Welcome to the "Elvis Information Network", home to the best news, reviews, interviews & articles about the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley...

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Lisa Presley's World Bill Burk's Elvis World Online

FTD Shop EIN's Ultimate "2007 Elvis Week Tour" from Australia

George Hill Elvis photos - "Dixieland Delight": The first book with photographs from the George Hill collection is soon to be released, and it will contain a bonus DVD. This is the cover artwork. More news shortly. (News, Source: Derek Phillips)

Jordan's Elvis World Rare CD Raffle! A super rare one track promo CD (right) released by GRACELAND in 1998 to Fan Club Presidents only is being raffled to serious Elvis fans. About 600 only were printed and it is valued at $450 according to various websites. The cd and cover are both in GREAT MINT condition. Jordan Ritchie is not selling it on Ebay preferring this rare gem to go to a true Elvis fan, and by raffling it he hopes to give everyone an equal chance. The raffle ends June 30th. Click here for further details & to get your raffle tickets. (News; Source, JR/EIN)

'He Touched Me: Elvis' Gospel Music' Radio CD: For possible broadcast across all US radio networks from April 2007, this one-hour radio documentary is about Elvis' love for gospel music, his roots in the church, and the stories behind his greatest gospel recordings and performances. With commentary by Laura Cantrell she is joined by friends Jerry Schilling, Joe Mosheo of the Imperials Quartet and Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires. This is another rare Elvis item from super-collector Barry McLean. Go here for more images & details - and listen out for it on your US radio stations.   (News; Source; EIN/Barry Mclean)

"Elvis At The Movies" Australian release: The latest Sony BMG 2CD Elvis set will be released in Australia in the week beginning 9 June 2007. (News, Source: Sony BMG Australia)

"Shake, Rattle And Roll" CD: Here are the details of the budget release "Shake Rattle And Roll" which is due for release June 18, 2007. Track List: Heartbreak Hotel; I Love You Because; Love Me Tender; Don't Be Cruel; That's All Right; I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone (My Baby's Gone); I Want You, I Need You, I Love You; Poor Boy; Old Shep; Just Because; Let Me; So Glad You're Mine; I Got A Woman; Blue Suede Shoes; Shake, Rattle And Roll Hound Dog; Money Honey; There's Good Rockin Tonight; Rip It Up; I Forgot To Remember To Forget. (News, Source: Play/Elvis News)

FTD confusion: "I Sing All Kinds" artwork - 'Raised On Rock' or 'Pot Luck'??: A number of sites have published this artwork for this album due out in July. No word yet if it is the official artwork. Also, while we announced 'Raised On Rock' as one of the July releases (see news yesterday), Elvis World has published that it may in fact be the album 'Pot Luck'. As EIN stated yesterday, there is a real issue with how FTD releases are announced, and it needs to become more professional in order to eradicate ongoing confusion! (News, Source: FECC)

"Elvis at 21 New York to Memphis" - Australian release: To coincide with the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death, Five Mile Press Australia is releasing this visually stunning book featuring images from the famous Alfred Wertheimer Archives. Wertheimer's Elvis images are legendary and this book, originally released in the USA late last year, is simply extraordinary! RRP is A$59.95 (ISBN: 9781786552). Release date: July 2007. (News, Source: Bookwise International)

'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Viva Las Vegas' Blue Ray & HD DVD releases: Amazon now has these releases listed. (News, Source: Elvis News)

Chart update: In the Mexican Mixup DVD Top 10 Elvis Lives is #9 this week. (News, Source: Elvis News)

Collection of coins and Elvis memorabilia may have led to murder and suicide: Scottsdale police say robbery led to the slaying of a former New York City firefighter found dead inside his apartment. The focus of the investigation is on a missing coin collection from a safe inside the victim's Scottsdale apartment, police said. The family of Salvatore Princiotta was unable to detail the exact content or value of the coin collection and what they described as missing "Elvis Presley memorabilia." Family members told police Princiotta had befriended a person named "Jeff." Police narrowed their search to Jeffrey Lynn Bigham, 56, a resident of Arizona and California. Phone records obtained by Scottsdale police showed Princiotta and Bigham were in daily contact until early May. Detectives said they determined that Bigham was in Scottsdale on May 1, the day Princiotta was killed. Princiotta's decomposed body was found May 14 in his Scottsdale apartment.

By Friday, investigators had developed probable cause to believe that Bigham was responsible for the killing, officers said. Scottsdale detectives discovered that Bigham was in California. They traveled to the San Bernardino, Calif., area to begin searching for him. Late Friday, police located Bigham at a motel in San Bernardino. Scottsdale police detectives and San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies attempted to contact Bigham at the motel. Upon seeing law enforcement, Bigham fled on foot and was chased by detectives, police said. After a short distance, Bigham pulled out a gun and shot himself in the head as officers closed in, police said. Bigham died a short time later at a hospital. Princiotta, 43, responded to the Sept. 11 attacks while serving as a New York City firefighter. He moved to Arizona because he suffered from lung problems.

'EIN's Best of Elvis on YouTube' Weekly Update: EIN's most eclectic selection of new Elvis videos yet! Do not miss the SENSATIONAL new clip for 'A Little Less Conversation' nor the Madison Square Garden footage, nor the rare 1973 film of Graceland. We also feature great footage of Elvis' "Jaycee" speech from 1971, as well as a hilarious 10 minute romp through some of the best & worst of Elvis' sixties movies. Along with more live in concert action, fine photo-montages and even an touching Celine Dion tribute song - what more could you need! EIN presents over 200 of the best Elvis videos on the internet, so don't miss out. ('EIN's Elvis on YouTube', Source: EIN)

Church bells play Elvis: A new tower and a set of 9 bells can play Portuguese popular songs or others like Bach's tunes. The new tower and set of bells started to play on May 25th at Calheiros's Church in Ponte de Lima (Portugal).

Viana do Castelo's Bishop, D. José Augusto Pedreira was present at the inaugural concert of this set of bells. Besides gospel music, the bells played classical music followed by three portuguese popular tunes, two Christmas tunes and "Yellow Submarine" by The Beatles and "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley. (News, Source: O primeiro de Janeiro/ Burning Star)

Buy your own "blinking" Elvis pin

Buy your own "blinking" Elvis pin

Elvis ancester deserted Army: The largest online databank of personal records, ancestry.com, operated by the Mormons in Utah has recently added a large archive of military records. It seems to be that Elvis' great-great-grandfather Dunnan Presley Jr (grandfather of 'Billy Goat Song' Jessy) deserted the army not once but twice. Look at Elvis' family tree (News, Source: Ancestry.com/Elvis Matters)

Elvis Gospel Event in Tupelo: The 2007 Elvis Presley Festival will pay homage to its namesake's affinity for gospel music with a concert at Tupelo's First United Methodist Church. The event started when Travis LeDoyt, an Elvis tribute artist, performed a gospel-themed show.

"It's been a very successful part of the festival," said Jim High, assistant director of the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association, which oversees the festival.

LeDoyt won't make the 2007 concert, but Dean Vegas, a tribute artist from Australia, will lend his voice to the joyful noise. He'll perform several songs with Terry Blackwood and the Imperials.

"They sang with Elvis on his gospel records, so there's that connection," High said.

The Landmarks and the Lane Chapel Quartet also are scheduled to perform. It's a casual event, and members of the festival staff have been known to appear in their shorts and T-shirts.

"People are free to shout, clap and sing along if they want to," High said.

The church seats about 500 people, and the gospel concert usually sells out. Tickets cost $10 each, and they're available at www.tupeloelvisfestival.com .

"You need to get your reservations early," High said. "Last year, we turned people away. You hate to do that, but when you get full, you get full." (News, Source: M. Scott Morris, Daily Journal/Charmaine Voisine)

View online promo VIDEO for Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley Elvis live on stage in Tupelo with sound!!! Pre-order "Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley book & DVD set"Read more about the set

Elvis and burlesque queen Tempest Storm: The photo of Elvis with world famous and very statuesque burlesque artist, Tempest Storm, is well known. What is less well known is their brief liaison in 1957. We recently came across this most interesting article about Ms Storm and her colorful life.....including her relationship with Elvis. (Spotlight, Source: secondsout.com) Vote for Tempest Storm's top date: Elvis or JFK

Chart update: The "Elvis Lives" DVD is back in the Belgium Music DVD charts: it lands at #9 from last week's #13 in the Wallonian Music DVD chart after being present for 9 weeks in this chart. It reappears at #9 in the Flemish Music DVD chart and is being present for 11 weeks in this chart. It is also back in the Swedish Music DVD Top 20 at #19. It has charted now for seven weeks.

The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation goes down to #74 from last week's #67 in the Irish album chart. (News, Source: Elvis News)

Star Wars stamp set to eclipse Elvis stamp: The US Postal Service is bracing itself for an intergalactic attack. The Star Wars stamp has been released. Several observers predict that based on pre-release interest it could outstrip the Elvis stamp (which has sold around 517 million stamps). A print run of 450 million Star Wars stamps has been (so far) commissioned. Let's hope the "force" remains with the King! (News, Source: NewsTribune.com)

Pilot of Hound Dog II Jetstar dies: Milo High, who was the pilot of Elvis's "Hound Dog II" JetStar plane, has passed away.  This company has charge of the arrangements:

Family Funeral Care
4925 Summer Ave.
Memphis, TN 38122 
901-761-8000       

Visitation will be on Tuesday evening, May 29th, time TBA.  The funeral will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 30th. (News, Source: EPE)

Cover artwork for 30th Anniversary edition of 'Remember Elvis': Here is the cover art of the hardcover 30th Anniversary Edition of Joe Esposito's book "Remember Elvis". (News, Source: Joe Esposito (TCB Joe) / Elvis News)

Elvis the celestial body: It's Elvis Time, the oldest Elvis fan club in the Nertherlands has registered a star in Elvis' name. Elvis is a "star", everyone must know that by now. But this August he will become a real "star". On August 16th 2007 it will be 30 years since Elvis died at the age of 42 in his mansion Graceland, in Memphis Tennessee USA. On this date the Online Star Registry" (OSR) has accepted registration of a star in the universe with the name "Elvis A. Presley". You can find this star at the following co-ordinates: 06H22M;+62° 06´. The registry number is: 60139445. Happy star gazing! (News, Source: It's Elvis Time)

Quite possibly the #1 Elvis release of 2007!!! Pre-order "Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley book & DVD set" Read more about the set

TV Land To Honor Elvis With Life-Sized Sculpture, On-Air Tribute: TV Land will celebrate the life and times of music legend and pop icon Elvis Presley throughout the summer of 2007. Kicking off TV Land's tribute to Elvis in late July, TV Land and the city of Honolulu, Hawaii will honor Elvis with a life-sized bronze sculpture. The statue will grace The Neal S. Blaisdell Center, formerly The Honolulu International Center, the site of Elvis' 1973 Aloha from Hawaii concert, which was seen globally on television. Fans can log on today at TVLand.com to view video excerpts and photos from Elvis's historic Aloha From Hawaii performance. Following this momentous event, beginning Aug. 1, 2007, TV Land will celebrate Elvis with an on-air tribute commemorating his unprecedented legacy throughout the entire month. From the '68 Comeback Special to Aloha from Hawaii to the documentary "Elvis By The Presleys" to his much-loved films like Love Me Tender and Wild in the Country, TV Land will showcase Elvis Presley's work every single day in August.

"Elvis is the ultimate icon of pop culture, especially to the Boomer generation, and one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century," states Larry W. Jones. "Celebrating his legacy this August on TV Land will be a unifying event for current and future Elvis fans." (News, Source: Star Pulse/It's Elvis Time)

Italian city names street after Elvis: Parma is the first Italian city that has named a street after Elvis: the "Via Elvis Presley". (News, Source: Elvis News)

Artwork Paramount DVD sets in EC: Here are two DVD boxes from Paramount which each contains four Elvis movies. These sets entitled “The 30th Anniversary DVD Collection” (region 2, PAL format) are due for release July 10, 2007. Box 1: King Creole”, “Easy Come, Easy Go”, “Paradise Hawaiian Style” and “Fun In Acapulco”. Box 2: “G.I. Blues”, “Girls!, Girls, Girls”, “Roustabout” and “Blue Hawaii”. (News, Source: Amazon France/Elvis News)

Elvis (and other) collector's plates for sale: Randy Worrell has informed EIN he has the folowing for sale: We have a large collection of plates (thousands) All types: Elvis (118), Christmas, Carousels, Disney, Simpsons, Classic T.V. Westerns, Marilyn Monroe, Harley Davidson, Indian Motorcycle, Princess Diana, Shakespeare, English cottages, WWII, Civil War, Vietnam, Thomas Kincaid, Sandra Kuck, Donald Zolan,  Angels,  Gone with the Wwind, Norman Rockwell (208), animals, children, Coca-cola (15), movies, movie stars, country scenes, Shakespeare, Presidents,  etc. They are in their original box with certificate of authenticity. Email Randy for more details (News, Source: Randy K. Worrell)

Made-In-Malaysia King of Rock and Roll: Elvis Presley "lives" again in Malaysia because of HT Long's long association with the King of Rock and Roll, dating back to the early sixties. He has even met the man's legendary manager, Colonel Tom Parker, being a special guest to Memphis in 1984. Read full story (Almost Elvis, Source: HT Long/The Star)

New CD 'Original Sound': Released on the Black label is the budget compilation "Original Sound". This CD was released May 16, 2007. No less than 7 CD releases entitled "Elvis Presley" are due for release on June 5, 2007 according to various on-line stores. No futher details are available yet. (News, Source: Amazon.com/Elvis News)

Elvis: Pure Diamonds 4CD boxset: Here are the details of the "The Uncut & Undubbed" RCA studio sessions which were released on the Wonderland Records import label. It contains 69 songs from the June 1970/1973 sessions in Nashville. The 24 pages booklet comes in the same size as the box set and contains background information on the sessions.

CD 1- Undubbed Recordings 1970 - 1971: Almost In Love (Chorus Track) - If I Were You - Only Believe - Mary In The Morning - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me - I’ll Never Know - Just Pretend - Life - Stranger In The Crowd - This Is Our Dance - Heart Of Rome - It’s Your Baby, You Rock It - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Alternate Duet Version) - Help Me Make It Through The Night - Until It’s Time For You To Go (Remake) - It’s Only Love - We Can Make The Morning - Britches (Bonus Track)

CD 2 - Different Undubbed Recordings: When I’m Over You - Make The World Go Away - Funny How Time Slips Away - Snowbird - Where Did They Go, Lord - Rags To Riches - The Sound Of Your Cry - I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water - Patch It Up - It Ain’t No Big Thing (But It’s Growing) - Bridge Over Troubled Water - Got My Mojo Working / Keep You Hands Off Her - Cindy, Cindy

CD 3 - Undubbed Masters 1971 - 1973: Put Your Hand In The Hand - Reach Out To Jesus (Alternate Take) - He Is My Everything - There Is No God But God - I, John - Bosom Of Abraham - Put Your Hand In The Hand - Raised On Rock - Just A Little Bit - If You Don’t Come Back - Three Corn Patches - Take Good Care Of Her - Find Out What’s Happening - I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby - Just A Little Bit -
For Ol’ Time Sake - Raised On Rock

CD 4 - Different Undubbed Studio Recordings: Twenty Days And Twenty Nights - I’ve Lost You - I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago - The Sound Of Your Cry - The Fool - Little Cabin On The Hill - Cindy, Cindy - Bridge Over Troubled Water (Alternate Take) - Got My Mojo Working / Keep You Hands Off Her - How The Web Was Woven - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Until It’s Time For You To Go (Alternate Take) - Seperate Ways (Alternate Take) - For The Good Times - Where Do I Go From Here - Burning Love - Fool - Always On My Mind - It’s A Matter Of Time - For The Good Times - Until It’s Time For You To Go (News, Source: Elvis Club Berlin /Elvis News)

Elvis meets Nixon exhibit comes to Memphis: The expo about the meeting between Nixon and Elvis that opened a couple of months ago in the Californian presidential library has moved to the 'After Dark' expo, part of the platinum Graceland tour. The items will be on display untill the end of the year. Graceland can start the countdown for the big rush in August. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

Miss USA goes Elvis: Miss USA Rachel Smit presented herself in an Elvis-inspired dress as she represents her country during one of the events of the Miss Universe pageant. Smit won the Miss USA title, representing her home stage as Miss Tennessee. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

"Fit for a King" TV special: With the title “Fit for a King: The Story of B&K Enterprises"" a television special has been created on the B&K Enterprises costume designers and creators who were involved in the famous jumpsuits Elvis wore. Television Special synopsis: “Fit for a King: The Story of B&K Enterprises” is the first TV-show to document the extraordinary story of B&K Enterprises one of the most unique costume shops of its kind in the world. They are internationally acclaimed for their reproductions of sequined jumpsuits, leather pants, embroidered capes, and an exquisite collection of accessories epitomized by Elvis Presley. “Fit for a King” is an all-American story about childhood sweethearts Butch and Kim Polston who followed their dreams from small town Indiana all the way to Graceland. Butch & Kim Polston have a passion for detail that lead to a working relationship with the original fabulous designers, Bill Belew and Gene Doucette. Together they pay homage to the King with their faithful recreations. Belew, the designer who created the head-to-toe black-leather look for the 1968 TV special that became known as Presley's "comeback," became a collaborator whom Presley trusted to execute his more and more outrageous style ideas in the 1970s. In 1972 Gene Doucette, started doing the designing on Elvis costumes for Hollywood costume legend Bill Belew.

Gene designed more than 50 elaborate outfits worn by the king of rock & Roll. He has also designed wardrobes for Cher, Bette Midler, Dolly Parton Diana Ross, Carol Burnette, Tina Turner and Muhammad Ali.

Featuring rare video footage, archival photographs of Elvis wearing his amazing outfits, as well as sketches and other original documentation.

“Fit for a King” showcases the risk-taking style that was part of Presley's power as a rock 'n' roll icon and the heartfelt friendships that have evolved from mutual admiration and respect. (News, Source: Elvis News)

Stolen Elvis collection being sold: On instruction of the Crown Prosecution Service, the British government is selling a large and extensive collection of Elvis Presley Records and Memorabilia (retail value £597,000) which were sized following a confiscation order. The previous owner, a parking attendee, bought the souvenirs and memorabilia with money taken from the Parking nickel machines. The collection which has 'Something For Everybody's has items of memorabilia starting at few pounds to rare vinyl records from all corners of the world with values of £3,000+. Sales begin on June 10th. Here’s the direct link. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

Elvis: Midnight in Vegas Tickets On Sale Now: Tickets for the exciting new Elvis: Midnight in Vegas Concert - That's the Way It Is are on sale now. Stay up late after the 30th anniversary concert with Elvis and his band as they re-create the wild excitement of Elvis's midnight shows in Las Vegas. The show will star the real Elvis, exclusively using performance footage from That's the Way It Is, and live on stage will be a cast of singers and musicians – many of whom worked the 1970 Vegas engagement with him. (News, Source: EPE)

Ex-Elvis girlfriend Shirley Delgado dies update: On 22 May we ran a news item about Ms Searcy Delgado's passing. We also included a note that her romance with Elvis was not included in any of the major Elvis biographies. Well we were wrong! Ms Searcy Delgado's son, Victor, has contacted EIN and drawn our attention to a story and photos of Elvis and his mother in the superb 2005 collaboration from Ernst Jorgensen and Stanley Oberst, Rockin' across Texas. The little known relationship is nicely covered in Oberst's engaging narrative and includes the amusing revelation that Shirley once knocked back a date with Elvis because she was seeing someone else that night. And as luck would have it guess who they ran into! Ms Searcy Delgado was also there the night Elvis' cadillac was burnt out and it is her photo of the burnt vehicle that appears in Rockin' Across Texas. (News, Source: Victor Delgado)

Elvis Gold Disc: Due for release is a golden vinyl disc edition of (what appears to be) Elvis debut album. This release comes with a 20 pages booklet and contains the original album tracks and rare bonus songs. (News, Source: Elvis Corner/Elvis News)

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The Rockabilly Legends: Published by Hal Leonard (most famous for his Elvis sheet music books) and written by Jerry Naylor and Steve Halliday, this new release, features Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and on the road to stardom between 1954 and 1959. From the publisher: In five brief but glorious years, a handful of young, animated performers set the entertainment world on its ear. The Rockabilly Legends - They Called It Rockabilly Long Before It Was Called Rock and Roll celebrates the rebel forefathers who created this raw, driving sound that continues to influence and inspire musicians.

