Elvis Presley Bon-Air Club Memphis First Gig July 17 1954 The Spa Guy

[@hollywoodjoe123]

Always great to watch and hear your videos - thank you , Joe

[@eldahuerres4685]

Muchas gracias, Te estoy muy agradecida , por todo lo que nos estas enseñando respecto a Elvis , un abrazo muy fuerte asta pronto

[@presley17]

Hello France 🇫🇷 is happy to see you. Bonjour à vous.

[@timchen5299]

Yes, Spa Guy you do spend a lot of time researching your Elvis discovery & stories.We call you the Elvis Detective haha! TQ again for his historic find.

[@RockinRickHale]

FYI, the Holiday Inn you see that City Directory on Summer Ave, was the very FIRST Holiday Inn ever.

[@peggybuch9485]

I’ve been to Memphis 3 Times, have been on several tours, to Graceland, etc. I thought I knew several things Elvis related that I could. However I can truly said I have learned so much from ur videos and u! Thx Spa Guy u r the best. God bless-Peg

[@lindamcwilliams3377]

The amount of time and effect u put in to your research is amazing. Keep up the good work. I'm in N Ireland and i have got most of my knowledge about Elvis from you. Much appreciated, thanks

[@AndreaElizabeth100]

Yes I agree it amazing. I'm from the UK too in England.

[@jennifursun3303]

Ireland is the one place I want to go to, (Dream ON) my paternal great grandmother came from County Cork and wondered if any of her family is still there)

[@HarryToad10]

Great job as usual Billy. Just a note, If you had walked across the street, there is a historical marker showing 4941 Summer Ave. was the very first Holiday Inn. that opened August 1, 1952. Sometimes history jumps out at ya!

[@clifffor1179]

They ought to put a notice there to mark it as a site of historic significance. Scotty said he and Bill played a couple of weeks with the Starlight Wranglers after this gig but obviously they were tied to Elvis and went the right way for their own careers and Elvis career as well. Can't imagine Elvis without Scotty and Bill back in them early days. They were all part of that sound.

[@deanmall8915]

You are with out a doubt awesome!!!love what you do for your friends!!Thank you!! don't stop!!

[@rjnuzzi1648]

All & any Elvis pre-1956 is infinitely intriguing... he was the tornado to modern American culture... thx

[@HatersWorld]

Everytime I think your videos can't get any better you come up with something to top it! This is so cool! You could really make a living off of detailed Elvis tours..you go way beyond anyone ever has..love it all! Thank you ♥️

[@daynabartley6618]

Amazing Information 👍🏻Thanks

[@sheilabowers7532]

Great information thanks Spa guy

[@stevencsawyerss]

I the old photos that show how things used to be, funny how the look of things changes with time. Life goes by so fast, thanks Billy. :-)

[@aditiban002]

Thank you Spaguy, You are almost doing the Impossible... Taking us closest to time-machine us to the past... And live with, be with Elvis down the time, back then.... Your effort is transcending Time and Space and carrying us along the life of the Most magnificent Man ever... Our Love, Elvis... We are all bonded through that common love.. I am from India, was too young on that fateful Aug 16th.... Always wished I had lived through the times The King walked this earth... So forever grateful to you and KZbin

[@pinksky8460]

Thanks!

[@blizzardbaby]

I saw Minnie’s name on the telephone listing too! :) (His grandmother and Vernon’s mother) Great work, SG! I know you work hard on these and we appreciate them!

[@tupelomiss8315]

Hi billy. Thanks friend.ive really enjoyed watching this video.you do such amazing work.we learn something new every time.thank you so much for all your amazing hard work.have a good day Norfolk 🇬🇧 Uk .

[@HerbWalker]

B, your 'Columbo like skills' are amazing! :)

[@SpaGuy]

Thanks Herb!!

[@marlamichellebowker]

The Woo would be proud:)

[@markthompson5310]

Love it spa guy you are the best

[@robready3690]

Spa guy I think it probably is the original building as you noted those unique ceiling girders in the picture. In addition the building is still of a cinder block construction.

[@lynells3060]

Hey superb investigating Mr. Spa Guy with yet more Elvis trivia. So interesting. Always look forward to more and learning something new. Tighten up.

