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

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Monday 31 May 2010

'The Original Elvis Tribute 2010'- An Elvis band on Tour: The Original Elvis Tribute 2010 rock'n'rolled through Holland, Poland, Finland, Spain, Italy and Belgium last month. This year the band featured incredible Robert Washington on lead vocals, Chris Casello on guitar, the lovely Sue Moreno on vocals, Duke Bardwell on bass, Michael Jarrett on keyboards, and Maxwell Gantt Kees Jr. on drums. 

Arjan Deelen produced and managed the tour. In this fascinating spotlight he reflects on the passion, power and magic that an ELVIS show can create - plus the highs and lows of being on the road...

Go here to this fascinating insider's look at this recent 2010 European Tour featuring plenty of Video Clips and rockin' photos.

 

(Spotlight, Source;EIN/Arjan Deelen)
Marty Lacker replies to Paul Lichter's comments -"I'm assuming Lichter was speaking of me as the so-called Memphis Mafia member who has made those comments about him not knowing Elvis....."
- Go here to the Paul Lichter interview with Marty Lacker's detailed response -

Elvis third on the Rolling Stone "500 Greatest Songs" List: The latest issue of Rolling Stone Magazine presents the 2010 list for the "500 Greatest Songs of All-Time" – an updated edition of a list that came out back in 2004.
This year Bob Dylan's 'Like A Rolling Stone' was the #1 song of all-time.
No surprise that The Beatles were top with 23 as the most songs on the list, The Rolling Stones second with 17 songs. Our man ELVIS was third with 11 songs - not bad for a perfomer who died 32 years ago!

Fans must remember that Rolling Stone magazine started in 1967 well after Elvis' most creative period.

The surprise is that The Beatles only just scraped in to the Top Ten with 'Hey Jude' at #8!
Elvis' top song was 'Hound Dog' at #19.

Here is the Top Ten - plus all of Elvis' placings.
1. "Like a Rolling Stone" – Bob Dylan
2. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" – The Rolling Stones
3. "Imagine" – John Lennon
4. "What's Going On" – Marvin Gaye
5. "Respect" – Aretha Franklin
6. "Good Vibrations" – The Beach Boys
7. "Johnny B. Goode" – Chuck Berry
8. "Hey Jude" – The Beatles
9. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" – Nirvana
10. "What'd I Say" – Ray Charles

Click here for the full list of 500 songs.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

 19. "Hound Dog" – Elvis Presley
45. "Heartbreak Hotel" – Elvis Presley
67. "Jailhouse Rock" – Elvis Presley
77. "Mystery Train" – Elvis Presley
91. "Suspicious Minds" – Elvis Presley
113. "That's All Right" – Elvis Presley
200. "Don't Be Cruel" – Elvis Presley
361. "All Shook Up" – Elvis Presley
403. "Can't Help Falling in Love" – Elvis Presley
430. "Blue Suede Shoes" – Elvis Presley
444. " Love Me Tender" – Elvis Presley

 

Sunday 30 May 2010

"Rare Elvis Volume 5 - Celluloid Treasures" now available!!!: The latest volume in the popular Rare Elvis series has been released. Silver pressed CD (not a CDR!) with many highlights!! (see full track listing below)

After the enourmous success of RARE ELVIS VOLUME 4, which was sold out within a week,  there was great demand for a follow up. And here it is. RARE ELVIS VOLUME 5 - CELLULOID TREASURES, focuses on, as the title suggests,  Elvis´ movie career, from the 50s thru the 60s.

Among the 25 tracks on this SILVER PRESSED CD ( NO CD-R!!) there are many highlights, tracks that are rarely available elsewhere. One of the tracks, ROUSTABOUT, has been a recent news item in ElvisWorld as this is a very rare outtake, that sold lately for a little over 1,100 $US on ebay, and was only available on the ´Memphis Tennessee´ 1982 bootleg LP but.... in incorrect speed. Now on this CD you´ll hear it as it was recorded, in the best ever sound quality. A real must have!!

Other highlights includes the COMPLETE version ( with intro and extra verse!!) of I´ve Got To Find My Baby´ , never released on CD before, and a stunning unreleased harmony version of ´Could I Fall In Love´ , the undubbed master of ´Theres Gold In The Mountains´ ( which circulated in the bootleg circuit for many years, but is here available for the first time in an unheard beautiful sound quality), the much sought after ´Love Me Tender´ stereo version, hilarious outtakes of both ´Shake That Tambourine´ and ´Britches´ and.....many many more, including  4 UNRELEASED TRACKS for the first time available on CD!!

If you liked volume 4 of RARE ELVIS and all previous volumes,  we are most certain that you will enjoy this new volume 5 and will play it over and over again. CD comes in a stunning jewel case with 4- page booklet packed with lots of great and rare pics! LIMITED EDITION of 500 copies

Tracks: Love Me Tender - Stereo version; We’re Gonna Move – take 9 stereo; Treat Me Nice - (2nd movie version) take 7 ; What’s She Really Like - take 8/ Insert take 20; Pocketful Of Rainbows – take 25; Britches – take 1,2,3,4 + insert edit.; King of the Whole Wide World – take 25; Home is Where the Heart is – take 20; This is Living – take 8; Viva Las Vegas – take 2; There’s Gold In the Mountains – undubbed master; Kissin’Cousins – hillbilly vocal overdub; Roustabout – alternate take, correct speed *; I’ve Got to Find My Baby – unreleased uncut version ( with extra verse )*; Shake that Tambourine – spliced take (break up version)*; Wisdom of the Ages – take 2; Sand Castles – take 9; Am I Ready – take 2; Could I Fall in Love – alternate harmony take *; I’ll Take Love – take 2B; The Girl I Never Loved – take 8,10, 11; Stay Away – take 12,13; Wonderful World – vocal overdub master (take 17); Rubberneckin’ – take 1,2 (undubbed master); Let us Pray – alternate master. * unreleased (News, Source: Email)

NOTE: EIN suspects the ‘Gold In The Mountains’ undubbed Master is the usual ‘left audio channel only’ version.
See EIN's 'Elvis ~ A Legendary Performer Volume 7' Madison review here - they tried the same trick!

 

“Geraceland” (CD Review) - rap beats and cool grooves re-energise the Elvis legacy: Leading Australian Elvis stylist, Mick Gerace, has spent the last year recording his latest album, the cleverly titled Geraceland.  Featured on the album are the legendary James Burton, Sweet Inspirations and Aussie hip hop artist, Tone Z.

Together Mick and the group have produced a masterful concoction which contemporarises the Elvis catalog with a heady mix of rap beats, cool grooves and engaging vibe. 

The music traverses rich territory including a blistering My Babe, funky blues Polk Salad Annie and a sublime rap take on Stranger In My Own Home Town.  Geraceland is a vibrant aural experience which impresses with its modern sound but familiar lyrics.

Read EIN’s full review

Simon Fuller to buy CKX (including EPE): The owner of the "American Idol" reality TV show said Friday it has received an acquisition offer from a group of investors led by British media mogul Simon Fuller. CKX Inc. said it is evaluating the proposal and other strategic alternatives. Fuller created the "Idol" franchise but sold his company, 19 Entertainment, to CKX in 2005.

CKX did not say how much it was being offered but The Wall Street Journal said former Barclays Capital banker Roger Jenkins is one of the investors joining Fuller in a $600 million bid for CKX. The company also owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali.

Fuller and Jenkins have created a $1 billion fund for acquisitions, the newspaper said.

Producer Simon Fuller, center, in 2008, with former American Idol contestants Jordin Sparks, left, and Chris Daughtry, right.

(AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)

Earlier this month, Robert F.X. Sillerman, CKX's founder, chairman and chief executive, resigned and said he was considering buying the company. Sillerman, who continues as a consultant to CKX, is the company's largest shareholder with a 21 percent stake. He served as chairman and CEO since the company's inception five years ago.

In 2008, privately held 19X Inc. -- controlled by Sillerman and Fuller -- abandoned plans to take CKX private because of tight credit conditions that made borrowing more difficult.

Fuller's latest bid comes after a seven-year run for "American Idol," which said goodbye to its famously caustic judge Simon Cowell on Wednesday.

While "Idol" remains the nation's favorite show, it has seen audience erosion this season.

In the first quarter, CKX posted a net loss as revenue fell 18 percent to $66.6 million amid restructuring costs.

Shares of CKX, which is based in New York, jumped $1.01, or 23.4 percent, to $5.33 in afternoon trading. (Source: AP)

Read more about the current sale of EPE in EIN's comprehensive Sale of EPE Archives

Elvis’ Clash With Media Showing at DC Newseum: A spark that helped ignite Elvis Presley’s fame more than 50 years ago was lit by the newspaper editors and critics who hated him. They detested his voice and thought his moves were unfit for family publications, all while teenagers went wild. It’s that shocking style and clash with the media that also will make Elvis the subject of a new exhibition at the Newseum, a Washington history museum that celebrates the First Amendment.

“Newspapers in the mid-’50s viewed themselves as arbiters of social values, and they felt they should be among the ones to speak most loudly when they saw someone threatening America’s mores,” said Ken Paulson, the Newseum’s president and former editor of USA Today. “What’s interesting is that fiercely negative coverage drove Elvis’ fame. ... After the national news coverage kicked in, he was the king of rock ‘n’ roll.” Elvis’ two years of service in the U.S. Army, though, marked a turning point. Parents couldn’t hate him anymore, and the news media eventually came along, too. The exhibit which opened in March traces Elvis’ rise in the 1950s – in part a study in image management by his longtime manager, Col. Tom Parker – to his meeting with President Richard Nixon at the White House in 1970.

It will include rare objects from Presley’s life, some never before displayed anywhere.

Those items in the collection include Elvis’ 1957 Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was key to his rebel image, his first Grammy Award for “How Great Thou Art” in 1968, the overcoat and gold belt Elvis wore to meet Nixon at the White House and the Bureau of Narcotics badge the president gave Presley. He had requested to be made a “federal agent-at-large” to help fight drug use. Many documents will be displayed for the first time, including the 1955 exclusive management contract Elvis and his parents signed, giving Parker 25 percent of his income. (Later, in the 1970s, Parker’s stake rose to an unprecedented 50 percent.)

The Newseum show, on view through February 2011, is among a series of exhibits this year marking what would have been Elvis’ 75th birthday.

In January, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery opened an exhibit of Elvis artwork. In Los Angeles, the Grammy Museum has a Smithsonian traveling exhibit of Elvis photographs by Alfred Wertheimer. Paulson, who said he has been an Elvis fan since he was a young boy, said a partnership with Graceland was a natural fit.

“There were many people who were more than willing to censor him or limit his expression,” he said. “So Elvis truly is a symbol of freedom in America for all the right reasons.” (Source: BRETT ZONGKER, AP)

Elvis and Priscilla's Wedding - British Pathe Newsreel (Source: Brian Quinn)

Generic slipcases for FIFA albums, including Elvis 30 #1 Hits: Thanks to Brian Quinn who reports: 'Elvis: 30 No.1 Hits' and others will be released in generic slipcases with the FIFA logo to tie in with the World Cup (Football). Looks like a marketing gimmick. (See EIN's original report dated 22 May)

Paul Lichter talks exclusively to EIN: Noted publisher of numerous deluxe, limited edition coffee table books on Elvis, Paul Lichter, opens up to EIN about his involvement with Joe Tunzi on the Viva Las Vegas! release and also Paul's own release, Paul Lichter Presents Elvis in Vegas.

In addition, Paul discusses his amazing Elvis collection; his Internet/mail order organisation, Elvis Unique; controversy surrounding the release of both the Forever Young Forever Beautiful album and Paul's Eddie Fadal audio material; and his friendship with Colonel Parker, including one particularly amusing and business savvy proposal.

Paul also announces the upcoming opportunity for 5 lucky EIN readers to win a numbered copy (001 to 005) of his Viva Las Vegas! release with Joe Tunzi! (Interview, Source: EIN)

Today: reader feedback added to Paul Lichter's interview

Aussie chart update: On tomorrow's ARIA Catalogue Album Chart, Elvis 30 #1 Hits drops two spots to #30 after 15 weeks on the chart and a high position of #14. On the ARIA Music DVD Chart, Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll rises one spot to #38. It has been on the chart for 107 weeks for a high position of #4 and is currently certified Px3.

 

Saturday 29 May 2010

'Elvis Presley In Concert' returns for 2011 Tour: The Stig Edgren Events website shows that the 'Elvis In Concert' video screen show will keep touring again next year. The producer of the shows indicates that the tour will hit the road again in the fall of 2011.

‘Elvis Presley In Concert‘ will hit international shores again in 2011. Further details and 2011 dates are not posted as yet. The major concert series with the TCB Band has recently complete a tour of Europe.

 


Go here to STIG Events & the promo poster.

 

(News, Source;SEG/BrianQuinn)

Fame Bureau ELVIS Auction results: Last Thursday's UK auction saw Scotty Moore's personal Elvis record collection sells for US$108,000 while the special Elvis medallion (right) sold for US$90,000.

The personal record collection of 26 of Elvis' old favourite 78 RPM records have been kept safe in Scotty Moore's home and for 40 years the records have never left his possession. That passion for preserving Elvis' music legacy has netted Scotty $108,000. (See record collection story below)

However it is somewhat of a surprise that a large number of items remained unsold since they never reached their minimum set bid. Even Elvis' Handwritten TCB Card and Design (right) was not sold.

Go HERE for all the info and some great Auction rare pictures.
(News, Source;SanjaM/Fame)

'ELVIS Coming Home'- new STAR DVD - Out NOW!: The new Star DVD titled ‘ELVIS COMING HOME’ features an all new mixture of Elvis songs and clips with highlights from the fascinating late sixties period. This is Pure Elvis Magic featuring typical Star video edits and mixes.

The excellent sharp video mixes with brand new edited videos include the following songs: Guitar Man, Big Boss Man, Edge of Reality, Going Home, Just Call Me Lonesome, Wonderful World, Fools Fall in Love, You Don’t Know Me, Clean Up Your Own Backyard, Rubberneckin’, A Little Less Conversation, It Hurts Me, Let Yourself Go, Power of My Love, Tomorrow is A Long Time, Singing Tree, I’m Movin’ On, Come What May, All I Needed Was the Rain, Charro!, Almost in Love, U.S. Male, Too Much Monkey Business, Stay Away, Almost.

CLICK HERE to the trailer.

A FABULOUSLY entertaining 80 minutes, EIN will have a full review Monday.

(News, Source;STAR)

'Elvis Live Live Live' DVD - Out Now! Captain Video has re-released the Messiah Productions DVD as a factory pressed commercial DVD with even more unreleased footage than before.

The extra bonus footage highlights will include for the first time ever, the complete ‘Always on my Mind’ rehearsal from ‘Elvis on Tour’. This was only ever seen before in part, on the movie ‘This Is Elvis’.

The factory pressed DVD will also include the “Rock n’ Roll Medley” rehearsal from Hollywood in 1972 in exceptional quality plus much more.

CLICK HERE FOR THE PROMO

(News, Source: Captain Video)
'RARE ELVIS Vol.5 - Celluloid Treasures' new CD released: Following enormous success of RARE ELVIS VOLUME 4, which was sold out within a week, there was great demand for a follow up. And here it is.
RARE ELVIS VOLUME 5 - CELLULOID TREASURES, focuses on, as the title suggests, Elvis´ movie career, from the 50s thru the 60s. Among the 25 tracks on this SILVER PRESSED CD ( NO CD-R!!) there are many highlights, tracks that are rarely available elsewhere.
One of the tracks, ROUSTABOUT, has been a recent news item in ElvisWorld as this is a very rare outtake, that sold lately for a little over 1,100 $US on ebay, and was only available on the ´Memphis Tennessee´ 1982 bootleg LP but.... in incorrect speed. Now on this CD you'll hear it as it was recorded, in the best ever sound quality. A real must have!!
Other highlights includes the COMPLETE version (with intro and extra verse!!) of I've Got To Find My Baby´, never released on CD before, and a stunning unreleased harmony version of ´Could I Fall In Love', the undubbed master of ´There's Gold In The Mountains´ (which circulated in the bootleg circuit for many years, but is here available for the first time in an unheard beautiful sound quality - see EIN note below), the much sought after ´Love Me Tender´ stereo version, hilarious outtakes of both ´Shake That Tambourine´ and ´Britches´ and.....many many more, including 4 UNRELEASED TRACKS for the first time available on CD !!

