Elvis and “The Eighth Wonder of the World”
Elvis performed six times at the Houston Astrodome (Texas), from February 27th to March 1st, 1970, the colossus known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” It was Elvis’s return to a large audience after nine years, the time to step onto the live stage, in front of a huge audience, outside of his Las Vegas performances.
The Houston Astrodome was chosen by Colonel Parker to be Elvis’s first venue outside of Las Vegas. The venue wasn’t ideal for a show like Elvis’s. The Dome was a huge venue, dedicated to rodeos, football, baseball, and the least of its functions was to host concerts.
Performing in Las Vegas was very different from performing here.
This was the real Elvis before a huge real audience, and Elvis was very aware of the situation. He was very scared, terrified by the grandeur of the venue and the huge crowd. More than 200,000 people saw Elvis in the six shows!
They climbed into a Jeep to drive around the entire interior of the venue and greet the audience before reaching the revolving central stage.
The “Dome” collapsed in the face of immense applause from the audience, from the first concert to the last.
Elvis broke all audience records. It was unprecedented, and he gave shows that left a profound impression on the Colossus Houston Astrodome.
He said he was very excited about his appearance at “The Dome.” It was great.
After his last performance on March 1st and after an absolute success in all his performances, he gave a press conference.
During the conference, Sheriff Kern told Elvis, “I know you’re planning on leaving town on Monday, and this will help you.” He then presented Elvis with a gold deputy badge, one of those Elvis loved so much, which he gladly accepted.
Colonel Parker, jealous of the gift he had given Elvis, asked, “So how am I going to get out of town? Do you want me to hitchhike?”
So, in response to this comment, the Sheriff also gave the Colonel a badge.
Since Elvis broke all audience records at the Astrodome, Louis Pearce, Buddy Bray, and Dick Weekley, representing the city’s entertainment officials, presented him with a magnificent Rolex “King Midas” watch. The watch was valued at $2,500.
Elvis also received a Stetson hat. To which Elvis responded with his usual sense of humor: “They should also give me an award for being so nervous.”
RCA Vice President Rocco Loginestra was also at the event, to present Elvis with his five gold records for the singles ”In The Ghetto”, ”Suspicious Minds”, ”Don’t Cry Daddy” and for his two albums ”Elvis In Person, At The International Hotel” and ”From Elvis In Memphis”.
This was the first time an artist had received five gold records in one year.
Article written and provided by Rosa García Mora. https://www.facebook.com/rosa.garciamora.12
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