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...

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Sunday 31 August 2014

Elvis will shake his hips once again ... as a hologram: Elvis may have left the building 37 years ago, but he'll be returning to the stage again soon – only this time, as a hologram.

Pulse Evolution, who resurrected Michael Jackson's image for a holographic TV performance at the Billboard Music Awards in May, announced a partnership with The Estate of Elvis Presley Monday (25/08/14), with plans to bring The King of Rock 'n' Roll to live performances and commercials as a hologram, according to Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers.

A concept and venue for the 60- to 90-minute live shows has not yet been determined, although Pulse has already begun work on the project, which could take 18 to 24 months to complete, said company executives. The late icon's estate will also decide if the holographic image will resemble a younger or older Presley, Pulse CEO Frank Patterson said.

Jamie Salter, CEO of Authentic Brands Group, which manages Presley's estate, said there are talks of Elvis' holographic image playing four-night residencies in Las Vegas and Macau, and even performing with Michael Jackson's hologram, according to Adweek. Salter added that Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley support the technology, AdWeek said.

When USA TODAY spoke with Pulse executive chairman John Textor about Jackson's holographic image in May, he mentioned Elvis, Frank Sinatra and Bob Marley as obvious candidates for holographic treatment.

"We're hearing from a lot of estates and promoters saying, 'We're ready for a concert,' " Textor told USA TODAY, before cautioning that "if we're going to bring a Michael or an Elvis back into this form of stage entertainment, it must be story-based. You can't have Elvis sitting on a stool singing 20 songs. That won't work." (News, Source: Patrick Ryan, USA Today)

Stunning duet for Streisand and Elvis: In her upcoming duet album Partners (due out Sept. 16), Barbra Streisand pairs up with some of the world’s greatest male vocalists, from Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie to John Legend and Michael Bublé. One of the most breathtaking tracks on the album is her virtual duet with Elvis Presley to his 1956 ballad “Love Me Tender.”

EIN Note: You can listen to the duet here. The duet is a great recording, very well produced and remaining true to the feel of Elvis’ original recording. And, based on all selections from the album we heard, Ms Streisand is (in her usual) superlative form. (News, Source: Parade)

Here’s the full track list for Partners:
  1. It Had To Be You (w/ Michael Bublé)
  2. People (w/ Stevie Wonder)
  3. Come Rain Or Come Shine (w/ John Mayer)
  4. Evergreen (w/ Babyface)
  5. New York State Of Mind (w/ Billy Joel)
  6. I’d Want It To Be You (w/ Blake Shelton)
  7. The Way We Were (w/ Lionel Richie)
  8. I Still Can See Your Face (w/ Andrea Bocelli)
  9. How Deep Is The Ocean (w/ Jason Gould)
  10. What Kind Of Fool (w/ John Legend)
  11. Somewhere (w/ Josh Groban)
  12. Love Me Tender (w/ Elvis Presley)

More great Elvis deals on Amazon

Elvis did it first, says Miley Cyrus: The face of the twerking movement, Miley Cyrus has been a lightning rod for controversy. Her infamous MTV Video Music Awards performance last year, as evidenced by all those FCC complaints, was arguably the most scandalous music moment since Janet Jackson's Nipplegate. Even when she isn't on stage, she's still causing a stir, whether its chilling topless in the desert or spending time with the Flaming Lips or sending a homeless youth to accept her Video of the Year award. Still, it's Cyrus' provocative moves – which were watered-down for her NBC special – that create the most trouble, but as Cyrus tells Australia's Sunday Night, she's just carrying the torch lit by Elvis Presley's gyrating hips.

"Elvis, he wasn't wearing the outfits I was wearing but he was coming out and he was doing like the OG twerking. Like, no one wants to admit that he was twerking, he was," Cyrus said (via NME). "He was like sex. He was a symbol of sex but no one would have ever called Elvis a shit because he wasn't a girl. It's that double standard and I think I'm doing something for the double standard."

Miley also has a message for the "concerned parents" riled up that might be sending a bad message to her young fans. "The only thing I'm an example of is freedom, especially in this time where the energy of the world is shifting from male energy to female energy," Cyrus tells Sunday Night's Chris Bath. "I think a lot of that was started by these girls that get to watch my show and see young people just being themselves and representing freedom." (News, Source: Rolling Stone) ......Miley's comments certainly have credence as the following archival article from 2002 attests.

Person of the Week: Elvis Presley:

Wise men say only fools rush in
but I can't help falling in love with you.
Shall I stay
would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?
—Elvis Presley, "Can't Help Falling in Love"

Twenty-five years to the day after his death at the age of 42, Elvis Aaron Presley's name fairly droops under the weight of its acquired cultural significance. Briefly tagged a teen idol, the King of Rock and Roll swiftly transitioned into category-defying superstar. Today, college professors devote whole careers to examining Elvis's influence on America's cultural mores, his impact on American sexuality and most of all, our apparently unflagging passion for his music.

Even in death, Elvis's commercial success is unparalleled; he's sold more records (1 billion worldwide) than any other artist in history, and his estate is priceless. Given his spectacular popularity, it's easy to forget that when he first came on the national scene in the 1950s, Elvis was considered highly subversive.

Middle America was flummoxed by his singing, which didn't fit with the era's squeaky-clean bill of fare. It wasn't just his lyrics; it was what he introduced vocally — appropriating the blues and gospel styles of the African-American South, he brought "black" music to white Americans. Then there was the matter of his stage presence. Elvis Presley, the performer, was all about sex — it may have only been the suggestion of sex, but it was there all the same, in the sneer, the gyration, the raised eyebrow. And that unfettered sex appeal represented everything American parents wanted to suppress in the mid-1950s. Wanted to — but couldn't.

Born in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley showed an early aptitude for music. By the time he was 19, he was recording his own music, and at 21 he was an international star.

You ain't nothin' but a hound dog cryin' all the time
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog cryin' all the time
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine.

-"Hound Dog"

In 1956 and '57, Elvis appeared several times on television variety programs hosted by Ed Sullivan and Milton Berle. During his second appearance on the Berle show, he sang "Hound Dog" and engaged in a bit of his trademark hip swiveling. The broadcast generated shock nationwide, and sparked a flurry of hysterical press.

In 1957, the famously stiff Ed Sullivan, who'd once vowed never to have Elvis on his show, was so thrilled by his guest's effect on the show's ratings that he announced on camera, "I wanted to say to Elvis and the country that this is a real decent, fine boy." Such sentiments did not keep the network brass from issuing an historic decree to the cameramen: Elvis was to be shot strictly from the waist up.

The Elvis revolution was on — and as parents around the world quickly realized, the sultry crooner wasn't just a temporary distraction. As the singer's popularity exploded, his risque dance moves sent girls into paroxysms of excitement and his slightly suggestive half-snarl made mothers everywhere a little bit nervous. (News Article, Source: Jessica Reeves, TIME.com)

Recent 'Elvis tribute' CD releases:

 

Friday 29 August 2014

Very High Prices for "Graceland Guest House" Founders: EPE have announced seemingly ridiculous prices to become a founding member of their new hotel complex - up to $30,000 - something the average Elvis fan could never afford. The publicity promises, "Graceland is proud to announce The Founders, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the ultimate Elvis fan. Only 1,500 Founders will be in on the ground floor to gain exclusive lifetime access to rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest landmark and its groundbreaking new resort - The Guest House at Graceland.

As a Founder you will be our special guest and enjoy unprecedented access to Graceland, special events, exclusive opportunities, and Southern hospitality as only Elvis could offer. This lifetime 40-year membership, with first option to renew, can be handed down to the next generations. You’ve always belonged here, you’ve always felt the connection, and now it’s time to come home to Graceland."

They are asking for a $500 deposit but the total price (as handed out during Elvis Week) is quite unbelievable.

The "DIAMOND LEVEL" entry promises the following...

  • Stay up to 10 nights a year at The Guest House with no blackout dates, and pay only the hotel maintenance fee (currently $71.50 per night)
  • Early access to reservations, up to 13 months in advance
  • Guaranteed Elvis Week accommodations when reserved more than 12 months in advance
  • Guaranteed suite upgrade for non-premiere weeks, if reserved more than 6 months in advance
  • Invitation to the family cocktail gala
  • Your Time Capsule and personal Grand Plaque on The Founders Wall at The Guest House
  • Annual archival Diamond Level gift on Elvis’ birthday

The cost of this is $30,000!

No wonder, as Forbes noted (see EIN's August 15 'Why Did Graceland Have the Elvis Week Auction?' story below) the Graceland Auction was a good idea for EPE to learn who the Elvis high-rollers might be.

EIN reads the above description to mean that for $30,000 you can ONLY stay TEN nights at the new complex per year - and you still have to pay $71.50 per night!

What sort of Elvis fan can afford that? This seems a very expensive time-share deal!
As the new owners ABG announced back in 2013 "We envision moving the Elvis brand into other realms beyond music, including the luxury items market." ABG's Joel Weinshanker was at Elvis Week and appears to be the driving force.

The lesser "GOLD LEVEL" Founder (for only 750 members)

Let's you stay only FIVE nights at the new complex per year, you still have to pay $71.50 per night and costs the lesser price of $10,000! And you don't get the "Invitation to the family cocktail gala".

Go here to Graceland for more Founders details. Note that in Graceland's publicity photo (above) of the hotel there is NOT ONE image of ELVIS!!!

Go HERE to EIN's look at "The Sale of the Graceland estate" and on-going stories
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'King Of The Hilton' New Anne E. Nixon book: 'King Of The Hilton' is an exciting new book about Elvis in Vegas seen through the eyes of someone who was there, superfan Anne E. Nixon..
After many requests from fans, respected Elvis writer and researcher Anne E Nixon, (author of Ten Years After and The Elvis Archives), is for the first time publishing her detailed show reports from the Vegas years.
Anne attended 40 Elvis Presley shows from 1972-1976, and wrote copious notes on each performance. A few of her show reports were printed in books and magazines at the time, but only now has she opened the vaults and every show she attended is given in-depth coverage.
With the help of  Richard Harvey, she has written a text-rich 300 page A5 sized softback book that will delight all fans of Vegas-era Elvis.  King of the Hilton is an affectionate, and sometimes poignant diary that takes the reader right back to the Hilton Hotel in the seventies, when Elvis reigned supreme.
Crammed with show anecdotes, complete set-lists, musician/celebrity/jumpsuit checklists, and verbatim Elvis dialogue - the authors had access to previously uncirculated private audio - and loaded with never before published facts about the Hilton scene during those heady days. All of this delivered at a fan-friendly price only- £15.99 / US$27
Inside this handsome book you’ll find -
*Complete first hand reports of every show of the final Vegas season in December ‘76.

*The famous 1974 ‘Desert Storm’ closing show as seen from a front booth.
*Over 100 illustrations including Hilton artefacts.
*The '74 monologues.
*Cancelled! The 1975 season.
*In-depth appendix of songs, suits and show times.
*Closing Night '73 'Monkey' show, exactly what happened on-stage .
*Each edition of this limited print run publication will be signed and numbered.

To be published in October 2014...........Order your signed copy today!

Click HERE - To read an interview with the authors, see a Sneak Peak and Order your signed copy! (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

New release from the 'SR' label: ELVIS – LIVING THE PAIN (1-CD LONGBOX 4 PANEL DIGIPACK) 

HILTON HOTEL SHOWROOM, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA, 21-02-1972 MIDNIGHT SHOW

The forthcoming release from the "SR" label is titled "Living the Pain" and will feature the unreleased show from Las Vegas February 21, 1972.

As everybody knows SR concentrates it's work on early 70's live period of Elvis' activity, trying to produce always unreleased shows with Elvis at the top of his possibilities. With the new release, we are proud to present the complete show from February 21th midnight show, a rare show from a Vegas winter season always poor of official and unofficial releases.. Elvis' love of singing is clear in this tape and we are glad to give you the opportunity to listen to it.

The midnight show from February 21th, as presented on this CD, represents just one of the best shows of the season, If we look closely at the first Vegas act of 1972 we can see that Elvis concentrates on the music to produce great shows. The in-between song chat and banter have gone and each number is delivered promptly without even a pause for applause.

The 'NEW' songs introduced do reflect the mood of the man and for sure the rocking days are over but the rendition of the early seventies repertoire is solid and sung with great ability.

Talking of these new additions we see some great songs, representative of his life from this stage on. Naturally we are referring to songs such as 'You Gave Me A Mountain' which has an autobiographical theme of a man who no singing the pain, but LIVING IT and 'An American Trilogy' which demonstrates his personal beliefs and patriotic views. Elvis also worked hard to promote his new single 'Until It's Time For You To Go.' Here are also included rare performance of Help Me Make It Through The Night together the classic Bridge Over Troubled Water..

This recording come from an early generation copy of the master tape, the sound quality is very good considering the early season. The sound was restored in a studio to achieve best possible results. We have spent hours in the studio over the digital restoration of the sound, to achieve the best possible results and to give you the chance to hear it with pleasure.

This new CD will come in a new kind of deluxe long Digipack four panels, containing a collection of live and candid photographs from early 1972 .

Tracks: 01. 2001 Theme 02. See See Rider 03. Proud Mary 04. Never Been To Spain 05. You Gave Me A Mountain 06. Until It’s Time For You To Go 07. Polk Salad Annie 08. Love Me 09. All Shook Up 10. Teddy Bear/ Don’t Be Cruel 11. Hound Dog 12. A Big Hunk Of Love 13. Help Me Make It Through The Night 14. Bridge Over Troubled Water 15. Suspicious Minds 16. Band Introductions 17. An American Trilogy 18. Can’t Help Falling In Love. Time 49min. (News, Source: Email)

Elvis "for sale" at Amazon UK
   

Legal Showdown: Swedish Woman Claims She Is The True Daughter Of Elvis Presley, Not Lisa Marie!: In a shocking new report that will blow everyone away, the Lisa Marie Presley America has grown to know as Elvis‘ only daughter may not actually be who she says she is! 

A Swedish woman named Lisa Johansen, a married mother-of-four with a law degree, is claiming that she was switched at age nine “for security reasons,” The National ENQUIRER is reporting. Although Presley’s lawyers have blasted Johansen’s, 43, claims, The ENQUIRER has reviewed exclusive photos of the woman claiming to be the King’s daughter interacting with members of the Presley family. Opposite: Ms Nikula/Johansen and a guy we believe is Elvis Presley, unless of course he is the double who replaced Elvis when he was discharged from the Army

But an insider claims that Elvis would be none-too-pleased if he heard about the goings-on with his alleged “real” daughter.“Elvis could be spinning in his grave if his REAL only child is being kept from the life she deserves,” an insider told The ENQUIRER.

But the legal battle that Johansen has started isn’t her only one. She is also embattled in a legal dispute with the publisher of her memoir, I, Lisa Marie: The True Story of Elvis Presley’s Real Daughter, after reportedly refusing a DNA test even though she allegedly received $200,000 for the tell-all. The Swedish woman claims she was born Feb. 1, 1968, to “Priscilla Ann Beaulieu and Elvis Aaron Presley.” She describes her childhood as a “fairy tale with my father as the king and myself as the pampered princess,” The ENQUIRER reports.

 

After Elvis died, Johansen told The ENQUIRER that she remembers very little until Beaulieu allegedly whisked her away to Europe. (Conspiracy, Source: The National Enquirer)

EIN Comment:  Apologies for the sensationalist National Enquirer rhetoric above but we wanted to publish its story as printed.

For the record: Lisa Johansen (aka birth name Sari Marjatta Nikula) first came to fan and media attention more than 15 years ago in 1998 with the publication of her book (cited above), I, Lisa Marie: The True Story of Elvis Presley’s Real Daughter, which as again noted above, became the subject to legal action by the publisher, after Sari refused to undergo the DNA test she had originally agreed to.  The publisher sought repayment of its sizeable advance ($200,000) to Sari in what was effectively a breach of contract.  The facial analysis provided in her book as substantiation of her claim to be the “real Lisa Marie Presley” was written by Hakan Borglund, Uppsala University School of Engineering, a friend of Ms Nikula and her husband. The Johansen's resurrected their story again circa 2010-11 before this latest push. Ms Johansen is married to Torrey Omark, who legally changed his name in the mid 1990s to Alex Johansen. As with a number of conspiracy books with an Elvis theme, I, Lisa Marie is well written and an interesting read.  It just lacks logical believability and (by all accounts) valid academic evidence to support it.

