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Welcome to the "Elvis Information Network", home to the best news, reviews, interviews, Elvis photos & in-depth articles about the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley...
The latest on www.ElvisInfoNet.com:
Elvis planes to stay at Graceland: After all the long debacle it looks like Elvis Presley's airplanes are staying at Graceland after all.
Graceland released a statement Sunday saying the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II, two custom-designed airplanes once owned by Presley, will permanently remain at the Memphis tourist attraction centered on the life and career of the late singer.
The announcement ends confusion about the future of the airplanes, which had been owned by a company named OKC Partnership since after Presley died in August 1977. OKC Partnership had received approval on Tuesday from the Memphis City Council to move the airplanes to another location just down the street from Graceland.
Lisa Marie Presley confirmed via Twitter that "Graceland now owns the planes and they will remain at Graceland "4 ever." She did not elaborate. |
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EIN however suspects that the planes' owners OKC did eventually get a suitable financial deal from EPE who had been playing hard-ball until now, although earning $55 million per year.
The timing of the announcement - just days after the Memphis council gave permission for OKC to move the planes one block south against the wishes and notice of "copyright issues" from EPE - suggests that OKC got a satisfactory deal from EPE after all.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Linda Thompson and Family visits Graceland: Linda Thompson was a special visitor to Graceland earlier today.
She posted this message, "Such a nostalgic private tour of Graceland today. I got to share with Brandon Jenner, Brody Jenner and Kaitlynn memories of Elvis. I designed the stained glass peacocks leading into the music room, the climbing roses and "P" stained glass at the front door. I also decorated the downstairs rooms, and the Jungle Room... All according to Elvis's unique taste, of course. Really rarefied memories were made at Graceland. Love and Peace Linda"
Go HERE for EIN's special on Linda Thompson.
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet) |
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"Greater Than Ever - A Touch Of Gold Lame": Another new book from the Elvis Files Erik Lorentzen. An in-depth look at Elvis' fabulous tours of 1957.
If you Pre-Order in May you also get for free a poster of the cover ...
The publicity notes - 450 PAGES OF PURE GOLD!
The price is €120 = £86 = US$135 - includes shipping all over the world
Go HERE to 'Elvis Files' to Pre-Order
(News, Source;EL/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis' 1955 Hayride contract for auction: They are little more than four sheets of paper, but since they bear Elvis Presley's signature and record a seminal moment in his young career – his 1950s appearances on the Shreveport-based show Louisiana Hayride – they could fetch up to $50,000 at an upcoming auction.
A four-page contract between Presley and International Broadcasting Corporation (the former owner of KWKH Radio in Shreveport) for the young singer to appear on the weekly music show is appraised between $30,000 and $50,000 in the catalog for the Julien's Auctions event on May 16 in New York.
Hayride was the legendary Grand Ole Opry-style radio, and later television, program which originated from Shreveport's Municipal Auditorium and featured up and coming and established country musicians and singers.
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Presley made his first appearance on the program on Oct. 16, 1954, performing "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and his newly released song "That's All Right." As his fame grew, he was signed to a Hayride contract the next year. Julien's says the Sept. 8, 1955 Presley Hayride contract was only the second performance contract he signed in his career. Elvis, then 20, signed the paperwork in red ink, with his parents as witnesses.
"The contract stated that Presley would appear on the program for 52 consecutive Saturdays beginning on November 12, 1955. Presley performed only 18 of those Saturdays," according to the item description. According to the auction house, after manager Col. Tom Parker discovered Presley, the contract was bought out for a reported $10,000.
At auction, Julien's is also offering with it two letters of authenticity: one from Louisiana Hayride archives owner Joey Kent and the other from former radio personality Frank Page, who died in 2013.
The May 16 auction features personal and professional items from Presley's legendary life and career. The contract for Hayride is among the highest-priced items. Among the others are Presley's 1971 Blackhawk car (valued between $400,000 and $600,000), his TCB "Taking Care of Business" tour bus ($150,000 and $200,000), one of his military uniforms ($20,000 to $40,000) and a copy of his marriage certificate with Priscilla Presley ($25,000 to $30,000).
Go HERE to Julien's Actions for more info
(News, Source;JA/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis: The Exhibition Opens: The new Las Vegas 'Elvis: The Exhibition' opened yesterday at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. It was an exciting day of events starting off with the first wedding at the Elvis Presley's Graceland Wedding Chapel, then a ribbon cutting with Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley at Elvis: The Exhibition, followed by an evening performance of The Elvis Experience in the Elvis Presley Theater.
Once again Elvis is back as the heartbeat of Hotel.
The CEO noted, “We would absolutely love to bring the entire look and feel back as it was in Elvis’ days, but we’re challenged with the advancement of technology in lighting. So what we’ve chosen to do is bring the same finishes, colors and style back into place. We’re bringing the gold back, we’re building a new theater lobby, a grand new theater entrance, more respectful of the quality of the show."
You can see the official photos of the event here at EPE.
Watch the video of the Opening Ceremony here on YouTube.
(News, Source;BrianQ/EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
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First Couple Married at Elvis Presley's Graceland Chapel: The bride wore a mic and walked down the short aisle to Elvis' "Love Me Tender" before reaching both her groom and Priscilla Presley, her matron-of-honor.
Despite the predawn hour, NBC’s coverage of the first ceremony at the new Graceland Wedding Chapel in Westgate Las Vegas for this morning’s "Today" went off without a hitch.
Priscilla Presley surprised Kaycee Satava and Cameron Baker from Portland, Ore., by offering to be the matron of honor at the 5:40 am ceremony, also witnessed by Priscilla and Lisa Marie.
Rev. Kenneth Baker of Las Vegas kept it quick for television, "none of that 'dearly beloved'," he said before the ceremony.
A childhood illness led to Satava's enduring appreciation for all |
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things Elvis. Satava's parents Rick and Joyce said they brought her every Elvis movie they could get their hands on to entertain her while she received shots every 21 days and eventually daily.
"She always knew she was going to have an Elvis wedding"."To have Priscilla next to me for my wedding was a dream," Satava said.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis" covers AC/DC’s ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’!: Showing that Elvis is still everywhere, Ultimate Classic Rock have recently posted a clever clip of "Elvis" (well, an impersonator singing but a TTWII lip-synced clip) singing AC/DC’s ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’.
The above video combines vocal work from Irish impersonator James Brown, the classic music bed from "Whole Lotta Rosie" and historic concert footage of the King himself.
Brown covers songs in Presley’s style, sort of like a one-man mash-up. "Whole Lotta Rosie" originally arrived as part of Brown’s 1997 debut album, Gravelands. The project also included a similarly transformed take on Nirvana‘s "Come as You Are." Brown released his first album of originals, titled Any Way You Want Me, in 2005 — but, it’s worth noting,
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Council Approves Move of Elvis Planes: OKC Partnership and EPE have finally made a deal! The two airplanes once owned by Elvis, the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II, will be moved from Graceland to a location down the street under a plan approved by the Memphis City Council. The unanimous vote by the 13-member Council comes after a Shelby County land use board signed off on a proposal by the planes' current owners, OKC Partnership, to place the aircraft on a lot just steps from the Graceland tourist attraction.
The planes will be part of an outdoor display and museum for tourists to visit. The goal is for construction on the lot to be finished in time for the planes to be moved to their new location for Elvis Week in August, said Tim McCaskill, who represented OKC Partnership in its dealings with the city. |
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The planes have been situated at Graceland since the mid-1980s, and they are a popular tourist draw. They had been sold after Presley's death and were eventually purchased by OKC Partnership in Memphis.
OKC Partnership and Graceland at that point agreed to bring the planes to the singer's home. Their agreement called for OKC Partnership to receive a cut of ticket sales in return for keeping the planes there.
In an April 7, 2014, letter to OKC Partnership, EPE said it was exercising its option to end the agreement and asked OKC "to make arrangements for the removal of the airplanes and the restoration of the site on or shortly after April 26, 2015."
(News, Source;AP/ElvisInfoNet) |
New Elvis Exhibit In Las Vegas: Ahead of today’s opening ceremony the Las Vegas Sun checked out the new Elvis Exhibition. In it you’ll find Elvis’ high school yearbooks, first gold album, 1955 recording contract, motorcycles, cars and that diamond-studded gold belt for breaking Las Vegas attendance records at the former International hotel.
Robin Leach also interviewed Graceland director of archives Angie Marchese.. The interview included ..
Angie Marchese - We have over 1.5 million items in our collection. It’s amazing, and that’s a lot of ground to cover. A lot of the jewelry that we have on display here all was worn here onstage in Las |
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Vegas. It’s all concert-worn jewelry. Probably my favorite piece is the gold belt that was presented to him from the International hotel in 1969 for shattering all the city’s attendance records. It’s actually sterling silver, and it’s overlaid in gold with diamonds, rubies and sapphires. In the belt buckle, it says, "Elvis World Championship Attendance Record."
It’s one of those pieces that Elvis was so honored when it was presented to him that he wore it not only onstage with jumpsuits, but he wore it when he met President Richard Nixon in the Oval Office, and he wore it in his 1972 Madison Square Garden press conference. It really became one of the iconic pieces, kind of an accessory that he would wear everywhere.
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We have several storage facilities in Memphis. We’ve got one that’s actually on the property at Graceland, and then we have three that are within a 5-mile radius of the property. The one on property is climate controlled, and it’s basically supposed to take a hit from a tornado, so the seismic features of it are very strong, and that’s where we keep our most valuable pieces of our collection. In our three offsite storage facilities, we have our larger objects, our cars and furniture.
- The story of the Las Vegas exhibition really is going to highlight Elvis the American icon, the culture phenomenon, as well as Elvis the man. You’re going to be able to see things from his first record contract from RCA Victor where he got a signing bonus for $5,000, and no other artist had gotten one that big up to that point.
When I look at the items that I brought here, what really kind of speaks to me is that most of these items have not been back in Las Vegas since Elvis left with them.
I’ve got the outfit he wore opening night July 1969. That outfit has not been back in Las Vegas since July of ’69. Things like that really get to me. It’s like I’m holding a piece of American history and bringing him back home.
We’re going to have his gold ID bracelet. We also have a TCB of course, but Elvis obviously gave his entourage members the TBC necklaces. But before the necklaces, he had these ID bracelets made that had their names on one side of them and then his nickname for them on the other side. They got Elvis, one and it has Elvis on one side and then on the flip side of it, it says, "Crazy." The guys said they named Elvis Crazy because they just never knew what he was going to be doing next.
- I don’t know that Elvis was very aware of everything he owned.
I know that he knew he had a lot of things, but it was really his dad who saved everything. If Elvis was redecorating Graceland, Vernon would just take furniture that was in that room and put it
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in a warehouse. With the clothes, Elvis’ closet upstairs is literally the size of a bedroom, and when Elvis wasn’t wearing stuff, he’d just put it on the back shelf and just kept everything.
Elvis knew he had a lot of things, which is why he gave a lot of things away. They say that if you ever complimented Elvis on something, nine times out of 10, he would have taken it off and given it to you. If it was a car, he might have thrown you the keys and said, "OK, it’s yours."
That’s just the kind of person he was because he never forgot where he came from, and he wanted to bring everyone along on the ride with him.
Probably my favorite part of my job is the fact that I can make these pieces tell a story because without the story behind the telegram, it’s just a telegram. But then when we put the telegram on display, and we explain, "Wow, this is the telegram that Col. Parker and Elvis sent Barbra Streisand congratulating her on her opening night at the International hotel." That tells a story that puts you back in a moment in time, and that’s probably the thing I love doing best — is making these pieces tell a story.
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There are about 350 artifacts, but it’s also going to be an ever- changing exhibition because we are going to be rotating things in and out of the exhibition to keep it fresh. There are certain pieces, like the crown jewels of the collection, that rarely leave Memphis, and we’re going to be rotating some of those in and out of the exhibit here, which include the black leather suit Elvis wore in the ’68 special, the gold lame suit he wore in the 1950s, possibly a few other automobiles including maybe the pink Cadillac might come for a short time, but we really want to keep the exhibit fresh — a new experience for the returning visitors.
Even 26 years later, I still get excited over figuring out the littlest of mysteries when it involves the collection.
I opened up one of Elvis’ books and inside was a handwritten letter to Elvis from Johnny Cash. Apparently Elvis had invited him to a show here in Las Vegas, but they couldn’t go because John Jr. was sick and Elvis got this handwritten letter from Johnny and it was folded up and used as a bookmark in one of his books.
Another book that’s going to be up on display, because Elvis was an avid reader, is a Robert Kennedy book from his collection. It’s actually autographed to Elvis from Robert Kennedy, so that’s pretty cool. I still get really excited, even all these years later, to do a new exhibition.
The unique thing about Elvis is that his legacy has really made him timeless. He’s reached that status that even little kids today kind of know in a round about way who Elvis is
Go To The Las Vegas Sun for the full interview and all the photos
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/LVS/ElvisInfoNet) |
'All About Elvis: A Tribute To Elvis Presley' New CD: There have been plenty of tribute collections to Elvis in the past but with a full 3 CDs of Elvis related material this collections looks very interesting. If only for it's great cover. From the Fantastic Voyage label, it actually features no track by Elvis.
The publicity notes, "Not only would 2015 have marked Elvis Presley's 80th birthday, but 2015 also celebrates 60 years since he signed his first major recording contract in November 1955, with venerable RCA Victor, embarking on a journey that would lead him to become the world's first and greatest rock & roll superstar. Even today, almost 38 years since he died, Elvis Presley is a real phenomenon. It is that phenomenon that is thoroughly explored on 'All About Elvis: A Tribute To Elvis Presley' a 3CD set compiled and annotated by rock & roll authority Dave Penny.
Its 97 tracks, dating from 1954 to 1962, were recorded by Elvis s contemporaries. CD1 'Elvis Style' rounds up recordings sung in the style of Elvis, including contributions by Conway Twitty, Ral Donner, Roy Orbison and Sleepy LaBeef. CD2 'Elvis Songs' comprises songs associated with Elvis, featuring the likes of Carl Perkins, Ricky Nelson, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Wanda Jackson and Eddie Cochran.
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Bobby Bare aside, CD3 'Elvis Adored' has the least familiar names, as all manner of artists rushed to sing the praises of The King. Manager Colonel Tom Parker was a prolific licensor of lucrative Elvis merchandise, including badges, combs, dolls and key chains, and he was also a ruthless protector of copyright, so many recordings that traded on brand Presley were quashed or pulled from release at his instigation. But enough reached the public to offer a treasure trove of Presleyana. We hope you enjoy our quirky trawl through the early years of the Cult of Elvis and this idiosyncratic selection of recordings which span the novelty pop, country, rhythm & blues and rock & roll fields.
Go HERE to Amazon for tracklist and to purchase - only £10 or US$15
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
'Orion: The Man Who Would Be King' Review: The UK Guardian newspaper has reviewed the new movie 'Orion: The Man Who Would Be King' "the reluctant Elvis-alike turned pretender to the King's throne" The newspaper awarded it 2 / 5 stars
The review includes, "Jeanie Finlay’s ode to Jimmy Ellis, who looked like Elvis, sounded like Elvis and didn’t want to be like Elvis until after Presley’s death, tries to make a country and western classic out of a one-hit wonder
Orion was not trying to be just like Elvis. He even released a single called I’m Not Trying to Be Just Like Elvis. The problem, inasmuch as it is a problem, is that Jimmy Ellis, an Alabama-born singer, really sounded a lot like Elvis. The likeness was to the point that this natural talent, who was 10 years younger than the King, was unable to secure any significant work in the recording industry. But in 1977, when Elvis Presley died and a wave of Elvis-nostalgia hit, a business opportunity knocked.
Sun Records had been purchased by one Shelby Singleton. Let’s be generous and call him "an entrepreneurial sort". Singleton re-released some earlier Sun tracks with Jimmy Ellis dubbed in, sounding just like Elvis, and labelled it Jerry Lee Lewis "and friends". Just as these were hitting big, the first tabloid rumblings about Elvis faking his death were starting to bubble up. A woman named Gail Brewer-Giorgio was readying a novel about an Elvis-like figure who did just that. The book was called Orion and, while who specifically dreamed up what is still up for debate, Ellis soon found himself on the cover of an album called Orion: Reborn. He sounded just like the King and wore a face-obscuring mask. Was this actually Elvis under a new persona?
