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...
What has happened to the Netflix animated series, Agent King?: With the Elvis biopic doing so well and generating significant interest in Elvis, it is surprising Netflix has not capitalized on this interest and released its Agent King series which was originally due for release last year but was postponed due to Covid.
Priscilla Presley is an Executive Producer on the series and is reported to have made several suggested changes to the dialog to make it as Elvis spoke. (sse YouTube promo clip here)
The series will follow Elvis, but not the Elvis Presley people are familiar with, as this animated take on the King of Rock & Roll has traded in his jumpsuit for a jetpack when he joins a secret government spy program to help battle the dark forces that threaten the country. (News/Opinion, Source: ElvisInfoNet)
Coincidence or not?: In one of the opening scenes of Baz Luhrmann's ELVIS biopic, a book is flashed up on the screen titled, The Colonel and the King, by Jack Flynn.
Strangely, an author by the name of Jack Flynn released his book, Imaginary Conversations with Famous People, on 21 June.
Elvis features on the book cover and inside there is a fictional conversation between Elvis and JFK. (News, Source: EIN)
The sad claim 'Elvis was racist': One would have thought that with the new 'ELVIS' biopic being one of the world's top grossing movies any previous rumor of Elvis being racist would have been squashed. However Larry Blong (an ETA who bore a close resemblance to Elvis in the 1970s) published this message in a recent email:
.. The other night someone tried to tell me that Elvis was a big-time racist. I tried to set this lost soul straight, but I couldn’t say anything over his screaming. So, I did a little research together with my own knowledge of how great a person Elvis was and sent him the following: o Little Richard said “Elvis was an integrator. A blessing. They wouldn’t let black music through. Elvis opened the doors for black music..”
o Chuck Berry “Elvis is the greatest that ever was is or will be.”
o Rufus Thomas, “A lot of people say Elvis stole our music. No man has got a music of his own. Music belongs to the universe."
o Elvis hired black employees to be in his home every day to cook for him to sing with him to talk with him when he could’ve hired white employees.
o Elvis hired The Sweet Inspirations black soul back-up group over a white back-up group. He showered them with many expensive gifts.
o Elvis paid $40,000 of Jackie Wilson’s medical bills when he had a stroke.
o Elvis bought Minnie Pearson a stranger who happened to be black a brand-new Cadillac when she complemented his car. All documented on the Internet.
o Maids who worked for Elvis speak about him as if you were a member of their own family. Among some of the gifts Elvis routinely gave his help he bought his black maid Mary Jenkins a brand-new home in Memphis.
o At times Elvis visited the prisons in Memphis spending time with the prisoners most of whom were black.
o Moreover, there is evidence that Presley donated money to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and other civil rights organizations; he publicly lauded Black musicians; and, treated the Blacks he encountered with respect.
o “A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the black man’s music,” said soul singer Jackie Wilson, “when in fact, almost every black solo entertainer copied his stage mannerisms from Elvis.”
o Black American musicians in the 50s and 60s acknowledged the fact that Elvis opened doors for black music on white radio stations.
o Elvis felt an affinity to the black community because he grew up in black neighborhoods in his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi. As a white Southern boy, he did not see color. Because they were poor, the Presleys lived the same kind of life as any poor black family.
o A competitive magazine to the black magazine Jet, created a lie about Elvis and black people just to try to get higher ratings to compete with Jet. Jet magazine investigated and cleared Elvis of any wrongdoing.
Go here to EIN's'Elvis was NOT A Racist' spotlight to clarify things. (News, Source: Larry Blong/ElvisInfoNet)
Aussie (and probably Kiwi fans) 'The Story of Elvis' magazine : Now in Australian newsagents is the glossy magazine, The Story of Elvis (Explore the Rise and Fall of the Undisputed King of Rock 'n' Roll).
Nicely designed and informative with hundreds of images.
130 pages.
Price: A$19.99.
(News, Source: EIN)
News Bytes From around the Elvis world: The third season of Dwayne Johnson's, TV biopic, Young Rock, will be shot in Memphis, with some filming to take place at Graceland. Dwayne (aka "The Rock") is a big Elvis fan as his entertaining 2007 hit film, The Game Plan, suggested......
Australian researcher-author, Bob Hayden, is hard at work on his likely trilogy of books showcasing Elvis' Album covers as released in Australia........ Robert Plant, lead singer of legendary rock group, Led Zeppelin, is a big Elvis fan. In concert he treated his audience to a rendition ofCan't Help Falling In Love. Plant is also on record as telling David Letterman: “I heard ‘Heartbreak Hotel’. It was the sound of Elvis’ voice and the echo, a kind of exotic calling. When I was in the bathtub one night – it didn’t take long – I pulled the plug out and sat there ’til all the water went away.”..... (News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)
Monday 29 August 2022
'ELVIS' Grosses $276 Million: Baz Luhrmann's 'ELVIS' biopic is still showing in Sydney cinemas, even having gone to streaming services, and it continues its box office success ahead of its HBO Max release.
This week the movie has earned another $1.9 million from 64 overseas markets bringing the film's worldwide total to $276.7 million. 'ELVIS' overseas box office total, outside North America, is now close to 50% of the film’s total gross. 'ELVIS' is currently the 11th highest-grossing film of the year tucked between 'Uncharted' (based on the video game franchise at $401 million) and 'The Bad Guys' (DreamWorks animation at $245 million). 'ELVIS' is now earning more through its PVOD release, while it is a week before the film’s HBO Max release date of September 2 and its 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD release of September 13.
'ELVIS' is Luhrmann’s highest-grossing film in North America but has a long way to go to catch 'The Great Gatsby's' worldwide gross of $353M. (News, Source;imdb/ElvisInfoNet)
'ELVIS' Soundtrack holds at Number Two: Five weeks after the release of movie's 'ELVIS Original Soundtrack'CD the charts still show excellent sales and chart positions. 45 years on and Elvis is still holding strong at Number 2! UK Official Charts have 'ELVIS' the #2 Soundtrack album(down from last week's #1) 'ELVIS' at #19 Compilation Album chart 'Elv1s 30#1 Hits' at #11 Top 100 Album chart.
USA Billboard charts 'ELVIS' holds at #2 Soundtrack album
'ELVIS' up again to #54 Top 200 Album chart
'Elv1s 30#1 Hits' #44 Top 200 Album chart
Irish charts
'Elv1s 30#1 Hits' sits at #10 on the Irish Official Album charts.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Blue Hawaii' 4K Blu-ray Release: Paramount have announced the "4K Ultra HD / Blu-ray" 2022 release of 'Blue Hawaii'.
102 min - Out on Nov 15.
... The year was 1961. Fallout shelters dot suburban backyards. Ken joins Barbie and Elvis Presley is in paradise, playing an ex-G.I. who comes home to Blue Hawaii. His mother (Angela Landsbury) expects him to climb the corporate ladder. But Elvis would rather wear an aloha shirt than a white collar, so he goes to work as a tour guide.
Resolution: Native 4K (2160p) / HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10 / Original aspect ratio.
Discs
Two-disc set
4K Blu-ray: Region free
2K Blu-ray: Region A (B, C untested)
'ELVIS' on HBO Max soon: The massive success of 'ELVIS' meant that it was the first 2022 Warner Bros movie not released on HBO Max within 45 days of its theatrical release.
However, seeing as the film is now available as PVOD on multiple streaming services, the ELVIS movie will begin streaming on HBO Max on Friday, September 2. 'ELVIS' hit US theaters on June 24 and it is still playing in theaters and has racked up $271.2 million worldwide, including $145.4 million in North America.
It is the 10th-highest-grossing movie of the year in North America and the highest-grossing movie that isn't part of an established franchise. It is also the 11th highest-grossing 2022 movie in the world.
In 2021 Warner Bros released all its films on HBO Max the same day as theaters while in 2022 they all had a 45-day theatrical
exclusive window before hitting HBO Max. Once again in 2022, 'ELVIS' is a first. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis Presley News Report September 2022: Elvis super-fan Emiel Maier presents all the recent news.... including the 'On Tour' box-set details, Elvsi and the Lansky Brothers, Priscilla's epic Elvis Week fail, plus coffee, sex and Elvis! Not only that but Emiel also gets to grips with that strange "Fuzzy Tree"!
Time for the Virtual Elvis?: There have been several attempts with using modern technology to recreate a "virtual" Elvis on stage. The most notable was for the 2007 duet between "Elvis" and Celine Dion ofIf I Can Dream on American Idol. The Elvis figure was actually an ETA with technology used to transpose Elvis' face on the performer's body. Back in 2014 "Hologram" Elvis (Pulse Evolution apparently acquired the rights) was also being considered around the time of Micheal Jackson's MTV 'comeback' but then Priscilla later stated that EPE was "not interested in a Hologram show".
EIN suggests that the overwhelming success of the ABBA Voyage (ABBAtars) shows there is a proficient and viable technology now available to bring Elvis to his existing and new audiences. The “digital” ABBAtars were created by the company behind the special effects for Star Wars, George Lucas’, Industrial Light & Magic.
After investing huge sums in the flashy technology to create the show, the band have shunned corporate sponsorship, working exclusively with Swedish firm Oceanbird. To break even, profits from ticket sales will need to exceed US$165M! ABBA has already sold a staggering 380,000 tickets for the London residency, which is booking until May 2023, while the show is then expected to head on a worldwide tour, according to The Times. The tickets so far sold would amount to more than US$50M, still a long way short of what is needed to make a profit.
However a difference between ELVIS and ABBA - and let's ignore the impersonators - is that the group ABBA last toured back in 1980, whereas "Elvis" (albeit via huge video screens) has been back on the concert trail since 1997, touring every few years with the TCB Band, or more recently with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In this way Elvis fans have been celebrating the amazing power of Elvis live for the last 25 years, while ABBA fans have been left out in the cold.
While the cost of staging similar digital events will likely reduce in coming years it is also likely the number of fans interested in a digital Elvis concert will also be in decline.
Will EPE/Authentic Brands seize the opportunity or is the Elvis brand no longer potent enough to generate the required turnover? (News, Source: EIN, ABBAVoyage.com)
'Elvis and Me' Audiobook Out Now: - "The intimate story of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, told by the woman who lived it"
Decades after his death, millions of fans continue to worship Elvis the legend. But very few knew him as Elvis the man. Here in her own words, Priscilla Presley tells the story of their love, revealing the details of their first meeting, their marriage, their affairs, their divorce, and the unbreakable bond that has remained long after his tragic death.
A tribute to both the man and the legend, Elvis and Me gives Elvis fans the world over an unprecedented look at the true life of the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll and the woman who loved him.
.. Go here to Amazon and you can hear a sample of her reading the book. Listening Length: 7 hours and 30 minutes Author / Narrator; Priscilla Beaulieu Presley.
Release Date; August 23, 2022
Publisher; Blackstone Publishing
Program Type; Audiobook (News, Source, Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)
ELVIS tops ‘Great Gatsby’ as Luhrmann’s Top-Grossing in US & Canada: This week 'ELVIS' edged ahead of The Great Gatsby, on Tuesday Aug. 23, to become director/ writer/ producer Baz Luhrmann’s top-grossing film in the US and Canada. According to boxofficemojo ELVIS has now grossed $145,111,000 domestically, a shade more than Luhrmann’s previous film, The Great Gatsby, which has grossed $144,858,000 domestically. The Great Gatsby continues to be Luhrmann’s top film in global box office, with worldwide receipts of $353Million compared to $271Million for ELVIS so far.
Luhrmann, who turns 60 next month has written and directed just six films, but the last five have become box-office hits. Moreover, four of his first five films have received Oscar nominations. Two became double Oscar winners.
Four of his six films as a director have spawned hit soundtracks. Romeo + Juliet and The Great Gatsby both reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200, Moulin Rouge! hit No. 3 while the ELVIS soundtrack has climbed as high as No. 26.
Luhrmann received both an Oscar nomination for best picture and a Grammy nod for best compilation soundtrack album for his 2001 film
classic Moulin Rouge! The 2019 Broadway adaptation of that film swept 10 Tony Awards, including best musical, though Luhrmann wasn’t personally nominated.
Luhrmann has a passion for turning contemporary audiences on to great music from all eras. The best example of this the “Elephant Love Medley” extravaganza from Moulin Rouge!, which included such wildly diverse songs as David Bowie’s “Heroes,” Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way” and KISS’ “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.”
The lead single from that film, an all-star remake of LaBelle’s 'Lady Marmalade' topped the Hot 100 for five weeks. Romeo + Juliet included a new version of Candi Staton’s 1976 R&B classic “Young Hearts Run Free” by Kym Mazelle. ELVIS includes several updates of Presley classics, including Doja Cat's 'Vegas', PNAU 'Don't Fly Away/Suspicious Minds', Maneskin’s “If I Can Dream” and Kacey Musgraves’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (News, Source; Billboard/ElvisInfoNet)
ELVIS is Second Highest Grossing Musical Biopic at $270Million: With the film's release to VOD and the long US summer movie season coming to a close, it looks like Baz Luhrmann’s over-the-top Elvis biopic is sailing into the sunset. This week Luhrmann's ELVIS took in $2 million dollars from the 68 overseas territories in which the film is still in theaters. That is a 35 percent holdover drop from the previous week as the King's summer outing winds down, having arrived on PVOD earlier this month. This week's box office brings the running international total for the film to a whopping $125 million dollars, with a worldwide box office of $270.6 million.
Elvis is the second highest-grossing musician biopic in history, behind Bohemian Rhapsody. Released in 2018 Rami Malek took home an Oscar for his role as Freddie Mercury in the film. Austin Butler's rendition of Elvis has, like Malek's Mercury, garnered an intense amount of praise. Butler's dedication to the role extended to vocal training, accent work, and a thick slick of dyed black hair over his signature blond hair, a move that mirrors Elvis's own dyed black, naturally blond hair. Austin Butler even sang many of Elvis' signature songs in the film, as the composer blended his vocals
with the singers for the most authentic performance. Luhrmann is such a natural fit for who could translate tremendous Elvis' life to film. His penchant for intense colors, glitter, and glamour is perfectly suited for Elvis' life and aesthetic, which tended towards sequined jumpsuits, bright colors, and some very stiff pompadour.
It all comes together in the film to present a heavily stylized study of one of the most captivating musical artists of our time.
Along with Butler, the film starred Tom Hanks as the artist's manipulative and villainous manager Colonel Tom Parker and Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla Presley. ELVIS was originally released to theaters in the US on June 24, 2022, and is now available to rent on Video On Demand. The film is now available to rent on multiple VOD services including Prime Video, Vudu, and YouTube. (News, Source:HilaryRemneycollider.com)
The Genesis of Elvis - The Roots of Rock Music (Bart van Eikema Hommes): Initially published a few years ago in Dutch, an English text edition (hardcover, softcover and Kindle) is now available on Amazon.
The book is described as:
....This biography aims to uncover Elvis's cultural roots and identify the sources he drew from on the path to his world-changing sound. The musical history surrounding the pop icon is excessive and this book takes an analytical approach to try and shed some light on Elvis's world from him. Where did he live and which churches and schools did he attend with his friends? Which artists and radio stations influenced him at an impressionable age? Where did he perform in the early days and first commit his voice to the eternal grooves of vinyl?
All these questions and more must be asked to begin to understand Presley's sound and it's invaluable influence on Rock and Roll.
As John Lennon once put it: "Before Elvis there was nothing!"
(News, Source: EIN, DailyMail)
For German fans: While stationed in Germany, Elvis had a well-publicized relationship/friendship with starlet, Vera Tschechowa. Ms Tschechowa has just released her memoir, Überwiegend heiter: Mein ziemlich bewegtes Leben (translates as: Mostly Cheerful: My Quite Eventful Life). It is available in German from Amazon sites in hardcover and Kindle formats (an English language edition does not appear to available yet).
The book description:
She was one of the most popular film and theater actresses of the post-war period – right up until the 1990s. Vera Tschechowa has worked in over 50 films with acting legends such as Gert Fröbe, Vittorio de Sica, OW Fischer, Mario Adorf, Elisabeth Flickenschildt, Therese Giehse and Götz George. In 1959, after several public encounters with Elvis Presley, who was just completing his military service in Germany, she was even accused of having an affair with the rock 'n' roll star.
The actor and director Vadim Glowna, first husband of Vera Chekhova, appears in this very personal journey through 20th-century German cultural and contemporary history, as do the student riots of 1968, Heinrich Böll, the anger at Günter Grass, and the feminist Alice Schwarzer and Vera Tschechowa participated in the "Stern" campaign "We have had an abortion" in 1971. (News, Source:EIN/ Amazon)
Sunday 21 August 2022
'ELVIS' Soundtrack Number One: 45 years and Elvis is still Number 1! Four weeks after the release of movie's 'ELVIS Original Soundtrack'CD the charts still show excellent sales and chart positions. UK Official Charts have 'ELVIS' the #1 Soundtrack album(as last week)
'ELVIS' up to #11 Compilation Album chart 'Elv1s 30#1 Hits' up to at #7 Top 100 Album chart.
USA Billboard charts 'ELVIS' drops to #2 Soundtrack album
'ELVIS' sadly down to #61 Top 200 Album chart
'Elv1s 30 #1 Hits' #65 Top 200 Album chart
Australia ARIA chart
'ELVIS' #24 on Australian Top 50 album chart
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'ELVIS 45: The Sapphire Collection' OUT NOW: It's a pile of money but the 45th anniversary of Elvis’ passing special box-set 'ELVIS 45: The Sapphire Collection' is OUT NOW.
In honor of the yearlong celebration, Graceland announced a very special offering - ELVIS 45: The Sapphire Collection - which features a 2022 Graceland Annual Pass, limited-edition Elvis 45 records and collectibles case, plus other can’t buy items exclusively reserved for this one-time only package! The collection is truly unique offering – with only 500 being offered during this special time in history.
The six Elvis 45 rpm records will be hand-numbered and authenticated with custom Sapphire Collection record jackets that will be only available via this offering.
In addition, three of the records will be custom pressings, with a one-of-a-kind A/B side combination that is unavailable anywhere in the world!
