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Elvis' #1 Pop Singles on Cashbox, USA: Heartbreak Hotel (1956) Don't Be Cruel (1956) Hound Dog (1956) Love Me Tender (1956) Too Much (1957) All Shook Up (1957) Teddy Bear (1957) Jailhouse Rock (1957) Don't (1958) Stuck On You (1960) It's Now Or Never (1960) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (1960) Surrender (1961) Good Luck Charm (1962) Return To Sender (1962) In The Ghetto (1969) Suspicious Minds (1969) Burning Love (1972) (The Cashbox chart is now defunct) Elvis Facts: Elvis was 5' 11" tall
Elvis' natural hair color was dark blond
Elvis' blood type was O Positive
Elvis' shoe size was 11D
One of Elvis'( maternal) ancestors, Morning White Dove (born 1800, died 1835), was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian
Elvis' uncle, Noah Presley, became Mayor of East Tupelo on January 7, 1936
The Presley family moved to Memphis on November 6, 1948
Elvis was issued a Social Security card in September 1950 with the # 409-52-2002
In 1954 some of the shows played by Elvis & The Blue Moon Boys were at the Overton Park Shell; the Bel-Air Club; Sleepy-Eyed John's Eagle's Nest Club and the Louisiana Hayride
Elvis' first manager was Scotty Moore, then Bob Neal, before signing with Colonel Tom Parker
The first DJ to play an Elvis record was Fred Cook (WREC), not Dewey Phillips (WHBQ). However, Dewey had the distinction of being the first DJ to play an Elvis record in its entirety
Elvis once dated famous stripper, Tempest Storm
Elvis was filmed from the waist up only during his 3rd and final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show
In the 50s Elvis was friendly with rising stars, Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner and Ty (Bronco Lane) Hardin
Gladys Presley was 46 years old when she died, not 42, as many books suggest
The Roustabout album sold 450,000 copies on its initial release, 150,000 copies more than any of the preceding three soundtrack LPs. It was Elvis' last "soundtrack" album to reach #1 on the major album charts in the US
Elvis received $1m for filming Harum Scarum (aka Harum Holiday). The film grossed around $2m in the US
Elvis and Priscilla married on May 1, 1967
They were officially divorced on October 9, 1973
Elvis earns nearly $3.5m in 1968 and pays just over $1.4m in income tax
Elvis' return to live performing in Las Vegas on July 31, 1969 was in front of an "by invitation only" audience. Stars in attendance included Wayne Newton, Petula Clark, Shirley Bassey, Burt Bacharach and Angie Dickinson
On January 9, 1971, the national Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) announced Elvis as one of "The Top Ten Young Men of the Year". Elvis spoke at the official awards ceremony on January 16
"Elvis: Aloha From Hawai" made entertainment history on January 14, 1973, when it was beamed around the world by satellite. In the Philippines it drew 91% of the audience, in Hong Kong 70%. The viewing audience was estimated at more than 1 billion
For his 4 week Hilton Vegas season in August 1973 Elvis received $610,000 Sales of Elvis' 1973 album, Raised On Rock, were less than 200,000 units on its initial release
Elvis paid $2,959,000 in income tax in 1973
In December 1976 Elvis was sworn in as a special deputy sheriff of Shelby County (Memphis) by Sheriff Gene Barksdale
Elvis' final live concert was in Indianapolis on June 26, 1977 When Elvis died, he and his father Vernon, were embroiled in an FBI investigation called Operation Fountain Pen More than 1,500 books have been published about The King in more than 30 languages
At Dec 2005 Elvis' biggest selling album in the US is the budget priced, Elvis' Christmas Album, with accredited sales of 9 million units (fingers crossed it reaches 10 million to give Elvis his first "Diamond" award)
By early2006, Sony BMG's "collectors label", Follow That Dream, had released more than 50 Elvis CDs
During the 1980s, tour guides at Graceland stated that Elvis' biggest selling album (globally) was Moody Blue, with sales exceeding 14 million
While Sony BMG estimates Elvis' global sales exceed 1 billion, the company is unable to substantiate this figure. Accredited sales worldwide are estimated to be less than 400 million
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The latest on www.elvisinfonet.com:
"Elvis The Early Years" DVD released in Australia: The CBS TV mini-series, Elvis (The Early Years), has been released on DVD in Australia by Universal. It is 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen with 5.1 Surround sound and runs for 165 minutes (longer than the abridged version screened in Australia). There are sub-titles in six languages. The mini-series starred Johnathan Rhys-Meyers as Elvis, Rose McGowan as Priscilla, Randy Quaid as Colonel Parker, Robert Patrick as Vernon Presley and Camryn Manhein as Gladys Presley. After the less than rave reviews received by the mini-series, Universal had a chance to add value to the DVD release by including a behind the scenes documentary, outtakes, and a booklet. The lack of substantive bonus features makes this release a less than enticing buy at around A$28.00. (News, Source: EIN) Another Elvis fan club severs ties with EPE/Graceland: In recent years various fan clubs, disillusioned with EPE, have elected not to register as official" fan clubs. The latest to do so is 'Elvis the Reality New Zealand'. Susan and Roy from the club have issued the following statement explaining their decision: "[We] would like to take this opportunity to advise all our contacts, that an executive decision has been made, and we will NOT be renewing our Annual Fan Club Agreement with Graceland. For a long time now we have felt that Elvis' best interests are not being served, nor do we feel his memory is being preserved with the respect and dignity worthy of him. The significance of Elvis' legacy to his fans has sadly been buried in the stampede to commercialize "Elvis the Product" plus anything and everything remotely linked to the Presley name. Even "Graceland", Elvis' beloved home and retreat from the world, has become something of a circus. How sad he would be. The genuine fans, who are after all, the life blood of EPE, seldom receive the recognition they deserve. Likewise, those who have worked long and hard to preserve the true memory of Elvis and his music have often been disregarded and cast aside. Elvis the Reality resents the element of control constantly exerted by EPE over fan clubs, who for the most part do more to promote and preserve the Elvis dynasty than anyone else. We would like to remind EPE that without Elvis fans, EPE would surely crumble. Last but not least, we the fans are dedicated to keeping the spirit and the magic of Elvis alive forever. We do not need any outside help, because true love comes from the heart. Susan & Roy Brennan-Hodgson Elvis the Reality New Zealand Together for Elvis - we make it happen". (News, Source: Susan & Roy Brennan-Hodgson)
The musicians with the most No. 1 singles of the rock era are ... The
Beatles, Elvis Presley ..... and Mariah Carey. Yes, Mariah Carey! She's tied
the King for second place on the charts, with 17 No. 1 hits. Carey's ‘Don't
Forget About Us’ has hit the top of Billboard's latest Hot 100 chart. She and
Presley are behind the Beatles, who have 20. (But the Associated Press says
some music sources give Presley 18 by counting the double-sided single"Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound Dog" as two hits instead of one.) Don't Forget
About Us is Carey's second No. 1 song this year, following her ballad We
Belong Together. Both are from her Grammy-nominated The Emancipation of
Mimi. Her first No. 1 single was Vision of Love in 1990. We have to face reality that this new millennium is no longer the era of "the single" and to compare today's sales equally to 50 years ago just isn't logical. While there is no doubt that Elvis' 'A.L.L.C remix' deserved its #1 rating based upon multi-million sales, EIN is also sceptical about placing Elvis’ recent UK Number 1 successes on the same echelon. After all, how can recent sales of just 50,000 singles be matched to 1960's sales of a million plus that Elvis achieved to get to the same Number 1 spot? Nowadays there is way too much marketing manipulation blocking the reality of what really is the genuine street-wise favourite. (Click here for Gordon Minto's interesting article about the UK #1's marketing). (News, Source: EIN)
Simon Fuller not "rebranding" Elvis!: According ta message from EPE to Elvis News, Simon Fuller (creator of American Idol) will not be rebranding Elvis (see our report dated 14 Dec 2005). EPE says: "The story about Simon Fuller/19 Entertainment and their having been put in charge of a re-branding of Elvis is false. The story seems to be the result of pure gossip or the source's having misinterpreted some bits of information he or she might have heard through the grapevine. Our parent company CKX and all its subsidiary companies enjoy a mutually supportive relationship and our companies all look forward to each opportunity that might arise for collaborating on one another's projects. The management and development of Elvis-related projects and branding is the responsibility of Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE). That has not changed." This is the second news story which EPE has denounced this month. The other story was a report in the Australian magazine, Woman's Day, that Lisa Presley was planning her own film about Elvis (see 7 & 8 Dec 2005). (News, Source: Elvis News) DJ Fontana to tour Europe: In 2006 DJ Fontana will tour several countries in Europe with The Cadillac Band. Concerts will commence in Sweden in March with concerts in other countries to follow by June. (News, Source: Amber Smith)
From an estimated 85,000 Elvis Presley impersonators all over the world, only about 6000 are considered professionals at their game. Long at the top of the heap and showing no signs of flagging is the outrageously, impossibly youthful actor and singer Max Pellicano. In an enduring occupation that has spanned more than three decades, Pellicano has bizarrely exceeded being "The King" far longer than The King himself reigned in his own lifetime. Uncannily spooky in his rendering of Elvis - Pellicano eschews the deep-fried, peanut butter porker phase of the musical giant's career but still manages to celebrate the excesses of that era by donning multiple rhinestone capes and jumpsuits throughout the show. With an official 10,000-plus strong fan club in Australia, Pellicano is celebrating his 10th anniversary of touring here. (News/Almost Elvis, Source: The Age) More Elvis on Aussie TV: Australian fans are in for a treat on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. SBS is screening an Elvis documentary at 7.30pm on NYE, and parts of the Nine/WIN network have 'Elvis That's The Way It Is' scheduled for the early hours (2.20am) of New Year's Day. Check your local guides. (News, Source: The Guide)
Elvis ' 1960 Lincoln Mark V limousine (photo above) will be auctioned at the 35th Anniversary Barrett-Jackson "World's Greatest Collector Car Event" at WestWorld in Scottsdale, Jan. 14 - 22, 2006. This is the first time the car has ever been advertised for sale, having only changed hands privately prior to this opportunity.
