When Elvis Presley took the stage in Indianapolis on June 26, 1977, nobody knew it would prove to be the final concert performance of his career. The King of Rock and Roll ran through a set of his biggest hits that night, ending with one of his best-known songs, “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
The 42-year-old entertainment icon’s career had been in decline for years, tanked by a combination of bad B-movies, bad soundtracks from those movies devaluing his music and declining sales, as well as his massive weight gain and tendency toward lazy, self-indulgent performances.
But he enjoyed a career resurgence in the ’70s, releasing a string of much stronger songs that reinvigorated his recording career, including “Kentucky Rain,” “The Wonder of You,” “Always on My Mind,” “Moody Blue” and “Way Down.”
Where and When Was Elvis Presley’s Final Concert?
Presley performed to a crowd of nearly 18,000 fans at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis on June 26, 1977, and archival film of the evening shows a very receptive, enthusiastic crowd.
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What Did Critics Say About Elvis Presley’s Final Performance?
Critical reviews of his performance were more mixed. According to the Indianapolis Star, “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 were turned down after intermission, you could feel a silent plea rippling through the audience: Please, Elvis, don’t be fat.”
The review went on to praise Presley, saying, “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 … just about everything he did created mass hysteria … The packed arena was indication enough that Elvis is still as popular as ever.”
The Indianapolis News was much harsher, calling Presley a “sideshow” after multiple opening acts and noting that he didn’t hit the stage until nearly 10PM, even though the concert began at 8:30.
“It’s like waiting through the sword-swallower and the fire-eater before seeing the REAL attraction in the back room,” the review huffed, also taking issue with the lights, staging and performance itself.
“Last night’s lighting was only adequate and the sound was poor compared with some of today’s top national tours … Presley didn’t take enough of the singing business seriously. It’s time ardent Presley fans quit protecting their idol and start demanding more. They know ‘the King’ can do better.”
Sadly, he’d never get that chance. That show wrapped Presley’s touring for 1977, and he died after suffering a heart attack at his Graceland home on Aug. 16, 1977.
What Songs Did Elvis Presley Perform at His Final Concert?
Read on to see his setlist from that night, courtesy of setlist.fm.
Elvis Presley Setlist for His Final Concert – June 26, 1977 at Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, Ind:
“See See Rider”
“I’ve Got a Woman” (Ray Charles Cover)
“Amen”
“Love Me” (Willy and Ruth Cover)
“Fairytale” (Pointer Sisters Cover)
“You Gave Me a Mountain” (Marty Robbins Cover)
“Jailhouse Rock”
“It’s Now or Never”
“Little Sister”
“(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear”
“Don’t Be Cruel”
“Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)” (Eddie Miller and His Oklahomans Cover)
“I Can’t Stop Loving You” (Don Gibson Cover)
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” (Simon & Garfunkel Cover)
“Early Morning Rain” (Gordon Lightfoot Cover)
“What’d I Say” (Ray Charles Cover)
“Johnny B. Goode” (Chuck Berry Cover)
“I Really Don’t Want to Know” (Les Paul and Mary Ford Cover)
“Hurt” (Roy Hamilton Cover)
“Hound Dog” (Big Mama Thornton Cover)
“Can’t Help Falling in Love”
Sterling Whitaker is a Senior Writer and Senior Editor for Taste of Country. He focuses on celebrity real estate, as well as coverage of Yellowstone and related shows like 1883 and 1923. He’s interviewed cast members including Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, Sam Elliott and Harrison Ford, and Whitaker is also known for his in-depth interviews with country legends including Don Henley, Rodney Crowell, Trace Adkins, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs and more.
