“I want to entertain
people. That’s my whole life. To my last breath”.
Elvis on what happened:
“I just fell into it
really. My daddy and I were laughing about it the other day. He looked at me and
said ; “what Happened El? The last thing I remember is I was working in a can
factory and you were driving a truck”. We all feel the same way about it.
Still..it just..caught us up”!.
Little
Sister/Get Back
rare
Footage Overdubbed With Elvis' "Sylvia"
Once Elvis really
got going, he didn’t listen to much other music. He definitely wasn’t up on
what was goin’on. That was od to some people, and Elvis knew that reaction, but
he once told a journalist,
“if I listen to somebody else,
it’ll take the edge of me”.
“As you can tell, we
don’t know these songs. We Haven’t rehearsed them or anything. We’re just
foolin’ around”.
April 7th, 1970. A deal is signed with MGM’s Kirk Kerkorian for a documentary to be filmed during Elvis’ upcoming 4-week engagement at The International Hotel in Las Vegas. Elvis is to be paid $500,000.
Each time Elvis played Las Vegas, the hotel stocked fresh undergarments in the restrooms because the women threw their underwear onto the stage while he was performing. Occasionally, they threw to keys to their hotel rooms.
Rolling Stone Magazine declared Elvis to be supernatural while Variety proclaimed him a superstar. Newsweek praised him for his staying power, remarking, “It was hard to believe he was 35 and no longer 19 years old…”
Colonel Parker was in his element as he began promoting his boy all over Las Vegas. He rented every available billboard and took out full-page ads in the local and trade papers. The Lobby of The International Hotel was filled with Elvis Presley souvenirs like t-shirts, straw boaters and even stuffed animals.
One of
the highlights in Elvis career is without doubt his performance in “That’s The
Way It Is”
The subject of this film is further with the cameras. The
attempt was to capture the ups and downs he experiences putting his show
together, showing Elvis as a musician. They filmed both sides of the lights,
exploring what he feels and the emotions he creates on others. Using
documentary techniques, the film follows the king on a public and private
journey from rehearsals at MGM studios and in Las Vegas, then on stage in the
Showroom Internationale of the International Hotel, and finally on September
09, 1970 in Phoenix, Arizona, for the opening of the stars first concert tour in
thirteen years.
The following songs, recorded by Elvis, are one of my favorites .
"The Wonder Of You" When Elvis began performing live again, he could no longer rely on new material from his publishing companies; instead, he needed to build a show around his own standards, adding non-originals that the audience would know. it forced to dip into his vast musical reliqary in search of songs that held meaning for him, "The Wonder Of You" was one such number. In Elvis' hands, it's an inspirational, almost religious song. Glen D.Hardin, wrote the towering arrangement shortly before recording.
"Polk Salad Annie"Original recorded by Tony Joe White, Elvis completely transformed it from languid swamp rock to dramatic set piece that opens with a little catechism on Southern ways for anyone whose idea of "Down South" is Florida in January. He then expanded and adapted the chorus to fit his karate stage moves. By the end, Elvis is audibly exhausted. "Tough way to make a living, boy", he tells the audience. The song became such a fan favorite that a local coffee shop picked up the theme, offering Elvis Corn Muffins for $1.95.
"I Just Can't Help Believin" This song was tailor-made for Elvis, but unfortunately B.J. Thomas found it first. Elvis brought it into his show that Summer at the International Hotel. It was a lyrically complex song, and Elvis was worried about forgetting the words, so he told Charlie Hodge to ensure that the lyric sheet was on stage in case he needed it.
Rehearsals For That’s The Way It Is
Elvis revisited several of his old hits and began to
define his approach to some of the newer material. Relaxed and informal, he
tried with middling success to remember the words of some of his earlier
records, leaving us with the feeling that he had more homework to do than the
band. To warm up, they tried Stonewall Jackson’s 1965 country hit, “I washed My
Hands In Muddy Water,” a song that lent itself to extended jams. Elvis is happy
to let the band find a groove and run with it. James Burton was born to play at
this tempo and on this type of material. The song was written by Marty Robbins’
backup singer, Joe Babcock, who later sang on some of Elvis’ sessions.
On July
15, 1970
Elvis rehearsed at M.G.M Soundstage,
Culver City, and sung the following songs; Stagger Lee, Got My Mojo Working,
I’ve Lost You, Stranger In The Crowd, The Next Step Is Love, You Don’t Have To
say You Love Me, Sweet Caroline, Yesterday, Hey Jude, I Can’t Stop Loving You,
It’s Your Baby, You Rock It, Crying Time, Ghost Riders In The Sky, Runaway, It’s
Now Or Never, Peter Gun Theme, Love Me, One Night, Alla’ En El Rancho Grande,
That’s All Right, Twenty Days And Twenty Nights, Patch It Up, Cotton Fields,
Sylvia, Stranger In The Crowd, Mona Lisa, How The Web Was Woven, I’ll Take You
Home Again Kathleen.
