Two different Aloha Suits and Liberace cape?

[EP75]

I saw this back during Elvis Week. but I have my doubts about this information.

1)The suit EP wore on the January 12 rehearsal show is the exact same suit he wore 2 nights later on January 14.

2)It has been documented that there was indeed a second Aloha American Eagle suit that was made for his 1973 summer tour. The show was so popular that EP used the same set list for a few shows that year on tour and wore the Aloha suit as part of it.

Here's the full story from EP Gold.



According to EPE Elvis wore two different suits then: one on the 12th for the rehearsal show, and another for the actual broadcast the following day. The cape that Elvis tossed in the audience, is now the center piece of the Aloha display.



The Aloha Suits At Graceland.


The suits on display are two different suits. Let me explain:

The Aloha suit that has been on display at Graceland from the begining is the suit that was delivered to Elvis in March of 1973. It was never worn during either Aloha shows!

Bill Belew had made two suits for the show, however the 2nd suit was not completed on time, therefore not used in January of 1973.

The suit from March of 1973 has different larger measurments than that of the suit worn during both the rehersal show, and Aloha special.

EPE has never admitted this fact, and would rather have the fans believe that it was worn during the performance.

The second suit on display was aquired from the Hitlon Hotel in Las Vegas where it had been on display since 1978. This was the suit worn by Elvis during both the rehersal and Aloha performances.

The suit was donated to the Hilton Hotel in 1978 by Vernon Presley, and Col. Tom Parker, along with a guitar, and stage boots. When the suit was donated, there was no corresponding cape, so Col Parker had IC Costumes make another cape to donate to the Hilton. I first saw this suit on display in 1993 at the Hitlon.

The Estate of Ed Parker does not, and has never had either of the Aloha suits. Elvis gave Ed the cape that was delivered with the second suit in March of 1973, and was worn from that date until 1974 when Elvis no longer wore the suit on stage.

I was the person who notified Greg Howell, the then archives director of Graceland that the Hilton Hotel had the Aloha suit.

How did Graceland aquire the suit?

Well that is a long complex story, but in a nut shell, EPE wanted it back, the Hilton did not want to give it back because it was placed on permanent loan from Vernon and the Col.

During this conflict the Hilton took the suit down, and placed it in the employee lounge area in the open, where people began pulling studs off the suits reproduction cape, and where it was exposed to smoke etc. I personaly viewed the suit in this location, and brought my concerns to the hotel.

From there they removed the suit, and placed it in storage. There were other interested private parties soliciting the Hilton for purchase of the suit, but they declined offers.

Last year EPE managed to get the suit back, along with the other donated items, and now they have the suit on display.

I am not aware of the conditions, or how EPE got the suit, but either way at least the suit will now be cared for properly.

Although I have not seen the new display, if it is true that the suits are labled as one worn during the rehersal, and the other worn during the telecast, well that is simply incorrect information.

Sounds more like saving face, then historical fact.

To date Ed Parkers Estate still has the cape given to Ed in 1975, which was not worn during either show, it was delivered in March of 1973 with the other suit.

EPE has the cape Elvis wore during the Aloha rehearsal and telecast, donated by the Andrew Kearn Estate.

The original belt worn thrown to the crowd has still never surfaced, and the belt on display at Graceland is a replacement belt worn by Elvis on tour, but not on either of the Aloha concerts.

This should clear any rumors that have surfaced, as the information is 100% verifiable, and direct from the parties involved since 1997.

Note:

The original person who caught the cape was Advertiser journalist Bruce Spinks. Spinks later sold the cape to Elvis fan, Andrew Kern.

Kern passed away in 1995 from cancer and willed the bulk of his estate to his parents who in return auctioned off his Elvis collection in 1995 in Memphis where all funds went to the "Make A Wish Foundation", Kerns parents gave back the cape as a Gift to EPE in their sons name in 1995.
The cape and Belt is now owned by Collector Larry Moss in Memphis, he purchased it from Ed Parker's estate.

And also this Aloha Eagle cape. Is it real? I don't ever recall a Liberace style cape being made specially for the Aloha show. This sounds fabricated to me.



As was mentioned earlier, Graceland has surprised the fans this year with a special Aloha display case: not one, but two suits are on display at the raquetball building.

The suit on the left is supposed to be the rehearsal-suit, the one on the right was worn during the actual broadcast. However, experts don’t agree.

According to them, the rehearsal suit is now in the hands of the Ed Parker Estate. If that is the case, then the so-called rehearsal suit on display, is made after Aloha. No wonder that there are so many rumours flying around.

