60,000 Vaccines Now Part of Storied Bojangles Coliseum's History

In 1976, Elvis Presley stood on the stage at what was then called the Charlotte Coliseum, wearing one of his signature white jumpsuits.

“Now we’re gonna do a lot of songs. Old ones, new ones, middle age ... I hope you like some of what we do,” he told the screaming, adoring crowd before crooning the opening lyrics of “Love Me:” “Treat me like a fool…”

Over the years, a lot of big names have stepped into the spotlight at both the coliseum and auditorium on Independence Boulevard: Bo Diddley in 1956, Jimi Hendrix in 1969 and The Rolling Stones in 1972, to name a few.

Another big event — the coliseum's COVID-19 vaccine clinic — was set to come to an end this weekend, but plans changed. The vaccination site provided first and second doses to at least 60,000 people since it first opened in early January. Mecklenburg County’s health department had planned to close the location on Saturday, but on Wednesday afternoon, the head of StarMed Healthcare, which helps operate the clinic, said it would remain open.

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