Show Format
The format of the show begins with the traditional opening theme of Elvis' concerts: "Also Sprach Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss (better known as the theme to the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey). This segues into the song "See See Rider" from Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii.
The show is divided into two different acts, each one 45 minutes to an hour, with an intermission between them. The main material used for the shows comes from Elvis: That's the Way It Is, Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii, and Elvis on Tour. And in recent years songs from the '68 Comeback Special has been added to the mix, most notably the songs "Trouble" (which usually segues into either "Hound Dog" or "That's All Right"), and "If I Can Dream" which is used to end the first act.
During the show, a large video screen hangs above the main set upon which the video of Elvis' performance is projected. Two smaller screens hang on either side, and video of the live musicians, or special video packages are shown.
The first act usually ends with a gospel music segment. If The Imperials are performing, they perform a solo version of "He Touched Me". If the Stamps are performing, they perform an a cappella rendition of "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" (after an introduction by Elvis from the movie Elvis on Tour). After that song, a version of "How Great Thou Art" by Elvis is played with the band. In early shows, this proved to be problematic: since the audio was taken from the 1974 live album Elvis As Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis, but there was no video footage. Thus, the screen was left black, and only the audio was played. After a few tours, a special piece of footage was made from the 1972 movie Elvis on Tour which was edited, sped up, and slowed down in a few places in order to have it match up with the 1974 audio.
The show always ends with Elvis' traditional show closer "Can't Help Falling in Love", and the traditional announcement of "Elvis has Left the Building." At the 1997 and 2002 concerts Elvis' former announcer Al Dvorin closed the show by saying "Elvis has left for Graceland".
After a domestic tour (which ended with a show at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, IN, the site of Elvis' final live concert on June 26, 1977), the show went to Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Read more about this topic: Elvis: The Concert
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