Just A Curious Question

[THENATUREBOY]

I was just watching some outtakes from Elvis On Tour 1972 and they was a scene were he was backstage about to go on and he was using an inhaler. So my question is, did Elvis have asthma?

[Tommy]

I think that he is using a breathe fresher.

Tommy :)

[THENATUREBOY]

That might be right, but I was just curious because Ive heard of all the illnesses that he had and I had never heard mention of asthma. But it that footage I saw it looked very much like an inhaler, and when he used it his actions made me think it might be.

[Tommy]

Thanks for the reply. Elvis never had asthma I never heard he did.

Enjoy your outtakes!

Tommy :)

[NEA]

Interesting subject....but, I go with the breath freshener spray too.

[Tommy]

Yes I think so, couldn't be kissin the ladies without sweet breathe :D

Tommy :)

[Lindnet]

I remember seeing that and thinking that it was an inhaler of some sort too. But I was thinking more along the lines of something for his throat??

[Jungleroom76]

Perhaps it was an inhaler, used to open his air passages up to allow more air into his lungs so that he would have a greater lung capacity for singing??? :hmm:

I've seen that also, and would be interested to find out the answer!!

TCB!
Mike

[Albert]

I remember seeing that and thinking that it was an inhaler of some sort too. But I was thinking more along the lines of something for his throat??

Yes, it's quite normal for singers to use an inhaler. Singing night after night (especially this kind of repetoire) is hard for the voice. I will look into that.

[Wendy56]

Yes, it's quite normal for singers to use an inhaler. Singing night after night (especially this kind of repetoire) is hard for the voice. I will look into that.

I support what you say Albert. Although Tommy's words were interesting too. :D

[KPM]

It was an Albuteral inhaler which opens bronchial tubes and helps promote more open airways.

[Wendy56]

It was an Albuteral inhaler which opens bronchial tubes and helps promote more open airways.

Thank you for that information KPM! (y)

[0349054]

It was a steroid inhaler for his throat.

[KPM]

Once again it depends on who you read and who you trust. I read albuterol. It reallly doe not matter as having looked both up they are used in inhaler form for basically the same reason, for ashma sufferers or bronchial problems.

[THENATUREBOY]

Perhaps it was an inhaler, used to open his air passages up to allow more air into his lungs so that he would have a greater lung capacity for singing??? :hmm:


TCB!
Mike


Id say that is correct, I never really thought about that but it makes since. Thanks for all the replies guys.

[Tommy]

You don't squirt an inhaler, he was squirting. With an inhaler you have to put a mouth piece up to your mouth, and you close you mouth over the mouth piece and push down on the top part.

Tommy :)

[Captain Elwood David]

EP occasionally used a bronchodilator while on tour.

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That said, however, ............ the scene from On Tour does indeed have EP using it in a fashion that is not consistent with an inhaler (unless EP is using it incorrectly).

It is more than likely a medicinal aid for his throat prior to singing (he also had a ritual that he used to clear his sinus passages prior to concerts / singing).

EP can be seen using the same thing in the "CBS In Concert Outtakes" when the door to his dressing room is opened too soon & quickly closed in front of the cameras.


Capt. "EL." / N880EP
... just a fan ....

[KPM]

Yes there are two seperate scenes I have seen, one where he squirts something in his mouth Binaca, mouth freshner etc and one where he uses the inhaler you can see him turn it unside down wiht a white plastic cover up and he he presses it into his mouth. My daughter uses the same type inhaler for ashma and breathing problems. Whether its a steroid inhaler, or like my daughter Albuterol, both are to open the tubes for better breathing.

[Captain Elwood David]

Yes there are two seperate scenes I have seen, one where he squirts something in his mouth Binaca, mouth freshner etc and one where he uses the inhaler you can see him turn it unside down wiht a white plastic cover up and he he presses it into his mouth. My daughter uses the same type inhaler for ashma and breathing problems. Whether its a steroid inhaler, or like my daughter Albuterol, both are to open the tubes for better breathing.

Must agree, KPM.

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For those inquisitive EP-Sherlock Holmes fans that absolutely must know the answer ----> a simple follow-up with some of those that were there (MMM's / Dr. Nick / etc.), would answer the question(s).

IMO - both are probably correct (bronchodilator / medicinal throat aid). (It is, however, unlikely a steroid inhaler - since they are not used for acute relief / treatment).


Capt. "EL." / N880EP
... just a fan ....

PS - Great question & good spot by fellow hardcore fans.

[Cryogenic]

"Dangerous and disturbing, this puzzle is."

(OK... gotta stop quoting Star Wars!)

Having seen only pieces of "Elvis On Tour", I caught a glimpse of this footage on "Elvis By The Presleys". A little surprised they showed it - but then, I'm a little surprised at a lot of choices (good and bad) they went with in that programme. Anyway...

I can't really shed much light on this except to say... Elvis honestly sounds a little nasally in some recordings from 71/72. In my mind, his voice was in many ways a lot better in 1975-1977. Of course, the spray/inhaler - be it the same kind of dispenser dispensing the same kind of chemical for the same kind of relief or not - may have been different in 1977 when one is again in evidence "Elvis In Concert"... but it's certainly a curious detail. Capt. El is right. If you want answers, complete or not, you're gonna have to go to the right people. And this one is surely a lot easier to have answered than some of the more obscure questions I've seen raised.

[KPM]

Another logical assumption is that if this inhaler had anything other than what we have discussed, would Elvis be using it in full view of a MGM camera and film crew? Would he in 77 again be using it before CBS camera and crew? Its seems to me he would not. Also if it would have caused Parker concern for the IMAGE, he would have asked the scene be deleted before it was released. Its not uncommon for singers to use this type thingbefore a show, it just helps keep pipes open for better breathing and note control, nothing sinister about it.

[Captain Elwood David]

Another logical assumption is that if this inhaler had anything other than what we have discussed, would Elvis be using it in full view of a MGM camera and film crew? Would he in 77 again be using it before CBS camera and crew? Its seems to me he would not. Also if it would have caused Parker concern for the IMAGE, he would have asked the scene be deleted before it was released. Its not uncommon for singers to use this type thingbefore a show, it just helps keep pipes open for better breathing and note control, nothing sinister about it.

Ol' Joe can be seen having a fit when the door is opened too soon in the EIC CBS Outtakes (revealing a fleeting glimpse of EP behind the door - using his inhaler).

I agree, nothing sinister at all. IMO - just ol' power-hungry Joe being Joe yet again.

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Generally speaking fellow fans:

Not everything Elvis ever did or took needs to be viewed thru stereo-typed misconceptions.

So the guy used something for his throat or took a few puffs of an inhaler before going on stage. So what.

It's not like you're catching Dr. Nick with a syringe in his hand & EP with his jumpsuit sleeve rolled-up. (Although Nick did give Vitamin boosts with other surprise goodies from time to time ...... ;) ). (I know that is what some are looking for ........)


Capt. "EL." / N880EP
... just a fan ....