For more on Ms Johansen's claims visit EIN's Elvis Conspiracy section

New soundboard release announced by the Elvis Concert Fan label - Elvis 1975 On Tour (2CD):

 

Macon, GA. April 24 1975

Jacksonville, FL. April 25 1975

Lakeland, FL. April 28 1975

+ BONUS TRACKS FROM 3 SHOWS

Lake Charles, LA. May 4 1975 (afternoon & evening show) + Murfreesboro, TN. May 7 1975
A new 2 cd-set from ELVIS CONCERT FAN, including all 3 available soundboard recordings from april 1975, newly remastered, including the opening show from tour number 12 (since 1969).
Plus as a bonus recordings from 2 shows in Lake Charles (May 4 1975) and the tour closing show (May 7, 1975). Including 12 pages booklet with photos and recording information. Tracklistings:
CD 1 - TOUR OPENING SHOW (TAPE ONE), Macon, GA. April 24 1975: 01. Elvis Talks 02. Love Me 03. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) 04. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me 05. Big Boss Man 06. It’s Midnight 07. Promised Land 08. Fairytale 09. Burning Love 10. Band introductions 11. What I’d Say (James Burton) 12. Drum Solo (RonnieTutt 13. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) 14. Piano Solo (Glen Hardin) 15. School Days (Joe Guercio Orchestra) 16. My Way 17. T-R-O-U-B-L-E 18. I’ll Remember You (first part only)
LAKELAND, FL. April 28 1975: 19. When It’s My Time (J.D. Sumner & The Stamps) 20. Burning Love 21. Band introductions 22. Guitar Solo (James Burton) 23. Drum Solo (RonnieTutt 24. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) 25. Piano Solo (Glen Hardin) 26. School Days (Joe Guercio Orchestra) 27. My Boy 28. Help Me Make It Through The Night 29. Let Me Be There 30. An American Trilogy 31. Hawaiian Wedding Song 32. Hound Dog 33. Can’t Help Falling In Love 34. Closing Vamp
CD 2 - JACKSONVILLE, FL. April 25 1975: 01. Elvis Talks 02. Love Me 03. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) 04. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me 05. Big Boss Man 06. It’s Midnight 07. Burning Love 08. Band introductions 09. What I’d Say (James Burton) 10. Drum Solo (RonnieTutt) 11. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) 12. Piano Solo (Glen Hardin) 13. School Days (Joe Guercio Orchestra) 14. My Way 15. T-R-O-U-B-L-E 16. I’ll Remember You 17. Let Me Be There 18. An American Trilogy 19. Funny How Time Slips Away
TOUR OPENING SHOW (TAPE TWO) Macon, GA. April 24 1975: 20. I’ll Remember You (second part only) 21. Let Me Be There 22. An American Trilogy 23. Can’t Help Falling In Love 24. Closing Vamp
BONUS TRACKS:
LAKE CHARLES, LA, May 4 1975, afternoon show: 25. Help Me
LAKE CHARLES, LA, May 4 1975, evening show: 26. Steamroller Blues 27. Why Me Lord? TOUR CLOSING SHOW - MURFREESBORO, TN. May 7 1975: 28. The Wonder Of You 29. Elvis Talks 30. Little Darlin’
   

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Elvis and Ginger pre-orders move it back to #1 on Amazon Best-Selling Pop Biographies & Memoirs Chart: Strong 'pre-order' sales for Ginger Alden’s upcoming memoir, Elvis and Ginger. While Amazon no longer has a “Top 40" Elvis books listing, Ms Alden’s book yesterday regained the #1 on its best-selling Pop music biographies list. On 26 August, the 'best-selling' Elvis books on the various Amazon Top 40 charts were:

Elvis and Ginger is due for release next month (a number of online booksellers have reported that copies are starting to arrive early from the publisher). (News, Source: Amazon)

Elvis begged 'ex' Priscilla for reunion: Another recent book, by Shirley Dieu (Joe Esposito's former long-time partner) and the woman dubbed the "Memphis Mafia Princess", is also attracting fan and media interest.

Author Shirley Dieu (Memphis Mafia Princess: Living in "the "Elvis World"), who interviewed Priscilla at length, says she told her she met the King of Rock and Roll in July 1977, four years after their divorce, and he begged: “I’m miserable. I want my family back.” Calling her Satnin, his pet name for her during six years of marriage, Elvis referred to their daughter Lisa Marie, saying: “I miss the family times we all had. Lisa needs her mom and dad together.”

He also told Priscilla he had no intention of marrying his new fiancée, 20-year-old Ginger Alden, who was devastated to discover she did not figure in his will after his death on August 16.

Ms Dieu, a long-time girlfriend of Elvis’s former road manager and confidant Joe Esposito, recounts the story in her book "Memphis Mafia Princess: Living in the Elvis World". The former model included the revelations with Priscilla’s blessing.

She said: “She hadn’t put it in her autobiography. She said she thought enough time had passed and was happy for me to include it in my book. I feel so privileged she trusted me with this.” Elvis’s sad attempt to woo back the woman he met while doing national service in the US Army in Germany would probably have worked had he lived, Ms Dieu believes.

She said: “I don’t believe Elvis would ever have married Ginger. Nobody liked Ginger. She didn’t fit in with the group. She was 20 years old and he was 42. When you think of all the women Elvis dated – and we liked them all – why would he pick this one girl? I think her mother was pushing her on him.

“I believe there were three women in Elvis’s life who really cared about him – Linda Thompson, the longtime girlfriend he split from before turning to Ginger, his former screen co-star and lover Ann-Margret and Priscilla. Those women would have been there for him no matter what, especially Priscilla.”

Her book tells how Elvis doted on Priscilla. Ms Dieu added: “Who knows what might have happened had she said yes immediately to his final plea to her to come back.” (News, Source: express.co.uk)

EIN Note: EIN will publish a review of Memphis Mafia Princess: Living in "the Elvis World" later this week. It appears Ms Dieu's book is currently only available from the book's website (it is not available from online sellers such as Amazon).

Caveat Emptor!!!

Alleged Elvis scam involving Circle G Ranch: The Elvis Presley Books Discussion Group (Facebook) has alerted its members to an apparent scam involving participation in a 'pyramid scheme', where by donating $200 you will receive $20 for each referral person (new member) you obtain for the scheme. The alleged intent of collecting donations is to fund a theatre on a small piece of land adjacent to the actual Circle G Ranch.

The other incentive to join the scheme is that you also acquire a 1" share of a very small piece of land that was once a part of the ranch.

The operator of the scheme is one Blair Bremner. Mr Bremner has a history of operating 'pyramid schemes' and if you Google his name you will find there ahave been a number of people far from happy with the unfulfilled promises of his various schemes over the years. (News, Source: Jane Green, Elvis Presley Books Discussion Group, Facebook)

Link to the website for the scheme

What is a pyramid scheme: A pyramid scheme is an arrangement where members (entrants) pay money to participate and only make money back if they recruit new members to the scheme. The person(s) operating the scheme take a cut of the money invested by every person who joins the scheme.

As there is a finite number of people who will be interested in joining the scheme - even if the scheme is successful for a period of time you have no idea of knowing where you have entered in the pyramidal heirarchy....near the summit of the pyramid or the bottom - the only person(s) really making money are usually the operators. At each new level of the pyramid an exponentially growing number of new entrants is needed for the scheme to make a profit! At some point there won't be enough entrants at the bottom of the pyramid to support the level above it. The pyramid then collapses and everyone at the bottom loses their investment. The operator then moves on (having pocketed a tidy sum from "all" entrants to the scheme) and often establishes a new pyramid scheme and the cycle contiunues.

Pyramid schemes are outlawed in a number of countries including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, China and Norway. A number of schemes try to mask their fundamentally 'new entrants - pyramid' based foundation by also involving products you sell to make money. The jury is still out on whether some well known multi-level marketing plans are essentially just pyramid schemes.

Elvis' cultural influence highlighted by Midsumma Exhibition artwork: The gunslinger pose of Elvis in Flaming Star was imortalised by Andy Warhol in a series of iconic images now showing in various art museums around the world. That Elvis transcends artistic media and culture is again signified by the following archival image and story sent to EIN recently.

I have been blown away by a Midsumma exhibition… which is a statement in itself. Gayme at the Counihan Gallery in Brunswick, is perhaps one of the most significant curated Midsumma shows I have seen in a long time in terms of the daring, innovative curatorial content and the quality of artworks on display. (https://artsdiary365.wordpress.com/tag/aboriginal/, 2010)

The second room of the exhibition displays photographs by Dianne Jones and Gary Lee, both of whom are breaking traditional gendered stereotypes of indigenous men and women. In her near-life-size photographs, Dianne Jones seemingly effortlessly re-imagines herself as an American preacher, Elvis, Audrey, or the Fonz.

She boldly explores her androgyneity to convincingly transform herself into characters of either gender without the recourse to the Sherman-style facial prosthetics. While the photographs are good quality works of art in their own right (in terms of the composition and technical attributes), this is perhaps the first time an attention has been focused on the America-centric, Hollywood influence of Anglo, Italian, and Hispanic stereotypes on the indigenous (or urban indigenous) culture. Gary Lee continues Jones’s breaking with the stereotypes in his sexualised and homo-eroticised photographs of indigenous and pan-Asian youths. If Brooke Andrew has explored in his Sexy and Dangerous series the objectification of the indigenous male within the context of anthropological photography, this is perhaps the first time that an Aboriginal male has been openly viewed as a contemporary pin-up, let alone a gay pin-up model. (News, Source: Amber Smith)

Visit EIN's "Elvis in Art" archives...........

including a narrative-visual article on Andy Warhol's Elvis imagery

Filmmaker back in US to finish "Orion" film documentary: British filmmaker Jeannie Finlay is back in the US to film the remaining part of her upcoming film bio on Jimmy Ellis, aka the masked singer "Orion". Ms Finlay's film is "Orion: The Man Who Would Be King".

In 2014, Jimmy Ellis (Orion) remains the one true superstar of the profession variously referred to as Elvis tribute artists, impersonators or sound-a-likes.

About the film: Nottingham-based filmmaker Jeanie Finlay's fifth feature film, Orion: The Man Who Would Be King tells the story of Jimmy Ellis, an unknown singer who was plucked from obscurity and adopted into a crazy scheme to pose as a masked Elvis look-alike in the wake of the King's death, giving birth to the "Elvis is alive" myth.

 
Starting with the creation of an outlandish fictional identity and concluding with the most tragic of endings, Finlay has documented a truly remarkable story, but before she can release her account of the rise and fall of this legendary masked figure, she needs help with the financial backing of the project and has taken to Indiegogo to crowd fund the project.

Excerpts from Jeanie Finlay's interview with Uni2 Know:

Uni2 Know: Where were some of the most interesting places the filming of the Orion movie took you?

JF: "It was really amazing to walk around Sun Records Studios, to see where the records were actually recorded, to see the master tapes and to stand in Shelby Singleton's office (the producer that discovered and created Orion). We also went to the house where Orion grew up as a boy and his son took me to the place that he was murdered, and that was incredible. Moving and terrible of course, but it gave an incredible sense of the history of the story coming to life."

Uni2 Know: Did any of interviewees for Orion particularly stand out?

JF: "I had a rule that everyone I interviewed in the film had to be connected to Orion is some way. I interviewed his band mates, the fan club manager and we interviewed his road manager at Vernon Presley's house (Elvis’ dad) round the back of Graceland. But some interviews had more of an impact on me than others. For his son - who was still massively grieving from his father's brutal murder - to take us to the place his father was killed was extraordinary, and I consider it a real privilege that he took the time to explain to us what that felt like." (News, Source: Jeanie Finlay/uni-2.co.uk)

Visit the Orion film site

Watch the film trailer

Read EIN's recent article on the amazing and ultimately very tragic life of Jimmy Ellis

(New book release) Elvis Presley's 1956 Lincoln Continental up close and personal: This slimline photo book by David B.L. Johnstone features twenty pages of previously unpublished private photos of the 1956 Lincoln Continental once owned by Elvis.

Some photos were taken prior to this iconic vehicle being fully restored and are up close and in never before seen detail. (News, Source: David B.L. Johnstone)

 

Great prices on Elvis at Amazon!

Monday 25 August 2014 ----2nd news update----

'Elvis Files Magazine ISSUE 8' Review: The June 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 the variety of stories about Elvis, and the comparison between all periods of his career in some new and revealing photos.

This issue looks at
- Clambake, "a real Christmas clinker!"
- ‘My Memories of Elvis’ by his "best friend" Cliff Gleaves. It runs the nine pages and includes some delicious shots and cool stories from the late fifties.
- "Elvis and Ann-Margret, the hot summer of 1963"
- How Colonel Parker and Hal Wallis controlled Elvis’ film Career.
- Elaine Christan as Elvis' "That’s The Way It Is" concerts from August 14, 1970.

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 and magazine extracts.
(Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)
New ‘Final Countdown To Midnight' jewel-case Deluxe Versions OUT NOW: Due to the enormous success of Backdraft’s box-set ‘Final Countdown to Midnight’ it appears that not enough copies were pressed which have left keen Elvis fans having to go without. Released only six weeks ago, copies are now impossible to track down.
Since Backdraft are unable to publish more copies of the boxset due to logistical reasons, they have now released two separate products both housed in a deluxe super-jewel case.
A 2CD version and a separate DVD only release, both with different front covers, contain a deluxe 24 page booklet inside. We would like to point out that the content of the booklets in both of the releases are entirely different and that, the photographs and text information are NOT repeated inside each of the releases. (Click here for bigger images)
These are again in very limited supplies and dealers will be restricted on quantities.
In the meantime, the production team at Backdraft would like to thank Elvis fans from around the world for their enormous support on this and our past releases. Check your local dealers now for new copies.
(News, Source;Backdraft/ElvisInfoNet)
"The King's Third Act" New TTWII Review: The Wall Street Journal's Jazz columnist, Will Friedwald has published a glowing article on the new TTWII release.
He notes, "Elvis Presley in Amazingly Dynamic Form and At the Height of His Formidable Powers"
...... Within the span of a few months in 1970, the short-lived film genre known as the "concert/documentary movie" reached its apogee with three releases that each marked a turning point in artistic evolution. "Let It Be" was the final major appearance of the Beatles; "Woodstock," the first big blockbuster concert movie... but "Elvis: That's the Way It Is" was something else entirely: It captured the King of Rock 'n' Roll at the very moment he was reclaiming his throne and beginning a new phase in his electrifying career, a remarkable third act that would eclipse everything he had previously done.
This new incarnation would find Elvis returning to his roots as a live performer, encompassing a wider range of material as he appeared before ever-larger audiences. This renaissance was unfortunately brief; by the mid-1970s, Presley's substance abuse and self-destructive tendencies would catch up with him. He would be a bloated mess in the final months of his short life, but in 1970, he was in peak physical condition and artistically at the top of his game.
Copious evidence of this is now offered in a new package from Sony Legacy, which features two DVDs in addition to eight compact discs as well as a splendidly illustrated 80-page booklet.
The DVDs contain two very different versions of the 1970 feature: the original theatrical edit and the 2001 "restoration." It's his performance that drives "Elvis: That's the Way It Is." At the start of his career, Presley was widely perceived as a divisive figure in American culture. No entertainer did more, even inadvertently, to create the generation gap. Yet in the final and, in many ways, the most rewarding phase of Presley's career, the singer entered into what seems, in retrospective, like a musical crusade to bring people together. In this, his major asset was his versatility as a performer and Presley sang any song in any genre that suited him.
Presley hops from genre to genre, imbuing it all with his majestic voice and dynamic personality.
From basic 12-bar Delta-style blues, he moves to the Gospel-infused soul music of Ray Charles's "I Got a Woman." Before the evening is through, he also sings the contemporary country classic "I Can't Stop Loving You" and Simon & Garfunkel's folk-rock spiritual "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" all in addition to the many Elvis signatures that he reprises, both old ("Hound Dog," "Heartbreak Hotel") and new ("Suspicious Minds," "In the Ghetto"). A few years later he would attempt to bring all of America together with his "American Trilogy," which juxtaposed a song from the North, the South and an African-American spiritual.
The 1970 concert is essentially one climax after another, not only
because the editors assembled the footage from six different shows, but because Presley himself - in what has become his trademark white jumpsuit - is in amazingly dynamic form and at the height of his formidable powers. And yet, as searingly dramatic as Presley is, he doesn't lose his sense of humor; when he gets to the line "Baby, I'd get down on my knees for you," he shouts the aside "if this suit wasn't too tight!"
Even the 10-disc box doesn't amount to the whole story: Warner Bros. released a two-disc Blu-ray set of the film, again with the 1970 and 2001 edits, but with a different selection of outtakes and extra footage. (Even more footage from the individual concerts was issued on a 3-DVD bootleg a few years ago.)
Theatrical concert movies were pretty much wiped out by MTV in the mid-1980s as kids were getting pop-music videos at home 24 hours a day. Yet special spectacles are now edging their way back into cinemas, and this week the restored "Elvis: That's the Way It Is" will be shown nationally in US movie theaters. Elvis may be singing about having lost something, but this remarkable film, like the singer himself, has only gained in stature over the past four decades.
(Above review is edited - go here for full WSJ review)
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)
New Book "Elvis: An American Trilogy - Vol 1" Out Now: Author Dennis W. Forbus is excited to announce that after missing two deadlines because of licensing and copyright issues, they have finally released our Volume One of the Trilogy Book Set called; "Elvis: An American Trilogy - Volume 1, Family - Mississippi to Memphis." It has taken four years to complete this first volume, with volumes two and three coming out in 2015.
We have spent lots of time and money, as well as traveling many miles, to many on-site locations, to investigate and verify our stories. Also realize that this book is very different than any other Elvis book you've seen. Check it out on the web, read the reviews from those that worked for and with Elvis, or even from his own family members.
With over 300 photographs in our 291 pages, and the cover art done by our friends and EPE,Inc. Official Artist, Mrs. Betty Harper, and interviewing over 73 people that knew Elvis the man best, we would like to invite you to visit our website and to consider ordering one or more copies of the newest Elvis book available.
DenKar Publishing Group is proud to present:
- Elvis:An American Trilogy - Volume One Family, Mississippi To Memphis By Dennis W. Forbus (Now On Sale Online or have your bookstore to order it for you.)
The publicity notes... "Elvis: An American Trilogy’ is the work of professional
Presley impersonator, Dennis W. Forbus. Disgruntled by the abundance of misinformation, misunderstanding and often blatant lies surrounding the life and death of Elvis Presley, Forbus decided to compile a series of books that would set the record straight – with Elvis’ life told through the star’s own eyes. The first volume, ‘Family’, deals with Presley’s tumultuous childhood and the characters that shaped his future. Research was gathered through over seventy interviews (including classmates, family members, and childhood friends) as well as photographs, historical documents and public records.
‘Elvis: An American Trilogy’ tells Presley’s accurate and compelling life story, through his own eyes. The three books are poised to clear up the confusion and assumptions made about the legend, while shunning the public’s mold to expose a man whose personal life was equally as fascinating as his extroverted stage presence."
Go HERE to order and for more infomation.
Also noting that 'Elvis:An American Trilogy - Volume Two Friends & Fans, Loneliness To Loyality' will be coming in the Spring of 2015.
'Elvis: An American Trilogy - Volume Three, Faith And Final Days, Graceland To Gloryland' coming Summer of 2015)
Also, please remember that we travel worldwide, as a 2013 Award Winning Elvis Impersonator.
(News, Source;DennisW.Forbus/ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis' BMW 507 Roadster Being Restored: Elvis Presley's BMW is getting the rock star treatment all over again.
This rare BMW was the King's personal ride while serving in the Army between 1958 and 1960.
BMW Classic, the automaker's official restoration arm, is bringing the King's 507 roadster back to showroom quality. The red roadster, one of just 254 built between 1955 and 1959, was actually Presley's second 507, or by some accounts, the same car painted red after adoring women wrote their names and numbers all over the  original white body in lipstick.
In either case, Presley was stationed in Germany in the late 1950s as a private in the U.S. Army, but aside from operating a tank and standing guard, the King of Rock 'n' Roll was no ordinary GI. In between his many overseas girlfriends, Presley bought one of the most expensive cars at that time.
He spotted the 507 in a local dealer after the Porsche 550 Spyder, the other great sports car in which heartthrob actor James Dean famously died, wasn't available.
For a $3,750 lease, for a used model raced by Hans Stuck, Elvis cruised around Germany in one of the most beautiful and rarest BMWs ever made until his Army tour was up in 1960. From there, the story gets murkier. The 507 was shipped to the U.S., except its original 150-horsepower V8 engine was swapped for a small-block Chevy somewhere in Alabama and was drag-raced. Later in 1968, an engineer named Jack Castor bought the car in Arizona and then let it sit in a warehouse for decades. Only recently has Castor shipped the car to BMW to let the experts restore Presley's car.
Currently, the car is on display in its original condition at the
factory BMW Museum. Presley also bought a BMW Isetta -- the funny microcar that had its single door up front -- even before leaving for Germany. Discounting every other car Elvis bought in his lifetime, it was sure good to be the King with keys to a BMW 507.
(News, Source;GerbrandV/ElvisInfoNet)
Gladys Pregnant with Elvis - More Confirmation: The debate continues over whether this photo first published by EIN back in June 2014 really is Gladys Presley. At the time EIN's good friends Joan and Paul Gansky 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!
After the photo was published several people, including Marty Lacker, informed EIN that the photo could not be of Gladys as she looks so different. We understood the debate and followed up, Reed's Dept store at the time 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. Well, now another letter from a childhood friend of the Presleys, Azalia Smith Moore has been added to the display at Reeds in Tupelo. In it she confirms that she could identify several of the women in the photo one of them being Gladys Presley. She writes, "I was born shortly after Elvis and we attended school together.... Elvis played with me in the large backyard while our mothers prepared produce from the garden."
(News, Source;Reeds/Gansky/ElvisInfoNet)

