Elvis in Concert

This is last TV special of three Elvis Presley ever made. '68 Comeback Special was perfect rock 'n' roll concert, Aloha from Hawaii was concert with all kind of songs and perfect, and this is sad image of a man who started it all but who had to die young because of it.

The King sings great songs from early days, including Jailhouse Rock and Hound Dog. He still rock, but doesn't look that good than he did few years ago.

After all, this is great concert, and good testament to you all from the King of music.

10/10

I just wanted to let you know I saw this show, and he was superb, it was sad to see him because obviously he look sick, but his voice was still powerful especially when he sang How Great... and other songs, this not counting with the poor editing that CBS did. He was sick and not fat, bloated due to some of the medications he was taking for his glaucoma.

EPE ignored the last years of his life and this is one of those times,every year and every hour of his life as a performer is a part of his legacy to the world and to the music history, not releasing it is only depriving the world of part of his legacy but EPE had made so many mistakes and the biggest one is not letting the world see how powerful he was on the stage every time and specially on this last tour and the one in Indianapolis the last time on a stage and if he knew he will not perform again he said good buy. It does not matter that EPE acts that way, but at the same time all the videos and bad DVD copies floating around makes it worst when at times the bad recordings are only a desperate way of seeing everything regarding him, no matter how bad it is. This was indeed a wonderful concert, people should concentrate more in Elvis's voice and music and his terrifc performances instead of concentrating in critics about the way he looked or how overweight he was, and maybe then they will be more fair in judging his God given voice that never failed him.

`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 was far cry from the Elvis Presley from years earlier. In fact, this was a far cry from the Elvis from six months earlier that gave five exciting concerts in December 1976. The saddest thing about the show is that if it had been filmed in December, instead of June, many non-Elvis fans would have seen how great Elvis still was.

Instead, CBS choose to record Elvis on June 19 and June 21 of 1977. Neither one of these concerts could be considered good, especially if you knew Elvis gave his best concerts in 1977 just four days later on June 25 (and June 26), 1977. What makes the special worse is the bad editing by CBS.

I have seen `pre-stock' footage of both June 19 and June 21 concerts, before CBS butchered them and while Elvis was in bad shape, CBS made it worse with their editing. It is hard to explain to people who have only heard of this concert very briefly, that CBS' attempt to keep Elvis clean actually made him look worse. This can be seen especially on SEE SEE RIDER, where Elvis huffs and puffs. The entire footage from both days have better scenes of Elvis playing guitar, and they pick out the bad part.

To this date, this concert is basically been blackballed by EPE (Elvis Presley Enterprises) and I can't blame them in one way. The editing by CBS wasn't the only reason this special was banned. Elvis Presley was dying from self-indulgence, caused by his abuse of food, drugs, and his lack of being an artist. Elvis was so over, that he could fart on stage and fans would go nuts. A cuss word from Elvis make fans pee in their pants. He was so over with the fans that he self-destructed.

I have heard tapes and 8mm footage from 1977 that proved Elvis still had it, barely, but Elvis In Concert barely proves it.

This is a brilliant concert video! It is not widely available but can be found through internet searches. While Elvis is not in his physical prime it clearly demonstrates his position as King. Even in his 1977 condition he controls and dictates the audience like a master. His vocal dynamics are beyond reproach, spanning nearly four octaves! The band and orchestra, what can you say....unreal at its finest. If you check the filmography credits you will notice that all of the members of the Elvis Presley show band (TCB Band) have all gone on to incredible careers in the industry. If you are looking for fundamental musical brilliance, Elvis In Concert is the ticket. Keep in mind this was filmed in 1977, nearly 30 years ago and it still holds its weight to contemporary music concert videos. No special effects, digital enhancements, or computerized programming, just raw music! Elvis was and is the King and this film is a true testament to his legacy.