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Location:
Conventions Hall, International Hotel, Las Vegas.
Why have you waited so long to perform
live again?
We had to finish up the movie commitments before I could start on
this.
How did it feel being back in front of
a live audience after so many years?
Fantastic. I really missed it. I love the live contact with an
audience. It was getting harder and harder to perform to a movie
camera all day long. The inspiration wasn’t there. I’m tired of
playing a guy singing to the guy he’s beating up.
Did you enjoy performing live again?
Yes! This has been one of the most exciting nights of my life.
Did you feel nervous during the show?
For the first three songs or so, before I loosened up. Then I
thought, “What the heck. Get with it, man, or you might be out of a
job tomorrow.”
Were you a little afraid onstage
tonight?
Yes, I was at first, until I got going, and then I felt okay. I was
nervous and didn’t feel relaxed until
Love Me Tender.
How did you choose the songs for your
show?
I just sang my favourites, that’s all.
Do you want to do more live shows?
I want to… I would like to play all over the world. I chose Las
Vegas to play first because it is a place people come to from all
over.
Did you like leather jackets like the
one you wore on your TV specials?
No. I hate wearing leather jackets because they are too hot to work
in.
Why did you choose a Negro backing
group (The Sweet Inspirations)?
Because they help to give me my feel, my soul.
Where did you get the idea for your
stage outfit?
I got the idea from a karate gi I once had.
Do you dye your hair?
Sure, because I’ve always done it for the movies.
Why do you dye your hair?
Because it’s gray.
Why do you choose to record message
type songs like In The Ghetto? Are you trying to change your image?
No. Ghetto was such a great song. I just couldn’t pass it up after
I’d heard it. There are a lot of new records out now that have the
same sound I started but they’re better. I mean, you can’t compare a
song like Yesterday with
Hound Dog, can you?
How do you feel about the Hollywood
social scene?
I just don’t go for it. I have nothing against it but I just don’t
enjoy it.
Why have you led such a secluded life
all these years?
It’s not secluded, honey, I’m just sneaky.
How long did you rehearse for these
shows?
I practiced for nearly three months. Today I went through three
complete dress rehearsals. This was the fourth time I did that show
today. I’m really beat.
Can you remember the first time you
were in Las Vegas?
Sure, I was 19 years old. Nobody knew me. “Where you from, boy?”
they’d ask.
(Note: Elvis was 21 and not 19 when he first performed in Las
Vegas, on 23 April 1956, at the New Frontier Hotel).
Will you be back in Las Vegas soon?
Absolutely. I love Las Vegas because it attracts people from all
over the world.
Do you have a share in the
International Hotel?
No, I have not.
Are you tired of your present type of
movies?
Yes. I want to change the type of scripts I have been doing.
What kind of scripts do you like?
Something with meaning. I’m going after more serious material. I
couldn’t dig always playing the guy who’d get into a fight, beat the
guy up, and in the next shot sing to him.
Do you feel it was a mistake to do so
many soundtrack albums?
I think so. When you do ten songs in a movie, they can’t all be good
songs.
Will you be doing any more movies?
I don’t know. I kinda got tired of beating up guys and then having
to sing a song to them, or maybe their horses.
Mr. Presley, I’ve been sent here by
Lord Stutch Enterprises to offer you one million pounds sterling to
make two appearances at the Wembley Empire Stadium in England. This
price will include a documentary that will be filmed during and
after the shows. It will only take 24 hours.
You’ll have to ask him about that. (Elvis points to Colonel Parker).
Colonel Parker: Make an offer! Cash, not pounds! Just put down the
deposit.
How much do you get paid for these
performances?
Colonel Parker: We are pleased with the deal. I am glad he is here.
Would you like to appear in England?
I definitely would like to appear in England as we have had so many
requests. And it will be soon, as we are now doing live concerts
again.
Is there any truth to the rumour that
you are getting a slice of the hotel as part of the fee?
Colonel Parker: Certainly not. The only thing we got free were
crickets in the room.
Have you still got about 10 cars?
I never had that many, only four or five at the most.
After all this time you look so young.
I guess I’m just lucky. I really don’t know. I guess one of these
days it will catch up with me and I’ll probably fall apart.
Have you ever seen England’s top pop
singer Cliff Richard?
Yes, I met him in Germany a long time ago.
(Note: Cliff Richard indeed traveled all the way to Germany
to meet Elvis, but he was out on maneuvers on that day and Vernon
welcomed him instead. Perhaps Elvis was confused when he answered
this, because he actually met an impersonator while in Germany).
How does it feel to be a father?
Great. I love it!
Do you and Priscilla plan to add to
your family?
We’ll have to wait and see.
How does Priscilla feel about you
being such a great sex symbol?
I don’t know… you would have to ask her.
Are you planning to have any more
kids?
Yes, we are planning to add to our family. Thank you very much.
Is there any other individual you
would rather be?
Are you kidding?
What’s it like to be the Grandfather
of rock and roll?
(laughs). I didn’t know that I was.
Are you doing shows because of the
recent success of Tom Jones in cabaret?
No, that’s not the reason. Although I admire Tom Jones very much,
and think he’s a great talent. I guess I felt it was time to do live
shows because I missed doing them.
I noticed in your repertoire you did
some Beatles songs. What do you think of the Beatles and their
material?
I admire the Beatles and think they are very good. The lyrics of pop
songs are getting better all the time, they have more meaning.
When you met the Beatles, why was
there no press allowed?
I guess it was because we could relax and talk friendly to each
other.
Did anyone influence you in your
career?
Yes, people like him. (Elvis introduces Fats Domino). This is one of
my influences from way back, Fats Domino. Just look at those rings
and that diamond watch, aren’t they fabulous?
We advise checking up this article in the website, on the
clothes Elvis wore on stage, as well as on the show performed that
day (galleries included):
Jumpsuits - Black
Herringbone
Source: Elvis
Vegas '69 book, by
Ken Sharp. |
