'Elvis In Concert' 1977 TV special; Should it be released officially?

[PiersEIN]

Hi Gang,
'Elvis In Concert' 1977 TV special; Should it be released officially?
There is always a heated debate, among us fans, as to whether Elvis' final TV special should be released. Should we accept Elvis with the sadness & pain of his last concerts, or do we agree with EPE's policy of glorifying the god-like Elvis mega-star and deny that anything changed after 'Aloha'?

Some fans scream YES for the release of 'Elvis In Concert', yet they are often labelled as fools for wanting Elvis' good clean image once again vilified.

On EIN www.ElvisInfoNet.com (http://www.ElvisInfoNet.com) we have recently added a very stimulating article by fan Gary V who thinks that most of us are deluded!

Go here for the 'Elvis In Concert' article >.> (http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight_Elvisinconcert_release.html)
http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight_Elvisinconcert_release.html

Have a read & please go to the the bottom of the article where you can 'Click' to send us your opinion. I appreciate the feedback & we will add your thoughts. (y) (n) :angry:
It has been an interesting read so far.

Personally I think it would be excellent as a 'FTD' Fan Club DVD release - I'm not sure I want everyone & the tabloids gloating over it once more.

(PS- I have been trying to post this for a while, but the TCB server was playing up)

Cheers
Piers

[dennyelvis]

I personally think this concert should now be seen (y) but released in deluxe edition style like the Aloha with re-edited/remastered picture and sound ... i think the REAL FANS deserve it :cool:

[elvislady]

I think like leroy said relese them as a special concert. because most people will have seen some if not all the concert at sometime or other i have the concert on a copy and if it was relesed by the right people (aloha shows) and was done tastefully maybe more people would accept it. remember this was his last shows why hide it away he knew how he felt and looked at the time and he still went ahead with the show.
elvislady:D

[Diane]

I also agree that it should be released in a tasteful way. It was a sad part of his life but it WAS part of his life and most of us his fans have accepted it. We'll never be able to do anything about those who insist on using it and the way he died to make fun of him etc. We've ignored them so far, we'll keep on doing it.

[Geert]

It indeed should be released in a nice de-luxe dvd package, maybe it's better for Elvis' image to release it under the FTD label so that only the true fans will purchase it. I think the footage is amazing, if you see how a man that looks so bad due to his health problems is still capable of giving away such a great performance, just great:D I know not every song get's the attention that it should have but honestly I don't listen to late 70s concerts to hear teddy bear/don't be cruel for the 300th time. It are the newer songs like america or hurt that do it for me.
The flaws in Elvis' singing on the "oldies but goodies" make the footage not sutable for a wider audience than the true fans, sadly it will only increase the amount of :cursing: people who see elvis as an overweighted druged singer who tries to make a living with his old rock songs. That's why I think it shouldn't be released with to lot merchendice crap, but in FTD style:king:

[memphis 77]

no DOUBT this should be released my only qustion is why have they bin stalling, i remember back a few years ago thet JACK SODEN had said they had no plans to release it ever, it just doesn't reflect elvis positive image or something to that effect. I think it is long overdue and E.P.E. should realise that the world knows that E.P. had a substance problem but that joe public will only be interested in the show not his problem, but i would believe that if they do release this it would be the tv version for sure, as they are still in denial about elvis deteriation. Imean they gave us unchained... some years ago on a compilation whay not just release it officially, with some of the award acceptence etc.. Until then i'm glad i still have the copy of the complete shows that came on video years ago, just wish it was 1st generation, anyone out there have this in 1st generation on dvd r , i sure would love to buy a copy.(y)

[Dudcowboy_1]

See what I don't get is us the Elvis fans know what Elvis looked like to us from late '74 til day he died? So why hold back something like this. I say do it threw a fan club release or make so many copies on DVD sell them at stores and if they sell out of them then they know to make more.

I say also put all the shows they tapped and outtake interviews too on the set. This would be best release in my mind if they do it for his 30th annv. of his death.

[ForeverTheKing]

No matter how you look at it; Elvis in Concert was as much part of Elvis' life as any other aspect. It is no use to deny iet, or let me put it in stronger terms: it's a crime to deny it. I have watched both shows on June 19th and June 12st and they ought to be released officially in a special way, like the Aloha shows.
If you deny this period of Elvis' life, you deny Elvis. Point.

