Aloha from Hawaii

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Elvis Presley, 1973 Aloha From Hawaii television broadcast

Aloha from Hawaii is an Elvis Presley music concert broadcast on the NBC television network on January 14, 1973.

The first-ever such performance to be broadcast live via satellite, Presley taped a January 12th rehearsal concert as a fail-safe in case anything went wrong with the satellite broadcast. For both shows, Presley was dressed in a white "American Eagle" jumpsuit designed by Bill Belew.

Presley performed a vast array of old and recent hits like "Steamroller Blues", "CC Rider", "Early Morning Rain", "Burning Love", "Blue Suede Shoes", "A Big Hunk o' Love", "Suspicious Minds", "Can't Help Falling In Love." He showed his vocal range and strength with ballads like the Beatle's "Something", "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", "It's Over", "Welcome to my World", "I'll Remember You" and "What Now My Love". The show is probably most remembered for his performance of the "An American Trilogy".

Directed by Marty Pasetta, the broadcast was a huge success it was rumored and gossiped to reach an audience of more than one billion. In top vocal form, Presley was accompanied by:

James Burton (lead guitar)
Glen Hardin (piano)
Ronnie Tutt (drums)
John Wilkinson (rhythm guitar)
Jerry Scheff (bass)
J.D. Sumner & the Stamps Quartet (backup vocals)
Kathy Westmoreland (backup vocals)
Charlie Hodge (harmony)
Sweet Inspirations (backup vocals)
Joe Guercio & his Orchestra

[edit] DVD releases

In July 2004 "Aloha from Hawaii" together with "The '68 Comeback Special" was released on DVD for the first time. The 2-Disc deluxe package includes the original satellite transmission version of the show, as well as the full dress rehearsal and the extended US version with some inserted non-live songs, recorded and filmed after the concert in the empty arena. Additionally, the set contains an uncut 17.5 min. sequence of Elvis arriving in Honolulu and the complete post-concert session. The picture and the sound (in Dolby Digital 5.1) have been digitally remasterd from the original master tapes.

Early in August 2006 the TV-special was also released in a single disc version. Strangely this edition contains some new material which was not included in the original deluxe release. The new material consists of some TV news footage shot during the arrival, offering an alternate look on the event and portions of two press conferences held for the upcoming live broadcast in September and November of 1972. Those film clips with an overall length of about 9 minutes are so-called "Easter Eggs" and can be found by pressing a hidden button in the menu.

[edit] Back on top of the world

Perhaps the most dramatic moment came when Elvis threw his cape into the audience as the band hit the closing notes of "Can't Help Falling in Love" and he left the stage knowing full well that he was still the king of rock'n'roll. From the thundering drum rolls of Ronnie Tutt to tremendous cry of J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet and the Sweet Inspirations, Elvis was firmly in control, performing a vast selection of songs (some nostalgic of the past and some pointing towards a new direction), and communicating his own brand of American music; blues, country, gospel, rock'n'roll, ballads, soul and show tunes became one and the fact that Elvis was supported by a crack band of experienced studio musicians can't be overlooked. He was in great voice, great shape and the way in which Elvis shook his body in time with the strong rhythm, supplied by Jerry Scheff's stomping bass lines, sent shivers down the spines of millions.