"I was just very lucky to be at the right place at the right time", Gelonese said yesterday. Describing himself as "very ambitious", he said he would be playing two shows a day five days a week in Las Vegas. He said the promoters in Las Vegas were so "thirsty for Aussie talent" that they had requested a further three Australian dancers. (Almost Elvis, Source: EIN/Canberra Times) Elvis songwriter, Florence Kaye, ill in hospital: Florence Kaye, the last surviving member of the songwriting team: Giant/Baum/Kaye is very ill and in the hospital. This team were staff composers for Hill & Range Music and wrote forty-one Elvis songs. They vary from the sublime, 'Devil In Disguise', 'Do Not Disturb', 'Power of My Love', 'Edge of Reality', 'Today Tomorrow & Forever', 'City By Night', to the totally ridiculous, 'Beach Shack', 'Queenie Wahine's Papaya', 'Animal Instinct' etc. Florence is in the Hospital suffering with heart trouble and a recent fall. Her daughters request your prayers and well wishes for her recovery. Your cards would be very welcome. Send to: New York Presbyterian Hospital - 525 East 68th Street - New York, NY 10021; Attention: Ms. Florence Kaye - Room 230 - Greenberg Pavillion. (News, Source: Bill Bram)
Graceland Launches a Year-Long Golden Anniversary Celebration of Elvis Milestones of 1956:
The Sun Sessions: Many believe Rock & Roll was born on July 5th, 1954, at Sun Studios in Memphis. Elvis Presley, guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black were horsing around with "That's All Right," a tune by bluesman Arthur Crudup, when producer Sam Phillips stopped them and asked, "What are you doing?" "We don't know," they said. Phillips told them to "back up and do it again." The A side of Presley's first single (backed with a version of Bill Monroe's "Blue Moon of Kentucky"), "That's All Right" was issued by Sun, on July 19th. It may or may not be the first rock & roll record. But the man who would be King was officially on wax. Bridging black and white, country and blues, his sound was playful and revolutionary. As Presley biographer Peter Guralnick observed, "This is the most improbable story of all: In a tiny Memphis studio, in 1954 and 1955, Sam Phillips and Elvis Presley created rock & roll." Presley released four more singles on Sun -- including definitive reinventions of Wynonie Harris' "Good Rockin' Tonight" and Junior Parker's "Mystery Train" -- before moving on to immortality at RCA. It took more than twenty years for Presley's Sun output to be properly collected on this '76 LP -- which has since been superseded by Sunrise, a double-CD chronicle of the King's beginnings at Sun, released in 1999.
For the complete list click here to go to The Rolling Stone website.
'Things From the King' is an exhibition, assembled from his private collection, and features over 60 items, either owned, or connected with Elvis Presley and it will be touring Australia throughout January and February 2006. and click here to visit the 'Things Of The King' website for all tour details & a complete description of this fabulous collection. Perfect dancers bag the perfect partners!
It meant so much to us, to our family and to everyone involved in making this very personal statement.The success and
positive reception of this labor of love by you, as well as by new Elvis
audiences, is a source of great pride for us personally, along with the
Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) staff and the producers. Thanks so much to you and your Elvis fan club members for all your
tireless efforts to support and honor Elvis Presley's legacy in 2005,
particularly when you have reached out in service to your community in
his memory. With our abiding love, respect and appreciation to all of
you, we wish you a joyous holiday season and a great 2006. (News, Source: EPE)
The album ELV1S 30 #1 HITS is to be upgraded from 3X Platinum to 4X
Platinum (4 million units sold). The album It's Christmas Time is to be
upgraded from Platinum to 2X Platinum (2 million units sold). The Elvis
By The Presleys DVD is to be certified 2X Platinum (200,000 units sold)
in the category of Music Video Long Form.
The US version contains all 21 #1 US hits on 20 individual CD singles together in a limited edition, numbered collectors box set. (One of the 20 CD singles is a double A-side containing two #1 hits, 'Hound Dog' and 'Don't Be Cruel'). Each single will be individually packaged in a dynamic mini sleeve reflective of the original single artwork. Preserving the look of the original 45's, each CD will be pressed on black plastic with grooves to mimic vinyl. (News, Source: BMG/EPE)
Terrill said the book is approximately 480 pages in length and includes two appendices - "All The King's Men" and "Myths, Facts and Frequently Asked Questions." The former is a section on former Memphis When Elvis met Nixon: The National Archives houses untold historical treasures: presidential papers, census records, and cultural icons like Mathew Brady's Civil War photos. But one of the most popular items in the archives is a 1970 photo of Elvis Presley and President Nixon.
Elvis' Letter to Nixon
Dear Mr. President. First, I would like to introduce myself. I am Elvis Presley and admire you and have great respect for your office. I talked to Vice President Agnew in Palm Springs three weeks ago and expressed my concern for our country. The drug culture, the hippie elements, the SDS, Black Panthers, etc. do NOT consider me as their enemy or as they call it The Establishment. I call it America and I love it. Sir, I can and will be of any service that I can to help The Country out. I have no concern or Motives other than helping the country out.
So I wish not to be given a title or an appointed position. I can and will do more good if I were made a Federal Agent at Large and I will help out by doing it my way through my communications with people of all ages. First and foremost, I am an entertainer, but all I need is the Federal credentials. I am on this plane with Senator George Murphy and we have been discussing the problems that our country is faced with.
Sir, I am staying at the Washington Hotel, Room 505-506-507. I have two men who work with me by the name of Jerry Schilling and Sonny West. I am registered under the name of Jon Burrows. I will be here for as long as it takes to get the credentials of a Federal Agent. I have done an in-depth study of drug abuse and Communist brainwashing techniques and I am right in the middle of the whole thing where I can and will do the most good. I am Glad to help just so long as it is kept very Private. You can have your staff or whomever call me anytime today, tonight, or tomorrow. I was nominated this coming year one of America's Ten Most Outstanding Young Men. That will be in January 18 in my home town of Memphis, Tennessee. I am sending you the short autobiography about myself so you can better understand this approach. I would love to meet you just to say hello if you're not too busy. Respectfully, Elvis Presley
P. S. I believe that you, Sir, were one of the Top Ten Outstanding Men of America also.
I have a personal gift for you which I would like to present to you and you can accept it or I will keep it for you until you can take it. (News, Source: Sanja Meegin)
Click to view trailer from "www.fairvideo.com"
Marty Lacker on the mend: EIN is pleased to report that after a congestive heart condition which required hospitalization, Memphis Mafia member, Marty Lacker, is now home and tells us he is doing fine. (News, Source: Marty Lacker) "Elvis 30 #1 Hits" goes 4xPlatinum in the US: On the FECC messageboard producer David Bendeth posted that the "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation oficially reached 4x Platinum in the US (= 4 million units). Or as David Bendeth posted it: "OFFICIAL, congrats to all involved took long enough!! three years!" (News, Source: FECC/ Elvis News)
Faded security: When Carol Currier showed up at Chase bank last week to retrieve the contents of her flooded safe deposit box, she had one thing on her mind: a 40-year-old note from Elvis Presley. She flipped quickly through the contents of the box, sifting through the coins and other currency she had set aside for her children, the title to her van and assorted jewelry.
