Elvis the greatest live musical act from 1970-1973

[TheKingOfMusicEP]

Aloha From Hawaii was seen by more people than the moon landing. In some countrys like USA it was televised later, but all in all never before and never after it watched more people a concert of an solo singer on TV

This now-insufferable topic is reaching the outer limits. You can enjoy your apples and oranges debates from here until the next century, but none of it really matters. Elvis' place is history is assured, and what his music is doing at retail in secondary markets in the current era will not change that.

However, moving to delusional statements like the above is really weird.

The Apollo 11 moon landing on Sunday, July 20, 1969 was an extraordinary event that changed human history. A television special taped in Hawaii by anyone doesn't come close, in terms of worldwide viewership, or anything else. Among other things, across the three major U.S. networks, ABC, CBS and NBC, ratings showed that 94% of Americans watched. I'm sure Elvis was among them, too.



Apollo 11: 'The greatest single broadcast in television history'
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48857752


TV Networks Launched Out-of-This-World Moon Landing
https://variety.com/2019/vintage/features/tv-networks-moon-landing-1969-1203263930/


The Apollo 11 Mission Was Also a Global Media Sensation
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/15/business/media/apollo-11-television-media.html


1969 Moon Landing - Date, Facts, Video
https://www.history.com/topics/1960s/moon-landing-1969



Okay, now back to your apples and oranges.

We can now discuss back and forth for a long time how many people have seen Aloha from Hawaii with a time delay or later dates, but it is true that in these 3 years no other musician has released a TV special and 2 concert movies that are only about as big. In addition, there are several live albums that have sold very well. People came from all over the world to see his always full concerts. All this together clearly sets Elvis apart from the Other Artists 1970 - 1973.

Yes we can indeed discuss the viewer numbers for Aloha back and forth for a long time, but so far, you have offered nothing to support your claim, so there is nothing to discuss or debate.

The only reason people came from all over the world to watch an Elvis show and that was primarily in Vegas was because he never appeared outside of the USA. Now that might be unique in some way, but not necessarily for the right reasons and that for me knocks Elvis down the rating a bit for the best live performer in the said years of this thread.

Here’s a link to a few Top Live albums listings. Rolling Stone Top 10 Reader’s Poll for Best Live Albums of the 70’s and another from Classic Rock History, but I could not see any Elvis album listed.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-10-best-live-albums-of-the-1970s-12313/10-wings-wings-over-america%e2%80%8b-253780/

https://www.classicrockhistory.com/25-best-classic-rock-live-albums-of-all-time/

The last one is a Top 100 which seems to cover 60s and 70s, There are a few which get a mention in all three listings including Frampton Comes Alive which it seems has sold over 20 million units worldwide. But there is no Elvis.

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/live-albums-100/

What does that tell us. Well nothing that is 100% conclusive I guess, as it’s all subjective, but I would have thought Elvis would have made the latter listing if his shows/live albums are regarded as highly as you suggest.

As has been mentioned, nothing will change Elvis’ iconic status as that is already in the history books, but you can be assured that his iconic status is not off the back of his live performances between 1970 and 1973.

The only reason why people came to his concerts from all over the world is because to see him perform!

Why repeat what I wrote - "The only reason people came from all over the world to watch an Elvis show and that was primarily in Vegas, was because he never appeared outside of the USA". In other words, had he toured across the world like other artists, they would not have had the need to travel from all over the world to see him. And that was one of the marketing things about him doing Aloha, so that people who could not travel could get to see a typical Elvis show in their own country.

The same reason ABBA made music videos, because of the endless touring and at least one of the members did not want to tour that much.
But the people came from all over the world to see Elvis. Would they have come that many to see Led Zeppelin?
The thing with the great open air tours is, that most of the big names made, make a concert in the same region only with some years in between the next one there. To make sure to sell 50000 tickets or more. If Elvis wanted to make such an open air tour he would have sold the tickets as well.
I did read he did not like to do the big stadium concerts.

I asked you why you repeated what I wrote and your answer is…."The same reason ABBA made music videos, because of the endless touring and at least one of the members did not want to tour that much". Bizarre.

ABBA made music videos the same way as lots of other artists did - to help promote singles. Elvis did not do that. But ABBA did tour the world regardless of whether one member was not too keen on the travelling.

But you”re still missing the point being made. The only way fans could see Elvis live was to travel across the world. That’s it. But because they did that, it does not make him the best or greatest live artist in the period mentioned does it which is what you appear to be trying to prove.

With regard to Led Zeppelin, at least they did tour the world unlike Elvis. So your point is irrelevant.

You do no know the ABBA story, no problem for me

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Agnetha+Faltskog+called+a+recluse+after+terror+landing+stopped+her...-a0329116630

One of the members did not want to tour that much anymore, for her own reasons.

You always miss my points too.
You sure will this point too:
Jerry Weintraub
Anyway, I booked New York. You have to look it up. I think it was 4 shows the first time. Four shows, that's 80,000 people, 80,000 people for a music star. They came and slept outside Madison Square Garden for two weeks to get tickets. They slept. They brought beds. They brought cots. They brought bed roles. It was amazing. And that had never been done before. Nobody had done it.

And I remember taking my dad down because my dad always wanted to know how I made money. He said, 'How do you make money? I don't understand how you make money. You don't have any inventory or anything. You know, I don't know what you're selling'. And I said, 'No. I make money, plenty of money'. He said, 'Well, show me some time. I'd like to see it'. I remember taking my dad. There was a cafeteria right across the street from Madison Square Garden. That night we opened a box office, I think it was at nine that morning and I showed him these people who I was giving donuts to and coffee and he said, 'What are these people doing. I don't understand. The World Series. What is this?' I said, 'No. It's Elvis Presley, dad. He's as big as Babe Ruth was. He's as big as Joe DiMaggio was. He's as big as the Dodgers were. He's the man'. And that's what Madison Square Garden. It meant a lot to me. You know, it meant an awful lot. It was my hometown and then to see that sign up in the garden Jerry Weintraub presents Elvis. It was thrilling....
Everybody. Everybody I know, every important person, every little person. Every person, kids, I mean kids, you know, 10-year-old kids ask me about Elvis. He spans all ages'.

https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/jerry-weintraub-interview.shtml

[emjel]

Aloha From Hawaii was seen by more people than the moon landing. In some countrys like USA it was televised later, but all in all never before and never after it watched more people a concert of an solo singer on TV

This now-insufferable topic is reaching the outer limits. You can enjoy your apples and oranges debates from here until the next century, but none of it really matters. Elvis' place is history is assured, and what his music is doing at retail in secondary markets in the current era will not change that.

