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'During my long career in broadcasting, I've had the chance to interview lots of famous people; it was late summer in 1976 when I was sent out to the Arena to cover some sort of special announcement from manager Bob Kunkel, whose look, as soon as we entered the room, told us that this was no hunting and fishing extravaganza he was promoting but an Elvis Presley concert; before leaving, I cornered him to ask about helping arrange an exclusive interview; he laughed and said, 'Good luck with that'; so, instead, I managed to get six tickets, at 15 dollars each, with each of our daughters having to come up with five bucks each, on their own, to help cover the cost; the show itself was memorable for the music, and his voice was strong but he looked tired and not well. A few months later, Elvis was back; this time, his voice was even stronger but he looked worse; two months later, he was dead and that's when my family and I went to see him, one last time, in a memorable trip where we and thousands of others, walked slowly through those gates to view his grave. That 'show' was for free...'

Elvis Presley#159

MusicLegacyElvis presleyConcertHealth

About this quote

What does it mean?
The narrator recounts a 1976 Elvis concert, noting his strong voice despite looking tired, and his deteriorating health leading to his death months later.
In plain terms
Elvis sounded strong but was visibly ill, and died soon after.
What can you take from it?
Physical health can quickly impact a performer’s career.

Where it applies

  • touring schedules
  • media interviews

Putting it to work

  • monitor artist health
  • plan for succession

Questions to consider

  • What responsibilities do promoters have for artist welfare?
  • How does health affect public perception?

Another view

The account is anecdotal and may lack broader context.

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