 

Wednesday 26 May 2010
'Our Memories Of Elvis Vol.1 & 2' new import release: Revisiting the 'Our memories of Elvis' albums (a.k.a. 'More of the pure Elvis sounds') from 32 years ago, we came to realize that Joan Deary did have a vision well ahead of time. Nowadays we're craving for recordings like this.
Unfortunately, at the time most fans didn't understand the concept of these two albums. These weren't ever intended to be 'undubbed recordings'. Both 'Our Memories Of Elvis' and 'Our Memories Of Elvis - volume 2' are mainly the masters which were completely remixed and edited. Most overdubbed recordings and in a few cases also parts that were recorded at the original sessions were left out of the mix to get more out of Elvis' voice. Obviously, in some instances this left gaps in the sound, so the engineer had to remix it! With these releases, Joan Deary showed that her musical vision was right… Most songs sound much better in their stripped form.
The main reason for this project was that there were many requests at the time from fans complaining about the fact that Elvis' voice was buried under the many instruments and backings. 'Can we have a more pure Elvis…' - well, that's what they got in 1979.
Purists complained that it is tampering with 'original' recordings. (Would it have been okay if it had been done a few years earlier?). Many forget the purpose of making music… In order to survive as an artist, you need to go along with your time and the music will stay in the mainstream. Elvis is an artist who, if treated well, will survive the new eras also.
This release is a must-have and a rare one at the same time. SONY-BMG/ FTD decided that this is not an essential release, simply because it was done in 1979. They focus on the masters "as is", and the undubbed takes. This leaves out these essential remixes, which are not done anymore with the multi-track recordings. Only minor adjustments are being made these days, without the intention to redo the old job for a new / more up-to-date version of a song. Many lesser-known artists have re-releases with updated sound, why not Elvis, the King of Music himself!
We seriously remastered these two albums in detail from newly discovered Joan Deary reference tapes which included an unreleased track, "It's easy for you", which was cut out of the Volume 2 because of the total running time - likely because of the long jam "Don't Think Twice It's All Right."
The song selection is well-chosen within his concept. The slightly longer silences between the songs give you comfortable time to get into the next song.
The words that can describe this release are breath-taking, magical, intimate, perfect … PURE ELVIS. Brilliantly remastered and incomparable to any other previous release! This new release is perfect introduction to a more personal encounter with Elvis.
Tracklisting
OUR MEMORIES OF ELVIS
1. Are You Sincere (2:06)
2. It's Midnight (3:26)
3. My Boy (3:00)
4. Girl Of Mine (3:45)
5. Take Good Care Of Her (2:58)
6. I'll Never Fall In Love Again (3:47)
7. Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming (2:55)
8. Spanish Eyes (2:29)
9. Never Again (2:56)
10. She Thinks I Still Care (3.56)
11. Solitaire (4:45)

 OUR MEMORIES OF ELVIS - VOL 2
12. I Got A Feelin' In My Body (3:41)
13. Green Green Grass Of Home (3:41)
14. For The Heart (3:35)
15. She Wears My Ring (3:29)
16. I Can Help (4:08)
17. Way Down (2:41)
18. There's A Honky Tonk Angel (3:11)
19. Find Out What's Happening (2:46)
20. Thinking About You (3:32)
21. Don't Think Twice It's All Right (8:41)
22. It’s Easy For You (3:30)
(News, Source;Victrola)
Priscilla Presley on Larry King Live for Special 25th Anniversary Show: As part of the Larry King Live 25th anniversary, CNN is airing segments from special shows and having the participants from those broadcasts as guests on Friday, May 28th.
Since Larry King Live has been to Graceland several times over the years, they have chosen to feature some of the Graceland segments on this special broadcast and Priscilla Presley will be calling in to share her thoughts and congratulate everyone on the 25th anniversary of Larry King Live.
Producers have already chosen the top 25 shows and now Elvis Fans have the opportunity to pick the Top 5!
To cast your vote for Larry King Live From Graceland click here.
HERE to original Priscilla and Larry King interview EIN spotlight
(News, Source;EIN/EPE)
'Opening Night 1971' new Import Release: Flaming Phoenix Productions will release soon their first CD simply titled Opening Night 1971. This album features the opening show of Elvis' fourth appearance in Las Vegas as recorded from the soundboard on January 26, 1971. For the first time EVER all the recordings from this show are assembled together on one CD, including some previously unreleased performances such as ''Johnny B. Goode'' and ''The Wonder Of You". This set will be presented in a digipack .
The 1971 recordings from the mixing desk are scarce and less documented than any other year between 1969 and 1977. Here's your chance to acquire one of those rare moments with The King !
Tracklist
1- Intro: Also Sprach Zarathustra ; 2- That's All Right ; 3- Mystery Train / Tiger Man ; 4- Love Me Tender ; 5- You Don't Have To Say You Love Me ; 6- Sweet Caroline ; 7- You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' ; 8- Polk Salad Annie ; 9- How Great Thou Art ( with a false start ) ; 10- Introductions ; 11- Johnny B. Goode ; 12- Introductions ; 13- The Wonder Of You; 14- Introducing Hal B.Wallis; 15- Can't Help Falling In
Love; 16- Make The World Go Away ; 17- Something ; 18- Heartbreak Hotel ; 19- Blue Suede Shoes ; 20- Hound Dog; 21- One Night ; 22- Teddy Bear ; 23- Suspicious Minds ; 24- The Impossible Dream / closing vamp
Unfortunately due to recording difficulties this concert was only partly recorded, and needed to be completed with songs from two other shows from the same season.
Tracks 5-10 recorded on January 27, 1971 MS
Tracks 18-24 recorded on January 28, 1971 MS
(News, Source:FlamingPhoenix)

BBC RADIO 6 presents The Elvis Story: Starting today BBC Radio 6 presents the 13 part series The Elvis Story narrated by Wink Martindale.
Each episode is available as a podcast for one week.
Here are the first four programmes.
25 May - The Early Years
26 May - Sun Records 2/13.
27 May - Presleymania 3/13.
28 May - Presleymania II - The Touring Continues 4/13
29 May - Elvis Goes to War 5/13.

Starting today, you can listen to Part 1 "The Early Years".

Go HERE for BBC information
Go HERE to PODCAST.

(News, Source;EIN/BBC)

Elvis Motor Classics International Car Show: For the first time ever, May 27 – 30, 2010, Elvis’ love for collecting cars will be celebrated when Icons presents The Elvis Motor Classics International Car Show at Graceland during Memorial Day weekend in Memphis, Tennessee. Hundreds of cars from car clubs throughout the country will be on display throughout the 70 acres that surround Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis.
Car clubs represented at the show include: Street Rods, Customs, Mustangs, Cadillacs and many more! This special event will be filled with food and fun for the whole family.

For details & show times click here.

(News, Source;EPE)

Monday 24 May 2010

Paul Lichter talks exclusively to EIN: Noted publisher of numerous deluxe, limited edition coffee table books on Elvis, Paul Lichter, opens up to EIN about his involvement with Joe Tunzi on the Viva Las Vegas! release and also Paul's own release, Paul Lichter Presents Elvis in Vegas.

In addition, Paul discusses his amazing Elvis collection; his Internet/mail order organisation, Elvis Unique; controversy surrounding the release of both the Forever Young Forever Beautiful album and Paul's Eddie Fadal audio material; and his friendship with Colonel Parker, including one particularly amusing and business savvy proposal.

Paul also announces the upcoming opportunity for 5 lucky EIN readers to win a numbered copy (001 to 005) of his Viva Las Vegas! release with Joe Tunzi! (Interview, Source: EIN)

The King Makers - Elvis' record collection for sale: Elvis Presley's collection of the records that influenced his music and put him on the path to fame is up for sale. In 1968 The King asked his guitarist, manager and friend Scotty Moore to transfer his favourite 78s on to reel-to-reel tape.

Moore's letter authenticating the set says: "Elvis left me the briefcase with the records and asked me to mail the tape back to his house in Memphis. I made a safety copy for myself and kept the records and tape in my studio in Nashville. Elvis never asked for the records to be returned."

The discs cover a wide range of music including Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Sammy Davis Junior and Carl Perkins - and Elvis recorded many of the songs himself.

Moore has decided to sell the 26 records - which could make £125,000 - through the Fame Bureau auction house in London on Thursday. James Wilkinson from the Fame Bureau said: "These records really were the birth of rock 'n' roll because they influenced Elvis in his very early days."

26 songs which inspired Presley:

  • Joe Turner: Corrine Corrina and Boogie Woogie Country Girl.
  • The Dominoes: That's What You're Doing To Me and When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano.
  • Ivory Joe Hunter: It's A Sin and Don't You Believe Her.
  • Roy Brown: Hurry, Hurry Baby and Travelin' Man.
  • Fats Domino: Blueberry Hill and Honey Chile.
  • The crickets: You're Mine and Milk And Gin.
  • Tommy Edwards: It's All In The Game and All Over Again.
  • Ray Charles: I Got A Woman and Come Back.
  • Hank Snow: I'm Gonna Bid My Blues Goodbye and Just A Faded Petal From A Beautiful Bouquet.
  • Louis Jones And His Band: Rock And Roll Bells and All Over, Goodbye.
  • Lowell Fulson: Reconsider Baby and I Believe I'll Give Up.
  • Brownie Mcghee: I'm 10,000 Years Old and Cherry Red.
  • The Four Lads: Moments To Remember and Dream On, My Love, Dream On.
  • Johnny Ace With The Beale Streeter: My Song and Follow The Rule.
  • Roy Hamilton: Hurt and Star Of Love.
  • Sammy Davis Jr: Because Of You Parts 1 & 2.
  • Fats Domino: Ain't It A Shame and La-La.
  • Lloyd Price: Lawdy Miss Clawdy and Mailman Blues.
  • Buddy Blake: Rosie and You'll Cry For Me.
  • The Pearls: Your Cheatin' Heart and I Sure Need You.
  • Ivory Joe Hunter: Since I Met You Baby and You Can't Stop This Rockin' And Rollin'.
  • Carl Perkins: Matchbox and Your True Love.
  • Billy Ward And His Dominoes: Rags To Riches and Don't Thank Me.
  • The Billy Vaughn Orchestra: The Shifting Whispering Sands parts one and two.
  • Arthur Gunter: Baby Let's Play House and Blues After Hours
  • Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton: Hound Dog and Night Mare (News, Source: Emily Nash, mirror.co.uk)

Aussie chart update: On this week’s Catalog Album Chart, Elvis 30 #1 Hits drops 10 spots to #28.  It has been on this chart for 14 weeks with a high position of #14 (it reached #1 on the main  chart).  Also on the Catalog chart is The King, holding steady at #45, after 12 weeks on the chart and a high of #15.  On the ARIA Music DVD Chart, Elvis The King of Rock n Roll drops 7 spots to #39.  It has been on the chart for 106 weeks with a high position of #4 and is certified 3xP.

Elvis 75 - Good Rockin' Tonight sheet music book: The Hal Leonard Corporation will release the sheet music book for Sony's 4CD box set release on 1 June.   ISBN-13: 9781423475248. (News, Source: bn.com)

Happy Birthday, Priscilla:

Many happy returns to Priscilla who turns 65 today!

Elvis cover saves American Idol: Crystal Bowersox Saved American Idol Elvis Presley 2010 Top 9 final season 9 performance April 14. Adam Lambert called her authentic.

Judges Randy: Every week, I know I say it like a broken record. That is the way to come out. It was dope. Youve got this whole blues cool vibe going on, I thought I was listening to somebody’s record. It could have been the second coming of Bonnie Raitt. I loved it.

Ellen: This is gonna be a broken record and I am just so tired of telling you how great you are. Fantastic.

Kara: Another solid performance from Crystal. I love the up-tempo, feel like your personality comes out more. I think you did some really good things tonight.

Simon: What I loved about that was you didn’t choose an obvious song. You chose something that suited you. You put your own slant on it and most importantly you didn’t fall into the karaoke trap. Sounded great. Congratulations once again. (News, Source: New York News Break)

Updated Today:

Saturday 22 May 2010

Filthy Elvis IV! Hubba Hubba Bubba! (CD Review): Reviewing a Filthy Elvis album is always a precarious task! With its powerful rock sound balanced by porn film language and themes, the mix is not for the faint hearted!

The latest instalment in the Filthy Elvis series maintains the high musical and politically incorrect standards set by the earlier albums.

Filthy Elvis IV Hubba Hubba Bubba! is an album which will either have you in stitches or reaching for the phone to register a complaint with the Decency Standards Board.

If you're feeling a little sore and tender with suspicious loins and your gal is a ballbreaker, then this may just be the album you have been waiting for!

But beware, if you thought Crying in the Chapel was sacred, you are in for a very rude awakening!

Read EIN's detailed review

Faded Love released in two days: Recently, the 'Straight Arrow' team obtained a couple of great quality Las Vegas off-line recordings. These concerts were recorded using a 1972 portable Sony high-end cassette recorder equipped with two microphones. The microphones were placed apart from each other in the balcony seating, behind the mixing desk of sound engineer Bill Porter.

Usually, such tapes are called a "booth recordings" and often are used for mixing in with a multi-track recording to obtain full depth of the sound. However, we call them "TWO-MIKE AMBIENCE LIVE RECORDINGS" - because that's precisely what they are!

The first volume of our mini-series is titled "FADED LOVE" (SA/SP 2010-01-02) and will feature the infamous February 15th, 1973 Dinner show. Elvis had the flu and appeared on stage against his doctor's advice. There was no Midnight show on this day.

He was trying hard, but after seven songs he called the Stamps to the spotlight to sing a couple of gospels, and left the stage. During that time Charlie Hodge - true professional as always - introduced each song, adding a couple of jokes too. Elvis returned after some 20 minutes, and apologized for his voice problems. He finished with "Can't Help Falling In Love" and he was about to leave the stage, but he suddenly decided that this would disappoint his fans. To the audience’s surprise, he continued the show and tried to make up for his restricted vocal abilities with several rare performances. "Faded Love" is the very first known live-performance of his 1970 country-rocker, while country weeper "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is sung on stage for the last time.

"Polk Salad Annie" was performed only twice in 1973 (listen to the only other live-version on 2009’s Straight Arrow's release "A Change Of Mind"!). During "An American Trilogy" Elvis changed the lyrics to: "Oh I wish I was - in the doctor's office" but otherwise sung a straight version of the song. Finally "Can't Help Falling In Love" was performed for the 2nd time and that made this show even more special. We decided to add an edit of post-concert fan's comments related to this show for historic reasons, too.

Unlike previous releases from Straight Arrow, this mini-series will be presented in cool looking digipacks with all necessary information and rare photographs.

Note: the Straight Arrow team is aware that this concert was released in 1992 on the CD "Las Vegas Dinner Show". However, it was a below-average quality audience-recording, in no way comparable with two-mike ambiance live recordings. Forget the old inferior outing and enjoy this new, clear, warm and ambient stereo sound! "FADED LOVE" will be released on May 24, 2010.

Tracks: 01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me Tender - 05. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (with false start) - 06. Steamroller Blues - 07. You Gave Me A Mountain - 08. Fever / Elvis left the stage - 09. Walk That Lonesome Road (J. D. Sumner & The Stamps) - 10. Sweet Sweet Spirit (The Stamps) - 11. When It's My Time (Bill Baize & The Stamps) - 12. How Great Thou Art (Donnie Sumner & The Stamps) - 13. I Should Have Been Crucified (Ed Enoch & The Stamps) - 14. Can't Help Falling In Love #1 - 15. Faded Love (first live version) - 16. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry (last live version) - 17. Polk Salad Annie (first of two versions performed in 1973) - 18. An American Trilogy (with false start) - 19. Can't Help Falling In Love #2 - 20. Closing Vamp / Announcements - 21. After show comments. Approx. running time: 76:34 (News, Source: Elvis News)

World Cup edition of 30 #1 Hits: Elvis 30 #1 Hits-2010 World Cup Edition will be released June 8, 2010. Pre-order is possible now. (News, Source: Elvis News)

Profiles in History Auction: On June 11 a selection of about 50 Elvis items is up for sale and available for fans with lots of money in the 'Profiles In History' auction. On their website, you can check the complete catalogue. (News, Source: Elvis Matters) 

More reissued soundtracks: Elvis News reports that the soundtracks that were released earlier this year in the United States, will be released in the UK next week. Mid June the Aussies will follow with these releases by Sony: Roustabout, G.I Blues, Viva Las Vegas, Girls! Girls! Girls!, Frankie And Johnny, Girl Happy, Clambake and Fun In Acapulco. EIN notes that with the audio mastering being done by Vic Anesini, the sound quality is excellent.

Capsule Book Review) - Up Close: Elvis Presley (Wilborn Hampton): Wilborn Hampton is a celebrated theater and book critic and noted author of books for younger readers.  His biography of Elvis is well written and given both its target audience and a minimal 192 pages (the final 14 of which are Source Notes, Bibliography and Index), in-depth analysis and commentary are not the objective.  

Based on the Source Notes it appears Hampton has written his book based on a small, albeit solid group of bibliographic texts.  These include the Guralnick tomes, Elaine Dundy’s Elvis and Gladys; Bill E. Burk’s Early Elvis: The Humes Years; Albert Goldman’s mean-spirited release, Professor Vernon Chadwick’s In Search of Elvis, Priscilla Presley’s memoir and an assortment of magazine articles.  Hampton’s reliance on a limited number of sources could be seen as a weakness.

My biggest issue with the book is that as the first 140 pages only take the reader to around 1960, it means the final 17 years of Elvis’ life and career are captured in only 38 pages!  Not surprisingly, cramming the highlights of 17 years into 38 pages means Hampton can only offer a superficial account of the period.  Some may argue this is not such a bad thing when introducing Elvis to a younger market.

Hampton’s narrative is positive and his account of the young Elvis and Elvis the Hillbilly Cat is solid and engrossing.  While it does not resonate with the detail of Guralnick or erudite insight of Dave Marsh, the text nevertheless informs its younger reader with a rich feel of the importance of one of the world's pre-eminent and influential rock and roll forces.                      

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover (d/j)/Softcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Viking Juvenile (June 14, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • Illustrated: Yes, a number of stock b&w photos
  • ISBN-10: 0670061662
  • ASIN: B003F76DLA
  • Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces

WhWhat others say about Up Close: Elvis Presley:

School Library Journal: Grade 7 Up—From the foreword, readers learn that Hampton has an admiration for Elvis that reaches back to his childhood. His enthusiasm and passion for his subject are evident throughout this appealing biography, yet he remains objective about the performer's virtues as well as his tragic flaws. The striking cover photograph complements the lively and accessible text that delves not only into Elvis's life but also his impact on music and American culture. The writing is casual yet authoritative, and includes occasional black-and-white photographs. Readers who can't imagine a world without rock and roll will find this to be an excellent introduction to the man about whom John Lennon once said, "Before there was Elvis, there was nothing."—Marcia Kochel, Olson Middle School, Bloomington, MN Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Booklist: Elvis may have left the building, but interest in his life hasn't waned. This entry in the Up Close biography series records the familiar tracks in Elvis' life, giving slightly more attention to his assent to fame than the tragic descent into narcotics addiction and his extravagant lifestyle in the final years. The strained relationships with wife Priscilla and the controlling Colonel Parker are included, but daughter Lisa Marie is barely mentioned. Hampton provides plentiful examples to back up first girlfriend Dixie's assertion: "Elvis was just a nice boy who desperately wanted to please people." The language dealing with Elvis' exploits with girls is genteel as well--"The relationship became passionate very quickly, but both Elvis and Dixie agreed they would not go all the way until they were married." This didn't hold true for women he met on the road, but subtlety reigns there too, suiting this biography to a younger audience than most Presley picks. Source notes and bibliography are appended. Cindy Dobrez Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Reviewed by Nigel Patterson, May 2010, Copyright EIN

Thursday 20 May 2010

EPE - Preserving real estate in the King's name: Los Angeles based investment and media company Saint Juste International has agreed to buy an equity stake in Kings Holdings, the parent company that operates Elvis Presley’s former estate in Palm Springs, California, for $11 million U.S. Dollars.

