February 1961 Charity Shows -> Mysterious!

[drjohncarpenter]

Here's a nice shot of Elvis at the luncheon, prior to the first show:

610225_w Mayor Henry Loeb.JPG

With Memphis Mayor Henry Loeb III, Hotel Claridge luncheon - Saturday, February 25, 1961

[matteo]

Wow!thanks for all these informations and pics from Memphis 61!
Too bad we don't have nothing (Audio or video) about this two concerts!

[drjohncarpenter]

UPDATE

I added a FANTASTIC live shot from the afternoon gig to the original post, and below are a few more.

They were taken by the late Jim Reid of the Memphis Press-Scimitar. Enjoy!

610225_AS_w DJ Fontana_Memphis.jpg

610225_AS_w Ron Capone_Memphis.jpg

610225_AS_w Ron Capone_Brad Suggs_Bob Alexius_Memphis.jpg

610225_AS_crowd leaving Ellis_Memphis.jpg

[paulsweeney]

Jim Reid took some great photos that day...and all through Elvis' life in Memphis - thanks Doc

[drjohncarpenter]

Jim Reid took some great photos that day...and all through Elvis' life in Memphis - thanks Doc

Why the owners of the Memphis Press-Scimitar archives do not put together a high quality book of the photos and the stories, as they appeared between 1954 and 1977 is a mystery. Done well, it would be an ESSENTIAL work.

[paulsweeney]

Bill Burk put out 2 several years ago - Jim Reid's Elvis photobooks were "Fond Memories of Elvis" and "Fond Memories of Elvis Vol. II Twenty-Three Years of Photos"

[drjohncarpenter]

Bill Burk put out 2 several years ago - Jim Reid's Elvis photobooks were "Fond Memories of Elvis" and "Fond Memories of Elvis Vol. II Twenty-Three Years of Photos"

IIRC, you are referring to paper-bound, magazine-size photo books. Not at all worthy of what that archive holds, or could offer.

I would love to have every article Robert Johnson or James Kingsley wrote on Elvis, carefully scanned from the original paper. And every great photo by Bob Williams, Jim Reid, Tom Barber, Fred Payne, Barney Sellers and others, carefully printed from the original, uncropped negative. I would pay a LOT of money for such a work. It would be invaluable to any Elvis Presley or 20th century pop culture scholar.

[paulsweeney]

Bill Burk put out 2 several years ago - Jim Reid's Elvis photobooks were "Fond Memories of Elvis" and "Fond Memories of Elvis Vol. II Twenty-Three Years of Photos"

IIRC, you are referring to paper-bound, magazine-size photo books. Not at all worthy of what that archive holds, or could offer.

Yes, that's what I'm referring to. As well, the Elvis Files Vol. 4 has about a dozen pages on Feb. 25, 1961...we'll have to make due until something else comes along.

[drjohncarpenter]

Bill Burk put out 2 several years ago - Jim Reid's Elvis photobooks were "Fond Memories of Elvis" and "Fond Memories of Elvis Vol. II Twenty-Three Years of Photos"

IIRC, you are referring to paper-bound, magazine-size photo books. Not at all worthy of what that archive holds, or could offer.

Yes, that's what I'm referring to. As well, the Elvis Files Vol. 4 has about a dozen pages on Feb. 25, 1961...we'll have to make due until something else comes along.

Time is passing, we can't wait another century ...

[drjohncarpenter]

This two-page RCA trade ad for the newest Presley disc mentions Elvis' successful charity shows.

Billboard Apr 10 1961 p36-37.JPG

Billboard - April 10, 1961


Note that the ad mentions "both 100% Benefit Shows," which may be when the media began to forget that Elvis actually did THREE benefit gigs, two in Memphis, one in Honolulu.

Billboard Apr 10 1961 p36-37_DETAIL.JPG

[drjohncarpenter]

A nice COLOR shot from the evening show:

610225ES_Memphis.JPG

Thanks to bluejeans1944 for finding it.

[Joe Car]

Just re-reading this thread Doc. Great stuff!

[drjohncarpenter]

Thanks.

In this photo you can see:





Scotty Moore (guitar), Bob Alexius (acoustic bass), Elvis, D.J. Fontana (drums), Brad Suggs (guitar) and Ron Capone (drums)

Boy, I would love to hear what they sounded like that evening. But we'll probably never know.


Thanks to ed40 for finding it.

[Tony Trout]

Bill Burk put out 2 several years ago - Jim Reid's Elvis photobooks were "Fond Memories of Elvis" and "Fond Memories of Elvis Vol. II Twenty-Three Years of Photos"

Paul,

Are Jim Reid's books still available? I'd guess probably...."No"....right?

