The last truly great performance ?

[dennyelvis]

Having just read Alberts article on "Dragonheart" it set me thinking on what peoples opinion on the Kings last great show is. Having never seen him live i can only really compare (visually) between 3 shows. The footage from TTWIS is of course amazing , for me seeing him "rock the house" with mystery train/tiger man is Elvis the showman at his peak.
Having watched the re-edited/mastered Aloha show its still one of my favs and the King is in great shape and voice.
Now please forgive me as i jump 4 years + a lifetime in difference with the CBS Special.....Elvis still in great voice , but sadly unable to manage his Tiger man days or even Suspicious minds !
So it brings me to my ?
You guys who saw the King live 70/77 when was his last real full blast performance.....did it end not long after Hawaii ? .....your thougths please.
PS. I didnt mention 68 , well no need to !

[howardrobardhughes]

Don't you think???

[Jungleroom76]

GREAT QUESTION DENNYELVIS!!!

This is a tough one to answer....but I have to honestly say that Elvis' final performance in Indianapolis on 6/26/77 was a truly great performance!! Just from listening to the CD, you can tell that Elvis is really up for the show and he gives 100% throughout, even breaking out some older songs like BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER, RELEASE ME, and I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU!!!

Throughout the 70's, Elvis was capable of some truly FANTASTIC performances (Pittsburgh 12/31/76, the Asheville '75 shows, the Memphis '75 & '76 shows) as well as some less than stellar performances (College Park '74), but in my opinion, there really isn't ONE show that I can point to as saying that was Elvis' last truly great performance.

Almost all of Elvis' shows were great in one way or another, in my opinion!

TCB!
Mike

[NightRider]

There are many great shows to be found.....even in the last couple of years when Elvis, at times was below par. All of the late december '76 shows were awesome in my opinion.Certainly worth aquiring if you don't have them.

Some of the '77 shows...even though i personally like them...were not Elvis any where near at his best...though great performances could be found within the shows themselves. Great versions of particular songs always shone out..even in the not so outstanding shows.

I love May 22nd show from Maryland...its a personal favourite of mine from '77. I think he performs really well. its available on the import cd 'Tonight...8.30pm' Sadly only an Audience recording...but a pretty decent one.

The last great performance.... ...tough to answer...some would no doubt point out Pittsburgh '76......but i would go along with Mike and say that it was later than that...... Indianapolis June 26th. If only we could have this on a soundboard recording

[Jungleroom76]

There are many great shows to be found.....even in the last couple of years when Elvis, at times was below par. All of the late december '76 shows were awesome in my opinion.Certainly worth aquiring if you don't have them.

Some of the '77 shows...even though i personally like them...were not Elvis any where near at his best...though great performances could be found within the shows themselves. Great versions of particular songs always shone out..even in the not so outstanding shows.

I love May 22nd show from Maryland...its a personal favourite of mine from '77. I think he performs really well. its available on the import cd 'Tonight...8.30pm' Sadly only an Audience recording...but a pretty decent one.

The last great performance.... ...tough to answer...some would no doubt point out Pittsburgh '76......but i would go along with Mike and say that it was later than that...... Indianapolis June 26th. If only we could have this on a soundboard recording

RIGHT ON NIGHT RIDER!!!

If only Indianapolis would show up in soundboard quality....

And I agree with you 100% on Elvis' performance from Maryland on May 22nd! Just listen to Elvis as he performs the final notes on CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE....absolutely AMAZING performance!!!!

TCB!
Mike

[Lonniebealestreet]

Guess what? I agree. I know that will be a surprise to many.

The last truly great show was truly the last show. I will concede that when you consider Elvis's last year or two a different scale is often applied when judging the concerts, but I sincerely believe that quite a few, including Indy, should be considered great regardless of when they took place. And witnessing them in person must have been magical.

Good call on Largo, fellas, especially the end of CHFIL. It never ceases to give me chills, I swear to goodness.

[dennyelvis]

Hey...thanks for your great replys on this ! you guys really know your stuff i do agree it is really tough to narrow it down when you only have to listen to a show at random and you think man...this is good !
I had a couple on recently...Burnin in Birmingham and Cuttin em down to size, both are great examples of Elvis being so close to his best , and good soundboards too. If only some of the ones you said were in soundboard quality
Just to add something to my ?
we are all familiar with the officialy released shows MSG-72 + re-released FTD Memphis show , but why were these chosen for official release and could they have got their act together and officially recorded better shows Greensbro 72 for example.
Considering all the Kings tours...why werent more given the official treatment ?

[peter]

I think that Elvis? last great shows were:
- 26th June 1977 (stunning concert!)
- 21st June 1977 (not only Unchained Melody, but complete show was great)
- 27th - 31st December 1976 (all these shows were great).

[rick]

I agree the final show is great - and an audience recording actually helps the atmosphere.
i haven't heard Largo but it sounds interesting
rick

[Lildarling]

As with me, almost ALL Elvis' shows are incredible-even if he didn't sing as good as in the earlier days, he still tried to compensate this with all the banters and jokes...
And, yes, I also agree that June concerts in 1977 still thrill my heart...though making me cry

[Jungleroom76]

Guess what? I agree. I know that will be a surprise to many.

WOW!!!! I DIDN'T SEE THAT ONE COMING!!!

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

I agree the final show is great - and an audience recording actually helps the atmosphere.
i haven't heard Largo but it sounds interesting
rick

GOOD POINT RICK!!

Having the audience mixed in with Elvis' performance does help to create the "atmosphere" for the Indianapolis show indeed!

The Largo show is indeed one that you owe it to yourself to listen to....just the ending of CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE is worth the price of admission, alone! (so to speak) (h)

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

Considering all the Kings tours...why werent more given the official treatment ?

If you are referring to why more concert releases weren't issued during Elvis' lifetime, my guess would be so the market wasn't saturated with live concert albums. Back during Elvis' lifetime, I would guess that fans really didn't want to pick up an album containing another version of 2001/SEE SEE RIDER, for example. Whereas fans today want to get their hands on as many concert recordings as they can, regardless of whether they have 500 different versions of SEE SEE RIDER or not.

Back during his lifetime, fans were anxious to hear the next new Elvis recordings! But, of course since Elvis is no longer alive, fans today have to settle for hearing a previously unreleased version of a song that we have heard before (as with my SEE SEE RIDER example)...or the occassionally hidden gem.

Just my opinion though....anyone else have a different idea on this?

TCB!
Mike