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:

Saturday 29 April 2023

'Elvis LIVE 1972' (double-LP) Review: On this brand new ‘ELVIS LIVE 1972’ double-vinyl release producer Ernst Jørgensen has cleverly included nearly all of the concert highlights from RCA's ‘On Tour’.
The album features a "best of" the four 'On Tour' concerts using one key section from each of the first three concerts (one per vinyl side) plus the missing unique tracks on Side D.
'On Tour' classics from Hampton Roads 'Polk Salad', 'Big Hunk O' Love', from Richmond 'It's Over', Greensboro 'Burning Love', 'Funny How Times Slips Away', 'For The Good Times' plus San Antonio 'Proud Mary', 'How Great Thou Art' are all included...
But if fans already own all these songs from the recent 'On Tour' box-set can this vinyl version really be worth buying?
This title was released on March 24 2023.

Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley spins the VINYL, played them loud and rumbled his bass-speakers....
(Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)


'Elvis News Report May 2023': Elvis super-fan Emiel Maier presents all the recent news including..  'The Making of Blue Hawaii', The story of a vintage Love Me Tender movie poster, Elvis at Madison Square Garden, an expensive handgun, Elvis Trivia Quiz .. and much much more..

Runs 15 minutes

Click HERE to YouTube well worth watching

(News, Source;EM/ElvisInfoNet)


"Some white artists, like Elvis, exploit Black culture. So celebrate Bobby Caldwell, who enriched it": That the Elvis appropriated black music myth persists in 2023 is surprising. The latest article making the claim recently appeared in The Guardian and was written by Nels Abbey. Here is an excerpt:

In that moment, Caldwell could have culturally tanked, like Jamie Oliver’s ill-advised jollof rice, or seemed as ludicrous as the English faux hip-hop group Blazin’ Squad. He could have poppified his music and become enormous – like Vanilla Ice or Elvis Presley. Instead, Caldwell helped define the difference between being a cultural appropriator and a genuinely skilled and heartfelt cultural practitioner with a real understanding of and appreciation for the art, for the culture and its creators.
He didn’t think he sounded Black (he thought he sounded “like a white guy that was influenced by R&B music”, adding, “but people would swear up and down I was Black. Huge amounts of money were lost in bets.”). He also didn’t sound like a confused cultural voyeur. He was not leveraging any privilege; he was a genuinely great soul man.

EIN was not familiar with singer-songwriter, Bobby Caldwell, who died recently. On YouTube we could only find one song, What You Won't Do For Love (we are familiar with Michael Bolton's cover of the song), and Bobby's original recording resonates a wonderful soulful vocal and has a great jazzy feel, but more reflective of what lounge singers offer than r&b.

On researching Bobby Caldwell, it was interesting to find that his first big break in music was as a rhythm guitarist for Little Richard and that he later portrayed Frank Sinatra in tributes to the Rat Pack in Las Vegas.

It is disappointing that Nels Abbey did not do due diligence and research what black artists in the 1950s, such as Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and B.B. King, said about how Elvis opened the door to their music being exposed to the (then) mainstream white audience and allowing their careers to be far more successful than they otherwise would have been. Elvis frequently acknowledged his debt to black music and black musicians.

Abbey doesn't appear to understand Elvis' purpose as a singer. Elvis never intended to be a "cultural practitioner", he blended the essence of r&b, country and gospel to give new life to their rhythms – Elvis’ music was a fusion of black and white music! What Elvis did was part of the natural evolution of music. Elvis’ recordings also were not confined to one genre, but were incredibly broad, encompassing rockabilly, rock 'n' roll, country, gospel, pop, semi-operatic, Latino, and rhythm & blues.

EIN suggests Nels Abbey read the books Thirty Pieces of Silver: The Betrayal of Elvis Presley (Joyce Rochelle Vaughn, a black American woman) and Dispelling the Myths: An Analysis of American Attitudes and Prejudices (Todd Rheingold).
Read the full article
Also read EIN’s detailed Spotlight article: 'Elvis was Not a racist'
(News, Source: Nels Abbey (Guardian)/ElvisInfoNet)


Book 'Elvis Remembered: Interviews With the People Who Knew Him Best'(Shelly Powers): This potentially interesting hardcover (240 pages) was announced for publication on October 7, a month or so ago. The cover image is now available. This is the Amazon book description:
.... When Shelly Powers was 7, she told her mother that she'd marry Elvis Presley when she grew up She did -- though he was an impersonator, a tribute artist she met in Las Vegas
But over her 12 years living in Vegas, she joined an Elvis fan club After a few Elvis conventions she met Presley's personal photographer, Ed Bonja, and with him made her first Elvis Interview
What started as one interview became many more, and with them many more friendships with people in Elvis' circle Each of the 11 of Elvis' intimates interviewed here has a good story to tell Each is accompanied by period photographs of Elvis and the friend, movie posters, concert memorabilia, and unusual memories that every fan or Elvis will want to read.
Interviewees include:
•    Ed Bonja Tour manager and official photographer 1970-77
•    Cynthia Pepper Co-star in the movie "Kissin' Cousins"
•    Darleen Thompkins from "Blue Hawaii" and remained close till his death
•    Patti Perry Met Elvis when she was 17 and only female member of "Memphis Mafia"

•    Myrna Smith Elvis backing singer 1969-77
•    Joe (Diamond Joe) Esposito Lifelong friend and best man
•    Sonny West Lifelong friend of Elvis and bodyguard
•    Jerry Schilling Lifelong friend
•    Larry Geller Spiritual advisor and personal hair stylist
•    Jimmy Velvet Friend for 20 years and ran an Elvis memorabilia museum in Memphis
Packed with remarkable photographs, this will be a memorable fans' resource and enjoyable reading for anyone.

EIN Notes - While there are a few typos and factual errors in the promotional text, as the book is a series of interviews, it will have merit if those interviews offer new or interesting information.
(News, Source: Amazon)

   

Muhammad Ali Talks About His Relationship With Elvis!: “The only white boy who had soul was Elvis Presley!” Two years before Elvis Presley passed away, he visited Ali at his Deer Lake, Pennsylvania training camp, asking that it would not be announced but kept quiet by Presley. Some of the comments Ali said about Elvis were: “Many celebrities have done talk shows, commercials, and other things but Elvis never did any of these!” “Elvis was the sweetest, most humble, and one of the nicest men you’d ever want to meet!” This Ali said at the funeral of Elvis in Memphis. “I felt a great loss when I heard of the death of my friend Elvis Presley.”

Per Gene Kilroy, Ali’s business manager: Ali was at an Elvis concert and asked to meet Elvis. He is taken to the dressing room of Elvis, and Elvis did his karate motions while Ali did his shadow boxing, facing one another. At the Elvis Memorial, Ali said, “Elvis was not just a great talent, but a great person. He was one white boy that had soul. I’m black and Muslim. Elvis was white and a Christian and one of the greatest of All-Times!”

On Phil Donahue’s show, Ali said about Elvis: “If he could get out of his grave, he would fill Yankee Stadium on a day’s notice.” “Elvis was not just great in spirit but had
a great heart!” I once did an article called “Two Kings One of Rock n’Roll and the other of the Ring!” It was pertaining to Elvis and Ali.

Elvis gave Ali a white robe with “People’s Choice on the back!” He wore it for the Joe Bugner fight when Ali first met Elvis in Las Vegas and in his next fight against Ken Norton. They were both the greatest in their professions, Elvis in Rock ’n’ Roll and Ali in boxing!
(News, Source: Ken Hissner - Boxing News 24)

'The Faith of Elvis' is the top selling Christian music book: Billy Stanley's The Faith of Elvis continues to sell well. The hardback edition peaked at #1 on Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers in Christian Music list (it is currently #16).
The new #1 on the list is the audiobook edition of Billy's book, while the Kindle edition has fallen to #51.
The Faith of Elvis however is yet to be released "downunder" with the latest revised release date being 23 May.

Stanley notes... “Elvis was a Christian, and most people don’t know that, he was a Bible-carrying Christian … wherever he went, he took the Bible with him. He read the Bible almost every day.
Nobody can really imagine the position Elvis was in … here you have a man that really changed culture. I always thought … he had the devil on one side, and he’s got God on the other side, and there was a constant battle going on inside of his head. Elvis did his best … whenever he was in trouble, he would always turn to God.”
Elvis was also the most generous giver I’ve ever met my life, giving money, cars and homes … to people he didn’t even know."

(News, Source: Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)

       

Thursday 27 April 2023

Book Review: 8mm Elvis - The Story of Elvis on 8mm':  Long before the days of Bluray, DVD and VHS people watched home movies on 8mm film.
'8mm Elvis The Forgotten Format' is a glossy, colour, hardback book cataloguing the history of Elvis on 8mm film.
Author Vince Wright has been collecting all the Elvis 8mm he could find since the 80s.
He explained..  “I was cataloguing all these films hoping someone would write a book about it – I waited, they didn’t, so I did.”

So in 2023, and after many years of searching and researching, the author has released his comprehensive narrative and visual record of Elvis on 8mm.

This book is unique in its narrative and visual content and is an important inclusion in the complex jigsaw puzzle that forms a complete record of the multi-varied story of Elvis Presley.
Go here to read Nigel Patterson's review
(Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)


'From Elvis At Sun' in Stereo; OUT NOW: From the Memphis Mansion label all of Elvis SUN recordings released "For The First Time In Stereo!" is released today.
This time promised in quality, realistic "Stereo"
The Sun Singles:
1. That’s All Right
2. Blue Moon of Kentucky
3. Good Rockin’ Tonight
4. I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine
5. Milkcow Blues Boogie
6. You’re a Heartbreaker
7. Baby Let’s Play House
8. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone
9. I Forgot to Remember to Forget
10. Mystery Train
More Sun Masters:
11. Harbor Lights
12. I Love You Because
13. Blue Moon
14. Tomorrow Night
15. I’ll Never Let You Go
16. Just Because
17. My Baby’s Gone
18. Trying To Get To You
19. When It Rains It Really Pours

Go to Memphis Mansion to order. - Great value at €13
(News, Source;MM/ElvisInfoNet)


John Cooper Clarke on ELVIS: "The thrill of Elvis has never gone away" - John Cooper Clarke
If you are British or perhaps watch the TV show '8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown' you will probably know of UK Poet John Cooper Clarke.
A seventies "Punk Poet" he has appeared on stage with bands such as The Sex Pistols, Joy Division, Elvis Costello and New Order.
In 2019 on BBC's long-running "Desert Island Discs" he chose two great records to share his loneliness with..
Jerry Lee Lewis' 'Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On' "What a mover, the greatest piano player that ever lived"
and Elvis' 'How Great Thou Art' - "Elvis is the greatest singer that ever lived. If anybody changed the nature of our world it is Elvis. The zenith of male beauty.
If you are on a Desert Island, sooner or later you are going to want to contemplate the nature of eternity and there is only one guy with the vocal equipment to do this and that is Elvis Presley - with his wonderful reading of 'How Great Thou Art'.
If I had to choose only one record for my desert island, no hesitation it would be ELVIS." 
   

Recently he told UK's The Guardian of his 'Honest Playlist'.
The article includes...
- The first single I bought was 'Rock Around the Clock' by Bill Haley & His Comets on 78 ... the first plastic 45 I bought was Diana by Paul Anka.
- The song I wish I’d written is 'White Christmas' It’d be a payout on an annual basis.
- The song that changed my life was 'All Shook Up' by Elvis Presley. I first discovered it on a fairground in Salford. It was like nothing else I’d heard. The thrill of Elvis as a whole package has never gone away.
- The song I want played at my funeral - I don’t want to think about it, but if I have to, 'Peace in the Valley' by Elvis
."
See full Guardian article here
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)


Saturday 22 April 2023

'Elvis Presley, Burning Love: The RCA Rehearsals' RSD VINYL- OUT TODAY:  RCA Legacy's Elvis release is now out for Record Store Day - April 22, 2023.
'Elvis Presley, Burning Love: The RCA Rehearsals' is being released as a double 12” Vinyl
The publicity notes.. 'Burning Love: The RCA Rehearsals' compiles the best of the rehearsal recordings around Elvis’ April 1972 US tour, all taken from the new Elvis On Tour collection.
The 2LP set features rare and unreleased versions of “Burning Love”, “Heartbreak Hotel” and “For The Good Times” along with some of Elvis’ favorite cover songs, gospel songs and more.

Selling for around US$60 from your local 'Record Store'.

Go HERE to find a RSD store near you here.

(Thanks to javierTCB on FECC for the inside cover)

(News, Source;RSD/EIN)

Side A
1. Burning Love - Take 3 *
2. For The Good Times - Take 5 *
3. Always On My Mind - Take 3
4. Separate Ways - Take 2
5. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Side B
1. See See Rider - Take 2
2. Proud Mary - Take 2
3. Never Been To Spain - Take 2
4. Until It’s Time For Me To Go
5. Polk Salad Annie
6. All Shook Up
7. Heartbreak Hotel

 

Side C
1. Help Me Make It Through The Night
2. Young And Beautiful
3. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
4. Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)
5. A Big Hunk O’Love - Take 2
6. Funny How Time Slips Away
7. Can’t Help Falling In Love

Side D
1. I, John
2. Bosom Of Abraham
3. You Better Run
4. Lead Me, Guide Me
5. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus /Nearer My God To Thee
6. How Great Thou Art *


'The Airplanes & The King' Paperback Edition: Carlos Varrenti, author of the original 'Elvis Presley - Los Aviones y el Rey' has announced his third edition of the book, this time a cheaper paperback version via Amazon out next month.
Carlos Varrenti explains, "It has been an amazing journey. In the first Spanish hardback edition I explored Elvis' fears and his conquests in aviation and the unnatural act of flying. When the second English edition was released, in cooperation with Robert van Beek and Erik Lorenzen and his Elvis Files team, I was totally stunned holding the Deluxe fully illustrated 400-page book in my hands. That little dream had become bigger and more colorful than I could have imagined!
And now this 280-page paperback edition features the key content with an additional selection of the best rare and relevant photos from the 'Deluxe Edition'.
Carlos told EIN, "It was hard for US fans to get hold of the deluxe version and so I have done a more “modest” edition paperback of 280 pages. Erik was very generous to let me use his photos from the Deluxe edition and also my friend Steve Barile gave me hand with some new ones and some upgrades. I did my part too! I bought some rare cool photos plus there are some amazing illustrations!
While there is obviously not so many pictures and pages as in the Deluxe edition it is a very nice upgrade!
There is also new text and upgrade of the content. Stories such as the recent red Jet-Star purchase, the final destination of the DC-6 that brought the king from Germany and some other cool stuff too.
Being a paperback with 280 pages it will also retail at a very reasonable price.
This third edition is exclusively through Amazon -and holds several new surprises for Elvis and aeronautical fans!
A lot has happened in the last three years with these birds! But we're not done yet. So, ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seat-belts and get ready to fly with the King, again!
Go HERE to EIN's review of the hard-back version.
(News, Source;Carlos Varrenti)

"Remembering Lisa Marie" at Elvis' birthplace: In hope that their kindred spirits can find rest and peace where it all started, in East Tupelo.
Roy Turner, Executive Director of Elvis' Birthplace, has posted a loving note about their new dedication to Lisa Marie.
He writes...  Family was very important to Elvis. Family is very important to all of us. Losing a family member is devastating. Elvis left quite a legacy of kindness and generosity.
It was tragic when Lisa Marie passed. And though the story of the Birthplace is about her father, some folks here wanted to honor her with their kindness and generosity.
After all, it's all about family.
Lisa Marie had lived with her father and mother, Priscilla, for four years at Graceland when her parents separated. Priscilla and Lisa Marie then moved to LA. Afterwards, she split time between L.A. and Memphis, with frequent trips to Tupelo to visit with long-time family friend Janelle McComb.
At Elvis' birthplace in Tupelo, there is a serene
lake, a truly natural setting, named Reflections. It is here where guests are urged to relax and think about how Elvis dreamed from going from his humble beginnings to what might become. There visitors are encouraged to dream their own dreams and leave refreshed, invigorated, and committed to achieving their own dream.
There, next to the falling water rushing over the rocks into the lake, are two benches, one dedicated to the life of Elvis by the Tupelo Elvis Fan Club and now a second bench, dedicated to the life of Lisa Marie in hope that their kindred spirits can find rest and peace where it all started, in East Tupelo, Mississippi.

