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...
Ben Folds writes searing open letter to protest Elvis’s studio getting torn down: This week, Ben Folds proved there’s a lot more to him than his Buddy Holly look and piano power pop anthems when he stood up for the city of Nashville.
A bit of context—Nashville, like many other cities, has been exponentially growing for the past few years, after a bevy of mustachioed and kitten-heeled journalists from high gloss publications finally figured out that Nashville wasn’t just a scene dedicated to singing about trucks and “country cuties,” and returned to their respective big cities to alert the masses. The press hailed “the new Nashville” (a popularized buzz phrase that most natives try to ignore) as one of America’s hippest cities, and trust fund kids and entrepreneurs alike flocked to the city to test their grit.
Naturally the rise in residents sparked frenzied new construction, as greedy developers from the Republican parts of town have been adamantly capitalizing on the aforementioned “coolness” in Nashville’s more liberal areas.
Enter Folds. The piano man has owned and operated historic RCA Studio A for twelve years. Any music nerd (for lack of a better term) knows RCA’s Studios A and B are where some of the most iconic music of all-time was recorded—from Elvis, to Dolly, to Willy, and far beyond. Places like A and B give Nashville the authenticity that makes the dissonance between the smoky dive bars filled with natives (and now a lot more North Faces and Sperry’s), and the neon, vomit-soaked, strip of honky tonks that only play commercial country music—somehow make sense.
Like many other hallowed spots around town, the fate of the RCA Building hangs in the balance as developers have begun bidding on the space. Because bad news is always accompanied well by disparaging irony—on theday that would have been the 90th birthday of Chet Atkins, one of two founders of the RCA Studios, Folds was given notice that the building would likely be sold. Naturally he took to paper to finally give voice to what so many locals have been lamenting for the past few months, as they’ve watched the city’s charm get paved over with condos and chain restaurants. He sent his open letter to the local alt weekly, The Nashville Scene, where it was published and quickly consumed by the town.
Folds apologizes for nothing, unabashedly listing every artist of note to have ever recorded in the almost 50-year-old studio, in a lengthy paragraph that in essence communicates to anyone who doesn’t understand the import of the space’s musical heritage, “fuck you.” His love of Nashville, its rich musical history and the studios themselves are palpable, as he goes on to talk about both the million dollars he’s invested in the past twelve years to preserve the space so that others may continue to create within it, as well as sharing anecdotes passed own through the years describing the kind of magic that has always lived there.
Folds eloquently sums up the concerns of all Nashvillians asking, “What will the Nashville of tomorrow look like if we continue to tear out the heart of Music Row that made us who we are as a city? Ultimately, who will want to build new condos in an area that has no central community or creatives?” The sad truth that seems to be prevailing is that the question isn’t so much who will want to build the condos, but who will want to live in them. The developers don’t seem to be asking themselves anything, really, other than what they should destroy next to make a quick profit.
Addressing both the development company and developer by name, Folds appeals to the people who have been adulterating Nashville to—much like a girl scout—consider their impact on the space. His resounding earnest sentiment haunts, “We are Music City—the only city in the world truly built on music.” He ends hopefully though, stating that he believes “progress and heritage can co-exist in mutual respect.” That is an ideal world that I think all Nashvillians hope they can live in. But for now the city continues to prove the cliché that things really can be ruined by becoming too popular, when the mainstream has no more respect for its independent roots. Only time will tell if the fair city will hold, but for now, hats off to Ben. (News, Source: Chloe Stillwell, deathandtaxesmag.com)
Elvis on Barbra Streisand All-Star "Duets" album: "It's a beautiful, beautiful record," says the legendary producer of the upcoming all-star album. Barbra Streisand's upcoming all-star duets album is nearing completion, according to one of its producers.
"It took a long time to get it done, but we're finally, I don't want to say done-done, but we're right there," Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, who's co-producing the set with Walter Afanasieff, tells Billboard. "It's a beautiful, beautiful record. She's singing amazingly well, and it's been a fun project to do."
Streisand made her first public acknowledgement of the album last week via a birthday greeting for Lionel Richie -- thanking him for being part of the project -- that was shown during his concert in suburban Detroit.
The set also includes pairings with Billy Joel, John Mayer, Michael Buble, John Legend, Blake Shelton, Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban, as well as a virtual duet with the late Elvis Presley.
An online posting from Afanasieff earlier this year said that Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga and Bette Midler were also part of the set, while during the fall of 2012 he reported that Usher, Willie Nelson, Robin Thicke and Yo Yo Ma were also involved. Neither Columbia Records nor Streisand's reps responded to requests for more details about the project. Streisand previously released a "Duets" compilation in 2002. Her last album, "Release Me," featured previously unreleased material and debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 in October 2012. (News, Source: Gary Graff, Billboard)
EIN Note: There have also been recent reports that Sir Cliff Richard has been given the green light to record/release a duet with Elvis, with Blue Suede Shoes mentioned.
Elvis' Peacock Jumpsuit sells for $245.000!: Last Saturday we reported that Elvis' Peacock jumpsuit had been listed for saleby Sotheby's in London as part of its A Rock & Roll History: PRESLEY TO PUNK auction .
The estimate was that the jumpsuit (with broken zipper and allegedly remnants of Elvis' sweat) could reach $200,000 in bidding.
That estimate was nicely exceeded as the jumpsuit sold for a princely $254,000. (News, Source: wbsradio.com)
Angst following EPE renaming of ''Elvis Insiders': Apparently there is a gathering storm of protest following EPE's decision to rename its Elvis Insiders club to Graceland Insiders. The club provides a range of special deals on merchandise for members, as well as access to rare information, photos etc and members also get to meet at special functions each year during Elvis Week. There are two levels of annual membership:.. Basic ($19.95) or Plus ($39.99).
Posts on the FECC board are mixed about the news with some posters asking why it is such a big deal while others are "all shook up". (News, Source: FECC board/graceland.com)
Officers with Heckler & Koch assault rifles and body armour combed quiet country lanes and woodland in search of tree surgeon Derrel Weaver, 60.
Police had been called to his home in Higher Widlake Farm, Widegates, where he lives with his partner Karen Pengelly and her children on Thursday evening following reports of a domestic incident.
But Mr Weaver had already left the house and vanished. Officers spent the night searching for Mr Weaver, before ordering the closure of the nearby Trenode CofE Primary School as a precaution. He is known to have access to firearms although police say they have no reason to believe he plans to use a weapon. Police said that Ms Pengelly and the children were safe.
Mr Weaver, a tree surgeon who was trained by the National Trust, is a well-known Elvis impersonator and motorcycling enthusiast who collects high-end bikes and parts as well as jukeboxes and old records. He is believed to have a comprehensive knowledge of the local woods. A camouflage-wearing police sniper was among those drafted in to scour the village which is four miles from the popular Cornish holiday spot, Looe.
Superintendent Jim Pearce of Devon and Cornwall Police urged Mr Weaver to contact police urgently. He said: "It's currently unclear whether Mr Weaver may be armed but this is a possibility as he is a licensed firearms holder.” (News, Source: Telegraph.co.uk)
All Shook Up captures essence of Elvis: This is the 11th year the University of Alabama's SummerTide Theatre has presented a musical at the George C. Meyer Performing Arts Center in Gulf Shores, Alabama. I've had the pleasure of reviewing several of the previous shows presented as part of this program, and I've always been impressed by the exceptional quality.
This year's production is "All Shook Up," and it was great to see the quality has not wavered as the student cast from the University of Alabama's Department of Theatre and Dance scores high marks in all areas. Theatergoers have through Fourth of July to see a show.
"All Shook Up" is all about performing songs by Elvis Presley. The story features a "roustabout" drifter named Chad — the obvious Elvis figure — who arrives in a small town in the throes of moralistic repression back in the '50s. The set, costumes and props all capture the flavor of that bygone era.
I won't even start to detail the various interconnected romantic entanglements that engulf the eight characters we meet in "All Shook Up." Suffice it to say, the story is largely a framework within which the cast members have frequent opportunities to break into song. This musical is clever, frequently funny and full of lively dance choreography.
I also want to credit this year's SummerTide director, Stacy Alley, for including a pair of interracial relationships in the show's romantic mix. One of them involves Dean, a character played by Pensacolian Benjamin Haupt, who is a junior at the University of Alabama. Dean is in love with Lorraine, portrayed by Sandra Gates, and they are charming together on stage. It's also nice to see how Haupt's voice and acting skills have continued to develop from his days of performing in Pensacola productions. Haupt and Gates were especially engaging on their rendition of "It's Now or Never."
Kilian Afzalirad completely nails the Elvis persona as Chad. He has the look, the swagger and that '50s era crooner's voice. His best moment and, in my opinion, the best number in the show, occurs when Afzalirad sings the lead vocals in a knockout good rendering of "C'mon Everybody." Rachel Barber, who plays Sylvia, has the best voice in the cast. She conjures up some Aretha Franklin magic, especially on her soaring solo, "There's Always Me."
Highest marks for comic timing go to Will Erwin, who plays a nerdy wannabe named Dennis; and to Brianna Heller, who plays Sandra, the beautiful, intellectual caretaker of the town's museum who transforms into a smoldering volcano of repressed passion. I also have to mention Kelly Kohlman, who plays Natalie and Ed. Natalie is a tomboy of a girl who is so smitten with Chad that she disguises herself as "Ed" so she can be around him as his sidekick. This leads to many funny moments, but I also liked the sincerity Kohlman injects into her role. We really feel for Natalie and Kohlman's rendering of "Love Me Tender" is my favorite quiet musical moment in the show. Bill Martin plays Jim — Sylvia's eventual love interest in the production's other interracial relationship — and he does a good job of portraying a middle-aged widower trying to find his way to a new life.
Assisting Alley are musical director/pianist Terry Moore, stage manager Karen Baker, technical director Abigail Gandy, scenic designer Andy Fitch, lighting and sound designer William Teague, costume designer Donna Meester and drummer Zachary Swanner.
Want to GO?
• WHAT: "All Shook Up."
• WHEN: 8 p.m. today through Sunday and Tuesday through July 4.
• WHERE: George C. Meyer Performing Arts Center, 2022 W. Second St., Gulf Shores, Alabama
• TICKETS: $20; $15 for children ages 12 and younger.
• DETAILS: 251-968-6721 or visit www.summertide.org. (News, Source: Andy Metzner, pnj.com)
"He was one good lookin' cat" - Seniors 'All Shook Up' by Elvis memories: The name of the sometimes controversial King of Rock n' Roll continues to evoke a wide range of emotions from love to fear to even disgust.
For many, however, the name Elvis Aaron Presley brings about fond memories of a performer who, while considered a little edgy for the mid-1950s, provided rockin' good times.
That's the case for Effie McFarland, 76, of Florence. She was a teen in 1956 when Elvis came out with his first No. 1 hit "Heartbreak Hotel."
"I like a lot of things about Elvis," she said. "I really liked it when he wiggled."
McFarland was one of many residents of Colonial Heights and Gardens in Florence who were treated to a special June 23 presentation about the famed singer. Burlington resident and avid Elvis fan Sam Lapin, 51, led an interactive multimedia program he created to share with residents of assisted living facilities. He also brought along a portion of his extensive collection of Elvis memorabilia.
"This is something I enjoy doing," Lapin said. "I've done volunteer work with seniors in the past and I just love them." I also love Elvis and his music; it's a passion of mine. The two are a good fit. I have so much fun and we share a lot of laughter. You can't beat that."
Effie McFarland, 76, a resident of Colonial Heights and Gardens, takes a look at Sam Lapin’s Elvis memorabilia that was displayed during his presentation on the singer.
(Photo: Melissa Stewart/The Community Recorder)
Colonial Heights activities director Yvonne Ward said Lapin's visit was a wonderful opportunity for the residents. "It really brought back a lot of good memories to them," she said. "That's good for them." Lapin said he likes the stories he gets to hear when he makes one of his Elvis presentations. "One lady was telling me how she got to sit on Elvis's lap," he said. "Another lady in her 90s was telling me how she had young kids when Elvis was first around and that she tried to shield them from his music. She said the presentation gave her a fresh look at him and she saw him in a different light. That was very rewarding."
Lapin's collection includes more than 100 LPs, 30 books and lots of "interesting" pieces such as an Elvis-themed train, dolls, Monopoly game, cologne and, of course, teddy bears. He started the collection 12 years ago to serve as visual aids for a rock 'n' roll history class he was teaching. The collection grew and now he wants to share it with others.
"I hope the word gets out about this," said Lapin, a professor at Northern Kentucky University. "I like volunteering and I think you should do what you're passionate about. This is a passion I want to share."
Colonial Heights resident Warren Johnson, 90, said he's glad Lapin came to visit and share his collection. "He was one good lookin' cat," Johnson said of Elvis while looking at a doll made in his image. "I liked Elvis. I liked his style." Nancy Norton, 77, said the presentation brought back a lot of good memories for her. "I liked Elvis a lot," she said. "One of my favorite things about him, well, he used to spend a lot of time in Asheville, North Carolina, and once I got a picture of me sitting on his knee. I enjoyed his outgoing personality. He was an outstanding young man, very friendly."
According to Lapin, that's one of the most interesting facts he's learned about Elvis. "Elvis was known for being a generous person," he said. "He did lots of charity work. But one story I find interesting is about one of his maids or cooks. She had gotten to work late and when she came in, she apologized and said she had to wait on the bus. She thought she'd be fired. Elvis got up and left. When he came back he handed her the keys to a new Cadillac he bought for her and said: 'You won't have to wait for the bus anymore.' He was constantly doing stuff like that."
Lapin himself lives by the example. He may not be giving away Cadillacs, but he's sharing his passion, making friends and giving more fond memories of Elvis.
Invite Sam for a visit: Sam Lapin is looking to share his Elvis presentation and memorabilia with more senior living communities. To book Lapin, call him at 859-663-5683.
'UK's number one Elvis impersonator' facing jail after admitting child porn offences: Entertainer Louis Fella, 53, has played to stars including Liam Gallagher, Tom Jones and Sir Elton John.
An Elvis impersonator who sang for Elton John and performed in front of 25,000 screaming fans in Las Vegas faces jail for child porn offences.
Merseyside entertainer Louis Fella was yesterday crooning to tourists on Southport’s seafront with his tribute to “The King”.
But the 53-year-old – whose stage name is Louis Rockafella – was today exposed by the Liverpool ECHO as a paedophile caught with more than 900 indecent pictures and films of children.
He also shared the images on the internet with other perverts. Fella – who boasts of being UK’s number one Elvis tribute – admitted 19 counts of possessing and distributing indecent images of children at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this month. He is due to be sentenced early next month. (News, Source: John Siddle, Liverpool Echo/mirror.co.uk)
Thursday 26 June 2014
Gillian G. Gaar talks to EIN!: Today, Gillian G. Gaar celebrated rock history aficionado and rock music author opens up to EIN in a fascinating 6,000 word discussion covering a range of eclectic subjects.
