Rapid City honestly isn't that bad.

[LtCarman]

I just found the complete Rapid City concert on Youtube today and listened to it all the way through. It honestly is not that bad of a concert. Of course, it's not as amazing as Aloha or the Madison Square Garden shows, but it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. If anything, it is underrated. Heck, some people even call it the worst concert Elvis ever performed. I think that award goes to some of his summer 1976 shows, to be honest. The only thing that was truly bad was "Hound Dog."

Also, looking through some photographs of the show, he doesn't look nearly as bad as on the TV special. Again, it is still nothing compared to Aloha, but it's 1977. I've seen worse from 1976 and other parts of 1977.

[8mmlowa]

i see it the same way

[dj_ethan]

I just found the complete Rapid City concert on Youtube today and listened to it all the way through. It honestly is not that bad of a concert. Of course, it's not as amazing as Aloha or the Madison Square Garden shows, but it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. If anything, it is underrated. Heck, some people even call it the worst concert Elvis ever performed. I think that award goes to some of his summer 1976 shows, to be honest. The only thing that was truly bad was "Hound Dog."

Also, looking through some photographs of the show, he doesn't look nearly as bad as on the TV special. Again, it is still nothing compared to Aloha, but it's 1977. I've seen worse from 1976 and other parts of 1977.

I Agree !!!! Until The End Elvis Been The Best Performer!

[Getlo]

It honestly is not that bad of a concert.

Yeah, it honestly is.

[javierTCB]

Compared to Omaha is better. The rest is up to each observer. But since it's hard to see what Elvis was living at the time of his life.

[mozzarella]

He even looks far better than at the Omaha show, he's more articulate and seems to enjoy himself, sometimes you can see the spark in his eyes. I would like to see it re-edited on dvd... The recording isn't that good though...

[elvispresleytheking]

It definitely has its highlights (Unchained Melody!!!!!!!!!)

[Unchained Melody]

Yeah, it honestly is.

Was going to say the same thing Getlo lol.

Omaha is far worse, but Rapid City isn't good....

[rocknroll]

Just the fact it is even being discussed should tell you something.

[LtCarman]

Guess I'm in the minority.

[epmoodyblue]

It definitely has its highlights (Unchained Melody!!!!!!!!!)agree with u... 4 me the concert was okay(y) right up Until The End Elvis was The Best:notworthy

[LtCarman]

agree with u... 4 me the concert was okay(y) right up Until The End Elvis was The Best:notworthy

Now, I wouldn't say that he was always the best up until the end, but he would have his moments, especially the December 1976 tour.

And also, I'm not saying Rapid City is spectacular or amazing. All I am saying is that it is not as bad as people portray it to be. People always scream, "zOmGZzz!!!!!! RaPiD CiTeZzZz is bEeEeEAaAAaaAAdDdDdDdD1!!11!!" when they hear Rapid City. In my opinion, it is really not that bad. I've heard worse from Elvis in 1976.

[Tony Trout]

I just found the complete Rapid City concert on Youtube today and listened to it all the way through. It honestly is not that bad of a concert. Of course, it's not as amazing as Aloha or the Madison Square Garden shows, but it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. If anything, it is underrated. Heck, some people even call it the worst concert Elvis ever performed. I think that award goes to some of his summer 1976 shows, to be honest. The only thing that was truly bad was "Hound Dog."

Also, looking through some photographs of the show, he doesn't look nearly as bad as on the TV special. Again, it is still nothing compared to Aloha, but it's 1977. I've seen worse from 1976 and other parts of 1977.


Yeah, it honestly is.


Was going to say the same thing Getlo lol.

Omaha is far worse, but Rapid City isn't good....


Neither one of the shows filmed for the CBS special were 'great'. I find some of the comments that Elvis makes during the Rapid City show to be just plain silly (i.e.; the dialogue before singing "Blue Hawaii") and some of the comments during the Omaha show are even more silly and just confusing....it's so sad to watch...

[rickb]

Rapid City is a good show. Elvis' singing is excellent and i agree that he seems to be having a good time.
Yes he does stumble on some words but in all it is a pleasing performance.
Omaha is one of his worst

[thehillbillycat]

Rapid is a good show but a great show but a good one. Omaha is a bad one. Only thing I like of Omaha is How Great Thou Art. But Rapid City is better. My Way is perhaps my favorite from this show. I like it better than Aloha version. It is like as if he put his own pain into the song and made it sound really good. Unchained Medley is wonderful.

[EnigmaticSun]

It is like as if he put his own pain into the song and made it sound really good.

Good point! (y)

Besides.. it's his trademark.. I-i-i mean.. a slight stutter or sloppy pronunciation is just him when introducing zoangz (his words for songs) and such.

