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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...
The latest on www.ElvisInfoNet.com:
Mindi Miller Interview with EIN: Mindi Miller was a working actress when she met Elvis in early 1975. She was interested in karate (she performed all her own movie stunts), exploring spirituality and the Bible and so they had a lot in common.
Mindi Miller and Elvis bonded over their common interests and soon afterwards he asked her to go on tour with him in April 1975.
She stayed friends with Elvis through the years - along with members of the 'Memphis Mafia' - and attended his funeral.
EIN's Sanja Meegin recently caught up with Mindi Miller to talk about her close friendship with Elvis over the years.
In this fascinating interview she discusses. . .
- Her first night with Elvis
- How Elvis persuaded her to cancel her overseas movie & modelling plans
- Their mutual interest in Karate
- Graceland and meeting Lisa Marie
- Attending Elvis' funeral . . . and much much more...
Go here for EIN's Sanja Meegin and her intimate and detailed discussion with the delightful Mindi Miller
(Interviews, Source;SMeegin/ElvisInformationNetwork)
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Westgate Casino and EPE heading to Mediation over Elvis Memorabilia: The former “Graceland Presents Elvis” memorabilia inside the Westgate remains locked up in the resort (right) despite the exhibit’s closure more than a year ago.
“Graceland Presents Elvis” was a short-lived attraction inside the former International Hotel, an off-strip resort that hosted hundreds of performances by the legend. The exhibit opened in April of 2015, and closed the following February.
The 28,000-square-foot exhibit offered visitors the chance to view 350 pieces of Elvis memorabilia, the largest collection outside of Graceland. The artifacts included stage outfits were loaned to the casino by EPE.
But with the exhibit poorly attended, EPE threatened to abandon its 10-year lease agreement less than a year after opening. Westgate, which claimed to have invested over $9 million in preparing the space for the spectacle, subsequently closed the attraction and locked the memorabilia as ransom.
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Despite a lawsuit filed in March of 2016 that sought for the items to be returned, the Westgate has maintained their possession. After admission numbers failed to meet expectations, with both sides citing poor marketing as the primary reason, the Elvis’ estate wanted to cancel the exhibit and bring everything back to Memphis.
The arrangement between the Westgate and EPE apparently turned bitter when the resort successfully petitioned Las Vegas into renaming Riviera Boulevard to Elvis Presley Boulevard. For some reason Elvis’ estate didn’t want his likeness on a street name, especially one that might aid the Westgate in attracting visitors to its resort.
Last spring, a judge said EPE could post a $9 million bond to recover its items. Instead, the estate and Westgate decided to take the case to arbitration.
Aside from the nearby namesake street, Elvis’ presence today at the Westgate is basically nonexistent.
A mediator is expected to issue a resolution in the coming days.
(News, Source;JG/ElvisInfoNet) |
New Elvis Museum - Decidedly Commercial: The LA Times travel section visited the new Elvis Presley’s Memphis Museum...
... As I paced around Elvis Presley’s pink Cadillac, imagining him behind the wheel. It felt as though he was here almost, as though I could nearly glimpse the King of Rock ’n’ Roll.
This was the experience for much of the four hours I spent in March ambling around Elvis Presley’s Memphis, the new $45-million, 200,000-square-foot museum complex across the street from Graceland.
I also watched him perform “Burning Love” in “Aloha From Hawaii” mere steps from the American eagle jumpsuit he was wearing on screen, wondered at why a Dolly Parton dress was on display, and ate a peanut butter and banana sandwich cooked in bacon grease — just like his mama made.
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Graceland offers six ticket options, from a mansion-only tour ($38.75 for an adult) to an “ultimate VIP” package that includes a personal tour guide ($159).
I chose the Elvis Experience for $57.50, which included the John Stamos-narrated iPad tour of the mansion and a self-guided visit to the new complex.
First we visited the mansion for a peek at home life and a respectful visit to the family’s graves.
We were then dropped off at the new complex.
First up was the Presley Motors Automobile Museum, where visitors can check out a dozen of Elvis' cars. The undisputed selfie star is that pink 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood he used for touring in the early years. The neighboring Presley Cycles gallery showcases an odd assortment of vehicles, including a snowmobile Elvis had converted for use on Graceland’s grass.
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I made my way through the “Pvt. Presley” exhibit, featuring uniforms and documents from his Army service (1958-60), and the “Archives Experience,” a grab bag of personal effects such as a copy of Hermann Hesse’s “Siddhartha” and a baseball inscribed to Elvis by Hall of Famer Willie McCovey.
Then I came to what is perhaps EPM’s strangest exhibit, “Icons: the Influence of Elvis Presley.”
The “Icons” room is full of photo banners and glass-cased items from stars across the music genres in which Elvis worked, but the displays provide no context. I wanted to hear what Dolly Parton or Jimi Hendrix or Michael Bublé had to say about Elvis’ effect on them. And there also was no exhibit about the musical traditions and artists who inspired Presley.
Any questions about why the King ruled were answered in the engaging Elvis the Entertainer Career Museum.
Here, it was clear why 50 million Elvis fans couldn’t be wrong in 1959 and why hundreds of millions more are all right today.
The “Elvis on Tour” area has colorful jumpsuits, yes, but also quotes on the walls about the King’s never-ending stage fright and performance philosophy.
There are also several video screens and a small theater that showcase what all the fuss was about – that voice, that charisma, that personality.
As I walked through it all, I thought it would have been better to start the day exploring his public life at Elvis Presley’s Memphis before taking the shuttle to Graceland to see his private life, ending with paying respects at the Presley family graves in the Meditation Garden.
After the career museum, there are more exhibits, one about Elvis’ fashion influence was open; others, such as one about Sun founder Sam Phillips and one about Elvis’ childhood in Tupelo, Miss.
The last stop on the way back to EPM’s parking lot is Soundstage A, which screens Elvis movies.
Elvis Presley’s Memphis is a decidedly commercial venture, and most exhibits are entered and exited through gift shops that sell a dizzying array of merchandise. Tempting as the $4,025 American eagle jumpsuit replica might be, I chose a $3.99 “Elvis” ’68 Comeback Special logo pen.
Go here to full LA Times Travel review.
(News, Source;LAT/ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis Hour on BBC Radio Cornwall - this Monday: UK fans please note that this Bank Holiday Monday in the UK, BBC Radio Cornwall’s regular EIN reader and massive Elvis fan Matt Shepherd presents an hour of Elvis hits, rarities and much more.
The programme will broadcast on www.bbc.co.uk/radiocornwall between 6-7pm UK time.
However fans will be able to hear the show again on the same link for 29 days.
