| |
Welcome to the "Elvis Information Network", home to the best news, reviews, interviews, Elvis photos & in-depth articles about the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley...
The latest on www.elvisinfonet.com:
|
The Drummer Boy From Illinois Went Crash Boom Bang! and Upon the Day Elvis Presley Addressed The Tennessee State Legislature (Mini Book Review): In 2003, Aaron David Webster released one of the decade’s best Elvis books, Elvis A Radio History from 1945 to 1955 (Republic of Texas Press). More recently he has penned a great double bill novella, blending fact and fiction through clever journalistic endeavour. The result is a well baked recipe which neatly satisfies its pre-publication pr as being two romantic comedies.
|
|
The author has an inviting and fluent writing style, at times evocative of the time in which his stories take place, at other times bringing a smile to your face. As its title suggests there is a strong Elvis theme and Webster’s clever device of mixing real life characters and events with fictional ingredients works a treat. The release is an entertaining read and with one novella revolving around Elvis and a small Elvis sub-theme in the other, it should satisfy many fans. (Book Review, Source: Nigel Patterson, EIN)
Something from Hallmark: Hallmark will release Something For Everybody on February 20.
Available from Amazon UK at the budget price of only 2 pounds 21 pence!(News, Source: Elvis News/Elvis Club Berlin) |
|
Le jour où Elvis a chanté à Paris: Released in France earlier this month this French text book is written by Jean-Marie Pouzenac, President of one of the world's best known and Elvis fan clubs, Elvis My Happiness.
The release comprises 317 pages and is published by Editions Didier Carpentier.
- ISBN-10: 2841677508
- ISBN-13: 978-2841677504
Available from Amazon France here |
|
Quote:
"Elvis was a major hero of mine. I was actually stupid enough to believe that having the same birthday as him actually meant something"
(David Bowie) |
|
Elvis Still King of Fashion: Earlier in January, EPE announced licensing deals with fashion stores Benetton, H&M, Dolce & Gabbana and Hot Topic, the new Vogue Fashion Magazine takes it a step further, and shows the 2012 collection of topdesigners Versace, Balmain and John Richmond, all insprired by the King's great 1973 Aloha From Hawaii American Eagle jumpsuit. (News, Source: Elvis News / ElvisMatters)
FTD new March Releases Confirmed: The official announcement has been made of the up-coming new FTD releases in early March.
1 – ‘ON STAGE – FEBRUARY, 1970’ Classic Album. A 2cd 7" digipack with the regular 12-page booklet. As well as the Original Album (mastered by Vic Anesini) the album will include all of RCA’s multi-track recordings from three of Elvis’ shows.
2 – ‘OUR MEMORIES OF ELVIS’ – a nice surprise as FTD releases a 2cd 5" digipack version of the original albums, with an added bonus of the previously unreleased Volume 3 LP master tape plus six more cuts that series producer Joan Deary had prepared at the time. It comes with a 12-page booklet of relevant memorabilia and photos. Despite earlier thoughts that "Our Memories" was not a priority FTD release, the success of the recent bootleg of the same albums may have changed FTD’s plans.
3 – ‘HIS HAND IN MINE’ vinyl 2-album set. Special Limited Edition 2-disc 180-gram vinyl set.
Elvis Matters also announces that "There will be a separate announcement of book titles" soon.
Click HERE for FTD/Sony 2012 New CD Releases for tracklists and more
(News, Source;ETM&HM/ElvisMatters/FTD/EIN) |
 |
MRS 'Such A Night' Audio Samples!: Amazon UK already has audio samples for the up-coming MRS release of Elvis' amazing 1961 "Such A Night in Pearl Harbor" concert.
The audio has been restored by 'Studio D' the same engineer that did technical wonders on the MRS 'Hayride' CD/Book and once again this is a stunning improvement on the previous release.
CLICK HERE for audio samples.
(News, Source;Amazon)
|
 |
New March FTD release rumours: EIN has overheard that the new March FTDs could be...
1- 'On Stage' Classic Album with added unreleased RCA multitrack recordings. EIN previously heard that FTD was coincidentally working on this classic album around the time Backdraft's 'ReBooked' deluxe 4cd set of similar material was released.
2- 1975 Soundboard concert - possibly Shreveport, June 7 1975.
The following four Shreveport 1975 tracks have been released previously by RCA on the 'Elvis Aron Presley' silver box-set. 'Funny How Time Slips Away', 'Little Darlin'', 'Mystery Train/Tiger Man', 'Can't Help Falling In Love'. It would be an excellent concert to get in full from FTD since the rest of the performance has never been released, not even on bootleg.
3- 'His Hand In Mine' double-vinyl release.
These have yet to be confirmed by FTD.
(News, Source;EPSBelgium/ElvisInfoNetwork) |
|
"HAWAII – For God and Country" new Deluxe Editions: In a move to counteract the MRS release announced yesterday, new label 3764 BLVD issued a new press release.....
Since Elvis fans received the news of the Hawaii 1961 benefit show so enthusiastically we have decided to release our Deluxe Edition of "HAWAII – For God and Country" instead of the previously announced digipak.
This Deluxe Edition was originally scheduled for a later release, but to give the fans an exciting option, we offer the Deluxe Edition NOW!
- The Deluxe Edition is a 112-page, hardcover book + CD package, with the show and radio broadcast on one disc. The CD runs more than 74 minutes, with detailed background information and many rare photos in B&W and Color. It also includes relevant clippings, articles and items related to the show and the fundraising effort.
3764 BLVD Publishing offers: the complete 1961 Arizona Memorial Fund Benefit show, plus the promotional KPOI-AM radio broadcast from D.J. Tom Moffatt ("Uncle Tom’s Cabin") a few days earlier.
This historic 1961 show is the only one of three Elvis gave that year that is available today, before he disappeared from the stage to work full-time in Hollywood. Only 3 days after the Arizona Benefit, he started filming †"Blue Hawaii".
The audio has been professionally remastered for maximum listening pleasure, with priority given to historical value. Nevertheless, it will be a thrill to rediscover the excitement of the only Elvis Show from 1961. The |
 |
sound on this release is a significant improvement over earlier versions.
- S P E C I A L BENEFIT MEMORIAL P A C K A G E
This is a special edition for the serious collector.
INCLUDES: The Deluxe Edition of Hawaii For God and Country hardcover book (112+pages)
With the audio CD (featuring the benefit show & Radio broadcast.)
A beautiful reproduction of the original ticket (For this edition only)
High "Quality" Long play album (180 gram Vinyl)
The limited reproduction of A large exquisite autographed promo photo only
given to the first 1000 ticket buyers in 1961. (For this edition only)
Go here to EIN's 'All the Elvis CD News 2012' for tracklisting & more details.
(News, Source;3764 BLVD) |
David Beckham, Elvis-Style: Even footballer David Beckham has decided to copy the hair-style that Elvis made famous.
Heavily tattooed Becks, 36, sports the gravity-defying hairdo in a photoshoot for Men's Health magazine.
In his chat with the mag, the dad-of-four reveals he didn't set out to become half of one of the world's celebrity supercouples.
He added: "I never wanted to be famous. I was never interested in anything else apart from becoming a footballer."
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Latest Billboard Album Charts & Sales: This week, 'An Afternoon In The Garden' dropped from 145 last week to 186 this week (w/e
4th February, 2012) on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart selling some 2813
copies. Total sales to date: 421,493copies.
'Elvis: Best Of Love' jumps from 195 to 173 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart selling some 2950 copies. Total sales to date: 223,626 copies.
'Elvis Country' (Compilation) appeared on the Catalog Album Chart selling some 1,506 copies. Total sales to date: 86,337.
'Elvis Gospel' (Compilation) also appeared on the same chart selling some 1497 copies. Total sales to date: 133,709 copies.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
| Wednesday 25 January 2012 |
Your Chance to meet Lisa Marie Presley: Lisa Marie Presley will help kick off the new Graceland exhibit whne on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10am 25 lucky fans plus a guest will join Lisa Marie Presley at Graceland to help launch the new VIP exhibit, "Elvis...Through His Daughter's Eyes."
The new exhibit, launching as part of the Graceland VIP Tour, will allow guests to explore Lisa Marie's experience of growing up at Graceland and the relationship she share with her famous father. It will feature family photos, home movies and much more.
If you live in the Memphis-area or are able to be present on opening day and would like to be included in the random draw, please CLICK HERE to win a chance to meet Lisa Marie Presley and be the first to tour "Elvis...Through His Daughter's Eyes."
Entry deadline is Thursday, January 26 at 4:00 p.m. CST.
(News, Source;EPE/EIN) |
 |
Forbes names 'VIVA ELVIS' as the "Must See" Vegas Show!: While 'Viva Elvis' is supposedly winding-down, Forbes magazine names it this week as the "Must See Now" Las Vegas Show!
.... Whether it’s old-time crooners, Broadway imports or men covered in blue paint, Las Vegas knows how to put on a show. Superstars such as Celine Dion and Garth Brooks might command sell-out crowds, but three other Sin City shows have our fixed attention right now.
'Viva ELVIS' at ARIA Resort & Casino - See one last hunk of burning love before the king leaves the building for good this December. The Cirque du Soleil show marks the major milestones of Elvis Presley’s life through his music and the company’s signature daring dance and acrobatics. At Viva ELVIS you’ll hear hits like “Jailhouse Rocks” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight?,”
|
 |
although the sappy sweet “I Can’t Help Falling in Love” is the show stealer. The singer tops a 25-foot cake while her wedding dress is fanned out to become a screen that plays Elvis and Priscilla’s nuptials. The show does have its fair share of emphatic enthusiasts, too—audience members inside the theater at ARIA Resort & Casino are often seen decked out in full Elvis regalia, and Priscilla Presley herself has been spotted regularly at the show.
'Phantom' the Lloyd Webber classic and 'Cirque Mystère' at Treasure Island also get chosen.
Click Here for the full article.
(News, Source;Forbes) |
'Elvis Presley In Concert' TV promo: To promote the big screen / live show for the European tour of 'Elvis Presley In Concert', Belgium and the Netherlands are playing a new TV commercial to promote the show coming to Antwerp and Rotterdam. Although the commercial won't air until somewhere next week, Elvis Matters have been allowed a look at the TV commercial for the March 2012 show.
During the commercial, "Live Nation", the promoter for the Elvis Presley In Concert shows in Antwerp (March 6) and Rotterdam (March 7), announce that this tour is likely to be the very last time the show will Tour Europe with the original Elvis musicians on stage.
Click here to the new YouTube promo video
This is no doubt possible since there is a serious move to change the format to the new "3D" version as tried in Memphis
|
 |
this year over the old back-screen projection version.
With suggested slow ticket sales in England there surely has to be a change to the rather old format that we fans have seen repeated so often.
(News, Source;ElvisExpress/ElvisMatters/ElvisInfonet) |
Elvis Presley 'RE:LOADED" new remix CD: A new Elvis Presley album is released to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the King of Rock’n’Roll’s premature departure. It’s titled Elvis Presley "Re:Loaded" and includes ten never released before remixed Elvis tracks. The album will be available from January 23, 2012, initially exclusively on iTunes. From January 31, 2012 it will also be available on physical CD and as digital download from other stores. The first CD print of the album will be a special limited deluxe edition.
The Press Release states..
The tracklist consists of new remixed versions of ten Elvis Presley’s songs featuring the King’s original vocals, carefully restored and enhanced using the latest technologies for the best possible listening experience on modern stereo systems. It include, among others, "(Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame", "Gently", "Surrender" and the track that some lucky fans that had a chance to listen to it in the past days already defined "the best ever Elvis remix": an awesome new version of the Elvis classic "Blue Suede Shoes", destined to become a chart topper.
Produced by world famous international DJ and producer Spankox (aka Agostino Carollo), who also produced the "Baby Let’s Play House" n.1 remix |
 |
hit for Elvis, the "Re:Versions", "Re:Mixes", "Christmas Remixes" and "Re:Volution" albums, "Re:Loaded" reinvents Elvis’ original songs offering new and old fans a fresh approach to the King of Rock’n’Roll’s music. "Elvis as you’ve never heard him before" is the new album’s tagline and promises a compelling experience of the music of the King.
This new Elvis Presley album "Re:Loaded" is a must have for all Elvis fans and will be the best soundtrack for the many celebrations that will happen to celebrate the 35th anniversary year. |
For More Info Click Here.
1. Blue Suede Shoes (Spankox Remix)
2. A Mess Of Blues (Spankox Remix)
3. Didja’ Ever (Spankox Remix)
4. Gently (Spankox Remix)
5. Put The Blame On Me (Spankox Remix) |
6. (Marie’s The Name Of ) His Latest Flame (Spankox Remix)
7. The Girl Of My Best Friend (Spankox Remix)
8. Surrender (Spankox Remix)
9. Steppin’ Out Of Line (Spankox Remix)
10 Shoppin’ Around (Spankox Remix)
(News, Source;Spankox) |
'Elvis in Australia' - The Influences: From ABC radio's Rare Collections programme, David Kilby & Jordie Kilby reflect on Elvis' influences in Australia. As we all know Elvis never made it down-under but his music was the spark for many great careers there. The following were just the tip of the iceberg: Lonnie Lee with 'That's Alright Mama', Johnny Devlin & The Devils with 'Big Hunk O' Love' and Johnny Devlin with the Devils with 'I Was The One' where the heavily Elvis influenced Johnny Devlin was New Zealand's answer to the Big E in the days before he moved to Australia to further his career. Once arriving in Sydney though he found chart success quickly and at one point in 1959 had three singles, on different record labels, in the charts at the same time. Two of them were Elvis cover - one demonstrating the rock 'n roll side and the other a ballad.
