Quote:
"Elvis Presley is the greatest cultural force in the 20th century."
(Leonard Bernstein)
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"If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible."
(George Klein)
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"For a dead man, Elvis Presley is awfully noisy."
(Professor Gilbert B. Rodman)
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"History has him as this good old country boy, Elvis is about as country as Bono!"
(Jerry Schilling)
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"Absolute id crashed into absolute superego...as the uptightset man in America shook hands with just about the loosest."
(Mark Feeney on the 'Elvis meets Nixon' meeting)
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"Elvis is everywhere"
(Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper)
Quote:
"...especially in the South, they talk about Elvis and Jesus in the same breath"
(Michael Ventura, LA Weekly)
Quote:
"The image is one thing and the human being is another...it's very hard to live up to an image"
(Elvis Presley, Madison Square Garden press conference, 1972)
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"Elvis was a major hero of mine. I was actually stupid enough to believe that having the same birthday as him actually meant something"
(David Bowie)
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"No-one, but no-one, is his equal, or ever will be. He was, and is supreme"
(Mick Jagger)
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"I wasn't just a fan, I was his brother...there'll never be another like that soul brother"
(Soul legend, James Brown)
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"Before Elvis there was nothing!"
(John Lennon)
Quote:
"There were rock 'n' roll records before Heartbreak Hotel, but this was the one that didn't just open the door…it literally blasted the door off its rusted, rotten, anachronistic hinges...producing, no propelling, a fundamental, primordial and unstoppable shift in not only musical, but social, political and cultural history"
(JNP, BBC website)
Quote:
"Elvis, the musician, is largely a relic belonging to the baby boomer generation...Elvis, the icon, is arguably one of the most potent symbols of popular culture"
( Dr. John Walker)
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"It [rock & roll] was always about Elvis; not just because he was Elvis, but because he was the big star"
(Bono from U2)
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"If they had let me on white radio stations back then, there never would have been an Elvis"
(Little Richard)
Quote:
"Elvis loved opera, and he especially liked Mario Lanza. He would watch The Student Prince which was set in Heidelberg, over and over again. He loved the power of the big voices. And he loved big orchestras. He liked real dramatic things"
(Marty Lacker in 'Elvis and the Memphis Mafia')
Quote:
"If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead"
(Johnny Carson)
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Elvis' #1 Pop Singles on Cashbox, USA:
Heartbreak Hotel (1956)
Don't Be Cruel (1956)
Hound Dog (1956)
Love Me Tender (1956)
Too Much (1957)
All Shook Up (1957)
Teddy Bear (1957)
Jailhouse Rock (1957)
Don't (1958)
Stuck On You (1960)
It's Now Or Never (1960)
Are You Lonesome Tonight? (1960)
Surrender (1961)
Good Luck Charm (1962)
Return To Sender (1962)
In The Ghetto (1969)
Suspicious Minds (1969)
Burning Love (1972)
(The Cashbox chart is now defunct)
Elvis Facts:
Elvis was 5' 11" tall
Elvis' natural hair color was dark blond
Elvis' blood type was O Positive
Elvis' shoe size was 11D
One of Elvis'( maternal) ancestors, Morning White Dove (born 1800, died 1835), was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian
Elvis' uncle, Noah Presley, became Mayor of East Tupelo on January 7, 1936
The Presley family moved to Memphis on November 6, 1948
Elvis was issued a Social Security card in September 1950 with the # 409-52-2002
In 1954 some of the shows played by Elvis & The Blue Moon Boys were at the Overton Park Shell; the Bel-Air Club; Sleepy-Eyed John's Eagle's Nest Club and the Louisiana Hayride
Elvis' first manager was Scotty Moore, then Bob Neal, before signing with Colonel Tom Parker
The first DJ to play an Elvis record was Fred Cook (WREC), not Dewey Phillips (WHBQ). However, Dewey had the distinction of being the first DJ to play an Elvis record in its entirety
Elvis once dated famous stripper, Tempest Storm
Elvis was filmed from the waist up only during his 3rd and final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show
In the 50s Elvis was friendly with rising stars, Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner and Ty (Bronco Lane) Hardin
