Elvis Presley | June 26, 1977 | 8.30pm Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, In.

This was Elvis Presley's very last concert performance.

The King's Final Bow: Elvis' Last Concert in Indianapolis

By Justin Clark

Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, June 26, 1977.

Elvis Presley, known around the world as the King of Rock 'n' Roll, thrilled audiences for decades with his legendary swagger, good looks, and unique vocal stylings. Among his many concerts over the years, the one that garners much historical attention is the final one, at Indianapolis's Market Square Arena on June 26, 1977.

His final performance, to a crowd of nearly 18,000 people, inspired copious press attention. An article in the Indianapolis News on June 25 listed it as a requisite event for music fans. The Indianapolis Star noted playfully 'If you admire Elvis Presley's back you still can buy $15 seats behind the stage for his concert at the Market Square Arena tomorrow night.'

The concert began at 8:30 p.m., but Elvis didn't perform until 10 p.m.; warm-up acts of brass bands, soul singers, and a comedian filled time before the King. Then for about 80 minutes, Elvis sang both his classic tunes like 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Hound Dog', and his more somber numbers, like 'Hurt' and a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge over Troubled Water.' He closed the concert with 'Can't Help Falling in Love with You', one of his most poignant ballads. He reportedly told the audience 'We'll meet you again, God bless, adios' as he left the stage. Based on filmed footage, the crowd appeared enthusiastic about the performance; the local press, however, was a bit skeptical.

The Indianapolis press seemed divided on the quality of his performance. Rita Rose's piece in the Indianapolis Star provided a sympathetic take of the show, even as it criticized his appearance. Rose wrote comically:

The big question was, of course, had he lost weight? His last concert here, nearly 2 years ago, found Elvis overweight, sick and prone to give a lethargic performance. As the lights in the Arena was turned down after intermission, you could feel a silent plea rippling through the audience: Please, Elvis, don't be fat.

She assuaged readers, writing 'At 42, Elvis is still carrying around some excess baggage on his midsection, but it doesn't stop him from giving a performance in true Presley style.' She noted glowingly how well he sang some songs, including 'It's Now or Never', and 'This Time You Gave Me a Mountain.' Rose's piece emphasized the better elements of the concert and the excitement of the crowd.

Elvis performs in true Presley style before 18,000

By Rita Rose The Indianapolis Star

Elvis looks great and Elvis sounds great!' exclaimed comedian Jackie Kahane to 18,000 enthusiastic, sweaty-palmed fans at Market Square Arena last night. And Indianapolis once again prepared to great royalty-the hip-swiveling singer who has been called the King of rock 'n' roll since the Mid-1950s. Elvis. His name was everywhere: on posters, buttons, souvenir books, T-shirts, hats, and homemade clothes that proclaimed with personal touches, admiration for a man idolized by millions.

The big question was, of course, had he lost weight? His last concert here, nearly 2 years ago, found Elvis overweight, sick and prone to give a lethargic performance. As the lights in the Arena was turned down after intermission, you could feel a silent plea rippling through the audience: Please, Elvis, don't be fat. And then he appeared, in a gold and white jumpsuit and white boots, bounding onstage with energy that was a relief to everyone. At 42, Elvis is still carrying around some excess baggage on his mid-section, but it didn't stop him from giving a performance in true Presley style.

His opening number, the audience-grabbing 'C.C. Rider', got his portion of the show off to a flash-bulb-popping, hand-clapping start. His Amen', in which he encouraged everyone to lap and sing along, seemed to bring everyone together, as did 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'I got a woman.'

His older numbers seemed to draw more applause, although just about everything he did created mass hysteria, especially his 'leg jerks.' (In case you have never seen Elvis, this particular maneuver consist of one singer, standing perfectly still with his legs apart, then making his legs ripple like jelly, completing the action with moving first one leg and then the other abruptly to each side.)

Elvis has limited his karate movements, but the stances he takes with his guitar generated screams and shrieks from delighted fans. One of his best numbers, we feel, was 'It's Now Or Never', followed by a medley of his hits. He also offered 'This Time You Gave Me A Mountain', and 'Fairytale', plus several others. He also did his famous 'I uh, we uh, well, well, well, well, well, well' monologue, which seems to turn dyed-in-the-rood Elvis fans on. He coveted scarves, tossed into the audience after gracing the singer's neck, caused mad scrambles by the stage as he got rid of them just about as fast as they were put around his neck.

The fans were well-behaved, considering the usual impedes that take place at rock concerts.

The first half of the show consisted of the usual stuff - the Stamps singing, Jackie Kahane with his Elvis jokes, and The Sweet Inspirations in song. But we'll mention them only briefly, since most fans just want read about the King.

The packed Arena was indication enough that Elvis is still as popular as ever. Well, well, well, well!

Fans lined up outside Market Square Arena to purchase tickets for Elvis Presley's last concert held on June 26 1977.

Elvis Presley : June 26, 1977 : Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, In.

Elvis Presley : June 26, 1977 : Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, In.

Elvis Presley : June 26, 1977 : Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, In.

Elvis Presley : June 26, 1977 : Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, In.

Ticket for Elvis in Concert June 26, 1977, his last concert.

Elvis Presley : June 26, 1977 : Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, In.

Elvis Presley : June 26, 1977 : Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, In.

Elvis Presley : June 26, 1977 : Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, In.

Jerry Scheff and Elvis Presley : June 26, 1977.

Elvis Presley : June 26, 1977 : Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, In.

01. Also sprach zarathustra
02. See see rider
03. I got a woman / Amen
04. Love me
05. Fairytale
06. You gave me a mountain
07. Jailhouse rock
08. O sole mio (sung by Sherrill Nielsen) / It´s now or never
09. Little sister
10. Teddy bear / Don´t be cruel
11. Please release me
12. I can´t stop loving you
13. Bridge over troubled water
14. Introductions
15. Early morning rain
16. What´d I say
17. Johnny B Goode
18. Introductions continued
19. I really don´t want to know
20. Introductions concluded
21. Hurt
22. Hound dog
23. Special thanks by Elvis
24. Can´t help falling in love with you
25. Closing vamp

'We'll meet you again, God bless, adios' ......... Elvis Presley

February 1977

Elvis Presley Orlando Florida | February 15, 1977
Elvis Presley, Dick Grob and Ed Parker: February 16, 1977
Elvis Presley Charlotte, NC | February 20, 1977

Elvis Presley Charlotte, NC | February 21, 1977

March

Elvis Presleys last vactaion | Hawaii, March 1977

April

Elvis Presley Ann Arbor Michigon: April 25, 1977
Elvis Presley | Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena | April 28, 1977

May

Elvis Presley Louisville Kentucky | May 21st 1977
Elvis Presley performs in Louisville Kentucky | May 22, 1977
Elvis Presley Philadelphia Spectrum, Saturday, May 28, 1977

June

Elvis Macon, GA | June 1, 1977
Elvis Presley Dane County Coliseum, Madison | June 24, 1977
Elvis Presley June 25, 1977 | 8.30pm Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Oh
Elvis Presley June 26, 1977 | 8.30pm Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, In.

August

 Elvis, Ginger and Lisa Marie driving through the Graceland gates on August 12, 1977
Elvis Presley | August 16, 1977 | The last photo taken
Elvis Presley August 16-19, 1977
Kathy Westmoreland Remembers
How Elvis Presley's Death Led to the Birth of Modern Entertainment Journalism
How Memphis and Media Reacted to Elvis' Death

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