Elvis in Concert

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.

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

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.

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.