The latest on www.elvisinfonet.com:

International release of Elvis 18#1 singles: According to EPE..."Fans outside the UK wanting to get the reissued singles for your collection, relax and watch for upcoming information about the international roll-out of the Elvis singles program scheduled for later this year". (News, Source: EPE)

New Elvis promo CD: There are several (in store) promotional CD's for the 18 UK #1 singles. Different promos will apparently be released on a monthly basis during the 18 #1's promotion. Tracklisting for the January CD: All Shook Up/ Jailhouse Rock One Night/A Fool Such As I/It's Now Or Never/ Are You Lonesome Tonight. (News, Source: ElvisNews.com)

Elvis Wines Now Available Online (in some US states) from Signature Wines: EPE licensee Signature Wines now has their King Cab, Jailhouse Red, and Blue Suede Chardonnay available for purchase online. Once only available at your local retailers and wine shops (in the USA), these popular Elvis wines can now be purchased online and shipped directly to your doorstep. (Only available is select states due to state regulations.) Also available online are the Second Edition Elvis Presley Private Collection wines and the new series of Elvis Presley Wine Club labels. This year's labels all follow EPE’s current "Elvis Lives" promotional theme and celebrate the amazing career of The King of Rock ‘n' Roll. For more information click here or call 888/968-7946. (News, Source: EPE)

Elvis sideman a friend worthy of the King: A meeting with Hugh Jarrett of the legendary Jordanaires. (Spotlight/Article, Source: East Memphis Appeal)

"Why A Fool Such As I" failed to reach #1: "So what happened with Elvis? Well actually that is easily explained. All of these re-releases are strictly limited edition runs (so strict in fact that Sony BMG have had to up the number of copies pressed with some shops complaining they were being given just two copies each to sell). Almost all are thus selling out immediately and with singles sales having dropped to record low levels, a sale of 25,000 copies has been enough in the past few weeks to send each single soaring to the top. The same could well have happened this week but for the fact that with so many singles with "Elvis Presley" on them arriving in shops it is possible for mistakes to happen. So it was that copies of 'A Fool Such As I' went on sale a week early, resulting in the single charting at Number 84 last week. These early sales were enough to ensure there just weren't enough copies around to send the single straight to Number One like its two immediate predecessors and so the run of Elvis Number Ones has come to a shuddering halt almost as soon as it began. Funnily enough the same thing could happen again next week with 'It's Now Or Never', copies of which mistakenly appeared on the shelves during the week." (News, Source: dotmusic.com)

It's Now Or Never #1 in UK!: The latest of Elvis' 18 #1 UK singles has debuted on the official chart at #1 with sales of 21,887. (News, Source: ElvisNews.com/DotMusic.com)

Elvis baby photo for sale on eBay: Hopefully no collector will fall for this "alleged" baby photo of Elvis. The photo was apparently found a copy of Priscilla's book 'Elvis & Me'. Start price: US$8,000.00. To see the listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2014&item=3870699299&rd=1 (News, Source: eBay)

Billboard reviews "Love, Elvis": Simply put, nobody could sing a love song like Elvis. (CD Review, Source: Billboard/ElvisNews.com)

Gilbert's Elvis takes walk on Lonely Street: Elvis has left the building. On 25 January we reported news of an Elvis statue outside a restaurant in Arizona. Well the owner has been told, obtain a permit or no Elvis statue. (News, Source: azcentral.com)

Will Elvis be #1 in the UK tomorrow?: As of late Friday, It's Now Or Never was provisionally tomorrow's #1 single in England. Its sales are leading Ashanti and One World Project's Tsunami charity single (Grief Never Grows Old). However, as happened last week, Saturday sales saw A Fool Such As I be overtaken by Chiari's single, Goodies, and the same could happen this week with a late surge by the Tsunami charity single. (News, Source: EIN)

Dirty Laundry - Lisa Presley's new single reviewed: With a less dark (but just as potent) lyric than tracks on her first album (To Whom It May Concern), the first single from Lisa's second album, What Now, is a good choice for her strong, deep vocal. (CD Review, Source: EIN)

Is Lisa engaged again?: Lisa Marie Presley is at the centre of a new engagement rumour after she was spotted wearing a new ring on her wedding finger at a recent memorial service for rocker pal Johnny Ramone. The singer, who was formerly married to actor Nicolas Cage and Michael Jackson, is dating songwriter Michael Lockwood and recently confessed she wanted "to get old" with him. She was spotted wearing a new ring at the Los Angeles remembrance service for Ramone (14 Jan 05), which was also attended by her newly-engaged ex, Cage. A friend says, "Until she breaks the news to her family, she won't make a public announcement." (News, Source: ContactMusic.com)

