FIFTY YEARS ON, ELVIS HAS FINALLY LEFT THE BUILDING!

 

 

PRESTWICK Airport was all shook up today after celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Elvis Presley’s Prestwick pitstop.

 

 

On March 3, 1960, twenty-five year old Elvis flew into what was then a US Air Force base at Prestwick on a brief re-fuelling stop. En route from Germany to the USA, Sergeant Presley was on his way home after two years’ military service.

 

It only lasted an hour but it was to become the most famous stopover in Scottish history.

 

Sponsored by Prestwick Airport, South Ayrshire Council, West FM, Spirit AeroSystems, Zisys Events and Diva Music, a fantastic sixteen-hour show had everyone all shook up.

 

All proceeds raised are going to Ayrshire children’s charity Clic Sergeant.

 

The mammoth show featured top singers and bands performing Elvis songs from his iconic twenty-one year career plus videos and interviews.

 

Elvis lookalike Lee Jackson stepped off a Ryanair flight from London Stansted to get the show off to a flying start. Surrounded by make-believe paparazzis, plus real press photographers and TV cameras, he posed for photographs and performed a number of his most famous hip-swivelling hits.

 

 

He helped Prestwick MD Iain Cochrane unveil a new plaque commemorating the once-in-a-lifetime visit.

 

Prestwick grandmother Ann Murphy, now sixty-six, recalled how she met the King fifty years ago and shouted: "I love you, Elvis!"

 

“We’re delighted to revive our links with the rock and roll legend. It’s been a fabulous day for the airport and we’ve helped raise money for a local charity,” said Mr Cochrane.

 

The selection of pictures show some of the highlights of a memorable day at Prestwick.

Posted: 04-Mar-10