For this latest instalment in our occasional series, Elvis and the Press, we’re joined once again by our leading contributor, ‪Gary Wells, to take a deep dive into the local coverage of Elvis’ performance in Saginaw, Michigan, on April 25th, 1977. It was the first of two non-consecutive shows to nearly 7 200 at the Wendler Arena, with a second concert added to the end of the 13 night tour in response to the demand for tickets. Reviewers for the Saginaw News observed that Elvis 'sings as well as ever', 'seemed in rare form' and 'that he seemed to be having as good a time as his fans'.

We look beyond the familiar myths and clichés of this period to consider how Elvis' inspired performance, captured in an unofficial audience recording, fits with what we know, or think we know, about his final months on the road, and ask whether the generally accepted narrative does justice to the reality.

Find the full episode on your favourite podcast platform or at our website;

https://dec4podcast.com/2026/02/18/elvis-and-the-press-saginaw-michigan-april-25th-1977/

For this latest instalment in our occasional series, Elvis and the Press, we’re joined once again by our leading contributor, Gary Wells, to take a deep dive into the local coverage of Elvis’ performance in Saginaw, Michigan, on April 25th, 1977. It was the first of two non-consecutive shows to nearly 7 200 at the Wendler Arena, with a second concert added to the end of the 13 night tour in response to the demand for tickets. Reviewers for the Saginaw News observed that Elvis 'sings as well as ever', 'seemed in rare form' and 'that he seemed to be having as good a time as his fans'. We look beyond the familiar myths and clichés of this period to consider how Elvis' inspired performance, captured in an unofficial audience recording, fits with what we know, or think we know, about his final months on the road, and ask whether the generally accepted narrative does justice to the reality.We have more background to this episode, including tour stats, images and links to further reference, at our podcast website;

https://dec4podcast.com/2026/02/18/elvis-and-the-press-saginaw-michigan-april-25th-1977/

This episode is inspired by our regular contributor Gary Wells’ popular website, soulrideblog.com, ‘Your Home for Vintage Leisure’; specifically, his reviews of two important and fascinating books on the Beach Boys – The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the Southern California Experience (1994), by Timothy White, and Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy (2016), by Mike Love with James S Hirsch. We also take a look at I am Brian Wilson, by Brian himself and Ben Greenman, for some additional context.

Find the full episode on you favourite podcast platform or at our website;

https://dec4podcast.com/2023/01/29/gary-wells-the-beach-boys-book-club/

Our interview with David Leaf;

https://dec4podcast.com/2025/04/09/david-leaf-smile-the-rise-fall-resurrection-of-brian-wilson/