Presley knows nothing about Jackson trial: Singer Lisa Marie Presley knows nothing about Michael Jackson's child molestation trial, despite being married to the troubled rocker for almost 20 months. Elvis's daughter wed the Thriller star in 1994, but has since returned to her former husband Danny Keough and has little interest in Jackson, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of child molestation, conspiracy and administering an intoxicating agent to his alleged victim. She says, "I've been away from him for ten years. I'm not following the case at all." (News, Source: ContactMusic.com)

Bill Burk talks to Bob Sillerman (new owner of EPE): We can't give too much away but we can report what Bill Burk had to say about his interview with EPE's new owner. Bill says: "I came away from this first contact strongly convinced the future, the legacy, of Elvis is in good hands". (News, Source: Bill E. Burk)

Billy Rebel "Tribute to the King" CD/tape now available: Billy Rebel's "I Remember His First Love Song" (Socan & Ascap) 25th Anniversary Tribute To The King-Special Edition Single. (Professionally packaged and sealed in jewel case and tape cover.) CD & Tape: $29.95 CD only: $19.95 Tape only: $14.95 (In Canadian Funds). (Prices include Shipping & Handling.). US orders add $3.00 on top of above prices. Overseas add $5.00 on top of above prices. Make cheques or money orders ONLY to: NTS Global (Please do not send cash.) Forward order to: NTS Global 7975 Rue, Malouin Montreal, Quebec Canada H1P 3C3 Pls. allow 3-4 wks for delivery. (News/Almost Elvis, Source: Billy Rebel)

Famed hurricane-damaged Hawaiian resort (seen in Blue Hawaii) may reopen: The Kauai Planning Commission has approved a $200 million restoration of the famed Coco Palms Resort, which has been closed since it was heavily damaged by Hurricane Iniki in September 1992. Developer Richard Weiser plans to spend that amount to restore the hotel to look as close as possible to the Coco Palms in its glory days in the 1950s and 1960s. Construction will begin this summer and the resort should be open by the middle of 2007. Iniki was Hawaii's most devastating storm, which passed directly over the Island of Kauai on Sept. 10-11, 1992 killing six people and doing $2.3 billion damage. The resort was used as a set in the 1961 Elvis Presley movie "Blue Hawaii." (News, Source: USA Today)

New Lisa Marie Presley single on AOL: Be the first to hear "Dirty Laundry" the new single by Lisa Marie Presley on AOL's First Listen this Friday, Jan. 28th. AOL will host the single for 24 hours only (USA time) (News, Source: lisapresley.com)

BMG UK releasing unlimited numbers of each of the 18 Elvis #1 singles: "In reaction to the fans comments and stock availability, the company has now decided to make ALL singles, from the first release, ‘Jailhouse Rock’, to the current ‘It’s Now Or Never’, and all future singles, available in non-limited, non-numbered editions". (News, Source: EPE)

Actors announced to portray Priscilla and Vernon in upcoming "Elvis" mini-series: The actors to play the roles of Priscilla, Vernon and Sam Phillips in the upcoming CBS mini-series, Elvis, have been announced. (News, Source: ign.com)

Elvis wannabes StarStruck!: Elvis is alive and living on Australia's Gold Coast, according to television producer David Mitchell. He's also in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide. Mitchell's new show, StarStruck, takes ordinary Australians with a knack for impersonation and showcases their performance. And the number of Elvises auditioning...literally hundreds! (News, Source: Green Guide, Melbourne Age)

Fight to save Elvis Presley Chapel: The faded white-clapboard chapel at Apacheland Movie Ranch stirs visions of movie- star cowboys, gunfights and dusty Western towns. A bearded Elvis Presley starred in the 1969 movie "Charro!," which was filmed at Apacheland. Nearby residents are now trying to raise $30,000 to relocate the ranch chapel, which they call the Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel. (News, Source: Tucson Citizen/ElvisNews.com)

Biloxi paralegal was a devoted fan of Elvis: Anyone visiting Connie Mercer's domain at the Biloxi City Attorney's Office does a double take. There, in cutout form, is a bigger-than-life Elvis, a hint at her devotion to The King. But this week, sadness cloaks the office of the paralegal described by city attorney Ronnie Cochran as his right hand. The 49-year-old Biloxi native died unexpectedly after heart surgery. On Monday, Mercer's dad took Elvis memorabilia from her apartment to the office so they will have mementos of their colleague, who by all accounts was a "real friend," an excellent baker, an avid reader and a computer whiz. In July, Mercer nearly lost a lifetime Elvis collection when her apartment complex caught fire, but her belongings were saved by a fire wall. At the time she was at the movies with her mother, which they did together every weekend. (News, Source: The Sun Herald, South Mississippi)

