1990s

The official Elvis On Tour video outtake releases

/ TY / 2 Comments

Elvis On Tour Countdown: 2 weeks to theater event, 19 days to Blu

The Graceland/Elvis Presley Enterprises communications department must have loved me back in the early 1990s. I was 15 or 16 years old and somehow got into the habit of sending them letters through the mail with questions about Elvis.

As I started to build my Elvis music collection, I also began reading whatever material I could get my hands on about him. Among these were tribute magazines collected by my brother celebrating Elvis’ 50th birthday in 1985 and commemorating the tenth anniversary of his death in 1987.

In one of those magazines, I read an article titled something like “The Elvis Movies: Have We Really Seen Them All?” It mentioned Bill Randle’s infamous Pied Piper of Cleveland short film (1955), but it also focused on potential outtakes from the documentaries That’s The Way It Is (1970) and Elvis On Tour (1972).

As a huge fan of both of the documentaries, I had to know if there was more footage in the vaults. So, I did what any self-respecting Elvis fan would do – I fired off a letter to Graceland and asked them about it. I had been to Graceland, and I was pretty sure that if anyone would know, it would be the people who worked there.

To his or her credit, and my surprise, someone there actually took the time to write me back. (I was unable to dig up the letter in time for this entry, but I know I still have it somewhere in my archives.) Receiving a letter from Graceland was quite the thrill.

Even more thrilling, though, was their answer. Not only did such footage exist, but Turner Entertainment had even compiled it together for video release. Unfortunately, the release was on hold as to not conflict with the 1990 Elvis: The Great Performances videos.

Not understanding the marketing and contractual issues behind the delay, I quickly resented The Great Performances for holding up the outtake footage. Though it contained two or three newly released numbers, most of The Great Performances was just a slightly modernized re-hash of 1981’s This Is Elvis.

Promotional flyer for Elvis: The Lost Performances (1992)

Promotional flyer for Elvis: The Lost Performances (1992)

It seemed like decades later to me, but 1992 arrived, and there were two big Elvis releases that year – which marked the 15th anniversary of his death. One was ELVIS: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – The Complete 50s Masters, the now legendary 5-CD boxed set that chronicled his studio recordings from that era. Until I had a little help the following year, that one was temporarily out of my financial reach.

It did not matter one bit to me, though, for it was the other big release of 1992 about which I was most excited. Released the same day as the CD set, Elvis: The Lost Performances was a one-hour VHS videotape that finally delivered those promised outtakes from That’s The Way It Is and Elvis On Tour.

Watching Elvis: The Lost Performances for the first time was, perhaps, the best hour of my entire Elvis fan experience – including all the way up until the present day. I remember coming to the end of the tape, rewinding it impatiently, and immediately starting it over again. I must have watched it at least three times that first day, maybe even four.

The majority of the video focused on incredible material filmed for That’s The Way It Is, but it also included a few songs filmed for Elvis On Tour:

  • All Shook Up
  • Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel
  • Are You Lonesome Tonight
  • I Can’t Stop Loving You
  • How Great Thou Art
  • Release Me

The Lost Performances was actually not the first time that Elvis On Tour outtakes became available to Elvis fans, though. Back in 1981, a couple of songs were prominently featured in the movie This Is Elvis:

  • Always On My Mind (rehearsal)
  • An American Trilogy

That movie also included some miscellaneous outtake footage, such as the recently separated Elvis boisterously indulging in guy talk with his entourage.

Thursday, July 29, will offer fans another chance to see Elvis outtakes, as previously unreleased footage will be shown as part of a special screening event in US theaters. Elvis On Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration will also feature the newly restored Elvis On Tour.

Go to Fathom Events to find out if a theater is showing the event near your area. On August 3, Elvis On Tour will make its DVD and Blu-ray debuts. All of us who can need to be there in both cases to support Elvis and encourage future releases of additional Elvis On Tour and That’s The Way It Is footage.

Elvis: The Lost Performances never made it to DVD, so let’s make sure that these and dozens of other hours of Elvis footage from the two films are not lost forever.

Elvis On Tour Countdown

  • 14 days until Elvis On Tour 75th Anniversary Celebration theater event
  • 19 days until Elvis On Tour Blu-ray and DVD releases

* * *

For more information (official sites):

Selected posts about Elvis On Tour from The Mystery Train:

Education, Elvis Style (Part 1)

/ TY

At this time of year in the United States, high school and university graduations are taking place. It is customary to send friends and family members gifts once they reach this milestone. Particularly for high school grads, these gifts often come in the form of money – intended for use in further education.