"Atsushi's Elvis Art Gallery": Atsushi Nakamura, the president of the Japanese Elvis fan club "For Elvis Sound Fans Only" has started a WEB GALLERY of his oil paintings.

He notes, "I am an artist and challenge myself to draw Elvis' pictures with more expression than even photo images can reveal."

If you are interested click here to visit "Atsushi's Elvis Art Gallery"

(News, Source;Atsushi/ElvisInfoNet)
New Elvis Presley Turntable- Out Now:  Ricatech B.V. has released the first series of Elvis Presley Limited Edition Record Players, and handed over the very first copy to a Elvis fan, Piet Spietman, in The Netherlands. 
This turntable in one of the 3 models that have been designed and produced by Ricatech. There are 3 models with each a special design of a certain period of Elvis Presley: the 50's period, the 68' Comeback Special and the 70's Leas Vegas period. Ricatech is a worldwide license holder of Elvis Presley Enterprises, and is manufacturer of jukeboxes and record players. Last year, Ricatech released a high end, limited edition Elvis Presley jukebox. This jukebox, with a current retail sales value € 24.000,-  was made 50pcs worldwide only. The Elvis Presley turntables are released in August, and are a big success already. All units of the first production run are sold out before arrival. Fans ordering now, need to wait till at least October to get their Elvis Presley turntable. It seems that some large online retailers like Amazon has hold stock and is able to supply. 
  Go HERE to Ricatech for more info
(News, Source;Ricatech/ElvisInfoNet)

Friday 22 August 2014

"Elvis: A Listener's Guide" EIN Interview with Author Shane Brown: Since Elvis's death in 1977, hundreds of books have been written about Presley, but very few concentrate on the most important thing: the music.
The new book by Shane Brown 'Elvis Presley: A Listener's Guide' discusses the remarkable and yet often frustrating legacy that Elvis left behind. Buy why do we need a new critique?

Author Shane Brown kindly agreed to be interviewed by EIN about his interesting new look at Elvis' music.
We ask..
- What insights does this new book bring?
- Was Felton Jarvis important?
- Was Col Parker good or bad?
- Do you really review every song Elvis recorded?
- What songs does he never want to hear again? and much much more
Go here to our detailed interview - EIN's Piers Beagley asks the questions...
(Interviews, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

'Elvis Files Magazine Vol.9' OUT SOON: Erik Lorentzen notes that the new 'Elvis Files Magazine Vol.9' will be coming soon. So get in your orders now.

Includes the articles...
- September 1957
- Elvis and That's The Way It Is
- Las Vegas Septmber 1974

The annual subscription cost including postage is €58
Go here to the Elvis Files for more info



More details very soon on EIN.

 

 



(News, Source;EL/ElvisInfoNet)
Happy 75th Birthday James Burton: The man still seems as young as ever but yesterday, August 21st, was James Burton's 75th birthday!
Back in 2003 EIN's Piers Beagley called up James Burton on the very day to wish him Happy Birthday.
We asked him many questions including about his wonderful statement, “To be a good guitar player you have to let your playing breathe and that it is often what you don’t play that makes a great guitar player."
We also noted that surely “The Wonder of You” must be the only Number 1 chart song where the lead guitarist gets a spoken credit! That perfect moment when Elvis says, “Play something James”!
Go here to our 2003 exclusive Birthday interview with the great man.
(Interviews, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

'The New leader In Las Vegas' New Book: Soon to be out is a new book titled "The New leader In Las Vegas". This book is just like the first release hardcover "Caught On Camera", 144 pages and presented in a deluxe slipcase. This time the slipcase contains gorgeous gold embossing.
Foreword has been written by Joe Esposito and with every book comes a 8x10 bonus photo handsigned by Joe Esposito in person.

Priced at £50 = US$83 plus postage
This is a limited release of 1000 copies worldwide


(News, Source;EssentialElvis)
Elvis Presley's Last Words Revealed!: The publicity is ramping up for Ginger Alden's soon to be released book. Recent publicity features an article on Elvis' final words.... 
"I'm going to the bathroom to read" - Those were the words Elvis Presley said to his fiancee, Ginger Alden, early in the morning of August 16, 1977, at his Memphis mansion, Graceland. They were the last words he ever spoke.
The king of rock'n'roll couldn't sleep and didn't want to disturb his beauty queen lover.
"OK, but don't fall asleep," she responded before closing her eyes again, leaving his reading light on.
Hours later, at 2pm, she woke and noticed Presley hadn't returned to bed. She knocked on the bathroom door, calling his name, and then opened it.
"That's when I saw him there."
In her upcoming memoir, Ginger and Elvis, due out in a Berkley hardcover edition on September 2, Alden recounts the details of her short-lived romance with Presley. In it, she reveals how she found the singer slumped over on the bathroom floor. When she bent down to touch him, his skin was cold.
"I slapped him a few times and it was like he breathed once when I turned his head," she said.
Alden tried opening an eye. "It was just blood-red, but I couldn't move him. I didn't want to think he was dead. God wouldn't want to take him so soon."
She pressed the intercom that rang in the kitchen and called for help.Despite rapid first aid from Presley's old army mate, Joe Esposito, the 42-year-old died from an overdose of medications.
The beauty queen caught Presley's eye at a fairground. She was 20 at the time - and as many years younger than him.
He is (supposed to have) proposed to her on January 26, 1977, in his bathroom, the very place he later died.
(News, Source;Various/ElvisInfoNet)

Latest Billboard Album Charts: Very little new action for Elvis recently on the US charts. This week 'Heart And Soul' rises from 123 to 112 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for w/e 30th August, 2014 and from 17 to 15 on the Catalog Album Chart.



(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet)

Wednesday 20 August 2014
Michael A. Hoey, Elvis Screenwriter, Dies at 79: Michael Hoey spent his childhood years growing up in Hollywood before embarking on an accomplished career as film editor, script writer, producer and director.  He died Sunday of cancer at his home in San Clemente, Calif aged 79. During his long and interesting career Michael worked on six Elvis films: Tickle Me; Double Trouble; Spinout; Speedway; Stay Away, Joe and Live A Little, Love A Little.
Michael's father was Dennis Hoey, best remembered for his portrayal of Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard in the Sherlock Holmes films starring Basil Rathbone. (Right:Michael Hoey, Michele Carey and Elvis)
He also worked with some of Hollywood's greatest studio bosses and celebrities from Walt Disney and Darryl Zanuck to Charlton Heston, John Wayne, Jane Wyman and director, John Ford. 
Hoey's memoir, 'Elvis, Sherlock & Me' is a fascinating account of Hollywood behind the scenes, the studios, the stars, television, and of course Elvis, it is one of those books you just can't put down!
Hoey wrote the screenplay for Elvis Presley films, "Stay Away, Joe" and "Live A Little, Love A Little," both released in 1968. He earned two Emmy Award nominations as a writer, producer, director and editor of the 1980s TV musical series, "Fame," and served as executive producer of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
He also wrote the books Sherlock Holmes and the Fabulous Faces: The Universal Pictures Repertory Company; and Elvis’ Favorite Director:
The Amazing 52-Year Career of Norman Taurog.
The family plans a small memorial service, with his ashes scattered at sea.
EIN interviewed Michael A. Hoey a few months ago, his last interview about working with Elvis - Go Here.  
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

Tuesday 19 August 2014

ELVIS WEEK 2014 - EIN exclusive report: Sanja Meegin, EIN's roving reporter, is packing her bags, and saying goodbye to MEMPHIS once again.

With Elvis Week sadly over, EIN's special Roving Reporter finally had the chance to visit Graceland and once more soak up those wonderful Elvis Vibes - but without all the crowds. She found some inner peace, the spirit of Elvis and a chance to say Goodbye for Elvis Week 2014.

EIN is the only website with these exclusive Sanja Meegin Elvis Week 2014 reports, GO HERE to see her FINAL report and plenty of great photos - don't miss out

 

(Elvis Week 2014, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork)
"New" Alfred Wertheimer Photos: Once again the Alfred Wertheimer machine has been working hard to present more "never been seen by his fans" - yet most of them look all too familiar.
But the online gallery Rock Paper Photo are releasing a collection of "never-before-published" images of the king taken by him. Rock Paper Photo says it worked closely with Wertheimer to "unearth archives and curate these long-forgotten stills that show a very private side of Presley, extraordinary in their intimacy."
Some of these photographs were included in the previously released book, 'Elvis and the Birth of Rock and Roll' that was priced at $700.  
Prints are now being offered in a variety of sizes and materials from $500 to $3,500. Click here to Purchase Prints & more info.
Go here for EIN's Spotlight on Wertheimer:
(News, Source;HR/ElvisInfoNet)

Monday 18 August 2014 - - - ELVIS WEEK 2014 Ends - - -

ELVIS WEEK 2014 - EIN exclusive report: Sanja Meegin, EIN's roving reporter, is back in MEMPHIS and at last soaking up the atmosphere!

Today Sanja celebrated the official end to Elvis Week with a visit to the Orpheum for the Special Preview of the digitally remastered TTWII. Fans were excited and impressed when several previously unseen TTWII clips were played.

EIN is the only website with these exclusive Sanja Meegin Elvis Week 2014 reports, GO HERE to see her report and see previously unreleased Elvis singing 'OH HAPPY DAY' live on stage - don't miss out

 

(Elvis Week 2014, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork)

Pop Market Elvis Deals: Time is running out for fans to grab some great SONY PopMarket deals for Elvis Weekend. Plenty of offers on timeless music treasures from "the King".
Examples...
- That's The Way It Is (10-Disc Box)  $125.
- Good Rockin' Tonight  $30
- Prince From Another Planet  $26
- Legacy Editions CD Bundle  (set of five!)$60

- HURRY - GO HERE and check prices for your area
Free Shipping in the USA
(News, Source,NP/ElvisInfoNet)

'Young Man With The Big Beat' Cheap Box set: Being re-released for 2014 in a Limited Edition cheap slim-line box-set is Elvis' 'Young Man With The Big Beat'.
A great opportunity for those that missed it in

Go HERE for EIN's detailed YMWTBB review

UK price - only £19.99 = Euro25 = US$33 with FREE Delivery in the UK.

Click to Pre-order now special deal >> . . Young Man With The Big Beat - OUT September 15, 2014.

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Adios Lincoln' and 'Rattling Plates, Aces'n'Eights' New Imports: Two new imports announced today by Straight Arrow.
'Adios Lincoln' - Most of Elvis’ musicians prefer not to talk about Elvis’ final tours, but whenever they do, they usually agree that final tour was one that should have never been undertaken. It was simply one tour too many. At this stage it was impossible to hide the fact that Elvis was in serious problems.
This show is from Monday, June 20, 1977, 830pm, Lincoln. 
In any case, the Lincoln concert is one of the finest shows from that last tour. Elvis sounds much better than in Omaha the day before. Surprises include a well-sung ‘Help Me’ and arguably the best ever version of ‘Unchained Melody’, which for the first and only time was performed before the band introductions. Interestingly, and completely unknown until now, is that Elvis asks J.D. Sumner and the Stamps to perform 'Walk That Lonesome Road' during the band intros, which is very unusual for the time frame.
The June 20, 1977 show was first issued on CD in 2004 (Elvis Rocks
Lincoln). This sloppy edition was taken from an incomplete source, missing 17 minutes. For the first time Straight Arrow offer this concert complete. Using two independent original audience recorded tapes, Straight Arrow's sound engineer was able to restore all 73 minutes of Lincoln concert.
This new CD edition is limited to 500 copies. Do not miss one of the best shows from Elvis Presley final tour!
Go HERE Elvis - All the CD News 2014 for the full tracklist
'Rattling Plates, Aces'n'Eights': Elvis' Friday, August 24, 1973 Dinner Show, Las Vegas.
Imagine being a singer, and really putting your heart into a song. At the same time, your audience is having dinner, and some of them plainly don’t give a fuck about you or your singing. They are talking loudly, making noises with their plates, smoking one cigarette after another… Doesn’t sound very enticing, does it?
By 1973, it was clear that Elvis’ Las Vegas shows had a negative effect
on the singer. But even at this stage, he was still impressive as a singer and a performer, and especially on those nights where he really turned on the power, there was nobody like him in Vegas -- or anywhere else, for that matter.
The August 24th, 1973 dinner show is unreleased in any form and was sourced from an original, excellent sounding audience recorded "booth tape". What is perhaps most surprising, is that Elvis was still quite focused three weeks into the engagement. In earlier years, the standard had sometimes slipped a bit in the third week, even as early as August ’70! Now he delivers a strong show, with ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ and ‘Big Hunk O’ Love’ being the show highlights. ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ was not a regular during this season up to this point, but he delights the audience with a snappy version of his first million seller. And who knows, at this stage he may well have concluded that he’d found his own ‘Heartbreak Hotel’…
This show was rediscovered recently and we believe that you will agree with us that this is another great find. A real must - not just for the hardcore collector. Another quality Straight Arrow release!
Go HERE Elvis - All the CD News 2014 for the full tracklist
(News, Source;StraightArrow/ElvisInfoNet)

Saturday 16 August 2014 - - - ELVIS WEEK 2014 - - - Second News Update ---

ELVIS WEEK 2014 - EIN exclusive report: Sanja Meegin, EIN's roving reporter, is back in MEMPHIS and at last soaking up the atmosphere!