Charlie Hodge to visit Sweden: On Wednesday February 23 Elvis Unlimited Sweden will present a "Talkshow" with Charlie Hodge. Elvis' longtime friend and co-worker on everything from movies, the 68 Comeback, Aloha to the last live shows, will visit Gothenburg in Sweden. Charlie will meet fans and talk about his years with Elvis. Venue and tickets are not decided yet but interested should contact Elvis Unlimited Sweden for booking as soon as possible as seating will be limited. (News, Source: Elvis Unlimited Sweden/ElvisNews.com)

BMG accused of UK "Elvis" chart rig: Elvis' record label have been accused of rigging the British singles chart, so his re-released hits all hit the number one spot. All 18 of the late rock legend's UK number one singles are being re-released in successive weeks, in a bid by SONY/BMG to cash in before the 50-year copyright protection on sound recordings expires on his earlier hits across much of Europe. But fans of The King are complaining the singles are unobtainable - as only 20,000 copies of each song is being released. Some record stores are only receiving two copies of each song in a ploy to ensure each CD is sold out by the time the next song hits the shops, maximising the chance of securing the Number one spot. Sony/BMG have pledged to make more copies available, but a secret document sent to record shops yesterday (25 Jan 05) reportedly tells retailers not to expect any more. (News, Source: ContactMusic.com)

Win a pair of Elvis' trousers: Attention all fans in Germany. The magazine MAX is giving-a-way a pair of Elvis' trousers worth €30.000. You can go register by sending an e-mail to redaktion@rent-a-pocher.de (with your name, address, phone number and perhaps a photo) and you may be invited to the studio on 27 January when they try to find the biggest Elvis fan. (News, Source: Tschabo's World Of Elvis Presley/ElvisNews.com)

"It Happened At The World's Fair" DVD released in EC: According to a post on the Elvis Collectors messageboard, this DVD was released in the EC on Monday. (News, Source: Elvis-Collectors.com)

Artwork "Like A Prince From Another Planet": This is the cover art for the upcoming book Like A Prince From Another Planet from Three Stars inc. in Luxemburg. It will be a 72 page full colour photo book including many rare and unpublished pictures of Elvis in the the 1970's. Like A Prince From Another Planet will be available from February 1, 2005. (News, Source: Elvis Unlimited)

Elvis World's "007", Bill E. Burk talks to EIN: In a candid interview with EIN, Bill Burk gives his views on the sale of EPE to Robert Sillerman and tells us about his new book, Elvis Aaron Presley: A Candle In The Wind. (Interview, Source: EIN)

Culinary Showcase offers good food and 'Elvis,' too: The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce's 13th annual Culinary Showcase from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 3 at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. Lauren Williams, the event manager for the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, hopes that a combination of good food, good times and the king of rock 'n' roll at this year's Culinary Showcase will help people outside Western North Carolina come to regard Asheville, NC as a culinary destination for vacations. The event will be called An Evening with Elvis and will feature food from 28 local restaurants and caterers, as well as wine tasting, crafted beer sampling, gourmet coffees and live entertainment. Amy Beard is hoping the event will get the word out about her new restaurant, The Lobster Trap, which is scheduled to open in downtown Asheville at the beginning of March. "We're going to make our booth in the 'Viva Las Vegas' theme,'" Beard said. "We're calling it 'Viva Ashe-Vegas.'" (News, Source: Asheville Citizen-Times)

"Elvis" theme for stag do: Funnyman John Thomson is planning a lavish stag do, with a lads' trip to Las Vegas. Invites for the knees-up read like a who's who of Brit comedy, including Steve Coogan, Neil Morrissey, Martin Clunes and Cold Feet co-star James Nesbitt. "It'll be a blast," a close pal of John, 35, told us. "He will have a theme and it might well be getting everyone to dress up as Elvis." Thomson will marry Samantha Sharp later this year, despite a stormy romance in which the pair split following revelations that he enjoyed a three-in-a-bed romp. Better send a spy along just in case, Sam! (News, Source: Mirror.co.uk)

MOJO magazine out downunder: Australian, NZ and Asian fans can now pick up the December MOJO magazine with a free Elvis related CD from their local newsagent. (News, Source: EIN)

