The last days at the Sahara Hotel, starting on May 16, 1973, Elvis decided to cancel the concerts. He was suffering from respiratory problems and had to be treated in an emergency room, where he underwent chest x-rays, although he was later released. His main issue was his emotional stress and fatigue, with his physical changes, his lack of sleep, and his excess of drugs, adding to the feeling of being locked in there with no freedom.
In this way Elvis would return to his house, canceling 8 shows, something that could have been avoided but it was his own decision and nobody could do anything.
Everyone was surprised, since many times they saw that Elvis acted even though he was not feeling well. This was the first time he had pushed aside his beloved audience to get away from Lake Tahoe. Elvis was drowning there, as he would say, he was tired and the excuse of respiratory problems was a good one to cancel.
The Sahara Hotel manager was very upset about this and Colonel Parker had to commit to covering these shows in a future season.
He was also very angry because he had also lost his bonus benefits that he had to pay back and he would complain to Elvis's father, Vernon, about all this.
It is true that everyone was very worried about what was happening, even his daughter Lisa Marie, who was still very young, would see strange changes in her father. She once saw him take pills and she would remember that on one occasion while watching a TV show, she said to her father: "Daddy, daddy, I don't want you to die" and Elvis just looked at her and said: "Okay, I won't. Don't worry about it." He told her that several times when they were alone.
Lisa was barely five and a half years old, but her memory was left with a sense of fear for him. Dr. Nichopoulos said that Elvis already had bladder and bowel problems, but he would also see him as a hard-core addict. He forbade her to take other drugs that he had not prescribed, he had been telling her for a long time.
But he knew that he was not paying attention to her, she warned him that this would cause serious problems and danger to his health. Vernon, his father, who did not trust the doctor, finally ended up believing him, because he saw that he was not the one who was giving him extra medication.
Everyone was seeing changes in Elvis and knew that his mood, his way of being and his health problems could trigger something worse. Colonel Parker and Vernon hired John O'Grady, friend and policeman, to investigate what was going on and find out who was helping Elvis.
Over a period that lasted for months, it was discovered that three doctors and a dentist were the ones who supplied Elvis with all pharmaceuticals. They were all threatened and deliveries were even intercepted, but this was not enough, because Elvis did not want to change, he considered everything he was consuming necessary and no one would change his mind.
In addition, there was someone from his own environment who also helped him, there were acquaintances with medical relatives, etc. The FBI in its investigations would report years later on more powerful suppliers that provided narcotics to artists, so it would be known that Elvis was one of them.
Larry Geller, a trusted friend of Elvis, would return to the group from 1972 and would say that at this time, Elvis had used liquid cocaine that he obtained from his dentist in California. Also Dilaudid liquid, this was what Elvis used the most, it was a drug prescribed for terminal cancer patients. But for Elvis this did not mean drugs, but prescriptions from his doctors necessary to be able to stay well.
In his mind, they were only prescription drugs and he justified himself with this, he never considered that he was consuming as if he were a drug addict, since it was always the doctors who authorized everything he consumed. All this affected his relationship with others, especially with Colonel Parker, with whom he would begin to have problems.
Despite having a woman by his side who loved him, Linda Thompson, who was looking out for him at all times, it was not enough. Linda tried not to let her depend on this and she took care that she was not harmed when he was affected, if he fell asleep eating, etc.
But her emptiness, his loneliness, her sense of loss, she had not been filled, nor with her music, it was necessary to stop, change course, renew...
Fortunately Elvis whenever he was falling, like a cat with his seven lives, he knew how to get back up and keep going!

"Following the Path of the King..."yendo, como un gato con sus siete vidas, sabía volver a levantarse y seguir adelante!
"Siguiendo el Camino de el Rey..."