Of course, behind the mask, Ellis slowly became miserable. He wanted to be himself, neither an Elvis impersonator nor a Kiss-like gimmick act.
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His fame, while significant for a time, was fleeting. This documentary chronicles it all and, unfortunately, even at a mere 89 minutes, it goes on for about twice as long as it should
Ellis died in 1998 in a freak violent episode, a hold-up, that has nothing to do with the themes of this film. Yet director Jeanie Finlay seems driven to find some way in which this tragic ending has some connection to his life. The same goes with Ellis’s early years as an adopted child. (There’s even some conspiracy business suggesting that he may have been a secret, out-of-wedlock half-brother to Elvis Presley – an embarrassing "cake-and-eat-it-too" conceit, given the accusations of hucksterism thrown Shelby Singleton’s way.)
At the end of the day, Finlay’s tearful Ballad of Orion ain’t much. This was a guy who wanted a big music career. He had a few great years performing to thousands of adoring fans. OK, so he had to wear a stupid mask. Is it such a tragedy? As heartbreak hotels go, seems like one with a nice mint on the pillow.
Go HERE for full Guardian review. (News, Source/ElvisInfoNet) |
'21st Annual Celebration ELVIS Weekend with the KING': The Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway in Palm Springs has their 21st Annual Celebration planned for the May 2 & 3 weekend - Elvis' wedding anniversary weekend.
The weekend also features Darlene Tompkins, Elvis' co-star in Blue Hawaii. Dick Grob, Elvis' Head of Security and close friend plus Rockabilly legend Glen Glenn.
Includes House tours and concerts
Go here to the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway website for details
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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Elvis Coach shares memories: Malcolm Phillips, 88, from Newton has long been associated with football around East Mississippi but years earlier Phillips took a job as assistant football coach at Humes High School and was coach to Humes school boy Elvis Aaron Presley. Phillips said his first impression of Elvis was that he was a very shy kid.
"The first time I met Elvis he was walking down the hall at school and when I saw him he was so shy he hid behind a door," Phillips said. "Elvis lived in the projects like a lot of the students did and most of them were very poor and shy."
Phillips said he began coaching Elvis when he signed up for spring football practice.
"I was already coaching Bobby (Red) West and Elvis had been hanging around him so I think that is where he got the idea he wanted to be like the rest. At Humes, if you were male you were expected to play football. He was pretty quick and had some speed but didn't want to hit and didn't plan to get hit."
Phillips said Elvis didn't like to wear his helmet either because he didn't want it to mess up his hair.
"I would tell the boys to keep their helmets on and every time I glanced back at them there would be one without his on and that would be Elvis. All the other boys had a buzz cut but Elvis had a lot of hair. It was his performing hair and that didn't go well with a helmet."
Phillips said it wasn't long before Elvis quit the team to get a job after school. "He came in my office one day and told me he was getting a job packing groceries so he would have to quit football. Elvis needed money to pay for his school lunch. Football wasn't his forte' anyway. It was always his music." |
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Phillips said people would often say Elvis was a mama's boy but his buddies denied that. "A mama's boy meant you were a sissy and he never was a sissy, he was on the boxing team at Humes and liked to wrestle. He did love his mama, but he wasn't a mama's boy."
Phillips said the first time he heard Elvis sing was at a school carnival.
"Each year we had a carnival and talent show to raise money for school supplies. Coach Boyce and I were working one of the concession stands in the cafeteria when we heard loud music coming from upstairs in the auditorium. I went to see what was happening and that's when I saw Elvis and his band playing.
His knees were a-knockin', he was singing and bopping' all over the place. Those kids were screaming and hollering, 'Encore, encore!' When Elvis got that guitar in his hands he was not shy anymore. He was the bravest guy I've ever seen."
"After his songs starting playing on the radio he became very popular with all the kids. Instead of eating in the cafeteria the kids started going across the street from the school to a little restaurant to hear Elvis' records on the jukebox and dance. There would be about 500 kids out in that parking lot dancing. The music was so loud the guys on the football field could hear it and they would be dancing around everywhere too."
Phillips moved to Newton in the late 1970s and was inducted into the ECCC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. Phillips said it has been a good ride and he wouldn't take anything for all the experiences he has had.
(News, Source;MeridianStar/ElvisInfoNet)
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Some FTD Deletions: Elvis Australia has posted that the following FTD titles have been sold out and so are "deleted and unavailable".
'King Creole: The Music (book)', 'King Creole Frame By Frame', 'In A Private Moment', 'Dragonheart', 'Polk Salad Annie' plus 'Hot August Night' and 'Sold Out!'.
However this is not correct as 'Hot August Night' and 'Sold Out!' are still fairly recent and popular FTD releases and so they are being re-pressed.
Local dealers such as the 'The Elvis Shop London' and 'ETMHM' still have stock and at a regular prices, so do not fear.
Go here for EIN's reviews of these excellent releases.
- 'Sold Out!'
- 'Hot August Night'
(News, Source;FTD/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Bob Lanning's Elvis Website Now Active: Elvis’ 1970 drummer BOB LANNING, who will be touring Europe in the coming weeks, now has a new website up titled www.boblanning.com.
It contains background info on Bob, an interview with him about his association with Elvis, photos from his collection and several videos. The website is still in its infancy, and much more material will be added in the coming period.
Bob has also made an exclusive agreement with Arjan Deelen for the next few years to jointly work on more shows and other Elvis-related projects. "So many times through the years I've thought about re-visiting the time I worked for and performed with the magnificent Elvis Presley", Lanning says. "But I wanted to do this in a way that paid tribute to Elvis' Legacy. I'm pleased to be a part of the Elvis' Friends and Original Musicians Tour and also to work with Producer Arjan Deelen. Our new website looks great and I'm excited about working with Arjan for future tours and other projects..."
Photo: Elvis at the Astrodome, February 1970. Bob Lanning is on drums.
See below for all the 'An Evening with Elvis’ Friends and Original Musicians' Tour dates
(News, Source;BL/AD/ElvisInfoNet)
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Vinyl re-release of "My Happiness" Now Out: After anonymously buying Elvis' first-ever recording at a January auction, Jack White is offering a limited-run vinyl re-release of "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin" at his Third Man Records in Nashville.
The 10-inch, 78-rpm facsimile of the 1953 recording was digitally transferred from the original acetate onto new vinyl discs with no cleanup — pops, crackles and all.
"It's exactly what came off the grooves," Third Man's Ben Blackwell said.
The record is being sold in a plain paper sleeve because that's "what Elvis would have walked out of Sun with a record in," Blackwell said.
"Sun" is, of course, Sun Records, the legendary Memphis label operated by Sam Phillips. Presley paid $4 for the recording. Six decades later, White paid $300,000.
Super-fans camped out in front of Third Man beginning Friday morning to make sure they could get their hands on the Elvis record and other goodies available only for Record Store Day. |
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Nonexclusive versions of the Elvis Acetate will be released to a wider audience later this year. Among the differences, the Elvis recording will this time be cleaned up.
But for true collectors waiting in line for 26 hours for the exclusive versions was worth it.
(News, Source;RS/ElvisInfoNet) |
Couple Wins Ultimate Elvis Wedding in Las Vegas: Congratulations to Kaycee Satava and Cameron Baker! They will be the first couple married at Elvis Presley's Graceland Wedding Chapel at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino this Thursday, with Priscilla Presley in attendance.
The winning couple of the Ultimate Elvis Wedding was announced on "The Today Show" on Monday, April 20.
"I get to marry my best friend," Kaycee said upon hearing the good news.
Kaycee became an Elvis fan as a child, when she would listen to his music and watch his movies as she took medication for a health condition that forced her to be immobile for long periods of time.
Cameron and Kaycee's wedding will be televised live on "The Today Show," Thursday, April 23. That's the same day that |
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Graceland Presents ELVIS: The Exhibition - The Show - The Experience will have its grand opening.
You can watch the couple find out they won Ultimate Elvis Wedding on the Today Show website - Click here.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
| Saturday 18 April 2015 - - - 2nd News Update - - - |
Big News from 'The Elvis Files': Elvis Files publisher Erik Lorentzen and his team have some big news and big surprises up their sleeves for 2015 - 2016.
Firstly the news that the final volume of "The Elvis Files" series of books has had to be split into two, due to the fact that Elvis was so busy touring during his last years.
There are so many stunning photos available - so it was just not possible to do justice to Presley's final four years in just one volume.
The first book 'The Elvis Files Vol. 7 1974-1975' is planned for August 2015 publication.
'The Elvis Files Vol. 8 1976-1977' is planned for Spring 2016.
Also another new book underway, "Greater Than Ever - A Touch Of Gold Lame" an in-depth look at Elvis tours of 1957.
And also not forgetting the quarterly 'Elvis Files Magazine'.
For a better quality look at all these releases - please go HERE to our Elvis Files 2015 information page.
(News, Source;EL/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'The Elvis Files Vol. 7 1974-1975' Coming this August, Volume 7 of the great Elvis Files series.
The sixth volume of the Elvis Files story chronicles Elvis' years on tour through the USA, the Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe seasons..
All ELVIS EVENTS in this Time Frame 1974-1975 are shown
- Every Working Moment...
- The Mid-Seventies Tours
- The Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe Seasons
- Plenty of CANDID Moments
- The Recording Sessions
- Previously Unpublished Photos.
The publication date is August 2015.
Here's the cover for Volume 7 and some pages from the famous LA concerts in 1974. The cover photo is taken by our friend Keith Alverson.
Go HERE for more info 'Elvis Files 2015' information page |
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Elvis Week 2015 Schedule & Ticket On-Sale Dates: EPE have announced their preliminary Elvis Week 2015 Schedule as well as the Ticket On-Sale Dates.
The notes that "There's no better place to celebrate the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley, than in Memphis during Elvis Week.
Elvis Week 2015 is August 8-16, 2015, at Elvis Presley's Graceland.
The schedule of events includes the Candlelight Vigil, Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, Conversations on Elvis, Elvis Presley Fan Club Presidents' Event, the Auction at Graceland, Elvis Presley 5K Run, Elvis-themed concerts and much more!
Click HERE to the EPE schedules of Events.
EIN notes that this year there is no obvious "Major Show" with the usual smaller concerts featuring Andy Childs, Terry Mike Jeffrey plus the regular Gospel celebration with The Stamps Quartet featuring Donnie Sumner, Bill Baize, Ed Hill and Larry Strickland.
The Friday Night "Elvis in Vegas Tribute Concert featuring the Terry Mike Jeffrey Band" seems to be the main event.
Graceland Insiders tickets pre-sale will start on Thursday, April 30, at 8:30 a.m. CST.
General tickets go on-sale will start on Monday, May 4
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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First Elvis Presley Acetate New Digital Transfer: Presley’s 1953 recordings of 'My Happiness' and 'That’s When Your Heartaches Begin' are turned into digital files for reissue by Jack White’s Third Man Records
Jack White (of The White Stripes) may be taking a break from live performance, but his obsession with the process of recording music is as healthy as ever. The musician and record label owner, who anonymously bought Elvis Presley’s first recording for a cool $300,000 in a January auction, has seen the 10-inch acetate disc digitally transferred in Nashville.
Presley was just 18 when he recorded songs 'My Happiness' and 'That’s When Your Heartaches Begin', in July 1953 at the Sun Records studios in Memphis. Now, more than 60 years later, that original vinyl disc has been turned into a digital file to enable its reissue by |
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White’s Third Man Records label. Third Man plan to release the single on 10-inch vinyl on 18 April – this year’s Record Store Day.
Alan Stoker, a curator at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, was responsible for transferring the disc to a digital file, under White’s watchful eye. Stoker had previously transferred the two songs to analog tape in 1989, to allow for their distribution on CD by the then-owner Shelby Singleton.
Presley’s first studio session was taped by Marion Keisker, assistant to label owner and producer Sam Phillips. As such, Phillips is often credited with discovering rock’n’roll’s first mainstream superstar.
Go here for the nice YouTube clip where you can witness this new acetate transfer
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Sandi Pichon Needs Your Help: Sandi Pichon was raised on Elvis and has become friends with nearly everyone in the Elvis World - and now she needs our help as she struggles with some major health issues
Over at EIN's Facebook page (go Here) Marty Lacker is auctioning some Elvis items to raise money to help Sandi who is having a bad time fighting a tumor.
You can also help Sandi Pichon with financial donations.
She is expected to be moved out of the hospital into assisted care sometime tomorrow.
She is doing well, but must keep calm. She is worrying about everything right now.
Sandi has specifically asked that no one call, text or email
BUT please CLICK HERE to support Sandi Pichon - being arranged by Melissa Coleman
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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'Uniondale Hysteria, Second Day' New Import CD: Out soon on the MxF label is the second volume of a trilogy dedicated to Elvis’ historical performance at Uniondale Nassau Coliseum. This second cd features the Uniondale, June 23, 1973 8.00 PM Show.
The June Tour represent the second and last tour of the year, Elvis on tour means Elvis at the top of his possibilities. Uniondale is the third step of the tour, in the Nassau coliseum Elvis performs four shows in three days. Elvis is very energetic on stage, full of enthusiasm he sings with power delivering a solid and long show, with the classic repertoire of the 1973 including a incredible “Steaming rolling blues” version, together the really dramatic What Now My Love and the classic Bridge Over Troubled Water. In this second day Elvis seems more relaxed and even more focused on the songs.
The show is unreleased and complete, here we present the show directly from a first generation copy of an Audience Recorded 60-minute cassette. The sound quality here is good, considering it was taped from the audience in a big hall.
A four panels digipack with a collection of photos taken during show
Go to 'Elvis CD News 2015' for more info and the tracklist
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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Latest Billboard Album Charts: The feeling of love continues for 'Heart And Soul'.
'Heart And Soul' rises from 20 to 19 on the Billboard Country Catalog Album Chart for w/e 25th April, 2015.
Elvis has no other entries on the Billboard Charts.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Three new FTD Releases for Pre-Order: The 'King Creole' Classic Album, 'Elvis at American Sound' Limited Edition 2-Disc set and 'Change Of Habit' another deluxe book from David English and Pål Granlund.
1 - 'King Creole' FTD Classic Album.
The next FTD soundtrack album release is 'King Creole' (although previously released in a combined CD/Book) but this "Classic Album" version features far more within its two CDs.
This 2-CD set features the original RCA masters, unique RCA engineer Thorne Nogar live monitor mixes many of which contain slates, and original song demos. It features a 16-page booklet featuring great photos, behind-the-scenes chronology and memorabilia. Out late May 2015.
DISC 1 - The Album 1 King Creole 2 As Long As I Have You 3 Hard Headed Woman 4 Trouble 5 Dixieland Rock 6 Don’t Ask Me Why 7 Lover Doll 8 Crawfish 9 Young Dreams 10 Steadfast, Loyal And True 11 New Orleans BONUS TRACK 12 Danny - Thorne Nogar LIVE Mono Mixes 13 Hard Headed Woman (take 10 – master) 14 Trouble (take 5 – master) 15 New Orleans (take 5 – master) 16 King Creole (first version – take 3) 17 King Creole (first version – take 18) |
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18 Crawfish (take 7 – unedited master) 19 Dixieland Rock (take 14 – master) 20 Lover Doll (take 7 – unedited/undubbed master) 21 Don’t Ask Me Why (take 12 – master) 22 As Long As I Have You (take 10 – master) 23 Muskrat Ramble (instrumental) 24 Steadfast, Loyal And True (first version – take 6) 25 As Long As I Have You (short version – take 4) 26 As Long As I Have You (long version – take 8) 27 King Creole (revised version – take 13 – master) 28 Young Dreams (take 8 – master) 29 King Creole (main title – instrumental – take 8 – master) Recorded at Paramount 30 Steadfast, Loyal And True (undubbed record master) 31 Steadfast, Loyal And True (movie version)
DISC 2 Demos and Acetates (not featuring ELVIS on vocal) 1 King Creole 2 Trouble 3 Dirty, Dirty Feeling 4 New Orleans 5 Hard Headed Woman 6 Dixieland Rock 7 Crawfish 8 As Long As I Have You 9 Danny 10 Don’t Ask Me Why 11 Lover Doll 12 Young Dreams 13 Steadfast, Loyal And True 14 Turtles, Berries, Gumbo 15 Banana.
