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Elvis Presley in Canada | Maple Leaf Gardens | April 2, 1957

Elvis Presley performed in only one other country besides the United States, and that one country is Canada. Elvis made his first and last Canadian appearances in 1957. Young Elvis - having already released his first album and film in 1956, and had just purchased Graceland - arrived in Canada for the first two of these appearances in April 1957.

Elvis' first Canadian performances were at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 2, 1957. Elvis wore his stunning, sparkling gold suit for this show - and this was the last time he wore the full suit. For future performances, Elvis would only wear pieces from this suit, such as just the jacket, belt and shoes, and in some shows, just the jacket.

Previously-unseen: Elvis Presley's first Toronto concert, April 2, 1957

Elvis Presley in Canada : Maple Leaf Gardens : April 2, 1957.

Many fans know Elvis' gold suit from the cover of his album, '50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong'.

Elvis' famous gold lamé suit was made by Nudie Cohn.

Elvis' famous gold lamé suit was made by Nudie Cohn, who made thousands of sparkling works of art for artists during his career.

Elvis poses with Miss Toronto Judy Welch

Elvis poses with Miss Toronto Judy Welch.

At this performance, Elvis accompanied himself on piano for 'Blueberry Hill,' Fats Domino's chart-topping hit. Elvis loved Fats and owned several of his albums.

Elvis performed again in Canada the next day, April 3, at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Ottawa Auditorium in Ottawa. Elvis wore the gold jacket and shoes, but not the gold tie and pants.

Elvis' career was in full swing, but he was still a bit of controversial figure. Parents and religious officials were concerned about their kids listening to rock 'n' roll and the potentially dangerous influence Elvis had on his fans (a funny notion nearly 60 years later, huh?). A local girls' school, the Notre Dame Convent, forbade its students to attend the concert and suspended eight of its students who ignored the rule. Elvis was booked to perform in Montreal, too, but that show was canceled due to civic concern and pressure from local Catholic officials.

Elvis wore the full gold suit for the first time earlier in 1957 at a gig in Chicago, but as 1957 continued, he began only wearing pieces of the gold suit instead of the full ensemble. The pieces allowed Elvis to shine onstage but still maintain a more conservative look.

Elvis' next Canadian concert was at the Empire Stadium in Vancouver on August 31, 1957.

Elvis Presley : Empire Stadium in Vancouver on August 31, 1957.

Red Robinson Reflects on Rock & Elvis Presley
Interview with Elvis Presley : Press Conference Canada 1957

Elvis Presley : Buffalo, NY. Memorial Coliseum : April 1, 1957
Elvis Presley : Ottawa Canada : April 3, 1957
Elvis Presley : Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Sports Arena : April 5, 1957

January 1957

Elvis Presley Kennedy Veterans Hospital | January 4, 1957
Elvis Presley January 6, 1957 | Warwick Hotel, New York
Elvis Presley The Ed Sullivan Show | His third and final Appearance | January 6, 1957
Elvis, Monday evening, January 7, 1957 following his last appearance on the Ed Sullivan show
Elvis Presley Elvis may move into Graceland Newspaper article | 1957

March

Elvis Presley displays the toy pistol that caused him some trouble | March 22, 1957
Pfc. Hershel Nixon and Elvis Presley shake hands | March 26, 1957
Interview Elvis Presley Fort Wayne, Indiana, March 30, 1957

April

Elvis Presley Buffalo, NY. Memorial Coliseum | April 1, 1957
Elvis Presley Maple Leaf Gardens Canada | April 2, 1957
Elvis Presley Ottawa Canada | April 3, 1957
Elvis Presley Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Sports Arena | April 5, 1957
Elvis Presley and Knox Phillips | Memphis, TN | Tuesday April 9, 1957
Elvis Presley with Yvonne Lime | Easter 1957
Elvis Presley New Music Gates at Graceland in 1957 | April 22, 1957
April 30, 1957 | Bill for Stone Wall Built at the front of Graceland

May

The Dog House That Frank Helped Build | May 17-19, 1957
May 1957 | The Jailhouse Rock Recording Sessions

June

Elvis Presley with comic Lou Costello and actress Jane Russell | Russwood Park | June 28, 1957

August

Elvis Presley Vancouver, Canada. Empire Stadium | August 31, 1957

September

Fans share their memories from the day Elvis played Tacoma in 1957
Elvis Presley Tacoma, WA. Lincoln Bowl (Matinee Show) | September 1, 1957
Elvis Presley Seattle, WA. Sick's Stadium (Evening Show) | September 1, 1957
Elvis Presley Multnomah Civic Stadium Portland, OR | September 2, 1957

October

Elvis Presley October 1, 1957
Elvis Presley and Joan Adams | Las Vegas, October 1957
Elvis Presley October 28 & 29, 1957 | Pan Pacific Auditorium

November

Elvis Presley Hawaii | November 9, 1957
Elvis Presley Hawaii | November 10, 1957
Elvis Presley Honolulu Stadium, Hawaii November, 10 1957

December

Elvis Presley The King of Rock 'n' Roll

Elvis Presley Telegram to Young Fan

The Movies Of 1957

1957, Loving You, Paramount
1957, Jailhouse Rock, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

The Movies In Photos

Loving You
Jailhouse Rock

Video

Video | Amazing new Hawaii 1957 footage

CDs | DVDs | Books

Buy Elvis Presley CD, DVDs and Books at ...

Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD

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.