This unique volume - part tribute, part first-person recollection, part history, and all fascinating - provides a complete picture of the times. It features hundreds of original rare and captivating photos, including Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and others, along with candid interviews with music legends and personal reflections.

The stunningly designed book also comes with a one-hour DVD sampler of rockabilly music to immerse the reader into those heady days from 1954 through 1959 when a new, high-energy sound and spirit instantly captured the hearts of fans around the world. 256 pages with DVD. (News, Source: Elvis UK On-line/Elvis News)

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Running with Elvis: San Diego NBC news anchor Artie Ojeda has been training for the city's June 3rd Rock and Roll Marathon. Like most runners, Artie needed a little inspiration for his race, so he turned to Competitor's "Running Elvis" himself, and chronicled the experience on his blog.

The Elvis boat...exciting and new: Carnival Cruise Lines and St. Louis, Mo.-based Jazz Cruises, LLC, a provider of full-ship charter music cruises, have partnered to offer "The Elvis Cruise," the first authentic, fully licensed specialty cruise that celebrates the music and life of the legendary Elvis Presley. The four-day cruise is scheduled to depart from Jacksonville, Fla., on August 30, 2007, and will feature visits to Freeport and Nassau, The Bahamas. The one-of-a-kind voyage will be hosted by Jerry Schilling, longtime friend and confidant of the late Elvis Presley, and author of the book, Me and a Guy Named Elvis. Entertainment during the cruise will include live shows from artists who performed with Elvis and have been recognized for continuing his musical legacy, including the TCB Band, the Jordanaires, the Imperials, the Dempseys, Ronnie McDowell, Terry Mike Jeffrey & Band, Ruby Wilson and others.
 
"The Elvis Cruise" will celebrate the various phases of Elvis' musical life and career and include tributes to Elvis' performances in Memphis, Hawaii and Vegas, his dedication to Gospel and his gold hits. A number of themed events also will be featured, including an Elvis tribute contest, open to all guests, which will award $10,000 in prize money. Other activities will range from autograph and Q&A sessions with the musicians and hosts, to the Elvis Cruise T-Shirt Party, Elvis-themed bingo and more. "This cruise provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for Elvis fans to come together and enjoy the exceptional music and memories of one of the most celebrated performing artists of all time, combined with a truly outstanding vacation experience," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. "Jazz Cruises is thrilled to partner with Carnival Cruise Lines for this exciting celebration of Elvis' life," said Michael Lazaroff, executive director of Jazz Cruises, LLC. "We are excited to provide individuals who are passionate about Elvis with the exclusive opportunity to interact with fellow enthusiasts and revered performers in a spectacular and festive cruise setting." Carnival's "Fun Ship" Celebration features a diverse selection of lounges, bars and nightspots, along with a health and fitness center, Wi-Fi Internet access, cellular phone service, and three pools, one of which features the line's signature "Twister Waterslide."

The 1,486-passenger vessel also houses three restaurants, including two elegant main dining rooms with extensive menus and wine lists, and a poolside eatery offering a wide variety of cuisine, in addition to 24-hour pizza and self-serve ice cream/frozen yogurt. A sushi bar and complimentary 24-hour stateroom service are also available. Jazz Cruises is currently accepting reservations for the upcoming "Elvis Cruise" aboard Carnival's Celebration. Prices begin at $750 per person based on double occupancy and include all "Elvis Cruise" activities. For additional information or to book, call Jazz Cruises, LLC at 1-800- 704-3034 or visit www.theelviscruise.com. (News, Source: It's Elvis Time)

Chart update: The US Billboard Elvis Chart listings for the week ending June 2, 2007:

Top Country Catalog Albums - Ultimate Gospel - down 7 to #14
Top Country Catalog Albums - Elvis 30 #1 Hits - down 6 to #19
Top Music Video - Elvis Lives - 25th Anniversary Concert - down 5 to #12
Top Comprehensive Music Video - 25th Anniversary Concert - down 5 to #12
Top Music Video - Elvis: 68 Comeback Special - down 11 to #28
Top Comprehensive Music Video - Elvis: 68 Comeback Special - down 11 to #28
Top Music Video - Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - down 14 to #34
Top Comprehensive Music Video - Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - down 14 to #34

Dropping off the charts include:
- He Touched Me DVD drops off the Top Music Video and Comprehensive Music Video Charts
- Ultimate Gospel drops off the Top Pop Catalog Albums Chart
- Heartbreak Hotel drops off the Hot 100 Singles Sales Chart. (News, Source: Elvis International Fan Club  /Elvis News)

DVD artwork: Here is the cover art of the upcoming MGM DVD box set "The Elvis Presley Collection" featuring Elvis' movies "Clambake", "Frankie and Johnny", "Follow That Dream" and "Kid Galahad". This title will be released on July 24, 2007. (News, Source: Amazon.com /Elvis News)

Track listing & artwork "American Way Vol. 4" Sound of the City: Many fans are looking forward to the upcoming 4th volume in the superior American Way series. Here are the details: For those who don't see the significance of the cover photo or the connection to the musical contents, perhaps a little explanation is in order. The photo, taken by famous Memphian Robert "Bob" Williams, shows Elvis, Red West and cousin Junior Smith cruisin' on Main Street on a summer night in 1956. It was on Main and Beale that the teenage/ young adult Elvis Presley absorbed and soaked up the musical sounds of the City of Memphis. These influences shine through in some of his best ever studio recordings laid down in his hometown. Sun, American Sound, Stax...those recordings echo the sound of the City of Memphis. Also a little different is that part of the 16-page bonus booklet is devoted to '50s RCA paperwork, rare photos of the studios he recorded in and unseen pix of Elvis and Scotty at Radio Recorders - all under the heading 'Another Place, Another Time'.

"TRUE LOVE TRAVELS ON A GRAVEL ROAD" SESSION:

01. True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - takes 2, 3 (ending only of take 2 + complete take)
02. True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - take 5 (complete take + rehearsal)
03. True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - takes 6, 7 (2 x false start + complete take)
04. True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - take 8 - 10 (false start + long false start + 3 x false start)
05. True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - take 11 (master)

All tracks stereo.

"POWER OF MY LOVE" SESSION:

06. Power Of My Love - take 1 (rehearsal + false start + complete take)
07. Power Of My Love - takes 2, 3 (false start + complete take)

08. Power Of My Love - take 4 (4 x false start + rehearsal + "Are You Waiting Just for Me" one line)
09. Power Of My Love - takes 5, 6 (long false start + false start)
10. Power Of My Love - take 7 A (long false start + complete take)
11. Power Of My Love - take 7 (complete master take)

All tracks stereo.

"DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM'" SESSION:

12. Do You Know Who I Am - take 1 (complete take + rehearsal)
13. Do You Know Who I Am - take 2 (3 x false start + complete take)
14. Do You Know Who I Am - take 3 (long false start + rehearsal)
15. Do You Know Who I Am - take 4 (3 x false start + complete take)
16. Do You Know Who I Am - take 5 (6 x false start + complete take)
17. Do You Know Who I Am - take 6 (long false start)
18. Do You Know Who I Am - take 6 (complete master take)

All tracks stereo.

"MY LITTLE FRIEND": 19. My Little Friend (undubbed acetate) Mono.

"POOR MAN'S GOLD": 20. Poor Man's Gold (vocal overdub attempt) Stereo. (News, Source: FECC)

Elvis part of Sony-BMG Collections series & Gold Records reissues: On 19 June Sony-BMG will release a budget CD titled Elvis Presley Collections Vol.1. It is part of their "Collection series''. As the flyer states it contains 12 of Elvis' most recognizable early hits. The picture shown on the flyer is not the final art cover. Also, Sony-BMG Canada Special Imports will re-release on 12 June 2007 Elvis' Gold Records Vol.3 and Elvis' Gold Records Vol.4 in their original sequence. (News, Source: Barry McLean)

Help needed with new George Klein documentary: A new Elvis documentary for George Klein, called : Elvis Close As A Brother is in the works and the producers are asking for help locating home movie footage of (i) early Elvis Las Vegas performances at the International and (ii) any footage of 70's Elvis touring...and in particular Elvis arriving at a gig or backstage and/or with fans....

The show is the life of Elvis as told in a very personal and intimate way by George. It is laced with hundreds of photos, film clips, tv clips and newsreels of the day... The show contains 9 Elvis performances.

The one-hour special, shot in high-definition, will provide a personal and heartfelt perspective on the legendary star’s life through the eyes of Klein, whom Presley had originally met in high school in 1948. The film is laced with a soundtrack of the star’s music, an original score inspired by the era, exclusive photos, and newsreel and archive footage.

"This candid and touching special is a real gem as it marks the first time that George Klein has ever talked in great detail about his friendship with Elvis, exclusively to camera," said Rick Stevens, the chairman of Record Plant Pictures. "He does so with integrity and honesty, as one of the elite few to have shared the highs and lows with the star."

The production is partnered with Elvis Presley Enterprises and all music is licensed from Sony / BMG (RCA).

Contact :

Rick Stevens
RECORD PLANT PICTURES LLC
Direct +1(310)406-9100
Office +1(323)993-9300
Email rickstevens@recordplant.com (News, Source: Elvis Australia)

Universal Music Group buys BMG Publishing: The ink is now dry on a buy out we first mentioned several months ago. In a $2.09 billion deal, Universal Music Group purchased BMG Publishing to create the world’s biggest music publishing company. The new group, which has knocked the EMI off its reign of the market share will incorporate artists including Elvis Presley, U2, Shania Twain, Bon Jovi, Prince, 50 Cent, Fatboy Slim, Brian McKnight, Shania Twain, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Elton John, Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Leonard Bernstein and Henry Mancini. (News, Source: Amber Smith)

Night Of A Thousand Stars: A press release from the Suzanna Leigh Experience LLC on the Elvis Presley co-star event " A Night Of A Thousand Stars" on August 16-18 2007:

Never before have "The King's" co-stars participated together for such an historic event celebrating 50 years of movie magic. You have seen them a hundred times on the screen, now meet them in person. This Gala is being put on by Suzanna Leigh, who starred with "The King" in "Paradise, Hawaiian Style." Suzanna is planning a pre-garden party with a 2-day event called "Night of a Thousand Stars" and has contacted many co-stars, friends and directors of "The King's" movies to be at these gatherings.

Some of the co-stars participating in this event are Pat Priest, Nancy Kovack, Sue Ane Langdon, Irene Tsu, Jan Shepard, Gloria Pall, Jennifer Holden, Will Hutchins, Lance LeGault, Donna Butterworth, Michael Dante, Jack Carter, Jack Grinnage, Dolores Hart, Director John Ritch, L.Q. Jones, William Campbell, and more to come. For information go to the special website. (News, Source: Night Of A Thousand Stars/Elvis News)

Elvis items going under auction hammer: Many of Elvis Presley's personal items will be auctioned on June 2nd at The Fame Bureau's Rock n Roll Circus sale in Las Vegas.

Amongst the items will be Elvis's Harley Davidson Golf Buggy, His gold St Christopher pendant, rare letters and notes in his handwriting, and a musical manuscript for Blue Suede Shoes from the 68 comeback special signed by Elvis and his companions that day, and many many more precious items. (News, Source: It's Elvis Time)

Voice reunion during Elvis Week 2007: George Klein talked yesterday with former Stamps member Richard Sterban on his Sirius radio show. Sterban will performe for the first time in a virtual concert show. Klein ended the interview with: 'It will be a beautiful concert with all the musicians: The Jordanaires, The Stamps, The Imperials and Voice'. Although the EPE site does not make a notification of the fact that Voice will be part of the show, this reunion would be a premiere! (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

Actor Carl Wright, who starred in Barbershop and Big Momma's House, has died of cancer at the age of 75: He passed away at his home in Chicago on Saturday, according to his daughter, Kia Wright. Before launching his film career in the 1997 movie Soul Food, he travelled the world working as a tap dancer. He was also a comedian and songwriter. "He's done so many things," Ms Wright said. "He worked with everyone from Elvis Presley to Frank Sinatra." (News, Source: BBC News)

Elvis-inspired band records upbeat songs for all ages: “Music that cooks with a western flavor” is the mantra for a new local band called the Bunker Boys. The seven-member group is known for recording music that covers a variety of genres, including traditional folk, country, blues and rock. So far, the group has recorded an eight-track CD titled “Elvis Has Left the Building,” released in June 2006 by Bight Me Records LLC. West Bloomfield resident Rico Steinhert, 56, wrote all of the songs on the disc, including one he said was inspired by his Jan. 8, 2004, encounter with Elvis in the peanut butter aisle of a Meijer store in Kalamazoo. “Without Elvis, the Bunker Boys wouldn’t be what they are today. We’re like Miss America, we want to conquer world hunger and peace,” said Steinhert. “No — really, we’re trying to entertain and uplift people … just trying to explore and expand the musical border, break down the barriers between genres of music.”Each of the band’s eight tracks has been played on different radio stations across the country. In Michigan, the Bunker Boys were heard on WATZ, WCSX, WCUP and WJR. The band’s album features a variety of songs, most which are considered appropriate for children. Disney Radio is currently reviewing the tracks for possible airplay. Song titles on the disc include “Elvis Has Left the Building,” “The Canadian Cowboy,” “I’m Going Fishing” and “Fifteen Minutes of Fame.”Producer of the band is 35-year-old Plymouth resident Peter Keys, who also plays the keyboard. The band operates out of a Plymouth music studio that temporarily has no name, according to its owner, 52-year-old Doug Moore of Plymouth. “Rico’s songwriting really sets the band apart,” Moore said. “They’re good and catchy lyrics that are not too long.”Steinhert grew up in Detroit listening to Motown and attending local blues festivals before high school, when he began playing the harmonica with bands in the Ann Arbor area. He earned a teaching certificate form the University of Michigan in 1973. Other band members are 35-year-old Matt Binder of Plymouth on drums, 60-year old Farmington Hills resident and vocalist Bob Buck, 55-year-old Plymouth resident Joe LaGrici and 35-year-old Berkley resident Chuck Litvin on guitar, and 54-year-old West Bloomfield resident William Stern on clarinet.

Few of the band members were friends before Moore formally introduced them to one another at the studio. At press time, more than 25,000 people from 65 countries had visited the band’s Elvis-inspired Web site. The Bunker Boys remain selective, choosing not to perform small-time gigs in local bars or clubs. Steinhert said that his band would begin performing live should a formal concert opportunity arise. (News, Source: Andrea Zarczynski, C&G Newspapers)

Elvis inspired wins award: An Ottawa Sun staffer has secured a top spot and runner-up in Sun Media’s 2006 Edward Dunlop awards for journalistic excellence. Earl McRae won in the feature writing category for his story recalling the impact Elvis Presley had on his life, including the night he played racquetball with the King. He also earned runner-up in column writing for a story about how surviving a deadly terrorist bombing in Egypt forever altered the life of one young Ottawa woman.

“It is always, for me, a huge surprise, delight and honour to win awards for writing because one can never know what the call of the gods will be,” he said. “The feature writing award was for a piece on the impact Elvis has had in my life, so I guess I’ll have to phone him in Tweed and tell him I owe him one. I hope he doesn’t ask for my golf clubs, although I doubt they’d help him any more than they help me.” (News, Source: Alex Hebert, Sun Media)

Elvis collector dies: Arlo Lopez Jr., 48, who collected Elvis Presley memorabilia, died Tuesday, May 15, 2007, in Boise, Idaho.He was born on Dec. 30, 1958, in Billings to Dorothy Ontiveros and Arlo Lopez Sr. He moved to Boise to become a cosmetologist.Survivors include four children, Miquel, Sharaya, Frankie and Dante Lopez; grandchildren; brothers, Robert, Rick and Tim; and sisters, Anna, Tina and Lori. Graveside services were held May 19 at Holy Cross Cemetery. (News, Source: It's Elvis Time)

Scott Norton crowned The King in Tampa ETA Contest: The King of this contest was Scott Norton of Port St. Lucie. Norton was selected winner of The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest on Sunday, besting seven other finalists in an Elvis-off before a sold-out crowd at Stump's Supper Club at Channelside. Norton won $1,500, an Elvis Presley wig and the right to represent Tampa in the national Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition in Memphis, Tenn., in August.Four judges did preliminary voting Friday and Saturday during the Elvis Festival sponsored by the Tampa Parks and Recreation Department and Elvis Presley Enterprises. Jack Smink of Rockledge was second, Orlando's Ted Torres finished third and Gary Elvis Britt of Plant City was fourth. Also making the finals from 35 Elvises entered were Elvis Wayne of Cape Coral, Tampa's Bill Lindsey, Jeff "Jelvis" La Jess of Seminole and Largo's Steve Roberti. Each finalist also received cash and prizes.D.J. Fontana, a drummer for Presley for 15 years whose snare drum playing was a "Jailhouse Rock" highlight, attended the Elvis Festival. (Almost Elvis, Source: TBO.com)

'Love Me Tender' Australian 'Music Edition' DVD: The upgraded Australian 50th Anniversary edition of Elvis' first movie 'Love Me Tender' is now available in local stores for the amazing low price of AU$12. Reviewed several months ago by EIN contributor Harley Payette, this is a sensational bargain. The DVD itself carries a similar effective design as the cover, shown right. 'Love Me Tender' 50th Anniversary Edition - DVD Review: For the very first time an original Elvis film has been given the special edition treatment on DVD. It has added audio commentary by Jerry Schilling, plus three new featurettes, as well as including Alanna Nash's fascinating insights on The Colonel. It also features the trailer snippet of Elvis singing the sought-after missing song 'Lonely Man' - so is this at last a worthy upgrade? EIN contributor Harley Payette reveals all in this in-depth review. (DVD Review, Source: EIN)

Songwriter, Ben Weisman dies: Ben Weisman, a classically trained pianist who helped write nearly 60 songs for Elvis Presley, including many for his movies, has died. He was 85. Weisman, who had Alzheimer's disease and suffered a stroke last month, died Sunday at a long-term care hospital in Los Angeles, said Barbara Gleicher of New York, who is married to Weisman's nephew. Weisman, whom Presley dubbed "the mad professor," wrote or co-wrote a string of gold- and platinum-selling songs for Presley, including "Follow That Dream" and "Fame and Fortune."

His songs include "Wooden Heart" for the movie "G.I. Blues," "Rock-a-Hula Baby" for "Blue Hawaii" and "Crawfish" for "King Creole."

"Whenever there was a movie (for Elvis) coming up they would call him up and say, 'We need one for, uh, the clam dance,"' Gleicher said.