The Presley Estate was the only other property Elvis owned besides Graceland when he passed away in 1977. The New York Times (2007) deemed the sprawling 5,500 square foot mansion situated high on a 3 acre hilltop with 40 mile views of the desert mountains as “Graceland West.” Elvis lived in this iconic and historic gated compound for 7 ½ years, second only to Graceland in terms of the time “The King” called this his home.

The hilltop mansion was closed to the public for 27 years until Reno Fontana and his wife Laura Whittier purchased the property in 2004. After 5 years of pursuing a business license, they were awarded for their efforts by being honored with the first event home permit #001 ever issued by the City of Palm Springs, which allows them to promote the estate as a commercial venue. The Presley Estate is a commercially licensed enterprise located in a residential area of multi-million dollar homes and has the very real potential of mirroring a significant portion of Graceland’s $50 Million Dollar annual revenue.

Saint Juste and Fontana were introduced to one another through mutual acquaintances in 2007. “I immediately recognized the enormous potential of the Presley property when Reno shared his vision of a West coast Elvis tourist destination” says Saint Juste. Mark Saint Juste is also participating with Kings Holdings in the purchase of one of the largest motor sport facilities in the state of Indiana.

It wasn’t long after that Saint Juste decided to invest in the business plan and vision that Reno had shared with him. SJI structured a private placement bond offering that had the initial misfortune of being issued in October of 2008, just prior to the collapse of the worldwide financial markets. Additionally, 2009 proved to be a challenge for most investors as well. Undaunted Saint Juste continued to invest the necessary capital to ensure that Fontana/Whittier would see their dream of materialize.

After receiving the final installment of investment capital through Saint Juste International, Fontana/Whittier intend to complete the final decoration of the home in “true Elvis style.” They will build a chapel, a recording studio, and feature a collection of Elvis memorabilia that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

The Fontanas will strive to respect the Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s “life and times at this home in a manner that is dignified and inspirational.” The preservation of the Elvis Estate is a sound business venture and a positive contribution to our society because of the historical significance of this global icons home. Learn more @ www.ElvisEstate.com (News, Source: PR Web)

Never Ending Demand (2CD): Soon to be released: Rainbow Records presents a new CD set (two separate cds) called “Never-Ending Demand” Vol.1 + Vol.2, featuring the complete performances of February 16, 1977 Montgomery, AL (Vol. 1) and February 17, 1977 Savannah, GA (Vol. 2).
From the press release: The newspaper headlines titled it "Emperor Elvis Still Has It: Memphis Music. Vegas Touch" and "Elvis Wows 'Em" – can you ask for more? Even the reporters were entertained and satisfied with the shows they attended – their reviews and comments can be found along with dozens of pictures from the actual shows in the accompanying booklets of the 2 new releases. The Montgomery performance has never been released in its entirety until this day. Only a handful of songs were released in 1999 on the CD "Coming On Strong" featuring the rare performance of "Where No One Stands Alone". For the new Rainbow Records release (Vol. 1) the producers obtained a first generation tape that has never circulated before and unlike all other audience recordings from this date features "My Way" as an uncut, complete version and includes the complete Opening Act by the Stamps Quartet. The quality of the show recording is very clear and even the fans that usually avoid audience recordings should give this CD a try – they won’t be disappointed. The booklet features also a review by the person who taped the show plus some interesting and official paperwork from the tour itself.

For the second cd, the Savannah show the producers had access to the archive of Savannah’s press & staff photographer Bob Morris who made some high class shots of Elvis in action. He also took a couple of shots of the audience - you can even see the band setting up the stage and tuning the guitars. A total of four newspaper articles are included which set a great spotlight on the situation of Elvis‘ arriving, his security and the show itself. Elvis himself is in a good mood and gives more than a solid performance with highlights like "Little Sister“, "Tryin‘ To Get To You“ and "Polk Salad Annie“. Again the sound on this CD is exceptionally good for an audience recording.

Tracklisting: 1977-02-16....(Opening Act by the Stamps Quartet): Great, Great Morning / Gone At Last / Get Me Jesus On The Line / Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

(The Elvis Presley Show): 2001 Theme / See See Rider / I Got A Woman - Amen / Love Me / If You Love Me / You Gave Me A Mountain / O Sole Mio (by Sherrill Nielsen) - It‘s Now Or Never / Little Sister / Teddy Bear – Don‘t Be Cruel (+ 2 false starts) / My Way / Polk Salad Annie / Band Introductions / Early Morning Rain ( featuring John Wilkinson ) / What‘d I Say ( featuring James Burton ) / Johnny B. Goode ( featuring James Burton ) / Drum Solo ( featuring Ronnie Tutt ) / Bass Solo ( featuring Jerry Scheff ) / Love Letters / School Days / Hurt / Hound Dog / Instrumental / Where No One Stands Alone / Unchained Melody / Can‘t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp

1977-02-17: 2001 Theme / See See Rider / I Got A Woman - Amen / Love Me / Fairytale / Jailhouse Rock / You Gave Me A Mountain / O Sole Mio (by Sherrill Nielsen) – It‘s Now Or Never / Little Sister / Teddy Bear - Dont Be Cruel (+ 1 false start) / Tryin‘ To Get To You / My Way (+ 1 false start) / Polk Salad Annie / Band Introductions / Early Morning Rain ( featuring John Wilkinson ) / What‘d I Say ( featuring James Burton ) / Johnny B. Goode ( featuring James Burton ) / Chicken Pickin‘ ( featuring James Burton ) / Drum Solo ( featuring Ronnie Tutt ) / Bass Solo ( featuring Jerry Scheff ) / Piano Solo ( featuring Tony Brown ) / Love Letters (+ 1 false start) / School Days / Hurt (+ reprise) / Hound Dog / Unchained Melody / Can‘t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp. (News, Source: Elvis News)

(Capsule Book Review): “JUST PRETENDing” A Guide to be an Elvis Tribute Artist : Kurt Burrows’ “JUST PRETENDing” lives up to its description as a light hearted look into the ETA world and the key elements of being an ETA and presenting a good show.

It is a book that tells you how to look, sound and move like the King!  From the attire, the mirror, the stage, using the microphone and choosing the right songs to ‘cleaning up your own back yard’, having the right attitude, marketing yourself and finding the ‘right’ manager, there are many valuable insights for becoming a successful ETA. 

The book foreword is by one of the all-time best, the legendary Doug Church. Amusing Elvis cartoons dot the chapters.

The initial 101 pages of the book are printed on cheap pulp paper stock with large text.   The remainder of the book is then presented on quality, semi-gloss paper stock – firstly a section offering narrative-visual (“Spotlight”) looks at a number of prominent ETA’s and an article about noted Elvis photographer, Keith Alverson.  This leads in to the highlight of the book – full color photos from the Keith Alverson Photo Archives.  The rare images of Elvis live on stage cover a range of 1970s concerts including Atlanta, Georgia (1973 & 1976), Dayton, Ohio (1974), Indianapolis (1974) and Huntsville, Alabama (1975).

Book Details: Kurt Burrows, Memphis Mansion Marketing, Great Britain, 2010, Softcover, 148 pages, ISBN-13: 978-0956346001 (Reviewed by Nigel Patterson; Copyright EIN 2010)

Upcoming Harold Newton 'Elvis Auction' on eBay:

(News, Source: Sanja Meegin)

Radio 2 plans Elvis Presley Hyde Park concert: BBC Radio 2 is planning a major concert in Hyde Park to celebrate the life and music of Elvis Presley. Details of the event have still to be confirmed by the broadcaster, but it is understood the concert - which is being held to mark what would have been Presley’s 75th birthday - will be hosted in Hyde Park this September. It will feature an array of musical talent performing hits from Presley’s career.

Earlier this year, Radio 2 broadcast a season of documentaries to mark what would have been Presley’s 75th birthday, and a source close to the network said the idea behind the Hyde Park event is to conclude the celebrations.

The source said: “If Elvis had lived he would have been 75 this year. Radio 2 had a big Elvis season in January and the event in Hyde Park will be an Elvis night featuring all of his songs and back catalogue.”

The Elvis concert follows last year’s Radio 2 Abba celebration in Hyde Park, which featured performances from Kylie Minogue, and 2008’s celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music. It is being produced by Anthony Cherry.

A spokeswoman for Radio 2 said the broadcaster was not currently able to “confirm any details”. (News, Source: Brian Quinn)

Priscilla Presley talks about Viva Elvis: Internationally famous pop culture icon, Priscilla Presley joined Fox 2, on Monday May 17th, 2010, to chat about Cirque du Soleil's new Las Vegas Show.

It's called "Viva ELVIS" at Las Vegas ARIA Resort & Casino. "Viva ELVIS" a harmonious fusion of dance, acrobatics, and live music, is a tribute to the life and music of Elvis Presley.

In paying homage to the music of Elvis, Cirque du Soleil set out to present the songs of the King of Rock n Roll in a contemporary form that evokes the spirit of Elvis in every way.

Click here to learn more about Priscilla Presley www.priscillapresley.com  (News, Source: MyFoxDetroit)

Found his calling - the best Elvis story: The best Elvis story I've heard in many moons comes from Bruce Matza, president of Congregation Ner Tamid in Las Vegas.Matza was on a flight back East earlier this year when he couldn't help but notice something quite different about the Elvis impersonator in the next seat.

"He was wearing a white jacket and white pants, and he has a priest's collar around his neck," Matza said.

After introductions, Matza inquired about the clerical collar.The impersonator, who had just attended an Elvis convention in Las Vegas, explained that he had been an Episcopal priest in Memphis, Tenn.When he sang in public, he got comments that his voice was Elvis-esque, and he began getting requests to sing the King's hits.

"He gave up his parish and took his show on the road," Matza said.

And he goes by Elvis Priestly, "The Bishop of Beale Street." (News, Source; Norm, Las Vegas Review Journal)

Film writer all shook up over Argentinian ETAs: We'll have more on the Cannes drama "Biutiful" and its director, Alejando Gonzales Inarritu, very shortly. But a little tip on a personality connected to the film: Armando Bo, one of Inarritu's two credited co-writers on "Biutiful."

Inarritu, as you may recall, famously split with his former writing partner Guillermo Ariaga after "Babel." (Ariaga went on to direct "The Burning Plain") and brought on Bo and Nicolas Giacabone. Now Bo will pursue his own passion project, a movie called "The Last Elvis," which will focus on the cottage industry of Elvis impersonators in Buenos Aires (who knew?), with Bo writing the script and directing the movie. Despite the comedic-sounding premise, it's actually a drama, with one hook that the production will cast a real-life Elvis impersonator to play the lead role.

Fernando Sulichin, Oliver Stone's producing partner on the upcoming "South of the Border" and other documentary fare, will produce "Elvis," giving it some big-name cachet. The idea is to shoot the film later this year.

That probably means Bo won't collaborate again with Inarritu, at least right now. As for the "Babel" auteur, we sat down and spoke with him on Tuesday. Highlights on that conversation, as well as a chat with star Javier Bardem, shortly, but one nugget in the meantime. When we asked Inarritu why he decided to stay in the mode of heavy drama for this new film, he replied, "I'm an apple tree. I produce apples. I cannot produce any other fruit." (News, Source: Steven Zeitchik, reporting from Cannes, France for LA Times)

New book - Elvis Presley Songs: Heartbreak Hotel, Johnny B. Goode, Elvis Presley International Hit Singles, Elvis Presley Discography [Paperback]; published by Books LLC (Creator); 560 pages, released 3 May 2010. Amazon Price: $19.99. ISBN-10: 1155350138/ISBN-13: 978-1155350134.

Product Description: Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Heartbreak Hotel, Johnny B. Goode, Elvis Presley International Hit Singles, Elvis Presley Discography, Elvis Presley Hit Singles, How Great Thou Art, My Way, Blue Suede Shoes, Can't Help Falling in Love, Hound Dog, Unchained Melody, Blue Moon, American Sound Studio, When the Saints Go Marching In, Always on My Mind, Shake, Rattle and Roll, See See Rider, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Mystery Train, Elvis, Suspicious Minds, La Paloma, Viva Las Vegas, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Jailhouse Rock, Wild in the Country, Love Me Tender, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, Proud Mary, Speedway, Got My Mojo Working, in the Ghetto, Clambake, Spinout, Frankie and Johnny, Green Green Grass of Home, Good Rocking Tonight, Don't Be Cruel, That's All Right, Santa Lucia, Double Trouble, Any Day Now, I Want You, I Need You, I Love You, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On, He'll Have to Go, It's Now or Never, All Shook Up, Trouble, a Fool Such as I, a Little Less Conversation, Blueberry Hill, Memphis, Tennessee, Fever, Paradise, Hawaiian Style, the Last Farewell, Lawdy Miss Clawdy, You Gave Me a Mountain, Cold, Cold Heart, Wooden Heart, Harum Scarum, Burning Love, I Got a Woman, Promised Land, Teddy Bear, You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, Snowbird, Crying in the Chapel, Return to Sender, I Forgot to Remember to Forget, Gentle on My Mind, if I Can Dream, Trying to Get to You, Rip It Up, the Wonder of You, She Thinks I Still Care, Money Honey, Little Sister, One Night, Blue Christmas, Way Down, T-R-O-U-B-L-E, His Latest Flame, Poke Salad Annie, Hi-Heel Sneakers, That's Someone You Never Forget, Kentucky Rain, Put Your Hand in the Hand, Devil in Disguise, a Big Hunk O' Love, Baby Let's Play House, Old Shep, Love Letters, Surrender, My Boy, Peace in the Valley, There Goes My Everything, It's Over, an American Trilogy, and more.

Elvis Presley Month on TV Land: TV Land (USA) has declared August to be Elvis Presley Month. The channel is planning almost 40 hours of Presley programming. A new offering, "Myths and Legends: Elvis," will debut at 10 p.m. Aug. 16, the 30th anniversary of the singer’s death. The program explores whether Presley faked his death. Absolutely not, friends says. Could Elvis and Oprah Winfrey be related? Quite possibly. (News, Source: The Phantom)

Elvis running for leiutenant governor: A political landscape that’s been variously populated by a former boa-wearing wrestler, an SNL comic, and Lizard People now has a new feature, according to the Pioneer Press: Elvis. Perennial candidate Ole Savior has tapped Elvis impersonator Todd Anderson of Brooklyn Park as his selection for lieutenant governor. (News, Source: Paul Schwelzer, The Minnesota Independent)

Tuesday 18 May 2010

EIN Spotlight on 'Girl Happy': Elvis’ 17th movie Girl Happy was made solely to generate revenue. There was no artistic intent on behalf of the stars, the producers, the director, the writers and the studio. Its plot only intermittently makes contact with reality. Some sexist attitudes are expressed on the screen and its depiction of college age sexuality is dated.
Such a venture was well beneath the talents of its star, one of the most vital performers in 20th century American popular culture.
So how can anyone like or even love this ridiculous piece of cinematic fluff?

On the 45th anniversary of its release EIN contributor Harley Payette takes a fascinating look at this often unloved film.


(Spotlight, Source;HarleyPayette)

The Elvis Files Vol. 3 1960 - 1964  Coming Soon: From the author of the critical acclaimed book Elvis - The King Of Las Vegas comes this stunning six-volume series, unlike anything you've seen before.
The Elvis Files Vol. 3 1960 - 1964. - OVER 1200 PHOTOS on 400 PAGES.
All ELVIS EVENTS in this Time Frame Period "1960 to 1964" are shown (with full Info.)
- Every Working Moment...
- Elvis AT PLAY Images. (over 200 Newly Discovered - seen for the first time)
- ELVIS BEING HONOURED With Many Awards during this 6 Year Period
- All the "Many Interviews" are shown.
- Wonderful Photos of ELVIS' CHARITY WORK in the 1960s
- The Hawaii and Memphis 1961 Shows.. are showcased with Many Rare Pictures
- The Movies from GI BLUES up to 1964, are covered in Great Detail...
- OVER 1200 PHOTOS on 400 PAGES ***
This is a labour of love for me, says Erik Lorentzen, author and long time Elvis fan, who has found images and information never revealed before.
Below you can see some pages from the "G.I. BLUES" & "VIVA LAS VEGAS" sections including photos you have never seen before.

The six Elvis Files volume 1-6 carefully documents almost every single day of Elvis Presley's life from the 1954 to 1977, covering everything from what he wore on stage to whom he meet that day.

While the Six-Volume series will contain everything from 1954 > 1977, the first published book in the 'The Elvis Files Series' will be Volume 3, 1960-1964 to be released at the end of May 2010.


The next one four months later....

Priced at around US$130.

Go here for purchase information and lots more info and images.


(News, Source;ErikL)

UPDATED - Ian Fraser-Thomson 1969 fan Interview: Ian Fraser-Thomson was the only fan to witness Elvis' astounding ELVIS July 1969 rehearsal, Las Vegas Opening Night and the Press Conference afterwards. As we all know July 31, 1969 marked a historic milestone in Elvis' career.

