On the first tour were guys Like Charlie Hodge and JD Sumner. Sadly JD didn’t perform after this with the show as he passed away in November 1998, before the first tour of Europe.
It was decided that after the USA tour of 1998, Elvis was to go on tour again and this time it was a world tour. Over two years, from 1998-2000, Elvis “performed” in England, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Japan, Holland, France, Scotland and Ireland to name a few. Not bad for a guy that’s been gone for over 20 years.
As with Elvis’ shows in the 70’s the song repertoire in these shows varied very little. This in some ways was due to the limited amount of footage that was available to them. However why they never included “I Just Can’t Help Believing” once in any tour is beyond me.
As the years rolled on, and many people still wanting see the show, “Elvis The Concert” toured Europe and Asia regularly; 2001, 2002, 2003,2005,2006,2010. However In 2012 Elvis was to take a new direction, heading to Brazil. The fans went wild for the show, so much so that a repeat tour was planned and just completed in October 2013.
Throughout the years some members of the cast have sadly passed and other members decline to be involved with it, believing that the show had run its course. People in Brazil will tell you different. However the main body of cast stayed with the production; James Burton, Ronnie Tutt, Glen D. Hardin and Joe Gurceio.
Sadly all good things must come to an end. The guys in the TCB Band are not getting any younger, many of them are in their 60s and 70s, and with EPE’s new production “Elvis Presley On Stage” Coming in 2014, they are now looking at this as the main money-spinner. None of the TCB guys are pleased to say the least. I saw the show a total of six times, and not once was I disappointed.
I wish they would tour Europe just one more time…
Click below for Youtube footage copyright Vejaponto.com