Did Elvis Ask James Taylor if He Could Sing Steamroller Blues 1973 Aloha From Hawaii

But he also sang so great and well-known songs such as "What Now My Love," "My Way"
and "Something" - a Beatles song - and "Welcome To My World", a song that Elvis has
newly included in his song list.
But the dramatic climax of the show was undeniably the song "An American Trilogy",
which combines the hymns of the American Civil War, "Dixie" and "The Battle Of The
Republic", together with the African-American spiritual "All My Trials" in itself. Elvis sang
this song as a man who is very well aware that he is a product of this history, which is
included in the song. This was reinforced by Elvis' patriotic American Eagle jumpsuit.
The breathtaking high note, sung by Elvis at the end sparked thunderous applause from
the audience and chasing one a shiver down the spine.

Though the focus of the show was modern ballads, so neglected "The King" but not his former rock 'n' roll hits. He sang an excellent version of "Johnny Be Good" - the signature song of lead guitarist James Burton, which presented one of his funky solos again - a bold "A Big Hunk Of Love," "Suspicious Mind", the lascivious "Fever" and the absolutely fabulous "Steamroller Blues" by James Taylor.
"I'm a steamroller, baby...'m 'bout to roll all over you….'m a napalm-bomb, guaranteed to blow
your mind…. I'm a cement mixer, a churning urn of burning funk!"

Who else but Elvis had such a mix of singers whose background Southern Gospel was, and
the soul of the late 60's with the sweets, brought together? J.D. Sumner and The Stamps,
The Sweet Inspiration and Kathy Westmoreland harmonized perfectly. The Joe Guericio
orchestra and the band rounded off Elvis' concept of the show and were the icing on the
cake, so to speak, an accompanying ensemble "fit for a King".

Elvis was a big fan of Jack Lord. A few days before the concert Col. Parker personally
come to the condominium where the Lords live and brought an invitation for the show for the Lord. On the following day called Joe Esposito the Lords to reiterate how much it would Elvis signifying if they would accept the invitation and come to the show - which they did.
Jack Lord: "Ordinarily, Marie and I live like monks during the time I'm shooting. Both of us are up by five in the morning, so we never go out late during the week. But the invitation was so gracious that Marie and I just couldn't turn it down".
The Lords sat in the specific area that was reserved for Elvis' guests and for the places he had paid for it. After the presentation of all the members of his band and singers, Elvis expressed his admiration for the star of the series "Hawaii 5-0" that he pointed him out to the thousands of spectators and presented him by the words "One of my favorite actors is in the audience, I gotta say that - Hawaii 5-0 man, Jack Lord "- to the audience. Although the Lords were very well-known personalities, they were speechless and floored by the presentation because it was almost a tribute from one artist to another. So Jack stood up and taken his bows, live for all the world – except the US to see.
After the show, the Lords went backstage in Elvis' dressing room, and met there with Elvis.
Jack Lord: "The moment we met and shook hands it was as if we had known each other all our lives". "The show okay?" asked Elvis and Jack smiled and said "you didn't see me standing up on my chair and whistling?" Elvis laughed "the spotlights pretty well blind me, after I'm out there so long".
"You know, a whistle can be the highest compliment" said Jack Lord. "It's a tradition of the theater world,
A high compliment between one actor and to another. At that moment, I wanted every person in this auditorium to stand up and cheer. I don't mean that as a flattery. It means I suddenly got a gut feeling of the kind you were going through on stage. I have never heard such dramatic music in my life. Not anywhere, not from anyone".

Elvis told the Lords that he'd love to see them before he left Hawaii and asked if they could have dinner together before his departure from Hawaii. Marie Lord smiled and said "Well, I'm sure you don't go out to restaurants" and Elvis smiled back and said "well, no, but I could come to your house".

Jack and Marie Lord

But he paid tribute to Jack Lord not only, but also thanked Marty for his artwork consists Pasetta. "I'd like to thank our producer and director, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Marty Pasetta for putting this show together. He's really done a fantastic job, him and his staff. There's been a lot of people workin' on the show".
But his thanks were also the audience for donations in the Kui Lee Cancer Fund. "As you know, we're going out live via Satellite and we're doing it for the Kui Lee Cancer Drive. We were supposed to raise five thousand dollars… eh…twenty-five thousand dollars and we raised seventy-five thousand dollars tonight – of you! So thank you, thank you very much".

