Vegas, Hawaii, Nashville and, of course, Graceland, Memphis – these are destinations many an Elvis fan has firmly in their pilgrimage sights, or indeed, has visited multiple times. Yet there’s one location that’s often overlooked in that starstruck urge to feel close to the undisputed King of Rock’n’Roll: Shreveport Louisiana. It was here, on 16 October 1954, that a shy young boy was introduced to the stage by emcee Frank Page, to perform on The Louisiana Hayride.
The King Is Born
Aside from The Grand Ole Opry – on which Elvis had sung the previous week, to a lukewarm reception – it was the biggest radio show in America at the time, launching the careers not only of Elvis, but also Hank Williams and Slim Whitman. Every Saturday night, the Louisiana Hayride reached 28 states via KWKH, a 50,000 watt clear station. Microphones dangled over the audience so their excitement would be even more audible to those listening from home, heightening a sense of wanting to see, as well as hear, what was taking place at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium.
In the current context of huge arena tours (hello, Taylor Swift) it’s extraordinary to think that you could once have paid 60c to sit in an auditorium of just 3,200 people to watch Elvis swivel, smile and sing. And audiences had the opportunity multiple times: he was swiftly contracted to appear on the Louisiana Hayride every Saturday night.
As his star ascended, it became impossible to return to Shreveport each week and, in 1956, after 51 performances (for each of which he was paid $18) Colonel Tom Parker bought him out of his contract for $10,000 and the promise that he’d appear on one last Hayride.
Elvis Has Left the Building
Whoever did the scheduling for that night in December 1956 really didn’t think things through. The obvious thing would have been to have Elvis as the closing set, allowing excitement to build throughout the course of the night – and sparing the other performers the indignity of trying to follow his act. Indeed, it was on this night that Horace Logan, frantically trying to stop the crowds of fans from streaming out of the auditorium after Elvis, uttered the now-infamous words, “Elvis has left the building.”
Even beyond its connection with Presley, Shreveport Municipal Auditorium is a fascinating and imposing building. Originally constructed in the 1920s as a monument to those who served in world war one, it’s poignant to read the inscription on the limestone and brick Art Deco edifice, which honours ‘those who served in the world war’ – a clear indication that nobody thought that such a thing could ever happen again.
Five stories high, the best way to experience the building – other than seeing a show – is to book a tour, where you’ll be able to learn about alleged hauntings, stand on the stage where Elvis – and so many others – performed, and explore the backstage spaces where they got ready. Check out the photo of Elvis leaning at the top of the stairs and you can even rub your hand along the exact section of wood against which his buttocks rested. I mean, depending on the level of your fandom, that is …
And if that level is sky-high (as indeed, why wouldn’t it be?) then there are many other locations around Shreveport where you can get your Presley fix. Sadly, the Kickapoo, which he frequented for its Cajun fare, was torn down in 1984, but if you stand on the corner of Benton Road and E.Texas you’ll be where it used to stand – and if it’s Cajun you crave, then head to Cassandra’s on the River. If it’s glamour PLUS exceptional cooking – plus films, of which Elvis made 31 – then go to Abby Singer’s Bistro, in the Robinson Film Center, and prepare to be blown away by the culinary offerings of Niema DiGrazia, who hails from Sierra Leone and is as fabulous as her food.
Southern Maid
Think of Elvis’ music, and you’d rarely associate him with a jingle – but yep, he made one, and it was for a doughnut shop, right here in Shreveport. Southern Maid opened in 1937 and, in 1954, Elvis made his one and only foray into commercials, by singing, “You can get them piping hot after 4pm; you can get them piping hot. Southern Maid Donuts hits the spot; you can get them piping hot after 4pm.”
Unlike Kickapoo, Southern Maid is still open for business, so maybe a croon – or a vague memory of one – is worth more than a craving when it comes to stardust.
Otherwise, there’s sleeping with the King which, let’s face it, plenty of people probably wish they’d had the chance to do. Sorry, but the closest you’re going to get is by booking a room at the Siesta on E.Texas in Bossier City, Shreveport’s adjoining town. It used to be called the Al-Ida Motel and it was a popular place for Presley to rest his head, on which – fun fact – he used no fewer than three styling products in the early days, keeping his quiff, sides and ducktail firmly in place.
Tennessee
Carry on with your journey and head to Tennessee, by all means – but do a trip down Elvis memory lane in Shreveport first. This is, in many ways, where – long before Graceland, long before Vegas – it all began.
Things to Do in Shreveport Louisiana
To discover more things to do in Shreveport Louisiana, you might wish to read this article from Explore Louisiana, the official state tourism site.
