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...
Lisa Marie's death, Tabloid Media Beat-up: Once again the tabloids can't leave the Presley legacy alone, trying all they can for Click-Bait and revenue.
Already the tabloids, such as the Daily Mail, are suggesting Lisa Marie died from opioid use.
The usual "Unnamed Sources" (=made-up facts to fit their headlines) have told the tabloids that Lisa Marie was "Taking Opioids again on an Extreme Weight Loss Regime".
This may be vaguely true, but so what? Fact - 2 million+ Americans abuse opioids and more than 90 Americans die every day from opioid overdose. Fact - Around 45% of US women have used some kind of supplement for weight loss. Fact - It would be the very same tabloids who shamed Lisa Marie into thinking she was fat. In 2014 the Daily Mail shamed her as becoming "fat like her dad" - only to be sued by Lisa Marie as she was in fact pregnant at the time!
With the high pressure on Lisa Marie to "look good" at the Golden Globes it is no surprise that she'd be dieting.
The tabloids now state that she did "extreme cosmetic surgery and a 40-50lbs weight loss in 6 weeks"
Looking at photos of Lisa Marie looking fine back in September it's hard to imagine that she had put on 40lbs that needed shedding.
The tabloids need to stop spreading their fantasy click-bait and explain who their "Unnamed Sources" are. - Poor Lisa Marie, Poor Elvis, Poor Presleys. (News, Source;Tabloids/ElvisInfoNet)
'Heartbreak Hotel' Original Lyrics sold for over US$200,000: The original working handwritten lyrics by Mae Boren Axton for Elvis' 'Heartbreak Hotel' were up for auction last weekend.
They were a highlight of the GWS Artifacts of Hollywood and Music auction.
The estimate was $200,000 - $220,000 and they sold for US$165,000 plus 25% buyers premium... Description...
"Heartbreak Hotel" - This wonderful piece of music history is a sheet of handwritten original working lyrics by Mae Boren Axton for what would be the classic Elvis' hit song, Heartbreak Hotel.
These lyrics were written by Mae Boren Axton, a high school teacher with a background in musical promotion, and Tommy Durden, a Jacksonville singer-songwriter.
It is said by historians that Mae played a crucial part in the game plan that launched the career of Elvis Presley.
Mae first met Elvis in 1955 around the time he was getting his start with SUN Records, and she was doing some PR for Colonel Parker via her TV and radio shows promoting his package shows when they would be in Florida. She was asked by Elvis' manager at the time, Bob Neal, for her help in getting Elvis on a Parker tour to convince Elvis that Neal had the connections to represent him well.
Mae Axton taped a radio interview with Elvis in July, 1955 in Jacksonville and got Elvis onto the show which Hank Snow was headlining. "Heartbreak Hotel" was written in October 1955 and presented by Axton to Elvis who loved the song and eventually recorded it in January 1956 for his new label, RCA Victor.
This was a pivotal point in Elvis' career as he had just moved to RCA and this would be his first single. The lyrics are handwritten in pencil and signed by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden, and also have various edits and corrections.
The lyrics come with a letter of authenticity from James Spence Go here to check them out in detail
(News, Source;GWSAuctions)
MRS Vinyl - 'Opening Night 1972’: Following the UK label ‘Memphis Recording Service’ (MRS) release of the CD ‘Las Vegas Hilton Presents Elvis – Opening Night 1972', vinyl collectors will be thrilled to know that the same performance is now being released on 180g vinyl.
The album contains a thrilling new show - featuring a revised setlist - from Elvis’ Opening Night at the Las Vegas Hilton on the 26 January 1972. The soundboard recording has been remastered and for the first time presented in true stereo. The accompanying booklet includes rare photographs and memorabilia along with introductory notes.
This was the concert where Elvis premiered the classic songs 'I'll Remember You', 'You Gave Me A Mountain' (sung with a lighter arrangement), 'Never Been To Spain', 'A Big Hunk O'Love' and 'An American Trilogy' as well as the first time 'See See Rider' was used as his opening number. Out March 17, 2023
'Two Nights In Binghamton' New Import CD: Out now is a new 2-CD 1977 AUDIENCE RECORDING from the BJ Records label with the title “Two Nights In Binghamton” May 26 & 27th, 1977 shows.
First released as bootleg ''Why Me, Lord'' featuring the May 26th 1977 concert in Binghamton, NY.
While in reasonable AUDIENCE sound at the time, it was released in much better sound the following year on the Krypton Label, both of these releases showed that there were still nights where Elvis could pull it off and leave a mesmerizing performance when the moment was right. The second show was bootlegged as ''Second Night'' and it showed that Elvis did not run out of steam after the previous night, if anything he was giving even more during the second show! Just listen to one of the best versions of ''Unchained Melody'' as Elvis pours his heart out.
The two Binghamton shows are a good example of some of those special moments where Elvis got it together - this includes the last live version of ''Why Me, Lord'', and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'' 'Blue Suede Shoes', ''Heartbreak Hotel'' were also performed.
Digipack with great photos of Elvis and newspaper reviews.
A very limited edition. See 'All The CD News 2023' for full details & tracklist
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Monday 30 January 2023
'Elvis UK – Beyond RCA' New Book Out Now: As promised last month, Elvis experts John Townson and Gordon Minto have now published a new book, 'Elvis UK - Beyond RCA The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British Non-RCA LPs 1974-1997'
This digital book, a newly written 377 page, fully comprehensive text, follows on from our previous publications in the Elvis UK series, each of them acclaimed by collectors, and provides the ultimate guide to Elvis’s non-RCA LP album releases issued in the UK between 1974-1997. This new volume:
• Complements - and extends considerably - information relating to these particular releases included in our original books Elvis UK, published in 1987, and Elvis UK2, published in 2002
• Is extensively illustrated in full colour
• Features a host of background information including a chronological list of all the albums included
• Deals with each album individually, in a detailed and forensic way, while the text is amply illustrated with scans of every known cover and label variation, relevant photographs, and scans of contemporaneous newspaper and magazine articles
• Includes background information about each release including historically significant events of the period
• Contains hitherto unpublished information from company files
• Features a header block for each album release comprising information about the songs or spoken word material included, along with details about the writers, as well as showing the record modes
• Includes a detailed Song Index, showing recording dates, which album(s) each song has been featured on, along with details of outtakes used, as well as a Spoken Word Index referencing when and
where the material was recorded
And as readers have come to expect from each of the Elvis UK publications, there is a wealth of background information relating to the record industry incorporated throughout the text. Note: this definitive work is only available as a downloadable digital flip book and stored on your own device 'Elvis UK – Beyond RCA' costs just £20 and can be ordered via our website www.elvisukbooks.co.uk which also includes details of our other publications and how to order them.
Please check out EIN's review of their excellent last volume 'Elvis UK Cover Story 1956-1977' (News, Source;GM/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis News Report February 2023': What a shocking start to the year, Elvis super-fan Emiel Maier presents all the recent news including the tragedy of Lisa Marie's death. In a happier note he also talks about the new single 'TOXIC', the Academy Awards, the new UK tour, Australian Parkes ELVIS Festival, and much much more...
‘ELVIS ON TOUR’ Box-set finally OUT TODAY!: Only FIFTY YEARS to get it right - and the boxset is finally released world-wide today. They only had 50 years for these Elvis companies to get their act together - and they STUFFED IT up!
While EIN Australia does not yet have their new BluRay set we have been informed that it is identical to the previous 2012 release and has 'Don't Be Cruel' and not the Chuck Berry original 'Johnny B Goode' as the intro.
RCA/Legacy's Elvis On Tour box set is produced by Ernst Mikael Jørgensen and mixed by Grammy Award-winning Memphis-based producer Matt Ross-Spang. This absurdity in 2023 beggars belief. What were they thinking?
The original recordings were made by Felton Jarvis and Al Pachucki.
The set comprises four concerts (and two rehearsals) that were part of Elvis’ 1972 North American tour. The set features a total of 145 tracks, including 91 tracks that have been previously unreleased, as well as the award-winning concert film on Blu-ray. 'Elvis On Tour' is a 6CD + 1 Blu-ray box set (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Riley Keough starring in Daisy Jones and The Six- and she sings!!: Riley Keough is already an accomplished actress and now she is showcasing her musical talent, and Riley Keough is following in her grandfather Elvis Presley's footsteps!
Debuting her musical talents in the new trailer for Daisy Jones and The Six, the actress and singer is taking on the role of Daisy Jones in the upcoming Amazon Series.
Cast as the lead singer of a 70s band that experiences the many highs and lows of fame, Riley stars alongside a stellar ensemble cast that includes Sam Claflin, Suki Waterhouse and Camila Morrone.
The series follows “the rise and precipitous fall of a renowned rock band,” according to the show synopsis.
A lead single titled Regret Me that can be heard in the teaser, has also been released in full. It’s a duet between Jones (Riley Keough) and Billy Dunne, played by Sam Claflin. EIN Comment: Listening to Riley sing, she has a great voice, not dissimilar to that of Lisa Marie,
only without Lisa's huskiness. Watch the trailer on YouTube here (News, Source: Megan Bull, Hello Magazine/EIN)
Oscar-Nominated ELVIS is Returning to US Theaters For A Limited Run: Following announcement of its 8 Academy Award nominations, Baz Luhrmann's biopic is returning to US cinemas for a limited run.
The Austin Butler-led film was a surprise box office success the first time around, and now the flick is headed back to the big screen from Friday, January 27, 2023.
It's typical for Best Picture nominees to make their way back to theaters ahead of the Academy Awards telecast, but in an especially cinematic year, ELVIS in particular is a movie that deserves to be caught in theaters. The overstuffed, campy, colorful 2-hour and 39-minute film stars Butler (who also earned an Oscar nomination today) alongside Tom Hanks in one of the latter's oddest performances ever. Hanks plays Colonel Tom Parker, the singer's manipulative manager who witnesses the rise and fall (and rise and fall again) of the famed rock star.
The film earned the distinct honor of becoming the highest-grossing film of 2022 that was not a part of an existing franchise and is the second highest grossing biopic globally, behind the Freddie Mercury / Queen release, Bohemian Rhapsody. (News, Source: slashfilm.com)
Not everyone liked the ELVIS biopic!: On the subject of the Elvis film, the Washington Post recently published an article about the "22 movies critics hated in 2022"; ELVIS was on the list: .. Elvis (PG-13) - “The result is a dizzying, almost hallucinatory experience- akin to being thrown into a washing machine and mercilessly churned for 2½ hours. That isn’t to say that ‘Elvis’ doesn’t provide moments of insight, or even genuine inspiration; it’s just that they occur fitfully, when the viewer is briefly pasted up against the window before being plunged into the barrel of [writer-director Baz] Luhrmann’s lurid sensibility once again.” — Ann Hornaday Washington Post EIN would like to point out that Ms Hornaday does not like Baz Luhrmann’s films in general. Her review of the double Oscar winning Great Gatsby included the ludicrous, "Luhrmann has made a “Great Gatsby” for idiots; it’s more like he’s made it for infants, who prefer their nourishment pre-masticated and their stories pictorialized by way of bright, arresting images - baubles you can try to grab are always nice, and help develop fine motor skills."
As Luhrmann himself explained, "I don’t make subtle, naturalistic films I leave that to others. I like to challenge.
I like bright colours and very fast-edited cuts, surrealistic zooms and loud challenging soundtracks. I like to create a line and push the audience, I don't make movies for everyone and that's fine by me, they can always opt out" EIN thinks Ann Hornaday should stick to her favourite run-of-the-mill, boring mainstream directors instead. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Amazon halves price of The Faith of Elvis (Billy Stanley): Released in October 2022, the latest book by Elvis' stepbrother, Billy Stanley focuses on Elvis' faith.
The hardback edition was originally priced at US$28.99, but Amazon US recently reduced the price to $14.99 (which is now cheaper than the Kindle price).
Audio CD and Audiobook editions are also available.
Fans "downunder" should note that Amazon Australia has the book available from Monday 30 January. (News, Source: Amazon; Amazon AU)
Wednesday 25 January 2023
Elvis' Great-Granddaughter 'Tupelo': In a nice tribute to the birthplace of her grandfather, Riley and Aussie husband Ben, named their daughter, Tupelo. Apparently, Riley's uncle, Navarone, recently let slip about the name and the well kept secret about baby Tupelo was revealed by Ben during the memorial ceremony for Lisa Marie at Graceland on January 22.
While some fans were surprised that Ben Smith-Petersen read his wife's loving tribute to her mother Lisa Marie, their relationship has been serious for nearly a decade.
The couple got engaged in August 2014 and they got married in Napa, California, in February 2015.
When Lisa Marie died earlier this month Smith-Petersen was by Riley's side.
The eulogy penned by Riley revealed that the couple recently became parents and Lisa Marie a grandparent.
The eulogy noted, “Thank you for showing me that love is the only thing that matters in this life.
I hope I can love my daughter the way you loved me, the way you loved my brother and my sisters.
Thank you for giving me strength, my heart, my empathy, my courage, my sense of humor, my manners, my temper, my wildness, my tenacity.
I’m a product of your heart.”
Lisa Marie will be missed by all. (News, Source:Email/ElvisInfoNet)
ELVIS gets eight Oscar Nominations: The 2023 Academy Awards nominations were announced yesterday. Crowd-pleasing mind-bender Everything Everywhere All at Once led the pack with 11, followed by Netflix’s German war movie All Quiet on the Western Front and the Irish dark comedy The Banshees of Inisherinwith nine and ELVIS with eight.
Just two days after Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin attended the memorial service for Lisa Marie their grief carried even more emotion knowing that Lisa Marie would not see Elvis being nominated for eight Oscars including Best Picture.
The Australian director and his four-time Oscar winning wife are both producers of ELVIS which is also up for best actor, cinematography, costumes, production design, make-up and hairstyling, editing and sound at the 95th Academy Awards.
Other big grossing films Top Gun: Maverick, Black Panther: Wakanda Forver and Avatar: The Way of Water received 6, 5 and 4, respectively.
The 95th Oscars are on March 12 in Hollywood and televised live on ABC.
One of the real shocks was that Baz Luhrmann did not get nominated for Best Director. In the eyes of many this was creative robbery since the syrupy-schmaltzy-by-numbers 'The Fabelmans' saw Steven Spielberg getting a nod.
With Baz Luhrmann showing his stunning directorial style to-the-max with ELVIS, many wondered what was wrong with the Academy - Best Picture -
“All Quiet on the Western Front” /
“Avatar: The Way of Water” /
“The Banshees of Inisherin” /
'ELVIS' /
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” /
“The Fabelmans” /
“Tár” /
“Top Gun: Maverick” /
“Triangle of Sadness” /
“Women Talking”
The other contenders and rivals could be
- Actor in a leading role Austin Butler (“Elvis”) up against Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”) - Cinematography ELVIS against “All Quiet on the Western Front” - Costume design ELVIS against “Babylon” - Film editing ELVIS against “Top Gun: Maverick” - Makeup and hairstyling ELVIS against “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” - Production design ELVIS against “All Quiet on the Western Front” - Sound ELVIS against “All Quiet on the Western Front” (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Priscilla thanks the family's Supporters: Priscilla must be feeling the outpouring of love from fans following the death of Lisa Marie. On monday she shared a message on showing her appreciation for all the support she's received from those mourning the loss of Lisa Marie, who died January 12 after being rushed to a Los Angeles hospital for a possible cardiac arrest.
She wrote, "Thank you all for your condolences, you have touched me with your words. It has been a very difficult time but just knowing your love is out there makes a difference."
Her message came a day after Lisa Marie's public memorial at Graceland.
At Lisa Marie's memorial, Priscilla delivered an emotional eulogy, starting with something she said her granddaughter wrote for the fans who lined up far and wide to line up outside of Graceland. "I have no idea how to put my mother into words. Truth is, there are too many. Lisa Marie Presley was an icon, a role model, a superhero
to many people all over the world, but Mama was my icon, my role model, my superhero — in much more ways than one. Even now, I can't get across everything there is to be understood or known about her, but as she always said, I'll do my best.'" Priscilla then read from a poem titled "The Old Soul," written about Lisa Marie's life. 'In 1968, she entered our world, born tired, fragile, yet strong. She was delicate, but was filled with life. She always knew she wouldn't be here too long. Childhood passes by, with a glimpse of her green eye, she then grew a family of her own. Then came her second child, leaving her with suspicion — could this be the angel that takes me home? Time, of course, flew by. It was time for a tragedy. She knew it was close to the end. Survivor's guilt, some would say, but a broken
heart was the doing of her death. Now, she is home where she always belonged, but my heart is missing her love. She knew that I loved her. I fear I would never touch her but the old soul is always with me. She doesn't drift above.' - That says it all, and thank you all for being here… Our heart is broken. Lisa, we all love you."
The public service was attended by family members including Lisa Marie's daughter Riley Keough, her husband Ben Smith-Petersen, ex-husband Michael Lockwood, their 14-year-old twin daughters Finley and Harper and Diana Jay, the girlfriend of Lisa Marie's late son Benjamin Keough. Lisa Marie's half-brother Navarone Garcia was also by his mother's side. (News, Source;Various)
Vintage "Jailhouse to Spinout" The MGM Anniversary Story of Elvis Presley: Occasionally, unusual items around Elvis turn up at auction. This item certainly fits the unusual category, is likely unique, and a potentially valuable entry in the world of Elvis literature. It was recently sold at auction in the US and is now part of a private collection.