"Elvis is not in the building, but he's in the box," she joked nervously when her treasure failed to turn up. "What did you do with Elvis?"
And then she found a typewritten envelope with a typewritten note inside -- signed by Elvis. Currier had bought tickets for an Elvis concert, sometime in the 1970s, in Baton Rouge. At the last minute Elvis canceled because of an illness, and while other fans became incensed, Currier sympathized and sent him a get-well card. The note he sent her in response became one of the thousands of treasured keepsakes, valuables and important documents locked away in the safe deposit boxes of branches flooded by Hurricane Katrina.
Several thousand safe deposit boxes were housed at bank branches that flooded. The boxes are fireproof, but not waterproof. And customers of affected banks are being asked to schedule appointments to retrieve the contents of their boxes. Hibernia National Bank and Whitney National Bank have moved the boxes from their damaged branches to their headquarters and are asking customers to retrieve their belongings there. Chase moved its boxes to an unmarked operations center in Harahan. Meanwhile, some of the less damaged branches left their boxes in place and are inviting customers to review their boxes. Gulf Coast Bank, for example, just last week began opening the vault at its St. Bernard branch to customers. "It's a tough situation," said Guy Williams, president of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust.
Each of the banks is taking security precautions when opening up boxes for inspection. The banks are not advertising the times at which customers will retrieve their belongings. And armed guards -- always present when retrieval sessions take place -- are escorting customers and their belongings to their car.
Banks are not liable for any damage to the contents of safe deposit boxes. "If the contents are damaged, the customer should contact the insurance provider, said Steven Thorpe, Hibernia spokesman. "The bank doesn't insure the contents of safe deposit boxes and neither does the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp." Shearita Despenza, a Chase district manager, last week helped the steady stream of customers arriving at the operations center by appointment surrender their safe deposit boxes and empty the contents into heavy plastic bags. So far, Despenza has assisted more than 800 box holders and estimated at least 3,000 more need to go through the process. "It's an emotional experience for people who have already been through a lot," Despenza said.
Rusty metal boxes, sorted by bank branch and arranged in rows like library shelves, lined the walls of the warehouse-type building where Despenza has been working. A locksmith paced, waiting to assist customers who lost their keys in the flood. As boxes were opened, operations workers removed the doors from their hinges and tossed them in a garbage bin outside. Large floor fans blew air continuously, and machines provided fresh air to hold down the stench of soggy, rusting boxes and contents that had been saturated for more than three months. Nearby, experts hired by the bank waited to help customers review and authenticate their stored documents, clean tarnished jewelry and remove residue from rare coins and bullion. Bill Panitch, a document and coin expert from New York, looked at Currier's note from Presley and said the paper looked authentic but that he could not verify the signature. That was enough for Currier, who was thrilled to have the Presley letter safe from the flooding. (News, Source: Times-Picayune/Sanja Meegin)
Jeweler to The King to retire: After 68 years, Lowell Hays Jewelers is going out of business. When all the merchandise is sold, the lights at 454 South Perkins Ext. are turned off and the doors are locked, the city will be losing a long-standing institution that has touched the lives of generations of Mid-South residents. Over the years, this family business has helped create countless special moments and the keepsakes to remember them by. It is a business that has gained international notoriety as the official jeweler of Elvis Presley. Lowell Hays Jr. still sells replicas of the TCB (Taking Care of Business) ring, and TCB and TLC (Tender Loving Care) necklaces he designed for the King of Rock 'n' Roll 34 years ago. But after 44 years of running the family business, and with no one to follow in his footsteps, Hays says he and his wife, Linda, are ready for some much-needed relaxation time. "I'm just ready to retire," he says. (News, Source: Memphis Business Journal)
Paul McCartney does Elvis: It’s no secret that former Beatle Paul McCartney is a huge Elvis fan. During a concert for the BBC in the Abbey Road Studio’s, Paul brought a special surprise with him. He imagined that Elvis was there, standing next to him. When Paul did “Heartbreak Hotel”, he introduced the “Elvis Presley Bass”: the original stand up bass of Bill Black, which is now owned by Macca. Macca closed the Elvis part of the show with his version of “Blue Suede Shoes”. (Source: Elvis Matters ) Tupelo to recreate '56 Elvis Homecoming Parade: 1956 homecoming, which featured a parade in downtown Tupelo and a concert, will be re-created as part of the eighth Elvis Presley Festival, June 2-4. In 1956, Presley was honored with a parade down Main Street and proclaimed a favorite son by Gov. J.P. Coleman. The day was capped with a concert where Elvis was greeted by screaming fans during the Mississippi-Alabama State Fair and Dairy Show. "People were standing and clapping and waving their hands in the air to Elvis' music," said Jane Riley of Tupelo. "We were all into his music big-time." Presley was born in Tupelo but moved with his parents in 1948 to Memphis, Tenn., where he began his recording career. The festival hopes to gather oral histories from people who saw the concert, like Janice Coleman, who experienced a rare privilege when Elvis stepped on her right middle finger. "I put my hand on stage and he stepped on my finger," she said. "He didn't mean to." (News, Source: AP)
Cinderella meets Elvis: Cinderella in a rock and roll pantomime theme? And it does not stop there. It will also have a huge dose of Elvis Presley music. This is the latest offering by The Actors Studio at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) in Malaysia starting on Dec 22. “It is a new interpretation of Cinderella; something you can never imagine. The ugly stepsisters are men, the prince has a best friend who is a girl and the glass slipper is a blue suede shoe,” said Mazin Ameen Siraj, who is playing the role of Prince Charming. According to Mazin, director Paul Loosley has injected much fun in the play where a dozen of Elvis’ classics like Rockin’ Tonight, Hound Dog, All Shook Up, Love Me Tender would be rendered by the actors while the costumes are inspired by the 50s era. Even the carriage is a convertible car from the 50s. (News, Source: The Star Online)
Song by Vernon Presley discovered: Did Elvis get his talent from his father? A tape, offered for sale at the next Regency Superior Auction (January 8th) holds the answer. It was 'recorded' in his office behind Graceland. The song is seemingly directed to his second wife Dee, and is about the end of their relationship. Estimated value: $3000.00. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)
Elvis part of Memphis International Airport's new concourse: After two years of construction Memphis International Airport officials unveiled an impressive number of renovations this afternoon. The centerpiece is the new B-Concourse Rotunda. It features brand new restaurants like Sun Studio Cafe, Lenny's, Arby's, Back Yard Burger and many more. Stores like Elvis Presley Enterprises and The Rock and Soul Museum have also opened up. Today's unveiling featured everything from an Elvis impersonator to bands. Officials say the renovations totaled over $25m. (News, Source: wmctv.com)
Largo, Florida plans Elvis birthday tribute bash: Attention all Elvis Presley fans. Celebrate the "King's" birthday with a number of top talented Elvis tribute artists as they "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and provide a nostalgic evening of entertainment and fun on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2 p.m., at the Largo Cultural Center.
