Quote:

"Elvis Presley is the greatest cultural force in the 20th century."

(Leonard Bernstein)


Quote:

"If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible."

(George Klein)


Quote:

"For a dead man, Elvis Presley is awfully noisy."

(Professor Gilbert B. Rodman)


 

Quote:

"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)


Quote:

"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)


Quote:

"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)


Quote:

"No-one, but no-one, is his equal, or ever will be. He was, and is supreme"

(Mick Jagger)


Quote:

"I wasn't just a fan, I was his brother...there'll never be another like that soul brother"

(Soul legend, James Brown)


Quote:

"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)


Quote:

"It [rock & roll] was always about Elvis; not just because he was Elvis, but because he was the big star"

(Bono from U2)


Quote:

"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)


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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elvis Tribute Artists should be
protected by the US Constitution

On 18 April 2006 we published news of concern and actions being taken by ETAs in the light of news reports that Robert Sillerman may be moving to licence or regulate ETAs. Sid Shaw who operates Elvisly Yours in the UK believes we misrepresented his legal battle with EPE.

Opposite: Sid Shaw & EPE's Jack Soden in happier times

 

In an illuminating article circulated in his monthly Elvisly Yours Cyberclub newsletter, Sid writes:

There have been many international press reports about the new owner of EPE, Robert Sillerman, threatening to ban Elvis Tribute Artists, at least in Las Vegas where he plans major Elvis themed projects. Actually, I can see nowhere he actually made such a statement but it was just a hint suggesting “why would he want unauthorised Elvis Tribute Artists appearing in Vegas competing with his projects?” He will need to think again as the US Constitution, Anti-Trust Law, Employment Law and Common Law Rights will stop him.

Mr. Sillerman is a billionaire, a shrewd businessman and he is not stupid. Although, I have no idea who is advising him because, so far, everything he has done in the Elvis World has been to upset his core customers, Elvis fans, by marketing Elvis rubber ducks, Elvis rubber face masks, Elvis bobble-heads, tacky jumpsuits, evicting the last independent stores at Graceland and now he is hinting at banning ETAs.

I sued Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc in the UK High Court and Court of Appeals and beat them in landmark legal battles in 1997 and 1999 canceling their trade marks and making Elvis Presley public domain in this country. If I hadn’t succeeded Elvis fans in Britain and Europe would find life a lot tougher and be controlled like they are in America having to pay to use the name Elvis even for their charity fund-raising efforts. ETAs in the UK are free to carry on their work and perform Elvis tributes without threats from EPE. Likewise for Europe and the British Commonwealth.

In America, the US Constitution’s Bill of Rights states :

Amendment 1:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances

In simple language, Elvis fans have the right to assembly and freedom of speech. They can gather in theatres, conventions, other venues and sing Elvis songs led by an ETA, dressed like Elvis and these facts seem to be a Constitutional Right protected by the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution. There are even Elvis Churches in America that clearly would be protected by the 1st Amendment. ETAs could declare themselves Ministers of an Elvis Church and then what would EPE do? The love for Elvis Presley and their devotion to his memory for many fans is almost religious.

Then, there is the matter of anti-trust ! Under US Law it is illegal to operate a monopoly and I do not understand why Bill Gates has been sued by the US Government for monopolistic actions but not EPE. They have the most powerful monopoly in America claiming control over everything associated with the name, image and likeness of the world’s most famous entertainer, Elvis Presley. It is a very powerful monopoly that claims it will try and stop Elvis Tribute Artists carrying on their profession, some after 30-40 years of performing. After I lost to EPE in the US lawsuit I was advised by a famous lawyer “Racehorse Haines” to sue EPE under anti-trust laws and he believed I would win but I just did not have the funds to fight such a case. EPE has yet to be challenged in the USA under anti-trust laws. There are Employment Laws that protect workers to carry on their trade or profession. There are Common Law Rights and “Rights of Statute”. EPE, 29 years after Elvis’ death, cannot come along and stop ETAs performing. ETAs that have been performing for years without any interference means EPE would be out of time (Right of Statute) even if they could surmount all the other legal hurdles they face.

