Top 5 Live Elvis Albums

Elvis live! Those two words bring so much magic to mind. From his early years when he incited riots, to the late '70s when health failings and personal problems altered his physical form, Elvis Presley never failed to deliver a magnificent show. His voice never faltered, and his audience never lost their faith or adoration for the King of Rock 'n' Roll. His studio albums are great, but his live recordings really stand on their own. If you're a true fan of the King, add these live albums to your collection.

01
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Elvis: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden

Elvis at Aloha From Hawaii Press Conference
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

On June 10, 1972, Presley arrived in New York City to perform four sold-out concerts at Madison Square Garden. He was the first performer to sell out the Garden, and over the course of the concert series, more than 80,000 came to see him perform. Captured here is Presley when he was very much at the top of his game. This is the King of Rock 'n' Roll, the Mississippi hillbilly who changed the world, performing in New York City, the greatest city in the world. Since its release, Elvis: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden has been certified 3x platinum.

02
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Elvis in Concert

This album is not a standout Elvis concert. What it is, however, is a vitally important piece of Elvis lore: a necessary slice of his overall history. Elvis in Concert was released in conjunction with the TV special of the same name. Each was released posthumously on October 3, 1977, two months after his death. The album and TV special were recorded over two days at concerts in Omaha, Neb., and Rapid City, S.D. Presley singing "You Gave Me a Mountain" is a majestic experience.

03
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Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite

While many people tend to think of post-1970 Presley as a bloated mockery of the once svelte King of Rock 'n' Roll, 1973's Aloha From Hawaii proves that's a gross exaggeration. The concert was recorded in Honolulu and broadcast via satellite into billions of living rooms worldwide. In 2002, the album was certified 5x platinum.

04
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Elvis: Live in Las Vegas

This digitally remastered four-disc box set, released in 2001, contains all of Presley's recorded Las Vegas engagements, including many unreleased performances. Discs one and two feature full-length concert recordings in 1969 and 1970, respectively, and discs three and four offer recordings that span 1956 through 1975. The songs in this set are from every decade of Presley's career, making it an absolute collector's item.

05
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Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis

This album was recorded in March 1974 at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tenn. Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis is worth adding to your collection, as he's performing in his prime and, in addition to his typical concert songs, he also sings "Trying to Get to You," "My Baby Left Me," "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," and a few gospel numbers, including "How Great Thou Art," which ended up earning him a Grammy.