The Most Important Artifact in Broadcast History to Be Auctioned on
December 16, 2005
The Original Vintage Shure Brothers Model 55S Microphone From the Louisiana
Hayride Used by Elvis Presley and Through Which the Famous Phrase 'Please
Young People, Elvis Has Left the Building' Was First Broadcast.
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Profiles in History will
auction the most important artifact in broadcast history at a LIVE Hollywood
Memorabilia Auction on December 16, 2005 in Beverly Hills, California. This
original vintage Shure Brothers 55S microphone is the highlight of the auction
including over 350 pieces of Hollywood memorabilia ranging from props and
costumes to artist's sketches and vintage photographs worth over Two Million
Dollars!
Elvis Aaron Presley, known the world over simply as Elvis, truly was the
first international "Superstar" and is one of the most important figures of
twentieth century popular culture. He sold over 1 billion records, more than
any other artist. He was one of the highest paid actors of the time. His
musical influences came from pop, country, gospel and R&B. No one has been as
celebrated in the history of music. His sound and style transformed the
traditional clapping audiences into throngs of screaming and fainting fans,
which created a whole new music audience of groupies! Elvis created a music
phenomenon which stands as popular today (30 yrs. after his death) as it was
in the beginning of his career, from his first performances at the Louisiana
Hayride.
This Shure Brothers Model 55S was used at radio station KWKH located in
Shreveport, Louisiana. It was purchased by the station sometime in the mid
1950s, and appears in photographs taken at the station as early as 1956. It
was owned by the station until June 10, 1975 when it was sold, along with the
name and assets of the Louisiana Hayride radio program. In addition to its
use in the KWKH studios, it was also used on the world famous Louisiana
Hayride radio program from the mid-1950s until the end of its primary run in
August of 1960, and saw continuous use on occasional Louisiana Hayride package
shows throughout the 1960s. Artists signed by KWKH or guest-starring on the
Hayride who would have used this microphone include Johnny Cash, George Jones,
Roy Acuff, June Carter, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Jean Shepard, Roy Clark, Minnie
Pearl, Ray Price, Roger Miller, Johnny Paycheck, Hank Williams Jr., Flatt &
Scruggs, Mac Wiseman, Nat Stuckey, Leroy Van Dyke, Charley Pride, Freddie
Hart, Bob Luman, Grandpa Jones, Marty Robbins, The Wilburn Brothers and
countless others.
The most famous role for this Model 55S came on the evening of December
15, 1956 when Hayride announcer Horace Logan first spoke the words "Elvis has
left the building" into the microphone as the young Presley exited the Hirsch
Youth Building in Shreveport after concluding his final Louisiana Hayride
show. Simply trying to encourage the crowd of teenagers to take their seats
for the remainder of the Hayride show, Mr. Logan had no idea how famous his
words would become in later years!
The microphone is offered together with the full rights to the "Elvis has
left the building" sound recording, as made by Horace Logan on that December
evening. (The full rights, title and interest in the recording will be
transferred to the successful bidder from the current owner when the sale is
complete.) The microphone comes with letters of authenticity from Frank Page,
an employee of KWKH from 1947 to present, and Joey Kent, son of the Louisiana
Hayride owner.
A wonderful, historic piece of sound equipment from the Louisiana Hayride
show, through which one of the most famous phrases of the 20th century --
"Elvis has left the building!" -- was first spoken.
Collectors may bid in person, live on the Internet at
http://www.ebayliveauctions.com, by phone or fax. Visit Profiles in History on the
web at http://www.profilesinhistory.com. Profiles in History is located at 110 N.
Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Joseph Maddalena, President of
Profiles in History, is available for interviews and auction items are
available for filming. For more information, please contact Lorna Hart at
lorna@profilesinhistory.com or at (310) 859-7701.
SOURCE Profiles in History
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Related links:
http://www.profilesinhistory.com
CONTACT:
Lorna Hart of Profiles in History,
+1-310-859-7701, lorna@profilesinhistory.com
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