Go here to the Elvis Birthplace website for more info
(News, Source;RT/ElvisInfoNet)

Wednesday 19 April 2023

UPDATED - 'Elvis On Tour' Box-Set In-Depth Review: The January 2023 'Elvis On Tour' SONY release is a 6CD / 1 Blu-Ray box set comprised of the audio from four of the shows (and two rehearsals) that were part of Elvis’ 1972 North American tour.
Originally recorded for the Elvis On Tour concert film that was released later that year, the set features a total of 145 tracks, including 91 previously unreleased tracks, as well as the award-winning concert film on Blu-ray.
RCA/Legacy's Elvis On Tour box set is produced by Ernst Jørgensen and mixed by Grammy Award-winning Memphis-based producer Matt Ross-Spang.
Elvis' April 1972 concerts were magnificent, so hopefully this expensive 50th anniversary release including newly remastered concert performances captures the magnificence and excitement of the movie and Elvis' stunning shows.
After fifty years surely SONY/RCA will get it right.....

EIN's in-depth review by Piers Beagley checks out the positives and negatives in this 4,500 word review ... NOW UPDATED WITH YOUR COMMENTS - HAVE YOUR SAY...
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)


'Elvis performs first Tulsa concert 67 years ago today': If you were a teenage girl living in the Tulsa area on April 18, 1956, chances are you were screaming your head off at the fairgrounds Pavilion.
“Presley Leaves ‘Em Limp – 8,000 Squeal at 1st Show,” read the headline in the Tulsa World the next day. Elvis was a 21-year-old singer and former truck driver who performed two “frenetic” Tulsa shows 65 years ago. Most of the tickets were $1 each.
The first fainting was recorded five minutes before the 7pm show began, the Tulsa World reported.
Elvis was forced to tone down his gyrations in Oklahoma City the next night after officials there received complaints that the Tulsa show was “indecent” in places.

Elvis performed four more concerts in Tulsa – June 20, 1972; March 1 and March 2, 1974, and at Tulsa’s Bicentennial in 1976. He died the following year.
(see full article on Tulsa World here)

The 1956 newspaper review “Presley Leaves ‘Em Limp – 8,000 Squeal at 1st Show,” from the following day included..
.. As the chant "We want Elvis" resumed and small missiles began to hit the stage, just before 8pm the master of ceremonies brought him on.
A sustained scream almost intolerable to the healthy human ear welcomed him. He was well into his second, or perhaps his third number before Elvis could be heard.
After seeing the hysteria he could produce, it was impossible not to watch and listen to the young man in an attempt to discover just what it was about him that reduced these girls to a state that would have been pitiable - if one hadn't known they were enjoying themselves.
Elvis hugged the microphone and complained rapidly and breathlessly that he was "sooh lone-a-ly - that I could die". Many of the girls wept, others just lifted up their eyes to the ceiling and screamed. Girls with his picture looked at it, at the singer on the stage, then at the picture again. They kissed the picture.
Presley, a slight young man with long, carefully, combed hair, sideburns and a face more beautiful than handsome sang "Heartbreak Hotel." When he recorded it just 8 weeks ago he was another singer on the hillbilly circuit. The hysteria that has on occasion when police lines are broken, deprived him of clothes and almost his physical well-being has all came since then.

He danced with his hips during each number, doing a form of dance called "Bop" and shaking himself as though there was an entire hive of bees inside his
clothes. At each shake of the hip a great collective shriek approved it. The girls screamed when he ran his hands up and down his hips.
It went on and on.

It would have seemed that exhaustion would have claimed the audience but when Elvis began to sing and shake his finale. "Stay Off My Blue Suede Shoes" the teen-agers proved they had only been warming up, The girls straining behind the wire fought like caged animals to get past it. The first row disappeared as the youngsters left their seats and crowded to the edge of the stage.

Then Presley, who had been professionally checking his watch after each number, disappeared behind the curtain and the police began the arduous task of emptying the pavilion so that It could happen all over again.'

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)


Monday 17 April 2023

'Elvis On Tour' Box-Set In-Depth Review: The January 2023 'Elvis On Tour' SONY release is a 6CD / 1 Blu-Ray box set comprised of the audio from four of the shows (and two rehearsals) that were part of Elvis’ 1972 North American tour.
Originally recorded for the Elvis On Tour concert film that was released later that year, the set features a total of 145 tracks, including 91 previously unreleased tracks, as well as the award-winning concert film on Blu-ray.
RCA/Legacy's Elvis On Tour box set is produced by Ernst Jørgensen and mixed by Grammy Award-winning Memphis-based producer Matt Ross-Spang.
Elvis' April 1972 concerts were magnificent, so hopefully this expensive 50th anniversary release including newly remastered concert performances captures the magnificence and excitement of the movie and Elvis' stunning shows.
After fifty years surely SONY/RCA will get it right.....

EIN's in-depth review by Piers Beagley checks out the positives and negatives of this long-awaited release in this 4,500 word review ...
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

       

'And Then There Was Elvis' book Out Soon!: Elvis Files have announced that the long delayed book by Elaine Christan (Coons) from the diary of her mother Virginia Coons 'And Then There Was Elvis' is due out May 2023!
It is "A superfan's personal adventure." Virginia Coons was a super-SUPER-fan. Her interest started with Elvis’ breakthrough in the mid-fities and continued to her very last day. She has met Elvis multiple times and was the direct link between America and England (Europe). She maintained contacts and ensured that the latest releases of LPs and 45s found their way overseas. She not only had contact with Elvis but with everyone close to him including Priscilla, Col Parker's office and RCA. There are so many fun-to-read stories its incredible.
Virginia has hundreds of memories now curated by her daughter ─ Elaine Christan ─ in a 400 page hardback book. Many personal stories summarized in a beautiful book with many high resolution photos, personal candids etc . . . made available by MEGA collector Erik Lorentzen. Erik's photo collection is known worldwide and sky high.
Elaine translated her mother's journey into writing, so many beautiful stories brought together in one book. Anyone who reads The Elvis Files magazine will be familiar the way Virginia remembered Elvis and penned her memories.
You can go here for EIN's book preview.

(News, Source;ElvisFiles/EIN)


'Unedited Masters Vol. 1' New Import: The publicity states...
Venus Productions is proud to present a new CD with unreleased, unedited, overdubbed or differently mixed tracks!
It’s been a while since our last release (EIN is not surprised!) and we’re looking forward to bring you unreleased tracks in top sound again.
We’ll kick off with a paper sleeve CD that we almost forgot about and has been ready for 3 years. This CD includes, 'The Fool [Take 1], 'Faded Love [Brass & String Overdubbed Master], 'How The Web Was Woven [Rehearsal + Takes 1, 2], 'Mary In The Morning [Unedited Overdubbed Master]' etc. ...

EIN Note: Didn't VENUS do this same 'Unedited Masters' series before? ... It looks like a lot has come out on their other bootlegs ..
such as on Venus 'Unedited Masters - Nashville 1970', 'Unedited Masters - Nashville 1971', 'Unedited Masters - Hollywood To Nashville 72-80' etc
Check the facts before wasting your money..

See 'All The CD News 2023' for full tracklistings
(News, Source;Venus/ElvisInfoNet)


Friday 14 April 2023

'Las Vegas Summer Festival 1972' MRS Vinyl: UK Memphis Recording Service will release its vinyl 180-gram double-LP version of 'Las Vegas Summer Festival 1972' on 17th May 2023.
The 2LP set features two midnight shows drawn from Elvis’ seventh engagement in Las Vegas. The shows, recorded at the Hilton Hotel, took place during Elvis’ summer festival in the month of August 1972.
Key songs include My Way, Its Over, Until It’s Time For You To Go, American Trilogy, What Now My Love, Little Sister/ Get Back, Never Been To Spain, For The Good Times and A Big Hunk O' Love.

This is a Limited Edition sets and will be available in both Black and Clear vinyl.
Note that the clear vinyl is ONLY available from Elvis fan clubs and exclusive Elvis dealers and NOT be available to the mainstream public stores.

Go to 'All The CD News 2023' for full tracklistings

(News, Source;MRS/EIN)


Australian 'Chauvel Award' for ELVIS duo: 'ELVIS' movie team Baz Luhrmann and wife Catherine Martin will be presented with the Chauvel Award at Australia's 2023 Gold Coast Film Festival.
The honour – named after another pioneering Australian filmmaking couple, Charles and Elsa Chauvel – recognises the pair’s outstanding global contribution and influence in cinema.
Baz Luhrmann has a big affection for Australia's Gold Coast where he and Martin shot and post-produced 'ELVIS' which went on to win multiple awards.
Luhrmann noted, “Having lived and worked here on the Gold Coast creating our film ELVIS there is no doubt that this is a town that loves movies and is uniquely suited to making them. ... I am deeply honoured to receive the Chauvel Award, alongside my wife Catherine Martin."
Martin will accept the prize in person on behalf of herself and Luhrmann at the Gold Coast Film Festival’s Awardson on April 20.
Previous recipients of the Chauvel Award include Leah Purcell, Jan Chapman, George Miller (Mad Max), Rolf de Heer, Gillian Armstrong and Heath Ledger.
(News, Source;Indie/ELvisInfoNet)

'Rags To Riches' new Import CD/DVD: Millbranch Music is back with a completely new CD & DVD project!
“Rags To Riches – The Original Mono Mixes” is a 2-disc set: The CD includes 20 tracks from Elvis´ June and September 1970 Nashville Recording Sessions, all presented as the original mono mixes in top-notch sound! You may wonder why Elvis' music was still mixed in mono in 1970. Well, all of Elvis’ 45 RPM singles from those days, almost to the end of 1971, were released in mono.
The DVD in our new set has a running time of almost 100 minutes and we gave it the title “That's The Way It Is In Motion”. While this is definitely not a re-edit of the original “That's The Way It Is” movie, it is a musical documentary of its own, and represents the album and the songs that appeared on it. And much more! Using higher quality outtakes than ever before with footage that has no watermarks or similar impairments, we are able to present it in the highest possible quality.
All of the songs on the DVD are newly edited with several different camera angles. You'll see and hear Elvis having fun rehearsing “You Don't Have To Say You Love Me” on
July 15, 1970 and also doing the tune live at the Opening Night performance on August 10, which has Elvis calling out Sammy Davis Jr.. We also included an interview segment of Sammy Davis Jr. talking about what he saw on stage that night accompanies the clip. A newly edited version of ''I Just Can't Help Believin´'' which goes from rehearsal to live is presented in split screens, using several different angles. This DVD brings you a great experience in going back to Las Vegas in the summer of 1970!
Go to 'All The CD News 2023' for full tracklist and more details.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

'Southbend to Wichita' 5CD Set New Import: In 1974 Elvis had a busy year. This limited 5-disc digipack compiles all available soundboards from the last week of the October tour with an Elvis that’s in better form than when he started the tour, this set starts with the show in Southbend, Indiana on Oct 1 and ends with the show in Wichita on Oct 7 1974, you can enjoy some great and rare versions of ''Promised Land'' ''That's All Right'' ''Until It's Time For You To Go'' a serious ''Why Me Lord'' and stunning versions of ''It's Midnight'' among others.
All the shows have been digitally remastered for the best and most optimal sound quality and this digipack is presented with rare photos taken during this tour.
EIN NOTE: There is nothing here that hasn't been previously released. Collectors will already have them all
Three concerts have even be released on FTD!
Oct 1 - 'Dragonheart'
Oct 3 & 7 'St. Paul To Wichita'
Both 'Dayton' Oct 6 concerts have been out on bootleg multiple times, the best set being the nice packege 'Dayton Reloaded'

Go to 'All The CD News 2023' if you need tracklists
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

Monday 10 April 2023

Elvis Week 2023 tickets Now On Sale: This year’s Elvis Week, which runs August 9-17 will mark the 46th anniversary of Presley’s death.
Enjoy an unforgettable nine days filled with live music, panels, contests, tributes, screenings and more – all honoring the man, the star, the icon - the King of Rock 'n' Roll!

Elvis Week 2023 highlights include....
- August 16 Aloha from Hawaii 50th Anniversary Concert featuring Elvis on the big screen backed by a live band;
- ’68 Special Enhanced Screening with Elvis bigger than life in black leather
- Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and performances
- Conversations on Elvis, with those who knew Elvis best.
- A Celebration of Lisa Marie Presley with Jerry Schilling
- The annual Candlelight Vigil
Special guests and performers include Linda Thompson, Jay Osmond, Sam Thompson, Jerry Schilling, Glen Hardin, Spencer Sutherland, Mike Deasy, Tanya Lemani George, Terry Mike Jeffrey, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet, 10 Ultimate Elvis tribute artists, among others!

Go here to EPE for Elvis Week Schedule and Tickets
(News, Source;EPE/EIN)


'From Elvis In Memphis' Super Audio LP and CD: Mofi Hi-Fi’s UltraDisc 180gm 45RPM 2LP Box Set and Super Audio CD (SACD) of "FEIM" is being advertised for pre-order (28 April).
The releases are described as:
“The Most Cohesive, Passionate, And Emotionally Invested Album Of Elvis Presley's Career: Sourced From The Original Master Tapes For Superb Sound”
'From Elvis in Memphis' retains the distinction of being the most cohesive, passionate, mature, and emotionally invested record Elvis Presley ever made. Named one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone, the white-soul landmark features backing by "The "Memphis Boys" and teems with rhythm-heavy country, gospel, R&B, and blues. Lauded for its natural, open sonics, the 1969 set now comes across with remarkable clarity, presence, and warmth courtesy of a premium restoration befitting a king.
Sourced from the original master tapes and housed in mini-LP gatefold packaging, Mobile Fidelity's numbered-edition hybrid SACD of From Elvis in Memphis unearths the ravishing inner detail, sticky rhythms, and brilliant arrangements of Chips Moman's inspired production. This reissue unlocks the spirit and gestalt of the recording and takes you inside American Sound Studio. It also brings you up close and personal with Presley's singing – widely considered by
many to represent the finest of his career – located dead-center amidst the instrumental hurricane. Equally impressive are the contributions of the aforementioned Boys, and how their Southern-brewed playing – a balance of leisure with swiftness, grandiosity with concision, freedom with control – dovetails with Presley's vernacular.
.... Writing about the work's 40th anniversary for Rolling Stone, James Hunter correctly observed: "From Elvis in Memphis represented the full-on immersion in the Memphis idea of Elvis Presley, the American singer second only to Frank Sinatra for the ability to conjure a particular sonic universe with his merest vocal utterance. And from the album's first song, in which a bluesy Elvis espies a woman 'Wearin' That Loved On Look,' to its last, in which a more straight-up-pop Elvis regrets the injustices of life 'In the Ghetto,' his fully engaged, newly energized voice finds its most logical album setting in years."
.. Incredibly, Presley and company completed more than two dozen cuts for From Elvis in Memphis. One, "Suspicious Minds," turned into the vocalist's final chart-topping single and lingers as one of his most beloved rock n' roll numbers. Even though it never formally appeared on the record, the non-album song is included on here as a bonus track and attains newfound depth, energy, and swagger. Coupled with the other dozen tracks – including the sultry "Power of My Love," balladic take of Dallas Frazier's "True Love Travels on a Gravel Road," and driving cover of Hank Snow's "I'm Moving On" – it makes for an unforgettable listening experience.
EIN Note: There was a 2022 controversy when the audiophile community got the revelation that Mo-Fi had been releasing records that actually used digital source materials- See 'Goldmine' report here.
You can Pre-Order here- 2LP BoxSet US$125. SACD US$29.99.
(News, Source: mofi.com;EBDBD/EIN)

Surge in demand for books by the late Darrin Memmer: A year after his sad passing, there has been significant interest in books by controversial author, Darrin Memmer. Many of his Elvis titles remained listed on Amazon sites until late 2002, but today only one of his Michael Jackson releases is still available.
After several requests, EIN contacted dealers and as a result two have sold all of their books by Darrin and a third only has three titles left.