Elvis, Harry Waterson – Associate Producer and Marty Pasetta backstage

Kui Lee's widow Nani with their 3 kids and Eddie Sherman also attended the Aloha show

During the evening Elvis threw his jeweled belt into the audience. And before he headed on his closing vamp, the last song, he turned one last time to his audience. "Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. You're really a fantastic audience, and there's a song we did in "Blue Hawaii", we did here about 10 years ago, and I'd like to sing it especially for you – "Can't Help Falling In Love With You". While he sang the song, Charlie Hodge put on his cape around him which signaled the end of his show for the band and the audience. Usually, he went to one knee, took the end of the cape in both hands and spread it in a grandiose gesture off as if he would embrace the audience symbolic, befitting for the world's biggest entertainers.

But for the conclusion of the show, on that evening he had a "special" for the audience. His belt had been thrown into the audience at the end of the song "American Trilogy" and now there was also the cape that he threw into the frenzied crowd, and as a result Elvis triggered in a mass hysteria among girls and women who sat in the front row. But ultimately was the lucky catcher Bruce Springs - a reporter for the Honolulu Advertiser.
Charlie Hodge recalls: Shortly before the show, Elvis came to me and said, "Tell no one, but if you're at the end of the show put on my Cape just put it into the loops - I'll throw it into the crowd."
This action came as a surprise for everyone - both for the band and for the audience - just as it was planned.

After this memorable evening was over, Elvis and the band and all the TV crew came back into the now empty hall to recording five more songs which were needed for the extended version of the Aloha Special – that on 4 April 1973 was broadcast in the United States. But ultimately only 4 songs for the American version of the Aloha Special were selected. This Session was recorded with two cameras. Each of the songs was inserted with an assembly of Hawaiian scenery. The cameras were - with Elvis on one side or in the corner with lots of black background, positioned.
Thus, the landscape images could be added later. A tricky thing at the then technical status of video production in 1973.

The following songs were rehearsed and recorded:
Blue Hawaii
Ku-u-i-po
No More
Hawaiian Wedding Song
Early Morning Rain.

Since Elvis' belt was missing, he was taken mostly from the waist up on from.

Charlie Hodge: "When we were finished, I went to my room to relax. Suddenly the phone rang. Elvis was on the line. He asked, "Charlie, where are all the others?" and I said "I think the move to celebrate."
Elvis asked "what are you doing?" and I replied "I'm sitting here, watching the sea and slowly realize what we have done, we played in front of the whole world." "Charlie?" - "Yes?" - "Is not it amazing what did two Southern boys?" He did not say "look what I've done" - no, he actually said "what we've done." And despite our years of friendship, this was one of the most personal moments for me. When he said that, I felt so close to him as never before".

It is said that Elvis was so tired and exhausted that he slept straight through 24 hours.

Elvis leaving after the show and recording session

A day after the concert, on 15 January, was released an ad at the Honolulu Advertiser, which expressed the thanks of Elvis and the Colonel.

On the same day (15.1.) appeared in the Honolulu Advertiser the following Article by Wayne Harada about the live concert with the headline:
Gold Crown Awarded to "King" Elvis!
Elvis Presley received a golden crown – and a standing ovation – at the conclusion of his unprecedented satellite live TV concert beamed to a global audience of over 1,5 billion in the wee hours of the morning yesterday. A perspiring Presley simply held the crown, as he accepted the accolades – thus "The King" vanished backstage, another night's work completed, The HIC Arena, dammed with 6000 Hawaii fans, became a supersized TV studio for the hour-long spectacle "Aloha from Hawaii", which was televised to nearly 40 nations. It was a thrilling compact hour – long on music, loud of screams. Presley performed a total of 25 songs, included a rare and poignant rendition of Kui Lee's "I'll Remember You". Like Friday night's dress rehearsal, yesterday's performance was a benefit to the Kui Lee Cancer Fund.

But unlike any other charitable production here, this one had that aura of The Big Time: a superstar doing a super performance, right before the eyes of the world. Camera crew was everywhere: on stage, in the aisles, in the audience, zooming in on Presley and his breakthrough performance, coordinated by RCA Record Tours.