Larry Geller was one of the Mafia members and a friend of Elvis who could better understand Elvis' spirit world. They met in April 1964, when he was called as a hairdresser for Elvis, but it would be the first time he talked with him, they talked about everything in life, then Elvis listened to him and also talked about his curiosities.
It was an important moment for Elvis, that he discovered with Larry another world different from the one he was used to, their conversation lasted three hours.
Larry introduced him to the spiritual readings, to the most transcendental conversations, to a different world that Elvis had longed for. Because he asked himself so many unanswered questions that he needed to find himself and believe.
The impact of him as a person was very great on Elvis, so much so that the Colonel wanted to keep him away from him for a while so that he would not become obsessed with these things.
Elvis felt a desire to know and know, he spent his days reading, but the Colonel would see him obsessed by all this and saw that it was detrimental to his professional goals. But finally Larry, who was a good friend, would return to Elvis's side, because it really was a difficult moment and he was needed. Elvis talked to Larry at length about his most personal things, about his thoughts, and proof of this is one of the conversations he had with him: Elvis would tell him that he grew up in the heart of the South, where they were very poor, he had lived things that he described from pain, tragedy, to reaching glory far beyond his dreams.
It was evident that this transformation was so great for him, that it was difficult to assimilate. But he explained to her that he really felt there must be a reason, a real answer to why all of this. He wondered why him? and not another boy.
Larry told him that it was not the product of chance, but that he believed it was the work of God, Larry had learned that we are all connected to an infinite, intelligent, living universe and that behind each event there is a chain of causes, of reasons for all. But Elvis added that he believed what Larry told him, but he had more questions, about his twin brother Jesse Garon, wondering why he was stillborn and what would have happened to his life if he had lived.
He also wondered why his mother died so soon after suffering so much, just when he was already happy?
All this was nailed inside him and Elvis felt terribly alone, he said how empty his existence was sometimes.
Larry felt his pain and also wondered if perhaps meeting Elvis was related to his own purpose. It is true that opening his heart to him could relieve him a little of all that burden that he could not bear, although Larry could not answer all his questions. Elvis lived day by day, he felt the moment, he was always cheerful and wanted to enjoy things, but he carried a terrible burden inside him.
If he had left all these thoughts behind and turned to people, in moments of happiness that were many too, it is possible that all this would have minimized these obsessions in his mind. His music was his reason for living, but artists sometimes have complicated moments just like anyone else, in which they temporarily lose themselves in a personal vacuum, which can lead to a change that could affect his artistic path. .
Elvis would always look for his reason for living

"Following the Path of the King..."

Lake Tahoe Hotel Sahara.
16 to 27 May 1975
22 shows. 2 cancelled. season 3



Elvis Presley was back at the Sahara Hotel, it was his third season there.
The vacation spot that they describe as wonderful and spectacular, for Elvis it was a place where he was locked up for two weeks without being able to lead a normal life or at least he believed that he couldn't do anything. Surely if he had planned properly he could have enjoyed some sport or a visit to the surroundings, but his status as an artist and famous man had him handcuffed at the Hotel.
The feeling was like in Las Vegas, but there was also the altitude factor that affected his voice a lot. Elvis was very sensitive to changes in temperature, at least they affected his vocal cords, although curiously his nocturnal habits were very peculiar and the temperature he maintained in his bedroom when he slept was very low. But in Lake Tahoe what affected Elvis the most was his boredom and the feeling of being a prisoner during the time he had to perform. He was even worse than Las Vegas, since he couldn't go anywhere and was in the middle of great landscapes that meant nothing to him.
It was a forced and heavy contract and something special always happened. But Elvis would take it in the best of humor, since the days of performance would be similar to the tour of days ago in California.
Normally there were two performances per day, except for the inauguration.

As always in Lake Tahoe the reception was good, the public welcomes him with open arms and fortunately Elvis seemed to be in a good mood, joking with the public, cheerful.
Elvis was vocally confident, it shows in the performances, but it must also be said that his repertoire was not risky at all. There are no surprises in terms of the songs he was going to sing, but it was expected and people wanted to hear the usual songs.

About the Lake Tahoe performances, Ed Sullivan's "Little Old New York." he would write in his column: "Elvis Presley's opening at Sahara Tahoe is a blockbuster."
An anecdote that he would tell said that a girl in the audience shouted: "I love you."
To which Elvis replied, "'I love you too, but what can I do about it here on stage? Maybe we can arrange something after the show..."

A novelty would be that for the first time Voice opened the concert opening, then Sweet Inspirations and as usual Jackie Kahane. Next was Elvis's performance with his show.
Voice carried his own band of musicians and Per-Erik Hallin was on piano as part of the backing group for the vocal trio.

Elvis would be very close to his audience, cheerful and joking. In his performances we can hear again that game with his fans, with his movements, his intention and response from the public. Everything seemed to be normal except for a couple of days when he had to be suspended due to voice problems.
Although everyone was delighted to be in Lake Tahoe, for Elvis it was always a must, he had been a bit choked since the first season.
"Following the Path of the King..."

