One cannot write about Madison Square Garden WITHOUT mentioning this VERY GOOD website devoted to those 4 historic shows an essential visit!. http://www.msg1972.com/
Also don't forget to refer to the Phil Gelormine's(New Jersey, Billboard Magazine background and Elvis World Enterprises etc) 10th Anniversary MSG book (1982) which includes many newspaper articles including mention of news clips, TV broadcasts of the show, an interview with Joan Deary-clearing up exactly when the 2 shows were recorded. Indeed new books about this time come out ALL the time the latest one being released in May 2005 "Elvis N.Y. '72" this comes with the complete CD of the 19 minute June 9th Press conference and unpublished(mostly) press conference photo's. I found its CD sized book a 'surprise' and indeed the whole book is like a fat booklet inside a CD Jewel Case! Sure there are a few 'new' pictures of Elvis and virtually no new information. The photo chosen for the cover isn't the best and many should have been 'rejected' due to being either out of focus or featuring a blurred person in the foreground of the shot!! Photo's of the 'warm up acts' before he came on stage don't do much for me. Most photos' come from the 4pm June 9th 'Press Conference' and an awful lot are blurry or have objects in the frame! Certainly this book is well worth giving a wide birth too as it simply doesn't deliver ANYTHING worth having that we haven't had before. Indeed having picked up the previous outing of an afternoon at the Hilton CD by Elvis Unlimited Productions/Milkcow Records - printed in Denmark - In 1999 I simply cannot see any worth in this re-release? The questions from the Press are very hard to hear on the recording!
Elvis vacationed in Hawaii with Priscilla in an attempt to patch up his marriage (but it didn't work.), the couple along with Lisa Marie and 12 of Elvis's friends stayed at the Rainbow Towers part of the Hawaiian Hilton Village. While in Honolulu Elvis attended a karate demo and bought $5,000 worth of opals from one of the hotels shops. Straight after this holiday and by Sunday May 28th he was in Las Vegas attending Glen Campbell's show featuring comedian Myron Cohen at the International Hotel. Once Elvis was introduced Campbell lost control of the show and Elvis attended a party in Campbell's honour after the show.
Following the holiday & Vegas visit Elvis was found rehearsing June 6/7th at the RCA studio Sunset Boulevard. These were rehearsals with the band at night and I can only 'wonder' as to EXACTLY what material was rehearsed before flying Into New York on June 9th? On Thursday June 8th at Graceland Elvis was thrown from one of his horses but was ok - just shaken up.
This was to be his 2nd tour of the year and a rare 3 day stand @ new York- his first since television appearances in 56+ 57. Tickets for the tour (booked by management III and RCA tours), stayed at $10, $7.50 + $5 with as many as 85% of the house sold to $10 seats. For the tour in the end the Colonel agreed to forgo any extra % and settle for a lump sum of $1.2 million rather than submit bills for various expenditures.
Jerry Weintraubs recent memories when asked about Madison Square Garden are very interesting" Well, I brought it up directly to Elvis because the Colonel wouldn't do it. He didn't want to discuss Madison Square Garden with him. He'd say, "If you want to talk to him about it, you talk to him about it". He doesn't want to go there. He doesn't want to play in New York. And I said, "Why doesn't he want to play in New York?" He said, "Ask him, you know. It's fine with me. Ask him". So I asked him one night. He came to one of the dates and, I mean, I was on every date, but I used to be ahead. You know, I used to wait til he got to town til the show started, as soon as the show started, unless we were doing multiple days, which we usually did, but unless we were doing multiple days, I would jump on a plane and go ahead to the next city and he wait for him to land. I'm sorry. I lost my train of thought. You asked me... Oh, Madison Square Gardens.
I went to Elvis and I said, "Let's play in New York City", and he said to me, "You know, I don't really want to go to New York City". I said, "Why?" He said, "I'm not a New York City kind of artist. You know, they're not gonna like me in New York City. They like me in Alabama and Georgia and Tennessee, you know, but I don't want to go to New York City, Jerry". I said, "Elvis, you're the biggest star in the world. They're not gonna like you, they're gonna love you". He said, "You're gonna have trouble selling shows in New York City". I said, "No, I'm not. I absolutely I'm not". Anyway, he finally said to me he loved the challenge. I mean he liked to get challenged like most artists. The mundane of doing the same thing all the time is what gets him in trouble. Trying something new and he wasn't afraid to try things.
