Deluxe Version Aloha From Hawaii 40th Anniversary

[Wagner Now]

January 14 will mark the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley's historic TV special, Aloha from Hawaii, which was broadcast live from Honolulu and watched by an estimated 1.5 billion viewers throughout the world. In celebration of the milestone anniversary, a special two-CD deluxe version of the soundtrack will be released on March 19.

Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite: Legacy Edition gathers together the original 24-track album and a recording of a dress-rehearsal performance Presley gave on January 12, 1973. This latter collection originally was issued in 1988 under the title The Alternate Aloha. In addition, the double-disc Legacy Edition set includes five bonus tracks recorded by Elvis at the tail end of the January 14 show. It also offers a booklet with rare photos and brand-new liner notes.

Following its original release in February of 1973, Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite topped the Billboard 200 chart. It has gone on to sell more than five million copies in the U.S. alone.

As previously reported, a special screening of a restored version of Aloha from Hawaii will take place January 14 at Honolulu's Neal Blaisdell Arena, which was formerly known as the Honolulu International Center Arena, where the original concert was held. The event is part of a five-day fan celebration taking place in Hawaii from this Thursday through January 15 that will include a variety of activities at different locations significant to Presley's life and career.

In related news, a new exhibit titled "Elvis' Hawaii: Concerts, Movies and More!" opened on Saturday at Graceland in conjunction with the annual January 8 birthday celebrations for Presley at the late rock legend's former Memphis estate. The display commemorates the 40th anniversary of Aloha from Hawaii, and features a variety of memorabilia related to the special, as well as to the other concerts he played in the state and the movies he filmed there.