Today Sanja discovers the Elvis fans have at last arrived in town. She visits Colletta's restaurant, Forest Hill Cemetary and of course the whole evening spent at the Candlelit Vigil and Meditation Gardens on a emotional summer's night.

EIN is the only website with these exclusive Sanja Meegin Elvis Week 2014 reports, click here & don't miss out

 

(Elvis Week 2014, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork)

Elvis’ 1970 Drummer Bob Lanning Found & Coming To Europe!: In 1970, Elvis was truly op top of his game. He’d just done a fantastic comeback in Las Vegas a few months earlier, and he was now ready to conquer the world.
In late January 1970 Elvis returned to Las Vegas, and once again he blew everybody away. And then, following this highly successful Vegas engagement, he performed six sensational concerts at the Houston Astrodome for more than 300,000 fans. His drummer at all of these shows – 63 in all – was 22-year old Bob Lanning.
It’s Bob Lanning that you can hear on classic Presley recordings like ‘The Wonder of You’, ‘Polk Salad Annie’ and ‘Walk A Mile In My Shoes’, and on albums like  ‘On Stage – February 1970’, FTD releases like ‘Polk Salad Annie’ and ‘The On Stage Season’, as well as imports like the ‘Rebooked At The International’ box-set. At the time, Bob got the job because Elvis loved his style of drumming right from the get-go. They were supposed to audition 9 drummers, but the moment Elvis heard No. 3 play -- Bob Lanning --  Elvis immediately said: “Looks like we got our drummer!”. Lanning has a real kick-ass type of rock ‘n’ roll drumming that gives the even slower songs
an extra edge, and he cites Earl Palmer (Little Richard’s studio drummer) as his main influence. While Elvis was rocking up a storm center stage, Bob Lanning was right behind him, playing with more bite than a pack of angry Rottweilers!

In recent years, various researchers have tried to locate Bob Lanning, but so far none succeeded. Perhaps this has to do with the fact that Bob lives a quiet life these days, away from some of the modern technology that many of us take for granted. He prefers to go biking for 2 hours daily, and he also plays the drums for several  hours every single day. Needless to say that he is in terrific shape. Arjan Deelen, producer of the ‘An Evening with Elvis’ Friends and Original Musicians’ tours, was able to locate Bob and struck a deal with him for an exclusive tour in May 2015. This is going to be rather special, because this tour will mark the first time since 1970 that Bob will be playing Elvis’ music. For the first time, you will be able to hear songs like ‘Polk Salad Annie’, ‘The Wonder Of You’, ‘Walk A Mile In My Shoes’ and many others as played by the drummer that you can hear on the original Elvis versions. No doubt it will be bittersweet for Bob in some ways, because the last time that he played these songs was with Elvis. If you want more information about this remarkable tour (which also includes a.o. bassplayer Duke Bardwell), or are interested in booking the show, then please contact Arjan at: deelen@elvis.dk
Go HERE for a YouTube clip of Elvis introducing Bob Lanning at the January 26, 1970 Opening Show in Las Vegas. A couple of days ago, Bob heard this recording for the first time since these words were originally uttered by Elvis, and he was positively thrilled. Interestingly, Elvis also mentions Bob’s mother, singer Roberta Sherwood
(News, Source;ArjanDeelen)

 

Watch Video of the 2014 Candlelight Vigil: Thousands of Elvis fans gathered around the gates of Graceland for the annual Candlelight Vigil and celebrated the life and legacy of the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
The ceremony for the 36th anniversary was organized as always by the Elvis Country Fan Club. The theme for this year's Candlelight service was announced as 'Anyone (Could Fall In Love With You)' from Kissin' Cousins.
Go HERE to watch a replay of the 2014 Ceremony and Meditation Garden walk-up.
After the opening ceremony at the gates of Graceland, fans walked up the driveway to Meditation Garden and back down carrying a candle in quiet remembrance. Gates remain open until all who wish to participate in the procession have done so, which typically takes until the early morning hours of August 16, the anniversary date of Elvis' passing.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)

Friday 15 August 2014 - - - ELVIS WEEK 2014 - - -

- UPDATED - ELVIS WEEK 2014 - EIN exclusive report: Sanja Meegin, EIN's roving reporter, is back in MEMPHIS and at last soaking up the atmosphere!

Today she checked out the newly recognised Arcade Restaurant, Linda Thompson's house, Elvis' Audubon house and more ..

 

EIN is the only website with these exclusive Sanja Meegin Elvis Week 2014 reports, click here & don't miss out

(Elvis Week 2014, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork)

Jay Dupuis Wins the 2014 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist: Congratulations to Jay Dupuis who has been named the 2014 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist! He will receive a contract to perform with Legends in Concert, the 2014 Ultimate ETA Contest belt, designed by B&K Enterprises and a cash prize of $20,000.

Second place winner was Ben Thompson, third place winner Kevin Mills and our other top five finalists Travis Powell and Gordon Hendricks.

Jay Dupuis was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. At the age of three, he realized his love for the King of Rock 'n' Roll. As a child, he would dress up in white pants and a shirt, flip up his collar and pretend he was Elvis. With the help and support of his family and friends, he was able to pursue his dream of performing as an Elvis tribute artist. Jay considers performing a true blessing and considers it a great honor to pay tribute to the greatest entertainer of all time. Jay's favorite Elvis song is "Suspicious Minds."
You can go here to watch the finals on Livestream.


(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)

First-ever Auction at Graceland Results: Check out the first-ever Graceland Auction. Internet bid were slow but the action on the floor seemed failr exciting..
Many of the unique artifacts were from the collection of Greg Page, (ex "yellow Wiggle") who is one of the world's biggest Elvis Presley collectors but has been recently selling off parts of his collection. Page's items included Elvis' 1977 Cadillac Seville sold for $81,250, a Martin D-28 (did not reach the reserve), Elvis' copy of the original script for his first film, "Love Me Tender" went for $14,375

Other interesting items were..
- Elvis Presley Signature on Library Card - from the school Elvis attended in Tupelo and this is one of the earliest known signatures from the would-be King of Rock 'n' Roll sold for $10,000
- 1969 Las Vegas Show Agreement - A blue folder entitled "Agreement Between Elvis Presley and Las Vegas International" contains a 13-page typed agreement.  This contract is for the first of Elvis' 15 Las Vegas engagements sold for $27,500
- Gemstone, Diamond and Gold Lion Mask Pendant - This 18kt gold custom-made pendant is set with 24 diamonds, two emeralds and one ruby. The piece was worn by Elvis on many occasions, including when he met President Nixon in the Oval Office at The White House sold for an astounding $82,500.
All of the items in the auction were offered from third-party collectors and none of the items included in the auction were 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.
The auction was be held on site at Graceland and powered by LiveAuctioneers for online bidding.

Go HERE to view the video on the auction.

(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
Why Did Graceland Have the Elvis Week Auction?: Forbes has published an interesting article questioning what's behind Graceland's first-ever Elvis Week Auction.
Nathan Raab writes.. "What’s new in Memphis this year? Graceland is promoting what it calls the "first additions to the tour experience in 20 years. There is the new archives studio and Graceland will break ground on a new $70 million, 450-person hotel, but of all the Elvis Week events, the auction caught my eye. Yesterday Graceland hosted its first-ever auction of Elvis-related artifacts. Among the pieces you can own if you are the winning bidder: a childhood signature of Elvis Presley; his marriage certificate; a star sapphire, diamond and gold ring once belonging to Elvis; and a guitar gifted by the King to his friend and bodyguard. By my count, estimates add up to around $750,000.
None of the auction items will come from Graceland’s archives, Lisa Marie Presley is quick to point out, most will come from the private collection of Greg Page, a founder of The Wiggles. An interesting partnership between a private collector and a cultural / tourist destination. People will spend a lot of money to own a piece of Elvis history. It will fuel the fires of a public hungry for an emotional association with the King.
But forget about that for a moment. This auction is important for another reason. It gives us an opportunity to better understand Graceland’s new managers.
That’s right. There is good reason this year’s Elvis Week aims to set the standard. The sign is officially up: Graceland is under new management. In November 2013, National Entertainment Collectibles Association founder Joel Weinshanker acquired the rights to operate Graceland and its related properties in partnership with the Presley family and Authentic Brands Group (ABG).
So what does the auction tell us? Mr. Weinshanker’s eyes may well be set far beyond Elvis week to a growing community of Elvis collectors and the solidification of Graceland as an organizing force in the Elvis market.
He has formed an auction company, Auction a Circle, LLC, which will run the auction. And enter "Graceland Authenticated," a separate company he created to work in partnership with Graceland’s archives to authenticate the materials in the August 14 auction. Graceland is in a unique position to do this. Elvis was a pack rat, he tells me, and kept receipts, photos, and other
documentation that in theory allow its archivists to prove something authentic. "There is no better place to find out if an archive is real or not," Mr. Weinshanker said.
From now on Private collectors will be able to go to a website, submit images of a piece, and, in many cases, send that piece to Graceland Authenticated to receive a stamp of approval. You will of course pay for this service.
What are the implications of this?
1) It could be become very difficult to sell a piece of Elvis history without the "Graceland Authenticated" stamp on it. Consumer reaction to this will determine whether it is able to corner this piece of the authentication market.
2) It means that Graceland Authenticated is entering into the often-murky world of 3rd party authentication services, meaning an authentication by someone who is not the buyer or seller.
EPE will be able to match offered items against similar pieces in the Elvis archives. Since the King saved everything, a watch given to a friend could presumably be tracked back to a note or receipt. There is good logic to this approach. The risk here is that some authentic pieces will fail to match this standard. Might Elvis have accidentally thrown away the piece that matches yours? Angela Marchese, the director of the archives, spoke to the challenges in authenticating some material. "Our
stance will always be ‘to the best of our knowledge.’"
3) Organization amidst chaos. Graceland will be able to identify people who are willing to spend money, perhaps a lot, on its main product: Elvis Presley. Other institutions ought to pay attention.
4) Graceland Authenticated will likely not stop with Elvis. Mr. Weinshanker hopes to extend beyond Elvis to other post-World War II, pop culture icons. Watch out Marilyn!
The above article is edited - Go here to FORBES for the full article
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Circle G' Begins Restoration: Good news for Elvis fans as Phase 1 of restoration has commenced at Circle G Ranch.
Plans include the relocation and restoration of the historic Honeymoon Cottage to the interior of the property near the horse stables, which will also be restored. An arena will be created next to the stables for horse and pony rides, shows, and equine therapy, to help those with developmental challenges. Elvis’s barbecue pit will be recreated in its existing location, using the remaining original bricks. The 55-foot cross and the bridge across the 14-acre lake will be refurbished and repainted. 
A dynamic water feature will be installed within the lake, as well as a stage for performances, located on the west side of the lake. A grassed terrace seating area will be available for approximately 500 guests to enjoy multimedia water, light and music shows in the natural environment. A parking area and walking paths will be established to access the attractions. The destination will be a paid attraction.
The investors, led by managing partner, Buddy Runnels Jr. of Real Estate International, Inc., are striving to preserve the features from Elvis’s ownership, and will nominate these elements to be in the National Register of Historic Places. Projected completion for Phase 1 is summer 2015.
Go here for all the recent Circle G News
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Such A Night: The Definitive Live rarities Collection' New Import: Out soon is the 4 CD set "Such A Night: The Definitive Live rarities Collection".
Basically a clever collection of previously released "rare" material.
Most keen Elvis collectors will have nearly all these tracks already, the majority of Soundboard recordings having been released on the FTD label. 

Perhaps the audience recordings - some are one-liners of  'Folsom prison blues – i walk the line', 'You don’t know me', 'Memphis Tennessee', 'I John', 'Rip it up', 'His latest flame', 'Trouble – Raised on rock', 'What a friend we have in jesus', 'Roses are red', 'Jingle bells', 'Ku-u-i-po', and 'Suzie Q' are a draw card but you would have to be super keen.

Go HERE Elvis - All the CD News 2014 for the full tracklist

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis' Granddaughter Riley Keough Engaged: Elvis Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough is engaged, her boyfriend claims. Riley's boyfriend Ben Smith-Petersen posted the news on his Facebook page this week.
The stuntman wrote: 'So that happened' against a picture of himself with 25-year-old Riley posing with a ring on her engagement finger.
A series of congratulations from friends followed on the post.
The pair went public with their romance in January this year when they were seen putting on a PDA in Los Angeles.
Ben's credits as a stuntman include the upcoming Mad Max: Fury Road and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
Previously, Riley was engaged to actor Alex Pettyfer and was previously linked to Robert Pattinson.
Riley is the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough.

No confirmation from mum Lisa Marie as yet.
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)

Thursday 14 August 2014 - - - ELVIS WEEK 2014 - - -

ELVIS WEEK 2014 - EIN exclusive report: Sanja Meegin, EIN's roving reporter, is back in MEMPHIS and at last soaking up the atmosphere!

Today she checks out the new Hard Rock Cafe, the Collectors Fairs, the Fan Club Presidents event, the Auction items at Graceland plus the all-important American Sound Studios for the special commemoration ceremony.

 

EIN is the only website with these exclusive Sanja Meegin Elvis Week 2014 reports, click here & don't miss out

(Elvis Week 2014, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork)

"Lanskys" Back on Beale: You don’t have to get very far inside the door of the new Hard Rock Café at Second and Beale streets to find a reminder of the old Lansky’s clothing store. That is, if you don’t notice the large historical marker outside the building at 126 Beale St. (Please see EIN's Elvis week report above).
The centrepiece of the ground floor of the new Hard Rock is a portrait of Elvis Presley in the centre of the stage wall.
To each side of the portrait are outfits Presley wore that the famed Lansky brothers made for him.
Lansky’s, Clothier to the King opens this month at 126 Beale St. in the building that also houses the new Hard Rock Cafe.
“We’re glad to be back on Beale,” said Hal Lansky, the president of the company and the son of founder Bernard Lansky.
With Lanskys and Elvis a cultural shift began in which
the bold clothing made for the stage became the clothes those in the audience wanted to wear.
That upped the ante for those on stage, which is reflected in some of the onstage costumes in the Hard Rock Café. The Clothier to the King brand at the Beale location is “vintage inspired” men’s clothing.
It invokes the memory of Elvis Presley but also other entertainers who shopped at Lansky’s in the 1940s through the 1960s. There’s a Bobby Blue Bland white long-sleeved sport shirt and an Al Jackson purple sport shirt, also long-sleeved, named for the drummer for Booker T. and the MGs. That’s in addition to a blue and white Speedway jacket and a denim blue “Jailhouse Rock” sweater.
There will be a bit of overlap of the merchandise between the Beale location and the shops in The Peabody.
The Beale store includes displays about the old Lansky’s store in the building and, while putting together the exhibit, Lansky even came across a few old 45s from the short-lived Peak record label that was a side venture for the family business.
“We’re going to tell the story of Lansky’s on the wall. It will be a little Lansky museum … show some of the entertainers who shopped with us,”. Go HERE to Lanskys Shop info.
Go HERE to EIN's interview with the great Bernard Lansky (RIP)
(News, Source;MemphisDailyNews/ElvisInfoNet)

"Bossa Nova Baby" Heineken green vinyl 7": Due to the recent Heineken Elvis promotion, SONY and Heineken have combined with Music On Vinyl for a brand new 45rpm green vinyl release. With Heineken using the Viva Elvis remix for "Bossa Nova Baby" in one of their epic commercials it called for an exclusive Elvis Presley 45 on beer bottle green vinyl, featuring both the original and remix of "Bossa Nova Baby"!
- 45 RPM 7" single with large jukebox hole
- Includes original and remix
- 1500 numbered copies on beer bottle green vinyl
- RCA Company sleeve design

Go HERE to 'Music On Vinyl' for more 45rpm and shop info


To watch the Advert on YouTube click here.



(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

Wednesday 13 August 2014 - - - ELVIS WEEK 2014 - - -

ELVIS WEEK 2014 - EIN exclusive report: ‘C’mon Everybody’ and watch out Memphis because Sanja Meegin, EIN's roving reporter, is back in the Promised Land once again to give us all the inside scoops on Elvis Week 2014.

Sanja arrived hot off the plane from LA, warmed up on Beale Street and then checked out the calm-before-the-storm.. in fact this year it seems way too quiet.. where is everybody?

EIN is the only website with these exclusive Sanja Meegin Elvis Week 2014 reports, click here & don't miss out

(Elvis Week 2014, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork)

ASK Marty Lacker!: Today Marty talks about....

