what was the Hilton's arrangement with Elvis after 1975?

[ruggishboo]

From 1969 to 1974, Elvis performed at the Hilton for two seasons, one in January and one in August (only in August in 69). Beginning in January 74, his usual month long engagement was cut back to two weeks, per doctors orders, or so I've read. In January 75, Elvis was unable to perform, so the engagement was pushed back to the spring. In August, he had to cancel most of his engagement. He made up for this in Dec. But then nothing at the Hilton for a year, and nothing in 77. I was just wondering what if any deal Elvis had with the Hilton from 75 on? I've read he was supposed to open the Hilton Pavillion in late 77, of course this never came to pass. I'm assuming a lot of it had to do with Elvis's erratic health..but don't know for sure. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[utmom2008]

From 1969 to 1974, Elvis performed at the Hilton for two seasons, one in January and one in August (only in August in 69). Beginning in January 74, his usual month long engagement was cut back to two weeks, per doctors orders, or so I've read. In January 75, Elvis was unable to perform, so the engagement was pushed back to the spring. In August, he had to cancel most of his engagement. He made up for this in Dec. But then nothing at the Hilton for a year, and nothing in 77. I was just wondering what if any deal Elvis had with the Hilton from 75 on? I've read he was supposed to open the Hilton Pavillion in late 77, of course this never came to pass. I'm assuming a lot of it had to do with Elvis's erratic health..but don't know for sure. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Great question(y) I would like to know the same thing, maybe Getlo will know. Was the Pavillion a new showroom? I can't imagine Elvis in any room but the original showroom with those big cherubs on the wall.:D:D

[Stryx]

Great question(y) I would like to know the same thing, maybe Getlo will know. Was the Pavillion a new showroom? I can't imagine Elvis in any room but the original showroom with those big cherubs on the wall.:D:D

I've heard that Hilton Pavillion thing as well. Elvis was finished in Vegas in Dec 76' and everyone knows the Hotel didn't really want him.

Colonel made a deal - they gave Elvis the room, Elvis/Colonel took the door.

I think after Elvis died and when they got Ali to open it, that they came up with this story.

[elvis himselvis]

I was wondering about this too,and maybe someone will give us the anwser,but was there an engagement planned in Vegas for 1977???

[utmom2008]

I've heard that Hilton Pavillion thing as well. Elvis was finished in Vegas in Dec 76' and everyone knows the Hotel didn't really want him.

Colonel made a deal - they gave Elvis the room, Elvis/Colonel took the door.

I think after Elvis died and when they got Ali to open it, that they came up with this story.

Was the Hilton done with him because he had become so erratic and unreliable? What a shame....at one point he was the Chosen One with that place.:'(

[Stryx]

Not as far as I am aware.

Dec 76' was it for Elvis and the Las Vegas Hilton.

He died in Aug 77' - he hadn't played Vegas for over 8 months and Vegas wasn't part of the tour he never made.

Elvis was finished with Vegas and I believe the Pavillion story is just that, a story,

[utmom2008]

Not as far as I am aware.

Dec 76' was it for Elvis and the Las Vegas Hilton.

He died in Aug 77' - he hadn't played Vegas for over 8 months and Vegas wasn't part of the tour he never made.

Elvis was finished with Vegas and I believe the Pavillion story is just that, a story,
You had mentioned that the Hotel didn't really want him...I thought maybe you knew a story. I will always associate Elvis and August and the Hilton. It kept me on the straight and narrow every year...:lol: as long as I made good grades and didn't mess up I knew Mom and Dad would take me back to Vegas in August. Those were the days!! :D:D:D

[Stryx]

Well the Hotel didn't really want him in Dec 76'.

As I said they gave Elvis the room and Elvis took the door.

Colonel charged somewhere in the region of $29 and it sold out.

Elvis wasn't performing great. People were asking for their money back and Vernon ended up in hospital with chest pains.

It was also in Dec if memory serves me that Elvis had that incident with Don Rickles when he went to see his show and Rickles asked him up on stage and Elvis started to read and read and read from a book on stage. The books name I think was 'The Voice of Silence' although I could be wrong.

