RAPID CITY - City officials 30 years ago wanted the grand opening of Rushmore Plaza Civic Center to be a majestic celebration, so they decided to bring in "The King."

On June 21, 1977, Elvis Presley, decked out in his signature white, sequined jumpsuit, brought his rock 'n' roll sound and pelvic gyrations to a sold-out crowd.

Many area people remember that night - one of the last live performances Elvis gave before his death in August. However, Stan Zakinski has a unique recollection of the musical legend's brief visit to the Black Hills.

The former Rapid City police chief provided the local security for Elvis, picking him up at the airport and driving him to the city's brand-new venue.

"When I saw him come off the plane in his white jumpsuit, sequined trimmed and everything, … it was exciting," Zakinski said during an interview at his Deadwood Avenue office. On the wall next to his desk hangs a black-and-white photo of Elvis with Zakinski standing to his left, Elvis' bodyguard on the right and the band's drummer in the background.

Jack Bettman, the civic center manager at the time, knew Zakinski had attended a deputy-protection seminar and asked him to speak with Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis' manager, about security.

The day before Elvis' arrival, Zakinski, who was then chief of detectives for the police department, received a detailed itinerary for Presley's visit.

"Everything was timed for the minute," he said.

When the Lisa Marie, Elvis' plane named after his daughter, arrived at the airport, Zakinski was there with a Cadillac limousine to take Elvis, his girlfriend, his father and a security person to the civic center. The rest of the crew followed close behind in another vehicle.

"I stayed right with him until I brought him back to the Lisa Marie," Zakinski said.

During the trip into town, Elvis commented about how beautiful the Black Hills are and questioned Zakinski about the size of Rapid City and its police department.

"He had a thing about police departments," Zakinski said. "He had a (police) badge collection."

It was dusk when they came in on S.D. Highway 44, and Zakinski remembers Elvis remarking on how bright the sun was shining. Zakinski handed Elvis his sunglasses.

"The estate still has them. I never got them back," he laughed.

After they arrived at the civic center, the security door opened, and Zakinski drove in.

"There was no stopping," he said.

Inside, Elvis met then-Mayor Art LaCroix as well as Sharon Brave and her 10-year-old daughter, Monique.

The brief encounter with "The King" left a lasting impression on Sharon.

"I can still remember everything; we were in and out in a few minutes," the longtime Elvis fan said. "We had the best seat in the house for a couple of minutes."

Monique wore a full buckskin American Indian dress and presented Elvis with an eight-point beaded medallion. He gave her a scarf that she still has.

"He's part Native American. He looked at her and had the most peaceful look on his face. It was the most fabulous thing I've ever seen," Sharon said about their encounter with Elvis. "He had a lot of charisma. He was just so real."

The mother and daughter are also featured on the CBS live taping of the Rapid City concert.

After briefly speaking with the Braves and the mayor, Elvis slipped into his dressing room for a minute and came out ready to go, Zakinski said.

"You could smell the makeup," he remembered.

Elvis did a few squats, then said, "'Let's hit it,'" Zakinski said. The curtains opened to the theme song to "2001: A Space Odyssey," and The King came out.

"From there, he had the audience in the palm of his hand," Zakinski said. "He got on stage, and he had control of the band, the audience and himself. He could move around the stage like a 19-year-old. It was fantastic."

After the concert, Elvis walked off the stage and with a big smile on his face said, "'The King did it again,'" Zakinski recalled.

Immediately after the performance, Elvis left for the airport. Zakinski dropped him off and gave him a badge from the Rapid City Police Department.

Zakinski said he was honored to have had the opportunity to provide security for one of the all-time great performers.

"He was a fantastic man to know, to see, to hear."

For a peak at Elvis' arrival at the civic center 30 years ago, click here.