With his early books (particularly Elvis Presley Desert Storm: The Shattering of A Myth!/College Park: The Revelation of A Hoax!) Darrin was controversial, taking a position at odds with conventional views. He attracted strong criticism for his views. With his later books Darrin produced some great releases using previously unpublished primary source material from the extensive research archives of Jerry Hopkins, Charles C. Thompson II and James P. Cole, and one-on-one interviews with some of those who knew Elvis.

At the time of his death Darrin had published more than 30 Elvis books and had two new Elvis books at an advanced stage: 'Marion Keisker - Elvis, Sam, Sun Records, Cash & the Colonel' and the other about Elvis' appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. It seems unlikely that these will ever be published, although the neat cover design (see image) and several excerpts from the Marion Keisker book are available.
Read more about Darrin Memmer's Elvis books
(News, Source:EIN)


Award winning Elvis related book - 'Four For The Road' (Katherine Reilly): This book was published in August last year (and flew under EIN's radar until recently). It is a Young Adult novel (fiction) that tells the story of three grief ridden teens and an eighty-year-old who meet at a bereavement group, then head out on a roadtrip to Graceland.
Four For The Road is described as being heartwarming, funny and healing, and the book's message is one of hope and forgiveness. As the author, Katherine Reilly, told EIN:

With the ethereal and immortal backdrop of Graceland and Elvis Presley, the characters find peace and healing, and my sincere hope is that Four For The Road will help readers dealing with loss and grief.

The book has won numerous awards - YALSA Best Books of the Year, KIRKUS Best Books of 2022, KIRKUS Best Books about Family, KIRKUS Best Books for Teens, Rhode Island Best Teen Books of 2024 Nominee, and Vermont's Green Mountain Best Books of 2024 Nominee, and it received four starred industry reviews - Kirkus Weekly Booklist and Horn Book, making it one of Simon & Schuster's best books of the year.

The reviews included these statements of praise:
"In this at once funny and moving novel, it’s been just over a year since seventeen-year-old Asher’s mom died in a car accident . . . The intergenerational friendship with [a delightful octegenarian] adds to the humor; a philosophical connection with Will provides depth; and a

blossoming romance with Sloane brings sweetness to Asher’s difficult, deserved path toward healing."
-- The Horn Book Magazine, Starred Review

"So overwhelming is the load of trauma [each character carries] that it’s hard to see how their journey could end on a buoyant note, but Reilly pulls it off by developing rich friendships while artfully slipping in comical elements on the way to a climactic whirl of laughter, tears, budding romance, and well-placed insights. . . A heady round trip, heavy baggage and all, from heartbreak to healing." -- Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

'Four For The Road' is available in hardback, softcover and digital (Kindle) formats.
(News, Source: Katherine Reilly/EIN)

       

(New book) 'Elvis, man and god': A new 330 page release by Estelle Hough may not be the best biography about Elvis you ever read, but it is one of the most interesting........ largely due to the somewhat unusual approach the author, Estelle Hough, has taken to her subject matter. While the release would have benefited from a professional proofreading, it is nevertheless an intriguing read and the narrative is full of the recollections of Elvis' inner circle.
However, as the author notes, it is also a book which occasionally crosses from fact to fantasy:
... "Writing in normal script is true as far as can be ascertained by cross-referencing biographies, memoirs, interviews and videos about Elvis. Script in italics is sometimes based on truth, sometimes fantasy. Expect some hagiography and spiritual references – they are difficult to avoid when dealing with Elvis."

     

Excerpts from the book:
... 'During the time Jerry used to stay at Graceland, he and Elvis would sometimes sit outside during the night, drinking Mountain Dew and talk about the meaning of life. He said that although Elvis was embarrassed about his lack of education, Jerry felt he had never learnt from anyone than he had from Elvis during that time, and if he could have one night back, it would have been one of those nights.

'Jerry also said that he never felt safer in his life than living at Graceland. It was like living in a loving fortress. He was not the only one who said something like this, one of the others described it as if the protective wings of a giant bird stretched out over Graceland.'

At another point in her narrative, the author comments:
...'Was it his physical beauty, his sex appeal, his magnetism? What attracted people to him to the extent it did? Watch any Elvis movie and watch the crowd scenes. You will become aware of how the rest of the crew surreptitiously watch him, men and women alike.

'You may see jealous looks from women extras, admiration from men, a quick glance at his butt, open up and down perusals and even yearning. Once in a while you will also see a tear in someone's eye.'
(News, Source: Estelle Hough, Elvis man and god)


Did Vernon Presley "pay off" officials to keep Elvis' autopsy report secret?: In the age of Donald Trump's "fake news" it is interesting to note that many Elvis websites still contain factually incorrect information.

For example, many still confuse the Medical Examiner's Report (October 1977) with Elvis' death certificate and /or his Autopsy Report.

In addition, at least one website maintains:
... The fact is, Vernon upon receiving evidence that a mixture of addictive-drugs was indeed the cause of his beloved son’s death, panic and quickly paid off officials to keep the document a secret.

The actual "fact" is that under Tennessee state law Vernon, on the recommendation of Dr. Nick, was able to request the autopsy report become Presley family property (i.e. it can only be released if the Presley family wishes to do so).

So the real "facts" are that Vernon Presley did not panic and there was no "pay off" of officials by him!

As for Elvis' official death certificate, the law is that it cannot be publicly released until 50 years after Elvis' death. And it is this document that will become public on August 16, 2027 (with Elvis' Autopsy Report remaining the “private property” of the Presley family).
(News, Source: EIN)
Vernon Presley Interview: In January 1978, Elvis' father Vernon Presley agreed to an in-depth interview with Nancy Anderson for Good Housekeeping magazine.
Go here to read this amazing interview.

       

Friday 7 April 2023 - - - - Easter Greetings From Elvis Presley - - - -

DJ Red Robinson Dead Age 86: Legendary Vancouver DJ Red Robinson has passed away, age 86. His family said that he passed away last Saturday after a brief illness.
Robinson began his radio career in 1954 at Vancouver’s CJOR, and is known for being the first Canadian DJ to play and promote rock ’n’ roll music.
He was MC of the first rock ‘n’ roll concert in Vancouver with Bill Haley and the Comets on June 27, 1956 and MC of the Elvis Presley show at Empire Stadium on Aug 31, 1957; and MC at the Beatles gig at Empire Aug 22, 1964.
Like many pioneering rock ‘n’ roll disc jockeys, to a local audience he probably was big as the stars he introduced.
Robinson met and interviewed every star from Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison to Johnny Cash and Elvis.
He said, “The best gig I saw had to be Elvis. There was nothing like it beforehand. He was the first guy to rent stadiums. I’d MC’ed shows, but standing in front of 20,000 people was nerve-racking"
In an interview with Alan Hanson in 2005 Robinson explained, "It was scary for everyone, including Elvis and Scotty and Bill, believe me... There was pandemonium. It was all so new. Probably the impact of it was really a year and a half old.. The gathering in front of the stage for Elvis, the first five or six people deep, was where the problem was; that was where the fear was. That’s why if you read the book where DJ Fontana says he thought they were going to be killed, that’s what he means. However the rest of the people were well behaved.... ""
Please see the Red Robinson interview with Alan Hanson here.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

'Elvis In Ottawa' Elvis Interview & Spotlight: Elvis performed in Ottawa, Canada on April 3rd 1957, 66 years ago this month. Janet Fulton was only 13 years-old when she attended Elvis' concert and one of the highlights of her life was not only meeting Elvis but also being kissed by him. Back in November 2011 EIN interviewed Janet Fulton about the experience of meeting Elvis and then she also provided us with this interesting article on 'Elvis In Ottawa' - 66 years ago this month.
Following the spotlight is Ottawa's radio CKOY Mac Lipson's interview with Elvis on the same day.
"I have never thought I had a good voice. I just enjoy what I'm doing and I put every part of my heart, soul and body into it. But I guess one of the reasons the people have liked it is because it was a little something different" - Elvis Presley, Ottawa 1957.
Go here to this fabulous look-back at Elvis in Ottawa, Canada. 
(Spotlight, Source;JanetFulton/ElvisInformationNetwork) - 2012-

American Royalty – The Haunted Life of Lisa Marie Presley: David Browne’s recent story about Lisa Marie for Rolling Stone magazine includes information about Lisa’s state of mind days before her untimely passing on January 12 this year. Here is an excerpt from what is an absorbing read:

... Just before 2 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, Jan. 8, David Kessler was in his room at a hotel near Graceland when he heard a knock on his door. It was his friend Lisa Marie Presley. “Let’s go out,” she said. It was time to visit her father and one of her children. 

Kessler, a friend and grief specialist based in Los Angeles, had met Presley in summer 2020, shortly after the death of her son, Ben. That tragedy felt like the latest in a series of upheavals in her life, starting with the loss of her father, Elvis Presley, in 1977, when she was only nine. Since then, the woman who friends called “LMP” had endured a turbulent ride of her own: four marriages, four divorces, battles with addiction, family loss, and the airing of her train-wreck finances for the world to judge.

“I’m a tabloid queen … princess … whatever you want to call me,” Presley told Rolling Stone in 2003. Some of that upheaval and angst was documented, or alluded to, on the three albums she’d made. As producer Glen Ballard, who worked on one of them, would note, “It was never an easy journey for her.” 

That she had ventured into music at all was remarkably gutsy. It was impossible to look at her and not see her father’s smoldering sensuality and sultry gaze, along with hints of his curled lip. Her mother Priscilla’s porcelain beauty was also apparent. As she well knew, the comparisons to her dad were inevitable.

Singer-songwriter Samantha Harlow beheld the expectations for herself when she opened for Presley at a show at Nashville’s

Exit / In club in 2012. Stepping onstage for her set, Harlow observed a house packed with women older than her, pressed against the stage, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the daughter of the King. “She had so much weight on her shoulders,” Harlow says. “I can’t imagine what it would have been to carry the responsibility of her father’s legacy.” Read the full article
(News, Source: RollingStone.com/NP)

Miley Cyrus and Elvis: Award winning, multi-million-selling and best-selling female artist born in the 1990s Miley Cyrus has an on-going infatuation with Elvis.
Cyrus has cited Elvis as her biggest inspiration and not only regularly wears Elvis clothing but also re-created an Elvis jumpsuit for one of her music videos.
In 2018 Miley Cyrus noted that when her Malibu house was destroyed by wildfires she was “only upset at losing my shrine to Elvis Presley".
She noted, “I have this really crazy infatuation love with Elvis. So it was the only thing I was upset about was, I have an Elvis shrine, and every night I tell Elvis good night. Actually when I tell him good night, I would whisper to him, ‘I wish we could have known each other because we would have been so great for each other.'”
In her music she also adds, “I like to take some of that 'Elvis spirit' and put it into a song.”
In 2017 Miley Cyrus was on The Ellen DeGeneres Show wearing another Elvis T-shirt when she talked about the victims of Hurricane Harvey and pledged a hefty sum to help them.
Cyrus also has a fascination with Elvis’ movie Blue Hawaii as in the movie Elvis’ character falls in love with a woman named Maile (Joan Blackman) which is pronounced like Cyrus’ first name.
She said, “I used to watch this movie over and over and over again because he would say ‘I love you, Miley’ and I would rewind it just so I could hear Elvis tell me that he loved me.”
Last week she appeared on the Jimmy Fallon Tonight show, again wearing a stunning glittery Elvis T-shirt.
For a pop-icon born in November 1992 it is fantastic to witness her commitment to Elvis.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

New book - 'Elvis Presley: Things you didn't know or have forgotten': This 109-page release from T.G Patching is one of the more interesting POD Elvis books in recent years, and one that is hard to review without giving too much away!
In one sense it is not what it might seem, and the author's motivation for releasing it is not only honest, but a timely warning to readers!

The content traverses an eclectic range of issues around Elvis, many of which are not usually covered in books about him. Some of the myriad of interesting topics include Elvis and the Mother of Rock 'n' Roll, the brutal comments Frank Sinatra said about Elvis in the 1950s, Elvis and the Stripper, Elvis' most respected albums, the lost opportunity in Elvis not making a Christmas film, Elvis' personal struggles, the biggest selling books about Elvis, the highest and lowest notes Elvis ever sang, Elvis as a cult or religion, Elvis' socio-cultural influence, is If I Can Dream better than John Lennon's Imagine?, films made about Elvis (the list is extensive), and 2002 - the year Elvis again rocked the world.

The core elements of Elvis' music, films and concert performances have their own chapters. There is also a four-page Table of Contents. The final chapter is a colorful collection of thirteen rare Elvis film posters from around the world.
And while the book is an interesting read, there is more to it than meets the eye. The Author's Afterword is a must read!

Apparently, 'Elvis Presley: Things you didn't know or have forgotten' will only be available to buy for a limited time. Given this, and the author’s motivation in publishing it, it will likely become a collectible..... serious Elvis book collectors take note!

The book is available in hardback, softcover and digital (Kindle) editions. The photos are attractive and in full colour except for copies printed in Japan and Australia.... strangely, the Amazon print arrangements in those countries do not currently allow for color printing. The book price is reasonable (and the higher cost hardback release is priced in line with other hardcover releases).
(News, Source: Amazon; email)

       

Coco Palms Resort to be rebuilt: After years of discussion and stalling it seems possible that the Coco Palms Resort where Elvis filmed Blue Hawaii and the "rich and famous once played" will be demolished and rebuilt by the new owners.
The once beautiful resort is surrounded by new construction fencing but otherwise sits in shambles, essentially unchanged since Hurricane Iniki destroyed it in 1992.
The owners, Capital Partners, will push forward without interference from the County of Kauai. And without regard to past or future protests against development and for a cultural venue to replace the long-failed hotel.
The resort sits on the spot of the very worst traffic on the entire island, which we previously referred to as the “Kapaa Crawl.” The traffic situation and the negative impact a 350-room hotel will have can’t be overstated.
As many have pointed out, the beach fronting the hotel has suffered and has often been gone due
to erosion. And the location is deemed to be so historically and culturally significant that many believe it should not be allowed to become yet another hotel. - EIN waits to find out what the developers finally do.
See EIN's spotlight 'Elvis and Coco Palms Resort'
EIN thanks Neil Colombari for the word-up
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

'The Movie Files Vol 2' New Import Vinyl: The publicity notes.. Petticoat records is back! This time with a "fantastic vinyl album full of movie classics".
This high quality album (including bonus CD) featuring 18 rare and hard to find alternate versions is now available. And as always housed in a STUNNING full color sleeve suitable for framing!
This high quality 180 grams virgin vinyl pressing is now available in RED or BLUE vinyl.
Don't miss out on this wonderful limited edition album.

EIN Note: Includes movie classics such as 'Petunia The Gardener’s Daughter Take 1', 'Dominic Take 2', 'Sing You Children Take 19' and 'It Won’t Be Long Take 2'. An album Elvis would surely be very proud of!

Go to 'Elvis: All The CD News 2023' for full tracklistings.