I totally agree!(y)

It's sad to see that concert, of course, but it's a part of his life and career we can't deny.
But, to be honest, I've hardly heard Elvis fans don't like it, although it's so different from '68 Comeback and Aloha.
So I'll be happy to have a good edition of this tv concert...his voice was amazing also at the end of his life...and this is the most important thing!:clap:

[amzietamzie]

I agree with Leroy (y)

I think Elvis In Concert should be released, maybe having been restored and in a special format.

Elvis, despite being ill and unhappy, stood on that stage in 1977 and performed for us, the fans. He endeavoured to make people happy, and give them a memory, and that should be remembered.

I don't see how it can be considered right to cut off several years of a man's life and hide them away as if they are something to be ashamed of. It WAS Elvis, no one else. He was ill and yes, he may not have been the perfectly flawlessly handsome man that he once was, but it was still him and his great talent was with him right to the very end.

His voice was amazing in 1977 and in EIC he put on some absolutely marvelous performances... Hurt, I Really Don't Want To Know, How Great Thou Art, My Way and more.

No one should pick and choose sections of his life which they deem worthy of being seen... it was his life, and yes, it's tragically sad, makes me cry :'(, but it was Elvis- he got on that stage himself, and people should be grateful and proud of his performances and strength.

I can't imagine that people of the public would be so shallow that they could mock and condemn Elvis in his last year. Surely they would be able to see a wonderful man giving truly STUNNING performances. :notworthy

[Suspicious Minds]

I have not seen Elvis In Concert since 1977-78. I don't think it has been shown since on UK TV. Elvis In Concert should be released in a special DVD set. Next year will be Elvis's 30th anniversary. Why not release it then?
I couldn't watch Elvis sing My Way because it looked like Elvis was nearly crying.

[lee]

i have just watched this concert to remind myself of it, why would anyone not want this released, it is a great concert and every song elvis did was fantastic.

[franny]

I think it should be released, I would love to see it!

I'm sure the fans would all want to see it!

franny

[EnigmaticSun]

I think the world should remember him being a great singer instead of a hunka burning love, if you know what I mean. That's ('77) the voice that really hurts me.

They should take care while making the selection out of the songs; for example, if you'd want to have a version of the Teddycruel-medley, take the version from Rapid City instead of Omaha. And of course, some remastering to create a neat sound.

It's just that I would want to have the Sweet Inspirations in the background. They sound like vacuum-cleaners in How Great Thou Art, Hurt and Can't Help Falling In Love.

I like Elvis In Concert - Elvis playing the guitar (which hadn't been the case for a few years), piano and of course those big ballads!

[PiersEIN]

Hi Gang,
There are some great answers & feelings expressed here.
So I have added some of the more pertinent & interesting comments to the original Spotlight - along with others that EIN has been sent.
Please have a look to check that you are OK with this, if I have used your comments or if you want you name/pseudonym corrected. (& some needed to be slightly edited for space)

A great discussion,

GO HERE for the EIC Spotlight (http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight_Elvisinconcert_release.html)

Cheers
Piers

[0349054]

It's hard to know if it ever will be released officially. The current DVD version that is available is great, much better than the old VHS version and until EPE decide to release it (if they ever do) we will have to do with the DVD version that's doing the rounds at the moment. But the DVD version has the outtakes as well and it's nice to see.

[rick]

re-edited with extra songs and on the FTD label, EIC should be released in excellent quality for fans
rick

[Tony Trout]

I think it should be released.....but only with the best songs from Omaha and Rapid City....the Omaha show is very painful to watch and listen to at times so the song selection from that show should be made carefully...
to hear (and watch) Elvis stumble through the first part of the show and the band intros in Omaha is hearbreaking.....

[tilly01]

Hi folks

Yes i thought it was a release till i read it here it took me until at least the year 2000 before i was even ready to watch the tape i just couldn't handle the way elvis looked really tired and i think he knew he was dying but it isn't till i came on to the website and in the chat room and for the first time and i mean really first time to hear and listen to his voice i have watched the cbs special since and heard the omagah etc and i can't believe how powerful his voice really was specially on songs that meant a lot to him it just makes you go cold listeing to the power in his voice, ie Hurt, My Way, How great thou art and as i say again from coming onto this website and listening to the show it makes me glad and proud to be an elvis fan and yes they should release the all the shows that elvis did in 77' even the bad ones as i now can except elvis for who he was although he was ill and dying in those shows he gave the audience 500% and we should in return give ourselves the same to elvis. Elvis i love you man

Tilly

[0349054]

People are able to watch it, as everyone 'knows' how to get their hands on it, for those who havent seen it and would like to PM me, as im getting the impression a few people may not have seen it.