The collection also includes a swatch of Elvis’ personal wardrobe that was used as part of a 1971 bonus inside Elvis’ album Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 2. The clothing swatches, enclosed in the original RCA Records envelopes, are currently housed inside the Graceland Archives, and will be pulled exclusively to be included as part of this anniversary collection. The price is US$600.-Go here to EPE for more
(News, Source;Graceland/EIN)
Includes Collectible ELVIS 45 Record Carrying Case Six Elvis 45 RPM Records in Custom Collection Record Jackets, hand-numbered 1-500. Can’t Help Falling in Love/Rock-a-Hula Baby 45 RPM Record Jailhouse Rock/Treat Me Nice 45 RPM Record Suspicious Minds/You'll Think of Me 45 RPM Record Memphis, Tennessee/That's All Right 45 RPM Record (custom pressing) Blue Christmas/Merry Christmas Baby 45 RPM Record (custom pressing) I'll Be Home for Christmas/Peace in the Valley 45 Record RPM (custom pressing)
Victor Trevino Jr. Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Winner 2022:
EPE sends Congratulations to Victor Trevino Jr. the Elvis Week 2022 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest winner. Victor takes home $20,000 cash prize, Gibson Elvis Dove Guitar, the Ultimate winner belt, and the title! Victor Trevino Jr. has been performing for over performing professionally for 10 years. Specializing in vintage music and theatrical styles, he finds it hard to stick to one genre. Go here to his website
Second place went to Cote Deonath; third place to Brooke Wright. Other top 5 finalists were Bruno Nesci and Radney Pennington.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
Bill Pitman 'Wrecking Crew' guitarist Dead: Bill Pitman the LA 'Wrecking Crew' guitarist who accompanied Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and many others and who worked on countless movie and TV soundtracks, died last Thursday at his home in La Quinta, Calif. He was 102.
News reports have noted that he also worked with Elvis, however EIN can find no record of him on Elvis' sessions - unlike other 'Wrecking Crew' musicians such as Don Randi, Larry Knechtal, Hal Blaine, Tommy Tedesco. Michael Deasy, Carol Kaye (left in the photo with Bill Pitman) etc.
It is of course possible that he worked on some Elvis movie overdubs.
Bill Pitman did however contribute a lot to pop culture. His ukulele can be heard delightfully on 'Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head' and he also played on 'Be My Baby' by The Ronettes, 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin’' Nancy Sinatra, Barbra Streisand 'The Way We Were' even Frank Sinatra's 'Strangers in the Night'.
Jumping from studio to studio the LA 'Wrecking Crew' accompanied Elvis as well as the Beach Boys, Sonny and Cher, the Monkees, Mamas and the Papas, Simon and Garfunkel, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Rivers, the Byrds, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Everly Brothers, Peggy Lee and more — nearly every prominent performer of the era.
You can see Bill Pitman in the excellent 2008 documentary, “The Wrecking Crew”. RIP Bill Pitman - a great musician (News, Source;PatOdonnell/ElvisInfoNet)
'American Sound - From The Acetates' New Import: While last year the previously excellent Madison label promised a 'A Legendary Elvis Vol.10' it never happened after EIN pointed out that they were ripping off fans.
Now they are back with the publicity promising ..
.. Madison is back once more and happy to present a brand new limited edition CD release containing some fantastic acetate recordings.
Fans have frequently expressed a strong wish to hear Elvis as he sounded in the studio, undiluted by overdubs and excessive vocal backing, and now is your chance to hear exactly this.
Madison is bringing you the first of a series containing rare acetates - (EIN note - this sounds like bootlegger desperation to make cash) - this first volume contains tracks recorded between the 1970 Nashville sessions to the 1976 jungle room sessions, these songs have had plenty of releases over the past decades from their respective master tapes but the acetates have remained mostly in private collections.
On this disc you are provided with a unique listening experience, the acetates and their different mixes will take you back to the time Elvis was listening to these.
Listen to some fantastic tracks like the unedited full length version of ''Don't Think Twice, It's All Right'' which has a different mix compared to previous official outings, and the stereo acetate of the undubbed version of ''Help Me Make It Through The Night'' the stunning ''Loving Arms'' and lonesome ''Hurt'', and the stand out track is most definitely ''Miracle Of The Rosary'' which features Elvis his full length vocal overdub, which has not been released before in this form.
This Limited Edition CD is presented in optimum sound quality, with respect for the historical content.
And as always with the Madison releases, it is presented in a jewel case with a 16 page booklet containing liner notes and some fantastic photos. EIN Note: Once again the album includes multiple tracks that we believe have been previously released. Do fans really want 'acetates' of these if they are already released by FTD? Are bootleg collectors really that gullible?
Go to'All The 2022 CD Release News' for full tracklist and details (News, Source; Madison/ElvisInfoNet)
'Off Duty In Bad Nauheim' New Import VINYL: Petticoat Records presents ‘Off Duty In Bad Nauheim’. This deluxe box set contains several fantastic goodies.
Including a 180 gram green coloured vinyl record featuring 20 unique recordings made in Bad Nauheim, Germany during his army duty. This box set is available in two editions with different unique designs.
Very limited editions.
Content of the box set
1 x 180 gram green coloured vinyl recording
1 x compact disc
1 x bonus 25 x 25 cm bonus foto
2 x A3 bonus poster
EIN notes - For Vinyl collectors only - see MRS 'Made In Germany' book-combo for all you need.
Elvira on her Dream Date with Elvis: Famed '80s horror show hostess Elvira, aka Cassandra Peterson who cancelled on Elvis Week this year, was originally a Las Vegas showgirl with big dreams. While working as a topless dancer, Peterson recently told Oprah, she caught the eye of one of her idols.
"I was a big groupie. I loved music. I got to realize the dream of actually meeting Elvis and actually going out on a date with Elvis, so that was a dream come true for me. Elvis invited me to a party at his suite, along with lots of other people, and he really kind of took to me, I think because I was 17, and probably all the other showgirls there were in their 30s. I loved Elvis, I had grown up with him being one of my idols. My parents were giant Elvis fans. The fact that I was meeting him was beyond belief. We did
hang out one whole evening, a whole night, the next morning, and mostly talked, believe it or not. There was some kissing going on - a lot of making out going on. We had a great time."
While the relationship didn't last, Peterson says Elvis gave her some life-changing advice. "He is 100 percent responsible for me getting out of Vegas and going on with my career. Elvis said to me, 'You don't want to stay here, this is not a town you should be in.' And I don't think if that would've come from anybody but Elvis I would've done it."
His advice inspired a move to Los Angeles, which is where Peterson auditioned for the role of Elvira. The rest is horror show history. More than 30 years later, she's still casting a spell on her legions of fans.
EIN Note: In her entertaining memoir, Yours Cruelly, Elvira Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark, Elvira devotes a chapter each to her meeting with Elvis and more intimate meeting with Tom Jones.
(News, Source: Lynn Okura/huffpost/EIN)
'The Airplanes & The King' OUT NOW: Finally after months of waiting 'The Airplanes & The King' by Carlos Varrenti has been published. The delay was due to covid and paper supplies. Published as a deluxe English version the Prologue was written by Elvis expert Carlos R. Ares.
Expanded to an amazing 400 pages with a lot of unreleased material from Elvis Files' vaults the book has been on sale at Elvis Week 2022.
The English version is printed - and finally in the shops - as a High quality Hardback book.
The author notes, 'As an Aeronautical Engineer, and a huge Elvis Presley fan, I have always wanted to write a book on Planes and the King. Since my first visit to Graceland, back in 2001, I have been extremely intrigued by Elvis' history with his aircraft and his link to aeronautics in general. In my life every little detail, every short paragraph in a book, every video, every photograph, every little note or information related to Elvis and his planes, was always marked and kept in my personal archive. In 2021 all this information, along with some unique Elvis stories, has now been beautifully arranged in this glorious book, for every Elvis fan."
Check out these YouTube Trailers - Trailer 1- and brilliant flip-through > Trailer 2
Printed and distributed by The Elvis Files Team.
EIN has seen some preview pages and it is an absolute stunner.
Parkes Elvis Festival 2023 to celebrate Blue Hawaii: Next year's Parkes (Australia) Elvis Festival will be held between 4 and 8 January and will have a Blue Hawaii theme……. It’s time to start planning your outfit for the 2023 Parkes Elvis Festival, as we celebrate Elvis' 1961 musical film, Blue Hawaii.
Elvis plays the role of Chad Gates who has recently gotten out of the Army and is looking forward to some fun and romance the Aloha State.
The movie's sun, sand and surf mixed with Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, leis, ukuleles and pineapples will give lots of options to dress in theme.
For more info see the Parkes Elvis Festival website. (News, Source:PEF/ElvisinfoNet)
Nancy Rooks Elvis' Cook has died: Nancy Rooks who worked a Graceland as Elvis' cook and maid has died aged 84.
She started work at Graceland in 1967 and was there on the tragic day that Elvis died.
She continued working at Graceland after Elvis' death.
Nancy Rooks is the author of the books 'Inside Gracelend' and 'The Presley Family Cookbook'.
Her Grandson posted the news on FB noting, "She went from maid to author, which gave me a first hand look that we don’t have to end where we start. Granny, your love and support has been instrumental to my development as a human being. I will forever miss my time with you as I promise to work hard to make you smile every time you look down from heaven as you get the rest that you have earned. I love you grandma!"
RIP Nancy Rooks
(News, Source;FB/ElvisInfoNet)
For Elvis Collectors - Elvis Presley Australian Long Play Record Labels in Catalogue Order (Books 1-5): On 16 August, noted Australian Elvis expert and collector, Bob Hayden, released his five volumes set of pictorial books chronicling the labels of all of Elvis' LP records released in Australia.
All known variations of each title are included and the books have been printed using high quality gloss paper stock.
While the visual element dominates, the full color images are supported by what serious collectors want..... information identifying placement of text, label color(s), style of information, etc, for each label.
Interested collectors can contact Bob at: elvis2594@gmail.com
(News, Source: Bob Hayden/EIN)
Long White Limousine: A novel (Brigette Pauli-Barlos): Recently listed on Amazon is this new fiction/ faction release: The 378 pages softcover is described as:
... Novel based on the life of the "King of Rock'n'Roll" - Elvis Presley, highlighting the era from 1969-1977. While the names of all who are directly involved in this story have been changed to protect the innocent as well as the guilty, the story is factual. Times and dates have been altered in some cases, while the locations and historic venues all reflect the actual places.
The story begins in 1969 and ends with the main character's untimely death in 1977. It describes the King's struggles with an addiction to fame as well as prescription drugs, a problem so many of us battle today. It also delves into the strange, strained and often destructive relationship with his manager through the years. The narrative follows Jimmie, El's guitar player, who keeps a diary of events from his perspective until 1974. Jimmie and the author are convinced that foul play caused El's untimely death and that he would have lived a longer, more healthy and happier life if his manager, his numerous physicians and sidekicks had not abused his trust. The reader will meet the real person behind the image, seen through the lens of a neutral observer who eventually befriended El and was deeply concerned about him...... (News, Source: Amazon/EIN)
16 August 2022 - 45 years ago today the world lost the greatest entertainer of all time.
"Elvis was God-given, there’s no other explanation. A Messiah comes around every few thousand years, and Elvis was it this time.”- Little Richard “I remember Elvis as a young man hanging around the Sun Studios. Even then, I knew this kid had a tremendous talent. He was a dynamic young boy. His phraseology, his way of looking at a song, was as unique as Sinatra’s. I was a tremendous fan and had Elvis lived, there would have been no end to his inventiveness.” - B.B. King
ELVIS Forever 2022: Forty five years after his death, Elvis Presley still reigns unchallenged as the King of rock 'n' roll, the greatest superstar the world has ever known.
All the tabloid media reports and old rumours can't change the fact that there never was anyone like him and there never will be an other again.
Today Elvis has a #1 soundtrack album in both the UK and US Billboard charts and Baz Luhrmann's 2022 'ELVIS' biopic has grossed over $262 million worldwide.
Author Lenny Kaye recently wrote,, Elvis loved to sing, with a magnificent instrument of a voice, and it's fitting that his last recordings at Graceland returned him to a single room in Memphis removed from the outside world, surrounded by empathetic musicians, where he might reconnect with why he drove past Sam Phillips's studio in the first place, to uplift that which was his alone.
“Nothing really affected me until I heard Elvis. If there hadn’t been an Elvis, there wouldn’t have been a Beatles”- John Lennon
"It was like Elvis came along and whispered some dream in everybody's ear, and somehow we all dreamed it." - Bruce Springsteen
"When I first heard Elvis' voice, I just knew that I wasn't going to work for anybody; and nobody was going to be my boss. Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail." - Bob Dylan
"Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique, irreplaceable." - President Jimmy Carter
EIN thanks Anthony Stuchbury for use of his wonderful Meditation Garden photographs.
Watch Candlelight Vigil Presentation REPLAY:Tonight the world honours the life and legacy of Elvis Presley and observe the annual Candlelight Vigil at Graceland on August 15.
The ceremony for the 44th anniversary is organized as always by the Elvis Country Fan Club.
At the Candlelight Vigil presentation unfortunately Priscilla told the crowd, “Today is Elvis’ 45th Birthday and here we are celebrating, all of us together tonight”.
Linda Thompson on Facebook agreed with EIN's thoughts noting, “August 16th commemorates the 45th anniversary of Elvis‘s passing. It is a day of remembrance, not celebration."
‘Elvis’ Sweeps VOD Charts: On the 45th Anniversary of Elvis' passing, Forbes reports that 'ELVIS' has swept the VOD ratings charts over the weekend.
The acclaimed Austin Butler / Tom Hanks flick, which is almost sure to be a major awards season winner, debuted on US PVOD ($20 to rent or $25 to buy) this past Tuesday to bring its total above US $141 million. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' earned a total of $216 million and 'A Star Is Born' $215 million in 2018.
The Baz Luhrmann-directed movie has already earned $262 million box-office on an $85 million budget and may flirt with $300 million by the end. It also isn’t noted to be on HBO Max anytime soon. 'ELVIS' is an encouraging sign that some of the older, irregular moviegoers are heading back to cinemas and more
evidence that Warner Bros. is more than just Batman and Harry Potter. 'ELVIS' has been a well-reviewed, fan-loved theatrical hit that will end up earning 3.5 x its budget and isn’t slowing down even as it dominates the VOD charts. In other words, 'ELVIS' is an old-fashioned hit. (News, Source;Forbes/ElvisInfoNet)
Monday 15 August 2022 - - - - Elvis Week 2022 - - - -
Watch Candlelight Vigil TONIGHT:Tonight the world honours the life and legacy of Elvis Presley and observe the annual Candlelight Vigil at Graceland on August 15.
The ceremony for the 44th anniversary is organized as always by the Elvis Country Fan Club. You can watch the vigil live from Graceland starting at 8.30pm CT USA = 1.30am GMT on Livestream. 11.30am Sydney time
'ELVIS' Soundtrack Number One: 45 years and Elvis is still Number 1! Three weeks after the release of movie's 'ELVIS Original Soundtrack'CD the charts still show excellent sales and chart positions. UK Official Charts have 'ELVIS' the #1 Soundtrack album(up from last week's #14).
('Grease' unsurprisingly is now at #2)
'ELVIS' #17 Compilation Album chart
'Elv1s 30 #1 Hits' still at #12 Top 100 Album chart.
USA Billboard charts 'ELVIS' the #1 Soundtrack album
'ELVIS' jumps up to #26 Top 200 Album chart
'Elv1s 30 #1 Hits' #64 Top 100 Album chart
Australia ARIA chart
'ELVIS' #14 on Australian Top 50 album chart
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
All Things Elvis Skyrocketing: Elvis may have left the building 45 years ago but auction houses still feel the temperature rising.
The massive success of Baz Luhrmann’s 'ELVIS' has helped resurrect the legacy of the most iconic figures in American music.
Rockology Auctions' Stephen Shutts recently told FoxNews that the demand for all things ELVIS has skyrocketed following the film’s release – but the interest among veteran collectors has always been there.
"Historically, it’s gone up every year when we have thought ‘Will it taper off on the 30th anniversary?’ It didn’t. ‘Will it taper off the 35th?’ And it didn’t. So every anniversary we’re surprised. And after the new film.. I don’t see it dropping off now in my lifetime. I think with the new generations the interest will continue to accelerate. Those that have disposable income to acquire and buy will… see it as an investment."
Back in 1979 the Presley’s estate was only bringing in about $1 million, today Today, the Presley estate is estimated to be worth between $400 - 500 million. In 2021 even with COVID reducing tourist numbers, Forbes ranked Elvis #7 in their list of highest-paid dead celebrities.
Shutts added, "About 25 years ago, the Elvis jumpsuits were in the $70-$80,000 range. Now they’re in the $350,000 range."
Rockology is currently running an auction (ends Aug. 17) featuring dozens of items from iconic artists, including Presley. Notable items include a stage-worn scarf from his final concert, genuine autographs, a gold rotary telephone used by Presley at Graceland during the ‘60s, as well as a diamond-encrusted ring and matching bracelet from Ginger Alden, who was engaged to Presley in 1977.
Shutts advised curious collectors to fact-check their sources before investing in any potential artifact as there are plenty of fakes about.
"Elvis to me is probably the most Americana recording artist. I don’t know anybody who’s not an Elvis fan. As far as his image and music, that will last beyond my lifetime. You can’t lose."
Gohere to Rockology LIVE Auction. (News, Source;FoxNews/ElvisInfoNet)
Sunday 14 August 2022 - - - - Elvis Week 2022 - - - -
Elvis Week 2022 attracts younger fans:US KAIT8 reports that.. It’s been nearly 45 years since Elvis Presley passed away.
Each year thousands of fans from all over the world mark the occasion with Elvis Week at Graceland.
It’s a 10-million-dollar economic boost for the city, and thanks to a growing younger fan base, Memphis could see huge crowds for the annual event for years to come.
22-year-old Texan college student Taylor Reed explains, “It’s my first Elvis week, and it’s been so much fun so far. We came in on Tuesday. I mean, come on, younger Elvis. You can’t say he’s not super cute, his “Comeback Special. I love it and then his music, all the movies he’s been in and everything.”
All around Graceland, you’ll find millennials and even younger enjoying the festivities.
Many were born into the Elvis fandom.
“Our grandparents and our parents love Elvis, so we also stopped by,” said one Elvis fan.
Of course the new Baz Luhrmann blockbuster 'ELVIS' has introduced super-star to a whole new fan base.
“Of course, the movie helped my excitement, but I bought my tickets back in February. I knew I was going back then, but just watching the movie and coming out so close to Elvis week it made me so excited to come.” 20 to 25,000 fans are expected for this milestone Elvis week. Many have waited two years for the celebration.
Last year, organizers held a hybrid Elvis week with virtual and in-person activities.
Super-fan Lauren Elise noted, "It’s refreshing to see a new generation falling in love with Elvis. It’s weird because as a child, I was bullied at school for loving Elvis, so it’s really fabulous to see Elvis movie at #1 and the soundtrack is number one, and you know is all of that is really crazy for me, but it’s amazing."
The most anticipated event for Elvis week is the candlelight vigil which is Monday, August 15th 8.30pm in front of Graceland. (News, Source;KAIT8/ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis Birthplace unveils bench in honour of Sam Bell: The Elvis Presley Birthplace has unveiled a bench in memory of Sam Bell, a childhood friend of Elvis, during the museum's annual Fan Appreciation Day on Saturday morning.
