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Best of Elvis on YouTube Pot Luck Susan MacDougall's Book Reviews

EPE for sale?: The company that owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley confirmed Monday that it is in talks over a possible sale.

CKX Inc. released a vague statement that admitted sale discussions are under way but was noncommittal over a timeline, price, terms or buyer.

One Equity Partners is the buyer, according to a Wall Street Journal report released Friday. CKX (NASDAQ: CKXE) shareholders would be paid about $6 per share, according to WSJ.

The New York-based entertainment company also owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of Muhammed Ali and the proprietary rights to the American Idol television franchise.

CKX released its annual report March 15 that showed Presley royalties and licensing revenue increased by 34.6 in 2009.

Attendance at Elvis’ Memphis home was also up in 2009. 542,728 people went to Graceland in 2009, a 1.2 percent increase compared to 536,196 in 2008. (News, Source: Memphis Business Journal)

Read EIN's comprehensive Archives on the Sale of EPE

New 3CD Boxset - Nashville Flashback The Alternate Albums: The Ultimate Nashville marathon........now out! Includes tons of alternate takes, rare live recordings and unreleased songs!! 'Thats The Way It Is', 'Elvis Country' and  'Love Letters From Elvis' the way you never heard them before! Click for more info and visuals

New FTDs shipped to dealers: Ernst Jorgensen has advised EP Gold that Elvis Now on double CD and Jailhouse Rock on double vinyl have been shipped to dealers.

Marty Lacker responds to Elvis and the coal mine tax fraud: Thanks to Marty for his comments on our story from last Tuesday: The coal mine deal was all Vernon Presley's idea but he used Elvis' money.  That's what happens when you allow someone unsophisticated and unknowledgeable in financial matters to handle your money.   The funny thing is that both Alan Fortas and I told Elvis that his money should and could be working for him if he would invest with legitimate and proven successful investment brokers.  He told us both at different times to speak with his father if we knew of good information.  When both of us, again at different times, went to the office to speak with Vernon he told us to mind our own damn business. When Elvis asked us what his father said, he just shrugged as if to say,"That's Daddy", after we told him what Vernon's answer was.   The two times Vernon invested Elvis' money they both failed.  The coal mine scam and a used car dealership.   However, unfortunately it makes Elvis look like the person scammed. Reads the original article Read "Marty's Musings" on EIN

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Aussie chart update: Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll climbs an impressive 17 spots on tomorrow's ARIA Music DVD Chart to #18. The release has been on the chart for 98 weeks and is still certified 2xP. On the Digital Download Album Chart Elvis has no entries but significantly another deceased music icon, Jimi Hendrix, continues to chart with his album, Valleys of Neptune (down from #9 to #22). This begs the question.......how can Sony encourage digital downloads of Elvis releases, such as the current Sony Legacy Elvis release, On Stage? (News, Source: ARIA)

 

'Jailhouse Rock' EIN in-depth FTD Soundtrack review: Jailhouse Rock is one of Elvis' key films, and certainly his best "musical". Directed by Richard Thorpe and produced by Pandro Berman it reached #3 of Variety's weekly list of Top Grossing films. Despite being a genuine "musical" in the old MGM sense the film featured only 6 songs and only a Single and Extended Play was released. Of course both the Single and EP went to Number 1 and several CD compilations have since been released. Can FTD really treat us to something worth buying all over again? Who else could write 5,000 words on an old Elvis soundtrack?  The first CD presents a compilation of 29 highlights divided into The Originals, RCA Alternate Masters, Movie Masters but with only 6 songs can FTD really give us anything new? EIN's Piers Beagley reveals all... (FTD Reviews, Source;EIN)

Go Backstage with Elvis Presley: EPE suggest that if you have not visited Elvis Backstage 1969, be sure you take some time to browse around the Web site for a fun online interactive experience. Read Elvis’ personal telegrams, play a few chords on his guitar, look through the clothing on his clothes rack, flip through the Colonel’s scrapbook, and lots more. This virtual experience features rare Elvis memorabilia, photos, artifacts, video and audio clips and much more. Also, be sure to click on the 'Elvis in Person' poster on the back door for a brand new addition to the site. Click here to go EPE backstage. EIN says it takes a while to load but there is a lot of fun to be had. Try it! (News, Source;EPE)

FTD are working on 1976 Birmingham And Dallas new Release: EIN has reason to believe that FTD is working on the supposed new December 1976 live double-pack. In fact the issue was discussed with EIN as far back as 2002 - so it still may be a few months away!! Remember that EIN was the first site to tell you about the FTD Jailhouse Rock release back in 2007 - released 18 months later and reviewed above. Back in 2002 Ernst Jorgensen told us at EIN.. Ernst.J – We have the three December 1976 shows and one of them could be the basis of a CD and the highlights from the others. None of them are complete on soundboards because the tapes weren’t long enough for those shows. ... So we will definitely do that in the future." Go here for EIN exclusive Ernst Jorgensen interviews (News, Source;EIN)

FREE download from Elvis' new "On Stage Legacy Edition" Album:  Download a free track from Elvis' On Stage (Legacy Edition). You can have Elvis’ “Walk A Mile In My Shoes” free and 'on the house', but it won’t last long. Don’t let this deal get away! As Colonel Parker would say, "What does it cost if it is free?" Click here to download your free MP3 track now. (News, Source;EIN)

Elvis Newseum, Washington exhibit: The power of Elvis & the explosive impact he had on music and popular culture is the demonstrated in the Newseum exhibit featuring stage costumes and other professional and personal mementos from the Graceland collection. The exhibit tells the story of Presley as he was portrayed in the news media and explores how his music and physicality pushed the boundaries of mainstream taste and free expression during a time when America was experiencing deep generational shifts. Produced in collaboration with EPE the Newseum exhibit includes a number of rare objects from the Graceland vaults that have never before been publicly displayed. See private telegrams, letters and scrapbooks that chronicle Presley’s rise as a music and media sensation, as well as his death and his enduring legacy. The exhibit also includes an original Newseum-produced video featuring vintage

TCB guitarist James Burton Gets Legends Award Honor: TCB guitarist James Burton will be recognized at the Louisiana Public Broadcasting Louisiana Legends Awards May 6 in Baton Rouge. Each year Friends of LPB honors outstanding Louisiana citizens who have distinguished themselves in a variety of disciplines including writing, art, entertainment, politics, public service and athletics. Burton, a Minden native who grew up in Shreveport before leaping into the greater world of popular music, joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and over the last decade has added the title philanthropist to his list of achievements through the annual James Burton Rock and Roll International Guitar Festival. Through that he raises money to purchase guitars and put music back in classrooms. He’s donated hundreds to students throughout Caddo and Bossier parishes. James Burton is one of five people who will receive this award. The ceremony will be at 8 p.m. May 6 at the Old State Capitol in downtown Baton Rouge. A champagne and dessert reception will follow. (News, Source:ShreveportTimes)

Parkes crowns Australia's Elvis World Cup qualifier: Elvis re-entered the building in Parkes for the inaugural King's Castle Elvis World Cup Australian Qualifier last weekend. 35 Elvis Tribute Artists strutted their stuff on the stage at the Parkes Leagues Club in the battle to become Australia's representative for the Elvis World Cup being staged in Wales later this year. Elvises had travelled from around the country to compete, with fan clubs in tow, and had the opportunity to meet some special guests in the process. Joe Esposito, Elvis' former Tour Manager and good friend travelled to Parkes from Las Vegas to be part of the judging panel, along with Fat Pizza’s Rob Shehadie, and former Yellow Wiggle Greg Page. 12 finalists were selected from heats held over the two days to participate in the Finalé Concert which had the audience enthralled. Mark Andrew (right) from Melbourne was crowned winner with his performances of 'That's the Way It Is' and 'You Gave Me a Mountain' in the final. Dean Vegas from Brisbane also performed 'You Gave Me a Mountain' along with crowd pleaser 'Burning Love' to take out runner-up. Both artists have previously been Feature Artists at the CountryLink Parkes Elvis Festival. Mark Andrew's prize package includes a trip to Wales to represent Australia in the Elvis

Rare Elvis Movie Poster for Sale: Rock-On-Collectibles are offering this fascinating Elvis movie poster for sale on Ebay. By the artist Kozik (and signed) the movie title is The Job and features actor Jesse Garon. It would look great on your wall! Check it out go here.         (News, Source;Nigel/ElvisInfoNet)

Treasures archived for discovery: Elvis Presley’s first record: In a room stacked floor to ceiling with records from some of the best musicians of the 20th Century, Elvis Presley fans will find quite the treat.The King’s very first record lives in the Marr Sound Archives at Miller Nichols Library. Featuring “That’s All Right” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” it was recorded in Memphis, Tenn., under the Sun Records Company label.When Presley was first trying to get a start in the music business, he struggled. Nothing came of his first recording session at Sun Records. Determined to give music another shot, he returned to the studio in 1954 to record two more songs, “Casual Love Affair” and “I’ll Never Stand in Your Way.”Founder of Sun Records Sam Phillips did not give Presley many words of encouragement, but he did take his number and address.Presley did not hear back from Phillips until Peer Music of Nashville sent Sun Records a demo of “Without You” and Phillips decided to let Presley have a shot at recording it.

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Petaluma is the first stop for this year’s tour of “Elvis! Grace and Grit,” which is a traveling show circulated by ARTVision Exhibitions, a company that provides photographic exhibitions to museums worldwide.

The exhibit will be on display at the Petaluma Museum through June 30.

“I knew after the Schindler exhibit earlier this year, and before ‘The Vietnam Experience’ set for later this year, that it was important to do something fun for the summer that worked well with the downtown events, so Elvis seemed perfect,” said museum president Joe Noriel. “He would be 75 this year, and many major publications are in retrospect mode. Elvis is an American icon with huge appeal.”

Born in Tupelo, Miss., Presley began his musical career in 1954. Presley was one of the originators of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country with rhythm and blues. His first RCA single, “Heartbreak Hotel,” released in January 1956, was a No. 1 hit. In November 1956, he made his film debut in “Love Me Tender.”

During his career, Presley was nominated for 14 Grammies — winning three — and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36. Presley died in 1977 at the age of 42 from a prescription drug overdose.

“Elvis! Grace and Grit” features 33 candid and on-the-air photographs from the CBS archives documenting Presley’s life during the late ’50s and early ’60s. The exhibit celebrates Presley’s 75th birthday and includes a display of many rare Presley artifacts — making it the largest Presley exhibit in the Bay Area.

“The images we are getting are very exclusive, from CBS,” said Noriel. “We are adding many personal donated items on loan from many local fans. We have everything from Elvis Shampoo to a rare 78 of ‘Hound Dog,’ a full Elvis suit, movie items and you name it.”

A preview party for Petaluma Museum members will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 31. There will be a silent auction of rare Presley special edition lithographs. An opening night party for the general public begins at 7 p.m. and includes a screening of Presley’s “1968 Comeback Show.” As part of the exhibit, the museum will show a 61-minute video documentary, “Elvis ’56,” at 1:30 p.m. every Saturday.

For details, contact the Petaluma Museum at 778-4398. (News, Source: Yovanna Bieberich, Argus-Courier)

Elvis and the Coal Mine - an exercise in tax fraud!: The Elvis story never ceases to reveal new or little known facts, as an item from the December 15, 1980 edition of TIME magazine highlights. Click here to read of the tax scam and how Elvis was (unwittingly) its biggest investor!

More on Elvis and his taxes... Elvis was no tea partyer: Maybe the rabidly anti-tax bunch known as the tea partyers who claim the mantle of patriotism as their own and love to yell "socialism" at the drop of a hat ought to take the time to seek out an example of a genuine patriot, namely the man who reportedly held the distinction at the time of his death of having paid more taxes to the federal government than any other individual in U.S. history. This man sought no tax dodges, no tax shelters and no tax loopholes. He didn't help fund any lobbyists to see tax breaks for people in his position, didn't pressure politicians to cut the taxes of successful folks like himself and didn't whimper and moan about the taxes he owed.

He refused to hire tax consultants and clever lawyers to look for ways to reduce his tax burden - because taxes weren't a burden by his way of thinking. Rather, taxes were a way of giving back to the country he loved.