Now updated with 1969 Elvis signed personal photo plus additional questions.
Priscilla Presley talks about New Las Vegas Show Viva ELVIS: Priscilla Presley joined Fox 2 last Monday to chat about Cirque du Soleil's new Las Vegas Show.
In paying homage to the music of Elvis, Cirque du Soleil set out to present the songs of the King of Rock n Roll in a contemporary form that evokes the spirit of Elvis in every way.
"A celebration of Elvis' musical legacy"

Click here to the interview and some nice clips of the VIVA show.

Go here to EIN's Spotlight on all things "VIVA ELVIS".

(News, Source;Fox/ElvisInfoNet)

'Elvis, The Beauty Queen & Me – Volume II' DVD coming soon: Andrew Hearn Essential Elvis notes that he is now in the middle of producing the second volume of Jeanne’s Lemay's Elvis, The Beauty Queen & Me DVD.
Lot’s of incredibly interesting stories of her years with Elvis and Linda Thompson, plus a decent amount of private Elvis footage 1970 - 1971 from Las Vegas
This 100% legal DVD is a great price (compared to other similar DVDs released over the last few years). This is a factory pressed CD (not DVD-R) with a professionally printed colour cover & insert and each DVD will arrive individually shrink-wrapped.


Go here for purchasing information

 

(News, Source;essentialelvis.com)

"Elvis 75" UTRECHT concert - only 4 more days to go: ElvisMatters are promising a great show for their Elvis 75 concert Saturday May 22nd in Utrecht, Holland. Featuring a fabulous light show plus TCB Band, an orchestra conducted by Joe Guercio with the new Dutch singing sensation Bouke. The Belgian show is now a complete sell out.

The Dutch show on May 22nd in Utrecht has a few tickets left.

Maestro Joe Guercio arrives a few days earlier than the TCB Band. Joe explains. "Before the TCB Band arrives, I want to go through all the arrangements and rehearse with the orchestra alone. We did it the same way when Elvis was still around. First the orchestra rehearsal, then came the rhythm section with the orchestra and only after that, Elvis showed up. In the later years, he skipped most rehearsals. Elvis trusted that the orchestra knew their part and he relied on the TCB band completely. Further more, Elvis was such a unique talent that he could do any show without rehearsing. The audience never noticed it. He was that good."

Go here for final tickets and more info:

(News, Source;ElvisMatters)

'Elvis: My Best Friend' to be released in German; George Klein's book Elvis: My Best Friend will be released in German as "Elvis: Mein Bester Freund" in September 2010.

 



Read EIN's review of the book here.

 


(News, Source:ElvisNews/ElvisClubBerlin)
 
'Setting The Season' new import CD  Out Now: This SR Records release focuses on Elvis’ live performances in Las Vegas between February 19 and February 21, 1971. This deluxe long digipack , double CD pack is the first SR release dedicated onto Vegas' fourth season. In spite of the fact that Elvis is getting bored of Las Vegas, he is still able to the end the season by giving life to some terrific shows. Note that these are Audience Recordings supposedly in "great" audio quality. CD 1 the complete show from February 19 midnight show and the CD 2 with the unreleased February 22 midnight show. All tracks were digitally restored for your best possible listening pleasure; the sound quality is incredibly good considering the early Vegas Season. The shows are linked from the highlight of February 21 midnight show. We are proud to give life to a unique view with almost 160 minutes of great music with Elvis at his best for that season. As a first time for this label, the double CD will come in a deluxe LONG six panel DIGIPACK, containing a collection of live RARE photographs of the Vegas February 1971 season.
(News, Source:email)

Saturday 15 May 2010

Never-before-published Elvis photos in Lansky Brothers book: Chronicling three generations and more than six decades of haberdashery, Lansky Brothers: Clothier to the King is set for release on May 28.

From the humble beginnings of the Downtown store at the corner of Beale and Second -- where it was founded by brothers Bernard and Guy Lansky -- to its modern incarnation inside The Peabody, the store is perhaps best known because of its most famous customer, Elvis Presley.

The 144-page book features stories about the business' history and includes never-before-published photos of Elvis in the store.

And go here to EIN's exclusive interview with Bernard Lansky

"This is a look at Lansky's through the ages and also a glimpse into Memphis' past," said Hal Lansky, son of founder Bernard Lansky. "We think it's a great tribute to the city and to our store."

Price is $35, and copies will be available at Lansky, Graceland and area bookstores.

Preordered books will be signed by Bernard Lansky and may be reserved by calling 529-9070 or by going online at lanskybros.com. (News, Source: Marty Lacker/The Commercial Appeal)

Greatest Hits Vol. 1 released: Victrola's Greatest Hits, Volume 1 is out now. (News, Source: Elvis News/Elvis Unlimited)

Elvis auction catalog now available for viewing: The fully illustrated catalogue for the Elvis Presley memorabilia auction is now ready to view at http://www.henry-aldridge.co.uk/Catalogues/CS150510/page11.html If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Kind Regards Andrew Aldridge 

Tel: 0044 1380 729199
Fax: 0044 1380 730073
www.henry-aldridge.co.uk

View cast of Million Dollar Quartet on Letterman: In case you missed the cast of Million Dollar Quartet on David Letterman, thanks to Broadway World, you can click here to see the clip. Million Dollar Quartet, a new musical inspired by the historical gathering of Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash at Sun Records, is currently in previews at Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre. (News, Source: EPE)

Karate Fever released: Straight Arrow's Karate Fever, containing the August 31 1974  D.S. is out now. (News, Source: Elvis News/Elvis Unlimited)

On YouTube

Many thanks to Brian Quinn for this link
Is Elvis's daughter Lisa Marie leaving U.S. for England?: Despite his huge following on this side of the Atlantic, Elvis never found the time to visit England. His daughter, by contrast, has become so enamoured with the UK that she is said to be looking to move her family over here.
 
Reports say Lisa Marie Presley is turning her back on her homeland, putting her two California homes up for sale and telling friends she hopes to resettle by the end of the year. The 42-year-old is said to have become sick of Los Angeles.
 
According to the National Enquirer magazine, the last straw was the revival last week of gossip claiming her ex-husband Michael Jackson was gay. Jackson’s long-time friend Dr Arnold Klein made the allegation after the late singer’s office manager Jason Pfeiffer went on TV in the US to claim he had a fling with his famous former boss. She and fourth husband Michael Lockwood, 49, are said to be looking to buy a stately home near London.
 
'During an extended stay there last year she made friends with the likes of Prince Andrew and Fergie, the Duchess of York, and she's excited about recording her first album since 2005 over there,' a source told the Enquirer. The singer has made no secret of her disdain for L.A., saying last year: 'The city has really gotten dramatically worse in the last five or six years, even more shallow if that’s even possible.
 
'I feel any place that is perpetually sunny suspect and wrong, anyway.
 
But Lisa Marie's mother Priscilla is not pleased about the plans, because she won't be able to see as much of her twin granddaughters.

She added: 'I can honestly say that I am the only person who came to England for the weather. I love the cold and the rain. We have fallen in love with the UK and it is our hope to live here some day.'

Raving about England during her trip last autumn, she added: ‘We have found the quality of life so much more enriching and fulfilling.

'The civility, the culture, the people and its beauty have reawakened me and have smoothed out some of my bleak and jagged views about people and life.’

But it is reported her plans have ignited a family feud with mother Priscilla, 64, who is said to be upset that she will not see as much of her granddaughters. Lisa Marie was at her mother’s side at the celebrations for what would have been her father’s 75th birthday at Graceland in January and at the Elvis Cirque du Soleil Viva show in Las Vegas in February.

'She’ll keep her getaway place in Hawaii and return periodically for Graceland business, but she plans on spending most of her time in Britain,’ the source told the Enquirer. (News, Source: Brian Quinn/David Gardner (Daily Mail) - www.dailymail.co.uk)

A Canticle For Elvis: In his latest novel, A Canticle For Elvis (Storytellers), A. J. Ragland brings Elvis Presley back to life on January 8, 2035 in order to lead the world into a new age of ascended being. The adventure combines the best of light science fiction and metaphysics with a good dose of humor. Plus, Elvis gets to sing some new songs.

"Between 1949 and 1954, a young man from Tupelo, Mississippi, kept a secret journal documenting the prophetic insights he experienced while sleepwalking. He hid the journal, together with other treasures, in an old hatbox his mother had given him. Had scientists in his century detected the super-concentration of mitochondria that gives rise to a hybrid human every few thousand years, or understood the true nature of delta wave brain activity prevalent in the young and the gifted, they may have discovered as I did—this sleepwalking young man was not alone on his walks."

From the moment Gabriele Kendall, a Memphis DJ, hears Elvis singing from the sky, she is propelled on a journey through seven days of world-shaking miracles and confrontations with world leaders—to the King's return and her own immortality. Tagging along on the journey are a quartet of wise-cracking flying droids, a talking car, an android housekeeper and her retro-loving genius of a dad.

A Canticle For Elvis is Ragland's fourth novel and his first science-fiction. The story also include six new songs that pay homage to the King's hometown, Memphis, TN, and his life-long friends, George Klein and Jerry Schilling. The six songs are: The House On The Hill; Down On The Boulevard; My Friends; Sleepwalking With An Angel; The Pure Ascend and A Canticle For Elvis.

US Trade Paperback: 260 pages
Genre: Science-Fiction
ISBN: 145159111X
EAN: 9781451591118
Also available on eBook and Kindle platforms

While the book is available in several formats, Amazon currently has it listed only in Kindle format.

ETA fails to set record: An Elvis impersonator in Suffolk, England, has been left feeling like a hound dog, crying all the time, after failing to set a world record for the most consecutive hours impersonating the King.

On May 7, Simon Goldsmith, 36, who performs under the name "Harry Isaac Presley," attempted to break the current record of 43 hours, 11 minutes and 11 seconds.

Sadly, Goldsmith, who works as a delivery driver for DHL when not performing as the King, failed to deliver on his goal. He stopped after 35 hours, after singing "I Can't Stop Loving You."

"I hit a wall," he said. "It wasn't the hip-shaking, it was the stress on the voice. I had trouble breathing."

Goldsmith, who performed the songs karaoke-style, also admitted he didn't realize how challenging some songs would be -- especially after the first day.

"Songs like 'A Mess of Blues,' 'Moody Blue' and 'Heartbreak Hotel' are in a high register, and they were really hard to sing," he said.

In addition, he said, the rather stringent requirements set by Guinness for setting a record didn't leave him much time to munch those peanut butter and banana sandwiches supposedly favored by the real Elvis.

"I couldn't really eat -- they only gave me five minutes each hour," Goldsmith said.

Goldsmith made the record attempt at a nearby pub in hopes of raising around $1,500 for St. Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich, where his dad died last year from cancer. Despite not making his world record goal, Goldsmith still managed to shake, rattle and roll away with more than $2,500 for charity. The Presley plan has been in the works for six months, and the pub owner is now pressuring Goldsmith to try it again next year.

"I'd consider it if it was under more beneficial conditions," Goldsmith said. "We did it outdoors. I'd like to do it differently, with access to a comfortable toilet." (News, Source: David Moye, aolnews.com)

Time to vote for Elvis: Donn409 urges all fans to vote for the King: "It's time that we turn up the heat and vote Elvis to the top of this poll: http://www.lovesongs.com/alltimefavartist.htm Michael Jackson has lost a percentage point. He went from 40% to 39%. That proves we can still beat him as we should've in the beginning. Let's show them all what real staying power is. ELVIS, ELVIS, ELVIS!"

Meet Special Guest Bobby Allison: Former NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, Bobby Allison, will make a special guest appearance at the Elvis Motor Classics car show at Graceland on Thursday, May 27, and Friday, May 28. The car show will offer fun events and classic cars on exhibit for the whole family from May 27-30, at Graceland. If you are interested in putting your car on display, visit the Elvis Motor Classics website for a participant application. More details at www.elvis.com

Elvis knocks out teenage boys: Two teenage boys were left unconscious after a man dressed as Elvis launched an unprovoked attack on them in the street. The victims, both aged 19, were leaving a takeaway in the early hours when the fancy dress thug pounced. They were punched and kicked in the head and back. Both were knocked out. The unnamed pair were treated in hospital after the attack in Salisbury, Wilts. Yesterday, Wiltshire Police appealed for information about the identity of the man in the Elvis costume. (Odd Spot, Source: mirror.co.uk)

Jesse and Richie and Elvis, oh my!: Take a boy whose mother died when he was 12 and whose father abandoned them even before that, have him fixated on his own machismo, his seething anger, and Elvis Presley, and you have a roaring bully and an egocentric Presley-impersonator who claims he has a "spiritual connection" with the iconic singer.

Add to that his enabling girlfriend who caters to his every whim, her mentally handicapped brother, and his father, a seedy homeless man who has suddenly shown up after years in prison. It isn't a pretty family, and the tacky trailer in Appalachia that they live in matches their personalities well. Can you say "trailer trash?"

These are the principals in "Jesse Boy," a play by Robert Mollohan now having its world premiere at the Ruskin Group Theatre in Santa Monica. Mollohan also stars as Richie, the volatile "head of the household," who gets his kicks from humiliating and abusing everyone in it. But despite the tension and the physical and emotional violence, there are moments of sweetness in this play and a story that is engrossing, if over-long and repetitive.

Zach Book makes his acting debut as Jesse-Boy and he is so consistently believable that you wonder if his disabilities are real. The play's program reveals, however, that he volunteered at the Switzer Learning Center in Torrance to explore the concerns and the mannerisms that he so ably demonstrates.

Jaimi Paige plays Abigayle, Richie's girlfriend and Jesse's sister, with charm and dignity, and Kathleen Nicole Parke plays Mary-Lou, a local stripper who moonlights as a sometime sitter for Jesse when Richie and Abigayle are away. She finds her humanity in taking care of him, but falling in love with him is a bit over the edge. Jesse spends much of his time locked in a wire dog-cage, being "punished" by Richie, and lives in terror of the frequent beatings and even rape that he undergoes. Richie, meanwhile, having left his car salesman's job in a rage at having been "disrespected," concentrates on winning a contest in Las Vegas as an Elvis impersonator.

Richie's father, played by the ubiquitous Chris Mulkey (you'll recognize his face), wanders in and out to drink Richie's liquor and to try to reconcile with his angry son.

Karen Landry, Mulkey's real-life wife, directs this talented ensemble, but she should have prevailed upon playwright Mollohan to cut it down from its two-hours plus running time. The play could also use a little consistency in its dialogue: the players frequently say "you is" but then contradict their own un-grammar with "they were."

Mollohan does a pretty good Elvis impersonation and Roberta Christianson has done good work with the set design, lighting, and sound. If you like intense family dysfunction — or good acting — then this play is for you.

"Jesse Boy" will continue at the always-excellent Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Ave., in Santa Monica, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through June 12. Call (310) 397-3244 for reservations. (Play Review, Source: Cynthia Citron, smdp.com)

Ultimate Elvis Preliminary Round announced: Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE), Las Vegas' famed Fremont Street Experience and the celebrated tribute artist production "Legends in Concert," announced today that the first-ever preliminary round of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest to take place in Las Vegas will be held at Fremont Street Experience, Friday, July 23 and Saturday, July 24.

Contestants in Las Vegas' Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will be judged on the 'best representation of the Elvis legacy' in talent, appearance, performance, stage presence, and overall tribute. The winner of the contest qualifies to compete in The 2010 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest presented by EPE in Memphis during Elvis Week, August 10-16.

In addition, the winner of Las Vegas' Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist preliminary contest will take home a $2,500 cash prize and a Graceland getaway prize package.

On Stage Touring, a subsidiary of On Stage Entertainment and creators of the world's longest-running celebrity tribute show, has been officially licensed by EPE to produce preliminary contests at "Legends in Concert" venues and other locations throughout the country, including Las Vegas, Nevada. Legends has also agreed to furnish one of the Grand Prizes for the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest winner, which will take place in Memphis, Tennessee on August 12 and 13. The winner of the contest will be offered the opportunity to sign a performance contract with Legends in Concert, a cash prize of $20,000, recognition by EPE, the title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2010, and selection of other valuable prizes. Launched in August of 2007, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis is one of the highlights of Elvis Week activities, which last year attracted more than 70,000 fans from all over the world.

"Legends has featured remarkably talented Elvis tribute artists in our shows worldwide for over 25 years, and we are thrilled to be working with EPE as we discover these gifted entertainers," said Brian Brigner, chief operating officer of On Stage. "We are delighted to be hosting the first-ever preliminary regional contest held in our home city of Las Vegas. I am sure this competition will be especially intense, as showing up at the finals in Memphis having won the Las Vegas regional will certainly be a desirable title. We are also pleased to continue our special arrangement with EPE whereby the winner of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will once again be offered the opportunity to join our cast of Legends in Concert productions and to produce a unique live entertainment experience for the millions of Elvis fans worldwide."

"After its brief three-year history, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest has quickly evolved into one of the highlights of Elvis Week," said Scott Williams, Vice President of EPE. "Although each regional preliminary round location has seen excellent competitors and exciting entertainment for the fans, given Elvis Presley's special association with Las Vegas, this Fremont Street preliminary round will surely be an exciting event and yield a coveted title for the winner."

"We are honored to have been awarded the privilege to be the host venue to the first-ever Las Vegas regional round of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest," said Jeff Victor, President of Fremont Street Experience. "Recognizing our unique advantages and resources with the historic setting we have at Fremont Street Experience, we look forward to working with our friends at Legends in Concert and Elvis Presley Enterprises to turn this preliminary round of the Contest into a truly unforgettable entertainment experience."

