Released
on June 2nd, 1969, Elvis Presley's 9th studio album, From Elvis In
Memphis, turns 55 years old today. After spending the bulk of the
decade shackled to an MGM film contract that prohibited him from
performing live and only allowed the release of soundtrack collections,
"The King" was finally unleashed to revive his soul and record the kind
of music HE wanted to do.
After
the massive success of his TV special and its accompanying soundtrack
in 1968, Elvis was ready to do a proper studio album, something which he
hadn't really been able to do since 1960's "Elvis Is Back" album, which
was recorded shortly after his return from being drafted into military
service. After spending most the '60s recording soundtrack songs for
his films at RCA studios in Hollywood and Tennessee, his close
associates encouraged him to set up in Memphis for his next album,
taking advantage of the renowned group of studio musicians who called
the city home and who were collectively known as the "Memphis Boys".
The decision proved advantageous and allowed Elvis to lean into his more
"country" style roots, albeit with a heavy dose of Southern soul.
The
album was released to praise from both fans and critics, with many now
considering it one of Elvis' most essential releases. With Presley no
longer bound to Hollywood and making movies, the TV special and new
album set the stage for a triumphant return to live performing, which
included the conquering of Las Vegas, a city that had rejected him back
in his 1950s heyday as too "raw and unrefined", but which embraced him a
decade later as the town struggled to retain its relevance in the face
of a youth culture that had no interest in its bright lights and games
of chance. Elvis came in like a messiah, and setting up residence there
would be the shot in the arm the town so desperately needed, making it a
destination for fans eager to see a legendary performer at the peak of
his powers.
