Elvis Presley - Gospel Production Number | '68 Comeback Special REACTION

[@jessethornton8664]

Up above my head and saved were not on any other albums. So, you would not have heard them by Elvis before this.

[@randymoore8336]

I love love love that you call him “The Elvis “ Because he’s the Elvis!! ❤

[@randymoore8336]

When the three backup singers were singing with their tambourines the closest one to you was Whitney Houston’s mother Sissy Houston

[@SheenaRea]

And isn't Elvis DASHING!?!! Wowie!!! 😍😍😍

[@michaellawliss3049]

Freakn SPECTACULAR ❤

[@AnnemarieSwarts]

Rousing production! ❤ The solo dancer as the medley opens is Claude Thompson who choreographed the Gospel medley, working with his own group of dancers. 🔥

[@t.m.5969]

Live the red suit!

[@DDee1414]

Gospel- his first love. No one could sing gospel songs in the middle of a rock/pop concert except the King! Love the passion….

[@kerrypapworth1526]

How amazing does this great man look here 💕

[@Jeri_C11]

I have a DVD they sold on one of the Anniversarys & it has out takes and bloopers. One part in which they had him using a tambourine he would throw it up and then as it came down he’d catch it. Elvis of course looked very cool doing it. Then one time he threw it up, but it never came down. He kept looking up being used to mistakes and trying to remain cool but then burst out laughing as everyone else did. It was really funny. It never came back down. Must have been caught up in the rafters. As you see they skip the tambourine in the end. 😂😂 Thanks Seph for following his musical life journey and sticking with it. It just gets better from this point on. ❤❤❤😊😊😊🎸🕺🏻🎸🎤‼️

[@pennyyoung3166]

Banger banger banger

[@Mary-d5x6g]

Fabulous artistry, and a wonderful reaction. i think the girl singers are "The Blossoms", he always had wonderful singers and dancers behind him. Unmatched anywhere. Thanks

[@raymondturner3952]

If you dont move to the last song you are dead.

[@ianraymondback]

That's why it's called the gospel medley, seth 😅

[@helenludlow2331]

Elvis in his element and a banger 💥💥

[@randymoore8336]

You’re so right!!! How Great Thou Art Album !!!

[@Lamm139]

He doesn't only sing, he preaches to us! Imho singing gospel songs was Elvis' true calling from God. I feel so encouraged everytime I hear him sing a gospel song!

[@Lighttanguitar]

“Elvis saw himself as a gospel singer who just happened to sing rock and roll and star in movies.” -Billy Stanley, The Faith of Elvis

[@amandarayray9340]

I got the Elvis sweats!! 😅😅😊❤

[@SephPlays]

Glad im not the only one who has them haha

[@Laura-M-L]

I bet this segment reminded him of his high school church days! Black gospel music!❤️ And as usual he looked great, and sang great!

[@MarkRogersVOCFB]

There is a nine-hour DVD collection (I own) with all the outtakes and everything that was filmed from the 68 Comeback Special.

[@petehanuszak4318]

The Whole 68 Comeback Special was Awesome. Parker His Manager Wanted A Christmas Special, But Producer Steve Binder Wanted Everyone To Know Who Elvis Really Is. Elvis Wore Black Leather Pants And Jacket Sang Some Of His Old Songs And Played Guitar In Front Of Live Audience. Check It Out I Have The D.V.D. If Elvis Did It Parkers Way He Would Have Been Ruined.

[@emerald1805]

Darlene Love!!!! You’ve got to hear when she did a guest one off song called ‘Having A Good Time’ with Steve Marriott (Small Faves, Humble Pie) on Herman Rarebell’s (Scorpions) solo album Herman Ze German. (1984) Rare but incredible!!! **edit: I saw the Blossoms opening for the BeeGees in the 70s. Just Amazing!

[@kathifielder1110]

As you've said before, Elvis was born to sing gospel. Soft and tender or loud and gritty, it's all terrific. As for The Blossoms and the dancers -- wow!

[@TheKopyKatz]

My favourite production number from the 68 special

[@Wildlife_SA.]

The female singer is Darlene Love from the Blossoms. In 1969 the Sweet Inspirations joined Elvis when he opened in Vegas. Seph, love your reaction. This gospel production number is sublime! I watch it often. Elvis looks and sounds phenomenal! He is the GOAT for sure!

[@carriemichelle322]

This was so important to him, to have gospel and people of all color and different ethnicity. He loved everyone!! He was so beautiful inside and out! Hope this has more of the sit down part.

