Elvis’ final recording session took place at Graceland during January and February with a final portion in October of 1976, yielding a total of sixteen tracks. Of these sixteen tracks only Hurt was immediately introduced to his live show and subsequently becoming a permanent member of Elvis’ set list. A further two, Danny Boy and Moody Blue, would receive a single live outing during the following eighteen months.
The song’s immediate introduction is likely to have been because Hurt was released as a single just prior to this March 1976 tour commencing, and Elvis often introduced it as being a recent single release.
The first few versions contain no reprise, are at a slower tempo and do not have the big sliding ending typical of later versions. These very first live renditions have an arrangement and vocal delivery almost exactly like that on the studio master.
Of note is that Ronnie Tutt is absent from this short tour, his place on the drums taken by one of Elvis' session drummers Larry Londin.
00:00 Version One - 17 March 1976 - Johnson City
02:06 Version Two - 18 March 1976 - Johnson City
04:26 Version Three - 19 March 1976 - Johnson City
06:54 Version Four - 20 March 1976, Afternoon Show - Charlotte
09:15 Version Five - 20 March 1976, Evening Show - Charlotte
11:36 Version Six - 21 March 1976, Afternoon Show- Cincinnati
14:32 Version Seven - 21 March 1976, Evening Show- Cincinnati
19:00 Version Eight - 22 March 1976 - St. Louis
As with all of these videos, to get the most out of the re-edited audio, I highly recommend you use ear /headphones and turn the volume up as much as you dare!