Wing Jumpsuit (aka) Long Fringed With Cape Jumpsuit (1970)

[srj1967]

Not sure if this link will work, but this is video from that 1970 show in LA. If it doesn't work, just go into Youtube and search under ELVIS PRESLEY 1970.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jayuxQlcB8

Thanks to roddy156 on Youtube

[srj1967]

I don't believe this was ever used in '71. What date, if so?

All the books, articles etc say this was a once off.

Elvis was a bit peeved when he got caught up in it, so I can't imagine him going back to it. Or perhaps a new version with shorter fringes?

Where is any evidence for any other date than LA in 1970?

[Leroy]

This suit was used again in January/February 1971 in Las Vegas. Have this picture to prove it. If you look at the left side of the picture you see the huge film screen in the background of the orchestra that's always been used in Vegas to project different colours of light. You can also see that the tassles on the suit are shorter than they were in Los Angeles the previous year.

[Lisarose]

Not sure if this link will work, but this is video from that 1970 show in LA. If it doesn't work, just go into Youtube and search under ELVIS PRESLEY 1970.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jayuxQlcB8

Thanks to roddy156 on Youtube

This link still works, (is it on our clips page?) Is this the same suit that Elvis wore when "attacked" by a fan? Actually the fan grabbed a fistful of fringe trying to remove it from his costume for a souvenir, & Elvis kept telling him/her that "It won't come off, it's tied, it's tied" Charlie had to rescue Elvis. This event was featured on a video clip on YouTube, but has been removed. I remember the fringe, but I don't remember the wings. Great pictures, btw. How many times did he wear this? He certainly was an adventurous soul.

[Johnny King]

This suit was used again in January/February 1971 in Las Vegas. Have this picture to prove it. If you look at the left side of the picture you see the huge film screen in the background of the orchestra that's always been used in Vegas to project different colours of light. You can also see that the tassles on the suit are shorter than they were in Los Angeles the previous year.

Leroy is quite right.
The suit was worn once more in January 1971 with the fringe cut shorter.

[Leroy]

You can dismiss that post of mine. I have always been under the impression this suit was used several times and it was the same suit all the way. But I was wrong about that. The "Wing Suit" Elvis used was a different one.
The 1970 "Wing Suit" has a double row of metal eyes on the lapels and collar, while the 1971 "Wing Suit" has a single row of metal eyes on the lapels and nails on the collar. Also the tassles are shorter which gave Elvis more abbility to move around.
Both versions of the suit are on display at Graceland.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

You can dismiss that post of mine. I have always been under the impression this suit was used several times and it was the same suit all the way. But I was wrong about that. The "Wing Suit" Elvis used was a different one.
The 1970 "Wing Suit" has a double row of metal eyes on the lapels and collar, while the 1971 "Wing Suit" has a single row of metal eyes on the lapels and nails on the collar. Also the tassles are shorter which gave Elvis more abbility to move around.
Both versions of the suit are on display at Graceland.

Its weird that Elvis would have two suits of this design considering it was a flawed design in terms of restricted movement etc. I wonder if they were made at the same time or one made later with altered specifications to help with the restricted movement?

[Leroy]

I guess you must concentrate on the last option Matt. Elvis DID like the suit in the first place....

[Diane Lynn]

Tour 1970 xx xx OR Vegas 1971 02 xx

he sure looks cool in it

[goodelvisgirl]

fantastic looking suit it looks plain and simple until you see the fringes elvis looked great in this and it made his on stage moves look fantastic

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

All in all this is a nice suit, there certainly seem to be more photo's on the net with Elvis wearing it these days!

[Unchained Melody]

Very cool photo Matt!

[rossmcurry]

i have footage of elvis in this suit from 1970 and i can tell you he never wore it again after he had to be cut loose from it by charlie hodge charlie and john wilkinson talk about that night in los angeles and how elvis himself said i'll never where that suit again

[1100ccRider]

You can dismiss that post of mine. I have always been under the impression this suit was used several times and it was the same suit all the way. But I was wrong about that. The "Wing Suit" Elvis used was a different one.
The 1970 "Wing Suit" has a double row of metal eyes on the lapels and collar, while the 1971 "Wing Suit" has a single row of metal eyes on the lapels and nails on the collar. Also the tassles are shorter which gave Elvis more abbility to move around.
Both versions of the suit are on display at Graceland.

Cool! I've always thought that this was a particularly spectacular suit, especially in motion, and thought nothing of the apparently shorter fringes in the photo from 1971 (January 29?) because -- after all -- the thing was operated on in the Forum so why wouldn't they subsequently shorten the fringes?

It's great to see the two suits together. And, until I saw this picture, I had no idea that there were beads on the fringes as in the shorter-fringed suit(s).

[hounddog]

From the book Thank You Very Much

[hounddog]

from the same book

[mrsphilly]

very nice. i liked all his jumpsuits

[renapap05]

I think Elvis should wear this wonderful Jumpsuit more times...
One of my favorites

[cibetty]

Awww, I love this jumpsuit, he looked great in it!! Betti

[elvispresleytheking]

This is one occasion where I think there are more pix. from just this concert than from vegas in 71, 73, and 74 combined!