August 1 1969 - International Hotel Conference
Room, Las Vegas, Nevada (Press Conference)
(Elvis enters the Conference Room)
Media : Why have you waited so long to perform
live again? Did you return to live performing
because of the phenomenal successes of Welsh singer
Tom Jones and British crooner Engelbert Humperdinck?
Elvis : I think they are great ... but my decision
to return was made in 1965, and it was hard to
wait ... I don't think I could have waited any
longer. We had to finish up the movie commitments
we had before I could start on this. I missed
the live contact with an audience. It was getting
harder and harder to sing to a camera all day
Media : Can you remember first coming to Vegas?
Elvis : Sure, I was 19 years old, nobody knew
me ... "Where you from ... boy?" they
would ask
Media : How do you like being a father?
Elvis : I like it
Media : Are you and Priscilla planning on adding
to your family?
Elvis : You'll be the first to know (Laughter)
Media : What things do you do when you are at
home at Graceland?
Elvis : I ride horse back, swim and talk with
the tourists hanging out at the gates
Media : How does your wife feel about you being
a sex symbol again?
Elvis : I don't know... you would have to ask
her
Media : Do your wife and daughter accompany you?
Elvis : Priscilla is here, but my daughter is
in L.A. with her nanny. She could not make it
Media : How do you manage to stay so young?
Elvis : I don't know, one of these days I'll
probably fall apart. I feel, I've just been lucky
Media : Are you tired of your present type of
movie, have you grown tired of the movie plots?
Elvis : Yes, I want to change the type of script
I've been doing
Media : What kind of scripts do you like?
Elvis : Something with Meaning. I'm going after
more serious material. I couldn't dig always playing
the guy who'd get into a fight, beat the guy up,
and in the next shot sing to him
Media : Do you think it was a mistake to do so
many Movie Sound-Track Albums?
Elvis : I think so. When you do ten songs in
a movie, they can't all be good songs. Anyway
, I got tired of singing to turtles
Media : When you met the Beatles, no press was
allowed, why was that?
Elvis : I think because we could relax more that
way and we could talk candidly
Media : Do you like to wear leather jackets,
like the one you wore in your TV Special?
Elvis : No, I hate wearing them, because they
are too hot when your working
Media : Where did you get the design for your
stage out-fits?
Elvis : I got the idea from a karate g.i. I once
had
Media : What do you think of the Hollywood scene?
Elvis : I just don't go for it, I have nothing
against it, but I just don't enjoy it
Media : How long did you rehearse for these shows?
Elvis : I practised for nearly three months.
Today I went through three complete dress rehearsals.
This was the fourth time I did that show today
...I'm really beat
Media : How did you choose the songs for the
show?
Elvis : I just sang my favorite songs
Media : Do you want to do more live shows?
Elvis : I want to, I would like to play all over
the world. I chose Las Vegas to play first because
it is a place people come to from all over
Media : Are you trying to change your image with
songs like 'In the Ghetto'?
Elvis : No, 'Ghetto'was such a great song, I
just couldn't pass it up after I heard it. There
are a lot of new records out now that have the
same sound I started, But they're better. I mean,
you can't compare a song like 'Yesterday' with
'Hound Dog', can you?
Media : Why have you led such a secluded life
all these years?
Elvis : It's not secluded honey, I'm just sneaky
(Laughter)
Media : Is it true you dye your hair?
Elvis : Sure, I have always done it for the movies
Media : Did you enjoy performing live again?
Elvis : Yes, This has been one of the most exciting
nights of my life
Media : Did you feel nervous during the show?
Elvis : For the first three songs or so, I didn't
feel relaxed until after 'Love me Tender'before
I loosened up, Then I thought, what the heck....
get with it man, you might be out of a job tomorrow
Media : Do you have a share in the International
Hotel?
Elvis : No, I have not
Media : Why did you choose a negro backup group?
Elvis : They help get a feeling and get to my
soul
Media : Have you ever seen England's top singer,
Cliff Richard?
Elvis : Yes, I met him in Germany a long time
ago
Media : Mr. Presley, I've been sent here by "Lord
Sutch Enterprises" to offer you one million
pounds sterling to make two apperances at the
Wembley Empire Stadium in England. This price
will include a documentary that will be filmed
during and after the shows. It will only take
24 hours
Elvis : (Pointing to Col. Parker) You'll have
to ask him about that
Col. Parker : Just put down the desposit
Media : Elvis, how much do you get paid for these
performances?
Col. Parker : We are pleased with the deal. I
am glad he is here
Media : Is it true you get paid in International-stocks?
Col. Parker : Certainly not... The only thing
we get for free are the crickets in the rooms
Media : Do you still own about 10 cars?
Elvis : I have never owned that many, only four
or five at most
Media : Elvis is there any other individual you
would rather be?
Elvis : Are you Kidding! (Laughter)
(Source : 'For Elvis CD Collectors' web site
- "Pep's Reviews")