Elvis: The Concert
Encyclopedia
Elvis the Concert is a concert tour started in 1997 that features Elvis Presley
performing with his 1970s backup band via computer technology.
started experimenting with recordings of Elvis' live concerts, and discovered that through the use of sound mixing they were able to eliminate virtually all of the ambient noise from the multitrack
recordings, thus leaving only Elvis' voice. After some work, they conceived a special concert, to be held on August 16, 1997, the twentieth Anniversary of Elvis' death. The show featured Elvis' original 1970s back-up band (TCB Band
), his back-up singers (The Stamps Quartet, The Imperials
, The Sweet Inspirations and Millie Kirkham
) and was performed at Memphis, Tennessee's Mid-South Coliseum
. During the show, Priscilla Presley introduced a video that Lisa Marie Presley made. The video was of Lisa Marie Presley performing a duet with her father Elvis on the song "Don't Cry Daddy". It was so successful that the video was shown again.
The show was a huge success, gaining worldwide press. The massive success of the show prompted EPE to draw up plans for a special version of the show to take on the road.
The line-up of musicians involved, is as follows:
Backing Vocals:
For reasons unspecified by EPE, rhythm guitarist John Wilkinson chose not to tour with the group. He was replaced in the orchestra by Tony Smith. (However, Wilkinson did join the group at the 25th Anniversary concert, held at the Pyramid in Memphis.)
The show was conceived by Todd Morgan, Randy Johnson. Joe Guercio and Stig Edgren.
' "Also Sprach Zarathustra" (Better known as the theme to the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey
). This segues into the song "See See Rider
" from Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii.
The show is divided into two different acts, each one 45 minutes to an hour, with an intermission. The main material used for the shows comes from Elvis: That's the Way It Is
, Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii, and Elvis on Tour
. And in recent years songs from the '68 Comeback Special has been added to the mix, most notably the songs "Trouble" (which usually segues into either "Hound Dog" or "That's All Right"), and "If I Can Dream" which is used to end the first act.
During the show, a large video screen hangs above the main set upon which the video of Elvis' performance is projected. Two smaller screens hang on either side, and video of the live musicians, or special video packages are shown.
The first act usually ends with a gospel music segment. If The Imperials are performing, they perform a solo version of "He Touched Me". If the Stamps are performing, they perform an a cappella rendition of "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" (after an introduction by Elvis from the movie Elvis on Tour
.) After that song, A version of "How Great Thou Art" by Elvis is played with the band. In early shows, this proved to be problematic, since the audio was taken from the 1974 live album "Elvis As Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis", but there was no video footage. Thus, the screen was left black, and only the audio was played. After a few tours, a special piece of footage was made from the 1972 movie Elvis on Tour
which was edited, sped up, and slowed down in a few places in order to have it match up with the 1974 audio.
The show always ends with Elvis' traditional show closer "Can't Help Falling in Love", and the traditional announcement of "Elvis has Left the Building." At the 1997 and 2002 concerts Elvis' former announcer Al Dvorin
closed the show by saying "Elvis has left for Graceland".
After a domestic tour (which ended with a show at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, IN, the site of Elvis final live concert on June 26, 1977.), the show went to Europe
, Asia
, and Australia
.
In 2002, a special 25th anniversary show commemorating the 25th anniversary of Presley's death was held in Memphis, TN at the Pyramid arena. This show was even bigger than the 20th anniversary concert, and featured three different acts. The first act, served a retrospective of Elvis' career from 1956 to 1968. Elvis' former drummer D.J. Fontana made an appearance, playing drums to footage from one of Elvis' appearances on the Steve Allen Show. Saxophonist Boots Randolph
made an appearance as well playing sax on "Blue Suede Shoes" and on a performance of "Return to Sender." (taken from his movie Girls! Girls! Girls!
) as part of a special section highlighting Elvis' career in movies.
Act 2 served the gospel side of Elvis. During a special section of gospel music, a surprise was is store for fans as J.D. Sumner's voice was multi-tracked for a performance (with Elvis and the Stamps) of "Why Me, Lord?"
Lisa Marie also made an appearance singing an original song she wrote called "Nobody Noticed It (You're Still Lovely)".