“Legends in Concert” logo

Tony Roi, far right with American Airlines aircrew and other stars from Legends in Concert

In Nevada I was very friendly in the 1980’s and early 1990’s with the founder, John Stuart, of the fabulous show featuring ‘Elvis’ called “Legends in Concert”. I used to take our fan club members to Vegas and always saw his Show. We were always warmly welcomed and treated fabulously with fans mingling with the stars and having their photo taken after the Show. John Stuart lobbied to get laws passed in Nevada to protect the rights of Tribute Artists. His lawyer at the time was Mark Tratos who still practices law in Las Vegas and is probably America’s leading expert on Entertainment Law relating to Elvis Presley Tribute Performances.

Incidentally, John told me he used to pay EPE $10,000.00 a year to have ‘Elvis’ in his show just to get EPE off his back (‘protection money’ he called it). He then decided to take the Show on the road in the late 1980’s and was sued by EPE for having ‘Elvis’ in a “Legends in Concert” Show in New York. He complained to EPE that he had a contract with them and they said they would tear the contract up. If he fought them, at the Final Appeal, he could probably win but he would be bankrupted before he got there. John defended the lawsuit in New York State and received the most bizarre injunction probably ever issued in America. The Injunction stated Tony Roi, the ETA, could not look like, dress like, move like or sing like Elvis, so he went on stage in a tuxedo and sang Elvis songs standing absolutely straight. John did not pursue the case to the Appeals Court but would have won. He still had to pay $70,000.00 in legal costs.

Then there is the little matter of competing Casinos in Las Vegas. Many Casinos and clubs have made $millions over the years from running Elvis Shows and Conventions with ETA Contests. Why should they suddenly be stopped from performing Elvis Shows because there is a ‘new kid’ in town, Bob Sillerman? They will fight him every step of the way.

One final thought is about all the thousands of people that have received employment from the tens of thousands of Elvis Tribute Shows that have been staged for over 30 years in America. Any musician, any singer, any promoter and any others connected with staging Elvis tribute shows could rightfully sue EPE in a lawsuit or class action lawsuit (they group together to sue) for loss of income, interfering with their contractual obligations, infringement of trade etc, etc.

Sadly, when I was sued by EPE in the USA in 1985 not one Elvis fan, not one Elvis fan club, not one dealer, Elvis store, friend of Elvis, nor family member gave evidence in my defence. When I lost ALL of the American Elvis World lost and now they are suffering for not supporting me when I stood alone against the might of EPE. Elvis Tribute Artists must band together and form a “UNION of ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTISTS”. Remember ‘united we stand and divided we fall’ and an EPE attack on anyone ETA would be supported by the entire Union.

Apparently, billionaire Robert Sillerman, was named the bronze winner for “the worst person in the world” contest on the American NBC TV show called Countdown with Keith Obermann, for April 24th. Obermann said on air that Sillerman has no control over impersonators in Europe (thanks to Elvisly Yours, my comment) and suggested there could be a mass Elvis flight, with expatriates in Paris or this could be the dawn of the 'Elvis Speakeasy' in America.

Visit the world famous "Elvisly Yours" website

 

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Audio-visual
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Quote:"Elvis Presley is the supreme socio-cultural icon in the history of pop culture"

(Dr. Gary Enders)


Quote:"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)


Quote:"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)


Quote:"When we were kids growing up in Liverpool, all we ever wanted was to be Elvis Presley"

(Sir Paul McCartney)


Quote:"You can't say enough good things about Elvis. He was one of a kind"

(Johnny Cash)


Quote:"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)


Quote:"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 $2.50While in Germany Elvis was hospitalised with tonsillitis in October 1959Despite 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 followedDuring 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. 6-13In Clambake, (Elvis) Scott Hayward's driving licence shows February 23, 1940...taking 5 years off Elvis' real ageIn 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