[Larry Dickman]

Release it.

Ideally FTD would be good, but I think this is unrealistic......
This is THE last professional footage of Elvis Presley on stage.....granted, not in great shape, but "he accepted his appearance, and so did his fans"....
The DVD should have a pre-amble by Lisa or Priscilla explaining Elvis' appearance, then the special should be re-edited from the ground up....more flattering angles, 5.1 sound........the main body of the program would be a 'best of' both shows edited to form one concert and maybe both shows complete as an 'easter egg'.

As I have mentioned elsewhere, keeping this footage 'hidden' is revisionism...... professionally Elvis was in many cornball movies,that are widely available, are they harming his artisic credibility? (not to mention the EPE merchandise...ducks, plates, jumpsuits et al)

[0349054]

Release it.

Ideally FTD would be good, but I think this is unrealistic......
This is THE last professional footage of Elvis Presley on stage.....granted, not in great shape, but "he accepted his appearance, and so did his fans"....
The DVD should have a pre-amble by Lisa or Priscilla explaining Elvis' appearance, then the special should be re-edited from the ground up....more flattering angles, 5.1 sound........the main body of the program would be a 'best of' both shows edited to form one concert and maybe both shows complete as an 'easter egg'.

As I have mentioned elsewhere, keeping this footage 'hidden' is revisionism...... professionally Elvis was in many cornball movies,that are widely available, are they harming his artisic credibility? (not to mention the EPE merchandise...ducks, plates, jumpsuits et al)


I can't help but agree with your points, however a release of the type you are suggesting would take considerable investment from EPE. In order to make it economically viable it would have to be a mainstream release like Aloha and 68' Deluxe editions.

This is exactly what EPE don't want, a media hyped storm about Elvis's final concerts, his weight and sub-standard performances.

For Elvis's artistic longevity, it is in my opinion important that such negative media exposure be limited to a minimum, and at the moment the fans that wish to view the footage are able to view the footage through other sources....without creating this wave of negative comments from the media. EIC harks of the negative stereotypical image, that permeates popular culture with regard to Elvis Presley.

If anyone hasnt seen it; drop me a PM.

[Polk-Salad-Annie]

This concert should be released.
It doesn't matter what Elvis looked like, his music was good.(y) :king:

[Larry Dickman]

I can't help but agree with your points, however a release of the type you are suggesting would take considerable investment from EPE. In order to make it economically viable it would have to be a mainstream release like Aloha and 68' Deluxe editions.

This is exactly what EPE don't want, a media hyped storm about Elvis's final concerts, his weight and sub-standard performances.

For Elvis's artistic longevity, it is in my opinion important that such negative media exposure be limited to a minimum, and at the moment the fans that wish to view the footage are able to view the footage through other sources....without creating this wave of negative comments from the media. EIC harks of the negative stereotypical image, that permeates popular culture with regard to Elvis Presley.

If anyone hasnt seen it; drop me a PM.

Thanks for the considered reply....I to agree with some of your points, but I think this may be one topic where people are going to have to agree to dis-agree.

[0349054]

Yeah I guess thats true!

[EnigmaticSun]

sub-standard my ***.. Some of the songs are the best versions I've ever heard Elvis do..

So what is wrong with humanity? How much does the war in Iraq cost or sending objects to the outer planets of our solar system? So what's the big deal, from a financial perspective, not to release a simple CD/DVD?

[Jungleroom76]

Like it or not, ELVIS IN CONCERT is an important part of the Elvis Presley legacy....one which CANNOT and SHOULD NOT be denied to his millions of fans around the world via an official release!!

