Why weren´t the CBS Tapes filmed in better quality?

[Snake Eyes]

I seriously think you need to read a few books on Elvis, Nicole.

The best ones to start with would be Last Train To Memphis and Careless Love.

I also highly recommend The Death of Elvis, The King & Dr. Nick, Down At The End Of Lonely Street and Elvis: The Final Years.

Hey JR, I take it you have TFC? I don't, so what is the footage like? Bear in mind I have seen the CBS special on youtube, and to be perfectly honest it wasn't that appalling visually, is the one in TFC on par with Aloha?

[Nicole Presley]

I seriously think you need to read a few books on Elvis, Nicole.

The best ones to start with would be Last Train To Memphis and Careless Love.

I also highly recommend The Death of Elvis, The King & Dr. Nick, Down At The End Of Lonely Street and Elvis: The Final Years.

I´ve already read a lot of books! But no book I read meantioned that "Elvis in concert" was never released. I´m just reading "The King and Dr. Nick" & I´ve already read other books. How can I know that "Elvis in concert" was never released when I wasn´t even alive in 1977? For someone who was born in 1990 I know a lot about Elvis.

[JRtherealJR]

How can I know that "Elvis in concert" was never released when I wasn´t even alive in 1977?

Have you heard of the internet?

[JRtherealJR]

Hey JR, I take it you have TFC? I don't, so what is the footage like? Bear in mind I have seen the CBS special on youtube, and to be perfectly honest it wasn't that appalling visually, is the one in TFC on par with Aloha?

Hi Snake Eyes,

Yes I have The Final Curtain. The picture quality of the CBS Special (DVD 5) is very good. It is on a par with the video the UK Fan Club put out about 15 years ago. That release was only on VHS tape, so TFC version has only maintained the quality but not improved upon it.

In terms of picture quality, it is not as good as the deluxe Aloha DVD.

The CBS special in TFC is a second generation copy (it is a copy of a first generation digital copy of a broadcast tape). We could therefore in theory get a first generation copy one day of Elvis In Concert with an even better picture....

[hounddog]

I'm just wondering why the King and Dr Nick Jr? I've got it and the thread throughout it is trying to down play how many drugs/scripts he gave Elvis access to.

[peter]

I would love to see In Concert officialy released - but on FTD label.

IMHO Nicole is sadly wrong, that great picture quality would help Elvis´ image comparing to LQ footage on youtube etc. I remember that I saw many times footage from Rapid City, but still I was shocked to see EP in My Way from that show that was part of many documentaries. He looked even worse (sicker) than I was prepared to see him. It was made even more depressing in compare to "cutted in photos and footage" into the song.

[Nicole Presley]

Have you heard of the internet?

Could you please stop being so mean to me? I thought a forum is a good place to ask questions. I can´t know what happened in 1977 unless others tell me or I read it somewhere. And in none of the books I read it said anything about the CBS Tapes. And even on the back of my CBS Tapes video it doesn´t say anything about that it wasn´t ever released.
And now please stop. I don´t want to argue with you. There is no reason that one Elvis fan argues with another.

[elvia7]

Could you please stop being so mean to me? I thought a forum is a good place to ask questions. I can´t know what happened in 1977 unless others tell me or I read it somewhere. And in none of the books I read it said anything about the CBS Tapes. And even on the back of my CBS Tapes video it doesn´t say anything about that it wasn´t ever released.
And now please stop. I don´t want to argue with you. There is no reason that one Elvis fan argues with another.

Do not worry. Nicole, there are different people. Many like to be the most!!
I support you! ELVIS fans, real fans, respect for each other!
You do not have the original version? Do not worry .... I long I never had.
Do not worry, soon I am sure you will gain.
Evi

[JRtherealJR]

I'm just wondering why the King and Dr Nick Jr? I've got it and the thread throughout it is trying to down play how many drugs/scripts he gave Elvis access to.

Hi hounddog,

Well personally, I feel the Dr. Nick book is important because it has a lot of information which is not in any other book. Yes of course Dr. Nick had his own agenda by writing the book, and people can choose to believe (or not believe) his final conclusion as to what caused Elvis' death; but this book covers all of the big issues and Dr. Nick obviously still holds a lot of affection for Elvis.

It is good to finally hear Dr. Nick's side of the disastrous raquetball project as well as a lot more in-depth detail on Elvis' colon condition and it's causes. Virtually all of Elvis' medical conditions are covered in detail, and it makes fascinating reading:

Some of the main points are:

Elvis' eye injection on Mar 16 1971
Reiters syndrome (glaucoma)
Pre-tour diet
Codeine allergy
Non-functioning adrenal glands
The Baltimore incident
Elvis' arthritis in his neck and spine

And a lot more, which other books have only touched on, but never with this level of detail and from someone who was actually there.

Another interesting point this book makes is the condition of Elvis' lungs at the time of his death- Dr. Nick states they were healthy- totally dry; and that there was no fluid in them as there would have been in an overdose.

