January 26 1974 Midnight Show (Opening Night)
Review by Martha Collins - Elvis News Service Weekly, Issue 136 (January 31 1974)

Utterly fantastic - Beautiful - Great! Elvis has done it again - Driven thousands of people absolutely crazy! I'll try and give you some details on last night (26th January opening :)

I watched the celebrities come in (They all walked right by us!) and the audience was having fits; Linda Thompson came in with Jack Lord (Hawaii 5-0) and his wife, Joe Esposito, and Colonel Parker (who was wearing a grey suit - no tie, and looked better than usual!). Linda wore a white dress with a bare midriff and her light brown hair hung down to her waist - she is stunning, doesn't photograph as beautiful as she really is.

The show began with The Sweet Inspirations doing a sort of dance with Oriental fans, a couple of new songs, and then the Billie Holliday tribute again. Jackie Kahane did some new lines but lots of old ones too! He mentioned starting the March tour (1st and 2nd) in Tulsa.

Elvis came on to cheers and great excitement - he wore a white jumpsuit (what else?). I really think he should lose about 15 lbs. But he was beautiful, playful and energetic. Moved about a lot - really got into the music with his whole body, to the joy of the audience.

Opened with 'C.C. Rider', 'I Got A Woman' with 'Amen' segment (he made JD go down low twice!!) and 'Love Me'. He greeted the audience and said "Me and ol' blue eyes are back" (Sinatra opened the night before).

The next song was a new one, 'Let Me Be There', and then 'You've Lost That Loving' Feeling' (this is mistakingly listed as 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me' in the actual review), 'Sweet Caroline' and 'Love Me Tender'. There was much scarf throwing; Elvis turned and threw one at Ronny Tutt! One girl grabbed him as he bent over and wouldn't let go of his hand - ended up scratching him. Then into that Rock 'n' Roll medley, 'Long Tall Sally', 'Whole Lotta Shakin', 'Mama Don't Dance' (he got the words mixed up and gave Charlie a frustrated look :) 'Flip, Flop And Fly', 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Hound Dog'.

Then the usual and delicious version of 'Fever' (minus a verse or two) with red lights on his legs! Then 'Polk Salad Annie'. Next he introduced Voice (see Raised On Rock album) - the three names are Don Sumner, Tim Baty and Sherrill Nielsen - he had them sing alone while Elvis went off stage: They sang 'Killing Me Softly' - then Elvis returned with a bandaid on his finger, and sang a duet with Sherrill Nielsen - 'Spanish Eyes' - beautiful!

'Suspicious Minds' was next. Then he tore off the bandaid and took off a ring and handed it to Charlie.

He introduced the group on stage, as usual. Charlie was "The guy who sings water and gives me harmony!!!". He has a new bass player - said he didn't know his name - "Oh, yes, Duke!"

Then he read from a piece of paper to introduce the celebrities in the audience. The quotes indicate what Elvis said about them. First.. "A show business veteran", George Burns; James Brolin (of Marcus Welby) "Stay close to the stage doc', I might need you!;" Mike Connors (of Mannix) and his wife on crutches. Mike insisted on a scarf - Elvis was surprised and handed him one, saying "A scarf, my belt, my suit...". Lorne Greene (Bonanza) who caught a blue scarf and was thrilled about it too. Ernest Borgnine, George Kennedy, Danny Thomas "My neighbour - he built my house but his is too big and blocks my view of L.A.!" And Jack Lord "One of my dearest friends on earth".

Elvis then sang 'I Can't Stop Loving You', then a religious song ('Help Me') - the first line is "Lord help me walk one more mile" (with more duetting with Sherrill Nielsen). He said he had just recorded it - seems he is working on a new Gospel album, and at least two songs were recorded for it in December!!

Then he announced Marty Pasetta and went on about how great he is "Producer of my Aloha special - the way he arranged the mirrors and lights and all, he did a fantastic job". He turned slightly and said: "That's all for that son-of-a-bitch!". The audience howled, "Sorry Marty!". Then he sang 'An American Trilogy', "A Big Hunk O' Love' and 'Can't Help Falling In Love'.

During 'Can't Help Falling In Love' Elvis came forward, shaking hands. Lorne Greene stood up and shook both of Elvis' hands - the whole audience was giving Elvis a standing ovation, naturally! How boyish Elvis looked, and acted! Like a child on Christmas morning! He was delightful!

Lisa Marie is here (for her birthday??) but we haven't seen her. We heard Elvis rehearsing yesterday as we confirmed our reservations!! He going over the end of 'Can't Help Falling In Love', he was directing. He sort of sounded nervous and hard-working!

We also heard that the second show on Sunday is for the press only. We got thrill out of the flowers all over the Bell Captain's area - big arrangements - the envelopes all said "Elvis". The souvenir booth is being run by the sisters of the home of the good shepherd. Some nice new items, new tour photos book etc. and the menus are beautiful too.

January 27 1974 10.00pm Show
Review by Martha Collins - Elvis News Service Weekly, Issue 137 (February 12 1974)

Las Vegas really blows your mind. I hope you don't mind if I take the time to tell you how it impressed me on my third visit. It's particularly difficult for bonafide Elvis fans, No amount of adoration or advance planning will get you a front-row seat. (That's usually true on tour, too.) In fact, we heard one captain turn down $200, Sunday night for a seat by the stage. His answer: "Only if you drop $100,000, at the tables could I get you up front." Las Vegas belongs to the very wealthy, the gamblers, and the powerful. It becomes depressing to see the often blasé rich gaining the seats we average fans have no way of getting. All types of people come to see Elvis - all ages and nationalities. To many, he's virtually a freak - someone to say you saw, someone to criticise and put down - but they go to see him and often more than once. It's a status-symbol to see Elvis in Las Vegas.

Beyond that, there is - for the fan - the terrible excitement of being surrounded by Elvis! His business people; his family: posters and decorations all over everyone talking about him; meeting fans from all around the world. Imagine how one feels literally bumping into Jackie Kahane in the lobby: seeing Colonel Parker and Tom Diskin in a booth in the coffee shop Vernon Presley at the slots: Charlie Hodge at the desk Joe Esposito and Linda Thompson entering the showroom!

Now to the shows, I've already given you the basic songs and order, so I won't repeat that. On Sunday, January 27, there was, after all, only one show at 10pm. The story was that Elvis opened on Saturday because Sinatra opened on Friday and because of heavy demand was asked to do two shows (as Saturday is always the busiest night in town.) So the usual one show was switched to Sunday, to be fair to Elvis. Marty Allen and his wife came in. Linda Thompson appeared again, in slinky white and wearing a gold arm bracelet. She is exquisite - her photos do not do her justice, She came in with three female friends.

The shows were essentially the same as opening night - which was essentially the same as the August shows - which were essentially the same... yes. But still it's a great show! Elvis came on complaining "The mirrors on my suit are driving me crazy!" A Japanese fan (of which there were many) handed him a large Teddy Bear. In singing 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (not 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me' as previously reported - for some reason, I get then confused!) Elvis sings with his back to the audience and just a small spotlight on his head and shoulders, until the chorus, Sometimes, to tease the men working the lights, he wiggles around so they can't find him! He is really moving with the music - fantastic jerking, arm movements and karate kicks. When starting the 'Long Tall Sally' medley, he fooled around and lost the key. He asked for the key again and when Glen hit a chord on the piano, Elvis said, "No! The key to my room!" He still loves to fool in 'Fever' - calling his own name in a high voice (the audience loves that) and acting out the words, including panting heavily after "had a very mad affair"!!

Each night, Elvis introduces Voice as "A group that's been with me about five months, I call them Voice, Found them in an upholstery shop in Nashville!" I believe the third member's name is Tim Baty. During the horn solo in the duet with Sherrill ('Spanish Eyes') Elvis did a bit of Flamenco dancing and shouted "Ole!", to the pleasure of the audience.

When introducing Marty Allen, Elvis said that when he first came to Vegas, he found an 8x10 photo in his room of a guy in a white suit and sideburns - it was Marty Allen! Marty wanted a kiss - Elvis pretended to kiss him - almost! Then knelt before him on the ramp and sang a line of 'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World' to him, "See? I told you I would" he said to Marty. "I promise to learn the whole song and sing it some time."

