Elvis’s Final Act: A Bold Performance Despite Visible Illness

Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42, after a long period of prescription medication and alcohol abuse. His last public performance took place on June 26, 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana, just a few weeks before his untimely death. Prior to this final appearance, two of Presley’s concerts were filmed for a television special on June 19 in Omaha, Nebraska, and June 21 in Rapid City, South Dakota.

The television special, titled “Elvis in Concert,” featured footage from these performances and was broadcast six weeks after Presley’s death. Following several scheduled airings according to the contract, the Presley estate later discontinued further broadcasts due to the negative portrayal of Presley’s deteriorated physical condition, leading to the special being dubbed the “Fat Elvis” concert, a label many found unfortunate.

The last encore of the Rapid City concert, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?,” became Presley’s final recorded performance. Although he struggled with the spoken part of the song, his singing remained strong. Commenters on YouTube have pointed out that Presley often modified lyrics and song breaks in a playful manner, but here, his speech seemed unusually unclear, reflecting his declining health. Some have even suggested that he should have been hospitalized at the time.

Before performing his final song, Presley introduced it with heartfelt words, referencing his 1973 divorce from Priscilla: “This one’s called ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight?’ I am, and I was.” Despite a shaky spoken segment, which he lightheartedly brushed off with his audience, he regained his composure, and his singing was still powerful. Though visibly swollen, his vocal ability was undeniable. Earlier in the set, his introduction to “Unchained Melody” was clear and articulate, in contrast to the slurred delivery in “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”.

The performance was extraordinary. A YouTube user named Mikey commented, “That final glance as he finishes the song… it’s breathtaking. My dad took us to Graceland multiple times when I was a kid. I get it now, Dad. Such a voice. Such a spirit. The King, forever.”

The contrast between his clear delivery of “Unchained Melody” and the slurred speech in “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” suggests that severe health problems and exhaustion may have contributed to the latter’s faltering spoken parts. Despite his evident health issues, including a swollen heart, gastrointestinal troubles, high blood pressure, and chronic insomnia, Presley managed to perform 55 shows in the first half of 1977 alone.

Jerry Schilling, a close friend of Presley, wrote in his memoir about questioning Presley’s manager, Col. Tom Parker, regarding the decision to film Presley despite his obvious ill health. Parker reportedly replied that Presley was insistent on proceeding with the filming as planned. Researching this has left me deeply impressed and touched by the quality of Presley’s vocal performance in his final recorded concert. Though the King has passed, Elvis’s legacy lives on.