EIN E-Alert #262 May 2011 All the recent Elvis News and more..

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Recent EIN Exclusives & Highlights:

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  'Elvis At Madison Square Garden' An In-Depth Report: Elvis' June 1972 concerts in Madison Square Garden were a key part of his stunning career. Only days after the first concert RCA rush-released the album 'Elvis: ‘At Madison Square Garden’. Most serious Elvis fans will own both the original release as well as the 1997 release ‘An Afternoon In the Garden’. While both shows are impressive, fans and reviewers often describe Elvis’ evening show performance to be as if he was running to catch a bus and suggest that the earlier Afternoon show may have been a better concert. We all know that Elvis always preferred performing at his evening shows, so has this classic concert been misrepresented or was it just a badly mixed rush-release?. With ‘An Afternoon In the Garden’ making the billboard charts once again in 2011 EIN contributor Daniel Massey has examined each show very closely to truly discover which is the best show. Go here to read this fascinating EIN spotlight and have YOUR SAY over which is your favourite MSG concert. (Spotlight/CD Review, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

• Donny Osmond Talks about Meeting Elvis in New Interview: In a new interview with Nashville.com, actor and musician Donny Osmond talks about the superstars he's met throughout his career - and that includes the King of Rock 'n' Roll!
  "Elvis walked into my dressing room in Las Vegas because he came to see our show" says Donny. "He really talked like this too: (Donny does an Elvis impression) 'Hi, I'm Elvis.' He invited us to come over to his house to have a barbeque, but we never did. We never took him up on the offer. He was a real humble guy. He really affected me a lot. I was starstruck with him." Read his interview here.
• Love Me Tender actor William Campbell dies: William Campbell who appeared in Elvis Presley's first film 'Love Me Tender' as well as the TV series 'Star Trek' and in the 1950s was married to Judith Campbell Exner, who went on to have an affair with President Kennedy, died last Thursday. He was 87.

• MRS 'G.I Blues - Café Europa Sessions' Review: A somewhat controversial 4-CD set plus 100-page book MRS containing nearly 4 hours of Elvis’ officially UNRELEASED studio takes from the ‘Café Europa’ sessions, recorded for the movie ultimately titled G.I.Blues. The audio contained here include the Master recordings from the original soundtrack album ‘G.I.Blues’ plus, hours of alternate takes of all songs, with all the Elvis studio banter intact and, instilling new insight and live atmosphere into the complete making of this historic movie soundtrack. These recordings are transferred and processed in 24bit 192k stereo. Click here for our review including images plus audio assessment -

• New RIAA video Awards for Elvis: EIN contributor Brian Quinn has found the following newly noted awards.
  "Elvis He Touched Me: Gospel Songs Of Elvis Presley", V.2 1999 - 2.00x Multi Platinum Video.
  "Elvis He Touched Me: Gospel Songs Of Elvis Presley", March 1998 - Platinum Video.

• John Wilkinson Interviewed at Graceland: Elvis' TCB Band guitarist John Wilkinson recently visited Graceland. While there he was interviewed by EPE's Jackie Jones about his life with Elvis. Click here to the Interview Highlights. John Wilkinson is one of the special guests at the Elvis Week 2011 August 14 'Conversations on Elvis' event at the Orpheum. Click here for Elvis Week 2011 schedule of Events

• 'Losing Graceland' Book Review - plus Micah Nathan Interview: Released earlier this year, 'Losing Graceland' by Micah Nathan is a fictional novel with Elvis as its main protagonist. The press release described it as "An irreverent tale about a recent college grad, a mysterious old man who may be Elvis, and a perilous road trip that could lead to the old man's final comeback."
  As a true Elvis fans I always seem to be reading one kind of Elvis biography after the next and so it is a pleasant change to read a fictional Elvis novel that had be engaged and amused all the way through.
  The story starts in Buffalo, New York when college graduate Ben Fish replies to a newspaper ad that states "Driver Needed Seven Days. Excellent Pay No Druggies, Drunks, or Felons."
  He meets the 'Old Man' who just happens to have a lot of spare cash, an old Cadillac and wants to get to Memphis to find his missing granddaughter.
  EIN NOTE that fans who only want their Elvis to be clean and god-like should stear clear of this modern day romp - but fans with an open-mind, and after all this is a fictional modern novel, should check out the review _ Click here.
• 'An Afternoon In The Garden' back in Billboard Charts yet Again! During the past couple of months the 'An Afternoon In The Garden' album has re-entered and left the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. It is back again this week re-entering at #123 with a star denoting greatest airplay and sales gain. It has also re-entered the Catalog Album Charts at No.12 with a star.
  It is interesting, apart from being a great album, as to why this particular one should be getting so much chart success now, even performing better than the recent 'Elvis Is Back' Legacy release.
  We are informed that the album is on sale for $5, along with others, at such stores as Walmart.