Utom - how many times in August did you see Elvis at the Hilton?

[utmom2008]

Utom - how many times in August did you see Elvis at the Hilton?

I saw him in August of 1971, 1972 and 1973. In 72 and 73 we were there for opening night.:clap::notworthy:clap::notworthy:king:

[utmom2008]

Well the Hotel didn't really want him in Dec 76'.




Elvis wasn't performing great. People were asking for their money back and Vernon ended up in hospital with chest pains.

I remember reading about how people were walking out of the showroom, complaining and wanting their money back. It's really sad to think it got to that point.:'(:'(

[Joe Car]

It wasn't that the Hilton didn't want Vegas, it was Elvis had grown tired of playing that town. As far as the Pavillion goes, Elvis was scheduled to open that new facility, but unfortunately, he died, thus they had the Leon Spinks-Muhammad Ali fight their instead. To quote management, "when Elvis died, they had to get Ali, nobody else was big enough." Truth was, all other casinos were dead during Christmas time, it was that slow. When EP played Vegas during the holiday season, he not only sold out every show, he brought much more business to that city. I wish I could remember where I read the pavillion story, hopefully I'll find it somewhere.

[elvis himselvis]

Well,I like his concerts he performed in Las vegas '76.
I think if you compare it to the rest of 1976,those december concerts are highlights,and besides I enjoyed listening to it.He performed long shows,and did some rare songs.

[Stryx]

It wasn't that the Hilton didn't want Vegas, it was Elvis had grown tired of playing that town. As far as the Pavillion goes, Elvis was scheduled to open that new facility, but unfortunately, he died, thus they had the Leon Spinks-Muhammad Ali fight their instead. To quote management, "when Elvis died, they had to get Ali, nobody else was big enough." Truth was, all other casinos were dead during Christmas time, it was that slow. When EP played Vegas during the holiday season, he not only sold out every show, he brought much more business to that city. I wish I could remember where I read the pavillion story, hopefully I'll find it somewhere.

I have heard the story about the Pavillion, but where did you see that Elvis was actually booked to play?

As far as I am aware Elvis was not booked to play Vegas again when he died and his contract with the Hotel was up.

The Hilton did not want Elvis in Dec 76 if they wanted him, they would ahve paid him for the show, instead of giving the room and letting Elvis take the door.

I have never seen or heard that Elvis was actually booked to open the Pavillion except from the Hilton hotel itself.

I could be wrong, but I think it's just a nice story created by the Hotel in the wake of Elvis's death.

[utmom2008]

Wasn't December of 76 the only time he was there for what you call the "holidays"? I agree Stryx, it seems odd that they would give him the room and let him charge admission. That was certainly different from any other engagement that he had done with the Hilton....:hmm::hmm:

[Stryx]

Yes it was strange.

Any good stories from the Elvis concerts you saw at the Hilton? Did you manage to meet Elvis at any stage?

Have you heard the story of when Elvis and Jerry got drunk at the wet bar - the one still beside the entrance to the showroom at the Las Vegas Hilton?

How much were you paying for the seats and where did you sit? Fill us in!

Envy is not the word I could even use to describe my feelings towards you seeing Elvis in concert that often!!

[epmoodyblue]

Well,I like his concerts he performed in Las vegas '76.
I think if you compare it to the rest of 1976,those december concerts are highlights,and besides I enjoyed listening to it.He performed long shows,and did some rare songs.agree with you..people exagerate lots.. and make it sound like the whole showroom go up and left asking for refunds:lmfao:..all false..the dec vegas 76 shows were very good quality shows..elvis gave long shows sang many rare songs shows were great and he looked a lot better than his vegas 75 shows..thumbs up for elvis vegas concerts in 76.(y)(y)(y):king::notworthy:D