In addition to additional entertainment ingredients that will soon be announced for the Las Vegas preliminary round of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, "Legends in Concert" will sell officially licensed Elvis Presley merchandise along with specially created merchandise that will be available for purchase during the Fremont Street engagement. (News, Source: EarthTimes.org)

Visit EIN's Almost Elvis Archives

Lincolnville man charged in theft of landlord’s Elvis Presley memorabilia: The Waldo County grand jury handed up indictments for 41 people Thursday, including a man charged with the theft of a large collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia. Jason Cromeenes, 30, of Lincolnville was indicted for Class C unauthorized taking after allegedly stealing several thousand dollars’ worth of property in February that had been stored in his rental home by the Nevada homeowner.

The stolen items included furniture and the Elvis Presley collectibles, according to police, whose investigation led them to a Lincolnville storage unit where Cromeenes reportedly had stashed “almost all” the property reported missing by the homeowner.

Class C crimes are punishable by up to five years in prison and a maximum $5,000 fine. (News, Source: Bangor Daily News, Maine)

 

Thursday 13 May 2010
Ian Fraser-Thomson 1969 fan Interview: Ian Fraser-Thomson was the only fan to witness Elvis' astounding July 1969 rehearsal, Las Vegas Opening Night and the Press Conference afterwards. As we all know July 31, 1969 marked a historic milestone in Elvis' career. Bolstered by the runaway success of the '68 Comeback show and energised by productive recording sessions at American Sound Studios, Elvis launched his return to live performance at Las Vegas's International Hotel in the summer of 1969.  

In this insightful interview Ian Fraser-Thomson gives an incredible insiders viewpoint on what it was like to actually be there while Elvis went through the most important on-stage resurrection of his career.

Do not miss this great interview and rare Elvis 1969 photos.

(Interview, Source;EIN)
"Elvis by Bono" wins British GOLD radio Award: The winners of the Sony Radio Academy Awards 2010 were announced at a Ceremony hosted by Chris Evans at London's Grosvenor House on Monday 10th May.
U2 singer Bono, more accustomed to winning prizes for his musical output, was the unlikely recipient of a GOLD broadcasting award when his programme Elvis By Bono - in which he read his beat poet-style ode to the king of rock 'n' roll - was named Best Music Special.
It was one of six awards for Radio 4 at the event, which recognises broadcasting excellence and draws the key players from the world of radio.
Winning GOLD was "Elvis By Bono" which combines a bold, kaleidoscopic approach with genuine editorial revelations. The original source material was enhanced to its full potential, creating a compelling listen and demonstrating the finest production values with material masterfully weaved into a stunning radio soundscape worthy of a Sony Gold Award.
Click here to view the poem and video featuring Elvis and Bono.
Other winners were Sir David Attenborough for 'Speech Broadcaster of the Year' for his contributions to BBC Radio 4 and Dermot O'Leary reclaimed his 2008 prize for Best Music Programme with his Radio 2 Saturday afternoon show.
PULP frontman Jarvis Cocker picked up the ceremony's Rising Star prize for his new show on BBC 6 Music.
The key UK radio battle for top Breakfast Show was won by Radio 4's Today programme, hosted by a team including John Humphrys, Evan Davies and James Naughtie.
(News, Source;SonyRadioAwards)
Elvis wrote 'I love ya mama' on Bible after mother's death: A new exhibition shows that Elvis signed his name on the last page of the holy book, next to the message “I love ya mama” and the date Gladys was “layed to rest” in a cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.
The king of rock’n’roll also wrote a list of his family members’ birthdays, together with the fact that he owed an uncle some money, inside the front of his copy.
However the collector who owns the unique edition of the King James Version believes that Elvis never actually read it.
David Smith, a Baptist minister who is displaying the Bible at the annual International Christian Resources Exhibition this week, said: “It was evidently important to Elvis, he had a Bible in every room in his house. He kept one at his bedside.
“There’s a number of these Bibles around and I happened to get this one in Las Vegas, Graceland was selling memorabilia in an auction. It was a considerable sum of money.
“I had seen some and chased some but never acquired one. He had six and that’s a lot for the average family. There’s maybe three left at Graceland and two others that I’ve seen for sale.
“He purchased this Bible and in the front is a list of all his family members and their birthdays, and he’s put his uncle’s hardware store and apparently he owed his uncle some money and he’s put a reminder to pay him.
“This is 1959 he buys this Bible. His mother’s died not long since and he’s written this sweet ‘I love ya mama’ in there and where she’s buried. It’s a sentimental Bible to him.”
But he added: “You can tell when a Bible’s been read and this Bible has never been read.”
One hand-written inscription in block capitals on the last page of the book shows that “mama” was buried on August 14th, 1958, in Forest Hill Cemetery on Highway 51.
Below it, in large blue handwriting, the rock’n’roll star has added: “I love ya mama – Elvis Presley 59.”
Mr Smith, who grew up in Florida but later moved to Lincolnshire, has been collecting Bibles since 1977, following in the footsteps of his late father.
His Museum of the Book, on public display at the CRE in Sandown Park England until Friday and open by appointment in east London the rest of the year, also includes a Bible that Albert Pierrepoint, Britain’s official executioner until 1956, carried at every hanging he attended.
(News, Source;SanjaM/ElvisInfoNet)
Broadway Items Hit Bum Note With Sun: The owners of the Memphis recording studio where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis held a jam session in 1956 are all shook up over souvenirs of a Broadway musical dramatizing the event. Sun Studio Entertainment Corp. filed a lawsuit Friday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee against the New York company peddling official merchandise for the show “Million Dollar Quartet.”
The lawsuit argues a trademark violation involving the merchandise – and not the show or anyone directly tied to it. The suit claims Sun Studio owns the “Million Dollar Quartet” trademark and the exclusive right to sell hats, T-shirts and similar items with that trademark on them.
The phrase comes from a December 1956 article in the Memphis Press-Scimitar about the famous jam session. That seminal moment in Memphis music history was also immortalized in a photograph of Elvis seated at a piano, with the other three musicians hovering over him.
The musical re-creation of that event opened on Broadway last month and is up for three awards at next month’s 64th Annual Tony Awards. No one from the New York company, Creative Goods Merchandise LLC, returned a phone call to comment about the lawsuit.
By chance, that imagery was on display before a national television audience only a few days after the suit was filed in Memphis.
After returning from a commercial break during Monday night’s broadcast of “The David Letterman Show,” a camera slowly zoomed in on a poster for “Million Dollar Quartet.”
Introducing the cast members before they performed a few songs on his show, Letterman held up a playbill for the musical.
The image on the cover is set against the backdrop of rays from a sun. It’s the same image displayed on T-shirts, caps and other show merchandise.
“Our next guests star in a new Broadway production about four legendary figures in the history of popular music,” Letterman announced. A few million viewers then saw an actor portraying Cash begin the familiar guitar strumming that accompanies “Folsom Prison Blues.”
The actors portraying the three other singers in the high-energy musical followed that by taking turns doing renditions of other songs from each artist.
See more info about the show below - and EIN original 'Million Dollar Quartet' CD review here.
(News, Source;SanjaM/MemphisdailyNews)
Lisa Marie wants Flowers at Michael Jackson's Tomb: Lisa Marie Presley claims she's disappointed at the "empty space" surrounding Michael Jackson's tomb -- so she's now challenging MJ fans to flood the place with sunflowers ASAP.
LMP just posted a message on her MySpace page describing her recent visit to Michael's grave site at Forest Lawn. Presley -- who was married to MJ back in the '90s -- says she believes Michael "deserves more" than the "few bouquets, candles and gifts" that currently surround Michael's grave. 
Lias Marie -- who notes Michael's infatuation with sunflowers -- is calling for fans to send a "Sun Shower" to the tomb because, "I know how much he loved and appreciated being showered with Gifts and
flowers by his fans."
Presley suggests that if every fan sends "one silk sunflower" to the site, "the whole area around him and in front of him  ... could be filled up in no time."
Go here to EIN's Lisa Marie - Michael Jackson page
(News, Source;SanjaM/TMZ)
CKX, Inc First Quarter Mixed Results: Revenue for the first quarter of 2010 declined $14.9 million, or 18.3%, to $66.6 million as compared to the prior year period. The decline in revenue is largely due to $10.0 million of non-recurring revenue in 2009 from terminated license agreements at the Presley Business and the Ali Business.
Excluding the prior year terminated license agreement, revenue at the Presley Business increased $2.7 million due to higher licensing revenue and royalty revenue from the Viva ELVIS Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas, which opened in February. Excluding the prior year terminated license agreement, revenue at the Ali Business increased $0.3 million due to higher licensing fees.
Commenting on the results, Thomas P. Benson, Chief Financial Officer, said, "The first quarter marked a number of important developments for the company including entering into a new long-term agreement with Simon Fuller to continue as the creative force
behind American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, the gala opening of Viva ELVIS in Las Vegas and the launch of If I Can Dream. American Idol has continued its reign as the #1 rated show on network television for a seventh consecutive season. We are also nearing completion of our restructuring of 19 Entertainment which is increasing our focus on our hit properties while significantly reducing spending on new development projects and general overhead. Although our first quarter results were negatively impacted by restructuring costs, the benefit of $15 million in annual cost savings that we are currently implementing will positively impact our operating results beginning in the third quarter of 2010."
The Company reported a loss on its profit participation in the Viva ELVIS Cirque du Soleil show of $0.5 million in 2010 due to certain one-time costs associated with the opening of the show in February, a limited number of performances in the quarter and initial weaker than expected ticket sales in large part due to low occupancy rates at the hotels within CityCenter where the theatre is located.
The Company reported an operating loss of $3.3 million in 2010 compared to operating income of $23.6 million in 2009. Excluding impairment charges of $4.9 million in 2010 related to the write-down of a rental property at Graceland and a goodwill write-down of a business that 19 Entertainment is closing, operating income declined $22.0 million primarily for the reasons noted above.
See EIN's story below Sillerman resigns as Chairman and CEO of CKx!
(News, Source;WallStreet)

Tuesday 11 May 2010
Two new FTDs to be shipped next week: The new FTDs 'HIGH SIERRA' and 'SHOWTIME' were originally scheduled for May 10 release however the two new FTDs are now supposed to be available early next week.
Go here to EIN's CD Release news for all the details.
(News, Source;Email)

"Elvis 75" European concert selling out! ElvisMatters are promising a great show for their Elvis 75 concert Saturday May 22nd in Utrecht, Holland. Featuring a fabulous light show plus TCB Band, an orchestra conducted by Joe Guercio with the new Dutch singing sensation Bouke. The Belgian show is now a complete sell out.

The Dutch show on May 22nd in Utrecht has a few tickets left.

"It'll be a once in a lifetime chance to experience the real live power of how Elvis concerts used to be."


Go here for tickets and more info:

 


(News, Source;ElvisMatters)

Elvis The Complete Dorsey Brothers' Show Appearances DVD: At long last all six of Elvis' legendary appearances on the Dorsey Brothers' TV show on this extraordinary DVD plus rare and wonderful bonus footage.

Region free and playable on DVD players worldwide.

Elvis Unique is taking orders now for this strictly limited collectors edition DVD.

Not available in stores. This is an exclusive order.

(News, Source: Elvis Unique)

Postcard Elvis wrote while touring in France for sale on Ebay! Yours for only US$630 a wonderfully fake personal Elvis postcard! The info states that Elvis sent it to Detroit from France in 1956! Boy, Elvis as a young rock'n'roller sure got around! We need to update the history books!
As described, "This is a French made Photo Post Card of Elvis Presley. It was sent to a girl in Dearborn, Michigan. Looks like it was in 1956. A lady brought this in to my store and indicated she was walking on a street in Detroit in 1956 and found this in the trash of a recently moved out family. She was 11 or 12 at the time and took it home and taped it up to her bedroom wall and she also handled it as well as scribbled on it in pencil. She now wants to sell. I have NO COA or anything else except her story.
You be the judge. Looks good to me."
EIN finds this hilarious stuff. - Look here!
(News, Source;FECC)

Celine Dion tops poll as America's favorite musician: Celine Dion is America's favorite musician, according to a new Harris Poll, beating out U2, The Beatles and Elvis for the top spot.

U2 took the second place spot, while Elvis Presley and The Beatles tied for third place.
America's Favorite Musicians:
  • Celine Dion
  • U2    
  • Elvis Presley  
  • Beatles   
  • Tim McGraw   
  • Lady Gaga 
  • George Strait 
  • Rascal Flatts
  • Alan Jackson 
  • Frank Sinatra 

Harris found that musical preferences among Americans varied widely, based on things like gender, politics and location.

Celine Dion was tops for women, while men prefered U2. Among Conservatives, U2 was the favorite, while Independents liked The Beatles. And Easterners love Celine Dion, Midwesterners Tim McGraw and Westerners U2. (News, Source: sonicstate.com)

'Elvis Presley The King' new 3CD release from Ireland: Super-collector Barry McLean has sent us this neat new budget Public Domain release from Ireland. Contains the usual fifties Public Domain songs.
(News, Source;Barry McLean)
Good News About John Wilkinson And Sherrill Nielsen: Perhaps too many detailed stories about these guys' health have been going around. However EIN is happy to report positive progress for both of them.
Sherrill Nielsen is getting better and still thinking of a new album together with Voice with ideas of touring Europe again in 2011.
John Wilkinson via Elvis Matters sends all Elvis fans his best wishes. He is at home and making excellent progress.
(News, Source:ElvisMatters)

Elvis song featured in Dr Who Confidential: Fans of the eternally popular sci-fi TV series, Dr Who, were recently treated to Elvis singing (You're the) Devil In Disguise during the Dr Who Confidential segment relating to the episode The Angels of Time. (News, Source: EIN)

Aussie Chart Update: On this week's ARIA Music DVD Chart, Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll slips one place to #23. It has been on the chart for 104 weeks, with a high position of #4 and is certified 3xP.

'1971 Summer Festival' import box-set Out Now: Out now from the new Showroom Label is this 4 CD Longbox with Booklet.
Featuring four concert - all audience recordings - from the 1971 Summer Festival. Dates are August 21 M.S., Aug. 24 M.S., Aug. 30 D.S. and the September 3 Midnight Show.


All 4 concerts are supposedly from good quality Audience Recordings and 3 of them never before released on factory made CDs.

 


(News, Source:email)

Sunday 9 May 2010

EXCLUSIVE - Viva Las Vegas cover artwork: Many thanks to Paul Lichter for providing EIN with the front and back cover artwork for the upcoming JAT release, Viva Las Vegas. The photographs in the book are from the massive Paul Lichter Photo Archives.

Order "Viva Las Vegas"

EXCLUSIVE - Cover artwork for upcoming book Paul Lichter Presents Elvis in Vegas: This is the cover artwork for Paul Lichter's upcoming book release, Paul Lichter Presents Elvis in Vegas.

EIN will have an EXCLUSIVE interview with Paul regarding both the Viva Las Vegas and Paul Lichter Presents Elvis in Vegas books in the next few days.

Lamar Fike's Memphis Mafia Jacket re-listed with reduced Reserve Price on eBay: Here is a great opportunity to own a piece of the Memphis Mafia!

Back in '97, five of the original Memphis Mafia, Billy Smith, Red and Sonny West, Marty Lacker and Lamar Fike embarked on a project of the highly acclaimed video production, "All The King's Men".

In conjunction with the videos, special clothing was custom made which included golf style shirts with the Memphis Mafia logo and a very special team jacket that had the big Memphis Mafia logo on the back, in the Mafia colours of Red and White on the black background of the jackets colour. The sleeves were made with black leather and a smaller Mafia logo was on one front side of the jacket with  Lamar's name on the other.
Lamar hates to part with it but as many of you know he has been battling Cancer and the treatments are very expensive.  So much so that it greatly depleted all of his vast savings which he had accumulated after a very successful career in the Nashville Music Industry. So Lamar is now offering his jacket to the highest bidder to some very lucky Elvis fan.

View the Ebay listing

Unique Roustabout single sold: Collectors from all over the world have placed not less than 90 bids on a unique Roustabout single. This 45 rpm record on the Paramount Pictures label seems to be an alternative take. The eBay-seller even added an excerpt of both sides (click link below).

However, completely new it is not. On this promo is the master of Roustabout, on the other side is an alternate take of Roustabout. Don't be affraid you missed it because this alternate take is released on LP Memphis Tennesse in 1982 (Audifon 67670). But it's still a highly sought after release. It sold for a little over 1,100 $US. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

See eBay listing

 

Saturday 8 May 2010
Sillerman resigns as Chairman and CEO of CKx!!!: CKx, Inc. (Nasdaq: CKXE) announced today that Robert F.X. Sillerman has resigned as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and from the Company's board, effective immediately. Mr. Sillerman cited as the reason for his resignation a desire to pursue other interests, including the possible acquisition of CKx as well as a desire to allow the Board to evaluate its strategic options should he pursue such an acquisition. Mr. Sillerman founded the Company and has served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since its inception in 2005. Mr. Sillerman will continue as a consultant to the Company. Mr. Sillerman is also the Company's largest shareholder.

The board of directors of the company announced that director Edward Bleier was appointed as chairman of the board and that Michael G. Ferrel, a former director and president of the company, will serve as acting chief executive officer.

"The board would like to thank Bob for his many contributions to CKx and for his leadership over the past five years and his unparalleled commitment to the company," said CKx chairman Edward Bleier. "Bob has a long track record of building several successful enterprises and providing billions of dollars in return to investors. We're thrilled that Bob will continue to assist CKx as a consultant."


Michael G. Ferrel, acting chief executive officer of CKx stated, "CKx has an excellent set of core assets that continue to be terrific performers for the company. I look forward to working with the board and management team to drive growth and to capitalize on the many opportunities ahead."

The company also stated that it presently intends to release its first quarter earnings on Monday, May 10, and plans to host an investor call following the release.

