Click play at right to watch video.
Offered is a Shure model SM58 microphone used by Elvis Presley in the film Elvis: That's the Way it Is. The microphone was acquired during filming by Sound Engineer Larry Hadsell, who worked on the film for RCA Records. During the 1970 Las Vegas Summer Festival at The International Hotel, MGM film crews captured several of Elvis' concerts on August 10-13 for the documentary film. Additionally, rehearsals for the upcoming Las Vegas concerts were filmed at MGM's Culver City, California, studios in July, and in The International Hotel Ballroom beginning on August 4. It is during the entirety of this first Las Vegas rehearsal, which is well-documented in the film, that Elvis can be seen using this Shure SM58 microphone. During the August 4 rehearsal, Elvis is seen working up the arrangements for several songs with the band and backup singers, and clowning a bit, as he was wont to do in front of any camera crew. Songs from this session captured in the film include Bridge Over Troubled Waters, It's Christmas Time Little Baby, and Words.
The accompanying signed letter from Hadsell reads:
ELVIS PRESLEY REHEARSAL MICROPHONE USED DURING RECORDING SESSION ON AUGUST 4, 1970 AT THE INTERNATIONAL IN LAS VEGAS
The letter is to confirm the authenticity of the above mentioned item that I acquired personally. I am a sound recording engineer by trade. During the late 1960s and 70s I was often contracted by RCA for several studio sessions and live concert recordings. During the better part of August 1970, I worked rehearsal and recording sessions for RCA Records. As I had the means and opportunity through my contacts, I attained several items that were used by Elvis during these sessions. This microphone was one that I obtained from a rehearsal session that took place in the convention room of The International Hotel on August 4, 1970. The original sound board microphone cord is also attached and is from that same session. Respectfully, Larry Hadsell.
It was no coincidence that it was a Shure SM58 microphone that was made available for the rehearsal sessions at The International Hotel during that summer of 1970. Shure had released the SM58 for the radio and TV broadcast market back in 1966, but it had met with minimal success. They considered discontinuing the microphone model earlier in 1970, until the Shure national sales manager, Roger Ponto, suggested introducing the mics to live sound engineers in Las Vegas. The mics were a hit in Vegas, and entertainers began to embrace these models for live performance because the design was nearly indestructable, minimized feedback and allowed performers to move around more on stage. The mics went on to garner iconic status in the music industry, and were used by such legendary performers such as The Rolling Stones, Roger Daltrey, Paul McCartney, Henry Rollins, Patti Smith, Alice Cooper, Buddy Guy, Cheap Trick, G. Love, Martina McBride, Megadeth and countless other musicians. It's only fitting that Elvis was one of the first to use the microphone that would become synonymous with rock and roll.
The microphone measures 6 1/2 inches long and is accompanied by the original cord, which measures 25 feet. The mic presents with minimal wear from use (which is expected as it was taken out of circulation shortly after it was used by Elvis) and has minor scuffing and scratches. It has not been tested to see if it is in working condition. Near Mint condition.