Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 - August 16, 1977 ) was an American singer, actor, and musician. A cultural icon, he is commonly known simply as Elvis and is also sometimes referred to as "The King of Rock 'n' Roll" or "The King."

In the 1960s, Presley made the majority of his 31 movies, most of which were poorly reviewed but financially successful musicals. In 1968, he returned to live music in a television special and performed across the U.S., notably in Las Vegas.

Throughout his career, he set records for concert attendance, television ratings and recordings sales. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in the history of music. Health problems, drug addiction and other factors led to his tragic death at age 42.

In 1969, Presley was keen to resume regular live performing, many offers came in from around the world. The London Palladium offered the kings manager Tom Parker $28,000 for a one week engagement. He responded: "That's fine for me, now how much can you get for Elvis?" By May, the brand new International Hotel in Las Vegas announced that it had booked Presley, he was scheduled to perform from July 31, after Barbra Streisand opened the new venue.

Presley duly delivered fifty-seven shows over four weeks at the hotel, which had the largest showroom in the city. He had assembled some of the finest musicians including an orchestra and some of the best soul/gospel back-up singers available.
Despite such a prestigious backing, Presley was nervous, his only other engagement in Las Vegas (1956 at the Frontier ) had been a disaster, critically. Parker therefore promoted the singer's appearances heavily, he rented billboards and took out full-page advertisements in local and trade papers, this was the first time Vegas entertainment had been heavily marketed this way.

The lobby of the International displayed Presley souvenirs, records, T-shirts, straw boaters and stuffed animals, also a first as previously Vegas shows had not offered merchandise in such quantities. Parker intended to make Presley's return the show business event of the year, and hotel owner Kirk Kerkorian planned to send his own plane to New York to fly in the rock press for the debut performance.

Presley took to the stage with no introduction. The audience which included Pat Boone, Fats Domino, Wayne Newton, Dick Clark, Ann-Margret, George Hamilton, Angie Dickinson, and Henry Mancini gave him a standing ovation before he sang one note. After a well-received performance, he returned to give an encore, of "Can't Help Falling in Love", and was given his third standing ovation, Backstage, many well-wishers, including Cary Grant, congratulated Presley on his triumphant return which, in the showroom alone, had generated over $1,500,000.

The next day, Parker's negotiations with the hotel resulted in a five-year contract for Presley to play each February and August, at a salary of $1 million per year.

In January 1970, Presley returned to the International Hotel for a month-long engagement, performing two shows a night. RCA recorded some shows and the best material appeared on the album On Stage - February 1970. In August at the International Hotel, MGM filmed rehearsal and concert footage for a documentary: Elvis - That's The Way It Is. He wore a jumpsuit garment that would become a trademark of Presley's live performances in the 1970s. ( a nod to previous Hilton superstar Liberace ).

Around this time Presley was threatened with kidnapping at the International Hotel. Phone calls were received, one demanding $50,000, if unpaid, Presley would be killed by a "crazy man". The FBI took the threat seriously and security was stepped up for the next two shows. Presley went on stage with a Derringer in his right boot and a .45 in his waistband, but nothing untoward transpired.
After closing his Las Vegas engagement on September 7, Presley embarked on his first concert tour since 1958. Feeling exhausted, Presley spent a month relaxing and recording before touring again in October and November. He would tour extensively in the U.S. up to his death, many of the 1,145 concerts setting attendance records.

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