So Wrecked He Couldn’t Speak Coherently, But His Singing Was Oh, My

Elvis Presley, a cultural icon and music legend, passed away on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42, after a prolonged struggle with prescription medication and alcohol abuse. His final public appearance occurred on June 26, 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana, just under two months before his untimely death. Prior to this, two notable performances were filmed for a television special: one in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 19, and another in Rapid City, South Dakota, on June 21.

The television special titled “Elvis in Concert,” featuring footage from these performances, aired six weeks after Presley’s passing. Despite initially airing and several reruns per contract, the Presley estate eventually limited further showings due to concerns over how the special portrayed Presley in a diminished physical state, leading to its unfortunate moniker as the “Fat Elvis” concert.

The final encore of the South Dakota concert featured “Are You Lonesome Tonight?,” marking Presley’s last recorded performance. Despite struggles with the spoken parts of the song, Presley’s vocal performance remained robust. Commenters on platforms like YouTube noted that while Presley often playfully altered lyrics and interludes during his performances, his spoken words in this instance were notably more unclear, reflecting his declining health. Some experts have suggested that Presley was in need of medical care at the time.

Reflecting on his personal struggles, including his 1973 divorce from Priscilla Presley, Elvis introduced “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” with poignant words: “This one is called Are You Lonesome Tonight? I am, and I was.” Despite a faltering spoken segment, Presley regained his composure to deliver the song’s lyrics with his characteristic emotional depth. Despite his physical challenges, his vocal talent shone through, particularly evident in his clear delivery of “Unchained Melody” earlier in the show.

The emotional impact of Presley’s final performance resonates deeply with fans. A YouTube commenter, Mikey, expressed, “That final glance as he finishes the song…it’s incredibly moving. My father took us to Graceland four times during my childhood. I understand now, Dad. Such a remarkable voice. Such a big heart. The King, eternally.”

The contrast between Presley’s articulate introduction of “Unchained Melody” and the mumbled delivery of “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” underscores the toll of his health challenges and exhaustion. Despite these issues, Presley managed to complete 55 shows in the first half of 1977, a testament to his dedication and enduring popularity.

Jerry Schilling, a close confidant of Presley, recounted in his memoir questioning Colonel Tom Parker, Presley’s manager, about allowing the filming given Presley’s visible decline. Parker reportedly affirmed that it was Presley’s decision to proceed with the special as planned. Research into Presley’s final concert underscores the admiration for his vocal prowess even amidst health difficulties, leaving an indelible mark on music history.