Click here to the article and very interesting radio programme.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
'Such A Night in Pearl Harbour' - New MRS CD/book package: Memphis Recording Service in association with JAT Productions will release the next Elvis Presley titled ‘Such A Night in Pearl Harbor’ in March 2012. It will contain a completely new re-mastered CD of Elvis’ performance of the benefit concert recorded at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on March 25th 1961 to aid of the USS Arizona Memorial Fund.
The quality is of this concert is far superior than anything of this ever released before and will now be considered, one of the best Elvis concert recordings up until that time. The audio was re-mastered at Studio D who did such astounding work on the recent MRS 'Hayride' release. Amazing samples of this will be available in the coming week.
Elvis performs 15 songs and sings every one as if it were the first time he had ever presented them to an audience. This includes many #1 hits and includes classics that were never performed previously or again such as ‘A Fool Such As I’, ‘I Need Your Love Tonight’ and more.
Also included for the first time ever, is the 30 minute radio broadcast from Hawaii a week before Elvis’ arrival. It promoted the concert for the memorial fund, playing selected tracks from Elvis’ Christmas and ‘His Hand in Mine’ album, released at that time including words by Elvis Presley.
As a bonus, the CD is accompanied by a 100 page hard back book that contains many rare photographs with extensive and informative linear notes detailing Elvis’ arrival and performance in Hawaii. ---
Full information next week
- Click here to EIN's 2012 new CD release for more details
(News, Source;MRS/ElvisInfoNetwork)
|
 |
'Live At The International' possible Reprint: Due to on-going fan interest about the fascinating book 'Live At The International' featuring super-fan Peggy Elzea's detailed diaries, author Kieran Davis is now considering the possibility of a reprint.
He is working with his publisher to determine the number of copies to make it cost effective. EIN will bring you the news as soon as we know.
See our review below - and please contact Kieran Davis through the site to get your name on his waiting list.
(News, Source;KieranDavis)
|
 |
It's Elvis Time - Magazine #268: The January 2012 magazine from the Official Dutch Elvis Fan club "It's Elvis Time" has arrived in Australia.
This issue celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Fan Club in Holland. Fifty years is indeed an impressive time - EIN has been running for "only" 26 years this year! The magazine celebrates the 50th anniversary looking at Elvis in 1961-1962, as well as an interview with Holland's own "Miss Dynamite" Anneke Gronloh.
It also features plenty of FTD and CD reviews.
Among the articles is a feature on Elvis March 1961 Arizona Benefit which is an amazing coincidence with the new MRS release announced today (see above).
The magazine is printed in Dutch, features future Elvis Events and plenty of quality Elvis images.
Click here to their website find out more
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
 |
‘Elvis The Man & His Music’ December 2011: Issue #94 of this very fine magazine is out now, the contents include, some great snaps of Elvis in 1971..
Essential Elvis - 25 Years On
Paradise Bahamas Style - A great article by Tony Stuchbury with Unseen Pix!
Young Man With The Big Beat
'Felton Jarvis Reappraised' is a truly fascinating article about Elvis' producer.
The article includes...
… It's the (overdub) work as much as anything that defines Elvis' '70s sound - brassy Vegas-type horns with twee string sections that Elvis seemed increasingly drawn to, and that Jarvis seemed either unwilling or powerless to deflect.
And it's that acquiescence on Jarvis' part that seems to be the bone of major contention today - that had he been a stronger personality, had he stood up to Elvis, things might have turned out differently. "He and Felton worked real good together", said Gordon Stoker of The Jordanaires. "Because everything that
|
 |
 |
Elvis came up with, Felton would say 'Yeah man, that's good. That's great" David Briggs said that Jarvis was simply in awe of Elvis, unable to see beyond the image, and Norbert Putnam pretty much agreed: "Felton was careful of Elvis. He didn't ever really criticise him ... a flat or sharp note or anything." But Chips Moman aside, neither had anybody else. And by the early 1970s Elvis was beyond taking advice or direction from anybody anyway....
- Plus a DVD review of ‘Elvis Live Live Live Vol.2 and the usual great CD reviews and news round-up.
The BEST Elvis magazine around if you want to know about our man and his music.
Go here for more info and to purchase this issue.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork) |
 |
Mary and Ginger Holladay ‘Original Elvis Tribute’ show new Promo: Ginger and Mary Holladay worked with Elvis Presley from 1969 to 1975 as his studio backing singers, and they sang on hits like "Suspicious Minds", "In The Ghetto", "The Wonder of You" and "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me". (See picture above in recent Elvis Man & His Music magazine!) They will be coming to Europe in April 2012 for the first time as part of an Elvis tribute for shows in Holland, Finland, Luxembourg, Sweden and Norway.
Click HERE to see their new promo for the show.
'The Original Elvis Tribute 2012' will also include Elvis’ musicians Bobby Wood, Duke Bardwell, Jerome 'Stump' Monroe plus Robert Washington and Carl Bradychok.
Shows are Vara Konserthus, Sweden – April 7; Sibelius-talo, |
 |
Lahti (FI) – April 10; Tampere-talo (FI) – April 11; Savoy Theater, Helsinki – April 12; Deichhall, Ettelbruck, Luxembourg – April 13; Elvis Cruise Stena Lines, Oslo (NO) – April 14/15; Het Paard, Den Haag (NL) – April 21; 013, Tilburg (NL) – April 22.
For more TOUR info click here.
(News, Source;OriginalElvisTribute) |
EPE’s 2012 "Year of Elvis": EPE is pulling out all the stops for Elvis’ 35th anniversary. When describing the upcoming 35th anniversary of the death of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Kevin Kern of EPE said 2012 could bring more fans to town than ever before. During Elvis Week alone in 2007, the 30th anniversary of Presley’s death, Graceland saw 75,000 visitors.
With such high expectations, Kern said, the planning for the 2012 festivities began two years ago. "We traditionally have music events at the Orpheum or the Cannon Center, but this year they’ll be at the FedExForum, that’s the size and scope of a major anniversary year for us."
"I’m pretty close to sold out that Elvis Week," said Tabor, who is general manager of the Holiday Inn. "I’ve got groups coming from the UK, from Europe. You see a large influx of European traffic during that time."
This month's Elvis Cruise saw over 2,000 passengers on the Carnival Fascination cruise line from Jacksonville, Florida to Nassau in the Bahamas.
In addition there will be special 35th anniversary merchandise blitz domestically and internationally plus Elvis tribute artist contests in more than 30 cities around the world, the winners of which will come to Memphis during Elvis Week for the ultimate ETA contest.
Following Elvis Week, in September, EPE will also take their Elvis exhibition to Brazil. "It is the largest Elvis exhibition outside Graceland ever, anywhere in the world," Kern said. "We’ll be taking around 500 artifacts from Graceland to Sao Paolo, Brazil. There are a lot of Elvis fans in Brazil. … There is a lot of activity with fans from Brazil on Facebook and Elvis.com, and Elvis records still sell well in Brazil." |
 |
Graceland typically opens one to two new exhibits during the year as exhibits are rotated in and out but this year have opened three. One exhibit celebrates the 40th anniversary of "Elvis On Tour" one of Presley’s most critically acclaimed films, winning a 1973 Golden Globe for Best Documentary.
Another, "Icon: The Influence of Elvis Presley," will be put on in partnership with The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, and is a celebration of artists influenced by Presley.
The third "Elvis Through A Daughter’s Eyes" may be the most personal exhibit as it chronicles the relationship of Lisa Marie Presley with her father.
"We’ve got a great lineup of exhibits and our archive staff is very, very busy," Kern said. "Three exhibits is a massive undertaking."
CLICK HERE to the complete EPE Elvis Week 2012 schedule & for tickets
(News, Source:MemphisDailyNews) |
'Hawaii: For God And Country' new CD: Also announced later today, an unknown label called '3764 BLVD Publishing' will release the same material as the above MRS called 'Hawaii: For God And Country' on March 26. One wonders why another label would bother duplicating the same material when MRS are such a highly-profiled Amazon supported company
From their press-release:
The complete benefit show for the Arizona Memorial fund plus the radio broadcast from Uncle Tom’s Cabin a few days earlier to promote the Elvis Show.
This historical show is the only one available of the only 3 shows given in the 60’s before Elvis disappeared from the stage for 8 years. Only 3 days later he started filming “Blue Hawaii”.
The audio is remastered and optimized for maximum listing pleasure; priority has been given to historical value. Nevertheless it will be a thrill to discover the excitement of the only Elvis Show in 1961 recorded to date. The sound on this |
 |
release is a significant improvement over earlier versions.
A 24 page booklet accompanies the CD (with more than 74 minutes running time), to give detailed background info + many rare photos in b&w and in color. Also included are clippings, articles and items from the show and the fund raising.
THE FIRST 1000 copies will just like in 1961 be numbered.
(News, Source;3764) |
| Sunday 22 January 2012 - with NINE new updates |
Shelley Fabares talks about Elvis: On a recent cruise Elvis co-star Shelley Fabares revealed what it was like to act, sing, and dance in several Elvis Presley movies and answers the big question, what was it like to kiss Elvis!
For those that can't understand the pressure that Elvis carried throughout his public life, the last 2 minutes of her interview are very revealing and very touching.
Dont Miss it -
Click HERE to this Shelley Fabares interview with host Frankie Verroca.
Runs 10 minutes
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
 |
Comedian Steve Martin on meeting Elvis: In our 'Elvis Live At the International' book review this week we noted that Elvis saw comedian Steve Martin performing live during Ann-Margret's Opening night show of 1971. (read extract here).
Recently Steve Martin was on the David Letterman show and talked about meeting Elvis and his sense of humor.
Steve Martin also demonstrates one of the silly jokes that had Elvis laughing!
Go here to the short youtube clip.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
Norbert Putnam joins 'Elvis Presley In Concert' Tour: Great news for fans going to see the TCB Band playing in this year's 'Elvis Presley In Concert' tour. Norbert Putnam who played with Elvis' seventies studio band has been confirmed as the bass player for the next video tour in Europe, in March 2012.
Norbert, whose bass can be heard on no less than 122 Elvis songs, replaces the 'funky' bass player Nathan East, who already replaced regular TCb Band bassist Jerry Scheff.
Congratulations, Putt!
(News, Source;ElvisMatters)
|
 |
'Two Kings'- a celebration of Elvis and Dr Martin Luther King: Opry member Pam Tillis' new song celebrates two American treasures and pays tribute to the legacies of civil rights trailblazer, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and one of the most famous singers to ever live, Elvis.
'Two Kings' including rising R&B artist Kris Thomas, was released perfectly between the 77th birthday of the late Elvis Presley (January 8) and Martin Luther King Day (January 16).
"Martin Luther’s contribution to civil rights is an unassailable matter of history and Elvis’ disregard of the division of race in music helped change it forever," Pam says. "My friend Brenda, who grew up during the turbulent times of the civil rights struggle, right in the middle of the Memphis music scene, saw the connection and brought the song idea to me… all I did was help her see her vision through." |
 |
The lyrics begin with "Two Kings walk through Memphis, One had a dream, One had a song, But each man brought a message of love That lives on and on and on. The legacy they left us with to treasure through the years" and the story behind the city allowed Pam and Kris to film the video in Memphis, Tennessee earlier this year. As much of a tribute as this song is, Pam says it goes one step further to ask an important question.
"This song is just an earnest attempt to honor each man’s legacy and ask, ‘What will you do to make the world a better place?’" Pam says.
A fabulous song, please CLICK HERE to the excellent video.
(News, Source;Opry/BrianQuinn) |
"What Elvis Never Knew" new Book: The new book, "What Elvis Never Knew" recounts one woman's experience as an opening act for Elvis' 1957 East Coast summer tour.
Mercia Fiore was working as a secretary in Chicago when talent agent, Al Dvorin opened the door to what would prove to be a life changing experience.
"On this particular day, we got a phone call about needing a change in the opening act," Fiore said. "Mr. Dvorin had heard that I could sing, so he asked me to sing right then and there."
Fiore sang "Mr. Wonderful," a popular tune at the time, and landed the job as the opening act for Elvis' 1957 concert.
"I was on cloud nine when I landed in Georgia that next day!"
Despite his reputation as a wild one, Fiore quickly realized the often quaint and shy side of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. She describes their relationship as strictly professional.
"The producer told the girls not to get close," Fiore said. "Otherwise we could lose our jobs. Elvis wanted to teach me how to dance, but I kept staying away. I didn't want to get fired."
Fiore's 138-page book portrays Elvis as a "very shy, polite young man" even when hounded by girls who would rip his clothes. As a memento of the tour, Fiore received an autographed photo of Presley that read, "To Mercia, love ya’ hon, enjoyed having you in the show."
CLICK HERE to Amazon for more info and to purchase
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Dutch Music group sings Elvis to 40,000 Fans in Amsterdam: The Toppers, a Dutch music group recently performed an Elvis medley to over 40,000 people at the famous Amsterdam Arena Football Stadium. During the performance, tens of thousands of fans sang along and danced to such hits as "Viva Las Vegas" and "Blue Suede Shoes."
The Toppers are a popular group out of Holland who perform to packed arenas across Europe. Their shows mainly consist of covers by musical legends such as Elvis. The three key members are Rene Froger, Jeroen Van der Boom and Gerard Joling.
Click here to watch this great concert moment to the huge crowd
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
Elvis Express Radio reaches 900 Shows!: Last Friday Elvis Express Radio reached its news-worthy 900th show!
They played Elvis! Elvis! Elvis! for 3 hours along with all the news and more on their 900th show, the Friday Elvis Request Show,
Check it out 6pm UK time or also on Sunday 1pm via Covent Garden Radio.
Congratulations from EIN to Lee Dawson, Joe Krein and everyone who helps out at EER.
Go here to listen.
(News, Source;EER/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
'King Creole + Blue Hawaii' new PD CD: Another weird and wonderful Public Domain CD from the EU.
Combining two very different sounding movie soundtracks and a few other Bonus Tracks.
The rocking 'Little Sister' is included as well as 'Danny' - which is surely not in Public Domain by now.
