This was the only song which Elvis recorded during his final batch of recording sessions which made it onto his live set list. Granted, others such as “Moody Blue” and “Danny Boy” were given single live renditions but “Hurt” was performed at almost every show after it was recorded. This is likely because it was released as a single just prior to the March 1976 commencing and Elvis often introduced it as a recent single release.
Version One – 17 March 1976, Johnson City – The First Live Rendition
Elvis had recorded the song at Graceland just six weeks prior to this tour opening show, and the first show of the year.
Unlike subsequent live performances this version has no reprise, is at a slower tempo and does not have the big sliding ending typical of later versions. This very first live rendition has an arrangement and vocal delivery almost exactly like that on the studio master.
Of note is that Ronnie Tutt is absent from this short tour, his place on the drums taken by Larry Londin.
Version Two – 27 April 1976 – Spokane
Extra dialogue afterwards due to good humour
Version Three – 2 May 1976, Lake Tahoe
For the first time in this compilation we are able to hear the full arrangement as Elvis never used a string section on stage whilst on tour.
Version Four – 2 June 1976, El Paso
Version Five – 5 July 1976, Memphis
Version Six – 5 August 1976, Fayettville
Version Seven – 5 September 1976, Huntsville
Version Eight – 27 October 1976, Carbondale
Version Nine – 30 November 1976, Anaheim
Version Ten – 2 December 1976, Opening Show, Las Vegas – The First Vegas Rendition
As Elvis only recorded the song in January of 1976 and introduced it to the show in March, this would therefore be the only Las Vegas engagement to feature the song.
Version Eleven – 31 December 1976, Pittsburgh
Although this version is described as being the last of 1976 as it was performed after midnight then technically it could be suggested that is actually the first of 1977!
Version Twelve – 20 February 1977, Charlotte
Version Thirteen – 24 March 1977, Amarillo
Version Fourteen – 24 April 1977, Ann Arbor
Version Fifteen – 27 May 1977, Binghampton
Version Sixteen – 21 June 1977, Rapid City – The CBS Elvis In Concert Rendition
Elvis’ rendition of Hurt performed during his 21 June 1977 show in Rapid City has long been and remains my favourite version of the song.
It is an excellent vocal performance and the lack of his customary reprise of the song, leaving the listener wanting more only adds to it’s appeal.
Version Seventeen – 26 June 1977, Indianapolis – The Final Rendition
This final version is in keeping with the odd common theme that seems to run through many parts of this final show. It may be that hindsight plays some part but during many of the songs performed in this show Elvis seems to return to a vocal delivery more typical of earlier in the seventies. This song is no exception and contrasts well with the version from Rapid City just five days earlier. This is part of the reason that this show is probably his finest of 1977, even taken in isolation away from the emotion that the subsequent events bring to the mind.
