Welcome to the "Elvis Information Network", home to the best news, reviews, interviews, Elvis photos & in-depth articles about the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley...
Tuesday 24 December 2024 - "only one more sleep and Santa Claus comes to town."
Elvis Back On The US Charts: Once again Forbes points out Elvis' chart success at Christmas time, but noting that Elvis' chart career predated the Billboard Hot 100.
There will forever be a big question mark hanging over Elvis' Billboard chart statistics in America.
Since all of Elvis early SMASH HITS predated Billboard introducing their definitive Hot 100 ranking for the most popular songs in the US.
That tally started in 1958 by which point Presley was already a star. 'Hard Headed Woman' in 1958 was Elvis' first awarded US GOLD record.
That debate about Elvis chart tally rages on though there’s only one real answer the American and Worldwide love of Presley’s music.
While some of his most famous tracks never reached the Billboard ranking, the late powerhouse is back on the competitive list once more thanks to one of his most successful releases. “Blue Christmas” reappears on the Hot 100 this week. The track narrowly misses out on becoming a top 40 smash once more in America, at least on this list, but it will likely crack that region when the charts are refreshed, as listeners in the U.S.
can’t seem to get enough of the sad tune. “Blue Christmas” has thus far peaked at No. 18 on the Hot 100.
Despite the fact that it was released in 1964 as an RCA single the tune has only earned 14 stays on the chart.
It adds to that sum nearly every December, now that a track’s placement on the tally is influenced by streaming activity and an uptick in radio airplay, as programmers embrace renewed love of all things Christmas.
“Blue Christmas” also appears on Streaming Songs chart (No. 32) and the Country Streaming Songs ranking (No. 5), Rock Streaming Songs (No. 2).
“Here Comes Santa Claus" is also back on the Rock Streaming Songs tally this week, where it lands at No. 25.
Elvis' 'Classic Christmas Album' is up eight spots and now placed at #46 in the Billboard Album chart.
For some odd reason Bing Crosby's 'Ultimate Christmas' is at #6 this year. (News, Source;Forbes/ElvisInfoNet)
Saturday 21 December 2024 - - "I'll be home for Christmas... "
'Elvis News Report 2024 Year In Review': Elvis super-fan Emiel Maier presents the 'Elvis News Highlights Of 2024: The Good, The Bad & The Sad while skipping the nonsense'. Includes the Lisa Marie memoir, the Elvis Evolution show in London, future SONY Elvis Mono > Stereo releases, 'Elvis MEMPHIS', Elvis memorablia auctions, That's All Right 70th anniversary and much much more...
Friday 20 December 2024 - - "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas... "
‘ELVIS: On Tour 1974: California’ & VINYL ‘Live In Los Angeles 1974’ New MRS releases: The UK Label ‘Memphis Recording Service’ (MRS) will release a 3CD set ‘ON TOUR 1974: CALIFORNIA’ together with a Double LP vinyl set titled ‘LIVE IN LOS ANGELES 1974’.
Both scheduled for release in February 2025.
The Deluxe 3CD set 'ELVIS: On Tour 1974: California’ contains a range of live performances from Elvis’ five-day tour of California in May 1974, during which he performed in front of 60,000 fans, including an attendance by the legendary British rock band, Led Zeppelin, whom he met afterwards.
The pack includes 66 live tracks plus Bonus Tracks the ‘Home Recordings’ of 'Spanish Eyes' and 'Let Me Be The One'. For the first time ever, the material from these shows is presented in STEREO.
The accompanying booklet includes general background notes as well as presenting rare photographs and memorabilia dating from this short tour.
The 3CD set includes Elvis' performances from May 11 Inglewood Forum, May 12 afternoon
Fresno and May 13 San Bernardino.
click for high res
The 2LP VINYL version ‘Live In Los Angeles 1974’ is a limited edition set and will be available in both Black and Clear vinyl.
The special double-vinyl compilation includes Elvis' May 11 1974 Inglewood Forum show together with highlights of his May 10 San Bernardino show.
It also includes Elvis' unique 'You Can Have Her' as well as the two home-recordings.
Please note, the clear vinyl is ONLY available from exclusive Elvis dealers and fan clubs and NOT to the mainstream public stores.
MRS CAMDEN ‘Made in Germany – Private Recordings’ Review: From the budget MRS Camden label this CD features personal recordings
taken from a recently discovered tape made by Elvis while stationed with
the US army in Germany in January 1959.
What is so fascinating about this period is that, although The Colonel stopped Elvis recording anything professionally in Germany, Elvis was still bursting with music. Elvis was jamming at home on multiple songs that he would later record professionally for RCA. These original jams on songs such as ‘His Hand In Mine’, ‘Like A Baby’, ’I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen’, ‘I Will Be True’, ‘Danny Boy’, ‘The Fool’ even an attempt at ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’ plus ‘There’s No Tomorrow’ are totally enthralling.
Historians always talk about Elvis vast knowledge of every musical genre and here is proof of his influences.
A lot of fans, including myself, would truly appreciate a “Best Of” these home-recordings and just in time for Christmas 2024 the budget label ‘MRS Camden’ have done exactly that. EIN's Piers Beagley checks out this new budget release just in time for Christmas.... - Buy it TODAY for Christmas! (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Four "Elvis Sold Out" color booklets from Brazil: Waldenir Cecon in Brazil continues to produce excellent Elvis books.
As an indication of the content of these four releases, this is the description for the 1975 booklet:
"In this edition, all the information about the second tour of 1975, where Elvis made the debut of his beautiful Phoenix jumpsuits. It includes texts from newspapers of the time and reproduction of CD covers containing these shows and beautiful photos."
All four booklets contain 52 pages and measure 16 x 21 cm.
Elvis 'Rockin' 57' Vinyl for 2025: Pan Am Records announce Elvis Presley 'Rockin' 57' on 180-gm clear vinyl.
1957 was a year of consolidation for Elvis Presley. On January 6 he made his third and last appearance at the Ed Sullivan Show, on which he performed the gospel song “Peace in the Valley”, which opened the way to a new trend in Elvis’ music. 1957 was also the year in which he bought Graceland, appeared in his first movie, Loving You, and started working on the second, King Creole. He also gave plenty of concerts and recorded several studio sessions.
This LP showcases all of his 1957 rock & roll studio sides. 21 tracks.
Includes One Night, I Need You So, Loving You, When It Rains, It Really Pours, Jailhouse Rock, One Night Of Sin...
The core group backing him on all of these sides consists of Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on bass, and D. J. Fontana on drums, plus The Jordanaires on backing vocals, and pianist Dudley Moore (<?? Really!) on most of the tracks.
Release date: February 7, 2025 EIN Note: a cheaky alternate Public Domain version of RCA's 'Stereo '57: Essential Elvis Vol 2' (News, Source;iMusicVinyl/EIN)
EIN Note - Today AmazonUK confirmed it was Dudley Moore playing piano - you can verify here
Wednesday 18 December 2024 - - One week to go and "It's Christmas time little baby... "
Elvis Not-So-Jolly Christmas Single back on UK Charts: Many of Elvis’ most famous songs are upbeat and rocking, but he also had a darker, more somber side.
Elvis' most famous holiday single doesn’t celebrate all the joy of the season, as so many other tunes from that era insisted on doing.
The tone of the cut didn’t hamper its commercial success; actually, it seems like it may have helped it break out - and clearly, stand the test of time.
Presley’s most familiar holiday track is back on the UK charts as 'Blue Christmas' reappears on a pair of rankings as millions of people get into the holiday spirit as December 25 approaches. 'Blue Christmas' restarts highest at No 75 on the Official most-streamed songs in the U.K.
The tune also blasts back onto the main Top 100 tally in the country, starting what is often an annual comeback at No. 93.
“Blue Christmas” has climbed much, much higher on both charts in the past.
Presley’s single once became the rare top 40 win for a legacy act on the Official Streaming chart, peaked at No. 37.
The tune soared even further on the singles chart, where it missed out adding to the Elvis' top 10 hits by just one space. (News, Source:HughMcIntyre/Forbes)
'Blue Christmas' Live 1974:"Being the time of the year that it is".. check out this rare clip of Elvis on stage singing 'Blue Christmas' in Kansas City, June 29, 1974
Plus some fascinating and fun interaction with his fans - and one large gorilla!
The following day's concert review noted.. "The Elvis 1974 module features a more controlled, yet still exciting manner and an overwhelming stage presence. Oh yes, ladies, the 39 years old crooner is still incredibly, excruciatingly handsome." (News, Source;YouTube/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis On Tour: The Last Year' (Sam Thompson) to be reissued: The Danish Memphis Mansion have announced the 2025 re-release of Sam Thompson's 1992 book 'Elvis On Tour: The Last Year'.
Sam Thompson was a former Memphis deputy sheriff and brother of Elvis Presley's girlfriend, Linda Thompson.
He met Elvis during skating at the Rainbow Rollerdome in the 50s.
During Elvis' last years he was one of Elvis’ bodyguards while on tour.
'The Kings of Tupelo' Now on Netflix: This three-part documentary will blow your mind. You could not write this bizarre “true life” story.
The IMDB synopsis states: “Small-town feud, internet conspiracy, Elvis impersonator, black market organs, and presidential assassination attempt intertwine in Mississippi's jaw-dropping scandal”
But you can add to that a severed head in a fridge at the North Mississippi Medical Centre, the “Double Trouble” ETA brothers, black hat-like helicopters, an exploding car, more twists and turns than the Zippin’ Pippin rollercoaster……. and a Wayne Newton impersonator.
'The Kings of Tupelo' features heavy doses of Elvis and is now streaming on Netflix. Watch the trailer
Tuesday 17 December 2024 - - - I'll Be Home on Christmas Day - - -
New FTD Releases OUT NOW: The three new FTD releases, 'The Making Of King Creole','The Girl Happy Sessions', 'The Last Tours Vol.2' along with 'California Holiday' LP are at European Elvis dealers today.
'The Girl Happy Sessions'
continuues the FTD series of "complete sessions". A 3-CD set this contains all the masters and available session outtakes. Highlights include unedited masters and the rare vocal re-record of 'I Feel That I’ve Known You Forever' especially made for the motion picture 'Tickle Me'.
Mixed by Vic Anesini and mastered by Jan Eliasson.
This set includes previously unreleased takes of 'Puppet On A String', 'The Meanest Girl In Town', 'Girl Happy' (multiple long 'False starts'), 'Cross My Heart And Hope to Die' (multiple long 'False starts'), 16 new outtakes of 'Spring Fever' - and all 36 takes of 'Do Not Disturb' (only 6 outtakes have been released so far!).
There is a lot of previously unreleased studio session in this release.
'Elvis: The Last Tours Vol. 2'.
As part of its ongoing live on tour series, FTD announced the release of “Elvis: The Last Tours Volume 2”.
Released as a 3-CD 5” digipak, this set features great shows from March 1977. Elvis' 'Tour 26'.
The concerts were not recorded in their entirety, but all songs recorded by the engineer are included.
Recorded in mono.
The six concerts included are Norman, March 25 & 26, Abilene, March 27, Austin 28, Alexandria, March 29 & 30
From this tour FTD has previously released 'Amarillo '77' from March 24. FTD released six of the best tracks from this set on their 'Spring Tours 77' compilation- 'That’s All Right', 'Are You Lonesome Tonight, 'Blue Christmas' - from Norman, March 26. 'Trying To Get To You', 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy' from Abilene, March 27 and 'Fever' from Alexandria, March 30.
'Elvis: The Making Of King Creole'
A neat follow-up volume to 2021 'The Making Of Jailhouse Rock', 'Elvis: The Making Of King Creole' by David English and Pål Granlund.
