ELVIS WEEK 2007

tour for fans "downunder", view:

BROCHURE

BOOKING FORM

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Welcome to the "Elvis Information Network", home to the best news, reviews, interviews & articles about the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley...

The latest on www.elvisinfonet.com:

Tuesday 31 October 2006 .....................................................Download Elvis ringtones in Australia!!

"Elvis r&b" (CD Review): EIN's Piers Beagley took time out from his overseas holiday to delve indside the aural delights of one of the latest Elvis releases from Sony BMG. Yet another compilation CD with upgraded sound, Piers found it has a surprising appeal.

Read Piers' detailed track-by-track review (CD Review, Source: EIN)


New CD "Patch It Up": Music For Fans is the name of a new import label. Their first release will be a "concept album", containing acetates from the June 1970 sessions and (rare) live recordings from 1970 to 1977 (to us this sounds like two concepts). The CD will be delivered with a 16 page booklet.

Tracks:

01. The Fool Acetate
02. Little Cabin On The Hill Acetate
03. Cindy Cindy Acetate
04. Got My Mojo Workin Acetate
05. It’s Your Baby You Rock it Acetate
06. I Didn’t Make it on Playing Guitar Alternate
07. I Really Don’t Want To Know Alternate
08. Faded Love Acetate
09. Tomorrow Never Comes Acetate
10. Make The World go Away Acetate
11. I Washed my Hands in Muddy Words Alternate
12. Patch It Up Acetate
13. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ on Alternate
14. Patch it up 10.08.70 opening night
15. Blue Suede Shoes / Whola Lotta …September 07, 1970 CS
16. Make The World Go Away January 27, 1971
17. Blue Suede Shoes/Whola Lotta… August 30, 1971
18. Faded Love February 15, 1973 DS
19. Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta…Seattle April 29, 1973
20. Faded Love May 13, 1973 3 AM
21. Rock Medley Uniondale June 24, 1973
22. Faded Love Nashville July 1, 1973 AS
23. Faded Love August 7,1973 MS
24. Make The World Go Away August 08, 1973
25. I Really Don’t Want To Know Jacksonville May 30, 1977
26. I Really Don’t want to know Mobile June 02,1977
27. I Really Don’t want to know Indianapolis June 26, 1977

Time 79.00 min. Tracks 15,17,19,21,24,25,26 unreleased (News, Source: Elvis News)

Celeste Yarnall discusses Elvis and Martin Luther King: Jason Edge from the Elvis International Fan Club recorded video at the "Conversations on Elvis" at the Malco Paridiso Theater on Wednesday, August 11, 2004. In the video, Celeste Yarnall, one of Elvis' co-stars in 'Live A Little, Love A Little', discusses how Elvis reacted to the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Also at this conversations were Jerry Schilling, Joe Esposito, and A Little Less Conversation co-writer Billy Strange. (News, Source: EP Gold)

Read EIN's interview with Celeste Yarnall (the woman Elvis sang 'A Little Less Conversation' to in the film)


The Elvis Suite: The Lauderdale Courts housing project where teen Elvis Presley lived (1949-1953) long ago fell to the forces of gentrification, undergoing a $36 million renovation into the Uptown Square complex. Yups of all description are now happily ensconced in their renovated apartments, awash in WiFi. However, in apartment 328, you can still live as Elvis did. The Lauderdale Courts lives on in this one apartment, preserved as an Elvis shrine; visitors can ogle the place during festivities surrounding Elvis's death- and birthdays, or rent the whole place out for $249 per night otherwise. (The Presleys paid $35 per month.) You got two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen, and living room, all tricked out in period crap furniture and Elvisabilia. Don't be fooled by the authentic Frigidaire in the kitchen -- there's also a microwave concealed in a cabinet, and a hidden flatscreen TV in the living room. Mementos aside, just consider that the Elvis bedroom was likely the scene of young Mr. Presley's most enthusiastic demonstrations of teenage self-love; there might even be a few flicks of Kingly DNA left on the headboard, if you look carefully. (News, Source: GridSkipper.com)



2006/10/30    Jason Edge - Elvis International Fan Club  /   Youtube 

Monday 30 October 2006

Elvis fans desert the proposed Elvis number plate: When it comes to selling license plates, Elvis Presley will be remembered as a great singer.

Elvis, who was bumped to the No. 2 spot last week among biggest-earning dead celebrities, has been unable to come up with enough orders to justify his own Tennessee specialty license plate. Elvis Presley Enterprises and the Regional Medical Center at Memphis (The Med) kicked off the license plate campaign last October as a fund-raising effort for The Med, home of the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center.

"We're struggling here," said Sandy Snell, vice president of public relations for The Med. She said this week about 500 people have placed orders, but the state requires a minimum of 1,000 orders to justify producing a specialty plate. "We thought it would be so easy, but we've gotten to this 500 mark and we're kind of stuck," Snell said. She advertised the campaign locally and in Middle Tennessee, then said she ran into budget constraints at The Med and hasn't been able to advertise in East Tennessee. The first deadline passed during the summer, but The Med was granted a one-year extension -- until July 1, 2007 -- to try to come up with another 500 buyers. Elvis Presley Enterprises spokesman Kevin Kern said EPE has promoted the plate in its newsletter and on its Web site, elvis.com. It renewed the Web site push with a reminder on the site's opening page Thursday.

"We continue to support The Med in their effort to make the Elvis license plate a reality," Kern said. The Elvis Web site directs Tennesseans interested in buying an Elvis tag to the Web address mscruggs@the-med.org . Or they can call The Med at (877) 545-3757. There is serious competition in the specialty plate field with about 150 plates offered through the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Five Memphis area plates are among them -- for LeMoyne-Owen College, Rhodes College, the University of Memphis, LeBonheur Children's Medical Center and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Elvis and The Med are not the first to run into the 1,000-minimum stumbling block. When the Memphis Grizzlies and the National Civil Rights Museum attempted to create specialty plates, they were unable to get 1,000 orders. However, the Tennessee Titans football team is one of the top five sellers among specialty plates in the state.

Revenue department communications director Emily Richard said the top five and the annual revenue produced by the plates are: Friends of the Smokies ($512,000); agricultural plate ($279,000); environmental plate with the iris, the state flower ($277,000); Watchable Wildlife ($276,000); and the Titans ($196,000). Specialty plates cost about $35 more than a regular license plate, and Snell said The Med would receive about $20 of the revenue for each plate sold. She said she has had numerous calls from people outside the state who are interested in an Elvis plate, but the orders must come from licensed Tennessee drivers to qualify. Snell said she has set up recruitment booths at Memphis Grizzlies basketball games, at NASCAR races and auto shows. "It's not like we haven't tried, but there's only so much you can do."

For Elvis, the effort that has fallen short was the second bad news in a week. Elvis, the perennial No. 1 earner among dead celebrities, was knocked to No. 2, behind grunge rocker Kurt Cobain, in the latest listing by Forbes magazine. Snell said she is still hopeful that EPE's Web site solicitation will produce extra orders, but she said she still wishes for a bigger advertising presence.

"If we could get Elvis to sing across Tennessee, maybe it would be OK," she said. "We could get him to say, 'Don't be cruel. Buy my tag.' " (News, Source: Charmaine Voisine)


Elvis' favorite ride heading north: Elvis Presley's favorite amusement park ride, a roller coaster called the Zippin Pippin, is zippin off to North Carolina. A pair of Nashville collectors who bought the coaster at auction in June said Friday that they sold it to the tourism bureau in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. Stephen Shutts, president of a traveling collection called the Honky Tonk Hall of Fame & Rock-N-Roll Roadshow, said the North Carolina town wants the coaster for its Carolina Crossroads tourism project. He said the wooden coaster, which was built in 1923, will be part of an amusement area that includes a 1,500-seat music theater in a 1,000-acre park.

"They were most intrigued with the Elvis Presley connection and have plans for a quick dismantling and relocation of this wonderful piece of American history," Shutts said.


Shutts declined to say how much Roanoke Rapids paid for the coaster. He and his partner bought the Zippin Pippin for $2,500 in June.
The ride was a top attraction at Libertyland, a 30-year-old amusement park in Memphis that Presley often rented for private parties. The park closed last year after several seasons of falling attendance and financial losses. Shutts said country music superstar Dolly Parton, who operates Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., was originally interested in the Pippin. But he said Dollywood learned it would have had to spend millions to rearrange its layout to accommodate the 3,000-foot roller coaster.

Parton's brother, country-gospel entertainer Randy Parton, plans to operate the Carolina Crossroads, which officials hope will be the first of a number of similar operations in the region. Parton's company is Moonlight Bandit Productions Inc.
Ground was broken one year ago on the 1,500-seat Randy Parton Theater, which is expected to be the cornerstone of the Carolina Crossroads Music and Entertainment District. The theater is scheduled to open in April. Denise Parkinson, founder of a Save Libertyland coalition, said Friday that Memphis should make a counteroffer in hopes of saving the Pippin.

"Memphis is losing an opportunity to create our own vintage rock and roll park."
(News, Source: Charmaine Voisine)


"Elvis: Starring in Oklahoma" releae date brought forward: According to the FECC site, Joe Tunzi's latest Elvis photobook will now be released around 21 November. Click for FECC's preview of the book. (News, Source: FECC)


"Fortunate Son: The Life of Elvis Presley" for softcover release: The softcover edition of one of this year's best Elvis books, "Fortunate Son: The Life of Elvis Presley" by Charles L. Ponce de Leon, will be released in the US in August 2007. (News, Source: ElvisBookResearch)


Aussie chart update: On the ARIA Music DVD CHart dated 30 October, the Comeback Special has risen 6 places to #23 after 24 weeks in the chart, while Aloha From Hawaii has dropped 4 places to #31 after 35 weeks on the chart. (News, Source: ARIA)

 

Sunday 29 October 2006
"Elvis Lives - The 25th Anniversary Concert: Live From Memphis" (DVD) for Aussie release next month: Those Aussie and New Zealand fans who missed out on the recent tour of 'Elvios Presley In Concert' will be pleased to know that the DVD edition of the Memphics concert in 2002 is being released in Australia (region 4) on 13 November 2006. EzyDVD has it listed for pre-order for A$27.83 + postage (International price is higher). (News, Source: EzyDVD)

Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash - The Road Show: The Sun Records Years (DVD/CD set) for Aussie release in December: This DVD/CD (region 4) set is due for release in Australia on 4 December 2006.

The DVD capotures over 30 of the early performances of Elvis and Johnny CAsh as they were starting on the road to stardom. The audio CD features tracks from Elvis, Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis.

It is now available for pre-order from EzyDVD for A$19.83 + postage (International price is higher) (News, Source: EzyDVD)

 

The ‘How Great Thou Art’ Project in association with L.A.M. Productions are proud to announce

Elvis, How Great Thou Art

A Portrait of the Artist.

________________________________________________________________________________

Elvis, How Great Thou Art, A Portrait of the Artist adapted from the book, ‘The Memphis Lullaby’ is a documentary portrait commemorating the artist Elvis Aaron Presley’s Musical, Cultural and Historical legacy.

For the first time, his artistic legacy has been collated to illustrate Elvis Presley’s artistry and his contribution to the arts from 1954 to 2005 .

Linda Ann McConnell’s debut film, Elvis, How Great Thou Art, A Portrait of the Artist was premiered at the Glasgow Film Theatre in Scotland on the 29th anniversary of Elvis’ death on the 16th Aug 2006. The film received a standing ovation...

Exclusive showing of the Film.

 To tie in with the Elvis Arts Exhibition on Balcony 1,’ How Great Thou Arts’. 26th October 2006 - January 14th 2007 . We are delighted to announce that there isan exclusive showing of the film at the Museum of Modern Art, Glasgow, Gallery 2, on Thursday 9 th November and Thursday 14 th December at 6.30pm.

This is a free event. All welcome.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

The ‘How Great Thou Art’ Project is a not-for-profit organisation whose mandate is to present art that will inform, inspire and entertain.

Elvis the skycrane in Sydney today (see earlier story and photo dated 17 October): Elvis the fire bombing helicopter (aka skycrane) will arrive in Australia today and this time he is bringing a mate. Shania will arrive in Sydney on Sunday alongside Elvis - the helicopters are being brought to Australia aboard a Russian Antonov air freighter. The two key tools in this summer's fight against bushfires will be given a quick check over once they arrive before flying directly to their bases in Sydney and Melbourne. A third chopper will arrive shortly and be based in Canberra. (News, Source: Ninemsn)

 

Saturday 28 October 2006

"Elvis & Friends - Good Rockin' Tonight" (PEL2CD2001) 2CD release: A new edition in the "Elvis & Friends" series has been released by Payless Entertainment Limited in Australia. The 40 track 2CD release includes tracks by Carl Perkins, Tom Jones, Ricky Nelson, Brook Benton, George Jones, Brenda Lee, Al Martino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lloyd Price, Pat Boone and Lowell Fulsom. All of the "friends" tracks are versions of well known Elvis recordings such as Mary In The Morning, Love Me Tender, Fools Rush In, His Latest Flame and Hi Heel Sneakers.

The 13 Elvis tracks are the title track plus I Was The One, Blue Moon of Kentucky, Baby Lets Play House, That's All Right, I Got A Woman, Heartbreak Hotel, Long Tall Sally, Hound Dog, Blue Suede Shoes, Money Honey, Maybelline, Tweedle Dee, and Can't Help Falling In Love. (News, Source: EIN)


View Glen Bonham's "Elvis storyboard movie" on You Tube

Read EIN's review of Glen's book, The Elvis Interviews


Latest Elvis graphic by Charmaine: With Halloween almost upon us, Charmaine Voisine has produced another stunning Elvis tag reflecting this time of year.

