Blue Egyptian Bird Jumpsuit (aka) Blue Prehistoric or Blue Bicentennial 1976

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Blue Egyptian Bird Jumpsuit (aka) Blue Prehistoric or Blue Bicentennial 1976

[buttonhead]

more pix of blue prehistoric,

Date when elvis wore them :

March 21, 1976 (2:30 pm). Cincinnatti, OH.
April 22, 1976 (8:30 pm) Omaha, NE.
April 24, 1976 (8:30 pm) San Diego, CA.
April 25, 1976 (8:30 pm) Long Beach, CA.
May 28, 1976 (8:30 pm) Ames, IA.
May 29, 1976 (8:30 pm) Oklahoma City, OK.
May 31, 1976 (8:30 pm) Lubbock, TX
June 2, 1976. (8:30 pm) El Paso, TX.
June 5, 1976 (8:30 pm) Atlanta, GA.
June 26, 1976 (2:30 pm) Providence, RI.
June 27, 1976 (2:30 pm) Largo, MD.
June 30, 1976 (8:30 pm) Greensboro, NC.
July 2, 1976. (8:30 pm) Baton Rouge, LA.
July 24, 1976 (2:30 pm) Charleston, WV.
July 25, 1976 (8:30 pm) Syracuse, NY.
July 28, 1976. (8:30 pm) Hartford, CT.
July 30, 1976. (8:30 pm) New Haven, CT.
August 1, 1976 (2:30 pm) Hampton, VA.
August 3, 1976 (8:30 pm) Fayetteville, NC.
August 4, 1976 (8:30 pm) Fayetteville, NC.
August 5, 1976 (8:30 pm) Fayetteville, NC.
August 27, 1976 (8:30 pm) San Antonio, TX.
August 29, 1976 (2:30 pm) Mobile, AL.
August 31, 1976 (8:30 pm) Macon, GA.
September 1, 1976 (8:30 pm) Jacksonville, FL
September 4, 1976 (8:30 pm) Lakeland, FL.
September 5, 1976 Jackson, MS.
September 6, 1976. (8:30 pm). Huntsville, AL.
September 7, 1976. (8:30 pm) Pine Bluff, AR.
September 8, 1976. (8:30 pm) Pine Bluff, AR.

[Paulie1971]

I hope I won't get shot for this ... but this is my absolute least favorite jumpsuit ... IMO it doesn't at all suit Elvis ... (n)

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I hope I won't get shot for this ... but this is my absolute least favorite jumpsuit ... IMO it doesn't at all suit Elvis ... (n)

Perhaps if you Imagined a slimmer Elvis perhaps 1970-73 wearing this little number, would you change your mind?

[Paulie1971]

That's an interesting question! It is kinda hard to answer, no our guy doesn't look his best at this point of his career, that much is clear. On the other hand, I do like other jumpsuits that he wore while he wasn't at his physical peak ..

I guess that conclusion is that although his appearance is always a factor, this suit doesn't really do it for me (not even when I imagine a slim Elvis in it) ... how do you feel about it?

[buttonhead]

i think that the name reflected the occasion ... 1976 was america's 200th birthday ( bicentennial ). It wouldnt be named as Blue Bicentennial if he wore them before '76.... it 'll be neat if any artist on this forum could do some trick with elvis early 70s wearing this jumpsuit...see how different he looked like.. :hmm:

[Paulie1971]

It would be cool to see, although I find it very unlikely that it will change my mind on this issue. I guess you can not like 'em all, right? ;)

[kennyelvis]

Im with you Paulie1971, not a very nice stagesuit, but the same goes for the close he used privat at that time too :'( :'(
But i bet Elvis feelt comfortable in them (y)

[FrankieRider2]

Don't mean to be a disputer here or anything.... but I was at the September 8, '76 show in Pine Bluff, AR, and the blue suit was indeed worn that night. But my uncle and his family attended the first PB show on the 7th and told us that Elvis wore a white costume with blue sleeves that evening....

Just food for thought, I guess. I don't have any photos of either show, so....

[Elvis42]

June 5, 1976 (8:30 pm) Atlanta, GA.

