The First Sightings Of Elvis In Cleveland
Elvis was first sighted in Cleveland on February 26th, March 28th, August 20th and October 19th of 1955! That's right, Tommy Edwards, a WERE Disc jockey, brought Elvis here four times at the Circle Theater. Not only was Tommy Edwards the first to bring Elvis to town, he was the first to play Elvis on the Cleveland airwaves – “Blue Moon of Kentucky” was the song he chose.
This world famous photo of Elvis & Bill Haley was also taken by Tommy Edwards at Brooklyn High School on October 20th, 1955.
Both Elvis Presley and Bill Haley are inductees in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and both were honored by the postmaster with their own stamp!
1955 Brooklyn High School
Pictured at left is Elvis and Tommy Edwards at Brooklyn High School on October 20, 1955. However, Elvis was not the headliner that evening. There were other stars including Bill Haley and The Comets, Pat Boone, The Four Lads.
Who would believe it?! Right here in Brooklyn, Ohio! Tommy Edwards brought Elvis to the Circle Theater on East 105th Street the night before that memorable show. Also performing were Roy Acuff and Kitty Wells. According to Jane Scott (Cleveland Plain Dealer - August 14, 1987), a Cleveland Press column described Elvis as a, "…sensational young singer whose style is a combination of hillbilly nasalities, rock-n-roll, Johnnie Ray, and a peculiar sound all his own. The new phenomenon looks like Tony Curtis and drives a pink and black Cadillac. Watch him roar!"
A Brief History of Tommy Edwards Records
Tommy Edwards Records has been a Cleveland music tradition since 1962. Tommy was a renowned recording artist and disc jockey on WERE in the 1950's when Cleveland was the hub of the music industry. He is best known for the following:
- As a recording artist on the Coral label, sold over 100,000 copies of "What is a Teenage Girl?"
- Recorded tunes such as What is Rock N' Roll and The Story of Elvis Presley.
- The first Cleveland disc jockey to play Elvis Presley's Blue Moon of Kentucky
- The first to book Elvis Presley for four Cleveland performances at The Circle Theater in 1955 before Elvis' Brooklyn High School appearance.
- Discovered country star Dottie West.
- Broke the song “Volare” making it a hit in 1958.
- Published the first newsletter in the music industry, The TE Newsletter, describing the weekly events at WERE, including what artists had been at the station and which records looked promising. The TE Newsletter was distributed to over 200 agency men, music publishers, columnists, and disc jockeys from coast to coast.
- The first to show color slide shows of the latest and greatest recording artists at his sock hops. A visionary before MTV.
Since the death of Tommy Edwards in 1981, the Rambaldo family of Cleveland has carried on the music vision of Tommy Edwards. Now, Tommy Edwards Records, has purchased their own office condominium at the Royalton Office Condominiums in North Royalton, Ohio. (Located directly in front of the Avalon Event Center.)