- Chips Moman and the American Studios Honor at Elvis Week.
- Where is Marty going to be at Elvis Week.
- The problem with Marianna Hill and Elvis.
- Surely, after all these years, Lisa and Billy need to make up?
- How would Marty have planned and paced Elvis' tours.
- Could Elvis have been a great opera singer.
- Has Marty ever brought out a 'MEMPHIS MAFIA ELVIS T - SHIRT'
  
Robin Williams joins Elvis: EIN was shocked to hear of the sad death of the great comedian and actor Robin Williams yesterday.
With Williams tragic death it is hard not to think of other entertainment legends, like Elvis, who climbed to the height of fame only to be undone by the pressure of it all.
In a now disconcerting 1981 episode of his hit TV series ‘Mork and Mindy’, Williams as Mork reported back to Orson about what he had learnt about the culture of Earth. Williams commented, "Being a star is a 24-hour job and you can’t leave your face at the office… some of them can’t take it." He then listed the names of famous Earthlings who were sadly destroyed by the pressures of fame, Marilyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Elvis Presley.
On a happier note, he never took anything seriously and when asked, in the Actors Studio programme, about the possibility of an afterlife he explained his version of Heaven, "If Heaven exists, when I arrive at the Pearly Gates, God will say, "The concert begins at 5, it will be Mozart, Elvis and anyone of your choosing.. There's seating near the front!"'.
Robin Williams made the world a little bit better. RIP. 1951-2014
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

Strong pre-order sales for Ginger Alden’s upcoming memoir, Elvis and Ginger: Despite some bad previews (see EIN story below) Ginger Alden's up-coming book has a strong attraction for Elvis fans. While Amazon no longer has a “Top 40 Elvis books listing“, Ms Alden’s book has been as high as #1 on its best-selling Pop music biographies list – on 12 August it was #4 (hardcover edition) and #5 (Kindle edition) on that chart and #23 on the best-selling Rock music biographies list.  The memoir will be released on 2 September.

(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)

Monday 11 August 2014 - - - ELVIS WEEK 2014 - - -

'Memphis to Nashville '61' FTD Promo: The new FTD book written by David English and Pal Granlund. Both authors will be at Elvis Week to promote their new book which has been getting very positive reviews.
Please check out these great photos and the two YouTube promo videos

- Go HERE to the first Promo video showing you an overview of the book and rare photos.
- Click HERE to the second promo featuring Elvis' Press Conference, Feb 25, 1961 at Claridge Hotel, Memphis with the six minute audio of Elvis' Press Conference plus great pictures.
-  For more info and book news see the 'Memphis to Nashville '61' facebook page here.

Pål Granlund and David English along with The Memphis Boys’ members Bobby Wood, Gene Chrisman and Reggie Young plus Jerry Schilling will be at the August 14 Elvis Week Official Insiders Event 9am - 12:00pm Elvis Week Main Stage.
Go HERE to EPE Schedule for tickets and info

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

The 22th Annual Collecting the King® Memorabilia Show 2014: Elvis Week fans and collectors don't forget to vist the Annual Collecting the King® Memorabilia Show at the Peabody Hotel.
With the best Dealers selling the best of the King’s collectibles!
Records & CDs ● Movie Posters ● RCA Promo Items ● Books *1956 E.P.E. Memorabilia ● Las Vegas Souvenirs ● Magazines, DVDs ● Jewelery ● T-Shirts ● Tour Items ● Posters ● Photos
The Bert Parker Room (Mezzanine level) Peabody Hotel, Memphis
August 12 – 15
Tuesday - Friday: 10 am - 6 pm
FREE ADMISSION!
Sneak Peek: Monday, August 11

Click here to their website for more info

 

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

'Nobody' Short Film Screening at Elvis Week: The world premiere of the short film 'Nobody' about Elvis and the spring talent show that sparked the big bang of rock 'n' roll makes its debut August 13 at Elvis Week. Fans can also see the world-premiere screening that evening at Studio on the Square in Memphis.
The biographical production was filmed entirely in Memphis, recreating true events at Sun Studio and the Humes High School auditorium where Elvis performed on April 9, 1953. The world premiere screening will feature the 15-minute short film, followed by a Q & A session with the film’s writer, director and producer William Bryan, in addition to lead cast members.
"Nobody" will be included in a special sneak-peek screening during the Fan Club President's Event taking place at 9am inside the Elvis Week Main Stage on August 13. The world-premiere will take place at 5:00 p.m. on August 13, at Studio On the Square in Memphis.

Tickets for the world-premiere are now sold out but other screenings are available by visiting here >> NobodyShortFilm.com.


(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)

Elvis in New Heritage Auction: The up-coming Heritage Entertainment & Music Memorabilia Signature Auction on August 23 features some marvellous Elvis items.
These include
- Elvis Presley Custom Lansky Brothers Ensemble Worn To RCA Contract Signing. You can see photos of Elvis in the distinctive shirt and sports coat in numerous performance and promotional settings: on the back of his first RCA album Elvis Presley, in a publicity pose with legendary Country recording artist Eddy Arnold, with RCA executive Steve Sholes at the momentous event of his signing with the label, with Colonel Parker, in the studio, etc.
It's pure Elvis and pure Lansky's, a match made in Rock & Roll heaven! All bear the 'Lansky Brothers' and 'Styled for Elvis Presley' tags. Elvis gave the outfit to his uncle, Vester Presley in the late 1950s.
Estimate: $40,000 - up.
- Elvis Presley Owned and Worn Pink Shirt and Black Trouser Ensemble: Pink and black was a favorite color combination for Elvis, and Lansky
Brothers was his favorite clothier. So, this shirt and trouser ensemble from the famed Memphis store, winding up in the King's closet, was practically pre-ordained! The photo of Elvis posing in the ensemble beside Scotty Moore's wife Bobbie's 1953 Chevy Bel-Air -- which transported the trio of Elvis, Scotty, and Bill Black to their early gigs -- says it all!
Accompanied by a vintage typed and hand-signed LOA from Elvis' Aunt Delta (Biggs)
Estimate: $20,000 - up.
- Elvis Presley Owned and Worn White Corduroy Jacket With Faux Red Fur Trim. This outstanding ensemble from Elvis' favorite clothing store, Lansky Brothers, is a terrific example of his style in the early 1970s. The wide wale off-white corduroy fabric is thick and plush, as is the striking red plush faux fur fabric on the collar and cuffs.
Estimate: $10,000 - up.
- Elvis Presley Historic Twice-Signed Contract with The William Morris Agency (1956).
Go HERE to view all the Elvis items at the auction.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'The Identical' new movie Out Soon: The factual tidbit that Elvis Presley had a twin brother who died at birth appears to be a morsel of inspiration behind this fictional rock-n-roll tale about a 50s hillbilly wannabe rocker/ preacher's kid named Ryan Wade, who grows up not knowing that he's the long-lost identical twin brother of "Drexel Hemsley," a hip-shaking, Elvis-like rock superstar.
Identical twin brothers (both played by Blake Rayne) are separated at birth during the Great Depression. Their parents just cannot afford to give them both a life beyond poverty, so one is adopted by loving family. Despite their very different upbringings, the boys' shared passion for music causes their lives to unknowingly intersect as they experience a powerful and mysterious connection often felt by twins.
One of the boys becomes the most famous rock 'n' roll legend in the world, Drexel Hemsley, while Ryan Wade struggles to find balance between his love for music and trying to please his evangelist father (Ray Liotta) and his devoted mother (Ashley Judd) who have very different plans for his life in the ministry.
First-time feature director Dustin Marcellino helms from a screenplay penned by "Space Cowboys" and "The Last Ride" scribe Howard Klausner.
"The Identical," features over 20 original songs (NOT Elvis songs), is in cinemas September 5th.
See trailer and info here
Note that the Variety review said, "an indie-produced film that
unfortunately falls short of fully realizing its provocative high concept. Plot elements involving religious influences might help market the pic as faith-based entertainment but don’t be surprised if diehard Elvis fans prove to be its harshest critics."
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

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)

Latest Billboard Album Charts: Last week 'Heart And Soul' rose from 184 to 182 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and also went to #39 on the Catalog Album Chart.

This week 'Heart And Soul' rises from 182 to 131 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for w/e 16th August, 2014. It also rises from 39 to 21 on the Catalog Album Chart.


(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet)

Saturday 9 August 2014 - - - 2nd News Update - - -

New Elvis Archives Studio at Graceland: The brand new state-of-the-art Elvis Archives Studio is now open to the public for fans to get an up-close look at the life of Elvis.
Housed in the new Graceland Archives Studio, Graceland visitors will now get a rare peek inside the vault, allowing them to explore various aspects of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s life and career. Daily presentations will highlight unique artifacts not seen on the traditional tour. Utilizing wardrobe, photographs, documents, film clips and other rare artifacts, guests will experience a special presentation from a Graceland host.
Fans there for Elvis Week will also be able to view several items featured in the first-ever Auction at Graceland.
The Graceland Archives Experience is a part of the Graceland Platinum Tour or the VIP tour.
Go HERE to EPE for more details
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis And Ginger' Book Mini Review: The first reviews are appearing for the up-coming book by Ginger Alden, and unfortunately they don't look that good. The Kirkus book website has posted their mini review..
"The King’s final fiancee breaks her long silence.
Presley fans hoping for some scenes with sizzle will need to reread 50 Shades of Grey instead. Here, there are a few chaste kisses, and the first time the couple actually engaged in any sexual contact, Alden reaches into her well-used bag of clichés and emerges with, “I felt chills as he touched me. Was this it? Were we finally going to make love? I was aroused but anxious, barely able to breathe.” The author’s account is resolutely chronological, beginning with her father’s encounters with Presley in the U.S. Army (encounters not involved in his daughter’s later relationship) and moving forward to the King’s demise on Aug. 16, 1977, when she found him toppled over on the bathroom floor—the author does not go into much detail regarding his death. A couple of decades younger that Presley, Alden was swooped into the Presleys’ odd life at Graceland. Soon, he was showering her (and, eventually, her family, too) with gifts: jewels, cars, furs and some promises he didn’t live to execute. An unfulfilled promise to pay off her mother’s mortgage was an issue that ended up in court. Alden also writes about his weird and ugly sides, but always with (remembered) affection. He hit her once (apologized), discharged firearms at a TV and telephone (apologized), hurled a dish of ice cream at the wall when she mentioned calories (apologized), and pouted and waxed passive-aggressive when he didn’t get exactly what he wanted. The author’s many descriptions of Elvis’ fascination with numerology and conspiracy theories make him appear -
unintentionally, it’s clear - as something of a dim bulb despite his bright talent. After the King’s death, the others gradually elbowed Alden away, and he did not mention her in his will.
A rosy aura glows throughout this misty memoir of love and loss."
Go here to Kirkus for more
Due out September 2, 2014
To Pre-Order Click HERE >> . Elvis and Ginger <<<- Now reduced to less than US$20 hardcover
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet)
‘Elvis: That’s The Way It Is’ Blu-ray Reviews: The new Blu-ray release of "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is" is out for Elvis Week and getting excellent reviews…
"The classic 1970 concert film/’rockumentary’captured Elvis in his prime. Dennis Sanders directed the film with cinematographer Lucien Ballard (The Wild Bunch) giving it the distinct look.
The 2000 re-edit put the focus squarely on Elvis, following the development of the show, from rehearsals to the final stage performance. The bottom line is, this is one concert film anyone calling themselves a rock ‘n’ roll fan must own.
From BluRay website ...
Video Quality - For a concert film shot on 35mm in 1970. 'Elvis: That’s the Way It Is' looks darn good in this latest 1080p, AVC encoded Blu-ray release from Warner. While
the grain structure can look a little heavy at times, particularly during some of the candid, rehearsal scenes, and blacks can drift a little bit too far toward crushing, this is basically a clean, nicely textured and detailed catalogue release with good color reproduction. What you’ll notice especially is that, unlike most of the post-MTV era concert videos, the camera lingers and lights don’t flash incessantly. This allows the eyes (and the camera) time to focus and capture really strong live footage that, despite its age, looks a lot better than some HD live concert footage of more recent vintage.
Audio Quality - Remixed from the original 16-track masters and that mix is brought to Blu-ray in a lossless English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. It sounds about as good as it gets, though some spots still have some slight warts, especially during the rehearsals. For the main event in
Vegas, the sound is relatively big and dynamic, with clean instrumentation, a decent amount of separation, and clear, full vocals from Elvis upfront in the mix. Some instruments occasionally ‘escape’ to the surround channels, but mostly the music stays in front, and sounds rather wide, with lots of room ambience in the back.
Supplemental Materials: While Elvis fans will certainly appreciate getting more Elvis in the form of these outtakes on Blu-ray (and DVD), the problem is everything is still in standard definition. It also would have been nice if Warner saw fit to transfer the original theatrical edition to Blu-ray as well, rather than just including a DVD of it with the Blu-ray of the re-release.
Packaged in a Deluxe Blu-ray Book with 40-pages of rare concert photos and backstage glimpses into Elvis’ life.
Overall: The King is in the building, ladies and gentlemen. Elvis: That’s the Way It Is is classic, and the re-release edition on Blu-ray puts the focus squarely on
Elvis himself; a major plus for fans. For those who still want to see the original version of the film, the theatrical version is included on DVD. Also, the hot medley of "Little Sister/Get Back" from the outtakes main film’s rehearsal scenes, is what rock ‘n’ roll was meant to be and is worth the price of admission alone.
Go HERE for the full blu-ray website review and details
See below for purchase options
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
. . . .

2014 Elvis Week Starting Today...: The first day of Elvis Week in Memphis and EIN's Sanja Meegin will soon be reporting back on all the stories. Tickets are now available for you to join EIN at 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

- Elvis Gospel Celebration - the special close to Elvis Week - August 17
Go HERE to EPE's Schedule of Events.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
SEG Events Quits 'Elvis Presley Concert' Shows: Our friends at Elvis Express Radio have posted the exclusive news direct from Stig Edgren of SEG Events, that he no longer has any association with the Elvis Presley shows.
In his message regarding the issue, Mr Edgren wrote, "....however, we are no longer involved and you should check the Graceland website for any future touring plans."
SEG Events have been the team behind the Elvis video Concert Tours since 1994 and 'Elvis Presley - The Tribute', 'Elvis Presley The Concert' and more.
With the recent European Tour a sell-out even without the participation of the TCB Band this comes as a surprise. Does this mean that EPE are looking for a new partner and better profits?  
As Elvis Express Radio notes, "Now what does that future hold for Elvis Live in the 21st Century?"
(News, Source;ElvisExpressRadio/ElvisInfoNet)
New Guest House at Graceland: EPE have posted an aerial image of what the new Guest House at Graceland will look like.
The resort-style Guest House is a $70 million project whose plans include not only a restaurant and sports lounge with the 450 rooms, but also a performance center. The plan is to start with a ceremonial groundbreaking during Elvis Week and a 12-month construction period.
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.
The plaza directly across the boulevard from the mansion will also probably see some changes.
Opening Fall of 2015!
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Competition, Memphis Last Chance: This weekend you can kick off Elvis Week in Memphis at the Hard Rock Cafe on Beale Street, at the annual Ultimate Last Chance Elvis Tribute Artist Contest with live ETA performances August 8th, 9th and 10th. The winner will represent Memphis in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semi-Finals during Elvis Week 2014.
Ten contestants will perform with the top four from each night to battle it out for the top spot on August 10.
Semi-Finals Day One-  August 8th 9pm Show
Semi-Finals Day Two - August 9th 9pm Show
Hard Rock Final Round - August 10th 9pm Show
Go HERE to EPE for more Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest info and tickets.

