Elvis 68 Comeback by Jeffrey Schrembs
THE STORY OF THE 68 SPECIAL
Authored by Jeff Schrembs 2009 – All Rights Deserved:
Elvis, in 1968, was enduring numerous “life changing” events in his life. First he was married May 1, 1967 to (the then, now, and forever beautiful) Priscilla (who had came to America/Graceland to live in December of 1962) . Secondly, his only daughter (Lisa Marie) was born exactly (9) nine months after the wedding on February 1, 1968. Thirdly, the "era of the Beatles", along with several other major acts, were coming to an abrupt end (by monopolizing the charts has they had beginning in 1963).
The "68 Special" is also referred to as the "Comeback Special" or "Elvis Comeback" or "68 Comeback". Interestingly, the actual name of this (what was to be the "highest rated show of all 1968" ") event was actually entitled "Elvis".
"Elvis", the Singer Special, began taping in June of 1968 and was aired on December 3, 1968 on NBC-TV (note: in 1968 there were three major television stations ABC, NBC, CBS and they captured 99.9% of the American viewing audience).
Elvis had "overcome the World" musically/recording artist/live performances (concerts and TV) beginning in the 1950's and he created a sound that was "pure, full, fun, and his own". Elvis, pure and simple, was THE Rock and Roll King. Yet, the King had not been onstage before a “live crowd” in over 7 years. His music, limited to the quality of the movies he was working on, were not “up to par” but since Elvis had “signed” to do the movies he was very limited in having “songs of quality” consistently into his movies. Many times, over many years Elvis voiced his concern about the songs he had to sing on the movies and that he was not being challenged as an actor or as a singer (note: Elvis’ early works being Love Me Tender to GI Blue were good. Then you have a great storyline of “Viva Las Vegas” with Ann Margaret and their chemistry was obvious to everyone and fans everywhere enjoyed this movie. After “Viva Las Vegas” there would be “one or two” songs, in all of the movies that he did after “Viva Las Vegas” that Elvis found “acceptable”. Every other song either made him laugh, or angry, but Elvis was the ultimate professional and finished each movie having given his very best efforts).
The previous decade had not been “personally satisfying to Elvis” and he suffered greatly when he learned late in 1958 that he was drafted. While in the Army Elvis received permission to visit his Mother in Memphis who was sick and in the Hospital. Elvis took the next flight out, which he stayed awake the entire trip praying and thinking about his beloved mother, and arrived at the Hospital and directly went into her room (Gladys) who was weak, complaining about her health, and yet “lit up” holding her only Childs hand. They loved each other so much and it was one of the worst tragedies for Elvis as just a few days later, his mother passed away in August of 1958. In 1960 Elvis was honorably discharged from the Army and agreed to do a “live on stage” TV appearance with Frank Sinatra sponsored by Timex (i.e. watch maker whose claim to fame was “takes a licking and keeps on ticking”) Other than the "Elvis Returns Frank Sinatra Special", that aired shortly after Elvis' discharge, Elvis did not perform onstage “live” because Elvis agreed to enter into "movie contracts" for 1961 – 1963 (negotiated by Colonel Parker).
These "movie contracts" would keep Elvis away from a "live audience" until this "Comeback Special" of 1968. I don’t believe that Elvis knew that these “movie contractual obligations would keep him away from a live audience for 7 years but the movies were successful, Elvis made a lot of money, Elvis was able to have some of his friends (Memphis Mafia) get bit parts/roles in his movies, and Elvis got into a “pattern” that revolved around the “movie shots” for the day and then Elvis and the boys playing in between shots and jamming/singing after the days work was over. The money Elvis made off of these monies was SIGNIFICANT and allowed him to travel, purchase nice cars, pay his employees, and it gave him a sense of “routine” which is nice to have when you are raising a young child (as Elvis and Priscilla were doing).