In a slipcase, the brand new hardback FTD Deluxe book contains 380-pages with many newly discovered photographs, details on deleted scenes, pages from the script, the shooting schedule, memos, contracts, as well as memories from the cast and crew.
Also includes:
Six film frames taken from the original 35mm reels of the movie King Creole.
Exclusive to this set - a special collector's 10" vinyl with picture sleeve, recreating the original Japanese King Creole album.
It includes two CDs in gatefold sleeve.
CD 1: King Creole movie soundtrack recordings plus newly discovered acetate recordings.
CD 2: 1958 RCA studio recordings, demos and radio spots.
See 'FTD / SONY CD News 2024'for details (News, Source;FTD/ElvisInfoNet)
'On Piano' Glen D Hardin - new book: To be published in 2025 a long awaited book by Elvis Piano player Glen D Hardin "in his own words"
Glen Hardin's memories as told to Julie Yeardye.
The book is from Memphis Mansion publishing - and also being sold via OEPFC / Elvis4Sale.
This will be a numbered limited edition of 300 copies only and will include a coloured (yellow) vinyl single of Glens first arrangement recording plus a signed photo.
If you pre order this book before January 31st 2025 you will be named personally in the book as one of the owners of the limited numbered edition.
OEPFC / Elvis4Sale are proud to be the UK supplier of this upcoming book in association with Memphis Mansion
Sunday 15 December 2024 - - - TEN sleeps 'til Santa Claus brings my baby back to me - - -
Baz Luhrmann Elvis Presley Documentary confirmed:Variety reported yesterday that.. Authentic Studios have confirmed that Baz Luhrmann is directing and producing a new documentary about Elvis Presley for them, centered on never-before-seen footage and recordings of Presley that he unearthed while creating his film “ELVIS”.
That’s one of several projects in the works at Authentic Studios, part of the entertainment division of intellectual property brand management firm ABG Authentic Brand Group.
Nearly two years after launching a studio division to produce films and TV series tied to its various intellectual properties, Authentic has already sold 14 projects to various outlets.
Marc Rosen, Authentic’s president of entertainment, explained “The realization for us was that we should create and take this all in house, instead of licensing our IP to somebody else for them to control the product and make the lion’s share of the economics.”
ABG owns the IP to key icons Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali. ABG acquired Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) intellectual property assets back in 2013.
No other details about the documentary were available at present.
Luhrmann is however next directing “Jehanne d’Arc,” the story of Joan of Arc, as part of his deal with Warner Brs.
Authentic also has “Elvis Evolution” launching in London May 2025. (News, Source;Various/ElvisInfoNet)
Saturday 14 December 2024
Larry Gatlin Added to Elvis 90th Birthday Celebration: As Graceland prepares for a birthday built for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, we are excited to share another addition to the guest lineup. Singer/songwriter Larry Gatlin will appear at the Elvis Music Salute on January 9 to share his Elvis memories and music. Elvis recorded two of Gatlin’s songs, Help Me and Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall. Join fans at Graceland January 8-11 for a memorable celebration featuring live concerts, panels, special tours, and much more!
Special guests scheduled to appear include Richard Sterban, Terry Blackwood, Estelle Brown, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Sirius Elvis DJ Argo, Pat Dunn, Tom Brown, Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Dean Z, Terry Mike Jeffrey, Andy Childs, among others. Events include
- Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony
- Graceland's new '90 for 90' Exhibition
- Graceland's rock 'n' roll birthday mansion tours - Conversations On Elvis
- Elvis Live On Stage: 90th Birthday Celebration
Tickets for Elvis' Birthday Celebration on sale NOW. - Go here to EPE for tickets and info (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
The Sweet Inspirations to be Inducted to Graceland Legends: Graceland is excited to announce that the next inductees to the Graceland Legends program will be The Sweet Inspirations.
The Sweet Inspirations provided backing vocals for Aretha Franklin and other R&B greats and had a hit of their own with their signature song “Sweet Inspiration” before they started working with Elvis in 1969.
Estelle Brown, Cissy Houston, Sylvia Shemwell, and Myrna Smith were the members during Elvis’ first Las Vegas engagement at the International Hotel. After Houston left the group, the three settled on being a trio. The Sweet Inspirations were Elvis’ female backing vocal group from 1969 to 1977. Their rich F&B gospel-infused harmonies and stage presence delighted Elvis and his audiences.
Graceland Legends is designed to honor and recognize the musicians and musical groups who were an integral part of Elvis’ legendary career.
Past Graceland Legends inductees including James Burton, Ronnie Tutt, Glen Hardin, Jerry Scheff, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, DJ Fontana, David Briggs, Norbert Putnam, Charlie McCoy, and The Jordanaires.
The induction ceremony will be part of the Conversations on Elvis event in January at Graceland during Elvis’ Birthday Celebration.
We look forward to recognizing their contribution to Elvis musical legacy with fans from around the world.
Go here for EIN's 2004 interview with Myrna Smith (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
Wednesday 11 December 2024
'Presley: The Essential 50's Masters'OUT NOW: From the RDM label 'Presley : The Essential 50's Masters - Mono II Stereo'.
... Rediscover 109 tracks of the King with a new stereo mix! This 4 CD box-set brings together the essential tracks of the 50s. Tracks from Elvis' albums, but also soundtracks from his films, including some rarities such as versions used for the films and different from the versions released on album.
Please note that this box set is a limited edition including an 8-page booklet and a slipcase.
Producer Anthony Stuchbury notes.. These four discs will take you on a journey through Elvis's 1950s era that fans will enjoy via the remastered STEREO audio and remixes."
Go here toRDM to Orderwith 40% off! OUT TODAY & check out Sound-Samples (News, Source;RDM)
FTD 'California Holiday' LP- OUT NOW: The FTD special double-vinyl of Elvis’ 1966 soundtrack to 'California Holiday' aka 'Spinout', was supposed to be released back in September 2024. But after months of delays it has finally beeen released and should be heading to all Elvis FTD dealers this week.
In October 1966 an MGM UK representative announced that California Holiday would have its world premiere in London, and that the original US title, Spinout, was changed because it was felt that would have more appeal to overseas audiences.
Spinout was only used in the US and Canada.
This unique FTD limited edition is based on the original UK release and features the red dot RCA Victor label.
The double album includes the original soundtrack masters, studio outtakes and bonus tracks. See 'FTD / SONY CD News 2024' for details
Sadly no confirmation yet about the 'Making Of King Creole' or 'Last Tours Vol.2'. News, Source;FTD/EIN)
'An Evening With Ginger Alden' UK June 2025: Following the success of the inaugural shows in 2024, UK's Official EP Fan Club has Ginger Alden booked to return to the UK in JUNE 2025 for a series of five intimate shows.
Ginger is visiting York, Liverpool, Crewe, Southampton and her final night London, Heathrow
Event highlights will include:
- Hear Ginger’s unique story of her time with Elvis.
- Address some of the untruths that have circulated over the years.
- An interactive Q&A session grants you the opportunity to pose your burning questions to Ginger.
Tickets Meet & Greet & photo priced around £72
Cheap tickets £37.50
Go here to 'Ways Promotions' for tickets. (News, Source;OEPFC/ElvisInfoNet)
Monday 9 December 2024
Elvis 2024 Spotify Wrapped: Spotify Wrapped is all about celebrating the fans and artists who helped make 2024 the fandom-shaking year it was.
No surprise that Taylor Swift was the most streamed artist with The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, Drake and Billy Eilish as the Top 5.
However Elvis also did pretty well for himself getting over 1.23Billion Streams.
That's not bad for an artist who first recorded back in 1954 and hasn't recorded any new material since 1977!
Last year Elvis had 71Million listeners on Spotify so his listener numbers have gone up by 23 million.
As EIN previously noted 'Can't Help Falling In Love' was Elvis' most-streamed track and a fascinating 8.98Million 'Elvis playlists' were added to Spotify.-
Elvis loved technology and he no doubt finds this all quite fascinating. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis 'The Classic Christmas Album' back in US charts: Forbes has noted that Elvis' The Classic Christmas Album has returned to four US Billboard charts this week,
... Elvis Presley can always be counted on to appear on the Billboard charts and around this time of the year his holiday recordings become essential listening all over again.
The superstar’s The Classic Christmas Album is back in glorious fashion this week. The compilation of Presley’s most famous holiday tunes reappears on four different Billboard charts.
It performed well enough to hit the Billboard 200 Albums sneaking in at No.123.
- It charts highest on the Top Rock Albums chart at No.17.
- Top Rock & Alternative Albums at No. 24. Top Country Albums at No. 26.
Presley’s The Classic Christmas Album may only be getting started and could easily climb much higher on every ranking it appears on. The Classic Christmas Album was released in 2012, long after Presley’s passing. (News, Source;Forbes/EIN)
Graceland #1 US 'Historic Holiday Home': Graceland has won 2024 USA Today's '10Best Historic Holiday Home Award' - that's seven years in a row!
The results are in with Graceland voted #1 "Best Holiday Historic Home Tour" by USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards!
Every year more than half a million people go to Elvis Presley’s former estate in Memphis, Tennessee. The Christmas season at Graceland kicks off mid-November when visitors can tour the home while it's decorated for the season with traditional lights, a life-sized nativity scene, and Elvis' Santa and sleigh on the front lawn.
EPE thanks fans for voting. (News, Source;EPE/EIN)
Saturday 7 December 2024
'The Colonel and the King: Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, and the Partnership That Rocked the World' (Peter Guralnick): Announced by Little Brown and Company for publication in August 2025 is Peter Guralnick's latest Elvis related book. It will contain a mammoth 752 pages and is described as: From the award-winning biographer 'The Colonel and the King' is a groundbreaking dual portrait of the relationship between the iconic artist and his legendary manager, Colonel Tom Parker, drawing on a wealth of Parker's never-before-seen correspondence to reveal that this oft-reviled figure was in fact a confidant, friend, and architect of his client's success.
In early 1955, Col Tom Parker - the manager of the number-one country musician of the day - heard that an unknown teenager from Memphis had just drawn a crowd of more than 800 people to a Texas schoolhouse, and headed south to investigate.
Within days, Parker was sending out telegrams and letters to promoters and booking agents: “We have a new boy that is absolutely going to be one of the biggest things in the business in a very short time. His name is ELVIS PRESLEY.”
Later that year, after signing with RCA, the young man sent a telegram of his own: “Dear Colonel, Words can never tell you how my folks and I appreciate what you did for me.... I love you like a father.”
The close personal bond between Elvis and the Colonel proved impossible for outside observers to understand - not during their lifetimes, and not in the decades since. It was a long-standing, deeply committed relationship, founded on mutual admiration and support.
As the Colonel wrote to Elvis in July 1973, several years before the star’s tragic death: “Without a doubt you are by far the greatest artist I
have ever known, and can be even greater if you just believe in yourself half as much as I believe in you.”
From the outset, the Colonel defended Elvis fiercely and indefatigably against RCA executives, Elvis’ own booking agents, and movie moguls. But in their final years together, the story grew darker, and the relationship strained, as the Colonel found himself unable to protect Elvis from himself - or to control growing problems of his own.
Featuring troves of never-before-seen correspondence from the Colonel’s own archives, revelatory both for their insights and - particularly with respect to Elvis - their emotional depth, The Colonel and the King provides a unique perspective on not one but two American originals.
A tale of the birth of the modern-day superstar (an invention almost entirely of Parker’s making) by the most acclaimed music writer of his generation, it presents these two misunderstood icons as they’ve never been seen before: with all of their brilliance, humor, and flaws on full display. (News, Source: Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)
BBC "Vote for Your Ultimate Elvis Song": BBC Radio 2 is celebrating the music and legacy of Elvis Presley - the King of Rock'n'Roll - in January 2025 to mark the 90th anniversary of his birth.
