why did elvis agree to have a tv special concert taped in 77?

[epmoodyblue]

:doh: i dont know the exact facts whos idea was it to have a tv concert special filmed in june of 77?.....obviosly must of been some dopehead..:doh:i mean everyone knew elvis was in the worst shape of his life..i mean even elvis knew this..vocally he was fine..with his voice he could make the building shake....why did elvis say yes . ..sure elvis came to accept his appearance the few extra pounds and all. in the later years..i think that elvis did not get to see the cbs special ..because he passed away... it was shown on tv on october 3 77....why didint these fools make a special lets say in june 75 where elvis was much better i cant figure it out...but im pretty sure had he lived and seen it before it hit the tv screens ..it would of never aired on tv.elvis wouldint of allowed it to be shown...am i right or wrong? opinions please thanks(y)http://www.freewebs.com/elvisnowyoulightupthesky/PICS1/victory.gifto all:notworthy:king::)

[MojoElvis]

money was the reason and that was it.

..he had about a million in the bank from what I read and he always wanted to keep at least a million to say, he's a millionaire.

[Elvislives72]

It was Parker who approached CBS from my understanding. Elvis was pushed into doing it for the money. But if you think about it Elvis wasn't at his worst in June of 77. He was in worse shape in the spring/summer of 76 when he weight close to 300 pounds and was really bloated during that period. So imagine had Parker appraocehd CBS in the summer of76 instead of 77. Elvis' image would have been shattered to pieces by the media. True he didn't look good in 77 but he looked a lot better then than he did a year earlier

[Elvislives72]

money was the reason and that was it.

..he had about a million in the bank from what I read and he always wanted to keep at least a million to say, he's a millionaire.

Actually that's not true. Elvis had about $5 million in his savings account at the time of the tapings and his death and the CBS special hadn't been shown by then so he couldn't have recieved or deposited that check yet.

But money was the reason it was done to begin with but more by Parker.

[MojoElvis]

Actually that's not true. Elvis had about $5 million in his savings account at the time of the tapings and his death and the CBS special hadn't been shown by then so he couldn't have recieved or deposited that check yet.

But money was the reason it was done to begin with but more by Parker.

my bad, I have to look it up. but what other reason would Elvis agree to have himself filmed when he knew he didn't look his best. Unless it was RCA's doing to promote Moody Blue LP but he only sang 2 songs from that LP. Unchained Melody & If You Love Me (Let Me Know). Even though Mood Blue was released in July of 77, he didn't even know the title of his own LP that was released. He's quoted in his Rapid City show June 21st as saying, this next song is called Unchained Melody released on the album called, Unchained Melody".
Or Maybe recording, Elvis in Concert/double LP was a step towards getting out of The RCA contract. That's the only reason I could think of how you could release two LPs at once and promote it with a TV Special.

[Elvislives72]

Speaking of Elvis In Concert I was at Best Buy today and they had the original soundtrack of the special still in print. I thought it got deleted from the catalog back when they trimmed the catalog down? I guess not.

[4THEHEART]

I'm only thankful for every minute that I'm able to see him singing so I never complain that it happened..shape could matter for some sort of people I know.. but this is pointless to focus on when something much more important and beautiful is happening in our own life time..so I never intend to miss such an opportunity for nothing..bad shape or worst look..hey! he even doesn't live on this earth, let alone being in any kind of shape..yet there's nothing changed in the way we love him..don't think there's anything to hide from public eye in 77..

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Money has to be the motivating factor! The fact that Elvis was pushed into doing this show is a travesty. Elvis couldn't have been so blind to his health and appearance? Perhaps Elvis was aware subconciously and thats why he did the CBS Special!

Elvis should have been advised that this would be one of the biggest setbacks in his career. Sure there was the EWH book on the horizon, perhaps Elvis thought that this would be the way to show the world at large that he was still knocking em dead! Unfortunately the concerts only go to show that either Elvis was delusional to his appearance or others truly had no control to stop a man who had sadly lost control of his life.

