Concerts Reviewed - 1971
BATMAN: Las Vegas, NV September 6, 1971 Closing Show
by Zach
1971 was one of the busiest concert years to date since the comeback in 1969. Elvis played his usual winter gig for the International during February. Then in July he did his first two-week engagement in Lake Tahoe. It was a tired Elvis who roled into the newly re-named Hilton hotel for his summer engagement. For the most part Elvis was at his worst since his return to the concert stage. He was still a lot better than he would be in later years, but compared to his last summer engagement Elvis was a mere shadow of his former self. In Tahoe Elvis was at his best, but in Vegas he brought the exact same song list and performed it on a lower level. So it was safe to say that Elvis was happy to see closing night. He would have a few months rest in between Vegas and the start of his next tour in November. There are two significant things about this closing show. The first is it would be the last time the Imperials would be backing Elvis. After a money dispute with the Colonel they would leave and J.D. Summer and the Stamps would be brought in for the upcoming tour. The second significant thing that takes place at this show is Elvis is wearing a cape for the first time, at his wife Priscilla's urging. Elvis would wear a cape on stage until the Summer engagement in 1973. The tape recording begins very clearly with the 2001 THEME. All in all this tape has pretty good sound for an audience recording. There are a few dropouts at times but it is still good. Elvis goes straight into his traditional THAT'S ALL RIGHT which sounds just like any other version from these early years. The only different sounding version from these years I've heard comes from the January 29th DS in Las Vegas. "Well...I said I Got A Woman," Elvis quickly goes into this song and just like the previous song, it's no different than any other version except AMEN is missing that familiar J.D. bass. Elvis greets his audience and then heads into PROUD MARY which is like a 1972 version of this song instead of a February 1970 version. Without a pause it's into another standard version of a song. This time it's SWEET CAROLINE. During this song the tape becomes a lot more clearer, and Elvis is much more audible. So far this concert has offered no real surprises. POLK SALAD ANNIE kicks in with Elvis saying, "Batman, I'll fly away." A definite reference to his new cape. Elvis is wearing the Black Fireworks suit this night. The arrangement of Polk Salad Annie seems to be more speeded up like the 1972 arrangement and not so much like the 1970 arrangement. Elvis finally has more than two words to say to his audience after the song and says "Good evening my names Johnny Cash. I'd like to welcome you to the International. We'll entertain you one way or another." He then ask for something to be taken off, it's kind of inaudible but I believe it's his cape. He then announces LOVE ME TENDER. The band starts it but Elvis stops it saying "we're not going to do it yet." But he starts it anyway. This is standard Love Me Tender. The scarves are starting to fly for the first time and Elvis plays a lot with his audience during this song. The song is pretty short. Next Elvis calls out "down in Louisiana" and James Burton starts a very Aloha sounding JOHHNY B. GOODE. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE is next and this is one of the first musical highlights of the show. It sounds a lot like the master but with the only real difference being in the line where Elvis says "and tomorrow could you ask me for the world," here Elvis says "oooohhh and tomorrow..." He also sings it at different key at parts and it sounds simply beautiful. I love this version. Then it's into the 50's stuff with LOVE ME, BLUE SUEDE SHOES/WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN GOIN ON, HEARTBREAK HOTEL, and TEDDY BEAR/DON'T BE CRUEL. All of these are no different than any other versions we know with plenty of scraves and teddy