Introduction
The Final Farewell – A Touching Memory of Elvis Presley Through His Father’s Words
In the special television broadcast “Elvis In Concert”, viewers not only witnessed the final moments of the “King of Rock and Roll” on stage, but also felt the deep sorrow and enduring love from his father, Vernon Presley.
Vernon begins his story with sweet memories from Elvis’s childhood — a boy blessed with a natural singing voice, who won third prize in a school competition at just nine years old with the song “Old Shep.” Even then, Elvis didn’t need instruments or elaborate arrangements — just his honest, heartfelt voice. Despite the immense fame he would later achieve, Elvis remained humble and never lost his compassion for people.
Vernon also reflects on Elvis’s life journey — from his military service in Germany, living with his father after his mother’s passing, to the time Vernon moved out of Graceland after remarrying. He recalls the pivotal moment when Elvis met Colonel Tom Parker in 1955, a meeting that would change the course of his career. Vernon describes Parker as an honest man who built a solid foundation for Elvis, allowing him to focus solely on performing.
The program concludes with a moving recording of Vernon Presley, made at Graceland shortly after Elvis’s death. In it, he expresses his heartfelt gratitude to fans around the world for the letters, condolences, and flowers sent to the Presley family. Their support, he says, has helped them cope with the tremendous grief of losing Elvis.
As Vernon states, “The picture you have just seen is the last live performance Elvis ever gave.” It was more than just a show — it was a farewell, a legacy, and an everlasting memory of a music legend.