Here’s how Auburn Network legend Paul Ellen started his review for The Plainsman: “For at least one day, President Philpott ceased to rule the campus and east central Alabama became a monarchy. The King was here.”
That one day was March 5, 1974. The concert had been sold out for two weeks. The only other time the coliseum had truly sold out for an entertainment event had been Bob Hope’s stop three years earlier. The University Book Store sold nearly 200 copies of assorted Elvis albums the days leading up to the show. Col. Parker said Auburn was just as important to Elvis as New York City.
The “no flash photography” made it difficult on Larry Parker, the Glom’s photog phenom, but he still managed several fantastic, never-before-seen shots of the rhinestone’d hunk of sideburnin’ love and his on-stage entourage, Sweet Inspirations included.
Unlike that year’s Beach Boys concert, not a single coed took off her clothes. But a girl did slip past stage security long enough to receive the King’s scarf. And we now know that, thankfully… thankfully very much… someone bootlegged the show, “War Eagle” and all.
Enjoy.
Related: Elvis says “War Eagle.”
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Appropriately enough, my 5th birthday.
I was there!!!! Awesome performance!!!!
I didn’t even go. I was at the library. Now, Elton John that was a different matter!!
I was on the Glom staff and we had a great time trying to select the perfect photos of “E”. Also at the concert AND I know it was him at the gas station when I was getting air for my bike tires. Tell Larry hello for me!
I was there. 13 years old. We were living in Columbus GA. Elvis flew in to Columbus and drove to Auburn. My mother was pregnant with my youngest brother.
But it was in March, not May.
I was there, and ran the lead spot, two weeks before graduating.