bears to go around. The next highlight of this show comes with a totally inpromptu version of ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT. Elvis hadn't sang this song much since 1969 and it gets a big eruption from the audience. Elvis sings this song totally serious. It sounds a lot like Hampton Roads 1972 but better and very gentile. Elvis sounds like he's about to start crying during the spoken part. This might be the best I've ever heard this song performed in concert. "You ain't nuthin but a HOUND DOG." Quickly Elvis is into a slow version of Hound Dog. There is an edit on the tape and suddenly it is the fast version. Elvis ends the song by saying "you ain't nuthin but a chicken...dog...you ain't no friend of mine." Elvis then calls for SUSPICIOUS MINDS. You can really tell Elvis is getting bored of this song here. It is nothing like the kick ass versions from 1969-70. A woman on the tape sounds like she's having an orgasm during this song. There is a lot of karate at the end. The band introductions are next and Elvis is very out of breath during them. Elvis notes during the intros that he is drinking Gatorade and that the first word for it was Panther? I might have missed something there. Elvis also mentions that guys in the service get awful homesick because they call each other mother a lot. I think I've heard this dialogue before. After the intros Elvis introduces some celebrities and does a few lines of a song called THE EASY PART IS OVER. Elvis then thanks the International and introduces his wife Priscilla. He also mentions that the musicians he has with him are the best in their fields. "I have a new record called I'M LEAVIN." This is good song and I've never heard a live version that was any different than any other. "Lawdy, Lawdy." LAWDY MISS CLAWDY is the last highlight of the evening. Elvis really gets into this one, so much that he even does a reprise of it. I have always liked the 70's version of this song. Elvis is a little inaudible before starting CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE. In his words he does say that without his audience, "it would just be one cold ass room." Can't Help Falling In Love starts but Elvis stops it. "Hold it...hold it a minute. And people ask me...when am I going to quick...why don't you retire...NO! (a woman screaming "no, never,never!") Retiring...I love it! (A little inaudible) I'll be singing till I'm dried up like a prun...and old dry prun. A...anyway." Then a standard version of Can't Help Falling In Love starts and finishes. This is a very entertaining show and one of my personal favorites. It is pretty straight forward for a closing show but there are still some must have songs and comments in here. If you don't mind a show recorded by the audience go pick this one up. Zach
Live From The International
Recorded Live At The International.
September 6, 1971 CS
Tracklisting
2001 Theme / That's All Right / I Got A Woman - Amen / Proud Mary / Sweet Caroline / Polk Salad Annie / Love Me Tender / Johnny B. Goode / It`s Impossible / Love Me / Blue Suede Shoes - Whole Lotta Shakin` Going On / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel / Are You Lonesome Tonight / Hound Dog / Suspicious Minds / Band Introductions / Celebrity introductions - The Easy Part Is Over / I'm Leavin' / Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Theme Recording: Audience
Label: (Released 2006)
Las Vegas
Recorded live at The International
September 6, 1971 Dinner Show.
Tracklisting
Recording: Audience
Highlights: Sweet Caroline, Heartbreak Hotel, Suspicious Minds & Bridge Over Troubled Water (reprise)
Sound:  Contents: 
Covers: [front] [back]
Other Releases
Leaving Las Vegas
Recorded live at The International
September 6, 1971 Closing Show.
Tracklisting
Recording: Audience
Highlights: Proud Mary, Sweet Caroline, Love Me, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, The Easy Part Is Over (excerpt) & I'm Leavin'
Notes: See "Live From The International" in our CD section.
