Elvis Presley | Charlotte, NC | February 20, 1977
Elvis Presley in Charlotte, NC.
February 20 1977 (8:30 pm). Charlotte NC.
Elvis Gets Past The Fooling, Proves Why He Still Reigns
by Faye Gaillard Charlotte Observer February 21, 1977
For the first half hour, Elvis Presley just fooled around - strutting around the stage, posing for the flashbulbs and kissing the women who made it past the police. The music seemed almost an afterthought as he ran through the oldies - Jailhouse Rock, Don't Be Cruel and the others. He busied himself throwing scarves to the faithful and proving that his pelvic wiggles are not a thing of the past.
But Elvis Presley didn't get where he is simply because of the way he moves. And every now and then there were flashes of the old power, the spark and the soul of his early days in Memphis. Back then, he would wander into Sun Records studios with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and other rockabilly buddies and they would sing their hearts out for hours - belting out, among other things, all the old gospel songs on which they were raised.
Elvis Presley : Charlotte, NC : February 20, 1977
Elvis Presley departing the Lisa Marie and heading to his hotel shortly after midnight February 20, 1977.
Nobody made music any better, and during the early going at the Charlotte Coliseum, there were scattered notes here and there that made you wonder if he finally was gonna do it. But always he would pull up short, rely on the grins, the charisma and the legend - until finally, a little before 10.45, he came to the gospel classic how Great Thou Art. And that was it. You could see why Elvis Presley is still going strong after 20 years, while dozens of others have fallen by the way. As he came to the part where he belts out the title, he sounded like Mario Lanza with soul - cutting loose a series of high notes that would tingle the spine of even the diehard sceptic.
Elvis Presley just after arriving on the Lisa Marie, heading to his hotel shortly after midnight February 20, 1977.
From that point on, the music seemed to get hold. He backed away a little bit from edge of the stage and paid less attention to the cameras and the shrieks. He was good on Hound Dog, mellow on Early Morning Rain. But the crescendo came on a song called Hurt.
Joe Esposito, Sam Thompson and David Stanley with Elvis as he hits the stage February 20, 1977.
It's an old rock song that Elvis didn't record until a couple of years ago. The key ingredient is its range - an awesome collection of notes that would leave a normal set of vocal chords in shreds. Elvis ran through the song, bending over the mike as sweat dripped from his forehead. He finished what seemed his most potent style, but wasn't satisfied, and mumbled to the band: 'Let's do that last part again'. He did, and if there was anyone among the packed-house crowd who had thought Elvis was a fluke, they no doubt came away converted.
'There just isn't anyone like him', exulted Mary Burleson, a 35-year old fan who saw her first Elvis show in 1956. 'He can sing it all - rock, country, gospel, you name it. Elvis is the best'. He may well be, at least when he really cuts loose.
Elvis Presley on stage in Charlotte, NC on February 20, 1977.
Elvis Presley on stage in Charlotte, NC on February 20, 1977.
You have to wonder, though, how he takes it seriously after all these years - when he's besieged in town after town by 40ish women, rushing the stage with everything from fruit baskets to five-foot teddy bears. Just the rumour that his car is outside is enough to leave them five-deep at the Coliseum windows, scrawling Elvis graffiti in the dust on the glass. It was an hysterical evening from the beginning. The parking lot was filling steadily by 7 - despite the sold-out house and the 8.30 showtime. Elvis himself didn't come on until 10, and the tension was so thick by then even some fan who bore a faint resemblance to Presley was mobbed for autographs. The madness repeats itself tonight.
Elvis Presley : Charlotte, NC : February 21, 1977
February 1977
Elvis Presley Orlando Florida | February 15, 1977
Elvis Presley, Dick Grob and Ed Parker: February 16, 1977
Elvis Presley Charlotte, NC | February 20, 1977
Elvis Presley Charlotte, NC | February 21, 1977
March
Elvis Presleys last vactaion | Hawaii, March 1977
April
Elvis Presley Ann Arbor Michigon: April 25, 1977
May
Elvis Presley Louisville Kentucky | May 21st 1977
Elvis Presley performs in Louisville Kentucky | May 22, 1977
Elvis Presley Philadelphia Spectrum, Saturday, May 28, 1977
June
Elvis Macon, GA | June 1, 1977
Elvis Presley Dane County Coliseum, Madison | June 24, 1977
Elvis Presley June 25, 1977 | 8.30pm Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Oh
Elvis Presley June 26, 1977 | 8.30pm Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, In.
August
Elvis, Ginger and Lisa Marie driving through the Graceland gates on August 12, 1977
Elvis Presley | August 16, 1977 | The last photo taken
Elvis Presley August 16-19, 1977
Kathy Westmoreland Remembers
How Elvis Presley's Death Led to the Birth of Modern Entertainment Journalism
How Memphis and Media Reacted to Elvis' Death
CDs | DVDs | Books
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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.