Yes, maybe the tea partyers ought to reflect on the life of this great American, Elvis Aron Presley. Annually, Elvis would gather his financial records together and entrust them to the Internal Revenue Service, allowing them to determine what his tax bill amounted to. He then wrote a check in that amount with a smile on his face, faithfully knowing that he was contributing his fair share to his beloved United States of America.

That, my friends, is true patriotism in action. Perhaps if we had more patriots like the King around instead of the overabundance of egomaniacally selfish fakers, our country wouldn't be in the financial mess that it is.

Take your own advice. Love it or leave it. JOHN N. FISHEL (Source: ydr.com)

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On Stage CD released: The latest Sony Legacy 2CD has been released in the US and Europe. After an eight-year absence from live performance, Elvis Presley made his triumphant return to the concert stage in 1969 at The International Hotel in Las Vegas. On the heels of "Suspicious Minds," "In The Ghetto," the '68 Comeback Special and the acclaimed album. From Elvis In Memphis, the year that man landed on the moon was also the year that Elvis re-claimed his standing as the ultimate live performer. On Stage and Elvis In Person are the classic live albums that capture the shows which forever cemented the long and famous association between the iconic entertainer and the sparkling desert city. Now, in the year of Elvis' 75th birthday and the launch of Cirque du Soleil's Viva Elvis show in Las Vegas, this 2-CD Legacy Edition presents both albums in their entirety, plus nine bonus tracks and a rehearsal take of "The Wonder Of You," the hit version of which is also featured. These transcendent performances chronicle Elvis' creative rebirth as a stage performer and showcase The King's deep connection with his loyal audience. Initial reports comment very favorably on the booklet and Vic Anesini's remastering.

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Elvis banned in Germany: Half a century ago, March 21st 1960: the government of East Germany bans all records and films by Elvis. The decision was taken earlier, on February 17th 1960, but the 'ban' was official on March 21st. Teenagers that bought or played Elvis's music or watched his movies, could be sent to court for "indecent behaviour". Times have changed since, indeed...(News, Source: Elvis Matters)

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Elvis researcher, Bob Hayden, looking for input to revised edition of Gold Caddy book: Just wanted to write to you and your readers on the EIN website in regards my recently released book “Elvis Presley’s Gold Cadillac Tour of Australasia 1968-1969”.

The first issue has been sold out and I have just had a few more copies printed to meet the demand, especially from overseas.

I would like to thank you and you members for giving me all the help with getting this book out to the Elvis world.

Since the book has been releasd I have been receiving additional information from various places around Australia, and have decided to revise the book and then have it printed later in the year. I am hoping it will be printed in hard cover format.

If anyone has anything they would like to see included in the revised addition, please send me the details as soon as possible.

Thanks once again for all the help and assistance. Bob Hayden........................ Email Bob

Read EIN's review of: Elvis Presley's GOLD Cadillac Tour of Australasia 1968-69

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Lisa Marie might well say…..Stories of my weight gain have been greatly exaggerated: Recent stories and images of a greatly overweight Lisa Marie are, in fact, the result of a fictional story from The Spoof! The by line for the story was: This is Herodo Rivera reporting for The Sewer. The story appears to have been picked up by that doyen of tabloid magazines......the National Enquirer, although the Enquirer "downsized" LMP to 165lbs (The Spoof! had Lisa Marie at 175lbs)!

Visit EIN's comprehensive section on Lisa Marie Presley (news, reviews, articles, photos)

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And also from The Spoof!.......For the third time this year, the house with the Elvis Presley ghost is up for sale.

No, it's not the big house in Graceland. Plus it's not any one house. A couple of con artists have been caught after selling at least twenty other versions of the "House Haunted By Elvis Presley' all through the South.

Apparently Jacob and Joy Mathers of Alabama decided to sell their own house back in 1992 but had no buyers. Since Jacob earned his money by doing Elvis imitations all over the US and in other countries, Joy had the idea of listing the $200,000 house for $250,000 with the ad also saying, "Haunted by Elvis Presley".

It sold in three weeks.

Then, sure enough, "Elvis" appeared at odd times. Half of a banana sandwich would be found, etc. This worked so well for the Mathers that they have since sold at least a dozen or so houses "haunted by Elvis Presley" over the past 18 years.

"They kept a chart and every so often, "Elvis" would make an appearance", stated Sheriff Lonnie Bratcher of Jasper, Georgia.

After their arrest for fraud, it was revealed that some ghost hunters were the ruin of the Elvis couple. After hearing about a house haunted by Elvis Presley, they began to find half a dozen more.

"These people were swindled and lied to, but you know what, only three would prosecute the Mathers. The rest all still believe that Elvis really does haunt their house!" (EIN NOTE: This is a SPOOF story!!!)

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Elvis the wild sea otter to be honoured: A Scots fishing village made famous by the children's TV programme Balamory is to honour Elvis - a wild sea otter. The friendly mammal with the famous name was found dead under an upturned boat in Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull. During his lifetime, Elvis had become a local celebrity and was a favourite attraction with tourists. Mull's Sea Life Surveys has set up a memorial fund for Elvis and a local councillor has called for a statue to be erected in his honour.

Slicked hair - Helen Chalmers, who runs a bed and breakfast in Tobermory, told BBC Radio Scotland that Elvis became famous for "his ease" around people.

"Elvis seemed to be particularly comfortable with people watching him and was quite happy pottering about the main street of Tobermory with the tourists and the locals," she said.

Mrs Chalmers said the otter was given his name as his hair was always "slicked back" and "he was a bit of a performer". She added: "I've spoken to some wildlife experts and they say that when one (otter) passes away then the territory is open for another to come along and take their place. "Maybe he's left some baby otter that might come along and fill his shoes." (Odd Spot, Source: BBC News)

Visit EIN's Odd Spot page.....wacky, weird and unusual stories from the Elvis world

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Aussie chart update: On this week's ARIA Music DVD Chart, Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll slipped 3 spots to #35 after 97 weeks on the chart.

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Food for thought:

"Viva Elvis is skewed toward fans who are captivated by the cultural excess of Graceland

rather than those drawn to the startling power of his best music"

(Randy Lewis, LA Times in his review of Cirque Du Soleil's Viva Elvis)

Cancer hits Sherill Nielsen: There seems to be no end to the bad tidings these days from the former Elvis musical entourage. According to several email messages, Sherill (Sean) Nielsen suffers from cancer of the lungs.  (News, Source: Elvis Matters) 

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Restaurant Elvis set for Georgia, Russia: Restaurant Elvis is planning to open a new branch in Mtatsminda Park by the end of April. According to Vika Chikaidze, assistant to the General Manager of Elvis, the restaurant’s income has increased by 60-70% since its opening. She says that demand for Elvis fast food is very high and the number of their clients is increasing. Such high demand for Elvis’s fast food could have a negative impact on the McDonald’s business in Georgia which has led the local fast food market for the past 12 years. Recently McDonald’s started offering lower prices for its products. The company now claims to offer products at very affordable prices. Its advertisements are now common on outdoor billboards. The prices for Elvis fast food are higher than in the McDonald’s chain but Elvis representatives claim that the popularity of their food is determined by the larger size of the hamburgers and the Thai food. The Elvis fast food restaurant, located in Tbilisi ’s Philharmonic concert hall, invested 1,200,000 USD in its Georgian business. “The franchising cost of Elvis was quite high, the full amount of which is about 250,000 USD,” Magalashvili said. “We are competing with the other fast food restaurants present on the local market. We offer our consumers 3 types of cuisine: Thai, American and Italian. We have fast food on the first floor and on the second floor we offer our customers a restaurant service. Elvis also has a delivery service, which has become much in demand over the last two weeks and we are hoping that the popularity of this service will increase still further,” Chikaidze says. “Since its opening the number of Elvis’s customers has increased by 50%. Elvis is very popular in Tbilisi . The reason for its popularity is because of the high quality of service and food Elvis offers its consumers,” Chikaidze says. According to Chikaidze, Elvis was something new for most people and many were drawn to it by their interest in tasting the unusual cuisine on offer at the restaurant, for example the Thai menu. According to Chikaidze, From Monday to Friday between 11 and 4 o’clock, Elvis offers its customers a business lunch deal at very low prices. “During this time you can get a hamburger with potato chips and a Coke for just 8 GEL,” she says. “The fact that Elvis is located in such a prime place, in the Philharmonic concert hall, attracts even more customers. Before and after concerts or other events in the Events Hall, Elvis is full of clients,” Chikaidze says. In the summer Elvis plans to add an open air restaurant outside of the branch in the Philharmonic hall. According to Chikaidze Elvis’s service is suitable for business people as well. “Due to our delivery service, we have quite a large amount of orders from foreign Embassies in Georgia. This month we will host delegations from Azerbaijan and Armenia. We already hosted a delegation from the American Embassy,” Chikaidze says. “We have corporate clients and various companies existing in Georgia are already our loyal clients. In corporate sales we are also competing with other fast food restaurants existing in Georgia,” Chikaidze says. (News, Source: Elvis Unlimited /Elvis News)

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Monday 22 March 2010

'A Minnesota Moment' FTD in-depth review: Elvis live-in-concert in 1976 is not an easy year to review. There were no major set-list changes and more often than not Elvis was on auto-pilot, bored and overmedicated. Apart from the exceptional blast of the final December Tour, 1976 in retrospect seems a slow downward spiral. However, as with everything Elvis, there are always contradictions, changes and sometimes light at the end of the tunnel. The month leading up to Elvis' October 1976 Tour saw a positive change and Elvis' concert in Minnesota on October 17th 1976 captures a somehat rejuvenated Elvis as he headed towards those final great December 1976 concerts. With the help of Elvis fan Steve Lecher who actually attended the concert, EIN's Piers Beagley has a close look at the new FTD release. (FTD Reviews, Source;EIN)

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50 Years ago, March 20th "Elvis Was Back'!: On Sunday March 20th 1960 Elvis and his entourage left Graceland for RCA's Nashville Studio B for sessions that would become one of his key Studio recordings of all-time. Producing seven multi-million-selling singles in just two night's work! Elvis’ original guitarist Scotty Moore was there, along with The Jordanaires and, in an inspired move, Elvis had decided to use two drummers for a more forceful sound with D.J Fontana back alongside ace session-drummer Buddy Harman. The session was arranged as top secret. As Engineer Bill Porter noted, "The session was booked at 7 o'clock on a Sunday night. Elvis showed up at about a quarter to nine. That was normal for him. He always recorded all night long. At the very beginning of the first cut I sensed an eeriness in the control room, like somebody's behind you watching and you just want to look. Finally I did, and right behind me was Colonel Parker, Elvis, Steve Sholes (RCA's A&R) and the VP from RCA all looking at me like if I made a mistake they were going to grab me. Nobody said anything the whole time because, as I was later told, Elvis hadn't sung in a studio in two years and they weren't sure what was going to happen! The rest is history." That night Elvis cut ‘Make Me Know It’, ‘Soldier Boy’, ‘Stuck On You’, ‘Fame & Fortune’, ‘A Mess Of Blues’ & ‘It Feels So Right’. See EIN's in-depth review of the sensational 'Elvis Is Back' (News, Source;EIN)

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FTD to release 1976 Birmingham And Dallas Shows?: There are ongoing rumours about the recent announcement by ElvisNews.com that the FTD label will release both 1976 shows from the last week of December as a double-pack. While the issue was discussed with EIN as far back as 2002 we have still had no actual confirmation of this rumour. Only last week Audionics re-released the 1976 Dallas concert as 'At Full Force' so the news story could be due to "darker forces" at work. Back in 2002 Ernst Jorgensen told us at EIN.. E.J – We have the three December 1976 shows and one of them

could be the basis of a CD and the highlights from the others. None of them are complete on soundboards because the tapes weren’t long enough for those shows. Or there is a possibility to do one of them as a show. The problem is that the one that is out on bootleg is actually the best sound quality, so should we then release the one that is not out on bootleg and take the best of the other one? These are decisions to be made. Some of us know enough about the bootlegs.. they don’t sell that much.. so it shouldn’t be an excuse for not releasing anything. So we will definitely do that in the future." EIN is awaiting official confirmation of the story. Go here for EIN exclusive Ernst Jorgensen interviews (News, Source;EIN)

