Holy Toledo --> Presley Pummels His Accuser!

[drjohncarpenter]

This past weekend I came across this lovely report on Elvis' 11-22-1956 appearances in Toledo, Ohio:

561123_Toledo Blade p01.JPG

Toledo Blade - Friday, November 23, 1956
Ironically, in exactly seven years America would be turned upside down by a much greater world-changing event.



Staff writer Charles W. Gilmore is clearly over thirty and far from a fan of the new music, or its avatar. In the course of the review, which notes only one or two songs by name, we learn that Elvis had been jumped at the hotel the night before, and it is to the newspaperman's credit he soberly reports that the singer was not at fault.

Even now, it is kind of cool to read that when a 19 year-old named Louis Balint complained to Elvis his wife carried a picture of the singer, and none of him, it became a "free for all" that "was broken up by police, who found Presley pummeling his accuser," someone who tried to throw guitarist Scotty Moore over a railing!

This all sounds more than a little like something we'd see in his 1957 Paramount vehicle "Loving You"!

Pretty cool.

Finally, don't miss "Elvis" the lion cub, also featured on page 1, at center bottom.

_____

By sheer coincidence, the online version of the paper today printed a recap of the above, along with an unedited print of a great live shot we see on the front page from 1956!


Elvis Presley, Toledo Sports Arena - Thursday, November 22, 1956
Photo: Bob Jacobs, Toledo Blade

http://www.toledoblade.com/memories/2014/08/11/Monday-Memories-Elvis-Presley-shakes-up-Toledo.html

Thanks to member Julian Grant for finding the online article.


'

[keninlincs]

Thanks for the topic John

[promiseland]

Another cool topic by The Doc!
It's amazing at just how often the center of attention on Presley's live shows are almost always pointed at a 34 year old Elvis in Las Vegas 1969 here at FECC. When in reality NOTHING touched Presley at 21 -22 years old in '56 & '57. This is the real Elvis Presley, the one that turned this world inside out. Elvis Presley live from 1969 to 1977 was nothing compared to the Tiger Man of the '50s.

As John Lennon Quoted :

Up until Elvis joined the army, I thought it was beautiful music and Elvis was for me and my generation what the Beatles were to the '60s. But after he went into the army, I think they cut "les bollocks" off. They not only shaved his hair off but I think they shaved between his legs, too. He played some good stuff after the army, but it was never quite the same, It was like something happened to him psychologically. Elvis really died the day he joined the army. That's when they killed him, and the rest was a living death."

[prosp68]

Great shot of King. Thanks Doc!

[drjohncarpenter]

Thanks for the topic John

My pleasure!

[rjm]

Thanks! That's even wilder than "Loving You"! The guy tried to throw poor Scotty over the railing! Wow.

Maybe a feature film would BE of interest!

rjm

[drjohncarpenter]

Another cool topic by The Doc!
It's amazing at just how often the center of attention on Presley's live shows are almost always pointed at a 34 year old Elvis in Las Vegas 1969 here at FECC. When in reality NOTHING touched Presley at 21 -22 years old in '56 & '57. This is the real Elvis Presley, the one that turned this world inside out. Elvis Presley live from 1969 to 1977 was nothing compared to the Tiger Man of the '50s.

As John Lennon Quoted :

Up until Elvis joined the army, I thought it was beautiful music and Elvis was for me and my generation what the Beatles were to the '60s. But after he went into the army, I think they cut "les bollocks" off. They not only shaved his hair off but I think they shaved between his legs, too. He played some good stuff after the army, but it was never quite the same, It was like something happened to him psychologically. Elvis really died the day he joined the army. That's when they killed him, and the rest was a living death."

That's quite a statement from the great John Lennon. No matter what one may think of his opinion, there's no denying how powerful Elvis was in the 1950s.

Looking at the November 22nd Toledo date, it was Thanksgiving Day, 1956. The singer delivered two packed shows. "Love Me Tender" was hitting theaters and the title song was sitting at the top of the charts.

Among the disc jockeys there was Ron Ross from WOWO Radio (Fort Wayne).

According to the Flynn session site he got an interview on tape with Presley just before the first performance. Ross also managed to tape his introduction of the star and the first three songs of the set, "Heartbreak Hotel," "Long Tall Sally" and "Don't Be Cruel." With any luck these recordings will see official release someday.

For those who wanted to see the Toledo Blade review in full detail, it's below, along with a WOWO publicity photo of Ross.

[mysterytrainrideson]

Well, what can one say....Elvis in 1956 is god!

[paulsweeney]

That's one heck of a great photo!

