'The Elvis Files Magazine'

The seven Elvis Files volumes 1-7 are a very ambitious project by Erik Lorentzen that will carefully document almost every single day of Elvis' life from 1954 to 1977, covering everything from what he wore on stage, to who he met, rare interviews, candid photos and newly discovered images. Not only is Erik Lorentzen releasing his beautiful Elvis Files books but now an associated quarterly magazine is available! His collection of Elvis articles and exclusive photos is so extensive that he has more than can fit into his books.   EIN checks out the new magazine and asks Erik Lorentzen some important questions..

Not only is Erik Lorentzen releasing his beautiful Elvis Files books but now an associated quarterly magazine is available! His collection of Elvis articles and exclusive photos is so extensive that he has more than can fit into his books.

The magazine is large size 25 x 30 cm (same as the books, bigger than A4) 68 pages on quality paper.

EIN's Piers Beagley asked Erik Lorentzen a few questions to clarify a few points for magazine subscribers  and to check out why fans should subscribe.
 
EIN: Are the articles - ie the big 1956 interview in this first issue - going to be repeated in the 1953-1956 Elvis Files book coming out later this year?

Erik Lorentzen: No, these articles are for the magazine only. I have so much stuff for the 'Vol.1 1953-56' book so nothing from the magazine will be in the books.

EIN: Are the pictures going to be exclusive for the Magazine?

Lorentzen: Yes, they are basically exclusive for the Magazine, and I'm searching daily for new photos. As you know I bought a huge collection recently with more than 4,000 photos including negatives and slides, candids and a lot of goodies. And I still have even more coming in to me. Lot of Vegas and Tahoe photos.
 
EIN: What does the Magazine provide that the books don't?

Lorentzen: Most of the magazine content has been bought or given to me after the relevant books were released. I also have plenty of material that fits into the magazine format better than in a book.
 
EIN: What can we look forward to in the next issue?

Lorentzen: Some great photos and a  story from 1956. My very own story from 1975 including Las Vegas March/April and On Tour in July. There are some never seen photos for instance Elvis & Karate, great army photo, behind-the-scene photos from movies and much more.
 
EIN: On another question, how did 'Elvis Files Vol 5' sell? Have any Elvis Files books nearly sold out?

Lorentzen: All the books have been doing fine. The first one to be released was Volume 3 1960-1964 and it's almost sold out, there are only a few copies left. Volume 5 is the fastest selling so far. However a lot more fans are really keen and asking me about and waiting for 'Volume 1' - which will be a stunner as will be released in December 2012. Then the two final books on Elvis in the seventies next year.

　
Contributors to the magazine include Rex Martin, Paul Richardson, Mike Eder, Steve Barile, Rex Martin, Christi Dragomir, Patrick Janssen, Louis Van Ettinger, Joe Krein, Lee Dawson, Chris Giles, Anthony Stuchbury, and a certain Piers Beagley!

In the magazine introduction Erik Lorentzen explains...   This is the first issue of our new magazine which we are proud to introduce to you. The Elvis Files Magazine will be different from other such publications in existence. Unlike some, we're solely concerned with events that happened when Elvis was alive and, in line with The Elvis Files book series, photos have been given first priority. We'll leave other magazines like the excellent Elvis - The Man And His Music to give you CD and book reviews, recent news, and interviews with Elvis' friends and associates. The Elvis Files books have countless loyal and satisfied readers so it will be a pleasure for us to supplement these volumes with this magazine which will offer new articles and photos. In the first issue we look back forty years to June 1972 when Elvis triumphed in New York City at Madison Square Garden. I was so lucky that I took the trip to the Big Apple then and sat in the magnificent hall during all four shows. These gave me some of the best memories of my life. Seeing Elvis on stage in front of more than 20,000 fans is indescribable. Having been a fan since 1957, it was great to sit in the front row as Elvis, in a squat position, yelled out "You ain't nuthin' but a hound dog." Just amazing!

We also have a long interview with Elvis which was conducted in September 1956 by Hollywood writer, Jules Archer. There's also a fascinating story, which we have called 'Happy Days', from superfan Elaine Christan. As if this isn't enough, you can be the first people to see images of a jumpsuit that Elvis is known to have worn only once. And then we take you back to June 1956 when 'The Atomic Powered Singer' appeared in Richmond, Virginia.

Throw in some pictures of Elvis on the set of GI Blues and many more previously unpublished snaps and you have a terrific read to enjoy.
--- Erik Lorentzen, Editor.

The first issue of the Elvis Files magazine is out now and has arrived at EIN's office in Australia.

Lorentzen has certainly worked hard to gather an interesting selection of articles. There are a selection of great photos that have come to light since the release of his first three Elvis Files volumes. These include Tony Stuchbury's 'Viva Las Vegas' recently purchased candid photos and presented in original polaroid size. (see below) There are the GI Blues photos of Elvis rehearsing with a doll in place of the baby, plus some beauties of Elvis and Joan Freeman (right) in Roustabout. The quality of these are superb

Another joy is the selection of photos from Germany that have been found since the release of the 'Elvis Files Vol.2'. Two pages shown below..

