Aloha Concert question [Archive]

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memphisflash

01-22-2009, 07:49 PM

epmoodyblue

01-22-2009, 07:55 PM

:hmm:yeah song list was different...ur right polk salad should of been done and we can name countless other songs he could of done.....elvis was more calm on stage from the usual jumping all ober the place like in 71 72 shows ...... aloha was a more mature performance..eh we cant complain vocally in aloha was outstanding....perfection(y):notworthy

utmom2008

01-22-2009, 07:57 PM

Why didn't Elvis do Polk Salad Annie for the special since he always sung that during his shows. And why didn't he do Bridge Over Troubled Water instead of something like What Now My Love or Welcome To My World? I like the show but some of the songs don't fit well and should have been left out or replaced.

By 1973 neither one of those songs was considered a "staple" in his shows anymore, but "What Now My Love" was being done more and more often.

U.S. Male

01-22-2009, 08:01 PM

Good question.

I've often wondered why certain songs from the period were not included in the show, such as the song you mentioned (Polk Salad Annie), along with How Great Thou Art, Proud Mary, Little Sister/Get Back, You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel, and One Night.

I recall during one of my occasions of seeing Charlie Hodge, he (Charlie) stated that Elvis assigned him the duty of laying out the show. Whether this is true or not, I don't know, but I did hear Charlie say this one several occasions.

Perhaps one reason any of these songs weren't included, is because he (Elvis) knew that film had already been made of him performing these songs a few years ago in TTWII and EOT, so perhaps he wanted to showcase some different material for the cameras, which is where songs like "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", "Welcome To My World", "Steamroller Blues", and the medley of "Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin"?

One thing for certain, having "Burning Love" in the #2 spot instead of I Got A Woman was a great move imo, because that song is easily flowed in to after the opener.

elvispresleytheking

01-22-2009, 08:09 PM

He only did Polk Salad Annie twice in 73. Maybe he just needed a break from it, or maybe it seemed too informal for worldwide television, yet again, the whole year 73 seems more laid back. That could be a reason.

memphisflash

01-22-2009, 08:21 PM

I never did like I Got A Woman especially how it would drag on and on with the wells and the ending. Burning Love was great for a second song for the show. I don't know why he didn't use it more often as his follow up opening number. In the thought of him doing new songs that hadn't been performed live or on video then Big Boss Man and Always On My Mind would have been fantastic songs. One a bluesy rocker and the other a pop ballad. This is how I wished the ALoha show would have gone.

See See Rider
Burning Love
Something
You Gave Me A Mountain
Steamroller Blues
Polk Salad Annie
My Way
Big Boss Man
Johnny Be Good
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Little Sister/Get Back
Fever
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Suspicious Minds
I'll Remember You
Always On My Mind
Rock Medly (Long Tall Sally, Whole Lotta Shakin', Mama Don't Dance, Shake Rattle And Roll, Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog)
American Trilogy
Can't Help Falling In Love

memphis69

01-22-2009, 08:25 PM

I WISH HE A HAD DONE "BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER ALSO!! BUT THE SHOW WAS BRILLIANT!!I LOVE "WHAT NOW MY LOVE".

Tony Trout

01-22-2009, 08:28 PM

memphisflash

01-22-2009, 08:37 PM

There is a very simple reason ( that has been covered here before I believe) as to why the set list was much different than the 'usual' set list.

It was because EOT had just finished it's run in theaters and they did not want the "Aloha From Hawaii" show to follow the same format as the usual tour show as far as the set list goes.

It's really that simple. OK fair enough. But they could have come up with some better more commericalized material for the show. It's not like he didn't have a large amount of songs to choose from in his catalog.:hmm:

elvispresleytheking

01-22-2009, 08:56 PM

I think the best Aloha show would've had him put the cape on before "An American Trilogy," and be left on until after he does the part at the end where he spreads the cape, then thrown it into the audience.
The song list would've been really good as follows (using only songs performed prior to or during the concert).

That's All Right
I Got A Woman/Amen (like the Hampton Roads concert version)
Love Me Tender
You Gave Me A Mountain
You've Lost That Loving Feeling
Polk Salad Annie
Johnny B. Goode
It's Over
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
I Can't Stop Loving You
What Now My Love?
I'm Leavin'
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Suspicious Minds
Intros.
Burning Love
It's Now Or Never
An Anerican Trilogy
Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Can't Help Falling In Love

or something similar

Tony Trout

01-22-2009, 08:56 PM

OK fair enough. But they could have come up with some better more commericalized material for the show. It's not like he didn't have a large amount of songs to choose from in his catalog.:hmm:

I think another reason that Elvis/RCA didn't do this was because they didn't want the television special & album to be similar to the Madison Square Garden album.

LtCarman

01-22-2009, 09:01 PM

Brian

01-22-2009, 09:39 PM

If you replaced "That's All Right" with "See See Rider," then it would have been perfect.

I agree

but that's All tight was already on the 68 special and MSG albums

I always thought Elvis version of C.C. Rider wasn't as good as the Animals

too vegas for me

elvispresleytheking

01-22-2009, 09:44 PM

I agree

but that's All tight was already on the 68 special and MSG albums

I always thought Elvis version of C.C. Rider wasn't as good as the Animals

too vegas for me

That's All RIght just starts with more energy, and that's why I like it.

utmom2008

01-22-2009, 10:23 PM

I always thought Elvis version of C.C. Rider wasn't as good as the Animals

too vegas for me

They were entirely different, but I have always liked The Animals version too. Of course, I liked most of what The Animals did!(y)
YouTube - Eric Burdon & Animals - See see rider 1967

Getlo

01-22-2009, 10:25 PM

By 1973 neither one of those songs was considered a "staple" in his shows anymore, but "What Now My Love" was being done more and more often.

Not quite a fair statement: "By 1973".

PSA was being done regularly from 1970 all through to the end of 1972. It was certainly a staple by the time of the show.

WNML had become a staple since the previous August.

The show was meant to highlight Elvis and his music. And, for all its brilliance, PSA isn't one that many non-fans or casual fans would have associated with him. And many of those casual fans would have been watching. Same with Bridge. Aloha wasn't for the fans, per se, but for the world's viewing public.