Matt Shepherd will feature hits and rarities by Elvis Presley, marking the 60th anniversary of Jailhouse Rock, 50 years since Elvis married, and almost 40 years since his death.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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Daisuke Kiryu Wins Japan ETA contest: Not the kind of news that EIN regularly posts but how good to see Daisuke Kiryu winning the Elvis Tribute Artist Contest of Japan in an ETA world swamped with older-white-men-in-lycra-jumpsuits.
Daisuke Kiryu, who won the ETA contest of Japan, is from Saitama, Japan. He decided to become an Elvis Tribute Artist after he watched "Aloha from Hawaii," which he found very inspirational. He performs as Elvis in Japan, and he is proud to be part of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest because he has so much respect for Elvis. His favorite Elvis song is "The Wonder of You."
Check out Daisuke Kiryu here via YouTube
In the UK, Ben Thompson of London, England, was crowned the winner at the Branson Elvis Festival's Ultimate ETA Contest preliminary. Ben Thompson is from London, England, and he has been an Elvis fan since he was a child. He became an Elvis tribute artist at the age of 15 and has performed in many venues around the world. His favorite Elvis song is "If I Can Dream."
Go here to EPE if you need to know more about these ETAs.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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New Guest House At Graceland Pays Tribute To Elvis' Palm Springs Home: Inspired by Elvis' personal style and the iconic Graceland Mansion, The Guest House at Graceland is the most significant enhancement to Graceland since it opened to the public in 1982, and the largest hotel project in Memphis in over 90 years.
Palm Springs 'Honeymoon Hideaway' were thrilled to learn that TWO of the "Upstairs" suites were inspired by Elvis' Palm Springs home on Ladera Circle.
Named after Elvis' beloved parents, the Vernon and Gladys suites feature natural hues of terra cotta and gold and a custom, serpentine sofa, showcasing a mid-century flair. Watch Priscilla's interview with Jenna Bush on the TODAY show where Priscilla looks at the Palm Springs home's signature serpentine couch and states, "I can actually see my parents sitting here, my brother, my sister, Elvis, myself, his father.... sprawled out all over the couch." Jenna replies, "So it brings back good memories" to which Priscilla responds, "Yeah, it does".
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Chris Bearde, Elvis Comeback Special writer, RIP: Chris Bearde, who won an Emmy as part of the "Laugh-In" team and co-wrote what became known as the Elvis ’68 Comeback Special, died Sunday. He was 80.
Bearde grew up in Sydney, Australia and started in TV hosting a 1950s kids TV show. After working in Canada he moved to Hollywood in the mid-’60s and worked on variety specials including Where the Girls Are and Romp!! before landing the co-writing gig with Allen Blye on NBC’s 1968 Elvis Presley special. Originally titled simply Elvis, the program combined an intimate live performance by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – with Presley’s easygoing magnetism, including an early example of the “unplugged” that MTV would popularize more than a decade later. Airing on December 3, 1968, the resulting program was the top-rated TV special of the year and kick-started Presley career. It became known as the Elvis ’68 Comeback Special.
Steve Binder notes, "Chris Bearde and co-writer Allan Blye went and bought every single album and 45 that Elvis had ever recorded and locked themselves in a room and didn't leave it until they had worked out the basic format.
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Chris Bearde had a tremendous personality and practically performed their entire show in front of Elvis. You could tell by Elvis' reactions that he loved their ideas and the concept. In fact Elvis was so enthusiastic he didn't want to change a thing, which made me a little nervous!"
Around the same time, Bearde became a senior writer on NBC’s shamelessly slapstick political satire Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. It was an out-of-the-box smash, ranking as TV’s most popular primetime program in each of its first two season and launching the careers of such stars as Lily Tomlin, Goldie Hawn, Arte Johnson, Henry Gisbon, Jo Anne Worley and many others. Bearde and the Laugh-In team shared the writing Emmy in 1968 and were nominated again in 1969. It remains a high-water mark of TV satirical comedy and just plain fun.
Bearde left the show after its second season and became a go-to writer-producer for the then-ubiquitous variety genre. After working on specials for Dinah Shore and Andy Williams, he created NBC’s 1970 summer series Andy Williams Presents Ray Stevens. That experience led to writing and producing The Andy Williams Show. He also worked on Williams’ 1971 Christmas special and other projects.
His next big series came in 1971, when Bearde created, wrote for and produced The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.
Bearde went on to work on The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show, before creating The Gong Show. In the mid-2000s, Bearde moved to Las Vegas and opened Chris Bearde’s International Comedy Hall of Fame. He also launched the Chris Bearde School of Comedy in Sin City before relocating it to Los Angeles.
(News, Source;JGansky/ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis In Energizer Advert: It's an oldie but goldie, a 1998 US commercial for Energizer.
But just like the battery, it keeps on giving.
A lifetime opportunity never comes back twice. This Elvis fan got it too late !
A 1998 US commercial for Energizer.
Elvis is back. Grab that historic moment
CLICK HERE to YouTube if you missed this classic Elvis moment.
There should be more like these. . .
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet) |
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"Miss Elvis Presley" - the world's rarest Elvis book was (and still is) unique and controversial: The Elvis book world features several thousand titles. As to the rarest Elvis books published, normally titles such as Elvis Presley Ein Lebensbild (A Life Story) by Peter DeVeechi, The Name Code: The God of Elvis (Christopher Byrnes Matthews), Elvis Presley Dead or Alive? (Will Jima), Elvis The T.V. Years (I.R. Bailye) and Elvis UFO Connection (Richard Daniel) are usually mentioned.
However, there is one title that few fans will have ever heard of, a one of a kind publication which lays claim to being the rarest Elvis book of all and was released as part of a set of 21 hand illustrated 1950s vernacular gay chap books!! It is: Miss Elvis Presley.
Due to its (especially in the 1950s) scandalous subject matter the 21 book set received very little, if any, media coverage and more likely was only known about in underground gay circles.
