Tonight, a historic edition of Friday Night Live.
“Elvis Presley rocked the world in the 1950’s, a leader among performers who brought about a revolution in music and pop culture. Through most of the 1960's he concentratedmainly on his movie career, which had been very successful, but, by the end of the decade, was in a downturn and had become a grind, seldom giving him opportunities to prove himself as a serious actor. By 1968, it had been more than seven years since Elvis had appeared on stage in front of a live audience.”
Liner Notes, ELVIS: '68 COMEBACK SPECIAL, Deluxe Edition DVD
Elvis was to do a TV special to air in December 1968 on NBC sponsored by Singer. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker envisioned and wanted a Perry Como family-type program.
Fortunately, the creative team behind the special went in a different direction, creating a revolutionary format (Elvis goes unplugged) and a comfort zone enabling Elvis to once again show his energetic self and truly shine.
“In his first television special Elvis plays his greatest role – simply being himself, the real Elvis as performer and person. Usually referred to as The ’68 Special or The ’68 Comeback Special, the actual name of this landmark television program was Elvis. Taped in June 1968, it first aired the following December 3rd on NBC-TV, attracting 42% of the television viewing audience, the network’s biggest ratings victory that year and the season’s top-rated show. It stands as one of the great moments in rock music history and as a stunningly brilliant milestone in Elvis Presley's career. After this triumph Elvis poured renewed creative vigor into his recording work, wrapped up his movie contract obligations and returned full-time to the concert stage, beginning a new and exciting era of the Elvis phenomenon.”
Liner Notes, ELVIS: '68 COMEBACK SPECIAL, Deluxe Edition DVD
40 years ago tonight, June 27, 1968, Elvis began taping the segments for the NBC special. The show opened with silhouetted guitar players and moved on to Elvis performing in the round in front of a studio audience with full orchestra and also with old band members and friends.
It’s Elvis at his very best.
