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Lisa Marie Presley's World Marty's Musings Rex Martin on EIN

Best of Elvis on YouTube FTD Shop Susan MacDougall's Book Reviews

BEAUTIFUL DIGI-PACK RELEASE - LIMITED EDITION: ELVIS HAWAII 1961 BENEFIT SHOW:

Full show, including 2 rare bonus tracks!.......Heartbreak Hotel - All Shook Up - A Fool Such As I - I Got A Woman - Love Me - Such A Night - Reconsider Baby - I Need Your Love Tonight - That's All Right Mama - Don´t Be Cruel - One Night - Are You Lonesome Tonight - Now Or Never - Swing Down Sweet Chariot - Hound Dog

BONUS TRACKS: Award presentation to Elvis (March 25, 1961-Honolulu, Hawaii)

Interview about the USS Arizona Memorial Benefit Concert (March 1961, Hawaii)

Note from Epgold: this release is a black fabric made CDr. (News, Source: EP Gold)

Elvis That's The Way It Is - The Complete Works: Early feedback from fans who have received this set is a very positive one! The Elvis messageboards have seen postings including: Awesome! I got my set about an hour ago. So far I only had time to watch the first (opening)show and I must say it's great! Loooove it! Oh my god, I've been waiting for this for a long long time. Absolutely fantastic set! The wait has been soooo worth it. Great release - awesome package, very good sound (as Russian Fan mentioned before) and smart editing of all the movie stuff (in the best quality I've seen until now). Tremendous job, well done and worth the waiting and my money. Wow!!!! This is a wonderful release!!!!! Its lived up to the hype. Read more about "TTWII The Complete Works"

Has Sony BMG undersold Elvis with the RIAA?: Elvis researcher, Brian Quinn, has posted this interesting observation on the FECC board:

Currently, the RIAA certification criteria for albums are:

500,000 units: Gold album.
1,000,000 units: Platinum album.
2,000,000 or more units: Multi-Platinum album.
10,000,000 units: Diamond album.

Multi-disc albums are counted once for each disc within the album if it is over 100 minutes in length. For example, each copy of OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (running time of 134:56), and Shania Twain's Up! (145:44), both double albums, were counted twice, meaning each album was certified diamond after 5 million copies were shipped. The 100 minute requirement does not apply to albums released in the vinyl era so double albums such as Pink Floyd's The Wall and The Beatles' White Album are counted double even though their running times are under the minimum.

Two Elvis Albums e.g. 'Aloha From Hawaii' (currently 5XP) and 'Elvis In Concert' (currently 3XP) were originally released in double album format and because they were below the 100 minute rule they were disqualified for 'double sales'. Bearing in mind the above Pink Floyd and Beatles Albums why haven't the Elvis ones been given the same treatment? (News, Source: Brian Quinn, FECC)

EIN Comment: The running time of a double album is a spurious indicator in calculating award status. Regardless of running time, double albums essentially have a similar retail price.

La Vanguardia release in Spain: Here is the fifth volume (of twenty) of the collection of the local newspaper in Catalonia (Spain) "La Vanguardia". This time it brings his first album "Elvis Presley" published in March 1956 with original tracklisting of 12 songs (without bonus).Undoubtedly 1956 was the year of Elvis and RCA took full advantage of this record editing 6 Singles and 4 Extended Play with tracks from this album. As usual the presentation of this collection is accompanied by a deluxe hardcover book of 30 pages with information and photographs in color and black/white. It also makes reference to the official website (www.elvis.com) and their respective copyright to certify their quality of product approved. (News, Source: Elvis News)

Elvis Matters (Belgium) magazine: It's March, and that is excellent news for our 2200+ members. The new ElvisMatters Magazine, glossy, full color and 68 pages of non-stop Elvis news, is ready to be sent out! In this magazine, we welcome ED BONJA, Elvis's photograper, as our new and exclusive contributor. So: don't miss this one! Here's a look at the content of #24:

Visit the "Elvis Matters" website

Aussie Chart Update: On tomorrow's ARIA Music DVD Top 40, Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll climbs 2 spots tp # 24. It has been on the chart for 47 weeks and is certyified Platinum. (News, Source: ARIA)

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Low bids for Elvis items at auction: The recent Heritage Auction (held last weekend) brought in remarkably low bids. A Hound Dog, given by Elvis to JD Sumner sold for less than 300 $US (298 to be exact), and an Elvis 1957 fan hat sold for even less: just 98 $US. Highlight was a belt, supposedly worn by Elvis (with no picture proof) that sold for 10157 $US. A jacket worn in the early 60's got a bid of 3734 $US, and a contract signed by Elvis and JD Sumner sold for no more than 4780 $US. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

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Champion boxer wants to get married in his Elvis jumpsuit: According to The Sun, Presley fanatic Ricky Hatton, 30, is aiming to wear his Elvis jumpsuit - in the sky blue colours of his beloved Manchester City - when he weds sweetheart Jennifer Dooley.

He proposed on Valentine's Day, and a date has yet to be set.

But a pal of The Hitman said: "He wants the jumpsuit and an Elvis impersonator doing the ceremony.

"He can have his stag do out there too." (Odd Spot, Source: The Sun)

Elvis Sessions IV Update.....and the truth about Standing Room Only: JAT indicates....Our work on Elvis Sessions IV book is already in progress although it will take awhile before its release. There are a lot of discussion about the Standing Room Only project on different sites/forums  and here's a quote from an interview done in 1993 with the late Joan Deary for Sessions II that will be featured in Elvis Sessions IV :

'' Standing Room Only was never intended to include the selections recorded in Las Vegas in February or the single material that was cut in March. The final project was scrapped but my intent all along with RCA and The Colonel was to release a live album based on the best of the four shows recorded in April on tour. I even went as far as compiling my own track listing from these shows, our goal was to increase single sales and it worked. This is how it was going to be no matter what anyone else says ''. (News, Source: JAT/FECC)

One of a kind 8mm location footage from Blue Hawaii on eBay

8.5 minutes of airport movie set takes!

(News, Source: davide, FECC forum)

“I Believe” set release delayed: The release date for the "I Believe - The Gospel Masters" 4 CD Box set has been changed to April 6 worldwide. This new collection features Elvis' entire non-secular studio masters with all songs being remastered from the original tapes using the latest DSD technology for optimum sound quality. (News, Source: Elvis News/Elvis Australia)

Elvis festival and car show in Florida: Fans of the king, listen up! The 30th Annual Elvis Presley Continentals Festival and Car Show kicks off Friday, Feb. 27. Head to the Ramada Orlando Celebration in Kissimmee to check out the memorabilia, auctions and entertainment, including tribute artists.

The fun starts at 6 p.m. Friday and runs through 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets start at $10 and on Saturday, there is a dinner and a show. Combined tickets are $50 bucks and $25 for the show only. On Sunday, see the car show. Tickets are $15. (News, Source: MyFoxOrlando)

Sony Special Products to release single disc album: Sony Special Products will release the single disc CD "Elvis" on April 7, 2009 in the USA. No Other information is available yet. (News, Source: Amazon.com /Elvis News)

The Killers 'We'll celebrate Shockwaves NME Awards win with Elvis': The Killers declared they wanted celebrated their Shockwaves NME Awards win last night (February 25) by partying with Elvis Presley.

The band recently celebrated another awards ceremony by teaming up with U2 and Coldplay, but wanted to go one better by raising The King, who died in 1977.

"We're going to have a séance and try to get Elvis to join in," joked Brandon Flowers. "We'll see how that works out." (News, Source: NME)

Message from Sonny West about Red and Pat West's son, Brent: Many thanks to Sandi Pichon, who relayed the following message to EIN. EIN knows all Elvis fans will be thinking of Brent and the West family, as he bravely battles one of the biggest challenges like can offer: "I received a phone call from Sonny this morning relaying a message to fans around the world from Pat West regarding Pat and Red's son, Brent.  Sonny asked me to please pass along the message to your site specifically.  Brent has cancer. We all know how frightening that is, especially when it is your child.  Pat said they would welcome prayers from everyone for Brent and I am passing that information along to you so that you may post it. Pat and Red are with Brent in CA.  She didn't provide an address where cards can be mailed at this time." (Opposite: Red & Pat West)

BBC producing documentary on the Colonel to celebrate his 100th birthday: Elvis Unlimited has exclusively learned that the BBC is planning a documentary about Colonel Parker in celebration of his 100th birthday. Charles Stone, one of Elvis' tour managers will be a producer for the documentary. (News, Source: Elvis Unlimited)

New sheet music book release: This is the cover art for the Hal Leonard sheet music songbook "Elvis Presley 2" which is due for publication March 2009. ISBN: 0634099736 / 9780634099731. (News, Source: EIN/Amazon/Elvis News)

New releases coming from the Joseph Tunzi group (JAT)

The legendary gas station fight in 1977 involving Elvis: Click here to read an interview with Bruce Frey, an eyewitness to what happened as Elvis stepped in to separate a brawl between 2 men. (News, Source: Bruce Frey/classicbands.com)

Aussie TV Watch:Tonight's episode of Private Practice (Prime/7 network) features What'd I Say by Elvis. And on Sunday 1 March fans can watch Girls! Girls! Girls! on the Prime network at 11.30am (check your local guide as some stations in the network may be carrying alternate programming). (News, Source: EIN)

Apocalypse Jukebox - the end is near!: It has long been well established that gospel music was one of the main ingredients in the original rock ‘n’ roll stew. Yet it must be emphasized that the particular gospel style that most influenced the founders and forefathers of rock was as much on the fringes of the musical mainstream as the religious views of groups like the Millerites were from the norms of biblical interpretation. Everyone knows, for instance, that Elvis was in large part formed by gospel and that gospel music is a significant part of the Elvis canon. There is a vast difference, however, between the style of gospel upon which Elvis drew to help create the rock blueprint and the gospel records, based within a more mainstream tradition, he made later in his career.“How Great Thou Art” is not a rock ‘n’ roll urtext; the premillennial musical expressions of sects such as the Holy Rollers is. In his definitive biography of Elvis, Peter Guralnick tells the story of how Elvis and his girlfriend Dixie would sneak out of their all-white “home” church during Sunday service in order to experience the ecstatic service of the black church down the street. There, Elvis would have heard Reverend Brewster, whose sermons were also broadcast on the radio, deliver the apocalyptic “theme that a better day was coming, one in which all men could walk as brothers.” Yet even if Elvis did not pick up on that message, which is doubtful, it is obvious that he was directly influenced by the “exotic” and ecstatic music of such soul stirrers as Queen C.Anderson and the Brewsteraires, the church soloists. His first audiences did not fail to make this connection.

