Gary Wells is back with us for our final instalment in our deep dive into the landmark entertainment event, Elvis Aloha From Hawaii. This time, we look beyond the international concert broadcast to the hit double-album release, the single, and then the domestic television special that aired in the US in April, 1973. This is the only available preserved visual record in its original edit, and we see this time capsule exactly as Marty Pasetta intended, and how audiences did half a century ago.
Meanwhile, RCA were moving to gain complete control over Elvis’ back catalogue, and to more closely oversee his work in the studio. We learn about some of the manoeuvres taking place behind the scenes, and we try to get our heads around the evolving financial arrangements between RCA, Elvis and the Colonel. (Not sure that we succeed!).
Finally, we reflect upon how things would play out for Elvis professionally in the years to come, in the shadow of this towering, career-defining achievement; a once-in-a-century collaboration between tough professionals with talent, vision and courage, led by a uniquely gifted artist.
Some additional background and links at the companion newsletter;
dec4.substack.com/p/dec4-podcast-c…-elvis-aloha-bce
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