The auction blurb was: Vintage "Jailhouse to Spinout" The MGM Anniversary Story of Elvis Presley Typed Manuscript or Story. This is a hand typed, 19 page, 3 Part Story of Elvis' time with MGM. It doesn't have an author's name or any kind of origin indication other than MGM. I do not know if this was written by MGM or maybe a student or private citizen, it is very unclear. The first paragraph gives an idea of what this is. I'm listing it auction
style hoping someone may know what it is. I couldn't find anything similar anywhere online.
The cover image and a sample page are shown. Based on the sample pages available, it appears the story is well written. (News, Source:ElvisInfoNet)
'Priscilla, Elvis & Me - In the Shadow of the KIng' re-enters Amazon USA sales charts: Likely due to the death of Lisa Marie Presley, Michael Edwards' "no holds barred" account of his seven years relationship with Priscilla was ranked #30 recently on the Best Sellers in Popular Music chart.
The book was controversial when first published in 1988 as the author discussed his attraction to the then, teenaged, Lisa Marie.
(News, Source: EIN; Amazon)
Sunday 22 January 2023
Lisa Marie Memorial Service: It was an incredibly touching Memorial Service for Lisa Marie in front of Elvis' Graceland.
Hundreds of mourners gathered there to pay their respects in what was a very moving memorial to beautiful soul.
Under a grey sky Graceland was rightfully a place of sadness and somber memories with the service beginning with the singing of Amazing Grace by Jason Clark & The Tennessee Mass Choir.
Among those addressing mourners Lisa Marie's friend Sarah Ferguson (the Duchess of York) as well as Jerry Schilling and Priscilla Presley.
Singers Alanis Morissette, Billy Corgan, Axl Rose and the Blackwood Brothers Quartet.
Lisa Marie was buried before the memorial service alongside the grave of her son, Benjamin Keough. In a recent essay she had described herself as "destroyed" by her son's death.
After the memorial service mourners lined up to make a procession through Graceland’s meditation garden where along with Elvis, Lisa Marie is laid to rest. (News, Source;ABC/ElvisInfoNet)
It was a respectful and beautifully put together Memorial Service for a very special daughter. Jerry Schilling, who looked distraught and shattered by the loss of his friend, provided a truly touching remembrance telling stories of how “Memphis” (his nickname for Lisa Marie) was so important in his life. Jerry gave Lisa Marie her first job and also became her manager at the beginning of her career in music. He was with Elvis when Lisa Marie was born and there with Priscilla when she passed away. Riley Keough, understandably still too heartbroken by her mother's death to speak to the crowd, instead wrote a truly beautiful letter addressed to Lisa Marie that was read by her husband Ben Smith-Petersen.
Priscilla read a touching poem written by Lisa Marie’s daughter.
The Blackwood Brothers Quartet sang “How Great Thou Art” and “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” and the service
ended with the very poignant Elvis-Lisa Marie duet ‘Where No One Stands Alone’.
Any fan who has been touched by the death of Lisa Marie should definitely share their emotions and grief by watching the Memorial Service replay.
Sometimes EPE and Graceland get it just right. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Lisa Marie laid to rest: Various US media sources confirm that Lisa Marie has been buried next to her son, Benjamin Keough, in the Meditation Garden at Graceland.
In addition to Lisa Marie and Ben, Elvis and Lisa Marie's grandparents Vernon and Gladys are also buried in the garden.
The news of Lisa Marie's final resting place comes ahead of her public memorial service set to take place on Sunday.
Following her death, the family confirmed that a public memorial service will be held in the late singer's honor at Graceland.
Lisa Marie's representative also shared the Presley family's gratitude over the support they've received in the wake of the 54-year-old's shocking death last week, adding, "Riley, Harper, Finley, and Priscilla are grateful for the support, well-wishes, and outpouring of love honoring their beloved Lisa Marie."
(News, Source;ET/TMZ/EIN)
Elvis & Britney Spears' 'Toxic Las Vegas' Debuts on Billboard Dance Chart: In somewhat happier news, 'Elvis/ Britney Spears' "Toxic Las Vegas (Jamieson Shaw Remix)" has debuted at No.26 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.
In Baz Luhrmann's ELVIS biopic the remix appears in the scene depicting a montage of Presley’s Hollywood career throughout the Sixties - neatly depicting the toxic material that Col Parker supplied for Elvis' mid-sixties movies.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Lisa Marie Presley Memorial Service Information: Graceland have posted..
A Celebration of the Life of Lisa Marie Presley will be held on Sunday, January 22, at 9:00am on Graceland’s Front Lawn.
In addition to family and friends, the general public is invited to attend. Following the service, there will be a procession to view Lisa’s final resting place in Meditation Garden.
If you are unable to attend the service in Memphis, the ceremony will be available to watch online via Graceland’s Livestream page here. SERVICE INFORMATION
Lisa Marie’s memorial service will take place on the front lawn of Graceland. Fans will gather on the north lawn of Graceland Mansion, adjacent to the seated area on the center lawn that will be reserved for Lisa Marie’s family and friends. Access to the north lawn will be standing room only, on a first come, first served basis as space allows.
- Graceland parking will open at 5:00am.
- At 5:00am fans will be allowed to enter Elvis Presley’s Memphis complex via the TCB white gates, located inside main parking lot.
- At 7:00am fans in the queue line will begin to pass through the security check point before being escorted across Elvis Presley Blvd., through the main Graceland gates, and allowed to proceed to Graceland’s north lawn via the driveway.
The north lawn area can accommodate hundreds of people, but since we cannot predict turnout, we cannot guarantee entry. This area will be limited to standing room only, and once the area is full, fans will be asked to remain outside the gates until the procession to Meditation Garden begins following the service.
- Following the memorial service, all fans may join a procession to Meditation Garden where Lisa Marie and her family have been laid to rest and then back down through the front gates. -
Go here to EPE for full details.
(News, Source;EPE/EIN)
UK BAFTA 2023 Nomimations: The British "Academy Awards" has announced its nominees for this year's film awards, which take place on 19 February. ELVIS,Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Banshees Of Inisherin, and All Quiet On The Western Front are among the films up for the 2023 BAFTA awards. Austin Butler, Colin Farrell, Ana de Armas, Viola Davis, Cate Blanchett, Brendan Fraser and Bill Nighy are among the acting nominees. 'All Quiet on the Western Front' emerged with the most nominations today securing 14 nods.
Baz Luhrmann's colourful biopic ELVIS earned nine nods. ELVIS has been nominated for .. BEST FILM, LEADING ACTOR (Austin Butler), CASTING (Nikki Barrett, Denise Chamian) , EDITING (Jonathan Redmond, Matt Villa), CINEMATOGRAPHY (Mandy Walker), MAKE UP & HAIR (Jason Baird, Mark Coulier, Louise Coulston, Shane Thoma), PRODUCTION DESIGN (Catherine Martin, Karen Murphy, Bev Dunn), COSTUME DESIGN (Catherine Martin), and SOUND.
Somewhat a surprise Baz Luhrmann was not nominated for Best Director. (News, Source;Paul A. Clarkson UK/ElvisInfoNet)
Lisa Marie Cause of Death Deferred by Coroner: Lisa Marie's cause of death has been deferred by the US coroner pending further investigation.
Lisa Marie died last Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest. At the time the LA County Sheriff’s Department said paramedics performed CPR before rushing her to the hospital and it was afterwards that she suffered a second cardiac arrest .
To date no details about the full cause of death or any possible precipitating incidents or health issues have been revealed and that information might take some time.
Sarah Ardalani of the LA County Dept of Medical Examiner-Coroner stated, “Presley was examined on Jan. 14 and the cause of death was deferred. Deferred means that after an autopsy, a cause of death has not been determined and the medical examiner is requesting more investigation into the death, including additional studies. Once the tests/studies come back, the doctor evaluates the case again and makes the cause of death determination.” (News, Source;CNN/ElvisInfoNet)
Wednesday 18 January 2023
Lisa Marie Presley Memorial Service: Graceland have announced...
A memorial service for Lisa Marie Presley has been arranged for Sunday, January 22 at 9:00am on the front lawn at Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. General public is invited to attend.
Please check back to Graceland.com for additional details.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages all who wish to send something to do so in the form of a donation to The Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation.
The Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation (EPCF), a qualified 501(c)(3) organization, offers support to various charitable organizations, especially focusing on arts, education, and children's programs in the Memphis/Whitehaven area. PleaseDONATE HERE
(News, Source;EPE/EIN)
Graceland passes to Lisa Marie’s daughters: Despite the usual tabloid gossip it has been confirmed that Graceland's ownership will pass on to Lisa Marie's children, Riley, Harper and Finley.
Lisa Marie inherited the 13.8-acre, 23-room estate from Elvis after he died in 1977 when she was nine. The ownership of the Graceland estate was held for Lisa Marie through a trust fund set up in her benefit. That trust dissolved when she turned 25 in 1993, giving her full ownership of the property which became open to the public in 1982.
A representative of Graceland stated that that the property will now be passed on to Lisa Marie’s three daughters.
Lisa Marie has spent years managing Graceland alongside Priscilla and the National Bank of Commerce through another trust which she established.
Lisa Marie often said how she found great personal meaning in managing Graceland and how important her home and keeping Elvis' legacy was to her, along with her love for Elvis' adoring fans.
Riley Keough, 33, is a successful actor and twin daughters Harper and Finley are 14 years old. (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
Tuesday 17 January 2023
Lisa Marie Presley's admired music career: While it wasn't to the liking of many Elvis fans, Lisa Marie made her own mark in the rock music world with three well received (by critics and younger fans) albums: To Whom It May Concern (2003); Now What (2005); and Storm & Grace (2012) – unfortunately only streaming of some of Lisa Marie’s music is currently available on Amazon sites (hopefully this is rectified shortly) and copies of the albums can be found for sale on ebay (although some of the asking prices are prohibitive).
Not only did Lisa's albums show musical progression, but unlike her father, Lisa was an accomplished songwriter whose potent lyrics often reflected part of her life experience.
EIN reviewed all three albums (click album below to access review), and also her 2004 concert at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney, Australia.
To Whom It May Concern : Debuting in the top 10 of the Billboard Top 200 this album produced the top 20 hit single, Lights Out. In his review of the album, the Los Angeles Times critic Robert Hilburn wrote that it had a "a stark, uncompromising tone" and that "Presley's gutsy blues-edged voice has a distinctive flair".
Now What: Ten of the album's 12 tracks were co-written by Lisa. In my review for EIN, I commented: Lisa Presley's second album, Now What, resonates with gritty rock tracks and poetic, eloquent ballads. As a singer-songwriter Lisa continues her exploration of relationships and self-esteem as she reveals more and more of her inner-feelings. And she does so exhibiting her vocally inimitable rock and smouldering style.
Storm & Grace: Spinner.com described it as "the strongest album of her career" and Entertainment Weekly praised the "smoky, spooky" single "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet". Celebrated producer, T-Bone Burnett said of collaborating with Presley on Storm & Grace (2012): "When songs from Lisa Marie Presley showed up at my door, I was curious. I wondered what the daughter of an American revolutionary music artist had to say. What I heard was honest, raw, unaffected and soulful. I thought her father would be proud of her. The more I listened to the songs, the deeper an artist I found her to be. Listening beyond the media static, Lisa Marie Presley is a Southern American folk music artist of great value."
Non-Album recordings: Lisa also recorded a number of
music video singles where she duetted with Elvis. These included In the Ghetto (#1 on iTunes sales; one video version becoming very controversial due to its imagery of a young black child in their cot with a loaded gun) and Where No One Stands Alone.
Grammy Foundation: Lisa's humanitarian and charitable efforts have been widely reported. Tangentially, she also played an important role with the Grammy Foundation.
Presley was involved with the Grammy Foundation's Gold Grammy Signature Schools program, which recognizes top U.S. public high schools that are making an outstanding commitment to music education during an academic school year. On October 22, 2005, Presley presented a special award to Isaac Hayes at the Memphis Recording Academy Honors. A host of hometown stars gathered to see Presley, Justin Timberlake, Isaac Hayes and David Porter honored by the Memphis chapter of the Recording Academy. Presley and music producer Jimmy Jam presented the award to Hayes.
On November 11, 2005, Presley participated in a Grammy SoundCheck at L.A.'s House of Blues, during which she and other
industry professionals met with a group of music students to discuss career opportunities available to them within the music industry. (News, Source: EIN; Wiki) - You can see more about Lisa Marie on Wiki.
Also read all her media / news via EIN's Lisa Marie Presley's World
Lisa Marie Presley - autobiography?: As EIN reported in 2019, Lisa Marie signed a contract with Gallery Books to write her autobiography. Reportedly, Lisa received an advance of US$1M (the full contractual amount being between $3M and $4M).
It is presently unknown how advanced Lisa was with her memoir but hopefully her manuscript is either at a late stage and / or can be finished by a third-party author.
(News, Source: EIN)
Lisa Marie Presley - CAVEAT EMPTOR!: The Internet and Wikipedia has worked overtime in the past 48 hours following news of Lisa Marie Presley's sad passing. The book market has been flooded with more than 30 "quickie" titles (both softcover and/or Kindle/digital)!
The new print-on-demand (POD) books have various titles including:
- Lisa Marie Presley - Biography of Lisa Marie Presley - Elvis' Heir
- Lisa Marie Presley (1968-2023) - Lisa Marie Presley (1997-2023)
- Everything About Lisa Marie Presley - Lisa Marie Presley: The Untold Stories
- Lisa Marie Presley: Singer and Only Daughter of Elvis Presley Dies at 54
- Lisa Marie Presley: The Heartwrenching Death of Lisa Marie Presley
- Lisa Marie Presley: Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Romance
- Lisa Marie Presley: Her Life Challenges - Lisa Marie Autobiography (by Alma Daves!!)
- Lisa Marie Presley Dies Aged 54 After Cardiac Arrest - Presley In Her Own Right
- Life of Lisa Marie Presley - Daughter of rock 'n' roll legend "Lisa Marie Presley"...
- What Happened to Lisa Marie Presley: Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest, Is the Daughter of Priscilla Presley Dead? - - The Life of Lisa Marie Presley
- Everything About Lisa Marie Presley [only 14 pages!!]
- The Romance of Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson: Calabasas Romance
- Goodbye Lisa Marie Presley - The Legacy of Lisa Marie Presley
- Heartbreak and Tragedy: The Tragic Rise and Fall of Lisa Marie Presley
- From Elvis Presley's Daughter to Queen of her Own Destiny: The Lisa Marie Presley Untold Story
From EIN's examination of the majority of the new LMP listings on Amazon, the releases vary in number of pages between 8 and 87 and all are priced under $20 (most under $10). A number of the books claim they are an "in-depth examination", despite only having a handful of pages. At least two have a cover image which is not Lisa Marie!
These releases are a clear case of Caveat Emptor! (Let the buyer beware!) (News, Source: EIN; Amazon)
(New POD book) ELVIS: The Script (Waylon Thacker): Also capitalising on the cheap and timely basic "print on demand" services, this new book (softcover and digital formats) purports to be the script from Baz Luhrmann's critically acclaimed biopic, Elvis. The book description:
Elvis is a 2022 biographical film directed by Baz Luhrmann, written by Luhrmann, Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce and Jeremy Doner. It follows the life of the rock and roll singer and actor Elvis Presley, told from the perspective of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, whose financial abuse of him is a major plot point. (News, Source: EDBD; Amazon)
Saturday 14 January 2023
Lisa Marie Presley to be buried at Graceland: Lisa Marie Presley will be buried near her father and late son at the family's Tennessee estate, Graceland, according to a family representative.
The singer, who died after reportedly suffering cardiac arrest in her home Thursday, was 54 years old.
"Lisa Marie's final resting place will be at Graceland, next to her beloved son, Ben," a representative for her daughter said.
Presley's son, Benjamin Keough, took his own life in August 2020 aged 27.
In one of her final posts on social media, Lisa Marie shared an essay she wrote for People Magazine about her struggle with grief after her son's death.
"I've dealt with death, grief and loss since the age of 9 years old. I've had more than anyone's fair share of it in my lifetime and somehow, I've made it this far. Death is part of life whether we like it or not — and so is grieving."
She is survived by her three daughters, Riley Keough and twins Finley and Harper Lockwood and her mother, Priscilla. (News, Source;BBC)
EIN and all our readers are still in total shock: Her untimely death has been marked by touching reactions from family and friends... James Burton Family
- OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN, WE HAVE BEEN CRYING SO HARD
This can't be true!!!!
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY 🙏🙏🙏
We know how hard it is to lose a Child & Mother 💔💔
Lisa is now with Elvis & Benjamin in Heaven ✝️😇 The James Burton Family🎸
Baz Luhrmann - “Over the last year, the entire Elvis movie family and I have felt the privilege of Lisa Marie’s kind embrace. Her sudden, shocking loss has devastated people all around the world. I know her fans everywhere join me in sharing prayers of love and support with her mother, Priscilla, and her wonderful daughters Riley, Finley and Harper,”
Austin Butler - "My heart is completely shattered. I am eternally grateful for the time I was lucky enough to be near her bright light and will forever cherish the quiet moments we shared. Her warmth, her love and her authenticity will always be remembered."