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ETA Mark Andrew wins 'The Elvis World Cup Australian Qualifier': The Australian competition this past weekend to find the Australian representative in the Elvis World Cup being held in Cardiff, Wales in July was won by Mark Andrew (shown right). Judges included Elvis' Tour Manager Joe Esposito from Vegas and former Yellow Wiggle Greg Page. Parkes in Australia is home to the world's biggest Elvis Birthday festival, go here for more info and interviews with the Australian entrants. Go here to the Mark Andrew website (News, Source;ParkesElvisFestival)

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Myrna still not out of hospital! Despite earlier stories, Dennis Jale has told Elvis Unlimited that Myrna Smith is still at the hospital in London recovering from pneumonia and that they hope she can leave for Austria early next week. From EIN and everyone in our our fan club, we wish her a speedy recovery. Go here for EIN's exclusive interview with Myrna Smith. (News, Source;EIN/elvisunlimited.com)

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Viva Elvis - Glitzy, glamorous, affectionate, but the King's still a mystery: Randy Lewis, from the Los Angeles Times recently took in Cirque Du Soleil's eye poppingly spectacular 'Viva Elvis' show. His review records the audio-visual grandeur of the show and questions its inability to explore the mystery of just who Elvis was. ....There's also a gorgeous and moving aerial pas de deux in which two members of the troupe float effortlessly through the air to accompany the weightless sound of Elvis' vocal on Are You Lonesome Tonight?..... Read the full review here

James Burton reveals Elvis' band never had stage monitors: In between, I saw a little bit of the latest incarnation of Hole, with Courtney Love on her best raunchy behavior, had a chat with the queen of rockabilly, the great Wanda Jackson, heard James Burton talk about playing with Elvis and saw a fun show by Smokey Robinson, who can still hit the high notes..... As for Burton, he had plenty to say about his nine years playing with Elvis Presley. One of the greatest guitarists ever, Burton was with Elvis until he died. Among the most mindboggling things he said: that Elvis's band never had stage monitors, even in the '70s and just had to try to follow the King. (News, Source: L. KENT WOLGAMOTT/Lincoln Journal Star)

New FTD titles announced: This summer the FTD label will release both shows from the last week of December 1976 as a double package. Both concerts have seen release on import labels. Only last week Audionics re-released the Dallas concert as At Full Force... FTD who own both original masters to the shows needs some help from you people. Very few known photos do exist of the December 28 concert. If you have any, and possible newspaper reviews of both shows, please contact us and we will pass it on to Ernst Jorgensen at FTD. Your help will be greatly appreciated. (News, Source: Elvis News)

Anyone for a hot cuppa?.....Elvis teabags: As you can see it's not only Elvis Teabags! What Elvis can't sell, huh? (News, Source: Elvis Unlimited/ EP Gold)

Hendrix breaks Elvis’ record: The Jimi Hendrix Experience's Valleys Of Neptune enters The Billboard 200 at #4, putting the rock legend back in the top five nearly 40 years after he died at the tragically young age of 27. No other artist has cracked the top five this long after his death. Elvis Presley is in second place. His Elvis: 2nd To None debuted at #3 in October 2003, a little more than 26 years after his death.

Hendrix is the second music legend to make the top five posthumously in the past two weeks. Johnny Cash bowed at #3 two weeks ago with American VI: Ain't No Grave. But Cash died less than seven years ago. It's more remarkable for an artist who died four decades ago to make significant chart waves. (News, Source: Paul Grein, Chart Watch, Yahoo Music!)

Has Elvis really left the building?: So this year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the birth of Elvis? There was a feature article last Sunday in The Tallahassee Democrat, which kept the legend alive. I have never been an Elvis fan, yet through the years, I have seen Elvis in person three times, probably more so than the most rabid fans. Admitting not being an Elvis fan leaves one open to severe criticism from today's seniors, those raging hormone teenagers of the 1950s and '60s. I'll take my lumps. My first live Elvis sighting occurred in 1955 at the Armory in Tampa, one of those buildings that could accommodate large stage-show audiences. My buddy at the time had this love of country music, and he would drag me along for company to these shows. So here we were one Sunday afternoon in the Tampa Armory suffering through a plethora of Nashville wannabees. Finally, the last act was announced, and we soon would be outta there. The last act guy roared on stage, gyrating and jumping to the music, standing and dancing on his toes, strumming his guitar so hard that he broke the strings. From behind us, a small group of hormone raging teenage girls began to hoop, holler and weep, yell and stomp along with the guy on stage. "What the heck is this? Who is this guy?" I incredulously asked my buddy. "It's Elvis Presley," my buddy, big grin on his face, excitedly announced. The show is over and we are leaving the Armory when we encounted that same group of over-exuberate teenagers, hormones still raging.

My second live Elvis sighting occurred one year later. My buddy dragged me back to the armory again, for another country music show. It was Elvis again, only this time, he had top billing, now on a grand southern tour, and packing them in.

Elvis returned........The Armory rocked.......Pandemonium prevailed.

Chairs were there to stand on. Decorum was dismissed. It was my second live encounter with Elvis, and I was not amused nor entertained.

Many years later, my third sighting of Elvis came in Lakeland, Fla., in the mid 1970s. No buddy to drag me to the show this time. Instead, I now had a wife, clearly an Elvis fan.

I loved Frank Sinatra, she didn't. She loved Elvis, I didn't. Even today on occasion, Faye threatens to play Elvis records. Lakeland had recently completed a multi-million dollar civic center complex of buildings of which included an arena, about three times the size of the Tampa Armory. Elvis is now in his 40s with considerable girth.

"Here I am," he said to the audience, "The fatty."

But did that sway the crowd? Noooooooo.

So there we were assembled, Elvis with his entourage of orchestra and backup chorus. It's hot in the arena, and Elvis goes through scarf after scarf, mopping his sweating brow, then leans down and over the stage to the ladies gathered in front, and wrapping the sweat-drenched scarfs around the necks of swooning former mid-50s hormone raging teenagers.

Who cared if he was "fatty?" They didn't.

I will admit, it was a pretty good show, professionally performed, well worth the price of admission, with Elvis a much more polished entertainer.

In my three sightings of Elvis, and to this day, I never considered Elvis a singer, nor have I ever thought he had much talent. Elvis was the King of rock n roll marketing, the highly successful product of his promoters and publicists, which made him and many other people a lot of money.

No question, Elvis loved what he was doing, and a lot of people loved what he was doing. So I guess that's OK if it brought some joy to your life. But it was the beginning of high-tech marketing, targeted toward a particular audience segment. It continues today, making big stars of non-talented performers. They rarely make music anymore. Classify it organized noise.

At 75, I wonder what Elvis would look like today. How would he have aged. Would he continue to call himself "fatty," or would he have slimmed and gracefully aged.

Being almost the age of Elvis myself, I look in the mirror and think: Elvis might look much like myself— handsome with a gorgeous full head of gray hair, suave, intelligent, wise, swarthy, yet still attractive to mid 50s teenagers.

Or he might be the opposite, retaining all his millions, taking a current page from the life of Tiger Woods, chasing cocktail waitresses in Las Vegas. (Article, Source: Jim Smith, thepostsearchlight.com)

New Elvis artifact added to Insiders: Since Elvis' birth is the featured Elvis Timeline event for March, every week an artifact relating to Elvis' childhood in Tupelo is featured in the exclusive image gallery on ElvisInsiders.com. This week's artifact features Elvis' 7th grade report card. Insiders can log into the members-only website to see in which subjects Elvis excelled and struggled. Last week, Insiders got to see the program from Elvis' 6th grade assemply at Tupelo High School, in which he played the part of a judge. Every week, a new rare or never-before-seen artifact, photo or document from the Graceland archives is added to the exclusive gallery, just for members, on ElvisInsiders.com. Not an Insider? Click here to learn more about the Elvis Insiders or to join today! (News, Source: EPE)

'The King's Castle Elvis World Cup Australian Qualifier' this weekend: Parkes Australia, home to the world's biggest Elvis Birthday festival, this weekend presents 'The King's Castle Elvis World Cup Australian Qualifier'. This competition will find the Australian representative in the Elvis World Cup being held in Cardiff, Wales in July, and fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Elvis' Tour Manager Joe Esposito from Vegas and former Yellow Wiggle Greg Page as guest

New Praytome Publishing book: Elvis Covering the Nation ’72 is the title of the next book release from Praytome Publishing. The work began several weeks ago with the photographs of Ed Bonja, the official Tour Manager and "Photographer for the Elvis Presley Show during the 1970’s. Bonja’s photos are well known world-wide, because Colonel Tom Parker chose many of his photos as cover shots for Elvis’ LP Albums and Singles. Bonja met Elvis for the first time during the shooting of "Girl Happy" in 1964 and later worked with the king on tours during the 70's, as well as in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe, where he took over 8,000 photos of Elvis and the tour happenings. Many of these photos remain unpublished even today. (News, Source: Amber Smith)

Elvis stepbrother, Billy Stanley, looking for help with film distribution: Many thanks to Steven B. Roberts (Discovering Elvis) for the following news item. Image source: Elvis Memories

 

During the stops along the way, and in a more intimate setting, I told many of the great and wonderful stories I had growing up with Elvis. I spent 17 years with this truly amazing man, and I wanted to show what it was like to grow up with the King of Rock and Roll as your big brother, from a member of Rock and Roll's first family. Billy Stanley.

If you can help, contact Billy

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Avis and Budget car rentals special deal for Elvis fans: EPE has announced:

Use the Avis Worldwide Discount Number B559700 to save up to 25% anywhere and every time you rent!*

Elvis Fans who use the above Avis Worldwide Perks Code will receive special discounts and Avis preferred service when they rent a car. Avis Preferred Service, which is available at nearly 1,400 locations worldwide, will allow Elvis fans to enjoy faster reservations and bypass lines at the counter and provides a variety of benefits including:


- The ability to save up to 25 percent off rates throughout the U.S., Canada and international locations
- Complimentary enrollment in Avis Preferred Service for residents of the U.S. and Canada
- Seasonal offers including money off weekly and weekend rentals, SUVs and specialty vehicles

- Guaranteed use of a non-smoking vehicle in the U.S. and Canada
- Special rates for Elvis Week, The Elvis Motor Classic Car Show, The Elvis Cruise and other events

To book your discounted Avis car rental today, visit Avis.com or call 1-800-831-8000.

*Applicable only at participating locations. Some restrictions apply.

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Use the Budget Offer Code (BCD) R217800 to save up to 20% anywhere and every time you rent!*

With Budget’s free Rapid Rez and Fastbreak rewards programs, renting is made easy, and you can even by-pass the counter, depending on the program you choose. Both programs are always free to everyone.* Perks include:

- The ability to save up to 20 percent off the lowest available rate throughout the U.S.& Canada
- Complimentary enrollment in Budget’s RapidRez program (can upgrade for free to Fastbreak)
- Seasonal offers including money off weekly and weekend rentals, SUVs and specialty vehicles 
- Guaranteed use of a non-smoking vehicle in the U.S. and Canada
- Special rates for Elvis Week, The Elvis Motor Classic Car Show, The Elvis Cruise and other events

To book your discounted Budget car rental today, visit Budget.com or call 1-800-455-2848.

*Applicable only at participating locations. Some restrictions apply.