The little known set of 21 books was listed on ebay last year with an asking price of US$45,000.! Not surprisingly it did not sell. The set is still available to buy directly from: Between the Covers Rare Books, Inc ABAA |
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This is the text accompanying the set's sales listing:
1958. Softcover. Oblong 24mos. Measuring 5" x 8". Illustrated throughout with original ink and watercolor drawings. Each 8pp. Stiff paper wrappers with index cards used for pages and bound with staples or brads. Overall near fine with some wear at the corners and light reading creases to the front wrap along the spine. An elaborate and vibrant collection of 21 gay cartoon books that appear to have been illustrated by one person. Each features very graphic and explicit tales of boy meets boy - and sometimes another boy (and in a few cases a werewolf, or Elvis Presley, or Dick Tracy and well, you get the idea). Each is lovingly composed of seven or eight index cards that have been illustrated on the unlined side and bound into hand decorated stiff wraps, some with applied elements. Though undated, the fashions, furniture, and cultural references suggest the late 1950s with titles such as *Miss Elvis Presley*, *I Was a Teen-Age Werewolf*, and *Space Girl* starring Flash Gordon. A unique collection of handcrafted drawings revealing the unvarnished exploits (or at least the fantasies) of a sexually active gay man of the 1950s with more than a dose of figurative and literal tongue-in-cheek humor and pun filled titles, such as *Ima Hoor Presents: Lover, a Sexascope Production*. The optimistic portrayal of certain physical attributes of the characters certainly parallel or reflect the similarly endowed characters of Tom of Finland, or might possibly even predate them slightly. Due to the singular and clandestine nature of the books, this collection would be almost impossible to recreate today. Originally held for many years by an art dealer who never encountered anything like it, the collection has been in the possession of only one other private owner since. Housed in a specially made slipcase.
The obscure release was consistent with an undercurrent in the Elvis story that he was gay or bi-sexual. Stories about his wearing of mascara and friendship Hollywood with known gay actor, Nick Adams, appeared in several 1950s magazines. (Book News, Source: EIN)
| Man claiming to be Elvis' son following in his father's footsteps: Kenny Presley says he has never met his biological father. All he has of him is first-hand accounts from his mother, some memorabilia, and the memory of a phone conversation they had when he was 7 years old. As you might have guessed from his last name, Kenny Presley, 52, claims he is the son of none other than the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Now Kenny impersonates the King at musical performances called The Elvis Experience -- complete with sideburns, jumpsuits and all.
"How many people believe this about Elvis, and how many people blow me off like I'm some kind of nut?" said Kenny in an interview, "That bothers me. (Elvis) being my father causes me to have mixed emotions." Despite never meeting his biological father, Kenny says he was raised by a man who was a father figure to him.
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| "I've known I was Elvis' son since I was 6 or 7 years old," said Presley. His mom "had a friend that used to come over at night and they used to sit and talk. I would hear them talk about Elvis, and her friend would say I really look like Elvis. Being that young I didn't really comprehend what she was saying. Then when I was 11, I heard her and my father arguing. My mother said she was going to take me and leave my father, and he replied, 'Take him. He belongs to Elvis. He doesn't belong to me.'"
According to Kenny, his mother, Barbara Rushing, met Elvis Presley in 1962 when she visited Graceland in Memphis. She was 17. After that meeting, Elvis gave her his personal phone number, and she and Elvis went on dates to Liberty Land and drive-in movie theaters. Raised by strict Christian parents, Rushing kept their relationship a secret. Then in 1964, Kenny was born in Gleason, Tenn.
In February of 1977, Kenny remembers a phone call with a man who knew Kenny's name and asked for his mother. Later his mother told him that Elvis had been on the other end of that phone call. At an early age, Presley developed a love for music, especially Peter Frampton and Conway Twitty. At 11 years old, Presley performed at a Walmart opening and started a band playing Elvis songs. Then he traveled for his music and has played with almost every member of Elvis band.
The first person Kenny told about his Elvis parentage was a school friend who didn't believe him. People often bullied Kenny about his parentage while he was growing up.
"It made me mad up to high heaven and hurt my feelings by the same token," he said. "Growing up, I didn't tell nobody else. I let the story die down. The only time we talked about it was among family, and it was rarely talked about even then."
In 1992, Kenny and his mother hired a lawyer to prove that his father was Elvis with a paternity test. At one point, Presley received a threat on his life and said he had to hide in a log cabin in Missouri for a few weeks. "Our lawyer finally said he gave up," said Kenny. "This is leading nowhere and costing a small fortune. They have more money than we can find, so that went nowhere. I never wanted any money from the estate. All I want to do is entertain and make people happy."
Kenny also knew Elvis' cook Mary Jenkins. He said she remembered when Barbara visited Graceland, and that Jenkins nicknamed her "Bobbysocks." Jenkins even made a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich for Kenny, just like Elvis used to eat. When she died in the early 2000s, Kenny sang at her funeral.
Kenny Presley will be performing at Henderson's Preston Arts Center on May 13 at 7 p.m. The first part of the show has a Broadway and Vegas theme with a jailhouse rock performance. Then the second half features Elvis hits from the 1970s in more of a concert style. A member of Elvis' old entourage, Cricket Coulter, will be at the performance as well. She met Elvis during the early 1960s. She worked for him and became friends with Elvis. During her years spent with Elvis, he gave her different gifts that she has kept. She went as far as to collect Elvis's hair when he had his hair cut. At the performance, she will be selling locks of his hair, along with other pieces of Elvis memorabilia she received from him. She will also be available to answer questions about Elvis. Kenny Presley's mother will also be at the performance.
"I tell this story, and that's what it is: a story," said Kenny. "People can believe it if they want. Someone asked me if I believe 100 percent in my heart. To answer that truthfully, I couldn't say yes because I can't know 100 percent. But I can't sit here and call my mother a liar. Elvis, her and God are the only ones who can answer that truthfully." (News, Source: TheGleaner.com) |
Now available from Amazon:
'The Wonder Of You' still in the UK charts: After nearly six months the Elvis & RPO album 'The Wonder Of You' is still in the UK album charts.
‘The Wonder Of You’ thie week drops down from 79 to 89 on the UK Album Chart for 21st April, 2017.
Other Elvis Entries on the UK Charts - 21st April, 2017
- 'The Wonder Of You' rises from 46 to 45 on the Physical Album Chart and rises from 59 to 55 on the Album Sales Chart
- 'The Platinum Collection' rises from 68 to 61 on the Physical Album Chart; rises from 17 to 16 on the Indie Albums Chart and rises from 84 to 81 on the Album Sales Chart
- 'The Wonder Of You' drops from 43 to 53 on the Scottish Album Chart
- 'The Platinum Collection' drops from 79 to 91 on the Scottish Album Chart
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Latest US Billboard Charts: Sadly Elvis has no albums on the Billboard Top 200 for Week of 29th April, 2017..
- 'The Wonder Of You' remains at 10 on the Classical Albums Chart
- 'If I Can Dream' rises from 22 to 21 on the Classical Albums Chart
- 'Elvis: Ultimate Gospel' drops from 13 to 14 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart; rises from 37 to 29 on the Top Christian Albums Chart and rises from 37 to 29 on the Christian And Gospel Albums Chart
- 'Heart And Soul' rises from 19 to 13 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart
- 'The Essential Elvis Presley' is a new entry at 45 on the Top Country Albums Chart and is a re-entry at 21 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart
- 'He Touched Me' (The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley) (Vols.1 and 2) is a re-entry at 8 on the Music Video Sales Chart
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Elvis On Television 1956-1960' MRS Special Double Vinyl OUT NOW & Preview: Saturday April 22nd was Record Store Day and this year's Elvis vinyl treat is out.
