 13, 1955 | Lubbock, Tx. Fair Park Coliseum (4pm matinee)
This is the first booking that Neal has obtained directly through Colonel Parker. The group receives $350 for their matinee performance. The ads that circulated around town proclaimed 'The Be-Bop Western Star of the Louisiana Hayride Returns to Lubbock. A young Buddy Holly appears at the bottom of this bill as half of the country--and--western duo Buddy and Bob. Actually, Buddy Holly opened for Elvis who kindly lent Buddy his Martin guitar for the show. You can see it very clearly in your two photos of them both.
Buddy Holly was a senior at Lubbock High School who performed with his friend Bob Montgomery. They had played parties and church events and on local radio, but this show was different. With the crowds and the venue and the stage, it had the feel of the big time. Indeed, Holly would open for Elvis twice more that year at the coliseum, which still hosts events. These performances would lead to a meeting with Eddy Crandall, the manager of Marty Robbins, who would introduce Holly to the execs at Decca Records.
Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Buddy Holly & Johnny Cash
Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley : February 13, 1955 : Lubbock, Tx. Fair Park Coliseum.
13 February. Lubbock, Tx. Cotton Club (8pm)
Elvis Presley February 13, 1955 - Fair Park Coliseum, Lubbock, Texas.
Some of the earliest film footage of Elvis was shot there of this performance and backstage by local, Ben Hall. Ben would later write 'Blue Days, Black Nights', one of the first songs recorded by Buddy Holly in Nashville after he signed with Decca and subsequently his first release. On later dates Ben also shot backstage film footage there of Buddy, Sonny Curtis, Don Guess, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.
Elvis Presley : Fair Park Coliseum Lubbock, TX : June 3, 1955
The club/dance hall was actually in the city of Slaton, located in the Southeast part of Lubbock County about 15 miles outside of Lubbock on Highway 84. It was owned and operated by Lubbock native Ralph Lowe and his family and according to the book Rockin Across Texas by Stanley Oberst, the club booked the best talent that waltzed through West Texas from Bob Wills to Harry James.
The June 3rd show at the Fair Park oliseum featured both Opry and Hayride acts. On the bill with Elvis were Ferlin Huskey, Jim Ed and Maxine Brown and Onie Wheeler.
The Browns and Elvis had shared many dates in Texas and Arkansas. The picture below from June 3, 1955, shows Elvis at the Fair Park Coliseum with Buddy Holly and Bob Montgomery looking on.
Elvis at the coliseum with Buddy Holley and Bob Montgomery looking on - June 3, 1955
For a full history of the Fair Park Coliseum and the Cotton Club Lubbock, TX see the Official Scotty Moore website page by clicking the above link.
January 1955
Alvis Presley: January 5, 1955
Elvis Presley on The Louisiana Hayride | January 22, 1955
Tyler | January 25, 1955
Backstage Gilmer | January 26, 1955
Elvis Presley January 29, 1955 The Louisiana Hayride
February
Sun Studios | February 3, 1955 | Elvis, Scotty and Bill
Elvis Presley February 6, 1955 | Memphis. Overton Park Shell
Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley February 13, 1955 | Lubbock, Tx. Fair Park Coliseum
February 26, 1955 | Ad for Cleveland Concert on this date
March
Elvis, Scotty and Bill at Coley's Truck Stop in Dermott, AR | March 25, 1955
April
Bill Black, Royce Hanson Jr. and Elvis Presley Gladewater High School | April 30, 1955
May
Elvis Presley and Dixie Locke |
Dixie Locke's Junior Prom | May 6, 1955
Elvis Presley May 13, 1955 | Elvis with Mae Boren Axton
Elvis with Jimmie Rodgers Snow in the parade | Meridian, Mississippi | May 26, 1955
Elvis Presley Texarkana, AR | Friday, May 27, 1955
June
Elvis Presley Fair Park Coliseum Lubbock, TX | June 3, 1955
Elvis Presley June 5, 1954 | Elvis Presley's Burnt out Cadillac
Elvis Presley Big D Jamboree Dallas, Texas. Sportarium June 18, 1955
Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley & Bill Black Beaumont Texas June 21, 1955
July
Elvis Presley July 4, 1955 |
Hodges Park | De Leon
Elvis Presley Water Skiing McKellar Lake | July 1955
Elvis Presley July 15, 1955 | Joy Drive-In Theatre
Minden, LA
Elvis Presley July 28 & 29, 1955 | Jacksonville, FL. Gator Stadium Baseball Park
Elvis Presley Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, FL | July 31, 1955
August
Elvis Presley Bryan, Tx., Aug 23, 1955
September
Elvis Presley and friends, backstage | Clarksdale, MS. City Auditorium | September 8, 1955
Gilmer | September 26, 1955
October
Elvis Presley The Cotton Club Lubbock, TX | October 15, 1955
Elvis Presley October 18, 1955
Elvis Presley Cleveland | October 19, 1955
Elvis Presley Cleveland, Ohio | October 20, 1955
December
Elvis Presley New York | December 1, 1955
Elvis Presley Swifton, AR | December 9, 1955
Scotty, Bill and Elvis onstage (in the ring) at Ellis Auditorium | Dec 19, 1955
Elvis Presley The King of Rock 'n' Roll
CDs | DVDs | Books
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Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