Brew your coffee, break open the biscuits........sit back and enjoy what is one of the most interesting and diverse interviews EIN has ever conducted as Gillian takes us inside her life and career and reflects on:
how Elvis will be remembered in the year 2525
EPE’s policy on Elvis’ later years and how EPE could market a DVD of the 1977 TV special, Elvis In Concert
Elvis and touring overseas
the role of Colonel Parker
writing for Rolling Stone, Mojo, Goldmine, Melody Maker, Q and Classic Rock
the Beatles, Green Day, Kurt Cobain, Nirvana and grunge rock
women in rock & roll including Big Mama Thornton, Janis Joplin, Patti Smith, Blondie, Pussy Kill, The Go-Go's
Quentin Tarantino
a shoot-out at the Graceland Gates (the O.K. Corral was booked) as digital publishing threatens the future of physical books
the time Elvis invited Ronnie Tutt upstairs at Graceland and played him a contemporary record asking why his own records didn’t sound like that.......Elvis knew something was missing from his records but didn’t know how to ask for that!
and along the way we find out what the other "G" stands for in Gillian's name! (Interview, Source: EIN)
Today marks 37 years since Elvis’ final live performance!: Elvis’ last concert was held at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 26, 1977 in front of a crowd of 18,000. (News, Source: EIN)
Elvis Presley’s Graceland and the city of Memphis gear up for 60th Anniversary of Rock ‘N’ Roll:The year long celebration to commemorate Elvis' first professional recording, considered by many music historians to be the birth of the rock 'n' roll music movement, kicks into high gear during the Independence Day weekend as Memphis and Elvis Presley's Graceland celebrate 60 years of rock 'n' roll.
On July 5, 1954, Elvis walked into Memphis Recording Service, now known as Sun Studio, and recorded a fast version of Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right" with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. When Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips first played the song July 8, 1954, on WHBQ radio, the switchboard lit up and due to public demand, the song was repeated 14 times in a row during the "Red HOT and Blue" show. Rock 'n' roll was born and the music world was changed forever.
Kicking off the holiday weekend celebration on July 4 will be fireworks set to classics by the King of Rock 'n' Roll during Mud Island River Park's Independent Bank Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular, presented by the Riverfront Development Corporation and WREG -TV News Channel 3. Starting at 9:45 p.m. CT, Memphis celebrates 60 Years of Rock 'n' Roll in a musical salute to Elvis Presley as fireworks light up the mighty Mississippi River and downtown Memphis' Riverfront Skyline.
The location of Elvis' first professional recording session, Sun Studio, will be the site of a day-long celebration on July 5 as Memphis and the world mark the big bang of rock 'n' roll with Elvis Presley's recording of "That's All Right" in the very studio where it was recorded. Sun Studio will host the official grand opening of its newly-installed exhibit tied to the 60th anniversary and a special "60 Years" ceremony and cake-cutting event will take place at noon central time in front of Sun Studio for visitors and press.
The site of Elvis' first professional performance just 25 days after his history-making recording session will play host to a one-night-only music event set for July 5, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. A concert at the Levitt Shell, which will be free and open to the public, will not only celebrate Elvis and his music with an all-star lineup, but will also honor the full breadth of the Memphis music story, showcasing classics by Booker T. & the MG's, Sam & Dave, Al Green and The Staples Singers, performed by critically-acclaimed artists of today's Memphis music scene. Just prior to the concert event at the Shell, legendary bassist Bill Black will be honored posthumously on stage with a Brass Note which will be placed on the Beale Street Brass Note Walk of Fame, to recognize his many important contributions to Memphis music, including his significant role in Elvis Presley's music career, starting with that fateful night at Memphis Recording Service (Sun Studio) on July 5, 1954.
Visitors to Elvis Presley's Graceland on the historic day of July 5 will receive a free limited-edition poster by noted rock 'n' roll artist Joe Petruccio. Featuring art created especially for the anniversary, the prints showcase a young Elvis Presley early in his career clutching his favorite guitar, a 1956 Gibson J200 with the phrase "He Rocked the World." Posters will be available at Guest Services in the ticketing area at Graceland Plaza (one poster per party/group while supplies last).
The Hard Rock CafeMemphis will host public memorabilia tours throughout the day on July 5th, to showcase its new venue and the rock 'n' roll memorabilia on display. Following the Levitt Shell concert event on the evening of July 5th, Hard Rock warmly welcomes concert-goers to grab a drink after the show, with drink specials to celebrate 60 Years of Rock 'n' Roll. Hard Rock Cafe is calling 126 Beale Street their new home - which was the original location of Lansky Brothers, the legendary retail clothiers who's customers included Elvis Presley and many other Memphis music legends. Detailed event information can be found at www.hardrock.com/memphis.
As unique as the man himself, Backbeat Tours' "60 Years of Rock 'n' Roll Tour" on July 5 takes a one-of-a-kind approach to sharing Elvis' legacy in a high-energy concert and sightseeing tour all rolled into one. Hear favorite Elvis hits performed live on Memphis' only music bus while seeing where he grew up, where he went to school, where he worked, and where he dreamed, as well as sites important to his early career. This special 2.5-hour tour also includes a guided tour of Sun Studio.
A special exhibition is currently on display at Elvis Presley's Graceland and showcases the king's impact on music and popular culture over the past 60 years. The vaults of the Graceland Archives have been opened to help develop this unique exhibit, 60 Years of Elvis, that chronicles the birth of rock 'n' roll and is included as part of the Graceland VIP Tour. Guests explore the birth of rock 'n' roll music in July of 1954 and journey through the transformation of the would-be King of Rock 'n' Roll from delivery truck driver to world-wide singing sensation and star of the silver screen. Rare artifacts displayed in the new "60 Years of Elvis" exhibit include: Elvis' personal "That's All Right" 45 rpm record; a pay stub from his early days as a driver for Crown Electric; telegrams home to his parents during his first few days on tour; an original script from "Jailhouse Rock"; his 1955 RCA Records contract; Elvis' last GRAMMY Award for his Gospel hit "How Great Thou Art," along with the jumpsuit he wore on stage that night; Elvis' wardrobe from "Viva Las Vegas"; and the award presented to Graceland and the Presley family upon Elvis' induction into the inaugural class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. This Graceland museum exhibit will be open from now until February of 2015.
The Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum also features a new exhibit titled "60 Years of Rock," running now through January 2015. A six decade timeline of memories and music memorabilia, starting with the July 5, 1954, milestone when Elvis Presley recorded "That's All Right" and winding through thousands of history-making musical events around the world.
Sirius XM's Elvis Radio, which broadcasts live from Graceland, plans special programming for its listeners across North America throughout the week leading up to July 5 to celebrate both this 60th anniversary as well as Elvis Radio's 10th anniversary on the air. A July 5 special broadcast will look back at the "Big Bang Of Rock & Roll" with historic memories from Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, Sam Phillips, George Klein and of course the DJ who played the very first Elvis record on the radio, Dewey Phillips.
For more information about these and other 60th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll events, visit Graceland.com. (News, Source: BroadwayWorld.com)
Tuesday 24 June 2014
Researchers use Elvis’ hit music to unlock secrets of how memory works: Researchers from the University of Amsterdam have attempted to use hit music tunes including those by Elvis Presley, Abba and the Spice Girls in order to unlock the secrets of how memory works.
Researchers have created a fun online game, where fans must identify song clips and compare them by their catchiness, to shed light on why some tunes get stuck in people's head, the BBC reported. The findings might help understand how the memory process works and eventually it could lead to the treatment for dementia.
Dr Ashley Burgoyne of the University of Amsterdam said that it has already been established that music has the most powerful effect on memory than other memory triggers but the reason behind it is still unclear.
He further explained that there has been some very nice research showing that, if people who are suffering from dementia listen to their favourite music, it can really liven them up, so a better understanding of how the process works and identifying the features of music that seems to lock it in the memory would ultimately help in making better healing clinical decisions.
The game was created and launched with the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. (News, Source: BusinessStandard.com)
Memphis Mafia member Marty Lacker takes issue with recent news article: On Saturday (see below) EIN published an article (How Elvis Presley got paid an arm and a leg and Scotty Moore missed out) by Donald MacInnes about the disparity in salaries of Elvis and Scotty Moore when Elvis was booked on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1956. Marty makes a powerful argument in support of Elvis:
I read the ridiculous article written by someone named Donald MacInnes in regards to the difference Scotty Moore got paid for the Ed Sullivan show and what Elvis got paid.
Where do these dumb ass writers come from and why do they write about subjects they're obviously ignorant of. They sit in front of a computer and write about anything that comes to their uninformed minds.
First of all, allow me to ask MacInnes a question, who do you think Ed Sullivan mainly hired to perform on that show, Elvis or Scotty? Do you think Elvis would have been booked for that show without Scotty and vice versa?
Secondly, Parker made the deal for Elvis and he set the price not Elvis and Parker got his percentage of Elvis' amount not Scotty's.
I'm not taking anything away from Scotty, he's a talented and good man but get real, Elvis was the one everyone wanted to book and Scotty and Bill Black would not have been there without him, you can't say the opposite.
Unless you're a member of a band or singing group you don't get paid anything near the main star. Even in groups it all depends of the arrangement of the members of the group and if you are an original member or not. (News, Source: Marty Lacker)
Coming on Thursday 26 June - author Gillian G. Gaar talks to EIN!!!
Heading our next site update is one of our best ever interviews as noted author, Gillian G. Gaar gets candid in a fascinating 6,000 word discussion covering a range of diverse subjects from:
women in rock 'n' roll
the grunge rock of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana
The Beatles
film maker Quentin Tarantino
the role of Colonel Parker
the Memphis Mafia
EPE's policy of largely ignoring the Elvis story post Aloha in 1973
how EPE could market the 1977 TV special "Elvis In Concert" on DVD, AND
the time Elvis invited Ronnie Tutt upstairs at Graceland and played him a contemporary record asking why his own records didn’t sound like that.......Elvis knew something was missing from his records but didn’t know how to ask what it was!
PLUS we reveal what the "G" stands for in Gillian "G" Gaar
(Right) Gillian G. Gaar author of:
100 Things Elvis Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die (recently released)
Elvis the King: The Authorised Book from the Graceland Archives (recently released)
Return of the King: Elvis Presley’s Great Comeback (essential reading for any Elvis fan)
She’s a Rebel: The History of Women in Rock & Roll (a mandatory inclusion in any serious library of rock 'n' roll books!); plus
numerous titles on The Beatles, Green Day and Kurt Cobain and Nirvana
Elvis As Recorded Live In Vegas: From the last engagement in Las Vegas the December 7, 1976 'soundboard' show will be released on the CD Elvis As Recorded Live In Las Vegas. It was previously released as Run On, but this time it is sclaimed it has the correct speed.
Track listing: See See Rider - Elvis Talks - I Got A Woman / Amen - Elvis Talks - Love Me - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - You Gave Me A Mountain - O Solo Mio / It’s Now Or Never - Blue Christmas - That’s All Right - Are You Lonesome Tonight - Softly, As I Leave You - Elvis Talks - Fever - All Shook Up / Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - Band Introductions - Early Morning Rain - What’d I Say - Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) - Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs) - Love Letters - School Days - Hurt - Hound Dog - Hawaiian Wedding Song - You Better Run - Bosom Of Abraham - Elvis Talks - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp - Christmas Souvenir Announcement.
Bonus Songs (Audience recordings):Such A Night (12/12/1976 CS) - Rip It Up (12/11/1976 DS) - One Night (12/3/1976 DS) - Blue Suede Shoes (12/11/1976 DS) - Elvis Talks About His Birthstone (12/12/1976 CS) - Happy Birthday To Charlie Hodge (12/12/1976 CS) - Until Then (12/11/1976 MS) - What Now MY Love (12/4/1976 DS) (News: Source: Elvis Club Berlin /Elvis News)
Saturday 21 June 2014............................today's news is dominated by the King's things!
Reevaluating Elvis' interior design sense - Elvis's Style Is King Again.......
Kitsch before it was cool, Graceland's interior design is worth another look:
Music Room at Graceland
EVERY INTERIOR DESIGNER dreams of a wealthy client with impeccable taste and a very demanding job that prevents him or her from getting too involved in day-to-day decisions. At the age of 22, Elvis Presley may not have worked out his tastes quite yet, but he was by all accounts open to suggestions.
When Presley bought Graceland in 1957, the eight-bedroom Colonial Revival house set on 5.6 hectares of land in Memphis, he had his mind set on purple walls with white corduroy drapes. Busy touring and preparing for the film "Jailhouse Rock," he was gently persuaded to consider a more tasteful scheme by both his mother, Gladys, and interior designer George Golden.
Graceland was a precursor to the sort of lavish properties inhabited by today's footballers and oligarchs and splashed across magazine spreads. "I do think that there is certainly, and always has been, a move toward the grandeur and rigorously perfect color scheming of Graceland," says London-based interior designer David Bentheim. "But few can achieve the perfection and almost naive simplicity of 'le style Gracelands.' "
Separated from the living room by dramatic stained-glass panels of peacocks, the gold-and-white music room is primarily taken up by a grand piano and floor-to-ceiling gold swagged curtains. The mirror on the wall is one of the few items to have survived from his previous home in Memphis. A custom-made striped silk sofa, coffee table and TV set (Presley famously watched three at the same time)—all in beige and gold—complete the look.
Though still considered garish by many—British humorist Sheila Moss once said it was "reminiscent of a pimp palace"—looking at Graceland today, there is almost a sense of restraint. With gold once again in demand—both on the market and in design—what better time to copy the king?
Beyond the Bend: The easiest way to add color to any room is with glass accessories. For updated Graceland-style coffee-table bobbles, try vases by Renzo Stellen for Salviati. Aria, pictured, or Drops create a modern flair (from £200; salviati.com).
Golden Coins: Gold is definitely in at the moment, adding warmth, sparkle and a sense of decadence to a room. Presley would've liked Philippe Starck's Attila gnome stool-table (£207; kartell.com) or Jonathan Adler's brass-tastic Ulu side table (£1,200; jonathanadler.com)
Burning Love: Chandeliers give a room a sense of drama and scale. Look for originals rather than reproductions. Try Guinevere's neoclassical gilt bronze 12-light chandelier, which is imposing but not overpowering (£12,500; guinevere.co.uk).
Let's Play House: The boxy sofa—a staple of the 1950s and '60s—looks modern again. Go Mod with George Sherlock's Geneva sofa, covered here in a Neisha Crosland fabric. £2,314 for a two-seater; georgesherlock.com
Pure Gold: Shake things up with Jim Thompson's Kaleidoscope curtains. £110 a meter; jimthompsonfabrics.com (News, Source: Helen Kirwan-Taylor, Wall Street Journal - Real Estate)
How Elvis Presley got paid an arm and a leg and Scotty Moore missed out: I heard a radio documentary about the legendary Scotty Moore - Elvis Presley's guitar player from 1954 until the King went to Hollywood to make crappy movies, rather than doing what the good Lord had intended him to do. Given that it was Moore's hillbilly picking that gave the early Presley recordings their delicious twang, you might imagine that Elvis rewarded his talented cohort with something other than crumbs from the table. Not so.
