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...
'ELVIS: At 3am Sahara Tahoe 1973' MRS CD Review: This Deluxe 2CD set features two shows from Elvis’ May 1973 engagement at The Sahara Tahoe in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Included is a rare 3am charity performance as well as the midnight show from the previous night. Both shows for the first time are presented in stereo.
The accompanying booklet includes memorabilia and rare photos along with liner notes that set the scene.
Despite having to perform three concerts in the one evening, Elvis was feeling inspired and although it was 3am he still treated the ‘Mother’s Day’ benefit more like a Closing Night performance. Elvis was in extremely jovial spirits, teasing the band and adding some crazy lyrics. He also added unique live versions of ‘My Way’, ‘Faded Love’, ‘Funny How Time Slips Away’ and a rare ‘It’s Over’.
With the cassette hiss removed, the musicians and backing-vocals in stereo and Elvis’ vocal raised to the correct level, this MRS release sounds just like an RCA recorded multi-track and is the best representation of the “real Elvis” live in 1973 that fans could hope for. Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley checks out a sensational STEREO Elvis double-pack. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'Elvis Presley At 706 Union Ave: The Sun Singles 1954-55' Special Pack OUT NOW: 2024 is the 70th anniversary of Elvis' SUN session and to celebrate Third Man Records, (with Sony) have released their 59th Vault package, 'Elvis Presley at 706 Union Ave: The Sun Singles 1954-55'. Celebrating the seventieth anniversary of these monumental recordings, this collection includes faithful reproductions of all five of Presley’s original 7-inch 45rpm singles on Sun, pressed in a hypnotic yellow and black marble colored vinyl. Plus a bonus 7-inch EP of four Elvis songs recorded at Sun which didn’t see release until later are collected in a prime pretty picture sleeve and pressed on yellow / black “sun ray” splattered vinyl.
Also includes two linen-style postcards in the box, one shows the classic, facade of the Sun storefront and the other the beauty of sound absorbing acoustic tile.
Also added here is a Crown Electric name-tag styled patch. And finally, a substantive, milled nickel 45 adaptor, featuring the iconic rooster emblazoned on all those early singles. Packages OUT NOW - On Ebay they are selling for US$150
The songs recorded by Elvis Presley at Sun Studio survive as a psychic ur-text of rock and roll and its antecedents as a cultural phenomenon. Disc 1: That’s All Right b/w Blue Moon Of Kentucky Disc 2: I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine b/w Good Rockin’ Tonight Disc 3: Milkcow Blues Boogie b/w You’re A Heartbreaker Disc 4: I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone b/w Baby, Let’s Play House Disc 5: Mystery Train b/w I Forgot To Remember To Forget Bonus EP: Blue Moon - Just Because b/w Trying To Get To You - When It Rains, It Really Pours
See all the details at www.thirdmanrecords.com (News, Source;3rdMan/ElvisInfoNet)
'Rags To Riches' Import Vinyl Set:The publicity notes... Millbranch Music is excited to introduce the vinyl edition of our acclaimed CD album “Rags To Riches”. This special edition honors Elvis Presley's legendary June and September 1970 Nashville sessions, where he produced some of the most heartfelt and enduring music of his career.
During the June 1970 sessions, Elvis worked with legendary guitarist James Burton, whose electric guitar licks enhanced tracks such as "Patch It Up" and "I've Lost You", as well as the talented Norbert Putnam, whose bass lines provided the foundation for "The Next Step is Love" plus songs like "I Really Don't Want To Know" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water".
Our goal with this vinyl edition is to present the music as it was intended, highlighting the distinct qualities of the mono mixes. This release is a celebration of Elvis’ legacy, the talented musicians who worked with him, and the timeless music they created together. EIN NOTE: Do we really want MONO LPs in 2024? Elvis was recording in "stereo" so was mono really as intended?
See 'All The CD News' for tracklisting and full details (News, Source;MM/ElvisInfoNet)
Saturday 30 March 2024 - - - - Easter Greetings From Elvis Presley - - - -
'Elvis News Report April 2024': Elvis super-fan Emiel Maier presents all the recent news including......
London Elvis Exhibition extended, Auction of Elvis' 1969 Cadillac
Eldorado, MRS CDs and book, upcoming auction of watch gifted by Elvis to
actress, News about another dubious acetate & much, much more ....
Watch for the lovely joke about 'No Room To Rhumba" ..
'Yours Elvis Presley' New book: Recently announced ''Yours Elvis Presley: The Definitive Collection of Elvis Presley Autographs Volume 1' by Stephen M. Shutts.
An in-depth look at approximately 100 plus authentic autographs from Elvis Presley, inclusive of approximately 75 never before published photos of Elvis from 1955 to 1976. From Stephen's personal collection and from selected respected peers in the Elvis collector community.
This hardback, collector's edition book serves a two-fold purpose. One, it provides never before told stories about Elvis, by the fans who met him and obtained a coveted autograph in person. Secondly, it presents itself as a study guide on Elvis autographs in order to avoid secretarial and forged signatures when collecting.
Enjoy reading previously untold, heartfelt stories about Elvis and the places he
frequented or was spotted at, stories from adoring fans who spent a cherished moment in time with him and left with the ultimate souvenir... an autograph.
Learn about Elvis' diverse handwriting characteristics during his career, as explained by leading authority and historian, Stephen M. Shutts who has spent the majority of his life pursuing all aspects of Presley's iconic career.
This collectors edition book is limited to only 400 copies. All editions will be signed and include a unique documented piece of memorabilia from Elvis's Graceland.
Prices at - US$145 plus $25 shipping and handling per book.
Outside of US, shipping and handling $55.
PREORDER NOW- Paypal and Venmo accepted.
rockologynashvilletn@gmail.com
Release date is May 26, 2024. (News, Source: Stephen Shutts)
'Elvis And The USS Arizona' Today on Australian TV: Aussie fans can spend their Easter Saturday enjoying the great documentary about 'Elvis And The USS Arizona'. .."The surprising story of how a music icon helped to establish a USS Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbour". This afternoon at 5:30pm on SBS TV.
Note that if you miss it, don't worry as it is available for streaming via 'SBS ON Demand'.
But catch it before it disappears.
EIN thanks David Knox for the word-up (News, Source;DK/ElvisinfoNet)
Thursday 28 March 2024
New Elvis Doco on Netflix?: Blossom's singer Darlene Love this week posted a cryptic message about being involved in a new Netflix Elvis documentary series.
She stated that Priscilla Presley had asked her to participate in an Elvis Netflix series that will air "in the coming months". EIN questions why Priscilla Presley would be involved instead of Riley Keough.
Darlene Love was present at Elvis Week 2023 - would this have not been discussed then.
Last month Priscilla Presley Partners (PPP) the company was suing Priscilla Presley for an "undisclosed amount in damages".
How does this all playout with Priscilla being involved in a new Elvis Netflix series? Netflix of course cancelled 'Agent Elvis' in November 2023 where Priscilla was a producer.
The Coppola movie 'Priscilla', of which Priscilla was Executive producer, also failed to earn the profit that was hoped for. With gross worldwide earnings of $30 million it may have failed to make a profit.
So this all sounds very strange to us.
Is this Priscilla hoping for another money-making solo venture or is Riley Keough and EPE involved? We await confirmation. (News, Source;FB/ElvisInfoNet)
'Talking Elvis' with Graceland's Angie Marchese: Talking Elvis is a UK podcast series by Ian Grey / Vince Wright plus guest presenters.
Previous episodes have featured looks at the London Elvis exhibition, producer Tony Stuchbury on Mono <> Stereo and 'ELVIS' the movie.
This week's special episode 50 is a lengthy interview with Angie Marchese from The Graceland Archives.
She talks about the London Exhibition, researching the archives, Lisa Marie, Baz Luhrmann, putting "Elvis In Concert" into the movie, Col Parker, Pied Piper of Cleveland, The Legacy Project and future plans.
The interview is one hour - find some free time over Easter, it is worth the listen.
'An Evening with Ginger Alden' in UK: Ginger Alden "Elvis Presley’s Last Love and Fiancée" is touring the UK putting on four shows talking about her life with Elvis.
Join us for an exclusive UK event as we welcome Ginger Alden, the woman who captured Elvis Presley’s heart during his final year, for a series of captivating shows.
Ginger will share her personal experiences and shed light on the misconceptions and rumours that have swirled around her over the years, providing a unique glimpse into her life with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
These shows mark Ginger’s debut visit to the UK, making it an unforgettable occasion for Elvis Presley fans and enthusiasts nationwide.
Dates are
May 15, 2024 The Plaza Stockport
May 16, 2024 Middlesbrough Town Hall
May 17, 2024 Anvil Arts, Basingstoke
May 18, 2024 Concorde Club, Eastleigh
Tickets cost around £37- £67.
There are VIP Meet and Greet options
Go here for tickets and more info (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Book Review- 'ELVIS : ALOHA FROM HAWAII - Through The Eyes of Japan': The book is 200 pages and features over 300 photos by Japanese
cameraman Yoshiji Kizaki, newly scanned from long-lost negatives. The
book features five main chapters focusing on four 1972 Elvis
appearances, November 17 1972 Evening Show, Nov 18 A/S and E/S, the Nov
20 Press Conference plus the Aloha main concert.
A lot of Kizaki's colour images are very impressive and so it is no surprise to learn that several of these photographs were used on Japanese vinyl album sleeves. There are some absolute beauties and the delight is that you will have never seen them before!
While this is obviously a photo book it is much more than that and the matching text makes it feel like a very personal journey. This book is actually about how the Japanese team witnessed some of Elvis' greatest performances and became a crucial part in Elvis' most famous live broadcast.
I have seen so few November 1972 on-stage photos before but here we get around fifty images from every concert.
In ‘Elvis A Life in Music’ Ernst Jorgensen wrote “By the end of 1972 Elvis was definitely overweight” so it is a surprise that these images show Elvis looking taught and terrific. In fact several from his November 17 concert could easily be mistaken for his iconic Aloha performance! See EIN's Piers Beagley detailed review
(Book Review, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'Elvis Presley Songs' (Marco Durzu): Author-researcher, Marco Durzo published his latest book, initially in Kindle format, but for its 3rd (updated) edition is now also available as a hardcover (both formats are available from Amazon sites). The book (containing approximately 700 pages) is described as: “This book is dedicated to the complete list of Elvis Presley Songs in alphabetical order - 898 songs! It is the ideal complement to my previous Elvis’ book, now in version 1.9, entitled "Elvis Presley Concerts and Rehearsals from 1944 to 1977".
The book presents itself as a useful tool for reading Elvis' songs both when listening to studio songs and songs during live performances, as all the songs known so far recorded by Elvis Presley are present in it, in alphabetical order and perfectly indexed and recallable with a direct link to the initial letter of the song.
Added, for completeness of information, are the songs that Elvis Presley sang from 1944 to 1977 but for which we do not, at present, have evidence of audio or video recordings and the songs known from concert rehearsals, of which similarly, we do not have confirmation of audio and video recordings.
Also included are the songs that Elvis had rehearsed and should have sung on the tour which obviously never took place, from 08/17/1977 to 08/28/1977, following his sudden death on 08/16/1977, as well as songs that singers in Elvis’ group (Kathy Westmoreland, Sherrill Nielsen, The Stamps) sang at his concerts, plus rehearsals from 1968 to 1977.
For each song I report the authors of the song and the date Elvis Presley recorded the song, the reference to any film in which Elvis Presley sang the song or the first publication (on single disc, extended play or album).
For the songs of which we do not have audio / video recordings, I have reported the authors of the song, the year the song was recorded and the references of the concerts and rehearsals in which Elvis Presley sang the song.”
The great news is that on AMAZON the 1.3 versions of the 'Elvis Presley Songs' book are available in PAPER format, in the two versions: FLEXIBLE and with hard-cover!
Go here to Amazon for paperback or Hardcover
Also now available is the 9th (updated) edition of Marcos’s first book (KINDLE only format), Elvis Presley Concerts and Rehearsals from 1944 to 1977. This release contains 1,046 pages! (News, Source: Marco Durzo)
(Upcoming book) 'Listen: The Stages and Studios That Shaped American Music' (Rhona Bitner): This 272-page hardcover from Rizzoli International Publications is due for publication on September 10. While it contains only a small amount of Elvis content it will be of interest to many fans due to the range of photos relating to other popular music artists that is featured. It also includes contributions from Iggy Pop and acclaimed rock music writer, Greil Marcus (author of Mystery Train and Dead Elvis: A Chronicle of a Cultural Obsession).
The book description:
.. ‘An extraordinary archive of the most iconic sites on the American musical landscape.
Prompted by the closing of New York's famed CBGB, Rhona Bitner embarked on a thirteen-year journey to photograph 403 venues across 26 states and 89 cities - the studios, concert halls, arenas, high schools, bars, ballrooms, prisons, and fields where the most memorable songs were inspired, recorded, performed. Close to 300 photographs are included in this book.
Featuring Jimi Hendrix's recording studio, Elvis's Graceland music room, Aretha Franklin's family church, the Georgia auditorium where fourteen-year-old Little Richard was discovered and Ray Charles, Otis Redding, James Brown, and Sam Cooke took the stage, and the high school where a young Bob Dylan first performed, this book showcases each locale that played a seminal role in the soundtracks of generations. While Bitner recorded these sites empty and silent, the reverberations of fabled tunes still echo from within their walls. With informative texts on each location and archival images of performers recording or playing in the venues, this encyclopedic collection is a must-have addition to the libraries of music aficionados everywhere.’ (News, Source: Email)
'Elvis Presley: The Enduring Legacy of the King of Rock and Roll' (Chris Williams): Another Elvis softcover and Kindle release in the “to avoid” category.