View larger image and many more of Charmaine's Elvis graphics


Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" tour reviews and photos: Today we conclude our review of the recent Elvis Presley In Concert tour of Australia, New Zealand and Thailand by adding a review of the final concert of the tour in Thailand. (EP In Concert, Source: EIN/various)

The King's son keeps flame alive in Ohio: He claims to be the illegitimate son of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. He mightn't look like Elvis but apparently he sounds a lot like him. Read full article and view pictures (Elvis Conspiracy, Source: Journal Gazette)

 

Friday 27 October 2006
New edition - "We Remember, Elvis": Wanda June Hill's 'We Remember, Elvis' has been revised (and new sections added). The 2006 edition, published by BookSurge Publishing, is now available from Amazon. The original edition was published in 1978. (News, Source: ElvisBookResearch)

Elvis article in DaytonDailyNews.com (News, Source: Anthony Shoemaker)


Elvis vs. Marilyn vs. the Pope...: It's a battle of some of the greatest U.S. and international stars, with Marilyn Monroe up against Elvis Presley, boxer Muhammad Ali, former President Bill Clinton and even Pope John Paul II.

U.S. television viewers are being asked to vote on the greatest moment at one of the world's most famous arenas, New York's Madison Square Garden, which has played host to a list of sports stars, musicians, politicians and religious leaders in its 127-year history. Everybody who has been anybody has had a magical moment at Madison Square Garden, according to producers of a new TV series, "The 50 Greatest Moments at Madison Square Garden," that will be broadcast next week.

"It's based on the 50 most incredible experiences that have occurred in this building," said Michael Bair, president of sports and entertainment network MSG Media, which is airing the 10-part series from next week.

Madison Square Garden has been the name of four arenas in New York City, with the first opening in 1879 and the most recent in 1968 with the capacity to hold 20,000 people. Throughout its history it has been a top venue for major stars and events. These include Marilyn Monroe's 1962 birthday serenade to President John F. Kennedy on his 45th birthday, the 1971 fight in which Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight title, Elvis Presley's sell-out 1972 shows, and John Lennon's last live performance in 1974. While hockey fans may select their favorite moment to be Canadian ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky's final game in 1999, or Mark Messier's retirement ceremony from the New York Rangers earlier this year.

"They are magical moments because for most people, the Garden is the pinnacle for performers," said Bair. "The electricity of the crowd creates a special kind of feeling in the building itself, whether you are the opposing team or the home team."

The show features 10 one-hour episodes with new video footage and a selection of 200 interviews with stars behind the scenes. Viewers can vote on the final top five events on www.msg50.com.

"It's an endless number of events of things that have happened that are not just about New York but about the rest of the country as well," said Bair. (News, Source: Reuters)

 

Thursday 26 October 2006

The Elvis Interviews (Book Review): What do a mysterious southern sheriff, a car thief disguised as an Elvis impersonator, the Japanese Yakuza, the mafia, a locked metal briefcase, a couple of beefy goons, and a washed-up investigative journalist on the brink of a major breakthrough...all have in common?......A Pink Cadillac...THE Pink Cadillac Elvis bought for his mother in the 1950s. So forms the underlying premise for the latest intriguing Elvis novel.

EIN's Nigel Patterson recently submerged himself in Glen Bonham's fast paced adventure story which interlaces its Elvis theme with an assortment of interesting characters and a plot line which twists and turns from page to page. Read EIN's review (Book Review, Source: EIN)


December 2006 FTD releases confirmed?: Further to our news story on 23 October 2006, according to a posting on the Elvis Australia site, 'Writing For The King' and 'His Hand In Mine' will be the FTD releases on 1 December 2006. (News, Source: Elvis Australia)


Elvis in the Beat of the Night: True Stories of Elvis and His Police Buddies: Publication of this interestingly titled book originally scheduled for release in August 2006 and then delayed one month, has again been postponed. Publication date now uncertain. (News, Source: ElvisBookResearch)


"Blue Christmas" CD re-issued: The 1992 8 track "Blue Christmas" CD has been quietly been re-released with a new cover and remastered sound by the Sony/BMG Custom Marketing Group in the USA. This edition contains "Silent Night" with the piano intro. (News, Source: For Elvis CD Collectors Forum/Elvis News)

"Elvis A Definitive Collection": This is a 3 CD set from BMG India and featuring 68 hit songs. (News, Source: Barry McLean/FECC)


Elvis spotted at Rose Garden: Houstonist feared that the last of the local Elvis shrines vanished years ago with the renaming of Velvet Elvis and the closure of Aquarium Lounge. Rejoice, friends and neighbors! The King lives on at Rose Garden! Rose Garden harkens back to yesteryear with its old style approach to the neighborhood beer joint. Nestled just inside the loop near the edge of Sunset Heights, the bar was purpose-built in the 1930's and joined a burgeoning population of eight local watering holes catering to the predominantly Polish (read beer guzzling) residents of the time. Beer has been served here ever since.

Regulars mentioned that current owner and namesake, Rose Marie, has no small crush on Elvis when Houstonist asked about the decor. The King arrived officially arrived in 1991 when Rose bought the bar. Elvii of all kinds have adorned the knotty pine paneling of the cozy interior ever since. Rose Garden offers more than just a healthy dose of Elvis. The beer is ice cold and cheap. The service is killer. The jukebox kicks ass - think Savage's (bonus points if you remember that place) but without all the Journey. Even the slightly salty, pool hustling regulars soften with a Lone Star or two. But then again, who doesn't? The King should be proud to call Rose Garden home. (News, Source: Sanja Meegin)


"Stand By Me" DVD cover art: Here is the cover art for the DVD "Stand By Me - The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley". This 2 DVD set will be released in Germany on November 11, 2006 with region code 2. (News, Source: Elvis Club Berlin/Elvis News)

 

Wednesday 25 October 2006

Kurt Cobain dethrones Elvis!: Elvis Presley is no longer the King of Dead Celebrities. The pelvis-swiveling crooner was dethroned from his perch atop Forbes.com's annual roundup of top-earning deceased celebrities by the late Kurt Cobain, who made his first appearance on the list in its six years of publication.

The former Nirvana frontman, who committed suicide in 1994, earned $50 million between October 2005 and October 2006, according to the site. Presley landed in the number two slot, with earnings of $42 million for the same time period, down from $45 million in the year before.

The earnings are based on licensing deals for the deceased celebrities' work or images. Presley has consistently been the top-earning dead star since the list's inception until this year.

Cobain's surge in wealth was due to his widow Courtney Love's sale of one-quarter of the Nirvana song catalogue to New York music publisher PrimeWave. Coming in at third place, with $35 million was Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, followed in fourth by John Lennon with $24 million. (Lennon's fellow dead Beatle George Harrison ranked 12th with $7 million.) Albert Einstein rounded out the top five with earnings of $20 million, thanks in large part to the licensing of Disney's hit Baby Einstein video series.

The only woman to rank in the top 13 was Marilyn Monroe. The actress, who died of an overdose in 1962, pulled in $8 million, good for ninth place.

Here is the rundown of the top 10 (the complete list is online at Forbes.com):
1. Kurt Cobain, US$50 million
2. Elvis Presley, $42 million
3. Charles Schulz, $35 million
4. John Lennon, $24 million
5. Albert Einstein, $20 million
6. Andy Warhol, $19 million
7. Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), $10  million
8. Ray Charles, $10 million
9. Marilyn Monroe, $8 million
10. Johnny Cash, $8 million (News, Source: E! Online)
Major error in press release for 'Elvis Presley: Memphis Recording Service Volume 2': Joseph Pirzada has informed EIN there was a major error in the press release for his upcoming book/audio DVD/vinyl package, Elvis Presley Memphis Recording Service The Rise of Elvis Presley Volume 2: 1955. The number of pages should have read "nearly 400 pages" not 200 pages. Read full story about the release - Australian/NZ fans can pre-order from EIN (low price) (News, Source: Joseph Pirzada)

New Elvis items at 'Carol's Gifts & Collectibles'


Elvis "Message From Heaven" available at CD Baby (News, Source: Edna Wallace)


Elvis backing group, Voice, reunites & releases new CDs: From press release: It’s been thirty years since Elvis Presley’s personal group – “VOICE” spent Christmas with him and thirty years since Elvis’ group “VOICE” sang together. This legendary group traveled with Elvis, opened his tour shows, and sang songs personally for Elvis. GREAT NEWS --- Elvis’ group ”VOICE” (Nielsen, Sumner and Baty) recently got together, at Donnie Sumner’s Recording Studio in Hendersonville, TN and cut two new CD’s. This is after a thirty year hiatus ….the last album recorded by VOICE was in 1974, and it is called “Distilled Gospel” (now a collector’s item). It is being pressed now and will be available shortly.

“VOICE” wanted to remember Elvis at Christmas time. Everyone knows that this was his favorite time of the year. These were times that “VOICE” (Nielsen, Sumner and Baty) would sit around the piano at Graceland singing Christmas and Gospel songs. “VOICE” spent many hours singing for Elvis. The new “VOICE” CD’s captures some of Elvis’ favorite Christmas and Gospel songs.

Now, for the “behind the scene news”….Nielsen, Sumner and Baty sound terrific. Sherrill is still hitting those crystal clear high “C’s”. Sherrill received a Living Legend Award in 2006 for 50 years of singing Southern Gospel Music. Donnie is still amazing us with his great lead voice. Donnie is celebrating 46 years of singing Southern Gospel Music. Tim is still thrilling us with his soulful baritone voice. Their blend is amazing. So after a thirty year absence, the group just seemed to fall right into place like they never missed a beat. Will there be more to come? We don’t know but we certainly don’t want to wait another thirty years before something is released.

Thirty years is a long time to reflect upon and a lot of things change but “VOICE” still sounds the same. What are these guys doing in the year 2006, thirty years after working for the King of Rock ‘n Roll? You can visit Sherrill’s website to keep up with his activities www.sherrillandbrenda.com and you can visit Donnie’s website to keep up with his activities www.donniesumner.com You will be surprised to learn that all three are still in the music business and are carrying out the work of their King. They haven’t wandered far from their roots. Another special on both new CD’s is a song by the legendary J. D. Sumner, Donnie’s uncle. What a “come-back”. What a” classic way” to break their thirty year absence. Make sure you place your order for their CD’s today.

Special Offer 401 - Christmas CD – Remembering Elvis at Christmas

Special Offer 456 - Gospel CD - VOICE sings some of Elvis’ favorite Gospel Songs

Special Offer 472 - Distilled Gospel (1974 version) – collector’s item

Cost is $18.00 each, plus $2.00 each for shipping/handling (In U.S. Dollars). Send cash, cashier’s check, money order or check to: VOICE, Inc., P. O. Box 2626, Cullman AL 35056 e-mail: vocalsand88@aol.com website: www.sherrillandbrenda.com (Please allow 6 to 7 weeks for delivery). Make sure you place your order before the Christmas rush. (News, Source: Vocals and 88)

 

Tuesday 24 October 2006

Elvis "House Keys' released: The Elvis house keys are finally here. There are 10 keys which feature photos of Elvis as well as artwork from Elvis Insiders member Joe Petruccio.  Pick one for your house key or give them as holiday gifts. The Elvis keys are available at Graceland shops,  ShopElvis.com and participating Ace Hardware, True Value Hardware, Do-It-Best and Handy Hardware stores around the country. (News, Source: EPE)

Opposite: Aloha From Hawaii key


New Elvis trading cards: Elvis Lives from Press Pass is the first comprehensive trading card set ever to feature “Cut Signature” cards and exclusive memorabilia cards of Elvis Presley. In addition to these first-time product offerings, Elvis Lives trading cards capture the essence of “The King of Rock & Roll” in a 90-card base set featuring design and content fit for a king. This comprehensive set follows Elvis’ career from the 1950’s through the 1970’s and includes rare and never before seen photos, unique art cards, and a subset of black & white photography from Alfred Wertheimer.

"We are excited to bring collectors and fans the unique opportunity to find autograph and memorabilia cards associated with Elvis,” said Tom Farrell, Director of Marketing for Press Pass, a division of RC2 (NASDAQ: RCRC). “In addition to high-end autograph and memorabilia cards, fans will also find discover great photography and wide ranging content in the 90-card base set.

There are even unique Elvis die cast cars packed in mass retail ‘box blasters’ along with 8 packs of cards.” The ultimate collection of memorabilia starts with authentic Elvis-worn shirt cards (e.g., western shirt from his 1968 movie Stay Away, Joe) as well as cards containing swatches from scarves he wore in concert. The first ever “cut signature” program for Elvis, Historic Cuts showcases autographs taken from signed Elvis bank checks. Also planned are authentic autographs of several people who were instrumental in Elvis’ career, both on-stage and on the big screen. The Elvis Lives set from Press Pass will include autographs from Yvonne Craig, Elvis’ co-star in It Happened at the World’s Fair and Kissin’ Cousins, James Burton, lead guitarist and leader of Elvis’ TCB band, D.J. Fontana and Scotty Moore, drummer and guitarist for Elvis throughout most of the 1950’s and 60’s, and Gordon Stoker and Ray Walker, members of Elvis’ back-up group the Jordanaires. In addition, there are limited edition Artist Proof autograph cards featuring the signatures of Alfred Wertheimer (Wertheimer Collection) and Joe Petruccio (Blue Suede Collection).

Elvis Lives also includes Elvis Fashions, a 12-card all foil insert capturing “The King” in famous outfits (1:6 packs). Collectors can also win a piece of Elvis history via instant win cards randomly inserted in packs. The prizes are 18” x 24” framed Elvis Gold Records which have a $200+ plus retail value! Product is slated for release the week of October 16, 2006 and will be distributed in two forms: $1.99 foil packs (5 cards per pack) and $19.99 “box blasters” which will contain eight packs of cards plus one of six unique 1/64 scale die cast cars featuring Elvis graphics. The Elvis card sets are now available at ShopElvis.com
(News, Source: EPE)

"Stand By Me" 2DVD set: Set for release in Germany on November 24, 2006 is a new 2DVD set entitled "Stand By Me". It is a 3 hour documentary on Elvis' love for gospel.

Synopsis (in German): "Wer die leidenschaftliche Musik von Elvis Presley vollständig begreifen möchte, kommt nicht umhin, sich mit seinen musikalischen Wurzeln zu befassen. Schon lange vor seinem Aufstieg zum King of Rock ‘n’ Roll war Elvis ein großer Verehrer schwarzer Gospel-Musik. Obwohl sie eine zentrale Rolle in der Ausprägung seiner Spiritualität, seines künstlerischen Ausdrucks und der Entwicklung seiner Karriere spielte, wurde diese Leidenschaft noch nie genauer beleuchtet als in „Stand By Me“.

