Elvis in 1977 - the 'image' is much worse than the truth was... anyone else agree?

[Lisarose]

I don`t have any issues about the whole weight thing,one way or the other Elvis would have had to deal with all the natural problems of aging,if it wasn`t the weight it would have been hair-loss or something else...I think that in many ways Elvis appearing anything less than perfect upset some people because he represented their youth and they did not want him to age like a mere mortal. What upsets me about it all is that Elvis,at that time,looked seriously ill,tired,and a lot of the time was just going through the motions.He didn`t look like he was in any condition to be touring,but,at the same time he looked like onstage in front of his fans was the only place he really wanted to be. It is sad that,given all his talent,all his success,and all the happiness he gave over the years some people will never see past how he looked in his final years.As far as the music goes i think Elvis was,at times,walking a fine line between performing what he wanted to perform and what was expected of him...I sometimes find it hard to listen the throw-away attempts at some songs,especially from the final two years or so...thing like the "Teddy Bear/Don`t be cruel" medley or the short,speeded-up "Jailhouse Rock"...I doubt very much if Elvis really wanted to still be performing these songs,by then it seemed more a case of get them out of the way so I can get to the songs I really want to sing. It would not be a problem how Elvis looked as he got older,not to me anyway,but I wish that he had left this world happy and satisfied with his life and career..and I don`t think that he was .

excellent Jack, I don't need to add anything here. Thank you.

[SleepyJack]

I often wonder how people like Elvis manage to cope with the pressure that they are under to look like the image that is expected of them.Once he became successful a lot of people (himself included)expected him to always be ready at any given moment to be "Elvis" the star...I think that must have been something that became almost unbearable when the years started catching up on him.Elvis always took great pride in his appearance,long before he was even a star...whatever critics and other people had to find fault with must have been just as obvious to Elvis himself,except a lot more hurtful.
There are moments in "Elvis In Concert" when what hurts me more to watch is that almost lost expression on Elvis` face...not the weight,not the faces of people in the audience,not even the half-hearted versions of some of the songs..just that lost look and his isolation.This was a man that needed help that almost nobody could help.That`s what`s heartbreaking about it...not that he had got older or put on weight or that he couldn`t live up to his former glory.

[Diane]

Yes that's exactly what got to me too Jack. You explained it perfectly.

[slystallone1946]

If Elvis can go on TV 1977 and show us what he was all about, then why does EPE try to protect this image? Oh-Yes! Money, to market the younger Elvis for more money...bad PR move

[KPM]

If Elvis can go on TV 1977 and show us what he was all about, then why does EPE try to protect this image? Oh-Yes! Money, to market the younger Elvis for more money...bad PR move

Unfortunately the decision to go on tv in 1977 was also MONEY! Parker set up the deals and had Elvis sign the contracts-the money was good.
Elvis had always in the past been able to rise to the occasion, lose the weight, tighten up his act-but this time he just could not.
For years the images of Elvis... puffy faced, overweight/bloated and slurring his words made an impression on the public at large that outweighed the other 23 years of his career.
Even to good longstanding fans this image "stuck in our minds"....because it was such a drastic change.
The change was not just looks IMO, but a change from the self assured confident performer we all knew-to one with serious doubts about who and what he was.
I am glad that some work has been done to remind everyone that he was not the figure we see on film in EIC for the full 23 year career-a reminder that there were 20 plus years of greatness that a few final years should not erase.

[Raised on Rock]

Unfortunately the decision to go on tv in 1977 was also MONEY! Parker set up the deals and had Elvis sign the contracts-the money was good.
Elvis had always in the past been able to rise to the occasion, lose the weight, tighten up his act-but this time he just could not.
For years the images of Elvis... puffy faced, overweight/bloated and slurring his words made an impression on the public at large that outweighed the other 23 years of his career.
Even to good longstanding fans this image "stuck in our minds"....because it was such a drastic change.
The change was not just looks IMO, but a change from the self assured confident performer we all knew-to one with serious doubts about who and what he was.
I am glad that some work has been done to remind everyone that he was not the figure we see on film in EIC for the full 23 year career-a reminder that there were 20 plus years of greatness that a few final years should not erase.

Thumbs up on that post KPM!!!

[lvelvis]

being a seasoned ELVIS photo hound like all of you i came to the same conclusion many yaers ago , that E.P. did not look as bad as the press and rags like the enquirer have us believe. Show me a pic of any singer under hot lights , who isn`t covered in sweat , or under lights that alter his or her looks to a disadvantage. We have many more pics that show ELVIS PRESLEY LOOKING LIKE A MILLION BUCKS , and yes even in 76 and 77 he could still look great , admitedly overweight. I do conceed that there are photos in 76 that show clearly ELVIS was void of rest, especially the ones from the december 76 engaement and the feb 77 tour.

[EnigmaticSun]

Show me a pic of any singer under hot lights , who isn`t covered in sweat , or under lights that alter his or her looks to a disadvantage.

Yes, these are all factors to be considered. No doubt there was a motivation to get a picture of Elvis looking worse than he really was. That's the paparazzi effect and it is why it takes some skill and tact to avoid living like the jetset, if you're well-known ("famous"). Even if you don't like parties for the rich they still want to have your picture taken..

Anyway, to me the last few years of Elvis' life weren't easy to deal with. It was and is sad what happened to him. It is however true that these last few years gave me more insight in who he was. In showing weakness, one might reveal his true core.

[rocknroll]

Elvis didn't look or sound good in '77, but he was worse in '76.