The spectacular success of the NBC show, and in particular the portion of it featuring Elvis ‘live’ in front of an audience, almost naturally sparked interest in Presley’s return to the stage. The expectations of the devotees were greater than ever before. After the show was broadcast, nobody wanted to see Elvis in the next film anymore, but everyone wanted him to resume his stage activities.
Such an enormous demand for Presley and his music (as well as the dwindling interest in the films he starred in) did not go unnoticed by Colonel Parker, who, after the end of his obligations to Hollywood, negotiated a lucrative contract for his client with the fledgling International Hotel in Las Vegas. The largest facility of this type in the entire city.
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Elvis’ long-awaited stage comeback came on July 31, 1969. Real crowds drew in for the opening concert. The elegant showroom, which can accommodate just over two thousand people, was tightly filled with both fans of the artist and the greatest celebrities of the time – Ann Margret, Cary Grant, Sammy Davis Jr and Paul Anka.
Presley, dressed in a black suit designed especially for the occasion, with a look loosely referring to traditional karate outfits, entered the stage to the sounds of Bobby Morris orchestra and a deafening hurricane of applause. He kicked off his performance with a thrilling version of the true anthem of the rock’n’roll era, “Blue Suede Shoes”. It was followed by other, no less popular (and no less important in the history of popular music) “Jailhouse Rock”, “Don’t Be Cruel”, “All Shook Up” and “Hound Dog”.
In addition to hits from the beginning of his career, the singer also presented to the enchanted audience a few hits from his last recording sessions, including “In The Ghetto” and “Suspicious Minds” and a few current compositions – including “Words” by Bee Gees or “Hey Jude” and the Beatles’ Yesterday, with which he wanted to confirm that, despite his long absence, he is still up to date with what is currently happening in music.
Each song presented that night was greeted with equally warm applause by the audience.
At the next day’s press conference, Presley confessed: “ I am delighted to be able to perform again in front of this audience. I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited than tonight .
The audience was also happy. Presley’s first season at the International Hotel, with fifty-seven shows (!), Turned out to be an absolute sensation. Income from the sale of tickets, gadgets and various souvenirs amounted to nearly one and a half million dollars! Las Vegas has never experienced anything like this before!
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As a token of appreciation, the hotel officials honored Elvis with a golden belt (it was genuinely gold) engraved with: “ Elvis. World championship in the attendance record. Las Vegas, Nevada. International Hotel “.
A year later, Presley returned to touring for good. In late January 1970, he began another round of appearances at the International Hotel, and a month later he played six shows in Houston, Texas at the annual Houston Livestock & Rodeo event.
Link Part 1:
https://www.elvisradio.net/2022/09/elvis-on-tour-camino-al-globo-de-oro.html
Article provided by Mariusz Ogieg?o of Elvis Promised Land (Poland)
http://www.elvispromisedland.pl/
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