"We are slowly losing those who grew up knowing and playing with Elvis, the boy," Roy Turner, executive director of the Birthplace, said. Sam
Bell died September 6, 2021, at 85 years old.
Turner recalled some of the times Bell and Presley, whom Bell referred to as "EP," shared.
Growing up in the era of segregation, the two shared a unique bond. The boys crossed barriers sharing meals together, spending the night and one another's house and going to the movie theater to see Westerns together.
"Once inside, although they had to enter through separate entrances, Elvis would hop over and sit in the section designated as 'colored' with Sam," Turner said. "And Sam said 'Nobody ever bothered us.'" Recollections of Bell's childhood with Elvis are included in the Birthplace's story wall along the side of the building.
"Today, we dedicate this bench to the memory of Sam Bell" Turner said, as staff lifted a covering to unveil the bench, which sits outside between between the museum entrance and the fountain.
Its inscription reads: "Sam Bell, Childhood Friend of Elvis."
Prior to his death, Bell spent hours talking with Baz Luhrmann, writer and director of the new "Elvis" film, about his relationship with future King of Rock and Roll and what it was like for the boys growing up.
Much of what Bell told Luhrmann ended up being used in the film so now Sam Bell's memory continues to live on at the Birthplace and on the big screen, alongside his childhood friend.
Go here toElvis Birthplace website for more info (News, Source;TupeloDJ/ElvisInfoNet)
EIN's exclusive 'ELVIS' movie spotlight features the Baz Luhrmann Interview with Sam Bell. In it Sam talks about Elvis’ childhood and growing up together - Go here and check it out - November 2021
It is 'ELVIS WEEK' so surely the bootleggers can do better than this? - New visitors to EIN need to read our 2021 article 'The Collapse of the Elvis Bootleg Empire' - to explain these rather weak releases below ..
'Frankie & Johnny' New Import: Radio Recorders label presents 'Frankie & Johnny' as a two cd set..
It’s May 1965 and Elvis is again at the Radio Recorders studios in Hollywood California.
After recording the Girl Happy soundtrack at the legendary studios in June 1964 now he is recording the soundtrack for an upcoming motion picture named ‘Frankie & Johnny’ which is set for release in 1966. It’s the twelfth soundtrack album and the original soundtrack album hardly hitted 27 minutes of playing time. This release contains approx 2 hours of outtakes and film versions. All recordings are carefully restored and remastered.
They never sounded better, it’s like you are right there in the studio. Includes eight tracks of "Frankie And Johnny – Movie Version", plus the "Film Versions" taken off the movie print. EIN NOTE: These tracks have been out on Bootleg multiple times before 'Frankie & Johnny Sessions, 'With A Song In My Heart' etc and surely FTD will do a "Complete Sessions" in the future...
Go to'All The 2022 CD Release News' for full tracklist (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis For You' New Import CD: RD 7586 Elvis For You (the album that never was).
Back in June of 1964 The Elvis Monthly reported that this album was due at any time & also listed the 10 tracks that would be featured. It would contain the tracks from Loving You + the added bonus songs Summer Kisses, Winter Tears & Flaming Star as the 2 songs had not yet been issued in the U.K.
Once again in 1964 The Elvis Monthly reported the release
date unknown but this never happened.
In the April of 1965 Albert Hand reported that he had received a demo copy of the RD 7586 album with another 2 added songs making it a 12 track album, the added 2 songs were Are You Lonesome Tonight & It’s Now Or Never.
On release the album was issued only this time it was as RD 7723 Flaming Star & Summer Kisses.
Later a Decca engineer had a few demo albums he wanted to sell, including the RD 7586 Elvis For You. Now you can enjoy the album that never was.
We hope you enjoy this anomaly. EIN Note: Surely Elvis bootleg buyers can compile this for themselves!
Go to'All The 2022 CD Release News' for full tracklist (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Saturday 13 August 2022 - - - - Elvis Week 2022 - - - -
‘ELVIS ON TOUR’ Official Announcement: The official SONY announcement has now been posted. EIN was correct with our news item yesterday and the release date is December 2, 2022
... 'Elvis On Tour' is a 6CD + 1 Blu-ray box set comprised of the audio from four of the shows (and two rehearsals) that were part of Elvis’ 1972 North American tour. Originally recorded for the Elvis On Tour concert film that was released later that year, the set features a total of 145 tracks, including 91 previously unreleased tracks, as well as the award-winning concert film on Blu-ray.
It includes 3 Unreleased Elvis Concerts plus the San Antonio Concert Remixed, Pre-Tour Rehearsals and 'Best Documentary Film' Golden Globe winner film on Blu-ray Release date Friday, December 2.
Fans can get their first taste with the previously unreleased"Burning Love (Rehearsal 2)"recorded live at RCA Recording Studios in Hollywood in March 1972.
RCA/Legacy's Elvis On Tour box set is produced by Ernst Mikael Jørgensen and mixed by Grammy Award-winning Memphis-based producer Matt Ross-Spang.
The original recordings were made by Felton Jarvis and Al Pachucki.
Disc 1 live April 9, 1972, Hampton Roads Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia, and contains all previously unreleased material. Disc 2 live April 10, 1972, Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia, and contains all previously unreleased material. Disc 3 live April 14, 1972, Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina, and contains all previously unreleased material. Disc 4 live April 18, 1972, Convention Center San Antonio, TX previously on 2003 'Elvis: Close-Up' remixed for this release. Disc 5On Tour rehearsals, recorded live at RCA Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, on March 30 and 31, 1972. The disc is comprised primarily of previously unreleased tracks. (EIN Note: the 2004 FTD 'Elvis On Tour - The Rehearsals' featured some great highlights) Disc 6 completes Elvis' rehearsals with his band at RCA Recordings Studios on March 31, 1972. The disc includes previously unreleased takes on Kris Kristofferson's 'For The Good Times' plus others already released.
As Elvis Presley’s national tour played to sold-out secondary markets across the country in 1972, Elvis was enjoying himself on-stage and finding electrifying new ways of connecting to audiences at every show. Working with a band and set lists of his choosing, Elvis was channeling the music he loved most--from pop and gospel and traditional country to blues and rock and contemporary hits--while transforming his own greatest hits with fresh arrangements, turning nostalgia into an unforgettable concert experience packed with immediacy.
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Award-winning filmmakers Pierre Adidge and Robert Abel (Mad Dogs & Englishmen) went on the road with Elvis Presley and his band with all-access passes, cameras and crew to chronicle the
King of Rock & Roll at his on-stage peak in MGM’s Elvis On Tour documentary film. The film captures Elvis, the human being driving the myth, behind-the-scenes backstage with his eyes open and his defenses down. According to MGM's original press release, the Elvis On Tour film "offers the first intimate look at the enigmatic country boy who became the world's most celebrated musician." Both documentary and concert film, Elvis On Tour features
montage sequences supervised by Martin Scorsese. The film was released on November 1, 1972.
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The Elvis On Tour box set includes fascinating behind-the-scenes liner notes by Jerry Schilling, a longtime personal friend and member of Elvis' inner circle.
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The set also features an illuminating essay by rock historian/musician Warren Zanes, founding member of The Del Fuegos and Professor at New York University. According to Zanes: "The set lists and the performances of the Elvis On Tour period bring a rare thing: a fifties legend working in the early seventies who was still taking his audiences to new places.... "
'Elvis and Steve' New Doco: Steve Binder who produced Elvis' 1968 Comeback Special is now making a documentary about it titled 'Elvis and Steve'.
By 1968 Elvis had gone from America's biggest musical act, the man whose swiveling hips set many young girls' hearts aflame, to a has-been with a floundering career. But that all changed when, on December 3, 1968, Elvis performed in a TV special that would go on to cement his status as The King. And to celebrate the life of a musician whose life has recently been subject to overwhelming public interest, Steve Binder, the man behind the original special is helping to create a new documentary to be titled 'Elvis & Steve: The Making of the '68 Comeback Special'.
The new special will explore the crucial event from a perspective not from the director's point of view. He is also, in part, the subject, as he explains how the critical pop culture event came to be.
He is also, in part, the subject, as he explains how the critical pop culture event came to be. Binder stated, “There’s been so much written and created about Elvis, but when it comes to the 1968 special, I’m truly the only one who can tell the behind-the-scenes story of how it came to be – because I’m the only one who was actually there for all that happened.
This new documentary will take viewers behind the scenes into the making of the special, and the close bond I developed with Elvis – and the courage and strength he found to defy Col. Tom Parker and take his career into a totally different direction, none of which would have been possible without the special. The documentary will show the immense drama and enormous passion that went into the making of it".
Spencer Proffer (The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie) who is producing noted, “Steve opens the vault to share a buddy story that is revealing, poignant and an explosive time capsule that offers a new perspective on the inner workings of Elvis, Colonel Parker and a director who took risks and made history in the process.”
When asked if the Presley estate is cooperating with the documentary Binder said that it’s too early to have had that conversation yet. “I haven’t even opened that door right now. The most important thing is I’ve really got to get in behind the scenes and tell stories that people will be knocked out with.” (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Thursday 11 August 2022 - - - - Elvis Week 2022 - - - -
'Elvis On Tour' Box-Set 2022: Finally after years of waiting Elvis fans are getting their first glimpse of the SONY/ RCA Legacy 2022 release of the 'Elvis On Tour' Box-Set.
While not officially announced, Amazon have released some initial details and the official Elvis You-Tube site has posted the first promo with 'Burning Love (Rehearsal 2)'
It is a 7-disc box-set with 6 CDs and one Blu-Ray.
Collectors will be delighted that all four concerts are complete.
Finally HAMPTON ROADS 1972 and in glorious sound.
The release date is noted as December 2, 2022.
It is the larger 8" box similar to 'From Elvis In Nashville'
EIN says, Please note that nothing has been confirmed officially.
Ernst Jorgensenwill officially “unbox” this exciting new'On Tour' CD box set on Sunday, August 14. 2pm at Elvis Week - it is free.
Fans will be most interested in the Hampton Roads tracklist and on CD 5 & CD 6 the many previously officially unreleased rehearsals
More info as soon as we get it ...
(News, Source/Am/NP/ElvisInfoNet)
CD.2 Live Richmond, VA April 10 - CD.3 Live Greensboro, NC April 14 - CD.4 Live San Antonio, TX April 18
CD1 - Live at Hampton Roads Coliseum, April 9, 1972
1. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra
2 See See Rider
3 I Got A Woman / Amen
4 Never Been To Spain
5 You Gave Me A Mountain
6 Until It's Time For You To Go
7 Polk Salad Annie
8 Love Me
9 All Shook Up
10 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel
11 Are You Lonesome Tonight?
12 I Can't Stop Loving You
13 Hound Dog
14 Bridge Over Troubled Water
15 Suspicious Minds
16 For The Good Times
17 Introductions
18 An American Trilogy (
19 Love Me Tender
20 A Big Hunk 0' Love
21 How Great Thou Art
22 Sweet, Sweet Spirit
23 Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
24 Can't Help Falling In Love
25 Closing Vamp
CD 5 - Rehearsals "Mock Studio Session" March 30, 1972
1 Burning Love (incomplete) [Rehearsal]
2 Burninq Love (Rehearsal 1)
3 Burning Love (Rehearsal 2)
4 For The Good Times (incomplete) [Rehearsal 1]
5 For The Good Times (incomplete) [Rehearsal 2]
6 For The Good Times (Rehearsal 1)
7 For The Good Times (Rehearsal 2)
8 For The Good Times (Rehearsal 3)
9 El Paso (fragment) [Rehearsal]
10 For The Good Times (incomplete) [Rehearsal 4]
11 For The Good Times (Rehearsal 4)
12 Johnny B. Goode (Rehearsal)
13 Always On My Mind (incomplete) [Rehearsal 1]
14 Always On My Mind (incomplete) [Rehearsal 2]
15 Always On My Mind (Rehearsal)
16 Separate Ways (Rehearsal 1)
17 Separate Ways (Rehearsal 2)
- RCA Studio C March 31, 1972
18 Proud Mary (Rehearsal 1)
19 Never Been To Spain (Rehearsal 1)
20 You Gave Me A Mountain (incomplete) [Rehearsal]
21 Until It's Time For You To Go (Rehearsal)
22 Polk Salad Annie (Rehearsal) 23 Love Me (Rehearsal)
CD 6 RCA Studio C Rehearsal March 31, 1972
1 All Shook Up (Rehearsal)
2 Heartbreak Hotel (Rehearsal)
3 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel
4 Hound Dog (Rehearsal)
5 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Rehearsal)
6 A Big Hunk 0' Love (Rehearsal 1)
7 A Big Hunk 0' Love (Rehearsal 2)
8 See See Rider (Rehearsal)
9 For The Good Times (Rehearsal 5)
10 For The Good Times (incomplete) [Rehearsal 5]
11 For The Good Times (Rehearsal 6)
12 Funny How Time Slips Away (Rehearsal)
13 Burning Love (Rehearsal 3)
14 Help Me Make It Through The Night (Rehearsal)
15 Can't Help Falling In Love (Rehearsal)
16 Young And Beautiful (Rehearsal)
17 Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Rehearsal)
18 Release Me (And Let Me Love Again) [Rehearsal]
19 See See Rider (Rehearsal 2)
20 Proud Mary (Rehearsal 2)
21 Never Been To Spain (Rehearsal 2)
22 I, John
23 Bosom Of Abraham
24 You Better Run
25 Lead Me, Guide Me
26 Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus / Nearer My God To Thee
James Burton Cancels Elvis Week shows: Very sadly James Burton has unfortunately had to cancel his appearances at Elvis Week due to catching Covid and being under quarantine. He posted his GREAT regret to all Elvis fans.
Right, EIN's Sanja Meegin with James Burton.
Sadly Cassandra Peterson and also TCB bassist Norbert Putnam have already had to cancel their appearances.
Tuesday 9 August 2022 - - - - Elvis Week 2022 "Starting Today..." - - - -
‘Elvis Week 2022’ Kicks Off Today: Elvis fans are gathering in Memphis and heading towards Graceland as ELVIS WEEK kicks off.
The first two days are nearly all "Elvis Tribute Artist" based with Cody Ray Slaughter (right) presenting his “One Night Only” concert tonight along with a private reception beforehand
The new ‘Elvis The Next Generation’ kicks off the day with a concert showcasing talented young artists inspired by Elvis Presley. Wednesday 10th August features
- Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Meet ‘N’ Greet
- Elvis Presley Trauma Center Fan Reception - The annual Elvis Presley Fan Reception at the Elvis Presley Trauma Center in Memphis. Light refreshments and tours of the trauma center.
- Elvis Unplugged – Starring Dean Z & Friends- Special guest performers include Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist winners Patrick Dunn and Ben Thompson.
- Throwback Graceland Mansion Tours With Live Guides
In celebration of Graceland opening to the public in June 1982 an opportunity to tour Graceland Mansion as fans did in the early years, with live tour guides.
- Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal Round – Who will take home the crown of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2022
- ‘ELVIS’ Movie Screening - 7pm Free at Guest House Theater Graceland.
Watch Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS on the big screen during this special Elvis Week.
- Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist After-Party
Go To Elvis Week EPE Schedule Here (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Olivia Newton-John Has Died: Four-time Grammy award winner Australian/UK singer/ songwriter/ actress Olivia Newton-John has died aged 73.
Olivia Newton-John was born 26 September 1948. She sold more than 100 million records worldwide including 'You're the One That I Want' one of the biggest-selling singles of all time. Other major hits included 'I Honestly Love You', 'Physical', 'Hopelessly Devoted to You, 'Magic' and 'Xanadu'. Elvis covered two of her big hits 'Let Me Be There' and 'If You Love Me (Let Me Know)' live in concert.
Olivia Newton-John also performed 'O Come, All Ye Faithful' on Elvis' 2008 "Christmas Duets" release.
- Listen here to the Elvis /ONJ duet via You-Tube
Another Elvis connection is that Film Producer Allan Carr supposedly offered Elvis a role in the massively successful 'Grease'. The movie was however filmed in 1977, a fateful year.
Allan wanted Elvis to play "Teen Angel" a rock'n'roll spectre that appears during 'Beauty School Dropout'.
'Grease' stared John Travolta as the young "Elvis-Styled" character Danny Zuko and Olivia Newton-John as Sandy Olsson.
Good friend John Travolta paid tribute.. “My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever!
Your Danny, your John!”
Newton-John has been a long-time activist for animal and environmental rights plus health awareness and cancer charities.
Newton-John saw Elvis in concert but never met him. She noted, "I was really excited to see Elvis at the Hilton in Las Vegas. Elvis would always be The King. He's got a special something, and he is magic as soon as he comes on stage. I also like it because Elvis sends himself up.
Afterwards I went backstage to meet him but sadly I never met Elvis up close and personal. His road manager said there was an emergency and Elvis had to leave the building, Literally!"
Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and has been raising awareness since then. RIP Olivia Newton-John 26/09/1948 > 8 August 2022. (News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis King of the Rings Vol 2: Elvis author Paul Belard has sent EIN this unique Elvis ring that is featured in his new book 'Elvis King of the Rings Volume 2'.
The ring shown is 14 karat gold and diamond, emblazoned with Elvis’ motto, “TCB”, on the face.
It was given to a friend who chose to remain anonymous.
Estimated to bring $30,000-$45,000, it sold for $43,125 at an auction on May 27, 2021.
Published by Linden Press, the A4 sized book showcases many more of Elvis' bling in color. From the stunning cover image of Elvis' famous TCB ring the book is chock full of other rings highlighting his flashy, grandiose, and flamboyant jewelry style.
See more details below
(News, Source;PB /ElvisInfoNet)
Barbara Eden Talks Elvis: It is hard to believe but 'I Dreamed of Jeannie' star Barbara Eden is now 90 years old. She is participating at ELVIS WEEK 2022 and has recently been talking about working with Elvis on his 1960 film Flaming Star. "Unlike other co-stars I didn’t have a romance with Elvis, he a real gentleman. At the time I was married to actor Michael Ansara.
I’d come on the set, and Elvis would get me a chair. Actors usually don’t do that. You can sit on the floor, they don’t care. And in between shots, when they were fixing the lights and everything, Elvis would get his guitar out and sing, quite wonderfully. And we used to talk. We talked a lot.
Elvis would ask 'How do you have a working marriage in Hollywood? How do you do this with all the stuff going on?'.
I explained, 'You know, for us, it's our job. This is how we make money. That's it.'
Elvis then told me 'Well, I met this girl in Germany, but I'm not too sure, she's awfully young.' But he didn't tell me how young! Priscilla was 16 years old by then. And I said, 'Well, you know if the two of you are a team, you'll be fine.'"
Little did I know!"