While EIN always notes that "There is ONLY ONE Elvis" the ETA contests are without doubt a popular event at Elvis Week for many fans and EIN subscribers.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
"Elvis Bacon" is the Greatest!: In a humorous aside Bustle's Lucia Peters writes that "Elvis Bacon Is the Single Greatest Thing to Happen to Bacon in the History of Everything"
.. No matter what the question is, bacon is always the answer. Why is the sky blue? Bacon. What time is it? Bacon. How is the world going to end? Bacon. But you know what? Sometimes plain ol’ bacon isn’t enough. Luckily, now there’s something for those times when regular bacon falls short of the mark: Elvis Bacon.
The creation of Elvis Bacon is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: All of Elvis Presley’s favorite foods in one delicious mouthful. It consists of peanut butter-glazed bacon sprinkled with freeze-dried banana pieces, making it essentially an Elvis Sandwich minus the bread. Not only that, but it’s easy to DIY, too Dude Foods’ mastermind, Nick Chipman, made his glaze out of powdered sugar, creamy peanut butter, milk, and a bit of vanilla. Cook your bacon in the oven so it gets all crispy and glaze it as soon as it comes out.
Isai Rocha over at Foodbeast suggests that these kicked-up strips “could make for some next-level bacon cheeseburgers, or breakfast burritos”; I’d also like to add killer bacon pancakes, cupcakes, and whoopie pies to the mix. You could even put it on an actual Elvis Sandwich, which I’m pretty sure would make the Inception version of itself.
Go HERE to Bustle if you need to know more
(News, Source;NP/ElvisBaconNet)

Wednesday 6 August 2014
FTD Releases August 2014: Three new releases announced for August 2014 release, a Classic Album, UK book, plus new LIVE vinyl album.
- ‘Elvis For Everyone’ – Classic Album.
This 2-Disc 7" Set Celebrates 1965’s Classic Album "Elvis For Everyone" and features a selection of previously officially unreleased session outtakes.
The original press release posted by RCA in August 1965 says, "This is the first Elvis Presley album since 1962 [POT LUCK] that is not a movie soundtrack album." In this new album, Presley demonstrates great versatility by singing a wide range of songs, familiar and unfamiliar, slow ballads and hard-driving rock’’n’rollers. Only one of these songs has ever been issued before ("Summer Kisses, Winter Tears"). The lead off-song, "Your Cheatin’ Heart." Is the title song of the new movie based on the life of Hank Williams., currently playing throughout the country … ..Varied repertoire and Elvis in top form make this really Elvis For Everyone."
Although it was compiled from previously unreleased recordings, it appeared like a breath of fresh air to Elvis fans that had become
somewhat tired of the formulaic soundtracks. The LP hit the top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic.　
This 2-CD classic edition features insightful essays, rare memorabilia and great outtakes!　
It also features the rare overdubbed version of "Wild in The Country" that featured maracas and additional bass guitar. Although, the source remains a mystery to this day, it was supplied to RCA-UK for its stereo version of the album as a replacement for "Summer Kisses." This track had been issued two months before on RCA-UK’s unique album, Flaming Star And Summer Kisses.　
Apart from OPTIONAL MASTERS that could have been used, DISC 2 contains 23 Previously Unreleased Outtakes from the ‘60s!!!!!!
Go here to SONY/FTD 2014 releases for full tracklisting.
- "Best Of British – The RCA Years 1957-1958
This is Elvis, with the continuation of the British story now detailing his RCA releases from 1957 - 1958.　 As a companion to the critically acclaimed and highly successful ‘Elvis: The Best Of British - The HMV Years’, this book contains the full history of over FIFTY iconic Elvis songs initially released by RCA in Great Britain. Again, each song has been thoroughly researched to the same high standards and is graphically catalogued.
Containing over 1000 illustrations, unpublished photographs and charts, together with rare items of memorabilia, this volume of ‘The RCA Years’ moves the story forward to explicitly reveal previously unknown facts and additional British connections to the songs.　
Within these 500 pages and amongst many formerly unknown
fascinating facts, you will discover:　
The English pub that inspired an Elvis song!　
Exactly where and when Elvis learned to play piano!　
The real life characters contained within the lyrics of Jailhouse Rock!　
The CD included with this book features many first-time officially released Elvis tracks. Here, amongst his classic songs, are the songwriters’ demo recordings as Elvis first heard them, plus the message he recorded on his home answer machine!　
‘The RCA Years (1957 - 1958)’ chronicles the meteoric rise in Great Britain of the ‘Sun King’ to the man who would ultimately be crowned ‘Artist Of The 20th Century’.　
Elvis innovated, others imitated!
Go here to SONY/FTD 2014 releases for full tracklisting.
- "Hot August Night" Special LIVE Double-Vinyl　
Limited Edition Vinyl 2-Disc Vinyl Set.
Vinyl cutting by Abbey Road Studios
DMM Copper Mastering
180 Grams heavyweight vinyl
Strictly limited pressing
Go here to SONY/FTD 2014 releases for full tracklisting.
(News, Source;FTD/ElvisInfoNet)

'That's the Way It Is' Legacy 2CD Set - OUT NOW: The double CD Legacy version features the original album, singles, bonus tracks plus the previously unreleased August 12th Dinner Show.
CD 1 Original Album: 1. I Just Can’t Help Believin’, 2. Twenty Days And Twenty Nights, 3. How The Web Was Woven, 4. Patch It Up, 5. Mary In The Morning, 6. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, 7. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’, 8. I’ve Lost You, 9. Just Pretend, 10. Stranger In The Crowd, 11. The Next Step Is Love, 12. Bridge Over Troubled Water,
ORIGINAL SINGLES: 13. I’ve Lost You (single version), 14. The Next Step Is Love (single version), 15. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (single version), 16. Patch It Up (single version), OUTTAKES 17. How The Web Was Woven (Take 1), 18. I’ve Lost You (Take 1), 19. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Take 2), 20. Patch It Up (Take 1), 21. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Take 1)
CD 2: August 12, Dinner Show - Previously Unreleased.
Order at Amazon - Only $16 >> That's The Way It Is (Legacy Edition) Go here to EIN's SONY/FTD 2014 page for and full tracklists.
(News, Source;SONY/ElvisInfoNet)

2014 Elvis Week Only 3 days away!: Elvis Week is around the corner and EIN's Sanja Meegin will be there to report all the stories. Tickets are now available for you to join EIN at 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
- Elvis Gospel Celebration - the special close to Elvis Week - August 17
Go HERE to EPE's Schedule of Events.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis Presley: A Listener's Guide' Book OUT NOW: Out now on Amazon in paperback and Kindle version is the new book 'Elvis Presley: A Listener's Guide' by Shane Brown.
... July 5th, 2014 saw the 60th anniversary of Elvis Presley's first commercial recording session, the night on which he cut That's all Right, the song that would launch his career. Less than six months later, on January 8th, 2015, will be celebrations for what would have been Elvis's 80th birthday. Since Elvis's death in 1977, hundreds (probably thousands) of books have been written about Presley, but very few concentrate on the most important thing: the music.
When I first became interested in the music of Elvis Presley as a teenager back in the early 1990s, the first book I bought was Elvis Presley: A Study in Music by Robert Matthew-Walker. It was hardly a hefty tome, but it did what I wanted at the time - it gave me some guidance through the minefield of Elvis's legacy which was then being issued, slowly but surely, on CD.
Matthew-Walker's A Study in Music was/is an important book, and it seems rather strange that other full-length works of a similar nature did not follow it. Bearing this in mind, I hope that Elvis Presley: A Listener's Guide will manage to be a rather more thorough critique of Elvis's music. Working through from 1953 to 1977 one session at a time, one song at a time, the book discusses the remarkable (and yet often frustrating) legacy that Elvis left behind. All recordings released during Elvis's lifetime are discussed, as well as those released posthumously where appropriate.
Why do we need a new critique? Well, times change and opinions change with them. Our views on Elvis's music are still based on what critics wrote forty or more years ago. Of course, the critics who panned Elvis in the 1950s were quickly proven wrong as the years passed, but the accepted view of the 1960s and 1970s recordings is still based on contemporary reviews, often from rock critics who somehow couldn't see how or why Elvis was recording material outside of rock 'n' roll. As I discuss each session, therefore, I make reference to, and quote from, those contemporary reviews from the 1950s to the 1970s - around 170 of them - in order to put into context my own evaluation of the recordings.
This is not primarily a book of facts or figures - there are plenty of other works on the market that can supply those. What there isn't on the market is a "listener's guide" to Elvis's music, in which each and every master recording is discussed. I haven't written this because I think people should agree with my evaluations or thoughts but because, as we approach what would have been Elvis's 80th birthday, it seems important to take a fresh look at the one thing that seems to be ignored most: the music.
The paperback edition is 6in x 9in, and will contain approx. 320 pages. A Kindle version is also available.
(News, Source;FECC/Shane Brown/ElvisInfoNet)

Saturday 2 August 2014
‘Final Countdown To Midnight' Two Extra jewel-case Deluxe Versions: Due to the enormous success of Backdraft’s box-set ‘Final Countdown to Midnight’ it appears that not enough copies were pressed which have left keen Elvis fans having to go without. Released only two weeks ago, copies are already nigh impossible to track down.
Since Backdraft are unable to publish more copies of the boxset due to logistical reasons, they have decided to help satisfy fan demand by releasing 2 separate products both housed in a deluxe super-jewel case.
A 2CD version and a separate DVD only release, both with different front covers, contain a deluxe 24 page booklet inside. We would like to point out that the content of the booklets in both of the releases are entirely different and that, the photographs and text information are not repeated inside each of the releases. (Click here for bigger image)
These are again in very limited supplies and dealers will be restricted on quantities.
In the meantime, the production team at Backdraft would like to thank Elvis fans from around the world for their enormous support on this and our past releases.
Backdraft also announce the news that in the near future they will release a brand new unreleased soundboard (never before heard, not even as an audience recording) from the Las Vegas engagement from the Summer of 1970!! Another brand new release fans are sure to need for their collection.
(News, Source;Backdraft/ElvisInfoNet)
Graceland Auction offers treasure trove of Elvis rarities: Following on from our news story below the US NBC Today show featured Priscilla talking about the up-coming auction. Priscilla was featured last Tuesday on the TODAY show discussing the treasure trove of once-owned Elvis items from the vast collection of Greg Page, creator of "The Wiggles."
Here's a look at some of what'll be up for grabs Aug 14 ...
- 1958 Military Leave Pass, while serving in the Army in Germany, Presley's grandmother and father joined him for a stay, and he needed a 24-hour pass to help them settle in.
- Custom gold jewelry, from a 13K gold ring with a star sapphire made from a golden nugget (worn on stage) to an elaborate lion's head pendant (worn to meet President Nixon) Priscilla noted, "He gave away a lot of jewelry, too."
- 1969 handwritten set list, "People don't realize he took so much a part of his shows, he was so involved with his music."
- Elvis' 1956 "Love Me Tender" screenplay, for his first movie
Elvis got down to business and, said Priscilla, studied everyone's lines — not just his own. "So this is really endearing," she added.
- Key to Las Vegas from 1970, after his second performance in Sin City, Elvis was presented with a plaque and the symbolic key to the town. Priscilla explained that he was "very proud" of it.
In addition, Priscilla showed off a new virtual Graceland tour, accessible on an iPad. "For a historical private home, this is revolutionary technology," she said, showing how remote visitors can get 360-degree views of the estate, watch videos of Elvis in concert, and even see pictures of the family at Christmastime.
"We have to stay on top of it, to make sure that people get the best out of what they come to see (at Graceland)," she said. "Which is Elvis Presley."
Go HERE to NBC to watch the video
(News, Source;NBC/ElvisInfoNet)
Jerry Schilling at Official Insiders & Priscilla event Sold Out: EPE is excited to announce that Elvis' lifelong friend Jerry Schilling will be speaking at the Official Insiders Event taking place August 14, at the Elvis Week Main Stage. Jerry Schilling is a veteran music industry professional and childhood friend to Elvis Presley. He was with Elvis the day he met President Richard Nixon and he also worked with Elvis throughout his career. As his lifelong friend, he travelled around the country on Elvis' tours. Schilling co-edited the now famous "Elvis On Tour" with Martin Scorsese. He has spent forty years in the entertainment industry working as an actor, film editor, producer, and manager for acts such as the Beach Boys and Jerry Lee Lewis. He still currently resides in the West Hollywood Hills home that Elvis gave him.
Go HERE for EIN's 2008 interview with Jerry Schilling
Other guests at the Official Insiders Event include The Memphis Boys’ members Bobby Wood, Gene Chrisman and Reggie Young; representatives from Sony and Warner Bros. talking about "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is; Elvis artist and fellow Insider Joe Petruccio; Elvis’ jeweller Lowell Hays; and authors of the new FTD book "Elvis Presley: Memphis To Nashville '61" Pål Granlund and David English.
- In other Elvis Week news, Priscilla Presley at Conversations on Elvis has Sold Out:
With both EPE regulars Jerry Schilling and Priscilla being added to the 2014 Elvis Week line-up, along with Elvis' Imperials, it seems that EPE's list of possible new and interesting guests is drying up.
EIN suggests why not Billy Smith, Marty Lacker and Ginger Alden all on stage together for next year!?!
Other announced guest for 2014 'Conversations on Elvis' include Elvis' Imperials Terry Blackwood and Joe Moscheo plus 'Kissin' Cousins' co-star Cynthia Pepper.
Regarding Priscilla This event is now sold out, there may be a very limited amount of tickets that become available the day of the event at the door.
Go HERE to EPE's Schedule of Events. EIN's Sanja Meegin will be there to report all the stories
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis Has Left the Building' New Book Out Now: The new book 'Elvis Has Left the Building: The Day the King Died' by author Dylan Jones is out now.
The description notes ... 'The King' departed this world during the month of punk rock's apotheosis. Punk had set out to destroy Elvis, or at least everything he came to represent, but never got the chance. Elvis destroyed himself before anyone else could. Nearly forty years after his death, rock's ultimate legend and prototype just won't go away and his influence and legacy are to be found not just in music today, but the world over. Elvis Presley has permeated the modern world in ways that are bizarre and inexplicable: a pop icon while he was alive, he has become almost a religious icon in death, a modern-day martyr crucified on the wheel of drugs, celebrity culture, junk food and sex. In Elvis Has Left the Building, Dylan Jones takes us back to those heady days around the time of his death and the rise of punk. He evokes the hysteria and devotion of The King's numerous disciples and imitators, offering a uniquely insightful commentary on Elvis's life, times and outrageous demise. This is a fresh account, written with the author's customary panache, recounting how Elvis single-handedly changed the course of popular music and culture, and what his death meant and still means to us today.
Reviews so far are varied, with the book's sometimes tenuous connections between Punk and Elvis discussed. The UK's Independent review includes.. "When asked, shortly after the death of his only client Elvis Presley, what he would do now, "Colonel" Tom Parker was brutally sanguine. "Why, I'll go right on managing him," he replied, doubtless secure in the knowledge that he would be earning more in the future than he had
during the star's declining years. As showbiz cynics were quick to acknowledge, Presley's death was a great career move, revitalising a brand that has continued to generate more income since his death than prior to it.
The accepted showbiz wisdom is that stars should live fast, die young, and leave a good-looking corpse, but Elvis failed in all three respects. He may have begun his career as a blazing comet of transformative cultural energy, but as soon as he made that revolutionary, miscegenate breakthrough of marrying black R&B with white hillbilly music, he ceased being creatively curious (in the manner that kept successors like Dylan, Bowie and The Beatles engaged and interesting) and retreated behind the walls of his mansion..
.... Jones concludes the book with his own annotated selection of favourite Elvis songs in chronological order, from 1954's "That's All Right" to 1977's "Way Down", which with some relief restores music to the foreground, as well as confirming the author's belief that in two brief decades the singer had gone from being "the avatar of US cool to the embodiment of American excess, his life a metaphor for the post-war consumer American dream". Indeed, it's unlikely any other person will ever represent the country's hopes, dreams and failings as fully as Elvis. Part Huckleberry Finn, part Jay Gatsby, part Citizen Kane, part Moby Dick, he was a walking, talking, hip-shaking allegory of a nation. Remember him this way.
(News, Source;AlisonKey/ElvisInfoNet)
'PHS' actor James Shigeta Dies: James Shigeta, one of the best things about Elvis' movie 'Paradise Hawaiian Style' died last Monday. Shigeta was a top Asian-American actor of the early 1960s who famously co-starred in the Bruce Willis action film Die Hard (1988) passed away Monday. Family members said he was 85.
Shigeta, who was born in Honolulu, originally studied to be an actor at New York University. But he initially joined the Marines, and severed during the Korean War. He went on to become a recording artist in Japan, despite not being able to speak a single word of the language when he first arrived in the country.
His career in music eventually led to his first big on-screen role in The Crimson Kimono, for which he won the Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer alongside Barry Coe, Troy Donahue and George Hamilton.
In 1961, he scored the lead role of Wang Ta in the film adaptation of Broadway musical 'Flower Drum Song' where as a natural baritone, Shigeta did all his own singing. He notably starred opposite Elvis Presley in Paradise Hawaiian Style in 1966 and later made a mark in 1973's 'Lost Horizon'.
Shigeta later had recurring roles on the 1969-72 CBS drama Medical Center and appeared on episodes of　Hawaii Five-O, Ellery Queen, Little House on the Prairie, Fantasy Island, T.J. Hooker, The Love Boat, Magnum P.I. and　Murder, She Wrote.
His agent told media, "It is with great sadness that I report the loss of my long-time friend and client James Shigeta. He passed peacefully in
his sleep, July 28, 2014, at 2 p.m. The world has lost a great actor. Sadly, I lost a dear friend."
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)
'Ultimate Elvis Sessions' More Promos: Another Great promo page for the new Ultimate Elvis Sessions book - 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 Files for 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 to see the new 'Elvis IN LAS VEGAS' promo plus check the pre-order for US$320
(News, Source;EL/ElvisInfoNet.com)

Thursday 31 July 2014
Elvis Opening Night Las Vegas 1969 - 45 Years Ago Today: On July 31st 1969 Elvis stepped onstage in Las Vegas to begin his run of fabulous Las Vegas seasons and to cement his "comeback".
Ian Fraser-Thomson was the only fan to witness Elvis' rehearsal, Opening Night and the Press Conference afterwards.
"On Opening Night, the electricity was palpable. The anticipation of the crowd on this potentially precipitous and momentous occasion lent to an uneasy and anxious anticipation of what was about to be revealed before their eyes and ears. When the lights were dimmed the crowd was unsettled, almost agitated and loud and then when the horns and the band ignited in the famous loop intro, the crowd was temporarily silenced, women screamed and all eyes and crowd energy focused on the expected entry point and when Elvis appeared and when like a dancer sidestepped across the stage, a powder keg exploded followed by a residual thunder of applause and screams welcoming Elvis. Because Elvis was the true royalty in the room he was given what was due to him from the film and music stars present. He was at that moment the undisputed "King" and those present were his subjects.
The show was a knockout. Standing ovations throughout."
Go HERE to his great 2010 EIN article about eavesdropping on this stunning event.
(Interview, Source;FECC/PEP/ElvisInfoNet)

'Big Boss Man: What Kind of Technical Advice Did Parker Provide for Elvis’s Movies?': As technical advisor, Colonel Tom Parker was hailed by showbiz bible Variety as an "expert property developer." Though some of the movie properties Elvis’s manager helped develop were incredibly slapdash, that observation does raise one of the most puzzling aspects of the star’s Hollywood career.
How much control did Parker have over Presley’s films, and what kind of technical advice did he provide between 1956 and 1972?
The Colonel developed the strategy – and ensured it was executed. Though his client often complained that he was "tired of these damn movies" in which fought in one scene and sang to a dog in the next, he never decisively rebelled, signifying his distaste by hiding in Memphis for as long as possible until the next shooting schedule beckoned.

