Elvis Presley - Unchained Melody - 25 June 1977, Cincinnati, Ohio - Final time performed live

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Elvis first performed 'Unchained Melody', a song he never recorded in the studio, in Wichita on 27 December 1976, although he had been playing on piano at home for years. RCA eventually got a master recording in Ann Arbor on 24 April 1977, which was released on the 'Moody Blue' album later that year. However, before release it was subjected to heavy overdubbing, which apart from the unmistakable vocal makes, it almost unrecognisable from how it would have sounded in the venue that evening.

Almost as well known as the RCA master is the filmed version on 21 June 1977 in Rapid City which although omitted from the original "Elvis In Concert" CBS broadcast has seen an official release in other paths. The RCA master of this version was itself subjected to overdubbing of additional instruments which may have been an attempt, by RCA, to disguise some of the breathing problems Elvis was having as he attempted many of the longer, higher notes.

Of the sixteen or so versions that Elvis performed on stage, it seems that Elvis reserved his best until last as the version from Cincinnati on 25 June 1977, his penultimate live appearance, is far and away his best rendition. Sitting at the piano, as per normal as he sang "Unchained Melody", there are no additional embellishments and none of the breathing problems from five days earlier with Elvis hitting the difficult notes with considerable ease.

A soundboard recording does exist of this show, so hopefully it will receive an official release in the near future!!