Ellis Auditorium
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The Ellis Auditorium was a 10,000-seat multi-purpose
arena An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators ...
in
Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state; it is situated along the Mississippi River. With a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, Memphis is the second-mos ...
,
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. It hosted local sporting events and concerts.


History

The auditorium opened in 1924 as a multipurpose concert hall, convention center, and athletic arena. The first performance was held by
John Philip Sousa John Philip Sousa ( ; November 6, 1854 – March 6, 1932) was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era known primarily for American military marches. He is known as "The March King" or the "American March King", to dist ...
. The building opened as the Memphis Auditorium and Market House and was renamed for Memphis Chamber of Commerce President Robert R. Ellis after his death in 1930. The auditorium was segregated and had a separate entrance and balcony for black patrons, and in 1945 a performance of ''Annie, Get Your Gun'' did not go ahead because the cast included black members.
Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...
played Ellis Auditorium on May 15, 1956, to open the Cotton Carnival. Presley also made a number of other appearances at the venue. Other performers who played Ellis include
David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer-songwriter and actor. A leading figure in the music industry, he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the ...
(1972) and
Bruce Springsteen Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American singer and songwriter. He has released 21 studio albums, most of which feature his backing band, the E Street Band. Originally from the Jersey Shore, he is an originat ...
(1976 and 1996).


Sports

Ellis Auditorium also hosted basketball events, including a 6,000-strong all-white crowd who watched the all-black
Harlem Globetrotters The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team. They combine athleticism, theater, and comedy in their style of play. Created in 1926 by Tommy Brookins in Chicago, Illinois, the team adopted the name ''Harlem'' because of i ...
play in 1953. The Memphis Tigers basketball team also played select games at Ellis. They upset number 3 ranked Louisville at the venue in February 1957. Ellis Auditorium was demolished in 1999 and replaced by the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts at the same location.


References

1999 disestablishments in Tennessee Buildings and structures demolished in 1999 Indoor arenas in Tennessee Sports venues in Memphis, Tennessee {{Tennessee-stadium-stub