John Travolta - “Lisa baby girl, I’m so sorry. I’ll miss you but I know I’ll see you again”
Jerry Schilling - My heartfelt condolences to Lisa Marie's kids and family.
You have my deepest sympathy and unwavering support. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Wishing you the best and know that you have my full support at every moment.
Leah Remini - “I’m heartbroken over the passing of Lisa Marie Presley. Lisa did not have an easy life, as some might think. May she be at peace, resting with her son and father now.”
Rita Wilson / Tom Hanks - “Our hearts are broken with the sudden and shocking passing of Lisa Marie Presley tonight. Tom and I had spent some time with the family during the Elvis movie promotional tour. Lisa Marie was so honest and direct, vulnerable, in a state of anticipation about the movie. She spoke so eloquently about her father.”
Beach Boys Brian Wilson - “It’s hard to take when someone so young and full of life passes on. I feel so bad about Lisa Marie and I wish the best for her children and her family.”
Bette Midler - “Dear God, Lisa Marie has died; I’m in shock. So beautiful and only 54 years old; I can’t actually comprehend it.”
Nicolas Cage - This is devastating news. Lisa had the greatest laugh of anyone I ever met. She lit up every room, and I am heartbroken. I find some solace believing she is reunited with her son Benjamin.
Dolly Parton - Priscilla, I know how sad you must be. May God comfort you at this time. Elvis, I know how happy you must be to finally have her home and to have her back with you. Lisa Marie may you rest in peace. We all love all of you.
Yoko Ono - Rest in peace, beautiful Lisa Marie. Our love and deepest condolences go out to Priscilla, Riley, Finley and Harper and all the Presley family - our hearts are with you. love, yoko
Seán Ono Lennon - I had only met her a few times briefly. But I have to admit I felt a kinship with her. Not many people know what it’s like. I know she was a special person. My heart aches for Priscilla.
Julian Lennon - So sad to hear of Lisa Marie’s Passing….She was so lovely when I met her… My Heart goes out to Priscilla…. I’m so sorry 💔
LeAnn Rimes - “How heartbreaking. i hope she is at peace in her dad’s arms. my heart goes out to her family. too much grief in just a couple of years."
Octavia Spencer - “So sad that we’ve lost another bright star in Lisa Marie Presley. My condolences to her loved ones and multitude of fans.”
Marlee Matlin - “I had the chance to know Priscilla Presley when I was on Dancing With the Stars and as a mother, I can’t imagine the pain she must be going through with the untimely passing of Lisa Marie.”
Pink -(below with Lisa Marie) - “Oh, this one hurts my heart. Lisa Marie, you were one of a kind. Funny as s**t, smart as a whip, sensitive, talented, witty, mean, loving, generous, judgmental but always right, loyal, and you adored your children. My heart breaks for you and your beautiful family and your children. The world lost a rare gem today. May your soul rest in peace, friend.”
Taken from us way too early: Back in 2003 Lisa Marie talked about her life, and Elvis, with Rolling Stone, 'I go to Graceland and nothing has been touched. It's exactly the same. There was a whole life in that house. It's a beautiful sadness. It's either really painful or it's very comforting- it can go either way. The carpet is the same. My room is exactly the same. Nothing has been touched. Upstairs, which has never been open to the public, is my room and his room, next to each other, and an attic. It's pretty creepy. It's a shrine'
Usually I go up there alone. 'It's very comforting for me, The books, the videos, everything is there still. The Godfather, Citizen Kane, Pink Panther, Bruce Lee - all of his videos are still there. All of his records'.
'In my eyes Elvis was, to me, so overwhelmingly grand and powerful - and sometimes dark, depending on mood. And there was that for the first nine years of my life. Maybe I have been in search of something like that.
It's very hard to compete with that in my mind. That's what he was to me as a child, this huge, electrifyingly powerful, grand, beautiful presence."
Lisa Marie was her father's daughter, similarly a powerful, grand and beautiful presence. And a beautiful soul, all too sadly taken from us way too early.
Friday 13 January 2023
Lisa Marie Presley Has Died: In absolutely shocking news, Lisa Marie Presley only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, has died at the age of 54, after suddenly being hospitalised on Thursday.
Her 77-year-old mother confirmed Presley’s death later on Thursday night. “It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us
She was the most passionate strong and loving woman I have ever known.
We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss.
Thank you for the love and prayers.
At this time there will be no further comment.”
Lisa Marie was rushed to hospital from her home in Calabasas, California, following a cardiac arrest.
Priscilla asked fans to keep her daughter in their prayers in a statement issued when the news first broke.
Photo: Daughter Riley-Keough, Lisa-Marie and Priscilla. (News, Source;AP/Presley)
Lisa Marie was born Feb 1 1968, nine months to the day after Elvis and Priscilla's wedding on May 1, 1967.
Very sadly Lisa Marie has suffered some terrible traumas in the past few years including divorce and the death of her son Benjamin Keough. And unlike many celebrity children Lisa Marie has been famous her entire life, pretty much every second.
Cameras were in Priscilla’s Baptist Memorial Hospital room in Memphis, Tenn., after Lisa Marie was born in 1968. And they even followed her parents, with Priscilla in a wheelchair, as they headed home for the first time.
While she has been through some terrible times she always felt that she had the "hand" of her father guiding her.
Last year Lisa Marie explained when looking at the Graceland exhibition, “There was a quote from Elvis on the wall as I was leaving the exhibit, which said something like: 'Becoming a father is the best thing that's ever happened to me.' I had never seen it before, so that was really cool.
I knew there was a great love there. There was a really strong connection there since the minute I can remember. It kind of reinstates what I felt was the truth, which is that I felt like I was the most important thing to him.” RIP Lisa Marie Presley 1/2/1968 - 12/1/2023
Lisa Marie / Larry King Interview: In 2005 Lisa Marie gave her longest interview to CNN's Larry King.
In the interview Lisa Marie talked about her new boyfriend Michael Lockwood, her daughter Riley, the selling of EPE, making music, her new album 'Now What', Scientology, having more children, as well as Elvis’ on-going renaissance in the USA.
Looking back from today's awful news about her premature death it is quite revealing about the pressures of being Elvis' daughter and under the media spotlight
Lisa Marie Presley's World: EIN has always had an interest in how Lisa Marie fitted into her father's world. The pressures of her being Elvis Presley's daughter were immense and her desire to follow a musical career of her own was very impressive.
Lisa Marie could have taken the easy-road recording Elvis covers or singing other "golden-oldies" but instead she wanted to make her own music and follow her own musical interests.
EIN has tracked Lisa Marie's career and personal journey over the last twenty years.
You can read about all her highs and lows here at EIN's Lisa Marie Presley's World.
RIP Lisa Marie Presley 1/2/1968 - 12/1/2023
Thursday US - Lisa Marie rushed to hospital after possible cardiac arrest: Just days after the Golden Globes celebrations Lisa Marie been rushed to hospital after possible cardiac arrest.
According to US TMZ media, emergency medical technicians performed CPR on Elvis' 54-year-old daughter at her home in Calabasas, California. They report that they were able to regain a pulse before she was taken to hospital.
It was Lisa Marie's housekeeper who found the singer-songwriter unresponsive in her bedroom, and ex-husband Danny Keough performed CPR until paramedics arrived.
The incident occurred just two days after Presley attended the Golden Globe Awards, where actor Austin Butler won best actor in a drama motion picture for his portrayal of her father Elvis in the Baz Luhrmann biopic.
While Lisa Marie looked well at Elvis' Graceland Proclamation on Sunday where she thanked the crowd saying, "It’s been a while. I missed you. I keep saying you’re the only people that can bring me out of my house. I’m not kidding! I love you back and that’s why I’m here." she looked rather unwell at the Golden Globes with dark rings under her eyes. At one point she
appeared to be unsteady on the GG Red Carpet and while being interviewed told Jerry Schilling who was standing next to her 'I'm gonna grab your arm".
In another Golden Globes party photo, Lisa Marie was seen holding the arm of Baz Luhrmann and Austin Butler as they walked to the after-party
In an emotional acceptance speech, Butler acknowledged the Presley family for their support.. “I also want to thank our incredible producers, and Warner Brothers, and Presley family. Thank you guys, thank you for opening your hearts, your memories, your home to me. Lisa Marie, Priscilla, I love you forever.”
Ahead of the Golden Globe Awards Lisa Marie stated that she was blown away by Butler’s performance and his ability to embody her father’s mannerisms and voice.
“I adore him. I was mind-blown, truly, I actually had to take five days to process it because it was so spot-on and authentic.” EIN sends Lisa Marie and her family our Best Wishes in this stressful time. (News, Source;ABC/TMZ/ElvisInfoNet/PhotoNBC)
Wednesday 11 January 2023
'ELVIS' wins Golden Globe!: So 'Elvis' did finally win another Golden Globe - "Take That Col Parker!" - but disappointingly not for Best Picture
It was Austin Butler who won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an actor for his performance in ELVIS and thanked Elvis Presley himself in his acceptance speech.
Butler said, "You were an icon and a rebel, and I love you so much. You are remembered and I will never forget you." and also thanked director Baz Luhrmann, co-star Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington for “championing me when you did not have to.”
Washington and Butler worked together in the Broadway revival of The Iceman Cometh, and Washington called Luhrmann to vouch for Butler.
Butler also thanked the Presley family, with Lisa Marie and Priscilla in attendance at the Tuesday night ceremony: “Thank you for opening your hearts, your memories, your home to me. Lisa Marie, Priscilla, I love you forever," he said as both women teared up, clearly emotional. Just as the music started playing as a hint for him to wrap it up and get off the stage Butler joked, "You could at least play 'Suspicious Minds' or something!"
Unfortunately Best Director and Best Picture went to Steven Spielberg and his film 'The Fabelmans' with the awards once
again supporting a rather disappointing, typically schmaltzy mainstream release.
The Golden Globes were back at the Beverly Hills Hilton after a year break following criticisms over a lack of diversity within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and a lawsuit filed by a reporter that accused HFPA members of accepting thousands of dollars in payoffs from industry awards campaigns.
Lisa Marie and Priscilla attended Golden Globe Awards in support of critically acclaimed ELVIS.
Lisa Marie was joined on the carpet by Jerry Schilling, now 80, Elvis' longtime friend and member of the so-called Memphis Mafia.
She sat with her mother Priscilla in the hotel ballroom during the awards ceremony and became emotional when Austin Butler, 31, won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture.
(News, Source;AP/ElvisInfoNet)
Monday 9 January 2023
Elvis Birthday Party 2023 - Biggest Crowd Ever!: Yesterday Elvis' family, friends and a large number of fans gathered at Graceland to mark what would have been Elvis' 88th birthday.
Lisa Marie led the annual event which featured the usual 'Elvis Presley Birthday Proclamation' from the City of Memphis and Shelby County, as well as a ceremonial cake cutting.
The event drew an unusually large gathering of Presley diehards, a number clearly boosted by the success of the 2022 ELVIS biopic, to the Graceland front lawn for the 30-minute ceremony. Jack Soden EPE CEO welcomed the group noting, “I can speak with some authority having been here every year for a lot of years. This is unquestionably the largest crowd we’ve ever had. You all come from all over the world … and we love you for being here.”
Following brief appearances by Alton Mason (Little Richard in the Baz Luhrmann film) and TCB band pianist Glen D. Hardin, EPE's Joel Weinshanker spoke.
He noted that one of Elvis' career ambitions “was to
be in an amazing movie, with an amazing director and be part of an amazing film. And I think we did that for him this year.”
He added that "Graceland is probably the most famous house in the world, and there is only one person whose house it is - Lisa Marie Presley". Lisa Marie wearing a long black coat and sunglasses and looking healthy and happy was greeted with huge cheers from the crowd.
She said, “Thank you. It’s been a while. I missed you. I keep saying you’re the only people that can bring me out of my house. I’m not kidding! I love you back and that’s why I’m here. Today Elvis would’ve been 88 years old, it’s hard to believe. I think that he’d be proud. This year has been an incredible year. The movie is incredible, I’m very proud of it, and I hope you are too.
But it’s just so moving how every year you come from all over the world. It’s moving to me and my family… so thank you.”
Lisa Marie then unveiled the 'Aloha from Hawaii' themed cake - notable as it is its 50th anniversary — as the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to close the proceedings.
Elvis once again decided not to attend but instead watched from behind his bedroom window,, "Mah boy, Mah boy!" Elvis exclaimed to his friends, finding it incredible that his legacy still burns as bright - and that he might have a chance to finally win that Oscar. "Take that Col Parker, you goddamn blood-sucker!" he was heard to mumble under his breath.
Celebrations of Presley’s birthday continued with Graceland officially opening the doors to “The Making of ELVIS” exhibition. WATCH the Birthday Ceremony Replay here (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
Sunday 8 January 2023 - - - - HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS ! - - - -
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS
EIN wishes Elvis all the best, where ever he is, celebrating his 88th Birthday.
Sixty-one 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.
Watch the 2023 Proclamation Ceremony: It's somebody's Birthday!
The celebrations have already started -see details below- but if you can't make it to Memphis for Elvis' Birthday Celebration you can join in On-Line.
The special ceremony starts at 8:30am CT / 14:30 UTC on Sunday, January 8 and includes a special appearance by Lisa Marie Presley, along with EPE officials, a birthday cake cutting and a proclamation of Elvis Presley Day by Memphis and Shelby County officials.
Rumours that TCB's Glen Hardin & ELVIS movie actor Alton Mason will also be there.
Fans who are unable to attend can watch the 2023 Proclamation Ceremony from home online for free via Graceland's Livestream page (News, Source;EPE/Elvisinfonet)
New exhibit "The Making of ELVIS" opens: Graceland's new exhibit about Baz Luhrmann's ELVIS film titled "The Making of ELVIS" opened for Elvis' birthday! The movie exhibition, done in partnership with Warner Bros., National Film and Sound Archives of Australia, and Baz Luhrmann, looks at the beginning of the creative process for the celebrated film and follows it through its journey to the big screen, taking the story from paper to film.
Highlights of the exhibition include behind-the-scenes videos of the making of the film, including videos shot while researching Memphis and Tupelo, during the set builds in Australia, and in rehearsals, plus handwritten notes, drafts of scripts, storyboards, and more.Props from the film, set pieces, and costumes and accessories worn by Austin Butler (Elvis), Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge (Priscilla) and other actors will also be on display, plus a look at the worldwide media frenzy surrounding the film.
GO to EPE-Graceland for more info (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
'As Recorded At Madison Square Garden' New Double-Vinyl: From Music-on-Vinyl 'As Recorded At Madison Square Garden' New Double -on white marbled vinyl.
Ooriginally released in June 1972 by RCA Records it was recorded at the Madison Square Garden Arena in New York City on Saturday June 10, 1972, the concert and the subsequent album were Presley's first live concerts in the Big Apple since the 1950s.
This 2LP-set is newly remastered, sourced from the original master tapes and features the hits “Love Me Tender”, “Love Me”, “Proud Mary”, “That's Alright”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog” & others.
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden is available as a limited edition of 2500 individually numbered copies on white marbled vinyl.
The jacket has a deluxe leather laminate finish and both records are housed in printed innersleeves.
180 gram audiophile vinyl
Limited edition of 2500 individually numbered
at all good record stores.. Out Now (News, Source;MOV/ElvisInfoNet)
ELVIS Wins Best Picture and Director at Capri, Hollywood Film Fest: Buz Luhrmann’s ELVIS has swept the Capri, Hollywood International Film Festival, including wins for Best Picture and Best Director.
The Italian 27th Capri Hollywood Fest awards were held at the Mercandante Theatre in Naples, Italy. ELVIS ended up wining eight prizes including Best Picture, Best Director, Makeup and Hairstyling and Production Design.
Sadly Austin Butler didn’t win Best Actor with the judges favouring Brendan Fraser for his comeback performance in The Whale.
Ana De Armas earned the Best Actress for her lead performance as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde while Angela Bassett earning the best supporting actress trophy for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
(News, Source;EP/ElvisInfoNet)
James Burton Home and Playing Guitar!: In what must be the best news so far this year, James Burton got out of hospital and home for Christmas - and is already feeling well enough to jam on guitar with his good friend Link Detten.
Having survived his cancer diagnosis from last year and also a hip replacement at Vanderbilt in Nashville before Christmas, this is quite a miracle.
EIN wishes him all the best for a full recovery
(News, Source;JB/EIN)
Friday 6 January 2023
Elvis / Britney Spears ‘Toxic Las Vegas’ Mash-Up: As part of Elvis Presley’s birthday celebration, Jamieson Shaw has remixed the ‘Viva Las Vegas’ singer with Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ for one epic mashup.
Three months ago Baz Luhrmann explained that he was working on releasing
the fan-favorite ‘Toxic Las Vegas’ remix from his recent film ELVIS
which fuses Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas” with Spears’ 2003 hit,
“Toxic.”
Luhrmann said, “There’s a lot of love, a lot of intense love for the Britney / Elvis track in the movie, and it’s my commitment to release the song”.
The remix appears in the scene depicting a montage of Presley’s Hollywood career throughout the Sixties.
It quickly massed views on YouTube and TikTok with one fan version getting 100+million views on TikTok.
