Inside abandoned coliseum The Beatles played final US tour set to be demolished
An abandoned coliseum once used to perform by The Beatles in their final US tour in 1966 now faces demolition.
Memphis' first racially integrated arena was one of the only eleven worldwide that saw both of the performances, it's one of the last places The Beatles performed live in America.
The arena was called Mid-South Coliseum, and was one of the few stops on The Beatles' final American tour in 1966, where the infamous racist group the Klu Klux Klan protested against them and issued death threats against them.
Elvis Presley performed at the Coliseum on March 16, 1974, his first concert in Memphis since 1961.
Other A-list musicians to have performed there include Prince, Frank Sinatra, Van Halen, Ike and Tina Turner, Ozzy Osborne, The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Jay-Z, Michael Jackson & The Jacksons.
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The Beatles’ performing on stage at the coliseum during their final American tour in 1966 Memphis, US (mediadrumimages/LelandKent)One image shows packets of salted peanuts left behind with the corner appearing to be chewed open possibly by mice.
Another image shows the empty coliseum with everything stored in the centre including a speed boat.
There are still bottles and cans of beer in the fridge never to be sold at the concession stand.
Current plans recommend the coliseum to be demolished after a proposal from Memphis Mayor Jim Strikland to build a new stadium for the Memphis 901 FC professional football team.
The concessions stand inside the coliseum, the ceiling tiles are a bit damaged but the building is still solid (mediadrumimages/LelandKent)The images of what might soon be a building site were captured by Urban Explorer Leland Kent known by his handle Abandoned Southeast.
"The Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee, opened to the public on November 24, 1964, after several years of development and construction for $4.7 million," said Leland on his blog.
"Performances before integrated audiences occurred at the Mid-South Coliseum as soon as the building opened, and it immediately became the area's hot spot for music, sports, and other mass entertainment.
A huge line of people queuing up for a show outside the coliseum (mediadrumimages/LelandKent)"The list of performers that played at the Mid-South Coliseum is extraordinary and includes Elvis, The Beatles, Prince, Frank Sinatra, Van Halen, Ike and Tina Turner, Ozzy Osborne, The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, and Jay-Z, among many others.
"Michael Jackson & The Jacksons kicked off their Triumph Tour by performing at the arena on July 8, 1981.
"Of all the performing artists that graced the stage at the Mid-South Coliseum, James Brown played more concerts than anyone else at the Mid-South Coliseum."
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Despite a few signs of damp in the ceiling the coliseum building is still perfectly preserved (mediadrumimages/LelandKent)Leland then goes on to explain how the coliseum adapted for the sporting world and hosted one of the most infamous boxing matches of all time.
"The introduction of modern professional sports in Memphis came by way of the Mid-South Coliseum. In 1964, the Memphis Wings, an affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, played their first home game at the arena," said Leland.
The City of Memphis is now looking to renovate the coliseum.
The scoreboard still hoisted in the rafters (mediadrumimages/LelandKent)The proposed $684 million project would involve renovating three venues FedEx Forum, AutoZone Park, and Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium at the old Mid-South Fairgrounds and constructing a new stadium.
The City of Memphis is asking the state to contribute $350 million to the ambitious project, which the mayor believes, would help retain the city's pro sports teams and give Memphis an economic boost.
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