Mansfield was sworn into service with Presley, a 23-year-old draftee, on March 24, 1958, in Memphis, Tennessee. The two developed a special friendship that blossomed during their travels overseas. Once in West Germany, Mansfield introduced Elisabeth Stefaniak to Presley. Her relationship with Presley grew from personal secretary to housemate. The pair witnessed Sgt. Presley's complex personality unfold over an 18-month period. According to the Mansfields, the ultimate rock-star-turned G.I. was a mix of generous, humorous, sad and jealous. The story's focal point centers on the tug-of-war between Elvis and Rex over Elisabeth, a rivalry that would end with Rex stealing Elisabeth's heart, but losing his friendship to Presley. Their story follows Presley every step of the way from induction to discharge and is considered by many as the truest account of his time in the Army. "Elisabeth and I had a very unique, once in a lifetime, experience in our relationship with Elvis for those two years in the U.S. Army," Rex said. "I have always felt that some day, someone would want to make our book into a film or TV movie. I am very happy that now someone has the faith to do our story." Author Marshall Terrill, who recently finished writing the memoirs of former Presley bodyguard Sonny West, said Sergeant Presley most likely has a better chance on the small screen. "It would be great if it was made into a feature film, but in my heart I've always felt it was perfect for television or cable and, of course, would have a great shelf life in the DVD market," Terrill said. "The producers have very strong contacts in Hollywood and more importantly, they have a proven track record of success." An option gives a producer the rights to shop the project to studios to drum up interest for a film or screen version of the book. The term of the option is for a six-month period with another six-month option available to Campbell-Stone Entertainment. Rodney Stone is a veteran of the film industry as an executive with Warner Brothers Studio and as an actor in film and television. He produced Pistol: Birth of a Legend, a 1991 movie about the life of basketball legend "Pistol" Pete Maravich. He is currently producing on a drama about the trial of Richard Scrushy, the former HealthSouth CEO who was recently
Children's books continue to use "Elvis" for their characters: Two new children's books set for release in 2006 feature the name "Elvis" in their titles and for one of their major characters. Ellie and Elvis (about two elephants) (ISBN: 074758267X) will be released by Bloomsbury in September while Elvis the Squirrel (ISBN: 0713675640) will be ppublished by A&C Black in April. (News, Source: ElvisBookResearch)
Chart update: The "Hitstory" compilation climbs up to #22 from last week's #31 in the Swedish Top 60 albums chart. In the Greek Top 50 album chart it climbs up to #32 from last week's #34. Memphis Recording Service Vol. 2 1955 'The Rise of Elvis Presley': The Memphis Recording Service will release a follow up to its current release "Memphis Recording Service Vol. 1 1953-1954 " next year. Volume 2 on 1955 will be titled "The Rise Of Elvis Presley Vol. 2 1955". It will contain a book with more unpublished photos, a DVD and a 45rpm pressing from the original SUN 223 master mother stamper of "Mystery Train". (News, Source: Joseph Pirzada)
"The '68 Comeback Special" on ABC TV in Australia: Australia's national broadcaster, the ABC, has 'The Comeback Special' scheduled for telecast tomorrow night at 11.05pm. (News, Source: Melinda Bakker) Elvis goes I-pod!!: FvV posted this message on the FECC board: 'As an additional service to it's listeners, Radio Mi Amigo 192 now offers the weekly Elvis program 'The Memphis Flash' using the latest technical feature: podcasting. Until now, if you missed an episode of the weekly Wednesday show, containing all the studio recordings made by Elvis in chronological order: bummer! But now YOU can decide when and where to listen to your favorite program! Simply surf to http://www.radio-miamigo.nl and click on Podcasting. Look for the Memphis Flash feed and click on the iPodder icon (or surf directly to http://feeds.feedburner.com/MemphisFlashRadioMiAmigo), and you'll never miss an episode again! Lots of out-takes, many originals and valuable information about Elvis Presley at a time convenient to you. Bob Moore to speak on his career: You might not know the name Bob Moore, but you certainly know some of the tracks the bassist has played on. He appears on Roy Orbison’s “Crying,” Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and worked extensively with Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley. Next week, he comes to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum for its “Songwriters to Soundmen: The People Behind the Hits” series, where he’ll discuss his career. We reached him via phone at his Nashville home where he was taking a break from his day job as a contractor. "Elvis A Legendary Performer Vols 3 & 4" update (see earlier report 13 Dec): It is yet to be confirmed but it appears these CDs are not being released by the Madison label. There is now at least a question mark about the audio quality of these releases. (News, Source: Amber Smith)
FBI says Elvis duped by con-man while in Germany: What did the FBI make of top pop stars? Spencer Leigh goes digging and discovers some surprising sides to Presley, Lennon, Sinatra - and others. Elvis Presley was gullible and the victim of a con man, Laurens Johannes Griessel-Landau of Johannesburg. Masquerading as a doctor, he wrote to Elvis's secretary, Elisabeth Stefaniak, while Elvis was on army service in Germany in November 1959. He said, "I would not like to see him grow older and who would? I've certainly noted the wrinkles on his forehead and make a note of it to you." Presley thought that the German weather might be damaging to his skin and was impressed with Griessel-Landau's proposed treatment, which is described as aromatherapy. The trickster wrote: "It is my cherished ambition to give you a complete new skin and I swear to achieve this within the quickest possible time. Please don't worry about the small wrinkles on your forehead - you will not age." Immediately, Elvis was obsessed with the small wrinkles on his forehead. When Griessel-Landau arrived, he made homosexual advances to Presley's friends and possibly to Presley himself. On Christmas Eve, Presley discontinued the treatment. Griessel-Landau went into a fit of rage and "threatened to ruin his singing career and to involve Presley's American girlfriend, Priscilla (a 16-year-old daughter of an Air Force captain)". He claimed to have photographs of them in compromising situations and at this stage, Presley told the FBI that he was being blackmailed.In December 1970, Presley and Senator George Murphy travelled together from Los Angeles to Washington, and Elvis asked him to arrange a meeting with Hoover. Senator Murphy reported that Presley was "a very sincere young man, deeply concerned over the narcotics problem in this country and is becoming active in the drive against the use of narcotics, particularly by young people."
Presley, accompanied by the former Sheriff of Shelby County, Tennessee and six of his "Memphis Mafia" toured the FBI headquarters on New Year's Eve, 1970. Presley told the staff that Hoover was "the greatest living American" and that no one had done so much for his country. He had read various publications by Hoover including Masters of Deceit and A Study of Communism. Mr A Jones, who filed a report on his visit, stated: "Despite his rather bizarre personal appearance, Presley seemed a sincere, serious-minded individual who expressed concern over some of the problems confronting our country, particularly those involving young people." Presley said that his own long hair and unusual apparel were "merely the tools of his trade". Jones concluded, "Presley is of the opinion that The Beatles laid the groundwork for many of the problems we are having with young people by their filthy unkempt appearances, and suggestive music, while entertaining in this country during the early and middle Sixties. He advised that the Smothers Brothers, Jane Fonda and other persons in the entertainment industry of their ilk have a lot to answer for in the hereafter for how they have poisoned young minds by disparaging the United States in their public statements and unsavoury activities." (News, Source: The Independent/Sanja Meegin)
Elvis' birthday celebration: Time to put on your blue suede shoes and head to Memphis. Get there in the first week of January for the anniversary of Elvis Presley’s birth. If he were around today, the Pelvis would be, well, shriveled and greenish, but there are still many people out there who worship him…and quite a few others who claim he still hangs out in Vegas, although how you could spot him among all those Elvis impersonators is beyond me. No matter. Memphis it is, so treat yourself to a trip to Graceland while you’re at it, and if you’re attending the Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration, keep in mind it includes the Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Presley songs. There will also be numerous events at Graceland. And now the big question: How old would Elvis be if he were alive? The answer: 71. (News, Source: Gadling) Elvis Birthday Pops: When & Where: Saturday, January 7, 2006 at 8 pm, Cannon Center Key Performers: Vincent Danner, conductor Robert Bonfiglio, harmonica Terry Mike Jeffrey, vocals and guitar Terry Mike Jeffrey Band The Imperials, guest vocalists: Sherman Andrus; Terry Blackwood; Gus Gaches and Joe Moscheo.