For the first several years following his death, I can certainly understand why EPE simply did not want this footage to be released....despite the great song selection and Elvis' incredible vocal delivery on most of the songs, the video portrays a man who had many personal issues that had taken a devastating toll on him!! While the footage from both shows has many positive aspects, there are quite honestly moments during both shows that are hard to watch, even as a die-hard Elvis fan like myself!! Even 10 years ago, I could still understand EPE's reasons for denying the fans an official release of this material....even though I personally didn't like it, I could understand it!

But now in 2006 (almost 2007), given the much more graphic stuff that is shown on NATIONAL TELEVISION where ANYONE can view it, I think that the reasons that EPE had for not releasing this footage to the fans (the obvious physical problems that plagued Elvis during that final show, most notably) are no longer valid and some sort of an official release is due to the fans that want to own/see this footage...if for no other reason, than to re-pay the fans for their patience in waiting for this material to find a legitimate outlet for fans to enjoy/collect.

Do I think that a major national television special should be created to air this material? Absolutely not!! There are still some fans out there, especially the newer and younger fans, who might not understand the complete Elvis Presley legacy and might have a hard time viewing this material. But with all of the multiple media outlets at our disposal in 2006/2007, I think that there is a viable outlet that could be utilized to release this material to the fans that truly want and, quite honestly, deserve (after years of patiently waiting) to have the option of purchasing this material for their own personal use in an official release of some type.

The most obvious type of a release for fans would simply be a 2-DVD set containing all of the material filmed during both the Omaha show as well as the Rapid City show. Yes both shows have their high points as well as moments which can be tough to watch, but having all of the material there can allow fans to simply pick and choose what they would like to see and allow them to skip over the moments which can be emotional to view. Releasing this on the FTD label would be the obvious choice, thus allowing the true fans to own the material while allowing EPE to continue to keep it out of the realm of the general public.

If there were to be some type of a release made available to the general public, than obviously a single DVD containing the best performances from both shows would have to be edited together in some manner. But for the true fans, a 2-DVD set containing all of the material from both shows should be released....most fans know (or have seen) what is out there anyway in one form or another of the '77 material, so all that would be accomplished by only releasing part of the material to the fans would be to leave the fans wanting all of it....and haven't the fans waited long enough for an official release of this material??? :hmm:

TCB!
Mike

[MauriceColgan]

Publish and be ****************ed. The young will take it in their stride. We original Elvis fans, teenagers in the 50s took the blows.............. and continue to do it our way:-)

It's true a great many people have seen extracts already, all the non Elvis fans we have shown the footage of Elvis singing "How Great Thou art" just think it's TRAGIC............. in a compassionate way!

[EnigmaticSun]

Well, I'm a younger fan (21yo) and I like the material from '77. It was about the time when a singer reaches his vocal peak, so that makes it interesting.

Yes, it was overproduced, but so were Aloha, Elvis On Tour and That's The Way It Is. The major difference is that the health problems are clearly visible, more than on the Aloha special. But even that performance shows a lot of the king's physical weaknesses.

So I think we should make it our strength focussing on Elvis' inner quality and laugh about those kids who are jealous. After all, God gave Elvis the free will to do the Special in 1977 for all the world to see.

On top of that, Johnny Cash has never been pretty, but he was totally worn out when he did his last video's and appearances. But he persevered and people loved him.

[vulcandude]

I can certainly understand why EPE or Priscilla or Lisa Marie wouldn't want to release this particular special. It was Elvis near the end of his life, and they want to remember him as he was in previous years. I, however, disagree with this policy. There are so many of us, (I myself included), who have either only seen bits and pieces of it, or none of it at all, and want to see it. I have the resulting soundtrack LP that was released in October of 1977, and Elvis' voice was still fantastic. To deny fans of being able to see this tv special would be to deny part of who Elvis was late in his career. Good or bad, Elvis was still Elvis, the best singer there ever was. I mean, why release the soundtrack to the special without releasing the special? I could understand not releasing it maybe fifteen or twenty years ago, but it's been almost thirty years since Elvis' death, and I think being allowed to actually see these performances would allow us to know Elvis more as a man- not just a singer. Sure, he wasn't well during these performances, but he did them anyway, always wanting to please his fans. At no other time in his career, do we get the chance to see Elvis as a real human being, struggling to put on his best, and not as the infallible person he was percieved as being. Even at his worst, Elvis was still a hundred times better than most of the artists or groups of the time period. So, my point is simple-release "Elvis In Concert", it's time, and besides, it should be the fans' decision, not EPE's.

