The Man Behind the 1968 Elvis Presley Comeback Special

(1932) Born in Los Angeles, California, he is an American producer and director. He found success behind the camera on television shows showcasing music, when he was only in his early 20s. He was also influential in creating music programs with racially and ethnically diverse casts, featuring a variety of musical styles.

Binder is arguably best known as the director of Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special, and Diana Ross Live in Central Park, in which a torrential thunderstorm passed through minutes into Ross's first set, and the Star Wars Holiday Special. In addition to working with Petula Clark and Elvis, Binder also worked on numerous TV shows and specials with Steve Allen, Soupy Sales, Chevy Chase, Patti LaBelle, Barry Manilow, Wayne Newton, Mac Davis, Liza Minnelli, Pee Wee Herman, and John Denver. If it were not for Steve Binder the Elvis Comeback show would never have happened. Elvis's manager Colonel Tom Parker initially booked this television special sponsored by Singer Sewing Machines as a Christmas Special. The Colonel wanted Elvis to sing nothing but songs from his famous Christmas song catalog, take a bow and call it a night. Elvis determined to break the static mold created by his 1960's film career was restless, bored and very unhappy with where his career was at that time. He was yearning to get back to real rock n' roll music. Binder sensing this unhappiness in Elvis upon first meeting told "The King" exactly what he wanted to hear. Someone who thought like he did that Elvis was wasting his time in his scripted movie persona and needed to get back to his roots. Despite the Colonel's warnings, Elvis and Steve Binder decided to buck the Colonel and made rock n' roll history and Elvis was back. After the tremendous success of the '68 Come Back Special, Elvis made only one more film which he was contracted to do, and then he hit the stages all over America and "The King of Rock n' Roll" was indeed back!

Autographed Photo: 8 x 10, black and white photograph showing Steve Binder and Elvis Presley. This was taken during the filming of the Elvis '68 Come Back on the stages of NBC in Burbank, California in June 1968. Boldly signed in black ink, Steve Binder. Choice condition. In person signing. Very desirable Elvis Presley related autograph.