Framework

Capturing the world through photography, video and multimedia

Nov. 14, 1970: Elvis Presley sings during a concert at the Forum in Inglewood -- his first L.A.-area concert in 13 years.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times

Nov. 14, 1970: Elvis Presley swings his guitar during a show at the Forum in Inglewood.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times

Nov. 14, 1970: Elvis Presley belts out "Hound Dog" during his concert. This photo was published on Monday, Nov. 16, 1970, on the Los Angeles Times View section front.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times

Nov. 14, 1970: Elvis Presley strikes a pose during a show at the Forum in Inglewood. His two appearances that day grossed $313,000, beating the one-day box-office record set a year earlier by the Rolling Stones.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times

Nov. 14, 1970: Elvis Presley gestures to the crowd while in concert at the Forum in Inglewood.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times

Nov. 14, 1970: Elvis Presley is backed up by the Imperials and the Sweet Inspirations vocal quartets during his concert at the Forum in Inglewood.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times

Nov. 14, 1970: Elvis Presley lays down during his concert. While it's not known if this is the same moment, Times music critic Robert Hilburn reported that after finishing "Polk Salad Annie," Presley fell to the floor in "mock exhaustion."

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times

Nov. 14, 1970: Elvis Presley makes a dramatic move while in concert at the Forum in Inglewood.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times

Nov. 14, 1970: Elvis Presley lifts a hat from a man in the front row during his concert.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times

Nov. 14, 1970: Elvis Presley waves to the crowd during his concert.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times

Nov. 14, 1970: A spotlight surrounds Elvis Presley during his concert.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times

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Elvis is back

Nov. 14, 1970: Elvis Presley performs at a sold-out show at the Forum in Inglewood.

Los Angeles Times pop music critic Robert Hilburn reported:

In his first local performances in 13 years. Elvis Presley’s two Saturday concerts at the Forum in Inglewood shattered the one-day box office record at the arena and demonstrated once again the dynamic qualities that have made him the nation’s top concert attraction.

The $313, 000 gross from the concerts, sponsored by Management III in association with Concert Associates and Concerts West, easily broke the previous single-day record of $238,000 set last year by the Rolling Stones’ two concerts.

Backed by the same supporting acts (The Imperials and the Sweet Inspirations vocal quartets plus comedian Sammy Shore) that have been with him in Las Vegas, Presley’s Saturday concerts were similar in design but different in results.

Both his timing and showmanship seemed better in the afternoon. His movements — the widely imitated karate-like gestures, the sweeping turns, the occasional hip wiggles — were less pronounced in the evening show. …

After a strenuous rendition of “Polk Salad Annie,” he falls to the floor, stays there for several seconds in mock exhaustion, then gets up with a smile on his face. …

Presley had come back to Los Angeles after 13 years. He had added an orchestra and some new songs, but he still had the excellent country-blues voice, the enormous personal charisma and showmanship.

He showed that he is still way in front of everybody else.

Retired Los Angeles Times staff photographer Harry Chase covered the concert. The 11 images in the above photo gallery were recently scanned from the original 35-millimeter black-and-white negatives. One, when Presley dropped to one knee to sing “Hound Dog,”  was published with Hilburn’s review on the Monday, Nov. 16, 1970 View section front page.

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