[@PennysLifeWithLove]

Just when I thought I knew it all about Elvis I find out I don't 😍😍🌸🌸🌸🌸

[@electricgeorge5589]

Thankyou always good

[@annakiler2235]

Thank you so much for sharing! You are the best!

[@anjelicadixon7719]

I love You!

[@rustyshackelford5876]

I love your videos Spa Guy! The Holiday Inn from the phone directory is the very first one. I learned that from your more recent Hungerford Furniture video! Lol

[@TENNESSEETORNADO]

great job

[@melissawinstead8701]

Great research. Great video!! True Elvis fan here!! Can't wait to see your next Elvis video!! Keep up the great work!!!

[@conniefontenot2793]

Great job ! Tighten up

[@normt63]

Keeps doing your videos, it's always a pleasure to watch ; Thumbs up

[@careyfaulkner7293]

Awesome videos that you do....Really enjoy them.....keep up the great work.....

[@RussellMcCollom]

Great job as always.

[@williesmall3855]

Simply the best

[@danmaltby3271]

I really enjoyed your vid, I think it’s the same building. If you look at that picture you were showing with Bill Black. It looks just like the inside of the building the steel beams you showed.

[@008peter]

Hi Billy , Thanks again for another interesting video report, by watching your videos I have learned a lot more about our dear elvis. your answer to Benita's reaction is very interesting, any place where elvis has ever lived in one report. it would again provide a beautiful and instructive video, greetings from Belgium. Peter

[@billspiller6851]

I googled the club. On answers.com, it says this: There was a Bon Air Club close to the northwest corner of what is now Summer Ave @ Mendenhall. There are new buildings where the club once stood.Historically, The Bon Air Club is where Elvis played his first public performances of That's Alright Mama & Blue Moon of Kentucky.

[@WATTDOYOUSEE]

Hello there friend type in Elvis at Bon Air club and look in images, there are a few pics of him out the fron :D..

[@star978]

Sometimes the property records will have a date that the building was built. Might be worth a try.

[@mthayman]

I love that you are so into revisiting history. Would love to ride shotgun with you as you visit all these places. Keep up the good work. One thing - the picture you show with Elvis playing under the "parachute" has to be from 1955. I am not sure if this is at the Bon-Air Club or not but based on the guitar he has, his Martin D28 with the custom leather cover, it has to be from no earlier than mid 1955. In fact, after closely looking at the guitar, it looks like he trimmed the leather cover back some, which is documented to be in mid-August 1955 so I would think this photo was taken some time after that.

[@SpaGuy]

Hello Mark, The Parachute picture was taken at the Bon Air Club.. and would have been July 1954.. He only played there during that month.. Sounds like you are very knowledgeable on the guitars and time periods.. Thanks for the heads up.. I did a video about the Bon Air Club on this channel.. Thanks, Spa Guy

[@trustmeimblack1620]

The Beatles started out by playing clubs in the 50s and then making their first record in 62. Elvis did it the easy way, by making his first record, then promoting it!

[@SpaGuy]

Time and Place for Elvis in my opinion.. I believe it was destiny for him.. Thanks for watching.. Spa Guy

[@veraluciasantos6423]

Por favor. Esse vídeo poderia ser traduzido em português ne!

[@srgrahl]

Great info as usual, You are the best at researching!!

[@Sp-lv5jx]

The picture of Elvis playing in the Bon Air Club , was that DJ playing drum

[@SpaGuy]

Frank You need to learn your history DJ Started with Elvis in October of 1954.. The drummer you see in the picture is from the Starlite Wranglers who was the main act that night.. I lobe it when people talk about things they know nothing about.. You are off by 2 years..

[@db90990]

Does any VIDEO exist of Elvis performing LIVE between July & Sept of 1954❓️

[@SpaGuy]

Danny I don't think so.. I really cant find any pictures of him with the first guitar either.. The earliest I have seen is August of 1955..

[@db90990]

@@SpaGuy thanks

[@eoinleonard6282]

Hi Spa Guy. In the first Las Vegas show in 1969 Elvis describes how he got started and he seems to mix things up.. He says he made a record on his lunch break and went away and thought nothing of it. He says a year and a half later the guy (Sam Philips) put the record out and it was a hit. He's talking about that's alright mama but that was recorded on 5 July 1954 and he started doing concerts 2 weeks later. Any thoughts about all that?