At only 61 pages (softcover edition) it is likely another AI or Internet sourced book, which despite an interesting book cover, cannot live up to its book description: .. ‘Delve into the life, music, and legacy of the one and only King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. From his humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his meteoric rise to fame and enduring influence on popular culture, this comprehensive book explores every aspect of Elvis's remarkable journey. Discover the groundbreaking music, the iconic performances, and the cultural impact that made Elvis a global superstar. From his early hits to his legendary Las Vegas residencies, delve into the world of the King and uncover the secrets behind his enduring legacy. Written with meticulous research and deep insight, this book is a must-read for any fan of Elvis Presley and a fascinating journey through the life of a true music icon.’
The publicity states, "In this comprehensive exploration of Elvis Presley's life, career, and legacy, we will delve into the multifaceted persona of this legendary figure, examining his cultural significance, musical innovations, and lasting impact on the world of entertainment" yet the book is only 60 pages! (News, Source: Amazon/EIN)
'Elvis and the Colonel: An Insider's Look at the Most Legendary Partnership in Show Business' (Greg McDonald & Marshall Terrill) – publication “downunder” delayed again!: This book was originally published in the in late November 2023.
It was originally listed for publication in Australia and New Zealand in late February, before being pushed back to March 26.
The revised publication date is April 9.
By now the book's marketing momentum has truly faded since the author Greg McDonald sadly passed away last month on February 2, 2024.
Why not check out EIN’s review of another recent book about Elvis and the Colonel,
'The King & the Jester' by Paul Belard instead!
(News, Source: Amazon Australia)
'The 1973 Sound-Booth Collection and More Vol.1' New Import: This comprehensive deluxe 6 CD set contains so-called sound booth recordings recorded during 6 live performances at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1973. Sound booth recordings are recordings made with one microphone (mono) or two microphones (stereo) placed directly on stage. All shows are painstakingly remastered, and presented as they were recorded: in glorious ‘mono’ or ‘stereo’ sound.
The included bonus disc contains 24 rare or official unreleased versions of studio tracks recorded in 1973. This disc includes vocal overdubs, and superb unedited & undubbed masters.
Get this ultimate deluxe edition while it's available; it'll round up your collection.
Includes the following
January 27, 1973 MS - Las Vegas Hilton
February 13, 1973 DS - Las Vegas Hilton
February 21, 1973 MS - Las Vegas Hilton
February 23, 1973 CS - Las Vegas Hilton
August 11, 1973 MS - Las Vegas Hilton
August 19, 1973 MS - Las Vegas Hilton EIN NOTE: The Jan 27 MS and Feb 21 MS have already been released by FTD
- see 'Elvis: From Vegas to Tahoe' - the others on bootleg.
See 'All The CD News 2024' for tracklist and details (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis - 1973 Live Anthology' (2LP+CD)' New Import: Now available is this double vinyl album full of highlights recorded during live performances at the Las Vegas Hilton & Dell Webb’s Sahara (Lake Tahoe) hotel in 1973.
All tracks are painstakingly remastered, and presented as they were recorded: in glorious mono sound.
This fantastic double album is presented as a deluxe gatefold album and available in red/blue or clear vinyl.
This strictly limited edition vinyl release also includes a bonus CD featuring the LP tracks.
Get this ultra limited edition while it is available.
EIN NOTE: These tracks have all been previously released, plenty of the FTD ‘I'll Remember You’ or ‘Closing Night 1973’ – Check the FTD LIVE releases list here
'Elvis - Nashville Ballads' (1LP+CD) New Import: The publicity states... Petticoat records is back! (EIN asks, "Did they ever go away?!") This time with a fantastic vinyl album full of Nashville Ballads.
This high quality album (including bonus CD) featuring 20 rare and hard to find alternate versions is now available.
Great stuff: beautiful ballads and as the title of this album already tells, all tracks are recorded
(or in the case of ‘Suppose’ overdubbed) in Nashville Tennessee!
And as always housed in a STUNNING full color sleeve suitable for framing!
This high quality 180 grams virgin vinyl pressing is now available in RED or WHITE vinyl.
Don't miss out on this wonderful limited edition album.
EIN NOTE: The album features a brand new song by Elvis called “Trill Of Your Love”! See 'All The CD News 2024' for tracklist and details (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Friday 22 March 2024
Elvis Week 2024 Schedule: EPE have announced the Elvis Week 2024 schedule for August 9-17 when you can join fans for a week of unforgettable Elvis experiences.
EPE says, they have a jam-packed schedule lined up with panel discussions, concerts, fan meetups, competitions, tributes, and even an awards show!
Once again Priscilla's name is nowhere to be seen and like last year, the ever-popular Linda Thompson once again rules.
You can book the 6pm 'Graceland Mansion experience with Linda Thompson' and it will only cost you $1250!
Confirmed special guests include Linda Thompson, Jerry Schilling, Sam Thompson, Larry Strickland, Shirley Dieu, Jerome Stump Monroe, Larry Geller, Gene Chrisman, and Terry Blackwood.
Also ETA winners Dean Z, Pat Dunn, Brandon Bennett, David Lee, Jay Dupuis, Cote Deonath, Shawn Klush and Ben Thompson
Plus Tom Brown, Terry Mike Jeffrey, Andy Childs, Elvis Radio DJ Argo, among others!
Tickets for Elvis Week 2024 go on sale Thursday, March 28.
‘Elvis Presley - Rock‘n’Roll No. 2’ Mono II Stereo’ OUT NOW: The brand new RDM label‘Elvis Presley - Rock‘n’Roll No. 2’ MONO II STEREO is OUT NOW! Simply titled "Elvis", it is presented with the addition of eight singles, and is the second in a series of new mono-to-stereo mixes of classic Presley albums, created by producer Anthony Stuchbury. The cover art for the British version of the album, titled "Elvis Presley No.2", released via HMV in April 1957, was significantly different from the American version. A mustard yellow background was added to a black and white photo from September 1956, while a font similar to that used on the first album completed the rock 'n' roll vibe. Following the expiration of HMV's license in 1958 for Presley's Uk recordings, this title was removed and quickly became a highly sought-after collector's item. RCA UK would return to the American cover for its reissue of the album in December 1962.
This new Mono II Stereo CD edition pays homage to the now legendary British cover and allows you to rediscover 20 songs that have marked the history of rock! - Out NOW and at the cheap price of €15. Go HERE to RDM for Stereo Sound-Samples and to Order. (News, Source;ASP/ElvisInfoNet)
Tuesday 19 March 2024
London 'Direct From Graceland' Extends to September 2024: News from EPE that the London 'Direct From Graceland' Elvis exhibition has now been extended through to September 2024.
Elvis fans from all over the world have flocked to London to view the impressive and extensive retrospective Direct from Graceland: Elvis, which explores the king's life and legacy through a kaleidoscopic collection of personal treasures.
EPE and promoter, Kilimanjaro Live, are thrilled to announce the initial 10-week run is now being extended through the height of summer to September 1 at Arches London Bridge, allowing fans from the UK and around the globe to immerse themselves in the life of Elvis Presley.
From the gates of Graceland, the most significant collection of the King of Rock 'n' Roll to ever leave Memphis is here for the summer, including Elvis Presley’s instruments, stage outfits, and personal belongings.
EPE's Angie Marchese says, “The overwhelming response to this exhibition is a true testament to Elvis’ enduring legacy. Curating this exhibit that resonates with so many is such an honor and a privilege. As archivists, we are storytellers, and each artifact featured in this exhibition captures a moment in time and has a unique story to tell.”
Alongside this extension, several new artefacts are making their way directly from Graceland for the remaining run of the exhibition. These artefacts include Elvis Presley’s Gibson J200 leather guitar cover. This cover adorned one of his favorite guitars and was visible on stage throughout Elvis’ rise to fame in the 50s. Go here for more info and tickets. (News, Source;EPE/EIN)
James Burton in The Country Music Hall of Fame Class of 2024: The Country Music Association this week revealed the 2024 inductees into the Hall of Fame are James Burton, John Anderson, and Toby Keith.
Burton will be inducted into the Recording and Touring Musician category and awarded every third year in rotation with the Songwriter and Non-Performer categories. Anderson will be inducted into the Veterans Era Artist category, and Keith will be inducted into the Modern Era Artist category.
CMA CEO noted, “This year’s nominees exemplify the excellence of our genre. James Burton, John and Toby have each made an indelible impact and brought their distinctive contributions to Country Music, enriching our format. Their influence is evident throughout the longevity of their careers, ensuring each legacy will thrive indefinitely. It is with great pride that we welcome these three remarkable individuals into the esteemed ranks of the Country Music Hall of Fame.” James Burton joked,“How did I find out about this amazing award? Well, I was on the phone with Keith Urban and I kind of felt that Keith was beating around the bush a bit and small talking me. He then stated that he was going to hand
the phone to a young lady for a minute. I thought it was a friend of Keith’s that just wanted to say hi or talk guitars. Instead, she [CEO Sarah Trahern] introduced herself and simply said ‘Mr. Burton, you’ve been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.’ I was completely shocked and couldn’t think of anything to say. All I remember was that my wife Louise started crying, I kept thinking that this couldn’t be real. In fact, when we hung up the call, I redialed the caller’s number just to make sure it wasn’t a prank phone call! I am so humbled and excited to be recognized in this way. So much of my career was spent playing for incredible Country artists and to now be going up on that wall with all those innovators and industry greats is just incredible.”
A formal induction ceremony for Burton, Anderson and Keith will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the CMA Theater this October. The Museum’s Medallion Ceremony, a reunion of the Hall of Fame membership, is the official rite of induction for new members.
Goto CMA for more info (News, Source;EPE/CMA/EIN)
Elvis Week 2024 Logo: EPE have posted the new logo and dates ... Save the date for Elvis Week 2024, August 9-17.
Elvis Week 2024 will be the biggest and best Elvis Week yet!
We look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to Memphis as they make the ultimate pilgrimage to be with us during this annual celebration of the life and legacy of Elvis Presley.
EPE are also excited to announce that the next inductees to the Graceland Legends program will be The Jordanaires.
Rooted in gospel but famed as one of the busiest popular back-up groups in the business, The Jordanaires worked with Elvis in the recording studio from 1956 to 1970. Between 1956 and 1961, they joined him for live concerts, his historic television guest appearances, and in some films. Members during the years with Elvis were: Gordon Stoker, Neal Matthews, Hoyt Hawkins, Hugh Jarrett, and Ray Walker.
Graceland Legends is designed to honor and recognize the musicians and musical groups who were an integral part of Elvis Presley’s legendary career. In addition to being recognized in a ceremony at Graceland, the honorees will also be added to the Graceland Legends exhibit at Graceland.
Past Graceland Legends inductees including James Burton, Ronnie Tutt, Glen Hardin, Jerry Scheff, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, DJ Fontana, David Briggs, Norbert Putnam and Charlie McCoy. The induction of The Jordanaires will mark the first induction of members of one of Elvis’ backing vocal groups.
The induction ceremony and recognition will be in August at Graceland during Elvis Week 2024. (News, Source/EPE/EIN)
FTD 'New' Releases now due end of March: The long delayed new FTD releases for 2024 should be out by the end of March.
FTD have advised that all three planned releases it is now hoped that all 3 releases, 'Stateline Sahara', 'The Blue Hawaii Sessions' and 'Moody Blue' (gold sparkle edition) should be heading to dealers in the last week of March. 'The Blue Hawaii Sessions' 4-cd set were initially announced for an end of January release!
This is the earlier promised "audio release" of the music from the Deluxe 'The Making Of Blue Hawaii' Book/CD combo.
Released as a 4-CD set, it includes the complete soundtrack sessions newly-mixed from the original 3-track session tapes.
The 24-page booklet features informative flashbacks from musicians, songwriters, session data, memorabilia and global chart information.
See "FTD CD News" for tracklistings
'Elvis: Stateline Sahara 1974' New FTD:
Released as a 3-CD 5” digi-pak this set features three great concerts from Lake Tahoe, Nevada: May 19 (Evening show), May 20 (Midnight show) and May 25 (Midnight show). Recorded in mono.
This was Elvis' third season in Lake Tahoe which featured 22 performances in two weeks. EIN NOTE: FTD have previously released 'Spanish Eyes', 'Steamroller Blues' and 'How Great Thou Art' from May 19 plus 'Johnny B. Goode' and 'I'm Leaving' from May 25.
All of these full concerts are previously unreleased.
EIN noted in our review of FTD's'High Sierra' .... Spanish Eyes (May 19 DS) is a request "We made a promise to somebody that we'd do this" - not rushed and a concert highlight! One of the BEST ever performances. I'm Leavin' (May 25 MS) is really superb version, conveying the sadness of the lyrics. The audio quality sparkles and this is possibly the first time Elvis sang this on-stage in 1974 before bringing it back as a regular for his Vegas summer season.
Go to'FTD / SONY News' for tracklistings
FTD 'Moody Blue' Sparkly Gold Vinyl: There must be still "gold in the mountain" as FTD announce a reprint of their 2015 'Moody Blue' double-album this time in Gold Sparkle!
... FTD Vinyl is pleased to announce the release of Elvis’ last studio album in Limited Edition Gold Sparkle 180-Gram vinyl.
This individually numbered gold collectible is limited to 4000 Worldwide.
Apart from outtakes of “Way Down” and “Moody Blue”, this 2-LP deluxe edition includes “If You Love Me (Let Me Know)”, “Pledging My Love”, He’ll Have To Go” plus two undubbed versions of his now legendary emotional interpretation of “Unchained Melody”..
