What If Elvis Presley Had Lived After 8/16/77?

  Let's go back to August 1977. Elvis' records were not being played much on Pop Top 40 radio. He released one single in the summer of '77 that landed just outside the Top 30, "Way Down".  That song got to #18 only after he died.  But on the Country charts both "Way Down" and his late '76 single "Moody Blue" reached #1 on Billboard's Country chart. "Way Down" went to #1 the week he passed away.  This is where Elvis' chart career would have headed.  More Country hits, maybe Adult Contemporary, but fewer Pop hits. The albums would have kept coming. Live ones, Greatest Hits, patched together studio efforts. Along with his tours, this was the cycle he had been on since the early 70's. 

 One thing we know is that CBS was filming concerts to release as some kind of special.  But looking at the final footage that ended up in the 10/77 broadcast, it's hard to believe any of that would have been broadcast. 

  So, what did happen to Elvis Presley on August 16, 1977?  Although he has had other health issues in the 70's that required hospitalization, this was the closest he has come to death in his lifetime. But change doesn't happen overnight. Elvis' friends were sure this latest medical scare would be the one to make him realize that change must happen now. But it was a slow grind. Elvis does begin to lose weight, thanks to better eating habits and a daily workout schedule. He also starts taking less of the drugs he needed to keep him touring and for all the various ailments that plagued him in the 70's. But the grueling concert schedule he had throughout the 70's continues, and Elvis would often fall back on bad habits. So, while to the public Elvis looks better, behind the scenes it's a different story. The same old "yes" men, the same old lackluster concerts.  But things finally change in the summer of '78.                         

  Nearly one year after his biggest health crisis, Elvis passes out onstage during a concert in Indianapolis. While many feared another health crisis could happen, the fact it occurred on stage shocked the world.  This time there was no turning back. Elvis enters a hospital to address his many health problems.  After a four week stay other changes are made. The endless cycle of concerts and throwaway albums comes to an end.  Elvis hits the road, but it is no longer the jump suit spectacle of years past. And the grueling schedule is gone as well. RCA still wants product, and Elvis quickly records a Gospel album.  Recording Gospel material again brings out a refreshed performance. It gets good reviews with most noting that Elvis sounds more committed to this type of material than his recent Pop/Country albums. The main reason these changes worked is Elvis finally listened to voices willing to tell him the truth about how low his career has fallen.  The Memphis Mafia is still around, but they are relieved that more outside voices get Elvis' attention.  And the first thing to happen is the Colonel is finally dumped as his manager.  Something Elvis' crew and family have been begging him to do. But it takes people outside the Elvis bubble to finally turn him on the Colonel.  Even after his Indianapolis health scare, the Colonel wanted Elvis to continue to toe the line.  But Elvis finally had enough. Bored with concerts, making records and just being Elvis.  By the end of 1978, he shocked the music business and fired the Colonel.  But the Colonel didn't go quietly.  Elvis was still under contract with him.  The Colonel threatens to sue, as Elvis is still under contract. After a tense meeting with Elvis' father, Vernon, the Colonel realizes that his working relationship with Elvis and his family is beyond repair.  He accepts a buyout over a million dollars. 

 Who would manage Elvis Presley now? Names are rumored for months. While Elvis gets healthy and enters rehab the industry mentions many names, but the one that gets mentioned the most is Jon Landau. Already famous for making Bruce Springsteen a star, Landau makes it know that he would love to take on the King's career, saying he's always been a fan.  

  In 1981 Elvis meets with Landau, who introduces him to Springsteen.  Bruce and Elvis hit it off right away.  Bruce tells Elvis he has some songs for him to record. Elvis signs on with Landau.  Elvis hasn't released a studio album since the summer of '78, when RCA managed to find some unreleased Jungle Room songs, and added them to 5 new songs.  Like all his recent releases it did better on the Country than Pop chart. The first thing Landau tells Elvis is that he would like to get him in the studio with a new Producer and a bunch of new songs by Springsteen, Petty, Willie and others. But not a throwaway Pop album.  A back to what he did when he started: Rock & Roll/Country/Gospel and the R&B sound of his '69 From Elvis In Memphis sessions. Elvis likes what he hears, but is also eager to get back in front of an audience.  Landau tells Elvis he will finally let him do the one thing the Colonel wouldn't: do some dates around the world.  