Auf zwei DVDs zeigt "Stand By Me" neben bisher unveröffentlichtem Material mehr als dreißig Stunden Gospelaufnahmen sowie legendäre Auftritte des Kings wie "Where Could I Go", "Bosom of Abraham", "In The Ghetto" und viele mehr. Diese 3-stündige Kollektion, mit persönlichen Schilderungen von Zeitzeugen, schildert das Leben der Legende hinter den Kulissen. "Stand By Me" dokumentiert, welch großen Einfluss die beiden herausragenden Gospel-Bands The Statesmen und The Blackwood Brothers auf Elvis hatten und erzählt von der über dreißig Jahre währenden Freundschaft zwischen Elvis und der Gospel-Legende J. D. Sumner. Die Kontroverse um die "Peace In The Valley"- Interpretation in der Ed Sullivan Show wird durch "Stand By Me" eindrucksvoll nachvollziehbar, ebenso wie die überraschende Hintergrundgeschichte zur Aufnahme von "How Great Thou Art". Erleben Sie selbst, welchen tiefen Eindruck die Gospel-Musik bei Elvis hinterließ – und Sie werden ihn von da an in einem neuen Licht sehen!" (News, Source: Collectors Service/Elvis News)


"The Elvis Handbook" for release in Germany: Set for release on November 11, 2006 in Germany is the 432 pages book "Elvis - Giganten Des 20er Jarhhunderts" from Tara McAdams. This book was previously released in English as the "Elvis Handbook". (News, Source: Collectors Service/Elvis News)

 

Monday 23 October 2006

Next FTD albums to be released 1 December: Ernst Jorgensen has informed EIN that the next albums from FTD are now scheduled for release on 1 December 2006. Still no confirmation that they are Writing For The King (book/CD) and His Hand In Mine. More information expected from FTD later in the next week or so. (News, Source: Ernst Jorgensen)


"Holding Down The Fort" released: Ger Rijff has posted on the FECC board that the latest 2CD from Madison has been released. Click for track details (News, Source: FECC)

Aussie chart update: On this week's ARIA Music DVD Chart, Aloha slips five places to #27 and the Comeback Special slips three places to #29. (News, Source: ARIA)

 

Sunday 22 October 2006

Attention Australian & NZ fans - pre-orders being taken for:

Elvis Presley Memphis Recording Service The Rise of Elvis Presley Volume 2: 1955: The much anticipated follow-up to one of last year's stand-out releases, Elvis Presley Memphis Recording Service The Rise of Elvis Presley Volume 2: 1955 is scheduled for release at the end of November 2006.

Much bigger in all proportions than its predecessor Volume 1, again the package is Produced by Joseph Pirzada and this time co- produced by Joseph A Tunzi. The package will contain a digital Audio DVD, book & vinyl 45rpm disc.

EIN is offering the package to Aussie & NZ fans for only A$79.95 plus p&p. (Volume 1 of the series is retailing in David Jones stores for around $125.00!) Read full story & view larger image


Elvis in His Sights: Fifty years ago, photographer Alfred Wertheimer captured rare images of the essential Elvis, stripped of the staging and packaging that would soon engulf him.

THE ELVIS OF THE SEQUINED WHITE SUIT, the Vegas Elvis, would never have existed if there hadn't been the natural Elvis, the kid with the sexy swagger, the bottomless eyes and that angelic countenance riven by a satanic sneer. This was the raw Elvis, the Elvis that formed like a tropical storm over the simmering, steamy South of the 1950s; the true Elvis, a caldron of erotic power and kinetic connection to the roots music that had been suppressed and ignored by mainstream America for far too long.

That Elvis was captured and then pretty much embalmed when Col. Tom Parker, with a notorious dislike for any kind of spontaneity, took over management of Elvis's career, turned the artist into an "act" and controlled all access to and representations of Elvis.

Before that happened, however, a 26-year-old photographer named Alfred Wertheimer traveled with Elvis Presley in 1956 and made the extraordinary photographs on these pages, along with many others that will appear in an exhibition at the Govinda Gallery in Northwest Washington that celebrates the book Elvis at 21: New York to Memphis, edited by Govinda owner Chris Murray and to be published by Insight Editions next month. The exhibit runs November 10 through December 30. View the Gallery (News, Source: washingtonpost.com)


Elvis has second largest entry in new 'Encyclopedia of Pop Music': Start talking with Colin Larkin, editor of the "Encyclopedia of Popular Music," and free association kicks in. Anything, anyone, might come up. Dave (Baby) Cortez, for example. And that's exactly what Larkin intends.

"The whole point of the EPM is to enthuse people," says Larkin, whose own obsession with pop over a half century has evolved into a full-time business.

The 4th edition of the reference work, now expanded to 10 volumes encompassing 3.5 million words in 27,000 entries, will go online in mid-2007, enabling scholars of doo wop, bebop, hip hop and space age bachelor pad music to gambol from topic to topic as their curiosity leads. The print version, published this month in the United States, is priced at US$995 until Dec. 31. In Europe, the print version will be published in November, with an introductory price of $1,037.75.

The path to Dave (Baby) Cortez - who had a No. 1 hit in 1959 with "The Happy Organ" - started from considering why there were so few rock instrumental groups; the Ventures ("Walk Don't Run"), the Tornadoes ("Telstar"), Dick Dale and the Dell-Tones, and Duane Eddy came to mind. That naturally followed from mentioning Cliff Richard's backing band, the Shadows. Which also started a thread about why Richard, Britain's Peter Pan of Pop, never hit it big in the United States - maybe because America already had Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon and Fabian. And who could forget Annette Funicello?

Larkin has opinions - Cortez is dismissed as an exemplar of "cheesy organ." But he and many other artists go into the book along with his other nonenthusiasms: heavy metal, dance music and Elvis Presley.

"I never got Elvis," Larkin confessed. "I like some of the songs of the '50s - liked - but compared to Little Richard and Buddy Holly ... "I've read 10 books on Elvis - it's a great story - but don't ask me to listen to him."

Even so, Presley rates the second-largest entry in the EPM, behind Bob Dylan. Next in order are The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Billie Holiday, the Beach Boys, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Little Richard was a key figure in Larkin's musical development. As he tells it, he encountered the rock wild man's music by tagging along with his dad, who worked at a fairground on weekends.

"You heard this cacophony of wonderful music," he recalled. "I think I was a bit privileged in a way." The fairground was near London's docks, and thus one of the first places to hear the latest sounds from America. Larkin started writing at 17 for a German rock magazine, for no pay beyond keeping the album that prompted the article. Along the way, he evolved from a fan to an obsessive, even trying to make it as a guitarist in a band, "Closer Than Most" (which never got close to rating a mention in EPM). (News, Source: Canada.com)


Parkes Elvis Festival Lives On!: We've added this news story to our ClubsNSW Parkes Elvis Festival 2007 page. (News, Source: news.com.au)

 

Saturday 21 October 2006

Elvis Presley Memphis Recording Service The Rise of Elvis Presley Volume 2: 1955: The much anticipated follow-up to one of last year's stand-out releases, Elvis Presley Memphis Recording Service The Rise of Elvis Presley Volume 2: 1955 is scheduled for release at the end of November 2006.

Much bigger in all proportions than its predecessor Volume 1, again the package is Produced by Joseph Pirzada and this time co- produced by Joseph A Tunzi. The package will contain a digital Audio DVD, book & vinyl 45rpm disc. Read full story & view larger image (News, Source: Joseph Pirzada)

 

Friday 20 October 2006

Elvis in the "gossip" magazines: Duriung his lifetime Elvis was one of the most popular cover stories for the very popular "gossip" magazines. EIN has delved into its archives and presents a pictorial essay featuring 25 magazine covers from the 1950s to late 1970s.

From Elvis' search for his lost love child, to his plans to marry Elizabeth Taylor, and what he did for Cher before she married Gregg Allman, the covers and headlines traverse a very wide and conflicting range of themes. They are an amazing and enlightening aspect of one part of our recent pop culture phenomenon.

Due to the size and number of images in this article the page may be slow to load. (Spotlight, Source: EIN)


Sun sues Sun: Shelby Singleton, who bought Sun Studio from Sam Phillips in 1969, has filed suit in the federal court in Nashville this week, contending that the separately owned Memphis studio is violating the terms of a 1991 licensing agreement that governs the use of the logo. Read full story (News, Source: The Tennessean)


Updated Today:
Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" Reviews & Photos - reviews & press article for Christchurch show added

"Elvis" 2nd ever album vinyl release in Germany: Here is a vinyl reissue of Elvis' second RCA release "Elvis". This release comes from Universe (Cargo Records) and is due for release November 10, 2006. (News, Source:  Amazon.de/ Elvis News)

 

Thursday 19 October 2006
"Elvis What Happened?" CD: Released in The Netherlands is a new fan club CD entitled "Elvis What Happened?". This CD 17 track picture disc release comes in a cardboard slip according to the information on eBay an includes a "musical Tribute from Vester Presley to all Elvis fans".

Content: CD is focused on the Elvis Cover-Up Special from 1979, maintaining that Elvis Presley was killed by an overdose of prescription drugs... The Medical Board heard evidence of astounding volumes of prescriptions written by Dr. Nick. Between 1975 and 1977, he has prescibed 19.000 doses of drugs. The real story...

Including interviews with Ginger Alden (Elvis last girlfriend), Dr. George Nichopoulos, John O' Grady (Elvis and Vernon's private detective), David Stanley (Elvis' stepbrother), Ricky Stanley (Elvis' stepbrother), Knox Phillips (Sam Phillips son), and others...

Also: J.D. Sumner, Marty Lacker, Sonny West, Carl Perkins, Charlie Rich, Chuck Berry, Chet Atkins, and more...

And more: The CD contains 2 CBS News reports, and excerpts from the MSG Press Conference, Elvis live on stage in Rapid City June 21, 1977 and from the "Elvis What Happened?" press conference.

It ends with a telephone call from 1971. (News, Source: Elvis News)

House next to Graceland for sale on eBay (Source: Sanja Meegin)


Camden album release "Let's Be Friends": Here is the reissue of the original seventies Camden album "Let's Be Friends" on the BMG Special Products label.

Tracklist:
Stay Away Joe
If I'm a Fool (For Loving You)
Let's Be Friends
Mama
I'll Be There
Almost
Change of Habit
Have a Happy
Let's Forget about the Stars (News, Source: Elvis News)

Camden album release "You'll Never Walk Alone": Here is the reissue of the original seventies Camden album "You'll Never Walk Alone" on the BMG Special Products label.

Tracklist:
You'll Never Walk Alone
Who Am I?
Let Us Pray
Peace in the Valley
We Call on Him
I Believe
It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)
Sing You Children
Take My Hand, Precious Lord (News, Source: Elvis Corner/Elvis News)

Bless my soul, it's an Elvis sighting in Napa: He's not hiding in the vineyards, but fans can drink up in the name of the king! Graceland's new bottles include 2003 Blue Christmas cabernet sauvignon ($12.99) and for Elvine appetites a special magnum bottling of 2004 Velvet Elvis cab; and it is Napa Valley juice. For celebratory stuff, there's bubbly named All Shook Up.

Winemaker Signature won't ship here under current state law. However, the Elvis wines are now distributed in Florida for sale at retail prices in shops from Minor's Market in Tampa to Ed's Fine Wines in Clearwater. At Ed's, Perry Giancola says biggest package features a magnum of Velvet Elvis, with a black velvet label for $129.99. (News, Source: Cork & Bottle)


Updated Today:
Elvis Presley In Concert Reviews & Photos - new Perth & Brisbane show reviews added
Elvis Conspiracy: two new website links added

How Elvis and Oprah are related: Elvisfan posted this message recently on the FECC board:

Here's the background on Oprah's family ties to EP. In 1997, I was working for a newspaper and magazine company here in Madison, AL, outside of Huntsville called Anderson News . While I was on break, I was able to read any of those magazine we stocks and placed on pallets to be shipped to stores across America. One day I saw what looked to be a tabloid but it was an EP devoted magazine. On the front page was a picture of EP in 1969 and next to him was a shot of Oprah then in 1997. It said " Elvis and Oprah-Related? ".

In the story, I remember this clearly. It told how this was possible. EP's great-great grandfather James Presley had an affair and fathered a baby with a slave which was Oprah's great-great grandmother. That child was born into slavery and then when slavery ended Presley and the former slave married and raised their child together. Also, Oprah's mom was born in Tupelo on January 8, 1935, same day as EP was. Oprah grew up in McComb, MS not far from Tupelo and later moved to Nashville while EP was in Memphis. Oprah and EP never knew they were related and Oprah did not find out until about 1997 when the story broke. (News, Source: Elvisfan/FECC)

Wednesday 18 October 2006

Tupelo Elvis museum shuts its doors..temporarily: As we reported last month, The Elvis Presley Museum in Tupelo is closing for about three months for renovations. The museum, housed at the site of the late singer's birthplace, shut its doors after regular operating hours Friday so Germantown Contracting can begin a $262,000 project to turn it into a world-class exhibit. Some 50,000 people tour the museum each year, but the closure isn't expected to hurt that number, said birthplace and museum director Dick Guyton.

"If we have a slow time, this would be it," he said. "A lot of tour companies don't start tours until November. We've got eight or nine tours booked during this time, but they already know it, and ticket prices will be adjusted to charge them just for going through the house" where Elvis was born.

The house, gift shop, chapel and other attractions will remain open, Guyton said. The Elvis museum in Tupelo houses memorabilia that belonged to the late Janelle McComb, a Presley family friend and past chairwoman of the foundation. The renovation would include audio and video displays describing the life and times of Elvis from his birth in 1935 to 1948, when his family left for Memphis. Officials want to wrap up the work on or before Elvis' Jan. 8 birthday. The renovations are expected to double museum attendance.
Presley, who died in 1977, was born in and grew up in Tupelo. (News, Source: Jackson Clarion Ledger)


You Tube:

...You Tube has removed these listings due to infringement of copyright...

