| |
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:
| Thursday 26 February 2015 |
FTD "What now, What next, What If?": The FTD label has been doing an excellent job at looking at the recording anthology of Elvis Presley and releasing every significant LP or recording session on a 1CD or 2CD ‘Classic Album’ version.
However, as noted with the recent "ELVIS" second LP release, there are less and less outtakes and studio sessions left in the vaults.
Following our previous article “What now, what next, where to – what’s left” where EIN contributor Ian Garfield reviewed what has already been released by FTD, he now looks at how FTD might present their future 'Classic Album' releases.
Over the next couple of weeks, EIN will cover the remaining movie soundtracks and the possible inclusions that could produce a suitable release for the avid collector for these recordings.
This first article covers the possible releases of Kissin’ Cousins and Roustabout.
Go here as EIN also wants YOUR input and ideas - and we will send the final suggestions to Roger and Ernst at FTD.
(Spotlight, Source;IanGarfield/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
'Elvis Today' Legacy $0th Anniversary Release: News that SONY Legacy are releasing a 40th anniversary version of "Elvis Today" this year.
It will feature the original 1975 album, plus undubbed session mixes of its ten tracks. It will be paired with the 'composite' concert pieced together from recordings made on tour in May and June 1975 and first issued as part of the 1980 'Elvis Aron Presley' Silver box-set. The new concert release will be remastered for 2015.
Similar in concept to the earlier FTD 'Classic Album' TODAY release, hopefully the session audio will be remastered by Vic Anesini as the previous FTD audio mastering was not their best.
(see FTD 'Elvis Today' review here)
(News, Source;ETM&HM/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
59 years ago, Elvis' First Number 1!: It is fifty-nine years ago (Feb 25, 1956) this week that Elvis scored his first national No. 1 hit with 'I Forgot to Remember to Forget'. This is always a surprise to fans who think that 'Heartbreak Hotel' was his first US national smash.
The song, his final single released on the SUN label, stayed at the top of the US Billboard "Country" chart for two weeks. Written by Charlie Feathers and Stan Kesler, the single was one of only 10 tracks released by Sun Records before his RCA take-over, but the single's big success was due to the RCA reissue in December 1955.
Stan Kesler was a regular studio player and had already supplied 'I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone' for Elvis' forth single when he had the idea for 'I Forgot to Remember to Forget'. Kesler recalled, "At that time, I was on the kick of catchy titles, when I began to think about that phrase, it just expanded into 'I forgot to remember to forget her.' From there, I started working on it, and it all fell together."
Released, together with the sensational 'Mystery Train', this song would become Elvis' first number one hit on any national chart.
'I Forgot to Remember to Forget' was recorded the same night as 'Mystery Train' but was bolstered by adding Johnny Bernero on drums.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
| Wednesday 25 February 2015 |
Memphis Boys' Bobby Emmons Dies: Bobby Emmons, a Nashville songwriter who also played an integral role in the Memphis studio scene for decades, passed away Monday, February 23rd, in a Nashville hospital following an undisclosed illness. He was 72.
Born in Corinth, Mississippi, Emmons began his career as a member of the famed Bill Black Combo and played keyboards in the original house band at Hi Records studios, before joining the American Studios crew formed by producer "Chips" Moman. That celebrated group also featured guitarist Reggie Young, drummer Gene Chrisman, pianist Bobby Wood, and bassists Mike Leech and Tommy Cogbill. The group backed Elvis on his life-changing '69 Memphis Sessions as well as Dusty Springfield's 'Son of a Preacher Man' and Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline'. Between 1962 and 1972, they played on more than 100 chart hits.
Emmons' piano and organ playing also featured on recordings by Wilson Pickett, Garth Brooks, Townes Van Zandt and Roy Orbison. As a songwriter, he had cuts by the likes of George Strait ("So Much Like My Dad"), Waylon Jennings ("Women Do Know How to Carry On") and Tanya Tucker ("Love Me Like You Used To"). |
 |
In December of last year, Emmons was part of legendary Memphis singer-songwriter Dan Penn's band when he appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman for a performance of 'The Dark End of the Street' which was written by Penn with Chips Moman.
Go HERE for more on 'Bobby Wood and The Memphis Boys'
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
"The Biggest Star Ever in Burlington": There are very few times you can say you were there to see the star rise.
Betty Wright was 18 when she saw a young Elvis Presley perform in the auditorium at Williams High School, her school, in February 1956. It was perfect timing. Had Elvis not signed with RCA Records a few month before, for the princely sum of $40,000, he probably wouldn’t have been big enough to play at Williams, which had one of the larger auditoriums in the state at that time, seating 2,500. And if it had been a few months later, Elvis would’ve been so big, he’d have skipped right past Burlington as he did, the rest of his professional career.
Betty Wright had to drag her friends along who had no desire to see a "Hillbilly show'!
A couple of weeks before he played in Burlington, Elvis recorded, “Heartbreak Hotel,” at the RCA studios in |
 |
EMM 107 - March 2015 issue Out Now: EIN's favourite music magazine Elvis The Man and His Music #107, March 2015 issue is out now.
Includes the first in-depth interview with Shecky Greene, the comedian on the same bill as Elvis in Vegas in '56.
- A frank, honest review of 'Ultimate Elvis: The Recording Sessions';
- 'Elvis At Paramount', behind the scenes of 'G.I. Blues'
- plus CD and book reviews, 'Elvis In Person',
- Heaps of your letters and loads of other good stuff.
Go here to ETM&HM to subscribe.
(News, Source;ETM&HM/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
Deluxe Releases from Gravel Road OUT NOW: Despite promises that the two new deluxe releases from Gravel Road Music would be out "in time for Christmas"- after multiple delays they are finally released and at your local dealer now!
The publicity states
- 'Elvis, Love American Style' (Directly from SOUNDBOARD recordings Series no.1)
Brand new Deluxe 100+ pages book with Soundboard CD "'Elvis, Love American Style' featuring the 28th June, 1974 concert Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Arena.
The ultimate re-release of this special concert!
The 'Elvis, Love American Style' deluxe hardcover book with 100+ pages and many (80+) amazing beautiful page size photos of the show with the light blue "Phoenix" pattern jumpsuit, essential liner notes, background information and news reviews AND the concert is fully re-mastered audio. In crisp dynamic sound! -
Limited to 550 copies worldwide. |
 |
- 'Elvis, Vegas Rhythm" Revisited' (Directly from SOUNDBOARD recordings Series no.2 )
A Brand New Deluxe 110+ pages book with Soundboard CD 'Elvis, Vegas Rhythm" Revisited' featuring the February 3rd, 1973 Dinner show.
Plus on Multi Media DVD in full format 2 extra shows February 2nd, Midnight Show and February 3rd, 1973 Midnight Show and 45 Minutes 8 mm footage of the January/ February Vegas Season.
A Deluxe Full Colour Hardcover Book with 45+ minutes 8 mm Footage of January/ February 1973 and 3 SOUNDBOARDS fully re-mastered in amazing sound! And over 85+ amazing and rare photos many page size.
Limited to 550 copies worldwide, in the best possible artwork & audio!
See EIN's 'All The CD News 2015' for full details and tracklists
(News, Source;GRM/ElvisInfoNet) |
Bruce Jenner - the Elvis Connections: Bruce Jenner can't escape the media spotlight and it has been revealed that the woman who was recently killed in his horror car crash appeared as a dancer in the Elvis movie 'Double Trouble'.
Kim Howe, 69, died after her car was hit head-on by a Hummer earlier this month, with investigators looking into whether Jenner rear-ended her vehicle, causing it to cross into the oncoming lane.
Now it has been revealed that widow Howe made a short appearance in 1967 movie Double Trouble, starring Elvis Presley, when she danced with The King himself.
In her early 20s, Howe featured on screen a few moments into the song 'I Love Only One Girl', as Elvis walked down the steps of a bandstand and into a dancing crowd before walking up to her.
Bruce Jenner was previously married to Elvis' ex Linda Thompson (right, in happier times). They married in Hawaii on January 5, 1981 but separated five years later.
Ten years later Bruce Jenner would marry Kris Kardashian, matriarch of the famous media family.
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
'Shaking Them Up' New Import CD: Out soon from the "SR" label is 'Shaking Them Up' featuring the unreleased AUDIENCE RECORDED show from Jacksonville April 16, 1972 A/S. SR concentrates its work on early 70's unreleased shows with Elvis at the top of his possibilities. We are proud to present the complete show from April 16th afternoon show, a rare show from a the first tour of the 1972, known well from the Elvis on Tour documentary... Elvis' love of singing is clear in this tape and we are glad to give you the opportunity to listen to it.
After the emotionally breakdown of Vegas winter season where personal problems have blended with music and subsequent depression, Elvis starts the first of the three tours of the year with the will to give his best. The April tour 19 concerts in 15 days will be filmed from the MGM documentary Elvis in Tour and still present Elvis’ at the top of his possibility.
The show is solid and rough no too long considering a tour concert, we have 53 minutes only, but Elvis worked hard performing 18 songs,
|
 |
including his new single “An American Trilogy.” together his classic best repertoire of Vegas.. Talking of highlight of the show, we can agree with the Florida-Times review, the physical performance of Suspicious minds is surely the best moment of the show…...
This recording come from an early generation copy of the Audience Recorded master tape, the sound quality is very good considering the early Tour.
This new CD will come with the classic of deluxe Digipack four panels, containing a collection of live photographs from the actual show .
EIN note- The audience recordings of this show that are previously out on CDR are not great recordings, so check before buying.
GO Here to EIN's 'All the CD News 2015' for more info and full tracklisting.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Samsung Ad features 'Follow That Dream': The news Samsung "Galaxy Family" commercial features Elvis' "Follow That Dream"- but rather oddly purely as quiet background music. The song never really kicks in. It's hardly going to make an impression.
Go HERE if you want to watch it on YouTube.
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
EIN's 'Elvis Star Track': Our popular new weekly spotlight 'Elvis Star Track' continues where every week we choose a particular song that we think is worth looking at and commenting on.
This week, an overlooked fifties R&B gem...
'I Need You So'
'I Need You So' was recorded by Elvis on 23 February 1957 - at his 'Loving You' soundtrack follow-up session.
On the same night Elvis recorded the number one smash 'One Night' as well as 'I Beg Of You', 'Don't Leave Me Now' and Cole Porter's 'True Love'.
The author was Ivory Joe Hunter, a talented pianist and composer who was also popular as a touring artist, especially after his 'I Almost Lost My Mind' topped the R&B charts in 1950.
Elvis obviously enthused over Ivory Joe Hunter's material since he also recorded his compositions 'My Wish Came True', 'Ain't That Loving You Baby', 'I Will Be True', 'I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen' and 'It's Still Here'.
Elvis had also attempted 'I Need You So' at his earlier "second album" recording session in September 1956 but soon gave up as he couldn't get the sound he wanted. |
 |
Although Ivory Joe Hunter is often thought of as an R&B artist / composer his compositions and recordings were musically far broader.
In fact his original version of 'I Need You So' (a #2 Hit on the R&B charts in 1950) was far less "rhythm and blues" and far more a gentle ballad.
It was Elvis who, once again, re-imagined the song as a far more emotional, pleading song of missed love.
A true gem of Elvis' fifties blues recordings, the song was hidden away as the final track of Elvis' June 1957 album 'Loving You' on the "non-soundtrack" side 2.
Ivory Joe Hunter would visit Elvis in Graceland on June 30th in the summer of 1957.
According to Peter Guralnick's 'Last Train To Memphis' ....
"Elvis was thrilled, and they were all sitting on the white couch in the living room swapping stories when Elvis said, 'Ivory Joe, I sure do like your songs. You ain't got any more of them for me, do you?' Now Ivory Joe was a real friendly guy, and he said, 'Well, I just have - I got one just for you'.
So we went in the piano room,and he sang "My Wish Came True" and Elvis said,'Shit, I'm cutting that at my next session!' Which he did even though it didn't come out for a couple of years. They sat there for hours, mostly singing Ivory Joe's songs, & a few of Elvis'. |
 |
Note - Last week's STAR TRACK 'ANYONE' also now updated with YOUR comments. |
ELVIS still Officially Number One in the UK!: EIN contributor Brian Quinn informs us that ELVIS is still the UK's "Most Successful Chart Act" in 2015, over 37 years after his sad demise.
Official Charts Company (UK) has published its "Most Successful UK Chart Acts" as of 19th February, 2015
The result is calculated by the amount of weeks on the chart for both Singles and Albums combined.
One point is gained for each week an album/or single appears in the Top 75:
1. Elvis – 2636 weeks (1302 weeks for singles) (1334 weeks for albums)
2. Cliff Richard – 2033 weeks (1177 weeks singles) (856 weeks for albums)
3. Michael Jackson–1906 weeks (686 weeks singles) (1220 weeks albums)
4. The Beatles – 1832 (461 weeks for singles) (1371 weeks for albums)
5. Queen – 1823 weeks (439 weeks singles) (1384 weeks for albums)
6. Madonna – 1822 (736 weeks for singles) (1086 weeks for albums)
7. Elton John – 1670 weeks (649 weeks singles) (1021 weeks albums)
8. Rod Stewart – 1590 weeks (476 weeks singles) (1114 weeks albums)
9. U2 – 1445 weeks (363 weeks for singles) (1082 weeks for albums)
10. David Bowie – 1419 weeks (459 weeks singles) (960 weeks albums) |
 |
ELVIS PRESLEY UK CHART SINGLES
21 No.1’s
76 Top 10’s
140 Top 40’s
165 Top 75’s
80 weeks at No.1
386 weeks in Top 10
1062 weeks in Top 40
1302 weeks in Top 75 |
ELVIS PRESLEY UK CHART ALBUMS
11 No.1’s
49 Top 10’s
92 Top 40’s
118 Top 75’s
63 weeks at No.1
523 weeks in Top 10
1004 weeks in Top 40
1334 weeks in Top 75 |
The numbers are quite staggering knowing that Elvis has not recorded any new studio material since 1976!
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
Toni Basil Talks "Viva Las Vegas"!: Toni Basil, now unbelievably 71 years old, is still most famous for her chart-topping 'Mickey' anthem from 1982.
She is also known for her work as a choreographer, dancer and actress.
But who knew that Toni Basil really was "That Girl with the Red Dress On" who could "do-the-dog all night long" in Elvis' film 'Viva Las Vegas'?
Here Toni Basil talks about working with Elvis and more...
"I remember the feeling when I first walked onto set and met Elvis. In fact I was the assistant choreographer on Viva with David Winters - and I got to work with Elvis prudently developing the dances that he did.
Over the months of rehearsing with Ann-Margret and Elvis, David Winters and I became close friends with them. David and I worked on most of the musical numbers for the film.
|
 |
For 'What'd I Say?' I even got to be the "girl with the red dress on"! --- (See 'What'd I Say' clip HERE on YouTube)
The great George Sydney directed this film. Lance Le Gault was playing guitar in Elvis' movie band but he worked more as a right hand man in the film and was always Elvis' "stand-in". David, Lance and I put together the choreography and then taught it to Elvis and Ann-Margret separately before we brought them together.
Looking back at the film I can also recognise plenty of other dancers I know including, Teri Garr, Pete Menefee, Sharon Garret Brooks, and Lorene Yarnell.
So it was almost twenty years later that I got the massive success of 'Mickey'. But afterwards I then went back to choreographing for stars like David Bowie, Tina Turner, Bette Midler.
You know, it's quite rewarding being behind-the-scenes and you don't have to get into make-up and the right shoes and be the star.
People do not really realise how difficult it is to be a celebrity performer, like Elvis, Tina Turner, Bette Midler or David Bowie.
It's a lot of hard work."
EIN NOTE - Toni Basil also worked with The Talking Heads and on big films including, 'American Graffiti', 'The Rose', 'Peggy Sue Got Married', 'My Best Friend's Wedding', 'Legally Blonde' and 'Charlie Wilson's War'.
(News, Source;C Bamford/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Elvis London Exhibition Smash Success: Strictly Elvis UK / The Elvis Travel Service report that the O2 exhibition is a great success with over 57,000 tickets sold so far.
"Elvis and Egypt are both linked by a number of different things. Memphis, Elvis beloved city where he lived, was named after the city of the same name in Egypt. Both places are served by huge rivers - the Nile in Egypt, the mighty Mississippi in Memphis. And both even feature Pyramids as part of their impressive skylines.
And of course they have both home of kings - The King of Rock and Roll in the case of Memphis and in Egypt the Pharaohs who ruled over the country in ancient times. Of all the Pharaohs the most famous is arguably Tutankhamun; 'The Boy King'. And there's a link between him and Elvis too. In 2007 the O2 Arena in London played host to a record-breaking exhibit of Tutankhamun's treasures......well record breaking up until now!
We've learned the fantastic news that to date, with over 57,000 tickets sold, the Elvis at the O2 exhibit has already smashed ticket sales - and it's not even finishing until August!!
It just proves that it doesn't matter who you are, even a King who ruled over a whole civilisation - you'll never be bigger than the true King; Elvis Presley!
If you haven't been as yet then don't miss out on this awesome exhibit (it's like a little slice of Graceland in the UK)" Click HERE for more info to order tickets, reviews & photos
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/StrictlyElvisUK/TheElvisTravelService) |
 |
'The Sun Singles Collection' on Vinyl: The Not Now Music label is issuing a 180g vinyl version called 'The Sun Singles Collection'.
They note that, Elvis was the first and greatest star of the rock'n'roll era - and while his output over the years was variable, his energetic, genre-blurring early recordings have retained their appeal for fully half a century. The five singles Elvis Presley recorded for Sun will go down in history.
The album actually features fourteen tracks.
1. That's All Right, 2. Good Rockin' Tonight, 3. Milkcow Blues Boogie, 4. I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone, 5. Mystery Train, 6. I Love You Because,
7. Just Because, 8. Blue Moon Of Kentucky, 9. I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine, 10. You're A Heartbreaker, 11. Baby, Let's Play House, 12. I Forgot To Remember To Forget, 13. That's When Your Heartaches Begin, 14. The Truth About Me (Teen Parade Interview)
It is of course a Public Domain release and it is also a shame that the cover photo is from the RCA era! (very slack!)
Better that you chase down the official Kevan Budd mastered 'Elvis At Sun' on vinyl.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
Official Elvis Presley Fan Club GB magazine: The February / March 2015 issue of the 'Official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain' magazine is now out.
It features articles on Elvis' 80th birthday celebrations as well as an RIP to Joe Guercio and local event news.
Elvis 'On Stage' drummer Bob Lanning is also interviewed due to his up-coming May 6th concert in London with 'An Evening with Elvis’ Friends and Original Musicians' which the OEPFC is promoting. Their last magazine also featured an interview with Marlyn Mason who is also appearing at the same show.
Go HERE for more info or to subscribe to OEPFC of Great Britain
See Below to know more about the 'An Evening with Elvis’ Friends and Original Musicians' shows throughout Europe in May 2015
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
Rare Elvis Interview - March 29, 1957: Don't miss this relatively unknown 1957 Elvis interview at Kiel Auditorium, St Louis with St. Louis WIBV radio's "Uncle Buck" (aka Ron Lipe).
Elvis talks about how he is coping with his new fame "It doesn't seem like it is really happening" and self deprecatingly notes about the suggestion of his paving the way for others "I wouldn't say that, it's just that people have really been wonderful to me and all that".
Go HERE to listen to the 3 minute interview on YouTube
(News, Source;TheDoc-FECC/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
Elvis 1972 Cadillac De Ville Station Wagon on EBay: Want to own a piece of Elvis history, well his 1972 Cadillac De Ville Station Wagon is on Ebay for a mere $1.5 Million!
The publicity notes.. By the summer of 1977, a 42-year-old Elvis Presley had purchased hundreds of Cadillac’s dubbing the King of Rock as also the King of Cadillacs. He considered them to be the ultimate symbol of American style and luxury. And despite owning a fleet of fancy and expensive vehicles, in the last years of Elvis’ life, his go-to automobile was a 1972 Custom Cadillac Sedan DeVille Station Wagon. That's right!
Cadillac custom made only two of these station wagons, the other which they gave to Dean Martin which has since disappeared. This station wagon is one of the rarest cars on earth. It has 24kt gold spokes, 24kt gold Cadillac badge, and more importantly it had a lot of room for Elvis’ friends and luggage to fit comfortably.
|
 |
The 37-year-old Elvis originally purchased this Station Wagon as a gift for his manager Colonel Parker, but drove it himself so frequently from his home in Beverly Hills to his sold out shows in Vegas that Parker surrendered it back to Elvis who gladly took it back.
After wrapping up his show in Vegas, Elvis packed up his home in California and drove cross-country to his mansion in Graceland in this station wagon – this would be his last road trip – a pastime which was known to be his favorite. Elvis drove this car until he died only 4 months later at 42.
Since then, Elvis’ Cadillac station wagon could be viewed in the Elvis Presley Museum (the car is still titled to the Elvis Presley Museum) until now as it has been moved back to its original home – sunny Southern California. This car is truly one of a kind.
Go HERE to EBay for more photos & Info and to bid!
(News, Source;EBay/ElvisInfoNet) |
Gordon Lightfoot Talks Elvis and more: Gordon Lightfoot’s catalogue includes ‘If You Could Read My Mind’, ‘Early Morning Rain,’ ‘Rainy Day People’ and many more, but perhaps most impressive is the list of artist who've recorded covers of his songs: Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Barbara Streisand, Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley to name a few.
He recently talked to Alabama.com about Elvis and other greats..
Q. What got you interested in music in the first place?
Gordon Lightfoot: I really got interested when I got into high school, about grade nine. The first thing that I loved was Louis Armstrong quickly followed by Elvis Presley. laughing.. I heard "Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley and I went and bought a guitar and so did a friend of mine. We both bought guitars and we practiced Elvis impersonations, way back when we were 15-years-old. And that was how I learned how to play the guitar by listening to "Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. Elvis Presley has a great recording of my song "Early Morning Rain" as well.
|
 |
Q. That had to have been awesome and surreal. To have a person who'd made you want to start playing music eventually record a song you wrote.
It was very awesome. Very, very much so. Elvis did such a good job on it too. It was a really good recording. He sung it on his first television show he did when he came back from the Army. (EIN notes this is not true!)
Q. Did you see Elvis perform his version of "Early Morning Rain" on TV when it originally aired?
Uh huh. Well, it was a ballad. One of the few ballads he did and the rest was rock 'n' roll but he needed a couple of ballads and that was one of the ones he chose. I almost got to meet him one time and I just missed him at a concert in Buffalo because I had to get out of there and didn't get back in time. I had a chance to meet him one time in Los Angeles at an office meeting with the people who were promoting his concerts at that time. He was coming in and they wanted to know if I wanted to meet him and I said, "Oh, I don't know I think I'm going out of town to |
 |
Nudie's to buy some clothes. Tell Elvis I said hello." I was sailing pretty good too at the time myself.
But I was really impressed with the recording. It was probably the most important recording that I have by another artist. Elvis did another one too, a rockabilly version of "For Lovin' Me.”
Q. Gordon, so what's it like to have artists that are super-revered for their own songwriting, like Bob Dylan, record versions of your songs?
You know I was really surprised when that began to happen. I started getting cover recordings back when I was with United Artists Records, for whom I made five albums in the late-60s. And a lot of those songs got covered. I was really surprised because I wasn't sure those songs had what it takes to climb up the charts you know. And yet some of them did. I had a couple that went right up to number one for other artists. I was sort of glad because by this point I was raising a young family and trying to start a career in music and of course it helped me a great deal to have these cover recordings by some of these people.
Q. Do you have a cover of one your songs you're most fond of?
Yeah, I love Peter, Paul & Mary doing "Early Morning Rain." (EIN notes - WHAT!, not Elvis!?!)
Go HERE to AL.com for the full Interview
(News, Source;AL/ElvisInfoNet) |
| Go HERE to EIN's spotlight 'Trains, Jet Planes and Morning Rain' - where Paul Simpson investigates Elvis’s cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s most famous song – strangely underrated except by Lightfoot himself. |
Westgate Resorts' Las Vegas to announce Elvis Presley attraction: Elvis Presley is about to make yet another Las Vegas comeback. On Feb. 26, the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (the old Hilton Hotel) is expected to reveal details of a "new permanent attraction and live entertainment presentations that celebrate the life and legacy of Elvis Presley," said a release.
Presley performed often at the International Hotel — the Westgate Las Vegas' former name — when it opened in 1969, so the property has history with the iconic musician. EPE have been planning a second permanent home and exhibition in Las Vegas. (see news story below)
Joel Weinshanker, the managing partner of ABG, said that the new Presley outpost, featuring an exhibition space and live performances. |
 |
Las Vegas offers an opportunity to show off more of the million Elvis Graceland artifacts that often remain in storage.
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet) |
Collingwood Elvis Festival Loss & The Cost of Priscilla: The financial numbers are in for last year's Collingwood Elvis Festival and the results aren’t good.. The town council took a $74,000 loss on the event, which cost more than $600,000 partly due to the cost of more than $50,000 bringing Priscilla Presley to Collingwood for the event.
According to numbers provided by the municipality, Priscilla received about $36,000 in fees and the town also paid her an additional $5,000 to appear on ET Canada and part of Priscilla's contract was 24-hour security, which came at a cost of $8,000.
One of the reasons Presley came to the festival was to promote a book she co-authored with photographer Christopher Ameruoso, 'Shades of Elvis'. Ameruoso was also paid $5,500 and the town paid $5,100 for flights plus Priscilla and Ameruoso (photo right) also received per
|
 |
diems of $1,000 and $500 respectively. About $5,500 was spent on additional marketing and advertising, "All of these things added up to make quite an expensive venture,” said former festival general manager Rosemarie O’Brien, “We did determine it was the 20th anniversary and we wanted something spectacular for the folks that came here and certainly bringing Priscilla did that. I think for the experience for the fans and the people that came it was worth it and we got exposure nationally, that we would have never gotten had Priscilla not been here.”
The town also spent $34,000 for 500 copies of Presley’s book Shades of Elvis but sold about $25,000 worth for a net cost of about $9,000. Staff expect those costs to be recovered in 2015.
The event will apparently no longer be operated by the Collingwood Elvis Festival Municipal Services Board but will be under the direction of the parks, recreation and culture department.
The report says staff will be looking at maintain the quality of the headliners and plans to focus on “quality versus quantity.”
(News, Source;Collingwood/ElvisInfoNet) |
Rose Marie McCoy, Songwriter Dead at 92: Coinciding with our EIN spotlight on Elvis' version of 'Trying To Get To You' we missed out on noting that one of R&B musics most inspirational composers died in January of this year.
- For a woman who composed or collaborated on some 850 songs over seven decades, Rose Marie McCoy, who died on Jan 20, 2015 at 92, was largely unheralded, recognized only belatedly in a nationwide radio documentary.
But her songs, spanning rhythm and blues, rock 'n' roll, jazz and gospel, were widely heard, recorded by scores of singers including Big Maybelle, James Brown, Ruth Brown, Nat King Cole, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis, Bette Midler, Elvis Presley, and Ike and Tina Turner.
"When the rock 'n' roll come in, if you say you wrote rock 'n' roll, but we thought it was the blues" Ms. McCoy recalled.
It was in the early 1950s she was signed to Wheeler Records and was a co-writer of "Gabbin' Blues," which reached No. 3 on the Billboard R&B chart. She began collaborating with Charlie Singleton, meeting daily at 6 a.m. in a booth at Beefsteak Charlie's, near the Brill Building. They wrote the 1954 ballad "Tryin' to Get to You" for the Eagles, soon picked up by Elvis.
By 1961, when Ms. McCoy collaborated on Ike and Tina Turner's "I Think It's Gonna Work Out Fine," which earned them a Grammy nomination, she had her own office in the Brill Building.
In the 1970s, several songs she helped write were included on Sarah Vaughan's album "Send In the Clowns," and she composed jingles, including one sung by Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles for Coca-Cola.
Go here for more info "Lady Writes The Blues: The Life Of Rose McCoy"
EIN send thanks to Jakob Skjernaa Hansen for the info
Go HERE to our Elvis STAR TRACK spotlight on "Tryin' to Get to You"
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
‘Dancing with the King’ Returns to Tupelo: Dancing with the King kicks off in Tupelo this weekend partnering with the Tupelo Elvis Presley Fan Club to honor the late Elvis Presley.
It all starts on Friday, Feb 20. 7pm. at Elvis’ birthplace, 206 Elvis Presley Drive in Tupelo, with a ’50s style rock ‘n’ roll dance party. Following on Saturday at 9 a.m., there are dance workshops for ballroom dancing at the Catholic Church in Shelton Hall. Around 1 p.m. will be an amateur dance competition for Elvis fans, and there will be judges who will select certain performers to compete at Dancing with the King Gala on Saturday night.
The Gala will be a dinner and dance party including another competition featuring those who qualified earlier that day as well as professionals. Also performing will be a special guest Elvis tribute artist, a night perfect for all Elvis fans.
Prices to attend the events vary from day to day.
|
 |
| Wednesday 18 February 2015 |
New UK BPI Certification For Elvis: There is a new British Silver award added to Elvis' collection. This time the 3'CD Box Set 'Elvis Presley - Original Recordings' has been awarded Silver Certification (60,000 Units) by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) as of 13th February, 2015. The original release date was 22nd September, 2008.
While this is another fabulous achievement perhaps the sad fact is that this collection is a Public Domain release from the 'Go Entertain' label and nothing to do with RCA/SONY.
In fact their release 'Elvis Presley ICONs 2' received a similar Silver Certification last year!
Of course the recent SONY collection 'The Nations Favourite Elvis Songs’ was an absolute smash - BUT if a cheapo Pubic Domain label can achieve "BPI Certification" why on earth can't SONY/RCA do the same?
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
'Loose As A Goose' OUT NOW New Import: Out NOW is the new Straight Arrow's double-digipak CD release, called 'Loose As A Goose', featuring the August 19th, 1970 Las Vegas dinner and midnight shows. These recordings were first released in 1998 ('Double Dynamite' set) and were never re-released - until now.
17 years have passed, and it is the right time for the ultimate release of these special recordings.
To call this new Straight Arrow release "a nice upgrade“ would be like calling the Mona Lisa an "okay“ painting! The label was able to retrieve the first generation Rick Rennie cassettes from the August 19, 1970 dinner & midnight shows (the originals are lost) and then carefully enhanced every second on the tapes. As it turns out, that earlier release of these two show was edited, so this new SA release presents Rick's 1st generations tapes in their complete form for the very first time. Even though Elvis’ performance on this night was quite strong overall, you can hear in parts that Rick’s story rings true. Elvis’ off-color jokes receive only polite applause, if even that, and
|
 |
during ‘Polk Salad Annie’, he accidentally falls flat on his face!
But make no mistake about it, even these moments cannot distract from the pure dynamite of Elvis’ vocals & showmanship at the time. Especially on the newer stuff he sings at full throttle. The midnight show is even better: it’s 70 action-packed minutes of Presley at his mightiest, rockinest, lovinest… It’s „Elvis 1970“, and that really says it all for the true fan & connoisseur.
Go Here to EIN's 'All the CD News 2015' for full tracklistings
These shows never sounded better! Elvis never sounded better!
(News, Source;SA/ElvisInfoNet) |
St. Albert Elvis fan Selling His Collection: A Canadian St. Albert resident is letting go of his personal Elvis Presley museum that hid in his house for a decade.
Vic Nikolic had three dozen pieces of prized Presley memorabilia that he shipped off to an auction in New York this week. Among the items was Elvis' karate outfit, army uniform, gloves, briefcase, racquetball equipment, first gold record, one of his Gibson guitars, and a pill bottle marked days before Presley's death.
"It's sad to see it go," said Nikolic, 56, "I've got a couple daughters, it doesn't mean as much to them - different generation I guess - but enjoyed it over the last ten years. It's just time. You get a little older, you let go of things, you know."
Nikolic always liked Elvis as a kid - "Who didn't like Elvis?" he said - but he became a super fan about 20 years ago.
He said his favourite piece of paraphernalia is the |
 |
karate outfit, noting Elvis was a black belt. "I've got a book with him wearing it on the front cover."
Nikolic started collecting the items about a decade ago after visiting the Elvis Presley museum in Las Vegas. His visit came at an opportune time. The Elvis-A-Rama museum was being sold to Graceland and Nikolic befriended its owner, who sold him some of the items.
Through the owner, Nikolic also met Presley's former photographer and manager, who sold him more bits of Presley history that were not in the museum.
Nikolic wound up with a collection that he estimates is worth about $400,000.
He was finally convinced to let it go when Julien's Auctions came knocking. The New York auction that will hock Nikolic's Presley wares is also selling two of the super star's private planes, Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II.
(News, Source/SM/ElvisInfoNet) |
EIN's 'Elvis Star Track': Our popular new weekly spotlight 'Elvis Star Track' continues where every week we choose a particular song that we think is worth looking at and commenting on.
This week, a forgotten sixties soundtrack ballad...
'Anyone (Could Fall In Love With You)'
Recorded for Kissin’ Cousins, Elvis’ 14th movie release, at a MGM Soundstage vocal overdub session on October 10, 1963. Although it was the best song recorded at the session unbelievably it was cut from the film.
The song was composed by Benjamin/ Marcus/ DeJesus.
'Anyone' with its delightful melody and slide guitar, would have fitted perfectly on the earlier Blue Hawaii. A better song than anything else supplied for the movie it was more of a challenge and pushed Elvis’ tender vocal to a high tenor. At the overdub session Elvis had it wrapped on Take 3.
At his recording sessions Elvis has always said that he "didn’t like ‘okay’" but Kissin’ Cousins was his first LP where less than okay was deemed acceptable for release. The whole production was a low-mark for Elvis with a low-budget film, substandard songs and a quick dash through the required vocal overdubs.
|
 |
| The soundtrack session was originally planned for September 1963 at Nashville’s Studio B. However Elvis had a bad cold and didn’t attend. It is of course possible that Elvis had listened to the selected movie songs and decided that they just weren’t worth the effort.
Sadly without Elvis’ presence in the studio there was no driving spark to help lift the songs above mediocre. At the overdub session later, Elvis tried to add some enthusiasm at times but his vocals sound disconnected from the band, often sounding as if he was only reading the lyrics - which he was!
Elvis did not like recording on these cavernous movie soundstages but with such a low budget there was no other option. Listening to the Kissin’ Cousins album you can easily imagine Elvis standing there alone reading the lyrics.
The preceding Viva Las Vegas session had been held just a few weeks beforehand which proved that under the right circumstances and with some good up-beat compositions to work with, even Elvis’ soundtrack sessions could produce some better than average material.
|
 |
Sadly any hope of maintaining some real quality in his movies was completely dashed by the Colonel who demanded the lowest budget production for Elvis’ follow-up. Kissin’ Cousins was Elvis’ eleventh film in under four years; no wonder they began to have a production line feel and a low quality to almost all the compositions.
Of all the Kissin’ Cousins soundtrack songs however Elvis gave the ballad 'Anyone (Could Fall In Love With You)' more interest and emotion than the obviously trite other material. The song is sadly forgotten and 'Anyone' never even featured on the fabulous soundtrack compilation 'The Essential 60s Masters II' beaten by the choice of the lame 'One Boy, Two Little Girls'.
Click to our 'Elvis Star Track' spotlight for more info To HEAR this rare song - photos and also send us your comments and thoughts - Do YOU have other soundtrack favourites that you feel have been ignored - or Click HERE to EIN's Elvis Information Network FaceBook page and join the discussion
(Spotlight: Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Note - Last week's STAR TRACK 'It's Midnight' also updated with YOUR comments. |
Is 'From Elvis In Memphis' the only Elvis album you need to own?: July 1969….. man walked on the moon and Elvis Presley's new album 'From Elvis In Memphis' hit the US charts. Both events would prove to be monumental, albeit in different ways.
"At the very end of the sixties Elvis recorded the one Elvis Presley album everyone should own if they’re only going to own one" .. ... writes on-line A.V Club's Kenneth Partridge.
Released in June 1969, six months after NBC aired what’s become known as the ’68 Comeback Special, From Elvis In Memphis was Presley’s real return to form. It contains everything that was ever great about the King Of Rock ’N’ Roll.
So, is 'From Elvis In Memphis' the only Elvis Presley album you need to own?
Go here where EIN adds their own thoughts and revisits this incredible album.
(Spotlight; Source;A.V Club/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Elvis' secret Chevy van uncovered: Nascar legend Ray Evernham recently revealed what is said to be Elvis Presley’s secret van.
Evernham was recently invited to Graceland to shoot a segment for his TV show. The segment was supposed to be on the last car Elvis Presley drove before he died.
But when Evernham arrived, employees at Graceland told him that the car he was there to see was not actually the last one Presley drove.
The employees took him to a warehouse and unveiled a 1948 Chevy Panel Van that had been hidden from the public since Presley’s death until now.
“The King” would reportedly sneak out of his mansion and drive the van, going shopping and to the movies.
Go HERE for video on YouTube and see more cars in staorage and under wraps!
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Elvis Worldwide charts: The website Elvis Day-By-Day pointed out to EIN that we should recognise additional Elvis chart action around the world.
And it is interesting to see that the European “Elvis 80” anniversary release charted OK although it was not deemed worthwhile releasing in the USA or UK.
European Charts
- On the German Album charts “Elvis 80” dropped from #42 to #62.
- “Elvis 80” CD dropped from #60 to #77 on the Austrian Album charts. On the Swiss Album chart this CD dropped from #24 TO #27.
- “The Real … Elvis” dropped from #82 to #85 on the Italian Album chart.
- “The Essential Elvis Presley“ CD climbed from #49 to #24 on the Dutch Mid-price Album charts.
- The Warner 6 DVD set “The Elvis Collection” dropped from #26 to #28.
Australian Charts
- “Elvis: The King Of Rock’n’Roll–30 Hit Performances And More” DVD fell off the Australian Music DVD chart after a re-entry at #39 last week.
(News, Source; ElvisDayByDay.com/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Two New Imports: Recently announced by an unknown label, two compilations of various material that appears to have been compiled and re-edited from other releases.
- 'Elvis - The Essential Undubbed Masters' (1-CD Digipack)
For the first time the most essential undubbed recordings.
All edited to full versions, without the studio banter of false starts. All tracks are unreleased in this form.
The pure high-class Elvis sound !
Tracklist - Suspicious Minds, Don’t Cry Daddy, It Keep Right On A Hurtin’, In The Ghetto, I Really Don’t Want To Know, When I’m Over You, I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water, The Fool, I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen, For The Good Times, Separate Ways, Burning Love, Always On My Mind, Find Out What’s Happening, Loving Arms, Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues, If You Talk In Your Sleep, Promised Land, Way Down, Moody Blue
|
 |
- Elvis - Good ‘N’ Country (1-CD Digipack)
A sublime late 60’s and 70’s country album, full of rare versions, live recordings and outtakes. All tracks are unreleased in this form.
The ppublicity notes,"If you ever decide to buy an Elvis country compilation album, this the one for you !!"
Tracks - I Was Born About 10.000 Years Ago ( Unedited Master ), It Ain’t No Big Thing ( Take 6 ), Faded Love ( Brass And Strings Overdub Master ), Make The World Go Away ( Take 3 ), Snowbird ( Harmony Vocal Overdub ), Pieces Of My Life ( Alternate Mix ), The Fool ( Undubbed Master ), Welcome To My World ( Recorded Live, Differend Mix ), Until It’s Time For You To Go ( Take 6 ), Early Morning Rain ( Take 11 ), Little Cabin On The Hill ( Unedited Master ), Green Green Grass Of Home ( Take 3 ), There’s A Honky Tonk Angel ( Take 1 ), Susan When She Tried ( Take 2 ), If I’m A Fool For Loving You ( Take 3 ), If You Love Me Let Me Know ( Rough Undubbed Live Master ), Talk About The Good Times ( Take 3 ), I’ll Be There ( Take 6, Improved), It’s A Matter Of Time ( Brass And Strings Overdub Master), For The Good Times (Undubbed Alternate Master )
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Not so Blue Hawaii! Riley Keough on Honeymoon: Elvis Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough has been posting photographs showing off her happiness while on honeymoon with new hubby Ben Smith-Peterson
Just a week after saying 'I do', Riley Keough looked to be in the throes of wedded bliss as she relaxed with new husband Ben Smith-Petersen.
The 25-year-old granddaughter of Elvis Presley beamed for the camera as she sat cross legged on a beach in Hawaii on Saturday.
The beauty, who looks remarkably like her mother Lisa Marie Presley, showed off her envious bikini body in a mismatched two piece as she relaxed near the water's edge. Wearing a baby pink bandeau top and black and white shorts, the actress threw her long waves over one shoulder as it looked as if she enjoying a romantic picnic.
'Beach fuss,' she captioned the shot for her 30,200 followers.
To celebrate their first Valentine's Day together as a married couple, Ben and Riley enjoyed a hike along the cliff edge.
(News, Source;Tabloids/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
| Saturday 14 February 2015 - - - Happy Valentine's Day - - - |
Make Your Valentine's Day, "ELVIS Day"! If you are someone who feels a tightness in your chest and teardrops swell in your eyes when you listen to a sublime Elvis song, then perhaps no one but Elvis can make your Valentine's Day! You are almost certainly a baby boomer and you owe this to Elvis before you go - it is time to rename Valentine's Day as "Elvis Day".
Valentine's Day is the ultimate celebration of love, the most precious of human feelings, personified by Elvis as no one else has. This is borne out by the titles he chose for his songs and their lyrics, with almost all of his best songs featuring love and heartache.
What makes Elvis uniquely deserving is the emotionall avalanche of each of his songs, delivered with powerful voice, intonation, timbre and mountains of emotion to someone in front of him, making you feel that someone was no one but you. Arguably even Luciano Pavarotti's superb delivery of the original "O Sole Mio" has never achieved the emotional turmoil of "It's Now or Never" by Elvis in listener's minds.
In today's competitive world of modern electronic media and entertainment, with different values dominated by the likes of Katy Perry and One Direction, the softer qualities of love, |
 |
romance and angst of separation and loss, which endeared Elvis and his music to a generation, do not find much of chance to survive.
In the broken down social fabric of today, you can even find friends you can bang with just by a click, there is less and less people to listen to and experience the inexplicable emotional trips to fantasy worlds of joy and sorrow only Elvis songs can take you.
It is sad that whole new generations are really missing out on something which generations of parents and grand parents were granted to experience but have no real means of passing on, like lessons in text books or in curriculum.
Numbers like "Can't Help Falling in Love", "Always on My Mind", "Love Me Tender", " I Just Can't Help Believin", "I will hold you in my heart" or "The Thrill Of Your Love" or "Let It Be Me" which are indeed immortal might possibly be missed by the younger generations.
This year's Valentine's Day was hi-jacked in the world media by the release and progaganda for the movie version of "Fifty Shades Of Grey". So maybe this year fans should "Reconsider Baby" a little LUST for Elvis as well as LOVE! |
 |
Let us show our love of Elvis, for a start, let us call this Valentine's Day in 2015, "ELVIS Day"!
Go here for full Huff Post article.
For Valentine's Day why not compile your very own "Lust, Elvis" the unreleased BMG CD, or try BMG's sanitised version "Love Elvis" - See Reviews below.
(News, Source;SreedharPillai/ElvisInfoNet) |
"Lust, Elvis" – The unreleased CD: RCA have regularly released their Elvis "love songs" compilations (see below) and while there is a positive reason to have these kind of CDs in local record shops, Elvis Presley wasn’t always about love and, in the fifties more importantly, he was far more about lust!
In the 1950s' Elvis was basically too damn sexy for mainstream TV, yet 82% of the US viewing audience couldn’t help but watch! The battle for media censorship struggled while Elvis, seemingly unintentionally, kicked down the door for everyone to follow. American youth would never be the same, & the rest of the world would follow.
Elvis was just a natural great-looking sex-god, oozing LUST and surely that deserves a CD worth of celebration.
So here is the new potential SONY CD "Lust, Elvis (Play it dirty)" as suggested by EIN, play it at home to the partner you desire.
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
"Love, Elvis" 2005 CD review: EIN's "Lust, Elvis" in case anyone has forgotten was inspired by BMG's 2005 release 'Love, Elvis'.
Obviously not aimed at the Elvis collector, but rather the general public and there is no doubt that we do need to see this kind of mainstream Elvis compile in our local music stores – and with its striking new cover design it looks just fine.
One of the earliest Elvis releases to use the re-mastering of Vic Anesini the audio quality was excellent and the 24 track selection of Elvis’ very best emotional love songs will hardly disappoint.
By why do these never feature a couple of “unknown” gems like 'Any Day Now', 'Power Of My Love', or 'True Love Travels On A Gravel Road'?
|
 |
Ed Bonja Turns 70!: Elvis' tour manager and photographer Ed Bonja turned 70 yesterday - as noted by Elvis Matters. Ed Bonja was born in Chicago in 1945 moving to Los Angeles in 1952 and his pictures are some of the most famous images of Elvis ever produced. His photographs can be found on nearly all of Elvis’ LP covers in the seventies and now in several deluxe books. Amazingly Ed Bonja was a part of the Elvis family from his childhood through to 1977.
His uncle was Tom Diskin, The Colonel's right-hand man and so he met The Colonel back in Chicago in the early 50s. Ed Bonja first met Elvis in early 1964 when he got sick in his first year in college and The Colonel offered his a job, during the summer, working on the Elvis movie 'Girl Happy'. I was 19 at the time & helped out as The Colonel's extra secretary. - HAPPY BIRTHDAY ED!
Go HERE to EIN's lengthy interview with Ed Bonja
PS - the next "Elvis aquaintance" to turn 70 in 2015 will be Priscilla Presley on May 24.
(News, Source;ElvisMatters/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Elvis Fan "Love Letters": EPE has added a short blog today (being Valentine's day) featuring some classic fan letters sent to Graceland.
"It’s February. Love is in the air and, hopefully, in the mail. Elvis received thousands of love letters and fan mail throughout his career.
That tradition continues this year at EPE, they are asking fans to write love letters to Elvis for Valentine’s Day. Fans can write about how he impacted their lives, why they love him and his music and their connection to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll."
A particularly amusing one is a fan complaining about Elvis' change of look, with long hair and "granny glasses"! They wrote, "Oh, Elvis, how could you ruin your natural beauty? PLEASE we want ELVIS PRESLEY and not just another Beatle."
Go HERE to EPE to see other letters and add your comments.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Latest Billboard Album Charts: The feeling of love continues with 'Heart And Soul' being the only Elvis album in the Billboard charts!!
'Heart And Soul' rises from 20 to 14 on the Billboard Country Catalog Album Chart for w/e 21st February, 2015.
'He Touched Me': The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley' (Vols. 1 and 2) is a re-entry at 8 on the Music Video Sales Chart.
There are no other Elvis entries on the Billboard Charts.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
| Thursday 12 February 2015 |
 |
ASK Marty Is Back!: Today Marty Lacker answers your questions about....
- What was the job of being "the foreman"?
- The greatest thing you ever did for Elvis and the greatest thing you feel Elvis did for you?
- What was Elvis' relationship with Oral Roberts and other "dubious hucksters"
- Who took the famous "Memphis Mafia" photo.
- How often did Elvis behave as police "Officer Elvis"
- How did Elvis record his vocal at American Studios, did he stand in the open next to the band!
- The tricky issue of Elvis' lack of showering
- Marty, Do you ever get tired of people asking you about Elvis?
|
|
Music of Mississippi at the Grammy Museum: EIN contributors Joan and Paul Gansky report back from the recent ‘Celebration Of Music from Mississippi’ at the Grammy Museum last week..
There was a real thrill in seeing the names of James Burton, Gene Chrisman, Norbert Putnam and Bobby Wood as featured guests of the ‘Celebration Of Music from Mississippi’ at the Grammy Museum.
The morning session was informative and fun. Mentors from the Grammy Museum all gave recognition to Mississippian Elvis Presley, detailing Elvis' family's struggles.
Norbert Putnam answered questions and the children learned how Elvis' style impacted other entertainers and musicians 60 years ago and continues to do so today!
At the evening's special entertainment program we were thrilled to have Linda Thompson and her friends seated next to |
 |
us. Firstly we were enthralled watching the short (10 minutes) movie "The Gift". The heartfelt portrayal of 11-year old Elvis going to Tupelo Hardware with his mother, really wanting a rifle for his birthday gift, which his Mother vehemently opposed.
This special Celebration of Music from Mississippi Grammy event was also to honor Elvis.
In the evening James Burton, Gene, Bobby and Norbert were on stage. They had a great time recalling humorous stories of their times with Elvis. One by one they came up with mostly funny stories - but the main focus always came back to Elvis' incredible voice, his professionalism to always give the best he was capable of, and his deep consideration of everyone he ever met. These awesome musicians then produced magical music on stage! "In The Ghetto", "Always on My Mind" and "Suspicious Minds" were stand-outs.
Go HERE for the full Spotlight review and exclusive photos
(Spotlight, Source;Gansky/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
| New visitors to EIN need to check out Joan Gansky's "Elvis; Concert Review 1969": When Elvis returned to Live concert performances in 1969, all the media were there but so were the true fans. EIN contributor Joan Gansky was one of the lucky ones and wrote a delightful, personal review. |
"Most Iconic" Petition For the Grammy Recording Academy: Talking of the Grammy Recording academy (see Grammy Museum story above) - a new on-line petition has been started to ask the Grammy Recording Academy to recognize Elvis Presley as "The most iconic figure in music history"
The petition notes...
Tribute to Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley is THE most iconic figure in music history and needs to be recognized as such.
His impact on not just music, but also culture, in the 1950's was immense. He combined different genres of music, such as gospel, rhythm & blues and country and created the birth of what we call 'rock and roll'. He paved the way for so many other artists through the following decades. John Lennon said 'Before Elvis, there was |
 |
nothing'. His humble beginning epitomizes the rags to riches story. His three decades of music legacy is just as strong today, over 35 years after his untimely death.
Elvis Presley deserves to be honoured by the Grammy Recording Academy for his immense and unparalleled contribution to music. He is the 'Artist of the Millenium' and will always be the undisputed King of Rock 'n Roll!!
Click HERE to add YOUR vote.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis' black leather suit Unveiled in London Exhibition: The key items at the London O2 Elvis exhibition are being alternated as the exhibition continues. This week Elvis' NBC TV Special black leather suit has been added. It a short video clip Graceland curator Angie Marchese unveils and talks about the black leather suit worn by Elvis Presley during the 1968 Comeback Special before it goes on show at Elvis at The O2: The Exhibition of His Life. The suit will be on display for a limited time of two months before being returned to Memphis.
Go HERE for the video clip
Go HERE for EIN's Spotlight on the "Elvis at The O2: The Exhibition of His Life"
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
| Monday 9 February 2015 - - - 2nd News Update - - - |
(Interview) Anne E. Nixon answers your questions: Last month we asked for your questions to form an interview with noted Elvis author, Anne E. Nixon.
Anne has now responded to the many questions EIN received and in a wide ranging interview she discusses:
- her feelings on not meeting Elvis
- did Elvis have an aura when performing?
- Elvis' interaction with his audience
- was Elvis live on stage better in 1972 or 1976?
- her favorite songs that Elvis sung live
- the "Desert Storm" show
and a lot more! - Go HERE to our Anne E. Nixon interview
ALSO - read EIN's review of King of the Hilton |
.jpg) |
EIN's 'Elvis Star Track': Our popular new weekly spotlight 'Elvis Star Track' continues where every week we choose a particular song that we think is worth looking at and commenting on.
This week, a touchingly emotional seventies track...
'It's Midnight'
The song was composed by Jerry Chesnut and Billy Wheeler and recorded by Elvis in December 1973 at the second STAX session.
While recorded in 1973 the song would he held back for Elvis' third STAX album Promised Land not released until January 1975 on his 40th birthday.
In the US the single coupling the fabulous 'Promised Land' / 'It's Midnight' was released October 1974 and charted at a respectful #14.
In the UK with a later release of December 1974 it made the top ten.
When Elvis returned to Stax studios on December 10 1973, he was in far better humour and this time raring to go.
'It's Midnight' was the second song attempted on the first night and it provided Elvis with a completely different emotional connection, perhaps resonating with his recent marital break-up and loss.
|
|
From the very start Elvis worked hard on the number, trying to get the phrasing perfect.
By Take 7, Elvis' performance was close to perfect, "Lord, I miss you" Elvis sang near the end, pouring his heart out in a masterful performance. The song struck a personal chord, however, and Elvis wasn't satisfied until the early hours of the morning and the final nineteenth attempt.
Unfortunately Felton Jarvis added overdubs before the song was released on the single. And while the orchestral overdubs suited the expected "sound of the era" Elvis' and the band's performance sounded so much better without them. Without the extra echo and overdubs, the poignancy and purity of Elvis' feeling shone through.
Fans would first hear this on the 1979 Joan Deary produced 'Our Memories Of Elvis' album where RCA released 'It's Midnight' with the studio Backing-Vocals faded out and Felton Jarvis' overdubbed orchestral strings removed. Here "It's midnight and I miss you" sounded even more emotional without the backing vocals repeating his phrase.
Although 'It's Midnight' would not be released until October Elvis
|
 |
would add this key song to his Vegas Opening, August 19, 1974.
Elvis wanted this season to be dramatic and revitalised, possibly due to the presence of new girlfriend Sheila Ryan. Luckily we also have the tapes of his rehearsals at RCA's Hollywood studio. The early rehearsals feature some particularly nice harmonies and emotional reading of the lyrics with completing a beautiful and very serious version.
At Opening Night itself Elvis would debut both sides of his future new single. Introducing 'It's Midnight' as "one side of my new record that I have coming out" Elvis sings a beautiful version of this touching ballad. The CD release captures a nice balance of harmonies with Charlie Hodge and Kathy Westmoreland and it was a delicious debut. Elvis adds a heartfelt "Glad you like it" afterwards. Elvis would continue to perform sincere versions in every concert of the season.
Elvis would continue to sometimes sing it on tour but would then perform it regularly in his March 1975 Las Vegas season. However by his June 1975 tour Elvis had basically dropped it from his set-list and only perform this beautiful song a few more times. Elvis' last live performance of 'It's Midnight' would be in May 1976.
Sadly RCA never managed to capture a professional recording of this song
Composer Jerry Chesnut said about meeting Elvis, "Elvis was the |
 |
Elvis leading-lady Lizabeth Scott dead at 92: Lizabeth Scott, Elvis' leading lady in the film Loving You as well as hollywood film-noir star, had died aged 92.
In the mid-1940s, Paramount described their latest star signing Lizabeth Scott as “beautiful, blonde, aloof and alluring”. Scott was strong and sultry, her heavy dark eyebrows contrasting with her blonde hair. Like Lauren Bacall, she had a low and husky voice, but she was far harder; in fact, she was able to suggest hidden depths of depravity – the ideal femme fatale of the 1940s. As Burt Lancaster says to her in I Walk Alone (1948), “What a fall guy I am – thinking just because you’re good to look at, you’d be good all the way through!”
She was born Emma Matzo and first started as a fashion model with Harper’s Bazaar which got her noticed by Hal Wallis who gave her a long term contract.
She made her name with Humphrey Bogart in 1947's Dead Reckoning as a gangster’s wife which lead to various film-noir lead roles such as in 'Too Late for Tears' and 'Dark City'.
It was in 1957 that she stared with Elvis in his second film 'Loving You'.
|
 |
Somewhat surprisingly this would be her last film role apart from a quirky appearance as an nymphomaniac princess in Mike Hodges’s 1972 film 'Pulp'.
Her career was derailed in late 1954 when a front-page story in hollywood Confidential magazine claimed that Scott was a lesbian and said that on a trip to Paris she had taken up with Frede, that city’s most notorious lesbian entertainer. Scott's lawyer instituted a $2.5M suit against Confidential, accusing the magazine of “holding the plaintiff up to contempt and ridicule."
Lizabeth Scott was one of the best parts of 'Loving You' with her character Glenda at the end of the film noting, “You cannot blame the behavior of young people or old people on music.”
RIP Lizabeth Scott (Emma Matzo), 29 September 1922 - 31 January 2015
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
|
Spacey and Shannon as 'Elvis & Nixon': Kevin Spacey, star of the blockbuster political yarn House of Cards, is back in the Oval Office — this time as President Richard Nixon.
In Liza Johnson's drama 'Elvis & Nixon', Spacey stars as the 37th president of the United States, while Michael Shannon lays another kind of royalty, the king of rock 'n' roll Elvis Presley.
The Hollywood Reporter debuted the first look at the film, which is currently shooting in New Orleans and recreates the infamous, intimate Dec. 21, 1970 meeting between Nixon and Presley where Presley asked to be named a special FBI operative. As fate would have it, Spacey arrived on the set the morning after winning the Golden Globe for his performance as Frank Underwood on House of Cards.
Bloom is continuing to sell Elvis & Nixon to foreign |
 |
buyers gathered at the Berlin Film Festival for the European Film Market. Veteran film executive Cassian Elwes and Holly Wiersma are producing the movie, while Autumn Pictures' David Hansen and Johnny Mac are financing and executive producing alongside Byron Wetzel, Robert Ogden Barnum and Jerry Schilling.
Colin Hanks, Alex Pettyfer, Johnny Knoxville, Tracy Letts and singer Sky Ferreira also star.
(News, Source;AP/ElvisInfoNet) |
Graceland prepares for Major Expansion: After two decades of assembling adjacent properties and making plans EPE is beginning to transform with the planned 450-room, resort-like hotel called the Guest House at Graceland.
"It’s an idea that’s been in the works for years," said Jack Soden, chief executive of EPE, "It is really coming together over the last year."
On both sides of Elvis Presley Boulevard surrounding Graceland, the company has taken a long view on assembling the ground for expansion as the plans indicated.
The 25-acre site for the new $90 to $95 million hotel includes nearly 11 acres where the Meadow Oaks Apartments were built in 1974 and demolished in 2011.
EPE had gained control of the complex years in 1994, with a $5 million purchase. Now vacant land, with mature trees overlooking remnants of lawns and streets surrounded by a wrought iron fence, the county’s assessor values the property at $526,600.
Next door, the abandoned car lot originally sprang up in 1973, records show. EPE bought it in 2006 for $2.1 million. The county now places its value at about $800,000.
Across Elvis Presley Boulevard from the Graceland mansion, and behind an aging museum featuring Elvis’ automobiles, another former site of an apartment complex — Craft Manor — lies vacant and fenced.
Built in 1961 and under the wrecking ball by late 2008, a $6.5 million purchase in 2007 brought them into the Elvis Presley Enterprises fold. The county sets $788,000 as the 2014 value for the 16-acre site
Similar land purchases as late as 2010 have stitched together the final pieces of about 120 acres making up a Graceland campus which, if approved at the state level as it has been by City Council and County Commission, would be its own "tourism development zone."
Phase 1 of the Graceland plans, a $1 million archives studio and 200-seat theater, is up and running.
Phase 2 is the three-star hotel, designed to
|
 |
handle conferences with 16,000-square-feet of meeting or ballroom space, as well as a 500-seat theater, swimming pool and two restaurants.
That development would transform the former Meadow Oaks, the empty car lot and other properties that EPE owns north of Graceland.
The third and final phase of the new Graceland plan would be the $30 million to $35 million development of new attractions, retail, food and beverage outlets on the same side of Elvis Presley Boulevard as the Heartbreak Hotel.
The former Craft Manor apartments site provides room for that expansion, as does removing the current strip of buildings that serve 600,000 visitors a year.
(News, Source;ComAppeal/ElvisInfoNet) |
New EPE Elvis Presley Exhibition to open in Las Vegas: Authentic Brand Group, owners of EPE, first took their Elvis show on the road for the first time with the nine-month exhibition of Presley artifacts at London’s O2 arena. Now EPE are planning a second permanent home and exhibition in Las Vegas.
The plan will not be officially announced until later this month, but Joel Weinshanker, the managing partner of ABG, said that the new Presley outpost, featuring an exhibition space and live performances, will be at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino on the site of the former International Hotel, where Presley played a record 58 consecutive sold-out shows in 1969.
“We have everything from a 35-foot-high outdoor sign |
|
promoting Elvis’s show there to a Stutz car he had delivered to him when he first performed in Las Vegas in 1956, and our planned live shows will be “Elvis-related" but not by Elvis impersonators.
Las Vegas offers an opportunity to show off more of the million Graceland artifacts that often remain in storage but the exhibit will not cannibalize audiences from Graceland but whet people’s appetites for a trip to Memphis. “Once you give someone a taste of this they’ll want more,” he said.
Weinshanker oversees Graceland and live events, while Authentic Brand Group manages licensing and intellectual property.
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet) |
Two New FTDs: Two new FTDs have been announced for release in March - as well as the 'Rock Around The Bloch' deluxe book. One a "Classic Album" version of 'This Is Elvis', the second an 'Elvis Now' expanded vinyl release. The info we have is..
1 - 'This Is Elvis' - What accounted for his undeniable mystique? The answer is contained in a remarkable biography, written on film instead of the printed page –– This Is Elvis –– a David L. Wolper Production of an Andrew Solt/Malcolm Leo Film for Warner Bros. release. Written, directed and produced by Solt and Leo (best known for their television special Heroes OF Rock and Roll). The film follows innovations first introduced by producer Wolper, whose 650 films include the Emmy-winning Roots and the Oscar winning The Hellstrom Chronicle. With the unprecedented cooperation of those who best new Presley, the film combines rare, never-before-seen footage, privately owned kinescopes from TV’s early years, remarkable outtakes from Presley’s movies and accurate recreations of pivotal moments in his life. (Taken from the original publicity brochure).
DISC 1 features the 'ORIGINAL ALBUM' including CD officially unreleased edits of 'Merry Christmas Baby' (shortened version), 'Too |
 |
| Much Monkey Business' (shortened version), 'I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby' (shortened version), 'Suspicious Minds' (August 12, 1970 midnight show shortened version), 'Memories' (shortened version)
DISC 2 features "EXPANDED HOME VIDEO TRACKS"
Go HERE to 'SONY FTD News 2015' for full tracklisting
2 - 'Elvis Now & Again' - expanded FTD double-LP
Featuring Masters and Outtakes from Elvis' 'Elvis Now' compilation.
Includes 'Lady Madonna' officially on vinyl for the first time as well as multiple outtakes of 'Fools Rush In' and 'Sylvia'.
Go HERE to 'SONY / FTD News 2015' for full tracklistin
(News, Source;ElvisLondonShop/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
The Elvis Files Magazine Issue 11 - March 2015: With an absolute stunner of a front cover (see below), Erik Lorentzen notes, Working on the next magazine and can promise you all, the greatest article - with the awesome photos (some never seen before) you ever have seen - from Elvis' four shows in Philadelphia, April 1957. Here's a poster with some of the pages from the Philadelphia story.
Go HERE to subscribe to this excellent magazine.
Go HERE as EIN checks out their sensational issue #9
(News, Source;EFiles/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Elvis Planes Still Not Sold: As we all know the OKC Partnership, which owns the Elvis planes Lisa Marie and Hound Dog 11, has been trying to sell them since last year. OKC previously tried to sell the planes through an aviation website and Ebay but without success. Now Julien’s Auctions confirms that the "silent bidding auction" that ended on to conclude on Feb. 2 produced no new buyer. Julien’s Auctions confirm that now “the planes are priced to sell.”
Julien Auctions note, “Whoever buys these planes is buying an instant museum or attraction. People will travel all over the world to see them wherever they are located.” Sadly EIN disagrees and believe Graceland is the only proper home for them (except perhaps the new Las Vegas exhibition - see above!)
It seems that EPE is still waiting for a cheap deal. |
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
Weinshanker said only half of Graceland guests visited the planes and as the only items Graceland does not own, improving the exhibit was difficult. Mr. Weinshanker said that the space would be part of a new exhibit area “that is completely indoors and climate controlled so when it’s 20 degrees or 90 degrees out you can have a comfortable experience.” Depending on the outcome of the auction, Mr. Weinshanker said, he is willing to negotiate new terms to keep the planes. “We are open to everything. If there is an opportunity to keep them then we would.”
EIN notes that EPE earns $55 Million per year, there is surely enough to purchase the planes.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
'Elvis, Rock Around The Bloch!' More Info: A new FTD book 'Elvis Presley, Rock Around The Bloch!' by David English and Pal Granlund published by FTD books, RCA, Flaming Star will be coming out in MARCH.
A hardback book containing 288 pages which tells the story of the USS Arizona benefit concert that Elvis performed at the Bloch Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii on March 25, 1961. It includes first-hand accounts from people who were there, newspaper articles from the time and numerous photographs (over 130 of which have never been published before). The CD also features previously unreleased audio
from the press conference.
FTD were working on a Bloch Arena release as far back as 2007 so it is great to see the concert finally being released officially with a full-size book.
Some more sneak-peak preview pages below!
(News, Source;DE/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
 |
 |
Now Updated EIN's 'Elvis Star Track':
'Trying To Get To You'
Elvis' first version was recorded at SUN studios on 11 July 1955, the same day he laid-down the classic 'Mystery Train'.
'Tryin' to Get to You' was composed by Rose Marie McCoy and Charles Singleton.
Sam Phillips believed that 'Trying To Get To You' was a potential A-Side for a future SUN single, but it never happened as by this time Col Parker and RCA were arranging the buy-out of Elvis contract. In an interview Rosie McCoy slyly noted, "Elvis did 'Trying To Get To You' exactly like The Eagles original. He wasn't a big star at that point, and we thought he was terrible because we thought he couldn't sing. We didn't understand, but we was grateful. Thank God for Elvis."
Elvis obviously loved the song as he kept returning to it throughout his career. Elvis performed a fabulously re-invigorated version to the 68 'Elvis NBC TV Special' and sang it over 120 times in his seventies performances, all the way through to his June 21, 1977.
It would be one of his rare album tracks that Elvis would perform live in all three decades - the June 27, 68 "Sit-Down" show recording was an amazing reinvention. |
 |
The 1968 live version would first be officially released on 1974's vinyl 'A Legendary Performer Vol.1' and respected author Greil Marcus described the 68 version as, "'Trying To Get To You' - God, the passion in that. The drama. The stuff is so strong and so powerful and there is such a broad feeling of discovery, invention, playfulness and vehemence."
Elvis was performing it less frequently in 1976 / 1977 but he did return to it for his second CBS TV Rapid City recording on June 21, 1977, it was one of the best tracks from the show.
With Elvis noting, "A song I did about 18 years ago, my Dad likes this" it still featured those Elvis vocal warbles from back in1955 - it was a fitting final goodbye to this classic song.
Click here to our 'Elvis Star Track' spotlight for more info and UPDATED with your comments
(Spotlight: Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Elvis' granddaughter Married: Elvis' granddaughter Riley Keough has tied the knot with Ben Smith-Petersen in front of actress Kristen Stewart and Cara Delevingne.
On Wednesday, Elvis' granddaughter Riley Keough, 25, wed her fiance Ben Smith-Petersen, (according to UsWeekly)
She said 'I do' in the romantic setting of Napa Valley's vineyards in California. The guests included Kristen Stewart, Zoe Kravitz, Cara Delevingne, the bride's 'Mad Max: Fury Road' co-stars Abbey Lee and Courtney Eaton, and Keough's ex-boyfriend Tobias Jesso Jr.
Riley's mother is singer Lisa Marie - although there is no confirmation that she was at the wedding.
Riley and Ben met when they were filming Mad Max: Fury Road in 2012 in Namibia with Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy and it was back in August that Smith-Petersen - who works as a stuntman - confirmed the couple were engaged.
Keough briefly dated Ryan Cabrera in 2013 after a years-long hiatus following her broken engagement to Magic Mike costar Alex Pettyfer.
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
Latest Billboard Album Charts: With the festive season over Elvis' Christmas releases have all dropped out of the charts.
'Heart And Soul' remains at 20 on the Billboard Country Catalog Album Chart for w/e 14th February, 2015.
Elvis has no other entries on the Billboard Charts
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
|
| Wednesday 4 February 2015 |
EIN's 'Elvis Star Track': Our popular new weekly spotlight 'Elvis Star Track' continues where every week we choose a particular song that we think is worth looking at and commenting on. Sometimes we will choose a "classic", more often a relatively obscure song.
You can email us your thoughts or comment via our EIN FB page. We will add the most interesting comments to our 'Elvis Star Track' article.
This week, as suggested by Bob Parente, we have selected a song that Elvis would perform throughout his career.
'Trying To Get To You'
Elvis' first version was recorded at SUN studios on 11 July 1955, the
same day he laid-down the classic 'Mystery Train'.
'Tryin' to Get to You' was composed by Rose Marie McCoy and Charles Singleton. The original version was recorded and released by the US group The Eagles earlier in 1954. Rose Marie McCoy was also a co-writer on Elvis' 'I Beg Of You'.
Sam Phillips believed that 'Trying To Get To You' was a potential A-Side for a future SUN single, but it never happened as by this time Col Parker and RCA were arranging the buy-out of Elvis contract.
|
|
In an interview Rosie McCoy slyly noted, "Elvis did 'Trying To Get To You' exactly like The Eagles original, exactly. Every breath, every sound, everything. Amazing how he did that. ... He wasn't a big star at that point, and we thought he was terrible because we thought he couldn't sing. We didn't understand, but we was grateful. Thank God for Elvis."
Elvis however certainly took the song from Doo-Wop to Rock'n'Roll strongly supported by Scotty Moore's marvelously cutting guitar work and the sparse arrangement.
Elvis obviously loved the song as he kept returning to it throughout his career.
Not only did Elvis bring a fabulously re-invigorated version to the 68 'Elvis NBC TV Special' but performed it over 120 times in his seventies performances, all the way through to his June 21, 1977 'Elvis In Concert' CBS TV show.
It would be one of his rare album tracks that Elvis would perform live in all three decades -
the June 27, 68 "Sit-Down" show recording of 'Trying To Get To You' was an amazing reinvention with a emotional power that even surpassed the 1955 original.
|
|
The 1968 live version would first be officially released on 1974's vinyl 'A Legendary Performer Vol.1' and
respected author Greil Marcus described the 68 version as, "'Trying To Get To You' - God, the passion in that. The drama. The stuff is so strong and so powerful and there is such a broad feeling of discovery, invention, playfulness and vehemence."
Elvis would also feature the track on his 1974 'Elvis: As Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis' by which time he was performing it with more of the big-band R&B swagger of the original The Eagles version. When released in 1974 it would be the first time that worldwide Elvis fans would know that he was featuring the song at his seventies concerts. It was in January 1974 that 'Trying To Get To You' became a regular on his set-list.
Elvis was performing it less frequently in 1976 / 1977 but he did |
|
The Circle G Foundation - No More!: Sadly The Circle G Foundation, the organisation that was trying to save Elvis’ Circle G ranch for the fans has decided to close the gates as the new owners of the property are “Not Elvis fans”.
Circle G note, “We asked for no reward other than to see the ranch brought back to life and the ‘Elvis elements’ preserved and his legacy celebrated there. We have continued valiantly for several months in the hope that the situation would improve. Unfortunately this has not happened and our position has become untenable. We feel used and abused; and so we have taken the difficult decision to dissolve The Circle G Foundation.”
|
 |
In their Closing Statement they note,
The Circle G Foundation is very proud that we’ve achieved what we set out to do when we began our campaign in 2010.
· We have raised awareness of how important it is to secure the future of the Circle G Ranch.
· We have energized Elvis fans around the world and thousands of fans have united behind our cause.
· We have continued Elvis’ charitable and humanitarian legacy by donating to charity and raising awareness of good causes around the world.
We are justifiably proud of what we’ve achieved – and we thank you for your fantastic support over the last four and a half years”
We wish Real Estate International Inc do not lose sight of the importance of the involvement of Elvis’ wonderful fans in all this - and that the fans are embraced, valued and respected.
Every one of us here at The Circle G Foundation is deeply indebted to all our supporters. Without YOU we could not have achieved what we have .
And we’re sure if Elvis is looking down he’ll be very proud of all of you – Elvis’ fans really are the greatest.
In closing we’d like to quote Elvis – it seems fitting.
“May God Bless you – Adios”. The Circle G Foundation.
Go HERE to Circle G for all the info and the full story
(News, Source;CG;ElvisInfoNet) |
New book by Kathy Westmoreland?: Elvis Matters have reported that Kathy Westmoreland may be working on a new book. After Ginger Alden and Shirley Dieu published successful Elvis based autobiographies in 2014, it seems that Kathy Westmoreland has decided to publish a new expanded telling of her story with Elvis.
Elvis Matters reports that "although Kathy Westmoreland has published her memories of her years with Elvis before, she has just announced that she began working on a new book about Elvis. No release date yet, except that we wouldn't be surprised if the book would be published in 2017, "40 years after". It will be interesting to see how she will approach the 'cancer story' this time."
(News, Source;ElvisMatters/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
'Elvis Files Magazine ISSUE 9' Mini-Review: Overlooked due to the 'Ultimate Elvis' release, the final Elvis Files Magazine of 2014, Issue 9, really delivered the goods.
The magazine included articles on...
- 1957 “What Elvis thinks of his fans”
- Judy Spreckels and Elvis
- Rolling Stone interview with Chet Atkins..
- Interview with songwriter Paul Evans
- Super-fan Elaine Christan continues her exclusive look at various meetings with Elvis, this time September and late 1970.
But the most interesting article "I've Never Been Strung Out In My Life" is a fascinating article about Elvis' “Desert Storm” closing show in September 1974 and how it reveals a completely different show from what we know..
The comments include "Elvis' lively happy mood was completely contagious. Everyone caught up in his high happy spirit began to clap time and laugh and beat time and just have one wonderful good time, because Elvis was having the best time of all time." - It is a amazing alternate viewpoint
Plus plenty more Rare Candids not featured in previous Elvis Files books.
Go HERE as EIN checks out this sensational issue
(Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork) |
 |
Now Updated - EIN's 'Elvis Star Track':
'King Of The Whole Wide World' -
Recorded for Elvis' tenth movie Kid Galahad at RCA's Radio Recorders, Hollywood in October 1961. The song was composed by Ruth Batchelor and Bob Roberts who also went on to write 'Where Do You Come From' for Girls! Girls! Girls!. Elvis realised there was some better soundtrack material here compared to the recent Follow That Dream, and worked hard in the studio. This would be the last soundtrack session that Elvis seemed to genuinely care about. Elvis worked for two days on the song 'King of The Whole Wide World', recording thirty-five takes before he was truly satisfied.
Coming back to finish the song at the end of the second day of recording, the tempo had been increased to match the optimism of the lyrics. This was the raw rock 'n' roll sound Elvis had been searching for. After four more attempts they had the final release in the can.
Perhaps 'King Of The Whole Wide World' should have been a single.
Click here to our 'Elvis Star Track' spotlight - Now Updated with YOUR Comments
(Spotlight: Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
'LOVE ME – The British HMV Singles ’56 - ’57' New Uk Vinyl: Coming Soon from Vee-Tone Records, 'LOVE ME – The British HMV Singles ’56-’57' is a stunning 12” album bringing together in chronological order, all of Elvis’ electrifying and now highly collectible British HMV (His Masters Voice) singles released between March ’56 and March ’57. This special limited edition of only 500 copies comes in a 180g vinyl format. When Elvis signed his new recording contract in November 1955, taking him from Sun Records in Memphis, to national music giant RCA Victor, nobody could have predicted the influence he would have on the course of popular music worldwide. Elvis’ pioneering, early UK singles were released on EMIs, HMV label before being moved by British Decca over to RCA/RCA Victor in 1958. LOVE ME – The British HMV Singles ’56 - ’57, charts Elvis’ meteoric rise in Britain. Featuring recordings from Elvis’ Sun Records catalogue and the now legendary RCA ’56 sessions, 16 pure Rock ‘n’ Roll gems, pre-army Presley at his very best!
· 500 Limited Edition;
· Quality 180g black vinyl;
· Printed colour inner sleeve;
|
 |
· Liner notes; Stunning artwork;
· Contains all 8 singles from between March ’56 to March ’57 in chronological order.
SIDE A, 1. Heartbreak Hotel, 2. I Was The One, 3. Blue Suede Shoes, 4. Tutti Frutti, 5. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You, 6. My Baby Left Me, 7. Hound Dog,
8. Don't Be Cruel
SIDE B, 1. Blue Moon, 2. I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine, 3. Love Me Tender, 4. Any Way You Want Me, 5. Mystery Train, 6. Love Me, 7. Rip It Up, 8. Baby, Let's Play House.
(News, Source;VT/ElvisInfoNet) |
Larry Geller on Elvis’ Last Birthday (and the other President): Reflections that transcend time: As 1977 began the atmosphere was pregnant with great promise, as the potential of dramatic changes unfolding in the coming year swirled wildly around in my brain. Elvis’ New Year’s concert in Pittsburgh was amazing; I sensed something new in the air.
His voice resonated so beautifully, his frisky attitude, and legendary performance that memorable evening ignited renewed hope in me; despite all his recent physical issues, emotional and other interpersonal anguish that were taking their toll on his health and zapping his life force. But damn, that night was special!
Elvis’ charisma was peaking and the building trembled. Every note, physical movement and nuanced gesture reflected the deep love and personal excitement he was experiencing that night, doing exactly what he did best, what he was born to do – sing from the depths of his soul, spreading joy from his heart…giving whatever he had to give; simply being Elvis.
|
 |
That night after the show, Elvis and I hung out in his suite at the Hilton, and it was then that Elvis for the first time in years began planting seeds, envisioning his future. I could see it in his eyes, in his overall frame of mind. “Lawrence, it really felt good out there tonight - hey, I love it.”
Then something funny (well, really embarrassing) happened to me. It was around 2:30 am, and the phone rang. Elvis asked me to answer it. When I said hello, the southern drawl on the other end asked if he could speak to Elvis. I was a little surprised; it was highly unusual for someone to call Elvis’ room, and I didn’t recognize the voice. I asked who it was, and the reply was, “This is Jimmy Carter.” My first thought was that someone somehow figured out that it was Elvis’ suite and got through. “Ok c’mon,” I shot back; “stop f…ing around, who in the hell is this?” Without sounding fazed he replied nonchalantly, “This is Jimmy Carter, can I speak to Elvis?”
Elvis looked at me and asked what was going on, so I told him. “Oh man, that’s right, I’m expecting his call, give me the phone.” President-elect Jimmy Carter, who was sworn in that month, had arranged the phone meeting. I sat there listening as they were engaged in their conversation thinking, ‘well, I guess it did sound like Jimmy Carter.’ You can only imagine how foolish I felt. When Elvis hung up he looked at me, kept shaking his head from side to side and couldn’t stop laughing.
|
What a way a wonderful way to start the new year!
A few days later, on Elvis’ forty-second birthday, I drove from Los Angeles to Elvis’ Chino Canyon home in Palm Springs. Most of the guys in our group and a few wives and girlfriends were scattered about the house.
Elvis and I went back to his bedroom so I could take care of his hair. The slate was clean, the future remained unknown, but Elvis was bursting with new ideas. As I was tending to his hair, he went on about his hopes and dreams, struggles and frustrations. Then he admitted that he had awakened to some painful realities of his situation, and acknowledged that without dramatic changes in his life, both personal and professional, he would not survive. Yes, I thought, this is a pivotal year; so much to look forward to.
After I finished doing his hair in the bedroom he put on his black suit – he looked fantastic; slimmer and happier than I’d seen him in awhile. He turned to me and said, “This is my day, Lawrence, my birthday, and I get to do whatever I want. C’mon man, watch this!” He had a big smile on his face as he picked up the book The Prophet and a large stack of fresh one hundred dollar bills piled up on his dresser, motioning for me to follow him to the living room, where everyone was waiting.
“Will all you guys please leave me and the ladies alone; I want to talk to them for a while.” We all left, leaving our wives or girlfriends with Elvis. For the next forty-five minutes he read to them several of his favorite passages from The Prophet; sections from ‘joy & sorrow, self-knowledge and love.’ Then he said, “This is my birthday, and what I want most above anything else is to give you all a gift.” As he handed each one a new hundred-dollar bill, he admonished, “Now you have to promise to spend this on yourselves’ don’t give it to your husbands or boyfriends. I’m havin’ Robinson’s keep their store open late tonight just for you. No one’s gonna bother you; I’m sending security with you. So you all go and have fun for me on my birthday.”
So here we are, celebrating Elvis 80th birthday. Of course I know that he was born in 1935, but Elvis 80 years old? I just can’t wrap my head around that.
Because Elvis is timeless.
(Article, Source: written by Larry Geller/Bruno Tillander)
..............Read EIN's review of The World Knows Elvis Presley....But They Don't Know Me by Bruno Tillander |
| More News and EIN exclusives from earlier in January.... |
Ginger Alden Interview: Ginger Alden spent the last nine months of Elvis' life by his side before his untimely passing on August 16, 1977 at the age of 42.
Her recent book, 'Elvis & Ginger' is not a sleazy tell-all but rather offers a clear-eyed chronicle of their courtship, she was 22 years his junior, revealing previously unknown details about the final year of “The King’s’’ life while setting the record straight about their relationship.
EIN contributor Ken Sharp recently interviewed Ginger Alden to publicise her recent book, as featured in the Sydney Telegraph.
As with all her interviews there were restrictions on what questions could be asked.
Go HERE for edited highlights from the interview..
(Interviews, Source;SydTele/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Wayne Jackson Back Home!: Great news today as we hear that Wayne Jackson is out of hospital and back home.
"Back home at last! Says Wayne,"What they say is true, there's no place like home. Let me take a moment and just thank each and every one individually who prayed for me and kept me in their thoughts. I was so sick, and yet there was a steady hand guiding the big ship.
My love to all of you!" - Wayne Jackson
Wayne Jackson has played with all the greats from Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Neil Diamond to Elvis Presley. Wayne's sweet trumpet is one of the most recognised soulful sounds in the last 50 years of pop music.
(News, Source;WJ/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
King of the Hilton - Memories of Elvis Presley's Las Vegas Years (by Anne E. Nixon with Richard Harvey): Anne E. Nixon's new book, King of the Hilton, is attracting significant discussion on Elvis message boards and forums.
In King of the Hilton Anne relives the excitement and thrill of being in the main showroom at the Las Vegas Hilton as Elvis performs to one sold out audience after another.
Anne saw Elvis in Vegas 40 times! and in a captivating account based on her notes and transcripts from each show she brings them all to life plus details many of her side adventures along the way. Rich in detail and fascinating minutiae King of the Hilton is one of those rare releases.....a book written by a fan for the fans.
Read Nigel Patterson's detailed review
Coming soon: Anne E. Nixon answers your questions! |
|
The Elvis Files Magazine Issue 11 - March 2015: What an absolute stunner of a front cover.
Erik Lorentzen notes, We are working on the next magazine and can promise you all the greatest article, with some awesome photos (unpublished) that you ever have seen from Elvis' four shows in Philadelphia, April 1957.
Articles include
- Elvis and Streisand
- The Philadelphia Flyer
Go HERE to subscribe to this excellent magazine.
Due to our distraction with 'Ultimate Elvis' EIN missed our look at the last two issues of the Elvis Files Magazines. Our mini-reviews will be coming this week. To be honest Elvis Files Magazine Issue 9 was one of the very best!
(News, Source;EFiles/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
Rolling Stone Mag Readers Top Ten: Had Elvis Presley lived, he would have turned 80 years old this month. It's hard to imagine Elvis doing concerts in 2015, but Leonard Cohen is a few months older and manages to do three-and-a-half hours without breaking a sweat. Hell, Chuck Berry is 88 and still at it. If Elvis had managed to lose the weight and get healthy, there's no reason why he couldn't still be shaking his hips onstage. Sadly, that's not the way his life worked out. But he's still the king of rock & roll, and to celebrate his birthday Rolling Stone magazine asked their readers to vote for their favourite Presley song.
These are the results.
10 "Mystery Train"
9 "Kentucky Rain"
8 "An American Trilogy"
7 "Heartbreak Hotel"
6 "Love Me Tender"
5 "Can't Help Falling in Love"
4 "Jailhouse Rock"
3 "In the Ghetto" - Elvis spent much of the 1960s churning out cheesy B-movies and lifeless soundtracks while new acts like the Beatles and Bob Dylan made him seem like a relic. His brilliant 1968 comeback special shot him back to the forefront, and he took his newfound energy into the studio to cut "In the Ghetto." It's a song about the vicious cycle of poverty and despair in America's inner-cities, and it eventually hit Number Three, cementing the fact that Elvis was back.
See EIN 'In The Ghetto' Spotlight here
2 "If I Can Dream" - Just two months after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, Elvis Presley stepped into the Western Recorders studio and laid down this moving tribute to the civil rights hero. It was the stirring climax to his 1968 comeback special, and he belted it out with incredible passion. The song rose to Number 12 on the Hot 100, and today many see it as one of the greatest vocal performances of his career.
1 "Suspicious Minds" - Elvis was just two years into his marriage with Priscilla when he recorded "Suspicious Minds," but things were already falling apart. It's clear he poured some of that disappointment, particularly over his own failings as a husband, into the song. Written by Mark James, it became his first Number One hit in seven years and was a regular highlight of his live show
See EIN 'Suspicious Minds' Spotlight here.
See the full RS list here
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
'Dancing With The King' Tupelo Gala: Fans can enjoy an entire weekend in Tupelo – March 27 -29 as 'Dancing With The King' celebrates Elvis’ music through dancing.
EIN's friend and Elvis historian Roy Turner wants fans to know about this great event.
Packages can include many extras not available anywhere else – like a special historical tour where special guests Guy Harris and Sam Bell will share their childhood memories of Elvis.
Saturday March 28th features, the Dancing With The King Gala dinner and professional dance show. Our all-inclusive package includes accommodations and admission to location attractions like the Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum.
Only 125 fan packages available! Don’t wait!
- If you LOVE Elvis’ music or you love dancing (think Dancing With The Stars), you’ll LOVE
|
|
Dancing With The King!! Enjoy Elvis’ music while watching amateur and professionals dancers show off their best dance routines.
You can purchase tickets to just the gala event, March 28th or the whole weekend.
Their vision is - While it is true that just about everyone knows about Elvis Presley and some of his music, few people are aware of the true scope of Elvis’ recording career. If you count his recordings that were done in a studio, the count is well over 700 songs. If you add in his live recordings, the count exceeds 900 tunes!
Elvis changed the scope of music forever and with new music came new ways to dance. Dancing With The King is designed to celebrate Elvis’ music through dancing to his songs. It is our hope that dance participants will explore the full range of his music as they prepare to dance at our event.
Tupelo, Mississippi is the birthplace of Elvis and the ideal location for an event of this type. Elvis fans coming for the gala will find many things to do and explore as they get to experience Elvis’ roots
Go HERE for info and Gala and Weekend packages.
(News, Source;RoyTurner/ElvisInfoNet) |
Ronnie Tutt Inducted into The Classic Drummer Hall of Fame: Great News that Ronnie Tutt has been inducted into the 'Classic Drummer Hall of Fame'.
The magazine notes...
Whenever you see film of The King slaying an audience in one of his trademark jumpsuits, the man driving the groove and punching Elvis' every move is none other than the great Ron Tutt. Whether in the studio or on the stage, Presley trusted Ron to support the emotion of the moment and the feel of the music.
Of course when an artist spends a decade working with an icon, his other work can often be overshadowed. However, after Elvis' death, Tutt was invited to join Neil Diamond as his permanent touring and studio drummer. In addition, he's either performed with or recorded with such greats as Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers, Los Lobos, Elvis Costello and Jerry Garcia. He's even worked with pop stars Billy Joel, the Carpenters, Stevie Nicks and Michael McDonald, and his work on Roy Orbison's In Black and White Live is time capsule worthy.
In addition to other projects, today Ron Tutt still plays with the King as part of the "virtual Elvis" tour along with his former band mates and an audio-visual representations of ELVIS.
Congratulations Ron.
More info Here at >> The Classic Drummer Hall of Fame
(News, Source;RTFB/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Latest Billboard Album Charts: With the festive season over Elvis' Christmas releases have all dropped out of the charts.
'Heart And Soul' re-enters the Billboard Top Catalog Album Chart at 45 for w/e 31st January, 2015. It also drops from 7 to 10 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
'He Touched Me' - The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley (Vols. 1 and 2) drops from 2 to 29 on the Music Video Sales Chart.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
|
'Elvis & Nixon’ Filming with a Big Cast: Two American icons meet as “Elvis & Nixon” goes into production and fills out its cast with five new names. Michael Shannon (“Boardwalk Empire” and “Take Shelter”) and Kevin Spacey are already in place to play rock'n'roll superstar Elvis Presley and US President Richard Nixon.
Alex Pettyfer of "The Butler” takes the role as Jerry Schilling, Elvis's closest friend, who joins him for December 1970's impromptu visit to the Capitol.
Johnny Knoxville will be on hand as Elvis' chief minder, while singer-songwriter Sky Ferreira plays Elvis's romantic interest.
Colin Hanks, meanwhile, is involved as lawyer and presidential aide Egil Krogh, who became instrumental during Elvis's unscheduled meeting with Nixon.
Director is Liza Johnson who has been twice nominated for the Berlin International Film Festival's Golden Bear. |
 |
Ferreira will portray the love interest of Presley’s friend and member of the Memphis Mafia, Jerry Schilling, played by Alex Pettyfer.
This is not Ferreira’s first time on the silver screen. The singer has appeared in a number of independent films, along with the Eli Roth-directed horror movie, ‘The Green Inferno.’
The Liza Johnson-directed film documents the Dec. 21, 1970 meeting of Presley and Nixon, which was orchestrated by the iconic singer who expressed his distaste for drug culture and suggested the former President work as a “Federal Agent-at-Large” for the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
In a weird coincidence back in 2013 Alex Pettyfer was engaged to Elvis' granddaughter Riley Keough (right) even going together to see mom Lisa Marie Presley perform in concert.
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
'The True Elvis was Energetic, Powerful - a Rock God': Salon has re-published an article looking back at Elvis' fabulous "Comeback Special". It includes...
..."Had he lived, Elvis Presley would’ve turned 80 this month. As with each passing of his January 8th birthdate, I go back to Elvis’ shining moment and enjoy it anew. With evangelical zeal, I talk about it, watch it on YouTube, and share it via social media. The moment isn’t his first Sun recording, 1954’s “That’s All Right,” or his 1956 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, although both of those are pretty great. For me, Elvis’ shining moment is Elvis, his NBC Christmas special, which aired December 3rd, 1968. He was thirty-three, a new dad, and unbeknownst to all, even himself, he was at the peak of his powers. Part of the thrill of viewing the footage is watching fit, glistening Elvis realize this while the cameras roll.
The clownish, Falstaffian Elvis persona is nowhere in sight; the overweight, jump-suited 70s-era "Fat Elvis" favored by the media, so prominent in the collective memory of the general public, does not yet exist. It rankles me to realize that this sad, bloated, premature-death-bound man, who epitomizes Elvis to most, looms larger than the rock and roll animal of Elvis.
Most people refer to Elvis as “The ’68 Comeback Special,” because it effectively revived Presley’s career for nearly another decade until pills, and the pressure of life claimed him. |
 |
Soon after it aired, Elvis would take his new-found energy and renewed confidence, and spend it well. He released his best album, 1969’s From Elvis in Memphis, a decidedly non-schmaltzy collection of country soul and funky rock, produced by hip session guitarist and co-writer of “Dark End of the Street,” Memphis’ own Chips Moman. The same sessions produced his massive worldwide hit “Suspicious Minds,” which rocketed to the U.S. number one spot, past The Beatles’ “Come Together” and Sly & the Family Stone’s “Hot Fun in the Summertime.” In a spectacular reprieve from decline, Elvis was back, all due to that ’68 special.
Paradoxically, the apex of the show comes in the unscripted “unplugged” segment, wherein Elvis jams informally with his pals, including old road buddies, guitarist Scotty Moore – integral to the early Sun recordings – and drummer DJ Fontana, both of whom he’d abandoned a decade earlier when he headed to Hollywood. They play blues, R & B, and rockabilly, and tell stories and make fun of each other between songs. This segment is raw, somewhat lo fi, even occasionally punky. Here more than anywhere else, Elvis often seems possessed, yet controlled just enough, tapped in to a fount of spirit and soul, invoking a carnal essence that hangs about the small studio space like an entity, drawing open multiple mouths and teasing lips into astonished, toothy grins. Elvis glistens with sweat, and thrashes at his guitar as if in a roadhouse. It’s one of the only instances where you get to see and hear him actually play, and he tears it up...
EIN hopes that the new generation pick up on this story and discover the glory of the "Comeback Special" for themselves.
Go to Salon for the full article here
Go HERE to EIN's spotlight 'The Night Elvis Reclaimed His Crown'
(News, Source;Salon/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
UPDATED Reviews - 'Ultimate Elvis' Book Review: 'Ultimate Elvis – The Complete And Definitive Recording Sessions' is a this three-volume, deluxe set that not only comprises all the session information available to date, based on Keith Flynn's incomparable website and includes comprehensive notes on each session, discographies, letters, original sheet music covers plus huge index all included in its 1,800 pages.
The book includes around 3,000 stunning high-quality photographs many of them previously unseen, relating to the time period in question.
The promotional publicity for this three-volume set was very impressive with the original publishing date of August 2014 missed as more photographs were discovered and the content expanded. Finally published in December 2014, Elvis enthusiast Brian Quinn checks out this astounding deluxe package to discover if it is as good as promised.
Go HERE - Now updated with a new 2,000 word in-depth new review from super-fan Neil Colombari- -
(Book Reviews, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
What is Presley's single greatest song?: Rolling Stone magazine is running a quick poll. This month marks the 80th anniversary of Elvis Presley's birth. Graceland celebrated the occasion with a long party that featured Priscilla and Lisa Marie, screenings of Viva Las Vegas and Jailhouse Rock and an enormous eight-tiered cake.
Now Rolling Stone have a question for you: What is Presley's single greatest song?
Elvis obviously wasn't a songwriter, but anything he covered throughout his entire career is fair game. Feel free to go with an early Sun classic like "Mystery Train" or "That's Alright, Mama," a huge 1950s hit like "Hound Dog" or "Don't Be Cruel" or a late jam like "Suspicious Minds" or "Burning Love." There's also a ton of gospel and Christmas music. Pick whatever Elvis song you want, but please only vote once and only for a single selection.
It might be interesting to discover which Elvis songs are Rolling Stone readers favourites
(News, Source;RS/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
New Elvis Show on Vale Radio (ex UK): There is a new Elvis radio show "The Elvis Room" that started last week presented by five-time Sony Award winning presenter James Burrell. The show is an hour long on-line weekly Elvis programme and is being presented "for the love of Elvis".
Burrell Informed EIN that, "The show will feature some major hits for the casual fan... but also include tracks from the FTD cds, out-takes, live stuff - no holds barred, legacy editions and Essential Elvis cds too. It will also include a song each week from an artist that Elvis liked (I have researched Elvis' record collection) and also a song by bands or artists that Elvis influenced (for example, recently The Saints' punk cover of Elvis' 'Kissin Cousins' was featured!)."
The show will be.. "a bit more than just the usual string of hits."
On Saturday at 10pm GMT it can be accessed by going to www.thevaleonline.com/radio
(News, Source;JB/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
"Elvis: The New Recordings" Producer Messages EIN: "Elvis: The New Recordings" producer Larry Jordan (who we do agree has done great work with other artists in the past such as Jim Reeves) was not impressed with EIN's opinions about his new CD - as noted below. His reply included some of the following comments..
"Were you trying to "stack the deck" against this unique product? It's of course a matter of opinion to state that some '60s sounding sax "ruined" a song, but the Elvis songs we used WERE from the '60s, so at least it was authentic to the period, was it not? Would you have preferred a 2015 "heavy metal" treatment?
To those who say the originals are always best, I ask: are you still watching b&w TV with rabbit ears and using rotary dial phones?
Our emphasis was on Elvis's VOICE, and the rest of the crew assumed lesser importance to us. It is arguably true that you can hear Elvis's vocals better on our CD than on most of the originals. That is especially true on those songs in which we dispensed with off-key and redundant BGVs by the Jordanaires.
The musicians I've used on all my overdub projects are strictly professional, are veterans of the music biz, have accompanied big |
 |
league artists (INCLUDING ELVIS), and are no slouches. They would not have agreed to play on this CD merely to provide "schmaltzy" or "dodgy" accompaniment.
I considered calling it "The New Overdubs" but the thought amongst others in the decision making position was that the public doesn't know what "overdubs" are. I personally have had people ask me to explain that word, so this may be the case.
Please note that in ALL the product descriptions, including the back cover of the CD itself, it is made clear what these are: new musical settings. So there is no deception involved." - Larry Jordan
Go HERE to Read more about this CD and the tracklist
(News, Source;LJ/ElvisInfoNet) |
Phillip Harrington New Elvis Photos: Phillip Harrington worked as a professional photojournalist from 1940 until about 1990 when he retired. His noteworthy photos span 50 years from both in America and internationally. Notably, Harrington photographed Elvis Presley early in 1956, a critical year in Presley's career.
While plenty of Harrington's photos of Elvis are well-known, his archivist son is now offering several fabulous rare or unseen photographs for sale.
They show Elvis performing on stage at the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio on May 26, 1956, and some absolute between performances gems from backstage at the University of Dayton Fieldhouse, May 27, 1956. As well as multiple photos of Elvis at his Audubon home.
Check these out and go HERE to the FineArt website for more images and a chance to buy copies.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Colonel Parker meets Elvis 60 years ago: It was on Saturday, January 15th 1955 that Colonel Parker saw Elvis perform for the first time. Parker, along with Tom Diskin, traveled down to Shreveport to the Louisiana Hayride to witness Elvis live on stage having heard such positive reports back from Elvis' Texas performances earlier in the week. Afterwards the wily Colonel would be-friend Elvis' manager Bob Neal and Elvis' career would be changed forever.
At the time Parker's clients included country music stars Hank Snow and Eddy Arnold but Parker would soon realise who his future goldmine would be.
This would enrich Parker beyond his wildest dreams while only a few years later put Elvis onto a mind-numbing treadmill from which he could never escape.
Go HERE to read EIN's crucial spotlight 'The Dark Side of the Colonel'
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
'Loose As A Goose' New Import CD: Out soon is the new Straight Arrow's double-digipak CD release, called 'Loose As A Goose', featuring the August 19th, 1970 Las Vegas dinner and midnight shows. These recordings were first released in 1998 ('Double Dynamite' set) and were never re-released - until now.
17 years have passed, and it is the right time for the ultimate release of these special recordings.
To call this new Straight Arrow release "a nice upgrade“ would be like calling the Mona Lisa an "okay“ painting! The label was able to retrieve the first generation Rick Rennie cassettes from the August 19, 1970 dinner & midnight shows (the originals are lost) and then carefully enhanced every second on the tapes. As it turns out, that earlier release of these two show was edited, so this new SA release presents Rick's 1st generations tapes in their complete form for the very first time. To give you an example, the dinner show on "Double Dynamite" was about 45 mins; now it‘s 56 mins!
Still, one edit remains in the DS recording, the one made by the late
|
|
Rick Rennie originally. Rick told us about 10 years ago that ‘Love Me Tender’ just went on and on, with Elvis being mostly preoccupied with entertaining a few lucky ladies in the front rows. This went on for almost 15 minutes, and all around him Rick could hear people starting to "boo" Elvis. He felt embarrassed about this moment and edited it from the tape. Interestingly, the label on the tape reads: "Elvis - the booed show. Edited." Even though Elvis’ performance on this night was quite strong overall, you can hear in parts that Rick’s account rings true. Elvis’ off-color jokes receive only polite applause, if even that, and during ‘Polk Salad Annie’, he accidentally falls flat on his face!
But make no mistake about it, even these moments cannot distract from the pure dynamite of Elvis’ vocals & showmanship at the time. Especially on the newer stuff he sings at full throttle. The midnight show is even better: it’s 70 action-packed minutes of Presley at his mightiest, rockinest, lovinest… It’s „Elvis 1970“, and that really says it all for the true fan & connoisseur. Even more so than the TTWII recordings, these tapes give us a unique insight into Elvis performing live in his element & at the peak of his considerable powers. At the same time, these recordings are significant because they give us the first glimpses of what was to come…
As with every Straight Arrow’s "upgrade“, this beautifully designed double-digipack edition is limited to 500 copies. - Go Here to EIN's 'All the CD News 2015' for full tracklistings
These shows never sounded better! Elvis never sounded better!
(News, Source;SA/ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis RIAA Official Sales overtaken by Garth Brooks: Country star Garth Brooks, who came out of retirement last year according to the Recording Industry Association of America has surpassed Elvis Presley as the solo artist to sell the most albums in the United States. But Brooks remains well-below the all-time top-sellers in US history, The Beatles.
Brooks and Presley, who died in 1977, have repeatedly swapped spots for number one Solo Artist on the list. Brooks' career soared in the 1990s as his country songs won a crossover audience and his first album in 13 years 'Man Against Machine' was last week certified Platinum, meaning it has sold at least one million copies.
Using the RIAA certifications alone, Brooks has again risen to the top, with 135 million albums against 134.5 million for The King.
Presley's estate has in the past disputed such rankings as the industry association focuses on sales of albums rather than singles and ignores Elvis' long |
 |
NOW UPDATED - 'Ultimate Elvis' Book Review: 'Ultimate Elvis – The Complete And Definitive Recording Sessions' is a this three-volume, deluxe set that not only comprises all the session information available to date, based on Keith Flynn's incomparable website and includes comprehensive notes on each session, discographies, letters, original sheet music covers plus huge index all included in its 1,800 pages.
The book includes around 3,000 stunning high-quality photographs many of them previously unseen, relating to the time period in question.
The promotional publicity for this three-volume set was very impressive with the original publishing date of August 2014 missed as more photographs were discovered and the content expanded. Finally published in December 2014, Elvis enthusiast Brian Quinn checks out this astounding deluxe package to discover if it is as good as promised.
Go HERE to check out Brian Quinn's review - Now updated with some detailed comments from author Shane Brown and Elvis expert Jordan Ritchie - -
(Book Reviews, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
|
'Elvis The New Recordings' Overdubbed new CD: There is some publicity going around about a new Public Domain release called 'Elvis The New Recordings'.
However fans should not fall for any idea that these are "New" Elvis recordings. Rather they are old 'PD' recordings with (in our opinion) some very dodgy and old-fashioned new overdubs.
What to own a copy of the sublime originals 'Fame and Fortune' or 'Solider Boy' ruined by a very sixties-sounding corny saxophone overdub, well this is the CD for you!
The publicity notes, "This is VERY unique. At last count there were about 8000 Elvis CDs on Amazon, and most of these are merely repackagings of the same songs over and over and over and over again.
However, there is a new 2015 CD called 'Elvis The New Recordings' that is very different. Some world-class musicians from the Atlanta jazz scene, Nashville and Europe, got together to pay tribute to Elvis in this 80th anniversary year, by taking 26 select tracks from his vast repertoire, (EIN note- they are only Public Domain, NOT from Elvis' complete repertoire, nor even from the era of the cover photo!) remastering and remixing them |
|
(including getting rid of some of the distracting original instrumentation and/or background vocals), and then combining his voice with tasteful NEW musical settings. It's very impressive. Billboard magazine and the BBC have called the results "stunning".
EIN adds, Everyone's idea of "tasteful" is a personal matter, so if you want the pure perfection of the original 'Can't Help Falling In Love' with some added schmaltzy orchestral overdubs well this might be the Elvis CD you have been waiting for.
The original Vic Anesini remasters certainly showed how wonderful the original studio tapes could sound - but maybe if you have never enjoyed Scotty, Bill and DJ or the Jordanaires (Those damn "distracting original instruments and background vocals!") this is worth you checking out. (ps - if you disagree with us we'd like to know!) -
GO HERE for plenty of samples and make your own mind up. (or you can click here to buy)
(News, Source;good-music/ElvisInfoNet) |
"The Elvis Influence": Yes, "Before Elvis there Was Nothing". But now in a very cute "Elvisualization" - via spotify - you can see how some of today's top artists are connected to Elvis.
The site notes, "You might not see Elvis Presley atop the charts these days, but “The King” played an undeniably crucial role in the history of music — and his influence continues, whether you listen to him every day or not. Elvis was arguably the first mainstream radio and television rock star, and he still makes his way to your ears and eyes, because he influenced so many of today’s top artists directly or indirectly.
In celebration of The King’s 80th birthday, here’s a nifty web app that connects any artist to Elvis through deep data and Spotify playlists. You can make your way from just about any artist you can think of, to the King, often in surprisingly few steps. (The app looks |
 |
for the shortest possible way from the artist you enter and Elvis, favoring “influenced by” when possible.)"
Unfortunately while EIN would like to see some genuine explanation of where Elvis' influence lies in say 'Amy Winehouse' it only states that 'Amy Winehouse' was influenced by Carole King who was influenced by Elvis.
A cute idea, which looks great, but all too simplistic
Check out The Elvis Influence here and the wonderful ElvisVisualisation HERE
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
'Elvis Presley, Rock Around The Bloch!' Cover: A new FTD book 'Elvis Presley, Rock Around The Bloch!' by David English and Pal Granlund published by FTD books, RCA, Flaming Star will be coming soon, early in the year.
A hardback book containing 288 pages which tells the story of the USS Arizona benefit concert that Elvis performed at the Bloch Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii on March 25, 1961. It includes first-hand accounts from people who were there, newspaper articles from the time and numerous photographs (over 130 of which have never been published before).
This is the full cover design.
FTD were working on a Bloch Arena release as far back as 2007 so it is great to see the concert finally being released officially with a full-size book.
Author David English promises Audio content, back cover and preview pages all due soon.
(News, Source;DE/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Footage of Elvis 1957 Ottawa concert: To mark what would have been Elvis Presley's 80th birthday, CBC Ottawa dug through the archives to find some footage of his visit to the nation's capital.
Presley visited Ottawa and performed a concert on April 3, 1957.
On the 30th anniversary of Presley's death in 2007, CBC reporter Cory O'Kelly spoke to some of the Ottawans who attended the 1957 concert.
Click here to see some of the concert and hear memories of the event. The footage of Elvis is sadly only a few seconds.
However Elvis enthusiast and FTD audio engineer Kevan Budd has added, "The full clip is about two mins in length, short but exciting, `Heartbreak hotel`is just the first line, but a good example of how Elvis would get the audience going right from the start. The clip features sound, starts with the band warming up as can be heard followed by Elvis winding the audience to fever pitch with "Well, well" then Elvis starts 'Heartbreak Hotel'. I came across the footage about 8 years ago and sent a copy to Ernst."
Go HERE for EIN's exclusive spotlight on 'Elvis In Ottawa'
(News, Source;KBudd/CBCOttawa) |
 |
| Thursday 8th January 2015 - - Happy 80th Birthday ELVIS !!! - - |
 |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS
EIN wishes Elvis all the best, where ever he is, celebrating his 80th Birthday.
Fifty-three years ago today in 1962 Elvis celebrated his 27th birthday at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas - (photo right).
|
 |
Elvis was there with Memphis girlfriend Bonnie Bunkley as well as Joe Esposito & friends. Elvis also met up with one of his favourite songwriters Don Robertson.
President Nigel Patterson of the Elvis Information Network Fan Club (Australia's oldest Elvis fan club) was also there to present Elvis with a special Birthday cake. |
(Book Review) 'King of the Hilton - Memories of Elvis Presley's Las Vegas Years' (by Anne E. Nixon with Richard Harvey): Anne E. Nixon will be a familiar name to many long time fans. In her latest book, King of the Hilton, Anne makes us part of the audience as she relives the excitement and thrill of being in the main showroom at the Las Vegas Hilton as Elvis performs to one sold out audience after another.
Anne saw Elvis in Vegas 40 times! and in a captivating account based on her notes and transcripts from each show she brings them all to life plus details many of her side adventures along the way. Rich in detail and fascinating minutiae King of the Hilton is one of those rare releases.....a book written by a fan for the fans.
Read Nigel Patterson's detailed review |
|
(Book Review): Elvis Presley: A Southern Life (Joel Williamson): By the deliberate construct and emotionally powerful force of its narrative, Joel Williamson's latest book, Elvis Presley: A Southern Life, is one determined to stimulate analytical thought by serious students of the Elvis story and ignite ire among those readers expecting a straightforward and non-controversial (read: rose colored glasses) biography.
Williamson compellingly intertwines the agents of change in the 1950s: rising affluence, upward mobility, sexual awakening and a singer whose voice and hips spoke to millions of young girls blossoming into womanhood and determined to break free from the shackles of the conservative society of their parents.
But at the same there are elements in the presentation of his argument that are concerning.
Read Nigel Patterson's controversial 3,000 word review |
|
Lisa Marie and Priscilla Presley comment on the planes saga:
Lisa Marie Presley comments on upcoming auction of Elvis' planes: Lisa Marie has issued this short statement about the Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II jets:
We have not owned the planes for years. We have leased it, It is the owners who are doing all of this to try and get more money. (News, Source: Presley Pride (Facebook)/ @LisaPresley) |
|
|
|
Priscilla's strongly-worded Response to the Auction of Elvis' Planes: EIN realises that EPE no doubt want to own the planes so as to "cut-out the middle man" and increase their base profits. We guess that EPE thought they would be the only definite buyers and would offer less than seller K.G. Coker wanted. So it makes business sense for him to put them up for sale (two months ago) or now to auction, if only to scare EPE to a higher price.
After both the August Graceland auction and the high prices being demanded by EPE for the new Hotel, EIN can see K.G. Coker's logic in pushing for a better price.
After all, if new EPE owners ABG want the big spenders as part of their Elvis "clients", then EPE/ABG suppliers will be thinking they should spend big in return!
|
 |
Priscilla posted a strongly-worded response at the weekend,
.." It's very disheartening and unsettling that you point your fingers at my daughter, Jack Soden, EPE as a whole, our partners and myself as the blame for the sale of the planes. Do you honestly think we want them sold? Have you never thought that the owners are the culprits? That perhaps THEY are greedy, unwilling to be fair, or are being TOTALLY unreasonable? Shame on you for using threats of not going to Graceland or that we're going to lose loyal fans. Or asking what's next? Putting your two cents on an issue you know nothing of the DETAILS is quite disturbing. This is a business matter that needs good common sense and good business sense that anyone in our position needs to apply.
A quote Elvis stated many times:
"Don't criticize what you don't understand, son... you never walked in that man’s shoes."
I state my case." - Priscilla Presley
(News, Source;PP/ElvisInfoNet) |
Joe Guercio Has Died: Very sadly after a false rumour in recent days, Joe Guercio, Elvis' long-time conductor and musical director, has died. The news has been confirmed by James Burton and Donna Tutt. Joe was hospitalised recently after a fall and apparently died due to complications.
Joe enjoyed a prolific career, but is best known and admired for his work with Elvis. He was musical director and conductor for Elvis' concert shows from the summer of 1970 to the summer of 1977 and Elvis' final performance.
When EIN talked with Joe Guercio in Honolulu at the 40th Anniversary celebration of 'Aloha' he was surprisingly cool about the whole event.
Guercio told me that while the original "Aloha" was an astounding telecast it was other concerts that he remembered as being more emotional. He talked about the excitement of Madison Square Garden, the hysteria and explosion of the flashbulbs "It seemed like the whole of New York was there, it was important to Elvis" - but was disappointed that more |
 |
video footage hasn't been found. His favourite memory he said was of the first time they played 'An American Trilogy' in Atlanta, Georgia in June '73 and the whole place going wild. The standing ovation and screams from the crowd as Elvis first sang "I Wish I was in Dixie" were unbelievable - Guercio said that his hair stood on end and they had to pause the song just to let the emotion of the crowd subside. He was far more excited about the large touring shows that the staid Las Vegas concerts.