Sound:  Contents:
Covers: [front] [back]
| CONCERT DETAILS: | | Tour Ref: | On Tour number 24 - August 27th - September 8th 1976 | | Date: | September 6 1976 | | Venue: | Von Braun Civic Center | | Location: | Huntsville AL | | Showtime: | (2:30 pm) | | Crowd: | 7000 | | REVIEWS: | | Article *: |
| | ELVIS ATTIRE: | | Suit: | White Egyptian Bird | | Belt: | Inca Gold Leaf suit belt | | Cape: |
| | GROUP ATTIRE: |
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| | Kathy Westmoreland: White Suit |
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| | Musicians: Light Blue Suit | | TICKET STUBS: |
| | | SONGS - TRACKLISTINGS: | 2001 Theme
C C Rider
I Got A Woman
- segued medley with -
Amen
Love Me
Fairytale
You Gave Me A Mountain
All Shook Up
Teddy Bear
- segued medley with -
Dont Be Cruel
And I Love You So
Jailhouse Rock
Fever
( above song is just an excerpt )
America The Beautiful
( followed by a reprise of above song )
One Night
Polk Salad Annie
Band Introductions
Early Morning Rain
( featuring John Wilkinson )
Whatd I Say
( featuring James Burton )
Johnny B Goode
( featuring James Burton )
Drum Solo
( featuring Ronnie Tutt )
Bass Solo
( featuring Jerry Scheff )
Piano Solo
( featuring Tony Brown )
Electric Piano Solo
( featuring David Briggs )
Love Letters
School Day
Hurt
( followed by a reprise of above song )
Hound Dog
Funny How Time Slips Away
Thats All Right
Cant Help Falling In Love
Closing Vamp
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| | | PICTURES FROM CONCERT: | 
© Keith Alverson | 
© Keith Alverson | 
© Keith Alverson |
© George Hill | 
© George Hill |
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© George Hill | | |
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| CONCERT DETAILS: | | Tour Ref: | On Tour number 24 - August 27th - September 8th 1976 | | Date: | September 6 1976 | | Venue: | Von Braun Civic Center | | Location: | Huntsville AL | | Showtime: | (8:30 pm) | | Crowd: | 7000 | | REVIEWS: | | Article *: |
| | ELVIS ATTIRE: | | Suit: | Blue Egyptian Bird | | Belt: | Original belt | | Cape: |
| | GROUP ATTIRE: |
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| | The Sweet Inspirations: White Suit |
| | JD Sumner and The Stamps Quartet: Black Suit | | Musicians: Black Suit | | TICKET STUBS: |
| | | SONGS - TRACKLISTINGS: | 2001 Theme
C C Rider
I Got A Woman
- segued medley with -
Amen
Love Me
Fairytale
( above song includes 1 false start )
You Gave Me A Mountain
All Shook Up
Teddy Bear
- segued medley with -
Dont Be Cruel
And I Love You So
Jailhouse Rock
Fever
America The Beautiful
( followed by a reprise of above song )
Band Introductions
Early Morning Rain
( featuring John Wilkinson )
Whatd I Say
( featuring James Burton )
Johnny B Goode
( featuring James Burton )
Drum Solo
( featuring Ronnie Tutt )
Bass Solo
( featuring Jerry Scheff )
Piano Solo
( featuring Tony Brown )
Electric Piano Solo
( featuring David Briggs )
Love Letters
School Day
Hurt
( followed by a reprise of above song )
Hound Dog
Danny Boy (by Sherrill Nielsen)
Thats All Right
Thats All Right
( above song includes 1 false start )
Blue Christmas
Mystery Train
- segued medley with -
Tiger Man
Funny How Time Slips Away
Cant Help Falling In Love
Closing Vamp
| | CDS FROM CONCERT: | 
Import CD | 
Import CD |
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| | | PICTURES FROM CONCERT: | 
© George Hill |
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© George Hill |
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CONCERT DATE: September 6 1976 (2:30 pm). Huntsville AL. Elvis' Waist Thicker, But Fans Still Loyal
by Winford Turner
Huntsville News
To sellout crowds at Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville Monday afternoon and night, Elvis Presley had the same old magic. Presley, sporting broader showmanship and a thicker waist, drew standing ovations from the time he jogged onto the stage to the chords of "Thus Space Zarathustra." The Memphis rock and roll star got screams during his first number, C.C. Rider, and the women, who outnumbered males in the audience by three to one, were still screaming to the end. They reached for his hand and the scarves he threw between numbers, and they gave him a standing ovation after America the Beautiful. Although Presley's voice remains strong, there were some reviewers who said they found the performance lethargic. But it seemed to make no difference to the faithfuls. They screamed as loud as they did when they were teenagers, when Elvis