When Elvis made his triumphant comeback

A guitar played by Elvis Presley in 1968.
A Gibson J200 guitar played by Elvis Presley in his 1968 TV special is displayed in a 2014 London exhibit.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

50 years ago today, Elvis Presley began recording what would become known as his triumphant comeback, a special that aired in December of 1968 on NBC-TV.

The informal jam session with several of his longtime bandmates marked the first time that Elvis performed in front of a live audience in over seven years.

During that time away from the stage, he made a string of mostly forgettable movies. The special showed he was still a force in the art form that he helped create.

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