I graduated from high school in the early 1990s and sure enough, in the last few months of my senior year, checks from various friends and family members arrived in the mail. At the time, I was still working on obtaining my first summer job. When it came to money, I basically had none.

That had never stopped me from spending time browsing record stores, though. I can remember drooling over two Elvis CD releases in particular that had been out for about a year by that time: ELVIS: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – The Complete 50s Masters and Elvis Today.

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, of course, was the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed 5-CD boxed set that collected his 1950s material together in a coherent fashion for the first time. I can remember just staring at the track listings on the back of the box, marveling over the song titles.

Cover of 1992 Elvis Today CD

Elvis Today was the CD debut of a 1975 album previously available only on vinyl. Since RCA had inexplicably deleted the original album from its catalog, I had been trying to track it down for years before the CD release. I only had three of the songs on it and wanted desperately to hear the others.

Both releases were part of RCA/BMG’s “Elvis In The 90s” series, which had the mission of bringing all of his master recordings to the CD format.

As I dutifully wrote out thank you notes for the gracious graduation gifts people had sent me, a plan began formulating in my head. Sure, I was starting university classes in a few months, but what did I need for that right now? I had a better idea.

Soon enough, I was at the record store and spent most of my graduation money on The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and Elvis Today. I had just enough left over to buy a reference book I had also been eyeing up for some time: ELVIS: His Life From A to Z by Fred L. Worth and Steve D. Tamerius.

People had sent money for me to further my education, and that was exactly what I intended to do.

To be continued. . . .

General comments on SUNRISE [Elvis reflections]

/ TY

I was 24 when I wrote this item back in 1999. This is part of a series of archival Elvis writings — informal pieces originally written for family, friends, other purposes, or just me. They reflect how I was engaging with Elvis’ music in the years between The Elvis Beat and my blog writing.

Sunrise (1999)

  • I haven’t had time to compare Sunrise with The Complete 50s Masters to see if the quality is the same, better, or worse. My initial reaction when I played it for the first time a few months ago, though, was that the tracks sounded slightly better than the ones on The Complete 50s Masters. I could’ve been fooling myself, though. I’ve done that before.
  • The first four songs on Disc 2 are, of course, Elvis’ historic first acetate recordings. The first three had been released before, but “It Wouldn’t Be The Same Without You” was included for the first time here. That’s actually one of the main reasons I bought the set, because I wanted to have the remaining pre-professional recording. I believe that’s the last of them.
  • Track 10 on Disc 2 starts mid-song. No explanation was given in RCA’s liner notes. It is, after all, an alternate, so it may be that the beginning of the song did not survive or was unusable. Although I’m not sure RCA considers anything “unusable” anymore, as you’ll find later on Disc 2.
  • Tracks 12 and 13 on Disc 2 are acetate recordings of moderate sound quality.
  • Tracks 14-19 on Disc 2 are all live acetate recordings. The sound quality is, to say the least, horrible. I’m not sure why RCA chose to release these particular tracks, other than an excuse to slap a “previously unreleased” star beside more songs. The horrendous sound quality makes them of little real value. Clearer live versions of nearly all of the tracks from the same time period were already available. Oh well.

Tracklist

Disc 1

  1. That’s All Right
  2. Blue Moon Of Kentucky
  3. Good Rockin’ Tonight
  4. I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine
  5. Milkcow Blues Boogie
  6. You’re A Heartbreaker
  7. Baby, Let’s Play House
  8. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone
  9. I Forgot To Remember To Forget
  10. Mystery Train
  11. I Love You Because
  12. Harbor Lights
  13. Blue Moon
  14. Tomorrow Night
  15. I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’)
  16. Just Because
  17. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone (slow version)
  18. Trying To Get To You
  19. When It Rains, It Really Pours

Disc 2

  1. My Happiness
  2. That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
  3. I’ll Never Stand In Your Way
  4. It Wouldn’t Be The Same Without You*
  5. I Love You Because (alternate take)
  6. That’s All Right (alternate take)
  7. Blue Moon Of Kentucky (alternate take)
  8. Blue Moon* (alternate take)
  9. I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’) (alternate take)
  10. I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine (alternate take)
  11. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone (slow version) (alternate take)
  12. Fool, Fool, Fool
  13. Shake, Rattle & Roll
  14. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone* (live)
  15. That’s All Right* (live)
  16. Money Honey* (live)
  17. Tweedlee Dee* (live)
  18. I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine* (live)
  19. Hearts Of Stone* (live)

*Previously unreleased

10 favorite Elvis albums & songs [Elvis reflections]

/ TY

I was 23 when I wrote this item back in 1999. This is part of a series of archival Elvis writings — informal pieces originally written for family, friends, other purposes, or just me. They reflect how I was engaging with Elvis’ music in the years between The Elvis Beat and my blog writing.

