Elvis Presley Reborn: The '68 Comeback Special

Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight

Guests: Steve Binder (Director/Producer of the '68 Comeback Special), Spencer Proffer (Producer, Meteor 17)
Host: Buzz Knight
Episode Date: January 8, 2026
Documentary Featured: Reinventing Elvis: The '68 Comeback (Paramount+)

Episode Overview

In this special episode of Takin' A Walk, Buzz Knight explores the creation, legacy, and cultural impact of Elvis Presley’s iconic 1968 Comeback Special with its visionary director, Steve Binder, and documentary producer Spencer Proffer. The panel brings to life the human drama behind the landmark special, reflecting on creative risks, turning points in music TV, the dynamics with Colonel Tom Parker, and how the show’s themes remain powerfully resonant in today’s divided world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins of Collaboration — A Friendship Forged in Music

• Spencer Proffer recounts his first encounter with Steve Binder:
  “He rejected me as a rock and roll artist… after two songs, he blew me off... He was right. I wasn’t that good.” (04:26)
• Years later, their mutual candor and respect for each other’s artistry led to a long friendship and professional collaboration, starting in 1974.

2. Steve Binder’s Path to Creative Boldness

• Binder’s upbringing instilled justice, curiosity, and a risk-taker’s attitude:
  “I was one of the fortunate ones in life who had tremendous parents... Even though I never graduated [college]... I was lucky enough when I went into the military to get a job with the American Forces Network. And that’s what whet my appetite.” (07:08)
• Career milestones shaped his craft: Soupy Sales, Steve Allen, “Give 'Em Hell, Harry!”, “Diana Ross in Central Park.”
• Authenticity as a North Star:
  “Don’t try and bluff it. If you don’t know something, say you don’t know it… My education in the entertainment industry really comes from the great people that I worked with…” (08:26)

3. The Power and Perils of Artist Relationships

• Proffer’s admiration for Binder:
  “The thing that I love and admire and feel mentored friendship with Steve is his ability to have artists revere him.” (12:29)
• Passion as the cornerstone:
  “Whatever you do in life, do it with passion. Passion is everything. And Spencer is one of the few people in my life who equals my, you know, my passion for being passionate.” – Steve Binder (14:18)

4. Inside Stories: Elvis, the Colonel, and the '68 Special

a. First Encounters

• Binder’s candidness with Elvis:
  “He said, so what do you think of my career? And without hesitating, I said, I think your career’s in the toilet… He said, finally, somebody speaking some truth to me.” (23:53)
• The ever-present Colonel Parker:
  Stories of Parker’s bluster, The Snowman’s Club, and attempts to ‘sell’ Elvis as a Perry Como-like crooner.

b. Behind the Scenes

• Creative Revolution:
  Binder defied both NBC and Colonel Parker, pushing to make something radically unlike the expected “Christmas special.”
• Choosing the right music director:
  • Binder initially agreed to let Elvis bring his confidant Billy Strange, then made a bold call to fire him over preparation issues and bring in Billy Goldenberg, who ultimately transformed Elvis’ sound for the special.
  • “The brilliance of Billy Goldenberg is that he took all those old songs of Elvis and... he updated all the arrangements, and it sounded big and contemporary, and Elvis loved it.” (30:02)

5. The '68 Special in America's Tumultuous Year

• The team rehearsed as Bobby Kennedy was assassinated, echoing the trauma of a nation:
  • “We all piled into the TV room, and live on television, we watched... Bobby Kennedy was shot... We ended up spending the entire night until the sun came up in the morning, not talking about the show, but talking about what’s going on in our country.” (36:17)
• Dispelling Myths about Elvis:
  • “All the rumors of, you know, him being a racist or a redneck... were completely dispelled. I found him totally…very open and liberal. Our cast...was kind of a United Nations on wheels.” (37:46)

6. The Healing Power and Universality of Music

• Proffer on standing against division:
  “Steve’s vision of everything being colorblind, being race blind, being religious blind is right with where the world could be and should be.... What Steve did and what Elvis did has transcended time.” (41:51–43:27)

• Diversity in documentary tribute: Features new, multi-genre performances (“a salsa version of ‘Blue Suede Shoes,’” Darius Rucker’s “Heartbreak Hotel”), illustrating enduring influence.

• Binder’s lifelong belief:

  • “The only universal language that can be understood, no matter what language you speak... is music. Music translates emotions and feelings... There’s just something about it that stirs your soul... it brings us all together.” (44:10–48:49)
  • Personal story: His childhood love for "Ballad for Americans;" music as a tool for empathy and unity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Spencer Proffer on Steve Binder:
  “All his work that he did when he directed... all his shows... I figured out it was as much about his personal connectivity to talent more than just him being a suit… The furthest thing that Steve Bender is is a corporate executive.” (12:29)
• Steve Binder on authenticity with Elvis:
  “Without hesitating, I said, I think your career’s in the toilet. And... I was 100% wrong. He said, finally, somebody speaking some truth to me.” (23:53)
• Steve Binder on cultural moments:
  “We were all... rehearsing some of the music… And all of a sudden we heard a big commotion… and live on television, we watched... Bobby Kennedy was shot... We ended up spending the entire night... talking about what’s going on in our country.” (36:17)
• Spencer Proffer on the documentary’s modern message:
  “What this documentary does is it just shows the good music, good vision, and, you know, Steve being able to put people in the round, let Elvis jam with his guys... I think that’s timeless, but I think that’s good for all races, all colors.” (43:27)
• Steve Binder’s musical philosophy:
  “To me, the only universal language that can be understood, no matter what language you speak in your native tongue... is music. Music translates emotions and feelings...” (44:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------|-----------| | Introduction & guest intros | 02:06 – 03:42 | | Proffer & Binder: how they met | 03:42 – 06:26 | | Binder on upbringing & career | 07:08 – 12:14 | | The artist-manager dynamic | 12:14 – 14:18 | | Elvis, Colonel Parker, & first meeting | 18:25 – 27:53 | | Updating Elvis’ sound & Special creation | 30:02 – 35:58 | | Rehearsals during Bobby Kennedy assassination | 35:58 – 41:21 | | The documentary as a message for today | 41:21 – 44:10 | | Steve Binder: universality of music | 44:10 – 48:49 | | Episode close and final remarks | 48:49 – 49:32 |

The Final Word

Takin' A Walk’s replay of this landmark conversation delves deep into American music history, drawing out how one audacious TV special re-energized the King and challenged the social currents of its time. Binder and Proffer celebrate the emotional, political, and unifying legacy of the '68 Comeback Special, arguing passionately for music’s irreplaceable role in healing divisions and inspiring future generations.

“Music translates emotions and feelings... it brings us all together.” – Steve Binder (44:10)

“What this documentary does is it just shows... Steve being able to put people in the round, let Elvis jam with his guys... I think that’s timeless.” – Spencer Proffer (43:27)

Fans of music history, media storytelling, and Elvis Presley alike will find this episode a compelling, profoundly human journey into the power of reinvention—on stage and beyond.