Hollywoodzone states "The song is a bonafide club banger, with Elvis leading the first verse singing over Britney’s unforgettable beat. “Bright light city, bright light city, gonna set my soul on fire,” he croons. Spliced vocals of Britney’s “can’t calm down” lyric from “Toxic” then cut in as Elvis continues over the beat for a memorable and infectious track." (News, Source;Sony;Hollywoodzone/EIN)
'Just a Boy from Tupelo' HBO-Max birthday Special: 'Just a Boy from Tupelo: Bringing Elvis to the Big Screen' is a new exclusive 30-minute special on the making of Baz Luhrmann's epic movie about the King of Rock and Roll that will screen on HBO Max
on Elvis’ Birthday, Sunday January 8th.
HBO-Max notes, 'Just a Boy from Tupelo' offers viewers the opportunity to see the phenomenon that was Elvis Presley and the making of Baz Luhrmann's film, ELVIS.
The special appears to be different from the bonus features included in the Blu-ray release of Elvis.
HBO Max is also streaming the HBO documentary Elvis Presley: The Searcher, 1964 movie Viva Las Vegas, plus Elvis: That's The Way It Is (1970) and Elvis on Tour (1972).
The new documentary is part of Warner Bros big awards season push for ELVIS, which could be one of the few blockbuster hits nominated for the Best Picture Oscar this year.
Warner Bros is also hosting free screenings of ELVIS in 10 US cities on Jan. 8, as well as a special screening at Graceland in Memphis.
Luhrmann and actor Austin Butler have recorded a new introduction.
The ELVIS movie is also showing as birthday special in selected Australian cinemas. ELVIS is the highest-grossing original movie of 2022, with $286 million globally. Only about 52% of its total came from North America, so its success proves that Presley is still a global phenomenon. The film is nominated for three Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Drama. Butler and Luhrmann were also nominated for Best Actor and Best Director, respectively. The movie's soundtrack also picked up a Grammy nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. (News, Source;BusinessWire/EIN)
Australian Elvis Festival returns to Parkes for 30th year with sold-out shows: Sydney’s Central Station was a sea of hawaiian shirts, bejewelled jumpsuits and grass skirts on Thursday morning as hundreds of Elvis Presley impersonators and fans waited to board the ELVIS EXPRESS 8.30am train to Parkes.
Parkes Shire Council Mayor Ken Keith said, "It’s a huge event for Parkes, 25,000 people come to town, and it injects about $15 million into the regional economy, and after the flooding we have had in the central west, it’s really vital that we get people coming out and getting back into it.”
With festival events like beginners’ line dancing and rock-a-hula dragon boating scattered across the town, there’s never a dull moment. The festival runs from January 4-8 to coincide with the King’s birthday, who would be turning 88-years-old if he was alive today.
Certain Parkes Elvis Festival shows have sold out for the first time in its 30-year history, as organisers prepare for what they anticipate could be a record turnout.
This year's five-day event began Wednesday, attracting people from across the world to celebrate the life and music of Elvis Presley.
Buskers in Elvis suits or Hawaiian shirts, inspired by this year's Blue Hawaii theme in a nod to the king's starring role in the 1961 movie, sprawled through the main street drawing crowds.
Festival director Tiffany Steel said this year was expected to be one of the biggest festivals the central west NSW town had ever seen.
In recent years the annual festival regularly doubled the town's usual population of nearly 12,000 people.
"We have never seen tickets sales as big as they've been this early in the week," she said.
Mayor Ken Keith agreed there could be a record crowd which he said would be a huge boost after years of COVID and devastating recent flooding in the region. -
For more info and tickets see the Parkes Elvis Festival website. (News, Source;SMH/ElvisInfoNet)
Wednesday 4 January 2023
Paul Lichter Elvis Super-Collector has died: Paul Lichter has been a major name in the Elvis World for decades. In 1970 he started his 'Elvis Unique Record Club' and by 1975 had published his first book 'Elvis In Hollywood'.
His book 'The Boy Who Dared To Rock' was a massive seller and a fan favourite.
Lichter became one of the world's biggest selling authors of Elvis books and as one of the world's biggest Elvis collectors he amassed a staggering inventory of Elvis items.
He also became a good friend of Col Parker and other Elvis acquaintances.
Very sadly Paul Lichter died on New Year's Eve.
His family posted.. "Hello Elvis Family. Over the past 6 months Paul has been battling with Stage 4 cancer and with a sad heart I wanted to let you all know that he lost that battle on New Years Eve and has passed on.
Thank you for sharing your passion for Elvis with him here on Facebook.
He enjoyed hearing from and connecting with you all here.
Long live the King and long live Paul and as he always signed his posts on here -PL
- Tristan and Betty Lichter"
Paul Lichter's last post says it all.. "As Elvis once sang 'it is a wonderful life'. In my case 100 fold.
I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued loyalty and support for both Elvis and me and for taking the time out of you busy lives to think of me on my birthday.
God Bless You All.... P"
Rockhurst “Auction on Elvis Presley BLVD” Live January 7, 2023: From
Rockhurst 73 significant artifacts from the
life and career of Elvis Presley .
Featured items Include Elvis Owned Clothing, Jewelry, Autographs, Personal Effects and More! - 1956 Elvis Presley Owned and Worn Blue Suede Shoes – Worn on the Infamous 1956 Steve Allen Show Appearance – Gifted to Memphis Mafia Member Alan Fortas
Est: $100,000-$200,000. See below - 1972 Elvis Presley Signed Contract with RCA and NBC for 1973 Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii – Also Includes “Sale” to Elvis of His ’68 Comeback NBC TV Special (BAS)
Est: $40,000 - $60,000. See below!
- 1955 Elvis Presley Concert Poster for his Show at North Hall Auditorium in Memphis, TN on February 6, 1955 - Charlie Hodge “TCB” Necklace Given to Him by Elvis Presley – Given to a Close Friend Shortly After Elvis Passed
Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000 (see below)
- Elvis Presley Stage-Worn Ruby, Diamond and 14K Gold Ring Given to Fan in 1975 Backstage at The Summit in Houston
- Elvis Presley Owned and Stage-Worn White Leather Brazilian-Made Boots
- 1950’s Elvis Presley Owned “Starburst” 18K Gold and Diamond Ring
- Elvis Presley Owned and Stage-Carried .25 Caliber Semi-Automatic Pistol – Gifted to Security Chief Dick Grob After It Fell out of Elvis’ Boot Following a High Kick on Stage
You can Bid On-line here 'Rockhurst ELVIS auction.com". The LIVE Auction will be held Saturday, January 7 at The Holiday Inn on Elvis Presley Blvd. in Memphis, Tennessee. (News, Source;Rockhurst/EIN)
New book release - 'Tombstone Tourist Tour Guidebook': Thanks to author, Mary Clark, for advising EIN of her new book.
The 88 page book is about the gravesites of Elvis' family members and close friends. Mary describes it as 'being the perfect guide when making a pilgrimage and paying one's respects to those who have contributed to Elvis' life and legacy'.
Apart from Elvis and his family members buried at Graceland, some of the other gravesites recorded in Tombstone Tourist Tour Guidebook include B.B. King, Natalie Wood, Mary Tyler Moore, Bernard Lansky, Sam and Knox Phillips, Scotty Moore, Fats Domino, and Sammy Davis Jr.
Mary has been operating Tombstone Tours for the past few years and this book is a photo-narrative record of the gravesites visited on the tours.
The book costs US$20.00 (wholesale orders at $14.00/ book are also available to Elvis dealers/shops).
To order, contact Mary: sincerelymary77@gmail.com or by phoning Sandy Clark on 817-741-1959.
The book will also be available to buy shortly on Mary's website. International orders will be available.
(News, Source: Mary Clark/ElvisInfoNet)
Monday 2 January 2023
Elvis 2023 Birthday Celebration: Starting three days from now, head to Memphis on January 5-8 to celebrate Elvis' 88th birthday with concerts, movies, conversations and more!
This year's festivities include our annual Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony, The Memphis Symphony Orchestra's annual Elvis Pops Concert with Terry Mike Jeffrey, Conversations on Elvis.
It also includes the 'Aloha from Hawaii' 50th anniv concert.
Live on the big screen, featuring vocals by the king himself,
backed by a live band on stage. A 50th anniversary tribute to this landmark concert event! Elvis' Birthday Proclamation Ceremony which will include a special appearance by Lisa Marie Presley..
Conversations on Elvis features include Glen Hardin; Hal Lansky owner of Lansky Bros (son of Bernard Lansky) and Alton Mason who portrayed Little Richard in Baz Luhrmann's ELVIS film.
Go here to EPE for Birthday Schedule and ticket info (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
EIN was there in the Honolulu International Center, 2013 for the Aloha 40th Anniversary and it was a stunning spectacle. Sadly all too many of Elvis' friends and musicians have died since then. See EIN's exclusive 40th anniversary report here.
Parkes Elvis Festival 2023: Kicking off on wednesday Parkes (Australia) Elvis Festival goes from Jan 4 - 8 with a Blue Hawaii theme…… Get your outfit ready as we celebrate Elvis' 1961 musical film, Blue Hawaii.
The jam packed long-weekend is full of activities all centred around the
one and only Elvis Presley. Step back into the 50s with muscle cars,
Priscilla lookalikes and an Elvis literally on every corner of the
lovely township of Parkes.
Performers include UETA winners Dean Z and Victor Trevino Jr. (current International Champion), Brendon Chase, Mark Andrew, Dean Vegas, Paul Fenech and many many more.
In 2023 Parkes Elvis Festival is proud
to launch a new exhibition, 'The Movies & Memorabilia Collection' which includes props from Baz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' including 'Jungle Room' memorablia; some elements from the Bendigo Art Gallery 'Direct from Graceland' exhibition plus some memorabilia from 30 years of the Parkes Elvis Festival.
For more info and tickets see the Parkes Elvis Festival website. (News, Source:PEF/ElvisinfoNet)
'Elvis From Hawaii - The 50th Anniv Edition' New STAR DVD: From the reliable STAR label a new DVD for 2023.
Our new 50th anniversary edition will be THE only dvd you need regarding the Aloha concert.
The audio from last years FTD has been used for the editing and the sound will blow you away!
Also the video quality is outstanding! Multiple angles are used to give you the best experience possible and makes you think it is a new show with rare behind the scenes footage included.
One of the highlights (although short) is when the camera gets behind the stage, it is just like you are looking through Elvis' eyes when he climbs the stairs just before we see him entering the stage.
This short moment will leave every Elvis fan with goosebumps without a doubt!
Before the show starts we get portions of the press conferences including rare pictures.
After that we will see the landing on Hawaii through different sources, combined it gives a whole new "feel" focussing on Elvis only instead of the island, we even see the Helicopter leave while Elvis drives off in the jeep.
Of course the "after show" songs are also included and they are where the should be, at the end and they do not spoil the show.
Here you will see the original clips, combined with the new outtakes and again it gives you the idea as if it is totally new.
As a special bonus the studio version of "I'll Remember You" has been included which has lots of rare footage from Elvis on Hawaii including live footage of 1957 and rare private home movies.
Presented in WIDESCREEN, NTSC dvd, limited to 500 copies!
Total running time is over 90 minutes! Check a sample here via YouTube
OUT NOW - Be sure to watch it on January 14, 2023... (News, Source;STAR/ElvisInfoNet)
'ELVIS 22 - Essential Fifties Splices Vol1' New Import: The CMT label announces, 'ELVIS 22 - Essential Fifties Splices Volume 1'.
The series continues in the fifties and focusses on 1957.
Elvis recorded lots of different songs in very different styles and this release really shows how Elvis worked and was involved in the producing side of the tracks.
Amazing new splices are created for your listening pleasure
Highlights include a totally NEW version of "Baby I Don't Care" which has an unreleased instrumental track mixed with alternate takes of the song, the result is STUNNING!
Also on this release are some cleverly made splices of different versions of songs. "Treat Me Nice" combines the first and second movie version along with portions of the master.
"Young and Beautiful" gets the same treatment and it is very cool to hear Elvis start of solo and later the band joins in.
"One Night" combines the "sin" version with the master and even "Teddy Bear" and "All Shook Up" sound like alternate takes.
Presented in digipack on factory pressed (limited to 500 copies) disc. Go to 'All the CD News' for details and tracklist (News, Source;CMT/ElvisInfoNet)
Saturday 31 December 2022- ... HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR... EIN wishes you all the best.
Elvis Presley’s Most-Streamed Songs on Spotify: Thanks to 'kriss2999' on the fabulous 'Phoenix Elvis Forum' we can end the year with a fascinating list of Elvis' most streamed songs on Spotify.
The Christmas season of course pushed some interesting festive songs into the top twenty. 1 Can't Help Falling in Love 628,566,401
2 Jailhouse Rock 356,538,073
3 Suspicious Minds 348,536,905
4 Blue Christmas 292,315,496
5 Burning Love 211,983,251
6 Hound Dog 200,280,523
7 A Little Less Conversation (JXL Remix) 162,557,735
8 In the Ghetto 135,873,090
9 Always On My Mind 122,507,040
10 Don't Be Cruel 115,078,648
11 Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) 114,895,728
12 Heartbreak Hotel 112,966,385
13 Devil in Disguise 104,417,947
14 Blue Suede Shoes 102,061,411
15 O Little Town of Bethlehem 50,708,325
16 Unchained Melody (Live at Ann Arbor) 43,001,503
17 Santa Claus Is Back In Town 28,697,673
18 Silent Night 23,613,423
19 Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) 23,521,128
20 (Duets) Blue Christmas 21,202,551
The real suprise to EIN is to see 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' above so many other classics. (News, Source;Phoenix/EIN)
First Printing "SOLD OUT" - 'Elvis Presley on Compact Disc: First Australian Edition' (Books One to Five): Bob Hayden has advised EIN that following our news item last week about his latest set of Elvis books, the first printing has "SOLD OUT". Due to the demand for the books, Bob is arranging for a second printing which should be available later this month. EIN's original news item:
Prolific Australian Elvis and rock and Roll author-researcher, Bob Hayden, has just released his latest, five-volume Elvis set. Elvis On CDshowcases all of Elvis' CD releases in Australia between 1985 and 2023, including RCA, BMG, Sony, various artists compilations, box sets, promo releases, known CD sales, and more. Both CDs printed in Australia and RCA/BMG/Sony "import" releases, are featured as well as release variations.
The books are softcover and printed on high quality gloss paper stock. Each CD is presented in glorious full colour (front and back covers, CD disc, plus promotional material). There is also an alphabetical listing of the 248 CDs featured in the set. Book One includes informative and detailed narrative sections about the History of Elvis CDS in Australia (RCA-BMG-Sony), and Elvis Downunder: A Fragmented Experience - RCA/BMG/Sony, The Fans, Record and Compact Disc Sales. Each book contains 72 to 76 pages.
Bob originally considered publishing the set as a one volume “coffee table” book, but at around 360 pages with hundreds of colour photos, the cost was prohibitive.
To find out more or order the books, Bob can be contacted by email at: elvis2594@gmail.com (News, Source: EIN)
Elvis news from earlier this week ...
Austin Butler on Saturday Night Live: EIN meant to include this on Christmas Day but it slipped away in a flash of reindeers!
Austin Butler's recent appearance on SNL was a smash hit and the ELVIS star was hilarious in his debut. The final “Saturday Night Live” of 2022 proved doubly emotional, as it was announced mere hours before the episode aired that it would be Cecily Strong’s final “SNL.” She said her own goodbye earlier but an iconic moment was born towards the end of the show as Austin Butler transitioned into the Elvis classic Blue Christmas... 'And I know I speak for everyone else when I say, 'I'll have a Blue Christmas without you...' and sang “Blue Christmas” as a farewell to Strong and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
As the song wound down to a close, a tearful Cecily gave a hug to Austin and to her other fellow cast members as she bid them all a final farewell on stage.
The track was a perfect way to end the SNL episode, but Austin Butler was a brilliant success as a debut host on the show, beginning with his opening monologue where he choked up as he paid tribute to his late mother.
The former Disney channel star stepped onto the decorated stage as the audience excitedly welcomed him with a cheerful applause at the beginning of the episode.
He opted for a sleek, black suit comprising of a double-breasted jacket and loose-fitting slacks.
The star chose to not add a shirt underneath the jacket for a stylish flare.
You can see all the Highlights here via NBC Insider (News, Source;NBC/ElvisInfoNet)
Brian Petersen, Elvis Super-Fan has died: Sad news as we heard that Elvis authority Brian Petersen died last week.
A friend beautifully noted, "I am saddened to announce the demise of Brian Petersen, a true Elvis fan.
Brian never hesitated to answer my queries re dates and info on certain Elvis photos.
He is a big loss to the Elvis fandom and I will surely miss him.
May he rest in peace! I am sure he is now in a better place with Elvis. Thank you, Brian, for keeping Elvis’ memory alive and true and accurate for us and future generations of Elvis fans."
Back in 1994 Brian Petersen published the book 'The Atomic Powered Singer' "240 pages of solid facts - a must for any true, rock historian" a top-notch book of the era published as a day-by-day calendar of Elvis Presley's 1956 - the year that took him from being "the most promising C & W artist" to movie star status.
The book is a classic of its time and Brian Petersen was an authority on every aspect of Elvis' legacy.
ELVIS, Marilyn and murder: The SMH this weekend discussed "Was 2022 Australian cinema’s most divisive year?"
In the neat article (which also featured George Miller’s Three Thousand Years of Longing' author Mel Campbell wrote...
This year the Australian films I liked most were works of fabulism: tall stories about storytelling. They defied genre expectations, and foregrounded their constructed, subjective qualities.
All were about monsters: not just supernatural creatures, but also the capacity for evil in human hearts, and the ugly violence that takes root within social structures.
Baz Luhrmann is another Australian movie maximalist, and in ELVIS he found a perfect match for his lurid aesthetic and anachronistic cultural cross-pollination. Much like Baz, Elvis Presley (Austin Butler) has been called a white-
trash provocateur, a corny sentimentalist and a borrower (or even an outright thief) of other people’s work. And his manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), was a rotten parasite. The exhilarating vulgarity of ELVIS captures its subject where the respectful mimesis of a conventional creative biopic simply cannot. Luhrmann understands that Presley’s transgressive thrill resided in his body: I knew ELVIS was a winner from the early scene where Luhrmann weaves between close-ups of Butler’s smoky-eyed sneer, sweaty brow and gyrating crotch clad by Catherine Martin in a pink zoot suit, and reaction shots of girls – and some boys – springing to their feet as if on puppet strings, screaming in bewildered ecstasy.
Moreover, ELVIS underlines its subject’s actual musicianship. We see him watching and learning from his Black peers, and live-arranging numbers while vamping with his Las Vegas band. By contrast, many musical biopics are so incurious about where the talent comes from; it’s just always there.
Alongside Presley in the pantheon of 20th-century culture, Marilyn Monroe eternally bestrides a narrow subway vent like a colossus. And many petty viewers watched Andrew Dominik’s film Blonde and tweeted about finding it a dishonourable grave.
Blonde was Dominik’s Marilyn Monroe film. It was at times grotesque and violent, but like ELVIS, it’s a film that understands the grotesque violence of being turned from a human being into an icon. This week I previewed the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody, which shrinks tastefully from its protagonist’s unhappy death in favour of celebrating her magical talent. ELVIS and Blonde feel more honest, even though they’re less ‘accurate’. And that’s really the kind of Australian film that excites me. Humane, playful writers; directors in command of their visual grammar; and actors who commit fully to being present in what Norma Jeane calls “the circle of light”. Go here for full article (News, Source;SMH/ElvisInfoNet)
Sunday 25 December 2022 ..... MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY!. ...
Everyone working at EIN wishes all of our readers a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! Let's all wish for a safe, happy & peaceful 2023 ...
I hear a choir
Singing sweetly somewhere
And a glow fills my heart
I'm at peace with the world
As the sound of their singing fills the air
Oh why can't every day be like Christmas?
Why can't that feeling go on endlessly
For if everyday could be just like Christmas, What a wonderful world this would be....
'Elvis News '2022 Year In Review': It is the end of the year, so Elvis super-fan Emiel Maier neatly wraps up all the Elvis news with his 2022 year in review.
If you missed any key episodes or any ELVIS news items from this last year then this round up will provide you with all the highlights!
2022 was the BIGGEST year for Elvis since 2002 - It's a great celebration.
'Elvis: From Louisiana and Memphis' OUT NOW: As part of its ongoing live on tour series, FTD have released their 1976 special ' Elvis: From Louisiana and Memphis'.
This is a FOUR CD set, 5” digi-pak, this set features three 1976 concerts recorded at Hirsch Coliseum, Shreveport, Louisiana July 1, 1976, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana July 2, 1976 and Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, Tennessee July 5, 1976. OUT NOW if you're lucky it might make it before New Year's Eve.
Priced at £50 / US$61 + postage for three 1976 soundboards! EIN Note: FTD have already released two soundboards from this 1976 tour (June 25 - July 5) Rockin' Across Texas, Fort Worth TX, July 3 and The Bicentennial Show Tulsa, July 4th 2.30pm
Memphis 1976 has been on many FTD collectors' wish-list however it was released as a bootleg as far back as 1997 on Fort Baxter's 'Goodbye Memphis'.
The other soundboard are new, both concerts previously only released as audience recordings Go to 'FTD / SONY CD News 2022' for tracklisting
(News, Source;FTD/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis Day By Day - The Year In Review 2022' Pre-order now: The fifth volume in the 'Elvis Day By Day - The Year In Review' yearbook series will be released January 2023 by Poplar Tunes Publishing.
You can pre-order the book - it will be shipped to you as soon as it comes out. "What a great year it was for Elvis fans with Baz Luhrmann's No. 1 award winning 'ELVIS' biopic and soundtrack, putting Elvis back in the spotlight.
Add to that the 50th Anniversary release of 'On Tour', FTD's 'Aloha', classic hits, albums, concerts as well as alternate takes in mono, stereo and HD-quality on CD, vinyl, DVD and 4K Ultra HD discs. There were also interesting books on Elvis' musical catalogue, the SUN years, airplanes, pilot, manager, cars, jewelry, concert tours and much more.
Literally too much to keep track of, the 2022 edition of 'Elvis Day By Day'- volume 5 in the series - contains it all. The foreword is written by Elvis World's Phil Gelormine.
With 400-plus pages - over 70 pages more than the 2021 edition! - this 5th volume in the series is literally a great addition to your Elvis library.
EIN Exclusives and News from earlier in December ...
Spinout actress Diane McBain died aged 81: Diane McBain best-known to Elvis fans for her role in Spinout as Diana St. Clair author of the book ‘The Perfect American Male’ (!) has died. She was 81.
McBain's career began at the age of 17 after a talent agent scouted her during a high school performance. Following a short stint as a model she made her television debut in 1959 on the western series Maverick and then appeared in TV ‘77 Sunset Strip’ and ABC crime show ‘Surfside 6’.
She left Warner Brothers in 1964 and vied for Elvis Presley’s attention with Shelly Fabares and Deborah Walley in the 1966 movie 'Spinout' she also played Pinky Pinkston on TV's 'Batman'.
In Tom Lisanti’s 2001 book, Fantasy Femmes of Sixties Cinema, McBain said she regretted being typecast as bad girls. “I wanted to play the ingénue. I could never understand why everyone wanted to play the bitch. Because when you go into society, people view you as they see you onscreen. It’s terrible to be thought of as this messy, horrible person when you’re not!”
She starred opposite Richard Burton in the 1960 film Ice Palace and her résumé also included the films Five the Hard Way (1969), I Sailed to Tahiti With an All Girl Crew (1969)
and episodes of Burke’s Law, The Wild Wild West, Police Story, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Hawaii Five-O, Charlie’s Angels, Eight Is Enough, Dallas, Days of Our Lives and Knight Rider.
In an interview McBaine explained, “I loved Elvis. He was wonderful. He was in good shape at that time. I remember him being tall, slender and so beautiful and he had this beautiful voice. I liked him a lot. He probably had affairs with some actresses or co-stars, but not with me. We had a really nice friendship on set. He was a spiritual guy, and he loved to read anything about being spiritual. He wasn’t so much religious, but spiritual. And I, too, was fascinated by those things. So we bonded over that. We used to exchange books on set and it was great fun. We would have conversations all the time about being spiritual. It was a good relationship, very solid. I just thought he was so terrific.”
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet/The Hollywood Reporter)
'Making of ELVIS Movie' New Graceland Exhibition: If you've seen Baz Luhrmann's ELVIS we know you’re going to be all shook up about Elvis - and there is no better place to live the legacy of the king than at Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis.
In celebration of the film, Graceland is opening a new 'Making of ELVIS Movie Exhibition' in January.
In partnership with Warner Bros & National Film and Sound Archives of Australia, and Baz Luhrmann, the exhibition will look at the beginning of the creative process for the celebrated film and follow it through its journey to the big screen, taking the story from paper to film.
Highlights of the exhibition will include behind-the-scenes videos of the making of the film, including videos shot while researching Memphis and Tupelo, during the set builds in Australia, and in rehearsals, plus handwritten notes, drafts of scripts, storyboards, and more. Props from the film, set pieces, and costumes and accessories worn by Austin Butler
(Elvis), Tom Hanks (Colonel Tom Parker), Olivia DeJonge (Priscilla) and other actors will also be on display, plus a look at the worldwide media frenzy surrounding the film.
Opens January 8 Go here to EPE for more 'ELVIS' exhibition info
However EIN bets that EPE will not have the full story of Baz Luhrmann's ELVIS film from May 2014 until now - Go HERE to EIN's exclusive spotlight on 'Elvis The Movie'
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
The Imperials Armond Morales has died: The Imperials Armond Morales sadly passed away on December 5, 2022, at the age of 90.
Morales was born on February 25th, 1932 and he managed the Imperials through every transition, from the beginning, retiring only five years ago.
The Imperials announced the death of Armond Morales on Facebook with the message,"Today we mourn the loss of our beloved Armond Morales. He is walking on the streets of gold into the arms of Jesus on Monday, December 5th, 2022. He gets to hear the words, well done a good and faithful servant!" Says Bonnie, Armond's wife for 52 years."
Even though Armond was no longer part of the public team, he was always available with his wonderful advice and encouragement. We all knew Armond's countless accolades. But, the accolade he was most committed to, was his family. Bonnie and Jason, We are here for you. We are loving you and pray for you. To our dear Armond... Life is such a short dash. Today you are standing in the Presence of The King. We will miss you until we join you once again for a great reunion." (Photo: Jim Murray, Elvis, Armond Morales and composer Larry Gatlin)
Armond Morales was a founding member of The Imperials / Classic Imperials and served as president for 40 years. Throughout the group's long history, his smooth, rich tone helped to define its sound.
During his time Armond recorded 42 projects, and won 17 Dove Awards and 4 Grammy Awards.
Armond's career in gospel music culminated in his induction into The Gospel Music Hall of Fame which set the stage for this historic organization by allowing millions of people to enjoy one of the country's most illustrious and renowned figures in Christian music.-
Go here for more info and tributes EIN Note: The Imperials recorded with Elvis in sessions from May 1966 to June 1971. This included his last two Grammy Award-producing albums: How Great Thou Art (which won a Grammy for the title song and featured a duet with Jake Hess on the classic Statesmen song "If the Lord Wasn't Walking by My Side") and He Touched Me (which used many of the songs that The Imperials had recorded on their own albums and, again, won a Grammy for the title song)
(News, Source;Imperials/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis UK - Beyond RCA The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British Non-RCA LPs 1974-1997' New book for 2023: Good news for Elvis collectors as Elvis experts John Townson and Gordon Minto have announced a new book continuing their fascinating volumes of the "Elvis UK" series this time with 'Elvis UK - Beyond RCA The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British Non-RCA LPs 1974-1997'.
It will be 400 pages essentially focusing on the non-RCA releases (official ones) issued in the UK between 1974 and 1997 in much more detail than has ever been done before.
Like the previous volumes it will available as a digital download in the Flip format priced at £20.
It should be out before February 2023
More info in the new year.
EIN truly enjoyed this year's 'Elvis UK Cover Story: The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley's British EP & LP Sleeves 1956-1977' which provided some incredible information anout Elvis' vimyl treleases. Go here for EIN's review
(News, Source;GM/ElvisInfoNet)
..... - - - - -- Elvis and the Art of Timely Marketing: Has Sony Australia missed a great opportunity for Elvis CD and download sales?: At this time of the year Christmas singles and albums have a strong presence on Top 40 charts around the world. 2022 is no exception, with Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You yet again at #1 on several major Singles charts, while other “golden oldies” riding high include Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (Brenda Lee), Jingle Bell Rock (Bobby Helms), Andy Williams (It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year), and Last Christmas (Wham). On the Australian ARIA Album chart, Ms Carey (Merry Christmas), Michael Buble (Christmas), Jimmy Barnes (Blue Christmas), and others, are all prominent with festive season recordings.
In past years Elvis’ Blue Christmas single and Elvis’ Christmas Album have registered well on the ARIA charts, but their presence this year is seemingly non-existent, yet they are performing well on the US and UK charts.
It appears Sony Australia has missed a golden opportunity to capitalise on the ongoing success of Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS biopic! (News, Source: EIN; Billboard; Official UK Charts; ARIA)
What has happened to the animated series, Agent King, on Netflix: It was originally slated for 2021 release (but Covid got in the way), and then announced for late 2022. However, it appears Netflix has gone undercover on a release date for the adventures of “undercover” Elvis as a federal agent. From the Netflix synopsis: "Elvis trades in his jumpsuit for a jetpack when he joins a secret government spy program to help battle the dark forces that threaten the country."
In EIN’s opinion, it appears to be another lost opportunity to capitalise on the back of the runaway success of Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS. (News, Source: EIN)
'ELVIS Prodigy of SUN Records' Out Now: The highly-anticipated new book 'ELVIS Prodigy of SUN Records' is out now.
Authors Erik Lorentzen and Robert van Beek commented, "The printing is much better than expected" and the book will be rushed to worldwide shipping asap. Most likely the set will not make it to your home before Christmas. Sorry for this but we really did our best to get everything done on time. Nevertheless, you will enjoy many hours of reading it over and over and drool over the quality of this box set. The photos in these two volumes are... gee, just awesome - breathtakingly - absurdly GOOD.
We wish you a very happy Christmas and thank you for all the trust you've placed in us, including your patience.
A BIG THANK YOU!"
Order now - as no reprints will be made of this rare and unique collector's item.
Go HERE to ELVIS FILES to order - and to see a flick-through of the book
Robert Van Beek Interview -author of 'Elvis: Prodigy of SUN': In this new book 'Elvis: Prodigy of SUN Records' hundreds of hours of research have revealed new facts and interesting anecdotes from Elvis' early life and career. From Old Saltillo Rd to the magic of SUN recording studios, the first Louisiana Hayride appearances and everything in between. This book is filled with a string of never-before-seen photos dated from 1935 till 1955.
Many of Elvis' early childhood friends share their memories in these two books. It includes a collection of jaw-dropping photos and, of course, the near to complete story from Elvis' birth until his big break in 1955.
As the book hit the printers EIN wanted to know more about this massive project, questions include... - What extra material does this new publication offer to collectors compared to 'A Boy From Tupelo' and 'Elvis Files Vol 1'?
- The book is described as a "day-by-day" travelogue, isn't that the same as Ernst's Tupelo volume?
- How many unseen photos will fans get to see in this huge book?
- What new material is featured in the 1955 volume of the book?
- How many copies were printed and is it selling out?
Author Robert Van Beek was kind to take time out of his heavy schedule to answer our questions and send us some preview pages. EIN's Piers Beagley asked the questions..
(Interview, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'ELVIS' at Critics Choice Awards 2023: Baz Luhrmann's ELVIS has received seven nominations for the 2023 Critics Choice Awards. In comparison art-house 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' got 14 nominations as the highest among films in contention for the 28th annual Critics Choice Awards for Film.
ELVIS got seven nominations including Best Actor for Austin Butler and Director for Baz Luhrmann.
The winners will be revealed at the star-studded Critics Choice Awards gala on Sunday, January 15.
-- BEST PICTURE ELVIS
-- BEST ACTOR Austin Butler – Elvis
-- BEST DIRECTOR Baz Luhrmann – Elvis
-- BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN Catherine Martin, Karen Murphy, Bev Dunn – Elvis
-- BEST EDITING Matt Villa, Jonathan Redmond – Elvis
-- BEST COSTUME DESIGN Catherine Martin – Elvis
-- BEST HAIR AND MAKEUP ELVIS (News, Source;Baz/ElvisinfoNet)
ELVIS for more Golden Globes?: Now confirmed ELVIS is up for three Golden Globes. NBC will host the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 10, 2023. Best Motion Picture (Drama) ELVIS (Warner Bros.)
“The Fabelmans” (Universal Pictures)
“Top Gun: Maverick” (Paramount Pictures)
“Tár” (Focus Features)
“Avatar: The Way of Water” (20th Century Studios) Best Actor in a Leading Role Austin Butler — ELVIS
Brendan Fraser — “The Whale”
Bill Nighy — “Living”
Hugh Jackman — “The Son”
Will Smith — “Emancipation” Best Director Baz Luhrmann — ELVIS
"ELVIS" could win another Golden Globe! Suck on that Tom Parker!
50 years ago in 1973 'Elvis On Tour' won the Best Documentary Film at the 30th Golden Globe Awards.
(News, Source;BazL/ElvisInfoNet)
‘Las Vegas Hilton Presents Elvis – Opening Night 1972’ New MRS: The UK label ‘Memphis Recording Service’ (MRS) will release a CD Deluxe titled ‘Las Vegas Hilton Presents Elvis – Opening Night 1972' on 27th January 2023.
The CD contains a thrilling new show - featuring a revised setlist - from Elvis’ Opening Night at the Las Vegas Hilton on the 26 January 1972. The soundboard recording has been remastered and for the first time presented in true stereo. The accompanying booklet includes rare photographs and
memorabilia along with introductory notes.
This was the concert where Elvis premiered the classic songs 'I'll Remember You', 'You Gave Me A Mountain' (sung with a lighter arrangement), 'Never Been To Spain', 'A Big Hunk O'Love' and 'An American Trilogy' as well as the first time 'See See Rider' was used as his opening number.
