The process for buying tickets at the Mid-South Coliseum changed dramatically depending on the event, the promoter, or the time period. During the early years of the Coliseum, tickets were primarily sold at the arena box office or by mail order. As the concert industry expanded in the 1970s, more people began regularly attending shows, resulting in an increased demand for tickets and requiring changes to the ticket-buying process. You can chart the development of this process, along with some of the challenges the Coliseum sought to address, by reading through letters, memos, meeting minutes, and other documents contained in the Mid-South Coliseum Collection.
The documents below exemplify the early mail order system, including some of its challenges. For example, make sure to include the band’s name in your ticket request!
Letter requesting Bob Seger tickets
This letter was contained in the envelope postmarked Paducah, Kentucky. For those fans traveling from outside of Memphis, mail order was the only option to buy tickets. The request, along with $14.50 for tickets, was in the mail only three days prior to the show, leaving little choice but to hold the tickets for pickup prior to show time. Digital ID: MSCC0066
Letter requesting Elvis Presley tickets
This letter illustrates some of the pitfalls with the mail order system. Ms. Armstrong initially mailed $30 to cover 2 tickets to Elvis' concert. By August 3, she had not received the tickets and was concerned it could be because she did not include a handling fee. She subsequently mailed an additional $1 to the Mid-South Coliseum, and yet, by August 7, having still not received tickets, Ms. Armstrong writes again. This time she includes a self-addressed, stamped envelope, hoping this aids the Coliseum in mailing her the tickets. Unfortunately, less than 10 days later, Elvis Presley passed away. Digital ID: MSCC0067
Letter requesting tickets to unknown show
Reading this letter, you can sense the urgency with which the author is writing to the Coliseum. He writes, "Gentlemen: Please send me two tickets closest to section VV as you possibly can. Pleaserush this order!" However, he fails to mention which concert he's interested in. Digital ID: MSCC0068
Notes from Coliseum staff
This envelope accompanies the previous letter. On it, you can read notes from Coliseum staff trying to determine "which show?" the letter is referring to. Based on the timing of the letter, staff writes, "Maybe ZZ Top." Digital ID: MSCC0068
Note from Mid-South Coliseum Box Office
This note from the Mid-South Coliseum Box Office suggests that the instances like those in the previous letter where not uncommon. The note starts by saying, "WE RECEIVED YOUR TICKET ORDER BUT ARE UNCERTAIN AS TO WHAT YOU WANT." It then details the most efficient way to request tickets from the Mid-South Coliseum. Digital ID: MSCC0069
By the mid to late 1970s, the process of ticket-buying was expanding to include alternate locations for buying tickets across the city. The following memos discuss implementing a convenience charge and the relationship between Mid-South Concerts, the Mid-South Coliseum, and the ticket agency, Ticket Hub.
Whether you traveled to the Coliseum box office, corresponded via mail, or visited a ticketing location, ultimately you would receive your beautiful ticket. Check out some of the pristine, unused tickets we found as we’ve been processing the collection! We’ll be adding more as we find them.
