Why Elvis channeled Marlon Brando in iconic leather look
The new Netflix documentary, *Return of the King: The Fall & Rise of Elvis Presley*, offers fans a revealing collection of untold stories and honest reflections. It particularly focuses on the historic 1968 NBC Comeback Special, a pivotal moment that revitalized his career.
By the mid-1960s, Elvis felt trapped in a series of uninspiring Hollywood musicals, far from the serious acting roles he desired. Priscilla Presley notes in the film that this era reduced him to a “laughing stock,” a situation he was deeply aware of.
Director Jason Hehir explains that the prospect of continuing these films made Elvis “physically ill.” His true ambition was to return to live music, though after seven years away from the stage, he was nearly too nervous to leave his dressing room.
When he finally stepped out, his appearance stunned the audience. Dressed in iconic black leather—a look inspired by an old Harley Davidson photo and designed by Bill Belew—he reclaimed his status as a rock and roll legend.
His performance radiated confidence, charm, and rebellion under the hot lights. The special drew massive viewership, and its soundtrack quickly entered Billboard’s Top 10, firmly returning Elvis to the cultural spotlight.
Hehir reflects that although his audience had matured from screaming teens to mothers, Elvis still held them captivated. The special was more than a performance; it was a powerful resurrection.
Nearly five decades after his passing, Elvis Presley’s legacy endures, proving that true legends never fade.