Gladys Presley was 46 years old when she died, not 42, as many books suggest
The Roustabout album sold 450,000 copies on its initial release, 150,000 copies more than any of the preceding three soundtrack LPs. It was Elvis' last "soundtrack" album to reach #1 on the major album charts in the US
Elvis received $1m for filming Harum Scarum (aka Harum Holiday). The film grossed around $2m in the US
Elvis and Priscilla married on May 1, 1967
They were officially divorced on October 9, 1973
Elvis earns nearly $3.5m in 1968 and pays just over $1.4m in income tax
Elvis' return to live performing in Las Vegas on July 31, 1969 was in front of an "by invitation only" audience. Stars in attendance included Wayne Newton, Petula Clark, Shirley Bassey, Burt Bacharach and Angie Dickinson
On January 9, 1971, the national Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) announced Elvis as one of "The Top Ten Young Men of the Year". Elvis spoke at the official awards ceremony on January 16
"Elvis: Aloha From Hawai" made entertainment history on January 14, 1973, when it was beamed around the world by satellite. In the Philippines it drew 91% of the audience, in Hong Kong 70%. The viewing audience was estimated at more than 1 billion
For his 4 week Hilton Vegas season in August 1973 Elvis received $610,000
Sales of Elvis' 1973 album, Raised On Rock, were less than 200,000 units on its initial release
Elvis paid $2,959,000 in income tax in 1973
In December 1976 Elvis was sworn in as a special deputy sheriff of Shelby County (Memphis) by Sheriff Gene Barksdale
Elvis' final live concert was in Indianapolis on June 26, 1977
When Elvis died, he and his father Vernon, were embroiled in an FBI investigation called Operation Fountain Pen
More than 1,500 books have been published about The King in more than 30 languages
At Dec 2005 Elvis' biggest selling album in the US is the budget priced, Elvis' Christmas Album, with accredited sales of 9 million units (fingers crossed it reaches 10 million to give Elvis his first "Diamond" award)
By early2006, Sony BMG's "collectors label", Follow That Dream, had released more than 50 Elvis CDs
During the 1980s, tour guides at Graceland stated that Elvis' biggest selling album (globally) was Moody Blue, with sales exceeding 14 million
While Sony BMG estimates Elvis' global sales exceed 1 billion, the company is unable to substantiate this figure. Accredited sales worldwide are estimated to be less than 400 million
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The Best Elvis CD, DVD & Book Releases of All-Time
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Are you thinking about the essential inclusions in your Elvis collection?
In this article (which will be updated periodically), EIN looks at what it considers to be some of the 'best ever' Elvis CD/Record; DVD/Video; and Book/Magazine releases.
Release Date |
Type |
Title/Description |
Cover |
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1956 |
Record/CD |
Elvis Presley (RCA): Elvis' first album release. Symbolically, and creatively, a primordial record of the musical genius which went on to captivate the world, both in life and death. Raw Elvis, a landmark album, an important piece of music history. The King lived...and lives! |
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1960 |
Record/CD |
Elvis Is Back: Critically acclaimed in its day and more recently sometimes dismissed as "pop fluff", the eclectic and resonant sounds on this album should relatively rank it as high as The Beach Boys 'Pet Sounds' or The Beatles 'Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Band'. At the time it was a zenith of recording achievement. |
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1969/ 1998 |
Record/CD |
Memories: The '68 Comeback Special (BMG/RCA): A Phoenix rising from the ashes...so was Elvis' triumphant musical comeback from a soundtrack wilderness in December 1968. And in 1998, BMG gave us the best ever CD representation of that momentous occasion. This is raw, passionate music of a musician rediscovering his innate power. And you know what, its fun too! The King was...and is back...as if he ever really went away! |
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1970/ 2002 |
CD |
From Elvis In Memphis/Suspicious Minds (RCA/BMG): Elvis' 1969 critically acclaimed country flavored album, From Elvis In Memphis, received its best, and musically most appropriate showcasing, with BMG's 2CD 2002 release, 'Suspicious Minds'. The January 1969 recordings at Chip Moman's American Sound Studios in Memphis easily rank among Elvis' most potent and historically impressive recordings! The seminal diversity of his output actually ranges across pop, rock, soul, country and blues. There are few other artists who can rank or produce recorded product on this scale! It is another example of how musically innovative and ahead of the times Elvis was...great soul recordings...with soul a few years away from assuming mainstream importance. |