There were of course exceptions: Lonesome (probably in a nod to his own country roots) and I'll Remember You (for Kui Lee) and a couple of others.

ehollier

01-22-2009, 10:28 PM

I think another reason that Elvis/RCA didn't do this was because they didn't want the television special & album to be similar to the Madison Square Garden album.

Yes Tony. This does seem to the be the theory today. Aloha was to showcase songs that had not previously been released on the MSG or TTWII albums. By 1973, RCA had recorded several 'live' albums so Elvis could fulfill his contract. In fact, in the year of 1974, he didn't record in a studio at all. His recording was only live performances.

ehollier

01-22-2009, 10:31 PM

They were entirely different, but I have always liked The Animals version too. Of course, I liked most of what The Animals did!(y)
YouTube - Eric Burdon & Animals - See see rider 1967 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ1udgLq5QU&feature=related)

The Animals does a pretty good job on this tune; however (and there is a thread somewhere about this song), my favorite version of See See Rider is when he first began incorporating it into his show (not the opening song) in February, 1970. His voice is just different, the arrangement is not so overblown and he really rocks!

utmom2008

01-22-2009, 10:36 PM

Not quite a fair statement: "By 1973".

PSA was being done regularly from 1970 all through to the end of 1972. It was certainly a staple by the time of the show.

WNML had become a staple since the previous August.

I was going by the shows that I saw, after 1971 I only heard PSA once. I did hear BOTW through 1973. I checked, and WNML was done in Vegas in '72 and '73.

Raised on Rock

01-23-2009, 12:43 AM

Perhaps one reason any of these songs weren't included, is because he (Elvis) knew that film had already been made of him performing these songs a few years ago in TTWII and EOT, so perhaps he wanted to showcase some different material for the cameras...

Plus there was the album coming out from this show on April '73 and it should not be identical to the MSG live album released just last June so...

I think the change of setlist was OK as he tended to be a little repetitive, plus the change to a more serious performance instead of the all energy performance karate kicks and head banging included of '71-72 was good as we already had seen him doing that in TTWII and EOT, just as to go unplugged and just watch him jam with his guitar was an idea already covered in the '68 special, so the more matture performance was a great choice for a 38 year old superstar, just to show him evolving into something else each year.

My only regret would be that he could have relied more on his own hits, all those great songs that he never perfomed live,(Always on My Mind would have been a killer for these show), instead of all those covers/standars, not that there was anything wrong with that, but, Im just saying.

MRS PRESLEY

01-23-2009, 02:22 AM

Wasn't crazy about "Something" the beatles song, Joe Esposito said in an interview that Elvis let the MM pick the songs for the show.

Getlo

01-23-2009, 04:04 AM

Joe Esposito said in an interview that Elvis let the MM pick the songs for the show.

And to Joe I'd say: Pfffffffffffffffffffffttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lmfao:

kathy parkinson

01-23-2009, 04:57 AM

And to Joe I'd say: Pfffffffffffffffffffffttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lmfao:

:lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao: Agree with you Getlo

jeanelvisgirl

01-23-2009, 06:37 AM

Aloha was a one off type of show for Elvis...beamed by satellite all around the world.....personally I love it - I think he had to ensure that the timing was spot on - and he was aware of not wasting time in between songs ... though he did manage to throw water over Glen....lol.....an unusual choice of songs too...It's Over, Welcome To My World, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry...songs he had never done before and would never do again ... playing to a different audience, a world wide audience who would never see him live.....looking fantastic, showing off his voice, his range of material and his talent on this huge world wide stage.....very different from his comfortable and possibly boring to him...shows in Vegas and on tour...a real challenge for him which he rose to magnificently...arguably for the last time....he could have responded to such challenges later on - if only he had had the chance......

Getlo

01-23-2009, 06:58 AM

It's Over, Welcome To My World, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry...songs he had never done before and would never do again ....

He had done It's Over previously, and would do all three of these again.

memphisflash

01-23-2009, 09:00 AM

I was going by the shows that I saw, after 1971 I only heard PSA once. I did hear BOTW through 1973. I checked, and WNML was done in Vegas in '72 and '73.

Are you sure about that? Because according to tour date records from January to November of 1972 Elvis used Polk Salad Annie in virtually every show. In fact he even did it at every show in Honolulu prior to the Aloha special two months earlier. It was as common then as was Can't Help Falling In Love.

utmom2008

01-23-2009, 09:28 AM

And to Joe I'd say: Pfffffffffffffffffffffttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lmfao:

:lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao: Agree with you Getlo

And I agree with both of you! (y)That's the goofiest thing I've heard!:lol::lol:

utmom2008

01-23-2009, 09:30 AM

Are you sure about that? Because according to tour date records from January to November of 1972 Elvis used Polk Salad Annie in virtually every show. In fact he even did it at every show in Honolulu prior to the Aloha special two months earlier. It was as common then as was Can't Help Falling In Love.

I've got the CD from 08/04/72 playing now...it's not in that show, but WNML is. I'll check the song lists from the other shows...:blush:

Tony Trout

01-23-2009, 09:47 AM

Aloha was a one off type of show for Elvis...beamed by satellite all around the world.....

No, Ma'am, it was not beamed all around the world. Getlo posted a thread here about the viewership statistics a long time ago but that thread seems to have disappeared.....

Anyway...I'm off-topic and that's another discussion for another thread should anyone wish to discuss it...

*backs out of thread*

U.S. Male

01-23-2009, 09:50 AM

Here's how I would've laid out the program (had he hired me to do so :D)

That's Alright
Burning Love
Welcome To My World
*welcomes audience, drinks water*
Something
You Gave Me A Mountain
Steamroller Blues
All Shook Up (longer version)
Don't Be Cruel
What Now My Love
Blue Hawaii
Johnny B. Goode
Fever
It's Over
Hound Dog (full length w/ solo)
My Way
Suspicious Minds
*Band Introductions, Jack Lord Intro*
I'll Remember You
Blue Suede Shoes/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (medley)
I'm Leavin'
Jailhouse Rock
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
A Big Hunk O' Love
American Trilogy
Can't Help Falling In Love

memphisflash

01-23-2009, 11:13 AM

No, Ma'am, it was not beamed all around the world. Getlo posted a thread here about the viewership statistics a long time ago but that thread seems to have disappeared.....