Guercio said of Elvis, "Elvis was the original. He was what it was and he was totally real. He took us to a new place, Elvis started a whole other thing. Everybody copied Elvis but Elvis is Elvis. He changed everything and took it to the world."
Of the 'Aloha' 40th celebration Guercio noted that the whole TCB Band had only played the show at the H.I.C. Arena fairly recently which was far more important - and noted that the 'Elvis Presley In Concert' show was still rolling on.
|
 |
Sadly there have been a few changes since then. The TCB Band are no longer involved in the EPE 'Elvis Presley In Concert' event - and now Joe Guercio will no longer been conducting the band. RIP Joe Guercio.
(News, Source;RTuttFB/ElvisInfoNet) |
Donna Douglas has died: Elvis' co-star in Frankie & Johnny, Donna Douglas (born Doris Smith and best known for role as Elly Mae Clampett in the hugely popular TV show, The Beverly Hillibillies passed away on New Year's Day after a battle with pancreatic cancer, aged 82.
Donna's other small screen credits included guest appearances on The Twilight Zone, Route 66, Mr. Ed, Dr. Kildare, Adam 12 and McMillan & Wife. Donna remained close friends with her on-screen father in The Beverly Hillbillies, Buddy Ebsen, until his death in 2003.
With Irene Ryan (Granny) also having passed away, the only remaining member of the Clampett clan still alive is Max Baer Jr. (Jethro) who is aged 77. |
 |
On the big screen Donna's credits included Bells Are Ringing (1960) and Lover Come Back (1961). In Frankie & Johnny (released 1966), Donna played Frankie to Elvis' Johnny. A full costume, period musical set on the Mississippi River, Frankie & Johnny also starred Harry Morgan (Dragnet; MASH) and Nancy Kovack (as Nelly Blye). In the film Donna and Elvis shared a duet on the fun track, Petunia, The Gardener's Daughter (with Donna's vocal actually the voice of singer Eileen Wilson).
 |
However, Donna's actual voice (as well as that of co-star Sue Ann Langdon) can be heard in the film on the big production number of the title track, Frankie & Johnny.
Donna and Elvis got on well due to their similar interest in spiritual matters. Donna later became a gospel singer and authored children's Christian books.
Donna was well known for her happy personality and was a big hit with fans at comic and film conventions.
Donna was married twice and had one son. At one time the Hollywood magazines ran stories of Donna and Clint Walker (Cheyenne) being a couple. (News, Source: AP/USA Today/EIN) |
'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! |
 |
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) |
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 |
.jpg) |
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.
|
|
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)
|
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.
|
 |
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 |
 |
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) |
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) |
 |
'An Evening with Elvis’ Friends and Original Musicians' UK Tickets ON Sale: Back in August Arjan Deelen was proud to announce that he had tracked down Elvis' 1970 drummer Bob Lanning. He was able make a deal with him for an exclusive tour in May 2015. This will mark the first time since 1970 that Bob will be playing Elvis’ music. For the first time, you will be able to hear songs like ‘Polk Salad Annie’, ‘The Wonder Of You’, ‘Walk A Mile In My Shoes’ and many others as played by the drummer that you can hear on the original Elvis versions.
Enthusiasm is already running high among Elvis fans for the 2015 “An Evening with Elvis’ Friends and Original Musicians” shows (featuring a.o. Duke Bardwell, Bob Lanning and Marlyn Mason). Below you can see a list of the shows booked at present. We are excited about every show obviously, but we are particularly thrilled about coming to the U.K. for the first time. We will be performing at the prestigious “100 Club” on Oxford Street in London, and also at the impressive “Sage Gateshead” in Newcastle, one of the leading U.K. concert venues. The London gig is in collaboration with Todd Slaughter and the Official Elvis Presley Fanclub of Great Britain, while Trevor Cajiao at “Elvis – The Man And His Music” has been instrumental in getting us the Newcastle show. There’s talk now about doing a special interview session with the musicians at The Sage. |
 |
Dates booked so far...
Saturday, May 2, 2015 Vara Konserthus, Vara, Sweden
Wednesday, May 6, 2015 100 Club, Oxford Street, London, U.K. - Get Tickets HERE
Thursday, May 7, 2015 The Sage Gateshead, Newcastle, U.K. - Get Tickets HERE
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 Sellosali, Espoo, Finland
Thursday, May 14, 2015 Chapito @ Casino 2000 Mondorf, Luxembourg
Friday, May 15, 2015 Metropool, Hengelo, Holland
Saturday, May 16, 2015 Melkweg, Amsterdam, Holland
Sunday May 17, 2015 Effenaar, Eindhoven, Holland
More info soon.
(News, Source;ArjanDeelen/ElvisInfoNet) |
EIN Elvis New Book Selection & Best Of 2014 |
|
'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!
|
|
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: |
|
Indepth Review soon |
|
Indepth Review soon |
Note: Not all these releases are not available from online or regular bookstores (to obtain enquire with your regular Elvis supplier) |
More great Elvis deals on Amazon
'Young Man With The Big Beat' Cheap Box set: Re-released for 2014 in a Limited Edition cheap slim-line box-set is Elvis' 'Young Man With The Big Beat'.
A great opportunity for those that missed it in
Go HERE for EIN's detailed YMWTBB review
UK price - only £19.99 = Euro25 = US$33 with FREE Delivery in the UK.
Click to Order now special deal >> . . Young Man With The Big Beat
-
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
 |
Copyright the Elvis Information Network.
Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises.
The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club.
EIN also has a local Australian national Elvis Fan Club for paid up members featuring quarterly newsletters and an annual EIN Elvis Mega Quiz with special prizes.
The printed newsletters have extra content, articles and reviews to this website along with the popular Elvis EIN Mega Quiz.
If you need to know more about the fan club, newsletters, Elvis EIN quiz or EIN membership
' ELVIS EIN QUIZ', Elvis EIN quiz, elvis EIN mega quiz, elvis mega quiz, EIN mega quiz, ELVIS EIN QUIZ, EIN elvis mega quiz,
.
|
Most Popular |
| Is 'From Elvis In Memphis' the only Elvis album you need to own?: |
| (Interview) Anne E. Nixon answers your questions |
| ASK Marty Is Back!: |
| 'Elvis Star Track' Of The Week |
| Ginger Alden Interview: |
| 'Elvis Files Magazine ISSUE 9' Mini-Review: |
| 'Ultimate Elvis' Book Review: |
| (Book Review) The world knows Elvis Presley....but they don't know me: |
| The Elvis Films (Book Review) |
| 'Trains, Jet Planes and Morning Rain' EIN Spotlight: |
| 'Elvis In Florida April 1975' FTD In-Depth Review: |
| 'Autopsy: The Last Hours Of Elvis' - Review: |
| (Interview) Allen J. Wiener author of Channeling Elvis: How Television Saved the King of Rock 'n' Roll talks to EIN |
| Elaine Beckett -Easy Come Easy Go costar- Interview: |
| Wertheimer's Reaction To Finding The 'Mystery Kisser': |
| (Interview) Dennis Forbus author of one of 2014's best Elvis books talks to EIN: |
| (Book Review): CHANNELING ELVIS How Television Saved the King of Rock 'n' Roll: |
| Shirley Dieu, author of Memphis Mafia Princess, talks to EIN: |
| (Book Review) Elvis and Ginger: |
| UPDATED - 'Elvis Madison 1977 - The Gas Station Incident': |
| "If You're Going To Start A Rumble" -The Importance of Fights In Elvis Movies: |
| (Book Review) Memphis Mafia Princess: |
| ‘Final Countdown To Midnight' jewel-case Versions Review: |
| 'Elvis Files Magazine ISSUE 8' Review: |
| James Brown and Elvis, soul-brothers and spiritual kin: |
| "Elvis: A Listener's Guide" EIN Interview with Author Shane Brown: |
| ELVIS WEEK 2014 - EIN exclusive Sanja Meegin reports: |
| 'Big Boss Man: What Kind of Technical Advice Did Parker Provide for Elvis’s Movies?': |
| Elvis Opening Night Las Vegas 1969 - 45 Years Ago Today: |
| 'Final Countdown To Midnight' NYE 1976 - in-depth Review: |
| Interview: Gillian G. Gaar |
| |
Latest Reviews |
| Is 'From Elvis In Memphis' the only Elvis album you need to own?: |
| 'Elvis Files Magazine ISSUE 9' Mini-Review: |
| 'Ultimate Elvis' Book Review: |
| (Book Review): Elvis Presley: A Southern Life |
| (Book Review) The world knows Elvis Presley....but they don't know me: |
| The Elvis Films (Book Review) |
| 'Elvis In Florida April 1975' FTD In-Depth Review: |
| 'Autopsy: The Last Hours Of Elvis' - Review: |
| (Book Reviews): If I Can Dream: The Story of "Being Elvis" for 50 Years and Elvirus! Elvi-geddon: Dawn of the Elvi Invasion: |
| (Book Review): CHANNELING ELVIS How Television Saved the King of Rock 'n' Roll: |
| (Book Review) Elvis and Ginger: |
| ‘Final Countdown To Midnight' jewel-case Versions Review: |
| 'Elvis Files Magazine ISSUE 8' Review: |
| (Book Review) Memphis Mafia Princess: |
| 'Final Countdown To Midnight' NYE 1976 - in-depth Review: |
| 'Elvis Files Magazine ISSUE 7' Review: |
| 'ELVIS' FTD Classic Album Review: |
| (Book Review) 100 Things Elvis Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die: |
| Walkin' On The Bridge I Will Follow That Dream (an Elvis based tale) Review: |
| For the Love of Elvis (Book Review): |
| 'Elvis-The King Of The Jungle' In-Depth Book Review: |
| (Book Review): Elvis' Favorite Director:Norman Taurog: |
| 'ELVIS AT 21' Exhibition Review: |
| 'Elvis Files Magazine ISSUE 6' Review: |
| 'Elvis Music FAQ' - Book Review: |
| 'Elvis Films FAQ' Book Review: |
| 'The On Stage Season' FTD In-Depth Review: |
| 'Elvis Files Magazine ISSUE 5' Review: |
| 'The Elvis Files Vol. 6 1971-1973' Book Review: |
| 'Love Me Tender' Blu-Ray Edition Review: |
| 'Houston We Have A Problem' - CD review: |
| 'SOLD OUT' FTD CD Review: |
| ‘Elvis At Stax’ [Deluxe] Reviews: |
| |
Latest Articles (Spotlights) |
| Is 'From Elvis In Memphis' the only Elvis album you need to own?: |
| EIN's 'Elvis Star Track' Of The Week |
| Music of Mississippi at the Grammy Museum: |
| Elvis London O2 Exhibition Spotlight: |
| 'Trains, Jet Planes and Morning Rain' EIN Spotlight: |
| Wertheimer's Reaction To Finding The 'Mystery Kisser': |
| UPDATED - 'Elvis Madison 1977 - The Gas Station Incident' with Kathy Westmoreland: |
| "If You're Going To Start A Rumble" -The Importance of Fights In Elvis Movies: |
| ELVIS WEEK 2014 - EIN exclusive Sanja Meegin reports: |
| 'Big Boss Man: What Kind of Technical Advice Did Parker Provide for Elvis’s Movies?': |
| Spotlight: Who is this person?? |
| FTD - What now, What next, Where to – What’s left?: |
| JAZZWORLD - Music vs. Elvis Presley. |
| UPDATED - 'American Studios 1969 - A Turning Point In History': |
| "60 Years of Elvis" EIN Exhibition Preview: |
| 'ELVIS AT 21' Exhibtion |
| Elvis' Personal Record Collection: |
| 'The Nation's Favourite Elvis Song' Spotlight |
| Linda and Sam Thompson in Australia: |
| Elvis Passwords - We’ve Hacked them all! |
| Fourteen Key Elvis Singles: |
| Happy Birthday EIN EIN turns 100 – a retrospective!: |
| Elvis Week Through The Years - Sanja Meegin looks back: |
| 'The Wedding' Elvis & Priscilla EIN special Spotlight: |
| John Lennon And Elvis: It was "Thirty Years Ago Today" |
| Elvis or Michael Jackson - who is the bigger star? |
| Dark Side of the Colonel |
|
Latest Interviews |
| (Interview) Anne E. Nixon answers your questions |
| Ginger Alden Interview: |
| Elaine Beckett -Easy Come Easy Go costar- Interview: |
| (Interview) Dennis Forbus author of one of 2014's best Elvis books talks to EIN: |
| Shirley Dieu, author of Memphis Mafia Princess, talks to EIN: |
| Interview With Elvis author - : Gillian G. Gaar |
| Bobby D. talks to EIN about his good friend, Jimmy Ellis (aka the masked man known as Orion): |
| Interview with Dick Grob, Elvis' Head Of Security: |
| Hollywood veteran Michael Hoey talks to EIN: |
| Interview with 'Elvis Films FAQ' author Paul Simpson: |
| Elvis Music FAQ - Mike Eder Interview: |
| "My Fast Life" Rare Elvis Presley 1964 Interview: |
| John Wilkinson Tribute & 1972 Interview: |
| Interview - Dr. Gary Vikan: |
| 'Elvis: Walk A Mile In My Shoes' - Arjan Deelen Interview: |
| RIP - Bernard Lansky talks to EIN: |
| Allyson Adams 'The Rebel and The King' Interview: |
| Interview with Elvis Photographer Dagmar: |
| Joseph A. Tunzi (part 2) |
| David Stanley (2012) |
| Vernon Presley Interview: |
| Jerry Leiber Interview for EIN |
| Elvis Paradise Hawaiian Interview - with Peter Noone |
| Sam Thompson, Elvis' bodyguard, 2011 Interview |
| James Burton Interview - Rick Nelson & Elvis: |
| Elvis Drummer Jerome "Stump" Monroe EIN Interview: |
| Donnie Sumner Remembers his friend Sherrill Nielsen: |
| Lamar Fike EIN Exclusive Interview |
| Ernst Jorgensen interview about 'The Complete Masters' and more: |
| Red West Interview:- 2010 Elvis week special |
| Linda Thompson - Interview Special: |
| Dr. Nick talks to EIN |
| Alanna Nash |
| Ernst Jorgensen (2009) |
|
Audio-Visual |
| Best of Elvis on YouTube |
| Graceland cam |
| EPE's Multimedia Elvis Gallery |
| Sirius Elvis Satellite Radio |
| Elvis Radio (ETA's) |
| Elvis Express Radio |
| Ultimate Elvis Radio |
| Elvis Only Radio |
| "Images in Concert" PhotoDatabase |
| Radio Interview: Vernon & Gladys Presley |
| Sanja's Elvis Week 2007 Photo Gallery |
| 'EIN's Best of Elvis on YouTube' |
| The Music of Elvis Presley - Australian Radio Show |
|
Reference |
| All about Elvis |
| All about Elvis Tribute Artists |
| All about Graceland |
| All about Lisa Marie Presley |
| Ancestors of Elvis |
| Art Archives |
| Book Releases 2009 |
| Contact List |
| Elvis and Racism |
| Elvis as Religion |
| Elvis Film Guide |
| Elvis Online Virtual Library |
| Elvis Research Forum |
| Elvis Rules on Television |
| FTD Database (EPE) |
| Graceland - The National Historic Landmark |
| How & where do I sell my Elvis collection? |
| Is Elvis the best selling artist? |
| Links to Elvis' family & friends |
| Links to other Elvis sites |
| Marty's Musings |
| Online Elvis Symposium |
| Parkes Elvis Festival 2009 (Australia) |
| Presley Law legal archives (Preslaw) |
| Presleys In The Press |
| Sale of EPE (Archives) |
| 6th Annual Elvis Website Survey |
| Spotlight on The King |
| "Wikipedia" Elvis biography |
|
Did You Miss? |
| 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong - the most 'covered' Elvis album of all-time |
| Spotlight: Elvis Film Posters |
| FTD Review: An American Trilogy |
| Book Review: Elvis: A King in the Making |
| Interview: Vic Colonna - the Dangerous World of Bootlegging Elvis |
| |
|
| |
|
|
.jpg)
