Historic return of Elvis Presley to the Levitt Shell for 12th annual Indie Memphis Film Festival

Elvis® is returning to one of the places where it all started. As part of the 12th annual Indie Memphis Film Festival, Indie Memphis is bringing the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll back to the Levitt Shell in Overton Park with a free outdoor screening of the concert film, “Elvis: ‘68 Special,” at 7 pm, Friday, October 9. In the event of rain, the screening will be held the following Friday.

Presented by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and co-presented by the Levitt Shell and the Memphis Flyer, the screening takes place at the site where Elvis first gained public attention by stealing the show from headliner Slim Whitman with his performance of “That’s All Right.” Many music historians call that night at Overton Park in 1954 the world’s first rock ‘n’ roll concert.

Elvis led the rock ‘n’ roll revolution in music and pop culture in the 1950s. Then in the 1960s he concentrated mainly on his movie career. By 1968, it had been more than seven years since he had appeared on stage in front of a live audience. In his first television special, clad in his now-iconic black leather suit, Elvis performs classic hits both alone and, in sequences generally regarded as the forerunner of today’s popular “unplugged” concept, with friends and the original members of his band. The concert also includes splashy production numbers and the giant red “Elvis” letters.

Usually referred to as the “‘68 Special,” the actual name of the program was “Elvis.” Taped in June of 1968 at NBC’s Burbank studios, it first aired December 3 on NBC and generated the network’s biggest ratings victory of the year and the season’s top-rated show. It stands today as one of the great moments in rock music history and as a milestone in Elvis’ career. After this triumph, Presley poured renewed creative vigor into his recording work, wrapped up his movie obligations and returned full-time to the concert stage.

Click here to view the official “Elvis: ‘68 Special” page on the Indie Memphis website, send it to your friends, and even build your own schedule as the festival lineup is unveiled!