01/07/2025
I like this story because it was my first night on earth after having been touched by Elvis. After meeting Elvis, you are never the same!
From Larry’s “Elvis Tribute Fact & Fact/Fiction Stories”

"Meeting Elvis The First Time, June 23, 1974"
It was the night of June 22, 1974. The place was southwest Philly, the time somewhere around 11:00 pm. It was the beginning of summer and the heat and humidity that usually sets in later hadn't arrived yet. It was probably around 75 degrees or so and a beautiful night in the City of Brotherly Love. What made it even more beautiful was the imminent arrival of the King of Rock n' Roll, who would be performing in our fair city at the Spectrum for two shows tomorrow. I was 22 years old and was just beginning to become infatuated with Elvis, who by now was a "Living Legend."
My brother and I had first seen Elvis perform on the University of Houston campus in November of 1971, then in San Antonio in April of 1972 where they filmed part of "Elvis on Tour." We then took a short train ride to New York to see the Saturday afternoon show at the Garden, June 10. 1972. So up to now we had seen Elvis perform three times in concert. Seeing Elvis at a distance was incredible as he was without a doubt the most electrifying and charismatic performer ever.
When the Beatles are in awe of you, you know you must be the best. What was about to happen in just a little while on that pleasant June night would remain etched
in my memory forever.
I was hanging outside my home with a couple other guys talking about seeing Elvis perform at the Spectrum tomorrow. It was around 11 pm or so. I knew from being in San Antonio and from hearing other things that Elvis usually stayed at the Hilton. There was a Hilton hotel located just across the street from the Spectrum so it didn't take a genius to surmise that Elvis might stay there.
Elvis was doing a show in Providence R.I. this night. Would he be staying there tonight and flying in tomorrow or coming to Philly tonight? The Hilton was about a 25 minute drive, so we decided to head for South Philly and take a shot at seeing the "King."
After arriving we headed around back to the kitchen entrance as we knew that
Elvis wouldn't come through the main lobby. We found out after getting back there that we weren't the only visitors to the Hilton. It was now around midnight, but why were ten other people back there? They were lined up closer to the kitchen entrance and dressed fairly nice. Immediately this thought came to my mind, "would Elvis really be coming here?" I looked at the surroundings and felt that this was a pretty ignominious place for a "King" to come. There was pieces of trash strewn around the dimly lit area and a large dumpster nearby. I guess these are some of the places that Elvis had to pass through when avoiding the public.
I wondered again what in the heck these ten people were doing back here? We didn't have long to find out. Just then a long, black limo pulled up to the kitchen entrance. Not too close because the car was still to my left, leaving the occupants with a fairly long walk. The limo pulled to a stop and a man got out from the back. At the time I wasn't all that familiar with Elvis' boys. The man held the door open and the first movie star this 22 year old kid ever saw got out. He was Rock n' Roll's ONLY movie star and it was the man himself, Elvis Presley. Words simply can not express what it is like to see Elvis for the first time in your life.
Elvis looked resplendent, awesome and whatever other adjectives you can think of. You have all seen the outfit he was wearing that night when he came into and left Philly the next day (carrying the jar of peanut butter). No one said a word except me. I spoke up loudly so that Elvis could hear me saying, "Elvis, can I shake your hand?" Elvis came right over and over the small waist high fence I grasped the hand of perhaps the most popular figure on the planet. A mind blower? To say the least. How many millions of other people had shaken this incredible individual's hand? A man whose style and talent had truly changed the world. A
man whom writer William F. Buckley said had the greatest cultural impact of anyone
in the 20th century. Now for a brief moment I was one with this worldly icon. I didn't want to let go. I often wonder how many men and even women did what I did next?
A feeling of the utmost respect came over me as I held Elvis' hand. There was only one thing to do before I let go. I bent over and kissed Elvis' hand. Respect for a man who will remembered maybe 500 years after he is gone. Respect for a man whose accomplishments in the music field will probably never be matched. Respect for a man who will go down in American folklore like Davy Crockett or a Daniel Boone. Respect for a man who gave away more than half of what he made and whose generosity ranks second to none. Respect for a man, who despite his incredible greatness, remained a humble person to the end.
Talk to anyone who had the good fortune to know Elvis Presley and they will vouch for everything I just said. Elvis Presley, a man whose voice, charisma and good looks touched millions of lives. So I will never forget June 23, 1974, the day or should I say the night, that Elvis Presley touched mine.
Larry Blong
CONCERT DATE: June 23, 1974 Philadelphia, PA. PHILADELPHIA - The Spectrum house lights went down, the band brass blared out the theme from 2001 Space Odyssey and at 9:34 last night Elvis Presley emerged amid a shower of multi-colored spotlights and hundreds of popping flashcubes and thunderous applause.
Pic shows Elvis entering the kitchen of the Hilton Hotel from the parking lot. Just 30 seconds before this picture was taken, that right hand was in mine. People ask me what did Elvis do when you kissed his hand? I tell them, absolutely nothing. Elvis knew how much he was revered by his millions of fans and he accepted their praise and devotion humbly and silently. See less