That now religious song is called 'Help Me' and vis says it is his next single! I'll try to remember some lines - "Lord, help no walk one more nile, just one more mile; Help me smile one more smile, just one more smile,.. With humble heart, on bended knee, I'm begging you please - Help me." Very country-sounding.

Ho actually dances in 'Sweet Caroline' - is so graceful! He got lost in the song and did the chorus over and over. Later in the show, he sang 'Let Me Be There' again - twice in one show - "Because we like to sing it so much." A fantastic rendition - an audience favourite, along with 'An American Trilogy'. At one point, Charlie couldn't reach Elvis to get another scarf to his so throw it at him! He missed and it slid down the nike cord. Elvis bent over to pick it up, turned and mumbled "Smart-ass!" at him, then took Charlie's hand as if to shake it and kicked him - right in the front! In fact, Charlie got kicked a good deal! Someone threw a key onstage and vis picked it up, hold it awhile, then gave it back with no comment at all.

January 28 1974 Dinner Show
Review by Martha Collins - Elvis News Service Weekly, Issue 137 (February 12 1974)

I met Dick Smith (from Minneapolis, Minn.) in line, a reporter for Rocky Barra's Strictly Elvis magazine, and we had a ball comparing notes on performances, We agreed that Elvis should lose some weight. Perhaps his doctor won't allow this now as he needs strength to stay healthy. You can see that the newspaper reviewer mentioned the extra weight (very kindly, I thought) and Dick and I were at a loss as to what to say about it to other fans. Otherwise, Elvis looks - well - he is simply beautiful - there is no other word for him. He radiates a sweetness that is tremendously charming. He is playful and is enjoying himself thoroughly on stage. My friend, who was not a fan and couldn't understand me at all, cane out of the first show saying Elvis is the most beautiful (there's that word again) and exciting performer in the world! She says he is LOVEABLE - is that his secret!?! But the extra weight detracts and tends to age him. Certainly, the all-white jumpsuits don't help any.

After the opening numbers, Elvis announced "If you're interested, Muhammed Ali won the fight in a decision". He was pleased - I'm sure you all remember that Elvis gave Ali a robe about a year ago. Then he added: "Tune in at 11:00 for the rest of the news!"

A surprise was in store for us tonight - and a big one. With "Here's how I used to sing - oh - ten years ago" (it's twenty years, Elvis!) he began 'My Baby Left Me' in that high, high voice and sound ed EXACTLY as he used to!!!! The audience was amazed and loved it!! He even held his nose at tines to sound more nasal!

There were some technical difficulties. The nikes had some feedback and the spotlights didn't quite follow vis at times, of course, he deliberately makes it difficult once in a while to tease, but the feed back annoyed him. He made a few good-natured comments, but in the duet, he looked up sternly and said "Watch that feedback" between lines, quite seriously.

Good old Dick Smith yelled out a request - which we all know Elvis always ignores, About to start 'Suspicious Minds', Elvis turned and said, "What?" and with obvious relish, nodded and said, "OK, 'Tryin' to get to You'!" And sang it - great! The audience responded very warmly too.

After Voice sang and the duet was over, Elvis asked the Stamps (who were totally unprepared) to sing. 'Why Me Lord'. They hesitated, in their surprise, then J.D. said, in his deep voice, "Yes, Elvis," Elvis faced the audience squarely, looked up, and holding his hands in a prayerful position, retorted: "Yes, master. Yes, master!" Elvis stayed onstage for this: he goes off for the Voice solo. This time he introduced the new bass player as Duke Winslow; at the midnight show it became Hugo - then he shrugged and said it didn't matter! Told John Wilkinson he was very forgettable!

Suddenly Elvis walked over to the far stage right and took hold of the side curtain, saying, "I just realised you can't see over here. You can't even see the orchestra! I'll tell you what I'll do - next show I'll get scissors and ...." (here he made a funny noise imitating snipping scissors! Adorable) Again, 'Let Me Be There' is fantastic. He does the ending over quite often, and goes up an octave, What a voice!

January 28 1974 Midnight Show
Review by Martha Collins - Elvis News Service Weekly, Issue 137 (February 12 1974)

The show was late starting, as was one other, by about fifteen minutes. This is unusual for Vegas, Dr. George Nichopolous, Elvis' personal physician, sat down at our table to chat with friends! He has white hair and wears modish clothes.

Elvis again did 'My Baby Left Me' - to the amazement and delight of the audience. This time he said he "recorded it about fifteen years ago"! Also, to out surprise and Dick Smith's great thrill, he did 'Tryin' to Get to You' again, saying "This is one of my favourite songs"!!

When he spotted his doctor in the audience, he made faces at him, and at one point, he said, "Shut up, Dr. Nick!" Charlie hand ed him a slip of paper and he walked forward to greet Fabian, saying "He's one of my old friends," Fabian (in green shirt and beige suit) acknowledged the applause and then turned to Elvis, with both arms outstretched towards him. The look on his face was the same look Lorne Greene and Mike Connors had on Opening Night when they stood up to get scarves. I do not exaggerate and others I asked agreed with this, it is a look of utter adoration! What power our boy has!! Elvis backed up smiling and said, "I watched you on the late show last night. 'Beach Bingo' or something. Or was it one of my movies?!" It was as if Elvis sensed the need to break the mood by poking fun.

Elvis is so unassuming. After Voice sang, he came back onstage saying, like a little boy, almost shyly, "Do you want to sing with me, Sherrill?" Aside to the audience, he added: "I think he's kind of cute, anyway!"

In conclusion, Elvis is giving a fantastically-spirited performance, moving more than he has in a long while, and looking gorgeous, except for that weight-problem. He's singing songs from all different stages of his career plus new ones, and even duetting on stage. The Hilton is not quite the same - they are remodelling and building a new tower and facilities, and have a new line policy. (Guards are now keeping order and allowing lines to build up only for one show and seating section at a time, Previously. the line was a mixture of downstairs and balcony and later shows, because no one knows when to get in line and everyone panics about it!) But the basic Vegas problems and pleasures are still there, the difficulty and expense in traveling and seating, and the joy of being immersed in Elvis and seeing him fairly closely over and over. At the last show I saw, Elvis said. "We know how long you had to stand in line and wait. We do our best to entertain you - we hope we have done our job." You certainly have, Elvis!!

Some additional notes, - :- Jackie Kahane said they would be in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 1 and 2.

The souvenir booth did have some new things, but where other organisations asked for a dollar donation or whatever you wanted to give, these were priced and quite highly. For example, they had scarves in dark and light blue, white, yellow, black, and red, with Elvis' autograph printed on then. For $5. (I don't know the British equivalent but that's not cheap!) The toy hound dogs were back: Small ($3.50) and large ($6.50). The new photo books were $3.; the buttons $1.

January 27-30 1974
Review by Dick Smith - Strictly Elvis, Issue 71 (March 1974)

From January 27th through the 30th, Mr. and Mrs. Fontana di Confection (that's Gibby Carmichael and wife Patsy traveling incognito) and I saw the greatest show on earth five times in a row at the Las Vegas Hilton. Any regrets? Well yes, just two: Pat just missed getting a kiss and a scarf, and all three of us wanted to stay for twenty more shows! But here is what Elvis gave us:
1) C. C. RIDER
2) I GOT A WOMAN
3) LOVE ME
4) MY BABY LEFT ME
5) TRYIN' TO GET TO YOU
6) YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELIN'
7) SWEET CAROLINE
8) LOVE ME TENDER
9) LONG TALL SALLY / WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN' GOIN' ON / MAMA DON'T DANCE / JAILHOUSE ROCK / HOUND DOG
10) FEVER
11) POLK SALAD ANNIE
12) SPANISH EYES
13) SUSPICIOUS MINDS
14) I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU
15) HELP ME
16) AMERICAN TRILOGY
17) LET ME BE THERE
18) CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE

'C.C. Rider' is always a fine opener, and Elvis really rocked on this and the next, his old standard 'I Got A Woman'. On the last verse of 'C.C. Rider', each time Ronnie Tutt accentuated the end of a phrase with a hard drum roll, Elvis snapped his head back, clowning and pretending to have hurt his neck. Elvis and J.D. Sumner supplied the now expected 'Amen' ending to 'I Got A Woman', followed, of course, by the equally famous "Elvis" ending.