Lake Tahoe, Season 4
October 11 to 14, 1974
8 shows.



Elvis Presley finished his concert tour and two days later he was back in Lake Tahoe, he had to make up some shows that he had canceled in May of the previous year due to illness.
It would be 4 days at the Hotel Sahara, in which he would perform 8 shows with good reviews from the press. It seemed that things had changed from one moment to the next. The truth is that despite having finished an unstable tour, Elvis put on good shows and there had also been changes from the press. With all this, his good work was still going to be recognized in these four days, since Elvis always returned to being himself. He always had an enviable humor and a way of being that left everything behind to return to his path and move on.
Fortunately Elvis was accompanied by his girlfriend Linda Thompson, with whom Elvis had more control over himself. He didn't go too far in consuming his pills and this made him obviously able to offer some good shows. Linda was always looking out for him, at all times and this was reason enough for Elvis to feel more secure.
Despite the altitude of the place, Elvis's voice was fine and he would sing in a dedicated way and best of all, he continued to have his mood on the rise.

In the Concert Hall there was a problem regarding the sound and Elvis took these incidents in a good mood that could be resolved. He was showing his best smile and even joking with the audience. That grayish shadow that had accompanied him the first days of the previous tour seemed to have passed.
The Hotel Tahoe had already changed the dinners in the room, for small tables for appetizers, so there was more capacity during the performances, which of course were full.
The name of Elvis Presley was always a claim for the public at the Sahara Hotel and for this reason these concerts were very well received.
As for news, Elvis had already included in previous concerts some extra performance by a member of the choir, musician, etc., in the introductions to his Show.
In these performances, Elvis wanted his soprano Kathy Westmoreland to sing a solo for the first time, but during her concert.
Kathy performed "My Heavenly Father", Elvis was very proud of her solo soprano and also let her repeat in later performances.
He would also sing a duet with her Hawaiian 'wedding Song", the last parts of the song.
The closing show was always a reason for jokes, laughter. It lasted about 75 minutes and Elvis and the musicians were in great spirits.
When Elvis sang with "Kathy, instead of hearing his wonderful voice he heard the bass voice of J. D. Sumner, singing "I...love you." Elvis couldn't go on, he laughed so hard he could barely keep up with it. show.
They were moments that deserved to be witnessed. The public of the Sahara Hotel, like the Hilton, were used to it because there was more privacy.
These jokes were hard to do on tour, because they were very big venues and they didn't usually do it.
These days would be completely different from the previous tour and Elvis was once again enjoying the stage with his musicians.
"Following the Path of the King..."

 Elvis Presley was always a special man, he wanted to be in good company so he wouldn't feel alone. Regardless of his mafia friends, he liked the company of women and at this time in October 1974, he had a formal girlfriend Linda Thompson and an informal girlfriend Sheila Ryan. Linda lived with him at Graceland and Sheila accompanied him on a tour, the strange thing is that Linda put up with this situation.
 On the October tour, Sheila accompanied Elvis and demonstrated with this that she was not the most suitable person for Elvis to feel good about himself. It was a disaster, he had no control and this had transpired on stage.
 The difference when Elvis performed in Lake Tahoe was spectacular. Linda was already with him and his influence was clear.
 Linda was understanding, caring and more or less had some control over his medications, his habits. She treated him as if she were a nurse and this meant that Elvis did not have serious mishaps.
 But most importantly Elvis felt safe and this made his performances magnificent in October 1974 in Lake Tahoe.


 Interestingly there were problems with the tickets because someone had them sold on the black market and there were duplicates. But this could be remedied so that everyone could come in and see it. Some fan queued up to 13 hours to get the ticket from him.
 
 The critics this time would be generous and fair to Elvis.
 When he left Lake Tahoe
  Elvis divided his time the rest of the year living in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and Memphis.
 Elvis was supposed to perform in January 1975.
  On December 5, The Hilton Hotel announced that Elvis would perform there from January 26 to February of the next year.


 Despite it being a good concert year overall, Colonel Parker and Elvis had neglected their recording career because there was no recording etc.
 This had a negative effect on his chart placement, and on Billboard, by the end of the year, Elvis was at number 67 as an individual artist and number 35 as an album artist.