[@allandickson8576]

love it

[@janetb.8683]

I have to admit, I haven't watched this in awhile. It is a great gospel production, there is so much going on & Elvis sounds amazing. I totally feel re-energized!! Once again, a masterful reaction Seph, your memory is incredible!

[@gorse9030]

Great reaction Seph on a fantastic gospel medley scene that has more than stood the test of time.

[@brandonayong5823]

People always talk about the sir down part and the if I can dream song but this moment is one of the greatest musical moment on television. It's so underrated and ahead of it's time

[@clboelcke]

Yeah, people forget this was 1968 and the fact that Elvis sets a precedent for a multiracial cast. Beautiful gospel numbers.

[@dulceseco4191]

Wow, so spectacular 👏🏾👏🏾🕺🎶🎵💖👏🏾👏🏾

[@senyart890]

"Saved" was written by Leiber and Stoller who also wrote "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock". I don't think I've heard you react to this one. This is so much fun.

[@randymoore8336]

As Elvis comes down the stairs with his backup singers the lady on the left by herself is Cissy Houston Whitney Houston’s mother.

[@AnnemarieSwarts]

According to Wikipedia, Cissy was never a member of The Blossoms, though. 🤔 Of The Sweets, yes.

[@randymoore8336]

@@AnnemarieSwarts Yes but that’s her. Whitney Houston’s talked about it in an interview.

[@AnnemarieSwarts]

@@randymoore8336 Interesting!

[@sherrera66]

These are The Blossoms he contracted them for the Special awesome ladies. Yes it’s showing the how rock n roll evolved from gospel TCB⚡️

[@marion_R]

I don't think that there were coloured dancers on US television before this. Steve Binder ( producer ) told the story, that it was a scandal when a white girl touched Harry Belafonte ( coloured singer) on TV. This gospel production number is fire 🔥

[@marycorner4809]

Think it was Petula Clarke

[@sherrisee3752]

❤❤❤❤love this gospel section, so much talent going on😍❣

[@marycorner4809]

There was a movie made this year only on a few cinemas called reinventing Elvis with Steve Binder telling the story of how the 68 comeback was made was really good everyone in the cinema stood up and clapped at the end you might be able to stream this Seph if you're interested

[@elvis78ale]

Amazing documentary. I hope they released a DVD

[@jackielouise7538]

I was going to suggest that maybe Seph should watch this film in his own time after he has finished reacting to the '68 Special as it tells the story of how it came about and the struggle that Steve Binder had to put it together. It's a great film, I loved it.

[@kathifielder1110]

I have a book about the '68 Comeback Special. It's awesome! It's oversized, includes all the details, and has tons of pictures.

[@elvis78ale]

@@kathifielder1110 Yes I have it too and I like it very much ❤️

[@debbyschultz1729]

Beautiful production and "The Elvis!" Is absolutely amazing!! ❤❤❤❤❤!

[@WoodsWoman822]

As Elvis was explaining in the prior Song / Talk, This Preformance was Showing the Progression of how Gospel & Rhythm & Blues Evolved into Rock and Roll !!

[@judyzeller3921]

I don't think Seph got to see Elvis explaining that progression. One of the parts that seems to have been cut from this version.

[@nancy9891]

@@judyzeller3921In one of the other video parts he saw Elvis explain the progression in gospel music to R&R. He was talking about he liked the Beatles, etc. and then talked about the origins of rock and roll. There was a lot of entertainment on TV in 1968 but Elvis made sure he gave a wonderful message to everyone who watched the 68 Special.

[@Lighttanguitar]

I wonder if Elvis helped arrange the Medley? Either way it was brilliantly done so that you don’t even notice the slow-paced gospel number morph into the fast -what to call it?-“rockspel”! 😂 I’d never heard anyone explain the origins of rock music the way Elvis did, but it makes sense, and goes to show how intuitive he was in saying so.

[@jennyjorgensen9935]

Fantastic gospel segment. Glad you enjoyed that, Seph. Yes, the Blossoms were outstanding. Elvis loving this medley, too.❤❤❤

[@darrenkoglin3423]

This Gospel production is like nothing else ever performed for tv its the greatest gives a tear to the sinful knowing there is the chance for salvation.TCB&TLC

[@sudeshkrishnan4564]

On the question of how many takes - probably minimal cuts: just notice, in the beginning, for how long everything is done in synch before a different shot finally appears. It's really a testament of all the performers shown. The Gospel sequence here is one of the purest Elvis performances you could ever see. It's him in his essence. And it's real and authentic - which was the case in all his TV specials, right up to the end. File this Gospel sequence under 'essential!'

