Elvis Presley - 1969-08-01 - Las Vegas, NV (SBD)

Elvis Presley

1969-08-01

Dinner Show

Hilton International Hotel

Las Vegas, NV

Soundboard Recording

256 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Blue Suede Shoes

02. I Got A Woman

03. All Shook Up

04. Love Me Tender

05. Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel

06. Heartbreak Hotel

07. Hound Dog

08. Memories

09. Mystery Train > Tiger Man

10. Life Story (dialogue)

11. Baby What You Want Me To Do

12. Are You Lonesome Tonight

13. Yesterday

14. Hey Jude

15. band introductions

16. In The Ghetto

17. Suspicious Minds

18. What'd I Say

19. Can't Help Falling In Love

Elvis Presley - 1969-08-01 - Las Vegas, NV (SBD)

In early 1969, buoyed by the success of his December 1968 televised comeback special, Elvis Presley was ready to make a return to live performing. His manager, Colonel Tom Parket booked Elvis at the then new International Hotel in Las Vegas, which boasted the largest showroom in the city, for 57 shows spread over four weeks beginning July 31, 1969. Since his normal backing band, the Jordanaires, declined to participate, afraid of losing the lucrative session work they had in Nashville. Presley assembled an entire new group of backing musicians, led by guitarist James Burton and including two gospel groups, The Imperials and Sweet Inspirations. The King was nervous, however, as these would be his first series of live shows since 1961, and his first in Las Vegas since a disastrous 1956 engagement. All nerves vanished when Presley took the stage on July 31, 1969 for his 1st Vegas show as the audience of 2,200, including many celebrities, gave him a standing ovation before he even sang a note. Presley was spellbinding, so much so that the next day, Parker was able to negotiate a 5 year deal with The International for Elvis to play each February and August, at a then unheard of annual salary of $1 million. While I couldn’t find a recording of that historic 1st night in Las Vegas, I do have the soundboard recording from night #2, August 1, 1969, 44 years ago today. Download this one to hear The King at the height of his comeback.