He also wrote for other pop stars, including Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Bobby Vee and the Beatles. Born Nov. 16, 1921, in Providence, R.I., Weisman was raised in Brooklyn. He studied classical piano as a teenager and at the Juilliard School of Music. He began writing for Presley in 1956 at the request of his music publisher, Jean Aberbach. (News, Source: The Associated Press)

2008 "Joe Petruccio" Elvis Calendar: Now available to order from Amazon. Also available from Amazon is the 2008 Alfred Wertheimer Elvis calendar. (News, Source: Amazon)

'EIN's Best of Elvis on YouTube' Weekly Update:  The Elvis world is buzzing with news of the up-coming 'Tupelo' book, so here's a chance to see some of the rare 1956 Tupelo colour footage. Some other Elvis classics have also recently re-surfaced on YouTube this week, several of which are sure to be removed in the near future. So don't miss out on Elvis' sensational August 10th long-intro 'Polk Salad Annie' and while you're at it compare it to Tony Joe White's earlier duet with Johnny Cash! Catch Opening Night's brilliant 'Patch It Up', as well as a marvellous footage of Elvis in his penthouse suite beforehand. We also present a long version of Elvis' Houston Press Conference and much more.. EIN presents over two hundred of Elvis' greatest video clips from the internet, catch them now before the Elvis Internet police take them away! ('EIN's Elvis on YouTube', Source: EIN/YouTube)

Ex-Elvis girlfriend Shirley Delgado dies: Shirley Searcy Delgado, who dated Elvis Presley about 50 years ago during the singer's early career, died Monday in her Houston home, apparently of a heart attack. She was 72. In the mid-1950s, Presley spotted Delgado in the audience at the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, where he was performing, said her son, Victor Matthew Delgado of Houston.During an intermission, Presley "grabbed her and took her backstage to the band, saying, 'Look what I found,'" her son said. Romance ensued, and Presley and Shirley Delgado intended to marry, her son said. But Presley's manager, Col. Tom Parker, decided that "marriage was not a good business move" for the singer, he added. Delgado and Presley, however, continued to see each other from time to time but eventually went their separate ways, Victor Delgado said.

EIN Comment: While it is sad Ms Delgado has passed away, the romance between her and Elvis is not reported in any of the major Elvis biographies.

Bonus tracks on 'Elvis That's The Way It Is' DVD: According to an update on the Japanese Elvis World site this is the track listing for the bonus tracks on the upcoming "That's The Way it Is" deluxe edition: (Never-before Seen Outtakes) 47 minutes: You Don't Have To Say You Love Me; Eating Burgers; Cattle Call; Baby Let's Play House; Don't; Farther Along; Oh Happy Day; I Just Can't Help Believin'; Walk A Mile In My Shoes; I've Lost You; Sweet Caroline; Little Sister; Stranger In The Crowd; Party Sequence. (News, Source: FECC Forum /Elvis News)

Author Stephen King a big fan of Elvis: In this week's Entertainment Weekly horror author and pop culture pundit Stephen King picks his 24 greatest rock records all time (with the emphasis on uptempo rocking). Elvis is the artist with the most entries at 3 with "Don't Be Cruel" #16, "A A Big Hunk O' Love" #10 and "Burning Love" #2. ("Anarchy in the UK" by the Sex Pistols is #1 on the list.) About "Burning Love" King tells us Elvis "saved the best for last". (While he's a fan he must not be a diehard as he would know that Elvis wasn't quite done rocking in 1972 as "Promised Land" and "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" were still on the way.) It's great to see Elvis get such prominent and unapologetic notice especially from a writer with a knowledge of rock history and an ear still in the contemporary market. (News, Source: likethebike on FECC board)

London Elvis event on the move: The monthly Elvis UK Fan club events for London have had to change venues. It will now be held at "The Minories", London EC3 on the first Saturday of every month, 7.30pm til 12.30am. (News, Source: Elvis News)

"Elvis Presley has left the building" (DVD Review): August 16, 1977 was the death the music world stood still. The King of Rock 'n' Roll died at his mansion home in Memphis, Tennessee. What followed was a media blitz and a level of public interest rarely seen in contemporary society. And the fact that these were a global phenomenon only served to emphasise the significance of Elvis' passing.Join EIN as it takes a look at a new DVD release, "Elvis Presley has left the building". As public memory fades over time, what we find is an important and historic audio-visual record of media and public reaction in August 1977. Read our full review (DVD Review, Source: EIN)

Early release for next JAT DVD: Hot Shots and Cool Clips - Volume 3 will be bumped up and released August 1st from JAT Productions, riding on the success of THE BEST SELLING DVD  Hot Shots and Cool Clips - Volume 2 . It will contain unreleased footage from the 50s, 60s., and 70s. Complete film listing will be available soon. (News, Source: JAT Productions/FECC)

New DVD documentary released in Australia: Here is the cover artwork for "Remembering Elvis 1935-1977", released in Australia on the Payless brand. (News, Source: EIN)

Volumes 2 & 3 in Jukebox Rock DVD series now available: Earlier this year EIN reviewed Volume 1 in this series. Volumes 2 & 3 have now been released. The budget priced DVD releases from Payless Entertainment in Australia are a rock 'n' roll goldmine! Each volume features 16 music video tracks from the 1950s it is a treasure trove of historic recordings. All three volumes include audio-visual recordings from his 1950s TV appearances together with songs by many of his legendary peers. (News, Source: Amber Smith)

Cover artwork for new Elvis novel: Here is the cover artwork for the latest Elvis novel. The 369 page release, "What If? A Second Chance for Elvis Presley", is written and published by Roger Hannah. (News, Source: ElvisBookResearch) Buy this book from Amazon

July FTD update: Since our report yesterday, Ernst Jorgensen has apparently stated Elvis' last two concerts from Cincinnati and Indianapolis from June 25th and 26th, 1977 are 'definitely' not being released on by FTD in July. Meanwhile, UK fan club boss, Todd Slaughter, who originally broke the news the concerts were being released, has indicated he did so after being told this by Ernst. Go figure! (News, Source: Charro/ Elvis News)

Cover artwork - 50th Anniversary Edition "Fratelli Rivali" (Love Me Tender): Here is the cover of the Italian 50th Anniversary Edition DVD of "Love Me Tender" which is due for release on May 16, 2007 Details: Audio: Italian and English 2.0 Mono. Video: 2.35:1, 16:9. Subtiltes: Italian and English. Menu: Italian and English. Bonus material: Music Machine: access to all the songs. Comments by Jerry Schilling. Elvis Juke box. Karaoke "Poor Boy" and "Let Me". Photo gallery. Original Trailer. And more. The basic cover design and artwork is the same as the film's 50th Anniversary Edition release in Australia (except that the text is in English). (News, Source: EIN/Elvis News)

Mary Ann Mobley at Elvis Insiders: At the Elvis Insiders Conference on Monday, August 13, we'll be celebrating the new Elvis movie releases from Warner Bros. with a variety of movie-related segments. We're excited to announce that Mary Ann Mobley will be joining us for this very special event. She has had the distinction of being in two Elvis movies, both of which were released in 1965. In Girl Happy, she played Deena and appeared in musical scenes with Elvis, like Do Not Disturb, Cross My Heart Hope To Die and Wolf Call. In Harum Scarum, Mobley played the damsel-in-distress, Princess Shalimar. Like Elvis, Mary Ann Mobley was born in Mississippi. She was Miss America in 1959 and, in addition to the Elvis movies, she has appeared on television shows like Fantasy Island and The Love Boat. She also had a recurring role on the show Falcon Crest and played Maggie McKinney/Drummond in Diff'rent Strokes. (News, EP Gold)

Author to present new Elvis book in Paris: The French author Patrick Mahé will present his new book "Le Roman Des Amours d'Elvis" on Elvis' girlfriends Priscilla, Linda, Ginger and the orhers on June 23, 2007 in the French My Happiness shop in Paris. (News, Source: Elvis My Happiness /Elvis News)

Sonny West also releasing DVD: Sonny West, who co-wrote 'Elvis - What Happened' and, the upcoming memoir, 'Elvis Still Taking Care of Business', will release a DVD entitled "ELVIS: Up Close & Personal With Sonny West" according to www.sonnywest.com. And as we reported on 14 May, West has also agreed to promote his book with the help of "Big Elvis", a 550 pounds heavy Las Vegas impersonator. (News, Source: Amber Smith)

New CD release: Here is the cover art of the Not Now budget release “Elvis Original” which was due for release May 17, 2007. (News, Source: Amazon.com/Elvis News)

BBC2 rock documentary excludes Elvis!: Forget Elvis Presley's hips and quiff, dismiss Little Richard's screeching hysteria and put all thoughts of the global mania inspired by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones from your mind. With his Afro hair, bad skin, drooping moustache, growling voice, psychedelic army jacket and battered felt hat, was the incendiary left-handed guitar slinger Jimi Hendrix the original rock star?This is the theory posited by the makers of The Seven Ages of Rock (screening on BBC2 tonight), a provocative documentary series which kicks off tonight amid squalls of feedback and howling solos. Overlooking the claims of many artists regularly cited as the godheads of modern rock culture, the first instalment, "The Road to Woodstock", argues that popular music only really gelled into what we now know as rock when Hendrix arrived in London in 1966.Subverting expectations rather than challenging received wisdom, the programme cleverly uses Hendrix to personalise the complex history of rock's genesis by demonstrating the huge confluence of influences that shaped him, from his period in Little Richard's backing band to his obsession with the Beatles and Bob Dylan (Hendrix was such a fan that he persuaded a DJ to spin his newly bought copy of Dylan's Blowin' in the Wind at a Harlem soul club, with the all-too-predictable result of a hasty exit, pursued by hostile dancers).Inevitably, some prime movers are marginalised. The Beatles, the Stones and Dylan are alluded to rather than examined, while there is no room for Led Zeppelin, Iggy Pop, Joy Division, Radiohead and a panoply of significant others.Every viewer could probably take their pick of their own neglected idols who pushed rock in one direction or another: Janis Joplin (not a lot of women represented at all, for that matter), Sly Stone, MC5, Elvis Costello, Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, Primal Scream, the Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine, P J Harvey.

It is certainly the first time anyone has attempted a rock history with no mention of Elvis Presley. You do, on the other hand, get the homosexual singer Rob Halford of Judas Priest revealing that heavy metal's macho leather look originated in the gay S & M shops of Soho he used to secretly frequent. (News, Source: Telegraph.co.uk)

Now available: EIN's E-Alert #245

July FTD rumour: Rumour has it that the July 1 release from the FTD label will contain Elvis’ last two concerts from Cincinnati and Indianapolis from June 25th and 26th, 1977. (News, Source: Elvis Unlimited/EP Gold)

UPDATE: "Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley" - new visuals added

Is this THE release of 2007??? - "Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley" book & DVD set - OFFICIAL announcement: Finally, we bring you details of Joseph Pirzada's latest box set, featuring on the (Region 0) DVD significantly HISTORIC audio-visual material including: Recently discovered UNRELEASED FILM of Elvis performing 6 songs, including ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ and ‘Don’t Be Cruel’, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive ‘Long Tall Sally’ seen here for the first time ever. (News, Source: Joseph Pirzada) Full details and visuals here!!!

Warner Bros DVD releases: Here are the cover of the sixteen upcoming DVD (re)releases from Warner Bros. (News, Source: Elvis World Japan/Elvis News)

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Elvis check book to be auctioned: In June, auctioneers Bonhams & Butterfields will be selling one of Elvis Presley’s personal checkbooks from the early 1970s. The checkbook, which is estimated to be sold for $25,000 to $30,000, includes unused checks printed with the Graceland address, used check stubs, and notations for airline tickets, expenses, and a dune buggy registration. The auction will be held in Los Angeles June 4th. Also included in the Hollywood and music memorabilia sale are honeymoon photographs of Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, one of Frank Sinatra’s tuxedos, and a handwritten note from Lenny Bruce.

Dang, $30,000! That's a lot of money. Wonder if they'll take a check. (News, Source: Memphis Flyer Online)

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No "Tickle Me" DVD for UK or Australia: Warner Bros has indicated that due to copyright issues, Tickle Me will not be released on DVD in the UK or Australia. (News, Source: Elvis Express Radio/Elvis Australia)

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Bo Diddley recovering from stroke: Rock 'n' roll pioneer Bo Diddley, hospitalised by a stroke last Sunday, was up and walking around but still struggling to communicate, his longtime manager and friend says."I'm truly encouraged by the way he is responding," Margo Lewis said in an interview from the hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, where the 78-year-old guitarist, singer and songwriter was rushed on Sunday following a concert.Lewis said the stroke had left Diddley with no physical disability but had affected the left side of his brain, impairing his speech and speech recognition. She said it was too early to tell if he would be able to recover enough to perform again.Diddley, who has a history of hypertension and diabetes, showed signs of disorientation following a concert at Harrah's Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and was admitted to the hospital with elevated blood pressure and glucose levels.

His unique guitar playing and rhythm influenced generations of rockers from Elvis Presley to Bon Jovi. Keith Richards and Ron Wood of The Rolling Stones and Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi made guest appearances on his records, and Diddley played with the likes of The Clash and The Grateful Dead. In March 1955 it was reported Elvis went to see Diddley perform at the Apollo Theater in New York. (News, Source: Christine Bamford/AAP)

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Elvis "stole" black music raised again in poem: Stacy Tolbert, also known as the “Brown Suga Poet,” headlined the “Jazz Poetry Jam” last tonight at the Blue Room at 18th and Vine. The writer, playwright, painter and DJ is a member of Kansas City’s Black Poets Collective. “No one can deny the strength, resilience and self-determination of Black Women,” Tolbert writes. “It’s what makes us the BOMB and it’s what makes us the BALM.” In her poem “Elvis at the dinner party,” Tolbert shares a table with Bob Marley, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. Absent is Elvis Presley, who keeps leaving messages on Tolbert’s cell phone. When she finally responds, she doesn’t seem mad, just honest: “I told him enough was enough/He already done walked away with all/Of our stuff.” (News, Source: Kansas City Star.com)

Visit EIN's Elvis and racism archives

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Elvis influenced 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band': Paul McCartney has confessed The Beatles classic album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was heavily influenced by Elvis Presley. The music legend reveals The Beatles wrote the 1967 LP, using the concept of a band, so they would not have to go on tour - an idea they obtained from Presley.

McCartney says, "We had this idea that we'd make a record, and the record itself would go on tour for us.

"That came from a story we'd heard about Elvis' Cadillac going on tour. We though that was an amazing idea: He doesn't go on tour, he just sends his Cadillac out. Fantastic!" (News, Source: Starpulse News)

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Six degrees of Elvis and Martin Luther King: Dundalk Elementary School students are learning that they’re more closely connected to history than they realized.

Like the trivia game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, the young historians have discovered they have connections to at least two kings — Elvis Presley and Martin Luther King Jr.

School secretary Malvilyn Statham, a renowned gospel singer, performed with the king of rock ’n’ roll. Fifth-grader Joseph Scott’s grandfather, James Karintonis, worked with Coretta Scott King, the civil rights leader’s widow, to get her slain husband’s birthday de-clared a national holiday.

In both cases, history comes alive for the students and learning is a more personal, more memorable, experience, teacher Charla Helmers feels.

Her oral history project began innocently enough, she said, after she attended a teaching seminar where the message seemed to be that unlike middle school students and high schoolers, elementary school kids were too young to do the sophisticated research and interviews necessary to capture oral histories in any meaningful and useful way.

Confident in the abilities of her fifth-graders, Helmers initiated an oral history unit in her class during the 2004-05 academic year.

The four-week program became a yearlong project. Other elementary schools have started their own, and Dundalk’s project inspired the creation of the Oral History Consortium of Baltimore County, a group that will actively play a role in celebrating the county’s 350th an-niversary in 2009.

The work that Dundalk students are doing will become part of that celebration, Helmers said. (News, Source: Marge Neal, DundalkEagle.com)

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Elvis and Johnny Cash release gospel albums: Elvis Presley may have sold millions of records during his reign as the "King of Rock 'n' Roll," but it took years for that singular achievement to be recognized by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, aka the folks who give out the Grammy Awards.

That finally changed in 1967 when Presley won the first of three Grammys, all in the "Best Sacred Performance" category. Two went to essentially the same album, "How Great Thou Art," first as a studio LP then as a live recording.

While it may be ironic that none of his other great records were cited by the Grammy voters, anybody who knew much about Presley was likely aware of his deep, abiding affection for gospel music. It wasn't a reach to sound convincing when he recorded that material. Presley often spent hours of precious studio time warming up for a recording session doing old church favorites with his background singers - often powerful gospel groups like the Jordaniares - and even sold a half-million copies of "Peace In The Valley," a four-song extended-play single, at the height of his rock 'n' roll fame in 1957.

The best of his work is featured on the 25-song "Elvis: Ultimate Gospel" (RCA). His deeply religious pal, Johnny Cash, is represented by "Cash: Ultimate Gospel" (Columbia/ Legacy), a 24-song collection dating back to his days with Sun Records in the '50s and including eight tracks with the gospel legends the Carter Family. Both men grew up in the South, regularly attending church and learning all the old gospel classics. Both never forgot that legacy and would enjoy hits that harkened back to those days. Presley had a Top 5 pop single in 1965 with "Crying In The Chapel" while Cash did well with the church-influenced "Daddy Sang Bass" in 1968.

It's clear from the sincerity of the performances that sales weren't as much an issue when it came to songs like "Amazing Grace," "(There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)" or "Take My Hand Precious Lord" as it was to share their roots in those great old songs. It may have also been a way to soothe both their troubled souls. (News, Source: Freia Roos)

Frontier Hotel sells for record $1.2b: The Las Vegas Frontier Hotel, where Elvis made his Las Vegas debut in 1956, has set the record for the most expensive sale of land on the Las Vegas Strip. The sale of this resort has been rumoured for sometime. Now the current owner Phil Ruffin has confirmed that an offer for $1.2 billion has been agreed with the real estate investment group El Ad properties.

The Old Frontier was only the 2nd hotel to be built on the Las Vegas Strip when it opened in 1942. It was renamed the New Frontier and re-modelled in 1955 with a space-age theme to reflect the atomic era with the nations optimism in exploring space in the 1950s, and Elvis made his debut appearance in the aptly titled Venus Room the following year.

The hotel has undergone several refurbishments and changes of ownership over its 65 year history and was renamed the Frontier when the reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes bought the property in 1967, which he observed from his Desert Inn hideaway on the opposite side of the Strip.

This sale means that the future of this resort is now uncertain and could be earmarked for demolishion in the very near future.

The Aladdin Hotel, where Elvis and Priscilla married in 1967 was demolished and is now a Planet Hollywood Resort, while negotiations are underway for the sale of the Sahara, where Elvis stayed while filiming Viva Las Vegas and on his frequent trips to Las Vegas throughout the 1960s. (News, Source: Elvis UK On-line/EP Gold)

Chart update: The "Elvis Lives" DVD is still in the charts. It drops from #18 to #23 on the Dutch Music DVD chart in its 12th week on the chart.

In the Wallonian part of Belgium it drops one spot to #8 while on the Canarian Islands Music DVD chart it remains steady at #4. In the US this release climbs to #6 from last week's #8.

Meanwhile, "ELV1S 30#1 Hits" drops to #49 from last week's #42 in the Canarian Islands albums chart in its 5th week on the chart, peaking best at #37. In the Irish albums chart it goes up to #44 from last week's #60. In the Canadian Album Top 100 it drops 5 places to #99 in its 241st. week on the chart.

In México: "Elvis" is #5 in the Mixup stores Music DVD Top Ten.

