RCA/Legacy RecordingsThis August marks the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley‘s historic first residency at Las Vegas’ International Hotel, and to celebrate the milestone, an 11-CD box set featuring 11 complete concerts that the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll played at the venue will be released on August 9.
Live 1969, which will also be available digitally, showcases full performances that took place from August 21 through August 26, including multiple shows that Presley played on five of the nights.
For his International Hotel performances, Elvis was accompanied by a band that came to be known as The TCB Band, a full orchestra and two vocal groups: The Imperials and The Sweet Inspirations.
The Vegas residency marked Presley’s first live concerts in eight years, and followed his popular ’68 Comeback Special and the release of his successful 1969 album From Elvis in Memphis, which featured the hit “In the Ghetto.”
Four of the shows on Live 1969 are being issued in their entirety for the first time, and the collection features many other previously unreleased performances. The box set comes packaged with a 52-page booklet with rare photos and memorabilia, as well as an oral history put together using historic interviews with Elvis, Colonel Tom Parker, Tom Jones, Fats Domino and many others.
At his Vegas concerts, Presley performed a mix of his classic early hits, covers by such artists as Ray Charles and The Beatles, and new material, including his future chart-topper “Suspicious Minds.”
Also due out August 9 is the two-LP vinyl set Live at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, NV, August 26, 1969, featuring Presley’s full midnight concert from that evening.
Visit ShopElvis.com and ShopGraceland.com to pre-order Live 1969 and Live at the International Hotel, as well as special bundles.
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