Robert Smith - Photos of Elvis Presley
on display at Shawn’s Gate
November/December 2008

Shawn’s Gate, located next to the Market Street Art Center, is open 4pm to 8pm, Monday thru Thursday and Noon to 4pm on Saturdays.

The date was April 1st, 1957. The place was Memorial Auditorium. Robert L. Smith, a photographer for the Buffalo Evening News was in attendance to document the performance of a young, up and coming singer named Elvis Presley. When he arrived he was invited back stage by a Buffalo Police officer who asked if he would take pictures of his nieces with Elvis. The results were a series of photos rarely seen by the public.

“Elvis arrived amid a swarm of frantic teenage girls and I was escorted into his dressing room,” says Robert, reminiscing on the event. “After photos with all the girls in attendance back stage, I then went out front and photographed him in concert. This one photo I took of him was published in the Buffalo Evening News in the next day’s paper and I in turn sent a copy of the photo to Col. Tom Parker (Elvis’ manager) to see if he wished to buy it.”

Robert never heard from Col. Parker nor anyone from Elvis Presley Enterprises until 2000 when he was informed by a friend that the photo was being used “all over Graceland and Memphis.”

Robert went to Memphis, proved that the photo was his, and was compensated for the years of usage by Graceland. The photo was recently selected by the Eastman Kodak Company as one of the top 500 photos ever taken during the Rock Era (l950-2000). Another photo in the collection may also be unique. It depicts the King kneeling onstage, a rarity for Elvis because, quips Robert, “his pants were too tight.” It is one of the few, if not the only, such photo of Elvis. That photo along with along with others taken at the concert can now be seen at Shawn’s Gate Studio.

Robert began his photographic career in the United States Navy serving as a Naval Photographer during the Korean War. Upon his discharge he joined Bell Aircraft in Wheatfield NY as a staff photographer. And later accepted a position with the Buffalo Evening News where he spent the next 40 years. During that time he was recipient of numerous Page One, United Press International and Associated Press awards. In l960 he became the Chief Photographer of the newly formed Buffalo Bills Football Team in the National Football League from which he recently retired after 42 years in 2001. He published a book of the photographic history of the Buffalo Bills in l995. He also has his work displayed in the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio and has received numerous sports photographic awards.

Robert Smith signed poster sized copies of his famous photo on Saturday, November 22 from noon to 4pm, during the Holiday Art Trail.