2 - 'Change of Habit' Book/CD.
Once again written by Pål Granlund and David English is the new FTD deluxe hardback book in the same size as ”Something for the Girls”. For June 2015 publication.
'Change of Habit' is published by FTD/Flaming Star with more than 450 pages and over 150 unpublished photos from the movie, on the set, plus candids from the same period, it captures Elvis at his very best. Elvis reported at Universal 10th of March and the filming started on the 12th. Elvis was dismissed from the movie on the 29th of April.
The CD features the nine-track budget album 'Let’s Be Friends' plus the bonus tracks 'Rubberneckin’' and 'Let Us Pray'.
Let's Be Friends CAS-2408, released April 1970 Peak chart position: #105 Pop Track 01 Stay Away, Joe, 02 If I’m A Fool (For Loving You) |
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03 Let’s Be Friends 04 Let’s Forget About The Stars 05 Mama 06 I’ll Be There 07 Almost 08 Change Of Habit 09 Have A Happy
BONUS TRACKS 10 Rubberneckin’ 11 Let Us Pray.
2 - 'From Elvis at American Sound, Memphis, Tennessee' (Limited Edition Vinyl 2-Disc Vinyl Set)
"Elvis at American Sound” completes the successful American Sound trilogy. ”From Elvis In Memphis” and ”Back In Memphis” are still available with limited stock. Out late May 2015.
Released on 180gram vinyl -
Mastered at Abbey Road
SIDE A 01 Kentucky Rain – take 8 3:32 02 My Little Friend – master 2:49 03 Rubberneckin’ – takes 1,2/M 2.50 04 If I’m A Fool (For Loving You) – master 2:46 05. True Love Travels On A Gravel Road – take 5 (2.55) 06. Hey Jude – take 1 (4.34)
SIDE B 01 I’ll Be There – takes 1, 2 3M 4.40 02 Kentucky Rain – takes 5, 6, 7 6.06 03 Who Am I? – undubbed master 3:25 04 Memory Revival – instrumental 4:05
SIDE C 01 If I’m A Fool (For Loving You) – takes 1, 2, 3 5:56 02 Come Out, Come Out (Wherever You Are) – instrumental take 2/M 2:47 03 Mama Liked The Roses – alternative vocal overdub 2:30 04 Kentucky Rain – take 9 3:58 05 In The Ghetto – take 19 3:08
SIDE D 01 Poor Man’s Gold – take 12/M with abandoned vocal overdub 3:38 02 I’ll Be There – takes 4, 5, 6 3.15 03 Do You Know Who I Am? – takes 3, 5 6:59 04 Only The Strong Survive – takes 8,11, 12 5:55
(News, Source;LondonElvisShop/ETMHM) |
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'Ultimate Elvis' in Soft Cover: Elvis Files has announced that as the deluxe 1,720 page 'Ultimate Elvis' Hardback Box-Set is sold out from the dealers, they are now offering a special SOFT COVER set at a special lower price.
The original release have already been reviewed as....
"I can honestly say that I have never got so much pleasure from a post Elvis product as I did from these magnificent books which were obviously a labour of love from those who compiled it."
"This is the most thorough analysis of Elvis’ recorded output ever undertaken, with the finished product being exceptional"
"I don't see how this publication can be topped by anyone. It is what I consider |
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truly groundbreaking and THE definitive work concerning Elvis' recording career."
GO HERE for full reviews
So now is the chance for anyone who missed out to get the three huge books in exactly the same high-quality print but as a Soft-Cover version and now at the special price €197 = US$208 = £141 including shipping worldwide.
Get in early for your copy and send an email for info to sales@elvisfiles.no
(News, Source;ElvisFiles/ElvisInfoNet) |
'The Ghosts of Graceland' New Book: Author Pam Harris has recently published her first novel 'The Ghosts of Graceland' a 130-page mystery targeted towards girls ages eight to 12. Harris, who has taught Spanish, French and journalism said, “I first had the idea for the book while visiting Graceland almost ten years ago,” Harris said. “I heard about two ladies who had moved from their homes in other states and bought houses in the neighborhood behind Graceland. I wondered what kind of obsession would drive someone to do that, so the idea of the Aunt Trina character was born.”
The book revolves around the main character Mandi and her twin, age 12. Much against their will, they have been sent from their home in California to stay with a great-aunt they barely know. When they arrive in Memphis, they are thrilled to be reunited with their father, who has just returned from a military deployment in the Middle East. While at their great-aunt’s home, Mandi is intrigued by unexplained voices coming from nowhere in the middle of the night, a strange man lurking around them, a quirky great-aunt who has an obsession with Elvis, and a homeless teen-age boy with a secret. To Mandi, they are all mysteries that she must solve.
Pam Harris notes to Elvis fans that "My book has a lot of description of Graceland and information about the Presley family interwoven in the story line, so maybe young people will enjoy it and become Elvis fans as well." -
Print Price $8.99, Kindle Price: $3.04
Click here to Amazon for more info
Note that Pam Harris wrote a wonderful Spotlight for EIN on 'Gordon Stoker of The Jordanaires'
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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Percy Sledge, Soul Legend, Dead at 74: Percy Sledge, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, who was best-known for his 1966 debut single 'When A Man Loves A Woman' died at his home in Louisiana on Tuesday morning following a battle with cancer.
'When A Man Loves A Woman' reached number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the R&B singles chart, and later came in 53rd on Rolling Stone‘s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. Sledge, who was often called the King of Slow Soul, continued to make soul records in the late ’60s and early ’70s, with songs like 'Warm And Tender Love' and a cover of Elvis Presley’s 'Love Me Tender'. His last release was the 2013 album The Gospel Of Percy Sledge.
Driven by Sledge’s passionate, pleading delivery 'When a Man Loves a Woman' instantly establishing him as an exceptional talent, even in a generation of soul music geniuses such as Otis Redding, James Brown and Sam Cooke. Inducting Sledge into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, Rod Stewart described it as one of the best songs he had ever heard. Even if his records were not charting, Sledge’s work was always treasured by soul aficionados.
Sledge was born in Leighton, Alabama, and while growing up would |
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sing in church every Sunday. However, he recalled how some of his earliest musical influences were white country singers, since “country was the only radio station we had”. He would find himself singing songs by Jim Reeves, Hank Williams and Elvis Presley when he took labouring jobs, while daydreaming of becoming a professional baseball player. It was at a 1965 club 1965 that Percy Sledge was spotted by the DJ and aspiring record producer Quin Ivy, who urged them to come and make a record. He was soon recording with crack session musicians such as guitarist Jimmy Johnson and keyboards player Spooner Oldham who would also be associated with the Memphis soulful sound and soon Atlantic Records bought his contract.
His 2004 album Shining Through the Rain presaged his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the following year. In 2007 he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the Delta Music Museum, in Ferriday, Louisiana.
(News, Source;AP/ElvisInfoNet) |
Lee Gordon Presents Elvis Presley......The Biggest Shows of 1957 (Volume 1) (Book Review): The mid 1950’s represented a halcyon period in the Elvis story. As a young man in his early 20’s bridled with incredible musical ability and a rampant onstage physical presence, 1954 to 1957 represented the peak of what has been referred to as “Presleymania”.
The latest book (the first in a trilogy) by noted Australian Elvis researcher and author, Peter Robert (“Bob”) Hayden: Lee Gordon Presents Elvis Presley......THE BIGGEST SHOWS OF 1957 (Book 1) tackles Elvis' concert performances in 1957.
EIN's Nigel Patterson recently delved deep inside this new release and found a treasure trove of rare and fascinating information from behind the scenes details to the hysteria caused by Elvis' on stage performances, all nicely complemented by an array of important historical archival material. (Book Review, Source: EIN)
Read Nigel's full review
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New import CDs announced: Three new imports CD’s are scheduled for release on April 21. The albums are:
STEPPIN’ OUT OF LINE WITH ELVIS (2-CD BOOTLEG SERIES) - limited edition (500 copies).......The Pot Luck Recording Sessions 1961 – 1962...A SPECIAL EDITION from THE BOOLEG SERIES - 2 CD’s - 58 GREAT TRACKS!
Including the original Stereo & Mono album masters + outtakes (not released by Elvis’ record company*) & movie versions from the “Pot Luck” album all on one double cd! + booklet with recording information.
*with the exception of the outtakes released on the “Elvis For Everyone” FTD.
CD 1 - 27 tracks:
POT LUCK | THE ORIGINAL STEREO ALBUM - Kiss Me Quick, Just For Old Times Sake, Gonna Get Back Home Somehow, (Such An) Easy Question, Steppin’ Out Of Line, I’m Yours, Something Blue, Suspicion, I Feel That I’ve Known You Forever, Night Rider, Fountain Of Love, That’s Someone You Never Forget studio banter), Something Blue (Take 5 & 6)
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THE OUTTAKES (PART ONE) - Kiss Me Quick (Take 2), Kiss Me Quick (Take 3), Kiss Me Quick (Take 5 & 6), Kiss Me Quick (Take 7), Kiss Me Quick (Take 8 & 9), Kiss Me Quick (Take 10), Kiss Me Quick (Take 11), Just For Old Time Sake (Master with studio banter), Gonna Get Back Home Somehow (Take 4), Gonna Get Back Home Somehow (Take 6), Gonna Get Back Home Somehow (Master with studio banter and false start), (Such An) Easy Question (Master with studio banter), I’m Yours (Work Part 1 - ending, Take 1 with false start and take 2), Something Blue (Master with
CD 2 - 31 tracks:
POT LUCK | THE ORIGINAL MONO ALBUM: Kiss Me Quick, Just For Old Time Sake, Gonna Get Back Home Somehow, (Such An) Easy Question, Steppin’ Out Of Line, I’m Yours, Something Blue, Suspicion, I Feel That I’ve Known You Forever, Night Rider, Fountain Of Love, That’s Someone You Never Forget
THE OUTTAKES (PART TWO): Suspicion (Take 4), Suspicion (Master with count-in take 5), I Feel That I’ve Known You Forever (Take 2), I Feel That I’ve Known You Forever (Master with studio banter), Night Rider (Master with studio banter), Night Rider (Remake take 1 & 4), Fountain Of Love (Take 3, 5, 6), Fountain Of Love (Take 7 & 8), Fountain Of Love (Master with studio banter), That’s Someone You Never Forget (Complete unedited take 1), That’s Someone You Never Forget (Take 2, 3, 4 & 6)
THE MOVIE VERSIONS: Night Rider (Movie version from “Tickle Me”), (Such An) Easy Question (Movie version from “Tickle Me”), I Feel That I’ve Known You Forever (Movie version from “Tickle Me”), I’m Yours (Movie version from “Tickle Me”)
MONO SINGLE MASTER: I’m Yours
THE ALTERNATE RELEASED VERSIONS: Kiss Me Quick (Without backing vocals), (Such An) Easy Question (Remixed version), Suspicion (Without backing vocals)
LOVE THE BLUE ALBUM (1-CD ELVIS ONE):
- 30 Great Tracks!
- original masters
- alternate + original Mono single versions
- 5 Previously unreleased versions (by Elvis’ Record Company)
Track listing:ANYTHING THAT’S PART OF YOU (Original Mono single version), ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT? (Original Mono single version), SOMETHING BLUE, I WAS THE ONE, DOIN’ THE BEST I CAN, SUMMER KISSES, WINTER TEARS, DON’T LEAVE ME NOW, THAT’S WHEN YOUR HEARTACHES BEGIN (‘57), HOW’S THE WORLD TREATING YOU, FORGET ME NEVER, IT’S A SIN, BLUE MOON, HEARTBREAK HOTEL, I’M LEFT, YOU’RE RIGHT, SHE’S GONE, HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL, MY BABY LEFT ME (Stereo Mix)*, RECONSIDER BABY, RETURN TO SENDER (Original Mono single version), JUDY, NO MORE (Movie Version)**, THAT’S WHEN YOUR HEARTACHES BEGIN (‘53 - Demo), |
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DOIN’ THE BEST I CAN (Takes 1,2,4-8), DOIN’ THE BEST I CAN (Take 13), THE MEANEST GIRL IN TOWN (Takes 4-6)*, SUMMER KISSES, WINTER TEARS (Takes 21-25)**, SUMMER, KISSES, WINTER TEARS (Movie Version, Take 2 with guide track), BLUE CHRISTMAS, ElVIS’ ANSWERING MACHINE (Recreation / Unedited)**
* Previously Unreleased | ** Previously Unreleased by Elvis’ Record Company
LOVE THE ALBUM (1-CD ELVIS ONE)
31 Great Tracks!
including original masters, alternate
original Mono single versions
8 Previously unreleased versions (by Elvis’ Record Company)
Get All Shook Up! - Love like never before!
Track listing: HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS (Original Edited Mono Version), CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE (Movie Version take 9)**, ONE NIGHT (Stereo Mix)*, THRILL OF YOUR LOVE, I WANT YOU, I NEED YOU, I LOVE YOU, ANYPLACE IS PARADISE, FEVER, GOOD LUCK CHARM (Original Mono Single Version), ALL SHOOK UP (Stereo Mix)*, TONIGHT’S ALL RIGHT FOR LOVE, YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL (Acoustic Movie Version)**, STUCK ON YOU (Original Mono Single Version), KISS ME QUICK, ANGEL (Original Mono Master), GENTLY, LOVING YOU, KU-U-I-PO, WHERE DO YOU COME FROM? (Original Mono Single Version)
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I’M YOURS (Album Version), HAWAIIAN WEDDING SONG, SUCH A NIGHT, SPRING FEVER (Takes 1-3)*, HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS (Take 12), I’M FALLING IN LOVE TONIGHT (Take 7 & 5)**, TONIGHT’S ALL RIGHT FOR LOVE (R10, Takes 1, 5-7, 9-13, 16 + R20, Takes 1 & 2), RELAX (Take 12)**, CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE (Original Mono Single Version), I’VE GOT TO FIND MY BABY (Unedited Master from Acetate)*
* Previously Unreleased | ** Previously Unreleased by Elvis’ Record Company
Visit EIN's page detailing all the latest Elvis CD News in 2015
The story of the "masked man", Jimmy Ellis aka Orion has its world premiere next week at the Tribeca Film Festival followed by screenings around the US and Canada. (News, 10 April 2015)
Click here for list of screenings
Read EIN's fascinating Spotlight article on Jimmy Ellis, the man who would (not) be King
Mica Paris to star in new Elvis stage musical: Soul singer Mica Paris is to star in the tour of Elvis Presley musical Love Me Tender.
Originally titled All Shook Up when it was staged on Broadway in 2005, the renamed show will open at the Manchester Opera House on June 5 before touring the UK and Ireland until September 26.
Speaking about the casting, producer Adam Spiegel said: “I’m a huge fan of Mica Paris, and as soon as I heard her audition I knew she was perfect for the role of Sylvia. Her incredible, powerful voice and presence does true justice to the greatest hits of the one and only king of rock’n’roll, Elvis Presley.” |
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It visit venues including Bristol Hippodrome, the New Wimbledon Theatre, the King’s Theatre in Glasgow and Liverpool’s Empire Theatre. Karen Bruce will direct and choreograph the show, which has a book by Joe DiPietro and is produced by Adam Spiegel Productions, Robert G Bartner and the Ambassador Theatre Group. Further casting is yet to be announced. (News, Source: thestage.co.uk)
| The Edge of Reality......Elvis Is Everywhere: Let’s be frank here: Elvis devotees are a lot like fish in a barrel. Anyone can shoot them, with reliably satisfying results. Their reverence almost invites intrusion. So the measure of a portfolio of Elvis believers is not the colorfulness of the characters – that much is a given – but the empathy of the photographer. Anyone can capture the tribe’s signature plumage. The trick is teasing out the individual humanity underneath.
Clémentine Schneidermann, 23, first encountered the faithful as a student in Vevey, Switzerland, where one of the King’s many fan clubs runs strong. Growing up in France, Ms. Schneidermann had not had much interest in Elvis Presley. Her parents were more likely to listen to the French cult crooner Johnny Hallyday, she said. “I could have done this whole project on Johnny Hallyday, but I just thought Elvis was more universal.”
