Exclusive: Attendees reflect on Elvis Presley’s Huntsville concerts nearly 50 years later

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Nearly 50 years after Elvis Presley’s sold-out concerts in Huntsville, those who got to witness the king of rock and roll at the height of his career returned to the Von Braun Center (VBC) Saturday.

In the spring of 1975, the legendary Elvis Presley would perform 5 consecutive shows at what was then known as the Von Braun Civic Center in downtown Huntsville. “It was 5 of the best shows that I’d ever seen him do,” said George Hill, a photographer who shot Presley’s moments on stage.

Hill along with Keith Alverson photographed Presley at several of his concerts, but their favorite was the king of rock and roll’s unforgettable performances in the Rocket City. He reflected on shaking Presley’s hand, a moment he still remembers nearly 50 years later.

“It was intimidating and it was also extremely exciting especially for me because I had been a fan since a kid,” Hill said. “The thing that impressed me most was how nice he was and how courteous he was.”

The duo returned to the VBC over the weekend to relive moments of the past. Alverson took over 2,000 images of Presley during his career, all of which can be found in his book on the iconic musical figure.

He says being on the same stage nearly a half of a century later was a reminder of the privilege it was being part of history.

“I never knew that I’d ever see him in person or meet him,” Alverson told News 19. It’s crazy I don’t really remember a lot of the shows but I look back at the pictures and his kind of kicks it back in the memory.”

Alverson would later go on to marry his wife Marsha. The two had no idea they attended Presley’s concerts in Huntsville just feet away from each other. Marsha’s interactions with Elvis she says were some of the most memorable moments of her life.

In fact, Presley’s orange scarf he wore during a performance at the VBC in 1975 now hangs on a wall in their home.

“When I went up there I handed him a button and I just kind of pulled that scarf off of his neck and it just came off really easy, it was just real exciting, you’re just so excited its hard to remember,” Marsha said.

The icon had thousands of people yearning to see him in action at the VBC. Elvis’ legacy lives on and for those who got to see him, it was a dream come true.

“It’s just crazy, he’ll be dead in 50 years three years from now and he’s still a major part of the music world,” Alverson said.

Jay and Michael Corwin travel across the country producing films on the places Elvis performed. Hill along with Alverson and his wife Marsha are all part of an upcoming documentary on Presley’s performances at the VBC that’ll be produced by the father and son duo.

The return of the attendees comes as the VBC celebrates its 50th anniversary, the same place where Elvis Presley rocked the building in the 1970s!

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