In honour of the occasion we're looking for Your Ultimate Elvis Song from our shortlist of Elvis Presley's 90 UK Top 20 hits.
We've included both tracks from all Elvis double a-sides that reached the Top 20, plus all the Jailhouse Rock EP. You can vote up to five times - either all on one song or you can spread your votes across multiple tracks. Voting closes at 12 noon on Friday 13 December 2024.
The results will be revealed in a special countdown show, hosted by Vernon Kay, to be broadcast on Radio 2 on New Year's Day 2025 and available for the following 30 days on BBC Sounds. Go HERE to the BBC to vote - you need to have a BBC account but anyone can join in Thanks to Ian for the word-up. (News, Source;BBC/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis: The Man & His Music' #146: EIN's favourite Elvis music magazine 'Elvis: The Man & His Music' December 2024 issue is out now.
Articles include..
Linda Thompson Interview
The Movies – A British View Part 2
That Reminds Me…
The Elvis ‘Break-In’ Discs Part 2
On stage – Miami, September 1970
Readers’ letters
CD, Blu-ray & Book Reviews
'Elvis Presley Virtual Challenges': Something very different for Elvis fans officially through ABG /EPE.
Fitness fans can follow Elvis's legendary rise to fame and his iconic 1972 tour while crushing your fitness goals.
Earn 2 dazzling medals, unlock exclusive in-app content (including rare historical footage), and immerse yourself in the story of a musical icon who defined a generation. Help the Planet, One Step at a Time-
Make an impact while you groove to the music. Conquerer does virtual challenges designed to motivate people to become more active- and they have 2 officially licensed Elvis courses.
The themes are really neat and your progress can be synced directly from your Apple Watch; one is Elvis on Tour, talking you on his route just like from 1972.
And the other takes you around historic landmarks from Memphis, Elvis related as well obviously.
And when you’re finished completing the journey, you get a really cool medal.
For Elvis fans who are also interested in fitness this is worth a look.
Go here to 'Elvis Presley Virtual Challenges' (News, Source;Brandon/ElvisInfoNet)
'Concerts in Retrospect 1974' New Import: The publicity states.. Infinity Records is thrilled to announce a brand new 2-CD set that captures the concert year of 1974!
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of live material available, having to search for that one unforgettable or rare performance, then this is the release you’ve been waiting for!
This collection dives deep into the remarkable soundboard captured performances of 1974 as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Elvis’s legendary shows from that year.
Experience an overview of the many unforgettable concerts, including breathtaking renditions of classics like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" "Spanish Eyes," "My Baby Left Me," and "Help Me Make It Through the Night."
Join us on a musical journey through the vibrant venues of Las Vegas, exciting tour stops, and Lake Tahoe!
The audio on these discs has been remastered. EIN Note; Nothing that collectors don't already own or can't compile from their own collections. See'All The CD News 2024'for tracklist and details (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Thursday 5 December 2024
'The Mono to Stereo Interview with Anthony Stuchbury':The new STEREO Elvis box-set 'PRESLEY The Essential '50's Masters' from producer Anthony Stuchbury will be released by the french RDM label next week.
The question of whether Elvis' mono fifties classic recordings should be re-released in "new stereo" is hotly debated among hard-core collectors and this box-set includes all of Elvis' 50's mono masters in STEREO!
So this week is the perfect time to talk to the man behind the mixing desk, for the backstory behind this recent development of mixing Elvis’ original Mono recordings into STEREO.
Tony talks about working with RDM, Memphis Mansion, Ernst Jorgensen, the FTD label ... and much much more.. EIN's Piers Beagley and Elvis Day By Day's Kees Mouwen combined forces to ask "Mono II Stereo" producer Anthony Stuchbury some tricky questions. (Interview, Source;Elvis Day By Day/ElvisInfoNetwork)
'Ooh Las Vegas' 73 OUT NOW: From the reliable Millbranch Music a neat CD / DVD combo containing unreleased “Soundbooth” Audio and Video. The publicity states.. In unbelievable, simply stunning quality an early 1973 CD / DVD in a deluxe 2-panel Digi-Pack.
Includes a completely new concert, February 11th, 1973 - Midnight Show!
Recorded by UK Super-Fan Rex Martin, we are able to fill another hole in all our collections of Elvis´ Las Vegas concert legacy! And we are lucky for sure, since this recording – taken from the original cassette tape - presents an absolutely complete show in stunning “Soundbooth” quality.
See extremely rare footage in stunning quality with Elvis appearing in his Blue Pinwheel suit! And so much more!
Quality wise this DVD easily represents the best picture quality of any Las Vegas 8mm footage that has been seen before. - Check with your favorite Elvis dealer! See'All The CD News 2024'for more details (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Wednesday 4 December 2024
'Presley: The Essential 50's Masters' Pre-Order and Sound-Samples: From the RDM label 'Presley : The Essential 50's Masters - Mono II Stereo'.
... Rediscover 109 tracks of the King with a new stereo mix! This 4 CD box-set brings together the essential tracks of the 50s. Tracks from Elvis' albums, but also soundtracks from his films, including some rarities such as versions used for the films and different from the versions released on album.
Please note that this box set is a limited edition including an 8-page booklet and a slipcase.
A few words from producer Anthony Stuchbury..
... "When producing these 1950s mono to stereo masters, I tried to make the mixes consistent with how they would have been mixed at the time, had they been originally recorded in stereo. I used a variety of resources, including tracks from the period, that were recorded this way, usually with the drums panned.
A common misconception is that the Jordanaires' backing vocals were mixed to the side, usually to the right, but there is no evidence that this was the case on Elvis' hits in the 1950s. This was generally the type of mix used on Elvis' recordings from 1960 onwards, but even then it was not always the case, as can be heard in the May 1963 recordings, where the backing vocals can be heard in the centre. Ultimately, mixing is a producer's business, and it is always subjective. So I have used this freedom to create what I like best, including occasionally panning the backing vocals and centering the drums. I hope these four discs will take you on a journey through Elvis's 1950s era and that you will enjoy the transformation of audio and mixes."
Release date December 11, 2024.
Go here toRDM to Pre-order with 40% off! - and check out 32 Sound-Samples (News, Source;RDM)
'Can't Help Falling In Love' 1 Billion streams on Spotify: Fascinating to learn that Elvis' classic 'Can't Help Falling In Love' has now surpassed 1 Billion streams on Spotify.
The Top Five Spotify ELVIS song plays today are..
1 Can't Help Falling in Love - 1,003,643,236
2 Jailhouse Rock - 562,367,895
3 Suspicious Minds - 512,950,740
4 Burning Love - 396,608,121
5 Blue Christmas - 393,653,259
(News, Source;MartyRobbins/ElvisInfoNet)
'Tom Hanks: People Don't Realize This About Col Parker': There is a fascinating new youtube interview by Guy Raz with Tom Hanks about what he discovered about his character Tom Parker for the Baz Luhrmann ELVIS movie.
Hanks describes Elvis as Parker's carnival "Elephant Attraction"- "everybody pays to see the Elephant"
Fans may not agree with everything that Hanks says but it is an interesting interview nevertheless...
As one viewer 'judy britt' notes..
"I believe Elvis would have succeeded no matter who his manager was.
The only thing Parker was a "genius" at, was recognizing the talent and excitement of Elvis, and falsely creating a belief in Elvis that he wouldn't succeed without him.
Maybe Elvis doubted his talent and felt he wouldn't have made it without Parker's help.
Ann-Margret was quoted as having said that "Elvis didn't realize how talented he was"
There is no doubt that Parker was more interested in making more money than helping Elvis create the kind of career he wanted" Go here to YouTube - the interview runs 17 minutes.
The disappointing truth is that Tom Hanks talked to Priscilla and Jerry Schilling about Col Parker - both who benefited from Parker - and didn't get the chance to talk with Marty Lacker or Red West where he would have found some very different opinions (News, Source;YouTube/ElvisInfoNet)
The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga: For something very different, coming to Netflix on December 11, is this three-episode true crime, doco-drama, mini-series, described as: “An Elvis impersonator's conspiracy theory sets off a feud that spirals into an attempted presidential assassination.”
In Tupelo, Mississippi, the memory of Elvis Presley looms large. The legendary singer was born there in 1935, and the town still plays host to a fervent fandom, replete with copious impersonators. Tupelo native Paul Kevin Curtis was raised to revere Elvis, and he eventually partnered with his brother Jack for Double Trouble, a first-of-its-kind double Elvis revue. But when Curtis’ day job as a janitor led him to a shocking discovery in a morgue, he went down an internet rabbit hole into a world of startling conspiracy. The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga, a new documentary from Emmy-winning directors Maclain Way and Chapman Way (Wild Wild Country, Untold), brings together Curtis’ family, friends, and foes to share every detail of his twisty, stranger-than-fiction tale. Watch the trailer EIN Spoiler Alert: There is also this detailed, fascinating GQ article (from 2013) about the bizarre story ---- (please watch the doco first!) 'The Elvis Impersonator, the Karate Instructor, a Fridge Full of Severed Heads, and the Plot 2 Kill the President' (News, Source: Flix;GQ/EIN)
'Elvis Presley: In Spain, A Critical Look, Vol. 2, 1970 - 1990': From author Rubén Olivares Rosell his new book 'Elvis Presley - En España, Una Mirada Crítica, Volumen 2, 1970 - 1990' - 438 pages colour, Spanish text.
The description is...
.. In this second volume on the impact of Elvis Presley in Spain, the author analyzes the image of the singer in our country from his return to the stage in 1970 until 1990.
In the 1970s Elvis was again portrayed in an unfortunate manner in the general media, despite his great successes, such as the broadcast of the television special "Aloha From Hawaii" in 1973 and an enormously brilliant discography.
This volume contains a passionate defense of The King in the face of books such as that by Gaspar Fraga and others that appeared after his premature death in 1977 and that are full of inaccuracies and mistakes.
Despite being the closest era to nowadays, this stage of Elvis' life is perhaps the least known.
The author, Rubén Olivares Rosell, supported by an extensive bibliography and newspaper archive, analyses in depth the contradictions, the lack of criteria and the commendable enthusiasm of Spanish fans to vindicate the figure of Elvis Presley and his immense legacy.
Go here to'El Toro' website shop for more details (News, Source;ET/ElvisInfoNet)
"Elvis - Back By Popular Request" New Import Boxset: The publicity states.. we’re excited to announce the release of the brand-new LP-sized 7-CD box set, "Elvis - Back By Popular Request", celebrating Elvis’ second Las Vegas engagement in January/ February 1970.
This set, along with the upcoming Volume II, will feature all available recordings - both professionally recorded and audience captures—from this iconic period.
This box set proudly debuts two previously uncirculated AUDIENCE recordings: Feb 17 (Midnight Show) /
Feb 18 (Dinner Show).
All tracks have been carefully remastered to deliver the highest possible sound quality.
Included are..
CD 1: Jan 26, 1970 (Opening Show),
CD 2: Feb 3, 1970 (Dinner Show)
CD 3: Feb 5, 1970 (Dinner Show),
CD 4: Feb 15, 1970 (Midnight Show) + Feb 16, 1970 (Dinner Show)
CD 5: Feb 16, 1970 (Midnight Show) + Feb 17, 1970 (Dinner Show) + Feb 17, 1970 (Midnight Show) + Feb 18, 1970 (Dinner Show)
CD 6: February 17, 1970 (Midnight Show)
CD 7: Feb 18, 1970 (Dinner Show) + Feb 18, (Afternoon Rehearsal) EIN Note: Six tracks of both the Feb 17 Midnight Show and Feb 18 Dinner Show have been released by RCA / FTD ex multi-tracks.
