Elvis took the stage at 8:30pm in front of 8,500 people. Elvis wore his Chief Jumpsuit with the Second Belt! This was also the last show of Elvis’ 52nd Tour!
CONCERT DATE: November 30, 1976 (8:30
A less heavy Elvis show
Robert Hilburn
Los Angeles Times
December 2, 1976
Between handing out scarves to fans and bantering with members of his band, Elvis Presley’s appearance Tuesday night at the Anaheim Convention Center remained more show than music. But at least it was a more low-key show. Presley, who begins an 11-day engagement tonight at the Las Vegas Hilton, was—perhaps 175 to 180 pounds—noticeably thinner than he was at his April concert at the Long Beach Arena and much lighter than he was at his Vegas appearances last year, where his weight was estimated at 225 or more. The weight loss not only made Presley more animated onstage (there was even a rare—these days—karate kick during “Polk Salad Annie”), but it also allowed him, crucially, to better visually fulfill the requirements associated with celebrating his past that is at the heart of his career.
his concerts. Although Presley still has a voice as compelling and evocative as any other rock or pop artist, he rarely challenges himself on stage or on record anymore. With the exception of the single “Hurt,” for example, everything he did on Tuesday night has been in his concert repertoire for years. Although his audiences don’t seem to mind the lack of challenge in his work (Presley’s concerts always sell out), that doesn’t do justice to his own talent. However, there are
moments in virtually all of his performances in
which seems to assert itself, almost as if it were a tantalizing reminder of what he can do. In Anaheim, they came during a tender, captivating version of his old “Blue Christmas” and a very lively version of the hard-hitting “That’s All Right” that reflected much more of the original, intense flavor of Sun Records than he brings to most of his early work. Most importantly, the weight loss may be a sign of greater discipline that Presley will now carry over into his recordings. He is reportedly going back into the studio in January. It could be the moment of truth. By the way, the engagement with Hilton is already sold out. Courtesy of Francesc López
