According to Joe,did Elvis like any part's of the CBS Special(From straight up vol.1)

[nolvis]

I know that Joe answers this in vol.1 of his new book series,and i sincerely hope he say's that Elvis DID like some part's of the special as he DID put forth some amazing performances!!!:)

[srj1967]

Elvis died only six weeks after it was filmed, as you know. I've never read anywhere that he would have even had time to see any of the footage.

[nolvis]

Joe states in the preview to the book that he does have Elvis' reaction to the concert footage.:)

[King_Creole]

Joe states in the preview to the book that he does have Elvis' reaction to the concert footage.:)

Elvis saw the Omaha footage and was appalled at how bad he thought he looked and sounded and even went as far as telling Gary Smith that he would "Do Better" for his next filmed performance in Rapid City ...

[elvis himselvis]

And he did a better job in Rapid City

[Tony Trout]

I would venture to say that Elvis only saw parts of his show in Omaha....he most likely never saw the footage from Rapid City.

[EP75]

Tony trout is correct. EP was embarrassed by how own performance in Omaha and apologize to the CBS producers and asked them to film another show which they decided to do. The original plan was to only film one complete show in Omaha on June 19. The poor performance demanded a second filmed show which took place on June 21. But despite a better show on June 21, EP still looked and sounded bad. He actually looked better 5 nights later in Indianapolis for his final show ever.

[nolvis]

:) He sounded more powerful as he ever has,so i won't let another comment about how he sounded bother me.And as far as he looked,well when i first saw it in 1977,i was completely and overwhelmingly blown away by Elvis' incredible charisma,charm,presence and of course unbelievable talent!!!!!Oh and showing alittle vulnerability did'nt hurt either.:) :king: (y) :king: :)

[rickeap]

It was always intended to film two shows (originally 3) but it is apparently true that Elvis realised his poor condition on the 19th and promised a better performance.
I understood he saw a rough cut of the special in July.
Jow - can you answer our question?
Rick

[King_Creole]

Tony trout is correct. EP was embarrassed by how own performance in Omaha and apologize to the CBS producers and asked them to film another show which they decided to do. The original plan was to only film one complete show in Omaha on June 19. The poor performance demanded a second filmed show which took place on June 21. But despite a better show on June 21, EP still looked and sounded bad. He actually looked better 5 nights later in Indianapolis for his final show ever.

C'mon Jay, I've taught you plenty about Elvis' career over the years and now you delibertely dismiss my reply and don't want to gimme any credit ?

Not Fair ...

Where do you come up with this stuff anyway ?

It was always planned to film 3 concerts, Omaha, (June 19), Lincoln, (June 20), and Rapid City, (June 21).

The Lincoln show fell thru due to security and insurance problems so the producers, Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion, canceled the filming altogether.

Elvis' excuse and exact words to Gary and Dwight were, " I Know I Was Terrible", (In Omaha), but in Rapid City, Elvis looked and sounded much better than the 2 nights before.

The best part of the show actually proved to raw for it's inclusion in the network broadcast, thus the mistake of it's deletion as part of the repetoire, came at the end, when a sweaty puffy Elvis struggles to achieve grace when he performs a beautiful "Unchained Melody" .:clap:

That lil boy sense of relief at the end of the performance is both entrancing and heartbreaking.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I'm sorry but despite some outstanding songs the whole CBS Special is very hard for me to watch, yes I would like to see a Deluxe DVD Edition but can see why EPE are reluctant to, given Elvis' appearance.

Put quite simply this is not Elvis' finest hour. Elvis has suffered from an Image problem that primarily came from 1976/77 releasing an official DVD even today will only contribute to this Image failure.

If Elvis had survived Aug 77 I don't think this would have been the Image he would have wanted to perpetuate, I think that the CBS Special was a knee-jerk response to the book "Elvis What Happened" and clearly gave credence to that sensationalist claptrap.

Before there is a barrage of "Elvis was Ill", "Unchained Melody was awesome" & "How Great Thou Art was powerful" is levied at me! I know, I am a fan. The fact is if you were to introduce a fan to Elvis..... this would not be your first port of call and believe that even Elvis would pick something like the 68 Special before CBS.

[jak]

Ive always wondered what Elvis would have thought if he had sat down and watched the special.I cant imagine what would have went through his mind.That footage is a record of a man in serious trouble.In spite of some great renditions, I too find it hard to watch sometimes.It's amazing to me that Elvis agreed to that project considering his condition.The fact he didnt pull himself together somewhat for it shows he just couldnt stop the slide.It was to late.
Jak

[nolvis]

Well to keep the positive comment's coming,i just want to say one more time that when i saw the '77 special,it was as exciting an event as i've ever experienced in my life.Elvis' heart and soul came shining thru just like a run away locomotive!I loved him even more after seeing and hearing this special!!!Sure he was'nt in the same shape as the '68 special and Aloha,but it was still Elvis,and the the man gave everything that he had in his wonderful soul and body to please us,all of the people that love and admire him,and he put forth some amazing performances!Illl never forget that smile,charisma,and absolutely electric atmosphere of experiencing a "brand new" Elvis concert!It really felt like i was able to experience the feeling of seeing him in concert!!!!!

