Elvis Presley | Huntsville, AL | September 6, 1976

Elvis' Waist Thicker, But Fans Still Loyal
by Winford Turner / Huntsville News

This was the last 'road date' where Elvis gave two concerts on the same day. To sellout crowds at Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville Monday afternoon and night, Elvis Presley had the same old magic. Presley, sporting broader showmanship and a thicker waist, drew standing ovations from the time he jogged onto the stage to the chords of 'Thus Space Zarathustra'. The Memphis rock and roll star got screams during his first number, 'See See Rider', and the women, who outnumbered males in the audience by three to one, were still screaming to the end.

The FTD release 'Elvis In Alabama' (Last Double Date) is a two concert set containing soundboard recordings (mixing desk) of the afternoon and evening shows in Huntsville on September 6, 1976 and includes America The Beautiful, Love Letters, School Day, Hurt, Danny Boy and Blue Christmas. 

Also see Elvis Presley: Huntsville, AL : May 31, 1975

Von Braun Civic Center promoting Elvis Presley's 1976 appearance

Von Braun Civic Center promoting Elvis Presley's 1976 appearance.

Fans line up to buy tickets for Elvis' 1976 appearance

Fans line up outside Von Braun Civic Center waiting to buy tickets for Elvis Presley's 1976 appearance. (Von Braun Center).

Fans line up outside Von Braun Civic Center waiting to buy tickets for Elvis Presley's 1976 appearance.

Elvis Presley: Huntsville, AL : September 6, 1976.

They reached for his hand and the scarves he threw between numbers, and they gave him a standing ovation after America the Beautiful. Although Presley's voice remains strong, there were some reviewers who said they found the performance lethargic. But it seemed to make no difference to the faithfuls. They screamed as loud as they did when they were teenagers, when Elvis had a thin waistline and seemed to be a bundle of energy.

Elvis arrived in Huntsville, as had been expected, in the early hours of the morning Monday and went straight from Huntsville Aviation to the Hilton Hotel, where he remained in seclusion until his appearance at the civic center Monday afternoon. He left the city shortly after his performance Monday night. He arrived in Huntsville after performing to a sell out crowd at Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, Miss. Elvis is due in Arkansas tonight.

Elvis Presley: Huntsville, AL : September 6, 1976.

Even before he arrived in Huntsville, the Elvis magic was in the air. His long time manager, Col. Tom Parker, actually came to the city Saturday. And, keeping with the Presley custom of handing out gifts, Parker called up a local television station and donated $500 of the singer's money to the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Satisfied that proper arrangements were made for his superstar, Parker left the city early Monday and headed for Arkansas. And lucky for local fans that he did.

Elvis Presley: Huntsville, AL : September 6, 1976.

In the past, Parker has kept his star in seclusion, believing that if you want to get a look, you had better have a ticket or just be plain lucky. Last year during his five concerts in Huntsville, Parker had Elvis coming out of the Hilton by a secret entrance.

But Col. Parker wasn't around Monday and Elvis surprised the several hundred who had gathered around the Hilton and the civic center. He came right through the main lobby waving to the screaming crowd. As is the custom, there were no interviews and no autograph signing. He was flanked by six personal bodyguards and a large number of local police officers. In fact, several policemen said his security was tighter than those for former President Richard Nixon who visited the city in 1974, just months before resigning from office.

One local Elvis fan, Mrs. Peggy Phillips, who has been crippled by polio for years, was unable to make it to the concert, but may benefit within a few days from one of the many gifts that Presley usually passes out. Mrs. Phillips said she has been an Elvis fans for years and that she has even had dreams of him. Apparently the word got to Elvis and some of his top associated. Mrs. Phillips was promised that within a few days she'll receive some kind of gift from the singer. Just what the gift will be and when it will be presented still remains a mystery. The only thing that was a certainty Monday night is that Elvis swept the city like a storm and for a brief 18 hours was the 'King of Huntsville'.

Elvis Presley: Huntsville, AL : May 31, 1975

Elvis sings 'Blue Christmas' in Huntsville September 6, 1976 (01:51)

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The FTD release 'Elvis In Alabama' (Last Double Date) is a two concert set containing soundboard recordings (mixing desk) of the afternoon and evening shows in Huntsville on September 6, 1976 and includes America The Beautiful, Love Letters, School Day, Hurt, Danny Boy and Blue Christmas.

During the afternoon show Elvis sang the strong versions of Fairytale, And I Love You So, Polk Salad Annie and Love Letters, all outstanding performances.

The evening show Elvis again does strong versions of Fairytale, And I Love You So whilst Fever and Jailhouse Rock seems better than 'usual' Sadly Elvis forgets the words during the spoken part of America the Beautiful -an obvious flaw/lack in concentration (and later says so, saying it's been a long day) Hurt is a tremendous HIGHLIGHT as for the only time this tour he sings the reprise up much higher!, and then playing guitar That's All Right and Blue Christmas are well sung too. Just before closing Elvis says : 'be careful going home, it's a holiday weekend'. Just before Mystery Train Elvis tells a girl (who had been yelling all through Blue Christmas) to put tape over her mouth! It's a pretty 'upbeat' show and a much more 'enjoyable' show compared to Tuscaloosa or Macon. After the show Elvis flew to Pine Bluff , but upon awaking during the afternoon was annoyed by very noisy fans outside the hotel. 