Anyway...I'm off-topic and that's another discussion for another thread should anyone wish to discuss it...

*backs out of thread*

That's not true. Aloha From Hawaii was broadcasted worldwide to every continent in the world and was the first ever concert to do so for a solo entertainer in history. Over 1.5 billion people tuned in all over the world all at once to watch it making it the most watched television event to date at that time. With the success of the special it opened the doors to sporting events and political conventions and future concerts like Live Aid to be seen worldwide live. The only country that didn't see it live was the US because of the time slot and also the fact that they wanted a primetime slot for it. The tv special aired on NBC network in April 1973. Both the special and album were monster hits in both sales and ratings.

Tony Trout

01-23-2009, 11:59 AM

That's not true. Aloha From Hawaii was broadcasted worldwide to every continent in the world and was the first ever concert to do so for a solo entertainer in history. Over 1.5 billion people tuned in all over the world all at once to watch it making it the most watched television event to date at that time. With the success of the special it opened the doors to sporting events and political conventions and future concerts like Live Aid to be seen worldwide live. The only country that didn't see it live was the US because of the time slot and also the fact that they wanted a primetime slot for it. The tv special aired on NBC network in April 1973. Both the special and album were monster hits in both sales and ratings.

Yes, what I've stated is true. You are believing the myth that EPE has given fans all these years.

Your 'facts' are incorrect. Here (http://www.tcb-world.com/showthread.php?t=16551&highlight=Aloha+viewership+statistics) are the exact numbers that saw the Aloha From Hawaii concert - and it was nowhere near 1.5 billion people as has been reported all these years.

]The original telecast of Aloha was not watched by 1.5 billion people. Not even close to that figure.

It went out live to Hawaii and Asia, and two cities only here in Australia. And a few other countries.

It was beamed to Europe one day later, so viewers there cannot be included in the original total of viewers who saw it live.

The total amount of viewers who watched Aloha only ... and I repeat only ... comes near 1.5 billion when you add the viewers who watched in Europe one day later, and those in the US who saw it the following April.

I cannot say this any clearer.

More people watched the moon landing live in 1969 than Aloha live in 1973.

The moon landing was a one-off live event, with no significant edited versions months later, or a repeat one day later.

More people ... eventually ... watched Aloha than the moon landing - it just took a while. But that was not the case on January 14, 1973. Talk like this only serves to keep the myth going. It would be a lovely thing for Elvis to be remembered by, but it simply is not true.

I can't speak for other countries, but the Australian viewing total for Aloha has been exaggerated over the years as well. Something like 60% of TVs here were tuned into the telecast. Now, as I said, only two cities (Sydney and Melbourne) took the show live, the other cities dipped out. So it wasn't 60% of Aussie viewers tuning in at all ... only 60% of TVs in those two cities. Perhaps other countries' totals have been exaggerated over the years as well; I don't know.

The above information was given by our very own Getlo in this thread (which is now closed) who is from Australia.

Yes, Aloha was a monumental event in Elvis's career but - the facts and figures surrounding it have been blown way out of proportion.

kathy parkinson

01-23-2009, 12:03 PM

I'm from the UK and we didn't get it live.

Tony Trout

01-23-2009, 12:07 PM

I'm from the UK and we didn't get it live.

That's correct. If I'm not mistaken, I think it was nearly five years before the UK saw "Aloha From Hawaii".

KPM

01-23-2009, 12:11 PM

OK fair enough. But they could have come up with some better more commericalized material for the show. It's not like he didn't have a large amount of songs to choose from in his catalog.:hmm:
Perhaps also he just wanted a well rounded show which did not stress any one type music. He had country, middle of the road, rock, blues -old hits, new hits. It presented who Elvis was well musically IMO. Any list you can come up with, someone would find some fault because their favorite Elvis music was left out or their favorite style was not upfront.

kathy parkinson

01-23-2009, 12:14 PM

Tony, i don't know how long it was before we got it, i know it wasn't live or the day after, so you may be right.

Tony Trout

01-23-2009, 12:32 PM

Tony, i don't know how long it was before we got it, i know it wasn't live or the day after, so you may be right.

I think I read somewhere that Aloha From Hawaii and Elvis In Concert were actually shown one week apart in the UK in 1978.

Getlo

01-23-2009, 01:59 PM

Brian

01-23-2009, 02:05 PM

No, Ma'am, it was not beamed all around the world. Getlo posted a thread here about the viewership statistics a long time ago but that thread seems to have disappeared.....

Anyway...I'm off-topic and that's another discussion for another thread should anyone wish to discuss it...

*backs out of thread*

I don't think EPE really meant that 1.5 billion saw Aloha live

I think they mean if you take the countries that saw it live on Jan. 14 and then the several European countries that saw it the next day along with the U.S. viewing audience in April that would total 1 billion

That's where EPE has gotten the figure

Personally I wish the U.S. had seen it either on January 14th or 15th as well. I think the special would've had more impact if it was seen then instead of waiting until April but that's just me.

Getlo

01-23-2009, 02:20 PM

I don't think EPE really meant that 1.5 billion saw Aloha live

I think they mean if you take the countries that saw it live on Jan. 14 and then the several European countries that saw it the next day along with the U.S. viewing audience in April that would total 1 billion

That's where EPE has gotten the figure

EPE, like many other sources, got the figrure from The Colonel himself who said - when the show was announced - that he expected over a billion to watch. It was typical carny exaggeration

Now, the math simply does not add up.

If you add the 1973 population of the Japan, and the other Asian countries along with the 28 countries of Europe and - for good measure - Sydney and Melbourne (heck, I'll even throw in the whole population of Australia if it helps!), the total still doesn't add up.

Then add the US the following April ... and it's still nowhere near one billion.

javierTCB

01-23-2009, 02:21 PM

After winning two Grammy in religious music (1967-1972) for me is curious that no sing a gospel (“How Great Thou Art” or any other). Anyway, here is the list of songs that Elvis rehearsal to the Aloha concert including “POLK SALAD ANNIE”.

