what was the Hilton's arrangement with Elvis after 1975?

[ruggishboo]

From 1969 to 1974, Elvis performed at the Hilton for two seasons, one in January and one in August (only in August in 69). Beginning in January 74, his usual month long engagement was cut back to two weeks, per doctors orders, or so I've read. In January 75, Elvis was unable to perform, so the engagement was pushed back to the spring. In August, he had to cancel most of his engagement. He made up for this in Dec. But then nothing at the Hilton for a year, and nothing in 77. I was just wondering what if any deal Elvis had with the Hilton from 75 on? I've read he was supposed to open the Hilton Pavillion in late 77, of course this never came to pass. I'm assuming a lot of it had to do with Elvis's erratic health..but don't know for sure. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[utmom2008]

From 1969 to 1974, Elvis performed at the Hilton for two seasons, one in January and one in August (only in August in 69). Beginning in January 74, his usual month long engagement was cut back to two weeks, per doctors orders, or so I've read. In January 75, Elvis was unable to perform, so the engagement was pushed back to the spring. In August, he had to cancel most of his engagement. He made up for this in Dec. But then nothing at the Hilton for a year, and nothing in 77. I was just wondering what if any deal Elvis had with the Hilton from 75 on? I've read he was supposed to open the Hilton Pavillion in late 77, of course this never came to pass. I'm assuming a lot of it had to do with Elvis's erratic health..but don't know for sure. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Great question I would like to know the same thing, maybe Getlo will know. Was the Pavillion a new showroom? I can't imagine Elvis in any room but the original showroom with those big cherubs on the wall.

[Stryx]

Great question I would like to know the same thing, maybe Getlo will know. Was the Pavillion a new showroom? I can't imagine Elvis in any room but the original showroom with those big cherubs on the wall.

I've heard that Hilton Pavillion thing as well. Elvis was finished in Vegas in Dec 76' and everyone knows the Hotel didn't really want him.

Colonel made a deal - they gave Elvis the room, Elvis/Colonel took the door.

I think after Elvis died and when they got Ali to open it, that they came up with this story.

[elvis himselvis]

I was wondering about this too,and maybe someone will give us the anwser,but was there an engagement planned in Vegas for 1977???

[utmom2008]

I've heard that Hilton Pavillion thing as well. Elvis was finished in Vegas in Dec 76' and everyone knows the Hotel didn't really want him.

Colonel made a deal - they gave Elvis the room, Elvis/Colonel took the door.

I think after Elvis died and when they got Ali to open it, that they came up with this story.

Was the Hilton done with him because he had become so erratic and unreliable? What a shame....at one point he was the Chosen One with that place.

[Stryx]

Not as far as I am aware.

Dec 76' was it for Elvis and the Las Vegas Hilton.

He died in Aug 77' - he hadn't played Vegas for over 8 months and Vegas wasn't part of the tour he never made.

Elvis was finished with Vegas and I believe the Pavillion story is just that, a story,

[utmom2008]

Not as far as I am aware.

Dec 76' was it for Elvis and the Las Vegas Hilton.

He died in Aug 77' - he hadn't played Vegas for over 8 months and Vegas wasn't part of the tour he never made.

Elvis was finished with Vegas and I believe the Pavillion story is just that, a story,

You had mentioned that the Hotel didn't really want him...I thought maybe you knew a story. I will always associate Elvis and August and the Hilton. It kept me on the straight and narrow every year... as long as I made good grades and didn't mess up I knew Mom and Dad would take me back to Vegas in August. Those were the days!!

[Stryx]

Well the Hotel didn't really want him in Dec 76'.

As I said they gave Elvis the room and Elvis took the door.

Colonel charged somewhere in the region of $29 and it sold out.

Elvis wasn't performing great. People were asking for their money back and Vernon ended up in hospital with chest pains.

It was also in Dec if memory serves me that Elvis had that incident with Don Rickles when he went to see his show and Rickles asked him up on stage and Elvis started to read and read and read from a book on stage. The books name I think was 'The Voice of Silence' although I could be wrong.

Utom - how many times in August did you see Elvis at the Hilton?

[utmom2008]

Utom - how many times in August did you see Elvis at the Hilton?

I saw him in August of 1971, 1972 and 1973. In 72 and 73 we were there for opening night.

[utmom2008]

Well the Hotel didn't really want him in Dec 76'.




Elvis wasn't performing great. People were asking for their money back and Vernon ended up in hospital with chest pains.

I remember reading about how people were walking out of the showroom, complaining and wanting their money back. It's really sad to think it got to that point.