[@SpaGuy]

Elvis mixed his history up many times especially in interviews.. I think it is one of those things where when you live something it is hard to remember exactly how it all went.. In many of the interviews he was trying to be funny with his comments and that lead to him saying things that were different than what really happened.. It is possible that he was working at Crown on that Saturday and went in on his lunch break but that is not what has been told in the story..

[@BrandonGiles]

Spa guy would Elvis have had that leather guitar cover that early in July of 54?

[@SpaGuy]

Good Question.. That has been said to be Bon-Air but no way to determine if it is correct plus be played there a few times..

[@michaelhollings2598]

hi billy,still waiting for that video on the eagles nest

[@SpaGuy]

Coming Soon!! Stay Tuned..

[@michaelhollings2598]

will be looking for it!

[@MusicalAddictionOnlineLessons]

Am I right in my research that Elvis played the Bon-Air on July 24th and 31st of July 1954 too? Which would be a week apart each time

[@SpaGuy]

July 17, 24 and 31 is what I show.. Use this reference page on Scotty Moore's website.. It appears to e very accurate.. Well Done by James V. Roy.. www.scottymoore.net/tourdates50s.html

[@all_wheelz_2_ride166]

I would have went in and see if any of managers or current owners could tell you when the building was built or blue prints.

[@SpaGuy]

If you look at the aerial view it is clearly not the original building and they were closed when I was filming..

[@all_wheelz_2_ride166]

Spa Guy Yes...I made that comment before it got to that portion of the video. I love your videos and dedication to preserving history before its all erased. I subscribed to you today!

[@1980bwc]

Wonder what kind of amp that was of Scotty's sittin up on that table? Surely he hadn't gotten the Echophonic yet had he?

[@jennifursun3303]

have you ever thought about writing a book. or two books? also do you or any one else know why the song Mystery Train is called that? there is no Mystery to it.

[@amandareprogal2938]

Hiw much did Elvis Presley get paid on his first Concert in 1954 at the Louisiana hayride

[@johnnyangel504]

Spa guy..you completely disregarded the DRUMMER....who was that...? A Starlighter?

[@SpaGuy]

I think the drummer was sitting there while they played there is no record of any drummer playing with Elvis, Scotty & Bill before DJ..

[@johnnyangel504]

And..I never thought he had ever performed with a drummer until DJ...Just when ya think ya know it all...There it is...Thanks for the info...

[@SpaGuy]

I don't think you understood me.. I don't think the drummer was playing I think he was the Starlite Wranglers drummer and was just sitting there not playing..

[@johnnyangel504]

ok..now I'm confused..The Starlite Wranglers used a drummer? I had never seen any of their few publicity photos with one..but..learning something new everyday..

[@jennifursun3303]

who is that playing drums in that picture? and oh gosh he started to get big when I was 1 year old

[@bonniebrown6960]

Spa Guy , I have a question if you don't mind . The amplifier that's​ behind Elivs in the picture of him singing . Is that Scotty's​ amplifier that you got to use one time ?

[@SpaGuy]

Bonnie, Tha does not look like the Ray Butts amp to me the edges around he speaker mesh are too wide.. The Ray Butts amp was only about 1" wide..

[@bonniebrown6960]

Spa Guy , oh okay , I was just wondering . I remember you telling that story about you using Scotty Moore's amp . Thank you !! That was a awesome store too .

[@rockabillycat1954]

@@SpaGuy Scotty's Echo-Sonic had 2 different cabinets. The reason for the change was the amp took a tumble and was damaged. Ray, always the tinkerer, built a new (and better built) cabinet that looked vastly different. Scotty ordered the amp in January of 55, and took possession of it that May. www.scottymoore.net/echosonic.html

[@stephensonbenita]

Billy..you show here that Elvis lived in a house when he got started..I thought they were living at the Apts...a little confused..and can you show us that house if it still exists. Or where it would of been..ty

[@SpaGuy]

Benita, Elvis moved quite a few times after Lauderdale Courts until Graceland.. when he played here he lived at Alabama Ave.. I am working on a video showing each place and some details about each one including the order and the timeframe.. Thanks for watching.. Stay Tuned!! Spa Guy

[@junegirl45]

I am very interested in seeing all the places Elvis lived at from the time he moved to Memphis until he bought Graceland. I know that will be a great video. All the information you are showing us is so great. I look forward to more videos about Elvis's early days in Memphis. And any other information you can provide about Elvis in general. I love these videos and am looking forward to many more. Thanks for the great work you are doing Billy.