Site offline: Regular visitors to the EIN site will have noted that it was offline for more than 36 hours. Our apologies for this interruption. Ourweb host recently changed its server fleet from the US to its Australian datacentre. As a result there is now a bandwidth limit each month. Being a high volume site, EIN will exceed that limit. EIN is addressing the issue and there should be no further interruptions to our service. Many thanks for your understanding and thanks to the many of you who enquired as to the reason for the site being offline.

Synopsis: From Amazon: Elvis fans will love this collection of reflections about the King. Join a few of his family, friends, and fans, including Pat Boone and Ronnie McDowell, as they describe their personal experiences with Elvis Presley through anecdotes, photographs, and paintings. (News, Source: Amazon)

Visit EIN's Book Releases in 2009 Page

Elvis That's The Way It Is - The Complete Works now shipping!!!: Finally, after a few delays, the much anticipated 3DVD/6CD/book set has left the warehouse! And the initial response from fans and Elvis clubs is a positive one!!

Initial feedback can be found on the FECC board, EP Gold and Elvis Express. EIN has received a number of messages indicating "....well worth the wait", ".....video quality is up and down but overall a great set" and "...best release in years!"

The bulk of the 1,000 limited edition set was sold on "pre-order" and while a number of suppliers are seeking additional orders, they are simply not available!! What this means is that many suppliers have already "sold out" of their initial order and will not be able to obtain further copies.

More details on the set

Visit 'Elvis Express Radio' for images from the set

Joe Esposito comments divide fans: Our news item on Joe Esposito's comments (see Thurs 19 and Fri 20 Feb) about Red and Sonny West and Dave Hebler, continues to generate strong opinion. On Friday we published a comment reflecting the very strong backlash against Joe's comments. Today, these comments from AJ reflect the 'pro Joe' sentiment : "I read what Esposito said about that book and Sonny. NOTHING was as bad as Sonny and Red said about Elvis !! Some wonder why fans do not forget? Because what they did was unforgettable as well as unforgivable!! Betrayal of a friend is unacceptable to me as well as many others. Elvis would probably forgive them. I won't!!"

Prominent Elvis World identity, Sandi Pichon, had this to say:

Another Gold award for Elvis: JBNVA58 posted this message on the FECC board: On Feb. 18, Elvis recieved another gold award, or the CD "Ultimate Gospel". The RIAA site confirms the award. (News, Source: FECC/RIAA)

As recorded at the Hilton Hotel showroom in Las Vegas, Nevada, December 2^nd, 1976, Opening show.

Straight Arrow label announced its 12^th release near the end of December; a double CD with the famous December 2^nd, 1976 Opening Night. Some fans are asking, “Why is this release delayed and will it ever see the daylight?”.  The answer is very simple: Straight Arrow is here to give you the best possible quality. We originally intended to use a 1978 first generation copy for this release, simply because we figured that the original tape was no longer around or could no longer be traced. But then, as the project was almost near completion, our search for the original tape finally paid off, and we got in touch with the person who recorded the concert and owns the original 120-minute master tape.

The sound fidelity and overall quality of this tape is FAR superior to any copy in circulation, and unlike these copies is also 100% complete! 

Excerpts from the sleeve notes: 

"The show - probably the second longest of Elvis's career - was drawing to a close. Elvis treated the audience to a fine "Bridge Over Troubled Water", introduced his father, thanked the crowd "for making this opening night really fantastic", and, ignoring requests for yet more songs, began "Can't Help Falling In Love". The-usual scarf-and-kiss routine drew many fans to the edge of the stage. Two tiny girls in blue dresses were put up onto the stage. Elvis acknowledged the crowd's ovation before disappearing under the descending gold curtain. He'd never be quite as dynamic again during the 12-day season, but it had been an opening night to remember - over 100 Magic Minutes."

Tracks: CD1: 01. Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. Jailhouse Rock - 08. It's Now Or Never / Are You Sincere (excerpt) - 09. All Shook Up - 10. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 11. Dialogue / Don't Be Cruel (excerpt) - 12. And I Love You So - 13. I Just Can't Help Believin' (by request / last live version) - 14. Fever - 15. Softly As I Leave You - 16. Polk Salad Annie. 

CD2: 01. Band Introductions - 02. Early Mornin' Rain - 03. What'd I Say - 04. Johnny B. Goode - 05. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 06. Bass Solo (Blues - Jerry Scheff) - 07. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 08. Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) - 09. Love Letters - 10. School Day - 11. Celebrity Introductions (Vikki Carr, Glen Campbell) - 12. Hurt #1 - 13. Hurt #2 - 14. Hound Dog (with false start) - 15. Hawaiian Wedding Song (with false start) - 16. Dialogue - 17. Blue Christmas - 18. That's All Right, Mama - 19. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 20. Introduction of Vernon Presley - 21. Can't Help Falling In Love - 22. Closing Vamp.  Approx. runing time: 101 minutes. (News, Source: FECC)

Now on eBay.....a range of Elvis books, CD, FTD releases and more:

	........Visit the eBay page Visit the eBay page.......

Aussie Chart Update: On this week's ARIA Music DVD Chart, Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll slips 8 places to #26. It has been on the chart now for 46 weeks with a high position of #4. It is certified Platinum. (News, Source: ARIA)

EPE unveils latest logos:

FTD to release Standing Room Only as 2LP set: On March 23 FTD will be releasing a 2CD version of STANDING ROOM ONLY. As you know the album was never officially released and it's possible that the version we create was never meant to be, but it's the best way we can present the Las Vegas masters from February of 1972 and the masters and outtakes from the March 1972 sessions at RCA.  STANDING ROOM ONLY vinyl will be scheduled for release with the FTD April title (TBA).  Cat #: 8869748444-2 FTD are planning two more CDs for the first half of 2009, and at this time they have scheduled them for mid-April and mid-May.  (FTD News, Source: Elvis Unlimited) STANDING ROOM ONLY:

BLUE HAWAII - THE LIMITED EDITION 2-DISC VINYL SET RELEASE DATE: LATE MARCH 2009 FTD is pleased to announce the release of a special 2-disc 180-gram vinyl set. Supplied in a new gatefold sleeve, the original release is complemented by a special soundtrack companion album featuring many stereo outtakes not previously available on this format. REASONS TO BUY: Re-mastered from original analogue US tapes Vinyl cutting by ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS DMM Copper Mastering 180 Grams heavyweight vinyl Strictly limited pressing

THE COMPANION DISC
Side 1
Steppin' Out of Line (movie version) 1:56
Beach Boy Blues (movie version) 1:59
Can't Help Falling in Love (movie version) 1:54
Blue Hawaii (Takes 1,2,3) 3:45
Almost Always True (Takes 2,5) 3:37
Aloha Oe (section 2, Takes 6, 7/5 ) 2:10
No More (Takes 2,8*) 3:52
Rock-a-hula Baby (Takes 1,2,3) 3:36
Moonlight Swim (Take 2) 2:33
Side 2
Can't Help Falling in Love (Take 13) 2:21
No More (Take 11) 2:25
Ku-u-i-po (Takes 4,5) 2:41
Slicin' Sand (Takes 1,8,14) 3:50
Hawaiian Sunset (Take 2) 2:46
Steppin' Out of Line (Takes 4,5,15) 3:42
Island of Love (Takes 7,8) 3:42
Hawaiian Wedding Song (Take 1) 3:00 (FTD News, Source: Elvis Unlimited)

Visit EIN's FTD Shop

Note: The price of the vinyl releases is yet to be announced.

Rare audio/video of Elvis: On a regular basis EIN receives enquiries as to what rare and unreleased audio-visual footage exists of Elvis. In recent years a number of notable releases have surprised many fans. In particular, the synched audio-visual footage of Elvis' historic concert in Tupelo from September 26, 1956 was arguably one of the most important releases in the past few decades. It is likely there is more very rare Elvis footage yet to come. This may well include the famed Pied Piper of Cleveland footage (it does exist!) and more video (sans audio) footage of Elvis live in the 50s. Possible also is the claimed footage of Elvis on the Roy Orbison television show and audio/video of Elvis on The Wink Martindale Show.

