
JANUARY 14, 1973 · VIA SATELLITE
ALOHA FROM
HAWAII
The first entertainment special to be broadcast live via satellite around the world. Over 1.5 billion viewers across 40 countries witnessed Elvis at the height of his powers.
1.5B
VIEWERS WORLDWIDE
40+
COUNTRIES
28
SONGS PERFORMED
#1
ALBUM CHART POSITION
MEMBERS ONLY
THE FULL CONCERT
28 SONGS PERFORMED
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OFFICIAL PERFORMANCES · ELVIS PRESLEY YOUTUBE CHANNEL
FULL CONCERT SETLIST
Click any song to watch the official performance from the Aloha From Hawaii concert. Honolulu International Center Arena · January 14, 1973.
BONUS SONGS
Performed after the live satellite broadcast ended — included on the album release

THE STORY
On January 14, 1973, Elvis Presley made television history when he performed a live concert from the Honolulu International Center Arena that was broadcast via the Intelsat IV satellite to audiences across Asia, Europe, and beyond. It was the first entertainment program ever to be transmitted live via satellite around the globe, and it reached an estimated audience of over 1.5 billion people — more viewers than the Apollo moon landings.
The concert was the brainchild of producer/director Marty Pasetta and Elvis's manager Colonel Tom Parker, who saw an opportunity to showcase Elvis on the world stage in a way that had never been done before. The logistics were staggering — coordinating satellite feeds across multiple time zones, managing the technical challenges of a live global broadcast, and ensuring that the production quality matched the ambition of the event.
Elvis took the stage at 12:30 AM Hawaiian time (to accommodate prime-time viewing in Japan and other Asian markets) wearing one of his most spectacular jumpsuits — the "American Eagle," designed by Bill Belew. The white jumpsuit, adorned with an elaborate eagle design made of gold and jewels, weighed approximately 30 pounds with its matching cape. At the end of the show, Elvis dramatically removed the cape and threw it into the audience — a gesture that became one of the most iconic moments in concert history.
The concert was a triumph. Elvis performed for over an hour, delivering a setlist that spanned his entire career — from the raw rock and roll of "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Hound Dog" to the emotional power of "An American Trilogy" and "I Can't Stop Loving You." His voice was in magnificent form, and his stage presence was commanding.

THE AMERICAN EAGLE JUMPSUIT
The "American Eagle" jumpsuit is perhaps the most famous garment in rock and roll history. Designed by Bill Belew specifically for the Aloha from Hawaii broadcast, the white jumpsuit featured an elaborate eagle design across the chest and back, created with gold thread, rhinestones, and semi-precious stones.
The matching cape added significant weight — the total was approximately 30 pounds. Despite this, Elvis moved with remarkable agility throughout the performance. When he removed the cape and threw it into the audience, it became one of the most iconic moments in concert history. Today, the jumpsuit is one of the most prized artifacts in the Graceland collection.
A CONCERT FOR CHARITY
The Aloha from Hawaii concert was a benefit for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund, named after the Hawaiian songwriter who had died of cancer in 1966. Elvis performed "I'll Remember You," one of Kui Lee's most beloved compositions, as a tribute during the concert.
The concert raised over $75,000 for the cancer fund — a significant sum in 1973. Elvis's decision to use this historic global platform for charitable purposes reflected his lifelong commitment to giving back.
THE ALBUM
The accompanying live album, "Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite," was released in February 1973 and shot straight to #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. It was Elvis's first #1 album in the United States since "Roustabout" in 1965.
The album has been reissued and remastered multiple times, including a deluxe edition featuring the bonus songs performed after the satellite broadcast ended. It remains one of the best-selling live albums in history and is widely considered one of the greatest live concert recordings ever made.
LEGACY
The Aloha from Hawaii concert set the template for the modern global entertainment event. Its use of satellite technology to reach a worldwide audience in real-time was revolutionary and paved the way for events like Live Aid (1985), the Concert for Bangladesh, and the countless global broadcasts that followed.
For Elvis personally, the concert represented the absolute peak of his live performance career. He was in superb vocal form, his stage presence was magnetic, and the production values were unprecedented. The concert proved that Elvis Presley was not just an American phenomenon — he was a global icon whose appeal transcended language, culture, and borders.
"WISE MEN SAY, ONLY FOOLS RUSH IN, BUT I CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU."
— "CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE," THE CLOSING NUMBERJOIN THE LEGACY
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