His recent hospitalisation for pneumonia has left Elvis a bit overweight in the stomach region, although his face isn't full at all--but this didn't slow him down a bit! Throughout each show, Elvis was completely relaxed, self-assured, genuinely and thoroughly into his music, moving, rockin', and joking, kidding, teasing, and laughing with both the audience and his backup groups.

Elvis introduced his old rocker 'My Baby Left Me' by saying, "I'd like to show you what I sounded like about ten or fifteen years ago," and at one point he laughed and held his nose to get the younger nasal sound of the late-Sun, early RCA period. Elvis really had fun with this one; the arrangement was gutsy and hard, and as he turned to Burton for the instrumental ride, he uttered a wild, "Aw, play it hard, James."

One of my all-time favourites has always been the nasty, driving, bluesy 'Tryin' To Get To You', which Rocky Barra and I once yelled out a request for, in unison, in August 1971; to our delight, he did it then, and to my delight this time, he responded to my request by replying, "Tryin' to get to me? OK," and turning to James he said, "You remember this one ? Key of E." The man didn't let us down, for besides the incredibly powerful, bluesy middle part, he added the song to the show thereafter, and has continued to do it since we left, so I'm told, introducing it each time by saying, "This is one of my favourite songs, that I recorded about 2,500 years ago, and I'd forgotten how much I liked it." Thanks, Elvis !

'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' was accentuated by appropriate karate chops and kicks, Elvis-style, and at one show, he got so carried away in 'Sweet Caroline' that he repeated a whole verse by mistake, and told the audience after he'd finished, "Man, I forgot what I was doing in that song, and repeated the durned thing over and over". At another show, comedian Marty Allen stood up and reached out for a kiss (!) during 'Love Me Tender'. Elvis bent down, then staggered back, repeating "No, no, weird, weird."

The staggering six-song medley followed: Elvis began 'Long Tall Sally' by stuttering "I - we - you - us - what? oh yeah... I'm gonna tell Aunt Mary..." etc. Several times he sang, "I saw J.D. with baldheaded Sally," and once he actually sang, "Well, Long Tall Sally, she's built sweet, she's got everything that Jerry Lee needs". 'Hound Dog' got a curious, squirrelly "You ain't nothin' but a bullfrog". I hope this comes across on paper, folks: Elvis was really into his music, Elvis does what he does better than anyone who's ever tried to do it... with more power, taste, and style every time I see him!

'Fever', one of the most solidly professional numbers I've ever seen Elvis do, was of course done out on the runway, with only a silver light illuminating his face. Snapping his head or legs in tempo with Tutt's accentuated drum rolls, Elvis broke up his audience with some unbelievably squirrelly lyrics: "Captain Smith and Poca-poca-pocahontas, had a very mad affair - pant, pant, pant - when her daddy tried to kiss - uh, kill him - she said Daddy, Oh don't you dare - he gives me rashes" (in one show it was "He gives me blemishes.")

Elvis has a second male backup group, Voice, which is led by Don Sumner. They have been working with Elvis for about five months and they take their place on the stage behind the Stamps. At this stage in the show, Elvis walks off stage and had Voice sing a solo number. Following this, Elvis asked Sherrill Nielsen, of Voice, to accompany him on a beautiful duet, 'Spanish Eyes', which also features a virtuoso Spanish guitar solo by the accomplished Mr. Burton, plus Spanish trombone backup on the break.

At each show, Elvis preceded his next number by saying, as he walked over to Charlie Hodge to get a glass of "wah-wah" or Gator Aid, "You know what I can't do?" Then he started singing 'I Can't Stop Loving You', but at one show he hadn't finished swallowing by the time he had to sing, so he merely laughed and said... "Drink water and sing at the same time."

Elvis introduced a forthcoming gospel single entitled 'Help Me', which he said would be out soon. It's a beautiful song with fine lyrics, but I doubt it will go far in the charts. However, I'm willing to predict that if Elvis released a live version of his next number, a fine up-tempo semi-rocker titled 'Let Me Be There', as a single, it would go right to the top...for it's easily the best song I've seen Elvis do in many years. Elvis enjoyed performing this one more than any other song in the show, and gave it a dynamic reprise after each performance, to the thunderous applause of the audience. Once he got into it so much that he told us, "We really like to sing it, so if you don't mind, let's do the whole thing over again, OK?" 'Let Me Be There' is easily as fine a song as 'Suspicious Minds' or 'Burning Love'. Any chance of having a live single, Elvis ?

Three afterthoughts: In two shows, Elvis asked J.D. Sumner and The Stamps to sing his favourite gospel song, 'Why Me Lord'. Just beautiful! At another show, six young Japanese fans handed Elvis a '56 magazine with his picture on the cover; Elvis looked at it, laughed, and said in a high falsetto voice, "I was just a baby". This same funny falsetto was used in 'Fever' each time when Elvis sang "I light up when you call my name:" then came the falsetto - "Elvis, Elvis, what, what!" Also, Elvis has a new bass player whose name, I think, is Duke Bardwell. I'm not sure because Elvis kept calling him Bogwell or Winslow or just saying "He's got a weird last name, I can't even pronounce it, and I keep forgetting it". And here's the show-stopper folks: at one show, Elvis welcomed everyone to his show by stating, "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, my name is Duke Bardwell. No really, I changed it when I was two."

Well, that's it folks. The king rocked and wailed in Vegas... we were there, and I hope that through this account we have shared just part of the excitement and dynamite with you!

February 1 1974 Dinner & Midnight Shows
Review by Kate Shuttleworth - Elvis News Service Weekly, Issue 142 (March 27 1974)

Elvis is in great form. His voice is very powerful and has lost that husky quality that was so noticeable on the tracks of the Raised On Rock LP. He has put on weight around his middle but "The Face" is as fabulous as ever. His act is not so radically different. He still starts with 'C.C. Rider' and 'I Got A Woman' and then a great version of the oldie 'Tryin' To Get To You', sobs in voice and all. By the way, he's still throwing the guitar at Charlie after pretending to throw it to the audience. He is having a ball and jokes and sillies around a lot with the girls and JD etc. Several times he put the pick into his mouth so it protruded like two front teeth of Dracula and then laughed.

He even goofed up the words to 'Sweet Caroline', which is back in, and then twirled two fingers by his head to say he's mad!! he still gives away scarves during 'Love Me Tender' and back in is 'Polk Salad Annie'. In last nights Dinner Show (1st Feb) he did jerky robot actions during the intro to this for a laugh.

The new guys making up Voice do a spot singing 'Killing Me Softly' the Roberta Flack song. The tenor then stays and Elvis comes back on stage and does a duet with him of 'Spanish Eyes', the Al Martino song. It's beautiful and Elvis keeps looking at the other guy and trying to make him laugh. He succeeded one show and they fluffed a line or two. Elvis then slapped the fella on the back. In the instrumental break Elvis makes Spanish noises like that loud brrr ha or Variba!!! 'Fever' is still highlighted and when he sings "now you listen to my story" he misses over the word "sss-ss--tory" and "Captain Smith and Pocahontas had a very mad affair" he makes panting noises. Last night at the Midnight Show he followed this by saying "Cheetah" (the monkey friend of Tarzan.)

The Stamps also do a number called 'Why Me Lord', which is very slow and a vehicle for JD. Elvis remains on stage for this and although in shadow he can be seen and heard singing softly with them.

During last nights Dinner Show he said "Hey ain't that Red Foxx out there" to Charlie and looking into the wings Charlie replies "yeah" and Elvis says "come on out Red" which he does. I don't know if many fans know? but he's a famous comedian over here he came on stage and shook Elvis' hand. When he was walking off Elvis asked him to do his funny walk and he does so. Then Elvis imitates him!!! He looked like a cross between John Wayne and Groucho Marx!!

In the intro to the song 'Help Me' Elvis says this is the song they just recorded and should be out as a single shortly. Its a beautiful song, but even better is his version of the Olivia Newton-John song 'Let Me Be There'. This is the song of the show I feel. He gets a great sound on it and often repeats the last verse as its been received so well.

'I Can't Stop Loving You' is still in but he occasionally starts 'Blueberry Hill' with the same intro. He said to Glen "You don't know which i'm going to do, do you, do it (the intro) again". He later reverts to 'I Can't Stop Loving You'.