And finally the U.S. Billboard Elvis Chart listings for the week ending May 26, 2007:

Top Pop Catalog Albums - Ultimate Gospel - re-enters at #47
Top Country Catalog Albums - Ultimate Gospel - up 2 to #7
Top Country Catalog Albums - Elvis 30 #1 Hits - down 2 to #13
Hot 100 Singles Sales - Heartbreak Hotel - re-enters at #44
Top Music Video - Elvis Lives - 25th Anniversary Concert - down 1 to #7
Top Comprehensive Music Video - 25th Anniversary Concert - down 1 to #7
Top Music Video - Elvis: 68 Comeback Special - up 17 to #17
Top Comprehensive Music Video - Elvis: 68 Comeback Special - up 17 to #17
Top Music Video - Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - up 20 to #20
Top Comprehensive Music Video - Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - up 20 to #20
Top Music Video - He Touched Me: Vol 1 & 2 - re-enters at #33
Top Comp Music Video - He Touched Me: Vol 1 & 2 - re-enters at #33 (News, Source: Elvis News)

"Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley" is next MRS release: About to be officially announced is that the next box set (book & DVD) release from Memphis Recording Service is Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley! While artwork has been published (see opposite), MRS told EIN it is not the final version. Surprisingly, a number of messageboard threads have also missed the critical point that the set comes with a DVD featuring historically important (read the first!) fully audio-visual material of the King live on stage in Tupelo. This will make it one of the most significant Elvis releases in many years! We've had audio before, we've had video footage before, but until now we have not had the complete audio-visual package!

Elvis in the gossip magazines - Part 2: One of our most popular items in 2006 was a look back at 25 Elvis covers from gossip magazines. The covers symbolised the public's ongoing fascination with Elvis as an important pop culture icon. Today we publish a second photo spread with a further 20 magazine covers. From the hush hush wedding for Elvis and Linda Thompson to the fan murdered near Graceland, this is another thought provoking collection. (Spotlight, Source: EIN)

I've Got A Thing About You Baby - great audio-visual clip. If you enjoy EIN's Best of Elvis YouTube, you will enjoy this excellent production from Jean Noel Moral. (News, Source: Jean Noel Moral)

Elvis Week 2007 - The 30th Anniversary....Aussie-NZ fans, time is running out to join EIN on its Ultimate Elvis Week Tour! This will be THE tour to remember. We can get a few more rooms but be quick. In 3 months time it will all be over!!Experience Elvis during what will be the last big Elvis Week! Join EIN as we celebrate the greatest entertainer the world has ever known...Hollywood LA, wild nights in Vegas, the home of country music...Nashville, the birthplace...Tupelo, riverboat rides on the mighty Mississippi, the holy grail....Graceland, the unforgettable Candleight Vigil, many new friends, and FUN! FUN! FUN! Come aboard EIN's Mystery Train...you won't be disappointed! EIN Warning: Your tour guides are certified (so be careful)! View tour details

Songs that changed the world: Little Richard's 1956 hit "Tutti Frutti" has topped a new UK poll to find the 100 Records That Changed The World. The record, dubbed "a torrent of filth wailed by a bisexual alien," beat The Beatles' I Want To Hold Your Hand and Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel to claim the top spot on the new list compiled by superstar panellists for the new issue of Mojo magazine. The eclectic panel of stars who took part in the voting included Bjork, Tori Amos, Tom Waits, Brian Wilson, Pete Wentz and Steve Earle.

Mojo editors claim the 100 "albums, singles and 78s" that made the list make up "the most influential and inspirational recordings ever made." Hailing Tutti Frutti the sound of the birth of rock 'n' roll, Mojo states, "One can only imagine how it must've sounded when the song exploded across the airwaves."

The top 10 on Mojo's 100 Records That Changed The World list is:

1. Tutti Frutti by Little Richard
2. I Want To Hold Your Hand by The Beatles
3. Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis Presley
4. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan
5. Autobahn by Kraftwerk
6. King of The Delta Blues Singers by Robert Johnson
7. The Velvet Underground by The Velvet Underground + Nico
8. Anthology of American Folk Music (Various Artists)
9. What'd I Say by Ray Charles
10. God Save The Queen by Sex Pistols (News, Source: Mojo Magazine/Elvis News)

Elvis Blu Ray & HD DVD releases: Warner Home Video have announced the US Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD release of "Jailhouse Rock" and "Viva Las Vegas" on 18th September 2007. Arriving just over a month after the new Deluxe Edition DVDs, Warner continues their commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of Elvis Presley's passing, with the high definition release of two of his most popular films.

Priced at $28.99 SRP each, the films are presented in 1080P Widescreen with optional English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Both titles have been digitally restored and feature new 5.1 remixes while extras are expected to match the new Deluxe Edition DVDs (details here). Using BD-25 Blu-ray Discs and HD-30 HD DVDs full specs are TBC. (News, Source: DVD Times/Elvis News)

Revisionist history? - George Klein makes big claim: George Klein has drawn criticism for his brave claim recently on Sirius Radio. According to Klein: " When I introduced Elvis to the Beatles it was a meeting of the superpowers. I was in awe, here my best friend Elvis was hosting the most dynamic group in popular music, and I was in the middle of it, thinking to myself GK, you've come along way son." Most sources indicate the meeting of Elvis and the Fab Four was orchestrated by their respective managers, Colonel Tom Parker and Brian Epstein. (News, Source: alt.elvis.king)

Cover artwork - 'Warner Bros' and 'Paramount' 2007 Elvis DVD box sets

"The Complete Million Dollar Quartet Session" vinyl release: Released last April 18, 2007 on the Universe label is a 2 disc vinyl edition of the "Million Quartet" session.

Details: Memphis, Tennessee: December 4, 1956. The very young Elvis was already an idol-girls screaming his name on every street corner. While back at Sun Studios, three friends get ready to play his backing band: Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. A long jam session begins with Elvis calling the shots with the authority and simplicity of a king-a king by the name of Elvis Presley. The four friends run through their impressive repertoire of gospel, country, rockabilly, doo-wop, blues, and R&B, in other words, the best of the American tradition. One can almost see them all hanging around the piano, sharing a microphone, smiling and just playing it loose and easy, tuning their instruments while deciding what the next song will be. These sessions, brought to you here for the first time in their entirety, represent one of the true historic moments in pop music. Over 78 minutes long, this extraordinary release is available on double picture disc, destined to be a true collectors item

Tracks: Side A: 1. Instrumental 2. Love Me Tender - Instrumental 3. Jingle Bells - Instrumental 4. White Christmas - Instrumental 5. Reconsider Baby 6. Don't Be Cruel 7. Don't Be Cruel 8. Paralyzed 9. Don't Be Cruel 10. There's No Place Like Home

Side B: 1. When The Saints Go Marchin' In 2. Softly And Tenderly 3. When God Dips His Love In My Heart 4. Just A Little Talk With Jesus 5. Jesus Walked That Lonesome Valley 6. I Shall Not Be Moved 7. Peace In The Valley

Side C: 1. Down By The Riverside 2. I'm With A Crowd But So Alone 3. Farther Along 4. Blessed Jesus (Hold My Hand) 5. On The Jericho Road 6. I Just Can't Make It By Myself 7. Little Cabin Home On The Hill 8. Summertime Is Past And Gone 9. I Hear A Sweet Voice Calling 10. Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong 11. Keeper Of The Key 12. Crazy Arms 13. Don't Forbid Me 14. Too Much Monkey Business 15. Brown Eyed Handsome Man16. Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind 17. Brown Eyed Handsome Man 18. Don't Forbid Me

Side D: 1. You Belong To My Heart 2. Is It So Strange 3. That's When Your Heartaches Begin 4. Brown Eyed Handsome Man 5. Rip It Up 6. I'm Gonna Bid My Blues Goodbye 7. Crazy Arms 8. That's My Desire 9. End Of The Road 10. Black Bottom Stomp 11. You're The Only Star In My Blue Heaven 12. Elvis Says Goodbye - spoken (News, Source: Elvis News)

Toledo Sports Arena to be demolished: When the Toledo Sports Arena meets the wrecking ball, tens of thousands of concert memories will go up in dust. Elvis Presley played there. So did Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Pearl Jam, Neil Young, Young Jeezy, Johnny Cash, Nine Inch Nails, Kid Rock, Bob Seger, and countless other acts over the years. The Blade is collecting anecdotes and stories from people who attended shows at the old hockey arena along the Maumee River, looking for favorite musical moments and concert experiences to include in a future story. If you have anything you’d like to share, send an e-mail to rlockwood@theblade.com or call 419-724-6159 and leave a message. Be sure to provide a daytime phone number. (News, Source: Sanja Meegin)

Baltimore Civic Center to be demolished: Rather than face a huge refurbishment bill, the First Mariner Arena in Baltimore, which was known as the Civic Center when Elvis played there, may be demolished. The stadium was built in 1962 and has played host to the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Miss USA and Christina Aguilera throughout its 45 year history.

On May 29, 1977 Elvis Presley played the Civic Center, in what was a troubled tour for the singer. Critics were far from kind during this tour, which was marred by health problems, the upcoming publication of Elvis: What Happened and legal wranglings involving Presley Center Courts and a lawsuit brought on by a fan that claimed that Elvis broke her ankle during a karate demonstration.

During his Baltimore performance, which was less than twelve weeks before his death, Elvis left the stage for 30 minutes due to ill health and critics or the audience who failed to give him an ovation did not appreciate performance.

It was hoped that a bid for the 2012 Olympics, might provide the estimated $162 million funding to build a new complex rather than spending $60 million just to refurbish the venue. So talks continue on its future. (News, Source: Elvis UK On-line /Elvis News)

Best Comeback Albums of All-Time: A recent Rolling Stone magazine poll rated the best ever comeback albums:

1. Green Day, American Idiot
2. Elvis, From Elvis In Memphis
3. Meatloaf, Bat Out of Hell II - Back Into Hell
4. Neil Young, Freedom
5. Paul Simon, Graceland
6. Johnny Cash, American Recordings
7. Bob Dylan, Time Out of Mind
8. George Harrison, Cloud 9
9. Tina Turner, Private Dancer
10. Aerosmith, Permanent Vacation (News, Source: Amber Smith/FECC)

'EIN's Best of Elvis on YouTube' Weekly Update:  Another ten great Elvis video clips added. This week featuring a fabulous 'Too Much Monkey Business' live? on stage, as well as a brilliant new edit of 'An American Trilogy' and 'Burning Love.' We have some marvellous fluff from 'Easy Come, Easy Go' as well as touching tributes from Elvis' friends Roy Orbison and Bill Medley. Elvis himself appears somewhat stunned at the 1972 media announcement of the 'Aloha' concerts. EIN presents two hundred of Elvis' greatest video clips from the internet - Catch them all now before the Internet police take them away! ('EIN's Elvis on YouTube', Source: EIN/YouTube)

English 'Sunday Mirror' newspaper free Elvis CD: The recent Sunday Mirror in England included a free ten-track 'Legends' CD of Elvis. It featured ten Elvis' early 1950's hits that are out of copyright 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Hound Dog' etc. The CD also included five extra bonus tracks from non-related artists. The first track being Joseph Patterson's 'Fall Down'. Now surely this is nothing to do with EIN President Nigel Patterson? The conspiracy continues!  (News; Source; EIN/Barry McLean)

Elvis: A King In The Making book release: In August the book Elvis '56 - In The Beginning by Alfred Wertheimer will be re-issued with the title "Elvis: The King In The Making". Foreword is written by Peter Guralnick. From the publisher Carlton Books Ltd: "In 1956, a 21-year-old singer called Elvis Presley was at the beginning of his career. Alfred Wertheimer, a young New York freelance photojournalist, was asked by Elvis' new label, RCA Victor, to photograph the rising star. In the course of this one-day assignment, Wertheimer was so struck by the charisma of this stunningly photogenic performer, that, whenever time and budget permitted, he felt compelled to continue to document Elvis and the everyday moments in his life during that crucial year. Wertheimer's unobtrusive photographs of Elvis in performance, with his fans, and in the recording studio, as well as at home with his family, were the first and last unguarded look at the King of Rock 'n' Roll, and present a uniquely intimate portrait of one of the world's most famous cultural figures." Released as a hardback with 224 pages. ISBN: 1844421228. (News, Source: Carlton Books Ltd / Amazon /A Life In Books)

Visit Elvis Presley A Life In Books

New CD releases: Due for release on May 22, 2007 by an yet unknown label is the CD “Forever Elvis” according to Amazon.com. Due for release on June 18, 2007 on the Pegasus label is the budget release “Shake Rattle And Roll”. The Madacy label will release the compilation entitled “Elvis Home For The Holidays” on August 21, 2007. (News, Source: Amazon.com/Elvis News)

When the Big O met the King: Roy Orbison's impact on popular music is indelible. However, had it not been for a 1955 concert at Midland High School, it is entirely possible Orbison's superstar career might never have happened. The Oct. 12 package show starred Elvis Presley....read full story (Spotlight, Source: Sanja Meegin)

Sonny West appears with Big Elvis to autograph copies of new book: Sonny West, Elvis Presley’s longtime bodyguard and one of the last remaining members of the “Memphis Mafia,” will appear with Pete “Big Elvis” Vallee Friday, May 18, at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon and will sign his new book “Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business.”  

Because of Vallee’s admiration and respect for his namesake, devotion to the King’s persona, loyalty to Elvis fans and lifelong career as an Elvis tribute artist, West will be a special guest with Big E during his show in Bill’s Lounge between 3 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Released to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Presley’s death, the book is the long-awaited follow-up to “Elvis: What Happened?,” which West co-wrote with his cousin Red West and Dave Hebler in 1977.    

West said the reason for writing two books are 180 degrees apart – the first book was as a challenge to Elvis to change his prescription drug habits because West felt the King was in total denial and could not see where he was headed. The latest book is based on the love, memories and total commitment West has of Elvis, which West does not believe the first book adequately conveyed. Co-author Marshall Terrill describes the book as a very balanced, sensitive and moving memoir about the greatest entertainer who ever lived. 

West was with Elvis Presley from 1960 to July 1976, when he was fired, despite being a charter member of the infamous “Memphis Mafia.” A Las Vegas newspaper reporter coined the nickname in the early ‘60s when she saw the man from Tupelo and his group of confidants wearing mohair suits and sunglasses emerge from two black limousines at a Strip hotel.  Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon, 3595 Las Vegas Blvd, South, Las Vegas, Nevada, located on the corner where Flamingo meets the Strip, combines personalized service, outstanding quality and exceptional value with the charm of a warm and friendly smaller hotel.  Each guest room has a 42-inch plasma screen television.  The resort features the Steakhouse at Bill’s, the 24-hour Victorian Room restaurant, Seattle’s Best coffee house, Drai’s after-hours bar, daily lounge entertainment with Big Elvis Monday through Friday, popular slots and table games and a race and sports book.  (News, Source: Charmaine Voisine)

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ELVIS A Biography is revised edition: The new edition of Jerry Hopkins' seminal biography on the King is actually a reprint of both volumes (Elvis & Elvis The Final Years) of the bio with new material. From the publisher: Elvis Presley is the biggest single entertainment personality in the history of American popular culture. Nearly thirty years after his death in August 1977, he remains the undisputed King of Rock’n’Roll. His talent, charisma, and good humour endeared him to millions. Known the world over by his first name alone, he remains the foremost iconic figure in popular music. Featuring a wealth of first hand interviews, Elvis combines Jerry Hopkins two previous classic best-selling Elvis biographies, Elvis: A Biography and Elvis: The Final Years with all-new material to give the definitive detailed account of Presley’s fantastic life. 350 pages / 60 b+w photos / 218 x 145mm...ISBN 0 85965 391 9...ISBN13 978 0 85965 391 6...Paperback / UK £14.99 / US $19.95   (News, Source: ElvisBookResearch)

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"That's Alright" CD: Here is the cover art of the budget release “That’s All Right” which is due for release June 25, 2007. (News, Source: Amazon.de/Elvis News)

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More Elvis CD releases: Released on May 4, 2007 on the Tyrostar label is the compilation “20 Golden Hits” while the Weton (Pool Music und Media) label release a 5 CD box set entitled “100 Hits – Elvis Presley” on that same day. (News, Source: Amazon.de/Elvis News)

1956 Tupelo Fair audio-video release: Jetblack posted on the FECC board that: In the new 'Record Collector' magazine it states that the next release from the 'Memphis Recording Service' label will be a package containing the 1956 Tupelo Fair recordings (both afternoon and evening show). It also states that video footage of 6 songs will be included along with an interview by Elvis. (News, Source: Jetblack/FECC forum)

As EIN has published a number of times recently:

"Kicking & Rolling" CD: Here is the cover art of the forthcoming release from the Straight Arrow label titled "KICKING & ROLLING" (SA 2007-6-02), and will feature the Las Vegas February 18th, 1973 Midnight show taken from a so-called "booth tape". The midnight show from February 18th, as presented on this CD, could be called quite typical for this season, if not for an extremely unusual incident which happened during this show, and which has made this show one of his most controversial concerts ever. Elvis had been practicing karate since his army days and got his black belt in '60. On this particular night in early '73, he got an unexpected chance to use his martial art against some aggressors. This concert includes great performances of songs like "An American Trilogy", "What Now My Love", "Steamroller Blues", "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" or "I Can't Stop Loving You". This recording comes from an early generation copy of the original "booth tape" and for an off-line recording, the sound quality is very good.

The audio was restored in a professional studio to achieve the best possible results. "Booth tapes" were made from a "booth" or table at the edge of the stage, close to the speakers, by someone who was part of Elvis' organization. Unlike the usual audience recordings, "booth recordings" were made by someone who was known by Elvis' security force, and who did not have to worry about concealing the recorder and microphone. The sound quality of such tapes is noticeably better than a typical audience recording.

As a bonus, five tracks recorded in February 1973 under the same circumstances were added. Just like previous releases from this label, this new CD will come in a deluxe package with a 16-page booklet, containing a collection of live and candid photographs from February - April 1973, Las Vegas memorabilia, informative liner notes with an "Elvis in early 1973" overview, as well as details about Elvis' Las Vegas 1973 Winter season. This CD is set for release in late May.