Barbara Eden and her husband would later attend Elvis' show in Las Vegas. "I've seen a lot of people work, but this was the most thrilling thing I've ever seen. All those guitars! Elvis was fabulous. He was just wonderful. And I remember him that way, not the later years. Because Elvis was beautiful and a lovely man.
Elvis was just a dear to work with. With no huge ego sticking out.
He was very sure of himself. He knew what he was and what he wanted to accomplish. He was grounded, which I loved. And he was wonderful to work with. He cared about what he was doing. He knew the role was demanding and hard, but he worked just as hard at it. And he was really good. I just loved him."
You can hear more from Barbara Eden at Elvis Week (News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis prayed before going on stage: Even at the height of his fame, Elvis called on God to calm his stage nerves, his stepbrother Billy Stanley reveals in a new biography.
While his fans worshipped him as a rock’n’roll deity, Elvis Presley would say a prayer before going on stage, reading the Bible and looking to God for guidance in everything he did, his stepbrother has recalled.
“When we saw him bow his head, then we knew,” Billy Stanley, who also worked for the singer, told the Observer, noting that Presley did not recite the prayer aloud. “It was probably about 15 seconds long. I asked him once, ‘Why do you say the prayer before?’ He said: ‘It kind of settles my nerves but also I want God to help bless this concert, so make it a good one.’ He always turned to God whenever he needed help.”
Presley once told him that a show was like a first date: “You never really know how the date will turn out but you always hope it will be a good one.”
Although Presley’s love of gospel music is well known, Stanley believes that the depth of his Christian faith is not realised. “He relied on God for everything. It’s where he got his strength. Elvis was so appreciative of what the Lord had given him. He thanked God every day and constantly sought God’s guidance through prayer and reading the Bible.”
Everybody looked at the glitz and glamour of Elvis. They didn’t look at the man and try to understand his faith. When you’ve spent 17 years with an individual, you get to know him pretty well.”
Stanley’s forthcoming book, The Faith of Elvis, is published in October. Read the full article (News, Source:D.Alberge/Guardian/EIN)
Elvis books riding high in Amazon sales chart: On Saturday 6 August, three Elvis titles featured in Amazon's 'Top 20 Best Selling Popular Music books'.
At #6 was Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley (Peter Guralnick) (softcover);
at #9 - Elvis & Ginger: Elvis Presley's Fiancee and Last Love Finally Tells Her Story (Ginger Alden) (Audible audiobook); a
nd at #11 - The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley (Alanna Nash) (softcover). (News, Source: Amazon)
Saturday 6 August 2022 - - - - Three days to Elvis Week 2022 - - - -
'ELVIS' Soundtrack Number One: The week after the release of movie's 'ELVIS Original Soundtrack' CD the charts have shown excellent sales and chart positions. UK Official Charts have 'ELVIS' #1 Soundtrack album (up from last week's #14). 'ELVIS' #3 Compilation Album chart 'Elv1s #30 Hits' #12 Top 100 Album chart.
USA Billboard charts 'ELVIS' #4 Soundtrack album 'ELVIS' dropped to #95 on Top 200 Album chart
Australia ARIA chart 'ELVIS' #4 on Australian Top 50 album chart - an amazing jump up from last week's #102
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
(New book) Elvis King of the Rings Volume 2: Prolific Elvis expert and author, Paul Belard, has published the second volume in his popular Elvis King of the Rings photo books.
Published by Linden Press, the A4 sized book showcases many more of Elvis' bling in color. From the stunning cover image of Elvis' famous TCB ring the book is chock full of other rings highlighting his flashy, grandiose, and flamboyant jewelry style.
The book can be ordered directly from the author (pbelard@hotmail.com) or via Amazon.
(News, Source: Paul Belard/EIN)
EIN will publish a review of this new volume shortly. For a taste of what it is like, read the Elvis Day By Day (with contributions from EIN) review of 'Elvis King of the Rings Volume 1'
Oscar for Austin Butler campaign: A Best Actor campaign for 'ELVIS' star Austin Butler has clearly been under way ever since the film premiered at Cannes this past May.
It takes hell of a performance to receive the glowing praises of Leonardo Dicaprio, Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman, but Butler has done just that. All four are Oscar of these actors are Oscar winners, by the way.
In Luhrmann’s OTT pop-art statement, Butler gives a consummate performance that defies caricature. Elvis, despite being so open for interpretation, was a very specific iconic and American personality, and Butler brings him to life in ways that aren’t stereotypical, but uniquely their own. You can dismiss the actual movie all you want, but can anyone actually deny that Butler’s work here is astoundingly pitch-perfect? 'ELVIS' is doing extremely well at the box office as well and has brought back adult audiences to movie theaters throughout the summer, something no film has been able to do since the pandemic began. It’s currently the 9th highest grossing movie of the year with $131 million made, and counting. A Best Picture nod isn’t out of the question either.
Indiewire also has Baz Luhrmann (ELVIS) as a contender for Best Director along with otehrs such as Oliver Hermanus (Living) and Jordan Peele (Nope).
With what looks to be a potentially weak field in the 2023 Best Actor race, I currently have Butler as the frontrunner. Other actors getting good traction include Brendan Fraser (The Whale), Hugh Jackman (The Son), Bill Nighy (Living) and Adam Driver (White Noise).
Butler is coming and there really is no stopping him. Anyone betting against him right now should cancel that bet, he will get nominated and maybe, even, win the Oscar next March.
(News, Source: Jordan Ruimy, worldofreels.com /ElvisInfoNet)
Thursday 4 August 2022 - - - - Five days to Elvis Week 2022 - - - -
'ELVIS' Pre-order in Amazon's Best Sellers: Demonstrating the popularity of Baz Luhrmann's 'ELVIS' movie the new DVD, BluRay and 4K Blu Ray are all sitting in Amazon's 'Best Sellers in Movies and TV' and these are purely for Pre-orders as they are not being released until September 13, 2022. 'ELVIS' DVD is even Number One!
The two Blu-Rays are sitting at #8 and #22. This of course does not take into account the future Digital streaming release.
He died 45 years ago but ELVIS is still topping the charts! (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
USA >>>
UK >>>
Elvis’ ‘lost’ jewellery Auction: A new discovery thought lost "the Lost Jewelry Collection of Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker" is up for auction this month. It includes over 40 pieces representing monumental moments throughout Elvis' entire career. The auction will also include over 25 pieces of other Elvis owned and / or jewelry plus over 120 other Elvis items. Auction is July 27 - Sat, August 27
Highlights are
- Elvis 1973 Lincoln Continental "Last" Limousine, personally owned and driven by Elvis. The limo was purchased by Elvis in December, 1975 after he saw the vehicle in a movie. Min Bid:$60,000.00
- Elvis Presley 68 Comeback Special Hagstrom V-2 Guitar-
Min Bid:$750,000.00 - Elvis Presley's 9.81ctw Diamond "First" TCB Ring
Min Bid:$500,000.00
Elvis experts and historians have long known about a collection of jewelry Elvis gave to his manager Col Parker. Two hundred items, including gold rings encrusted with jewels, cufflinks, watches and chains, will go up for auction on Aug. 27. Also included is the guitar played by Presley during his famous “comeback” TV special of 1968.
Priscilla worked with Kruse on the collection, although Priscilla does not own any of the pieces.
Priscilla said, “It brings back memories for sure”. She added that it was a running joke with her former husband that he constantly bought or commissioned jewelry for Parker because the manager already had everything he needed and the Presleys did not know what else to buy him.
Priscilla said she felt protective of the items because she designed some of them, including artifacts with the logo for TCB Band - “TCB” stood for “taking care of business,” a favorite expression of Presley’s.
Priscilla has supported the auction in part because she was weary of seeing so many fake Elvis artifacts for sale.
“There is so much product out there that is not authentic at all and that worries me. I want to know for sure that that is going to go to someone who is going to care for it, love it.”
go here to GWS to bid and for more pics and info (News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)
Nine Elvis Week events Not To Miss: The Memphis Commercial Appeal has noted .. With 2022 marking the 45th anniversary of Elvis' passing and due to renewed interest in all things Elvis thanks to the success of the recent ELVIS movie, this year’s Elvis Week festivities look to be the most well attended in recent memory. Unsurprisingly many of the key Elvis Week events (August 9 > 17) are already sold out, and others require purchase of high dollar ticket packages. But here is a sampling of events that are still open, affordable and more than worth attending for Elvis fans or the musically curious in Memphis. - Elvis the Next Generation. 2pm August. 9
A new concert event will kick off Elvis Week 2022, “Elvis the Next Generation.” The concert will showcase young artists inspired by Presley.
- Elvis Unplugged, featuring Dean Z & Friends 1pm Aug. 10,
Veteran ETA Dean Z hosts an afternoon concert where he will be joined by special guest performers for a mix of music and stories. - Elvis Songwriters Showcase. 2pm Aug. 11
Some of Elvis’ greatest tunesmiths will be on hand to play songs and tell stories about their efforts for the King. Musician Andy Childs will host a group of writers including Dickey Lee, Mike Stoller and Billy Swan.
- Ultimate Tribute Artist Contest Finals. 7pm Aug. 12
The 2022 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will see a new winner crowned and take home a $20,000 prize. Hosted by Ultimate ETA winner Dean Z.
- All the King’s Men. 7pm Aug. 13.
Hosted by Terry Mike Jeffrey and Andy Childs, members of the classic TCB Band including James Burton, Glen Hardin, Jerry Scheff and Memphis Boys member Gene Chrisman will share their insights and recollection of working with Elvis. The show will also feature a tribute to late TCB Band drummer Ronnie Tutt who died last fall.
- Elvis: Behind the Scenes. 10am Aug. 14.
Special guests will include Sam Thompson, Elvis' friend and personal bodyguard; Charles Stone, tour producer for Elvis throughout the 1970s; and Greg McDonald, who also worked closely with Colonel Tom Parker on Elvis' career. - Conversations on Elvis: The Man, The Music, The Legend. Aug 15 10am and 1.30pm
Appearances by Priscilla Presley; “Flaming Star" Barbara Eden, Jerry Schilling; singer Pat Boone; plus James Burton, Glen Hardin and Jerry Scheff, among others. - Candlelight Vigil. 8:30pm Aug. 15. -
Admission is free.
- Viewing Party for 'Elvis Presley In Concert' 7pm Aug. 16.
The Elvis Week concert highlight is already sold out. But if you don’t have tickets to the show, the Guest House will be hosting a viewing party of the concert live as it is happens on a big screen.
Go here to Memphis.Comm.Appeal full article.
Go here to EPE to book tickets (News, Source;MCA/ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis’ 1962 Lockheed Jetstar For Auction: Back in May 2017 EIN noted that Elvis' Private Lockheed Jet had sold at auction for US$430,000! We doubt that it has moved anywhere since then. Included in this months GWS auction that same jet is for sale. Minimum Bid:$100,000. The 1962 Lockheed Jetstar has sat on a runway in Roswell, New Mexico for 40 years and has no engines and an unrestored cockpit.
In 2017 the buyer did not release any plans for the plane, however it did not sell for the 2017 hoped-for US $2 > 3 million!. (In 2017 EIN wondered how it would be worth anything since we would like to see photos of Elvis in the actual plane). Today this artifact is currently owned by a "very loyal Elvis Presley fan" who is almost 80 years
old and would like to sell it and would love to see it restored for the world to enjoy. The 1962 red Lockheed JetStarOne which Elvis purchased in July 1976 (via a trade-in on his previous investment in a Dessault-Falcon airplane) eventually became the center of a long drawn-out FBI investigation "Operation Fountain Pen" where Elvis and Vernon were swindelled in an aircraft refurbishment deal. Despite the auctions' suggestion that the cool-looking red velvet interior was designed for Elvis, the previous owner has stated that this is not the case.
Untouched since Elvis owned it, the jet is the only plane once owned by the legendary singer that is privately owned. Two other Elvis owned planes, including the Lisa Marie, are already displayed at Graceland in Memphis. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet). Go here to GWS auctions and buy yourself a plane!
Monday 1 August 2022 - - - - Eight days to Elvis Week 2022 - - - -
ELVIS earnings still rolling in!: As at 31 July, Baz Luhrmann's 'ELVIS' biopic continues to perform strongly with its worldwide gross now at US$234.3M.
In the US the gross is now $129M, with an additional $105.3M in other markets. It is one of the rare films without superheroes or dinosaurs to reach that mark.
'ELVIS' has easily past Elton John's 'Rocketman' which grossed a worldwide total of $195.2 million but still has a long way to go to catch up with Freddie Mercury's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' with the final worldwide total gross of $910 million - against a production budget of about $52 million.
ELVIS costars Tom Hanks as manager Col Parker with relative newcomer Austin Butler in the title role. Butler, who beat out higher profile actors has attracted Oscar buzz. 'Elvis' is now the second highest-grossing film of Luhrmann’s career. 'The Great Gatsby' at $355.6 million worldwide is the highest-grossing film of Luhrmann's career so far.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
TCM 'Elvis Presley Marathon': As Elvis mesmerisingly sang in the title song to 1964’s Viva Las Vegas, “How I wish that there were more than 24 hours in the day.” His legion of fans will indeed get 24 hours’ worth of a dozen of the King’s movies as he opens TCM’s annual August event, Summer Under the Stars, which honors a different film star each day of the month.
And while the August 1st slate begins with the posthumous patchwork 1981 documentary This Is Elvis, it’s anchored by the aforementioned Sin City musical dramedy classic (8/7c), featuring Presley as auto racer Lucky Jackson but dominated by his chemistry with equally swivel-happy costar Ann-Margret.
The 20th annual month-long salute to cinema icons, with a different star featured in a 24-hour marathon each day through August, gets off to a hip-swiveling start with wall-to-wall Elvis Presley movies and documentaries. Other films playing are Speedway (1968), Double Trouble (1967), Elvis On
Tour (1972), Kissin' Cousins (1964), Girl Happy (1965), It Happened at
the World's Fair (1963), Spinout (1966) and Live a Little, Love a Little
(1968). Just the thing for those whose appetite was whetted by Baz Luhrmann’s current big-screen biopic starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks. Go HERE to TCM for more info
(News, Source;TCM/ElvisInfoNet)
Måneskin ‘If I Can Dream’ Video: Million-selling Italian glam rock Måneskin - winners of Eurovision Song Contest 2021- have now released their video for ‘If I Can Dream’ recorded for Baz Luhrmann’s ‘ELVIS’.
The band first teased the track during their performance at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, before releasing it on streaming services last month.
Måneskin frontman Damiano David explained, “We were talking about it with Baz Luhrmann, who had this really cool, super-smart idea, because it would have been so easy to give us an up-tempo song and go super rock-ish. He saw that between the lines that we were going to be able to give something else to show the sweet side of Elvis. I think we did a great job!”
The meaning of the song is very contemporary: ‘If I can dream of a better land / Where all my brothers walk hand in hand.’ It’s about uniting, it’s about
peace, freedom and happiness, and it’s coming out at the right moment. We’re really proud of what we did, and to be part of this project. I have a feeling it’s going to be amazing.”
The video is well-worth watching as it incorporates the ELVIS movie as Måneskin visit to Graceland.
go here to YouTube to see the clip (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Fats Domino and Elvis, Mutual Admiration: In the new Baz Luhrmann 'ELVIS' drama - in the scene about the 1969 Las Vegas Press Conference Elvis says, "I'm not the King of Rock'n'roll.. here's Fats Domino, he's the real King of Rock'n'roll".
While Elvis loved Fats Domino some fans have commented that Elvis did not actually state that line. However EIN would like to note that Elvis' words, when asked about Fats Domino, were in fact "I love him, he's the greatest!"
From a dramatic point-of-view, along with Elvis' previous comments to Jet magazine, a similar point is made.
As reported by super-fan Maria Columbus "Elvis was asked what he thought of Fats Domino. Elvis beamed and said, "I love him, he's the greatest!""
Recently, making a similar splash, is Fats Domino singing 'Blueberry Hill' at Austin City.
On stage the great Fats Domino says.. "Right now I'm going to do a number - and I play it for such a wonderful man I loved so well.
I just can't help it but I say this when I play this number every night. I've played this number so many times and I think of this man every time I come to my bandstand. I play this for the great Elvis Presley"
Elvis was Not Racist: Priscilla recently appeared on Sky News to discuss the ELVIS movie, as well as Elvis' iconic legacy.
When asked by Sky News how Elvis would fare in "this weird cancel culture" Priscilla confirmed that "Elvis was not prejudiced in any way and not racist in any way.
Elvis was never racist. Elvis had friends, black friends and friends from all over. Elvis loved their music. He loved their style. He loved being around, you know, black musicians."
Priscilla cited his friendships with Fats Domino and Sammy Davis Jr., who she said would "always come into the dressing room" when Elvis performed in Las Vegas.
"He loved, loved being around blacks and being around anyone actually."
Priscilla praised Luhrmann's new biopic "Elvis" which stars Austin Butler as Elvis and Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla herself. Elvis' friendship with B.B. King is a key part of the movie.
Recently due to a wider understanding of cultural appropriation Elvis' legacy has again come under scrutiny during the film's promotional cycle.
In the movie Luhrmann shows how Elvis repackaged historically black genres, styles and performances, along with Gospel and country, to become a star.
Elvis first single was a cover Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's blues classic "That's All Right". This is highly acknowledged in the film and the lead-single also being a re-working Big Mama Thornton's 'Hound Dog' as Doja Cat and "Vegas" which is now top-ten worldwide. (News, Source,ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis Presley News Report August 2022: Elvis super-fan Emiel Maier presents all the recent news.... including new ELVIS movie is a blockbuster!, the 'On Tour' CD-box announcement, "new" Elvis Jumpsuits still being made and an excellent Catherine Martin (Elvis designer) interview at the end.
And a "Fuzzy Tree" has Emiel Maier all shook up.
'ELVIS Original Soundtrack' CD OUT NOW: At last the 'ELVIS Original Motion Picture Soundtrack' CD has been officially released worldwide today - OUT NOW.
The CD is twenty-two tracks, whereas the Digital Release is 36 tracks.
CD priced at Australia AU$22 and UK £10.99 and US$14 "The soundtrack features Elvis's extraordinary body of work spanning the 1950s, '60s and '70s, while also celebrating his diverse musical influences and enduring impact on popular artists today."
