The first concert, that was filmed for the "Elvis On Tour" project, took place in Hampton Roads/Virginia on April 9, 1972. On that day the singer performed at The Hampton Coliseum twice. The first show began at 2:30 pm, the second one on 8:30 pm. While the matinee was sold out with 11,000 spectators, the evening show was "only" visited by 10,650 people. MGM filmed the evening performance, which was also taped by RCA.

The lights are dimmed and the orchestra plays the "Einleitung, Oder Sonnenaufgang" from Richard Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra". Soon the band takes over with the "Opening Riff" and Elvis walks on stage. He's dressed in the "Blue Nail Suit". From Charlie Hodge the king picks up his black guitar, then he walks to the microphone at the center of the stage.

The opener "See See Rider" is performed with a lot of power, Elvis is in fine voice and obviously enjoying what he's doing.

The same applies here. Elvis and his band are running at full throttle. Unfortunately there are problems with the king's microphone. In the movie everything sounds fine, but the RCA recording isn't perfect.

The king and his crew have fun with "Never Been To Spain". It's not as staight as the version in the movie, but quite entertaining and vocally no less impressive.

To these ears this is Elvis' best performance of "You Gave Me A Mountain" ever. He really lives the song, but avoids to get melodramatic or oversing any lines. Great! Great! Great!

Of course the king includes "Until It's Time For You To Go", which was released on a single earlier this year. When Elvis gets near the edge of the stage or throws a scarf in the audience, the crowd goes banans. Here and there the singer has to laugh about the reaction.

Now it's time for some Body English. Elvis really enjoys the performance, interacts with his harmony singers and shakes his body to the sounds of the frantic finale. 

While the king sings one of the golden oldies, someone throws a bra on stage. Elvis puts it on his head, which causes a lot of fun.

His mega seller from 1957 gets the usual highspeed-treatment. During the performance Elvis points at someone in the audience and says "smile!".

Jokingly the king has his pianist starting "Teddy Bear" a second time, because "the camera guy missed it". Elvis obviously has a good time.

Now the king asks for a c-chord and sings "Are You Lonesome Tonight". This is somewhat surprising, because at the time he rarely performed his 1961 hit record on stage. It's a serious and heartfelt rendition, at the end Elvis says "thanks for listening". For me this rendition is a real highlight.

This is another performance, that shows how much the king loved being on stage. At one point Glen D. Hardin makes a mistake, Charlie Hodge has to laugh and Elvis throws some water at his pianist.

As usual the king sings the song in a slow tempo, then he changes to the original rock'n'roll style. It's an ok performance, a nice reminder of the fan's youth.

The power ballad obviously meets the singers personal taste much better than "Hound Dog". It's a good rendition, albeit not as great as the one from Greensboro, which would appear in the movie.

This is the second song of the evening, during which Elvis presents some of his famous moves. He has fun, when suddenly some women's lingerie is thrown on stage. Jokingly Elvis asks one of the ladies at the edge of the stage "Are these yours, honey?".

The ballad is played a tad faster than during his performance at New York's Madison Square Garden, but it's still a good rendition.

Elvis takes a minute or so to introduce his musicians and harmony singers.

The single "An American Trilogy" / "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" has been released the previous week, but Elvis doesn't promote it. He simply sings "Trilogy" and it turns out to be a real stunner. The singers, the band, the orchestra and of course the lead vocalist - they are all doing a great job and deliver a top-notch performance.

In contrast to the previous song, "Love Me Tender" isn't taken seriously by anyone. The movie tune is used to kiss some ladies and to hand out a few scarfs. But it's the kind of circus the audience has come to see. It's an opportunity to touch the legendary superstar and maybe even get a souvenir to take home. Well, by the way: If you don't get a scarf from Elvis himselvis, you can buy one in the lobby of the coliseum.

Elvis follows with another oldie, a full-blooded "A Big Hunk O' Love". Once again he's so obviously enjoying his performance and for me this one is his best live rendition of the rock'n'roll classic.

It's somewhat strage to follow a rock song with a gospel hymn, but Elvis does the stunt and quickly demonstrates, that he's capable of presenting both styles with the same mastery. It's a sincere and impressive performance.

Now the king features The Stamps by giving them a solo spot. He asks "just listen to them, please" and it's certainly worthwhile to do so.

Elvis follows the gospel group with a performance of "Lawdy Miss Clawdy". It's much better than the one released on "Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis" two years later. The king really digs the song and sings it very well.

As usual he bows out with "Can't Help Falling In Love". The band segues into the "Closing Riff", Elvis poses with his cape and gives his fans a great photo opportunity. Then he disappears and leaves the people wanting more.