Opposite: one of the photos in Ms Schneidermann's Elvis collection - a fan from Wales named Samantha |
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Ms. Schneidermann, who divides her time between Paris and Newport, Wales, took the plunge a few years later, in the small Welsh town of Porthcawl, where pilgrims in shaggy sideburns gather each September for an Elvis festival. By then she had questions. Why Elvis? Why Wales? What are the parameters of devotion, and the rewards for those who don the rhinestones?
“The project is not about Elvis, but about how these people want to escape,” she said. “Most are from a working-class background, and they don’t have much money, and Elvis helps them cope with reality.”
Fans were only too happy to invite her into their homes to see their artifacts, often gathered at some expense. In lives buffeted by the four winds, Elvis provided a direction and sense of possibility.
“Every time I asked them, why Elvis, they didn’t talk about the music,” Ms. Schneidermann said. “They were attracted by the American dream, an image of America.”
In her photos, taken in South Wales, the subjects wear their dreams quietly, but in defiance of whatever mundane concerns shape their lives. Escape isn’t easy – for most people, it isn’t even possible. But faith takes strength as much from setbacks as from triumphs.
Record Studio, Graceland
“It’s like religion, where people put their trust in something,” she said. “They trust in him. He guides their lives. They wake up with Elvis, they get married with Elvis. He’s there all the time.”
Since her immersion, Ms. Schneidermann has gone to the source, to Graceland and Elvis’s grave in Memphis, and even met an American man who told her about creating his own replica of Graceland to help him live out the fantasy.
And she has been transformed by the experience – a little, she said. “I like his music now,” (Article, Source: John Leland, NY Times - lensblog)
| Elvis-themed murder on latest Hawaii 5-0 episode "Ua helele'i ka hoku" (Fallen Star): There’s plenty of suspicious minds to go around in this week’s (US telecast date: 10 April) Elvis-themed murder. Hawaii Five-0 pays tribute to the lore surrounding the King of Rock n’Roll, and hilarity ensues.
All of the Elvis jokes in the world can’t help the Elvis of the case who has “left the building” in the middle of his impersonation contest. As Grover says, “The King is dead…again.” Max points to a different cause of death than that which killed the original Elvis, this time murder by cyanide poisoning.
The victim, Lane Collins, is theorized to have been killed since he was close to getting the $20,000 prize money for the impersonation contest. Jerry smells something fishier though, and it turns out his theory about the victim having a costume mix-up could be an important clue in the case. |
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It also turns out that Collins was once apart of a big up and coming band out of Hawaii until the bad fell apart. Turns out to be a quickly closed case from there; a fan obsessed with the victim’s former band killed him to protect his legacy from being tainted by his career as an impersonator. So case closed, let’s go home and get our grub on like Grover wants.
Not so fast though, because just as the case is closed, another dead body turns up at the dry cleaners where the bad Elvis suit was, and the victim’s body is stolen from the morgue. The team quickly finds out that the jumpsuit the victim was wearing had stolen diamonds embedded in it connected to a previous killer, Ivanovich, from a few episodes back. So Danny and Steve go to Barry, the fence from that particular case, to figure out who came looking for the diamonds. It’s too bad Barry is the one who set up the body snatching-diamond thief crew. The one person Barry doesn’t know is coming after the diamonds is Ivanovich’s big bad brother. Now Elvis did a lot, as evidenced by the many, many, many hours of Elvis trivia; but I’m pretty sure Elvis never hid a machine gun in his guitar case. The team takes him down of course, and Jerry pays tribute to Collins with a soul-filled song. Wow, Jerry has some pipes!
So the Elvis name had a bad week, then again so did members of the 5-0 team. Grover is having a really hard time following arresting his former best friend last week. He went back to Chicago in order to dig up the truth, and all he was met with was stony silence from his former friends. The theory is that Clay duped everyone back home with his sob story, thereby guaranteeing their loyalty and silence so that Grover could never uncover the truth. Instead of being seen for the good cop that he is, everyone he used to know treats him like he’s Internal Affairs. If he were still living in Chicago, that would be a lonely place to be right now. Luckily, Grover has his team to have his back.
Now a few episodes back when Chin’s brother-in-law killed the IA detective he made a deal with, effectively getting Chin off the hook for aiding Danny’s crimes, I stated that I still didn’t feel good about the situation. This episode’s events proved exactly what I was afraid of, as Gabriel has come back to collect. Just to make sure Chin is cooperative, Gabriel offers his own brand of incentive in the form of mysterious photos of Adam. What they mean and what Chin is willing to continue to risk, are questions that will have to be answered later. (Review, Source: TV Overmind)
| Friday 10 April 2015 - - - 2nd News Update - - - |
'Rock Around The Bloch' FTD Book Review: Fifty four years ago Elvis Presley helped raised money and directed much-needed attention to the stalled efforts to build the USS Arizona Memorial.
On March 25, 1961, the 26-year-old Presley took the stage to an arena packed with 4,000 frenzied, screaming fans. He performed 15 songs that night ending with a rousing performance of "Hound Dog, which included a slide across the stage on his knees.
The concert raised about $54,000, and public and private donations poured in following the show.
This newly published FTD Book/CD combo celebration of this fabulous show is 'Rock Around The Bloch' by David English and Pal Granlund. A hardback book containing 288 pages it includes first-hand accounts from people who were there, newspaper articles from the time and numerous photographs (over 130 of which have never been published before).
EIN contributor David Tinson checks out this new FTD release....
(FTD Reviews, Source/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Elvis - The UK's 'Most Successful Chart Act': In 2015 Elvis Presley is still Officially Number One in the UK music charts!
EIN contributor Brian Quinn informs us that ELVIS is still the UK's "Most Successful Chart Act" in 2015.
In this detailed spotlight EIN list the statistical details from the 'Official Charts Company (UK)' for April 2015.
Elvis has spent in total an incredible 2638 weeks on the UK charts - 1302 weeks for singles, 1336 weeks for albums.
Go here to our spotlight where Brian Quinn has provided this great list showing that even in 2015, 37 years after his death - ELVIS is still Number One in the UK charts...
(Spotlight, Source/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis Presley's iconic gold suit goes on display at O2: Elvis' unique gold-lame suit worn had now arrived in London under armed guard and has been set up for display at the new London exhibition.
The suit has been displayed at Graceland after the estate bought the gold suit from Colonel Parker following Elvis' death in 1977.
The suit will take pride of place alongside all of the other personal items which are already on display.
In this short news video EPE's Kevin Kern explains all about the Gold Lame suit and the importance of it being at the O2 exhibition
London's 'Elvis At The O2' runs until the end of August 2015.
Click HERE to a short video of the suit in London
Go here to EIN's look at the O2 Elvis exhibition
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Elvis Opening Night 1975' New Import: The AudiRec label announces a brand new CD. It includes an audience recording of the complete performance from March 18, 1975 – well known as the “Opening Night” for Elvis´ March/April Las Vegas 75 Season.
Elvis hadn't worked in five months when he came back to Las Vegas in March 1975 and although he carried a lot of uncomfortable weight inside his stage clothing, his spirits were higher than they´d been at the start of a Las Vegas engagement in years. If you take a close look to the setlists of this engagement, it shows that Elvis put in really lots of contemporary songs instead of his own “Oldies”. For instance, Opening Night delivered just two songs from the '50s (“Love Me” and “I Got A Woman”). Compared to setlists from the years before this new one was full of good choices. For us listeners of today it is even more: It's GREAT to hear Elvis doing so many well-performed songs!
Expect a fine, decent CD Set containing a great show and be sure to get your copy at your local dealer! Accompanied by a 16-page booklet . Limited to only 300 copies.
See EIN's 'All The CD News 2015' for full details and tracklist
(News, Source;AudiRec/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'From Elvis In Murfreesboro' New Import CD: With a little help from our friends at “Audionics” TNT presents Elvis in Murfreesboro / Tennessee May 7th 1975. Here we go with a soundboard recorded concert that has coincidently its 10th year anniversary related to its first release on – you guessed it – Audionics. For this new release the guys from “Audionics” have remastered their 2005 Version and out comes a significantly better sound – you will like it! The concert is COMPLETE and this is rare (if not unique!) for an SB recording from April/May 75.
When Elvis was ready for his April/May 1975 tour it was already clear that it would be another big success in his career. Already on the second station of the tour Jacksonville Journal Staff Writer Sandy Strickland wrote in her article titled “Elvis Presley (Sigh) Is Here!” that “One woman threatened suicide", “Elvis is in town”.
Take your time and read the full article within the 16 page booklet that accompanies the release.
Enjoy Elvis in his last concert from the above mentioned tour. The “Closing Show” can easily be called a fine performance from a seemingly relaxed entertainer.
See EIN's 'All The CD News 2015' for full details and tracklist
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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'Bicentennial Superstar Elvis Vol. 2' New Import CD: TNT Records also announce (again with a little help from our friends at “Audionics”) Volume 2 of our very well received series “Bicentennial Superstar” from Elvis' concert Oct 20 1976, South Bend. It is going to be presented in our usual high quality standard. The recording is taken straight from the soundboard and there is a 16-page booklet containing all the information you need to know.
Although the “King” at least tried to get back in shape when Elvis stepped on stage looking not too good.
Nevertheless, the shows in October of 76 had their moments. Elvis changed his setlist from the months before slightly and for example put back a more than welcome “Steamroller Blues” into it. He did at least what he had to do: Making his many fans happy. The show we are presenting on this release took place on Oct. 20, so Elvis was right in the middle of the tour. Sit back and enjoy experiencing Elvis in autumn of 76 singing some very good versions of songs like “Steamroller Blues”, “Help Me” and a still strong “America The Beautiful”!
See EIN's 'All The CD News 2015' for full details and tracklist
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Latest Billboard Album Charts: The feeling of love continues for 'Heart And Soul'.
'Heart And Soul' drops from 18 to 20 on the Billboard Country Catalog Album Chart for w/e 18th April, 2015.
'Elvis: Ultimate Gospel' is a re-entry at 23 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
Elvis has no other entries on the Billboard Charts.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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"No Elvis Imitators at Vegas Chapel" says Priscilla: In a positive announcement from EPE, Priscilla has noted to the media that "The King" will not appear at Elvis Presley’s Graceland Wedding Chapel that is coming soon to Las Vegas – which is exactly how she wants it.
The woman who wed Elvis in Sin City in 1967 made one thing clear before unveiling the latest wedding chapel to bear his name: No Elvis impersonators.
Priscilla Presley knows some might prefer a jumpsuit-wearing, sideburn-donning wedding official with a bit of swivel to his hips. But she says such a move would only cheapen the place.
"This is all first-class," she told the media recently. "This is not a joke. The wedding chapel is not a joke."
That means no red velvet, Presley said. Nothing gaudy.
She has been involved in the look and feel of the chapel that officials say is part of the first permanent exhibit of Elvis artifacts outside Graceland, the singer’s iconic Memphis home.
And a reflection of the Memphis landmark will be the backdrop for the chapel, with couples seemingly saying "I do" on the home’s front steps.
Authenticity is what this new chapel offers, she said, and more than anything, she seems keen on ridding the world, and Las Vegas, of the often over-the-top, tacky image of her late ex-husband.
"Elvis had a lot of dignity. Elvis had a lot of class. He was a beautiful specimen of a man."
'Graceland Presents ELVIS: The Exhibition - The Show - The Experience,' including the chapel, opens April 23 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, the same property where Elvis performed several hundred sold-out shows between 1969 and 1976, when it was known as the |
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International Hotel and later the Las Vegas Hilton.
When Priscilla Presley arrives for the show’s debut, it may be only her second time visiting the site since she last saw Elvis perform there in 1975.
"He’s not trying to be Elvis Presley," she said of performer Martin Fontaine, who will perform Elvis songs with a 24-piece band in a renovated showroom where the King took the stage.
While there won’t be any impersonators, one lucky couple will get a Presley in their wedding party opening day.
Priscilla Presley will attend the nuptials of the couple that wins a contest announced by NBC’s Today show Monday after giving them a private tour of the exhibit the night before.
"I’m going to make sure it’s done right," she said of the wedding.
EIN notes, this is indeed a strange (but good) decision given how much EPE have embraced "ETAs" in recent years.
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)
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Elvis Gold Lame Suit Under Armed Guard: Elvis' unique gold-lame suit worn had been brought over from Graceland under armed guard to go on display at the new London exhibition.
The $10,000 Gold Lame Tuxedo outfit created for The King of Rock and Roll by Nudie Rodeo Taylors of North Hollywood will be at the 'Elvis At The O2' London Exhibition for two months from April 12 before it returns to Graceland.
It will join other rare artefacts from Elvis Presley's estate, which include his 16 karat TCB Taking Care of Business ring, a Champagne bottle from Elvis's wedding to Priscilla that's signed by both the bride and groom and the gold phone that was beside his bed.
Elvis Presley wore the full suit - including jacket, trousers, belt, tie and shoes - on just three occasions at live shows, the first of which was at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago on March 28, 1957.
He wore it again the following night in St Louis and in Toronto on April 2, 1957.
He also wore it for the cover of his 1959 album 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong, which featured 16 images of Elvis in the suit on the cover.
The outfit was so valuable that Elvis' notorious manager, Colonel Tom Parker, always had it specially transported in an armoured car under armed guard.
Exhibition curator Angie Marchese says: "The reaction to the exhibition has been amazing and now we're thrilled to be including the stunning gold suit that belonged to Elvis.
"Despite being so iconic, Elvis only wore the full outfit three times as he found the gold trousers heavy to wear.
"The Toronto performance in April 1957 was the last time that Elvis wore the entire outfit because he frequently fell to his knees during his stage show, which wore off the gold from the trouser knees, so |
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| he swapped to wearing the gold lame jacket with black trousers after that.
"However, the trousers were restored and have been displayed with the full outfit at Graceland after the estate bought the gold suit from Colonel Parker following Elvis' death in 1977.
"The suit will take pride of place alongside all of the other personal items which are already on display.
"No exhibition mounted previously has ever been so revealing of the man and the star. For people who can't get to Graceland, Graceland is coming to them."
London's 'Elvis At The O2' runs until the end of August 2015 and features more than 300 artefacts direct from Graceland.
Go here for Elvis At The 02 reviews and ticket info
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Composer Jimmy Webb, turned down Elvis: Singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb composed some of the best known songs of the last half-century, including Wichita Lineman, Galveston, MacArthur Park and By the Time I Get to Phoenix.
Webb got his first job as a songwriter for Tamla Motown before moving on to real success with Glen Campbell. Of all the recordings that the country singer made of Webb’s songs, Wichita Lineman remains his favourite. "It was a perfect marriage between a song and a voice."
The songwriter also made two albums with the hell raising actor Richard Harris. Harris turned Webb’s complex seven-minute song MacArthur Park into a massive smash.
One missed opportunity in Webb’s career was the chance to record with Elvis Presley.
"It was certainly nothing that I did that prevented me from working with him," Webb says, pointing the blame at Elvis’ notoriously controlling manager Colonel Tom Parker.
"I have bootleg recordings of Elvis doing 'MacArthur Park' and 'By the |
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Time I Get to Phoenix'. We talked about recording together, but Colonel Tom Parker insisted on 100 per cent of the publishing. I was being recorded by Mr Sinatra and Tony Bennett and Glen Campbell and I just didn’t feel that I was in a position where I had to make that kind of a sacrifice.
In retrospect I would have loved to have had a record with Elvis, but I guess I stood on principle and it wouldn’t be the first time or the last time in life that I would cut off my nose to spite my face – I’m extremely good at that"
EIN note - Elvis never recorded the songs 'MacArthur Park' and 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix' in full, only a throwaway "one-liners".
(News, Source;YorkshirePost/ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis Easter Specials. Several fans have recently contacted EIN regarding being ripped off by other Elvis dealers. Below are some real prices - and note that these deals are from other shops and not being sold by EIN.
'Ultimate Elvis' (being sold by some dealers for a ridiculous $595!) - 1,800 page deluxe book - buy direct from Elvis Files (including postage) for only US $293 - Click HERE.