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1980 |
Book |
When Elvis Died A Chronicle of National and International Reaction to the Passing of an American King (Neal and Janice Gregory): Simply one of the most important Elvis books ever released. It is both a socio-cultural record of global reaction to Elvis' death and a commentary on the importance of Elvis Presley to the world. Published by Communications Press, Inc. ISBN: 0894610325. |
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1980 |
Video |
Touched By Love: Also known by its book release title, 'To Elvis, With Love', the video adaptation of nurse Lena Canada's moving account of Elvis' pen pal relationship with young Karen, a cerebral palsy victim, tugs at your heartstrings (seriously, have the tissues handy!). Starring future Hollywood superstar, Diane Lane (as Karen), and Deborah Raffin (as Lena Canada), this video deserves an official DVD release. It is a moving story of compassion, well acted, and a fitting tribute to a little known, but important, part of the Elvis story. |
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1987 |
(Unofficial) Video |
Presley ("I Don't Sing Like Nobody"/"Cut Me & I Bleed") (BBC TV): Narrated by Suzi Quatro, this riveting two-part TV documentary is a reverent representation chronicling the British fan club's trip to Elvis Week in America. The documentary is a balanced and much needed portrayal of "ordinary" Elvis fans, sans tabloid sensationalism. The documentary also inspired a big selling art print in the UK and Australia, 'Cut Me & I Bleed', an artwork constructed from an image of Elvis in the movie Flaming Star. |
No image available |
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1989 |
Book |
Heartbreak Hotel The Life and Music of Elvis Presley (Robert Mathew-Walker): Record music director and editor, Walker, provides an analytical examination of not only each of Elvis' recording sessions, but also the merits of each track recorded. Also includes minimalist, but interesting general biography. Originally published as 'Studies In Popular Music Elvis Presley' in 1989 and revised edition with new title published in 1995. ISBN: 1860740553. |
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1990 |
Book |
Early Elvis The Humes Years (Bill E. Burk): Bill Burk's 'Early Elvis' trilogy is one of the seminal The author is an internationally respected Elvis scholar and awarded journalist. His research for each The Humes Years', The Tupelo Years' (Propwash; 1994) and 'The Sun Years' (Propwash; 1997) is unrivalled in digging up little known facts, exposing myths and "hearing it as it was" from those who were actually there with Elvis at the time. Mandatory reading for any Elvis fan. Published by Red Oak Press. ISBN: 0962560405.
Click to enter Bill E. Burk's "Elvis World Online" |
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1991 |
Book |
Fire In The Sun (Ger Rijff & Jan van Gestel): One of Ger Rijff's superbly designed and engrossing photobook journeys around the young rock 'n roll King. The 1950s visuals are incredible and this hardcover release came with an added bonus, some also terrific b&w visuals of Elvis live in Vegas in 1969-70 and live in 1972 and June 1977. You have to see the photos to appreciate their stark, dramatic and beautiful quality. Americana defined. Published by Tutti Frutti Productions, Amsterdam. |
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1992 |
Book |
Elvis The Concert Years 1969-1977 (Stein Erik Skar): This was the best Elvis book release of and arguably the outstanding release dealing with Elvis' live performances from 1969. Justifiably has legendary status in the Elvis world with its solid text, great visuals and reproductions of concert reviews etc. Published by The Flaming Star Elvis Presley Fan Club of Norway. ISBN: 8299427800 |
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1993 |
Book |
Dispelling the Myths: An analysis of American Attitudes and Prejudices (Todd Rheingold): Riveting examination of Elvis and his alleged misappropriation of "black" music. Balanced demystification of the complex attitudes that continue today regarding Elvis and rock 'n' roll music. Published in hardback and softcover by Believe In The Dream Publications.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 93-090296.