Back by popular demand! Robert Bonfiglio, Terry Mike Jeffrey and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra get "all shook up" for the King's birthday. Don Elvis' trademark shades and sideburns, and enjoy your favorites, including Suspicious Minds and Burning Love. (News, Source: Memphis Symphony Orchestra)
Track listing 'A Legendary Performer Volume 3': Hound Dog (Original master, take 31) / Danny (Recorded for “King Creole”) / Fame And Fortune (Alternate take 2) / Frankfurt Special (recorded for “G.I. Blues”, alternate take HO-2) / Britches (Recorded for “Flaming Star”) / Crying In The Chapel (Original master, take 3) / Surrender (Alternate take 2) / Can’t Help Falling In Love (Alternate takes 1-5 / previously unreleased stereo recording) / Guadalajara) (Alternate take PVX-2) / It Hurts Me (6/68 previously unreleased on CD) / Let Yourself Go (6/68 previously unreleased on CD) / Inherit The Wind (previously unreleased alternate take) / Gentle On My Mind (previously unreleased version) / In The Ghetto (vocal only) / Let It Be Me (Recorded live in Las Vegas, February 15, 1970 Midnight Show) / Memories (Funny version, rehearsal July 24, 1970) / Meet And Greet in Elvis’ Suite (January 30, 1974) / For The Heart (Previously unreleased undubbed version) / Complete Interview with Elvis and the Colonel for TV Guide. "Elvis" mini-series nominated for Golden Globes: The Golden Globe nominees were announced this morning. The Elvis mini-series, which premiered on CBS-TV in May 2005, has received three Golden Globe Award nominations for "A Mini-Series Or A Motion Picture Made For Television". And the nominees are: Of her nomination, Camrhyn Manhein said: "What a thrill. Of all the amazing actors and actresses in this town, to be singled out among them is very remarkable." (News, Source: AP)
Limited edition "Behind-the-Scenes At the World's Fair" DVD: According to the tcb1 site - 'Welcome to FairVideo.com! Our first video offering is of the 1962 Seattle's World Fair featuring Elvis Presley. Never before seen footage of The King while filming the movie "It Happened At The World's Fair" For this DJ, it was all Elvis all the time: For most of the past year, there was no need asking Memphis broadcaster Rob Grayson what musician he'll spin next: Whether "Blue Moon of Kentucky," "Blue Hawaii" "Blue Suede Shoes" or "Blue Christmas," it was Elvis. Always Elvis. Through the end of October, he was the morning guy at Sirius satellite radio's all-Elvis station (Elvis Radio, Station 13). And Elvis CDs were pretty much all he shared space with in the closet-size, glass-windowed Sirius broadcasting booth near the Graceland visitor center at Elvis Presley Plaza. Grayson was born in 1957 -- "a member of the Beatles generation" -- but spinning Elvis for seven hours at a stretch may have been natural: He was raised 3 1/2 hours away, in Greenville, Miss., and has worked on and off in Memphis radio over the years. He also owns a studio in Memphis that produces cheerleader-competition tapes. With that, at least, he has some thematic variety. But spinning seven hours of Elvis day after day. ..."Well, you vary the tempo and the mix." And there's a listenership that calls to make curious requests. "Kids would call and ask for `Hound Dog' and `Teddy Bear.' Adults were a different story. Most requests, oddly, were not for the hits. There's a song called `Just Pretend,' an obscure LP cut from a '70s movie. We got lots of call for that." After 15 all-Elvis months, Grayson is pursuing other broadcast endeavors as well as running his studio. "I even play songs by more than one artist now," he says. Joking. But there's no Elvis burnout. "After all those months, I would still run across things that surprised me, like `I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell.' How that one slipped through the cracks, I have no idea." And there is the sheer volume of Presley material. "I was always discovering new Elvis -- like `Edge of Reality,' as close as he came to a psychedelic sound, from the `Live a Little, Love a Little' movie soundtrack." Grayson had more than an occasional brush with Elvis reality: George Klein, who went to high school with Elvis and was a member of the King's "Memphis Mafia," has an all-Elvis show on the shift after his.
Grayson has his own memories: "I lived around the corner from Graceland, on Winchester, the year he died. And I was on the air, filling in for a regular disc jockey, when rumors started came in. A listener called to say his roommate was a nurse at Baptist Hospital, that Elvis was there, and that Elvis didn't look so good. There were other calls. I alerted our news department. As far as I know, our station was the first in Memphis to broadcast word of Elvis' death." The station was WHBQ -- where, in the early '50s, announcer Dewey Phillips did the first on-air interview with a young truck driver whose debut single was just coming out. That song was "That's All Right Mama" backed with "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Kid had a funny name. Now, what was it? (News, Source: Charlotte Observer)
Elvis Festival program released: The official program for the ClubsNSW (in Australia) Parkes Elvis Festival has been released. Copies of the program are now available from the Parkes Visitor Information Centre. Hot off the presses, a record 7,000 copies of the program have been printed this year. The Elvis Committee are now busily preparing for a mail-out of programs to more than 1,000 addresses across Australia, where Elvis Festival fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their program. The program is bigger and fuller than previous years, with a record, 45 individual events! "The Parkes community are really getting behind the Festival and it's great to see the Clubs, pubs and businesses supporting the weekend with new and unique Elvis events across the town," Monique Kronk, Parkes Shire Tourism Manager said yesterday. "New on the program this year is the 'There Goes My Everything' Novelty Golf Classic, the Back to the Altar with Elvis Renewal of Vows, new bus tours to the Lavender and Alpaca Farms and 3 times more events at the Clubs! " Ms Kronk added. "This year we also have 'Things from the King', a collection of items that were owned by Elvis Presley himself! "The local hair dressers are even getting involved this year with the new Elvis Big Hair Competition, which will see local hair salons showcase their best Elvis and Priscilla hair-dos." "A hot tip for the locals - get in first now to buy your tickets for Saturday's Keno Feature Concert. The concert features renowned Elvis impersonator, Mark Andrew and going by the response so far, tickets will almost certainly sell out." Tickets for the 3.30pm and 8pm Saturday concerts can be purchased by dropping in to the Parkes Visitor Information Centre (adults $30, child $1, under 15). Payment can be also be made over the phone 6863 8860. The Festival Program can be ordered by contacting the Parkes Visitor Information Centre, email: tourism@parkes.nsw.gov.au, phone: 6863 8860 or view a version online at: www.visitparkes.com.au. For more information contact: Monique Kronk, Festival Media Liaison, Ph. (02) 6863 8860, Mob. 0427 462 428. (News, Source: Sanja Meegin) Allegiant's inaugural flight fit for The King: What better celebrity to bring on Allegiant Air's maiden flight to Las Vegas than Elvis Presley. There he was in his open-chested, white jump suit, chanting "Thank-you, thank-you very much" to the folks who stepped up to the ticket counter Friday evening to take Allegiant Air's inaugural flight from Palm Springs International Airport. "I came back from my grave" to do this, Harry Shahoian, the Las Vegas-based impersonator, quipped. It would be Shahoian's job to mix with the passengers, and perhaps croon, "Love Me Tender,'' as champagne glasses were filled on the 150-seat, MD-80 jet aircraft.
Allegiant is an all-jet, low-fare passenger airline providing service from 29 markets to Las Vegas, and from 14 markets to Orlando, Fla.
Check fares or book your tickets online www.allegiantair.com (News, Source: Sanja Meegin)
Thanks to many, East Tupelo lights up for Christmas: More Christmas lights are illuminating East Tupelo to spice up the holiday season. Hard work by the Presley Heights Neighborhood Association and other volunteers, along with donations from merchants, helped purchase scores of extra lights. Elvis runner nets $1,500 for SafePlace: David Ross of Olympia knew it wasn't going to be a personal record — especially because he was witnessing about 20 run-through weddings and stopping for photos along the way.
