December 3rd 1968

[david72]

I want to make this post to discuss the greatness of the 1968 special since this Friday (Dec 3) Marks the 42nd anniversary of this great special. Even though I am a young fan(21 years old) and was not alive during this time I love this special Elvis was truely BACK!!!!! SO I will start it off with the songs that began the special and ended the special

[youtube]

[monk37]

I guess the bad *** vs the prophet is kinda funny. I hadn't thought of it until now.

[KPM]

The 68 special was a golden moment in rock history, and for we fans.
Elvis had been largely written off by rock critics and the new generation of teens of the 60s.....bad films, hair helmet, overweight, over the hill..... those were the type things I heard from 65-67 by friends who did not like Elvis.
But then came this 68 special, Elvis was lean, mean and ready to show the music world he was still vibrant, still a force to be taken seriously.
The day after the special aired about 75% of the jr high lunchroom conversation touched on Elvis and how good he looked and sounded.
It was really a magical transformation that IMO is unrivaled in rock history.

[Raised on Rock]

The day after the special aired about 75% of the jr high lunchroom conversation touched on Elvis and how good he looked and sounded.
It was really a magical transformation that IMO is unrivaled in rock history.

Nice to hear an actual experience recolection of how the '68 special did radically changed Elvis image for good! 42 years latter still does it, I can't count the amount of people in my life thinking of Elvis as any of the usual cliches thats puts him down, and then bang! I show them the sitdown sessions, or the actuall Tv special, and they just can´t believe how good he actually was!

[monk37]

my evil ex hated Elvis until I played her the 68 special - then she was just a pile of drool.

[debtdbruno]

my evil ex hated Elvis until I played her the 68 special - then she was just a pile of drool.

LOL...........who could blame her, eh girls??

[Diane]

The 68 special was a golden moment in rock history, and for we fans.
Elvis had been largely written off by rock critics and the new generation of teens of the 60s.....bad films, hair helmet, overweight, over the hill..... those were the type things I heard from 65-67 by friends who did not like Elvis.
But then came this 68 special, Elvis was lean, mean and ready to show the music world he was still vibrant, still a force to be taken seriously.
The day after the special aired about 75% of the jr high lunchroom conversation touched on Elvis and how good he looked and sounded.
It was really a magical transformation that IMO is unrivaled in rock history.

Very well said. That was my experience with non fan friends as well and I was so proud of Elvis. I was always proud of him and that won't ever change.

[elvia7]

LOL...........who could blame her, eh girls??

Ehhhh...............ELVIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have don't any question

[elvia7]

Very well said. That was my experience with non fan friends as well and I was so proud of Elvis. I was always proud of him and that won't ever change.

Thank you Diane!I agree with you - I am so proud of Elvis!

[cibetty]

I think it was the greatest comeback in the music history. And the whole show is so vibrant and he was so energetic that it's hard to believe it was already 42 years ago.

[cibetty]

Ehhhh...............ELVIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have don't any question

I also love this scene Evi! They listened to him in silence, without any move.

[Lisarose]

I was 11 years old, I remember lying on the floor in front of the TV watching, He was so incredible. I don't remember the entire show, but
I do remember Elvis singing Love Me Tender and joking 'you have made my life a wreck-uh-complete..."

Am reading Gillian Gaar's Return of the King, in which discusses this stage of his career, lots of great details. Excellent book, imo!