Anyway, I booked New York. You have to look it up. I think it was 4 shows the first time. Four shows, that's 80,000 people, 80,000 people for a music star. They came and slept outside Madison Square Garden for two weeks to get tickets. They slept. They brought beds. They brought cots. They brought bed roles. It was amazing. And that had never been done before. Nobody had done it."
May 8th was when tickets first went on sale for the Madison Square Garden shows. Before each actual show the city's traffic was jammed as personalities such as John Lennon, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Art Garfunkal and David Bowie attended.
For the first time 'on tour' with Elvis the 3 Stanley Brothers (Billy, Ricky and David) joined Elvis and thus heard the famous phrase from Elvis 'Give me a Boy and I Bring You Back a Man'. Billy was helping with the wardrobe and security and all the brothers helped out on 'Security' Obviously on this tour the boys found 'Girls' wanting to meet Elvis and scooped some for their own use. Also Rick Stanley especially was getting into the drugs(un be known to Elvis) and had the other bodyguards fake a police raid on his hotel room in Chicago catching him flushing all his grass/drugs down the toilet and generally flummoxed in an escape state-which amused everyone who had sprung him. Another time they moved a Coke machine in front of the room door for a Joke. Elvis said to his Stepbrothers after the Chicago first concert that this was why he was such a great success because he was in great physical shape and a master of his show- and in June 72 - despite Elvis actually stating the obvious it was TRUE Elvis was in supreme showmanship form and just looked so much better than during his April Tour.
The festivities began with a 4pm press conference from the Hiltons Mercury Ballroom, where Elvis was staying. Portions of this 20 minute interview were aired on Television and the movie 'Elvis on Tour'. Elvis made his first public appearance for a 4pm 'Press Conference' As the press conference went ok in conversation Elvis said to one Journalists Question that afterwards he was " Going straight back to Rehearsals unless she had a better idea!?" Some nice pictures from this conference start the book by Joe Tunzi Encore Performance II. Well Elvis himself indicated Friday Afternoon 9th Rehearsals so what songs were sung and worked upon in the hours before his 8.30pm show??? Having listened to 'new' material performed on this tour cannot possibly imagine that surely? As Joe Tunzi's Elvis: Sessions III book clearly lists:- Fool/It's a Matter of Time/Faded Love/Fever and I Really Don't Want To Know as rehearsed on June 8/9th 1972, and I figure the following songs MUST have been rehearsed for them to be performed SO WELL on this tour? I don't know but that's my guess?:-
I'll Remember You
My Babe
Reconsider Baby
I Really Don't Want To Know
For The Good Times
The Impossible Dream
Little Sister - Get Back
The 4pm June 9th PRESS CONFERENCE:- Before the press conference even started Colonel Parker was handing out 72 Now RCA pens to the press and after that Elvis Calenders- some of this is seen on the recent 'Elvis by the Presley's' DVD. around 90 seconds before the conference even starts the 'press' are asked to move back and be seated!. Of course Vernon Presley gets introduced FIRST and the Press is then told he has a 'friend' coming out!!
Elvis then jokingly comes out and pleads innocent of all charges. During the Press conference Elvis disarmed press questions with his sharp wit and charm and appeared very confident. He said he took Vitamin "E" and in response to being asked how satisfied with his image he was? Elvis said "well the Image is one thing and the Human being is another"," Well Sir, it's very hard to live up to an image" Elvis mentions filming 'Elvis on Tour' during his last tour and says he has no aspirations to Politics-he's just an Entertainer. Asked about songs, (despite the fact he'd only recently recorded Burning Love) Elvis says it's difficult to find good hard rock songs. Over the years Elvis said he'd like to think that he's improved and would love to one day tour Europe. Elvis says his favorite record was 'It's now or Never' and also don't be Cruel, Hound Dog and Heartbreak Hotel. Several times Elvis again mentions he's going straight to 'rehearsals' and that he went to Hawaii to get a Tan for New York. Vernon is asked a few Questions at the end of the conference and before too many questions could be asked the Colonel stepped in and terminated the press conference after around 19 minutes. This would remain one of the best press conferences Elvis would ever give- probably the most revealing since the July 1st 1956 New York, Warwick Hotel - Hy Gardner Telephone Interview.
