Elvis in Concert

Is too bad that CBS not release the whole Elvis In Concert. It's so many fans around the world to like to see the king's last TV Show. He is doing so great. He wanted to say goodbye to the world, but CBS stop him, it's to bad.... His new fans, I'm sure they will love the whole Elvis in Concert. He still have a new fan coming up every sec, so if they want to make some big $$$, release the Concert on DVD. From Elvis comes out of the car to he get's back, and the backstage stuff. and by the way, way not release all Concert's from Elvis on tour from 1972. (MGM)

It's so mush, but we is not allow to see it.....

God Bless Elvis

I remember seeing this CBS special when it first aired. I was nine years old and it made quite an impression on me. Yes, he looked bad. He was overweight. We have all seen pictures of him in the final years so thats no big surprise. What I do find interesting is that some people say his voice was failing. To that I say...B.S.!! Listen to How Great Thou Art from this program and tell me his voice is failing. He practically blows the roof off with his voice. It really is sad to watch Elvis In Concert. Especially if you take into consideration that the Aloha From Hawaii concert was just four years before. Elvis just makes a quick run through of his most famous songs such as Hound Dog, Teddy Bear and Jailhouse Rock out of obligation to the fans. However songs such as You Gave Me A Mountain and My Way (among others) are given the full treatment.

`We're here to entertain you, and to make you happy. So just enjoy yourself, and leave the driving to us,' said Elvis to an adoring crowd in Rapid City, South Dakota on June 21, 1977. Elvis had been doing just that for over 20 years - entertaining his fans and making them happy.

What was to be Elvis' last concert tour began on June 17, 1977 in Springfield, Missouri. The June 19 appearance in Omaha, Nebraska was filmed for the CBS television special set to air that fall. Only three songs were used from the Omaha performance in the `Elvis In Concert' special, which was broadcast posthumously. `If you think I'm nervous,' Elvis said quietly on stage, `you're right.'

Many Elvis fans were interviewed on camera for `Elvis In Concert', which is not officially available on video. Perhaps the most genuine in his responses was a young African-American man who said, `Elvis deserves credit for bringing blues into rock and country. He's the first guy to ever do that, and I admire him for it. He has a lot of courage. He's my number one singer of all time. I hope to name my kid after him some day. I have about four of his gospel albums, and my favorite is ‘How Great Thou Art.' It makes you feel good when he sings it. It brings tears to your eyes. I just love the guy. I know that sounds kinda weird, but I just love the guy and I wish him many years of success.'

CBS also filmed his concert in Rapid City on June 21. It was from this performance that most of the songs on `Elvis In Concert' were drawn. `If you haven't guessed by now, you're on television,' Elvis said with a characteristic grin to the audience. `Don't let the lights and cameras throw you, and try not to throw the lights and cameras if you can help it.'

`Elvis In Concert' was Elvis' first filmed production in four years after the blockbuster `Aloha From Hawaii' television special. The contrast in his appearance between the two shows is striking. `He was obviously way overweight,' said Elvis' friend Joe Esposito, a few years after Elvis' death. `Despite his age, only 42, we knew he was in bad health. It was tough for him, but Elvis accepted his appearance and so did his fans.'

Although he did look ill, that special Elvis smile was still there for his fans. The love and magic was still there. He was Elvis. Through all the ups and downs, the fans always loved him and still do.

Joe Esposito said it best, `Just six weeks before his death, he still poured his heart out. To the end, Elvis' greatest gift – his incredible voice – never failed him.'

This is an enjoyably show, which was unfortunately misunderstood because of Elvis' death. One of the best performances in this program was "I Really Don't Want To Know."

Be sure to check out Elvis mouthing the words "Smile, you're on Candid Camera" during a guitar solo early in the show. He may have been ill, he may have even been depressed, but he still put his all into that show...and he still managed to have fun one last time with his fans.

When all is said and done, after all the books have been written, and all the tales have been spun, the only question that will be important is ‘What did Elvis do?' He made people happy. That was his life.

Rating: 3 out of 4

This show was not as bad as the critics make it out to be. But it was obvious that Elvis was dying. He was so sick and it was obvious. But he still put on a great show. I would like to see this released on video for the fans. I don't care what the critics think of it. Elvis didn't care what the critics thought of him. He still pours out his heart. It was sad to see him forget the words to "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", but listen to the emotion that he put into "My Way", and "How Great Thou Art." I think he knew he was dying and was saying goodbye.

CBS filmed two shows (19th and 21st June). The first was not very good, caused by drugs and stage fright. On the second night, Elvis pulled himself together and delivered a great show, or as great as he could in 1977. The final TV Special was only 50 minutes long, contained a lot of fan footage and Vernon Presley talking about Elvis both before and after his death. Only few songs are actually shown and it becomes clear, that the producers tried to avoid showing too many close-up shots of Elvis's face, which was bloated, tired and sweating. My thoughts are: - it is sad to see Elvis so close to death, and he really looked a dying man - he can't walk very well, so he just stands there, all of the 1969 energy gone - yet he puts so much into his singing, just check out "Tryin to get to you" - Let's hope for an official release of all the material shot (a box set similar to the other TV shows) - there are bootleg editions of Elvis in Concert which are edited together from all material available - the original TV special is definitely too short, it will leave you craving for more.

Conclusion: everybody should be able to see it. Depending on the mood you're in, you will either start crying over seeing a dying man or you will marvel at Elvis's voice, still that strong and his sense of humor which keep the audience and the band members so fascinated.