Elvis in Concert

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.

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.

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.

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

This special has been broadcast only twice, both times on CBS. The first showing was in October, 1977, and the second was in the Spring of 1978.

EPE won't license it for sale or broadcast and I can certainly respect their reasons, though I disagree with them. Elvis' appearance and actions weren't up to par and they don't want to submit Elvis to public ridicule.

But it's a shame that the true fans are deprived of this historic special, featuring the greatest entertainer of them all performing during his last concert tour.

Even though he wasn't at his best, he was still Elvis and that's more than enough. His voice and charisma were still very much intact.

There are several hours of footage in addition to the TV special that have never been seen by the public, although bootlegs have been floating around for years.

Maybe someday, EPE will release everything from the tour in a deluxe DVD box set. If/when they do, I'll be the first in line to buy it.