In 1954 Elvis came crashing through the doors of popular music, and he hasn't stopped rocking since. This new Elvis yearbook is proof of that! Packed into a colorful 480 pages is all the relevant news of what happened in the Elvis world.
'Elvis Day By Day 2024' features all the news, including a complete overview of all new music, available on CD and on vinyl. Additionally, it covers all the worthwhile books and magazines, all the movies and TV specials released on DVD, Blu-ray, and streaming services. Plus “everything else Elvis” that mattered, while skipping the nonsense.
Highlights include the true story about the ‘That’s All Right’ acetate as played by Dewey Phillips on WHBQ in July 1954. The tale of the scam to "steal Graceland" and of course an in-depth look at Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir as completed by her daughter Riley Keough.
Added to that is a complete day-by-day overview of all the Sony, FTD and bootleg releases plus interviews with authors and producers provide the backstory to these publications and releases.
Reviewed by Piers Beagley, January 2025
Recently released, the hardcover version of 'Elvis Day By Day 2024' by Kees Mouwen arrived yesterday in Australia.
Once again it is a beautifully compiled 480-page book of “everything Elvis” that was in the news or that was released in the last 12 months.
Firstly a declaration of interest since EIN and Elvis Day By Day are two of the world’s key websites posting daily news in the Elvis world. So this is the kind of book that would appeal to me and both Nigel Patterson and I are credited with helping with the book - with some of our articles and reviews included. However we had nothing to do with the book's design nor the sale. That is all Kees Mouwen's hard work.
What appeals to me about these Elvis Day By Day volumes is not only the colourful design but also the detailed index, making it easy to look up anything that has been released over the last 12 months, plus the enjoyment in reading different opinions from true Elvis fans in all the detailed reviews.
The book starts with a lovely foreword by drummer “Stump” Monroe. It includes “I never heard ‘That’s All Right’ when it first came out. I didn’t even know who Elvis was. The first time I remember seeing him was on TV....”
The work that Kees Mouwen puts into the book’s design, layout and detailed articles has to be a real labour of love since I do not know where he finds the time. These "Elvis annuals" get more enjoyable every year and to me it seems that this year Kees has left out some of the truly tedious home-made crap releases, terrible A.I. generated books and instead prioritised quality product and detailed articles. It helps makes the 2024 book a much more enjoyable read.
While I can afford to buy most of the Elvis products that I want to collect, I do tend to stick to “unreleased” music as well as good quality books with interesting text.
MRS, FTD, SONY, RDM and plenty of smaller bootleg labels are all reviewed in detail.
Living in Australia what I cannot afford is heavy VINYL with overseas postage which has now become the big money maker for all kinds of labels. These "special vinyl" products seem to be released every other week, often with some dodgy promotional trailer implying that they contain far more of interest than they actually do. So for this reason Kees’ detailed vinyl reviews are particularly appreciated by me
And not forgetting the multiple interviews and articles that are also featured throughout the book.
Apart from having everything listed chronologically what I like the most is going back and discovering releases that I’ve forgotten about and even more, succinct reviews of Elvis product that I decided not to buy for some reason or another.
In some cases the reviews make me go back and track down material that I missed, in other cases the reviews justify my decision in not wasting money!
The design is top-notch and you’ll get a good laugh if you compare this volume to the old Albert Hand annual “Elvis Specials” from the UK.
Over the course of the 480 pages there are plenty of stunning photographs of our man along with plenty of pictures from the various releases from the last 12 months.
As well as all the general news – how can a man who died 47 years ago still generate so much media interest - the book includes around sixty reviews and 15 articles /interviews.
Even though I’ve been writing similar reviews and updating Elvis news on EIN for the last 12 months here‘s just a few of the articles and reviews that particularly appealed to me...
Elvis’ Acetate ‘That’s Not All Right’
The true story of whether Graceland really did buy the genuine original WHBQ acetate of Elvis singing ‘That’s All Right’ told over a fascinating 6 pages.
‘A Hound Dog Tale’ by Ben Wynne book review, a 184-page hardcover book, one that I missed being released this year.
Review of the ‘Priscilla’ movie soundtrack. The movie did not appeal to me and neither did the music but the review includes some interesting thoughts.
‘68 Unleashed’ LP review. I can’t wait to hear Elvis’ 68 comeback special in true stereo but I am not sure that they have got there just yet. Released on two 45rpm vinyl discs, this review of the Real Trax bootleg – with some stunning photos – offers an interesting insight.
