10 Chapter 9 The Comeback

Chapter 9 The Comeback It was 1968. Elvis knew his career needed changes. He had to break away from Colonel Parker. That wouldn't be easy. His father still believed in Parker. Vernon wondered why Elvis was so upset. Elvis had it all: a mansion, private planes, a beautiful wife, and a baby girl. But Elvis was unhappy. He wanted to play concerts again. He wanted to hear screaming fans. He missed making good music. Forget the Beatles

and the Rolling Stones. He was the King. It was time to remind everyone of that. The big comeback began on television. In 1968, NBC signed up Elvis to do a TV special. NBC hired a good director and writers to put together the program. Colonel Parker was barely involved. The show was going to remind everybody why they loved Elvis. He was going to be up onstage again, flashing that famous smile. He was going to sing with the same boldness as in his early days on TV. It would be classic Elvis. No songs like "Old MacDonald." Elvis was ready. He exercised to get in shape. He grew long sideburns again. He had a tight, black leather suit made for the show. And his old friend Scotty Moore, from the Sun recording days, was going to play with him. There was a studio audience, so it would feel like a real concert. Then, right before the start of the show, Elvis got nervous. Really nervous. It had been so long since he had performed in front of anybody.

Still, Elvis took the stage. He sang new songs and old songs. He played "Hound Dog" and "That's All Right [Mama]." He was happy and handsome and smooth and electric. He was great that night. The Elvis special was the most popular show of the season. THE ELVIS JUMPSUITS MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE, AS A BOY, HE COULD BARELY AFFORD SHOES, BUT ELVIS, THE ROCK STAR, LOVED FANCY CLOTHES. BEGINNING In 1957,

A HOLLYWOOD DESIGNER NAMED NUDIE COHEN MADE MANY WILD OUTFITS FOR ELVIS. THE MOST FAMOUS WAS A GOLD LAMé JUMPSUIT. IT COST TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS — — MORE EXPENSIVE THAN A CAR AT THE TIME. FOR ELVIS'S TV COMEBACK In 1968, A DESIGNER NAMED BILL BELEW MADE A BLACK LEATHER SUIT FOR THE KING. In THE 1970S, BELEW DESIGNED JUMPSUITS FOR ELVIS. THEY HAD THICK BELTS AND PANTS THAT FLARED WAY OUT AT THE BOTTOM. MANY WERE STUDDED WITH JEWELS. BELEW GAVE THE SUITS NAMES. "BURNING FLAME OF LOVE" WAS FIRE RED. "ALOHA" HAD A GIANT EAGLE On THE BACK, AND A CAPE.

BELEW STILL MAKES JUMPSUITS THAT SELL FOR AS MUCH AS FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS. BELEW'S COMPANY ALSO MAKES SHINY, SILVER-AND-DIAMOND RINGS DECORATED WITH THE LETTERS TCB. THAT STANDS FOR "TAKIN' CARE OF BUSINESS." IT WAS ELVIS'S SLOGAN.

But the comeback wasn't complete. Elvis needed to make new music. He wanted to compete with the Beatles. In January of 1969, Elvis went to a new producer. His name was Chips Moman. Chips wasn't like other people around Elvis. Chips didn't worry about upsetting the King. He said what he felt.