OPENING NIGHT, JULY 31, 1969.

THE RETURN TO THE STAGE.

It was 1969 in Elvis‘ life. After his glorious recording sessions in the American Sound Studios and his last breaths in Hollywood, Elvis was ready, although still full of fears and accompanied by his eternal ghosts, to face his public again.

He was scheduled for a season in Las Vegas, which would last from July 31 to August 28.

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Everything was ready for that day, July 31, 1969, at the Las Vegas International Hotel, Elvis would make his long-awaited appearance, at a time in American history when Sin City was ready to welcome Elvis.

Everything in Las Vegas had changed since he performed in 1956.

Elvis would say that it was the most exciting night of his life, although really, he was so afraid that he even told his friends and members of the Memphis Mafia, that that first night not to attend the show, but to do it the next day, as he thought that after that night no one would want to go to see him again.

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But the reality was very different. Dressed in his black karate-style two-piece suit, with his hair in black, he took that stage, in front of 2,200 people, like a real panther.

Not even the eight years that had passed since his last public appearance had changed his strength, his wild courage, his enormous attractiveness, his sexuality.

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This show, like all the others, broke all the established canons in Las Vegas and all the audience records. His grandiose stage presence, with a superb vocal power, a good selection of songs, and with his electric and aggressive music running through his veins, soaked the ears and hearts of all those present.

The Bobby Morris Orchestra, his new and impressive musicians, The Sweet Inspirations, The Imperials…. Everything was ready for Elvis to make his appearance. The comedian Sammy Shore, who was in charge of presenting the show, saw that night the panic in Elvis’ eyes, he saw how when he gave him the entrance to the stage, Elvis was pale, haggard, absolutely paralyzed by stage fright.

But 2,200 people were waiting to see the king, the legend, and Elvis threw himself on stage to give them everything they expected of him, all the best of himself, as if not a single minute had passed since that last day at the Bloch Arena in Honolulu, when Elvis had stepped on stage for the last time.

Ladies and gentlemen, with all of you Elvis Presley… the King is back!