'Elvis On Television 1956-1960: The Complete Sound Recordings' is a 2LP 180 gram with 24-page gatefold photo album. EIN has a great look at the beautiful packaging. You can buy this beauty through your local Record Stores - or as under RSD rules any leftover copies can be purchased from next week through local Elvis dealers.
This Limited Edition 180 gram double-album set contains for the first time ever, the complete archival sound recordings of all of Elvis Presleys television appearances from 1956 – 1960.
All the 40 tracks herein are restored re-mastered using the most sophisticated technology.
The bonus 24-page gatefold photo album contains many rare photographs & listings of Elvis TV appearances. EIN thanks our UK buddy Tony S for the photos. |
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Elvis Audubon home damaged by fire: A fire yesterday has caused "extensive" damage to the former home of Elvis on Audubon Drive, but very luckily some ongoing renovations meant that no Elvis artefacts were in the house at the time of the blaze.
Memphis Fire Lt. Wayne Cooke said the department responded to the home just after 7:30 a.m. The fire was under control by 7:52, he said. Fire personnel were on scene for several hours.
The cause was electrical, Cooke said, and started in the wall between the living room and dining room. The one-story home was unoccupied and undergoing renovations.
Rhodes College is the steward of the house, now owned by music industry veteran and philanthropist Mike Curb. As an extension of the Curb Institute for Music at Rhodes, the home hosts small VIP events and private music concerts.
Elvis purchased the home at 1034 Audubon in 1956. He lived there for just over a year, during which he skyrocketed to fame, appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" |
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and recording "Hound Dog" and "Don’t Be Cruel." His rising popularity brought waves of fans to the East Memphis neighborhood, eventually forcing his move to the more secluded Graceland.
"He was 21 when he lived there, around the same age as our students, so we use it as a space to inspire our young students of today," Bass said.
Neighbor Ron McCrarey, who had been in the home once before, said he was able to get a look inside the house from the carport after the fire was put out Saturday.
"All the walls are blackened," McCrarey said.
(News, Source;CommApppeal/ElvisInfoNet)
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'Sun Records' - TV review update: Last month we reviewed the first episode of Sun Records. With the series ending (no word yet on a second season) we thought it appropriate to comment on how the show progressed.
Sadly, subsequent episodes, while maintaining interest and a great 1950s socio-musical feel, deteriorated narratively with several doses of unfactual dramatisation. Journalistic licence was particularly taken with the portrayal of Marion Keisker who is portrayed (fairly) as a woman ahead of her time and (arguably unfairly) as someone who was overly attractive and sexually active. Readers will be interested to know that when the real Marion joined Sam Phillips at Sun Studio, she was a divorcee with a young son - to satisfy her story arc in Sun Records this was totally ignored. In comparison, the character of Sam Phillips, warts and all, is more rounded with his family life shown.
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The Colonel's scheming ways were neatly presented while his gambling problems and their consequences made for dramatic viewing. His use of prostitutes was surprising. How he came to manage Elvis was dramatically heightened. - Some viewers will have been also surprised to find that Sam Phillips received shock treatment for depression (factual).
As one of the often forgotten, but oh so important, pieces of the mosaic that make up rock 'n' roll history, the sadly dissonant but musically sublime Ike Turner-Jackie Brensten "Rocket 88" collaboration was wonderful to watch and hear.
The central characterisations were uniformly good, from the visionary Sam Phillips, manic "Daddy-O" Dewey Phillips and young Elvis (the lightest personality of the main cast, yet the one that would ultimately shine brightest) to the roguish Colonel, honest and very likeable Johnny Cash and the amazingly talented but shameless Jerry Lee Lewis.
The use of Blue Moon of Kentucky (not That's All Right, Mama) as the song which started Presleymania and hastened the arrival of mainstream rock and roll when played on Dewey Phillips' Red, Hot & Blue radio program in July 1954, was simply bizarre, while Elvis recording Love Me at Sun Studio was bluntly anachronistic - both were WTF? moments.
Given the driving involvement of respected Elvis researcher/author, Colin Escott, in the script and production of Sun Records, EIN can only think decisions were made by 'head office'.
Despite these criticisms Sun Records was (is) a very entertaining series. The strong ratings enjoyed by the show's debut seriously declined over the remaining seven episodes, thereby placing a question mark against the likelihood of a second season - narratively though, with Carl Perkins first appearing in the final episode of season 1 and the famous Milllion Dollar Quartet yet to occur, there is certainly a lot more story to be told..........and the music is rather good. (Review, Source: EIN) |
Estelle Brown Birthday on Tour in Europe: Currently touring as part of our 'An Evening with Elvis' Friends and Original Musicians' show, yesterday we had a great day celebrating Estelle Brown's birthday. Last night's concert in Helsinki was rather special. The audience sang 'Happy Birthday' to Estelle, and the president of the Finnish fanclub, Tomi Raussi, presented her with a special gift. It was a nice salute to a wonderful singer and a great lady. Our tour is doing one more show in Finland tonight, and then we head for Holland for 10 shows, and finally to Belgium for two very special concerts.
The current 'An Evening with Elvis' Friends and Original Musicians' line-up of the Sweet Inspirations, features original member Estelle Brown and Portia Griffin and is touring at the moment. The show also includes Elvis’ 1970 drummer Bob Lanning, as well as his percussion player Eddie Graham, who can be seen in the MGM movie ‘Elvis, That’s The Way It Is’.
The dates are Friday, May 5th at Kursaal in Oosteinde and Saturday May 6th at Stadsschouwburg in Antwerp.
CLICK HERE to order your May tickets and for more info.
The Sweet Inspirations have fond memories of performing in Belgium for both fanclubs, and are looking forward to rekindling those friendships again, while Bob Lanning and Eddie Graham are excited about performing there for the first time.
In the photo Estelle proudly shows the TLC she got from Elvis. Taken yesterday by Jari Koskela.
(News, Source;ADeelen/ElvisInfoNet) |
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New book releases by Darrin Lee Memmer
Controversial Elvis author, Darrin Lee Memmer, has been very busy in the past year writing numerous new and revised titles. While contentious, Darrin's books are always well researched, interesting and thought provoking. Here is a selection of his titles available from Amazon US and Amazon UK: |
Westgate Casino still holding on to hundreds of Elvis Artefacts: Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino's chief operating officer Mark Waltrip has noted that hundreds of Elvis artefacts and memorabilia including stage outfits, jewellery and letters from Elvis' career still remain locked up at the casino site where the now-shuttered "Graceland Presents Elvis" attraction once stood. This is a one year after the EPE filed a lawsuit to get those valuables back from a short-lived exhibit.