[utmom2008]

agree with you..people exagerate lots.. and make it sound like the whole showroom go up and left asking for refunds:lmfao:..all false..the dec vegas 76 shows were very good quality shows..elvis gave long shows sang many rare songs shows were great and he looked a lot better than his vegas 75 shows..thumbs up for elvis vegas concerts in 76.(y)(y)(y):king::notworthy:D
I for one never said the whole show room got up and left...now I think you are exagerating.;);) It is however a fact that SOME people did get up and leave his show. If you could have been in Vegas in the early 70's you would realize that the fact that even ONE person would get up and leave is horrible. People sat transfixed for the entire length of the show, hardly breathing he was soooo charismatic. No one moved...let alone left. ;);)

[Stryx]

agree with you..people exagerate lots.. and make it sound like the whole showroom go up and left asking for refunds:lmfao:..all false..the dec vegas 76 shows were very good quality shows..elvis gave long shows sang many rare songs shows were great and he looked a lot better than his vegas 75 shows..thumbs up for elvis vegas concerts in 76.(y)(y)(y):king::notworthy:D


If you think Dec 76' Elvis was quality for money, then I could easily charge you a small fortune for Elvis in 1969 and 1970!

[jak]

Elvis was going back to Vegas in 77.He was scheduled to open the Pavillon.Guralick talks about it in Careless Love.There is a passage in the outstanding book The Concert Years.After he performs the last song on stage he turns and says off mike"I hate vegas".Elvis grew to hate the city but it was financially a necessity.
Jak

[epmoodyblue]

If you think Dec 76' Elvis was quality for money, then I could easily charge you a small fortune for Elvis in 1969 and 1970!oh really ..like i said before..thumbs up for elvis vegas concerts in 76 simply fabulous shows(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y):D:notworthy :notworthy:notworthy

[jak]

agree with you..people exagerate lots.. and make it sound like the whole showroom go up and left asking for refunds:lmfao:..all false..the dec vegas 76 shows were very good quality shows..elvis gave long shows sang many rare songs shows were great and he looked a lot better than his vegas 75 shows..thumbs up for elvis vegas concerts in 76.(y)(y)(y):king::notworthy:D

Depends which shows during the engagement youre talking about.Some of them were very good shows and some were not.The night after the ankle incident words like abysmal are used to describe the shows by the people who were there.Overall the shows were good with only a few described as poor.
Jak

[Stryx]

That's interesting Jak.

Was it actually booked or were the negotiations ongoing? I presume it was going to be a one off show? Any mention of the fee for it? Im guessing Colonel probabaly would have wanted $150,000 upwards?

[Stryx]

oh really ..like i said before..thumbs up for elvis vegas concerts in 76 simply fabulous shows(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y):D:notworthy :notworthy:notworthy


lol

You can't say that was his best! A shadow of what he was. 69/70' .... that would blow your mind if you think 76' was good!:clap:

[epmoodyblue]

Depends which shows during the engagement youre talking about.Some of them were very good shows and some were not.The night after the ankle incident words like abysmal are used to describe the shows by the people who were there.Overall the shows were good with only a few described as poor.
Jak
right i agree with you ..opening night dec 2 -76 was great a few other in between..were good.. ..closing night dec 12 th was super also..elvis did okay i dont know about that show when elvis came out limping onstage..heard about it..i would like to get a recording of that show anybody have it? i want to hear what elvis sounded like that night elvis closed his last vegas shows in 76 in style last show closing night was probably the best one
(y):notworthy:cold:

[jak]

That's interesting Jak.

Was it actually booked or were the negotiations ongoing? I presume it was going to be a one off show? Any mention of the fee for it? Im guessing Colonel probabaly would have wanted $150,000 upwards?

I would have to look it up for the specifics.I just cant recall the details.He mentions the fact that the stories about Elvis being finished at the Hitlon were false.That story emerged around the same time it was reported that the Col was selling Elvis' contract to pay off his gambling debts.Those stories appeard in some papers and the Col denied it.Sorry I cant give better details from memory.I am positive Guralnick stated he was scheduled to appear though.
Jak

[Stryx]

Yeah I have just been hearing off a few that the December show story at the Pavillion was true.