During my 4-week stay in the United States in October/November 1991, I was able to arrange a meeting with Eddie Bellman and was fortunate enough to get a chance to watch Bellman's private 8-mm footage of Elvis' vacation in Biloxi/Ocean Springs. Bellman owns about 20 minutes of beautiful footage of Elvis on their deep sea fishing trip, waterskiing and target shooting in beautiful colour. You can see a couple of minutes of this footage in the video "Elvis in Hollywood". (News, Source: EIN/The Atomic Powered Singer)

Legendary Chuck Norris talks about Elvis: Three decades after Elvis' death, his life is larger than ever, and his estate is still expanding as big plans are underway right now for more Graceland's renovations. Forbes reported that, in 2006, the king-of-rock-n-roll's earthly home took in $27 million in revenue, and his overall business empire still yields more than $40 million a year. For those keeping records, those numbers earned Elvis the second highest grossing dead celebrity status last year, behind only Nirvana's front man and iconoclastic singer, Kurt Cobain. With the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death Aug. 16, I thought I'd take a little walk down memory lane when I visited the king one night in Las Vegas and taught Priscilla martial arts in Southern California.

Over the next decade and a half, Elvis was awarded advancing black belt degrees, and in time was granted an honorary 7th degree black belt. He even opened his own martial arts school back in Memphis, "The Tennessee Karate Institute", where Bill Wallace was the chief instructor.

Elvis' love for martial arts permeated his career in music and movies, where he'd often demonstrate his self-defense moves. I'll never forget seeing him perform in Las Vegas (which I'll detail in a moment), where he kicked, punched, postured and even did the splits holding his guitar in hand!

Several of his films demonstrate the influence of karate in his life, including "G.I. Blues, "Wild in the Country," "Blue Hawaii," "Kid Galahad," "Follow that Dream," "Double Trouble," "Harum Scarum" and "Flaming Star."

Teaching Priscilla martial arts..........While they were still married, Priscilla called me to say she wanted to study karate with me. We had been introduced by Ed Parker at a tournament. I asked her why she didn't study with Ed, to which she replied, "Ed can't teach me because he is Elvis' private trainer as well as his personal bodyguard." So I agreed and taught her at my Sherman Oaks martial arts studio.

Priscilla came to her private lesson wearing a gi (a martial arts training uniform). She worked hard, and I soon discovered she was serious about her training. We would start her lessons with stretching exercises to loosen and warm up the muscles. She was quick to learn some basic kicks. Priscilla had studied ballet, which gave her an edge over many students, because she was already limber and able to execute high kicks with ease. Within a month she was able to kick anywhere I directed with force and precision.

When we started free-style sparring (a free exchange of blows, blocks and counterattacks until a cleanly executed assault to a vital point is made), I tried to put a boxer's head-guard on her. Although most students welcomed the face protection, Priscilla scorned it. I remember her responding as she rejected the offer to wear it, "I won't have one of these on in the streets." Once she even insisted on going out in the alley behind the studio to work out with the high-heeled shoes, because she said that was what she usually wore.

Priscilla has many of the qualities I value in a person. She is open and has a positive attitude toward life. She was a great reflection in yesteryear of what we see today - women training and competing with equal diligence and fortitude to men. From her training onward, I've expected top results from both my male and female students. In fact, in my World Combat League, women are among the fiercest competitors.

Viva Las Vegas!................After one of her private lessons, Priscilla invited Bob Wall (my karate studio partner) and me to Las Vegas to watch Elvis perform at the Hilton Hotel. We gladly accepted the invitation. This would be the first time I met Elvis in person. I'll never forget sitting in the front booth with Priscilla at that dinner show and being captivated by his charisma and showmanship.

Afterwards Elvis invited us up to his suite, where we talked until 4:00 in the morning. At first I thought, "What are we going to talk about?" I knew nothing about music, but I knew I could talk about martial arts all night long! And we did! I was impressed with his self defense insight and devotion. Even after two shows earlier that evening, Elvis stayed to the early morning hours shooting the breeze with us. That was a special night for all of us, which I'll never forget.

Elvis was a real nice, down-to-earth guy, who made you feel in a few hours like you had known him forever. I still enjoy his music and films. I wasn't always a big fan of his morality, but then I wasn't always a big fan of mine.

I hope, despite his struggles near the end, that Elvis too made peace with God, believing those gospel truths as well as he belted them out as a singer. God's amazing grace is still all sufficient, able to forgive us all of all we've done wrong, even those king-sized vices. When we ask Him to do so, as Elvis sang, we too can sing, "O happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away."

Despite some personal objections to his lifestyle, no one can doubt Elvis' musical and theatrical genius, creativity and magnetism as a performer. And as far as his martial arts abilities, he truly was pretty impressive, flexible and tough. He may not have been a Bruce Lee, me or other notables in the field of professional competition, but then again have you ever heard about any of our singing careers? (News, Source: Amber Smith)

Elvis beats Madonna to title of "Top Icon": It is not Madonna, who rules the heart of millions of rock fans but evergreen rock legend Elvis Presley. In a new poll to find out the rock singer fans would love to meet, the 'Jailhouse Rock' singer toppled 'Princess of Pop' to take the crown.

The legendary singer, who died in 1977, topped the list in a poll by digital broadcaster Music Choice, with the 'Material Girl' in second place, Contactmusic reported.

Presley, who continues to earn millions of dollars as album royalty, even after more than three decades of his death is remembered for his distinct fashion choices and dance routines.

Former Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, and Beatles legend John Lennon came third and fourth respectively, while U2 singer Bono rounded out the top five. (News, Source: Press Trust of India)

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Elvis still generating big bucks.........and "Diamond Joe" slams the authors of "Elvis, What Happened?: ELVIS Presley's best mate Joe Esposito talks about the man, the money and the memories in an exclusive look at the extraordinary value of Elvis the asset. Even in death, Elvis Presley can't stop making money. The business of Elvis - Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) - last year turned over almost $100 million. EPE is majority-owned by New York Stock Exchange listed company CKX and is growing even when the US economy is faltering. CKX bought 85 per cent of EPE in 2004 for $US100 million (now about $150 million). The Presley family retains 15 per cent.

CKX owns all of EPE's business activities except the music - Graceland and its tour operations, the Heartbreak Hotel across the street from Graceland, the trademark licenses for Elvis' likeness, songs and name. CKX also has a similar stake in the name, image, likeness and intellectual property of Muhammad Ali. In addition, it owns the American Idol TV show.

The opening of the Elvis-themed cabaret show in Las Vegas this year which will follow in the lines of the successful ‘Love'’ show based on the Beatles will undoubtedly generate more substantial income for CKX.

CKX also plans to demolish the 128-room Heartbreak Hotel, opposite Graceland on Elvis Presley Boulevard, to build two 400-room hotels, restaurants, an amphitheatre and shops.

In the 2007 calendar year, CKX reported income of $US12.1 million on sales of $266.8 million - a 32 per cent jump on the previous year. But it's not just the big companies who live on Elvis.

Elvis's long-time friend Joe Esposito - in Australia this week as a consultant to Gold Coast-based beverage distributor Global Beverage Marketers-Daiquiri Group - makes a living off touring the world talking about Elvis.

“It's amazing. He's been dead for 31 years and he's still a big part of my life,'' Mr Esposito said from yesterday from the Gold Coast. “I have come from England and Ireland and now I'm in Australia, and then I'm in Sweden and France - I love it. I have a lot of answers and people just want to talk about Elvis.''

Mr Esposito (71) retired in December after working as a casino host in Las Vegas. He first met Elvis in the late 1950’s after they were both drafted in the US Army for duty in Germany.

“I was an office clerk in Chicago and was drafted when I was 20. Most of the guys, including Elvis, were 23. I though getting drafted would change my whole world. It did,” he said. “I met Elvis, we struck up a friendship and before I left the Army in March 1960, he asked me to come and work for him. “At my discharge from the Army I was told I had flat feet and a bad ankle. I was also too young. I shouldn't have been in the Army in the first place, yet it was fate. I met Elvis and he changed my life.''

He worked for Elvis for 17 years, was the best man at Elvis' 1968 wedding, was a pallbearer at Elvis' 1977 funeral and went on to manage the Bee Gee's, Michael Jackson and John Denver. He was sacked five times by Elvis - usually an overnight event because it was forgotten the next morning - and endured the bitterness that came with a tell-all 1976 book “Elvis - What Happened?'' written by former Elvis bodyguards.

“That book crushed him,'' he said. “It was all he talked about - `why did they say those things?' he would say. It hurt him tremendously. “The book, with all its negativity, depressed Elvis. He took pills and more pills. I think that 50 per cent of the cause of Elvis' death was that book.''

“I don't care for those people (who wrote the book). They're not Elvis' friends.''

The US has an estimated 30,000 Elvis impersonators, each with a business of unpublished worth and Mr Esposito believes Elvis wouldn't have minded being represented in that way.

“They're doing something they enjoy and I'm sure Elvis wouldn't have been upset with that,'' he said.

Mr Esposito is now charged with helping promote GBM's push to distribute beverages - primarily the German premium beer Krombacher - into the US casino and hospitality sector. Incidentally, Krombacher was the beer Mr Esposito drank while on duty with the Army in Germany in 1959. (News, Source: Neil Dowling, Perth Now)

Read EIN's 2002 interview with Joe Esposito

Read EIN's comprehensive "Sale of EPE Archives"

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Classic Billboard Hits album cover: This is the cover art for the budget compilation "Classic Billboard Hits" which was released on the Rattle And Roll label on February 6, 2009. It contains twenty hits recorded between 1956 and 1958. (News, Source: Elvis Presley Gesellschaft E.v. / Elvis News)

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Elvis is one of 50 chosen as GQ mens magazine as The Most Stylish: Here is the comment from the GQ's web site:

The 50 Most Stylish Men Of The Past 50 Years (and what you can learn from them).......