[Jungleroom76]

Rapid City is a good show. Elvis' singing is excellent and i agree that he seems to be having a good time.
Yes he does stumble on some words but in all it is a pleasing performance.
Omaha is one of his worst

I agree with you 99% rickb!!! (y)

Of the two concerts filmed for the CBS special, RAPID CITY is by far the better performance overall. And while OMAHA is certainly not a very good concert overall, there are moments during that show which are quite good in my opinion, such as HOW GREAT THOU ART and AND I LOVE YOU SO...two very good performances!! :)

The only thing I have a conflict with is calling OMAHA "one of his worst"...certainly I am not going to disagree with you that the OMAHA show is not a great show, but considering the number of other poor shows throughout Elvis' concert career (Baltimore '77, College Park '74, Las Vegas Closing Show Sept. '74, for example), I am personally hesitant to call OMAHA one of his "worst" shows....but that's just me!! ;)

TCB!
Mike

[jean francois]

hello if I can say my opunion, either in Omaha or rapid city I know that a very good performance from the king, it must be said that elvis had health problems and also provide entertainment for 3 days From 1970 to 1976, I find that nobody will be Elvis, not even the stars of today, Elvis is Forever. (y)(y)(y)(y)

[debtdbruno]

At least he didn't mime, not like this lt today

Deb

[utmom2008]

considering the number of other poor shows throughout Elvis' concert career (Baltimore '77, College Park '74, Las Vegas Closing Show Sept. '74, for example), I am personally hesitant to call OMAHA one of his "worst" shows....but that's just me!! ;)

TCB!
Mike

Mighty Mike....tell me about the Vegas '74 closing show?:doh::hmm:

[jak]

Mighty Mike....tell me about the Vegas '74 closing show?:doh::hmm:

Thats the show known as "Desert Storm".Talk about a red flag.Elvis' problems were evident long before 76.

[rickb]

There were probably a dozen or so real stinkers in Elvis' live career, along with some average and many many very good to excellent shows.
Omaha is (except for a few songs) a stinker but it was inthe minority of his 1000+ performances. He was clearly over-medicated to cope with his nerves

[utmom2008]

Thats the show known as "Desert Storm".Talk about a red flag.Elvis' problems were evident long before 76.

OK...that clears that up for me. This is the "pull your tongue out by the roots" tirade, right? That's still hard for me to listen to.....:blush:

[Jungleroom76]

OK...that clears that up for me. This is the "pull your tongue out by the roots" tirade, right? That's still hard for me to listen to.....:blush:

That's the one Rosanne!!! :'(

Thanks Jak for jumping in there to answer that one for me!!! :notworthy (y)

TCB!
Mike

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Rapid City is no easier on the eye or ear than Omaha, yes Elvis is more coherent but that just goes to show that by 1976-77 the fans had accepted Elvis' condition. I find both shows very difficult to watch, heartbreaking to see Elvis like that.

If you had a time machine and could go to a show any time from 1969-1973 and then went to see a good show from 1976-1977 you would be gobsmacked.

I know I have no right saying this but I sometimes get angry that Elvis' life ended the way it did :angry:

[Jungleroom76]

I know I have no right saying this but I sometimes get angry that Elvis' life ended the way it did :angry:

You certainly do have the right to say that J.J....it's your opinion and it's how you feel!! You always have the right to express that!!! ;)

To some degree, I'm with you on that as well....it really is a shame that Elvis' life ended the way it did. :'(

TCB!
Mike

[jak]

Rapid City is no easier on the eye or ear than Omaha, yes Elvis is more coherent but that just goes to show that by 1976-77 the fans had accepted Elvis' condition. I find both shows very difficult to watch, heartbreaking to see Elvis like that.

If you had a time machine and could go to a show any time from 1969-1973 and then went to see a good show from 1976-1977 you would be gobsmacked.

I know I have no right saying this but I sometimes get angry that Elvis' life ended the way it did :angry:

You have summed it up perfectly with this post!

[jak]

OK...that clears that up for me. This is the "pull your tongue out by the roots" tirade, right? That's still hard for me to listen to.....:blush:

I cant listen to it.Although some fans think it's just great that Elvis spoke his peace.That night was one of the early signs he was headed for deep trouble.

[utmom2008]

I cant listen to it.Although some fans think it's just great that Elvis spoke his peace.That night was one of the early signs he was headed for deep trouble.

I agree with you Jak! This was not the "norm" for Elvis...it involves sooo much more than Elvis just "speaking his mind.":blink:

[molokai123]

Was going to say the same thing Getlo lol.

Omaha is far worse, but Rapid City isn't good....

yea, gotta agree here guy's, couple of hi lights,but in the end not the best.but what can you do it's Elvis.(y):king:

[Getlo]

I know I have no right saying this but I sometimes get angry that Elvis' life ended the way it did :angry:

Of course you have a right to say that, and you're perfectly correct.

It's saddening and infuriating how such a man could have such a pathetic, undignified ending ... and most of the blame/responsibility must rest on Elvis himself.

People don't have the right to put crap on you, me and others who see the truth and can put aside emotion when it comes to Elvis' death.