Tuesday 17 October 2006
Graceland is top rock 'n' roll attraction in America: Writer John Bordsen took a tour of Graceland and tells us what to keep in mind when visiting rock 'n' roll's holy grail. (Spotlight, Source: The Charlotte Observer)

Discontinuation of EPE email service update: Looks like EIN could have been wrong (see stories on 15 and 12 Oct 2006). EPE has published a FAQs regarding the discontinuation of its elvis.com email service, including:

If subscribers were willing to pay more for the service, could EPE reconsider the decision and keep Elvis.com Email going?

No.  The current subscription fees cover the expenses associated with operating the Elvis.com Email service.  The decision to end the service has nothing to do with financial requirements for maintaining it. (News, Source: EPE)


Elvis returns for fires: A THIRD firefighting skycrane will be in Australia this year as the country faces one of the worst bushfire seasons in recent times. The Federal Government will spend $2.5 million to bring the additional Elvis-type heavy helicopter to the states and territories, but it's not yet known where the firefighting aircraft will be based. Minister for Local Government Jim Lloyd said the third skycrane would be used where it was most needed.

Opposite: "Elvis" the skycrane filling up with water

"The funding will be used to bring a third heavy 'Elvis'-type helicopter to Australia from the USA for
the current fire season, with the expectation that this will be shared principally but not exclusively
between the south-eastern states," Mr Lloyd said. "It is yet to be determined where the third one will be based, but it will be moved around according to the highest need of fire risk throughout the season."

With the country facing a devastating drought period and predictions of a very long and tough bushfire season, Mr Lloyd said the additional skycrane would be invaluable. "The Erickson sky cranes, the 'Elvis' sky cranes are absolutely critical in the very serious fire emergencies," Mr Lloyd said. (News, Source: Herald Sun)

 

Monday 16 October 2006

Elvis "superband" ad a surprise Internet hit: A television promotional film showing Elvis Presley on stage with the likes of Stevie Wonder and The Who's Keith Moon has become a surprise internet hit. The clip, produced for the BBC to promote Radio 2, seamlessly merges concert footage of Elvis with shots of other pop stars past and present to create the ultimate band. The clip has been posted on the Graceland website and appears five times on the video-sharing site YouTube, where it has been watched more than 50,000 times. Watch the ad

Elvis introduces his band of Marvin Gaye, Jimmy Page, Noel Gallagher, Keith Moon, Sheryl Crow and Stevie Wonder, with the Sugababes as backing singers. Apart from the Sugababes, all the footage is taken from music DVDs, YouTube and the BBC's own library.

A team of 25 people worked on merging the clips into film of Elvis's Aloha From Hawaii concert. The tagline is "What an amazing line-up, all day every day" - a reference to the playlist of Radio 2. The station's head of marketing, Rochelle Fox, said: "We've had a fantastic response from all over the world. We've had people emailing and asking when it will next be on so they can watch it, which is quite unusual for a promotional trailer.

"It's not shocking or salacious but it's really heartwarming. I hope people will look at it and realise that the station is not just for their dads."

The film was developed by creative directors Brendan Wilkins and Rodney Kavanagh at advertising agency DFGW. It uses the voiceover talents of Tim Whitnell, an Elvis impersonator who also provides one of the Teletubbies' voices. Mr Wilkins said: "We have been absolutely astounded by the reaction. We were given the brief to come up with an ad which reflected the diversity of Radio 2's music. "We thought of creating a super-band and then I remembered the DVD I had of Elvis introducing his band in Aloha, so we went through our iPods and came up with some of our favourite artists."

The clips used include Marvin Gaye Live In Montreux 1980, Noel Gallagher from The Who And Friends Live At The Royal Albert Hall 2001, Sheryl Crow filmed at The Grammys in 2003 and Stevie Wonder from a 1972 episode of Sesame Street. (News, Source: Daily Mail)


Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" Reviews & Photos: Today we add reviews of the final Aussie show in Sydney last Saturday night, more photos plus a new review of the Brisbane show.


Prestigious award for Elvis show: Last year's "Christmas with Elvis" show by the Dutch/Belgian fanclub ElvisMatters has been awarded the prestigious Cultural Audience Trophee. This award is given to the most important cultural event in the region, for combining - quote - "originality, musical talent and creativity in one". The Christmas show won in a race with 19 other nominees.

ElvisMatters presents their second X-mas show, "Merry Christmas Baby" on Saturday, December 23rd, with Maarten Jansen, Kathleen Willems & the KOB Band + Christmas Choir. Tickets are 20 euro only, seating is limited to 200: info@elvismatters.be
(News, Source: Elvis Matters/Elvis News)


Discontinuation of email service by EPE: On 12 October we commented on EPE discontinuing their "elvis.com" email service for fans. We stated the service had been free. A number of you emailed us to say that the free service ended some time ago and EPE was charging US$21.00 if you wanted to retain the "elvis.com" tag for your email addy. At $21.00 per subscriber it seems surprising that the facility is being discontinued, unless user numbers are too small to make it viable.


Singer Freddy Fender dies: Freddy Fender, the "Bebop Kid" of the Texas-Mexico border who later turned his twangy tenor into the smash country ballad "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," died Saturday. He was 69. Fender, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in early 2006, died at noon at his Corpus Christi home with his family at his bedside, said Ron Rogers, a family spokesman.

Over the years, he grappled with drug and alcohol abuse, was treated for diabetes and underwent a kidney transplant.

Fender hit it big in 1975 after some regional success, years of struggling — and a stint in prison — when "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" climbed to No. 1 on the pop and country charts. "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" rose to No. 1 on the country chart and top 10 on the pop chart that same year, while "Secret Love" and "You'll Lose a Good Thing" also hit No. 1 in the country charts.

His career really began in the late '50s, when he returned from serving in the Marines and recorded Spanish-language versions of Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel" and Harry Belafonte's "Jamaica Farewell." The recordings were hits in Mexico and South America. Freddy Fender's Web site: www.freddyfender.com (News, Source: Charmaine Voisine)


Glen D. Hardin - Presley's Piano Man talks about Elvis: Darwin Lamm's Elvis The Magazine circulated this excerpt from an interview with Glen D. Hardin:

The TCB band will surely go down in history as one of the most famous back up bands ever. All amazingly talented and innovative, they also played with the one and only Elvis Presley, an attribute that will set them apart from others for the rest of time. Last issue we were honored to interview the legendary James Burton. Continuing our series, this issue we speak with Glenn D. Hardin, the genius man behind the piano in the TCB band.

EI: Glen, before Elvis, who were some of the artists that you had worked with throughout your career?

Hardin: I have worked with the Everly Brothers, The Crickets, Emmylou Harris, John Denver, Merle Haggard and Ricky Nelson. I worked as a session player and concert player.

EI: When did you start working for Elvis?

Hardin: In February of 1970. I worked for Elvis from '70-'76.

EI: What impression did you have when you met him?

Hardin: The first time I met him was at...

You can now read the complete interview with Glen D. Hardin online at www.elvisthemagazine.com (News, Source: Darwin Lamm)

Sunday 15 October 2006

Final Aussie "Elvis Presley In Concert" show a huge success: A large crowd of enthusiastic fans packed into Sydney's ACER Arena to witness the stunning new production of "Elvis Presley In Concert". More than an hour after the show finished hundreds of fans were still lined up in the foyer to view the Elvis Exhibit accompanying the tour. EIN will publish a detailed review in the next day or so. The tour now moves on to Christchurch in New Zealand and then Bangkok in Thailand. View EIN's Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" Reviews & Photos page


Free DVD at Elvis shows in EC: To commemorate the 45th anniversary of both “It’s Elvis Time” and “The United Elvis Presley Society”, visitors at the events in Knokke (Belgium) and Rotterdam (Holland) will receive a free DVD, containing an interview of D.J. Fontana (Elvis major drummer from 1955 till 1968). The interview was captured in november 1990 in Breda.

The DVD will only be available on both days at presentation of a valid ticket. D.J. Fontana will be the guest of honor at the events of november 25th (Casino, Knokke) and november 26th (Zaal Engels, Rotterdam). In addition, Steve Binder, Nicola Congiu, Sue and the Flaming Stars and Burt Blanca will appear on stage.

Tickets can be ordered as follows:
Knokke: 32 3 2529222 – ueps@skynet.be
Rotterdam: 31 594518265 – itsElvistime@planet.nl (News, Source: It's Elvis Time)

Aussie chart update: On this week's ARIA Music DVD Chart (dated 16 Oct 2006), Aloha From Hawaii rises three places to #22 while the Comeback Special holds firm at #26. (News, Source: ARIA)

 

Saturday 14 October 2006

 

Aussie fans sought for new film documentary: Tiger Alley Productions is currently seeking Elvis Presley fans of various age groups for a new Australian film.  The documentary will be produced in time for the 30th Anniversary since the King’s passing and will focus on examining Elvis as a popular culture icon in Australia

The keenest fans are invited for consideration and possible inclusion in the film.  Appropriate candidates are people who celebrate the genius of Elvis on an ongoing basis and who have been profoundly touched by this icon. Filming will commence in South Australia but will expand to other states/territories. For more information please contact Maria Simone at: documentaryproject@hotmail.com


Elvis and Vegas signs from Bogar Enterprises (Source: EPE)


Elvis Presley live concert in Bangkok: After all these years who would have thought that the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley would still be alive, but believe it or not he is he will appear before his devoting fan in Bangkok this month. BEC Tero Ltd. (Public) will bring Elvis back to all of us with the wonderful concert of your dream. Elvis Presley will come on stage once again with the most modern and special technology, that make it so real that all Elvis’s fan would be so stun. The show would be “The Elvis Presley in Concert” which will be held in Impact Arena, Muangthong Thani, Bangkok this coming 21 October. 

Although Elvis has left this world 29 years ago, but the greatest King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley still sits in the hearts of more than million fan club around the world. The name of Elvis is most well known in the entertainment industries and his albums has sold more than any one else. He has his own song and his cadence which symbolizes his personality. He is still in the memory of all his fans right up to now. Most of his fan club dream of an opportunity to at least in a life time they could see the show by this artist. When he was still alive Elvis had made outside the country concert tours only 5 times. 

Millions of his fan did not get the chance to view the legendary concert of this singer. This makes Elvis Presley Enterprise, a company that does copyrights of all Elvis throughout the world, came up with the idea of organizing “The Elvis Presley in Concert” project to make the dreams come true for everybody. 

Elvis Presley Show date: 21 October 2006...Location: Impact Arena Muangthong Thani...Ticket Price: 500/1,000/2,000/2,500 Baht....Ticket sale: started since 1 September 2006...Ticket booth: Thai Ticket Master Central Chidlom/Ladprao/Pinklao/Bangna/Huamark (Big C Ramkhamhaeng), Thailand Post Office 50 branches in Bangkok and nearby province. Further information: 0-2262-3456  http://www.thaiticketmaster.com  For ticket information: 0-2262-3456 or visit www.thaiticketmaster.com  


Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" Reviews & Photos: Tonight is the final Aussie show. Today we've added a preview of the concert and photos from the Melbourne show.


Aussie price alert: Australian fans interested in the 3DVD set 'Remembering Elvis' should visit Ezy DVD Online. The company currently has the set for sale (online only) at a very low A$5.92. (News, Source: EzyDVD Email newsletter)

 

Friday 13 October 2006

EPE and Sun Records form alliance: EPE has licensed the use of its trademarks in the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley to Sun Entertainment for a broad range of commemorative retail products officially reuniting the identity of the legendary superstar with the historic Sun Record Company and its iconic Sun Records logo.

Elvis Presley's first recordings were with Sun Records, which sold its Elvis recording catalog to RCA Victor in the fall of 1955 as Presley reached the threshold of national stardom. Original Sun Records owner/producer Sam Phillips and his company played a pivotal role in the careers of not only Presley, but also Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Ike Turner, Rufus Thomas, Roy Orbison and many other legendary artists in rock, country and R&B music in the 1950s.

"Sun Records logo product has enjoyed many years of success with music lovers of all generations and, almost inarguably, the successful 50-year history of merchandising related to Elvis Presley is unrivaled," stated Sun Entertainment chairman Shelby S. Singleton. "Bringing Elvis and Sun Records back together in a special way at retail offers all kinds of exciting possibilities."

"The Sun Records logo is iconic because of the great music the label produced and the great artists it nurtured early in their careers, and Elvis was Sun's greatest star," said Carol Butler, EPE's vice-president of international licensing. "We are looking forward to celebrating Elvis Presley's history with Sun Records by working closely with Sun Entertainment. It's something we have long wanted to do, and now the time has finally come."

The new Elvis and Sun Records co-branded products should begin appearing in late 2006 via various retail outlets in the United States, including online retailers such as www.SunRecords.com and www.ShopElvis.com. More will appear in 2007 during the year long commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Elvis' passing.

About Sun Entertainment Corporation: Sun Entertainment Corporation (SEC), based in Nashville, Tennessee, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sun Entertainment Holding Corporation (SEHC), a publicly traded entity. SEHC/SEC owns the trademarks associated with the legendary Sun Records label that originated in Memphis, Tennessee with producer Sam Phillips. The company is involved in the development of entertainment projects and merchandising involving the Sun Records label and the management of its vast catalog of recordings, some that were still part of the original Sun Records catalog at the time of the company's acquisition of the label, some from additional recording catalog acquisitions, plus new recordings the company has produced. SEHC is listed on the TSX Ventures Exchange under the ticker symbol SED.V and on the OTC under the ticker symbol SETHF.PK. Official web site: www.sunrecords.com. (News, Source: EPE)


Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" Reviews & Photos: Today we've added a short review of last night's concert in Brisbane plus another review of the Melbourne concert.


