Elvis closed his short tour on December 31, 1976 at the Civic Center Arena in Pittsburgh/Pennsylvania. To keep the show going past midnight, the concert started an hour later than usual and the break between the pre-show and the main act was a tad longer. The show was recorded by a guy named John Herman, who was able to place his recording equipment directly in front of the stage. The recording was released as early as 1977 under the name of "Rockin' With Elvis - New Years Eve" and it is said, that the producers even sent a copy to the king. However, for an audience recording the tape sounds extremely good and so Follow That Dream Records had Lene Reidel master the tape in a professional studio. The result was released in 2003 on a double disc called "New Years Eve". The sound carriers are housed in a fold-out digipak, which includes photos from the show. As usual FTD does without a digital release, so an old fashioned cd-player is needed.

The pre-show had started at 9:30 pm, afterwards there had been a break of 45 minutes. Now it is 11:25 pm and 16,049 fans eagerly await their idol. Finally the houselights are taken down and the orchestra plays an excerpt of "Also Sprach Zarathustra". The band takes over with the "Opening Riff" and there he is: Elvis Presley. He's wearing the "Black Phoenix Suit", which he hadn't used since the summer of 1975. Charlie Hodge hands him a guitar and the show begins.

The usual opener is presented with zest. Elvis toys a bit with the melody, but doesn't appear to be as hyped up as in Dallas or Birmingham.

Now Elvis sings the word "well" in different pitches, James Burton "answers" with his guitar. The Ray Charles classic is sung well, as usual the king adds the gospel "Amen" and demonstrates a selection of his famous moves. The opening of the show is finished off with a reprise of "I Got A Woman". Elvis hands the guitar over to Charlie Hodge and welcomes the audience.

Here Elvis strays from his usual set list. "Big Boss Man" had rarely been performed since the summer of 1975, but yesterday the king spontaneously had revived the song. He must have liked it, because now he repeats his performance and also would include it from time to time in the future.

The ballad is part of each and every concert and is a vehicle to make contact with the audience and handing out some scarfs.

The country-pop is the most current song so far, it was released the previous year on the album "Elvis Today". It's played faster than on the record, even after the king has asked the band to take the foot off the gas. He obviously enjoys the performance.

The same applies to this musical soap opera. Even though the king cannot hold the notes as long as back in 1972 in the movie "Elvis On Tour", he still knows how to sell the song and impresses with majestically belted out lines.

Of course Elvis knows, that the majority of the people comes to hear the classics. "Jailhouse Rock" is presented as a clap-along pseudo rock'n'roll, which has little to do with the original version, but works well as a reminiscence to the good ole' days.

The announcement of the next song is interrupted by the sounds of a cowbell. Jim Curtain, back then a well known fan and collector, presents the bell to Elvis, whishes him a belated "merry Xmas", a "happy birthday" in advance and a general "happy bicentennial" (in 1976 the USA had existed for 200 years). Sherrill Nielsen sings "O Sole Mio" and turns it into comedy by yelping in the highest pitch possible. Elvis takes over with "It's Now Or Never" and uses the song to demonstrate his impressive voice.

The Sinatra classic is also presented in a dramatic, big-voiced way. Elvis has to read the lyrics from a sheet, but the performance itself is very good.

Because it's close to midnight, the king has the house lights switched on and wishes a happy new year in advance. Then he performs the country ballad "Funny, How Time Slips Away".

Almost without a break Elvis launches into "Auld Lang Syne". Everybody is singing along to greet the new year. Afterwards the king has the lights turned down again. He introduces his father Vernon and his daughter Lisa-Marie. His new girlfriend Ginger Alden is sitting next to them, but isn't introduced. Maybe she doesn't want the attention of some 16,000 people. However, the sound engineers Felton Jarvis, Bruce Jackson and Bill Porter are mentioned.

The rock'n'roll classic is performed in a business-like fashion.

After a little interaction with the crowd Elvis sings "Trying To Get To You". This is one of the few oldies he never gets tired of. He uses his voice to its full extend and really impresses the audience. Today he's toying around with the melody a bit, which I don't like all that much. I prefer the straight renditions like the one on the album "Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis" (1974).

Tony Joe White's swamp rock is also presented with zest, but the physical action is rather poor. Even though Elvis has lost several pounds, his condition is lightyears away from his earlier years.

To get his breath back the king introduces his band. Each and everyone is mentioned by name and all members of the band play a solo. James Burton even does two. Elvis mumbles along to "What I Say" and "Johnny B. Goode", but sings "Love Letters" and "Early Morning Rain" quite well. Nevertheless the introductions are eating up way too much time.

Usually this spot on the set list is blocked for the current single, but today someone in the audience yells out for "Fever". The king accepts the request and drives the ladies wild just by moving his legs.

Now it's time for "Hurt", the single from his last album. However, meanwhile RCA has released "Moody Blue" / "She Thinks I Still Care", but obviously Elvis has not rehearsed these songs and therefore has to stick to "Hurt". He performs it very well and uses his voice to its full extent. When he repeats the finale, Elvis falls backwards on the floor and plays around with the melody. A great performance, the audience goes wild.

The rock'n'roll classic receives a similar reception, even though the presentation is quite weak. Elvis invests a little more energy as usual, but nevertheless he just repeats the same four lines over and over again.

Now Elvis announces, that he's on stage for an hour and five minutes, but he wants to continue as long as the people want to listen to him. It's almost funny, that he regarded a show of an hour to be a long one. In 2023 Paul McCartney, a former member of The Beatles and by then 80 years old, performed at the Glastonbury Festival for almost three hours. However, Charlie Hodge hands Elvis a guitar and acts as microphone stand, because the instrument is nothing but a prop and not even connected to the sound system. Just like they did in Vegas, they turn the ballad into some kind of comedy. Charlie pretends to be the aim of this tender ballad and acts "gay". The audience has as much fun as Elvis and Charlie, but in fact it's nothing but making fun of homosexuals in a very coarse way.

The tragedy is followed by a good rendition of "Reconsider Baby". Elvis obviously isn't the greatest guitar player in the world, but otherwise he surely knows how to present a blues song.

After a false start, the king and his crew perform "Little Sister". It's not a regular feature of the show and therefore a welcome addition. Elvis also must have liked the song, because from February 1977 onwards it would replace "All Shook Up".

After having played guitar, Elvis also wants to accompany himself on the piano. He dedicates the song to his daughter Lisa, his father Vernon and his girlfriend Ginger. Once again it's obvious, that the king isn't a good instrumentalist, but he sings very well and impresses the audience with his dramatic rendition.

Now Elvis premiers "Rags To Riches". It's an improvised performance and the king has to tell the band what he wants to hear. It's just great to witness the interaction between the singer and his musicians. Vocally Elvis is very good.

With a few words Elvis bows out and sings his usual closer "Can't Help Falling In Love". During the "Closing Riff" the king demonstrates some karate moves. Then he is gone and the show is over.