Inside brand new Elvis Presley show as AI brings King to life
Tinkling away at the piano in front of the sheet music for If I Can Dream in a room with every shade of 1960s brown, I am transported back in time to the night of the Return of The King.
I sit at his dressing room table in Los Angeles NBC studios, and try to imagine what Elvis felt like as he waited to go on stage before giving what is considered one of the greatest rock performances of all time.
There is even a glass of whisky at the side for a bit of Dutch courage as the King hadn't sung in seven years after a stint in the army and appearing in a selection of uninspired films before that pivotal Comeback Special on TV in June 1968.
But I'm not in downtown LA – I'm in East London's Excel exhibition centre, and I am living every Elvis fan's dream come true as I get a sneak preview of the fully immersive Elvis Evolution which opens to the public today (July 18).
Here, Elvis fans can relive the King's most iconic moments as cutting-edge AI and holographic technology breathes life into 60-year-old footage of that career-changing night.
Unlike the two-hour hologram concert ABBA Voyage, this isn't an AI-generated Elvis singing his greatest hits, it's an immersive theatre experience which takes fans down memory lane using actors and incredibly realistic scene settings.
'It's all based on meticulous research,' says Andrew McGuinness, founder and CEO of Layered Reality which created Elvis Evolution, having previously worked on Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience.
The virtual reality and live theatre company's experience charts Elvis's rise from dirt-poor Mississippi roots and his rags-to-riches story – and centres around the 1968 performance, and uses video footage and photography from Elvis Presley's personal archives at Graceland.
"The story behind the '68 special is a fascinating one," says Andrew, and explains how Elvis's manager, Colonel Parker, was against the idea of a TV special and wanted the singer to do a cheesy Christmas show instead.
"Most people have only really seen the '68 special as grainy images,' says Andrew. 'We've used AI technology to transform that to be something that really gives you a sense of what that performance was, and we use AI and hologram effects to create scenes that we know happened, that were well documented but were not captured on film.
Unlike the 2022 Baz Luhrmann directed Elvis film which was told from the perspective of the Colonel, Elvis Evolution is told from the viewpoint of Elvis's childhood friend Sam Bell who leads the audience through the story.
There is also interview footage from the real-life Sam Bell who died in 2021 talking about his relationship with Elvis how devastated he was at his friend's untimely passing aged just 42 in 1977.
Sam is one of a cast of 28 actors playing characters, including record producer Sam Phillips, who discovered Elvis in 1954.The man who directed the Comeback Special and was instrumental in revitalising Elvis's career is also acknowledged.
In front of me at the piano, attached to the music sheet for If I Can Dream, is a card which reads, 'Steve, Something like this? E." 'Steve is Steve Binder, who directed Elvis's show,' explains Andrew. 'Elvis and Steve both wanted him to do something authentic. And really, the moment of the '68 special was when Elvis rediscovered his musical self and got back to his soul. And I Can Dream is a big part of that"
Elvis was rejigging the format of the song written by Earl Brown, especially for his Comeback Special. It echoed Martin Luther King's 1963 I Have A Dream speech – after he was assassinated just two months previously.
On top of the piano, I spot the Life magazine tribute issue to the Civil Rights campaigner. There is also a whisky at the side of the piano - for Dutch courage.
Elvis was very nervous, there is no doubt of that,' says Andrew. 'He had been doing movies for the last seven years, but he was desperate to get back to his musical roots."
The Elvis Evolution begins at Bob's Burbank Diner opposite NBC Studios where the '68 special was filmed. The menu offers a peanut and banana milkshake in homage to Elvis' love of the peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
Then the experience starts, and NBC execs played by actors rush into the diner desperately in need of audience members.
'That really happened," says Andrew. 'The Colonel was responsible for ticket distribution, but as he was against the show, he didn't do it, so people had to be invited at the last minute. It created a raw, unfiltered performance which led to the likes of MTV Unplugged.'
From there visitors become part of the show – enjoying a pre-show drink at one of three themed bars including the Blue Hawaii.
A voice over the tannoy tells me that someone will be along shortly 'to take you into the studio where tonight's Elvis show will be filming. In the meantime feel free to look around you might spot some signs of what's coming in tonight's show.'
'We want the audience to rummage around the room as it has lots of Elvis bits of stuff discarded from the set,' says Andrew.
That's where I spot a cardboard cut-out and I feel All Shook Up standing that close to a semi-naked Elvis on a surf board.
After listening to Mystery Train, I am taken to a real-life replica of a mystery train featuring more historical footage and actors to bring Elvis and Sam's early years to life.