(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)


Monday 3 April 2023

'Elvis: Let Me Be There 1974' FTD In-depth Review: A 3CD soundboard release from Elvis' January-Feb 1974 Las Vegas season and FTD's first new release for 2023.
Released as a 3-CD 5" digi-pak, this set features three 1974 concerts recorded via soundboard at The Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas on January 28, plus Jan 29 and Feb 1, 1974 Midnight shows.
So far FTD have only released one Dinner Show from this season .
The January 29, 1974 Midnight Show is totally new for collectorsm with the Jan 28 Dinner Show, and Feb 1, 1974 Midnight Show only been released as bootleg AUDIENCE recordings.
While the early 1974 performances are fine quality with new songs 'Help Me', 'Spanish Eyes', 'Let Me Be There', ‘Trying To Get To You’ and ‘My Baby Left Me’ in the set-list - the audio mastering here sadly leaves a lot to be desired.
Elvis soundboard super-collector Geoffrey McDonnell along with EIN's Piers Beagley check out this 1974 triple- pack.
(FTD Reviews, Source;GM/ElvisInformationNetwork)


- 'The Making Of Blue Hawaii' Tracklisting: Following on from the success of ‘The Making of Jailhouse Rock”, FTD Books announces the release of “The Making of Blue Hawaii”.
The deluxe movie book by David English / Pal Granlund contains 387 pages of rare photos and extensive memorabilia from the film including shooting schedules and memories from cast and crew. The music book includes 85 pages of photos and detailed recording documents.
4 compact discs feature the soundtrack recording sessions which are newly mixed from the original 3-track tapes.
Featuring 50 unreleased takes, the songs are sequenced in recording order for the first time.
The full tracklisting has now been revealed.

All twenty-nine takes of 'Can't Help Falling In Love' are included from Elvis' March 23 1961 session plus plenty of other outakes and false-starts.

Check 'Elvis FTD / SONY News 2023' for complete tracklistings

Perhaps to compensate Elvis fans who cannot afford the Deluxe books there is also the unusual announcement that "The recording sessions audio will be issued later this year as an FTD audio only release".

(News, Source;FTD/DE/EIN) 


Saturday 1 April 2023 - 'April Fool's Day' -
A surprising number of so called "Elvis experts" were fooled by EIN's little April 1st joke below.
But people who spotted Elvis' 68 Comeback Special version of 'Tiger Man' mixed in with an original SUN acetate were quite correct. Of course Elvis did not actually record 'Tiger Man' at Sun (see our detailed spotlight here) - although if a real copy turns up EIN will be very happy to be proved wrong!
The mix however does prove what amazing work can be achieved with 'DES' technology - so please read more about DES and Elvis tracks at SUN 'in Stereo' here.
Elvis SUN 'Tiger Man' Acetate for Auction!: At 2020's 'Gotta Have Rock'n'Roll' Auction some memorabilia from SUN studio's Jack Clement was up for auction including a pile of old acetates.
An 'Unknown Buyer' purchased the lot, among them some already listed historical acetate session material from Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Jack Clement produced Jerry Lee's classic 'Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On' but sadly it was only the master single that was in the acetate collection. However it now seems that the real diamond in the dirt has now been found.
In concert Elvis would regularly state  that "Tiger Man was the second song that I ever recorded”.
'Tiger Man' was composed by Joe Hill Louis / Sam Phillips and first recorded by Rufus Thomas at SUN back in 1953.
Rufus Thomas would confirm, "In the pre Elvis days of Sun Records, during the early days Sam Phillips was recording all black artists and there's where 'Bear Cat' came in and 'Tiger Man'. All these songs that I was doing with Sam Phillips and then later on Elvis would jump on them, he loved my sound, he would sing them."
So after nearly 70 years the often rumoured Elvis SUN recorded 'Tiger Man' is not only found but going to auction later this year.
Graceland and RCA have already been contacted but no deal has been made. It may still go to a private buyer. The price for this unique treasure has not been disclosed.
The seller acknowledges that the acetate audio-quality is "somewhat disappointing" however there is no doubt that it is ELVIS PRESLEY singing. Fans can check out this short snippet for themselves. >>>>
The private seller says they will wait until August for any genuine deals to be finalised.
(News, Source;PrivateEmail/ElvisInfoNet)

 

 

Nic Cave says 'ELVIS' movie is highlight of his year: Australian musician Nic Cave is a rock'n'roll icon and a brilliant singer / composer / poet / author.
He and his band 'Nic Cave and the Bad Seeds' has amassed multiple Gold records worldwide and chart topping albums worldwide.
Cave is known for his baritone voice and emotionally intense performances. Somewhat like Elvis.
He has also acknowledged his love of Elvis, he even recorded the song 'Tupelo'. Of his own funeral he has noted..
“Thinking about it, I would be very happy with an Elvis themed funeral, to be ushered into the next world by the voice of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll singer of them all.
“‘Kentucky Rain’, that’s what I’d like, ‘Kentucky Rain’ and ‘How Great Thou Art’, Elvis singing gospel, with heaven and all its angels listening.”

In January's MOJO magazine Nic Cave was asked 'What's the best thing you've heard all year?' His answer ELVIS the movie..
Nic Cave: Well, this is not anything new... I saw the Elvis movie. I really enjoyed it in places and didn't enjoy it in other places. But it

really sent me back to certain concerts that were very important to me when I was in my younger days, and one fundamental one was Elvis singing American Trilogy in Aloha From Hawaii, the satellite Elvis event. And you can see that on YouTube, and I ended up watching that, I don't know, 30, 40 times around a few months ago, because it's such an extraordinary thing.
I felt similarly about the film.
If you're really into Elvis, you want more of an insight into the person. But I've spoken to people who knew rather less about Elvis, and it has been a 'gateway drug' for them.
I think that's the good thing about that film. But I was disappointed with the end because it seemed to follow a kind of downward trajectory of Elvis's life, and I don't see it that way.
Personally, I think those final Vegas concerts were some of the greatest performances I've ever seen.
They brought something to the table that didn't exist in the young Elvis, that has something to do with suffering. And just going on-stage with all your stuff, and laying it on the table in the most extraordinary way.
I mean, I don't know anybody who does that, who stood on the stage with such vulnerability as Elvis did in those final concerts."

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)


Anthony Stuchbury 'From Elvis At Sun' Interview: There are two new 'Mono II Stereo' releases about to come out from the Memphis Mansion label.
'From Elvis At Sun' features all of Elvis' SUN masters in new stereo versions while the 10" vinyl 'Best Of Elvis' is a neat stereo upgrade of the original HMV october 1957 UK album.
The question of whether Elvis' mono fifties classic recordings should be re-released in "new stereo" is hotly debated among hard-core collectors and so EIN wanted to ask Memphis Mansion's producer / audio engineer Anthony Stuchbury some key questions.
Questions including...
- Do we really need stereo versions of these mono classics?
- Since EMI are officially releasing The Beatles in "new stereo" perhaps it is time for RCA / SONY to do the same for Elvis..

EIN's Piers Beagley asked the questions..

(Interviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)


'Elvis News Report April 2023': Elvis super-fan Emiel Maier presents all the recent news including.. Newly found Elvis footage, the honest story about the 2nd Lockheed Jetstar, Round up of the movie award season, FTD & BluRay releases and check out the great trivia quiz....

Runs 15 minutes

Click HERE to YouTube well worth watching

(News, Source;EM/ElvisInfoNet)


'Burning Love' (Agent Elvis Promo): Another crazy promo for the new animated 'Agent Elvis' series.

You almost don't need to watch the episode - just enjoy the ride as Agent Elvis goes all "Apocalypse Now" on us heading up the steamy Vietnam river a la Captain Willard..

(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)

 

Vintage Rock tribute to It Happened At the World's Fair: Each month the excellent newsstand magazine, Vintage Rock, also circulates an online newsletter. In its latest newsletter the feature article by Douglas McPherson is a look at Elvis' 12th film, It Happened At the World's Fair. Here is an excerpt:

The only number that references Presley’s hip-shaking days is the classy 50s-style mid-pacer One Broken Heart For Sale, penned by Otis Blackwell, which was released ahead of the film and reached No.11 in the US and No.12 in the UK. It’s the single’s B-side, They Remind Me Too Much Of You, that makes the most lasting impression on screen, however.

Interestingly, we don’t see Presley sing it. The softly delivered ballad plays over a scene where Mike is riding the monorail with the sleeping Sue-Lin. In his face we see him realising that he’s fallen heavily for Diane.
It’s a mesmerising sequence and given that he just sits unspeaking for the duration of the song, proof of what a fine actor he could be. In fact, despite the often silly plot, Presley’s acting is first rate throughout …World’s Fair, whether it’s his comedic scenes with Tiu, his palpable heartbreak when a welfare lady takes the child from him and his protective anger when the authorities promptly lose the girl.      Read the full article

EIN recommends Vintage Rock. It's monthly editions often feature Elvis related news and reviews and the magazine is also responsible for periodical Elvis special magazines as part of its Vintage Rocks

Presents series. These special Elvis magazines have included Elvis Collectors Edition; Live Elvis; Elvis A Celebration; Elvis The Later Years; and Elvis At The Movies.
Find out more Vintage Rock and Elvis back issues still available: Vintage Rock Presents - Vintage Rock back issues
(News, Source: Douglas McPherson, Vintage Rock; EIN)

Long Live the King DVD: Due for release from Lighthouse Productions on April 14, 2023 in Germany is the musical documentary DVD 'Elvis Presley - Long Live The King' featuring a collection of interviews, statements, private footage and music clips. The running time is 60 minutes.

The 28 chapters include Elvis´ Answering Machine, Intro Blue Moon Of Kentucky, Blue Suede Shoes, Elvis & June In Biloxi 1956, Shake Rattle & Roll, Baby Let's Playhouse, Army Induction 1958, Heartbreak Hotel, Army Footage 1958, Money Honey, Elvis Takes Germany 1958, Blue Suede Shoes # 2, Elvis In Paris 1959, Tutti Frutti, Elvis & Nancy Sinatra 1960, I Want You I Need You I Love You Elvis Army Press Conference 1960, Heartbreak Hotel # 2, Elvis Press Conference In His Father's Office 1960, Fame & Fortune, Elvis Press Conference Continue, Stuck On You, Hound Dog, I Got A Woman, I Was The One, Good Rockin' Tonight and more.

 

 

(News, Source: JVC; EDBD)


'3 Days to Save A Legend' eBook Special Offer: Black Friday has come early this year for Elvis fans….
For 3 days only, from today 31st March to 2nd April…..
80% discount on my eBook ‘’3 Days to save a Legend’’ ($6.05) from £4.99 down to ($0.99) 99p
This offer will never be repeated.
With an average rating of 4.1 you’re guaranteed to love it
If you love Elvis or Time Travel (think BTTF), it's definitely 1 you won't want to miss, if you like both you’re in heaven….
Get it while you can,…

(News, Source: Paul Farmer)

   

Elvis News from earlier in the week ...

Was Elvis Presley as talented as people portray him to be?: Trombonist for Elvis in 1972 (and featured in Elvis On Tour), Randall Peede, wrote this interesting post on Quora:

... I was with Elvis in 1972 on trombone. In a technical sense - air, attack, tone, key and rhythm, yes he was very, very, good. But more important than that is that he was an entertainer. He understood his role and knew how to move an audience. His phrasing and expression showed talent that was natural.
He had good looks and exciting moves. He built a great act with professional people and worked at the highest levels.
As an actor, he sometimes disagreed with the director, like when they wouldn’t give him a guitar with strings, probably because the audio would be added later.
He was a down-home bay with all of the foibles of the South in the 50’s. He would sometimes Indian wrestle with guys from the band.
He was seriously mobbed by fans to the point of ripping off his clothes and even injuring him slightly.
That’s why the “Elvis has left the building!” announcement was made at the end of the show. He really left.
He liked to party and reportedly had a healthy sexual appetite. In “Little Girl Blue” about Karen Carpenter, a story is told about him inviting Karen and Petula Clark to come up to his room. Petula was freaked and pulled Karen away.

Talented? Yes, very talented especially for that moment in time in understanding that bringing black music to white audiences would be a hit. He also did gospel and socially conscious songs.
 (News, Source: Randall Peede, quora.com)


‘The 1972 Multitrack Collection & More’ New Import:  From an unknown label a 6cd set of 1972 recordings. Their publicity says  
.... This comprehensive deluxe set contains all known multitrack recordings recorded during live performances at the Showroom of the Las Vegas Hilton in 1972. All shows are painstakingly remastered with wonderful results.
Also all available stage rehearsals are featured on this set. Among many others you'll hear “Never Been To Spain”, “It’s Over”, “It’s Impossible” & “The Impossible Dream”. During the stage rehearsals songs like “Faded Love”, “Any Day Now”, “Something”, “My Babe” & “Until It’s Time For You To Go”.
As an absolute highlight you hear Elvis sing Mat Monro’s “Portrait Of My Love”. A beautiful ballad which must be heard.
Also included is the August 4 opening performance AUDIENCE RECORDING. Although this is a show recorded by a lucky attendee, this recording is of outstanding quality and it shows the result of what Elvis was working on during the rehearsals earlier that day.
The included fully packed bonus disc contains no less than 16 rare and official unreleased versions of studio tracks recorded in 1972.
This disc features alternate takes, unedited masters, undubbed & overdubbed masters and further unreleased alternate recordings.

EIN NOTE: it seems that everything on the bootleg has been released before. The August 4 opening performance has been on previous bootlegs in bearable audience sound.
Elvis' 'Portrait Of My Love' was officially released on FTD 'Stage Rehearsal' so why you need a 6cd set to hear it we don't understand
. . . Go here to 'All The Elvis CD News 2023' for tracklist and details
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

       

Elvis Week 2023 Schedule Announced: EPE have posted the first information on Elvis Week 2023.
... It is time to make your plans for an unforgettable Elvis Week filled with live music, panels, contests, screenings and more!
Elvis Week 2023 highlights include the August 16 'Aloha from Hawaii 50th Anniversary Concert' featuring Elvis on the big screen backed by a live band;
’68 Special Enhanced Screening with Elvis bigger than life in black leather; the annual Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and performances by many of EPE's past Ultimate winners;
Conversations on Elvis, with those who knew Elvis best sharing memories and stories;
A Celebration of Lisa Marie Presley with Jerry Schilling;
The annual Candlelight Vigil on August 15 where fans gather in quiet remembrance of the king.
Special guests and performers include Linda Thompson, Sam Thompson, Jerry Schilling, Glen Hardin, Spencer Sutherland, Mike Deasy, Tanya Lemani George, Terry Mike Jeffrey, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet, 10 Ultimate Elvis tribute artists, among others! Plus more exciting guest and event announcements yet to come!
Tickets On-sale Wednesday, April 5
Go here to EPE for more 'Schedule of Events' info
The '40th Anniversary Aloha from Hawaii' in Honolulu was a brilliant event.
Sadly way too many of Elvis' associates have died since then
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)

Two New FTDs: FTD have announced the next release of two major sets
- 'Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden' 3-CD set.
After Elvis completed a hugely successful and sold-out tour filmed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for the 1972 documentary 'Elvis On Tour' in April, confidence was high in the Elvis camp with all four shows at New York's Madison Square Garden sold out, as did the rest of the June tour. Any reservations Elvis might have had about performing in the Big Apple were quickly dispelled as the noise from the MSG crowd was deafening. The New York Times 'Arts and Leisure' headline summing up the triumph read 'Like a Prince From Another Planet'.
Elvis As Recorded at Madison Square Garden with the evening show of June 10 was a rush release later in the month and sold a million copies in the US in just a few weeks. Total US sales to date exceed 3 million, achieving triple platinum status. The afternoon show was eventually released by RCA as An Afternoon In The Garden in 1997, 20 years after Elvis' death.
This belated FTD 50th Anniversary Edition celebrates these legendary shows with remixed versions of both shows by Memphis recording engineer Matt-Ross Spang.
Disc 3 contains the original press conference, recorded at the New York Hilton on June 9th.
Packaged in our 8' x 8' 'Sessions' slipcase, this deluxe 3-CD includes a 20-page color booklet, great photos, memorabilia, press conference transcript and stories from the late Phil Gelormine.

