Inside the final burst of Elvis Presley’s creativity 48 years after his death

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Approximately two and a half years prior to my passing, I found myself seated on the carpeted floor within the confines of a walk-in wardrobe at the grand Las Vegas Hilton. Here, I engaged in discussions revolving around a potential project that could have reshaped the trajectory of my life as an artist.

According to Jerry Schilling, a close friend of Presley’s, the meeting presented Elvis Presley, the legendary King of Rock and Roll, with an unexpected encounter. This encounter was with Barbra Streisand, who had attended one of Presley’s performances at the Hilton in March 1975. After the show, Streisand approached him for a private discussion. She proposed an intriguing idea: she wanted to know if Presley would consider working with her on a remake of “A Star Is Born,” where they might share the screen together.

During their chat, Schilling recalled that he, along with Joe Esposito (Presley’s friend) and Jon Peters (Streisand’s boyfriend), hid in a closet with the stars to find some peace amidst the chaos backstage. Interestingly, it was six years since Presley last took on a dramatic role on screen. According to Schilling, Streisand’s proposal for the movie was so intriguing that they ended up discussing it extensively for over two hours.

“We even ordered in some food,” Schilling recalls.

Music

Before the Friday evening debut of Part 2 of ‘And So It Goes’ on HBO, here is a list, in order, of Billy Joel’s most popular songs.

It’s worth noting that Elvis Presley didn’t ultimately receive the role that Kris Kristofferson made famous. Some people believe this decision was influenced by Barbra Streisand’s demands for top billing, while others argue it was due to the excessive financial requests from Elvis’ manager, Colonel Tom Parker. In her 2023 memoir, Streisand ponders if the portrayal of a self-destructive musician may have been too similar to Elvis’ own life, causing discomfort for him.

Regardless of the circumstances, Schilling posits that the disillusionment following “A Star Is Born” led Presley to make poor choices which ultimately resulted in a downward spiral for his career. Tragically, he passed away at age 42 on August 16, 1977 – exactly 48 years ago this weekend.

Schilling shares that it was during this encounter with Streisand that I last noticed the sparkle in my friend’s eyes. (age 83)

A captivating new boxed collection honors the late King’s creative flourish during his final years. Debuting this month in both 5-CD and 2-LP versions, “Sunset Boulevard” gathers the music Elvis Presley produced in Los Angeles from 1972 to 1975. This compilation encompasses tracks like “Separate Ways,” a song he recorded during his marriage’s decline with Priscilla Presley, and “Burning Love,” his last Top 10 pop hit, alongside the 1975 album “Today,” an outstanding demonstration of Elvis’ unique fusion of rock, country, and blue-eyed soul during his later period.

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Is it worth getting excited for another reinterpretation of Elvis Presley’s music, given that his legacy has consistently remained vibrant since his passing half a century ago? Over the past few years alone, we’ve witnessed the release of Baz Luhrmann’s lavish biopic on the big screen, the publication of Peter Guralnick’s latest book focusing on Presley’s associate Parker, and not one but two documentaries centering around the legendary ’68 comeback special – marking his reemergence in live performances after almost a decade dedicated to film work.

In a less optimistic note, the news is abuzz about Priscilla Presley due to a contentious legal dispute with her ex-business partners, who she had hired to help manage the Presley brand. This comes after the tragic passing of her only child with Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie Presley, two years ago. A biopic on Priscilla, directed by Sofia Coppola, was released in 2023.

The fresh box presents a chance to reflect on Elvis’s unusual situation post-the comeback special, when the spotlight dimmed: a groundbreaking figure in rock and roll who, ironically, seemed distanced from the culture he significantly contributed to creating.

The title “Sunset Boulevard,” like the famous 1950 film by Billy Wilder, carries an air of faded opulence reminiscent of a once-dominant show business figure. The name also signifies the location of RCA Records’ West Coast headquarters, positioned at 6363 Sunset Boulevard, adjacent to Hollywood’s Cinerama Dome. This building was previously home to the L.A. Film School and has a rich history in music as it is where the Rolling Stones recorded “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” and Jefferson Airplane produced “Surrealistic Pillow.” Additionally, Elvis Presley set up his recording studio here during the early 1970s after working on most of his ’60s film soundtracks at Radio Recorders nearby.