Jimmy Buffett sings Elvis tribute: On his latest album, Take The Weather With You, Jimmy Buffett includes a Caribbean pop version of the sublime Elvis tribute, "Elvis Presley Blues", written by Gillian Welch. Listen to part of Elvis Presley Blues Also on the album, another track, "Cinco de Mayo in Memphis" has a strong Elvis flavour. Buffett regularly includes references to Elvis in his songs. In early years he wrote and recorded the track, "Elvis Impersonators". (News, Source: EIN/Amazon)


Secret room at Graceland revealed on Oprah: Further to our story on 10 October: Though millions of fans have toured Graceland, no ticket could get you into the last room on the tour—a secret library of Elvis memorabilia. Its very existence is so top secret that The Oprah Show cameras were turned off to protect the location. The room—which houses Elvis's most personal possessions—is fireproof, earthquake-proof and tornado-proof.

Most of the things in this room—which include signed checks, more than 60,000 photographs, his famous sunglasses and 88 jumpsuits—have never even been seen by the public!

Lisa Marie says having all of her dad's things around is comforting. "It's like a little time capsule of the past. Nothing's changed." (News, Source: Oprah.com)


Elvis: Pulverdampf Und Heisse Lieder DVD release: Here is the German edition of "Love Me Tender" entitled "Elvis: Pulverdampf Und Heisse Lieder". It will be released in germany on December 12, 2006 with regionl code 2. (News, Source: Elvis Club Berlin/Elvis News)

Elvis beaten in list of artists to sing at funeral: FLAMBOYANT music icon Elton John is the artist most Haringey residents would like to play at their funeral. Crooners Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley were beaten into second and third places in the poll by Age Concern. Residents snubbed rock and pop acts like Oasis, The Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams and Will Young in the last request wish list.

And award-winning guitar outfit Arctic Monkeys were the band residents would least like to play at their funeral.
The survey also contained a more serious message, revealing that 95 per cent of Haringey residents fail to make funeral arrangements - and could have even their most simple requests unfulfilled. Robert Edmonds, Age Concern Haringey's chief officer, said: "Funerals are an important tribute to the lives we led and so many people look for individual touches to make their funerals a personal celebration of their lives.

"While we are yet to encounter requests for famous people to sing at funerals, music is certainly one of the most important areas that people tailored their own tastes to ensure a very special occasion to be remembered by." Some 41 per cent of respondents said music would be the most important part of their funeral. (News, Source: Amber Smith)


Chart update: The U.S. Billboard chart listings for the week ending October 21, 2006:

Top Country Catalog Albums - Elvis 30 #1 Hits - down 3 to #12
Hot 100 Singles Sales - Heartbreak Hotel - remains at #32
Top Music Video - Elvis: '68 Comeback Special - down 1 to #11
Top Music Video - Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - down 1 to #10
Top Comprehensive Music Video - Elvis: '68 Comeback Special - down 1 to #11
Top Comprehensive Music Video - Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - down 1 to #10
(News, Source: Elvis International Fan Club /Elvis News)

 

Thursday 12 October 2006

EPE to discontinue free email service for fans: EPE has issued this statement:

To Elvis.com Email Subscribers: In reviewing and evaluating the Elvis.com Email system, we have decided to discontinue the service as part of refocusing our efforts to better serve Elvis fans online in many other ways as we develop new features for Elvis.com. Aristotle has administered the Elvis.com Email service via a license from EPE.

As of October 20, 2006, the service will cease taking new subscription accounts. However, the service should remain fully functional for all currently active subscriptions until their contracted expiration date.

Also, as of October 20, 2006, yearly renewals will no longer be available, however, to allow ample time for subscribers to choose a new email service, yearly renewing accounts that come up for renewal between October 20 and December 31, 2006 will be automatically converted to a monthly account and renewed as such. Monthly renewing accounts will remain available until December 31, 2006. You may renew via the usual process when you receive from Aristotle the usual notice of the approaching expiration date of your account. After December 31, 2006, the service will not process any more month-to-month renewals.
(News, Source: EPE)

EIN Comment: The free email service from EPE was one which a lot of fans appreciated and undoubtedly it has attracted a very large number of users. The decision to discontinue it is transparently a move to reduce costs. It will be interesting to see how EPE refocuses its online efforts to better serve Elvis fans.

As many of you pointed out after we published this story, the email service has not been FREE for quite some time - see our update story above dated 16 October.


Elvis "triple feature" DVD from Warner Bros: Warner Bros will release a the movies "Harum Scarum", "Speedway" and "Trouble with Girls" on a triple play 2DVD set on November 07, 2006.

Synopsis:

A hunka-hunka burnin' excitement comes your way in three Elvis Presley movie romps. Former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley teams with rock's renowned King for the Arabian daze and nights of Harum Scarum (Disc 1/Side A). Next, these beauts are made for watchin' as go-go-booted Nancy Sinatra plays an IRS tax collector and Elvis portrays a top World 600 stock-car driver in Speedway (Disc 1/Side B).

Finally, Presley takes on a change-of-pace role in The Trouble with Girls (Disc 2), starring as the white-suited impresario of a traveling 1927 tent show that brings its novelty acts, lectures and musical harmonies to Radford Center, Iowa. Songs, romance, Americana and co-stars Vincent Price and Sheree North - that's the kind of trouble we'd all like to have! (News, Source: Elvis News)


Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" tour reviews and photos: updated today with six additional photos from the Adelaide show. (Source: Mark Birch & Maria Simone)

Elvis at the American Sound Studios in Memphis: If you haven't checked out the thousands of online Elvis videos at the latest online super craze site, You Tube, EIN recommends you do. There is some amazing material to be seen and heard. Click here to view Elvis and singer Roy Hamilton at the American Sound Studios in 1969 (News, Source: You Tube)

EIN has added a permanent link in our Audio-Visual section to the You Tube home page (see right hand column of this Home page)


Latest celebrity visitor to Graceland: Tennis great John McEnroe toured Graceland on October 8th and became our latest celebrity visitor. (News, Source: EPE)


Even the hound dogs didn't vote for Elvis: His signs urged "Don't be a Hound Dog, vote for Elvis," but the voters left him lonesome tonight.Elvis Aaron Presley, the Independent candidate running in Pelly-Nisutlin, finished last in a four-person race. Although he briefly held a lead after the first poll was reported, Presley quickly fell to the bottom of the count and did not recover. When all the ballots were counted the colourful candidate managed to capture seven per cent of the popular vote - 40 votes in all - but finished far behind the winner, Marian Horne of the Yukon Party, who took 42 per cent of the vote totalling 241 ballots. Presley, whose signs were vandalized during the campaign, resorted to laying in wait at the end of the road with a video recorder, hoping to capture the crime on camera. He was unsuccessful. Presley changed his name from Gilbert Nellis more than a decade earlier. (Odd Spot, Source: CBC Canada News)


Elvis is good for the money and helps Special Olympics: Thanks to the king and the annual Elvis FANtasy Fest in Portage, the Porter County Special Olympics' coffers have gotten a little heftier. That's because the festival, which starts its annual three-day run on Friday, was conceived as and remains a fundraiser for the Porter County Special Olympics. In the festival's first incarnation, the group got $1,400. As the festival has grown and become more popular, though, the proceeds have grown, said Lorrie Woycik, coordinator for the Porter County Special Olympics. Last year's festival brought in $18,000 for the athletes, she said.

"It's just grown every year," she said. "It's a tremendous blessing for us every year with our financial assistance." The Special Olympics athletes don't just reap the financial windfall of the festival. They'll be on hand throughout the three-day festival, staffing the Elvis Cafe and participating in other activities.

"Not only is it wonderful financially, but it's a nice awareness for people to see that our Special Olympians have something to give back," Woycik said.

More than 100 Special Olympians are expected to participate in the festival's finale. Several of the Elvis impersonators will sing patriotic songs, and the athletes will march in as a video screen shows photos of them in action. Watching as people clap and cheer the Special Olympics athletes is a thrill, Woycik said.

"It just always gives me goosebumps," she said.

This year's festival, "50 Years & Still a Heartbreaker," starts at 5 p.m. Friday at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road. Admission to Friday's sock hop and access to the dealers' booths are free. Admission to the concert is $10, $15 for reserved seating. The Elvis rush continues at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the park. Saturday's entry of $15 gets you in to the dealers' booths, to the auction, to the presentations by special guests and to watch the tribute competitions. Saturday's concert is a separate $15 admission or $20 for a front-row reserved seat. Sunday's $10 admission buys entry into all events. (News, Source: Northwest Indiana Times)

 

Wednesday 11 October 2006

Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" tour reviews and photos: updated with two reviews of last night's Melbourne concert


"Elvis & the Birth of Rock" book release update: As we reported several months ago, this is a limited edition, deluxe book by Mike McCartney and Lew Allen. It comes with a very high price tag.

Genesis Publications Ltd has now issued the following press release about the book:

'Genesis Publications are delighted to announce the publication of "Elvis And The Birth Of Rock", a fascinating limited edition of just 1750 copies featuring 78 photographs, including 27 of Elvis Presley himself. Most of these extraordinary photographs are being published for the very first time.


On November 23rd 1956, Elvis performed at the Cleveland Arena and a 17-year-old boy, a keen photographer who worked for his high school newspaper, was invited to photograph him what a break that turned out to be for Lew Allen who, along with Mike McCartney, has signed each copy in the edition.
As a valued subscriber, we would like to offer you the chance to purchase this new publication in advance of more formal announcements being made in the press and on our website. As with previous Genesis limited editions, we will be offering Deluxe copies (numbered 1-350), with a pre-publication price of £395 and Regular copies (numbered 351-1750), with a pre-publication price of £250.

We anticipate a high demand, especially for the Deluxe copies, so would recommend that you return the order form, e-mail us, or call any of the Genesis team, with a 50% deposit to secure your copy.

The publisher's release provides further, detailed information on "Elvis And The Birth Of Rock" including descriptions of the bindings, details of the 'added extras' which come with Deluxe copies and the other subjects covered by the photographs. Printing will start shortly and the first copies should be ready to despatch in time for Christmas.' (News, Source: Genesis Publications/ElvisBookResearch)

"Black Velvet Elvis" book release: Set for release on October 28, 2006 is a 96 pages book by John Black und J. D. Black entitled "Black Velvet Elvis" (ISBN: 0889842779).

Synopsis from the publisher: "In this brilliant and unusual first book of poems, J. D. Black salutes The King not only with the occasional electric guitar but with stranger and more delicate melodies as well, a few strummed out on the dulcimer, others twanged along the nerves. Black reveals himself as a master of difficult forms extending from rondeaux and villanelles to mischievous haiku. But it would be mistaken to see him merely as a skilled traditionalist.

Amid the high polish of the poems rough surprises abound. The menacing redneck Len surfaces in several 'vignettes', his beery but robust visage scarcely contained by the strict sonnets through which he elbows. In these sly poems, Len, resplendent in his white Cadillac or cursing the 'sumbitch stepdaddy' of his squeeze, contrasts sharply with the sad diminished figure of Elvis, moping in a Quebec 'Gas-Bar de la Nuit'.

Black moves expertly from witty light verse to elegies as graceful as they are moving. In 'Last Train Out' the sense of loss of a Holocaust survivor is evoked through an abandoned stamp album. In 'Canis Lupus', the wolf hidden inside the dog is unleashed. This is a dazzling collection of superb craft and subtle mischief by a poet whose work has for too long remained a private delight." (News, Source: Elvis Club Berlin/Elvis News)
ClubsNSW Parkes Elvis Festival 2007: With spectacular growth in the past few years, the annual ClubsNSW Parkes Elvis Festival has become one of Australia's most successful celebrations. Details of the 2007 Festival were recently released. Visit EIN's information page about the 2007 Festival with news, photos and links. The page is also listed in our Reference section (see right-hand column of this page) (Source: Parkes Visitor Information Centre/EIN)

Tower Records and Elvis: In the face of changing consumer preferences, Tower Records has gone into liquidation and will close in the next six to eight weeks. As part of its pr timeline it includes the following Elvis related item: "1977: Elvis Presley eight-tracks sell out the day Presley dies." (News, Source: RecordNet.com)


He's the mayor -- not The King: One of the hot-selling local items these days is the Jer-vis, a T-shirt that has Elvis Presley's body and Mayor Jerry Abramson's head. Why Louisville is selling the item at festivals, in its Bardstown Road store and at www.whylouisville.com for $15.99. Store owners Will Russell and Ben Peskoe were brainstorming when Peskoe came up with the idea several months ago. (Abramson's head on Yoda's body was also considered.) Russell said Abramson bought one of the shirts at the Forecastle Festival in August. He got it for half price when he could only fish $8 out of his pockets, Russell said.

Abramson said he bought the shirt for his son. However, "Sidney won't wear it," Abramson said, laughing and shaking his head. Russell understands. "When I was his age, I probably wouldn't have worn a shirt with my dad's face on Elvis's body." What's next, a Kel-vis, featuring Kelly Downard, Abramson's Republican mayoral opponent? "Probably not," said Russell, saying that Abramson was chosen because his years as mayor make him a local icon. (Odd Spot, Source: Metro Notebook)

 

Tuesday 10 October 2006 .
Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" tour reviews and photos: Today we add a page offering a variety of reviews and photos taken during the Elvis Presley In Concert tour of Australia and New Zealand. Three reviews (Perth & Adelaide) are presented today plus several great photos from the Adelaide concert. (EP In Concert, Source: EIN/various)

"Secret Room" at Graceland to be revealed?: "elvisjock" posted this intriguing message of the FECC board: I feel that I've now hit bottom, as I take time out of my day to promote the Oprah show. That being said, on Tuesday Oprah travels to Graceland, where she hangs with Lisa and Michael Lockwood. According to Oprah's website (on my God, I can't believe I went to Oprah's website) the program will reveal, somewhere on the grounds of Graceland, a secret room that no Elvis fan has ever seen before. (News, Source: FECC)


New Christmas CD: Released without any previous notice by SONY/BMG on October 9, 2006 is a Christmas compilation entitled "Einfach das Beste - Die schönsten Weihnachtslieder von Elvis Presley".

