Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite
“Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite” is a landmark concert starring Elvis Presley, which took place at the Honolulu International Center on January 14, 1973. This concert was a significant event as it was broadcast live via satellite to audiences in Asia and Oceania. Due to the time zone differences, the show was presented with a delay in Europe. To address a programming conflict with Super Bowl VII and the fact that “Elvis on Tour” was playing in cinemas, NBC opted to air a ninety-minute television special of the concert on April 4 in the United States.
Elvis Presley had returned to performing tours throughout the United States in 1970, and Colonel Tom Parker, Presley’s manager, was inspired by Richard Nixon’s 1972 visit to China to promote a live broadcast concert featuring Presley. Parker arranged a deal with RCA Records and the NBC network to produce the concert, and the show aimed to benefit the Kui Lee Cancer Fund.
Marty Pasetta produced the program, and a filmed rehearsal concert took place on January 12. The live broadcast earned high ratings in the countries targeted, showcasing Presley’s global popularity. In the United States, the television special became NBC’s highest-rated program of the year and received positive reviews from critics.
The soundtrack album of “Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite” became Elvis Presley’s last chart-topper on Billboard’s album chart. The concert and its associated album are remembered as significant moments in Presley’s career, reflecting his continued influence and popularity on a global scale.
About the Song
“Hound Dog” was one of the iconic songs performed by Elvis Presley during his “Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite” concert in 1973. The concert was broadcasted live via satellite on January 14, 1973, and it remains one of the most-watched broadcasts in the history of television.
“Hound Dog” was originally written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and recorded by Elvis in 1956. The song became one of Elvis’s signature tunes and is considered a classic in rock and roll history. In the Aloha concert, Elvis’s performance of “Hound Dog” was energetic and charismatic, showcasing his stage presence and musical prowess.
The concert itself was a historic event as it marked the first time a solo artist had performed a live concert via satellite. Elvis wore his famous American Eagle jumpsuit during the performance, adding to the iconic nature of the event. The “Aloha from Hawaii” concert is widely regarded as one of Elvis Presley’s most memorable performances.