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Michael Jackson record deal eclipses Elvis: As the Elvis estate could tell you, being dead is a great business deal.  Michael Jackson’s estate is living proof of that, as his heirs, controllers, and various business managers have negotiated the biggest record deal in history for the singer, who died only 9 months ago in mid-preparation for a string of comeback concerts.   The deal is reported to be worth an estimated minimum $200 million dollars, with a high ceiling of $250 million dollars possible.  That’s not even the best-case scenario for this sprawling 10-year deal with Sony Music that covers 7 projects. These include video games, unreleased songs, new albums, and a re-release of Jackson’s solo album, Off The Wall.  Go here to EIN's Jackson Lisa Marie Spotlight

Not included is merchandising, which makes this deal even more impressive and profitable for the Jackson family.  That’s a pretty impressive deal for a guy who, for 10 years before his death, was a total pariah whose last album was lucky to break even.  Imagine how big this deal would have been had Michael Jackson 2009 had been as popular as Michael Jackson 1984! (News, Source: Popfi)

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Myrna Smith on the mend!: Yesterday Sweet Inspiration Myrna Smith was hospitalized in London while touring with the new Elvis show. Myrna was on her way home from the Elvis Presley In Concert Tour when she suddenly had to be rushed off the airplane. Myrna had been battling pneumonia and kidney problems during the entire tour. But like a true professional, Myrna kept TCBing! Today Elvis Unlimited spoke with Myrna just before her release from the hospital. Myrna will head to Vienna tomorrow where she will be working with Dennis Jale. We want you all to know Myrna sounded great! She was in very good spirits. There was no surgery, just some well deserved rest was needed. Myrna asked us to thank all her friends for your well wishes and concerns. She said not to worry! And was very touched by everyone's concern for her. Myrna is back in business. And ready to TCB once again! Go here for EIN's exclusive interview with Myrna Smith. (News Source;elvisunlimited.com)

Sylvia Shemwell, Sweet Inspiration Singer Passes Away: It is with deep sadness that Elvis Unlimited broke the news of Sylvia Shemwell's death on February 13, 2010. Sylvia was an original member of The Sweet Inspirations (left in the photo). She stopped touring with the group in 2001 due to a stroke. Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Sylvia Shemwell also began singing at the young age of 5-years-old. By the time She had turned 14, she'd won a contest for the Apollo Amateur Hour. She has worked with such greats as, Little Esther, Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett, The Drifters, Gene Pitney, Connie Francis, the Bee Gees and Aretha Franklin. Sylvia began singing with the 'Gospellaires' in 1959. The group consisted of Dionne Warwick, Sylvia's little sister DeeDee, and her brother John Utley. Dionne Warwick eventually joined Burt Bacharach on tour. She was then replaced by Whitney's mother, Cissy Houston.

‘ORIGINAL ELVIS TRIBUTE’ WEBSITE & TOUR UPDATE:   The website for the ’Original Elvis Tribute 2010’ is now updated. New additions include a new installment in MICHAEL’S CORNER, the column by Elvis-songwriter Michael Jarrett. In it, he tells the story of how he wrote I’M LEAVIN’, and apparently, it all began in a small glass shower in Hawaii… Go to www.elvisnews.dk to read the full story. Michael Jarrett will be touring as part of ‘The Original Elvis Tribute 2010’ in May, together with a.o. Elvis mid-70s bassplayer Duke Bardwell and top Elvis-soundalike Robert Washington. This topnotch production will visit Holland, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Finland and Poland. The dates are: May 02, 2010: Effenaar, Eindhoven (Holland) May 03, 2010: Malmitalo, Helsinki(Finland) May 05, 2010: Ritz, Vaasa, (Finland) May 06, 2010: Roma, Antwerp, (Belgium) May 08, 2010: Bolwerk, Sneek, (Holland) May 09, 2010: Plac Kolegiacki, Poznan,(Poland) May 12, 2010: Cultural Center, Katowice, (Poland) May 14, 2010: Madrid, Sala Heineken, (Spain) May 15, 2010: Rock Planet, Pinarella di Cervia (Ravenna, Italy) Click HERE to see the special promo for the show. Go here for more info about “The Original Elvis Tribute”. (News, Source:www.elvisnews.dk)

Elvis royalties rocket up by 34.6 percent: Elvis may have left the building, but his star power is still growing. EPE parent company CKx Inc. released its annual report Tuesday, which showed a 34.6 percent increase in Presley royalties and licensing revenue. The Presley business segment of CKx brought in $24.473 million in royalties and licensing revenue in 2009, compared to $18.186 million in 2008. Attendance at Elvis’ Memphis home was also up in 2009. 542,728 people went to Graceland in 2009, a 1.2 percent increase compared to 536,196 in 2008. Revenue from Graceland’s operations fell slightly to $36.124 million in 2009, a 1.6 percent drop compared to $36.713 million in 2008. CKx also noted in the report that its planned, $250 million redevelopment initiative for Graceland and the surrounding area would need some retooling. It has been short on specifics for its redevelopment plan since it began acquiring land surrounding the deceased star's Whitehaven mansion.

Elvis! Exhibition opens at the Newseum in Washinton: A spark that helped ignite Elvis Presley's fame more than 50 years ago was lit by the newspaper editors and critics who hated him. They detested his voice and thought his moves were unfit for family publications, all while teenagers went wild. It's that shocking style and clash with the media that also will make Elvis the subject of a new exhibition at the Newseum, a history museum that celebrates the First Amendment in Washington. "Newspapers in the mid-'50s viewed themselves as arbiters of social values, and they felt they should be among the ones to speak most loudly when they saw someone threatening America's mores," said Ken Paulson, the Newseum's president and former editor of USA Today. "What's interesting is that fiercely negative coverage drove Elvis' fame. ... After the national news coverage kicked in, he was the king of rock 'n' roll." Elvis' two years of service in the U.S. Army, though, was a turning point. Parents couldn't hate him anymore, and the news media eventually came along, too. The exhibit opening March 19 traces Elvis' rise in the 1950s — in part a study in image management by his longtime manager, Col. Tom Parker — to his meeting with President Richard Nixon at the White House in 1970. It will include rare objects from Presley's life, some never before displayed outside of Graceland and others never before publicly displayed anywhere. Objects in the collection include Elvis' 1957 Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was key to his rebel image, his first Grammy Award for "How Great Thou Art" in 1968, the overcoat and gold belt Elvis wore to meet Nixon at the White House, and the Bureau of Narcotics badge the

Essential Elvis UK shop and museum to open: After almost 18 years of hard work as a mail order company and magazine publisher, Andrew Hearn of Essential Elvis is delighted to announce that his personal dream of opening an Elvis shop and museum is soon to be a reality. He says, "In just a few days I will be cutting the ribbon to my new venture in sunny Worthing, situated on the seafront just yards from the pier and next to several fantastic restaurants and bars, so why not coincide a visit with a family day out at the beach this Summer? Collectors of Elvis memorabilia and vintage souvenirs are invited to spend some relaxed time browsing through thousands of Elvis items whilst enjoying some great sounds. We offer a wide selection of new and used CDs and DVDs, plus many books, T-shirts and tons of great magazines, photos, jewellery and various boxsets... all 100% Elvis! Expect to see the UK's only Elvis museum, which includes items from Elvis' personal wardrobe along with many other interesting artefacts once owned by the King himself. We are delighted to offer a light and spacious environment with a modern contemporary design (including several plasma screens showing Elvis footage). Plus a friendly and courteous service when you visit. *OPENING TIMES Monday - Thursday 10am to 2pm, Friday - Saturday 10am to 5pm, First Sunday of each month 11am to 4pm *Address: Elvis Shop & Museum, First Floor, 13 Montague Place, Worthing, W. Sussex BN11 3BG,United Kingdom Worthing is situated on the West Sussex coast ten miles west of Brighton and 18 miles each of Chichester. It lies around 60 miles south west of London. Click here for more info. (News, Source;Andrew Hearn)

"Elvis at 75" Panel at SXSW Music Festival to Include James Burton & Wanda Jackson: Elvis’ 75th birthday year-long celebration will continue in Austin, TX this week at the legendary SXSW (South by Southwest) music festival. TCB Band member James Burton is one of several panelists speaking during the "Elvis at 75" session on Friday March 19 at 5pm in Room 12AB of the Austin Convention Center. Burton will be joined by the Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, who was a friend of Elvis and an amazing artist in her own right. Hits like "Fujiyama Mama" and "Let's Have a Party" established Jackson's career which continues to this day. Click here to learn more about the SXSW music festival. (News, Source;EPE)

Adam Fisher, new Country Music Star praises Elvis: One of the biggest buzzes concerning the recent Country Radio Seminar in Nashville was concerning newcomer Adam Fisher, and his debut Lofton Creek single, "Cotton Town." Growing up just a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean in Onslow County, there was plenty of things to attract his attention growing up, but none more so than music—especially that of a legendary singer from Tupelo, Mississippi by the name of Elvis Presley. "I don’t know about other artists, but he was a big influence on me." Fisher admits to taking his being a fan of Presley to a higher level than others that claim "The King" as an influence. "I can’t really do anything half-tailed. I couldn’t just listen to Elvis—I had to be Elvis. When I was 13 to 19, I did Elvis impersonations all around the country, so he’s a big influence on my stage show." Talk to Fisher for any length of time about Elvis, and you will find that he has a deep appreciation and respect for what he brought to the musical table. When

How many red jackets from Jailhouse Rock?: Interesting and important thread on FECC about a number of red jackets, all allegedly used during the filming of Jailhouse Rock. Was there more than one jacket or are buyers being taken for a ride? See EIN's original story below dated 3 March From the FECC thread:

The Baystar Dude: Yesterday one is sold on an auction in New York for $41,434.80. But on the new Hard Rock 'Memorabilia' website i find a same kind of jacket which is still on display in Gothenburg, Sweden! Who has the real one?

Little Darlin: That one from the HARD ROCK Cafe looks a little new to me.....could be the lighting as well though.

King of the Jungle: I am suspicious of both, though I am quite certain the one than recently sold in the "gottahaverockandroll" auction was a fake.

It had a "Lansky" tag rather crudely stitched in beneath the "Macgregor" (the jacket's manufacturer) tag, and I inquired with Mr. Lansky whether it looked right, and he said it didn't. I gathered that they didn't put their tag in secondary positions on pieces made by other companies. If it had a Lansky tag, it was made for Lansky's, otherwise it would just have the tag of the original manufacturer. I also talked to a good friend who was a close friend of Homer "Gill" Gilleland, whom the jacket allegedly came from. He had seen much of Gill's items given to him by Elvis, and talked with Gill about them a number of times. According to him, not only did he never see this red jacket in Gill's collection, but Gill never mentioned such a thing, which makes it hard for him to believe Gill ever owned such a recognizable item without saying a word about it.

Elvis - gone too soon: When his friend Ginger Alden said “Don’t fall asleep in there”, Elvis replied “Okay, I won’t” nobody could have guessed Elvis would pass away in the bathroom just a few moments later. These were apparently the last words spoken by the legendary singer and musician Elvis Presley who passed away on the day of August 16, 1977. He was only 42. Presley had “stumbled or crawled several feet before he died”, said the medical investigator. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead by the hospital authorities. The autopsy reports revealed that Presley succumbed to cardiac arrhythmia or irregular heartbeats and denied any role of drug abuse in his death. “There was no indication of any drug abuse of any kind,” said the medical examiner of Baptist Memorial Hospital who performed the autopsy. However, there were allegations of the actual cause being covered up. According to the media reports, it was said that Presley’s family, together with the autopsy physicians tried to hide the real cause of his death which was put forward as an overdose of prescribed drugs like Codeine, Valium, Morphine, etc.

The coroner, Dr. Joseph Davis said: “There is nothing in any of the data that supports a death from drugs. In fact, everything points to a sudden, violent heart attack”.

It was not made clear whether the rock star died of natural causes or intoxication but according to many, it was a combination of both that led to his premature death. After the preliminary autopsy, Presley’s tissue samples reached laboratories for further examination that confirmed heavy consumption of drugs. Pathologist and Forensic historian Michael Baden observed the situation as, “Elvis had had an enlarged heart for a long time. That, together with his drug habit, caused his death. But he was difficult to diagnose; it was a judgment call.”

Elvis Presley, often referred to as “the king of rock-n-roll” was an American musician and actor. The Tennessee boy began his singing career in 1954 with the famous ‘Sun Records’. The versatility in his voice made him the new singing sensation of the era. Soon, he became a Cultural Icon. He won three Grammy awards after being nominated for 14 and also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award when he was just 36.

Read our article about Elvis’ battle with bipolar. (News, Source: Celebrities with Diseases)

Was Elvis in debt to casino bosses?: Further to our story on Saturday, MM member, Marty Lacker, responded:

Liz Smith is wrong, it was Parker who was in debt to the casinos for $39 Million for his gambling debts not Elvis.

EIN also thought that had Elvis been in debt to the casinos to the tune of $39m, based on his Vegas earnings (plus the extra profits his appearance brought to the casinos), he would still have had to perform there for many, many years in order to pay off such a high debt.