Act 3 was the usual "Elvis the Concert" show format and featured new songs, like "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" from "That's The Way It Is" outtakes. This was the only show in which John Wilkinson, who was Elvis' rhythm guitar player from 1969 to 1977, made an appearance. He is not shown on the new DVD, "Elvis Lives," but he can be seen on the fan footage of this show.
The 30th Anniversary featured another duet by Elvis Presley and Lisa Marie Presley. This time singing In The Ghetto. Video is available for download on iTunes. Also, a new opening was done for the show which feature a space view of Earth which zoomed in on Memphis and then Graceland right into the window which led to Elvis' bedroom. There you see "Elvis" getting ready for the show with Jerry Schilling giving him his sunglasses. They go down the stairs to the outside of Graceland where they are met up with Joe Esposito then goes into a helicopter. They fly to the FedEx Forum where audio of Elvis (from CD An Afternoon In The Garden) saying "It's a big place, man". Then they land and go inside. Then the show starts.
At the show, Priscilla announced that this would be the last show for Elvis The Concert.
In 2007, The 2002 25th Anniversary Concert was made available in DVD form in a disc called "Elvis Lives." The concert was shown on PBS Stations during the annual pledge week. Elvis Lives only contain Act III (70s Concert) which was a regular Elvis The Concert.
In late 2007, Elvis: The Concert opened up for The White Stripes on their European tour.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
performing with his 1970s backup band via computer technology.
Origins
In the mid-1990s, Elvis Presley EnterprisesElvis Presley Enterprises
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. is a corporate entity created by "The Elvis Presley Trust" to conduct business and manage its assets, including Graceland...
started experimenting with recordings of Elvis' live concerts, and discovered that through the use of sound mixing they were able to eliminate virtually all of the ambient noise from the multitrack
Multitrack recording
Multitrack recording is a method of sound recording that allows for the separate recording of multiple sound sources to create a cohesive whole...
recordings, thus leaving only Elvis' voice. After some work, they conceived a special concert, to be held on August 16, 1997, the twentieth Anniversary of Elvis' death. The show featured Elvis' original 1970s back-up band (TCB Band
TCB Band
The TCB Band was a group of professional musicians who formed the core rhythm section of Elvis Presley’s band from August 1969 until his death in 1977. TCB stands for Taking Care of Business, a personal motto Presley adopted in the early 1970s...
), his back-up singers (The Stamps Quartet, The Imperials
The Imperials
The Imperials are an American Christian music group that has been around for over 45 years. Originating as a southern gospel quartet, the innovative group would become pioneers of contemporary Christian music in the 1960s. There have been many changes for the band in membership and musical styles...
, The Sweet Inspirations and Millie Kirkham
Millie Kirkham
Mildred 'Millie' Kirkham is an American singer who was featured on many classic hit recordings from the mid 1950s through the 1980s.-Early life:Kirkham was born in Nashville, Tennessee...
) and was performed at Memphis, Tennessee's Mid-South Coliseum
Mid-South Coliseum
The Mid-South Coliseum, also known as "The Entertainment Capital of the Mid-South", was a multi-purpose arena, that seated 10,085 people, in Memphis, Tennessee...
. During the show, Priscilla Presley introduced a video that Lisa Marie Presley made. The video was of Lisa Marie Presley performing a duet with her father Elvis on the song "Don't Cry Daddy". It was so successful that the video was shown again.
The show was a huge success, gaining worldwide press. The massive success of the show prompted EPE to draw up plans for a special version of the show to take on the road.
The World Tour
Starting in 1998, a scaled-down version of the show was taken on tour. The format of the show follows one of Elvis' 1970s live concerts, albeit somewhat different.The line-up of musicians involved, is as follows:
- James BurtonJames BurtonJames Burton is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 , Burton has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame...
- Lead Guitar - Jerry ScheffJerry ScheffJerry Obern Scheff is an American bassist, perhaps best known for his work with Elvis Presley in the early 1970s as a member of his TCB Band and his work on The Doors' final recordings....
- Bass - Ronnie Tutt - Drums
- Glen D. Hardin - Piano, Keyboards
- Joe Guercio - Orchestra Conductor - apparently nobody had the decency to list the horn section players, even though their instruments are the most difficult to play...
