Biography

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1970 - 1977

December 2-12, 1976
Elvis plays the Hilton in Vegas for what will turn out to be the last time.

Evangelist Rex Humbard and his wife visit Elvis’s show and meet with him backstage on December 12, 1976. Humbard will be asked to speak at Elvis’s funeral the next year.

December 27-31, 1976
Elvis tours in concert, ending with a special New Year’s Eve concert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

February 12-21, 1977
Elvis tours in concert.

March 3-13, 1977
Elvis and his friends enjoy a vacation in Hawaii.

March 23-30, 1977
Elvis tours in concert.

April 1-5, 1977
Elvis is hospitalized in Memphis and tour shows scheduled for March 31-April 3 are canceled.

April 21- May 31/June 1-2, 1977
Elvis tours in concert.

June 1977
The single “Way Down” is released and will peak at #18.

June 17-26, 1977
Elvis tours in concert. Shows on June 19, 20, and 21 are recorded by RCA for an upcoming live album and are videotaped for an upcoming CBS-TV television special. (Footage from the show on the 20th is not used in the special.) The special will be called Elvis in Concert. It will first air on October 3 after Elvis’ death in August. The camera gives a shocking picture of Elvis’ poor health in his final days, but his voice is strong.

June 26, 1977
A concert at Indianapolis, Indiana’s Market Square Arena. This will turn out to be his very last concert performance.

June 27- August 15, 1977
Elvis relaxes in Memphis and prepares for the next leg of touring for 1977.

July 1977
The album “Moody Blue” will be released and after his death it will hit #3 selling more than two million copies.

August 16, 1977
Shortly after midnight Elvis returns to Graceland from a late-night visit to the dentist. Through the early morning of the 16th he takes care of last minute tour details and relaxes with family and staff. He is to fly to Portland, Maine that night and do a show there on the 17th, then continue the scheduled tour. He retires to his master suite at Graceland around 7:00 AM to rest for his evening flight. By late morning, Elvis Presley is dead of heart failure. It is announced by mid-afternoon. In a matter of hours the shock registers around the world.

August 18, 1977
Funeral

October 2, 1977
Gladys' and Elvis' bodies are moved to Graceland

October 3, 1977
CBS special “Elvis In Concert” airs. The album is also released and peaks at #5 quickly selling 1.5 million copies.

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