Rockin' Rebels CD's: Those who missed the classic bootlegs or last year's CD-versions... there'll be another change soon to get the Rockin' Rebel series, since it will be re-issued later this month. They will be available on Amazon.co.uk. (News, Source: Elvis News)

Elvis "Kindle" book releases: With the increase in convenient and affordable self-publishing, combined with new technology opportunities to publish books, there has been a flood of Elvis releases on Amazon's "Kindle" book format. To read these books you must have an Amazon Kindle reader.

The online/download format often makes well known titles much cheaper to buy and allows new authors the opportunity to offer their writing to a mass market. Prices range from US$0.99!

Major Elvis book releaes available in Kindle format include Baby, Let's Play House (Alanna Nash); The Colonel (Alanna Nash); and the recent memoirs by Dr. Nick and George Klein.

The many Elvis titles include:

• Elvis Has Not Left the Building by J.R. Rain (March 2010)
• FACE THE MUSIC: An Elvis Novel by Connie Kirchberg (Dec 2009)
• ELVIS AND ME A MYSTERY THRILLER (Elvis Mystery Thrillers) by Richard D Weber and R Douglas Weber (Jan 2010)
• Laugh and Cry with Elvis in the Army by John Gilgun and Jane Gilgun (April 2008)
• Jesse Garon: The Search for Elvis Presley's Twin by Brett Wallach (Sep 2009)
• To My Elvis: Wall Writings at Graceland by J. Frank Kenney (Feb 2010)
• Elvis Presley True FBI Files Parts 1-5
• Elvis by Jack Earl (May 2009)
• Careless Loss - The Unmaking Of The Snowman by Scott Huffman (Feb 2010)
• Elvis: Alive Or Dead by Scott Huffman (Feb 2010)
• Live A Little, Love A Little; A Review by Scott Huffman (Feb 2010)
• Mock Interview With Gladys Presley by Scott Huffman (Feb 2010)
• Elvis! King of Collectibles by Nancy Hendrickson (Jan 2010)

2011 Elvis Calendars

For the first time ever, one of Rock 'N' Roll Comics most acclaimed series is collected and back in print! The Elvis Presley Experience is both scholarly and dramatic in its graphic recreation of the King's remarkable life story. Though the series was among the best selling contemporary bio-graphic comics of the 1990s, the individual issues have been out of print for over ten years. This 200-page collection features art by future Marvel and DC star Aaron Sowd (Wolverine, Hawkman, Nightwing & Flamebird), with a story co-scripted by Babylon 5 TV vet Patrick McCray (Star Wars: Sith Apprentice, Star Trek: The Continuing Mission).

• Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: Bluewater Productions (January 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1450700217
• ISBN-13: 978-1450700214

Folio compendium of aspects of Elvis’ life and career taken from academic/thesis papers. The analysis was variable. Initial release had not been properly edited and the design at times was not good with the text on some pages very small and crammed together.

Elvis BMW found in warehouse: In a warehouse on Half Moon Bay south of San Francisco the red Elvis BMW 507 (VIN: 70,079) is found in state 5-minus, the owner is Jack Castor. Thomas Wirth  has found the BMW 50. The full story can be read the current edition of Auto Bild Klassik 1 / 2010. (News, Source: Elvis News)

Upcoming JAT book: The new Joe Tunzi book "Back in the Windy City/Encore Performance IV" is set for release on April 6th. In case you're wondering where the title "Windy City" comes from: the city of Chicago has been known by many nicknames, but it is most widely recognized as the "Windy City". There are three main possibilities to explain the city's nickname: the weather, as Chicago is near Lake Michigan; the World's Fair; and the rivalry with Cincinnati. It has been suggested that politicians are largely responsible for the nickname sticking. The earliest known reference to Chicago as the "Windy City" is from an 1858 Chicago Tribune article. The first known repeated effort to label Chicago with this nickname is from 1876 and involves Chicago's rivalry with Cincinnati. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

Aussie Chart Update and Aussie 'Top Ten Hits' album hits $2.00 bargain bin: On this week's ARIA Music DVD Chart, Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll rises one place to #32 after 96 weeks on the chart. On a related issue, symbolic of its low sales performance, the 50 Australian Top 10 Hits 1956-1977 double album (which exited the ARIA Top 40 Album chart after only a handful of weeks) has apparently been relegated to the $2.00 bin in Bi-Lo stores. (News, Source: ARIA/email)

Baxter and Gravel Road go their separate ways: Get Down And Dirty will be the last co-produced title from the Fort Baxter and Gravel Road labels. After several years of reasonable succes in re-issueing vintage Baxter a.o CD titles, the owner of the original tapes has decided to call it quitts. Whatever future CD titles from old labels such as Baxter, Bilko, 2001 a.o by Gravel Road will be without the help and original tape sources as supplied by Baxter in the past. It's not known if Baxter will continue lending out vintage tapes to other labels in the future. (News, Source: Elvis News)

RCA/Legacy has now combined this series of concerts into a two CD set. Each disc contains an original album plus bonus tracks. The sound has been scrubbed and cleaned and a booklet with photos plus a three thousand word essay gives a history of the performances and the albums.

I have most of the Elvis catalogue on vinyl and his 1969 concerts remains my favorite live performances. It presents a young, clean, and in shape Elvis at the top of his game. The patter with the audience shows a nervousness but makes the album have an intimate appeal that his later live work lacks.

His 1969 concerts concentrate on his early material and he presents it well as he had not performed it hundreds of times. During his last years this material would be presented quickly and many times in a truncated form. Here such classic songs as “Blue Suede Shoes,” “All Shook Up,” and “Hound Dog” quickly show why Elvis was The King Of Rock ‘N’ Roll. His medley of “Mystery Train/Tiger Man” is more straight forward rock while “My Babe” has toughness to it. His hits of the day, “In The Ghetto” and “Suspicious Minds” provide a nice balance to the concert. The only real miss for me was a cover of the Bee Gees hit “Words.”

There are six bonus songs included and the first three are nice additions and continue the resurrection of his classic rock material. “I Got A Woman,” “Jailhouse Rock/Don’t be Cruel,” and “Heartbreak Hotel” are all given good work-outs.

The second disc, which represents his 1970 performances, finds a far different Elvis. His concert repertoire had begun to change to more modern cover songs and this disc represents that trend. “See See Rider,” which would be overdone through the years, sounds fresh here. An early version of “Polk Salad Annie” and his only hit, “The Wonder Of You,” to be included on the original release are both performed well. Such songs of the day as “Sweet Caroline,” “Proud Mary,” and “Walk A Mile In My Shoes” all benefit from his wonderful vocals but I would have preferred more of his own material from his vast catalogue.

The bonus tracks are more to my liking. “Don’t Cry Daddy,” and “Kentucky Rain” are two of his better songs from this part of his career. The rocking “Long Tall Sally” is great even if a little out of place given the other material. A rehearsal of “The Wonder of You” completes the album.

On Stage: Legacy Edition is a fine addition to the Elvis Presley catalogue. It combines some of his best live work into one package and has the sense to keep the flow of the original albums and concerts intact. While the material has been previously issued, it should prove pleasing to his vast fan base. (CD Review: Source: David Bowling, blogcritics.org)

Elvis is King of News: Elvis Presley is the king of making headlines. That’s why the Newseum in Washington, D.C., which displays the history of journalism, is honoring the icon with Elvis!: His Groundbreaking, Hip-Shaking, Newsmaking Story, an exhibit opening next Friday (Mar. 19). They’ll display all the pivotal media moments of The King’s career and personal life that made headlines in his heyday, including when he was inducted into the U.S. Army and his untimely death.

Though all major headlines and some tabloid fodder will be shown, Trost says the Newseum won’t be displaying the countless sensational newspapers that have claimed Elvis is still alive, hangs out with Bigfoot, or is actually an alien from outer space. (News, Source: FlashNews)

No EXTRAS on Elvis On Tour DVD release: Tonight we spoke exclusively to Jerry Schilling, former Elvis aid and closely involved in the making of "Elvis On Tour" in 1972. Jerry confirmed that the DVD will be released later this year, but there will be NO extras. The movie is property of Warner Bros while the outtakes are owned by Turner Classics. Both parties tried to come to an agreement, but unfortunately the negotiations were unsuccesful. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

Memphis photographer dies: Retired Memphis photographer Charles Nicholas has passed away at 88. Nicholas photographed Elvis Presley among many other Memphis celebrities and news events.

In one of his more iconic photos, Elvis Presley stands outside Graceland. Night has fallen, and The King is posing in the door of a new car. The lighting from a chandelier at the front of Graceland warms the scene. The shimmering light reflects off the black car, adding another glow as Elvis unleashes that famous smile/sneer.

This photograph published March 7, 1965 in the first issue of Mid-South, the now-defunct Sunday magazine.

Elvis complained of the long sessions with photographers making movie publicity stills: "I try to cut the time down to three or four hours, but sometimes you have to pose for six or eight.

A man only has so many different smiles, and I don't have many."

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Eastport Cemetery in Iuka, Mississippi. (News, Source: Elvis Unlimited/EP Gold)

Elvis' granddaughter in film: Danielle Riley Keough joined Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning in the biopic about the rise of a 1970s all-girl band headlined by Joan Jett.  The Runaways cast the granddaughter of Elvis Presley and daughter of Lisa Marie Presley as the twin sister of Cherie Currie, a member of Joan Jett's rocker group, played by Fanning. FOR PREMIERE PHOTO SHOW OF KEOUGH AND THE JOAN JET BIOPIC CLICK HERE Known simply as Kiley Keough, this former model who took to the runway at age 15 is nowin The Runaways, a big jump in the career of a beautiful women with a storied heritage. Break a leg Kiley! The Runaways debuts March 19th in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Phoenix, Seattle, Minneapolis, Austin, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal. The Joan Jett biopic goes wide across North America April 9. (News, Source: Gather Celebs)

Liz Smith: Elvis and Las Vegas – The Real Story: I’M HOPING we’ll see a TV documentary called "A Kick in the Head – The Lure of Las Vegas." (It was a big hit on Great Britain’s BBC recently.)

This purports to show us that Las Vegas is a kind of American "pressure valve" and writer Adam Sweeting describes it as having the value of falling "between Bible-bashing Puritanism and a wild urge to party."

Among other revelations in this film comes the fact that Elvis and his manager Col. Parker were in debt to the casinos for $39 million (back when $39 million was a lot of money). This is what kept Elvis performing in Vegas for so long.

There are fascinating interviews with Jerry Weintraub, Wayne Newton, Brandon Flowers of the rock group The Killers and Keely Smith, who describes "the kindness of Frank Sinatra" and says "what delightful chaps the Mafiosi were." (News, Source: Liz Smith, wowowow.com)

Is Elvis still in the building?: The Silverdome has welcomed everyone from the Detroit Lions to Pope John Paul II, Elvis Presley and WrestleMania III. Toronto-based Triple Investment Group LLC, which bought the 35-year-old facility for $583,000 last year at an auction, announced plans to host six to eight events this year. A monster truck and motorsports show April 17 will be its first event. "Welcome back to the Silverdome," TIG chairman Andreas Apostolopoulous said. "We are very happy to bring this wonderful building back to life." Who knows, perhaps Elvis will be brought back to life and be seen in the building again.

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_14660153#ixzz0i0R6lwFR (News, Source: AP/Denver Post)

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Why your brand should be like Elvis: Do you want to make your brand relevant in today's mercurial consumer market? Then set yourself apart. Find one simple truth. Specialize. Be consistent. And be original. During his March 10 NEMOA session, "Is Your Brand Still Relevant in a Changing World?" Brent Niemuth, creative director/brand evangelist for consultancy J. Schmid & Associates referenced the genesis of Elvis Presley's career. When an 18-year-old Presley walked into the Memphis Recording Service in July 1953, the manager Marion Keisker asked him who he sounded like. The future music icon responded: "I don't sound like nobody." The message to today's marketers: Set yourself apart from the pack. "Nobody likes copycats," Niemuth said.

Consumers are bombarded by between 4,000-5,000 marketing messages every day, "so we're competing for their time and attention," he noted. "The new consumer is time-starved. They're less trusting and more community oriented with social media like Facebook, and Twitter. "

The answer? You have to stand apart in a crowd, say something that matters, Niemuth said. "You have about three seconds to get your message across. This is more vital today than ever."