What are your 10 favorite Elvis albums and why?

  1. That’s The Way It Is
    Elvis at his musical best. Songs such as “Just Pretend” and “I’ve Lost You” could easily be hits today if RCA took the proper marketing steps.
  2. The Memphis Record
    The best compilation of Elvis’ incredible 1969 Memphis Sessions, and many tracks are mixed better than their counterparts on ELVIS: From Nashville to Memphis – The Essential 60’s Masters I.
  3. Elvis In Person At The International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
    This is his best live album, containing definitive versions of some of his classic hits as well as some terrific new songs.
  4. Elvis On Stage – February 1970
    Another impressive live album. Unfortunately, only a handful of Elvis’ live recordings from this year have been released by RCA so far.
  5. ELVIS – NBC TV Special
    Most notable for containing his finest song, “If I Can Dream”, and also includes some stirring live performances.
  6. Elvis Country – I’m 10,000 Years Old
    Although the “I Was Born About 10,000 Years Ago” interludes between each song are somewhat annoying, this one has some great recordings such as “Tomorrow Never Comes” – one of the best songs of his career that is unfortunately often overlooked.
  7. From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee
    This album is certainly one of his finest when considered as a whole. It has a definite theme to it, unlike many of his other albums. Gems such as “Solitaire” and “Never Again” can only be found here.
  8. Today
    A remarkable album that is notable for being 15 years ahead of its time, since many of the songs sound like 90s country music. “Bringing It Back” and “Fairytale” are not to be missed.
  9. ELVIS: Walk A Mile In My Shoes – The Essential 70’s Masters
    Overall, the 1970s is a severely underrated musical era for Elvis, so I felt this compilation should be included to represent that. Unfortunately, the collection was assembled in an uneven fashion. A 10 or 15 disc “Complete 70s Masters” would have been much better, even if split across multiple releases.
  10. Elvis’ Golden Records
    A good overview of his 1950’s hits with RCA.

10 favorite Elvis songs

  1. “If I Can Dream” (1968)
  2. “Mystery Train” (1955)
  3. “Always On My Mind” (1972)
  4. “Baby, What You Want Me To Do” (1968)
  5. “One Night” (1957)
  6. “Baby, Let’s Play House” (1955)
  7. “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” (1960)
  8. “Jailhouse Rock” (1957)
  9. “Trying To Get To You” (1955)
  10. “Just Pretend” (1970)

68 Special [Elvis reflections]

/ TY

I was 23 when I wrote this item back in 1998. This is part of a series of archival Elvis writings — informal pieces originally written for family, friends, other purposes, or just me. They reflect how I was engaging with Elvis’ music in the years between The Elvis Beat and my blog writing.

Leaving out the studio production numbers (such as the gospel and road medleys), I’ve put together this list of recording dates for the ’68 Special. I also left out “one line” songs, such as “Tiptoe Through The Tulips” and “MacArthur Park.” Except for the dressing room rehearsals, all of the following songs were taped for the special, although not all of the video footage has been officially released yet.

Dressing Room Rehearsals (June 24-25)

(Informal audio recordings)
Note: Not a complete list of songs

  • I Got A Woman (Platinum: A Life In Music CD)
  • Tiger Man (Platinum: A Life In Music CD)
  • Blue Moon/Young Love/Oh Happy Day
  • When It Rains, It Really Pours (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  • Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  • Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  • Blue Christmas
  • Are You Lonesome Tonight/That’s My Desire/That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
  • Love Me
  • When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
  • Blue Christmas [#2]/Santa Claus Is Back In Town

6:00 PM “Sit Down” Show (June 27)

(Complete show released on Elvis: One Night With You video and Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD.)

  1. That’s All Right
  2. Heartbreak Hotel
  3. Love Me
  4. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
  5. Blue Suede Shoes
  6. Baby, What You Want Me To Do [#2]
  7. Lawdy Miss Clawdy
  8. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
  9. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
  10. Blue Christmas
  11. Trying To Get To You
  12. One Night
  13. Baby, What You Want Me To Do [#3]
  14. One Night (“No Strap”) [#2]
  15. Memories

8:00 PM “Sit Down” Show (June 27)

(Complete show released on Tiger Man CD.)