Wondering if it was in negotiation or signed and sealed.:hmm:

[Stryx]

I would have to look it up for the specifics.I just cant recall the details.He mentions the fact that the stories about Elvis being finished at the Hitlon were false.That story emerged around the same time it was reported that the Col was selling Elvis' contract to pay off his gambling debts.Those stories appeard in some papers and the Col denied it.Sorry I cant give better details from memory.I am positive Guralnick stated he was scheduled to appear though.
Jak

Thanks for that info though.

[epmoodyblue]

heres another vegas 76 concert i really like was december 10 76 dinner show he was in a great great mood and in excellent voice sounded great..so it depends in mood elvis was certain nights thats the way the concert would end up :king::cold::notworthy

[utmom2008]

Elvis was going back to Vegas in 77.He was scheduled to open the Pavillon.Guralick talks about it in Careless Love.There is a passage in the outstanding book The Concert Years.After he performs the last song on stage he turns and says off mike"I hate vegas".Elvis grew to hate the city but it was financially a necessity.
Jak
Thanks Jak(y) I am only half way through Careless Love. Why do you think Elvis grew to hate the town so much??:hmm:

[jak]

right i agree with you ..opening night dec 2 -76 was great a few other in between..were good.. ..closing night dec 12 th was super also..elvis did okay i dont know about that show when elvis came out limping onstage..heard about it..i would like to get a recording of that show anybody have it? i want to hear what elvis sounded like that night elvis closed his last vegas shows in 76 in style last show closing night was probably the best one
(y):notworthy:cold:

if Im not mistaken the next to last show is considered to be the best.Priscilla and her parents were in attendance.Elvis tells the audience how much he loves her and then dedicated a song to the parents.The atmosphere that night was said to be amazing.He seemed to be in an especially
good mood.People who saw all the shows claim the closing show was anti climatic after that one.In spite of a very good closing show.I have all the shows from the last season on audio tape.Im having them converted to cd right now.
Jak

[epmoodyblue]

if Im not mistaken the next to last show is considered to be the best.Priscilla and her parents were in attendance.Elvis tells the audience how much he loves her and then dedicated a song to the parents.The atmosphere that night was said to be amazing.He seemed to be in an especially
good mood.People who saw all the shows claim the closing show was anti climatic after that one.In spite of a very good closing show.I have all the shows from the last season on audio tape.Im having them converted to cd right now.
Jakoh cool so next to last veags concert was great also .i dont have it thanks for the info..please let me know when you will have your concerts converted to cds i will buy some from you(y):notworthy

[jak]

I just pulled The Concert Years off the shelf to check my facts.Priscilla and her parents were at the early show on the 11th.The evening show on the 11th was considered the highlight of the engagement.Now Im gonna have to listen to that again.
Jak

[epmoodyblue]

cool so he gave 2 concerts on the 11 th..as long as your concert cd's are anywhere from very good to excellent sound quality im interested...or your just transferring them to cd for your personal collection? will you sell any? or trade ?

[jak]

Thanks Jak(y) I am only half way through Careless Love. Why do you think Elvis grew to hate the town so much??:hmm:

I think it was just the routine.Too many concerts in short periods of time.The thrill of hitting the stage really didnt seem to last that long with Elvis.Vegas just made it worse i think.Careless love has several passages about Elvis in Vegas.Including his increasing temper.Some of the stuff Elvis did on stage surprised even me.He tells of two incidents very briefly that I think shows how Elvis was feeling about vegas.One is where he calls a fan a son of a b***h when she touches his necklace.On another occasion he actually kicked at a female fan from the stage.That's out of character for Elvis.He was sick of everything.Vegas got the absolute best and worst of our guy.
Jak

[Stryx]

I think it was just the routine.Too many concerts in short periods of time.The thrill of hitting the stage really didnt seem to last that long with Elvis.Vegas just made it worse i think.Careless love has several passages about Elvis in Vegas.Including his increasing temper.Some of the stuff Elvis did on stage surprised even me.He tells of two incidents very briefly that I think shows how Elvis was feeling about vegas.One is where he calls a fan a son of a b***h when she touches his necklace.On another occasion he actually kicked at a female fan from the stage.That's out of character for Elvis.He was sick of everything.Vegas got the absolute best and worst of our guy.
Jak

You know if a figure was quoted for Elvis to open the pavillion?

