June 29: RCA informs Elvis that he must begin work on new recordings within the next month, although it leaves the location up to the singer.
July 17: Priscilla formally re-opens divorce proceedings.
July 20: Elvis begins his new sessions at Stax Studios in Memphis, using many of the same musicians from his triumphant recordings at American Sound back in 1969. The band is silently shocked at Elvis' new appearance, specifically his weight gain and obviously drugged behavior.
July 24: Upon learning that his vocal mike has apparently been stolen, Elvis walks out of the Stax studios, ending his sessions before even half the required amount of material has been completed.
July 31: Presley begins rehearsals for the next round of Vegas shows.
August 6: Elvis opens his latest series of Vegas dates and is again slammed by the critics for his lackluster performance.
August 19: After tonight's show, Elvis gives an impromptu karate demonstration in his hotel suite, accidentally breaking the ankle of a female guest.
September 3: In a bizarre performance, Elvis ends his current Vegas engagement by singing from an onstage bed, wearing a toy monkey around his neck, and upbraiding the Hilton Hotel for what he sees as unfair treatment of one of his favorite employees. The Colonel, naturally, is furious, and in a backstage screaming match, Presley fires him.
September 4: Despite the verbal break of their contract, both the Colonel and Elvis proceed with already-laid plans, with Elvis flying in a new gospel quartet he wants to present to singer Tom Jones. When Jones feels they're not right for his act, Presley redubs them "Voice" and adds them to the show.
September 7: Red West is accused of assaulting one of Elvis' suite guests outside the Vegas Hilton, but the matter is dropped for now; however, West's heavy hand with the general public soon becomes a sore point with the King.
September 8: Elvis and girlfriend Linda Thompson attend Tom Jones' new Vegas opening.
September 16: Through a phone call Elvis has placed by Sonny West, Elvis and the Colonel resolve their differences.
September 19: Elvis sees an orthopedic doctor for a broken finger sustained the week before during another karate demonstration.
September 22: RCA sends a mobile recording studio to Elvis' Palm Springs home in order to get vocals for four songs recorded without him during the abortive Stax sessions. Only three will be completed.
October 9: Priscilla's new divorce settlement is finalized, giving her $14,200 a year in support, $725,000 in cash now, half of the sale of the couple's Palm Springs home, and five percent of all new recordings. The ex-couple leave the courthouse holding hands.
October 15: Having experienced respiratory problems for the past four days, Elvis is admitted to Memphis' Baptist Memorial Hospital, where Dr. George Nichopoulos, Elvis' personal physician, discovers his patient's addiction to Demerol.
December 25: Elvis gives a mink coat and fox coat (with matching purse) to Linda Thompson at today's Graceland Christmas festivities.
Next... Elvis 1973 recording sessions