Note: this release has nothing to do with the poor quality audience recording of the same show which in circulation under titles like "I'll Whoop His Ass" and "Fight Night". (News, Source: FECC)

"Essential Elvis Vol. 7 - Elvis At The Jungle" CD: This new CD titled  Essential Elvis Volume 7- Elvis At The Jungle on the Fans Only label has just been released. Several tracks from this CD were on the following album: Our Memories Of Elvis, Platinum: A Life In Music, Today, Tomorrow And Forever box-sets. Tracks: For The Heart (alternate take 1);  She Thinks I Still Care (alternate take 2B); Moody Blue (undubbed / unedited master take 10); Hurt (alternate take 2); Pledging My Love (alternate take 3); She Thinks I Still Care (alternate take 10); Love Coming Down (undubbed mater take 5); For The Heart (alternate take 4); Danny Boy (unedited alternate take 9); She Thinks I Still Care (undubbed master take 17); Way Down (part of take 1 + undubbed master take 3); I'll Never Fall In Love Again (undubbed master take 9) ; Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall (rough cut mix); Solitaire (undubbed master take 11); Never Again ( undubbed master take 14 ) ; For The Heart (undubbed master take 8); Hurt (alternate take 5); She Thinks I Still Care ( remixed version); Way Down (remixed version); Moody Blue ( alternate take 6 without fade out); Hurt (undubbed master take 7); Hurt (informal recording / X-Rated version). (News, Source: FECC)

James Burton in London: EIN thanks Daniel Johnson (danielelvispresleymuseum) and Elvis Express Radio for these images of the legendary guitarist in London. Daniel was present as James and another iconic figure, Billy Swan, rehearsed for and then performed their gig at 100 Club in Oxford Street on 11 May.	All photographs copyright Daniel Johnson - www.danielelvispresleymuseum.com

TCB Band news: The United Elvis Presley Society and It's Elvis Time are proud to announce that René Shuman & Angel-eye will appear with the TCB-Band and Terry Mike Jeffrey at the concerts in Belgium and Holland (June 9th - 10th). René has agreed to do a guest appearance in Antwerp (June 9th) and in Dordrecht (June 10th).
Tickets for both shows are still available at the following addresses: ueps@skynet.be.......itselvistime@planet.nl (News, Source: Hubert Vindevogel, UEPS)

Lisa Presley part of benefit concert: Kenny Chesney, Sheryl Crow, Lisa Marie Presley lead a benefit concert for Narconon, the drug-rehab program associated with the Church of Scientology, 7:30 p.m. May 24 at the Waikiki Shell. Tickets — $35 general advance, $65 reserved — are scheduled to go on sale Saturday at Ticketmaster outlets. The concert will be hosted by actors (and husband and wife) John Travolta and Kelly Preston, who are members of Scientology. Preston also is a former Honolulan. Other performers include local favorites Hapa and Go Jimmy Go. (News, Source: Charmaine Voisine)

TV Times 2DVD set: Due for release on July 30, 2007 on the Waterfall label is the 2 DVD set "TV Times". This set comes with a bonus CD. More information when available. EIN assumes this release has some Elvis content. (News, Source: Elvis News)

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Gracepines "Elvis themed" bed & breakfast opens in Mississippi: A new "Bed and Breakfast" in Mississippi.   I learned of this from an Elvis friend in another group. I just checked out the website for this most awesome "Elvis themed" Bed and Breakfast and it is incredible. (News, Source: Charmaine Voisine)

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Rock 'n' Roll Heaven" CD: A new budget CD has been released in Australia on the Payless Entertainment label. The 12 track album features one Elvis recording, That's All Right, Mama, and other classic tracks including Hello Mary Lou (Ricky Nelson), Rock Around The Clock (Bill Haley & The Comets), Runaway (Del Shannon), It's Only Make Believe (Conway Twitty) and Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins). (News, Source: EIN)

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"Elvis Presley & Friends" CD: Another 2 CD compilation containing performances by Elvis and his “friends” Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and others. In total 11 performances by Elvis Presley and 13 tracks by his “friends”. (News, Source: Elvis Corner /Elvis News)

Elvis on cover of German magazine: Elvis is featured on the cover of the free German magazine on cartoons "Tock Tock". Probably in conjunction with the upcoming comic biography "Elvis". This 128 pages book by Reinhard Kleist and T. Ackermann is due for release June 2007 from Ehapa Comic Collection - Egmont Manga & Anime. (News, Source: Elvis News)

Watch price of Charro! fall: With the news in the past few days that Warner Bros and Paramount will be releasing 24 Elvis DVDs for the 30th anniversary, including most of the remaining Elvis films not on DVD (only Elvis On Tour is still outstanding), we can expect to see the price of Charro! plummet on online used copy sites. Charro!, which saw an inferior DVD 'TV to DVD' transfer release several years ago is currently listed on the Amazon site with ridiculous prices between US$164.95 and $249.99! (News, Source: Amazon/EIN)

"Have You Heard The News" released: Containing 18 tracks, some available for the first time on CD, including original Radio & TV Recordings from August 16, 1977 + Johnny Cash remembers Elvis, A Tribute Programme by Red Robinson (Elvis 12 Years in showbusiness), Q&A: Interview with J.D. Sumner & 2 special bonus tracks! Artwork including the last known photo taken of Elvis as he enters Graceland....Special Picture Disc release! INTRODUCTION 1. Monday, August 15th… The story. Including interviews with Dick Grob, Billy Smith, Larry Geller, J.D. Sumner, Joe Esposito, and others.

2. The King is Gone… Memories by his friends...ORIGINAL RADIO & TV RECORDINGS3. WHBQ Memphis Newsreport including an interview with Elvis’ father Vernon Presley
4. Local Newsreport
5. German Newsreport #1*
6. CBS Newsreport # 1
7. CBS Newsreport # 2
8. Newsroom “Special Bulletin”
9. A Tribute by Geraldo Rivera*
Including reactions from Joe Esposito and Charlie Hodge
10. Channel 7 “Eyewitness News”
11. German Newsreport # 2*
12. Dutch Newsreport*

JOHNNY CASH REMEMBERS ELVIS: 13. Johnny Cash Remembers Elvis & The Million Dollar Quartet*...14. Johnny Cash Remembers Elvis #2*

A TRIBUTE PROGRAMME BY RED ROBINSON: 15. Elvis 12 Years in showbusiness

Q&A : 16. Interview with J.D. Sumner

SPECIAL BONUS TRACKS: 17. CBS Newscast including an overview of Elvis’ career....18. Dutch Newsreport # 2*
With reactions from a Dutch Elvis Presley fanclub president, a Beatles fanclub president and others. *previously unreleased on CD! (News, Source: EP Gold)

"Elvis - At The Forum" announced: The forthcoming release from the "Graceland Records" label is entitled "At The Forum" and features the unreleased concert of Elvis as recorded May 11th, 1974, during the afternoon show at Forum Of Inglewood, Los Angeles, CA. The CD has a running time of 64 minutes and set for release late May 2007. From the press release: The first what's comes to mind with this release is , Wow, secondly, what a show most it have been for those who where there. This is definitively the better of the 2 concerts given that day at "The Forum "(as they say in Los Angeles). Here we have the unedited, uncut and non- spliced concert of Elvis as recorded May 11th, 1974, afternoon show at Forum Of Inglewood, Los Angeles, CA. This is the complete show where, "You can have her" is taken from. A third generation copy, you'll find on FTD, release "Live in LA".

Note : An incomplete and less quality copy has been available for some time. So it was time to do it right and release it in complete form from the original tape. The Booklet contains 40 + photos of the concert in a beautiful high quality booklet. It has been mastered in 24 Bit format straight from the original tape for optimum sound quality.

Track listing: Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See rider - I Got A Woman/Amen - Love Me - Trying To Get To You - All Shook Up - Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - You Can Have Her - Steamroller Blues - Hound Dog – Fever - Polk Salad Annie - Why Me, Lord? - Suspicious Minds - Introductions - I can't Stop Loving You - Help Me - An American Trilogy - Let Me Be There (reprise) - Funny How Time Slips Away - Big Boss Man - Can't Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp – Announcer: Elvis has left the Building - Souvenir Announcement (News, Source: Elvis News)

More budget releases: Here are the covers of three more budget releases. From BMG Germany we get "Hit Collection" including several songs like "Angels" and "True Love" which we don't see on too many compilations.

Tracklisting: Love Me Tender / It's Now Or Never / Are You Lonesome Tonight / Don't / Loving You / Can't Help Falling in Love / Love Letters / I want You I Need You I love You / That's When Your Heartaches Begin / True Love / Young and Beautiful / Doin The Best I Can / Something Blue / Angel / That's Someone You Never Forget / Just Pretend / For The Good Times / Woman Without Love / He'll Have To Go / It's Impossible

The "Forever Elvis" compilation contains the well know 50's recordings just like the compilation entitled "The King". (News, Source: Elvis Corner /Elvis News)

Chart update: Here are the U.S. Billboard Elvis Chart listings for the week ending 19 May 2007:

Top Country Catalog Albums - Ultimate Gospel - down 1 to #9
Top Country Catalog Albums - Elvis 30 #1 Hits - up 1 to #11
Top Music Video - Elvis Lives - 25th Anniversary Concert - up 2 to #6
Top Comprehensive Music Video - 25th Anniversary Concert - up 1 to #6
Top Music Video - Elvis: 68 Comeback Special - down 1 to #34
Top Comprehensive Music Video - Elvis: 68 Comeback Special - down 1 to #34
Top Music Video - Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - re-enters at #40
Top Comprehensive Music Video - Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - re-enters at #40

Dropping off the charts are:
- Heartbeak Hotel drops off the Hot 100 Singles Sales Chart after a fantastic run of 69 consecutive weeks.
- Ultimate Gospel drops off the Top Pop Catalog Album. (News, Source: Elvis International)

Legal case update - two held in contempt over Elvis items: Elvis jokes were absent from the courtroom this week when a Delaware judge held a Nevada entertainer in contempt for failing to turn over for inspection a collection of unusual memorabilia touched by The King.

Vice Chancellor Leo E. Strine Jr. held Robert G. Gallagher and Betty Franklin in civil contempt of court for violating the court’s March order that Gallagher make the Elvis Presley memorabilia available for inspection for insurance purposes. Gallagher and Franklin have been sued by California businessman Richard S. Long in the Delaware Court of Chancery over a 2006 deal to show the items in a traveling exhibition.

The court ruled that because Gallagher and Franklin failed to honor the March order they now must turn over the
memorabilia and pay some of Long’s legal fees. If they fail to comply, lawyers for Long will take the Delaware
contempt order to a Nevada judge to execute it, according to Long’s attorney, David L. Finger of Wilmington.

Gallagher, who performs original rockabilly tunes under the name Bobby Freeman, was not in court today, nor
was Franklin. Gallagher and Franklin are representing themselves. Franklin declined to comment on the ruling. Gallagher said today from Nevada, “I will never lay down on this.” Gallagher said the collection is the “greatest find since the Titanic” and he will do whatever it takes to preserve it for America.

“What am I in contempt for? Because I didn’t come in this morning? They’re slickin’ me right now,” Gallagher said.
“To stand up for America and what’s right, I don’t care what it cost me and what I got to do. Most people would run over in a corner and hide. I ain’t going to do it,” he said.

The collection is made up of items collected by Presley’s personal physician, Dr. George C. “Dr. Nick” Nichopoulos. It includes such things as a nasal douche used to irrigate Presley’s sinuses before concerts, a laryngeal scope used to examine The King’s “chronic sore throat and tonsils,” a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum pistol and a prescription bottle dated Aug. 15, 1977, the day before Elvis died. In court filings, Gallagher and Freeman said the memorabilia is in various locations throughout the country for security reasons.

“The refusal to provide access (to the memorabilia) was to subvert the unintentional devaluation of the collection
by allowing parties to photograph and/or videotape this rare collection,” Gallagher and Freeman wrote in legal
filings. Finger said, “The legal term for their argument ‘is a load of hooey.’”

Gallagher and Freeman asked the court for a continuance of the hearing because of difficulty in hiring counsel.
The couple said they consulted with a Wilmington attorney who declined to take the case. By that time it was too late to look for alternate counsel, Gallagher and Freeman said. In a May 2 letter to Strine, Gallagher challenged Strine’s handling of the case. Gallagher said he has “bonafide” financial backers willing to buy out Long for $1.65 million.

“With my financial backers finally coming to my rescue, would it not be in the best interest of all parties that Ms.
Franklin and I be represented by Deleware (sic) counsel?” Gallagher wrote in his letter to Strine.

Gallagher in his letter said his financial backers have concerns about Strine’s handling of the case, including
expressing “extreme concern that His Honor is not opposed to pushing the legal limits of the authority of his Court
in deciding this case.”

On the bench, Strine answered the allegations and said his tolerance in the case, including unsolicited letters
from Gallagher, was “wearing thin.”

“There’s no excuse for hiding the ball, not showing the memorabilia, evading orders or indicating that he (Gallagher) doesn’t have the right to speak his piece,” Strine said. “There are regular flights to Nevada.”
Strine said Gallagher is not the legal owner of the memorabilia. Under a 2006 agreement with Long, the
memorabilia is owned by a separate exhibit company.

At issue is whether the 2006 deal struck by Long, Gallagher and Franklin to exhibit the memorabilia is legitimate.
Long wants the court to declare that the deal is enforceable. If the parties can’t get along, the Elvis collection
should be sold and the proceeds distributed. Gallagher and Franklin want the deal ruled invalid. (News, Source: Delaware Online)

Jessica Simpson sings "Love Me Tender" Click Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSU3HojHkQs   (News, Source: You Tube/EP Gold) 2007/05/11            Youtube   /   www.epgold.com

New edition - Bubba Ho-Tep (Hail To The King Edition): Wickedly offbeat horror/comedy from "Phantasm" helmer Don Coscarelli presents a wildly imaginative "what if?" tale of an aged and bitter Elvis Presley (Bruce Campbell) who now lives in a run-down Texas nursing home. After befriending fellow resident Jack (Ossie Davis), who claims to be John F. Kennedy, the two geezers team up to battle an ancient Egyptian mummy that's sucking the souls out of the other senior citizens. With Ella Joyce, Bob Ivy, Daniel Roebuck, and Reggie Bannister. 92 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary by Campbell, Coscarelli; "making of" documentary; featurettes; deleted scenes; photo gallery; TV spot; theatrical trailer. (News, Source: Chris M, FECC board)

"Elvis - Summer Festival '73" released: Like the one listed below ( Rare Elvis vol.3 ) this CD would be also out and no information on which label. This CD contains the audience recording from the August 25, 1973 midnight show and some bonus tracks as well. This recording wasn't complete and some songs were taken from another concert from this season.

Bonus tracks: 23- Help Me Make It Through The Night; 24- An Amercian Trilogy #2; 25- A Big Hunk O' Love; 26- How Great Thou Art Las Vegas Midnight show August 19, 1973 (News, Source: FECC)

"Rare Elvis Vol. 3" released: A new CD has just been released ( no information about the label ) titled '' Rare Elvis Vol.3 ''. It contains 26 tracks. Tracks: Little Sister (take 1-5 ); Little Sister (take 6 ); Judy (take 1); Judy ( take 2-3 ); Judy (take 4); His Latest Flame ( take 1 ); His Latest Flame ( take 2 ); His Latest Flame ( take 3 & 4 ) ; His Latest Flame ( take 5 & 6 ) ; Good Luck Charm (take ); What She's Really Like ( take 6 & 7 ); G.I. Blues (take 7);  Doin' The Best I Can ( take 9 ); Pocketful Of Rainbows (take 2); Your Cheatin' Heart (take 9); Viva Las Vegas ( Stereo version);  What I'd Say ( Stereo version); A Dog's Life ( take 1 ) ; You'll Be Gone (take 2); It's A Long Lonely Highway (Single version ); 500 Miles (version 1 ); 500 Miles (version 2); A Little Less Conversation ( Single version); You'll Think Of Me (Single version ); Life (Single Version); Almost In Love ( Single version) (News, Source: FECC)

Steven Chanzes writing new book - proceeds to go to "Presley Place": Steven Chanzes, controversial author of "Elvis, Where Are You?" has told EIN:

I'm publishing a book with the tentative title, "The Sivle Nora Story."  It will leave no stone unturned and it will answer all the questions that the fans have asked and wondered about for the past 26 years since my book "Elvis, Where Are You?" was published.

In answer to a question I know will be asked, I am not undertaking this venture for profit.  I am going to pay for the printing of the book and any advertising out of my own pocket.  One hundred per-cent of the proceeds derived from the sale of the book will be turned over and donated to "Presley Place."

Too many people have speculated over the years as to what my motives may have been for writing "Elvis, Where Are You?" There have been gross mischaracterizations of myself and while I'm not attempting to put a halo on my head, it is time to tell the truth, to shoulder some responsibility and to set the record straight once and for all. (News, Source: Steven Chanzes)

"Elvis At The Movies" delayed: Elvis Australia reports the USA release this album has been delayed a week until 11 June, due to a fault with the Master. (News, Source: Elvis Australia/Elvis News)

New operators for EPE's online Elvis Shop: EPE has moved from eFashion to another company to run its Shop Elvis site. A formal announcement is expected shortly. The new site is already on-line. (News, Source: Tigurrin)

Updated: Your 'strong' reaction to Boulevard Souvenirs sueing EPE

"Heavy Times!" released: Now out on the MxF label will be their second release entitled "Heavy Times!" featuring the Vegas performances on January 28th 1971, midnight show and January 29th 1971, dinner show. For the first time, both the performances remastered from the original sources will become available on a sole CD. Although these two concerts were released on two separate imports some years ago here we have the opportunity to listen to both shows in better, improved sound. Using the original source tape we were able to keep Elvis' vocal power central to the mix whilst at the same time giving a new definition to the supporting musicians and singers.  Elvis' performance on both nights is superb as he is still performing to the best of his ability. Although he delivers two short shows they are delivered in a very intense, crisp and fresh manner that cannot be denied. Elvis was on stage to have fun and demonstrated this during the older, classic numbers, but songs such as 'Polk Salad Annie', 'You've Lost That Loving Feeling' and 'Sweet Caroline' never sounded better.

The season will be remembered for the introduction of the new opening composition 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' which although written by Richard Strauss in 1894 was more closely associated with the Stanley Kubrick film '2001 A Space Odyssey', a recent cinema release. As we now know this thunderous opening would be used until the final concert Elvis performed. The season will also be remembered for the beautiful new closing number 'The Impossible Dream' which Elvis sang with power and feeling giving us proof that Elvis continued to grow as a performer. 