However, moving to delusional statements like the above is really weird.

The Apollo 11 moon landing on Sunday, July 20, 1969 was an extraordinary event that changed human history. A television special taped in Hawaii by anyone doesn't come close, in terms of worldwide viewership, or anything else. Among other things, across the three major U.S. networks, ABC, CBS and NBC, ratings showed that 94% of Americans watched. I'm sure Elvis was among them, too.



Apollo 11: 'The greatest single broadcast in television history'
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48857752


TV Networks Launched Out-of-This-World Moon Landing
https://variety.com/2019/vintage/features/tv-networks-moon-landing-1969-1203263930/


The Apollo 11 Mission Was Also a Global Media Sensation
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/15/business/media/apollo-11-television-media.html


1969 Moon Landing - Date, Facts, Video
https://www.history.com/topics/1960s/moon-landing-1969



Okay, now back to your apples and oranges.

We can now discuss back and forth for a long time how many people have seen Aloha from Hawaii with a time delay or later dates, but it is true that in these 3 years no other musician has released a TV special and 2 concert movies that are only about as big. In addition, there are several live albums that have sold very well. People came from all over the world to see his always full concerts. All this together clearly sets Elvis apart from the Other Artists 1970 - 1973.

Yes we can indeed discuss the viewer numbers for Aloha back and forth for a long time, but so far, you have offered nothing to support your claim, so there is nothing to discuss or debate.

The only reason people came from all over the world to watch an Elvis show and that was primarily in Vegas was because he never appeared outside of the USA. Now that might be unique in some way, but not necessarily for the right reasons and that for me knocks Elvis down the rating a bit for the best live performer in the said years of this thread.

Here’s a link to a few Top Live albums listings. Rolling Stone Top 10 Reader’s Poll for Best Live Albums of the 70’s and another from Classic Rock History, but I could not see any Elvis album listed.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-10-best-live-albums-of-the-1970s-12313/10-wings-wings-over-america%e2%80%8b-253780/

https://www.classicrockhistory.com/25-best-classic-rock-live-albums-of-all-time/

The last one is a Top 100 which seems to cover 60s and 70s, There are a few which get a mention in all three listings including Frampton Comes Alive which it seems has sold over 20 million units worldwide. But there is no Elvis.

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/live-albums-100/

What does that tell us. Well nothing that is 100% conclusive I guess, as it’s all subjective, but I would have thought Elvis would have made the latter listing if his shows/live albums are regarded as highly as you suggest.

As has been mentioned, nothing will change Elvis’ iconic status as that is already in the history books, but you can be assured that his iconic status is not off the back of his live performances between 1970 and 1973.

The only reason why people came to his concerts from all over the world is because to see him perform!

Why repeat what I wrote - "The only reason people came from all over the world to watch an Elvis show and that was primarily in Vegas, was because he never appeared outside of the USA". In other words, had he toured across the world like other artists, they would not have had the need to travel from all over the world to see him. And that was one of the marketing things about him doing Aloha, so that people who could not travel could get to see a typical Elvis show in their own country.

The same reason ABBA made music videos, because of the endless touring and at least one of the members did not want to tour that much.
But the people came from all over the world to see Elvis. Would they have come that many to see Led Zeppelin?
The thing with the great open air tours is, that most of the big names made, make a concert in the same region only with some years in between the next one there. To make sure to sell 50000 tickets or more. If Elvis wanted to make such an open air tour he would have sold the tickets as well.
I did read he did not like to do the big stadium concerts.

I asked you why you repeated what I wrote and your answer is…."The same reason ABBA made music videos, because of the endless touring and at least one of the members did not want to tour that much". Bizarre.

ABBA made music videos the same way as lots of other artists did - to help promote singles. Elvis did not do that. But ABBA did tour the world regardless of whether one member was not too keen on the travelling.

But you”re still missing the point being made. The only way fans could see Elvis live was to travel across the world. That’s it. But because they did that, it does not make him the best or greatest live artist in the period mentioned does it which is what you appear to be trying to prove.

With regard to Led Zeppelin, at least they did tour the world unlike Elvis. So your point is irrelevant.

You do no know the ABBA story, no problem for me

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Agnetha+Faltskog+called+a+recluse+after+terror+landing+stopped+her...-a0329116630

One of the members did not want to tour that much anymore, for her own reasons.

You always miss my points too.
You sure will this point too:
Jerry Weintraub
Anyway, I booked New York. You have to look it up. I think it was 4 shows the first time. Four shows, that's 80,000 people, 80,000 people for a music star. They came and slept outside Madison Square Garden for two weeks to get tickets. They slept. They brought beds. They brought cots. They brought bed roles. It was amazing. And that had never been done before. Nobody had done it.

And I remember taking my dad down because my dad always wanted to know how I made money. He said, 'How do you make money? I don't understand how you make money. You don't have any inventory or anything. You know, I don't know what you're selling'. And I said, 'No. I make money, plenty of money'. He said, 'Well, show me some time. I'd like to see it'. I remember taking my dad. There was a cafeteria right across the street from Madison Square Garden. That night we opened a box office, I think it was at nine that morning and I showed him these people who I was giving donuts to and coffee and he said, 'What are these people doing. I don't understand. The World Series. What is this?' I said, 'No. It's Elvis Presley, dad. He's as big as Babe Ruth was. He's as big as Joe DiMaggio was. He's as big as the Dodgers were. He's the man'. And that's what Madison Square Garden. It meant a lot to me. You know, it meant an awful lot. It was my hometown and then to see that sign up in the garden Jerry Weintraub presents Elvis. It was thrilling....
Everybody. Everybody I know, every important person, every little person. Every person, kids, I mean kids, you know, 10-year-old kids ask me about Elvis. He spans all ages'.

https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/jerry-weintraub-interview.shtml

Knowing about in depth details about ABBA and their touring or not knowing about ABBA is irrelevant to this thread. They hadn’t even made it in a big way outside of Sweden until Eurovision 1974, that in itself is outside of the period being discussed on this thread.

