'Elvis In Concert' 1977 TV special; Should it be released officially?

[PiersEIN]

Hi Gang,
'Elvis In Concert' 1977 TV special; Should it be released officially?
There is always a heated debate, among us fans, as to whether Elvis' final TV special should be released. Should we accept Elvis with the sadness & pain of his last concerts, or do we agree with EPE's policy of glorifying the god-like Elvis mega-star and deny that anything changed after 'Aloha'?

Some fans scream YES for the release of 'Elvis In Concert', yet they are often labelled as fools for wanting Elvis' good clean image once again vilified.

On EIN www.ElvisInfoNet.com we have recently added a very stimulating article by fan Gary V who thinks that most of us are deluded!

Go here for the 'Elvis In Concert' article >.>
http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight_Elvisinconcert_release.html

Have a read & please go to the the bottom of the article where you can 'Click' to send us your opinion. I appreciate the feedback & we will add your thoughts.
It has been an interesting read so far.

Personally I think it would be excellent as a 'FTD' Fan Club DVD release - I'm not sure I want everyone & the tabloids gloating over it once more.

(PS- I have been trying to post this for a while, but the TCB server was playing up)

Cheers
Piers

[dennyelvis]

I personally think this concert should now be seen but released in deluxe edition style like the Aloha with re-edited/remastered picture and sound ... i think the REAL FANS deserve it

[elvislady]

I think like leroy said relese them as a special concert. because most people will have seen some if not all the concert at sometime or other i have the concert on a copy and if it was relesed by the right people (aloha shows) and was done tastefully maybe more people would accept it. remember this was his last shows why hide it away he knew how he felt and looked at the time and he still went ahead with the show.
elvislady

[Diane]

I also agree that it should be released in a tasteful way. It was a sad part of his life but it WAS part of his life and most of us his fans have accepted it. We'll never be able to do anything about those who insist on using it and the way he died to make fun of him etc. We've ignored them so far, we'll keep on doing it.

[Geert]

It indeed should be released in a nice de-luxe dvd package, maybe it's better for Elvis' image to release it under the FTD label so that only the true fans will purchase it. I think the footage is amazing, if you see how a man that looks so bad due to his health problems is still capable of giving away such a great performance, just great I know not every song get's the attention that it should have but honestly I don't listen to late 70s concerts to hear teddy bear/don't be cruel for the 300th time. It are the newer songs like america or hurt that do it for me.
The flaws in Elvis' singing on the "oldies but goodies" make the footage not sutable for a wider audience than the true fans, sadly it will only increase the amount of people who see elvis as an overweighted druged singer who tries to make a living with his old rock songs. That's why I think it shouldn't be released with to lot merchendice crap, but in FTD style

[memphis 77]

no DOUBT this should be released my only qustion is why have they bin stalling, i remember back a few years ago thet JACK SODEN had said they had no plans to release it ever, it just doesn't reflect elvis positive image or something to that effect. I think it is long overdue and E.P.E. should realise that the world knows that E.P. had a substance problem but that joe public will only be interested in the show not his problem, but i would believe that if they do release this it would be the tv version for sure, as they are still in denial about elvis deteriation. Imean they gave us unchained... some years ago on a compilation whay not just release it officially, with some of the award acceptence etc.. Until then i'm glad i still have the copy of the complete shows that came on video years ago, just wish it was 1st generation, anyone out there have this in 1st generation on dvd r , i sure would love to buy a copy.

[Dudcowboy_1]

See what I don't get is us the Elvis fans know what Elvis looked like to us from late '74 til day he died? So why hold back something like this. I say do it threw a fan club release or make so many copies on DVD sell them at stores and if they sell out of them then they know to make more.

I say also put all the shows they tapped and outtake interviews too on the set. This would be best release in my mind if they do it for his 30th annv. of his death.

[ForeverTheKing]

No matter how you look at it; Elvis in Concert was as much part of Elvis' life as any other aspect. It is no use to deny iet, or let me put it in stronger terms: it's a crime to deny it. I have watched both shows on June 19th and June 12st and they ought to be released officially in a special way, like the Aloha shows.
If you deny this period of Elvis' life, you deny Elvis. Point.

I totally agree!

It's sad to see that concert, of course, but it's a part of his life and career we can't deny.
But, to be honest, I've hardly heard Elvis fans don't like it, although it's so different from '68 Comeback and Aloha.
So I'll be happy to have a good edition of this tv concert...his voice was amazing also at the end of his life...and this is the most important thing!

[amzietamzie]

I agree with Leroy

I think Elvis In Concert should be released, maybe having been restored and in a special format.

Elvis, despite being ill and unhappy, stood on that stage in 1977 and performed for us, the fans. He endeavoured to make people happy, and give them a memory, and that should be remembered.

