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Unseen Elvis: Presley's first visit to Detroit in never-published photos


By: Susan Whitall
Source: Detroit News Music
January 18, 2011
Elvis Articles, Elvis News, Elvis Photos, EP

It's May 1956. Americans were fretting about President Eisenhower's health, slugger Mickey Mantle was the toast of the baseball world, and 21-year-old Elvis Presley was about to make his first appearance at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. It had been a whirlwind five months for the soft-spoken truck driver from Tupelo, Miss., who recorded his first RCA Records session in January, yielding 'Heartbreak Hotel', which shot to No. 1. Elvis was winding up a tour of the Midwest when he came to Detroit on Friday, May 25, 1956.

Fifty-five years later, never-published photographs of the day Elvis first came to Detroit have been brought to light by author Michael Rose for a forthcoming book, 'Spring of '56'.

The photographs show Elvis in and around the Fox Theatre, greeting Detroit Times contest winners backstage, relaxing in a downtown arcade and enjoying himself at an adult party.

Elvis Presley Photos View the photos : Elvis Presley Detroit, MI. Fox Theater May 25, 1956.

Author Michael Rose is putting together a book, 'Spring of '56', on the subject of the memorable spring when Elvis broke out into mainstream success (and teenaged hysteria). We're looking for any of the lucky five people (photo on 3C) who as teenaged members of the Detroit Times' 'Teens of the Times' Club, were pictured with Elvis after winning an essay contest (in 50 words or less, they were to tell 'Why Teenagers Like Elvis Presley').

Are YOU in these photos?

Did you meet Elvis Presley backstage at the Fox Theatre in 1956?

Are you, or a loved one, pictured in the photos on this page and on 3C?

If so, we'd like to hear from you.

Author Michael Rose is putting together a book, 'Spring of '56', on the subject of the memorable spring when Elvis broke out into mainstream success (and teenaged hysteria). We're looking for any of the lucky five people (photo on 3C) who as teenaged members of the Detroit Times' 'Teens of the Times' Club, were pictured with Elvis after winning an essay contest (in 50 words or less, they were to tell 'Why Teenagers Like Elvis Presley').

Other questions:

Do you recognize the downtown arcade where Elvis is relaxing between shows at the Fox?

Who are the two African-American reporters interviewing the singer backstage?

And will the young woman posing with Elvis in a photo taken at a Detroit party that night please step forward?

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Elvis Presley Video Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD

Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.

This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.

The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.

Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.