- I Got a Woman
- Until It`s Time For You To Go
- Love Me Tender
- You Don`t Have To Say You Love Me
- Little Sister
- One Night
- The Wonder of You
- (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
- Don`t Be Cruel
- My Babe
- Proud Mary
- Never Been To Spain
- You`ve Lost That Loving Feeling
- Polk Salad Annie
- All Shook Up
- Heartbreak Hotel
- The Impossible Dream
- For The Good Times
- Funny How Times Slips Away
- It`s Impossible
- Separate Ways
- How Great Thou Art
- Lawdy Miss Clawdy
- Am I Ready (from“Spinout”)
- Suzy Q
- Sand Castles (from “Paradise Hawaiian Style”)
- Tender Feeling (from “Kissin Cousins”).

Getlo

01-23-2009, 02:24 PM

After winning two Grammy in religious music (1967-1972) for me is curious that no sing a gospel (“How Great Thou Art” or any other).

"No messages, no this'n'that" ... a Christian religious song going out to millions of Buddhists and Hindus? I think not.

Anyway, here is the list of songs that Elvis rehearsal to the Aloha concert including “POLK SALAD ANNIE”.

- Am I Ready (from“Spinout”)
- Suzy Q
- Sand Castles (from “Paradise Hawaiian Style”)
- Tender Feeling (from “Kissin Cousins”).

Please. Never kid a kidder.

Brian

01-23-2009, 02:31 PM

EPE, like many other sources, got the figrure from The Colonel himself who said - when the show was announced - that he expected over a billion to watch. It was typical carny exaggeration

Now, the math simply does not add up.

If you add the 1973 population of the Japan, and the other Asian countries along with the 28 countries of Europe and - for good measure - Sydney and Melbourne (heck, I'll even throw in the whole population of Australia if it helps!), the total still doesn't add up.

Then add the US the folowing April ... and it's still nowhere near one billion.

I would agree with you

The world population was not as big back then

EPE exaggerates it

They say 51% of the U.S. population saw Aloha but that's not true

51% of the television viewing audience saw Aloha that's the difference

still quite an achievement though

record labels and managers exaggerate things to make their artists look better sometimes it's not just Elvis.

Ratings are just estimates anyway as I've heard several different programs being listed as the number one watched show of all time.

If EPE wants to tout the 1 billion figure that's okay with me

LtCarman

01-23-2009, 02:36 PM

I would agree with you

The world population was not as big back then

The population in 1973 was 3.937 billion.

javierTCB

01-23-2009, 03:00 PM

"No messages, no this'n'that" ... a Christian religious song going out to millions of Buddhists and Hindus? I think not.

Please. Never kid a kidder.

Agree, but I´m not guilty :blink: The source is "Elvis International Magazine" from EPE Volume 11, Nº 3; 1998, Aloha 25 th Anniversary special edition with interviews of Joe Esposito, Charlie Hodge, Jerry Schilling and Marty Pasetta.

According Jorgensen "A Life In Music" (1998, page 356) Elvis also tested The Twelfth Of Never" and "Hello Josephine".

mozzarella

01-23-2009, 06:12 PM

I started a thread a few months ago where I dared to call the Aloha show a missed opportunity for these reasons... The term might be a little bit harsh but I think he should've done more of his own and signature stuff such as Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock so on... But I think they thought that both previous concert films, TTWII and EOT also included Bridge Over Troubled Water and Polk Salad Annie so they left them out... But afterall this I still feel they didn't dare to expand the show to fill it with as many songs as people wished to hear (though Elvis said after Burning Love: "We're gonna try to do all the songs you wanna hear")

LtCarman

01-23-2009, 06:28 PM

goodelvisgirl

01-23-2009, 07:06 PM

well i think it was a great set list and his vocal was fantastic throught that i don't think i would change any of the songs that were done what now my love fantastic song and it made me cry i would have maybee like unchained melody but great to hear elvis singing different songs and changing things up a bit

rickb

01-23-2009, 07:13 PM

While Elvis' vocals were wonderful i still think the concert lacked the usual charismatic moments and impromptu fun that made an Elvis concert great. Judging by his performances he should have dropped Blue Suede Shoes and Hound Dog from the set and I thought there were too many ballads but understand he was trying to present a more mature sound

mozzarella

01-23-2009, 07:18 PM

Well, you have to remember, the Col had rented the satellite for exactly 1 hour. As soon as it hit that 1 hour mark, the satellite would stop broadcasting and cut Elvis off no matter what.

Yeah thanks I thought... But instead of You Gave Me a Mountain he could've done Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock instead of Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin', and Always on My Mind instead of It's Over for example... But don't get me wrong - I LOVE the Aloha show

Brian

01-23-2009, 07:34 PM

The population in 1973 was 3.937 billion.

What's your point

currently the world population is over 6 billion

utmom2008

01-23-2009, 07:53 PM

LtCarman

01-23-2009, 08:02 PM

What's your point

currently the world population is over 6 billion

So, the current world population is 6 million. What's your point?

My point is that if the concert had been aired live on that day and this was a perfect world, there would have been enough people to watch it. What you implied was that there was less than 1.5 billion people in the world at that time to watch it.

Brian

01-23-2009, 08:13 PM

So, the current world population is 6 million. What's your point?

My point is that if the concert had been aired live on that day and this was a perfect world, there would have been enough people to watch it. What you implied was that there was less than 1.5 billion people in the world at that time to watch it.

As you said the population was 3 billion in 1973

1. I think it's fair to say at least 1/3 of those people weren't Elvis fans

2. The Aloha special wasn't seen in every country in the world just 40 of them

memphisflash

01-23-2009, 08:57 PM

I didn't get my information from EPE or what Colonel Parker has said. The media says it and it's a credit to Elvis so I tend to believe them on this. Here's what Wikipedia says about it.

Aloha from Hawaii is a music concert that was headlined by Elvis Presley, and broadcast live via satellite around the world on January 14, 1973. It was watched by over one billion viewers worldwide.[1] The concert aired in over 40 countries across Asia and Europe (who received the telecast the next day, also in primetime). Despite the satellite innovation, the United States did not air the concert until April 4, 1973. The show was the most expensive entertainment special at the time, costing $2.5 million.