I don't see how it can be considered right to cut off several years of a man's life and hide them away as if they are something to be ashamed of. It WAS Elvis, no one else. He was ill and yes, he may not have been the perfectly flawlessly handsome man that he once was, but it was still him and his great talent was with him right to the very end.

His voice was amazing in 1977 and in EIC he put on some absolutely marvelous performances... Hurt, I Really Don't Want To Know, How Great Thou Art, My Way and more.

No one should pick and choose sections of his life which they deem worthy of being seen... it was his life, and yes, it's tragically sad, makes me cry , but it was Elvis- he got on that stage himself, and people should be grateful and proud of his performances and strength.

I can't imagine that people of the public would be so shallow that they could mock and condemn Elvis in his last year. Surely they would be able to see a wonderful man giving truly STUNNING performances.

[Suspicious Minds]

I have not seen Elvis In Concert since 1977-78. I don't think it has been shown since on UK TV. Elvis In Concert should be released in a special DVD set. Next year will be Elvis's 30th anniversary. Why not release it then?
I couldn't watch Elvis sing My Way because it looked like Elvis was nearly crying.

[lee]

i have just watched this concert to remind myself of it, why would anyone not want this released, it is a great concert and every song elvis did was fantastic.

[franny]

I think it should be released, I would love to see it!

I'm sure the fans would all want to see it!

franny

[EnigmaticSun]

I think the world should remember him being a great singer instead of a hunka burning love, if you know what I mean. That's ('77) the voice that really hurts me.

They should take care while making the selection out of the songs; for example, if you'd want to have a version of the Teddycruel-medley, take the version from Rapid City instead of Omaha. And of course, some remastering to create a neat sound.

It's just that I would want to have the Sweet Inspirations in the background. They sound like vacuum-cleaners in How Great Thou Art, Hurt and Can't Help Falling In Love.

I like Elvis In Concert - Elvis playing the guitar (which hadn't been the case for a few years), piano and of course those big ballads!

[PiersEIN]

Hi Gang,
There are some great answers & feelings expressed here.
So I have added some of the more pertinent & interesting comments to the original Spotlight - along with others that EIN has been sent.
Please have a look to check that you are OK with this, if I have used your comments or if you want you name/pseudonym corrected. (& some needed to be slightly edited for space)

A great discussion,

GO HERE for the EIC Spotlight

Cheers
Piers

[0349054]

It's hard to know if it ever will be released officially. The current DVD version that is available is great, much better than the old VHS version and until EPE decide to release it (if they ever do) we will have to do with the DVD version that's doing the rounds at the moment. But the DVD version has the outtakes as well and it's nice to see.

[rick]

re-edited with extra songs and on the FTD label, EIC should be released in excellent quality for fans
rick

[Tony Trout]

I think it should be released.....but only with the best songs from Omaha and Rapid City....the Omaha show is very painful to watch and listen to at times so the song selection from that show should be made carefully...
to hear (and watch) Elvis stumble through the first part of the show and the band intros in Omaha is hearbreaking.....

[tilly01]

Hi folks

Yes i thought it was a release till i read it here it took me until at least the year 2000 before i was even ready to watch the tape i just couldn't handle the way elvis looked really tired and i think he knew he was dying but it isn't till i came on to the website and in the chat room and for the first time and i mean really first time to hear and listen to his voice i have watched the cbs special since and heard the omagah etc and i can't believe how powerful his voice really was specially on songs that meant a lot to him it just makes you go cold listeing to the power in his voice, ie Hurt, My Way, How great thou art and as i say again from coming onto this website and listening to the show it makes me glad and proud to be an elvis fan and yes they should release the all the shows that elvis did in 77' even the bad ones as i now can except elvis for who he was although he was ill and dying in those shows he gave the audience 500% and we should in return give ourselves the same to elvis. Elvis i love you man

Tilly

[0349054]

People are able to watch it, as everyone 'knows' how to get their hands on it, for those who havent seen it and would like to PM me, as im getting the impression a few people may not have seen it.

[Larry Dickman]

Release it.

Ideally FTD would be good, but I think this is unrealistic......
This is THE last professional footage of Elvis Presley on stage.....granted, not in great shape, but "he accepted his appearance, and so did his fans"....
The DVD should have a pre-amble by Lisa or Priscilla explaining Elvis' appearance, then the special should be re-edited from the ground up....more flattering angles, 5.1 sound........the main body of the program would be a 'best of' both shows edited to form one concert and maybe both shows complete as an 'easter egg'.

As I have mentioned elsewhere, keeping this footage 'hidden' is revisionism...... professionally Elvis was in many cornball movies,that are widely available, are they harming his artisic credibility? (not to mention the EPE merchandise...ducks, plates, jumpsuits et al)