Track list: 01. 2001 Theme; 02. That's All Right; 03. I Got A Woman; 04. Love Me Tender; 05. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me; 06.Sweet Caroline; 07. You've Lost That Loving Feeling; 08. Polk Salad Annie; 09. Johnny B Goode; 10. Something; 11. The Wonder Of You; 12. Heartbreak Hotel; 13. Blue Suede Shoes; 14. Hound Dog; 15. One Night; 16. Teddy Bear; 17. Suspicious Minds; 18. The Impossible Dream; 19. That's All Right; 20. I Got A Woman; 21. Love Me Tender; 22. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me; 23. Sweet Caroline; 24. You've Lost That Loving Feeling; 25. Polk Salad Annie; 26. Johnny B Goode; 27. Something; 28, Heartbreak Hotel; 29. Blue Suede Shoes; 30.Teddy Bear;31.Hound Dog;32.Snowbird;33.The Impossible Dream (News, Source: FECC)

EPE's Elvis Expo news: EPE advises: This year, we've received a huge response to the Elvis Week Merchandise and Memorabilia Showroom from Elvis-related celebrities, authors, licensees, memorabilia sellers and people wanting to attend. We decided to expand the name to better describe the amazing experience that will be happening on August 12-14 at the South Hall of the Cook Convention Center. We've expanded into the entire South Hall of the Cook Convention Center so the ultimate Elvis tradeshow will contain more than 100 booths and 35,000 square feet of Elvis. Elvis Expo 2007: Merchandise and Memorabilia Showroom will include all the latest Elvis music, movies, merchandise, celebrity autograph sessions, authors, artist and photographers, and lots of Elvis freebies and samples. (News, Source: EPE)

"The Elvis Conspiracy?": Did Elvis have to die? Following Elvis' death in August 1977, his Chief of Security, Dick Grob, commenced a detailed investigation of the circumstances surrounding the King's passing.Join EIN as we delve inside one of the biggest books ever published about Elvis. With nearly 700 pages, Grob's investigation of the circumstances surrounding Elvis' death reads like a mystery story, full of intriguing twists and turns as it proceeds towards its conclusion. (Book Review, Source: EIN) Long out of print, copies of this sought after release are now available from The Elvis Conspiracy? website

"Pure Diamonds - The Uncut & Undubbed RCA Studio Sessions" boxset: Recently released is a new 4 CD box-set "Pure Diamonds - The Uncut & Undubbed RCA Studio Sessions". It features 69 songs mostly from the Nashville, June 1970 and June 1971 sessions. It also comes with a 24 page booklet. (News, Source: FECC)

This week in history: 1955: A riot broke out at an Elvis Presley concert in Jacksonville, Fla. It was the first time trouble was reported at one of the singer's concerts. Witnesses said the crowd went crazy when Presley said, "Girls, I'll see you backstage." (News, Source: San Jose Mercury News)

Hillary's Plunging Approval Ratings? Blame Col. Tom Parker: Recent polls show Hillary Clinton intensifying her lead over Obama (although it's early in the game), but other polls show that her favorable ratings with the general public have been plunging all year. This is potentially a dismal scenario for the Democrats: Clinton secures the nomination through massive spending, then enters the general election hobbled by negative public perception that leads to a GOP victory.The "Col. Tom Parkers" of politics are bringing her down, and they may take the Democratic Party with them. How could things be going so wrong for the Senator, given her much-vaunted campaign team? The goal of their endless "centrist" positioning has been to evade the "liberal" label, yet the #1 reason given for her negative perception is her "liberal views." The answer may lie in the enormous political talents of Bill Clinton - the man they called "Elvis" - and in the mistaken belief that his advisors were a key part of his success. Hillary has drawn heavily from the ranks of Bill's advisors, a group that continues to take credit for electing him and keeping him in power.I've argued the opposite in the past. Bill Clinton was the most brilliant natural politician of a generation, and yet he lost Congress and was never able to achieve a popular vote majority. There is no evidence that either his advisors or his 'centrist' strategy played a key role in his election, or that any 1990s Democratic strategy would still be relevant after the last six polarizing years.Nevertheless, Hillary has signed on essentially the same team, and she's bought into the same 'triangulation' approach. It's a nakedly cynical strategy, and these poll numbers show that the public sees through it. So why is she still doing it? For one thing, advisors like Mark Penn have a vested interest in promoting a corporate agenda that may be hurting her politically. Think of it as the the Col. Tom Parker problem. Col. Tom managed Bill's namesake, the original Elvis. He promoted himself as a brilliant impresario, but the fact is that luck had a lot to do with his success. His best move was signing the most talented artist of a generation. Col. Tom wasn't responsible for Elvis' success. In fact, the Colonel made the mistake of putting Elvis in those absurd Hollywood movies (who can forget him singing "Do the Clam" in Clambake?) while the Beatles and Dylan outstripped him and changed society forever.It wasn't until Elvis bypassed Col. Tom in 1968 and starting making his own decisions that his career revived. (Some will remember: he began singing socially relevant songs and did a live TV special - and he stopped making those movies.) Had the King followed the Colonel's advice he might have ended his life in obscurity. Oh, Col. Tom was good at some things - like getting songwriter credits for Elvis and taking a piece for himself - but he lacked vision for his artist.Hillary's a very capable Senator, but she's no Elvis - and no Bill. Those gifts come once in a generation. She can call in her chips from large donor sources, and very possibly raise enough money to become the Democratic nominee. But does she have the vision and talent to become President? Not unless she pulls an Elvis by overruling her advisors and thinking for herself.Her campaign should be positioning her as the Shadow President, and the Leader-in-Waiting. Every time Bush makes a move she should issue a statesmanlike statement about how she would have handled it. Most of all, they should recognize that she's a plain-spoken and direct person, not a great rhetorician like Bill. They should emphasize that without being obvious about it.

Please, no more "let's have a conversation" moments. That's the political equivalent of "Do the Clam." Sen. Clinton still has a good chance of becoming the Democratic nominee, and she deserves better. More importantly, so does the Democratic Party - and the country. (News, Source: RJ Eskow's Blog, The Huffington Post)

EIN interviewed by literary blog: EIN's President, Nigel Patterson, was recently interviewed about Elvis by one of the world's leading literary blogs, Dark Party. Dark Party is well respected for the diversity and tenor of its information on music, literature and movies. Read Nigel's interview and explore what Dark Party has to offer

Donate Blood, Get Elvis Commemorative T-Shirt: EPE cooperates since the last four year with the local Memphis organisation Lifeblood. Blooddonors have the chance to collect a unique set of 4 T-shirts as a gift for the donation of blood. The original design is altered by Lifeblood, so it becomes a unique design. The first in the series is a Jailhouse Rock image, folowed by King Creole, That's The Way It Is and Change of Habit. (News, Source: Eyewitness News/Elvis Matters)

HE TOUCHED ME : ELVIS'S GOSPEL MUSIC: Radio Special (54 minutes version)...Hosted by Laura Cantrell...Music and interviews with Joe Moshero, Jery Schilling, Gordon Stoker...54 minutes with breaks for local spots...cue sheets on the back of CD case. Free to radio stations in the USA...on the silver disc it reads: For Promotional Use Only - Not For Sale...Air date April 2007...2007 Sony BMG Music (News, Source: Joe Krein, www.elvis2001.net)

Reissue of Bobbie Ann Mason book: Here is the cover art of the 192 pages book “Elvis Presley” by Bobbi Ann Mason from Penguin Books which is due for re-release August 2007 (ISBN: 0143038893). Synopsis: "Written by fellow Southerner Mason (In Country; Clear Springs), this abbreviated biography suffers fromthe series' length limitation but makes up for it by hitting the significant points. Mason credits Elvis with inventing rock and youth culture and "[puncturing] the balloon of 1950s serenity and conformity." She posits that the result of his stint in the army "was to erase his rock-and-roll rebel image and turn him into a mainstream all-American boy next door," and that in 1969, after almost a decade spent making bad films, "he was genuinely invigorated by making good music again. " It's when Mason offers her insight into Southern culture that the biography turns superficial, like her attempt to contextualize the bloated figure of the drug-addled singer's late years by noting that "in the deep-fried South, his shape was a familiar sight, typical of his age group." On the other hand, she does intrigue, stating that Elvis "was innocently authentic, but he craved the inauthentic, as country people, who are so close-uncomfortably close-to what is starkly real, often do." Unfortunately, Mason doesn't have the room to explain because she has to get back to zooming through the rest of Elvis's life before her space is up. As such, this intro to Elvis will be useful, but is still no substitute for Peter Guralnick's definitive two-volume biography (Last Train to Memphis, Careless Love), which Mason praises in her acknowledgments along with many other sources." (News, Source: Elvis Club Berlin/Elvis News/EIN)

"Diamond Collection": Here are the cover art and track listing of the budget compilation "Diamond Collection" which was released May 2, 2007. Track listing: Heartbreak Hotel I Got A Woman Blue Suede Shoes Hound Dog That's Alright Mama Blue Moon Of Kentucky Long Tall Sally I Was The One Money Honey Baby Let's Play House Maybellene Good Rockin' Tonight Tweedle Dee Interview (News, Source: Virgin - UK Top 40 Chart /Elvis News)

More budget releases: Due for release on July 15, 2007 on the Rebeat label is the 2 CD compilation "Anniversary - Rock N' Roll Edition". Ten days Later, on July 25, is the single disc compilation "When Will I Be Loved" is slated for release. (News, Source: Amazon.de/Elvis News)

'EIN's Best of Elvis on YouTube' Weekly Update:  Another eclectic week of new Elvis videos! From a sensational 'Polk Salad Annie' compilation through to a delightful 'Cry Like Memphis' Elvis tribute, via some delightful 'Stay Away Joe' silliness, what more could you need? Don't miss out on the emotional 'Just Pretend: A Day In The Life of Elvis' nor some wonderful live in Birmingham 1976 action. EIN presents nearly two hundred of Elvis' greatest video clips from the internet - what more could you want!? ('EIN's Elvis on YouTube', Source: EIN/YouTube)

Warner DVD releases: Here are the details on the 2007 DVD releases from Warner Bros. The company will release 10 DVDs: One disc editions: "Charro!", "Kissin' Cousins", "Girl Happy", "Live a Little, Love a Little" and "Stay Away, Joe". Two disc editions: "Elvis: That's the Way It Is" and "This is Elvis". Deluxe editions: "Jailhouse Rock" and "Viva Las Vegas". The editions of "Jailhouse Rock" and "Viva Las Vegas" include a documentary, "TTWII" includes both the original and SE editions while "This Is Elvis" includes the theatrical version and much longer TV version plus other material. The single disc releases probably don't include any extras. Also mentioned is "Tickle Me", but no details were given. (News, Source: Elvis Movie Guide /Elvis News)

Excerpt #2 from "Still Taking Care Of Business": Courtesy of Triumph Books EIN presents the second of three excerpts from the upcoming Sonny West memoir, "Still Taking Care Of Business". In this excerpt, Sonny takes us back to Elvis' incredible comeback in Las Vegas in 1969. (Book Excerpt, Source: Triumph Books)

Your 'strong' reaction to Boulevard Souvenirs sueing EPE

"Kicking and Rolling" CD: The forthcoming release from the "Straight Arrow" label is entitled "Kicking And Rolling" (SA 2007-6-02), and will feature the Las Vegas February midnight show from February 18, 1973 taken from a so-called "booth tape". This CD has a running time of 64 minutes and is set for release late May 2007.

Synopsis: The midnight show from February 18th, as presented on this CD, could be called quite typical for this season, if not for an extremely unusual incident which happened during this show, and which has made this show one of his most controversial concerts ever. Elvis had been practicing karate since his army days and got his black belt in '60. On this particular night in early '73, he got an unexpected chance to use his martial art against some aggressors.

This concert includes great performances of songs like "An American Trilogy", "What Now My Love", "Steamroller Blues", "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" or "I Can't Stop Loving You".

This recording comes from an early generation copy of the original "booth tape" and for an off-line recording, the sound quality is very good. The audio was restored in a professional studio to achieve the best possible results. "Booth tapes" were made from a "booth" or table at the edge of the stage, close to the speakers, by someone who was part of Elvis' organization. Unlike the usual audience recordings, "booth recordings" were made by someone who was known by Elvis' security force, and who did not have to worry about concealing the recorder and microphone. The sound quality of such tapes is noticeably better than a typical audience recording.

As a bonus, five tracks recorded in February 1973 under the same circumstances were added.

Just like previous releases from this label, this new CD will come in a deluxe package with a 16-page booklet, containing a collection of live and candid photographs from February - April 1973, Las Vegas memorabilia, informative liner notes with an "Elvis in early 1973" overview, as well as details about Elvis' Las Vegas 1973 Winter season.

Note: this release has nothing to do with the poor quality audience recording of the same show which in circulation under titles like "I'll Whoop His Ass" and "Fight Night".

Tracks: 01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from "2001 A Space Odyssey") - 02. Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen (medley) / Big Boss Man (one line) - 04. Love Me Tender - 05. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - 06. Steamroller Blues - 07. You Gave Me A Mountain (with reprise) - 08. Fever - 09. Love Me - 10. Blue Suede Shoes - 11. Johnny B. Goode - 12. Hound Dog (slow & fast) - 13. What Now My Love - 14. Suspicious Minds - 15. Instrumental Intermezzo / Elvis attacked on stage - 16. I Can't Stop Loving You - 17. An American Trilogy - 18. Can't Help Falling In Love - 19. Closing Vamp.

Special bonus: 20. * C. C. Rider - 21. Steamroller Blues - 22. You Gave Me A Mountain - 23. Fever - 24. * What Now My Love (with reprise). * taken from Las Vegas 23.02.1973 Closing Show. (News, Source: Elvis News)

Third edition cover artwork for Marc Hendrickx book: Here is the likely cover of the upgraded third Dutch version of Marc Hendrickx' bible on Elvis. This new version is to be released in the first half of June. (News, Source: Elvis News) Thank you to all who advised EIN we had inadvertently added the wrong cover artwork (now corrected)

Price of "Elvis Straight Up" solved!: Many thanks to AJ who sent EIN this information after our news story yesterday about this currently sold out book: 'Pre-ordering for the first volume of Joe Esposito's new book Elvis Straight Up starts at midnight ( May 5th) in the USA (West Coast) - or 8am Saturday morning if you are over this side of the pond in the UK.  The publishers say they could be looking at a sell-out for this release on July 4th. ‘No matter what you have ever read before, Joe’s press release states ‘Elvis Straight Up will change the way you look at Elvis Presley and those around him.’ The book is priced at $22.47 but cut and paste the discount code below to pre-order at $19.99 directly from the Elvis: Straight Up website'. (News, Source: AJ)

James Burton concerts cancelled: Just announced and for reasons unknown at the time of writing, James Burton and Billy Swan have cancelled tonights open date of their UK tour in Brighton. It is also known that tomorrows gig (8th) at The Leeds Irish Centre has also been cancelled. (News, Source: Elvis Express Radio)

Free Deluxe 2CD set for all members: As a result of a unique cooperation between SONY BMG Music Entertainment and ElvisMatters, we are proud to announce the upcoming release of a deluxe 2CD set, "Madison Square Garden - 35 years later". All members of ElvisMatters get this super Deluxe set for free. The package contains the full press interview from June 9th 1972 (20:48) on disc 1, and the original June 10th Evening Performance on disc 2. A special booklet with pictures from Joe Tunzi's archives is the bonus to the package. In short: a must-have for every fan, and free for ElvisMatters members. Not a member yet? Join Elvis Matters (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

New edition of Elvis Matters magazine: The next magazine of ElvisMatters (#17) is a deluxe edition for fans all over the world. No less than 68 full color pages in a stylish design (thanks Ron!), filled with news. Among the eye catchers are exclusive interviews (Jerry Schilling, Joe Guercio), CD/DVD/Book reviews, flashbacks to Madison Square Garden (35 years), World's Fair (45 years) and Elvis/Judy Tyler (50 years). Further more: an "On The Spot" report about Graceland 2007, the Elvis Harley Ceremony, the latest souvenirs from Elvis Town and tons of gorgeous pictures. Not a member yet...? Click the MEMBERSHIP button on the left, and be sure to get this Deluxe edition before the end of the month. Mailing date: May 16th. O, and don't forget: this magazine comes with a free DELUXE 2CD set! (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

"Elvis In Nederland" released: New on the book shelves is “Elvis In Nederland”, a re-print of the 1997 book by Dutch author Rob van Scheers. The book is now available at the ElvisMatters Shop (both online and in the store in Turnhout, B.) For his book, the writer interviewed Dutch celebrities with an Elvis link, such as unkie XL, Ellen ten Damme, Jan Cremer, Monique van de Ven, André Hazes, Andy Tielman, Connie Palmen, and Hans van Manen. The book comes with 288 full color pages + hard cover, and a bonus CD with Dutch artists paying tribute to Elvis: Bob Fosko, Bennie Jolink, Vincent Bijlo, Bluegrass Boogiemen, Erwin Nijhoff, Roosbeef, JW Roy, Denise Jannah, Thom Hoffman and the Bintangs. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

How much was that book on the Internet?: EIN has received a number of enquiries about Joe Esposito's book 'Elvis Straight Up' (see story published yesterday). It appears people who ordered it didn't even know what price it was being sold at. This certainly seems like strange marketing and it is surprising many people would buy without first knowing the cost. This is what Elvis World's Bill E. Burk had to say about the issue:

White Noise: The Light: Fans of horror movies are in for a nice little treat as a few Elvis moments appear in the new DVD release 'White Noise: The Light. Plot summary: Abe Dale (Nathan Fillion) has a good job and a loving family- until one day his family is murdered in front of his eyes and in broad daylight by a man named Henry Caine (Craig Fairbrass) who then kills himself.

Haunted by guilt for not being able to save his family, Abe attempts suicide and nearly succeeds- but he resists being drawn to a 'bright white light' before dying and survives. But shortly afterwards he starts noticing white glows around people and learns these glows mean these people are about to die unless he saves them. Abe uses his new gift to it's full advantage and saves many lives- but he then learns that 'if you save a life, you are responsible for it' and as he goes digging deeper into the motives behind his family's killing and the full extent of his new-found powers, it takes him on a terrifying and apocalyptic journey into hell from which there will be no escape. (News, Source: Elvis Express)

The day I met Elvis: George Eby and his mates at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10692 will open their new headquarters at Grafenwöhr’s Main Post — building No. 506 — next week.The headquarters, which replaces the VFW’s old home in what used to be a small off-post theatre, includes a kitchen, outdoor area and latrines — things the old facility lacked. Eby, 78, the post quartermaster, arrived in Germany on a troop ship in 1951, but he spent most of his first four years in-country confined to base. In those days, soldiers were not allowed off-post in their free time, he explained. He’s been at Grafenwöhr since 1972 but trained here plenty in the ’50s.That was when he met Elvis Presley, who was serving with the 3rd Armored Division.“I knew Elvis,” Eby said. “He used to hang out at Mickey’s Bar and Nightclub (outside Gate 1). “There is a church there now.”The two soldiers met a couple of times in the training area. “He was a regular soldier,” Eby recalled. “He didn’t want any special benefits. He was OK when he was in the military, but drugs got to him later. ”But Elvis’ visit was not the most memorable event in Grafen- wöhr’s post-war history, Eby said.

“That was when the artillery round came in,” he said. “That was in late 1958 or 1959. It hit in Camp Kasserine and I think we lost 22 troops. ”These days range control has a good handle on safety but in the old days accidents were more common. To join contact the Grafenwöhr VFW at: 09644-6949 or cell: 0162-827-8035. (News, Source: Seth Robson, Stars & Stripes)

Studio B celebrates its 50th anniversary: Historic RCA Studio B will observe its 50th anniversary in 2007. Once the recording home of music titans like Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, RCA Studio B is now one of the popular cultural attractions in Music City and also serves as a classroom for Nashville-area students. See Web site: www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/studiob.aspx. Lest we forget, 2007 also marks the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death. Elvis Presley Enterprises anticipates one of the largest convergences of fans ever to descend on Graceland for Elvis Week. 

The celebration, held Aug. 11-19, is a remembrance of the music, magic and memories associated with the legacy of Elvis. For more information, visit online at  www.elvis.com. (News, Source: Cleveland Daily Banner)

Elvis impersonators may be answer to Japanese island's problem - "Graceisland here we come!": Like many other places in Japan's countryside, Shiraishi Island is suffering from depopulation. When I came here 10 years ago, the population was 900. Now it is almost 700. Which goes to show that anyone can have his or her own island if one waits long enough. Soon, I'll be able to change the name to Amy Island. People will have to know the password to get onto the island and they may even have to log in before they come.But of course, the island would be nothing without all the people on it who make it such a special place. Which is why everyone is searching for a way to increase the population here. Some ideas have been suggested. A bridge was once planned to connect our island and the five other islands in the Kasaoka island chain to the mainland. Bridges, long the symbol of prosperity and economic success in Japan, would bring tourists, commerce and jobs. Of all the five islands in our chain, Shiraishi Island was the only island that protested it. And without this approval, the bridge could not be built.The Shiraishi people value their homeland and realize that a bridge will also bring crime, pollution, and other components of city life to this small, protected island community. Furthermore, a bridge would threaten the aura of the island, a special atmosphere created through the time-honored formula of interaction among the local people. Here, we don't have amusement parks, game centers, and shopping malls — we are the entertainment!So the question is more how to revitalize the area while preserving the island atmosphere and sustaining a population. Most people blame Japan's declining population on the lack of children being born. But on our island of 700, where most people are way past child-bearing age, concentrating on increasing the population by having more children is silly.Why don't we consider instead, trying to stop people from dying? After all, it's the people who are dying who are causing the decrease in population. Besides, once grandma and gramps die, the ancestral home is abandoned and no one benefits. These days, there is practically no chance that these people's grown children will ever move back to the island. As long as grandma and gramps are alive and eating and drinking, family members will come to visit and the local tradesman, grocers, and restaurants will benefit.And, if we want to stop the dying, we're going to have to stop the hospital boat from coming. The hospital boat comes every couple of months and offers checkups, screening, testing, etc. to the people who live on these isolated islands.