When The Pelvis appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show on 6 January 1957, he was paid the then-quite-staggering fee of $50,000, equivalent to a shade over $420,000 in today's money. Scotty Moore, along with the rest of Presley's small band, received around $78. Nowadays that would see Moore pocketing just under $660. Admittedly, this is a not-inconsiderable plate of cheese but, as a fraction of his employer's bounty, it works out at a seriously disappointing 0.15 per cent. Now no one is saying that Elvis was cheap. To my wooden heart he is, and always will be, the greatest of all time. But he could have possibly spread the love around a little!
The following anecdote doesn't make me feel any better for Mr Moore, still going strong at 82. During the aforementioned radio chat the interviewer mentioned that Elvis was famous for giving brand new Cadillacs to random doormen or toilet attendants, so surely Scotty must have done pretty well too? Moore replied that he only once received a gift from the millionaire redneck: a watch. "Was it a nice one?" asked the interviewer. "No," replied Scotty. "Elvis had been given a new watch, which was very expensive… beautiful. I got his old one."
This kind of insufficient remuneration ought to bring a pink tinge of shame to the delightfully made-up face of Lily Allen, recently bemoaning the fact she only made around £8,000 from her No1 cover of Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know" for the 2013 John Lewis Christmas advert. I certainly wouldn't wish to pour scorn on the deservedness of Ms Allen and compare her contribution to music, relative to Mr Moore's, but it does rather illustrate how times change.
Anyway, you can't put a price on a good time. Well you can, but you'll invariably end up paying over the odds. In 2003 The Eagles were hired for a private performance at a party in a princely Manhattan apartment. They played just one song, their signature jam "Hotel California", and were paid $6m. That's six million dollars. For one song. At least the squillionaire in question got to dazzle his squillionaire pals, leaving them feeling both impressed and darkly jealous at the same time.
I'd bet you $78 that Scotty Moore experienced both of these emotions as he stood behind Elvis on the stage of The Ed Sullivan Show all those years ago. (News, Source: Donald MacInnes, The Independent)
Elvis’ Sweat-Stained Peacock Suit Could Sell for $200K: Does Elvis Presley’s sweat cure the common cold? If it’s caked into a 40-year-old smudged piece of white fabric, does Elvis sweat turn lead into gold, water to wine?
No, it doesn’t. But is Elvis sweat still worth up to $200,000? The answer is yes, probably.
Once in a, ahem, blue moon, some incredible memorabilia rolls through town and shakes up the collectors’ world. A Sotheby’s auction Tuesday is one of those incredible events.
One of the items on sale is a special suit owned by Elvis Presley—that’s the King of Pop to you—that the aging star wore during his Las Vegas performances.
Likely to fetch between $100,000 and $200,000, the suit has a green and blue peacock rendered in rhinestones and gold lame on the front and back, CNBC reports. As everyone knows, a bejeweled white jump suit is a nightmare to wash, so it still has Elvis Sweat Stains™ in the armpits.
Other items include Bob Dylan’s original handwritten lyrics to “Like A Rolling Stone,” corrections and all, which could sell for up to $2 million, and John Lennon’s piano, which was also played by Elton John and David Bowie and could go for $100,000 to $200,000.
Also, there are some John Lennon drawings, and Jim Morrison’s Love Her Madly lyrics.
Rock fans, come one, come all. (News, Source: Sam Frizell, Time)
Elvis and Sinatra's Vegas Crown: Yesterday we published an 'archival' story about Elvis' triumphant 1972 tour including his Madison Square Garden shows as being a pitch for Elvis to replace Frank Sinatra as the King of Vegas.
EIN thanks its regular contributor and Memphis Mafia member, Marty Lacker for this appropriate comment:
"I read that story written by The Guardian reporter, he was either 80 years old or has lived in a cave all his life and just came out and decided to be a so-called writer.
"Elvis as the successor to Frank Sinatra", where the hell had that guy been since 1954? That show was not done to establish Elvis as the successor to anybody. His description of the show and Elvis' moves sounds like the piece was written by a guy who never heard of Elvis before. In addition it sounds like he really wasn't a fan of Elvis." (News Update, Source:Marty Lacker/EIN)
Tupelo awards $11.5M contract for "Elvis Trail": (Tupelo) City officials have awarded an $11.5 million contract to build a pathway from downtown Tupelo to the birthplace of Elvis Presley.
“It's the opportunity for us to try something new and better for what we think will be a great economic development tool,” Debbie Brangenberg, director of the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association, told the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
The city council on Tuesday gave the contract to Madison-based Key LLC construction company.
The city's share of the project is expected to be $575,000, with other funding provided from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Major Thoroughfare Program, which will cover the $2.5 million difference between the project estimate and actual contract.
With an estimated construction time of 15 to 18 months, the project should end by summer 2015. The project also will add bike paths and sidewalks from downtown to the birthplace, increasing safety for non-motorists traveling between the areas. It also will include improved landscaping.
Mayor Jason Shelton said he's heard various opinions from residents, ranging from worries of traffic congestion to excitement for potential quality-of-life improvements.
“At the end of the day I think it's going to be good for the city,” he said.
Presley's former home in Tupelo is one of the main points of interest on the Elvis Presley Birthplace Trail. The Elvis Presley Birthplace Trail project includes construction of overlay, roadway and bridge widening, curb, sidewalk, striping along 9,341 feet and traffic signalization from Green Street in downtown Tupelo to the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum.
Presley was born in Tupelo on Jan. 8, 1935, and moved to Memphis with his parents at age 13. He was 42 when he died Aug. 16, 1977, in Memphis. (News, Source: ConstructionEquipmentGuide.com)
Own a piece of Elvis: Calling all fans of “The King,” there is an opportunity to own Elvis’ personal 1968 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe, which is being sold on eBay for a buy-it-now price of $229,900, approximately $4,500 below the showroom list price. With this listing, Elvis enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of American rock-and-roll memorabilia.
This car’s rich history can be tracked back (through proper documentation) to when Presley purchased it brand new from Memphis, Tenn., to its life in Australia and return to the U.S.
The vehicle not only includes proper documentation, but also a bullet hole made by Presley himself.
While the vehicle’s previous owners list will surely draw interested buyers, the Eldorado Coupe boasts some attractive qualities as well. The vehicle has 16,339 original miles, power windows, power locks, power seats, air conditioning, is finished in a rare topaz firemist gold paired with an antique saddle leather interior and if that’s not enough, animatronic Elvis will tell you the story behind the vehicle face-to-face. Elvis also had a taste for an uncommon color, as this Eldorado represents. According to the documents, the car was used as Presley’s personal vehicle for approximately 13 months and has been on display since. With its return back to the U.S., Elvis enthusiasts have the ability to own a classic American vehicle rich with American history.(News, Source: Joel Patel, GMAuthority Blog)
OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY.....This same model was owned by JFK, ELVIS, LIBERACE AND EVEN Dr. Spock. If you do not know the Century brand you should look it up, its the Rolls Royce of its time and these vessels are still going strong. (News, Source: ebay)
EIN Note: The initial listing and pr on ebay has been amended to remove the suggestion the speedboat was owned by Elvis!
Friday 20 June 2014.....................................................stunning new release announced!!!
BACKDRAFT announces FINAL COUNTDOWN TO MIDNIGHT....THE ULTIMATE PITTSBURGH 1976 NYE EXPERIENCE PACKAGE 2CD/DVD/BOOK: This release, ‘FINAL COUNTDOWN TO MIDNIGHT’, follows from Backdraft’s first offering, ‘Rebooked at the International’. It contains a hardback book with over 100 pages of many rare and unpublished photos, all taken from original slides with detailed information including eyewitness text, facts and more!
Incorporated with the book is a 2CD set offering for the first time ever, THE COMPLETE SHOW of the Pittsburgh 1976 New Years Eve concert re-mastered from a newly acquired source, now running well over 92 mins that is guaranteed to please the listener as Elvis rings in the new year of 1977, his final countdown. The sound will attest to the best near soundboard quality ever!
The DVD premieres to the world, newly discovered footage and has been edited from over 2 hours and 20 mins allowing us to present this near complete show running at 85 mins in multiple-angle format. Some of the footage transferred in High Definition is positively stunning! The rich and vibrant colours provide a truly stunning viewing experience.
This Pittsburgh experience package has been a mammoth task to complete to finally bring the ultimate experience of what was the greatest show on earth, to the fans.
You can view a quick made trailer here and a sneak preview of the DVD is coming soon! (News, Source: Email)
(From the archives) Elvis favourite to take Sinatra's Vegas crown.......Elvis Presley's touring performances put him in contention to be the main act at Caesar's Palace: Tonight, Elvis plays Chicago, towards the end of a tour that started last week at Madison Square Garden. Close on 100,000 people saw Presley sing for the first time in his career in New York.
It's hard to pretend to be at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, sitting in the midst of a stadium where the voices of the audience break like surf, and hemmed in by soda salesmen and souvenir poster hawkers. Yet that's what thousands of people attempted.
Women dressed in leased wigs; yellow crêpe pant-suits cut to reveal cleavage; synthetic semi-see-through lace stretch blouses: fat hips, court shoes, thick paint.
Men wore plastic combat jackets, sideburns, blue cheeks, black pompadours, blue patterned short-sleeved shirts, prominent wrist-watch, and in one case I saw a reflex camera mounted on a tripod, like a machine-gun.
Couples where the woman was 30 pounds heavier than the man, like the female butterfly or spider, were noticeable. These people were not from Manhattan but from the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. To my eye, fresh from watching "The Godfather" at a movie theatre ten miles from Long Beach, they seemed Italianate. There were no freaks.
A comedian delivers one-liners against homosexuals, woman's lib, sex education, dope, and about teenagers, television, telephones, marriage. For example. "My teenage daughter has a boyfriend, Acne Arnold." A few boos from the back of the stadium. Elsewhere, applause. The show is scheduled to start at 8.30. The comedian, the Sweet Inspirations, and an interval, stretch the time to 9.28.
"May we have the house lights down, please." The jazz orchestra play "Also Sprach Zarathustra," locally known as the theme from "2001." The ambiance rivals "Jesus Christ Superstar." Elvis walks on fast, in a white cape, swirling like a heavy wrestler. Feet two feet apart, left leg bending at the knee. In a confusion of gestures, he jerks the microphone to himself, twiddles his guitar, shows it to the audience and then hands it to his caddie.
He wears rows of silver circles on his back, swagged like a guardsman. His belt is made of interlocking suns. Once on stage he always walks slowly, flexing his gestures, commanding and offering at the same time. Every six songs he slides a new scarf off his neck to a girl in a front row. The age of rock totemism is not dead. Any time he swings full circle a cry swells up from the auditorium.
Oh yes, his act is exciting, paced and modulated with a craft which preserves just so much of the original thrust of and at the crutch. He's singing "You've Lost That Loving Feeling." Slowly, "Listen to me talking to yuh" (Jerk of the head) "Gone" (jerk) ''Gone" (shoulder jerk) "Gone" (hip-jerk).
He sweats a lot. He sings "All Shook Up" very fast, wandering side-stage, gesturing as if throwing a ball underhand. Between "I'm in love" and "I'm all shook up" he sways left and right. Squeals, as the 30-year-old women in the audience climb into their 15-year-old panties. During "Heart-break Hotel" he strokes either the microphone or the air in front of it, like Aladdin's lamp.
"This was a song I did on the Ed Sullivan show," he says. He leans over, elbow on knee like Charles Atlas style, and begins "Hound Dog" first cha-cha, then with wah-wah guitar, then for real, winding up the audience as he sings by revolving his right hand round the elbow. Terrific screams. In "Suspicious Minds," as he asks "What you doin' to me?" he vibrates his left leg, then stops it by pressing the side of his thigh, as if master of a modified sex-machine. With tremendous vibrato: "Make believe you love me one more time."
He sings his new single, a melange of "I wish I was in Dixie" and "his truth is marching on": the song has the tactical skill of a Presidential candidate. Darkness. Then Elvis is revealed in a yellow spot, head hung down. He holds his cloak out as if Superman infected with egomania; turns and bows left, right, centre. And runs backstage followed by bodyguards. It's 10.19 and his performance of 51 minutes has been immaculate. The MC announces: "Elvis has left the building. Thank you, and goodnight." Outside, a man sells buttons: "I want Elvis for Christmas."
This tour is the pitch to establish Elvis Presleyas the successor to Frank Sinatra. It will succeed. (Archives, Source: Geoffrey Cannon, The Guardian, originally published 17 June 1972)
Thursday 19 June 2014
‘The Life of Elvis’ New Book: In The Life of Elvis, author Frank Hyland traces the rise of Elvis Presley from his poor upbringing in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his burst onto the national scene in 1956, to his television and motion picture triumphs, to his electrifying return to the stage in 1968, to his passing in 1977. This book also contains never-before-published photographs provided by EPE and Graceland archives. There are photos of Elvis' childhood home, his parents and his high school days. There are also dozens of pictures covering his career, from the beginning in Memphis to his last performances on stage. Included in a special section are images from Elvis' funeral and the mourning that took place across the United States, and a look at the vast memorabilia collection inside Graceland. No Elvis fan should be without this book about the king! Also included are special Elvis drinking glass coasters to use while you enjoy this great coffee-table book! With a foreword by Priscilla Presley.
Publisher: Whitman Publishing Out October 28, 2014 (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
"Elvis: The Echo Will Never Die" - Ahead of Its Time: Marty Lacker rightly pointed out to EIN that although the more recent review stated that in 'Elvis: The Echo Will Never Die'"the interviews revealed nothing of significance" it was in fact a very significant documentary about Elvis!"It was produced in 1979, two years after Elvis died, and back then what we talked about in the interviews were things that were not known for the most part at that time. Secondly up until that time B.B.King, Sammy, Tom Jones and other celebrities had not made known the depths of their relationship with Elvis and as far as the MM members who spoke, especially Billy Smith and myself along with our wives made comments about all the years we were close to Elvis that we never revealed before. It was quite a revelatory documentary for its time.
I spent a couple of days with Casey at their house in Bel Air when we interviewed with him for Echo, they lived across the street from Tom Jones at the time.
Casey Kasem did not produced the show, he was just hired as narrator for TV version" - Marty. (News, Source;MartyL/ElvisInfoNet)
'The Rocker Strikes Again' New Import CD: Announced by an unknown label "The Rocker Strikes Again - Elvis Presley's Greatest Rock and Roll." From the publicity... Do you remember? Back in the 1980’s two fantastic rock and roll compilation albums were releases by RCA: "Rocker" (1985) and "Return Of The Rocker" (1986). The albums were a huge success and a follow up, a third volume was already planned, including a full track listing but....for unknown reasons it was never released by RCA. Now, 28 years after volume two here is the final edition in this series: "The Rocker Strikes Again!" As with volumes 1 and 2 a stunning shot of Elvis on the motorbike is on the front cover. A beautiful 4 page full colour booklet housed in a plain white jewelcase, volume 3 contains 22 of the greatest rock and roll tracks released between 1964 – 1976. Masters, undubbed masters, live recordings and alternate takes… it’s all here for the perfect rock and roll album! So finally you have the change to complete your Rocker collection. Limited Edition only! Note - Looks a little homemade to EIN - but what a fun cover Go HERE to All Elvis 2014 CD Releases - for full tracklist. (News, Source;ElvisOnCD/ElvisInfoNet)
US D.J. Casey Kasem Dead at 82: Casey Kasem has died at the age of 82. The legendary radio star and voice actor had been suffering from Parkinson's and passed away on Sunday. "Early this Father’s Day morning, our dad Casey Kasem passed away surrounded by family and friends." Kerri Kasem wrote.