EIN was disappointed first time around (seeFTD 2015 releases here) that it did not include the full-length version of 'Pledging My Love'. Sadly it still doesn't.
'Vintage Rock' March Issue: The new March issue of Vintage Rock magazine is out now.
In the latest issue, we celebrate Wanda Jackson’s 70 years in music and include chats with the current generation of rockin’ female artists who pay tribute to the influence of the Queen of Rockabilly.
Also the 70th anniversary of the most iconic guitar in music history – the Fender Stratocaster. Elsewhere, we meet legendary singer-songwriter Dion DiMucci and we also chart the rise of fall of rock’n’roll DJ Alan Freed.
We also tell the story behind Bill Haley’s Rock Around The Clock single and uncover some flipside gold for our Top 20 B-sides countdown. EIN notes that in a neat coincidence the mag also looks at the biography about Colonel Tom Parker by his protégé Greg McDonald, we pose the question – was Elvis Presley’s controversial manager a much-misunderstood genius?
The article is an interesting comparison to our recently reviewed'The Jester and The King'.
Greg McDonald describes the Blanchard Tual court case against Tom Parker as a "serious misrepresentation" and also seems to deny the illegal alien story.
The article ends suggesting that in 1987 Parker "spotted up-and-coming Celine Dion" and that he might have been involved in making her a Las Vegas star. The truth is that Rene Angelil (Celine's manager) came to Las Vegas that year to see Wayne Newton in concert and met Col Parker during his trip. It was in 1982 (5 years before 1987) that Celine Dion
already had achieved Gold Record awards and number 1 singles in both Canada and France, so to say Parker "spotted her" is yet another twisted tale in the real story.
Go here toVintage Rock for more info or check your local newsagents. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
James Burton Talks Elvis: In a recent Guitar-Player article James Burton talks Elvis and also the origins of “Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building”.
- “Elvis loved the way we took his stuff and went into another dimension with it” .
As Burton, who at 84 still performs to this day, tells it, Presley held his bandmates in high regard, and embraced their instrumental arrangements of his wide-ranging repertoire. “That’s how I met Horace Logan (director of Louisiana Hayride] – the guy who invented the saying, ‘Elvis has left the building.’
The way that happened was Elvis was performing one night and the place was going nuts, and, at the end, he just left the stage and got in the car and drove away. Of course, the crowd was thinking he’d come back out, so Frank Page, one of the other MCs on the Hayride, told Horace that he needed to go out and tell the people something because they were getting pretty rowdy.
“So, Horace walked out to the mic, and the only thing that came to his mind was to say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.’”
Go here to Guitar-Player for the link to their extensive 2006 interview with James Burton (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'The King In The City of Six Flags' New Import: Straight Arrow is back with “The King in The City of Six Flags” Elvis' tour opening show in Mobile, Alabama, June 20, 1973.
Every tour opening concert, was a special one, and this show is not an exception. Compared with the previous April tour, Elvis was really full of enthusiasm, in great voice and fantastic mood. These June / July 73 shows are definitely best of the year! There is no need to describe every great performance of this evening but two stand out “How Great Thou Art” and “An American Trilogy.”
The Mobile, June 20th, 1973, 8:30pm tour opening show is previously unreleased until now! This show was not available in acceptable sound previously. This AUDIENCE recording was by Elvis fan, Bob Cleveland, from the USA. Every second was faithfully enhanced to achieve the optimal listening experience. The sound has been remastered to the correct speed.
Presented in the usual Straight Arrow fashion with the top notch digipack including collection of the photos of Elvis June 1973 tour
Go here to 'All The CD News 2024' for tracklist and details (News, Source;SA/ElvisInfoNet)
Tuesday 12 March 2024
Book Review 'The King and The Jester': Elvis author Paul Belard's new "special interest" book all about Elvis and manager Col Parker is out now.
The cover notes, "As this uncultured philistine said of himself, "I did not know what to make of Elvis, or his music. I did not care, but I saw the reaction of the audience says and it was enough for me".Parker promptly realised that Elvis was his own ticket to wealth."
Belard's new 260 page book's twenty three chapters include, 'The Hank Snow Affair', 'The Snowman', 'The Lost Years', 'The Narcissist', 'World Wide Tour', 'What Could Have Been' and 'Exposing The Con Man'.
The author makes his disdain for Parker known from the outset and he does not hold back about what he sees as one of, if not the biggest, travesties and examples of unscrupulous mismanagement, in show business history!
The book is a very strong read and one that is very much a counterpoint to the recently published "rose colored glasses" account, 'Elvis and the Colonel: An Insider's Look At The Most Legendary Partnership In Show Business', by Parker employee Greg McDonald and Marshall Terrill.
Some fans have suggested that Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 ELVIS drama made Parker out to be too much of a cartoon villain but after reading this book the movie looks even more truthful than fans might have believed. ... Go here and read EIN's detailed review by glimmer twins Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley (Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
"ELVIS : Aloha From Hawaii - Through The Eyes of Japan" OUT NOW!: After a lengthy delay - due to a print error - this beautiful photo book of Elvis' Aloha From Hawaii has finally been released this week. They are shipping the book in order and sending a notification e-mail to purchasers. "ELVIS : ALOHA FROM HAWAII - Through The Eyes of Japan". Fifty years after Elvis’ legendary concert in Hawaii... many valuable, long-lost negatives have been discovered - Beautiful photographs taken by Japanese cameraman, Yoshiji Kizaki.
Reprinted from the original negatives and finally published as a gorgeous photo-book!
Also includes contributions from people involved in the live satellite broadcast and record release. Deluxe Size 290mm x 235mm, 1.5kg, hard cover color/black & white 200 pages, text in English. Go HERE to Elvis Society of Japan for full details - as well as sample pages - also see EIN's interview with David Ward for more sample pages. (News, Source ;ElvisSocietyJapan/EIN)
Strange things happening in Memphis!: The children’s book, 'From A to Z in Memphis: Rhythms of the River City', was recently published and sounded promising with this promotional text:
........."Stroll down the musical lanes of Memphis with 'From A to Z in Memphis: Rhythms of the River City', a captivating ABC book that dances to the beat of one of America's most soulful cities. This enchanting journey takes young readers on an alphabetical adventure, from the vibrant avenues of Beale Street to the tranquil banks of the Mississippi River, uncovering the unique rhythms that make Memphis a city like no other.
Every letter in this beautifully illustrated book introduces children to a distinctive Memphis landmark or cultural icon. 'B' is for Blues, the heart and soul of the city; 'G' for Graceland, the legendary home of Elvis Presley; and 'M' for the mighty Mississippi, flowing with stories and songs. The vivid illustrations and playful text bring the spirit of Memphis alive, offering a window into its rich musical heritage and lively cultural scene. 'From A to Z in Memphis' isn't just an alphabet book; it's a musical expedition that educates and entertains. It's a perfect introduction for young minds to the landmarks, legends, and lore
of Memphis. This book is an invitation for children and parents alike to explore the rhythm and blues of Memphis, making learning as exciting as a night out on Beale Street. So, let's turn the page and begin this melodic voyage through Memphis!"
This description aims to encapsulate the essence of Memphis and its cultural richness, making the book an educational and enjoyable read for children..... Very strangely, the actual book features NO mention of Elvis or Graceland! Despite the letter “G” supposedly being about Graceland and Elvis, the page in the book is about the Gibson Guitar Factory (an obvious substitute)!
To add insult to injury, the letter “S” is headed Sun Studio but features an image of the Stax (Music) Museum. This is very disappointing, especially as the book is a very colorful and attractive release for those youngsters not only starting out on their English language experience, but also learning about the rich culture of Memphis, Tennessee. (News, Source:NP/ ElvisInfoNet)
"'From Elvis at Sun' Mono II Stereo" VINYL- OUT NOW: From the Memphis Mansion label in Denmark ‘From Elvis at Sun’ Mono II Stereo on vinyl is OUT NOW!
The album contains the original ten songs released by SUN records, with others later released by RCA.
The bonus tracks on this vinyl album are ‘I Love You Because’ (RCA edit master) and ‘That’s All Right’ live from the Louisiana Hayride, 16th October 1954.
These two tracks were not available on the CD release of this album.
New magazine - "Elvis 68 Comeback Special":a30Media has published a new 100-page glossy magazine.
It is described as:
... For the first decade of the rock 'n' roll era, Elvis was unrivaled in fame, fortune, and importance. He was a sensation with virtually no precedent, but following a stint in the Army just when he was peaking, the focus of his career shifted from making dangerous music to mass-producing safe movies. Then came the TV event that we now know as the “’68 Comeback Special.” It was originally supposed to be an hour-long ode to Christmas. What it became instead was a showcase for the power of Elvis — a rocket that not only launched Presley back onto the charts, but also fueled the rest of his life. This is the story of that showcase — a mid-career milestone that mirrored Elvis’ miraculous rise to the top by breaking rules and rattling expectations.
(News, Source: Amazon/EIN)
Australian Women's Weekly Icons: This month's popular Australian magazine Australian Women's Weekly Icons #24 features Elvis.
The publicity notes...
.. Revisit the magic of Hollywood’s golden age with a new Icons issue. From leading lady Lucille Ball’s path to becoming our favourite funny girl to the secret lives of stars including Frank Sinatra, Leslie Caron, Burt Lancaster, Elvis' 'Return to the throne' and more there are 164 page of gripping reads and vintage photos to enjoy.
Featuring plenty of photos of Elvis at the Comeback Special the article is the regular run-through of while this TV special was so important...
... For a while, it looked like the singer had lost his Midas touch. But when he turned what was supposed to be a Christmas special into a searing reminder of his stage prowess, it would kickstart a third act for the King. In 1968, Elvis Presley’s crown was slipping. He’d gone from being a guaranteed hit-making machine – with hordes of teenagers fainting at his shows – into a middling Hollywood presence whose movies were becoming more and more clichéd.
It all began with his first meeting with the show’s producer, Bob Finkel. Bob had worked with other A-list stars including Eddie Fisher and Dinah Shore. And he knew that Elvis could do far more than don a Christmas jumper while singing standard carols.
Get it at local newsstands (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) EIN thanks Pat O'donnell for the word-up
'Fighting To Stay Alive- 1977' New Import: Do fans really want to listen to a 1977 concert described as 'Fighting To Stay Alive'?
Well if you do, VV records are releasing it in both CD and Vinyl! Their publicity notes...
This release features shows from February 20 and 21, 1977, the first previously unreleased on vinyl while the second taken directly from the original high-quality tape.
The February shows were previously released on CD but this is the first time on vinyl format with better sound. The vinyl is accompanied by a CD compilation with combines the best of the two Charlotte shows giving us a complete show. A Must-have!
The range of Elvis’ performance is extensive from Little Sister and Jailhouse Rock to the power pop last single Moody Blue, My Way and the religious How Great Thou Art with the powerful pop ballad Unchained Melody the highlight of the complete tour. EIN Note;
Charlotte Feb 20 was released by FTD on Unchained Melody.
Charlotte Feb 21 was released on the Fort Baxter bootleg 'Moody Blue & Other Great Performances'
Go here to 'All The CD News' for tracklist and details
(News, Source;VV/ElvisInfoNet)
Friday 8 March 2024
New MRS ‘The Complete Movie Masters 1960-62 - Plus Session Out-Takes’: The MRS label will release a 4CD/140-page hardback book entitled ‘The Complete Movie Masters 1960-62 - Plus Session Out-Takes’ on 26th April 2024.
This Limited Edition 4CD set pays tribute to Elvis Presley’s complete master soundtrack recordings made for his movies between 1960-62. As a bonus, two CDs contain rare outtake tracks from these recording sessions and do include unreleased material. All tracks on the entire release are in stereo with no exceptions and have been professionally mixed and remastered, to the best sound quality ever released.
The 140-page book focuses on each of the seven films and is accompanied by informative text, complemented by rare and previously unseen photographs and memorabilia.
The set includes the STEREO Masters from 'Follow That Dream' that have never been officially released.
Other previously unreleased highlights are newly remastered stereo versions of 'Shoppin' Around Take 14', 'Britches Takes 1-4 & 6 LFS', 'Summer Kisses Winter Tears - Movie Master Version', 'Can’t Help Falling In Love Take 8 / 9' and 'Riding The Rainbow Take 9' and many more..
Also watch out for the announcement in the coming weeks for the Limited Edition 180-gram 4LP/Double Gatefold version housed in a specially designed hardback DIGI-COVER!
(Interview) Paul Alner author of 'Elvis On Record The Definitive Guide to UK Record Releases 1956-1965 Vol.1': In a fascinating interview with EIN and Elvis Day By Day, Paul Alner discusses why he decided to produce two new volumes about Elvis’ UK vinyl canon, how his books differ from the Elvis UK releases, what readers can expect to find in the new books, rare Elvis UK vinyl, Elvis’ demo discs, vinyl’s recent renaissance, and a lot more!
Questions include..
- Which Elvis record was the hardest to find?
- What were some of the most unexpected discoveries during your research?
- Which record do you think is the rarest UK record release?
'2024 Triumph T120 Bonneville' Sold in aid of the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation: Bonhams Auctions sold a one-of-a-kind ‘Elvis Presley’ Triumph Bonneville motorcycle and matching Gibson Les Paul Guitar at The Amelia Island Auction on February 29.
Estimated at $12,000 > $16,000 the lot finally sold for US$23,000 towards the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation.