 After the concerts, Elvis travels to Las Vegas with Sheila Rya, placing himself in the care of Elias Ghanem, one of the doctors who had treated him once.
 But there really wasn't a guarantee that this doctor would be the right one for him.
 The intention was to find the cause of Elvis' intestinal problems, so several tests were ordered. They called it a "nonpenetrating ulcer crater," along with "edematous mucosal folds." Elvis underwent a special diet to sleep by order of the Dr. It consisted of liquid nutrition and sedated rest.
 But the result would be unsuccessful, Elvis gained weight and nothing had been solved.
 Elvis trusted this doctor but instead of benefiting he was harmed.
 "Following the Path of the King..."

"Mad Tiger Suit"
"Dragon Suit"
"Blue Swirl Suit"
"Peacock Suit", "
"Mexican Sundial Suit"
"Embroidered Arabian Suit"

In these four days of performance Elvis would wear 6 suits, four recent and two that were brand new. The showiness of these jumpsuits on stage was wonderful, since they were all very striking and exotic, on the other hand Elvis had stopped liking for the moment the two-piece leather suits that he had worn in Las Vegas, although he did use them in his Personal life.
The new suits were designed by Gene Doucette and known as the "Mexican Sundial Suit" and the "Embroidered Arabian Suit".

"Embroidered Arabian Suit"

It's a white jumpsuit with a design very similar to the spectacular "Arabian Suit" from 1973, but this set from 1974 has fantastic patterns embroidered with round clear rhinestones in blue, purple, light green and orange colors, with a gold thread around the edges. . They are Arabic drawings that resemble the spades in a deck of cards.
They are arranged at the chest opening, over the shoulders and at the lower back and at the neck. Also in the folds of the pants, lined in blue fabric.
On the gold embroideries there are small round and pointed gold studs. The suit has 3 white cufflinks on each cuff.
With an original white leather belt it has 3 hollow gold colored square medallions and a round bronze medallion in the middle. With the same embroidered patterns. With a bronze chain and a gold chain in six arcs around the belt.

Other names: "Ace of Spades" or "King of Spades".
It premiered in October 1974, in Lake Tahoe. The next time Elvis wore this beautiful outfit was on October 18, 1976 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This time, Elvis wore another belt belonging to the 1975 "V-Neck Suit." He wore this outfit many times in the late fall of 1976 on tour and in Las Vegas.
  On March 24, 1977, Elvis began wearing the original belt again. And on June 18, 1977.

"Mexican Sundial Suit"

  This suit was made as far back as 1974, prior to this Lake Tahoe season. Gene Doucette says that he only made one suit in this pattern.
"Mexican Sundial Suit" is a white jumpsuit with a pattern similar to one of the two Aztec calendars, which have their origins in the calendar of the Mayan Indians. Tonalpohualli is the name of the Aztec sacred calendar that was used for worship and rituals were read from the calendar, it was a sacrificial design made on the Sun stone.

The suit has two large circular patterns embroidered in the colors orange, brown, it has a slightly thicker thread in a gold, silver color.
A circle on the chest and another on the back.
The same in the same colors on the neck and on the outside of the pants, lined with a golden fabric.
Patterns are embellished with bronze gilt pyramid studs. And inside the embroidered little mirrors and
small round colored stones. The suit had three white cufflinks on each cuff.

The white leather belt with two rows of round pointed bronze studs at the top and bottom. Between these is an embroidered row of similar patterns with the same studs, mirrors, and rhinestones. Featuring five large, round and flat silver patterns with 21 hemisphere-shaped gold studs around the belt and one on the large buckle. He wears a bronze-colored chain and a golden one in six arcs.


The "Mexican Sundial Suit" or "Aztec Sun Suit" or "Pizza Suit" as some called it, was first worn on October 12, 1974, at the midnight show in Lake Tahoe. This was the only time the suit was worn in 1974. As we all know, it was worn again on February 17, 1977 in Savannah, Georgia, and was worn a total of 37 times that year, the last time being on February 26. June 1977 in Indianapolis. Indiana. This was the last concert Elvis Presley did before he died on August 16, 1977.
Two spectacular costumes that made his performance even more spectacular, striking and magnificently designed this time by Gene Douccette. They would be one of the most beautiful designs that Elvis Presley would wear in recent years.
"Following the Path of the King..."