[elvis-fan]

As John Lennon Quoted :

Up until Elvis joined the army, I thought it was beautiful music and Elvis was for me and my generation what the Beatles were to the '60s. But after he went into the army, I think they cut "les bollocks" off. They not only shaved his hair off but I think they shaved between his legs, too. He played some good stuff after the army, but it was never quite the same, It was like something happened to him psychologically. Elvis really died the day he joined the army. That's when they killed him, and the rest was a living death."

Never did agree with that statement entirely... but another great post John!!
That concert performance picture is spectacular!!

[drjohncarpenter]

And . . . I found today two backstage photos in Toledo of WOWO Radio disc jockey Ron Ross interviewing Elvis!

Now, where is that recording that we have yet to enjoy? It's only been 67 years . . .


'

[AndrewJ]

Wow(o)! What a great find. You're right, it would be even better to hear that tape. Keep up the good work Doc

[Jaime1234]

According to Marlo Lewis, Sullivan's producer, a staffer from CBS NY argued that he had seen Elvis hang a bottle inside his pants at a reent concert and that he was going to do it again, this time for a significant amount of the TV viewewrship to watch. Could it have been this reporter who spoke to the CBS NY staffer? Whatever, there was no bottle

https://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/img/elvis/50s/56/1956-nov22-toledo.jpg


Here Lewis "checks" if there is no bottle, up close..LOL
https://scontent.fmga3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/434186976_25167256762888932_1335116362961516293_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=n5SPhx0rf3QAX8GuBKo&_nc_ht=scontent.fmga3-1.fna&oh=00_AfA-Xn6UrVhsxooLkbni4O8_iryVyYtpDWJw_f_r0leCDQ&oe=660F4441

[drjohncarpenter]

Wow(o)! What a great find. You're right, it would be even better to hear that tape. Keep up the good work Doc

Apparently, it exists. But unless WOWO's Ron Ross asked some clever or intelligent questions it's likely not a whole lot different than any of the dozen or so we have from 1956.

Still, it would be fun to hear. Maybe Elvis is asked about the pummeling he gave that dude who attacked him.

Heh.

Plus, of course, the opening three songs of the set!

[Keith]

Wow(o)! What a great find. You're right, it would be even better to hear that tape. Keep up the good work Doc

Apparently, it exists. But unless WOWO's Ron Ross asked some clever or intelligent questions it's likely not a whole lot different than any of the dozen or so we have from 1956.

Still, it would be fun to hear. Maybe Elvis is asked about the pummeling he gave that dude who attacked him.

Heh.

Plus, of course, the opening three songs of the set!

Ron didn't ask any intelligent questions really, and he didn't ask about Elvis pummeling anyone either, but you'll all be able to hear it all soon enough, along with what was recorded from the show itself.

And I've had those photos of Ron Ross and Elvis on my site for a while now, by the way, taken from the 90th Anniversary podcast of WOWO radio, which I actually link to.

Keith

[sweetangeline]

what happened to the comment Keith "not on the official label as Ernst wasn't interested"??

[drjohncarpenter]

what happened to the comment Keith "not on the official label as Ernst wasn't interested"??

Not sure what that's about, but Ernst might be delighted to see all the photos and information posted here, where everyone can enjoy.

[sweetangeline]

but you'll all be able to hear it all soon enough, along with what was recorded from the show itself.

from what label?? official or non-official??

[drjohncarpenter]

from what label?? official or non-official??

Hopefully not via a shady, grey market imprint.

[sweetangeline]

from what label?? official or non-official??

Hopefully not via a shady, grey market imprint.

well I`m surprised that Ernst has no interest?? guess it`s not something to get all shook up about.

[drjohncarpenter]

well I`m surprised that Ernst has no interest?? guess it`s not something to get all shook up about.

No one has any idea about what his interest may be in a 67 year-old interview and a handful of opening songs.

[sweetangeline]

well I`m surprised that Ernst has no interest?? guess it`s not something to get all shook up about.

No one has any idea about what his interest may be in a 67 year-old interview and a handful of opening songs.

well from what Keith first posted before it was deleted it suggested one person knew, but maybe it was an honest mistake when first posted and that`s why it`s gone...if that`s the case so be it.

[drjohncarpenter]

No one has any idea about what his interest may be in a 67 year-old interview and a handful of opening songs.

well from what Keith first posted before it was deleted it suggested one person knew, but maybe it was an honest mistake when first posted and that`s why it`s gone...if that`s the case so be it.

Take such things with a grain of salt, as they say.

[AndrewJ]

Is this the tape that was suggested and then when we all guessed what it was the drawbridge went up??

Looking forward to hearing it sometime soon though

[sweetangeline]

Is this the tape that was suggested and then when we all guessed what it was the drawbridge went up??

many drawbridges in the Elvis world for sure