The dispute stems from the 10-year leasing agreement that Westgate alleges the exhibit defaulted on when it vacated the off-Strip casino space. A judge ruled in May 2016 that EPE could get them back by posting a $9 million bond while the issue was pending. Waltrip said a judge's decision is expected in the next month.
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There is no doubt that EPE would want these items back for their newly expanded Elvis Museum in Memphis. Hopefully before this year's major Elvis Week in August 2017.
Westgate took control of the items in February 2016 when the attraction, which included a museum exhibit, wedding chapel and theater, shut down. The operator abruptly announced it was quitting, a move the casino suggested was caused by poor attendance and poor marketing and promotional efforts.
The casino said it spent millions of dollars outfitting the space and was holding the items to recoup money owed as part of the leasing agreement. EPE responded by filing the lawsuit to retrieve the items that it said Westgate aggressively seized without a legitimate legal basis.
The attraction was open less than a year but had debuted with great fanfare in the same casino where Elvis performed several hundred shows, back when it was known as the Las Vegas Hilton and The International. It was billed as the largest display of Elvis memorabilia outside of his famed Graceland.
The Las Vegas attraction included a 28,000-square-foot exhibit that featured a rotating display of Elvis items, including the $1 million-a-year tablecloth contract that Elvis inked to perform at what is now the Westgate and the two-piece black tunic and single-button black suit that he wore for his first performances there. There was also an Elvis Presley wedding chapel on site, which was featured on NBC's "Today Show" when it hosted its first ceremony with the King's ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, as the bride's surprise matron-of-honor.
(News, Source;VegasStarTribune/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Record Store Day is Tomorrow: Saturday, April 22nd marks the 10th Anniversary of Record Store Day, the annual celebration dedicated to record culture, record lovers, record makers and most of all, the amazing record stores that make it all possible. While RSD can claim a substantial role in kicking up the vinyl revolution, the event has really been about THE STORES. This year RSD honors our recently departed icons with the release of two David Bowie titles: Cracked Actor (Live, LA, '74) plus BOWPROMO (GEM Promo LP).
To locate your nearest participating RSD 2017 retailer go here> RSD STORES
Also 'Elvis On Television 1956-1960' MRS Special Double Vinyl, exclusive limited edition Record Store Day release for 2017. Under RSD rules any leftover copies (week after April 22nd) can be purchased through local Elvis dealers.
'Elvis On Television 1956-1960: The Complete Sound Recordings', 2LP 180 gram with 24-page gatefold photo album. |
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This Limited Edition 180 gram double-album set contains for the first time ever, the complete archival sound recordings of all of Elvis Presleys television appearances from 1956 – 1960.
All the 40 tracks herein are restored re-mastered using the most sophisticated technology.
The bonus 24-page gatefold photo album contains many rare photographs & listings of Elvis TV appearances.
Tomorrow EIN is hoping to be able to show you the new MRS Elvis double album. Go here to EIN's review of the 'Elvis On Television 1956-1960' book/CD release. - All The CD News 2017 for full VINYL details
(News, Source;MRS/ElvisInfoNet) |
Interview with D.J. Fontana: EIN's friend from Sweden Thomas Melin has recently published an interview with D.J. Fontana that he did back in 2006.
Melin had planning a one-hour radio program titled 'Rock Me Lord' dedicated to Elvis' religious songs to be broadcast on Easter. So in the interview he discusses Elvis and gospel music with the great D.J. Fontana.
Includes... TM: What did gospel mean to Elvis?
D.J. Fontana: I tell you what, he loved gospel music, that was his first choice of songs. Course, he couldn't sing them all the time, you know, the RCA Victor wouldn't go for that, but he cut three gospel albums, and that's the only ones he won a Grammy on, the other stuff, not even a mention. But he loved gospel music, and if you listen to it closely, you can see the feeling he puts into his voice when he sings those songs, he almost cries, he does, he's serious about it.
Go here to ElvisTodayBlog - DJ Fontana for the full interview.
(News, Source;TM/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Alice Cooper Talks Elvis: Seventies rocker Alice Cooper is still touring he recently recounted the story of his first meeting with Elvis during an interview with The Clarion-Ledger about his upcoming shows in Tupelo and Biloxi.
Cooper recalled Elvis being a major musical and theatrical influence, as were the many Southern blues musicians who influenced other top rock acts of the 1960s and '70s.
He recalled "As I held a loaded .38 revolver on Elvis Presley, the little devil on my shoulder said, 'Shoot him. What a great story. Don't kill him, just shoot him.'"
The king of shock shooting the king of rock 'n roll in 1971 would have, no doubt, made international headlines.
But seconds later, Cooper said, he found himself on the floor in Elvis' hotel suite kitchen, the gun knocked far away and Elvis saying, "That's how you take a gun out of somebody's hand."
"I had a great relationship with Elvis," Cooper said.
"... In 1971, I was in Las Vegas, and I get a call: Elvis wants to meet you ... I went to the Hilton, got in an elevator and in the elevator is Liza Minnelli, Chubby Checker, Linda Lovelace and me ... We get up there and Elvis comes walking in and says, 'Hey man, you're the kid with the snake, right? That's cool man. I dig that makeup, dig that whole thing.' He takes me into the kitchen and says, 'I want to show you how to take a gun out of somebody's hand.'
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"Elvis and I had this very strange kind of mutual admiration kind of thing for each other," said Cooper, who took shocking audiences to levels of which Elvis probably never dreamed. "Elvis liked that I was doing something he had done - shock the kids, shock the audience. He loved the fact that somebody was still doing it."
Cooper, 69, is still doing it. Although the shock may have worn off, he's still entertaining audiences with elaborate theatrical performances and sets that include a 50-foot Frankenstein's monster, a guillotine, an electric chair, straightjacket escapes, snakes and pounding hard-rock anthems and hits that span nearly five decades.
Many critics agree Cooper's music can stand on its own with no shock, but the ghoulish theatrics are still fun. And he's become an icon, an elder statesman of rock.
Go here for full article
(News, Source;CL/ElvisInfoNet) |
'BACKSTAGE' - Marty Harrell, New Book: The publicity promises a controversial new book 'BACKSTAGE: Behind the Curtains with the Greatest Entertainers of the 20th Century' that reveals untold stories of Elvis and Sinatra from Las Vegas Insider. Written by author / actor, Darryl Vidal, it is the memoirs of famed Las Vegas musician Marty Harrell. Harrell's storied past includes playing Bass Trombone for the biggest Las Vegas acts from the 1960's through the 1980's, including Frank Sinatra, the Rat Pack, Connie Stevens and backing up the legendary Elvis Presley through his legendary live tours ending with Elvis' untimely death in 1977. "This is the biggest compilation of Sinatra and Elvis stories that have never been told before! And I was there!" - Marty Harrell.