As much as I love Elvis, this is the lowest point in his career to be filmed, the Elvis In Concert footage is frequently used by the media to point to the parody that Elvis had become.

Elvis should have been filmed in Hollywood California in Feb 1977, if Elvis had seen footage of this show maybe, just maybe it would have been the wakeup call he needed to make changes in his life that could have made a difference.

It breaks my heart to see a once mighty man humbled in such a cruel way.

[epmoodyblue]

I'm only thankful for every minute that I'm able to see him singing so I never complain that it happened..shape could matter for some sort of people I know.. but this is pointless to focus on when something much more important and beautiful is happening in our own life time..so I never intend to miss such an opportunity for nothing..bad shape or worst look..hey! he even doesn't live on this earth, let alone being in any kind of shape..yet there's nothing changed in the way we love him..don't think there's anything to hide from public eye in 77..very nicely said..mabye you didint understand my thread..i am in no way making fun of elvis i would never do that. as you say in your post ..yet there's nothing changed in the way we love him..i loved elvis just like you.acepted him as he was made no difference to me ..and i am also thankful for what elvis left us including the cbs special..also think theres hide from public eye how elvis was in 77...shame that epe dont have the same feelings..they will never release the cbs special...there the ones hiding that special...still u gotta admit 77 was not the proper year to do a tv special...he was a very ill man ..elvis should of been in a hospital not in front of tv cameras...had that been the case mabye he would be alive today:'(http://www.freewebs.com/elvisnowyoulightupthesky/PICS1/victory.gif

[Albert]

I think it was the money, and being lazy not to have to come up with something, different or challenging. THis bad habit made him do too many of the same movies, record too many songs that he didn't really like and do to many Vegas shows.

A real shame, because we all know to what amazing heights Elvis can come when he put his heart and soul in projects, movies, songs and shows.

[ehollier]

the Elvis In Concert footage is frequently used by the media to point to the parody that Elvis had become...It breaks my heart to see a once mighty man humbled in such a cruel way.

These two phrases speak volumes. When the debate arises about Elvis-post Aloha, this is really the way many see him. It is also why I don't understand why we need Elvis in Concert marketed.

Yes, we have purists here on the MB (Brad, that's you!), and they will argue that even under such trying circumstances, Elvis could still belt out a song -- and this is very true, because when he was 'on,' no one could compete with his incredible voice. However, Elvis also prided himself on his stage performance that was part of the overall singing experience. In these later years, those performances were a shadow of his earlier performances and what he provided to his fans. (Ironically, as I post this, I am listening to a concert from the winter engagement of 1970. Elvis says "Man, I wish I could just stand up here and sing like other singers, but people would say 'Man, why can't he move anymore.'")

That was exactly what happened to him in the end. Its a sad chapter to his brilliant storied career.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Yes there are purists who will say that Elvis could still could knock em dead even in the CBS Special, I would agree to a certain extent but realistically when I listen, I can hear Elvis struggle, he sounds out of breath in some instances. He voice has a different style, yes he can be powerful but the control and finesse of years previous just isn't there.

I will probably be shot down in flames, however it has to be said.. Elvis is not very good in these shows. I understand that there are a lot of people who like/prefer Elvis in this period, there's nothing wrong in that, but to me this is a low point which I struggle to listen to.

I have to be brutally honest, when I watch this show, I see a man who is terminally ill and dying :'(

[ehollier]

[quote=Jumpsuit Junkie;254615].... realistically when I listen, I can hear Elvis struggle, he sounds out of breath in some instances. He voice has a different style, yes he can be powerful but the control and finesse of years previous just isn't there...[quote]

Very true, very very true. Again, I can understand why it hasn't been marketed and sold to the public. I can also understand Graceland's decision to have him at Aloha and holding.......I'm much more inclined to come back and listen again and again if he's not struggling on stage with his voice and performance and not become a parody of himself.

[Unchained Melody]

Obviously money was a major contributing factor. Elvis hadn't been in a recording studio in over a year, him and Parker both needed money. It's really bizzare how Elvis went from January 1973 until June 1977 without appearing on television of any sort. Parker sure chose one helluva time to close that deal for the Special.