had a thin waistline and seemed to be a bundle of energy. Elvis arrived in Huntsville, as had been expected, in the early hours of the morning Monday and went straight from Huntsville Aviation to the Hilton Hotel, where he remained in seclusion until his appearance at the civic center Monday afternoon. He left the city shortly after his performance Monday night. He arrived in Huntsville after performing to a sell out crowd at Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, Miss. Elvis is due in Arkansas tonight. Even before he arrived in Huntsville, the Elvis magic was in the air. His long time manager, Col. Tom Parker, actually came to the city Saturday. And, keeping with the Presley custom of handing out gifts, Parker called up a local television station and donated $500 of the singer's money to the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Satisfied that proper arrangements were made for his superstar, Parker left the city early Monday and headed for Arkansas. And lucky for local fans that he did. In the past, Parker has kept his star in seclusion, believing that if you want to get a look, you had better have a ticket or just be plain lucky. Last year during his five concerts in Huntsville, Parker had Elvis coming out of the Hilton by a secret entrance. But Col. Parker wasn't around Monday and Elvis surprised the several hundred who had gathered around the Hilton and the civic center. He came right through the main lobby waving to the screaming crowd. As is the custom, there were no interviews and no autograph signing. He was flanked by six personal bodyguards and a large number of local police officers. In fact, several policemen said his security was tighter than those for former President Richard Nixon who visited the city in 1974, just months before resigning from office. One local Elvis fan, Mrs. Peggy Phillips, who has been crippled by polio for years, was unable to make it to the concert, but may benefit within a few days from one of the many gifts that Presley usually passes out. Mrs. Phillips said she has been an Elvis fans for years and that she has even had dreams of him. Apparently the word got to Elvis and some of his top associated. Mrs. Phillips was promised that within a few days she'll receive some kind of gift from the singer. Just what the gift will be and when it will be presented still remains a mystery. The only thing that was a certainty Monday night is that Elvis swept the city like a storm and for a brief 18 hours was the "King of Huntsville." Courtesy of Scott Hayward
Still Rocking The Nation
Recorded Live at Von Braun Civic Center.
September 6, 1976 Evening Show
Tracklisting
2001 Theme / C C Rider / I Got A Woman - Amen / Love Me / If You Love Me Let Me Know / Fever / Big Boss Man / Love Me Tender / Hound Dog / The Wonder Of You / Blue Suede Shoes / Introductions / Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Introductions #2 / All Shook Up / Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel / Heartbreak Hotel / Why Me Lord + reprise / That's All Right / Blue Christmas / Let Me Be There + reprise / Hawaiian Wedding Song + reprise / Johnny B. Goode / Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp Recording: Soundboard
Label: Le Roi 0376 (Released 2000)
Elvis - The Man In White Vol. 2
Recorded Live at Von Braun Civic Center.
Huntsville, AL. September 6, 1976 Evening Show
Tracklisting
2001 Theme / C C Rider / I Got A Woman - Amen / Love Me / If You Love Me Let Me Know / Fever / Big Boss Man / Love Me Tender / Hound Dog / The Wonder Of You / Blue Suede Shoes / Introductions / Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Introductions #2 / All Shook Up / Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel / Heartbreak Hotel / Why Me Lord + reprise / That's All Right / Blue Christmas / Let Me Be There + reprise / Hawaiian Wedding Song + reprise / Johnny B. Goode / Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp Recording: Soundboard
Label: Lone Star A161718 (Released 2002)
Notes: Same material as Still Rocking The Nation
Labour Day '76
Recorded live at the Von Braun Civic Center
September 6, 1976 Afternoon Show. Huntsville, AL.
Tracklisting
Recording: Audience
Highlights: Fairytale, And I Love You So, Fever (excerpt), America the Beautiful (reprise), One Night, Polk salad Annie, Hurt (reprise), Funny How Time Slips Away & That's All Right. Good show!!
Sound: below average
Covers: [front] [back]
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