Elvis’ Iconic TV “Comeback Special” 1968

Presley's 1968 TV special proved that Elvis was back!

I was astounded to learn that Elvis Presley, prior to his ’68 NBC “comeback special,” had not performed live since he got out of the Army. One of the most dynamic performers, Elvis wasn’t doing what he did best. Instead, Presley cranked out what was once called "drive-in movies." The response to his TV special was so great that Elvis did a Las Vegas residency a year later, and then took to touring with a vengeance—which may have been his undoing.

Though Elvis Presley's special was the number one show of the week, when it aired Dec. 3, and the highest rated program of the 1968-9 season, it got zero Emmy nominations. This reminded me that Elvis won three Grammys in his music career—for his gospel music. Sometimes the greatest artists in their fields are the least rewarded when it comes to awards from the industry.   

Elvis Presley decided to shake up his stagnant career with this TV special.

       

Allan Blye and Chris Bearde wrote the special, and they later went on to write for The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, which also gave those flagging pop stars’ a big career boost. At first, Elvis’ special was to be Christmas themed, per manager Colonel Tom Parker's wishes. But Presley thought that was too square, as did director Steve Binder. It's been noted elsewhere that Elvis performing casually surrounded by musicians and audience was a preview of MTV Unplugged. This was a unique opportunity for Presley to strip away the glitz of his movie image and proved that he was still the King of Rock.

Elvis sharing a laugh with director Steve Binder, on the set of Presley's TV special.

Elvis Presley easily showed that he still looked and sounded great. He performed some his favorite songs in a loose storyline. For the mini-concert/jam session, Presley wore the memorable black leather jumpsuit. He also sported some awesome suits, one that made him look like a rock version of Rhett Butler.

What is outrageous to me is that the show’s creators had to scramble for an audience come taping time, because Colonel Parker was lackadaisical in the handpicked audience he had promised. So, the producers found most of their audience in nearby restaurants and bars! 

The special opens with “Trouble” and “Guitar Man.” This is done so dang stylishly, that it looks like a forerunner to an MTV video. Elvis in huge close-up, then shown in black, save for red scarf, performs both numbers with great energy and confidence. The background gradually changes to silhouettes of guys with guitars in blocks, recalling “Jailhouse Rock.” The number ends with Elvis standing in a giant red neon light version of his name—talk about branding!

Elvis Presley in the red-hot opening number, "Trouble/Guitar Man."

The iconic Black Leather suit session starts with one of Elvis’ early numbers, “Lawdy Miss Clawdy.” Presley had an amazing voice live, his small audience is enraptured, and Elvis is obviously having a great time with them and his one-time playing buddies. “Baby, What Do You Want Me To Do?” stops when Elvis makes fun of his lip curl, "which I did for 29 pictures.”

He then stands up for his next song, looking like a million in that suit, which would make Harry Styles green with envy. Funny, I thought Elvis was on the short side, like so many of his contemporary heartthrobs. Presley looks long and leggy in that slim cut black leather. And I love that powerhouse rock opening to “Heartbreak Hotel.” The audiences goes nuts when he launches into “Hound Dog,” and is that really pre-stardom Cheryl Ladd in yellow, sitting in the front row, as rumor has it? Ladd would have been 17. Probably not, but it does look like her!

Some folks on the Internet think this is a young Cheryl Ladd in the audience.
Likely not, but there is a resemblance.

“All Shook Up” gets the sexy treatment, grunts and all. Elvis is very physical here, agile and all animal energy. Presley effortlessly slips into ballad mode in one his best, “I Can't Help Falling in Love with You,” though the orchestration and back up is intrusive.

Elvis gives a wow version of “Jailhouse Rock.” Some critics compared his energy unfavorably to the past... like when he was 18. Presley's a pistol here! He then plays around on “Love Me Tender,” but then gets serious and sells the song.

Elvis Presley in the "unplugged" mini-concert segment, with very adoring fans!

Presley introduces the gospel segment, one of the show's best, by talking about how he and others who have come along in rock music owe a debt to gospel and rhythm and blues. This belies the notion that Elvis just appropriated black music. He grew up with it, was actually immersed in it, and always acknowledged those roots. 

Love Elvis in his red suit and Darlene Love and the Blossoms with their white dresses, who come out snapping their fingers to the beat! “Where Could I Go But the Lord?” gets things started. “Up Above My Head” kicks it up a notch, with the back-up singers and dancers getting their moments to shine. With Elvis in charge, he leads them into the showstopper “Saved,” and they all knock this one out of the park.

Elvis and The Blossoms (the great Darlene Love at right!) --love Presley's red suit!

Then, back to the black leather jump suit mini-concert, where Elvis’ guitar-playing was showcased on “Baby, What Do You Want Me to Do?” Presley then segues into “Blue Christmas,” an all-time fave of mine. And Presley’s, too!

The effect Presley had on his audience is demonstrated here. Elvis is very playful with the audience and increasingly relaxed as the show goes on. “One Night with You” gets them standing up, with his musician pal holding the mike stand for Elvis! “Memories” has the women melting. Again, Presley was a great ballad singer as well as rocker. The mesmerized looks of adoration... wow!

The “Nothingville” segment shows Elvis in all denim, backed by neon highway lines! He then reprises “Guitar Man,” which leads into him slumming through a shady side of town. Shouldn’t have this come before the “Gospel” section, finding redemption?

Elvis Presley takes a walk on the wild side in blue denim in "Nothingville."

The sexiness of this segment is very ‘60s, like the other staged segments, but comes off a bit dated. Still, it’s fun and there’s some great classic tunes mixed with the new material that strings these songs together. “Let Yourself Go” gets by but “Big Boss Man” and “Little Egypt” are great fun. The latter has Elvis sporting a glittering gold suit, another nod to the past. Elvis the peacock changes suits several times here, during another chorus of “Trouble.” Back to his audience and in black leather, a finale of “Guitar Man” and he walks off into the highway set.

Elvis sings one more chorus of "Guitar Man" before heading off that highway set.

"If I Can Dream" was specifically written for Elvis by Earl Grant, for this special. Grant took how Presley felt about the recent Martin Luther King assassination and wrote this song. Also noteworthy, Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated during the making of this special. Naturally, controlling Colonel Tom Parker didn't like the song, but Elvis insisted on recording the number, and it later became Presley’s biggest hit in years.

“If I Can Dream” was a nod to Martin Luther King much in the way Judy Garland performed “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” on her legendary series as a tribute to JFK, who had just been assassinated. In both cases, their respective networks were leery, but both stars insisted. And the result was two memorable, heartfelt performances.

Elvis Presley gives his all for the finale, "If I Can Dream."

This finale, so powerful, has Elvis singing his heart out in a white suit, who just says a simple farewell when he’s done. Elvis has been gone 45 years this Aug. 18, 2022—one of many singers gone before his time. This special proves that at 33, Elvis Presley still had a few great years left.

Stay golden, Elvis Presley!

Here’s one of my favorite Presley pictures, Loving You, with Elvis at 22!  https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2019/08/elvis-presley-fans-still-loving-you-1957.html

And here’s my take on the very first bio pic of Presley, 1979’s Elvis, with Kurt Russell, directed by John Carpenter:

https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2022/07/kurt-russell-excels-as-elvis-1979.html

Elvis Presley's "Comeback Special" proved that he hadn't left the building just yet.