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1994 |
Book |
The Atomic Powered Singer (Brian Petersen): This self-published softcover book may lack the design finesse of commercially printed books, but makes up for any seeming visual weakness through its in-depth, month-by-month look at Elvis at the peak of his rock 'n' roll days in 1956. |
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1995 |
Book |
Elvis Aaron Presley: Revelations from the Memphis Mafia (Alanna Nash with Billy Smith, Marty Lacker & Lamar Fike): Monumental oral biography that once you start reading is hard to put down. Driven largely by the tension between different accounts of the same incident. Published by Harper Collins & reissued in 2006 as 'Elvis and the Memphis Mafia' in the UK & Australia by Aurum Press. ISBN: 0060176199/ 1845131282 (2006 reissue). |
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1995 |
CD |
There's Always Me, Volume 1 (Bilko 1598/1999): The first of four magnificient 2CD long box releases from the "underground" label, Bilko. Offering magnificent outtakes in great sound quality from Elvis' 1950s recording sessions and his Nashville 1960/1963 sessions, the There's Always Me volumes deservedly gained cult status. From 'Shake, Rattle & Roll' to 'Never Ending' this release is an audio delight replete with studio chatter, false starts and other studio mishaps. Along with unofficial soundboards, these studio discs served as the prototype for BMG's 'Follow That Dream' label. |
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1996 |
Book |
The Elvis Atlas : A Journey Through Elvis Presley's America (Michael Gray & Roger Osborne): Little appreciated but fascinating examination of the Elvis story told through a clever combination of map, timeline chronology, substantive narrative and good visuals. The concept is like a page-by-page history lesson. Published by Henry Holt. ISBN: 0805041591. |
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1997 |
CD |
Elvis Latino! (BMG Argentina 74321 31495 2): What a sensational release! A "themed" or "genre" album featuring Elvis' fantastic "Latino" recordings. This collection of rumba infused recordings was a breath of fresh air when originally released. The 26 tracks include It's Now Or Never, Ask Me, Bossa Nova Baby, Vino Dinero Y Amor, There's No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car, Do The Vega, I'll Remember You, Stay Away, No More, Write To Me From Naples, Surrender and You Can't Say No In Acapulco. The very strong sales success of this album led to a number of reissues (which unfortunately for the collectors) pushed down the value of the 1997 issue. This "genre" album really "rumbas"!!!! |
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1997 |
CD |
Gracia Divina (BMG Argentina 74321468632): Before BMG gave us 'Amazing Grace His Greatest Sacred Performances' and 'Peace In The Valley The Complete Gospel Recordings', the Argentinian Elvis fan club under, the guidance of Carlos Ares, worked with BMG to release a sublime collection of 28 Elvis gospel tracks. The booklet may have been in Spanish but this release had "quality" stamped all over it. |
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1997 |
CD |
Blue Suede Shoes (A Ballet set to the Music of Elvis Presley) (BMG/RCA USA 07863674582): SOOO DIFFERENT!!!! A ballet set to Elvis' music? Well, this works in a really big way!!! And if you ever get the opportunity to see video of one of its performances jump at the chance...this is a sublime experience! And you will be most pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable a listening pleasure the CD release is. |
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1999 |
CD |
Finding The Way Home (Southern Style 6969): Exceptional sound quality, superb booklet and a collection of masterful recordings made this 2CD offering a treasure. Oh, and there was of course the very choice language used by Elvis on a number of tracks. The latter issue gave this release its legendary status, but regardless, this is Elvis during one of his recording peaks. A sublime listening pleasure, but for adult ears only! |
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2000 |
DVD |
He Touched Me The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley (Coming Home Music): The pr for this release says: "To truly know Elvis Presley, return to his roots in gospel music". And for once the pr is valid! He Touched Me offers us more than 3 hours of music and interviews over two DVD discs burrowing down to illuminate the music which was always at the core of Elvis' heart and motivation. A very, very important release! |
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200? |
Video/DVDR |
Famous Familes - The Presleys: Rock & Roll Royalty: A Biography Channel production from the Fox Network, this early new millennium documentary reeks of tabloid, tabloid, tabloid. But, having said that...it is an engrossing, saliva enducing, guilty pleasure. Yet to be officially released on DVD it is a reasonably balanced, entertaining diversion from the extremes of serious and sensational Elvis documentaries. As we should allow ourselves to sometimes not be one or the other... enjoy! |