See 'All The CD News 2022'for full details & tracklist
(News, Source;MRS/ElvisInfoNet)
Dec 3- 'Elvis On Tour' Box-set Digital Release: RCA had FIFTY years to get this CD box-set out to Elvis' adoring fans and they stuffed it up!
Now to stop the content going to "Public Domain" RCA have been forced to release the new set to Digital streaming months before the official CD box-set.
While the material was released yesterday via Amazon / Spotify it is a total embarassment since Elvis' faithful followers have been waiting so long for the physical release.
There really is no excuse and RCA management should hang their heads in shame.
EIN along with the majority of its Fan Club members will be waiting for the physical release
However fan reports are that the sound in tremendous.
In total, this Elvis On Tour box set features a total of 145 audio tracks, 91 of which are officially previously unreleased. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Never Been to Spain' Elvis On Tour Interview: Another neat new promo for the Elvis On Tour box-set.
EIN readers should enjoy this as it features Ernst Jorgensen and audio engineer Matt Ross-Spang again listen to the session tapes and talk about why 'Never Been to Spain' was such a great concert song for Elvis at this point in his career.
MR-S, "The TCB Band are letting a lot of space to the groove letting Elvis energy build up"
EJ, "A period where Elvis was covering everything musically that he liked" (News, Source;EOT/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis Live 1972 (2-LP)' New RCA Vinyl: In a surprise move we hear from "Bear Family" records that there will be a new RCA double-vinyl release from 'Elvis On Tour', 'Elvis Live 1972'
Interestingly it features a "best of" the four concerts listed below, thus creating the "ultimate tracklist", although the final side then features some kind of Col Parker "Bonus Tracks"...
April 9, 1972 - Hampton Roads Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia
April 10, 1972 - Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia
April 14, 1972 at Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina
April 18, 1972 Convention Center Arena, San Antonio, Texas
Release date 27 January 2023
The tracklist however looks most enjoyable.
Priced at $57 I'm looking forward to this one
2023 UK Tour - Elvis Presley + The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, tickets on sale this Friday: Elvis never toured the UK, in recent years the magic of technology has made that possible with a series of acclaimed shows.
Hot on the heels of this year's hit Elvis biopic comes a return of 'The Very Best of Elvis – In Concert, Live On Screen with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra'.
The unique concert experience is coming back to the UK in autumn 2023, taking in a number of arenas.
"The full-scale concert brings the King up close on screen alongside the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra live on stage performing the King of Rock and Roll’s most well-known 'rocking' songs and his tender, heart-wrenching ballads, with special guests to be announced in due course," said promoters.
'A show like no other, expect an overwhelmingly encapsulating and enthralling evening'
'These shows are a chance to both honour the legacy of an icon who has defined popular culture for over half a century, and for fans to see The King live, who never had the chance to before.'
The full Elvis with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra 2023 tour dates are as follows:
• 25 October – Glasgow OVO Hydro
• 26 October – Manchester AO Arena
• 27 October – Birmingham Resorts World Arena
• 28 October – Newcastle Utilita Arena
• 29 October – Leeds First Direct Arena
• 31 October – London The O2
• 1 November – Cardiff International Arena
Tickets available from Friday, Dec 2 from venues, or via ticketline.co.uk, bookingsdirect.com or ticketmaster.co.uk. (News, Source:MayerNissim, smoothradio.com/EIN)
UPDATED - 'The Elvis RCA Camden Collection' EIN Spotlight:Most fans have had a love-hate relationship with Elvis' Camden collections. On one hand they are seen as an artistic misstep being released at a time when Elvis was back riding high on the charts saturating the market with a series of albums containing little-known songs. Yet on the other hand many younger fans used these budget collections as a way to enter the amazing world of Elvis’ vast back-catalogue.
The RCA Camdens featured the first release of an Elvis live recording, 19 previously unreleasedtracks and 58 tracks previously unreleased on an album. That is quite impressive even if Col Parker only had his increased revenue as the main goal.
Now updated with Readers' Feedback - Read this fascinating article and tell us YOUR THOUGHTSabout Elvis' Camden releases... EIN contributor Neil Colombari reveals all...
(Spotlight; Source;Neil Colombari/ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis LA Forum, November 14 1970 HD Remaster: While we all wait for the unreleased MGM 'On Tour' footage, why not check out the fabulous 'HD' remastered youtube clip from November 1970 of Elvis at the L.A. 'Forum of Inglewood' in his 'Long fringe' jumpsuit.
You can easily see why the long-fringe caused Elvis so much TROUBLE
As EIN member Robert V notes, "Terrific footage. Elvis was untouchable in 1970."
'Las Vegas International Presents Elvis – Now 1971' VINYL OUT NOW:The Memphis Recording Service new release 180-gram 2LP version of ‘Las Vegas International Presents Elvis – Now 1971’ is OUT NOW and at your local Elvis dealers.
The live performances are from 28th January (Midnight) and the closing show 23rd February 1971 from Elvis’ engagement at the Las Vegas International Hotel.
The 2 albums feature 36 tracks from the two concerts plus six key bonus tracks - There Goes My Everything, Only Believe, Release Me, It’s Now or Never, Snowbird and The Impossible Dream .
This is a Limited Edition set and is available in both Black and Clear vinyl.
The clear vinyl version is ONLY available from Elvis dealers and is not be available to the mainstream public and stores.
'How Great Thou Art' Elvis On Tour Interview: A neatly timed 'On Tour' promo to coincide with our interview about 'Elvis: Gospel Singer'.
EIN readers should enjoy this as it features Ernst Jorgensen and audio engineer Matt Ross-Spang again listening to the session tapes and talking about why 'How Great Thou Art' would have meant so much to Elvis at this point in his career.
(News, Source;EOT/ElvisInfoNet)
ELVIS #4 Highest Paid Dead Celebrity 2022: Forbes' annual list of the highest earning deceased celebrities for 2022 has been released and without even leaving his secret hideaway ELVIS has made a big comeback!
The Top Ten departed artists, athletes and entertainers on this year’s list earned a record US$1.1 billion making it a 72% increase over last year’s total.
It’s by far the biggest 12-month haul since Forbes started tracking graveyard earnings in 2001 and, for the first time ever, the top five made more than $100 million each - including ELVIS!
Top earner is long-deceased author of 'The Lord of the Rings' J.R. Tolkien. While he died of pneumonia in 1973 he still earned $500 million from the sale of rights-owner "Middle-Earth Enterprises" to Swedish gaming company Embracer.
Kobe Bryant similarly earned $400 million from his estate sale of sports drink to Coca-Cola.
The sale of David Bowie's publishing catalog and Masters to Warners Chappell helped generate $250M for The Thin White Duke.
And while ELVIS may have "left the building" he is still an economic powerhouse this year generating $110 million in income 45 years after his death. Forbes notes that major share was made from box office and merchandise sales at Graceland while only $5 million of that came from rights for the Baz Luhrmann-directed ELVIS biopic. EIN Note; This is such a massive jump from recent years of around $30m earnings that we suspect the methodology has changed.
It was back in 2006 that we saw Elvis' earnings drop from the usual $55m to half that. At the time Forbes noted "Though Presley’s 2016 earnings are listed at half of last year’s total a change in methodology and not plummeting demand accounted for Forbes shift in income".
Perhaps that has now changed back as $110 million is such a massive increase from last year's $30m. It's possible that EPE asked for a percentage profit from the film - as they do from other ELVIS product. TOP TEN 2022 1 J.R. Tolkien $500 million
2 Kobe Bryant $400 million
3 David Bowie $250 million 4 Elvis Presley $110 million
5 James Brown $100 million
6 Michael Jackson $75 million
7 Leonard Cohen $55 million
8. Dr. Seuss $32 million /
9. Jeff Porcaro (Toto drummer) $25 million
/ 10. Charles Schulz $24 million In 2021 Elvis was seventh with $30 million, with author Roald Dahl topping the list at $513 million. Prince was second $120m, and #3 Michael Jackson with $75m
This is the first time since Michael Jackson's death that Elvis overtaken Jacko.
Overall the music of yesteryear is seen by investors as a reliable income stream.
Nearly $700 million of total earnings came from the estates of the nine musicians including David Bowie ($250m), Michael Jackson ($75m) and “Hallelujah” songwriter Leonard Cohen ($55m). Some of those earnings came from one-time sales. The estate of Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro, for instance, sold his publishing and recording royalties for $25m in November 2021. As Gore Vidal once noted, "Death is a good career move"!
Read the original article here (News, Source:Forbes/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis On Tour' box-set January 27 Release date: While rumours abound that the SONY 'On Tour' box-set may be delayed until March 2023, Amazon has now updated their official release date for the upcoming 6CD + 1 Blu-ray Elvis On Tour boxset to January 27, 2023.
The FTD Deluxe book/boxset is sadly not expected until much later in the year. It has, after all, only been FIFTY YEARS for these Elvis companies to get their act together!
The set comprises four concerts (and two rehearsals) that were part of Elvis’ 1972 North American tour.
The set features a total of 145 tracks, including 91 tracks that have been previously unreleased, as well as the award-winning concert film on Blu-ray. (News, Source:Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)
ELVIS 'Live 1969' Keeping an eye on the prices.
Amazon UK has just dropped the price £24!
Buy a copy now if you don't own one!
Now $100<<< US Amazon (another great deal)
UK Amazon - a great bargain >>> £50.00
Both with FREE Delivery
Check deals at other sites.
(Book Review) Elvis For Vinyl Fans Only Vinyl Discography from Eastern Europe Yugoslavia * Romania (Piotr Soczynski): To date, Polish author Piotr Soczynski has published eight (one more to come) Elvis discographies. His first four books were two volumes chronicling Elvis’ demo and acetate records and two volumes detailing his U.S. Army vinyl records.
His most recent books have been discographies of Elvis’ music released in Eastern European countries.
All eight books are high quality “coffee table” hardcovers full of color and information for all fans, but particularly serious collectors.
'Elvis On Tour November 1971 - 50th Anniv Edition' - EXPANDED: Following on from the successful 50th Anniversary edition of his acclaimed release, Elvis Live At the International - 50th Anniversary Edition, author-researcher, Kieran Davis has announced "pre-orders" are open for the mid-November release of the 50th Anniversary edition of another of his best-selling books. On its original release in 2010, Elvis On Tour November 1971 comprised 150 pages. The 50th Anniversary Edition more than doubles that to 368 pages!
Kieran adds.. We are now taking pre-orders for this book, which is expected around the middle of November. As with our expanded edition of 'Live At The International,' much new information and images have been added taking the page count from 150 to 368. As always there is comprehensive text to present the tour in its greatest detail, plus archival documents and memorabilia, colour and b&w photographs, and fan stories.
There is some additional good news in that we are able to price this book lower than 'Live At The International'.
This is partly because of the lower page count, but with the cost of everything going up we decided being able to reduce the price so that more fans can afford our books was the way to go. To do this, however, it means we are no longer going to wholesale our books. As 80% of our books are sold direct to customers it was decided reducing the price overall was more important than being able to offer both retail and wholesale.
To place an order please visit our website and use the paypal links. (News, Source: Kieran Davis)
'ELVIS' Original Soundtrack Vinyl:'ELVIS' director Baz Luhrmann promised a vinyl edition of his original soundtrack and the first announcements have it as a single album with 13 tracks plus the short Elvis "Vocal intro" 'Elvis - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack' is the music companion to the Warner Bros. film 'Elvis' This critically acclaimed film stars Austin Butler as Elvis Presley and Tom Hanks as his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Vinyl track list is
Side A
1 Suspicious Minds (Vocal Intro) - Elvis Presley
2 Vegas- Doja Cat
3 The King and I - Eminem & CeeLo Green
4 Tupelo Shuffle - Swae Lee & Diplo
5 Can't Help Falling in Love - Kacey Musgraves
6 Cotton Candy Land - Stevie Nicks & Chris Isaak
7 Edge of Reality (Tame Impala Remix) - Elvis Presley & Tame Impala
8 Don't Fly Away (PNAU Remix) - Elvis & PNAU
Side B
1 Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child - Jazmine Sullivan
2 If I Can Dream - Måneskin
3 Power of My Love - Elvis Presley & Jack White
4 I Got A Feelin' In My Body - Elvis & Stuart Price
5 Suspicious Minds - Paravi
6 In the Ghetto (World Turns Remix) - Elvis Presley feat. Nardo Wick
RCA Records. OUT November 18, 2022
Amazon US listed at US$27.98 (News, Source;Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)
In a wide ranging and intriguing interview, Mariusz discusses how Elvis has been viewed in Poland (during and after Communist rule in the country), how difficult it was to obtain Elvis records before Poland’s transition to democracy, the lengths some fans went to in order to listen to Elvis’ music, Polish media and Elvis, Elvis’ biggest selling record in Poland, Mariusz’s three books about Elvis, and more. Read the full interview
(Interview, Source:ElvisInfoNet/EDBD)
(Book Review) Elvis Live At The International 50th Anniversary Edition (Kieran Davis): In 2011, Kieran Davis released the highly praised book, Elvis Live At The International. In 2022, he has published an expanded 50th Anniversary edition…and what an expansion it is!
The latest edition dwarfs the original with 432 pages compared to 172 in the original release.
And the added 250+ pages of additional material is stunning, making the 50th Anniversary release one of the best Elvis books published in 2022.
As its title reflects, the book covers Elvis' appearances at the International Hotel in Las Vegas between 1969 and 1971 (it was renamed the Las Vegas Hilton in July 1971). The narrative element is significantly based around fan, Peggy Elzea’s copious diaries, and a bumper array of archival material. Peggy’s experience seeing Elvis in Las Vegas is one every fan will envy. There is so much fascinating information and so many striking images in the book that it is hard to know where to start in describing it...
'ELVIS: From Vegas to Tahoe' 1973 FTD Review: Released in July as a 3-CD 5” digi-pak, this set features three 1973 midnight shows recorded on January 27 / February 21 (Las Vegas Hilton) and May 12 1973 (High Sierra Theatre, Sahara Hotel, Lake Tahoe).
Elvis was still in good form in 1973 and all three are ‘Midnight Shows’ making them all the more interesting. Including You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, Steamroller Blues, I’m Leavin’, What Now My Love and I’ll Remember You, this could be a very enjoyable set....
Two of the shows are however lesser quality "sound-booth" recordings rather than soundboards. With some noticeable audience laughing and talking, can this 3-CD set really be an essential purchase? Go here as Elvis soundboard super-collector Geoffrey McDonnell and EIN's Piers Beagley check out this new FTD triple-pack from 1973....
(FTD Reviews, Source;GM/ElvisInformationNetwork)
'ELVIS' DVD, BluRay, 4K OUT Now: Baz Luhrmann's 'ELVIS' movie now released as DVD, BluRay and 4K Blu Ray, out September 13.
The BluRay review includes,, The 1080p transfer offers a very crisp and faithful representation of Elvis' specific appearance. Cinematographer Mandy Walker reportedly shot the entire film .. with custom "Elvis" lenses made from special glass. Meant to evoke the era in which it represents this formula genuinely produces an image evocative of a classic cinematic appearance. With the addition of artificial film grain, the illusion is even more convincing. Still, this is ultimately a purely digital image through and through, and one with a varied color palette that ranges from dark and muted to almost candy-colored in its overall intensity, especially in some of the specific background elements by costume and production designer Catherine Martin. Bonus features include
- Bigger Than Life: The Story of Elvis (22:22) The challenges and joys of adapting Elvis' life for the big screen.
- Rock 'N Roll Royalty: The Music and Artists Behind ELVIS (7:33)
- Fit for a King: The Style of Elvis (8:02) - An overview of the iconic stage outfits and period clothing used in the film.
- Viva Australia: Recreating Iconic Locations for Elvis (7:26).
- "Trouble" Lyric Video (2:15).
- Musical Moments (19 clips, 46:19 total) All of the music segments. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet/Bluray.com)
USA >>>
UK >>>
(Book Review) Elvis The King of the Rings Volume 2 (Paul Bélard): The second volume of Paul Bélard’s two volume photo-journal record of Elvis’ love of rings has been released.
While on holiday, EIN’s Nigel Patterson spent a leisurely afternoon perusing the rich narrative detail and jaw dropping, visual splendor on offer....
... They say first impressions last! The cover image of Elvis’ famous TCB ring is truly striking and sets the tone for what is an impressive examination of another 100+ rings that Elvis owned during his lifetime.
This is more than a photo-book and while the mostly colour images dominate, the narrative component contains valuable and interesting information...
Book Review: 'Elvis Presley, Gospel Singer – An Inspirational Life' (Madeleine Wilson): This new book differentiates itself by being a “Christian biography” where Elvis’ life and career is considered within the prism of his faith and love of gospel music.
It is a long overdue release which covers seminal factors that defined Elvis Presley the person, and Elvis Presley the artist.
... Elvis, “The King”, many times said publicly that there is only one King, and that is Jesus Christ. He not only acknowledged the Lord but also worshipped Him and prayed to Him, often. (Madeleine Wilson)
It has been said that the formula of a great tragedy is that a fatal flaw prevents tremendous potential from being realized, and the ending is one of ruin not of joy.