But, am I the only one who has noticed that every time the boat comes, we lose a few islanders soon after they've been screened? Save the population! Stop that boat from coming! Some people suggest immigration as a possible answer to the population problems. You've heard of Ellis Island in the U.S., right? Over 12 million immigrants landed there between 1892 and 1954. Well, everyone also knows that immigration is not really the Japanese way. So, if we can't have an Ellis Island, how about an Elvis Island?

Japan loves Elvis Presley and there are many Elvis impersonators here, so perhaps we could get all them to come and live here on Shiraishi Island.With all of them on one Elvis Island, they could live, not in Graceland but Grace-island. They could build their own mansions with jungle rooms and racquetball courts. Former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi would surely have a mansion here.Elvis impersonators wouldn't need a bridge to drive a car here either as they could just fly here in their private jets. And Elvis impersonators love to interact with people. We could all sing karaoke and gyrate our hips together every day. And there would be live concerts on the beach every weekend. Perhaps the best thing about an Elvis Island is that we'd never have to worry about the population declining again. Because, as every knows, Elvis lives forever! (Almost Elvis, Source: Amy Chavez, The Japan Times Online)

DVD boxsets: A new four DVD set from MGM, entitled "The Elvis Presley Collection", is due for release on July 24, 2007. It contains the four movies "Clambake", "Frankie and Johnny", "Follow That Dream" and "Kid Galahad".

Due for release on July 31, 2007 from Trinity Home Entertainment is the three DVD set "Elvis Boxset", no other information available. Also due on that dat from Trinity Entertainment is "Elvis-Last 24 Hours" DVD. (News, Source: Elvis News/Amazon)

Boulevard Souvenirs suing EPE: A souvenir shop next door to Graceland accuses Elvis Presley Enterprises of federal monopoly violations, restraint of trade, conspiracy and tortious interference.

Boulevard Souvenirs, which has 13 years remaining on its lease on Elvis Presley Boulevard, claims co-defendant
Carol Butler, vice president of international licensing for Elvis Presley Enterprises, has been trying to force it out
of business for years.

Rick Roberts, who founded Boulevard in 2000, says vendors told him that in January this year that defendants
demanded that licensees of Elvis products refuse to sell to anyone else within 5 miles of Graceland.

He cites a letter the defendants allegedly sent to vendors, saying the ostensible reason for this antitrust violation
is to “prevent the commingling of Licensed Products with counterfeit goods”.

Unless vendors of licensed products signed the letter, Elvis Presley Enterprises threatened to terminate them, he
says. Now all of his vendors have cut him off. He says he was grossing $1 million a year. He demands $13 million
for 13 years of lost profits, and $26 million in punitive damages.

He is represented by Randall Songstad of Arlington, Tenn. (Sale of EPE, Source: Courthouse News/Elvis Express)

See the Complaint

The Beatles at Graceland update: Yesterday we published a news report from the Memphis Flyer that Elvis invited the Beatles to stay at Graceland. Memphis Mafia member, Marty Lacker subsequently told EIN:

Elvis Festival in South of France: If you can't make it to Memphis this August then maybe you can make it to gorgeous St. Tropez in the south of France instaed. This is the poster for the upcoming "Rockbrune Attitude Elvis Tribute Festival", which will take place in St. Tropez (France) on August 4th & 5th, 2007. The festival is being jointly organized by the city of Roquebrune Sur Argens, Big Beat Records and the Elvis My Happiness fanclub. Performers include Little Tony, Robert Gordon and Crazy Cavan & The Rhythm Rockers. There will also be a photo & memorabilia exhibition and surprise guests. Entrance is free. For more info please write to: mairie@ville-roquebrune-argens.fr (News, Source; EIN/Deelen)

'Elvis Presley - The Greatest Collections' from Myanmar.  Another Elvis CD obscurity. Possibly Elvis' only release ever in Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma. A copy of BMG's '2nd To None' I wonder if the Myanmar public have noticed that most of Elvis' greatest Hits are not on this collection! Click here to see full images. (Elvis News: Source: Barry McLean)

Elvis' alma mater lives on in basement of restaurant: The Humes room isn't dead. It's just hidden in the basement of a Beale Street restaurant. Diners, bands and barflies reign upstairs at Superior Restaurant and Bar at 159 Beale. But downstairs it looks like a museum of photos and keepsakes from old Humes High School, including lesser-known photos of its most famous graduate, Elvis Presley.

When Anna Hamilton closed Anna's Steakhouse last year, she asked the owners of Superior Restaurant and Bar to display her Humes memorabilia.

The collection has moved several times, and for the last 11 years, Humes alumni have followed it, meeting monthly under the mounted memorabilia, to eat and socialize. It should have been the end last year when its former home, Anna's Steakhouse in Bartlett, closed, and owner Anna Hamilton, 59, auctioned off some of the Elvis collection. Instead, it sprawls undiminished over every inch of the big basement painted in Humes school colors, orange and white. Not a lot of people know it's there, said Jimmy Silvio, a partner in the restaurant. "We want it to be a kind of hidden Memphis (attraction)," he said. "We're pretty protective of it." He lets one tour company book it on tours; and he allows select private parties there. The last Monday of every month, Humes alumni dine there. This week, 23 showed up early. Barbara Sutton Lamberth, class of '49, pointed to the photo of a pretty cheerleader. That was her. Her late husband, also on the wall, was a Humes football star. "We didn't have much growing up, but we had camaraderie," said Dr. Hubert Dellinger, 74, a pediatrician who now lives in Southwind. He likes to swap stories, "some of them true," with old classmates.

Old North Memphis was one of the poorer neighborhoods then as now, said Alfred Ray Williams, 75, class of '51. He grew up in a two-room apartment there. But there was a sense of community that lasted. (News, Source: Barbara Bradley, The Commercial Appeal)

First printing of 'Elvis Straight Up' "sold out": The first printing of Joe Esposito's new book, Elvis Straight Up, has sold out in one hour of going on sale. No word on how many copies were printed. The second printing of the book will be released on 8 June. (New, Source: Elvis Straight Up)

Exclusive excerpt from new Elvis novel: Today, courtesy of author Paul Pullen, EIN publishes Chapter 1 of Paul's soon to be released novel, Contract With The King. What would you do if you had abducted The King? The book will shortly be available through AuthorHouse. (Book Excerpt, Source: Paul Pullen)

Read Chapter 1 of "Contract With The King"

Elvis wanted the Beatles to stay at Graceland: From the limousines the Beatles sent to meet the Stax-Volt Revue at Heathrow Airport in March 1967 to Booker T. & the MGs' McLemore Avenue album, released three years later as a homage to the Fab Four's Abbey Road, there was plenty of mutual appreciation flowing between England's biggest export and Memphis' homegrown heroes.

"Of course, George [Harrison] wasn't there," MGs guitarist Steve Cropper laments. "It was an honor. It was really great. But the guitar player wanted to meet the guitar player. Later on in the '70s, I met him in Beverly Hills, and we got to hang out some, which was a big thrill for me." Yet few classic-rock fans know that exactly a year before the London meeting, the Beatles were slated to cut an album at Stax Records. On March 31, 1966, the Memphis Press-Scimitar newspaper reported that the Beatles were due at 926 East McLemore on April 9th, spending two weeks working a new album before embarking on an extensive U.S. tour. "There was a close relationship between England and what we were doing down here," Cropper explains. "Otis [Redding] enjoyed playing for English audiences, because he was so respected over there. And the Beatles started out as a cover band, listening to a lot of Sun material like Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis." "The thing that was interesting to me was the fact that the Beatles' tunes were rhythm-and-blues tunes," says Johnny Keyes, a staff songwriter at Stax in the '60s. "The same thing with the [Rolling] Stones. All of these British artists had more respect for our music, especially the blues, than the people who lived in Memphis." Brian Epstein, the Beatles' manager, arrived in town in early April to suss out the studio and security situation, and everything seemed ready to go. "All the secretaries were saying, 'You have to promise not to repeat this, but the Beatles are coming!'" Keyes recalls. "We had a songwriters' meeting, because we thought they were looking for rhythm-and-blues material. Ronnie [Gorden, the Bar-Kays' keyboardist] happened to be around, so he and I worked on a tune called 'Out of Control,' which had lyrics like, 'Without you pretty baby, I'm like a dog without a tail/Like a church without a bell.' "In the meantime," says Keyes, "the information leaked out. Girls were coming into the Satellite Record Shop about to cry, saying, 'If you talk to Paul McCartney, please, please let me know.' Word spread, and WHBQ came in and asked [Stax co-owner] Ms. [Estelle] Axton about it, but she played coy with them." "I was so excited about it," says Deanie Parker, the former Stax publicist who went on to serve as the CEO and president of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. "I was seeing dollar signs. I talked to Jim Stewart and said, 'If the Beatles do come here, will you give me permission to take the carpet up, cut it into squares, and sell it?' Honey, I was gonna make me some money." "Everyone else was worrying about the logistics — how were we gonna get them from the airport," Keyes says. "We were gonna put them up at the Holiday Inn Rivermont, but Elvis Presley said it would be better if they stayed at Graceland. It went back and forth, and Epstein ultimately left town because he didn't want to get in the middle of it. The session never happened." Instead, the Beatles stayed home, cutting Revolver, which featured the Stax-inspired "Got To Get You Into My Life," at Abbey Road, before showing up in Memphis for a one-night concert at the Mid-South Coliseum on August 19th. "I was very disappointed," Parker admits, "mostly because it blew my little enterprise." "I remember getting the call," Cropper says. "Who knows what might've happened? 'Tax Man' could've been 'Stax Man.'" But in July and December 1973, the Stax studios were taken over by another pop giant: Elvis Presley, who recorded several sides, including "If You Talk in Your Sleep," "I've Got a Thing About You Baby," "My Boy," and a cover of Chuck Berry's "Promised Land" at 926 East McLemore. "The staff was notified that after-hours the building wouldn't be available to us because Elvis' production crew asked for privacy," says Parker. "It was off-limits to us for a week. I didn't even go into the studio, because I could see Elvis around Memphis. Anytime I'd drive down Bellevue, he might be out on his motorcycle. Having Elvis at Stax was just matter-of-fact, just another session." "By the time Elvis showed up, I had already left to start my own studio, Trans-Maximus," Cropper says. "But I think George Klein influenced him and made him aware of what was going on at Stax. George called me one day when I was still over there and said, 'Elvis would like you to write him a song.' We never really came up with anything, but Elvis had some gospel chops, and he knew his soul." Dunn, who was present for Presley's sessions, says, "When Otis [Redding] sang, he projected. When Sam and Dave sang, they projected. With Elvis, he didn't bellow it out, but it came out big. To end up so forceful, he was the softest singer I ever heard.

"He'd have an imitator come in and lay down the track with the band," Dunn says, "and then they'd overdub his voice. I was actually a little nervous. He was Elvis: You didn't just walk up and talk to him. As far as being buddy-buddy with him, you didn't do it." (News, Memphis Flyer)

Warhol's Triple Elvis up for auction: On Saturday, May 19that 3:00 PM, and Sunday, May 20that 11 AM, the Rago Arts and Auction Center holds its spring sale of Post-War and Contemporary Art.Session One (Saturday, May 19th at 3 PM) features a significant selection of work from prominent artists of the latter-half of the twentieth century. Headlining here is a superior selection of Richard Pettibone’s early acrylic and silkscreen Pop Art appropriations (characterized by Roberta Smith as “exquisitely accurate pocket-size copies of modernist masterworks”). We are offering a rare, triple Andy Warhol Elvis 1964 (1968); Roy Lichtenstein, Aloha 1962 (1969); Andy Warhol Saturday Disaster 1964 (1968); C & IM #30 and Flower (1970); Train Wreck & Stella (1970); and Andy Warhol (1976), a self-portrait of Warhol which is also very rare.   Catalogues are available in print and online in early May and can be ordered at ragoarts.com or by calling 888-RAGOARTS. (News, Source: News-Antique.com)

Elvis receives funding: Collingwood is getting some funding. The Ministry of Tourism has announced almost 94 thousand dollars in funding for the Collingwood Elvis Festival. 75 thousand has been earmarked for programming enhancements -- including more seating capacity for the competitions. Nearly 19 thousand dollars will go towards marketing for the Festival. The 2006 version was once again honoured as one of the Top 50 Festivals in Ontario -- the 5th time it has received the honour. The 13th annual Collingwood Elvis Festival will be held July 26th to the 29th. (News, Source: Manny Paiva, Bayshore Broadcasting)

"Reflections of the 70s" CD release: Available from It's Elvis Time, this 57 track album features press conferences, radio interviews, 2 telephone conversations, stories from friends, on stage and backstage recordings and much more. Also includes Elvis' message to his fans in Europe and Australia. Comes with an 8 page booklet. Contact Peter Haan for ordering details. (News, Source: It's Elvis Time)

Charity alive and well at Elvis festival: The King may be dead, but his generous spirit lives on. Members of the We Remember Elvis Fan Club can attest to that. Last weekend, the closely knit group of devoted fans gathered at the We Remember Elvis 26th Annual Spring Festival at the Holiday Inn in Greentree. Not only did they have a ball, they raised $3,000 for the Elvis Aaron Presley Visiting Fellowship at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital’s burn/trauma unit in Pittsburgh.

Priscilla A. Parker, the club’s president, said not many people were in attendance on Friday but Saturday was more fruitful. That’s where I came in. I dreaded waking up in the dreary weather to drive an hour, but my love for Elvis and my commitment pushed me on. With Eric as my co-pilot, we were off. I was definitely not prepared for the welcome I received. When we arrived, Sandi Pichon, friend of Elvis and author of “Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!” was speaking. The Louisiana resident recalled her times in the presence of the King, but didn’t represent herself as anything more than a fan accepted in his inner circle.

As she was speaking, I met the traveling “Elvis On The Air Disc Jockey,” Stephen Christopher, who has a plethora of vinyl. He DJ’d the dance that night, but I wasn’t around for the dinner or performance by Randy Galioto, an acclaimed Elvis tribute artist from Bloomfield. While Randy and I were talking, Mary Rosati, a self-proclaimed Elvis three-star general and 24-year member of the We Remember Elvis Fan Club, introduced herself. She was vivacious and welcoming; I was starting to feel at home.

We walked into the lecture room and joined the crowd again. The perimeter was filled with tables of Elvis merchandise and memorabilia. I was in heaven. As my senses met a 1950s inspired backdrop, I spotted a white-haired Elvis impersonator — or so I thought. It was Ed Gratton, club member and a real character. He was nice enough to pose with Eric and me for some photos. As I admired his red jumpsuit, Mary told me she had made it. She has a gift for creating! Apparently she made him a black suit as well. I encouraged Ed to model it for me. And being the sweet guy he is, he agreed.

In the meantime, I met Ed’s long-time pal, Jim Lupori. He’s from Hopewell, Va., but traveled to the area for the festival to visit with Ed and his wife, Marge, also a club member. Ed’s sister, Edna Kuklis, another member, wore a poodle skirt made by Mary. She said she has been hooked ever since she saw Elvis on Ed Sullivan and the club is an outlet for her admiration.

“Even though the club doesn’t meet all the time, we keep in touch, we’re a family.”

I was too busy talking to notice that the auction was starting. There were 72 Elvis items being sold, all donated by members, When I saw a “Jailhouse Rock” Elvis figurine, I had to start bidding. I didn’t win it, but ended up buying an Elvis doll — only after Priscilla informed the crowd I was from the New Castle News, doing a story on the event. I think they felt sorry for me.

Never a stranger: After my cover was blown, a lot of people came up to me. I was overwhelmed by the kindness and welcome I received. When I told member Teresa Ruhl of Lancaster this, she replied, “When you’re with Elvis fans you’re never a stranger!” Indeed I wasn’t. She has had medical problems and claims Elvis has helped her through them. She added she doesn’t view Elvis as a God, just a charitable man.

Teresa owns many Elvis relics and spent more than $800 on merchandise at the event. Tom Pope and wife, Ruth, also of Lancaster, spent a lot of money at the auction — more than $400. “The Elvis collection bug hit me when I met Ruth,” he said.

Later I had the opportunity to speak with Sandi. She had met Priscilla at another convention and was invited to speak at the local event. A southern gal, Sandi said she has never been up North before, and she was shocked by how beautiful Pittsburgh is. Her new book will be in stores in six to eight weeks. “Everyone has an Elvis story,” she said. She was right. By the time the event was over, I had gotten a glimpse into many stories. I stood by listening in amazement to tales and victories offered humbly.

In the end, Priscilla said, more than 100 people attended over the weekend, a smaller group than last year, but still a success. “I was happy everyone had a good time.” (News, Source: Serena Serafin, Clebourne Times)

Heartbreak over - 'Elvis' and his wife are reunited: AN Elvis impersonator from Royston has finally checked out of Heartbreak Hotel after his Jamaican wife was granted permission to enter the UK. Mark and Stephanie Goddard were reunited at the weekend after the couple spent their first 15 months of marriage living on different continents. This week, Mark said he expected something to go wrong until the moment he laid eyes on Stephanie at Heathrow Airport's arrivals lounge. When she walked through customs and saw her husband, Stephanie burst into tears of joy and relief."It feels really good to be back in Royston with Mark," she told the Mercury.Mark, 42, who describes himself as Britain's best Elvis, has been through "hell" to get his wife back. The saga began in February 2006 after the couple were married in Jamaica and the Home Office refused to renew Stephanie's visa to enter the UK, despite her having lived, studied and worked here for many years. After a year of demanding a little less conversation and more action from authorities, the couple won an appeal hearing overturning the earlier ruling at an Immigration Tribunal in London. And with Royston's Tory MP Oliver Heald taking a keen interest in the case and chasing up a Home Office delay in the release of Stephanie's documentation, the couple were back together on Saturday.Mr Heald said: "I'm delighted the matter has been resolved and the couple are reunited." Mark's mum, Barbara Goddard, spoke to the Mercury from the family home in Leete Place where the couple are staying. Mrs Goddard said: "We are absolutely over the moon to have her back. It's been a 15-month battle, but she's finally here and we're all delighted."

The couple, who met during the filming of an episode of TV's The Trisha Show, where Mark works as the warm-up act, said they are looking forward to putting the past year behind them and enjoying their future together. (News, Source: HEN News)

Carol’s Gifts & Collectibles closing its doors...but...: Sadly Carol is having to close her doors. However she wishes to remain in contact with fans and says: PLEASE EMAIL US YOUR FULL NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS cjlight@gowebway.com (News, Source: Charmaine Voisine)

Added to Elvis Week 2007 - "ELVIS:  MIDNIGHT IN VEGAS" CONCERT - "That's the Way It Is": By popular demand!  This exciting new concert event was added to the Elvis Week calendar just after Elvis: The 30th Anniversary Concert sold out in early May.  Knowing that many Elvis fans attending that August 16th show would be beyond ready to keep rockin' out with Elvis and his band with another concert, and wanting to do much more than just console those fans who will have missed out on tickets, we asked members of the cast to stay up late for you and re-create the wild excitement of Elvis's midnight shows in Las Vegas.  His dinner shows and matinee shows were outstanding, of course, but there was just something about Elvis at midnight...

11:59 PM - August 16.   FedExForum in downtown Memphis.  ELVIS: MIDNIGHT IN VEGAS stars the real Elvis Presley, exclusively using performance footage shot for production of the MGM concert film Elvis, That's the Way It Is, which focused on his Summer 1970 engagement at International Hotel in Las Vegas.  Elvis will be on the giant screen and live on stage will be a cast of singers and musicians – many of whom worked the 1970 Vegas engagement with him.  Event runtime approximately 90 minutes.