But it turns out that a disastrous “wardrobe malfunction” also contributed to the personal trainer's lackluster finish-time for last weekend's Las Vegas Marathon. "Elvis A Legendary Performer Vols 3 & 4" for "unofficial" CD release: Following a thread on the FECC messageboard a rumor is circulating that these albums will be released "unofficially". Vols 5, 6 & 7 were released in the last year or so and were well received by fans. (News, Source: FECC/Amber Smith) EIN E-Alert reaches milestone with prize give-away: Our FREE weekly newsletter, the EIN E-Alert celebrates its 200th edition this week. To mark this milestone we have 5 great Elvis prizes to give away. In this week's alert we have news of EIN's upcoming interview with Memphis Mafia member, Lamar Fike, look at a proposal for a loyalty program between the Hilton Hotel chain and EPE, and take a look back at Blue Suede Shoes...the Elvis ballet! Click to subscribe to EIN's FREE weekly email newsletter (News, Source: EIN)
Click for highlights of Jim Curtin's "Elvis Empire" auction of items owned by Elvis
Elvis still The King on all-time UK singles & album charts!: Elvis Presley remains the King - but Queen has overtaken The Beatles to become the third most successful act of all time. Elvis has spent 2,574 weeks in the UK singles and album charts, making him number one in the Top 100 Most Successful Acts of All Time. Sir Cliff Richard remains in second place, clinching 1,982 weeks. But this year's chart, taking account of sales in 2005, shows that Queen has now overtaken The Beatles to make it into third place, with 1,755 weeks. The Beatles have slipped to fourth place, with 1,749 weeks spent in the British singles and album charts. With 1,660 weeks, Madonna remains one place above Sir Elton John (1,626), but is steadily closing the gap with The Beatles. If the Queen of Pop continues producing music at the same rate, she is predicted to overtake the Fab Four in around two years. Oasis have risen three places to overtake Status Quo and make it to 25th position. Kylie Minogue makes the biggest jump - up 13 places to number 42, with 692 weeks. The Stereophonics are the highest climbing group in the top 100 - up 13 to 71. Eminem is the highest new entry at number 86, while Britney Spears has broken into the top 100 for the first time. George Benson and Depeche Mode have been booted out of the list. (News, Source: AP)
Elvis' hair in fraud scheme: An El Monte man pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal fraud charges in a telemarketing scheme that prosecutors said netted $3.5 million from 200 mainly elderly victims. Alonzo Narvaez, 26, entered pleas in federal court to mail fraud and wire fraud. He could face up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced in February. Geoffrey J. Gallagher, 45, of Sierra Madre, and Richard Gilson, 62, of Phelan, previously pleaded guilty to fraud charges. The men ran West Coast Gallery in suburban Covina, a telemarketing company that claimed to offer investments in collectibles for auction, including Elvis Presley's hair and memorabilia from the inaugurations of Presidents Reagan and Kennedy. Investors were told that they could get a return of 28.5 percent to 150 percent, prosecutors said. In fact, the company had virtually no memorabilia and most of the money went to Narvaez and the others, authorities said. (News, Source: AP/Sanja Meegin)
Collingwood Elvis Festival 2006 tickets go on sale next week: As the icy grip of winter descends, the Collingwood Elvis® Festival is looking ahead to the hot fun days of summer 2006. Surprise the music fan on your Christmas list with the gift of Elvis® – tickets for the 2006 Collingwood Elvis® Festival go on sale Thursday, December 15th at 10am. Call to reserve your favourite seats at the 12th Annual Collingwood Elvis® Festival taking place July 26th to 30th, 2006. The perfect stocking stuffer, tickets for the four electrifying arena concerts which take place Saturday, July 29th and Sunday, July 30th, range from $15 to $45 for matinees and from $25 to $75 for the evening shows. Children 12 and under will receive a discount of 50% for the matinee shows and Elvis® fans who purchase tickets to all four shows will enjoy a 15% weekend discount. A 10% savings for groups of 20 or more will also be offered again this year. The 12th edition of the World’s Largest Elvis® Tribute Festival is a fabulous five-day party held on the beautiful shores of To order your tickets beginning Thursday, December 15th, contact the Collingwood Elvis® Festival Box Office at 1-866-444-1162 or e-mail tickets@collingwoodelvisfestival.com. (News, Source: K.A. DeNike)
Andie MacDowell visits Graceland: Actress Andie MacDowell, best known for her role opposite Hugh Grant in "Four Weddings and A Funeral", is the latest celebrity to visit Graceland. (News, Source: EPE) Joan Deary Elvis "remix" album: According to postings on the FECC board there is a new album circulating in the "Elvis underground" featuring remixes of Joan Deary produced material such as Mary In The Morning and Frankie & Johnny. By all accounts it is a poorly done computer music program effort. (News, Source: FECC) Graceland responds about "secret" Elvis movie by Lisa Presley: After our story yesterday about Lisa planning to produce and star in a film about Elvis, Elvis News contacted EPE and spokesperson Todd Morgan says there is no truth to the rumour. (News, Source: Elvis News)
Dee expounded on the fact that the artist said he did not want his face to look full or "fat", but to capture his likeness. Dee said that she thought he may have been doing this for Lisa Marie. The artist was working on it when Elvis passed away and when he finished it, he said that he could not part with the oil painting, but he did make 4 signed copies, or lithographs. One was for Vernon, one for Priscilla, one was for Lisa Marie, and one for Graceland. Dee went to the airport and picked up the 4 prints, and took them to Graceland. Vernon Presley and Dee were separated at this time, and Vernon was in the hospital. When Dee got to Graceland, she called Vernon, and he said for her to keep one for herself. You would have to understand, Dee's home was filled with pictures of Elvis, large and small, everywhere. After several weeks of seeing this print, Dee simply could not bear to keep it. She knew how much I loved Elvis and she asked me if I wanted it. I said yes, of course! I have had it in my possession for the last 28 years. I called the curator at Graceland, and she told me that she had never seen a print of Elvis like this one there, not even in the archives. She commented to me that I did have a piece of Elvis memorabilia. She also said that apparently the other three had left Graceland at some time by a family member, not to be put on display. The lithograph is in the original matted frame, and measures 24 ½" X 28 ½" and weighs between 9 and 10 pounds. It has never been tampered with. A few years later, Dee Presley wrote a book about her life with the Presley family, "Elvis, We Love You Tender". Dee personally inscribed a note to my mother, Monnie Irby, and autographed one of the first books. The book and inscription are pictured below. A recent death in the family caused the book to surface. The book authenticates that my mother and Dee were the very best of friends and authenticates how I received the lithograph. This book is included in this auction. (News, Source: ebay)
Charity chosen for holiday season: The Salvation Army has been chosen by a vote on the Presidents' Forum as the charity to be focused on this holiday season by all fan clubs that would like to participate. In Honor of Elvis's charitable acts during the holidays, if you would like to participate, please send a check or US Money order (international Fan Clubs may also send a US Money order) in ANY amount made payable to: Salvation Army
Lisa Presley plans secret Elvis movie?: According to Australia's 'Woman's Day' magazine, Lisa Presley is so impressed by the new Johnny Cash biopic, Walk The Line, that she is planning her own film about Elvis. The report says Lisa wants to honour he father and tell his story from her perspective. It goes on to say that Lisa will not only produce the film, but also co-star, as her mother, Priscilla. (News, Source: Woman's Day/Sanja Meegin)
Crash takes chunk out of Graceland: There's a hole in the "graffiti wall" outside Elvis' Graceland mansion. Tuesday morning a Jeep hit a patch of ice on Elvis Presley Boulevard, ran into the graffiti wall and knocked a hole all the way through. Kevin Kern, a Graceland spokesman, told us it's too cold right now to use mortar to patch the hole. "In the meantime," says Kern, "these bike rack barricades will remain in place, and then we will also probably put plywood or some sort of barrier on the backside to make sure that the grounds here at Graceland remain safe for our visitors and for us at night." (News, Source: wmctv.com/Sean Sumner) Good Rockin' Tonight: On Friday April 21, 2006 Danish fans will get the chance to see two living legends perform in Randers, Denmark. The names of these two legends are DJ Fontana and Bob Moore. They will be performing at the Good Rockin' Tonight show together with the great Paul Ansell and his band Number Nine. DJ Fontana played drums for Elvis from 1955 to 1968. Bob Moore played bass for Elvis from 1958 to 1966. Both of them played on many great Elvis hits. You can order your ticket from either Elvis Unlimited (phone +45 86429696) or from Vaerket in Randers, Denmark (phone +45 8913 5110). (News, Source: Elvis Unlimited)
Michael Jackson to get "Elvis singles blitz treatment: Twenty Michael Jackson hits will be reissued as audio-video singles by Sony BMG. The initiative, entitled "Visionary: The Video Singles", comes after this year's reissue of 18 Elvis Presley hits earned 750,000 sales and three UK number ones. The Jackson reissues will be the first Dualdisc singles, with audio on one side and the video on the reverse. The series begins with the parallel releases of Thriller and Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough on 23 January. Thriller will be packaged with a collector's box and ineligible for the singles chart, but all the other releases will challenge for a chart position. (News, Source: BBC News) The Jordanaires in Elvis concert tribute: On September 16th (we asume this should read December16), the Association brings back The Jordanaires, Elvis' original back up group, and Las Vegas Legend, Matt Lewis, in a full tribute to Elvis. This show is back by popular demand and promises to be one of the most popular of the season! Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at Allegany High School, West Virginia/Western Maryland area. Tickets may still be purchased by calling the Tri-State Concert Association at (301) 759-0580, by visiting TWR Communications at 549 N. Centre Street, or by visiting http://www.tri-stateconcerts.com. (News, Source: Cumberland Times-News) Wanda Jackson to release Elvis tribute: After much talk and many obstacles, the Elvis tribute album promised by Wanda Jackson will finally hit the street Jan. 31, 2006. The album, I Remember Elvis, will feature classic Elvis tunes that Jackson has interpreted in her own style, including “Love Me Tender” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” Wanda Jackson has been called the Queen of Rockabilly, and is known not only for her music but her relationship with Elvis Presley. The two toured together from 1955-56, and dated during that time. Jackson attributes Presley with encouraging her and guiding her through her musical career; she views I Remember Elvis as her way of returning the favor. (News, Source: Sanja Meegin)
No alternate takes on upcoming BMG releases: The three new Elvis CDs we announced yesterday will apparently not contain any new material (takes). If they were mid-price releases we'd understand, but recycling previously issued tracks on a full-price CD is, in EIN's opinion, a retrograde step, and with falling sales of Elvis CDs, strategically unsound. (News, Source: BMG)
Elvis vs. Madonna - the debate continues (see also 4 Dec 2005): Fred Bronson miscalculated the intelligence of the Elvis fans by trivilizing a couple of huge double sided Elvis hit records by counting them as 1 Top 10 song even though each song appeared in other Top 10 song charts. Mr. Bronson correctly pointed out that the Hot 100 chart was not in existence prior to the year 1958 when Elvis had many of his hits. What Mr. Bronson failed to include in his explanation of how he came up with his tally of Top 10 songs was why he chose to count hit songs from the Best Seller chart, instead of the Top 100 chart which precended the Hot 100. By using the best seller chart, he excluded songs such as Hound Dog which was listed separately in the Top 10 in the Top 100 Chart and the Airplay chart in use at that time. Many of Elvis’ records remain intact, while some of the records such as the number of Top 10 hits will eventually be broken. Elvis fans, music fans and music historians understand this however, they firmly believe that whoever breaks these records must earn them.