Of course Elvis was not the same man from 73, or even 1975 for that matter, but it is what it is and thats the way I look at it. Atleast we have this piece of footage that documents the state Elvis was in his life at this time both physically and emotionally.

[Unchained Melody]

money was the reason and that was it.

..he had about a million in the bank from what I read and he always wanted to keep at least a million to say, he's a millionaire.

I heard he had just over a thousand dollars in the bank and one million in checking at the time of his death. Is this true?

[Unchained Melody]

These two phrases speak volumes. When the debate arises about Elvis-post Aloha, this is really the way many see him. It is also why I don't understand why we need Elvis in Concert marketed.

Yes, we have purists here on the MB (Brad, that's you!), and they will argue that even under such trying circumstances, Elvis could still belt out a song -- and this is very true, because when he was 'on,' no one could compete with his incredible voice. However, Elvis also prided himself on his stage performance that was part of the overall singing experience. In these later years, those performances were a shadow of his earlier performances and what he provided to his fans. (Ironically, as I post this, I am listening to a concert from the winter engagement of 1970. Elvis says "Man, I wish I could just stand up here and sing like other singers, but people would say 'Man, why can't he move anymore.'")

That was exactly what happened to him in the end. Its a sad chapter to his brilliant storied career.

Glad you call me a "purist" Liz (y)

Anyways, I think Elvis set the standard to high in his shows when he first came back. I mean First thing I ever watched of Elvis was TTWII, and then second was Aloha, and all i kept thinking when watching Aloha was why isn't he moving more and bouncing around like I had seen in ttwii.
What I find interesting is, last night while reading some in the Concert Years Book 1969-1977 the August 1970 Vegas stand, was they noted Elvis didn't move around as much as he had during he had his first two engagements. I was thinking what the heck were these people watching when I read that. The thing is, with 1977, or any other year for that matter, when Elvis wanted to perform he could sing the heck out of anything 1971 or 1977 it don't matter.

[Unchained Melody]

These two phrases speak volumes. When the debate arises about Elvis-post Aloha, this is really the way many see him. It is also why I don't understand why we need Elvis in Concert marketed..

The thing is, EPE covers the post aloha years so badly if it wasn't for the FTD collectors label we wouldnt know nothing from that period except for what the bootleggers supply us with , thank god for them !

I for one love the CBS TV Special. An Over weight Elvis and not all there but saying that we had some great perfromances from him he got up on stage and did what he had done for so many years before, although all the fast action wasnt there for him all the feeling and emotion was still foremost in all the songs and that is one that matters most to me!!

IMO compairing it to 69 (the comeback special) or 72 (aloha from Hawaii) is the wrong thing to do, Elvis did what he did without trying it was all natural to him. I feel the 69 although it was very good was also well staged the banter between the other band members was well rehearesed and as for the Aloha concert you could tell that Elvis was playing for the camera and not the fans, where as in 1977 I dont think it really mattered that the cameras where there to him he was just there to be himself and to perform the way he did.

[MojoElvis]

I think it was the money, and being lazy not to have to come up with something, different or challenging. THis bad habit made him do too many of the same movies, record too many songs that he didn't really like and do to many Vegas shows.

A real shame, because we all know to what amazing heights Elvis can come when he put his heart and soul in projects, movies, songs and shows.

I have to agree with this. The concerts became what the movies where in the 60s.

He didn't even sing all these new great songs he had recently recorded. These songs could have made up more than half the set of his show.

Way Down
Pledging My Love
Moody Blue
She Thinks I Still Care
It's Easy For You
He'll Have To Go
Love Coming Down
For The Heart
Last Farewell

[Unchained Melody]

Agreed, a simple update in his live on stage repitore would've given the show a great lift, for Elvis and everyone involved instead of the same setlist almost night after night.