  1. Heartbreak Hotel
  2. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
  3. That’s All Right
  4. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
  5. Baby, What You Want Me To Do [#2]
  6. Blue Suede Shoes
  7. One Night
  8. Love Me
  9. Trying To Get To You
  10. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  11. Santa Claus Is Back In Town/Blue Christmas
  12. Tiger Man (ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  13. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
  14. Memories

6:00 PM “Stand Up” Show (June 29)

  1. Heartbreak Hotel/One Night
  2. Heartbreak Hotel [#2]/Hound Dog/All Shook Up (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD; ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  3. Can’t Help Falling In Love (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD; ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  4. Jailhouse Rock (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  5. Don’t Be Cruel (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  6. Blue Suede Shoes
  7. Love Me Tender (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  8. Trouble
  9. Baby What You Want Me To Do (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  10. If I Can Dream

8:00 PM “Stand Up” Show (June 29)

  1. Heartbreak Hotel/Hound Dog/All Shook Up
  2. Can’t Help Falling In Love
  3. Jailhouse Rock (ELVIS: NBC TV Special CD; ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  4. Don’t Be Cruel (ELVIS: NBC TV Special CD; ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  5. Blue Suede Shoes (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  6. Love Me Tender (ELVIS: NBC TV Special CD; ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  7. Trouble/Guitar Man (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD; ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  8. If I Can Dream

“ELVIS” – Original NBC Broadcast – December 3, 1968 (9:00 PM)

  1. Trouble/Guitar Man (studio)
  2. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (6/27 8 PM)
  3. Baby, What You Want Me To Do (6/27 6 PM, #2)
  4. Heartbreak Hotel/Hound Dog/All Shook Up (6/29 6 PM)
  5. Can’t Help Falling In Love (6/29 6 PM)
  6. Jailhouse Rock (6/29 8 PM)
  7. Love Me Tender (6/29 8 PM)
  8. Are You Lonesome Tonight? (6/27 6 PM)
  9. Where Could I Go But To The Lord/Up Above My Head/Saved (studio)
  10. Baby, What You Want Me To Do (6/27 6 PM, #3)
  11. Blue Christmas (6/27 8 PM)
  12. One Night (6/27 6 PM, #2)
  13. Memories (6/27 6 PM)
  14. Nothingville/Big Boss Man/Guitar Man/Little Egypt (studio)
  15. Trouble/Guitar Man (studio/6/29 8 PM)
  16. If I Can Dream (studio)

Elvis Notes [Elvis reflections]

/ TY

I was 23 when I wrote this item back in 1998. This is part of a series of archival Elvis writings — informal pieces originally written for family, friends, other purposes, or just me. They reflect how I was engaging with Elvis’ music in the years between The Elvis Beat and my blog writing.

Here are some notes on several of the songs:

Stranger In The Crowd / I’ve Lost You / How The Web Was Woven / Just Pretend
I don’t really have anything to say about these songs except that I LOVE them! All of them are from the 1970 album That’s The Way It Is – which is his best, in my opinion.

You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
This has always been one of my favorite songs, and it took a while for Elvis’ version to grow on me. Now that it has, though, I think it’s the best version I’ve ever heard.

Always On My Mind
Probably my second-favorite Elvis song. This was a musical apology of sorts to Priscilla after their separation. Willie Nelson recorded a popular version in the 80s.

You Don’t Know Me
I first heard this song in the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day, performed by Ray Charles. At the time, I thought it sounded like something Elvis would have recorded and I wished that he had. Hah, well my wish came true! A couple years later, I discovered this song by Elvis on a boxed set. Ray Charles probably did a better job, because Elvis recorded this in an “off” year. However, I like Elvis’ better anyway, because…well, it’s Elvis! This is probably the saddest song I’ve ever heard.

Can’t Help Falling In Love
I consider this, and not “Love Me Tender,” to be Elvis’ greatest love song. This particular version is an alternate take, shorter than the original release. I like it better for some reason, though. Elvis closed most of his concerts from 1969-77 with this song, as a message to his fans.

Promised Land
Elvis’ version of this Chuck Berry song was recently featured in the movie Men In Black.

Are You Laughing Tonight?
In this live version of “Are You Lonesome Tonight?,” Elvis ad-libs a new line, which supposedly inspires an audience member on the first row to remove his toupee and spin it on his finger – causing Elvis’ initial laughter. Whatever the initial cause, his contagious laughter likely continues because the background singers and band keep performing the song as if nothing is happening. Someone once said the world would be a much happier place if everyone listened to this song each morning. I agree with that.