1. Suspicious Minds (Vocal Intro) - Elvis Presley
2. Cotton Candy Land - Stevie Nicks & Chris Isaak
3. Vegas - Doja Cat
4. The King And I - Eminem & CeeLo Green
5. Tupelo Shuffle - Swae Lee & Diplo
6. Baby, Let's Play House - Austin Butler
7. Craw-Fever - Elvis Presley
8. Strange Things Are Happening Every Day - Yola
9. Trouble - Austin Butler
10. Can't Help Falling in Love - Kacey Musgraves
11. I Got A Feelin' In My Body - Lenesha Randolph
12. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child - Jazmine Sullivan
13. Edge of Reality (Tame Impala Remix) - Elvis & Tame Impala
14. Power of My Love - Elvis Presley and Jack White
15. Polk Salad Annie (Film Mix) - Elvis Presley
16. Suspicious Minds (Film Edit) - Elvis Presley
17. Burning Love (Film Mix) - Elvis Presley
18. I Got A Feelin' In My Body - Elvis Presley & Stuart Price
19. Don't Fly Away (PNAU Remix) - Elvis Presley & PNAU
20. If I Can Dream - Måneskin
21. Suspicious Minds - Paravi
22. In the Ghetto (World Turns Remix) - Elvis feat. Nardo Wick
(News, Source/ElvisInfoNet)
Luhrmann on 'four-hour' 'ELVIS': As Baz Luhrmann revealed at the Sydney ELVIS movie premiere he had to edit his extended movie version down to a realistic 2 1/2 hours for cinemas. He has always talked about a four hour version, which fans hope will be released on the future DVD.
Recently Luhrmann talked with the Radio Times about scenes that were cut from the film. "I have a four-hour version. I do. But I had to bring it down to 2 and a half hours.
I would have liked to lean into some of the other things more and there’s so much more. I mean, there’s lots of stuff that I shot like the relationship with Elvis' original the band, I had to pare them down. And it’s so interesting how the Col Parker got rid of them.
Similarly Elvis' relationship with his first girlfriend Dixie Locke featured more .. And later on how once Elvis is caught in a trap. And he’s discombobulated and doesn’t understand… someone who’s got such a hole in his heart like Elvis constantly looking and searching for love and finding it on stage but nowhere else.
The last section was edited.. Elvis' addiction to barbiturates and all of that, and like what happens when he started doing wackadoo things like going down to meet President Nixon. I had that in there for a while but there just comes a point where you can’t have everything in, so I just tried to track the spirit of the character.”
EIN is looking forward to the 4 hour version. (News, Source;RT/ElvisInfoNet)
New 'Follow Elvis' app:The publicity notes... Can’t get enough Elvis? The new Follow Elvis aims to highlight the untold story of the King, where he came from.. and more. The developers bill it as the “ultimate immersive fan experience that curates written articles, audio design, and video footage showcasing the compelling story of Elvis.”
The Follow Elvis app includes an exclusive guide to Elvis’ life and times spent in Memphis, Tennessee. “We’ve read all the books, watched all the films, and listened to the music over and over,” adds the team behind the app. “But we want to go deeper and give his millions of fans around the world the change to get a close-up of The King.”
The guide includes more than 800 pages of brand new, thoroughly researched articles revealing previously unpublished facts about Elvis. The team spent more than 20,000 hours on countless research trips to Memphis to collect the best stories, film 200 locations around the city, and create a unique audioscape experience for the app.
Some of the Follow Elvis app highlights include:
o- 200+ episodes of 5-15 minutes on key locations in Memphis linked to Elvis. Each episode contains new footage, stills, and a voiceover for the ultimate experience.
o- Select your own itinerary on a route following the footsteps of Elvis in video, audio, and text for 200+ locations in and around Memphis.
o- More than 800 pages of brand new, thoroughly-research articles revealing facts about Elvis.
- 36 hours of stories presenting new sides of rock & roll legend Elvis Presley’s life in Memphis.
The ultimate Elvis quiz for fans to test their knowledge on the life of the King of Rock & Roll.
The app highlights some of Elvis’ favorite restaurants in the city, including having his own back room at The Delta Room. The app is available in the App Store and Google Play. The full experience costs US$24.99, while individual sites can be bought for US$0.99. Don’t have time for a full tour of the city? Pick and choose the locations you visit. EIN NOTE: we have not trialled this app as yet. (News, Source: Ashley King, digitalmusicnews.com)
Austin Butler 'went home in tears': It is perhaps more like method acting but Austin Butler's emotions were shaked, rattled and rolled after he endured a particularly hard filmmaking experiment at the hands of director Baz Luhrmann. Austin Butler recently explained to VMAN....
"Well, when I was on my first day in the recording studio, Baz wanted me to get as close to performing as possible. He had all the executives and everybody from RCA, who were back in the offices, he brought them into the recording studio and he goes, 'I want you all to sit facing Austin,' and he told them to heckle me. So then they were making fun of me and stuff while I was singing."
The 30-year-old actor suggested that there was no malice in Luhrmann's tactic, but rather the filmmaker's intent was to get Butler to empathize with the criticism Presley faced throughout his career. "When we were filming this moment when Elvis first goes on stage and he's getting heckled by the audience, I knew what that felt like. I went home in tears that night. I really did."
Previous Luhrmann movie star Leonardo DiCaprio had previously warned Butler.
"Leo told me, 'Baz is going to constantly keep you off balance, and it's going to pull things out of you that you never knew you had inside you.' That's exactly the experience that I had. There were days where I just thought, 'Baz, why don't we just do what we prepared?' I realized that he would push me right to the edge of what I was capable of. You capture
lightning in a bottle in a way — if you had just done the thing that you had prepared, it may have been more stale." prepared, it may have been more stale."
“I was so nervous, and we were recording on actual equipment that Elvis recorded ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ on,” he remembers. Butler was told that the studio visit would be "laid-back and playful" and saying that
they’d just be recording one line or so at a time while workshopping the voice. “We got down there and it was not that at all. We were recording old school, where all the musicians - some of the best musicians in the world - were recording the entire song. And so that was how I cut my teeth in the recording studio.”
Butler's experience with Luhrmann seems to have paid off as his performance as ELVIS has already got Oscar buzz for 'Best Actor'. (News, Source; VMAN/ElvisInfoNet)
New POD and Kindle book releases: The introduction of print on demand (POD) and online digital (Kindle / Nook book) options have made vanity publishing a generally cost-effective means of getting into hard and/or digital print - they also mean authors or publishers looking to exploit the market can do so relatively easily. In recent weeks the following (and it is not a full list) softcover titles have been added to Amazon sites:
The Ultimate Film Poster Book (hardback and softcover editions)
The Other Side of EP: The Big Cat, The Blues and The Afterlife
Synopsis and Review of Elvis and Me: An Autobiography by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
Review: Elvis & Me(similar to preceding title)
Follow That Dream – Harry Shahoian (ETA release)
Elvis Presly’s Biography (note the inexcusable incorrect spelling!)
240+ Elvis Quotes That Will Leave You All Shook Up ;
In addition, the following titles are among the relatively cheap Kindle titles that have appeared:
Elvis Presley: His Truth Is Marching On (ETA release)
The King Cool: Elvis Presley for Fans
Synopsis and Review of Elvis and Me: An Autobiography by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
Review: Elvis and Me (similar to preceding title)
Summary of Elvis and Me
Elvis Presly’s Biography
Elvis and the Fab Four: Short Story - (News, Source: EIN; Amazon)
Release date – 'Guaranteed To Blow Your Mind': On July 6 EIN published a news item about this new book by the owner of the EP Blvd Pawn Shop in Memphis, Jon Daly. While the book is yet to be listed on the EP Blvd Pawn Shop site, EIN has been advised that the 152 pages “hardcover” will be available for purchase on that site just after Elvis Week 2022. For British fans, the book is already listed on the Elvis Shop London sitefor pre-order at £49.99.
From the book description (full information is included in EIN’s July 6 news item): The book details the November 1976 West Coast Tour and does so in remarkable detail. With full cooperation of Elvis’ road manager, Charles Stone, who also wrote the introduction, the book gives you unique VIP access on that tour. There are over 150 photographs, unpublished paperwork from Colonel Parker’s office, insights from the musicians, memorabilia, tour and recording details, original advertisements, reviews, memories from the fans and more.
(News, Source: Mary Clark; ESL)
Priscilla honored for contributions to Memphis: Last weekend Theatre Memphis honored Priscilla Presley’s contributions to "Memphis Art and tourism".
The group additionally introduced the dedication of a $2,500 performing arts scholarship in Presley’s title.
The occasion follows the new interest in Memphis following Baz Luhrmann’s film 'ELVIS'.
This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of Graceland to the general public which has introduced Memphis to millions of tourists from around the globe.
A number of Memphis leaders spoke on Priscilla's eternal effect on the town and awarded her honors, including Pastor Keith Norman of First Baptist Church, US. Rep. Steve Cohen and Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland who presented Presley with a key to town.
The highlight of the evening was when various Priscilla friends from Luhrmann to country singer TG Sheppard, appeared both in person or via video to share emotional tales about her life.
On stage Priscilla, 77, was humbled and in great humour making the room really feel like a family reunion rather than a ceremony.
She acknowledged that “My time in Memphis is what drives me and from coming here with Elvis always has". (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
EIN Exclusives and News from earlier in July
Interview with actor Adam Dunn / Bill Black in 'ELVIS':Elvis author-researcher, Paul Bélard, interviews actor Adam Dunn who plays Bill Black in Baz Luhrmann's movie 'Elvis'.
The interview is particularly of interest as Paul Bélard recently published the first detailed biography of super-bassist Bill Black.
In the interview Adam Dunn reveals.. - how he got the role,
- how he learnt to play double-bass Bill Black style,
- about meeting Tom Hanks and Austin Butler,
- working with Xavier Samuel and Terepai Richmond who played Scotty and D.J.
- the 'trouble' filming the Russwood Park riot
- and much much more...
Elvis biopic soars past $200M globally: Stunning news that Baz Luhrmann’s 'ELVIS' has crossed $200M global with a great -32% hold internationally in 73 markets.
Internationally outside the US it’s nearing $100M with $91.8M through Sunday.
It is one of the rare films without superheroes or dinosaurs to reach that mark.
Grosses US Domestic $118,376,000. International $91,800,000 - Worldwide $210,176,000. ELVIS costars Tom Hanks as manager Col Parker with relative newcomer Austin Butler in the title role. Butler, who beat out higher profile actors has attracted Oscar buzz. 'Elvis' will soon pass 'Australia' to become the second highest-grossing film of Luhrmann’s career. 'The Great Gatsby' at $355.6 million worldwide is the highest-grossing film of Luhrmann's career so far.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
"An Elvis for Himself": A newsletter for music lovers by a music fanatic.
Published by Robert C. Gilbert ‘Listening Sessions’ features a long-form essay on an album or artist.
..With Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis hitting theatres last month, there’s been renewed interest about Elvis Presley, his legacy and whether he continues to matter..
My essay "An Elvis for Himself" only tangentially mentions the new Elvis biopic and instead, focuses on a series of recordings Elvis made in Nashville between May 1966 and January 1968. It was perhaps the most commercially fallow period of his career but amidst the diminishing returns of movies and movie soundtracks was a collection of recordings that stand as among Elvis’ most interesting and varied. Taken together, they provide a vantage point to better understand the comeback that started with the famous NBC special taped in June 1968 and aired on December 3 of that year....
Go HERE to ‘Listening Sessions’ for this fascinating article.
EIN thanks our friend Kees Mouwen for the word-up. (News, Source;ELvisDayByDay/EIN)
'Elvis: Pine Bluff to Madison '76' FTD In-depth Review: FTD continues their extensive look at Elvis' performances in 1976 with another two previously unreleased concerts. This set features two shows: Pine Bluff Convention Center, September 8, 1976 830pm and Dane County Coliseum, Madison, October 19, 1976 8.30pm.
FTD have already released plenty of soundboards from these two tours including September 6, 1976 Afternoon and Evening shows ‘Elvis In Alabama: The Last Double Date’ and the day before Sioux Falls, Oct 18 (On The Road With Elvis CD2).
By early 1976 Elvis’ set-list had become routine with few surprises along the way and while the Pine Bluff performance has the energy of the Closing show of the tour fans surely don't want to hear Elvis suggest that “we should rehearse more before we tour”! Elvis soundboard super-collector Geoffrey McDonnell and EIN's Piers Beagley check out this new FTD 1976 double-pack to see whether it is another essential release for your collection. (FTD Reviews, Source;GM/ElvisInformationNetwork)
Elvis Week 2022 New Guests: EPE are excited to announce that the following guests been added to the 2022 Elvis Week line-up. For music fans, the best news will be that Ernst Jorgensen, producer / historian will announce details of the upcoming 'Elvis on Tour' release out this November. Pat Boone, singer, composer, actor and writer, was a friend of Elvis Presley. Pat will appear at Elvis Week for the first time in more than 15 years at Conversations on Elvis on August 15 to share some of his favorite stories and memories; he will also appear at The Sapphire Collection Event on August 16, where he will share music, memories, and answer questions from the audience. Billy Swan is a legendary singer, songwriter, and musician, who wrote the song “I Can Help,” which Elvis recorded in 1975. Swan will appear for the first time at the Songwriters Showcase on Aug 11 to share his music and stories of the king Marlyn Mason co-starred alongside Elvis in the 1969 “The Trouble with Girls.” Mason, an actress, producer, and screenwriter, will appear at Conversations on Elvis on Aug 15.
Brian “Q” Quinn stars on the comedy show “Impractical Jokers” on truTV and is a die-hard Elvis fan. He will appear at Conversations on Elvis on August 15.
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Cassandra Peterson and Norbert Putnam will be unable to appear during Elvis Week 2022.
- The 'On Tour' Sony Listening Party is on Sunday, August 14. 2pm and is free Ernst Jorgensen will “unbox” this exciting new 'On Tour' CD box set and give the audience a detailed preview of the unreleased music included in it.
- 'ELVIS' Baz Luhrmann Movie Screenings
Two Screenings and chance to watch it at the Graceland Guest House.
Wednesday, August 10. 7pm and Tuesday, August 16. 1pm
Tickets are free, but you must reserve to attend.
'ELVIS' actor Shonka Dukureh (Big Mama Thornton) found dead in Nashville home: In shocking news, Shonka Dukureh, who played rhythm and blues singer Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann's recent ELVIS biopic, has been found dead at her home in Nashville. She was 44.
Police said there were no signs of foul play.
Shonka Dukureh was a singer, actor and former teacher who had recently made her big screen debut as Big Mama Thornton.
Dukureh’s performance of the song 'Hound Dog' which Thornton recorded in 1952, four years before Presley, went viral online after the film was released.
The actor and singer, who also shared the stage at Coachella this year with Doja Cat, had a theatre degree and an education degree from Trevecca Nazarene.
In an interview last month Dukureh recalled the moment she heard she got the part in Elvis and was being flown to Australia for the shoot.
"I thought it was the best Christmas present I had ever received.
I knew to really pay tribute to her, I had to tap into myself, my own self-confidence, my own voice.
I was just so honoured."
In 1952, Big Mama Thornton became the first singer to record Hound Dog, four years before Elvis.
Her recording, released in February 1953, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013 and is listed as one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll".
Elvis' version became one of the best-selling singles of all time with 10 million copies sold globally, and was simultaneously number one on the US pop, country and R&B charts. (News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)
The book includes a fabulous Elvis-related story about Ron Strauss visiting his bank manager to obtain a home mortgage and the time Ron fell asleep in Elvis’ bed will bring a smile to the reader’s face. Other interesting accounts include Ron’s reaction to Elvis carrying a loaded gun on board (in a pressurized cabin), and many readers will appreciate reading how Ron felt about Linda Thompson and Ginger Alden.
EIN’s Nigel Patterson recently took flight with an advance copy. What Nigel found, not only added appreciably to his knowledge of a rarely written about aspect of the Elvis Presley story and provided greater insight as to who Elvis was as a person, but also offered a wonderfully rich and entertaining account of the life and times of the underappreciated, Ron Strauss.
'ELVIS' Movie Soundtrack VINYL release: Baz Luhrmann confirmed that - as expected - there will be a VINYL release of the 'ELVIS' Original Movie Soundtrack.
House of Iona / RCA Records will release the highly anticipated VINYL version of the 'ELVIS Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'. The soundtrack album features highlights from Baz Luhrmann’s blockbuster film ELVIS. The soundtrack has a variety of artists, mixing different genres and sounds to create something special alongside the movie. It features tracks from some of the biggest stars – Eminem & CeeLo Green (“The King and I’), Tame Impala (“Edge of Reality (Remix)” with Elvis Presley), Stevie Nicks & Chris Isaak (“Cotton Candy Man”) and Jack White’s duet with Elvis Presley (“Power of My Love”). From Kacey Musgraves’ angelic version of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” to Doja Cat’s “Vegas”
the album blends the old classics with a unique flare that brings new life to these Elvis Presley classics.
GO HERE to 'Elvis The Music' for some fun listening (News, Source;BL/ElvisInfoNet)
Making ELVIS' clothes: Or 'How 'Elvis' Costume Designer Catherine Martin transformed Austin Butler Into Elvis'! In a fascinating 10 minute video, acclaimed costume designer Catherine Martin (she has won four Academy Awards for her work and Baz Luhrmann is her husband), discusses how she approached making the costumes Austin Butler wears in the Elvis biopic. “I think one of the things the Graceland archive allowed me to see was a world that formed Elvis. Both his mother and father were products of the Depression, and his father kept every single receipt and every single check that ended up back at the bank. I saw the kind of financial simplicity that he came from, and how extraordinary his fashion choices actually are because he’s completely self-created. Elvis lived in a time before stylists and before people helped to create the image. This was totally Elvis creating the look himself.”
Ms Martin also makes several incisive observations about what Elvis' clothing meant to him as a person....
Gohere to 'Vanity Fair' to watch (News, Source:EIN/Vanity Fair)
'Elvis UK Cover Story' Book Review: Elvis experts John Townson and Gordon Minto recently published their new (digital) book 'Elvis UK Cover Story: The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley's British EP & LP Sleeves 1956-1977' designed to add to and complement their original 'Elvis UK' book.
It is a 286 page, fully comprehensive book, providing the ultimate guide to Elvis’s EP and LP album sleeves released in the UK between 1956-1977.
Extensively illustrated in full colour and arranged in sections, this book addresses a wide range of topics including back cover photos, printing companies, sleeve notes, etc.
There are extended sections including 'Front Cover – Fact File', and 'For UK Fans Only' an in-depth study of those albums that originated in the UK, or were only ever available in the UK.
It includes a wealth of background info incorporated into the text.
It is a downloadable digital flip-book stored on your own device.
Reading through this fact-filled investigation, the amazing thing EIN discovered was just how many sleeve variations, UK only releases, and cheap RCA / Parker design decisions there were.
For the world’s biggest superstar some of their marketing decisions were truly bewildering. And some of their design choices total madness.
'Elvis Live At The International - 50th Anniv Edition' New Book: Elvis author Kieran Davis has published his revised and expanded 50th Anniversary edition of his book 'Elvis Live At The International'.