[Larry Dickman]

...... yes I would like to see a Deluxe DVD Edition but can see why EPE are reluctant to, given Elvis' appearance.


Yeah, maybe they need to run a few more Elvis impersonator contests or flog a few more ducks, plates and Teddy Bears......how about a new line of Elvis wines or coffee.....this would be guaranteed to keep the Kings image just how I want it.:blink:


Look at your signature JJ, for therein lies the answer.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Yeah, maybe they need to run a few more Elvis impersonator contests or flog a few more ducks, plates and Teddy Bears......how about a new line of Elvis wines or coffee.....this would be guaranteed to keep the Kings image just how I want it.:blink:


Look at your signature JJ, for therein lies the answer.

I don't disagree that EPE have a skewed view and weird perspective on what is good and bad regarding sales etc.

As for the signature, everybody here knows that I change my avatar up to twice a week or whenever I see a picture I like. It doesn't have to conform to some steriotypical Image of Elvis!


I have made you a nice avatar........enjoy :P

[Larry Dickman]

Hi JJ.........I was referring to your sig. "The Image is one thing, the human being is another" .....

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Hi JJ.........I was referring to your sig. "The Image is one thing, the human being is another" .....

Ahhhhh........ EPE have all but de-humanised Elvis, he is a product! One that Priscilla has taken great pleasure de-constructing to get her own back for the lack of any discernible talent other than being the ex-wife of a superstar.

Her motto is "The $ is Everything"

[SweetCaroline]

I'm sorry but despite some outstanding songs the whole CBS Special is very hard for me to watch, yes I would like to see a Deluxe DVD Edition but can see why EPE are reluctant to, given Elvis' appearance.

Put quite simply this is not Elvis' finest hour. Elvis has suffered from an Image problem that primarily came from 1976/77 releasing an official DVD even today will only contribute to this Image failure.

If Elvis had survived Aug 77 I don't think this would have been the Image he would have wanted to perpetuate, I think that the CBS Special was a knee-jerk response to the book "Elvis What Happened" and clearly gave credence to that sensationalist claptrap.

Before there is a barrage of "Elvis was Ill", "Unchained Melody was awesome" & "How Great Thou Art was powerful" is levied at me! I know, I am a fan. The fact is if you were to introduce a fan to Elvis..... this would not be your first port of call and believe that even Elvis would pick something like the 68 Special before CBS.

Agreed and well said! :notworthy
After seeing Elvis in person and upclose when he was at his awesome best (70& 71)............it is most difficult seeing the difference in 76 & 77.:'(
Perhaps if I hadn't seen the star shining so gloriously at it's brightest...I wouldn't find the dimming as difficult to watch? :hmm: Aside from my own thoughts. I can't imagine that the perfectionist in ELVIS would have been pleased to see the film no matter how many loving, faithful fans, told him it was great.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Agreed and well said! :notworthy
After seeing Elvis in person and upclose when he was at his awesome best (70& 71)............it is most difficult seeing the difference in 76 & 77.:'(
Perhaps if I hadn't seen the star shining so gloriously at it's brightest...I wouldn't find the dimming as difficult to watch? :hmm: Aside from my own thoughts. I can't imagine that the perfectionist in ELVIS would have been pleased to see the film no matter how many loving, faithful fans, told him it was great.

Absolutely right, the Elvis of 1969-71 was on top of his game, there are certainly good periods after that but this is without doubt the time period I would have loved to see Elvis live.

I would love to hear some stories and see pictures if you have any!!

JJ

[jak]

Sean Shaver once stated that if you didnt see Elvis perform in 1971 or before,you never had the chance to see the real Elvis.
Jak

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Sean Shaver once stated that if you didnt see Elvis perform in 1971 or before,you never had the chance to see the real Elvis.
Jak

I agree, because even if Elvis had survived 1977 I very much doubt he would have recaptured the raw power of 1969-71 :hmm:

[EP75]

Something happened to EP mentally post 1972. He was a different person altogether. He stopped mingling and associating with other stars as he would throughout his career. After 1972, he was never the same again.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Something happened to EP mentally post 1972. He was a different person altogether. He stopped mingling and associating with other stars as he would throughout his career. After 1972, he was never the same again.

Perhaps Elvis viewed himself differently after his divorce or thought others would view him differently?

JJ

[KPM]

Perhaps Elvis viewed himself differently after his divorce or thought others would view him differently?

JJ
He may have felt the idea that "I failed" and he may have thought others would see him as less a man because Priscilla left him for another man. Superstars are no different than others when a marriage collapses. Regardless of who did what to whom you have to feel -we blew it. Especially if you truely loved that person. He had to face the fans and the magazine covers telling the world the details of a failure in his life. So he probably did view himself differently and worried how everyone else saw him.