At the start of last nights Midnight Show the mic' stand was flexing and he was fooling around with it. After the first two numbers he took a mic' off Charlie as usual and then also took the mic' off that stand as well and played with two for a while. during the 'Amen' ending to 'I Got A Woman', while JD does his low bit, Elvis crouches down like a plane with his arms out and shakes them then flaps them like a bird. He started 'Love Me' the Thursday Dinner Show (Jan 31) and promptly gave away a scarf. He then stood and becconned to Charlie with his fingers to give him another. Charlie trotted out, put his hand on the top of Elvis' head, pulled it down and put a scarf round his neck...

Elvis, stood there with his head bowed whilst Charlie did this-like an ashamed schoolboy, might. Another show during this song Elvis went to Charlie for a scarp and stayed facing the audience waiting for Charlie, but instead Charlie put it over his head and around his mouth!! For once Charlie is getting his own back on Elvis. He's been getting doused with water regularly each night and at last nights Dinner Show he threw some back at Elvis who just jumped and laughed.

During the intro's the first two shows we saw he went to introduce John but went "Whew.. you been eating garlic again John". He then called him garlic breath at the late show. Also at last nights Dinner Show whilst holding Kathy's hand up for her intro, he kicked sideways and caught John behind the knee. John winced although he smiled and flexed his leg to sort it out.

At last nights Dinner Show he said it was his daughters birthday today (the 1st Feb) and unfortunately she had tonsillitis and couldn't fly yet, but she usually sat there (pointing to his booth) and doing a high voice said "Daddy daddy do 'Suspicious Minds'... cool it baby". For last nights show he included 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' with a dedication for Sheila (looking at The Stamps).

He's not doing 'Steamroller Blues' but both 'Polk Salad Annie' and 'Suspicious Minds' are still in. As I said at the start these are only first impressions and I have a lot more shows still to see.

I couldn't see any sign of Linda in the showroom. Elvis' booth has been filled with the audience each night.

For all four shows so far Elvis has worn the same two jumpsuits. One is white with silver filigree patter, with silver inserts and a white patterned belt and no cape. The second is again white with red inserts and a red and silver interwoven pattern on the scarves have been white, midblue, navy blue, yellow and I think red. His hair is quite short and layered and looks great.

Jackie Kahane is still here despite all reports he wouldn't. He's also saying the same old jokes but adding on the one about going shopping with his wife and her stopping with him walking on and saying where shall we eat tonight and a fella saying anywhere you like sweetie. He then adds thats how I first met Charlie Hodge. The Sweet Inspirations act is the same Billie Holiday medley as last August.

Blueberry Hill / I Can't Stop Loving You (I Found My Thrill Medley) - Is a medley that has been assembled by 'Follow That Dream' to show the good humoured nature of Elvis’ concerts.

Starting with Elvis teasing the crowd with 'Well, Well, Well' and 'When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again' (February 9 Dinner Show) he then goes into some one liners including 'Does Your Chewing Gum Loose It's Flavour On The Bedpost Overnight' (Unknown Show) and 'Blue Monday And My Head Is Bad' (February 4 ?).

The medley also includes a few Blueberry Hills - 'My Scarf Turns Blue' and 'My Nose Turned Blue' lines, combining them with the 'On Mockingbird Hill' and 'On Gooney-Bird Hill' lines.

March 1 1974 - Tulsa, Oklahoma
Review by Judy Hawthorne - Strictly Elvis, Issue 72 (April 1974)

Like a rocket being blasted off its launching pad, Elvis started his new March tour last night in the magnificent Mabee Center at Oral Roberts University. A sellout crowd of nearly ten thousand anxiously awaited Elvis' appearance by looking at the new edition of the Elvis photo books (in two sizes no less), the new colour 8x10, photo buttons, and a new colour poster. A special added attraction was the autographed Elvis scarves in various colours. You would have thought someone was giving away free gasoline the way fans rushed to the souvenir stands.

For some reason, one I am not about to argue with, the first half of the show was cut to only thirty-five minutes. After a brief intermission, the arena was bathed in total darkness. This allowed the opening chords of the '2001' theme to boggle the mind. Premature screams and applause broke wide open as a single spotlight hit the right side of the stage as Elvis walked on. Everyone who has experienced it knows what an eerie feeling comes over you in this dark cavern of sweeping flashes of light and suddenly released hysteria.

Decked out in a white jumpsuit with shimmering gold designs, matching inlays, and a dark blue scarf, Elvis warmly acknowledged his people. His first number was 'C.C. Rider'. At least I think it was. The screaming and applause was so overwhelming that I could barely hear the man's voice.

Elvis looked well, considering what he's been through in the last year. His hair was shorter and he has lost some weight since his recent stint in Vegas. But his voice... ah, yes... that golden voice. Elvis has never, but NEVER sounded better than he did last night.

'Sweet Caroline' and 'Polk Salad Annie' were put back into the lineup, and Elvis really went all out on both of them. Turning the spotlight over to the Stamps for 'Why Me Lord', Elvis stood quietly on the dark side of the stage and finally began to sing along softly. But he got so caught up in it, that he went over to the group and joined in. And he sang with them, never above them.

Elvis introduced a new song he recently recorded called 'Help Me'. If this song is any indication of the type of material to be included on his next album, we're all in for a real treat.

The best number of the evening was 'Let Me Be There'. If anything can be classified as "Elvis music," this is it! He was all over the stage, shaking his leg, pounding his fist, and bobbing his head. Elvis just couldn't get enough of it. When the song was over, he refused to let go of it, and started all over again.

Elvis handed out several blue scarves, and when the house lights were turned up, he commented on how beautiful the building was and apologised to the fans who were "Sittin' up there in the rafters."

The hour-long performance moved at an extremely tight pace with no nonsense and very little chatter from Elvis. This was to be expected from the first show, but it was a little more serious than that. At about 6:30 p.m., just a half hour before the doors opened, a man carrying a briefcase threatened to blow up the Prayer Tower and the Mabee Center on the ORU campus. Fortunately, police were able to capture the man, and there was no bomb in the briefcase. The concert went on as planned, and officials said later the threat was not related to Elvis' appearance in the city.

This kind of thing has got to put a tremendous strain on all concerned, especially Elvis, and I know it had to have had some effect on his performance.

Looking very much like a proud American eagle with his golden cape-like wings spread wide for all to see, Elvis took his final bow and left the stage.

It's kind of nice to see Elvis before anyone else does. Usually the Oklahoma stop comes at the end of the tour, but not this time, And believe me, Elvis is well and knocking 'em dead!

March 3 1974 (Afternoon Show) - Houston, Texas
Review by John Woodard - Elvis News Service Weekly, Issue 142 (March 27 1974)

The time for Elvis Presley's performance finally drew near. On March 1st. an A.M. radio station, KILT, began the event by "saluting the King of Entertainment" and playing his records the whole weekend. Finally on March 3rd at two o'clock the rodeo began. After an hour of rodeo events EL's band and the stage were pulled to the centre of the rodeo arena. The band consisted of James Burton, John Wilkinson, Ronnie Tutt, Charlie Hodge, Kathy Westmoreland, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps Quartet, The Sweet Inspirations, Voice, and Glen D. Hardin. These people were really crammed together because of such a small stage.Since this was all the band consisted of, Theme from '2001' was not played. Instead Ronnie just hit a drum roll, the band plunged right into 'C.C. Rider'.

Elvis came out riding in a red jeep. He looked great! He wore a brand new white jumpsuit with beautiful jewels covering it. He also wore a blue scarf. I'm going to try to recall this fantastic concert as best as I can for you. Elvis had a great new order with a couple of new things thrown in.

This might not be the exact order but it's close and I know all the songs are listed. Elvis looked at the crowd for awhile and said:- "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I'm event number eight", then started singing 'C.C. Rider' and over 40,000 people started screaming. During the quiet part Elvis said "What are we gonna do now?".

Next he belted out 'I Got A Woman' and sang the 'Amen' finale twice. He said, "If we don't get it right the first time, we do it again". Great! Elvis next soared right into 'Love Me'. This song was beautiful! Next on the agenda came to the surprise of every body: 'Sweet Caroline'. Elvis was moving all over the stage during this song! He would dance and wiggle and the audience would go wild. He really put everything he had into this song.

"Since Love Me Tender was my first movie, I thought I'd sing the song". He did a fantastic version of this song. The audience loved it. Next came 'Polk Salad Annie' with a karate movement sequence at the end. Elvis then bounced right into 'Johnny B. Goode'. This song was exactly like the Aloha version.