Billboard answers on the Elvis vs Madonna chart issue (see also 5 Dec 2005): "This item has generated more letters to "Chart Beat Chat" than almost any other subject in 2005. I understand why I've received so many missives about Madonna tying Elvis Presley's record number of top 10 hits. EIN Note: There is merit in Billboard's argument. It is similar to "new" Top 40 charts recently published in Australia by David Kent. They involve personal judgment and a revisionist approach to actual published charts. The downside to such approaches is that confuse the chart situation and devalue "official" published charts. (News, Source: The Elvis Express)
For the Sins of the Father - A Time to Die (1979)!: Something a little different today, an except from the controversial "underground" book, The Tupelo-Memphis Murders! "The old man's features were still handsome. His body was continually racked with intense pain, his heart weakened by the ravages of time and the pain of what he perceived as a tragic life. His had been a privileged existence for twenty years, but as a simple minded man from the near backwoods of southern America he had always been ill equipped to deal with the fame and fortune of his son's success. Despite the trappings of wealth the man had lived his life in a state of perpetual fear. Fear he could never fully understand and for this reason he had to run...run for his life....The death of his beloved son was the final, brutal straw which sent him into a self-fulfilling spiral towards extinction. Even the safety of the mansion he had lived in for so long was no longer of comfort. The mavens had been sacked and there was an eerie emptiness that pervaded its regal corridors and ornately furnished rooms. Wandering from one place to another inside his home he could find no solace, no respite from the demons that were torturing his poor, insecure soul. What did he have left? In his aged, failing mind, nothing...The mavens panicked. Operation Fountain Pen was still to be fully resolved...What could they do?...The old man was going to die anyway. The powerful drug was administered invisibly, added to his evening drink, never to be suspected. And as time passed and others moved on, the secrets of the past would become themselves more secure, hidden deep within the recesses of a diminishing group of people who because of their own ageing frailty would never want nor be able to successfully confront and expose their own demons or part in the wicked game which had destroyed so many lives and then been played out at the expense of an unknowing world. Oblivious to the political machinations surrounding her family, the old woman sat silently in her rocking chair, staring blankly at the morning sun..." Click to read EIN's review of "The Tupelo-Memphis Murders!" (Book Excerpt, Source: EIN) Elvis for Mayor?: The City of Modesto in California is suing itself to try to stop a December 13th city council runoff election that it doesn't think is necessary. City officials believe Planning Commissioner Kristin Olsen won the seat outright in the November 8th election. But city officials say the Stanislaus County clerk's initial vote count included 243 unqualified write-in votes and left Olson just short of the majority she needed to avoid a runoff. Some of the write-in votes were for fictitious candidates, such as Elvis Presley. City officials say the only way to cancel the election is for a judge to call it off. A court hearing is set for Tuesday. (News/Odd Spot, Source: AP) "Elvis By The Presleys" 3DVD set in Japan: The Japanese Elvis site mentions a 3 DVD edition of the "Elvis By The Presley"s" DVD. This 2 DVD with bonus disc release from SONY / BMG Japan should be released January 25, 2006. You can already pre-order this edition from Amazon Japan. (News, Source: Elvis World Japan /Elvis News)
Blue Christmas Wine: Elvis' seasonal classic BLUE CHRISTMAS has been turned into a new festive wine. Graceland Cellars, a winery sanctioned by Presley's estate, is offering fans the new wine, which comes with a label featuring The King in front of a Christmas tree. (News, Source: Sanja Meegin) Elvis in Iraqi news: A news clip telecast today showed the Iraqi army shooting at civilians with the background music of Elvis singing Mystery Train!!!! (News, Source: Sanja Meegin) Celebrate Christmas with a 'Jailhouse Rock' bean-bag: If you're looking for the perfect gift for an Elvis fan check out the Jailhouse Rock "longe chair" bean-bag. Seen in Aussie Target stores for around A$60.00. (News, Source: Target)
US & UK ' Heartbreak Hotel' CD and DVD releases: On HMV you can pre-order the single that is set for release on January 9, 2006. This is not the UK single, but an (US) import. The UK version will be totally different and is planned for May. A CD album, a CD single, two vinyls and a DVD package are planned. It will be a much bigger deal than what will happen in the US. (News, Source: Todd Slaughter/Elvis News) Elvis' Honeymoon Hideaway: Inside the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway, caretaker/tour guide Laura Ramstead weaves through the asymmetrical rooms, all but oblivious to the fuzzy blown-up photos of the King, the leather-jacketed mannequin and the '60s-style jukebox. Instead, she's focusing on the architectural details that inspired editors at Look Magazine to splash the dwelling on a 1962 cover and proclaim it The House of Tomorrow. "It's been like pulling teeth to get Elvis to leave the building," Ramstead says with a laugh, as she points out peanut-brittle stone walls, a free-standing conical fireplace, terrazzo floors and other features that make the place an icon of swinging '60s modernism. The Elvis connection (he leased it for a year in 1966 and honeymooned here in 1967) still gets top billing. But increasingly, visitors are drawn to the house as a hallmark of mid-century modern architecture, a style that shaped Palm Springs from the 1940s to the '60s. A revived interest in that sleek, bold style has brought new vitality to this desert resort city of 45,000, once considered God's waiting room. Now, after years of languishing touristically, Palm Springs is heating up with a passel of re-invented lodgings and new restaurants that are drawing a younger, hipper crowd.