Edward Bleier has served on the CKx board of directors since 2005. Mr. Bleier is a director of RealNetworks, Inc., a leading Internet creator of digital media services and software. For 34 years, until his retirement as Senior Advisor in December 2003, Mr. Bleier was an executive of Warner Bros., Inc. From 1986 through 2000, he was President of the division responsible for broadcast and cable networks, pay-television and video-on-demand. He also previously served on Warner Communications' strategy committee, as President of Warner Bros. Animation, and overseeing the broadcast of certain sports properties. In May 2005, Mr. Bleier was appointed to the Board of Directors of Blockbuster, Inc. Mr. Bleier is currently a trustee of The Charles A. Dana Foundation, a member of the Advisory Board of Drakontas, Inc. and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Michael G. Ferrel served as President, director and Member of the Office of the Chairman of CKX from May 2005 through November 2008. From August 2000 through May 2005, Mr. Ferrel served as President and Chief Executive Officer of FXM, Inc., a private investment firm. Mr. Ferrel served as President, Chief Executive Officer, Member of the Office of the Chairman and a director of SFX Entertainment, the largest owner and operator of venues for live entertainment in the United States (now a subsidiary of Live Nation) from December 1997 through August 2000. (News, Source: Brian Quinn/PR Newswire)

Sillerman's plans for Graceland Overhaul: Prior to the above news, this story was circulating....

The first indication of changes to come along Elvis Presley Boulevard between Brooks Road and Shelby Drive will be surveyors working in the area as it begins the annual tourism buildup to August, when Elvis fans commemorate the icon’s death.

The planning that is just beginning will eventually complement a new plan for an overhaul of Graceland by CKX, the company that owns 85 percent of Elvis Presley Enterprises.CKX CEO Bob Sillerman has proposed leaving Graceland as it is, but relocating the plaza where visitors board buses from the west side of the street to the same side as Graceland. The current plaza area would be developed as an entertainment district with restaurants, hotels and other attractions.Sillerman proposed a general outline of his plans for

Graceland in 2007. But CKX has indicated since then in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that those plans could change at least in their timing because of the economy.Sillerman has met with city officials and insisted he remains committed to transforming the area.

Based on that, the Mayor A C Wharton Jr.’s administration has come up with $250,000 to begin planning for the improvements to Elvis Presley Boulevard. Wharton wants to have city commitments ready by July 1.

“We’re trying to get a running start on this,” city engineer Wain Gaskins told a crowd of more than 200 people last month at the Whitehaven Community Center.

“We are not very far into the process.”The surveyors will take the city’s planning a step further. Gaskins said consultants will begin this month talking with business owners along the corridor about possibly moving utilities. Underground power lines are one possibility to eliminate power lines and poles. The Rev. Lester Baskin of Middle Baptist Church was among those listening intently in the community center gymnasium and looking over renderings that Gaskins said are just ideas and not necessarily what the final plan will look like. Baskin said he favors coordinated commercial development along the boulevard.

“I have been in this area for about 40 years and I would like to see it become more and more,” he said. “I know that whoever comes to Memphis, you have to come to Whitehaven because the airport is in Whitehaven. FedEx is Whitehaven. UPS is Whitehaven. There are so many other places.”

Elvis Presley Boulevard is also part of a highway with state and federal designations. Because of that, the city hopes to draw $2 million in state and federal funding toward the public project. No city funding is available for construction because there is no plan. The first phase would be the boulevard’s southern end from Shelby Drive to Craft Road. Phase two is from Craft to Winchester Road. And the third phase is from Winchester to Brooks Road. Gaskins said the Interstate 55 interchange, north of Brooks, needs an overhaul but is a “separate project” the city will tackle at some later date. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is doing an interchange modification study, he added.

“It’s too much to handle in one bite,” Gaskins said of including the interchange in the boulevard project. (News, Source: Elvis News/Elvis Unlimited)

Visit EIN's comprehensive "Sale of EPE Archives"

Julien's Music Icons Auction Catalog: Earlier this week, the latest auction catalog arrived here for us. The Julien's Music Icons Auction will take place on June 24th and 25h in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood.

To read more details about the auction including photos, go to Elvis Unlimited's original news story from April 20, 2010. Follow the link below.

A Brief History of the Silver Elvis Wig: There have been several different explanations for how the Nats (Washington Nationals Baseball Team) came to award a Silver Elvis Wig to their player of the game after wins. One version said it was Adam Dunn's idea, and that Nyjer Morgan then bought the wig at a Halloween store. Another said that the wig was re-purposed from Morgan's most recent Halloween costume. Because I figure this will feature prominently in the book, I went ahead and compiled a brief oral history of the wig. Thank me later.

And bear in mind, that these quotes weren't said in this order. But they were all said.

Nyjer Morgan: I went to this little Halloween jamboree, and basically your boy T. Plush was, you know those fake outfits with the fake muscles, the Superman? I had a Superman outfit on with the fake muscles. And I saw that Silver Fox wig at the surplus store, so basically that's when I put the two together. And from that Halloween party I just kept the hat, brought it with me, and then in spring training when we were packing up to come here, I just left it in the box, had everything shipped up here. And then [I] just happened to pull it out when we were unpacking our stuff.

Adam Dunn: He never surprises me, the stuff he wears to the field or brings to the field.

Morgan: To tell you the truth, it was probably 20 bucks Canadian, 30 bucks Canadian. I was up there, I've got friends and family all over the place. I'm like Austin Powers, internationally known....I was like a grizzled Superman.

Ryan Zimmerman: We saw it in Nyjer's locker, and we were like Nyjer, what the hell is that? He was like, 'I don't know, it's Elvis.'

Josh Willingham: The only thing I remember is one day it showed up in Nyjer Morgan's locker. I just remember after one game early in the year he's like, 'Hey, player of the game, put this on.'

Dunn: It was kind of collaboration of, that's a pretty cool wig, let's do something with it. There were a few of us, I'm not gonna take credit for it.

Morgan: We just all basically came out with a team agreement saying that we were gonna use it for the player of the game, he has to wear the Silver Fox. It was a unanimous decision, team-approved....Normally [MASN's Debbi Taylor] pulls somebody aside for the player of the game.

Dunn: For the most part, it's pretty cut-and-dry who the player of the game is.

Debbi Taylor: I'll tell you what, if there's ever a really tough decision, if I interview someone on the field and the players disagree, I believe that Pudge Rodriguez, the senior veteran guy on the club, can trump anyone else.

Zimmerman: Usually it's obvious. I think if it comes down to a split decision, usually Pudge is the ones who decides things. Because he's obviously been in the league for like 84 years, so he gets to decide.

Pudge Rodriguez: Everybody decides, hey Willy? Everybody does. We all decide.

Wil Nieves: The veterans, they have more say, but everybody decides.

Rodriguez: Nyjer! The Silver President hair, whatever, everybody decides, right?

Morgan: I just said that. See, you're going in circles. It's a community service wig, dog.

Ian Desmond: I was supposed to wear it two days ago and we couldn't locate the Silver Fox. That's why we lost the next day.

Willingham: I've worn it once. It felt great on my head.

Dunn: I don't want to call it an incentive...I'm not gonna lie dude, I want to wear it every night.

Morgan: T. Plush has never worn the Silver Fox yet. I guess I've got to play better, that's all it is.

Zimmerman: I have not gotten it. And secretly, deep down inside, it eats me up.

Morgan: Some people have size 8, and I don't want to go specific on who has a size 8 because I don't like throwing my guys under the bus.

Dunn: Believe it or not, I've got a little head. It's probably tough on people like Livo, who's got a grande cabeza.

Zimmerman: It's just something fun. It's unique to our team, and it gives us a reason to have fun after we win. It's good. It's harmless. We hope nobody thinks anything bad of it. But we don't really care if anyone does, anyway.

Morgan: I think it's gonna build team camaraderie and get the boys going in the right direction.

Willingham: I mean, you play 162 games, and you've got to keep things fun....Winning's all about having fun. So after we win, just spice it up a little bit. With a wig. (News, Source: Dan Steinberg, The Washington Post)

 

 

 

French DVD version of Follow That Dream: On Elvis Club Berlin we found the french version of Follow that Dream: Sherif De Ces Dames.

Release date: May 5, 2010. Region code: 1 (News, Source: Elvis News)

 

Hallmark to release CD edition of For LP Fans Only: For LP Fans Only, the album of Elvis from 1959, will be released on CD by Hallmark on May 24, 2010.

Tracklist: That's All Right - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy - Mystery Train - Playing For Keeps - Poor Boy - My Baby Left Me - I Was The One - Shake, Rattle And Roll - I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone - You're A Heartbreaker (News, Source: Elvis News/ Elvis Club Berlin)

Friday 7 May 2010.
Buyer for CKX/EPE revealed: It's been kept completely secret -- until now. But I've learned that savvy media investor and entertainment programmer Allen Shapiro is the wizard behind the curtain of this One Equity Partners deal-in-the-making to purchase CKX. Sources tell me that the many weeks of day and night meetings to hammer out a deal have reached a crucial stage. But Shapiro's name hasn't yet been linked, and neither The New York Times nor Wall Street Journal even mentioned him in recent stories about the advanced deal talks. My info is that he's been involved for a long time. Of course, the last time Shapiro partnered with One Equity Partners, the global private equity investment arm of JPMorgan Chase, it was for their purchase of 49% of Lionsgate's TV Guide Channel and TVGuide.com.

The secrecy surrounding Shapiro's involvement in CKX may have to do with that TV Guide deal. He was initially buying TV Guide until Lionsgate swooped in at the last minute. Ultimately, Shapiro got a sizeable chunk of it almost a year ago. "But the fact is it's in no one's interest not to keep this new transaction secret," a source tells me.

As to why Shapiro is interested in CKX, my sources say it's primarily because of the company's high-profile American Idol and Elvis Presley and most of Muhammad Ali assets. Despite some beliefs that American Idol may suffer after judge Simon Cowell exits, and especially when his hit UK show X Factor starts competing in the U.S. market, I hear that Shapiro is convinced that Idol will continue strong through at least the 5 years left on its U.S. contract. "His opinion is that Idol is here to stay. It has 20 million viewers. Even its viewership goes down to 10 million viewers, it's still a huge hit," an insider tells me. Plus, Shapiro is becoming a heavy in the U.S. television syndication market through his recent TV Guide Channel deals for Ugly Betty, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Weeds. Surely, American Idol will find its way there was well. (My information is that TV Guide Channel's 51% owner Lionsgate is not involved at all in the Shapiro-One Equity partners-CKX planned deal.)

Shapiro is always on the prowl for well-known brands that are poorly managed, and then getting in and out of deals once he's taken the undervalued assets and made them worth more. For instance, he facilitated the leveraged buyout of dick clark productions (dcp) and became CEO in 2004 before selling it in 2007. While at dcp, Shapiro served as Executive Producer of So You Think You Can Dance, The Golden Globes, American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and New Years Rockin’ Eve. As president of Mosaic Media Group, he expanded Mosaic from an entertainment service business into an asset management company by investing in and controlling strategic media assets.

He arranged Mosaic’s acquisition of Hamstein Music (ZZ Top) and the Daksel & Seldak (Aerosmith) catalog to form Mosaic Music Publishing which he then sold in 2005. Prior to joining Mosaic, Shapiro served as President / CEO of The IndieProd Company, where he arranged the sale of the Company to Carolco Pictures.

As for the deal for CKX, it's already been reported recently that CKX chairman/CEO Robert F.X. Sillerman values the company at $558M, or roughly $6 a share. The share price climbed sharply after the WSJ broke the news of the negtoations with One Equity partners back in March. But that's way down from 2007's valuation of $1.3B. (Sale of EPE, Source: Deadline Hollywood)

Visit EIN's comprehensive "Sale of EPE Archives"

Elvis owned Bible to go on display in UK: Elvis Presley’s Bible is to go on display at next month’s Christian Resources Exhibition, along with Reggie Kray’s, John Bunyan’s and the Bible of William Tyndale himself. But what on earth is Reggie Kray’s Bible doing there? And which of Elvis’s many Bibles is this?Elvis kept a Bible – King James version always – by his bedside, and left a copy in every room of Graceland, his colonial-style mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. He was an avid daily reader and had several favourite passages.

Probably he had developed the habit of reading scripture back in the Fifties when he began attended the Assembly of God church in south Memphis, where, incidentally, he would have heard the Blackwood Brothers Quartet performing. Elvis also attended Sunday morning Bible study (along with the Blackwoods) at the church. He went to church on his own because by this time his parents had pretty much stopped going. Vernon, his father, complained of a bad back and was often out of work. Gladys, his beloved mother, was by that time considerably overweight.

Anyway, in later years Elvis would pore over key texts in the small hours, pondering their significance – sometimes quite morbidly. For example, the famous line in St Matthew’s gospel (19:24), “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God”, caused him particular concern, especially towards the end of his life. That text was close to Gladys’s heart also.

There is no doubt that Elvis Presley was a man with a profound faith. For all his life, but more and more as he got older and more successful, he was a seeker after religious knowledge. He puzzled over the purpose of the universe, and his own life and mission in particular.Unlike Michael Jackson, who appears to have willingly assumed the title “King of Pop” in his self-promotion, Elvis did not apply the moniker “the King” to himself. It is reported that when fans acclaimed him as “the King” he would reply: “I’m not the King. There is only one King.”It’s interesting that compared to the egomaniacal stars of today, Elvis was, even at the height of his fame, self-effacing and gracious. You can see this graciousness in press conferences when he respectfully addresses reporters as “sir” (or “honey” if it’s a girl).

Elvis liked to embrace all faiths and so was an ecumenicist and a syncretist before it was fashionable. Around his neck he often wore both a star of David and a cross. He used to joke that he didn’t want to be left out of heaven on a technicality. Under the influence of a hairdresser named Larry Geller, he explored non-Christian beliefs contained in popular texts of the period such as The Impersonal Life and The Autobiography of a Yogi. But it was the Bible to which he always returned. You can see one of the many editions he possessed at the Christian Resources Exhibition, at Sandown Park in Surrey from May 11 to 14. (News, Source: Mike Bashford/Andrew M. Brown, Telegraph UK)

Marty Lacker comments: Elvis did not keep a Bible in every room at Graceland. He had a Bible upstairs but I do not remember ever seeing it on his night table next to his bed.

Unique Ebay Offer - LAMAR FIKE'S MEMPHIS MAFIA JACKET: If you are after a piece of the Memphis Mafia, then you should get on over to ebay for your chance to own Lamar Fikes Mafia jacket. Back in '97, five of the original Memphis Mafia, Billy Smith, Red and Sonny West, Marty Lacker and Lamar Fike embarked on a project of the highly acclaimed video production, "All The King's Men".
In conjunction with the videos, special clothing was custom made which included golf style shirts with the Memphis Mafia logo and a very special team jacket that had the big Memphis Mafia logo on the back, in the Mafia colours of Red and White on the black background of the jackets colour. The sleeves were made with black leather and a smaller Mafia logo was on one front side of the jacket with  Lamar's name on the other.
Lamar hates to part with it but as many of you know he has been battling Cancer and the treatments are very expensive.  So much so that it greatly depleted all of his vast savings which he had accumulated after a very successful career in the Nashville Music Industry. So Lamar is now offering his jacket to the highest bidder to some very lucky Elvis fan.

Click here for more Elvis and Lamar pictures and Ebay info.
(News, Source: MM)

Elvis in Lego: As your site is one of the best Elvis fan sites we've come across I was just emailing to let you know about www.little-legends.com. A brand new site designing and making custom Lego minifigures of famous stars from Music and Film.
 

We have exclusive Elvis Presley figures that I thought you and your site members might find interesting. Each figure comes complete with stand and gift box, making them unique presents for Elvis fans and collectors alike. I hope you find this of some interest. (News, Source: Little Legends)

 

EIN Note: The 2 most popular products from Little Legends are currently

  1. Elvis Presley - Las Vegas Edition! - Custom Lego Minifigure
  2. Elvis Presley - Custom Lego Minifigure
In 3rd spot is a Michael Jackson figure.

 

Another Elvis Auction: Another impressive Elvis auction is coming up in Las Vegas at the Planet Hollywood Hotel next June 24-25. You can see what's available at the auction on pages 86-87 of the online catalogue, then 109 to 175 & then 322 (back cover). For sale are rings, necklaces, clothing, contracts, gold records, signed postcards, scarfs, documents, contracts, souvenirs, even this Las Vegas 1976-1977 guitar is up for sale. (News, Source: Elvis News/Elvis Matters)

A Little Less Constipation: ELVIS Presley's doctor claims the legendary singer did not die from an irregular heartbeat as first thought, but of an embarrassing case of chronic constipation, FOXNews.com reports.

Dr. George “Nick” Nichopoulos, who was by Presley's side for the last 12 years of his life and tried to resuscitate him the day he died, has released a book, titled The King and Dr. Nick, revealing his belief that it was chronic constipation that actually killed the King of Rock and Roll in 1977.

Presley was thought to have died, aged 42, from cardiac arrhythmia, possibly brought on by drug dependency, obesity and a weak heart.

“After he died we weren’t sure (of the exact cause of death) so I continued to do some research and I had some doctors call me from different places and different med schools that were doing research on constipation,” the now-retired Memphis M.D told FOXNews.com's Pop Tarts.

According to Nichopoulos, an autopsy revealed that Presley’s colon was five to six inches in diameter (whereas the normal width is two to three inches) and instead of being the standard four to five feet long, his colon was eight to nine feet in length.

“We didn’t realize until the autopsy that his constipation was as bad," the doctor explains of Presley's condition. We found stool in his colon which had been there for four or five months because of the poor motility of the bowel.”

In 1975, treatment involved removing part of the colon, known as a colostomy, and at the time Nichopoulos was in talks with a surgeon at the University of Memphis to perform the procedure.