But they continue to do so.

[midnight]

I cant listen to it.Although some fans think it's just great that Elvis spoke his peace.That night was one of the early signs he was headed for deep trouble.

That was so not "Elvis" to speak his mind like he did that night. I still feel embarrassed for him everytime I hear it. I find it very sad and difficult to listen to.

[utmom2008]

It's saddening and infuriating how such a man could have such a pathetic, undignified ending ... and most of the blame/responsibility must rest on Elvis himself.



And that is the most fascinating part of the entire Elvis Presley story.....he did it to himself. http://smiley.net.ru/bigemo328.gif (http://smiley.net.ru/bigemo10.htm)

[utmom2008]

It's saddening and infuriating how such a man could have such a pathetic, undignified ending ... and most of the blame/responsibility must rest on Elvis himself.



Sometimes pictures speak louder than words....

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[SeeSeeRider777]

Of course you have a right to say that, and you're perfectly correct.

It's saddening and infuriating how such a man could have such a pathetic, undignified ending ... and most of the blame/responsibility must rest on Elvis himself.

People don't have the right to put crap on you, me and others who see the truth and can put aside emotion when it comes to Elvis' death.

But they continue to do so.

Agreed Sir!

[EnigmaticSun]

Although some fans think it's just great that Elvis spoke his peace.

It's not a show I'd consider for toddlers and their grandmothers to listen to. Still he was right about the press and he probably needed to get it off his chest. He was good at getting mad too!

Whatever you may think or feel about Elvis' having difficulty finding words and their pronunciation, watching Omaha or Rapid City conveys more of him doing what he loves than, take for instance, "Girl Happy".

Besides.. he never went down in history like some other performers who.. well (shall I say this politely) rob cradles?

I don't know what suggestions are conceivable for a more heroic death (cocaine overdose? alcohol abuse? fatal car accident?) - most who knew him agree that colonel Parker played a key role here (concerning Elvis' career and health).

But there are those who claim that criticizing the colonel would be like begrudging him the freedom of doing business. Anyone who does hates freedom.. (?) :mad:

[Tony Trout]

Sometimes pictures speak louder than words....

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Man.....what a tremendous change from 1969 - 1977 for Elvis (looks wise)......

*sigh*

[LtCarman]

I've never said Rapid City was one of his better shows. All I am saying is that it is not as bad as it is played out to be.

Of course, if given the chance to attend an Elvis concert, I would definitely pick any concert from 1969-1975 on top of 1976-1977 any day.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Man.....what a tremendous change from 1969 - 1977 for Elvis (looks wise)......

*sigh*

The picture from 1976 isn't even a bad photo IMO, it just shows a middle aged man with added weight. If you want to see a man who who looks like he should be hospital, anything from Hollywood Fl would do :'(


I've never said Rapid City was one of his better shows. All I am saying is that it is not as bad as it is played out to be.

Of course, if given the chance to attend an Elvis concert, I would definitely pick any concert from 1969-1975 on top of 1976-1977 any day.

Given the choice you are right, in reality I would take a ticket from the worst show ever if that's all I could have :blush:

[jadedragon61]

The RC concert has its moments, but I think it is obvious that E was having to work at it. And that's something of a shock.

To be frank, loving E as I do, this concert is hard to watch.

Evidence that even E was human... Kinda hard to believe...

[john carpenter]

I agree with you Jak! This was not the "norm" for Elvis...it involves sooo much more than Elvis just "speaking his mind.":blink: I agree(y)Elvis wasn't just angry about the rumors of doing heroin...he knew he had a drug problem & he was angry because the fans or anyone that saw Elvis knew it too!:supriced:

[rickb]

I'm not sure that i agree with you JC, I believe Elvis did not think he had a drug problem because he didn't use illegal substances

[Danny Ocean]

People like it or not, but till the end it was Elvis. And his voice was so powerfull! Like O sole mio and Hurt, and a beautiful version of Unchained Melody. This was Elvis, pure and vocally a rock! But like Omaha, it wasn't a good day for Elvis (or period). Elvis was slightly loosing things and faces the end. I say it all the time. But when there is something wrong inside your body, you feel that. Look at yourself, I do. I have a big feeling, that when Elvis sang My Way in Rapid City, he knew some things.. he felt it... by the way he looks.. amazing..

[The Welz]

Compared to the television special he did four years earlier, he looked shocking! His voice, however, was still intact and he surely could deliver a song (TRYING TO GET TO YOU, I REALLY DONT WANT TO KNOW, HURT and others). The show is quite good, Elvis is in good voice and his humour did not fail him, too. But still his eyes were glassy and one could see that he had more than just a weight problem.

Still I think this show should be released officially in a good picture and sound quality, because a lot of great performances were left out of the aired television show and most of the people imagine the late Elvis like a monster or something like that. He did look bad and fat, but certainly not so bad and so fat as a lot of newspaper articles and books want to make him.