And I don’t miss your points, as they are clear as day, but they are totally irrelevant as you have been told not only by me, but others too. Fans do all kinds of things if they want to see their favourite artist perform and it’s not exclusive to Elvis either.

[Strange]

The only reason people came from all over the world to watch an Elvis show and that was primarily in Vegas was because he never appeared outside of the USA. Now that might be unique in some way, but not necessarily for the right reasons and that for me knocks Elvis down the rating a bit for the best live performer in the said years of this thread.

Here’s a link to a few Top Live albums listings. Rolling Stone Top 10 Reader’s Poll for Best Live Albums of the 70’s and another from Classic Rock History, but I could not see any Elvis album listed.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-10-best-live-albums-of-the-1970s-12313/10-wings-wings-over-america%e2%80%8b-253780/

https://www.classicrockhistory.com/25-best-classic-rock-live-albums-of-all-time/

The last one is a Top 100 which seems to cover 60s and 70s, There are a few which get a mention in all three listings including Frampton Comes Alive which it seems has sold over 20 million units worldwide. But there is no Elvis.

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/live-albums-100/

What does that tell us. Well nothing that is 100% conclusive I guess, as it’s all subjective, but I would have thought Elvis would have made the latter listing if his shows/live albums are regarded as highly as you suggest.

As has been mentioned, nothing will change Elvis’ iconic status as that is already in the history books, but you can be assured that his iconic status is not off the back of his live performances between 1970 and 1973.

I can't see how or why you would decide to knock Elvis down any rating for best live performer in the said years just because he didn't appear outside the US. How does that impact what he presented on stage? If bringing the Aloha TV audience - who cares about the actual numbers, tens of millions is plenty - into the conversation is irrelevant then so is limiting where a performance was undertaken.

Do you not think that is neither here nor there when it comes to the quality question?

As for the lead in to that bizarre opinion, the reasons why people came from overseas to see Elvis, that was indeed unique as far as I know in such numbers, and was surely a plus factor in the debate that people wanted to do that to see him perform? I may be wrong but these international visits by fan groupings - certainly the UK fan club - began in 1972, and I don't think anyone had really concluded Elvis would never tour abroad by then. It was a very expensive trip to undertake - as it was for Japanese and Norwegian groups at the time.

More such trips came later than 1970-1973 for sure, when the prospects of Elvis venturing anywhere else had become less likely in the minds of many. But it is as much a positive in this debate than how you're trying to portray it, imho. It might all just boil down to Elvis having the biggest die-hard following of any act ever - now that is a topic! - that such overseas concertgoers wanted to see him, but whatever the reason it is a big plus.

Now as for the links to other folks' rated live albums, it really is somewhat disingenuous to rely on what are clearly 'recent' such lists that are clearly aimed at the followers of hard rock bands and their ilk. The readership of Rolling Stone is very similar to that of the Hoffman site, so I would not expect them to place the likes of Elvis in the line-up. Any more than I'd expect to see other live acts that deserve to be in contention such as big country names from Cash to Brooks, r&b/soul artists from Gaye to Prince, 'm-o-r' types from Sammy Davis/Sinatra, so-called Divas - Garland/Streisand/Celine Dion/Beyoncé etc., jazz protagonists like Miles Davis, George Benson - and on and on.

Nope, it is not a very good counter to bring up any list compiled by magazines and sites that lean almost exclusively to 'ultimate classic rock' and wonder where Elvis is...

Please stop digging on this one. As you have admitted it is subjective and personal, and that is all you, I or anyone else can say. Don't let's go down too many iffy rabbit holes trying to prove Elvis wasn't the best performer in the 1970-1973 period.

Oh, and in the light of current sad news, Tina Turner isn't mentioned by Rolling Stone et al either. Rightly?

[DEH]

The only reason people came from all over the world to watch an Elvis show and that was primarily in Vegas was because he never appeared outside of the USA. Now that might be unique in some way, but not necessarily for the right reasons and that for me knocks Elvis down the rating a bit for the best live performer in the said years of this thread.

Here’s a link to a few Top Live albums listings. Rolling Stone Top 10 Reader’s Poll for Best Live Albums of the 70’s and another from Classic Rock History, but I could not see any Elvis album listed.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-10-best-live-albums-of-the-1970s-12313/10-wings-wings-over-america%e2%80%8b-253780/

https://www.classicrockhistory.com/25-best-classic-rock-live-albums-of-all-time/

The last one is a Top 100 which seems to cover 60s and 70s, There are a few which get a mention in all three listings including Frampton Comes Alive which it seems has sold over 20 million units worldwide. But there is no Elvis.

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/live-albums-100/

What does that tell us. Well nothing that is 100% conclusive I guess, as it’s all subjective, but I would have thought Elvis would have made the latter listing if his shows/live albums are regarded as highly as you suggest.

As has been mentioned, nothing will change Elvis’ iconic status as that is already in the history books, but you can be assured that his iconic status is not off the back of his live performances between 1970 and 1973.

I can't see how or why you would decide to knock Elvis down any rating for best live performer in the said years just because he didn't appear outside the US. How does that impact what he presented on stage? If bringing the Aloha TV audience - who cares about the actual numbers, tens of millions is plenty - into the conversation is irrelevant then so is limiting where a performance was undertaken.

Do you not think that is neither here nor there when it comes to the quality question?

As for the lead in to that bizarre opinion, the reasons why people came from overseas to see Elvis, that was indeed unique as far as I know in such numbers, and was surely a plus factor in the debate that people wanted to do that to see him perform? I may be wrong but these international visits by fan groupings - certainly the UK fan club - began in 1972, and I don't think anyone had really concluded Elvis would never tour abroad by then. It was a very expensive trip to undertake - as it was for Japanese and Norwegian groups at the time.