From the Hoodoo Records label.
(News, Source;Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
W.S. "Fluke" Holland and the Million Dollar Quartet: You could say W.S. "Fluke" Holland was there the night Sun Records turned Gold. Holland, who manned the drums during the famed 1956 jam-session with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash, made a special appearance this week at the "Million Dollar Quartet" performance in DeVos Hall.
"It was years before that night became famous" said Holland, just 21 at the time. Carl Perkins and his brothers were pals of his, and Holland liked to go hear them play. "I’d go beat on the side of the upright bass — we called it the big dog bass — keeping time."
When iconic record producer and founder of Sun Studio/Sun Records Sam Phillips asked Perkins and his band to come to the studio and perform, Holland was asked to pitch in.
"I had never played drums before, and Carl asked me to borrow a drum set and come play with them," the 76-year-old said.
Phillips was impressed, even though Holland improvised heavily and set up the drum kit backward (he set up his "high hat" on the right instead of the left and continues to set it up that way to this day).
Phillips offered Perkins a recording contract and, in 1955, the group had a hit with 'Blue Suede Shoes'.
|
 |
"Country and hillbilly music had only had guitars, bass and piano for all these years," he said. "When we added drums people started calling it rock ’n’ roll."
Specifically, someone labeled "Blue Suede Shoes," with Holland’s pioneering drums, rock ’n’ roll, and a genre was conceived.
Fast forward a year, and Perkins and his band showed up at Sun Studio to record the follow-up to 'Blue Suede Shoes'.
"Jerry Lee was hired to play piano on the session, but no one had any idea Elvis and John (Cash) were going to show up."
At the time, it was just a bunch of talented, college-aged guys jamming to the fusion of guitars, bass, piano and the new sound of that drum backbeat driving it all.
"When you talk about that session that night, nobody thought about anyone else, really," said Holland (shown right today), who still travels with a Cash tribute band.
"Sam Phillips had no idea those boys were going to drop by. The boy running the tape machine didn’t think anything of it. He just left the tape machine on and went next door to get a sandwich at the Taylor Cafe. That’s what you heard on the tape, and it wasn’t that good."
"Good" may be open to interpretation, but there’s no doubt that night was special, as the unwitting founders of a new style of music, more toe tapping than country, more blues than jazz, with a dose of pulsing drums, collectively celebrated the freshly minted sound they |
 |
loved to make.
Holland relishes reliving the story through "Million Dollar Quartet," and has attended several performances around the country.
After years of working with Perkins, Holland decided to retire his drums after marrying Joyce in 1960 and settling down.
The only problem was, his buddy Johnny Cash needed a drummer for two weeks until he could find another one.
Holland would go on to be Cash’s one and only drummer, playing drums on storied recordings such as "Ring of Fire," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "Walk the Line" (Holland is portrayed in the 2005 Oscar-nominated film of the same name.)
"Somehow," he chuckles, "two weeks turned into 40 years."
Go HERE for EIN's review of 'The Complete MDQ CD' 2006 release.
(News, Source;MLive/ElvisInfoNet) |
| Thursday 19 January 2012 - 2nd Update |
'Elvis: Live at the International' Book Review: From author Kieran Davis the full story of Elvis' time at the International Hotel from August 1969 to September 1971. The book contains 170 pages describing in meticulous detail exactly what it was like to see Elvis at the International. Taken from the diaries of super fan Peggy Elzea, the chapters describe meeting Elvis backstage, the shows, the hotel, the staff, the food, even the call-girls.
There are sections of tape transcripts, jumpsuit descriptions, photographs of memorabilia, the hotel's advertising campaign, the list goes on. If you ever wanted to know how Elvis chipped his tooth on stage in 1971 even that is in here. With approximately 100,000 words, there will never be a better chance to read about Elvis' first engagements in Vegas as seen through the eyes of a fan who was there.
Click here as EIN's Piers Beagley checks out whether the book lives up to the description and with plenty of book extracts to read.
(Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) |
|
'TUPELOVE' New short-film about Elvis and Tupelo: On Elvis' birthday the short 15 minute film TUPELOVE was debuted on Blip TV and YouTube. The film, narrated by Elvis drummer DJ Fontana, was written and directed by Mike McCarthy at the request of the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau and stars Amy LaVere (Walk the Line) and Corey Parker. The film is about a business traveller (Parker) who finds himself stranded in Tupelo and is taken on a tour of Elvis sites by a cute 1957 ghost (LaVere).
So far, the reviews have been great. EIN recommends you check it out.
Watch the film by clicking here,
(News, Source;TupeloBirthplace/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
Original "Elvis" Yellow Wiggle Greg Page returns: The Wiggles have announced that serious Elvis fan Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle, is reuniting with the children's band.
Greg Page is set to return to the hit Aussie children’s band after a long absence. The 40-year-old was forced to quit The Wiggles in late 2006 after suffering a debilitating chronic disease, dysautonomia. Page battled fainting spells, slurred speech, fatigue and loss of balance.
“I’m feeling great and looking forward to doing what I love,” Page said in a statement today.
“I didn’t get a chance to say farewell last time, so this is an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.”
Sam Moran, who replaced Page, will step aside for the founding Wiggle. Moran plans to spend more time with his wife and two-year-old daughter.
Page, a founding member of the band in 1991, became a virtual recluse after he left The Wiggles. He recently wrote a book, Now and Then, detailing his battle with dysautonomia.
Go here to EIN's earlier interview with Greg Page.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
Latest Billboard Album Charts & Sales: This week,'An Afternoon in the Garden' dropped from 137 last week to 145 this week (w/e
28th January, 2012) on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and jumped from 24 last
week to 22 this week on the Top Catalog Album Chart selling some 3234
copies).
'Elvis: Best Of Love' re-enters the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart at 195 selling some 2657 copies.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet)
|
|
In January 1978, Elvis' father Vernon Presley agreed to an in-depth interview with Nancy Anderson for Good Housekeeping magazine.
The interview is incredible for Vernon's honesty and openness as he discusses everything from Elvis' birth, his childhood, his girlfriends, and even his drug habits. The interview begins ....
"My love for my son began even before he was born on January 8, 1935. At that time there was almost nobody poorer than my wife Gladys and me.
But we were thrilled and excited when we learned that we were going to be parents. I was only 18 years old, but throughout Gladys’ pregnancy it never occurred to me that I wouldn‘t be able to take care of her and the baby - - - -
Go here to read this amazing interview.
(Interviews, Source;MRT/GoodHouskeeping/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
New vinyl single 'Like A Baby' - but is it Legal?: Announced in various Elvis shops is this cute looking fake 1960's single.
The 7" inch 45 rpm vinyl single in red vinyl combines "Like A Baby/Make Me Know It". The White RCA promotional label (47- 8025 Not For Sale, Promotional copy) indicates that this actual single was never released, other than in a promotional version. This 2012 collector's copy is limited to 500 copies.
While the songs are definitely Public Domain in the EU, EIN is not so sure about the rights to use the RCA VICTOR logo.
EIN asked Ernst Jorgensen his thoughts on the copyright issue - but he said that this should be followed up with SONY directly. SONY told us that the single was a fake.
The vinyl single is selling for $19.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
 |
Latest Billboard Album Charts & Sales: This week,'An Afternoon in the Garden' jumped from 166 last week to 137 this week (w/e
21st January, 2012) on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and jumped from 31 last
week to 24 this week on the Top Catalog Album Chart.
and the US SoundScan sales..
Album...................................This Week....Last Week......Total
An Afternoon In The Garden....3,969...........4,731.........415,449
Best of love..............................2,792...........2,916.........218,019
Elvis Country Legacy edition ...2,191............ 999.......... 2,265
Elvis Country...........................2,078...........2,421..........83,207
Gospel/An evening prayer .......1,842...........2,034.........130,657
Elvis Rock...............................1,698...........1.795 ..........139,557
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisExpress)
|
|
Jose Feliciano Reminisces About Elvis And Sings 'Love Me Tender': Part of the Elvis birthday festivities at Graceland was a performance from Jose Feliciano - who is soon to release an album of Elvis songs.
CLICK HERE to check out the YouTube video from the 2012 Birthday Celebration Proclamation Ceremony!
The video features exclusive footage from Jose Felciano performing his rendition of 'Love Me Tender' on Sunday, January 8th and talking about Elvis.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn)
|
 |
Ginger Holladay recalls her first meeting with Elvis: Even though it’s now 40 years ago that she first met Elvis, Ginger Holladay’s memories of that January 1969 meeting still remain vivid in her mind: “Yes, it was when we were recording "In The Ghetto". A crowd of men laughing and joking walked into the studio and then parted and there he was, in the center of them all. He came over and introduced himself to us (as if we didn't already know...he was such a gentleman) and shook each of our hands”.
At the time, Elvis was recording at American Sound Studios in Memphis. These sessions rejuvenated Elvis’ career as a relevant recording artist. And he fell in love with the ‘Holladay Sound’: the girls ended up working on virtually every studio album he did between 1969 and ’75 (16 original albums in all), and their voices were even dubbed onto some of the live recordings. “We had a sound that someone described as blood harmony, |
|
a sound that only comes if you are family”, says Ginger, “Elvis liked our sound, as did Felton Jarvis, his producer for RCA”.
Mary and Ginger Holladay will be coming to Europe for the first time this April as part of the ‘Original Elvis Tribute’ show. These shows will mark the first time that the original backing vocals of classics like “Suspicious Minds” and “In The Ghetto” can be heard live in concert in Europe. They will be doing shows in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Holland and Luxembourg. “Bobby Wood suggested us to Arjan Deelen who is creating the shows”, Ginger notes. “We’ve worked together with Bobby for many years, but this will be our first time working with the other guys, and we are looking forward to creating a great show with them. According to Bobby and Arjan, it will be great fun creating music with them all. These shows are going to be filled with the "heart of rock n roll" because we are thrilled to be able to bring you the music of Elvis Presley, who is the King of it!”.
‘The Original Elvis Tribute’, which also includes a.o. Duke Bardwell, Bobby Wood and Jerome ‘Stump’ Monroe, will be doing the following shows: Vara Konserthus, Sweden – April 7; Sibelius-talo, Lahti (FI) – April 10; Tampere-talo (FI) – April 11; Savoy Theater, Helsinki – April 12; Deichhall, Ettelbruck, Luxembourg – April 13; Elvis Cruise Stena Lines, Oslo (NO) – April 14/15; Het Paard, Den Haag (NL) – April 21; 013, Tilburg (NL) – April 22.
For more TOUR info click here.
The Holladay Sisters recorded a special promo for the tour opening show in Vara, and to see it CLICK HERE.
(News, Source;OriginalElvisTribute) |
Parkes 20th annual Elvis Festival: Every year, over 12 thousand Elvis enthusiasts and Elvis and Priscilla impersonators flock to the Australian Central West town of Parkes to revel in the week long celebrations held in honour of "The King" - more than even flock to Memphis!
Starting out in 1992, the Elvis festival has flourished throughout the years, creating its own legacy with the support of fans and local residents alike.
"Everyone just has a great time. The thing that I love most of all about it is that when people come, they decide that they want to come back the next year and bring more people. So it's not as if it's something that people come to one year and forget about. The majority of them keep on coming back... it says something about it" says editor of the Parkes Champion Post, Roel Ten Cate.
While the idea may have had a hard time gaining momentum in the beginning, its creator Anne Steel said people don't think twice about supporting it now.
|
 |
"Isn't it wonderful that it's gone as far as it's gone? And I think we've got 95% of them happy," she said.
One key source of support has often been the ambassador of Parkes - its mayor. Not many mayors would don an iconic Elvis jumpsuit but several have for the Central West town.
While other people in town may have shied away from backing the festival in the early days, current Mayor Ken Keith said he was behind it from the word go.
"It's word of mouth that is really getting the message around that the Elvis Festival in Parkes is one of those must do things before you die."
Not to mention its ability to showcase life in Parkes.
"There are people moving to Parkes and when they come here and have a wonderful time and see how friendly the town is as well, then it just all puts a lovely package together as a nice place to come and live and have a great time."
A 5-day program of events features favourites including, Tribute to Elvis Competitions, the Elvis Street Parade, displays of Elvis memorabilia (including Greg Page's: The Kings Castle), and more than 150 unique Elvis- |
 |
style events including an exhibition by Elvis’ official photographer Ed Bonja plus celebrated American Elvis Tribute Artist, Dean Z.
The ‘Elvis Express’ train running from Sydney, has grown in popularity annually and this year was sold out as it transported 400 ardent Elvis Festival fans to and from Parkes. The train complete with Elvis tribute artists and Elvis attired staff, departed Friday packed full of Elvis fever, love and craziness.
The Parkes Elvis Festival runs till the 15th January.
Top photo shows Dean Vegas with this years winning Priscilla the lovely Amy Whitfield - photo Tainia Finlay. Parkes Elvis Express image by Geoffrey McDonnell
(News, Source;ABC/ElvisInfoNet) |
How 'Bout A Date? Encounters with the Young Elvis (Pocket Book Review): This new 106 page release written by Caroline Cahoon-Hauser and her son, Robert, takes the reader back to the informal days of the Hillbilly Cat prior to superstardom.
Ms Cahoon was lucky enough to attract the attention of Elvis following a concert in Sheffield, Alabama in August 1955 and subsequently went out on a date with the future King of Rock 'n' Roll.
The author writes of a more innocent time filled with soda pop and burnt bacon sandwiches, vehicle street parades and a complex series of events about to dramatically impact on Elvis' life. The result is an engaging account of the time and her real-life date with Elvis!
The book attains its 106 pages by including details of Elvis' broader life and career. It contains various interesting photographs (sadly in b&w) of Elvis, Caroline and her friends. (Book Review, Source: Nigel Patterson, EIN, Jan 2012) |
|
'Elvis November Tour' 1971: Available from the end of January, Elvis' November Tour (SR Records Special Product) with focus on Elvis' November 1971 tour.
