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Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special to get 50th anniversary box set release in November

Elvis Presley’s ’68 NBC TV Comeback Special will be celebrated with a definitive 50th anniversary box set release on 30th November.

The box set will include deluxe 5CD and 2-Blu-ray disc set in one package for the first time. Released by RCA/Legacy Recordings, the set arrives two days before the anniversary of the world premiere broadcast of the original special.

Elvis Presley ā€“ ’68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition) is the definitive chronicle of one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll performances ever televised. It’s a chance for fans to see Elvis at the peak of his powers.

For the first time ever, all previously-released audio and newly-restored video from the taping of the special will be available in one package, which includes unused performances and studio outtakes.

The package contains an entire disc showcasing the legendary sessions for the special recorded with Elvis and the Wrecking Crew. The box set also includes an 80-page book featuring rare photographs and ephemera and a new oral history on the special, crafted from interviews conducted for Thom Zimny’s 2018 documentary, Elvis Presley: The Searcher.

The box set is available for pre-order now.

Fans who pre-order it from Shop Graceland will receive an exclusive gift; a ā€™68 Comeback Special 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Coin (while supplies last).

Also being released on 30th November is a 2LP vinyl presentation of The King In The Ring. It was originally released as a limited edition run earlier this year for Record Store Day.

“I never saw Elvis perform,” said Priscilla Presley. “I only I only saw him for the first time in the ’68 Special. And I could not believe what I saw. It was like, oh my gosh, I get it. I get it. To actually see him on stage, walk out there, and own that stage. I’d never seen anyone control an audience like that in my life, with his magnetism, his energy, his look. It was like he rehearsed that show all his life.”

The details of the various releases are below:

Elvis Presley ā€“ ā€™68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition)

CD1: ELVIS (NBC-TV Special) original album and outtakes

CD2: First “sit-down” and “stand-up” shows ā€“ June 27 and 29, 1968

CD3: Second “sit-down” and “stand-up” shows ā€“ June 27 and 29, 1968

CD4: First and second rehearsals in Elvis’ dressing room ā€“ June 24 and 25, 1968

CD5: The Wrecking Crew Sessions: studio outtakes from the special ā€“ June 20-23, 1968

BD1-2: Original and extended cuts of television special, complete “sit-down” and “stand-up” shows and outtakes

 

Elvis Presley – ’68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition)

CD 1

The Original Album

1. Trouble / Guitar Man (Opening)
2. Medley: Lawdy, Miss Clawdy / Baby, What You Want Me To Do / Dialogue; Medley: Heartbreak Hotel / Hound Dog / All Shook Up / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Jailhouse Rock / Dialogue; Love Me Tender
3. Medley: Dialogue; Where Could I Go But To The Lord / Up Above My Head / Saved
4. Medley: Dialogue; Blue Christmas (5:34) / Dialogue; One Night
5. Memories
6. Medley: Nothingville / Dialogue; Big Boss Man / Guitar Man / Little Egypt / Trouble / Guitar Man
7. If I Can Dream

Bonus Cuts

8. It Hurts Me (splice/edit of part 1 ā€“ take 7, part 2 ā€“ take 7 & part 1 ā€“ take 6)
9. Let Yourself Go (splice/edit of part 1 ā€“ take 1 & part 2 ā€“ take 2)
10. Memories
11. If I Can Dream

CD 2

First “Sit Down” show

1. That’s All Right
2. Heartbreak Hotel
3. Love Me
4. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
5. Blue Suede Shoes
6. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
7. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
8. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
9. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
10. Blue Christmas
11. Trying To Get To You
12. One Night
13. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
14. One Night
15. Memories

First “Stand Up” show

16. Heartbreak Hotel
17. Hound Dog
18. All Shook Up
19. Can’t Help Falling In Love
20. Jailhouse Rock
21. Don’t Be Cruel
22. Blue Suede Shoes
23. Love Me Tender
24. Trouble
25. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
26. If I Can Dream

CD 3

Second “Sit Down” show

1. Heartbreak Hotel
2. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
3. Introductions
4. That’s All Right
5. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
6. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
7. Blue Suede Shoes
8. One Night
9. Love Me
10. Trying To Get To You
11. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
12. Santa Claus Is Back In Town
13. Blue Christmas
14. Tiger Man
15. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
16. Memories

