RCA/Legacy RecordingsFifty years ago this December 3, the historic television special known as Elvis Presley‘s “’68 Comeback Special” aired on NBC. In honor of the event’s 50th anniversary, an expansive box set featuring five CDs and two Blu-ray discs will be released on Friday, November 30.
The deluxe collection, titled Elvis Presley — ’68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition), gathers all the previously released audio and video footage related to the program into one package. The Blu-rays feature the broadcast version of the special, an extended cut of the show, outtakes and full footage of the two “sit-down” and “stand-up” performances Presley gave that were edited to create the special.
The five CDs feature the original soundtrack album for the special, plus outtakes; both “sit-down” and “stand-up” shows; the first and second rehearsals for the performances; and studio outtakes from the special that Elvis recorded with the famed session group The Wrecking Crew.
The box set also features an 80-page book boasting rare photos, memorabilia and a new oral history on the special.
Fans who pre-order the box set from the Shop Graceland online store will receive a limited-edition ’68 Comeback Special 50th Anniversary coin.
Originally called Singer Presents…ELVIS, the “Comeback Special” marked Presley’s first television appearance since 1960. It featured the rock ‘n’ roll legend taking part in a variety of production numbers, as well as performing a stripped-down acoustic set sitting in a circle with musicians including his original guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer D.J. Fontana.
The special is credited with helping Presley relaunch his career, and he soon began touring again, while also scoring new hits like “In the Ghetto” and “Suspicious Minds.”
Here are details about the ’68 Comeback Special box set’s discs:
CD 1: ELVIS (NBC-TV Special) original album and outtakes
CD 2: First “sit-down” and “stand-up” shows — June 27 and 29, 1968
CD 3: Second “sit-down” and “stand-up” shows — June 27 and 29, 1968
CD 4: First and second rehearsals in Elvis’ dressing room — June 24 and 25, 1968
CD 5: The Wrecking Crew Sessions: studio outtakes from the special — June 20-23, 1968
Blu-ray 1-2: Original and extended cuts of television special, complete “sit-down” and “stand-up” shows and outtakes
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