[0349054]

Well, I'm a younger fan (21yo) and I like the material from '77. It was about the time when a singer reaches his vocal peak, so that makes it interesting.

Yes, it was overproduced, but so were Aloha, Elvis On Tour and That's The Way It Is. The major difference is that the health problems are clearly visible, more than on the Aloha special. But even that performance shows a lot of the king's physical weaknesses.

So I think we should make it our strength focussing on Elvis' inner quality and laugh about those kids who are jealous. After all, God gave Elvis the free will to do the Special in 1977 for all the world to see.

On top of that, Johnny Cash has never been pretty, but he was totally worn out when he did his last video's and appearances. But he persevered and people loved him.

Elvis In Concert should never have been filmed. It only was because CBS offered the Colonel a large sum of money, he asked for more as he usally did if he didn't want a project to go ahead, rather than saying no, and CBS came up trumps with the cash.

Elvis SHOULD NOT have been touring. His health was in FREEFALL, he was suffering from depression and for a man who all his life was so concious of image and appearence to be filmed as he was in 1977, just shows you how unwell Elvis really was.

Now, by all means go on loving Elvis, but while Cash may not have been pretty he can't be compared to Elvis. Cash was a bad boy, he had that image. He drank, smoked took drugs and we all knew. No one cared what Cash looked like because he cultivated an image where he would be respected by some for being drunk and stoned.

Elvis was marketed as a family entertainer through the 60's and 70's. He was a prescription drug addict that people didn't know about. He was a sex symbol. He appeared in a black leather suit, moved his hips and basically turned people on. People don't have the same sympathy for the family entertainer as they do for Cash.

I firmly believe that the CBS special should not be released to the general public as it will do more harm than good, and will cost too much to reproduce and only have it on sale at Graceland with no ad campaign to make it economically viable. As for the cost as you mentioned in a previous post, wars in Iraq are not bankrolled by EPE but instead by the American taxpayer. Big difference in financial muscle there.

I will agree to disagree with people on this point, but it's available to fans who want it on Bootleg and if EPE think it will do more harm than good then they should be listened to. Besides.....how many here constantly accuse EPE of being money hungry? Exactly.

[jak]

I dont think there is any reason not to release it.I have Love Coming Down and some others but I would like a quality dvd release.To ignore it is like pulling the covers over your head and pretending it never happened.No matter what condition he was in he gave some great performances during the filming.I really dont think it could harm his image because I dont think anybody cares but the fans.The media isnt going to make a big deal about it.The special being released isnt a newsworthy story.Elvis is still relevant to his fans but he's been gone for so long that he is not in the public's mind.Releasing it would not create a media fenzy and wouldnt even make a blip on the radar.The general public couldnt care less.Elvis legacy has withstood the test of time and countless attempts to discredit him.The cbs special would not tarnish it.
Jak

[vulcandude]

I dont think there is any reason not to release it.I have Love Coming Down and some others but I would like a quality dvd release.To ignore it is like pulling the covers over your head and pretending it never happened.No matter what condition he was in he gave some great performances during the filming.I really dont think it could harm his image because I dont think anybody cares but the fans.The media isnt going to make a big deal about it.The special being released isnt a newsworthy story.Elvis is still relevant to his fans but he's been gone for so long that he is not in the public's mind.Releasing it would not create a media fenzy and wouldnt even make a blip on the radar.The general public couldnt care less.Elvis legacy has withstood the test of time and countless attempts to discredit him.The cbs special would not tarnish it.
Jak
Amen to that! The only people that are worried about it is EPE....let the decision of its release be decided by the fans who love him, for we love him no matter how he looked or sounded.

[EnigmaticSun]

No one cared what Cash looked like because he cultivated an image where he would be respected by some for being drunk and stoned.

Cash has gone through his days of darkness, but music had always been terribly important to him. He was a country boy from Arkansas and knew what it was like to pick cotton. Just like Elvis, he went through some sh*t during his lifetime and I think that's why he's more special than the current rock stars.

He could sing to a crowd for more than a hour and I can tell he was sincerely moved. He was the kind of guy who talked to the lonely prisoner who had long paid for his crime, who sang for the wounded boys in Vietnam to cheer 'em up. So I don't think it's fair to say he only got his recognition because of being stoned. The guy is popular even in countries with Anti-American sentiments.

