Speech Incoherent, But Sang Oh, My. 46 Years Later, It Still Resonates

Elvis Presley, the legendary King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, passed away on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42, after struggling with substance abuse and alcoholism. His final public appearance occurred on June 26, 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana, less than two months before his untimely death. Prior to this, two of his performances were recorded for a television special: one in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 19, and another in Rapid City, South Dakota, on June 21.

The television special “Elvis in Concert,” featuring footage from these performances, aired six weeks after Presley’s passing. Despite initial reruns as per contractual obligations, the Presley estate later restricted further broadcasts due to concerns about the special’s portrayal of Presley’s declining health, leading to its unfortunate nickname as the “Fat Elvis” concert.

The final encore of the South Dakota concert featured Presley performing “Are You Lonesome Tonight?,” marking his last recorded act. Despite struggling with the spoken parts of the song, Presley’s vocal performance remained robust. Observers noted in comments that while Presley often playfully altered lyrics and interludes, his spoken words during this performance were noticeably mumbled, indicating his deteriorating health. Some experts have suggested that hospitalization may have been necessary at the time.

Reflecting on his 1973 divorce from Priscilla, Presley introduced “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” by saying, “This one is called Are You Lonesome Tonight? I am, and I was.” The performance was emotionally charged, and despite stumbling over the spoken part, which he shrugged off with humor, Presley regained his composure to deliver the song’s lyrics with ease. Despite his physical condition, his vocal prowess remained evident, particularly noted during his articulate and clear rendition of “Unchained Melody” earlier in the show.

The performance left a lasting impact on viewers. A YouTube commenter, Mikey, remarked, “That final glance as he finishes the song…it’s incredibly moving. My father took us to Graceland four times during my childhood. I understand now, Dad. Such a remarkable voice. Such a big heart. The King, eternally.”

The contrast between Presley’s clear introduction of “Unchained Melody” and the mumbled delivery in “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” underscores the significant health challenges and exhaustion Presley faced during the latter part of his career. Despite these issues, he managed to perform 55 shows in the first half of 1977 alone.

Jerry Schilling, a close associate of Presley, reflects in his memoir on questioning Colonel Tom Parker, Presley’s manager, about allowing the filming given Presley’s visible decline in health. Parker reportedly insisted that it was Presley’s decision to proceed with the special as planned. Research into Presley’s final public concert highlights the enduring quality of his vocal performance, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest performers in music history.