"We've played on the past for so long," says Mark Bellinger, head of the local tourism bureau. "Now we want to go after a younger demographic." So it's a bit ironic that what's attracting that younger demographic is, in many cases, a retro style exuberantly showcased in a growing number of lodgings. The Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway, where the King honeymooned in 1967, is a stellar example of mid-century modern architecture. Tours by arrangement, $25-$30; 760-322-1192. Information: 800-347-7746; palm-springs.org. Also, bestofps.com. (News, Source: AP) Las Vegas Marathon for Elvis impersonators: Running shoes that offer cushion and arch support but can withstand 26.2 miles of pounding the pavement under the desert sun? Check, check, check. This weekend, David Ross of Olympia will join dozens of other people in donning those types of items as they attempt to set a record for “The World’s Largest Collection of Elvis Marathon Runners.” “It’s probably the only world record I’ll ever be involved in,” said Ross, 35, a personal trainer at The Valley Athletic Club in Tumwater. “I just can’t seem to find whose record we’ll be breaking.” According to the latest count, about 40 people from across the country plan to take part in the effort during the New Las Vegas Marathon on Sunday, which begins and ends at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, and includes 5 miles on Sin City’s famous Strip. Of course, that number could be much higher if more of the estimated 10,000 to 15,000 runners break out the hair gel and extra-furry fake sideburns for the event. This is the first year the marathon’s course will run through The Strip. With a $302,000 purse, it also is the most lucrative one. Along the course, runners will be treated to more than a dozen entertainment centers, featuring live music performances. “There’s all kinds of hokey stuff,” Ross said. “I mean, it’s Vegas, obviously.” Ross is scheduled to leave for Vegas today. Among his itinerary: • Get running shoes blessed during a special ceremony for marathon participants Saturday at a historic church on The Strip. “It’s really hard to run in the leather, mid-calf zip boots that Elvis wore,” Ross said. “So I found a pair of the ugliest Nike running shoes ever made. But they match the jumpsuit beautifully.” • Attend a pep rally and “Honeymoon in Vegas” reception Saturday.Ross said he was asked to wear his “full Elvis regalia” for the events. His jumpsuit is a knockoff, but he’s not ashamed of that. “The real ones weigh, like, 75 pounds because they’re covered with so much jewels and ornate metal and stuff,” Ross said. He bought his jumpsuit at a Halloween costume shop and hired someone to decorate it with rhinestones and plastic jewels. “It’s extremely light,” Ross said. “Extremely runnable.” To make the outfit complete, he plans to accessorize with a pair of large sunglasses and some extra-chunky gold jewelry. • Run the marathon Sunday. At mile 5, he’ll be among a few dozen Elvises witnessing ceremonies at the “World’s First Run-Thru Wedding Chapel” that’s being set up on the course. The Rev. William Petersen, who has performed more than 25,000 Las Vegas weddings, will run with couples “at a leisurely pace” until the 5-mile mark, according to the marathon’s Web site. About 20 couples have signed up for the nuptials, Ross said. This is Ross’s first marathon since he ran the Capital City marathon about a decade ago. He’s trained with cardiovascular workouts, and moderate and long runs three times a week for the past few months. He thinks he’s ready. Ross said he’s not sure, though, how he’ll do in the jumpsuit. The most he’s run in it was a few hundred yards “just to see if it stayed on or rubbed anywhere wrong,” Ross said. He and several friends decided to run the marathon as “Elvi” last spring after working on a documentary about the beloved singer. “We sort of vowed, ‘If you do it, I’ll do it,’ ” Ross said. But then as the deadline approached, his pals bagged out on the plan. Through some Internet sites, Ross learned several other people were planning to dress like Elvis for the marathon. They began coordinating their ideas. Some are Elvis fans, like Ross. Some are Elvis freaks. Perhaps they won’t break any speed records, but they hope to make history. (News, Source: Sanja Meegin)
"Memories of Elvis" closes: "I've shed quite a few tears. It's not only my life, it's my heart," said Carol Light, as she closed the doors to Memories of Elvis, one of the first Elvis Presley-themed gift shops to open after Elvis' death.
The store closed at 7 p.m. Wednesday after 27 years as an independently operated shop. Located in Graceland Crossing Shopping Plaza, just north of Graceland, it was in a strip shopping mall bought by Elvis Presley Enterprises in 1997. EPE had extended the leases for Memories of Elvis and another independent shop, Loose Ends, on a month-to-month basis. EPE gave notice six months ago that the leases would be canceled and the stores had to move by Nov. 30. Loose Ends closed last month.
Light, whose shop had become a tradition for tourists, sold a wide variety of items unavailable and often less reverential than those found in EPE-owned shops. From Elvis flyswatters and golf balls to cookie cutters and "Kiss Me Quick" lip gloss, more than 200 items had been available this season that weren't sold through EPE's stores.
Light said she searched other potential locations near Graceland, but found nothing within easy walking distance of the Whitehaven tourist attraction. "There is very little around there that EPE doesn't own," she said. Instead, she has decided to open a gift shop to be called Carol's Gifts and Collectibles at 7174 Stage in Bartlett near Wolfchase Galleria.
Light said the shop will open March 1 with a general theme and a very limited selection of Elvis merchandise. "I'm going to have to feel my way, because I don't know what the market will bear in that area," she said.
In a statement posted on its Web site, EPE said: "As we continue to refine our visitor center properties we need those two Graceland Crossing tenant spaces to be available to us for the evolution of our own operations." Spokesman Kevin Kern said a specific use for the property is still uncertain.
Light closed out most of her merchandise through discounts up to 50 percent off during the last week of her lease. The only remaining gift shop in Graceland Crossing now is the Souvenirs of Elvis shop, an EPE-owned shop next door to the Rock & Roll Cafe, an independently owned restaurant. EPE spokesman Todd Morgan said earlier this year the cafe was not considered "competition" for EPE. (News, Source: Commercial Appeal)
"Elvis" an official word in the Dutch language: Dutch is the very first language to have "Elvis" as an official word. It is highly unusual that a name is accepted as a substantive noun. Only worldwide known names and brands get this privilege. Nevertheless, the official dictionary "van Dale" has listed two deriviations of "Elvis": Elvisbakkebaard(en) (Elvis sideburn(s)) and Elviskuif/ven (Elvis forelock(s)). One problem though: it seems that history isn't the core business of van Dale. Year of birth of Elvis (1935) is correct, but the dying-year (1937) is 40 years early. Your fanclub has already alerted the van Dale company. In the next issue, the mistake will be corrected, and it will also be on van Dale's website. (News, Source: Elvis Matters / Elvis News) Elvis is "Guardian Angel" for Patrick Swayze: Hollywood actor PATRICK SWAYZE has been told by four different mystics that ELVIS PRESLEY watches over him. The DIRTY DANCING star, 53, insists that although he is not a huge fan of The King, many people have likened their personalities. He says, "Four different psychics have told me Elvis watches over me. They call me with reports. "I'm not really a big Elvis fan but a lot of people have compared our sensuality. "Whatever. I don't mind that." (News/Odd Spot, Source: Contact Music/Sanja Meegin)
New Elvis related film in 2006?: According to author Stan Knight, there is a strong possibility his novel, "Elvis Presley's Twin, Jesse Garon: The Records Show He Died...but Did
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Quote: "Elvis Presley is the supreme socio-cultural icon in the history of pop culture" (Dr. Gary Enders) Quote: " Elvis is the 'glue' which holds our society together....which subconciously gives our world meaning" (Anonymous) Quote: "Eventually everybody has to die, except Elvis" (humorist Dave Barry) Quote: "He is the "Big Bang", and the universe he detonated is still expanding, the pieces are still flying" (Greil Marcus, "Dead Elvis") Quote: "I think Elvis Presley will never be solved" (Nick Tosches) Quote: "He was the most popular man that ever walked on this planet since Christ himself was here" (Carl Perkins) Quote: "When I first heard Elvis' voice I just knew I wasn't going to work for anybody...hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail" (Bob Dylan) Quote: "When we were kids growing up in Liverpool, all we ever wanted was to be Elvis Presley" (Sir Paul McCartney) Quote: "You can't say enough good things about Elvis. He was one of a kind" (Johnny Cash) Quote: "It isn't enough to say that Elvis is kind to his parents, sends money home, and is the same unspoiled kid he was before all the commotion began. That still isn't a free ticket to behave like a sex maniac in public" (Eddie Condon, Cosmopolitan) Quote: "Well, he wasn't shy, and he wasn't the mama's boy they often make him out to be" (Barbara Pittman) Elvis records reaching #2 & #3 on the Cashbox Pop Singles chart: #2: A Fool Such As I (1959) #2: A Big Hunk Of Love (1959) #3: Hard Headed Woman (1958) #3: One Night (1958) #3: (You're The Devil) In Disguise (1963)
Elvis Facts: Tickets for Elvis' show on March 29, 1957 in St. Louis cost $2.00 to $2.50
While in Germany Elvis was hospitalised with tonsillitis in October 1959
Despite being an illegal immigrant, photographic evidence shows Colonel Tom Parker traveled to Canada with Elvis in 1957
Elvis strongly believed there weren't enough good songs in King Creole to justify releasing a soundtrack album. RCA initially agreed, releasing two very successful EPs from the movie. A soundtrack LP eventually followed
During the 1960s Elvis had his own football team, Elvis Presley Enterprises, which played in the Menphis touch football league. In the 1962 final, EPE narrowlt lost to Delta Automatic Transmission. 6-13.
In Clambake, (Elvis) Scott Hayward's driving licence shows February 23, 1940...taking 5 years off Elvis' real age
In the 1970s Elvis was ofered $5m to stage a concert in front of the Pyramids in Egypt. When the Colonel declined the offer, Saudi billionaires raised the offer to $10m
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