[@robbansa]

These production numbers was filmed without an audience. The 3 backup singers were The Blossoms they are amazingly good. You will come across old and new songs. Saved is absolutely a top notch gospel rocker. LaVern Baker did this song before Elvis and her version is also extremely good. First song Where Could I Go But To The Lord then Up Above My Head and finally Saved. I think you can buy Saved separately.

[@thepuma2012]

this is so incredidyble good. amazing. and the dancers are amazing too, indeed. I have the DVD set with all takes they did, and this production-number took in total 21 takes. Elvis is lipsyncing this, so in one take he misses Ho-HO-Yeah, for examples. In another one Elvis flings tambourine to the sky, and in one he has a misstep on the stairs. the recodings data: June 27 : 1968 guitar man production number (the one with Let yourself go in it) , Black leather sit down show 1 and Black leather sit down show 2, june 28: Gospel production numer, Bordello scene inserts shots (those are the close ups with the blondine) june 29: Black leather stand up show 1, black leather stand up show 2 june 30 : tv show opener (trouble/guitar man) , guitar man production number 2 (the one with little egypt in it), short promo (Huh-Huh-Huh), closing credits, If i can Dream I have no data of the recordings of the songs for the production numbers, where he lipsyncs, but it must have been in those 4 days at the Burbank studios. There are also some recordings of a dress-room rehearsal. Imagine how hard he worked...

[@darrentownend5270]

A quick note, one of the backing gospel singers is the talented Darlene Love from the Blossoms and the actress who plays the wife to Danny Glover in the Lethal Weapon Movies

[@elvis78ale]

Love it ❤

[@SheenaRea]

Fantastic!! Much of this was featured in the "Elvis" movie last year (Baz Luhrmann). I love this!!! The music and production is outstanding! Love Elvis's 3 singers walking down those steps. 👍👍👍❤❤❤

[@maggieshome]

Yay love it brilliant Seph 🤗 ❤

[@theapavlou3030]

Just subbed coz i love your confusion. This is Gospel Elvis, if you know his gospel work, he got all his grammy awards for those and he loved this music best. At the time, a black male lead dancer was unthinkable. The bordello scene was censored too because it was too sexual 🔥 If he hadn't been Elvis the God, he'd have been a preacher. Absolutely beautiful man, funny and amazing talent like no other ❤

[@jjbud3124]

This is part of the two scripted parts of the Special. You've done a small section of the other part. These two parts are similar to old-style variety shows. The leather part is a jam session - the best part of the show. The other scripted part of the show was not shown at the time of the original production - it was too much for the time and the sponsors cut it. After Elvis died, it was shown again and the entire show with both scripted segments was played (very, very luckily by accident).

[@chriswinslow1651]

I believe those are the Sweet Inspirations backing him. If so, one of them is Whitney Houston’s mother.

[@thymeout4rosemary446]

The 3 girl singers are The Blossoms.

[@timcarr6401]

Jody Miller did this live in 1965. I think Elvis's version was modeled after her rendition. I don't think Elvis was saved. Jody wasn't in 1965, but she was converted/saved in the 1980s.

[@shirleygoff7143]

I’m sure Elvis was saved way before 1955.

[@timcarr6401]

@@shirleygoff7143 By their fruits you shall know them the Bible says. Elvis bore rotten fruit.

[@AnnemarieSwarts]

@@shirleygoff7143 As I understand it, he was saved when he was nine.

[@AnnemarieSwarts]

@@timcarr6401 You are without sin, Tim.

[@timcarr6401]

@@AnnemarieSwarts That's absurd.

[@heretogetupdated6199]

Are you single? 👀

[@SephPlays]

I'm pretty sure he was married to priscilla at this point haha

[@heretogetupdated6199]

@@SephPlays you know exactly which person I was referring to 👀😂

[@SephPlays]

@@heretogetupdated6199 Hahaha 😊

[@heretogetupdated6199]

@@SephPlays so is that a yes or no 👀👀👀👀

[@SephPlays]

Im married to my work? Does that count? Haha 😅

[@WILL_aka_TROID]

Not to bother you but when is the next MJ vid coming

[@depper]

In about 25 years. lol!

[@gorse9030]

He's on the substitutes bench at the moment - enjoy this in the meantime, its not too painful is it😊😊