Elvis Last Pictures

[peter]

Do you know any pics from June (offstage), July or August 1977???

I know only four - all from August 1977 (1st is not dated, but it?s from August; 2nd is from 12th August; 3rd from 14th Aug; and last from 16th Aug). Do you know any next pics?

[peter]

2nd pic:

[peter]

3rd pic

[peter]

Last Elvis picture:

[Lonniebealestreet]

Nice, Peter.

I don't think I've seen any others.

[Albert]

I've heard that the last picture ever taken of Elvis, was a lucky shot. The guy that has taken that one accidentally stood on the wrong side of the road. All the other fans stood on the 'passenger-side' of the car, because they were expecting Elvis to sit on the passengerseat. So luckily the guy was able to shoot a good picture with his throwaway camera :D

So after he came home, he visited Lisa, and then went to the Racketballroom where he (according to many stories) sang "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" many, MANY times. Then he went to bed, stood up, ate a bit, accepted a registered letter (last official Elvis autograph), went to bed again, stood up, went to the bathroom, read a book..... and passed away....

It really makes you feeling sad when you think about those last final hours. And that whole story gives much extra value for me to the "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" song.

[Captain Elwood David]

Originally posted by Albert@Apr 19 2004, 08:42 AM
I've heard that the last picture ever taken of Elvis, was a lucky shot. The guy that has taken that one accidentally stood on the wrong side of the road. All the other fans stood on the 'passenger-side' of the car, because they were expecting Elvis to sit on the passengerseat. So luckily the guy was able to shoot a good picture with his throwaway camera  :D

So after he came home, he visited Lisa, and then went to the Racketballroom where he (according to many stories) sang "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" many, MANY times. Then he went to bed, stood up, ate a bit, accepted a registered letter (last official Elvis autograph), went to bed again, stood up, went to the bathroom, read a book..... and passed away....

It really makes you feeling sad when you think about those last final hours. And that whole story gives much extra value for me to the "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" song.
Great info. about the inadvertent photographer snapping the "last" pic..

Great descriptions of EP's activities that followed.

Just want to clarify one point: EP did not sign for any registered letters that fateful day. This is pure & utter myth that stems from Paul Lichter. Whomever was accepting the mail on that day ......... signed EP's name for him. Have seen the sig.. It is not EP's.

Lots of myth / misunderstanding from that final day / final hours. Lots.


N8
... just a fan ....

PS - Great thread, BTW.

[Albert]

You're right about the many myths. There are so many that it's difficult to differ them from the truth. Especially since you're reading and hearing the myths almost more than the true stories.

I think MGM did a really good job to capture the feeling of that August 16 day. From the moment Elvis comes home from the dentist to the preparations of the coming tour. Just imagine being a person that would visit that 1st concert of that tour that would have started. The unbelievable anti-climax.

A bit offtopic, but I had a "simular" moment a few years back. There was a new politician on the horizon that had a new view on how to "rule the country". I was an admirer of his columns and political views for years, so when he decided to start a party, I was one of the first to join. May 5th I would have had a dinner with him and other people of the party in Leeuwarden. So I was extremely excited to finally meet the man that could finally change the country and politics. On the way to that hotel I heard on the radio that he was shot walking out of the building of a radiostation where he was interviewed during a broadcasting! The anticlimax was so extreme.... I decided to go back home and watch the news with my family. Some time later it was announced that he died.

So that's the closest I can get to the feeling people might have had when they heard Elvis died the day that they would have seen him....

[peter]

Maybe it?s one of myth too, but I heard that Elvis want to change his concert setlist for August tour! Not completely, but he want to drop few boring songs (which he played on almost every 77 concerts - Jailhouse Rock, Teddy Bear/Don?t Be Cruel, Love Me and these types of songs) and he wanted to play few live premieres: Moody Blue (it was played only few times in February 77 and really VERY VERY POOR!!!), Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain and few others from LPs From EP Boulevard and Moody Blue!!! Maybe it?s lie, but what do you think about it??? I th?nk that it would be really great setlist!!!

[Albert]

From the website http://homepage.hispeed.ch/elvis/Berichte/LastMonths.html


The final day

On Monday August 15, Elvis had to enjoy his spate time, because on the next day he would start another tour. Therefore at 16 o' clock he decided to rent a cinema to watch the movie "Mac Arthur". However the idea fails, because the cinema personnel already went home.

At 22:30 o'clock he went to his dentist. He had an appointment with Dr. Lester Hofman, who replaces a few fillings to it. At the dentist The King appears proudly in his black DAE (anti drugs unit) suit and is armed with two 45er pistols.

After midnight, it's already August 16, Elvis arrives with Ginger again in Graceland. At 02:15 o'clock Elvis calls Dr. Nods, because he had complains about toothache and asked the doctor a few pain tablets to ease the pain. The doctor agrees and Rick Stanley is sent to the pharmacy of the hospital to collect six Dilaudid tablets for Elvis.

