When Was Elvis' Last Performance? Looking Back at the King of Rock n Roll's Final Show Weeks Before His Death

11/14/2024 09:00 AM

Elvis gave his final performance just weeks before his shocking death in August 1977

On June 26, 1977, the King left the building for the final time.

Elvis Presley, known as "The King of Rock n Roll," is regarded as one of the most iconic figures in music history. He is also known as one of the greatest performers of all time, having made waves with both his dance moves and songs.

Throughout his career, Elvis had several iconic performances, from playing "Hound Dog"on The Milton Berle Show in 1956 to his legendary 1968 comeback performance covered in the 2024 Netflix documentary Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley. The Rock and Roll legend's final performance, just weeks before his death in 1977, also lives on in fans' memories.

Related: Elvis Presley's Death: The Details Behind the King of Rock 'n' Roll's Passing

At the time, Elvis' health had greatly declined, and, per his ex-wife Priscilla Presley, it wasn't as easy for him to get through shows, but his booming, instantly recognizable voice and ability to pull off some of his famed dance moves got him through. He also still engaged his sold-out crowds as much as ever.

"[Elvis' 1977 physique] didn't stop him from giving a performance in True Presley style," Rita Rose of The Indianapolis Starwrote. "His older numbers seemed to draw more applause, although just about everything he did created mass hysteria, especially his 'leg jerks.' "

Here's everything to know about Elvis Presley's final concert and what he chose as his last song.

When was Elvis' final performance?

Elvis' final performance took place on June 26, 1977. The concert would be Elvis' last show ever as he died seven weeks later on Aug. 16, 1977, when he was 42 years old.

Where was Elvis' final performance?

Elvis took the stage for the last time at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. The ticket-buying scene months earlier saw plenty of fans swarm to get tickets, even waiting for hours to get them.

"Many [fans] had waited overnight in freezing weather for the right to see the man who's remained a star for 24 years in a business whose practitioners seldom last longer than fruit flies," Dan Carpenter wrote in The Indianapolis Star.

Elvis' first performance in Indiana took place 20 years earlier during the peak of his career in 1957. It was one of the stops on his then-farewell tour as he was entering the army.

How did Elvis' career change before his last concert?

Considered one of the biggest solo icons in music history during the 1950s, Elvis got more into the movie business in the 1960s upon his return from the army. He was still having strong commercial success in the early '60s with songs like "Can't Help Falling in Love," but there was less of a focus on the music as he became a big movie star.

In 1968, Elvis hosted a massive comeback special — covered in 2024's Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley — which launched him back to the forefront of popular culture. However, a divorce from his wife Priscilla in 1972 and various health problems affected him greatly during the latter years of his career.

Related: Elvis and Priscilla Presley's Relationship: A Look Back

Regardless, the King had a resurgence with some late-career hits like "Burning Love" and final shows that left fans enamored with the long-time star, despite mixed reviews from critics, including Zach Dunkin who wrote, "If Elvis can't go the distance then his people shouldn't charge so much." He added, "Compared to today's increasingly competitive and sophisticated concert formats ... Presley's has become downright tacky and outdated."

Two of the final shows on his last tour were edited together for the special Elvis In Concert, which aired after his death, in October 1977.

Despite fans' love of Elvis' concerts in the latter part of his career, not everyone felt the same about his performances, including Priscilla. "Those last shows were not the most memorable as far as performance. Sometimes he didn't get through a song ... They're just hard to watch," Priscilla said in the 2018 HBO documentary film, Elvis: The Searcher.

However, one moment that lived on from his final shows was Elvis' soulful rendition of "Unchained Melody" on June 21, 1977, in Rapid City, S.D. "The power he had on 'Unchained Melody'that night was just gut-wrenching," Elvis' ex-girlfriend of four years Linda Thompson said in the 2017 documentary The King.

"That song brings him pain for some reason, I don't know why it does but, it was like the greatest performance he'd ever done," Elvis' pianist Troy Brown said in the same documentary.

What songs did Elvis play during his final performance?

During his last show, Elvis performed a wide-ranging setlist that covered the entirety of his career. The slate featured everything from his earliest hits in the 1950s, songs released during his time as a movie star in the 1960s and later career numbers released after his 1968 comeback special.

Related: All About Elvis Presley's Parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley

Elvis opened the performance with "See See Rider," before performing a dual rendition of his song "Amen" and a cover of Ray Charles' "I've Got a Woman."He performed some of his most upbeat numbers, including "Jailhouse Rock" and "Hound Dog," to his slower, more tender tunes like "Love Me" and "It's Now or Never."

What was the last song Elvis performed before his 1977 death?

The final song Elvis ever performed was "Can't Help Falling in Love," whichis considered one of his most popular songs, even finding a place on Rolling Stone'slist of the 500 greatest songs ever.

"Can't Help Falling in Love" was released on the soundtrack of Elvis' 1961 movie Blue Hawaiiand became one of his most well-known hits from his time spent in movies. The song has continued to be sung or used in multiple movies including 2002's Lilo and Stitch, 2002's Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and 2018's Crazy Rich Asians.

While Elvis was known for his fast-paced songs early in his career, "Can't Help Falling in Love" became a signature part of the crooner's catalog. The musician was known for closing out his final series of concerts with the song in the late '70s.

What were the reactions to Elvis' final show?

There were varying reactions to Elvis' final performance because the singer was reportedly in poor health. Some critics harped upon his less energetic attitude, but many fans were still thrilled by the show.

In a more positive review for The Indianapolis Star, Rose praised Elvis' performance and showmanship. She wrote that numerous songs got the crowd up and clapping including "Jailhouse Rock."

She also touched on the concert's atmosphere and how Elvis still sold out his show and drove the fans wild.

"He appeared in a gold and white jumpsuit and white boots, bounding onstage with energy that was a relief to everyone ... His 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," Rose wrote. "The packed arena was indication enough that Elvis is still as popular as ever."

While there may have been some negative critical reception, the reaction among fans, as illustrated by Rose, was near-universally positive. One fan, Michelle Klein, told The Indianapolis Star that the show was her favorite Elvis performance yet.

"We've seen him at least 50 times, in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and other places. We saw him when he first made it big in 1956," Klein said. "'He hasn't changed a bit. He's better looking now than he ever was. As they say, he's not getting older, he's getting better."

What is Elvis' legacy?

Elvis is known as the King for a reason. Even today, he is still known as someone who helped launch rock into the mainstream and defined it for years to come.

He is one of the highest-selling solo artists of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and was ranked as the third-best artist of all time by Rolling Stone in 2004.

Related: All About Priscilla and Elvis Presley's 4 Grandchildren and 1 Great-Grandchild

Approximately 25,000 fans went to Elvis' Graceland Mansion to pay their respects after Elvis' death and every Aug. 16, fans still flock to Graceland for a live-streamed candlelight vigil to pay their respects. Elvis' ex-wife Priscilla and their daughter Lisa-Marie Presley — who died in 2023 — helped carry on his legacy.

As of the 2020s, Elvis' legacy is going strong. The decade saw three movies about him in three years: 2022's Academy Award-nominated Elvisstarring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks — which also features Butler singing "Unchained Melody"during Elvis' final tour — 2023's Golden Globe-nominated Priscilla starring Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny and the 2024 Netflix documentary about his 1968 comeback special, Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley.