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Welcome to the "Elvis Information Network", home to the best news, reviews, interviews, Elvis photos & in-depth articles about the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley...
The latest on www.ElvisInfoNet.com:
| Monday 29 December 2014 - - - 2nd News Update - - - |
Elvis Birthday Celebration EPE Schedule Of Events: EPE has published their list of events planned in Memphis for Elvis' Birthday celebrations.
Priscilla is also quoted by Cover Media Group stating that both she and Lisa Marie will be in Memphis for the celebrations. "I will celebrate it with my daughter in Graceland. I sent Lisa Marie a message yesterday to say, 'Do you realise it would have been your father's 80th birthday in January?' My God where did the time go? It just doesn't seem that long ago."
These are the highlights.
Wednesday, January 7
Official Graceland Insiders Reception and Graceland Tour 6pm - 9pm.
For Graceland Insiders, includes a private evening tour of Graceland Mansion decorated for the holidays plus reception. Special guests to be announced.
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Thursday, January 8
- Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony 9:30am Graceland's North Lawn. Free admission. Birthday cake cutting and a proclamation of Elvis Presley Day by Memphis and Shelby County officials. Fans who are unable to attend can watch the ceremony live via Elvis Presley's Graceland LiveStream.
- Conversations on Elvis 1pm at Holiday Inn Memphis Airport Hotel and Conference Center. Karate champion Bill "Superfoot" Wallace friend of Elvis' and author Peter Guralnick plus other special guests.
- The Auction at Graceland 7pm. Graceland Archive Studio. All 68 of the genuine Elvis artifacts from third-party collectors on offer.
- Elvis Birthday Dance Party 8pm- 12am, Holiday Inn Memphis Airport Hotel.
Friday, January 9
- Fan Club Presidents’ Event 10am – 12pm. Special guest to be announced
- Double Feature Screening of Jailhouse Rock and Viva Las Vegas 7pm Orpheum Theatre, downtown Memphis. Celebrate Elvis’ birthday with a special double feature at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Memphis.
Saturday, January 10
- Hound Dog Tour: A Musical City Tour Celebrating Elvis by Backbeat Tours 1pm.
- Tribute to Elvis: Birthday Celebration 7:30pm Cannon Center downtown Memphis. Evening of music celebrating Elvis' birthday.
Go HERE to EPE for full details
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis Birthday Celebrations Guests Confirmed: Elvis' 80th birthday will be celebrated at Graceland with a host of Elvis fans and special guests, including Priscilla Presley (as EIN already noted above).
- Two of Elvis' studio musicians, David Briggs and Norbert Putnam, will help kick off the birthday celebration with the Official Graceland Insiders Reception on Wednesday, January 7.
Priscilla Presley will join fans on the north lawn of Graceland on January 8 with the Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony. Putnam and Briggs will speak at Conversations on Elvis, along with karate champ and Elvis' friend Bill "Superfoot" Wallace (photo right) and Elvis biographer Peter Guralnick.
Dixie Locke Emmons, who dated Elvis as his career was taking off, will speak at the Fan Club Presidents' Event on Friday, January 9, along with two of Elvis' childhood friends from Tupelo, Sam Bell and Guy Harris.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Priscilla Talks Elvis: Priscilla Presley in in England staring in the pantomime 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. She recently talked about Elvis and her life.
... "Elvis was a lovely, sensitive, authentic man. People think they know Elvis, but my regret is that over the years his memory has sometimes been reduced to a caricature. The real Elvis was a man of great depth, who really thought about things. He was very spiritual and he loved his family. He was the lavish showman too... but when he was at home he liked simple things like reading and listening to gospel music.
Nothing compares to falling in love with someone like Elvis, but life at Graceland wasn’t quite as glamorous as people think. Elvis lived by night and wanted me with him all the time. Some people might have been happy to live that kind of life, but I was young. I wanted to get a job – I wanted to act. That wasn’t allowed.
Elvis had the same attitude that a lot of men had back then – a woman’s place was in the home. After we divorced, I was in a daze.
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My first concern was to make sure our daughter Lisa Marie was OK. But as time went on, I wondered what I was going to do with my life.
I’d been on set for some of Elvis’ movies and acting had always appealed to me, but the thought of standing up in front of a room full of people scared the hell out of me.
In the late 70s I started acting classes, but I couldn’t get on stage because I was terrified of making a fool of myself. After six months, the instructor made me stand up in front of the class and said, ‘I want you to sing and dance and whistle. I want you to be a tree and a rock’. And it wasn’t so bad. I knew I was never going to be a great actress, but I’d finally beaten that fear. I got a few jobs and in the early 80s, I was asked to join the cast of Dallas as Jenna Wade. Suddenly I was a real actor.
I stayed with the show for five years and was wondering where life was going to take me I was offered a part in a film called The Naked Gun.
The first time I met Leslie Nielsen, I walked into a room full of actors, writers and film crew. Leslie could tell I was nervous but he smiled and said, ‘Priscilla, come and sit next to me.’ I thought, ‘What a gentleman.’ Little did I know what was coming next – he’d put a whoopee cushion under my chair!
There was this huge ripping sound and I cracked up laughing, Leslie had tears streaming down his face and the whole room dissolved into hysterics.
So maybe the craziness of living with Elvis had prepared me for the craziness of a movie like The Naked Gun."
Priscilla appears as The Wicked Witch in 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' at the Opera House in Manchester.
(News, Source/DailyMail/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Two New JAT Books in 2015: JAT have announced two new books for March 2015.
'The Definitive Vinyl Artwork of Elvis Presley 1956-1977' will be an Elvis keepsake forever. This will be the perfect companion piece to the elaborate "Elvis Sessions IV The Recorded Music of Elvis Aron Presley 1954-1977."
The "Vinyl Artwork" book will contain most of the original photography for the albums, singles and extended plays released in Elvis Presley's lifetime. Many of the photos will be the full gorgeous images as they were originally photographed with many never before seen in their entirety. Many of these photos are considered to be some of the greatest photography on Elvis Presley.
Pictured with each image will be the original release it was used for. However, the book goes far beyond that, as it also covers the alternate artwork, letters and documents, some of the original artboards and layouts that were worked on, and details examining the photographer, date, and place where they were photographed. Lastly, it will also investigate the changes and corrections such as the use of reversed photographs and the use of photos that were altered on the original art.
In essence, "The Definitive Vinyl Artwork of Elvis Presley 1956-1977" will not just be a photo journal, but rather a historical record on how this artwork |
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was created. The book surely will be a work of art featuring the greatest artist of all time.
You can pre-order for US$195
EIN notes that surely this same material has been recently published in the 'Ultimate Elvis' sessions book.
'From St. Paul To Fort Wayne' will be a photo journal covering Elvis' appearances in St. Paul, Minnesota in October, 1974 and his appearance in Fort Wayne, Indiana on October 25, 1976. There will be roughly 120 unpublished photos in this title.
Retail $79.95 Plus $35 postage
Go HERE to the JAT site to Pre-Order
(News, Source;JAT/ElvisInfoNet)
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Volo museum Unveils Rare Elvis Cadillac DeVille: It's no secret that Elvis Presley had a thing for big, beautiful Cadillacs. While many have been traced, one example managed to stay off the grid after Presley's ownership.
This 1974 Cadillac DeVille only surfaced recently and was unveiled at the Volo Auto Museum, Volo, Illinois. It was purchased by the museum from a seller in Ohio.
Presley purchased the car new on Sept. 26, 1974, at Madison Cadillac in his hometown of Memphis. The sedan had been converted into a station wagon here in Chicago by Moloney Coachbuilders.
The GM battleship-sized behemoth cost almost $16,500. Underhood is a 472-cubic-inch V-8 engine with enough gusto to move the 5,000-plus pound cruiser.
It wasn't the only vehicle Presley purchased that September day; he bought four other cars and gave them
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away. The lucky recipients included his uncle Vester Presley and musician Sonny West. Presley never bought cars for the long haul and this white and pink DeVille was later sold in July 1975 to a dealer in Birmingham, Alabama.
Presley's Cadillac had accumulated just over 5,000 miles on the odometer. It bounced was eventually sold in November 1977 just three months after the King's death. The new buyer paid $50,000 for it. From there, it stayed out of the limelight and seldom driven.
Records indicate that during the 1990s some light rust was addressed and the car was repainted, but otherwise it remains in original condition. The car's odometer shows it's been driven a mere 8,000 miles.
"Most of Elvis' cars have been out there, on tour, this one has been basically unseen, unknown for nearly 40 years."
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
| The Great Debate: Pat Patriot or Flying Elvis?: As the New England Patriots get ready for the 2014 NFL season, fans will be sporting their favorite Pats gear that will feature either the team’s former Pat Patriot logo or the more contemporary flying Elvis.
The Pats have worn their throwback uniforms for some games at Gillette Stadium, but tend to wear their current uniforms for a majority of their games. Fans are able to purchase plenty of team jerseys, sweatshirts and T-shirts, hats and other items that feature both logos, but which one is their favorite?
I must profess that I grew up watching the team when it proudly sported the original Pat Patriot logo and those red jerseys. I actually attended my first Patriots game in the old Foxboro Stadium back in 1976 against the Denver Broncos when the stars of the day were Steve Grogan, Mike Haynes, Russ Francis and Sam Bam Cunningham.
It’s true that the Patriots never won a Super Bowl title until they switched over to the current flying Elvis logo and they they won three championships and nearly won an additional two titles. But there are still many Patriots fans who wish the team stayed with their original logo, which is one of the reasons why the Patriots occasionally go with their retro look. (News, Source: AJ/Bob Cook, wblm.com)
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Latest Billboard Album Charts: 'It's Christmas Time' drops from 53 to 64 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart
for w/e 3rd January, 2015; remains at 6 on the Catalog Album Chart; rises from
12 to 11 on the Holiday Album Chart and drops from 49 to 58 on the Top Album
Sales Chart.
- 'Merry Christmas, Love Elvis' drops from 132 to 154 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart; drops from 21 to 22 on the Catalog Album Chart; rises from 27 to 24 on the Holiday Album Chart and drops from 5 to 6 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
- 'The Classic Christmas Album' drops from 105 to 126 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart; drops from 12 to 19 on the Catalog Album Chart and drops from 3 to 5 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
- 'Heart And Soul' up from 17 to 14 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
- 'Blue Christmas' remains at 22 both on the Holiday 100 Chart and the Holiday Airplay Chart but drops 24 to 25 on the Holiday Digital Songs.
- 'Here Comes Santa Claus' remains at 83 on the Holiday 100 Chart.
- 'He Touched Me' - The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley (Vols. 1 and 2) drops from 7 to 11 on the Music Video Sales Chart.
- Elvis drops from 58 to 64 on the Artist 100 Chart.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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| Thursday 25 December 2014 - MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY! |
Everyone at EIN wishes all of our readers a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Santa Claus Is Back in Town
(Jerry Leiber/ Mike Stoller)
Well, it's Christmas time pretty baby
And the snow is falling on the ground
Well, it's Christmas time pretty baby
And the snow is falling down
Well you be a real good little girl
Santa Claus is back in town
Got no sleigh with reindeer
No sack on my back
You're gonna see me comin' in a big black caddilac
Oh, it's Christmas time pretty baby
And the snow is falling on the ground
Well you be a real good little baby
Santa Claus is back in town
Merry Christmas everybody & all the best for your Festive Season!
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Merry Christmas from Erik Lorentzen: Elvis Files producer Erik Lorentzen has posted,, "Dear Friends... I hope everyone of you will have a great Christmas holiday with your friends and families. Also all the best for the next year to come and as always let's TCE!"
One of his best Christmas presents (and mine too) must be the excellent comments and reviews from fans worldwide about the 'Ultimate Elvis' deluxe set.
Elvis Matters have announced they have already Sold Out of their stock.
But fans do not fear, you can still get some remaining books straight from Erik at the Elvis Files. (Click Here)
(News, Source,EL/ElvisInfoNet)
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EIN's Rare Elvis Photos Facebook page now with 12,500 members - including several of Elvis' own friends and colleagues So Elvis fans don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs - from EIN's V-P Sanja Meegin.
Now with over thousands of great photos and with more added every day – including YouTube footage.
Click here to access our Facebook - Elvis Information Network group.
You need to be a Facebook Member. |
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Australian Elvis Parkes Festival: The countdown is on! It's only 12 more sleeps until the start of the 2015 Parkes Elvis Festival, so get those jumpsuits glitzy, boost up that bouffant and shine those sunglasses - it's time to throw a party fit for the King.
Don't miss your chance to be among the first in the world to celebrate Elvis Presley's 80th birthday on Thursday 8 January. Parkes Elvis Festival is planning a special day jam-packed with party events, from Miss Priscilla to a special outdoor screening of 'Roustabout' in Cooke Park.
It’s been 37 years since Elvis Presley left the building, yet an expected 18,000-plus Elvis fans will gather in the Central NSW town of Parkes, doubling the population, to celebrate the King’s 80th birthday in January.
Record crowds are expected for the 23rd anniversary of the Parkes Elvis Festival, which will take place from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 January 2015. The theme of the 2015 Festival is ‘Roustabout’.
Every year more Elvis fans gather in this tiny Australian country town to celebrate Elvis' birthday than in Memphis!
It is apparent that Parkes Elvis Festival is something on everyone’s bucket list, and why wouldn’t it be when people of all ages can don a wig and glasses to relive the rock’n’roll heyday that took the world by storm. The Festival features a jam-packed five-day program of events including four days of free Cooke Park Main Stage entertainment, Tribute to Elvis competitions, the main Street Parade, displays of Elvis artefacts at Greg Page’s The Kings Castle Elvis Exhibit, the Elvis Gospel Service, and over 100 other unique Elvis-themed events.
Check out the Festival website and program here.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Wednesday 24 December 2014 - Only ONE more sleep until . ...
..... It's Christmas Time Pretty Baby ...
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'Elvis' Christmas Album' - Best Selling Christmas Album of All-Time: Just a happy reminder for this holiday period, according to the certifications of the Recording Industry of America, Elvis' Christmas Album, recorded by Elvis Presley has shipped at least 13 million copies since its original release in 1957. That makes it the biggest-selling Christmas album of all time. The album has been re-issued and repackaged several times, and continues to be a perennial holiday best-seller.
It sold three million copies upon its original release in 1957 and has sold an additional ten million copies in the various forms it has been reissued in. It hit the number one spot on the Billboard charts in 1957 and remained there for four weeks. Released on October 15, 1957, it would be the first of two Christmas albums released by "The King." The second, Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas, wasn't released until the early 1970s.
Christmas was always Elvis' favorite holiday. The annual display of blue lights decorating Elvis' home Graceland was, and still is, a legendary Mecca for tourists and locals to behold. Nothing gave Elvis greater joy
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than giving out Christmas gifts to family and friends. So the Christmas album idea seemed a natural for Elvis.
Interestingly, the biggest controversy regarding the album came from one of America's most beloved composers. On the album, Elvis did a cover version of Irving Berlin's classic "White Christmas." At the time, "White Christmas" was the biggest-selling record of all time.
After hearing Elvis sing his song, Irving Berlin called for the song, and the entire album, to be banned from radio airplay. He considered Elvis' "White Christmas" to be a "profane parody of his cherished Yuletide standard." He ordered his staff in New York to telephone radio stations across the U.S. and demand the song be removed from airplay. Many U.S. stations ignored Berlin's threats, but at least one American disc jockey was, indeed, fired for daring to play a song from the album. Canadian stations refused to play the album.
Ironically, Elvis actually had based his "White Christmas" version on the song as recorded by African-American Clyde McPhatter and his group The Drifters. McPhatter and The Drifters had released their own version of "White Christmas" a few years earlier, but it had caused no controversy whatsoever. This was mainly because the record was only played on black radio stations. The Drifters' "White Christmas" was not to be heard on mainstream radio stations for a couple of decades, although it had been a hit on the R&B singles chart in 1954 and '55.
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We look back now, and listen, to this 1957 version of Elvis Presley. Who could ever imagine the life he would lead in the next twenty years? This slim, fresh-looking, swivel-hipped maverick who delighted the kids and scared the pants off their parents was in the early stages of, quite possibly, the single most successful career in the history of music and all of show business.
Good old Elvis. I always loved the guy. Wherever he is, I hope he has a Merry Christmas this year. It would be great if these people who bring so much pleasure to so many people derived as much pleasure from life themselves.... - Eddie Deezen.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Chip Young Passed Away: Another "Nashville Great" the renowned session guitarist and producer Chip Young passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2014 aged 76.
For over four decades, Chip Young lent his distinctive thumb-style picking to timeless country recordings, including Elvis Presley’s “Guitar Man”, Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” and Charley Pride’s “Kiss an Angel Good Morning.” As a producer, he helmed recordings by acts such as Delbert McClinton, Jerry Reed, Gary Stewart (“Your Place or Mine”), and Billy Swan (“I Can Help”). More recently, Young played on recordings by My Morning Jacket, Todd Snider and Candi Staton.
Born Jerry Marvin Stembridge in 1938, the Atlanta native began his professional career playing with guitar legend Jerry Reed and singer-songwriter Joe South during the late 1950s. Young toured with South and eventually signed with Lowery Music, where he began writing songs, engineering recordings and publishing demos. He joined the Army in 1961, and
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after his discharge in 1963 Young moved to Nashville to become a touring guitarist behind Reed.
Chip Young soon became an in-demand studio guitarist in Nashville, and went on to back Ann-Margret, Eddy Arnold, Skeeter Davis, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Willie Nelson,Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, among many others. Young was also a regular member of Presley’s studio band between 1965 until 1976 and the final 'Jungle Room' sessions.
In the photo Chip Young is front row second left. The photo is from the 1970 "Nashville Marathon" which produced such hits as 'I've Lost You' and 'I'm Leavin'' and you can hear Chip Young's guitar jamming with Elvis on 'Got My Mojo Working'.
In 1968, Young bought a farm in nearby Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and opened his own studio, Young ’Un Sound. He produced recordings by country artists Reed, Swan and Delbert McClinton, as well as artists on the popular charts including Jimmy Buffett and Johnny Mathis. Young opened a Nashville studio in 1978, where he recorded Joe Ely, Larry Gatlin,Tom T. Hall, Reba McEntire, Johnny Rodriguez and the Statler Brothers.
In 2000, Young released Having Thumb Fun with My Friends, an album of guitar duets with other studio legends, including Chet Atkins, Grady Martin and Scotty Moore. Young was inducted into the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame in 2009.
(News, Source;AP/ElvisInfoNet) |
Latest Billboard Album Charts: 'It's Christmas Time' drops from 52 to 53 on the Billboard Top 200 Album
Chart for w/e 27th December, 2014; remains 6 on the Catalog Album
Chart; drops from 10 to 12 on the Holiday Album Chart and drops from 43
to 49 on the Top Album Sales Chart.
- 'Merry Christmas, Love Elvis' drops from 112 to 132 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart; drops 17 to 21 on the Catalog Album Chart; drops from 23 to 27 on the Holiday Album Chart; drops from 80 to 98 on the Top Album Sales Chart and from 4 to 5 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
- 'The Classic Christmas Album' rises from 118 to 105 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart; rises from 20 to 12 on the Catalog Album Chart; rises from 88 to 80 on the Top Album Sales Chart and rises from 6 to 3 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
- 'Heart And Soul' rises 19 to 17 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
- 'Blue Christmas' rises from 23 to 22 on the Holiday 100 Chart; rises from 24 to 22 on the Holiday Airplay Chart and rises from 31 to 24 on the Holiday Digital Songs Chart.
- 'Here Comes Santa Claus' rises from 89 to 83 on the Holiday 100 Chart.
- 'He Touched Me' - The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley (Vols. 1 and 2) drops from 4 to 7 on the Music Video Sales Chart.
- Elvis drops from 53 to 58 on the Artist 100 Chart.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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"We should have let Elvis win the War on Drugs": Former (Republican) legislative aide Ken Braun offers an interesting perspective on Elvis' meeting with President Richard Nixon and what might have been:
Sunday, December 21, is the 44th anniversary of an iconic episode in the U.S. government’s endless War on Drugs. On that day in 1970, Special Assistant Elvis Aaron Presley of the U.S. Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (precursor to the DEA), personally received his badge and I.D. from President Nixon.
Elvis tragically spent much of the last half of his adult life with a swarm of hard, mood and mind altering chemicals coursing through his system. He died of the toxic brew at age 42, seven and a half years after Nixon awarded him his narcotics cop badge.
A Smithsonian Magazine article about the incident demonstrates Elvis was perversely well credentialed to join the federal law enforcement agency tasked with keeping narcotics away from everyone but himself. It seems several police agencies had granted badges to the King of Rock and Roll, he found them useful, and wanted one that would really get him where he needed to go.
“The narc badge represented some kind of ultimate power to him,” said former wife Priscilla Presley, quoted from her memoir by Smithsonian. “With the federal narcotics badge, he [believed he] could legally enter any country both wearing guns and carrying any drugs he wished.”
Days earlier, he went on a manic Christmas shopping spree and returned with 32 handguns and nearly a dozen Mercedes-Benzes. Catching grief from Priscilla and his father over this, he set out on a spontaneous two day travel binge on commercial flights, eventually landing in D.C. looking for Nixon.
“I will be here for as long as it takes to get the credentials of a federal agent,” he scrawled on the American Airlines stationary while in flight to Washington, dropping it off at the White House as soon as he landed.
It worked. Hours later, looking like a Miami Vice villain in his purple velvet suit with massive gold belt buckle, Elvis arrived outside the Presidential mansion with a Colt 45 pistol mounted in a display case - a gift for Nixon. The Secret Service took away the weapon and escorted the aspiring drug warrior in to see the President and get his badge. (As noted, Elvis travelled with his collection of other police badges and showed them off to Nixon.)
Presley stressed he was on the side of Nixon in the fight against "the drug culture," and the "hippie elements."
Nixon’s “side” was spelled out six months later in a special message to Congress in which he analogized the fight against drug use to previous wars America had fought and won, and introduced his plan to ramp up the battle. Swiftly thereafter, the media tagged it the ‘War on Drugs,’ a term and conflict that exists to this day.
Much as with alcohol prohibition, this was a lost cause from the start, benefitting only the gangsters. But this time we’ve kept the failure going for more than 40 costly years. The American Civil Liberties Union notes the pricey U.S. prison population skyrocketed after 1970, shooting up 700 percent. With 5 percent of the planet’s population we ended up with 25 percent of its inmates.
A Harvard study projects the cost of not legalizing and taxing these other drugs like we do alcohol is $41 billion per year. Kept up for another 25 years, that’s an extra $1 trillion of debt to pass on to the kids.
Yet the dwindling number of supporters of this lost war claim we’ve just not done enough. Sure, one wonders what might have been if the politicians had just gotten out of the way and let Elvis win.
Ken Braun was a legislative aide for a Republican lawmaker in the Michigan House and worked for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. He has assisted in a start-up effort to encourage employers to provide economic education to employees, and is currently the director of policy for InformationStation.org. His employer is not responsible for what he says here, on Facebook, or Twitter ... or in Spartan Stadium on game days. (News, Source: mlive.com)
Watch CBS Sunday Morning recent When Elvis Met Nixon (Almanac) segment
Coming to EIN in the next fortnight: |
Elvis Presley: A Southern Life
(Book Review)
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The world knows Elvis Presley....but they don't know me (Book Review) |
King of the Hilton
(Book Review)
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Millie Kirkham claimed Elvis didn't want to record Blue Christmas: Today's Morning Edition music is from Elvis Presley with his holiday classic "Blue Christmas."
We learned this week that Millie Kirkham, who sang the "woo we woo" background vocal part on the song, died this week. She was 91 years old.
Kirkham talked about that 1957 recording session during an interview with Bill Lloyd at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. She said Elvis did not want to record "Blue Christmas." (News, Source: mprnews.org) |
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Elvis at 80 (London, England event): Thursday 8 January 2015 marks 80 years since the birth of Elvis Presley. The evening will begin with an hour-long talk by Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission. Following a short break, the glorious Viva Las Vegas will be screened.
In his stellar 22-year career, Elvis Presley was regarded as the most popular singer the world had ever seen, but 37 years after his death, it is easy to forget the importance of his many movies on his incredible career.
As Elvis stopped touring between 1958 and 1970, his films were the only way for his immense worldwide fan base to see and hear their hero in action.
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His films were incredibly popular and included the very songs that went on to become classics of his repertoire. Illustrated with clips from the King's best flicks, Adrian Wootton will recount the history of Elvis's extensive career on the silver screen from 1956 to 1973.
+ Viva Las Vegas (U) (US 1964 Dir George Sidney 85 min)
Racing driver Lucky Jackson (Elvis Presley) takes a job at a Las Vegas hotel and meets his match in the assertive Rusty Martin (Ann-Margret). Sizzling chemistry ensues as they tease each other and fall in love. (News, Source: MusicNews.com)
Saturday 20 December 2014 |
(Book Review) The Elvis Films: Jon Abbott has written extensively on popular culture topics for more than 30 years. This includes more than 400 articles and features for major publications and two years providing an annual report on the U.S. TV season for the trade journal, Television Weekly. His latest book is The Elvis Films.
EIN's Nigel Patterson recently warmed up the popcorn and uncapped an icy cold Coke as he sat down to take a leisurely, retrospective trip through Elvis' movie catalog.
What he found was a thoughtful analysis with juicy pop culture diversions, albeit one with a discomforting perspective on the final phase of Elvis' film career!
Read Nigel's detailed review |
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The items up for bid include Elvis Presley’s first recording acetate from 1953 (see next story), as well as his first driver’s license and a “Louisiana Hayride” contract signed by Elvis and his parents.
There are 66 Elvis item lots listed on Invaluable’s website, including: a pair of Neo Nautic SUNGLASSES made for one of his concerts at Madison Square Garden, estimated at $12,000 to $15,000; his army first aid kit, expected to bring in $4,500 to $5,500; and an Elvis tour jacket from 1975, estimated at $3,500 to $4,500. (News, Source: Marty Lacker/Sara K. Clarke, Commercial Appeal)
My Happiness acetate (the most important 78 rpm record ever offered for sale) expected to sell for up to $100,000!: At an auction to be held in January 2015, an acetate is on sale for between $75,000-$100,000 recorded by Elvis in 1953, possibly as a gift for his mother Gladys.
Presley recorded the tracks 'My Happiness' and 'That's When Your Heartaches' begin in Sam Philllips Memphis Recording Service.
When asked by Phillips assistant Marion Keisker on who he sounded like, Elvis responded, “I don’t sound like nobody.”
Also included in the sale in January is a 78 RPM of 'That's All Right' the first Elvis song recorded at Sun Studios. Estimated to go for between $10-15,000, it is also possibly the first record Elvis ever signed.
Other items in the auction include a signed copy of Elvis' first Sun Record, his army first aid kit, prescription sunglasses and assorted police items (blue flashing light, sherrifs badges owned by Elvis). |
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The auction will take place at Graceland in Memphis on 8 January, which would have been Presley's 80th birthday. A huge exhibition of Elvis Presley memorabilia, the largest ever staged in Europe is currently on display at London's The O2 Arena until 31 August 2015. (News, Source: gigwise.com)
See the full listing at: invaluable.com
Elvis Lives in Graceland Bonds......Due 67 Years After King’s Death: Every year, 600,000 people pay as much as $74 to tour Elvis Presley’s Memphis mansion, gaping at animal skulls and stained-glass peacocks, lime-green shag carpet on the Jungle Room’s floor and lime-green shag carpet on its ceiling.
Now a development authority plans to sell as much as $125 million in bonds in January to finance improvements at Graceland. They’re counting on the curious to keep streaming to the privately owned estate for decades, generating sales, property and special tourism taxes to pay the debt over as long as 30 years.
A 450-room hotel and conference center, restaurants, a theater, and as much as seven acres (2.8 hectares) of retail and exhibit space are envisioned. The improvements will “preserve the incomparable legacy of Elvis Presley, The Icon and The Man,” say documents detailing the plan.
“We want to solidify the Elvis brand, give it a new sheen and polish,” said Reid Dulberger, chief executive of the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County, which will issue the bonds in a private placement.
The facilities “were old and tired,” he said. “Our concern was that we wouldn’t continue to see the kind of return visits that we see year after year from the faithful.”
Good Rockin’: Memphis, on the bluffs of the Mississippi River, has a population of 653,450, of whom 63 percent are black and 27 percent live below the poverty line. It has lost 35,700 jobs since the recession, according a report from the Greater Memphis Chamber. An improved Graceland would have a $1 billion impact on Memphis’ economy over the next 15 years, according to documents distributed by backers.
Success depends on the staying power of a legend.
Presley was born in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, and got his first guitar at age 11. Two years later, the family moved to Memphis, home of Beale Street, where a signature blues sound prevailed. Presley recorded his first songs at what would become Sun Studio.
His blend of rock, blues and gospel, his looks and his swivel-hipped dances drove teenage girls to frenzy -- “a rancid-smelling aphrodisiac” was Frank Sinatra’s description. He became the King of Rock ’n’ Roll and a movie star. Composer Leonard Bernstein called him “the greatest cultural force in the 20th century.”
Elvis' Uncle Travis with fans at the famous Graceland Gates in 1957
Burning Love: As the years passed, a penchant for prescription drugs and fried peanut-butter-and-banana sandwiches undermined his health and bloated his body. He took to the stage in sequined jump suits and jewelry, striking karate-inspired poses.
Presley bought Graceland in 1957, and decorated it with gaudy verve. The Jungle Room includes monkey statues, a stone wall with ivy and a mammoth coffee table of petrified wood. The pleated fabric ceiling of the billiards room drapes above the game table like an upside-down sofa pillow. Television screens line the media room.
Presley died in a Graceland bathroom at 42 in 1977 and is buried next to his parents near the swimming pool.
His daughter, Lisa Marie, owns the estate and more than 1 million artifacts, including Cadillacs, costumes, guitars and a 41-carat ruby and diamond ring. The mansion opened to the public in 1982, becoming the city’s biggest attraction.
Loving You : It sits on Elvis Presley Boulevard behind a gated wall covered with the scrawled messages to Elvis. Dollar stores, payday lenders, fast-food chains and used-car lots line the road, where vendors sell T-shirts, nuts, wheelchairs and walkers.
Graceland is the third-most-visited home in the U.S., after the White House and the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina, according to Elvis Presley Enterprises, which manages the attraction. Twenty-two percent of visitors are from other countries, with Canada and the U.K. in the lead. The Elvis Week waiting list at Graceland’s 128-room Heartbreak Hotel is 100 years long. Paying off the new project’s debt will require sustained interest in Presley, said Tom McBride, a professor at Beloit College in Wisconsin who co-authors the “Mindset List,” an enumeration of cultural phenomena familiar to the young. A 15-year-old in 1956, when “Heartbreak Hotel” went to No. 1, would be 73 today.
Ask Me - “The boomers remember what it meant to have Elvis come on the scene, the revolutionary effect that it had,” he said. The young “have a vague sense of him as a rock ’n’ roll icon. They might go to Graceland ironically, or maybe out of a sense of curiosity.”
Expansion plans, including a conference-capable hotel, have been discussed for years, said Jack Soden, chief executive of Elvis Presley Enterprises. The idea got traction last year after a partnership led by Joel Weinshanker, founder of National Entertainment Collectibles Association of Hillside, New Jersey, acquired the company.
“Elvis is a huge growth area,” Weinshanker told Bloomberg Television in August.
Documents distributed by the development authority say revenue bonds with a term of 30 years will be sold to finance the expansion. James McLaren, an attorney for the project, said the initial debt will be for a shorter term and then refinanced.
Suspicious Minds - Memphis and Shelby County agreed this month to allow half of the new property taxes and all new sales-tax revenue generated by the improvements to go toward the bonds for 20 years. A special sales-tax surcharge will also be charged inside the Graceland zone, raising the levy there to 14 percent from 9 percent.
Memphis, Shelby County and the development authority aren’t responsible for the debt if revenue flags.
Gene Gard, a portfolio manager with Dupree & Co. Inc. in Lexington, Kentucky, which manages about $118 million in Tennessee debt, said he is cautious about bonds secured by sometimes-unstable tourism revenue: “We are very careful when it comes to attraction bonds such as these. Any project can be a good investment but it all depends on the way they are secured.”
Greg LeRoy, executive director of Washington-based Good Jobs First, which criticizes tax breaks for private business, said he doubts the economic claims.
“Tourism is a thin reed for supporting jobs,” he said.
For now, Elvis’s crowds are coming.
On a weekday this month, a crowd gathered to wait for packed shuttle buses passing through the gates every 20 minutes. About half of the crowd had gray hair and a few used walkers. Yet among them were a young Peruvian man and a German couple, he with a mohawk and she with a shaved head. (Sale of EPE, Source: Margaret Newkirk and Carlton Purvis, Bloomberg)
The Merchant of Venice review – Shylock meets Elvis in Vegas......the glitz of casino culture brilliantly illuminates a play about money lent, borrowed, stolen and invested
The prize in a TV gameshow … Susannah Fielding as Portia in The Merchant of Venice. Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian
Rupert Goold’s revelatory production of this problematic play abruptly disappeared after a season at Stratford in 2011. It is now back this time in London, with many of the original cast, and I found it even more impressive. By setting the play in modern Las Vegas, Goold shows capitalism at its kitschiest being invaded by emotional reality.
Goold is not the first director to realise this is a play about money: money lent, borrowed, stolen and invested. But his most brilliant touch is to juxtapose the casino culture of Vegas with the showbiz fantasy-land of Belmont. Susannah Fielding’s Portia isn’t just the prize in a ritzy TV gameshow called Destiny: in one of the evening’s wittiest touches she justifies the text’s classical allusions by dressing as a golden-wigged Hesione to be won by a Herculean Bassanio. But the beauty of Fielding’s performance lies in its ambivalence. One moment her Portia is an instinctive racist. In the trial scene, she stages a breathtakingly last-minute rescue of Antonio. But the abiding image is of Fielding going heart-rendingly berserk, to the strains of Are You Lonesome Tonight, as she realises her husband is unshakeably in love with a man.
Even if Portia is the production’s centre, Ian McDiarmid’s Shylock, succeeding Patrick Stewart’s, is no less ambivalent. In the pivotal scene, where he wrestles both with his daughter’s defection and Antonio’s losses, he cuts a pitiably confused figure as he accidentally spills coffee over his suit. But, whipping off his wig at the end of the scene in a gesture that anticipates Portia’s, McDiarmid suggests a man abandoning his role of the assimilated Jew in an antisemitic society. It is not a heroic performance but it is true to Shakespeare’s complex portrait of Shylock as both capitalist predator and victimised outsider.
Ian McDiarmid as Shylock. Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian
What is really startling about this production, however, is its non-stop inventiveness. Scott Handy’s Antonio ends up rejecting the love object, Tom Weston-Jones’s Bassanio, who has brought him to near-death. Caroline Martin’s studious Jessica visibly resents being patronised by Portia who treats her as a convertite trophy. And, although it sounds gimmicky, Jamie Beamish makes total sense of Launcelot Gobbo’s transformation into the kind of Elvis impersonator who haunts the Rialto-style casinos conjured up by Tom Scutt’s set.
But, taking its cue from Elvis, the triumph of this production is that it shows there is real heartbreak in the gaudily extravagant hotels of Nevada. Rating: 4 / 5 stars (News/Review, Source: theguardian.com)
South Park season finale features Taylor Swift, Iggy Azalea, an Elvis hologram and...Bill Cosby: South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have never been ones to shy away from controversy or celebrity-mocking.
Yet perhaps the pair feel they have lost some of their edge given that their degrading depiction of Kim Jong-Il in Team America: World Police did not illicit the same reaction as the current furore over The Interview (EIN Note: Paramount has however cancelled Team America showings).
Thus, come this season's South Park finale, Parker and Stone have left no stone unturned, having already featured a fight between Iggy Azalea and Lorde (who is alleged to be the alter ego of Stand's dad) in last week's first part of the episode. |
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In the final episode of the season, Kyle rallies against families spending too much time on social media over the festive period and starts a campaign called #SavetheLivingRoom to encourage traditional family values.
That's when it gets interesting, and controversial: Bill Cosby lends a helping hand. In a clip from the episode below, Cosby appears in a celebrity special to help Kyle's campaign. Taylor Swift is seen singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" as she tries to leave Cosby's living room. However, the comedian tries to make the singer stay with him.
Referencing recent allegations made about the American comedian, Swift, who is holding a wine glass, asks, "What's in this drink?" Cosby replies: "That's just some J-E-L-L-O."
The family watching the programme at home exclaim, "This is the oddest holiday special I've ever seen".
Another clip shows Iggy Azalea once more, this time with a melting singing snowman on her backside, as she sings a duet with a hologram of Elvis Presley. |
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Other celebrities not spared by South Park who appear in the finale include: Al Pacino, Miley Cyrus, U2, Angelina Jolie, and holograms of Kurt Cobain, Robin Williams and Michael Jackson, the latter playing Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. (News, Source: Kiran Moodley, independent.co.uk)
Ohio man selling Elvis’ ‘short and curlies’: Classic rock fans who are either currently in or planning to visit London before August 31 of next year can help themselves to the “Elvis at the O2” exhibition, featuring a wide variety of Elvis Presley’s personal items. Everything from the King’s automobiles to his house keys are on display for his legion of eternally loyal fans, because until he comes back and admits that he faked his death, we simply have to get by with taking photographs in front of a glass case that holds his credit cards. Of course, not everyone is able to hop across the pond for this exhibition, but one Ohio man has us covered for that.
The unnamed Dayton resident has posted quite the Craigslist bargain for any Elvis fan out there, as you can now buy Presley’s pubes for the low price of $5,000. Don’t worry, this isn’t a scam or a joke – the King’s curlies come with a COA.
All you Elvis collectors lookie here. I have a real pubic hair from Elvis Presley plucked by my ex-wife Billie Jean Flurt from Elvis crotch in 1965. I hate to part with it. But it can be yours for Christmas for $5000.00. Comes with letter of authenticity signed by Colonel Parker. I guarantee its real! (Via Craigslist, H/T to Fark)
Obviously, I have a million questions, including:
- Um, hey dude, why have you been holding on to a bag of pubes that your wife plucked from Elvis Presley almost 50 years ago?
- Did your ex-wife convince you to keep the pubes and she’d settle for the TV and/or car?
- Did you think that was a sweet deal or something? Because that deal sucks, man.
- More like Billie Jean FLIRT, am I right?
But seriously, good luck selling your bag of pubes, guy. Maybe there’s a fat kid in a hick Colorado town looking to buy some. (Odd Spot, Source: uproxx.com)
Eastern Shore icon Black Elvis has 'one more tour left': Clarence Giddens, who earned fame as Black Elvis, is back on stage and performing after earning fame two decades ago in movies and on television. Shore native Clarence Giddens' stage name, "Black Elvis," is adorned on the guitar he strums outside the Shore Stop gas station in Accomac Monday, Dec. 15, 2014. Black Elvis, who has performed Elvis Presley covers since the mid 1980's, began appearing at more local venues this year.
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Clarence Giddens, better known as 'Black Elvis' performs outside the Shore Stop gas station in Accomac, Va. (Photo by Malissa Watterson)
Black Elvis is a hard act to find. I had an advertising flyer and a cell-phone number on a scrap of paper. It wasn't much to go on, though I've found people using less information. But not Black Elvis. He's an Eastern Shore of Virginia legend. He's the local guy who played the festivals in Parksley, where I grew up.
Back then, lots of Shore folks got all shook up by the rising star — one of their own — a man born Clarence Giddens, raised by his father and an old-fashioned, God-fearing mother who bought her son his first guitar with money she didn't really have to spare. Giddens had seen Elvis Presley on a black-and-white television as a kid and he couldn't believe what he saw – the way the man moved and sang. Later, Giddens couldn't believe the fame it brought him. By the time I was in college, Black Elvis was on the Hollywood big screen and under the New York City nightlights. He had hit the big time.
But just a few years later, Black Elvis all but disappeared. Read full story
Thursday 18 December 2014 |
'Ultimate Elvis Sessions' Selling Very Fast !: Only last week there were 2,000 copies of this great new book in the
warehouse direct from the printers - as seen here with Erik Lorentzen
the publisher - but already stocks are running low.
Initial independent reviews on the FECC website include...
-- I'm truly blown away by the beauty of these books! And the content, I need a couple months off of work now! :lol:
This set sure does look nice on my book shelf! Kudos to all involved in this project, it's truly a work of art.
-- This is the BEST book package of any Elvis book set. Period. Just incredibly beautiful.
No one will ever come close to doing anything like this in our lifetime!!!
--- Amazingly HEAVY and beautiful Colour printing..... some photos i hadn't seen before for example from Skiing in Vail in Feb 76' lots of big page details.... including canceled Jan 77' recording @ Nashville. Beautifully produced and i'll be looking through this now all week and weekend.Well worth the wait and a joy to hold Thanks Guys! |
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So now with a LIMITED EDITION of 2,000 boxes worldwide orders are close to being Sold Out - and already being received and praised by Elvis fans in Australia...GO HERE for INFO and More Example Pages & ORDER details including the Special Deal being offered by The Elvis Files. Don't pay over $400 as some dealers are suggesting - buy it direct to your door from Elvis Files. Legendary guitarist James Burton sums it up neatly: 'These are the most beautiful books I have ever seen and the best researched.'.
(News, Source;EL/ElvisInfoNet.com) |
Elvis Fan Club Presidents CD: This year's Elvis Fan Club Presidents EPE "Christmas Classics" CD.
It features the three tracks...
I'll Be Home For Christmas, The First Noel and White Christmas.
As usual it includes a Thank You note from Priscilla and Lisa Marie. They note "As we look forward to 2015, the future looks brighter than ever for the Elvis legacy and Graceland with some exciting projects on the horizon"
A nice collectible.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Such A Night - Rockin' In The Early 60s' 10" Vinyl OUT NOW: Out Now this beautiful 10” album from Vee-Tone Records, features 12 rockin’ floor-fillers recorded and released by Elvis Presley between 1960 and 1962. This special collector’s edition is limited to only 1000 copies and brings together some of Elvis’ finest early 60s dancers on one stylish compilation. Great sound quality and stunning artwork make this a must have addition to any record collection!
· Limited edition, only 1000 copies pressed;
· Ultimate early 60s dance album;
· Deluxe 10” black vinyl collector’s edition.
Tracklist:Side A 1. Make Me Know It , 2. I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell 3.Shoppin' Around 4.Such A Night 5.Slicin' Sand 6.Follow That Dream
Side B 1.Little Sister 2.Put The Blame On Me 3.Steppin' Out Of Line 4.I Want You With Me 5.What A Wonderful Life 6.Gonna Get Back Home Somehow
BY it Direct from Vee-Tone HERE - £19.99 or US$30 - Don't let other dealers rip you off.
(News, Source;Vee-Tone/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Hard Knocks' New Import CD: Venus Productions publicity says they are proud to present a new CD with more than 70 minutes of Elvis in the ‘60s!
As a follow-up to our respected “Unedited Masters Series” we’re offering you 14 unreleased takes in the well-known Venus sound quality on these ‘60s movie songs.
You always thought that all movie soundtracks sounded bad?
Taken from the original tapes, these recordings will prove you wrong!
Venus say "This will be a great addition to your Elvis collection" - for some reason EIN very much doubts this!
Tracks : 1 Easy Come, Easy Go, Take 10 - 2 I'll take Love, Takes 1-2A and take 3 * - 3 Sing You Children, Takes 18-20 * (take 20 take call only) - 4 She's A Machine, Take 14 * - 5 She's A Machine, Take 15 (master - record version) – 6 The Love Machine, Take 13 - 7 The Love Machine , Take 14 (master - movie version) – 8 Yoga Is As Yoga Does, Take 1 * - 9 Yoga Is As Yoga Does, Take 2 * - 10 Yoga Is As Yoga Does, Take 3 * - 11 Yoga Is As Yoga Does, Take 4 * - 12 Hard Knocks, Take 11 Master – 13 Little Egypt , Take 21 (Master - movie version) – 14 It's A Wonderful World, Take 17 * Track only - 15 Mexico, Takes 1-2 – 16 Marguerita, |
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Takes 7*, 6 - 17 The Bullfighter Was A Lady, Take 10 (remake) - 18 Wisdom Of The Ages, Take 4 * - 19 Wisdom Of The Ages, Take 5 (Master) - 20 Kismet, Takes 1-2 - 21 Kismet, Takes 3*, 4*, 5 (Master) - 22 Hey Little Girl, Takes 1-2 - 23 Shake That Tambourine, Takes 14 * - 24 Shake That Tambourine, Takes 15*, 17,18,19, 20, 16 – 25 What I'd Say, Takes 1,2 – 26 What I'd Say, Take 3 * - 27 What I'd Say, Take 4 (Master) -
* unreleased
EIN notes - Venus releasing multiple takes of 'Yoga Is As Yoga Does', 'She's A Machine' and ' Kismet' - now we know everyone really is scraping the bottom of the barrel!
EIN also spent several days examining the 'Easy Come, Easy Go' soundtrack for the 'Ultimate Elvis' sessions book - we never want to hear another outtake however fine the audio quality!!
(News, Source;Venus/ElvisInfoNet) |
'Elvis: City of Angels' New Import Book/CD: In January 2015, Audionics will release something special. Called 'Elvis: City of Angels' (Audionics 2015-01-2), this release consists of a 120-page hardback book & two CDs, featuring both shows which Elvis performed on May 11th, 1974 at The Forum (Inglewood) in Los Angeles, CA. Audionics is aware that these shows were released before (by the Graceland Records label, 2007 and official Sony/FTD label, 2007 - see EIN Review here-). To bring out the ultimate sound quality, Audionics worked with direct transfers of the original mastertapes.
Compared with its previous release, the evening show is vastly superior in sound. It was not taken from the same compact cassette source you have heard on the FTD soundboard release 'Live In L. A.', but comes from an original reel-to-reel soundboard tape transfer! The sound difference is like night & day. The afternoon show has much improved sound too, coming from the original audience recorded mastertape. The sound (although not excellent) is clearer than before and most of disturbing distortion is gone.
In recent years, some younger fans claimed that Elvis' performances in LA were mediocre. Nevertheless, fans who were present always |
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mentioned these were "kick-ass performances". It's worth mentioning that these shows were attended by a few members of the hard-rock band 'Led Zeppelin' as well as by Bill Wyman, the Rolling Stones bass player.
The 120-page book is filled with many brand new photos of great quality (both b/w and colour) and what’s most important, more than 120 images have never before been published anywhere! The accompanying text was written by an infamous author.
EIN Notes that "deluxe" books seem to be the new way of luring in the punters to re-purchase previously released concerts.
Go here to EIN's 'All The CD News 2014' for full details & tracklists.
(News, Source;AD/ElvisInfoNet) |
| 'Elvis’ Cadillac arrives at Beaulieu Museum UK: The Cadillac Seville which was once owned by Elvis Presley is now on display at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu in the south of England. The car, a 1977 model which was purchased in October 1976, is believed to be the last the King purchased for his own personal use, and was driven by him the day before his death. It is finished in a burgundy and silver colour scheme chosen by Presley himself, and still has the original CB radio which he opted to install in order to communicate with the kitchen and guardhouse at his Graceland mansion. After Presley’s death, the car was gifted by his father, Vernon, to Elvis’s girlfriend, Ginger Alden. It was auctioned in Las Vegas in 1994, and sold for $101,500 (approx. £64,600 at current exchange |
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rates) to a private collector. It was then sold again for $81,250 (approx. £51,700) in August this year, to Elvis fans Steve and Suzannah Hall, who then offered the car up for display at Beaulieu.
One of the first people to see the automotive slice of rock'n'roll history at its new home was Lady Fiona Montagu, wife of Lord Montagu, the founder of the museum.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Millie Kirkham Passed Away Age 91: Very sadly yesterday, Sunday December 14th, Millie Kirkham died in hospital, a few days after suffering a major stroke.
Kirkham's strong soprano voice was a fine counter-point to backing vocalists The Jordanaires once they started recording with Elvis.
Her first major recording with Elvis was on 1957's classic 'Blue Christmas' and she continued performing with Elvis until his 1971 'He Touched Me' gospel album.
Kirkham's strong, clear soprano can be admired on many of Elvis classics especially the 'How Great Thou Art' session and she also appeared in the movie 'That's The Way It Is'.
Her distinctive voice can also be heard on recordings by Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Rosemary Clooney, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Jim Reeves and many many more.
While in her eighties, she performs regularly across the country with Jordanaires paying homage to those classic songs.
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In 1998 and 1999, she toured with "Elvis The Concert" and in 2008 she also worked with Ray Walker & Gordon Stoker (RIP) on the 'Elvis Christmas Duets' album (photo above).
Millie Kirkham worked with Elvis from 1957 and - although The Jordanaires were not present - she was there for Elvis' 1969 Las Vegas LIVE comeback.
She remembers the excitement "Elvis was very excited about it. He loved to perform on stage. When you looked out there and saw the crowd - the shows were all Sold Out - it was amazing to see the reaction of the crowd just when he walked on stage, he hadn't even sung a song! I was excited because I got to meet Cary Grant." Click here for 6 minute interview -
RIP Mildred 'Millie' Kirkham.
(News, Source;SanjaM/ElvisInfoNet)
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Mini Interview with Anne E. Nixon: The latest book from noted Elvis author Anne E. Nixon, King of the Hilton has been released.
Many fans will fondly remember Anne's many articles for the iconic magazine, Elvis Monthly, and her books for the British Elvis fan club Elvis 10 Years After and The Elvis Archives.
Anne was lucky enough to see 40 of Elvis' shows between 1972 and 1976 and her ability to bring the excitement of those performances to life in her writing is legendary.
In this mini-interview with EIN, Anne discusses what readers can expect in her new book and some of her experiences seeing Elvis live in concert, including the infamous "Desert Storm" show.
Opposite: Anne E. Nixon and her co-conspirator on King of the Hilton, Richard Harvey |
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EIN: Anne, what is the strength of King of the Hilton compared to other books on Elvis’ Las Vegas shows?
AN: My aim is to give readers a real sense of “being there”. These are first-hand accounts, eye witness accounts of. I was in the audience and observed - often at close range – what was happening on stage and the effect Elvis had on his audiences. Elvis quotes are taken directly from tapes of the shows and in many instances highlight his great sense of humour or reflect his mood.
EIN: What are some of your greatest memories of your time visiting the US to see Elvis ‘live on stage’?
AN: Just being in Las Vegas and knowing that Elvis was in the same building was exciting enough, and then to get a stage-side seat at my second show, and to get a close-up look at Elvis (and my first kiss!), was ample reward for travelling so far. Seeing Elvis’ birthplace in Tupelo and being able to go up to the front porch of Graceland, plus meeting Uncle Vester, were very special memories too.
EIN: Elvis’ ability to hold his audience. Please tell us about that.
AN: It was hard to take your eyes off Elvis. He had so many facial expressions I’d never seen in photos or movies. His reaction to clamouring fans at stage-front and those further back couldn’t be anticipated. He was such a dynamic stage performer, holding the crowd’s attention, whether singing Rock & Roll, power ballads, or simply interacting with the audience or his musicians.
EIN: Elvis’ physical and emotional/psychological decline in his last years is well documented. Having attended shows between 1972 and 1976 what was your perception on how his personal life was affecting his performances?
AN: In 1972 I felt that at times he was perhaps holding back a little, unsure of his audiences’ feeling following the recent announcement of his divorce. He was looser and happier in 1973, although there were indications that there was something amiss. This became more obvious in 1974 and 1976.
EIN: You attended the 1974 season including the infamous “Desert Storm” show. What was your reaction to Elvis’ on stage tirade?
AN: With hindsight, we know more now of what was going on in Elvis’ personal life and the reasons behind the tirade.
At the time, though, it was great to see Elvis answering back at his critics and the rumours being spread about him, and most of the audience seemed to agree, judging by their reaction to his outburst.
The closing night speech wasn’t the only tirade he’d given that season by the way, he’d said similar things in other shows prior to the closing show, and they’re all transcribed in the book.
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EIN: Was 1974 the turning point in Elvis’ performances becoming erratic?
AN: Probably, although, as mentioned, something had been troubling Elvis in 1973. However, I was never disappointed by any of the 40 shows I saw, whatever Elvis said or did. Most were very good, and some were outstanding.
EIN: The cancelled 1975 season. How did that impact you at the time – did it surprise you?
AN: It was a complete surprise and a huge shock. It was frustrating because I’d saved hard and looked forward to seeing about 20 shows. It was worrying because it was clear that Elvis was having serious health problems. But at least I was able to return to Vegas in 1976 to see him again.
Cllick HERE to Purchase a signed copy of "King of the Hilton"
.......Coming soon to EIN.......
*mini-interview with Anne E. Nixon's co-author, Richard Harvey*
*book review of King of the Hilton*
*full interview with the Anne E. Nixon (and Richard Harvey)*
(Interview, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
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Elvis London O2 Exhibition Review: The UK Telegraph has decided that - "Elvis Presley is a cultural monument as significant as the Elgin marbles". When it comes to Elvis Presley I am with the late Dowager Duchess of Devonshire: he was without doubt “the greatest entertainer ever to walk on a stage”.
I accept that goggling at Elvis’s stuff is not for everyone, but if you are an enthusiast, and there are plenty of us, it was both exciting and moving.
In each room the King’s music was playing, and however many times you have seen the snarling, sneering opening number of the ’68 comeback special (“If you’re looking for Trouble…”) it is worth being reminded of just how powerful it is. It is impossible, nevertheless, to grasp how earth-shattering it must have seemed to audiences at the time: they had grown accustomed to the saccharine 1960s movie version of Elvis – unthreatening, middle-of-the-road, and suddenly the raw and gritty Elvis of the 1950s Sun recordings came hurtling into people’s living rooms.
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The curators don’t try to sell Elvis to you. They assume you already accept the doctrine that he is the King of Rock and Roll and their intention is to convey a sense of the private Elvis, through his belongings. On display is a mixture of the outlandish and the very mundane, with a fair sprinkling of tat.
Nearly all the clothes come into the outlandish category – these are garish costumes, designed to look good at a distance or on film. The famous concert jumpsuits are like this. They start as fairly simple variations on the theme of a karate suit and as each year passes post-1970 they become ever more rhinestone encrusted and bulky.
The mundane bits and pieces are equally fascinating. I saw Elvis’s school report for ’43/’44 from East Tupelo High School – Grade 3 – sponsored by Glasgow’s Drug Store (“We make our own ice cream”); his social security card (golden of course); the keys to Graceland; his scratched personal microphone with “EP1” written on it in marker pen. A cabinet holds a selection of the King’s cash cards: his American Express poignantly |
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expired “05/78” – 10 months after he died.
Weirdest item? Probably the letter Elvis wrote – or scrawled in a uncertain hand – to Richard Nixon on American Airlines stationery begging the president to grant him a DEA badge (he did).
This was a cabinet of curiosities, soberly curated by the Graceland archive team. There was no talking down to the visitor, nothing interactive, no “multi-media presentations” – not even any headsets. Just the exhibits and some discreet labels.
To me that is entirely proper, since Elvis Presley has transcended both his era and his musical genre to become a cultural and historical monument. The preservation of his archive is a serious business. And there is a lot of it because Vernon, Elvis’s dad, never threw anything away.
As Angie Marchese explained, thousands of Elvis’s belongings, including a million documents, are now being catalogued and preserved in climate-controlled warehouses. It is right that all these artefacts will be preserved for future generations – just as if they were the Elgin marbles.
Go HERE for EIN's 'O2 London Exhibition' Spotlight full review and pictures,
(Spotlight, Source;Telegraph/ElvisInfoNet) |
'Ultimate Elvis Sessions' Has Been Shipped!: 'Ultimate Elvis' producer Erik Lorentzen spent the last few days at the printers and has shipped the final box-set to 26 countries.
He informed EIN that he shipped "23 tons of books going to 26 countries!"
Asked how the final print looks, Erik Lorentzen responded, "JUST AWESOME... Even ten times better that I was praying for.
The printing quality and the photos are amazing and Keith's session stuff, Gordon Minto's, Piers' and all the other reviews and articles are out of this world."
In three volumes featuring every session and every Elvis release - all the singles, EP's and Album releases - plus reviews, interviews and in-depth looks into Elvis' sessions & with an incredible 1,700 pages this is truly the ULTIMATE sessions book.
- With a LIMITED EDITION of 2,000 boxes worldwide Pre-Orders are close to being Sold Out...
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GO HERE for INFO and More Example Pages & ORDER details - including the Special Deal being offered by The Elvis Files.
Don't pay over $400 as some dealers are suggesting - buy it direct to your door from Elvis Files. Legendary guitarist James Burton sums it up neatly: 'These are the most beautiful books I have ever seen and the best researched.'.
(News, Source;EL/ElvisInfoNet.com) |
Friday 12 December 2014 - - - 2nd News Update - - - |
Elvis Rocks London With a King-Sized display: 37 years after his death, the King of Rock and Roll has what many stars would kill for – a nine-month gig at the O2 arena in London. A fascinating exhibition charting his rise from dirt-poor Memphis schoolboy to the world’s greatest music icon opens on Friday and runs until the end of August.
The biggest-ever Elvis show in Europe features more than 300 items from the Presley family’s archive and it is the first time they have left his Graceland home.
It features everything from Elvis’ favourite statue of Jesus to his 16-carat diamond ring, army fatigues, Aloha & other jumpsuits, his first demo records and gleaming Harley-Davidson motorbike.
The exhibition recreates Graceland’s dazzling interiors while home movie footage, clips of his shows and his music play throughout.
Entering through a section dedicated to his childhood, visitors see Elvis’s school report card.
He was very “industrious” but got poor marks for “reliability”.
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A section on his army service features his uniform, kit trunk and the bongos his girlfriend Priscilla – later his wife – gave him for Christmas after they met in 1959 at a military base in Germany.
Elvis’s devotion to her and their daughter Lisa-Marie is clear from family snap-shots and gifts he showered on them.
Fans will love the gold-plated phone Elvis kept on his bedside table, the keys to Graceland and the pool table on which he played against The Beatles.
Other highlights are the black leather suit from his 1968 Comeback Special and sunglasses and rings with the TCB logo and lightning flash Priscilla designed in 1970.
It stood for “Taking Care of Business in a flash” and was a badge of honour for |
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Elvis’s inner circle, dubbed the Memphis Mafia. (Above: The relative size & impact of the exhibition)
One bizarre but fascinating exhibit is a rambling five-page letter Elvis wrote to President Richard Nixon, pleading to be made an agent of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics.
Priscilla, 69, chairwoman of EPE the family’s $300million empire said, “We are more than happy to let them leave Graceland for a short time to give people a peek behind the scenes of the real Elvis.”
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
'I Got A Feelin' in My Body' New Official Remix: EPE / SONY have Ok'd a new remix, 'I Got A Feelin' in My Body' by remixer Tommie Sunshine who has remixed Elvis' 1973 gospel track. "Working with the original recording session of Elvis Presley is nothing short of a psychedelic experience," Sunshine said. "Hearing his vocals by themselves was a window into how incredible of a singer he truly was." Sunshine worked with Denver, Colorado-based producer Wuki for the remix.
Sunshine honored the song's original smooth STAX groove and added in a fresh electronic dance music sound.
To be honest, from EIN's point of view it seems very average compared to other remixes and even other modern versions of the same song.
When EIN first heard 'ALLC' remix we couldn't get enough of it.
This version of 'I Got A Feelin' in My Body' sounds very pale in comparison
Click HERE to Soundcloud to Check It Out
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis Still The Christmas Biggest Seller!: Billboard recently published an article strangely naming Kenny G as "Christmas Musics All-Time Biggest Earner" however on-line Gizmodo retaliated with a better overall explanation ...
"In the latest issue of Billboard, the music industry rag tackles the all-time top earners of holiday music. The winner, of course, depends on what question you're asking.
Everybody's talking about Mariah Carey's terrible rendition of her otherwise incredible holiday song, "All I Want for Christmas Is You". It's a legendary song from her legendary 1994 record Merry Christmas, which has sold a whopping 5.37 million records to date.
Amazingly, it's not even the best-selling holiday record released that year. According to Billboard the old blower's 1994 album Miracles: The Holiday Album has sold 7.3 million records, the most of any holiday album since Nielsen SoundScan started tracking sales in 1991. Additionally, G's other four holiday records have sold a combined 4.7 million records.
That's an undeniably impressive feat! Unfortunately, it doesn't account for, you know, all they years before 1991. For earlier |
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albums, the best source of data actually comes from the Recording Industry Association of America. While Billboard and SoundScan track individual artist performance and the top albums the RIAA as the entity that issues certifications like Gold and Platinum (1 million records).
And according to the RIAA, 'Miracle's is actually second to' Elvis' Christmas Album', the 1970 re-release of The King's 1957 album, which has sold more than 10 million records to date. (That's "Diamond" certified, in case you're wondering.) It's the King's bestselling record, and 93rd on the all-time list of records. And that's without the 3 million copies the original 1957 version sold before it went out of print. A cursory stroll through the remaining records on this handy Wikipedia list puts Elvis' Christmas record sales in the 20 million unit range.
Of course, there's something to be said for speed. Kenny G put up 7.3 million in twenty years, while it took Elvis' top seller over 50 to get to 10. It's no wonder that when Billboard asked if Mr. Kenny would make a fifth album, he responded, "I'm thinking about it." Sadly Elvis Presley was not available for comment.
(News, Source;Gizmodo/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Christmas 2014 FTDs OUT NOW: The two December FTD 'Classic Album' releases are OUT NOW.
Nothing surprisingly new, just a few BINAURAL outtakes on the Christmas Album and those missing 'Britches' and 'A Cane And A High Starched Collar' outtakes on Flaming Star that you have always desperately longed for!
- 'Flaming Star' Classic Soundtrack Album
1 Flaming Star
2 A Cane And A High Starched Collar
3 Britches
4 Summer Kisses, Winter Tears
5 Flaming Star (end title version)
Alternate movie name title tracks
6 Black Star
7 Black Star (end title version)
Plus multiple Outtakes
Go to EIN's SONY/FTD page for full track list |
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- 'Elvis' Christmas Album' - FTD Classic Album
1 Santa Claus Is Back In Town
2 White Christmas
3 Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
4 I’ll Be Home For Christmas
5 Blue Christmas
6 Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)
7 OH Little Town Of Bethlehem
8 Silent Night
9 (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)
10 I Believe
11 Take My Hand, Precious Lord
12 It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)
BONUS SONGS
13 My Wish Came True,
14 Treat Me Nice,
15 Don’t
& THE BINAURAL SESSION TAPES
Full session for (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) and 'It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)' Go to EIN's SONY/FTD page for full track list |
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"Worn to be Wild" Elvis Leather On Display: The Daily Herald reported... Just as suits of armor have routinely lined museum halls over the years, the 20th-century equivalent of protection, status and cool for riders of other kinds of horses is getting its due. "Worn To Be Wild," a collection of more than 50 leather jackets worn by pilots, motorcyclists, rock stars, and fashionistas, is currently on display at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk.
Created by the Experience Music Project in Seattle and the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, the exhibit that chronicles the history of the iconic look. Fashioned first as protective warmth for pilots in World War I, long leather jackets were shortened and adapted with wind-fighting belts, buckles and asymmetrical zippers for motorcyclists, who have made it part of their identity ever since.
In the 1950s, shortly after Marlon Brando donned one in "The Wild One," it became a widely adopted cloak of cool for rock pioneers and rebels of every stripe. The degree of outlaw varied, though: An early jacket from Elvis Presley, for example, was purchased at J.C. Penney.
It's displayed with one of Presley's own motorcycles, a 1956 Harley-Davidson Model KH, one of three bikes in the show.
The display is on until Jan. 5 at the Chrysler Museum of Art,
(News, Source;DH/ElvisInfoNet)
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Latest Billboard Album Charts: 'It's Christmas Time' rises from 95 to 52 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for w/e 20th December, 2014; remains at 6 on the Catalog Album Chart; rises from 12 to 10 on the Holiday Album Chart and rises from 78 to 43 on the Top Album Sales Chart.
- 'Merry Christmas, Love Elvis' rises from 180 to 112 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart; rises from 26 to 17 on the Catalog Album Chart; rises from 27 to 23 on the Holiday Album Chart and is a new entry at 80 on the Top Album Sales Chart.
- 'The Classic Christmas Album' rises from 190 to 118 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart; rises from 28 to 20 on the Catalog Album Chart and is a new entry at 88 on the Top Album Sales Chart.
- 'Blue Christmas' remains at 23 on the Holiday 100 Chart and rises from 26 to 24 on the Holiday Airplay Chart.
- 'Here Comes Santa Claus' drops from 57 to 89 on the Holiday 100 Chart.
- Elvis rises from 86 to 53 on the Artist 100 Chart.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Elvis - What A Wonderful Life' New Import CD: A new budget CD release with 27 tracks recorded in 1961, including many previously unreleased by Elvis' record company. EIN Notes - Another EU "Public Domain" semi-bootleg of material that has been dodgily released many times before. Can you hear that scraping of the barrel?!
The Studio Masters and Outtakes from 1961.
The publicity says, .. Including all missing outtakes from the movie "Follow That Dream" as well as many other recordings!
All outtakes in top notch sound quality. Presented in a cardboard sleeve.
1. Home Is Where The Heart Is (take 12), 2. King Of The Whole Wide World (take 6), 3. Riding The Rainbow (take 6), 4. This Is Living (take 8), 5. Little Sister (master), 6. Rock-A-Hula-Baby (single master / mono), 7. Good Luck Charm (single master / mono), 8. I’m Yours (undubbed single master), 9. That’s Someone You Never Forget (master), 10. Kiss Me Quick (master), 11. Judy (master), 12. Follow That Dream (take 5*), 13. Follow That Dream (master), 14. I’m Not The Marrying Kind (take 1* & 5*), 15. A Whistling Tune (take 1)*, 16. I’m Not The Marrying Kind (take 7* & |
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master), 17. Sound Advice (take 2*, 3*, 4* & 5*), 18. What A Wonderful Life (master), 19. Angel (master), 20. No More (take 9), 21. Beach Boy Blues (take 3*), 22. Slicin’ Sand (take 10), 23. Can’t Help Falling In Love (take 9*), 24. For The Millionth And The Last Time (take 6), 25. I Met Her Today (take 7), 26. Kiss Me Quick (take 11*), 27. On Top Of Old Smokey (movie excerpt)
* Previously unreleased by Elvis record company.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Wednesday 10 December 2014 |
Actress Mary Ann Mobley Dies at 75: Mary Ann Mobley, who stepped into the spotlight as the first Miss Mississippi to become Miss America and later hit the silver screen opposite Elvis Presley, has died. She passed away Tuesday morning after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 75.
Mobley, a native of Mississippi, was crowned Miss America in 1959. After studying acting with Lee Strasberg, she appeared on a 1963 episode of Aaron Spelling’s “Burke’s Law,” which led to a breakout role opposite Elvis Presley in “Girl Happy” in 1965. She and Elvis also starred in “Harum Scarum” later that same year. Her other notable film roles include “Get Yourself a College Girl” and “Young Dillinger.”
In an interview Mobley talked about working with Elvis.. "Elvis would always joke about the movies he was making. When we were making 'Harum Scarum', he said, 'This isn't going to change history, is it?' The sad thing is that Elvis was a better actor than the mid-sixties movies ever allowed him to be. He could have been great.
Elvis created an amazing legacy, all these people are still coming to Memphis, he made such an impact. No one has the following that Elvis still has. I am so glad I knew him and I'm so glad I got to work with him and I'm so glad we're both from Mississippi." |
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In addition to her film career, Mobley appeared on several television shows, including “Perry Mason,” “Fantasy Island,” “The Partridge Family” and “Diff’rent Strokes,” and was a recurring panelist on game show “Match Game.” She also performed on Broadway and traveled to Africa and Southeast Asia to make documentary films about homeless and starving children.
Actor Gary Collins and Mobley were married in 1967 after meeting on the set of “Three on a Couch.” Collins, who was also a talkshow host, died in 2012.
Mobley is survived by daughters Clancy Collins, senior vice president, drama development, Warner Bros. Television, and Melissa Collins; son Guy William Collins; sister Sandra Young; and two grandsons, Garrett and Gaston Collins.
(News, Source;SM;ElvisInfoNet)
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CMT All-Time Top 40 - Elvis Presley At Number 3: EIN was somewhat surprised when Elvis was announced in the Number 3 slot when CMT counted down the "All-Time Top 40 Artist's Choice" where Country artists have their chance to recognize the music that shaped their lives.
Elvis Presley was been revealed at No. 3 on CMT All-Time Top 40: Artists Choice.
A list of the most influential artists in history chosen by country stars themselves, another honoree is named each week on CMT Hot 20 Countdown.
At No.1 was Merle Haggard while Hank Williams was second place.
Several well-known Country artists spoke about Elvis...
Dolly Parton, Wanda Jackson, Brenda Lee, the Oak Ridge Boys and Frankie Ballard are just a few of the artists who named Presley as one of the biggest influences in country music history.
“I don’t know of anybody that doesn’t like Elvis,” Parton said. “I’ve never heard anybody say, ‘Oh, I don’t like his singing.’ Everybody loved Elvis, and I just think that’s incredible. He was so different in every way — his voice, his style, the way he moved, the way he looked. He just had this charm and charisma |
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and a lot of sex appeal.”
Wanda Jackson remembers touring with Elvis and the moment she realized music had changed forever.
“I’d done my show, and I was back in a room. My daddy was in there with me, and we’re hearing screaming, and it was kind of scary. Daddy said, ‘Well, heck, there might be a fire or something. I’ll go check. You get your purse and stuff gathered up.’ “So I did, and daddy left. And in a few minutes, he came back, stood there in the doorway and said, ‘Wanda, you’re not going to believe this. You’ve got to come see it for yourself.’
“He took me to the wings of the stage, and I look out and here’s Elvis doing all these gyrations and all these girls around the stage screaming and reaching for him and crying, and I thought ‘What in the world?’ That was a first for me. No one had ever had a screaming (audience) for a performance.”
Brenda Lee agreed that after Elvis broke out, nothing was the same.
“It was Elvis that really changed everything, and I think we knew he would go down in history as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and that the title would never be taken away from him,” she said. “I don’t think there will ever be anyone like him again. I could be wrong about that because like I always say, ‘Records are made to be
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broken.’ But he was one of a kind.
“The love that people had for him in every age — from children to mothers and fathers and grandmothers, even foreign people that didn’t even speak English — I always say that music is the great unifier, and he certainly did that all over the world and especially here in my country.”
Before joining the Oak Ridge Boys, bass singer Richard Sterban had the chance to record and tour with Presley and witnessed his star power first hand.
“I’ll never forget it. We were in the rehearsal hall, and all of a sudden, we heard this commotion coming down the hall and there was this entourage of people coming into the room. When Elvis walked into the room, my mouth dropped. I’m like, ‘Wow, I now understand why this guy is the biggest star in the world.’ He had magnetism. He filled the room. He really did. And to be able to sing with him for about a year and a-half of my life was an amazing experience.
“He was just a great singer. When you listen to Elvis’ records, back in the day when he recorded, everything was recorded analog. There were really no computers to tune your voice or anything. He just had a natural talent. And he recorded in a recording studio just like he sang onstage. He held a microphone in his hand. He walked around the recording studio, and it was like he was doing a live performance. And he hardly ever shaded a pitch. He was just so talented, he really was.”
You can check out the rest of the CMT All-Time Top 40: Artists Choice list here .
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
Millie Kirkham in Hospital: EIN was told yesterday that Millie Kirkham is in hospital after suffering a stroke.
Kirkham's strong soprano voice became a fine counter-point to backing vocalists The Jordanaires once they started recording with Elvis.
Her first major recording with Elvis was on 1957's classic 'Blue Christmas' and she continued performing with Elvis until his 1971 'He Touched Me' gospel album.
Kirkham's strong, clear soprano can be admired on many of Elvis classics especially the 'How Great Thou Art' session and she also appeared in the movie 'That's The Way It Is'.
Her distinctive voice can also be heard on recordings by Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Rosemary Clooney, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Jim Reeves and many many more.
While in her eighties, she performs regularly across the country with Jordanaires paying homage to those classic songs.
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In 1998 and 1999, she toured with "Elvis The Concert" and in February 2008 she appeared in "Nashville celebrates Elvis at the Ryman" alongside George Klein and others. In 2008 she also worked with Ray Walker & Gordon Stoker (RIP) on the 'Elvis Christmas Duets' album (photo above).
Please keep her in your prayers.
(News, Source;SanjaM/ElvisInfoNet) |
'Trains, Jet Planes and Morning Rain' EIN Spotlight: Elvis Presley’s cover of 'Early Morning Rain' has exerted an enduring appeal, with composer Gordon Lightfoot going as far as to call it his favourite cover of one of his songs.
The 1971 album 'Elvis Now' is still treasured by one Elvis fan. Gordon Lightfoot admitted that, in the 1970s, he hadn’t paid much attention to the King’s cover of his classic song Early Morning Rain. “It didn’t really register until after he was gone, but I loved the job he did on it. I have it right here on my desk. I keep it here. It’s Elvis Now.”
Lightfoot's great regret is that he never met Elvis. He went to one concert hoping to meet up, “There were 18,000 people at the show but by the time I got back there to meet him, a voice said: ‘Elvis has left the building'. I had an appointment! But there were too many people around.”
Go here where respected author Paul Simpson takes a fascinating look at this sometimes overlooked song...
(Spotlight, Source;PaulSimpson/ElvisInfoNet)
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'Elvis In Florida April 1975' FTD In-Depth Review: Mid 1975 found Elvis back in good form and having fun on stage. Officially we have so far heard almost nothing from the first part of Elvis' Tour#13 from April 24 - May 7. This FTD features material from Elvis' Lakeland concerts on April 27th & 28th as well as Jacksonville April 25 1975.
The St. Petersburg Times commented … "But Elvis' forte is still the rockin' stuff, and he shows he hasn't lost what it takes. His Burning Love puts shame even to his own record version. When he launches into a slow, torchy Heartbreak Hotel, the inflections are vintage 1956"
FTD decided that this interesting selection deserved a release in the larger 7' format.
Go here as Elvis soundboard super-collector Geoffrey McDonnell checks out this previously unreleased concert and these unexplored April '75 concerts ....
(FTD Reviews, Source:GM/ElvisInfoNet)
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UPDATED - 'Autopsy: The Last Hours Of Elvis' - Review: The promo publicity for the 2014 ITV UK documentary ''Autopsy: The Last Hours Of Elvis'' included rubbish such as "Elvis drank a litre of spirits a day" and that "The singer was so overweight .. that his death was inevitable."
As fans know, Elvis seriously disliked alcohol and although a little overweight at the time of his death a large proportion of the general public are similarly overweight.
The programme also promised shocking facts such as "Elvis was not in good shape" and "His hair would have been “snow white” had he not dyed it".
So was the programme really as unnecessary and sensationalistic as we all feared ?
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Elvis Presley's Asheville Show To Be Released: In an interesting twist to the normal Elvis media reports, The Asheville Citizen Times has published the story that Elvis' July 22nd 1975 Asheville show ('Still Crazy After All These Years!') is being released by the BOOTLEG Touchdown label.
Back in 1975, the same newspaper reported that Elvis was "paunchy and pretty"!
.... When Elvis Presley played a three-night stand at the Asheville Civic Center in July 1975, he was "paunchy and pretty," said the Citizen-Times reporter covering the historic entertainment event.
You won't be able to hear the King of Rock 'n' Roll's embroidered sequined white pants, jackets and boots in the recordings from the July 22 show, set to be released by the Touchdown label.
The show features rare performances of songs like "Memphis Tennessee" and "Shake a Hand," as well as the only known live version of "Why Me Lord."
Presley sold out three nights at the Asheville Civic Center, and packed the arena with 7,500 fans, according to the archives.
He sang for two hours and gave out colored silk scarves "to the few young ladies who managed to make their way past a tough ring of security guards to the stage."
The writer noted that "his voice was still there, as vigorous and convincing as ever, but the rock seemed to have gone out Elvis the Pelvis."
Presley died about two years after his Asheville performances. The article noted that he stood to make $200,000 for the appearances,
That was actually the third time the King played Asheville. Elvis performed in the old auditorium back in May and September 1955 as part of the Hank Snow All-Star Jamboree.
EIN notes - It is a great sales pitch - although the article does not point out that it is only an Audience Recording and it is an illegal product!
(News, Source;SanjaM/ElvisInfoNet) |
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‘Christmas Peace’ Goes UK Platinum: The ‘Christmas Peace’ album has been upgraded to Platinum Certification in the UK by the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) for sales of over 300,000 units.
Back in 2003 this two-CD set combined both Elvis’ Christmas selections and the best of his Gospel songs into a very fine budget compilation.
See EIN 2003 review here.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet)
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Rolling Stone Magazine 'That's All Right' for Elvis 80th birthday!: The music magazine Rolling Stone is featuring an Elvis 80th birthday special for their January 2015 issue. The German affiliate of the magazine will release a 7" vinyl single of 'That's All Right' this January, in a special "Elvis 80" sleeve. Although the single won't be available until next year, the website of Rolling Stone now accepts pre orders.
Go here to RS.de.
EIN is not sure whether any other Rolling Stone world-wide affiliates will have the same Elvis deal.
SONY Germany is also releasing the 'Elvis At 80' compilation - see details below.
(News, Source:ElvisClubBerlin/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Latest Billboard Album Charts: 'It's Christmas Time' drops from 62 to 95 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for w/e 13th December, 2014; drops from 5 to 6 on the Catalog Album Chart and rises from 14 to 12 on the Holiday Album Chart.
- 'Merry Christmas, Love Elvis' drops from 107 to 180 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart; drops from 21 to 26 on the Catalog Album Chart; drops from 26 to 27 on the Holiday Album Chart and drops from 5 to 8 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
- 'The Classic Christmas Album' drops from 128 to 190 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart; rises from 30 to 28 on the Catalog Album Chart and drops from 7 to 9 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
- 'Heart And Soul' re-enters at 20 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
- 'Blue Christmas' (Single) rises from 35 to 30 on the Holiday Digital Songs Chart and is a new-entry at 23 on the Holiday 100 Chart.
- 'Here Comes Santa Claus' (Single) is a new -entry at 57 on the Holiday 100 Chart.
- Elvis is ranked at 86 on the Artist 100 Chart.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Autopsy: The Final Hours of Elvis Presley: Further to Arjan Deelen's insightful review of this television show last Thursday, EIN has several additional observations to make:
- based on the Elvis episode, the Autopsy series (now in its third season) doesn't appear to know whether it is a serious medical program or tabloid expose
- the use of narrative such as "Elvis has around 9 hours to live" was unnecessarily melodramatic for a program purporting to be a serious examination of its subject
- the image of a naked (bare behind) Elvis (circa death) would have been acceptable once (fitting for the program's narrative) but as a repeated image it simply reinforced the sensationalist, tabloid nature of the program
- the amount of extraneous personal accounts around Elvis' career detracted from the program's core objective to provide information on Elvis' autopsy and his cause of death
- previews/promotion for the show misinterpreted that Elvis drank more than 1 litre of alcohol a day (it was a theory Dr. Shepherd considered, but discounted, as explaining his enlarged, fatty liver)
- the conclusion that Elvis' death was not directly related to drugs but due to the Valsalva maneuver confirms Dr Nick's theory (as stated in his poignantly reflective book, The King and Dr. Nick)
(Commentary, Source: EIN)
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Besides the Autopsy program another recently televised show worth checking out is Dead Famous DNA. A three episode series on the UK Channel 4 network, it includes analysis of purported Elvis DNA (hair samples collected by Elvis' barber, Homer Gilleland - the presenter, Mark Evans, was unsuccessful in convincing super-collector, Joni Mabe, to part with her Elvis wart!) to determine the cause of his death and if Timothy Farrell is his son. It too has proven to be controversial (particularly in relation to the purchase of body parts purportedly from the charred remains of Adolf Hitler and his wife Eva Braun).
Dead Famous DNA has a much different feel to it than the Autopsy program. It is neatly crafted as a mystery doco (some have even suggested it as spoof, ala the infamous book/TV special Alternative 3 - we will let you be the judge whether Dead Famous DNA is science or not) with dashes of danger through clandestine meetings in dark, seedy motel rooms and intriguing twists and turns at every corner, and like the Autopsy program it does include the occasional piece of melodrama. It is strangely engaging and certainly a lot more fun than the Autopsy show.
A revelation about hair samples from Mad King George III is funny stuff as is this account from a review of the show about Evans' encounter with Napoleon Bonaparte's private parts:
Last week’s episode had Evans trying to buy Napoleon’s willy, supposedly, after squandering £1,800 on a lock of the Little General’s hair to cross-match the DNA with his, ahem, little general.
Staring at it, Evans gasped: “If that is Napoleon’s penis sitting on my knees, the last place I’d have expected to find it is New Jersey".
And if you still want more, a very different perspective on what caused Elvis' death can be found in an interesting (and controversial) article by Dr. Forest Tennant:
Elvis Presley: Head Trauma, Autoimmunity, Pain, and Early Death
(Please note this is a very detailed 1.5Mg, 14-page pdf file)
| Walking in Memphis, through the home of Elvis: In Memphis, Tenn., 600,000 people each year line up to visit Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley for about 20 years until his death in 1977. This year marks the 37th anniversary of his death, but the King of Rock and Roll’s appeal has not faded. A 450-room hotel to accommodate Presley fans from all over the world is scheduled to be completed next to Graceland next year.
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Beale Street at night
Die-hard Presley fan Sandi Goode, 75, said it was her 26th visit to the mansion. She could not stop talking about the impact of hearing a Presley song for the very first time, saying it was completely different from any other music she had heard before then and that it compelled her to dance.
Memphis is also known as the birthplace of the blues, which was developed by slaves brought there to work at cotton plantations along the Mississippi River.
Born to a poor white family in 1935 in Mississippi, Presley grew up hearing the country music that his parents listened to and the blues that African-Americans sang. When he was 13, he moved to Memphis, Tenn., with his parents, who wanted to find jobs there.
In his late teens, Presley was waiting for the opportunity to make his debut as a singer while working as a truck driver. In July 1954, he sang "That's All Right" to himself while resting at a music studio (currently Sun Studio) in Memphis. His song caught the ears of the studio manager, who was looking for a white singer who could sing the music of black people. Presley recorded the song, and it was broadcast on local radio. It was an overnight sensation, and Presley's image as a rebellious young man spread throughout the United States. After that Presley rolled out one hit song after another, including "Heartbreak Hotel" (1956).
John Doyle, curator of the Rock 'n' Soul Museum in Memphis, said the environment of Memphis in those days was suitable for producing rock 'n' roll, saying, "Elvis was really the person, the lucky person, and a very talented person, who was in that right place at the right time." Doyle also said that even before the civil rights movement, Presley succeeded in bringing different races together with his music.
However, Presley's popularity fell when a frenzy over the Beatles swept the United States while he was away from the music world temporarily as a result of being drafted into the military.
When Presley suddenly died of a heart attack at 42, he became a legend.
Hal Lansky, 62, is the owner of Lansky Brothers, a clothing store in Memphis that supplied clothes for Presley even before his musical debut. He said Presley never forgot the people who helped him.
Even now, recordings are made almost every day at Sun Studio, as the studio accepts musicians from all over the world who yearn to perform in the place where rock 'n' roll was created. Matt Ross-Spang, 27, a local engineer who operates the recording equipment that has remained almost unchanged since the old days, said his job was like that of archaeologist, as he listened to music from the '50s and read books related to the era.
Elvis Presley is buried next to his parents in a garden at the Graceland estate. Fans around the world visit his grave every year on Aug. 16, the anniversary of his death. Find information about visiting the famous mansion at www.graceland.com. (News, Source: Stars and Stripes) |
"Here's Hoover" (US Presidents) "rockabilly" show modelled on Elvis' Comeback Special: There’s a freewheeling genius to the work of Les Freres Corbusier.
At first glance, the theatre troupe seems like a bunch of overeducated kids happily tramping about in the legacies of past Presidents (“President Harding Is a Rock Star,” “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson”) or religions (“A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant,” “Hell House”), but there’s usually a message that cuts through all that zany satire.
Alex Timbers, who co-founded the group, in 2003, has gone on to direct big-budget shows like “Rocky,” but he returns downtown with “Here’s Hoover!,” at Abrons Arts Center.
The show, modelled on Elvis Presley’s “Comeback Special,” from 1968, has Herbert Hoover singing rueful rockabilly songs in an attempt to rise above his reputation as one of the worst Presidents in American history. (News, Source: The New Yorker (magazine) |
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Do you have one of these very valuable Christmas records (and just who is at #2 and #1?)?: Imagine finding a copy of an old Christmas record worth more than $15,000.
According to vintage vinyl music expert John Marshall (aka “Mighty John the Record Guy”), there are many old Christmas records worth several hundred to several thousand dollars.
If most of these records are no longer played on the radio, we wondered, why are they so valuable?
Marshall says a combination of factors can make an old record worth a lot of money. He spoke with TheBlaze Radio and shared his list of the top twelve most valuable Christmas records, detailing the specifics of what makes each one of these discs desirable to vinyl collectors.
Presented here, a top five countdown of these valuable recordings. |
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At No. 5, Gayla Peevey’s 1953 classic, “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” was reportedly a smash back in the 50s, but is rarely heard today. However, if you have a vinyl copy of the single, with the original picture sleeve, it could fetch as much as $250.
Of course, in order for a collectible record to fetch top dollar, the condition needs to be exceptional and the packaging — the sleeve of a 45 rpm single or the full sized album cover of an LP (long playing record) – would need to be original and in great shape.
The 4th most desired disc, 1971′s — a Beatles LP from Apple Records – “The Beatles Christmas Album.”
This one could bring as much as $500.
Image: MoneyMusic.com |
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Another Beatles-related release is at No. 3. John Lennon’s solo project with Yoko Ono, “Happy Christmas,” is worth a lot of money today.
If you can get your hands on the promotional release sent to radio stations in 1971, it sells for as much as $750 in top condition. |
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| The top two spots on Marshall’s list belong to “The King” — Elvis Presley.
Elvis’ 1957 classic “Blue Christmas” sells for up to $3,000. Again, there are many different versions of this vinyl single out there. The really important thing to look for: the white label disc, from 1957.
The leap in value from the No. 2 position to the top of the chart is considerable.
As a matter of fact, according to “Mighty John the Record Guy,” the most valuable Christmas vinyl is worth six times what the second place finisher could bring. |
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| At No. 1, the 1957 release from RCA records, the “Elvis Christmas Album” (red vinyl) — in top condition, this one could fetch $18,000.
Marshall stresses that there are a few key elements that must be present to push an “Elvis Christmas Album” into the top tier of collectibility.
- Great condition is vital to bringing top dollar for any vintage vinyl.
- The recording must be pressed on red vinyl. (Black vinyl is still valuable – but the red disc is most desired by Elvis fans.)
- And the disc has to have the catalogue LOC-1035
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| For more information on all of the valuable Christmas records and other desirable vinyl, visit MoneyMusic.com. You can hear John Marshall give details on his entire “Top 12″ valuable Christmas Records via this week’s “Pure Opelka” on TheBlaze Radio’s digital download. John’s interview begins at the 20 minute mark of the show. (News, Source: Mike Opelka, The Blaze)
And as we know many of you are intrigued (music video clip):
Gayla Peevey sings "I Want A Hippotamus For Christmas" |
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Elvis in Hawaii books released in Kindle format:
The two books by noted author/researcher, Jerry Hopkins, examining Elvis' love affair with the island state of Hawaii are now available in Kindle format. Both books are full of interesting information, arcvhival material, color photos and are priced under US6.00!
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The World's Most Ridiculously Priced Elvis Book: Here at EIN, over the years we've seen many incredulous things in the Elvis world, including several Elvis books listed for sale for more than $1,000......
.......however this book published in 1996 and currently listed on Amazon raises the bar to a new level.......
......the slim, undistinguished 96 pages softcover book from Rjay Enterprises is indeed rare, but EIN has more than a sneaking suspicion it is many light years away from justifying its asking price of, DRUM ROLL (wait for it):
US$51,458.02
(if only the seller had seen sense and dropped the 2 cents!)
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However, if you are interested in buying this hard to find release!!:
Check it out here.
(Odd Spot, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Autopsy: The Last Hours Of Elvis' - Review: The promo publicity for the 2014 ITV UK documentary ''Autopsy: The Last Hours Of Elvis'' included rubbish such as "Elvis drank a litre of spirits a day" and that "The singer was so overweight .. that his death was inevitable."
As fans know, Elvis seriously disliked alcohol and although a little overweight at the time of his death a large proportion of the general public are similarly overweight.
The programme also promised shocking facts such as "Elvis was not in good shape" and "His hair would have been “snow white” had he not dyed it".
So was the programme really as unnecessary and sensationalistic as we all feared ?
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'Autopsy: The Last Hours Of Elvis' Watch it HERE: Please read the EIN review above first. - As EIN noted below we had grave suspicions about the new 'Autopsy: The Last Hours Of Elvis' programme that was shown two days ago on UK TV.
An insider commented, "It's not about the facts, it's about gripping and shocking television. I saw the one they did on Michael Jackson, and I was offended by how many times they showed the photos of his dead body. Totally unnecessary in my view, and very sensationalistic."
EIN asks fans to be very wary... BUT you can watch the whole programme HERE on YouTube if you want to know what the fuss is all about.
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'Meet Me… At Sahara Tahoe!' New Import CD: Coming out before holiday season is the final Straight Arrow's single-digipack release of 2014 - "Meet Me… At Del Webb’s Sahara Tahoe!", featuring May 26th, 1974 Midnight show.
While Elvis was alive, many fans dreamt of a chance to meet the man. The best chance that people had to meet him was at the Sahara in Lake Tahoe, where the intimacy of the showroom gave Elvis the possibility to interact with his fans ‘upclose and personal’. Those that were lucky enough to witness the star during one of his shows there in May ’74, witnessed a charismatic performer in full control of his art and his audience. Originally, the May 26th Midnight was supposed to be closing show of the season, but due to the huge demand, special 3am show on May 27th was added. The show on this release is a real audience pleaser, as he flirts with the girls on the frontrow and sings all the 1974 show favorites with verve. This is a rather good audience recording that gives you a frontrow perspective of this delightful performance. Ask your local dealer for samples!
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The May 26th, 1974 M/S is a completely new concert even for die-hard Elvis fans. It has never been in circulation - in any form. The so called „May 26th, 1974 M/S“ audience recording available on tape/CDR is wrongly dated! "Meet Me… At Del Webb’s Sahara Tahoe!" is taken from a first generation copy of an original audience recorded cassette, obtained from a collector in the US and the date was verified through several very credible sources. Every second was digitally restored to achieve optimal listening pleasure.
Straight Arrow is taking the opportunity to thank Elvis Presley fans all over the World for their loyalty and continual support. The year 2015 is a special anniversary for us - it marks 10 years since our initial CD release titled 'Pieces Of My Life'. We promise you several surprising releases for 2015 – so stay tuned! The Straight Arrow team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and prosperous, Happy New Year!
Go here to EIN's 'All The CD News 2014' for full details & tracklist.
(News, Source;SA/ElvisInfoNet) |
Wednesday 3 December 2014 |
Bob Lanning Reaction to 'Geraldo's 'Elvis at 80': The Fox News "Elvis At 80" show was a corny sensationalistic rehash of the old Geraldo programme 'The Elvis Cover Up'. Duke Bardwell, the TCB Band mid-70s bass-player, provided his insightful review (see below).
Now Bob Lanning (TCB drummer of the 'On Stage' era) has also sent in his reaction..
... OH MY GOD!!!!!...THIS IS THE GREATEST!!!....DUKE IS MY MAN!!!...HE IS AMAZING!!!...That's all I can say. I guess I'm excited because through the years what has come back to me so many times is the overwhelming positivity of Elvis. These reports (Geraldo) and others are so misguided.... There's a scene in the movie ‘Inherit the wind’ at the end of the movie where the newspaper reporter starts talking about all the negative aspects of a man who has just passed. A lawyer speaks up and says,
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"I'm damn sick of you… There was so much greatness in the man. All you can do sit on the sidelines and point the finger!". ......Stupid F***ing Mustache.....I LOVE IT!!!!.... - Bob Lanning
Marty Lacker also sent EIN his fabulous story about the bus mentioned by Duke Bardwell. (see below).
(News, Source;ArjanDeelen/MartyLacker/ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis, The Bus and TG Shephard: In reply to Duke Bardwell's story below, Marty Lacker explains the marvellous story about the J.D. Sumner bus!
... The real reason the check for TG Shephard's (real name: Bill Browder), was made out to J.D. Sumner is because J.D. bought the bus at Elvis' request and brought it to Graceland and Elvis reimbursed him.
What happened is that Elvis decided to go to Dallas to check on the progress of the refurbishment of the Lisa Marie Airplane. Browder (TG) just happened to be at Graceland, which just happened a couple of times. Elvis invited him to fly down there with us, it was him plus Dick Grob, a girl named Melissa Elvis dated that night and me.
During the trip Browder conveniently brings up the fact that it was difficult going to his gigs and would be great if he had a bus to do so, this was in answer to Elvis simply asking him how things were going for him. When he said that Elvis looked at me and I just looked back as if to say, "isn't he obvious." Browder not only mentioned that once but about three or four times during the short trip.
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When the plane landed in Dallas, Grob got off first then Elvis and Melissa and I was walking behind them. Elvis sort of slowed down till he got next to me and whispered, "Call JD and get this son-of-a-bitch a fu**ing bus. Tell him I want it up at Graceland by 3PM tomorrow."
I turned around and went into the dark office building that we had just passed and used the phone in an office. I called J.D. in North Carolina.
J.D. couldn't believe he had been given such short notice and then said he only knew of one bus for sale. I told him, "All I know JD is what Elvis said, do your best." J.D. then said, "Why the hell is he buying that guy a bus? I said, "Good question!"
The next day Browder and his wife show up at Graceland as Elvis |
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told him to do and he thought he was getting a decked out fancy tour bus - but what was waiting for him was an old yellow school bus with regular seats and it looked like it was on its last leg.
Browder had a disappointed look on his face, I had to keep from laughing and Elvis just acted like nothing was wrong and said, "Let's go for a ride around the block" - and so we all got in with Elvis driving and we rode for about 20 minutes and sent Browder packing with his bus!! - Marty
(News, Source;ML/ElvisInfoNet) EIN thanks Marty for this cracker story! |
Graceland officials Seek Incentives from City Council: EPE representatives returned to the Memphis City Council Tuesday to request more tax dollars to support an expansion project at Graceland, and the council quickly voted, 10-1 to approve it.
The council had voted in August in favor of an arrangement called a Tourism Development Zone (TDZ) to fund the improvements, including a 450-room hotel near Elvis' iconic home. On Tuesday, the council fast-tracked a vote on another arrangement called Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
And the representatives of EPE say they’ll come back to the City Council to seek approval of a tourism surcharge. The combined local and state sales tax rate in Memphis currently stands at 9.25 percent. At Graceland, it would rise to 14.25 percent.
Graceland attorney James B. McLaren Jr. said to his knowledge, Graceland would be the only site in Tennessee to
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collect such a surcharge. The proposed Tourism Development Zone still faces approval from the State Building Commission.
EPE noted that they were contributing $10 million in land, plus hotel revenue. In an interview, McLaren said the company was also guaranteeing debt service on the project and said a lender, whom he didn’t name, was prepared to give the project $84 million once government support is lined up.
Backers of the project said that if taxpayers don’t fund the hotel and other improvements, they won’t happen.
“There has been no significant investment in Graceland for many, many years,” said Reid Dulberger, president and CEO of the economic development entity, “So I think the empirical evidence clearly indicates that without this level of support, we don’t have this new economic generator added to the Graceland campus.”
(News, Source;MCA/ElvisInfoNet) |
'Still Crazy After All These Years!' New Import CD: The touchdown label has chosen the Asheville July 22nd 1975 show for their next release. Many fans know, that the tour with which Elvis stopped for 3 days also in Asheville just made the best tours Elvis in his career. It is also the tour where he for the last time gave still really energetic shows, then he never again approached completely these great concerts. The Asheville shows fascinate by some rare songs and were always to the favored shows among the fans. The show from July 22, 1975 had not appeared up to now on Silver Disc and has been preserved up to now like also the other concerts of this tour, unfortunately, only than Audience Recording. Rare songs are outstanding in this show like "Memphis Tennessee", or "Shake A Hand", both completely, and the only known live version from "Why Me Lord" with which Elvis also takes over the part of J.D. Sumner and joins in the singing not as usual only the refrain. The whole show is stamped by a fantastic set list. Fans who collect Audience Recordings will be inspired.
Go here to EIN's 'All The CD News 2014' for full details & tracklist.
(News, Source;TD/ElvisInfoNet)
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'Magnetic As Ever' New Import CD: Out soon from the MxF label the second volume of “Wild Tiger in Concert'' entitled 'Magnetic As Ever' featuring the Spokane, April 28, 1973 8.00 PM Show.
The April Tour represent the first tour of the year, Elvis on tour means Elvis at the top of his possibilities. The year 1973 began with the glorious Hawaii TV satellite Show and after a pale useless Vegas season, Elvis recuperated from the fatigue, started the first tour of the year in a different mood … very energetic on stage, full of enthusiasm he sings with power delivering a solid and long show, with the classic repertoire of the 1973 including a incredible “Steaming rolling blues” version, together a sensitive I’ll Remember you and nice super pop I’m Leaving….. On stage is an impressive figure in Fire jumpsuit, the rocker attitude still intact, the voice great, the atmosphere enormous, the demand terrific, 13.000 lucky people attended at the two shows of Spokane.
The show is unreleased almost complete, Johnny B. Goode is missing for the half.. Here we present the show directly from a first generation copy of a privately-recorded 60-minute cassette. The sound was painstakingly
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restored for your listening pleasure. The sound quality here is incredible good, considering it was taped from the audience. Elvis and overall the band is loud and clear, the sounds is very powerful in very good balanced mix with some great James Burton’ guitar solos, the audience is never too intrusive giving instead the real feeling of the concert.
Go here to EIN's 'All The CD News 2014' for full details & tracklist.
(News, Source;MxF/ElvisInfoNet) |
'Geraldo Rivera Reports: Elvis at 80': Described by mainstream Fox News as "A look back at the life and legacy of The King" the show, broadcast over the weekend, was basically a Fox News sensationalist re-hash of Geraldo's old 1979 ABC documentary.
Back in 1979, "20/20", a popular news-magazine program on the ABC network in the USA, achieved its highest rating ever when it broadcast 'Elvis The Cover Up' Geraldo Rivera's investigation into the death of Elvis Presley. Following the success of the program, "20/20" broadcast several follow-up segments in later editions.
The new programme, hooking in to what will be Elvis' 80th Birthday celebrations, was the usual tabloid simplistic trawl through the Elvis' life-story focusing on the typical drugs and |
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sadness of the last few years to sensationalise and boost ratings.
While the "Elvis At 80" show featured new interviews with Jerry Schilling and George Klein but was basically a rehash of the old Geraldo programme 'The Elvis Cover Up'.
Please see TCB mid-70s bass-player Duke Bardwell's insightful review below.
Go here for EIN's original review of "'Elvis The Cover Up' Serious investigation or tabloid sensationalism?"
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Duke Bardwell reviews Geraldo’s 'Elvis At 80': EIN contributor Arjan Deelen writes... One of the things that I admire about Duke Bardwell is his way with words. He is one of the most expressive guys I know, who can tell you exactly how he feels about any issue. And he does so with great intelligence, insight and passion. Duke saw the Geraldo 80th anniversary special the other day, and I wanted to share his assessment of it. He tells it like it is, and his love for Elvis and his heartfelt anger with Geraldo's phoniness & opportunism shine through from every sentence.
.... That "television show that's fit for a king", is so drastically miss-named, it is paled only by Geraldo Rivera's inept ability to report anything but old, tired, inaccurate sensationalism, that it is hard for anyone that has one grain of sense to see that he spent |
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| more time on his "new look" and trying desperately to twist the ends of his stupid fu**ing mustache that he obviously thinks makes him look creditable, than trying to breathe any new information into an old eulogy. Yes they got TG thanking him for the bus with the check made out to JD, not TG,…(wtf?) and Brenda and Richard….. also David Stanley and George K from the old '70's bullshit….. same old bullshit. And Geraldo's big scoop with the Vegas' "Dr to the stars" wife and son, with all the pill bottles he read like it was the first time anyone had ever seen before and he, as the master sleuth he considers himself to be, making intelligent comments like "that's a lot of dope"……while at the same time all of that information has been public knowledge for 40 fu**ing years !! The only thing new they came up with was the segment on ETAs. It was good to see Dwight given credit for being the professional that he is but at the same time, there was so little redeeming information released in that hour that I became infuriated with the fact that there are so many |
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new EP fans coming up all the time and they might actually see some of that bullshit for the first time and have a negative effect on the reality of his accomplishments and his memory. They cannot let him just RIP !! I thought one of the most candid responses to Rivera's dumbass questions was Larry Gatlin's. I don't know if the broadcast was worldwide, but if it doesn't leave every Elvis fan grinding their teeth about the way they handled our boy, I will be surprised. I found it infuriating and TOTALLY insulting. Only a few people got to say what a fine and caring person he really was, although most of the comments did give props to him and negativity to those around him. But is the fact that he was a good boy that loved his mother and got hooked on the devil's drugs relate to good reporting….. hell no. Rivera just had to spend all the show trying to appear to be some great investigative reporter with a scoop. The only scoop on that show was Rivera himself. He is a self-serving, arrogant, pretentious asshole that can't stay in the fox hole he dug himself without pissing down his leg or hiding from the fight and making it look like his injuries were heroic. I despise the ******** (can you tell?) and he makes me want to bathe and scrub my eyes and ears for seeing him and listening to his idiotic putting on airs. He wants to be legit so bad he is as much an addict as the rest of us. He must fold himself up into his own asshole to sleep at night to come out in front of the camera smelling like his reporting does.
You know………. I ignore him usually ….. but other people were calling me to watch this …. I had a bad feeling about it because I know what a douche-bag he is ….
Well …. sure 'nuff …. there he was ….. but this time he was coming off like this authority on EP….. fu** him. He and Fox news deserve each other. - Duke Bardwell
NOTE - Duke Bardwell will be coming to Europe again in May '15 and you can see the Tour Schedule here - don't miss the opportunity to meet this truly unique individual.
(News, Source;AD/DB/ElvisInfoNet) - EIN thanks Arjan Deelen for this review. |
'The Real...Elvis Presley (The 60s Collection)' New Box set: The new SONY budget release coinciding with Elvis' 80th Birthday celebrations. Nothing special, a standard collections of Elvis' well-known sixties songs in a 3 CD box-set.
At the cheap price of £7.81 = US$12.20 for 52 tracks
Release date 5 Jan 2015
Tracklist,CD1 - 1 Return To Sender, 2 (You're The) Devil In Disguise, 3 Follow That Dream, 4 Today, Tomorrow and Forever, 5 Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello, 6 Roustabout,
7 Good Luck Charm, 8 She's Not You, 9 Suspicion, 10 From A Jack To A King, 11 Witchraft, 12 You'll Be Gone, 13 I Met Her Today, 14 The Lady Loves Me (ft. Ann Margret), 15 I'm Yours, 16 Kiss Me Quick, 17 Memories.
CD2 - 1 A Little Less Conversation, 2 Viva Las Vegas, 3 Such A Night, 4 Frankie & Johnny, 5 Gonna Get Back Home Somehow, 6 You Don't Know Me, 7 Too Much Monkey Business, 8 Big Boss Man, 9 Lawdy Miss Clawdy, 10 What'd I Say, 11 Rubberneckin', 12 (Its A Long) Lonely Highway, 13 I'll Hold You In My Heart (Until I Can Hold You in My Arms), |
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14 Baby, What You Want Me To Do, 15 There Ain't Nothing Like A Song, 16 Memphis Tennessee, 17 Trouble, 18 Reconsider Baby.
CD3- 1 If I Can Dream, 2 Guitar Man, 3 In The Ghetto, 4 Gentle On My Mind, 5 Only The Strong Survive, 6 Kentucky Rain, 7 Suspicious Minds, 8 Words, 9 Clean Up Your Own Backyard, 10 Don't Cry Daddy, 11 I'll Remember You, 12 Blue River, 13 Wearin' That Loved On Look, 14 Love Letters, 15 US Male, 16 You Gotta Stop,
17 Long Black Limousine
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
'Elvis: The Man & His Music' #106 Out Now: The new issue of EIN's favourite Elvis music magazine is out now
The December 2014 Issue features articles on:
- BOB LANNING EXCLUSIVE! - The elusive drummer interviewed for the first time!
- How To Sell A Movie The Colonel Parker Way - Confidential report on the 'Kissin' Cousins' exploitation campaign
- SUPPORTING ST. JUDE'S - The full story of the June 1957 Russwood Park benefit show
- FTD - WTF? - What's going on with Follow That Dream?
- CD, Book& BluRay Reviews
As ETM&HM is one of the major supporters of the FTD label, the article questioning FTD's recent slip in quality control is proving very controversial.
EIN will publish a mini-review once our magazine arrives
(News, Source;ETM&HM/ElvisInfoNet) |
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New Jerry Lee Lewis Biography: "Last man standing!" said the 79-year-old Jerry Lee Lewis with a hearty laugh, one of the founders of rock and roll, Lewis is, indeed, last of the many luminaries discovered by Sun Records founder Sam Phillips, which included Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Howlin' Wolf.
Sam Phillips once famously described Lewis as "One of the most talented human beings to walk on God's Earth."
Lewis' life story is the stuff of which movies are made, and one was -- "Great Balls of Fire!" starring Dennis Quaid in 1989 -- but even that failed to convey the true ferocity of Lewis' life and music. Biographer Rick Bragg has become the latest to try to do justice to the incendiary musician known both as "The Ferriday Fireball" and "The Killer" in the new book, "Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story," published earlier this month.
Bragg's book, a new more expansive biographical information, is getting laudatory reviews. "It's fantastic," Lewis said. "Everything in it comes straight outta my mouth."
One notable moment draws a clear contrast between Presley and Lewis, who both turned 21 in 1956 and soon thereafter received draft notices. Presley dutifully reported and enlisted in the Army as a regular soldier in 1957 -- a move that helped change the public perception of Presley from the threat to the morals of American youth into a proper young role model.
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Lewis, far less concerned about public perception, reacted differently.
"I wadded it up and threw it in the Black River," Lewis tells Bragg.
He's been married seven times, and along the way, two wives and two sons died. Lewis made international headlines in 1976, when he was arrested at the gates of Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis in the middle of the night for brandishing a pistol and demanding to see his former label mate.
When Presley enlisted, Lewis seemed poised to inherit the crown of rock and roll royalty. But when Lewis married his 13-year-old first cousin -- not uncommon in the region of Louisiana where he grew up- DJs stopped playing his records and promoters stopped booking his concerts.
His career was over but not for long. He re-emerged in the 1960s in country music. Soon he was scoring hit after hit with distinctive songs such as "What's Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me)," "She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye" and "Middle Age Crazy."
Does it surprise him that he's rocking and rolling in his eighth decade?
With a tone of genuine humility, a quality that once never would have been expected from the Killer, he said, "It surprises me every time I get to go onstage and do my job." - go here to EIN's "Elvis Vs Jerry Lee Lewis" spotlight -
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
'Elvis' Christmas Album' 2-CD New Import: With the FTD Classic Album about to come out it is hard to believe that collectors need yet another 'Elvis' Christmas Album' in their collection.
This new release is in the original album series from ELVIS ONE. This time "Elvis' Christmas Album" from the UK.
Including the original album tracks, alternate takes, alternate versions and more!
Also an extra bonus disc with the Special Elvis' Christmas Program (For radio stations only) from december 3, 1967.
Plus a 12 pages booklet with photos & recording information!
Includes Original Mono album, remastered with stereo effects, plus 'It Is No Secret' and 'Peace In The Valley' outtakes and more.
Go here to EIN's 'All The CD News 2014' for full details & tracklist.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Autopsy: The Last Hours Of Elvis' Another Thrashing?!: As EIN noted below we have grave suspicions about the new 'Autopsy: The Last Hours Of Elvis' programme that will be shown on UK TV this week.
The promo publicity now includes rubbish such as "Elvis drank a litre of spirits a day" and that "The singer was so overweight .. that his death was inevitable."
As fans know, Elvis seriously disliked alcohol and hardly touched the stuff, and although a little overweight at the time of his death a large proportion of the general public are similarly overweight.
The programme also promises shocking facts such as "Elvis was not in good shape" and "His hair would have been “snow white” had he not dyed it".
An insider commented, "It's not about the facts, it's about gripping and shocking television. I saw the one they did on Michael Jackson, and I was offended by how many times they showed the photos of his dead body. Totally unnecessary in my view, and very sensationalistic."
EIN asks fans to be very wary...
'Autopsy: The Last Hours Of Elvis' UK Channel 5 on Tommorow at 9pm.
We do note that so many of these programmes have already been done (see Geraldo comments above) it only goes to show that how amazing powerful Elvis' legacy still is 37 year after his death.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Latest Billboard Album Charts: 'It's Christmas Time' rises from 74 to 62 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for w/e 6th December, 2014; rises from 9 to 5 on the Catalog Album Chart and drops from 12 to 14 on the Holiday Album Chart.
- 'Merry Christmas, Love Elvis' rises from 127 to 107 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart; rises from 27 to 21 on the Catalog Album Chart; drops from 24 to 26 on the Holiday Album Chart and rises from 8 to 5 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
- 'The Classic Christmas Album' rises from 155 to 128 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart; rises from 41 to 30 on the Catalog Album Chart and rises from 12 to 7 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
- 'Blue Christmas' (Single) drops from 25 to 35 on the Holiday Digital Songs Chart.
- 'He Touched Me' - The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley (Vols. 1 and 2) rises from 7 to 4 on the Music Video Sales Chart.
Elvis is ranked at 80 on the Artist 100 Chart.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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More News from earlier last week |
'Autopsy: The Last Hours Of Elvis' on UK TV: Another attempted tabloid thrashing of Elvis' legacy. So many of these programmes have already been done it only goes to show that how amazing powerful Elvis' legacy still is 37 year after his death. And that they still are a ratings draw-card on national TV!
Screening in the UK 9pm on Channel 5 -Tuesday, 2nd December.
The publicity notes.. Forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd returns to re-examine the medical evidence relating to the deaths of famous people. In the first episode, he picks through the facts surrounding Elvis Presley's demise at his Memphis home Graceland in August 1977 at the age of 42, using testimony from the singer's childhood best friend, his cousin and his private nurse, as well as the medical facts. The post-mortem report reveals that towards the end of his life, nearly all of Presley's vital organs were almost twice the size they should have been, and that his system was full of prescription drugs."
The producers contacted an EIN contributor for some input. He told EIN, "I was contacted by one of their producers a couple of months ago. I talked to her, and it was clear that they were mainly interested in all the garbage and gossip surrounding his death. She called it a “factual medical documentary film”… I would call it something else but let’s not begin the day with obscenities! Medical doumentary.... I wouldn't trust these characters enough to treat me for a sore throat!"
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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The inside story of London's Elvis exhibition: Leicester rocker Nic Wastell was contacted ABG to help stage London's Elvis exhibition.
Graceland was my first stop. I flew to Memphis to meet the team that looks after Elvis’s personal possessions. The people there are fantastic and include distant relatives of the King and the leading authorities on all things Elvis in the world – which for a music fan like me was a real treat.
I lined up the O2 in London, but we only had four months to do it. And the space is huge (the equivalent of two Olympic swimming pools).
Then things started to get slightly surreal. Elvis still has magic powers it seems, as all kinds of people, from press agents to concert promoters, TV companies, radio stations, cinema beam back companies, newspapers, record companies all started to get in touch.
Now, having tried for over 30 years to generate interest in my own band (Chrome Molly) with people like this and generally being ignored, it felt a bit strange to suddenly find myself fending off journalists from the BBC, Sky and ITV on a daily basis.
At Graceland, they have only 10 per cent of his stuff on show and the rest is stored in a 70,000sq ft warehouse. It is the size of a football pitch. Filling the space will be no problem, I am told.
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Graceland's Angie Marchese is the curator of the exhibition and it has been her job to whittle down the one million documents – yep, one million – 300,000 photographs and hundreds of outfits, dozens of cars and so on, into a selection that can give our visitors an insight into what Elvis was all about.
Another challenge was to get the best of Graceland over to the UK without lessening the offering over there (they get 600,000 visitors a year).
The most popular things in Graceland are:
• Elvis’ black leather suit from the 1968 comeback special.
• The Gold Lame suit
• And my favourite, the pink Cadillac that Elvis gave to his mum and dad.
It has been decided that all of these things can visit our exhibition in the UK but for a limited time and, also, one at a time.
There is a ton of technical and boring stuff that needs to be done – arranging builders, lighting, sound, glass cases, permits, tickets, website, advertising campaigns, press, PR, guide book, merchandise to be selected (we are getting hundreds of gift items from the Graceland shop over), a CD to be pressed (for the exhibition) and tunes to be selected for an end of show “live” experience which makes the exhibition something different to what has been before.
There is talk of a big celebrity party on December 15, which Priscilla will attend (hopefully me as well) and – I wish I could tell you more, but I can’t... Nic Wastell is the bassist in Leicester band Chrome Molly.
The Elvis Show is at the O2 Arena from December 12 until August 31, 2015. Admission is from £18. Click here for details ElvisAtTheO2.com.
(News, Source;LeicesterMercury/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Ronnie Milsap Talks Elvis: Ronnie Milsap didn't just dominate country music in the Seventies and Eighties, he helped redefine it. An eight-time CMA award winner, Ronnie Milsap was the 1974 Male Vocalist of the Year and was named Entertainer of the Year three years later. These days, Milsap, 71, continues to record and perform, as well as care for his wife, Joyce, who is battling leukemia. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone Country, Milsap recalls the iconic performers who influenced him..
Q - You ended up in Memphis, working a lot with producer Chips Moman at American Studios. What do you remember about being in the studio with Elvis?
Ronnie Milsap: I got to play on the session with Elvis on "Kentucky Rain." "More thunder on the piano, Milsap," he said. I got to learn what hanging out with Elvis was all about. His big New Year's Eve party, I got to sit and talk with him like I'm talking with you. It was just great. He was the voice of my generation. I had a million questions to ask him, but he wanted to talk about that session of "Kentucky Rain," so we talked about that. I asked him, "Would you like to get |
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up and sing tonight at this New Year's Eve party?" Elvis said, "No, I want to sit here with my friends and not have to worry about singing." I said, "Well, we know all your songs." He knew we did, but he didn't want to get up and sing and that was fine. It was his party.
Q - What kind of resistance did you encounter from the Nashville country music community because of your Memphis and R&B background?
RM: RCA executive Jerry Bradley told Jack Johnson, "I know all about Ronnie Milsap. We take everybody down to Memphis to see him. He's a great rock & roll singer, he's a great R&B singer, but he's not a country singer." Jack played him that tape and Bradley said, "You know what? That son of a bitch is a country singer!" [Laughing]
Go here to RollingStone for full interview
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet) |
News and EIN exclusives from earlier last month |
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ASK Marty Lacker!: Today Marty answers your questions about....
- Had Elvis accepted A Star Is Born, could he have gotten himself in shape.
- As all Vegas concerts were sell-outs, why did Elvis stop performing there and go on tour? Surely Vegas was easier.
- Why Elvis never built himself a recording studio at graceland.
- Will the 'All The King's Men' documentaries be reissued on DVD.
- Just before Elvis passed away he said "I can't take time off. I owe too much to to many people." Did Elvis mean that in financial terms or personal?
- What is your favorite memory of Elvis?
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"Lisa Marie" & "Hound Dog" Aircraft on EBay!!: Do you have a cool US$3.5 Million to spare for some non-airworthy Elvis airplanes. Well for that cheap price you can own the two "Elvis Presley Previous Owned "Lisa Marie" & "Hound Dog" Aircraft". Noted as arguably the two most collectable Elvis items in the world!
.... April 17, 1975 Elvis bought a Convair 880 Jet, recently taken out of service by Delta Airlines, for the then-substantial sum of $250,000. After refurbishment, the total exceeded $600,000.
The plane was in a hangar at Meachum Field in Fort Worth and for months Elvis took great pleasure in flying friends out to check on the progress as the interior of the plane was refurbished to his very specific requirements (he bought another plane to |
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make those trips - a smaller Lockheed JetStar). Elvis wanted a seating area, a conference room and a private bedroom on the plane (with space for an in flight reading library).
Elvis was especially excited about the fact that the same design team had previously customized Air Force I. The craft slowly came together as an airworthy mix of modern function and Graceland elegance.
Close in size to a 707, the Lisa Marie could hold a maximum of 29 people, but usually there would be about eight or ten. When the final paint job was applied to the exterior, there was a prominent "TCB" logo on the tail.
After Elvis' death his father Vernon sold the plane in 1978 and it changed hands a couple of times. When Graceland opened to the public in 1982, EPE worked with the new owners to try to bring the plane home to Memphis. In 1984 the Lisa Marie arrived at Graceland, where it has remained one of the most popular attractions ever since.
These are the original planes owned by Elvis, they have been on display at Graceland for over 30 years.
We will assist in arranging third party professional shipping worldwide at buyers expense .
Please ! Serious bids from qualified buyers only.
All bidders must be qualified financially before bidding , please contact us before bidding
GO HERE TO BID- or just check out the great deal !
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
'Ultimate Elvis Sessions' Box-Case: This is the slip-case box design of the long-awaited 'Ultimate Elvis Sessions' Deluxe book-set that is now at the printers. The demand is high and so some Elvis websites - that earlier promised fans an "equivalent purchase price" - have now increased their prices to $540 plus freight! Don't go there and don't pay over $500 as some are suggesting - the Special Deal from Elvis Files for €230 = US$320 including postage still applies GO HERE for INFO and More Example Pages & PRE-ORDER details Get it direct to your door from Elvis Files. Legendary guitarist James Burton sums it up neatly: 'These are the most beautiful books I have ever seen and the best researched.'.
- In three volumes featuring every session and every Elvis release - all the singles, EP's and Album releases - plus reviews, interviews and in-depth looks into Elvis' sessions & with an incredible 1,700 pages this will truly be the ULTIMATE sessions book.
Elvis Sessions Fans should not miss out - get your final pre-orders in now. With a LIMITED EDITION of 2,000 boxes worldwide Pre-Orders are close to being Sold Out... "Originally, when this project was being discussed some years ago, the general idea was to have three volumes of Ultimate Elvis, each one dealing exclusively with the three decades Elvis recorded: the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. That would give the work a neat symmetry, we believed. However, as the project took shape and, incredibly, grew to about 1700 pages - which included a great deal of text along with about 3000 images - it became obvious that the amount of material we had for each of the decades varied considerably. |
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Therefore, in order to even out the material in three volumes of similar length - not so say accommodate the extensive discography and song index in the final volume - we decided to deviate slightly from our original idea and cover the time frame thus: 1953 – 1960; 1961-1968; and finally, the years leading up to 1977.
(Photo right: Publisher Erik Lorentzen shows Elvis a sneak-peak of the fabulous 'Ultimate Elvis' sessions book slip-case design)
GO HERE for INFO and More Example Pages & PRE-ORDER details -
(News, Source;EL/ElvisInfoNet.com)
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'Bossa Nova Baby / We Will Rock You' MashUp: One of the delights of the new pop era is the "MashUp" which creates new versions by blending together multiple alternate songs. And usually the stranger, the better. Here is a fabulous Mashup created from Elvis' Bossa Nova Baby vs Queen's We Will Rock You along with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flo Rida and Cee Lo Green!
It's crazy stuff and fun for a Sunday!
CHECK IT OUT here on YouTube
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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The Story Behind "T-R-O-U-B-L-E": The 1975 Elvis hit "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" was composed by Kentucky's Jerry Chesnut. It was however originally written for singer Little David Wilkins, who really did play from "9 til half past 1" in a Nashville bar.
In the Tennessean newspaper Jerry Chesnut talked about writing "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" and about meeting Elvis.
Q - Where did the idea for the song come from?
Jerry Chesnut - Little David Wilkins kept bugging me: "Write me a hit, write me a hit." He was playing Ireland's Restaurant. It was steak and biscuits, and they had a bar set up. David would go over there and play the piano from 9 til 1. He's like Jerry Lee (Lewis), man, he's wild and great. We'd go over there and eat, have a few drinks I'd seen a good-looking woman walk in by herself, and it's trouble. I thought of that and it just kind of fell in place.
The first time I met Elvis, Lamar Fike said, "We're going to a movie. Elvis wants you to go with us." I met them down at the Memphis Theatre, I believe it was, and the movie was (1973 crime film) "Charley Varrick." We watched that movie together, and he introduced me to
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Elvis. I don't know, being a songwriter and meeting Elvis, it's like meeting Superman or something. A lot of women would almost lose their mind. They'd jump out of balconies, they'd go crazy, you know? I thought, "Boy, this is really gonna be something." Lamar said, "Elvis, this is Jerry Chesnut." Elvis stuck out his hand and said, "How you doing?" To this day, I don't remember what I said (laughing).
The first time I heard Elvis' version I was in the studio, and they were mixing it over at Victor. ... Being a publisher I began to worry about how I would cope with all the distribution.. I was dreading it. Then all of a sudden I thought: "Here I've got a single by Elvis coming out. This is the greatest thing you could have happen, and I'm sitting here dreading it. It's time for me to get out of this business." (laughing)
Go here to the Tennessean for the full interview
(News, Source;Tennessean/ElvisInfoNet) |
News and EIN exclusives from earlier last month |
The Elvis Presley Baptist Hospital Cover Up: Salon.com has published an excerpt from the new Joel Williamson book 'Elvis Presley: A Southern Life.'
"What America didn’t hear about the death of the king. - After Presley's death, an effort was launched to protect the reputation of the hospital that had treated him. (EIN will be reviewing the book soon).
... The call came to Memphis Fire Station No. 29 at 2:33 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 1977. The dispatcher indicated that someone at 3754 Elvis Presley Boulevard was having difficulty breathing. “Go to the front gate and go to the front of the mansion,” the voice directed. Ambulance Unit No. 6 swung out of the station onto Elvis Presley Boulevard and headed south, siren wailing, advertising a speed that the ponderous machine had not yet achieved.
The two medics manning the ambulance recognized the address right away. The “mansion,” as the dispatcher called it, was Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland, three miles south of the fire station. They had been there often, to take care of fans fainting at the front gate and pedestrians injured by passing automobiles. Two years before, one of the medics, Charles Crosby, had come to assist Elvis’ father, Vernon Presley, after he suffered a heart attack. He thought it might be Vernon again.
As the ambulance crested a low hill and swooped down the broad six-lane boulevard toward Graceland, the gates swung open and the crowd milling around the entrance parted. Making a wide sweeping turn to the left, the vehicle bounced heavily across the sidewalk and hurtled through the entranceway, striking one of the swinging metal gates a clanging |
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blow. One of the several musical notes welded to the gate fell off. Crosby accelerated up the curving drive toward the mansion. He braked hard in front of the two-story, white-columned portico. Climbing down from the ambulance, Crosby and Jones were met by one of Elvis’s bodyguards.
“He’s upstairs,” the man exclaimed, “and I think it’s an OD.”
... Later at Graceland, Dr Nichopoulos would secure Vernon Presley’s signature to a document authorizing an autopsy of his son’s body by the staff of Baptist Hospital, to be paid for by the Presley estate. Thus, Vernon might share—or not share—the resulting report with anyone he chose. If the object was to keep the cause of Elvis’s death a secret, it was an excellent move both for the Presley family and for Dr. Nichopoulos. If Elvis died by his own hand from popping too many pills, only trusted people needed to know the truth, and the carefully constructed public image of Elvis would be secure. Also, if Dr. Nichopoulos had prescribed too many pills for Elvis, that fact might be kept from authorities who might otherwise take away his medical license or even bring him up on criminal charges.
The Cover-Up
Baptist Hospital administrators realized that in dealing with the death of Elvis Presley they were involved in a public relations matter that might damage the hospital’s sterling reputation. Over the years they had carefully concealed the nature and seriousness of his often embarrassing illnesses, including those resulting from drug abuse. Dr. |
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Nichopoulos had always checked Elvis into Baptist Hospital because he knew they were discreet. That was surely one reason why he ordered Charles Crosby to drive the ambulance some seven miles to Baptist Hospital rather than to the nearest emergency room, at Methodist South Hospital, only blocks away from Graceland.
The autopsy was conducted by a specially selected and highly skilled team of nine pathologists headed by the hospital’s chief of pathology, Dr. E. Eric Muirhead. Dr. J erry Francisco, the medical examiner for Shelby County, closely observed the proceedings. It would be his responsibility to declare to the world the official cause of Elvis Presley’s death....
- EIN warning, some fans may find the full details emotionally disturbing - It was a very sad end to an amazing life. -
Go HERE if you want to read the full extract.
(News, Source;Elvis Presley: A Southern Life/ElvisInfoNet) |
Ed Hill Elvis Memoirs Coming Soon On-Line: Ed Hill was a member of the Stamps Quartet and would often announce, “Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building. Thank you and good night!”
The Tennessee Star Weekly Journal has been given exclusive rights to publish the Ed Hill memoirs that detail his close relationship with Elvis Presley. They will begin next week. This chronicle of Elvis is found no where else.
Hill recalls how he both became a member of the quartet and his first experience with Elvis. “I started to work for J. D. Sumner, who owned the Stamps Quartet, at his office. He came in one day and said he needed me to help fill in until he could find a new baritone singer. So I filled in, for almost 25 years.”
The first show I did with Elvis was in California. He flew us out there. And I needed to learn all the songs. So, I was given a live performance tape to study. I was a little nervous because I didn’t know my part very well. We were singing the program and he kept looking at us. I was thinking maybe I was singing the wrong part. All of a sudden he walks over to us. He puts his hand out, shakes mine and said ‘Ed Hill, welcome to the family.’” That was the beginning of a long friendship, one that Hill reveals in his memoirs.
EIN will link to the Ed Hill TSJ memoirs when it starts next week.
(News, SourceTSJ/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis "live” Hologram Las Vegas Show in the Works: Jamie Salter, the branding guru who owns a majority of Elvis' estate, is planning a “live” show in Las Vegas with Presley appearing as a hologram. The Elvis Presley show still continues with Elvis boasting 12.4 million “likes” on Facebook and 187,000 followers on Twitter and the recently released a duet with Barbra Streisand. Never mind that he died in 1977.
And that’s just the beginning for the King of Rock ’n’ Roll and other long-dead celebrities. Reviving a corpse from a cryogenic deep freeze is still the stuff of science but every other promotional possibility is on the table. The Elvis “live” show in Las Vegas with Presley appearing as a hologram will be much like the one of Michael Jackson that appeared at a show in Sin City earlier this year. Pinup queen Bettie Page, managed by dead-celeb superagent Mark Roesler, is slated for a holographic burlesque herself.
Today, deceased icons from pop culture’s heyday are enjoying unprecedented success, out-earning even their former flesh-and-blood selves, says Salter, one of the new breed of brand managers using technology to wring big bucks from superstars otherwise resting in peace (or so we hope).
These late luminaries are profitable in part because they first captivated fans in a pre-Internet age of truly mass media, dominating the popular imagination in ways few contemporaries can match, Salter says
Even better, they aren’t able to create the sort of mischief that bedeviled their handlers back in the day, potentially damaging their brand in the bargain. They can no longer lapse into drug-induced comas in hotel rooms (Elvis), assault girlfriends with vodka bottles (Jimi Hendrix) or set themselves on fire |
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while freebasing (Richard Pryor).
“They can’t get pulled over for drunk driving, their reputations are intact.”
Model Kate Moss, by contrast, can still embarrass sponsor Burberry Group Plc (BRBY) by appearing to snort cocaine on the cover of a British tabloid. Bets on the dead have lately paid off big.
Salter bought the Elvis estate, including Graceland and the rights to the singer’s image and music, from Core Media Group Inc. in November 2013. Salter’s New York–based Authentic Brands Group LLC expects profits to rise by 25 percent this year thanks to Elvis-themed bathrobes, calendars, cookie jars, cuff links, luggage, Christmas-tree toppers and, oh yeah, music.
“We bought Elvis at the right time,” Salter says. “None of the kids listen to his music, but look at how they’re dressing, and their flipped-up haircuts.” For a page ripped straight from Presley’s pompadour playbook, just Google Justin Bieber’s latest coif.
(News, Source;Bloomberg/ElvisInfoNet) |
(Interview) Allen J. Wiener author of Channeling Elvis: How Television Saved the King of Rock 'n' Roll talks to EIN: Earlier this month EIN ranked Channeling Elvis: How Television Saved the King of Rock 'n' Roll as one of the 'Two Best Books in 2014 that add Appreciably to our Knowledge & Understanding of Elvis'.
Following our review Allen kindly took time out of his busy schedule promoting Channeling Elvis to talk to EIN's Nigel Patterson.
In an insightful and thought provoking interview Allen talks about many intriguing issues including:
- whether Elvis would have made it without television
- did Elvis appear on the Roy Orbison TV show
- why the controversy of Elvis' "Hound Dog" performance on the Milton Berle Show was an over reaction.
- why Steve Allen is unfairly criticised over Elvis' appearance on his show
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- the 'special clause' the Colonel had added to Elvis' contract with RCA
- why Elvis generally acquiesced to the Colonel and TV producers during filming
- the lack of chemistry between Elvis and Frank Sinatra
- the Elvis single regarded by one of his well known backing singers as being an "inferior, throwaway song"
- the stars who tried to stop Elvis from appearing on their show
- behind the scenes of the Comeback Special as Elvis bonds with producers Steve Binder and Bones Howe
- which studios Elvis actually moved into and slept at during filming of one of his TV appearances
- why producer Marty Passeta included "visual distractions" in the "Aloha" special
- will EPE ever release Elvis in Concert
Click here to read this fascinating Interview |
FTD Tracklists Announced: The tracklists for the two November/December FTD 'Classic Album' releases have been announced.
Nothing surprisingly new, just a few BINAURAL outtakes on the Christmas Album and those expected missing 'Britches' and 'A Cane And A High Starched Collar' outtakes on Flaming Star that you have always desperately longed for!
- 'Flaming Star' Classic Soundtrack Album
1 Flaming Star
2 A Cane And A High Starched Collar
3 Britches
4 Summer Kisses, Winter Tears
5 Flaming Star (end title version)
Alternate movie name title tracks
6 Black Star
7 Black Star (end title version)
Plus multiple Outtakes
Go to EIN's SONY/FTD page for full track list
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- 'Elvis' Christmas Album' - FTD Classic Album
1 Santa Claus Is Back In Town
2 White Christmas
3 Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
4 I’ll Be Home For Christmas
5 Blue Christmas
6 Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)
7 OH Little Town Of Bethlehem
8 Silent Night
9 (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)
10 I Believe
11 Take My Hand, Precious Lord
12 It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)
BONUS SONGS
13 My Wish Came True
14 Treat Me Nice
15 Don’t
THE BINAURAL SESSION TAPES
Full session for (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) and 'It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)' Go to EIN's SONY/FTD page for full track list
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Elaine Beckett -Easy Come Easy Go costar- Interview: Elaine Beckett was born in England, qualified with an Arts Degree and yet was somehow destined to be a co-star in Elvis’ 1966 movie ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’.
The film was Hal Wallis' last movie with Elvis and the circumstances - including forcing Elvis to wear a scuba suit and with only a low-budget - were not ideal.
Elaine Beckett still lives in LA and it was through a connection with her fine work for ‘The Humane Society Of the US’ that EIN managed to track her down for an interview about her amazing career and her time with Elvis.
Elaine Beckett not only worked with Elvis but met a multitude of fascinating people through her life in Arts and the movies..
Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley talks with Elaine Beckett about her amazing life...
(Interview, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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“My Happiness” Acetate To Be Auctioned!: Following the highly successful Auction at Graceland during Elvis Week 2014, collectors from around the world will once again have the opportunity to own a piece of history with the January 8, 2015 Graceland auction surrounding the annual birthday celebration in Memphis.
All 68 of the genuine Elvis artifacts from third-party collectors offered in the auction have been thoroughly researched and evaluated by Graceland Authenticated.
Some of the signature items up for bid on January 8, 2015 include:
- “My Happiness” Acetate - Considered part of the “Holy Grail” of artifacts in rock ‘n’ roll history, Elvis’ first-ever recording is a 78 mm acetate produced at Memphis Recording Service (home of the Sun Record Company) in June of 1953. Elvis paid $4 USD for what was said to be a gift for his mother. It features the songs “My Happiness” (Side A), which is the only Elvis recording that exists of this song and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin” (Side B). The Presley family didn’t actually have a record player, so Elvis took the acetate to the home of friend Ed Leek, |
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who did, where he listened to the results of his first studio recording session. Elvis left the acetate behind at the Leek home and never gave it to his mother. This historical 78 acetate was the beginning of a revolution in the music industry and the start of an iconic legend. In private hands since it was created, Elvis’ first recording is being offered for the first time since Elvis walked into that Memphis studio over 60 years ago.
- Autographed copy of “That’s All Right” 78 record #209 - The first professional recording of Elvis on the Sun Record label, Elvis autographed it for friend Ed Leek and it reads “To a good pal, Elvis Presley” in blue ink on the iconic Sun label. Considered by some music historians to be the rock ‘n’ roll equivalent of the “Shot Heard Round the World,” this record jumpstarted the unprecedented craze over the future King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. - Elvis’ First Driver’s License - Issued on March 24, 1952, Elvis’ first driver’s license lists his date of birth as 1-8-35, occupation as student, hair color of brown, eyes as blue and height of 5’11. The original typed address on the Tennessee driver’s license appears as 185 Winchester at the Lauderdale Courts public housing development in Memphis where the Presley family once lived. |
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Penciled in is an updated address of 698 Saffarans Avenue Memphis.
- Second Louisiana Hayride Contract - Signed on September 8, 1955, by Elvis, Gladys and Vernon with all three of the Presley’s signatures in bold red ink, this contract committed Elvis to perform every Saturday for one year, starting November 12, 1955. Early contracts signed by the whole Presley family are extremely rare - all three signatures were not required on contracts once Elvis turned 21, just four months after this contact was signed.
- Jacket from “Viva Las Vegas” - Shooting jacket that Elvis wore in a firing range scene with Ann Margret from “Viva Las Vegas.”
- TLC and TCB 14 Karat Gold & Diamond Necklaces - Necklaces gifted by Elvis to Tish and Tommy Henley. Elvis was known to give the TCB (Taking Care of Business) to those men close to him and TLC (Tender Loving Care) to the women who were close friends. Each necklace has 12 inset diamonds contained in the lightning bolt pendant with 14 karat gold rope chain designs.
The Auction at Graceland will take place January 8 at 7 p.m. CST at the new Archive Studio. Bidding will begin online two weeks prior to the live auction here.
The mansion and all artifacts in the Graceland Archives continue to be owned by Lisa Marie Presley and are not for sale.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Why Is Elvis Special: The Sydney Morning Herald recently commented on The London Elvis Exhibition.... "If I hear that some event has booked an Elvis impersonator and everyone pretends to groan, I am secretly delighted. Even if the ETA is rubbish ELVIS music will remind you of the real thing.
So what is it that is so special about Elvis? What is his distinctive magic, when even a '50s rock fanatic could just as easily worship Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry or Eddie Cochran?
Well, even apart from the sound of him, there's plenty to love. There's the fact that unlike too many later stars he was real, self-made: a moody boy from a two-room house in Tupelo who loved his guitar and served the draft as an ordinary soldier, donating his army pay to charity, asking no special treatment and buying TV sets and extra fatigues for his mates on the base.
When did Mick Jagger or Ozzy Osbourne ever do anything so sweetly, laddishly benign? Here was no plastic celeb but an American spirit: a son of the great racial melting-pot with a dash of Celt and Cherokee in him, a church-going white kid whose first love was Gospel, a Beale Street regular in the segregated South. Indeed, young Presley was one of the musicians gripped and inspired by the daring DJ radio stations that brought R&B into white culture, kicking out the bland Perry Como discs to play dangerous "race records".
Elvis although white, sang and moved "in a black way". Whereas Cliff |
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Richard, that bland vanilla rocker, sang and wiggled in a safer "white" way. Curiously, we were allowed Paul Robeson, presumably because he sang opera and spirituals and didn't move at all.
So, yes, the sexiness, the edgy hip-swivelling freedom of Elvis was important to his appeal and remains so. But look at all the enormously fat, white-rhinestoned impersonators who feel equally empowered to represent him in his later years. There is a rueful sense of pity, a kinship in human fallibility, in the very fact that his fit, golden youthfulness deteriorated after his divorce into obesity and addiction to prescription drugs (having being fed amphetamines by his army sergeant in Germany for stamina and weight loss).
There's a narrative arc, a story both inspiring and mournful: poverty and wild riches, musical enthusiasm, a willingness to dance with youthful insouciance through cultural boundaries. There's energy and sweetness, naivety, simple religiosity, flawed but heartfelt relationships, self-disgust and early death. Yet soaring over it all is that golden voice and that defiance: think of the energy of Heartbreak Hotel, a song that makes you swagger, rather than slouch, down your own version of Lonely Street.
The crowds searching for Graceland grace at this London exhibition will be sneered at. Some prim souls have no pity for his decline, others |
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just resent his adoption by matronly figures embarrassingly far from the cutting-edge of rock culture.
To them I say, back off. Do anything that you wanna do, but don't you step on our blue suede dreams.
(News, Source;SMH/ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis Presley #1 "Celebrity Veteran": On US Veteran's Day the military have listed their "Top 10 Celebrity Veterans".
It seems only fair that the man known as "the King of Rock 'n' Roll" should be the king of this list. Drafted by the U.S. Army just as he was experiencing a rise to stardom seldom seen before or since in popular music, Presley didn't shirk from his duty and found himself trading in his leather jacket for combat fatigues. He entered the Army as a regular GI at Ft. Chaffee on March 24, 1958. As his famously tousled hair was shaved down to regulation length, he cracked, "Hair today, gone tomorrow." His induction was a major event, with hundreds of overlookers and media there to witness it. "The Army teaches boys to think like men" Elvis said.
Elvis was stationed at Ft. Hood for Basic Training and was assigned to the Second Armored Division's 'Hell On Wheels' unit. Later he was assigned to the Third Armored 'Spearhead' Division, and stationed in Friedberg, Germany -- it was here that he met Priscilla Beaulieu, who would eventually become his |
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wife. During his time in Texas and Germany, Elvis kept a low profile, although he was already wealthy enough to bring his father and grandmother to live with him off-base.
By the time he finished his Army stiny, Elvis had been promoted to sergeant, and he was honorably discharged from active duty on March 5, 1960 at Fort Dix, receiving a mustering-out check of $109.54. Just prior to his exit, Elvis reflected on his experiences in an interview for Armed Forces Radio and Television: "I was in a funny position. Actually, that's the only way it could be. People were expecting me to mess up, to goof up in one way or another. They thought I couldn't take it and so forth, and I was determined to go to any limits to prove otherwise, not only to the people who were wondering, but to myself."
The ten celebrities are famous, they've gone on to great things, and they all have one thing in common: they served in the U.S. military.
The rest of the top ten are
2. Clint Eastwood - "I was drafted during the Korean War. None of us wanted to go... It was only a couple of years after World War II... We said, 'Wait a second? Didn't we just get through with that?'"
3. Johnny Cash - "That was the big thing when I was growing up, singing. The extent of my dream was to sing on the radio station in Memphis. Even when I got out of the Air Force in 1954, I came right back to Memphis and started knocking on doors at the radio station."
4. Mr. T, 5. Chuck Norris, 6. Morgan Freeman, 7. Humphrey Bogart, 8. Ice-T, 9. Steve McQueen, 10. George Carlin.
(News, Source;MilitaryUS/ElvisInfoNet)
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New Book 'The world knows Elvis Presley–but they don't know me': THE SMELL GETS WORSE!! - as we noted earlier 'Something smells very bad here', a new book about Elvis with the publicity noting Elvis' "previously unknown spectacular collection of objects from Nazi Germany'!"
'The world knows Elvis Presley – but they don't know me' (Elvis´ own words to Larry Geller shortly before his death) by Bruno Tillander is supposedly "An interesting portrait which casts a new light on the biggest artist in history!"
Apart from Larry Geller denying any real involvement - although his name is first on the book cover - Marty Lacker also tells EIN, "I read that story about Tillander's new book and all I can do is shake my head in disbelief at some of that shit he states.
As for Elvis' supposed vast Nazi memorabilia, all I ever saw in 20 years was a Nazi Military officer's hat and a brown overcoat that they were always depicted as wearing in the winter.
First of all, he features two great pillars of truth, Larry Geller and George Klein so I suggest they list this book in the FICTION section. Geller and his far eastern spiritual crap that screwed Elvis' head up and Klein who is a habitual liar.
Where do these people get all this bullshit? Anyone who wastes their |
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money on this piece of shit is an idiot."- Marty Lacker.
EIN has also noted the following Swedish news item..
"Three well-known Swedish musical artists Lotta Engberg, Martin Stenmarck, and Magnus Carlsson plus their booking agent Bruno Tillander have been charged with tax evasion and face up to two years in prison, reports news agency TT.
The artists' booking agent Bruno Tillander is also being charged and is suspected of gross accounting violations and serious tax evasion. Tillander faces up to six years in prison and if he is found guilty he would be forced to serve a minimum of 6 months in jail.
EIN suggest that this sounds like an Elvis book that everyone should avoid at all cost
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Monday EIN Elvis New Book Selection |
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'Elvis in Hawaii' books released in Kindle format:
The two books by noted author/researcher, Jerry Hopkins, examining Elvis' love affair with the island state of Hawaii are now available in Kindle format. Both books are full of interesting information, arcvhival material, color photos and are priced under US6.00!
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The Two Best Books in 2014 that add Appreciably to our Knowledge & Understanding of Elvis: |
The Two Best Elvis Related Memoirs of 2014: |
The Four Best Elvis Photo-Journal Book Releases of 2014: |
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Indepth Review soon |
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Indepth Review soon |
Note: Not all these releases are not available from online or regular bookstores (to obtain enquire with your regular Elvis supplier) |
FTD November Releases OUT NOW: The two new FTD releases are OUT NOW, the1975 soundboard, and Something For Everybody VINYL set.
'Elvis In Florida – April 1975' - The most exciting release, a new soundboard single disc 7" set featuring highlights from Elvis’ concerts during April 1975. The performances are taken from Jacksonville (April 25) and Lakeland (April 27 & 28). The 12-page booklet features great photos by Keith Alverson and memorabilia.
During his April 1975 tour Elvis was in good form, in a great mood and cracking jokes. We have already had plenty of soundboards from the May 1975 but no complete soundboards from April. FTD's Southern Nights captured the fabulous feeling from this 1975 spring era. (See Southern Nights FTD review here)
The tracklist includes plenty of favourites such as, Help Me, My Boy, T-R-O-U-B-L-E, I’ll Remember You, Big Boss Man, It’s Midnight, Funny How Time Slips Away and That’s All Right.
Go here to FTD/SONY 2014 news for full tracklist & more details
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'The Something For Everybody Sessions' Double VINYL. A special Limited Edition 2-disc 180-gram vinyl set featuring the best outtakes from Elvis' great March & June 1961 sessions. Also includes plenty of outtakes of the classics 'Little Sister' and '(Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame'.
• Vinyl cutting by ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS
• DMM Copper Mastering
• 180 Grams heavyweight vinyl
• Strictly limited pressing
Go here to FTD/SONY 2014 news for full tracklist & more details |
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'Elvis 80' with Duets and Remixes?: The Elvis Matters fan club is suggesting a rather strange collection for the 'Elvis 80' new album - It is believed to be a European only 80th Birthday release. The first CD 'King Of Rock 'n' Roll' will feature the regular twenty greatest hits tracks with CD 2 a similar 'King Of Love' 20-track selection BUT the third CD might feature a rather odd selection including 'Duets' and a selection of Remixes. Note that Dani Klein was featured on a VIVA ELVIS 'Love Me Tender' duet.
CD3 : The King of TODAY (Remixes)
1 Shake That Tambourine (by: Alle Farben)
2 Bossa Nova Baby (by: Viva Elvis)
3 A little less conversation (by: JXL)
4 Blue Suede Shoes (by: Viva Elvis)
5 Rubber Neckin' (by: Paul Oakenfold)
6 Burning Love (Viva Elvis)
7 Suspicious Minds (by: Viva Elvis)
King of DUETS
8 Love Me Tender (feat. Dani Klein)
9 The Lady Loves Me (feat. Ann Margret)
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10 You're The Boss (feat. Ann Margret)
11 Today, Tomorrow And Forever (Ft Ann Margret)
12 There Ain't Nothing Like A Song (Ft Nancy Sinatra)
The King of SPECIAL VERSIONS
13 Are You Lonesome Tonight (Laughing Version)
14 Wooden Heart (Muss i denn) (03:20 Version)
(News, Source;ElvisMatters/ElvisInfoNet) |
Shirley Dieu, author of Memphis Mafia Princess, talks to EIN: With many fans already getting to know Shirley Dieu through her warmly received book, Shirley has taken time out of her hectic schedule to talk to EIN's Nigel Patterson about her life, and of course Elvis. In her entertaining interview Shirley reflects on a range of interesting topics:
- her first impressions of Elvis
- life at Graceland and on tour
- some of the funny moments around Elvis (including the British comedy group Elvis liked to imitate)
- the Memphis Mafia
- Elvis' Monopoly Tour
- the day Elvis died
- Shirley's other lives as a, model, actress, Talent Agency operator and proprietor of a car brokerage company
- the "Princess Di like" cover image on Memphis Mafia Princess
- nights at Hugh Hefner's private club, PIPS
- why it is probably a good idea to know your Academy Award nominees
- revisiting a very different Graceland in the early 1980s (Interview, Source: EIN)
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(Book Review): CHANNELING ELVIS How Television Saved the King of Rock 'n' Roll: Allen J. Wiener's latest book is now available and what a release it is! Focusing on arguably the most important factor in the making and maintaining of Elvis as an international superstar, Channeling Elvis is a long overdue critical examination of the seminal and underappreciated role television played in the Elvis story.
Allen Wiener's earlier works have been critically acclaimed for their rigorous research, deep analysis and thought provoking narrative. And Channeling Elvis is no different - the result of years of research, first hand interviews with people involved with each of Elvis' television performances and cogent analysis, the author weaves a wonderfully rich and expressive narrative full of texture, color and absorbing resonance.
Channeling Elvis is a very important release in the Elvis canon and a mandatory inclusion in any serious Elvis library!
Read EIN's detailed review here |
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More great Elvis deals on Amazon
'Young Man With The Big Beat' Cheap Box set: Re-released for 2014 in a Limited Edition cheap slim-line box-set is Elvis' 'Young Man With The Big Beat'.
A great opportunity for those that missed it in
Go HERE for EIN's detailed YMWTBB review
UK price - only £19.99 = Euro25 = US$33 with FREE Delivery in the UK.
Click to Order now special deal >> . . Young Man With The Big Beat
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(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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The printed newsletters have extra content, articles and reviews to this website along with the popular Elvis EIN Mega Quiz.
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