[4THEHEART]

very nicely said..mabye you didint understand my thread..i am in no way making fun of elvis i would never do that. as you say in your post ..yet there's nothing changed in the way we love him..i loved elvis just like you.acepted him as he was made no difference to me ..and i am also thankful for what elvis left us including the cbs special..also think theres hide from public eye how elvis was in 77...shame that epe dont have the same feelings..they will never release the cbs special...there the ones hiding that special...still u gotta admit 77 was not the proper year to do a tv special...he was a very ill man ..elvis should of been in a hospital not in front of tv cameras...had that been the case mabye he would be alive today:'(http://www.freewebs.com/elvisnowyoulightupthesky/PICS1/victory.gif

dear epmoodyblue..sorry you got my words personal somehow but it was general and I never thought you ridiculed him..what I'm tired of is there are too many people including EPE that thinks his final years was something to hide or even shame of and I'm completely against this idea..he had his life and did what he was able to do(even more)till his last moment and there is no meaning put effort to judge or change his life which is a part of our history now..as for his being pushed to overwork,yes I'm completely agree with you, he needed a long time to get a good rest and treatment..then again,no one would've liked this idea including a part of his fans..

[epmoodyblue]

Agreed, a simple update in his live on stage repitore would've given the show a great lift, for Elvis and everyone involved instead of the same setlist almost night after night.disagree with u my friend....he should of changed his onstage songs list avery long time ago simce 72 same old songs..like we all know elvis got bored with everything...well he tried a little to change his set list ..well not really as singing 1 new song moody blue in charlotte in 77 means anythinmg.it wasint even rehearsed he had to read the song on a paper to sing it..therefore changing his song list wouldint of given the show a great lift in 77. thats not what he needed at that time...in 77 elvis needed to get his life back on track a hospital not in front of tv cameras..means getting back in good form getting rid of his bad habits accept the serious problems he had and deal with them ....then and only then he would return to the stage abrand new elvis with a new revamped show new songs new outfits. and do what he did better than anyone else....but elvis didint want to do this and complicated things and gave up...... sadly to the point of no return...self destruction...its tragic wish things could of turned out differently :'(:'(:'(

[Tony Trout]

money was the reason and that was it.

..he had about a million in the bank from what I read and he always wanted to keep at least a million to say, he's a millionaire.


It was Parker who approached CBS from my understanding. Elvis was pushed into doing it for the money. But if you think about it Elvis wasn't at his worst in June of 77. He was in worse shape in the spring/summer of 76 when he weight close to 300 pounds and was really bloated during that period. So imagine had Parker appraocehd CBS in the summer of76 instead of 77. Elvis' image would have been shattered to pieces by the media. True he didn't look good in 77 but he looked a lot better then than he did a year earlier


True, the motivating factor (at least for Parker) was $$.

You are incorrect with the assumption that Elvis weighed close to 300 pounds - that is simply not true. Elvis's weight only got to somewhere close to 255 pounds and not an ounce more than that.

The 300 pound quote stems from an error in the book, "The Death Of Elvis: What Really Happened?"




Money has to be the motivating factor! The fact that Elvis was pushed into doing this show is a travesty. Elvis couldn't have been so blind to his health and appearance? Perhaps Elvis was aware subconciously and thats why he did the CBS Special!

Elvis should have been advised that this would be one of the biggest setbacks in his career. Sure there was the EWH book on the horizon, perhaps Elvis thought that this would be the way to show the world at large that he was still knocking em dead! Unfortunately the concerts only go to show that either Elvis was delusional to his appearance or others truly had no control to stop a man who had sadly lost control of his life.

As much as I love Elvis, this is the lowest point in his career to be filmed, the Elvis In Concert footage is frequently used by the media to point to the parody that Elvis had become.

Elvis should have been filmed in Hollywood California in Feb 1977, if Elvis had seen footage of this show maybe, just maybe it would have been the wakeup call he needed to make changes in his life that could have made a difference.

It breaks my heart to see a once mighty man humbled in such a cruel way.


Agreed on all counts except for one slight error. It was in Hollywood, Florida that Elvis looked so bad - not Hollywood, California.

[utmom2008]

Agreed on all counts except for one slight error. It was in Hollywood, Florida that Elvis looked so bad - not Hollywood, California.