The event being the first-ever such performance to be broadcast live via satellite, Presley taped a January 12 rehearsal concert as a fail-safe in case anything went wrong with the satellite, during the actual broadcast. For both shows, Presley was dressed in a white "American Eagle" jumpsuit designed by Bill Belew.

Audience tickets for the January 14 concert and its January 12 pre-broadcast rehearsal show carried no price. Each audience member was asked to pay whatever he or she could afford. The performance and concert merchandise sales raised $75,000 for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund in Hawaii. (Kui Lee was a Hawaiian composer who had died of cancer while still in his thirties.)

Presley performed a vast array of old and recent hits like "Steamroller Blues", "See See Rider", "Early Morning Rain", "Burning Love", "Blue Suede Shoes", "A Big Hunk o' Love", "Suspicious Minds", "Can't Help Falling in Love." He showed his vocal range and strength with ballads like the Beatles' "Something", "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", "It's Over", "Welcome to my World", "I'll Remember You" and especially during "What Now My Love". The show is probably most remembered for his performance of the "An American Trilogy". After the concert had finished and the audience had left, Presley recorded five songs on stage to be aired during the American airing of the show.

The broadcast was directed by Marty Pasetta, who was then in charge of directing the Oscar ceremonies. In top vocal form, Presley was accompanied by:

James Burton (lead guitar)
Glen Hardin (piano)
Ronnie Tutt (drums)
John Wilkinson (rhythm guitar)
Jerry Scheff (bass)
J.D. Sumner & the Stamps Quartet (backup vocals)
Kathy Westmoreland (backup vocals)
Charlie Hodge (harmony)
Sweet Inspirations (backup vocals)
Joe Guercio & his Orchestra

LtCarman

01-23-2009, 09:06 PM

As you said the population was 3 billion in 1973

1. I think it's fair to say at least 1/3 of those people weren't Elvis fans

2. The Aloha special wasn't seen in every country in the world just 40 of them

That's why I said, "In a perfect world."

Getlo

01-23-2009, 10:02 PM

According Jorgensen "A Life In Music" (1998, page 356) Elvis also tested The Twelfth Of Never" and "Hello Josephine".

I could believe those more readily than Tender Feeling and Sand Castles!

Getlo

01-23-2009, 10:06 PM

Here's what Wikipedia says about it.

And you know who writes for Wikipedia?

Any goose with a keyboard!

That site is great for settling basic bar bets, but nothing more.

memphisflash

01-23-2009, 10:14 PM

And you know who writes for Wikipedia?

Any goose with a keyboard!

That site is great for settling basic bar bets, but nothing more. So where did you get your info from that states it was less than the reported 1.5billion viewers? Please don't say a book.:hmm:

Getlo

01-23-2009, 10:24 PM

So where did you get your info from that states it was less than the reported 1.5billion viewers? Please don't say a book.:hmm:

Basic mathematics. The 1.5 billion figure is simply impossible to have been reached.

As for books, yes, many do state the 1.5bn figure ... and all of them without a source. No global ratings figures have ever been released by any network or group of networks. None. Ever.

The only reference to "over a billion" is from the press conference when Colonel Parker announced it.

Later, somebody said that more people watched Aloha than man landing on the moon, which is just poppycock.

Brian

01-23-2009, 10:32 PM

The only reference to "over a billion" is from the press conference when Colonel Parker announced it.

.

I've heard the billion viewer claim from many different people over the years
Then and now
The Colonel wasn't the only one saying it

Tony Trout

01-23-2009, 10:42 PM

I've heard the billion viewer claim from many different people over the years
Then and now
The Colonel wasn't the only one saying it

What Getlo is saying (I think) is that the 1.5 billion viewers estimate originally came from Colonel Parker himself and it has just carried on down from the media and EPE after 36 years.

memphisflash

01-23-2009, 10:47 PM

Basic mathematics. The 1.5 billion figure is simply impossible to have been reached.

As for books, yes, many do state the 1.5bn figure ... and all of them without a source. No global ratings figures have ever been released by any network or group of networks. None. Ever.

The only reference to "over a billion" is from the press conference when Colonel Parker announced it.

Later, somebody said that more people watched Aloha than man landing on the moon, which is just poppycock.

The same thing is said about Elvis selling over a billion records and there's never been prove of it but the media always claims him as the biggest seller at over a billion sold worldwide. So who's to say that the 1.5 b figures aren't correct? It's been said too that the '68 Comeback was watched by more Americans than who watched the moon landing the same month.:hmm:

memphisflash

01-23-2009, 10:50 PM

What Getlo is saying (I think) is that the 1.5 billion viewers estimate originally came from Colonel Parker himself and it has just carried on down from the media and EPE after 36 years. So what? It's not like other entertainer's managers lie about their stats to make their star look better. Not to say that's what Parker did but that it wouldn't be the first time numbers were exaggerated.

Brian

01-23-2009, 11:01 PM

What Getlo is saying (I think) is that the 1.5 billion viewers estimate originally came from Colonel Parker himself and it has just carried on down from the media and EPE after 36 years.

Hello Tony

I remember t.v. executives and RCA talking about that figure as well way back in 1973

I think it was all of them actually, they did a good job hyping it imo

it doesn't really bother me about the actual viewing audience since I'm an Elvis fan and like to see him get credit for things

Like I was saying ratings are just an estimate anyway

I've heard different programs being listed as the highest rated shows in history

once I heard it was the Who shot J.R. Episode of Dallas, and then it was the Mash series finale, or the Nancy Kerrigan-Tonya Harding fiasco

Then about ten years ago I heard that Supebowl 16 was the most watched Superbowl of all time and one of the top 10 most watched programs of all time but just recently I heard Super Bowl 30 was the most watched.

I heard that the Princess Diana and Prince Charles Wedding was watched by over a billion viewers just like what the claim of Aloha

I've heard Baywatch was the most watched show in the history of the world

so which is it?

memphisflash

01-23-2009, 11:11 PM

I'm sure the Aloha record has or will eventually be broken because there's so many more people today who own tvs and computers to watch things live. The recent Obama inauguration /swearing in was watched by a reported 3 billion worldwide. Is that accurate or exaggerating? We'll never know. Just as we'll never know the exact number of how many tuned in from Russia to Africa and Egypt to Spain to watch Aloha From Hawaii that night.