On Tour, June 9 - June 20, 1972
Before Elvis came on at 9.15pm Jackie Kahane had tried to entertain but was basically booed off. With a chant 'we want Elvis'. Jackie relented in the end saying 'ladies and Gentlemen you are 25,000 strong and I am only 1 you win'.
During his 55 minute show there was little inter play from Elvis with the audience it was just singing. He sang well, but especially turned many critics around with a very good version of 'Bridge over trouble water' Suspicious Minds had a great 'kick' ending too. Chris Chase in his new York Sunday summation wrote;-'he used the stage, he worked the people...he turned -he moved and when a girl threw a handkerchief on stage he wiped his forehead with it and threw it back, a gift of sweat from an earthly god'. closing 'his arms stretched out, the great gold cloak giving him wings, a champion, the only one in his class He looked like a prince from another planet'. After the show Elvis was so happy with things and wired after the show he stayed up till 6am singing Bosom of Abraham, Lead me Guide me and How Great Thou Art with the stamps finally going to bed at 7am. In these track-listing I have underlined the performances I consider real 'HIGHLIGHTS'.
June 9, 1972 (8:30 pm) New York City, NY. Madison Square Garden. r/t 55 mins
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right / Proud Mary / Never Been To Spain / Until It's Time For You To Go / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' / Polk Salad Annie / Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel / Love Me Tender / Blue Suede Shoes / Hound Dog / Bridge Over Troubled / Suspicious Minds / Introductions / For The Good Times / An American Trilogy / Funny How Time Slips Away / Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: Adonis suit / Gold cape & International gold belt
ATTENDANCE: 20,000
Well the PRESS reactions to seeing Elvis's first concert were simply AMAZING they loved the show "Like a Price from another Planet" was one of the more amazing headlines in the New York Times dated June 18th 1972. Rolling stone said:-"Elvis: Everybody gets enough of what they want to get what they need" Billboard says: "Talent in Action" New York Times said:-"Two Generations of fans flock to see Elvis Presley at the Garden" and the Daily News: Elvis invades New York".
*There is also the back stage footage (27 seconds) on Susan's site (http://www.msg1972.com) of him accepting an award backstage at Madison Square Garden on June 9th.
By 11:00 am on 10th June Joe Esposito knocked on Elvis's room door because he had to give a 2pm matinee performance. The rave review in the newspapers seemed to help Elvis be in a good mood for the next show. On Saturday 10th the concert was preceded by Al Dvorin's announcement that Elvis expected every member if his troupe to be treated with respect-or else Elvis wouldn't perform.' This was reference to the 'rough' treatment Jackie Kahane had received the night before. The many highlights included a great ending to PSA where Elvis took a four foot leap into the air and ended in a flurry of karate Chops. The version of 'I'll Remember You' performed during this show is so touch with such an ache/longing in Elvis's voice that I would personally HAVE to rate it as his best ever live version, Jan 73 and even in June 75' more 'great' versions were sung but this 1972 version is the best to my ears. When finally after just a few tracks had been officially released from this show(Reconsider Baby/I'll Remember You' on a legendary performer Vol 4 and I can't Stop Loving You on 'Welcome to my World in March 77' to finally get this whole tremendous afternoon show in 1997 on CD was fantastic- beautiful sound and an excellent show.