Elvis then kept the momenta up by singing the fast version of 'Hound Dog'! The audience again went completely wild. Elvis ended the song quite differently than what I had ever heard before. He did a series of combinations of the words chang & choong, much like the chang, chang, a chang a lang a lang a, at the end of 'Polk Salad Annie', but without the "lang". He did this for about two minutes and then gave the last line, "and you ain't no friend of mine".

Elvis' next comment was "I'd like to do a song featuring J.D. Sumner. It's one of my favourite songs". The song was a beautiful rendition of 'Why Me Lord', with J.D. singing the verses way low and Elvis coming in in the chorus. This could even be better if Elvis sang the whole song. Terrific!

Next came 'Tryin' To Get To You' which was followed by "a song we just finished recording," 'Help Me'. A beautiful song! After this song Elvis moved right into 'Suspicious Minds'. He then introduced the members of his band. Elvis drank some water and said "You know what I can't do?" 'I Can't Stop Loving You'. He sang the ending of 'I Can't Stop...' Twice!

Then came the climax, 'Fever', with loads of leg movement. The audience was screaming with excitement! Near the end of this song, 'Fever', Colonel Parker mounted a very small donkey and Elvis' dad lead the donkey to the stage. Elvis started laughing and the Colonel handed him some kind of drink. ELVIS then began 'Let Me Be There' and though he didn't see, Vernon mounted the donkey and the Colonel gave it a slap on the rear and Elvis' dad got off quickly.

The next song was 'How Great Thou Art'. This song really touched the audience. Elvis then did 'Funny How Time Slips Away'. After this song Elvis said "I've really enjoyed it ladies and gentlemen. The first time was great and this time was even better. I really want to thank you for coming even through the gas shortage, so thanks and I'd like to sing this next song especially for you". He proceeded to sing the beautiful 'Can't Help Falling In Love'.

HE stood on the stage for a little while as if admiring the audience, (then jumped into the jeep and rode around the Astrodome waving to all' the fans, and then he was gone.

March 4 1974 - Monroe, Louisiana
Review by Laura Lilliard - Elvis News Service Weekly, Issue 142 (March 27 1974)

Elvis wore a white jumpsuit with blue and gold studs in a sunburst pattern and no cape. He used about four dark blue scarves only during the performance.

A black guitar (with no karate emblem) was used which he discarded after the first song. James, Ronnie, Charlie, etc. wore purple jumpsuits, the Sweet Inspirations wore yellow outfits, Voice wore yellow also, and the Joe Guercio orchestra wore blue outfits.

Elvis arrived at the airport in Monroe about 4pm Monday afternoon where he was greeted by the mayor and others. The mayor gave Elvis a plaque which made him an honorary police man of Monroe. Elvis held this plaque up during the performance and told us about it.

The governor of Louisiana, Edwin Edwards, attended the performance. Money from the sale of souvenirs went to the home for retarded children in East Monroe. Elvis and the colonel donated $100 each to this home also.

It was so hot in the Civic Center that every time Elvis moved his head, I could see sweat flying off his face. Elvis was on stage for about fifty-five minutes. The Civic Center held about 8000 people, but it seemed like many more were there, and the audience response was fantastic throughout the show.

'C.C. Rider' - Elvis did an excellent version with good movements. He turned the guitar over and pretended to play the other side. At the end of the song, Elvis said "good afternoon, i'm Glen Campbell".

'I Got A Woman'/'Amen' - This was a powerful version with very fast movements. There was a beautiful pink spotlight on Elvis during the 'Amen' ending and the audience clapped along to the music.

'Love Me' - This version was about the same as on the New York and Hawaii albums.

'Tryin' To Get To You' - Elvis really got into this one. During the "running all the way" line, Elvis pretended to be running.

'Teddy Bear'/'Don't Be Cruel' - Elvis did good renditions of these and he moved more than usual.

'Love Me Tender' - Elvis seemed to put himself into this song more than he usually does. He did not kiss the girls on the front row.

'Johnny B. Goode' - The movements were again fast. The audience went wild when he sang "way down in Louisiana.." Elvis threw a white towel over his face and leaned way back before the start of the song.

'Hound Dog' - Elvis started by saying "you ain't, we ain't, y'all ain't!" Everybody cracked up when he did this.

'Fever' - This was about the same as on the Aloha special, but i think he moved his left leg more.

'Polk Salad Annie' - The audience again went wild when "down in Louisiana.." was sung. Elvis did a few karate movements at the end, but not many...

'Why Me Lord' - JD Sumner sang the first and second verses while Elvis and the rest sang the chorus each time.

'Suspicious Minds' - Elvis did a straight version this time, without saying "I hope this suit don't tear up baby". He did the splits at the end. i can't stop loving you the audience response was very good on this one, espe caally at the end.

The introductions by Elvis - When Elvis introduced Voice he said that this group had been with him about five months and that he had found them in an upholstery factory in Nashville.

'Help Me' - Elvis said that they had just recently recorded this one. it is a very nice gospel song.

'An American Trilogy' - This song is very moving when you see Elvis doing it in person. He received a standing ovation, of course. People stood up before the song was over!!

'Let Me Be There' - Elvis takes this Olivia Newton John song and makes it a Presley masterpiece. The response at the end was so great that Elvis did another chorus. The audience again clapped along.

'Funny How Time Slips Away' - At the end of the song, Elvis said that he would be back in Monroe in a few days. when he said "Until then i bid you an affectionate adios".

'Can't Help Falling In Love' - I couldn't see Elvis very well during this one because hundreds of fans started moving toward the stage! At the end, Elvis walked to each end of the stage and then quickly ran off. There was another standing ovation.

Some additional comments by Elvis in the show. Elvis asked to have the house lights turned up and nothing happened, so he asked again, still nothing happened, so he asked "is that possible?! Why me Lord". Finally, they turned them on, but Elvis had to tell them to turn them back off because they were still on when he started the next song. When Elvis held up the policeman's' plaque he said that the Mayor and everyone had been wonderful. At one point, Elvis said, "all kidding aside, you're one of the best audiences". Several girls got in an argument over the first scarf that Elvis threw out, so he said, "don't worry, i got a "nutherun" (another one). Elvis then tried twice to spell "nutherun" --- after about the fourth feedback Elvis appeared a little annoyed and mentioned it...

Elvis looked and sang fantastic. He moved much more than I expected and he really seemed to enjoy himself. Seeing Elvis in movies and on TV is nothing compared to seeing him in person. His pictures don't begin to do him justice. He will always be the greatest to me!

This show isted as being recorded on Soundboard in "Sessions III" as March 8 - Show 1, but could actually be the concert from March 7 show

Roanoke (March 10), Hampton Roads (March 11) & Richmond (March 12)
Review by Len and Rose-Marie Leech - Elvis News Service Weekly, Issue 146 (April 1974)

My wife and I were lucky to see three of the concerts on the just recently concluded March southern tour, which was by far the longest of any tours undertaken by Elvis since his live comeback in '69. The most striking thing about Elvis at these shows was his extreme high spirits and good humour. We had just seen him a month previously in Las Vegas and he was so good there we hardly expected any vast improvement on the tour. However, with that uncanny knack of his, of improving on himself, he reached the highest peaks of perfection. From the moment he bounded on stage until 'Can't Help Falling In Love', he was so bubbling over with enthusiasm and laughter that it was instantly contagious throughout the huge crowds that greeted him each night. We had fantastic front row, centre stage seats for Roanoke and Richmond, and being that close you could feel the excitement Elvis generated through these Southern audiences like an electric current in the air.

For all three shows, and also all the shows we saw a month ago in Vegas, Elvis used a different guitar. This one is a plain, unadorned expensive Gibson with a flower design in white on a black pickguard, without the inlaid pearl ELVIS PRESLEY on the necks of his previous stage guitars. The makeup of the new group Elvis last introduced in Vegas, Voice, has changed already. Sherrill Nielsen, the lead singer of the trio who duetted on stage with Elvis during 'Spanish Eyes' in Vegas was replaced on the tour by another lead singer. In Hampton Roads Elvis singled him out with a personal introduction by saying he is a fantastic piano player and a great singer from Sweden. The intro was garbled but I think his first name was Lars. Elvis had a healthy glow to his complexion for all three shows, and he has lost most of the extra weight he had in Vegas. The songs in order for Roanoke follows, and with a few exceptions was almost identical with the content of the Hampton and Richmond shows.

