THE MAILBAG * ELVIS REDUX

Hi Bob,
 
Thanks for Ronald Brown's descriptive and well-written article, "Elvis Presley Came To Saginaw To Play."

I've seen many, many concerts in mid-Michigan over the years.  The April 25th appearance of Presley at the Saginaw Civic Center was a landmark concert in every respect.  Brown was right on the mark when he wrote, "The roof is blowing off, and Auntie Em is not here to save us."  That's exactly the way it felt -- there was so much energy in the house that night I thought the roof would come right off when Elvis hit the stage.

The early part of the concert was surprisingly full of good humor.  But two-thirds into the extravaganza, Presley got serious about the music.  With the help of a killer rock band and orchestra, he laid down a powerful and moving version of "My Way" that drew a very long, loud, and sustained applause from an awed audience.  This was hardly the Frank Sinatra version of the classic.   Subsequent listening of the bootlegged recording of this concert substantiate that "My Way" was the concert's vocal highlight.

Recently, the FTD label, which has been releasing all kinds of Presley material, included the Saginaw, April 25th performance of "My Way."  You can find the soundboard recording of this on the "Spring Tours 77" release.  Thanks again for a great article about one of the most memorable concerts ever in mid-Michigan.