Main text - with new 2025 additions - from the BoxCar Enterprises release 'The Final Curtain'

Before June 26, the final night of this 1977 tour, Elvis was able to get a good night's rest in his own bed at Graceland, and spent the afternoon relaxing before making the flight to Indianapolis. He touched down at around 6:00pm, and was greeted on the tarmac by RCA executives who presented him with a plaque for RCA's 2 billionth record pressed, a milestone reached while producing Elvis' latest album, Moody Blue. 

UK Fan Club President Todd Slaughter was also there and Elvis shook their hands graciously and posed with the plaque for the local news cameras on-hand to capture the presentation.

From the airport he travelled to Stouffers Inn Indianapolis to rest for a couple of hours and prepare for his tour's closing show that evening at Market Square Arena. As he readied for the concert, he realized that this was the last performance he would give before the publication of 'Elvis: What Happened?' scheduled for the beginning of August. He had always feared losing his fans, and had resolved to make this concert a memorable one.

At Market Square Arena 18,000 fans were settling into their seats to prepare for the night's performance. They suffered through the opening acts, anticipation building as they awaited the moment they would finally see Elvis. During the show's intermission, the arena was abuzz with chatter. Then at about 10pm the lights in the arena were dimmed and a hush fell over the crowd. They knew that this was the moment they had been waiting for. The tympana rumbled as the horns played the familiar opening theme from 2001.

The tension built in the audience began to erupt as Larrie Londin's snare segued from '2001' to 'See See Rider'. You could feel a silent plea rippling through the audience: "Please Elvis, don't be fat!" 

Then Elvis stepped on stage with energy that was a relief to anyone and the audience burst into an instantaneous, collective roar that was explosive and deafening. Anyone who questions Elvis' power over his audience needs only to listen to the opening of the wonderful audience recording of this concert to see the proof of his command.

Compared to the truly weak performance that CBS TV had filmed at Omaha only one week previously, this was a healthier, happy and focused Elvis who was determined to put on a great and memorable 'Closing Night' concert. 

Elvis playfully waited for the screams to settle, allowing the hypnotic vamp of the band to wash over the crowd. Once the crowd had been tamed, he approached the Mic and belted out "Oh See...", and ignited the audience once again.

The review of the concert appearing in the Indianapolis Star noted the energy in Elvis' performance that evening. (see below) It was the best show he had given all year. From the moment he stepped onstage the audience was completely under his spell. He sang some old songs, some more recent ones, and spent longer than usual introducing his band and his father. 

"He seems like a man who's getting ready to retire", one member of the audience commented.

He stayed on stage for a full 80 minutes relishing in the love of the fans. One could easily make out the new drummer Larrie Londin – being behind the drum set for the past show in Cincinnati as well. 

During "I Got A Woman / Amen" Elvis said that J.D. was singing lower than a whale, which brought the house down. After that it was time for the very last B-52 routine, testing the speaker system. "You Gave Me A Mountain" was exceptional with Larrie Londin nearly beating the drum set in half.

Sherrill Nilsen sang "O Sole Mio" with sincerity that night. Elvis even requested that he would repeat the last part. The oldies section was rung in with a good version of "Little Sister" and a superb medley of "'Teddy Bear" combined as usual with "Don't Be Cruel". 

Elvis' question: "In which key did we do 'Release Me'?" came as total surprise to everyone concerned. But amazingly enough Elvis delivered a good version. The next surprise wouldn't take long, as he directly began to sing "I Can't Stop Loving You" which he had performed June 1st, 1975 in Huntsville, Alabama for the last time. 

He had performed the next song –"Bridge Over Troubled Water"- at least two times in 1977 and tonight's version was nothing less than fantastic, beautiful and outstanding.

After the band introductions Elvis sang a haunting version of "Early Mornin' Rain" with John Wilkinson's guitar playing being as clear as a bell. Elvis introduced Larrie Londin and poked the big man about his size by saying that he had the size of London. And Londin played as if his life depended on it, receiving much deserved applause. 