Cash was a great man, just like Elvis. It's just that Elvis didn't look like mr. Ed, unlike most other rockabilly stars. And of course, he had more vocal ability than Johnny Cash or Hank Williams. But I feel it's special that Cash and Williams had the talent to write a song, being unique in their very own right.

Sometimes I get the impression that people think Elvis is the best ever. I simply think that there's no Elvis but Elvis. It doesn't mean no other human being ever achieved grace and brilliance. I understand why Americans want a king, being such a Republican country. They still miss someone.

[0349054]

Cash has gone through his days of darkness, but music had always been terribly important to him. He was a country boy from Arkansas and knew what it was like to pick cotton. Just like Elvis, he went through some sh*t during his lifetime and I think that's why he's more special than the current rock stars.

He could sing to a crowd for more than a hour and I can tell he was sincerely moved. He was the kind of guy who talked to the lonely prisoner who had long paid for his crime, who sang for the wounded boys in Vietnam to cheer 'em up. So I don't think it's fair to say he only got his recognition because of being stoned. The guy is popular even in countries with Anti-American sentiments.

Cash was a great man, just like Elvis. It's just that Elvis didn't look like mr. Ed, unlike most other rockabilly stars. And of course, he had more vocal ability than Johnny Cash or Hank Williams. But I feel it's special that Cash and Williams had the talent to write a song, being unique in their very own right.

Sometimes I get the impression that people think Elvis is the best ever. I simply think that there's no Elvis but Elvis. It doesn't mean no other human being ever achieved grace and brilliance. I understand why Americans want a king, being such a Republican country. They still miss someone.

I think you misunderstood me. I didn't mean to imply Cash only gets recognition because of being stoned, what I was saying was that him image was such that being drugged would not inflict as much harm upon him in the public persona as say other stars.

[Dovey]

Amen to that! The only people that are worried about it is EPE....let the decision of its release be decided by the fans who love him, for we love him no matter how he looked or sounded.

(y) (y) (y) I agree with both you and Jak 100%.

(Jak's )>>Elvis legacy has withstood the test of time and countless attempts to discredit him.The cbs special would not tarnish it.:hmm:

Dovey ;)

[EnigmaticSun]

The family entertainer thing is relative; when he started he was regarded as being the instrument of the devil, the corruptor of youth. And then, suddenly not. They wanted to make him the ideal son-in-law, but it never really worked out.

I wanted to point out that I don't think Cash cultivated an image which granted him respect (by some) for being stoned. He worked hard, was a human being (with errors and virtues) and his legacy is timeless, like Elvis'. Enough people tried to scrutinize Johnny, it's just that he decided not to live so secluded.

I guess people have tried to idealize the younger Elvis, because they know the vigorous, elastic, pretty Elvis so well. And in the 70's, that part of him wasn't so important anymore. And that makes it more shocking to watch, the sudden transition from power to ill health. The tragic part is that so much attention is being given to the way he looked, instead of what was inside of him.

It's true Cash had less of a cleanliness-image to preserve. I guess Elvis wanted to keep everybody and everything satisfied forever, conditioning and complicating his life. Could have been a character issue....

[vulcandude]

The family entertainer thing is relative; when he started he was regarded as being the instrument of the devil, the corruptor of youth. And then, suddenly not. They wanted to make him the ideal son-in-law, but it never really worked out.

I wanted to point out that I don't think Cash cultivated an image which granted him respect (by some) for being stoned. He worked hard, was a human being (with errors and virtues) and his legacy is timeless, like Elvis'. Enough people tried to scrutinize Johnny, it's just that he decided not to live so secluded.

I guess people have tried to idealize the younger Elvis, because they know the vigorous, elastic, pretty Elvis so well. And in the 70's, that part of him wasn't so important anymore. And that makes it more shocking to watch, the sudden transition from power to ill health. The tragic part is that so much attention is being given to the way he looked, instead of what was inside of him.

It's true Cash had less of a cleanliness-image to preserve. I guess Elvis wanted to keep everybody and everything satisfied forever, conditioning and complicating his life. Could have been a character issue....

