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Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special Elvis, starring Elvis Presley, was the title of a 1968 United States television special. It was directed by Steve Binder and produced by Binder and Bones Howe. The executive producer was Bob Finkel, musical director Billy Goldenberg. Sponsored by The Singer Company, it aired on December 3, 1968 on the NBC television network. The special is commonly referred to as 'Elvis' 68 Comeback Special, because of subsequent developments in Presley's career, but the soundtrack album was released simply as NBC-TV
Special
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Elvis If I Can Dream
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68 Comeback Special Press
Conference with Elvis
Director Steve Binder - Producer Bob Finkel
and Music director, Billy Goldenberg
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Elvis signing autographs
outside the NBC Studio 1968
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Musical director Billy Goldenberg
offering Elvis some advice
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Elvis famous Hagstrom Viking Guitar
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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
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