Elvis Presley's third and final television special was the most watched TV program in the U.S. when broadcast seven weeks and six days following his death on 16 August 1977. It was rebroadcast by CBS the following Spring of 1978 and hasn't been shown since. It is his only special that remains unavailable on home video.
Fan interviews were inserted to replace some of the forgotten words and laughter during the speaking part of "Are You Lonesome Tonight". The unedited version is on the album, "Elvis In Concert" and a single released that year in the UK.
In the unedited version of "Elvis In Concert' (1977), there is a second performance of "Are You "Lonesome Tonight" with no forgotten words. However, Elvis' microphone had failed and he performed the song with Charley Hodge holding a mike and standing right next to him, leading to some onstage humor.
The official soundtrack, released by RCA as a two record set to coincide with the CBS broadcast and containing additional songs that did not make the final video edit, went platinum within two weeks.
The singer's father, Vernon Presley, made a brief appearance at the end of the program to thank fans who sent letters and postcards of condolences regarding Elvis' death.
The telecast was mostly an edited version of two concert performances from Elvis' final tour. "My Way" was performed on a 3rd concert date on this tour. It became a best selling single following his death and was added as the last number before "Can't Help Falling In Love".