Brian

01-23-2009, 11:18 PM

utmom2008

01-24-2009, 10:52 AM

I've heard Baywatch was the most watched show in the history of the world

Heaven help us if it was.;););):lmfao:

utmom2008

01-24-2009, 10:55 AM

What Getlo is saying (I think) is that the 1.5 billion viewers estimate originally came from Colonel Parker himself and it has just carried on down from the media and EPE after 36 years.

So what? It's not like other entertainer's managers lie about their stats to make their star look better. Not to say that's what Parker did but that it wouldn't be the first time numbers were exaggerated.

So what???:doh: Tony was trying to give you a little background info on the show. No reason to be so defensive....that's the way it was.;);):blush::blink:

Diane

01-24-2009, 11:05 AM

That is exactly what Tony was doing but some posters just love to muddy up the facts with other tidbits that have no relation to what the thread is about.:lol:;)

Diane

utmom2008

01-24-2009, 11:05 AM

That is exactly what Tony was doing but some posters just love to muddy up the facts with other tidbits that have no relation to what the thread is about.:lol:;)

Diane

Exactly!!;):lol::lol::lol:

Brian

01-24-2009, 01:03 PM

I agree with fans that say the show had to many covers and should have included more of Elvis own material

I would have dumped I'm so lonesome, Something, and I can't stop loving you
and then replaced blue suede shoes with my baby left me

I think the song Never Been to Spain would've been a good song to cover for the show because of the lyrics

I would replace the song something with Always on my mind

KPM

01-24-2009, 03:12 PM

I've actually never ran into anyone who was that upset with the set list as it was.
I know for me who was an Elvis fan for about 12 years to that point-all the songs like "Something" "I'm So lonesome I Could Cry" "What Now My Love"
(which I truely consider on of the greatest vocal performances he ever gave)
were all new to me-I know they had to be new to the world. If you were lucky enough to see Elvis often you may have heard them-but we who did not they were welcome additions and great performances.

Getlo

01-24-2009, 05:34 PM

The same thing is said about Elvis selling over a billion records and there's never been prove of it but the media always claims him as the biggest seller at over a billion sold worldwide.

This might interest you.

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/one_billion_record_sales.shtml

It's been said too that the '68 Comeback was watched by more Americans than who watched the moon landing the same month.:hmm:

No one has said that. And the special was neither recorded nor telecast in the same month - or even the same year - as the moon landings. As good as Elvis was, there is no way more people would have watched him than man's greatest technological achievement ever.

KPM

01-24-2009, 06:40 PM

This might interest you.

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/one_billion_record_sales.shtml

No one has said that. And the special was neither recorded nor telecast in the same month - or even the same year - as the moon landings. As good as Elvis was, there is no way more people would have watched him than man's greatest technological achievement ever.
That article is a pretty good sensible breakdown of the how and why of Elvis's sales globally. It does make a good case for the billion mark.

memphisflash

01-24-2009, 10:41 PM

This might interest you.

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/one_billion_record_sales.shtml

No one has said that. And the special was neither recorded nor telecast in the same month - or even the same year - as the moon landings. As good as Elvis was, there is no way more people would have watched him than man's greatest technological achievement ever.

In America it has been said on a few occasians where it's been compared to the landing. And for the record, the landing on the moon happened on Christmas eve 1968 and Elvis' Comeback special first aired in December 1968. They just celebrated the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.

Brian

01-24-2009, 10:48 PM

In America it has been said on a few occasians where it's been compared to the landing. And for the record, the landing on the moon happened on Christmas eve 1968 and Elvis' Comeback special first aired in December 1968. They just celebrated the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.

The moon landing happened July 21 1969

utmom2008

01-24-2009, 10:50 PM

And for the record, the landing on the moon happened on Christmas eve 1968 and Elvis' Comeback special first aired in December 1968. They just celebrated the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.

Whoa!!!!! I assume you were not around to see Neil Armstrong walk on the moon and utter his iconic line...."one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." That was July 20, 1969.
Where on earth did you come up with Christmas Eve??:doh::lol::lol:

utmom2008

01-24-2009, 10:53 PM

They just celebrated the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.

It will be 40 years in July of 2009.
YouTube - Neil Armstrong One Small Step

utmom2008

01-24-2009, 10:55 PM

The moon landing happened July 21 1969

Close....July 20th.
29500

ehollier

01-24-2009, 11:04 PM

utmom2008

01-24-2009, 11:15 PM

Christmas Eve??????? Where did you come up with this date?????????

:lol: Maybe he got Neil Armstrong mixed up with Santa Claus.:doh::lmfao::lmfao:

kathy parkinson

01-24-2009, 11:18 PM

Boy, have i been wrong all these years?

utmom2008

01-24-2009, 11:20 PM

Boy, have i been wrong all these years?

:lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:

Brian

01-24-2009, 11:21 PM

Man, I love this thread it takes so many different turns.

ehollier

01-24-2009, 11:23 PM

:lol: Maybe he got Neil Armstrong mixed up with Santa Claus.:doh::lmfao::lmfao:

:lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

Brian

01-24-2009, 11:33 PM

I have a question

the 68 special is said to have been the most watched television program of 1968 with 33 million viewers. Is that true or false?

all this talk and speculation of Aloha's ratings got me thinking about this

memphis69

01-25-2009, 12:35 AM

I HAVE ALSO READ THAT THE 68 SPECIAL HAD CAPTURED 42 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL VIEWING AUDIENCE AND WAS THE NUMBER ONE RATED SHOW FOR NBC THAT SEASON. AND THE TOP RATED PROGRAM ON AMERICAN TV IN 1968!!

midnight

01-25-2009, 05:37 AM

:lol: Maybe he got Neil Armstrong mixed up with Santa Claus.:doh::lmfao::lmfao:

:lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:

memphisflash

01-25-2009, 09:28 AM

Thanks to a modern day technology called "Google" I discovered that it was July 1969 not December 1968 than the moon landing happened. My mistake on that. I wasn't around back then so i was going by history. But like someone said this thread took some crazy turns. It was originally about the songs and now it's about how many witnessed the show.:hmm: Maybe I started it or not. I can't remember and too many pages to go back through to figure out who did.

