Elvis performed six shows at the Houston Astrodome in 1970, marking a significant milestone in his career. These performances were part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and they attracted an unprecedented audience of over 200,000 people.
Presley’s performances at the Astrodome were characterized by his iconic white jumpsuit and his dynamic stage presence. He performed six shows between February 27 and March 1, each one captivating the massive audience. In addition to the shows, a press conference was held on Feebruary 25 where Elvis was presented with gold records for five of his 1969 releases. During the conference, Elvis expressed his thrill about the Astrodome concerts and his desire to do more personal appearances.
These shows were not just another set of performances; they marked Presley’s official return to touring. The success of these concerts, evident from the record-breaking attendance, reaffirmed Elvis’s status as a top live performer. The contract for it was signed in the middle of the frenzy and excitement of Elvis' second season at the Las Vegas International Hotel. The exact date of the signing is unknown, but it would have been before the run that started on January 26. For the Astrodome shows, Elvis was to be paid a $100,000 guarantee against a percentage of the gate.
The King arrived in Houston on February 25. He used Kirk Kerkorian's private jet, and was accompanied by his father, the Colonel and members of his backing crew. TV cameras panned across a shock of blue-black hair, white suit, white boots and red, white and black accessories.
Elvis held a brief press conference at the airport, before checking into the Astroworld Hotel. Even though this conference was wrongly dated February 27 until recently, it actually happened two days searlier. Elvis was asked why he was performing in Houston, to which he replied, "I sort of started out in Texas and around Houston" and that he had played nearly everywhere in the area. Elvis also said, "I've wanted to get back into live appearances to get the inspiration of live audiences, but I'll tell you, that Dome has me scared."
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| Elvis during his February 25, 1970 Press Conference |
Elvis also said he still planned on making more movies, "but a little better than the ones before." He went on to say, "I can't watch my movies on television because I'm too critical. I think King Creole was the best of my movies." When asked how his act differed from the old days, Elvis replied, "I still do pretty much like I feel up there on stage, the sound has changed and overall, I think, for the better."
It was noted by a reporter that The Jordanaires were not accompanying him as backup voices. Elvis said, "I can't get them out of Nashville, they're making too much money and won't go on the road." Then the Colonel propelled several of the rodeo directors into the lights with Elvis and said, "for the kinda money you're paying us, you're entitled to get into the picture." This brought a close to the news conference.
The Houston Astrodome was chosen by Colonel Parker to be the first venue for Elvis to perform outside Las Vegas. This was done for several reasons, but none of them was because the place was suitable for a show of the kind Elvis held. The Dome was an enormous hall, built in 1965, the least of its functions being for concerts. Parker was possibly unsure of Elvis' status in the wider world - performing in Las Vegas was something quite different from performing in venues which could seat far larger audiences. The rodeo show at The Dome always attracted thousands of people no matter what.
Houston Astrodome was also the first venue to perform outside Las Vegas for The Sweet Inspirations. Unfortunately, the blatantly open racism in Texas at the time was something that Myrna Smith and the other Sweets would never forget. They found out some time after the shows that the promoters had sent word that they were "thrilled Elvis was coming", but not to bring "those black girls" with him. Elvis, being the enlightened human being he was, had laid down the law: "If the Sweets don't go, I don't go." Myrna would recollect a few years later that she found the way they were being treated was "kinda odd and too sweet", but never knew Elvis had something to do with it at the time.
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| Elvis with The Sweet Inspirations; March 1, 1970 AS |
February 27, 1970 was a Friday and Elvis opened his first concert at The Dome at 2 pm. He entered the arena in a jeep and made the rounds while waving to the audience. The King was reportedly disappointed at the weak reception he had while doing this and decided to not give it too much importance in the following shows. In all the tape sources we have of the concert, it's clear that the audience is excited and enjoying the show, even though the sound of the tapes are the worst possible and the place's accoustics are horrible.