However, Presley’s ego got in the way.

“He would get embarrassed, he’d have accidents onstage. He’d have to change clothes and come back because of the way we were trying to treat his constipation,” Nichopoulos said.

Nichopoulos also believed that Presley’s prominent weight gain in the years prior to his death was not a result of overeating or eating the wrong foods, as they initially assumed. The doctor says that Presley's bloated appearance was due to his severe constipation. (News, Source: Hollie McKay, news.com.au)

Read EIN's recent interview with Dr. Nick

Elvis autographed newsletter: King Video's Larry Patrick advises: "We have a new item that may interest you. Its an 8-page newsletter from the Sean Shaver Elvis Fan Club in the 70s! The newsletter alone is quite a rare find but this one is autographed by Elvis! And this comes with a LOA from Sean Shaver himself! Below we have provided links to view both the signed newsletter and the letter from Sean.

You can add this wonderful treasure to your own personal collection for only $395 USD + p&h  (insurance is optional)"

Sean’s letter................................... signed Newsletter

Wednesday 5 May 2010.

Unique Ebay Offer - LAMAR FIKE'S MEMPHIS MAFIA JACKET: If you are after a piece of the Memphis Mafia, then you should get on over to ebay for your chance to own Lamar Fikes Mafia jacket. Back in '97, five of the original Memphis Mafia, Billy Smith, Red and Sonny West, Marty Lacker and Lamar Fike embarked on a project of the highly acclaimed video production, "All The King's Men".
In conjunction with the videos, special clothing was custom made which included golf style shirts with the Memphis Mafia logo and a very special team jacket that had the big Memphis Mafia logo on the back, in the Mafia colours of Red and White on the black background of the jackets colour. The sleeves were made with black leather and a smaller Mafia logo was on one front side of the jacket with  Lamar's name on the other.
Lamar hates to part with it but as many of you know he has been battling Cancer and the treatments are very expensive.  So much so that it greatly depleted all of his vast savings which he had accumulated after a very successful career in the Nashville Music Industry. So Lamar is now offering his jacket to the highest bidder to some very lucky Elvis fan.

Click here for more Elvis and Lamar pictures and Ebay info.
(News, Source;MM)

UPDATED - 'On Stage' 40th Anniversary CD review: Now with new reader feedback and alternate reviews: Back in 1970 Elvis' ‘On Stage’ live album was unique in that it featured a totally different message with an Elvis in concert album featuring no Elvis oldies and hits! It cleverly demonstrated that Elvis really was musically & professionally growing, recording an album that showcased original material from new songwriters and which no longer had to depend on his own greatest-hits.
With this fabulous 40th Anniversary Legacy release SONY also includes Elvis' stunning 1969 'In Person' album giving us two definitive Vegas concert performances from 1969 and 1970 as well as a 24-page booklet.
EIN's Piers Beagley has a close look at this special 40th Anniversary release to find out some sensational audio delights.
Click for the reviews - and have YOUR SAY!.
(Spotlight, Source;EIN)
Memphis and Graceland Free of Flooding and Open to Visitors: EPE states their gratitude that Memphis was fortunate enough to have not suffered any major flooding or damage after heavy rains moved through Memphis and across the state of Tennessee over the weekend.  All roads, hotels, restaurants and Memphis area attractions such as Graceland and Beale Street are open and operating as normal.
Our hearts go out to our neighbors to the east here in the Volunteer State that have been impacted by this weather event. 
It is recommended that travelers headed to or from Nashville and the Middle Tennessee region check for road closures and plan trip routes using the Department of Transportation website. For Nashville specific information, check visitmusiccity.com for the latest visitor and hotel information. Right shows the Grand Ol Opry and Hotel in flood.
Go here for more dramatic Nashville flood images
(News, Source;EPE/EIN)

'ELVIS Coming Home'- new DVD, out end of May: For the first time in over a year, an all new Star DVD release titled ‘ELVIS COMING HOME’ will be released in May 2010. This Star DVD collection will feature an all new mixture of Elvis songs and clips with highlights from the fascinating late sixties period. This is Pure Elvis Magic featuring typical Star video edits and mixes.
This excellent sharp video mixes of some great late sixties songs, with brand new edited videos include the following songs:
Guitar Man, Big Boss Man, Edge of Reality, Going Home, Just Call Me Lonesome, Wonderful World, Fools Fall in Love, You Don’t Know Me, Clean Up Your Own Backyard, Rubberneckin’, A Little Less Conversation, It Hurts Me, Let Yourself Go, Power of My Love, Tomorrow is A Long Time, Singing Tree, I’m Movin’ On, Come What May, All I Needed Was the Rain, Charro!, Almost in Love, U.S. Male, Too Much Monkey Business, Stay Away, Almost.

CLICK HERE to the trailer.


(News, Source;STAR)

Graceland's Celebrity Visitors Through the Years: For many years, from the time Graceland opened to the public on June 7, 1982, the tour guide staff informally kept a list of the celebrities who visited. We’ve missed a few names along the way and, unfortunately, we did not always keep track of the dates. If you know of someone we missed and, please do let us know and we'll add the name if we can document the visit. In all the hubbub around here, word sometimes doesn't get to the web staff to post. E-mails from fans to help out are always appreciated.
Latest Additions: May 2, 2010: members from the band Rock Sugar. April 30, 2010: Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit. April 8, 2010: Bill Eubanks, interior decorator. April 9, 2010: Patrick Warburton, from Seinfeld and Family Guy. November 10, 2009: Orianthi, musician. September 20, 2009: George Rodrique, Blue Dog Artist. June 5, 2009: David Feherty, PGA Tour professional golfer. May 4, 2009: Elvis Costello, musician. April 12, 2009: Katy Perry, musician. April 9, 2009: Shaquille O'Neal, professional basketball player. November 10, 2008: Chris Tucker from Rush Hour. August 3, 2008: Dave Matthews from Dave Matthews Band; May 12, 2008: Tony Stewart, NASCAR driver. April 8, 2008: Joel Olsteen from Olsteen Ministries. February 24, 2008:  famed illusionist David Copperfield (second visit).  Feb 22, 2008:  Dancer Louis van Amstel from the hit TV show Dancing with the Stars.  Feb1, 2008:  the Food Network's Guy Fieri.  Jan 20, 2007: the Reverend Al Sharpton. (Right, Ultimate Elvis collector, Nic Cage)
(News, Source;EPE/EIN)

 

New import CD 'Christmas Today' released: This new release by Venus Productions, is out now. Christmas Today combines the 1971 Christmas sessions and the 1975 Today sessions.


See tracklisting below

 

 

(News, Source;Venus)

Monday 3 May 2010....... ........nearly 20 items added. .... Who said the Elvis world was dull!

The King and the Burlesque Queen: As Presleymania raged in 1956, Elvis did a promotional photo shoot with the Queen of Burlesque, the statuesque Tempest Storm. But did an unlikely relationship between the two stars subsequently blossom?

Read excerpts from Tempest Storm's fascinating, autobiography, The Lady Is A Vamp. In her book, Tempest decribes a hot affair which was eventually derailed by their busy careers and an interfering manager.

.........Even with his dark skin, Elvis blushed deeply when he saw me.  I could tell he was trying not to look at my plunging neckline as he said in a deep but boyish voice tinged with a southern accent, “Hello, Miss Storm.  Your show is the greatest.”…….

Click here to read the excerpts and view more photos

(Spotlight, Source: EIN)

'Elvis Presley's Memphis' book offer: Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. and Memphis’ award-winning newspaper, The Commercial Appeal, are proud to bring Elvis fans, historians and music lovers around the world an exciting new book, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. Both entities have opened their significant archives and discovered photographs, documents and news stories that share Memphis through the eyes of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. This hard-bound, full color, collector’s book contains photos, reproductions of articles and more.

Click here to find out more

FTD deletes 'So High': FTD will delete the So High release when its last remaining stocks are exhausted. (News, Source: EP Gold)

Elvis electrifying On Stage in 1969-70: Elvis Presley once said, "My favorite part of the business is a live concert."  After a long break from touring, Elvis made a triumphant return to the stage that confirmed his status as one of the era's most exciting live performers.  Those landmark concerts sound better than ever on the newly re-mastered CD set, "Elvis Presley On Stage."

By June 1969, Elvis was topping the charts again, following the release of his critically-acclaimed album, "From Elvis In Memphis."  It included the hit singles "Suspicious Minds," "In The Ghetto, "Don't Cry Daddy"" and "Kentucky Rain."

Next was his historic run of 57 shows before a nightly crowd of 2,000 in the International Hotel's lavish showroom.  Once Elvis overcame opening night jitters, he gave a concert so moving that Rolling Stone magazine suggested that Elvis had singlehandedly resurrected his career.

Looking back, singer Tom Jones remembers, "That was Elvis at his peak; his voice was still as strong, he looked great, he performed great, and he was Elvis Presley once again." (Review excerpt, Doug Levine, voanews.com)

Read EIN's detailed review of "On Stage"

Move over Charlie....El's Angels are now on the scene: What if Elvis did not die and was running a secret detective agency called "El's Angels" out of a secret area of the Graceland mansion. Elvis is in charge of several female detectives seeking to solve whatever crime Elvis sends them on. The first case deals with a "wood nymph", long believed to be a myth. He plays a tune and children follow him away from their homes. Elvis is concerned and sends his "angels" to solve the case. Check it out at this YouTube address. The movie is in two parts....... (News, Source: alt.elvis.king)

ELVIS LOUNGE CD is now available on Sashimi Records: The TV Promotion started tomorrow April 30th.2010 on DELUXE MUSIC TV.

The video is coming soon on DELUXE MUSIC.

Watch the preview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYa8AXg9blY
If something is really good it will last forever. Elvis will last forever.Some details might change. In this case it´s the Sound. ELVIS goes LOUNGE. If you think spontaneously about your 5 favourite ELVIS Songs you can be sure you will find them on the ELVIS LOUNGE CD. Unforgettable songs like In The Ghetto, Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock and A Little Less Conversation are recorded & performed in a cool and urban Lounge Sound.

ELVIS LOUNGE is new and familiar at the same time.


GERMAN: Wenn etwas richtig gut ist, hat es auch Bestand. Das ist mit der Sachertorte so, das ist mit Ehen so, das ist mit Elvis so. Über die Jahre verändert sich das ein oder andere Detail: anderer Schokoüberzug, anderer Ehepartner oder wie im vorliegenden Fall. Ein anderer Sound: Elvis goes Lounge.

Von den fünf Elvis-Songs, die Ihnen spontan einfallen, sind sicher fünf auf dieser CD vereint: Allen voran die unsterblichen Elvis Klassiker The Ghetto, Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock und A Little Less Conversation. Diese und sechs weitere finden Sie auf diesem einmalig guten Lounge Sampler, der die legendären Elvis Evergreens in ein modernes Lounge Konzeptverpackt und ihnen damit zu einem unerwartet coolen Comeback verhilft. Elvis Klassiker im urbanen Lounge Sound ist überraschend neu und altvertraut zugleich.

Elvisly Greetings
ELVIS LOUNGE

Homepage: http://www.elvis-lounge.de
Booking: info@elvis-lounge.de

CD order: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9H3FMVRHXBWNC

Elvis and Elvis Presley are registered trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. (News, Source: Brian Quinn)

Elvis Signed Contracts Sold: Elvis Presley 1957 signed Graceland real estate sale contract, two sided, 8. 5" x 14," - Elvis signed "sale contract form approved by real estate board of Memphis" to purchase Graceland on March 21, 1957 for $102,500, the terms in the contract included the deed on Elvis' East Memphis house located at 1034 Audubon Drive for a $55,000 deduction from the sale price, Elvis signed the document, together with his father Vernon Presley and his mother Gladys (died aug. 14, 1958),"bosworth, inc realtors, memphis, tennessee," 13. 891 acres, "1034 Audobon Drive is not to be shown until possession is given" handwritten addendum,

Graceland Farms was originally owned by S.C. Toof and named after toof's daughter, Grace,who inherited the farm, the portion of the land designated as Graceland today was given to Grace Toof's niece, Ruth Moore, "part of the Thomas D. Moore 179. 42 acre tract,... ," also signed by Ruth Brown Moore, in 1939 together with her husband Dr. Thomas Moore built the current american "colonial" style mansion that Elvis made his home until his death there on aug. 16, 1977, also signed by representative of virginia grant realty co,. Document was one of 4 "executed copies". It was sold for 25,000.00 US Dollars. (News, Source: Elvis News/  Elvis Unlimited) 


Too Much Like Elvis: Justin Bieber Show Cancelled Due To Fan Injuries: The 5,000 screaming girls that awaited Justin Bieber in Australia this past weekend were severely disappointed when the concert got cancelled. 8 girls ended up at the hospital when a stampede occurred after the doors opened.

This is SOOO like Elvis Presley!

The King’s summer tour 1974 — two guards got crushed when fans charged the stage at the concert in

Niagara Falls. A girl got knocked unconscious trying to get a scarf that had been given to a fan by Elvis on stage, but was snatched from her by a man. (Justin — don’t give any of your clothing to fan, beware!) It’s sad that the police cancelled the concert for Justin Bieber’s fans, but if they were that crazy before the concert started, then imagine how much worse it would have been once it got started! “They wouldn’t listen to our directions, so hence they left us with no option,” Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens said. He also mentioned that many of the young girls (tweens!) were there without their parents. (News, Source: CMR)
Million Dollar Quartet: a bit a fact, a lot of fantasy: Joan MarcusThe Million Dollar Quartet and their mentor, as portrayed in the new jukebox musical: (L to R): Hunter Foster as producer Sam Phillips, Levi Kreis as Jerry Lee Lewis, Robert Britton Lyons as Carl Perkins, Eddie Clendening as Elvis Presley, Lance Guest as Johnny Cash.

It's a fabled event in rock history: On Dec. 4, 1956, four of rock 'n' roll's founding fathers -- Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins -- were in the same place, Sun Records' Memphis recording studio, at the same time.

"Million Dollar Quartet," now playing on Broadway, is about what could have -- but didn't -- happen that day.
In reality, the four posed for a photo that appeared the next day in a Memphis newspaper, and Presley, Lewis, Perkins and other musicians participated in a high-spirited jam session that was released, first as a bootleg and later as a legal CD. Cash did not join in the jam -- or, at least, in the portion of it that was taped. Nor did Marilyn Evans, the girlfriend that Presley brought along.

In the musical, Cash plays as big a role as anybody else, Elvis' girlfriend (renamed Dyanne) sings a few songs, too, and hits like"Blue Suede Shoes," "I Walk the Line" and "Great Balls Of Fire" sub for the more obscure songs that dominated the session.
The Million Dollar Quartet (L-R, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash) on Tuesday December 4, 1956 in the Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. This photo was originally published in the Memphis Press-Scimitar.
"Million Dollar Quartet" earns plausibility points for keeping the music raw, limiting its music to standards and songs of the era, and including a few tunes that really were performed that day ("Brown Eyed Handsome Man," "Down by the Riverside," "Peace in the Valley"). But it's still a fantasy. And, with Broadway churning out jukebox musicals, I started to wonder how some other intriguing events in rock history might translate to the stage.

"Get Back: The Musical"

In reality: On April 14, 1976, during the first season of "Saturday Night Live," producer Lorne Michaels went on the air to offer the Beatles $3,000 to reunite. It was a joke, but John Lennon and Paul McCartney, watching together in Lennon's New York apartment, considered jumping in a cab and taking Michaels up on it. They decided against it, as they were tired and unsure they could get there in time.

On Broadway: Lennon and McCartney show up at "SNL" -- as do George Harrison and Ringo Starr, who happen to be in town, too. They play Beatles hits together -- perfectly, with no rehearsals -- and NBC lets the show stay on the air an hour past its time slot. The Not Ready For Prime Time Players join in, and John Belushi steals the show by imitating Joe Cocker on "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window."

"The King and Me"

In reality: On April 29, 1976, after performing with the E Street Band in Memphis, Tenn., Bruce Springsteen took a cab to Graceland in hopes of meeting Elvis Presley. He jumped the fence, but security guards told him that Presley was out of town and escorted him out.

On Broadway: Elvis, out for a midnight walk, sees the scruffy young musician and, taking pity on him, welcomes him into the house. Springsteen proves he's famous, too, by pointing out his picture on the cover of a six-month-old issue of Time magazine that Elvis had just gotten around to reading. They sing and play for each other, and Elvis asks the Boss to write a song for him. On the spot, he comes up with "Fire," and the two duet on it as the sun comes up.

"A Brand New Bag"

In reality: On Aug. 20, 1983, Michael Jackson and Prince, who both had released breakthrough albums the previous fall ("Thriller" and "1999," respectively), attended a James Brown/B.B. King concert at the Beverly Theatre in Beverly Hills, Calif. Jackson, Prince and King all made brief appearances during Brown's set.

On Broadway: At a post-show jam session, secrets are revealed, revelations are made and lives are changed forever. Jackson tells everyone that if he ever has any sons, he will name them all Prince.

Where: Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41st St., New York

When: Tuesdays and Sundays, 7 p.m.; Wednesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m; matinees Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m.

How much: $45 to $135. Call (212) 307-4100 or visit ticketmaster.com. (Source: Jay Lustig/The Star-Ledger/nj.com)

Vote for Elvis in Poll for Best Musicians (News, Source: Brian Quinn)

Elvis and Shakespeare inspire Mackay senior students: When Elvis walked into a room they say your heart skipped a beat as he reached for guitar and launched into the first pelvis thrust.

That same Elvis excitement has been brought back to life courtesy of a high school musical in Mackay, Queensland.

In between studying for their final years of school St Patricks Senior College students have been preparing a performance based on a Shakespeare classic but inspired by Elvis and the fifties.