Separate Ways
This is a companion piece to “Always On My Mind.” Note the verse which refers to Lisa Marie.

You’ll Never Walk Alone
This is an alternate take of this classic song. Elvis is on the piano, which was apparently his favorite instrument – not the guitar.

If I Can Dream
This is a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., who was assassinated in Elvis’ hometown of Memphis on April 4, 1968, and Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in Los Angeles a couple months later. It closed Elvis’ ‘68 television special. My favorite song.

June 1977: The Final Concert Tour [The Elvis Beat newsletter]

/ TY

I was 22 when I wrote this review back in 1997 for The Elvis Beat #16, which turned out to be the final issue of my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter. Though I did not formally dissolve the club until 2000, it went on hiatus after I released this issue. A couple of months later, on August 21, 1997, I started my first website – Star Trek: The Film Frontier, devoted to the first six Trek movies. I added a blog element to The Film Frontier in 2006 and, before I knew it, I was writing about Elvis again. In many ways, I have gone full circle for this path eventually led to The Mystery Train Blog.

“We’re here to entertain you and to make you happy. So, just enjoy yourself, and leave the driving to us,” said Elvis to an adoring crowd in Rapid City, South Dakota on June 21, 1977. Elvis had been doing just that for over 20 years – entertaining his fans and making them happy.

What was to be Elvis’ last concert tour began on June 17, 1977, in Springfield, Missouri. The tour was a short one compared to many of his others, with concerts in ten cities in ten days.

The following day, the tour moved to Kansas City. The June 19 appearance in Omaha, Nebraska was taped for a CBS television special set to air that fall. Only three songs were used from the Omaha performance in the Elvis In Concert special, which was broadcast posthumously.

“If you think I’m nervous,” Elvis said quietly on stage, “you’re right.”

Many fans were interviewed on camera for Elvis In Concert, which is not officially available on video. Perhaps the most genuine in his responses was a young black man who said:

I give Elvis a lot of credit for bringing blues into rock and country. He’s the first guy to ever do that, and I admire him for it. He has a lot of courage. He’s my number one singer of all time. I hope to name my kid after him someday. . . .

I just love the guy. I know that sounds kinda weird, but I just love the guy, and I wish him many years of success. . . .

I have about four of his gospel albums, and my favorite is How Great Thou Art. It makes you feel good when he sings it. It brings tears to your eyes.

The next day, Elvis performed in Lincoln, Nebraska. CBS also taped his concert in Rapid City on June 21. It was from this performance that most of the songs in the Elvis In Concert special were drawn.

“If you haven’t guessed by now, you’re on television,” Elvis said with a characteristic grin to the audience. “Don’t let the lights and cameras throw you, and try not to throw the lights and cameras if you can help it.”

Elvis In Concert was Elvis’ first television special in four years after the blockbuster Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii. The contrast in his appearance between the two shows is striking.

“He was obviously way overweight,” said Elvis’ friend Joe Esposito a few years after the singer’s death. “Despite his age, only 42, we knew he was in bad health. It was rough for him, but Elvis accepted his appearance, and so did his fans.”

Although he did look ill, that special Elvis smile was still there. The love and magic was still there. He was Elvis. Through all the ups and downs, the fans always loved him and still do.

With CBS’s taping complete for the special, the concert tour continued through Sioux Falls, Des Moines, Madison, and Cincinnati over the next several days.

The Market Square Arena in Indianapolis hosted Elvis on June 26 for the last stop of the tour. The concert would prove to be his last before dying six weeks later at his home, Graceland.

For the last performance of his life, Elvis sang:

  • See See Rider
  • I Got A Woman/Amen
  • Love Me
  • Fairytale
  • You Gave Me A Mountain
  • Jailhouse Rock
  • It’s Now Or Never
  • Little Sister
  • Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel
  • Release Me
  • I Can’t Stop Loving You
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • Early Morning Rain
  • What’d I Say
  • Johnny B. Goode
  • I Really Don’t Want To Know
  • Hurt
  • Hound Dog
  • Can’t Help Falling In Love

Joe Esposito said it best, “Just six weeks before his death, he still poured his heart out. To the end, Elvis’ greatest gift – his incredible voice – never failed him.”

When all is said and done, after all the books have been written, and when all the tales have been spun, the only question that will be important is, “What did Elvis do?”

He made people happy.

That was his life.

Note: Years later, portions of the above circulated in bootleg promotional material without permission. It is reproduced here in its original context.