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January/February 1970
Some say it is a mistake to go back to Vegas so soon, especially
during the slowest season for the city. Can he fill the seats?
But, Elvis returns to the International Hotel for another
month-long engagement. This time he breaks his own attendance
records. Another live album is recorded,
On Stage, February
1970.
February/March 1970
A
press conference in Houston on the 27th. Elvis performs
afternoon and evening shows at the Houston Astrodome. Two more
shows follow on the 28th. Two more follow on March 1.
A
closing press conference and banquet follow, and Elvis is
presented an armload of recent gold record awards. The six shows
attract 207,494 people and set records. There is speculation
among the press and the public that Elvis might tour in concert
for the first time since the fifties.
June 1970
Elvis has recording sessions in Nashville.
July/September 1970
Back to Las Vegas for rehearsals for another month-long
engagement at the International. He opens on August 10 and
closes on September 7.
MGM is on hand to shoot a documentary film called Elvis -That’s
the Way It Is that will show Elvis off stage, in rehearsals, in
the recording studio, and on stage. RCA will also release an
album with the same title.
September 1970
From the 9th through the 14th Elvis takes his show on a
nine-city tour. It is a smashing success, the first tour since
1957, only these days the show is much more elaborated. MGM
films portions of the first show on this tour for use in Elvis -
That’s the Way It Is.
Elvis has a recording session in Nashville.
November 1970
Elvis, That’s the Way It Is, Elvis thirty-second film, opens in
theatres to good reviews and good box office.
Documentaries traditionally do not do well at the box office,
but this one makes a respectable showing. It, like other Elvis
movies will go on to have a life on television and home video in
years to come.
An album of the same title is released, but only one song,
I
Just Can't Help Believin', is actually from a stage performance
included in the film. The other songs are studio recordings,
some of which Elvis performs live on stage or in rehearsal
footage in the film.
Elvis does a successful eight-city concert tour.
December 1970
Elvis’ famous visit with President Richard Nixon at the White
House occurs.
January 16, 1971
Elvis attends a day of functions culminating in an evening
awards banquet. He and nine others accept the honour of being
named One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation by the
United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (The Jaycees).
He is nervous about his acceptance speech. He is touched,
excited and deeply proud. This national honour has been given
each year since the late 1930’s and recognizes young men who
have made great achievements in their field of endeavour,
illustrating the opportunities available in the free enterprise
system. It also applauds humanitarianism and community service.
Scientists, inventors, performers, film makers, politicians
bound for the Presidency, and men of greatness in all fields,
have been selected for this award over the years.
For Elvis, a man who grew up poor, and, in his early career knew
the sting of ridicule from the Establishment, who, through the
years has known criticism of his work, this is one of his
proudest moments. It is a sign that he has achieved acceptance,
recognition, and respect for his work and for the kind of person
he is.
Late January/February 1971
Elvis plays another month-long engagement at the International
Hotel in Las Vegas.
March 1971
Elvis begins a recording session in Nashville, but cancels it
due to pain and inflammation in an eye. He is treated at a
Nashville hospital where he is diagnosed with secondary
glaucoma. This eye condition will plague him from time to time
in varying degrees for the rest of his life.
May 1971
Elvis is featured on the cover of Look Magazine, which carries
an instalment of the forthcoming biography on Elvis by Jerry
Hopkins. Many books and articles have been written over the
years, but this is the first in-depth, serious biography. The
book Elvis : A Biography will be released in October.
Elvis has recording sessions in Nashville. Much of the work is
for his forthcoming album
Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of
Christmas.
June 1971
The two-room house Elvis was born in opens to the
public for tours, having been restored by the East Heights
Garden Club in Tupelo. Elvis has more recording sessions in
Nashville, this time mostly for an upcoming gospel album,
He
Touched Me.
A long stretch of Highway 51 South, part of which
runs in front of Graceland, is officially renamed Elvis Presley
Boulevard. The first of the new street signs will go up in
January of 1972.
Various albums and singles continue to be
released to various degrees of success during this period.
July/August 1971
Elvis plays a two-week engagement at the Sahara
Hotel in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
August 9 - September 6, 1971
Elvis plays an engagement in Las Vegas at the
International Hotel, which has been renamed the Las Vegas Hilton
International Hotel. He sets another attendance record and tops
himself once again.
During the engagement an award is presented to
Elvis in his dressing room. It is the Bing Crosby Award from the
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the
organization that also presents Grammy awards).
This award is a special means of recognition from
NARAS and is named for its first recipient. The award is not
given every year as a rule. It will later be re-named the
Lifetime Achievement Award. Elvis is 36 years old.
November 5-16, 1971
Elvis goes on a 12-city concert tour.
Late 1971, Early 1972
Elvis and Priscilla separate. She moves out on
her own with Lisa Marie. |