• Holland added to 'Elvis In Concert' 2012 Tour: Rotterdam in The Netherlands has just been added to the 2012 European Tour of 'Elvis In Concert'. The Concert is scheduled to take place at Ahoy Stadium on Wednesday, 7th March. Tickets are not yet on sale. To purchase other European March 2012 Elvis In Concert tickets click here

• Elvis Presley's birthplace in Tupelo, announces expansion project: When Elvis fans take a drive just 90 minutes southeast of Memphis to visit Elvis Presley's birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi, they don't just see the original two-room shack where Elvis Presley was born. Several attractions have been added to the complex over the years to make this site a true Elvis experience. But last week, it was announced that the Tupelo birthplace expansion will now go even further.
  The restored shack where Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935 is just one part of the attraction at the Elvis Presley Birthplace complex at 306 Elvis Presley Drive in Tupelo, Mississippi. The original house was designated a state historical site back in 1978, and since then the Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel was built on the grounds in 1979, and an Elvis Presley Museum was added in 1992. Go here for more all the details and photos.

• James Burton Interview - Rick Nelson & Elvis: An important 25-year milestone passed recently. Singer Rick Nelson perished on December 31st, 1985, in a terrible plane crash in DeKalb, Texas, on the way to a New Year's Eve gig in Dallas. Rick Nelson’s band-members also lost their lives, and Rick was only 45, yet he left behind a legacy that continues to impress and influence to this day. While this interview is primarily about James Burton's earlier career with Ricky Nelson - however both Elvis' and Rick Nelson's paths crossed so many times that Elvis is also a key figure in this story. Go here for this interesting interview by EIN contributor Jeremy Roberts, where James Burton remembers his late friend 25 years on. Updated with MORE IMAGES.

• UPDATE - Lisa Marie NOT Moving From England: Lisa Marie has posted the following on Twitter negating the false tabloid reports.
  Message from Lisa Marie - For the sake of (anglo) clarity
  "Reports that I don't like England and am moving back to the US are completely untrue and made up by the same reporter from "The Sun" who has been consistently and relentlessly making up lies and fabrications about me since I moved there last August. For the record and once again, my family and I absolutely adore England and our life in England, There are no plans to move as is being reported." -LMP
• 'Elvis in Vegas' new Paul Lichter Book: Coming this October will be the new book from Paul Lichter, 'Elvis in Vegas'. Described as 288 pages hardcover. Publisher: Overlook Hardcover, ISBN-10: 1590201876. Release date October 27, 2011. List Price: $35.00. Click here for Amazon Pre Order offer of $26.24.

• Johnny Harra Passes Away: Well known Elvis impersonator Johnny Harra has died. EIN reported his hospitalisation two days ago. Johnny Harra portrayed the 'Older Elvis' in the classic movie "This Is Elvis" and he remains one of the very few people - who are not family - that were allowed to visit Elvis' bedroom after 1977 - to film the opening scene of the movie. Harra died from an obstruction in his lungs. Johnny Harra started his career performing tributes to Elvis at the young age of only 11 years old. Click here for an interesting Johnny Harra Interview from 1992

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• “Elvis Presley: In Concert” Returns To Memphis 2012: For the 35th Anniversary Elvis Week Celebration to be held in Memphis August 10 – 18, 2012 - the “Elvis Presley: In Concert” Event returns to the FedExForum on Thursday, August 16, 2012. With new upgrade and technology this could be something too-good-to miss. Go here for tentative Elvis Week 2012 Schedule.

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• Elvis Week 2011 Tickets on sale: A special ticket pre-sale for Elvis Week Events for Elvis Insiders started today March 1. Apart from the "Elvis Presley LIVE - The King in Concert" as noted below, there are three other interesting events worth checking out. Saturday August 13 "Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll"- Hosted by Peter Guralnick and Knox Phillips At the Orpheum, 203 South Main Street, Memphis. This special event will feature a screening of the film "Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll," with Peter Guralnick and Knox Phillips speaking after the presentation. The film, written and co-produced by Guralnick, tells the story of the founder of Sun Records, who discovered and recorded some of the greatest artists of American music in the 1950s, including Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash, among others. The film features rare performance footage and interviews with Howlin’ Wolf, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Ike Turner, Charlie Rich, among others. Following the film, enjoy commentary by Peter Guralnick and Knox Phillips, Sam’s son, as they talk about Sam and share memories. 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tickets to this event are $10.00. Saturday August 13 Official Elvis Insiders Event - "Rollin’ on the River" Have some Elvis fun on the Mississippi on the Memphis Queen III Riverboat. Elvis Insiders are invited to go rollin’ on the Mississippi River for the Elvis Week 2011 event. Enjoy light hors d'oeuvres, dancing, Elvis music and fun with friends and fellow members as you cruise the Mississippi River enjoying the beautiful Memphis skyline aboard the Memphis Queen III Riverboat. From 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sunday, August 14 'Southern Gospel Singin’ with Elvis’ Imperials. At the Graceland Entertainment Pavilion enjoy a celebration of the gospel music Elvis loved with some of the singers who performed as part of Elvis’ Imperials (right). Joe Moscheo and Terry Blackwood, who both performed with Elvis on stage, along with group members Royce Taylor and Darrell Toney, will perform many of the hits Elvis loved. In addition, also performing will be gospel group Soul City from First Assembly of God, Memphis, which was Elvis’ home church for many years. Tickets are $30.00. GO HERE for the complete 'Elvis Week 2011 Schedule of Events' scheduled so far and ticket info. (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)