The pictures we have seen from that show and time are so disturbing to me. It's hard to believe that is really Elvis Presley.:sad::sad::sad:

[Diane]

I'd seen a few magazine covers in 1976 and '77 that were pretty unflattering to Elvis but I considered the source and didn't pay too much attention, but when I saw the CBS Special I was completely floored at how ill he looked and it made me so sad....still does.

Diane

[utmom2008]

I'd seen a few magazine covers in 1976 and '77 that were pretty unflattering to Elvis but I considered the source and didn't pay too much attention, but when I saw the CBS Special I was completely floored at how ill he looked and it made me so sad....still does.

Diane

Me too. I would read the occasional item about Elvis getting a "middle-age paunch" and not think much of it. I nearly fell over on 10/03/77..I could NOT believe it had come to that.:sad::'(

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Agreed on all counts except for one slight error. It was in Hollywood, Florida that Elvis looked so bad - not Hollywood, California.

Thank you for the correction :blush:


The pictures we have seen from that show and time are so disturbing to me. It's hard to believe that is really Elvis Presley.:sad::sad::sad:

Agreed :'(

[beckelvis]

I belive that tape-worm problems of money for everything what I spend and it he did for money to save the situation in which to be.

[midnight]

The funny thing is when I saw that show for the first time back in 77 I still thought he was so handsome. I guess I was only a kid then. While he still had that smile, he is a completely changed man! I find it very difficult to watch and when I do see it, I can`t believe he is just 42! He seems so much older. He can`t even move like a young man should. So many changes in such a short time! Anyone can tell something so seriously wrong! So very,very sad!:'(

[Unchained Melody]

The pictures we have seen from that show and time are so disturbing to me. It's hard to believe that is really Elvis Presley.:sad::sad::sad:

Agreed, it is very sad to see.

Surprisingly, the show was very very good !

[Unchained Melody]

disagree with u my friend....he should of changed his onstage songs list avery long time ago simce 72 same old songs..like we all know elvis got bored with everything...


Elvis' setlist did see changes from 72 up until 1976. After 1976 thats when it stayed the same almost every night. August 19th 1974 Opening Night for example featured many new songs that stayed in the lineup for most of the engagement.



well he tried a little to change his set list ..well not really as singing 1 new song moody blue in charlotte in 77 means anythinmg.it wasint even rehearsed he had to read the song on a paper to sing it..therefore changing his song list wouldint of given the show a great lift in 77. thats not what he needed at that time...in 77 elvis needed to get his life back on track a hospital not in front of tv cameras..means getting back in good form getting rid of his bad habits accept the serious problems he had and deal with them ....


Agreed, adding one new song wouldn't have gave the show that great of a lift but had Elvis went back and picked many new songs from his latest albums I'm sure it would've added some type of boost, and had he ditched the oldies like Hound Dog which he plastered in the later years and I don't blame him.





then and only then he would return to the stage abrand new elvis with a new revamped show new songs new outfits. and do what he did better than anyone else....but elvis didint want to do this and complicated things and gave up...... sadly to the point of no return...self destruction...its tragic wish things could of turned out differently


Your absolutley right, Elvis did give up, its like he just lost sight on everything, no motivation, nothing...

[1100ccRider]

Elvis' setlist did see changes from 72 up until 1976. After 1976 thats when it stayed the same almost every night. August 19th 1974 Opening Night for example featured many new songs that stayed in the lineup for most of the engagement.



Agreed, adding one new song wouldn't have gave the show that great of a lift but had Elvis went back and picked many new songs from his latest albums I'm sure it would've added some type of boost, and had he ditched the oldies like Hound Dog which he plastered in the later years and I don't blame him.


