Elvis Presley's tragic final TV performance just two months before he died
Elvis Presley's final televised performance aired after the legendary singer's death – revealing how poor the King of Rock and Roll's health had become in his final months.
Presley, one of the best-selling and culturally significant musicians in modern history, died 49 years ago after suffering from heart failure at the age of just 42.
While the 'Jailhouse Rock' singer had been relatively fit and energetic during the early years of his career, his health had begun to decline during the 1970s, following his divorce from Priscilla.
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After years of unhealthy eating and reliance on prescription medication, the singer's poor health was becoming more obvious to the public. Despite his health issues, Presley continued to undertake gruelling tour schedules as well as multiple Las Vegas residencies – two of which were recorded for his final ever TV performance.
Titled Elvis in Concert, the programme was filmed across two of Presley's tour dates in Nebraska and South Dakota, just two months before his death.
(CBS via Getty Images)
Elvis' final TV performance
Clips from Elvis in Concert are available on the internet, such as the below performance of 'Unchained Melody'.
In the first few moments of the clip, Presley appears unsure, stumbling over his words as he approaches a piano laden with Coca-Cola cups.
"This song's... Uh, I just recorded it," Presley mumbles to the crowd. "And I don't know...uh, is it out?"
Despite the awkwardness, as soon as Presley begins to sing as well as he could in his prime.
"His body failed him, his brain failed him - but his voice never, ever let him down. It went with him to the grave as strong and sure as it was on day one," read one comment. "Incredible."
"Elvis in such bad shape he was pouring sweat but still could sing like no other," penned a second viewer, while a third added: "He couldn’t sing a wrong note, even in his darkest days. A voice and man for the ages. We love you, Elvis."
While the final televised performance certainly showed the King at his best, for many it wasn't the global star they had grown to love.
Although he still had the voice, he was visibly overweight and struggling throughout, seen overly sweating and heard repeatedly mumbling.
At the time, it had been more than a year since the singer had released an album. Manager Colonel Tom Parker had wanted to get records made and out onto the shelves, but it tragically never happened.
Parker had arranged for a camera crew to film the show in Omaha which was for a one-time planned TV special and live album. It eventually aired on CBS two months after Elvis died.
Who was Elvis Presley?
Born Elvis Aaron Presley in 1935, Elvis was an American singer and actor. He was regarded as the 'King of Rock and Roll' and became one of the most influential music icons of the 20th century.
His sound, a blend of country, rock and rhythm and blues saw him catapulted into global stardom. He first caught the eye of Sun Records producer Sam Phillips in 1954, before he then signed with RCA Victor in 1955, releasing number one hit 'Heartbreak Hotel' the following year.
Throughout his career, he released 24 studio albums and appeared in films, making his on-screen debut in 'Love Me Tender'. Other famous works included 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Viva Las Vegas'.
Even now, he remains one of the best-selling music artists in history, having sold an estimated 500 million records worldwide and holds several records, including the most Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)-certified gold and platinum albums, as well as most number-one hits.
His relationship with Priscilla Presley was long viewed as controversial, first meeting when the musician was stationed with the US Army. In 1959, he was 24 and she was aged 14.
The pair then reunited three years later with her parent's permission, and their romantic relationship started when Priscilla was 17.
They later separated and divorced but remained friends until his death, sharing daughter Lisa Marie, who died in 2023.
On 16 August 1977, the musician had been scheduled for an evening flight from Memphis to Portland to begin another tour when his then-fiancée, Ginger Alden, discovered him unresponsive on the bathroom floor of his Graceland mansion.
Brenna Cooper