- 'The Making Of Blue Hawaii': Following on from the success of ‘The Making of Jailhouse Rock”, FTD Books announces the release of “The Making of Blue Hawaii”.
The deluxe movie book by David English / Pal Granlund contains 387 pages of rare photos and extensive memorabilia from the film including shooting schedules and memories from cast and crew.
The music book includes 85 pages of photos and detailed recording documents.
4 compact discs feature the soundtrack recording sessions which are newly mixed from the original 3-track tapes.
Featuring 50 unreleased takes, the songs are sequenced in recording order for the first time.
A 33rpm vinyl EP is also included.
Perhaps to compensate Elvis fans who cannot afford the Deluxe books there is also the unusual announcement that "The recording sessions audio will be issued later this year as an FTD audio only release".

Author David English has posted two photos of the set on FECC.
EIN wonders whether Ernst has finally tracked down the missing sessions reel of Blue Hawaii.
We await the tracklists

(News, Source;FTD/DE/EIN) 


Peter Hardy, star of “Elvis Killed My Brother”, has died: Many EIN readers will be unaware of the little known Australian made short film, 'Elvis Killed My Brother' (which was funded by a grant from the Western Australia Film Council). Its star, Australian actor, Peter Hardy, has died.  The West Australian reports he was pulled from the water, unresponsive, at South Beach in Fremantle at about 10.40am on Thursday. Bystanders performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but were unable to save him. Peter had been snorkeling when he drowned.
He had roles in many Australian television series but is best known for his appearances as Phil Rakich in 44 episodes of McLeod's Daughters between 2006 and 2009 and in the Heath Ledger / Martin Henderson series Sweat where he played Sid Reilly in 26 episodes in 1996.
He also appeared in the hit film, Chopper, which starred Eric Bana.

In 2003, EIN’s Nigel Patterson interviewed Peter about 'Elvis Killed My Brother'. We also published a summary review of the film:
Peter Hardy talks to EIN
Film Review - Elvis Killed My Brother
Peter Hardy website film page (including Elvis Killed My Brother)
(News, Source: TV Tonight; EIN)

The Faith of Elvis (Billy Stanley) - "downunder" release of "hardcover" edition delayed again: Originally slated for release in Australia and New Zealand in late 2022, there has been a third delay in release of the "hardcover" edition and the revised release date is May 23.

Stanley notes... “Elvis was a Christian, and most people don’t know that, he was a Bible-carrying Christian … wherever he went, he took the Bible with him. He read the Bible almost every day.
Nobody can really imagine the position Elvis was in … here you have a man that really changed culture. I always thought … he had the devil on one side, and he’s got God on the other side, and there was a constant battle going on inside of his head. Elvis did his best … whenever he was in trouble, he would always turn to God.”
Elvis was also the most generous giver I’ve ever met my life, giving money, cars and homes … to people he didn’t even know."

Australia and NZ fans can NOW buy the Kindle, audiobook and CD editions, -- while US and UK fans can buy a copy NOW in hardcover, Kindle, CD and audiobook formats.
(News, Source: Amazon Au/ElvisInfoNet)

       

'Elvis Live 72' VINYL Out NOW: The new 'Elvis Live 1972' (double-LP) from RCA is out today. Interestingly it features a kind of "best of" the four 'On Tour' concerts and while it doesn't feature each 'best-performed' song it cleverly uses one KEY section from each of the first three concerts (one per vinyl side) plus the missing unique tracks on Side D.
Thus if you play the album sides in sequence A/B/D/C you have a brilliant thirty song concert!
Elvis' classic 'Aloha' double album only included 25 tracks.
'On Tour' classics from Hampton Roads 'Polk Salad', 'Big Hunk O' Love', from Richmond 'It's Over', Greensboro 'Burning Love', 'Funny How Times Slips Away', 'For The Good Times' plus San Antonio 'Proud Mary', 'How Great Thou Art' are all included.
This title was released today, March 24.

EIN is looking forward to this vinyl.
Go here to 'All The SONY / FTD News' for the tracklist
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

       

EIN Exclusives and News from earlier in March ...

'Elvis UK - Beyond RCA' Book Review: UK specialists John Townson and Gordon Minto's new book 'Elvis UK - Beyond RCA - The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British Non RCA LPs 1974-1997' flipbook follows on from their previous publications in the Elvis UK series.
This book..
• Is extensively illustrated in full colour
• Features a host of background information including a chronological list of all the albums included
• Deals with each album individually, in a detailed and forensic way, while the text is amply illustrated with scans of every known cover and label variation, relevant photographs, and scans of contemporaneous newspaper and magazine articles
• Includes background information about each release including historically significant events of the period
• Contains hitherto unpublished information from company files
• Includes a wealth of background information relating to the record industry incorporated throughout the text.

The incredible trio Nigel Patterson / Piers Beagley and Kees Mouwen (Elvis Day by Day) combine forces to check out this very detailed Digi-book.

(Book Review, Source:EIN/EDayByDay)


'Turning 50, 'Elvis On Tour' remains a valuable document of the 1970s': The recent Goldmine magazine featured a neat article by EIN’s friend Gillian G. Gaar.
This edited extract is published with her permission
“Make up your mind about either being an electrician or playing guitar. I never saw a guitar player that was worth a damn.”
Such was Vernon Presley’s advice, as recalled by his son, Elvis, during an interview that illustrated just how wrong his father had been. For Elvis Presley had, of course, become a phenomenal success as a performer, though singing had ended up being his strong suit, not playing guitar. Almost two decades after his father had made that observation, Elvis was reminiscing for the benefit of a film crew in the midst of making the second documentary about him, Elvis On Tour, the only Elvis film that would win an award during his lifetime.
The tour opened on April 5 in Buffalo, New York. Abel filmed the show himself on videotape, planning to use it as a reference guide for the subsequent shows the full film crew would shoot (though brief footage of Presley rehearsing with his singers backstage on this night was used in the final film). RCA also planned to record Presley’s April 8 shows in Knoxville, Tennessee, for the accompanying live album, but due to equipment failure, nothing ended up being recorded.
.. So the first material properly recorded and filmed from the tour would be the April 9 show in Hampton Roads, Virginia. There were eleven cameras in the film crew, each set to record on a staggered schedule, so that a show could be captured in its entirety. Along with the four complete shows that were being filmed, offstage and backstage footage would be shot in other cities on the tour.
Ronnie Tutt exlained, “When those cameras start whirring, it’s real easy to get wrapped up into that, - and then pretty soon you start watching what they’re doing and how you respond to what they’re doing instead of stepping away from that and saying, ‘They’re just there to try to capture what is going on in a live situation.’ Elvis, because of his film experience, would always try to mention something to us; he would say, ‘We just want to go out and do our show guys, don’t pay any attention to those Hollywood cameras’ — as he called them — ‘and those microphones; let’s just do what we do and everything else’ll take care of itself.’”
“Most of us were seasoned professionals,” adds Jerry Scheff. “As a recording musician, I was used to the tremendous pressure of having to play flawless music without losing the soul of the music. Even doing Aloha from Hawaii, you can’t think of the huge audience. You just go out hop on the train and enjoy the ride.”
.. Jerry Schilling, who edited the film’s end credits sequence, was also instrumental in getting Elvis to agree to sit for an interview, with the intention of having him provide voiceover narration for the film.
The interview was recorded on the MGM lot in July. Perhaps it was the setting that prompted Presley to spend much of the interview expressing his unhappiness with his film career; only a few brief comments ended up being used in the final film. Instead of the filmmakers showing Presley a rough cut of the movie to get his impressions, or tailoring their questions more specifically to what they envisioned for the film’s narration, it was a lost opportunity.
...... Elvis On Tour opened in November 1972, and received generally good reviews. Some cited how well the split-screen technique worked in giving the viewer a more well-rounded view of Presley’s performance, while others found the off-stage footage (Elvis arriving and departing from the concert venues, meeting with fans
and officials) to be repetitious. Presley was especially pleased when Elvis On Tour went on to win the Golden Globe for Best Documentary; it was a validation he’d never had from the film industry before.
Ultimately, Elvis On Tour captures Presley still caught up in the thrill of live performance. As adoring fans cheer on his every move, as dignitaries in each town jockey to meet him, as he’s hustled into and out of arenas with dispatch, he’s the calm eye in the center of the storm that swirls around him. As Ernst Jorgensen, the new set’s producer, puts it, “Elvis was still finding something new, was telling us who he wanted to be, was courageous and controlled in his performances. It all comes together for him, for real, in 1972."
Go here to 'GOLDMINE' for the full article -- and here EIN's exclusive interview with Elvis author Gillian G. Gaar.
(News, Source;G.Gaar/ElvisInfoNet)

'Elvis Remembered: Intimate Interviews' New Book: Shelly Powers was a contributor for the 'ELVIS International' magazine.
Her new book 'Elvis Remembered: Intimate Interviews from the Elvis International archives, With the People Who Knew Him Best' will be published this october.
When Shelly Powers was 7, she told her mother that she'd marry Elvis Presley when she grew up. She did -- though he was an impersonator, a tribute artist she met in Las Vegas.
But over her 12 years living in Vegas, she joined an Elvis fan club and what started as one interview with Ed Bonja became many more, and more friendships with people in Elvis' circle. Each of the 11 of Elvis' intimates interviewed here has a good story to tell. Each is accompanied by period photographs concert memorabilia, and unusual memories that every fan or Elvis will want to read.
Interviewees include:
Ed Bonja Tour manager and official photographer 1970-77
Cynthia Pepper Co-star in the movie "Kissin' Cousins"
Darleen Thompkins - "Blue Hawaii" and remained close till his death
Patti Perry - only female member of "Memphis Mafia"
Myrna Smith Elvis backing singer 1969-77
Joe (Diamond Joe) Esposito Lifelong friend
Sonny West Lifelong friend of Elvis and bodyguard
Jerry Schilling Lifelong friend
Larry Geller Spiritual advisor and personal hair stylist.
Jimmy Velvet Friend for 20 years.
Packed with remarkable photographs this will be a memorable resource
240 pages - Out 7 October.
Go here to Firefly publications for more info
You can hear Shelly Powers interview with Myrna Smith here on YouTube
(News, Source;ElvisinfoNet/EDayByDay)

'Agent Elvis' now on Netflix: All 10 episodes of Agent Elvis are now available on Netflix. And the adults only satire (which was conceived by Priscilla Presley and John Eddie) has quickly found rave reviews for its tongue-in-cheek and raunchy take on Elvis as a secret agent. While it won't be to everyone's liking, there is much to admire about this offbeat animated show. The stellar cast is led by Matthew McConaughey as Elvis (although much like Tom Hanks' accent in Elvis, there have been mixed reviews about McConaughey's accent in Agent Elvis). If episode 1 is a guide, Elvis has two sidekicks, CyeCye Rider (voiced by Kaitlin Olson) and Scatter the chimp who is an hilarious show highlight. Other cast members are Don Cheadle, Niecey Nash, Johnny Knoxville, Christina Hendricks, Simon Pegg, Ed Helms, Gary Cole, Kieran Culkin, and Priscilla Presley The soundtrack is strong with good use of Elvis (and other) recordings. The debut episode also has features a neat nod to Baz Luhrmann's Elvis biopic.
Watch the 'Agent Elvis' trailer here

Reviews for Agent Elvis....
The Guardian
Media Post
GQ Italia
The Hollywood Reporter
CNN
(News, Source:EIN; IMDB)

Guardian 4 STAR Review includes.. "Matthew McConaughey’s foul-mouthed, violent Presley is hilarious. This animation, co-created by Priscilla Presley, depicts The King as a secret agent with a psychotic sidekick chimp. He beats bad guys to death while tripping on LSD – and it’s hugely funny
.. Despite the scenes of Elvis tripping on LSD or pummelling various bad guys to death with his bare hands, this series comes with family approval, having been created by Priscilla Presley with first-time showrunners John Eddie and Archer scribe Mike Arnold. Priscilla also voices herself, as the series is set when they are still happily married and their recently passed Lisa Marie Presley is a babe in arms. Elvis is
portrayed as a loving husband and father and is easily the most morally upstanding of the ensemble, but it’s still surprising that the extremely adult antics of the show come with his estate’s involvement, However, without the support of his loved ones, the show would be an uneasy prospect given that Elvis himself was ultimately a victim of those that sought to squeeze every dollar they could out of him.
While the talent of Elvis is a one-in-a-generation phenomenon, the show takes gentle jabs at his status as an icon (“He’s like Marvin Gaye for white people”). But the talent of the voice cast extends into the many cameos made throughout the series, with particular highlights in Jason Mantzoukas’s “completely not insane” Howard Hughes and Fred Armisen’s Charles Manson. But the show has ambition beyond just being a who’s who of the late 1960s and the series builds up some intriguing mysteries and fun twists.
CHECK OUT THIS BRILLIANT Official TRAILER on YouTube >
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
 

FTD March Releases: OUT NOW: FTD new March 2023 releases are OUT NOW and at your local dealers.
1. 'Elvis: Let Me Be There' a three CD soundboard release from Elvis' January-Feb 1974 Las Vegas season.
Released as a 3-CD 5" digi-pak, this set features three 1974 concerts recorded via soundboard at The Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas on January 28, 29 Midnight and February 1, 1974.
EIN Note: So far FTD have only released the January 27 Dinner Show from this season on 'I Found My Thrill' - and what a great performance that was.
We noted at the time that the "Bonus Track" from Feb 1 had some tape-hiss.
The January 29, 1974 Midnight Show is totally new for collectors. Both January 28, 1974 Dinner Show, and February 1, 1974 Midnight Show have only been released as bootleg AUDIENCE recordings 'Wild Tiger Vol.4' and 'First In Line'

See 'FTD / SONY 2023 CD News' for tracklists and details

2.'From Elvis Presley Boulevard' Special double VINYL.
FTD Vinyl is pleased to announce the release of a special blue vinyl edition of From Elvis Presley Boulevard. Each double album is individually numbered and features great outtakes and masters recorded in the legendary Jungle Room.
Songs include Hurt, For The Heart, Love Coming Down, I'll Never Fall In Love Again, Danny Boy, Solitaire and The Last Farewell.
Available only while stock of 3500 lasts!

See 'FTD / SONY 2023 CD News' for tracklists and details

 

(News, Source;FTD/ElvisInfoNet)


'From Elvis At Sun' in Stereo: Coming soon from the Memphis Mansion label all of Elvis SUN recordings released "For The First Time In Stereo!"
This time promised in quality, realistic "Stereo"
The Sun Singles:
1. That’s All Right
2. Blue Moon of Kentucky
3. Good Rockin’ Tonight
4. I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine
5. Milkcow Blues Boogie
6. You’re a Heartbreaker
7. Baby Let’s Play House
8. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone
9. I Forgot to Remember to Forget
10. Mystery Train
More Sun Masters:
11. Harbor Lights
12. I Love You Because
13. Blue Moon
14. Tomorrow Night
15. I’ll Never Let You Go
16. Just Because
17. My Baby’s Gone
18. Trying To Get To You
19. When It Rains It Really Pours
All tracks previously released in ‘mono’.
EIN Note: Of course these tracks have been released in 'fake stereo' previously.
See EIN's review 'Elvis Reborn Mono-To-Stereo' - however the results were a little uneven and Memphis Mansion promise even better quality than the 'gold-standard' that until now has been ERIC records.
What EIN has heard is very impressive.

Go HERE to Memphis Mansion to pre-order. - Great value at €13
(News, Source;MM/ElvisInfoNet)

March 13 - Oscar disappointment for "ELVIS": We was robbed! In what must have been a bitterly disappointing night for Baz Luhrmann and his team, after receiving eight Academy Award nominations, his ELVIS biopic went home without winning even one.
Two other films with eight or more nominations, Everything, Everywhere All At Once (11 nominations) and All Quiet On the Western Front (nine nominations), bagged seven and four Oscars, respectively, while The Banshees of Inisherin (nine nominations) also failed to win an award.
Austin Butler, who missed out on the Best Actor gong, was seen on screen to be quick to his feet congratulating Brendan Fraser, who won Best Actor for his portrayal in The Whale.
Butler had been neck and neck with Fraser as "the bookies" favorite for the Best Actor Award, while Catherine Martin was a strong chance to win the award for both Best Production Design and Best Costume Design, as was Mandy Walker to win the award for Best Cinematography.

