More than 150 people jammed into the Memphis mayor's office Tuesday Dec. 17, 1963 to see Elvis Presley hand out Christmas checks totaling $55,000. The checks benefited 58 Memphis and Mid-South charities. In appreciation, the organizations presented Elvis with a six-foot plaque. It was warm in the room and when Commissioner Claude Armour announced Elvis was going to pass out the checks, the singer wiped his brow and said, "Elvis is going to pass out, period."
25 years ago: 1984
Jerry Lee Lewis has been "39 and holding" for a decade. Last night, at 49, he was helping hold something better. After an absence from two shows, Lewis was back to headline George Klein's Christmas Charity Show and Auction, which was in its 21st annual edition. His last appearance for Klein's Mile-O-Dimes Christmas basket benefit was in 1981 at a local club. Last night he was uptown, in the Memphis Ballroom at The Peabody. He brought along his wife and more than 600 of the faithful, many of whom have seen him through a life of ups and downs. They came in New Wave costume, Urban Cowboy outfits and high-fashion dress to hear "The Killer" and help charity.
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