Honoring Elvis Presley

If you thought you’d seen it all when it comes to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, think again. A new 120-page, full-color photobook is about to take Elvis fans back in time to one of his most high-energy nights on tour. Written by lifelong fan and former fan club president Maria Columbus, Elvis 1970: Oakland Coliseum Arena – “That’s The Way It Was in Oakland” gives readers a front-row seat to a legendary moment in music history.

On Tuesday, November 10, 1970, Elvis rocked a sold-out crowd of 14,000 screaming fans at the Oakland Coliseum Arena. Maria Columbus, was lucky enough to see Elvis live multiple times, has packed this memoir with 94 full-color photos tracking Elvis’ every move. The book captures the entire night from the second Elvis stepped into the spotlight to the final, iconic announcement: “Elvis has left the building.”

“When you look at these photos, you can practically hear the music and feel the electricity in the room,” Maria Columbus says. “It’s like you’re right there with him while he’s singing ‘That’s All Right, Mama,’ ‘Tiger Man,’ and ‘Polk Salad Annie’.”

Beyond the rare pictures, the book is filled with nostalgia. It includes local newspaper clippings and reviews from that exact week in 1970, giving readers a true sense of the buzz surrounding the concert.

The memoir also shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Elvis Special, a beloved fan club run by Maria Columbus from 1969 to 1995. The club was highly respected and officially recognized by Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker, and later by the Graceland Estate, for its dedication to preserving authentic candid and concert photography.

Rounding out the project is a foreword by Kees Mouwen, the author behind the popular Elvis Day By Day books and longtime editor of the go-to Elvis news website.

Decades later, Elvis is still making headlines and capturing hearts. This memoir proves why his legacy is still unmatched.

About Maria Columbus

Maria Columbus is a lifelong Elvis Presley fan and the former co-president of The Elvis Special fan club. After seeing Elvis live in concert multiple times, she dedicated years to connecting fans worldwide. This is her first photographic memoir.