If you look at songs from the previous few sessions, along (without going back earlier to, say, 1970 as he did for the beautiful "I Really Don't Want To Know"), back to the December, 1973 Stax sessions, at least one or two of the following songs (many of them already done live) might have really livened things up a lot:

It's Midnight
If You Talk In Your Sleep
Thinking About You
My Boy
Lovin' Arms
Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues
Promised Land
There's A Honky Tonk Angel
Spanish Eyes
Green, Green Grass Of Home
T.R.O.U.B.L.E.
Shake A Hand
Bringing It Back
Pieces Of My Life
She Thinks I Still Care
Moody Blue
For The Heart
Danny Boy
Way Down
Pledging My Love
There's A Fire Down Below
He'll Have To Go

Also, of the songs he did only as live versions or rehearsed 1974-77:

Softly As I Leave You
Let Me Be There
You Can Have Her
I'm Leavin'
Steamroller Blues
Just Pretend
Down In The Alley
Faded Love
She's Not You
Suzie Q
Tomorrow Night
Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
You're The Reason I'm Living
Little Darlin'
The Great Pretender
America, The Beautiful
Lady Madonna
Delta Lady


Lots of good stuff there. "Way Down" would have been particularly cool. Of course, better yet would be for Elvis to have a meaningful and healing break and come back to the TV project with a world tour and revamped setlists. What could have been...

For that matter, in the Aloha show I'd posit that instead of throwaway versions of "Hound Dog" and "Blue Suede Shoes" Elvis would have come off better with perhaps "Heartbreak Hotel" and "One Night," among other potential choices for the show.

[MojoElvis]

He seen in the interview for ELVIS ON TOUR as saying, "we try different sounds all the time, it could be a different guitar lick or the vocals will do something different, we like to keep exciting." I think at that point they were still incorporating new songs from the recording sessions but still in my opinion not enough new material. Half of it was the same from THAT'S THE WAY IT IS, but faster and shorter versions. That was cool but really after that it changed for the purpose of a new Live LP, ALOHA 73 to have different songs from MADISON SQUARE GARDEN 72 live LP. I really love the MSG song set. To me it was much more exciting.
I read that they had tried the new songs from the GOOD TIMES LP and Promise Land LP, they thought it didn't go over well with audience so they went back to the old set either the next night or next show. So maybe the fans at the time wanted to see him sing, Nuttin But-uh Hound Dog instead.

[epmoodyblue]

yeah well getting a little off topic song list only changed lots was when elvis would do lake tahoe or vegas..but on city tours he stuck with the usual songs.. elvis simply became bored with everything...partial blame for this goes to col parker.(n) a manager who had no imagination no vision of new future projects for elvis..then he got really sick of vegas..same old becomes boringgggggggggggggggggg same old routine.,,,,,,, anyways speaking of song list ..elvis was supposed to do a couple of new songs for the august 77 tour that never was...wonder what those songs were:hmm:and he also mentioned it was going to be the best tour ever:'(:'(:'(:king::notworthyhttp://www.freewebs.com/elvisnowyoulightupthesky/PICS1/victory.gif

[MojoElvis]

Wonder if the band members were ever asked what that new song list was going to be?
to stay on the subject, I love all ELVIS footage even the CBS Special but in comparison to let's say, the New Years Eve concert Dec 31st 1976, the shows taped were not as exciting. They just had their fingers cross hoping it would be good nights they picked.
I have to say that Who ever did the editing on the final aired show, did a fantastic job.
I usually don't like fans comments but in this special it really improved it.

[epmoodyblue]

Wonder if the band members were ever asked what that new song list was going to be?
to stay on the subject, I love all ELVIS footage even the CBS Special but in comparison to let's say, the New Years Eve concert Dec 31st 1976, the shows taped were not as exciting. They just had their fingers cross hoping it would be good nights they picked.
I have to say that Who ever did the editing on the final aired show, did a fantastic job.
I usually don't like fans comments but in this special it really improved it.agree with u lets be thankful for what elvis left us including the cbs special(y) yes i also would like to know what those new songs were for aug 77 tour..if anybody finds out please post up(y)http://www.freewebs.com/elvisnowyoulightupthesky/PICS1/victory.gif

[Unchained Melody]

agree with u lets be thankful for what elvis left us including the cbs special(y) yes i also would like to know what those new songs were for aug 77 tour..if anybody finds out please post up(y)http://www.freewebs.com/elvisnowyoulightupthesky/PICS1/victory.gif

Agreed we should be thankful that we have the footage from the CBS Special as if we didn't just think the last pro footage we would have is from Aloha, except for what we have on 8mm films so there fore I am thankful for CBS Special despite Elvis' appearence and state of mind.