Elvis may have been more about bling and booze in his later years, but early on - according to Bernard Lansky, self-proclaimed clothier to the King - his style was always “clean as Ajax.” A hard thing to pull off as a muddy Mississippi white boy who popularized a defiantly black way of dressing; pegged pants, hi-boy collars, immaculate hair, and the plaid jacket that Lansky tailored for Elvis’s star-turning appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. The King set the sartorial tone for Jerry Lee Lewis and a host of other Memphis rock ’n’ roll legends, all of whom made Lansky’s men’s shop the place to go if you were an up-and-coming musician. And though he may have gone Vegas in later years, Elvis ultimately returned to his roots. “I picked the white linen suit, blue shirt, and white tie he was buried in,” says Lansky, one of the honorary pallbearers at Presley’s funeral. “It was sharp.” ( News, Source: GQ Magazine / Elvis News)

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Elvis Crespo........Live From Las Vegas (Machete Music) (due out in the US on 17 March) In my weaker moments, such as after having imbibed sufficient quantities of Flor de Caña, I will admit to something of a fondness for Elvis Crespo. This is due primarily to a year spent in Latin America around the same time that Crespo’s absurdly popular merengue hit “Suavemente” was released and could be heard from every bar and on every chicken bus throughout the region. Crespo can hardly be described as high art, but he’s certainly high energy, and judging from this live recording from a July, 2008 performance in Las Vegas, lives by the creed of giving the people what they want, both beginning and ending with “Sauvamente” and filling in the middle with hits that fill the adoring crowd with spasms of screaming joy and booming sing-alongs. The highlight ... no, lowlight ... no, highlight is his “Medley Elvis Presley,” a nod to his namesake in the finest white-jumpsuit-in-Vegas style. (News, Source: Vue Weekly)

Rex Martin....the final part: In the final part of a riveting interview, Rex talks about, among other things: the impact of seeing Elvis live on stage some of Elvis' "live" song highlights Elvis in Vegas vs. Elvis on the road how Rex looks back on publishing the Weekly and spending so much time following Elvis in Vegas and on the road the logistics of doing a trans global interview!!!!! Rex's vivid narrative of life and technology in the 60s and early 70s paints a wonderful panoramic of the landscape in which his weekly Elvis news publication crystallised and grew. It is a slice of what was an often frenetic, challenging and very rewarding part of the Elvis story. (Interview, Source: EIN)

Aussie chart update: On this week's Australian ARIA Music DVD Top 40, Elvis Presley: The King Of Rock And Roll drops six places to #18. The DVD is certified Platinum. (News, Source: ARIA)  

Rex Martin on EIN: In response to his great contributions to EIN, we are pleased to announce the Rex Martin on EIN page. To read all of Rex's fascinating articles and his four part interview with EIN click here

Rare "red label" Surrender EP for sale: ELVIS PRESLEY Surrender EP (One of the rarest of the rare - Original April 1961 French 4-track 'Compact 33 Double' 7", EP with silver on red label, also featuring Lonely Man, Flaming Star & Summer Kisses, Winter Tears, fully laminated flipback picture sleeve. Far rarer than the almost impossible to find blue label version, the vinyl on this astonishing copy is in amazing EX+/NM condition & the sleeve too, apart from some historic tape staining at the openiSee 'More Info' for further details ... AUD1549.85 £ 695.00. (News, Source: 991.com)

Most people ignore their estate planning or, if they do an estate plan, do it poorly. For some people, that's fine. If they don't have children or any significant assets, often no real harm is done.

For others, it's a disaster. Farm families can lose the family farm. Business owners can lose the family business. Cottage or chalet owners can see a treasured family asset unnecessarily sold to a stranger. Children can bicker over their parent's grave and never sit down together again at Christmas dinner. With marriages, divorces and remarriages, children can lose the whole of their inheritance to the family of their step-parent. Families living in Canada with U. S. connections, past or present, can be surprised to see a family member's estate hammered with foreign estate taxes.

Good estate planning, on the other hand, can be powerful. It can save hundreds of thousands of dollars in Canadian income taxes. It can avoid U. S. estate taxes. It can encourage children to pursue a university education. It can leave a lasting charitable impact on the community. It can keep a cottage or ski chalet in the family for use by a future generation of family members. It can avoid family fights. It can express the values, and often the quirks, of unique individuals who broadcast what they stand for through their estate plans. Some people actually die with style.

This column will appear weekly and canvass both the good and the bad. It will focus on lessons to be learned and provide some advice on how to do things right. It will do that based on real life examples. Those examples will include the famous, such as Napoleon, Alfred Nobel, Ronald Reagan, and Elvis. Those examples will also include the estate plans of the not so famous, such as John Harry, Henry Clarendon, and Thelma Russell. Many of them broke new ground when they died.

Elvis taught us not to forget our parents. Napoleon let us know that dying is a magnificent opportunity to recognize the little people in your life. Nobel demonstrated that a family fortune does not have to die, even if its maker does, and can exert influence for hundreds of years. John Harry told us how to plan around laws that otherwise limit testamentary freedom. Henry Clarendon told us what you can and cannot do with your corpse. Thelma Russell let us know that there is a right way and a wrong way to provide for the family pet. They will join dozens of others who will speak from the grave and tell us the dangers of planning too late, planning too simply or not planning at all.

When estate planning has gone awry, families can find themselves locked in mortal combat. We will deal with how to avoid family fights, and how to save a fair result out of a bad estate plan. We will deal with not only how to do estate planning right, but how to avoid unfair results when it is done poorly or not at all. No matter how much we want to avoid it, sometimes a person has to go to court. (News, Source: John Poyser, The Calgary Herald)

Elvismania!: While Beatlemania has been well recorded (largely thanks to the widespread use of audio-visual technology in the 1960s), Elvismania is not as well chronicled in the medium (due to the paucity of audio-visual hardware in the 1950s).  Few audio-visual relics exist of the pandemonium and riots caused during many of Elvis’ early performances.

Where Elvismania has been recorded for posterity is in the many newspaper and magazine editorials and news stories of what ensued at an Elvis concert.  That from mid 1956 the police required Elvis’ shows to be presented in a certain way resulted in a formal clause being included in the contract for each show:

Show to be presented in its regular presentation as per show police established on other appearances

One archive of such material is Lee Cotton’s sublime book, Did Elvis Sing In Your Hometown?  EIN has taken several accounts from the book to highlight the extent of “Elvismania”:

San Diego, California – April 4, 1956: Long before the show started, a platoon of the Navy Shore Patrol and extra police units were called out to protect Elvis from the over-enthusiastic crowd.  During the show, the roar of the crowd was deafening, and the young women were wound up to a frenzy by Elvis’ gyrations.  At one point, he temporarily stopped the show in an attempt to get the crowd to return to their seats.  Order was restored only after he said, “Sit down, or the show ends.”

Rumors that Elvis had been jailed following his performances in San Diego spread like wildfire and were reported as far away as Amarillo, Texas.  What the press actually witnessed was a cordon of police officers escorting Elvis from the arena to protect him from his overzealous fans.

El Paso, Texas – April 11, 1956: As Elvis exited the building, it took ten policemen to hold off the wildly enthusiastic crowd.  Even with the protection of the local police, Elvis was man-handled by the crowd.  Later, he said, “one girl took a swipe at me and really clawed my side.”

Dallas, Texas - October 11, 1956: Cotton Bowl Stadium – Ninety-five policemen were hired for security to keep fans in check.

Louisville, Kentucky - November 25, 1956: After a blistering 35 minutes on stage, Elvis slipped out of the building unnoticed.  His fans, not content to let him go so easily, stormed the stage.  Some girls caressed the microphone he had used.  Others rubbed their hands in the places he had stepped and then kissed the dirt.  And, this was just the matinee!

Chicago, Illinois - March 28, 1957: When Elvis finally hits the boards, it was the first time he was wearing his famous $2,500 gold suit, designed by Nudie of Hollywood. ……..The effect on the crowd when the spotlight first illuminated Elvis in his shimmering wardrobe was sheer pandemonium as thousands of fervent fans made a mad dash for the stage……..He (Elvis) was able to hang on for an incredible 47 minutes, singing a total of sixteen songs, before a dozen young women climbed on stage, effectively putting a halt to the show. During the performance, firemen carried away thirteen girls who “swooned upon viewing their idol.”  One distraught female struck an usher with her purse, sending him top the hospital with a suspected skull fracture.  Another grabbed the edge of the stage with such determination that it took two policemen to pull her away.

Los Angeles, California - October 28, 1957: The first 20 rows of seats had been removed, placing the fans further away from Elvis. In addition, two dozen police ringed the front of the stage…….Finally, the audience of 9,200 got an eyeful of Elvis, wearing the gold jacket, white trousers, and a ruffled white shirt.  Some fans closest to the stage may even have heard part the show.  Their screams echoed two blocks away, according to Wally George, who reported on the affair for the Los Angeles Times, who wrote, “The impression upon walking through the audience was that of being on the edge of a volcano.”