Austin Butler fans are truly feeling the disappointment of his two years of dedication playing every fact of Elvis' life from teenager to final days being beaten by an over-emotional one-trick fat-suit performance.
Butler’s commitment shone to critics circles world-wide winning

BAFTAs, Golden Globes and Australian Academy awards. Priscilla neatly added, "My whole life I’ve had to put up with people impersonating my husband, and I don’t know how that boy did it, but every move, every wink… If ELVIS was here, he’d say, ‘Hot damn, you are me!’”.

In the lead up to the Oscars, ELVIS had amassed an increasing number of major awards (nearly 50) including Austin Butler's best actor BAFTA.


See the full list of nominations and awards for ELVIS here.

(News, Source: EIN)


Update on 'Elvis Sessions IV' (Joseph Tunzi): Despite rumors to the contrary, the fourth volume of Joseph Tunzi's informative Elvis Sessions series is still being published.... and hopefully it will be this year. Daryl R. (who is helping Joe Tunzi with the release) posted this message on the Phoenix Elvis forum (many thanks to Kevan Budd for letting others know):

Hello, Recently, I received an email questioning whether Elvis Sessions IV by JAT Productions has been cancelled, abandoned, delayed, whatever you want to call it. The answer is a resounding no, the book has not been cancelled or abandoned. We have too much time, effort and financial resources tied up into the book for it to simply be cancelled or abandoned.
I will say that the book will not be like any of Joe's previous "Sessions" books or for that matter any previous recording session book on Elvis, including the much beloved "Elvis Presley, A Life In Music" by Ernst Jorgensen. We have accumulated a massive amount of photographs, especially pertaining to the recording sessions over the last 10-15 years, if not longer.
That said, I do think some people will need to temper their expectations. Will there be some brand new recording that nobody knows about mentioned in the book? At this stage, probably not.
Will there be plenty of rare or new recording session photographs? Absolutely! Joe and I have acquired a ton of new photographs over the years, especially recording session photographs from the 1950s through the 1970s. Up until now, there's only been known color recording session photographs from two recording sessions in the 1950s, those being the July 2, 1956 New York and the June 10-11, 1958 sessions in Nashville. Well, you can add at least two more session dates to that total. This doesn't even count a handful of rare recording sessions

photographs from other recording sessions in the 1950s that we have also located.
We've also located plenty of rare recording session photo from the 1960s and 1970s, including one in RCA Studio B in Nashville where you see one of sound engineer Bill Porter's pyramids hanging from the ceiling directly above Elvis in the studio.
I don't want to divulge too much, but we have located an alternate photograph of a pretty well known recording session photograph from the 1970s that has never been seen before, which when combined with the other photographs that we got from this photographer, it brings up questions about the story of how this alternate photograph and the well known one came to be taken as told by one individual.

Besides the photographs, where I think the book will really shine is in the documentation that Joe and I have located, not just pertaining to the actual recording sessions but in other areas as well.
A couple of these would be :
*copies of Elvis' musician's union card
*a copy of his handwritten application in July 1954 to join the musicians' union (AFM - local 71 - Memphis)
*a letter from Elvis' father Vernon Presley to the local 71 in Memphis shortly after Elvis died pertaining to life insurance payment benefits
*a copy of the check for a $1 million USD made out to Elvis in

August 1971 for the November 1971 tour that Jerry Weintraub talked about
*a copy of the $2.5 million dollar check and pay stub from RCA for the March 1973 buyout
*copies of the various changes to Elvis' recording contract with RCA throughout the years
*copies of the legal documents from the reopening of the divorce proceedings in 1973 up until 1977 where Elvis still owed money on the property sale of one of the houses in California
*copies of nearly all (I'm going to say around 90% or more) of the AFM contracts for Elvis' recording sessions. We located all of the ones from 1956-1964, missing two overdub sessions in 1965, have all of 1966-1967, missing for the two informal tapings at NBC on June 27, 1968 and one overdub session in 1968, missing two overdub sessions in 1969 and for the Vegas recordings in August 1969. From 1970 onward, we pretty much have everything. In those cases where we are missing the AFM contract, we also have the RCA recording page as well, which should suffice.

Lastly, a definitive list of what soundboards do exist in the Sony / RCA archives.

And yes, the book will have a proper index section for easy reference.

We do plan on having the book out this year. I'm not going to definitively say it will be out this year, as I would have hoped to have already had it out by now. We've literally jumped down every rabbit hole that has come our way, as far as leads for photographs, documents, etc. and at this stage, I don't see Sony Legacy / RCA or FTD or MRS or the bootleggers for that matter releasing anything earth shattering or groundbreaking from this point forward.
I think the 'Elvis On Tour' set was more of the beginning of the end for releases featuring a substantive amount of new material

that was professionally recorded that had remained unreleased.
Yes, I know FTD will continue to do their sessions releases, 3 CD soundboard sets, vinyl releases and books but I don't think they will be able to offer anything of significance for the book. Yes, I know that "Elvis In Concert" has yet to be tackled by either Sony Legacy or FTD but we pretty much already know what was recorded in that instance. I hope I am proven wrong on whether any new tapes will be found but I also imagine over time, various things will eventually surface. That's just the reality of it.
... Listing some of the session photographs....
- Roughly 48 photographs from the Dec 1, 1955 photo shoot at RCA Studios in New York by Popsie.
- Roughly 100 photos taken by Don Cravens from the April 14, 1956 Nashville recording session.
- 35 photographs from the April / May 1956 engagement in Las Vegas
- At least 49 photos from the June 5, 1956 second appearance on the Milton Berle Show
- About 65 photos from the July 1, 1956 Steve Allen Show appearance
- 92 photos of July 2, 1956 RCA New York recording session
- from June 1958 Nashville sessions (89 photos)
I think when it's all said and done, this book will be about as close as you can get to being in the studio with Elvis. In fact, we found one individual who actually got to go into the studio and observe Elvis record and we got an exclusive on his story. - Daryl R.
(News, Source: Daryl R., Phoenix Elvis; Kevan Budd/EIN)

'Elvis: A Musical Revolution' to tour Australia in 2023. David Venn Enterprises (Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical, The Wedding Singer, Bring It On: The Musical) is thrilled to announce 'Elvis: A Musical Revolution' to tour Australia in 2023.
Presented in partnership with ABG the new musical authorised by Elvis Presley Enterprises is coming to Australia.
The Icon. The King. The story of a man who gave the world a musical revolution.
Penned by acclaimed international writers, Elvis: A Musical Revolution is a new bio-musical exploring the extraordinary life of the award-winning cultural icon and rock ‘n roll superstar, Elvis Presley.
The Australian premiere will open at Sydney’s State Theatre from July 2023, before rocking into Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre from September 2023.
Led by award-winning producer David Venn, this brand-new production will explore pivotal moments in Elvis’ life from his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi through to his triumphant ‘68 Comeback Special. Featuring over 40 iconic Elvis Presley hit songs, audiences of all ages will have the chance to connect with the music of a generation that continues to have an undeniable cultural impact.
Songs include Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog, That’s All Right, All Shook Up, Suspicious Minds, Heartbreak Hotel, Burning Love, Blue Suede Shoes, Good Rockin’ Tonight, Can’t Help Falling In Love, Earth Angel, Don’t Be Cruel, Are You Lonesome, Blue Moon of Kentucky, See See Rider, A Little Less Conversation and more.
With an all-star Australian cast, dazzling choreography, and hit after hit, you simply can’t help falling in love!
Tickets on sale now - in total SIXTY FOUR performances have been booked.
Go HERE for tickets and more information.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

       

‘Las Vegas Summer Festival 1972’ MRS 4CD Set: The UK ‘Memphis Recording Service’ MRS label will release a 4CD Deluxe titled ‘Las Vegas Summer Festival 1972’ on 28th April 2023.
This 4CD set contains a varied selection of live performances drawn from Elvis’ seventh engagement in Las Vegas. The shows, recorded at the Hilton Hotel, took place during Elvis’ summer festival in the month of August 1972.
The four concerts are 11 August Dinner and Evening shows, plus 12 August Dinner and Evening shows. For the first time ever these performances are released in Stereo.   
Bonus rehearsal tracks, recorded days before the engagement began, are also included.  
The accompanying 40-page booklet includes rare photographs, memorabilia and liner notes help set the scene.
Key songs include My Way, Its Over, Until It’s Time For You To Go, American Trilogy, What Now My Love, Little Sister/ Get Back, Never Been To Spain, For The Good Times and A Big Hunk O' Love
.
EIN NOTE: These concerts have all been released by FTD on 'Summer Festival', 'What Now My Love' and '3000 South Paradise Road'.

EIN commented, "In Las Vegas Elvis performed his best at his Midnight Shows and his 1972 Summer Season was one of his greatest. Looking back there is little doubt that this would be the last Las Vegas season where Elvis would perform so many quality shows night after night for the entire season. Overall these performances showcase an energetic Elvis performing strongly for 1 hour and in great form, seem-ingly not yet bored by the ‘Casino’ crowd. With not much talk at all it is just strong performances with plenty of new selections, oldies and a couple of surprises along the way".

The soundboard recordings were great audio quality and so it is the MRS "Stereo mixes" that collectors will be buying this set for. As for the general public they will certainly be impressed by some truly energetic performances and interesting set-lists.

Go to 'All The CD News 2023' for full tracklists

(News, Source;MRS/EIN)


'Elvis 1973' New Footage: Recently discovered footage of Elvis arriving at Lambert Field in St. Louis to throngs of adoring fans on June 28, 1973.
Presley would play before a capacity crowd at the Kiel Auditorium later that night.
KSDK reporter Max Roby talked with some of the fans.

There's only 30 seconds of Elvis but some fabulous 1970's reactions from his fans

(News, Source;NBC/ElvisInfoNet)

 

'Elvis: From Louisiana and Memphis 1976' FTD In-depth Review: FTD continues their extensive look at Elvis' performances in 1976 with three July 1976 concerts. This is a FOUR CD 5” digi-pak, this set features three concerts, Shreveport Louisiana July 1, 1976, Baton Rouge, July 2, 1976 and Elvis' last home-town concert Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis July 5, 1976.
FTD have already released two soundboards from this June-July 1976 tour but both the Louisiana concerts have never been released from soundboard before.
By early 1976 Elvis’ set-list had become routine with few surprises along the way however this tour was one of the best for 1976 and for collectors the previously unreleased Shreveport July 1 1976 soundboard is a real bonus - and Elvis’ final show in Memphis should be in everyone’s collection.
Elvis soundboard super-collector Geoffrey McDonnell along with EIN's Piers Beagley check out this new FTD 1976 triple-concert pack to see whether we can learn anything new...
(FTD Reviews, Source;GM/ElvisInformationNetwork)


'The Airplanes & The King' In-depth review: The original spanish book 'Los Aviones Y El Rey' by Carlos Varrenti was republished as an expanded English version 'The Airplanes & The King' towards the end of 2022.
Not only that but it was expanded from its original 197 pages to an amazing 400 pages with a lot of unreleased material and stunning photos from the 'Elvis Files' vaults!
The English version was unfortunately delayed by supply issues due to the worldwide Covid pandemic - but has now been published as a High quality Hardback book.
As an Aeronautical engineer and Elvis fan, Varrenti is well qualified to write a book which details Elvis’ history with his aircraft and his link to aeronautics in general. With photos and stories from 1955 through to 1977 - and beyond - the book is also an interesting historical look at Elvis’ life "on tour" but this time with an delightfully original theme.

EIN's Nigel Patterson takes a very detailed look at this impressive publication and discovers a trove of delights...

(Book Reviews,  Source:ElvisInformationNetwork)


Lisa Marie / Austin Butler Interview: Here is a delightful and important reminder of what a kind soul Lisa Marie was and how important ELVIS was to her.
Looking in good form, Lisa Marie laughs and joked through the interview and her genuine friendship with Austin Butler is self-evident.
In the ABC interview Lisa Marie comments, "First watching the movie I was gripping my chair scared to death.. Baz Lurhmann is a wild card, I didn't know Austin yet, I didn't know what Baz was doing, I didn't know what I was in for."
"I feel so protective of Austin, I don't want anybody saying anything about him in a negative way"

EIN thanks Ed Gibbs for the word-up
(News, Source;EG/ElvisInfoNet)

 

'Elvis Presley, Burning Love: The RCA Rehearsals' Record Store Day VINYL:  RCA Legacy is gearing up for one of their biggest line-ups in years for Record Store Day (April 22, 2023).
'Elvis Presley, Burning Love: The RCA Rehearsals' is being released as a double 12” Vinyl
The publicity notes.. 'Burning Love: The RCA Rehearsals' compiles the best of the rehearsal recordings around Elvis’ April 1972 US tour, all taken from the new Elvis On Tour collection.
The 2LP set features rare and unreleased versions of “Burning Love”, “Heartbreak Hotel” and “For The Good Times” along with some of Elvis’ favorite cover songs, gospel songs and more.

For more information and to find a RSD store near you visit here.

 


(News, Source;RSD/EIN)

Side A
1. Burning Love - Take 3 *
2. For The Good Times - Take 5 *
3. Always On My Mind - Take 3
4. Separate Ways - Take 2
5. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Side B
1. See See Rider - Take 2
2. Proud Mary - Take 2
3. Never Been To Spain - Take 2
4. Until It’s Time For Me To Go
5. Polk Salad Annie
6. All Shook Up
7. Heartbreak Hotel

Side C
1. Help Me Make It Through The Night
2. Young And Beautiful
3. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
4. Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)
5. A Big Hunk O’Love - Take 2
6. Funny How Time Slips Away
7. Can’t Help Falling In Love

Side D
1. I, John
2. Bosom Of Abraham
3. You Better Run
4. Lead Me, Guide Me
5. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus /Nearer My God To Thee
6. How Great Thou Art *


'ELVIS: Opening Night 1972' MRS CD Review: Elvis’ first 1972 Las Vegas season ran from January 26th through February 23rd, 1972. Elvis was in great shape both physically and vocally, and he was once again serious about performing.
While a large number of fans think that Elvis started losing inspiration and impetus after the power-year of 1970, his rejuvenation of his first live performances in 1972 demonstrate another more positive aspect. Introducing the new songs 'You Gave Me A Mountain', ‘I'll Remember You’ , 'A Big Hunk O'Love' and the brilliant 'An American Trilogy' would enrich Elvis’ live shows for the rest of his career. So while Elvis collectors may have heard the bootleg recording multiple times before, you have never truly enjoyed this concert, or appreciated its importance, until this sessional MRS audio Remaster.
Elvis was in superb form and this set-list - along with the new MRS audio remaster - is truly sensational.
Check out EIN's detailed review here

(CD Reviews;ElvisInformationNetwork)


Feb 1 2023 Lisa Marie's 55th birthday: Having noted the anniversary of Lisa Marie's birthday throughout her successful career, this year comes as a sad remembrance.
Today would have been Lisa Marie's 55th birthday.
Priscilla Presley posted a loving message on this sad day...
“Today would have been Lisa’s 55th birthday. My wish is to protect my three grandchildren and keep our family together.
From the first moment I held Lisa in my arms, I’ve protected, loved and guided her, as I have my son.
Our hearts are broken, and I am having to learn to live without my only daughter.
We truly love all of you, and we feel your prayers.
Thank you so much for caring so deeply for our family.”