'Rock Around The Bloch' deluxe FTD book (being sold by some dealers for a ridiculous $180 & postage) - Buy from ElvisTMHM (including Worldwide postage) for US $110 >> Click HERE. (cheaper for within Europe)
'The Real ... Elvis The 60s Collection 3 CD Box Set' - (being sold by some dealers for a ridiculous $35) - Buy from Amazon UK for only US$11 - Click HERE >> Real-The 60s Collection .
EIN says - Please do NOT be ripped off by other shady characters. Happy Easter ! |
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| Saturday 4 April 2015 - - - Happy Easter Wishes - - - |
Elvis Birthplace new $1mill Funding: Legislation is being processed to provide $1 million to continue upgrades at the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum. The Elvis project, as well as funding to the Vietnam Veterans Veterans Park, will strengthen Tupelo’s efforts to attract tourists to spend more time and thus more money in Lee County.
Neal McCoy, director of the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau, believes the effort to attract more people who stay longer in Tupelo is working.
In 2011, before recent improvements were made at the Park, there were 37,000 tickets sold. In 2014, there were 43,238 visitors to the Park.
“But the way were look at it, it is not the number of visitors. We’re trying to give them more reasons to stay longer.”
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when the Legislature provided $2.9 million in state bond to match local efforts to build a theater, amphitheater. Those improvements are already making a difference, officials said.
In August, during ceremonies in association with Presley’s anniversary, statues of the King and other items will be unveiled at an overlook at the back of the park where legend has it the then-mega-famous Presley would make late-night drives from his home in Memphis to the site where he would reflect and gaze over his birthplace.
The new improvements have been designed to use more of the 15 acre scenic site.
“We have proven this project is not only good for the local economy but for the state economy,”
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet/DailyJournalJackson) |
Elvis Presley: Music & Memories New Book/DVD set: Recently announced a new Hardcover Book / 4 DVD set 'Elvis Presley: Music & Memories'.
This four-volume collection tells the story of the cultural and musical icon known as the King of Rock and Roll. This set contains four DVDs and offers a unique journey with one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century; Elvis Presley. Follow the man we call the King of Rock and Roll's career. The programmes examine the life of the man who swooned his way into the lives of teenage girls across America, from his beginnings at Sun Records to becoming an international star with countless hits on the Billboard chart. Amongst his contemporaries interviewed are guitarist Scotty Moore, drummer D.J. Fontana and backing singers The Jordanaires.
Number of discs 4, Release Date: 23 Feb. 2015, Run Time: 330 minutes.
EIN cannot comment on the quality of this compilation and this DVD may not be viewable outside Europe - please check with dealer.
However some unscrupulous Elvis Shops are offering this set for an unbelievable $99.95 (plus postage) - when you can buy it from Amazon UK for only US$52 / £35.
PLEASE don't be ripped off - Click here to AMAZON >. Elvis Presley: Music And Memories [DVD]
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Billy Ray Cyrus to play Elvis impersonator in TV series: No, it is NOT an April Fool joke! Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus is producing a new television series featuring a country star turned Elvis Presley impersonator. The Viacom-owned cable network announced that it has green-lighted the scripted comedy.
Cyrus will star in the comedy "Still the King" as Vernon Brown, a one-hit country star turned Elvis Presley impersonator who becomes a minister at a country church outside of Nashville, Tennessee.
"Still the King" puts CMT back into business with Cyrus, daddy of Miley and frequent presence on the network when his "Achy Breaky Heart" was a hit two decades ago.
"We built bridges around the world together in the early '90s, places where country music hadn't been or hadn't been for a long time," Cyrus said in an interview. "Getting together again with CMT was very exciting."
One night when his tour bus made a gas stop on the Gulf Coast, Cyrus walked with his dog and began thinking about how Elvis Presley performed in the area at the start of his career. He saw a church in the distance, and things came together in his mind when the bus ride resumed.
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"I was sitting there with a notebook scribbling out idea after idea," he said. "It didn't take long to realize that there's a thought here that's interesting, that's funny, that's smart, that's dumb — all of those things."
"Vernon has a great heart and really means to do good," he said. "But sometimes he just can't help himself. Once you've pretended to be the King, where do you go from there?"
"CMT is on fire. We are producing more original content than ever before and have a rich pipeline of fresh and innovative ideas," said CMT exec Jayson Dinsmore.
(News, Source;CMT/ElvisInfoNet) |
Graceland Goes Blue for Autism: Graceland "Lit Up Blue" this week in support of World Autism Awareness Day and Autism Awareness Month.
This is the eighth annual World Autism Awareness Day, and more than 13,000 participants have pledged to go blue for Autism Speaks international "Light It Up Blue" campaign.
World Autism Awareness Day shines a light on autism as a global health crisis.
The iconic mansion joins a list of nearly 13,000 landmarks, businesses, communities and religious institutions in more than 130 countries on all seven continents that will shine a bright light on autism as a growing public health crisis.
For more about Autism Awareness Month click here.
(News, Source; ElvisInfoNet/EPE)
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The Browns, Richard Sterban Inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame: Congratulations to The Browns and Richard Sterban, who both shared the stage with Elvis, on the recent announcement of their induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Jim Ed Brown and The Browns, who toured will Elvis (shown right), will be inducted into the "Veterans Era Artist" category. The Oak Ridge Boys will be inducted into the "Modern Era Artist" category. Richard Sterban, a member of the Oak Ridge Boys, was also a member of The Stamps, who performed with Elvis.
The Country Music Hall of Fame recognizes noteworthy individuals for their outstanding contributions to the format with Country Music's highest honor. Also inducted this year is guitarist Grady Martin.
"Today is an overwhelming day not just for me, but for the Brown |
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family” said Jim Ed Brown. “Receiving this honor with my sisters, Maxine and Bonnie, is something I had dreamed about for years, but never knew if it would happen or not. Fame is fleeting but being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame will be forever."
- Richard Sterban (far left) noted, “I remember the first time I met Elvis. The group was in Minneapolis at a rehearsal. … The door opens and here comes Elvis with his entourage. I’ll never forget the experience. When I saw him, I just went, ‘Wow!’ because he had this incredible magnetism and charisma. He enveloped the whole room. I just thought to myself, ‘I now realize why this guy is the biggest star in the world,’ and he was at that time. He’d probably still be pretty cool today … he would not have lost that charisma.”
Go here to the CMHOF for more
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Las Vegas Elvis Exhibit Opening Soon: David Siegel, CEO of Westgate Resorts and COO Mark Waltrip reveal more about the new Elvis Las Vegas presentation in the classic "International Hotel" which opens later this month.
“This property was built in 1969 by Kirk Kerkorian. It was the first of very many casinos in town. What was special about it as the International then was a unique heartbeat with the casinos in the middle of all the restaurants. We’re doing a lot of the same things.
I refused to tear it down. Some people have been here 45 years. We have chefs in one of our restaurants who served Elvis. Elvis liked to eat with the employees in the employee cafeteria, and they loved him and he loved them. This was his home. He stayed up on the top in one of the sky villas. Elvis is as much a part of this building as the walls are.
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Elvis is still the heartbeat of the property.
We have plans for every bit of it. We have a new 5-acre pool deck, we’re redoing all of that. We’re bringing in grass and palm trees, brand new cabanas and new floors. Every single room is going to be renovated into a masterpiece. Our sky villas are breathless — absolutely magnificent.
“We would absolutely love to bring the entire look and feel back as it was in Elvis’ days, but we’re challenged with the advancement of technology in lighting. So what we’ve chosen to do is bring the same finishes, colors and style back into place. We’re bringing the gold back, we’re building a new theater lobby, a grand new theater entrance, more respectful of the quality of the show.
We’re centering out the casino with a big Elvis Presley theater marquee dead center, so the minute you walk in the front door you’ll see it all the way in the back. Then you’ll go into a nice lobby |
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to where all the retail merchandising is and then into the showroom.
The original theater had those big half-circle booths, so we’re bringing 10 of those back in across the front of the sound control near the back of the lower orchestra. It is going to have the look and the feel of when Elvis played there. We want to bring the essence of Elvis back into the room so people can not only experience the show, but also experience the setting where he sang.
Right now Graceland Productions has four Elvis Presley shows identified. We start with the first “Elvis Experience” production, which is the most successful show that’s ever been done since Elvis’ death. It’s been playing to sellout crowds for the last four years in the summer theater in Toronto. They just did a sellout performance in Paris, it’s a wonderful re-creation of his original International hotel show here with 31 orchestra players and singer-dancers onstage. It’s a big deal
Following that is a variety of shows that the Graceland folks are currently crafting. Some that tell the story of Elvis, some that put Elvis into video on the stage. It’s all going to be very exciting. So EPE will be controlling all of the entertainment venue as well as the theater and then be in the marketing partnership with us.
We've opened the new front bar at the casino entrance. That’s where Kirk Kerkorian originally put it. Kirk is a genius, and we’ve managed to not only preserve Elvis’ legacy, but I think preserve |
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Kirk’s legacy as the father of the Las Vegas mega-resort.
It all opens on April 23 because it is the historic day in 1956 that Elvis first played in Las Vegas at the New Frontier. Priscilla Presley will be here for the gala celebrations.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet/LasVegasSun) - Go HERE to EPE to book tickets and more details |
| How Elvis Drove America's Mystery Train: For the great rock critic Greil Marcus, Elvis Presley embodied the promise of the Declaration of Independence: better than nobody, nobody better.
Greil Marcus’s Mystery Train has never gone out of print since it was first published in 1974. Plume is re-issuing it this April in a handsome paperback edition, and it’s worth revisiting—or reading for the first time if you’re new to it. Mystery Train isn’t just a seminal book of rock ‘n’ roll criticism; it’s a one of the great books of American pop culture.
In the prologue, Marcus writes, “This is a book about rock ‘n’ roll—some of it—and America. It is not a history, or a purely musical analysis, or a set of personality profiles. It is an attempt to broaden the context in which the music is heard; to deal with rock ‘n’ roll not as youth culture, or counterculture, simply as American culture.” |
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Marcus writes beautifully about Harmonica Frank, Robert Johnson, the Band, Sly Stone, Randy Newman, and Elvis. This may seem like a curious mix of artists, but according to Marcus, they “share unique musical and public personalities, enough ambition to make even their failures interesting, and a lack of critical commentary extensive or committed enough to do their work justice. In their music and in their careers, they share a range and a depth that seem to crystalize naturally in visions and versions of America: its possibilities, limits, openings, traps. Their stories are hardly the whole story, but they can tell us how much the story matters.”
In the excerpt below, Marcus captures Elvis a few years before the icon’s death in 1977. Reprinted with permission from Plume and the author, dig this small taste and then do yourself a favor and dive into the book.
—Alex Belth
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These days, Elvis is always singing. In his stage-show documentary, Elvis on Tour, we see him singing to himself, in limousines, backstage, running, walking, standing still, as his servant fits his cape to his shoulders, as he waits for his cue. He sings gospel music, mostly; in his private musical world, there is no distance at all from his deepest roots. Just as that personal culture of the Sun records was long ago blown up into something too big for Elvis to keep as his own, so the shared culture of country religion is now his private space within the greater America of which he has become a part.
And on stage? Well, there are those moments when Elvis Presley breaks through the public world he has made for himself, and only a fool or a liar would deny their power. Something entirely his, driven by two decades of history and myth, all live-in-person, is transformed into an energy that is ecstatic—that is, to use the word in its old sense, illuminating. The overstated grandeur is suddenly authentic, and Elvis brings a thrill different from and far beyond anything else in our culture; like an old Phil Spector record, he matches, for an instant, the bigness, the intensity, and the unpredictability of America itself.
He has gone to the greatest extremes: he has given us an America that is dead, and an unmatched version of an America that is full of life.
It might be that time when he sings “How Great Thou Art” with all the faith of a backwoods Jonathan Edwards; it might be at the very end of the night, when he closes his show with “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and his song takes on a glow that might make you feel his capacity for affection is all but superhuman. Whatever it is, it will be music that excludes no one, and still passes on something valuable to everyone who is there. It is as if the America that Elvis throws away for most of his performance can be given life again at will.
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At his best Elvis not only embodies but personalizes so much of what is good about this place: a delight in sex that is sometimes simple, sometimes complex, but always open; a love of roots and a respect for the past; a rejection of the past and a demand for novelty; the kind of racial harmony that for Elvis, a white man, means a profound affinity with the most subtle nuances of black culture combined with an equally profound understanding of his own whiteness; a burning desire to get rich, and to have fun; a natural affection for big cars, flashy clothes, for the symbols of status that give pleasure both as symbols, and on their own terms. Elvis has long since become one of those symbols himself.
Elvis has survived the contradictions of his career, perhaps because there is so much room and so much mystery in Herman Melville’s most telling comment on this country: “The Declaration of Independence makes a difference.” Elvis takes his strength from the liberating arrogance, pride, and the claim to be unique that grow out of a rich and commonplace understanding of what “democracy” and “equality” are all about: No man is better than I am. He takes his strength as well from the humility, the piety, and the open, self-effacing good humor that spring from the same source: I am better than no man. |
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And so Elvis Presley’s career defines success in a democracy that can perhaps recognize itself best in its popular culture: no limits, success so grand and complete it is nearly impossible for him to perceive anything more worth striving for. But there is a horror to this utopia—and one might think that the great moments Elvis still finds are his refusal of all that he can have without struggling. Elvis proves then that the myth of supremacy for which his audience will settle cannot contain him; he is, these moments show, far greater than that.
So perhaps that old rhythm of the Sun records does play itself out, even now. Along with Robert Johnson, Elvis is the grandest figure in the story I have tried to tell, because he has gone to the greatest extremes: he has given us an America that is dead, and an unmatched version of an America that is full of life. |
All in all, there is only one remaining moment I want to see; one epiphany that would somehow bring his story home. Elvis would take the stage, as he always has; the roar of the audience would surround him, as it always will. After a time, he would begin a song by Bob Dylan. Singing slowly, Elvis would give it everything he has. “I must have been mad,” he would cry, “I didn’t know what I had—Until I threw it all away.”
And then, with love in his heart, he would laugh. (News, Source: The Daily Beast)
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EIN's 'Elvis Star Track': Today we look back at a key late sixties track that, for some reason, was thrown away on a budget compilation.
'Too Much Money Business'
Recorded on January 15, 1968 as a "warm up" to the follow-up 'Stay Away, Joe' session, 'Too Much Monkey Business' was a marvellous continuation of the new country-funk that Elvis has discovered at his earlier 'Guitar Man' session.
Elvis kicked off the session with an old Chuck Berry number. Elvis was in a sensational mood and with Jerry Reed's acoustic guitar and Bob Moore's double-bass up front 'Too Much Monkey Business' had a fabulous vibe. Initially the arrangement was cooler and lighter than the final release and also without the harmonica. Although this was nothing to do with the required 'Stay Away, Joe' soundtrack material Elvis knew this would create a better feeling than at the previous wasted session. First released by Chuck Berry in 1956 the sixth verse lyrics had been "Been to Yokohama, been fightin' in the war" but in 1968 Elvis changed this to the very topical, "Been to Vietnam".
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The session tapes reveal Elvis totally involved in the music and arrangement. It is notable that in the past four years of soundtrack recordings there had been nothing as infectious, creative or enjoyable as at the start of this session. This was even more intriguing when you realise they are jamming on an old 1956 number.
Before Take 10 Elvis throws in a few lines of 'When Irish Eyes are Smiling' and makes fun of himself laughing, "Help him somebody. The boy's squirrely!" The simple rhythm session jam of Take 10 is an absolute gem
By Take 14, the master, Charlie McCoy would add extra harmonica and then Jerry Reed would overdub an extra solo guitar. One of Elvis’ most spontaneous recordings it would sadly be thrown away on the Singer 1969 'Elvis Sings Flaming Star' compilation - released October 1968 - which included some very substandard soundtrack album rejects.
Along with the later 'U.S Male' this was spontaneous great music and in January 1968 the sound of Elvis regaining control of his career.
Musically, whether he realised it or not, Elvis had reached a major turning-point and the near future held some momentous recording sessions that would forever change his musical reputation, his career path and his astounding legacy.