The bootleg 'Rebooked - At The International' also featured 4CDs of multitracks -
Fans should perhaps check this new set before buying
See'All The CD News 2024'for more details (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Monday 2 December 2024
'From ELVIS At Christmas' MRS 'STEREO' Album Review: The cover of Elvis' original 1957 Christmas album was truly disappointing as it always looked like RCA wanted to keep Elvis’ image as small as possible. Elvis’ 1971 Christmas album was an even worse design.
For their new album 'From ELVIS At Christmas' the MRS label have finally created a cover worthy of Elvis - and it is a stunner.
Elvis albums are all about the tactile feel and this vinyl features a super-impressive snow-glitter colour. It even sparkles as it spins...
And the real treat here is that MRS present Elvis’ Christmas album in gorgeous STEREO - and “boy mah-boy” does it sound superb.
From the very first seconds of ‘Santa Claus Is Back In Town’ when The Jordanaires sing “Christmas, Christmas” on the right channel, Dudley Brooks piano kicks in left and then DJ Fontana’s drums burst on the centre channel with Elvis singing, “Wellllllll, it’s Christmas time pretty baby and the snow is falling on the ground...” you know this is going to be a sensational ride. Join EIN's Piers Beagley as he spins glorious vinyl and digs deep.. (Vinyl/CD Reviews; Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Golden Years "The Essential 50's Masters" Special: BBC's Matt Shepherd is back with another Elvis Special!
...In this edition a WORLD EXCLUSIVE first play of three Mono II Stereo tracks from a brand new box-set called "PRESLEY: The Essential 50's Masters".
Be the first to hear three tracks courtesy of the set's producer, the great Anthony Stuchbury, on the Golden Years.
We've got all the essential information about this huge box set and the release date (December 11) is revealed on the show.
Plus there's tracks from Elvis' Sun Record label pals, Motown Magic and much more!
The great days are back again!
Fans can hear the new stereo versions of 'Hard headed Woman', 'Don't' and 'Santa Claus Is Back In Town' Go here to MixCloud to listen
Why not join the three-thousand-strong Golden Years family on Facebook go here. (News, Source;MS/ElvisInfoNet)
“Elvis Presley Memorabilia: From Private Collections Around The World” New Book: Just announced is this upcoming "deluxe" release from Stephen Shutts and Lyndell Morris.
... This limited-edition collector book will feature several hundred artifacts, including personal items, pre-fame memorabilia, rare merchandise, ephemera and gifted items from Elvis Presley, that cannot be viewed at Graceland or in public museums. Elvis, the most recognizable personality in the world, was extremely generous during his lifetime, and as well his name and image generated mass quantities of unique memorabilia that found its way to every corner of the globe. 'Elvis Presley Memorabilia' will showcase several hundred artifacts attributed to Elvis' iconic career that have never been viewed by the public. Learn how certain items once owned by Elvis made their way into the hands of fans worldwide. What makes Elvis memorabilia sought after, collectible and rare? Limited Edition only 250 collectible copies ..
Includes, authors autographed, large, hardback, full color book in a protective case. Plus unique token artifacts, one free artifact authentication submission via Elvis Artifacts Authentication Services.
The book should be available in Spring 2025 (Northern Hemisphere). EIN Comment: Given the very high quality of Stephen Shutt’s recent book, 'Yours Elvis Presley: The Definitive Collection of Elvis Presley Autographs Volume 1', fans can expect Elvis Presley Memorabilia to be an equally high-quality production. Likely to be one of 2025’s best!
Read EIN's recent interview with author Stephen Shutt here (News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)
'Remembering Elvis Presley.....The King at 90': LIFE magazine's softcover tribute commemorating Elvis' upcoming 90th birthday uses the same cover design/photo as its earlier "Remembering Elvis" releases. It is likely this is an updated edition of those releases.
It is described as: “Celebrate the King of Rock 'n' Roll with this keepsake biography of Elvis Presley, lavishly illustrated with dozens of historic photos, including many from the archives of LIFE magazine.
“A detailed timeline traces Elvis's life from when he received his first guitar to his glory days filled with recording, acting, and gyrating for shrieking fans, to his great '68 comeback, and right up to his untimely death in 1977.
“Intimate photojournalism combines with insightful text to reveal Elvis behind the scenes: at Graceland and on the road, with Priscilla and Lisa Marie, in front of the cameras, and on the stage.
“Explore the days of "Heartbreak Hotel," "Don't Be Cruel," "Blue Suede Shoes," "Jailhouse Rock," "Love Me Tender," "Blue Christmas" and so many other unforgettable hits.
“Please note that this product is an authorized edition published by the Dotdash Meredith Corporation and sold by Amazon. This edition is printed using a high quality matte interior paper and printed on demand for immediate fulfillment.”
Available from Amazon sites. - Priced around $25 (News, Source;Amazon/EIN)
News from earlier last week...
More praise for 'Elvis Hero of the Comic Books':Written by EIN’s Nigel Patterson (with “over and above” help from Elvis Day By Day’s, Kees Mouwen) the first in-depth record of Elvis in comic books, graphic novels and cartoons, was published earlier this year.
Reviews have been glowing since day one, the latest including a four-page text and image overview in It’s Elvis Time magazine (Netherlands) and a detailed review in the cult rock & roll magazine, Ugly Things (based in California).
'Elvis News Report December 2024': Elvis super-fan Emiel Maier presents all the recent news including...... Details concerning the Elvis Evolution show in London "A.I.LVIS is coming!", new releases from Follow That Dream label, Elvis’s earnings in 2024,
Elvis’s catalogue and the new A.I. demixing technology,
James Burton inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame and much much more...
ELVIS ‘SUN 217’ LIQUID VINYL 70th Anniv Special out this week: Due to the success of the unique Liquid-Vinyl releases of Elvis’ first three historic SUN singles starting with ‘That’s All Right’/ ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’, now Elvis' fourth single SUN 217 'Baby Let's Play House / I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone' gets its own release on Liquid Vinyl - out this week.
This special liquid vinyl version of Sun 217 10” playing at 78rpm is restricted to 125 copies worldwide. They contain a 2-colour liquid, nicely matching the key SUN colors, that moves inside the vinyl. (click for high-res)
Each of these unique vinyls are handmade and take an hour to produce each one. They also have the original etched numbers included with the appropriate song sides.
EIN NOTE:Check with your Elvis dealer if you want a copy as previous singles Sold-Out on pre-orders. All of Elvis' five SUN singles will be getting a Liquid-Vinyl release eventually. (News, Source;EPLiquidVinyl/EIN)
Historic Elvis Pullman Railcar: EIN received the following information from the Colonial Pullman company:
... We own and operate 'Colonial Crafts' a vintage 1949 built Pullman railcar in charter and excursion service around the United States.
In March 1960 Elvis rode aboard this exact railcar as he traveled from Fort Dix to Graceland after his military service in Germany (see photos).
From our
research he then rode the car from Memphis to Los Angeles via Texas to shoot the movie G.I. Blues.
The railcar has been maintained by owners that enjoy its historical
significance and have maintained its original appearance. Many passengers are thrilled when riding aboard the car to sit in the same seats and recreate the photos we have of him in the same locations.
The railcar is located in Philadelphia, PA and we are able to attach it to Amtrak trains and tour the country. We have an upcoming trip between Christmas and New Years where we will be taking the car from New York
City to Miami and back in time for New Years celebrations.
We need your help to advertise to your Elvis fans in cities along the route (New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Richmond, Orlando and Miami) as we are sure your members will be interested in this trip or future ones.
If this trip is successful, we envision other trips like bringing the railcar through Memphis during one of the Elvis conventions and bring attendees in the exact way The King arrived on March 7th, 1960.
EIN Exclusives and News from earlier in November ...
'Elvis Last Tours Vol.1' In-depth FTD Review: FTD's 4-CD 5”digipak 'Elvis: The Last Tours Volume 1' features recordings from seven Elvis performances in February 1977, West Palm Beach (Feb 13), St. Petersburg (Feb 14), Montgomery (Feb 16), Columbia (18), Johnson City (19) and Charlotte (20/21).
By 1977 Elvis was running on low, his set-list had become stagnant and
fans were lucky to hear Elvis perform any rare song in
his predictable set-list.
Elvis did not look healthy at the start of this tour but his weight and voice definitely improved as the tour progressed.
So one has to ask how much do you enjoy Elvis’ performances in 1977?
There were certainly a few highlights but overall most of these concerts sound all too similar.
Of course if you are a collector who appreciates Elvis in 1977 then this set might be perfect for your collection. Elvis soundboard super-collector Geoffrey McDonnell along with EIN's Piers Beagley explore this new seven concert pack in-depth to see what fans might discover.. (FTD Reviews; Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'Elvis UK – Compact Vol.1 'The Ultimate Guide To British CD Releases 1983-2005' BOOK OUT NOW:Volume 1 of the three-volume, soft-backed set 'Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British CD Releases' (each volume published in turn over a period of several months – thus spreading the cost) is OUT NOW. Priced at £50 per book (which includes p&p costs for UK buyers) directly available from www.elvisukbooks.
Apart from minor changes to the layout, the print copy editions will contain exactly the same content as the downloadable, digital flip book version (entitled'Elvis UK3 The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British CD Releases 1983-2005'), first issued in early 2021.
This trilogy of books represents the first major attempt by anyone to chronicle in exhaustive and painstaking detail the rise of Elvis’s compact disc releases from 1983 onwards – cross-referenced where appropriate with vinyl versions. And while particularly focused on the UK, there is a huge amount of overlap with other territories which makes it of major interest to Elvis collectors throughout the world. UK books say that those who want a copy in time for Christmas really should order quickly. This is likely to be a limited press run.
The second and third volumes will be available in the early part of 2025, though released separately to ease the cost burden for collectors.
EIN is delighted that this massive volume is now being published as a 3-volume physical book. (News, Source;ElvisUkBooks/EIN)
'Official Elvis Presley Fan Club UK' New Owners: The UK's biggest Elvis Fan Club the 'Official Elvis Presley Fan Club UK' has been acquired by an Elvis fan partnership, Adrian Tedeschi and Candy Rose. Tedeschi owns Elvis4sale.com and already manages some of the membership work for previous OEPFC president Todd Slaughter.
Tedeschi has one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Elvis memorabilia in the UK and frequently attends events with his shop and has earnt himself a reputation of being the consummate professional with a wealth of knowledge about Elvis.
Adrian’s partner (who he met at an Elvis event) is Candy Rose who has attended Elvis events since the 1980’s including the original Hemsby week. With her business background, the Elvis4sale shop, and their deep-rooted love for all things Elvis, Todd knew the future of the club would be very safe in their capable hands.
Adrian & Candy have both visited Memphis many times, attend regular events around the UK and are dedicated to providing an exciting club for the future.
This partnership view themselves as custodians of the Elvis legacy and intend to operate the Club in a very inclusive way “whether an Elvis only fan, or a supporter of the emerging ETA arena, we intend to cover all disciplines, Elvis did not see race or colour and was vastly pro-inclusive and we intend to operate in the same way.”
Back in 2021 the UK fan club was put up for auction but bidding reached only £32,000 nowhere near the hoped-for £50,000 to £100,000. -
There is no word on how much this 2024 sale cost.
Go here to check out the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club website (News, Source;OEPFC/ElvisInfoNet)
'Making Of King Creole' Promo: A neat trailer for the new FTD Deluxe book by David English and Pål Granlund, 'Elvis: The Making Of King Creole'.
The book contains 380-pages with many newly discovered photographs, rare memorabilia as well as memories from the cast and crew.
Plus a special collector's 10" vinyl with picture sleeve.
Check out what to expect.
Hopefully fans might get it before Xmas. -
See 'FTD / SONY CD News 2024' for tracklisting and details (News, Source;DE/ElvisInfoNet)
'PRESLEY- The Essential 50’s Masters' Promo: A trailer for the new RDM Mono > STEREO box set. A fabulous Stereo version of 'Hard Headed Woman'.