Backing Vocals:
- The Sweet Inspirations - Estelle Brown, Myrna Smith, Portia Brown
- The Stamps Quartet** - Ed Enoch, Ed Hill, Royce Taylor, Butch Owens
- The ImperialsThe ImperialsThe Imperials are an American Christian music group that has been around for over 45 years. Originating as a southern gospel quartet, the innovative group would become pioneers of contemporary Christian music in the 1960s. There have been many changes for the band in membership and musical styles...
** - Terry Blackwood, Joe Moscheo, Sherman Andrus - Millie KirkhamMillie KirkhamMildred 'Millie' Kirkham is an American singer who was featured on many classic hit recordings from the mid 1950s through the 1980s.-Early life:Kirkham was born in Nashville, Tennessee...
- Soprano
- Tutt is sometimes unable to perform with Elvis' band due to pressing worldwide commitments (which include playing drums in Neil DiamondNeil DiamondNeil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades from the 1960s until the present....
's band). For these shows, he is replaced by his friend and protege Paul Leim- The two different groups alternate between tours, taking over whenever the other group is unable to perform.
For reasons unspecified by EPE, rhythm guitarist John Wilkinson chose not to tour with the group. He was replaced in the orchestra by Tony Smith. (However, Wilkinson did join the group at the 25th Anniversary concert, held at the Pyramid in Memphis.)
The show was conceived by Todd Morgan, Randy Johnson. Joe Guercio and Stig Edgren.
- Produced by Elvis Presley Enterprises and Stig Edgren
- Directed and staged by Randy Johnson
- Musical Direction by Joe Guercio
Show Format
The format of the show begins with the traditional opening theme of Elvis' concerts: Richard StraussRichard Strauss
Richard Georg Strauss was a leading German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is known for his operas, which include Der Rosenkavalier and Salome; his Lieder, especially his Four Last Songs; and his tone poems and orchestral works, such as Death and Transfiguration, Till...
' "Also Sprach Zarathustra" (Better known as the theme to the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey
2001: A Space Odyssey (film)
2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 epic science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick, and co-written by Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, partially inspired by Clarke's short story The Sentinel...
). This segues into the song "See See Rider
See See Rider
The song is generally regarded as being traditional in origin. Ma Rainey's version became popular during 1925, as "See See Rider Blues." It became one of the most famous of all blues songs, with well over 100 versions. It was recorded by Big Bill Broonzy, Mississippi John Hurt, Lead Belly,...
" from Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii.
The show is divided into two different acts, each one 45 minutes to an hour, with an intermission. The main material used for the shows comes from Elvis: That's the Way It Is
Elvis: That's the Way it Is
Elvis: That's the Way It Is is a documentary movie directed by Denis Sanders about Elvis Presley that was released on November 11, 1970. The film documents Elvis' Summer Festival in Las Vegas during August 1970...
, Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii, and Elvis on Tour
Elvis on Tour
Elvis on Tour is a Golden Globe Award-winning American musical documentary motion picture released by MGM in 1972. It was the thirty-third and final motion picture to star Elvis Presley before his death in 1977.-Background:...
. And in recent years songs from the '68 Comeback Special has been added to the mix, most notably the songs "Trouble" (which usually segues into either "Hound Dog" or "That's All Right"), and "If I Can Dream" which is used to end the first act.
During the show, a large video screen hangs above the main set upon which the video of Elvis' performance is projected. Two smaller screens hang on either side, and video of the live musicians, or special video packages are shown.
The first act usually ends with a gospel music segment. If The Imperials are performing, they perform a solo version of "He Touched Me". If the Stamps are performing, they perform an a cappella rendition of "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" (after an introduction by Elvis from the movie Elvis on Tour
Elvis on Tour
Elvis on Tour is a Golden Globe Award-winning American musical documentary motion picture released by MGM in 1972. It was the thirty-third and final motion picture to star Elvis Presley before his death in 1977.-Background:...
.) After that song, A version of "How Great Thou Art" by Elvis is played with the band. In early shows, this proved to be problematic, since the audio was taken from the 1974 live album "Elvis As Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis", but there was no video footage. Thus, the screen was left black, and only the audio was played. After a few tours, a special piece of footage was made from the 1972 movie Elvis on Tour
Elvis on Tour
Elvis on Tour is a Golden Globe Award-winning American musical documentary motion picture released by MGM in 1972. It was the thirty-third and final motion picture to star Elvis Presley before his death in 1977.-Background:...
which was edited, sped up, and slowed down in a few places in order to have it match up with the 1974 audio.