Los Angeles, California - October 28, 1957: The police filmed Elvis’ show in response to concerns his act is lewd and corrupting teenage youth. (Source: Did Elvis Sing In Your Hometown?)

"Blue Hawaii" FTD to be shipped next week: As announced this updated Classic Album is to be released next week. It is coing out as a classic 2CD set - and thsi time also as a limited 2 vinyl LP set. Go here for tracklisting.     (News, Source EIN)

Elvis Songwriter Rose Marie McCoy, Reminisces: Rose Marie McCoy 86, of Teaneck, wrote the songs that made Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Nat King Cole, Louis Jordan, Ruth Brown and Dinah Washington sing. And that pays a whole lot better. "It's God's gift," McCoy says. "It's like I can't write a bad song." There is some objective evidence for this. McCoy, both singly and with onetime songwriting partner Charles Singleton, published some 800 songs in her 57-year career, including tunes that were recorded by Elvis ("Trying to Get to You" and "I Beg of You"), Jordan ("House Party," "If I Had Any Sense I'd Go Back Home"), Brown ("Mambo Baby"), Ike and Tina Turner ("It's Gonna Work Out Fine") and many, many others. In 2007, American Songwriter magazine listed McCoy as one of its 11 "all-time great soul songwriters." "I had an office in the Brill Building for 25 years," says McCoy, also a producer, who was headquartered in the famous offices at 1619 Broadway that were the 1960s successor to Tin Pan Alley. "[Jerry] Leiber and [Mike] Stoller were right next door to me," she says.

Welcome back George Klein: On Friday, George Klein returned to his Sirius radio program live from Graceland. George read fan cards and letters thanking everyone for their thoughts and prayers. GK is still on medicine for his injuries and said he has flash backs. GK said he was driving to work about 10:15 AM, January 6, 2009. He says it was raining and he noticed the water on the road when suddenly his car hydroplaned. He flipped over twice in his brand new Caddy and then went down an embankment and his car continued to flip over numerous times. George said he could not get to his cell phone so he reached up and pressed his On Star button. He says the operator told him an ambulance would be there in 15 minutes for him. He was taken to the local Trauma Center. GK said this about his newly purchased car he was driving that day, " It was a hard top and I think that's what saved my life."

"The Complete That's The Way It Is" boxset (6DVD/3CD/book)

CAN NOW BE ORDERED FOR DELIVERY WEEK BEGINNING 23 FEBRUARY 2009!!!!!

The boxset will be released week beginning 23 February 2009!!

Go here for more details on this highly anticipated boxset!

Lamar Fike remembers Brenda Lee: In the lead up to publication of his highly anticipated memoir, An Uncommon Journey: On Elvis Presley Boulevard (due out in the spring in the US), Lamar recalls a humorous incident involving the legendary Brenda Lee: While LAMAR FIKE was working with ELVIS PRESLEY, as part of The King's Memphis Mafia ... he was also putting together a plan for a new singer ... someone named BRENDA LEE. She went onto sell 90 million records and was the darling of Nashville for many, many years. Fike accompanied Lee to most of her shows, and she recounts a funny story in her autobiography LITTLE MISS DYNAMITE, released by Hyperion Books, "We played a gag on Lamar one night. After the show one night, he left his briefcase sitting in the middle of the dance floor. We got it and it had about $20,000 in it. In those days you carried the cash around with you until you got home ...the road manager always carried it. When he came back to get it, we pretended it was gone ... he almost had a heart attack." Fike says, "Brenda was just a plain little girl ... but, when she walked out from behind those curtains and the spotlight hit her ... she was totally transformed." At Sunday night's Grammy Awards she was presented with a Lifetime Grammy Achievement Award, by Sheryl Crow and LeAnn Rimes ... in 8 seconds! Fike, who's book AN UNCOMMON JOURNEY: ON ELVIS PRESLEY BOULEVARD is out in the spring feels she should have been flown in. (News, Source: David Salidor/James Edstrom, Times Square Gossip)

Memphis Mafia immortalised.......thanks to the (very rich) 'Memphis Mafia, Choc and PB with Choc Sauce Donut': Following an enquiry we received for Memphis Mafia member, Marty Lacker, Marty responded to us with the following interesting item: "I called the guy the other night after I saw a show here called Man Vs. Food. The hosts travels the country and eats humongous amounts of food at different restaurants and bakeries I to see if he can eat it all. He did a segment from this guy's doughnut shop in Portland, Oregon where the guy makes 70 different kinds of doughnuts and he names them all. He named one,"The Memphis Mafia" and that surprised and shocked me when I heard it while watching the show, so I decided to call him after the show and say thanks. It always amazes me when I hear people recognize us, especially when it's about unusual things. Elvis would be laughing his ass off and loving it."

EIN Note: We managed to track down the above photo of the donut (Source: Kelly H.) which is fully titled:

The Memphis Mafia, Choc and PB  with Choc sauce over an apple fritter

Read more from Marty Lacker in EIN's "Marty's Musings"

Who is this woman?: Leading Australian Elvis collector and expert, Bob Hayden, is compiling information on the 1968 tour of Australia of Elvis' famous gold Cadillac. One of the photos Bob has unearthed is of this lady. The photo was published in The Canberra Times and taken when the Cadillac was exhibited in Canberra from 26 to 30 April 1968.

Bob would very much like to make contact with the person in the photograph to obtain her remembrances of the event. Anyone with information please contact Bob.

Unused "Aloha" ticket for sale on eBay (News, Source: Steve Biddlecombe)

Aussie Chart Update: On this week's ARIA Music DVD Top 40 the 'Elvis Presley - The King Of Rock And Roll' compilation dropped two spots to #12. (News, Source: ARIA)

'April Fool's Dinner' new Southern Comfort CD: The upcoming CD-release by the Southern Comfort / Audionics "team-up" is entitled "APRIL FOOL'S DINNER", and it contains the excellent April 1st, 1975 dinner show. Import collectors first heard this recording via the 1980 vinyl release "Rockin' with Elvis April Fool's Day." This was later dubbed directly from vinyl for its 1992 CD debut, complete with pops and clicks. This new release marks the first time since the original LP that the original audience master tape has been used - and naturally it has received a significant upgrade using topnotch industry equipment. This stellar show is also now complete: "Can't Help Falling In Love" and "Closing Vamp" from this show were actually on the original tape. These were restored to the best of our abilities, and are now included, warts and all. On the original LP and CD, these songs were borrowed from RCA's 1974 "Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis" album. The April Fool’s Day performance shows Elvis at his best – a far cry from the problematic October ’74 shows – he’s in excellent voice, and he performs a solid mix of classic songs and recent additions.

James Burton wins fourth Grammy: Shreveport guitarist James Burton is still riding high from his Grammy win Sunday night. The rock ’n’ roll legend picked up a Grammy Award with country music star Brad Paisley for best country instrumental performance for “Cluster Pluck,” a track from Paisley’s instrumental album, “Play.” Burton played on the single alongside Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert and Steve Wariner, who all received Grammys for the single as well. “I was just really excited. It’s a great honor,” said Burton, who had just returned from Vienna, Austria, when he heard the news about his win. “Paisley is just such a great artist and great entertainer and guitar player. And for all of us to play on this one instrumental is fantastic.” Burton said he was unable to attend the awards show due to his tight schedule, which includes traveling to Memphis, Tenn., and Nashville, Tenn., to record music for his latest project, a tribute album to fellow musician and friend Tony Brown. The win marks the fourth Grammy Award for Burton, who was lead guitarist for Elvis Presley from 1969 until Presley’s death in 1977. Go here to James Burton official website. Go here to EIN's 2003 interview with James Burton. (News, Source;ShreveportTimes)

Over 800 Rare Elvis Photos - More added today: Only started a few weeks ago and already 500 members! Elvis fans don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs - from EIN contributor Sanja Meegin. Over 100 new photos added this week! Click here to access our Facebook - The Elvis Information Network. You need to be a Facebook Member.

Graceland Unveils 2009 Tourism Ad Campaign: EPE unveiled a new advertising campaign for the 2009 tourism season that will highlight Elvis' Graceland mansion, a National Historic Landmark, as a high-energy and family-friendly music-themed destination. The launch of the campaign comes just weeks before Graceland opens three exhibits, Elvis in Hollywood, Elvis Lives: the King and Pop Culture and the addition of never-before-seen vehicles owned by Elvis in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum. The campaign will utilize print, outdoor, internet and a new 30-second commercial featuring archival footage of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. In addition to the ad campaign, the 2009 plan for tourism includes an emphasis on marketing within social networks. Creative for the 2009 campaign, which was developed by Combustion Design from Memphis, utilizes bright, bold stylized images of Elvis to quickly communicate the fun and excitement in a visit to Graceland. A variety of headlines including “What Happens in Vegas Started at Graceland,” “Jam Sessions Daily,” and “You Had Me at Hound Dog,” will be tagged with the line “Experience Graceland” in print, outdoor and internet ads that will also incorporate images referencing memorable stages of Elvis’ career. Some of the ad images are rather fun! Go here for more info. (News, Source;EPE)

'Elvis - Ho'I Hou' new CD: Although rumoured as a book about Hawaii, JAT have announced their new CD 'Elvis - Ho'I Hou' from JAT Records formatted as a 7'' x 7'' design. It will be coming along with the DVD Hot Shots And Cool Clips volume 4. Only a few copies of the DVD are still available for retail. Both released on March 3rd.     (News, Source:JATPublishing)

Elvis' TWO Hollywood Walk of Fame stars: On the eve of the 49th anniversary of Elvis' Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (9 Feb 1960), Rex Martin's latest exclusive article for EIN tells the story of Elvis' TWO Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars. Apart from Rex's own article he has sourced other stories about the star and all are complemented by 9 great visuals. Elvis' Hollywood Walk of Fame Star is one of the least known parts of the Elvis story........until now!! Rex takes us behind the story and gives us the lowdown on the history of the Walk of Fame; how "stars" are awarded across 5 categories; some of the other celebrities to receive multiple stars; and the re-dedication of Elvis' star following damage. (Spotlight: Source: EIN)

1953 Humes High Yearbook inscribed by Elvis on eBay: ELVIS PRESLEY INSCRIBED 1953 YEARBOOK SIGNED AUTOGRAPH AUTOGRAPHED BY HUMES HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS INCLUDING ELVIS PRESLEY AND GEORGE KLEIN  Buy It Now Price: US$9,050.00 In 1948 Elvis entered Humes High School, which was situated in a deteriorating urban area of Memphis. Shortly after his graduation from Humes in 1953, he recorded a two-sider in Sam Phillips' Sun Record studio. Offered is an original Humes H. S. yearbook (1953) and it features a signed, inscribed entry from Elvis to one of his classmates.

