After eight years without going on stage, Elvis was finally taking back the reins of his career. 1968 had given him his greatest treasure - Lisa Marie - and had helped to revive his enthusiasm for music by producing the '68 Comeback Special and seeing that the show had been a resounding success. The following year, the extremely fruitful American Sound Studio sessions would create two legendary records - From Elvis in Memphis and Back in Memphis - and further assert that the only right thing to do was to return to the stage.
Elvis historians would be hard-pressed to find a more important date in his career than July 31, 1969. Others might argue with the first Sun session in 1954, Ed Sullivan in 1956, or the Comeback Special in 1968. However , Elvis' return to the stage at the International Hotel that summer night in 1969, just eleven days after man set foot on the moon, was the most significant and consequential event of his career.
It was significant because it made him accessible to his millions of fans and kick-started his career again after nearly a decade of self-imposed exile in Hollywood. It was consequential, as it also set Elvis on a path to overwork, drug addiction, health problems and an early death. The dismal results of his return, however, are easily replaced by the excitement and anticipation sparked when Elvis opened his season at the International in 1969.
The country's press covered the event en masse. After all, Elvis hadn't performed live since the March 25, 1961 benefit concert in Hawaii. The press, Elvis fans, and certainly Elvis himself wondered if he could recreate the excitement he had produced in the fifties.
Naturally, the two main entertainment periodicals, Variety and Billboard, reviewed opening night at the International.
The August 9, 1969 Billboard focused on the challenge Elvis faced on the night of July 31:
“The greatest rocker of them all came and met one of his toughest audiences. It was probably Elvis’ toughest musical challenge since he rocked out of the South with long sideburns, rotating pelvis and a banged up guitar.”
Variety's review appeared in the magazine's August 16 issue and summed up the general sentiment:
“The Elvis Presley who was a freakish kid curiosity when he was third feature on a New Frontier showbill in 1956, is no more. He has become ‘ELVIS,’ not only in huge electric letters on the International’s marquee, but in most publicized and verbalized affirmations of his superstar niche.”
Both magazines noted that Elvis struggled to rise to the challenge of returning to the stage after an eight-year absence. Variety commented that he obviously worked hard but that, at 34, he had a little trouble replicating the boundless energy he displayed in 1956, aged 21.
Known for his powerful stage presence in full command of every auditorium he's ever worked, backstage at the International Hotel on July 31, 1969, Elvis Presley was pacing like a panther. Within minutes, he would march into what was then the largest showroom in Las Vegas, seating 2,200 people. Despite the tension, everything went better than expected.
In fact, the review of the concert, published in Newsweek magazine on August 11, 1969, was emphatic about it.
Below is the full article.
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Dressed in a chic black tunic and bell-bottoms that matched his long, well-combed black hair, Elvis Presley took the stage last week at the International Hotel in Las Vegas to the blistering beat of 'Blue Suede Shoes' . The audience of 2,000, mostly over the age of 30, roared and whooped in nostalgic appreciation. Despite his updated look, Elvis hasn't changed a bit in the nearly nine years since his last appearance. Rocking, twirling and shaking, he once again proved himself worthy of his nickname, 'The Pelvis'. Although nervousness caused him to sing "Love my, me tender" instead of "Love Me Tender", the makeup-faced charmer quickly began to work his charms, backed by a 30-piece orchestra, a five-man combo and a seven-person vocal group. Oozing the grim sexuality that sent America into shock in the 1950s, he moaned and gyrated through a mix of 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Don't Be Cruel', 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'All Shook Up' and ' Hound Dog'. It was hard to believe he was 34 and not around 19.
Indeed, there are several unbelievable things about Elvis, but the most incredible is his staying power in a world where meteoric careers fade like shooting stars; Presley shot to the top in 1956 with 'Heartbreak Hotel' and has stayed in the highest bracket ever since. Forty-seven of his singles have sold over a million copies. He has made 32 films, currently at the rate of four a year and bringing in over a million and a half in profits for each one. Presley's income is estimated at $5 million a year and he spends freely. Among his purchases are an antebellum mansion called Graceland near Memphis (the house is painted a luminous blue and gold and glows in the dark), and a succession of cars, including a gold Cadillac. No one knows how much the Memphis boy is being paid for his four-week Las Vegas booth, but, according to a Presley associate, "Standing up to Barbra Streisand, you know it's over a million."