Former Elvis backup singer, friend at Saddle West: Elvis might have left the building for good Aug. 16, 1977, but his legacy lives on through Graceland and 10,000 Elvis Presley impersonators. Few, however, could match Kathy Westmoreland, who was a backup singer for Presley and the lady whom the King of Rock and Roll once introduced to the world, on stage in Las Vegas, as "the little girl with the beautiful high voice." According to local legend Jack Reeves, Westmoreland and her soaring soprano voice will be on hand Saturday at the Saddle West Showroom, Nevada for two shows, 6-8 p.m. and 9-11 p.m. (News, Source: Yahoo News)

Follow That Dream (FTD Review): Piers Beagley had a good listen to the 10th soundtrack release from FTD. Is it an essential or repetitive release? Read Piers' in-depth review to find out. (FTD Review, Source: EIN)

It's Now Or Never mid week sales high: In the singles market Elvis Presley is once again flying out of the shops with the fifth in his series of anniversary re-issues (It's Now Or Never - 15,300 sales), and could well be number one again replacing Ciara's crunk'n'b anthem Goodies (4,300 sales). A plethora of other new release singles are also heading for the Top 20, including Ashanti, Mike Reid's One World Project, Lovefreekz, Hanson, Lemon Jelly, Ashlee Simpson, Mylo and Phixx. The Tsunami charity single, Grief Never Grows Old, has so far sold 3,666 copies but this number is expected to climb significantly. (News, Source: Music Week/ElvisNews.com)

Condemnation #1 - Top of the Pops (but is it their fault?): To say there was fan outrage when Britain's Top of the Pops TV program (see 21 January) used an Elvis impersonator to sing the 1000th #1 single in England, Elvis' One Night, (because they couldn't obtain any official footage), is to put it mildly. While EPE has also put its side of the story (see 20 January), there is no doubt this is a classic case of big business bureaucracy getting in the way of common sense with disastrous results. Whether or not the result was an insult to Elvis is a personal opinion. However, it should never have happened, particularly given the significance of Elvis' achievement. Let's hope Robert Sillerman handles these situations in a much better way. (News, Source: EIN)

Condemnation #2 - BMGs marketing strategy: BMG UK's strategy of issuing strictly limited number of CD and vinyl singles for the Elvis 18 #1 promotion has come under fire. Older, longtime fans, have complained that they are disadvantaged in buying copies as younger, more energetic fans have greater energy for both visiting record stores (as they open) and for scouring other stores if copies are sold out. This is not a trivial point as older fans have been the backbone of the Elvis industry for decades! (News, Source: Various)

He Touched Me - The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley DVD re-release: EMI Distribution will re-release the 2 DVD set "He Touched Me - The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley" in the EC (?) on February 15, 2005. (News, Source: ElvisNews.com)

Elvis Tribute single recorded with TCB Band and DJ Fontana in Sun Studio: The Swedish singer Kina has just released her new album "En Hyllning Till Elvis" (A Tribute To Elvis) recorded at the Sun Studio in Memphis. Backing her on the album is the TCB Band and DJ Fontana and other Elvis connections like Charlie McCoy and Billy Swan (duets with Kina on Blue Bayou). The CD holds 14 tracks including, Hurt, Always On My Mind, It Hurts Me, If I Can Dream, a Memphis Rock Medley, and others. (News, Source: Elvis Unlimited Sweden/ElvisNews.com)

Elvis meets Led Zeppelin: In 1972, Elvis Presley wanted to meet Led Zeppelin. And it happened with amusing results. (News, Source: Elvis World Japan)

FTD Update: According to reports, FTD is unable to release soundtrack albums for Kissin' Cousins (because there are no backing tracks), and Roustabout (alternate takes are missing from the vaults). (News: Source: Elvis-Collectors.com messageboard)

'Elvis Band' Performing Soon: What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day with that special someone than with a live concert performance by King Kai & the Creoles, Long Island's number one Elvis tribute band? A favorite in Islip Town, King Kai and the Creoles will perform their "Love Me Tender" concert on Friday, February 11, at 8 pm, at the Islip Town Hall Annex, 401 Main Street. Tickets are only $5 per person, but are going fast! They can be purchased at the Town's Cultural Affairs office, located at Brookwood Hall, 50 Irish Lane in East Islip. For more information, call (631) 224-5430. (News, Source: South Bay News)

