ELVIS GAMBLES ON PHOENIX
WHEN Tom Jones played the Veterans Coliseum in Phoenix Arizona, in July, he lured a meagre 7,613 payees into the 14,000 seat auditorium. It was Jones’ first unsuccessful gig in the U.S., with a disappointing $82,471 gate against a break-even mark of $95,000-plus custodial fees.
Poor turnout was attributed to the ticket prices: $12.50 ringside, $10 general admission and $7.50 gallery. Usual top price is $6.50.
But Tom’s misfortune has not deterred Elvis Presley, who is scheduled to follow his “Elvis Summer Festival” at the International Hotel with a trip to the same Coliseum, with hard-ticket sales planned on September 9.
New Musical Express, 1970
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlBVfFuz9Mc