Click here to this EIN Spotlight where respected author Paul Simpson takes a fascinating look at Colonel Parker and his input, both positive and negative, into Elvis' film career...
(Spotlight; Source;PSimpson/ElvisInfoNetwork)
Rare Elvis Artefacts up for Auction - Elvis' last Cadillac: EPE have announced some highlights of rare Elvis artifacts to be included in the first-ever "Auction at Graceland" during Elvis Week 2014.
Many of the unique artifacts are from the collection of Greg Page, (ex "yellow Wiggle") who is one of the world's biggest Elvis Presley collectors but has been recently selling off parts of his collection. Page's items include Elvis' 1977 Cadillac Seville, a Martin D-28 and Elvis' copy of the original script for his first film, "Love Me Tender."

Other items are
- Elvis Presley Signature on Library Card - from the school Elvis attended in Tupelo and this is one of the earliest known signatures from the would-be King of Rock 'n' Roll. 
- 1969 Las Vegas Show Agreement - A blue folder entitled "Agreement Between Elvis Presley and Las Vegas International" contains a 13-page typed agreement.  This contract is for the first of Elvis' 15 Las Vegas engagements. 
- Gemstone, Diamond and Gold Lion Mask Pendant - This 18kt gold custom-made pendant is set with 24 diamonds, two emeralds and one ruby. The piece was worn by Elvis on many occasions, including when he met President Nixon in the Oval Office at The White House.
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.
The auction will be held on site at Graceland and powered by LiveAuctioneers for online bidding.
You can register for online bidding on August 1, 2014, when the full list of auction items and images will be released online.

The auction will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern / 7:00 p.m. Central.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis Presley: A Listener's Guide' New Book: To be published mid-August is the new book 'Elvis Presley: A Listener's Guide' by Shane Brown.
... July 5th, 2014 saw the 60th anniversary of Elvis Presley's first commercial recording session, the night on which he cut That's all Right, the song that would launch his career. Less than six months later, on January 8th, 2015, will be celebrations for what would have been Elvis's 80th birthday. Since Elvis's death in 1977, hundreds (probably thousands) of books have been written about Presley, but very few concentrate on the most important thing: the music.
When I first became interested in the music of Elvis Presley as a teenager back in the early 1990s, the first book I bought was Elvis Presley: A Study in Music by Robert Matthew-Walker. It was hardly a hefty tome, but it did what I wanted at the time - it gave me some guidance through the minefield of Elvis's legacy which was then being issued, slowly but surely, on CD.
Matthew-Walker's A Study in Music was/is an important book, and it seems rather strange that other full-length works of a similar nature did not follow it. Bearing this in mind, I hope that Elvis Presley: A Listener's Guide will manage to be a rather more thorough critique of Elvis's music. Working through from 1953 to 1977 one session at a time, one song at a time, the book discusses the remarkable (and yet often frustrating) legacy that Elvis left behind. All recordings released during Elvis's lifetime are discussed, as well as those released posthumously where appropriate.
Why do we need a new critique? Well, times change and opinions change with them. Our views on Elvis's music are still based on what critics wrote forty or more years ago. Of course, the critics who panned Elvis in the 1950s were quickly proven wrong as the years passed, but the accepted view of the 1960s and 1970s recordings is still based on contemporary reviews, often from rock critics who somehow couldn't see how or why Elvis was recording material outside of rock 'n' roll. As I discuss each session, therefore, I make reference to, and quote from, those contemporary reviews from the 1950s to the 1970s - around 170 of them - in order to put into context my own evaluation of the recordings.
This is not primarily a book of facts or figures - there are plenty of other works on the market that can supply those. What there isn't on the market is a "listener's guide" to Elvis's music, in which each and every master recording is discussed. I haven't written this because I think people should agree with my evaluations or thoughts but because, as we approach what would have been Elvis's 80th birthday, it seems important to take a fresh look at the one thing that seems to be ignored most: the music.
Elvis Presley: A Listener's Guide will be available in mid-August, 2014. The paperback edition will be 6in x 9in, and will contain approx. 320 pages. A Kindle version will also be available.
(News, Source;FECC/Shane Brown/ElvisInfoNet)

Update on new book Channeling Elvis: How Television Saved the King of Rock 'n' Roll: On 14 July we posted news that Allen Wiener's latest book, Channeling Elvis: How Television Saved the King of Rock 'n' Roll, is being published in October. Allen has sent EIN more information about the book:

"The book has a lot of new information that has not appeared in other books, including a rather amusing confrontation between Colonel Parker and Frank Sinatra, entirely new takes on the Steve Allen Show, Aloha From Hawaii, and Elvis in Concert, and observations about Elvis from those who worked on the TV shows. Each of Elvis' TV appearances is covered in far greater detail than in any previous book. With the exception of the interview program Hy Gardner Calling!, which occupies a single chapter, all shows are given at least two chapters and some even more.

The 1968 "Comeback Special," Elvis, is covered in four chapters, for example, and his final show, Elvis In Concert, which has never really been explored in detail, occupies three. There are connecting chapters between the television shows, since many years passed between some TV appearances. These chapters cover Elvis' years in the army, his film career, and his return to touring in the 1970s, and are designed to lend context to the TV show chapters by describing what transpired in Elvis' life and career during the interims.
I conducted more than 35 new interviews with people like Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, Gordon Stoker, Glen D. Hardin, Joe Guercio, Debra Paget, Steve Allen, Steve Binder, Bones Howe, Marty Pasetta, Gary Smith, Dwight Hemion, Bob Finkel, Jerry Schilling, Skitch Henderson, Bobby Ogdin, Irish McCalla, Al Wertheimer, and many others. I also spent countless hours viewing all of the television footage, including outtakes, many hours of 1969-1970 live performance footage, all available footage from the two concert documentaries, Elvis: That's the Way It Is and Elvis on Tour, and reviewed existing literature about Elvis. The book includes a bibliography, discography and videography." (Book News, Source: Allen Wiener)
News and EIN exclusives from earlier last month

'Final Countdown To Midnight' NYE 1976 - in-depth Review: The deluxe 2CD/DVD set released by Backdraft label is the ultimate look at Elvis' 1976 New Year's Eve performance. Previously available via CDs with peak-audio distortion and on DVD/VHS with low quality fan-footage, now Backdraft have published a 106-page book plus remastered high-quality audio and incredible DVD featuring multi-camera angles. It has to be one of the essential Elvis releases of the year.

There is no doubt that Elvis’ final New Year’s Eve concert was certainly his last "Great" performance of his life. The nearly COMPLETE concert video which premieres to the world here will attest to the above statement. This DVD debuts newly discovered films, some of which have been transferred in High Definition and are positively stunning! The rich, vibrant colours provide a truly novel viewing experience.

The 106 page book boasts many rare and unpublished photos, detailed information about the show and an eyewitness text! The double CD set is also complete (unlike the edited FTD 2003 official release).

Go here - EIN's Piers Beagley provides an in-depth review of this amazing deluxe box-set.

(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

Chips Moman, American Studios band to be recognised with Marker: During Elvis Week 2014, Chips Moman and the American Studios band will finally get some long-overdue recognition with the unveiling of a Shelby County Historical Marker near 827 Thomas Street on Wednesday, August 13. The address, at Thomas and Chelsea Avenue, is the site of the former American Recording Studio, the place where Moman and the band cut Elvis’ crucial 1969 “memphis” sessions, and recorded dozens and dozens (roughly 120, depending on the source) of chart hits between 1962 and 1972.
Chips Moman, who’d also been a catalyst in helping develop Stax Records, wooed members of the staff bands at Hi Records and Phillips to form the classic American Studios group: guitarist Reggie Young, drummer Gene Chrisman, pianist Bobby Wood, organist Bobby Emmons and bassists Mike Leech and Tommy Cogbill. Mostly with Moman at the helm, that unit, known variously as the 827 Thomas Street Band, the American Group, and, later, the Memphis Boys, would help sire a succession of hits for artists such as Dusty Springfield (“Son of a Preacher Man”), Neil Diamond (“Sweet Caroline), Merrilee Rush (“Angel of
the Morning”), B.J. Thomas (“Hooked on a Feeling”), Joe Tex (“I Gotcha”), and, most famously Elvis' Memphis Sessions including 'Suspicious Minds'.
WEVL radio host Eddie Hankins notes, "At the time when there were so many great Memphis studios, American drew artists, not just from the South or solely from the R&B world, but from everywhere and every genre. Dusty Springfield,  ‘Sweet Caroline’, ‘Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues’, all these hits were cut at that studio. The fact that those musicians were so versatile … they could cut soul songs, pop songs, rock songs, R&B, little bit of country, they even had a No. 1 jazz album, those musicians could play anything. They were musical chameleons under Chips’ guidance; he steered them to the right sound for so many artists and created this incredible body of work.”
The original American Studios building was razed in the late ’80s with little fanfare. The August 13 unveiling event will take place at 2 p.m. Memphis television personality Dave Brown will serve as emcee, and various guests are scheduled to attend. Among those tentatively slated to appear are Moman and American band members Young, Wood, Emmons and Chrisman. Relatives of the late Tommy Cogbill will also be there. Don Crews, longtime studio manager Marty Lacker, American writers/artists Johnny Christopher and Mark James. 
The Memphis Boys will be playing a concert at Graceland that night as well. (ticket details here on EPE)
For more info go here to Bob Mehr's Memphis Music Beat:
(News, Source;MartyLacker/ElvisInfoNet)
US Museum in Custody Battle over Elvis' Guitar: An acoustic guitar Elvis Presley smashed during his final tour has sparked a custody fight between the South Dakota museum that currently displays it and a collector who insists the instrument never should have ended up there.
Now a federal judge must sort out whether blues guitarist Robert A. Johnson even technically owned the broken instrument last year when he donated it to the National Music Museum along with one of Bob Dylan's harmonicas, a guitar made for Johnny Cash and two other items.
The museum, based in Vermillion, insists in a lawsuit that it is the legal owner of Elvis' Martin D-35, which the rock-and-roll king played during his 1977 tour and gave to a fan in St. Petersburg, Florida, after he broke it when a strap and string snapped.
But Larry Moss, who has a long history of litigation against Johnson, contacted the museum, arguing that Johnson agreed to sell the guitar to him before it was donated. Johnson and Moss, both of whom live in Memphis, Tennessee, are each listed as defendants in the museum's complaint.
The museum in court filings argues that even if Moss was the owner of the Elvis guitar before Johnson donated it to the facility, his ownership ended when the museum acquired it. The complaint states that if Moss feels he was wronged, he should sue Johnson for damages.
"There are significant issues with his claim including the fact that this guitar was apparently on display for an extended period of time in his hometown and he made no effort to go get the guitar," note the museum attorney, Mitchell Peterson.
Johnson, who played with singer Isaac Hayes and the band John Entwistle's Ox in the 1970s, donated the Elvis guitar and other items to the museum in April 2013, and in exchange received $250,000 for his 1967 Gibson Explorer Korina wood guitar. That instrument was formerly owned by Entwistle, who is best known as a member of The Who.
Go here for the full story.
(News, Source; Matthew Shepherd/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis: That's The Way It Is' Deluxe - Amazon UK offer- Now over! : Coming August 5th is the special release of "Elvis: That's The Way It Is (Deluxe Edition)" presented together for the first time ever in a Deluxe Box Set (8CD/2DVD). Amazon UK has sadly discontinued the deal it was £65, now back up to over £100.
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.
Amazon UK Special was at £70- Now (July 25th) - back up to over £100, sorry if you missed it.
Go here to EIN's SONY/FTD 2014 releases page for more details and full tracklists.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/SONY/ElvisInfoNet)
'That's All Right' - the Most Profound Moment: EIN was delighted to see the modern music E-zine 'Far Out Magazine' taking time out from 2014 up and coming musicians to acknowledge the past. Josh Hevicon wrote ..
"Today we’re taking a break from introducing the world’s most weird and wonderful new talents and, instead,　reverting back to a time in 1954 which, in my humble opinion,　one of the most important and profound moments of musical history occurred, so important, in fact, that if for whatever reason　the history books were void of the event, a majority of the group’s we all know and love might not even exist.
The occasion? Well,　some of you may have already　guessed, on July 19th 1954,　exactly 60 years ago today,　the King of Rock & Roll　arrived as now　legendary Memphis, USA　label Sun Records released　’That’s Alright’,　a then 19 year old Elvis’s sexed up Rockabilly cover of　Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup’s age old blues tune.
Selling over 200,000 copies, ‘That’s All Right’ opened the door for other　Rock & Roll royalty such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison to　start plying their trade at Sun and subsequently, such was　Elvis’ phenomenal impact and influence,　began changing the face of culture the world over…. if
that’s not worthy of our Track of the Day, nothing ever will be. What a tune. What a bloke."
(News, Source;FarOutMagazine/ElvisInfoNet)
Darlene Love on Elvis Presley: Darlene Love is one of the most prolific backing singers of the sixties and seventies, she appeared on numerous records including 'He's a Rebel' and 'The Tracks of My Tears' and also sang with Elvis in the 1968 "Comeback Special" (far right, with Elvis). Recently Darlene Love has featured in the Oscar-winning film '20 Feet from Stardom.'
She was recently interviewed by UK's Radio Times and talked about Elvis...
- You worked with a plethora of famous faces during your time as a backing singer - who were your favourites?
Darlene Love: There are a couple. The one stand out person would be Elvis Presley because of who he was. He was such a star - it was Elvis Presley. The other one would be Sam Cooke just because he was such a nice man and he just oozed sex. He was probably one of the sexiest men living during that time and Elvis was more the icon, he was the superstar that you just go, "Wow. I’m working for Elvis Presley."
- What was he like off-stage? Did he behave like a star?
DL: Elvis was very introverted, very quiet, very shy, but what brought him out of his shyness was gospel music. He loved gospel music and because my background was so gospel, he
would get his guitar and say, "Do you know this song? Do you remember this?" So that gave us a whole life together, even if it was for five minutes. That gave me a life with Elvis Presley that a lot of people would never have.
- Were all the big stars you worked with as introverted?
DL: Sometimes I think so. With the internet, with iPhones and with cameras, you really have to be careful of what you do, what you say, how you do it, where you’re going, who you’re going with because there’s no hiding anymore. How people talk about you and what you do – they follow your every move. Back in those days when Elvis was a superstar, they didn’t have all that. That’s the big difference.
'20 Feet from Stardom' is out now on DVD.
(News, Source;RadioTimes/ElvisInfoNet)
2014 Elvis Week 19 days away!: Elvis Week is around the corner and EIN's Sanja Meegin will be there to report all the stories. Tickets are now available for you to join EIN at 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
- Elvis Gospel Celebration - the special close to Elvis Week - August 17
Go HERE to EPE's Schedule of Events.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
'Bossa Nova Baby' – The Ultimate Party DVD!: From the STAR import label, the surprise of Summer 2014!! A few weeks ago this fabulous new Party cd was released, now STAR has done it again and provides fans with this amazing new DVD, including new clips and all time favourites!!
This great release includes all 24 (!!) tracks from the European version and some bonuses! -Some of the highlights are:
A newly re-created 'Suspicious Minds' edit, done in the similar style as on Viva Elvis, only this time they used the 1969 master version, this HAS to be seen!! Footage from all eras of Elvis life have been used to make an unusual version, is he really singing this in the fifties??
Excellent new 'Too Much Monkey Business' clip, made like the This is Elvis version, but now complete with more rare movie footage.
'We're Coming in Loaded' included as bonus-track, a BRANDNEW remix version for another NIKE commercial… why ON EARTH was this not released on single?? , or at least included on the party cd? Check it out, and you will agree!
'Good Rockin Tonight' includes newly found footage from the fifties, unreleased in this format!!
'King Creole' from the amazing Viva Elvis dvd has been re-edited for a new viewing experience…probably one of the best STAR edits ever
'Burning Love', 'A Little Less Conversation' and 'Rubberneckin', all three OFFICIAL clips are included, very hard to find, especially on one disc! And the
sound has been improved as well!
Presented in limited edition BLUE box, again a not to be missed STAR release was born! - Check your dealers
Go HERE for tracklist and details
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

Saturday 19 July 2014 -- 60 Years Since The Start of  Elvis' Rock'n'Roll Revolution --

