8. ELVIS IN CONCERT (AIRED OCT. 3, 1977 ON CBS)
Filmed during Elvis’ final tour, and airing six weeks after he died, this is Elvis’ last TV performance. Though it’s painful to watch – he’s bloated, stumbling and slurring his words – it’s still a historic event.
Highlights: A tragically poignant version of “My Way”, and a deleted rendition of “Unchained Melody”. (Rumour had it that Elvis sang it too passionately for network TV.)
Where to get it: Since it’s Elvis at his worst, it’s unlikely Graceland will release this for public consumption anytime soon. But, if you’re lucky, you can unearth a bootleg version – with the “Unchained Melody” footage.
7. AMERICAN IDOL (AIRED APRIL 25, 2007 ON FOX)
Thirty-odd years after his death, Elvis performed “If I Can Dream” as a duet with Celine Dion – through the magic of technology, of course. Dion first sang her part alone, then with an Elvis body double. Technicians then used a rotoscoping technique to cut The King out of original footage and transplant him onto the Idol set. A true watercooler moment.
Highlights: Look closely – at one point, Elvis looks as if he’ll whack Dion upside the head as he swings his arm. Good times. Plus, the chemistry is good and the harmony is tight.
Where to get it: Clips are rampant on youtube.com, bringing Elvis to a younger, tech-savvy generation.
6. STAGE SHOW (AIRED JAN. 28, 1956 ON CBS)
This is Elvis’ first TV appearance ever. Colonel Tom Parker negotiated a $1,250 paycheque for the newbie hip-swiveler to appear on the Dorsey brothers’ show. The audience was shocked and awed by his spastic gyrations, vocals, and guitar playing.
Highlights: "Shake, Rattle & Roll/Flip, Flop & Fly" medley, for Elvis’ intense delivery of racy-for-their-times lyrics. He sings, “I’ve got so many women, I don’t know which way to jump.” We believe you, Elvis.
Where to get it: See DVD compilations like This is Elvis and Elvis ’56: In the Beginning.
5. FRANK SINATRA TIMEX SPECIAL (AIRED MARCH 26, 1960 ON ABC)
After two years in the Army, Elvis pocketed $125,000 to appear on this special – a then-record amount. By then, most of his former rivals like Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Buddy Holly had faded. Elvis had changed, too. He played up the Rat Pack shtick by wearing a black tux, bowtie and – gasp! – no sideburns.
Highlights: Watch for a very polished performance of “Fame and Fortune” and “Stuck on You”. But most surreal is Elvis and Sinatra’s duet during a “Witchcraft/Love Me Tender” medley, as two 20th century icons make sweet music together.
Where to get it: Check the web for the rare Frank Sinatra Show: Welcome Home Elvis DVD.
4. ED SULLIVAN SHOW (AIRED JAN. 6, 1957 ON CBS)
We can’t forget old Ed, can we? Sullivan said he’d never have lewd, rude Elvis on his show, but forked over $50,000 for three appearances (another then-record) once his ratings started slipping. This, the third instalment, featured the notorious “filmed from the waist up” performance.
Highlights: “Peace in the Valley”, which Elvis dedicates to his mother. Plus, watch Sullivan eat crow when he says, “We’ve never had a pleasanter experience with a big name.”
Where to get it: Find all three broadcasts on the Elvis: The Ed Sullivan Shows DVD set. Features include rare home movies of Elvis and his family.
3. ELVIS: ALOHA FROM HAWAII (APRIL 4, 1973 ON NBC)
Though Colonel Tom Parker foolishly forbade Elvis from touring outside the U.S. for fear of being deported, he OK’d this first worldwide satellite concert. More than one billion people tuned in, and more Americans watched it than man’s landing on the moon. It was his last great TV performance.
Highlights: While all the songs are strong (the soundtrack did hit No. 1, after all), “An American Trilogy” boasts show-stopping dramatics. Plus, you can’t beat the anticipation built up by Elvis’ entrance music, “Also Sprach Zarathustra” (from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey).
Where to get it: Pick up the Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii deluxe DVD for features like the original U.S. broadcast, and after-show performance footage.
2. THE MILTON BERLE SHOW (JUNE 5, 1956 ON NBC)
Ah, this is the raunchy Elvis we know and love. Hip gyrations, wild hair and intensity earned him a backlash from U.S. conservatives – and the nickname “Elvis the Pelvis”. This limber performance was a pivotal moment in music – teens could no longer bear to see Perry Como sleepwalking his way through “Hot Diggity Dog Diggity”.
Highlights: “Hound Dog”. Elvis slows down the chorus, growls the words, and thrusts his pelvis at the audience. Steamy. No wonder Uncle Milton was forced to ban him from the show.
Where to get it: Find “Hound Dog” on Elvis ’56: In the Beginning, This is Elvis, and Elvis: The Great Performances, among other DVD compilations.
1. ELVIS: ‘68 COMEBACK SPECIAL (DEC. 3, 1968 ON NBC)
After years languishing in schlocky movies (it had been seven years since he’d even performed live), Elvis proved he was still valid with this raw performance. There are three main segments: Elvis performing solo; a sit-down portion with his former bandmates; and big production numbers. About 18 million people tuned in for Elvis’ rebirth – in body-clinging leather, no less.
Highlights: Too many to list, but the most inspirational is the “If I Can Dream” finale, which was Elvis’ answer to the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy.
Where to get it: Snag the Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special deluxe DVD, which includes bonuses like a deleted bordello scene (too hot for TV!), outtakes, and the original stand-up and sit-down shows.
What do you think? Did Vili get it right? Email melissa@tvguide.ca
