Elvis Presley in San Diego 1956

August 16, 1987/ June 6, 1956
On the tenth anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, Liz Pursell met a woman—Julie Campbell-- who was the opening act when he performed in San Diego in 1956. Julie Garrett was a local singer. She wasn’t too thrilled about it because she saw Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show and wasn’t all that impressed. She explained that since everything was censored back then, the performance was a lot tamer than his live performance. After she sang “Rock around the Clock,” she stuck around to see what all the fuss was about. “He had that charisma that only a superstar has.”
It was June 6, 1956—not 1957. The original film was retrieved for this story.
This is the original script—and yes, it says “Alvis Presley.”
The latest teenage idol, Alvis Presley, came to town last night and here’s a view of the more than four-thousand youngsters who jammed into the San Diego arena for his performance…Channel Eight’s Julie Garrett helped entertain while fans waited for the 21 year old hill-billy singer, star of the show…Another KFMB and Channel Eight favorite, Joe Graydon, introduced Presley…The crowd went wild as the new teenage version of Johnnie Ray, wearing a pale green sports jacket, strolled to the microphone and broke into a rock ‘n roll number. The audience, made up mostly of young teenage girls, squealed and swooned, but no casualties were reported. Police said later that some parents complained that it was not the type of show for juveniles to have seen. The screams of the audience drowned out most of the singing.
The film of him singing in the beginning is not our film--it's likely a handout tape.

Elvis Presley's first movie 'Love Me Tender' plays at Orpheum Theatre in San Diego 1956:

[BrendaBooher-hwmf]

Elvis gave everyone a dream. He opened the door that many others have walked through.

[jasonaedo]

Elvis the greatest ever. Mick Jagger said Elvis was everyone's teacher. John Lennon said that before Elvis there was nothing. Elvis is the first Rockstar in history and thanks to Elvis the youth music target was born. Elvis is the one who performed in front of the most people with the 1973 worldwide TV concert from Hawaii about one and a half billion viewers. Elvis is enough just the name as for Marilyn, hello everyone

[egonenedit]

Elvis made rock famous around the world. Then he created his own unique inimitable style. Elvis has sold over a billion records. The first rock concert in history broadcast on worldwide TV is that of Elvis in Hawaii in 1973, where he was given the crown of kings. Then Berry Little Richard great artists, but none none have the charm, the charisma, the magnetism of Elvis. The King has been dead for 45 years and still has a following of millions of people around the world. Get over it, like none Elvis. You know who 2 black men are who are King Martin Luther King King of Peace (but with Gandhi) and Cassius Clay of boxing. 👑Elvis always always always always.
They should award a posthumous oscar yes to Elvis's career he is the greatest the best

[lynnenagar]

❤ELVIS, the One and Only!!! from day One! STILL!!! NOW!!! ALWAYS!!! Thanks "E"❤ LSN

[stuartbedford]

They have the full footage of this concert I'm sure brill

Please share the full footage of this Elvis show! This story cannot be shelved!

[timcoil]

Can I order a copy of all of the footage that you have on Elvis Presley?

[pulmon]

Elvis NEVER played San Diego after appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show. Not until November of 1970. LOL. Elvis played San Diego, April 4th and 5th, and on June 6, 1956, so she must have seen him on the first Milton Berle Show, broadcast on April 3, 1956, when he didnt move that much, and the telecast was beamed from the USS Hancock, then docked in San Diego.

[joeblack]

Always makes me laugh when these nobodies come out with comments such as 'he was a handsome guy and a fairly good singer'. And what did she ever achieve of any note? Come back and comment when you're the greatest musical icon of the 20th century, who changed popular culture and music forever! I can guarantee that the audience was a lot more impressed with Elvis, rather than when they had to endure this nobody singing 'Rock Around The Clock'.

[quietone]

Elvis is NOT the king of rock and roll 🎸 idc what anyone says