The motorcycle, a brand-new range-topping T120 model, features a custom design by award-winning custom artist J Daar and is inspired by the original 'Memphis Mafia' Triumphs and the Bonneville Desert Sled which featured in the 1968 Stay Away, Joe movie. It is also influenced by Elvis' iconic 1968 Comeback Special look, featuring red, silver and gold.
The bike was unveiled at the 2023 Barber Vintage Festival in Birmingham Alabama and has since been on display at Presley Motors Automobile Museum at Graceland.
The legendary musician and cultural icon was famously passionate about motorcycling. Elvis' introduction to Triumph motorcycles was in 1965 while taking a break from filming, and spending time with his closest friends, known as the 'Memphis Mafia', at his Bel Air home. Friend Jerry Schilling had ordered a new Triumph T120 Bonneville and Elvis took it for a ride around the neighborhood. Elvis was impressed, and when he returned, he told his transportation manager, Alan Fortas, to "order one for all the guys, but...it has to be tonight!" Motorcycle dealers Bill Robertson & Sons managed to deliver seven Triumphs that night, and Elvis and his friends rode together around Bel Air late into the evening, only stopping when neighbors called the police to complain.
The matching Les Paul guitar, donated by Gibson, was also customized by artist J Daar and is offered for sale with the motorcycle. The choice of guitar was inspired by another instance of Elvis' generosity; when rehearsing for the '68 Comeback Special, Elvis played a Les Paul, which he then gifted to his chef.
These represented a unique opportunity to own a stunning one-of-a-kind 'Elvis Presley' Triumph Bonneville motorcycle and a matching Gibson Les Paul guitar, both featuring an iconic design scheme. Go here to Bonhams for more info (News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis: The Man & His Music' #143: EIN's favourite Elvis music magazine 'Elvis: The Man & His Music' March 2024 issue is out now.
Articles include..
- Twelve Bright Stars – ‘He Touched Me’ in overview
- Lord Almighty… – ‘Elvis Now In Person 1972′ reviewed
- Moments In Time – October 29th 1957
- “Let’s do that country song…” – Elvis’ association with ‘I Really Don’t Want To Know’
- A Dozen Covers
- Presley Press
- CD & Book Reviews
- Readers’ Letters
New book - 'Los Conciertos de Elvis Volumen 1 - Las Vegas 1969' (Carlos Alises Parra): For Spanish reading fans, this new (166 pages) book - with a bonus extra! - was released this week.
The title translates as: Elvis Concerts Volume 1 - Las Vegas 1969, and the translated book description is:
.... After his time in Hollywood in the 60s, Elvis returned to the stage in 1969 in Las Vegas. This new musical phase comes with renewed energy, a new setlist and a new image of El Rey. This book compiles everything written in international publications from documents, anecdotes from attendees, memorabilia and images to narrate this point in Elvis's career, both artistically and personally. Four chapters describe how the season was developed at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, the rehearsals he did during his stay, the outfits worn on stage and the 57 concerts he offered during the month of August 1969.
All of this with translations of the comments and articles into Spanish.
In addition, this release includes a video recording with audio from midnight on August 25 with synchronized 8mm recordings and other recordings and images, in addition to having Spanish subtitles of Elvis' comments on stage.
The book includes 166 high-quality color pages and is a soft cover. The video includes various Elvis concerts as a bonus. Without a doubt a release by fans for fans! Note: The commercial publication of this book includes the video material as a QR code for downloadable content and online viewing. (News, Source: Amazon Australia)
Sunday 3 March 2024
'Elvis News Report March 2024': Elvis super-fan Emiel Maier presents all the recent news including......
Shelby County plans to showcase a former Presley Family home, Rare footage of Elvis in January 1958, The upcoming Elvis in AI concept explained, the expanded Lisa-Marie exhibit at Graceland, News about an Elvis owned Stutz Blackhawk & much, much more ....
"e-pi-taph: Suspicious Minds - The Tragedies of the Presley Family" - New Book: This 317-page softcover from Elvis fan Willow Haichi Hughes was released on February 29. According to its listing on Amazon:
... This book brings together all of the stories related to the life and death of the most well-known members of the Presley family and identifies the problems that led up to their destruction and tragic deaths.
Written from the perspective of the author, who is a lifelong Elvis fan, and in 1978, one year after his passing, first traveled from Europe to Memphis, Tennessee, where she lives today.
In 79, she met Bill E. Burk, a local writer with the "Memphis Press Scimitar". He introduced her to a lot of famous or renowned Memphians who knew the star personally, from the early days until the 1970s. They shared their stories with the author and this is her attempt to make a contribution to the legacy of Elvis seen from the standpoint of people who knew him and remember him.
It is also a resource for fans as it connects them to the places they can still visit today, almost 50 years after his death and remember him. It gives insights into the sights of Memphis and Tupelo. Essentially, it tries to make sense of it all, although trying to analyze the life stories of the characters was a difficult challenge.
It aims to help Elvis fans understand the family dynamic, the involvement of Colonel Parker and what really happened to Elvis as well as his daughter, grandson, father and grandmother. While many of the "stories" may sound familiar, it uncovers countless facts that have never been looked into.
The book is self-published - click here to Amazon to read a sample (News, Source: Amazon/EIN)
AI books continue unabated: Since January 1, more than 50 AI generated books about Elvis, Priscilla and Lisa Marie, have been published.
Most can be identified by their generic or AI produced cover image, a low number of pages, price between US$10.00 and $25.00, and a flowery or rhetorical AI produced book description.
The lack of thought is highlighted by this release.
Note that the cover states "writeen by Sam A Smith"
The author can't even spell written and the photo is obviously not Priscilla.
The publicity laughingly notes.. (please see if you can even read this..) "Early A long time and Cherish Me Delicate -
The travel commences with the early a long time that laid the foundation for the notorious figure that Priscilla Presley would end up...
The story nimbly waltzes through the passages of Graceland, a put that not as it symbolized lavishness but too typified the challenges, delights, and enthusiastic scenes of Priscilla's life."
If you can understand this gobbledygook please put us right!
Note that this "fastidious unraveling of the layers that compose the complex embroidered artwork of Priscilla's uncommon life" is told in an amazing 23 pages!
(News, Source;NP/Amazon/EIN)
News from earlier last week...
February 27 1970, Elvis starts touring again: After Elvis' massive success and return-to-splendour in July 1969 it is a surprise that it took Col Parker so long to get Elvis back ‘on-tour’ and away from the smaller casino crowd.
In fact Elvis’ very first 70s “tour” outside Vegas was only six concerts at the huge and very unsuitable Houston Astrodome. The concerts were 54 years ago today. It was Elvis’ first concert on-tour since Pearl Harbor in 1961.
Elvis arrived in Houston on February 25, flying straight from Vegas, and held a Press Conference at the airport before moving to the ‘Astroworld Hotel’.
Elvis explained why he was performing in Houston, ... “Well, to tell you the truth, I started out here in Texas. I think the first shows that I worked was down here, around Houston, and all over Texas. .. well I worked Houston, worked Corpus Christi, every little town here? Long ago man, but you name it, I've been there, really.
They asked me to do this (the Astrodome) and I was
anxious to do some live appearances, you know. It had been a long time since I'd been on stage in front of anybody live and I was anxious to do some live appearances and I thought it would be a good opportunity to get I front of the people.
I’ve never seen inside the Dome- It scares me.. It's a big place, man, you know. .. I think the most important thing is the inspiration that I get from a live audience. I was missing that.”
In 1970 Elvis performed six concerts at the Astrodome,
February 27 afternoon show at 2pm and evening 745pm.
February 28 (Saturday) afternoon show at 2pm and evening show at 7.45pm.
March 1 (Sunday) afternoon show at 2pm and evening show at 7.00pm.
The biggest crowd of around 44 thousand fans attended the Saturday night concert – a huge change from the 2,200 casino crowd at the Hilton.
After these concerts it would be back to Las Vegas and Elvis’ first real on-the-road tour wouldn’t actually start until September 9 1970, quickly followed by Tour #3 November 10- 17 which including the sensational Los Angeles Forum concerts.. .. Elvis was back, playing to the crowds he loved!
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Elvis' 'My Boy', the pinnacle of my career!: Irish composer Phil Coulter recalls that having Elvis cover his composition 'My Boy' was the high point of his career.
In a recent NVTV interview the now 81-year-old Eurovision winner Coulter recalled....
.. He was raised in a terraced house in Derry, Ireland and grew up listening to the music of Elvis, Fats Domino and Little Richard on a “beaten up” radio in an attic bedroom he shared with his two brothers.
He went to Queen’s University to study music and later got a job writing songs in London’s Denmark Street — known in the music business as Tin Pan Alley — where he learned his craft and had to record six demos every week.
His big break came in 1967 when he and Scottish composer Bill Martin wrote the Eurovision-winning 'Puppet on a String' for Sandie Shaw. He also came close to victory the following year with Cliff Richard’s 'Congratulations'.
He then wrote for The Bay City Rollers although he admitted songs like Shang-A-Lang were never going to win awards for their use of the English language.
It was in 1971 that Phil Coulter and Bill Martin translated the french song "Parce que je t'aime, mon enfant" into the English hit 'My Boy'.
It was months later that he was woken in the middle of the night by a phone call from songwriter Albert Hammond, who called him a “lucky bastard” because he had just heard Elvis singing 'My Boy' live in concert in Las Vegas.
Coulter agrees that Elvis Presley singing his song 'My Boy' would be seen by many as the pinnacle of his career. “There’s not a songwriter on the planet who wouldn’t have sold his children into slavery to get Elvis Presley to sing one of his songs! Although we did originally write the song for Irish performer Richard Harris." (News, Source;BT/ElvisInfoNet) - Go here to Belfast Telegraph for the full article
Riley Settling Lisa Marie Debts: According to court documents Riley Keough is sorting out her Mother's debts. The first is an unpaid loan from Barclays.
Lisa Marie owned an 11-bedroom home Coes Hall in Rotherfield which was purchased in 2010 with a loan from Barclays Bank.
The bank said that Lisa owed $1.6 million which she personally guaranteed. The bank demanded the estate be ordered to cover the debt.
Riley argued the estate was not responsible because the statute of limitations ran out on the claims. She said Barclays had a deadline to file a lawsuit by January 12, 2023 but waited too long.
According to court documents obtained by RadarOnline, Riley has now informed the court that a settlement was reached with Barclays Bank.
So now that court battle has been resolved.
Riley however still has to deal with the $3.8 million creditor’s claim (wich EIN reported on back in September 2023) over an unpaid loan Lisa Marie obtained with Graceland used as collateral.
EPE earned $100 million in 2023. With the London exhibition and future AI / Hologram show Riley knows that Elvis generated cash flow will continue. (News, Source;Various/ElvisInfoNet)
EIN Exclusives and News from earlier in February ...
‘The King is cool again’: The UK magazine TimeOut reports that "The King" is cool again - how London fell hard for Elvis.'
The article looks at how ABG have worked hard to get the younger generations on-board. Major points noted are...
In 2017 a YouGov poll found that 29 percent of British adults aged 18 to 24 had never listened to an Elvis song. At the same time the value of Elvis memorabilia had dropped significantly.
So the latest bout of Elvis mania is no accident. It’s the result of a wildly calculated campaign by EPE /ABG to make the King cool again. Or at the very least, profitable.
Three years ago, ABG chief exec Jamie Salter declared that 2021 would be ‘probably the biggest year in the history of Elvis Presley’.
ABG created a Snapchat filter to get the oil-slicked quiff and sideburns on teen radars and there were reportedly even discussions about downplaying anniversaries of the musician’s death so people don’t get hung up on the fact that Elvis would be a geriatric by now.
Last year Netflix released ‘Agent Elvis’ a cartoon sitcom that follows Elvis (voiced by Matthew McConaughey) leading a double life as a rock ‘n’ roll legend and US government spy. He’s got a chimp for a sidekick and fights bad guys while tripping on LSD.
Then came the Baz Lurhmann biopic ELVIS which came with a soundtrack that melded old-school Elvis with current stars like Doja Cat and Måneskin.
After launching in Australia the ‘Direct from Graceland’ exhibition was enlarged and opened in London. With 450 original Elvis artefacts, including loads of stuff that’s never been seen before it
gives seasoned Elvis fans and post-Austin Butler newcomers an intimate window into each and every stage of the crooner’s life. It was recently extended thanks to its immense popularity.
Later this year London will also host the ‘world’s first Elvis immersive experience’ featuring a hologram that brings the star to life.
Unlike ‘ABBA Voyage’,‘Elvis Evolution’ won’t be so much a concert as an all-encompassing walk through Elvis’ life and career, from what it was like to live in the deep South to the role that gospel music played in shaping his music. But don’t panic fans: it will still end with a ‘concert finale’.
Elvis was the first influencer and you still see the ripple effects from the seismic impact he had on popular culture even 70 years after 'That's All Right'
Elvis’ brand has endured for more than four decades, spread across multiple continents and seeped into popular culture generation after generation.
While the Brits sadly have missed out on being serenaded by The King I-R-L, 2024’s Elvis mania should surely provide a little compensation.
Go here to full timeout article (News, Source;TO/ElvisInfoNet)
Shelby County buys Elvis’ 2414 Lamar Avenue home: Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has revealed that the county bought one of Elvis' old homes with the prospect of opening it as a museum. On WREG morning show Harris explained, “Elvis Presley had several childhood homes in Memphis as they moved around quite a bit. One of their childhood homes for a few months in 1955 was at 2414 Lamar Avenue and Shelby County owns that home. So we're really optimistic that we'll be able to do a new kind of showcase that represents Elvis’ childhood in Memphis. We know Graceland tells the story of his adulthood and his fame as a rock and roll star, but what about his childhood and what about those early influences and a lot of
black musical heritage that influenced Elvis Presley when he was not a superstar.