Marty Harrell was also the best friend and roommate of Frank Sinatra Jr. through their Tommy Dorsey Band years, and was there during the notorious kidnapping event in Tahoe that made world headlines in 1963.
The book is filled with tales of the brightest stars of the greatest era of music entertainment during the nascent days of television and new media, and provides a personal perspective of this behind the scenes character - who unknowingly bears witness to the most beloved of the era at their best - and worst. These great little gems that have never been told before, range from when Dean Martin called the police to close down his own house party, and when Marty stuffed a potato into the exhaust pipe of Liberace’s mini-Rolls Royce on live television. Another favorite is the story of when Elvis brought the whole live tour to Graceland and the bus ran through the famous wrought iron gates.
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Another is when Elvis, on his last tour, surprised the band by sitting at the piano, and belting out the most amazing performance of “Unchained Melody” without ever rehearsing it with the band. The narrative non-fiction highlights the innocence and nostalgia of the time, while providing a glimpse behind the curtains, and giving personal perspectives of these truly talented and beloved entertainers and how they interacted with the crowds and their talented backup.
Go here to Amazon for more info
(News, Source;PR/ElvisInfoNet) |
'ELVIS & The Colonel' New Paperback: From author Darrin Lee Memmer, 'ELVIS & The Colonel' is an A4 format, 200-page project.
The publicity notes, "Rest assured that this is no whitewash or rose-colored approach to biography; nah, just the most contemporaneously-rich, fair-minded & engaging collection of material about Colonel Parker to be assembled in one place.
So, for the 1st time in your life, you have an opportunity to soak up a tsunami of never-before-published quotes by notable figures including Mac Davis, bodyguard Sam Thompson, Billy Goldenberg, John Hartmann, Hal Blaine, "Bones" Howe, John Wilkinson, Grelun Landon, two-time beautiful co-star Yvonne "Batgirl" Craig, NBC-TV Special visionary Steve Binder, Minnie Pearl, Sam Katzman, Ron Jacobs, bodyguard Red West, Jerry Schilling, Joe Pasternak, Las Vegas Hilton VP Henri Lewin, Freddy Beinstock, songwriter Jerry Leiber, Joe Guercio orchestra member/tour conductor Marty Harrell, CMA President Jo Walker, Hubert Long, Johnny Rivers, Pete Johnson, Bill "The Incredible Hulk" Bixby, and, of course, The Chief Potentate".
Priced at $28 - CreateSpace Independent Publishers - Out March 15, 2017.
EIN has been told nothing about the book, however we note that on Amazon the publicity also strangely states...
a) "The book is dedicated to EIN honorary president and Aussie superfan Mr. Nigel Patterson"
b) A book highlight is the correcting of the "I do drugs" quote attributed to Elvis - "So, sadly for 25+ years, superfans like Geoffrey McDonnell have been led astray."
Bizarre publicity to say the least!!
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Elvis Music Publisher for sale at $250m: Carlin Music, originally founded by Freddy Bienstock and Elvis' main publishing company has been put up for sale with a $250m price tag.
The publisher controls the copyrights to a vast array of vintage songs ranging from Elvis’ “That’s Alright" to “What A Wonderful World” and with the rights to AC/DC, Dolly Parton, David Bowie and Scott Walker as songwriters on its books.
The catalogue contains over 100,000 songs and is one of the largest independent publishing assets available to buy. It has attracted trade buyers and financial investors looking for the predictable returns of older hits that are commonly played on radio, used in TV shows and covered by other artists.
Two people familiar with the situation said that a variety of bidders had entered the sale process. Sony/ATV, Atlas Music and Concord Music are all rumoured to be interested in a |
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takeover of Carlin. All have invested in publishing assets in recent years but were not available to comment.
Carlin Music was founded by "Freddy The Freeloader" Bienstock who emigrated from Vienna to New Jersey with his family at the start the second world war. At the age of 14, he landed a job in the stockroom at Chappell and Co on Tin Pan Alley. He become a so-called song “plugger” before overcoming an initial aversion to rock and roll to work as a song picker for Elvis Presley.
Bienstock, along with Col Parker can be blamed for the deterioration in the quality of Elvis' material as he levied an “Elvis tax” that lowered composers royalties in order to get Elvis to record their work.
Mr Bienstock acquired Belinda Music, a British company established to represent American artists, in 1966 and renamed it after his daughter Caroline.
He developed a close relationship with the likes of Cliff Richard and The Kinks while bolstering the Carlin publishing business through a series of acquisitions.
Bienstock died in 2009 and his wife Miriam, a co-founder of Atlantic Records, took control of the publisher until her death in 2015. His daughter and son Robert still run the business.
There has been a recent wave of consolidation in the music publishing sector as financial backers search for lucrative copyrights that generate revenue when songs are used.
Deals have ranged from small family-owned assets to the $750m that Sony paid the estate of Michael Jackson to buy out the Sony/ATV joint venture.
(News, Source/FT/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Elvis Presley / Elvis' New Budget CD: From SONY music a double CD combining Elvis' key early recordings.
Both CDs are based on his first two albums but expanded with relevant tracks to 24 tracks on each CD.
Only £8.45 from Amazon UK.
Out on May 26, 2017.
Click here to Amazon UK for full track info and to pre-order
(News, Source;Sony/ElvisInfoNet)
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'Lost In The Mail' New Import CD: The Ragdoll label has announced their second release, another unreleased audience recording of the Elvis show from Carbondale, Ill, October 27th, 1976 8:30 PM. This audience recording has been out before on bootleg CDR.
It comes with a 8 page booklet with rare photos from the show.
FTD put out Elvis' October 17, 1976 show on A Minnesota Moment'.
Tracklist is fairly standard 1976.
1. Also Sprach Zarathustra 2. C C Rider 3. I Got A Woman / Amen 4. Love Me 5. Fairytale 6. You Gave Me A Mountain 7. Jailhouse Rock 8. Help Me 9. All Shook Up (incomplete) 10. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel 11. And I Love You So 12. Fever 13. America (The Beautiful) 14. Polk Salad Annie 15. Band Introductions 16. Early Mornin' Rain 17. What'd I Say 18. Johnny B. Goode 19. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) 20. Bass Solo (Blues - Jerry Scheff) 21. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) 22. Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs) 23. Love Letters 24. School Day (incomplete) 25. Hurt (with reprise) 26. Hound Dog - missing on tape: Danny Boy (by Sherrill Nielsen): Walk With Me (by Sherrill Nielsen) : My Heavenly Father (by Kathy Westmoreland) 27. Heartbreak Hotel (part) / Blue Christmas 28. That's All Right 29. Can't Help Falling In Love 30. Closing Vamp
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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| Saturday 15 April 2017 - - - Happy Easter - - - |
Happy Easter From EIN: While Elvis loved the Christmas festival he also enjoyed the Easter celebrations and particularly after the birth of Lisa Marie and the chance to do Easter-egg hunts.