More such trips came later than 1970-1973 for sure, when the prospects of Elvis venturing anywhere else had become less likely in the minds of many. But it is as much a positive in this debate than how you're trying to portray it, imho. It might all just boil down to Elvis having the biggest die-hard following of any act ever - now that is a topic! - that such overseas concertgoers wanted to see him, but whatever the reason it is a big plus.

Now as for the links to other folks' rated live albums, it really is somewhat disingenuous to rely on what are clearly 'recent' such lists that are clearly aimed at the followers of hard rock bands and their ilk. The readership of Rolling Stone is very similar to that of the Hoffman site, so I would not expect them to place the likes of Elvis in the line-up. Any more than I'd expect to see other live acts that deserve to be in contention such as big country names from Cash to Brooks, r&b/soul artists from Gaye to Prince, 'm-o-r' types from Sammy Davis/Sinatra, so-called Divas - Garland/Streisand/Celine Dion/Beyoncé etc., jazz protagonists like Miles Davis, George Benson - and on and on.

Nope, it is not a very good counter to bring up any list compiled by magazines and sites that lean almost exclusively to 'ultimate classic rock' and wonder where Elvis is...

Please stop digging on this one. As you have admitted it is subjective and personal, and that is all you, I or anyone else can say. Don't let's go down too many iffy rabbit holes trying to prove Elvis wasn't the best performer in the 1970-1973 period.

Oh, and in the light of current sad news, Tina Turner isn't mentioned by Rolling Stone et al either. Rightly?

There are some people on here who go out of their way to downgrade any of Elvis' accomplishments. It's nothing new.

[jurasic1968]

Really? Now I say The Rolling Stones were the best live act in this period.

[TheKingOfMusicEP]

Really? Now I say The Rolling Stones were the best live act in this period.

Better than James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry or Jackie Wilson or Sammy Davis Jr?

[jurasic1968]

Yes.

[jurasic1968]

Because they were singing rock and roll.

[Chucky99]

The best live act was Elvis during this time period because he could sing all kinds of songs , from different genres ,not only Rock and roll...

[emjel]

The only reason people came from all over the world to watch an Elvis show and that was primarily in Vegas was because he never appeared outside of the USA. Now that might be unique in some way, but not necessarily for the right reasons and that for me knocks Elvis down the rating a bit for the best live performer in the said years of this thread.

Here’s a link to a few Top Live albums listings. Rolling Stone Top 10 Reader’s Poll for Best Live Albums of the 70’s and another from Classic Rock History, but I could not see any Elvis album listed.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-10-best-live-albums-of-the-1970s-12313/10-wings-wings-over-america%e2%80%8b-253780/

https://www.classicrockhistory.com/25-best-classic-rock-live-albums-of-all-time/

The last one is a Top 100 which seems to cover 60s and 70s, There are a few which get a mention in all three listings including Frampton Comes Alive which it seems has sold over 20 million units worldwide. But there is no Elvis.

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/live-albums-100/

What does that tell us. Well nothing that is 100% conclusive I guess, as it’s all subjective, but I would have thought Elvis would have made the latter listing if his shows/live albums are regarded as highly as you suggest.

As has been mentioned, nothing will change Elvis’ iconic status as that is already in the history books, but you can be assured that his iconic status is not off the back of his live performances between 1970 and 1973.

I can't see how or why you would decide to knock Elvis down any rating for best live performer in the said years just because he didn't appear outside the US. How does that impact what he presented on stage? If bringing the Aloha TV audience - who cares about the actual numbers, tens of millions is plenty - into the conversation is irrelevant then so is limiting where a performance was undertaken.

Do you not think that is neither here nor there when it comes to the quality question?

As for the lead in to that bizarre opinion, the reasons why people came from overseas to see Elvis, that was indeed unique as far as I know in such numbers, and was surely a plus factor in the debate that people wanted to do that to see him perform? I may be wrong but these international visits by fan groupings - certainly the UK fan club - began in 1972, and I don't think anyone had really concluded Elvis would never tour abroad by then. It was a very expensive trip to undertake - as it was for Japanese and Norwegian groups at the time.

More such trips came later than 1970-1973 for sure, when the prospects of Elvis venturing anywhere else had become less likely in the minds of many. But it is as much a positive in this debate than how you're trying to portray it, imho. It might all just boil down to Elvis having the biggest die-hard following of any act ever - now that is a topic! - that such overseas concertgoers wanted to see him, but whatever the reason it is a big plus.

Now as for the links to other folks' rated live albums, it really is somewhat disingenuous to rely on what are clearly 'recent' such lists that are clearly aimed at the followers of hard rock bands and their ilk. The readership of Rolling Stone is very similar to that of the Hoffman site, so I would not expect them to place the likes of Elvis in the line-up. Any more than I'd expect to see other live acts that deserve to be in contention such as big country names from Cash to Brooks, r&b/soul artists from Gaye to Prince, 'm-o-r' types from Sammy Davis/Sinatra, so-called Divas - Garland/Streisand/Celine Dion/Beyoncé etc., jazz protagonists like Miles Davis, George Benson - and on and on.

Nope, it is not a very good counter to bring up any list compiled by magazines and sites that lean almost exclusively to 'ultimate classic rock' and wonder where Elvis is...

Please stop digging on this one. As you have admitted it is subjective and personal, and that is all you, I or anyone else can say. Don't let's go down too many iffy rabbit holes trying to prove Elvis wasn't the best performer in the 1970-1973 period.

How many iffy rabbit holes is the OP going down in an attempt to prove the thread title - more viewers than the moon landing compared to Elvis TV show, two movies and people travelling across the world to see him etc etc.

I posted the chart links because I knew that they were as irrelevant as some of the things that were being used to support the thread title, because however the lists were compiled, they are all subjective.

And now the Thread OP is telling us Elvis is the best because he could sing various genres.

[FredAistair]

Really? Now I say The Rolling Stones were the best live act in this period.

