Viva Las Vegas TV Special USA September 18
Thirty years after Elvis Presley's death, an ABC two-hour TV event (USA) in High Definition will examine how the King of Rock-and-Roll reinvented Las Vegas -- and how it reinvented him. The special, produced in cooperation with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., will incorporate rarely seen footage of Elvis performing in Las Vegas, revealing interviews with those closest to him, and special performances from some of today's top recording stars singing Elvis' Vegas classics.
Thirty years after Elvis Presley's death, an ABC two-hour TV event in High Definition will examine how the King of Rock-and-Roll reinvented Las Vegas -- and how it reinvented him.
Hosted by ABC News' '20/20' anchor Elizabeth Vargas, 'Elvis: Viva Las Vegas' airs Tuesday, September 18 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network in the USA. The program is not expected to air in Australia until 2008. Sony BMG will release the Viva Las Vegas CD single disc version at that time.
The program celebrates his triumph in Las Vegas and artistic legacy that continues through contemporary artists today. The special will feature unique duets from Toby Keith and Aerosmith's Joe Perry performing 'Mystery Train', and Chris Isaak with hot new artist Brandi Carlile performing 'Love Me Tender' (filmed on the former site of the Aladdin Hotel, where Elvis and Priscilla were married). Some musical artists talk about the influence Elvis had on them, and others perform covers of their favorite Elvis songs. Artists include 50 Cent, Beyoncé, Daughtry, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Norah Jones and The Little Willies, Miranda Lambert, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, 'The Rock', Patti Scialfa and Oscar winners Three-6-Mafia.
The two-hour special will include exclusive interviews with Elvis' former wife, Priscilla Presley, and will chronicle different aspects of Elvis' life during the Las Vegas concert years. Elvis was able to reinvent himself in Las Vegas and make a comeback at a time when critics didn't think he had a chance. Viewers will see how his combination of soul and showbiz, electric rock and sex appeal became the template for performances today. His astonishing success started the practice of the long-running Vegas 'residency' that Celine Dion, Prince, Cirque du Soleil and Elton John partake in today.
Elvis' Las Vegas years proved to be a time of a remarkable revival and inner conflict. When he first arrived, he basked in audience adoration powerful enough to transform the city. "Las Vegas needed a shot in the arm, and Elvis was the potion," friend, co-star and fellow Las Vegas performer Nancy Sinatra tells ABC. "He got the young people in. And the young people helped to build a new Vegas." But as time went on and Elvis performed the same songs show after show, night after night, Priscilla Presley tells Vargas that he was "like a stallion caged in a tiny stall."
Frustrated by a lack of new creative challenges, Elvis reportedly told one of his backup singers that he thought no one would ever remember him. "That's incredible," says three-time Oscar nominee, film director David Lynch. "Elvis swims in our minds, and in the emotions all through time." And Matchbox 20 lead singer Rob Thomas adds: "Elvis set the world on fire... if you're a rock and roll musician, the music you're making, you wouldn't be making it if Elvis wasn't there to open those doors, and not just open -- kick them open."
A companion soundtrack from SONY BMG Music Entertainment, Elvis: Viva Las Vegas, is currently available and features music from and inspired by the ABC television special.
"Elvis: Viva Las Vegas" is produced by ABC's Lincoln Square Productions and Elvis Viva LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Rudy Bednar is co-executive producer for Lincoln Square Productions. David Saltz is co-executive producer for Elvis Viva LLC.
View the promo video for the 'Viva Las Vegas' TV documentary.
Viva Las Vegas 2 CD Tracklisting
Disc 1:
1) Viva Las Vegas 2) See See Rider 3) The Wonder Of You 4) Polk Salad Annie 5) Release Me 6) Let It Be Me 7) Proud Mary 8) I Just Can't Help Believin' 9) Walk A Mile In My Shoes 10) Bridge Over Troubled Water 11) Patch It Up 12) I've Lost You 13) You Don't Have To Say You Love Me 14) You've Lost That Loving Feeling 15) An American Trilogy 16) Never Been To Spain 17) You Gave Me A Mountain 18) It's Over 19) The Impossible dream
Disc 2:
1) Blue Suede Shoes 2) I Got A Woman 3) All Shook Up 4) Love Me Tender 5) Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel 6) Heartbreak Hotel 7) Hound Dog 8) Memories 9) Mystery Train/Tiger Man 10) Monologue/Lifestory 11) Baby What You Want Me To Do 12) Runaway 13) Are You Lonesome Tonight? 14)Yesterday/Hey Jude 15)Introductions 16) In The Ghetto 17) Suspicious Minds 18) What'd I Say 19) Can't Help Falling In Love
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Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