Originally published back in 2011 and one of EIN's favourite books (see EIN In-depth review here) Davis has been working on a worthy 50th anniversary expanded version. Now double with the pages, the book now weighs over 2 kilos. Kieran Davis explains, It might have been delayed by nearly two years due to the pandemic, but the updated and expanded version of one of our first books is Out Now.
Coming in at 432 pages this hardback book contains more stories, images, memorabilia and newspaper materials than ever before fleshing out the story of the early Vegas years with even greater detail.
Go HERE to Kieran Davis website to order the book - hurry it is a limited print run. (News, Source;KD/ElvisInfoNet)
Australian 'Elvis' Exhibition a Smash Success: The Australian Elvis exhibition closes later this week and every ticket is already SOLD OUT. More than 200,000 people have travelled to Bendigo, Victoria to visit 'Elvis: Direct from Graceland'. Since it opened in March the ELVIS exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery has attracted 219,000 people, outstripping the Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe exhibitions, which attracted 152,706 and 143,222 people respectively.
The exhibition is considered the gallery's most successful to date and will close to a sell-out crowd on Sunday.
More than 65,000 visitors to the exhibition were first-time visitors to the gallery and 24,000 of the Elvis fans travelled to Bendigo from interstate.
Gallery director Jessica Bridgfoot says the exhibition has injected a sense of excitement and energy back into the city.
She said 86 per cent of ticketholders were tourists who lived outside of Bendigo.
"We are thrilled with the way visitors, local businesses and the community at large embraced the exhibition," Ms Bridgfoot said.
She said the team at the gallery had a multitude of ideas about what was to follow Elvis.
The gallery's next exhibition season will feature historic and
contemporary Chinese art and design.
Victorian Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos said Elvis had been a smash hit for Bendigo and for the state.
He said the government had expected the exhibition to be popular, but hadn't dreamed it would be such a success. (News, Source;ABC/ElvisInfoNet) - See EIN's 'Elvis Rocks Bendigo' review here -
JULY 10 - 'Elvis Rockin' the Billboard Charts': While the initial huge spike in Elvis sales maybe passing, Billboard has pointed out how much the 'ELVIS' movie has pushed Elvis' overall music sales.
Following the film’s US premiere the Original Soundtrack digital release topped the Billboard Soundtracks chart while 'Elvis:30 #1 Hits' re-entered Billboard 200 albums chart for the first time in 19 years.
Elvis' music catalogue also posted a 67% increase in US official streaming growing to 27.04 million. Elvis' most-streamed song being 'Can’t Help Falling in Love'.
Lead single 'Doja Cat’ 'Vegas' also hit #34 in Billboard Hot 100 and top 10 on Billboard Hot Rap Songs. The song also hit #4 in Australia, #3 in New Zealand, #15 Ireland, #22 Netherlands and still heading up other overseas charts. Elsewhere on the Billboard charts. ‘Elvis’ Soundtrack also takes a bow at #4 'Top Rock & Alternative Albums' and 'Top Rock Albums' - and #26 on the Billboard 200.
The Billboard 200 chart entry gives Elvis his 58th top 40-charting album. That ties him with Frank Sinatra for the most top 40 albums on the list since it began in 1956. Right behind Elvis and Sinatra are Barbra Streisand (with 54), Grateful Dead (52) and Bob Dylan (51).
’Elvis 30 #1 Hits’ went from #103 to No.33 returning to the top 40 for the first time since February of 2003. It spent three weeks atop the chart upon its release in 2002.
In total for the week, the album earned 17,000 equivalent album units (up 74%). Digital Streaming shows Elvis' song catalog with 62 million on-demand official streams globally in the week ending June 30, up 53% from the week previous. Elvis' top three most-streamed songs in the US were “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (2.3 million; up 35%), “Suspicious Minds” (1.99 million; up 69%) and “Jailhouse Rock” (1.4 million; up 51%). Doja Cat's ‘Vegas’ hit the US top 40 for the first time and garnered 10.82 million on-demand official US streams, while globally it earned 22.32 million streams (up 10%).
The single is being promoted to US pop radio by RCA as of July 11 where it’s so far only bubbling under.. (News, Source/Billboard/ElvisInfoNet)
'Virtual Elvis Week 2022': Good news for Elvis fans who can't make it to Elvis Week in Memphis for this historic year with Graceland confirming their second annual Virtual Elvis Week - August 9-16. Fans can celebrate the legacy of the King of Rock 'n' Roll from anywhere in the world through an amazing online experience with live concert events, conversations with special guests, and incredible fan experiences!
Highlights include Elvis in concert on the big screen, All the King’s Men Jam Session, Ultimate ETA Contests, a full day of Conversations on Elvis, and more!
We are pulling out all the stops for Virtual Elvis Week 2022, with concerts and events at the Graceland Soundstage live streamed in pristine HD with soundboard audio! And, to enhance your experience, we are expanding the viewing time!
All shows included in each pass are available from the time they premiere and can be re-watched on demand for 7 days following the show.
With Covid issues still happening worldwide plus difficulty with International travel this is a great idea.
Click here to EPE to purchase Virtual Elvis Week tickets (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis author-researcher, Paul Bélard, reviews Luhrmann's 'ELVIS':Prolific Elvis author, Paul Bélard, wrote down his detailed thoughts after watching the Elvis biopic. His energetic review is great reading and starts..
...Well, I came, I saw, I was conquered! What a wild and unpredictable rollercoaster ride it was. I often had goosebumps and I must confess tears welled up in my eyes when Elvis appeared in all his sorrowing condition at the end of the movie, but still singing his heart out with a voice that never left him, a solemn testament to the music he had always cherished. It brought home the irreparable loss we suffered upon his untimely death.
- For added interest EIN has also assembled a “baker’s dozen” of review excerpts from a variety of other reviews for the new Elvis biopic...
(UPDATED Review) 'Elvis: Direct from Graceland' ROCKS Bendigo: If you're yet to visit Australia's exclusive exhibition 'Elvis: Direct from Graceland' you better get in quick as it closes soon on JULY 17. EIN’s Nigel Patterson checked out the biographical 'Elvis: Direct from Graceland' exhibition in the Victoria, Australia, city of Bendigo.
Included in the more than 300 items on display are personal treasures and a diverse array of artefacts from Elvis’ performance and film career.
As the Bendigo Art Gallery Curatorial Manager, Lauren Ellis explained, "Elvis intoxicated the nation’s youth and provoked vicious backlash from conservative personalities, Elvis Presley invented himself piece by piece. The more I discovered about Elvis' life– the more I wanted to know. "
Nigel was impressed by what he found. Now with added exhibition photos
and extra details - including a $1Million offer for a 1973 Australian
tour!
.
Read Nigel’s detailed narrative-visual review.
Luhrmann narrates the 'Hayride' sequence from ELVIS: The New York Times features an 'Anatomy of a Scene', where directors reveal the secrets that go into making key scenes in their movies. This week Baz Luhrmann narrates the 'Hayride' sequence from his ELVIS biopic.
It was the ELVIS hip swivel that changed a generation. And it is at the heart of this scene in the biopic “Elvis” that introduces the musician to the world.
In the sequence, Elvis (Austin Butler) is giving one of his first performances in front of an audience while Col. Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), the man who would become his manager, watches on.
Luhrmann explains.. "We discussed many, many ways in how you get to meet Elvis. We felt that you should discover him in performance mode.
Because Elvis wasn't just about what he sang, it was just as much about how he looked and how he moved.
But most importantly it was his effect upon the audience.
So the decision was made to meet Elvis at what we determined would be his first performance.
And in that moment of being mocked you can see Elvis trigger..
Because it happened all the way through his life..
Elvis was mocked for being different, mocked for being shy, mocked for being poor, mocked for his association with black music and having black friends.. he was mocked.
And in that moment it triggered within him what we termed his superpower..."
Go HERE to New York Times to see the full clip and discussion.. (News, Source;NYT/ElvisInfoNet)
'Aloha From Hawaii' Deluxe FTD indepth Review: When seeking Elvis' key career highpoints, if one goes by the sales and the audience viewing numbers, there is only one answer. Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite. RCA’s double album of the show was released throughout the world in February 1973 and shot to the #1 spot in many countries including the U.S. It is certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA.
While in 2013 RCA/ Legacy released the '40th Anniversary edition' sadly the audio of the main concert left much to be desired.
In 2022 FTD released this upgraded 'Aloha From Hawaii' set with Matt Ross-Spang remixing the original broadcast - plus including the full after-concert 3am 'Insert Song' session in a 3-CD set. In 'large-size 8" format with 24 page booklet it is a stunning package.
(Interview) Alanna Nash talks to EIN: With the recent reissue of her best-selling book, 'The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley', renowned author, Alanna Nash, took time out of her busy schedule to discuss Elvis, the Colonel and other related issues with EIN’s Nigel Patterson, Elvis Day By Day’s Kees Mouwen, and prolific Elvis author, Paul Bélard.
In her candid interview, Alanna provides insightful commentary about the Colonel’s early years before coming to America, when he lost his way in promoting Elvis, the controversial source Byron Raphael, Lamar Fike’s finding about the rumor the Colonel was involved in the death of a woman in Holland, why Elvis didn’t take more control of his career, the new Baz Luhrmann 'ELVIS' biopic and much, much more...
Another Elvis #1....this time in books: Congratulations to acclaimed author, Alanna Nash, as the re-issue of her book, The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley, is the #1 selling book in Amazon USA's Popular Music (Books) category. Amazon also has it ranked #2 in both Music History (Books) and Criticism and Music Business (Books).
'The Elvis Business Is Booming Into the Billions': Billboard recently published an article how "With the new biopic, booming publishing valuations and his continued cultural cache, the value of Presley's estate is doing gangbusters." It included ...
.. Of all the songs the Elvis filmmakers ran by Peter Raleigh for publishing approval, one jumped out at him: “Cotton Candy Land,” a 1963 ballad Elvis Presley sang to a sleeping girl in It Happened at the World’s Fair. “It’s an unexpected choice for an Elvis biopic,” says Raleigh, co-president of Raleigh Music Group, which administers 25% of Presley’s song catalog, who approved the Stevie Nicks and Chris Isaak cover for the film. “But it does work for the context.”
In addition to Graceland the late Presley’s song catalog is the jewel of his estate holdings. Graceland draws 700,000 visitors a year, and Presley’s posthumous popularity is constant, with occasional spikes from movies or other cultural events such as 2002 'A Little Less Conversation' remix. Luhrmann's ELVIS movie is sure to do the same.
These intermittent revenue boosts are crucial for
the investors who have plowed tens of millions into Presley’s estate in recent years.
Aside from Graceland, the bulk of the Presley estate’s value is in the 650 compositions for which it owns co-publishing rights. Billboard estimates Presley’s catalog generated publishing royalties that averaged $12 million annually over the last three years; of that, Authentic Brands took about $4.5 million. The estate, however, doesn’t profit as much from other valuable Presley holdings – in 1973, Parker made a deal to sell all of Presley’s master recordings to RCA Records for $5.4 million, which means the label pays no royalties to the estate for tracks released before 1973.
Sony Music-owned RCA Records has earned an average $23.5 million in annual revenue over the past three years. "Elvis consistently is one of our top 10 artists” says Lyn Koppe, executive vp of global catalog for Sony Music.
The new ELVIS film stands to turbo-charge this kind
of listening trend. Baz Lurhmann took over an office at Graceland and incorporated the estate’s resources into his work. “If he didn’t know a date of an event, the historian at Graceland had access to his entire life."
EPE's Joel Weinshanker says the estate went “back and forth with Baz” over rights to songs, as well as other intellectual-property holdings such as the singer’s name and likeness, trademarks, merchandising and, of course, anything pertaining to Graceland, in 2018. “I took Baz down to Memphis and we spent several days going through Graceland and talking about who Elvis was, what he desired, what his fears were.”
Lisa Marie as well as Priscilla have made effusive endorsements. More importantly, the film is an investment, a marketable product that could potentially generate serious revenue for the estate for years to come. ABG notes, “We think this soundtrack is going to live forever, and hopefully be the entry point for fans to hear about Elvis in an entirely new way.” (News, Source;Billboard/ElvisInfoNet)
Is Sony/ RCA on the ball? Surprisingly, the one major organisation “dragging the chain” with regard to capitalising on the success of the new movie appears to be Sony Music….
Considering the high level of media and public interest in the biopic you would also expect Sony to have CDs available to buy when the film launched, and interest is at its highest. Yet in all countries the ELVIS soundtrack album is not being released until late July while the expanded edition of 30 #1 Hits is listed for release in the US and UK on July 8 – based on several Amazon sites it does appear to be already available in a number of European countries.
Sony Australia has announced the soundtrack album (late July) but at this time only import copies of the 30 #1 Hits 2CD are listed on Australian sites, at a cost of nearly $100! A missed opportunity?
Col Parker must be turning in his grave!
(News, Source: EIN; EDBD)
'The Elvis Presley Channel' Offical Launch: Today the entertainment / streaming company Cinedigm Corp announced the launch of The Elvis Presley Channel. In partnership with EPE / ABG the new streaming channel comprises Elvis Presley films and specials along with additional movies, series and lifestyle programming inspired by Elvis - including new, original series in development.
Now available in the USA, The Elvis Presley Channel is accessible as a free, ad-supported streaming television channel on connected TVs, digital set-top boxes, media-streaming devices and online. With an overall reach of more than 100 million devices, fans can find the linear channel through several popular streaming platforms, including LG Channels, Amazon Freevee, VIZIO WatchFree+, Comcast's Xumo, Plex, Local Now and Dish Sling TV. Additionally, the Xfinity 'What to Watch' channel on XUMO will feature a curated collection of films and documentaries from Elvis channel during primetime starting the weekend of July 2, and continuing weekly throughout the rest of July.
Cinedigm President Erick Opeka said, "Elvis Presley is an iconic performer whose global appeal transcends across generations and a diverse range of fans. We see his ongoing influence today in music, movies, fashion and culture. Building on this expansive legacy, The Elvis Presley Channel will provide compelling programs, including exclusive and eclectic original series and specials, across a variety of concert, documentary and scripted content genres. With the channel, we aim to not only thrill current fans and showcase Elvis' influences and demonstrate enduring impact but to engage new generations of fans through our curated and creative program line-up." The Elvis Channel features two 12-hour blocks (aka “wheels”) of content.
Cinedigm will regularly refresh the programming on the channel, with upwards of 175 hours of Elvis and Elvis-adjacent material expected to be
featured each month.
2022 is a banner year for Elvis with the launch of ELVIS, from Baz Luhrmann plus the 45th anniversary of Elvis' passing at Elvis Week 2022 from August 9 - August 17. Additionally, Netflix is slated to launch the Elvis animated action-comedy series "Agent King" and Sony has two Elvis albums planned later this year. The Elvis Presley Channel "a Mix of New and Classic Programming" Refreshed monthly with hundreds of hours of films and series, The Elvis Presley Channel will provide viewers with an intimate look at one of the most influential figures of the 20th Century. Through exclusively streamed films, series and documentaries, fans can relive the glory days of rock ‘n' roll with the legend who transformed music. Programming curated by Cinedigm for the channel will include:
Exclusive films and specials such as the Elvis '68 Comeback Special, Elvis Aloha From Hawaii and both the broadcast & unedited versions of 'Elvis, by the Presleys'.
Themed programming blocks including Elvis'
Favorites, Friends of Elvis, Elvis Inspired Reality and Lifestyle Programming, African American Artists that Inspired Elvis and 50's Rock N' Roll Rebel Movies. Fans will be able to tune in for hours watching some of Elvis' favorite TV and film content including The Beverly Hillbillies, John Wayne movies such as Angel and the Badman, Blue Steel and Riders of Destiny, as well as Bruce Lee films like Warrior's Journey and The Man The Myth.
Search Your TV guides for more ie Amazon Freevee (News, Source;Cinedigm/ElvisInfoNet)
"ELVIS" Behind The Scenes: A neat seven minute clip from Screen Australia about Behind The Scenes of the new ELVIS movie.
Baz Luhrmann, Designer-Producer Catherine Martin and producer Schuyler Weiss talk about their experience making Elvis, from filming on the Gold Coast, the effects of COVID on production and why Luhrmann continues to return to Australia to make his films.
"Elvis in the studio"- excerpt from the critically acclaimed recent book, 'The Sonic Swagger of Elvis Presley: A Critical History of the Early recordings': ... Surviving outtakes make it abundantly clear that it's the 21-year-old Elvis Presley, not ostensible producer Steve Sholes, who's in control. Even when Sholes pronounces a take satisfactory, Elvis, if not happy, overrules him and insists on doing it again. And if one of the musicians makes a mistake, forcing a new attempt, Elvis remains nonplussed. "In his own reserved manner," as recalled in Elvis '56, In the Beginning, a journalist on hand to view the session would write, "he kept control, he made himself responsible. When someone else made a mistake, he sang off-key The offender picked up the cue. He never criticised anyone, never got mad at anybody, but himself. He'd just say, "Okay, fellas, I goofed." (News, Source:EIN) Read EIN's detailed review of 'The Sonic Swagger of Elvis Presley'
Read EIN's revealinginterview with the author, Gary Parker
'ELVIS 30 #1 Hits Expanded Edition' - New Release: To be released next week to coincide with the new Baz Luhrmann ELVIS movie, Sony Music is repackaging 'Elvis'
30#1 Hits' together with 'Second To None' creating 'ELVIS 30 #1 Hits Expanded Edition'
Released date is next week June 24, 2022.
Priced at UK £12.99.
This twin set was previously released in 2013 as a double pack '30# 1 Hits / 2nd To None' selling in the US for US$16. see below for details..
Either way it is a great double-set at a good price.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
ELVIS 'Austin Butler Pre-Production Test Footage': This is a sensational clip. Forget all those average Elvis Impersonators you might have seen, here Austin Butler truly inhabits Elvis character showing what he could do
at a pre-production jam.
As 'Depper' rightly comments, "Austin was a brilliant choice as there are millions of new young Elvis fans just based on the trailers alone. Many more will join us in the Elvis fanbase as soon as the movie drops. This movie successfully explains the contributions to music of Elvis Presley, to today's current generation. Elvis' legacy has been given a tremendous boost, and will help young people understand that he was a force of good for American music and humanity." (News, Source;EIN)
'ELVIS' Soundtrack Digital Tracklist: Finally we get the tracklist for the Baz Luhrmann soundtrack album.
It's great to get something new that will hopefully push a new generation to discover Elvis' immense back-catalogue
In Australia you can hear the first single 'Vegas' by Doja Cat playing everywhere. A cool sign.