... The reason Elvis released and recorded Gospel songs like 'We Call On Him' and 'You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was because The Colonel used every Easter to do an "Easter Special" to publicise Elvis' music on the radio. Parker took out adverts on radio & in the music trade & they played Elvis gospel music every Easter in America on syndicated radio shows.
See below for our Ernst Jorgensen interview where he discusses Elvis' Gospel recordings.
And don't forget Elvis' 'Easter Special' the 10th FTD release from back in 2001. "A brilliant compile of twenty unreleased Gospel songs with excellent alternate versions of old favourites as well as some fascinating Studio discussions." Go HERE and play it today.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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| Ernst Jorgensen talks about the 'Easter Special' FTD CD; During Easter 2006, Elvis Sirius D.J. 'Doc Walker' interviewed Ernst Jorgensen, the respected keeper of Elvis’ musical legacy, about the 'Easter Special' FTD CD. In this fascinating interview Ernst revealed why he chose the particular tracks, the importance of Charlie Hodge's musical input and also his thoughts on Elvis' religious recording sessions. |
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'The Wonder Of You' Elvis/ RPO tour for the U.S?: Rumours are starting regarding the possibility of the 'Wonder Of You' Elvis / RPO touring in the U.S.A. later this year.
Priscilla has been hinting about it on her social media pages, noting that discussions are being had regarding the 'If I Can Dream/ Wonder Of You' tour with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - may possibly touring the U.S. in 2017.
She states that this is currently being talked about but nothing confirmed as of yet.
EIN has always presumed that the "RPO" show would be part of the Elvis Week celebrations 2017. (Why wouldn't it be?)
It would be a good move for EPE to try and get a US tour going at a similar time.
Elvis Week would be a great chance for high-profile publicity in the US where Elvis doesn't do quite as much business.
Though it is possible that for booking venues it might be a little too close.
(News, Source;PP/BQ/ElvisInfoNet)
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Priscilla on a life lived in Elvis’ shadow: Priscilla is once again getting the publicity machine moving, this time for the Elvis / RPO Australian tour.
She talked to News.com.au about Elvis and her life.. below are the 'highlights" ..
.. She was the wife of rock ’n’ roll’s reigning king. And though 2017 marks 40 years since the passing of Elvis, the association between her and the legendary performer is still as strong as ever.
She notes, “I miss his laughter. Elvis' laughter was so contagious. He’d start and everyone would start, they didn’t know what they were laughing about, they just got so much enjoyment from being with him.
Watching him was such an experience, It was really heartfelt and I really miss that a lot. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who laughed like that. He was like a little boy,”
Talking about Elvis is something that Priscilla has spent most of her lifetime doing. For close to half a century, she has provided insights into the life of one of the |
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music world’s most renowned figures, as well as nurturing his legacy, and rearing his only child.
Divorcing in 1973 after five years of marriage, Priscilla remained close friends with the legend, raising Lisa Marie together, until his death in 1977. Her breakaway from Elvis and life at Graceland would put her on a path of self-discovery.
She explains, “I had to start discovering who I was. Because, and still to this day, I’m very influenced by everything he said. But I’ve been able to decipher now and realise, ‘oh, that’s Elvis, not me.’”
Part of this rebirth involved stepping out of Elvis’s shadow and into the spotlight herself.
“It was all by accident really,” she says of her acting career. “I got one offer, and then another one and so on. I don’t like having to be afraid of something, I want to face and take the challenge, so I wound up in “Naked Gun” being a comedian, and I’m so not a comedian!”
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“I have other things that I’m working on. I’m doing a stage show called An Evening With Priscilla Presley and I’m getting some great feedback. It’s only now that I’m able to do this, whereas I wouldn’t perhaps a couple of years ago. I’ve come to terms with a lot of things.”
It’s this strength and ability to face her fears that has undoubtedly came in handy during her daughter, Lisa Marie’s, current messy separation and ensuing custody battle. Filing for divorce from guitarist Michael Lockwood in June 2016 after 10 years of marriage, court papers show that her estranged husband is now also facing charges of child abuse and neglect.
Breaking her silence on the subject in February, Priscilla confirmed that she had taken custody of her eight-year-old twin granddaughters, Harper and Finley.
While Priscilla is forced to live in the spotlight, she’s adamant that Elvis, who was notoriously private, wouldn’t be doing the same if he were alive today.
“I could not see him doing that at all!’ she says, giggling when asked about whether Elvis would be on Twitter and Instagram. “He just never got into the fame thing. |
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He performed, but if you look back he hardly did any interviews. He did what he was supposed to do, but he wasn’t into it. He was a very private person. I definitely can’t see him on social media. We’ve joked about this before with some of the inner-circle, saying that ‘Elvis would never be on Facebook!’ He just wasn’t that guy. He was so much more into his art and music than being Elvis Presley.”
Preserving his musical legacy became Priscilla’s life’s work after the icon’s death in 1977. A mission that has also parlayed into a company that turns over millions of dollars annually.
“We thought we might manage five years of tours when we opened Graceland in 1982. But the fans kept coming. Last year we welcomed our 20 millionth visitor and are about to complete a $140 million expansion.”
This insatiable appetite for all things Elvis has led to the most recent project, a global arena tour entitled, “Elvis: The Wonder of You.” Featuring performance vision of the late-performer via a series of state-of-the-art screens specially designed for the tour, and backed by a full 40-piece symphony orchestra, the show is set to tour nationally in Australia in May and June following on from a sellout run in the UK.
“Elvis never appeared outside of the US, other than briefly in Canada. So this gives audiences in Australia, and the world, a chance to see what he was like as a performer and why he’s so beloved throughout the world. I know that he’s got a lot of fans in Australia!”
Indeed, January’s annual Elvis Festival in Parkes, NSW celebrated its 25th year with record crowds of more than 22,000 Elvis fanatics, so the fanbase for a national arena tour is clearly there. And though Priscilla - even 40 years on from his death - is still very much living in the shadow of her iconic former-husband, she doesn’t have any regrets about her life.
“It was an amazing experience, and I don’t regret it. It has made me a better person, I’ve had challenges I never would have had, and I’ve had to up my game to be prepared for things I never would have had to. While it has meant that my life hasn’t been ‘normal’, I’ve just accepted it all.”