C.C. RIDER / I GOT A WOMAN / LOVE ME / TRYIN' TO GET TO YOU / ALL SHOOK UP / STEAMROLLER BLUES / TEDDY BEAR-DON'T BE CRUEL medley / LOVE ME TENDER / JOHNNY B. GOODE / HOUND DOG / FEVER / POLK SALAD ANNIE / WHY ME LORD / SUSPICIOUS MINDS / intros / I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU / HELP ME / AN AMERICAN TRILOGY / LET ME BE THERE / FUNNY HOW TIME SLIPS AWAY / CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE

In Hampton Roads Elvis added 'How Great Thou Art' after 'An American Trilogy', and in Richmond he substituted 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' instead of 'Help Me', and added 'Mystery Train'-'Tiger Man' after 'Funny How Time Slips Away'. The response to all the songs at every show was overwhelming, but 'An American Trilogy' brought the house down at every one of the concerts, as 'Dixie' is almost the national anthem of the South. In Hampton almost the entire crowd went to their feet at the start of the song, and stayed like that till the end, roaring their approval. There's really no adequate way I can describe the intensely happy mood Elvis was in, as his face constantly broke into a wide grin at the antics of some of the fans in the front rows. Groups of girls constantly charged the stage to get closer to him, and after two particularly savage attacks in Roanoke and Hampton by girls on the left side of the stage, Elvis quickly backed up and stood behind the drums for the rest of the song with a devilish smirk on his face.

Roanoke, Virginia, March 10, 1974
Elvis came on stage wearing the white jumpsuit with multi-coloured stones that he has worn the last two closing shows in Vegas. Elvis was pleased with the hysteric reaction during 'Fever', and as he went to Charlie to get a drink he did a brief Bill Cosby Imitation of "Hey, hey hey", making the group crack up. His closing words before the last song, summed up the kind of mood he was in. "I'd like to tell you, ahhh, Ladies & Gentlemen, that the last time we were here in Roanoke, we had a good time. We're having a better time tonight, thanks to you. After the end of this tour, we're all having a party at my house". The response to this line was deafening, as 12,000 people yelled "I'll be there", or screamed out something else. Elvis broke into a wide grin and remarked something in response that was said partially off-mike. I couldn't hear it clearly but it sounded something like, "I hope they know I'm just kidding."

Hampton Roads, Virginia, March 11, 1974
Elvis wore a white jumpsuit with aqua stones and gold trim in a flower effect. It must be a favourite of his because he's worn it many times recently in Vegas. It isn't as striking as some others, but ELVIS probably likes it because it's less decorated and probably much lighter in weight. Fans were constantly throwing things on stage, including many stuffed animals. Just at the start of 'Teddy Bear' someone threw a jumbo stuffed bear to him which he picked up and carried around with him the rest of the song. He did a fabulous version of 'Polk Salad Annie', moving all over the stage and ending the song with a tremendous karate kick. At all three shows he did a great, elongated jam ending for 'Hound Dog', but at Hampton he really got into it, extending his leg in a half crouch and hanging the floor with his foot. 'Why Me Lord' got a tremendous response, so Elvis quickly sang his way into a reprise of the last verse. He asked for the house lights and turning around spotted a girl standing on the lower level behind the stage waving something at him. "What do you have there?, what is it?, a lollipop?". During the final song he walked back toward her and she threw it down. It was a huge, bright orange and black paper fan on a long stick which Elvis promptly stuck down the back of his jumpsuit and walked around singing with the fan circling the back of his head. When he came to the line in 'Can't Help Falling In Love' where he was supposed to sing "Take my hand", he pulled it out of his suit and presented it to Estelle while singing instead, "Take my fan."

Richmond, Virginia. March 12, 1974
In Richmond Elvis wore the American Eagle Aloha suit again, coming out with a huge smile on his face which stayed there almost the entire show. The Richmond show was the best of the three because Elvis was moving constantly across the stage, never standing still. The couldn't keep a straight face, and every time he tried to get serious somebody in the group would crack him up again. After 'I Got A Woman' he took the guitar off and made believe he was going to toss it any direction except to Charlie, and when he finally did Charlie just barely caught it. "Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen". "As you can see, it's a pleasure to be back here in Richmond". He did a superb version of 'Tryin' To Get To You', bending over so low he almost touched the floor while singing. 'Hound Dog' again was something special, with Elvis drawing out the ending with "It's all right, it's ok", over and over again. 'Mystery Train' and 'Tiger Man' was tremendous, faster than usual, and the screams Elvis drew with each movement was ear piercing. "You're a fantastic audience, ladies and gentlemen, and it's a pleasure to be here in Richmond, and until the next time we're here, we bid you an affectionate adios". He started 'Can't Help Falling In Love' and the waves of girls began their final assault on the stage, the guards up front in a sea of flying bodies trying to protect the stage. Someone threw a fuzzy pink hat on stage near the end so Elvis reached down, picked it up, and stuck it on his head for awhile, then struck an arm-outstretched pose without a cape to all sides of the stage and turned around and ran off.

March 13 1974 - Greensboro, North Carolina
Review by Randy Kurfees - Elvis Monthly, Issue 173 (June 1974)

Mr. Entertainment, Elvis Presley, read the sign in front of the Greensboro Coliseum. Yes, Elvis was back in town to do another concert. It had been two years since Elvis had been at the Coliseum. The show was a sell-out as was the whole tour, Elvis was coming in from Richmond, Virginia, to do the show. Elvis was in Charlotte, N.C., the week before to put on two sell-out shows at the Coliseum, some 26,000 people saw Elvis there. Elvis left Charlotte, N.C., and went into Virginia and now was back in North Carolina for another show.

Some 16,000 people filled the Coliseum for the 8:30 show and I talked to some of the people who were at the Coliseum. Some came from as far as South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. There was a big variety of people at the Coliseum, some dressed up in fine duds while others came in blue jeans, but all were there for a purpose and that was to see Elvis the legend. The usual Elvis material was on sale; the special photo folio concert edition was selling for $3.00 which has many Elvis pictures in it, also there was the mini folio, Elvis buttons and Elvis posters and Elvis banners.

8:30 was here, the lights went down and the announcer introduced the comedian who travels with Elvis. He was on about 15 minutes and by the jokes he used that was 15 minutes too much. Then came The Sweet Inspirations; they were fantastic, Elvis couldn't have any better back-up singers than them. Then came a 15-minute intermission.

Then the lights went down, Ronnie Tutt struck that famous drum roll. I would estimate that there were 12,000 flashbulbs went off when he hit those drums. Then came the music to 'C.C. Rider' and out came Elvis all smiles; screams, flashbulbs and just about everything in the Coliseum came out.

Elvis went into 'C.C. Rider', doing it better now than when he first did it. Then came 'I Got A Woman', 'All Shook Up', 'Love Me', 'Hound Dog', 'Love Me Tender', 'Suspicious Minds'. Then Elvis introduced J.D. Sumner and The Stamps and they then sang 'Why Me Lord' with Elvis, it was the best I've ever heard that song sung. Then came 'Polk Salad Annie' and the crowd seemed to react more to this song than any of the rest, Elvis really got it on with this something like in the movie That's The Way It Is.

'I Can't Stop Loving You' was next, then came a new song called 'Help Me'. Elvis did the recent Olivia Newton-John single 'Let Me Be There'. This song fits Elvis to a tee, he should have recorded it for himself using J.D Sumner for the deep bass part like he did at the Coliseum. At the end of that song Elvis spotted a little boy out in the Coliseum who had on a jump-suit with a cape on, something similar to what he wears. He asked the little boy, who was about six years old, to come up to the stage - when he got there Elvis put a scarf around his neck. Elvis then looked over to Charlie Hodge and shook his head and laughed. Next Elvis sang the familiar 'Funny How Time Slips Away'. Then came the beautiful 'Can't Help Falling In Love' which brought an end to a night of excitement. The Governor of North Carolina proclaimed that week as "Elvis Presley Week", which I thought was nice. Elvis is still the King and 16,000 people in Greensboro will say that.