[jak]

Elvis agreed to the special because his finances were in dire shape.His main source of income was mainly touring revenue.Sales from other sources such as record sales were way down.Elvis was on the downside of his career at that point in his life.He was getting to the point where he couldnt maintain his lifestyle anymore.It's tragic Elvis needed to do something like that special for money.He had no business on a stage much less filming it.The fans are kidding themselves also if they think he was just fine vocally.He was not.He was far from fine on any level.Professionally or personally.

[rickb]

" have to say that Who ever did the editing on the final aired show, did a fantastic job. "

I can't agree with this - songs such as Unchained Melody and Trying to Get To You should have been included.

Elvis probably did the special because his greedy gamblingh manager told him to.
Sadly it should have been a `special' concert, not just in the middle of yet another tour and I agree he should have been given time and space to clean up for it and present a `new' show

[Stutz Blackhawk]

i think everyone is on the right path when it comes to money being behind it (not because Elvis wasnt generating it, but because he spent it faster than he earned it!)
however, as much as i think Col. Parker ran Elvis into the ground until there was nothing left, i believe he made this special happen for other reasons. i think Parker saw how bad things were getting and saw his steady flow of money possibly stopping soon. so he put Elvis in a really uncomfortable situation hoping to shake things up some. either Elvis would once again get his act together for the special and reign supreme, or it would go down pretty much the way it did and Elvis would be forced to see how bad things had gotten and get it together and jumpstart his career again.

[Unchained Melody]

i think everyone is on the right path when it comes to money being behind it (not because Elvis wasnt generating it, but because he spent it faster than he earned it!)
however, as much as i think Col. Parker ran Elvis into the ground until there was nothing left, i believe he made this special happen for other reasons. i think Parker saw how bad things were getting and saw his steady flow of money possibly stopping soon. so he put Elvis in a really uncomfortable situation hoping to shake things up some. either Elvis would once again get his act together for the special and reign supreme, or it would go down pretty much the way it did and Elvis would be forced to see how bad things had gotten and get it together and jumpstart his career again.

At the time of Elvis' death I really don't think jumpstarting his career was anywhere on his mind unfortunatley...:supriced:

[Unchained Melody]

Elvis agreed to the special because his finances were in dire shape.His main source of income was mainly touring revenue.Sales from other sources such as record sales were way down.Elvis was on the downside of his career at that point in his life.He was getting to the point where he couldnt maintain his lifestyle anymore.It's tragic Elvis needed to do something like that special for money.He had no business on a stage much less filming it.The fans are kidding themselves also if they think he was just fine vocally.He was not.He was far from fine on any level.Professionally or personally.

Agreed Jak, obviously he was having problems breathing, listen to Unchained Melody for that example. But on songs like Mountain, Hurt, Melody, If you love Me, and on and on he really could pour it on!!

[Stutz Blackhawk]

[/B]

At the time of Elvis' death I really don't think jumpstarting his career was anywhere on his mind unfortunatley...:supriced:


i guess only Elvis would know the answer to that. i think he was still capable of re-grouping if he was given a new direction that he had a passion for

[EnigmaticSun]

Agreed Jak, obviously he was having problems breathing, listen to Unchained Melody for that example.

Well, given the fact that it was near to the end of the show and taking into account the effort of simultaneously playing the piano and singing it's still a "landmark".

[Unchained Melody]

Well, given the fact that it was near to the end of the show and taking into account the effort of simultaneously playing the piano and singing it's still a "landmark".

Yes I agree it is a landmark I never said it wasn't. I simply said he had some breathing problems ;)

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Well, given the fact that it was near to the end of the show and taking into account the effort of simultaneously playing the piano and singing it's still a "landmark".