[jak]

cool so he gave 2 concerts on the 11 th..as long as your concert cd's are anywhere from very good to excellent sound quality im interested...or your just transferring them to cd for your personal collection? will you sell any? or trade ?

I was just doing it for my own use.I much prefer cd's to tapes anyday.I dont think the board allows trading or selling on the forum.
Jak

[epmoodyblue]

it seems elvis got sick of performing in vegas..while the colonel was always busy at the slot machines or whatever he played there

[Stryx]

it seems elvis got sick of performing in vegas..while the colonel was always busy at the slot machines or whatever he played there

Don't blame the Colonel for everything. And it was Roulette he played.

[jak]

You know if a figure was quoted for Elvis to open the pavillion?

I just cant remember.I got the book right behind me but finding that bit of info wouldnt be that easy.I was wondering to myself if The Final years by Hopkins tells the details also?
Jak

[epmoodyblue]

I was just doing it for my own use.I much prefer cd's to tapes anyday.I dont think the board allows trading or selling on the forum.
Jakoh thats okay..i understand..i will search for concerts on my free time elsewhere...thanks anyways(y) i love to collect concert tapes of elvis i got quite a few..well peace to all bye bye (y):notworthy

[Stryx]

I just cant remember.I got the book right behind me but finding that bit of info wouldnt be that easy.I was wondering to myself if The Final years by Hopkins tells the details also?
Jak


Could very well do.

I am currently a few thousand miles from my Elvis library....ill check it next week. Probabaly someone will have an answer though by then!

[rickb]

I have read quite often that Elvis was due to open the new pavillion in September or October 77. Sadly that never eventuated.
I think the December 75 and 76 shows went over without too much incident and before sold-out audiences so i couldn't imagine the Hilton not wanting Elvis.
On the other hand, it was clear Elvis no longer wanted the big Vegas stints
Rick

[Getlo]

and make it sound like the whole showroom go up and left asking for refunds:lmfao:..all false..the dec vegas 76 shows were very good quality shows..elvis gave long

Nobody said that in any of these threads.

Yeah, people do exaggerate a lot! ;)

[Getlo]

instead of giving the room and letting Elvis take the door.

Sorry Stryx, what do you mean by this?

[Getlo]

closing night dec 12 th was super also..


i want to hear what elvis sounded like that night elvis closed his last vegas shows in 76 in style last show closing night was probably the best one

If you've not heard the December '76 closing show ... how do you know it was "super"?

And if you say you've read reviews of it, didn't you say in another thread you don't put much stock into what reviewers have to say?

Which of the December '76 shows have you heard?

[Getlo]

I have all of the December '76 Vegas shows: some were very good, but there are a few in there that are just woeful, and very sad to listen to.

[Elvis_Priestly]

It's page 632 in Guralnick, speaking of the Nashville Banner article which claimed Parker was about to sell Elvis's contract, that Elvis was finished in Vegas and that the Colonel's debts were so bad he had made the arrangement with the Hilton to provide Elvis for free.
Guralnick dismisses these and notes the contract to open the new Pavilion 7,000 seater convention centre in August 1977 - he notes Jerry Hopkins book as a source.

Lisa-Marie and Vernon were also present at the 5th December show.

[epmoodyblue]

If you've not heard the December '76 closing show ... how do you know it was "super"?

And if you say you've read reviews of it, didn't you say in another thread you don't put much stock into what reviewers have to say?