[Elvis42]

April 24, 1976 (8:30 pm) San Diego, CA.

[Leroy]

Although this suit (and the white version) is widely known as the "Bicentennial Suit" this is not the original name. The correct name is "Prehistoric Bird" and Bill Belew got his inspiration after watching the 1956 movie "The Ten Commandments" in which actor Yul Brynner wore a gigantic robe. That robe stood model for both suits. When it became clear Elvis started to wear both suits on and on during the "Bicentennial Year" 1976 the fans started to call these suits "Bicentennial Suits".

[elvis fan 1976]

Didn't Elvis ripped this jumpsuit on the first time he used it?

[Leroy]

Yes, that's right. It was on March 21 in Cincinatti during the matinee show.

[elvis fan 1976]

Did he get another one or just stitched it up?

[the colonel]

I remember seeing this suit on E.P. really good in LARGO, MD up close it didn't look to bad, especially when he was under a bright light, the flared lighting made it look tacky, even if you had seats further than 4th row it looked bad, but compaired to the WHITE BICENTENNIAL it was not as great looking, the white with blue satin was a much better colour scheme, if you look closely at the suit [pale blue] those of youwho seen E.P. wear this suit in LARGO will notice something wrong with it, especially if you were there.

[elvis fan 1976]

Here's two more. :)

[elvis himselvis]

Have anyone pictures of August 1 1976?

[Eve]

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/5062/s76062703um8.jpg

[Eve]

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/2971/2ayg0.jpg

[Eve]

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/3055/05297602oz7.jpg

[Eve]

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/2001/0676bicenelredzd0.jpg

[Eve]

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/8200/083176du3df1.jpg

[Eve]

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6416/760831021oc5.jpg

[Unchained Melody]

Great pictures as always Eve (y)

[Menwithbrokenhearts]

I like the white version but not the blue. He was wearing the white one in Memphis 76, Lucky enough to be there, maybe why i like it.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Couple of nice shots (y)

Matt

[Tommy]

Thank you Matt, nice photos(y)

[Burning_Love]

I really like this one because it's different to the others :D(y)

[richardo316]

thanks for all this pics and info on this suit:D

[Diane Lynn]

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/5062/s76062703um8.jpg
neat pic :D:D

[el gerry]

I dont mean to be extreme but i hate this suit . There are a handfull of jumpsuits that Elvis wore that were so unflatering to him . This series of suits were probably the worst for that . They made him look huge .

[JEFFTCB]

Yes, I agree the two '76 suits do make Elvis look bigger. (I don't like to use the word fatter). I saw Elvis in New Haven, CT 7/30/76, so I have a little more appreciation for the blue suit. Unfortunately the pictures I took are from a distance. I have no good close ups.

[Unchained Melody]

I think a big part of why this suit is disliked so much by fans is because of what poor condition Elvis was in when he wore it.

[tony70]

i like it myself plus you know it was cooler to wear compared to the others

[elvispresleytheking]

Nice design... didn't quite suit Elvis at the time, though. I also like the white version with blue sleeves.

[easyrider]

Good jumpsuit

[elvia7]

http://www.tagsmaker.com/upload/535dd2e8113b2f16e092e8e6a614f162.jpg
It's my opinion - I love IT

[elvia7]

http://www.tagsmaker.com/upload/ad91c54db2a6d398fb70d79146b6ba59.jpg

[elvia7]

http://www.tcb-world.com/picture.php?albumid=269&pictureid=3310

[Brad Stalnaker]

from my Memphis Trip in October 2008

[Brad Stalnaker]

P.S.
I was at the LAKELAND Fla. Evening show on Sept. 4 1976.

A lot of lists have these afternoon & evening shows switched.
Elvis wore the BLUE Prehistoric Bird at the afternoon show.
&
the WHITE at the Evening show...I remember being a bit disappointed that it was the same suit he wore in Charleston (EVE) when I saw him earlier in the summer.

Somewhere in the mid 80's I orders some 8mm film of "Elvis in Lakeland, Evening show." Turns out it was footage {I assume} from the afternoon show....because Elvis is in blue.

From that day on....80% of jumpsuit lists I come across (and I always check) have these 2 shows reversed.

