Caught in a trap.

How over the course of a year, Elvis managed to do the 1968 television special to the Vegas stage is nothing short of sad and bizarre. But I guess that's Elvis. And drugs. And poor management. But still Elvis. Stepping onto a Vegas stage which should be the end of the line in terms of a performer's cultural impact, but this was Elvis' next act and probably most iconic. The suits, the hair, the belts, the karate, the drug-hazed monologues. That would all come later, but for now this is his debut performance at the International Hilton on July 29th 1969. One last trip, long way down.