From the Press release: Here we proudly present to you the first of three volumes of SR special products dedicated to the year 1971.
After the first attempt in January 2006 with the import Setting The Standard accompanied with a bonus DVD-r first 100 copies only, the necessity to show Elvis' in live action gave us the push to give shape to this special product series. We accompanied the usual audio concert with a real DVD as we wanted to allow you the possibility to see the man where he reigned: on the stage. Here we present to you the complete Dallas 13th November 1971 afternoon show, although part (about half) previously issued by Sundial Production in 1996 (Kicked it up in Dallas) here you have the chance to have the complete show in a superior audio quality, a digital transfer of the first-generation copy, the sound was painstakingly restored for your listening pleasure.
Together here we present to you a professional DVD (the lucky people who have the Setting The Standard know what we are talking about) with previously released and unreleased footage from the Dallas afternoon/evening shows and for the first time the complete 20:00 min footage of Kansas City.
The DVD will include the three shows along with a series of special features to give you the idea about how the DVD was made. Elvis in Nov 71' was a spectacle to see and for all majority of the people who missed the opportunity to attend to the 1971 shows we think this DVD can demonstrate what we are talking about.
|
 |
Working on such old video-tapes of the early eighties hasn't been easy, we worked for almost one month to give life to 50 minutes of digitally-remastered and edited video.....after a pre-filtered acquisition of the old material we worked for the same time in the restoring of the video-quality and the professional editing of the "NEW" material. All the footage has been digitally restored in order to achieve the optimum image quality. The footage has been synced with audio from the original concert and the 8mm footage speed corrected so that audio and video are timed correctly. We hope the rarity of this video and our determination to make a great job give you the opportunity to enjoy the end result.
Elvis' November tour is, we think, the best moment of Elvis' comeback to live shows, the perfect balance between vocal ability and live wild action; both the Dallas shows together with Houston are the best moments of the tour. So we are glad to give you the opportunity to listen and view Elvis at the top of his prowess.
For the first time on this label, the double set will come with double printed DVD sized sleeve, containing a collection of live RARE photographs of the three shows and all the necessary details. The first 500 copies will come with a bonus collector card.
Go here to EIN's Elvis New Releases 2012 for CD & DVD tracklistings and more details
(News, Source;SR) |
New TV show, Memphis Beat: Jason Lee's newish comedy-cop show, Memphis Beat (now into its 2nd and final season) is worth a look. Filmed in Memphis and with Lee's quirky character (Dwight Hendricks) being a big Elvis fan, there is a strong Elvis sub-theme.
The initial episode opens with Lee in black leather singing Heartbreak Hotel, later 'That's All Right' (by Elvis) is the background song and the episode ends with Lee (again in black leather) singing a solid version of If I Can Dream.
With plenty of other Elvis references and images, a great supporting cast including the sublime Alfre Woodard, strong blues/rock 'n' roll soundtrack and a good balance between comedy and drama, the 20 episodes of Memphis Beat are well worth watching.
(News, Source: EIN) |
|
Elvis Reaches 5 Million Fans on Facebook! EPE announces another nice Elvis Birthday treat - Another milestone for the King of Rock 'n' Roll as today, Elvis Presley hit the five million mark for fans on Facebook.
Click here if you haven't joined up already!
(News, Source;EPE)
|
 |
'Stellar In Atlanta' new import: The Touchdown label announces the release of the CD 'Stellar In Atlanta' containing a recording from the June 30, 1973 Evening Show as recorded in Atlanta.
Yet another audience recording, the quality is yet to be vouched for.
(News, Source:ElvisDayByDay) |
 |
'Elvis Gospel' US Cracker Barrel release: The U.S. based Cracker Barrel 'Old Country Store and Restaurant' released a twelve track gospel compilation 'Elvis Gospel' in their Classic Collection series.
The CD is only available through their outlets.
(News, Source:ElvisDayByDay)
|
 |
Acclaimed Elvis author, Alanna Nash, "downunder" update: On Monday (see below) we reported that Alanna Nash, Rolling Stone journalist and author of several critically acclaimed books about Elvis, is to be the 'special guest' at this year's Wintersun Festival, being held in Coffs Harbour, NSW in June.
EIN asked Alanna how she felt about coming "downunder". She replied:
"Australian Elvis fans have always been among the most ardent, serious, and well-informed. And so it is with great anticipation that I pack my bag for Down Under! I am honored."
For readers of EIN who haven't read any of Alanna's illuminating Elvis books here is an excerpt from Baby, Let's Play House Elvis Presley and the Women Who Loved Him regarding Tuesday Weld, one of Elvis' co-stars in Wild in the Country:
On location, Elvis secluded himself with blond wardrobe girl Nancy Sharp, whom he'd met on Flaming Star, but the Ivy Leaguer was a little too proper for him. He was more interested in Tuesday Weld, who looked a bit like a blond Priscilla. Although known for precocious sex kitten roles, Tuesday was as brilliant as she was volatile.
|
 |
At her father's early death, she became a child model and the family breadwinner, but it proved to be too much. At nine, she had a nervous breakdown, and she began drinking heavily at ten. Two years later, she tried to commit suicide after falling in love with a homosexual. She was seventeen at the time she filmed Wild in the Country.
Alan Fortas, who had a crush on her, remembered her as being "sweet" to everyone in Elvis's camp. But Joe Esposito recalls her salty language and recklessness..........Tuesday also liked to throw things at people from Elvis's moving car.
Their romance was apparently hot...........(see Amazon link to Baby, Let's Play House below)
Graceland: The Rock n Roll Estate: Elvis Presley was born Jan. 8, 1935, and he died Aug. 16, 1977. He left a legacy that continues to inspire many fans to this day. In addition to his mansion, Graceland, his mountain of hit records and his popular movies, Elvis still connects with collectors decades after his untimely death. Beloved by millions, Elvis was a star among stars.
Recently, I made my way to Memphis, Tenn., to pay homage to the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Visiting Graceland was a truly moving experience.
Elvis' famous home is both a museum and a memorial. While the living room and kitchen certainly were throwbacks to the 1970s, the upstairs bedrooms were off limits in keeping with Elvis' tradition of only meeting guests on the main floor of the home. Graceland visitors are allowed to tour only the main floor and lower areas of the main house.
The most interesting room was the famed Jungle Room (shown opposite), located just off the kitchen. Decorated in typical late 1960s/early 1970s era exotica furniture and accessories, this room was Elvis' informal music room where he played the guitar and sang with his friends. |
 |
Collectors are devoted to Elvis and what some call "Elvis-abilia" in a manner that differs from that of other celebrities or rock stars. Elvis was an icon, and while his hit records are valuable on today's secondary market, it is his global appeal that has attracted so many collectors to Elvis objects.
Elvis made a career out of connecting with his audiences. What's more, his personal decisions to serve in the military and to support American causes contribute to his widespread popular appeal.
The King of Rock 'n' Roll raised funds to help construct Hawaii's famed USS Arizona Memorial, assisted in the fight against drug abuse and helped underprivileged children.
He was immortalized on a U.S. postage stamp in 1992. The Elvis stamp remains the most publicized stamp in U.S. history, yet its collectible value is rather low because so many — more than 500 million — were distributed.
Many Elvis collectibles are quite pricey. His bejeweled stage costumes are on view at Graceland and some have sold to collectors ranging in price from $30,000 to $300,000. An early career leather jacket brought $37,000 from one collector at a sale.
Elvis was an avid collector of American automobiles, mainly Cadillacs dating from the 1950s through the 1970s. His classic cars are on display in a special exhibit at Graceland.
In addition, Elvis recordings continue to bring high prices. A Sun Record 45 rpm recording of "That's All Right" in its original paper sleeve sold for $1,100.
Major fine artists also helped to further immortalize Elvis. Andy Warhol's pop art masterpiece of Elvis Presley from 1963 titled "Single Elvis" in silk-screen ink on a silvered background sold at auction for $3.3 million.
(News, Source: Dr. Lori, Evansville, Courier & Press - Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori, or call 888-431-1010)
Life behind the lens - the man who shot Elvis: You've seen the iconic jumpsuits and heard the voice - many will have also watched the movies. But do you know the person responsible for capturing 'The King' on camera?
As a young man, Ed Bonja envisaged getting married, becoming a French teacher and coaching basketball, football and baseball. One phone call in 1970 changed all that.
For the next seven years, Ed would double as Elvis' tour manager and official photographer. Hear him reflect on those years; impressions of 'The King', the role his work played in created the star's image and why he walked away from it all.
|
 |
On his connection to Elvis: "It goes all the way back to 1948 when my Uncle Tom used to bring Colonel Parker, who was just known as Thomas Parker then, to our home in Chicago...they became partners, Colonel signed Elvis several years later and the Colonel became a family friend - we used to call him Uncle Tom and then later... Uncle Colonel. So it goes way, way back to then and it's lasted many, many years."
Meeting the music great for the first time in 1964: "I was working at MGM studios doing the filming of 'Girl Happy'. The Colonel said he had a position open for secretary that was in the contract for the movie, and if I wanted the job it payed $80 a week and it would last for 10 weeks and I grabbed it and I loved it."
On photographing 'The King': "You could shoot Elvis from any angle and he looked good! It was a piece of cake. If you had one subject in the whole world, it would be Elvis, and basically he was the only subject I ever shot because I didn't do anymore photography after."
The one question fans ask him the most: "They ask what he was really like, was he the same on stage? I'd tell them yeah, what you saw was what you got. He was a great guy. On stage he could get embarrassed by the adulation of the fans, he was just...one time in your life you'll ever meet someone like that type of person."
Ed is currently touring Australia with his 150-piece exhibition titled "Images of The King." (News, Source: Georgia Wilson, ABC)
Read EIN's review of Ed Bonja's great book, "Viva Elvis"
Details of Ed Bonja's Aussie trip - see news below dated 8 January 2012
"The Hillbilly Cat LIVE" new Import CD: As recorded at the Hilton Hotel showroom in Las Vegas, Nevada, August 23rd, 1970, dinner show. Graceland Records is planning a new CD release, a digipack with gorgeous photos and liner notes plus technical information. It features one of the best shows from his August Las Vegas engagement, namely the August 23rd, 1970 dinner show, taken from the original unspoiled – a tremendous audience recording! This recording was partly released in 1970 on vinyl as "The Hillbilly cat, Live", but it was a combined version of 2 different shows, August 23rd dinner and 24th Midnight show. The sound quality was great for the time the time. Rumors were that a professional recording (soundboard) was used. This is not the case; a stereo tape recorder was used directly in front of the center stage. Graceland Records was lucky enough to work with the original audiocassette. These days the possibilities to improve an audience tape are far greater than they were in 1970, so this recording now sounds significantly better than it did on the 1970 vinyl bootleg.
For the first time ever on CD - One of the first bootlegs ever, "THE HILLBILLY CAT LIVE" |
 |
This show is hilarious, wild and loose: Elvis was in great spirits & the Hollywood cameras were gone. The many false starts indicates that he was fooling around and having a great time doing it..
With probably the craziest intro ever to "Hound Dog", a wild and rocking version. With great renditions of "Tiger Man" "That’s all Right" and "You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling"
All phenomenal performances, a sparkling show with no weak spots. Elvis was on top of his game! This is definitively one of the finest performances of this season.
Do not miss your chance to obtain another winner from Graceland records!
Go here to EIN's 2012 Elvis CD releases for full details and tracklist
(News, Source;Graceland) |
'Elvis Movie Files Vol.1' - New Import CD: This is a new and unique CD series of 4 volumes containing the very best of all Elvis' 1960s movie outtakes recordings. 30 rare and hard to find alternates takes on each volume.
Collect all 4 of them (other volumes will be releases within this year) and you'll have 120 of the very best 1960's movie outtakes. No endless search anymore in your cd collection for your favorite outtake, it's all here, in stunning audio quality.
ALL tracks are presented here without endless studio chatter or false starts (so every song is unreleased in this form), this is the ultimate Elvis Movie cd collection for hours of listening pleasure!
Each volume comes in a stunning 6 panel digipack, filled with pics of publicity photos, sheet music, rare movie posters etc. When you have collected all 4 volumes the back of each digipack shows a great publicity shot of G.I. BLUES.
Elvis Movie Files (The Sixties) brings together the very best of outtakes from many of his classic movie tunes recorded in the 60's.
VOLUME 1 is out now! Order Your Copy Today from your favourite dealer.
Only 500 Silver Pressed CDs!
Go HERE to EIN's New CD News 2012 for tracklisting & full details.
(News, Source;ElvisMovieFiles)
|
 |
'Mahalo From Elvis' New Import CD: Mahalo From Elvis was a compilation album by RCA/ Camden released posthumously in 1978. It consists five (then) previously unissued tracks Presley recorded in Honolulu
on January 14, 1973 for inclusion in the U.S. version of the live concert TV special 'Aloha from Hawaii' (these tracks are not considered "live" recordings, as no audience was present).
The recording of No More, was not used in the special.
All other songs were previously issued recordings originating from the Presley movie soundtracks 'It Happened At The World's Fair', 'Harum Scarum' and 'Double Trouble'.
Camden re-released the album with a different cover and album title in 1979 ( 'The King...')
The original album was certified Gold by the R.I.A.A. on 9/15/2011.
The original album was released in 1991 in Canada by RCA Special Products, but both the sound quality and the quality of the cover print were very bad. This original CD release is now only available on the www |
 |
for very high prices, and is a true collectors item.
We are very proud to present this album in a stunning 6 panel digipack with superb (original) artwork / sound quality, using the new masters for the original tracklist!
Also we added some rare outtakes of each track, making this finally the CD release the 'Mahalo From Elvis' album deserves.
Order Your Copy Today from your favourite dealer.
Only 500 Silver Pressed CDs!
Go HERE to EIN's New CD News 2012 for tracklisting & full details.