The point you raised only serves to illustrate just how out of shape Elvis had become, only 4 years prior Elvis was in fantastic shape compared to 1977.

[EnigmaticSun]

The point you raised only serves to illustrate just how out of shape Elvis had become, only 4 years prior Elvis was in fantastic shape compared to 1977.

Well I did notice his breathing, but I found this version to be very enjoyable nevertheless. :)

Having to put up such a show would even cost a healthy person a lot of energy.

I'm not quite sure whether he was in fine shape around the time of the Aloha Special. He had lost weight and appeared to be tanned, but I think he had been suffering underneath for a long time.

[WHITETIGERMAN]

It is too bad that after The Aloha Show he didn't appear on t.v. til '77.
Looking on it........it would have been a good idea (in my opinion) to maybe have done a television special on the '74 March Tour or at least those Memphis shows.When I look at EIC....I do feel sad and heartbroken knowing that this is the last thing he did.Also when looking at this I think about the end.Outside of Parker wanting money....I do wonder why Elvis agreed to do this special.
I wonder if he thought maybe there was a chance somewhere he could boost his career back up.I agree he looked better in '77 to me than in '76..........there had to be more reason than money that Elvis wanted to do this.He did prove to me that he could still give a show and that he will always be The King.

[lvs2day]

it was said that ELVIS was not interested in doing a tv special at all and reluctantly agreed to do it as long as he didn't have to do anything but perform in front of a live audience, so it must be said that it was a quick and easy way of making money that was badly needed- there was a book written about this by derrick memmer[a vague account ] i would love to see a good and comprehensive book on this deal detailing why and how this came together.

[Supertigre]

Elvis did look bad in the CBS special,but he was an artist and his music was his art.I'm sure in his mind he would have wanted people to judge his art not his looks.
In reality however, lots of people were in love with the person and not the just the art. Then there was the money he needed,for his doctor bills and his failed business deals. Colonel parker too didn't care so long as the money machine was up and running.:angry:

[Unchained Melody]

it was said that ELVIS was not interested in doing a tv special at all and reluctantly agreed to do it as long as he didn't have to do anything but perform in front of a live audience, so it must be said that it was a quick and easy way of making money that was badly needed- there was a book written about this by derrick memmer[a vague account ] i would love to see a good and comprehensive book on this deal detailing why and how this came together.

Exactly. He didn't want to have to do no interviews or nothing special, just sing and do his show and that was easy money which Elvis and Parker needed dearly at this point. Sad, but they were both broke!

[Erhan]

ELVIS Candid Shot From His Last Tour
He was in Macon june 01 1977 He looks ok (not to bad) at the begining of tour.
just 18 day later He was Omaha for CBS TV special what a changing
NfBT-w47fL8

[ELVIS2001NET]

i will be interviewing my friend Charles Stone for Elvis Express and thats a great question to ask him.
joe krein
www.elvis2001.net

[Ematt]

Sorry folks but i dont call watching a great guy struggle entertainment, i just find it too hard to watch the CBS footage.

[jonburrows]

Actually that's not true. Elvis had about $5 million in his savings account at the time of the tapings and his death and the CBS special hadn't been shown by then so he couldn't have recieved or deposited that check yet.

But money was the reason it was done to begin with but more by Parker.

I think money was the reason. PERIOD. He (as we all know) gave everything away - plus HE HAD A MORTGAGE AGAINST GRACELAND - he needed it to continue with cash flow to sustain his lifestyle. Networth wise I do not think he was well off when all was said and done. That is why Priscilla had to open up Graceland - to save it from bankruptcy.

[jonburrows]

PS... I love the CBS footage. It has some sort of "something" to it. He had charisma no matter what the circumstance.

[Getlo]

It was about one thing: MONEY.

Elvis agreed to the special with the proviso that he wouldn't have to do anything extra - just get on stage and sing.

[EnigmaticSun]

Although I do agree that he was in need of financial means, the love for performing and for his fans was visible no matter what. :)

The man was too generous, that's for sure.. It seems odd a star of such magnitude would have to call for help, but it's true. I suppose too many had to gain from his efforts.