Elvis Presley became the first entertainer to sell out the entire Sports Arena last night in one of the sensational comeback appearances he is doing around the country after a 14-year absence from the stage.

Ticket sales of 14,511 were reported by the box office.

The old ladies in their satin moire evening dresses came to peer at him last night as did the ex-bobbyboxers and the very young who were just being born when he started his career in 1954.

Why did they come ? Why was Elvis, indeed even there? Perhaps simply because rock 'n' roll, regardless of the hohum thing, it has deviated into now, is still very much where everything is - the rocking out sport where freedom and joyousness reign.

CONTAGIOUS JOY

Elvis has a remarkable ability simply to have a good time on stage and make it a contagious thing in a crowd. He enjoys himself - jokes with his back-up acts, swishes a glass of water over his shoulder, sits down when he feels like it and even waits for a mood to come for a song - and the audience has a good time, too. Girls still chase after the tassels he flips off stage and scream when he gets physical, sending a flurry of ushers to the bottom of the stage. Indeed, why NOT go see Elvis? He's fun and sexy and sings good enough. Besides, that, he's the king of rock 'n' roll.

Last night Elvis could only add to his laurels. Dressed in a white jump suit with a neon orange sash and matching ascot with a Spiro agnew watch on his wrist and any number of rings on his fingers, he made his way through near hour long set of not quite enough songs and perhaps, a few too many gauche jokes. But they were excusable because, after all, he's Elvis, out of retirement, and ought to be singing and saying exactly what he feels. He doesn't owe anybody anything, really

He brought the house down with "Blue Suede Shoes," "Hound Dog" and "Heartbreak Hotel (all moldie oldies) and almost did the same with a new song, "Suspicious Minds." He came across rolling gospel thunder in "How Great Thou Art" and wiggled and writhed through "Polk Salad Annie." The set also included "Wonder Of You," and "Bridge Over Troubled Waters," among others.

Throughout all of it, Elvis was backed with a fine female vocal quartet in the country, the Imperials, a tight six piece rhythm section and a 23-piece orchestra under the able leadership of Joe Guercio.

At exactly 10:30 p.m., Elvis, ever a polite Southern boy, thanked his audience and sped away in a big black limousine. Yes, the mystique and the magic are still there, indeed.

Courtesy of Francesc Lopez