WHITETIGERMAN

01-25-2009, 12:04 PM

I have often wondered myself why certain songs were not there........I guess at that point in his career maybe he was showing that he didn't have to rely on all the older hits that put him on top of the world.I guess maybe he was showing the world that he was still well loved reguardless of what songs he performed and maybe was trying to reach another type of audience as well.Fantastic show reguardless.

midnight

01-25-2009, 12:13 PM

utmom2008

01-25-2009, 12:42 PM

The Aloha concert did not seem like a typical Elvis concert. I really loved it and I enjoyed all the ballads but he seemed really reserved and cautious!
Except for Suspicious Minds there was not much movement in it. Maybe he was nervous and wanted to focus more on his singing!

I agree....he was very reserved and almost dignified with his behaviour. The funny, sometimes off-beat sense of humor wasn't there that night. Maybe it was because of the size of the audience...different cultures look at things differently.:blush:

KPM

01-25-2009, 12:49 PM

I agree....he was very reserved and almost dignified with his behaviour. The funny, sometimes off-beat sense of humor wasn't there that night. Maybe it was because of the size of the audience...different cultures look at things differently.:blush:
I think he may have felt the weight of the idea-"the eyes of the world are watching" they have not seen me before and I represent the USA.
That might lend a sobering attitude of responsibility.

utmom2008

01-25-2009, 12:52 PM

I think he may have felt the weight of the idea-"the eyes of the world are watching" they have not seen me before and I represent the USA.
That might lend a sobering attitude of responsibility.

It certainly would for me!:lol:(y)

memphis69

01-25-2009, 01:41 PM

I THINK "ALOHA" IS A BEAUTIFUL PRODUCTION. I LOVE THE CAMERA ANGLES AND THE SCENERY!! ELVIS GIVES A VERY PROFESSIONAL AND ENDEARING PERFORMANCE. HE REALLY SHOWED HIS TALENT OFF TO THE WORLD SO BRILLIANTLY!! ELVIS IS THE ONLY SINGER WHO COULD SING LIVE IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE WORLD!!

KPM

01-25-2009, 01:42 PM

It certainly would for me!:lol:(y)
If someone told me tomorrow you are doing a show which is on satellite to many parts of the world-I would not be sober tomorrow!;):lol:

beckelvis

01-25-2009, 01:53 PM

I agree wiht you Memphis69,but i believe that so many people see in that stadium i impress him very much,and to know that retrasmitir for route satelite and verian million of persons of the whole world,really it was the unique and wonderful spectacle.

memphis69

01-25-2009, 03:23 PM

ELVIS NEVER GOT TO TOUR THE WORLD SO I GUESS SINGING LIVE VIA SATELLITE WAS THE NEXT BEST THING!!

mozzarella

01-25-2009, 03:43 PM

:lol: Maybe he got Neil Armstrong mixed up with Santa Claus.:doh::lmfao::lmfao:

Yeah maybe... and the famous footprint on the Moon is actually from Santa Claus... Santa Claus was the first man on the Moon :P (NASA's best kept secret)

utmom2008

01-25-2009, 03:46 PM

the famous footprint on the Moon is actually from Santa Claus... Santa Claus was the first man on the Moon :P (NASA's best kept secret)

And Rudolph left the first animal print on the moon!;);):lol:

LtCarman

01-25-2009, 03:50 PM

Who says that we even went to the moon. It was just a big hoax. It is just the Nevada desert that you people are going ga-ga over. The truth is, no one ever saw the moon landing, because there was NO LANDING. So, there you have it, more people saw "Aloha from Hawaii" than the moon landing.

No, I am not serious for anybody that thinks I might be.

Getlo

01-26-2009, 01:38 AM

In America it has been said on a few occasians where it's been compared to the landing.

Please give us one written source where the '68 special has been compared to the moon landing. Anything at all.

And for the record, the landing on the moon happened on Christmas eve 1968 and Elvis' Comeback special first aired in December 1968.

You're being quite ridiculous if you think the moon landing happened in December 1968.

They just celebrated the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.

Er, no they didn't. The 40th anniversary celebrations are six months away.

Seriously, please do some basic research about basic dates before coming up wtith this stuff.

Thanks to a modern day technology called "Google" I discovered that it was July 1969 not December 1968 than the moon landing happened. My mistake on that. I wasn't around back then so i was going by history.

I wasn't around for the end of WWII either, but I know it ended in 1945.

I mean, seriously ... :rolleyes: ;)

utmom2008

01-26-2009, 11:27 AM

I wasn't around for the end of WWII either, but I know it ended in 1945.

I mean, seriously ... :rolleyes: ;)

:lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

cibetty

03-06-2009, 03:24 PM

I think he wanted to show something new. I love "What Now My Love" and "Welcome To My World", I think both are great and very emotional songs. Maybe he would have done more songs, but the time was determined I think.

rex martin

03-06-2009, 05:04 PM

INFO from REX's 1970s WORLDWIDE ELVIS NEWS SERVICE WEEKLY

I watched this twice in the same evening in less than a week after the Hawaii Broadcast (see country details below) just a few weeks later I was handing out 1000 sample copies of my Elvis Weekly Hawaii Issue, in Las Vegas
on February 1973. I had with me a Super 8mm copy, to show to close friends in Vegas.

HAWAII 14 January show on TV!!! Nobody in Europe took it Live! via Satellite

This is a small part list of the countries that did broadcast it in the first few months.

But how do they justify the reported 1 Billion Audience?? (even 1.5 Billion in some reports)

JAPAN took it Live! 14th January, on a slight delay so that they could catch the Hawaii songs at the end of the audience show - could be added at the end on TV.

(Some conversion had to be done, as the USA uses NTSC, while Japan uses a modified form of NTSC ~
The BBC in London handled the Conversion to PAL for Europe, even though they didn’t show it then,
But edited it down to 58 minutes, cutting out 3 songs.)