[drjohncarpenter]

Bill Burk put out 2 several years ago - Jim Reid's Elvis photobooks were "Fond Memories of Elvis" and "Fond Memories of Elvis Vol. II Twenty-Three Years of Photos"

Paul,

Are Jim Reid's books still available? I'd guess probably...."No"....right?

Memphis Press-Scimitar photographer Jim Reid passed away in July 2006, but at least one of his photo books may be found on Amazon:

Elvis..1954-Twenty Three Years Of Photos-1977..Collectors Edition..By Memphis News Photographer Jim Reid. Vol. I
http://www.amazon.com/Elvis-1954-Twenty-Photos-1977-Collectors-Edition-By-Memphis-Photographer/dp/B000VHTWOC

[Tony Trout]

Bill Burk put out 2 several years ago - Jim Reid's Elvis photobooks were "Fond Memories of Elvis" and "Fond Memories of Elvis Vol. II Twenty-Three Years of Photos"

Paul,

Are Jim Reid's books still available? I'd guess probably...."No"....right?

Memphis Press-Scimitar photographer Jim Reid passed away in July 2006, but at least one of his photo books may be found on Amazon:

Elvis..1954-Twenty Three Years Of Photos-1977..Collectors Edition..By Memphis News Photographer Jim Reid. Vol. I
http://www.amazon.com/Elvis-1954-Twenty-Photos-1977-Collectors-Edition-By-Memphis-Photographer/dp/B000VHTWOC

Thanks, John.

[onelove]

Excellent topic about an interesting subject. These are shows that HAVE to surface one day, be it through audio or film.

Here are two cool snaps from the evening show - an "upgrade" for one of your opening post shots and an 'alternate' for it from the same camera.
In anycase, hope you enjoy.

610225ev1.jpg

610225ev2.jpg

[drjohncarpenter]

Excellent topic about an interesting subject. These are shows that HAVE to surface one day, be it through audio or film.

Here are two cool snaps from the evening show - an "upgrade" for one of your opening post shots and an 'alternate' for it from the same camera.
In anycase, hope you enjoy.

Thank you! I must admit, after 50+ years, it seems less and less likely an audio of film will ever surface from these performances.

That said, these photos, from the Gary Pepper archive I assume, are marvelous, and I will add them to the first page of the topic.

Thank you muchly, onelove.

[Mike Windgren]

Hi there!! .

Thought I would revive this fantastic topic by the Doc, adding an original ticket stub for the February 25th, 1961, 3 PM Charity Show in Memphis . Bye for now .


Memphis-February 25th, 1961. 3 PM Charity Show.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281451876298?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

[drjohncarpenter]

Thought I would revive this fantastic topic by the Doc, adding an original ticket stub for the February 25th, 1961, 3 PM Charity Show in Memphis .


Memphis-February 25th, 1961. 3 PM Charity Show.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281451876298

Very cool, thanks for finding this. The opening bid for this is US $1,500.00!

The back side of the ticket is very funny indeed. Below is the whole eBay package, including the letter and envelope it was mailed in:

610225_Memphis ticket on eBay 01.JPG

610225_Memphis ticket on eBay 02.JPG

610225_Memphis ticket on eBay 03.JPG

610225_Memphis ticket on eBay 04.JPG

[Mike Windgren]

Hi there!! .

Thought I would revive this fantastic topic by the Doc, adding an original ticket stub for the February 25th, 1961, 3 PM Charity Show in Memphis .


Memphis-February 25th, 1961. 3 PM Charity Show.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281451876298

Very cool, thanks for finding this. The opening bid for this is US $1,500.00!

The back side of the ticket is very funny indeed. Below is the whole eBay package, including the letter and envelope it was mailed in:

610225_Memphis ticket on eBay 01.JPG

610225_Memphis ticket on eBay 02.JPG

610225_Memphis ticket on eBay 03.JPG

610225_Memphis ticket on eBay 04.JPG

Correct, that´s the original auction! . Bye for now .

[drjohncarpenter]

The opening post has been updated with some interesting information!

[beemer865]

Catching back up and loved reading thru all the pages.

Thanks Dr Carpenter and all!

[rlj4ep]

What a wonderful thread Doc! I'm not sure how I missed before this. A wealth of information, pics, and memorabilia from a great moment in Elvis career. Thanks for all of the research and posting! What an amazing set list as well. The fans at those were really treated to something special.

Thanks also to all who have contributed pics to this thread.

Much appreciated!

rlj

[drjohncarpenter]

What a wonderful thread Doc! I'm not sure how I missed before this. A wealth of information, pics, and memorabilia from a great moment in Elvis career. Thanks for all of the research and posting! What an amazing set list as well. The fans at those were really treated to something special.

Thanks also to all who have contributed pics to this thread.

Much appreciated!

rlj

Thank you for the kind words. If only we could dig out tapes of both shows, what a revelation they might be!