The centrepiece of the experience comes towards the end with the original footage of the Comeback Special. 'It's the first time people will see the performance like this, it's completely digitally remastered,' says Andrew.
'I wanted to help people to understand the King's vulnerability with this experience, but visitors also get to celebrate the musical legacy and party. There was no one like Elvis,' says Andrew.
I decide to let loose in the All Shook Up After Party bar before deciding it's time I left the building.
• Elvis Evolution is now open at Excel London.
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Everybody bought our seventh album. It had outsold Kelly Clarkson.' In a heartwarming bit of nostalgia, Clarkson took the stage with the Jonas Brothers during Tuesday's special and sang part of the song, including the reference to her. The special comes after Blackstock was honored at a celebration of life hosted by his 'loving partner' - who used to be Clarkson's assistant. Brittney Marie Jones - who had allegedly cheated on her then-husband with the talent manager - was one of the attendees as Blackstock's friends and family gathered in Montana to honor him after losing three year battle with cancer . 'Brandon's closest friends and family gathered over the weekend for a few days to celebrate his life in the place he loved most. It was very private. 'His partner, Brittney [Marie Jones], his family and his closest friends spent time at his home sharing memories of Brandon and remembering how much he meant to them,' a source told UsWeekly on Tuesday. UsWeekly also reported that Nashville hairstylist Amanda Craig also posted a photo of herself with her husband smiling. She captioned it: 'We understand why you loved it here so much. Celebrating your wonderful life over the weekend was a true gift. We love you BB!' Meanwhile, Page Six reported on Friday that Jones' husband Greg Goose LaPoint found out about her alleged affair with the now deceased music executive in the summer of 2023. 'He got screwed over due to [Jones and Blackstock's] fling starting during his marriage,' a source told the publication. Daily Mail has reached out to Blackstock's management company, Jones, and LaPoint for comment and have yet to hear back. This comes amid news that 43-year-old Clarkson's late ex-husband Blackstock had a 'loving partner' at the time of his death--Jones, according to his newly published obituary . Blackstock — who was married to Clarkson from 2013 to 2020 and shared daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9 — died on Aug. 7 at age 48 following a private, years-long battle with melanoma. The obituary, released Tuesday, revealed that Blackstock had been in a relationship with Jones and was quietly building a new life with her in Montana , a fact unknown to many fans. 'After more than 20 years in the music business, Brandon found his way back to the mountains and the cowboy way of life he always wanted to live,' the obituary read. 'He found a homestead and a love in Butte, Montana.' It went on: 'Brandon, along with his beautiful and loving partner in life and business, Brittney Marie Jones, started building a life, building companies, and working tirelessly to create Headwaters Livestock Auction and what will live on as his legacy, The Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana.' In a bombshell revelation, a December 2024 report by the US Sun on Blackstock and Jones's rodeo business listed Jones as Clarkson's 'former assistant.' had not received a response to its request for comment from reps for Clarkson earlier this week. A prior LinkedIn profile for Jones highlighted in the 2024 US Sun report reveals she served as an executive assistant to Brandon Blackstock as well as an assistant to Kelly Clarkson while Blackstock managed the singer. 'I successfully assistant managed day to day for artist, Kelly Clarkson under manager, Brandon Blackstock in Los Angeles for music and television,' the profile read, according to The Sun . 'After a change in management for Ms. Clarkson, I transitioned to Executive Assistant for Mr. Blackstock's cattle operation in Montana, where I currently run the office and handle administration work. 'I also currently fulfill personal assistant duties for Mr. Blackstock.' 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I am forever grateful I get to call you my wife.' According to Page Six's source, when LaPoint found out about his wife's alleged affair, he asked her immediately to file for divorce and it was officially filed on July 13, 2023 citing 'irreconcilable differences' per court records obtained by Page Six. Jones had listed she and LaPoint's date of separation as January 2023, however, the musician had posted a photo of them smiling on a hike together that month. Their divorce was ultimately finalized by February 2024 according to court records. The bombshell dropped just hours after Melissa Ashworth, Blackstock's first wife, spoke out publicly about his passing. 'On May 29, 1999 I married the man who would become the father of my children,' Ashworth wrote on Instagram over the weekend. Her post included a collection of photos featuring Blackstock, their children — son Seth, 18, and daughter Savannah, 23 — as well as Savannah's husband, Quentin Lee. 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Daily Mirror
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Daily Mail