Only celebrities and big spenders were there on opening night to hear Presley sing a bunch of oldies and a new song, with a new message aimed at the black rock market. 'In The Ghetto' chronicles the evils of poverty in a Chicago slum and may signal the birth of a social conscience for Presley. Another recent release, 'If I Can Dream', proclaims brotherhood according to the gospel of Martin Luther King, but did not appear on the Vegas show. When asked if these songs marked a new direction he could take, Elvis replied, "I go for the material. When I got 'In The Ghetto,' I couldn't turn it down. It was too big." It's selling way, way more than a million to date.
Dressed in a chic black tunic and bell-bottoms that matched his long, well-combed black hair, Elvis Presley took the stage last week at the International Hotel in Las Vegas to the blistering beat of 'Blue Suede Shoes' . The audience of 2,000, mostly over the age of 30, roared and whooped in nostalgic appreciation. Despite his updated look, Elvis hasn't changed a bit in the nearly nine years since his last appearance. Rocking, twirling and shaking, he once again proved himself worthy of his nickname, 'The Pelvis'. Although nervousness caused him to sing "Love my, me tender" instead of "Love Me Tender", the makeup-faced charmer quickly began to work his charms, backed by a 30-piece orchestra, a five-man combo and a seven-person vocal group. Oozing the grim sexuality that sent America into shock in the 1950s, he moaned and gyrated through a mix of 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Don't Be Cruel', 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'All Shook Up' and ' Hound Dog'. It was hard to believe he was 34 and not around 19.
Indeed, there are several unbelievable things about Elvis, but the most incredible is his staying power in a world where meteoric careers fade like shooting stars; Presley shot to the top in 1956 with 'Heartbreak Hotel' and has stayed in the highest bracket ever since. Forty-seven of his singles have sold over a million copies. He has made 32 films, currently at the rate of four a year and bringing in over a million and a half in profits for each one. Presley's income is estimated at $5 million a year and he spends freely. Among his purchases are an antebellum mansion called Graceland near Memphis (the house is painted a luminous blue and gold and glows in the dark), and a succession of cars, including a gold Cadillac. No one knows how much the Memphis boy is being paid for his four-week Las Vegas booth, but, according to a Presley associate, "Standing up to Barbra Streisand, you know it's over a million."
Credit for successfully maintaining Presley's image goes largely to his experienced manager, Colonel Thomas Andrew Parker, who for nearly fifteen years kept price high and live exposure low.
When, during a post-opening press conference, a British businessman offered Elvis £1 million for an appearance in London, it was Parker who replied, "Make me a deposit tomorrow." Presley doesn't seem to mind letting Parker interfere, as he enjoys his privacy and spends his free time in one of his homes with his wife, young daughter, and a group of bodyguards, sometimes referred to as the "Memphis Mafia". Elvis arrived in Las Vegas a week before the show and immediately began rehearsing five hours a day, losing 10 pounds in the process. "He's really working on it," said a stagehand. "He doesn't know if he can still do it." Presley's magic was his loyal fans, women and teenage girls, who lined the hallway outside his suite. "He's better than ever," said one girl. "The last songs from him were cool."
Only celebrities and big spenders were there on opening night to hear Presley sing a bunch of oldies and a new song, with a new message aimed at the black rock market. 'In The Ghetto' chronicles the evils of poverty in a Chicago slum and may signal the birth of a social conscience for Presley. Another recent release, 'If I Can Dream', proclaims brotherhood according to the gospel of Martin Luther King, but did not appear on the Vegas show. When asked if these songs marked a new direction he could take, Elvis replied, "I go for the material. When I got 'In The Ghetto,' I couldn't turn it down. It was too big." It's selling way, way more than a million to date.
Presley's plans include further personal appearances, no dates specified, and more film roles. "I'm going after more serious material," he said. "I'm tired of playing a guy who gets into a fight, then starts singing to the guy he just beat up." And, of course, the grandfather of rock will keep trying to keep up with the times, feeling he can't ride the power of nostalgia forever. "There are a lot of new records out now that sound the same as I started. But they're better", he admitted, "I mean, you can't compare a song like 'Yesterday' to 'Hound Dog', can you?"
When Elvis walked offstage, he had tears in his eyes and was drenched in sweat, but that was the sweat of a job well done.
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After the grueling show on July 31, 1969, Elvis still found time to relax before another 28 days of two shows each, all sold out. Each of them would open with "Blue Suede Shoes" and a crowd that applauded effusively.
Although he dedicated his performance more to the classics of the past, which now sounded like new in his more trained and velvety voice, he still offered audiences and critics alike a dazzling view of his vocal improvements, proving his mastery on songs like "Memories", " In the Ghetto" and "Yesterday". Special praise was offered for Elvis' performance in the soon to be released "Suspicious Minds". "It's an mpulsive, sensual-ish rock that sends audiences into a frenzy," read the review of the song destined to become Elvis' first #1 single in seven years.