Just when you thought it was safe!: There is currently a really strange and unsettling string on the Elvis-Collectors.com messageboard. Under the title of: What you think of this!! Elvis is still alive is an amazing diatribe suggesting (a still alive) Elvis is involved in the Scientology movement and the fake Lisa Marie is actually Cindy Esposito. You've been warned! (News, Source: Elvis-Collectors.com)

Did you see Elvis live in Biloxi in 1955?: If you did, Ernst Jorgensen wants to hear from you. (News, Source: The Sun Herald)

FTD announces new "fixed" release schedule: FTD is reverting to its original release schedule of four times a year in January, April, July and October. (News, Source: Elvis Unlimited)

Restaurant in Gilbert rolls out young Elvis: Elvis' statue outside the newly opened Hearthrob Cafe has passers-by in downtown Gilbert "all shook up." Cars slow and drivers crane as they realize the bronze statues of boys playing baseball that once stood outside the former Gonzo's have been replaced by the King of Rock and Roll. The young, trim, hip-shaking Elvis, of course. Not the older, portlier Elvis who probably would have been a huge fan of the Hearthrob Cafe's happy hour with $1.99 drinks and appetizers. On one of Elvis' first afternoons in front of the restaurant at 302 N. Gilbert Road, a group of teen boys even stopped to have their picture taken with the fiberglass statue. Heads hang out car windows, checking out the rock rebel smack dab in the middle of Western-themed downtown Gilbert. Imagine what the reaction will be when the restaurant puts Marilyn out. That's right, Marilyn Monroe. The platinum-blond pinup goddess in her billowy white dress is in the restaurant's rotation of heartthrob statues. Once restaurant personnel figure out how to make her dress a little more family friendly, that is. A fan underneath the statue blows the skirt up a little, á la The Seven Year Itch. "We had to find some panties and put them on her," said Richard Inclan, who helps out his friends Bonita and Marty Bertzyk at the Hearthrob Cafe. (News, Source: The Arizona Republic)

New Region 2 DVD - The Elvis Story: Mentioned on the Elvis Club Berlin site is a new documentary DVD titled "The Elvis Story". The region 2 DVD is set for release February 15, 2005. (News, Source: Elvis Club Berlin/ElvisNews.com)

'Elvis' costs a bomb: The multi-million-dollar cost of water-bombing bushfires by "Elvis" and other aircraft has been called into question. Smaller helicopters were no better at firefighting than crews on the ground with hand tools, according to an independent national inquiry into bushfire mitigation released by Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, yesterday. The costly practice of aerial firefighting "lacked sufficient scientific evaluation", was influenced by media images of aircraft such as Elvis – the Erickson Aircrane helicopter – and the self-promotion of aircraft operators, the report said. (News, Source: The Australian)

New book slams Harum Scarum: A new book by John Wilson, The Official Razzie Movie Guide: Enjoying the Best of Hollywood's Worst (released this month by Warner Books), includes a two-page criticism of of Harum Scarum. It says "Shoddy even by the standards of an Elvis film, Harum Scarum is easily the dumbest title among the King's three dozen Hollywood movies". (News, Source: Amazon)

‘We have Not Rehearsed Them’: EIN's Piers Beagley reviews this collection of audience recordings released on the Catfish Records label. It features a variety of rare and great performances, unfortunately let down by the poor sound. (CD Review, Source: EIN)

Barbra Streisand & Elvis: We found this interesting story on Elvis World Japan - In 1969 Elvis Presley was scheduled to follow Barbra at the International Hotel in Las Vegas - an engagement that would be a triumphant comeback [for him] - and he caught her next-to-last show. She introduced him to the audience, and afterward he went backstage to meet her. [Barbra's drummer] Don Lamond passed him in the hallway and was impressed by how good the thirty-four-year-old Presley, who had been out of the public eye for awhile, looked. "I think he was the handsomest guy I ever saw. This was before he got bloated and all that stuff. My wife said she couldn't believe how fantastic he looked. He went into Barbra's dressing room, and they got together." Years later Barbra's longtime lover, Jon Peters, revealed in an unpublished interview the extraordinary scene that followed, recounted to him by Barbra. She was alone, sitting at her dressing table. After Elvis closed the door behind him, he said simply, "Hi," and an awkward silence followed. Suddenly he reached over and picked up a bottle of red nail polish from the vanity table. Without a word. he fell to one knee, took Barbra's hand in his and began, slowly and painstakingly, to apply the bright crimson varnish to Barbra's tapering fingernails. The intimacy of the gesture, the supplication of it, stunned Barbra, who stared in fascination as Elvis worked, and when he finished, she mumbled "Thank you." An associate of Presley's, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the intimacy between Barbra and the King of Rock 'n' Roll didn't end there. "Elvis told me that he spent the night with Streisand in her suite." (News, Source: Streisand: Her Life/ElvisWorld Japan)

