About the ’68 Comeback Special
Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special, officially titled “Elvis,” was a television special that aired on December 3, 1968. It marked a significant moment in Elvis’s career as it revitalized his music and image. Here are some key points about the ’68 Comeback Special:
- Background:
- Elvis had not performed live in front of an audience for several years leading up to the special.
- The special was commissioned by NBC to celebrate Elvis’s return to live performances and to help boost his career.
- Format:
- The special had a unique format, featuring a combination of live concert performances and intimate, informal sessions.
- It was divided into segments, including a sit-down jam session with Elvis and his band and a full live concert segment with a small audience.
- Black Leather Outfit:
- One of the most iconic elements of the special was Elvis wearing a black leather outfit during the live concert portion.
- This outfit became synonymous with his comeback and is often referred to as the “leather suit.”
- Setlist:
- Elvis performed a mix of his classic hits and new material during the special, showcasing his versatility as a performer.
- Some of the songs featured include “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” “If I Can Dream,” and “Jailhouse Rock.”
- Critical Acclaim:
- The ’68 Comeback Special was well-received by both critics and fans.
- It helped re-establish Elvis as a relevant and dynamic performer, marking a turning point in his career.
- Impact:
- Following the success of the special, Elvis experienced a career resurgence.
- It led to a series of successful live performances in Las Vegas and ultimately contributed to the revitalization of his music career.
The ’68 Comeback Special is often considered a pivotal moment in Elvis Presley’s career, showcasing his talent and charisma, and it remains a significant part of his legacy.
About the Song
“Hound Dog,” a twelve-bar blues composition penned by the prolific duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, made its maiden voyage into the musical realm. Originally etched into the annals by Big Mama Thornton on August 13, 1952, in Los Angeles, this bluesy masterpiece found its release via Peacock Records in late February 1953. Remarkably, “Hound Dog” marked Thornton’s sole foray into the limelight, achieving unprecedented success by selling over 500,000 copies and reigning supreme on the R&B charts for an impressive 14 weeks, seven of which at the pinnacle.
Thornton’s rendition of “Hound Dog” has earned its place among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s esteemed collection, securing the 318th spot in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2021. Additionally, the song received the coveted induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in February 2013.
The resonating chords of “Hound Dog” have been captured over 250 times in various renditions. Foremost among these is the iconic July 1956 recording by the legendary Elvis Presley. In 2004, Rolling Stone recognized Presley’s rendition, ranking it at an impressive 19th position on the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. However, a paradigm shift occurred in 2021 when Thornton’s version claimed its well-deserved place, displacing Presley’s recording. Presley’s rendition, a commercial juggernaut, sold approximately 10 million copies globally, securing its position as his best-selling track and a symbolic emblem of the rock ‘n’ roll revolution.
Presley’s musical prowess manifested as “Hound Dog” asserted its dominance across pop, country, and R&B charts simultaneously in 1956, maintaining its perch atop the pop chart for an unprecedented 11 weeks—a record that endured for 36 years. Recognizing its enduring impact, Presley’s 1956 RCA recording achieved Grammy Hall of Fame induction in 1988 and earned a coveted spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.”
The journey of “Hound Dog” hasn’t been devoid of controversies and legal skirmishes. Disputes over authorship, royalties, and copyright infringement erupted, fueled by the deluge of answer songs from artists like Rufus Thomas and Roy Brown. From the 1970s onward, “Hound Dog” has become a cinematic mainstay, gracing the soundtracks of films such as Grease, Forrest Gump, Lilo & Stitch, A Few Good Men, Hounddog, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and Nowhere Boy. The timeless allure of “Hound Dog” persists, transcending eras and cementing its place in the cultural tapestry of music.