Watch "hounddog" film trailer: As EIN reported on 1 February, the USA DVD release of the controversial Dakota Fanning film, "hounddog", has slipped to around 17 February. The film trailer has been posted on YouTube. (Celluloid Elvis, Source: Country Music Examiner) Read more about "hounddog" and view the film poster and stills from the film

Elvis, Buddy, Ely and the Cotton Club: Buddy Holly and Elvis met at the Cotton Club. Buddy taught Elvis the lyrics to the Drifter’s "Money Honey." After that, Buddy met Elvis on each of his Lubbock visits. I think Elvis went to the Cotton Club on every Lubbock appearance. Sadly 50 years ago on February 3 1959 Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were killed when their privately hired small-plane crashed near Clear Lake, Iowa. In this fascinating spotlight, writer Johnny Hughes recounts his tale of meeting these stars, as well as his friendship with Elvis' manager Bob Neal. (Spotlight, Source;JHughes)

More Rare Elvis Photos added today: Elvis fans don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs - from EIN contributor Sanja Meegin. Over 100 new photos added this week! Click here to access our Facebook - The Elvis Information Network. You need to be a Facebook Member.

Elvis Valentine Gifts: You can never get enough Elvis Love especially on Valentine's Day. EPE can sell you everything you need to spoil your loved one from "I Love Elvis" sleepwear to a cute Love Me Tender Valentine's Day Hound Dog gift-set. Personally most of it is pretty tacky but there's plenty to look at. Why not spin "Love Elvis" one more time? Not a bad track selection at that - see EIN review. and Go here to EPE Valentine Shop. (News, Source;EIN)

'I Believe: The Gospel Masters' on pre-order: The new 4CD Gospel boxset can be preordered from Amazon for US$36. To be released on March 10, 2009. Click here for tracklisting and pre-order details. If the sound improvement is anything like the upgrade  for the "Ultimate Gospel" CD then this will be another worthwhile purchase. See EIN review of 'Ultimate Gospel.'   (News, Source;EIN)

Graceland to Open Four New Exhibits During Grand Opening Weekend Event: Graceland will open three major new exhibits on March 6th, 2009 that chronicle key periods in the life of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and trace his impact on pop culture. The opening of these three exhibits, Elvis in Hollywood, Elvis Lives: the King and Pop Culture and the addition of never before seen vehicles owned by Elvis in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, is the largest opening of exhibits and display of artifacts to the public since Graceland opened for public tours in 1982. These three new exhibits are in addition to a fourth new exhibit celebrating Graceland’s 70th Anniversary that opened on Elvis’ birthday in January.

Another 'That's All Right' remix: Another Public Domain remix this time "That's All Right" for US release this month on the Cleopatra label. It features 'That's All Right Mama - (remix)' plus 'Maybellene (remix)'.   (News, Source:SanjaM)

Buddy Holly - the "almost" anti-Elvis: On the 50th anniversary of his death, we trace Buddy Holly's posthumous ascent from boy next door to rock and roll's first real artist. He was the first of the dead rock stars. Buddy Holly's swift rise and tragic end set a template for a certain kind of posthumous rock idolatry. I wasn't even born when Holly was killed in a plane crash 50 years ago tomorrow, yet here we are still talking about him 50 years later, speculating on why he was so important to pop culture, wondering what would have become of him had he lived. Yet, in so many ways, Holly seems an unlikely candidate for posthumous deification. Rock's death cults usually form around self-destructive rebels: Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Sid Vicious, Kurt Cobain (and, in rap, Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.), characters who correspond to that melodramatic part of the teenage psyche that is ready to destroy the world and damn the consequences. Fresh faced, geeky, bespectacled, smiling and sweet voiced, Holly certainly doesn't conform to the cliché of living fast, dying young and leaving a beautiful corpse. R.I.P.......Buddy Holley, Ritchie Valens & J.P. Richardson (aka The Big Bopper)

Had it been Elvis Presley in that plane, the pop world would have been shaken to its core, but would it have been so surprised? Elvis had an other-worldly quality, his greaseball surliness so threatening to America's vision of itself that they drafted him into the army and cut off his quiff. Holly had the demeanour of the boy next door, which is, perhaps, what made his death so truly shocking.

"That'll be the day-hay-hay when I die," he sang, but it was throwaway teen bravura, effective precisely because he couldn't imagine such a circumstance. There was no brooding foreboding in his music, which breathed with lightness and life, rhythmic zing, melodic air. He was innocence crushed, potential stamped out. Holly is such a compelling figure of tragedy because he embodies the terrible truth that death comes to everyone.

Two other rock and rollers died in that plane crash, but it is Holly we remember because his music was pitched at the highest level, with a quality and originality that has resonated throughout pop culture. At a time when most pop stars were still musical vehicles for songwriters and producers, Holly was the first complete artist in the modern way.

He was a singer-songwriter and self-producer who did about as much with four chords (at least one more than most rock and rollers of the era used) as it was possible to do. His Fender Stratocaster guitar licks are prototypes for rock's obsession with riffing, which Holly weaves through seamlessly structured, melodically expansive songs. The rhythm tracks are sprightly and inventive: listen to Cricket drummer Jerry Allison's rolling tom tom's on Peggy Sue, or the cardboard-box beat of Not Fade Away.

The lyrics are witty and conversational (full of flip teen phrases such as "maybe, baby" and "Oh, boy!"), with the spoken vitality of real life and undercurrents of emotional depth: What To Do tackles heartbreak with gentle reflection rather than melodramatic angst. And Holly was a bold vocal stylist, who could split a syllable eight different ways at once. There is almost nothing to the lyric of Peggy Sue, yet his variations are like a comedic dare, constantly returning to the core phrase to invest it with another level of desire.

Holly came out of the country music tradition, which is reflected in the economy and wit of his writing. He played with the Crickets at high school but had his head turned after opening for Elvis Presley in 1955. It is reported that Holly changed the band's musical direction almost overnight. Yet he was almost the anti-Elvis. He cut records with guitar-twisting grooves that teenagers wanted to dance to, but there was simply nothing about Holly that evoked the revolutionary, sexually liberated spirit that made this youth movement so threatening to an older generation.

Indeed, Paul Anka (who toured on the same bill as Holly and wrote It Doesn't Matter Anymore for his friend) has claimed that Holly envied Anka's career as a mainstream pop idol and wanted to move his music in a more old-fashioned, romantic direction (as evinced on his posthumously released orchestral sessions, that gave us such Holly classics True Love Ways and the definitive cover of Raining In My Heart). Had he lived, I wonder would we even think of him now as a rock idol?

Yet Holly had a huge impact in his time, precisely because his apparent ordinariness made young musicians everywhere feel they could do what he was doing. "With Elvis, you thought, 'God, he's good looking.' With Buddy, it was like, 'God, he's the boy next door'," Paul McCartney recently acknowledged. "It was a particular bonus for John, who had horn-rimmed glasses but whipped them off whenever girls came near. Now he wore them proudly." There was a real liberation in the unapologetic plainness of Holly's image. Frank Allen of the Searchers called it "the revenge of the nerd". But it was the undeniable quality of the music that made the revenge complete.

McCartney and Lennon were suitably enamoured to name their band after an insect in homage to the Crickets. The Beatles' mix of rock drive and pop melody, lashed together with harmonies, owes much to Holly's inspiration. The Rolling Stones chose a Buddy Holly track for their second single, Not Fade Away, investing it with a dark, sexy swagger that gave them their first hit. Bob Dylan was hugely inspired by Holly, catching a glimpse of his own possible future in this small-town geek who wrote and sang his own songs. That is a trio of artists who could be said to have shaped modern popular music. Holly may have played a greater part in all of that had he lived.

When he died, he was just 22 and had released only three albums. But he left a lot of music behind, songs that would subsequently be finished off by his collaborators, with new Holly recordings being released throughout the Sixties. In that sense, he really was a prototype for the necrophilia of rock culture.