June 20 1974 - Des Moines, Iowa
Review by Sue Knapp, Sherie Antolik & Mauryne Simoens - Strictly Elvis, Issue 77 (September 1974)

Elvis, the superstar of all superstars, was scheduled for an 8:30 Des Moines concert, but we found ourselves racing out of Cedar Rapids at 2:30 to make the two hour drive. The average individual might have questioned the motives behind this seemingly unusual behaviour, but any true Elvis fan wouldn't find this situation less than normal.

As we zipped along the interstate braving rain, wind, traffic, and an agonising 55 mph speed limit, tensions were tight as Elvis' guitar strings. By the time we arrived in Des Moines, hearts were beating in hopes of finding Elvis' hide out. We immediately parked near the Vets Auditorium and made the trek to the Holiday Inn, where we were sure Elvis would be lodged. While we were so busy trying to get to Elvis and his entourage... using only the latest and most advanced detective techniques... Elvis, unfortunately for us, was relaxing in complete privacy in the nearby Ramada Inn. They had arrived earlier in the day using four private jets. Curses, we were foiled again! Finally desperation and hunger drove us to the dining room where we downed a quick snack and headed to the auditorium to locate our seats. We were sure our eighteenth row seats would be a disappointment, but luck was with us. Fortunately, we were able to see the stage area quite well. Fans of all ages and from all walks of life made up the better than 11,000 who thronged into the balcony and main floor areas to catch a glimpse of Elvis.

The show began with Elvis' back up singers, Voice, followed by Jackie Kahane's comedy routine and the Sweet Inspirations. An intermission followed and then the '2001 Theme' began... Elvis strolled onto the stage, Flashbulbs went off like fireworks on the 4th of July. Though Elvis had not been in Des Moines for nearly 20 years, his welcome couldn't have been more receptive or warm. He was cheered, applauded, and the crowd only diminished their fervour and excitement when Elvis began the familiar 'C.C. Rider', His white jumpsuit was emblazoned with a blue sequinned eagle on the front and back with blue designs down the legs and a wide belt, looped with chains, which he occasionally hooked his thumbs into as he sang. This, as well as his leg action and karate chops brought roars of approval from the fans and he enjoyed teasing them repeatedly. His whimsical grin and devilish looks into the audience brought screams of delight as we all hung on his every song.

Elvis said, "Good evening, my name is Glen Campbell." This brought a wave of laughter from the audience and then he said, "I hope you have a good time here this evening," and started to say something else when someone in the back yelled out. Elvis said, "What's the matter back there?". The audience yelled, "LOUDER!" So Elvis turned around and faced the band and said, "Sound engineers, they can't hear back there," in a very low, drawn out bass voice. This was wild and really brought screams and applause.

Elvis starts to sing 'Love Me' and the first scarf of the evening comes off. Screams of delight. Elvis did a lot of the oldies: 'Hound Dog', 'All Shook Up', 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Teddy Bear' and 'Don't Be Cruel'. These were done with a lot of leg action, crouching and karate chopping as he teased the audience into complete hysteria. When Elvis did 'Love Me Tender', it brought ear. piercing screams from the girls in the balcony, as Elvis would give them a side-eye glance and that tantalising smile. Here was an audience who loved that man and he loved them right back.

Elvis warmly introduced his entire group with special emphasis to John Wilkerson, whom he claimed was from Des Moines. Scarves were intermittently tossed out to the arm waving fans. At one point, when Elvis noticed the small boy he had just given a scarf to, he asked, "Where is your scarf?" The little boy replied, "My mother took it". Elvis gave a hearty laugh and handed the little fellow another scarf. This is so typical of his unselfish generosity.

Elvis said, ''I've got a new single out called 'If You Talk In Your Sleep' and I would like to sing the other side for you. It's called 'Help Me'". This is a beautiful song and Elvis really poured his heart into it. Then came 'An American Trilogy', which came on very strong and powerful and received tremendous audience reaction.

The house lights were turned up by Elvis' request and the crowd went wild. He looked out over the audience and shook his head. Then he pointed to the balcony and gave them that famous Presley grin. I thought some of those girls were going to climb right out of there. At this time, Elvis said he had been reminded just before the show began, that he had played this very auditorium nearly twenty years ago. "Why that," he said mischievously, 'was when I was a mere child." The fans roared their approval.

All too soon the closing song, 'Can't Help Falling In Love', began. Several more scarves were tossed into eager waiting hands and instead of leaving the stage immediately, as he usually does, he walked to the left of the stage and started shaking hands and giving out more scarves and kisses to those lucky ones in the first few rows. He continued across the stage shaking hands, dispensing scarves and somehow, Sue was lucky enough to have been touched by Elvis. As he greeted his fans farewell, Sue was nearly in shock, as she floated back to her seat as Elvis left the stage surrounded by his four bodyguards.

We grudgingly left the auditorium feeling wrung out from our emotions spent, and began our trip back to Cedar Rapids. We later learned that near-tornado winds had ripped through Cedar Rapids during our absence... but can only concede that quite a different tornado had ripped through the auditorium in Des Moines, touching the hearts of all present.

June 21 1974 - Cleveland, Ohio
Review by Rex Martin - Elvis News Service Weekly, Issue 156 (June 1974)

If Cleveland is anything to go by, then the security on this tour is very bad. I don't have tickets for this show - I had a letter from the Public Hall - Convention Center - that it was all sold out, a good six weeks before the show.

Looking around Cleveland the Thursday before, it was difficult to imagine that Elvis would be appearing in this City. Nothing in the Newspapers - No Billboards - not even a "Sold Out" sign or poster on the Convention Center Building.

On Friday, a couple of record stores had Elvis LP displays and I found a five-line mention in one of Cleveland's papers, plus an advert for A.F.C. called Elvis Headquarters, which we definitely don't recommend. Two hours before the Show, around five-hundred people had gathered outside the Center, plus twenty fans at one of the side entrances, hoping to catch an early glimpse of Elvis arriving - (Some hope, as he doesn't usually come into the area until the intermission!)

From then on, things got a lot more hectic. I met some friendly faces from New Jersey, bought myself a $12. from someone who had decided they wouldn't be seeing this Show - it was for Sec. 4. Row 50. Seat 46. On the main floor - not a very good seat, but interesting. By this time, it was just gone 8 p.m. so I walked back to my Hotel to pick up a few items I needed and then got into the aud. At 8.30 - the place looks very large from the outside, although the actual main hall only seats a little over 8,000 - by the time I was in, it was almost full messages about no films or tape recordings, etc. were being put out on the state PA. system. They don't seem to mind still cameras and I saw a lot of good ones in the auditorium, several on very expensive tripods! The Elvis Hawkers were all over the place inside the lobby and hall, plus wandering around outside. Prices tend to be higher than in Vegas. All over the place you are bombarded with the advertising patter of, buy now, just available, photo books - buttons - hound dog - posters - mini tour books, etc. etc.. I got the impression they had a lot of Elvis items to sell, and not long to do so.

Well, I got to my seat, the Show started almost on time, the lights dimmed and the audience got really excited, flash cameras clicked all over the arena, girls screamed, rows of people ahead of us stood up, which sort of annoyed those at the back and out walked Voice, who sang a few numbers, and left the stage after five minutes. Jackie (with a groan) Kahane came on next, he warmed up with a good few Elvis-style jokes and quips before launching into his more Vegas-style of act. He was on for a good twenty to twenty-five minutes. This act is really getting drawn-out longer these days. The Sweet Inspirations came out next for ten minutes plus, by this time, the crowd is getting a little restless; the sound system isn't that good, all the speakers are up front, so the further back you go, the worse it sounds on the floor level, (I haven't heard it in the balcony yet). The Inspirations finish their Act and Al, the M.C, announces Intermission Time (more groans!)

Time for more Elvis goodies - "Buy 'em now! Now! Now!" plugs. Plus a mention to get Elvis' Memphis album now in all record shops, only thing is, I think RCA haven't gotten up all week in this area and a lot of other places, because I haven't been able to find any copies on sale YET!

Interval over, '2001' starts and a much-shortened intro, Elvis appears on stage and the place erupts, people start moving forward standing on chairs, and very little control over the masses. A lot of police up front, I moved over to the right side of the arena (looking at the stage) and walked down to level with Row 14 from the stage, along with a lot of other people.

I'm now fairly close, with a good view of Elvis. No checking on people taking films, or any attempts to move us back to our seats, so I stood at the side and watched the complete Show. Linda and his father are near the stage.