From RCA Records / Sony Music
Pre-order started today June 10, 2022 Release Date: June 24, 2022 Tracklist
1. Suspicious Minds (Vocal Intro) – Elvis Presley
2. Also Sprach Zarathustra / An American Trilogy – Elvis Presley
3. Vegas – Doja Cat
4. The King and I – Eminem & CeeLo Green
5. Tupelo Shuffle – Swae Lee & Diplo
6. I Got A Feelin’ In My Body – Elvis Presley & Stuart Price
7. Craw-Fever – Elvis Presley
8. Don’t Fly Away (PNAU Remix) – Elvis Presley & PNAU
9. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Kacey Musgraves
10. Product of the Ghetto – Nardo Wick
11. If I Can Dream – Maneskin
12. Cotton Candy Land – Stevie Nicks & Chris Isaak
13. Baby, Let’s Play House – Austin Butler
14. I’m Coming Home (Film Mix) – Elvis Presley
15. Hound Dog – Shonka Dukureh
16. Tutti Frutti – Les Greene
17. Strange Things Are Happening Every Day – Yola
18. Hound Dog – Austin Butler
19. Let It All Hang Out – Denzel Curry
20. Trouble – Austin Butler
21. I Got A Feelin’ In My Body – Lenesha Randolph
22. Edge of Reality (Tame Impala Remix) – Elvis Presley & Tame Impala
23. Summer Kisses / In My Body – Elvis Presley
24. ’68 Comeback Special (Medley) – Elvis Presley (News, Source; Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)
25. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child – Jazmine Sullivan
26. If I Can Dream (Stereo Mix) – Elvis Presley
27. Any Day Now – Elvis Presley
28. Power of My Love – Elvis Presley & Jack White
29. Vegas Rehearsal / That’s All Right – Austin Butler & Elvis Presley
30. Suspicious Minds – Elvis Presley
31. Polk Salad Annie (Film Mix) – Elvis Presley
32. Burning Love (Film Mix) – Elvis Presley
33. It’s Only Love – Elvis Presley
34. Suspicious Minds – Paravi
35. In the Ghetto (World Turns Remix) – Elvis Presley & Nardo Wick
36. Unchained Melody (Live at Ann Arbor, MI) – Elvis Presley
'ELVIS' EIN movie review: Keith Richards said, "Elvis hit like a bombshell ... it was like the world went from black and white to Technicolor." While those words apply to Elvis Presley they could similarly apply to Baz Luhrmann's style of film direction. Compared to the regular Hollywood output Baz Luhrmann movies have a similar feel of busting out of jail and going from black-and-white to technicolour. They are loud, brash, super-colourful, fast-edited and exciting, they have their own language and style.
The full-bore soundtrack, the glowing colour, the revelation of Austin Butler's truly stunning performance and the real excitement of the fast editing really does make it feel that Luhrmann has grabbed Elvis' true spirit. The film not only tells Elvis’ life but has the genuine excitement of the real Elvis, something that I've never felt from any previous Elvis Bio-Pic.
The incredible fact is that while the movie includes so many snatches of real Elvis (Hy Garner interview, Lisa Marie, Al Dvorin etc) yet Austin Butler has one so enthralled in playing Elvis' character that you can hardly spot the difference.
However typical of a Luhrmann movie you can see why fans' overly detailed fact-checking needs to be left at the door - and knowledgeable Elvis fans should just enjoy the ride. Go here for EIN Piers Beagley's exclusive and detailed review
(Review; Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Baz Luhrmann ELVIS Sydney Premiere: The Sydney Premiere of Baz Luhrmann's ELVIS movie was presented in the glorious Sydney State Theatre where Luhrmann's first film 'Strictly Ballroom' was featured thirty years ago at the 1992 Sydney Film Festival.
The evening was part of Sydney's VIVID festival and before the actual Premiere, director Baz Luhrmann spent an hour in conversation discussing his life in movies as well as his thoughts on ELVIS.
The Sydney Media were out in force to celebrate the international cast of the movie, including Austin Butler, Tom Hanks and Australia's Olivia DeJonge, along with Director Baz Luhrmann.
EIN's Piers Beagley was lucky enough to be part of the ELVIS celebration - and who knew that his night would include an Elvis sing-a-long with Tom Hanks! Go here for the Baz Luhrmann discussion and plenty of Premiere pics.
(Spotlight, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
(Book Review) 'The Sonic Swagger of Elvis Presley: A Critical History of the Early Recordings' (Gary Parker):‘For Elvis Presley, stardom was the promise, and he made the trip, but at an extraordinarily high cost’. This is one of the thought provoking themes in Gary Parker’s latest book which critically examines in thoroughly researched detail, Elvis’ seminal recordings in the 1950s (as well as more briefly discussing Elvis’ post Army recordings).
Noting that... "Elvis' clever manipulation of his numerous interests remains one of the music world's great marvels. Presley, with one foot in delta mud and the other in a country hoedown, teamed with Scotty Moore and Bill Black to fuse two distinctly American musical forms -- country and blues -- to form what would come to be known as 'rockabilly'". This is a book with plenty to discuss.
In their 2,100 words collaboration, EIN’s Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley, review what they have found to be one of the best, and most important, Elvis book releases of 2022. Read the full review here (Book Review, Source: ElvisInformationNetwork)
Baz Luhrmann 'ELVIS' movie posters for 50s/ 60s/ 70s - plus a great shot of Austin Butler
'This Is Elvis - The Lost Theme Song' EIN spotlight: With all of the hype surrounding Baz Luhrmann's upcoming biopic, ELVIS, many fans will fondly recall the first official movie of Elvis' life, 1981's 'This Is Elvis', which, for better of worse, is the benchmark against which all subsequent attempts are measured.
One of the well-known names involved with This Is Elvis was Jerry Schilling, who was hired as a Consultant on the film - and who was involved in getting the long-lost theme song written and recorded by Beach Boy Carl Wilson and Sweet Inspirations Myrna Smith..
Another delight is discovering that Beach Boy Carl Wilson had a great love of Elvis.
Book Review - Elvis: The Quest For An Oscar (James Turiello): Many will find it surprising that someone could write more than 500 pages detailing the case why Elvis deserves to receive an Honorary Academy Award, but
author James Turiello has achieved this with his latest book.
EIN's Nigel Patterson spent a weekend exploring the author's argument.
Can someone who appeared in Kissin' Cousins, Harum Scarum and Clambake really be Oscar worthy?
In a detailed review, Nigel discusses what the book has to offer and provides his assessment of whether or not the author successfully makes his case that Elvis is deserving of an Honorary Oscar.
(Book Review) 'Disc Jockeys, Preachers, and Elvis': From author /DJ Ron Brandon 'Disc Jockeys, Preachers, and Elvis' is a self-published biography.
Ron Brandon was the person who recorded Elvis' 1956 live performance in Tupelo and our Elvis legacy would be less rich had he not done so and then sent Elvis a personal copy!
The book details "55 years of Behind The Scenes stories of Disc Jockeys, Rock & Roll, and Elvis.. as told by the author that lived them"
It includes 23 chapters, 96 pages, 150 photos many in color, A4 size with large type easy-to-read, excellent quality.
Chapters include sections on radio stations WTUP Tupelo 1956, WMOC Chattanooga 1962, WNOE and Marty Lacker New Orleans 1963, 'Radio Music Report' magazine, Sex Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll, as well as the story of 'Elvis comes home to Tupelo'. Brandon tells the stories of hard work, meeting loads of radio personalities and getting a successful time slot in multiple radio stations. He meets plenty of interesting characters along the way, both good and bad! He also was the person who tracked down Elvis' 'Mystery Kisser'!
Packed full of stories EIN's Piers Beagley spent time enjoying this look into a very interesting life well-lived!go here to find out more (Book Review, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'The Pot Luck Sessions' Deluxe FTD Review: Released back in December 2021, 'The Pot Luck Sessions' was the eighth in FTD’s “complete sessions” packages. An 8 inch deluxe 5-CD package featuring a 28-page booklet with an insightful essay, record and session data, memorabilia and rare photos. The set includes remastered complete RCA sessions from Elvis' June 25 and October 15 1961 and March 18-19 1962 recording sessions.
The set features a good number of previously unreleased outakes and EIN also uncovers plenty of Elvis studio discussions that had been previously edited out on earlier "Classic Album" releases such as Elvis saying, “Here we go already. How do like that
arrangement, Red?” an important question to his friend Red West who
had composed the song 'That’s Someone You Never Forget'.
Gary kindly took time to discuss what we can expect in his new book, Jethro Tull, and things in-between.
Elvis’ Sun recordings vs. RCA early recordings, the muddy Mississippi delta plains, Elvis’ swirlingly innovative mixture of hair-raising rock & roll and balladry.
'ELVIS WEEK 2022' Details: EPE have finally released the first details about ELVIS WEEK 2022. The publicity states... We are so excited to be able to share what we have planned for Elvis Week 2022 - and we can't wait for you to join us here in Memphis for this historic celebration.
Graceland will be welcoming fans from around the world on August 9-17 for Elvis Week 2022, as we mark the 45th anniversary of Elvis' passing and honor the man, the star, the icon - the King of Rock 'n' Roll!
Elvis Week 2022 will offer an unforgettable line-up of concerts, conversations, tributes, and more. 2022 highlights include...
- The August 16 'Elvis Presley in Concer't featuring Elvis on the big screen backed by a live band;
Includes James Burton, Glen Hardin, Terry Blackwood and The Imperials, Larry Strickland and a special appearance by Priscilla Presley.
- All the King's Men, showcasing those who shared the studio and stage with Elvis;
Hear stories from TCB Band members James Burton, Glen Hardin and Memphis Boy Gene Chrisman.
- The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley Dinner Show, where fans can enjoy Elvis' gospel favorites;
Features Terry Blackwood and The Imperials, Stamps' Larry Strickland, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet, and Estelle Brown of The Sweet Inspirations.
- Conversations On Elvis: the man, the music, the legend
Including Priscilla Presley; James Burton, Glen Hardin, Estelle Brown with more guests to be announced.
- The annual Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and performances by many of EPE's past Ultimate winners;
- The the annual Candlelight Vigil on August 15 where fans gather in quiet remembrance of the king.
Tickets for Elvis Week 2022 officially go on sale on Thursday, March 10!
Check out the schedule of events & tickets here at Graceland website
There will be further special guest announcements and added events (News, Source;EPE/EIN)
MRS 'Elvis: Mono To Stereo 1956' CD Review: At the end of last year the UK based MRS label released their Double CD/ Book 'Elvis: Mono To Stereo - The Complete RCA Studio Masters 1956'.
The set contains the complete 1956 RCA studio master recordings in mono and (DES extracted) stereo versions. These were thirty classic RCA recordings that would help change the future of popular music.
The accompanying 20-page booklet includes photographs and memorabilia plus introductory notes.
While 'DES Stereo' remastering can sometimes reveal new details about classic MONO studio recordings, trying to create believable stereo from echoey mono masters is not that easy, even when using "highly advanced sound processing techniques".
Can classic mono tracks such as 'Hound Dog', 'Don't Be Cruel', 'My Baby Left Me' and 'Heartbreak Hotel' really sound better in DES stereo?
'Elvis: South Bound- Tampa / Atlanta '75' FTD in-depth Review: Mid 1975 found Elvis back in good form and having fun on stage. This 5" digipack double-soundboard features two more concerts from Elvis' 1975 Spring Tour. The Tampa April 26, 1975 Afternoon show at Curtis Hixon Convention Center plus Atlanta Omni Coliseum May 2, 1975 Evening Show.
Unfortunately soundboards from the start of this tour all have the same inherent 'problem' a HEAVY bias towards Piano tracks, there was often very little drums or orchestra in the mix. So can this release show us anything new?
But while collectors are right to be a little reticent about “Afternoon Shows” this soundboard is surprisingly enjoyable...
(Book Review) 'Don't Be Cruel, Elvis: The Bill Black Story': It is easy to forget that, in the beginning, Elvis was only one part of a trio put together by Sam Phillips, which included Bill Black on bass and Scotty Moore on lead guitar.
The unique sound that emerged from their early sessions was the result of a close collaboration of like-minded musicians and an engineer who wanted to generate something as yet unheard. Bill Black's contribution to Elvis’ success went beyond the bass playing. His antics on stage — twirling his bass, riding it as if it was a bronco to be tamed, trading corny jokes with Elvis — delighted the audiences. Scotty confirmed that, “If it hadn’t been for Bill, we would have bombed many times in the early days.”
Memphis Mansion’s Henrik Knudsen fortuitously befriended Bill Black's family and was entrusted with the family’s treasured scrapbook.
Using this key source, plus the investigative power of author Paul Belard, key rock'n'roll bassman Bill Black finally gets the biography he deserves with this impressive 260 page book.
Packed full of rare photos, great stories and interviews, EIN's Piers Beagley spent some quality time enjoying this very fine tribute to "Blackie" a great musician and a true character ... go here to find out more.. (Book Review, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
"ELVIS 45" Year-long Celebration: Elvis Presley’s Graceland will be celebrating the life and legacy of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll throughout 2022 in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of his passing in 1977. ELVIS 45 will include special events, giveaways, new exhibit openings, and concerts at Graceland during the year, plus exclusive merchandise offerings and more!
The yearlong celebration kicks off this week during Elvis’ Birthday Celebration on January 6-9 in Memphis. Additional Elvis 45 events planned for 2022 include Graceland traditional annual events like Ultimate ETA Weekend, Graceland Performing Arts Camp, Elvis Week 2022,Holiday Lighting Weekend, and Christmas Tours: plus, one-time events including a Valentine’s Day Package,Jailhouse Rock Party, Memphis Music Weekend and more.
- As part of ELVIS 45, Graceland is offering the highly collectible ELVIS 45: The Sapphire Collection featuring a 2022 Graceland Annual Pass, limited-
edition records, plus other exclusive items. Additionally, Graceland will be giving out 1,000 special ELVIS 45 RPM Records to visitors in Memphis who tour on six select days in 2022. - Graceland will also open four new exhibits in 2022:'Rock On' in early January, a replica guitar exhibit in partnership with Gibson Guitars; 'Elvis: Dressed to Rock' on May 7, featuring jumpsuits and stagewear from 1969-1977; 'Graceland: Welcome to My World' on June 7, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Graceland opening to the public; and 'Dear Elvis' in August, an exhibit honoring Elvis fans.
Go here to EPE for all the details (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
Interview 'The Airplanes & The King' with Carlos Varrenti & Robert Van Beek:As promised a few months ago, the extremely well-received spanish book 'The Airplanes & The King' by Carlos Varrenti is now being republished as an English version.
Not only that but it has now been expanded to an amazing 400 pages with a lot of unreleased material from Elvis Files' vaults!
The English version is printed as a High quality Hardback book.
Printed and distributed by The Elvis Files Team, EIN has seen some preview pages and it is an absolute stunner.
EIN is delighted to be able to talk with the author Carlos Varrenti - as well as Elvis Files designer Robert Van Beek to find out more.
We find out more about Carlos Varrenti's Argentinian background, how he came to be involved with designer Robert Van Beek and The Elvis Files for the expanded reprint, what highlights are in the book and what new stories fans will be able to discover within the covers. Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley asked the questions..
(Interview, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
"Elvis Back In Nashville" 8/10 Review: It's great to see the mainstream music press already giving truly positive reviews to the new "Elvis Back In Nashville" box-set that comes out next week. UNCUT uk music magazine have already reviewed it noting.... "The King's final recordings in the country music capital"
Elvis Presley was more ambitious than his late career output might suggest.
During his 1971 sessions in Nashville, he cut tracks for his dream project: a folk-rock record featuring songs by Buffy Sainte-Marie, Kris Kristofferson and others. Sadly, it never saw the light of day, and tracks from those sessions were scattered across cookie-cutter collections throughout the'70s. 'Elvis Back In Nashville' collects those recordings in one place, showcasing his stylistic range (gospel, carols, standards... you name it) and offering a glimpse of what might have been.
Despite being sold as a nostalgia act, Elvis was absolutely devoted to whatever he song he was singing. He immersed himself in the story and invested each line with nuance and character, whether it's the casually funky "Put Your Hand In The Hand" or the delicate "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (recorded while he had the flu). Box-Set rates 8/10. Extras: 6/10. Archival photos and liner notes by David Cantwell.
You can also have a sneak preview of 30 seconds of every track via PlatoMania -CLICK HERE to listen
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet)
MRS presents 'ELVIS: September 1970' in-depth Review:MRS's new 2CD deluxe set features a new previously unreleased soundboard
from 2nd September 1970 and a bonus CD that covers the final rehearsals at the International Hotel on August 10th before the start of the summer
festival.
In September 1970 Elvis was still excited to be back on stage and performing for his fans.
Newspaper reviews of his concerts wrote about the excitement and fun Elvis was having back on-stage.
This brand-new previously unknown concert captures Elvis feeling 'loose-as-a-goose' yet still performing with a real intensity. His live versions of ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’’, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' were truly exceptional this evening.
The accompanying 40-page booklet of the CD deluxe includes rare photographs and memorabilia taken during these engagements along with introductory notes.
(Book Review) Elvis June 1956: June 1956 was another busy month for Elvis Presley and author Paul
Bélard captures the frenzy and excitement of Elvis' rocket-to-stardom in
this new photo-book, ‘Elvis June 1956’.
Elvis' 1956 juggernaut was picking up strength during the month with a series of dynamic live shows across America, appearing on Wink Martindale’s ‘Dance Party’ TV show, violating segregation laws in Memphis, outraging media critics and many parents with his burlesque show rendition of ‘Hound Dog’ on The Milton Berle Show and rehearsing for his appearance on The Steve Allen Show as the highlights.
The book includes some wonderful archive material such as.. - “Singing Sensation Causes Near Riot Here”
- “Writhing Singer Has Long Beach Soxers Wailing”
- "Elvis Sends 6,400 Here Into Frenzy”
- “Presley Leaves You In A Blue Suede Funk”
· “The Presley Problem”
This graphic biography illustrates how our man worked hard getting his career off the ground. All this packed on 220 pages. Go here as Nigel Patterson and Kees Mouwen check out this look at one of Elvis' key months of his career (Book Review, Source:EIN & EDayByDay)
Despite what some fans may think, Elvis’ Army years were eventful, full of interesting and sometimes sad, incidents.
Those two years in the Army were important in shaping Elvis as a person.
As Kees notes in his enlightening review, in her book, Trina Young “goes behind the superficial public relations story of Presley’s army years”.
'Think Twice: Elvis in The Studio 1971': The forthcoming 'Back In Nashville' boxset is going to shine the spotlight on Elvis' 1971 sessions which have traditionally been ignored by the official label. In this fascinating and detailed article EIN contributor Shane Brown examines these all too easily dismissed Nashville sessions and discovers some real gems.
It’s very easy to look at the March, May and June 1971 recordings out of context. While the recordings are certainly not up to the standard of those from June 1970, it’s also true to say that Elvis was in a very different place personally by spring 1971.