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Click HERE to EIN - for all the up-to-date ELVIS News you may have missed.

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Thirty-Two RARE Elvis photos Elvis Candids with Fans Don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs. From EIN's Rare Elvis Photos Facebook page, now with over 3,000 members including many of Elvis' friends!

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More Rare Candids - From Sanja's exciting new EIN/Facebook page.

Click Here to our EIN Rare ELVIS Photographs page

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Jerome "Stump" Monroe EIN Interview: Jerome "Stump" Monroe was the drummer for The Sweet Inspirations, and toured with Elvis from the first 1969 Las Vegas concerts through to the very end in 1977. When regular drummer Ronnie Tutt was ill or absent, 'Stump' stood in as the replacement with the TCB Band three times over those years. 'Stump' Monroe played with Elvis in Philadelphia in 1971, Las Vegas December 1975 and finally in Madison on June 24th 1977. The Madison concert would be Elvis' third last performance, the soundboard of which has just been discovered and released on the box-set The Final Curtain. This means that Stump has finally got to hear the Madison 1977 concert that he played on for the first time in 33 years! Jerome 'Stump' Monroe is a charming, down-to-earth man who despite having played over 1,000 concerts with The Elvis Presley Show considers himself as no one special! Click here for this exclusive interview conducted by Piers Beagley over the last two weekends. (Interviews, Source,ElvisInfoNetwork)

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'The Elvis Files Volume 4' UPDATE: Originally set for publication in May 2011 and focussing on the five years 1965-1969 author Erik Lorentzen has discovered way more material and new photographs than could be squeezed into a 600 page book. Therefore the timeframe of Volume Four of The Elvis Files has now shifted to cover January 1965 to December 1968. Due to the new discoveries the book is still being worked on but it will still be over 500 pages and with more than 1000 of the finest photos and archival materials from the time. The publication date is now August 16th 2011. Go here for EIN's review of The Elvis Files Volume 2.   Two example pages below of the quality pictures you can expect. The last volume retailed at around US$100, GB£60 or EU70 plus postage. (News, Source;ErikLorentzen/ElvisInfoNetwork)

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EIN's Best of Elvis on YouTube' May Update: We're back with a sensational 16 new fabulous Elvis clips. Starting with some rare 1957 Candid colour film, we have footage from Cincinnati LIVE 1971, plus a live 1969 'Johnny B Goode'. We also have a great Bill Medley interview about his friend Elvis, the rare 'Stranger In The Crowd' TTWII rehearsal, a brilliant 1976 'Steamroller Blues', a cute sixties 'I Feel So Right', a stunning 'Power Of My Love' and more rare footage from 1972 and more...   As EIN always says "Catch them now before they get taken away" ('EIN's Elvis on YouTube', Source:EIN)

'Elvis By Special Request '71 At 40' Book Update. More information on the first JAT Publications book devoted to Elvis' November 1971 concert tour. Text and photos provided by Paul Lichter. This deluxe limited edition hardback book by Joe Tunzi and Paul Lichter captures the beauty and excitement of Elvis' most exciting and undocumented tour. Over 250 colour and black/white stunning world premier and rarely seen custom photographs. As a bonus some spectacular photographs of memorabilia from this great Elvis moment in time is included. Elvis '71 At 40 is your front row ticket to the greatest array of Elvis concert photos ever assembled at one time in one book. See the revised front cover (still not finalised) and sample photographs and memorabilia below. Elvis By Special Request '71 At 40 is scheduled for an early summer release. The book will retail for $69.99. Click here for SPECIAL prepublication offer at elvisunique.com - only $49.99. This is the lowest price that will be available anywhere and is my way of thanking Elvis' loyal fans for their continued support. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)

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Elvis & Barbra Streisand, 'A Star In Born' - What if?

