July 31, 1969 - Elvis Presley took the concert stage for the first time in eight years. He wore a classy black two piece outfit, designed by Bill Belew; to perform to a huge crowd of 2,000 at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. March 25, 1961 had previously been Elvis' last concert in front of a live audience.
Elvis, at 34 years old was a bit nervous and he was unsure of what the audience response would be. But Elvis had absolutely nothing to worry about! His voice was strong and he was in the best physical shape of his life. Women screamed and cried for him; and men admired Elvis and wished they could have been him! Numerous celebrities and news critics were among the audience, too. Elvis, was a wonderful success on that July night in 1969, and the fans once again loved him! Elvis had not been forgotten while in Hollywood making films. Elvis, was back and hotter than ever!
Elvis’ opening night, July 31st, 1969: was so successful that Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker renegotiated Elvis' contract on a tablecloth in the hotel’s coffee shop. Elvis fans can see the exact tablecloth with the writing intact on exhibit in the Vegas exhibition at Elvis Presley's Graceland.
"As Elvis came off the stage, he had tears in his eyes and was soaked in sweat, but this was the sweat of a job well done." ~Joe Esposito
The concert engagement would last four weeks with August 28th being the closing show. Elvis, performed twice each night; for twenty-eight days. The International Hotel in Las Vegas, had just been built and offered the largest showroom in the city. The showroom held 2,000 people. Elvis', concert engagement broke all existing Las Vegas concert attendance records and Elvis attracted rave reviews from the public and the critics. Elvis received a gold belt from the hotel for his championship audience attendance. The gold belt is currently on exhibit in the Vegas exhibition at Elvis Presley's Graceland.
Elvis, at 34 years old was a bit nervous and he was unsure of what the audience response would be. But Elvis had absolutely nothing to worry about! His voice was strong and he was in the best physical shape of his life. Women screamed and cried for him; and men admired Elvis and wished they could have been him! Numerous celebrities and news critics were among the audience, too. Elvis, was a wonderful success on that July night in 1969, and the fans once again loved him! Elvis had not been forgotten while in Hollywood making films. Elvis, was back and hotter than ever!
Elvis’ opening night, July 31st, 1969: was so successful that Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker renegotiated Elvis' contract on a tablecloth in the hotel’s coffee shop. Elvis fans can see the exact tablecloth with the writing intact on exhibit in the Vegas exhibition at Elvis Presley's Graceland.
"As Elvis came off the stage, he had tears in his eyes and was soaked in sweat, but this was the sweat of a job well done." ~Joe Esposito
The concert engagement would last four weeks with August 28th being the closing show. Elvis, performed twice each night; for twenty-eight days. The International Hotel in Las Vegas, had just been built and offered the largest showroom in the city. The showroom held 2,000 people. Elvis', concert engagement broke all existing Las Vegas concert attendance records and Elvis attracted rave reviews from the public and the critics. Elvis received a gold belt from the hotel for his championship audience attendance. The gold belt is currently on exhibit in the Vegas exhibition at Elvis Presley's Graceland.
The following quotes are from Elvis fan, Ray Connelly, who attended Elvis return to the stage - July 31st, 1969. Ray's statements were originally published in the London Evening Standard Paper August 2, 1969.
"Twice nightly for 28 days Elvis will be appearing. 'It is, 'he says, 'the most exciting thing I've done in years'. "
"He was out of this world, better by far than I - always the greatest Presley fan in world - could possibly have hoped for, and a lesson in himself to the entertainment media of our generation. "
"For a full hour he worked and sweated, gyrated and shuddered, warbled and sang, and grunted and groaned his way through 20 songs. It was a sensational comeback!"
"Twice nightly for 28 days Elvis will be appearing. 'It is, 'he says, 'the most exciting thing I've done in years'. "
"He was out of this world, better by far than I - always the greatest Presley fan in world - could possibly have hoped for, and a lesson in himself to the entertainment media of our generation. "
"For a full hour he worked and sweated, gyrated and shuddered, warbled and sang, and grunted and groaned his way through 20 songs. It was a sensational comeback!"
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