The Afternoon Show

01 See See Rider 2:49
02 I Got A Woman / Amen 8:17
03 Love Me 2:45
04 Fairytale 3:09
05 You Gave Me A Mountain 3:04
06 All Shook Up 1:08
07 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel 2:08 
08 And I Love You So 3:20
09 Jailhouse Rock 2:46
10 America The Beautiful 4:51
11 One Night 2:35
12 Polk Salad Annie 4:22
13) Introductions 8:42
a) Early Mornin' Rain 
b) What'd I Say 
c) Johnny B. Goode 
14) Love Letters 2:47
15) School Day 1:41
16) Hurt 1:59
17) Hound Dog 2:30
18) Funny How Time Slips Away 3:40
19) That's All Right 2:08
20) Can't Help Falling In Love 1:39
21) Closing Vamp 2:03

The Evening Show

01 See See Rider 4:39
02 I Got A Woman / Amen 7:19
03 Love Me 2:00
04 Fairytale 4:24
05 You Gave Me A Mountain 3:05
06 All Shook Up 1:06
07 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel 2:02)
08 And I Love You So 3:19
09 Jailhouse Rock 1:35
10 Fever 4:02
11 America The Beautiful 2:54
12) Introductions: 10:43
a) Early Mornin' Rain 
b) What'd I Say 
c) Johnny B. Goode 
13) Love Letters 2:49
14) School Day 1:23
15) Hurt 2:42
16) Hound Dog 1:28
17) Danny Boy 3:44 Performed by Sherrill Nielsen
18) That's All Right 2:08
19) Blue Christmas 2:23
20 Mystery Train 3:39
21) Funny How Time Slips Away 2:43
22) Can't Help Falling In Love 1:39
23) Closing Vamp 1:44

Available on the FTD release 'Elvis In Alabama' (Last Double Date) 2 CD Set.

January 1976

Elvis Presley Vail, Colorado | January, 1976
Deputy Chief Robert Cantwell Remembers Elvis Presley

March

Elvis Presley Freedom Hall Johnson City, Tn | March 17, 1976
Elvis Presley Freedom Hall Johnson City, Tn | March 18, 1976
Elvis Presley March 20, 1976. (8:30 pm) Charlotte, NC.
Elvis Presley | March 21, 1976 (8:30 pm) | Cincinnati, OH
Elvis Presley Leaving Cincinnati, OH on March 22, 1976 after two shows | March 21, 1976
Elvis Presley Kiel Auditorium St Louis, Miss 8.30pm | March 22, 1976

April

Elvis Presley Out For A Bike Ride | April 3, 1976
Elvis Presley Kansas City, MO | April 21, 1976
Elvis Presley Kansas City | April 22, 1976

June

Elvis Presley Enroute to the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium | June 25, 1976
Elvis Presley Philadelphia | June 28, 1976

July

Elvis Presley leaving his hotel in Shreveport, LA on his way to Baton Rouge, LA on July 2, 1976
Elvis Presley Fort Worth, Texas | July 3, 1976
Elvis Presley Tulsa, OK | July 4, 1976
Elvis Presley Mid-South Coliseum | July 5, 1976
Elvis Presley July 24, 1976 (2:30 pm). Charleston, WV. Civic Center
Elvis Presley Community War Memorial, Syracuse, Ny | July 27, 1976
Elvis Presley Civic Center, Springfield, Mass | July 29, 1976
Elvis Presley Veterans Memorial Coliseum, New Haven, Connecticut. 8:30 p.m July 30, 1976

August

Elvis Presley Roanoke VA | August 2, 1976

October

Vickers Gas Station, Memphis, October 4, 1976
Elvis Presley Chicago Stadium | October 14, 1976
Elvis Presley Chicago Stadium | October 15, 1976
Elvis Presley Minneapolis, Minnesota | October 17, 1976
Elvis Presley University Of Dayton, Dayton, Oh | October 26, 1976

November

Jerry Lee Lewis arrest at the Gates of Graceland
Elvis Presley Cow Palace, San Francisco, 8.30pm | November 28, 1976

September

Elvis Presley Coliseum, Jacksonville, Fl | September 1, 1976
Elvis Presley Huntsville, AL | September 6, 1976

December

Elvis Presley Las Vegas | December 4, 1976
Elvis Presley December 8, 1976
Elvis Presley Las Vegas | December 10, 1976 | Midnight Show
Elvis Presley Las Vegas | December 11, 1976
Elvis Presley Las Vegas | December 12, 1976
Elvis Presley New Years Eve Concert | December 31, 1976

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