The musical titled 'All Shook Up' runs over two hours and showcases over two dozen Elvis songs, accompanied by a live band. (News, Source: Daniel Hamilton, ABC News Australia)

Elvis appearance opposite Gordon Brown sparks investigation: (Further to our earlier news item last month) an official investgation has begun into whether an Elvis impersonator's performance for UK PM, Gordon Brown, broke the law.

He was hailed by Alastair Campbell as the "megastar" who would boost Gordon Brown's flagging election campaign, but an Elvis impersonator has left Labour feeling all shook up.

Mandrake learns that Corby borough council is investigating whether the performance at the weekend breached the Licensing Act.

Elvis impersonator Mark Wright greets Gordon Brown in Corby Photo: PA

Lodge Park Technology College, where Mark Wright sang for the Prime Minister, is not allowed to permit performances of live music before 6pm. Damian Wilkins, the health protection manager at Corby council, has contacted Tom Waterworth, the head teacher, to demand an explanation. Under the Act, Campbell, the organiser of the event, and Waterworth, the licence holder, could face criminal prosecution resulting in six months in prison or a £20,000 fine.

The college was unable to get a Temporary Event Notice authorising the performance of music, as plans to allow last-minute event notices were withdrawn by the Government this month. Wright, who is from Corby, had entered the building as the Prime Minister concluded his speech. The impersonator serenaded the Labour Party supporters with A Little Less Conversation.

No flies on Gordon Brown - Mandrake has an inkling why Gordon Brown was never very enthusiastic about jumping into bed with Nick Clegg. North of the border, Clegg is the word to describe a large blood-sucking fly. (News, Source: Tim Walker, telegraph.co.uk)

Global Chart Update - Week 16:

United States:

Billboard 200:
• #186 (Re) Elvis 75 [1CD]
• #199 (Re) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

Top 50 Christian Albums:
• #38 (26) An Evening Prayer

Top 50 Catalog Albums:
• #29 (Re) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

US (Soundscan) sales, as of this week:
• Essential Elvis - 324,000
• Suspicious Minds (digital track) - 515,000 (downloaded 4,000 times last week)


 Australia:

Top 40 DVDs:
• #19 (20) Elvis: The King Of Rock ’N’ Roll

Top 50 Catalogue Albums:
• #20 (15) The King

Accreditation news:
Last week, the DVD Elvis: The King Of Rock 'N' Roll was certified 3x PLATINUM in Australia

(3xP = 45,000+ shipped copies)

Canada:

Top 50 Country Albums:
• #16 (33) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits
• #66 (82) Essential Elvis (News, Source: FECC/Mael)

DVD reissues in Japan: According to Elvis World Japan, Paramount will be reissuing the following DVD titles on 28 May: King Creole; G.I. Blues; Blue Hawaii; Girls! Girls! Girls!; Fun In Acapulco; Roustabout; Paradise, Hawaiian Style and Easy Come, Easy Go. And EWJ also reports that on April 20 in Japan the Chrome Dreams label released All Hail The King (2-DVD), comprising the prevviously released titles, "The Memphis Flash" & "The Last 24 Hours".

Elvis' "An American Trilogy" features in new Nicolas Cage film, Kick-Ass:

It may be 'violent, obscene and outrageously entertaining' (take EIN's word for it....it is all of these and more!!!), but the climactic action sequence in Kick-Ass plays out to the pounding sound of Elvis and orchestra soaring high on An American Trilogy.

Comic book lovers will thoroughly enjoy how the comic book sensibility has been vibrantly transferred to the big screen. But a big, big warning.......don't cross Hit Girl!

Aussie Chart Update: On today's ARIA Music DVD Chart, Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll drops 3 spots to #22. The release is certified 3xP and has been in the chart for 103 weeks peaking at #4.
How it all got started - website around Elvis' contract with one Colonel Tom Parker: Copies of Elvis' seminal 1955 contract with the Colonel are now available to buy! Own a piece of music history!
Elvis Uncensored DVD: On Elvis Club Berlin, Elvis News found this 4 DVD set: Memories Of The King. No more details are known.
'Ale house rock' charity record attempt in Suffolk: An Elvis Presley impersonator from Suffolk will attempt to break a Guinness World Record by singing his idol's songs non-stop for three days. Simon Goldsmith, 36, of Little Bealings near Woodbridge, must sing for more than 43 hours, 11 minutes and 11 seconds to beat the current record.

The delivery driver will start singing at 0800 BST on Friday at the White Lion pub in Lower Ufford. Mr Goldsmith is raising money for St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich. His father died of cancer at the hospice last year. Mr Goldsmith, who performs under the name Harry Isaac Presley, needs to beat Thomas Gothje, from Germany, who set the record in 2004.

 
Keeping voice fresh'"I love crazy ideas and I wanted to do something a bit special, so I looked up some world records and this one really appealed to me," Mr Goldsmith said. "I've got no problem in staying awake for that long, it's just the effect on my vocal chords. "I'm going to have to work on some tricks to keep my voice fresh." A spokesman for Guinness World Records said: "Simon has been in contact with us with the intention of breaking the current world record. "We'd like to wish him the very best of luck in his effort." (News, Source: BBC)

 

Sunday 2 May 2010
'On Stage' 40th Anniversary release in-depth review: Back in 1970 Elvis' ‘On Stage’ live album was unique in that it featured a totally different message with an Elvis in concert album featuring no Elvis oldies and hits! It cleverly demonstrated that Elvis really was musically & professionally growing, recording an album that showcased original material from new songwriters and which no longer had to depend on his own greatest-hits.
Elvis showed that he could find great country-funk-rock songs, like the stunning ‘Polk Salad Annie’ and ‘Proud Mary’, while at the same time put his very soul on-line with an amazing ‘Release Me’ and ‘Let It Be Me.’
With this fabulous 40th Anniversary Legacy release SONY also includes Elvis' stunning 1969 'In Person' album giving us two definitive Vegas concert performances from 1969 and 1970 as well as a 24-page booklet.
EIN's Piers Beagley has a close look at this special 40th Anniversary release to find out some sensational audio delights.
Check out this in-depth 4000 word review and images.
(Spotlight, Source;EIN)

Vintage Rock & Pop Auction: Backstage Auctions has some exciting news that we believe you will want to share with the visitors and loyal supporters to your website. We are pleased to announce our spring event, the "Vintage Pop & Rock Auction" featuring collectibles direct from the personal collection of several notable music industry professionals and artists.
The auction will showcase over 500 lots of amazing and authentic rock and pop music memorabilia featuring 100's of artist signed collectibles, recordings, rare photos, original art work, promotional and concert posters, record awards, concert tickets, backstage passes, promotional merchandise, massive vinyl collection, stage gear and artist worn apparel, drum sticks, exclusive ephemera, tour books and even a couple of really cool juke boxes.
Among the many incredibly cool items, the auction catalog features an impressive collection of Elvis Presley items, including a signed Elvis single and other rare memorabilia pieces from Sun Record's very own Marion Keisker as well as an extensive vinyl collection from a former RCA Victor executive!
A special preview of the auction lots begins on Saturday, May 8th. The auction will be held online from Sunday, May 16th through Sunday, May 23rd.

Click here for more Auction details
 
(News, Source:ElvisNews/Backstage Auctions)

'Christmas Today' new Venus CD Flyer: Coming soon from Venus Productions a new double CD set titled "Christmas Today". As detailed below, this will soon be available from Venus Productions as a new double-CD set titled Christmas Today.

The red CD features Nashville recordings from May 1971 with various out-takes and undubbed masters taken from great quality acetates.

This inspiring music will move you and bring you back into the Holiday Season mood.

The blue CD may sound unessential to most of you, but we predict it will become one your favorite CDs straight away.

Right is the new flyer.

See below for complete track details.


'ELVIS Coming Home'- new STAR DVD Trailer: For the first time in over a year, an all new Star DVD release titled ‘ELVIS COMING HOME’ will be released in May 2010. This Star DVD collection will feature an all new mixture of Elvis songs and clips with highlights from the fascinating late sixties period. This is Pure Elvis Magic featuring typical Star video edits and mixes.
This is the first time that an all new Star DVD release will be factory pressed and available on a professional commercial DVD disc. These will be available through your favourite local Elvis dealer and a trailer promo clip for this release can be seen shortly.

The excellent sharp video mixes with brand new edited videos include the following songs:
Guitar Man, Big Boss Man, Edge of Reality, Going Home, Just Call Me Lonesome, Wonderful World, Fools Fall in Love, You Don’t Know Me, Clean Up Your Own Backyard, Rubberneckin’, A Little Less Conversation, It Hurts Me, Let Yourself Go, Power of My Love, Tomorrow is A Long Time, Singing Tree, I’m Movin’ On, Come What May, All I Needed Was the Rain, Charro!, Almost in Love, U.S. Male, Too Much Monkey Business, Stay Away, Almost.

CLICK HERE to the trailer.


(News, Source;STAR)

Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil on US 'Dancing with the Stars': This week on “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC, Macy's "Stars of Dance" performance features “Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil,” with a medley of Elvis Presley’s iconic hits “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Heartbreak Hotel.” Check your local listings for time in your area.
Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil®, a harmonious fusion of dance, acrobatics and live music, is a tribute to the life and music of Elvis Presley. Nostalgia, modernity and raw emotion provide the backdrop for his immortal voice and the exhilaration and beauty of his music.
Created in the image of The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – powerful, sexy, whimsical, truly unique and larger than life – the show highlights an American icon who transformed popular music and whose image embodies the freedom, excitement and turbulence of his era.

Click here for EIN's Spotlight on everything "VIVA ELVIS".

Click here for show trailers and more info

(News, Source;EPE/EIN)

'Elvis Live Live Live' DVD Promo trailer: To be released the last week of May and limited to less than 1000 copies.
Captain Video will re-release the Messiah Productions DVD simply titled ‘Elvis Live Live Live’ in May 2010. The original DVD was released on a DVD-R back in January but this time will be a factory pressed commercial DVD and will contain even more unreleased footage than before.

The extra bonus footage highlights will include for the first time ever, the complete ‘Always on my Mind’ rehearsal from ‘Elvis on Tour’. This was only ever seen before in part, on the movie ‘This Is Elvis’.

The factory pressed DVD will also include the “Rock n’ Roll Medley” rehearsal from Hollywood in 1972 in exceptional quality plus much more. Other highlights include all of the ‘Charro’ nude scenes, Elvis live at ‘Madison Square Gardens’ in 1972 with the complete Press Conference, the complete documentary on the 1971 Jaycees Awards and, the complete 1970 Houston Press Conference.

CLICK HERE FOR THE PROMO

(News, Source: Captain Video)

New Australian Elvis show 'If I Can Dream': Australian ETA Mark Anthony will be performing his new Elvis show in Adelaide on the 4th of September at Her Majesty's Theatre.

It is a documentary come to life on stage.

Mark Anthony is once again through to the Memphis finals for the Ultimate Tribute Artist Contest, as he won the prestigious Toronto Elvis Festival competions.

 

(News, Source:MarkAnthony)

Tony Aron - new CD features Elvis: A new singer from the Netherlands, Tony Aron, has been creating some interest amongst Elvis fans.
He is also releasing a CD called "Elvis by Me, From the heart"  


EIN member Annemaree sent in this link to a fine version of Elvis' 'How The Web Was Woven'

Check out more about Tony Aron and here his version - here.

(News, Source;Annemaree)
Elvis' Induction into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 1986: In 1986 the 'Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame' was created and Elvis was one of the first ten inductees The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was established in 1986 and is located in Cleveland, Ohio and is dedicated to recording the history of some of the best-known and most influential musicians, bands, producers, and others that have in some major way influenced the music industry, particularly in the area of rock and roll.
As George Klein says "Elvis wasn't a star, he was a Galaxy."
 
 

(News, Source;BrianQuinn)
New Plans For Tupelo Birthplace: An official with the Elvis Birthplace and Museum expects little trouble in coming up with a 20 percent local match to garner $2.8 million from the state to enhance the Tupelo tourist destination.
The funds to improve the Tupelo birthplace of the King of Rock 'n' Roll is part of a $400 million bond package signed into law earlier this month by Gov. Haley Barbour.
Many Tupelo businesses, said Guyton, would probably see the local matching funds as an opportunity to make improvements that would attract more visitors to the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum and longer stays.
That will help those businesses and all of the local economy, agreed Tupelo Mayor Jack Reed Jr.
The first-term mayor said he supports the idea of making the birthplace a destination that would entice tourists to stay overnight instead of half a day, as many do now when they visit Tupelo as a side trip to Graceland in Memphis.
The bond package includes funds primarily for repair and renovations at the eight public universities, 15 community colleges, other state-owned buildings and for other tourism-related sites.
More than $150 million of the package is for loan programs, such as infrastructure repairs to local governments, or have provisions that prevent the state from issuing the bonds and incurring debt unless conditions are met, such as matching funds being provided.
The bond package, along with another $300 million transportation bill signed earlier this year by Barbour, combine to make one of the largest bond packages passed by the Legislature in recent years.
Guyton said the next step will be to hire an architect to put together the plans for the birthplace.
"We can't do that until the bonds are sold. We don't know when that will be," he said. The bonds most likely will be sold this year, but an exact date is not known.
The primary planned improvements would be a theater connected to the museum and gift shop and a Elvis Childhood trail leading to an amphitheater. The theater would include a state-of-the-art sound system and screen for various programs. For instance, Elvis Presley movies could be played on the large screen as could interviews of people who grew up with him.
Plus, the theater would be available for other events, such as wedding receptions.
But the plan would call for programs ongoing and scheduled 18 months in advance for the many foreign Elvis fans who schedule their travel early.
"We would do anything and everything we can think of to extend the stay in Tupelo," Henry Dodge, chair of the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation, said in an earlier interview when he visited the Legislature to advocate for the project.
While the project had wide support among Northeast Mississippi legislators, Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, who began working on the project in the 2009 session, played a key role in its passage.
"This is already a top tourism attraction, and we are going to make it better," Holland said.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/NEMS Daily Journal)
'Christmas Today' new Venus CD release: Coming soon from Venus Productions a new double CD set titled "Christmas Today". The red CD features Nashville recordings from May 1971 with various out-takes and undubbed masters taken from great quality acetates.
This inspiring music will move you and bring you back into the Holiday Season mood. The blue CD may sound unessential to most of you, but we predict it will become one your favorite CDs straight away.
The recording sessions for the album Elvis Today took place at RCA’s studio on Sunset Boulevard, and Elvis was really up for it and his lively enthusiasm can be heard throughout the sessions.
Besides the great sound quality of both CDs, the blue one contains some unheard highlights. By example the master take of  'Fairytale' runs about 40 seconds longer and 'Susan When She Tried' also runs a bit longer with his original ending, plus there are several bits and pieces that will make you value this CD more than you think.
This Holiday delight will be released in a standard jewel case with a 16 page booklet. The booklet will feature two front/back covers you may use according to your taste or season.
Christmas is coming early in 2010 !!!
Get a copy and bring it back home as it’s Christmas Today !!!
Tracklist: CD RED: 1, I'll Be Home On Christmas Day Take 6; 2- Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees Take 3; 3- On A Snowy Christmas Night undubbed master *; 4- The Wonderful World Of Christmas undubbed master *; 5- Silver Bells Take 1; 6- I'll Be Home On Christmas Day Takes 1-2; 7- The Lord's Prayer; 8- Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees Takes 1-2; 9- The First Noel undubbed master *; 10- Winter Wonderland Take 7; 11- I'll Be Home On Christmas Day Takes 5,7,3; 12- Merry Christmas Baby Fs, undubbed master *; 13- If I Get Home On Christmas Day undubbed master *; 14- Silver Bells undubbed master *; 15- Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees Takes 5,6,7,4; 16- Winter Wonderland undubbed master *; 17- It Won't Seem Like Christmas Without You undubbed master *; 18- I'll Be Home On Christmas Day undubbed master *; 19-Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees undubbed master *; 20- O Come, All Ye Faithful undubbed master *; 21- I'll Be Home On Christmas Day Take 4; 22- Silver Bells Fs,Tk2 (original session recording),Tk3 (Fs). * from acetate
CD BLUE
1 - T-R-O-U-B-LE Take 4; 2- Green Green Grass Of Home Fs, Take 1; 3- Fairytale Take 3; 4- Bringing It Back Takes 2,3; 5- Susan When She Tried Take 6; 6- I Can Help Fs, Take 2; 7- And I Love You So Take 5; 8- Green Green Grass Of Home Takes 2,3; 9- Woman Without Love Take 1; 10- Tiger Man session jam; 11- Bringing It Back Take 4; 12- And I Love You So Take 1; 13- Shake A Hand Take 3; 14- Green Green Grass Of Home Takes 4,5; 15- Pieces Of My Life Takes 4; 16- Bringing It Back Take 1.
(News, Source;Santa)

Copyright the Elvis Information Network.
Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises.
The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club.

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Elvis as Religion
Elvis CDs in 2007
Elvis DVDs in 2006
Elvis Film Guide
'2007 New Releases'
Elvis Presley In Concert "downunder" 2006
Elvis Online Virtual Library
Elvis Research Forum
Elvis Rules on Television
Graceland - The National Historic Landmark
How & where do I sell my Elvis collection?
Is Elvis the best selling artist?
Links to Elvis' family & friends
Links to other Elvis sites
Marty's Musings
Online Elvis Symposium
Parkes Elvis Festival 2009 (Australia)
Presley Law legal archives (Preslaw)
Presleys In The Press
Sale of EPE (Archives)
6th Annual Elvis Website Survey
Spotlight on The King
"Wikipedia" Elvis biography
Did You Miss?
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong - the most 'covered' Elvis album of all-time
Spotlight: Elvis Film Posters
FTD Review: An American Trilogy
Book Review: Elvis: A King in the Making
Interview: Vic Colonna - the Dangerous World of Bootlegging Elvis