It Doesn't Matter Anymore went to number one in Britain the week after the plane crash. The compilation The Buddy Holly Story remained in the charts for three years. In American Pie, Don McLean characterised the plane crash as the day the music died, but really, it is what has kept the music alive. Eternally fixed in his first surge of creative brilliance, Buddy Holly raves on for ever. (News, Source: The Telegraph UK, Neil McCormick)

Coming to EIN in the next month:

EIN will be publishing a number of special items in the coming weeks:

• Maria Davies famous article on Elvis’ return to Las Vegas in 1969
• Rex Martin Interview (the final part)
• Melissa Quigg (co-star in Touched By Love/To Elvis, With Love) talks to EIN about this very touching movie which starred Deborah Raffin and a very young Diane Lane
• Elvis’ TWO Walk of Fame Stars – Rex Martin provides an exclusive report
• Eliza Presley – the Eliza Presley camp talks to EIN about Eliza’s DNA claim to be Elvis’ half sister and the next steps in her legal battle for recognition of her claim
• Book Review: Desert Storm: The Shattering of A Myth!/College Park: The Revelation of A Hoax!

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Graceland goes Red for a Good Cause: Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. is supporting the American Heart Association and the Go Red For Women campaign to raise awareness of issues concerning women and heart disease and stroke. From February 6 to February 15, the lights that illuminate Graceland will cast a red glow on Elvis’ famous Memphis mansion. Enjoy the view on the GracelandCam at: http://elvis.com/graceland/vtour/gracecam.asp through February 15. The lighting of the facade will help raise awareness of Go Red For Women National Wear Red Day on February 6, a national day with its own dress code for wearing red in your own fashion while raising funds for the American Heart Association.

• Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women – and men – in Memphis.
• Stroke is the No. 3 killer, and a leading cause of death and disability.
• February is American Heart Month.
• Heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more than 500,000 women
each year - about a death a minute. That’s more lives than are claimed by the next five causes
of death combined and nearly twice as many as claimed by all forms of cancer, including breast cancer.
• Most women believe that their biggest health threat is breast cancer.
• Misperceptions still exist that CVD is not a real problem for women. (News, Source: EPE)

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Elvis in Xerox Campaign: Xerox has recently launched their iGen4 “Everyone’s an Expert” Campaign and used an Elvis tribute artist to help communicate their message. The campaign was developed to increase awareness & consideration for the new Xerox iGen4™ Press and each component of the cross-media campaign was designed to reinforce the idea that everyone can achieve expert results & greater profit with the incredible image quality, productivity, & automation of the iGen4.

Developed by Martino Flynn of Rochester, NY, the creative team were no strangers to the captivating ways of Elvis. Creative Supervisor of the iGen4 account, Duane Bombard, has been fascinated with Elvis ever since he can remember. So much so, that he even blogged about achieving his life long dream of working with The King. Click here to read his blog. (News, Source: EPE)

Monday 2 February 2009

20 CD boxset CD/Booklet Collection released in Spain: Further to our news item yesterday, here are images for one of the 20 albums. (Source: EP Gold)

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Elvis fans get "all shook up" at Honeymoon Hideaway: Provocative and authentic, the “Elvis from Disneyland” Scot Bruce performed recently at the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway house in Palm Springs. His high-spirited audience of 85 guests was composed mostly of Jailhouse Rocker members, the area's “official” Elvis Presley fan club. Club president Chris Dasher acted as host and graciously fielded fans' questions regarding the club that started in 1991.

Bruce's performance can best be described as “suave, polished and flashy,” with service to match, as waitresses passed the King's favorite snack — grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches — to the loyal club members present.

The program opened with Elvis' No. 1 hit, “Heartbreak Hotel.” Other audience favorites were “Love Me Tender” and “All Shook Up.”

During intermission, the awe-struck fans were led down the path where Elvis and Priscilla made their escape from the paparazzi on May 1, 1967, to fly to Las Vegas, get married and return by midnight. They lived primarily in the Honeymoon house for about a year.

The house is one of the famous Palm Springs Alexander homes, highly coveted by those interested in the trendy mid-century modern architectural movement, and is located at 1350 Ladera Circle in Palm Springs.

For information on the Honeymoon Hideaway, call 322 1192. (News, Source: Margie Taft....Special to The Desert Sun)

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From Ice Cream Cones to Elvis Presley – Uncovering America’s Arab Roots:

Editor’s Note: The attacks of 9/11 and the Iraq War have led to unprecedented interest in (and animosity toward) Arabs and the Middle East. But Arabs and Arab culture have been part of American culture from the birth of this country. Journalist Jonathan Curiel traveled across the United States trying to find these hidden roots and wrote a book, “Al America: Travels through America's Arab and Islamic Roots,” about what he found. He spoke to Sandip Roy, host of NAM’s radio show, New America Now. Here is one excerpt.

But even if you realize that Arab culture has things to offer, whether it's the design of a sail or the poetry of Rumi or whatever it is, has that diminished the sense of Arabs and Muslims as 'others'?

I would say, ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ On the one hand, as you point out, there is a kind of picking and choosing, say, ‘well, let's benefit from that, I can use that, and let's move on.’ But it's also an embrace of the culture and an understanding that we as Americans are like Arabs and Muslims. Here's one example: Elvis Presley. When Elvis was 20 he looked at Khalil Gibran's "The Prophet," he was given a copy of it by a girlfriend. He was going through internal turmoil, struggling with a film career. He was doing quite well musically, but he had a lot of doubts.

This book changed his life. Until the day he died he embraced "The Prophet." He wanted to make a movie of it, he quoted from it liberally, and he quoted from it the way some people quote from the Bible. Now did Elvis Presley, in any of his recordings or any of his correspondence say, ‘I owe this part of my life to this great Lebanese American poet’? He did not say that, but if you look at his history or experience, that's exactly what happened. Whether or not it's acknowledged, that's a whole separate issue. That's one of the patterns I mention in my book, that it's not acknowledged. (News, Source: New America Media, Q&A, Sandip Roy)

 

Sunday 1 February 2009

Inside the autopsy room......Elvis' death......heart attack or polypharmacy?: Here is our follow up story to yesterday's item on the book, the king is dead. Lab technicians were playing Elvis music in the background. From somewhere outside the lab, people could be heard crying. "People were just sobbing. It was a sad, sad moment," says Dr. Noel Florendo, a pathology intern assigned to help perform the autopsy of the 42-year-old man on the table at Baptist Memorial Hospital. Florendo says he and another intern followed instructions from his former professor, Dr. Jerry Francisco, as they began the postmortem on the biggest legend in music history. Elvis Presley, the world's first rock star, had outraged much of America at first, and controversy was about to follow him to the grave. Opposite: The Death of Elvis What Really Happened (Thompson & Cole) In 1961, Francisco had become Shelby County's first medical examiner. He was the last word in Memphis on how people died. A pathology professor at the University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences, he had helped train pathologists at almost every hospital in the region.

Elvis on Dorsey Brothers 'Stage Show' restoration!: According to a posting on the FECC site the restoration of Elvis Presley's stunning Dorsey Brothers "Stage Show" appearances in early 1956 is no longer a rumour. The RS/V label offers all customers who buy their "Jazz At The Orthicon" sampler a preview of their restoration of Elvis' first television appearances. (News, Source: FECC)

Now on ebay: Very rare New Zealand vinyl LP - Easy Come, Easy Go: Days after an ultra rare "promo" copy of the Aussie Easy Come, Easy Go LP sold on ebay for more than US$200.00, a Kiwi copy has been listed. Available at the Buy It Now price of US$699.00! (News, Source: ebay)

FTD Releases: "prisoner777" has a number of FTD albums listed. The titles include I Found My Thrill; Unchained Melody; All Shook Up; An American Trilogy; His Hand In Mine; Wild In The Country; Summer Festival and Made In Memphis. (News, Source: ebay)

"Empire Film Group Freezes Hounddog DVD Release Until February 17 Due to Arkansas Ice Storm: MALIBU, Calif., Jan. 30, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A weather state-of-emergency in Northwest Arkansas has disrupted order processing and DVD shipments of "Hounddog," reports Empire Film Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:EFGU), which operates its primary warehouse facility in Springdale, Arkansas. The ice storm, already responsible for more than 20 deaths and power outages throughout a three-state region, impacted Empire's ability to assure simultaneous release of the anticipated DVD title." (Celluloid Elvis, Source: Email)

Elvis Beanie Bears: These cute, collectible Elvis Beanies make great stocking stuffers and a fun gift for any Elvis fan. You can choose from the Blue Beanie Shoes Elvis Bear, Bearning Love Elvis Bear, Viva Las Beanie Elvis Bear, Sold Gold Beanie Elvis Bear or Beanie House Rock Elvis bear - or, collect all five. Click here to see the Elvis Beanie Bears available now at ShopElvis.com. Or, to find a Beanie retailer near you, click here. The Elvis Beanies are also available in the shops at Graceland. (News, Source: Charmaine Voisine)

20 CD boxset CD/Booklet Collection released in Spain: ZavierTCB posted the following message on the FECC board:

Hi friends: News from Spain!

"For the first time the best records in one of Elvis Collection"
First delivery: Saturday January 31 and Sunday February 1 (2009).

This is the head of the advocacy that the local newspaper from Cataluña (Spain) "LA VANGUARDIA" (in conjunction with Sony Music - RCA) to launch a unique collection of 20 books with the best CD discography of the original King of Rock and Roll and illustrated biography totally unprecedented.

The first disc is the "FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS" with the original tracklisting album released in 1969 remastered from the original recordings and is accompanied by a hardcover book luxury of 30 pages with information and photographs in color and black/white.