(News, Source;Mahalo) |
Critically acclaimed Elvis author, Alanna Nash, confirmed for Wintersun: The special guest at this year's Wintersun Festival in Australia is Alanna Nash.
Alanna is well known to Elvis fans worldwide for her justifiably critically acclaimed books including: Elvis Aaron Presley: Revelations of the Memphis Mafia (aka Elvis and the Memphis Mafia); The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley and the 2010 best-seller, Baby, Let’s Play House: Elvis Presley and the Women Who Loved Him.
A long time journalist with Rolling Stone magazine, Alanna is also the author of Dolly, the best-selling (and best!!!) biography about country music legend, Dolly Parton.
The very popular retro Wintersun Festival is being held in Coffs Harbour, NSW between I June and 11 June and incorporates this year’s Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Opposite: Alanna with Colonel Tom Parker
|
 |
Wintersun Festival is Australia's, and possibly the world's, biggest Rockabilly and Rock ’n’ Roll Festival with major acts, Elvis (EPE's ETA regional heat), street parades, cool vintage cars, Elvis, displays, much more and, oh, did we mention, Elvis!
Alanna Nash is arguably the person of the fairer sex who knows more about Elvis than any other woman except those within Elvis' family or inner circle!!!
EIN will have more news about Alanna's visit in the next few days!
Celebrating Elvis: The King's legacy lives on in 2012: For Elvis Presley fans, 2012 promises to be a good year.
There are exhibits, tours, special events, concerts, promotions and celebratory cruises in the works to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the King’s death, who would have celebrated his birthday on Jan. 8.
And a new museum housing a large private collection of memorabilia opened to the public last month in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The Elvis Presley Museum Düsseldorf is possibly one of the largest such collections outside of the United States, according to the museum.
“People love it. They all go out with a big smile on their faces,” said Andy Schroeer, one of three collectors who founded the museum, which has already welcomed visitors from Europe and the United States.
|
 |
The approximately 1,500 items that form the permanent collection reflect Presley’s professional and personal life, and include writings, letters, photographs, records, jewelry, furniture, clothing and documents, like the performing artist’s first order for a single and his transfer papers from Sun Records to RCA Victor in 1955 for a fee of $40,000, “an astonishing amount at the time and a move that contributed to his becoming a superstar,” the museum said in a statement.
A number of items never before been shown in public will be on display for the first time, Schroeer said, like the signed shirt that Elvis donated in 1959 to the German magazine BRAVO for a contest.
The winner kept the shirt unopened in the original package for more than 30 years. "He was no Elvis fan and was kind of disappointed when he learned that he had won the Presley Sports shirt," Schroeer said.
By 1958, Elvis had a promising musical and acting career but joined the Army after receiving his draft notice and served active duty in Germany until 1960. The museum owns many items from that period.
The exhibits are intended “to show the more private side of Presley’s life,” Schroeer said. “There are really no big stories.” For example, the records Presley had shipped from the U.S. to Germany reveal his personal taste in music at the time, which was a mix of gospel and other spiritual music, as well as rock 'n' roll. “Elvis was very much into the Jordanaires. He loved those guys to death.” Also included are personal notes Presley made in “The Prophet,” by Khalil Gibran, his mother’s journal entries and the personal appointment book he kept in 1959 in Bad Nauheim, Germany.
Displayed items do not have explanatory text next to them, as visitors come from so many different countries that text would need to be in many languages, which would take away from the experience, Schroeer said. Rather, visitors are given a listing of items with text in their own language.
The idea for the museum came about 10 years ago. Schroeer and the other two collectors, Oskar Hentschel and Michael Knorr, who have been friends since meeting at a local Elvis Presley fan club in the mid-1980s, wanted a home for their collections and the ability to share them with a larger audience. But each started his collection independently. Schroeer began collecting in 1975 at age 10 when he received “Elvis Forever,” a double LP for Christmas. “Elvis could drive fast cars ... he was like a personal hero. You wanted to own something he held in his own hands,” recalled Schroeer, who wrote “Private Presley: The Missing Years – Elvis in Germany,” with his fellow collectors.
About 600 items will be exhibited at a time, but the collection will rotate regularly. Beginning Jan. 8, which would have been the King's 77th birthday, the museum will feature live music and new items, including a gold record on loan for four months that was engraved with Presley’s name misspelled — Presly instead of Presley — which was kept by the engraver after the mistake was discovered, Schroeer said. Photographs of the new and original gold records will also be on view. |
 |
It’s all for a simple goal, Schroeer said. “To keep the memory of Elvis Presley alive. That’s what people appreciate.”
Scott Williams, vice president of marketing and media for Elvis Presley Enterprises, said the opening of a new museum featuring Presley memorabilia was not unusual. “There is not a country where there isn’t some Elvis activity going on. There are fan clubs all over the world; that’s one of the ways fans celebrate their love for Elvis.” Williams said much of the reason is due to the performer’s broad appeal. “He was a one-of-a-kind entertainer,” whose personal story of working his way up from poverty, as well as his musical range, provide “something to relate to, no matter what your tastes are.”
“Every year is a big year for Elvis,” Williams said, “but for whatever reason, the 5th year benchmarks have become historically larger.” Graceland in Memphis is planning a year-long series of activities to honor the 35th anniversary of the late singer’s death, which will kick off with an annual birthday celebration Jan. 5-8, followed by a cruise from Jacksonville, Fla., to Nassau, Bahamas, on Jan. 12-16. “It’s an entire ship of Elvis fans,” said Williams. “It’s nothing but Elvis.”
There will also be new exhibits, touring tribute concerts and “the largest exhibit outside Memphis of Elvis artifacts” will take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2012 featuring hundreds of items on loan from Graceland, including the performer’s gold phone and red MG, Williams said.
If you go: The Elvis Presley Museum Düsseldorf, presented in conjunction with the Official German Elvis Fan Club, can be visited daily in the historic old town center. See www.elvis-duesseldorf.de.
For information about hotel and travel packages in Düsseldorf, home to the “longest bar in the world” (260 bars, pubs, and breweries in under a mile, according to the city’s tourism office), see www.visitduesseldorf.de.
For more information about Graceland-sponsored celebrations, visit www.elvis.com. (News, Source: Tanya Mohn, msnbc.com contributor)
Elvis Music DVD milestone "downunder": During 2011, Elvis '68 Comeback Special was certified 6 x Platinum for Music DVD sales in Australia.
.....the (quite tame) bordello scene was too risque for NBC and the US censors in 1968 and when viewed today shows up as a tight, colorful and well constructed set piece.....
The ARIA award represents an impressive 90,000 (6 x 15,000) sales of the DVD (single and 3DVD set) and still counting). (News, Source: ARIA) |
 |
| Sherpa's Top 10....Best Elvis-related movies: For the second weekend in a row, no new movies are opening in St. Louis, leaving us with challenges in the movie-list business. But thank heavens for The King --- aka Elvis Presley -- whose birthday is on Sunday.
Elvis did 31 feature films, and I saw every one. Most were junk, with not nearly enough good ones to make a full list -- even if you throw in a couple of excellent documentaries.
The only Elvis movies I'd watch again are "King Creole," "Wild in the Country," "Jailhouse Rock" and "Viva Las Vegas," and that mostly to watch a young Ann-Margret.
So what we're doing today is listing the best movies that are "Elvis-related," which means they either having someone playing Elvis Presley or feature Elvis impersonators. Let's have a little fun and get to it: |
 |
10. 3,000 Miles to Graceland (2001): This heist caper is not a good movie, but it stars Kurt Russell, who once gave an excellent performance as Elvis in a made-for-TV movie. And child-star Russell made his film debut at 10, in Elvis' "It Happened at the World's Fair."
9. Finding Graceland (1998): Harvey Keitel stars as a drifter who claims to be the real Elvis when he's picked up by a motorist driving to Memphis. Also stars Bridget Fonda and Gretchen Mol. Director David Winkler is son of Irwin Winkler, who directed Elvis in "Double Trouble."
8. Honeymoon in Vegas (1992): A decent movie with Nicolas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker playing a couple headed for a quickie wedding and James Caan wrecking things as a shady gambler. The highlight of this flick is the appearance of the Flying Elvises parachute team.
7. Great Balls of Fire (1989): Dennis Quaid gives a rollicking performance in this biopic of Jerry Lee Lewis, and Winona Ryder shines as his young cousin-bride. Also stars Alec Baldwin as Lewis' cousin, Jimmy Swaggart. Michael St. Gerard has a cameo as Elvis.
6. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007): Sometimes hilarious, sometimes stupid Jake Kasdan/Judd Apatow film with John C. Reilly playing a singer who spans the history of rock and roll music and falls in love with Jenna Fischer. Jack White of White Stripes fame plays Elvis.
5. Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) One of the best "cult" films in recent years. B-list legend Bruce Campbell stars as Elvis, alive and well in a nursing home. Then he and another elderly resident (Ossie Davis), who thinks he's JFK, set out to battle an evil Egyptian spirit. A good-time movie.
4. Walk the Line (2005): Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon both deliver strong performances as Johnny Cash and June Carter, with Witherspoon picking up the best-actress Oscar. Tyler Hilton plays Elvis and, even better, Shooter Jennings plays his daddy, Waylon.
3. Forrest Gump (1994): Tom Hanks commands the screen, and our hearts, in this story of a simple young man whose honesty and innocence influences much of modern history, including Forrest helping a young Elvis (Peter Dobson) develop some unusual dance moves when he stays with the Gumps.
2. Mystery Train (1989): Jim Jarmusch's film about a Japanese couple that goes to Memphis to track Elvis' spirit. They stay at a flophouse with Screamin' Jay Hawkins as its night clerk. Elvis pictures adorn each room, The Clash's Joe Strummer plays an Elvis-like character and Stephen Jones is a ghostly apparition. (Watch this film, "Down by Law" and "Stranger than Paradise" for the ultimate Jarmusch trilogy.) |
 |
1. True Romance (1993): Tony Scott directed this violent, profane and irreverent Quentin Tarantino story about a lovestruck loser (Christian Slater) and his hooker-wife (Patricia Arquette), who get a wedding gift that puts a sadistic mobster (Christopher Walken) on their tail. The cast includes Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson and Val Kilmer, who appears as the Ghost of Elvis.
-- To watch the "I liked that gitt-tar" scene from "Forrest Gump," please click here.
-- Please click here to watch the trailer for "Mystery Train."
-- I would love to show you the Elvis scene from "True Romance," but the language is quite rough. That said, it's easy enough to fin on YouTube by searching for "true romance elvis scene." So we'll conclude with this clip. Please click here.
And that's why they call him "The King." (Celluloid Elvis, Source: stltoday.com)
EIN Comment: Where is Wild At Heart - the David Lynch classic with Nic Cage (pre-marriage to Lisa Marie but definitely Elvis inspired) in superb form projecting the King and along the way crooning Love Me Tender and Love Me to a star-struck Laura Dern; Elvis Killed My Brother - a violent but well crafted Aussie short film which deserved, even begged (obviously in silence) to become a feature film; Evil Elvis Christmas - the only Elvis "slasher" film and it does have a strong crimson silhouette; Hounddog - the classic (?) but controversial Dakota Fanning film, which unfortunately caused uproar and uprising within America's morally upstanding religious right leading to misguided criticism and its non-showing in many cities across the US.
Special mention #1: the ultra-humorous 'B' grade P.I. flick, Lonely Street, starring the underrated and handsome Jay Mohr (TV's Gary Unmarried) and his real-life wife (how can Garry be unmarried?), the delectable Nikki Cox (from the hit show, Las Vegas).
Special mention #2: Heartbreak Hotel - who wouldn't want to kidnap the King if it means your mom is happy and you end up earning a medical degree and assisting Dick Van Dyke in diagnosing murder?
| Saturday/Sunday 8 January 2012 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS!! - - - 3rd Update |
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS -
EIN wishes Elvis all the best, where ever he is, celebrating his 77th Birthday.
Fifty years ago today in 1962 Elvis celebrated his 27th birthday at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas - (photo right).
Elvis was there with Memphis girlfriend Bonnie Bunkley as well as Joe Esposito & friends. Elvis also met up with one of his favourite songwriters Don Robertson ('They Remind Me Too Much Of You' etc).
President Nigel Patterson of the Elvis Information Network Fan Club (Australia's oldest Elvis fan club) was also there to present Elvis with a special Birthday cake.
(News, Source; EIN) |
 |
Elvis Presley's Birthday:
What does one remember or think about on Elvis Presley's birthday?
The 1950's, or the Army years? What about the movies and Las Vegas?
Or the controversy surrounding his death?
All of those aspects may come to mind when one recalls Elvis; but I have noticed that almost everyone I speak to
overlooks one tremendously important aspect: His impact on our world today.
When you look at any truly talented singer today; from the Beatles to Lady Gaga; they are all touched in one way or another by
Elvis Presley.
Elvis paved the way for future performers to express themselves freely and not be stopped by any barrier. Born shortly after the Great Depression, in Tupelo, Mississippi; Elvis was destined for greatness.
By the age of 21, he had a gold record, one million dollars and a movie deal. He inspired people to fulfill the ‘American Dream’ all over the world and demonstrated that it was attainable.
Throughout his life, he gave to people sometimes with donations to various charities or with hope.
Hope for someone, that someday, they would be able to live without the fear of being judged because they are a different race or religion.
Hope to that one kid in every school who was always different and harassed or looked down on. One day they could rise above those who tormented them and be successful and have the life they had always wanted.
|
 |
And so, today on the seventy-seventh anniversary of his birth, let us not remember him for his death or common human qualities; but for his contribution to all generations: past, present and future.
“ It’s rare when an artist’s talent can touch an entire generation of people. It’s even rarer when that same
influence affects several generations.” --Dick Clark.
Article by EIN contributor Jenna Jachles.
