Elvis Presley image used by permission, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
July 15, 2008 — Forty years ago, Elvis Presley launched what became the second part of his career with a television special that reminded the general public of what a musical force he had been.
Officially titled "Elvis," the one-hour special has come to be known as "The ’68 Comeback Special," because it had such a dramatically positive impact on his then-sagging image. On Aug. 5, Sony BMG will mark the 40th anniversary with the release of a four-CD set, Elvis: The Complete ’68 Comeback Special, featuring all the music he recorded in multiple shows and rehearsals for the program, including 20 tracks that have never previously been issued.
Aired Dec. 4, 1968, the special mixed some big production numbers with a more intimate live performance in which the King dressed in black leather and sang some of his earlier hits in an informal setting for an enthusiastic crowd in Burbank. The show generated a couple of new hits — "If I Can Dream" and the Mac Davis-penned "Memories" — and included live versions of "Jailhouse Rock," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Love Me Tender" and "All Shook Up."
All told, the new set will feature 103 songs, including "That’s All Right," "Blue Christmas," "Don’t Be Cruel," "Guitar Man" and "Blue Suede Shoes." The package is rounded out with a 32-page booklet of liner notes and photos.
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