Colonel Parker initially began negotiations with NBC in 1967 (October) and it was considered that Elvis would do a "Christmas movie" along with a Christmas Special for the 1968 Christmas Season. On January 12, 1968 Colonel Parker and Tom Sarnoff (NBC Vice President) announced that Elvis' first television appearance in more than eight years would be a Christmas special for which NBC. Elvis would receive $250,000 for the "live special" and he would receive an additional $850,000 to produce an Elvis movie and an additional $25,000 for the film's music. Out of this agreement came the (critically acclaimed/reviewed) movie entitled "Change of Habit" which co-started Mary Tyler Moore.
It was also agreed that the "executive producer" would be Bob Finkel who had (recent) variety success and was nominated for an Emmy in 1965, 1966 and 1967, He, deservingly so, won the Emmy for 1966 and 1967. It was Bob Finkel who was instrumental in enabling Colonel Parker to see the "light" in allowing Elvis to perform live and not do an "ordinary safe Christmas Special". However, Colonel Parker had the contract stipulate that the “closing number” would, in fact, be a Christmas Song!
Instead of a "tame" Christmas Special, as other "artists" were doing in the 1960's (i.e. Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, and others) Elvis agreed, with great assistance from Steve Binder who opened Elvis’ eyes to doing a real live concern that would showcase Elvis’ musical abilities and his awesome stage antics. Elvis was asked to "put it all on the line" and get back to basics which meant (a) not being safe (b) going against Colonel Parker and (c) possibly doing damage to his career. It was NOT an easy choice, at the time, but kudos to Steve Binder for having the forethought to “re-introduce Elvis” to his Fans and to new fans of good music.
Colonel Parker was against this idea and was relentless in his desire to have Elvis "sing a few Christmas songs" and they say "Merry Christmas". There was much “give and take” between Colonel Parker, NBC, and the Director and Producer. At some point Elvis, who never “spoke out against Colonel Parker in public”, was asked in a room where Colonel Parker was , Elvis was, and Steve Binder was “Elvis, you want to do a Christmas Special don’t ya”? Elvis replied that he wanted to do what he and Steve Binder had discussed which would NOT be a Christmas Special. To Elvis' credit he accepted the feedback from the Producer and realized that his love of "live performing" had been building over the past seven years. When it counted most Elvis stood up to Colonel Parker and said what he wanted. To Colonel Parker’s credit he accepted the decision and made it work.
Elvis appeared on a "square stage" along with reuniting his early band members Scotty Moore (Guitar) and DJ Fontana (drums). The stage would have fans surrounding each of the four sides. Many of the “front rows” would be filled by women. Elvis also had Charlie Hodge accompany him who was a singer, performer, Guitar player, and Gospel artist who Elvis had befriended in the Army and who had been working with Elvis since his Army discharge. The format would be "Elvis, more Elvis" a recipe in 1968 that was "unsure" and "unproven" and (in all reality) a "make or break career move" for Elvis.
Elvis lost weight, vocally challenged himself, and prepared for this "live intimate live Concert" mentally, physically, and vocally. To add to Elvis' incredible physical condition (he was down to 148 pounds which was about 35 pounds lighter than he normally was) his designer (i.e. Bill Blew who would design costumes for Elvis up until the day Elvis died) took the "blue jean jacket/jean look" and made a custom made black leather outfit for Elvis to open the show with. Bill Blew created other wonderful outfits for the special and he even got Elvis to agree to wear a “gold lame type jacket” (with black pants) as a type of “appreciation/acknowledgment of the gold lame suit Elvis had worn in the 1950’s. No one other than Elvis’ inner circle knew that Elvis HATED that Gold suit so it was with “trust” for Bill Bile that Elvis agreed to wear everything that Bill Bilew designed for the “special”. Elvis looked WONDERFUL with darkened black hair, sideburns, a slight tan, blinding white teeth, and his vocal/stylist/entertaining abilities were...phenomenal. He was a moving, singing, emotional, smart, sexy, 6 foot star dressed in black leather and he OWNED that stage – his guitar – and his vocal cords and sang/performed with all his heart. The result was that Elvis “connected” with his audience and they screamed, and demanded more, having been away from his live concerts for so long.