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stars in a touching special that airs Tuesday night, marking her return to television after the tragic death of her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. The pre-recorded broadcast is the first installment of a four-part series called Songs & Stories in which she will explore the history behind certain musical numbers. Celebrity guests are joining Clarkson, with the Jonas Brothers appearing on the first episode, followed in subsequent weeks by Gloria Estefan, Teddy Swims and Lizzo. In a clip from the upcoming NBC show, Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas will be seen fondly remembering the time they opened for Clarkson on tour in 2005 and then singing their 2006 song Year 3000 in which they give her a tip of the hat. Nick, 32, also revealed a co-writing credit he has on a song with Clarkson and comedy legend Steve Martin - a story that took even his brothers by surprise. Blackstock, who was married to Clarkson from 2013 to 2022 and had two children with her, died earlier this month aged just 48 after a secret battle with skin cancer. The Jonas Brothers opened for Clarkson three years after she had catapulted to stardom as the winner of American Idol, before they themselves were famous. Speaking to Clarkson on her special, Nick shared that 'one of our first festival shows that we were ever on was in Thomas River, New Jersey and you were the headliner.' He dished that 'for like years as a way to get our foot in the door in interviews,' he and his brothers would boast that they had 'opened for Kelly Clarkson.' However he gamely added that 'we were not an opener,' as they were playing 'in the parking lot on like a B, B, B, C stage,' but Clarkson insisted they were 'still opening.' One year later, the Jonas Brothers released a song called Year 3000 that included the lines: 'I took a trip to the year 3000. This song had gone multi-platinum. Everybody bought our seventh album. It had outsold Kelly Clarkson.' In a heartwarming bit of nostalgia, Clarkson took the stage with the Jonas Brothers during Tuesday's special and sang part of the song, including the reference to her. Nick also shared that he has a writing credit on Clarkson's song I Hate Love, along with none other than iconic comedian Steve Martin. Even his brothers were unaware of the connection, prompting Nick to tell them the story behind his unexpected collaboration. Nick recalled that he got a call one day asking him to 'approve the splits' on a song, which Clarkson explained means 'if people have been writing on songs and then other people start working on them.' It then emerged that, according to Nick, 'a producer that we both worked with had opened up a guitar track or something that I had started,' after which Clarkson 'finished the song' and a banjo part by Steve Martin was tacked on. The special comes after Blackstock was honored at a celebration of life hosted by his 'loving partner' - who used to be Clarkson's assistant. Brittney Marie Jones - who had allegedly cheated on her then-husband with the talent manager - was one of the attendees as Blackstock's friends and family gathered in Montana to honor him after losing three year battle with cancer. 'Brandon's closest friends and family gathered over the weekend for a few days to celebrate his life in the place he loved most. It was very private. 'His partner, Brittney [Marie Jones], his family and his closest friends spent time at his home sharing memories of Brandon and remembering how much he meant to them,' a source told UsWeekly on Tuesday. It remains unclear if Clarkson or their kids were in attendance as she was not mentioned in his obituary. The insider continued by telling the weekly: 'It was special for everyone to spend time in Montana walking and hiking the roads Brandon loved so much, and to gather at his home to remember him.' Shane Tarleton was in attendance at the celebration of life as he posted an Instagram Story, which has since expired, featuring a photo of attendees sitting around a firepit. He captioned it: '@brandonblackstock would've loved this night so much. So many of his fav people in his backyard around a campfire at sunset.' UsWeekly also reported that Nashville hairstylist Amanda Craig also posted a photo of herself with her husband smiling. She captioned it: 'We understand why you loved it here so much. Celebrating your wonderful life over the weekend was a true gift. We love you BB!' Meanwhile, Page Six reported on Friday that Jones' husband Greg Goose LaPoint found out about her alleged affair with the now deceased music executive in the summer of 2023. 'He got screwed over due to [Jones and Blackstock's] fling starting during his marriage,' a source told the publication. Daily Mail has reached out to Blackstock's management company, Jones, and LaPoint for comment and have yet to hear back. This comes amid news that 43-year-old Clarkson's late ex-husband Blackstock had a 'loving partner' at the time of his death--Jones, according to his newly published obituary. Blackstock — who was married to Clarkson from 2013 to 2020 and shared daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9 — died on Aug. 7 at age 48 following a private, years-long battle with melanoma. The obituary, released Tuesday, revealed that Blackstock had been in a relationship with Jones and was quietly building a new life with her in Montana, a fact unknown to many fans. 'After more than 20 years in the music business, Brandon found his way back to the mountains and the cowboy way of life he always wanted to live,' the obituary read. 