Elvis #2 in England: Despite some reports suggesting Elvis is again #1, A Fool Such As I debuted at #2 on The Official UK Singles Chart just missing out on giving Elvis three consecutive #1 singles with three different releases. One Night dropped to #20. The hard to find A Fool Such As I faltered in weekend sales finally achieving a tally of 20,002, while Goodies by Chiara added more than 6,000 weekend sales to reach #1 with a total sold of 21,128. With the Tsunami Aid single due out next week, the chances of another Elvis #1 in the next few weeeks look slim. This is disappointing, as the next #1 to be released, It's Now Or Never, a huge top seller for Elvis, deserves (a second) #1 status. (News, Source: BBC)

BMG-UK's New Site for Elvis UK #1 Singles Project: EPE finally added news to their site that BMG-UK now has a web site for their current and immensely successful Elvis UK #1 singles reissue promotion. Go to www.elvis18uk1s.com. The limited edition singles are selling out quickly, which has left many fans temporarily unable to obtain them. The record company is addressing that issue. (News, Source: EPE)

New book of unpublished photos: On the Elvis Collectors Messageboard, Elvis Fun has posted news that photographer Micky Bohnacker took 64 photos of Elvis during his military service in 1958 in Germany. A book featuring the photos will appear later this year. There will be a set of postcards soon. (News, Source: Elvis Collectors Messageboard)

Elvis junkie "hypnotized for 50 years": "He hypnotized all of us back then, and we haven't snapped out of it yet," Mary Settle said. "I'm still lonesome for Elvis Presley." (News, Source: The Wichita Eagle)

Elvis vs. Jerry Lawler in the ring!: Jerry Lawler, the King of Memphis wrestling offers a little known story about Elvis and wrestling, one that would have, had Elvis not died, seen Elvis vs. Lawler in a karate vs. wrestling match at the Mid-South Coliseum. (Spotlight/Article, Source: Jerry Lawler)

Oil painting by Elvis for sale!: One of the most incredible Elvis related items was listed on eBay in October last year - an alleged oil painting for Gladys by Elvis! With a Buy it now price of US$5m bidding reached $100,000 which was below the undisclosed reserve price. If the link above doesn't work type into your browser: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=433&item=3846536212&rd=1 (News, Source: Elvis-Collectors.com)

The Presley Arrangement (A Novel): Monte Nicholson's famed novel has finally been reissued. EIN takes a look inside what is a strong mystery thriller with a potent conspiracy laden underbelly. (Book Review, Source: EIN)

Elvis' backing singer King dies:Singer Solomon King, a former backing vocalist for Elvis who sang in The Jordanaires, has died aged 73. The singer, who died in Oklahoma, had been suffering from cancer. King, who was the first white singer to tour with blues legend Billie Holiday, had solo hits of his own with She Wears My Ring and When We Were Young. King was born Allen Levy in Lexington, Kentucky, and was noted for his tallness as well as his singing. At 6ft 8in it is said some TV interviewers refused to have him on their shows unless he sat down. (News, Source: Yahoo News)

Is he Elvis' son?: A 49 year-old man claiming to be Elvis' son now wants "a little less conversation" from EPE as he bids to gain access to Elvis's DNA in order to prove his heritage. (News, Source: JacksonSun.com)

Record breaker Elvis has left the building: More about the problems fans are experiencing in obtaining copies of the newly released #1 Elvis singles in England. (News, Source: TheFreeePress.co.uk)

Top of the Pops using Elvis impersonator: Top of the Pops has turned to the star of Elvis Presley musical Jailhouse Rock after the late rock legend scooped the UK's 1,000th number one single. Mario Kombou, who plays the Presley role on stage, will sing One Night on Friday's BBC One show as producers are unable to use Presley video footage. It is his second number one in a row. The show used Presley photos last week. Presley will feature in the charts for several more months as all 18 of his original UK chart-toppers are reissued. Tribute A Top of the Pops spokesperson said: "It's a very special number one as it's the UK's 1,000th. "We wanted to pay tribute to Elvis in the best way we knew how, so we thought getting a professional would be the best way for Top of the Pops to do that." Kombou is likely to appear on the show again next week as the next Presley re-release, A Fool Such As I, is on course to give him his third number one in three weeks. Kombou plays Vince Everett in Jailhouse Rock - the same role Presley played in the 1957 film of the same name. (News, Source: BBC News)

