Why wasn't Elvis Told to lose weight for EIC?

[ph10579]

Don't know why I didn't really think about it until now? But why was Elvis told he should lose weight for the Aloha special, but not for Elvis in Concert?

[mozzarella]

EIC was not a challenge for Elvis... It was just regular shows filmed for some reason... who knew that they would record history... Anyway my question is: who's idea was to do EIC at all? They let it be filmed and now they don't want to release it... I swear I could make a fantastic remastered version if I got the tapes...Seriously

[debtdbruno]

Who said he wasn't asked?
He might have said he wasn't able to lose weight.
Maybe people around him knew he was too ill to diet, or didn't feel it was appropriate to ask him.

Deb

[Joe Car]

Don't know why I didn't really think about it until now? But why was Elvis told he should lose weight for the Aloha special, but not for Elvis in Concert?

First of all, Aloha was to be sent out world-wide, and was the first of it's kind, Plus Elvis had a producer for the Aloha that told him he needed to lose weight, challenged him if you will, that being Marty Passetta. Elvis never had any trouble with constructive criticism, thus when he worked with somebody new, ala Steve Binder for the 68 special, Chips Morman for the 69 Memphis sessions and Passetta for the Aloha, he was incredible. For EIC, that was a disaster, because there was no direction, and nobody to motivate Elvis who at this point, was a sick man. Basically, the EIC special, should have never happened! It only came about I believe, because EP needed money.

[debtdbruno]

Good post Joe

[TCB4ELVIS]

Elvis did his usual routine of going to Hawaii to tan but he knew that he didn't look as good as could for TV. Then again, drugs can make you see yourself different in the mirror. But the pictures of him in Hawaii he looked a lot better. He also looked 100X better on his last show June 26th 1977. I remember seeing one of his back up singers say, "when we were taping the CBS special, we thought wow he looks good, but when I saw it aired on TV I knew were blinded when we were with him".
It was just an obvious sign that he was running out of money or else he never would have allowed. To me, that's the only reason that I could think of. In fact, I don't know if this was rumor EPE spread but supposedly he didn't want it to air and wanted them to re-tape it on the next tour.
I don't know how true that is. I remember being really young my older sister was doubting it was Elvis until he smiled. She said, "yep that's him, no one has that smile". I thought it was sad when he was singing My Way, but then again Elvis always had a way of way of singing that mad you sympathize with him..lol

[molokai123]

First of all, Aloha was to be sent out world-wide, and was the first of it's kind, Plus Elvis had a producer for the Aloha that told him he needed to lose weight, challenged him if you will, that being Marty Passetta. Elvis never had any trouble with constructive criticism, thus when he worked with somebody new, ala Steve Binder for the 68 special, Chips Morman for the 69 Memphis sessions and Passetta for the Aloha, he was incredible. For EIC, that was a disaster, because there was no direction, and nobody to motivate Elvis who at this point, was a sick man. Basically, the EIC special, should have never happened! It only came about I believe, because EP needed money.

you hit it right on the nose.

[jak]

"but then again Elvis always had a way of way of singing that mad you sympathize with him"

Absolutely right.That's one of the reasons I think many just dont acknowledge how bad Elvis' level of performing had slipped at that point.Im not one of those fans that think the CBS footage should be hidden away forever however.It's all part of the story.The reality is that Elvis was putting on incredibly subpar shows during this time.Do I wish I could have seen them all?Of course.It was still Elvis.I watched On Tour last night and Lost Performances.I saw Elvis just knocking them dead.I think you can even sense the joy and satisfaction he's having on stage.He focused and full of life.It emits out of the tv screen.You can almost feel the energy.Go ahead just five years and I see and feel something totally opposite.The show has a somber tone in almost every aspect.The spark is gone for the most part.It's not the same performer from just a few years prior by a longshot.I've watched the CBS footage hundreds of times.I've never came away with a good feeling.The few bright moments cannot overcome the overwhelming gloom and sadness that hang over it.

[Donut]

I don't think Elvis was in his best moment to go on a diet for esthetic reasons. The last thing that worries me watching EIC is his weight.

[EnigmaticSun]

Well Elvis seemed slightly weaker during Aloha compared to earlier performances. That's what you get with an unnatural yo-yo effect. But in the end, both Aloha and EIC were filmed and it's gonna be hard to un-do it.