Which of the December '76 shows have you heard?getlo ..shame on you whats with all these posts quoting what i posted?:lmfao:calm down as im not going to get into a thread showdown with you on my comments which im entitled to just my oipinions..stop hounding and quoting everything I post :lmfao:your not honest as in other threads you oficially let everyone know i was in your ignore box? and as i never ever insulted you in any post you still decided to place me in your ignore box. but obviosly im not:lmfao: your still reading my posts !..good to hear i always want to read your posts ..even though you dont like me for some reason or other..as for the december 12 vegas show closing night i have that show on tape...great show..seems according to yak who knows alot more than you do as he has all the vegas shows..tells me highlight of the vegas 76 shows was the 11 th . so the 11th was the best...i hope to get to hear this concert soon..holidays are near tis the season to be jolly dont forget to send one of my free elvis xmas cards to your elvis pals spread the joy let your pen pals know you love elvis.send them A FREE E -CARD WITH MIDI TUNE..and dont forget to send one to me too:king::cold:

[Getlo]

your not honest as in other threads you oficially let everyone know i was in your ignore box? and as i never ever insulted you in any post you still decided to place me in your ignore box. but obviosly im not:lmfao: your still reading my posts

As I said when you went into my ignore box, I may choose to bring you out of it later. Which I did.

I am always honest - sometime brutally so - in my posts. And once again ... if you can find an example where I am not, then please post a link so we can all share it. (I really ought to set that sentence up as a macro, so I don't have to type it so many times a day. The same with "If you don't like a thread, don't post on it".)


holidays are near tis the season to be jolly dont forget to send one of my free elvis xmas cards to your elvis pals spread the joy let your pen pals know you love elvis.send them A FREE E -CARD WITH MIDI TUNE..and dont forget to send one to me too:king::cold:

I loathe Christmas, so there is absolutely zero chance of my sending a card, or an e-card, to anyone, let alone your good self.

But happy holidays, or whatever it is you people like to say at this time of year ...

[jak]

That last season in Vegas is also available on a series of boots called Winter Season I think.I cant remember if it's complete.That's from memory and I think Im right.The last show has been released on a well known boot titled "Black Diamond".I have them all but it's been some time since I have listened to mos tof those shows.The excpetion being the last show.I have played that concert many times.That last show is a very good concert in my opinion.Particulary for 76.Way above average.Dont forget Elvis had that brief upswing during his shows in Dec.That last season in Vegas at times somewhat reflects this also.As I said though some of the shows were of poor quality.After reading more info from the Concert Years it states the night of the ankle incident he got off to a rough start.The show improved once Elvis loosened up.The next show was the really bad one.All in all though Elvis ended his last season on a relatively good note.
Jak

[Stryx]

Sorry Stryx, what do you mean by this?

The arrangement for Dec 76' was that Elvis was given the room instead of a wage by the Hilton and Elvis took the door instead of the Hotel taking it.

Colonel jacked up the prices to $29 to get in to see Elvis.

[epmoodyblue]

As I said when you went into my ignore box, I may choose to bring you out of it later. Which I did.

I am always honest - sometime brutally so - in my posts. And once again ... if you can find an example where I am not, then please post a link so we can all share it. (I really ought to set that sentence up as a macro, so I don't have to type it so many times a day. The same with "If you don't like a thread, don't post on it".)



I loathe Christmas, so there is absolutely zero chance of my sending a card, or an e-card, to anyone, let alone yourself.

But happy holidays, or whatever it is you people like to say at this time of year ... happy holidays to you -we know today with all those annoying tv commercials trying to make $$$$$$$$$ cash in before the holidays..the true meaning of what christmas really means is lost...anyways people send one of my cards elvis image is on it..send one its free plus it took ages to make them:lmfao:.so far over 300 hits have been placed on my cards lots of peeps spreading the joy-keep sending those cards peeps its free ..peace

[Getlo]

The arrangement for Dec 76' was that Elvis was given the room instead of a wage by the Hilton and Elvis took the door instead of the Hotel taking it.

Oh, that deal. Right.

The way it was worded, it sounded like a slang expression I'd never heard of!

Thanks.

[Stryx]

Oh, that deal. Right.

The way it was worded, it sounded like a slang expression I'd never heard of!

Thanks.

No problem.

Was burning the midnight oil last night!!