ELVIS

NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERT.

DECEMBER 31, 1976. PITTSBURGH

On a Friday, December 31, just like today, the inhabitants of the city of Pittsburgh PA. were celebrating New Year’s Eve at home, with their families and friends, watching the special television programs for that day… But there were a number of people who had other plans to celebrate. They had bought their tickets to see an endearing concert being held that night at the Civic Center Arena.

16,409 people attended the concert that Elvis gave that December 31, 1976, mad to see their idol.

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The reception was extraordinary, as it always was since his first concerts when he was still a teenager. It seemed that nothing had changed, the fans adored him. Elvis was still driving the crowds crazy.

He came out on stage like an angel, wearing his majestic Black Phoenix Suit. Elvis was greeted by a screaming crowd, with their “Elvis we love you” banners, with an explosion of flashbulbs and a truly deafening ovation.

Although his physical body was no longer the same, although he was very sick, although he was very tired… as always, he gave his all on stage to his beloved audience. He sang his old hits and also songs from his new albums. And he played guitar and piano.

He was so excited and so close, he even handed the microphone to a fan to wish him Happy New Year and congratulations on his upcoming 42nd birthday.

He also took countless gifts from his audience and even agreed to sing song requests, and handed out 42 handkerchiefs in honor of his 42nd birthday. All this on what would be his last New Year’s Eve….

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He was accompanied by his usual musicians, the Joe Guercio Orchestra and his backup singers: The Sweet Inspirations and JD Sumner & The Stamps Quartet.

As midnight struck, the lights came on. Everything was illuminated with a heavenly light, and Elvis led and accompanied the crowd in singing “Auld Lang Syne”, the popular song traditionally sung to bid farewell to the year at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Auld Lang Syne is a beautiful Scottish folk song. The lyrics are a poem written in 1788 by Robert Burns, one of the most popular Scottish poets. It is usually sung at solemn times and is especially associated with the celebration of the New Year.