June 10, 1972 (2:30 pm) New York City, NY. Madison Square Garden. r/t 60 mins released complete by RCA in 1997
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right Mama / Proud Mary / Never Been To Spain / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / Until It's Time For You To Go / You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling / Polk Salad Annie / Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak
Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel / Love Me Tender / Blue Suede Shoes / Reconsider Baby / Hound Dog / I'll Remember You / Suspicious Minds / Introductions / For The Good Times / An American Trilogy / Funny How Time Slips Away / I Can't Stop Loving You / Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: Lightblue Grass suit / Silver cape & White Firework suit belt
Musicians: White pants & shirt
ATTENDANCE: 20,000
June 10, 1972 (8:30 pm) New York City, NY. Madison Square Garden.* Edit r/t 52 mins
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right / Proud Mary / Never Been To Spain / You Don't
Have To Say You Love Me / You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' / Polk Salad Annie
/ Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel /
Love Me Tender /* The Impossible Dream /* Introductions /* Hound Dog /
Suspicious Minds* / For The Good Times / An American Trilogy / Funny How Time
Slips Away / I Can't Stop Loving You (+ reprise) / Can't Help Falling In
Love / End Theme
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: Port Hole suit / Red cape & Red Lion suit belt
Kathy Westmoreland: White pants & top
Musicians: White pants & shirt
ATTENDANCE: 20,000
CORRECT TRACKLIST RUNNING ORDER:-
2001 Theme / That's All Right / Proud Mary / Never Been To Spain / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' / Polk Salad Annie / Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel /
Love Me Tender / Hound Dog /Suspicious Minds /The Impossible Dream / Introductions/ For The Good Times / An American Trilogy / Funny How Time Slips Away / I Can't Stop Loving You (+ reprise) / Can't Help Falling In Love / End Theme
N.B on the Japanese Vinyl version these obvious 'cuts' and other slight differences are even MORE obvious!.
For many, MANY years rumours of songs shortened/edited were made particularly of Funny How Time Slips Away, Polk Salad Annie and the Closing vamp ALL being shortened in length for Vinyl release. Also apparent Rumours were that after Love me Tender BLUE SUEDE SHOES had been 'edited out' and also after You don't Have to say You Love Me that 'Until It's Time for You to go' had been 'Edited Out'. Now in 2005 after reading/researching many discussions into these missing edits and or missing songs it seems CLEAR that there are NO missing Songs, just a few Edits in the song running order(as presented on its release) and also tiny bits of applause/dialogue edited out as well(proven by the Japanese Album release) Elvis often made repertoire changes and KNOWING that RCA were recording the evening performance he probably even agreed to drop 2 'standard' songs indeed 2 other shows this tour are minus 'Until It's Time For You To Go'. However Elvis in 1972 certainly would NOT have changed his balance of the show to such an extent to actually perform Hound Dog AND Suspicious Minds AFTER the intros- NO WAY! Glen D. Hardin said of the LP:"I think he never sang better than in the Madison Square Garden. He sounded so good that I was disappointed when the album came out. It ran too fast and the sound was bad." This asks the question WAS the Album 'speeded up' slightly and should a 100% complete and new version of his 10.6.72 E/S be released? I think the overwhelming answer is YES.
No for that RCA had to remove the intros and place them onto the start of side 2 of the LP and chop and change song running orders so as to balance the performance FOR Vinyl release and even achieving that much wasn't easy. Clearly during an 'adequate' but obviously rather rushed version of Polk Salad Annie Elvis can be heard wanting to get on and finish the song- its possible RCA even told him to keep the total running time down to a maximum of 52 minutes when normally he gave shows running for 1 hour in June 1972. Releasing a vinyl lp of 52 minutes running time required the traditional banding (between songs) to also be removed. Obviously this seriously annoyed Disc Jockey's and so a Special limited number of 2 LP sets were produced WITH banding for them to use. Also some vinyl compression of groove width was needed to fit it all on and all said and done to release this kind of show mostly complete on just 1 record was a pretty great achievement in 1972!.
The Japanese 'Quad' release was quite different it had banding between tracks and ran 10 minutes shorter overall! The most obvious 'edit' coming where a verse of PROUD MARY was 'edited out' (was this because of politics back then or someone just butchering the song?), Introductions missing and the songs 'Funny How Time Slips Away' and 'You've Lost That Loving Feeling' were omitted altogether!. The mix of singers/instruments is quite different and 3 tracks REALLY stand out as much better on this 'Quad' mix Heartbreak Hotel, Never Been To Spain and even the Can't Help Falling In Love- although RCA have done the same trick here as Memphis 74' where they deliberately turn up the volume on audience applause. They even add in applause after That's The Way It Is' version of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' AND from 'Elvis in Concert' from the applause after the end of 'And I Love You So'. What a complete butchers Job this Quad mix turns out to be!! Once again a copy of Joe Tunzi Encore Performance II is needed to see many great photos from the 10th June Afternoon and Evening Shows. Mostly in Black and White but still a great book.