"Aloha from Hawaii" is the first entertainment special telecast live to a global audience; it will be expanded into a 90-minute NBC-TV special, for viewing here and on the Mainland later this year. Perhaps only a phenomenon like Elvis Presley could pull off such a coup, at such a wicked show going time – 12.30AM curtain, Hawaii time – yet draw a full house. The concert was similar in format to his pair of November shows at the HIC (see Elvis in Hawaii 1972): it began in darkness, with the "2001: A space Odyssey" fanfare preceding Presley's entrance; it ended with Presley singing "Can't Help Falling In Love With You". Of course, there were differences. For starters, Presley hurled his flowing white studded cape – a trademark for his final number. That was a souvenir collector's dream come true.

Too, the usual assortment of scarves went sailing into the audience at certain points of the show. The special erected set, on an unusually large stage with a protruding platform , consisted of basic black scrim that was as long as it was high, reaching to the ceiling of the arena. A series of mirrors framed both sides of the stage, and special lights – silhouetting the Presley form, spell out his name not only in English but in foreign tongues, flashed on and off occasionally. Once Presley emerged, he never was off stage. Once the show was under way, it didn't stop for commercial breaks.
For the Hawaii audience his "I'll Remember You" vocal easily was the most sentimental. The Presley version retained the Hawaiian flavor, but also capitalized on the International scope of the tune; it easily could emerge as Presley's next No.1 hit. His "American Trilogy" medley – fusing "Dixie", "Battle Hymn of Republic" and "All My Trials" – was another emotional instance, sending several hundred fans to their feet. But apparently the necessity to move on the show – when such TV airing time is so precious – forced Presley to cut short the audience response.
The concert was smartly paced and packaged to suit all camps in the Presley following. There were the old hits – "Love Me, Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Johnny B. Good, Long Tall Sally". There were the recent clicks "Suspicious Mind, Something, Fever" – the latter with the classic Presley shuffles, from the hips downwards. And there were the special Presley renderings – of "Welcome To My World, It's Over, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry". Only one did he pluck his guitar. After all, he had all the musical backing he needed: a six piece combo that travels with him, J.D. Sumner and The Stamps plus The Sweet Inspirations doing the background vocals, and a gigantic orchestra of about 40 pieces, including a splendidly nimble string section consisting of some of our symphony musicians. Presley kept his talk to a minimum. He quipped about "Hound Dog": I was just a baby when I did that song. With sideburns. I'm lying like a roark". He introduced Jack Lord as one of his actor favorites. A he reported that his original goal of $25,000 for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund had been exceeded, with more than $75,000 raised prior to show time.
Presley's Aloha from Hawaii has been demonstrated before, when he helped raise funds for the building of the USS Arizona Memorial a decade ago. Yesterday's show reaffirms Presley's and manager Col. Tom Parker's philanthropic fondness for Hawaii. Like the enduring nature of Kui Lee's music, the incandescence of Presley is incomparable. Perhaps Presley had a hidden meaning regarding the late Kui Lee, when he sang the composer's closing lines in "I'll Remember You" as follows:"..... love me always, promise always, you'll remember, too".

Some more facts about Aloha from Hawaii:

The idea for the show had Col. Tom Parker, who was inspired by the transmission of Nixon's speech at the Great Wall of China via satellite from it.
Loanne Parker: "It was history, it started when the Colonel was drivin' from Palm Springs to Los Angeles, and I believe George Parkhill was driving. But he was at home with Marie, he would go every weekend. They were driving back to L.A. and on the radio they were talking about Richard Nixon doing a satellite broadcast from the Great Wall of China. This was the first satellite broadcast, the Colonel said that's history! Elvis is a worldwide star, he should be the first entertainer to do a world-wide satellite show. That's where the idea was born".

Contractof the "Aloha from Hawaii" - page 1

Page 2

Page 2 a

Page 3

The American Eagle Suit cost at the time about $ 65,000 and would cost four times more of that at the present time. Of all the jumpsuits the American Eagle was the heaviest: 75lbs

Often it's reported that Jack Lord and Elvis meet for the first time after his Aloha from Hawaii.concert, what is not true.
Elvis became friends with Jack Lord as he vacationing in Hawaii in May 1972 and Lord presented him with a belt, the so-called "Jack Lord Belt" which Elvis wore with his "Thunderbird" Suit in his concerts on November 17, 1972.

the "Jack Lord"-Belt

Nov.72, Thunderbird (aka White Phoenix) with Jack Lord belt.