For the first time in years Elvis was EXCITED to perform and reviewed a variety of songs not only from his past hits but from more "current" numbers. During the rehearsals it was clear, after each day, that Elvis was "loosening up" and his magnetism was "visible" and it electrified the Producer and everyone who listened/saw it firsthand.
A lot of the credit for Elvis' great mood, and optimism, was that Bob Finkel had hired (in mid May of 1968) Steve Binder (who was only 23 years old) to produce the music. It was agreed that Binders' partner, Bones Howe, who had previously worked with Elvis in the studio and believed that Elvis and Steve Binder would "hit it off", would come as a "package production" deal.
Interestingly, Steve Binder had been a student at the University of California before falling "head over heels" into the music business. Binders' had directed the TV music series entitled "Hullabaloo which was a "must watch" for the youth of the late 1960's (i.e. think about the current MTV TRL series but with "live acts" and everyone dancing and you get the picture).
Binder had become "Los Angles" hottest producer after he produced the Petula Clark special.
During the last (2) two weeks of May 1968 Elvis took Priscilla, baby Lisa Marie, and many of his friends on vacation to Hawaii. Elvis wanted/needed to be relaxed, tanned, rested, and to share some quality "family time" before the actual taping of the "special".
The musical writers assigned to the "special" were Chris Beard (England born yet grew up in Australia) and Allan Blye. They wrote a script in which the trials of a young man was leaving home and searching for happiness along with a career. They wanted to show the obstacles the young man endured along with his eventual (successful) return home. They chose the song "Guitar Man" as the "theme" that linked the scenes together. The "special" was to end with Elvis singing a Christmas song (Colonel Parker had "agreed" that it would end that way) to end the "special".
On June 3, 1968, Elvis began working with Binder and Howe at their offices. During one of the "get to know conversations" Elvis had shared how "saddened" he was by the shooting of Robert Kennedy (which had taken place on June 6, 1968). Elvis had also commented on the struggles of African Americans and the movements/assignation of Dr. Martin Luther King. Steve Binder had taken notes that afterward went to songwriter Earl Brown, who was writing song arrangements for the "special", and asked him for a "modern inspirational closing song". This song would become, and much loved, the incredible (and emotionally moving) song entitled "If I Can Dream" (see video above).
Elvis was handed the words to “If I Can Dream” the night before the final taping. Earl Brown had recorded/sang his somber version of the song and had given Elvis the tape to listen to. The first three times Elvis listened to the song he had to stop it, and get some tissues, for he was crying. Elvis understood that this song captured the essence of Robert Kennedy, Dr, Martin Luther King Jr., Americans, and the hopes of parents/children around the World. Elvis practiced the song for a few hours and then went to bed. When you watch Elvis sing “If I Can Dream” you instantly understand that Elvis is singing it incredibly. Once you understand that Elvis sang this, on one take, after playing around with it a few hours earlier it shows part of the genius that was…Elvis Aron Presley.
The Director was Eugene "Gene" McAvoy and he was tasked with designing the sets that would showcase Elvis, and frame his shots visually, and adhere to the story line. The opening scene of Elvis with the 89 "guitar men" (who were in silhouette and looked like shadows) captured Elvis'...completely. From that shot until Elvis appearing in his white suit standing in front of "red lights" spelling out "ELVIS" was nothing short of...inspirational and genius.
The makeup artist, and one of the choreographers, was Claude Thompson. The other choreographer was Jaime Rogers. Billy Goldenberg was the musical director and worked with Elvis on "Change of Habit".
On June 17th Elvis "officially" began rehearsals and (literally) moved into his NBC dressing room on the NBC lot (which included Elvis sleeping there). Elvis loved to just "jam", with Charlie Hodge and his "Memphis Mafia", and did so while living at the NBC lot. During one of the jam sessions Steve Binder passed by and became "enamored" with Elvis' freewheeling style and comfort level and his vocal ranges. It was then that Steve Binder decided to include the "jam session" as part of the "special" (which included Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, Charlie Hodge, and (2) two other friends of Elvis Alan Fortas and Lance LeGualt).