Later Elvis decided to play racketball. The play lasts not very long. But before they left Elvis sits down before the piano and sings a couple of Gospelsongs. He also sang the classic "Blue Eyes Crying in The Rain" many times over.

Back in his bedroom Elvis takes the first from three dosages sleeping pills, antidepressives and other tablets, which he daily received from Dr. nod. A few hours later he takes the second dosage. In the morning Elvis requires the third dosage tablets and aunt Delta brings Elvis these personally in the bedroom. Elvis talks a bit with aunt Delta and says that he wants to get up at 19 o'clock.

When then Ginger wakes up around approximately 13 o'clock, she notices that Elvis is not in bed. She looks for Elvis and finds him lying in the bathroom. Elvis lies before the toilet on the carpet with the face downward in his own vomit. Elvis had obviously fallen asleep during the reading, because beside him still lies the book "The Grave Cloth Of Turin".

Minutes later an ambulance brings the star to the Baptist to hospital of Memphis. All attempts to reanimate Elvis Presley fail and his death is officially determined at 15:30 o'clock.

A very sad story......

[peter]

It don?t fit in!!! Elvis wasn?t in DAE suit!!! This suit he have on pics from 12th and 14th Aug, but NOT on a last picture which was made around midnight after visiting dentist!!!

[rick]

I know he was near-death here, but he doesn't look THAT bad in these photos. sure, it's dark but his face doesn't look particularly bloated and he's alert enough to be driving (as opposed to the drugged-out blob some would have us believe)
I've also seen a daytime pic said to be July-August 77 of Elvis on a motorbike with Billy Smith on the back.
rick

[Captain Elwood David]

Originally posted by peter@Apr 19 2004, 11:01 AM
... I heard that Elvis want to change his concert setlist for August tour!

Peter -

The only set-list that I can speak to is the one sourced to Dick Grob.

It was up for auction in the 2nd Butterfield Sale - puportedly written by Elvis. It had a bunch of songs listed that EP was supposedly considering for the next tour that was never to be.

The note was bogus.

---------------------------------

I do believe EP was indeed wearing his "Drug Enforcement Agency" (DEA) jogging suit on his final night out & about. It can be seen in the "last" pic. posted above.

--------------------------------

Albert -

Thanks again for the stories.

One note: EP didn't simply just "fall asleep." Unfortunately, his last moments were not as comfortable as this alternate scenario would suggest.

Just one of a number of misconceptions out there about the details / circumstances of that day. There are others.

---------------------------------

Rick -

Many who were there all attest to EP's vibrancy, humor, & good mood in his final days. Other than the "What Happened?" book and lots of anxiety about the upcoming tour, .......... he was supposedly in very good spirits in his final days / hours.

Accidental polypharmacy. It had happened before, but ......... tragically, nobody could be there for him this time.

--------------------------------

Very, very sad, ..... indeed.

A crying shame ........ and such a waste.


- Capt. "EL."

[peter]

I have one question with last pic.

What?s THIS???:

[Captain Elwood David]

Originally posted by peter@Apr 21 2004, 05:52 PM
I have one question with last pic.

What?s THIS???:
Street-light or camera flash reflection. It extends into the car and part of it can be seen on the back & side of EP's seat. Blurred by the motion of the car.

---------------------------------------------

Historical pic..

The last time any fan saw him alive. Gone forever in less than 12 hours.


- Capt. "EL."

[Scatter]

http://www.tcb-world.com/forum/uploads/post-1-1082566346.jpg

It's surprising how young Elvis looks in that picture. In fact he looks quite healthy.

It's very sad to see Elvis in what was his last journey while he was alive to Graceland.

I heard he was planning on singing, "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" but I'm not sure how much of that was true. He hadn't rehearsed, but he could have played the piano and the band could have picked up the song. He didn't rehearse "Moody Blue" for Charlotte, but sang a nice version. Not polished, but good enough.

I've always thought it would have been great to hear a live version of "Way Down". Elvis would have rocked the stage with that one!

[Lonniebealestreet]

Yes, he would have.

I've wondered that too about BECITR. Perhaps he never shared an intention to start performing it live with anyone, but he may have had that in mind as he as playing it that last night of his life.

Of course he sang all kinds of songs at home, many of which he surely never intended to sing in concert, but that is a possibility. No one can say for sure whether that was or was not the case.

[rod]

your so right about that photo you would never think that in a few hours elvis would be dead.

[Lonniebealestreet]

Yep, he really does appear healthy there, no evidence of puffiness. Look at his hand--not in the least bit swollen as they would get when he had that bloated look all over.