The box includes 4CDs containing 109 tracks, as part of a conceptual design from producer Anthony Stuchbury and designer David Parker.
“Elvis By Invitation Only” Deluxe '69 GRM set: Gravel Road Music has posted new photos of their 'Elvis By Invitation Only'deluxe set being packed for dealers... Hopefully out EARLY December.
They state.. What’s a better year than Elvis’ BIG BANG YEAR 1969. (click for high res) The set includes...
- 408 page book, photos of the opening show including unpublished ones in very good quality.
with extensive and new information from the first days in Las Vegas,
- 2 Gold CDs, impressive new transfer of dinner show from August 3, 1969 with many extras
- Blu-ray and DVD 50+ minutes of documentary of 8mm footage in incredible unreleased quality.
- Double-Vinyl “The Return of a Prodigy” in a trifold sleeve with a beautiful 24-page full color Booklet in 12-inch format.
The book is based upon months of research, new facts, documents and interviews. It features rare promotion material, supported with original documents and a staggering 440+ Photos to see for yourself, this book has the largest collection of the opening show photos EVER published. Including unpublished and rare ones in color in excellent quality! The VIP gift box includes faithful reproductions of the Opening invitation and the RSVP card with the matching envelopes. (Very rare)
The original 1969 RCA catalog (36 pages) which were handed out during the press conference and much much more.. Limited to 600 sets. All numbered with holographic seals.
See'All The CD News 2024'for FULL details
and check with your local Elvis dealers (News, Source;GRM/ElvisInfoNet)
FTD 'California Holiday' LP - More Delays: The FTD special double-vinyl of Elvis’ 1966 soundtrack to 'California Holiday' aka 'Spinout', was supposed to be released back in September 2024. After months of delays it is now apparently delayed yet again for a later December release.
In October 1966 an MGM UK representative announced that California Holiday would have its world premiere in London, and that the original US title, Spinout, was changed because it was felt that would have more appeal to British and overseas audiences. Spinout was only used in the US and Canada.
This unique FTD limited edition is based on the original UK release and features the red dot RCA Victor label.
The double album includes the original soundtrack masters, studio outtakes and bonus tracks.
‘Elvis Day by Day 2024 - The Year in Review’ - The Beat Goes On: The book you’ve been waiting for all year long, 'Elvis Day by Day 2024 - The Year in Review', will be released in January 2025. “In 1954, Elvis came crashing through the doors of popular music, and he hasn’t stopped rocking since.”
And this new yearbook is the proof of that! Packed into a colorful 450 pages is all the relevant news of what happened in the Elvis world, it is a complete overview, guide, and reference book of Elvis from all corners of the world in 2024.
It features all the news, including a complete overview of the “new”:
• Music, in Mono and Stereo, CD and vinyl at 33, 45, even 78 RPM.
• Books and magazines.
• Movies and TV specials as released on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital streaming services.
• PLUS “Everything else Elvis” that mattered, skipping the nonsense. Highlights include:
• The true story about Dewey Phillips playing the ‘That’s All Right’ acetate on WHBQ in July 1954.
• The scam to “steal” Graceland.
• All the Sony, Follow That Dream, and bootleg releases, including the major deluxe box sets, books, and more.
• Over 70 in-depth reviews, articles by well-known Elvis experts, and interviews with key people in the Elvis world.
• The Mono to Stereo releases of Elvis’ SUN recordings, greatest hits, soundtracks, and live recordings.
• An in-depth look at Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir as completed by her daughter Riley Keough.
• All the stunning colored and “liquid” vinyl releases.
• A complete chart and awards overview (a new addition this year!)
• And, of course, some of the oddball Elvis releases that make collecting fun
From the “young man with the big beat,” it is a small step to Elvis’ former drummer, Jerome “Stump” Monroe, who provided the beat behind the King as part of the Elvis Presley Show in the seventies and wrote the foreword for this year’s edition.
Seventy years after the release of Elvis’ debut single, “the beat goes on” and that’s all right!
Praise for earlier volumes in the Elvis Day by Day series:
This annual “Bible for Elvis fans” provides essential reading for every Elvis fan and a valuable keepsake for years to come. And don’t just take our word for it, this is what fans are saying:
“I thought I knew what was happening in the Elvis world, but I found so much news that I completely missed!”
“If you consider yourself a serious fan, you ought to have these books.”
“These are books that won’t gather dust on your shelf—you’ll find yourself consulting them all the time. Unmissable!”
“Fascinating, interesting, enlightening! Need I say more?”
“My only criticism is that it has left me with a massive shopping list, and I have the 2024 edition at the top of that list already!”
As Colonel Parker would say, “something for everyone,” or perhaps we should say, “too much for any fan.” Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just starting your journey into the King’s world, this yearbook is the definitive guide to everything Elvis. 'Elvis Day by Day 2024 - The Year in Review' is available for pre-order now at www.PoplarTunes.com.
Shipping is planned for January 2025. (News, Source;EDbyDay/EIN)
Each album is introduced by a generously sized image of its cover followed by thoughtful analysis of the record's content, and its context in the Elvis Presley story. There is also a coloured rectangular box neatly detailing key release information and track listing.
Fans will no doubt be impressed with the breadth of the thoughtful views expressed by each contributor and there is plenty in the magazine to stimulate debate.
It is unfortunate that well-written periodicals aren't afforded the same level of attention to detail as some other Elvis publications.
EIN’s Nigel Patterson spent a rainy afternoon reliving what Elvis’ eclectic album catalogue offered, the good, the bad, and the mediocre.
‘Return Of The King: The Fall And Rise Of Elvis Presley’ - a Hit!: Elvis' new Netflix documentary has been rated on 'The Decider'.
The show rates 97% positive. The article includes..
Directed by Jason Hehir (The Last Dance), via interviews – including appearances from Priscilla, Baz Luhrmann, Bruce Springsteen, Conan O’Brien, and the late Robbie Robertson, Return of the King gains real insight into Elvis Presley’s love of music, as well as his personal vulnerabilities.
Some great quotes include Priscilla blown away to see her husband perform live for the first time. (“Woah,” she laughs. “This is what it’s all about?”)
O’Brien calls the ‘68 Comeback special Elvis Presley’s third act as a celebrity figure, because by reinvigorating his creative life, it made him real again. Real to the viewing audience but even more importantly, real to Elvis himself.
Bruce Springsteen describes Elvis’ headspace as The King prepared to perform for the first time in over five years. “You are going onto a stage that you’re unfamiliar with. You are being produced and directed by people you don’t really know. At some point, you just reach the ‘fuck it’ point. Like, I gotta go out there, and no matter what happens, ‘fuck it.’ He reached the ‘fuck it’ point, you know? That’s what’s goin’ through his head. And he was just going. Elvis was going where his destiny was leading him.”
Return of the King does a really nice job of establishing how Elvis’s celebrity became the biggest liability to who he wished to be personally. It presents the ‘68 Comeback special accurately as the moment he was able to regain control of his own mystique. "Stream It" - Return of the King isn’t covering a lot of new ground, but it’s a nicely-packaged and presented look at the creative life of a legacy artist whose biggest impediment was the nature of his own celebrity.
go here for full article (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'PRESLEY- The Essential 50’s Masters' New Box-set: Recently announced by producer Anthony Stuchbury we now have the complete tracklist for his new 'Mono > Stereo' fifties box-set.
He notes... 'PRESLEY - The Essential 50’s Masters' is offered within a ‘slipcased’ 4 CD jewel case.
Includes an eight page booklet with essay by esteemed Elvis author David Parker.
Four silver pressed CDs containing 109 tracks, as part of a conceptual design by Anthony Stuchbury and David Parker.
This is the primary design artwork and tracklist.
Release date yet to be confirmed EIN Note: Contains all ELVIS fifties Masters as expected but also includes several 'Alternate Masters' such as'Crawfish - Kitty White duet - movie mix' and'Wear My Ring Around Your Neck - undubbed with count in'. See'All The CD News 2024'for tracklists & details (News, Source;AS/ElvisInfoNet)
Stephen took time out of his busy schedule to discuss the book, what to look for when buying an Elvis signature, and bogus signatures.
His interview also covers issues including Paul Lichter’s collection of “alleged” Elvis signatures and Gary Lindberg’s controversial 2018 book, Letters from Elvis.
‘Made In Germany – Private Recordings’ MRS Budget Release OUT NOW: MRS have released ‘Made In Germany – Private Recordings’ on its alternate budget label, MRS CAMDEN.
This is a ‘best of’ one CD version compiled from the original 3CD version of ‘The Complete Private Recordings’ MRS deluxe Book / CD combo originally released in 2019.
The CD features personal recordings taken from a recently discovered tape made by Elvis while stationed with the US army in Germany in January 1959. They also include early renditions of songs Elvis would record formally years later. Release comes with a small booklet.
EIN Note: This really is a neat “Best Of” taken from Elvis’ German private recordings. See original review here.
click for high-res
Priced at around £17 / US$24 / AUD$36
Check with your Elvis dealer - OUT NOW.
See'All The CD News 2024'for tracklists & details (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis Evolution' New Tickets & 'Super VIP Package': The new London 'Elvis Evolution' experience has added new booking dates - opening up tickets for August & September.
The 110 minute event can be booked for "Multiple shows per day for 180 people per performance.
All ticket holders get to access to the ‘All Shook Up’ afterparty.
A night for lifelong fans and newcomers alike, Elvis Evolution lets you experience Elvis, like never before".
There is a 'If I Can Dream' Super VIP Package costing £300 / US$390 which includes...
- Dedicated VIP seating within the '68 Special
- A drink in the pre-show diner, the interval Tiki bar and at the 'All Shook Up' After Party
- Souvenir photo with Elvis
- Complimentary cloakroom
- VIP collectible ticket
- Elvis Evolution Programme
- Exclusive, mid-show Champagne Experience
- Commemorative Elvis Evolution glass
- Dedicated VIP seating at the 'All Shook Up' After Party Bar
- Limited edition Elvis Evolution poster.
Standard tickets are £75 and you see the same 110 minute event. - EIN wonders what would Elvis think?
Go here toElvis Evolution for ticket bookings (News, Source;EE/ElvisInfoNet)
Three New FTD Releases: FTD have announced three new releases, 'The Making Of King Creole' Deluxe book,'The Girl Happy Sessions' and 'The Last Tours Vol.2' featuring March 1977 concerts .
'The Girl Happy Sessions'
continuues the FTD series of "complete sessions". A 3-CD set this contains all the masters and available session outtakes. Highlights include unedited masters and the rare vocal re-record of 'I Feel That I’ve Known You Forever' especially made for the motion picture 'Tickle Me'.
Mixed by Vic Anesini and mastered by Jan Eliasson.
This set includes previously unreleased takes of 'Puppet On A String', 'The Meanest Girl In Town', 'Girl Happy' (multiple long 'False starts'), 'Cross My Heart And Hope to Die' (multiple long 'False starts'), 16 new outtakes of 'Spring Fever' - and all 36 takes of 'Do Not Disturb' (only 6 outtakes have been released so far!).
There is a lot of previously unreleased studio session in this release.
'Elvis: The Last Tours Vol. 2'.
As part of its ongoing live on tour series, FTD announces the release of “Elvis: The Last Tours Volume 2”.
Released as a 3-CD 5” digipak, this set features great shows from March 1977. Elvis' 'Tour 26'.
The concerts were not recorded in their entirety, but all songs recorded by the engineer are included.
Recorded in mono.
The six concerts included are Norman, March 25 & 26, Abilene, March 27, Austin 28, Alexandria, March 29 & 30.
From this tour FTD has previously released 'Amarillo '77' from March 24.
In EIN's in-depth review super-fan Geoffrey McDonnell commented, "I wonder whether this tour was Elvis’s worst overall 1977 tour?"
Elvis was not in a good way and would cancel the final four shows of the tour.
Alexandria, LA, March 30 (as included on this set) was the last show of the tour.
FTD released six of the best tracks from this set on their
'Spring Tours 77' compilation- 'That’s All Right', 'Are You Lonesome Tonight, 'Blue Christmas' - from Norman, March 26. 'Trying To Get To You', 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy' from Abilene, March 27 and 'Fever' from Alexandria, March 30.
See 'FTD / SONY CD News 2024'for the full tracklist and details
'Elvis: The Making Of King Creole'
A neat follow-up volume to 2021 'The Making Of Jailhouse Rock', FTD will release 'Elvis: The Making Of King Creole' by David English and Pål Granlund.
In a slipcase, the brand new hardback FTD Deluxe book contains 380-pages with many newly discovered photographs, details on deleted scenes, pages from the script, the shooting schedule, memos, contracts, as well as memories from the cast and crew.
Also includes:
Six film frames taken from the original 35mm reels of the movie King Creole.
Exclusive to this set - a special collector's 10" vinyl with picture sleeve, recreating the original Japanese King Creole album.
It includes two CDs in gatefold sleeve.
CD 1: King Creole movie soundtrack recordings, including a newly discovered acetate recording of the opening sequence from the movie.
CD 2: February 1958 RCA studio recordings, demos and radio spots.
See 'FTD / SONY CD News 2024'for details (News, Source;FTD/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis December 1958' (Paul Belard): The latest photobook /journal from prolific Elvis author, Paul Belard, is now available (from Amazon sites).
It contains 200 pages and is described as: “Most of the two months, beginning in November, were spent at the U. S. Training Area in Grafenwohr, Bavaria in winter maneuvers.
“Upon his return to base in mid-December, Elvis went to Frankfurt where he leased a BMW sport car. He also attended the Holiday on Ice show in this city.”
Fans can order directly from Paul Bélard at pbelard@hotmail.com
Go here for more information on Paul Belard's books
(News, Source: Paul Belard)
Elvis' 90th Birthday Celebration 'Special Guests': In January 2025, Graceland will celebrate the 90th birthday of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Join fans at Graceland January 8-11 for a memorable celebration featuring live concerts, panels, special tours, and much more!
EPE have announced more "Special Guests" added to the line-up, including Richard Sterban, member of JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet; Terry Blackwood of The Imperials; actor/singer John Schneider ... with more to be announced soon
Already announced are Sweet Inspiration Estelle Brown, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Terry Mike Jeffrey, Dean Z, Pat Dunn, Argo, Tom Brown and more ETAs.
- See more details below
Events include
- Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony
- Graceland's new '90 for 90' Exhibition
- Graceland's rock 'n' roll birthday mansion tours
- Conversations On Elvis
- Elvis Live On Stage: 90th Birthday Celebration
Tickets for Elvis' Birthday Celebration on sale NOW. -
Go here to EPE for tickets and info (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
'From Here to the Great Unknown’ Book Review: After all the publicity and hype Lisa Marie's revealing memoir has recently been published. There is no doubt that being part of a famous family certainly does not guarantee a happy life.
As Keough explains, “The early parts of the book are mostly my mother's voice, in the tapes she speaks at length about her Graceland childhood, the death of her father, the dreadful aftermath, her relationship with her mother, her difficult teen years. She’s frank and funny about my father, Danny Keough. She talks openly about her relationship with Michael Jackson. She’s painfully candid about later drug addiction and the perils of fame…
If you have ever wondered how Lisa Marie coped with life post-Elvis or noticed those old tabloid news reports saying that she had once again “gone off the rails” or spotted the tension between her and Priscilla, the answers and much, much, more are in this stunning memoir...
While Elvis died when Lisa Marie was only 9 years old there is still plenty new to discover from this intriguing book.. EIN's Piers Beagley checks out this powerful memoir, wonders why the Australian book has been edited - and discovers the delights of the Audio-Book..
(Book Reviews: Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
The book's description includes.. Elvis' extraordinary story, told through a fashion lens, celebrates the shy, lonely boy who awakened an entire generation to forbidden fruits.
The defiant hair, the sultry good looks, the gender-ambivalent outfits - even the famous sideburns of the man who would be King - are all considered in loving detail.
From impoverished scamp and teenage anti-heroin pink, through Hollywood heartthrob and sensual leather-clad rock star, to caped superhero in Vegas jumpsuits, the author describes his clothes with as much joy as she does his journey through the decades.
EIN’s Nigel Patterson, replete with blue suede shoes, paisley shirt and polarised sunglasses, took time out to read Ms Gibson’s entertaining release. Read Nigel’s full review
(Book Review, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork)
ELVIS #4 Highest Paid Dead Celebrity 2024: Forbes annual list of the highest earning deceased celebrities for 2024 has been released - and without even leaving his secret hideaway ELVIS is at forth place!
Culture critic Chuck Klosterman noted “Dying is the only thing that guarantees a rock star will have a legacy that stretches beyond temporary relevance.”
It also still pays well.
In 2024 music legends Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Elvis Presley, Prince, Bob Marley and John Lennon are once again topping the charts of the highest-paid dead celebrities.
Music catalog income and estate deals on 'name, image and likeness' remain the top income generators for deceased recording artists.
The King of Pop’s estate scored a huge win in August, after a judge ruled that the $600 million catalog sale of his publishing and recorded masters’ rights to Sony could proceed, despite protestations from the late artist’s mother, Katharine Jackson.
At #2 Queen’s Freddie Mercury remains rock royalty in the afterlife, rejoining the list for the first time since 2020 with an estimated $250 million due to the group’s $1 billion catalog sale to Sony in June.
Proceeds were split four ways among all members of Queen. This year Elvis comes in #4, earning a cool $50 Million.
A combination of licensing, music streaming, and revenues generated by Graceland remain extremely profitable. Graceland welcomed 600,000 visitors in
the past year. Last year Elvis was at Forbes #2 boosted by the profits of the ELVIS movie.
The Cars' Ric Ocasek is at #5 due to a recent deal while regulars Prince, Bob Marley, Dr. Seuss, Charles M. Schulz and John Lennon are also in the Top Ten.
Friends star Matthew Perry became the rare TV actor to ever make the list at #9.
TOP TEN 2024 1 Michael Jackson $600 Million
2 Freddie Mercury $250 Million
3 Dr. Seuss $75 Million 4 Elvis Presley $50 million
5 Ric Ocasek $45 Million
6 Prince $35 Million
7 Bob Marley $34 Million
8 Charles M. Schulz $30 Million
9 Matthew Perry $18 Million
10 John Lennon $17 Million
James Brown came in at #11 while Whitney Houston (last year's #5) is down at #13 with $13 Million.
So while ELVIS may have "left the building" he is still an economic powerhouse this year generating $50 million in income 47 years after his death.
As Gore Vidal once noted, "Death is a good career move"!
Read the original article here (News, Source:Forbes/ElvisInfoNet)
V V - - Other EIN ELVIS treats continue below - - V V
‘Golden Elvis!' Mono II Stereo CD review: In the fifties when Scotty, Bill and D.J were in RCA studios with Elvis they were of course playing in “stereo”. It was RCA’s engineers who mixed the multiple microphone feeds down to MONO.
In this 4-year period Elvis changed the very world we live in with his unprecedented success and it was his almighty RCA 45 rpms that rocked the world.
'Elvis’ first two Golden Records LPs encapsulated this stunning creativity and the two albums are neatly combined here in Anthony Stuchbury’s new RDM release ‘Golden Elvis!’ Mono to Stereo.
And it is a sensational compilation.
From the almighty blast of ‘Hound Dog’, via ‘Jailhouse Rock’, ‘Too Much’, I Need Your Love Tonight’, through to ‘Doncha’ Think It’s Time’ Elvis in the fifties doesn’t get much better.
Note: In a neat coincidence, the above GOLDEN RECORDS! Mono > Stereo review was completed before yesterday's announcement from Ernst Jorgensen that RCA were also looking into releasing Elvis' MONO recordings in stereo sometime in the future! (See story below)
STEREO Sun-Sessions from SONY/RCA?; Rolling Stone this week featured an interview with RCA's Ernst Jorgensen who confirmed that they were looking at releasing Elvis' MONO recordings in STEREO using AI Digitally Extracted Stereo.
EIN has been suggesting this for years often to be slammed by the 'old-school' who said it would never be done officially!
In the interview Jorgensen confirmed..
.. Jorgensen recently asked Emile de la Rey, who worked on the sound for Peter Jackson’s Get Back documentary, to do a test remix of “Good Rockin’ Tonight” using Jackson’s proprietary AI technology. The results, “a perfect separation of instruments” along with the removal of tape hiss, were far superior to any more widely available methods, so Jorgensen is waiting for access to that level of technology.
Once he’s got it Ernst says, “I’d like to do everything from the Fifties. Because even the Sun recordings,
they are very simple. There’s an acoustic and electric and a slap bass. But when you open that up, it’s still like a new revelation. It’s not like it becomes thin and you think, ‘Oh, is that all there is?'”
Jorgensen has been in charge of Presley reissues from the groundbreaking 1992 collection 'The Complete 50s Masters' to the just-released box set MEMPHIS. And when the technology’s ready, Jorgensen is hoping for an ambitious, AI-fueled reworking of Presley’s 1950s masterpieces, starting with his epochal recordings at Sun Studios between 1954 and 1956.
Go here to RS for the full interview (News, Source;RS/ElvisInfoNet) - Please note that the photo is an EIN mock-up ;-)
Book Review - 'ELVIS UK 78 rpm': Recently published soft-cover 'ELVIS 78 r.p.m. The Ultimate Guide to Elvis Presley's British 78s 1956 - 1960' by John Townson and Gordon Minto is their latest forensic look into Elvis' UK releases, this time 228
pages dedicated to Elvis 78rpms, along with plenty of bonus chapters.
“78s” were the dominant record type for more than 50 years before disappearing circa 1960.
Today, they hold special significance for many who grew up with them. Given 78s were in their last few years of mass production when Elvis arrived on the scene, his 78s are much sought after by collectors and largely forgotten by the general fan. 'Elvis 78 rpms' includes a history of both the HMV and RCA releases but also provides a context for the 1950s pop scene.
It discusses each 78rpm release individually with scans of every release, plus relevant photographs plus magazine articles and adverts.
It also incorporates historically significant events of the period throughout and cross-references with US releases where appropriate.
There are also several picture covers, and interspersed within listing images and information are many “from the time” news clippings which add historical interest.
How exciting it must have been to be there as Elvis exploded onto the music scene! EIN’s Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley spent several days delving into what the new flexi-cover, high-quality gloss paper release by Townson and Minto, has to offer.... (Book Reviews; Source;ElvisInfomationNetwork)
(Spotlight/Opinion, Source: Rock and roll - an introduction)
UPDATED 'ELVIS / MEMPHIS' In-depth Review: The SONY RCA 'ELVIS / MEMPHIS' 2024 5-CD box-set was released last month.
The publicity promised.. "MEMPHIS is a comprehensive collection that takes listeners through the many recordings Elvis had done while in Memphis - from his songs at SUN Records, to his American Studio and Stax sessions, through to his 1974 hometown show and finally, his last recordings in Graceland.
This 5-CD collection of Elvis’ songs over the years features 111 tracks, 88 of which are newly mixed versions of the select recordings, pure and without overdubs."
The five CDs each focus on SUN Records, American Studios, Stax Studios, LIVE Mid-South Coliseum Memphis and Graceland. Elvis fans have of course bought these tracks multiple times before and FTD have even released most of the "Undubbed masters".