Bob Heis recounted some interesting memories about Madison Square Garden when interviewed by Otto Mezaros: "At the time I got my autograph, I didn't have the opportunity to meet with Elvis personally. I gave Jerry Weintraub two eight by ten color photographs to take backstage for Elvis to sign. One was for Elvis, one was for me. On the back of one of the photographs I had written a note. "Sing Polk Salad Annie for me Elvis," I asked. Jerry took the photographs backstage and soon returned with one of them signed; "To Bob, Best Wishes, Elvis Presley." I was very excited, and at the same time, I wondered if Elvis had actually signed it."
"Imagine my surprise when during the concert, Elvis looked up and said to his band; "Take it on!" Then he looked towards the audience and said; "Ok Bob," just before the first notes of Polk Salad Annie filled the air." If you listen to the LP titled; "Elvis Live at Madison Square Garden," you can hear this for yourself."
June 11, 1972 (2:30 pm) New York City, NY. Madison Square Garden. r/t 55 mins
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right / Proud Mary / Never Been To Spain / Until It's Time For You To Go / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (1 fs) / You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' / Polk Salad Annie / Love Me / All Shook Up /
Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel / Love Me Tender / Blue Suede Shoes / Hound Dog / I'll Remember You / Suspicious Minds / Introductions / For The Good Times / An American Trilogy / Funny How Time Slips Away / Can't
Help Falling In Love / End Theme
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: Port Hole suit / Red cape & Red Lion suit belt
ATTENDANCE: 20,000
This was again another good show but not better than any performed before.It was straightforward singing with virtually no dialogue. Apart from 1 false start it was 'straightforward' Proud Mary and An American Trilogy seem best performed today and his controlled 'power' is evident throughout the show.
Over the years bits & pieces of footage from all 4 shows has been seen. It is well known ABC filmed a few minutes of the Opening 9.6.72 show and this as well as other Amateur footage may be summarized so far as follows:-
June 9th Press Conference- 7.33 minutes with sound and 21 minutes of sound only (complete)
June 9th - approx 4 minutes
June 10th A/S - approx 39 minutes (with sound)
June 10th E/S - approx 1'20" of opening song.
June 11th A/S - approx 1 minute of the opening song. Obviously the longest footage available is the splendid stuff from the 10.6.72 A/S and everyone should see this.
In a very interesting Elvis Information Network interview with Budd Glass Bud had this to say about Madison Square Garden Footage:- " Well, rather than the home-movie footage that we know, there was also a closed-circuit stationary camera that piped the feed into the Press box area. I know for a fact and that this footage exists. What were filmed were the complete June 9th & 10th both performances, and at least 20 minutes of June 11th - that's quite a bit! The camera was positioned high above the stage and it was done for VIPs, so that they could see the show from their own booth. Most people don't even know that this footage is out there, but portions of this material were on the 'King of Entertainment' DVD."
Fort Wayne on Monday 12th found hot stage conditions. Elvis had just flown in prior to the show and straight afterwards flew onto Chicago arriving after midnight for a stay of five days using the local Hilton hotel as a base for travelling to his forthcoming shows.
June 12, 1972 (8:30 pm) Fort Wayne, IN. Memorial Coliseum. r/t 60 mins
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right / Proud Mary / Never Been To Spain / Until It's Time For You To Go / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / Polk Salad Annie / Carry me back to old Virginnia - 1 line only/ Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't BeCruel / Love Me Tender / Blue Suede Shoes / Bridge Over Troubled Water /Hound Dog / Reconsider Baby / It's Now Or Never / Suspicious Minds / Introductions / For The Good Times / An American Trilogy / Funny How Time Slips Away / I Can't Stop Loving You / Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: Swirls suit / Silver cape & Silver metallic belt
Musicians: White pants & shirt
ATTENDANCE: 7,690
The back of the 1977 'Moody Blue' LP has a shot taken from Fort Wayne on the back cover of the LP.It was so hot during this show Elvis changed the lines during 'For The Good Times' to 'Hold your Warm & Sweaty Body Close to mine' in reference to the humidity here. This was a better show than the 11th and straight away Elvis sounds full on 'great' many actual highlights from Bridge Over onwards.
