BBC Radio 2 - ELVIS - The Las Vegas Years (TSOE 2014)
116,513
Published 2014-09-30
The 1969 Memphis Sessions at American Studios in Memphis re-established Presley as a musical force, returning him to the charts and producing some of his most acclaimed work. Presley's manager, Col. Tom Parker, was planning Presley's return to live concerts with a series of shows at the International Hotel in Las Vegas later that year.
Elvis assembled a new live band for his first Las Vegas concerts. We hear about rehearsals in the summer of 1969, and the buoyant mood within the Presley camp, from lead guitarist James Burton and legendary Presley road manager Joe Esposito. On July 31 1969, Elvis walked out on stage in front of a paying audience for the first time eight years.
The band, as we hear through live recordings, were superb. Singers Myra Smith and Estelle Brown reveal what it was like performing on stage, night after night, with Elvis. Things went well and Elvis went on to perform regular shows there for seven years - a total of 637 consecutive sold-out performances in front of 2.5 million people.
Presley completed his four week stint on 28 August 1969. His fee for that initial season was in the region of 100 thousand dollars a week. That month the Hilton took one and a half million dollars...and that figure doesn't even include takings from the casino!
When Presley returned in January 1970 for his winter season, he and his entourage made a considerable impact on life at the Hilton International Hotel, as we hear from valet Lonnie Pope and bell boy Dan Hakata. When Elvis swept into town, he would set up in his hotel suite and establish a routine: karate, rehearsals with the band and then two shows a night - at 8 pm and midnight. After the shows, he would retire to his 30th floor suite, sit at the piano and sing the gospel songs of his childhood.
But things did get pretty intense on the road and the FBI and Presley's personal body guards were on full alert following a death threat which claimed the King would be shot on stage. Jerry Schilling, one of Presley's inner circle and Memphis Mafia, talks us through the events surrounding Presley's security.
Any programme exploring this period has to acknowledge Presley's use of prescription drugs and his escalating weight. The Presley jump suits in white, blue and orange would become synonymous with Elvis in Vegas but the bespoke jumpsuits had to adjust to his expanding midriff. Band members reveal how Elvis' personal problems affected life on stage and off.
That winter of 1976 was Presley's 15th season at the Las Vegas Hilton International Hotel and his last. Grappling with his weight and personal problems, it was while preparing to play yet another series of concerts, the Presley heart gave up in the bathroom of Graceland on 16 August 1977.
Over thirty years later, Elvis remains an iconic figure and his presence can still be felt on the streets of Las Vegas, in the bars and in the showrooms. It would be fair to say the King of Rock 'n' Roll changed the way we see the city. It's not just the scores of Las Vegas Elvis impersonators, or the hundreds of images you see in the tacky gift shops and hotels. The city's profile was shaped by him as he brought glitz and a new glamour.
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All Comments (21)
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Elvis was chiseled perfection and nobody even comes close to looks or talent!! Long live the King!
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Elvis was second to none! And still today nobody touches him
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The real king of music
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2019 and Elvis is still the biggest ever name in the entertainment capital of the world
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ELVIS PRESLEY WAS AND STILL IS THE KING !!!!
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My dad was a barber and he listened to what other people said! I had to go to a neighbors to see him on TV ! Those years not everyone had TV !
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He just melts my heart ♥ listening to this beautiful man love you elvis forever x ☓ 💕 🍀
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Love Elvis forever. He Was a fantastic entertainer, his voice was pure gold. Can’t get enough of him....even now...43 years gone. With technology, we still have him. We will love him until the end of time. Rest easy beautiful man.
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Before ELVIS there was nothing.
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I could listen to these memories for days.
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Only 1 king, that's Elvis, today tomorrow and forever 👈
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Our ELVIS...he was our EVERYTHING. He was so incredibly talented, with a beautiful, sweet, rich, clear, strong voice. He had a huge range, with rhythm and passion. To add to the magic...he was gorgeous, built perfectly; tall, broad of shoulder, narrow at hip, moving like a dancer. And as if that wasn’t enough....he had a fantastic personality. He was a humanitarian, kind, humble, honest and generous. And...again...miraculously...funny. He was ‘electric’. Moths to flame...ELVIS was a bonfire. Who could ‘follow’ that. Who could ‘hold’ that? Elvis will be loved until the end of time. Rest easy beautiful man ♥️🍁
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except for the last year, you never see a picture of Elvis that isn't just perfect. he was so beautiful, from every angle, he had a sharp profile and a dreamy front face ... did i say that right??
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Elvis ,the legend,greatest no words can describe him.
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Elvis’s weight was more water retention. That was the cause was a condition called AFib...that is a very irregular heart best. That causes fluid retention. You take a diuretic medication for that. I have that condition. I have been hospitalized twice to have a tube put into my chest to remove extra fluid around my heart and lungs. I must weigh myself daily, as the fluid fight is constant. If you look at Elvis, his arms and legs are thin...his torso and face are puffy. The medical people didn’t properly diagnose or treat him. So I have to forgive the people who misunderstood and judged him. He was let down...betrayed...in my opinion. He stood alone. He died trying to make everyone happy. He tried to look after his army of employees and us...his loving fans. Rest easy beautiful man.
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Elvis Presley was the best singer excellent voice greatest entertainer wonderful person and handsome man I love you Elvis Presley ❤️😘☝️🤴🎤🎵🙏
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Elvis is Magic !!!
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Never be another.
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The statement that Vegas made Elvis is wrong he made Vegas huge. There will never be another
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thank you for the memories, Elvis...you did good