Track listing: Santa Claus is Back to Town - White Chritsmas - Silent Night - Silver Bells - It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You) - The First Noel - Crying In The Chapel - O Come, All Ye Faithful - In My Father's House - O little Town Of Bethlehem - Amazing Grace - How Great Thou Art - An Evening Prayer - His Hand In Mine (News, Source: Collectors Service/Elvis News)

Two new DVD have been announced: Set for release on December 4, 2006 is a DVD with a book entitled "In Performance: Elvis Presley", The second DVD is set for release on November 11, 2006 is a 2DVD set entitled "Elvis Presley: Music Master". No other information is available at this moment. (News, Source: Elvis News)


Elvis The King and Friends 2CD: Released on October 6, 2006 is another 2CD compilation with old material by Elvis Presley and his "friends".

CD 1:Heartbreak Hotel - Long Tall Sally - I Was The One - Money Money - I Got A Woman (I Got A Sweetie) - Blue Suede Shoes - Hound Dog - Interview With Elvis - Baby, Let's Play House - Maybelline - That's Alright Mama - Blue Moon Of Kentucky - (There's) Good Rockin' Tonight - I Got A Woman (Alternative Version) - Tweedle Dee

CD 2: Hound Dog (Elvis No.2 1956) - Love Letters (Elvis No.6 1966) - Crying In The Chapel (Elvis No.1 1965) - American Trilogy (Elvis No.7 1972) - Blue Suede Shoes (Live) (Elvis No.9 1956) - Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Elvis No.15 1957) - Love Me Tender (Elvis No.1 1957 USA) - Frankie & Johnny (Elvis No.21 1966) - Jailhouse Rock (Elvis No.1 1958) - Rip It Up (Elvis No.27 1957). (News, Source: Elvis Club Berlin/Elvis News)

Charlie Hodge wins Elvis Matters award: The late Charlie Hodge won the Elvis Matters Award 2006. Charlie, who passed away last March, received 49 percent of the votes. Jenson Bloomer, who performed with Charlie several times, flew in from the UK to accept the award on behalf of Charlie’s family. “Elvis called Charlie many things”, Jenson said, ‘But he always added ‘He’s my friend’. The members of ElvisMatters couldn’t have made a better choice. Charlie and Elvis are together again, and this award will get a special place of honor in Charlie’s house, I’m sure”. (News, Source: Elvis Matters/Charmaine Voisine)

"I'm bigger than Elvis!" says Kanye West: Last week it was the Hoff saying he was big as Elvis, this week hip-hop star Kanye West goes even further as this Internet posting testifies: Yesterday, I was thumbing through Entertainment Weekly's photo issue when I came across this article on Kanye West. Martin Schoeller, the photographer who was (un)fortunate enough to have been tapped for a session with West, had this to say to EW:

''It wasn't my easiest shoot,'' says Schoeller of his session with the hip-hop maestro at L.A.'s 5th and Sunset studio, which had been hastily rescheduled after West previously canceled at the very last minute. ''When he arrived, the first thing [he said] was that he was bigger than Elvis, and during the scheduled four hours, three were spent just talking to him about his clothes and how he should be posed. He wanted the very best, and a very classic photo, and kept asking us about how we would have shot the Beatles.'' (News, Source: About Entertainment)


Legends Du Rock - LOve Me Tender - Walk The Line DVD: Set for release October 25, 2006 in France in the 2DVD set "Legendes Du Rock: Love Me Tender - Walk The Line". The DVD is region code 2. (News, Source: Elvis Club Berlin/Elvis News)

Together - Elvis Presley - Johnny Cash CD: Released previously this year is a CD by Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. (News, Source: Elvis News)

New website for Catalonian countries: www.elvis.cat is a new web site for fans in Catalonian countries. (News, Source: Miquel Pou)

Monday 9 October 2006
"Elvis The Definitive Critical Review" DVD: Due for release on October 30, 2006 is a 3 DVD box entitled "Elvis Presley: The Definitive Critical Review". It contains three previously released budget releases.

Disc 1 - Elvis The Early Years: Legendary Elvis guitarist Scotty Moore, Elvis' long time drummer DJ Fontana and Elvis' loyal backing vocal quartet the Jordanaires come together for the first time to unveil the events behind the scenes during the creation of classics like Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel and Love Me Tender.
These are the leading musicians who actually worked with Elvis, shared the long term friendship and trust of the King, performed on all of the classic records, played live with Elvis on stage and appeared in the ground breaking television shows and movies. Also featured are rare interviews with Elvis himself. This is the inside story of the making of the Elvis legend with Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, Gordon Stoker and Ray Walker including vintage performances by Elvis of Heartbreak Hotel, Shake Rattle and Roll, Love Me Tender, Peace in The Valley and more.

Disc 2 - Elvis The Later Years: This is the insider's story of The King and his music as told first-hand by the people who knew Elvis best. Featuring live concert footage from Hawaii in 1973, alongside the first hand reflections of those who knew and worked with The King personally, including musicians Bill Baiz, Larry Strickland and Ronnie Tutt from Elvis's band, Joe Guercio Elvis's musical director, Loanne Parker the Colonel's secretary, road manager Joe Esposito and Sam Thompson Elvis's bodyguard from 1972-1977. The DVD features Elvis in performance including: Johnny B. Goode, Suspicious Minds, Burning Love, An American Trilogy, Can't Help Falling in Love with You, Welcome To My World and more!

Disc 3 - Elvis Golden Greats: Elvis Presley has been hailed as the greatest live performer in the history of rock. This is the ultimate proof of his status as the undisputed champion of the music world. These great performances capture all the thrills and excitement of Elvis live on stage with a stunning collection of tracks which showcase the genius of Elvis.

Featuring: Shake Rattle And Roll (Flip Flop And Fly), Burning Love, Ready Teddy, Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On, Hound Dog, Steamroller Baby, Too Much, Johnny B. Goode, Don't Be Cruel, You Gave Me A Mountain, Love Me Tender, Big Hunk O' Love, Money Honey, I Can¿t Stop Loving You, Baby Let's Play House, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, Heartbreak Hotel, What Now My Love, Blue Suede Shoes, Welcome To My World, Tutti Frutti, Fever, When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again, Suspicious Minds, Peace In The Valley, American Trilogy. (News, Source: Elvis News)

"Elvis Presley - The King of Rock 'n' Roll" DVD: Another budget DVD, entitled "Elvis Presley - The King of Rock 'n' Roll", was released on September 28, 2006 with region code 2. (News, Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Elvis News)


"Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash - Road Show" DVD/CD set:
Set for release on October 30, 2006 is the DVD/CD combination "Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash - Road Show". This release is region code 2.

Synopsis: Sun Records, the brainchild of Sam Phillips, began life at 706 Union Avenue, Memphis in 1949. Sam Phillips' motto was "We Record Anything - Anywhere - Anytime" and in 1954 he signed the first of what was to become known as the Million Dollar Quartet: Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.

In 1954 Elvis actually paid Sun Records for the privilege of making his first recording and Johnny Cash finally plucked up the courage to audition for Sam Phillips¿ and Sam was singularly unimpressed - by either of them. Luckily, they persevered and he changed his mind and thus began the rise of two of the greatest stars of the music world.

This amazing DVD captures over 30 of the early performances of Presley and Cash as they were taking their first steps on the ladder to stardom and international fame and on the accompanying audio CD they are joined by their Million Dollar Quartet cohorts, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins in a truly memorable collection of recordings. (News, Source: Elvis News)

New book on Elvis' family history being written: Elvis World's Bill E. Burk tells us: "A MAJOR, MAJOR book digging into Elvis' roots is in the making.  To date, over 3000 names!  It could become the most detailed book on Elvis' genealogy ever published.  Will keep y'all informed as it develops. (News, Source: Bill E. Burk)

Visit Bill E. Burk's "Elvis World Online"


This week on The Elvis Hour: This week on The Elvis Hour we'll talk with Ben Weisman who wrote many hit songs for Elvis. He'll recall his first meeting with the King and the first song of his Elvis recorded. Plus we'll highlight the year of 1967, hear rare interviews and join Elvis in concert. Stay with us for all of this and much more. On this weeks edition of the Elvis Hour. Sunday evenings at 7:00PM (eastern). Visit elvisthemagazine.com for more details. (News, Source: Darwin Lamm)

Aussie chart update: On this week's ARIA Music DVD chart, Aloha rose three places to #25 (after 32 weeks on the chart), while the Comeback Special slipped seven places to #26 (after 19 weeks on chart). (News, Source: ARIA)


Rooms available in Christchurch, New Zealand for "Elvis Presley In Concert": Addington City Motel is just across the road from the Westpac Centre which will be holding the Elvis Concert on October 18. All accommodation in the area is filling up fast for this event. We have a few motel rooms available as well as two apartments and a house that sleeps a group of 12 - ideal for groups of friends travelling together who wish to minimise costs of accommodation but not sacrifice quality. More details available on our website (link below.) But remember, as with all concerts at the Westpac in Christchurch, accommodation sells out fast! Contact:

Andy Tookey, Addington City Motels & Givelife NZ , 241 Lincoln Road, Addington, Christchurch, NZ 802 . Tel/Fax: (03) 3388745; Mobile: 021 027 54677; www.addingtonmotel.co.nz (News, Source: Charmaine Voisine)

 

Sunday 8 October 2006

The King Is Back!: Elvis returns to touring; James Burton speaks; Elle-vis; an Elvis conspiracy film and more...journalist Melanie Ambrose takes a look at things Elvis as we fast approach the 30th anniversary of The King's death. (News, Source: Perth Now)


Elvis cartoon splits fans: There has been a mixed reaction to this Elvis cartoon (Rule one: don't look down) by Tom Jellett, published in Thursday's edition of The Australian newspaper, to coincide with the tour of Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder". The accompanying article also featured a very unflattering photo of Elvis - a photo far removed from what The King looks like in Elvis Presley In Concert! (News, Source: The Australian)

Elvis and Other Artists Co-Star in "Fantasy Concert" TV Ad for BBC Radio 2: A new television campaign in the UK promoting BBC Radio 2 depicts Elvis introducing his band during a fantasy concert.  The Elvis footage is from his 1973 Aloha from Hawaii concert event and a sound-alike is used for Elvis's speaking voice.  The band consists of legendary figures from the music industry:  Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Page, Keith Moon,  Sheryl Crow, Noel Gallagher and The Sugababes - all appearing via footage of these artists painstakingly matched to make it look like they are all on the stage performing together with Elvis. 

Source clips include:

Marvin Gaye - Live in Montreux, 1980
Noel Gallagher - The Who and Friends at the Royal Albert Hall, 2003
Sheryl Crow - The Grammys, 2003
Stevie Wonder - Sesame Street
Sugababes - shot especially for the campaign Watch the Spot (News, Source: EPE)


Joe Guercio speaks about the songs Elvis should have recorded: ELVIS Presley's musical director is speculating on the songs that The King should have done in his performing career, and for him, there's one particular tune that really stands out.

"I always wanted him to do Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me. He coulda sung the shit outta that sucker," laughs Joe Guercio, who first teamed up with Elvis in the summer of 1970.

Guercio, who's in Australia heading up the Elvis Presley in Concert tour which will arrive at the Entertainment Centre on Thursday night, was music director and conductor for all Elvis' concerts until his death in 1977. The two-hour concert features 28 songs identified with the King, performed by the original Elvis band and a 16-piece orchestra. Elvis may have left the planet, but his voice and image will be to the fore on two giant screens at Boondall. A similar production graced Oz stages at the turn of the millennium, but the current line-up represents a more substantial production.

This writer had the pleasure of catching the 25th anniversary show commemorating Presley's passing at the Pyramid Coliseum in Memphis in 2002, and it was a magnificent occasion. We won't have Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley in Brisbane, but there will be thousands of satisfied fans. Those attending the show will also have the opportunity to see a rare exhibition of Presley memorabilia from Graceland, including the distinctive stage outfits he wore in the 1969-73 period.

"I think it's fantastic," beamed Joe Guercio. "It's like getting in the trenches with the guys."

Guercio, who first visited Australia as music director for evergreen R&B act Gladys Knight and the Pips 25 years ago, was musical director for the International Hotel in Las Vegas when he first encountered Elvis and company. He was flown to LA to meet up with the King's manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

"I went out to the MGM studio lot and found that the Colonel's bungalow was in fact a kitchen. So my first meal with the Colonel and Elvis was a bologna sandwich (a cold meat something like our windsor sausage) and a Diet Pepsi." A bit of a fan of the Colonel, Guercio said he gave him a plaque for his 85th birthday which read: "Happy 85th and thanks for the education."

"And that's my feeling about him. No matter what stuff they came up with about him later, there would have been no Elvis without him. Who would have taken him out of Memphis?" Guercio spends about a third of his working life on the Presley touring agenda: "I do a lot of stage production stuff for other people, such as the group Trick Pony. I recently did a gospel album with the Stamps and the Imperials." One aspect of the Elvis tour life closely associated with Guercio is the opening music – the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey (Also Sprach Zarathustra) – which was his suggestion.

"I'd gone to see the classic sci-fi film in a theatre with my late wife, and when the dramatic music began for the movie, she whispered to me, 'You'd think Elvis was about to enter'. It went on to become a classic opening in itself for the Elvis concerts," he says, rather proudly. (News, Source: Sunday Mail)

Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" tour


Elvis ranks #6 in most popular Halloween wigs list: The top 10 wigs favored by people in the lead up to Halloween are: 1. Jessica Simpson; 2. Marilyn Monroe; 3. Hannah Montana; 4. Dolly Parton; 5. Bride of Frankenstein; 6. Elvis Presley; 7. Medusa; 8. Jack Sparrow; 9. Troll; 10. Cleopatra. (News, Source: Yahoo)


Visit website for new Albert Wertheimer book - "Elvis at 21: From New York to Memphis" (News, Source: ElvisBookResearch)

 

Saturday 7 October 2006

Discounted tickets for 'Elvis Presley In Concert' in Sydney: C Reserve Tickets 50% off. Tickets now $37.50, normally $75.00. Elvis Presley In Concert, the stunning theatrical production that reunites former bandmates live on stage alongside Elvis as he performs a full concert on a giant video screen, is touring Australia in October 2006.