The show always ends with Elvis' traditional show closer "Can't Help Falling in Love", and the traditional announcement of "Elvis has Left the Building." At the 1997 and 2002 concerts Elvis' former announcer Al Dvorin
Al Dvorin
Albert Dvorin was an American bandleader and talent agent who coined the phrase "Elvis has left the building."...
closed the show by saying "Elvis has left for Graceland".
After a domestic tour (which ended with a show at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, IN, the site of Elvis final live concert on June 26, 1977.), the show went to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
In 2002, a special 25th anniversary show commemorating the 25th anniversary of Presley's death was held in Memphis, TN at the Pyramid arena. This show was even bigger than the 20th anniversary concert, and featured three different acts. The first act, served a retrospective of Elvis' career from 1956 to 1968. Elvis' former drummer D.J. Fontana made an appearance, playing drums to footage from one of Elvis' appearances on the Steve Allen Show. Saxophonist Boots Randolph
Boots Randolph
Homer Louis "Boots" Randolph III was an American musician best known for his 1963 saxophone hit, "Yakety Sax"...
made an appearance as well playing sax on "Blue Suede Shoes" and on a performance of "Return to Sender." (taken from his movie Girls! Girls! Girls!
Girls! Girls! Girls!
Girls! Girls! Girls! is a 1962 musical comedy film starring Elvis Presley as a penniless Hawaiian fisherman who loves his life on the sea and dreams of owning his own boat. "Return to Sender", which reached #2 on the Billboard pop singles chart, is featured in the movie...
) as part of a special section highlighting Elvis' career in movies.
Act 2 served the gospel side of Elvis. During a special section of gospel music, a surprise was is store for fans as J.D. Sumner's voice was multi-tracked for a performance (with Elvis and the Stamps) of "Why Me, Lord?"
Lisa Marie also made an appearance singing an original song she wrote called "Nobody Noticed It (You're Still Lovely)".
Act 3 was the usual "Elvis the Concert" show format and featured new songs, like "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" from "That's The Way It Is" outtakes. This was the only show in which John Wilkinson, who was Elvis' rhythm guitar player from 1969 to 1977, made an appearance. He is not shown on the new DVD, "Elvis Lives," but he can be seen on the fan footage of this show.
Future plans for tours
On August 16, 2007, Elvis: The 30th Anniversary Concert was held at the Fed-Ex Forum in Memphis, Tennessee and was on a bigger scale than the 20th and 25th concerts. Booked was: Joe Guercio (musical director & conductor); the TCB Band members James Burton (lead guitar), Glen D. Hardin (piano), Jerry Scheff (bass), and Ronnie Tutt (drums); Sweet Inspirations members Myrna Smith and Estelle Brown; Imperials members Sherman Andrus, Terry Blackwood, Joe Moscheo and Gus Gaches; Stamps members Bill Baize, Ed Hill, Larry Strickland and Donnie Sumner; Jordanaires members Gordon Stoker and Ray Walker; D.J. Fontana (drums) and Millie Kirkham (soprano). Also appearing: The Dempseys and members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.The 30th Anniversary featured another duet by Elvis Presley and Lisa Marie Presley. This time singing In The Ghetto. Video is available for download on iTunes. Also, a new opening was done for the show which feature a space view of Earth which zoomed in on Memphis and then Graceland right into the window which led to Elvis' bedroom. There you see "Elvis" getting ready for the show with Jerry Schilling giving him his sunglasses. They go down the stairs to the outside of Graceland where they are met up with Joe Esposito then goes into a helicopter. They fly to the FedEx Forum where audio of Elvis (from CD An Afternoon In The Garden) saying "It's a big place, man". Then they land and go inside. Then the show starts.
At the show, Priscilla announced that this would be the last show for Elvis The Concert.
In 2007, The 2002 25th Anniversary Concert was made available in DVD form in a disc called "Elvis Lives." The concert was shown on PBS Stations during the annual pledge week. Elvis Lives only contain Act III (70s Concert) which was a regular Elvis The Concert.
In late 2007, Elvis: The Concert opened up for The White Stripes on their European tour.