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NEW CD RELEASES

CLICK HERE for ALL the 2011 Elvis CD releases - bootlegs & official - plus tracklists and details

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'Elvis Sings Guitar Man' new FTD OUT NOW: As with the classic album releases of 'Standing Room Only' and 'Memphis Tennessee', 'Elvis Sings Guitar Man' is an album that never was, but in our opinion should have been. So here it is. DISC 1 1) Guitar Man 2:22 2) Tomorrow Is A Long Time 5:24 3) Big Boss Man 2:54 4) Love Letters 2:52 5) Indescribably Blue 2:50 6) Fools Fall In Love 2:08 7) Hi-Heel Sneakers 2:48 8) Down In The Alley 2:54 9) Come What May 2:03 10) Mine 2:39 11) Just Call Me Lonesome 2:08 12) You Don't Know Me 2:32 13) Singing Tree 2:22 14) I'll Remember You 2:48 BONUS SONG 15) Beyond The Reef (overdubbed version) FIRST TAKES 16) Guitar Man – takes 1,2,5 4:22 17) Tomorrow Is A Long Time – takes 1,2 6:15 18) Big Boss Man – take 2 3:35 19) Love Letters –take 2 2:53 DISC 2 as always features the Sessions and outakes. Click here for complete FTD tracklist & details.

20) Fools Fall In Love – takes 1,4 2:40 21) Hi-Heel Sneakers – take 5 4:58 22) Down In The Alley – take 1 3:13 23) Come What May – take 2 2:12 24) Singing Tree – take 1 3:11 25) I’ll Remember You – vocal o' take 2 4:14

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New FTDs being released: The highly anticipated FTD release of 'Guitar Man' plus the CD only 'Live In LA' will be released next week. EIN's in-depth review of GUITAR MAN will be on the site this weekend

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'Elvis Is Back!' Legacy Edition review: ‘Elvis Is Back!’ the album that Elvis Presley recorded in Nashville in March and April 1960 is widely regarded as one of the best and most important albums he ever made. A half-century later, "Elvis Is Back" is now coupled with 1961’s "Something For Everybody," an album he recorded back in Nashville one year later. Along with one dozen hit single sides also recorded in Nashville’s famous Studio B and which charted over roughly the same period of time. The deluxe 'Elvis Is Back!' Legacy Edition" combining these two great albums was released on March 8, 2011. Following on from the impressive Legacy versions of 'On Stage' and 'From Elvis In Memphis' is this re-release really worth purchasing all over again? EIN's Piers Beagley checks out this new RCA Legacy release. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'Spanish Eyes By Request' GRM CD Review: On May 16th 1974 Elvis kicked off his 22-concert season at the Sahara Tahoe hotel, his third season at Lake Tahoe. The excellent quality soundboard tape of Elvis' May 24, 1974 Midnight Show was originally released 15 years ago by Fort Baxter. Celebrating Linda Thompson's birthday Elvis was on fine form and sang a personal request for "Spanish Eyes" not something he did too often. The overall set-list was also a good selection, with a fine variety of new songs.    Now the performance has been re-issued by Gravel Road Music with corrected speed, improved sound and in a super-deluxe package. EIN's Piers Beagley checks out this upgrade of an old favourite. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'Good To Be Back' CD Review: Elvis was back in top form vocally in late ’75 after a three month relax - and the December 13th, Midnight Show stands out as one of the finest from this engagement. This show was the first soundboard to be released on bootleg back in ’91, causing quite a sensation at the time. 20 years on, Gravel Road Music have re-released the album using renowned ProTools technology to improve the sound quality to the best. Presented in a stunning digi-pack with numerous photos from the actual show, memorabilia related to this engagement, intelligently written liner-notes packed in a 28 pages booklet. The release also features a special limited 'Concert Tour ’75 Photo Folio' with some totally new color photos in high quality from the '75 Tours. Go here as EIN contributor Armond Joseph reviews this great release. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)

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'Bringing It All Back Home' CD/Book Review: From Venus productions last year, a double CD/Book set of Elvis performing in Memphis. The first CD contains the matinée performance of March 16, 1974, his first live appearance in his hometown since 1961. The second CD features the only performance by Elvis at the Mid-South Coliseum on June 10th 1975. Both concerts are still NOT officially released and Venus have created a high-quality production with a delightful 132 page book full of great photographs and text. The notes say that the source used was the "first generation soundboard tapes" and it sure sounds like it! Both concerts are in great quality and deserve to be released by FTD! As we head into 2011 EIN looks back to check out a few favourite releases from last year. Go here for lots of images from this neat publication as EIN's Piers Beagley gives this a thumbs up! (CD Reviews; Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)

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Sensational colourised image by JohnnyBravo of TCB World -

Elvis in his White Fireworks jumpsuit.

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May 5th 1956 - Elvis' very first album 'Elvis Presley' hit the #1 spot on the Billboard charts where it remained on top for 10 solid weeks. It spent a total of 48 weeks in the billboard charts. Have you got the magnificent FTD Classic Album version of the 'Elvis Presley' LP? Check the review here.

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Finally, another fabulous Piretos creation.