DENMARK - was the first in Europe on Saturday 20th January 1973.
SWEDEN - in the end also showed it the same day as DENMARK at 9pm.
BELGIUM - Showed the Special "TWICE" on Sunday 21st January 1973. at 8.25 pm & 10.10 pm (58 minute version)
FRANCE - Showed this on OFT ~TV on the 25th January 1973
(interesting that Radio station "EUROPE 1" aired the audio for the Aloha double Album on the 19th January claiming a World first)

SWITZERLAND - showed the Aloha Special via a German TV Link. On the 8th March 1973.
GERMANY - showed it on the 12th March 1973 (60 minute version) Can be seen in parts of Belgium also...

USA and CANADA - ~ 1st showing on the 4th April 1973. (8.30pm) 90 minutes version. Less sponsored Adverts by
"Chicken of the Sea 'TUNA' they sold on space for Adverts to other companies...."

HOLLAND - showed the special on Dutch TV on friday the 27th April 1973. (a lot of Belgium could see this also)

AUSTRALIA - first showing April (date?) ~ then 2nd showing in June '73 (date ?)

Oh! Yes! - I showed it to some fans at the HILTON in Las Vegas from the 11th to 22nd February 1973 (Unofficially) I travelled to Belgium and saw it twice, on the 2nd time I copied by Super 8mm and took
It with me to Las Vegas, thus showing to Elvis Friends before the USA showing.

On ‘ELVIS THE KINGS COURT’ / Forum (nobody added any more countries to this list)
It’s looking unlikely it reached 1 billion within the first month

CAN ANYONE FILL IN THE REST OF THE 40 COUNTRIES WORLD-WIDE THAT SHOWED THIS ON TV IN 1973 ????
To make up the quoted 1 Billion Plus viewing Audience.....

(Give later in 70s if not 1973. All the multi channel re-runs in recent years not really required.)

many thanks "R E X "

From the files of “REX’S 1970s WORLDWIDE ELVIS NEWS SERVICE WEEKLY”

‘ALOHA’ pre – Announcement 1972.
(Not a Press Conference)

In January (10th) 1973 ~ in my weekly Elvis issue # 89.
I reviewed a trip to Rotterdam (6th Jan:) and Brussels (7th Jan:)
for 2 film shows arranged by JOHN BRUS (It's Elvis Time)

During the Brussels show we were surprised by MGM BELGIUM turning up with a projectionist & 16mm projector.

They had 3 Film Trailers made up to promote the 14th Jan. Aloha Live show. Each trailer lasted around 4 minutes. (They also said the BBC TV in London would be doing the Satellite conversion from 505 lines NTSC USA to 625 lines PAL system for Europe ~ even though they had no plans to show it) BBC also edited out the 3 songs (Something, Steamroller, and Lord You Gave Me a Mountain = making it 52 minutes – but left in the Jack Lord introduction which was cut in the States due to Hawaii Five-O being on a different network)

The trailers were made by NBC USA ~ Started off by showing Elvis Live! On Stage on the 4th September 1972, while an NBC announcer talked about why Elvis fans came to see Elvis. They filmed the general line outside the Entrance to the Showroom, snaking back through the casino to the Hilton Entrance and Elvis Souvenir booth. Just outside under the Hilton foyer they filmed an English fan trying to get a Very Large Stuffed Hound Dog into a Taxi. Then interviewed 2 Northern English Fans on the British F.C. trip. (All filmed 4th September)

Then cuts to the Announcement Conference to Elvis & for the World (5th September after Midnight Show) ~ Also for later broadcast by Los Angeles NBC TV (carried coast to coast by NBC affiliates). This was the first announcement of the Hawaii Show and its World-Wide Nature. The president of RCA Records gave out details for the show. With Elvis looking
a little tired after a month of two shows a night + a 3am show a few days earlier, sitting for part - doing very controlled deep breathing. (A Karate relaxation method.)

Some books and Internet sites list this a the 4th September, NBC probably titled the film cans and film notes as 4th September because that's when they started gathering film and fan Interviews.

When you consider Elvis' day, Sept. 3rd Midnight show finishes at 2am approx on the 4th September, winding down, meeting celebrities eventually going to bed early morning, up very late afternoon, breakfast, maybe a later snack, down to the Dressing Room (opposite door) to Dressing Room Lounge – whitewash wall corridor. Just before 8pm show, during opening acts, meets the British and Swedish fans (and myself), when we leave he still has to change into his Jumpsuit – when we see him walk on stage just a few minutes later. So no NBC announcement interview could be done yet.

Finishes his 8pm show segment around 10pm, needs to change, freshen up come down from that high, up to the 30th Floor, probably take a snack and some liquids. In less than 100 minutes needs to be in his dressing room again. Really don't think they would have had time for Elvis to Get ready in the White Jacket suit for the cameras and make up. (I saw him at 8pm in a Black Suit.)

Midnight show on 4th ~ Elvis would have been on nearer 1am and off just after 2am on the 5th September. Bring himself down from a long season finished, freshen up, change into the White Suit (same necklace I saw him wear) - so the NBC film with Elvis was probably done around 4am on the 5th September.

Remember also if you met Elvis between end of 8pm and Midnight show you normally met Elvis in that white corridor, outside the Lounge and Elvis' dressing room. Not in the lounge, you just get a short time to catch Elvis going from Dressing Room to Stage.

(Guernsey’s ~ Graceland Auction Catalogue - Oct 1999, Page 219 centre ~ says: The day after his closing >5th Sept< Elvis held a Press Conference to announce he would be the 1st Artist to hold a show that was going to be transmitted via Satellite…..)

It wasn't really a Press Conference ~ I don't think the newspaper press got invited (Vegas Sun, LA Times etc.,) and NBC wouldn't have invited rivals ABC~CBS. All the Los Angeles in the know fans also said it was the 5th September.

DOES ANY ONE HAVE A LIST OF THE 40 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD THAT SHOWED THIS WITHIN ONE WEEK OF TRANSMITION???
To make the One Billion Audience ... ???

I have the dates and places for maybe a Dozen at the most only!!!