On July 24, 1970
Elvis rehearsed the following sungs at the RCA Studios in Hollywood;
That’s All Right, I Got a woman, The Wonder Of You, I’ve Lost You, The Next Step
Is love, Stranger In The Crowd, You’ve Lost That Lovin’Feelin’, Something,
Don’t Cry Daddy, Don’t Cry daddy (Reprise), You Don’t Have To say You Love Me,
Polk Salad Annie, Bridge Over Troubled water, I Can’t Stop Loving You, Just
Pretend, Sweet Caroline, Words, Suspicious Minds, I Just Can’t Help believin’, I
Just Can’t Help believin’, Tomorrow Never Comes, Running Scared (few lines),
Mary In The Morning, Twenty days And Twenty Nights, You’ve Lost That Lovin’
Feelin’, I Just Can’t Help Believin’, Heart Of Rome, Memories, Johnny B.Goode,
Make The World Go Away, Stranger In My Own Home Town, I washed My Hands In
Muddy Water. MGM's camera crew was not present for this rehearsal.
On July 29, 1970 Elvis rehearsed at the MGM studios in Culver City, and sung the following songs; Something, Words, I Just Can't Help Believing, Little Sister/Get Back/Little Sister/Get Back, I Washed My Hands In Muddy Waters, I Was The One, Cattle Call, Baby Let's Play House, Don't, Money Honey, A Fool Such As I, Froggy Went A Courtin', Such A Night, It's Now Or Never, What'd I Say, The Lord's Prayer, My Country 'Tis Of Thee, Hava Nagila, My Baby Left Me, You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, Stranger In The Crowd.
On August 04, 1970
Elvis rehearsed The Following songs in The International Hotel's Convention
Center, Las Vegas Nevada; I've
Lost You, The Next Step Is Love, Words, Cattle Call/Yodel, Twenty Days And
Twenty Nights, Something, Farther Along
One hour before the Vegas opening, Elvis sitting in his dressing room reading congratulatory telegrams, confessed to the camera, “This is the nitty gritty time for getting nervous – opening night.”
They had
continued rehearsals for one week at the hotel prior to the opening, first with
the vocal groups, then on stage with the whole orchestra. The repertoire was now
established. As he stood in the wings, Elvis worried about forgetting the words
to “I Just Can’t Help Believin’, ” and told Charlie Hodge to bring the lyric
sheet on stage. “If
the songs don’t go over, we can do a medley of the costumes,”
he joked, just seconds before striding centerstage.
Songs (opening
Credits Used on the original version of Elvis, That's The Way It Is),
Mystery Train/Tiger Man, Words (Rehearsal at
MGM), The Next Step Is Love, Polk Salad Annie, Cryin’Time, That’s All Right
Mama, Little Sister, What’d I Say, Stranger In The Crowd, How The Web Was Woven
(Elvis On Piano), I Just Can’t Help Believin’, You Don’t Have To say You Love
Me, (Rehearsal With Vocal Groups) You Don’t Have To say You Love Me,Bridge Over
Troubled water, (Rehearsal At The international Hotel) You’ve Lost That
Lovin’ Feelin’, Mary In The Morning, Polk salad Annie, (Performance In the
International Hotel) That’s All Right, I’ve Lost You, Patch It Up, Love Me
Tender, You’ve Lost That Lovelin’ Feelin’, Sweet Caroline, I Just Can’t Help
Believin’, Little Sister/Get Back, Bridge Over Troubled water, Heartbreak Hotel,
One Night, Blue Suede Shoes, All Shook Up, Polk salad Annie, Suspicious minds,
Can’t Help falling In Love.