In many ways, the life story of Elvis Presley can be seen as one of tragedy…
‘ELVIS ON TOUR’ Official Announcement: The official SONY announcement has now been posted. EIN was correct with our news item yesterday and the release date is December 2, 2022
... 'Elvis On Tour' is a 6CD + 1 Blu-ray box set comprised of the audio from four of the shows (and two rehearsals) that were part of Elvis’ 1972 North American tour. Originally recorded for the Elvis On Tour concert film that was released later that year, the set features a total of 145 tracks, including 91 previously unreleased tracks, as well as the award-winning concert film on Blu-ray.
It includes 3 Unreleased Elvis Concerts plus the San Antonio Concert Remixed, Pre-Tour Rehearsals and 'Best Documentary Film' Golden Globe winner film on Blu-ray Release date Friday, December 2.
Fans can get their first taste with the previously unreleased"Burning Love (Rehearsal 2)"recorded live at RCA Recording Studios in Hollywood in March 1972.
RCA/Legacy's Elvis On Tour box set is produced by Ernst Mikael Jørgensen and mixed by Grammy Award-winning Memphis-based producer Matt Ross-Spang.
The original recordings were made by Felton Jarvis and Al Pachucki.
Disc 1 live April 9, 1972, Hampton Roads Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia, and contains all previously unreleased material. Disc 2 live April 10, 1972, Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia, and contains all previously unreleased material. Disc 3 live April 14, 1972, Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina, and contains all previously unreleased material. Disc 4 live April 18, 1972, Convention Center San Antonio, TX previously on 2003 'Elvis: Close-Up' remixed for this release. Disc 5On Tour rehearsals, recorded live at RCA Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, on March 30 and 31, 1972. The disc is comprised primarily of previously unreleased tracks. (EIN Note: the 2004 FTD 'Elvis On Tour - The Rehearsals' featured some great highlights) Disc 6 completes Elvis' rehearsals with his band at RCA Recordings Studios on March 31, 1972. The disc includes previously unreleased takes on Kris Kristofferson's 'For The Good Times' plus others already released.
As Elvis Presley’s national tour played to sold-out secondary markets across the country in 1972, Elvis was enjoying himself on-stage and finding electrifying new ways of connecting to audiences at every show. Working with a band and set lists of his choosing, Elvis was channeling the music he loved most--from pop and gospel and traditional country to blues and rock and contemporary hits--while transforming his own greatest hits with fresh arrangements, turning nostalgia into an unforgettable concert experience packed with immediacy.
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Award-winning filmmakers Pierre Adidge and Robert Abel (Mad Dogs & Englishmen) went on the road with Elvis Presley and his band with all-access passes, cameras and crew to chronicle the
King of Rock & Roll at his on-stage peak in MGM’s Elvis On Tour documentary film. The film captures Elvis, the human being driving the myth, behind-the-scenes backstage with his eyes open and his defenses down. According to MGM's original press release, the Elvis On Tour film "offers the first intimate look at the enigmatic country boy who became the world's most celebrated musician." Both documentary and concert film, Elvis On Tour features
montage sequences supervised by Martin Scorsese. The film was released on November 1, 1972.
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The Elvis On Tour box set includes fascinating behind-the-scenes liner notes by Jerry Schilling, a longtime personal friend and member of Elvis' inner circle.
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The set also features an illuminating essay by rock historian/musician Warren Zanes, founding member of The Del Fuegos and Professor at New York University. According to Zanes: "The set lists and the performances of the Elvis On Tour period bring a rare thing: a fifties legend working in the early seventies who was still taking his audiences to new places.... "
July 29- 'ELVIS Original Soundtrack' CD OUT NOW: At last the 'ELVIS Original Motion Picture Soundtrack' CD has been officially released worldwide today - OUT NOW.
The CD is twenty-two tracks, whereas the Digital Release is 36 tracks.
CD priced at Australia AU$22 and UK £10.99 and US$14 "The soundtrack features Elvis's extraordinary body of work spanning the 1950s, '60s and '70s, while also celebrating his diverse musical influences and enduring impact on popular artists today."
1. Suspicious Minds (Vocal Intro) - Elvis Presley
2. Cotton Candy Land - Stevie Nicks & Chris Isaak
3. Vegas - Doja Cat
4. The King And I - Eminem & CeeLo Green
5. Tupelo Shuffle - Swae Lee & Diplo
6. Baby, Let's Play House - Austin Butler
7. Craw-Fever - Elvis Presley
8. Strange Things Are Happening Every Day - Yola
9. Trouble - Austin Butler
10. Can't Help Falling in Love - Kacey Musgraves
11. I Got A Feelin' In My Body - Lenesha Randolph
12. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child - Jazmine Sullivan
13. Edge of Reality (Tame Impala Remix) - Elvis & Tame Impala
14. Power of My Love - Elvis Presley and Jack White
15. Polk Salad Annie (Film Mix) - Elvis Presley
16. Suspicious Minds (Film Edit) - Elvis Presley
17. Burning Love (Film Mix) - Elvis Presley
18. I Got A Feelin' In My Body - Elvis Presley & Stuart Price
19. Don't Fly Away (PNAU Remix) - Elvis Presley & PNAU
20. If I Can Dream - Måneskin
21. Suspicious Minds - Paravi
22. In the Ghetto (World Turns Remix) - Elvis feat. Nardo Wick
(News, Source/ElvisInfoNet)
Interview with actor Adam Dunn / Bill Black in 'ELVIS':Elvis author-researcher, Paul Bélard, interviews actor Adam Dunn who plays Bill Black in Baz Luhrmann's movie 'Elvis'.
The interview is particularly of interest as Paul Bélard recently published the first detailed biography of super-bassist Bill Black.
In the interview Adam Dunn reveals.. - how he got the role,
- how he learnt to play double-bass Bill Black style,
- about meeting Tom Hanks and Austin Butler,
- working with Xavier Samuel and Terepai Richmond who played Scotty and D.J.
- the 'trouble' filming the Russwood Park riot
- and much much more...
'Elvis: Pine Bluff to Madison '76' FTD In-depth Review: FTD continues their extensive look at Elvis' performances in 1976 with another two previously unreleased concerts. This set features two shows: Pine Bluff Convention Center, September 8, 1976 830pm and Dane County Coliseum, Madison, October 19, 1976 8.30pm.
FTD have already released plenty of soundboards from these two tours including September 6, 1976 Afternoon and Evening shows ‘Elvis In Alabama: The Last Double Date’ and the day before Sioux Falls, Oct 18 (On The Road With Elvis CD2).
By early 1976 Elvis’ set-list had become routine with few surprises along the way and while the Pine Bluff performance has the energy of the Closing show of the tour fans surely don't want to hear Elvis suggest that “we should rehearse more before we tour”! Elvis soundboard super-collector Geoffrey McDonnell and EIN's Piers Beagley check out this new FTD 1976 double-pack to see whether it is another essential release for your collection. (FTD Reviews, Source;GM/ElvisInformationNetwork)
The book includes a fabulous Elvis-related story about Ron Strauss visiting his bank manager to obtain a home mortgage and the time Ron fell asleep in Elvis’ bed will bring a smile to the reader’s face. Other interesting accounts include Ron’s reaction to Elvis carrying a loaded gun on board (in a pressurized cabin), and many readers will appreciate reading how Ron felt about Linda Thompson and Ginger Alden.
EIN’s Nigel Patterson recently took flight with an advance copy. What Nigel found, not only added appreciably to his knowledge of a rarely written about aspect of the Elvis Presley story and provided greater insight as to who Elvis was as a person, but also offered a wonderfully rich and entertaining account of the life and times of the underappreciated, Ron Strauss.
'Elvis UK Cover Story' Book Review: Elvis experts John Townson and Gordon Minto recently published their new (digital) book 'Elvis UK Cover Story: The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley's British EP & LP Sleeves 1956-1977' designed to add to and complement their original 'Elvis UK' book.
It is a 286 page, fully comprehensive book, providing the ultimate guide to Elvis’s EP and LP album sleeves released in the UK between 1956-1977.
Extensively illustrated in full colour and arranged in sections, this book addresses a wide range of topics including back cover photos, printing companies, sleeve notes, etc.
There are extended sections including 'Front Cover – Fact File', and 'For UK Fans Only' an in-depth study of those albums that originated in the UK, or were only ever available in the UK.
It includes a wealth of background info incorporated into the text.
It is a downloadable digital flip-book stored on your own device.
Reading through this fact-filled investigation, the amazing thing EIN discovered was just how many sleeve variations, UK only releases, and cheap RCA / Parker design decisions there were.
For the world’s biggest superstar some of their marketing decisions were truly bewildering. And some of their design choices total madness.
'Aloha From Hawaii' Deluxe FTD indepth Review: When seeking Elvis' key career highpoints, if one goes by the sales and the audience viewing numbers, there is only one answer. Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite. RCA’s double album of the show was released throughout the world in February 1973 and shot to the #1 spot in many countries including the U.S. It is certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA.
While in 2013 RCA/ Legacy released the '40th Anniversary edition' sadly the audio of the main concert left much to be desired.
In 2022 FTD released this upgraded 'Aloha From Hawaii' set with Matt Ross-Spang remixing the original broadcast - plus including the full after-concert 3am 'Insert Song' session in a 3-CD set. In 'large-size 8" format with 24 page booklet it is a stunning package.
(Interview) Alanna Nash talks to EIN: With the recent reissue of her best-selling book, 'The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley', renowned author, Alanna Nash, took time out of her busy schedule to discuss Elvis, the Colonel and other related issues with EIN’s Nigel Patterson, Elvis Day By Day’s Kees Mouwen, and prolific Elvis author, Paul Bélard.
In her candid interview, Alanna provides insightful commentary about the Colonel’s early years before coming to America, when he lost his way in promoting Elvis, the controversial source Byron Raphael, Lamar Fike’s finding about the rumor the Colonel was involved in the death of a woman in Holland, why Elvis didn’t take more control of his career, the new Baz Luhrmann 'ELVIS' biopic and much, much more...
ELVIS 'Austin Butler Pre-Production Test Footage': This is a sensational clip. Forget all those average Elvis Impersonators you might have seen, here Austin Butler truly inhabits Elvis character showing what he could do
at a pre-production jam.
As 'Depper' rightly comments, "Austin was a brilliant choice as there are millions of new young Elvis fans just based on the trailers alone. Many more will join us in the Elvis fanbase as soon as the movie drops. This movie successfully explains the contributions to music of Elvis Presley, to today's current generation. Elvis' legacy has been given a tremendous boost, and will help young people understand that he was a force of good for American music and humanity." (News, Source;EIN)
'ELVIS' EIN movie review: Keith Richards said, "Elvis hit like a bombshell ... it was like the world went from black and white to Technicolor." While those words apply to Elvis Presley they could similarly apply to Baz Luhrmann's style of film direction. Compared to the regular Hollywood output Baz Luhrmann movies have a similar feel of busting out of jail and going from black-and-white to technicolour. They are loud, brash, super-colourful, fast-edited and exciting, they have their own language and style.
The full-bore soundtrack, the glowing colour, the revelation of Austin Butler's truly stunning performance and the real excitement of the fast editing really does make it feel that Luhrmann has grabbed Elvis' true spirit. The film not only tells Elvis’ life but has the genuine excitement of the real Elvis, something that I've never felt from any previous Elvis Bio-Pic.
The incredible fact is that while the movie includes so many snatches of real Elvis (Hy Garner interview, Lisa Marie, Al Dvorin etc) yet Austin Butler has one so enthralled in playing Elvis' character that you can hardly spot the difference.
However typical of a Luhrmann movie you can see why fans' overly detailed fact-checking needs to be left at the door - and knowledgeable Elvis fans should just enjoy the ride. Go here for EIN Piers Beagley's exclusive and detailed review
(Review; Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Baz Luhrmann ELVIS Sydney Premiere: The Sydney Premiere of Baz Luhrmann's ELVIS movie was presented in the glorious Sydney State Theatre where Luhrmann's first film 'Strictly Ballroom' was featured thirty years ago at the 1992 Sydney Film Festival.
The evening was part of Sydney's VIVID festival and before the actual Premiere, director Baz Luhrmann spent an hour in conversation discussing his life in movies as well as his thoughts on ELVIS.
The Sydney Media were out in force to celebrate the international cast of the movie, including Austin Butler, Tom Hanks and Australia's Olivia DeJonge, along with Director Baz Luhrmann.
EIN's Piers Beagley was lucky enough to be part of the ELVIS celebration - and who knew that his night would include an Elvis sing-a-long with Tom Hanks! Go here for the Baz Luhrmann discussion and plenty of Premiere pics.
(Spotlight, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
(Book Review) 'The Sonic Swagger of Elvis Presley: A Critical History of the Early Recordings' (Gary Parker): ‘For Elvis Presley, stardom was the promise, and he made the trip, but
at an extraordinarily high cost’. This is one of the thought provoking
themes in Gary Parker’s latest book which critically examines in
thoroughly researched detail, Elvis’ seminal recordings in the 1950s (as
well as more briefly discussing Elvis’ post Army recordings).
Noting that... "Elvis' clever manipulation of his numerous interests remains one of the music world's great marvels. Presley, with one foot in delta mud and the other in a country hoedown, teamed with Scotty Moore and Bill Black to fuse two distinctly American musical forms -- country and blues -- to form what would come to be known as 'rockabilly'". This is a book with plenty to discuss.
In their 2,100 words collaboration, EIN’s Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley, review what they have found to be one of the best, and most important, Elvis book releases of 2022. Read the full review here
(Book Review, Source: ElvisInformationNetwork)
'The Pot Luck Sessions' Deluxe FTD Review: Released back in December 2021, 'The Pot Luck Sessions' was the eighth in FTD’s “complete sessions” packages. An 8 inch deluxe 5-CD package featuring a 28-page booklet with an insightful essay, record and session data, memorabilia and rare photos. The set includes remastered complete RCA sessions from Elvis' June 25 and October 15 1961 and March 18-19 1962 recording sessions.
The set features a good number of previously unreleased outakes and EIN also uncovers plenty of Elvis studio discussions that had been previously edited out on earlier "Classic Album" releases such as Elvis saying, “Here we go already. How do like that
arrangement, Red?” an important question to his friend Red West who
had composed the song 'That’s Someone You Never Forget'.
MRS 'Elvis: Mono To Stereo 1956' CD Review: At the end of last year the UK based MRS label released their Double CD/ Book 'Elvis: Mono To Stereo - The Complete RCA Studio Masters 1956'.
The set contains the complete 1956 RCA studio master recordings in mono and (DES extracted) stereo versions. These were thirty classic RCA recordings that would help change the future of popular music.
The accompanying 20-page booklet includes photographs and memorabilia plus introductory notes.
While 'DES Stereo' remastering can sometimes reveal new details about classic MONO studio recordings, trying to create believable stereo from echoey mono masters is not that easy, even when using "highly advanced sound processing techniques".
Can classic mono tracks such as 'Hound Dog', 'Don't Be Cruel', 'My Baby Left Me' and 'Heartbreak Hotel' really sound better in DES stereo?
(Book Review) 'Don't Be Cruel, Elvis: The Bill Black Story': It is easy to forget that, in the beginning, Elvis was only one part of a trio put together by Sam Phillips, which included Bill Black on bass and Scotty Moore on lead guitar.
The unique sound that emerged from their early sessions was the result of a close collaboration of like-minded musicians and an engineer who wanted to generate something as yet unheard. Bill Black's contribution to Elvis’ success went beyond the bass playing. His antics on stage — twirling his bass, riding it as if it was a bronco to be tamed, trading corny jokes with Elvis — delighted the audiences. Scotty confirmed that, “If it hadn’t been for Bill, we would have bombed many times in the early days.”
Memphis Mansion’s Henrik Knudsen fortuitously befriended Bill Black's family and was entrusted with the family’s treasured scrapbook.
Using this key source, plus the investigative power of author Paul Belard, key rock'n'roll bassman Bill Black finally gets the biography he deserves with this impressive 260 page book.
Packed full of rare photos, great stories and interviews, EIN's Piers Beagley spent some quality time enjoying this very fine tribute to "Blackie" a great musician and a true character ... go here to find out more.. (Book Review, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Interview 'The Airplanes & The King' with Carlos Varrenti & Robert Van Beek:As promised a few months ago, the extremely well-received spanish book 'The Airplanes & The King' by Carlos Varrenti is now being republished as an English version.
Not only that but it has now been expanded to an amazing 400 pages with a lot of unreleased material from Elvis Files' vaults!
The English version is printed as a High quality Hardback book.
Printed and distributed by The Elvis Files Team, EIN has seen some preview pages and it is an absolute stunner.
EIN is delighted to be able to talk with the author Carlos Varrenti - as well as Elvis Files designer Robert Van Beek to find out more.
We find out more about Carlos Varrenti's Argentinian background, how he came to be involved with designer Robert Van Beek and The Elvis Files for the expanded reprint, what highlights are in the book and what new stories fans will be able to discover within the covers. Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley asked the questions..
(Interview, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
"Elvis Back In Nashville" 8/10 Review: It's great to see the mainstream music press already giving truly positive reviews to the new "Elvis Back In Nashville" box-set that comes out next week. UNCUT uk music magazine have already reviewed it noting.... "The King's final recordings in the country music capital"
Elvis Presley was more ambitious than his late career output might suggest.