The 2006 production has a dynamic set list similar to the sold out 1999 Australian tour, with additional songs and an even bigger stage production. Another addition to the 2006 tour is for the first time ever, the show will be accompanied by a select exhibit of original Elvis costumes and other concert-related items from the Graceland archives.

The Elvis Presley In Concert concept is to present an authentic as possible Elvis Presley concert. The producers edited together a collection of Elvis' finest concert performances that exist on film and video and removed virtually all sound from the footage except for Elvis' vocal.

All music heard in the concert production is performed live except for Elvis' voice. On either side of the Elvis performance screen are screens that carry live action from the stage. From the first song it's magic. You're at a real Elvis concert. The original Elvis band mates in this production are: Joe Guercio (musical director/conductor), Myrna Smith (vocals) of The Sweet Inspirations, Ed Enoch (vocals) of J.D. Sumner & The Stamps, and the TCB Band: James Burton (lead guitar), Glen D. Hardin (piano), Jerry Scheff (bass guitar), and Ronnie Tutt (drums). Elvis Is Back In The Building!
Click to buy discounted tix (News, Source: NRMA)


New DVD - "Never Ending Love": This incredible dvd will feature footage from all eras, and does not stop in 1977! Unseen footage combined with the best available audio, promises to be the next step in STAR's body of work, this may their best work so far! It will feature 47 chapters and have a running time around 130 minutes. Some of the highlights will be:

  • That's Someone You'll Never Forget: a very moving clip, about the loss of Elvis' mother Gladys
  • Confidence: yes THE song from the Clambake movie, only this version will be loved by all fans, it shows Elvis "struggle" to survive the movie years, very funny clip
  • The Gospel Medley: featuring a lot of new footage taken from the 3 dvd - set
  • Blue Suede Shoe: Great pictures, combined with footage from 1969 (audio is 1969 live version)
  • Sweet Caroline: A newly discovered live performance from 1971, where Elvis wears the NOW suit.
  • Tiger Man: This is STAR at their best!!, footage from 1968 where Elvis sings the song, combined with the 1974 footage of Elvis practicing karate, only we get the 1975 Jam AUDIO version of the song, think it won't work? Wait till you see this!
  • America, the Beautiful: Very rare Live version from 1976, you see Elvis sing this song!
  • I'm Leavin': On "LOVE COMING DOWN" this song also was used, only this time, we actually SEE Elvis sing this song, combined with footage from his final tour, and funeral this is an even better version.
  • Don't Cry Daddy; THE famous duet with Lisa Marie, this is becomming an all time favorite with the fans, only seen during the 20th Anniversary concert
  • The 25th Anniversary Segment: Including Movie Medley, Blue Suede Shoes (with Boots Randolph!) and Johnny B Goode. Footage is edited with more Elvis close ups!

There is a lot more on this release, and like with all the STAR dvds, every fan has his own "favorite" clip, this one will have "something for everybody" and will be a definitive WINNER! Also on this dvd is a "sneak preview" of the BORN TO ROCK 2 dvd, which will be out before christmas! From the makers of 1ST 2ND 4EVER, BORN TO ROCK, I'LL BE THERE, LOVE COMING DOWN and the great HOLLYWOOD ELVIS series. (News, Source: EP Gold)


"The Huntsville Show '75" CD: This is the cover art for the upcoming Fort Baxter Junior release, "The Huntsville Show '75". (News, Source: Elvis News)

"Elvis Day Camapaign" initiated - click for details


Latest FTD - "Let Yourself Go" released: The latest Follow That Dream release "Let Yourself Go" has now been released ("the product has been shipped this week" according to Ernst Jorgensen). This Follow That Dream CD combines previously unreleased outtakes from the sessions at Western Recorders, with the June 24 rehearsal at NBC (previously only available on bootleg). The Western recordings include the opening, the gospel sequence, the road sequence, Memories and If I Can Dream. (News, Source: Elvis News)


Friday 6 October 2006

'ELVIS LIVES' 25th Anniversary Concert DVD review: At last Elvis fans get the chance to re-live the 25th Anniversary “Elvis The Concert” performance. When Elvis majestically appears, walking 'on-stage' it is as if he has never left us! With clever editing, plus impressive Surround-Sound this DVD has a fabulous atmosphere. Giving EIN's Piers Beagley goose-bumps of excitement within the first minute, there seems little more that need be added. But there's always more... and a few grumbles too! (DVD Review, Source: EIN)


Oprah at Graceland: In the summer of 2006, Oprah Winfrey and her friend and colleague Gayle King took a road trip in America and shot footage along the way for a series of weekly features for the current season of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Billed as Oprah and Gayle's Great Adventure, the trip brought the ladies to Elvis Presley's Graceland for a special evening with Lisa Marie Presley and her husband Michael Lockwood. First was a tour of Graceland, then the four gathered in the dining room for relaxed, personal conversation and a downhome-style dinner in the Presley family tradition.

The Graceland feature is set to air on the Tuesday, October 10th edition of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Elvis footage will be included. Visit http://www.oprah.com/ to learn more about Oprah and Gayle's trip, and watch for a preview of the Graceland feature likely to be posted on Oprah.com a day ahead. Also check out the EPE site for news. (News, Source: Jean/Charmaine Voisine)


"Elvis Presley In Concert" tour opens in Perth, Australia tonight!


"A Profile - The King Of Stage" boxset update: Announced for release is volume 3 of the original "A Profile - The King Of Stage" series. The first two volumes were released by Fort Baxter. This third volume, with 4 shows from Huntsville 1975 said to come from recently found, top-notch soundboard recordings, should be released by the new label Fort Baxter Jr. (News, Source: Elvis Is Still Active In Norway/Elvis News)


Photo essay on Elvis wins award: Memphis magazine has received a national Ozzie Award for its July 2005 photo essay “Living Legend.” Photographed by Brad Jones, the feature captures the spirit of Elvis Presley as he revisits such favorite haunts as Graceland, Pop Tunes, Lauderdale Courts, and other local landmarks.Sponsored by Folio magazine, this year’s Ozzie Awards drew more than 2,200 entries from across America. Memphis won in the category of “Best Use of Photography — Consumer Publication Under 250,000 Circulation.” The awards will be presented October 22nd at the Folio Magazine Awards Gala in New York City. (News, Source: Sanja Meegin)


"Pures Gold: 30 #1's" CD name change: BMG Germany announced another greatest hits compilation recently entitled "Pures Gold: 30 #1's". The title has been changed "Gold Award: 30 #1s" (CD 88697025392), the CD is due for release in November. (News, Source: Collectors Service /Elvis News)

 

Thursday 5 October 2006
Elvis "30th Anniversary" concert special with Mick Gerace in Sydney?: With the TCB Band soon to fly into Australia, EIN spoke to their friend & singer Mick Gerace for a news update. Originally there were prospective plans for a recording session with the TCB Band while they were in Sydney, unfortunately this has had to be cancelled due to time commitments. Instead Mick is meeting them for a day’s relaxation & discussions, along with ‘Sweet Inspiration’ Myrna Smith, to see if they can come up with something special for Sydney & the 2007 “30th Anniversary”. Mick Gerace spoke to Glenn D Hardin yesterday who wants to let “everyone down-under” know just how much they are all looking forward to the up & coming Tour. Click here for the 2004 review of Mick Gerace & the TCB Band in Sydney. Click here for 2007 'Elvis In Concert' Tour Information. (News: Source: EIN, October 2006)
"Elvis Religion: Exploring the Cult of the King" (Book Review): In thought provoking fashion, Susan MacDougall assesses the latest academic examination of the notion that "Elvis" is a growing religion. Is it social fact or wishful thinking? Read Susan's review to find out. (Book Review, Source: EIN)

"50's Cool" - Charmaine's latest Elvis graphic: Today we unnveil Charmaine Voisine's latest Elvis graphic, "50's Cool". Click here to view larger image plus many more of Charmaine's sublime Elvis graphics. (Source: Charmaine Voisine)

Updated Today:
Elvis Booklist 2006-07 - We have made a major update to our Elvis Books in 2006-07 list, adding nearly 40 new titles. The list now includes around 100 titles for publication this year, and nearly 25 titles already announced for publication in 2007.

CD winners: We apologise for the delay in announcing the winners in our recent "Elvis Genre" CD competition. The winners were: Carla Firman; Charles McDonald; Robert Brown; Debbie Bolton; Melinda Twining, and Freida Buckhout. Many thanks to all who entered, and to Sony BMG for providing the prizes. We will run a new competition shortly.


Flying Elvis breaks his pelvis: A "Flying Elvis" suffered a broken pelvis during the grand opening of the Glacier Peaks Casino here. Paul Moran is a member of The Flying Elvi, a 10-member skydiving team made up of Elvis Presley impersonators, who were hired to parachute into the parking lot at the casino Friday.Other members of the troupe said the Las Vegas man apparently misjudged the landing and hit the ground at 50 mph. "I talked to his family (Monday) and they said he is doing well, but he did break his pelvis," said Gary Green, casino manager. Moran was taken to the Blackfeet Community Hospital and then flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he is listed in serious condition in the intensive care unit. (Odd Spot, Source: AP)

Wednesday 4 October 2006

The Memphis Horns' Wayne Jackson - the EIN in-depth interview; Wayne Jackson has played with all the greats from Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Neil Diamond to Elvis Presley. He knew Elvis from an early age, and not only played on some of Elvis' greatest songs including 'Suspicious Minds' but was also a friend & a visitor to Graceland - and he has some great insights into Music and Elvis. Wayne has played on over 300 Number 1 records and still is one of the nicest people you could ever meet. (Interview, Source: EIN, October 2006)


Joe Esposito on Sirius Radio this Friday: Joe Esposito will be featured for a very special Sirius Satellite Radio show titled "Remember Elvis" this Friday October 6  from 9am - 12noon (eastern) Listen to this amazing 3 hour special interview with Joe as he discusses all things Elvis. You will also hear Joe talk about his latest bestseller "Remember Elvis" and some of the other books his publishing company will be releasing later this year. You will be amazed at the incredible line up! I am told that Sirius has taken out all the stops to spotlight Joe and the book critics are calling the book that will most likely go down in history as the best tribute to Elvis Presley and his fans ever! (News, Source: Elvis The Magazine)

Priscilla Presley linen collection for release in Canada: The Priscilla Presley Luxury Linens Collection will be launching into Canada in early October 2006, through both The Bay and Home Outfitters Stores. Customers with purchased product will have the opportunity to personally meet Priscilla Presley at the in-store signings at various locations throughout Canada. Visit Priscilla's official site (News, Source: PriscillaPresley.com)


Latest Elvis revolver announced: America Remembers is pleased to announce the issuance of the Elvis Presley® Taking Care of Business™ Tribute Revolver, which celebrates the life of the King of Rock & Roll®, one of America’s most legendary icons. This exclusive Tribute is the fourth commemorative firearm America Remembers has created to honor the legend of Elvis Presley, and we are proud to offer it on one of the most powerful firearms ever used in American law-enforcement: the Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver.

Craftsmen commissioned specifically for this project by America Remembers decorate each working Smith & Wesson revolver in sparkling 24-karat gold and nickel artwork, a perfect canvas to capture the likeness of this remarkable musical legend. Prominently featured on each Tribute is the special “TCB”® logo Elvis shared with his closest friends and associates. With a lightning bolt striking from the bottom, the logo translates to “Taking Care of Business in a Flash,” an idea that encapsulates both the charisma and character of this magnetic entertainer.

Whether serving his country overseas, playing on-stage, or performing on-screen, Elvis touched the lives of countless adoring fans and today remains one of the most popular figures world-wide. During his career and throughout his life, Elvis collected firearms and loved to shoot. In particular, he had a strong admiration of law enforcement officers and the firearms that they carried, including the Smith & Wesson revolver. For those who appreciate firearms, and also admire Elvis Presley, the Elvis Presley® Taking Care of Business™ Tribute Revolver will be the centerpiece of any collection. In an edition of only 500 revolvers and available only from America Remembers for $2,195.00, this Tribute is sure to bring back fond memories of this legendary soldier and entertainer, while preserving his legacy for generations to come. (News, Source: EPE)

 

Tuesday 3 October 2006

Elvis bedded Marilyn Monroe within minutes: Elvis Presley bedded Marilyn Monroe within minutes of meeting her, it has been claimed. The late rocker's former agent, Byron Raphael, kept details of the secret one-night stand quiet for 50 years, but has now revealed all in a US interview. He claims bosses at the William Morris Agency wanted Presley and Monroe to date for a publicity stunt in 1956, but the actress refused.

Raphael said: "He was very embarrassed, but I think she turned him down because she felt it was too public." However, Presley refused to "give up" and two weeks later he asked Raphael to "pick up Marilyn" and bring her to his room at the Beverly Wilshire hotel.

Raphael added to the New York Post newspaper: "When he saw her, they came together and, without saying a word, started kissing. I was in shock and I didn't know what to do. Then Marilyn, who was 10 years older, said, 'You're pretty good for a guitar player.'

"After two minutes, they went into the bedroom and I didn't know if I was supposed to leave, or stay and wait for them, so I just dozed off. The next thing I knew I was startled awake by the door opening and I dove behind the bar. And they both walked out stark naked."

The agent says he initially kept quiet about the rendezvous because he knew it was the "sort of thing that could ruin their careers" and Monroe was also still married to Arthur Miller. (News, Source: Bang International/Sanja Meegin)

EIN Comment: An analysis of the alleged timing of this rendezvous and Elvis' aversion to appearing naked in front of another man suggests there are a number of holes in Raphael's claim.