One problem, Niemuth said, is that companies are too focused on reaching customers via social media. "Don't be so obsessed with getting on Facebook," he advised the audience: "Focus your attention on what you want to say to the folks."

To find a differentiating brand benefit, a company must focus on three elements, Niemuth said: It must be important to the consumer; you should be uniquely suited to delivering it; and it should be something your competitors are not addressing. For example, GEICO Insurance sets itself apart with unique branding elements -- Mallory the GEICO gecko, the GEICO Caveman, and its popular tagline, "Fifteen minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance."

A few other tidbits: Always lead with one thing, and assume you're trying to sell to a fourth-grader, Niemuth said. Keep in mind that "a single, truthful message is a funnel to run things through," he added. "Look at your marketing messages. Look hard at all your channels and be critical." (News, Source: multichannelmerchant)

Elvis Week Schedule Announced Elvis Week is Aug 10 - 16, 2010: Below is a tentative schedule of events planned for the week. More details about these events and others will be announced as they are confirmed. Tickets will go on sale in early spring 2010, with a special pre-sale available for Elvis Insiders. All information listed below is subject to change. Tuesday, August 10 - Event TBA Wednesday, August 11 Graceland Trivia Tour 5:00 p.m. Event starts at the Graceland Ticket Office. Guests are invited to tour Graceland Mansion (no audio tour) and the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum while simultaneously answering trivia questions for which answers can be found on the Graceland tour. All participants receive a gift. Adult and junior versions of the scavenger hunt will be available. Prizes for both adult and junior versions to be announced. Tickets are $30.00 for adults and $15.00 children 7-12.

Club Elvis 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 Midnight. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza. Come hang out and enjoy a private party with your fellow Elvis fans. A disc jockey spins Elvis records for your listening and dancing pleasure. Cash bar featuring adult beverages (ID's checked) and soft drinks. Outdoor smoking area designated – no smoking inside. A wristband ticket allows you to come and go from Club Elvis as much as you like during the evening in order for you to enjoy all the other activities on the property. Tickets are $25. 

Midnight Southern Breakfast 12:00 Midnight – 1:30 AM. Chrome Grille, Graceland Plaza. Following Club Elvis, fans are invited next door at the Chrome Grille for a midnight southern breakfast, which will include scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, grits, biscuits and your choice of coffee, juice or soft drink. Tickets to this event are extremely limited so be sure to order in advance. Tickets are $12.

Global Chart Update - Week 08, 2010 (Source: Mael):

United States Top Christian Albums: • # 48 (Ne) An Evening Prayer Top Catalog Albums: • # ----- (37) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits Top Country Catalog Albums: ** Not available this week ** Canada Top 100 Albums: • # ---- (95) Édition 75ième anniversaire [2CD] Top 50 Country Albums: • #37 (29) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits Australia Top 50 Physical Albums: • # ---- (44) 50 Australian Top Ten Hits: 1956-1977 Top 40 DVDs: • #30 (31) Elvis: The King Of Rock ’N’ Roll United Kingdom Top 200 Albums: • #170 (85) ELVIS 75 [3CD] • #196 (178) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

France Top 250 Comprehensive Albums: • #149 (Re) Greatest Hits: Vol. 2 • #165 (Re) Greatest Hits: Vol. 1 • # ---- (180) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits Top 40 Compilation Albums: • #32 (Re) Greatest Hits: Vol. 2 • #36 (Re) Greatest Hits: Vol. 1 • # ---- (40) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits Austria Top 75 Albums: • #26 (15) The King - 75th Anniversary Edition [3CD] Switzerland Top 100 Albums: • #80 (76) Elvis 75 [3CD] Sweden Top 60 Albums: • # ---- (41) The Essential

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At Full Force released: The remake of Hot Winter Night In Dallas, Elvis At Full Force has just been released by Audionics. We also got word that GRM's Get Down And Dirty will be out on Friday. (News, Source: Elvis News)

RARE Elvis photos - Now with over 4,300 Rare Elvis images! Click HERE for some Great Candids Now with over 1,660 members including many of Elvis' friends! Or click here directly to our EIN Facebook Photos.

Elvis Memorabilia at the Hard Rock Cafes: A new Hard Rock Cafe website offers you the chance to find out where every piece of Elvis memorabilia is that they own. Have you seen Elvis' "Lion Belt" in Memphis- well why not check out Elvis' "Suede Jacket" in the Hard Rock Cafe New Delhi! Or Elvis' Karate GI suit in San Antonio?. Click here for all the facts & pictures & locations.   (News, Source;EIN/ElvisMatters)

Jackson's 'penniless' brother to auction off Elvis Presley jacket to clear debt: Michael's older brother Tito Jackson has reportedly been forced to place a rare Elvis Presley jacket under the hammer to clear debts worth 17,000 pounds. The 56-year-old was purportedly forced to let go off the item after former friend Matt Fiddes filed a lawsuit against him over an unpaid 12,000-pound bill. "After Fiddes won the action, which was a third-party debt order, bailiffs were sent in to recover the money from Tito Jackson's London agent Ron Winter, who is contesting the order," the Daily Star quoted a source as saying. "Goods included a rare Elvis Presley jacket, allegedly a gift from Lisa Marie Presley. A load of gold and silver record discs were also seized, including one for soul star Al Green and another for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Ovation. The bailiffs also seized original film posters for Scarface, Goodfellas and The Godfather," the source added. The source also said: "The proposed auction should easily settle the debt, which is in excess of 17,000 pounds. But, unfortunately, it won't make a blind bit of difference to Tito's finances. One thing's for sure - Tito's hit the skids in financial terms. "Watching on as all this stuff is flogged to pay off his debt must be very embarrassing for him." Go here to EIN's exclusive Presley / Jackson archives. (News, Source;SanjaM/EIN)

Elvis engineer Bill Porter Auctioning more personal Items: A long time friend of Elvis, Porter is renowned for engineering nearly all of Elvis’ post 1960 hits until his death in 1977. Recording with Elvis in the celebrated “Studio B” in Nashville, Porter helped to craft some of Elvis’ greatest hits including, “Are You Lonesome Tonight” and “It’s Now or Never." Porter’s album recordings with Elvis include “Elvis Is Back," “His Hand In Mine,” “Pot Luck," and “Something for Everybody." Bill designed the sound system for Graceland, went on the road with Elvis from 1969 to 1977 and recorded many of Elvis’ “Live In Las Vegas” shows. From Bill Porter's personal collection, Porter's personalized leather garment bag used on tour with Elvis Presley. Bill's initials as well at the "TCB" logo are stitched on the bag in yellow-gold thread. Estimate: 300-400 US Dollars. This item currently has 1 bid at 303 US Dollars. "TCB" stands for "Taken' Care of Business, "the name Elvis gave to his back up band. Elvis loved using the initials on his own accessories, including his famed tinted sunglasses. There also are 5 other lots from Bill Porter's personal collection which include Elvis collectables, photos, magazines, CDs, records, plates, and various Elvis souvenirs. Bill Porter has previously auctioned his other major Elvis memorabilia in the past few years. (News, Source;ElvisUnlimited)

Elvis Blue Hawaii Barbie Doll: Aloha, and thank you very much- Surf's up, Barbie and Elvis fans.Showcasing Elvis Presley from his first Hawaiian-themed film, Blue Hawaii in 1961, this delightfully upbeat Barbie Collector Doll mirrors The King's island look, complete with lei and ukulele. Mattel announces a follow-up for the recent releases of the Elvis 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Elvis and Priscilla' dolls. Elvis stands about 11 1/2-inches tall, but cannot stand alone. Comes with lei and ukulele! Go here for more info.     (News, Source;SanjaM/ElvisInfoNet)

'Viva Elvis' Sony CD: Brian Quinn reports that Sony executives will be meeting in New York later this month to review the master recordings from the 'Viva Elvis' Show to finalise track listing and decide on which ones to release as a possible single or singles in advance of the Album release in September. The Marketing strategy will also be on the agenda. The album will have the potential to be yet another big hit for Elvis. Bob Sillerman recently stated "Viva ELVIS is a show the devoted Elvis fan will love, but it reaches beyond that. It will be thoroughly enjoyed by the casual Elvis fan, by the fans of music from Elvis's era and by anyone who ever listened to rock and roll. It is also a show that will be loved by fans of Cirque du Soleil, as it takes their talents to an entire new level." (News, Source;BrianQuinn)

'Get Down And Dirty' tracklist confirmed: The tracklist of the new Gravel Road deluxe, double CD release has now been confirmed. This third Gravel Road Music release spotlights Elvis Presley's wild rehearsals in the summer of 1970, filmed for the MGM documentary "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is." The character of the 15 July, 1970 Culver City rehearsal is different from the 2 previous acclaimed releases, "The brightest star on sunset boulevard (2cd)" & "Plugged in and Geared up" by GRM. Featuring the second day of the rehearsal shooting, Elvis is studying songs, uses uncensored talking & singing. That’s one of the reasons to rename this historical rehearsal "Get down and dirty", it includes more than 25 minutes unreleased material! Here is the complete tracklist:

'Baby, Let´s Play House' - New cover: A rather fascinating new cover to the popular Alanna Nash book about Elvis and his relationships with women - to be re-published in March. Reviews have stated:   “Alanna Nash never ceases to amaze me. With the many Elvis books published, few ever reach the depths that Nash achieves in Baby, Let’s Play House, a page turner you’ll want to read cover to cover. It’s a fascinating look into the personal life of one of the world’s greatest performers, told by an expert storyteller.”  - Steve Binder, producer-director of the Elvis 68 Comeback Special “If anything, Baby, Let’s Play House heightens the heartbreaking aspects of Presley’s life.” - Los Angeles Times “By far the best study of Elvis Presley I have read. ‘The King’ emerges more clearly from this mosaic of his troubled love life than from any linear biography to date.Impressively researched, written--and felt.” - Philip Norman, New York Times. Go here for EIN's in-depth review and exclusive interviews with author Alanna Nash. (News, Source;SanjaM/ElvisInfoNetwork)

EPE celebrates 45th Anniversary of 'Tickle Me' Release!! Hardly Elvis' best movie but EPE has an interesting campaign noting that 2010 marks the 45th anniversary its release. The film, produced for Allied Artists by Ben Schwalb and directed by Norman Taurog, opened nationwide on July 7, 1965. In the film, Elvis plays a singing rodeo rider who finds work as a stable hand at an all-female dude ranch. Elvis received $750,000 to appear in Tickle Me, his 18th film. Due to the fact that Allied Artists was struggling to stay afloat financially, Elvis agreed to take a paycut for his appearance, but adjusted his contract so that he would receive 50% of the films profits, which was quite the negotiation coup at the time. The film's success ended up saving the production company from bankruptcy. Go here for EINs review of the 'Tickle Me' FTD. Click here more EPE info plus gallery of photos from Tickle Me. (News, Source EPE/EIN)

Antiques Roadshow' Appraiser Prices Elvis Items: "Holy Moly! This is wickedly awesome," Gary Sohmers of popular TV programme "Antiques Roadshow" said about Joe Callaway's never-published photos of Elvis Presley from a 1956 appearance on "Dance Party" with Wink Martindale. Sohmers said the negatives alone are worth $30,000. With his trademark Hawaiian shirt and his long silver hair pulled back into a ponytail, antiques appraiser Gary Sohmers expects to see lots of treasures, a little junk, some fakes and hopefully a few "Holy Grails" over the weekend. As a part of a sneak peek, Sohmers, 57, hit a wow factor Thursday afternoon. Events director Joe Callaway pulled out a stack of never-published 8-by-

Elvis Matters new magazine #28 Out Now: The most recent issue of the Dutch fanclub magazine is out. The magazine features all the regulars, a review of the FTD 'Good Times', an article by Elvis photographer Ed Bonja plus a major feature on Elvis' Circle G Ranch plus one on Cirque du Soleil. With the issue comes a free CD of Piano Songs recorded by the Dutch singer Bouke, with Glen Hardin on piano. Go here to order a magazine subscription. (News, Source;SanjaM/EIN)