‘Rags To Riches’ Vinyl review. Another piece of vinyl I couldn’t afford and I’m not even sure that I need to have Elvis’ mono mixes on vinyl but the review makes it rather tantalising.
‘From Here To The Great Unknown’ by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough. A book that I have dedicated a lot of time to and also posted a lengthy review but once again it is fascinating to read alternate reviews and again this points out the importance of Elvis’ legacy that still affects us all in 2024.
‘Graceland Scam’ – it was an amazing story and the book includes a neat time-line to these dramatic events.
‘Elvis The King Of Bling Volume 1’ review. Paul Belard publishes so many books each year it is hard to keep track of then all. This book and its review, yet again, proves that there are so many amazing sides of Elvis’ character.
‘Elvis at SUN’ We have a hit! & ‘We Have Vinyl’.
Seventy years ago everything changed. Scotty Moore said, “At that time it seems like we were just making a lot of noise.” But what a noise it was, and the book includes a 12-page look at this crucial moment that changed our world.
‘Always On My Mind’ from the Dutch Alhecode bootleg label. What is good about Kees Mouwen’s reviews is that unlike other websites that have to flog Elvis bootlegs to make money and therefore publish distorted "super-positive" reviews, Kees tells it how it is! Here he notes, “This release fails to deliver” - who doesn’t enjoy a succinct negative review! And there are plenty more in this book!
‘Celluloid Sell-Out Vol.2’ a review of the Bob Pakes’ FTD book. It’s a lovely look at the stunning 450-page book of Elvis movie memorabilia. Sadly something I could not afford with postage to Australia, the review still tempts me..
‘Elvis and Priscilla’ Triple-vinyl review. Wow, I certainly do not need a three LP set chronologically looking at the "romantic escapades" of Elvis and Priscilla! Kees must have more money than I do, perhaps more money than sense, however he sums the set up very nicely.
Some other reviews of major releases - both official and unofficial – also receive really negative criticisms which only make me happy in justifying my earlier decisions to save my hard earned cash.
Being in Australia it also takes a long time for some product to arrive here.
Two products that have only arrived last week here in Oz are FTD’s ‘The Making Of King Creole’ and also the Millbranch bootleg ‘Ooh Las Vegas’ so it is great to read Kees’ delightful and this time positive reviews before I even rip-off the plastic wrapping.
The final treat for readers is Kees posting his ‘Top 10 releases of 2024’. It is a fascinating list and something I'm looking forward to discussing with other Elvis fans in the near future.
Overall Review: ELVIS is still impacting the world we live in. His legacy is truly stunning. To appreciate Elvis’ lasting impact we actually need an “Annual summary" where we can take it all in and this is what ‘Elvis Day By Day 2024’ provides. Over the 480 pages there is so much to discuss, lots to debate and always those stunning images of our hero.
What makes the Elvis world so fascinating 47 years after his death is that there is still so much talk about and so much being released - both good and bad! And there is still always plenty to investigate and learn. If you are an Elvis collector I think you will truly enjoy this book.
Fans can check out a quick trailer here on YouTube
'Elvis UK - Extended' In-Depth Book Review: UK specialists John Townson and Gordon Minto's new book 'ELVIS UK Extended - The Ultimate Guide to the Elvis Presley's EPs 1957 - 2001' follows on from their previous publications in the Elvis UK series.
The 500 page soft-cover book, extensively illustrated, details the history of Elvis' Extended Play releases, their popularity and subsequent fall from favour.
It includes a chronological list of all the EPs their multiple repressings and all are cross-referenced with its US counterpart and key differences discussed.
Based on 40+ years of research, and with contributions by insiders providing previously unknown perspectives and knowledge on the production, marketing, musical and other aspects of Elvis' UK EP releases.
But can there really be anything new of particular interest in a book about Elvis’ vinyl UK EP releases? Many of us believed they started with the ‘Love Me Tender’ EP and wrapped by 1967 with ‘Easy Come Easy Go’.
That’s only 20 or so EP releases and surely some like ‘Elvis Sails’ or ‘Elvis Sings Christmas Songs’ would only get one original print run and then be deleted. We thought that this smaller UK vinyl theme would be done and dusted in under 100 pages – “mah boy, mah boy” were we wrong!
.. and the book will make you want to spin some vinyl! The incredible trio Nigel Patterson / Piers Beagley and Kees Mouwen (Elvis Day by Day) combine forces to check out the book. (Book Review, Source:EIN/ElvisDayByDay)
'Elvis UK - Beyond RCA' Book Review: UK specialists John Townson and Gordon Minto's new book 'Elvis UK - Beyond RCA - The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British Non RCA LPs 1974-1997' flipbook follows on from their previous publications in the Elvis UK series.