August
10 1970 Dinner Show Opening
On August 10, 1970 (Opening Show)
Elvis wore his white Fringe Jumpsuit. He sung the following songs;
Opening Theme / That’s All Right / Mystery Train/Tiger Man / Monologue / I
Can’t Stop Loving You / Love Me Tender / The Next Step Is Love
/ Words / I Just Can’t Help Believin’
Something / Sweet Caroline / You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ / You Don’t Have To
Say You Love Me / Polk Salad Annie / Introductions / I’ve Lost You /
Monologue / Bridge Over Troubled Water / Patch It Up / Can’t Help Falling In
Love / Closing Vamp
August 11 1970 Dinner Show
On August 11, 1970 (Dinner Show)
Elvis wore his White Circle Metalic Jumpsuit. During this engagement he sung the
following songs; Opening Theme / That’s All Right / I Got A Woman / Hound Dog / Monologue I (Technical Problem)
/ Heartbreak Hotel / Monologue Ii (Toreador Joke) / Love Me Tender / I’ve Lost You
/ Monologue / I Just Can’t Help Believin’ / Something / I Can’t Stop Loving You
/ Sweet Caroline / You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ / Polk Salad Annie / Introductions (Introducing Sonny King)
/ Bridge Over Troubled Water / Suspicious Minds / Can’t Help Falling In Love/Closing Vamp
Show 3 : August 11 1970 Midnight Show
On August 11, 1970 (Midnight Show)
Elvis wore his
White Chain Jumpsuit. During this engagement he sung the following songs; Opening Act: A Thing Called Love Performed By “The Imperials” / On The Other Side Performed By “The Imperials”
/ Opening Theme / That’s All Right / I Got A Woman / Hound Dog
Love Me Tender / There Goes My Everything / Just Pretend / I Just Can’t Help Believin’
/ Something / Men With Broken Hearts – Short Poem / Walk A Mile In My Shoes
/ You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ / Polk Salad Annie / One Night / Don’t Be Cruel
/ Love Me / Instrumental Break (Elvis Walks Through The Audience) / Heartbreak Hotel
/ Introductions / Bridge Over Troubled Water / Suspicious Minds / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp
Show 4 : August 12 1970 Dinner Show
On August 12, 1970 (Dinner
Show) Elvis wore his White Circle
Metalic Jumpsuit and sung the following songs;
Opening Theme (With False Start) / That’s All Right / I Got A Woman / Hound Dog
/ Heartbreak Hotel / Monologue (Microphone Problems) / Love Me Tender / I’ve Lost You
/ I Just Can’t Help Believin’ / Patch It Up / Monologue / Twenty Days And Twenty Nights
/ You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ / Polk Salad Annie / Introductions / Blue Suede Shoes
/ You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me / Bridge Over Troubled Water / Suspicious Minds
/ Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp
Show 5: August 12 1970 Midnight Show
Elvis wore his white chain jumpsuit
Show 6: August 13 1970 Dinner Show
On August 13, 1970 (Dinner
Show) Elvis wore his White Red
Collar Jumpsuit and sung the following songs;
Opening Theme / That’s All Right / I Got A Woman / Hound Dog / Monologue / Love Me Tender
/ Don’t Cry Daddy / In The Ghetto / I Just Can’t Help Believin’ / Stranger In The Crowd
/
Make The World Go Away / Sweet Caroline (With False Start) / You’ve Lost That Lovin Feelin’
/ Polk Salad Annie / Introductions I/Instrumental Break (Elvis Walks Through The
Audience) / Introductions Ii (Introducing Art Carney) / The Wonder Of You / Heartbreak Hotel
/ Blue Suede Shoes / One Night / All Shook Up / Bridge Over Troubled Water
/ Suspicious Minds / Can’t Help Falling In Love/Closing Vamp
Rehearsal Recording For M.G.M: That’s The Way It Is
July 14th, 1970. M.G.M Stage 1, Culver City, California.
Arriving And Greeting Crew /
Baby What You Want Me To Do /
The Next Step Is Love /
Polk Salad Annie /
Words /
Words (Take 2) /Elvis Talks /
Words /Bridge Over Troubled Water /
I’ve Lost You (Playback) /
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me /
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Take 2) /
Bridge Over Troubled Water /
Elvis And Band Talk /
Elvis And Crew Eating Lunch /
Packing Up
Rehearsal Recording For M.G.M: That’s The Way It Is
July 15th, 1970. M.G.M Stage 1, Culver City, California.
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me /
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Take 2) /
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Take 3) /
Sweet Caroline (Ending) /
Yesterday /
Hey Jude /
I Can’t Stop Loving You /
Tomorrow Never Comes /
Love Me /
One Night /
That’s All Right /
Elvis And Band Talking /
Twenty Days & Twenty Nights /
Crying Time /
How The Web Was Woven /
I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen (Piano)
Rehearsal Recording For M.G.M: That’s The Way It Is
July 29th, 1970. M.G.M, Culver City, California.
Don’t It Make You Wanna Go Home/Something /
Words /I Just Can’t Help Believing /
Little Sister/Get Back /
I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water /
I Was The One/Cattle Call /
Baby Lets Play House /
Don’t /
Money Honey /
A Fool Such As I /
Such A Night /
It’s Now Or Never /
What’d I Say /
My Baby Left Me /
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me /
Stranger In The Crowd
Rehearsal Recording For M.G.M: That’s The Way It Is
August 4th, 1970. The International Hotel’s Convention Centre, Las
Vegas, Nevada.
Arriving /
Talking To Sweet Inspirations /
Words /
Cattle Call /
Yodel /
Twenty Days & Twenty Nights /
Something /
Father Along /
Something/Mother In-Law (One Line) /
Santa Claus Is Back In Town /
Don’t Cry Daddy /
In The Ghetto /
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me /
Bridge Over Troubled Water /
Bridge Over Troubled Water (Take 2) /
Bridge Over Troubled Water (Take 3)
Rehearsal Recording For M.G.M: That’s The Way It Is
August 7th, 1970. The International Hotel’s Showroom, Las Vegas,
Nevada.
You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling /
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me /
The Next Step Is Love /
Twenty Days & Twenty Nights /
Polk Salad Annie /
I’ll Take You Home Kathleen /
Oh Happy Day /
I’ve Lost You /
Mary In The Morning /
Words /
Patch It Up /
Goodbyes