ELVIS: THE TRIBUTE (TV)
Summary
This televised concert special, filmed at The Memphis Pyramid are and at Graceland and featuring extensive archival footage, celebrates the life and musical career of Elvis Presley. Host John Stamos chats with The Jordanaires, Presley's longtime backup singers, and then heads to the Pyramid, where Presley's widow Priscilla Presley takes the stage and introduces a series of clips featuring Presley's performances, including a duet with Frank Sinatra. Michael Bolton performs "Jailhouse Rock," and Stamos heads to Presley's famous home, Graceland, which he purchased in 1957, and conducts a walking tour of the first floor as he describes Presley as "a rebel with good manners" and comments on his interest in spirituality and symbolism. Presley performs "Heartbreak Hotel" in a series of clips, and Michael Hutchence of INXS performs "Baby Let's Play House" onstage, followed by Marty Stuart, who performs "Don't Be Cruel." In a clip, Hy Gardner interviews Presley about his signature dancing style, and a number of fans (and detractors) weigh in on his supposedly sexual gyrations, with some parents decrying his moves as inappropriate.
Melissa Etheridge then performs "Burning Love," and clips are shown from the outtakes of Presley's 1968 comeback TV special, in which he performs a stripped-down version of "One Night." Stamos tours the rest of Graceland, including the Trophy Room, a separate building that houses Presley's many gold and platinum records, among other memorabilia. U2 performs "Can't Help Falling in Love," and Tony Bennett sings "Love Me Tender." Stamos comments on Presley's film career and his many "ladykiller" roles, and a series of romantic scenes from his movies are shown, set to his song "Trouble." At the Pyramid, Stamos acknowledges Presley's daughter Lisa Marie, her husband Michael Jackson and her sister-in-law Janet Jackson in the audience, and Bryan Adams performs "Hound Dog." Out on the street, comedian Jim Belushi and film director Quentin Tarantino sing their version of "Viva Las Vegas" as the Flying Elvises, a skydiving team, perform an impressive stunt. Carl Perkins takes the stage for "Blue Suede Shoes," and in a clip, an ardent fan describes her collection of Elvis-related props and collectors' items. Scenes are shown of Presley performing "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear," and Wet Wet Wet performs "It's Now Or Never," followed by The Mavericks with "Love Me."
Stamos explores Memphis' famous Beale Street and chats with some locals and tourists, including a couple of Presley impersonators, and then explores the rest of Graceland, including the basement pool table and the famous Jungle Room, featuring a waterfall and carpeted ceiling. Onstage, Chris Isaak performs "Blue Moon," and Tanya Tucker sings "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear." Footage is shown of Presley performing "Hound Dog," including his 1956 appearance on "The Steven Allen Show" alongside a real Basset Hound. Jerry Lee Lewis performs "See See Rider" onstage, followed by Billy Ray Cyrus with "One Night." Clips are shown of Presley singing "Don't Be Cruel," and footage is shown of President George H.W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore making reference to Presley in various speeches. Back at Graceland, Stamos shares a brief anecdote from the end of Presley's life, and the program closes with footage of Presley singing "Love Me Tender." Also includes an "ABC News Brief" hosted by Kevin Newman. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: December 15, 1994 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:56:30
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:35189
- GENRE: Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Music; Biography; History
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1994
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - AT&T telephone services
- TV - Commercials - Campbell's soups
- TV - Commercials - Children First mentoring hotline
- TV - Commercials - Coca-Cola soft drinks
- TV - Commercials - Formula 409 spray cleaner
- TV - Commercials - Hidden Valley Dips dressing
- TV - Commercials - Make A Wish Foundation
- TV - Commercials - National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- TV - Commercials - Prego sauce
- TV - Commercials - Sears stores
- TV - Commercials - V8 vegetable juice
- TV - PSA - Partnership for a Drug-Free America
- TV - Promos - "20/20"
- TV - Promos - "America's Funniest Home Videos"
- TV - Promos - "Boy Meets World"
- TV - Promos - "Christmas At Home With the Stars"
- TV - Promos - "Coach"
- TV - Promos - "Don't Drink the Water"
- TV - Promos - "Family Matters"
- TV - Promos - "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper"
- TV - Promos - "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman"
- TV - Promos - "On Our Own"
- TV - Promos - "Step By Step"
- TV - Promos - "The Artistry of Torvill and Dean"
- TV - Promos - "The Commish"
- TV - Promos - "Turning Point"
CREDITS
- Priscilla Presley … Executive Producer
- Jeff Wald … Executive Producer
- Robert Geddes … Executive Producer
- John Scher … Executive Producer
- Jack Soden … Executive Producer
- Danny Harris … Coordinating Producer
- Anthony Eaton … Producer
- Sean Allen … Associate Producer
- Allen Newman … Concert Producer
- Stig Edgren … Creative Producer
- Randy Brogna … Event Producer
- Allen Kelman … Line Producer
- Lauren Harris … Director
- Bruce Vilanch … Writer
- David Morgasen … Writer
- David Leaf … Writer
- John Stamos … Host
- John Harlan … Announcer
- Don Was … Conductor
- Michael Bolton … Performer
- Michael Hutchence … Performer
- Marty Stuart … Performer
- Melissa Etheridge … Performer
- U2 … Performer
- Tony Bennett … Performer
- Bryan Adams … Performer
- Carl Perkins … Performer
- Wet Wet Wet … Performer
- The Mavericks … Performer
- Chris Isaak … Performer
- Tanya Tucker … Performer
- Jerry Lee Lewis … Performer
- Billy Ray Cyrus … Performer
- The Jordanaires … Guest
- Priscilla Presley … Guest
- Lisa Marie Presley … Guest
- Michael Jackson … Guest
- Janet Jackson … Guest
- John Belushi … Guest
- Quentin Tarantino … Guest
- George H.W. Bush
- Hy Gardner
- Al Gore
- Elvis Presley
- Frank Sinatra
- The Flying Elvises
- For "ABC News Brief":
- Kevin Newman … Anchor