By 1972, rock music had significantly progressed past the pivotal impact that Elvis initially had during the start of his career. Moreover, Elvis himself wasn’t very attuned to the musical happenings while he was engrossed in his work within Hollywood.

Schilling expressed that we weren’t as informed about all the happenings as he would have liked, during a recent afternoon at his home overlooking Sunset Plaza,” he said. A key figure in what is known as Elvis’ Memphis Mafia, Schilling has resided here since 1974 when Elvis purchased this property from TV producer Rick Husky and graciously gave it to Schilling for his years of dedicated service.

During filming, your day starts at 7 a.m., followed by makeup by 8. You spend the entire day working and when you return home, it’s not typically time for listening to the newest music.

In simpler terms, the RCA recordings highlight how Elvis Presley evolved into a profound ballad singer in his later years. As Schilling explains, Elvis’s romantic struggles led him to sing slower, melancholic songs such as “Separate Ways,” “Always on My Mind,” and “For the Good Times” with a voice that conveys deep regret. Interestingly, Elvis initially resisted singing the upbeat “Burning Love,” but eventually grew fond of it after it became a hit.

Music

Before taking the stage at the Hollywood Bowl this coming Sunday, the 80-year-old musician and composer reminisces about some of his iconic tunes associated with Creedence Clearwater Revival.

In this music, there’s a strong connection between Elvis Presley and his live band members, who he often worked with at RCA instead of the session players from the ’60s. Known as the TCB Band (short for Taking Care of Business), led by guitarist James Burton, they were assembled before Elvis’ debut performance at Las Vegas’ International Hotel (later known as the Las Vegas Hilton). Interestingly, there’s a wealth of rehearsal tapes from Los Angeles that capture Presley’s preparation for his Vegas shows which started in 1969. These recordings offer a captivating insight into his preparations.

In my listening experience, the audio isn’t crystal clear and the performances seem a bit unsteady, much like an interpretation of “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” by Elvis where it feels like he’s hesitating to land on a specific key. But there’s an exciting charm in hearing these musicians gradually find their rhythm – think of it as a soulful, leisurely blend of country-gospel R&B. The collection features a diverse range of tracks such as “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues,” and even the Pointer Sisters’ “Fairytale.

During a rehearsal on August 16, 1974, Elvis requested his band to perform Ewan MacColl’s ballad, which had previously gained popularity through Roberta Flack. He announced the song with a playful twist: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Beautiful Face.” As they warmed up, the band harmonized closely and their performance was so enchanting that it evoked a slightly eerie sensation.

From the very spot where I received the fateful call about Elvis’ passing, I delight in sharing anecdotes from my years spent with this icon – tales as familiar to me as an old hat. For instance, when John Lennon asked me to convey his message to Presley that he was trying to emulate him by growing sideburns, or the audition where Elvis took a chance on an up-and-coming drummer named Ronnie Tutt, who ultimately fueled the TCB Band’s power.

As I reflect upon Elvis’ final years, I find myself at a loss for words when discussing the tragic end of his life and the apparent absence of a substantial artistic challenge that could have honed his remarkable talent. His prolonged stay in Vegas and the mediocre records produced in his Graceland studio didn’t seem to satisfy the genius that resided within him. I wonder if Schilling has any insight into whether Presley caught the 1976 release of “A Star Is Born” – a film that, had he seen it, might have ignited the artistic spark he so desperately needed.

He ponders the question for about 10 seconds, eventually responding, “I’m not sure.” That was the year he began managing the Beach Boys, leaving him with less time for Presley. He never spoke of it to me, and I wish I had known. It seems likely that there isn’t anyone alive now who could provide an answer.

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2025-08-17 01:01