ELVIS – The Las Vegas Years (presented by John Spencer)

As we hear, Elvis Presley’s manager, Col. Tom Parker, was planning The King’s return to live concerts with a series of shows at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in the summer of 1969.

We join the rehearsals with comments from lead guitarist James Burton and legendary Presley road manager Joe Espisito. Elvis assembled a new live band for his first Las Vegas concerts. Key group members talk us through the set and the mood within the Presley camp with comments from vocal singers Myra Smith and Estelle Brown.

Presley completed his four week stint on 28th August 1969, when Elvis returned, January 1970 for his winter season, his entourage made a considerable impact, on life at the Hilton International Hotel. Valet Lonnie Pope and bell boy Dan Hakata relive their experiences of serving the king. They explain the routine in his 30th floor suite, Elvis would sit at the piano sing the ol’ gospel songs of his childhood. Tony Brown played piano in Vegas on stage but at night would be in the suite singing with the King. Jerry Schilling one of Presley’s inner circle and Memphis Mafia talks us through the events surrounding Presley’s Las Vegas life style.

Of course the programme explores Presley’s use of prescription drugs and his escalating weight. Group members talk about Elvis's personal problems and how it affected life on stage and off. Grappling with his weight and personal problems it was while preparing to play yet another series of concerts in August 1977, the Presley heart gave up in the bathroom of Graceland.

Over thirty years later Elvis is an iconic figure, but his presence can still be felt on the streets of Las Vegas, in the bars and in the showrooms. It would be fair to say the King of Rock N Roll changed the way we see the city.

We have special editions of Alex East's acclaimed "It's Only Rock'n'Roll" and the globally popular Elvis Express Radio's Lee producing a special series of shows taking is through Elvis' journey over four decades. Toby Mearing is also bringing us a review of Elvis' first concert after the '68 comeback special. Peter Dicks ("Beatles & Beyond Show" with a worldwide following) is sharing some really fascinating interviews with us. Radio Valley's John Spencer presents a major documentary (see below) examining the powerful impact Elvis had on Las Vegas, an influence which can still be seen today! This is unmissable radio!