Better than James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry or Jackie Wilson or Sammy Davis Jr?

don't know about all this, but I think Elvis seems pretty sensational here,

[TheKingOfMusicEP]

The only reason people came from all over the world to watch an Elvis show and that was primarily in Vegas was because he never appeared outside of the USA. Now that might be unique in some way, but not necessarily for the right reasons and that for me knocks Elvis down the rating a bit for the best live performer in the said years of this thread.

Here’s a link to a few Top Live albums listings. Rolling Stone Top 10 Reader’s Poll for Best Live Albums of the 70’s and another from Classic Rock History, but I could not see any Elvis album listed.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-10-best-live-albums-of-the-1970s-12313/10-wings-wings-over-america%e2%80%8b-253780/

https://www.classicrockhistory.com/25-best-classic-rock-live-albums-of-all-time/

The last one is a Top 100 which seems to cover 60s and 70s, There are a few which get a mention in all three listings including Frampton Comes Alive which it seems has sold over 20 million units worldwide. But there is no Elvis.

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/live-albums-100/

What does that tell us. Well nothing that is 100% conclusive I guess, as it’s all subjective, but I would have thought Elvis would have made the latter listing if his shows/live albums are regarded as highly as you suggest.

As has been mentioned, nothing will change Elvis’ iconic status as that is already in the history books, but you can be assured that his iconic status is not off the back of his live performances between 1970 and 1973.

I can't see how or why you would decide to knock Elvis down any rating for best live performer in the said years just because he didn't appear outside the US. How does that impact what he presented on stage? If bringing the Aloha TV audience - who cares about the actual numbers, tens of millions is plenty - into the conversation is irrelevant then so is limiting where a performance was undertaken.

Do you not think that is neither here nor there when it comes to the quality question?

As for the lead in to that bizarre opinion, the reasons why people came from overseas to see Elvis, that was indeed unique as far as I know in such numbers, and was surely a plus factor in the debate that people wanted to do that to see him perform? I may be wrong but these international visits by fan groupings - certainly the UK fan club - began in 1972, and I don't think anyone had really concluded Elvis would never tour abroad by then. It was a very expensive trip to undertake - as it was for Japanese and Norwegian groups at the time.

More such trips came later than 1970-1973 for sure, when the prospects of Elvis venturing anywhere else had become less likely in the minds of many. But it is as much a positive in this debate than how you're trying to portray it, imho. It might all just boil down to Elvis having the biggest die-hard following of any act ever - now that is a topic! - that such overseas concertgoers wanted to see him, but whatever the reason it is a big plus.

Now as for the links to other folks' rated live albums, it really is somewhat disingenuous to rely on what are clearly 'recent' such lists that are clearly aimed at the followers of hard rock bands and their ilk. The readership of Rolling Stone is very similar to that of the Hoffman site, so I would not expect them to place the likes of Elvis in the line-up. Any more than I'd expect to see other live acts that deserve to be in contention such as big country names from Cash to Brooks, r&b/soul artists from Gaye to Prince, 'm-o-r' types from Sammy Davis/Sinatra, so-called Divas - Garland/Streisand/Celine Dion/Beyoncé etc., jazz protagonists like Miles Davis, George Benson - and on and on.

Nope, it is not a very good counter to bring up any list compiled by magazines and sites that lean almost exclusively to 'ultimate classic rock' and wonder where Elvis is...

Please stop digging on this one. As you have admitted it is subjective and personal, and that is all you, I or anyone else can say. Don't let's go down too many iffy rabbit holes trying to prove Elvis wasn't the best performer in the 1970-1973 period.

How many iffy rabbit holes is the OP going down in an attempt to prove the thread title - more viewers than the moon landing compared to Elvis TV show, two movies and people travelling across the world to see him etc etc.

I posted the chart links because I knew that they were as irrelevant as some of the things that were being used to support the thread title, because however the lists were compiled, they are all subjective.

And now the Thread OP is telling us Elvis is the best because he could sing various genres.

Yes Elvis could sing all kinds of music. That's a + for him

[TheKingOfMusicEP]

The only reason people came from all over the world to watch an Elvis show and that was primarily in Vegas was because he never appeared outside of the USA. Now that might be unique in some way, but not necessarily for the right reasons and that for me knocks Elvis down the rating a bit for the best live performer in the said years of this thread.

Here’s a link to a few Top Live albums listings. Rolling Stone Top 10 Reader’s Poll for Best Live Albums of the 70’s and another from Classic Rock History, but I could not see any Elvis album listed.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-10-best-live-albums-of-the-1970s-12313/10-wings-wings-over-america%e2%80%8b-253780/

https://www.classicrockhistory.com/25-best-classic-rock-live-albums-of-all-time/

The last one is a Top 100 which seems to cover 60s and 70s, There are a few which get a mention in all three listings including Frampton Comes Alive which it seems has sold over 20 million units worldwide. But there is no Elvis.

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/live-albums-100/

What does that tell us. Well nothing that is 100% conclusive I guess, as it’s all subjective, but I would have thought Elvis would have made the latter listing if his shows/live albums are regarded as highly as you suggest.

As has been mentioned, nothing will change Elvis’ iconic status as that is already in the history books, but you can be assured that his iconic status is not off the back of his live performances between 1970 and 1973.

I can't see how or why you would decide to knock Elvis down any rating for best live performer in the said years just because he didn't appear outside the US. How does that impact what he presented on stage? If bringing the Aloha TV audience - who cares about the actual numbers, tens of millions is plenty - into the conversation is irrelevant then so is limiting where a performance was undertaken.

Do you not think that is neither here nor there when it comes to the quality question?

As for the lead in to that bizarre opinion, the reasons why people came from overseas to see Elvis, that was indeed unique as far as I know in such numbers, and was surely a plus factor in the debate that people wanted to do that to see him perform? I may be wrong but these international visits by fan groupings - certainly the UK fan club - began in 1972, and I don't think anyone had really concluded Elvis would never tour abroad by then. It was a very expensive trip to undertake - as it was for Japanese and Norwegian groups at the time.

