Elvis Presley performed in Macon 45 years ago. Here’s what happened.

The “King of Rock and Roll” flew into the Macon Lewis B. Wilson Airport 45 years ago just one day before his sold out performance at the Macon Coliseum.

Elvis Presley arrived at the Macon Hilton in a blue Cadillac and avoided prying eyes by slipping through the kitchen into the hotel, according to Telegraph archives.

The next day he performed for more than 10,000 people on April 24, 1975 in the Macon Coliseum. Three years prior, Presley staged two shows at the Macon Coliseum drawing a crowd of more than 23,000 people at both performances.

“God knows honey, if you’ve seen him, you can’t get enough of him,” said Robbie Shifflet, a woman who tried to run toward Presley’s plane after it landed.

David Lowery, a Hilton waiter, said Presley slipped as he snuck through the kitchen, and he was wearing tinted glasses and a large coat that was burnt orange, according to Telegraph archives.

The next night Presley slipped back through the kitchen to hop in a limousine and ride to the Macon Coliseum.

He arrived at the rear automobile entrance at the Coliseum, waved to the backstage crowd and received a certificate of honorary citizenship and a key to the city from then Mayor Ronie Thomspon.

At 9:40 p.m., he walked on stage to screams and applause and began with “C. C. Rider” followed by “I Got a Woman,” according to the archives.

He introduced himself as Johnny Cash, which reportedly “drew a tremendous amount of laughter and applause.”

During the hour long performance, Presley took a blue, silk handkerchief from his neck, wiped his sweat and threw it into the crowd, which prompted audience members to throw their handkerchiefs on stage.

Someone also threw a woman’s undergarment on stage, which Presley picked up and hung on the microphone.

Other favorites Presley performed included “Love Me,” “Walk Away” and “Burning Love,” and the rock and roll legend ended his performance with “Dixie” and “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.”

The concert launched a 15-day tour through the Southeast. Presley would perform at the Macon Coliseum a few more times before his death in 1977.

“Elvis Presley fans will not forget the leather jacket. … And they will not forget the boyish look of a singer whose crowd appeal has baffled those who tried to analyze it. The memories live on,” read The Telegraph on Aug. 17, 1977.

This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 7:00 AM.