March 1960 - The Return Of The King: Elvis Presley left the army 50 years ago this week, to suggestions that the music he pioneered had died in his absence. On the morning of 3 March, 1960, after a flight from Germany broken by a refuelling stop at Prestwick Airport, 30 miles south of Glasgow (the only time he set foot in Britain), the DC7 jetliner carrying Elvis Presley landed at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, amid the remnants of a light blizzard. At the US base he was then met and escorted away from military life by Nancy Sinatra, the 19-year-old daughter of a man who had once described Presley's music as "a rancid-smelling aphrodisiac". The truth however turned out to be a little different! Go here to read this fascinating spotlight by Richard Williams of The Guardian.   (Spotlight, Source;Guardian/ElvisInfoNet)

Scottish Fan's teenage encounter with Elvis 50 years ago: It's 50 years since Elvis set foot on British soil for the first and last time. But the people who saw him on that cold night - March 3, 1960 - at Prestwick Airport have never forgotten their close encounter with the King of rock 'n' roll. US Army Sergeant Elvis Aaron Presley, then aged 25, had finished his two-year stint in uniform and was on his way home from his German base when his plane stopped to refuel. Fewer than 200 people saw him but for some, such as Ann Murphy - then aged 16 - it changed their lives. "I used to babysit for a Sergeant Phelps at the US airbase. I was at work one day when he turned up at my house and told my mum that Elvis would be at the airbase that night and I should go if I wanted to see him. My mum ran to a phone box to call me at work. I couldn't believe it. I loved Elvis. I had all his records. On the bus home, I was telling everyone I was going to see Elvis that night but they all thought it was just a

rumour. They probably thought I was crazy. I changed into my American jeans, lumberjacket, bobby socks and blue suede shoes and cycled the three miles to the airport base. When we got to the base there was a small group of people already there, standing at the barrier in front of two huge Cadillac cars. Muriel and I were right at the barrier. We were so excited and suddenly the plane was in front of us. The door opened and there was Elvis. He was so handsome in his uniform. He waved and we started screaming. He shouted: "Where am I?" and people shouted back: "Prestwick" - but I was shouting: "I love you." He came down the stairs and looked fantastic with that beautiful smile. We could hardly believe we were looking at him. We could nearly touch him. Then Muriel did an amazing thing. She jumped over the barrier and threw herself twards Elvis. However a couple of huge military policemen scraped her off and put her back over the barrier.

Producer Jerry Weintraub comments on Col. Parker: Jerry Weintraub broke up a fight at Elvis Presley's funeral, wooed Julia Roberts with $20, and played party planner to George H.W. Bush during the producer's more than 50 years in Hollywood. In his new memoir, "When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead," due out in April, Weintraub details his highs, lows and moments of comeuppance as a film producer and manager of Presley, Frank Sinatra and John Denver, to name a few. His story includes how at Elvis Presley's funeral, his father, Vernon, and his manager, Col. Tom Parker, argued about whether it was appropriate to sell Elvis-themed mementos to mourners in the street. Weintraub relates, "I got between them and said something like, 'What's wrong with you guys? The body's in the next room. We're about to leave for the funeral. Have some respect.' "What a bizarre moment, the entire world gathered around the house in tears, and in a room in the house, the old man and the Colonel arguing about T-shirts." Go here for more about The Dark Side of Colonel Parker. (News, Source;SanjaM/ElvisInfoNet)

Aaron Schroeder, Elvis Songwriter: The New York publisher and songwriter Aaron Schroeder was one of the key figures around the Brill Building in the 1950s and 1960s. He was a songwriter who preferred to collaborate with others, especially in improving the commerciality of a promising song. Several of his 300 published compositions were recorded by Elvis Presley, including the multi-million seller "It's Now or Never" (1960). He liked to say, not entirely in jest, "I don't read music – that's why I make so much money." Aaron Harold Schroeder was born in Brooklyn in 1926, was a competent pianist, mostly playing by ear, who was first attracted to the big bands of the 1940s. An early success was with "At a Sidewalk Penny Arcade" (1948), which was recorded by both Rosemary Clooney and Guy Lombardo. In 1955, he was working as a staff writer for the publishing company Hill and Range when he learnt that they were supplying songs to Elvis Presley, who had been signed to RCA-Victor Records. Schroeder was asked to improve a song by other staff writers, "I Was the One", and the result was the B-side of "Heartbreak Hotel" and made the US Top 20 in its own right.

No Sale for Elvis' strand of hair: A strand of Elvis Presley's hair, owned by a music fan in Gloucestershire, has failed to sell at auction. The piece of hair was expected to fetch £600 but it failed to meet its reserve price. The owner bought the hair "on a whim" in a television auction. It was mounted in the centre of a gold disc inscribed The King's Authentic Hair, together with a photograph of the singer and a certificate of authenticity on the reverse. A spokesman for Chorleys, the auctioneers selling the item, said: "These more fun items are not doing as well in the current market as the more serious antiques. It's just one of those things." A clump of Elvis's hair sold at auction in Chicago for $15,000 in October last year.   (News, Source;SanajM/ElvisInfoNet)

A BIG ELVIS HAPPENING in Holland, May 2nd 2010: On May 2nd, 2010,  “The Original Elvis Tribute” will return to Holland for a show at the Effenaar in Eindhoven, one of Holland’s leading concert venues. The show is being organized by the biggest Elvis fanclub in Holland, “Elvis For Everyone”, who are celebrating their 15th anniversary this year. Fanclub president Constatijn Zantingh is only 33 years old, making him one of the youngest Elvis fanclub-presidents worldwide. Constatijn is always looking for new and innovative ways to promote Elvis for a younger audience, and it seems that this is working well for him: “The magazine is getting new members all the time. Our conventions are well attended. Our books are quite popular; the ‘Images’ book was sold out within a matter of months. Volume 2 of that book has just come out”, says Constatijn, who is very excited about the Eindhoven show: “We first booked that show last year, and it was just tremendous. It’s a very special show, and Duke Bardwell and Michael Jarrett really know how to connect with an audience. Ticketsales for the concert in Eindhoven are  quite strong already now, so I think it’s going to be a fantastic day”. Click HERE to see the special promo for the show. Go here for more info about “The Original Elvis Tribute”. (News, Source:EFE/www.elvisnews.dk)

In spite of the fact that Elvis is getting bored of Las Vegas, he is still able to the end the season by giving life to some terrific shows. Here they are presented in great audio quality , the CD 1 with the complete show from February 19 midnight show and the CD 2 with the unreleased February 22 midnight show taken from an early generation copy of the original master tape, as recorded by a member of the audience. All tracks were digitally restored for your best possible listening pleasure; the sound quality is incredibly good considering the early Vegas Season. The shows are linked from the highlight of February 21 midnight show.

We are proud to give life to a unique view with almost 160 minutes of great music with Elvis at his best for that season. As a first time for this label, the double CD will come in a deluxe LONG six panel DIGIPACK, containing a collection of live RARE photographs of the Vegas February 1971 season. (News, Source: FECC)

This soundbite clip is only a fragment of the full CD we are offering. The CD entitled "Blue Sude Shoes in the Hood" became the exclusive musical score for the film documentary film "Blues Suede Shoes in the Hood" 3 years ago. It won the best Documentary and best film at the Biloxi Film Festival. The film has only been shown in a few places around the country. Pictorial footage on the film has not been seen by any Elvis or Tupelo resident or collectors anywhere in the World.

Stay tune as we will for the first time in 2010 make available some of the history of this landmark place called "ShakeRag". Tupelo Mississippi has since put up a historical marker indentifying the maginalize area. Your comments will be screened .

I was the first African-American to have discovered for the "public where Elvis truly live in the exclusive Black neighbood of Park Hill for a short time. I lived in Tupelo for 7 years looking for the unique and unkwnown contributions. (News, Source: Wsir)

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Hush Puppies Pay Tribute to Elvis: You don’t have to be an Elvis impersonator to take a walk in a pair of blue suede shoes. A style inspired by Elvis Presley’s 1955 hit song is now available at menswear retailer Lansky in Memphis, Tenn., where founder Bernard Lansky personally dressed Presley throughout his career. As part of a collaboration between the landmark store and Hush Puppies, known for its suede footwear, the retailer will offer a limited-edition collection of slip-on and laceup shoes in signature blue suede. The store has been selling an Elvis-inspired apparel collection, Lansky Brothers – Clothier to the King, since 1990, said Julie Lansky, who heads up marketing. The line features reproductions of actual looks from the entertainer’s wardrobe, as well as pieces inspired by his personal style. The blue suede looks will be the first signature shoes. “Customers have always asked for the blue suede shoes,” said Lansky, noting that the footwear will be co-branded. And because many pieces in the apparel line hark back to Presley’s heyday in the 1950s, a companion black-and-white slip-on and laceup in smooth leather will also be available. The footwear will be available at Lansky at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis through the summer. The blue suede shoes retail for $145, and the black-and-white for $160. (News, Source: Elvis News/Google)

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Redefining Elvis: FIRST, there was Elvis. Long before The Beatles were anointed the heart of rock and roll, ages before the Rolling Stones were crowned the loins of rock and roll, not too far from when Bob Dylan was anointed the mind of rock and roll and as recent as the 1980s, when Bruce Springsteen was the conscience of rock and roll, there was Elvis Presley, the King of rock and roll. He reigned for a good two decades, purloining the blues and soul of black music and, with not an iota of subtlety or subtext, converted it into his own legendary making, making the girls scream in decibel madness, swoon in overawed drama and breathlessness in keeping up with his bravura.

It’s been 34 years since his less-than-delicate death but in those 31/2 decades, Elvis’ stature has transcended somewhat beyond religion, so much so that his obsessed fans have prayed and insisted that the King is alive and doing his pelvic gyrations to Hound Dog and Blue Suede Shoes. That fanaticism — and the kind of guilt, angst and attempts at redemption that Elvis’ might carried — might have turned him into a 21st Century prophet. That’s right: A prophet of rock and roll, an elevation from his monarchical sovereignty.

Reinforcing that mysticism is what propelled his old record company, RCA (now under the aegis of Sony Music) to reissue yet another reissue of his greatest hits, this time a 3-CD wonder of 75 songs to mark what would have been his 75th birthday.

Simply entitled Elvis 75, this collection supercedes the far superior 4-CD box set complete with an 80-page booklet carrying a Billy Altman biographical essay, rare pictures, reproductions of original record labels, covers and picture sleeves, film posters, master tape boxes and detailed recording, chart and personal data.

The box may yet make its way into Malaysia but for now, Elvis fans continue to worship him for more than just his music and the lightweight films.

The songs are far too familiar, a loop in the time-space continuum, a recycled deja vu, to be given a further once over. It’s pointless really because the credentials are supremely solid. The songs may be beyond criticism. They have become a life’s code for many on Earth. Cherry pick your way into the collection and see what tunes befit your generational epiphany.

Heartbreak Hotel? Blue Moon? Suspicious Minds? Moody Blue? I Just Can’t Help Believin’? That’s All Right? Each of these songs defined and redefined rock and roll’s governance and imperceptibly coerced rockers to elevated levels of groundbreaking performances.

On the discretionary aspect of music, does it matter now that much of the early, rip roaring and pelvic pulverising songs were ripped off, inadvertently or otherwise, from some poor Southern bluesman or that the stylings were crude and unrefined? What matters most was that Elvis came to the fore when the world badly needed a fresh slate, away from the flavourless and vapid music dominating the air waves and oppressing other alternative acts.

Elvis broke the taboos of the niceties of the1950s and rallied people, the people of his generation especially, away from the obscene trauma of two successive wars that pulverised the world first and then Korea, and later Vietnam.

He may have not realised that he was innovating and winging his way towards rock and roll divinity but he changed the way music was heard and appreciated and he brought people of all colours together to the consternation of the white establishment.

Elvis pioneered a new attitude, stage presence and dance (if you can define his pelvic palpitations as dance) that influenced the modern preening of frontmen like Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Bono and Mick Jagger. He whispered, wowed, hummed and purred killer ballads that shook the soul hard — for that post-war age. His voice was the sui generis the world will never witness again, save for the unnerving mimics who find their destiny in walking, talking, singing, moving and smirking like Elvis. Eddie Murphy does a scarily fine version of Elvis in Delicious, his X-rated 1980s rancid comic stand-up.