However with 'ELVIS / MEMPHIS' engineer Matt Ross-Spang remixing these crucial recordings, often creating something unique and new for 2024 and there is much to enjoy.
In fact listening to this set is like a five-course 'MEMPHIS degustation' since every individual recording session has a different flavour and vibe. . Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley provides a 5,500 word review checking out every track to reveal what new excitements fans might discover..
You can also 'Have Your Say' - what did you like or dislike about this new release? NOW UPDATED with Readers comments. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
EPE Future Plans: For Elvis fans, the really interesting point was when Joel Weinshanker (majority owner of EPE) explained his future plans.
This included the following points
- EPE wants to bring back "the life" to Graceland of when Elvis lived there.
There has been too much sadness recently.
His idea is to only do new concepts that Elvis would do or approve of.
- EPE are going to be doing "something special"on the mansion grounds every few months. Some fans can participate in, some not.
- The new special tour 'Presley for a Day' will be unique and expensive, however a fair portion of the profits are going to charity & good things for the local community.
Part of this tour will be 'Moriah’s House' which was the stable and home for Lisa Marie’s horse. We’re starting with that house. Elvis’ legacy was Lisa. Elvis said, "The best thing I ever did in my life was have Lisa".
Now her daughter Riley has taken over and is extraordinary - and solely focused on what is best for Elvis’ legacy.
“Our Road to fifty” is the new plan as they head to the fiftieth anniversary. We have three years until 2027
- There will be three to four new buildings opened on the mansion property. EPE will be announcing these and they will be doing things that Elvis would have done.
Some of the things that Elvis designed himself.
- One could be a Recording Studio built on the property. This was something that Elvis not only always wanted, but he designed. In the archives there are architectural drawings for that. - There will be one new Elvis movie between now and 2027 - possibly two. - Baz Lurhman is working on his Elvis documentary.
There should also be a "streamer" show.
- There is the London ‘Elvis Evolution’ event where you’ll be able to go into virtual rooms that Elvis was in and interact with all of it.
- The whole thing is that in this world of such quick change, where movies and music are all so disposable, Elvis is one of the few things from 70 years ago that is still incredibly relevant.
Elvis was a revolutionary.
- So fans should “spread the gospel of Elvis”.
- Elvis always respected his neighbours even he might disagree with them. So please ignore the bad social media, respect your neighbours. Ask yourself, "What would Elvis do?"
-
So we are all going to keep going to Elevate Elvis’ legacy and keep thinking ‘What would Elvis want, what would Elvis do?’ EIN Note: photo shows Joel Weinshanker with Lisa Marie in 2018 (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
(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”.
(Book Review, Source: Gordon Minto;ElvisInfoNet)
‘For LP Fans Only’ ‘A Date With Elvis’ Mono II Stereo' CD review: From the RDM label,
"Two classic 1959 Elvis albums, for the first time in stereo". 'For LP Fans Only' brought together songs previously released on 45rpm or on EPs, such as the classics 'That's All Right', 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy', 'Mystery Train' or the song 'Poor Boy'. 'A Date with Elvis' was based on the same principle of compiling previously published 45rpm
or 'Extended Play' songs from Elvis' past. It contained other Elvis SUN
classics plus 'Baby, I Don't Care' and the haunting 'Is It So Strange'.
Looking back, these two 1959 albums were a strange compilation with their short running time and odd track selection..
The stereo mixes created by producer Anthony Stuchbury, are authentic to original Mono releases but now sound more like the original studio sessions. Featuring twenty fabulous 50's tracks, EIN's Piers Beagley checks out this intriguing Stereo compilation.. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Nigel Patterson 'Hero of the Comic Books' Interview:'Elvis, Hero of the Comic Books' is the first book to showcase Elvis' impact in comic books, graphic biographies, graphic novels, comic strips and caricatures.
Written by EIN's founding president, Nigel Patterson, it features outstanding page design by Elvis Day By Day's, Kees Mouwen.
A mammoth 450 page "coffee table" release 'Elvis, Hero of the Comic Books' highlights how diverse and far-reaching Elvis' impact has been, the themes ranging from biography, superhero, teen interest, crime, and satire, to zombies, vampires, the supernatural, anthropomorphic Elvis, and even a Fairy godmother and Lady Hellvis (Lady Death).
To celebrate the recent publication, the book's designer Kees Mouwen (from Elvis Day-By-Day) interviewed the author Nigel Patterson to find out what the book is all about....
"That's All Right" 70 Anniversary Spotlight: Seventy years ago today Elvis Presley would walk into 706 Union Avenue and by the end of the evening his recording of 'That's All Right' would change the course of music history.
Elvis author Tony Plews' 'Walk A Lonely Street' is a unique book that tells the tale of Elvis Presley’s rise to fame and presented as a series of consecutive short stories, it offers a new perspective on Presley’s musical and cultural achievements.
Every Elvis biography has, of course, described the recording of “That's All Right” but none have really captured that special day in such a cool, inspiring, involving and natural way.
In 'Walk A Lonely Street' it’s as if Tony Plews was actually there watching... On this 70th anniversary every Elvis fan should read this fabulous spotlight about 'That's All Right'.
(Spotlight, Source;TonyPlews/EIN)
'Las Vegas: On Stage Feb 1973' MRS CD Review: The new MRS 4CD Deluxe-set contains three performances recorded in February 1973, during Elvis’ eighth engagement in Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas shows took place weeks after the historic satellite TV show, Aloha From Hawaii, was filmed and broadcast on 14 January.
All shows are presented in stereo for the first time ever.
All shows are presented in stereo for the first time ever.
A bonus CD of remastered rehearsal tracks that were recorded the day before Opening night is also included.
The accompanying booklet includes rare photographs, memorabilia and liner notes which set the scene.
... This latest release from the Memphis Recording Service is an interesting one and manages to shed new light on the post-Aloha Elvis Las Vegas season that many fans have largely dismissed.
MRS 'Elvis: The Complete Movie Masters 1960-62' In-Depth Review: This 2024 MRS 'Elvis: The Complete Movie Masters 1960-62 - Plus Session Out-takes' 4CD/Book combo pays tribute to Elvis Presley’s complete master soundtrack recordings made for his movies between 1960-62.
As a bonus two CDs contain rare outtake tracks from these recording sessions and do include unreleased material.
The 140-page book focuses on each of the seven films and is accompanied by informative text, complemented by rare and previously unseen photographs and memorabilia.
In his first two years out of the army Elvis still looked terrific and the book includes a veritable pot-pourii of attractive images for readers to savor.
The set includes the STEREO masters from 'Follow That Dream' that have never been officially released on album, as well as other previously unreleased remastered stereo recordings.
Collectors will not only enjoy the images of Elvis in gorgeous close-up but also nearly five hours of great sixties soundtrack music.
'Elvis: Stateline SAHARA '74' FTD In-Depth Review:'ELVIS: Stateline Sahara 1974 Lake Tahoe' released as a 3-CD 5” digi-pak
features three previously unreleased performances from Elvis' third
Lake Tahoe season -
May 19 (Evening show), May 20 (Midnight show) and May 25 (Midnight show).
Just two weeks before this Lake Tahoe season Elvis had been playing to audiences of over 18 thousand at the Los Angeles Forum, so it is understandable if Elvis sounds a little more on ‘cruise-control’ but being less O-T-T is also a positive in that they sound more intimate.
'The Blue Hawaii Sessions' Box-Set FTD In-Depth Review: Released last month, 'The Blue Hawaii Sessions' was the eleventh in FTD’s “complete sessions” packages. This is the audio-set that was released earlier as part of 'The Making Of Blue Hawaii'. The 8 inch deluxe 4-CD package includes the complete sessions "newly-mixed from the original 3-track tapes", a 24-page booklet with informative flashbacks from musicians, songwriters, session data, memorabilia and global chart information.
The set includes 50 'officially previously unreleased' session outtakes. However most of these have to be 'False-Starts'.
There is however over four hours of Polynesian influenced material to enjoy and lots of studio banter to eavesdrop on. The set also includes all twenty-nine takes of Elvis' classic chart-topper Can’t Help Falling In Love.
Elvis in Literature #4 - 'Elvis, Barbra, A Star Is Born, and a girl circling overhead': That Elvis was considered for the co-lead role in A Star Is Born, starring Barbra Streisand, has long been a discussion point among fans. Why didn't Elvis take up the offer? Could he have carried it off?
Ms Streisand recently released her autobiography, My Name is Barbra (Century Books), a mammoth book of nearly 1,000 pages (but unfortunately no index)!!
Streisand's account of discussions with Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker about the role of John Norman Howard is interesting - and her description of meeting Elvis also includes a fascinating and somewhat bizarre account of why Elvis was late in meeting up with her.
'ELVIS: At 3am Sahara Tahoe 1973' MRS CD Review: This Deluxe 2CD set features two shows from Elvis’ May 1973 engagement at The Sahara Tahoe in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Included is a rare 3am charity performance as well as the midnight show from the previous night. Both shows for the first time are presented in stereo.
The accompanying booklet includes memorabilia and rare photos along with liner notes that set the scene.
Despite having to perform three concerts in the one evening, Elvis was feeling inspired and although it was 3am he still treated the ‘Mother’s Day’ benefit more like a Closing Night performance. Elvis was in extremely jovial spirits, teasing the band and adding some crazy lyrics. He also added unique live versions of ‘My Way’, ‘Faded Love’, ‘Funny How Time Slips Away’ and a rare ‘It’s Over’.
With the cassette hiss removed, the musicians and backing-vocals in stereo and Elvis’ vocal raised to the correct level, this MRS release sounds just like an RCA recorded multi-track and is the best representation of the “real Elvis” live in 1973 that fans could hope for. Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley checks out a sensational STEREO Elvis double-pack. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Book Review 'The King and The Jester': Elvis author Paul Belard's new "special interest" book all about Elvis and manager Col Parker is out now.
The cover notes, "As this uncultured philistine said of himself, "I did not know what to make of Elvis, or his music. I did not care, but I saw the reaction of the audience says and it was enough for me".Parker promptly realised that Elvis was his own ticket to wealth."
Belard's new 260 page book's twenty three chapters include, 'The Hank Snow Affair', 'The Snowman', 'The Lost Years', 'The Narcissist', 'World Wide Tour', 'What Could Have Been' and 'Exposing The Con Man'.
The author makes his disdain for Parker known from the outset and he does not hold back about what he sees as one of, if not the biggest, travesties and examples of unscrupulous mismanagement, in show business history!
The book is a very strong read and one that is very much a counterpoint to the recently published "rose colored glasses" account, 'Elvis and the Colonel: An Insider's Look At The Most Legendary Partnership In Show Business', by Parker employee Greg McDonald and Marshall Terrill.
Some fans have suggested that Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 ELVIS drama made Parker out to be too much of a cartoon villain but after reading this book the movie looks even more truthful than fans might have believed. ... Go here and read EIN's detailed review by glimmer twins Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley (Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'Elvis in Print: A Comprehensive Annotated and Illustrated Bibliography 1955-2023 Volume 1' UPDATE: This comprehensive new book was due to be published this month but has been delayed due to editing issues and the discovery of more than 70 new titles and/or editions. A revised publication date for the nearly 500-page book will be announced soon. (non-final cover image pictured)
Compiled and written by EIN's Nigel Patterson, the four volumes of Elvis in Print: A Comprehensive Annotated & Illustrated Bibliography 1955-2023 will comprise around 2,000 pages, with listings for more than 4,000 books and around 2,000 images.
Volume 1 is the first of two detailing English language, “non-fiction” releases. It contains close to 500 pages, listings for more than 800+ titles, book covers for more than 500 listings, and interesting Sidebar articles discussing controversial releases and issues in the massive Elvis book catalog.
