On April 26, 2024 the label Memphis Recording Service dropped the digital release of "Elvis Presley - On Fire In Toledo 1956". The news had been announced just the day before, it also was promised to hand in physical versions later. Variations in pink and green vinyl as well as a cd-only version were announced. "Elvis Presley - On Fire In Toledo 1956" caused quite a stirr, because the recordings had remained unknown for almost seven decades.

Elvis performed at Toledo's Sports Arena on November 22, 1956 on 2:30 pm and 8:00 pm. Both concerts were sold out with 7,500 attendees, each show lasted almost 2 hours. Of course Mr. Presley himself wasn't on stage all that long, in fact his appearances were preceeded by no less than six (!) opening acts, so that he just had to do a mere 30 minutes.

The album features the beginning of the matinee show. It starts with a short interview, that king gave WOWO's dj Ron Ross right before he went on stage. Afterwards the mc announces Elvis to the fans, then we get to hear 2.5 songs of the show. At the time this tiny bit was aired on the radio, here and there the comments of the dj (for example, he tells us, that the king just had taken off his tie) can be heared. The audio quality is not all that great, but it gives a good impression of what a 1956 concert of the man from Memphis was like.

As written before, "Elvis - On Fire In Toledo 1956" is available for streaming on the accordant platforms.

Mr. Ross describes, how the rock'n'roll king (dressed in his gold suit) makes his way to the dj, who is greeted by him with "Hello WOWO". Elvis tells the interviewer, that his favorite of his recordings is "Don't Be Cruel" and describes his current situation with "it doesn't get lonely". In general he gives the impression of a witty and (regarding the communication with the press) trained guy. 

While the local MC heats up the crowd, the radio dj tells the listeners, that Elvis recently kissed the hand of a female fan, who fainted in response to the event.

The singer opens his show with "Heartbreak Hotel". It's a straight performance, the girls scream their lungs out. Afterwards the dj tells the radio listeners, that Elvis just removed his tie and hung it on the microphone. He also tries to say something, but has no chance against the audience.

Without any announcement Elvis suddenly starts to sing "I won't tell aunt Mary about uncle John". That's enough to make them scream even more. Of course everybody recognizes "Long Tall Sally", which also is performed in a straight and rockin' way.

After a break the recording continues at the beginning of "Don't Be Cruel". The song is performed surprisingly slow, with a clap-along rhythm. After a little more than 1.5 minutes the taped part of the performance is over and the recording fades.