'Too Much Monkey Business' is an overlooked Elvis classic. |
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Note - last week's STAR TRACK 'So Glad You're Mine' also now updated with YOUR comments. |
The Blackwood Quartet - Elvis favorite still performing in 2015: Anyone who attended The Gospel Side of Elvis might have felt like they were sitting in the original Capitol Theatre, now known as the Mae Wilson.
The Blackwood Quartet, direct from Knoxville, TN transformed the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre theatre into an era where Elvis was still King and people smoked in theatres.
However, nothing was hazy about the Quartet's performance as they delivered a powerful two-hour set leaving the audience with chills. It's no secret that gospel music was incredibly close to Elvis's heart, and perhaps it's the groups close connection with the man himself that made their show so moving.
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Lead singer of the group, Mark Blackwood, grew up in the same neighbourhood as Elvis. His father Cecil and Elvis even went to the same Sunday School and formed their first gospel quartet called "The Songellas" before Elvis went on to establish himself as the King of Rock 'n Roll. Cecil became a part of the original Blackwood Quartet which was originally called Blackwood Brothers, and the group hasn't slowed down yet.
Now over 80 years and numerous Grammys later the quartet has evolved and is compromised of family and friends of the original band members, including Mark. Saturday, it was the bands first time performing in Saskatchewan and they definitely delivered on their promise to "sing the audience happy."
"We take it very seriously. It's something we realize everyday waking up that we dedicate this life and this music to you," said Mark.
Their voices were pure as they sang versions of Elvis songs in a way many have never heard before. The lackwood Quartet continue to tour the country, with performances in Ontario next. Otherwise, look out for the group on an upcoming Bob Dylan album where the quartet is currently in negotiations to add back up vocals on a track. (News, Source: Mickey Djuric/Times-Herald)
| Auction of Graceland Too to be repeated: Fans of the Elvis collection stashed at Holly Springs' Graceland Too will have another chance to bid on their favorite memorabilia in May following problems with an online bid accepted during the first auction.
"I deal with a lot of estates, and this is not the worst thing that has ever happened," said Phillip Knecht, attorney for the Paul MacLeod estate. "Some people say it is Paul McLeod's ghost getting one last laugh, but a lot of his fans were certainly upset at the auction."
In this Dec. 9, 2009, file photo, Paul MacLeod stands before a poster of Elvis Presley in the antebellum home and a private Elvis Presley museum he calls "Graceland Too," in Holly Springs, Miss.
MacLeod, a lifetime Elvis fanatic, was found dead on the porch of his home early Thursday, July 17, 2014, two days after authorities say he shot and killed a man who forced his way into the attraction. (Photo: Rogelio V. Solis, AP) |
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The auction in January at the MacLeod home ended in less than an hour when its
contents sold for $54,500 to an unidentified Georgia man in an online bid. "He thought he was getting the house along with everything else," said Knecht. "It was not the only problem because they offered to give him the house for his bid, but he said no."
Knecht said the auction is needed to pay off $25,000 in estate debt. Bids for the May 2 auction only will be accepted in person. Most of the nearly 1,200 items will be sold individually, with the exception of a 329-vinyl LP collection, Knecht said.
"It's a great thing for his fans; I hope they all come out. There won't be any chance of one person getting in there and swooping everything out."
One person, however, did manage to leave with an icon the first time around. Holly Springs resident John Stuber secured the winning $4,000 bid for MacLeod's Cadillac with Graceland Too emblazoned on the side.
"I always wanted a pink Cadillac," Stuber told The Associated Press at the time. "I just never knew it until today."
MacLeod, who gave tours for $5 any time of the day or night, died July 17. Graceland Too is not affiliated with Graceland. It's about halfway between Graceland, Presley's last home in Memphis, Tennessee, and his birthplace in Tupelo. Because of that and the fact that it was a common destination for Ole Miss students when bars closed, there were visitors in the log book from all over the world. (News, Source: USA Today) |
| More News from earlier last week.... |
New "paint splash" vinyl release: Elvis Presley California Fall 1960/1961 Outtakes and Studio Rarities is a visually interesting limited edition (300 copies) 12" vinyl "paint splash" release from the EU. (News, Source: Dodax)
Buy this album |
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Elvis Complete 1956-1962 Albums: "Valentine Records" (H´ART) announced an 8 CD box "Elvis: Complete 1956 - 1962 Albums" with a 20 page booklet for April 2, 2015. It features the standard "Public Domain" list of songs..
CD 1: Blue Suede Shoes - I´m Counting On You - I Got A Woman - One-Sided Love Affair - Just Because - Tutti Frutti - Trying To Get To You - I´m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry - I´ll Never Let You Go - Blue Moon - Money Honey - Rip It Up - Love Me - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - Long Tall Sally - First In Line - Paralyzed - So Glad You´re Mine - Old Shep - Ready Teddy - Anyplace In Paradise - How´s The World Treating You - How Do You Think I Fell
CD 2: Blue Moon Of Kentucky - Young And Beautiful - (You´re So Square) Baby I Don´t Care - Milkow Blues Boogie - Baby Let´s Play House - Good Rockin´ Tonight - Is It So Strange - We´re Gonna Move - I Want To Be Free - I Forgot To Remember To Forget - Make Me Know It - Fever - The Girl Of My Best Friend - I Will Be Home Again - Dirty, Dirty Feeling - The Thrill Of Your Love - Soldier Boy - Such A Night - It Feels So Right - The Girl Next Dort Went A´ Walking - Like A Baby - Reconsider Baby |
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Go HERE to EIN's 'All The CD News 2015' for full details and tracklists of the eight CDs.
And for more Elvis CD News visit EIN's comprehensive listing of 2015 releases
Whitby columnist, Andy Merey, on Elvis' shaky film career: When home video came into being, Elvis Presley movies were a dime a dozen, and then eventually tired out and worn out after repeated, nondescript releases.
In recent times they are not as easily accessible and at least one of them, Loving You (1957), reportedly has been pulled out of circulation, creating a newfound supply and demand for unique Elvis movies.
Opposite: Anne Helm, Elvis and Arthur O'Connell in the 1962 film, 'Follow that Dream'.
Whitby columnist Andy Merey describes it as a "worthwhile effort," but notes the quality of Elvis's movies was soon to decline. |
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Currently, there are several home video outfits specializing in the classics. They fiercely compete with one another in the rush for first time Blu-ray acquisitions, consequently aiming for product that is more attractive to the consumer. However, even though Elvis’s theatrical movies started out fairly well during the early years in terms of quality projects, by the mid-60s they were reduced to a mediocre level, lacking in any sense of production values. Not even Blu-ray can salvage anything of merit from this cluster of Elvis’s movie catalogue.
The current release of Follow That Dream (1962) by expert Twilight Time points to good rejuvenation of packages, sans those aforementioned terrible pictures which are a challenge to just sit and watch.
With Twilight Time taking the lead, here are the best of Elvis’s pictures that deserve to be unveiled yet once more to home video, but this time in HD Blu-ray, and hopefully combined with some interesting extras and allocated with high standards all around.
Love Me Tender (1956): Elvis’s first movie just barely makes the ‘A’ list. He is understandably a little bit uneasy as Clint Reno in this Civil War yarn. The only picture in which Elvis did not receive top billing.
Loving You (1957): Lizabeth Scott, whom we lost Jan. 31 at age 92, plays a publicist geared to promote and guide Elvis towards fame and fortune. Elvis’s first color movie features a clip of his parents in the audience during a song performance.
Jailhouse Rock (1957): Cited as his best movie in some quarters, there is no denying Jailhouse Rock presents Elvis in outstanding form as a rock star. Song highlights: Jailhouse Rock, Treat Me Nice and (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care.
King Creole (1958): Before Uncle Sam nabbed him, Elvis’s film roles kept getting better and better. Here he plays a nightclub singer trying hard not to fall into the trap of the criminal underworld. It is said that his acting shone especially when surrounded by top talent. In this case, director Michael Curtiz (best known for directing Casablanca – 1942) extracted fine acting skills from Elvis, who said this was his favorite of all the pictures he made. Song highlights: King Creole, Hard Headed Woman and Crawfish.
Flaming Star (1960): Now back from the army, a great outcome for Elvis under the guidance of director Don Siegel (Dirty Harry, 1970), coupled with good supporting cast members that included Barbara Eden and Steve Forrest.
Blue Hawaii (1961): As with all of Elvis’s movies, Blue Hawaii served to promote his songs. Elvis’s ever popular Can’t Help Falling In Love is featured here. Blue Hawaii was extremely successful for him but it began to show cracks of things to come in the quality control department. Still, it is pleasant enough; laid back entertainment.
Follow That Dream (1962): Another worthwhile effort from ‘The King’, about homesteaders looking to settle down in Florida. Director Gordon Douglas and several veteran supporting actors such as Arthur O’Connell and Simon Oakland significantly complemented his work. Song highlights: Follow That Dream, Angel and Sound Advice.
Kid Galahad (1962): Elvis is a boxer in this winning streak of entertaining venues. However, it also marked the end of his best years in the movies and the beginning of what some refer to as “The Lazy Years.” By the end of the decade, Elvis said goodbye to Hollywood and moved on to new recording projects and documentaries.
Andrew Merey is a Whitby resident who’s interested in music and movie history. He has contributed articles to This Week since 2003. You can reach him at amerey@rogers.com. (News, Source: pinterest.com)
EIN Comment: Andy Merey's observation on the quality of Elvis' film output in the mid 60s is valid. However, a number of Elvis' final films in the late 60s (which were very different in style and narrative to his "travelogue" films), have cinematic merit.
Coincidentally, earlier this month Al Fleming, who worked behind the scenes on Follow That Dream, released his book, Following that Dream from Elvis to Hollywood - see Amazon link below
For more on Elvis' film career visit EIN's comprehensive Celluloid Elvis section
.......Coming Soon to EIN.......
We recently received a "Preview Copy" of Elvis author/researcher, Peter Robert Hayden's new book:
Lee Gordon Presents Elvis Presley.....
.......THE BIGGEST SHOWS OF 1957
In what is the first volume of a trilogy, Bob Hayden provides a detailed examination of the Elvis shows promoter Lee Gordon staged throughout 1957......Elvis' historic performances in Canada and his US tours.
Volume 1 is full of wonderful archival material, fan recollections, reviews and rare photos which bring Elvis' live performances and the behind-the-scenes politics vividly to life. EIN will publish its full review shortly.
Email the author for purchasing details
(EIN apologises for the low grade scan but our scanner decided to malfunction) |
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'Rock Around The Bloch' FTD Book Out Now: Fifty four years ago yesterday, Elvis Presley helped raised money and directed much-needed attention to the stalled efforts to build the USS Arizona Memorial. The FTD Book/CD combo celebration of this fabulous show 'Rock Around The Bloch' by David English and Pal Granlund which features first-hand accounts from people who were there, newspaper articles from the time, numerous photographs and much more - is Out Now.
On March 25, 1961, the 26-year-old Presley took the stage to an arena packed with 4,000 frenzied, screaming fans who paid anywhere from $3 to $100 a ticket.
Presley performed 15 songs that night, including "Heartbreak Hotel," "All Shook Up," "I Got A Woman," "I Need Your Love Tonight," "Don’t Be Cruel," "Are You Lonesome Tonight," and "Swing Down Sweet Chariot." He ended the show with a rousing performance of "Hound Dog, which included a slide across the stage on his knees.
The concert raised about $54,000, and public and private donations poured in following the show, which received heavy publicity across the country.
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The USS Arizona Memorial was dedicated the following year on Memorial Day – May 30, 1962. The gleaming, white, open-air structure straddles the Arizona’s sunken hull, where 1,177 lives were lost. In all, some 2,400 sailors, Marines and soldiers were killed in the attack on Dec. 7, 1941.
Go to the 'Rock Around The Bloch' facebook page for more pics and info
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
The Elvis Files Vol. 7 1974 - 75: The seventh volume of the Elvis Files story chronicles Elvis' mid seventies years on tour through the USA, the Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe seasons through to the end of 1976.. .
Features all ELVIS EVENTS in this Time Frame 1974-1975 ...
- Every Working Moment...
- The Mid Seventies Tours
- The Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe Seasons
- Plenty of CANDID Moments
- Plus plenty of previously Unpublished Photos.
The book is planned for AUGUST 2015 publication.
'The Elvis Files Vol. 8 1976-1977' is planned for Spring 2016.
(News, Source ;ElvisInfoNet) |
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When Elvis Got Drafted, So Did His Hair: Fifty-seven years ago, March 24 1958, is a memorable day in Elvis history as it was this day that he had to report to be inducted into the Army. His legions of fans weren't exactly taken by surprise. It had been early 1957 when TIME reported that he was likely to go.
... Driving up to a Memphis induction center in his li'l ol' unpretentious cream-colored Cadillac, Dreamboat Groaner Elvis Presley, a hulking 21, went bravely inside, peeled off his inconspicuous scarlet and black jacket and other trappings, permitted medicos to examine him. The doctors' verdict: a fine broth of a lad, pelvis and all, eligible for drafting-probably to serve in some special services division, tote some such gone weapon as a guitar. Before rolling off in his Caddie, Elvis allowed that the intelligence test he had taken was a breeze. Groaned the bobby-soxers' golden calf: "Di'nt seem hard a't'all. Ah'm sure Ah passed!" (He did.)
But the big question wasn't whether he would pass the test. The big question was what the Army would do about his hair.
About a month after Presley was declared draft-eligible, lawmakers like New Jersey Senator Clifford Case were investigating, on their constituents' behalves, whether the singer could get an exemption to buzz-cut regulations that would allow him to keep his sideburns and pompadour. Though the Army did not make an official statement on the matter, officials did declare that he would not receive any special treatment.
The singer was originally ordered to report for a draft-board physical on Jan. 20, 1958, but he ended up getting a "hardship deferment" in order to finish making a movie. (The hardship was the studio's, which had already invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the picture, |
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not his own.) He finally reported to the Army in March - but, by then, the hair question had already been at least partially resolved.
As TIME reported late that February, he "jumped the clippers by getting a 'normal' haircut that shortened his sideburns a good inch, left him still looking much too dreamy for the Army."
And that was that. When Sergeant Presley's two years of service ended, he announced that, though he would return to rock 'n' roll, his sideburns were gone for good.
His next film would be the family-friendly G.I.Blues and its massive success meant that nothing would be the same again. The Rebel Rocker was truly gone.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Man shares story of friendship with Elvis: Johnny Lang, a metro Detroiter, went from a fan to a friend of "The King". He not only spent ten days with Elvis on the boat travelling to his army service in Germany but also met Priscilla on the dance floor.
Elvis also gave him an expensive Alpha watch which he still owns.
Johnny Lang now 79 is still as enthusiastic as ever about his friend Elvis.
Go here for the three minute new video from WDIV Detroit.
(News, Source;WDIV/ElvisInfoNet)
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| More News and EIN exclusives from earlier in March.... |
Songwriter Don Robertson Dead at 92: Composer Don Robertson died last week March 16, aged 92 - Elvis recorded 14 of his songs. Robertson was a Grammy nominated writer and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, pianist, singer and former recording artist for Capitol Records, RCA Victor and Monument Records.
Robertson had a world-wide million selling record on Capitol Records in 1956 with 'The Happy Whistler' and was a profilic composer. There are over 700 different renditions of his songs to date. Including 'I Really Don't Want To Know' by both Elvis and Eddy Arnold.
Don is credited with originating the piano style known the "Slip-Note" style made popular by Floyd Cramer. He also recorded as a singer and pianist for RCA Victor and Capitol Records as well as being a background keyboard player on recordings with Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, Duane Eddy, Al Martino and many others.
Other compositions of his recorded by Elvis were, 'There's Always Me', 'Anything That's Part Of You', 'I Met Her Today', 'I'm Counting on You', 'No More, and 'Love Me Tonight'. |
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Back in 1997 Don Robertston talked to Gordon Minto about working with Elvis…
"Elvis was highly professional and really remarkable from one stand point, and that was his patience and generosity with the other people in the studio. I don't know how he was on other sessions, but on this one he would consistently put in excellent performances and they frequently would have to stop because someone had made a mistake in the booth, or a musician or back-up singer goofed, or whatever. And in good spirits he would say, "Let's do another one". Then he'd do another great vocal. We'd do take after take, sometimes five or six of them, and they were almost all good on his part. And yet he didn't blow up at anybody. I was amazed. This was before over-dubbing was in fashion, it was all done live. Elvis was great to work with.