In June 1970 Elvis was riding the crest of a wave with his recent successes but by January 1971 he was in the newspapers due to an ongoing paternity suit.
The Presley’s marriage was on the rocks and Elvis was having problems with his eyes. However despite all of this there was something very interesting going on during the 1971 sessions. Find out more as Shane Brown investigates these controversial 1971 Nashville Sessions....
(Spotlight; Source;ShaneBrown/EIN)
Don't miss out on one of EIN's most-viewed and controversial interviews of all-time - Mike Stone tells all.
EIN Interview with Mike Stone: Mike Stone has had a long and successful career in athletics, in the entertainment business, as an author, sports instructor, bodyguard and personal fitness trainer.
Mike Stone was also a key figure in the emotional roller-coaster that described Elvis and Priscilla Presley's lives in the seventies. In this exclusive EIN interview Priscilla's ex-partner, karate champion and author talks about his amazing life, including... - Meeting Elvis and Priscilla
- Hawaii, Elvis and Karate
- Being Phil Spector's bodyguard
- Sitting next to John Lennon recording
- Priscilla and karate
- Fans blaming him for Elvis' marriage split-up
- Elvis putting a "Hit" out on him
- Finding peace in the Philippines
- His new autobiography
UPDATED- The collapse of the Elvis Bootleg Empire: Has Ernst won the war?’: Back in 1999 Ernst Jorgensen and Roger Semon convinced BMG to let them start the FTD collectors label in order to counteract the Elvis bootleg companies which had been selling unreleased material to fans since the very first vinyl bootleg 'Please Release Me' was issued back in 1970.
Of all the bootleg labels that have come and gone the 'Madison' label was one of the very few that always produced high-quality releases and which happened to start at the same time as FTD. The designs were top-notch and with detailed sleeve notes they easily competed with the legal Elvis releases.
In 2021 ‘Madison’ have returned with the new bootleg ‘A Legendary Performer Volume 9’ but all is not what was promised. The Elvis bootleg vaults are empty and FTD appears to have won the game. Go here as EIN’s Piers Beagley checks out the lack of new material and considers the bootleg era at an end... And EIN wants YOUR SAY -Our article is now updated with YOUR FEEDBACK - and more... (Spotlight; Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Don't forget that EIN's Elvis Facebook page regularly features fabulous RARE newly discovered photos of Elvis. This month EIN celebrates our 45,000 members! - including several of Elvis' own friends and colleagues So Elvis fans don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs.
Now with over thousands of great photos, News and with more added every day – including YouTube footage.
"On Tour" 50th Anniversary - FTD vs Lorentzen release:
In the same way that the FTD 'TTWII' Collectors Edition had to include similar photos to Erik Lorentzen's 'TTWII' Summer Festival publication, a debate among Elvis collectors has already started regarding the two new 'On Tour' editions and which one to purchase.
Lorentzen promises the earlier publication this year, whereas FTD are still gathering documentation and unseen images for their 2022 release.
Trouble has also started as Lorentzen has stated about his book, "Unique in this 1200 page edition is that for the first time the complete and very extensive information of all shows and sessions" yet now Ernst Jørgensen has posted that his personal session notes are being used without permission.
It will be difficult for fans to decide which to buy, or both, especially with the extra wait for the David English / Pål Granlund 50th Anniversary FTD 'On Tour' project. Ernst Jørgensen posted the following statement.. "It has come to my attention that some of my personal recording notes are being used in Erik Lorentzen’s forthcoming Elvis On Tour book.
This is disappointing; as Erik has been notified that this information is private and confidential, and prior to publication permission is required, which has not been granted.
Pål, David and myself are working on an 'Elvis On Tour' FTD release for 2022, this information will be included with this release."
We do however also know that FTD will be including audio cds with their publication, the audio content however has not been finalised as yet. (Note: Both images are of course not the actual book covers!) (News, Source; ElvisInfoNet)
Book Review - 'ELVIS UK3': Recently published 'ELVIS UK3' The Ultimate Guide to Elvis Presley's British CD Releases 1983-2005' by John Townson and Gordon Minto comprises 1400 pages with over a million words plus 4,000 plus illustrations.
This examination of Elvis’ British releases is an incredibly detailed narrative and visual record of his CD releases in the UK from 1983 to 2005.
The first Elvis CD, 'The Legend' (3CD), was released in the UK in December 1983. Reflecting the fledgling nature of the format, UK fans had to wait another 12 months until the release of not one, but three, Elvis albums, in December 1984. By that time, the flood gates for the CD medium were starting to strain.
As with the authors’ earlier two volumes on Elvis UK vinyl releases, the information in Elvis UK3 is exhaustive.
To say that Elvis UK3 was well-researched would be a serious understatement. There is so much information in this book that it is difficult to comprehensively review it all. While many collectors will be most interested in the technical details for each entry, the author’s narrative is excellent.
Released using the flipbook format EIN tested Elvis UK3 on four platforms - a 28” computer monitor, 14” tablet, iPad 8 and a 6.5” android mobile phone. EIN's Nigel Patterson has spent plenty of time reading through this massive work and here presents his in-depth review ...
(Book Review, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Elvis "BACK ON DVD!": Paramount have re-released three classic Elvis movies this month on DVD. 'G.I. Blues'- BACK ON DVD! The year was 1960... 'Girls! Girls! Girls!' - BACK ON DVD! The year was 1962... 'Paradise, Hawaiian Style'- BACK ON DVD! The year was 1966...
From Paramount Pictures.-
Release date: March 12, 2021.
From Amazon for $14.99. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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(Book Review) Elvis@Argentina 1963-1969 (Carlos Ares):The second volume in Carlos Ares’ series of “coffee table” books detailing Elvis’ reception in Argentina is another high quality production. With a great balance between informative text, colorful images and impressive archival artefacts, it is a worthy inclusion in any fan’s Elvis library.
It is available in English and Spanish text editions.
'Walk A Lonely Street' Book Review:Recently published Tony Plews, 'Walk A Lonely Street: Elvis Presley, Country Music & The True Story of Heartbreak Hotel' is a unique volume that tells the tale of Elvis Presley’s rise to fame as viewed through the lens of his era-defining first hit record, “Heartbreak Hotel”. Presented as a series of consecutive short stories, it offers a new perspective on Presley’s musical and cultural achievements, and reveals the true and dramatic saga behind the breakthrough song that changed the world.
In EIN Piers Beagley's detailed review he discovers that.. the true joy of this book is Tony Plews’ delightful and engaging writing style. His detailed research and his mix of facts and imagination blend together to create an emotional narrative that really draws the reader in. At times he also adds a nice British, somewhat droll, sense of humour that can make you laugh out loud.
A totally enthralling musical journey, Tony Plews writes with a truly engaging, colourful and passionate style. If your love of Elvis is based upon his amazing musical legacy then this is the book for you....
Go here to EIN's 'Walk A Lonely Street' in-depth review Coming Wednesday.. EIN interviews author Tony Plews
(Book Review, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
‘From Elvis in Nashville’ Box-set EIN In-Depth Review:
A 4CD collection presenting the definitive chronicle of Elvis' 1970 marathon sessions with the "Nashville Cats".
Recorded live in RCA's Studio B over the course of an epic five day run in June 1970 now, for the first time, the sessions are presented in pristine audio, newly mixed by acclaimed engineer Matt Ross-Spang without the added overdubs appearing on earlier releases.
Elvis’ 1970 Nashville session was very different from the previous Memphis sessions or even Elvis’ later sessions. Nashville was a real mix of Elvis recording RCA supplied demos along with one-take spontaneous favourites Elvis threw into the mix.
As Elvis noted, "It don't take much to get these guys going, boy, I'll tell you…. Just give them a "well..." and they're gone. That's what I call 'Sittin' on ready". EIN's Piers Beagley explores this new box-set to discover one of the best Elvis releases in years..
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
US CD box-set
US Vinyl
UK CD box-set
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‘TTWII 50th Anniversary Collectors Edition’ FTD Book Review: FTD's most expensive set ever published, David English and Pal Granlund bring the complete background story of 'Elvis: That's The Way It Is'. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the movie's 1970 release, this ultimate collector's edition includes two hardback books, eight cds with over 450 minutes of music,
including newly discovered unreleased performances.
With access to 2,000 original negatives and 35mm slides, restored and repaired, many of which have never been seen before, the book also contains items from the MGM and RCA archives including paperwork, documents, memos and recording information.
Two books, 600 pages, plus all the MGM recorded rehearsals - including 70 tracks officially unreleased.
FTD's most expensive set but with the vast majority of the rehearsals already out on bootleg, can it really be worth the US$270 plus postage. Initially Sold Out and already into its first reprint what makes it so desirable? EIN's Piers Beagley investigates and discovers plenty .. Go here to our 6000 word review including plenty of extracts and stunning images. (FTD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Amazon Deals on ELVIS Blu-rays - Beware of excessive prices at some Elvis dealers.
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'ELVIS In The 2010s' A Personal Review of the Past Decade: Rather like Elvis’s own career, each decade since Elvis’s death appears to have had a theme or identity of its own. Clearly the late 1970s were difficult for RCA as they struggled to find the right direction with which to take their posthumous releases, and so it was the 1980s that was the decade when the company slowly but surely learned how to look back at Elvis's legacy and start to make some sense of it.
The 1990s were when that reached a peak, with the decades boxed sets, and the Elvis in the 90s series, thus bringing virtually the whole catalogue back into print in a coherent way.
The 2000s were when errors of judgement at retail level started to occur (despite huge successes like Elv1s), but also when FTD came into its own and flourished. And so what will we make of Elvis releases of the 2010s when we look back on them from the future? Go here for EIN contributor Shane Brown's personal take on the highs and lows of Elvis product that has come our way over the last decade....
(Spotlight, Source;ShaneBrown/ElvisInformationNetwork)
ELVIS 'Live 1969'
Keeping an eye on the prices.
Now $88 (down from $105) <<< US Amazon
UK Amazon >>> £73.00
Both with FREE Delivery
Check deals at other sites.
Elvis LIVE Aug 23, 1969 Album Review + Elvis Concert Review 1969: ..."The atmosphere throughout the entire hotel was nail-bitingly electric! It is difficult for me to describe and paint a true portrait of attending in person this unique occasion - Elvis' Return to Splendor LIVE in 1969 - but I'll try my best. I want, and hope, you will understand the excitement of what has to be the pinnacle of Elvis' career to date!" Joan Gansky was lucky because not only was she in the audience for Elvis' TV musical renaissance of the '68 NBC Special but she also saw Elvis at his most dynamic - first at his August 22nd 1969 Midnight Show and then the following night at his August 23rd Dinner Show. Joan Gansky has written this insightful and emotional article for EIN in 2019, fifty years later, looking back at this special event from 1969 as well as providing her review of the new RCA vinyl album of the August 23rd Dinner Show. One of EIN's most important articles we have ever published- Go here for Joan and Paul Gansky's incredible articles and exclusive photos
(Review/Spotlight, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'Elvis - Made In Germany’ In-Depth Review: The new MRS 'Elvis - Made In Germany – The Complete Private Recordings’ 4CD set contains more than 3 hours of the private recordings Elvis made while off duty in Germany when he was serving as a soldier in the US army during the 1958 -1960 period and, includes rare tracks from a recently discovered tape comprising over an hour of unheard personal recordings. The 152-page hardback book contains rare photographs and documents plus a comprehensive text provided by Gordon Minto, which discusses each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1957-58, before focusing on the private recordings he made in Germany.
The BONUS CD features the essential RCA studio masters from 1957-58.With such an expansive book, along with hours of Elvis jamming with his friends in Germany, there is plenty to discuss as well as finding out what extra material this set contains over the official releases. Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley provide an in-depth review of this new MRS release
(Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'What was Elvis searching for?' EIN Spotlight: The question is raised – but never answered – in the title of HBO’s recent absorbing, imperfect documentary 'Elvis Presley: The Searcher'.
At the start it seems clear what the teenage Elvis was searching for – an escape from the oblivion of poverty in the American South. Yet his quest was cultural as well as financial.
Later Elvis read obsessively, seeking out such books as The Impersonal Life, Joseph Brenner’s guide to self-discovery and Kahil Gibran’s book of fables, The Prophet. In his copy of Gibran’s tome, Elvis jotted down the line: “A singer can sing his songs but he must have an ear to receive the song”.
So what exactly was Elvis searching for? In this fascinating EIN Spotlight respected author Paul Simpson takes a close look at this all important question which, for some reason, was basically ignored in the recent HBO documentary..
Mindi Miller Interview with EIN: Mindi Miller was a working actress when she met Elvis in early 1975. She was interested in karate (she performed all her own movie stunts), exploring spirituality and the Bible and so they had a lot in common. Mindi Miller and Elvis bonded over their common interests and soon afterwards he asked her to go on tour with him in April 1975.
She stayed friends with Elvis through the years - along with members of the 'Memphis Mafia' - and attended his funeral.
EIN's Sanja Meegin recently caught up with Mindi Miller to talk about her close friendship with Elvis over the years.
In this fascinating interview she discusses. . . - Her first night with Elvis
- How Elvis persuaded her to cancel her overseas movie & modelling plans
- Their mutual interest in Karate
- Graceland and meeting Lisa Marie
- Attending Elvis' funeral . . . and much much more... Go here for EIN's Sanja Meegin and her intimate and detailed discussion with the delightful Mindi Miller - Now with Reader Feedback.
Official Elvis CD Box-sets at bargain prices through Amazon UK
'Marty Lacker: A Life Well-Lived' & Elvis at American Studio's Interview: It was with immense sadness that last month EIN had to report on the death of our great friend - and a true friend to Elvis - Marty Lacker. We will miss him dearly. Marty is well-known as one of the key members of the Memphis Mafia and also co-Best Man at Elvis' wedding. He was known for both his honesty and being forthright with his opinions. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia who still watched and commented on recent Elvis News. He had no issue with holding people to account (especially ones who would inflate their importance within Elvis' legacy) and would regularly ask EIN to add his comments or to correct any inaccuracy. Elvis fans often ask about Marty Lacker's background, how he came to meet Elvis, as well as his involvement in the music industry outside of working for The King.
As a prelude to Ken Sharp's fascinating interview with Marty Lacker and a discussion about Elvis' famous American Studio' Memphis sessions, EIN presents "Marty Lacker: a life well-lived" in which Marty tells of his life in the music industry, his friendship with Elvis along with his dislike of the over-controlling Col Parker. Go here to learn all you need to know about Marty Lacker as well as Elvis outstanding Memphis American Sound sessions in 1969. (Spotlight; Source,KenSharp/ElvisInformationNetwork)
'The World of FTD' In-Depth Review: The new deluxe book 'The World Of FTD' has been received by some lucky fans and Elvis collector Mike Lodge has provided EIN with a very detailed review - of well over 3 thousand words! The book was authored and designed by Keith Flynn with input from a large number of other Elvis specialists including EIN's Piers Beagley, EM&HM's Trevor Cajiao, Geoffrey McDonnell, Gordon Minto and many others. It is 1,200 pages, hardbound three book set, chronicling every release by FTD.The book also features 100s of high-quality photos from the collection Erik Lorentzen
KJ Consulting are proud to publish this Box Set which weighs 8 kilos.
UPDATED - Paul Dowling EIN Interview Part Three: Paul Dowling is without doubt one of the major names in the Elvis World. He started collecting and selling Elvis vinyl over 40 years ago and has one of the world's largest Elvis Presley record collections. He started his "WorldWide Elvis" shop back in the seventies, way before the internet, where fans could get hold of rare Elvis records and memorabilia.
With such a fascination with Elvis, Dowling not only became a big name in the early years of Elvis bootlegs but later became friends with Ernst Jorgensen and helped RCA with various official releases.
In the final part of our fascinating interview Paul Dowling discusses .... - Dodging the FBI agents that were sent after him
- Unreleased Elvis material that still hasn’t come out
- Why does Ernst Jorgensen doubt this claims
- His BMG project 'For The First Time Ever' - what happened
- The true story of obtaining the Million Dollar Quartet tape
- His thoughts on Paul Lichter, Sean Saver, Sherif Hanna, Rex Martin
- Spending time with Alan Fortas
- Jim Curtin, newly added story
'Ultimate Elvis' New Electronic Edition: Announced by Elvis sessions expert Keith Flynn for publication November 1 is the brand new concept of the 1750 page super-deluxe Elvis sessions book 'Ultimate Elvis' Electronic Edition.
This incredible three volume book will now be available as an e-book on an i-pad or android tablet. - Created in HTML5
Fully updated e-books will open in any web browser on any operating system, so no need for separate downloads for different operating systems. - Life-Like 'Flipping' Pages
Flip through pages as if you are reading an actual book, but also being able to zoom-in to view smaller images and captions.
- View as Double or Single pages
View as double pages on a computer or laptop etc, and single pages when viewing in portrait on an i-pad or Android tablet. - Fully Navigational Table Of Contents
Jump back and forth to the sections of the books you want to read, instead of flipping through numerous pages to find what you want. PRICED AT - all 3 Volumes for £60 = US$93
On sale from November 1st 2015. Try Before You Buy -
Download free zip-file containing 27 pages from Volume 1, before you decide to buy the complete set. -
NOTE - These books are MASSIVE so you will need approximately 1GB of spare disc space for these three volumes, -
Click HERE to Keith Flynn's 'Ultimate Elvis' Electronic Edition to try.
Go HERE to EIN's independent review of 'Ultimate Elvis' (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Did Elvis Record 'Tiger Man' At Sun?: A question that has puzzled Elvis fans through the years is whether he actually recorded the song ‘Tiger Man’ during his years at SUN studios.
The basic question is why did Elvis refer to 'Tiger man' several times in concert as “The second song that I ever recorded, not too many people heard it”?
And if Elvis DID record it, then why hasn’t any reference to it at SUN or proof of its existence been found?
Elvis would first perform ‘Tiger Man’ in concert at his first 1969 Las Vegas International season and would continue playing it through the years – usually in a medley with Mystery Train - until his last performance at Saginaw on May 3 1977. He would sing it over 150 times on stage! The thought that there might be an acetate or undiscovered tape of Elvis at SUN singing ‘Tiger Man’ is a mouth-watering concept - but is it an unlikely fantasy or strong possibility?
Go here to our detailed 'TIGER MAN' spotlight as EIN's Piers Beagley puts in the hard yards to check the facts from the fantasy . (Spotlight; Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)
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The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club.
EIN also has a local Australian national Elvis Fan Club for paid up members featuring quarterly newsletters free EIN members cds plus an annual EIN Elvis Mega Quiz with special prizes.
The printed newsletters have extra content, articles and reviews to this website along with the popular Elvis EIN Mega Quiz.
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