Theres year had started badly for Elvis. In February 1972, Priscilla revealed to him that she was having an affair with her karate teacher, Mike Stone. She had thought long and hard about when to tell Elvis. And now she wanted to leave Elvis. According to Priscilla’s account, he tore her clothes off in the bedroom where the scene took place. Then he tried conciliation and vowed to end his continued infidelity. But Priscilla packed her things. Elvis was heartbroken, but not so heartbroken that he didn’t have lovers.
There was only one king
After the triumphant concerts in Las Vegas, Colonel Parker had booked lucrative performances in the big cities of the USA. He was keen to prevent Elvis from traveling to Europe and Australia for a tour because he didn’t have a passport and couldn’t apply for one. Among other things, his name wasn’t Tom Parker and he wasn’t an American citizen – some say he may have been wanted on an arrest warrant in Holland. No other films were planned. Elvis was tired of appearing in Elvis films directed by veterans in three weeks.
The year before, Frank Sinatra had resigned (until next year, as it turned out). So there was only one king. In April 1972 he began his tour in Hampton Roads. Also Spoke Zarathustra announced his appearances (listed here as Theme Song From 2001: A Space Odyssey, so Elvis probably knew it), then followed See See Rider, Love Me, Are You Lonesome Tonight?’ and I Can’t Stop Loving You, (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear, Heartbreak Hotel, A Big Hunk O’Love and Suspicious Minds. In between the (true) “Never Been To Spain”.
Elvis Presley wasn’t a songwriter, but he expressed himself directly. He immediately had “Bridge Over Troubled Water” in his program. Art Garfunkel’s presentation didn’t scare him. Garfunkel sang the song statuesquely, taken with himself and his voice. With Elvis it’s grand opera – the whole man trembles, he throws himself into it. He, Elvis, wants to be that bridge. Sail on, silver girl! Mickey Newbury’s “An American Trilogy” was also written for him: he was the man from Dixie.
Biggest thing since the moon landing
Elvis had been persuaded that there were no new songs for him. But he sang Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away,” Kris Kristofferson’s “For The Good Times,” Tony Joe White’s “Polk Salad Annie,” and John Fogerty’s “Proud Mary,” and his versions were by far the best (and still are today). There were small changes to the setlist: “Burning Love” was added (there are also some rehearsals with the song here), sometimes “Love Me Tender”. Two other massive tearjerkers can be heard in demo versions: “Always On My Mind” and “Separate Ways”.
Elvis sang even better, he wasn’t fooling around like he was in Las Vegas two years earlier. James Burton, GlenHardin, Ron Tutt and Jerry Scheff, the best live band in the world, had completely adapted to the singer. But he had also adapted to the musicians. Without an orchestra, the songs are eerily intimate and poignant (and didn’t need the choir either). You hear a lot of the songs here over and over again because so many concerts were recorded. But the rehearsals are great to watch: “Proud Mary” being rehearsed in a country version with twang singing old-style Elvis. How he adapted The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Elvis was within striking distance. He had the musicians, he had the songs, he had the voice. It was only months away “Aloha From Hawaii”the biggest thing since the moon landing.
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