Third appointment dedicated to Elvis Presley: today we talk about "Elvis is Back!"

 

In March 1960, the King of Rock 'n Roll returns from military service and, after an appearance on the television show hosted by Frank Sinatra, rushes into the studio to record the single "Stuck On You," which is warmly received by fans, reaching one million sales on pre-order alone. Already from this record, one can sense the new direction the artist is taking, moving towards a softer crooner style, as confirmed by the subsequent "It's Now Or Never," "Surrender," and "Are You Lonesome Tonight?". In April 1960, "Elvis Is Back!" is released, consisting of 12 tracks recorded once again with the collaboration of guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer D. J. Fontana, joined by pianist Floyd Cramer and saxophonist Boots Randolph. The album marks a move towards pop music, but also features rock and rhythm and blues tracks, such as "Like a Baby," "Reconsider Baby," and "Dirty, Dirty Feeling" (the latter by the Leiber-Stoller duo). Standing out among all is the seductive cover of "Fever," inspired by the version made famous by Peggy Lee. Elvis's voice, thanks to techniques learned from his friend Charlie Hodge during his time in the army, gains depth and confidence and is particularly praised by critics. As music historian John Robertson stated, Elvis manages to be credible in all his nuances, from provocative teenage idol to lively blues singer, from sophisticated nightclub showman to turbulent rock soul. Released just days after the end of recording, "Elvis is Back!" reaches second place on the American charts and is now considered one of the artist's best albums. Despite repeated musical successes, in the following years Elvis mainly devoted himself to cinema, with light comedies such as "G.I. Blues" (1957) and "Blue Hawaii" (1961), but also dramatic films like "Flaming Star" (1960) and "Wild in the Country" (1961). For each film, a soundtrack is composed to be promoted in parallel and, while for a certain period this formula proves effective, thanks also to famous songs like "Can't Help Falling in Love" (1961) and "Return to Sender" (1962), on the other hand, Elvis's artistic production suffers considerably. In fact, the only album featuring new material arrives in 1967, "How Great Thou Art," a gospel record with which the King wins his first Grammy Award. From 1961 to 1968, the lights of Hollywood keep Elvis away from concerts, but such a long absence can only be remedied with a grand return: broadcast on television on December 8, 1968, "Elvis" (later known as the "'68 Comeback Special") is the special with which the artist officially retraces his steps, performing on stage in a black leather suit in the rock 'n roll style of his early years. The show is a success and Elvis declares, "I will never again sing a song I don't really believe in." From here, a long series of concerts and recording sessions begins, keeping the artist busy for the years to come. However, the divorce from his wife Priscilla Beaulieu in 1972 and a strong distrust of strangers following an assault by a fan in 1973 lead Elvis to isolation, substance abuse, and poor eating habits. Furthermore, financial problems due to Colonel Parker's expenses and those of the artist's family force him into increasingly exhausting tours and pitiful conditions, leading to his death from cardiac arrest in 1977, at just 42 years old. 

To remember this music legend, today we invite you to listen to "Can't Help Falling In Love," one of the songs that best testifies to the unparalleled talent of the eternal King of Rock 'n Roll.