Previously Unseen Footage Of One Of Elvis Presley's Final Performances

Mar 17, 2021

Elvis Presley is undoubtedly one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century and continues to hold a strong presence as a cultural icon even today. Many of his exemplary romantic songs grace events such as weddings and proposals as the depth and meaning of his music transcends the time they were written. 

At the height of his fame, Elvis Presley's name was a household name around the world and his music listened to across continents. Unfortunately, while his incredible music lives on today, he died much too young and suddenly. His death was met with great shock and sadness, especially as the details of his tragically drug-addled life became clearer after his passing. 

Before his untimely death, he was still able to give a few performances despite being overweight and having breathing problems. In 1977, during one of the last live performances he ever gave, Presley sang a new song, which, as he told the rapt audience, was called "Unchained Melody." He also said that his version of the song would debut on his next album. Though Elvis was in poor health, he still managed to crack a few jokes between songs.

In the video of this '77 performance, posted below, you can hear titters of laughter coming from the audience when Presley gently ribs Charlie Hodge, his guitarist, as he struggles to hold Presley's scarf and microphone. Despite the obvious difficulty he has with his health, Elvis' voice retains all of its glory, and fans can hear that his inherent talent was not compromised even in his last days. 

The veil of glamor that celebrities seem to wear as a badge of their fame and reputation most often holds unseen struggles and painful challenges that are not seen by the public. Today, social media, as well as better knowledge about mental health, allows more celebrities to be vulnerable about their hardships and burdens. More people are thankfully dealing with difficulties such as addiction and mental health issues, but decades ago, this was not the norm.

While Presley lived a glamorous life by all standards in the 60s and 70s, but his haphazard and hectic life behind the scenes was slowly but surely putting immense pressure on his internal organs. By 1977, decades of prescription drug abuse and unhealthy habits had wreaked havoc on his body. He had an enlarged intestine, high blood pressure, an enlarged heart, and painful digestive issues, reports PBS News. His health concerns had done little to diminish his popularity, however, and unable to refuse the cash, Presley embarked upon a crowd-pleasing tour that year. It would be his last ever live performance.  

According to Smooth Radio, despite Presley's poor health, his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, decided to film the concert for a TV broadcast. Unfortunately, the special wouldn't air until two months after Presley's death. By then, the signs of his poor health, his shortness of breath, his lethargic movements, would seem like sad omens of his eventual fate. As seen in the video below, Presley was but a shadow of his former self while on stage. His breathing troubles are quite clearly seen, as is his significant weight gain. 

As he talks before he begins his singing, the viewers are made aware that Presley is struggling to speak without losing his breath. However, his wry wit and jokes are intact and the audience can be heard enjoying his words though he stumbles and stutters through his speech. As Charlie Hodge holds the microphone to his lips, Elvis croons into it like it's the last song he'll ever sing. The very first note that leaves his mouth is powerful — his velvety voice with the deep baritone comes through flawlessly. The notes come through beautifully, reminding everyone that despite his failing body, Presley the legendary singer never left it. 

Though Elvis couldn't have known how close he was to the end of his life, this performance is a fitting final note to his legendary career. After this performance, Elvis had five more stops left on his tour. He gave his final performance on June 26, 1977. In Indianapolis's Market Square Arena, the king of rock sang his final song: "Can't Help Falling in Love." FarOut Magazine reports that the last words he said after a live performance were, "We’ll meet you again, God bless, adios” as he left the stage. 

Less than six weeks later, on August 16, 1977, Presley passed away due to a cardiac arrest at his home in Graceland. While his official death report stated that his heart disease was the main cause of death and that his pills did not play a part, it was only later that two pathologists spoke out about covering up the real cause of his death. Unfortunately, Presley's dependence on drugs had become fatal. 

PBS News addressed this with the question, "how would it look if the rock star who President Richard Nixon awarded a special badge from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs had died of a drug overdose?"

Elvis was already dependent on amphetamines and barbiturates to get him through his rigorous schedule as a rock and roll star in his early days of fame. The amphetamines helped him to stay awake, while the barbituates helped him relax. According to LiveAbout, Elvis became dependent on different types of prescription drugs as the years went by, and his manager at the time, Colonel Tom Parker, had a large hand in pushing these drugs as well. But in 1976, Elvis Presley reportedly had a doctor who would prescribe him any pills that he wanted as reported by People in a story from 1980. The doctor, Dr. Nichopoulos, prescribed him over 12,000 pills over the last 20 months of his life according to the story. 

“I have never seen a human being in my life abuse drugs like Elvis,” Presley’s stepbrother David Stanley recalled to People. “I am not talking about street drugs—I am talking about prescribed drugs. Some of the doctors were out for the almighty buck.”

It is unfortunate that Presley had to endure so much before he died. However, his talent remained his greatest asset even until his last days, and these final performances showcase his talent, passion, and charisma. When you watch the video of "Unchained Melody," it's hard to deny his raw, emotional power.

Do you have a favorite Elvis song? Do any of Elvis Presley's songs have a special meaning for you? Tell us all about your experiences with the King of Rock and Roll's music, and make sure to share his hauntingly beautiful performance with the Elvis fans in your life.