(News, Source;PP/ElvisInfoNet)



Read all about Lisa Marie Presley's world here - R.I.P.
Lisa Marie's death, Tabloid Media Beat-up: Once again the tabloids can't leave the Presley legacy alone, trying all they can for Click-Bait and revenue.
Already the tabloids, such as the Daily Mail, are suggesting Lisa Marie died from opioid use.
The usual "Unnamed Sources" (=made-up facts to fit their headlines) have told the tabloids that Lisa Marie was "Taking Opioids again on an Extreme Weight Loss Regime".
This may be vaguely true, but so what?
Fact - 2 million+ Americans abuse opioids and more than 90 Americans die every day from opioid overdose.
Fact - Around 45% of US women have used some kind of supplement for weight loss.
Fact - It would be the very same tabloids who shamed Lisa Marie into thinking she was fat. In 2014 the Daily Mail shamed her as becoming "fat like her dad" - only to be sued by Lisa Marie as she was in fact pregnant at the time!
With the high pressure on Lisa Marie to "look good" at the Golden Globes it is no surprise that she'd be dieting. The tabloids now state that she did "extreme cosmetic surgery and a 40-50lbs weight loss in 6 weeks"
Looking at photos of Lisa Marie looking fine back in September it's hard to imagine that she had put on 40lbs that needed shedding.
The tabloids need to stop spreading their fantasy click-bait and explain who their "Unnamed Sources" are.
- Poor Lisa Marie, Poor Elvis, Poor Presleys.
(News, Source;Tabloids/ElvisInfoNet)

Robert Van Beek Interview -author of 'Elvis: Prodigy of SUN': In this new book 'Elvis: Prodigy of SUN Records' hundreds of hours of research have revealed new facts and interesting anecdotes from Elvis' early life and career. From Old Saltillo Rd to the magic of SUN recording studios, the first Louisiana Hayride appearances and everything in between.  This book is filled with a string of never-before-seen photos dated from 1935 till 1955.
Many of Elvis' early childhood friends share their memories in these two books. It includes a collection of jaw-dropping photos and, of course, the near to complete story from Elvis' birth until his big break in 1955.
As the book hit the printers EIN wanted to know more about this massive project, questions include...
- What extra material does this new publication offer to collectors compared to 'A Boy From Tupelo' and 'Elvis Files Vol 1'?
- The book is described as a "day-by-day" travelogue, isn't that the same as Ernst's Tupelo volume?
- How many unseen photos will fans get to see in this huge book?
- What new material is featured in the 1955 volume of the book?
- How many copies were printed and is it selling out?

Author Robert Van Beek was kind to take time out of his heavy schedule to answer our questions and send us some preview pages.
EIN's Piers Beagley asked the questions..
(Interview, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)


2023 UK Tour - Elvis Presley + The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, tickets on sale this Friday: Elvis never toured the UK, in recent years the magic of technology has made that possible with a series of acclaimed shows.
Hot on the heels of this year's hit Elvis biopic comes a return of 'The Very Best of Elvis – In Concert, Live On Screen with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra'.
The unique concert experience is coming back to the UK in autumn 2023, taking in a number of arenas.

"The full-scale concert brings the King up close on screen alongside the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra live on stage performing the King of Rock and Roll’s most well-known 'rocking' songs and his tender, heart-wrenching ballads, with special guests to be announced in due course," said promoters.
'A show like no other, expect an overwhelmingly encapsulating and enthralling evening'
'These shows are a chance to both honour the legacy of an icon who has defined popular culture for over half a century, and for fans to see The King live, who never had the chance to before.'

The full Elvis with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra 2023 tour dates are as follows:
•    25 October – Glasgow OVO Hydro
•    26 October – Manchester AO Arena
•    27 October – Birmingham Resorts World Arena
•    28 October – Newcastle Utilita Arena
•    29 October – Leeds First Direct Arena
•    31 October – London The O2
•    1 November – Cardiff International Arena
Tickets available from Friday, Dec 2 from venues, or via ticketline.co.uk, bookingsdirect.com or ticketmaster.co.uk.
(News, Source:MayerNissim, smoothradio.com/EIN)

UPDATED - 'The Elvis RCA Camden Collection' EIN Spotlight: Most fans have had a love-hate relationship with Elvis' Camden collections. On one hand they are seen as an artistic misstep being released at a time when Elvis was back riding high on the charts saturating the market with a series of albums containing little-known songs. Yet on the other hand many younger fans used these budget collections as a way to enter the amazing world of Elvis’ vast back-catalogue.
The RCA Camdens featured the first release of an Elvis live recording19 previously unreleased tracks and 58 tracks previously unreleased on an album. That is quite impressive even if Col Parker only had his increased revenue as the main goal.

Now updated with Readers' Feedback - Read this fascinating article and tell us YOUR THOUGHTS about Elvis' Camden releases...
EIN contributor Neil Colombari reveals all...
(Spotlight; Source;Neil Colombari/ElvisInfoNet)


(Book Review) Elvis Live At The International 50th Anniversary Edition (Kieran Davis): In 2011, Kieran Davis released the highly praised book, Elvis Live At The International. In 2022, he has published an expanded 50th Anniversary edition…and what an expansion it is!
The latest edition dwarfs the original with 432 pages compared to 172 in the original release.
And the added 250+ pages of additional material is stunning, making the 50th Anniversary release one of the best Elvis books published in 2022.

As its title reflects, the book covers Elvis' appearances at the International Hotel in Las Vegas between 1969 and 1971 (it was renamed the Las Vegas Hilton in July 1971). The narrative element is significantly based around fan, Peggy Elzea’s copious diaries, and a bumper array of archival material. Peggy’s experience seeing Elvis in Las Vegas is one every fan will envy.
There is so much fascinating information and so many striking images in the book that it is hard to know where to start in describing it...

Read Nigel Patterson’s detailed 2,700 words review

 

(Book Review, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork)


'ELVIS' DVD, BluRay, 4K OUT Now: Baz Luhrmann's 'ELVIS' movie now released as DVD, BluRay and 4K Blu Ray, out September 13.
The BluRay review includes,, The 1080p transfer offers a very crisp and faithful representation of Elvis' specific appearance. Cinematographer Mandy Walker reportedly shot the entire film .. with custom "Elvis" lenses made from special glass. Meant to evoke the era in which it represents this formula genuinely produces an image evocative of a classic cinematic appearance. With the addition of artificial film grain, the illusion is even more convincing. Still, this is ultimately a purely digital image through and through, and one with a varied color palette that ranges from dark and muted to almost candy-colored in its overall intensity, especially in some of the specific background elements by costume and production designer Catherine Martin.
Bonus features include
- Bigger Than Life: The Story of Elvis (22:22) The challenges and joys of adapting Elvis' life for the big screen.
- Rock 'N Roll Royalty: The Music and Artists Behind ELVIS (7:33)
- Fit for a King: The Style of Elvis (8:02) - An overview of the iconic stage outfits and period clothing used in the film.
- Viva Australia: Recreating Iconic Locations for Elvis (7:26).
- "Trouble" Lyric Video (2:15).
- Musical Moments (19 clips, 46:19 total) All of the music segments.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet/Bluray.com)

USA >>>
     
UK >>>
     

(Book Review) Elvis The King of the Rings Volume 2 (Paul Bélard): The second volume of Paul Bélard’s two volume photo-journal record of Elvis’ love of rings has been released.
While on holiday, EIN’s Nigel Patterson spent a leisurely afternoon perusing the rich narrative detail and jaw dropping, visual splendor on offer....

... They say first impressions last! The cover image of Elvis’ famous TCB ring is truly striking and sets the tone for what is an impressive examination of another 100+ rings that Elvis owned during his lifetime.
This is more than a photo-book and while the mostly colour images dominate, the narrative component contains valuable and interesting information...


This is Nigel’s detailed review- including nine stunning images from the book
(Book Review, Source: ElvisInformationNetwork)

 

Interview with actor Adam Dunn / Bill Black in 'ELVIS': Elvis author-researcher, Paul Bélard, interviews actor Adam Dunn who plays Bill Black in Baz Luhrmann's movie 'Elvis'.
The interview is particularly of interest as Paul Bélard recently published the first detailed biography of super-bassist Bill Black.

In the interview Adam Dunn reveals..
- how he got the role,
- how he learnt to play double-bass Bill Black style,
- about meeting Tom Hanks and Austin Butler,
- working with Xavier Samuel and Terepai Richmond who played Scotty and D.J.
- the 'trouble' filming the Russwood Park riot

- and much much more...

Go here for this fascinating Adam Dunn interview - for EIN by Paul Belard..

(Interviews, Source:PB/ElvisInfoNet)


(Book Review) Destined To Fly: The Story of Pilot Ron Strauss – From Iowa to Elvis (Sally A. Hoedel): In 2020, Sally Hoedel published her first Elvis related book, the acclaimed Destined To Die Young. Ms Hoedel’s second book, the fascinating story of the pilot of Elvis’ Lisa Marie jet, Ron Strauss, is nearing publication (September 2022).

The book includes a fabulous Elvis-related story about Ron Strauss visiting his bank manager to obtain a home mortgage and the time Ron fell asleep in Elvis’ bed will bring a smile to the reader’s face. Other interesting accounts include Ron’s reaction to Elvis carrying a loaded gun on board (in a pressurized cabin), and many readers will appreciate reading how Ron felt about Linda Thompson and Ginger Alden.

EIN’s Nigel Patterson recently took flight with an advance copy. What Nigel found, not only added appreciably to his knowledge of a rarely written about aspect of the Elvis Presley story and provided greater insight as to who Elvis was as a person, but also offered a wonderfully rich and entertaining account of the life and times of the underappreciated, Ron Strauss.

Read Nigel’s full review

(Book Review: Source:ElvisInformationNetwork)


       

'Aloha From Hawaii' Deluxe FTD indepth Review: When seeking Elvis' key career highpoints, if one goes by the sales and the audience viewing numbers, there is only one answer. Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite. RCA’s double album of the show was released throughout the world in February 1973 and shot to the #1 spot in many countries including the U.S. It is certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA.
While in 2013 RCA/ Legacy released the '40th Anniversary edition' sadly the audio of the main concert left much to be desired.
In 2022 FTD released this upgraded 'Aloha From Hawaii' set with Matt Ross-Spang remixing the original broadcast - plus including the full after-concert 3am 'Insert Song' session in a 3-CD set. In 'large-size 8" format with 24 page booklet it is a stunning package.

However EIN has had numerous requests for a detailed review of this Aloha set as fans haven't been able to decide whether it is worth buying (for US$65) all over again.
To help, EIN's Piers Beagley provides an indepth review to see whether it is really worth buying one more time....
(FTD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)


(Interview) Alanna Nash talks to EIN: With the recent reissue of her best-selling book, 'The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley', renowned author, Alanna Nash, took time out of her busy schedule to discuss Elvis, the Colonel and other related issues with EIN’s Nigel Patterson, Elvis Day By Day’s Kees Mouwen, and prolific Elvis author, Paul Bélard.

In her candid interview, Alanna provides insightful commentary about the Colonel’s early years before coming to America, when he lost his way in promoting Elvis, the controversial source Byron Raphael, Lamar Fike’s finding about the rumor the Colonel was involved in the death of a woman in Holland, why Elvis didn’t take more control of his career, the new Baz Luhrmann 'ELVIS' biopic and much, much more...

Read Alanna’s fascinating interview

(Interview, Source:EIN/EDBD/PB)

 

ELVIS 'Austin Butler Pre-Production Test Footage': This is a sensational clip. Forget all those average Elvis Impersonators you might have seen, here Austin Butler truly inhabits Elvis character showing what he could do
at a pre-production jam.
As 'Depper' rightly comments, "Austin was a brilliant choice as there are millions of new young Elvis fans just based on the trailers alone. Many more will join us in the Elvis fanbase as soon as the movie drops. This movie successfully explains the contributions to music of Elvis Presley, to today's current generation. Elvis' legacy has been given a tremendous boost, and will help young people understand that he was a force of good for American music and humanity."
(News, Source;EIN)
 

'ELVIS' EIN movie review: Keith Richards said, "Elvis hit like a bombshell ... it was like the world went from black and white to Technicolor." While those words apply to Elvis Presley they could similarly apply to Baz Luhrmann's style of film direction. Compared to the regular Hollywood output Baz Luhrmann movies have a similar feel of busting out of jail and going from black-and-white to technicolour. They are loud, brash, super-colourful, fast-edited and exciting, they have their own language and style.
The full-bore soundtrack, the glowing colour, the revelation of Austin Butler's truly stunning performance and the real excitement of the fast editing really does make it feel that Luhrmann has grabbed Elvis' true spirit. The film not only tells Elvis’ life but has the genuine excitement of the real Elvis, something that I've never felt from any previous Elvis Bio-Pic.
The incredible fact is that while the movie includes so many snatches of real Elvis (Hy Garner interview, Lisa Marie, Al Dvorin etc) yet Austin Butler has one so enthralled in playing Elvis' character that you can hardly spot the difference.
However typical of a Luhrmann movie you can see why fans' overly detailed fact-checking needs to be left at the door - and knowledgeable Elvis fans should just enjoy the ride.
Go here for EIN Piers Beagley's exclusive and detailed review
(Review; Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'The Pot Luck Sessions' Deluxe FTD Review: Released back in December 2021, 'The Pot Luck Sessions' was the eighth in FTD’s “complete sessions” packages. An 8 inch deluxe 5-CD package featuring a 28-page booklet with an insightful essay, record and session data, memorabilia and rare photos. The set includes remastered complete RCA sessions from Elvis' June 25 and October 15 1961 and March 18-19 1962 recording sessions.
The set features a good number of previously unreleased outakes and EIN also uncovers plenty of Elvis studio discussions that had been previously edited out on earlier "Classic Album" releases such as Elvis saying, “Here we go already. How do like that arrangement, Red?” an important question to his friend Red West who had composed the song 'That’s Someone You Never Forget'.

With the complete Little Sister / His Latest Flame sessions this is the release collectors have been waiting forty years for!
Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley goes in-deep to discover the hidden delights for session collectors....
(FTD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)


(Book Review) 'Don't Be Cruel, Elvis: The Bill Black Story': It is easy to forget that, in the beginning, Elvis was only one part of a trio put together by Sam Phillips, which included Bill Black on bass and Scotty Moore on lead guitar.
The unique sound that emerged from their early sessions was the result of a close collaboration of like-minded musicians and an engineer who wanted to generate something as yet unheard.
Bill Black's contribution to Elvis’ success went beyond the bass playing. His antics on stage — twirling his bass, riding it as if it was a bronco to be tamed, trading corny jokes with Elvis — delighted the audiences. Scotty confirmed that, “If it hadn’t been for Bill, we would have bombed many times in the early days.”
Memphis Mansion’s Henrik Knudsen fortuitously befriended Bill Black's family and was entrusted with the family’s treasured scrapbook.
Using this key source, plus the investigative power of author Paul Belard, key rock'n'roll bassman Bill Black finally gets the biography he deserves with this impressive 260 page book.

Packed full of rare photos, great stories and interviews, EIN's Piers Beagley spent some quality time enjoying this very fine tribute to "Blackie" a great musician and a true character ... go here to find out more..
(Book Review, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)


"Elvis Back In Nashville" 8/10 Review: It's great to see the mainstream music press already giving truly positive reviews to the new "Elvis Back In Nashville" box-set that comes out next week.
UNCUT uk music magazine have already reviewed it noting....
"The King's final recordings in the country music capital"
Elvis Presley was more ambitious than his late career output might suggest.
During his 1971 sessions in Nashville, he cut tracks for his dream project: a folk-rock record featuring songs by Buffy Sainte-Marie, Kris Kristofferson and others. Sadly, it never saw the light of day, and tracks from those sessions were scattered across cookie-cutter collections throughout the'70s.
'Elvis Back In Nashville' collects those recordings in one place, showcasing his stylistic range (gospel, carols, standards... you name it) and offering a glimpse of what might have been.
Despite being sold as a nostalgia act, Elvis was absolutely devoted to whatever he song he was singing. He immersed himself in the story and invested each line with nuance and character, whether it's the casually funky "Put Your Hand In The Hand" or the delicate "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (recorded while he had the flu).
Box-Set rates 8/10.
Extras: 6/10. Archival photos and liner notes by David Cantwell.