[Jungleroom76]

First of all, Aloha was to be sent out world-wide, and was the first of it's kind, Plus Elvis had a producer for the Aloha that told him he needed to lose weight, challenged him if you will, that being Marty Passetta. Elvis never had any trouble with constructive criticism, thus when he worked with somebody new, ala Steve Binder for the 68 special, Chips Morman for the 69 Memphis sessions and Passetta for the Aloha, he was incredible. For EIC, that was a disaster, because there was no direction, and nobody to motivate Elvis who at this point, was a sick man. Basically, the EIC special, should have never happened! It only came about I believe, because EP needed money.

Well said Joe!!!

TCB!
Mike

[jak]

I don't think Elvis was in his best moment to go on a diet for esthetic reasons. The last thing that worries me watching EIC is his weight.

Great point and observation.He had far more serious problems than some extra pounds.I just dont think some people see it that way though.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Great point and observation.He had far more serious problems than some extra pounds.I just dont think some people see it that way though.

Great point, but if you do want to discuss these issues you get put on the rack

Elvis was a shadow of his former self, he knew it! As I said in another thread it makes me mad that a guy who had the world at his feet so many times was lost to drugs, I'm sorry I don't find that uplifting in any way. If Elvis had changed his lifestyle circa 1973 things could have changed drastically..

[Hominuk]

I thought he still looked good for the Aloha concert....just older. Maybe he was a few lbs heavier, but certainly not anything to worry about. His body still looked great. He voice did seem weaker, but it WAS just four years before he died....by then, his addictions had a death grip on him.

[utmom2008]

The show has a somber tone in almost every aspect.The spark is gone for the most part.It's not the same performer from just a few years prior by a longshot.I've watched the CBS footage hundreds of times.I've never came away with a good feeling.The few bright moments cannot overcome the overwhelming gloom and sadness that hang over it.

I don't think Elvis was in his best moment to go on a diet for esthetic reasons. The last thing that worries me watching EIC is his weight.

You both "hit the nail on the head" IMO. To me, the most worrisome part of his "weight" problem is that it doesn't look like "normal" weight gain, he looks so bloated. It's not the look of a 42 year old man that's been eating too many nachos and/or drinking too much beer. Bottom line....he looks and sounds like a very sick man. I've seen it countless times and every time is just as depressing as it was the first time. He was a shell of his former self, almost like he had become a parody of the earlier Elvis years. If you really want to be depressed......watch TTWII and follow it up with EIC.

[LtCarman]

I thought he still looked good for the Aloha concert....just older. Maybe he was a few lbs heavier, but certainly not anything to worry about. His body still looked great. He voice did seem weaker, but it WAS just four years before he died....by then, his addictions had a death grip on him.

I believe you have the wrong concert special here.

This is Aloha:



This is Elvis in Concert:

[Brian]

maybe Elvis was told to lose weight and refused or was told to but couldn't

it's hard to loose weight when you are at a certain age and Elvis was at that point in his life.

[Hominuk]

I guess I did have the wrong concert in mind

Maybe he didn't lose weight because he accepted the way he looked at the time?

[Tony Trout]

EIC was not a challenge for Elvis... It was just regular shows filmed for some reason... who knew that they would record history... Anyway my question is: who's idea was to do EIC at all? They let it be filmed and now they don't want to release it... I swear I could make a fantastic remastered version if I got the tapes...Seriously

It was good ol' Parker and CBS's idea to do EIC - and Parker agreed to it because CBS waved $750.000.00 in front of their nose. That show should've never happened at all, IMO.

First of all, Aloha was to be sent out world-wide, and was the first of it's kind, Plus Elvis had a producer for the Aloha that told him he needed to lose weight, challenged him if you will, that being Marty Passetta. Elvis never had any trouble with constructive criticism, thus when he worked with somebody new, ala Steve Binder for the 68 special, Chips Morman for the 69 Memphis sessions and Passetta for the Aloha, he was incredible. For EIC, that was a disaster, because there was no direction, and nobody to motivate Elvis who at this point, was a sick man. Basically, the EIC special, should have never happened! It only came about I believe, because EP needed money.

Aloha was NOT sent out 'worldwide' as has been debated here many times over....

Maybe he didn't lose weight because he accepted the way he looked at the time?

Exactly. He (and we, the fans) both accepted his appearance.......

[jak]

Great point, but if you do want to discuss these issues you get put on the rack

Elvis was a shadow of his former self, he knew it! As I said in another thread it makes me mad that a guy who had the world at his feet so many times was lost to drugs, I'm sorry I don't find that uplifting in any way. If Elvis had changed his lifestyle circa 1973 things could have changed drastically..

Im with you all the way.I think it's the fact he let drugs destroy him that's the difficult part to accept.It was preventable.