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Elvis Presley’s iconic visit to Lakeland

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DJ, Bill, and Elvis at the Polk Theater, 1956 | Photo by Jerry Perkins courtesy Laura Milton, Polk Theater

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DYK today marks 65 years since Elvis Presley’s blue suede shoes (technically, he was wearing white suede shoes that day, but you get the point) walked through the doors at our very own Polk Theatre? 🎸

Copy of LAL-Quoted

Photo via Lakeland Public Library

On August 6, 1956, the king gave what has been remembered as an iconic performance right here in Lakeland. During the time, his song “Hound Dog” was new and trending – drawing in eager crowds to hear the hunk of burnin’ love, along with a few other artists. Did we mention their tickets were $1.50?

After a 15-minute performance, Elvis sat in anoverheated” dressing room and spoke with a reporter about his “wigglin’ and quiverin’” + his nickname, ‘Elvis the Pelvis.’ The three-part series from TV Guide Magazine is called “He Tells How the Little Wiggle Grew.”

elvis wall

Third-floor dressing room | Photo by @thelaltoday

Elvis closed out the night by autographing the dressing room wall, which was later damaged by flooding. The photo above is the corner of the room where his signature was found. The signature itself has since been removed and relocated for safe-keeping.

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