 Recording for Elvis' new album is set to begin in early 1983.  Landau mentions bringing in Chips Moman, who produced From Elvis In Memphis. That album from 1969 was part of the story of his comeback. Moman brings in most of the musicians from that album, along with James Burton.  And just as he was in 1969, Elvis is relieved to be given a great set of songs.  Recording goes smooth.  Even though Landau uses new songs by many of that eras biggest songwriters, there are no guests.  

  With a hotly anticipated new album scheduled for release during the fall of '83, some warm-up concert dates are scheduled for the summer in Nashville and Memphis.  One thing will be missing: jump suits. Elvis is now 48, and even he concedes the suits have become too much. These concerts will most resemble the live shows Elvis did in 1969.  Landau makes one more promise to Elvis.  The hunt for a great movie role was on.  Elvis told Landau he still wants to act, but no more assembly line fluff that the Colonel approved. Landau begins seeking advice from industry pros about parts for the Elvis.  He's surprised there's some resistance. Some don't think Elvis would commit to something that is to gritty.  Others say they don't do musicals.  Landau reminds those who are really interested that they won't be getting the Elvis of those forgettable 60's movies.  Elvis himself wants something dramatic.  A chance to finally prove that he was indeed a good actor.  Among the big name directors of the day, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg are just two names mentioned.  Landau tells Elvis that his great movie role is around the corner.  

  With a new album, tour and possible movie role of his career, 1984 is going to be Elvis Presley's greatest comeback.  He's 49 now, and suddenly the thought of hitting 50 no longer bothers him. The boredom his career descended to in the 70's is gone. This comeback is going to be bigger than the '68 special.  Elvis is no longer the overweight punchline that he became from 1977-1980.  Elvis' management begins talking about a TV special on the order of his '68 Special and '73's Aloha From Hawaii. A familiar name is brought back, Steve Binder.  Binder directed Elvis' '68 Special, but the Colonel refused to let him handle any other potential projects.  But with the Colonel out of the way, Elvis is thrilled to have him back. 

  When he reaches 50 on January 8, 1985, the accolades begin rolling in.  There are TV specials that look back on his past 30 years as the King.  Also more lifetime awards.  The Grammy Awards, who had only given Elvis awards for his Gospel music, gives him a  Lifetime Achievement Award full of tributes from Springsteen, Petty and many of his contemporaries:  Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard. In the Spring Elvis makes a surprise appearance at the "We Are The World" sessions to record a verse.  He also sings in the chorus and spends the session talking to all the artists who are stunned that he showed up. On the heels of those sessions, Elvis performs an acclaimed, tight 30 minute set in the July at Live Aid.  In December Elvis is honored as one of that year's Kennedy Center Honorees.  Elvis attends the ceremony, and once again is given a lavish tribute. Everybody now wants a piece of Elvis.  Including politicians.  But as he did in 1984, by turning down an invitation to speak at both the GOP & Democratic Presidential convention, Elvis stays apolitical throughout the 80's. But that would change in the 90's and 00's as Elvis began to support Democratic nominees like Bill Clinton and, especially, Barack Obama. 

  In the fall of '85 the newly announced Rock & Roll Hall of Fame names Elvis as one of its first inductees.  The induction ceremony takes place on January 23, 1986, in New York.  Bruce Springsteen inducts Elvis, who then gives a short, but touching speech about how honored he is to be included with his Rock and Roll peers. After the ceremony the greatest jam session in Rock history takes place as Elvis takes the stage with fellow inductees Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Everly Brothers, James Brown, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin  for powerful renditions of "Jailhouse Rock", "Great Balls of Fire", "Tutti Frutti",  "Johnny B. Goode", "Ain't That A Shame", "Bye Bye Love", "What'd I Say", "I Feel Good (I Feel Good)" and "Respect".   Also joining on the jam session are Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Etta James, Ruth Brown, Tina Turner  and Joan Jett. The jam last over an hour.    Elvis would close out the 80's with another excellent album, while also making plans to write and autobiography.                                                              

 Elvis' final comeback proved to be his most rewarding.  It was unthinkable to many around him in the Summer of 1977 that the Elvis they once knew would ever make it through the decade.  But he did and then some.