March 1961 Tennessee State Capitol appearance

[Lonniebealestreet]

Recently alvo posted a great pic here (http://www.tcb-world.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=82071&c=47).

The event captured by this photo is that of a mostly unknown Elvis story, as far as I am aware. I am only familiar with it from the Definitive Elvis DVD set. I have intended for some time to mention it here, but am fuzzy on the details and have lent out my copy of that set.

I know that on this unique occasion Elvis received his honorary Colonel title. But he addressed the State Legislature on this day and I do not know or recall the details of that speech and what else might have transpired.

Obviously this was not an ordinary day in the life of our man; seeing him in the context of this image almost seems odd. Yet at the same time he doesn't seem that out of place or uncomfortable -- just judging from the photos I've seen.

http://tnsos.org/tsla/imagesearch/images/21059.jpg

Can anyone provide more details on the events of this day?

A few more pics can be seen here (http://tnsos.org/tsla/imagesearch/index.php?find=elvis), by the way.

Hmmm, I just found that elvispresleymusic.com.au recently did something on this: http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/1961_tennessee_state_legislature_march8.html So maybe it's not that unknown. :lol:

A cool pic from their page:
http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/img/elvis/60s/elvis_march_8_1961_speaking_to_the_legislature.jpg

[Tommy]

Thank you for posting this great moment, (y)

[javierTCB]

Really great post (y)
Thanks Lonniebealestreet.

[shelley.m.]

Thanks for the posting,Bobby.Great photos of Elvis at the Tennessee State Capitol.

[franny]

Great pics, Bobby. Thanks, for posting them. (y) Also, thanks, alvo. (y)

I have never seen these pics. What a great moment!

franny

[Lonniebealestreet]

Glad you all also find this interesting and I hope someone can shed some more light on it for us.

Thanks again to alvo for posting the nice photo that reminded me of this.

[Trelane P]

http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/img/elvis/60s/elvis_march_8_1961_speaking_to_the_legislature.jpg[/QUOTE]

Is that a movie camera perched on the balcony in this photo?

[hexia]

This is a transcript of what was said that day.
It's scanned from the book Elvis - word for word. I hope you can read it all right.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/hexiadetrick/Side2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/hexiadetrick/Side3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/hexiadetrick/Side4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/hexiadetrick/Side5.jpg

[hexia]

Another picture from that day.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/hexiadetrick/side1.jpg

[Lonniebealestreet]

Impressive words there about and by Elvis. Nothing against the Jaycees speech but it seems to me that he comes across much better here. (That seems a logical comparison to me but I suppose it would probably be accurate to say that the Jaycees honor was a much bigger deal.) More natural, humble, and articulate.

Incidentally I thought he also seemed these things when I first heard that lengthy interview from an insightful, introspective Elvis in 1962, heard in part on the silver box set (Elvis Aron Presley).

Thanks very much to hexia for scanning and posting. I was thinking I had that book but apparently I do not.

[Lonniebealestreet]

Is that a movie camera perched on the balcony in this photo?
Some video would be quite a nice treat, wouldn't it? Good eye.

[Miss Clawdy]

Great story, very interesting, thank you for posting!
Elvis, we're mighty proud of you (y)!

[Merry]

Thank you so much for sharing, Lonniebealstreet (hey I'm watching "him" on TV, now, lol) and Hexia. I knew of this day, but didn't know any of the details.

So proud of you Elvis, you did so many things, to be proud of, and we are proud of you. You deserve the honours that were bestowed on you.

It would be great if there was some moving vision, lol. There mustn't be though, or we would have already seen it.

:hug:
Kimmi

[Sonny]

There is a camera on the balcony like Trelane noticed.

So maybe this footage one time was used in a news broadcast, or is still on the shelf so to speak. Maybe someone has seen this on TV back then?

[Miss Clawdy]

That would be something! Now we just need to know which tv station filmed the event....and maybe they still have vaults for important records....:hmm:?
By chance, is anybody here from Nashville who could investigate for us?

[beckelvis]

GREAT PICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE POST VERY INTERESTING