You have got to be kidding me! Elvis was the first to point out his own faults, he knew he wasn't perfect. To say he was trying to protect his image would be wrong, mainly because he DID agree to do the CBS TV special. Sure, he lived a secluded life, but it was a life thrust upon him by his fame, it wasn't one he went out and asked for.
The reason why people were so shocked at seeing how he looked when the special first aired, was because he hadn't been seen in the public limelight of national attention since 1973. The other reason why everyone was so shocked by it was because America was still reeling from his death. They didn't notice (or care) that he had still sounded fantastic, and that's why this particular special has remained officially unreleased.
Elvis was only human, even though we as fans labeled him "king", but we only did so because we loved him.

[memphis 77]

to say that this should never had bin filmed is *****ic, this special showed JOE PUBLIC, that ELVIS PRESLEY could still belt out a tune[HOW GREAT, MOUNTAIN,HURT, MY WAY etc.. In early 74 there was to be an EASTER SPECIAL, it was turned down by E.P. himself because it he had just finished the ALOHA special not long ago, AND the only reason it was ever concieved was because the FAT AND 40 [saga in the press] E.P. had put his foot down on this one. We all know that E.P. was hesitant to do the CBS special as he later told ED PARKER ,how did he get into this on the way to rapid city performance, but I for one am glad he did it[at least the RAPID CITY show], i just think the deal should have included more shows to be filmed, like CINCINATTI, IDIANAPOLIS, this would have made it a great special, and if the producers included most of the rapid city performances it would have bin just as great leaving out, TRYING TO GET..., IF YOU LOVE ME LET ME KNOW, UNCHAINED, NOW OR NEVER[MINUS SHERILLS VOCALS], it would have showed the world that ELVIS PRESLEY was truly the greatest 'ENTERTAINER', it should have and thankfully was filmed.:(y) (y)

[Talvis]

I do hope that they will release it some time soon. Fans would love to see it. It is the music that counts. Elvis voice was still very very good. Even thou he did not look his best. He still could take your breath away. The talent that he had was still there.

So YESI do believe that they should release it. It would be about time.

:king: Taking Care of Business!!:king:

[utmom2008]

I think it should be released.....but only with the best songs from Omaha and Rapid City....the Omaha show is very painful to watch and listen to at times so the song selection from that show should be made carefully...
to hear (and watch) Elvis stumble through the first part of the show and the band intros in Omaha is hearbreaking.....
So..is the first part of the show all scenes from Omaha? I'm assuming that's where "Are You Lonesome Tonight" is coming from..........:'(

[Getlo]

So..is the first part of the show all scenes from Omaha? I'm assuming that's where "Are You Lonesome Tonight" is coming from..........:'(

No, Lonesome comes from Rapid City. Much of the show comes from here.

http://home.online.no/~ov-egela/ep77.html

[Unchained Melody]

Absolutley it should be released officially. EPE, stop trying to act like Elvis was died after January 14th 1973 because he didn't.;)

[cameron]

It seems Piers already has a thread asking about putting this concert out .
I think I agreed with jak on this one. (y)

To Quote :
I dont think there is any reason not to release it.I have Love Coming Down and some others but I would like a quality dvd release.To ignore it is like pulling the covers over your head and pretending it never happened.No matter what condition he was in he gave some great performances during the filming.I really dont think it could harm his image because I dont think anybody cares but the fans.The media isnt going to make a big deal about it.The special being released isnt a newsworthy story.Elvis is still relevant to his fans but he's been gone for so long that he is not in the public's mind.Releasing it would not create a media fenzy and wouldnt even make a blip on the radar.The general public couldnt care less.Elvis legacy has withstood the test of time and countless attempts to discredit him.The cbs special would not tarnish it. Jak

This is a few reasons why I think the CBS concert should be released .
It can't harm Elvis in any way, IMO.

Many things were said about Elvis; his music and his appearance since the beginning. It hurt his feelings, but it never stopped him or his fans.


http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/news/bob_gray.shtml

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

[epmoodyblue]

yes they def should release it..i would be first in line to buy it along with a picture booklet mabye they can remove some useless footage of silly people talking eating popcorn etc.(y)(y):king::cold:

[utmom2008]

No, Lonesome comes from Rapid City. Much of the show comes from here.

http://home.online.no/~ov-egela/ep77.html
Thanks Getlo...I just found this post today! (y)