On June 13th during the afternoon Elvis took the short flight to Evansville. Upon leaving the airport in a limousine there was a nasty accident that almost resulted in a wreck. Prior to the show he rested at the Executive inn where he reserved an entire floor and 21 Policemen to keep fans at bay. Inside the Roberts Municipal Coliseum it was packed like sardines and hot and Humid on stage, also many 'Feedbacks' during his performance annoyed and Elvis had plenty to say to Joe Esposito about that after the show! Despite problems it was another outstanding show with a superb version of HGTA and brilliant singing throughout. Probably the best performed show since the other excellent 10.6.72 A/S. After the show Elvis had Kathy Westmoreland come up to his room in one of the final romantic times with her since their affair had started in 1970.
Meanwhile the Press just loved his show as Cynthia Kirk wrote in the Evansville Press(June 14th) "In spite of all the myriad of discomforts suffered by the audience, Presley's reception was wild and unbounded and his performance, in turn was generous,freeflowing and professional as only years of honing can perfect" When Elvis walked on stage "a shining hysteria engulfed the building, long black hair cascaded past his collar and those famous sideburns appeared fuller than ever"," Elvis determinedly worked all sides of the stage, making sure every fan was included in the show" finally according to Kirk "Every song set off a new crescendo of Screams".
June 13, 1972 (8:30 pm) Evansville, IN. Robert's Memorial Stadium. r/t 55 mins
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right / Proud Mary / Never Been To Spain / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / Until It's Time For You To Go / Polk Salad Annie / Dialogue /Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be
Cruel / Love Me Tender / I'll Remember You / Hound Dog -slow/fast/ How Great Thou Art/ Suspicious Minds / Introductions / For The Good Times / An American Trilogy / Funny How Time Slips Away /I Can't Stop Loving You/ Can't
Help Falling In Love / End Theme
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: Swirls suit / Silver cape & Silver metalic belt
ATTENDANCE: 11,550
Very interesting with Elvis wearing the blue swirl suit is his Metallic chrome belt he chose to wear with it!- not seen before and certainly 'rare' to see at all.
For the next 2 evenings Elvis travelled to Milwaukee from Chicago. On 14th he ran through his set similar to the 9.6.72 opening show and another good version of Bridge over Troubled Water. On the 15th the show was a bit longer and still quite 'good' but not as excellent as the most recent show on 13th.
June 14, 1972 (8:30 pm) Milwaukee, WI. Auditorium Arena. r/t 52 mins
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right / Proud Mary / Never Been To Spain / Until It's Time For You To Go / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / Polk Salad Annie / Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be
Cruel / Love Me Tender / Hound Dog / Bridge Over Troubled Water / Suspicious Minds / Introductions / For The Good Times/ An American Trilogy / Funny How Time Slips Away /I Can't Stop Loving You/ Blue Suede Shoes / Can't
Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: Adonis suit / Gold cape & International gold belt
ATTENDANCE: 10,559
This was quite a good show smoothly performed throughout but not quite as good as the 9th June show.Once again Elvis changed the lines during 'For the Good Times' to 'Warm & Sweaty body Close to mine.'I can't stop loving you is another great version and also An American Trilogy.
June 15, 1972 (8:30 pm) Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee Auditorium. r/t 56 mins
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right / Proud Mary / Never Been To Spain / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / Until It's Time For You To Go / You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' / Polk Salad Annie / Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak
Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel / Love Me Tender / I'll Remember You / Hound Dog / Suspicious Minds / Introductions / For The Good Times / An American Trilogy / Funny How Time Slips Away / Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: Lightblue Nail suit / White cape & Original belt
ATTENDANCE: 11,600
Elvis seemed to perform slightly better/longer at the Milwaukee show performed on the 15th and I'll Remember You is again tenderly sung. Love me Tender (like June 9th) is another cause you take the pill version. You Don't Have To Say You Love / You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' are also performed better tonight. Certainly the fans appreciated a great Karate Kicking end to Suspicious Minds.
