: The special aired on October 3, 1977, less than two months after Elvis’s death. Performance Highlights and Reception
: The Omaha performance of "How Great Thou Art" is considered the final professionally recorded live version of the song. Elvis Presley, How Great Thou Art Live 1977
: For Elvis, gospel was a "place of solace" and a "confession of faith" rather than just a performance. : The special aired on October 3, 1977,
: Notable 1977 live renditions occurred in Charlotte, NC (Feb 20), Amarillo, TX (March 24), and Knoxville, TN (May 20). NC (Feb 20)
Reviewers at the time, such as those from the Charlotte Observer and the Omaha World Herald , noted that while Elvis sometimes relied on his legendary charisma to carry other songs, his gospel numbers remained "fearless" and "stunning".