[Joe Car]

It wasn't that the Hilton didn't want Vegas, it was Elvis had grown tired of playing that town. As far as the Pavillion goes, Elvis was scheduled to open that new facility, but unfortunately, he died, thus they had the Leon Spinks-Muhammad Ali fight their instead. To quote management, "when Elvis died, they had to get Ali, nobody else was big enough." Truth was, all other casinos were dead during Christmas time, it was that slow. When EP played Vegas during the holiday season, he not only sold out every show, he brought much more business to that city. I wish I could remember where I read the pavillion story, hopefully I'll find it somewhere.

[elvis himselvis]

Well,I like his concerts he performed in Las vegas '76.
I think if you compare it to the rest of 1976,those december concerts are highlights,and besides I enjoyed listening to it.He performed long shows,and did some rare songs.

[Stryx]

It wasn't that the Hilton didn't want Vegas, it was Elvis had grown tired of playing that town. As far as the Pavillion goes, Elvis was scheduled to open that new facility, but unfortunately, he died, thus they had the Leon Spinks-Muhammad Ali fight their instead. To quote management, "when Elvis died, they had to get Ali, nobody else was big enough." Truth was, all other casinos were dead during Christmas time, it was that slow. When EP played Vegas during the holiday season, he not only sold out every show, he brought much more business to that city. I wish I could remember where I read the pavillion story, hopefully I'll find it somewhere.

I have heard the story about the Pavillion, but where did you see that Elvis was actually booked to play?

As far as I am aware Elvis was not booked to play Vegas again when he died and his contract with the Hotel was up.

The Hilton did not want Elvis in Dec 76 if they wanted him, they would ahve paid him for the show, instead of giving the room and letting Elvis take the door.

I have never seen or heard that Elvis was actually booked to open the Pavillion except from the Hilton hotel itself.

I could be wrong, but I think it's just a nice story created by the Hotel in the wake of Elvis's death.

[utmom2008]

Wasn't December of 76 the only time he was there for what you call the "holidays"? I agree Stryx, it seems odd that they would give him the room and let him charge admission. That was certainly different from any other engagement that he had done with the Hilton....

[Stryx]

Yes it was strange.

Any good stories from the Elvis concerts you saw at the Hilton? Did you manage to meet Elvis at any stage?

Have you heard the story of when Elvis and Jerry got drunk at the wet bar - the one still beside the entrance to the showroom at the Las Vegas Hilton?

How much were you paying for the seats and where did you sit? Fill us in!

Envy is not the word I could even use to describe my feelings towards you seeing Elvis in concert that often!!

[epmoodyblue]

Well,I like his concerts he performed in Las vegas '76.
I think if you compare it to the rest of 1976,those december concerts are highlights,and besides I enjoyed listening to it.He performed long shows,and did some rare songs.

agree with you..people exagerate lots.. and make it sound like the whole showroom go up and left asking for refunds..all false..the dec vegas 76 shows were very good quality shows..elvis gave long shows sang many rare songs shows were great and he looked a lot better than his vegas 75 shows..thumbs up for elvis vegas concerts in 76.

[utmom2008]

agree with you..people exagerate lots.. and make it sound like the whole showroom go up and left asking for refunds..all false..the dec vegas 76 shows were very good quality shows..elvis gave long shows sang many rare songs shows were great and he looked a lot better than his vegas 75 shows..thumbs up for elvis vegas concerts in 76.

I for one never said the whole show room got up and left...now I think you are exagerating. It is however a fact that SOME people did get up and leave his show. If you could have been in Vegas in the early 70's you would realize that the fact that even ONE person would get up and leave is horrible. People sat transfixed for the entire length of the show, hardly breathing he was soooo charismatic. No one moved...let alone left.

[Stryx]

agree with you..people exagerate lots.. and make it sound like the whole showroom go up and left asking for refunds..all false..the dec vegas 76 shows were very good quality shows..elvis gave long shows sang many rare songs shows were great and he looked a lot better than his vegas 75 shows..thumbs up for elvis vegas concerts in 76.

If you think Dec 76' Elvis was quality for money, then I could easily charge you a small fortune for Elvis in 1969 and 1970!

[jak]

Elvis was going back to Vegas in 77.He was scheduled to open the Pavillon.Guralick talks about it in Careless Love.There is a passage in the outstanding book The Concert Years.After he performs the last song on stage he turns and says off mike"I hate vegas".Elvis grew to hate the city but it was financially a necessity.
Jak

[epmoodyblue]

If you think Dec 76' Elvis was quality for money, then I could easily charge you a small fortune for Elvis in 1969 and 1970!

oh really ..like i said before..thumbs up for elvis vegas concerts in 76 simply fabulous shows