60 Years Since The Start of Elvis' Rock'n'Roll Revolution: Elvis Presley's first single was released 60 years ago, on 19 July 1954. It was the record that, eventually, changed everything.
The yellow label didn't exactly signify an earthquake. Above the cut-out centre of the 7in single ran the word SUN, a drop shadow beneath it. Behind the text lay rays of sunshine, and around the perimeter of the label were staves of music. The bottom half of the label contained the important information: the song title, That's All Right; the writer, Arthur Crudup; and the artist, Elvis Presley, with Scotty and Bill credited in smaller lettering. And at the very bottom, proudly, in yellow text reversed out of black, was the place of origin: Memphis, Tennessee. (Right: Elvis' personal copy - Click HERE for a closer look)
Nevertheless, that disc, which arrived in Tennessee record shops 60 years ago, on Monday 19 July, 1954, did cause an earthquake. It was the first commercial release by Elvis Presley, the first tremors of a sensation that would soon transform popular culture and create the modern cult of celebrity. "You'd had teenage music before," says the pop historian Jon Savage, "but Elvis was the first to make music as if it was by teenagers, rather than for teenagers. And he was still a teenager when he made that record.
After that, the industry realised they had to make music teenagers liked."
That's All Right had been written and recorded in 1946 by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, a brisk blues with a ramshackle, dusty feel. Presley's recording, made on 5 July 1954, was an accident. Towards the end of an unsuccessful session at Sun Studios, during a break from recording, Presley began to sing the song, joined by Bill Black on upright bass and Scotty Moore on guitar. Struck by the contrast with what had come before, Sam Phillips, who was producing the session, asked the trio to run through the song again, this time with the tape rolling.
The Elvis version, by comparison, is precise and countrified, the up-and-down two-note Sun rockabilly bassline transforming it, with Moore's guitar trills an embellishment rather than the heart of the record, unlike Crudup's original. But the record belongs to Presley; it's his voice – at first
urgent, then seductive, then lascivious and lustful – that registers on the Richter scale. "Damn," Bill Black is reputed to have said. "Get that on the radio and they'll run us out of town."
"It was an iconic moment," says Todd Slaughter, "And you don't get those iconic moments very often. The timing was right – until then music for teenagers had been Frank Sinatra or Perry Como – it wasn't what you'd class as youth music."
It took a while for the shockwaves to spread, because Elvis was a local musician on a local label."The reason you forget how regional everything was," Savage says, "is that Elvis created the boom in the music industry that really created pop as we know it now. It was after Elvis's success that people could come through and get national attention, even on small labels."
It wasn't until 1956 on the RCA Victor lable that Elvis went truly national, and international, with the release of Heartbreak Hotel, Don't Be Cruel and Hound Dog.
So why, 60 years on, is Elvis still a matter of fascination. Why does he still have hundreds of fan clubs worldwide? Why is his face still known, his music still heard? "Because he is a total icon," Savage says. "Like all the Beatles rolled into one. And he's an icon on so many levels. It begins with that teenage moment, then the extraordinary success in 1956, and then carries on and on and on. And, apart from the personal life and the deified status, you also have a lot of really good music." The most important music ever recorded by any artist.
Go HERE for complete Guardian article
(News, Source;Guardian/ElvisInfoNet) with special EIN thanks to Naveen V.
New Trailer for 'Elvis: That’s the Way It Is': As EPE get ready to celebrate Elvis Week and the world-premiere of the recently remastered "Elvis: That's The Way It Is," Elvis fans can now check out the new movie trailer below.　
- "'Elvis: That's the Way It Is' is a fascinating look at Elvis' preparation for and execution of those Las Vegas shows. The rehearsal footage alone is stunning, as are the scenes that show Elvis interacting with his enthusiastic audiences," shares Elvis fan and USA TODAY writer Whitney Matheson.　
The historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Memphis will host the world premiere of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s newly-remastered　"Elvis: That’s The Way It Is"　on August 16. Fans who attend this special
screening will be treated to the newly remastered film along with extras such as rehearsal and actual performance footage - not included when last shown as a feature film.　
The documentary depicts Elvis as a master showman, following him as he prepares for his big opening-night performance in Las Vegas.
Additionally, the film will be shown in almost 300 theatres around the USA for a limited engagement - see details below.
Go HERE for the USAToday movie trailer.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)

'Elvis: That's The Way It Is' in US Cinemas: Elvis fans in the USA will have the chance to experience the world premiere of the newly re-mastered "Elvis: That's The Way It Is" on the big screen at Elvis Week 2014. The screening will be held on the evening of August 16 at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis.
For fans unable to attend the Elvis Week world premiere, they will still have a chance to see Elvis on the big screen when the newly-remastered "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is" hits almost 300 theaters in the U.S. following Elvis Week for a limited engagement.
Go here to EPE for a complete list of US theaters who will feature screenings of the newly re-mastered "Elvis: That's The Way It Is."
The 2002 'Special Edition' of 'Elvis: That's The Way It Is' played in Australian cinemas when it was rereleased (from a lovely film print!) and ran for six weeks in Sydney.
For more information on the new US screening times and ticket prices, visit the specific theater's website.
Go here for EIN's spotlight on "TTWII - The ReCut vs The Original film" by Harley Payette (RIP).

(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)

While Elvis airplanes saga still rocked by mid-air turbulence, thanks to Elvis Express Radio's detective work a new name emerges as the destabilising driver behind the saga!!: (see EIN's earlier reports on 9 and 3 July) Our good friends at EER have talked to one of the airline captains (so to speak) to try and get to the fuselage of the airplanes issue. EER reports:

'With all the rumour and counter rumour regarding the Lisa Marie airplane story as reported by the Associated Press I thought it only fair to try and get to the bottom of the many assumptions being made by fans, myself included, on various forums, fan sites and facebook.

I called Mr K G Coker of the OKC Partnership who owns the two airplanes in Memphis to try and clarify a few questions that I primarily had myself. Although Mr Coker obviously has a financial interest at stake (as do the new owners at EPE) it soon became very clear to me that he also has us, the Elvis fans at heart too!

  
He recalled the day Elvis died, his office was at Memphis airport where the Lisa Marie was packed and ready to leave for Portland, Maine. He heard on the radio that Elvis had died and went out to the pilot who confirmed the news, he also remembered the fans and how they were trying to get to the airplane that day, this was when he realised just what the Lisa Marie might mean to us the Elvis fans.

It was in 1984 with co-operation of the then Elvis estate and Jack Soden (who worked tirelessly) that a deal was reached to display the Lisa Marie at Graceland, the Hound Dog Jet-Star would follow later.

The arrangement was that financial remuneration would be paid to the OKC Partnership for the display of the airplanes.

The contract has never addressed the Lisa Marie or the Jet Star individually or even as part of a tour bundle, and although not in the contract, up until August  of this year (2014) it has been in the bundled tour package for 25 years.

Mr Coker says he is concerned that by separating the airplanes from the bundle some fans might be disadvantaged and not be able to afford to view 'the pride of Elvis Presley airways.'

In relation to the public release of the Graceland letter from Jack Soden, it seems to have been a forced hand, he didn't want to release it, but as it was beginning to look like the OKC Partnership was to blame he felt he had no choice to make things clearer to the Elvis fan base.

It is the new owners ENTERTAINMENT COLLECTIBLES ASSOCIATION, INC* that are making these changes, and Mr Coker would like to make it clear that he is  truly appreciative that Priscilla is trying to help out regarding the situation.

Although OKC still have three of the four Lisa Marie’s engines that were removed (the fourth went to a tech school) Mr Coker says he would like nothing better  than the Lisa Marie and Jet Star to stay at Graceland forever, but that an agreement that is acceptable to all parties involved has to be reached.

Personally, and as a fan myself, I really do hope that can be accomplished to everyone’s satisfaction, fingers crossed.' (Sale of EPE, Source: Elvis Express Radio)

*In November 2013, New York-based Authentic Brands Group bought Elvis Presley Enterprises and the licensing and merchandising rights for Presley's music and image from CORE Media Group. As part of the deal, Joel Weinshanker, founder of the National Entertainment Collectibles Association, acquired the operating rights to Graceland, which attracts about 500,000 visitors each year. After the sale, Authentic Brands said upgrades to the tourist attraction were planned. Earlier this year, Elvis Presley Enterprises announced plans to build a 450-room hotel, theater and restaurant, with a projected opening date of August 2015. Their plan was approved Tuesday by the Memphis City Council.

   

Interview....

Bobby D. talks to EIN about his good friend, Jimmy Ellis (aka the masked man known as Orion):

Bobby Dillard was a close friend of the late Jimmy Ellis.......the man who, wearing a mask, became a key part of the 'Elvis is alive' movement, as the mysterious singer, Orion!

In his insightful interview, Bobby D. reveals what (the real) Jimmy Ellis was like off-stage and covers a range of subjects including:

  • the story behind Bobby D's friendship with Jimmy Ellis
  • Bobby's life and music recordings
  • Jimmy Ellis' early days
  • recording with Jimmy
  • the "Orion" phenomenon
  • how Jimmy felt about his "Orion" character
  • the night Orion "unmasked"
  • Jimmy's tragic death

Bobby D. operates the official Jimmy Ellis/Orion website and is a (very good) singer himself.

'That's the Way It Is' Legacy 2CD Set - TrackList Confirmed: The double CD Legacy version features the original album, singles, bonus tracks plus the previously unreleased August 12th Dinner Show.
CD 1 Original Album: 1. I Just Can’t Help Believin’, 2. Twenty Days And Twenty Nights, 3. How The Web Was Woven, 4. Patch It Up, 5. Mary In The Morning, 6. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, 7. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’, 8. I’ve Lost You, 9. Just Pretend, 10. Stranger In The Crowd, 11. The Next Step Is Love, 12. Bridge Over Troubled Water,
ORIGINAL SINGLES: 13. I’ve Lost You (single version), 14. The Next Step Is Love (single version), 15. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (single version), 16. Patch It Up (single version), OUTTAKES 17. How The Web Was Woven (Take 1), 18. I’ve Lost You (Take 1), 19. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Take 2), 20. Patch It Up (Take 1), 21. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Take 1)
CD 2: August 12, Dinner Show - Previously Unreleased.
Pre-Order Amazon - Only $16 >> That's The Way It Is (Legacy Edition) Release date August 5 confirmed
Go here to EIN's SONY/FTD 2014 page for and full tracklists.
(News, Source;SONY/ElvisInfoNet)

Future of Elvis’ Airplanes at Graceland in doubt?: It has been a bad week for EPE! After strong fan backlash over plans to change the name of its “Elvis Insiders” club (see report 1 July), it is again under fire, this time with apparent plans to end its agreement with the owner of Elvis’ two airplanes for their continued exhibition at Graceland.

From an AP report: For 30 years, tourists from around the world have paid money to get a look at two airplanes once owned by Elvis Presley at Graceland in Memphis. Fans enjoy touring the planes for their direct connection to Presley and his jet-setting lifestyle, a sort of touchstone to the life of the King of Rock and Roll and his family.
By April of next year, the planes named Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II could be gone. Elvis Presley Enterprises, which operates the Graceland tourist attraction, has written to the planes' owners saying they should prepare to remove the jets from Graceland by next spring. The planes have been a tourist attraction since the mid-1980s. They had been sold after Presley's death, and were eventually purchased by OKC Partnership in Memphis.

OKC Partnership and Graceland agreed to bring the two jets to Graceland. The agreement called for OKC Partnership to receive a cut of ticket sales in return for keeping the planes there. In an April 7 letter to OKC Partnership's K.G. Coker, Elvis Presley Enterprises CEO Jack Soden says the company is exercising its option to end the agreement and asks Coker "to make arrangements for the removal of the airplanes and the restoration of the site on or shortly after April 26, 2015." Their removal could cause an uproar among fans, especially those who visit Graceland every year as part of an annual pilgrimage to events such as Elvis Week and the candlelight vigil commemorating Presley's death.

Dedicated Elvis fan Paul Fivelson of Algonquin, Illinois, says he expects many fans will be upset to hear the planes may be leaving: "The people who come to Memphis for Elvis Week like seeing those planes there because it's just part of the whole aura of what Elvis was about," Fivelson said Tuesday. "It would be kind of blasphemous to take them away, and I think there are probably a lot of fans who will feel the same way."

The disclosure also raises questions about the future use of the site where the airplanes now sit, across the street from Presley's longtime home. Elvis Presley Enterprises declined immediate comment.

In November 2013, New York-based Authentic Brands Group bought Elvis Presley Enterprises and the licensing and merchandising rights for Presley's music and image from CORE Media Group. As part of the deal, Joel Weinshanker, founder of the National Entertainment Collectibles Association, acquired the operating rights to Graceland, which attracts about 500,000 visitors each year. After the sale, Authentic Brands said upgrades to the tourist attraction were planned. Earlier this year, Elvis Presley Enterprises announced plans to build a 450-room hotel, theater and restaurant, with a projected opening date of August 2015. Their plan was approved Tuesday by the Memphis City Council.

Today, Graceland visitors can buy a ticket that includes a tour of Presley's home-turned-museum and the two airplanes. Fans climb into the airplanes for an up-close look at their interiors. The larger plane, a Convair 880 named after Presley's daughter Lisa Marie, is like a customized flying limousine, complete with a large bed, a stereo system, conference room and gold-plated bathroom fixtures.

It was renovated after Presley bought it from Delta Air Lines. Presley took his first flight on it in November 1975. When Presley died on Aug. 16, 1977, Presley's pilot flew the Lisa Marie to California to pick up Presley's ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, to bring her back to Memphis. The smaller jet, a JetStar named the Hound Dog II, was also used by Presley.

At one point, after the planes were sold following the singer's death, the Lisa Marie was owned by Raymond Zimmerman, owner of the Service Merchandise chain, according to Coker. The Hound Dog II was in the hands of Hustler head Larry Flynt for a time, Coker said. OKC Partnership eventually bought the planes and the Lisa Marie was installed at Graceland in 1984. The Hound Dog II came later. Coker, 76, says OKC may sell the planes if they're removed from Graceland, but he still hopes to negotiate a deal that would keep the planes there. Coker acknowledges that he and his partners would lose money from ticket sales if the planes were removed.

"I would love to see the airplanes stay where they are forever," Coker said. "Millions of fans have toured those airplanes and there's a real connection between fans and those airplanes. Those airplanes are part of the Elvis experience."

EIN has received a number of messages on the issue: This one epitomizes fan feelings:

Brave decision given the recent backlash to changing Elvis Insiders name (which they quickly backtracked on but of course that was much easier to do than the planes decision).  Wonder if it is really because of the redevelopment plan or if EPE manoeuvring for a much better deal on the planes.  Certainly would free up a lot of space and for new tourists to G/L they won’t realise what they’re missing.  Of course older fans will be incensed.  Progress does that to us!

In response to negative backlash, Priscilla Presley apparently posted on her Facebook page:

I see your posts about the planes. Please calm down, we're in the midst of negotiations. It's as simple as that. Thank you.

EIN Comment: As the AP report gives NO indication the issue was actually being negotiated it was quite reasonable that fans thought the issue was NOT “....as simple as that”.

The bottom line is EPE can do what they want (regardless of what fans think), however greater transparency and a more effective pr strategy would benefit them greatly with fans! It is surprising (downright worrying) EPE has not realised this over the years. After more than three decades the EPE organisation continues to not understand and therefore underestimate how fans think and feel!

The reality is the owner of the planes, OKC Partnership, stands to lose a lot if the planes are no longer on display at Graceland. By themselves they would not be a huge tourist attraction except maybe as part of an airplane museum.

The planes represent an important part of the Elvis story and as such it is reasonable to view the current situation as a strategic ploy on the part of EPE to obtain a significantly improved financial deal on their continued presence at Graceland. (News/Comment, Source: AP/Facebook/EIN)

Elvis Information Network "Facebook" Page now with Over 8,000 Members!!:

The fastest growing Elvis facebook group around!

Hosted by EIN's 'roving international reporter, Sanja Meegin, check out EIN's fabulous Facebook page full of interesting stories and Sanja's amazing Elvis Photo Archives!!!

EPE HAS NOT RELENTED!!!!.......Despite our headline below it turns out the original post on FECC was incorrect. EPE intends sticking to its change of "Elvis Insiders" to "Graceland Insidrers" While EPE will lose some renewing fans, undoubtedly new fans will more than make up for any losses. It is clear EPE wishes to push the "Graceland" brand as a key element in its strategic plan for the future! Many thanks to Jennie Carpenter for advising EIN of the actual situation! Here is our incorrect story:

EPE relents - "Elvis Insiders" name to remain!: On Saturday we reported a gathering storm of protest about the renaming of EPE's "Elvis Insiders' club to "Graceland Insiders".

Well that storm did not abate and EPE quickly bowed to fan pressure asnd the "Elvis Insiders" name will continue!(News, Source: FECC)

Our original story:

 
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).

Info on the club is also being moved from the elvisinsiders.com to gracelandinsiders.com with protest messages showing up on the new site.

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)

'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)
       
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)
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 to EPE's Schedule of Events. EIN's Sanja Meegin will be there to report all the stories
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)

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