Already at dawn on August 1, 1969, Elvis would give a press conference in the press room at the International to talk about his return and plans for the future.
Read the full ttranscription below.
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Question: Why have you waited so long to perform live again? Did you return to live performing because of the phenomenal successes of Wales singer Tom Jones and British crooner Engelbert Humperdinck?
Elvis: (Elvis shook his head at the suggestion) I think they are great, but my decision to return was made in 1965, and it was hard to wait ... I don't think I could have waited any longer ... We had to finish up the movie commitments we had before I could start on this ... I missed the live contact with an audience. It was getting harder and harder to sing to a camera all day.
Q: Can you remember first coming to Vegas?
Elvis: Sure, I was 19 years old. (Elvis was actually 21) Nobody knew me.... 'Where you from, boy?, they would ask.
Q: How do you like being a father?
Elvis: I like it!
Q: Are you and Priscilla planning on adding to your family?
Elvis: You'll be the first to know.
Q: What things do you do when you are at home at Graceland?
Elvis: I ride horse back, swim and talk with the tourists hanging out at the gates.
Q:How does your wife feel about you being a Sex Symbol again?
Elvis: I don't know... you would have to ask her.
Q: Do your wife and daughter, Lisa Marie accompany you?
Elvis: Priscilla is here,... but my daughter is in L.A. with her nanny.... She could not make it.
Q: How do you manage to stay so young?
Elvis: I don't know. One of these days I'll probably fall apart. I feel, I've just been lucky.
Q: Are you tired of your present type of movie, have you grown tired of the movie plots?
Elvis: Yes, I want to change the type of script I've been doing.
Q: What kind of scripts do you like?
Elvis: Something with meaning.... I'm going after more serious material. I couldn't dig always playing the guy who'd get into a fight, beat the guy up,.., and in the next shot sing to him.
Q: Do you think it was a mistake to do so many movie soundtrack albums?
Elvis: I think so.... When you do ten songs in a movie, they can't all be good songs. Anyway,.. I got tired of singing to turtles.
Q: When you met the Beatles, no press was allowed, why was that?
Elvis: I think because we could relax more that way and we could talk candidly.
Q: Do you like to wear leather-jackets, like the one you wore in your TV special?
Elvis: No.... I hate wearing them, because they are too hot when you're working.
Q: Where did you get the design for your stage outfits?
Elvis: I got the idea by a Karate-gi,.. I once had.
Q: What do you think of the Hollywood scene?
Elvis: I just don't go for it.... I have nothing against it, but I just don't enjoy it.
Q: How long did you rehearse for these shows?
Elvis: I practised for nearly 3 months, today I went through three complete dress rehersals. This was the fourth time I did that show today, ... I'm really beat.
Q: How did you choose the songs for the show?
Elvis: I just sang my favorite songs.
Q: Do you want to do more live shows?
Elvis: I want to ... I would like to play all over the world ... I chose Las Vegas to play first, because it is a place people come to from All over.
Q: Are you trying to change your image with songs like 'In the Ghetto'?
Elvis: No, 'Ghetto' was such a great song, I just couldn't pass it up after I heard it. There are a lot of new records out now that have the same sound I started, ... But they're better, ... I mean, you can't compare a song like 'Yesterday' with 'Hound Dog', ... Can you?
Q: Why have you led such a secluded life all these years?
Elvis: It's not secludedm honey ... I'm just sneaky.
Q: Is it true you dye your hair?
Elvis: Sure, I have always done it for the movies.
Q: Did you enjoy performing live again?
Elvis: Yes! This has been one of the most exciting nights of my life.
Q: Did you feel nervous during the show?
Elvis: For the first three songs or so, I didn't feel relaxed until after Love me Tender before I loosened up ... Then I thought, what the heck ... 'Get with it, man!, or you might be out of a job tomorrow'.
Q: Do you have a share in the International Hotel?
Elvis: No, I have not.
Q: Why did you choose a Negro backup group?
Elvis: They help get a feeling and get to my soul.
Q: Have you ever seen England's top singer, Cliff Richard?
Elvis: Yes, I met him in Germany a long time ago. [Elvis was mistaken, he did not meet Cliff, but Cliff did try to meet Elvis. He visited one of Elvis' residences in Germany but unluckily for Cliff, Elvis was not home.]
