Backstage in Rapid City, June 21 1977… Elvis lookes puffy, sick and very tired. Was this the same man who did The 1968 Comeback 9 years earlier? Unbelievable! Tours, tours and more tours and overmedication ahd destroyed a wonderful human being and a one of a kind entertainer.
Over medicated is a huge understatement. Elvis abused prescription meds throughout the 60s, lot of amphetamines (to lose weight for movies, for one thing) and downers to sleep. After his divorce – and probably even before that – his drug use and abuse escalated greatly. He was a full blown addict who damaged his health. Very tragic and his fans need to see it for what it was — not candy coat it and put him on a pedestal.