Before the Friday night show could start it was delayed briefly because of a bomb threat. In Chicago on Friday night 16th Elvis was back to 'knocking them dead' with a straight-forward 'killer show' just knockout singing and especially the dead serious version of You've Lost That Loving Feeling. Every word, Every Gesture and feeling is conveyed here and it leaves the listener exhausted after listening to this version!. The first of Joe Tunzi's books featuring Elvis in Chicago came out in 1990 and features many shots from this Friday night show on 16th showing Elvis knocking em' dead!. On the Vinyl boot release songs were edited out to fit onto 1 LP, but the performance is still excellent. After the Friday night show in a party in his suite Elvis selected a 25 year old red head for his special attentions and then by 6am Elvis had a Limo called to take her home with great tickets for the sat shows.
June 16, 1972 (8:30 pm) Chicago, IL. Chicago Stadium. r/t 52 minutes (only 44 mis on boot release)
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right / Proud Mary / Never Been To Spain / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / Until It's Time For You To Go / You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' / Polk Salad Annie / Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel / Little Sister - Get Back / Love Me Tender / Blue Suede Shoes / Hound Dog / Suspicious Minds / Introductions / For The Good Times / A Big Hunk Of Love / Funny How Time Slips Away /An American Trilogy/ Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp
Released first on Vinyl, then CD as "Chicago, Illinois" but 'edited show' missing the following songs (in Italics). Right from start to finish this is a real 'killer show' that leaves anyone listening exhausted afterwards - so much is the sheer POWER of Elvis during this show. Highlight was a real killer straight version of ' You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'.It was also with this show that Elvis started using a rectangular microphone for the rest of the tour (that MUST have been very acceptable-because he used it again for the November tour also)
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: Adonis suit / Gold cape & International gold belt
Kathy Westmoreland: White pants & Top
The Sweet Inspirations: White pants & Top
Musicians: White pants & Shirt
ATTENDANCE: 20,000
Then in Chicago on Sat afternoon 17th he gave another superb show very similar to a Week ago in Madison Square Garden. Another superb show only marred by some kind of 'explosion' during start of J.B Goode which caused Elvis to exclaim "Who Shot Me" before singing that song!., Suspicious Minds is an excellent finish and HGTA excellent AGAIN!.A bootleg release of this Afternoon Show picked up on the bang before J.B.Goode and was titled 'Who Shot Me?'. Then at the evening show he again included 'I'll remember you'.
June 17, 1972 (2:30 pm) Chicago, IL. Chicago Stadium. r/t 60 mins
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right / I Got A Woman - Amen / Love Me Tender / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / You've Lost That Loving Feeling / Polk Salad Annie / Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be
Cruel / One Night / Reconsider Baby / It's Now Or Never / 'Who Shot Me?'/Johnny B. Goode /I Can't Stop Loving You / Hound Dog (slow version) / Suspicious Minds / Introductions / My Babe / Something / Release Me / How Great Thou Art /
Funny How Time Slips Away / An American Trilogy / Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: Paisley shirt suit / Black - Silver colored cape & International gold belt
Musicians: Red pants & shirt
ATTENDANCE: 15,000
June 17, 1972 (8:30 pm) Chicago, IL. Chicago Stadium. r/t 55 mins
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right, Mama / Proud Mary / Never Been To Spain / Until It's Time For You To Go / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / Polk Salad Annie / Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't
Be Cruel / Love Me Tender / Little Sister - Get Back / I'll Remember You / Hound Dog / Suspicious Minds / Introductions / For The Good Times / A Big Hunk O' Love / American Trilogy / Funny How Time Slips Away / Can't Help
Falling In Love / Closing Vamp
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: Lightblue Nail suit / White cape & Original belt
Musicians: Darkblue pants & shirt
ATTENDANCE: 20,000
For Fort Worth on 18th Elvis's Jet flew to the Greater Southwest Airport in the afternoon , accompanied by another small jet and turbo prop airliner.Elvis then checked into the Tower annex of the Sheraton Hotel at 4.45 pm where he had booked an entire 13th floor. After this show Elvis had a girlfriend a schoolteacher from Dallas called Susie stay with him for that night. Highlight tonight was another great version of HGTA which Silenced the audience in awe and had the longest applause afterwards.