Tonight's version of "I Really Don't Want To Know" was the best version of this song so far. For the very last time Elvis would perform "Hurt". And once again, what a terrific version! 

After Elvis had thanked the audience and a couple of people in his entourage, he mentioned his girlfriend, Ginger Alden, and asked for his father, Vernon, to join him on stage. 

Even after his signature closing song, "Can't Help Falling In Love", Elvis remained onstage longer than usual, pacing back and forth, soaking up the love that the fans were offering him. Then he turned, joining Joe Esposito and his father and walked off the stage for the very last time.

 

In 2001 Indianapolis' Market Square Arena was demolished and is now a parking lot. The memorial plaque for the arena commemorates its history and importance as the venue for Elvis Presley’s final concert.

 

'Elvis performs in true Presley style before 18,000'
Review printed in the 'The Indianapolis Star' newspaper the following day.

"Elvis looks great and Elvis sounds great!" exclaimed comedian Jackie Kahane to 18,000 enthusiastic, sweaty-palmed fans at Market Square Arena last night.

And Indianapolis once again prepared to great royalty-the hip-swivelling singer who has been called the King of rock 'n' roll since the Mid-1950s.

Elvis. His name was everywhere: on posters, buttons, souvenir books, T-shirts, hats, and homemade clothes that proclaimed with personal touches, admiration for a man idolized by millions.

The big question was, of course, had he lost weight? His last concert here, nearly 2 years ago, found Elvis overweight, sick and prone to give a lethargic performance. As the lights in the Arena was turned down after intermission, you could feel a silent plea rippling through the audience: Please, Elvis, don't be fat.

And then he appeared, in a gold and white jumpsuit and white boots, bounding onstage with energy that was a relief to everyone. At 42, Elvis is still carrying around some excess baggage on his mid-section, but it didn't stop him from giving a performance in true Presley style.

His opening number, the audience-grabbing "C.C. Rider," got his portion of the show off to a flash-bulb-popping, hand-clapping start. His "Amen" in which he encouraged everyone to lap and sing along, seemed to bring everyone together, as did "Jailhouse Rock" and "I Got a woman."

His older numbers seemed to draw more applause, although just about everything he did created mass? hysteria, especially his "leg jerks." (In case you have never seen Elvis, this particular maneuver consist of one singer, standing perfectly still with his legs apart, then making his legs ripple like jelly, completing the action with moving first one leg and then the other abruptly to each side.)

Elvis has limited his karate movements, but the stances he takes with his guitar generated screams and shrieks from delighted fans. One of his best numbers, we feel, was "It's Now Or Never," followed by a medley of his hits. He also offered "You Gave Me A Mountain," and "Fairytale" plus several others.

He also did his famous "I uh, we uh, well, well, well, well, well, well" monologue, which seems to turn dyed-in-the-wood Elvis fans on. He coveted scarves, tossed into the audience after gracing the singer's neck, caused mad scrambles by the stage as he got rid of them just about as fast as they were put around his neck. The fans were well-behaved, considering the usual stampedes that take place at rock concerts.

The first half of the show consisted of the usual stuff - the Stamps singing, Jackie Kahane with his Elvis jokes, and The Sweet Inspirations in song. But we'll mention them only briefly, since most fans just want read about the King.

The packed Arena was indication enough that Elvis is still as popular as ever. Well, well, well, well!

Original newspaper review by Rita Rose

Towards the end of Elvis' performance there is a rare ‘Special Thanks’ monologue as Elvis closes the last show of the tour. Elvis introduces his father, girlfriend Ginger, Dr Nick, cousin Patsy "she’s nutty as a fruit-cake", the sound engineer Bruce Jackson, Felton Jarvis, Bill Porter and almost every member of the troupe.

Elvis also thanks the audience and despite the conspiracy theories Elvis does actually state "If you want us back just let us know, and we’ll come back!"

With that and a sweet ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ Elvis then left the building for the very final time.

 

Spotlight by Piers Beagley
-Article Copyright EIN, June 26 2025.
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