Bloch Arena

On a seemingly ordinary day in March 1961, Bloch Arena transformed into a stage for a king. Not a monarch of royal blood, but the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Bloch Arena, typically echoing with the sounds of sporting events and servicemen’s camaraderie, pulsed with a different kind of energy. Elvis, along with Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, the Jordanaires, and special guest Minnie Pearl, held a benefit concert. This wasn’t just any concert. This was a performance for a cause deeply connected to Pearl Harbor’s history: the USS Arizona Memorial. Bloch Arena itself, opened in August 1941, was named after Admiral Claude C. Bloch. He was the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Fleet and in command of the Naval District at Pearl Harbor during the attack. The arena served as a recreation center for servicemen stationed at Pearl Harbor. They enjoyed beer, billiards, movies, and even boxing matches within its walls. In the fall of 1941, Bloch Arena hosted the “Battle of Music,” a competition between Navy bands. The USS Arizona’s band was a participant, their last performance before the devastating events of December 7th. The benefit concert in 1961 was a resounding success. It raised a substantial sum for the memorial fund, pushing the project closer to reality. The concert at Bloch Arena served as a bridge between tragedy and remembrance. Elvis, through his music, helped solidify the legacy of the USS Arizona and all those lost on that fateful day. Today, Bloch Arena continues to serve the Navy at Pearl Harbor, a place where recreation and history intertwine. Inside its walls, the echoes of Elvis’s music blend with the stories of the past, a reminder of the power of music and the importance of remembrance.