Founder/host of seminal radio show coined phrase "Elvis has left the building."
- Logan began in radio when he was 16, after winning a contest to become an announcer on KWKH-AM in Shreveport, Louisiana, Mrs. Logan said.
He began producing the "Hayride," a country music show performed before a live KWKH audience in Shreveport's Municipal Auditorium, in 1948. It survived only two years after Logan's departure in 1958.
In between, he introduced a number of country music's top names to America. Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams were among people who got their first big break on the "Hayride."
"When he gave you an introduction, you thought the president of the United States was coming on," Merle Kilgore, a friend of Logan's and manager for Hank Williams Jr., said Sunday from his home in Paris, Tennessee. "He was the greatest. Being on the 'Hayride' ... that was a big as it got in the country music industry."
When Presley debuted in 1954, Logan wrote in his 1998 memoir, "Elvis, Hank and Me," he wanted to say something reassuring to the nervous young man, but didn't have time. Instead, he grabbed the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you've never heard of this young man before, but one day you'll be able to tell your children and grandchildren you heard musical history made tonight," he told the audience.
Two years later, trying to quiet a frenzied "Hayride" audience after another Presley performance, Logan announced, "Elvis has left the building."
Coincidentally, Elvis's Hayride recordings have recently been released on Tomato. Here's a review from PopMatters:
- With the latest advancements in digital and sound technology, it will become the norm for analog to be transferred into digital. Cassettes will be burned onto compact discs and all of the hiss of vinyl will be removed for a clearer, more pristine sound. Such is the case with "ancient" records and old radio recordings, a prime example being the early work of Elvis Presley. Prior to hitting his pelvic stride on Ed Sullivan, Elvis Aaron Presley made a name for himself on a series of radio shows, including KWKH's The Louisiana Hayride. From 1954 to 1956, Presley performed early hits that would catapult him to stardom. Now, having been released two decades ago as Elvis: The First Live Recordings and The Hillbilly Cat, the recordings have been retouched and re-mastered into this single collection. And while the obvious tinkering with the sound might be a double-edged sword, the performances themselves are clearly testaments of what was to come.
Article comments
1 - Courtney
That is a wonderful review of a really fascinating book. Horace Logan is my grandfather and up until his death he was just as sharp and funny as he is in the book. He genuinely enjoyed all of the artists he worked with and kept many stories private to protect those artists. When he started in radio they did not have the high tech microphones they now have and his deep resounding voice and unique intonations are some of the things that made him so popular and special. I hope everyone enjoys the memories he left behind in this book.
2 - monty ray garrison
hi. i am related to horace logan. i'm not sure how. my grandparents were herrons in monroe louisiana. i think my mother cornelia herron garrison was horace logan's neice. do you know us? i'd appreciate corresponding with you. i live in calcata, italy.
monty ray garrison, III (known as pancho)
3 - Gale
To Monty Ray Garrison (Pancho)
I am Horace Logan's daughter and I can give you some info about the name Herron. My father's mother was Pearl Louise Herron, born in Mer Rouge, Lousiana in 1900. She was one of several children born to Emma Lainge Herron and (Mr. Herron?). My father, Horace Lee Logan, Jr. was born on August 3, 1916 in Mer Rouge, LA. to Pearl Louise Herron Logan, and H. L. Logan, Sr. My father has one brother, Daniel Herron Logan, always called Bobby, born July 27, 1920. He now lives in Longview, TX.
I know there were Herron cousins in Lousiana over the years, but can't say I personally remember a Cornelia. It certainly sounds like you are related to Horace Logan on the Herron side. By the way, Courtney is my daughter.
4 - Fabris G.Luca
Message for Mrs Gale Logan's and her daughter Courtney
Dear Mrs Gale,
My name is Fabris G.Luca,38 years old.I'm studying,and loving Elvis Presley since I was 11 years old.
I was deeply sorry when I heard about your father's death.
I'm an Elvis researcher expecially on the early days.I particularly like
the Louisiana Hayride days and so I started doing researches on this and
trying to meet and interview as much people as I could.
I also met Mr Frank Page this year,I met Joey Kent,I know Mr Norman Bale,Robert C.Sullivan,Jane Rogge...
I'm also a private collector and I have some good pieces which I'm very
proud of.......As told I'm doing this research to obtain historic elements
and souvenirs.I'm interested in acetates,recordings,posters,photos......and to contact as many persons that were 'there' as possible to remember with them!!
All these researches are in relation to a book/CD project for the Elvis
fan club network. It's a 3/4 CD 200 pages book about Elvis stay at SUN
records done by Ernst Jorgensen which I'm now helping detailing the period from July of 1954 through the end of 1955. The book will consist of more than 400 early photos - half of them previously unpublished. It's not an attempt of once again write the story of Elvis Presley, but more a collection of information, photos, memorabilia and stories shared by fans who where there at the time. The book will not deal in gossip or other unpleasant material
it's all about the innocence of the time and the impact of Elvis' music.
We are trying to document every single show Elvis did, and we have come
fairly close.
So I'm looking for photos,recordings from Louisiana Hayride or Opry,or any
live radio gig or interview .... ANYTHING IS WELCOME FROM THE 50s!!
In particular we were told that Horace Logan family was in possession of some tapes containing an Hayride show where Elvis sang 'Only you' (Platters song),
a medley of Good rockin tonight and Rock around the Clock (Bill Haley song) and Sixteen Tons (Tennessee Ernie Ford song).
Do you still have these tapes?We would be interested to discuss with you.
Write soon
I hope this is not too much of an intrusion.
Sincerely yours
Fabris G.Luca
Elvis Fan Club of Italy Researcher
5 - Chris Middlebrooks
Hello Fabris,
I have some photo's from the Louisiana Jayride that my aunt gave me. I was wondering what they were worth or if you would be interested in buying them. Please email me at cmiddlebrooks@willstaff.net. Thanks, Chris
6 - Lynda
To Monty Ray Garrison You are indeed related to Horace Logan. Your grandfather, Benoit Herron, was a brother to Mr. Logan's mother. Your mom, Cornelia, and her brother Lee Herron were his favorite cousins. He called your mom "Beans" (a childhood thing), and I refered to her as "Peggy", as per her requst. We got together quite often while she lived in Monroe, and kept in touch when she moved to Kansas City. I was very saddened when Lee told me of her passing. If you want to know more of the family relationships, contact your Uncle Lee Herron in Monroe.
7 - Bettye
Looking for anyone who knew Horace Lee Logan's brother Daniel(Bob)Herron Logan. he is my uncle by marriage..would love photos of him and his family