I think Elvis gave up in 1974,and didn't care about his weight.
Then he was getting bad habits,and from then on I think he also began taking more pills.I think this year is the year we lost Elvis...
I'd like to go to Graceland
Memphis,Tennessee
Many people like, the Inspirations and James Burton, commented on how Elvis would look overweight and tired for one tour then bounce back and look trim and rested the next. The last few years his body did not have the capacity to do this any longer.Originally Posted by jak
He was on a roller coaster that's for sure.That had to be very stressfull on his body.
Jak
I agree with you Jak. In some ways, it seems this was the beginning of the end so to speak. There were peaks and lots of valley's from this point on.
In terms of his behaviour and attitude, 1974 is the year where the drugs affected him the most.
Before then, he pretty much had a handle on it all (the three pre-74 overdoses notwithstanding) but during this period he was out of control, and there were times on stage where he was simply embarrassing.
After '74, he seemed to level off (and was almost another person) and pretty much stayed that way until the end.
It's certainly one of his most interesting periods anyway.
Getlo - cute'n'cuddly
Elvis was one complex man. Even with all the fame and fortune, he still wasnt happy. Its sad. I wonder what he was searching for?
"When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was a hero in the movie. So every dream that I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times. I learned very early in life that without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain't got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend; without a song. So I keep singing a song." - Elvis Presley
INTERESTING is certainly a good word to describe 1974 Getlo!!
You have the January/February '74 engagement in Las Vegas (as documented on the I FOUND MY THRILL FTD) which was a very good engagement with Elvis in a good mood and even bringing back some songs he hadn't performed live in a couple of years (YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELING and SWEET CAROLINE) as well as debuting some new songs (HELP ME and SPANISH EYES).
Then of course, you have the excellent March tour including the well documented and well discussed Memphis show!
As for the August/September '74 Vegas engagement, what started out as a potentially promising engagement with the infamous opening show song lineup change (on the import FROM SUNSET BLVD. TO PARADISE RD., among many other CD titles) quickly deterioriated into the closing show (well documented on the DESERT STORM import CD). Not to say every show during this engagement was bad (as evidenced by the IT'S MIDNIGHT FTD)...in fact there are some great performances from this engagement! But the overall engagement was an up and down affair!
Then of course came the debacle known as the College Park show (documented on A PROFILE VOL. 2 - THE KING ON STAGE, DISCS 2 & 3) which was part of the even more rocky September/October tour. While it was well known that Elvis' performances could change dramatically from night to night, by this period of Elvis' life, his performances could even change from the matinee to the evening performance...as evidenced by the Dayton, OH. shows on 10/6. While the matinee performance was definitely sub-standard (as heard on A PROFILE VOL. 2 - THE KING ON STAGE DISC 3), the evening performance (heard on BREATHING OUT FIRE) was MUCH more upbeat and energetic.
All in all, Getlo is 100% right...1974 was indeed an INTERESTING year to say the least!!
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
That's all very interesting to read about and listen to. Why do you think that after 1974 he seemed to level off and remain there??INTERESTING is certainly a good word to describe 1974 Getlo!!
You have the January/February '74 engagement in Las Vegas (as documented on the I FOUND MY THRILL FTD) which was a very good engagement with Elvis in a good mood and even bringing back some songs he hadn't performed live in a couple of years (YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELING and SWEET CAROLINE) as well as debuting some new songs (HELP ME and SPANISH EYES).
Then of course, you have the excellent March tour including the well documented and well discussed Memphis show!
As for the August/September '74 Vegas engagement, what started out as a potentially promising engagement with the infamous opening show song lineup change (on the import FROM SUNSET BLVD. TO PARADISE RD., among many other CD titles) quickly deterioriated into the closing show (well documented on the DESERT STORM import CD). Not to say every show during this engagement was bad (as evidenced by the IT'S MIDNIGHT FTD)...in fact there are some great performances from this engagement! But the overall engagement was an up and down affair!
Then of course came the debacle known as the College Park show (documented on A PROFILE VOL. 2 - THE KING ON STAGE, DISCS 2 & 3) which was part of the even more rocky September/October tour. While it was well known that Elvis' performances could change dramatically from night to night, by this period of Elvis' life, his performances could even change from the matinee to the evening performance...as evidenced by the Dayton, OH. shows on 10/6. While the matinee performance was definitely sub-standard (as heard on A PROFILE VOL. 2 - THE KING ON STAGE DISC 3), the evening performance (heard on BREATHING OUT FIRE) was MUCH more upbeat and energetic.
All in all, Getlo is 100% right...1974 was indeed an INTERESTING year to say the least!!
TCB!
Mike
Tough question Rosanne....maybe the detox. that he went through in early '75 helped. Maybe he had a renewed fire for performing and touring following his stint in the hospital.That's all very interesting to read about and listen to. Why do you think that after 1974 he seemed to level off and remain there??
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
Elvis went through a detox in 75? Can you explain why? And I wonder why Elvis didnt go through a detox for the CBS Special, knowing he was going to be on tv. Maybe because he couldn't?Tough question Rosanne....maybe the detox. that he went through in early '75 helped. Maybe he had a renewed fire for performing and touring following his stint in the hospital.
TCB!
Mike
"When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was a hero in the movie. So every dream that I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times. I learned very early in life that without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain't got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend; without a song. So I keep singing a song." - Elvis Presley
Well, TECHNICALLY it was a hospitalization for illness, but while he was in the hospital, they tried to get him off of his prescription medications which seemed to actually work for a while during 1975, hence lending to the spectacular shows that Elvis gave during the spring and summer of 1975!
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
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