Elvis Presley's appearance worried his fans in the years leading to his death. However, he also showed signs of deteriorating health prior to his demise.
Concerns started to loom amid Elvis on Tour in 1977 when the late King of Rock and Roll showed a drastic change in appearance, including his sudden weight gain. Fans became more alarmed three months before his death after he appeared to struggle while singing on stage.
Elvis Presley Had Emergency Health Issue Before Death
In 1977 - the year of Elvis Presley's death - the singer performed on 55 dates but canceled four shows from March 31 to April 3 after he was admitted to Baptist Memorial Hospital as he suffered from symptoms of intestinal flu.
On the day before his death, he was supposed to begin his 12-date tour through a two-day show at Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine. Presley was not able to start the leg as he was found dead inside a Graceland mansion's bathroom.
According to Elvis History Blog, the "Can't Help Falling in Love" hitmaker marked a stop in a sold-out concert in Baltimore on May 29, 1977 - three months before his death.
Writer Marty Bennett revealed that Presley "walked out" of the show but soon returned and revealed the bizarre reason for his brief disappearance. He noted that the singer looked extremely bleak when he returned to the stage, looking "weak and tired" as eyelids seemingly drooped.
"Presley, paunchy and apparently pained, first did 30 minutes marked by anemic singing, a few stilted attempts at his patented gyrations, bewildering patter, and awkward stage movement that included having an aide hand-hold his voice mike," the writer went on.
During his absence on stage, his entourage and backup acts went into panic and ad-lib mode as the audience got worried and confused at what was happening at that time.
When Presley returned, he told the concertgoers that he suffered a twisted ankle and insisted there was nothing wrong with his health.
A spokesperson for the Civic Center later confirmed the development, saying that a physician treated him and put him on medication during the half-an-hour delay.
Fans Not Impressed by Elvis Presley's Absence
Even after hearing Presley's explanation, the concertgoers reportedly exited the venue and began speculating about what was wrong with the singer.
Per Marty, the audience did not offer him a standing ovation after the show; but the venue blamed it on his intestinal problem.
Three months later, Presley was found dead on his bathroom floor hours after he revealed he was having intestinal issues. His cause of death was later determined to be heart failure.
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