It's been a pet peave of mine....thanks for letting me vent.

[el gerry]

Im sorry but Elvis didnt look good in any of the jumpsuits in 76 & 77 . They were really unflattering to him , drawing attention to his weight . He should have wore two piece outfits or something loose after 75 .

[molokai123]

not one of my fav's!(n)

[merry77]

Thanks for the info. I've updated my records.



P.S.
I was at the LAKELAND Fla. Evening show on Sept. 4 1976.

A lot of lists have these afternoon & evening shows switched.
Elvis wore the BLUE Prehistoric Bird at the afternoon show.
&
the WHITE at the Evening show...I remember being a bit disappointed that it was the same suit he wore in Charleston (EVE) when I saw him earlier in the summer.

It's been a pet peave of mine....thanks for letting me vent.

[The Everlasting Gaze]

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/082976aft.jpg
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/083176du-1.jpg
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/083176du-5.jpg

[The Everlasting Gaze]

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/030876-2.jpg
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/080576-2.jpg
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/060576jj-1.jpg
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/080576-1.jpg

[The Everlasting Gaze]

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/030876-1.jpg
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/062776mjj-2.jpg

[merry77]

can somebody tell me what these white bands are that are on the suit?

I recall seeing it on some other suits as well.
I think I can even see the right white band on the last photo Everlasting gaze posted while Elvis is wearing the suit!

[piretos]

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/9471/69218yugghqcityru063812.jpg

[peter]

can somebody tell me what these white bands are that are on the suit?

I recall seeing it on some other suits as well.
I think I can even see the right white band on the last photo Everlasting gaze posted while Elvis is wearing the suit!

My guess would be to hold the belt? I thought how belts can be hold on exhibited suits? This gets answer. :)

[nabelt24]

can somebody tell me what these white bands are that are on the suit?

I recall seeing it on some other suits as well.
I think I can even see the right white band on the last photo Everlasting gaze posted while Elvis is wearing the suit!

This looks like velcro with a hook to me... only purpose to assume would be it helped hold up the belt.

[thejumpsuitman]

I agree. That would be necessary to hold up the belt while on display. The mannequins have very small waistlines, usually around 30 inches.

[noone]

The velcro and hooks was not added by Graceland, they was there when Elvis wore this and othe outfits 1976 and 1977as well.

[merry77]

correct. I've seen live photos of Elvis with white patches at the position of the hooks.


The velcro and hooks was not added by Graceland, they was there when Elvis wore this and othe outfits 1976 and 1977as well.

[beaustewart44]

I dont mined the suit so much its the beltm that seams week to me.

TCB :P

[1100ccRider]

The Velcro strip thing is interesting, indeed. I don't have any insight regarding that, but on the topic in this forum devoted to the other version of this suit Brad Stalnaker suggested that there's an embroidered design missing from the upper thigh area of that suit on the left side, a design that's present on the opposite thigh/hip area. He's right, and he's right that it's unusual that such an asymmetry might exist on a stage suit.

I replied that maybe someone just plain forgot to add it and that somehow the oversight got missed, but then I took a look at pictures of the blue suit and the same is true. It seems obvious that the asymmetry is intentional. Why it might so is a bit perplexing. I just hope that people don't start saying that Jesus or God, or whoever, told the suit designers to incorporate this design into the suit to foretell Elvis' death. And, yeah, please excuse the editorializing at the bottom of this graphic; I think these suits are saved from being the least attractive of Elvis' stagewear only by the existence of that V-neck thing he wore in late '75 and early '76...

52606

[merry77]

The missing embroidery is definitely intentional. I have a theory on why this would be.
But more interestingly I would rather like to see the inside of the original belt (possession Larry Moss). Anybody know how to contact him?

[Brad Stalnaker]

Where is Leroy? We need him to weigh in on this. It would be fun to see the original sketches (actually, I think I've seen the blue version sketch some where???)
Since Elvis wore the White one in December 1975...I wonder if both were made at the same time or the Blue one came later in the spring of 76. Did Elvis actually tell Bill or Gene, "I like this one...make 2 - blue and white."?