After the success of the tv show "SINGER presents Elvis" Colonel Parker informed The William Morris Agency, that his client would be available for concert performances in 1969. An engagement of four weeks would be charged at 500,000 USD, two weeks would cost 300,000 USD. With the exception of Mondays the king would perform once each day, on Saturdays and Sundays he would appear twice.
At the same time Kirk Kerkorian, a large-scale investor and founder of Trans International Airlines, was looking for an act to open the International Hotel in Las Vegas. The venue was under construction since March 1, 1968 and was to become the largest entertainment resort of its time. The complex of 30 floors included 1,519 suites and rooms, the biggest casino the world had seen so far, a vast showroom, a theater and two lounges. Combined the entertainment facilities offered a capacity of 4,000 seats. The International Hotel also included a convention center, that held 7,500 people. For dining the venue offerend two restaurants and a coffee shop. For relaxation there were a swimming pool as well as courts for golf, tennis, squash, handball and table tennis. The guests could even have a barbeque or a picknick without having to leave the resort. It needed 3,000 people to keep the vast hotel running. The construction was planned to be completed in the summer of 1969 and of course Kerkorian wanted to open the largest entertainment resort in the world with the biggest star he could get.
But even though it was a great idea to open with the long-awaited stage comeback of Elvis Presley, Kerkorian wasn't willing to pay such an outrageous fee. Instead he offered 400,000 USD for four weeks. Besides that, Elvis had to be on stage twice each day and had to pay his musicians himself. To stress the quality of his offer, Kerkorian agreed to pay a fine of 50,000 USD, if the singer would find better conditions in Vegas within 12 months. Knowing that he wasn't to get more money from anyone else, Elvis accepted the deal, but refused to be the first act to perform there. Colonel Parker had advised against it, because he feared, that a new venue, operated by a not yet perfectly coordinated team might cause some problems. So Barbra Streisand became the first act to perform at the International Hotel. She also was paid with 100,000 USD per week. At the time Streisand and Presley were the best paid entertainers in Vegas.
Musicians
James Burton (guitar), John Wilkinson (guitar), Charlie Hodge (guitar and harmony vocals), Jerry Scheff (bass), Ronnie Tutt (drums), Larry Muhoberac (piano) and The Bobby Morris Orchestra. The harmony vocals were provided by The Sweet Inspirations (Myrna Smith, Sylvia Shemwell, Estelle Brown & Cissy Houston,) and The Imperials (Jim Murray, Armond Morales, Terry Blackwood, Roger Wiles & Joe Moscheo).
About The Engagement
On February 26, 1969 a camera caught Elvis visiting the construction site of the International Hotel and signing a contract. But of course it was pure promotion, the real document was signed on April 15th without any cameras or journalists around. Elvis asked Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana and The Jordanaires to accompany him on stage, but the offer of 500 USD per week was way too low to accept. Especially Scotty didn't want to go, because he made a lot more with his recording studio and still was upset, that Elvis hadn't asked him to play at his recent sessions in Memphis. Instead of sorting things out and offering a reasonable fee, the king turned to James Burton and asked him to compile a new band. By the way: They all were paid more than 500 USD per week. However, Elvis and Charlie Hodge looked for songs that might fit a live show and Bill Belew designed a series of costumes, loosely based on karate suits. The rehearsal sessions started on July 16th. During six days Elvis and his musicians tried out more than 150 different songs. A basic set list was created and a bunch of additional songs were selected. Of course RCA wanted Elvis to perform some of the tracks, he recently had recorded in Memphis. His single hit "In The Ghetto" was sung every night, but things like "This Is The Story", "Inherit The Wind" and "Rubberneckin'" were just performed once. Other songs Elvis did sing just occationally were "Reconsider Baby", "Funny How Time Slips Away" and "Johnny B. Goode". After the songs were selected, the group moved to Vegas, where they were joined by The Sweet Inspirations and The Imperials". On July 29th the rehearsals were continued at the Showroom Internationale. Here the group was joined by The Bobby Morris Orchestra. Of course they had rehearsed the arrangements by themselves, but now it was time to put everything together. Elvis was keen to do it right, even on July 31st, the day of the premire, he did two complete rehearsal shows before the curtain finally whent up at 8:30 pm.
The fans and the press were delighted and Elvis himself was obviously happy to be in front of a live audience again. The management of the International Hotel was keen to keep the newly resurrected rock'n'roll king and offered a long-term contract. With a weekly fee of 100,000 USD Elvis and Barbra Streisand already were the best paid stars in Vegas, but to lure him into a bond with the International until the end of 1973, the management raised the payment to a whopping 125,000 USD and even included a contractual term, that allowed Elvis to leave if the hotel was to be sold. With two engagements per year the contract ensured an annual income of a million dollars - for only eight weeks of work. Back in 1969 it was a sensation!
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