Last Tour

[Albert]

Originally posted by kennyelvis@May 1 2004, 09:06 AM
Cincinatti

Thanks Kenny for sharing these

I still find it unbelievable the difference between the Cincinatti/Indianapolis Elvis and the one that we know from Omaha/Rapid City.

By the way, I've never found good pictures from the shows that were recorded for the CBS special. How come? Was the security better, or was there a no-pictures policy during these two concerts?

[kennyelvis]

I know Shaver took pictures during the 2 shows, here are only a few of them, i found these in "the concert years" book by Stein Erik Skaar.

[peter]

Nice pics!!!

But one thing is evident:

Why was he far slimmer in 21st June 77 than two days before???

[peter]

I think that Elvis looked really good and healthy on this pic:

[kennyelvis]

Is he realy slimmer ? i sure cant see that

[Jungleroom76]

FANTASTIC PHOTOS KENNY!!!

I'm lovin' every one of them!!! Keep 'em comin'!!

TCB!
Mike

[Lonniebealestreet]

There is absolutely a noticeable change in Elvis's physical appearance between the Omaha and Rapid City shows. When watching the CBS special, it's pretty easy to notice when footage changes from one show to the next (and not just because of his hair being styled differently). Surely there was not actually any notable change in his weight, but he does appear more puffy and bloated in Omaha. You can see it in his face, particularly around the eyes. Rapid City saw and heard a better Elvis.

But these are all great photos!

[Sonny]

There's not only a physical appearance to compare when discussing the Omaha and the Rapid City show.
Though that's obvious, the BIG problem was his mental appearance!

In Omaha he just wasn't there mentally. The songs sound great i.mo. but when talking, Elvis had huge problems. Somehow he's not making sense at all and upon starting a particular dialogue, he ends it almost immediately because somehow it was very hard for him to get the words out.
At some points he just seems to forget what he's talking about and makes a quick joke to disguise his problems.
To be honest, some of the dialogue scenes almost bring tears to my eyes sometimes...

Obviously he was heavily medicated during that Omaha show.

He wasn't (at least not as much as during Omaha) in Rapid City. And I think it's just this fact that makes this particular show so much better.

Sonny

[Lonniebealestreet]

There's that too.

[Albert]

Originally posted by Sonny@May 6 2004, 05:53 PM
In Omaha he just wasn't there mentally. The songs sound great i.mo. but when talking, Elvis had huge problems. Somehow he's not making sense at all and upon starting a particular dialogue, he ends it almost immediately because somehow it was very hard for him to get the words out.
At some points he just seems to forget what he's talking about and makes a quick joke to disguise his problems.
To be honest, some of the dialogue scenes almost bring tears to my eyes sometimes...

Obviously he was heavily medicated during that Omaha show.

He wasn't (at least not as much as during Omaha) in Rapid City. And I think it's just this fact that makes this particular show so much better.

Sonny

He even says it during the introductions when he starts to mumble: "Funny, I can sing, but I can't talk"...

The difference between Omaha and Rapid City is visible, but even more noticable when you see the pictures posted by Kenny from Cincinatti and Indianapolis. If you wouldn't know better you would have sworn that there are at least a few months between them...

[carolynlm]

I wonder just what medication he was actually on during those shows? How many of us have friends who also are Elvis fans, but have never seen these or heard these shows. I have been surprised a few times when someone has told me that they have only ever seen the 'Unchained Melody' footage. Would you enlighten them further and show them the CBS Special? I haven't...........Those of you on this board and other boards know what was going on, and we accept that, warts and all, but would others who buy an odd Elvis CD or movie? I also know a couple of people who can't understand why I want to listen to 'studio out-takes', but I love them. To watch someone listen to the 'X' rated version of Hurt who has never heard Elvis say anything more than the odd G.....**** or SOB...is something else. It's like when Elvis is talking about the lady who said...'I didn't think he did that', when someone mentioned Elvis had used the bathroom at a football game. I know this is getting off the subject a bit, but these are things that you just can't talk to the non-Elvis fan, or even the part-time Elvis fan.

[Lonniebealestreet]

Very true, Carolyn. I'd say most people here are all OK with the 'warts and all' Elvis. I consider myself to be quite a big fan of Elvis's final year(s), but admittedly it is an acquired taste. Not too many people could you show the CBS tapes to and immediately convert into Elvis fans. Nor could you show them TTWII, EOT, or Aloha and then think they are ready to be knocked out by Elvis In Concert. It's not that there isn't plenty to be impressed by in this footage from his final months, but Elvis newbies don't tend to see past the physical change.

