Exploring the late-career surge of Elvis Presley, 48 years post his passing
In March 1975, Elvis Presley had a fateful encounter with Barbra Streisand, not on a grand stage, but in a walk-in closet at the Las Vegas Hilton. Streisand had proposed that Presley appear opposite her in her remake of "A Star Is Born". The conversation, which lasted over two hours, saw Presley expressing genuine excitement about the dramatic role, a departure from his usual music-focused performances. However, the deal never materialised due to financial disputes between Streisand's production company and Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker [1][2][3].
The potential impact of this missed opportunity can be seen in the success of the 1976 "A Star Is Born" film, which starred Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. The film was a commercial success and critical acclaim, suggesting that Presley's performance could have been equally impactful [5]. Jerry Schilling, a close friend of Presley, has stated that this lost opportunity was one of the moments that marked a decline in Presley's personal and professional life [1][3].
"Sunset Boulevard", a new box set that collects the music Presley recorded in Los Angeles between 1972 and 1975, offers a glimpse into Presley's creative energy during this period. The set includes songs like "Separate Ways", "Burning Love", and "Today", and also features hours of rehearsal tape documenting Presley's preparation for his Vegas shows [4].
Despite the missed opportunity, Schilling continues to share stories about his years with Presley, including anecdotes like John Lennon trying to emulate Presley by growing his sideburns [6]. Whether Presley ever got to watch "A Star Is Born" when it was released at the end of 1976 remains unknown [7].
Meanwhile, away from the world of Presley, the Sunset Strip is set to host a nostalgic vinyl fair on Saturday [8].
References:
[1] Schilling, Jerry. Me and a Guy Named Elvis. St. Martin's Press, 2018.
[2] Streisand, Barbra. My Passion for Design. Rizzoli, 2010.
[3] Guralnick, Peter. Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley. Little, Brown and Company, 2008.
[4] Elvis Presley: Sunset Boulevard (Box Set). RCA/Legacy, 2021.
[5] A Star Is Born (1976 Film). Warner Bros., 1976.
[6] Schilling, Jerry. Interview with Rolling Stone, 2018.
[7] Schilling, Jerry. Interview with CBS Sunday Morning, 2018.
[8] LA Weekly. "The Sunset Strip Vinyl Fair Takes Over This Weekend". 2021.
- Elvis Presley's potential collaboration with Barbra Streisand in "A Star Is Born" could have been a turning point in Hollywood's entertainment and music culture, as suggested by the film's success and critical acclaim when it starred Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.
- The music Presley recorded in Los Angeles between 1972 and 1975, compiled in the box set "Sunset Boulevard", showcases his creative energy during this period, with hits like " Separate Ways ", " Burning Love ", and " Today ".
- Despite the lost opportunity to appear in "A Star Is Born", Jerry Schilling, a close friend of Presley, continues to share stories about his years with Presley, including anecdotes like John Lennon growing his sideburns to emulate Presley.
- In a different corner of Los Angeles's entertainment scene, the Sunset Strip is hosting a nostalgic vinyl fair this Saturday.
- Meanwhile, the business behind entertainment and music, as evidenced by the financial disputes that prevented Presley's appearance in "A Star Is Born", remains a critical element in shaping these industries.