The stage is a permanent structure - not specially constructed -as at many of the concert arenas; the lighting seemed reasonable and effective, although I was told it was dark compared to some of the newer arenas.

Elvis came out in a white Jumpsuit torq. leaf-type patterns, with a design of a peacock on the front and back. He was handed a guitar from Charlie and into 'C.C. Rider' - 'I Got A Woman' with a very long ending on the 'Amen' part, and repeated a second time (with JD) and lots of up-beat clapping. 'Love Me' and the start of a lot of scarfs being given away, in fact, I lost count of how many deep blue/light blue and white scarfs it was, certainly more than usual for a concert tour.

'Tryin' To Get To You' followed - really love this. Despite the sound system, Elvis' voice came over very strong and full, he sounded just great. He looked really good and was in a happy joking mood. He shook his body a lot, especially that left leg on later songs; and did a lot of exaggerated karate stances, plus kicks, which the crowd really appreciated.

Going back to this song, Elvis changed the words to "I've been travelling, night and day, I've been streaking all the way, baby, tryin' to get to you".

Elvis was given a lot of things on stage, someone handed him a large bunch of flowers, which he stuffed down the front of his jumpsuit, and yelled out about the thorns, as he removed them.

'All Shook Up' followed with some forceful "Ah-ha's"! Between Elvis and The Sweet Inspirations - 'Love Me Tender' was greeted with a lot of screams, I was a little surprised at how close a lot of the girls got to a down front. He kissed a lot, and handed out more scarfs 'Hound Dog' dry fast version and he has a new ending instrumental jam thing. With the Orchestra playing heavily. 'Fever', with all the usual movements - some much more exaggerated than before.

Elvis shouts his name out loud at one point. 'Polk Salad Annie' has a new arrangement at the start with the Orchestra's brass crashing with Ronnie Tutt's drums. At the end of this song walked over to our right of the stage and sat down for almost a minute, then asked J.D. to sing a number 'Why Me Lord', starts with a dim red spotlight on J.D. only - Spotlight in blue back on Elvis for the "Lord help me Jesus", chorus (which Elvis sings lead on) -

'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me' - followed by 'Suspicious Minds' then introduce the Group, first of all the young girls who came out earlier in the show the Sweet Inspirations - Elvis then stands asking The Sweet Inspirations , "what have you done to your hair"? - Next introduces JD Sumner and The Stamps (by individual names) - "The little girl who does our high voice singing is Kathy Westmorland" - "On lead guitar from Shreveport, Louisiana is James Burton" - "On rhythm guitar from Dayton, Ohio, John Wilkinson", - "On the drums from ? Texas Ronnie Tutt" - "From Baton Rouge, Louisiana Duke Bardwell" - "On piano from Lubbock, Texas Glen Hardin" - "The guy who drinks my scarfs Ah! - Hand me my water and brings me my scarfs, sings Harmony with me, is called Charlie Hodge - where you from?" - "The guys that opened our Show tonight, I found them in Nashville, I call them Voice" - "From Vegas, my conductor, Joe Guercio" -- "The Joe Guercio Orchestra" - "Know what I can't do"? and into 'I Can't Stop Loving You'.

"This next song is from my new single, on one side 'If You Talk In Your Sleep', and the other side is 'Help Me'. Let's do 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'" - and next, 'Let Me Be There' with the crowd clapping along with him. - With a repeat of the last verse -

After this song, Elvis sang a few lines of 'Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues'. He asked for the lights to be turned up so he could see us. 'Funny How Time Slips Away' - followed by 'Big Boss Man', really great this nice arrangement, with Ronnie thundering away on the drums.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to tell you something, we have played here before but you have been one of the most exciting audiences we have had for a long time". Then he wished us all an affectionate farewell, before singing 'Can't Help Falling In Love'. The security for this show had been very poor, but at the end, a hundred or so fans must have rushed the stage on the left, and while everyone was trying to keep the fans of the stage on that side, several got on stage on the other side and one broke across the stage towards Elvis, but was stopped just behind him. The show lasted just under one hour.

June 22 1974 (8.30pm Show) - Providence, Rhode Island
Review by Steve and Nancy Toli - Strictly Elvis, Issue 76 (August 1974)

News of an Elvis concert in Providence, R.I. first broke in late April when there was a small mention of it in one Boston paper. It was such a small article that many people nearly missed it and we had to be told about it by a friend who reads the paper more thoroughly than we do. We immediately rushed out that same night to put our ticket order in the mail, hoping an early postmark would get us better seats... but things don't always work out that way, do they? The Civic Center was so swamped with mail orders they not only were forced to disregard postmarks, but they didn't mail out tickets as soon as they'd promised. When our tickets finally came, they were upper balcony, quite a ways back from the stage. But we were able to borrow binoculars, so all was not lost.

It had been two years since we saw Elvis at Madison Square Garden and we were really looking forward to seeing him again. We wanted to try meeting his plane, so we went to the airport early the morning of June 22. While waiting around, we were approached by a man who offered to take us up for a ride in his plane. Feeling adventurous, we went up for an aerial tour of Rhode Island. Our guide, Ted Hopkins, was kind enough to radio in and ask if Elvis had landed yet. He'd come in a 2:00 a.m., so we went on to the Civic Center.

We saw both the 2:30 matinee and the 8:30 evening show. This review is of the 8:30 show, although both shows were basically the same.

Elvis came running out on stage in a white jumpsuit with a blue Rainbow swirled around his body and down his leg. He didn't wear a cape for either show. He went into 'C.C. Rider', obviously in a great mood, doing a spirited "one.. two, three.. four" followed by a corresponding number of thrusts of a leg. Then he did 'I Got A Woman' combined with 'Amen', giving special recognition to J.D. Sumner's deep voice. This was followed by 'Love Me' and 'Tryin' To Get To You' (in which he says, "I've been travelling night and day, I've been streaking all the way..." which the crowd just loved). Next came 'All Shook Up', 'Love Me Tender', 'Hound Dog' and 'Fever'. He did a great version of 'Polk Salad Annie', which was really loved by the crowd. When he finished 'Why Me Lord', the reaction was so good, he repeated the chorus once again.

Linda Thompson was at both shows, coming out just before Elvis and sitting up front, to the side of the stage. When Elvis did 'Suspicious Minds', instead of doing the line "I never lied to you...no, not much," he left out the "not much" and looked in Linda's direction.

Next, he paused long enough to introduce the band. At the matinee he introduced John Wilkerson as being from Providence and at the evening show he introduced Charlie Hodge as being from Pawtucket... both times he had a mischievous grin on his face and you could tell he was putting everyone on, but the crowd really loved it.

"Know what I can't do?"... "I Can't Stop Loving You", and with those words, he launched into a beautiful version of the song.

Then he mentioned having a record out entitled 'Help Me' and 'If You Talk In Your Sleep' and said they'd like to do 'Help Me'. This song has so much more impact when you hear it live than it does on record--fantastic.

During 'An American Trilogy', he clowns slightly when he sings "... look away Disney... dixieland."

Something fairly new for Elvis is 'Let Me Be There'. As he's done before, he can take someone's hit song and make it his own, putting such vitality and life into it. This song was a great new treat and we hope he'll continue to do it.

After having the house lights turned up so he could look at the audience, he sings 'Funny How Time Slips Away' (Steve thanks you, Elvis). At the matinee he sang... ''Never know when I'll be back in town...8:30 tonight."

Something different for a live concert was 'Big Boss Man', which he did marvellously. One older man down in front of us kept calling out "Teddy Bear" all during the show, and we were so happy for him when Elvis did a 'Teddy Bear' / 'Don't Be Cruel' medley.

Naturally, the saddest part of any concert is the beginning of 'Can't Help Falling In Love', and this was no exception. Elvis had put on such a fantastic show, had been in such a great mood, and looked so darned handsome, we all hated to see this song come. But he gave the crowd a beautiful surprise by not rushing off the stage at the close of the song, but spending some time shaking hands around the edge of the stage.

Time had stood still for an hour, but suddenly it was all over and the clock started up again. We met many fans outside afterwards and everyone agreed that it had been a magnificent concert; one we will long remember. Thank you, Elvis, for such a beautiful gift.

August 19 1974 Opening Show
Review by Christine Colclough - Elvis News Service Weekly, Issue 169 (September 25 1974)