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2003 |
Book |
Elvis Fashion: From Memphis To Vegas (Julie Mundy): Made with the cooperation of EPE, this deluxe, in-your-face examination of Elvis' innovative clothing styles is a tour-de-force of color, style and neo-movement. To really appreciate who Elvis was you need to look at this book. Published by Universe. ISBN: 0789309874. |
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2004 |
Book |
A Date With Elvis: Army Days Revisited (Andreas Schroer, Michael Knorr & Oskar Hentschel): The best Elvis book release of 2004 and little known beyond the borders of a few European countries. This deluxe, well designed hardcover features a mix of German and English text and absolutely stunning visuals! This book should be in every fan's library. The release was a value-added update of the author's 1993 work, 'Private Elvis'. Published by Beluga New Media; ISBN: 3938152001 |
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2005 |
Book |
Dewey & Elvis: The Life & Times of a Rock 'n' Roll Deejay (Louis Cantor): While Elvis may share the stage with (actually two) Phillips' in this release, what a stage it is. An absorbing account of Dewey Phillips, Elvis and Sam Phillips in those halcyon days of the 1950s. Professor Cantor's narrative takes the reader on a rollercoaster, bittersweet ride....an absorbing saga which will have you in stitches one moment, and close to tears the next. Revealing, powerful and glorious in the breadth of its fascinating, yet flawed, subject matter. Published by University of Illinois Press. ISBN:
025202981. |
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2006 |
DVD |
Love Me Tender (Special Cinema Collectors Edition): At last one of Elvis' feature films presented in a deluxe casing and with special features. The features include a nice booklet, reproduction lobby cards from the film, an excellent audio commentary by Jerry Schilling, a photo gallery and the featurettes Elvis Hits Hollywood, The Colonel & The King, and Love Me Tender: The Birth of the Elvis Hit. Released by 20th Century Fox in the USA. Catalog #: 024543227847. |
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Let us know what is/are the "weakest" listing(s) in our initial list of the best Elvis releases
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Quote:
"Elvis Presley is the supreme socio-cultural icon in the history of pop culture"
(Dr. Gary Enders)
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"Elvis is the 'glue' which holds our society together....which subconciously gives our world meaning"
(Anonymous)
Quote:
"Eventually everybody has to die, except Elvis"
(humorist Dave Barry)
Quote:
"He is the "Big Bang", and the universe he detonated is still expanding, the pieces are still flying"
(Greil Marcus, "Dead Elvis")
Quote:
"I think Elvis Presley will never be solved"
(Nick Tosches)
Quote:
"He was the most popular man that ever walked on this planet since Christ himself was here"
(Carl Perkins)
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"When I first heard Elvis' voice I just knew I wasn't going to work for anybody...hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail"
(Bob Dylan)
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"When we were kids growing up in Liverpool, all we ever wanted was to be Elvis Presley"
(Sir Paul McCartney)
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"You can't say enough good things about Elvis. He was one of a kind"
(Johnny Cash)
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"And don't think for one moment he's just a passing fancy....he's got enough of it to keep him on top for a long time"
(R. Fred Arnold, Fury magazine, Aug 1957)
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"It isn't enough to say that Elvis is kind to his parents, sends money home, and is the same unspoiled kid he was before all the commotion began. That still isn't a free ticket to behave like a sex maniac in public"
(Eddie Condon, Cosmopolitan)
Elvis records reaching #2 & #3 on the Cashbox Pop Singles chart:
#2: A Fool Such As I (1959)
#2: A Big Hunk Of Love (1959)
#3: Hard Headed Woman (1958)
#3: One Night (1958)
#3: (You're The Devil) In Disguise (1963)
Elvis Facts:
Tickets for Elvis' show on March 29, 1957 in St. Louis cost $2.00 to $2.50
While in Germany Elvis was hospitalised with tonsillitis in October 1959
Despite being an illegal immigrant, photographic evidence shows Colonel Tom Parker traveled to Canada with Elvis in 1957
Elvis strongly believed there weren't enough good songs in King Creole to justify releasing a soundtrack album. RCA initially agreed, releasing two very successful EPs from the movie. A soundtrack LP eventually followed
During the 1960s Elvis had his own football team, Elvis Presley Enterprises, which played in the Menphis touch football league. In the 1962 final, EPE narrowlt lost to Delta Automatic Transmission. 6-13
In Clambake, (Elvis) Scott Hayward's driving licence shows February 23, 1940...taking 5 years off Elvis' real age
In the 1970s Elvis was ofered $5m to stage a concert in front of the Pyramids in Egypt. When the Colonel declined the offer, Saudi billionaires raised the offer to $10m
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