The only certainty, is the cape in the middle: that was tossed in the audience, but given back to the estate after the fan who caught it, passed away. And even that cape wasn’t the original one.

Bill Belew had designed an extra large cape for the show, until Elvis tried it on. He soon found out that the cape was too long and too heavy, and he ordered a “regular sized cape”.

The XL-version is now in private hands, after Elvis Presley Enterprises sold it in 1999. But still the question remains: how would Elvis have looked in that full length cape?

One example is this computerized picture. Perhaps, after all, it’s best that he picked the “medium sized cape” after all…

[Leroy]

One thing is true: The suit on the left was never used during the Aloha Special. It is a suit made for touring and this was indeed a larger version.

But Elvis did use two different suits during both performances because at first two versions were made. One for the 12th and one for the 14th. If you compare pictures of the rehearsal sho with pictures of the satellite show you can see that the pattern on the belly is different.
Where the eagle's tail ends you see two tiny gold stars on each side of the belly. On the reahearsal suit an extra large gold star is present on the right side. That one is missing from the satellite suit.

I also have a copy of the bill of sale dated January 17th, 1973. A bill for two jumpsuits. One with the long cape and one with matching cape.
Both suits were delivered on time. Elvis never got a bill for something that was not delivered.

Another myth is that Bill Belew designd this suit. This is simply not true because they were designed by Gene Doucette.

[Getlo]

Remember, guys, EPE says things like the White Pyramid suit was worn at Madison Square Garden ... when it wasn't. It was only featured on the cover of the original MSG album.

There are quite a few other areas re the suits at Graceland and elsewhere from the "official" source!

[EP75]

One thing is true: The suit on the left was never used during the Aloha Special. It is a suit made for touring and this was indeed a larger version.

But Elvis did use two different suits during both performances because at first two versions were made. One for the 12th and one for the 14th. If you compare pictures of the rehearsal sho with pictures of the satellite show you can see that the pattern on the belly is different.
Where the eagle's tail ends you see two tiny gold stars on each side of the belly. On the reahearsal suit an extra large gold star is present on the right side. That one is missing from the satellite suit.

I also have a copy of the bill of sale dated January 17th, 1973. A bill for two jumpsuits. One with the long cape and one with matching cape.
Both suits were delivered on time. Elvis never got a bill for something that was not delivered.

Another myth is that Bill Belew designd this suit. This is simply not true because they were designed by Gene Doucette.

So you're saying that there was indeed two different suits worn for the Aloha shows? That's news to me. Not saying it's not true. I still question the Liberace style cape though. I do recall years ago hearing that EP did have two separate capes made for the shows. But never one like what is posted above. Although that is a piece of art itself. But why on earth would EPE sell something that unique and beautiful? Unless it wasn't authentic?

[EP75]

Remember, guys, EPE says things like the White Pyramid suit was worn at Madison Square Garden ... when it wasn't. It was only featured on the cover of the original MSG album.

There are quite a few other areas re the suits at Graceland and elsewhere from the "official" source!

Not taking up for EPE but that information about the pyramid suit wouldn't mean too much to the casual fan but does to the die hard fans. I remember when I went to Gracleand I had to correct the tour guides constantly for mislead information.

I'll never forget an older man (from America) who asked his wife "who is Lisa Marie". If I had been drinking a coke at that very moment, it would have been spit all over the place from laughing in shock.

[King_Creole]

I remember when I went to Gracleand I had to correct the tour guides constantly for mislead information.

If I had been drinking a coke at this very moment, it would have been spit all over the place from laughing in shock.

[Tommy]

One thing is true: The suit on the left was never used during the Aloha Special. It is a suit made for touring and this was indeed a larger version.

But Elvis did use two different suits during both performances because at first two versions were made. One for the 12th and one for the 14th. If you compare pictures of the rehearsal sho with pictures of the satellite show you can see that the pattern on the belly is different.
Where the eagle's tail ends you see two tiny gold stars on each side of the belly. On the reahearsal suit an extra large gold star is present on the right side. That one is missing from the satellite suit.

I also have a copy of the bill of sale dated January 17th, 1973. A bill for two jumpsuits. One with the long cape and one with matching cape.
Both suits were delivered on time. Elvis never got a bill for something that was not delivered.

Another myth is that Bill Belew designd this suit. This is simply not true because they were designed by Gene Doucette.

Thumbs up Leroy, I know this is true if you have stated it. You are really the expert when it comes to all of Elvis' jumpsuits, etc.