Kasem, whose first name was Kemal, was best known to a generation of fans as the host of American Top 40, which he hosted for a total of 24 years, from 1970-88, and again from 1998-2004, when Ryan Seacrest took his place. To Elvis fans, he's best know for his booming voice on the documentary "Elvis: The Echo Will Never Die." --"There are some entertaining excerpts from actual Presley interviews, and numerous talking heads (B.B. King, friends and members of the "Memphis Mafia," and Sammy Davis Jr.) weigh in. But for the most part, they have little of significance to impart - actress Ursula Andress, who appeared in Fun in Acapulco with Elvis, reports that he was "a very good-looking man"." the voice-over was however excellent! See the documentary here on YouTube - Runs 50 minutes
(News, Source/ElvisMatters/ElvisInfoNet)
Spanish Club Elvis Summer Festival 2014: The fourth edition of the biggest Spanish Elvis event is back. After the huge success of the last three editions, Club Elvis Spain will return to Zaragoza this year. We are going to celebrate our 23th Anniversary of the fanclub, and will bring the Elvis fans and the members of the Club the best Spanish Tribute artists and Spanish Elvis bands in a one big meeting, on June 27th and 28th. Eight of the most important Spanish Elvis Tribute bands and artists will perform in this festival.
A big meeting you don't want to miss!!!
Go HERE to their facebook page for more details
(News, Source;ClubElvis/ElvisInfoNet)
Saturday / Sunday 15 June 2014
'Ultimate Elvis Sessions' More Preview Pages:More great sixties preview pages and don't miss the special deal for their great new deluxe book - Don't pay $400, buy it direct to your door from Elvis Filesfor only US$320 - including postage.The combined three book weigh 10Kgs, so it is the postage that makes it expensive. 'Ultimate Elvis – Recording Sessions' is a three-volume, deluxe set, that features all the session information available to date. With fabulous photographs - approximately 1500 of them! - many of them previously unseen, relating to the time period in question. Legendary guitarist James Burton sums it up neatly: 'These are the most beautiful books I have ever seen and the best researched.'. Go HERE for US$320 Pre-Order - plus see the new Previews (News, Source;EL/ElvisInfoNet.com)
New Graceland Hotel gets Shelby Board Approval: The Memphis-Shelby County Land Use Control Board has now approved a proposal from EPE to build a 450-room hotel on the same side of Elvis Presley Boulevard as the historic Graceland mansion.
The project faced no opposition at the Thursday, June 12, LUCB meeting, and City Council member Harold Collins said the hotel would provide much-needed economic investment in the community while complementing major upgrades to Elvis Presley Boulevard, the primary artery in Whitehaven.
The 450-room hotel, which will include meeting spaces and a restaurant and bar, would be the biggest hotel in Memphis outside the Downtown area.
The new hotel appears to be part of a broader effort by Authentic Brands to invest in Graceland. Authentic Brands officials have spoken in broad terms about Graceland upgrades but have revealed few details.
The first sign of new life in the development plan occurred in March, when EPE filed a $670,000 permit application with the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement to build a new “studio building” also on land north of the mansion. The permit is for property at 3674 Elvis Presley Blvd., which had been a car lot in the past and was bought by EPE in 2006 in anticipation of the CKX expansion.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Pål Granlund and David English at Elvis Week: The two authors of the new FTD book "Elvis Presley: Memphis To Nashville '61" will appear as special guests during the Official Elvis Insiders Event on August 14. Pål Granlund (right with Elvis) and David English will join other special guests during the annual Elvis Week event. The book includes memories of musicians, friends of Elvis and fans, together with magazine and newspaper articles, including many rare and newly discovered photographs. The collection of over 100 unpublished photographs are derived from many different sources, some original negatives and some from original prints. Other special guests included in the Official Elvis Insiders Event will be the Memphis Boys’ members Bobby Wood, Gene Chrisman and Reggie Young along with special guest American Studio Sound producer Chips Moman, representatives from Sony and Warner Bros. talking about “Elvis: That’s The Way It Is' Elvis artist and fellow Insider Joe Petruccio and Elvis’ jeweler Lowell Hays.
Super 8 Film of Elvis in Kansas 1971 on Bay: From Jim Curtin's collection, one Super 8 Filmreel (50ft) of Elvis Presley in Kansas City November, 1971.
After Jim Curtin passed away 3 years ago, parts of his Elvis Collection was sold on several different Auctions.
The here offered Super 8 Reels also stem from one of these Auctions. The footage is 50 Ft long, which equals a playtime of 3 Minutes and 20 Seconds, the footage has no audio track.
The picture quality of this Super 8 footage is great and unpuplished in this quality!
The Item is exactly as described and shown on the photo. Go HERE to YouTube to check the film quality
If you are interesting in buying - go HERE to Ebay (News, Source;EBay/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis Presley - For Mono Fans Only' New CD: New from the "Bootleg Series" a single CD 'Elvis Presley - For Mono Fans Only'. The first four tracks of this album are recordings made during Elvis' time off duty whilst in the Army. The "G.I. Blues" masters are the original mono masters as released in 1960, including "Tonight's All Right For Love". Also you can hear almost 40 minutes private home recordings recorded in Waco Texas, May 1958. This recording was edited on the release "Off Duty with Private Presley", now you can hear the complete unedited recording! As a special bonus we've included 6 radio spots and a movie trailer for the movie "G.I. Blues". Go HERE to All Elvis 2014 CD Releases - for full tracklisting and details.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Want To Dine with Priscilla?: The Collingwood Elvis Festival is presenting a 'Shades of Elvis' Gala Dinner on Thurs, July 24. The event will take place at the Bear Estate and will feature appearances by Priscilla Presley and Christopher Ameruoso, the co-author of the new book Shades of Elvis. Priscilla is making her first appearance at the Collingwood Elvis Festival, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The cost of a ticket is $250, but each attendee will receive a copy of the book, which is valued at $100.
The Mayor’s Celebrity Cocktail Reception is also being held on Friday July 25 at Cranberry Resort. This reception offers attendees the opportunity to enjoy an intimate “meet & greet” with Priscilla Presley and co-author Christopher Ameruoso. This year's festival will be held from July 23rd to the 27th in the Georgian Bay community, Ontario.
There will be book signings and autograph sessions (Saturday, July 26).
Go HERE to Collingwood Elvis Festival if you need to know more (News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet)
Gladys pregnant with Elvis, regarding the supposed photo shown below: Marty Lacker along with several fans have informed EIN that the photo cannot be of Gladys as she looks so different. We can understand the debate but could believe the scenario either way. EIN immediately contacted Reed's Dept store who said, "The photo was authenticated by some of Gladys' personal friends and people who worked with her or knew her. Elvis' school buddy Guy Harris also said it was Gladys in the photo."
They informed EIN they would send further proof.
Gladys Presley Pregnant with Elvis!: EIN's good friends Joan and Paul Gansky recently visited Tupelo, along with local historian Roy Turner.
They reported back for EIN....
.. These pictures are taken in Reeds Department Store, Tupelo. The occasion, written across the huge photo was, "First Annual Picnic for Tupelo Garment Co. and Reed Bros. Inc. Employees".The date is July 6, 1934, Gladys is pregnant with Elvis!
We also visited the old building where Gladys worked as a seamstress in Tupelo. We rode the huge service elevator up to the second floor, and then took the stairs to the third. It is still quite a large space with plenty of space for sewing machines and bolts of fabric!
There is a furniture store using the first two floors now. And, the building is protected I believe. Memorial bricks are available
with proceeds toward protecting it.
The old photo showing it in the 1930’s with a steam locomotive alongside is very special. (News, Source;Gansky/ElvisInfoNet) - Special thanks to Paul Gansky from EIN for the photos.
- Have Lisa and Billy had any contact over the years at all?
- Charlie Hodge and Elvis.
- Would Elvis approved of the release of rehearsal and alternate takes?
- Priscilla leaving Elvis, how did he react at the time?
- Did Marty film any Homemovies
- Did Elvis smoke a pipe once in a while?
- His favorite TV shows
- Did Elvis ever cut a concert short because he was frustrated
Elvis "Comeback Special" IsoCam Tape!: For Elvis' "Comeback Special" the NBC studio recorded several continuous hand-held camera feeds for editing into their final cut. These were often used to fill in any gaps or errors that might have been made during the live control room switching.
Recently discovered on YouTube is this FABULOUS very Close-Up IsoCam tape from Elvis' 6pm Stand Up performance on Saturday June 29th 1968. Seeing the show as a continuous feed from one hand-held camera captures the live experience like never before.
Circle G purchased for $3.65 million: The Desoto Times Tribune reports that the purchasers of the Circle G Ranch in Horn Lake, known as the honeymoon cottage of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, paid a sizable price for the property.
The purchase price of the 240-acre ranch at the intersection of Goodman Road and Highway 301 was $3.65 million.
As a three-year interest-only loan a large amount of work is needed to get the ranch ready for Elvis tour groups.
With Graceland entry prices at around $40, the question is what Circle G will be able to charge for a visit to Elvis' old ranch.
A news release announcing the loan stated the price of the property as $3.65 million. A group of investors led by Mississippi native Davage "Buddy" Runnels Jr, has bought the Circle G Ranch property.
They have not announced their specific plans for the ranch, but
Kevin Wolfer, president and CEO of Kennedy Funding Financial stated in the news release, "The new owner will have a number of options for preserving and making the best possible use of this extraordinary property."
Presley bought the ranch for $300,000 and used it as a getaway spot from his public life. The "G" in Circle G is for Elvis' mother, Gladys.
Much of its on-site facilities are in desperate need of repair, and the intention is to implement those upgrades to preserve its historical significance and its adaptive reuse. (News, Source:desototimestribune/ElvisInfoNet)
Monday 9 June 2014
Tupelo 'Elvis Trail' bids in: City officials have received two bids for a project to build a pathway from downtown Tupelo to the birthplace of Elvis Presley. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports the bids will next be reviewed by the Major Thoroughfare Committee, the City Council and the Mississippi Department of Transportation.Officials are hoping for a decision by July. The project includes construction of overlay, roadway and bridge widening, curb, sidewalk, striping along 9,341 feet and traffic signalization from Green Street in downtown Tupelo to the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum.Presley was born in Tupelo on Jan. 8, 1935, and moved to Memphis with his parents at age 13. He was 42 when he died Aug. 16, 1977, in Memphis.The annual Tupelo Elvis Fest started Thursday and runs through Sunday. (News, Source: The Clarion-Ledger)
Opposite: Rare photo of Elvis after winning 5th place at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair Talent Show in 1945 (note his glasses)
"Cool" Elvis blog site.....The Memphis Flash: EIN recently discovered this very interesting and insightful Elvis Blog site. Its range of cool, informative and thought provoking articles, reviews, interviews and miscellanea is encased in a clean, nicely designed site. The person behind the blog is Patricia Flash. Importantly, in the context of a global Internet, Patricia's site is multi-lingual – it features 9 language translation options: English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish!Patricia's latest blog is a neat review of the recent book, The Elvis Movies by noted film historian and critic, James Neibaur.
Who is this person??: Since Elvis' explosion onto the world stage in the mid-1950s there have been countless Elvis tribute artists, imitators, impersonators, stylists and sound-a-likes offering and emulating a watershed musical icon.
Of the thousands who in some way look(ed), perform(ed) or sound(ed) like Elvis there is one performer who stands out from the rest. This performer sets himself apart from all others for a number of reasons. He:
was blessed with a natural singing voice remarkably like Elvis’had 10 Top 100 hits on the Country Music Chart in the US!was an accomplished singer/songwriterdid not make a living singing Elvis songs for most of his career had a fan club which at its peak had over 15,000 membershad fans who travelled (often as a family) up to 500 miles to see him performis the only Elvis stylist to have had an album replaced due to controversyis the only Elvis stylist with a best-selling book about his persona like Elvis (whose jumpsuits all had names) had a certain item of his stage attire individually identified by nameis the only Elvis stylist to have had bootleg material released – around 150 bootleg albums of his studio and live materialis the only Elvis stylist who nearly 20 years after his tragic death still elicits interest from his fans is the only Elvis stylist to have merchandise and memorabilia released (still sold online in 2014!)has featured in a number of documentaries about music in the southern states of the USA
is the subject of a film being released in 2015
So who is this person – a performer whose life tragically ended on 12 December 1998? .......Click here to find out
Elvis 2015 Calendars....now available to buy
Saturday 7 June 2014
58 years ago "Beware of Elvis Presley": Fifty-eight years ago (June 5th 1956) the young Elvis Presley first scandalised the prudish USA with sexually suggestive use of his pelvis while performing Hound Dog live on the Milton Berle TV show. In the raucous rendition, Presley swivelled his hips madly and cradled the mike stand like a lover. Before the show wrapped, the NBC switchboard was flooded with angry callers. Afterwards various TV show hosts vowed they'd never allow him on their shows, but The Tonight Show's Steve Allen hired him for July, promising a chaste Presley. Sure enough Presley, mocking himself and formally dressed, sang Hound Dog as a gentle love song, to an actual basset hound.
But moralisers never warmed to Presley and later in 1956 The Australian Women's Weekly ran a cranky critique of him by Robert Feldmais. "This side-burned, mascara-wearing singer is not just another Sinatra ... his appeal is straight from the jungle, and his 'singing style' copied from the rawest of America's burlesque-house stripteasers. As a voice, Presley is nothing. But as a specialist in off-colour lyrics, facial tics, and suggestive twitches of his body, he has captured the hearts, if that is the word, of the new generation of bobbysoxers. Far from being gaoled for indecency, Presley is free to commercialise this overt eroticism. This year he will clean up an estimated $1,800,000 from television, movie and stage appearances, and from his booming sideline, Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. All over America the Presley craze has inserted a new wedge between teenagers and parents. Not only the
wowsers are against him, but almost every responsible organ of opinion. He has been officially forbidden to enter the city of San Diego."
This was not Presley's first television appearance, nor even his first appearance on Milton Berle. His previous appearances featured Elvis either in close-up singing a slow ballad, or full body but with his movements somewhat restricted by the acoustic guitar he was playing. It was on his second Milton Berle Show appearance that he put the guitar aside and America witnessed, for the very first time, the 21-year-old Elvis Presley from head to toe, gyrating his soon-to-be-infamous pelvis.
Reaction to Elvis' performance in the mainstream media was almost uniformly negative. "Mr. Presley has no discernible singing ability....For the ear, he is an unutterable bore," wrote critic Jack Gould in the New York Times.