During his 1971 sessions in Nashville, he cut tracks for his dream project: a folk-rock record featuring songs by Buffy Sainte-Marie, Kris Kristofferson and others. Sadly, it never saw the light of day, and tracks from those sessions were scattered across cookie-cutter collections throughout the'70s. 'Elvis Back In Nashville' collects those recordings in one place, showcasing his stylistic range (gospel, carols, standards... you name it) and offering a glimpse of what might have been.
Despite being sold as a nostalgia act, Elvis was absolutely devoted to whatever he song he was singing. He immersed himself in the story and invested each line with nuance and character, whether it's the casually funky "Put Your Hand In The Hand" or the delicate "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (recorded while he had the flu). Box-Set rates 8/10. Extras: 6/10. Archival photos and liner notes by David Cantwell.
You can also have a sneak preview of 30 seconds of every track via PlatoMania -CLICK HERE to listen
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)
'Think Twice: Elvis in The Studio 1971': The forthcoming 'Back In Nashville' boxset is going to shine the spotlight on Elvis' 1971 sessions which have traditionally been ignored by the official label. In this fascinating and detailed article EIN contributor Shane Brown examines these all too easily dismissed Nashville sessions and discovers some real gems.
It’s very easy to look at the March, May and June 1971 recordings out of context. While the recordings are certainly not up to the standard of those from June 1970, it’s also true to say that Elvis was in a very different place personally by spring 1971.
In June 1970 Elvis was riding the crest of a wave with his recent successes but by January 1971 he was in the newspapers due to an ongoing paternity suit.
The Presley’s marriage was on the rocks and Elvis was having problems with his eyes. However despite all of this there was something very interesting going on during the 1971 sessions. Find out more as Shane Brown investigates these controversial 1971 Nashville Sessions....
(Spotlight; Source;ShaneBrown/EIN)
Don't miss out on one of EIN's most-viewed and controversial interviews of all-time - Mike Stone tells all.
EIN Interview with Mike Stone: Mike Stone has had a long and successful career in athletics, in the entertainment business, as an author, sports instructor, bodyguard and personal fitness trainer.
Mike Stone was also a key figure in the emotional roller-coaster that described Elvis and Priscilla Presley's lives in the seventies. In this exclusive EIN interview Priscilla's ex-partner, karate champion and author talks about his amazing life, including... - Meeting Elvis and Priscilla
- Hawaii, Elvis and Karate
- Being Phil Spector's bodyguard
- Sitting next to John Lennon recording
- Priscilla and karate
- Fans blaming him for Elvis' marriage split-up
- Elvis putting a "Hit" out on him
- Finding peace in the Philippines
- His new autobiography
UPDATED- The collapse of the Elvis Bootleg Empire: Has Ernst won the war?’: Back in 1999 Ernst Jorgensen and Roger Semon convinced BMG to let them start the FTD collectors label in order to counteract the Elvis bootleg companies which had been selling unreleased material to fans since the very first vinyl bootleg 'Please Release Me' was issued back in 1970.
Of all the bootleg labels that have come and gone the 'Madison' label was one of the very few that always produced high-quality releases and which happened to start at the same time as FTD. The designs were top-notch and with detailed sleeve notes they easily competed with the legal Elvis releases.
In 2021 ‘Madison’ have returned with the new bootleg ‘A Legendary Performer Volume 9’ but all is not what was promised. The Elvis bootleg vaults are empty and FTD appears to have won the game. Go here as EIN’s Piers Beagley checks out the lack of new material and considers the bootleg era at an end... And EIN wants YOUR SAY -Our article is now updated with YOUR FEEDBACK - and more... (Spotlight; Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Don't forget that EIN's Elvis Facebook page regularly features fabulous RARE newly discovered photos of Elvis. This month EIN celebrates our 45,000 members! - including several of Elvis' own friends and colleagues So Elvis fans don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs.
Now with over thousands of great photos, News and with more added every day – including YouTube footage.
"On Tour" 50th Anniversary - FTD vs Lorentzen release:
In the same way that the FTD 'TTWII' Collectors Edition had to include similar photos to Erik Lorentzen's 'TTWII' Summer Festival publication, a debate among Elvis collectors has already started regarding the two new 'On Tour' editions and which one to purchase.
Lorentzen promises the earlier publication this year, whereas FTD are still gathering documentation and unseen images for their 2022 release.
Trouble has also started as Lorentzen has stated about his book, "Unique in this 1200 page edition is that for the first time the complete and very extensive information of all shows and sessions" yet now Ernst Jørgensen has posted that his personal session notes are being used without permission.
It will be difficult for fans to decide which to buy, or both, especially with the extra wait for the David English / Pål Granlund 50th Anniversary FTD 'On Tour' project. Ernst Jørgensen posted the following statement.. "It has come to my attention that some of my personal recording notes are being used in Erik Lorentzen’s forthcoming Elvis On Tour book.
This is disappointing; as Erik has been notified that this information is private and confidential, and prior to publication permission is required, which has not been granted.
Pål, David and myself are working on an 'Elvis On Tour' FTD release for 2022, this information will be included with this release."
We do however also know that FTD will be including audio cds with their publication, the audio content however has not been finalised as yet. (Note: Both images are of course not the actual book covers!) (News, Source; ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis "BACK ON DVD!": Paramount have re-released three classic Elvis movies this month on DVD. 'G.I. Blues'- BACK ON DVD! The year was 1960... 'Girls! Girls! Girls!' - BACK ON DVD! The year was 1962... 'Paradise, Hawaiian Style'- BACK ON DVD! The year was 1966...
From Paramount Pictures.-
Release date: March 12, 2021.
From Amazon for $14.99. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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‘From Elvis in Nashville’ Box-set EIN In-Depth Review:
A 4CD collection presenting the definitive chronicle of Elvis' 1970 marathon sessions with the "Nashville Cats".
Recorded live in RCA's Studio B over the course of an epic five day run in June 1970 now, for the first time, the sessions are presented in pristine audio, newly mixed by acclaimed engineer Matt Ross-Spang without the added overdubs appearing on earlier releases.
Elvis’ 1970 Nashville session was very different from the previous Memphis sessions or even Elvis’ later sessions. Nashville was a real mix of Elvis recording RCA supplied demos along with one-take spontaneous favourites Elvis threw into the mix.
As Elvis noted, "It don't take much to get these guys going, boy, I'll tell you…. Just give them a "well..." and they're gone. That's what I call 'Sittin' on ready". EIN's Piers Beagley explores this new box-set to discover one of the best Elvis releases in years..
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
US CD box-set
US Vinyl
UK CD box-set
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‘TTWII 50th Anniversary Collectors Edition’ FTD Book Review: FTD's most expensive set ever published, David English and Pal Granlund bring the complete background story of 'Elvis: That's The Way It Is'. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the movie's 1970 release, this ultimate collector's edition includes two hardback books, eight cds with over 450 minutes of music,
including newly discovered unreleased performances.
With access to 2,000 original negatives and 35mm slides, restored and repaired, many of which have never been seen before, the book also contains items from the MGM and RCA archives including paperwork, documents, memos and recording information.
Two books, 600 pages, plus all the MGM recorded rehearsals - including 70 tracks officially unreleased.
FTD's most expensive set but with the vast majority of the rehearsals already out on bootleg, can it really be worth the US$270 plus postage. Initially Sold Out and already into its first reprint what makes it so desirable? EIN's Piers Beagley investigates and discovers plenty .. Go here to our 6000 word review including plenty of extracts and stunning images. (FTD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Amazon Deals on ELVIS Blu-rays - Beware of excessive prices at some Elvis dealers.
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'ELVIS In The 2010s' A Personal Review of the Past Decade: Rather like Elvis’s own career, each decade since Elvis’s death appears to have had a theme or identity of its own. Clearly the late 1970s were difficult for RCA as they struggled to find the right direction with which to take their posthumous releases, and so it was the 1980s that was the decade when the company slowly but surely learned how to look back at Elvis's legacy and start to make some sense of it.
The 1990s were when that reached a peak, with the decades boxed sets, and the Elvis in the 90s series, thus bringing virtually the whole catalogue back into print in a coherent way.
The 2000s were when errors of judgement at retail level started to occur (despite huge successes like Elv1s), but also when FTD came into its own and flourished. And so what will we make of Elvis releases of the 2010s when we look back on them from the future? Go here for EIN contributor Shane Brown's personal take on the highs and lows of Elvis product that has come our way over the last decade....
(Spotlight, Source;ShaneBrown/ElvisInformationNetwork)
Elvis LIVE Aug 23, 1969 Album Review + Elvis Concert Review 1969: ..."The atmosphere throughout the entire hotel was nail-bitingly electric! It is difficult for me to describe and paint a true portrait of attending in person this unique occasion - Elvis' Return to Splendor LIVE in 1969 - but I'll try my best. I want, and hope, you will understand the excitement of what has to be the pinnacle of Elvis' career to date!" Joan Gansky was lucky because not only was she in the audience for Elvis' TV musical renaissance of the '68 NBC Special but she also saw Elvis at his most dynamic - first at his August 22nd 1969 Midnight Show and then the following night at his August 23rd Dinner Show. Joan Gansky has written this insightful and emotional article for EIN in 2019, fifty years later, looking back at this special event from 1969 as well as providing her review of the new RCA vinyl album of the August 23rd Dinner Show. One of EIN's most important articles we have ever published- Go here for Joan and Paul Gansky's incredible articles and exclusive photos
(Review/Spotlight, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'Elvis - Made In Germany’ In-Depth Review: The new MRS 'Elvis - Made In Germany – The Complete Private Recordings’ 4CD set contains more than 3 hours of the private recordings Elvis made while off duty in Germany when he was serving as a soldier in the US army during the 1958 -1960 period and, includes rare tracks from a recently discovered tape comprising over an hour of unheard personal recordings. The 152-page hardback book contains rare photographs and documents plus a comprehensive text provided by Gordon Minto, which discusses each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1957-58, before focusing on the private recordings he made in Germany.
The BONUS CD features the essential RCA studio masters from 1957-58.With such an expansive book, along with hours of Elvis jamming with his friends in Germany, there is plenty to discuss as well as finding out what extra material this set contains over the official releases. Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley provide an in-depth review of this new MRS release
(Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'What was Elvis searching for?' EIN Spotlight: The question is raised – but never answered – in the title of HBO’s recent absorbing, imperfect documentary 'Elvis Presley: The Searcher'.
At the start it seems clear what the teenage Elvis was searching for – an escape from the oblivion of poverty in the American South. Yet his quest was cultural as well as financial.
Later Elvis read obsessively, seeking out such books as The Impersonal Life, Joseph Brenner’s guide to self-discovery and Kahil Gibran’s book of fables, The Prophet. In his copy of Gibran’s tome, Elvis jotted down the line: “A singer can sing his songs but he must have an ear to receive the song”.
So what exactly was Elvis searching for? In this fascinating EIN Spotlight respected author Paul Simpson takes a close look at this all important question which, for some reason, was basically ignored in the recent HBO documentary..
Mindi Miller Interview with EIN: Mindi Miller was a working actress when she met Elvis in early 1975. She was interested in karate (she performed all her own movie stunts), exploring spirituality and the Bible and so they had a lot in common. Mindi Miller and Elvis bonded over their common interests and soon afterwards he asked her to go on tour with him in April 1975.
She stayed friends with Elvis through the years - along with members of the 'Memphis Mafia' - and attended his funeral.
EIN's Sanja Meegin recently caught up with Mindi Miller to talk about her close friendship with Elvis over the years.
In this fascinating interview she discusses. . . - Her first night with Elvis
- How Elvis persuaded her to cancel her overseas movie & modelling plans
- Their mutual interest in Karate
- Graceland and meeting Lisa Marie
- Attending Elvis' funeral . . . and much much more... Go here for EIN's Sanja Meegin and her intimate and detailed discussion with the delightful Mindi Miller - Now with Reader Feedback.
Official Elvis CD Box-sets at bargain prices through Amazon UK
'Marty Lacker: A Life Well-Lived' & Elvis at American Studio's Interview: It was with immense sadness that last month EIN had to report on the death of our great friend - and a true friend to Elvis - Marty Lacker. We will miss him dearly. Marty is well-known as one of the key members of the Memphis Mafia and also co-Best Man at Elvis' wedding. He was known for both his honesty and being forthright with his opinions. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia who still watched and commented on recent Elvis News. He had no issue with holding people to account (especially ones who would inflate their importance within Elvis' legacy) and would regularly ask EIN to add his comments or to correct any inaccuracy. Elvis fans often ask about Marty Lacker's background, how he came to meet Elvis, as well as his involvement in the music industry outside of working for The King.
As a prelude to Ken Sharp's fascinating interview with Marty Lacker and a discussion about Elvis' famous American Studio' Memphis sessions, EIN presents "Marty Lacker: a life well-lived" in which Marty tells of his life in the music industry, his friendship with Elvis along with his dislike of the over-controlling Col Parker. Go here to learn all you need to know about Marty Lacker as well as Elvis outstanding Memphis American Sound sessions in 1969. (Spotlight; Source,KenSharp/ElvisInformationNetwork)
'The World of FTD' In-Depth Review: The new deluxe book 'The World Of FTD' has been received by some lucky fans and Elvis collector Mike Lodge has provided EIN with a very detailed review - of well over 3 thousand words! The book was authored and designed by Keith Flynn with input from a large number of other Elvis specialists including EIN's Piers Beagley, EM&HM's Trevor Cajiao, Geoffrey McDonnell, Gordon Minto and many others. It is 1,200 pages, hardbound three book set, chronicling every release by FTD.The book also features 100s of high-quality photos from the collection Erik Lorentzen
KJ Consulting are proud to publish this Box Set which weighs 8 kilos.
UPDATED - Paul Dowling EIN Interview Part Three: Paul Dowling is without doubt one of the major names in the Elvis World. He started collecting and selling Elvis vinyl over 40 years ago and has one of the world's largest Elvis Presley record collections. He started his "WorldWide Elvis" shop back in the seventies, way before the internet, where fans could get hold of rare Elvis records and memorabilia.
With such a fascination with Elvis, Dowling not only became a big name in the early years of Elvis bootlegs but later became friends with Ernst Jorgensen and helped RCA with various official releases.
In the final part of our fascinating interview Paul Dowling discusses .... - Dodging the FBI agents that were sent after him
- Unreleased Elvis material that still hasn’t come out
- Why does Ernst Jorgensen doubt this claims
- His BMG project 'For The First Time Ever' - what happened
- The true story of obtaining the Million Dollar Quartet tape
- His thoughts on Paul Lichter, Sean Saver, Sherif Hanna, Rex Martin
- Spending time with Alan Fortas
- Jim Curtin, newly added story
'Ultimate Elvis' New Electronic Edition: Announced by Elvis sessions expert Keith Flynn for publication November 1 is the brand new concept of the 1750 page super-deluxe Elvis sessions book 'Ultimate Elvis' Electronic Edition.
This incredible three volume book will now be available as an e-book on an i-pad or android tablet. - Created in HTML5
Fully updated e-books will open in any web browser on any operating system, so no need for separate downloads for different operating systems. - Life-Like 'Flipping' Pages
Flip through pages as if you are reading an actual book, but also being able to zoom-in to view smaller images and captions.
- View as Double or Single pages
View as double pages on a computer or laptop etc, and single pages when viewing in portrait on an i-pad or Android tablet. - Fully Navigational Table Of Contents
Jump back and forth to the sections of the books you want to read, instead of flipping through numerous pages to find what you want. PRICED AT - all 3 Volumes for £60 = US$93
On sale from November 1st 2015. Try Before You Buy -
Download free zip-file containing 27 pages from Volume 1, before you decide to buy the complete set. -
NOTE - These books are MASSIVE so you will need approximately 1GB of spare disc space for these three volumes, -
Click HERE to Keith Flynn's 'Ultimate Elvis' Electronic Edition to try.
Go HERE to EIN's independent review of 'Ultimate Elvis' (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Did Elvis Record 'Tiger Man' At Sun?: A question that has puzzled Elvis fans through the years is whether he actually recorded the song ‘Tiger Man’ during his years at SUN studios.
The basic question is why did Elvis refer to 'Tiger man' several times in concert as “The second song that I ever recorded, not too many people heard it”?
And if Elvis DID record it, then why hasn’t any reference to it at SUN or proof of its existence been found?
Elvis would first perform ‘Tiger Man’ in concert at his first 1969 Las Vegas International season and would continue playing it through the years – usually in a medley with Mystery Train - until his last performance at Saginaw on May 3 1977. He would sing it over 150 times on stage! The thought that there might be an acetate or undiscovered tape of Elvis at SUN singing ‘Tiger Man’ is a mouth-watering concept - but is it an unlikely fantasy or strong possibility?
Go here to our detailed 'TIGER MAN' spotlight as EIN's Piers Beagley puts in the hard yards to check the facts from the fantasy . (Spotlight; Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)
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EIN is a not-for-profit Elvis Fan Club website posting daily news and informative articles for Elvis Presley's legion of fans.
EIN tries to credit all news sources, as well as link to the original articles if excerpts are used.
If you believe we have used copyrighted material please contact us and we will remove it immediately.
EIN also has a local Australian national Elvis Fan Club for paid up members featuring quarterly newsletters free EIN members cds plus an annual EIN Elvis Mega Quiz with special prizes.
The printed newsletters have extra content, articles and reviews to this website along with the popular Elvis EIN Mega Quiz.
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