The 1968 Comeback Special ... forty years on, still Special.

June 3rd 1968, a date palpable in the mind of every Elvis fan, as it marked history in both the music industry and the career of Elvis Presley. While it marked his momentous resurrection into the entertainment world, its primary objective to return Elvis Presley to the music arena following almost a decade of absence in commitment to military drafting and contractual obligations at Hollywood.

Although still contracted until 1969, June 3rd would be the first recording day for Elvis' now dubbed "Comeback Special", but then an intended NBC Special for official release in December of that year, with a Christmas theme.

At a time when the later sixties brought so much cultural change, so did the then perception of music tastes. Beetles mania was under way and they were being received as the next crazes of American music taste. Being compared as "four Elvis Presleys". Other groups such as more home grown The Doors or Jimi Hendrix further fruited the appetite for difference. Not to mention the rebellious Woodstock gatherings... Was Elvis Presley's music dated?

It is common knowledge that Elvis was tiring of the much routine scripts presented that he was contractually obliged to. With his movie accomplishments now in double digits, this was clearly evident on screen too. Movies were lacking which was distressing, considering his earlier evident
acting capabilities in the first few movies completed. My online movie poll confirming mutual favouritisms and less favouritism in his later titles. Some drastic was needed. And so came the idea of the 1968 NBC Christmas Special...


Although initially no one could possibly know the actual direction the show would take, the Colonel and producers were intent of setting a complete Christmas theme.  The show to be set in an intimate setting with Elvis performing Christmas numbers, as fitting for the early December airing. The finale expected as an iconic Christmas title. However, Elvis had different ideas. While he could have only been too aware of his then minimal presence in acclaimed music releases of the later sixties, he had become arguably type cast as a singing actor in bad movies. With almost all music releases being
soundtrack albums, whether loved by the most dedicated fans, they were less competitive to the lively comparisons of the time nor representative of the works he was capable of.

Elvis had different ambitions of the special. It was to be his first performance in front of a live audience in a decade. Nervous, quite rightly so, but it was to be his chance to show the public that he never lost his musical talent. While the song repertoire had to be paramount, so too did his
appearance. The obvious change being Elvis the entertaining musician and not the stereotyped characters that were all too familiar. The special's producer, Steve Binder, decided his former colleague, Bill Belew, be right for the job as costume designer. And so he and Elvis set about designing the many costumes to feature in theme with the selected performances. As the
preparations got underway, it was clear to any observer, that this special would not be overly remenesent of a Christmas theme. The shows theme was Elvis!

Bill Belew worked with Elvis' enthusiasm in designing the selected costumes. Most notably remembered was his Black Leather suit, probably the design template for many jumpsuits to come, the idea was to resemeble Elvis' humble beginnings of a country boy. Leathered dungaree styling as drafted from Elvis' presentation of denim dungarees to Belew, was contrary to his teenage dressing. Another performing highlight included Elvis to wear as gold suit as credit to the songs theme of final destination, however, as Elvis' had reservations from his previous gold lame suit, he would only wear the coat. The grand finale would see Elvis wearing a now dubbed gospel number, although
likely a self seeking destined ambitious clothing at the time... Final result, Elvis' stereotypical movie castings were broken...

By Darren Clinton

ALOHA REMEMBERED...

January 9th 1973, Elvis arrives in Honolulu for rehearsal. The infamous landing as included in the Aloha From Hawaii concert, recording his arrival to a much welcomed audience. Over the coming days, the rehearsals would begin and mark this iconic moment in Elvis' career and broadcasting history. January 10th is designated for a day's rehearsal. On January 12th, 6000 fans are invited to witness the final dress rehearsal with formal recordings in audio and motion picture, to be what was, the Alternative Aloha. This recording being destined as a reserve should the live broadcast experience difficulties. After the recording, Elvis watched the tapes over and over, and decided he did not like his hair, which can be seen changed on the later recording. January 13th was declared Elvis Presley Day by Honolulu's mayor.

