Elvis Presley | International hotel Las Vegas, NV. | February 26, 1969
Known for a powerful stage presence in total command of every room he has ever worked. But backstage at the International Hotel on July 31, 1969, Elvis Presley was packing back and forth like a panther. In a few minutes, he would march out into what was then the largest showroom in Las Vegas, holding 2.000 people.
It had been eight years since Elvis had last done a live concert, eight years of recording sessions and movie making, eight years since he had felt the electricity of a packed house. Those of us around him had no doubt he'd be a bigger hit than ever. Deep down probably Elvis knew himself.
But at the moment he was sweating through his black mohair suit.
As we started walking to the stage, Elvis became very quiet. You could see in his eyes that he was thinking about the show, going over the song list in mind. His tenseness was contagious. Soon we were all nervous. Comedian Sammy Shore finished his act and the house lights went down. The audience was hushed. The Bobby Morris Orchestra began to play and no further introduction was necessary.
Nervous time had turned into Showtime. Elvis was back where he belonged. His concerns, of course, were unnecessary. He performed brilliantly for 90 minutes. He fed off people.
February 26, 1969 - Elvis signing his performance contract with The International Hotel in Las Vegas. This photo opportunity was actually staged, and the actual contract signing did not take place until April.
L to R : International Hotel president Alex Shoofey, Elvis Presley and talent booker Bill Miller.
From the book, The Elvis Files Volume 5 : 1969-1970
Review : Elvis: Vegas '69 Hardcover Book
January 1969
Aspen Colorado | January 24, 1969
February
Elvis Presley with Jeannie C. Riley | Ferbruary 6, 1969 | Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, NV.
May
Elvis Presley on Holiday, Hawaii | May and October 1969
June
Elvis Presley and Tom Jones | The Flamingo Hotel | June, 10, 1969
July
Elvis Presley in the driveway of his Hillcrest home, leaving for a rehearsal at RCA | July 1969
Elvis Presley July 14, 1969 | Rehearsal song list
Elvis Presley 6363 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA | July 18-23, 1969
Elvis Presley International Hotel | July 31, 1969
Elvis Presley July 1969 | The King of Las Vegas
August 1969
Elvis Presley Las Vegas Press Conference | August 1, 1969
Interview with Elvis Presley The 1969 Press Conference | August 1, 1969
Elvis Presley International Hotel, Las Vegas | August 1, 1969
Elvis Presley Backstage Las Vegas | August 6, 1969
Elvis Presley In Concert 1969 + Summer of 1969 at Graceland
Elvis hasn't lost it | review / aricle | Chicargo Times | August 10, 1969
Elvis Presley Las Vegas | August 12, 1969
Elvis Presley Las Vegas | August 17, 1969
Elvis Presley International Hotel, Las Vegas | August 18, 1969
Elvis Presley August 21, 1969 | Live In Las Vegas
Elvis Presley August 22, 1969 | Live In Las Vegas
Elvis Presley with fans | August 23, 1969
Elvis Presley International Hotel | August 26, 1969
Elvis Presley at Nancy Sinatra's Opening Night Post Show Party | Friday August 29, 1969
Elvis and Priscilla Presley | Barbra Streisand's Vegas show | 1969
Don Ho and Elvis Presley Las Vegas 1969
Elvis Presley Graceland | 1969 (Rare photo)
Elvis Presley and Jeannie C. Riley (August 1969)
October
Elvis Presley on Holiday, Hawaii | May and October 1969
The Movies of 1969
1969, Charro!, National General
1969, The Trouble With Girls, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
1969, Change Of Habit, Universal
The Movies In Photos
CDs | DVDs | Books
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Back Link Elvis Presley 1967-1969
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