For each delivery the book is divided into the following chapters:
1 .- Recording sessions: to realize all the details that accompanied the creation of each disc.
2 .- The musicians: all those involved with relevant biographical information of each.
3 .- The songs: the commentary, one by one, all the songs on the disc, its authors and peculiarities of the interpretation of Elvis.
4 .- The impact: the influence of other artists on record, its position in the charts and critical issue.

And in parallel the ELVIS biography: How was your life, who were his friends and family, what other music was inspired, how to align their private lives to the world of entertainment.

The list of the discs for 20 weekends delivered "LA VANGUARDIA" is as follows (in order of delivery here):

1.- From Elvis In Memphis (1969)
2.- That´s The Way It Is (1970) - Original Soundtrack
3.- Elvis Gold Records, vol.2 (1959)
4.- Elvis, NBC TV Special (1968) - Original Soundtrack
5.- Elvis Presley (Nº1) (1956)
6.- His Hand in Mine (1960)
7.- King Creole (1958) - Original Soundtrack
8.- Elvis Golden Records, vol.1 (1958)
9.- Elvis Country (1971)
10.- Elvis (Nº2) (1956)
11.- Blue Hawaii (1961) - Original Soundtrack
12.- For LP Fans Only (1959)
13.- Elvis Golden Records, vol.3 (1964)
14.- Elvis Is Back! (1960)
15.- Elvis In Person (1969) - en directo
16.- Loving You (1957) - Original Soundtrack
17.- Elvis Gold Records, vol.4 (1968)
18.- Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite (1973) - en directo
19.- From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee (1976)
20.- Jailhouse Rock / Love Me Tender (1997)- Original Soundtrack

The value of each weekly delivery of 4.95 euros + 1.10 euros for the newspaper.

For those not wishing to acquire the collection every week or not living in Spain will be able to book and get the complete collection by calling 902-481-482 or by http://www.lavanguardia.es . The reservation period will end on February 15, 2009 and its value is 194 euros + shipping.

The Boss saw Elvis in concert in 1977: Ben posted the following message on the FECC board:

Elvis Encyclopedia Quiz: Courtesy of Overlook Duckworth Press, EIN presents a quiz based on the recently published book, The Elvis Encyclopedia by Adam Victor. More than thirty years after his death, Elvis Presley remains indelibly etched in to the American psyche. As the Elvis of myth – an embodiment of the American Dream in the flesh- has become synonymous with Elvis the man, the subject of countless books, articles and songs, it has become increasingly hard to discern who Elvis really was. By combining obsessive research with absorbing writing, Adam Victor, author of the bestselling The Marilyn Encyclopedia, sifts through the competing versions of events throughout Elvis's life and traces a young man's path to immortality.

Answer the following by choosing either a, b, c, or d:

1. What did Elvis pay for Circle G Ranch?
        a. $36,000
        b. $437,000
        c. $1,000,000
        d. 128,000

2. What was Elvis’s job before cutting his first record in 1955?
        a. delivery truck driver for Crown Electric
        b. worked in a sewing factory with his mother
        c. a line cook at the local diner
        d. he cut lawns for the local neighbors

3. What was Elvis’s first appearance on national television and when?
        a. “Louisiana Hayride” on KWKH March 5, 1955
        b. “The Roy Orbison Show” on KOSA May 31, 1955
        c. “Stage Show” on CBS January 28, 1956
        d. “Milton Berle Show” April 1956

4. Between which two celebrities is Elvis’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
        a. Gary Cooper and Milton Berle
        b. Jack Lemmon and Ronald Regan
        c. Fred Astaire and Ingrid Bergman
        d. Ray Charles and Vivian Leigh

5. How many of the following women did Elvis marry?  Magdalene Morgan, Dixie Locke, June Juanico, Anita Wood, Priscilla Beaulieu, Linda Thompson, Ginger Alden
        a. three
        b. two
        c. one
        e. six

6. What did radio personality, Dewey Phillips, call Elvis when spinning his record on the radio for the first time?
        a. Elton Preston
        b. Eli Preistly
        c. Elia Priest
        d. Ellis Perry

7. What was Elvis’s favorite alias to use when traveling?
        a. Tom Wilson
        b. John Carpenter
        c. Jon Burrows
        d. Lucky Jackson

8. Which of Elvis’s movies was the only one to premiere in New York City?
        a. Viva Las Vegas
        b. Love Me Tender
        c. Jailhouse Rock
        d. Blue Hawaii

9. Of what was Elvis made honorary captain in 1956?
        a. Louisiana Hayride
        b. The Tupelo Rotary Club
        c. The Mississippi State Baseball Team
        d. Louisiana State Highway Patrol

10. What was one of Elvis’s earliest gifts to his mother after giving her the famed pink Cadillac?
        a. a vacuum
        b. an electric mixer
        c. a house
        d. a washer/dryer set

11. How many number one singles made it to the Billboard Charts in Elvis’s lifetime?
        a. 10
        b. 38
        c. 57
        d. 17

12. What was the name Elvis gave to the pitched firework battles he regularly held in the Graceland grounds over the Christmas and July 4th holidays?
        a. Spectacular Spectacular
        b. Sparkle Show
        c. War
        d. Lisa Marie’s Fireworks


The above is excerpted from the book The Elvis Encyclopedia by Adam Victor.........Published by Overlook Duckworth Press; October 2008;$65.US/$71.50CAN; 978-1-585-67598-2.........Copyright © 2008 Adam Victor

Author Bio: Adam Victor is a writer and translator and the author of The Marilyn Encyclopedia. The Elvis Encyclopedia is his biggest project to date, the distillation of more than six years of research in libraries, film and audio archives, and private collections. The result is the most comprehensive book on Elvis ever published. Adam Victor lives in Italy with his wife and son.

Read EIN's review of "The Elvis Encyclopedia"

Quiz Answers: b, a, c, d, c*, a, c, b, d, b, d, c

* EIN Note: A 2nd marriage certificate exists between Elvis and Tupelo girlfriend, Magdalene Morgan. It is not known how it came into being, but it is known the couple never married.

the king is dead.......Memphis Funeral Home Director, Robert Kendall, first hand account of the aftermath of Aug 16, 1977: The circumstances surrounding Elvis’ death and what transpired in the days after 16 August, 1977, are issues which have fascinated many people since that fateful day.  The Death of Elvis: What Really Happened? by Cole & Thompson found a wide audience following its release in 1992 and many fans refer to it in trying to unravel what happened in August 1977.  A perceived weakness of the Cole & Thompson publication is that it involves an amount of supposition and conjecture. Another book important book which needs to be examined in establishing issues around Elvis’ death is the king is dead by Robert Holton.  Published twice, in 1998 and 2004, by KatcoMedia, this book is an account of the arrangements for Elvis’ funeral as told to the author by Memphis Funeral Home Director, Robert Kendall. Kendall was the last person to see the body of Elvis Aaron Presley!

After publication in both 1998 and 2004, copies of the book were very hard to buy, even through KatcoMedia’s website.  EIN received numerous complaints of people ordering and paying for the book and either never receiving it or having to wait a very long time for it to arrive. It appears in both 1998 and 2004, despite reasonable demand for the book, relatively few copies actually made it into fan’s Elvis libraries.

Unfortunately KatcoMedia has ceased operation, meaning the only way to locate a copy of the king is dead is on eBay or through an online bookstore like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

The importance of the king is dead lies in Robert Kendall’s first hand account of the state of Elvis’ body as he received it in the Memphis Funeral Home, the embalming process and how the casket and funeral was arranged so quickly (a logistical nightmare that took some work but was plausibly done!). 

EIN won’t cover all the issues answered in the king is dead, but Kendall’s account of the following issues is more than interesting:

Was it Elvis? 

Robert Kendall’s account of his first viewing of Elvis’ corpse is telling:

….I closed my eyes in a sudden spasm of fear that the face to come into view might not be that of Elvis Presley.

Finally, I heard someone in the room whisper: “now I believe Elvis really dead.”

Eyes shut, I conceded to myself that my trust in the doctors in the autopsy suite had not been misplaced.  I opened my eyes and stared down into the face of Elvis Presley.Cranial Autopsy?......Wax Dummy?One of the issues answered by the king is dead are the questions of whether or not a cranial autopsy had been performed on Elvis and why his face looked “like a wax dummy”. 

Despite the conjecture in other books, Robert Kendall makes it very clear no cranial autopsy had taken place:

Cosmetics, powder, lip tint and rouge would be applied to the face and hands to restore a more life-like tone to the corpse.

the king is dead also evokes a vivid picture of the emotional grief experienced by the Presley family, particularly Vernon, those close to Elvis and the thousands of mourners who came to pay their last respects.

There are so many different genres of Elvis books and the king is dead is mandatory inclusion for those interested in at least some of the ‘facts’ of his death.  The book deserves a much wider audience than it has so far been exposed to and being based on a first hand account has a credibility other books lack.

(Book News, Source: EIN)

Tomorrow on EIN: An account from within the autopsy room

'Dec 2008 Record Collector' now in Aussie & NZ newsagencies: The December 2008 edition of Record Collector is now available from newsagencies "downunder". Featuring a substantial 10 page cover article by Ken Sharp on Elvis' legendary '68 Comeback Special, it is recommended reading (+ some great photos!). Price: A$10.95. (News, Source: EIN) EIN Note: Record Collector rates 'Elvis Christmas Duets' with only 1 star (out of 5)!