This book..
• Is extensively illustrated in full colour
• Features a host of background information including a chronological list of all the albums included
• Deals with each album individually, in a detailed and forensic way, while the text is amply illustrated with scans of every known cover and label variation, relevant photographs, and scans of contemporaneous newspaper and magazine articles
• Includes background information about each release including historically significant events of the period
• Contains hitherto unpublished information from company files
• Includes a wealth of background information relating to the record industry incorporated throughout the text.
'Elvis Day By Day 2020' Book Review: 2020 is a year none of us will forget. But as we all tried to adapt to a "new normal" the wonderful world of Elvis Presley provided a very fine distraction. 2020 brought us several great Elvis releases on CD and vinyl (lots of it!), many new books, movie releases on DVD, Blu-ray and in cinemas around the world. We had to say good-bye to friends from the Elvis world and there was the Covid-19 pandemic, which had a huge impact on the Elvis world too.
Everything Elvis Presley from 2020 is captured in this comprehensive, day-by-day yearbook. Fully illustrated, with new in-depth reviews, articles and interviews on the main - and odd-ball - releases of the year. The good, the bad, the funny and the sad, and even the news and reviews you may have missed. All packed in one comprehensive book to revisit 2020 as it happened.
The book is.. "Impeccably written, in an attractive and easy to read composition, it is peppered with facts accompanied by high quality B&W and color pictures. It demonstrates in detail that Elvis is still present and influential." Go here to Elvis author Paul Belard's full review..
(Book Reviews, Source;PB/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis Day By Day 2019' Book Review: 2019 was a year of many celebrations. It marked the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley's triumphant return to live performing and the release of two of his most iconic recordings, "Suspicious Minds" and “In The Ghetto”.
Sadly 2019 also marked the 42nd anniversary of his untimely death - yet his cultural impact may very well have been more visible and ‘alive’ during the last 42 years than when he was actually alive. And so is the Elvis-world today.
Kees Mouwen's "Elvis Day By Day 2019 - The year in Review" compiles a comprehensive and illustrated chronology of ‘everything Elvis from 2019’ in one physical reference book and with over 500 illustrations. Joan Gansky first met Elvis on August 18, 1967 and was there at the '68 Special' as well as Elvis' 1969 Las Vegas live return.
She writes, "We are both honored and proud that this book features my husband Paul's photographs and my fond memories of August '69 at the International Las Vegas! When I wrote them back at that time, I never dreamed 50 years later they would be printed in any book, especially one of this high caliber. This ongoing deep interest is due to Elvis Presley and the enduring love for and appreciation of him by his fans worldwide." Go here as Joan Gansky provides a lovely insider's review..
(Book Reviews, Source;JG/ElvisInfoNet)
Spotlight on the new 'Vintage Rock' Magazine: The very first issue of the UK 'Vintage Rock' magazine - published in 2011 - features Elvis on the cover. Inside the magazine fans can read a great feature article that details Elvis' early years (up to 1955) and also check out some rare childhood photos. The first two lines of the Elvis feature article read, "Elvis Presley was more than a singer. He was - and still is - an icon of pop culture, the first larger than life superstar, a folk hero and legend, yet also something of a myth."
In addition to this another article ‘The Roots Of Rock‘n’Roll’ also features a close-up on Scotty Moore and Elvis.
(Book Review) Elvis, Hero of the Comic Books (Nigel Patterson): Respected Elvis author and reviewer, Gordon Minto, recently put on his reviewer’s cap to take on what he rightly describes as “a strange landscape” of how Elvis is portrayed in comic books (aka sequential art), a subject, which until now, has not been well covered or understood.
The book in question, Elvis, Hero of the Comic Books, was written by EIN’s Nigel Patterson and sublimely designed by Elvis Day By Day’s, Kees Mouwen.
The book includes stunning artwork from a number of releases and an eclectic variety of Elvis related comic book ephemera. Elvis, Hero of the Comic Books features more than 600 images!
Read Gordon’s detailed review to discover why he found the book to be “refreshingly different, extremely eye-catching, well-researched and well-written, while offering a new slant on things”.
Need to brush up on your knowledge of Elvis’ earliest recordings or are a new fan wanting a solid account of Elvis in the studio circa 1950s?
If so, Alan Tranter’s new book is a fresh and satisfying release, chock full of background on individual songs, recording information and neat analysis of Elvis in the studio.