January 14 1973, the day arrives, at 12.30am, Glenn Hardin and his grand piano introduces the Also Sprach Zarathustra with Joe Guercio mighty Bom Bom Bom Bom Bom Bom Bom... Elvis steps out on stage at the International Convention Center Arena, with to produce Marty Pasetta's seven recording cameras. Elvis is broadcast in the first live satellite broadcast to the Far East, and later tape delay to 28 other European Nations. Later on April 28th to be shown to the American Public. Elvis in arguably his most prolific time in his career, was in top form. His weight having decreased from the previous years Elvis On Tour capturings, an estimated one billion people, (a third of the worlds population), tuned in. Elvis recording regular features as See See Rider, Burning Love, and Suspicious Minds among others. Most notably was his versions of You Gave Me A mountain, Something, My Way and An American Trilogy, previous recordings... Such rarities on the night included Welcome To My World and the shows beneficiary fund's song, I'll Remember You, a future anthem in tribute in many shows and documentaries post his death. Elvis was in top form and it showed. The on screen camaraderie between him and his crew, obvious. The ritual water throwing over Glenn Hardin, to his powerful satisfaction during the brass build up of Trilogy. This was also evident in his continued pleasure in pleasing his fans... His belt throwing and cape to lucky audience members, what a treat. The show being broadcast to raise funds for the Kui Lee cancer fund... Audience goers being requested to make any donations as fee for their entry ticket. From some cents to dollars, the $25000 target was far exceeded to $75000. Of the thousands of audience members present, Elvis introduces one of his favourite actors. Hawaii Five-O's Jack Lord. Lord gaining entry to Elvis' dressing room after the show, and politely inviting Elvis to his house during his stay at Hawaii. A few days later, he to arrive with entire crew...

After the show had ended and the audience cleared, at near 4am in the morning, Elvis returns to the stage for filming of Blue Hawaii, Ku-U-I-Po, No More, Hawaiian Wedding Song and Gordon Lightfoot's Early Morning Rain. These songs to be used as post inserts for its future airing on TV, with upper body shots of Elvis amid Hawaii scenery. The absence of his belt being one reason for upper body shots.

Positive reviews of the receipt of the live broadcast was evident. Record viewing across the world were recorded. It being the highest viewed programme in TV history in Japan, and on its eventual airing in the US in April, more people tuned in then had watched the landing on the moon. "We're gonna make super magic for the tube, and we'll do it together.", Elvis telling producer Marty Pasetta. And they did just that!

Having been fortunate to meet Elvis' confident Charlie Hodge, who was there that night, I can recall a recollection of his... After the show, and everyone was in their dressing rooms, Charlie received a call. It was Elvis. He asks Charlie, do you know what two small country boys have done, we have entertained the world. How true Elvis was, he had entertained the world that night!

Author: Darren Clinton

ALOHA FROM NEW ZEALAND...

Folks, John Newman, pictured above during his radio tribute programme on a previous Elvis' anniversary sent me his story of how it all started... As we all have one, why not send yours today... Read John's story below...

Blue Hawaii Remembered...          (C) EPE (image)

Hawaii was always held close within Elvis' heart as a beautiful place. The picturesque scenery and landscaping played host for many Elvis occasions including personal but many pinnacle professional mild stones.

Among these, Hawaii saw Elvis' fundraising benefit, of which proceeds went to the construction of the memorial to the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbour in March 1961. He was again welcomed back in November 1972 to Honolulu touring and with promotion of the scheduled recording of Aloha From Hawaii on January 13th and 14th 1973, and would be his final vacational destination in the Spring of 1977. Hawaii of course is always remembered as the setting of Elvis' eight motion picture, Blue Hawaii, filmed on location in 1961, produced by Hal Wallis and co starring Joan Blackman and Nancy Walters.

With on location filming included on the grounds of the then less famous Coco Palms Hotel, its enevitable fame was secured. Originally opened on January 25, 1953, the Coco Palms Resort had 24 rooms, two guests and four employees. The Resort grew to contain 416 rooms by the mid-1970s and boasted of its famous 2,000-tree coconut grove, being the largest of only three similar groves in the entire state of Hawaii, originally planted with coconut tree nuts imported from Samoa by Mr. William Lindeman in 1896. . However by 1984, the number of rooms had been reduced to 393. In August of 1985, the resort was sold on to new owners and continued its operations until the early 1990s when tragedy struck.

Hurricane Iniki struck the resort September 1992, the Coco Palms was shut down indefinitely as repairs proved too costly and the entire island struggled with recession. The property, located on the southeast shore of Kaua`i, has been left to decay now for over a decade to this current day.

Online photographic evidence shows of its sad condition, faint remnants of what it once was. No longer can one identify the beautiful on screen imagery as portrayed from the scenes of Blue Hawaii filmed on its location. While there are remnants of its by gone beauty, one can imagine how it once was. While there is currently hopes of the resort being resurrected in early 2008, it remains fenced off from the outside world. The fencing to prevent trespassers, but also for the safety of the willing fans who make the pilgrimage to this famous setting for that photo opportunity and real life experience of being there, where Elvis was. Be warned however, it no longer looks as it did in Blue Hawaii!

The area surrounding the resort continues to host the many Blue Hawaii themed weddings, and Elvis' presence continues on. It is not wonder he sung of ... Blue Hawaii... With all this loveliness...

Article written by Darren Clinton (c) with kind permission of use & reference by David Cisan of www.coco-palms.com. Coco-Palms.com is neither supported, endorsed nor affiliated in any way with the Coco Palms Hotel, its developers or investors, or any organization or individuals. (c) of article www.elvisonline.org.