Finally a book on the triumphant "'69 Comeback; 208 pages filled with text and photos telling the entire story behind what led to Elvis' miraculous artistic and creative rebirth. Does it meet the high expectations and does it tell the definitive story on this chapter of Elvis Presley's career?
Design
The hardcover book holds 200 pages filled with many images, memorabilia, artifacts and stories from those lucky ones to have either been there or who were part of the preparations or aftermath. It is nicely designed and well balanced which makes it easy for a relaxed read yet tempting on the eye to read it from back to back.
Content
The book is divided in several chapters placing Elvis’ triumphant return to live performances in the right historical perspective. From the aftermath of his declining film career, the ’68 Comeback to Television, the ’69 Comeback to live performing and the Las Vegas aftermath. The chapter on Elvis’ first steps in Sin City back in the fifties completes the book. Besides our man, the show, the hype and promotion of our man are documented in this book. Looking at the promotional material it never seizes to amaze me that The Colonel never got it right using images of our man which fit the actual release. Although I can understand the use of images from the successful ’68 comeback there is no reason not to use more recent material. Just look at the “Elvis In Person” album, why a shot from the “’68 Comeback” and not the “’69 Comeback”?
The main focus is of course the triumphant return to live performing at the International in Las Vegas. I’ve seen a lot of photos of this event, but never presented so well as in this book; a lot of color images in the correct sequence and historical context. Before reading the text I browsed through the pictures several times.Yes, there is some image overlap with Joe Tunzi's book, but there's not that many good '69 live shots in existence. This book contains 150 stunning full color and black and white images.
The text itself is well written. Of course we already knew Ken Sharp could write, he wrote the Follow that Dream book “Writing For The King”, but here he found a new way to present the many interviews he did for this book.
Although the main story is told using quotes from first-hand accounts from those who were there, both on stage, behind the stage or in the audience Ken created an atmosphere like you are standing around with friends having a beer looking back at the concert you just witnessed together. And be honest who wouldn’t like to be part of the celebrity after show party chatting with the celebrities as they were your day-time friends. Very well done.
Reading the book you'll go behind closed doors with Elvis and the band in pre-show rehearsals and revel in the excitement and anticipation of the preparations for opening night, the night itself and the aftermath.
Conclusion
This is one of the must have Elvis books for both the great photos of Elvis Presley as the well written content to place those images in the right historical perspective through the words of those who were lucky enough to be there. It is straight up there with Alfred Wertheimers “Elvis At 21” my favorite Elvis Presley book.