June 18, 1972 (8:30 pm) Fort Worth, TX. Tarrant Count Center. r/t 60 mins
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right / I Got A Woman / Love Me Tender / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' / Polk Salad Annie / Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel /
One Night / Until It's Time For You To Go / It's Now Or Never / Hound Dog / Suspicious Minds / Introductions / My Babe / I Can't Stop Loving You / For The Good Times / How Great Thou Art (+ reprise) / A Big Hunk Of Love-incl. F.Start / An American Trilogy / Funny How Time Slips Away / Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: Adonis suit / Gold cape & International gold belt
ATTENDANCE: 14,122
On June 19th at 7pm Elvis arrived at Wichata Municipal Airport and went straight to the show from his chartered jet. It was again too hot on stage for his hour long show (90f) but still a GREAT CONCERT. Highlights again underlined in the track-listing here. Just a couple of shots from this show feature in the book "Standing Room Only" by Joe Tunzi pages 51+52.
June 19, 1972 (8:30 pm) Wichita, KS. Henry Levitt Arena. r/t 55 mins
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right / I Got A Woman - Amen / Love Me Tender / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / Until It's Time For You To Go / Polk Salad Annie / Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel / One Night / Blue Suede Shoes / Hound Dog / Bridge Over Troubled Water / Suspicious Minds / Introductions / Johnny B. Goode / I Can't Stop Loving You / For The Good Times American Trilogy / A Big Hunk O'Love /Funny How Times Slip Away/ Can't Help Falling In Love /Closing Vamp
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: White Two-Piece suit with white/blue colored shirt / International gold belt
ATTENDANCE: 10,000
On June 20th in Tulsa Elvis went immediately to the Fairmont Mayo Hotel flying straight in from Wichita arriving at midnight and he took up the top 3 floors including the 18th where Elvis was staying.Later as the hotel was very quiet Elvis even signed many autographs downstairs with a small group of fans. At least for this closing tour show there was air conditioning in the concert venue and even Jackie Kahane's jokes were better recieved.The hit of his 78 minute show was again HGTA and yet the press reported that he didn't move as much on stage. However he handed out more scarves during this show than others on this tour. Elvis checked out of this hotel at precisely 3.55pm on 21st and Excellent pictures feature in the Tunzi book (Elvis: Encore Performance II came out in 1993)from this date(pages 84-88 especially)as Elvis was leaving for a flight to L.A.
June 20, 1972 (8:30 pm) Tulsa, OK. Civic Assembly Center .r/t 78 minutes
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme / That's All Right / I Got A Woman - Amen / Love Me Tender / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me/ You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' / Polk Salad Annie / Love Me / All Shook Up / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don't Be
Cruel / One Night / Blue Suede Shoes / How Great Thou Art / Little Sister - Get Back / I Really Don't Want To Know/Hound Dog / Suspicious Minds / Introductions / For The Good Times / American Trilogy / A Big Hunk O'Love /
Funny How Times Slip Away / Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp
Source: Luca Barbonaglia
JUMPSUITS
Elvis Presley: White Two-Piece suit with blue stone & dark blue shirt / White Cape & Now type belt with blue stones
ATTENDANCE: 9,500
Although I have never heard of or been able to obtain a recording of this show(and press review seemed rather critical) Luca Barbonaglia supplied this track listing and press notes that Elvis was on Stage for a 78 minutes show and gave away 6 scarves(instead of the usual 3)
Without doubt Elvis in June 1972 is in 100% TOP FORM able to handle a press conference saying he took vitamin 'E' and that 'its hard to live up to an Image'(and looking up for it) able to put out ALL good shows with many Excellent shows this tour as well and NO bad shows. Without doubt the May Hawaiian Holiday did him a lot of good and his repertoire also has been up-dated since the April tour as well. Interesting that he suddenly switched back to 'That's Allright' for opening his show and this replaced C.C.Rider during this tour.When Elvis wanted to sing all night he did so(he did with the Stamps after his 1st show) and again if he wanted female company he had several different girls on this tour as well. As well as enough spare girls in Chicago to turn the Stanley Boys into Men as well! He seems in total command of his show and as shown by his MAD reaction about the poor sound system AFTER the show in Evansville on 13th he expected perfection and when he didn't get it he complained (even though all the Evansville fans loved his great show!) He changed his shows around introduced newly performed songs 'live' and kept things entertaining/interesting. Without any question at all, from the 3 tours in 1972 the June one was the 'Highlight'