It's funny; I am at the same time admitting that Elvis was not at his best in 1977 and stating that I am especially fond of that period. Why is that? It's like likethebike asked in another thread: what is the reason for this fascination with Elvis in 1977? I don't know the answer...I just know it applies to me.

I know what you mean about the outtakes too. I believe their appeal goes beyond the fact that the object of our affection is no longer living and therefore entirely new songs by him don't pop up that often, although that is certainly a factor. They are so valuable to us because they give such great insight into his creative process as well as the human being. Whether it's true or not, don't most of us feel like we know Elvis pretty well on some level?

He's human...he's human... (That guy was some kind of goofball, wasn't he?)

Regarding what Elvis was taking during those two shows, it's been said that in Omaha he had taken too many downers and in Rapid City, too many uppers. He definitely was struggling with his speech during both shows, which as Sonny said, is very difficult to witness. For more information on this and his entire final year, read this. Though I don't agree with every point, it is highly informative and definitely recommended reading.

Guess I've gotten a little I blame Carolyn.

[Sonny]

It doesn't matter that this is going a little "off topic" because it remains an interesting topic nevertheless.

Albert is right by saying that it's almost like f.i. the Indianapolis concert is a few months later than the Omaha and Rapid City shows.
Even those two shows show great differences in Elvis' physical and mental condition.
This strikes ud odd, but that's maybe because we can see the footage and hear the complete concerts.
But let's not forget that this was not the first time a thing like this occurs in Elvis' Seventies period.

After, let's say, 1971 his physical and mental mood knew lots of changes.

I always thought that after 1972 (with the Aloha show being an exception) Elvis sometimes "lost" it. Sure, he was on medication in those later years, and perhaps his divorce from Priscilla didn't help.
He took this divorce far more serious than we can imagine, I guess. A large amount of the beautiful ballads he recorded in those years prove that.
I.m.o. the use (and the problems) of medication also became more serious after that divorce.

I said that the Aloha show was an exception, and it is. He looked much healthier and slimmer than a year earlier.
But don't forget the press conference preceeding the Hawaii shows. During that press conference he really is stoned. No doubt about that.

Sadly enough there was no change for the better after 1973.

Some shows in 1976 show an even more ill looking man. I'm thinking about the Kansas City show f.i.

The In Concert footage is not the kind off thing you would show an average viewer or a casual fan, I agree.

But like many others here I'm a real Elvis seventies lover and despite his bad physical and mental health in some of those later concerts, his voice is almost more beautiful than in earlier years.
That's a funny thing as well.
A man, being medicated or sick, like Elvis was, singing and entertaining like there's no tomorrow...

And suddenly, there really wasn't another tomorrow...

That fact makes the In Concert footage, whether we like it or not, all the more interesting. Yes, maybe even for the average viewer.

Sonny

[Jungleroom76]

Originally posted by lonniebealestreet@May 7 2004, 06:18 AM
It's funny; I am at the same time admitting that Elvis was not at his best in 1977 and stating that I am especially fond of that period. Why is that? It's like likethebike asked in another thread: what is the reason for this fascination with Elvis in 1977? I don't know the answer...I just know it applies to me.

I'm right there with you Bobby!!

One thing to validate the fans fascination with Elvis in 1977 is the multitude of concert recordings available from this period. There are so many concert recordings available from 1977, both complete as well as individual recordings to demonstrate just how great Elvis was in 1977.

Most casual fans have probably heard the soundtrack to ELVIS IN CONCERT, and some may have even seen either the CBS Special and/or the Omaha/Rapid City outtakes. But there are many fans, both casual as well as die-hard fans that may not have access to some of the many other concert recordings from 1977....and it is in those recordings that the proof of just how great Elvis was in 1977 lies!!

Take for example Elvis' fantastic impromptu performance of WHERE NO ONE STANDS ALONE from Montgomery 2/16. What an OUTSTANDING performance...on the spur of the moment! MANY of Elvis' shows from 1977 were above average....yes, there were some below average shows as well (the Baltimore show from May springs immediately to mind), but on the whole, Elvis' live performances in 1977 were quite good, in my opinion. And I think more fans would probably be able to see just how good Elvis was in 1977 if they had more access to many of the concert recordings from 1977!!

Just my thoughts!!

TCB!
Mike

[peter]

If you want to hear my opinion on Elvis years since early years to his end (about quality of his music), I have to say that Elvis was best and in best vocal shape in 1st half of 70s (1972 - 1974)! But lot of great concerts he did in late 70s too (1975, 1976, 1977)! But still - only for voice: his vocal shape was getting worse and worse since 1974! It?s true without any doubt! Yes, in February 76 he recorded Hurt, For The Heart and these type of songs, but believe me - in 72 - 74 sessions he would do it far better!!!