We want to think about how to tell that story, Shelby County wants to show an Elvis Presley home and we're going to do the best we can tell the story of the musical influences that we know as part of the legacy of this community.
In the show Mayor Harris also announced major funding for a hospital, medical school and academic centres. Photo - Mike Freeman. Go here for YouTube TV clip (News, Source;FECC/WREG/EIN)
'Elvis Presley – Loving You' EP: A vinyl taster for the up-coming Memphis Mansion 'Loving You / Jailhouse' Mono II Stereo soundtrack CD produced by Anthony Stuchbury.
Memphis Mansion Label presents a new 45RPM release, set to be released in mid-March! For the first time in Stereo!
A1: Loving You
A2: Hot Dog / Jailhouse Rock
Mono II Stereo
In Colored Vinyl.
'The King and The Jester' OUT NOW: Paul Belard is known for his day-by-day series of Elvis photobooks, but his brand new "special interest" book all about Elvis and manager Col Parker is OUT NOW.
The cover notes, "As this uncultured philistine said of himself, "I did not know what to make of Elvis, or his music. I did not care, but I saw the reaction of the audience says and it was enough for me". Parker promptly realised that Elvis was his own ticket to wealth. In addition he soon realised that the naive young man and his unsophisticated father will be no match for his dubious ploys."
The book is a very strong read and one that is very much the "counterpoint" to the recently published "rose colored glasses" account, 'Elvis and the Colonel: An Insider's Look At The Most Legendary Partnership In Show Business', by Greg McDonald and Marshall Terrill.
... You can read EIN's interview with Paul Belard's about the book, and his views on Col Parker here.
or order directly from Paul Belard contact him here- (News, Source: Paul Belard/EIN)
‘Elvis Presley - Rock‘n’Roll No. 2’ Mono II Stereo’: From the RDM label........ Rediscover Elvis Presley's second album with a new stereo mix! Simply titled "Elvis", it is presented here with the addition of eight singles, and is the second in a series of new mono-to-stereo mixes of classic Presley albums, created by producer Anthony Stuchbury. The cover art for the British version of the album, titled "Elvis Presley No.2", released via HMV in April 1957, was significantly different from the American version. A mustard yellow background was added to a black and white photo from September 1956, while a font similar to that used on the first album completed the rock 'n' roll vibe. Following the expiration of HMV's license in 1958 for Presley's Uk recordings, this title was removed and quickly became a highly sought-after collector's item. RCA UK would return to the American cover for its reissue of the album in December 1962. However as the album was affectionately nicknamed "Rock 'n' Roll No.2" in British fan circles we have used the same subtitle.
This new Mono II Stereo CD edition pays homage to the now legendary British cover and allows you to rediscover 20 songs that have marked the history of rock! - Out April 2024. Go HERE to RDM for Stereo Sound-Samples and to Order. (News, Source;ASP/ElvisInfoNet)
Priscilla Presley sues Priscilla Presley: Priscilla Presley is being sued by Priscilla Presley Partners (PPP) the company, which this week won the first round in a lawsuit filed last October.
The lawsuit alleges that in 2022 Presley was broke and sought help from an auctioneer, Brigitte Kruse, who agreed to help her exploit her name and likeness. For several years the two had been developing a relationship as Kruse helped Presley auction off some Elvis memorabilia. But then, the lawsuit says, Priscilla asked Kruse to take on even more responsibility and the two of them formed PPP in January 2023, with Kruse as majority owner.
The timing seemed good, as Kruse says in her complaint that she helped negotiate the movie project Priscilla, based on her memoir Elvis and Me, which was being produced by A24 and directed by Sofia Coppola. But months later, as the film was about to come out, Kruse alleges that Presley suddenly cut off her and PPP, excluding her from the
film premiere and any other opportunity to do business.
According to the complaint, in 2022 Kruse was also granted power of attorney. Upon assuming the position, Kruse says she learned that Presley was roughly two months away from insolvency on top of facing a bill for roughly $700,000 in unpaid taxes.
Among the reasons for Presley’s alleged financial position was that she sold her rights and interest toher surname nearly 20 years ago to ABG, limiting PPP with the ability to exploit her first name only.
The suit alleges that Kruse has spent a significant amount of her own money in developing various products and other intellectual property that was intended to launch alongside Priscilla. Kruse is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages. (News, Source;HollywoodReporter/Various/ElvisInfonet)
‘AT 3:AM – LAKE TAHOE 1973’ OUT NOW: EIN has received plenty of interest about the new MRS release - the deluxe 2CD set ‘AT 3:AM – LAKE TAHOE 1973’.
MRS confirm that the release date was always "on-track" and that it is already at your Local Elvis Dealer. Out Now.
The CD features live performances of both the Midnight and 3:AM concerts from Elvis’ May 1973 engagement at The Sahara Tahoe in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The shows are presented in STEREO for the first time ever.
The accompanying booklet - featuring rare photographs, memorabilia and includes liner notes that set the scene.
The LP version is only of the 3:AM show and is available in black and clear (the clear only Elvis dealers) versions.
EIN Note: The design is a stunner and the audio samples we have heard are brilliant.
See'All The CD News 2024'for details and tracklists - and check with your local Elvis dealer... (News, Source;MRS/ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis, Hero of the Comic Books' New Book- The Cover : A new book, out soon from EIN's Nigel Patterson.
Note: New material has been discovered so the launch date has been delayed a few weeks to make sure the book is as up-to-date as possible.
It will be published as hardback, softcover and digital (Kindle) editions.
From 'Red Panda Publishing'
EIN will have more details very soon
.. 'Elvis, Hero of the Comic Books' is the first comprehensive record of Elvis Presley as found in comic books, graphic novels, graphic biographies, and (select) comic strips.
Inside this book you will find information on more than 200 titles of comic and graphic novel/biography books directly about Elvis, those in which he has a cameo role, and others that were inspired by him.
Also included is artwork from a variety of releases and an eclectic range of Elvis related comic book ephemera. Elvis, Hero of the Comic Books features more than 200 images, the breadth of graphic art is a mix of the impressive, a case of WTF?, and art that some will find confronting. In addition, the book features various sidebars, which present a more detailed account of a particular title or issue.
The narrative themes found in the releases presented in this book are multifarious, ranging from straight biographies, Elvis as crime fighter, Elvis clones and Elvis in the super-hero realm, to anthropomorphic Elvis, Elvis parodies/ satire, and Elvis as demon, vampire, and zombie (this is a particularly popular theme). There is even a fairy godmother and a Lady Helvis!
As a body of work, the comic books, graphic novels and biographies and comic strips, represent a powerful symbol of the incredible impact Elvis continues to have on society and culture, nearly 50 years after his passing.
'Elvis on Tour March 1974' REPRINT OUT NOW!: From author Kieran Davis, the original print run of his new book 'Elvis on Tour March 1974' sold out. The Reprint is NOW OUT!
The book covers Elvis' March 1974 tour and is the same format as our previous books - hard back, colour, large format etc.
There are 336 pages which include the usual mix of photos, memorabilia and documents plus an exhaustive text on the tour.
The five Memphis shows are especially of note as all the official documents relating to the shows are included.
The front cover image shows Elvis wearing a cape at one of his Tulsa shows - a true rarity.
The price is £100 / US$123 with worldwide shipping included, regardless of your geographical location.
Luckily for fans who missed the original ordering deadline the second printing of this book is now out.
EIN has got our copy and the book is a STUNNER! We will post a review asap.
Price £100 including worldwide shipping. To ORDER the reprint Click Here
(News, Source;KD)
Recently Discovered ELVIS footage: Newly discovered 1958 video footage from the WBAP-TV station in Fort Worth, Texas to accompany a news story about Elvis Presley stopping in Fort Worth on his way to Hollywood. Elvis gets asked, "Would you rather be a lover or a fighter?"
Elvis, "It's just according to what the situation is, you know what I mean?
Sometimes you'd have to be both."
Runs 3 minutes but well worth viewing
Thanks to FECC's The Fool (News, Source;TexasHistory/ EIN)
'Elvis UK – Extended' book Update: From UK specialists John Townson and Gordon Minto's their new book 'Elvis UK – Extended: The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British EPs 1957-2001'
The authors are pleased to
announce that this new book of 500 pages will be only
available in paperback and will once again, be sold exclusively through Now Dig This / Elvis The Man And His Music.
It is now available to order and will be available early March, priced at £58 for UK buyers includes post and packing, next day delivery, tracked and signed for. Overseas customers will have to check for postage rates.
The ULTIMATE guide to Elvis’ EP releases issued in the UK between 1957-2001. This new volume: • Complements previous Elvis UK publications. • Is extensively illustrated in full colour throughout, including a range of images of Elvis himself • Details the history of extended play releases, their popularity and subsequent fall from favour • Features a wealth of background information, revealing exciting new details and information regarding tax codes and price changes as shown on labels – as well as tabling chart positions • Offers technical but clear details regarding manufacturing, along with matrix numbers and their significance • Where appropriate, each EP release is cross-referenced with its US counterpart and key differences discussed • Includes a chronological list of all the EPs included
• Discusses each extended play album individually, in a detailed and forensic way, while the extensive text is amply illustrated with scans of every known cover and label variation, relevant photographs, and scans of contemporaneous newspaper and magazine articles and adverts ..... In short, as readers have come to expect from each of the previous Elvis UK publications, this book is intended to be the last word on its subject – in this instance, the much-loved extended play record format as seen in the UK. Please note: Go to Now Dig This / Elvis The Man And His Musicto order. (News, Source;GM/ElvisInfoNet)
"ELVIS: ALOHA FROM HAWAII - The Eyes of Japan" March Publication: An update on the much anticipated new Aloha book.
... After printing the “Aloha-Japan” book, we discovered some serious color problems.
So we have re-scanned all photos from the original negatives and are making every effort to try and get the book published in March 2024.
The EP society of Japan says "Please wait for a while".
Meanwhile check out this 3rd video trailer which explains the issue.
'Elvis: Summer of '76' FTD In-depth Review: This new FTD set features three 1976 concerts, Charleston A/S July 24,Springfield E/S July 29 and Hampton Roads
A/S August 1.
Things started going terribly wrong for Elvis in 1976. The beauty and on-stage power that he still exuded the previous year was fast fading away. Elvis' third tour of 1976 was one of his worst. Starting just 10 days after Elvis fired Red, Sonny West and Dave Hebler he was not in a good way.
Despite already releasing 27 concerts from this rather sad year, FTD have released yet another three 1976 performances and they are not good.
Collectors of course will appreciate that FTD have included two previously unknown soundboards here and they do help us explore what state our hero was in for his 1976 summer. However Elvis was obviously not in a good way which makes them rather sad.... Elvis soundboard super-collector Geoffrey McDonnell along with EIN's Piers Beagley explore this new FTD 1976 triple- pack to see whether fans could learn anything new... (FTD Reviews, Source;GM/ElvisInformationNetwork)
New MRS special 'Vinyl EP/CD' Releases: Exclusively to Elvis dealers only, next month MRS will release two very collectable titles both comprising a 7” gatefold 45rpm vinyl EP single housed together with a sleeved CD EP single.
These are expected to be released early March 2024.
This unique packaging, designed and created by MRS, comprises on the inside left panel a CD wallet inserted into a slot and on the right panel a vinyl 45rpm 7” EP single. The 45rpms will be available in both black and crystal-clear vinyl.
Since these two titles will NOT be available on mainstream internet sites and stores, these releases are in extremely limited numbers.
These two uniquely designed EPs are, ‘Elvis Presley & Frank Sinatra – Welcome Home Elvis’ and ‘Follow That Dream’.
- Elvis Presley & Frank Sinatra – Welcome Home Elvis
Throughout his career, Elvis only performed one live duet with another artist – in this case, Frank Sinatra, another great icon of his time which was recorded on 26 March 1960 in Miami. The show itself, ‘The Frank Sinatra Timex Show’ was broadcast on 12 May 1960.
Taken from a recently discovered original acetate, this historic recording has been carefully remastered and is presented here in the best quality ever. 45RPM EXTENDED PLAY VINYL – REMASTERED ACETATE
SIDE A
1. Fame and Fortune
2. Stuck On You
SIDE B
1. Introduction
2. Medley - Witchcraft/Love Me Tender
3. Love Me Tender (reprise)
CD SINGLE EP
1. It’s Nice to Go Travelling
2. Fame and Fortune
3. Stuck On You
4. Introduction
5. Medley - Witchcraft/Love Me Tender
6. Love Me Tender (reprise)
7. Frank Sinatra and Nancy say farewell to Elvis
NOTE: For this exceptional compilation MRS will also release a CD single only version - shown right- that will be available to mainstream internet sites and stores.
- Follow That Dream For the first time ever, the master tracks from the Elvis movie Follow That Dream (1961) are now available in true living stereo and have been mixed to the recordings that were originally conceived.
At the time of the studio session the crucial stereo masters were lost, which meant that subsequently only mono versions have ever been released. Until now...
Note that the YouTube sound samples are compressed compared to the actual MRS releases. They still sound fabulous in stereo.
45RPM EXTENDED PLAY VINYL - IN LIVING STEREO
SIDE A
1. Follow That Dream
2. I’m Not The Marrying Kind
3. Sound Advice
SIDE B
1. What A Wonderful Life
2. Angel
CD SINGLE EXTENDED PLAY
1. Follow That Dream
2. I’m Not The Marrying Kind
3. Sound Advice
4. What A Wonderful Life
5. Angel
Bonus Track
6. Sound Advice (Takes 2-5)
To be released next month. Contact your local Elvis dealer..
