Elvis If I Can Dream

 68 Comeback Special Press Conference with Elvis
 Director Steve Binder  - Producer Bob Finkel 
and Music director, Billy Goldenberg

Elvis signing autographs
 outside the NBC Studio 1968

Musical director Billy Goldenberg offering Elvis some advice

Elvis famous Hagstrom Viking Guitar

Elvis Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, wanted the show, which was scheduled for Christmas 1968, to be little more than Elvis singing Christmas carols. Director Steve Binder argued that the special was an opportunity to re-establish Elvis's career after years of formula movies and movie soundtrack recordings. Binder writers to script a show with specific themes: they envisaged large set designs, dance sequences and big productions of Elvis Presley's top ten hits. However, Binder was open to any variations on this that would showcase Elvis charisma and talent.

The special eventually included an extravagant musical sequence featuring Gospel songs, a semi-autobiographical "mini-movie" centered around the song "Guitar Man" and other Elvis hit songs were given lavish set designs. Network censors forced the removal of one segment set in a bordello which featured the song "Let Yourself Go". The special ends with Elvis's now signature  peace song "If I Can Dream."

The Hagstrom Viking was manufactured from 1964 - a two pickup guitar very much in the style of a Gibson ES335 or Guild Starfire, however structurally quite different. With its bolt-on neck, hollow body (no central block) and Fender style headstock it is actually more akin to other guitars such as the Fender Coronado