(News, Source;JennaJachles/ElvisInfoNetwork) |
Ed Bonja’s "Viva Elvis" – one of the BEST photo-journals ever released!: With Tom Diskin’s nephew and Elvis’ “official photographer”, Ed Bonja, heading “downunder” (see news item), we thought it appropriate to examine Ed’s (sadly) little known, but excellent, Japanese release, Viva Elvis.
Published by Yahama Music Media Corporation in 2010, Viva Elvis is a deluxe, 192 page hardback (with dust jacket) visual assault on your senses! Showcasing a mouth watering array of high quality Elvis photos these are damn fine and eye pleasing images!!! Most are in glorious color.
The narrative text, of which there is ample, is in Japanese, limiting appreciation (for many) of this edition to simply enjoying Ed Bonja’s wonderful full-page photographic images of the King live on stage (The Tours 1970-1975). The majority of the visuals are from Elvis’ jumpsuit era and as proclaimed by the sub-title on the book’s cover: “Featuring previously unseen images from his amazing concert years”. And for mine, there are many previously unseen visuals! |
 |
And not only are they full-page images, they are almost all close-up shots of Elvis, many showing the King in full throttle action mode!! There are a few dark or fuzzy images but believe me even these are striking, undoubtedly due to the amazing ability of the photographer to obtain sublimely expressive and engaging images of his subject regardless of lighting conditions.
Be it Elvis lying flat on his back on stage in dynamic karate movement in San Diego; with tongue poking out in San Francisco; or passionately delivering a booming ballad in New York, Viva Elvis is an absolute visual and most visceral delight to savor time and time again.
The images symbolise the charisma and energy of Elvis Aaron Presley, the universally recognised King of Rock 'n' Roll, in performance…….displaying the innate and effortless power and presence of a musical monarch literally mesmerising and uplifting his loyal subjects. There is indeed, a Pied Piper on stage, a Pied Piper resplendent in a pot pourii of strikingly immaculate jumpsuits of different colors and designs!
To provide a feel for the range of concerts covered in Viva Elvis, just some of the shows photographed by Ed Bonja and presented in the book are:
- November 1970 – Eight Day Tour (featuring a very hairy chested King of Rock ‘n’ Roll)
- November 1971 (Black Matador)
- Aug-Sep 1972 – Hilton Hotel
- Jan 1973 - Aloha From Hawaii
- Jan-Feb 1973 – The Vegas Hilton
- July 1974 – Salt Lake City
- May-June 1975 – Huntsville, Alabama
The chapters include The Jumpsuit is Born, The Colonel, Select Photos and Backstage with Elvis, while the main body of the book presents a series of chapters covering The Tours 1970-1975.
While the Japanese edition of Viva Elvis includes the statement that the book was first published in the UK by Studio Cactus (also in 2010), if this did occur copies must now be like the Dodo bird…...extinct. The existence of only the Japanese text edition also explains why such a great release has received little recognition throughout the Elvis community.
Verdict: Viva Elvis is one of the best ever photo-books published about Elvis with high quality, “in-your-face” images, guaranteed to please all fans! And if you can comprehend the Japanese written word, you will indulge your reading fluency as well. Highly recommended (Book Review, Reviewed by Nigel Patterson, EIN)
Copies of Viva Elvis are available from Amazon Japan (New Price around US$60 not including shipping – cheaper new and used copies may be available for International shipping from the Amazon Merchant Community)
See ED BONJA Australian TOUR and Exhibition details below |
Elvis Presley was A Sex God!: In an article that it sure to get Elvis laughing on his 77th birthday, gossip site TMZ report today that "Elvis Presley was A Sex God!!! ... says ex-Girlfriend".
Longtime girlfriend Linda Thompson, who dated Elvis for four years after he split from his wife Priscilla in 1972, was leaving the LA restaurant Mr. Chow last night, when she was asked how she would rate the singer between the sheets.
According to the report, Linda Thompson said that Elvis had some "serious skills" suggesting that Elvis was "The King In the sack".
TMZ tactfully report that actress Anne Helm once stated, Elvis "really liked sex."
- With all that gyrating, it makes sense.
EIN Notes - In a genuine Linda Thompson interview she has stated...
"Elvis was a very respectful. He had kissed me the first night in the movie theatre. But the second day, he was very respectful and very much the southern gentleman. He was a very dichotomous human being, very paradoxical. On the one hand, you know, he had this raucous image, and he did have a raucous sense of humour, irreverent sense of humour. But he was very pious on another level and very puritanical...
Elvis would get depressed because he felt people didn't love him for being the simple person he was. They forgot about him as just a regular person with feelings like all of us.
I think it's a terrible thing for people to say they couldn't imagine Elvis growing old. Everybody has that right, even if they're a sex symbol. He wanted to live to be an old man. He wanted to see Lisa have children, and he wanted to see his grandchildren. He had no idea he would die so young."
Go HERE to our Linda Thompson special double-interview.
(News, Source;TMZ/ElvisInformationNetwork) |
 |
'The New Elvis Presley' 35th Anniversary Tribute Song: Composer Guy Simons has written a new song about Elvis to help celebrate the 35th Anniversary and Elvis' enduring presence. The song was recently recorded by Australia's Mark Andrew and is being previewed to Elvis fans at the Australian Parkes Elvis birthday celebrations. EPE's Scott Williams has been contacted regarding this tribute song as well as Elvis' friends Joe Esposito and Jerry Schilling.
Guy Simons writes, "The song’s title 'The New Elvis Presley' and lyrics represent the timeless quality of Elvis and his music, which always sounds fresh and new for each subsequent generation. Ironically I was born in 1968, the year Elvis re-invented himself after a 7 year absence from performing, showing the world the ‘new’ Elvis Presley dressed in black leather for the TV special ‘Elvis’. The next regeneration was in Vegas where the ‘new’ Elvis appeared in his jumpsuit and cape. The enduring legacy of Elvis as a cultural icon means that he is forever being represented in new ways whist retaining the essence of who he was.
The song has a catchy melody, a great hook for the chorus and lyrics that
included references synonymous to Elvis. It is contemporary enough to attract
the younger generation as well as appeal to all Elvis fans throughout the world.
This song would be a wonderful tribute to the Elvis 35th anniversary
celebrations."
'The New Elvis Presley' by Guy Simons will be launching at The Elvis Parkes Festival on Friday 13th January. It will also be available as a digital download on itunes, Amazon and Microsoft’s Zune globally from Sunday 8th January (USA time) - to coincide with Elvis’ birthday celebrations.
(News, Source;GuySimons) |
 |
Ed Bonja On Tour In Australia: To coincide with Elvis' huge Birthday celebrations in Australia, Adam Nicholson presents, ‘Images of the King’, a 150-piece exhibition of rare & original photographs taken by Elvis Presley’s official photographer and tour manager Ed Bonja. This will be in Australia early 2012 at the Gold Coast, Parkes, Albany and Sydney.
Ed Bonja will be there to share the stories behind the images and every fan will be able to buy copies of original Elvis reprints Ed has personally signed.
A limited number of tickets are also on sale via www.nicholsonpresents.com for a dinner on Elvis' birthday January 8.
Enjoy a three-course meal and drinks with Ed Bonja hosting. Ed will share amazing personal stories about his life with the king.
After touring this exhibition across Australia finishing in |
 |
Sydney, an auction of the 150 piece photo exhibition will be held in Sydney at the limited seating dinner hosted by Ed Bonja. For tickets to the formal dinners with Ed Bonja CLICK HERE and direct genuine enquiries regarding the auction to adam@nicholsonpresents.com
GOLD COAST QLD
The Mantra Legends Hotel Jan 6-8
Formal dinner plus show titled "A DINNER FIT FOR A KING" will be held on January 8th for Elvis' Birthday.
PARKES NSW
The Masonic Hall Jan 11 - 15
Formal dinner will be held on the sat 14th at the Coachman Hotel
ALBURY NSW
The Commercial Club Jan 21 - 22
Formal dinner will be held on the Sun 22
SYDNEY NSW
THE CBD HOTEL Feb 3 - 5
Formal dinner is to be held on the opening night on Friday February 3rd
|
 |
Elvis' Palm Springs home to host tribute concerts this weekend: In honor of Elvis Presley’s 77th birthday, the King’s “Honeymoon Hideaway” home in Palm Springs will be host to two living room tribute concerts and new home tours this weekend.
On May 1, 1967, Presley and Priscilla sneaked out of their "Honeymoon Hideaway" home in Palm Springs early in the morning to fly to Las Vegas for the wedding later that afternoon.
The couple returned that same day to the home, which features a pool, outdoor stage, garden, orchard and tennis court. Presley reportedly carried Priscilla over the home’s threshold and up the stairs singing “The Hawaiian Wedding Song”.
This weekend’s concerts will feature performances by Ted Torres, who was a Top 5 finalist in Graceland’s 2011 Ultimate ETA competition, and Bobby Brooks Wilson, son of Jackie Wilson.
Saturday’s concert is sold out, but a few tickets remain for Sunday’s 1-3 p.m. Tickets are $38.
The home also will host new tours that will include the “Escape Route,” which Presley and Priscilla took around the back of the
|
 |
house on their way to Vegas to avoid media waiting outside thanks to rumors of a Palm Springs wedding.
The “Escape Route” will be a new addition to the home tours starting this weekend, said estate manager Dave Paul.
Tours also will include the “Wall of Honor,” which has never been a part of the home tours before.
Tickets may be purchased for the tours, Sunday’s living room tribute concert, or a combination of both — all of which are selling quickly.
Go here for Honeymoon Hideaway info.
(News, Source;elvishoneymoon.com) |
'The Circle G Foundation' Launch: Lesley Pilling announces the launch of The Circle G Foundation - and new website.
Our vision for the Circle G Ranch is to see it open as an attraction for Elvis fans and non-fans alike and also provide leisure facilities for the local community in Horn Lake Mississippi. Our objective is to sympathetically and tastefully restore the site to how it was when Elvis knew and loved it; enabling visitors to enjoy the tranquility of the site, just as Elvis did, by providing walking trails, horse riding (hopefully creating a safe haven for rescue horses) and other outdoor activities (all with easy access for the disabled). We envisage the inclusion of a small museum and shop, along with a longer-term plan to provide a small amount of accommodation.
Considerable numbers of Elvis fans already visit the site in its run down condition and are thrilled just to catch a glimpse of the ranch house, lake, bridge and cross - when the ranch is restored we can guarantee increased visitor numbers. The Mississippi Tourist
|
 |
Organization already recognise the site in their literature and web-site and see its potential if developed in the right way.
At a recent meeting held in Memphis we discussed the possibility of fans being able to buy a 'share' in the ranch; this idea has been met with enthusiasm and is something we are looking to pursue.
We are doing our utmost to find an individual or group of people who share our dream and have the funding to buy the ranch and with the help and support of fans from all over the work will rescue, renovate and restore the ranch to how Elvis knew and loved it.
GO HERE for more info and on-going Circle G News.
(News, Source;CircleGFoundation) |
Surfers Paradise Australia geared up for Elvis festival: Surfers Paradise is getting "all shook up" this weekend for the King of Rock n Roll's 77th birthday.
Elvis impersonators will be out in force with jumpsuits, leather, flared pants and blue suede shoes for Australia's first officially-endorsed Elvis tribute festival.
The Elvis Birthday Bash from Friday until Sunday includes classic Elvis movies screening on the beach, photo exhibitions and a tribute competition.
Elvis's own tour manager and official photographer Ed Bonja will be a judge, along with Gold Cost mayoral candidate and renowned "Aussie Elvis", Dean Vegas.
"The Surfers Paradise Elvis tribute festival is the first in Australia to earn the official stamp of approval from EPE" Surfers Paradise Alliance chief executive officer Mike Winlaw said.
Check out the program of events for the Surfers Paradise Elvis Birthday Bash here
(News, Source;surfersparadise.com)
|
 |
BMW UK TV Advert features Elvis 'ALLC': BMW has released their new TV car commercial featuring Elvis' ALLC.
Sony (UK) are interested in giving ALLC another push as the commercial runs for 6 months and takes in the London Olympics.
BMW is an official sponsor of the 2012 London Olympic games.
|
 |
Watch Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony Live: Help celebrate Elvis’ birthday no matter where in the world you are on January 8, 2012. Tune in on Sunday morning, Jan 8, at 9:30 a.m. CST to see Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony Live. CLICK HERE on Sunday.
Elvis' birthday celebrations in Memphis have started running through to this Sunday, January 8. Special guest speakers include Elvis keyboardist Shane Keister - plus meet and greets with former members of J.D. Sumner & The Stamps: Bill Baize, Donnie Sumner, Larry Strickland and Ed Hill.
There are the usual Gospel Concert Celebration as well as Conversations on Elvis at the Memphis Marriott East.
Conversations on Elvis will feature some special segments including: former members of J.D. Sumner & The Stamps - Bill Baize, Donnie Sumner, Ed Hill and Larry Strickland - sharing their memories of knowing Elvis both on and off the stage and hear from Jeannine Adidge, sister of Pierre Adidge who produced and directed "Elvis On Tour" with Robert Abel.
Go here for the EPE Schedule of Events.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
|
Book Review: Elvis in Vegas:
After more than four years research, Paul Lichter recently released his latest deluxe book.....focusing on Elvis in a steamy, desert city which lights up at night and holds many of the key moments in the Elvis story.
So does Elvis in Vegas, with its hundreds of visuals and a detailed narrative element, live up to its pre-release hype?
EIN recently took a leisurely stroll through the book.......
click here to read our detailed review |
|
Develop your online game skills by playing the popular game, Elvis Wolf: At a loose end this holiday season or love playing online games, then this is an entertaining Elvis related game.