On June 20th the recording sessions began at Western Recorders. It was imperative that Elvis was showcased with musicians who were "among the best in the World". Not only were the "best of the best" musicians chosen but many were a part of (legendary music producer/genius) Phil Specters' infamous "wrecking crew" that created that "wall of sound" creating "hit after hit" during the 1960's.
Tommy Tedesco, Mike Deasy and Al Casey were picked for guitars (note: Elvis opened up the "special" using Al Casey's beautiful red Hagsrom guitar after Bones Howe had spotted it in Casey's instrument trunk and thought that the bright red guitar with its gold hardware would be perfect. As a "footnote" Hagstrom's were made in Alvadalen, Sweden solely between 1958 and 1983 and were known for great quality).
On bass was Charles Berghofer and Larry Knechtal (who also played the keyboards) on piano was Don Randi, The "sideman" was Hal Blaine who played drums. John Cyr and Elliot Franks provided percussion. Frank DeVito played bongos. Tommy Morgan was on the harmonica.
The "Blossoms" provided the backup vocals (note: the Blossoms were Darlene Love, Fanita James and Jean King) but there were other "unnamed" vocalists as well. The Orchestra Conductor was Billy Goldenberg who conducted an orchestra of strings and horns, all of which added to the final product.
On June 26th. there was an on-set birthday party for Col. Tom Parker. During the birthday celebration the Colonel was given an autographed portrait of Executive Producer Bob Finkel dressed as Napoleon (note: this portrait is still a part of the Colonel's collection in the Graceland Archives). Elvis also sang for the Colonel's pleasure a parody of It Hurts Me written for the occasion by Chris Beard and Allan Blye. The new version of the song went: "It hurts me to see the budget climb up to the sky. It hurts me when Finkel gives me trouble, when I see all my money go just for one g---damned ol' TV show. It hurts me the way that Finkel spends my dough. The whole town is talkin' they're callin' me a fool for listenin' to Binder's same ol' lies. Finkel calls me, says I've got no choice then hangs up the phone in that damned Rolls Royce. It hurts me when my tears start to flow, they promised me sure if I would give in that I would-that I would never go wrong, but tell me the truth is it too much to ask for one lousy tired ol' Christmas song...?"
By June 27th, rehearsals were winding down and the taping of the production numbers had begun. Also that evening there were two sit-down jam session shows taped. On June 29th they shot the two stand-up shows. On Sunday, June 30th, Elvis completed taping the If I Can Dream finale. Physically and emotionally spent, Elvis then left for a week's rest in Palm Springs.
On September 11, 1968 'Variety' announced that the bordello scene had been cut from the TV special, citing it had been passed by the NBC censors but the sponsor Singer had requested that it be removed.
The Elvis special aired on December 3rd. at 9:00 EST and was seen by 42 percent of the viewing audience, making it the number one show for the season and giving NBC its biggest ratings victory of the year. It received, from every corner of America, rave reviews from the critics. Elvis was BACK, ON TOP, and RELEVANT! Rock and Roll, and Elvis Presley, would never be the same.
Elvis, who was nervously watching the show along with Priscilla, received "countless" telephone calls immediately after the show had ended congratulating him for performing a "timeless classic" and "rocking out". Elvis Aron Presley was back and the fans LOVED HIM as they had since his first hit over a decade before (i.e. that’s All Right Little Mama").
While Elvis sat on his couch, with his wife Priscilla, they hugged each other and looked at one another with a “renewed appreciation”. Elvis could, for the first time in years, take pride in his works and (equally important) the Fans loved him…and wanted more.
As they told one another they loved each other Elvis hugged Priscilla knowing that their lives would be changing. And as long as Elvis had Priscilla and baby Lisa Marie he would be happy, fit, and able to take on any entertainment challenges. As a family (Elvis, Priscilla, Lisa Marie) they had pulled off the greatest “Entertainer Comeback” in history and they did it in only 7 months. The mood at Graceland pulsated with happiness, opportunity, love, and possibilities.
JEFF SCHREMBS 2009 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Labels: 68 special, Elvis, elvis expert, elvis presley, Jeff Schrembs
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