In the New York Daily News, Ben Gross described Elvis' performance as "tinged with the kind of animalism that should be confined to dives and bordellos," while Journal-American's Jack O'Brien said that Elvis "makes up for vocal shortcomings with the weirdest and plainly suggestive animation short of an aborigine's mating dance."
Meanwhile, the US Catholic Weekly got right to the point in its headline stating: "Beware of Elvis Presley." (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Dewey Phillips' Studio at SUN: Sun Records has just finished reconstructing this replica of Dewey Phillips' studio at WHBQ Radio as an addition to their daily Memphis music tour. This was Dewey's "personal" studio where he hosted his nightly "Red, Hot & Blue" radio show from 9 till Midnight. In 1954 the show claimed over 65% of the radio audience in that time slot. The tiles on the wall, the turntables, the audio board and microphone are from the original WHBQ studio on the mezzanine floor of the Chisca Hotel in downtown Memphis. It was in this studio that Sun Records founder Sam Phillips walked in one evening in July, 1954 and handed Dewey an acetate pressing of Elvis Presley's "That's Alright" to introduce on the air. And that was the beginning of PRESLEYMANIA. (News, Source;MikeFreeman/Elvis Matters/ElvisInfoNet)
'Shades Of Elvis' Priscilla Presley Interview: Priscilla Presley has never stopped loving Elvis, although at the time she left Elvis and went off with another man. Priscilla has dedicated so much of her time and energy since Elvis' untimely passing in 1977 to the fans who love and adore him.
Her new book "Shades of Elvis" was another chance to share one more window into his soul. "When I put the glasses on it was surreal. You can't help but channel your inner Elvis." -- Michael Buble
Last week Priscilla did a promotional interview with Huffington Post. Her comments include.. Q - Did you have the sunglasses made for Elvis? Priscilla: No, he bought them in 1970. We were shopping on Sunset Boulevard and we walked into a store that sold sunglasses. He was trying on different shapes and Dennis, the owner, showed him the pair that
would look right for his face. He told Elvis the shape was good because it covered his eyebrows and that when picking out sunglasses, that should be considered. Elvis always wore that same shape, he never varied. Unless, of course, maybe in a film.
Those are his original sunglasses that we have in the archives at Graceland. Q - How did these celebrities feel holding Elvis' sunglasses? Priscilla: Everyone who held his sunglasses had so much respect and care. They handled them so gently as if a fragile piece of art. Johnny Depp just studied them for about three minutes, carefully tilting them in different positions and with utmost respect. Each person could relate to the glasses however they wanted.
Of course, Elvis had controversy in his life. In going through the book Elvis inspired or affected those one would never suspect. I had no idea many were such fans of his until going through the quotes. Some made me laugh, some made me think, some made me cry. We have, I think, 81 beautiful images.
Q - Elvis seemed to love his fans so much. Did you two ever discuss his fans and how much they meant to him? Priscilla: Absolutely. He attributed his fans for taking him to the heights he never thought he could attain. He recognized their loyalty, was thankful for their support, and appreciated their devotion. The last song he sang on stage: "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You" was a dedication, a thank you to each and every one of his fans. Q - Did Elvis have some favourite artists or entertainers that he loved? And was he ever intimidated by any artists?
Priscilla: Elvis loved to entertain and loved being entertained. He felt there was room for everyone. Anytime we were in Vegas we would go to the main showrooms and all the lounge acts that we could catch. Tom Jones, Barbra Streisand, Righteous Brothers, Nancy Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ann Margaret, Fats Domino, Sammy Davis Jr., and so many more. Whoever was in Vegas, he was the first one to sit, watch, and cheer them on. And when
one of the guys would tell him who was appearing, they would ask if he wanted them to send flowers to the women. He'd say yes go ahead. He was such a gentleman and a true professional. This book is a tribute to Elvis by those who say it so well with their quotes and by their magnificent images along side it. Not only did Elvis change the course of popular music scene, he changed our culture, our dress. He was a national phenomena, an American original. I often think what he would have thought as he passed each page viewing each image and what each quote would mean to him. I honestly think he would be overwhelmingly touched. As words penetrated deeply in his soul. It's a validation from his peers. It wasn't always like that. He was different and he knew it. It took a while to be accepted. But time has a way to sort things out. I wish he was here today to see all the magnificent talent that took part in the making of this table book dedicated to him.
Go HERE to HuffPost for the full interview and link to purchase the book (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Around Midnight' New Import CD: Out now on the Verve label is "Around Midnight" in improved sound from Elvis' Las Vegas Midnight Show August 21, 1974. EIN notes, the signs are everywhere that the bootleggers are struggling to find any good new Elvis material to release, they are either copying off each other or FTD with promises of "Improved audio".
This concert has been previously issued on the FTD ' Nevada Nights' in pretty good sound quality. See review here.
1. See See Rider 2. I Got A Woman / Amen 3. Story about Bobby Jean 4. Love Me 5. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) 6. It's Midnight 7. Big Boss Man 8. Fever 9. Love Me Tender 10. All Shook Up 11. Dialogue 12. I'm Leavin' 13. Softly As I Leave You 14. Hound Dog 15. You Gave Me A Mountain 16. Polk Salad Annie 17. Band Introduction 18. If You Talk In Your Sleep 19. Why Me Lord 20. Havin´Fun On Stage 21. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel 22. Hawaiian Wedding Song 23. First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 24. Let Me Be There 25. Can't Help Falling In Love 26. Closing Vamp Go HERE to All Elvis 2014 CD Releases - for details.
(News,Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis As Recorded Live In Lake Tahoe' New Import CD: From no notable label and with a poor cover photo this is supposedly "a great sounding soundboard recording" remaster. This is a re-release of the Lake Tahoe Dinner Show from May 23, 1974. First released on "...And The King For Dessert" bootleg from 1998.
Perhaps worthwhile if you don’t have the original, - see note above "The signs are everywhere that the bootleggers are struggling" ...
Newly remastered. Now sounding like never before! Including 8 pages booklet with photos and recording information. Tracklisting:
C.C.Rider I Got A Woman / Amen Love Me Trying To Get To You All Shook Up Love Me Tender You Don't Have To Say You Love Me Hound Dog Fever Polk Salad Annie Why Me Lord Suspicious Minds Band Introductions I Can't Stop Loving You Help Me An American Trilogy Let Me Be There (1st part only) Funny How Time Slips Away (2nd part only) Big Boss Man It's Now Or Never Can't Help Falling In Love.
Ted Torres Martin - Elvis Week show: Ted Torres Martin is the soundtrack vocalist for the new independent movie about Elvis called "Nobody" which will premier in Memphis during Elvis Week this year. Martin is also an actor / musician / songwriter and an Award Winning Top 5 Ultimate ETA for EPE.
He is presenting a special show in Memphis on August 13th 2014 for Elvis Week with a live band and horn section. He will be performing the soundtrack songs during and will also be at the movie premiere with the cast. Click here to 'Almost Elvis' for more info Here for Elvis Week concert tickets
(News, Source;TTM:ElvisInfoNet)
Thursday 5 June 2014
'Elvis: That's The Way It Is' Deluxe Edition: After weeks of speculation Sony/RCA/Legacy officially announce the release of monumental definitive edition of "Elvis: That's The Way It Is (Deluxe Edition)" presented together for the first time ever in a Deluxe Box Set (8CD/2DVD). Available on August 5, 2014. The CD selection is exactly as EIN predicted with two concerts being officially released for the very first time. CD1 ‘That's The Way It Is’ - Original Album CD2 August 10 Opening Show - (FTD One Night in Vs) CD3 August 11 DS - Unreleased CD4 August 11 MS - (BMG Live In Las Vegas box-set) CD5 August 12 DS - Unreleased CD6 August 12 MS - (BMG 30th Anniv box-set) CD7 August 13 DS - (FTD The Wonder Of You) CD8 Rehearsals - (BMG 30th Anniv box-set) That’s The Way It Is (Deluxe Edition) is the most ambitious Elvis Presley restoration package ever created, bringing together - for the first time ever - the album, the theatrical and home video versions of the film, six full-length concerts (featuring previously unreleased performances), rehearsal highlights and other rare recordings in one astounding and essential package. The result of an historic partnership between Sony and Warner Brothers, the deluxe set combines the video and audio assets of Elvis: That’s The Way It Is with unique and previously unreleased material.
The highly-collectible That’s The Way It Is (Deluxe Edition), bonuses include unreleased material, remixed and remastered audio and a new 80-page book detailing the entire event with facts, songwriter and musician interviews, and photos in a deluxe 8CD/2DVD box set.
Originally released on RCA Records in November 1970, Elvis: That's The Way It Is combined eight studio tracks, recorded in Nashville, and four live concert performances recorded in Las Vegas during Presley's 1970 "Summer Festival" season at The International Hotel in Las Vegas to create one of Elvis' best albums.
On July 14, rehearsals for the movie and live shows commenced at the MGM lot in Culver City, California. The Hollywood cameras rolled for five different rehearsals prior to the opening night on August 10. Unquestionably, Elvis was keen to broaden his repertoire for the film,as more than 60 songs were attempted during the period, far more than the usual average of 20 to 25 that would normally be chosen. Over the four nights filmed by MGM, Elvis and his band worked tirelessly, trying out a broad variety of musical styles, emphasizing his desire to share the wide range of music he loved with his audience. Director Denis Sanders captured the end result magnificently, providing fans throughout the world with their first glimpse of the new contemporary Elvis performing at the peak of his vocal prowess both in rehearsal and on the stage. 'That's The Way It Is (Deluxe Edition)' centers on the SIX complete shows recorded and partially filmed by MGM. Two of the shows are released for the first time in their entirety.
The original RCA album is expanded with the four single sides from the period, and a selection of “fly-on-the-wall” outtakes from the June Nashville sessions that produced the majority of tracks for the album. Completing the audio section, a separate disc of insightful rehearsal highlights, featuring unusual song selections showcases both the hard work and the playful atmosphere that governed Elvis’ relationship with his musicians. That's The Way It Is (Deluxe Edition) puts the original RCA album and the 1970 MGM documentary feature together in a single package for the first time. It includes the previously released original theatrical DVD version (1970) and the re-edited and extended DVD version from 2000. (EIN note: What a shame not one scrap of new footage has been included. This would have been the perfect place and presumably indicates that there will never be an official release of any more MGM filmed material). Go HERE to Amazon Pre-Order>> That's The Way It Is (Deluxe Edition) with cheap price guarantee
Go here to EIN's SONY/FTD 2014 releases page for more details and full tracklists. (News, Source;SONY/ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis’ Circle G Ranch Saved For Fans! The Circle G Foundation is ecstatic to confirm the purchase of Elvis’ Circle G Ranch by the group we’ve been working with in the USA. Our dreams really have come true and here is our gift to the Boy from Tupelo who became The King of Rock and Roll……we're returning his spirit to the Circle G Ranch! - The Circle G Ranch in Horn Lake, Mississippi, has been purchased and is now officially under new ownership. The 231 acre tract, of which 163 acres is well known for once being owned by Elvis Presley and his wife, Priscilla, sits on the corner of Highway 301 and Goodman Road. The property is rich in historical features including the Honeymoon Cottage shared by Elvis and Priscilla, the stable where Elvis kept his horses, a 14 acre lake and a prominent 55 foot cross.
The property has been purchased by a group of investors led by Mississippi native Davage "Buddy" Runnels Jr., the founder and owner of Real Estate International, Inc. (REI).
Specific plans for the restoration of the property will be announced in the future.
You can be a part of this unique and once in a lifetime experience!
This is going to be the biggest thing to happen in the Elvis world since Graceland opened her doors to visitors in 1982 - and we don’t want you to miss a thing! For More info and to join their mailing List - Click here to The Circle G Foundation website. (News, Source;CircleGFoundation/ElvisInfoNet)
'That's the Way It Is' Legacy 2CD Set - Confirmed: It seems that although 2014 is supposed to be a celebration of Elvis and the "60th Anniversary of the Birth of Rock'n'Roll", SONY have instead decided to celebrate the 44th Anniversary of 'That's the Way It Is'!
Not only is the Warners Deluxe BluRay DVD Digibook movie being released, as well as the "Deluxe" 8 CD, 2 DVD set but the two-CD 'That's the Way It Is' Legacy release is also being released. Pre-Order Amazon - Only $19 >>That's The Way It Is (Legacy Edition)Release date August 5 confirmed
(News, Source;Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)
Monday 2 June 2014
Two New FTD Releases June: FTD is pleased to announce its new June 2014 releases.
- 'The Return To Vegas' - This is the official release of the soundboard recording that Joan Deary planned as a double album release back in the late seventies. It’s the earliest known professional recording from Elvis’ 1969 engagement in Las Vegas. The original tape box has "opening night" written on the back, but that’s not the real date. Some experts believe it’s from August 3, but we have no information what so ever to suggest a certain date.
However, the arrangements seem to suggest that this show is definitely several days earlier than the shows RCA recorded from August 20 and onwards. Why Joan Deary edited and mastered this for release is another mystery, since she of course had all the shows RCA recorded on 8-track tape with audio in substantially better quality. This release comes in a 7" digi-pack with a 12-pages booklet, featuring great photos from the collections of Steve Barile & Jim Patino, and a foreword by Ken Sharp. Tracklist: 1. Blue Suede Shoes, 2. I Got A Woman, 3. All Shook Up, 4. Love Me Tender, 5. Jailhouse Rock / Don't Be Cruel, 6. Heartbreak
Hotel, 7. Hound Dog, 8. Memories, 9. Mystery Train / Tiger Man, 10. Monologue, 11. Baby, What You Want Me To Do, 12. Are You Lonesome Tonight?, 13. Yesterday / Hey Jude, 14. Introductions, 15. In The Ghetto, 16. Suspicious Minds, 17. What’d I Say, 18. Can’t Help Falling In Love.
Previously released on the bootleg'Return Of A Prodigy' (see EIN review here), the remastered audio on this FTD is supposed to be far superior.