American Eagle Suit:
Fact is: There have been two, almost identical suits. Both were worn by Elvis during the shows.In January 1973, Elvis arrived on Hawaii for his upcoming television special "Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite". Elvis was welcomed by long time friend and fellow actor Jack Lord who gave him a belt during the summer of the previous year. Elvis hadn't forgotten this and promptly gave Jack a belt and cape in return. Not just a belt and cape but his new custom-made jumpsuit for his upcoming special; the "Aloha or Bald Headed Eagle". The people surrounding Elvis were gasping for air and Joe Esposito immediately phoned to the main land to obtain a new cape and belt. Around the clock working paid off and just before the rehearsal show, both items were replaced.

There were also made 3 belts. The second belt was identical to the first belt that Elvis never wore on stage, because he gave it to Jack Lord and his wife. The third belt has some minor differences and was always worn by Elvis when - after this event - he put on the Aloha Eagle Suit (73 in Vegas and later on tour in 1974).

Pic vom 12.3.74 in Las VegAS ZUFÜGEN

In 1973, "Aloha from Hawaii" was the most expensive production and cost about 2.5 million dollars.

Colonel Parker Elvis promised that they would go on a world tour to this historic show. The Aloha Show was supposedly made for this reason - to show Elvis to the world before he would go on the world tour. But unfortunately (for Elvis and us fans) the tour never materialized.

Another moot point (by fans and Elvis-"Experts" is the number of viewers of the Aloha Special.

In the interview of 5.9.1972 is seen behind Elvis the straw hats with all the names of the countries in which the show is transferred or to be seen.

1.row: Japan, Danmark, Italy, Mexico, Israel
2. row: USTV, Sweden, England, Norway, Brazil
3. row: France, Finland, Argentina, Australia and (head v. Laginestra covers a land)
4. row: South Vietnam, Korea, Spain (shoulder v. Laginestra covers a land)
5. row: New Zealand, Switzerland, Iran, Guam And. .. (v. Laginestra arm covers a land)
Belgium, Indonesia, and Singapore ??

Other countries, which, though not live, but could see the show at a later date, are:
Germany, England, USA, Australia, Canada, Holland.
Parts of Communist China could also see the show as it was broadcast in Hong Kong. Therefore, there is the possibility that at least could receive the show in Macau and close to the border cities in China. The same goes for other communist countries around Germany and also Finland - in the border areas of the former USSR.

Aloha from Hawaii-Announcement in Australia

Other sources say "Aloha from Hawaii" was broadcast in the following countries: Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Philippines, South Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, United States and 28 other countries in Europe. In total, there were 38 countries and Hong Kong, the British Protectorate.
An article in the Honolulu Advertiser reported that Rocco Laginestra mentioned 34 nations.
As you can see, the word "world" is interpreted differently.

Sent the show:

Japan and Hawaii - saw the concert live
Denmark - 20 January 73 (was the first European country to broadcast the show)
Sweden - 20 January 73, 21:00 pm
Belgium - 21 January 73, at 20.45 pm and 1 x 1 x at 22.10 pm (58-minute version)
France - 25 January 73
Switzerland - 8 March 73
Germany - 12 March 73 (60-minute version)
USA - 4. April., 73 - (90-minute version)
Canada - 4 April 73 (90-minute version)
Holland - 27 April 73
Australia - ? April and ? June 73
England - 5 March 1978 - the first Time

Article on the Special:

Marty Pasetta with his gigt from Elvis - one of his belts

The audience of the show are (population of the country):
37,8% Japan live
81,8% Philippines live
70% Hongkong live
??? Hawaii live
51% USA
For Canada and European countries there is no clear specification of the audience numbers. Imagine a published index of about 1 1/2 billion viewers is quite. Whether it is realistic or conceivable, however - who knows.
This report and therefore the "Elvis in Hawaii" series I close with an article of Billboard magazine from1973, which is little to add.
Although he is perhaps one of the world's greatest music legends, Presley proceeds to stay an audience with more guts and more soul and more intensity vocally than any performer alive. His shows are not only a production, but a musical "happening". And this live recording (Aloha from Hawaii), which offers eight tunes previously unrecorded by Elvis, is not only a historical event because of the satellite broadcost and the US-TV special of the Hawaiian performance, but because Elvis, a focus point in the orgin of rock, is perhaps back, cooking again like he seldom has in the past several years.

Elvis-statue at the Honolulu Internatiol Center, now named Blaisdell Arena

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Source: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/elvismomentsintime/elvis-in-hawaii-1973-aloha-from-hawaii-t5034.html

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