Chart update: On the Official UK Music Video Top 30 Elvis is listed 3 times:
#19 '68 Comeback Special
#21 Aloha From Hawaii Special
#22 Elvis On Elvis (re-entry) (News, Source: Elvis 2nd To None / Elvis News)


New Elvis sessions/recordings website launched: A new web site, Penalty of Leadership, has officially been launched. The web site concentrates on the music of Elvis Presley. Elvis' songs, sessions, concerts, musicians, releases a.o. will be covered in detail. The fans will be able to track every track (!), to get answers to questions about the recordings of Elvis Presley. The fans can check out Elvis' career in
calendar fashions and see the songs performed and the musicians on a specific day. The fans can check out a song and see every version of that song and where it may be released. Several cross reference links provides detailed information on almost every musical aspect of Elvis Presley's career - from 1945 to 1977.
Plans for future enhancements are musicians entry, song writer information, lyrics a.o.
(News, Source: Penalty of Leadership)

EPE announces first-ever Chief Marketing Officer: Memphis-based Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE), a subsidiary of CKX, Inc. has named Paul Jankowski as its first-ever Chief Marketing Officer, overseeing all aspects of global brand development. He most recently served as President of Access Marketing Services, a company he founded that provides brand development services in the corporate, entertainment and sports businesses.

In his new position, Jankowski will work with all EPE departments to develop a consistent brand message and educate and excite the next generation on the Elvis legacy. He will be based in the EPE Memphis headquarters and report to CEO and President, Jack Soden.

“We are very excited about Paul joining our team,” stated Soden. “The Elvis business continues to grow and thrive, and now that EPE is part of the CKX family, the opportunities have multiplied. Paul’s extensive experience in many different areas makes him uniquely qualified for our company, and a good fit with our current stellar marketing, sales and communications team.”

"There are jobs and then there is Elvis,” commented Jankowski. “The opportunity to introduce the greatest entertainer of all time to the next generation was impossible to pass up. And as an alum of SFX, the commitment CKX has to the Elvis brand and the chance to work with Bob Sillerman again, make this a truly exciting adventure. “

Jankowski served as Vice President of Media Marketing for SFX Entertainment, a firm started by CKX, Inc. Chairman and CEO Robert Sillerman. SFX/Clear Channel Communications is the largest producer of live entertainment in the world, producing over 26,000 events per year. He created and sold marketing programs for many advertisers including: Volkswagen, Ford Motor Co., Warner-Lambert and MCI, and has created promotions for a variety of artists and pro athletes including: Beyonce, Evander Holyfield Destiny's Child, Nelly, Anthony Carter, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, , Tim McGraw Travis Tritt, Amy Grant, Elton John, Tom Petty, B.B. King, Mary J. Blige, Bell Biv DeVoe, Jodeci, Shai and Meatloaf.

Following SFX, he served as Executive Vice President and directed all sales and marketing activity for HOST Communications' Affinity and Events Division. The properties included the NCAA (Final Four, etc.), Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association, NBA's Hoop It Up, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, American Bicycle Association, Historically Black Collegiate Coalition, and high school marketing arm, iHigh, among others.

Before SFX Entertainment, he was Vice President/Marketing for Trifecta Entertainment, a fully integrated Public Relations, Marketing and Artist Management agency. Clients included Tanya Tucker, Country Music Television (CMT), United Distillers (various brands), Opryland, Sony Music and Fruit of the Loom. Prior to that, Jankowski was the Director of Entertainment Relations/Worldwide for Gibson Guitar Corporation, where he directed all marketing efforts for Gibson's national and international divisions.

Jankowski began his music industry career with CBS Records in the company’s college department, followed by serving as a regional pop promotion manager for MCA Records - Los Angeles and SBK Records-New York, in the company's Nashville office.

Jankowski is a graduate of the 1995-96 Leadership Music program. Originally from Memphis, he graduated from the University of Tennessee/Knoxville with a degree in Advertising, while serving as publicity/marketing manager for Thompson-Boling Arena, the nation's largest on-campus arena. (Sale of EPE, Source: EPE/Charmaine Voisine)


Elvis' "Book of Mormon" update (see original stories dated 15 & 17 September 2006): Has Elvis been sighted in Utah County? And did that Book of Mormon archived on the second floor of the LDS Church Office Building once belong to the king of rock 'n' roll? Book of Mormon — possibly Elvis Presley's personal copy, reputed to have been in his room when he died — is indeed in the archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Grant A. Anderson, church history specialist in the LDS Archives, confirmed the archives do have a book reputed to be Elvis Presley's, a 1976 edition common in its day.

"All we know is what has been told to us," Anderson said. He stressed that the book's history of transfer looks consistent and logical, but the church has conducted no handwriting tests on it.

Anderson said the church has copies of early Book of Mormon editions, but it is not common to have celebrity-owned copies like this. Alan Osmond told the Morning News in an e-mail that he did receive the Elvis Book of Mormon from Cricket Butler.

"I interviewed her on cassette tape, had her sign a letter of authenticity and saw pictures of her with Elvis. She said Elvis had talked about the Osmonds and would have wanted us to have it. We had a private barbecue scheduled by Elvis at his house a couple of weeks after he died. We also knew him, met him, conversed with him and have had personal conversations with him." (News, Source: Desert News)

Monday 2 October 2006
It's Now Or Never to see Elvis: A COLLECTION of some of the world's most recognisable faces will be on show at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens this autumn.

The World's Most Photographed begins today in an exhibition organised by the National Portrait Gallery and the BBC.
Featuring more than 100 photographs, the show examines the way photography has helped to construct the public image of 10 well-known figures from history. Hollywood icons James Dean, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe star alongside Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Queen Victoria, John F Kennedy, Adolf Hitler and Ghandi.

Juliet Horsley, curator of Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, said: "The exhibition explores the fascinating subject of how people have used photography to manipulate their public image." Visitors will not only be able to see iconic and recognisable images of the world's most famous faces, but also photographs which have previously been lost or not for public view. * Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.
Admission is free.
(News, Source: Shields Gazette/Sanja Meegin)

"Lisa Presley in Concert": see new tour dates


Audio interview - Ronnie Tutt & Glen D. Hardin - Ronnie & Glen D. talk about the new concert tour:“Elvis Presley In Concert”, now playing Australia, New Zealand & Thailand Plus, a look back at Elvis Week 2006   www.PresentingPresley.com Chuck O’BrienRadio Personality, Event Emcee, Elvis Fan chuckobrien@email.com 309-944-7714 (News, Source: Charmaine Voisine)

 

 

Sunday 1 October 2006

"Original Elvis photos to be published in Jimmy Velvet's new book": Jimmy Velvet is working on a new book to be titled "Inside The Dream: The Jimmy Velvet Story" due out in August 2007. As a performer in the 1950s, Jimmy toured with just about everyone in the Rock'n' Roll business including Elvis. And best of all he, always had his camera at hand to capture some fabulous candid moments in the history of popular music. The book will be about his life from the beginning and will feature the best of his 6000 unpublished negatives which document the Rock N' Roll Era. Jimmy will also include some wonderful stories about Elvis on the road, as well as his time spent relaxing at Graceland. It will be a large Coffee Table Book of the finest quality and will have hundreds of truly never seen photos - including some great candid Elvis shots & many, many others. Jimmy told EIN that the hardest job was having to choose only one of every 15 photos in order to supply the 400-500 photos that will fit in the book.Go here to EIN's interview with Jimmy Velvet. (News, Source: EIN, September 2006)


Aussie chart update: On the ARIA Music DVD chart this week the 'Comeback Special' held firm at #19 (after 20 weeks on chart), while 'Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii' (after 31 weeks on chart) slipped eight spots to #28. Based on sales, both DVDs are certified 2xP, and according to Sony-BMG Australia, both are close to 3xP. (News, Source: ARIA)


"Elvis Sixties!" CD now available: The Dutch fan club "It's Elvis Time" has released its latest 'picture disc' Elvis CD. Containing 26 tracks it is a concept release and a limited edition pressing of 500 copies.

PRIJS € 16,95 op giro 4207201 TNV IT’S ELVIS TIME TE ROTTERDAM PRIJS IS INCLUSIEF VERZENDKOSTEN... PRICE OUTSIDE OF HOLLAND BUT IN THE ECC € 18,95 INCLUDING POSTAGE.... PRICE ROW USA $ 29,95 INCLUDING POSTAGE. It's Elvis Time accepts PayPal.

To buy contact: itselvistime@planet.nl

Track listing: 1. Intro from G.I. Blues/ Elvis is made Honnorary Colonel of Tennessee/ 2 · Award Presentation to Elvis/ 3· Movie excerpt: Blue Hawaii/ 4 · On the set of Blue Hawaii/ 5 · About the USS Arizona Memorial Benefit Concert/ 6 · Radio Spot: Follow That Dream/ 7 · Movie excerpt: Follow That Dream -On Top Of Old Smokey- / 8 · Elvis arrives in Hawaii for the filming of Girls! Girls! Girls!/ 9 · Radio Spot: It Happened At The World’s Fair/ 10 · Presentation of the Potomac to Danny Thomas/ 11 · Message to his Fans in the U / 12 · Radio Spot: Harum Scarum/ 13 · Intro: Paradise-Hawaiian Style/ 14 · Herman’s Hermits interview part 1/ 15 · Herman’s Hermits interview part 2/ 16 · Movie excerpt: Paradise-Hawaiian Style/ 17 · Radio Spot: Frankie And Johnny/ 18 · Radio Spot: Speedway/ Charro Audio Featurette, including interviews with director Charles Marquis Warren, and co-stars Ina Balin and Barbara Werle 19 · Introduction/ 20 · A different kind of man/ 21 · About the nude scene / 22 · About the movie/ 23 · A different kind of role/ 24 · Final commend by Ina Balin/ 25 · Radio Spot: The Trouble With Girls/ 26 · Floyd Shearer Interview. PRIJS € 16,95 op giro 4207201 TNV IT’ (News, Source: It's Elvis Time)

Strange posting on Elvis and Satanism: Amber Smith sent us this odd posting apparently from one of the messageboards: "I think there's good evidence Elvis was deeply into Satanism. For a start, he loved black clothes, capes and stuff. He even died his hair jet black, and didn't like sunlight at all. He lived at night and put silver foil on the windows to stop the sunlight. I'm amazed he didn't go the whole hog and buy a castle in Transylvania!" (Odd Spot, Source: Amber Smith)


Anniversary of Elvis' death celebrated in kingly style in LA: Memphis, TN has the Candlelight Vigil on August 16th to let Elvis fans worldwide mourn the King of Rock ‘n Roll’s death; but Los Angeles, CA stepped up to the plate this August 16th in the way it knows best – THE MOVIES! 

The historic Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Boulevard was the site of the star studded premiere of Jayce and Tiffany Bartok’s off-the-wall and moving hour long documentary, Altered By Elvis.  Shown on a double bill with a newly restored print of Viva Las Vegas in Cinemascope, Altered By Elvis played to a lively house in the 400 seat theater as part of The American Cinematheque’s Mods and Rockers Film Festival.  Larry Geller, EP’s main man hairstylist and spiritual advisor (also in Altered By Elvis) was on hand for a Q&A with the directors, moderated by Beatles historian, Martin Lewis.  Larry discussed in great length the historic rock ‘n roll summit between the Beatles and Elvis, answering numerous questions from the thrilled audience, already stoked from Viva Las Vegas on the Egyptian’s massive screen. 

Then the excitement really kicked in as took off like a bottle rocket.  The crowd laughed in empathy with Paul MacLeod, of Graceland Too fame, profiled in the film; and listened with a melancholy hush as Larry Geller talked about doing the King’s hair in the coffin.  The real fireworks started when the infamous Denson Brothers started mud-slinging about e on screen.  Whew!  The crowd went nuts.  Better than the World Series for a true Elvis fan like me. 

 

All in all, this anniversary of EP’s passing into the rock ‘n roll blue heaven was my favorite.  Besides watching Elvis and Ann-Margret gyrate on the Strip, the Bartok’s fresh new documentary on lives changed by the King left me smiling and strangely moved.  My eyes couldn’t help but wander through the star studded screening spying the likes of X-Men 2 and 3’s Aaron Stanford (Pyro), Panic Room and Zathura’s Kristen Stewart, and Melissa Joan Hart of Sabrina the Teenage Witch fame chomping popcorn and laughing away.  Richard Terregrossa, author of the upcoming Cary Grant bio, took time out of his busy schedule to chat with me in the lobby about the legacy of EP’s revolutionary style and fashion sense.  Who knew there were so many young Elvis fans.  Guess the King hasn’t left the building!  (Review, Source: David Kale/Altered By Elvis)   


 

Petition to elect the Jordanaires into Rock N Roll Hall of Fame: A petition has been started by Diane Deweese to have the Jordanaires inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Fans can support the petition by signing it and also by passing it around on your mailing list and by also encouraging those on your mailing list to forward it on and also cc: Diane Deweese @ retha1948@yahoo.com each time. (News, Source: Charmaine Voisine)      
Elvis exhibition gets 24 hour security & climate control "downunder": A PRICELESS Elvis Presley exhibition which will tour Australia needs 24-hour security and climate control. The exhibition, featuring fashions of dubious taste from Presley's wardrobe, is insured for more than $8 million. A curator and security are escorting the outfits from Elvis's former home, Graceland in Memphis, during the tour, which starts this week. Presley officials want six security guards watching the exhibits round the clock.

"These are treasures from Graceland," the Elvis Presley Enterprises director of archives, Angie Marchese, said yesterday. "We spare no expense when it comes to protecting what we have."

Fashions include a white tunic top from Presley's karate-dabbling days, jumpsuits, a cape and the famous white suit from his 1973 television special, Aloha From Hawaii". This exhibition is priceless. It also marks the first time an exhibiton of this size has been allowed to leave Graceland and the US," said Ms Marchese. "I wanted to represent Elvis's showmanship and pure style. I wanted fans to see the outfits they would have seen at an Elvis concert."

The exhibition will accompany the Elvis In Concert tour. The theatrical production, which will be performed at Rod Laver Arena on October 10, reunites former band mates live on stage alongside Elvis, as he performs a full concert on a giant video screen. Producers compiled and edited Elvis's finest concert performances on film and video, then removed all sound from the footage except for his vocals. Elvis footage is projected on a large video screen. A 16-piece orchestra and a group of Elvis's original band mates from the concert era of his career perform live with the Elvis video.

"If you never got the chance to see an Elvis concert, this is the next best thing," Ms Marchese said. TICKETS for the Elvis concert and exhibition are on sale. (News, Source: Sunday Herald Sun)

 

 

 
 
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