Cast: Joe Guercio (musical director & conductor); TCB Band members  James Burton (lead guitar), Glen D. Hardin (piano), Jerry Scheff (bass guitar), and Ronnie Tutt (drums); Sweet Inspirations members Myrna Smith, Estelle Brown and Portia Griffin; Imperials members Sherman Andrus, Terry Blackwood Joe Moscheo and Gus Gaches; and members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. 

All tickets are $55.00.  Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmster.com.   (Once Ticketmaster has the show listed on their site, this link will be adjusted to take you directly to their info page for the show.)  Tickets are also available by Ticketmaster phone at (901) 525-1515.  Tickets also may be purchased in person at all Ticketmaster Retail Ticket Center locations in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Missouri and in person at the FedExForum box office.  Typical ticketing service fees will be added.  It is a matter of personal experience and preference which method you should choose.   Group Ticket Sales: Leaders of groups numbering 50 or more people may contact the FedEx Forum box office staff at boffice@grizzlies.com to request seating together.

The venue will be cleared after the 30th Anniversary Concert.  Details on how ticket holders for that concert will be given re-entry with their Midnight in Vegas tickets will be posted here as soon as possible.

Tickets go on sale 10:00 AM CDT, May 14.  Also on May 14, on www.ticketmaster.com an auction of tickets for the 80 seats in the front two rows will begin.  (Once the auction is in place on the Ticketmaster site, the link will be adjusted to take you directly to the auction page for the show.)  There will be no VIP ticket packages for this event.

ELVIS INSIDERS EXCLUSIVE PRE-SALE!: Elvis Insiders will be given an exclusive access code for a three-day pre-sale opportunity that will begin at 10:00 AM CDT, May 11.  That code will be posted next week on the private Elvis Insiders messageboard and in an Elvis Insiders e-newsletter. (News, Source: EPE)

Priscilla's new partner: Priscilla Presley is apparently now dating (UK) So You Think You Can Dance producer/judge, Nigel Lythgoe. They have been seen out and about on a number of occasions. Interestingly, online sites still list Nigel as being with his wife of 36 years, Bonnie. Lythgoe is a very successful TV and film director/producer. After working his way through the television industry, he held the post of Head of Entertainment and Comedy at London Weekend Television, where he comissioned and produced shows including Gladiators and Blind Date. While a judge on Pop Idol, Lythgoe earned the nickname "Nasty Nigel" for being a tough audition judge.(News, Source: FECC board/simplycilla.com/Robert Vasilevski)

"Sunrise In The Night" CD: A new CD release from China is the 20 track compilation "Sunrise In The Night" which comes with an 18 pages illustrated booklet and the lyrics of the 20 songs. It claims to be legit using the BMG logo and it claims to be remastered using the "DSD logo, but nothing is sure with releases from that part of the globe. (News, Source: Elvis News)

"Esta Si Es Elvis" DVD: Released in South America is the DVD "Esta Si Es Elvis". It contains two versions of "That's The Way It Is", both the original as the 2001 Special Edition. (News, Source: Collectors Service /Elvis News)

Viva Las Vegas #2 in Las Vegas film list: VH1 have named "Viva Las Vegas" in their Top Ten Las Vegas movies, beating both the "Godfather" parts one and two, "Casino", "Fear" and "Loathing In Las Vegas".

1. Oceans 11 (1960) and Oceans Eleven (2001)
2. Viva Las Vegas
3. Casino
4. Bugsy
5. Leaving Las Vegas
6. The Cooler
7. Diamonds Are Forever
8. The Godfather parts I and II
9. Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas
10. Showgirls

For more details and their synopsis of these movies go to the VH1 site. (News, Source: VH 1)

New issue of "Golden Boy Elvis" released: Volume 2 of the new German "Golden Boy Elvis" magazine is out. This full colour 60 pages A4 magazine contains news, reviews and many interesting articles on Elvis subjects like: vinyl ("Die Hits der Deutschen Charts"), Elvis Live (important CD releases with 1969 material and October 1, 1974 in depth), Elvis in the Studio (September 1956), people from Elvis entourage (Nick Adams). (News, Source: Elvis News)

Chart update: The U.S. Billboard Elvis chart listings for the week ending May 12, 2007:

Top Pop Catalog Albums - Ultimate Gospel - down 9 to #50
Top Country Catalog Albums - Ultimate Gospel - remains at #8
Top Country Catalog Albums - Elvis 30 #1 Hits - up 6 to #12
Hot 100 Singles Sales - Heartbreak Hotel - down 2 to #45
Top Music Video - Elvis Lives - 25th Anniversary Concert - up 1 to #8
Top Comprehensive Music Video - 25th Anniversary Concert - up 1 to #8
Top Music Video - Elvis Lives - Elvis: 68 Comeback Special - re-enters at #33
Top Comprehensive Music Video - Elvis: 68 Comeback Special - re-enters at #33

The "68 Comeback DVD" re-enters Top Music Video and Comprehensive Music Video Charts. No releases drop off the chart. "ELV1S 30#1 Hits" moves up the charts as a sales gainer. (News, Source: Elvis International)

"The Little Book of Elvis" expanded: Due for re release on 6 August 2008 from Carlton Books is the book entitled "The Little Book Of Elvis". Written by Trevor Baker the new edition contains 128 pages, twice the number of pages of the original edition in 2003. ISBN: 1844427315. (News, Source: ElvisBookResearch/Elvis News)

Warner Bros DVD News: Mike Windgren posted this message on the FECC board:

Hi there!! . It has been just announced on a very reliable Spanish DVD website called ZONADVD.COM , you can check it if you want. On August 6, 2007 Warner will release on the 30th Anniversary, Special editions on DVD of the next movies : Viva Las Vegas, Jailhouse Rock, documentary That´s The Way It Is and Biopic movie This Is Elvis plus more Elvis dvd releases. I understand we will not have Elvis On Tour DVD . Soon this website will have more information on these releases. I thought this news would make us all happy . Bye for now . Mike Windgren. (News, Source: FECC)

Elvis films to screen in Melbourne, Australia: Thanks to Tony Cannata who informs us Melbourne fans are in for a treat with the Astot Theatre to screen 3 Elvis films this month. The Astor Theater is located at the corner of Chapel St & Dandenong Rd St Kilda Ph No 9510 1414  www.astor-theatre.com

May 12: 3:30pm Viva Las Vegas.

May 20: Double feature from 7:30pm  Clambake & Thats The Way It Is. (News, Source: Tony Cannata)

Hot new Southern Comfort CDs announced!: Several forthcoming releases have been announced by the Southern Comfort label. Their follow-up project to 'The American Way' series will be a double-CD set of Elvis's 1975 'The Request Box Shows' to be released near October 2007. With a stylish 16-page booklet and upgraded audio in both stereo and mono from the original master tapes, this will be far superior to any previous release. It will also include brand new material taken from the original Japanese audience recordings. 'HIGH VOLTAGE' a 2-CD set of Elvis's sensational Opening and Closing shows from the Las Vegas January/February 1970 season has also been announced for winter release. Mastered from the original reel-to-reel recordings and including a 16-page booklet this will surpass any previous versions, which have always suffered from poor quality audio..(Photo right: Burning In Birmingham to be upgraded)

The hot news is that an upgraded release of Elvis' sensational 'Birmingham '76' concert is being planned. 'Burning In Birmingham' is often voted as the best concert release of 1976 but the original master tape has been found and the new version promises to blow the roof off the old one! No release date as yet. Final news is that 'The American Way, Volume 4: 827 Thomas Street Memphis', as it is now subtitled, is due for release in early June. The 'American Way' series is selling fast. Volumes 1 & 2 of these complete 1969 Memphis sessions are already sold out with Volume 3 'Movin and Groovin' heading the same way. Go here for EIN's in-depth review of 'The American Way Vol.3 'Movin and Groovin'. (News, Source: EIN, May 2007)

To all Aussie & Kiwi fans........"Ultimate 30th Anniversary Tour" to Elvis Week 2007 In the' nick of time' (good title for a Johnny Depp movie):.......DO NOT MISS OUT!!!!!.............years in the making...........last chance offer.........no spruikers on tour!.... ...Beatles fans thoroughly screened... Tick, tock, tick tock......time is fast running out to join EIN's wonderfully fantastic, supremely brilliant, colourfully expressive, and never to be repeated, Ultimate 30th Anniversary Trip to Elvis Week 2007! It offers:  "air conditioned" jet plane (what more could you want.......OK, the boat sank) two pilots.....yes you read it correctly......TWO pilots (hey, would we skimp on things?) seasoned, and after their medication, quite friendly Tour Guides (we're just not sure what type of seasoning they are on) Graceland, which seriously is the "edge of reality" (enough said) a few Elvis events (OK, we lied...."smorgasboard"....about a hundred Elvis events), including: the Candlelight Vigil! incredible "night life" on Beale Street, Hernando's Hideaway, Captain Bilboa's, Piers' Corner (be warned!) .....EIN's community spirited, public service, parent's warning....all those engaging in the "night life" should be aged 18 years or over (and for those of you aged over 45 we will have resuscitation tanks handy) "come aboard".....riverboat cruises on Mark Twain's mighty, muddy Mississippi FUN, FUN, FUN (there will be a spelling test on this word before you all board the plane...anyone mspeling it goes to the US by one way Antarctica bound oil tanker....Piers better start swatting up!) many new friends some VERY SPECIAL guests "Burning Love" baby....hot weather (the Bureau of Meteorology says that in August 2007, while we are all working on our tan, the Southern Hemisphere will be experiencing a psychologically unpleasant, cold, precipitous front called Winter......hey, when has the Bureau ever been wrong?) oh, and and by the way, we are visiting a few other cities too......lusty LA, leaving (your money behind) Las Vegas, (musical) Nashville, and (down home, Southern style) Tupelo.....and for those of you wondering, we couldn't afford to go to Chukanut or Suquamish in Washington State, so there! (and very seriously) the tour will leave you with "MEMORIES" YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!!!!!!! For more information, or to join the Tour respond NOW   or view our Tour Brochure   We need to confirm rooms on 3 May 2007....so after that date there is no guarantee we can add anyone to the tour.

"Lonely Street" movie not so lonely!: The movie version of Steve Brewer's novel, Lonely Street, is still very much on track. Filming wrapped in October and post-production continues. Amber Smith must have interpreted information incorrectly from online sources. Movies take more than two months to finish! The filmmakers will be reaching out to Elvis fans in the coming months alerting them of special screenings and events. Stay tuned...! (News, Source: Plasma Wine)

Todd Slaughter on Sky Digital Channel each Sunday: Dear Elvis fans, We here at Big L know what Elvis means to people all over the world, so we air a programme dedicated to the king every Sunday evening from 9pm through til 10 (gmt). The show is presented by Elvis guru Todd Slaughter, who takes you through the Elvis Presley history and plays you the hits and the misses! Listen in every Sunday evening from 9pm (gmt) on Sky Digital Channel 0190 (UK and Europe) and via the web: www.bigl.co.uk (News, Source: Chris Byland, Big L)

Sydney, Australia fans...treat your Mum to the perfect Elvis Mothers Day!

Elvis and his Police buddies: Nearly 30 years after the death of Elvis Presley, you'd think every possible book had been written about the late King of Rock-and-Roll. And you'd be wrong. Retired Memphis Police Department Captain Robert Ferguson has compiled Elvis: In the Beat of the Night, an interesting book that focuses on Elvis' friendship — some might even call it an obsession — with police officers. The entertainer liked to hang out with policemen, collected police badges wherever he traveled, and enjoyed being made an honorary policeman in any city where he performed. Ferguson explains that shortly after Elvis’ death in 1977, he began taping video interviews of many of the local officers who knew Elvis, from officers who met him at the beginning of his career to those who helped at his funeral. Those tapes might have remained hidden forever, but when biographer Peter Guralnick interviewed Ferguson for Last Train to Memphis he persuaded the former policeman to compile the interviews into the self-published book. Visit the book's website

In his introduction, Ferguson says, "Everybody who lives in Memphis has an Elvis story. So I decided to document mine." Ferguson met Elvis at one of the King's first concerts in 1954, and became a police officer in 1958. He began hearing stories about how Elvis enjoyed hanging around cops; Elvis, it seems, actually thought of himself as a police officer. Several times, says Ferguson, the singer even rode along with police officers as they made their rounds. The book includes photographs, maps, and interviews with dozens of officers who met and worked with Elvis from the late 1950s until his death in 1977. "The interviews are mainly from the rank-and-file officers," says Ferguson, "since they are the ones with whom Elvis had the most rapport. Elvis didn’t want to be a chief or a sheriff; he wanted to be a policeman, and this identified himself with the patrolmen on the force." Elvis: In the Beat of the Night presents a side of Elvis that hasn’t really been told. "Elvis was a down-to-earth person in our presence — a man who just happened to be famous," says Ferguson. "He actually appeared to be in awe of us, rather than the other way around. It was a special time that none of us will ever forget, and I'd like to share it with you."

The book is available for $14.95 from Davis-Kidd Booksellers and Borders, or it can be ordered directly from Robert Ferguson, 901-380-8411. (Book Review, Source: Michael Finger, Memphis Flyer)

It was 40 years ago today: Elvis and Priscilla married at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas in 1967. Joe Esposito and Marty Lacker were the best men, Priscilla's sister, Michelle, was the maid of honor, and Joan Esposito was matron of honor.

'EIN's Best of Elvis on YouTube' Weekly Update:  What a week for Elvis appearing live on American Idol with Celine Dion! Elvis Is Back, indeed. Despite rumours that the official video has been removed EIN provides a high-quality copy of the duet for you to watch, as well as a look at how it was technically achieved. This week's other highlights also include a fabulous 'I Can Help', as well as marvellous footage of Priscilla and Elvis in the sixties. Don't miss out on the coolest laid-back 'Steamroller Blues' of all, as well as some extremely rare concert footage. Elvis LIVES. Catch them all now before the Elvis Internet police take them away! ('EIN's Elvis on YouTube', Source: EIN/YouTube)

New book/DVD set coming from Bud Glass: Bud Glass’ next release will be another book/DVD set, “Dixieland Delight,” an in-depth look at Elvis’ 1975 Memorial Day weekend performances in Alabama. You can expect previously unseen photographs (both professional and candid shots), as well as unreleased candid footage, and firsthand accounts by those who were there to experience it all.  For information on this and Glass’ other ventures, visit www.behind-the-image.com ; www.praytome-publishing.com  and www.thekingsransom.com. (News, Source: EP Gold)

"Elvis In The Beat of the Night" finally released!: Thanks to LInda Sower for telling us this book, first announced for poublication in August 2006, is finally available. Sub-titled 'True Stories of Elvis and His Police Buddies' you can visit the official website and buy the book HERE (News, Source: Linda Sowers)

Update on "Collector's Edition" of "Elvis, Linda & Me": And thanks also to Jim Cox, who contacted us about the delay in releasing Jeanne LeMay Dumas' book. Jim told EIN: I just saw a note on your website about the new book "Elvis, Linda & Me" by Jeanne Lemay Dumas, and whether it is being delayed, etc.  Apparently there has been some mixup about the book and when it is going to be available. My name is Jim Cox, and I'm Jeanne's co-writer on the book, and I wanted to let you know what is going on concerning the book. I think part of the reason for the confusion was the way the book first came out.  It was originally put out as a self-published book by Jeanne through Authorhouse.  The book was printed and made available only through authorhouse.com to begin with.

It is going to be released in a much nicer format called the "Collector's Edition," on May 15, and is going to be 8 1/2" x 11", hardcover, and contain 70 glossy photos which will all be in color.  The actual book story is the same but it will just be bigger, in hardback, and with 70 full color pictures. (News, Source: Jim Cox)

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Artwork for Elvis DVD Tin: Here is the complete "Elvis Presley Collection" box set. This metal box contains the movies "Love Me Tender", "Flaming Star", "Wild In The Country", "Clambake", "Frankie And Johnnie" and "Kid Galahad". This region 2 set, from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, is due for release May 14, 2007. (News, Source: Amazon.de/Elvis News)

Streisand believes her show is as big as Elvis': First it was John Travolta, now Barbra Streisand says she is as big as Elvis: Superstar Barbara Streisand, who once asked Elvis to appear next to her in the movie "A Star Is Born", has defended her decision to charge fans up to £500 ($1000) a ticket to see her perform for the first time in 13 years this summer (June 7, 2007), because she believes she is as big as Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

The Woman In Love star will be appearing on stage in the UK as part of her 2007 European tour, and claims the ticket prices are justified because part of the proceeds will go to her charity, the Barbra Streisand Foundation. Her spokesperson says, "Seeing Barbra Streisand in concert is a pretty momentous occasion that ranks up there with seeing Sinatra or Elvis." (News, Source: Elvis News)

New tribute song: The French singer Erik Sitbon has just released his latest CD, called "Tame The Ghosts". Sitbon, an avid Elvisfan who sings in English and has worked with - among others - The Stamps Quartet, added the tribute song "Tupelo Boy" to the CD (track 2). You can order the CD on line by clicking this link. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

Hard Rock Café In New York Raised Almost $2.5million: The Music Rising auction on April 21st at the Hard Rock Café in New York raised almost $2.5million.

The Elvis items were sold for $11,670.00:

ELVIS PRESLEY EARLY PERFORMANCE CONTRACT $5,400.00
ELVIS PRESLEY ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH $960.00
ELVIS PRESLEY ORIGINAL SEPT. 1977 CONCERT TICKET $390.00
ELVIS PRESLEY SIGNED CONCERT SCARF $3,600.00
ELVIS PRESLEY NEGATIVES AND PHOTOGRAPHS $1,320.00

A concert played Gibson Guitar donated by U2’s The Edge raised $288,000.00, Bob Dylans concert used guitar raised $192,000.00 and a Jimi Hendrix’s studio used guitar raised a whopping $480,000.00.
Although a limited number of tickets were available to the public, benefit tickets for the evening cost $1000.

The grand total of the entire auction was $2,435,220.00

Music Rising (www.musicrising.org), a campaign co-founded by U2’s The Edge, producer Bob Ezrin and Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz in 2005 to aid musicians of the Gulf Coast Region in regaining their livelihood after the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. (News, Source: EP Gold)

Fight to save Kid Galahad location: The Idyllwild Area Historical Society are fighting to save the mountain location where Elvis filmed Kid Galahad in 1961. The San Jacinto mountain area in California also features three log cabins with a pool, tennis and badminton courts. One of which was used by honeymooners Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio in 1954. Although the buildings cannot be saved, a recreation centre or town hall has been proposed for the area.

It's A Long Way To Graceland"opens tonight in Melbourne, Australia: The Zephyr Gallery in Melbourne, Victoria launches its inaugural exhibition, It’s a Long Way to Graceland by award-winning photographer Saville Coble tonight. This Elvis photographic exhibition includes stunning images of ETA's at the Parkes Festival in January 2007. See earlier story dated 27 April. (News, Source: Jess Arduca, Media Moguls Communication)

100 Records That Changed the World: The June 2007 edition of MOJO magazine features the "100 Records that Changed the World". This list covers 78s, singles, albums and even downloads.

The Top 10:

1. Little Richard - Tutti Frutti
2. Beatles - I want to hold your hand
3. Elvis - Heartbreak Hotel
4. Bob Dylan - the freewheelin' Bob Dylan
5. Kraftwerk - Autobahn
6. Robert Johnson - King of the Delta Blues singers
7. Velvet Underground and Nico - The Velvet Underground
8. Various - Anthology of American folk music
9. Ray Charles - What'd I Say
10. Sex Pistols - God Save the Queen (News, Source: For Elvis CD Collectors Forum /Elvis News)