Description: Make the Elvis-wolf reach the expensive gifts with the hook and save them in its box. Use the mouse to release the hook when it points to the direction where you wanna hold it.
|
 |
Memphis Airport promotes Elvis Birthday Celebration: If you've ever traveled to Memphis by plane, these pictures will look familiar. It's one of the first Elvis related things you see once you've passed customs and security. The pictures here were taken just a few days ago and show that Memphis Airport is ready to welcome the tens of thousands Elvis fans that will fly to Memphis in 2012. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)
Eddie Murphy talks about Michael Jackson and the Elvis and racism issue: You knew Michael Jackson pretty well. What did you make of the tragedy of his death? It had a lot of similarities to Elvis Presley's, whom you always loved.
Michael sat in the same hot seat Elvis was in, the biggest star in the world...how can I put it? It's like you're not a person, your human beingness is compromised. The stuff that everybody has to deal with, take that and magnify it by 1,000 - that's where Michael and Elvis are sitting. It's madness swirling around them all the time. On the surface, you're coming off like you have it all together and behind the scenes, you're completely unraveling. Michael was the first artist that jumped up into the canvas and became part of it, where every waking moment is part of the show. Who can live up to that sheet?
Have you had to defend your Elvis fandom to African-Americans who think he was racist? |
 |
The big myth in the African-American community was that he said that the only thing that black folks could do for him was shine his shoes and buy his records. People liked him when they were young, then said, "I don't like him because he said that," and I said, "he never even said that." Truth be told, you go back far enough, you go back to your black-and-white footage, everybody's a racist, every star you're looking at, every star you loved was some kind of racist, straight-out racist, no black folks in their movies, all that sheet, but you love them, look at their work. And you can't fault them - that's the times.
Michael, Elvis, the Beatles, Bruce Lee, Muhammad Ali, Bob Marley and Marilyn Monroe, they had some sheet that was different from everybody. They're just this other sheet. You take Bruce Lee and put him around 1,000 other Asian people and your eye goes right to Bruce Lee. Muhammad Ali, a sea of black folks, your eye goes right to him. Whatever that It factor is, they have more of it than anybody. (News, Source: Rolling Stone)
Read EIN's articles on Elvis and the racism issue
Who inspired the Musical 'Memphis'? Dewey Phillips!: On the heels of the Million Dollar Quartet musical, covered by Sharon Eberson when it appeared here last fall, comes Memphis, centered around the character of eccentric, manic Memphis disc jockey Huey Calhoun, a fictionalized version of the real-life, larger-than-life 50's Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips, best known as "Daddy-O" Dewey, a Memphis radio legend whose work and mix of R&B, country and rockabilly music left repercussions far beyond Memphis.
While fictionalized, it's no secret that fictionalized reality sometimes comes closer to the truth. The touring show, and actor Bryan Fenkar's portrayal of Calhoun, earned the approval of Phillips's two sons, Randy and Jerry, who saw it in Memphis. The Phillips brothers' personal recollections, some segments of Dewey in action and their touching meeting with Fenkar after the show can be seen in this Memphis TV news story.
The best way to describe Dewey, born in rural Crump, Tennessee in 1926, is as a whacked- out, otherworldly version of both our own Porky Chedwick and Johnstown native Alan Freed minus the payola. A white Memphis disc jockey in a segregated region, Phillips played black blues and R&B (and later, rockabilly) for listeners of both races. He was as beloved by the blacks on Beale Street in Memphis as he was by white teenagers, all united by their love of his crazed persona and the music.
In October, 1949, over a year after Porky started playing R&B here in Pittsburgh, Dewey began hosting Red Hot & Blue on Memphis radio station WHBQ. Alan Freed wouldn't begin doing that in Cleveland until 1951. No one, however, had a style quite like Dewey, whose rapidfire delivery and bizarre patois made him a sort of proto-Wolfman Jack. |
 |
After returning from World War II Army service, he tried studying music, hoping to become a singer. He landed a job at the W.T. Grant five-and-ten, (a national version of G.C. Murphy's) in downtown Memphis and wound up managing the s record department. Commandeering the PA system, he attracted huge lunchtime crowds to Grant's with his blend of jive talk and music, selling more records than ever and creating a fan base for himself. That a lot of Grant's new record buyers were black didn't bother management.
To read this fascinating article in full, click here
While not sure what they were getting, WHBQ reluctantly took him on in 1949. Evenings, he inhabited the studio, located on the mezzanine floor (usually referred to by Dewey as the "magazine floor") of the Chisca Hotel in Memphis. His appeal went beyond race, success that didn't hurt WHBQ. The program brought the station gushers of ad bucks. There was even a waiting list for advertisers.
In 1950, he joined forces with former Memphis radio announcer Sam Phillips (no relation), owner of the just-opened Memphis Recording Service, to form a short-lived record label. But Dewey had bigger problems in 1950. He nearly died in a violent car crash in Arkansas that killed two people, severely injuring his left leg. Another vehicle accident in 1952 did more damage to the leg, this time leaving him in constant pain.
He was still recuperating from the 1952 accident at Kennedy Veterans' Hospital in Memphis, where he continued broadcasting Red Hot & Blue from his hospital bed. Like the earlier clip, this one comes from one of the hospital shows. Note his "participation" in the records. And check another funky live commercial for CV (Champagne Velvet) Beer, a regional brew.
1952 was the year Sam Phillips launched his groundbreaking Sun label. Sam's habit of slipping Dewey just-recorded Sun releases led to him becoming the first DJ to ever interview Elvis Presley in July, 1954, days after he made his first Sun recording. As he became a worldwide phenomenon, Elvis and Phillips remained pals and running buddies. But Dewey, who always shot from the lip, caused problems. In 1957 he accompanied Elvis to Hollywood while the King filmed Jailhouse Rock. According to Phillips biographer Louis Cantor, when introduced to Yul Brynner on the lot, Dewey flippantly remarked, "You're a short mother, ain't ya?"
If that wasn't embarrassing enough, Dewey was given an advance disc of Elvis's as-yet-unreleased recording of "Teddy Bear," not to be played on the air until RCA released it. He infuriated both Elvis and RCA by playing it anyway. Elvis kept his distance for a while, but the two eventually mended fences.
This is Dewey at WHBQ, talking to himself and playing "There are Strange Things Happening Every Day" by gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a 1945 R&B hit that influenced Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and other rockers (and she's playing the hot guitar). Contrary to Dewey's remarks, Jerry Lee Lewis didn't record "Strange Things" (though he could have done it well).
WHBQ brought Dewey to local TV in 1956, hosting an afternoon teen dance show titled Pop Shop. This is a filmed bit of the show (minus music) from around 1957 with Jerry Lee Lewis. His remark about "Lansky's" refers to Lansky Brothers, the Memphis haberdasher beloved by the black community in Memphis and by Elvis and others. For some reason, this clip omitted Lewis's actual performances.
In 1958 WHBQ, an ABC affiliate began broadcasting American Bandstand in the afternoon slot, foolishly moving Pop Shop, renamed Night Beat, to 11:30 PM. It didn't matter. Within a few days, the show was canceled after one of Dewey's screwball on-air sidekicks inappropriately groped a cardboard cutout of Jayne Mansfield on-camera.
What ended Red Hot & Blue was way more insidious: the rise of Top 40 radio. Even at WHBQ, owned by a New York corporation, independent jocks like Daddy-O Dewey became expendable, one small step on the road to the current horrors of Clear Channel and other current megabroadcasters. Unable to follow the tight, set Top 40 format, late in 1958, WHBQ parted ways with him. His fans literally wept in the streets of Memphis during his final broadcast.
He found a home on another Memphis station, and in the fall of 1959 tried his hand as a singer, recording this single of "It Had to Be You" (A-side) and "Beg Your Pardon" (B-side) for the Memphis based Fernwood label. The November 9, 1959 issue of the music trade publication Billboard called it "a pleasant reading of the oldie. Judge for yourself. Both sides are here, and I think it proves as a singer, he was a great disc jockey.
As time passed, however, Phillips' life turned into an ongoing tragedy at odds with the wild, wired persona he projected on the air. As his leg pain grew in the 60's and he worked on radio stations in or near Memphis, he mixed his booze with increasing amounts of painkillers to anesthetize himself, having refused an amputation that would have ended the agony. He racked up DUIs and slowly lost touch with reality, briefly hospitalized in psychiatric wards. By the late 60's he was increasingly delusional. During his occasional periods of lucidity, he bemoaned his situation. Remember, interventions just didn't happen back then.
Separated from long-suffering wife Dot, he saw his sons but resided with his mother when he died September 28, 1968. Elvis, who hadn't seen him for years (and would later die from his own drug problems) attended his old pal's funeral. Dewey was buried near his birthplace of Crump, Tennessee. Sam Phillips, by then a wealthy man, had helped Dewey's family financially (as had Elvis). For the rest of Sam's life, he never hesitated to laud his friend's contributions to the success of Sun and its artists.
"Tell 'em Phillips sent-cha!" Dewey would exclaim. "Freeze it and eat it!" he'd holler while plugging Falstaff Beer on the air.
Think about it. When was the last time you heard a disc jockey uncork stuff like that? Call him Huey Calhoun or Daddy-O Dewey, the man deserves his own musical. As Jerry Lee Lewis used to say, that's a guaranteed fact! (Article, Source: Rich Kienzle, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Community Voices, originally published Dec 2011)
Read EIN's review of the superb book Dewey and Elvis: The Life and Times of a Rock 'n Roll Deejay
|
New Elvis related books available in Kindle format from Amazon
|
|
| Local family robbed in front of Graceland: For Elvis fans around the world, Graceland in Memphis, Tenn., is their Mecca. Unfortunately, an impromptu visit to The King's home on Christmas Day by a Ruston family was memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Shannon MacKenzie of Downsville said her 13-year-old son, Dustyn, was diagnosed with leukemia on Dec. 15. The family spent their Christmas in Memphis at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. While they were there, MacKenzie said Dustyn wanted to get out of the hospital for a while.
"He was just tired of being cooped up all day," MacKenzie said. She said her son is a huge fan of Elvis and wanted to visit the rock 'n' roll legend's famous home since they were there. |
|
On Christmas Day, the family pulled up to the house. MacKenzie said the property was closed. "I went to the guard shack up front to talk to them," MacKenzie said. "I wanted to see when would be a good time to come back."
While she was talking to Graceland officials, Dustyn and MacKenzie's other son, Dakota, sat in MacKenzie's vehicle, waiting. "Dakota told me a man walked up to the van, popped open a door and took my purse," MacKenzie said. She was robbed outside Graceland on Christmas Day. MacKenzie said Dakota, her youngest son, was balled up in the vehicle, shaking.
"He was terrified," MacKenzie said. She said she was still beside herself about the incident. "I was in shock," MacKenzie said. "I just thought, 'How could you?'" MacKenzie said her son gave Memphis police a description of the man, who has not been identified."He said after he took my purse, he turned around and started laughing about it," MacKenzie said. She said she was not sure which aspect of the incident was more painful.
Even more discouraging, MacKenzie said officials at Graceland have not been very helpful to her.
"They've been hateful," MacKenzie said. "They said they didn't want this kind of publicity and did not file an internal report like they were supposed to."
MacKenzie said Graceland officials provided video surveillance to authorities in Memphis, but said the footage was poor. She said after the incident, she and her family have sworn off visiting any other parts of the city.
"We just go to the hospital and back to where we are staying," MacKenzie said. She said authorities have kept her updated on the incident.
MacKenzie said when the thief stole her purse, he also took a cellphone, cash, prescription medication, Dustyn's St. Jude information, credit cards and a food stamp card. She said police have located and returned the phone to her, and the thief used some of the cards.
"They said they think he still has the food card," MacKenzie said. "If he uses that, we should be able to find him."
Calls and emails to the Memphis Police Department were not returned. (News, Source: Zack Southwell, TheNewsStar.com)
Crocodile named “Elvis” attacks lawnmower: Perhaps this reptile has a bit of a green thumb? A pair of zookeepers at an Australian reptile park near Sydney were taken by surprise Wednesday when a crocodile lunged from its pool and grabbed hold of their lawn mower. The 16-ft.-long animal, named Elvis, then proceeded to drag the machine under water and stand guard next to it, despite losing two teeth in the incident.
But Elvis, 50, is no stranger to making mischief: he was captured in 2008 after repeatedly climbing aboard fishing boats in Darwin Harbor.
Unfortunately for the possessive crocodile, the lawnmower affair was short-lived. With the aid of crocodile handler Tim Faulkner, workers at the park were able to remove the mower shortly after Elvis swam to the other side of the pool.
View video footage of 'Elvis the crocodile' attacking the lawnmower
|
 |
| Sunday & Monday 1 & 2nd January 2012 - - HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our readers |
Special Happy New Year reading - Have you checked out all these exclusive EIN articles below? |
'Promised Land' FTD CD Review: The long-awaited double-CD "Classic Album" version of 1974's 'Promised Land' album. Recorded in December 1973 at Stax Records in Memphis, the original album was released in 1974 and is thought by some to be the best Elvis studio album from the 1970s.
The title track, "Promised Land" was a cover of a 1965 hit by Chuck Berry and was issued as a single and hit number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and landed in the UK top ten.
Unlike the previous STAX classic albums, this time FTD present us with a second disc as "The Making Of" this wonderful album - in a similar style to the FTD ‘Let Yourself Go’ being ‘The Making Of’ the Comeback Special. This means lots of studio interaction and banter as Elvis and the band work-through to the final Masters – and it is a real delight.
Go here as EIN contributor David Tinson checks out this new FTD
(FTD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
|
 |
'Elvis Presley’s GOLD Cadillac Tour of AUSTRALASIA 1968-69' Book Review: Put your hands up....how many of you knew that Elvis' Gold Cadillac was sent (in lieu of the King) on a tour of Australasia in the late 1960s? I'd wager that not too many fans are aware of this little known, but fascinating, part of the Elvis story.
Bob Hayden's revised edition of Elvis Presley’s GOLD Cadillac Tour of AUSTRALASIA 1968-69, is an exhaustive narrative and visual account of the tour.......an account many fans will find absorbing.