(News, Source;MRS/EIN)
'Elvis in Print: A Comprehensive Annotated and Illustrated Bibliography 1955-2023 Volume 1' UPDATE: This comprehensive new book was due to be published this month but has been delayed due to editing issues and the discovery of more than 70 new titles and/or editions. A revised publication date for the nearly 500-page book will be announced soon. (non-final cover image pictured)
Compiled and written by EIN's Nigel Patterson, the four volumes of Elvis in Print: A Comprehensive Annotated & Illustrated Bibliography 1955-2023 will comprise around 2,000 pages, with listings for more than 4,000 books and around 2,000 images.
Volume 1 is the first of two detailing English language, “non-fiction” releases. It contains close to 500 pages, listings for more than 800+ titles, book covers for more than 500 listings, and interesting Sidebar articles discussing controversial releases and issues in the massive Elvis book catalog.
Sections in Elvis in Print Volume 1 include:
Academic Releases, Biographies, Compendiums: Catalogs, Discographies, Chart Histories, Interviews... Conspiracy Theories, Elvis and the Colonel, Elvis and the Law, Elvis as Art and Elvis as Religion (including Psychic Experiences and Spirituality)...
The 'Listings' include original releases, subsequent re-issues , (including digital editions) and a book synopsis. 'Elvis in Print' will be published in hardcover, softcover, and Kindle formats. It will be available from Amazon stores (the hardcover edition will only be available in those countries where Amazon offers this format).
EIN will publish more information soon. (News, Source;NP/EIN)
Nashville Elvis Festival - March 21-24: Join fans from around the world for the 8th annual Nashville Elvis Festival - March 21-24, 2024 celebrating the music and legacy of Elvis Presley.
Join us for a weekend of live music performances, celebrity appearances, an Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition and more!
The performers include, Dean Z, Cote Deonath, Bill Cherry, Ben Thompson, Alex Mitchell, Michael Cullipher, Riley Jenkins and Jeff Lewis.
With very Special Guests, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet. The legendary group is the best-known name in Gospel music history! Elvis grew up listening to their music and named them his favorite gospel quartet. The 8-time GRAMMY winners have recorded over 200 albums and sold over 50 million records. They are currently nominated for a GRAMMY Award for their latest Elvis-inspired album, Tribute to the King. Nashville Elvis Festival is hosted by Tom Brown.
Go here for tickets, highlights such as "Elvis Gospel Live" with The Blackwood Brothers are sure to sell out
(News, Source;NF/ElvisInfoNet)
Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir – due out this year!: Riley Keough is collaborating on release of her mother's memoir for later this year. Lisa Marie Presley started writing the book before she died and Riley Keough has completed it.
One year after Lisa Marie's unexpected death, Random House revealed that the singer was writing a memoir about her high-profile and complicated life as the sole child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley. In a shared statement the publisher said that Presley asked her daughter to help finish the book before she died.
Lisa Marie died on Jan. 12, 2023, at 54 after she suffered a cardiac episode at her Calabasas home. The L.A. County Medical Examiner determined in July that Presley died from complications of a small bowel obstruction, which was linked to previous bariatric surgery.
Keough, star of “Daisy Jones & the Six” and “Mad Max: Fury Road” initially held off on collaborating on the book but picked up where her mother left off after Presley died.
“Riley carried a guilt that the world would never know the loving, joyful, and caring woman that she knew and grieved,” the statement said.
To complete the memoir, Keough listened to hours of Presley’s recordings, which touched on her father’s love, her complex mother-daughter relationship with Priscilla, her highly publicized romantic relationships and the 2020 death of her son Benjamin Keough.
The contents of the book are unknown, but what Random House calls Presley's "tumultuous" life certainly was eventful enough for
a provocative, thoughtful, and revealing memoir.
Described as the “most intimate look at the Presley family to date,” the yet untitled memoir is set to publish Oct. 15.
Keough said, “I was lucky to have had that opportunity and working on preparing her autobiography for publication has been a privilege, albeit a bittersweet one. I’m so excited to share my mom now, at her most vulnerable and most honest, and in doing so, I do hope that readers come to love my mom as much as I did.”
The publisher stated: "Born to an American myth and raised in the wilds of Graceland, Lisa Marie Presley was never truly understood . . . until now'
Editions of the book will also be translated into eight other languages including Spanish, German and Portuguese. An audiobook version of the memoir will also be released, read by Riley Keough and including "never-before-heard recollections in Lisa Marie’s own voice."
EIN Note: The history behind Lisa Marie’s memoir is quite confusing.
Lisa Marie signed her book deal with Gallery Books (a subsidiary of Simon & Shuster) in 2019. Reportedly, she received an advance of US$1M. In 2020, Penguin Random House made a bid for Simon & Shuster, but the sale was blocked, and a private equity firm, KKR ended up acquiring Simon & Shuster for US$1.6B.
News of Lisa Marie’s memoir first broke earlier this week, but two days before the formal announcement by Random House. Initially, the book was listed as being published Macmillan (a subsidiary of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group). Following the formal announcement, the publisher listing was changed to Random House.
It is unclear how Penguin Random House attained the rights to Lisa Marie’s memoir.
(News, Source: Alexandras del Rosario, LA Times; John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal, Random House, Jim Milliot, Publisher’s Weekly, and EIN)
'Direct From Graceland' London Exhibit Extension: Good news for European
fans as 'Direct from Graceland' the largest retrospective exhibition
ever to leave the gates of Graceland, has been extended until April 14,
2024
After a 10-week run at Arches London Bridge the promoter announced on Elvis' Birthday that the show will continue to April 14, 2024.
The decision was announced via livestream at Elvis' 89th birthday proclamation at Graceland.
EPE's Angie Marchese said, “We are thrilled with the overwhelming success of the Direct from Graceland: Elvis exhibit’s run at Arches London Bridge and excited to announce the exhibition’s extension. Elvis is a true icon. He is still as relevant today as he was nearly 70 years ago when he shook up the world with his first commercial release, That’s All Right. Being able to share the stories, rare artifacts, and items from the Graceland Archives with the fans in the UK is beyond special.”
This extension offers an additional six weeks for visitors to immerse themselves in Elvis' musical history, captivating life, and lasting impact of global icon Elvis Presley.
See TOTALROCK's excellent review ...
Go here to get London ELVIS tickets
The 'Direct from Graceland' exhibition was originally in Australia - see EIN's in-depth review here (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
'Elvis Evolution' Can only be good for Elvis Impersonators: In a god-help-us-all article by UK's Guardian they suggest that 'Elvis Evolution'"Can only be good" as Elvis tribute acts embrace the hologram Presley!
At the recent Birmingham 'European Elvis Championships' where impersonators compete to become that year’s king of rock’n’roll, there was one particular Elvis on everyone’s lips – hologram Elvis, set to make his debut in an “immersive concert experience” in London in November.
For all the Presley mega-fans in the room, this week’s announcement had caused a loud buzz, and there was little concern that a digital recreation of the man himself would steal the limelight from the ETA acts. “It can only be good for tribute acts really, because it’s
introducing Elvis to a new generation, and that new generation could come and support us. Anything that’s Elvis and is good, I’m quite happy for it to steal the limelight,” said Kev Wright, 70, who has been performing his Elvis act for seven years.
“Obviously, most of the people here haven’t been able to see Elvis because he died so many years ago, and that’s as near as you’re going to get to the real thing these days.”
The Elvis tribute acts (known as ETAs) competing over the three-day event, which culminates on Sunday, said they had seen a growing number of young people getting involved in the tribute scene off the back of the 2022 film, Elvis, starring Austin Butler, and the recently released Priscilla, and the hologram concert would only build on that interest.
“We don’t claim to be Elvis or anything like that, we’re just tribute acts doing something that we love doing to cheer people up. I don’t think a hologram Elvis will ruin what we have here. People will still come to these shows. There’s going to be people to continue this legacy long after we’re gone, that’s what it’s all about. I think Elvis is going to be the last person to die on the planet.”
But could The Guardian have chosen a worse looking bunch of Elvis imitators!
Let's hope that 'Elvis Evolution' is SO GOOD that Hologram Elvis reigns supreme
See Guardian article here (News, Source;NP/ElvisInfonet)
'The Blue Hawaii Sessions' New FTD: Hopefully for the end of this month FTD's 'Elvis Presley: The Blue Hawaii Sessions' 4-CD-set.
This is the earlier promised "audio release" of the music from the Deluxe 'The Making Of Blue Hawaii' Book/CD combo.
Released as a 4-CD set, it includes the complete soundtrack sessions newly-mixed from the original 3-track session tapes.
The 24-page booklet features informative flashbacks from musicians, songwriters, session data, memorabilia and global chart information.
The original album spent 20 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Top Pop LPs chart. Nominated for a Grammy Award in 1961, it became the 2nd most successful soundtrack album of the 60s only losing out to West Side Story! Footnote: Audio previously released in the FTD book “The Making of Blue Hawaii”.
Priced at around £55 /US$70 / AUD$100
See "FTD CD News" for tracklistings (News, Source;FTD/ElvisInfoNet)
Need to brush up on your knowledge of Elvis’ earliest recordings or are a new fan wanting a solid account of Elvis in the studio circa 1950s?
If so, Alan Tranter’s new book is a fresh and satisfying release, chock full of background on individual songs, recording information and neat analysis of Elvis in the studio.
NOW UPDATED (Film Review) Priscilla – film by Sofia Coppola: While Baz Luhrmann’s major hit film in 2022, Elvis, was a colorful narrative and frenetic musical explosion, in 2023, Sofia Coppola’s, Priscilla, is more subdued, but still a colorfully hued and musically expressive story.
Coppola is an acclaimed filmmaker and director. Thematically, her films explore themes of identity, isolation, and the complexities of human relationships, and these underscore, Priscilla.
EIN’s Nigel Patterson recently watched the film that has divided the Elvis world.
Now updated with EIN READER comments...
We have had plenty of general negative feedback but also some lengthy and rather interesting discussions on the film.. EIN is also interested in hearing YOUR comments on the movie. (Film Review, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork)
MRS CAMDEN reviews: The UK MRS label have re-released 3 CD titles on its new alternate budget label 'MRS CAMDEN'. - One Night In Pearl Harbor 1CD
- Elvis On Television 1956 - 1960 2CD
- The Complete 1950's Live Recordings 3CD
All three were released late November 2023.
The releases on MRS CAMDEN are scaled-down budget versions priced for the mainstream market. The titles have slight changes from the original MRS deluxe versions and now come in a Digi-Sleeve packs with small booklets.
There are minor upgrades on each release but they still all pack a punch and cover important sections of Elvis' historical journey. Going from 1954 to 1961 it is one incredible rockin’ trip. EIN's Piers Beagley checks them out as possible Santa bonus treats...
If you are in the UK and order them on Amazon you can still get them delivered by Christmas Day! (CD Reviews; Source: ElvisInformationNetwork)
UPDATED- CD Review 'The Joan Deary Tapes Vol1' - and has Ernst won the war?’: Two years ago EIN posted an article suggesting that the Elvis bootleg era was over, that FTD and Ernst Jorgensen had truly won the war.
So it was a surprise to many that a new bootleg label ‘Joan Deary Inc’ suddenly popped up two months ago promising a very similar series of releases to the Madison ‘A Legendary Performer’ set.
They promised "Unique content... with never issued before outtakes. Some very different mixes among other glorious sounding tracks. Every track comes in great sound quality and has been remastered for optimal listening pleasure..."
EIN was suspicious from the start - to be honest I saw no need to purchase this CD - but several EIN readers wanted to know more before they put down their hard earned cash. Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley investigates to see if there is life in this new series of Elvis bootleg releases... Please read this before ordering we've done the work so that you don't have to! Now UPDATED with YOUR comments (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'Elvis Presley Rock ’n’ Roll No.1’ "Stereo" CD Review: Back in May I reviewed ‘From Elvis at Sun’ “Mono II Stereo” compilation and at the time was hoping for more of the same.
Luckily for inquisitive Elvis collectors, producer Anthony Stuchbury is back with his take on Elvis’ first album ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll No.1’ - this time on the French RDM label.
Elvis’ very first LP had two key variations, the well-known classic RCA album and also the UK HMV version. This compilation starts with the 12 tracks from the RCA album then the extra five cuts from the HMV version plus the life-changing ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ single.
It’s a stunning selection of nineteen brilliant Elvis recordings. “Mono II Stereo” remixing needs a producer who understands what Elvis’ sessions were all about and Stuchbury is not only a super-collector but also a man who really knows his Elvis recordings.
His work here is truly impressive.
With The Beatles releasing their early singles in DES stereo for 2023 Doncha' Think It's Time for RCA / SONY to do the same for Elvis. EIN's Piers Beagley checks out the wonders of Elvis' first album in stereo
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'ELVIS: Closing Night 1972' MRS CD Review: This MRS 2CD set features a live performance recorded on 4 September 1972,during the last night of Elvis’ seventh engagement in Las Vegas at the
Hilton Hotel.
The show is presented in stereo. A bonus CD of remastered rehearsal tracks, recorded days before the engagement began, is also included.
While Elvis is perhaps not as full-blast as on the 'Opening Night' here MRS's 'Studio D' engineer has done some brilliant audio remastering,
removing the bad cassette-tape-hiss of all previous releases. Emphasising the instrumentation with this "Stereo remaster" not only elevates Elvis and the musicians' performance but also places the listener right into the audience.
This night Elvis rocked into 'Johnny B. Goode' and even performed the golden-oldies with some real respect. It's a great show. Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley discovers something new in this re-release - the near perfect bookend to MRS' examination of Elvis’ 1972 Summer Festival.
