THE FAREWELL. “ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING”.

THE LAST TIME HE PERFORMED LIVE

On June 26, 1977 at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, around 8:30 p.m., Elvis started his last concert with the song See See Rider. The audience, as always, went wild, giving him a standing ovation.

18,000 people would witness what would be his last performance.

The show was the last of the tour that had begun on June 17.

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Elvis took the stage in his “Mexical Sundial” jumpsuit, shining with the light he always gave off, like a star in the sky, and gave a good show, giving it his all, or even more than he could, as always, in front of his fans. He even sang songs that were long out of his repertoire like “Release Me“, “I Cant Stop Lovin’ You” or his beloved “Bridge Over Troubled Water“. He was in high spirits with his show.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvgtrT4f0mE]

The ovation becomes huge again, when he introduced his father, who was very happy to be able to be on tour with his son, after being sick.

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He gives his thanks also to some of the technical crew, his girlfriend Ginger Alden, and some family members, before thanking those present for being such a good audience. “If you want us back, we’ll be back… wise men say, only fools… only fools rush in, but me, I… I… I can’t help… falling in love with you…. ”

The whole stage crew joins in on the last line of an emotional “Can’t Help Falling In Love“: “Take my hand, take my whole life too, ’cause I can’t help falling in love with you, ’cause I can’t help falling in love… with…. you… yeah… you…“

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvgtrT4f0mE]

Larry Londin opens the closing Vamp, Joe Guercio’s Orchestra follows. Elvis after leaving the microphone on the floor, walks around waving to the audience, shakes hands with his audience, gives away the white scarf around his neck. It seemed that he did not want to leave the stage, perhaps his tired body and his strength asked him to stay there a little longer…. Then he takes the path that leads to the stairs that descended from the stage. A bodyguard approaches from his left side and puts his arm around him. Ed Parker approaches from the right side. Elvis rushes down the stairs and meets Dick Grob, together they run to the waiting limousine.

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What perhaps no one knew is that his last breath on stage would stay there for eternity…. “Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building“… forever. But he will forever remain alive inside each and every one of our hearts.