Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special

Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special is a 1968 United States television special starring Elvis Presley. It was directed by Steve Binder and produced by Binder plus Bones Howe and Phil Spector. Sponsored by the Singer Sewing Machine Company, it aired on December 3, 1968 with the title Elvis on the NBC television network.

Related Topics:
1968 - United States - Television special - Elvis Presley - Steve Binder - Bones Howe - Phil Spector - Singer Sewing Machine Company - December 3 - 1968 - NBC

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An enormous success, the show was the highest-rated television special of the year.

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Backing Presley up on vocals was The Blossoms : (Fanita James, Jean King, Darlene Love). The musicians were:

Related Topics:
The Blossoms - Fanita James - Jean King - Darlene Love

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• D.J. Fontana: drums
• Alan Fortas: guitar, minor vocals
• Charlie Hodge: guitar
• Lance LeGault: tambourine
• Scotty Moore: guitar

As part of the program, four one hour shows - 2 sit down with band mates and 2 stand up singing to a re-recorded track - were taped at the NBC studios. These sessions are known as the Burbank Sessions.

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Filmed in the round before a live audience, only a small portion of this was included in the televised special. Presley and the others sat on chairs, playing and singing while interjecting personal stories of his music and early performances. Referring to his religious upbringing, in this segment Presley says that : "Rock and Roll is basically gospel (music), or Rhythm & Blues (is too). It sprang from that, people have been adding to it."

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In 1984, one of the sit down sessions was released uncut and unedited session was released by Media Home Entertainment, Inc. in its entirety on a 53 minute video as Elvis--One Night With You while RCA Video Productions made a 42 minute version for television.

Related Topics:
Elvis--One Night With You - RCA Video Productions

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all four burbank sessions are included in the deluxe DVD release, as well as outtakes and promotional materials

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