Elvis Presley Sells Out Madison Square Garden
Source: EPE
June 18, 2017
Elvis' Madison Square Garden shows were the first time Elvis performed in front of a live audience in New York since his TV appearances on the Dorsey Brothers, Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan shows in 1956 and 1957. Elvis performed before an audience of 20,000 fans at each of the four shows that took place June 9-11, 1972 (that's a total of 80,000 fans for the entire weekend). Initially, only three shows were booked, but those sold out instantly, so the fourth show on June 11 was added.
Elvis held a press conference on June 9 at the New York Hilton, where he candidly answered questions from reporters. Here are a few of those questions and answers:
Reporter: You used to be criticized so much for our long hair and gyrations, and you seem so modest now.
Elvis: Man, I was tame compared to what they do now, are you kidding…I didn't do anything but just jiggle.
Reporter: Elvis, are you satisfied with the image you've established?
Elvis: Well the image is one thing; a human being is another.
Reporter: How close does it come? How close does the image come to the man you really are?
Elvis: It's very hard to live up to an image. I'll put it that way.
Reporter: Why do you think you've outlasted every other entertainer from the fifties, and for that matter, the sixties as well?
Elvis: I take Vitamin E. (laughs) I was only kidding. I don't know. I just…embarrass myself. I don't know dear, I just enjoy the business. I like what I'm doing.
Elvis' setlist for all four shows included his early hits, fan-favorite songs from his movies and newer hit songs. 'American Trilogy', 'Can't Help Falling in Love', 'That's All Right', 'Suspicious Minds', 'Heartbreak Hotel' and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' were all included at each of the shows. David Bowie, Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Art Garfunkel were spotted at the shows.
Elvis received rave reviews in three features in the New York Times.
'He looked like a prince from another planet, narrow-eyed, with high Indian cheek bones and a smooth brown skin untouched by his 37 years', Chris Chase wrote in the Times. 'When Elvis started to work with the mike, his right hand flailing air, his left leg moving as though it had a life of its own, time stopped, and everyone in the place was 17 again… Elvis used the stage, he worked to the people. The ones in front, in the best seats, the ones in back, and up in the peanut galleries. He turned, he moved, and when a girl threw a handkerchief on the stage, he wiped his forehead with it and threw it back, a gift of sweat from an earthy god'.
Nine days after the last Madison Square Garden show, RCA released a live album from one of the shows, called 'Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden'.
June 9, 1972: Madison Square Garden opening
June 10, 1972 : Afternoon Show : 2:30pm
June 10, 1972 : Evening Show : 8:30pm
June 11, 1972 : 2:30pm
Interview with Elvis Presley : The 1972 Madison Square Garden Press Conference : June 9, 1972
Elvis Fan, Don Lance, tells how he managed to film Elvis at Madison Square Garden
'Start Spreading The News': Elvis At Madison Square Garden Book and CD
Follow That Dream (FTD) will release 'Start Spreading The News': Elvis At Madison Square Garden Book and CD on June 28. The Ultimate book about Elvis' appearances in the Big Apple, June 1972. Contains CD of the concert on June 9.
FTD 217 (506020-975113), BAR CODE: 506020 975113 9
Elvis: 'Madison Square Garden' Hardcover Book from FTD (00:58)
Here is a promo video for the upcoming FTD book release, Elvis: 'Madison Square Garden'.
Latest Audio (and video) updates : Video courtesy of Elvis Presley Video Central.
Elvis: 'Start Spreading The News': Elvis At Madison Square Garden Book and CD from FTD.
Elvis At Madison Square Garden
NY City June 9 1972
1) Also Sprach Zarathustra 0:47
2) That's All Right 2:15
3) Proud Mary 2:39
4) Never Been To Spain 3:43
5) Until It's Time For You To Go 2:36
6) You Don't Have To Say You Love Me 2:02
7) You've Lost That Loving Feeling 4:16
8) Polk Salad Annie 3:05
9) Love Me1:37
10) All Shook Up 1:08
11) Heartbreak Hotel 1:42
12) Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel 1:56
13) Love Me Tender 1:46
14) Blue Suede Shoes 1:29
15) Hound Dog 2:05
16) Bridge Over Troubled Water 4:10
17) Suspicious Minds 4:50
18) Introductions by Elvis 1:19
19) For The Good Times 3:08
20) American Trilogy 4:45
21) Funny How Times Slips Away2:49
22) Can't Help Falling In Love 1:40
23) Closing Vamp 1:23
An audience recording.
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Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