There are a lot of revelations in this book and one of the most important chapters is "Difference of Opinion" where he discusses all the different medical conclusions about Elvis' death.

There is also a very good source list of all the data inluded in the book (interviews, newspaper articles, court documents etc.)

This is a book that all fans should read- as long as you bear in mind that the author has his own agenda.

[debtdbruno]

Hi hounddog,

Well personally, I feel the Dr. Nick book is important because it has a lot of information which is not in any other book. Yes of course Dr. Nick had his own agenda by writing the book, and people can choose to believe (or not believe) his final conclusion as to what caused Elvis' death; but this book covers all of the big issues and Dr. Nick obviously still holds a lot of affection for Elvis.

It is good to finally hear Dr. Nick's side of the disastrous raquetball project as well as a lot more in-depth detail on Elvis' colon condition and it's causes. Virtually all of Elvis' medical conditions are covered in detail, and it makes fascinating reading:

Some of the main points are:

Elvis' eye injection on Mar 16 1971
Reiters syndrome (glaucoma)
Pre-tour diet
Codeine allergy
Non-functioning adrenal glands
The Baltimore incident
Elvis' arthritis in his neck and spine

And a lot more, which other books have only touched on, but never with this level of detail and from someone who was actually there.

Another interesting point this book makes is the condition of Elvis' lungs at the time of his death- Dr. Nick states they were healthy- totally dry; and that there was no fluid in them as there would have been in an overdose.

There are a lot of revelations in this book and one of the most important chapters is "Difference of Opinion" where he discusses all the different medical conclusions about Elvis' death.

There is also a very good source list of all the data inluded in the book (interviews, newspaper articles, court documents etc.)

This is a book that all fans should read- as long as you bear in mind that the author has his own agenda.

agree there, all books are interesting, but as we've said before, use common sense to determine what did/could have happened.
Most 'authors' do like to tell stories that just happen to be when they are alone with Elvis.....nobody can verify them conveniently

[Sonny]

And chill out a little my friends.

Nicole created a very good thread, with a good question. And yes, everyone has been helpful in answering.

But there is no need to question someone, or tell them to read books.

Ask away Nicole I say.

That is indeed what an Elvis fan site is about.

What I have to say about Elvis In Concert, or the CBS tapes (both concerts Omaha, Rapid City).

The original broadcast back in 1977, 1978 had great image, for that period in time. Television sets weren't that advanced as they are now. So back then, it could compare with the original broadcast of let's say Aloha.

I saw like 90% of what is out there, also The Final Curtain boxset. Image was improved, but it still is far from perfect.

Maybe in time (whenever one decides to release this) my believe is it will be through FTD releases. It would be a first for FTD to release a dvd. But I think that would be a way to to get it to the fans.

And like mentioned, it would need editing for sure. Elvis suffered and should not have been performing, but I believe that there are many good moments in those shows. Despite how he looked or acted on stage.

[KPM]

Hi hounddog,

Well personally, I feel the Dr. Nick book is important because it has a lot of information which is not in any other book. Yes of course Dr. Nick had his own agenda by writing the book, and people can choose to believe (or not believe) his final conclusion as to what caused Elvis' death; but this book covers all of the big issues and Dr. Nick obviously still holds a lot of affection for Elvis.

It is good to finally hear Dr. Nick's side of the disastrous raquetball project as well as a lot more in-depth detail on Elvis' colon condition and it's causes. Virtually all of Elvis' medical conditions are covered in detail, and it makes fascinating reading:

Some of the main points are:

Elvis' eye injection on Mar 16 1971
Reiters syndrome (glaucoma)
Pre-tour diet
Codeine allergy
Non-functioning adrenal glands
The Baltimore incident
Elvis' arthritis in his neck and spine

And a lot more, which other books have only touched on, but never with this level of detail and from someone who was actually there.

Another interesting point this book makes is the condition of Elvis' lungs at the time of his death- Dr. Nick states they were healthy- totally dry; and that there was no fluid in them as there would have been in an overdose. There are a lot of revelations in this book and one of the most important chapters is "Difference of Opinion" where he discusses all the different medical conclusions about Elvis' death.

There is also a very good source list of all the data inluded in the book (interviews, newspaper articles, court documents etc.)

This is a book that all fans should read- as long as you bear in mind that the author has his own agenda.

The colon problem was severe also-commonly referred to as a "twisted colon" and a colon operation to take out a section of Elvis's colon was considered in 75 according to some interviews I have read with Nick.
Another important point that seems to fly under the radar since it happened:
When Dr Nick was investigted in 92 the powers in Tennesee had a court ordered review of Elvis's autopsy and death in 94... the man who did that review was world reknowned forensic expert Dr. Joseph Davis the chief medical examiner for Dade County Fla. for nearly 40 years and he indeed found that Elvis died from a massive heart attack-his public statement on it is as follows:
"There is nothing," said coroner Dr Joseph Davis, "in any of the data that supports a death from drugs. In fact, everything points to a sudden, violent heart attack.""
Davis in his report did discuss obvious health problems Elvis had-and that his overuse and reliance on prescription drugs over time had weakened his system which may have helped produce a premature death at 42.

