After completing work on the TV special for the second half of 1968 and into early 1969, Elvis completed his movie obligations. Work on “Change of Habit” took place in March and April of 1969. In the gap between “The Trouble with Girls” and “Change of Habit”, Elvis made the decision to record in Memphis for the first time since his last session for Sun Records in 1955.
Elvis was originally going to go to Nashville to record with producer Felton Jarvis. But, Mary Lacker, a member of the Memphis Mafia, was an associate of Lincoln (Chips) Moman, a producer and founder of American Sound Studios in Memphis and suggested that Elvis record there instead. Chips had previously worked at STAX Studios and was both a guitarist and songwriter. He had worked with the likes of Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield, and Aretha Franklin and was known to have a notable rhythm section in the studio.
Elvis decided it was a promising idea, and Felton made the deal with Chips on RCA’s behalf. This all happened independently of Colonel Parker, who was becoming a little concerned that he might be losing his grip on the gravy train with Elvis feeling re-energised.
The sessions at American Sounds Studios began on January 13, 1969, just four days after the conversations started and were scheduled for 10 days. Moman had to cancel a session with Neil Diamond to accommodate Elvis before he returned to Hollywood. In the event, the session was interrupted for a few days because Elvis came down with a cold. It was a freezing winter in Memphis. Some additional dates were added in the third week of February to make up for the lost time.
The sessions created over thirty songs in twelve days, including “In the Ghetto”, “Suspicious Minds”, “Don’t Cry Daddy” and “Kentucky Rain”. When Chips and Elvis were interviewed by the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Elvis said, “We have some hits, don’t we, Chips?”, to which Chips replied, “Maybe some of your biggest.”
Elvis was at his most productive in years, but there were some issues that needed to be ironed out. There was a discussion about whether someone white and as wealthy as Elvis should record “In the Ghetto” in case it might be considered condescending. At first, even Elvis’s close friend and Memphis DJ, George Klein, was among those who had doubts. Elvis also needed some persuading to record “Suspicious Minds” this time from another member of the entourage, Joe Esposito.
When it became obvious that these were going to be massive hits, Colonel Parker and his cronies at “Hill & Range” raised the issue of publishing rights, which were held by Chips. When Chips was approached by Tom Diskin, who was representing Colonel Parker, Chips told him in no uncertain terms what he could do. When Diskin went to Elvis to argue the case for the usual publishing rights, Elvis, sensing the potential for big new hits, politely said these would be released no matter who had the publishing rights.
In 1969, “In the Ghetto” reached number 3 in the US and number 2 in the UK, Elvis’ biggest hit since 1965’s “Crying in the Chapel”. “Suspicious Minds” did better still, reaching number 1 in the US and number 2 in the UK. The following year, “Don’t Cry Daddy” and “Kentucky Rain” would also be significant hits.
Two albums were released: “From Elvis in Memphis”, which topped the UK album charts in 1969, and is considered one of Elvis’s finest albums and “Back in Memphis”. After several years of stagnation leading up to the TV special, Elvis was right back where he belonged. There was just one more step to take to complete the journey back.
Track listings “From Elvis in Memphis”:
- Wearin’ That Loved on Look
- Only The Strong Survive
- I’ll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)
- Long Black Limousine
- It Keeps Right on A Hurtin’
- I’m Movin On’
- Power Of My Love
- Gentle On My Mind
- After Loving You
- True Love Travels on A Gravel Road
- Any Day Now
- In The Ghetto
Track listings “Back in Memphis”:
- Inherit The Wind
- This Is The Story
- Stranger In My Own Home Town
- A Little Bit Of Green
- And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind
- Do You Know Who I Am?
- From A Jack To A King
- The Fair’s Movin’ On
- You’ll Think Of Me
- Without Love (There Is Nothing)