- 'Memphis To Nashville '61' FTD Book/CD: FTD Books and Flaming Star, in association with EPE, will release a new book – "Memphis To Nashville ’61" – in late June. This will give a comprehensive account of the two Memphis charity shows that Elvis performed at the Ellis Auditorium on a cold day in February 1961. The book includes accounts of that day and the events leading up to it. It features accounts from Elvis’ musicians, friends and fans, magazine- and newspaper articles from the time, and many rare and newly-discovered photographs. The collection of over 100 unpublished photographs, most of them in black and white, have been collected from many different sources; some are from original negatives whilst others are from original prints. Also included in the book is a section on Elvis’ visit to Nashville on March 8, 1961, less than two weeks after the benefit shows of February 25, to receive an honorary colonelship from the Governor of Tennessee, Buford Ellington. Furthermore, the final part of the volume includes information and details relating to the recording sessions held on March 12 and 13, 1961 that provided most of the tracks for the classic LP, "Something For Everybody". As an added bonus, the book comes with a CD containing the mono version of "Something For Everybody" plus
recordings of Elvis’ press conference, held at the Hotel Claridge in Memphis on February 25, 1961, and of the presentation of honours at the Tennessee State Capitol just 11 days later. The 'Memphis To Nashville '61' Book includes a bonus CD. Tracklisting: Something For Everybody (mono version) Plus BONUSES 13) Press Conference (March 25, 1961) 14) Elvis Is Made An Honorary Colonel (March 8 1961) (go HERE for full tracklisting)
Both "The Return To Vegas" and "Nashville To Memphis '61" will be shipped last week of June. (News, Source;FTD/ElvisInfoNet)
Sunday 1 June 2014
'Elvis: That's The Way It Is' New Deluxe Sony Box-Set:Now available for Pre-Order on Amazon for $189.21 - Still with no official announcement Sony will release an 8 CD and 2 DVD Deluxe box-set of 'Elvis : That's The Way It Is' this August. The DVDs will be the same as the Warners' TTWII 2-DVD set while the CDs will contain some previously unreleased concerts and some newly remastered concerts. Hopefully the audio upgrade of Elvis' "Best Concert" August 12th Midnight Show 1970 - will be the icing on the cake. The set should include
CD1 ‘That's The Way It Is’ - Original Album
CD2 August 10 Opening Show - (FTD One Night In Vegas)
CD3 August 11 DS - Unreleased
CD4 August 11 MS - (BMG Live In Las Vegas box-set)
CD5 August 12 DS - Unreleased
CD6 August 12 MS - (BMG 30th Anniv box-set)
CD7 August 13 DS - (FTD The Wonder Of You)
CD8 Rehearsals - (BMG 30th Anniv box-set)
Note that the contents have not been confirmed as yet. Release Date 5 August 2014- Priced at US$189
Coco Palms Resort to be Rebuilt: In great news for Elvis fans, Hyatt Hotels have announced that they will manage the restored Coco Palms Resort on Kauai and that the iconic hotel featured in the 1961 Elvis Presley film "Blue Hawaii" will continue to operate as The Coco Palms Resort.
Reports are that Hyatt Hotels will operate the 363-room hotel on Kauai's east side when it re-opens following an extensive reconstruction project to restore the 61-year-old Coco Palms to its pre-Hurricane Iniki glory. The hotel has been closed since suffering severe damage during Iniki, which devastated the Garden Isle in September 1992.
Coco Palms Hui LLC, led by investors Chad Waters and Tyler Greene, expects to start work on the renovation next year, with a re-opening of the hotel scheduled for 2017.
The restoration of the Coco Palms property involves 331 guestrooms, 32 bungalows, multiple restaurants, lounges and swimming pools, and will include a community center highlighting the cultural significance of the site, which was once home to Queen Deborah
Kapule Kekaihaakulou, Kauai's last remaing queen. Hyatt look forward to "welcoming a new generation of visitors to The Coco Palms Resort all the while recognizing and honoring the spirit and history of the resort.” EIN will soon publish an article about Elvis in Kauai and Coco Palms Resort
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Film Planned on Elvis' 1956 Concerts: Were you there on Aug 6, 1956 at Elvis' Lakeland, Florida concert? Do you have any stories or memories that you can contribute? Well the old venue, the Polk Theatre will host an open house July 15 in connection with a planned documentary about Elvis Presley's concerts at the theater in 1956.
Makers of the documentary invite anyone with direct or indirect memories of Presley's performances on Aug. 6, 1956, to attend the gathering. The filmmakers are seeking interview subjects for the project. The free event begins at 6 p.m. at the Polk Theatre, 121 S. Florida Ave. in Lakeland.(Right, looking cool August 1956)
(News, Source;theLedger/ElvisInfoNet)
'Love Me Tender' FTD OUT NOW: 'Love Me Tender' Classic Album - out now and shipping from dealers
A double-CD set. Elvis first performed ‘Love Me Tender’ on the Ed Sullivan Show (Sept 9) and pre-sales reached over 1 million before its release on Sept 28. It features a 16-page booklet with great photos, movie trivia, memorabilia and full recording data.
The extra tracks are, 'We’re Gonna Move' Take 4 & 9. 'Poor Boy' Take 3 original 3 verse master. 'Poor Boy' remake, 'Poor Boy' extended verse, 'Let Me' vocal overdub take 3, 'Let Me' vocal overdub take 4. Plus STEREO MASTERS of all four tracks and The Truth About Me Interview recorded on the set of Love Me Tender.
Disc 2 features the legendary live show from the Mississippi Alabama State Fair and Dairy Show held in Tupelo on September 26. Go here to Elvis FTD/SONY News 2014 for full tracklist and details
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis The Man & His Music' #104 Out Now: The new issue of EIN's favourite Elvis magazine is out now.
In the June Issue:
- The Sun 45s - Original Pressings & Variations
- Remembering Madison - Working Security in ‘76 & ‘77
- The Denver Connection Part 3 - Ron Pietrafeso interview
- Talkin’ ‘bout Rock n Roll - The Hillbilly Cat Speaks!
- CD & Book Reviews
- Readers’ letters
and lots of other good stuff!
- Click here to purchase this great magazine directly from EMM.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis Week Tickets Now on General Sale: Elvis Week tickets are now available to the general public for Elvis Week 2014 in Memphis August 9-17. Below are the highlights.. - The Candlelight Vigil, the cornerstone event, will begin with the traditional opening ceremony on August 15, at 8:30 p.m at Graceland’s front gates. - Elvis A Cappella: A Tribute to the King, a first-ever event this year will be presented at the Elvis Week Main Stage. - August 14 & 15 - "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is" – Special Edition, an exclusive screening world premiere of Warner Bros’ newly-remastered version at the Orpheum Theatre. - August 16. - The Memphis Boys Salute - at the Elvis Week Main Stage will celebrate the 45th anniversary of Elvis’ acclaimed recording sessions at American Sound Studios - August 13. - Conversations on Elvis, one of the most popular Elvis Week events, returns this year to the Elvis Week Main Stage. - August 15. - The Official Elvis Insiders Event will feature special segments that highlight various aspects of Elvis’ life and career. - August 14 - The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest returns for the eighth year with over 20 competitors from around the world. The Finals are on August 14.
- Elvis Gospel Celebration - the special close to Elvis Week - August 17
Go HERE toEPE's Schedule of Events.EIN's Sanja Meegin will be there to report all the stories (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis Estate Drops Suit Against Beretta: The Elvis estate voluntarily dismissed its civil suit against the Beretta gun company on May 29.
Written in the court document closing the case is a one-sentence explanation: “EPE Inc gives notice that it dismisses this action with prejudice because the dispute giving rise to the filing of a civil action has been settled.”
No word yet how the case was settled.
The estate filed suit against Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.pA. in April, claiming that the Italian gun company used the Elvis Presley’s likeness to promote new shotguns in an advertising campaign.
The ads launched late 2012 and shows what appears to be
Elvis wearing his rhinestone-studded jumpsuit, a shooting vest and ear protection while wielding dual finger guns, and is accompanied by the caption, “The new legend in clay shooting … Highest-level performance to shoot like a star.”
Additionally, at press events Beretta had Elvis impersonators appear, perform and greet gun enthusiasts, and in some cases the company had the impersonators pose with weapons.
Perhaps there are more profitable behind-the-scenes deals being made. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
First-Ever “Graceland Auction" at Elvis week 2014: For the first time ever Graceland will be hosting its auction of genuine Elvis artifacts during Elvis Week in Memphis this August. This unprecedented “Auction at Graceland” will be the first auction of a limited number of Elvis artifacts authenticated by the archivists at Graceland, and the first-ever to take place at Graceland. The auction is scheduled for Thursday, August 14, 2014, with fans and private collectors from around the world expected to participate onsite and online. Graceland also announced the launch of Graceland Authentication, a new professional service for private Elvis Presley collectors, who can now have their artifacts authenticated and appraised by the highly-experienced archive staff at Graceland.
The Elvis Week auction will feature a number of rare and exceptional artifacts from the collection of Greg Page, founding member of The Wiggles and one of the world’s biggest and well-known Elvis Presley collectors, as well as items from other
private collectors. Graceland’s exhaustive authentication process for the auction will set a new “Gold Standard” for pop culture artifact authentication, ensuring that every Elvis item is the real thing. All of the items in the auction will be offered from third-party collectors and none of the items included in the auction will come from the treasured Graceland Archives. The mansion and all artifacts in the Graceland Archives continue to be owned by Lisa Marie Presley and are not for sale.
Jack Soden, EPE CEO noted, “Throughout the years, fans and collectors have come to us with amazing Elvis artifacts, asking us to authenticate their items. We’ve also seen Elvis memorabilia sold at auctions, which were not properly authenticated. We’re pleased that Graceland now has the staffing and infrastructure to evaluate these artifacts, determine if they are, in fact, actual Elvis items."
Go HERE to find out more and to be included in the first-ever Elvis Week auction.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
UPDATED - El Gamble - the Passing of a Legend - Australia's "Voice of Elvis" and rock 'n' roll star has "left the building": EIN is very sad to report that after a long illness, the legendary El Gamble passed away last week, aged 66. The term legend should never be used lightly and in El Gamble’s case it certainly isn’t! Apart from his record breaking Elvis show, El Gamble worked with many of Australia’s and a number of the world’s greatest performers, including John Farnham, Johnny Devlin, Digger Revell, Kamahl, Kylie Minogue, (being fired by Australia’s King of Rock ‘n’ Roll) Johnny O’Keefe and (almost working with) the legendary Sir Tom Jones.
100,000 Australian El Gamble Fans Can’t Be Wrong! El Gamble was the original Australian Elvis tribute artist back in 1977 and after Elvis' death he went on the road to perform his The Life and Times of Elvis Presley tour to more than 100,000 fans in nearly 300 “sold out” shows! While his later years were afflicted by a rare motor neurone disease this didn't stop El making a "Comeback" in Parkes in 2006 which rejuvenated his career. EIN pays tribute to one of Australia's musical greats:
'Bossa Nova Baby: Party Album' European version: Just when you think SONY has created a funky new cover for a party album (see below), they then come up with a crappy "K-Tel" type design for the "Bossa Nova Baby: The Ultimate Elvis Presley Party Album" European version! What were they thinking?
The European version features nine extra tracks, but then they totally dilute the content with rubbish like 'Stop, Look and Listen', 'Adam and Evil', 'What a Wonderful Life' and 'Girl Happy'. These are songs that will not be making GenZ dance across the floor - sometimes Less really is More! Tracklist:1. Bossa Nova Baby - Viva Mix, 2. A Little Less Conversation - JXL Radio Edit Remix, 3. Burning Love - Viva Mix, 4. (Let's Have A) Party, 5. Jailhouse Rock,
6. Guitar Man, 7. King Creole - Viva Mix, 8. Viva Las Vegas, 9. What a Wonderful Life, 10. A Big Hunk O' Love, 11. Follow That Dream, 12. Rubberneckin' - Paul Oakenfold Remix, 13. Got a Lot O' Livin' to Do!, 14. Good Rockin' Tonight, 15. Little Sister, 16. Girl Happy, 17. Stop, Look and Listen, 18. Adam and Evil,
19. Down in the Alley, 20. Big Boss Man, 21. Too Much Monkey Business, 22. Patch It Up, 23. Mystery Train / Tiger Man, 24. Suspicious Minds
'That's the Way It Is' Legacy 2CD Set: It seems that although 2014 is supposed to be a celebration of Elvis and the "60th Anniversary of the Birth of Rock'n'Roll", SONY have instead decided to celebrate the 44th Anniversary of 'That's the Way It Is'!
Not only is the Warners Deluxe BluRay DVD Digibook movie being released, as well as the "Deluxe" 8 CD, 2 DVD set also being rumoured - but the two-CD 'That's the Way It Is' Legacy release has also been noted on amazon. FTD of course released their version back in 2008 so one wonders what RCA/Legacy are going to include on the "General Public" Legacy version.Release date August 5, SONY are yet to confirm content
(News, Source;Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)
"The Complete Candid & Home Movies Anthology – Vol. 3, The 70s" DVD: Out now is the last volume in the three volumes of the DVD series of Elvis' home movies, containing rare & unseen private footage. For the very first time this 3 DVD set focuses on Elvis, The Man, Off Stage through 3 decades. See Elvis through intimate moments surrounded by family or friends, through events that marked his life.
These 3 volumes will help you discover Elvis life via rare & unreleased digitally remastered footage. Volume 3 - The Seventies includes, The Concert Years, New Challenges, Karate Footage, rare footage such as Elvis walking out of the shop August 1974, and much more. Also including 19 minutes extra bonus footage.:
Running time: 2 hours 31 minutes.EIN Notes - From the dodgy sounding bootleg "Roar" label, it is a shame that the main cover photo is of Elvis in the sixties. Ridiculous. Sack the designer.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis: That's The Way It Is' New Deluxe Sony Box-Set: Breaking News - rumours abound that Sony will release an 8 CD and 2 DVD Deluxe box-set of 'Elvis : That's The Way It Is' this August. The DVDs will be the same as the Warners' TTWII 2-DVD set while the CDs will contain some previously unreleased concerts and some newly remastered concerts. Fans have long awaited an audio upgrade of Elvis' "Best Concert" August 12th Midnight Show 1970 - which will be the icing on the cake. The set should include
CD1 ‘That's The Way It Is’ - Original Album
CD2 August 10 Opening Show - (FTD One Night In Vegas)
CD3 August 11 DS - Unreleased
CD4 August 11 MS - (BMG Live In Las Vegas box-set)
CD5 August 12 DS - Unreleased
CD6 August 12 MS - (BMG 30th Anniv box-set)
CD7 August 13 DS - (FTD The Wonder Of You)
CD8 Rehearsals - (BMG 30th Anniv box-set)
Note that the contents have not been confirmed as yet. Release Date 5 August 2014 Priced at around US$200
- The official cover has not been annolunced - (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Sonny Burgess Talks Elvis: In a recent Washington Times article rockabilly guitarist Sonny Burgess told the story of seeing Elvis perform live for the first time.
The Newport, Louisiana, native worked with legendary artists such as Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Conway Twitty, among many others. While Burgess' career spans 50 years, playing for millions of fans with hundreds of musicians and bands, one artist stands out the most.
The nightclub in Jackson County was filled with anticipation. Even a seasoned musician like Sonny Burgess knew the vibe in the club was different that night. "Elvis Presley stepped onto the stage. The band started to play. His hips began to move. He sang 'Good Rockin' Tonight' and before he was done, the crowd was whirled into a frenzy. Boy, Elvis was different, as soon as he walked into the building you could feel his energy. He had the looks, the songs and the charisma. Whatever a star has, he had it - more than anyone else."
When Burgess got out of his Army stint in 1954 the rock ‘n’ roll era was dawning and Northeast Arkansas, especially Newport and Jackson County, served as the music movement’s cradle.
The best acts performed at the Bob Kings, The Silver Moon and Porky’s Roof Top Club. Law enforcement turned a blind eye to gambling in the clubs which allowed owners to pay the musicians
more than they earned in Memphis or Little Rock.
Burgess and his bandmates formed the Moonlighters, and they opened for Elvis at least four times. The band expanded and became The Pacers in 1955. At the behest of Elvis, the group went to Memphis and recorded several songs, including "Red Headed Woman," for famed producer Sam Phillips.
The Pacers recorded several songs during that era, but the band never rose to the heights of Elvis and the others. Burgess said he made one mistake that affected his career. "I should have left Newport," he said. "I should have went to New York or Los Angeles. But I stayed in Newport."
Through the years Burgess has been inducted into numerous musical hall of fames and played in venues all over the world. The Pacers re-formed and play together often.
Burgess still plays to large crowds to this day. He recently returned from a gig in Las Vegas and will play at a number of festivals and events this summer, he said.
In the fall he’ll return to Europe, he said. "I love to play," he said. "I’m going to do it until I can’t." (News, Source;WPost/ElvisInfoNet)
'Ultimate Elvis' Erik Lorentzen Interview: Following the recent exciting announcement that Erik Lorentzen will soon be publishing 'Ultimate Elvis: The Complete and Definitive Recording Sessions', a strictly limited and numbered three-volume set, Paul Richardson (of Elvis: The Man and His Music) caught up with Erik to find out more about this new release.
Find out.. - How long has this project been in the making?
- How are the books going to be presented?
- What about the content and some of the surprises you’re making available?
- The 2,000 photos?
- Do you have any new session-related images?
On Tour with Elvis: The Excitement of Being On The Road With “The King” (Book Review): The title starts the hype. The book introduction escalates the reader's anticipation, and Amazon UK's book description promises 'extreme detail'!Despite its misleading rhetorical promise, On Tour with Elvis fails badly in delivering narrative substance to support its claims. EIN's Nigel Patterson lets loose on what he regards as not only being one of the worst Elvis book releases of all-time, but (to date) the worst Elvis book release of 2014! (Book Review, Source: EIN)
Elvis and Brendan Boyer
Elvis and meeting Tommy Steele in London
Did Elvis have two face-lifts and a nose job in the mid 1970s?
Red West, James Burton - who was the real friend?
Have the Memphis Mafia, or Lisa, reached out to each other?
'Viva Las Vegas' 50 Years Ago: It's the story of a guy, a girl and the coolest city in the world. And, hard as it is to believe, it was released 50 years ago, May 20th 1964.
"Viva Las Vegas" the 1964 musical directed by George Sidney and starring Ann-Margret and Elvis Presley, is considered by aficionados of Elvis'
cinematic oeuvre to be one of the best, if not the best, film he ever made. "Viva Las Vegas" has it all. A kinetic, frenetic look at Las Vegas at its hippest. Ann-Margret, the only leading lady who ever could match Elvis'
charisma and smoldering sensuality on screen. A score that spawned a song that everybody knows, every band covers and nobody can get out of their heads once he hears it. Unlike Elvis' other lightweight sixties movies, award-winning director George Sidney created a classic.
Corinne Sidney, George Sidney's widow, recalls, too, that the director was very close friends with her first husband, Jack Entratter, and the Sands executive encouraged Sidney to make a movie that would show off Las Vegas.
"George loved Las Vegas," she says, "and he said, 'Why not?' " Studio executives had told Sidney that the way to put Elvis' cinematic career back on track would be to "pump up the production values" and give Elvis a leading woman. It was George who said, 'Get Ann-Margret'.
Elvis' camp had qualms, but Sidney stood behind his choice. When the falling fortunes of Elvis' movies went head to head against Sidney's
talent and reputation, there was no contest.
"Viva Las Vegas" takes full advantage of the lights and color of the Strip and the city's resorts, but also shows off Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Mount Charleston and other parts of the city. Clark says Sidney also tweaked the structure of the traditional movie musical for the film.
And that song? Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, "Viva Las Vegas," released as the B-side of "What'd I Say" from the film's soundtrack, became a classic, covered by everybody from Bruce Springsteen to the Dead Kennedys.
"Viva Las Vegas" was released on May 20, 1964, and was around the 14th top money-earner of 1964 worldwide. By the end of 1964, the move was the 11th top earner in the USA, outranking The Beatles "A Hard Day's Night" and becoming Elvis' highest grossing film ever.
George Sidney died May 5, 2002, but Corinne Sidney is reminded regularly how enduringly popular "Viva Las Vegas" is.
"I get a residual every month," she says with a laugh. "I must get five dollars every month. And, I get fan letters to George."
New 'Viva Las Vegas' Photos on new BluRay?: The highlight of the Memphis 2014 Elvis Birthday Fan Club meet-up was the short video of the new pictures found from the set of "Viva Las Vegas." Archives manager Angie Marchese noted that she had the job of going through the photos for the 50th Anniversary of "Viva Las Vegas". She said she expected to find about 2,000 never-before-seen pictures and instead she found 6,000 photos! At the event she presented a sneak preview together in a video on the big screen with "Viva Las Vegas" playing in the background. They were super pictures, plenty of them unreleased and new to everyone. Some real treasures. Later on Angie Marchese told EIN that she was talking to Warner about working with them on the new 50th Anniversary release. Elvis and Ann-Margret both looked so good hopefully these unpublished photos are part of the new BluRay release.
EIN has contacted EPE for confirmation.
(News, Source;JSipe/ElvisInfoNet)
New Ad Features 'Bossa Nova Baby': A new Heineken television spot features a young man on a unique journey, set to Elvis' 'Bossa Nova Baby'. The song sets the tone for a glimpse of a single man's journey to find a mysterious woman.
Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the song was recorded for Elvis' 1963 film "Fun in Acapulco" and reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Chart.
The new advert is fun, catchy and being broadcast worldwide. CLICK HERE to watch on YouTube
The song and advert is cleverly tied in with the recently announced Elvis ‘Bossa Nova Baby’ Party album (see below) (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
'Bossa Nova Baby: The Ultimate Elvis Party Album' New CD: Out next month a fabulous looking new compilation from SONY. While recent general compilations have featured the usual greatest hits selections, this time SONY have come up with a different theme with 'Bossa Nova Baby' and 'King Creole' being two of the better tracks from "Viva Elvis". (Shame they missed out the 'Blue Suede Shoes' Viva Mix). The front cover is a gem, nice to see 'Down In The Alley' and 'Good Rockin' Tonight' on the tracklist and a budget price of only $14.
1. Bossa Nova Baby (Viva Mix),
2. A Little Less Conversation (JXL Radio Edit Remix),
3. Burning Love (Viva Mix),
4. (Let's Have A) Party
5. Jailhouse Rock,
6. Guitar Man,
7. King Creole (Viva Mix),
8. Viva Las Vegas,
9. A Big Hunk O' Love,
10. Rubberneckin' (Paul Oakenfold Remix)
11. Little Sister,
12. Good Rockin' Tonight, 13. Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do!
- - - - 1,000 new members joined Elvis Info Network's Rare Elvis Photos Facebook in just two weeks - - - - the fastest growing Elvis facebook group around!
EIN's Rare Elvis Photos Facebook page now with over 6000 members - including several of Elvis' own friends and colleagues So Elvis fans don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs - from EIN's V-P Sanja Meegin.
Jack Soden talks Graceland Guest House: The resort-style Guest House at Graceland is a $70 million project whose still-tentative plans include not only a restaurant and sports lounge with the 450 rooms, but also a performance center and meeting rooms. The plan is to start site work later in June or early July, with a ceremonial groundbreaking during Elvis Week in August and a 12-month construction period.
"That’s a really ambitious construction schedule," EPE CEO Jack Soden told local residents, "But it’s the goal right now. After waiting for years and years this will take Graceland to a higher level."
It would be the third-largest hotel in the city, and Soden said it has been on Graceland’s list since the mansion opened for tours in the early 1980s and he became CEO.
The new hotel eventually will replace the Heartbreak Hotel on the west side of Elvis Presley Boulevard, currently EPE's only hotel in the area. "We’ll keep the Heartbreak Hotel functioning until the new hotel opens, after that, the Heartbreak Hotel will probably be taken down, due to its age it is unfeasible to renovate."
The plaza directly across the boulevard from the mansion will also probably see some changes over the years as it is updated one piece at a time.
Memphis City Council member Harold Collins, who represents the area and has spearheaded the $43 million in streetscape improvements.
Soden said the plan for the hotel site is to keep the trees and add more, with the hotel itself set back from the street at about the same distance as neighboring Graceland.
"It is truly intended to be a resort. We intend to try to save every single tree that we can, and it is about making your houses on Old Hickory even prettier," he said. The properties on Old Hickory are also zoned residential with covenants that prohibit the zoning from being changed. see plan below (News, Source;MemphisDailyNews/ElvisInfoNet)
"Elvis Sings" New UK SONY CD: Yet another new SONY Elvis release for 2014! Following on from the two US budget 12-track compilations of "Elvis Uncovered", SONY UK have copied the concept for the new 2014 album "Elvis Sings.." featuring his cover version of, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Ray Charles, Bee Gees, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters etc This time however the budget album features a far better value for money 23 tracks.
1. Promised Land
2. What'd I Say
3. Early Mornin' Rain
4. You've Lost That Loving Feeling
5. My Babe
6. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
7. Got My Mojo Working / Keep Your Hands Off Of It
8. Bridge Over Troubled Water
9. Help Me Make It Through The Night - Elvis Presley & The Imperials Quartet
10. Gentle On My Mind
11. Funny How Time Slips Away - with The Jordanaires, The Imperials Quartet
12. Sweet Caroline ,
13. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
14. Proud Mary ,
15. I Got a Woman
16. Words ,
17. Something
18. You Don't Know Me - with The Jordanaires ,
19. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
20. Danny Boy,
21. My Way
22. Tomorrow Is A Long Time,
23. Only the Strong Survive From Sony Music CMG - Release date 16 Jun 2014. Only £6.99 - US$12 - To preorder Click HERE >>Pre-order >> "Elvis Sings" (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Bossa Nova Baby: The Ultimate Elvis Party Album' New CD: Out next month a fabulous looking new compilation from SONY USA. While recent general compilations have featured the usual greatest hits selections, this time SONY have come up with a different theme with 'Bossa Nova Baby' and 'King Creole' being two of the better tracks from "Viva Elvis". (Shame they missed out the 'Blue Suede Shoes' Viva Mix). The front cover is a gem, nice to see 'Down In The Alley' and 'Good Rockin' Tonight' on the tracklist and a budget price of only $14.
1. Bossa Nova Baby (Viva Mix)
2. A Little Less Conversation (JXL Radio Edit Remix)
3. Burning Love (Viva Mix)
4. (Let's Have A) Party
5. Jailhouse Rock
6. Guitar Man
7. King Creole (Viva Mix)
8. Viva Las Vegas
9. A Big Hunk O' Love
10. Rubberneckin' (Paul Oakenfold Remix)
11. Little Sister
12. Good Rockin' Tonight, 13. Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do!
'Ultimate Elvis Sessions' Special Pre-Order:The Elvis Files team is delighted to offer a special deal for their great new deluxe book - Don't pay $400, buy it direct to your door from Elvis Filesfor only US$320 - including postage.The combined three book weigh 10Kgs, so it is the postage that makes it expensive. 'Ultimate Elvis – Recording Sessions' is a three-volume, deluxe set (in a slipcase), that not only comprises all the session information available to date. Includes comprehensive essays, brand new interviews, RCA paperwork, session logs, listing notices, letters from Colonel Parker's plus a huge index. The icing on the cake is a wealth of stunning photographs - approximately 1500 of them! - many of them previously unseen, relating to the time period in question. Legendary guitarist James Burton sums it up neatly: 'These are the most beautiful books I have ever seen and the best researched.'
With major contributions from Erik Lorentzen, Keith Flynn, Gordon Minto, Piers Beagley, Arjan Deelen, Alan Hanson, James V. Roy and many more, these volumes, designed by Chris Middleton are unparalleled. Go HERE for US$320 Pre-Order - plus Preview pages and all the Details .. Out August 2014. (News, Source;EL/ElvisInfoNet.com)
'Elvis Presley On Stage' Live Review: The recent Elvis concert in Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall received a great review from the local paper.....
...ELVIS died in 1977 but 37 years later he's still near enough selling out the Royal Concert Hall. And I'm still not entirely sure how they pulled it off.
It all sounds very simple: we watch a film of the King on stage while a live band supplies the backing. But just think about it. Someone's had to put together the setlist - the spine of the show was from TTWII 1970 but there were detours to other concerts, his 1968 TV special, including the legendary "unplugged" section, and even a beyond-the-grave duet with his daughter Lisa Marie.
Then there's the small detail of isolating Elvis's voice and rehearsing 15 musicians and singers to accompany it with such precision that nobody sees the join. Just thinking about it makes me dizzy.
It's a bit of a thankless task for the band, to be honest. All showed staggering discipline and skill despite being stuck behind a semi-transparent screen on which the giant figure of Elvis frequently dwarfed them, figuratively (even on film, his humour and charisma burned bright) and literally (at times he must have been 15 feet tall).
It took a while to get used to and perhaps I was just too close - the experiment seemed better suited to an arena.
By the second half, however, I stopped wondering about how they'd done it and just enjoyed the (terrific) music. Sweet Caroline was a belting version, alongside such classics as American Trilogy, In The Ghetto and a blinding Guitar Man. As Elvis blasted through his immortal rock'n'roll classics, I caught myself thinking that, even now, Elvis is better live than many acts still drawing breath who I've seen on the same stage. Go here for full review (News, Source;NPost/ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis, Bob Dylan's hero: A few years ago Bob Dylan paid a visit to Sun Studio in Memphis and planted a kiss on the spot where Elvis Presley recorded "That's All Right." When he left, another fan touring the studio ran after him to express his faithfulness not to the King but to Dylan. "Well, son," Dylan said, "we all have our heroes."
Dylan has always acknowledged Elvis as a hero, noting that first hearing Elvis was like "busting out of jail." Upon Elvis' death Dylan said, "It was so sad. I had a breakdown! I broke down. One of the very few times I went over my whole life. I went over my whole childhood. I didn't talk to anyone for a week after Elvis died. If it wasn't for Elvis and Hank Williams, I couldn't be doing what I do today."
In September 1994, Dylan specifically recorded several Elvis songs, 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy', 'Money Honey' and 'Anyway You Want Me' and has performed others on tour.
After Dylan was hospitalised in 1997, with a potentially fatal heart ailment, he was quoted as saying, "I am just glad to be feeling better. I really thought I'd be seeing Elvis soon.''
The new book "The Dylanologists: Adventures in the Land of Bob," by David Kinney, tracks the obsessions of Dylan fans the world over, as well as Dylan's own treks into fandom. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis Files Magazine ISSUE 7' Review: The march issue, once again featuring Elvis stories and new unpublished Elvis photos that would be missed from Lorentzen's "Elvis Files" series of books.