Q: Mr. Presley,.. I've been sent here by Lord Sutch Enterprises to offer you one million Pounds Sterling to make two apperances at the Wembley Empire Stadium in England,.... This price will include a documentary that will be filmed during and after the shows. It will only take 24 hours.
Elvis: (Elvis points to Col.Parker) You'll have to ask him about that.
Colonel Parker: Just put down the desposit.
Q: Elvis, how much do you get paid for these performances?
Colonel Parker: We are pleased with the deal. I am glad he is here.
Q: Is it true you get paid in International stocks?
Colonel Parker: Certainly not.... The only thing we get for free are the crickets in the rooms.
Q: Do you still own about 10 cars?
Elvis: I have never owned that many.... Only 4 or 5 at most.
Q: Elvis, is there any other individual you would rather be?
Elvis: Are you kidding?
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REHEARSALS AND POSSIBLE SETLIST
Between July 18 and 31, 1969, Elvis performed 14 rehearsals in the Showroom of the International Hotel in Las Vegas. As with "That's the Way it is" two years later, the singer insisted on working on dozens of songs from his entire career so far and some hits from other artists.
The list of rehearsed songs is as follows:
Memphis, Tennessee
Love Me
Can't Help Falling in Love
Are You Lonesome Tonight?
Release Me
Green, Green Grass of Home
Runaway
Suspicious Minds
I'm Movin' On
Yesterday / Hey Jude
Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
Rip it Up
What'd I Say
Tryin' to Get to You
Reconsider Baby
Only the Strong Survive
Words
Blue Suede Shoes
I Got a Woman
One Night
Love Me Tender
Jailhouse Rock / Don't Be Cruel
All Shook Up
Memories
My Babe
I Can't Stop Loving You
In the Ghetto
Johnny B. Goode
Mystery Train / Tiger Man
Such a Night
Hound Dog
Matchbox
I Need You So
Slow Down
You're the Reason I'm Living
18 Yellow Roses
Suspicious Minds
Judy
Baby, What You Want Me to Do
Funny How Time Slips Away
This is the Story
Inherit the Wind
Rubberneckin'
When the Snow is On the Roses
Folsom Prison Blues
Hello Josephine
Wabash Canonball
Love Letters (in the Sand)
I Walk the Line
From a Jack to a King
That's All Right
Any Day Now
Everybody's Talking
Suzie Q
Little Green Apples
Among the rehearsed songs, Elvis could have chosen from 18 to 22. The stage time limitation - 1 hour and 10 minutes - would not leave room for more.
Those confirmed through newspaper and magazine reviews are as follows:
Blue Suede Shoes
Love Me Tender
Jailhouse Rock
Don't Be Cruel
Heartbreak Hotel
All Shook Up
Hound Dog
In the Ghetto
Yesterday
Memories
Suspicious Minds
Although there is no means of confirmation, the final setlist of the July 31, 1969 show may have been similar to the ones we already have great knowledge of in August of that year.
A possible order of songs in the concert is as follows:
Blue Suede Shoes
I Got a Woman
One Night
Love Me Tender
Jailhouse Rock / Don't Be Cruel
Heartbreak Hotel
Can't Help Falling in Love
All Shook Up
Hound Dog
Memories
My Babe
I Can't Stop Loving You
In the Ghetto
Yesterday / Hey Jude
Johnny B. Goode
What'd I Say
Mystery Train / Tiger Man
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| Elvis arrives at the press conference; August 1, 1969 |
That historic opening performance at the International on July 31, 1969 was a star-studded event on both sides of the stage. In the last paragraph of their review, Variety declared that Elvis proved to the public and himself that he was back where he belonged.
Elvis closed the season at the International on August 28, 1969. Two weeks later, Variety reported the record numbers. During the season's 57 shows, Elvis rocked Las Vegas and broke gross records. With the minimum ticket set at US$ 15 per person, the 101,509 paying people gave a total of US$ 1,522,635 to see Elvis. The average attendance at the showroom with capacity for 2,200 people was 1,750. On weekends there were standing room only spaces.
It was obvious from the Variety and Billboard ratings that Elvis' triumphant first season at the International Hotel established him as an immediate superstar on the Las Vegas stage. Over the next seven years, he would return to the desert for 14 more International and Hilton engagements, taking the honor of being "the biggest hit ever" in Las Vegas. And it all started on one magical night in the middle of Summer - July 31, 1969.
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Original articles: Elvis Australia (1), Elvis Australia (2), Elvis History Blog
Photos: Elvis Australia
Compilation and structuring: EAP Index | http://www.eapindex.site
>> the re-availability of this translation is only allowed if the credits are kept and without edits.<<
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