Elvis Presley | Cleveland Coliseum, Richfield, Oh | July 10, 1975

Ticket for the Cleveland Coliseum, Richfield, Oh Show July 10, 1975 8.30pm

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Elvis Overwhelms 22,000 in the Coliseum

By Bruno Bornino: Cleveland Press - July 11, 1975

Legendary Elvis Presley overwhelmed 22,000 devoted fans in the Richfield Coliseum last night and showed them that life really does begin at 40. At least for Elvis it does.

Sure, his white-sequined jump suit is a couple of sizes larger these days. And granted his blue-black hair is a bit thinner, and even his most worshipping fan will admit he doesn't shake it like he used to. But his voice never sounded better, and that's what made him king of rock n' roll for more than 20 years.

Elvis was magnificent as he stalked, teased, clowned, jumped around, flipped his guitar like a baton and drove the ladies wild with sweaty scarves and probably sweatier kisses. But most of the people came to hear him sing, and he didn't disappoint them. On stage for little more than an hour, he squeezed in 21 songs, handed out 36 scarves and kissed 20 gals. But you can be sure 10 years from now every female who was in the Coliseum last night will be bragging to her friends how Elvis singled her out for a scarf (you could buy one for $5 if you weren't lucky enough to get one with genuine Presley perspiration) or a treasured smooch.

Presley's range is even more incredible today than it was when he shook and shocked the world in the 50's. He sang some of his old hits like 'Love Me', 'Love Me Tender', 'All Shook Up' and 'Teddy Bear'.

Then he did his newer ones like 'Burning Love' and his current million-seller 'T-R-O-U-B-L-E'. He received standing ovations for two recent Olivia Newton-John hits ('Let Me Be There' and 'If You Love Me Let Me Know').

But the greatest audience response was to a ballad called 'The Wonder of You', which Elvis joked he recorded '25 or 30 years ago', and to two spiritual numbers (Kris Kristofferson's 'Why Me Lord' and 'How Great Thou Art'). These left me -- and most other fans, I'm sure -- with chills and goose bumps all over. At one point in the concert, Elvis asked that the house lights be turned on so he could read some of the hundreds of signs that were being displayed in his honor. He read aloud one sign that pleaded, 'One kiss or I'll die'. Elvis did one of his famous stances, curled his lip and said, 'I can't let you die, come on down and get your kiss'. The young lady obviously didn't need a written invitation as she raced through a barricade of policemen in front of the stage to collect her kiss and to present Presley with one of many red roses he was given throughout the show.

Coliseum owner Nick Mileti said Presley was a pleasure to work with'. He made absolutely no demands, and his only request was that we give him the dressing room closest to the stage'.

In contrast, some rock performers who probably won't be around in six months have 'riders' in their contracts that pressure the promoter into supplying the act with a certain brand of peanut butter or they won't perform.

According to Mileti, Elvis spent the night in Cleveland Wednesday as well as last night'.

Colonel Parker (Presley's long-time manager) came in Wednesday to check things out,' said Mileti'.

The Colonel was so impressed with the Keg & Quarter menu (designed specifically for Presley with fatback, collard greens, turnip greens, boiled corn and corn bread) that he told Elvis to come in a day early.

Elvis will perform in the Coliseum again next Friday. The 22,000 fans holding tickets to this concert are in for a great treat. A Presley show has a carnival atmosphere unlike any other in the business.

Even the announcer sounds like a former burlesque comedian when he tells the audience to buy Presley souvenirs (20-page program, $3; poster, $2; button, $1; record album, $5; stereo tape, $6). You almost expect the announcer to say 'and a prize in each and every package'.

Elvis finished last night's show by picking up black bikini panties that were thrown on stage by one of his admirers, and placing then over the head of one of his musicians.

Then the announcer came back on stage and said, 'Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building'. No, there is nothing like an Elvis Presley show and there probably never will be.

Elvis Presley Oklahoma City, July 8, 1975

Elvis Presley : Terre Haute, Indiana : July 9, 1975

March 1975

Elvis Presley Las Vegas | March 30, 1975

April

Elvis Presley Macon Coliseum | Macon, Ga April 24, 1975
Elvis Presley Jacksonville Florida | April 25, 1975
Elvis Presley 'The Omni' Atlanta GA: April 30, 1975

May

Elvis Presley Omni | Atlanta Georgia | May 1, 1975
Elvis Presley Omni | Atlanta Georgia | May 2, 1975
Elvis Presley May 4, 1975 | Lake Charles
Elvis Presley Huntsville, AL | May 31, 1975

June

Elvis Presley Cleveland Coliseum, Richfield, Oh June 1, 1975
Elvis Presley Houston, Texas | June 5, 1975
Elvis Presley Mid-South Coliseum | Memphis Tennessee | June 10, 1975

July

Elvis Presley Oklahoma City, July 8, 1975
Elvis Presley Terre Haute, Indiana | July 9, 1975
Elvis Presley Cleveland Coliseum, Richfield, Oh | July 10, 1975
Elvis Presley Charleston West Virginia | July 11, 1975
Elvis Presley Following his Concert in Springfield | July 14, 1975
Elvis Presley Following his Concert in Springfield | July 15, 1975
Elvis Presley and Linda Thompson | Charleston West Virginia | July 16, 1975
Elvis Presley Nassau Colliseum | July 19, 1975
Elvis Presley Norfolk Scope | July 20, 1975
Elvis Presley with local police before boading his plane to leave Greensboro | July 22, 1975
Elvis Presley Ashville | July 23, 1975
Elvis Presley Ashville | July 24, 1975
(Impulsive) Elvis Presley Gives $11,500 Gift

August

Interview with Elvis Presley by radio broadcaster Harold Johnson August 9, 1975
Elvis Presley Las Vegas | Opening Night | August 18, 1975
Elvis Presley Las Vegas | August 19, 1975

September

Elvis Presley Graceland | September 10, 1975
Elvis takes Memphis spin on funmobile | Sept 15, 1975

December

Elvis Presley Las Vegas | December 13, 1975 | Midnight Show
Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker | New Years Eve, December 31, 1975

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