More such trips came later than 1970-1973 for sure, when the prospects of Elvis venturing anywhere else had become less likely in the minds of many. But it is as much a positive in this debate than how you're trying to portray it, imho. It might all just boil down to Elvis having the biggest die-hard following of any act ever - now that is a topic! - that such overseas concertgoers wanted to see him, but whatever the reason it is a big plus.

Now as for the links to other folks' rated live albums, it really is somewhat disingenuous to rely on what are clearly 'recent' such lists that are clearly aimed at the followers of hard rock bands and their ilk. The readership of Rolling Stone is very similar to that of the Hoffman site, so I would not expect them to place the likes of Elvis in the line-up. Any more than I'd expect to see other live acts that deserve to be in contention such as big country names from Cash to Brooks, r&b/soul artists from Gaye to Prince, 'm-o-r' types from Sammy Davis/Sinatra, so-called Divas - Garland/Streisand/Celine Dion/Beyoncé etc., jazz protagonists like Miles Davis, George Benson - and on and on.

Nope, it is not a very good counter to bring up any list compiled by magazines and sites that lean almost exclusively to 'ultimate classic rock' and wonder where Elvis is...

Please stop digging on this one. As you have admitted it is subjective and personal, and that is all you, I or anyone else can say. Don't let's go down too many iffy rabbit holes trying to prove Elvis wasn't the best performer in the 1970-1973 period.

How many iffy rabbit holes is the OP going down in an attempt to prove the thread title - more viewers than the moon landing compared to Elvis TV show, two movies and people travelling across the world to see him etc etc.

I posted the chart links because I knew that they were as irrelevant as some of the things that were being used to support the thread title, because however the lists were compiled, they are all subjective.

And now the Thread OP is telling us Elvis is the best because he could sing various genres.

Yes Elvis could sing all kinds of music. That's a + for him

And he was the complete superstar

[TheKingOfMusicEP]

Really? Now I say The Rolling Stones were the best live act in this period.

Better than James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry or Jackie Wilson or Sammy Davis Jr?

don't know about all this, but I think Elvis seems pretty sensational here,

Great video

[TheKingOfMusicEP]

Aloha From Hawaii was seen by more people than the moon landing. In some countrys like USA it was televised later, but all in all never before and never after it watched more people a concert of an solo singer on TV

This now-insufferable topic is reaching the outer limits. You can enjoy your apples and oranges debates from here until the next century, but none of it really matters. Elvis' place is history is assured, and what his music is doing at retail in secondary markets in the current era will not change that.

However, moving to delusional statements like the above is really weird.

The Apollo 11 moon landing on Sunday, July 20, 1969 was an extraordinary event that changed human history. A television special taped in Hawaii by anyone doesn't come close, in terms of worldwide viewership, or anything else. Among other things, across the three major U.S. networks, ABC, CBS and NBC, ratings showed that 94% of Americans watched. I'm sure Elvis was among them, too.



Apollo 11: 'The greatest single broadcast in television history'
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48857752


TV Networks Launched Out-of-This-World Moon Landing
https://variety.com/2019/vintage/features/tv-networks-moon-landing-1969-1203263930/


The Apollo 11 Mission Was Also a Global Media Sensation
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/15/business/media/apollo-11-television-media.html


1969 Moon Landing - Date, Facts, Video
https://www.history.com/topics/1960s/moon-landing-1969



Okay, now back to your apples and oranges.

We can now discuss back and forth for a long time how many people have seen Aloha from Hawaii with a time delay or later dates, but it is true that in these 3 years no other musician has released a TV special and 2 concert movies that are only about as big. In addition, there are several live albums that have sold very well. People came from all over the world to see his always full concerts. All this together clearly sets Elvis apart from the Other Artists 1970 - 1973.

Yes we can indeed discuss the viewer numbers for Aloha back and forth for a long time, but so far, you have offered nothing to support your claim, so there is nothing to discuss or debate.

The only reason people came from all over the world to watch an Elvis show and that was primarily in Vegas was because he never appeared outside of the USA. Now that might be unique in some way, but not necessarily for the right reasons and that for me knocks Elvis down the rating a bit for the best live performer in the said years of this thread.

Here’s a link to a few Top Live albums listings. Rolling Stone Top 10 Reader’s Poll for Best Live Albums of the 70’s and another from Classic Rock History, but I could not see any Elvis album listed.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-10-best-live-albums-of-the-1970s-12313/10-wings-wings-over-america%e2%80%8b-253780/

https://www.classicrockhistory.com/25-best-classic-rock-live-albums-of-all-time/

The last one is a Top 100 which seems to cover 60s and 70s, There are a few which get a mention in all three listings including Frampton Comes Alive which it seems has sold over 20 million units worldwide. But there is no Elvis.

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/live-albums-100/

What does that tell us. Well nothing that is 100% conclusive I guess, as it’s all subjective, but I would have thought Elvis would have made the latter listing if his shows/live albums are regarded as highly as you suggest.

As has been mentioned, nothing will change Elvis’ iconic status as that is already in the history books, but you can be assured that his iconic status is not off the back of his live performances between 1970 and 1973.

The only reason why people came to his concerts from all over the world is because to see him perform!

Why repeat what I wrote - "The only reason people came from all over the world to watch an Elvis show and that was primarily in Vegas, was because he never appeared outside of the USA". In other words, had he toured across the world like other artists, they would not have had the need to travel from all over the world to see him. And that was one of the marketing things about him doing Aloha, so that people who could not travel could get to see a typical Elvis show in their own country.

The same reason ABBA made music videos, because of the endless touring and at least one of the members did not want to tour that much.
But the people came from all over the world to see Elvis. Would they have come that many to see Led Zeppelin?
The thing with the great open air tours is, that most of the big names made, make a concert in the same region only with some years in between the next one there. To make sure to sell 50000 tickets or more. If Elvis wanted to make such an open air tour he would have sold the tickets as well.
I did read he did not like to do the big stadium concerts.

I asked you why you repeated what I wrote and your answer is…."The same reason ABBA made music videos, because of the endless touring and at least one of the members did not want to tour that much". Bizarre.