Sid Shaw gets No.1: An Elvis fan from Radlett was this week presented with The King's official award for getting the 1,000th number one in UK history. Sid Shaw, owner of Elvisly Yours, a company which sells memorabilia of The King in Baker Street, London, received the gift by The Official Charts Company and Coca-Cola at a presentation at his store on Sunday. Sid Shaw said: "The #1 should have been reserved for him - he is so far ahead of everyone else in the pop world even years on from his death. "Most of the songs in the charts nowadays are just repetitive rubbish, but Elvis is in a different league. His appeal is everlasting, his music never dates." (News, Source: Borehanwood Times, UK)

How to make a successful Elvis movie: Last year a team from King's College in London developed a formula on how to make a scary movie. It was (es+u+cs+t) squared +s+ (tl+f)/2 + (a+dr+fs)/n + sin x – 1. Well in 2005 another team has developed a formula to make a successful Elvis movie. The formula is: (el+g+k) squared+f+s+(m)squared-cp+E. So what does this all mean? Well, el=exotic location; g=pretty girls; k=kids; f=fight scene; s=sidekick, m=songs; cp= Colonel Parker, and the big catch in it all...E=Elvis! No Elvis...no success! (News, Source: Email)

2004 Australian Music DVD chart: Sadly, neither Aloha From Hawaii or The Comeback Special made the ARIA end-of-year music DVD chart for 2004. Artists that did make the best-selling chart included Michael Jackson, The Bee Gees and Roy Orbison. (News, Source: ARIA)

The pacing makes "Mamma Mia!" look like "Show Boat": All Shook Up the musical is now playing in its lead up to opening on Broadway. This is one of its early reviews. (Spotlight/Review, Source: Chicago Tribune)

"Elvis By The Presleys" Update: This media release provides all the latest news about the book, TV special, BMG 2CD release and "Elvis" mini-series. (News, Source: EPE)

EPE responds to criticism: While many fans have been critical of EPE for not allowing the BBC video footage to use to promote Elvis' latest #1 singles, EPE has issued a statement giving its side of the story. (News, Source: EPE)

Creative casting...Elvis style: New CBS Entertainment chief Nina Tessler brought the house down in her inaugural session with TV critics yesterday. While announcing casting for a May mini-series on Elvis Presley, Tessler said Camryn Manheim, the plus-size former star of The Practice, would play the role of pinup-gorgeous Ann-Margret, Elvis' onetime costar and girlfriend. After she quickly corrected herself - Manheim will play Elvis' mother, don't you know - CBS Chairman, Leslie Moonves chimed in: "Who said creative casting was dead?" (News, Source:philly.com)

Ernst on possible FTD releases: According to Andylon Lenson, in a telephone conversation with her, Ernst Jorgensen said that the RCA album, Raised On Rock is a priority selection as a future FTD issue; no other soundboards will be released in the first half of 2005, and Elvis' final ever concert (26 June 1977) in Indianapolis could possibly be released by FTD later in 2005. Ernst also urged Andylon to continue searching for a live Elvis concert from 1955 where he sings Rock Around The Clock and Only You. If found, the concert could be a fourth album in the proposed Sun boxset. (News, Source: EPGold.com)

Ebony's Double passes away:The last surviving of Elvis' horses has died at Age 32. (News, Source: EPE)

Elvis Rules on Cup day: While on an equine theme, first there was Elvestroem, now Elvis Rules. With refreshments and a hat the order of the day, punters spent up big in rural Western Australia with local horse Solar Impact starting out clear favourite for the 2100m long race. However it was outsider and fellow Geraldton horse Elvis Rules who took out line honours by half a length from Collins Street and Polish Raider. The surprise win wasn't welcomed by bookmakers but had the punters smiling, with Elvis Rules paying about $38 on the tote. In what trainer Tom Brown described as a perfectly ridden race, jockey Shaun McGruddy had a dream run after stepping in as a last minute replacement for Jonathon Pouillet who was stood down. Elvis Rules owner Mel Thompson was also ecstatic with the win after collecting the $21,000 first prize cheque. (News, Source: Midwest Times)

The Rough Guide to Elvis: Piers Beagley tells us why the updated edition of Paul Simpson's book should be an essential part of every Elvis fan's library. (Book Review, Source: EIN)

