How the Popular Expression ‘Elvis Has Left the Building’ Originally Came About

In the latest episode of the fascinating series Today I Found Out, host Simon Whistler explains how the term “Elvis has left the building” came about and why it became so incredibly popular. Using information from a post by Eddie Deezen, Whistler also explained who originally coined the term (Horace Logan) and who made it popular (Al Dvorin).

In an attempt to stop people leaving, and let everyone know there would be no chance of seeing Elvis outside, announcer Horace “Hoss” Logan said “All right, all right, Elvis has left the building. I’ve told you absolutely straight up to this point. You know that. He has left the building. He left the stage and went out the back with the policeman and he is now gone… Please take your seats”… It wasn’t until 1972 that it really hit the mainstream thanks to Elvis’ Madison Square Garden concert, which resulted in the album Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden. The album peaked at #11 on the Billboard charts and has sold well over 3 million copies to date. Most pertinent to this article, the record includes an “End Theme” track where you can hear Dvorin stating “Elvis has left the building. Thank you and good night,” exposing many who’d never gone to an Elvis concert to this little catch-phrase.