More surprising are the articles and photos that come from 1956 and 1970s - both eras which are still to be covered in the future Elvis Files books.   The Madison Square Garden '40 Years On' article runs for 12 pages and includes reviews plus an interesting article by Mike Eder taken from his forthcoming 2013 book.  Some photos may be familiar, like the Press Conference photos but are printed here in a bigger size than I have ever seen before! Other on stage photos are new to me. Mike Eder also provides a short introduction to what appears to be a on-going series on 'Elvis In Hollywood'. Two of the best articles are by Elaine Christan and her mother super-fan Virginia Coons - written specifically for the magazine along with some great candids.

The Jules Archer interview runs for a lengthy 8 pages and is well worth a feature. In it Elvis replies to some good questions from the time, including... Q: Well, do you think that rock 'n' roll music - not necessarily Presley style - is a bad influence? Elvis: Tell me this, sir. Does it make sense to blame it on music if a boy beats another boy up, or robs a place? Or if a teenage girl gets into trouble? Music gives people enjoyment. How can it make them do bad things? It seems to me that kids do bad things when their parents don't give them the love and attention they need. Or if they're spoiled and not made to toe the line. Why pin the blame on music? Wasn't there any delinquency before I came along with my guitar?

Q: How much truth do you feel there is in the charges that you deliberately use sexy movements when you sing?

Elvis: I just enjoy singing - and the kids know I do. People who read sex into my music have dirty minds. Sex isn't in my mind when I'm singing. If it seems that way to some people, it's because they're looking for it. I think most people - the nice kind of people - know that I'm just singing with honest and sincere emotion.

Q: How could you possibly prove that any "bumps and grinds" that you're accused of using aren't intentional?

Elvis: Well, sir, that's easy for anyone to find out it they really want to. The RCA Victor people can tell you that when I cut my records, and there's no audience to watch me, I still sing the same way -with my whole body. It's just my way of putting everything I have into a song. A doctor once told me I use up more nervous energy in at few minutes of singing than lots of men use up in a whole working day.

Q: Many parents object to your singing technique because they feel that in voice, lyric,
and manner there are sexual overtones that get the kids all worked up.

Elvis: When grownups were kids, their parents had the same objections to "sexy" music and dancing like the Charleston, the Black Bottom. and the they Lindy Hop. And today a lot of people would throw a fit if new songs came out with the kind of lyrics you find in old songs like "Body and Soul", "Let's Do It", "Love for Sale", "Why Not Take All of Me?", and even that ancient one, "The Sheik of Arabian". I don't recall ever hearing that those songs of the twenties and thirties ever made any delinquents.

Q: Do you think that perhaps some parents are prejudiced against you because of your sideburns, your ducktail haircut, and the zoot suits you wear?

Elvis: I don't rightly know. But if they are, they ought to remember that it's natural for boys and girls to want to dress in the fashion of the time they grow up in. Didn't the older people, when they were young, go in for things like bell-bottomed trousers, raccoon coats and striped blazers? And didn't Rudolph Valentino make sideburns popular in his day?

As a new Elvis magazine I am impressed with what Lorentzen has to offer and I think Elvis collectors will be similarly impressed. I can't believe that back in the day Lorentzen worked on Todd Slaughter's all too antiseptic "Elvis Today" magazine - things have changed a lot since then.

The magazine cleverly provides a place for any photos missed from the already-published Elvis Files and the magazine features some good reading. Of course not every single photo can be unreleased and a few are familiar however, as usual, a large number of the photos gleam in their superb quality and huge size.

I did notice a few proof-reading and editing mistakes in the articles but some of the new images - great Charro images for instance - more than compensate. The July 1971 Lake Tahoe 'Cobweb' jumpsuit images will certainly impress jump-suit junkies!
A minor quibble is that the magazine doesn't seem to have a chronological focus and jumps from era to era. I would have preferred at least a 50's, 60s and then 70's format. But if you are an Elvis Collector and love the Elvis Files books and how they are presented - lots of great rare photos along with interesting articles and Elvis interviews - then you need to check out this magazine series.

Please note that all photos in this article are very low-res scans and do not represent the image quality of the book.
While I am noted as being a contributor to this magazine, I am looking for future content and none of my material featured in this issue.

 
The magazine costs 'delivered to your door'
It costs 58 Euros for one-year subscription,

The Elvis Files – a Collectors Dream
Publisher: KJ Consulting, Oslo

Click here to ORDER 'Elvis Files Magazine' at The Elvis Files website> www.elvisfiles.no

Click here for more information about ALL the Elvis Files books
- Erik Lorentzen

The Seven-Volume series and proposed publishing dates are:
The Elvis Files Vol. 1,1953-1956, (December 2012)
The Elvis Files Vol. 2,1957-1959, (November 2010)
The Elvis Files Vol. 3,1960-1964, (April 2010)
The Elvis Files Vol. 4,1965-1968, (December 2011)
The Elvis Files Vol. 5,1969-1970, (April/May 2012)
The Elvis Files Vol. 6,1971-1973, (April 2013)
The Elvis Files Vol. 7,1974-1977, (December 2013)

Article and Interview by Piers Beagley.
-Copyright EIN October 2012
EIN Website content © Copyright the Elvis Information Network.

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