A Fool Such As I - 3rd straight #1?: Early sales of the third Elvis single (A Fool Such As I) from BMG's 18 #1 Hits promotion suggest it will replace One Night as England's #1 single next week. The single holds a big lead over the next best selling single, Galvanise by The Chemical Brothers. (News, Source: Various)

Elvis singles hard to find: Ongoing problems in fans being unable to buy copies of the new Elvis singles in England has prompted BMG to press more copies and release a statement. The additional copies of each single are a positive move, but as EIN notes, the statement includes a liberal dose of corporate rhetoric. (News, Source: BMG)

Lisa Presley's new album: Lisa's new album will be released in the USA on 5 April and is called Now What. Aussie fans should be on the look-out for Lisa as all presenters at The Golden Globes received a $50,000 "Presenters Bag" including a plane ticket for a holiday in Australia. (News, Source: The Golden Globe Awards/lisapresley.com)

The Continuing Story of Memory Records: EIN's Piers Beagley has a listen to what is essentially a "best of audience recordings" release from Czechoslovakia's Memory Records. (CD Review, Source: EIN)

Lauderdale Courts and Elvis: Second only to Graceland, Lauderdale Courts is the Memphis home Elvis lived in the longest. It is also the home that serves as the background for the rags to riches story of America's most famous pop culture icon. The family loved the community and friends they gained there so much, that they quickly moved back across the street from the complex when their income was too high to stay in Lauderdale Courts. You can now read all about it on the Lauderdale Courts website. (News, Source: ElvisNews.com)

Presley family listening live on line (update): When the BBC DJ announced One Night was the new #1 single in England he added: "The Presley family were listening live on line".....yet the official EPE site doesn't mention the achievement more than 36 hours after it became official! (News, Source: Various)

Despite suspicious minds, Elvis tops U.K. charts: Sales of #1 singles have reached an all-time low in England with critics suggesting Elvis' latest two #1 hits represent only a hollow victory. Variety magazine looks at the issues for and against. (News, Source: Variety)

Vote for Elvis as the greatest American: Which single person, dead or alive comes to mind as its best example as being the one who seized a moment, saw thing differently, stood out in a crowd, demonstrated determination, vision or hard work? Who changed the way we think, work or live? You can now vote for "The Greatest American" on the AOL/Discovery site. The site also offers some hints ... see the silhouettes. Discovery Channel and America Online are joining in a national contest to name the "Greatest American" ever, the companies announced. Starting Thursday, online voters can throw their support behind the person they believe "most influenced the way they think, work and live," according to a statement from Discovery Channel and AOL. The top nominees will be listed in March, with Discovery planning a seven-hour, four-night series in the spring about the leading vote-getters and the winner. The first episode will air in May and will profile a selection from the top 100 nominees. The list will be pared down by further online voting, with the No. 1 choice profiled on the final episode in June. From March through May, Discovery Channel will provide AOL with biographies of leading candidates in news, sports, entertainment and other categories. (News, Source:Yahoo News)

Presley family listening live on line: When the BBC DJ announced One Night was the new #1 single in England he added: "The Presley family were listening live on line". (News, Source: Dan T, Elvis Collectors Messageboard)

Larry King transcript: The transcript of the recent Larry King interview featuring David Stanley, Jerry Schilling, Patti Parry, Anita Wood, Kathy Westmoreland, Lamar Fike and Marty Lacker can now be read online. (Interview, Source: David E. Stanley/CNN)

Elvis Festival to rock on with $60,000 grant: Parkes' now very known Elvis Revival Festival has secured $60,000 over three years from 2006 under a unique NSW Government programme to drive more tourists to regional New South Wales. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Sandra Nori, said the popular festival was also awarded $10,000 in last year's round. Ms Nori said the NSW Government was proud to support the Parkes Elvis Revival Festival under the Regional Flagship Events Programme. `That's because we are proud of what this festival means for regional tourism, particularly in central New South Wales,' she said. `What the Parkes Elvis Revival Festival does for regional New South Wales is act as a flagship by attracting more tourists,' Ms Nori said. `The festival is always the highlight of the New Year in central New South Wales, attracting more than 2000 visitors in January this year,' she said. Ms Nori said the Regional Flagship Events Programme was part of the NSW Government's strong and detailed plans for regional tourism. The Parkes Elvis Revival Festival has been running for 12 years close to the date of Elvis Presley's birthday - 8 January. Running for three days between 7 and 9 January, the festival includes competitions to attract the interest of performers and audiences alike, including look-a-like and sound-a-like competitions, talent quests and concerts. For more information visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au (News, Source: Parkes Champion-Post)

Click for 1-16 January 2005