Second “Stand Up” show

17. Heartbreak Hotel
18. Hound Dog
19. All Shook Up
20. Can’t Help Falling In Love
21. Jailhouse Rock
22. Don’t Be Cruel
23. Blue Suede Shoes
24. Love Me Tender
25. Trouble/Guitar Man
26. Trouble/Guitar Man
27. If I Can Dream

CD 4

First rehearsal

1. I Got A Woman
2. Blue Moon / Young Love / Oh, Happy Day
3. When It Rains It Really Pours
4. Blue Christmas
5. Are You Lonesome Tonight? / That’s My Desire
6. That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
7. Peter Gunn Theme
8. Love Me
9. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
10. Blue Christmas / Santa Claus Is Back In Town

Second rehearsal

11. Danny Boy
12. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
13. Love Me
14. Tiger Man
15. Santa Claus Is Back In Town
16. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
17. One Night
18. Blue Christmas
19. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
20. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
21. Blue Moon Of Kentucky

CD 5

The Wrecking Crew Sessions

1. Nothingville (Guitar Man’s Evil #1) – takes 5 & 6
2. Guitar Man (Guitar Man’s Evil #1) – take 2
3. Let Yourself Go, part 1 (Guitar Man’s Evil #2) – take 5 & 7/M
4. Let Yourself Go, part 2 (Guitar Man’s Evil #3) – take 7/M
5. Guitar Man (Escape #1, fast) – takes 1, 2 & 5
6. Big Boss Man (Escape #3) – take 2
7. It Hurts Me, part 1 (Escape #4) – take 5
8. It Hurts Me, part 2 (After Karate #1) – take 3
9. Guitar Man (After Karate #2) – take 1
10. Little Egypt (After Karate #2) – take 6
11. Trouble / Guitar Man (After Karate #3) – take 2
12. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child / Where Could I Go But To The Lord (Gospel #1) – rehearsal & take 1 (5:23)
13. Up Above My Head / Saved (Gospel #2) – takes 4 & 7
14. Saved (Gospel #3) – takes 2 & 4
15. Trouble / Guitar Man (Opening) – takes 6 & 7
16. If I Can Dream – take 1
17. If I Can Dream – takes 2, 3 & 4
18. Memories – takes 3 & 4/vocal overdub #1
19. Let Yourself Go (closing instrumental)

Blu-ray Disc 1:

  • Elvis NBC TV Special originally broadcast on December 3, 1968
  • Black Leather Sit-Down Show #1 – June 27, 1968
  • Black Leather Sit-Down Show #2 – June 27, 1968
  • Black Leather Stand-Up Show #1 – June 29, 1968
  • Black Leather Stand-Up Show #2 – June 29, 1968

Blu-ray Disc 2:

  • Trouble/Guitar Man TV Show Opener – June 30, 1968 – All Takes and Raw Components
  • If I Can Dream TV Show Closer – June 30, 1968 – All Takes
  • Huh-Huh-Huh Promo – June 30, 1968
  • Elvis Closing Credits Without Credit Roll – June 30, 1968
  • If I Can Dream Special Music Video 2004 – June 30, 1968
  • Gospel Production Number – All Takes and Raw Components
  • Guitar Man Production Number – All Takes and Raw Components
  • Blu-ray Special Feature Re-Cut

Elvis Presley – The King in the Ring 2LP

Disc 1, Side A

1. Thatā€™s All Right
2. Heartbreak Hotel
3. Love Me
4. Baby What You Want Me To Do
5. Blue Suede Shoes
6. Baby What You Want Me To Do
7. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy

Disc 1, Side B

1. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
2. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
3. Blue Christmas
4. Trying To Get To You
5. One Night
6. Baby What You Want Me To Do
7. One Night
8. Memories

Disc 2, Side C

1. Heartbreak Hotel
2. Baby What You Want Me To Do
3. Introductions
4. Thatā€™s All Right
5. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
6. Baby What You Want Me To Do
7. Blue Suede Shoes
8. One Night

Disc 2, Side D

1. Love Me
2. Trying To Get To You
3. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
4. Santa Claus Is Back In Town
5. Blue Christmas
6. Tiger Man
7. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
8. Memories

Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip is the owner and Editor of Entertainment Focus, and the Managing Director of PiƱata Media. With over 19 years of journalism experience, Pip has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. He is also a qualified digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience.

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