November, 1972 Aloha Press Conference

[ehollier]

There has always been something about this press conference that struck me as Elvis being very 'subdued', demure or sedate - not chemically, but almost like he's shying away from the spotlight. He looks it in his eyes, face and his whole manner about himself. The swagger and humor of the MSG press conference is missing and his 'coolness' from the September, 1972 Aloha press conference is certainly not here.

[Elvislives72]

You know it's funny that Elvis mentioned "no message or this and that, just pure entertainment". but the truth is he did send messages by wearing the American Eagle suit which represented the United States Of America and did American Trilogy during the show.

Not that anyting was wrong with either just that Elvis did contradict hismelf.

[hounddog]

i just put it down to him being down as well as on his meds quite heavily. I've watched the footage i have of it and he seems really flat. Maybe he was a tad nervous about the Aloha broadcast. It's almost like he's not present.

[Merry]

I believe that Elvis was sleepy and tired, as the Conference was in the early morning after his shows.

[ehollier]

I believe that Elvis was sleepy and tired, as the Conference was in the early morning after his shows.

Kimmi-

I don't think that THIS Aloha press conference was done AFTER a performance but rather upon arrival in Hawaii in November, 1972. He traveled to Hawaii to actually perform several shows as sort of a trial run before the big event in January, 1973.

[hounddog]

how early Jess? Elvis was a night person, so maybe it was just fatique after the shows.

[epmoodyblue]

i think he was tired nothing more

[utmom2008]

Kimmi-

I don't think that THIS Aloha press conference was done AFTER a performance but rather upon arrival in Hawaii in November, 1972. He traveled to Hawaii to actually perform several shows as sort of a trial run before the big event in January, 1973.

You are correct Liz...there were NO shows going on at this time. IMO he is very medicated. He flew to Hawaii with a group on the 16th and this press conference was on the 20th.

[javierTCB]

Interesting thread

From the press conf in Manhattan on June 9, 1972 there is a great difference with the press conference of September 4, 1972 in Las Vegas. The change is abysmal. It is true that the press conference of september went to 4 a.m. and Elvis was exhausted (wrong hour for a conference).

Nevertheless when in November to Hawaii he fulfils the press conf at 12:30 pm. Elvis meets tired, shy. In agreement to the book "Careless Love-The Unmaking Of Elvis Presley" (1999) in this moment Elvis was very disappointed: newly separated from Priscilla, with overweight and intense "medication". It is difficult to know the real reasons of his appearance.

[javierTCB]

According Guralnick-Jorgensen in "Day by Day" (1999):
Nov 08-15: concerts tour.
Nov 16: Elvis, Linda, Lisa Marie fly from LA to Honolulu with a large group.
Nov 17: Elvis performs at HIC (1 show).
Nov 18: Elvis performs at HIC (2 shows, 2:30 and 8:30 pm).
Nov 19: No perform.
Nov 20: Elvis holds press conf.
Nov 21,22,23,24: No perform.
Nov 25: Elvis and the group returns to LA.

[utmom2008]

From the press conf in Manhattan on June 9, 1972 there is a great difference with the press conference of September 4, 1972 in Las Vegas.

Agreed! The changes between June of '72 and Sept. of '72 are nothing short of unbelievable. In retrospect, it's very sad to see such a decline in a man that 3 short months earlier seemed to hold the world in the palm of his hand.

[utmom2008]

You know it's funny that Elvis mentioned "no message or this and that, just pure entertainment". but the truth is he did send messages by wearing the American Eagle suit which represented the United States Of America and did American Trilogy during the show.

Not that anyting was wrong with either just that Elvis did contradict hismelf.

I see it more as just a reminder to the rest of the world that he was an American. I don't think he wanted to send any messages, but was simply proud to be an American.

[ehollier]

In those few months between June and September, 1972, one has to wonder how it all could have happened so fast. I agree.

But the press conference in November, he just seems so ..... restained, lacking in the swagger that he frequently displayed in public situations such as this. Its not the energetic, humorous personality of the MSG press conference nor is it the completely over-medicated, heavy breathing and bumbling of the September press conference.

This one in November always bugged me b/c unlike the September conference, I just can't put my finger on what's wrong with him.

[Merry]

Gee, I keep going to reply, and then don't, then reply again.

It could be because Elvis was going through divorce/settlement. It's tough, probably one of the worst things that can happen in one's life, because of the unknown; children's best interests, as well as solicitors, and all that goes along with settling.

[KPM]

I see it more as just a reminder to the rest of the world that he was an American. I don't think he wanted to send any messages, but was simply proud to be an American.

I agree.
There is a big difference between a "verbal planned message" of some kind or to push an agenda-and "a symbolic non-verbal message" which I feel the American Eagle suit is.

[MojoElvis]

You know it's funny that Elvis mentioned "no message or this and that, just pure entertainment". but the truth is he did send messages by wearing the American Eagle suit which represented the United States Of America and did American Trilogy during the show.

Not that anyting was wrong with either just that Elvis did contradict hismelf.

He didn't send a message by wearing an AMERICAN EAGLE Jumpsuit he was representing the love for HIS Country to the world. They were originally going to have him wear the thunderbird suit but Elvis said, I don't want to wear something Egyptian I want something that represents, AMERICA"..not a message just simply stating that he loves his Country and yes he wore the flag pin quite often as well too.

[rams]

I think it was a combo of all your suggestions but if I remember correctly his bodyguards had gave a interview and had mentioned Elvis had lost a lot of weight pretty fast by whatever means along with the time difference and the publicity of the TV special it's really no wonder he was drained .Could you just imagine the pressure of it all not to mention just being Elvis Presley ?

rams

[MojoElvis]

from what I remember reading about the September interview, he was out of it from his sleeping pills and the November one he looks bloated and is acting very timid and shy.
Yeah he looked like a new man for that show. the new diet was injecting him with urine from pregnant women and eating these little tiny bits of thin meat you boil. The day after the show he was back to his old routine of drug abuse. They should have had another challenge set up. Maybe a real world wide tour instead of concert footage being played.


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[javierTCB]

From Madison Square Garden concerts to November tour there is a clear overweight. I think that the bodyguards were related to weight loss in these concerts from November through January 14 (NBC-TV Special).

With several overweight, Elvis begins routines in preparation for the event in January that included a concert on november 17 and another 18 at the International Center in Honolulu, which were originally proposed dates for the satellite show. At the last minute due to the high demand for tickets, it was decided to perform a second show on the same day 18.

For all the preparations for the event was the Elvis faithful company and support of his girlfriend Linda Thompson, who along with his father Vernon and other friends reinforced their confidence. Now just missing that were known Elvis and the program manager Marty Pasetta, who arrived unannounced at one of his performances in November in Long Beach, California; then have the first meeting in person with Elvis on the floor of a thirty-Hotel they are housed.

The meeting included several hours every detail considered by Pasetta, to end the severe order that Elvis was losing at least ten or twelve pounds to appear on TV. After a long moment of silence, and his candor, Elvis jumped out of the seat, hugged it and lifting suddenly shouted "I love this man ... finally someone dares to tell the truth. All they do is keep all my orders submissively ... I love it".

On November 25, five days later, Elvis with his team returns to Los Angeles to undergo a strict diet and plenty of practice karate. No doubt his weight was the result of a mixture of several reasons.

[EnigmaticSun]

the new diet was injecting him with urine from pregnant women

That is interesting but.. why..?!