'He found a homestead and a love in Butte, Montana.' It went on: 'Brandon, along with his beautiful and loving partner in life and business, Brittney Marie Jones, started building a life, building companies, and working tirelessly to create Headwaters Livestock Auction and what will live on as his legacy, The Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana.' In a bombshell revelation, a December 2024 report by the US Sun on Blackstock and Jones's rodeo business listed Jones as Clarkson's 'former assistant.' had not received a response to its request for comment from reps for Clarkson earlier this week. A prior LinkedIn profile for Jones highlighted in the 2024 US Sun report reveals she served as an executive assistant to Brandon Blackstock as well as an assistant to Kelly Clarkson while Blackstock managed the singer. 'I successfully assistant managed day to day for artist, Kelly Clarkson under manager, Brandon Blackstock in Los Angeles for music and television,' the profile read, according to The Sun. 'After a change in management for Ms. Clarkson, I transitioned to Executive Assistant for Mr. Blackstock's cattle operation in Montana, where I currently run the office and handle administration work. 'I also currently fulfill personal assistant duties for Mr. Blackstock.' Jones's LinkedIn also identifies her as the Executive Assistant of V Bar V Cattle Co. LLC — formerly Vintage Valley Ranch — one of Blackstock's companies, further tying her to his post-divorce life in Montana. Jones was previously married to the aforementioned LaPoint- who is a drummer for the band Gypsy Nights and a holistic nutritionist for The Holistic Goose in Nashville according to his Instagram bio - according to details found on her Facebook page. The couple shared wedding photos from their September 2021 ceremony, offering a glimpse into their life together. However, the exact timeline and circumstances of their separation remain unclear, but LaPoint has kept remnants of their relationship up on social media as he took to Instagram on Sept. 11, 2022 to write: 'It's hard to believe it's been a year since we said, "I do." 'I can not imagine a world without you by my side, a partner who is as real as they come. A lover, cuddler and sure spit fire. I am forever grateful I get to call you my wife.' According to Page Six's source, when LaPoint found out about his wife's alleged affair, he asked her immediately to file for divorce and it was officially filed on July 13, 2023 citing 'irreconcilable differences' per court records obtained by Page Six. Jones had listed she and LaPoint's date of separation as January 2023, however, the musician had posted a photo of them smiling on a hike together that month. Their divorce was ultimately finalized by February 2024 according to court records. The bombshell dropped just hours after Melissa Ashworth, Blackstock's first wife, spoke out publicly about his passing. 'On May 29, 1999 I married the man who would become the father of my children,' Ashworth wrote on Instagram over the weekend. Her post included a collection of photos featuring Blackstock, their children — son Seth, 18, and daughter Savannah, 23 — as well as Savannah's husband, Quentin Lee. She also shared a throwback from their wedding day, reflecting on the man she once called her husband. 'Brandon was full of charm, wit, and just an absolute gentleman who happened to wear cowboy boots, wrangler jeans, and a cowboy hat. He was by far, hands down, the best Daddy and Pa. He loved hard and he fought hard,' she wrote. 'The best thing Brandon has left for his children is they know where he is. I've heard it said, "Nothing is lost when you know where it is" and Brandon is with Jesus his Savior,' she continued. 'Savannah, Seth, and our grandchildren are the best parts of who Brandon and I are. Thank you all for your prayers and condolences.' After their divorce, Blackstock married Clarkson, and the two went on to have two children. Ashworth's message came just hours after her and Blackstock's son Seth also posted his own heartfelt tribute to his father. He shared a series of photos with his father, ranging from his early childhood to more recent years. In one snapshot from Seth's tribute, a toddler-aged Seth flashes a wide grin while his father smiles proudly behind him. Another image captures a slightly older Seth alongside his sister Savannah, laughing as they play outside with their German Shepherd and their dad. 'I lost my hero yesterday, words can't describe how proud of you I am on raising me and your 3 other kids,' Seth wrote in his caption. 'You were a father, a son, a brother, and most importantly my best friend. 'You'll have to watch me grow up from a Birds Eye view now buts that's OK with me. There's no one else on this earth that I would want to be my dad because no one can be half the man you were to me,' he continued. 'I'll see you everyday when the sun rises and falls. 'I can confidently say all the deer and elk took a sigh of relief when the best hunter I've ever known laid his rifle down for the last time,' Seth concluded. 'I love you so much and can't wait to throw a line in the water with you again. Love you dad. Be good or good at it — love your son Seth.' Blackstock, the former stepson of country superstar Reba McEntire, was married to the American Idol star from 2013–2022. The news of Blackstock's death came hours after Clarkson revealed she was postponing the remaining dates on her Las Vegas residency in August due to her ex-husband's illness. A representative for the family said in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. 'Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. 'We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time.'