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'Elvis January 6 1957' New Book: A new publication from hard-working Elvis author Paul Belard - 'Elvis January 6, 1957. Third Ed Sullivan Show'.
This book includes 200 pages purely about Elvis' third appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, it features some lovely rare pictures and is printed on glossy paper.
The foreword notes... ... Elvis’ third visit to Sullivan’s show, January 6th, 1957, would prove to be his last. Some have advanced that the astronomical fees his manager Tom Parker asked for future television appearances - $300,000 with the promise of two guest spots and an hour long special - effectively killed any request from TV stations.
A huge and raucous audience turned up in to hear “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, and “Don’t Be Cruel”, as well as newer material such as “Too Much” and “When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again”, and “Peace in the Valley”.
During the final sequence, Mr. Sullivan urged viewers to contribute to a Hungarian refugee relief fund Elvis supported.
The man who just a few months before had sworn not to have Elvis on his show, closed this evening by saying: ... I wanted to say to Elvis Presley and the country that this is a real decent, fine boy, and wherever you go, Elvis, we want to say we’ve never had a pleasanter experience on our show with a big name than we’ve had with you. So now let’s have a tremendous hand for a very nice person!
Order via Amazon or the author direct at pbelard@hotmail.com (News, Source;PB/ElvisInfonet)
"ELVIS : ALOHA FROM HAWAII - Through The Eyes of Japan"David Ward Interview: Fifty years after Elvis’ legendary concert in Hawaii, Japanese cameraman Yoshiji Kizaki's valuable, long-lost negatives have been discovered.
Mr. Kizaki is one of the few photographers who photographed not only the actual show in January 1973, but also the three Aloha performances and press conference held in November 1972.
At last, they will be reprinted from the original negatives carefully rescanned and finally published as a gorgeous photo-book!
The book also includes contributions from people involved in the live satellite broadcast and record release.
Includes the treasured photos of the people involved, as well as newspaper and record company documentation from the time. Deluxe Size 290mm x 235mm, 1.5kg, hard cover color/ black & white 200 pages, text in English translated by David Ward.
While this exciting new book won't be published until January 2024, the cut-off date for Pre-orders with a free set of stunning photocards is next Monday, November 20.
It is the perfect time for EIN's Piers Beagley to ask David Ward some key questions about the book. Go here for the interview and some stunning PREVIEW pages. DON'T MISS OUT it's a limited print run. (Interview, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'ELVIS: August Season in Vegas 1974' FTD Review: A triple-CD focusing on Elvis' Las Vegas 1974 Summer Season.
Three previously unreleased soundboards Aug 27 Dinner Show, Aug 29 Midnight Show, Aug 30 Dinner Show.
For Elvis 1974 was an emotionally turbulent year. This was his sixth season singing to the Las Vegas casino audiences, still doing two shows a night, and he was really feeling the loss of Priscilla. Yet this inner turmoil helped produce the most fascinating Las Vegas season of his career.
It seems all too obvious that someone was prescribing Elvis some ‘Little-Helpers’ to get over the 'flu - and this put him in a chatty and distracted mood.
So while there is little doubt that collectors will be very glad to have these previously unreleased soundboards from this exciting season where Elvis truly enjoyed his newer material, it is only a shame that there was too much talking and all too many complete throwaway performances.... Elvis super-collector Geoffrey McDonnell & EIN's Piers Beagley provide an in-depth review.. (FTD Reviews; Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Elvis in Literature #3 – ''Elvis's Man Friday' by Gene Smith: Continuing EIN’s occasional series of interesting and (hopefully) thought-provoking Elvis excerpts (references/discussions) found in general literature. Elvis's Man Friday by Elvis' first-cousin Gene Smith is an often forgotten "insider" memoir.
Elvis and Gene were very close from a young age, and Gene later became a prominent member of Elvis' Memphis Mafia.
In his book, published in hardcover (with dust jacket) in 1994, Gene recounted his time with Elvis in linear fashion, in what was a very readable, entertaining and informative release.
In particular, the reader is informed about a number of unusual things and Elvis' idiosyncrasies.
EIN wonders how many readers knew that Elvis and Gene had (for a while) their own secret language?...
Paul Belard Interview about Col Parker and Elvis 'The King & The Jester': EIN recently discovered that prolific author Paul Belard is researching a new book about Elvis and Col Parker. Due out in 2024 the book has the provisional title 'The King & The Jester'.
Belard explains... Nearly forty-five years after his death, Elvis Presley remains equally famous and easily recognized around the world. For most of the entirety of his adult life, the man who made all the major decisions of Elvis’ career was Tom Andrew Parker, who, himself, became a celebrity by association. Why is Elvis’ manager so well-known? The author is clearly not the only one who cannot name Sinatra’s manager, nor Johnny Cash’s, the Rolling Stones’, Springsteen’s or Beyoncé’s.
On the positive side, Tom Parker was a hard worker, a gifted promoter, a skillful negotiator, and a keen judge of character. Aside from the gifted promoter, which he undoubtedly was, the other traits, put in the wrong hands, can easily become negative qualities.... A new book on Col Parker? EIN wanted to know more about how Paul Belard chooses his topics, his views on wily old Col Parker - as well as the recent 'ELVIS' and 'Priscilla' movies... EIN's Piers Beagley asked the questions... (Interviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
The topics include did Elvis’ music decline when he moved from Sun to RCA, “who” triggered the media and public moral outrage about Elvis in the 1950’s, Elvis’ film recordings (particularly in the 1960s), the connection between Elvis’ films and those of Mario Lanza, singles that failed to be major hits, Elvis’ mid-60’s soul-infused recordings, the quality of Elvis’ albums after From Elvis in Memphis, the artistic value of Elvis’ RCA Camden albums, Shane’s views on 10 particular Elvis songs, Elvis remixes, can Sony have another hit Elvis album?, and a lot more...
Shane Brown has strong, well-reasoned views on many “things Elvis”, and they offer a lot for readers to think about and possibly reevaluate their views on various issues. Don't miss this fascinating interview for 2023.
(Interview, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork)
'Elvis: A Musical Revolution' Sydney Theatre Review:'Elvis A Musical Revolution' has been playing in Sydney Australia since early August. Described as.. The Icon. The King. The story of a man who gave the world a musical revolution. Featuring over 40 hit songs, Elvis: A Musical Revolution celebrates the extraordinary life of cultural icon, Elvis Presley.
Let me declare that I like the genuine Elvis Presley. I really don’t like theatre musicals, so it was with slight trepidation that I found myself close to the front of the stalls for this new Elvis "jukebox musical".
However as they say, “Elvis was in the building” and with a cleverly designed functional set and some high-energy performances it was a most enjoyable celebration of The King.
The Australian producer is David Venn and there is no doubt that Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS has spurred some monetary investment into this show and the presentation is highly professional.
The show begins with australia lead Rob Mallett as '68 Elvis in silhouette - but just as you anticipate a massive start Elvis’ doubts and fears kick-in and he wonders if he still has it. At this point a young child Elvis appears to offer advice.
And it is this clever device that creates that special edge to the overall performance as well as a stunning cast. Go here for EIN Piers Beagley's full review
(Spotlight; Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'Elvis Forever 2023':Where were you when Elvis died? What were you doing? Throughout our lifetimes there are very few dates that resonate with such clarity.
While some key historical events such as 9/11 or the Boxing day 2004 Tsunami are remembered, other unique moments are lost as vague memories.
The day of Elvis' death I was recording a "best of Elvis" cassette for my best friend.
A lightning storm was raging through London, the rain pouring down outside when my Mother called upstairs, "Have you heard, Elvis Presley has died?" -
A moment never forgotten.
... I can guarantee you one thing: we will never again agree on anything as we agreed on Elvis.
The newspapers the next day told the story. Go here to EIN's 'Elvis Forever 2023' for emotional reminiscences and also those traumatic news headlines ...
The world would remember, everything would change, but in 2023 Elvis' legacy still lives on.. (Spotlight, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
(Film Review) Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback…..”a battle for artistic integrity”: EIN’s Nigel Patterson recently immersed himself at the cinema watching John Scheinfeld’s documentary film, Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback (based on Steve Binder’s account of the making of Elvis’ legendary Special). Reinventing Elvis takes a deeper dive into the making of the Comeback Special, featuring interviews from some of the surviving performers and audience members, as well as Presley experts placing it in the context of the times and the singer's career.
Nigel left the cinema after viewing a fascinating and illuminating account full of drama, humor, and ultimately reclamation. Read Nigel’s full review
'Las Vegas Summer Festival 1972' MRS CD Review: This 4CD set contains a varied selection of live performances drawn from Elvis’ seventh engagement in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel during Elvis’ summer festival in the month of August 1972.
It features the 11 August Dinner and Midnight Show plus 12 August Dinner and Midnight Show. For the first time ever these performances are released in "Stereo". Bonus rehearsal tracks, recorded days before the engagement began, are also included.
The accompanying 40-page booklet includes rare photographs, memorabilia and liner notes help set the scene.
Key songs include My Way, Fever, Its Over, Until It’s Time For You To Go, American Trilogy, What Now My Love, Little Sister/ Get Back, Never Been To Spain, For The Good Times and A Big Hunk O' Love'.
Elvis was in superb form and with more new songs in his set-list sounding even better with the new MRS audio remaster it is a power-packed set.
(Book Review) 'Fact vs. Fiction in the 2022 ELVIS Movie' (Trina Young): EIN’s Nigel Patterson recently sat down to read Trina Young’s fourth book about Elvis. Given its core intent, Fact vs. Fiction in the 2022 ELVIS Movie is not a standard narrative, but rather, an illuminating treatise assessing degrees of fact and fiction in what was the most successful non-franchise movie of 2022, Baz Luhrmann’s spectacular assault on your visual and auditory senses, ELVIS.
For the core section of the book, Ms Young rates each scene based on four different criteria (note that for each scene it's time in the film is included). The author then provides narrative details for each of the last three criteria, the Storyline information often running to several pages. Her ratings for historical accuracy (truth) can be truly enthralling.
'From Elvis at Sun' Stereo CD Review: A new ‘From Elvis at Sun’ “Mono II Stereo” release from the Danish Memphis Mansion label.
The compilation includes the five classic SUN SINGLES plus the other nine alternate cuts that RCA would purchase from Sam Phillips.
Keen Elvis fans must surely have a serious fascination about how Elvis' early ground-breaking recordings were created.
Why do Elvis' classic rock’n’roll singles sound so good, especially given the low quality recording equipment of the time? And how were they laid down in the studio?
One way to discover the wonders of 50’s rock’n’roll inventiveness is to examine "stereo" versions of the old mono recordings and it is only since the creation of the cutting-edge audio process DES (Digitally Extracted Stereo) that we can do this.
Previous Mono <> Stereo versions have not quite made their mark. So is it possible that this new 2023 set can help fans appreciate the real magic and brilliance of Elvis at SUN? EIN's 2,600 word review by Piers Beagley looks in-depth at whether new upgrades in "DES" software can help create something special from these old SUN classics...
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'Elvis On Tour' Box-Set In-Depth Review:The January 2023 'Elvis On Tour' SONY release is a 6CD / 1 Blu-Ray box set comprised of the audio from four of the shows (and two rehearsals) that were part of Elvis’ 1972 North American tour.
Originally recorded for the Elvis On Tour concert film that was released later that year, the set features a total of 145 tracks, including 91 previously unreleased tracks, as well as the award-winning concert film on Blu-ray.
RCA/Legacy's Elvis On Tour box set is produced by Ernst Jørgensen and mixed by Grammy Award-winning Memphis-based producer Matt Ross-Spang.
Elvis' April 1972 concerts were magnificent, so hopefully this expensive 50th anniversary release including newly remastered concert performances captures the magnificence and excitement of the movie and Elvis' stunning shows.
After fifty years surely SONY/RCA will get it right.....
'The Elvis RCA Camden Collection' EIN Spotlight:Most fans have had a love-hate relationship with Elvis' Camden collections. On one hand they are seen as an artistic misstep being released at a time when Elvis was back riding high on the charts saturating the market with a series of albums containing little-known songs. Yet on the other hand many younger fans used these budget collections as a way to enter the amazing world of Elvis’ vast back-catalogue.
The RCA Camdens featured the first release of an Elvis live recording, 19 previously unreleasedtracks and 58 tracks previously unreleased on an album. That is quite impressive even if Col Parker only had his increased revenue as the main goal.
Now updated with Readers' Feedback - Read this fascinating article and tell us YOUR THOUGHTSabout Elvis' Camden releases... EIN contributor Neil Colombari reveals all...
(Spotlight; Source;Neil Colombari/ElvisInfoNet)
(Book Review) Elvis Live At The International 50th Anniversary Edition (Kieran Davis): In 2011, Kieran Davis released the highly praised book, Elvis Live At The International. In 2022, he has published an expanded 50th Anniversary edition…and what an expansion it is!
The latest edition dwarfs the original with 432 pages compared to 172 in the original release.
And the added 250+ pages of additional material is stunning, making the 50th Anniversary release one of the best Elvis books published in 2022.
As its title reflects, the book covers Elvis' appearances at the International Hotel in Las Vegas between 1969 and 1971 (it was renamed the Las Vegas Hilton in July 1971). The narrative element is significantly based around fan, Peggy Elzea’s copious diaries, and a bumper array of archival material. Peggy’s experience seeing Elvis in Las Vegas is one every fan will envy. There is so much fascinating information and so many striking images in the book that it is hard to know where to start in describing it...