Sections in Elvis in Print Volume 1 include:
Academic Releases, Biographies, Compendiums: Catalogs, Discographies, Chart Histories, Interviews... Conspiracy Theories, Elvis and the Colonel, Elvis and the Law, Elvis as Art and Elvis as Religion (including Psychic Experiences and Spirituality)...
The 'Listings' include original releases, subsequent re-issues , (including digital editions) and a book synopsis. 'Elvis in Print' will be published in hardcover, softcover, and Kindle formats. It will be available from Amazon stores (the hardcover edition will only be available in those countries where Amazon offers this format).
EIN will publish more information soon. (News, Source;NP/EIN)
(Film Review) Priscilla – film by Sofia Coppola: While Baz Luhrmann’s major hit film in 2022, Elvis, was a colorful narrative and frenetic musical explosion, in 2023, Sofia Coppola’s, Priscilla, is more subdued, but still a colorfully hued and musically expressive story.
Coppola is an acclaimed filmmaker and director. Thematically, her films explore themes of identity, isolation, and the complexities of human relationships, and these underscore, Priscilla.
EIN’s Nigel Patterson recently watched the film that has divided the Elvis world.
Now updated with EIN READER comments...
We have had plenty of general negative feedback but also some lengthy and rather interesting discussions on the film.. EIN is also interested in hearing YOUR comments on the movie. (Film Review, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork)
UPDATED- CD Review 'The Joan Deary Tapes Vol1' - and has Ernst won the war?’: Two years ago EIN posted an article suggesting that the Elvis bootleg era was over, that FTD and Ernst Jorgensen had truly won the war.
So it was a surprise to many that a new bootleg label ‘Joan Deary Inc’ suddenly popped up two months ago promising a very similar series of releases to the Madison ‘A Legendary Performer’ set.
They promised "Unique content... with never issued before outtakes. Some very different mixes among other glorious sounding tracks. Every track comes in great sound quality and has been remastered for optimal listening pleasure..."
EIN was suspicious from the start - to be honest I saw no need to purchase this CD - but several EIN readers wanted to know more before they put down their hard earned cash. Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley investigates to see if there is life in this new series of Elvis bootleg releases... Please read this before ordering we've done the work so that you don't have to! Now UPDATED with YOUR comments (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'Elvis On Tour' Box-Set In-Depth Review:The January 2023 'Elvis On Tour' SONY release is a 6CD / 1 Blu-Ray box set comprised of the audio from four of the shows (and two rehearsals) that were part of Elvis’ 1972 North American tour.
Originally recorded for the Elvis On Tour concert film that was released later that year, the set features a total of 145 tracks, including 91 previously unreleased tracks, as well as the award-winning concert film on Blu-ray.
RCA/Legacy's Elvis On Tour box set is produced by Ernst Jørgensen and mixed by Grammy Award-winning Memphis-based producer Matt Ross-Spang.
Elvis' April 1972 concerts were magnificent, so hopefully this expensive 50th anniversary release including newly remastered concert performances captures the magnificence and excitement of the movie and Elvis' stunning shows.
After fifty years surely SONY/RCA will get it right.....
Don't miss out on one of EIN's most-viewed and controversial interviews of all-time - Mike Stone tells all.
EIN Interview with Mike Stone: Mike Stone has had a long and successful career in athletics, in the entertainment business, as an author, sports instructor, bodyguard and personal fitness trainer.
Mike Stone was also a key figure in the emotional roller-coaster that described Elvis and Priscilla Presley's lives in the seventies. In this exclusive EIN interview Priscilla's ex-partner, karate champion and author talks about his amazing life, including... - Meeting Elvis and Priscilla
- Hawaii, Elvis and Karate
- Being Phil Spector's bodyguard
- Sitting next to John Lennon recording
- Priscilla and karate
- Fans blaming him for Elvis' marriage split-up
- Elvis putting a "Hit" out on him
- Finding peace in the Philippines
- His new autobiography
Don't forget that EIN's Elvis Facebook page regularly features fabulous RARE newly discovered photos of Elvis. This month EIN celebrates our 45,000 members! - including several of Elvis' own friends and colleagues So Elvis fans don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs.
Now with over thousands of great photos, News and with more added every day – including YouTube footage.
Elvis LIVE Aug 23, 1969 Album Review + Elvis Concert Review 1969: ..."The atmosphere throughout the entire hotel was nail-bitingly electric! It is difficult for me to describe and paint a true portrait of attending in person this unique occasion - Elvis' Return to Splendor LIVE in 1969 - but I'll try my best. I want, and hope, you will understand the excitement of what has to be the pinnacle of Elvis' career to date!" Joan Gansky was lucky because not only was she in the audience for Elvis' TV musical renaissance of the '68 NBC Special but she also saw Elvis at his most dynamic - first at his August 22nd 1969 Midnight Show and then the following night at his August 23rd Dinner Show. Joan Gansky has written this insightful and emotional article for EIN in 2019, fifty years later, looking back at this special event from 1969 as well as providing her review of the new RCA vinyl album of the August 23rd Dinner Show. One of EIN's most important articles we have ever published- Go here for Joan and Paul Gansky's incredible articles and exclusive photos
(Review/Spotlight, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'What was Elvis searching for?' EIN Spotlight: The question is raised – but never answered – in the title of HBO’s recent absorbing, imperfect documentary 'Elvis Presley: The Searcher'.
At the start it seems clear what the teenage Elvis was searching for – an escape from the oblivion of poverty in the American South. Yet his quest was cultural as well as financial.
Later Elvis read obsessively, seeking out such books as The Impersonal Life, Joseph Brenner’s guide to self-discovery and Kahil Gibran’s book of fables, The Prophet. In his copy of Gibran’s tome, Elvis jotted down the line: “A singer can sing his songs but he must have an ear to receive the song”.
So what exactly was Elvis searching for? In this fascinating EIN Spotlight respected author Paul Simpson takes a close look at this all important question which, for some reason, was basically ignored in the recent HBO documentary..
Mindi Miller Interview with EIN: Mindi Miller was a working actress when she met Elvis in early 1975. She was interested in karate (she performed all her own movie stunts), exploring spirituality and the Bible and so they had a lot in common. Mindi Miller and Elvis bonded over their common interests and soon afterwards he asked her to go on tour with him in April 1975.
She stayed friends with Elvis through the years - along with members of the 'Memphis Mafia' - and attended his funeral.
EIN's Sanja Meegin recently caught up with Mindi Miller to talk about her close friendship with Elvis over the years.
In this fascinating interview she discusses. . . - Her first night with Elvis
- How Elvis persuaded her to cancel her overseas movie & modelling plans
- Their mutual interest in Karate
- Graceland and meeting Lisa Marie
- Attending Elvis' funeral . . . and much much more... Go here for EIN's Sanja Meegin and her intimate and detailed discussion with the delightful Mindi Miller - Now with Reader Feedback.
'Marty Lacker: A Life Well-Lived' & Elvis at American Studio's Interview: It was with immense sadness that last month EIN had to report on the death of our great friend - and a true friend to Elvis - Marty Lacker. We will miss him dearly. Marty is well-known as one of the key members of the Memphis Mafia and also co-Best Man at Elvis' wedding. He was known for both his honesty and being forthright with his opinions. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia who still watched and commented on recent Elvis News. He had no issue with holding people to account (especially ones who would inflate their importance within Elvis' legacy) and would regularly ask EIN to add his comments or to correct any inaccuracy. Elvis fans often ask about Marty Lacker's background, how he came to meet Elvis, as well as his involvement in the music industry outside of working for The King.
As a prelude to Ken Sharp's fascinating interview with Marty Lacker and a discussion about Elvis' famous American Studio' Memphis sessions, EIN presents "Marty Lacker: a life well-lived" in which Marty tells of his life in the music industry, his friendship with Elvis along with his dislike of the over-controlling Col Parker. Go here to learn all you need to know about Marty Lacker as well as Elvis outstanding Memphis American Sound sessions in 1969. (Spotlight; Source,KenSharp/ElvisInformationNetwork)
'The World of FTD' In-Depth Review: The new deluxe book 'The World Of FTD' has been received by some lucky fans and Elvis collector Mike Lodge has provided EIN with a very detailed review - of well over 3 thousand words! The book was authored and designed by Keith Flynn with input from a large number of other Elvis specialists including EIN's Piers Beagley, EM&HM's Trevor Cajiao, Geoffrey McDonnell, Gordon Minto and many others. It is 1,200 pages, hardbound three book set, chronicling every release by FTD.The book also features 100s of high-quality photos from the collection Erik Lorentzen
KJ Consulting are proud to publish this Box Set which weighs 8 kilos.
Paul Dowling EIN Interview Part Three: Paul Dowling is without doubt one of the major names in the Elvis World. He started collecting and selling Elvis vinyl over 40 years ago and has one of the world's largest Elvis Presley record collections. He started his "WorldWide Elvis" shop back in the seventies, way before the internet, where fans could get hold of rare Elvis records and memorabilia.
With such a fascination with Elvis, Dowling not only became a big name in the early years of Elvis bootlegs but later became friends with Ernst Jorgensen and helped RCA with various official releases.
In the final part of our fascinating interview Paul Dowling discusses .... - Dodging the FBI agents that were sent after him
- Unreleased Elvis material that still hasn’t come out
- Why does Ernst Jorgensen doubt this claims
- His BMG project 'For The First Time Ever' - what happened
- The true story of obtaining the Million Dollar Quartet tape
- His thoughts on Paul Lichter, Sean Saver, Sherif Hanna, Rex Martin
- Spending time with Alan Fortas
- Jim Curtin, newly added story
'Ultimate Elvis' New Electronic Edition: Announced by Elvis sessions expert Keith Flynn for publication November 1 is the brand new concept of the 1750 page super-deluxe Elvis sessions book 'Ultimate Elvis' Electronic Edition.
This incredible three volume book will now be available as an e-book on an i-pad or android tablet. - Created in HTML5
Fully updated e-books will open in any web browser on any operating system, so no need for separate downloads for different operating systems. - Life-Like 'Flipping' Pages
Flip through pages as if you are reading an actual book, but also being able to zoom-in to view smaller images and captions.
- View as Double or Single pages
View as double pages on a computer or laptop etc, and single pages when viewing in portrait on an i-pad or Android tablet. - Fully Navigational Table Of Contents
Jump back and forth to the sections of the books you want to read, instead of flipping through numerous pages to find what you want. PRICED AT - all 3 Volumes for £60 = US$93
On sale from November 1st 2015. Try Before You Buy -
Download free zip-file containing 27 pages from Volume 1, before you decide to buy the complete set. -
NOTE - These books are MASSIVE so you will need approximately 1GB of spare disc space for these three volumes, -
Click HERE to Keith Flynn's 'Ultimate Elvis' Electronic Edition to try.
Go HERE to EIN's independent review of 'Ultimate Elvis' (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Did Elvis Record 'Tiger Man' At Sun?: A question that has puzzled Elvis fans through the years is whether he actually recorded the song ‘Tiger Man’ during his years at SUN studios.
The basic question is why did Elvis refer to 'Tiger man' several times in concert as “The second song that I ever recorded, not too many people heard it”?
And if Elvis DID record it, then why hasn’t any reference to it at SUN or proof of its existence been found?
Elvis would first perform ‘Tiger Man’ in concert at his first 1969 Las Vegas International season and would continue playing it through the years – usually in a medley with Mystery Train - until his last performance at Saginaw on May 3 1977. He would sing it over 150 times on stage! The thought that there might be an acetate or undiscovered tape of Elvis at SUN singing ‘Tiger Man’ is a mouth-watering concept - but is it an unlikely fantasy or strong possibility?
Go here to our detailed 'TIGER MAN' spotlight as EIN's Piers Beagley puts in the hard yards to check the facts from the fantasy . (Spotlight; Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)
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