[Snake Eyes]

Hi Snake Eyes,

Yes I have The Final Curtain. The picture quality of the CBS Special (DVD 5) is very good. It is on a par with the video the UK Fan Club put out about 15 years ago. That release was only on VHS tape, so TFC version has only maintained the quality but not improved upon it.

In terms of picture quality, it is not as good as the deluxe Aloha DVD.

The CBS special in TFC is a second generation copy (it is a copy of a first generation digital copy of a broadcast tape). We could therefore in theory get a first generation copy one day of Elvis In Concert with an even better picture....

Hi JR, thanks for this info, it's very much appreciated. Most footage I've seen has been on youtube. Although the picture quality isn't superb, and it's only on a laptop, my expectations are low to begin with. To see this concert in better quality and on my flat screen would definately be an eye opener.

[Nicole Presley]

Where did the good quality of "My way" at the end of "This is Elvis" come from? I wish the CBS Tapes would have that quality.

[hounddog]

I must agree the details in Dr Nicks book are good and as you said not found elsewhere

[KPM]

Where did the good quality of "My way" at the end of "This is Elvis" come from? I wish the CBS Tapes would have that quality.

Col. Parker was still involved in the business of Elvis in 1981 and he was again called "Technical Advisor" in the credits to "This is Elvis"
EPE was started in 82 and had the decision to not release the whole special had not been made-so they allowed the couple scenes used in TIE at Parker and Solts advise. After Parker was forced out by the courts-EPE began making those type decisions and have not allowed much else released.

[King Of The Whole World]

The colon problem was severe also-commonly referred to as a "twisted colon" and a colon operation to take out a section of Elvis's colon was considered in 75 according to some interviews I have read with Nick.
Another important point that seems to fly under the radar since it happened:
When Dr Nick was investigted in 92 the powers in Tennesee had a court ordered review of Elvis's autopsy and death in 94... the man who did that review was world reknowned forensic expert Dr. Joseph Davis the chief medical examiner for Dade County Fla. for nearly 40 years and he indeed found that Elvis died from a massive heart attack-his public statement on it is as follows:
"There is nothing," said coroner Dr Joseph Davis, "in any of the data that supports a death from drugs. In fact, everything points to a sudden, violent heart attack.""
Davis in his report did discuss obvious health problems Elvis had-and that his overuse and reliance on prescription drugs over time had weakened his system which may have helped produce a premature death at 42.

I read or heard one time, I can't remember where, but the surgery to fix a twisted colon was a little risky back then. They said Elvis visited several doctors but nobody wanted to do the surgery because of who he was. They said if something went wrong they would have to go into the witness protection program, they said that kind of joking.

I don't know if that is true or not but for the life of me I can't remember where I heard that. Has anybody else ever heard of that?

[KPM]

I read or heard one time, I can't remember where, but the surgery to fix a twisted colon was a little risky back then. They said Elvis visited several doctors but nobody wanted to do the surgery because of who he was. They said if something went wrong they would have to go into the witness protection program, they said that kind of joking.

I don't know if that is true or not but for the life of me I can't remember where I heard that. Has anybody else ever heard of that?

I think Dr Nick said that in an interview- that no doctor wanted to do the surgery because of the risk..

[JRtherealJR]

I don´t want to argue with you. There is no reason that one Elvis fan argues with another.

We weren't arguing at all, Nicole. Sorry if you got that impression. As the good moderator said- please ask away!

BTW it's always nice to see a younger fan like yourself here on this board.

[JRtherealJR]

When Dr Nick was investigted in 92 the powers in Tennesee had a court ordered review of Elvis's autopsy and death in 94... the man who did that review was world reknowned forensic expert Dr. Joseph Davis the chief medical examiner for Dade County Fla. for nearly 40 years and he indeed found that Elvis died from a massive heart attack-his public statement on it is as follows:
"There is nothing," said coroner Dr Joseph Davis, "in any of the data that supports a death from drugs. In fact, everything points to a sudden, violent heart attack.""
Davis in his report did discuss obvious health problems Elvis had-and that his overuse and reliance on prescription drugs over time had weakened his system which may have helped produce a premature death at 42.

That is a very good point- this re-examination of the autopsy seems to have been forgotten by today's tabloids and magazines. Whenever they mention of Elvis' death, they still refer to the 1977 autopsy as the definitive cause of death. This autopsy was done "in the dark ages" according to Dr. Forest Tennant who was part of the 1994 re-examination.

Dr. Tennant stated that nowadays they could measure both the active drugs Elvis had recently taken and also the older metabolized drugs in his bloodstream. They would have subtracted these metabolized drugs from the results which would have put the drug levels in Elvis' system considerably lower.