Elvis was also a walking fashion statement — deliciously strident sideburns, loud, sassy hairstyle and sartorial slickness. These statements perforated the consciousness of the rebellious new youth screaming to heave their individuality beyond their horrified parents’ haplessness in stopping the red tide of rock and roll, piercingly devilish and all. (News/Review, Source: MISHAR, NewStraitTimes, Malaysia)

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'The Memphis Boys The Story About American Studios' book release: Marty Lacker advises EIN:

Thought you might like to let your readers know about a great new book that just became available today that features a very detailed and definitive chapter about Elvis' American Studios '69 sessions.

 

The book is called The Memphis Boys The Story About American Studios by Roben Jones.

 

In addition to the detail about the sessions, this book is a complete detail of all the years of hits from American Studios and is full of reminisces of each and every session cut there by Chips Moman,Tommy Cogbill, the American Band as well as songwriters. It also has knowledgeable comments by a number of highly successful people from other studios who are in awe of the accomplishments of the American guys.

 

I am also proud that it includes the work I did at American and the contributions I made to it as well as many first hand quotes from me. I would still recommend it even if I was not in it. Everyone who had anything to do with that studio from beginning to end has made contributions to the book and you will learn of many inside anecdotes on the recording of some of the biggest records in the history of the world.  You'll also learn the reasons why Chips turned down producing The Beatles as well as Bob Dylan after Elvis recorded there.

 

Anyone who has any interest in music would be remiss in not reading this book.

 

You can find out more about obtaining the book by going to the publisher, The University of Ole Miss Press at www.upress.state.ms.us

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Marty Lacker on recent news items on EIN: THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL (28 Feb 2010) - I don't know how old the two writers are but from their names and publication they write for I suspect they are from/in Korea.  I say that because unless you experienced the change in music first hand in the 50's, I doubt you can speak authoritively about what actually happened. I was fortunate to have been there when it all begin and I was at an age to know what was happening and the change it wrought.  I also had an advantage because I had moved from NY to Memphis back then at the age of 15 in '52. I had the knowledge of the music I heard in NY and also saw many of the artists of that day in the movie theaters on Broadway that also had live stage shows throughout the day and night featuring many of the great artists and big bands of that era.  So I really saw the drastic change that Elvis really brought to the forefront. the music and artists of that era was vastly different than what Elvis brought to the world. Yes, there were forerunners of RnR but Elvis was the first to take more than one genre of music and combine them with another thus coming up with his never before heard style of music.  He, growing up, listened to and was influenced by blues, what was then called Race Music (later named R&B), Country Music and Gospel. Jazz played no part in Elvis' music. The influence of all four strongly formed the natural style of Elvis, that at first was called Rockabilly then because Alan Freed in Cleveland used the term Rock and Roll when speaking of the movements of the teenage dancers at a sock hop in Cleveland in the 50's.   Elvis was the first in introducing that style of music, it's what he naturally felt inside of himself. Fats came along with his first record in 1949 "The Fat Man" on Imperial Records and that was classified Race Music.  His first major record that crossed over into what was then called RnR was "Ain't That A Shame" in '55, a year after Elvis' first record,"That's Alright" changed the face of music.  Little Richard started in '51 and he too was mainly Race Music, wherein he combined Jump Blues with Gospel and boogie woogie and his first big record was in '55 too.  Chuck Berry first became known in '55 also.

See the pattern?  What Elvis did is take the styles that influenced him and melded them into his own style that came from him naturally from what he felt in July '54 and what that caused, among other things, is the barriers for those black artists to be knocked down. He didn't set out to do that, it was just what happened naturally by teenagers who also sensed a great deal of freedom from Elvis' music, something nobody had ever done before him. Let's not forget when he first came out many people who did not know him or know what he looked like, thought he was black.  If it hadn't been for Elvis bursting force with his genre of music I doubt we'd be listening to all that music in the last  56 years and with that music he not only changed the music, he changed the culture of the world. No other artist can make that claim, if that doesn't make him The King of Rn R, I don't know what does.  Another thing, to my memory and my memory is very good, he is the first to be dubbed King of any style of music.

 

As for what I alluded to earlier,Alan Freed was talking about the way the teenagers were moving when they danced he wasn't talking about the genre of music when he said,"Are You Ready To Rock And Roll.! He didn't say Rock N' Roll, he was talking about the way kids rocked back and forth and rolled when dancing.  However, that term stuck in the minds of teenagers and Rockabilly was soon known as Rock And Roll.

 

The fact is, the people dubbed Elvis The King Of Rock N" Roll,making him the first King of any Music. he like a couple of others did not give himself that title. He earned it then and he deserves it still today.

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Viva Elvis (28 Feb 2010): As for the negative reviews of VIVA Elvis Cirque show, although I haven't seen the whole show, I have seen a number of video clips as well as have read many of the reviews from the Vegas papers and elsewhere and have read the comments by people who have seen it.

I hate to say this but you know me, I tell it like it is.  I knew it wouldn't be great for two reasons, one is the Elvis input came from Priscilla and two of her ass kissers and none of them are that creative, plus I knew she would slant it from her point of view and also make sure it was partly about her two. Her minions agree with whatever she says because they get thrown a bone by her every once in awhile and they need it. One of them works for her and EPE, so they're not gonna' do anything to make her mad at them.  Naturally she had to include herself in that show by including the wedding.  If they wanted to show the real Elvis, as they claim they were doing, they should have had a number of girls around him, not just her.  What about Linda Thompson,Anita Wood and another that he really loved, Ann Margret.

Secondly, ELVIS IS NOT BROADWAY, he's not a musical  theater stage show, he proved that in his crummy musical travelogues they called his movies.  He called them that himself after awhile with a couple of exceptions in the early years. Cirque's Beatles show is different in that the people the Beatles mainly appealed to came ten years after Elvis and by then the music taste was different. 

Elvis was raw Rock N' Roll and R&B and that is so far from Broadway it's the difference of night and day.  The biggest reason his comeback special was so successful was, in addition to the fact that he had not been seen on TV by the masses in a number of years until then, the Black Leather Segment was the real Elvis Presley,not those other staged segments that were just like his movie scenes.  If the entire Special had been like the Leather segment it would have been even more highly acclaimed.

One famed reviewer in the Las Vegas Review Journal made mention that, "one of the main aspects of Elvis' life, the men around him he trusted and bonded with all of his career,The Memphis Mafia, is not even hinted at in the show".  Once again,Priscilla strikes out of pettiness, which I personally believe is a reason none of the other women including Ann Margret, are not mentioned or depicted.  It's all about Priscilla, his ex-wife.

As someone who is experienced in the production of music and shows having produced and directed a number of them successfully, I am deeply disappointed in this opportunity that presented itself in Vegas to depict and honor the memory of one of the greatest entertainers of all times and one who meant a great deal in my life, was done so shabbily.  I realize that is my opinion but it also seems, also by the reviewers, I am not alone in that opinion.

I do think though that if you can, you should see the show and form your own opinion.

Read more of Marty's Musings on EIN

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Larry Geller's Review of Viva ELVIS: In contrast to Marty's views, here is another from Larry Geller: Hal Wallis once said “An Elvis picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood.” The same might be said of “Viva ELVIS Cirque du Soleil,” one of the few sure bets in a struggling Las Vegas today. I had the great pleasure of attending the world premiere of this highly-anticipated show in Vegas last Friday night. Waiting for the show to begin, I have to admit I was skeptical and even a bit apprehensive; I’ve been disappointed so many times in the past thirty-two years. But then, this was Cirque du Soleil, known for their creativity and professionalism, so perhaps they would surprise me. Yet how could anyone or any show possibly capture and convey the magic of Elvis? The set designer for the show, Mark Fisher, acknowledged the challenge they faced in creating this show when he said, “Elvis has transcended reality and become a kind of mythic figure.”

Look, we all know only too well that Elvis has left the building and no one can truly bring him back. But to my utter amazement and great joy I soon realized that – in a unique and spectacular way - I was experiencing Elvis once more, sitting there in the Elvis Theater at the Aria Resort and Casino. In an eye-popping extravaganza, he dances, laughs, sings and goofs as he explodes on a massive screen. What a brilliant move, bypassing the use of any male singers for live renditions of his songs. Elvis plays Elvis, coming to life as never before. His image on the huge screen above the stage is so compelling, I had to force my eyes to look at the stage to watch the amazing performers. And they are truly amazing dancers, gymnastic-acrobats and singers, all united in Cirque du Soleil’s celebration of Elvis’ remarkable legacy.

The show hits the highlights in Elvis’ life and career, taking us on a journey that includes his musical roots in the southern church, his youthful fascination with comic superheroes, his army years, his love affair with Hollywood and his own movie career, culminating in his record-setting Las Vegas triumph.

On a personal level his relationship with Priscilla and their wedding are beautifully and gracefully portrayed. I loved the aerial ballet of two couples floating above the stage in wedding rings.

One of the most poignant and intimate moments was when “Viva ELVIS” soars into metaphor in a tender rendition of the ballad “One Night With You”. Two young men that we recognize as Elvis and Jesse Garon execute soulful acrobatics, alone and together, on a guitar-shaped apparatus suspended in front of a starry night.


“Viva ELVIS” is truly a spectacle, theatrically and dramatically chronicling Elvis’ musical biography. Rockin’ good music, breathtaking acrobats and dancers, dazzling sets and costumes play off stunning archival footage and iconic images of Elvis, making this the perfect experience. I left the theater feeling totally satisfied…yet wanting more. (News, Source:http://www.larrygeller.blogspot.com/ TCB World)

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(Source: Email: Ann)

Calling all ETA's:

The first of the 2010 Elvis Extravaganza Regional events are now posted
online at http://www.elviscontest.com.

Sign up today! (Source: Elvis Extravaganza)

MRS makes history again for Elvis: ELVIS PRESLEY has for the first time entered the UK Indie Album charts with the release of Off Duty with Private Presley. It is new at #22 and also made the Top 200 UK overall Album Chart. MRS originally had a #1 for Elvis in the UK Indie Singles chart for 4 weeks a few years ago with ‘My Baby Left Me’ and also got into the national overall Single chart in the Top 20. Thanks to all the Elvis fans, dealers and the MRS team for this achievement. This is truly one of the best projects we have done in recent years. ( Joseph Pirzada.......MRS – Always making history!!) Audio component also available in downloadable MP3 format

The King's Castle Australian Qualifier for the Elvis World Cup - 20 - 21 March 2010 - Special guest judges include Joe Esposito & Greg Page

Parkes is looking for the best Elvis Tribute Artist to send to Cardiff, Wales to compete against 11 other countries in the Elvis World Cup on 4 July 2010.

Entries have now closed to competitors.

Tickets are on sale on Tuesday 23rd February from 10am. Phone or visit the Parkes Leagues Club to purchase, 02 6862 1499.

Heat tickets are $10 per day, finale tickets are $25. (News, Source: Chris Bamford/Parkes Elvis Festival)

John Wilkinson cancer update: Please continue to remember him in all your prayers. John is such an important part of our Elvis world and a dear friend who needs our support and certainly our prayers. John and his wife Terry will go in Monday to get the markers on his body that will tell the doctors where to aim, and in a week and 1/2 or 2 weeks it will start. It will only take 1/2 hour daily for 7 to 8 weeks. John's doctor feels that she will be able to get rid of the cancer and radiate any other area that may have a chance of the Cancer to spread. This should take care of it, and the best part is that he will not loose his hair. The news from the doctor really gave John a positive feeling. Again, he wants to thank everybody for your prayers. He WILL get through all this. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

Own a piece of Elvis history: ELVIS' RED SUEDE JACKET WORN ON "JAILHOUSE ROCK" 45 COVER and PROMOTIONAL PHOTOS — Bids start at: $10,000: Was worn frequently by Elvis as his casual every day attire and for the RCA publicity photos taken at the time of his film "Jailhouse Rock." The jacket was purchased at Elvis' favorite men's clothier store, Lansky Brothers in Memphis. Photos of Elvis wearing this jacket graced the covers of 2 of Elvis' most famous and biggest RCA hits, "Jailhouse Rock" and "One Night." For more information visit: gottahaverockandroll.com

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