In the studio Elvis was definitely in charge. But he would listen to other people. In fact I remember after we got through rehearsing 'They Remind Me Too Much Of You' - he said to me, "Don, have you got any suggestions?" I actually did but I felt that they had already gone so far with it. But Elvis was open to whatever suggestions I had. What more could a writer ask for?" -- RIP - Don Robertson 1922 - 2015
In 1972, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter's Hall of Fame.
Back in 2003 EIN reviewed his CD "Songs for Elvis."
(News, Source;GMinto/ElvisInfoNet) |
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ASK Marty: Today Marty Lacker answers your questions about....
- What about Nancy Sinatra's recent comment "Elvis was just an OK singer"
- Did Elvis know about Sam Cooke's murder
- Do you personally believe the Colonel was ever dishonest in his dealings with Elvis
- When would Elvis quitting Col Parker been best for Elvis and his career
- Was Elvis into Motown at all i.e.Supremes, Four Tops, etc
- Why did Elvis record crap songs like 'Three (****ing) Corn Patches
- Was Elvis upset by the Buddy Holly plane crash
- Was Elvis always played the overdubbed versions to OK before release
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Two New Exhibits Open at Graceland: Two new exhibits, featuring over 125 rare artifacts, are now open at Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis. The exhibits, curated by the Graceland Archives team, celebrate Elvis' status as a music pioneer and icon who revolutionized rock 'n' roll music.
The two new exhibits at Graceland are:
- "I Shot Elvis" - From the earliest days of Elvis' career, professional photographers and fans captured him in photographs. These iconic images and artifacts give us a personal look at both the man and the icon, and a unique insight into the cultural impact he had, and continues to have, on the world. From a snapshot of a young Elvis just breaking through as a performer, to exhilarating photos of him live on stage, to more intimate moments with family and friends, these powerful images tell the story of Elvis Presley's life and legacy as only great photographs can. In addition to celebrating the photographers and fans who were behind the camera, the exhibit features artifacts seen in the iconic photographs. The exhibit also features a chance for fans to take a selfie with Elvis. |
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- "Elvis: That's The Way It Is" at 45 - This groundbreaking feature documentary depicts Elvis as a master showman, following him as he prepares for his big opening night performance in Las Vegas. The film covers Elvis' Summer Festival in Las Vegas during August 1970. This was his first documentary film since the beginning of his career in 1956. The exhibit features numerous artifacts seen in the film, and from that period of Elvis' career, including stage costumes, guitars, jumpsuits, contracts, memorabilia and more.
The "Elvis: That's The Way It Is" at 45 exhibit, which is a part of the VIP tour experience, will be in place until February 2016, and the "I Shot Elvis" exhibit will be in place until February 2017.
Go HERE to EPE for more info
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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"Elvis: Summer of '56" Deluxe Collection: A new 2015 deluxe update of June Juanico's DVD with extra photos and memorabilia.
"Years before he meets Priscilla, 21-year-old Elvis Presley is in love with a small-town girl, June Juanico, from Biloxi, Mississippi. Elvis had picked June out of the crowd at one of his concerts. After a chance meeting a year later, they started dating in May 1956. ""Heartbreak Hotel,"" Elvis' first national #1 hit is peaking at the top of the charts. He is yet to film his first Hollywood movie, and the legendary appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show are still months away. Most people, in fact, outside of a growing number of American teenagers, do not know the name Elvis Presley. The truly special summer of 1956 produced Elvis' first great romance, but also the end of his personal freedom. It's the summer that witnessed his astonishing rise to fame...and also the abrupt end of a simple existence
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to which he could never return. "Elvis - Summer of '56" contains the earliest home movie footage of Elvis, and captures a rare day-in-the-life" glimpse of the 21-year-old future King.
This deluxe collector's set includes the personal memorabilia of June Juanico -- featuring photos, magazine clippings and other items saved during the summer of '56. Also included is a booklet providing the prologue, and epilogue to the featured documentary, complete with plenty of stunning photos of The King."
From the Madacy (Music Distributor) label - Out June 2015
For pre-sale on AMAZON go here>> Elvis: Summer of '56 Deluxe Memorabilia Collection only $40 - (Please don't be ripped off by other sites charging extra)
(News, Source;Amazon/ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis On The UK Charts: For reasons that have yet to be explained an EU Public Domain 3cd boxset from 2013 has suddenly appeared in the UK album charts. Another missed chance by official label SONY.
'Return To Sender' (Music Digital label) is a new entry on the UK Top 100 Album Chart at 70 for w/e 21st to 28th March, 2015. It also rises from 100 to 40 on the Physical Album Chart. It features 75 "Classic Tracks"!
'The Elvis Collection' rises from 41 to 39 on the Top 50 Official Music Video Chart.
'Love Songs' rises from 61 to 58 on the Official Scottish Album Chart Top 100.
'Return To Sender' is a new entry at 89 on the Official Scottish Album Chart.
(News, Source;Brian Quinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Elvis Spring ’77 – The Soundboard Recordings Vol. 2'; The Elvis Concert Fan label presents “Elvis Spring ’77 – The Soundboard Recordings Vol.2”. On this brand new cd release you’ll find the soundboard recordings from Toledo, OH. April 23, 1977 – Ann Arbor, MI. April 24, 1977 – Kalamazoo, MI. April 26, 1977 and Alexandria, LA. March 30, 1977. Also including 2 bonus tracks!
The Toledo, OH. April 23, 1977 recording was first released on the cd “Goodbye Memphis” from the Fort Baxter label (1997). Now released for the second time in a remastered sound.
The Kalamazoo, MI. April 26, 1977 show was first released on the cd “Memories From Kalamazoo” by the Vavoom label. Later is was re-released on the cd “Shakin’ Up The Great Lakes” from the Fort Baxter label. On both cds this show was edited. On this cd you’ll find for the first time ever the most complete version from soundboard!
Also the other 2 soundboard recordings were released before but now you have all these together in 1 package, in the most complete form and newly remastered! |
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FTD "What now, What next, What If? PART TWO ": The FTD label has been doing an excellent job at looking at the recording anthology of Elvis Presley and releasing every significant LP or recording session on a 1CD or 2CD ‘Classic Album’ version.
However, as noted with the recent "ELVIS" second LP release and the Christmas album, there are less and less outtakes and studio sessions left in the vaults.
With our new article “What now, What next, What If?” EIN contributor Ian Garfield examines exactly how FTD might present their future 'Classic Album' releases.
This second article covers the possible releases Speedway; Live a Little, Love a Little; Charro, The Trouble with Girls and Change of Habit.
Go here as EIN also wants YOUR input and ideas - and we will send the final suggestions to Roger and Ernst at FTD.
(Spotlight, Source;IanGarfield/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Sister Rosetta Tharpe' 100th Birthday: Sister Rosetta Tharpe is sometimes referred to as "The godmother of rock’n’roll" and was one of the seminal black influences on the young Elvis Presley. Her 100th Birthday (if she was still around) would be today March 20, 2015. Back in Tupelo each day Elvis would rush home from school to listen to her and other singers on WELO’s daily half hour of black gospel. According to his school friend, Billy Welch, Elvis would never miss a show. The influence was undoubtedly fueled by Elvis’s parents with their strong religious beliefs. By the time he was 9 years old, Elvis, Gladys and Vernon were a popular singing trio, appearing at local churches and revivals. Their delivery of what was known as country gospel had to have been of seminal importance to the young Elvis in fashioning his own unique musical style.
As a clue to the musical personality that was Rosetta Tharpe, Ken Romanowski described her as "Flamboyant, histrionic, magnetic and precocious...".
Rosetta Tharpe and Elvis shared a lot in common. Both were musical |
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innovators who combined diverse musical genres to form a hybrid sound. In the case of Sister Tharpe she blended ballsy, black spirituals with white big band jazz. In Elvis’ case, he blended white country and gospel with black rhythm and blues.
The daughter of Arkansas cotton-pickers, Tharpe was raised by her mother, a travelling evangelist with the Church of God in Christ. She was six years old, and already playing the guitar and performing in church, when they moved to Chicago, where she soon absorbed the sounds of blues and jazz, and went on to attract a following. In 1938, after a short-lived first marriage, she moved to New York, where the great talent scout John Hammond included her – alongside Big Joe Turner, Big Bill Broonzy, Count Basie and others – in his celebrated From Spirituals to Swing concert at Carnegie Hall.
But she also shocked her original fans by appearing at the Cotton Club and singing secular material – some of it, such as I Want a Tall Skinny |
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Papa, decidedly risqué. Nevertheless, a song called 'Strange Things Happening Every Day' became the first gospel record to reach the R&B top 10 in 1945.
Elvis would record several songs sung by Tharpe. The most notable of these were Up Above My Head, Just A Closer Walk With Thee, (This Train) = 'My Babe' and Down By The Riverside.
For today’s listeners, just as remarkable as her guitar-playing is the great artistry of her singing: the strength of her tone and her command of expressive variation, the flexibility of her phrasing, the mastery of vibrato. The headstone erected on her grave decades after her death bears these words: “She would sing until you cried, and then she would sing until you danced for joy. She kept the church alive and the saints rejoicing.” And she helped shape the sound of rock’n’roll.
Go HERE to EIN's look at How Sister Rosetta Tharpe Influenced Elvis'
BBC 4 is to show a documentary about 'Sister Rosetta Tharpe' go here for more info
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet) |
Loanne Miller Parker talks Col Parker and Elvis: This week Col Parker's last wife Loanne Miller was in Las Vegas to help promote the new Elvis attraction. (right with Sam Thompson)
Loanne Miller was married to Parker from 1990 until his death in 1997 although was met him back in 1969 when she worked as a secretary of the Vegas International Hotel.
Loanne Parker told reporters, "If Elvis was seeing all of this, I think he would be astounded. He wouldn't believe it. At heart, he was a very sincere, down to Earth person. Until the day Col. Tom died, he was still Elvis' biggest fan.
"In his heart, he never stopped working for Elvis. He would be so happy with what's continuing now at the Westgate. He probably would be out in the casino stringing banners.
"They had a remarkable relationship - not father and son because Elvis had his father, Vernon, and they were very close. The Colonel was there so that Elvis could do his creative part, and Colonel took care of the business. Elvis didn't care for the business part, not at all.
"Elvis was creative and didn't want to be bothered with the |
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business things. However, he approved everything that they contracted for - or nixed it. Elvis had the last word. It was not the Colonel who told Elvis what to do. Elvis made the decisions, and after he made the decisions, Colonel followed through and set the contracts and got the deal.
"They were both intelligent men, and it worked. Elvis knew that Colonel was totally devoted to him, and he was. I don't think he thought much of anything else for 24 hours a day. Even I was second.
"Business came first, and that's alright; that's the way it should have been. It worked for both of us. He took care of business for Elvis so that Elvis could do what he wanted to and what he enjoyed doing and what he did best."
"I worked in the office here for Alex Shoofey, the president for two to three years after the hotel opened. I was then hired by RCA Record Tours and was on all the Elvis tours, and when the engagements were here, I was here in Colonel's office. Colonel and I shared more than 25 years together, and those were wonderful years." Loanne was at Tom's bedside when he died from a stroke at age 87 on Jan. 21, 1997, in Las Vegas
EIN notes - It is unsurprising that Loanne Miller Parker ignored the fact that in 1979 EPE and Lisa Marie's representatives filed allegations in court against The Colonel. The charges against Colonel Parker were that he enriched himself by mismanaging Presley's career and cutting the singer out of millions of dollars by negotiating unfavourable agreements as well as taking advantage of Elvis when he was in poor health.
Attorney Blanchard Tual finally concluded that "Both Colonel Parker (and RCA) acted in collusion against Presley's best interests. Colonel Parker was guilty of self-dealing and overreaching and had violated his duty to both Elvis and to the estate. "These actions against the most popular American folk hero of this century are outrageous and call out for a full accounting from those responsible." Go HERE to EIN's spotlight on the 'Dark Side Of Colonel Parker'
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
EPE Planes & Development April Deadline Looms: The city of Memphis and Elvis Presley Enterprises plan to seek approval of a Graceland Tourism Development Zone in April before the Tennessee Building Commission, according to an attorney for Graceland.
The building commission is scheduled to meet April 9 in Nashville in what will be a busy few months for Graceland’s expansion and redevelopment plans in Whitehaven. April 7 is the date EPE are requesting OKC remove the two jets once owned by Elvis Presley. Now OKC has proposed the planes be moved south one block.
Attorney James McLaren said EPE should close by early May on its financing of the $90 million, 450-room resort hotel it’s building south of the mansion. It expects to sign construction contracts soon.
The council also will be asked to approve an ordinance creating the 5 percent tourism surcharge on all items |
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sold on the 120-acre Graceland property. That revenue would assist in financing the overall Graceland redevelopment plan. The first of three readings is expected to appear on the April 7 council agenda.
Council members also discussed briefly a zoning request coming to the council April 7 seeking to move the two jets once owned by Elvis Presley a block south on Elvis Presley Boulevard. The request will come from OKC Partnership, the company that owns the jets, and a new partner.
OKC Partnership has had an agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises to offer tours of the jets on Graceland property. But the two parties couldn’t agree on a contract extension, and EPE gave OKC notice to remove the jets from Graceland’s grounds.
The new site would be off Graceland’s property, but near its southern border. EPE has indicated it will oppose the zoning request when it reaches the council next month in what council member Harold Collins, whose district includes Graceland, described as a “copyright” issue.
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet) |
| Elvis Tour Bus, Stutz and more for Auction: Julien's Auctions, has announced "Property From The Life and Career of Elvis Presley" as part of their highly anticipated Music Icons Auction event to be held at the Hard Rock Cafe Times Square, New York May 15th & 16th, 2015. The collection represents a vast array of personal and professional items detailing the King's life and career. Presley, who would have been 80 years old this year, remains the most |
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iconic performer of the century with fans from around the world devoted to his memory and legacy.
Collectors and fans will have the opportunity to own a piece of the music icon's celebrated life, both personal and professional. Amongst the extraordinary is the Elvis Presley TCB Tour Bus. The 1976 MCI Crusader Bus was originally purchased with funds provided by Elvis Presley for his supporting singers and dear friend J.D. Sumner. The bus was custom designed and adorned inside and out with the TCB ("Taking Care of Business") lightning bolt logo which was Elvis' personal motto. It has nine sleeping berths, seats twelve and the distinction of being driven by Elvis himself. Accompanying the bus are copies of the original $25,000 check provided by Elvis to cover the down payment on the bus.
The “TCB” tour bus is only one of the truly iconic pieces of Elvis memorabilia being offered. Elvis’ second Stutz Blackhawk |
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production model vehicle which he purchased on September 8, 1971 is also on offer. The 1971 model is a two-seater with a small jump seat. The car was delivered to Elvis on September 9, 1971 at his Monavale Street home in Beverly Hills. At the time, the Stutz Blackhawk featured the best audio system money could buy. And Elvis’ black and white Penguin suit worn in Las Vegas in which he was photographed (Estimate: $60,000-$80,000), Elvis’ first live performance worn stage shirt from 1954 (Estimate: $25,000-$35,000) and the 1967 Elvis and Priscilla Presley Marriage Certificate (Estimate: $25,000-$35,000) add to the excitement of this unprecedented tribute to the King himself.
Join Julien's for the live auction at The Hard Rock Café in Times Square NYC or participate online at julienslive.com on May 15th & 16th, 2015, and take away your piece of music history!
Go HERE to Juliens for more info
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis and the Coco Palms Resort: Elvis spent quite some time on the Hawaiian island of Kauai vacationing, and filming Blue Hawaii - in fact the last 20 minutes of the movie was shot on and near the grounds of the Coco Palms resort. Kauai has always been EIN's Sanja Meegin's favourite of the Hawaiian Islands, primarily because of its unspoiled majestic natural beauty, but also because of its Elvis ties.