ABBA made music videos the same way as lots of other artists did - to help promote singles. Elvis did not do that. But ABBA did tour the world regardless of whether one member was not too keen on the travelling.

But you”re still missing the point being made. The only way fans could see Elvis live was to travel across the world. That’s it. But because they did that, it does not make him the best or greatest live artist in the period mentioned does it which is what you appear to be trying to prove.

With regard to Led Zeppelin, at least they did tour the world unlike Elvis. So your point is irrelevant.

You do no know the ABBA story, no problem for me

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Agnetha+Faltskog+called+a+recluse+after+terror+landing+stopped+her...-a0329116630

One of the members did not want to tour that much anymore, for her own reasons.

You always miss my points too.
You sure will this point too:
Jerry Weintraub
Anyway, I booked New York. You have to look it up. I think it was 4 shows the first time. Four shows, that's 80,000 people, 80,000 people for a music star. They came and slept outside Madison Square Garden for two weeks to get tickets. They slept. They brought beds. They brought cots. They brought bed roles. It was amazing. And that had never been done before. Nobody had done it.

And I remember taking my dad down because my dad always wanted to know how I made money. He said, 'How do you make money? I don't understand how you make money. You don't have any inventory or anything. You know, I don't know what you're selling'. And I said, 'No. I make money, plenty of money'. He said, 'Well, show me some time. I'd like to see it'. I remember taking my dad. There was a cafeteria right across the street from Madison Square Garden. That night we opened a box office, I think it was at nine that morning and I showed him these people who I was giving donuts to and coffee and he said, 'What are these people doing. I don't understand. The World Series. What is this?' I said, 'No. It's Elvis Presley, dad. He's as big as Babe Ruth was. He's as big as Joe DiMaggio was. He's as big as the Dodgers were. He's the man'. And that's what Madison Square Garden. It meant a lot to me. You know, it meant an awful lot. It was my hometown and then to see that sign up in the garden Jerry Weintraub presents Elvis. It was thrilling....
Everybody. Everybody I know, every important person, every little person. Every person, kids, I mean kids, you know, 10-year-old kids ask me about Elvis. He spans all ages'.

https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/jerry-weintraub-interview.shtml

Knowing about in depth details about ABBA and their touring or not knowing about ABBA is irrelevant to this thread. They hadn’t even made it in a big way outside of Sweden until Eurovision 1974, that in itself is outside of the period being discussed on this thread.

And I don’t miss your points, as they are clear as day, but they are totally irrelevant as you have been told not only by me, but others too. Fans do all kinds of things if they want to see their favourite artist perform and it’s not exclusive to Elvis either.

But Jerry Weintraub knew who was the biggest name in showbiz at that time!

[emjel]

The only reason people came from all over the world to watch an Elvis show and that was primarily in Vegas was because he never appeared outside of the USA. Now that might be unique in some way, but not necessarily for the right reasons and that for me knocks Elvis down the rating a bit for the best live performer in the said years of this thread.

Here’s a link to a few Top Live albums listings. Rolling Stone Top 10 Reader’s Poll for Best Live Albums of the 70’s and another from Classic Rock History, but I could not see any Elvis album listed.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-10-best-live-albums-of-the-1970s-12313/10-wings-wings-over-america%e2%80%8b-253780/

https://www.classicrockhistory.com/25-best-classic-rock-live-albums-of-all-time/

The last one is a Top 100 which seems to cover 60s and 70s, There are a few which get a mention in all three listings including Frampton Comes Alive which it seems has sold over 20 million units worldwide. But there is no Elvis.

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/live-albums-100/

What does that tell us. Well nothing that is 100% conclusive I guess, as it’s all subjective, but I would have thought Elvis would have made the latter listing if his shows/live albums are regarded as highly as you suggest.

As has been mentioned, nothing will change Elvis’ iconic status as that is already in the history books, but you can be assured that his iconic status is not off the back of his live performances between 1970 and 1973.

I can't see how or why you would decide to knock Elvis down any rating for best live performer in the said years just because he didn't appear outside the US. How does that impact what he presented on stage? If bringing the Aloha TV audience - who cares about the actual numbers, tens of millions is plenty - into the conversation is irrelevant then so is limiting where a performance was undertaken.

Do you not think that is neither here nor there when it comes to the quality question?

As for the lead in to that bizarre opinion, the reasons why people came from overseas to see Elvis, that was indeed unique as far as I know in such numbers, and was surely a plus factor in the debate that people wanted to do that to see him perform? I may be wrong but these international visits by fan groupings - certainly the UK fan club - began in 1972, and I don't think anyone had really concluded Elvis would never tour abroad by then. It was a very expensive trip to undertake - as it was for Japanese and Norwegian groups at the time.

More such trips came later than 1970-1973 for sure, when the prospects of Elvis venturing anywhere else had become less likely in the minds of many. But it is as much a positive in this debate than how you're trying to portray it, imho. It might all just boil down to Elvis having the biggest die-hard following of any act ever - now that is a topic! - that such overseas concertgoers wanted to see him, but whatever the reason it is a big plus.

Now as for the links to other folks' rated live albums, it really is somewhat disingenuous to rely on what are clearly 'recent' such lists that are clearly aimed at the followers of hard rock bands and their ilk. The readership of Rolling Stone is very similar to that of the Hoffman site, so I would not expect them to place the likes of Elvis in the line-up. Any more than I'd expect to see other live acts that deserve to be in contention such as big country names from Cash to Brooks, r&b/soul artists from Gaye to Prince, 'm-o-r' types from Sammy Davis/Sinatra, so-called Divas - Garland/Streisand/Celine Dion/Beyoncé etc., jazz protagonists like Miles Davis, George Benson - and on and on.

Nope, it is not a very good counter to bring up any list compiled by magazines and sites that lean almost exclusively to 'ultimate classic rock' and wonder where Elvis is...

Please stop digging on this one. As you have admitted it is subjective and personal, and that is all you, I or anyone else can say. Don't let's go down too many iffy rabbit holes trying to prove Elvis wasn't the best performer in the 1970-1973 period.