[SweetCaroline]

Sean Shaver once stated that if you didnt see Elvis perform in 1971 or before,you never had the chance to see the real Elvis.
Jak

Sean is as good with description with the written word as he was with the camera. IMO his statement is on the mark (and Sean saw A LOT of ELVIS performances!!!) IMO... ELVIS... though always AWESOME to see in person... was at his highest peek in that particular time period.

~Carole~

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

He may have felt the idea that "I failed" and he may have thought others would see him as less a man because Priscilla left him for another man. Superstars are no different than others when a marriage collapses. Regardless of who did what to whom you have to feel -we blew it. Especially if you truely loved that person. He had to face the fans and the magazine covers telling the world the details of a failure in his life. So he probably did view himself differently and worried how everyone else saw him.

Superstars ego's are probably worse that the average joe!

[KPM]

Superstars ego's are probably worse that the average joe!
Especially at the level of stardom Elvis occupied. His career was going as well or better than the 50s, he was getting more and more respect by critics and younger people who had trashed his movie career years and then comes the divorce. Crash.

[Joe Car]

The one common denominator in EP's life was his family. For any man that's been through a divorce and loses custody of their children, it's almost unbearable. He was never able to get over the loss of his nucleus that was Priscilla and Lisa Marie.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Especially at the level of stardom Elvis occupied. His career was going as well or better than the 50s, he was getting more and more respect by critics and younger people who had trashed his movie career years and then comes the divorce. Crash.

Good Point


The one common denominator in EP's life was his family. For any man that's been through a divorce and loses custody of their children, it's almost unbearable. He was never able to get over the loss of his nucleus that was Priscilla and Lisa Marie.

You might not want to be with someone, but once you lose it, you want it back.......

[SweetCaroline]

You might not want to be with someone, but once you lose it, you want it back.......

Exactly, after 72....and the heartbreak...... came the reflective, sad, emotional downward spiral.
It happened before our eyes. :'(

[poor boy]

I dont think it was only for personal reasons alone he changed after 72 . I think he came to realize he had just traded Hollywood for Vegas , another contractual prison and that his comeback had been for nothing . Even the col rediculous publishing deals meant he wasnt getting the best material . I think Elvis lost interest and became bored of his career .

[Diane]

Sean Shaver once stated that if you didnt see Elvis perform in 1971 or before,you never had the chance to see the real Elvis.
Jak

I would have to agree according to videos I've seen but we did see him in '72 and '73 and he was still pretty strong then.

[ThreeCornPatches]

I'm sorry but despite some outstanding songs the whole CBS Special is very hard for me to watch, yes I would like to see a Deluxe DVD Edition but can see why EPE are reluctant to, given Elvis' appearance.

Put quite simply this is not Elvis' finest hour. Elvis has suffered from an Image problem that primarily came from 1976/77 releasing an official DVD even today will only contribute to this Image failure.

If Elvis had survived Aug 77 I don't think this would have been the Image he would have wanted to perpetuate, I think that the CBS Special was a knee-jerk response to the book "Elvis What Happened" and clearly gave credence to that sensationalist claptrap.

Before there is a barrage of "Elvis was Ill", "Unchained Melody was awesome" & "How Great Thou Art was powerful" is levied at me! I know, I am a fan. The fact is if you were to introduce a fan to Elvis..... this would not be your first port of call and believe that even Elvis would pick something like the 68 Special before CBS.

The first time i was introduced to elvis was the CBS special, I Became a 1977 Fan from that moment, For the Weaker and The Most Powerful performances. Only after 1977 i check out the other stuff yet every month i pop in a bootleg version of the CBS concerts and play the hell out of them

[max]

After all these years, should we still believe Mr. Esposito? He was never able to tell us what had happened on August 16 ..

[KPM]

In fairness to Esposito he has several times explained his original version of untruths and basically in a nutshell he has said that he was still operating in the protecting Elvis and his image mode. Since not many fans knew in 77 Elvis shared beds with his dates or girlfriends, the prescription meds problems, the place of death etc........the Memphis Mafia had worked for years to keep information that might be food for the tabloids or media off the radar screen.......Joe was still in that mode on 8-16-77 and for many years after.
Read all the early books after Elvis died, then read later books by the same people-totally differing perspectives on what should or should not be said.

[buttonhead]

Should we still believe to what Joe E said ? yes, but as Ken said ..Joe E still in the mode of protecting Elvis image, Elvis was all around good in his books, thats why after the Bodyguard book released, Joe E refused to ever speak to Red neither Sonny West . So far as what really happened on that day on August 16th 1977, I would think it will be hard for any one to really tell what was going on , .. for those who knew Elvis for years and years, spent their nights and days with him on the roads, on vacations and shared many memories with him , i think better not revealing too much about his death, .. its personal, something they keep like Elvis was their family member.