You can also have a sneak preview of 30 seconds of every track via PlatoMania - CLICK HERE to listen

(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)


'Think Twice: Elvis in The Studio 1971': The forthcoming 'Back In Nashville' boxset is going to shine the spotlight on Elvis' 1971 sessions which have traditionally been ignored by the official label. In this fascinating and detailed article EIN contributor Shane Brown examines these all too easily dismissed Nashville sessions and discovers some real gems.
It’s very easy to look at the March, May and June 1971 recordings out of context. While the recordings are certainly not up to the standard of those from June 1970, it’s also true to say that Elvis was in a very different place personally by spring 1971.
In June 1970 Elvis was riding the crest of a wave with his recent successes but by January 1971 he was in the newspapers due to an ongoing paternity suit.
The Presley’s marriage was on the rocks and Elvis was having problems with his eyes.
However despite all of this there was something very interesting going on during the 1971 sessions.
Find out more as Shane Brown investigates these controversial 1971 Nashville Sessions....
(Spotlight; Source;ShaneBrown/EIN)

Don't miss out on one of EIN's most-viewed and controversial interviews of all-time - Mike Stone tells all.

EIN Interview with Mike Stone: Mike Stone has had a long and successful career in athletics, in the entertainment business, as an author, sports instructor, bodyguard and personal fitness trainer.
Mike Stone was also a key figure in the emotional roller-coaster that described Elvis and Priscilla Presley's lives in the seventies.
In this exclusive EIN interview Priscilla's ex-partner, karate champion and author talks about his amazing life, including...
- Meeting Elvis and Priscilla
- Hawaii, Elvis and Karate
- Being Phil Spector's bodyguard
- Sitting next to John Lennon recording
- Priscilla and karate
- Fans blaming him for Elvis' marriage split-up
- Elvis putting a "Hit" out on him
- Finding peace in the Philippines
- His new autobiography

EIN was delighted to be able to finally talk with the man and find out more. EIN's Piers Beagley asked the questions..

(Interviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)


UPDATED- The collapse of the Elvis Bootleg Empire: Has Ernst won the war?’: Back in 1999 Ernst Jorgensen and Roger Semon convinced BMG to let them start the FTD collectors label in order to counteract the Elvis bootleg companies which had been selling unreleased material to fans since the very first vinyl bootleg 'Please Release Me' was issued back in 1970.
Of all the bootleg labels that have come and gone the 'Madison' label was one of the very few that always produced high-quality releases and which happened to start at the same time as FTD. The designs were top-notch and with detailed sleeve notes they easily competed with the legal Elvis releases.
In 2021 ‘Madison’ have returned with the new bootleg ‘A Legendary Performer Volume 9’ but all is not what was promised. The Elvis bootleg vaults are empty and FTD appears to have won the game.
Go here as EIN’s Piers Beagley checks out the lack of new material and considers the bootleg era at an end...
And EIN wants YOUR SAY - Our article is now updated with YOUR FEEDBACK - and more...
(Spotlight; Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) 

Don't forget that EIN's Elvis Facebook page regularly features fabulous RARE newly discovered photos of Elvis. This month EIN celebrates our 45,000 members! - including several of Elvis' own friends and colleagues So Elvis fans don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs.

Now with over thousands of great photos, News and with more added every day – including YouTube footage.

Click here to Facebook - Elvis Information Network group.


Elvis "BACK ON DVD!": Paramount have re-released three classic Elvis movies this month on DVD.
'G.I. Blues'- BACK ON DVD! The year was 1960...
'Girls! Girls! Girls!' - BACK ON DVD! The year was 1962...
'Paradise, Hawaiian Style'- BACK ON DVD! The year was 1966...
From Paramount Pictures.- Release date: March 12, 2021. From Amazon for $14.99.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

. . . .

‘From Elvis in Nashville’ Box-set EIN In-Depth Review: A 4CD collection presenting the definitive chronicle of Elvis' 1970 marathon sessions with the "Nashville Cats".
Recorded live in RCA's Studio B over the course of an epic five day run in June 1970 now, for the first time, the sessions are presented in pristine audio, newly mixed by acclaimed engineer Matt Ross-Spang without the added overdubs appearing on earlier releases.
Elvis’ 1970 Nashville session was very different from the previous Memphis sessions or even Elvis’ later sessions. Nashville was a real mix of Elvis recording RCA supplied demos along with one-take spontaneous favourites Elvis threw into the mix.
As Elvis noted, "It don't take much to get these guys going, boy, I'll tell you…. Just give them a "well..." and they're gone. That's what I call 'Sittin' on ready".
EIN's Piers Beagley explores this new box-set to discover one of the best Elvis releases in years..
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

US CD box-set
US Vinyl
UK CD box-set
UK Vinyl
. . . .

‘TTWII 50th Anniversary Collectors Edition’ FTD Book Review: FTD's most expensive set ever published, David English and Pal Granlund bring the complete background story of 'Elvis: That's The Way It Is'. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the movie's 1970 release, this ultimate collector's edition includes two hardback books, eight cds with over 450 minutes of music, including newly discovered unreleased performances.
With access to 2,000 original negatives and 35mm slides, restored and repaired, many of which have never been seen before, the book also contains items from the MGM and RCA archives including paperwork, documents, memos and recording information.
Two books, 600 pages, plus all the MGM recorded rehearsals - including 70 tracks officially unreleased.
FTD's most expensive set but with the vast majority of the rehearsals already out on bootleg, can it really be worth the US$270 plus postage. Initially Sold Out and already into its first reprint what makes it so desirable?
EIN's Piers Beagley investigates and discovers plenty .. Go here to our 6000 word review including plenty of extracts and stunning images.
(FTD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)


Amazon Deals on ELVIS Blu-rays - Beware of excessive prices at some Elvis dealers.
. . . .

'ELVIS In The 2010s' A Personal Review of the Past Decade: Rather like Elvis’s own career, each decade since Elvis’s death appears to have had a theme or identity of its own. Clearly the late 1970s were difficult for RCA as they struggled to find the right direction with which to take their posthumous releases, and so it was the 1980s that was the decade when the company slowly but surely learned how to look back at Elvis's legacy and start to make some sense of it.
The 1990s were when that reached a peak, with the decades boxed sets, and the Elvis in the 90s series, thus bringing virtually the whole catalogue back into print in a coherent way.
The 2000s were when errors of judgement at retail level started to occur (despite huge successes like Elv1s), but also when FTD came into its own and flourished.
And so what will we make of Elvis releases of the 2010s when we look back on them from the future?
Go here for EIN contributor Shane Brown's personal take on the highs and lows of Elvis product that has come our way over the last decade....
(Spotlight, Source;ShaneBrown/ElvisInformationNetwork)

Elvis LIVE Aug 23, 1969 Album Review + Elvis Concert Review 1969: ... "The atmosphere throughout the entire hotel was nail-bitingly electric! It is difficult for me to describe and paint a true portrait of attending in person this unique occasion - Elvis' Return to Splendor LIVE in 1969 - but I'll try my best.  I want, and hope, you will understand the excitement of what has to be the pinnacle of Elvis' career to date!"
Joan Gansky was lucky because not only was she in the audience for Elvis' TV musical renaissance of the '68 NBC Special but she also saw Elvis at his most dynamic - first at his August 22nd 1969 Midnight Show and then the following night at his August 23rd Dinner Show.
Joan Gansky has written this insightful and emotional article for EIN in 2019, fifty years later, looking back at this special event from 1969 as well as providing her review of the new RCA vinyl album of the August 23rd Dinner Show.
One of EIN's most important articles we have ever published - Go here for Joan and Paul Gansky's incredible articles and exclusive photos
(Review/Spotlight, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'Elvis - Made In Germany’ In-Depth Review: The new MRS 'Elvis - Made In Germany – The Complete Private Recordings’ 4CD set contains more than 3 hours of the private recordings Elvis made while off duty in Germany when he was serving as a soldier in the US army during the 1958 -1960 period and, includes rare tracks from a recently discovered tape comprising over an hour of unheard personal recordings.
The 152-page hardback book contains rare photographs and documents plus a comprehensive text provided by Gordon Minto, which discusses each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1957-58, before focusing on the private recordings he made in Germany.
The BONUS CD features the essential RCA studio masters from 1957-58.With such an expansive book, along with hours of Elvis jamming with his friends in Germany, there is plenty to discuss as well as finding out what extra material this set contains over the official releases.
Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley provide an in-depth review of this new MRS release

(Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)



'What was Elvis searching for?' EIN Spotlight: The question is raised – but never answered – in the title of HBO’s recent absorbing, imperfect documentary 'Elvis Presley: The Searcher'.
At the start it seems clear what the teenage Elvis was searching for – an escape from the oblivion of poverty in the American South. Yet his quest was cultural as well as financial.
Later Elvis read obsessively, seeking out such books as The Impersonal Life, Joseph Brenner’s guide to self-discovery and Kahil Gibran’s book of fables, The Prophet. In his copy of Gibran’s tome, Elvis jotted down the line: “A singer can sing his songs but he must have an ear to receive the song”.
So what exactly was Elvis searching for? In this fascinating EIN Spotlight respected author Paul Simpson takes a close look at this all important question which, for some reason, was basically ignored in the recent HBO documentary..

(Spotlight, Source;PaulSimpson/ElvisInformationNetwork)



Mindi Miller Interview with EIN: Mindi Miller was a working actress when she met Elvis in early 1975. She was interested in karate (she performed all her own movie stunts), exploring spirituality and the Bible and so they had a lot in common.
Mindi Miller and Elvis bonded over their common interests and soon afterwards he asked her to go on tour with him in April 1975.
She stayed friends with Elvis through the years - along with members of the 'Memphis Mafia' - and attended his funeral.

EIN's Sanja Meegin recently caught up with Mindi Miller to talk about her close friendship with Elvis over the years.
In this fascinating interview she discusses. . .
- Her first night with Elvis
- How Elvis persuaded her to cancel her overseas movie & modelling plans
- Their mutual interest in Karate
- Graceland and meeting Lisa Marie
- Attending Elvis' funeral 
. . . and much much more...
Go here for EIN's Sanja Meegin and her intimate and detailed discussion with the delightful Mindi Miller - Now with Reader Feedback.

(Interviews, Source;SMeegin/ElvisInformationNetwork)


Official Elvis CD Box-sets at bargain prices through Amazon UK

'Marty Lacker: A Life Well-Lived' & Elvis at American Studio's Interview: It was with immense sadness that last month EIN had to report on the death of our great friend - and a true friend to Elvis - Marty Lacker. We will miss him dearly.
Marty is well-known as one of the key members of the Memphis Mafia and also co-Best Man at Elvis' wedding. He was known for both his honesty and being forthright with his opinions. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia who still watched and commented on recent Elvis News. He had no issue with holding people to account (especially ones who would inflate their importance within Elvis' legacy) and would regularly ask EIN to add his comments or to correct any inaccuracy.
Elvis fans often ask about Marty Lacker's background, how he came to meet Elvis, as well as his involvement in the music industry outside of working for The King.
As a prelude to Ken Sharp's fascinating interview with Marty Lacker and a discussion about Elvis' famous American Studio' Memphis sessions, EIN presents "Marty Lacker: a life well-lived" in which Marty tells of his life in the music industry, his friendship with Elvis along with his dislike of the over-controlling Col Parker.
Go here to learn all you need to know about Marty Lacker as well as Elvis outstanding Memphis American Sound sessions in 1969.
(Spotlight; Source,KenSharp/ElvisInformationNetwork)

'The World of FTD' In-Depth Review: The new deluxe book 'The World Of FTD' has been received by some lucky fans and Elvis collector Mike Lodge has provided EIN with a very detailed review - of well over 3 thousand words! The book was authored and designed by Keith Flynn with input from a large number of other Elvis specialists including EIN's Piers Beagley, EM&HM's Trevor Cajiao, Geoffrey McDonnell, Gordon Minto and many others.
It is 1,200 pages, hardbound three book set, chronicling every release by FTD.The book also features 100s of high-quality photos from the collection Erik Lorentzen
KJ Consulting are proud to publish this Box Set which weighs 8 kilos.

Unfortunately the book has not arrived in Australia yet so I have not seen the final product!
Go here to see his very detailed review - plus more new preview pages - EIN thanks Mike Lodge for the review
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)


UPDATED - Paul Dowling EIN Interview Part Three: Paul Dowling is without doubt one of the major names in the Elvis World. He started collecting and selling Elvis vinyl over 40 years ago and has one of the world's largest Elvis Presley record collections. He started his "WorldWide Elvis" shop back in the seventies, way before the internet, where fans could get hold of rare Elvis records and memorabilia.
With such a fascination with Elvis, Dowling not only became a big name in the early years of Elvis bootlegs but later became friends with Ernst Jorgensen and helped RCA with various official releases.
In the final part of our fascinating interview Paul Dowling discusses ....
- Dodging the FBI agents that were sent after him
- Unreleased Elvis material that still hasn’t come out
- Why does Ernst Jorgensen doubt this claims
- His BMG project 'For The First Time Ever' - what happened
- The true story of obtaining the Million Dollar Quartet tape
- His thoughts on Paul Lichter, Sean Saver, Sherif Hanna, Rex Martin
- Spending time with Alan Fortas
- Jim Curtin, newly added story 
Go here - Don’t Miss Part Three of our exclusive EIN interview - an essential read for Elvis collectors.
(Interviews; Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

.

'Ultimate Elvis' New Electronic Edition: Announced by Elvis sessions expert Keith Flynn for publication November 1 is the brand new concept of the 1750 page super-deluxe Elvis sessions book 'Ultimate Elvis' Electronic Edition.
This incredible three volume book will now be available as an e-book on an i-pad or android tablet.
- Created in HTML5
Fully updated e-books will open in any web browser on any operating system, so no need for separate downloads for different operating systems.
- Life-Like 'Flipping' Pages
Flip through pages as if you are reading an actual book, but also being able to zoom-in to view smaller images and captions.
- View as Double or Single pages
View as double pages on a computer or laptop etc, and single pages when viewing in portrait on an i-pad or Android tablet.
- Fully Navigational Table Of Contents
Jump back and forth to the sections of the books you want to read, instead of flipping through numerous pages to find what you want.
PRICED AT - all 3 Volumes for £60 = US$93
On sale from November 1st 2015.
Try Before You Buy - Download free zip-file containing 27 pages from Volume 1, before you decide to buy the complete set. - NOTE - These books are MASSIVE so you will need approximately 1GB of spare disc space for these three volumes, - Click HERE to Keith Flynn's 'Ultimate Elvis' Electronic Edition to try.
Go HERE to EIN's independent review of 'Ultimate Elvis'
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

Did Elvis Record 'Tiger Man' At Sun?: A question that has puzzled Elvis fans through the years is whether he actually recorded the song ‘Tiger Man’ during his years at SUN studios.
The basic question is why did Elvis refer to 'Tiger man' several times in concert as “The second song that I ever recorded, not too many people heard it”?
And if Elvis DID record it, then why hasn’t any reference to it at SUN or proof of its existence been found?
Elvis would first perform ‘Tiger Man’ in concert at his first 1969 Las Vegas International season and would continue playing it through the years – usually in a medley with Mystery Train - until his last performance at Saginaw on May 3 1977. He would sing it over 150 times on stage!
The thought that there might be an acetate or undiscovered tape of Elvis at SUN singing ‘Tiger Man’ is a mouth-watering concept - but is it an unlikely fantasy or strong possibility?
Go here to our detailed 'TIGER MAN' spotlight as EIN's Piers Beagley puts in the hard yards to check the facts from the fantasy .
(Spotlight; Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)

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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 is a not-for-profit Elvis Fan Club website posting daily news and informative articles for Elvis Presley's legion of fans.  
EIN tries to credit all news sources, as well as link to the original articles if excerpts are used.
If you believe we have used copyrighted material please contact us and we will remove it immediately.

EIN also has a local Australian national Elvis Fan Club for paid up members featuring quarterly newsletters along with free EIN members cds plus 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.


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