Elvis Fans Turn Out -- 11,500 strong.
by Thomas MacCluskey
Rocky Mountain News
November 18, 1970

The Coliseum was ceiling to ceiling with Elvis Presley fans -- 11,500 strong. Screaming strong! Continuous flashbulb firing strong.

After almost 15 years of national, even international, super popularity, the ever-young man wailed through a set of songs from classic rock and roll, through gospel, country and old and new pop.

Whatever they say ("they" being the pseudo-sophisticated critics who have forgotten the purpose of music), Elvis sings damned well. Technically, he has the ability to maneuver through all the songs he chooses with accurate enough intonation and as obviously swinging rhythmic drive.

In the expressivity department - where music really does its thing - Elvis has few peers.

SURE, HE has all the dramatic gimmicks of show biz built in; but it should be remembered that he set the standard (among white performers, anyhow) back in January and February 1956 when he made five successive appearances on nationwide TV on the Jackie Gleason Stage Show.

Yes, he derived the gestures, sound and singing style from blacks such as Arthur Crudup, Bob Diddley and others, but he put it all together with his already developed country style and created a worldwide musical revolution which hasn't stopped spinning yet.

The musical giant demonstrated to his Denver fans not only all of the talents that have sustained his popularity but also the on-stage natutalness and down home humility for which he's always been known.

He introduced each member of his band; his manager of 15 years, Col. Tom Parker; his conductor, Joe Guerico, and his father.

He thanked all of the personnel who are traveling with him from his Las Vegas show and he gave special praise to Denverite Joe Flores' 15-men orchestra, which accompanied the entire performance with well rehearsed, hard-driving playing.

LET ME TELL you the pelvis still works. And the longish coal black hair and sideburns that cover the ears still fly when the head bounces and body gyrates.

The arms dramatically conduct all the band's rhythmic punches and the legs swing into their wide-spread stance often.

The pure white, skin-tight jumpsuit with the high collar and long fringe and the sparkling green sash and neck scarf don't exactly epitomize "Heartbreak Hotel" or "Hound Dog," but they certainly dazzle the eyes.

And the Elvis face is as handsome as ever, gals.

The evenings's festivities got under way with a seven minute blasting performance (due to ears unyet accustomed to a tremendously powerful sound system) by The Imperials, a polished white, pop-gospel quartet.

Immediately, thereafter, four black is beautiful young gals charged on stage in a scarlet-orange flash to turn on the audience further with 15 minutes of fine soul singing and visual swinging. The group, the Sweet Inspirations is aptly named.

Comedian Sammy Shore rounded out the fast-paced show with a wide variety of humor, which was received enthusiastically by the huge audience.

Courtesy of Sebastiano Cecere