Don't miss out on one of EIN's most-viewed and controversial interviews of all-time - Mike Stone tells all.
EIN Interview with Mike Stone: Mike Stone has had a long and successful career in athletics, in the entertainment business, as an author, sports instructor, bodyguard and personal fitness trainer.
Mike Stone was also a key figure in the emotional roller-coaster that described Elvis and Priscilla Presley's lives in the seventies. In this exclusive EIN interview Priscilla's ex-partner, karate champion and author talks about his amazing life, including... - Meeting Elvis and Priscilla
- Hawaii, Elvis and Karate
- Being Phil Spector's bodyguard
- Sitting next to John Lennon recording
- Priscilla and karate
- Fans blaming him for Elvis' marriage split-up
- Elvis putting a "Hit" out on him
- Finding peace in the Philippines
- His new autobiography
UPDATED- The collapse of the Elvis Bootleg Empire: Has Ernst won the war?’: Back in 1999 Ernst Jorgensen and Roger Semon convinced BMG to let them start the FTD collectors label in order to counteract the Elvis bootleg companies which had been selling unreleased material to fans since the very first vinyl bootleg 'Please Release Me' was issued back in 1970.
Of all the bootleg labels that have come and gone the 'Madison' label was one of the very few that always produced high-quality releases and which happened to start at the same time as FTD. The designs were top-notch and with detailed sleeve notes they easily competed with the legal Elvis releases.
In 2021 ‘Madison’ have returned with the new bootleg ‘A Legendary Performer Volume 9’ but all is not what was promised. The Elvis bootleg vaults are empty and FTD appears to have won the game. Go here as EIN’s Piers Beagley checks out the lack of new material and considers the bootleg era at an end... And EIN wants YOUR SAY -Our article is now updated with YOUR FEEDBACK - and more... (Spotlight; Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Don't forget that EIN's Elvis Facebook page regularly features fabulous RARE newly discovered photos of Elvis. This month EIN celebrates our 45,000 members! - including several of Elvis' own friends and colleagues So Elvis fans don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs.
Now with over thousands of great photos, News and with more added every day – including YouTube footage.
Elvis "BACK ON DVD!": Paramount have re-released three classic Elvis movies this month on DVD. 'G.I. Blues'- BACK ON DVD! The year was 1960... 'Girls! Girls! Girls!' - BACK ON DVD! The year was 1962... 'Paradise, Hawaiian Style'- BACK ON DVD! The year was 1966...
From Paramount Pictures.-
Release date: March 12, 2021.
From Amazon for $14.99. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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‘From Elvis in Nashville’ Box-set EIN In-Depth Review:
A 4CD collection presenting the definitive chronicle of Elvis' 1970 marathon sessions with the "Nashville Cats".
Recorded live in RCA's Studio B over the course of an epic five day run in June 1970 now, for the first time, the sessions are presented in pristine audio, newly mixed by acclaimed engineer Matt Ross-Spang without the added overdubs appearing on earlier releases.
Elvis’ 1970 Nashville session was very different from the previous Memphis sessions or even Elvis’ later sessions. Nashville was a real mix of Elvis recording RCA supplied demos along with one-take spontaneous favourites Elvis threw into the mix.
As Elvis noted, "It don't take much to get these guys going, boy, I'll tell you…. Just give them a "well..." and they're gone. That's what I call 'Sittin' on ready". EIN's Piers Beagley explores this new box-set to discover one of the best Elvis releases in years..
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
US CD box-set
US Vinyl
UK CD box-set
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‘TTWII 50th Anniversary Collectors Edition’ FTD Book Review: FTD's most expensive set ever published, David English and Pal Granlund bring the complete background story of 'Elvis: That's The Way It Is'. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the movie's 1970 release, this ultimate collector's edition includes two hardback books, eight cds with over 450 minutes of music,
including newly discovered unreleased performances.
With access to 2,000 original negatives and 35mm slides, restored and repaired, many of which have never been seen before, the book also contains items from the MGM and RCA archives including paperwork, documents, memos and recording information.
Two books, 600 pages, plus all the MGM recorded rehearsals - including 70 tracks officially unreleased.
FTD's most expensive set but with the vast majority of the rehearsals already out on bootleg, can it really be worth the US$270 plus postage. Initially Sold Out and already into its first reprint what makes it so desirable? EIN's Piers Beagley investigates and discovers plenty .. Go here to our 6000 word review including plenty of extracts and stunning images. (FTD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
Amazon Deals on ELVIS Blu-rays - Beware of excessive prices at some Elvis dealers.
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'ELVIS In The 2010s' A Personal Review of the Past Decade: Rather like Elvis’s own career, each decade since Elvis’s death appears to have had a theme or identity of its own. Clearly the late 1970s were difficult for RCA as they struggled to find the right direction with which to take their posthumous releases, and so it was the 1980s that was the decade when the company slowly but surely learned how to look back at Elvis's legacy and start to make some sense of it.
The 1990s were when that reached a peak, with the decades boxed sets, and the Elvis in the 90s series, thus bringing virtually the whole catalogue back into print in a coherent way.
The 2000s were when errors of judgement at retail level started to occur (despite huge successes like Elv1s), but also when FTD came into its own and flourished. And so what will we make of Elvis releases of the 2010s when we look back on them from the future? Go here for EIN contributor Shane Brown's personal take on the highs and lows of Elvis product that has come our way over the last decade....
(Spotlight, Source;ShaneBrown/ElvisInformationNetwork)
Elvis LIVE Aug 23, 1969 Album Review + Elvis Concert Review 1969: ..."The atmosphere throughout the entire hotel was nail-bitingly electric! It is difficult for me to describe and paint a true portrait of attending in person this unique occasion - Elvis' Return to Splendor LIVE in 1969 - but I'll try my best. I want, and hope, you will understand the excitement of what has to be the pinnacle of Elvis' career to date!" Joan Gansky was lucky because not only was she in the audience for Elvis' TV musical renaissance of the '68 NBC Special but she also saw Elvis at his most dynamic - first at his August 22nd 1969 Midnight Show and then the following night at his August 23rd Dinner Show. Joan Gansky has written this insightful and emotional article for EIN in 2019, fifty years later, looking back at this special event from 1969 as well as providing her review of the new RCA vinyl album of the August 23rd Dinner Show. One of EIN's most important articles we have ever published- Go here for Joan and Paul Gansky's incredible articles and exclusive photos
(Review/Spotlight, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'What was Elvis searching for?' EIN Spotlight: The question is raised – but never answered – in the title of HBO’s recent absorbing, imperfect documentary 'Elvis Presley: The Searcher'.
At the start it seems clear what the teenage Elvis was searching for – an escape from the oblivion of poverty in the American South. Yet his quest was cultural as well as financial.
Later Elvis read obsessively, seeking out such books as The Impersonal Life, Joseph Brenner’s guide to self-discovery and Kahil Gibran’s book of fables, The Prophet. In his copy of Gibran’s tome, Elvis jotted down the line: “A singer can sing his songs but he must have an ear to receive the song”.
So what exactly was Elvis searching for? In this fascinating EIN Spotlight respected author Paul Simpson takes a close look at this all important question which, for some reason, was basically ignored in the recent HBO documentary..
Mindi Miller Interview with EIN: Mindi Miller was a working actress when she met Elvis in early 1975. She was interested in karate (she performed all her own movie stunts), exploring spirituality and the Bible and so they had a lot in common. Mindi Miller and Elvis bonded over their common interests and soon afterwards he asked her to go on tour with him in April 1975.
She stayed friends with Elvis through the years - along with members of the 'Memphis Mafia' - and attended his funeral.
EIN's Sanja Meegin recently caught up with Mindi Miller to talk about her close friendship with Elvis over the years.
In this fascinating interview she discusses. . . - Her first night with Elvis
- How Elvis persuaded her to cancel her overseas movie & modelling plans
- Their mutual interest in Karate
- Graceland and meeting Lisa Marie
- Attending Elvis' funeral . . . and much much more... Go here for EIN's Sanja Meegin and her intimate and detailed discussion with the delightful Mindi Miller - Now with Reader Feedback.
Official Elvis CD Box-sets at bargain prices through Amazon UK
'Marty Lacker: A Life Well-Lived' & Elvis at American Studio's Interview: It was with immense sadness that last month EIN had to report on the death of our great friend - and a true friend to Elvis - Marty Lacker. We will miss him dearly. Marty is well-known as one of the key members of the Memphis Mafia and also co-Best Man at Elvis' wedding. He was known for both his honesty and being forthright with his opinions. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia who still watched and commented on recent Elvis News. He had no issue with holding people to account (especially ones who would inflate their importance within Elvis' legacy) and would regularly ask EIN to add his comments or to correct any inaccuracy. Elvis fans often ask about Marty Lacker's background, how he came to meet Elvis, as well as his involvement in the music industry outside of working for The King.
As a prelude to Ken Sharp's fascinating interview with Marty Lacker and a discussion about Elvis' famous American Studio' Memphis sessions, EIN presents "Marty Lacker: a life well-lived" in which Marty tells of his life in the music industry, his friendship with Elvis along with his dislike of the over-controlling Col Parker. Go here to learn all you need to know about Marty Lacker as well as Elvis outstanding Memphis American Sound sessions in 1969. (Spotlight; Source,KenSharp/ElvisInformationNetwork)
'The World of FTD' In-Depth Review: The new deluxe book 'The World Of FTD' has been received by some lucky fans and Elvis collector Mike Lodge has provided EIN with a very detailed review - of well over 3 thousand words! The book was authored and designed by Keith Flynn with input from a large number of other Elvis specialists including EIN's Piers Beagley, EM&HM's Trevor Cajiao, Geoffrey McDonnell, Gordon Minto and many others. It is 1,200 pages, hardbound three book set, chronicling every release by FTD.The book also features 100s of high-quality photos from the collection Erik Lorentzen
KJ Consulting are proud to publish this Box Set which weighs 8 kilos.
Paul Dowling EIN Interview Part Three: Paul Dowling is without doubt one of the major names in the Elvis World. He started collecting and selling Elvis vinyl over 40 years ago and has one of the world's largest Elvis Presley record collections. He started his "WorldWide Elvis" shop back in the seventies, way before the internet, where fans could get hold of rare Elvis records and memorabilia.
With such a fascination with Elvis, Dowling not only became a big name in the early years of Elvis bootlegs but later became friends with Ernst Jorgensen and helped RCA with various official releases.
In the final part of our fascinating interview Paul Dowling discusses .... - Dodging the FBI agents that were sent after him
- Unreleased Elvis material that still hasn’t come out
- Why does Ernst Jorgensen doubt this claims
- His BMG project 'For The First Time Ever' - what happened
- The true story of obtaining the Million Dollar Quartet tape
- His thoughts on Paul Lichter, Sean Saver, Sherif Hanna, Rex Martin
- Spending time with Alan Fortas
- Jim Curtin, newly added story
'Ultimate Elvis' New Electronic Edition: Announced by Elvis sessions expert Keith Flynn for publication November 1 is the brand new concept of the 1750 page super-deluxe Elvis sessions book 'Ultimate Elvis' Electronic Edition.
This incredible three volume book will now be available as an e-book on an i-pad or android tablet. - Created in HTML5
Fully updated e-books will open in any web browser on any operating system, so no need for separate downloads for different operating systems. - Life-Like 'Flipping' Pages
Flip through pages as if you are reading an actual book, but also being able to zoom-in to view smaller images and captions.
- View as Double or Single pages
View as double pages on a computer or laptop etc, and single pages when viewing in portrait on an i-pad or Android tablet. - Fully Navigational Table Of Contents
Jump back and forth to the sections of the books you want to read, instead of flipping through numerous pages to find what you want. PRICED AT - all 3 Volumes for £60 = US$93
On sale from November 1st 2015. Try Before You Buy -
Download free zip-file containing 27 pages from Volume 1, before you decide to buy the complete set. -
NOTE - These books are MASSIVE so you will need approximately 1GB of spare disc space for these three volumes, -
Click HERE to Keith Flynn's 'Ultimate Elvis' Electronic Edition to try.
Go HERE to EIN's independent review of 'Ultimate Elvis' (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
Did Elvis Record 'Tiger Man' At Sun?: A question that has puzzled Elvis fans through the years is whether he actually recorded the song ‘Tiger Man’ during his years at SUN studios.
The basic question is why did Elvis refer to 'Tiger man' several times in concert as “The second song that I ever recorded, not too many people heard it”?
And if Elvis DID record it, then why hasn’t any reference to it at SUN or proof of its existence been found?
Elvis would first perform ‘Tiger Man’ in concert at his first 1969 Las Vegas International season and would continue playing it through the years – usually in a medley with Mystery Train - until his last performance at Saginaw on May 3 1977. He would sing it over 150 times on stage! The thought that there might be an acetate or undiscovered tape of Elvis at SUN singing ‘Tiger Man’ is a mouth-watering concept - but is it an unlikely fantasy or strong possibility?
Go here to our detailed 'TIGER MAN' spotlight as EIN's Piers Beagley puts in the hard yards to check the facts from the fantasy . (Spotlight; Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)
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The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club.
EIN is a not-for-profit Elvis Fan Club website posting daily news and informative articles for Elvis Presley's legion of fans.
EIN tries to credit all news sources, as well as link to the original articles if excerpts are used.
If you believe we have used copyrighted material please contact us and we will remove it immediately.
EIN also has a local Australian national Elvis Fan Club for paid up members featuring quarterly newsletters along with free EIN members cds plus an annual EIN Elvis Mega Quiz with special prizes.
The printed newsletters have extra content, articles and reviews to this website along with the popular Elvis EIN Mega Quiz.
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