Since publishing the first edition, Hayden, one of Australia's most well known and respected rock 'n' roll collectors and experts, has been able to source out and amass significantly more information and photographs around the tour. The result is a well written and engrossing account highlighting the importance of Elvis "downunder", jam packed with fantastic visuals!!
(Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) |
 |
Spotlight on the new 'Vintage Rock' Magazine: The very first issue of the UK 'Vintage Rock' magazine features Elvis on the cover. Inside the magazine fans can read a great feature article that details Elvis' early years (up to 1955) and also check out some rare childhood photos. The first two lines of the Elvis feature article read, "Elvis Presley was more than a singer. He was - and still is - an icon of pop culture, the first larger than life superstar, a folk hero and legend, yet also something of a myth."
In addition to this another article ‘The Roots Of Rock‘n’Roll’ also features a close-up on Scotty Moore and Elvis.
(Spotlight, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) |
 |
Christmas Elvis-Style in Bavaria: Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? .... Organised by Markus Henfling, last weekend was the special Elvis Christmas celebration in Bavaria, Germany.
In attendance was Elvis' Imperials along with performers Oliver Steinhoff and Dennis Jale and his band Jam Gang.
The intimate weekend was a sell-out and EIN contributor Arjan Deelen was there to check out the Elvis spirit over this snowy winter's weekend.....
Go here to check out our spotlight on this delightful Christmas weekend.
(Spotlight, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork) |
 |
‘Elvis Country’ Legacy Edition: OUT TODAY January 2nd the UK 'Elvis Country' Legacy release.
Presley biographer Peter Guralnick wrote, "Elvis has come out with a record which gives us some of the very finest and most affecting music since he first recorded for Sun almost 17 years ago." Ernst Jorgensen wrote about the session, "Elvis seemed inspired, singing with a passion and soulfulness that recalled Memphis, the band fell in with equal feeling, their confidence and expressiveness growing along with his. Both singer and band were performing out of genre, improvising their own rhythms and phrasing on the spot, challenging each other." To paraphrase Jorgensen, "they had something to be proud of."
- Go here to the complete SONY US LEGACY article.
- - - - - - - Go here to CHECK OUT the Great Price on Amazon UK >>>
(News, Source;Legacy/ElvisInfoNet)
|
|
|
'Before Darkness Falls' new Import CD & Audio Samples: A new CD from the Straight Arrow label - Elvis' 1973 "Summer Festival" was his ninth month-long stand in Las Vegas since July-August 1969. Reviews noted his excess weight and half-hearted performances. But, despite bad press, health issues and a 1967 marriage that would soon end in divorce, Presley slowly warmed to his always-thrilled fans.
The songs here, from his Sunday shows on August 26th, 1973, are a good example of this warmth. At both shows Elvis welcomed the presence of Lisa, his beloved daughter, then just five and-a-half years old. Obviously, she provided additional inspiration for her dad. In fact, there are several rare highlights, including "A Big Hunk O' Love," "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Release Me" and "How Great Thou Art." And for fans of legendary bass player Emory Gordy Jr., these would be among the last dates he would ever do with Presley.
Both the Dinner and Midnight sets are taken from a 24-bit digital transfer of the first-generation copy of a privately-audience-recorded 120-minute cassette. The sound was painstakingly restored for your listening pleasure. |
 |
The August 26th, 1973 Dinner show is previously unissued, while the Midnight show was released in substandard mono by Memory Records in 2002 ("Caught In The Act"). Straight Arrow presents both shows in superb, "two-mike live ambience" stereo sound.
Like its predecessors from Straight Arrow Special Products mini series, this new release will be presented in a beautiful digipack with all the necessary information as well as a collection of photos taken during the September 1st, 1973 dinner show.
Go to EIN's 2011 CD releases for full tracklistings & to listen to Audio samples of both shows to get an idea about the sound quality (which is very good for audience recorded concerts).
(News, Source;FECC/StraightArrow) |
'Elvis At The Movies And More!' New Box-set: Continuing the never-ending cheap-o Public Domain UK releases, the 'Music Digital' label compiles 73 Elvis public domain tracks as a 3-CD box set called 'Elvis At The Movies And More!' Everything from Blue Hawaii back to Elvis' start in the fifties.
- Out January 9th.
Buy it CLICK here >>> Elvis Presley: Elvis At The Movies And More!
cheap from Amazon UK, 73 tracks, only £6.36
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
'A Stone for Danny Fisher' - book reissue: Recently re-published last month, “A Stone for Danny Fisher” is an early masterpiece by Harold Robbins, who went on to become one of the most popular and most financially successful writers of all time. The early part of this book seems to be almost autobiographical, as Harold Robbins himself grew up as a poor Jewish boy who first went to work at age 15 to support his family and then held numerous low level jobs until he found his true calling as a millionaire writer and movie producer. A Stone for Danny Fischer is now most famous for being made into a 1958 movie “King Creole” starring Elvis Presley. All critics agree that this is by far the greatest acting performance by Elvis. Elvis has to play a complex and conflicted character, quite unlike the typical Elvis movies where Elvis sings while a bevy of girls swoon over him. Few novelists know the seamy side of New York as well as Harold Robins – the terror of the streets, the ways to make a shady buck by playing along with gamblers and mobsters, the unbridled lusts and passions of slum life. But his new hero does not start at the bottom. Instead, Danny Fischer, born into a family of modest means and respectability is gradually driven downward into the world of crime racketeering and poverty.....
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork) |
 |
Elvis Birthday celebrations in Memphis: Elvis' birthday is not far away and EPE has big celebrations planned. from Thursday, January 5 - Sunday, January 8. Special guest speakers include Elvis keyboardist Shane Keister - plus meet and greets with former members of J.D. Sumner & The Stamps: Bill Baize, Donnie Sumner, Larry Strickland and Ed Hill.
There are the usual Gospel Concert Celebration as well as Conversations on Elvis at the Memphis Marriott East.
Conversations on Elvis will feature some special segments including: former members of J.D. Sumner & The Stamps - Bill Baize, Donnie Sumner, Ed Hill and Larry Strickland - sharing their memories of knowing Elvis both on and off the stage and hear from Jeannine Adidge, sister of Pierre Adidge who produced and directed "Elvis On Tour" with Robert Abel.
Go here for the EPE Schedule of Events.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
|
|
Four NEW Joe Tunzi Projects announced: ‘CHANGE OF HABIT’, ‘KING CREOLE’, ‘ATLANTA IN BLACK AND WHITE’ and ‘ELVIS SESSIONS IV’: Those are the 4 new titles that Joe Tunzi will be releasing the next few months. From the press release: "As we embark on our 24th year at JAT Publishing, we would like to thank so many of you for your continued support. It’s true when people say Elvis Presley fans are the greatest fans in the world. Last year was one of our busiest years ever, with a combination of CDs, DVDs, books and special projects released under the JAT umbrella. This year we look ahead to another big year, marking the 35th anniversary of the King’s passing.
In early 2012, we plan to release “Elvis 69: Featuring the Film ‘Change of Habit,” containing a wealth of never-before-seen photos. Four other projects filled with unpublished photographs exclusive to JAT will follow, including “Elvis - |
 |
Atlanta in Black and White,” documenting Elvis’ 1973 and 1975 concert performances at Atlanta’s Omni Coliseum, and a special 24th anniversary production on what is arguably Elvis Presley’s finest film, “Elvis Presley - King Creole.” In this title -- a hardback edition with over 250 photos -- we tackle the mystery surrounding the missing “King Creole” tapes. Available at the low retail price of $19.95, “King Creole” is on track for a spring release. Go HERE to pre-order
In 2013, fans can expect the definitive Elvis recording sessions book, “Elvis Sessions IV, The Recorded Music of Elvis Aron Presley 1953-1977,” with new photos, facts and information exclusive to JAT Publishing and not found on websites or in previous editions."
EIN notes that 'King Creole' is an intriguing future release as we have had so many previously and are soon to Erik Lorentzen's 'King Creole Frame By Frame' next week!
(News, Source;ElvisMatters/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
Latest Christmas Billboard Album Charts: This week, 'An Afternoon In The Garden' drops from 167 to 170 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart for w/e 7th January, 2012.
'It's Christmas Time' drops from 72 to 105 on the Top 200 Albums Chart, drops from 11 to 16 on the Catalog Albums Chart and remains at 16 on the Holiday Albums Chart.
'Elvis Christmas' drops from 94 to 114 on the Top 200 Albums Chart and rises from 18 to 22 on the Catalog Albums Chart. It also rises from 25 to 21 on the Holiday Albums Chart.
'Blue Christmas' rises from 19 to 17 on the Holiday Songs Chart, rises from 28 to 21 on the Holiday Airplay Chart and is at 22 on the Holiday Digital Songs Chart.
'Elvis: The Great Performances' is at 36 on the Top 40 Video Chart.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet)
|
 |
Elvis makes #1 In Canada at Christmas: According to Elvis Day by Day, Elvis made #1 on the Canadian ITunes Daily Top 100 Jazz Songs for 25 December, 2011!!! Elvis Presley is listed at #1 with his version of 'Blue Christmas'.
The song is #2 on the Greek iTunes Top 100 Unknown Songs chart which it topped on 14 December, 2011.
Elvis would be laughing to know he made Number One on the Jazz charts, 34 years after he left the building! Happy New Year Elvis!
(News, Source;ElvisDaybyDay/EIN) |
 |
Ed Bonja On Tour In Australia: To coincide with Elvis' huge Birthday celebrations in Australia, Adam Nicholson presents, ‘Images of the King’, a 150-piece exhibition of rare & original photographs taken by Elvis Presley’s official photographer and tour manager Ed Bonja. This will be in Australia early 2012 at the Gold Coast, Parkes, Albany and Sydney.
Ed Bonja will be there to share the stories behind the images and every fan will be able to buy copies of original Elvis reprints Ed has personally signed.
A limited number of tickets are also on sale via www.nicholsonpresents.com for a dinner on Elvis' birthday January 8.
Enjoy a three-course meal and drinks with Ed Bonja hosting. Ed will share amazing personal stories about his life with the king.
After touring this exhibition across Australia finishing in |
|
Sydney, an auction of the 150 piece photo exhibition will be held in Sydney at the limited seating dinner hosted by Ed Bonja. For tickets to the formal dinners with Ed Bonja CLICK HERE and direct genuine enquiries regarding the auction to adam@nicholsonpresents.com
GOLD COAST QLD
The Mantra Legends Hotel Jan 6-8
Formal dinner plus show titled "A DINNER FIT FOR A KING" will be held on January 8th for Elvis' Birthday.
PARKES NSW
The Masonic Hall Jan 11 - 15
Formal dinner will be held on the sat 14th at the Coachman Hotel
ALBURY NSW
The Commercial Club Jan 21 - 22
Formal dinner will be held on the Sun 22
SYDNEY NSW
THE CBD HOTEL Feb 3 - 5
Formal dinner is to be held on the opening night on Friday February 3rd
|
|
Elvis Palm Springs Birthday Weekend: Come and celebrate Elvis' Birthday Weekend at his HONEYMOON HIDEAWAY home in Palm Springs - Sat Jan 7 to Sunday Jan 8. Join us as we welcome back Graceland's 2011 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist 4th place winner
Ted Torres and the son of legendary recording artist JACKIE WILSON, Bobby Brooks Wilson in an exciting, intimate living room concert held inside of Elvis & Priscilla Presley's famous living room!
Our ELVIS Birthday weekend features House Tours, Elvis Celebrities and Birthday Cake!
Go HERE for more info
(News, Source;Hideaway/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
| 'Rock Sex And Roll' JAT Book Preview: An exclusive EIN sneak-peak at the new JAT & Paul Lichter book 'Rock Sex And Roll'. Here are the front and back covers plus a look at one of the end sheets. 'Rock Sex And Roll' will be released at the end of January 2012 and is the biggest book published by JAT in their history with the exception of their great 'Recording Sessions' books. |
It will contain approximately 250 photographs plus loads of memorabilia, recording sessions and tour dates as well as photos from Elvis' TV appearances, tours, candids, personal Memphis photos and, of course, a look at Elvis' first movie, "Love Me Tender". Both Joe Tunzi and Paul Lichter feel certain that this book is a definitive look at the year Elvis shook our world.
Go HERE to purchase the book at a special prepublication price of $44.99
(News, Source;PL/ElvisInfoNet) |
 |
 |
| Elvis duet tops UK Christmas Music Video chart: The music video website, MUZU.TV, has unveiled the UK’s Top 10 most watched Christmas music videos:
1 Elvis Presley & Martina McBride - Blue Christmas
2 Coldplay - Christmas Lights
3 The Pogues Featuring Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale Of New York
4 Justin Bieber - Mistletoe
5 WHAM! - Last Christmas
6 Bob Dylan - Must Be Santa
7 The Darkness – Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)
8 Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It’s Christmas?
9 Peter Kay (Geraldine McQueen) - Once Upon A Christmas Song
10 Band Aid - Do They Know It’s Christmas? (News, Source: Record Collector) |
|
| 'Paul Lichter’s Elvis In Vegas' into 2nd printing: Elvis In Vegas has been on the Elvis Presley Best Sellers List in the USA on Amazon since its publication date on November 9, reaching a high of #1. This week it has fluctuated between the #2 and #5 positions. Strong interest has seen the first US printing of 40,000 quickly becoming ‘sold out’ and the second printing of 30,000 copies is now shipping. In May 2012 the first European printing of 30,000 will be released (this being the reason for the delay in the book's availability outside America).
As Paul Lichter says, “This proves that 100,000 Elvis fans can't be wrong”. (News, Source: Elvis Unique/EIN)
Note: EIN’s review of Elvis In Vegas will be published shortly.
View EIN's special book preview of 'Elvis In Vegas'
|
|
Copyright the Elvis Information Network.
Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises.
The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club.
.
.
|
|