How many iffy rabbit holes is the OP going down in an attempt to prove the thread title - more viewers than the moon landing compared to Elvis TV show, two movies and people travelling across the world to see him etc etc.

I posted the chart links because I knew that they were as irrelevant as some of the things that were being used to support the thread title, because however the lists were compiled, they are all subjective.

And now the Thread OP is telling us Elvis is the best because he could sing various genres.

Yes Elvis could sing all kinds of music. That's a + for him

Lots of artists can sing all kinds of music. It’s whether they want to is the consideration.

[TheKingOfMusicEP]

The only reason people came from all over the world to watch an Elvis show and that was primarily in Vegas was because he never appeared outside of the USA. Now that might be unique in some way, but not necessarily for the right reasons and that for me knocks Elvis down the rating a bit for the best live performer in the said years of this thread.

Here’s a link to a few Top Live albums listings. Rolling Stone Top 10 Reader’s Poll for Best Live Albums of the 70’s and another from Classic Rock History, but I could not see any Elvis album listed.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-10-best-live-albums-of-the-1970s-12313/10-wings-wings-over-america%e2%80%8b-253780/

https://www.classicrockhistory.com/25-best-classic-rock-live-albums-of-all-time/

The last one is a Top 100 which seems to cover 60s and 70s, There are a few which get a mention in all three listings including Frampton Comes Alive which it seems has sold over 20 million units worldwide. But there is no Elvis.

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/live-albums-100/

What does that tell us. Well nothing that is 100% conclusive I guess, as it’s all subjective, but I would have thought Elvis would have made the latter listing if his shows/live albums are regarded as highly as you suggest.

As has been mentioned, nothing will change Elvis’ iconic status as that is already in the history books, but you can be assured that his iconic status is not off the back of his live performances between 1970 and 1973.

I can't see how or why you would decide to knock Elvis down any rating for best live performer in the said years just because he didn't appear outside the US. How does that impact what he presented on stage? If bringing the Aloha TV audience - who cares about the actual numbers, tens of millions is plenty - into the conversation is irrelevant then so is limiting where a performance was undertaken.

Do you not think that is neither here nor there when it comes to the quality question?

As for the lead in to that bizarre opinion, the reasons why people came from overseas to see Elvis, that was indeed unique as far as I know in such numbers, and was surely a plus factor in the debate that people wanted to do that to see him perform? I may be wrong but these international visits by fan groupings - certainly the UK fan club - began in 1972, and I don't think anyone had really concluded Elvis would never tour abroad by then. It was a very expensive trip to undertake - as it was for Japanese and Norwegian groups at the time.

More such trips came later than 1970-1973 for sure, when the prospects of Elvis venturing anywhere else had become less likely in the minds of many. But it is as much a positive in this debate than how you're trying to portray it, imho. It might all just boil down to Elvis having the biggest die-hard following of any act ever - now that is a topic! - that such overseas concertgoers wanted to see him, but whatever the reason it is a big plus.

Now as for the links to other folks' rated live albums, it really is somewhat disingenuous to rely on what are clearly 'recent' such lists that are clearly aimed at the followers of hard rock bands and their ilk. The readership of Rolling Stone is very similar to that of the Hoffman site, so I would not expect them to place the likes of Elvis in the line-up. Any more than I'd expect to see other live acts that deserve to be in contention such as big country names from Cash to Brooks, r&b/soul artists from Gaye to Prince, 'm-o-r' types from Sammy Davis/Sinatra, so-called Divas - Garland/Streisand/Celine Dion/Beyoncé etc., jazz protagonists like Miles Davis, George Benson - and on and on.

Nope, it is not a very good counter to bring up any list compiled by magazines and sites that lean almost exclusively to 'ultimate classic rock' and wonder where Elvis is...

Please stop digging on this one. As you have admitted it is subjective and personal, and that is all you, I or anyone else can say. Don't let's go down too many iffy rabbit holes trying to prove Elvis wasn't the best performer in the 1970-1973 period.

How many iffy rabbit holes is the OP going down in an attempt to prove the thread title - more viewers than the moon landing compared to Elvis TV show, two movies and people travelling across the world to see him etc etc.

I posted the chart links because I knew that they were as irrelevant as some of the things that were being used to support the thread title, because however the lists were compiled, they are all subjective.

And now the Thread OP is telling us Elvis is the best because he could sing various genres.

Yes Elvis could sing all kinds of music. That's a + for him

Lots of artists can sing all kinds of music. It’s whether they want to is the consideration.

Roy Orbison was one of them

[jeanno]

The best live act was Elvis during this time period because he could sing all kinds of songs , from different genres ,not only Rock and roll...

He was the very best when focused on good rock'n'roll music thus between June 1968 and august 1969 (although you could make a case for the first half of 1970.) What an extraordinary powerful singer he was back then!

[eligain]

Because they were singing rock and roll.

What does singing rock and roll have to do with being the greatest live musical act?

[Lonely Summer]

Because they were singing rock and roll.

What does singing rock and roll have to do with being the greatest live musical act?

Some of our friends here have a very narrow focus when it comes to music.

[Swedish]

Because they were singing rock and roll.

What does singing rock and roll have to do with being the greatest live musical act?

Some of our friends here have a very narrow focus when it comes to music.

Oh, so my enough wide focus are maybe to short...

cdcdcd.jpg

[jurasic1968]

My mistake. The Rolling Stones sang mainly rock and roll, but also ballads, blues and folk music. By the way, in 1973 they released the very beautiful ballad Angie.

[Yamaguchi.Y]

Just like I said on page one, this thread is . .

spock-fascinating.gif

[TheKingOfMusicEP]

Because they were singing rock and roll.

And theese I mentioned what were they singing?
Jackie, Jerry Lee, Chuck, Richard?
And also Elvis

[TheKingOfMusicEP]

The best live act was Elvis during this time period because he could sing all kinds of songs , from different genres ,not only Rock and roll...

Yes and he did it better than all the others, that I have heard.
He did do for example " Polk Salad Annie" and "Bridge Over Trouble Waters" with the same energy.