One of the treats of this issue is that there are several articles and
interviews featuring Elvis himself that capture him in some candid moments and
thoughts. - Elvis At The Shrine - One of the key articles in this issue and an impressive 12 pages are dedicated to Elvis' live appearances in Los Angeles and boy there are some stunning images of Elvis here. - Elvis Presley "I’ll never do it again"- a fascinating article about Elvis being so disgruntled with being forced to appear in that tuxedo on the Steve Allen show. - "Why Do Canadian Youngsters Worship Elvis Presley?"
- Recently discovered the dress rehearsal documents from King Creole.
Once again Elaine Christan, daughter of super fan Virginia Coons, supplies some good articles including some candid photographs from 1969 and even a positive view of November 1976. - 'Elvis talks To Roxy' - a delightful interview from 1960.
Plus plenty more Rare Candids not featured in previous Elvis Files books. Go HERE as EIN checks the new issue- with plenty of rare photos. (Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)
New "Elvis On Stage" has a Big Impact!: The new "Elvis Presley On Stage" show without the TCB Band started touring Europe last week. Not surprisingly some fans really hate the fact that Elvis' original band members are missing. Others however praise the energy and power of the new recruits. The screen is huge!
Gone are the old back-projection video screens to replaced by the new technology video-wall hanging in front of the back-up band. Elvis is BIGGER and Louder!
Reviews state "The concert was remarkable. There was a real power being centre of the audience, it felt like Elvis was there in the room. Theres is a real suspension of disbelief, which is what it is all about. The best Elvis
show I have seen."EIN's roving reporters are seeing it next week in the UK and will report back in detail.
UPDATED - FTD - What now, What next, Where to – What’s left?: During Elvis’ lifetime, RCA released a total of between 60 – 70 albums, consisting of dedicated recordings, movie soundtracks and live performances.
The FTD label has been doing an excellent job at looking at the recording anthology of Elvis Presley and releasing every significant LP or recording session on a 1CD or 2CD ‘Classic Album’ version.
However as noted with the recent "ELVIS" second LP release there are less and less outtakes and studio sessions left in the vaults. FTD’s first release was ‘Burbank ’68’ fifteen years ago, so with all the past releases and packaging what is left for the collector?
UPDATED- Interview with Dick Grob, Elvis' Head Of Security: Some fans have very strong opinions about some Elvis associates such as Priscilla, Charlie Hodge and indeed Dick Grob. One can ask the question whether it is fair to judge these people like we sometimes do, since in reality we were not there – and yet they were. Elvis’ life was pretty extraordinary, with many highs and lows, and one wonders how any of us would have coped with the stress, especially if you were responsible for the man’s safety.
In our special interview Dick Grob talks about Elvis as a friend and as a human being, life on the road, Aloha, Elvis’ fondness for the police, Ginger Alden, Elvis’ plans in ’77 for shows in Europe, Elvis’ decline and his death. Grob also discusses, Elvis’ reaction to a fan who said he should smoke marijuana to improve his music and his final conversation with Elvis in the very early morning of August 16, 1977.
'ELVIS' FTD Classic Album Review: Elvis' fabulous second album, his first genuine album recorded for RCA. This is not a Greatest-Hits kind of collection, instead it contained twelve tracks of extraordinary variety - it is one of my favourite early Elvis albums.
There is no doubt that FTD had to produce this ‘ELVIS’ Classic Album version at some point - but it has to be a very different offering to the classic first LP as unfortunately the session tapes for nearly every song is missing. Another difference is that nearly all these tracks have already been remastered by Vic Anesini and have previously been released elsewhere.
Two New FTD Releases for May: FTD have announced two new products hopefully for mid MAY release. 1. 'Love Me Tender' Classic Album:
A double-CD set. Elvis first performed ‘Love Me Tender’ on the Ed Sullivan Show (Sept 9) and pre-sales reached over 1 million before its release on Sept 28. It features a 16-page booklet with great photos, movie trivia, memorabilia and full recording data.
The extra tracks are, 'We’re Gonna Move' Take 4 & 9. 'Poor Boy' Take 3 original 3 verse master. 'Poor Boy' remake, 'Poor Boy' extended verse, 'Let Me' vocal overdub take 3, 'Let Me' vocal overdub take 4. Plus STEREO MASTERS of all four tracks and The Truth About Me Interview recorded on the set of Love Me Tender.
Disc 2 features the legendary live show from the Mississippi Alabama State Fair and Dairy Show held in Tupelo on September 26. Go here to Elvis FTD/SONY News 2014 for full tracklist and details
DMM Copper Mastering
180 Grams heavyweight vinyl
Strictly limited pressing Yes, 'Dominic' Takes 1,2,3 and 4 finally get released on Vinyl - Poor old Elvis! Go here to Elvis FTD/SONY News 2014 for full tracklist and details
- FTD apologises for the mastering fault on Destination USA the replacement discs will be sent out with this new release.
Also note that FTD’s version of 'Elvis Recorded Live In Memphis' is now deleted.
(News, Source;Ken Jensen/FTD/ElvisInfoNet)
(Book Review) 100 Things Elvis Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die: Noted Elvis author Gillian G. Gaar has released her latest Elvis book. Whether you are an avid Elvis reader or casual fan there is 'something for everybody' jam packed into what is a cleverly written, multi-level release - a compendium of trivia and facts which also act as an Elvis biography.
Two New Releases For Elvis Week 2014: To celebrate Elvis Week 2014, Warner Bros will release two of the king's fan-favorites on August 12 as Premium Blu-ray™ Digibooks. "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is - Two Disc Special Edition," which was re-edited and remixed for its acclaimed release in 2000, will now debut on Blu-ray™ as a Premium Digibook, newly remastered, and with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, "Viva Las Vegas" will also be offered as a Premium Blu-ray Digibook. "Elvis: That’s the Way It Is" - Two Disc Special Edition Premium Digibook
With thousands of feet of materials including sequences added to capture with greater intimacy Elvis' performances and his creative process behind-the-scenes, the previously released Special Edition is now being made
available as a Blu-ray™ two disc Special Edition Premium Digibook. Denis Sanders (Shock Treatment) directed this "rockumentary." Academy Award® nominated Lucien Ballard (The Wild Bunch) was the cinematographer. Disc 1 (DVD) 2001 Special Edition and Special Features:
- Patch It Up: The Restoration of Elvis: That's The Way It Is
- 12 Outtakes - song/nonmusical sequences
- 1970 Original Theatrical Version Disc 2 (BD) 1970 Original Theatrical Version and Special Features:
- 12 Outtakes - song/nonmusical sequences . EIN believes that this will be exactly the same content as the 2001 DVD release. "Viva Las Vegas" 50th Anniversary Premium Digibook
In his highest grossing movie, Elvis shares the screen with Ann-Margret, easily creating the most electrifying teaming Elvis had on screen. He plays Lucky Jackson, a Grand Prix race driver working at a casino to raise cash for a new engine; she’s a hotel swimming instructor - and the romantic action revs up from their first meeting. George Sidney, who also directed Ann-Margret in Bye Bye Birdie, combines the hormonal heat wave with fascinating sights of ’60s Las Vegas. The soundtrack is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 stereo. Special Features:
- Commentary by Steve Pond, rock journalist and author of "Elvis in Hollywood"
- Featurette Kingdom: Elvis in Vegas
- Theatrical trailer These Premium Digibooks include rare behind-the-scene photos and will cost around $28. (News, Source;WB/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis Week 2014' Preliminary Schedule: EPE has announced the preliminary lineup of events for Elvis Week 2014 to be held in Memphis from August 9-17. Below are the highlights.. - The Candlelight Vigil, the cornerstone event, will begin with the traditional opening ceremony on August 15, at 8:30 p.m at Graceland’s front gates. - Elvis A Cappella: A Tribute to the King, a first-ever event this year will be presented at the Elvis Week Main Stage. Elvis goes a cappella for the first time in two different 60-minute Elvis shows, featuring some of the country’s top a cappella groups - All-Night Yahtzee, the Vanderbilt Melodores, the Acoustikats, The James Madison University BluesTones and Briarcrest OneVoice - performing some of Elvis’ greatest hits, joined by Elvis on the big screen. Each show will be presented twice. - August 14 & 15 - "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is" – Special Edition, an exclusive screening world premiere of Warner Bros’ newly-remastered version at the Orpheum Theatre. Fans will be treated not only to the newly-remastered film, but will also get to experience an outtake performance or sequence never-before-seen on the big screen. In addition, the screening will feature an on-stage performance by Terry Blackwood and The Imperials and "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is" related artifacts
on display in the lobby, direct from the Graceland Archives. - August 16. - The Memphis Boys Salute - at the Elvis Week Main Stage will celebrate the 45th anniversary of Elvis’ acclaimed recording sessions at American Sound Studios – along with the legendary house band that not only backed Elvis, but many other stars over the years. This incredible Memphis Boys concert event with special guests Terry Mike Jeffrey and Scat Springs, will feature them performing some of their Elvis hits, as well as songs from the many other stars they have performed behind for over 45 years. - August 13. - Conversations on Elvis, one of the most popular Elvis Week events, returns this year to the Elvis Week Main Stage. Hosted by Tom Brown, this event features Elvis’ friends, colleagues, co-stars, musicians and more sharing some of their favorite stories and memories of Elvis. - August 15. - The Official Elvis Insiders Event will feature special segments that highlight various aspects of Elvis’ life and career. Also hosted by Tom Brown, attendees will enjoy sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes looks, rarely-seen videos, feature segments filmed just for the event, special guests and much more. It will be a special "inside" look at both Elvis and his home, Graceland. Also, representatives from Sony and Warner Bros. will be part of a behind-the-scenes panel discussion to talk about the remastering of "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is." - - August 14 - The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest returns for the eighth year with over 20 competitors from around the world, including winners from preliminary contests in the U.S., Brazil, the U.K., Canada and Australia. ETAs will compete during the semifinal round of the contest at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Memphis. The Finals are on August 14.
- Elvis Gospel Celebration - the special close to Elvis Week with a Sunday morning Elvis Gospel Celebration. The event will feature a acoustic gospel set by Terry Mike Jeffrey plus performances by Terry Blackwood and The Imperials. - August 17
Go HERE toEPE's Preliminary Schedule of Events.EIN's Sanja Meegin will be there to report all the stories (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
Tickets for "ELVIS PRESLEY – ON STAGE" in EUROPE: While EIN broke the news that the upcoming "Elvis Presley - On Stage" 2014 European tour would not feature any of the TCB Band or Elvis' musicians (see below) EPE has now offered Pre-sale tickets for keen UK fans. EPE note..
.. In celebration of Elvis’ recording of “That’s All Right” in 1954 and the 60th Anniversary of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. will proudly present "Elvis Presley - On Stage" in 2014.
The all new "Elvis Presley - On Stage" music experience will kick off a 23-date-tour of the United Kingdom starting in April 2014 and continue through the end of May. Featuring a hot studio band and backup singers, the 60th Anniversary of Rock ‘n’ Roll celebration will go on the road to Europe. Following the worldwide success of the stage production,
Elvis Presley In Concert, which featured Elvis’ original band and singers, this new show is designed for all Elvis fans past, present and future.
Using the latest technology, Elvis performs via state-of-the art video screens singing lead vocals backed by a live band, singers and an orchestra. Together, this multi-media creation puts the audience inside an Elvis Presley concert presented exactly like one of his classic live performances in a Las Vegas showroom. The contemporary staging and overall production create the illusion that Elvis is on stage for his finest concert performances. There is a pre-sale for tickets go HERE to Elvis.com. - SEE TOUR DATES BELOW
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
ELVIS IN CONCERT - 2014 EUROPEAN TOUR DATES
Thur April 24, 2014 Reykjavik, Iceland - SOLD OUT
Sun April 27, 2014 Dublin, Ireland - Bord Gais Energy Theatre
Mon April 28, 2014 Belfast, Ireland - Waterfront Hall Auditorium
Wed April 30, 2014 Sheffield, United Kingdom - City Hall
Thu May 1, 2014 Newcastle, UK - City Hall - SOLD OUT
Fri May 2, 2014 Dundee, Scotland - Caird Hall
Sat May 3, 2014 Edinburgh, Scotland - Playhouse
Sun May 4, 2014 Glasgow, Scotland - Clyde Auditorium
Mon May 5, 2014 Liverpool, UK - Philharmonic Hall - SOLD OUT
Wed May 7, 2014 Preston, United Kingdom - Guild Hall
Thu May 8, 2014 Nottingham, UK- Royal Hall - SOLD OUT
F ri May 9, 2014 Ipswich, United Kingdom - Regent Theatre
Sat May 10, 2014 Brighton, United Kingdom - Centre
Sun May 11, 2014 Plymouth, UK- Pavilion - SOLD OUT
Tue May 13, 2014 Bristol, United Kingdom - Colston Hall
Wed May 14, 2014 Southend, UK - Cliffs Pavilion - SOLD OUT
Thu May 15, 2014 Bournemouth, UK - International Centre (News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet)
Fri May 16, 2014 Cardiff, Wales - Motorpoint Arena
Sat May 17, 2014 Manchester, UK - Bridgewater Hall - SOLD OUT
Sun May 18, 2014 Milton Keynes, UK - Milton Keynes Theatre - SOLD OUT
Tue May 20, 2014 York, UK - York Barbican
Wed May 21, 2014 Leicester, UK - De Montfort Hall - SOLD OUT
Thu May 22, 2014 Oxford, UK - New Theatre
Fri May 23, 2014 Birmingham, UK - Symphony Hall - SOLD OUT
Sat May 24, 2014 London, UK - Hammersmith Apollo
Sun May 25, 2014 London, UK - Hammersmith Apollo
Wed May 28, 2014 Groningen, Netherlands - De Oosterpoort
Thur May 29, 2014 Utrecht, Netherlands - Vredenburg Leidsche Rijn
Fri May 30, 2014 Tilburg, Netherlands - 013
Sat May 31, 2014 Oostende, Belgium - Kursaal Oostende
Mon June 2, 2014 Berlin, Germany - Admiral Spalast
Wed June 4, 2014 Hamburg, Germany - CCH (SAAAL 2)
Thur June 5, 2014 Halle (SAAALE), Germany - Georg-Freidrich-Handel
Fri June 6, 2014 Munich, Germany - Circus Krone
Sat June 7, 2014 Mainz, Germany - Rheingoldhalle
Mon June 9, 2014 Paris, France - Le Grand Rex
Copyright the Elvis Information Network.
Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises.
The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club.
EIN also has a local Australian national Elvis Fan Club for paid up members featuring quarterly newsletters and an annual EIN Elvis Mega Quiz with special prizes.
The printed newsletters have extra content, articles and reviews to this website along with the popular Elvis EIN Mega Quiz.
If you need to know more about the fan club, newsletters, Elvis EIN quiz or EIN membership
' ELVIS EIN QUIZ', Elvis EIN quiz, elvis EIN mega quiz, elvis mega quiz, EIN mega quiz, ELVIS EIN QUIZ, EIN elvis mega quiz,
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
%20(500x393).jpg)
.jpg)
with cheap price guarantee 
Release date August 5 confirmed
Label: RCA Victor/Legacy - Release date Aug 11, 2014.
