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Elvis Presley’s “Elvis Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite” concert, which took place on January 14, 1973, is set to be re-released by RCA Records to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The concert was a historic event, as it was the first live television concert broadcast via satellite and reached audiences in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the United States. Although it was not as well-known as his 1968 “Comeback Special,” the “Aloha” concert is significant as it was the last recorded live performance of Presley at the height of his career before his tragic death in 1977.

The concert came at a time of personal turmoil for Presley, with his marriage to Priscilla Presley ending and his drug dependency worsening. Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, organized the concert to help lift his spirits and give him a boost in his career. The event was promoted as reaching an audience of one billion people, and the delayed U.S. broadcast on NBC garnered a staggering 57% viewership.

To prepare for the concert, Presley went on a crash diet and underwent a weight loss regimen. He was also given injections of urine from a pregnant woman and restricted to a 500-calorie diet of dried food. Despite his personal struggles, Presley looked tan, rested, and ready for the show, wearing his iconic white jumpsuit and cape.

The concert was overseen by veteran producer Marty Pasetta, who had experience managing big events for television. Pasetta had a meeting with Presley in Las Vegas, where he gave him honest feedback about his appearance and stage presence. Presley took the feedback to heart and made significant changes before the concert.

The performance itself featured Presley’s touring show from 1972, with a mix of rock ‘n’ roll classics and heavily orchestrated ballads. The concert design included a lower stage and a long runway that allowed Presley to interact with his female fans, who showered him with leis and received personal items in return.

The re-release of the “Elvis Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite” concert allows newer generations of fans to experience the final triumph of Presley’s career and celebrate his lasting impact as an American icon.

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