The recent news that Hawaii's Coco Palms Resort will be completely renovated made her extremely eager to see this paradise where Elvis sang The Hawaiian Wedding song whilst floating up the lagoon on a floral canoe with co-star Joan Blackman.
Click here as Sanja brings us her fabulous 2015 report on one of Elvis' most famous Hawaiian destinations with some fabulous before and after shots.
- Aloha From Hawaii!
(Spotlight, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet) |
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EIN's Rare Elvis Facebook page with close to 15,000 members! - including several of Elvis' own friends and colleagues
So Elvis fans don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs - from EIN's V-P Sanja Meegin.
Now with over thousands of great photos, News and with more added every day – including YouTube footage.
Click here to access our Facebook - Elvis Information Network group.
You need to be a Facebook Member. |
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'Elvis' Christmas Album' FTD Review: There is no doubt that the FTD office has a white-board that lists all the remaining Elvis releases for future ‘Classic Albums’ and as we sadly approach the end of the CD, and FTD, era the few remaining “lesser” ones are finally getting released.
Two of these would be 'Elvis' Christmas Album’ – already released in the multiple variations and with no session outtakes - and ‘Flaming Star’ with only four tracks, two of which were deemed too corny for release at the time.
On September 5, 1957 Elvis arrived at Radio Recorders and all that was needed
was eight new Christmas songs and the ‘Peace In The Valley’
numbers would make up the rest. The first Christmas song they tried out
was ‘Blue Christmas’ and the rest is history...
For the umpteenth release FTD really needed to produce the ultimate package for collectors but this time unfortunately this Classic Album falls a little short of expectations..
Here EIN's Piers Beagley checks out this recent FTD....
(FTD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
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Elvis Files Magazine #11: Erik Lorentzen has posted an update regarding the new magazine. "We have decide to delay the Philadelphia 1957 article until next time. This because some other very interesting articles have come up.
- Was Colonel Parker nothing but a murderer? Read the fascinating story, and judge yourself.
- George Klein and a special evening with Elvis at the end of 1956.
- Co-stars Barbara Eden and Celeste Yamel tell their stories with Elvis.
- And a lot more and of course some very rare photos.
To be printed and mailed next week.
Go HERE for subscription info and a look at the magazines
(News, Source;EL/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'This Is Elvis' FTD Out Now: This Is Elvis the FTD 'Classic album' of the Andrew Solt/Malcolm Leo original soundtrack for Warner Bros. release is at your Elvis dealers today!
DISC 1 features the 'ORIGINAL ALBUM' including CD officially unreleased edits of 'Merry Christmas Baby' (shortened version), 'Too Much Monkey Business' (shortened version), 'I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby' (shortened version), 'Suspicious Minds' (August 12, 1970 midnight show shortened version), 'Memories' (shortened version)
DISC 2 features "EXPANDED HOME VIDEO" tracks as the VHS release ran another 30 minutes and featured more songs.
Go HERE to 'SONY FTD News 2015' for full tracklisting
EIN recommends Elvis The Man & His Music shop - go here
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Jack White Buys 'My Happiness': We all wondered who outbid the lackluster EPE for the sale of the HISTORIC Elvis first acetate recording of 'My Happiness' and the answer is Jack White (formerly of The White Stripes). Jack White paid $300,000 for Elvis' first recording and is doing a special reissue on USA Record Store Day. The record in question featured covers of "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin" that were recorded in 1953. White revealed that he was the bidder that was previously listed as anonymous, and he said that he plans to reissue the single (via Third Man Records) on Record Store Day.
While is is truly pathetic that EPE could not purchase this Iconic item (they only make $55 million per year from you Elvis fans!) Jack White IS a serious music aficionado and would be the right character to treat Elvis' seminal recording with the respect it deserves.
Jack White will go through painstaking details in order to recreate |
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the original 1953 10-inch 78rpm disc, "from reproducing the typewritten labels (printed on the reverse of extra Prisonaires labels that happened to be laying around Sun Records in July 1953) to being packaged in a plain, nondescript, of-the-era sleeve, the utmost attention to detail has been paid in order to create an object so close to the historic original as to almost be indistinguishable from one other."
Later in the year, Third Man will release a widely available version of Presley's single with newly restored sound. "Working from a transfer done by industry expert Alan Stoker at the Country Music Hall of Fame, the audio will be as clean as modern technology can make it without losing the feeling and soul that makes these two songs both haunting and breath-taking,"
Here on YouTube you can hear a teaser for the release.
The general public may not be aware that the the record has previously been released by RCA and is widely available!
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
'Flaming Star' FTD Review: There is no doubt that the FTD office has a white-board that lists all the remaining Elvis releases for future ‘Classic Albums’ and as we sadly approach the end of the CD, and FTD, era the few remaining “lesser” ones are finally getting released.
Two of these would be 'Elvis' Christmas Album’ – already released in the multiple variations and with no session outtakes - and ‘Flaming Star’ with only four tracks, two of which were deemed too corny for release at the time.
It was on August 1st 1960 that Elvis returned to Hollywood for pre-production on his sixth film, Flaming Star. As G.I. Blues would not be released until the end of the year Elvis must have hoped that the fluffy singing-travelogues were behind him and now, at last, he had a Western that would test his acting skills and give him another real chance to prove himself.
FTD once again prove that all is not lost as they find some very enjoyable previously unreleased 1960 session tapes and more...
Here EIN's Piers Beagley checks out this recent FTD in detail....
(FTD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
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'Elvis Presley, Rock Around The Bloch!' The audio! A new FTD book 'Elvis Presley, Rock Around The Bloch!' by David English and Pal Granlund published by FTD books, RCA, Flaming Star will be released later this month.
A hardback book containing 288 pages which tells the story of the USS Arizona benefit at the Bloch Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii on March 25, 1961. It includes first-hand accounts from people who were there, newspaper articles from the time and numerous photographs (over 130 of which have never been published before).
Previously released with a very fine audio upgrade by the MRS label, FTD's audio engineer Jean-Marc Juilland has posted an explanation about the new audio remastering work he has done on the Hawaii '61 show that accompanies ROCK AROUND THE BLOCH! In his detailed post he talks about noise reduction and the idea that "it is better to release something that preserves the music in the most natural way given the current state of technology" and his "approach has been completely different than that of the MRS label".
Go HERE to FTD News and read all his fine audio detailing.
(News, Source;ETM&HM/ElvisInfoNet)
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'An Evening with Elvis’ Friends and Original Musicians': It is exactly 45 years ago this week that drummer Bob Lanning performed his last show with Elvis Presley at the Houston Astrodome
(March 1, 1970). Remembering the Astrodome concerts today, Lanning says: "I remember flying to Houston from Las Vegas. Elvis was singing and we were partying. We had such a great time. Those shows were a lot of fun. Elvis knew that these were the people that grew up with him and felt close to him. He gave six knock out shows. Especially that final night was a real killer!". Bob Lanning will be appearing on the 'An Evening with Elvis' Friends and Original Musicians' tour in May.
Another SEVEN concerts have now been added to the original line-up, see the full list below.
April 30 & May 1 - Hotell Klockargården, Tällberg, Sweden
May 2 - Vara Konserthus, Sweden
May 3 - Royal, Eskilstuna, Sweden
Wednesday, May 6, 2015 100 Club, Oxford Street, London, U.K. - Get Tickets HERE
Thursday, May 7, 2015 The Sage Gateshead, Newcastle, U.K. - Get Tickets HERE
May 8 - Akropolis, Prague, Czech Republic
May 9 - Independance Club, Madrid, Spain
May 10 - Bikini Club, Barcelona, Spain
May 12 - Malmitalo, Helsinki, Finland
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May 13 - Sellosali, Espoo, Finland
May 14 - Chapito, Casino Mondorf, Luxembourg
May 15 - Metropool, Hengelo, Holland
May 16 - Melkweg, Amsterdam, Holland
May 17 - Effenaar, Eindhoven, Holland
This remarkable tour will mark the first time in those 45 years that Bob Lanning participates in an Elvis event, and thus the first time in all those years that he will be playing Elvis' music again. Bob says that he is particularly looking forward to rockin' out on 'Polk Salad Annie' again!
More details: www.elvisnews.dk
(News, Source;FECC/ElvisInfoNet) |
FTD "What now, What next, What If?": The FTD label has been doing an excellent job at looking at the recording anthology of Elvis Presley and releasing every significant LP or recording session on a 1CD or 2CD ‘Classic Album’ version.
However, as noted with the recent "ELVIS" second LP release, there are less and less outtakes and studio sessions left in the vaults.
Following our previous article “What now, what next, where to – what’s left” where EIN contributor Ian Garfield reviewed what has already been released by FTD, he now looks at how FTD might present their future 'Classic Album' releases.
Over the next couple of weeks, EIN will cover the remaining movie soundtracks and the possible inclusions that could produce a suitable release for the avid collector for these recordings.
This first article covers the possible releases of Kissin’ Cousins and Roustabout.
Go here as EIN also wants YOUR input and ideas - and we will send the final suggestions to Roger and Ernst at FTD.
(Spotlight, Source;IanGarfield/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Elvis Today' Legacy 40th Anniversary Release: News that SONY Legacy are releasing a 40th anniversary version of "Elvis Today" this year.
It will feature the original 1975 album, plus undubbed session mixes of its ten tracks. It will be paired with the 'composite' concert pieced together from recordings made on tour in May and June 1975 and first issued as part of the 1980 'Elvis Aron Presley' Silver box-set. The new concert release will be remastered for 2015.
Similar in concept to the earlier FTD 'Classic Album' TODAY release, hopefully the session audio will be remastered by Vic Anesini as the previous FTD audio mastering was not their best.
(see FTD 'Elvis Today' review here)
(News, Source;ETM&HM/ElvisInfoNet)
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Elvis London Exhibition Smash Success: Strictly Elvis UK / The Elvis Travel Service report that the O2 exhibition is a great success with over 57,000 tickets sold so far.
"Elvis and Egypt are both linked by a number of different things. Memphis, Elvis beloved city where he lived, was named after the city of the same name in Egypt. Both places are served by huge rivers - the Nile in Egypt, the mighty Mississippi in Memphis. And both even feature Pyramids as part of their impressive skylines.
And of course they have both home of kings - The King of Rock and Roll in the case of Memphis and in Egypt the Pharaohs who ruled over the country in ancient times. Of all the Pharaohs the most famous is arguably Tutankhamun; 'The Boy King'. And there's a link between him and Elvis too. In 2007 the O2 Arena in London played host to a record-breaking exhibit of Tutankhamun's treasures......well record breaking up until now!
We've learned the fantastic news that to date, with over 57,000 tickets sold, the Elvis at the O2 exhibit has already smashed ticket sales - and it's not even finishing until August!!
It just proves that it doesn't matter who you are, even a King who ruled over a whole civilisation - you'll never be bigger than the true King; Elvis Presley!
If you haven't been as yet then don't miss out on this awesome exhibit (it's like a little slice of Graceland in the UK)" Click HERE for more info to order tickets, reviews & photos
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/StrictlyElvisUK/TheElvisTravelService) |
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Graceland prepares for Major Expansion: After two decades of assembling adjacent properties and making plans EPE is beginning to transform with the planned 450-room, resort-like hotel called the Guest House at Graceland.
"It’s an idea that’s been in the works for years," said Jack Soden, chief executive of EPE, "It is really coming together over the last year."
On both sides of Elvis Presley Boulevard surrounding Graceland, the company has taken a long view on assembling the ground for expansion as the plans indicated.
The 25-acre site for the new $90 to $95 million hotel includes nearly 11 acres where the Meadow Oaks Apartments were built in 1974 and demolished in 2011.
EPE had gained control of the complex years in 1994, with a $5 million purchase. Now vacant land, with mature trees overlooking remnants of lawns and streets surrounded by a wrought iron fence, the county’s assessor values the property at $526,600.
Next door, the abandoned car lot originally sprang up in 1973, records show. EPE bought it in 2006 for $2.1 million. The county now places its value at about $800,000.
Across Elvis Presley Boulevard from the Graceland mansion, and behind an aging museum featuring Elvis’ automobiles, another former site of an apartment complex — Craft Manor — lies vacant and fenced.
Built in 1961 and under the wrecking ball by late 2008, a $6.5 million purchase in 2007 brought them into the Elvis Presley Enterprises fold. The county sets $788,000 as the 2014 value for the 16-acre site
Similar land purchases as late as 2010 have stitched together the final pieces of about 120 acres making up a Graceland campus which, if approved at the state level as it has been by City Council and County Commission, would be its own "tourism development zone."
Phase 1 of the Graceland plans, a $1 million archives studio and 200-seat theater, is up and running.
Phase 2 is the three-star hotel, designed to
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handle conferences with 16,000-square-feet of meeting or ballroom space, as well as a 500-seat theater, swimming pool and two restaurants.
That development would transform the former Meadow Oaks, the empty car lot and other properties that EPE owns north of Graceland.
The third and final phase of the new Graceland plan would be the $30 million to $35 million development of new attractions, retail, food and beverage outlets on the same side of Elvis Presley Boulevard as the Heartbreak Hotel.
The former Craft Manor apartments site provides room for that expansion, as does removing the current strip of buildings that serve 600,000 visitors a year.
(News, Source;ComAppeal/ElvisInfoNet) |
Ginger Alden Interview: Ginger Alden spent the last nine months of Elvis' life by his side before his untimely passing on August 16, 1977 at the age of 42.
Her recent book, 'Elvis & Ginger' is not a sleazy tell-all but rather offers a clear-eyed chronicle of their courtship, she was 22 years his junior, revealing previously unknown details about the final year of “The King’s’’ life while setting the record straight about their relationship.
EIN contributor Ken Sharp recently interviewed Ginger Alden to publicise her recent book, as featured in the Sydney Telegraph.
As with all her interviews there were restrictions on what questions could be asked.
Go HERE for edited highlights from the interview..
(Interviews, Source;SydTele/ElvisInfoNet) |
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UPDATED Reviews - 'Ultimate Elvis' Book Review: 'Ultimate Elvis – The Complete And Definitive Recording Sessions' is a this three-volume, deluxe set that not only comprises all the session information available to date, based on Keith Flynn's incomparable website and includes comprehensive notes on each session, discographies, letters, original sheet music covers plus huge index all included in its 1,800 pages.
The book includes around 3,000 stunning high-quality photographs many of them previously unseen, relating to the time period in question.
The promotional publicity for this three-volume set was very impressive with the original publishing date of August 2014 missed as more photographs were discovered and the content expanded. Finally published in December 2014, Elvis enthusiast Brian Quinn checks out this astounding deluxe package to discover if it is as good as promised.
Go HERE - Now updated with a new 2,000 word in-depth new review from super-fan Neil Colombari- -
(Book Reviews, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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EIN Elvis New Book Selection & Best Of 2014 |
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'Elvis in Hawaii' books released in Kindle format:
The two books by noted author/researcher, Jerry Hopkins, examining Elvis' love affair with the island state of Hawaii are now available in Kindle format. Both books are full of interesting information, arcvhival material, color photos and are priced under US6.00!
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The Two Best Books in 2014 that add Appreciably to our Knowledge & Understanding of Elvis: |
The Two Best Elvis Related Memoirs of 2014: |
The Four Best Elvis Photo-Journal Book Releases of 2014: |
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Indepth Review soon |
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Indepth Review soon |
Note: Not all these releases are not available from online or regular bookstores (to obtain enquire with your regular Elvis supplier) |
More great Elvis deals on Amazon
'Young Man With The Big Beat' Cheap Box set: Re-released for 2014 in a Limited Edition cheap slim-line box-set is Elvis' 'Young Man With The Big Beat'.
A great opportunity for those that missed it in
Go HERE for EIN's detailed YMWTBB review
UK price - only £19.99 = Euro25 = US$33 with FREE Delivery in the UK.
Click to Order now special deal >> . . Young Man With The Big Beat
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(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises.
The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club.
EIN also has a local Australian national Elvis Fan Club for paid up members featuring quarterly newsletters and an annual EIN Elvis Mega Quiz with special prizes.
The printed newsletters have extra content, articles and reviews to this website along with the popular Elvis EIN Mega Quiz.
If you need to know more about the fan club, newsletters, Elvis EIN quiz or EIN membership
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