The first CD of this box covers some radio spots for the concerts, the press conference on the 25th, a few prize presentations and the 2 pm show on the 27th. Elvis sounds amazing as he sings the first words of "All Shook Up" after a long orchestral intro. "I Got a Woman" and "Blue Suede Shoes" follow before a magnificent version of "Don't Cry Daddy", the first song to be really welcome by the audience. "Heartbreak Hotel" doesn't really do it for the crowd, so Elvis decides to do a rocker, strong version of "Hound Dog" that once again excites everybody.
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| Elvis on stage at The Dome on February 27, 1970 AS |
The Vegas stadard "Love Me Tender" follows and the audience really feels disappointed in not being able to get a kiss or scarf from him, as the stage was built on an isolated point in the center of the arena. More hits from the 1950s are performed before Elvis starts delivering new hits such as "In the Ghetto" and "Suspicious Minds" along with the already consacrated "Polk Salad Annie". After only 45 minutes - a much smaller concert time than the Vegas ones, Elvis does his famous "Can't Help Falling in Love" and leaves the stage with a funky instrumental.
The CD 1 of the boxset covers the February 27, 1970 AS concert and includes the following tracks:
1. Houston Radio Spot #12. Houston Air Terminal Press Conference #13. Orchestra Intro4. All Shook Up5. I Got a Woman6. Blue Suedes Shoes7. Don't Cry Daddy8. Heartbreak Hotel9. Hound Dog10. Love Me Tender11. One Night12. Release Me13. Walk a Mile in My Shoes14. In the Ghetto15. I Can't Stop Loving You16. Polk Salad Annie17. Band Introductions18. Suspicious Minds19. Can't Help Falling in Love20. Closing Vamp21. Houston Air Terminal Press Conference #222. Elvis Receives Livestock Badge23. Houston Radio Spot #2
Elvis returned to the stage at 7:45 pm that Friday for his second appearance at The Dome. The crowd seems a lot more excited from the get go, and so was Elvis from what we can hear of "All Shook Up". The setlist wouldn't differ a lot from the 2 pm concert's, only with a heartfelt rendition of "Kentucky Rain" replacing the standard "One Night". "Heartbreak Hotel" get the due respect it deserves this time and "Release Me" shines amazingly.
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| Elvis enters The Dome for his February 27, 1970 ES concert |
"Hound Dog" and "Love Me Tender" are legitimate crowd pleasers now, and even the serious "In the Ghetto" gets a warm welcome after the conscious "Walk a Mile in My Shoes". "I Can't Stop Loving You" and a powerful "Polk Salad Annie" lead to the band introductions and to the inevitable ending of the show with a strong "Suspicious Minds" and the always sweet "Can't Help Falling in Love". "Love Me Tender" was used as instrumental while Elvis was leaving the stage.
The CD 2 of the boxset covers the February 27, 1970 ES concert and includes the following tracks:
The 2 pm concert on February 28, 1970 was pretty standard. Elvis did all his known material for the time and kept "Kentucky Rain" in "One Night"'s spot and replaced "Blue Suede Shoes" with "Long Tall Sally". The 7:45 pm concert wouldn't differ, just with "Blue Suede Shoes" returning to its spot. Overall, they were good but plain concerts.
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| Elvis during his February 28, 1970 AS concert |
The CD 3 of the boxset covers the February 28, 1970 AS concert and includes the following tracks:
The CD 4 of the boxset covers the February 28, 1970 ES concert and includes the following tracks:
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| Elvis during his last 1970 concert at The Dome; March 1, 1970 |
The CD 5 of the boxset covers the March 1, 1970 AS concert and includes the following tracks:
The CD 6 of the boxset covers the March 1, 1970 ES concert and includes the following tracks:
After the concluding show Elvis held a press conference for about 100 journalists at Astroworld. He declared that he got a big thrill out of the appearance in The Dome. Elvis checked out of Astroworld wearing a blue Easy Rider-inspired suede jacket and black trousers, taking with him 20 suitcases and 3 guitars - $1.2 million richer than 3 days earlier.
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