[thehillbillycat]

So you're saying that there was indeed two different suits worn for the Aloha shows? That's news to me. Not saying it's not true. I still question the Liberace style cape though. I do recall years ago hearing that EP did have two separate capes made for the shows. But never one like what is posted above. Although that is a piece of art itself. But why on earth would EPE sell something that unique and beautiful? Unless it wasn't authentic?

Yes, there were two different suits that was worn with one a few minor changes which Leroy pointed out. I believe Elvis wanted the long cape for the suit since he didn't have one and it would of made a more impact with the concert. It would of been glorious of him gracing the stage with a long cape. But it was just too heavy.
I don't know when he had the other Aloha suit made but it was some before the April tour. I guess he order the cape the same time he order that other suit.

As for EPE, it wasn't unusual of them selling things that is authentic. They used to hold auctions and sold the items. That is how some of the soundboard concert made it to private hands now because of that reason.

[rocknroll]

If I had been drinking a coke at this very moment, it would have been spit all over the place from laughing in shock.

hehehehe. Funny.

Actually, when he left the tour guides probably rolled their eyes and said, "not another one".

[keke23]

OMG...that large cape is GORGEOUS! Why would they sell somethin like that? It should be on display at Graceland.

I never knew that about the suits as well. It's not like I ever cared enough to take the time to realise if it was 2 different, lol.

Some folks got too much time on their hands.

[thehillbillycat]

OMG...that large cape is GORGEOUS! Why would they sell somethin like that? It should be on display at Graceland.

I never knew that about the suits as well. It's not like I ever cared enough to take the time to realise if it was 2 different, lol.

Some folks got too much time on their hands.

He had three suits of the Aloha. Two he wore during the Rehearsal and Telecast and the other was wore during the other dates of 1973 and 1974.

[ksimms2]

this is why some of you are called "jump suit junkies" right? I would never have known had you not told us...so thank you for sharing this info...

[thehillbillycat]

I wouldn't classify myself as a Jumpsuit Junkie. Leroy knows more infomation than I do.

[elvis himselvis]

I heard on this website that the original Aloha from Hawaii Jumpsuit is on display in Las Vegas,and not in Graceland.....???????

[Tony Trout]

I heard on this website that the original Aloha from Hawaii Jumpsuit is on display in Las Vegas,and not in Graceland.....???????

The original "Aloha From Hawaii" jumpsuit is now in display at Graceland along with the third "Aloha Bald-Headed Eagle" suit which was designed after the Aloha show because Elvis had gained a bit more weight by this time. If I'm correct, the last time Elvis wore the actual "Aloha" suit was during his February 1973 Vegas engagement...is that correct, Leroy??

[toffe]

Thanks for info, the cape was enormous.
But i am a little confused.... Is it Total 3 Capes, 2 for the aloha shows and 1 for using on tour?

[Leroy]

One long cape for the Aloha Show (which has never been used)
One regular cape for the Aloha Show (Elvis used this one on both suits and trew it in the audience at the end of the Satellite Show)
One cape regular cape for the tour version of this suits.

So it will be a total of three.

But there is one thing I wonder about. Unfortunately I don't have time to write it down because I'm almost due to work. I will come back on this subject.

[toffe]

One long cape for the Aloha Show (which has never been used)
One regular cape for the Aloha Show (Elvis used this one on both suits and trew it in the audience at the end of the Satellite Show)
One cape regular cape for the tour version of this suits.

So it will be a total of three.

But there is one thing I wonder about. Unfortunately I don't have time to write it down because I'm almost due to work. I will come back on this subject.

Okei, thank you Leroy, and also 3 suits then!

[Tony Trout]

Okei, thank you Leroy, and also 3 suits then!

I'm not Leroy but, yes, there were three suits. One (1) for the rehearsal show on January 12, 1973 and one (1) for the actual satellite broadcast on January 14, 1973 and one (1) for the tours later that year and into 1974.

OK..lemme throw this at everyone....we all know that Graceland now has the jumpsuit from the actual "Aloha" telecast from January 14, 1973 but I wonder whatever happened to the suit used in the rehearsal show from January 12, 1973?

Oh, and Leroy? When looking at the photo on the website here the suit that is displayed on the "right" side is the larger jumpsuit that was used for the later tours of 1973 & 1974....from your original post it kinda sounds like you're saying that the suit (on what would be "my" right when looking at the photo here in this thread on the site) is the actual "Aloha" suit.

(I ain't bein' "picky"...just trying to clear up some possible confusion it may cause some people.)

You are absolutely "The Man" when it comes to the information 'bout the jumpsuits, dude....you rock!!

[toffe]

Thanks for info Tony Trout.