Of course, if you were to read Down At The End Of Lonely Street and took its claims for the truth, you would believe Elvis weighed 350 pounds there. :censored:

[Albert]

About the puffy face of Elvis: just compare the Elvis from Omaha/Rapid City with pictures from Indianapolis, it's like a different Elvis. It's like he was heavily allergic to something and that it would make him bloated as a reaction to it. Watching Elvis In Concert not only shows a heavy man ('coz that's what he was), but also a bloated man. Just look at his fingers when he played "Unchained Melody".

Is there any official (medical) information how Elvis could look so different between just a couple of days?

[rick]

Just look at the February tour for an example of his change in `bloatiness'.
Medication would be my guess
rick

[LisaMarie]

Originally posted by Albert@Apr 23 2004, 07:37 AM
About the puffy face of Elvis:  just compare the Elvis from Omaha/Rapid City with pictures from Indianapolis, it's  like a different Elvis. It's like he was heavily allergic to something and that it would make him bloated as a reaction to it. Watching Elvis In Concert not only shows a heavy man ('coz that's what he was), but also a bloated man. Just look at his fingers when he played "Unchained Melody".

Is there any official (medical) information how Elvis could look so different between just a couple of days?
Albert, the extreme swelling is most likely the result of steroid use. One of the MM told me once that Elvis was on steroids because of the problems he was having with his intestines and such. I think that a lot of his problems with his colon was because of the repeated drug abuse. Plus the fact that according to the book "The Death of Elvis - What Really Happened" , a lot of Elvis' organs were larger than normal. This was found out during the autopsy. This is an essential read IMO that helps explain how screwed up Elvis' health was, even without the drug abuse!!! I've read a lot of negative comments about the book, but most was from people who have never read it. I can tell you that it's not as bad as some make it out to be.

On a side note, my own mother has been on Prednisone (a steroid prescribed for chronic brochitis/pneumonia in her case) and it has made her swell to obscene proportions. She has looked 9 months pregnant at times after taking it.

Lisa ;)

[Jungleroom76]

I have to agree that looking at these photos, it is hard to believe that we're talking about the same man who would sadly be found dead only a few days/hours later.

It is amazing how quickly and drastically Elvis' appearance could change from show to show....and I would have to agree with Rick that the combinations of medications Elvis was taking probably caused the varying degrees of puffiness in Elvis' appearance.

TCB!
Mike

[SouthPaw]

Very sad that this was the last photo, way too young..

Does anyone know if the photographer made much off this photo? Seems like it has been published everywhere? What a lucky moment in history!

[SouthPaw]

Originally posted by Captain Elwood David@Apr 19 2004, 07:01 AM
I do believe EP was indeed wearing his "Drug Enforcement Agency" (DEA) jogging suit on his final night out & about.  It can be seen in the "last" pic. posted above.

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/candid-central/storm1.jpg

He seemed to favor this suit the last few months. Taken 6/25/77 in Cincinnati, OH

[Captain Elwood David]

SouthPaw -

Have always wondered if those DEA jogging suits had any special concealed pockets for weapons.

Have also wondered why "multiple originals" have never popped-up on the Elvis-Owned market ......... if you get my drift. ;)

----------------------------------

Yeah, ...... EP is cool on many levels. Those are great pics. Take a look at the full series from that day (EP leaving in a huff because A/C sucked). EP is pissed. David Stanley is following, worried as hell. EP first gets into the front of the car, gesturing - obviously upset. I assume he was convinced to sit in the back so others could take him to another hotel. Grob has got a look on his face like ......... "Oh it's going to be one of those days" ................., and Ginger can be seen sitting in the back with EP trying to calm him down.

Too bad nobody bothered to photograph The Col. swallowing his cigar and running thru the lobby after Elvis. :D


- Capt. "EL." (N880EP) ;)

[SouthPaw]

Originally posted by Captain Elwood David@Apr 28 2004, 05:55 PM
SouthPaw -

Have always wondered if those DEA jogging suits had any special concealed pockets for weapons.

Have also wondered why "multiple originals" have never popped-up on the Elvis-Owned market ......... if you get my drift. ;)

----------------------------------

Yeah, ...... EP is cool on many levels. Those are great pics. Take a look at the full series from that day (EP leaving in a huff because A/C sucked). EP is pissed. David Stanley is following, worried as hell. EP first gets into the front of the car, gesturing - obviously upset. I assume he was convinced to sit in the back so others could take him to another hotel. Grob has got a look on his face like ......... "Oh it's going to be one of those days" ................., and Ginger can be seen sitting in the back with EP trying to calm him down.

Too bad nobody bothered to photograph The Col. swallowing his cigar and running thru the lobby after Elvis. :D


- Capt. "EL." (N880EP) ;)
I have always wondered that too but I have noticed when he wore these he also wore his jumpsuit belts under it and I always thought they were to hold his gun.

I too have not seen any of these yet but as you always say it never ceases to....


;)