An Elvis experience I'll never forget

[songs4u]

I don't know if I've posted this before.

I had a particular experience at one of his shows that's always stuck with me. I don't know if this performance has ever been available to the public. Watching him sing it was part of the experience.

It was our bicentennial year and I guess that's why he sang this song.

It was "America".

When he started singing this song it was like he was in his own world when he sang it and he pulled you in with him.

I remember him speaking the part "and purple mountains, majesty" - saying majesty in a husky low powerful voice with his left hand stretched toward the ceiling and his head cocked toward the right as if he were looking at this magnificent sight. He almost made you see them, too. I can still see him standing there.

As he spoke the part "God, shed his grace on thee" he said God in such a powerful majestical way there was no doubt who he thought "shed their grace on thee". You almost expected a tear to come from his eye. As he said "and crowned thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea" it took me back to those old time camp meetings when the minister had control over the crowd. Elvis had these people in the palm of his hands, maybe not even realizing it.

-----------------------------------------------

"America" united the crowd that night in such a way I had never seen before, even in church. I can close my eyes and see him right now.
It was our bicentennial year and Elvis seemed privileged to sing that song. Anyway, that's the way it seemed to me.

I've mentioned before that during that whole show I mostly watched the crowd and the guys beside the stage and on the soundboard. But, when Elvis sang this song he took us all to a different place with him.

Thinking about this almost makes me cry.

I wish I had known it would be the last time I would see him sing so I could have soaked in every moment as a memory.

[Menwithbrokenhearts]

I saw him sing that in Memphis in 1976. It was very powerful.

[songs4u]

I've heard people talk about power ballads. I thought that was one of the greater songs he did. Maybe, because I watched him sing it as you did. You could see what he was feeling. That adds to a song, I think.

I've always kept that particular performance in my memory. It really touched me.

[Wendy56]

Thanks for sharing your experience. It is so touching to read. You're so lucky.

[songs4u]

Because my Dad was a singer and I was exposed to gospel and country artists I saw a lot of shows but, I never saw anyone who could mesmerize a group of people like Elvis.

[Diane]

Thank you for posting that wonderful story. This is exactly why his memory lives on.

[geordie]

marvelous story

[songs4u]

Thank all of you for your replies.

It makes me sad to look back at that memory. I never thought about Elvis dying, I never thought about my father dying, and all I had to worry about was being a kid.

My Dad recorded gospel albums which I played at his funeral last year. But, when I hear Elvis sing an old time gospel song from my childhood it takes me back and also puts in tears.

[Menwithbrokenhearts]

I've heard people talk about power ballads. I thought that was one of the greater songs he did. Maybe, because I watched him sing it as you did. You could see what he was feeling. That adds to a song, I think.

I've always kept that particular performance in my memory. It really touched me.

I was only a little over 10 years old, but there is alot I vividly remember. That song sticks out as well as a few others. There are alot of moments on video that are like that for me as well. "Peace in the Valley" from Ed Sullivan, "If I can Dream" for 68 comeback, "Bridge...." from TTWII, "How Great Thou Art " from "On Tour" as well as the 77 CBS special ( which I think is more powerful), same with "Hurt, MY Way and Unchained Melody" from then, and of course "American Trilogy" from Aloha.

There are others too. He was at his best when he was "feeling it" and not running through the motions. Even some of the rehearsal footage and recordings have moments.

I don't think any other singer, before or after, has really had the ability to reach down that deep in their soul.

[joanne]

It kind of astounds me to hear people telling stories of seeing Elvis in Concert as I can`t imagine it. I hope that doesn`t sound crazy its just that living in England and being a younger person I can`t envisage how beautiful that experience must of been.
You are truly priviledged people and its wonderful to hear your stories.

[songs4u]

joanne

My brother was exposed to the same music and musicians as I when we were small but, he didn't grow up to become an Elvis fan. He likes other types of music. But, if you ask him today he'll tell you when Elvis walked in a room he didn't even have to speak. Just his presence was enough to put everyone in awe.

We were kids then so if he touched us in that way you can imagine how the grown Elvis fans felt.

He was just that individual that was totally captivating.

[FlamingStar]

It have to be a good experience to see Elvis sing "America."

He sing it fantastc

[Donut]

Oh guys you are so lucky .... i wish i was born 3 decades earlier to see him perform live LOL. I?m happy for you though i?m just a little jelous

[EnigmaticSun]

I keep wondering what Elvis wanted America to be like (and what not) and how he would have reacted to the way things are now.

It was a powerful song anyway you look at it! I wish I could be a lucky woman like you, songs4u - I was born after he had passed away, which means I have never seen him live.

I think it's valuable to have known a father who was creative and loving. I don't think it's recommendable having a father who looked at you as if you're the ugliest thing in the world, though it may be a source for literature at some point.

[songs4u]

Elvis was the ultimate American when he sang that song, as far as I'm concerned.

Here I was listening to people talk so much about our bicentennial. It was a big thing for our country. But, watching Elvis sing "America" made me appreciate our country more than any words I heard people speak.

I've sat in the audience and watched my father sing. I've watched him preach in churchs. My father was my hero. He could incapture a crowd, I thought, like no other with his charismatic deliverence of a song or sermon.

I grew up listening to more gospel music than any other type.

I've wondered, since Elvis came from the same roots, if he ever turned his career in a different direction what would have happened. It's true his voice was unique and wonderful but, in my opinion, I think he would have touched everyone no matter what profession he was in. He had that charismatic personality that was over-whelming.

[EnigmaticSun]

That's just wonderful, Gayle. Your dad seems to have been blessed by God and so are you.

I guess it's great having a father who is not a very sick and dangerous man.

[Awickedreigndrop]

That's so cool that you've got to see him live! You're so lucky! Elvis passed four years before my birth so, I wasn't so lucky. But I do have a lot of his concerts on tape & DVD and I see what you're talking about. Even if it's on tape he still have that effect on you. It was apparent that this was a special person.

[songs4u]

EnigmaticSun, thank you for your posts. I get an underlying message in them. Send me a personal message if you like.
This is something I wrote.

You Saw The Death Angel

All my life I heard him described as a great man.
Some said a sightless gift from God
with a luminous halo that adorned his head.
How DO YOU describe a man 10 feet tall in your eyes,
standing on a pedestal he was born to occupy?
As high as he stood this child could hardly reach his hand
to be his guide in a colorful world he never knew.
This man truly did look deep inside
because he could never judge with his eyes.
As I grew he became not a statue but a man
that was capable of being more human
than I could ever understand.
This man that was bigger than life to me
that I didn't need to lead
but let me think he should be.
He turned to a shell
but I, as I promised, was always still there.
This man described as great
but to me was just Dad.

You were there when I came into this world
and I was there when you went out.

Dad, how far away is Heaven?

[songs4u]

Awickedreigndrop

Yeah, I went to 3 of his shows. I visited Graceland a few times before he died. One time when I was there I got to ride one of the golfcarts.

[songs4u]

..........