"Lost" pictures of The King have left a New York cameraman all shook up.

Nearly 36 years after Elvis Presley rocked Madison Square Garden, George Kalinsky raided his files, hunting for pictures he'd taken of the concert and never printed.

He dug out nearly 100 never-before-seen shots, including some Graceland officials consider the most iconic ever taken.

"I thought I had eight or 10 good photos, but I found four rolls of film," said Kalinsky, the Garden's official photographer for 40 years.

"It was mind-boggling. I'd totally forgotten that I'd taken that many."

The collection is headed to Graceland for an exhibit.

 

The concert, from 1972, was recorded live and can be found on CD.

 
 
  
 

 

  





 

one picture showing a white jump suited Elvis, his cape billowing behind him - stands 36 feet tall on a Times Square billboard, part of a display honouring the world-famous snapper.

"That is the one Graceland said was the most iconic," said Kalinsky, who met Elvis backstage after the show and described him as "very humble."

Kalinsky, 64, has taken pictures of every major Madison Square Garden event - including Muhammad Ali's fight with Joe Frazier, a Jimi Hendrix show and the Pope's 1979 visit.

He found the films after being invited to take part in a Times Square display celebrating "Great Moments in New York."

He had asked Graceland for permission to use another of his shots, and they asked if he'd search to see if he had any he'd never published.

"This is an incredible and rare find," said Kevin Kern, spokesman for Elvis Presley Enterprises.

"It is as if George found a treasure chest of never before seen Elvis photos."


 Adam Nichols - www.nydailynews.com 

Posted:  11th. April 2008