[@gussygatlin3093]

junegirl45 I am obsessed with Elvis too... 😂😂😂 He Is Special. Never be another!

[@junegirl45]

Elvis is the best there ever was or will ever be. NEVER will there ever be another like Elvis.

[@starlitekaraoke113]

Billy can you do me a favor and just answer this comment back. Just let me know you’re seeing it. KZbin has blocked me on certain videos I been commenting on and I don’t want to be blocked here. Thanks I appreciate it! I know Elvis didn’t do much recording or playing here in NYC, but would be honored to video anything you see fit. I know Elvis recorded a few times here at the RCA studios which was located on 26 st in Manhattan. Not sure if it’s even still there. Anyway I can help just let me know.

[@SpaGuy]

Starlite Yes I see your comment..

[@gussygatlin3093]

😂😂😂😂

[@gussygatlin3093]

Typical fan... lol You did good spa guy. Elvis always took care of his fans!

[@Rickstarbrown]

I wonder who is on drums( as it definitely not DJ)

[@SpaGuy]

This was prior to DJ and I don't think the drummer was playing. I think he as just sitting there.. That was a band that was also playing in the club that night..

[@deppsterdeppe725]

Hi, I don't think the stage photo date is correct. The guitar Elvis is playing here with the leather covering dates to a months later. Also my understanding is that Elvis played the Eagles club intermission on the Friday July 9th or Sat 10 following That Alright recording date July 5.

[@SpaGuy]

@@deppsterdeppe725 it is possible the photo is not the Bon-Air but it is the only one that is labeled that..

[@deppsterdeppe725]

@@SpaGuy Also I do believe I have identified the make and model of guitar that Elvis actually used on That's alright recording? To musicians like me this guitar is a highly significant piece of musical history.

[@SpaGuy]

@@deppsterdeppe725 What guitar do you think? My friend has Elvis' first guitar but we can find no pictures of it at all.. [e-mail]

[@Trigger_000]

*Hey Spa Guy, great video, but I'm a bit confused. Are you sure that's the correct photo of Elvis at the Bon Air Club? I ask because according to an auction held a few years ago, Elvis wore a custom made "Starlite Wranglers" cowboy shirt during his first appearance there. He doesn't seem to be wearing it in the photo you show.* *You can see the shirt Elvis wore here:* gottahaverockandroll.com/elvis_presley_1954_first_performance_worn_sh-lot10015.aspx

[@SpaGuy]

He played there several times this picture was not the first time.. No now knew him then so no pics just like the Slim Whitman concert no onstage pics that I have ever seen..

[@SpaGuy]

After thinking on this I seriously doubt Elvis would have worn their shirt as he was there with Sam Phillips and not in the group he was just there to do two songs.. I will look into it.. There is a lot of fake stuff out there a lot!!

[@Trigger_000]

*Thanks Spa guy! I just found something else, though. According to the following account, that photo was taken on August 25, 1955 at the Sportcenter, 501 Barton Springs Road, Austin.* *I quote a section:* " As soon as the show finished, teens scrambled on stage to get his autograph, at the same time pushing Elvis Presley against the fake fence backdrop". *There's more about the fence backdrop in the account, and you can see the fence backdrop in your photo. More here (you'll need to scroll down a little).* www.706unionavenue.nl/64258502 scottymoore.net/austinSportcenter.html *also states this photo is from Austin.*

[@jaintly]

I was also under the impression that the period b&w photo was taken at a show in Austin, TX in 1955 at the Sportcenter which would later become the Armadillo World Headquarters. It was a giant metal Quonset hut which would account for the metal beams inside. Also, the stage height would cause me to believe that it was a larger club, as the Sportcenter was, because it was huge.

[@rukusband]

Love Your Videos Spa Guy but I have to agree that pic was not taken at the Bon Air Club , DJ was never there with Elvis and the Leather guitar Case was Never there I do Believe its Texas 1955 as Stated By Rick . But again Keep up the Great Work Spa Guy , Scotty Moores House is Still My Favorite Video .

[@edgardodominguez6873]

digalo en español por favor