'Elvis: The Wonder of You' is touring Australia this May and June. Click HERE for ticket info
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet) |
"Record Store Day" one week to go: Saturday, April 22nd marks the 10th Anniversary of Record Store Day, the annual hootenanny dedicated to record culture, record lovers,
record makers and most of all, the amazing record stores that make it
all possible.
While RSD can claim a substantial role in kicking up the vinyl revolution, the event has really been about THE STORES. This year RSD honors our recently departed icons with the release of two David Bowie titles: Cracked Actor (Live, Los Angeles, ’74. plus BOWPROMO (GEM Promo LP), a reproduction of one of Bowie’s earliest demo promos.
Also 'Elvis On Television 1956-1960' MRS Special Double Vinyl, exclusive limited edition Record Store Day release for 2017. Under RSD rules any leftover copies (week after April 22nd) can be purchased through local Elvis dealers.
'Elvis On Television 1956-1960: The Complete Sound Recordings', 2LP 180 gram with 24-page gatefold photo album. MRS Record Store Day 2017 release.
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This Limited Edition 180 gram double-album set contains for the first time ever, the complete archival sound recordings of all of Elvis Presleys television appearances from 1956 – 1960.
All the 40 tracks herein are restored re-mastered using the most sophisticated technology.
The bonus 24-page gatefold photo album contains many rare photographs & listings of Elvis TV appearances.
Go here to EIN's review of the 'Elvis On Television 1956-1960' book/CD release.
Go to All The CD News 2017 for full details and tracklistings
(News, Source;MRS/ElvisInfoNet)
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'The Wonder Of You' still in the UK charts: After nearly six months in the UK album charts, the Elvis & RPO album 'The Wonder Of You' is still in the UK album charts.
‘The Wonder Of You’ thie week drops down from 58 to 79 on the UK Album Chart for 14th April, 2017.
Other Elvis Entries on the UK Charts - 14th April, 2017
'The Wonder Of You' drops from 40 to 46 on the Physical Album Chart and drops from 42 to 59 on the Album Sales Chart
'The Platinum Collection' rises from 99 to 68 on the Physical Album Chart; rises from 19 to 17 on the Indie Albums Chart and is a re-entry at 84 on the Album Sales Chart
'The Wonder Of You' drops from 40 to 43 on the Scottish Album Chart
'The Platinum Collection' from 95 to 79 on the Scottish Album Chart
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Latest US Billboard Charts: Sadly Elvis has no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart.
'The Wonder Of You' drops from 9 to 10 on the Classical Albums Chart
'If I Can Dream' drops from 18 to 22 on the Classical Albums Chart
'Elvis: Ultimate Gospel' drops from 10 to 13 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart; rises from 38 to 37 on the Top Christian Albums Chart and rises from 39 to 37 on the Christian And Gospel Albums Chart
'Heart And Soul' rises from 23 to 19 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Two New FTDs OUT NOW: FTD new releases planned for April 2017 are at your local dealers now.
- 'ELVIS: Las Vegas ‘74': A double set featuring two concerts from Elvis' legendary August 1974 Summer Season at the Las Vegas Hilton comes as a 5” 2-CD digipack
The release features both Dinner and Midnight shows from August 20, 1974. (Although previously released audience recordings from these supposed shows do not match FTD's set-lists)
For Elvis 1974 was an emotionally turbulent year. This was his sixth season singing to the Las Vegas casino audiences, still doing two shows a night, and he was really feeling the loss of Priscilla. The dinner shows were beginning to bore him (people rattling cutlery) and who could blame him? Yet this inner turmoil helped produce the most fascinating Las Vegas season of his career. He gave some of his longest performances and with a varied set-list including great new songs It’s Midnight, Promised Land, If You Talk In Your Sleep and Help Me.
It has been mastered by Jan Eliasson.
Go here to 'FTD / SONY News 2017' for tracklistings |
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- 'Elvis: His Songs of Praise Vol.2': Trevor Simpson's first book about Elvis' sacred, spiritual and gospel songs came out last september and now the long-anticipated sequel is in the shops. The second volume titled "Elvis: His Songs of Praise Vol.2" features 350 pages about the final half of the chosen Elvis sacred songs - 100 in all.
It promises over 350 pages with lavishly illustrated high-quality images, many unseen photographs and graphics. Every song has been thoroughly researched in a similar manner to Trevor Simpson’s previous trilogy "Elvis: The Best of British”.
In early interviews, Elvis divulged that spiritual music was his first love and he publicly continued to reaffirm. Despite being acclaimed as the ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, he was only presented with three Grammy awards and they were for his spiritual music and the stories of these iconic songs are much, much more contained within this book.
Go here to 'FTD / SONY News 2017' for tracklistings
Click here to the 6 minute YouTube Promo video
More info soon. - Click here to EIN's interview with author Trevor Simpson about this Gospel project.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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New Elvis Fashion hits Hong Kong: An installation featuring the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, in a limited-edition collection ready-to-wear and leather goods launched by leading New York luxury label is drawing the fans of the rocker in Hong Kong.
Coach has opened an Elvis pop-up shop at its Harbour City Ocean Terminal shop in Hong Kong recently after hosting the rare collection in Soho, New York City and Omotesando, Japan.
The two-week pop up coincides with the arrival of the spring 2017 Coach 1941 women’s collection.
Creative Director, Stuart Vevers says the defiant glamor and rebel youth Elvis inspired embody the same spirit of individuality of the Coach girl this spring."
The Elvis pop-up shop is Coach’s take on a shrine to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Hundreds of Elvis portraits layer walls marked by lipstick kisses from imagined adoring fans. Large-scale "Love Me Tender” lyrics glow in a pink-lit marquee light box.
The pop-up is a romanticized, Elvis-obsessed backdrop for the limited-edition collection.
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Key pieces from the spring 2017 collection include the Elvis Tee, an homage to the icon and a super embellished Dinky bags with whipstitched exotics and signature Tea Rose appliqué. A studded, sleeveless biker jacket is made personal with varsity patches, Southwestern fringe and metal details.
The spring 2017 collection envisions a dreamer who subverts American style with counterculture influences. The symbolism of rebellion and the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a movement, Beatniks or Elvis enthusiasts, is mashed-up with Coach’s signature New York City style. The collection challenges and disrupts the traditional conventions of luxury by exploring the raw, elemental hand of rebel craft and the artistry of Santa Fe.
Go here to check out the shop
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'The Wonder Of You' still in the UK charts: After nearly six months in the UK album charts, the Elvis & RPO album 'The Wonder Of You' is back climbing up the Uk charts.
'The Wonder Of You' rises from 65 up to 58 on the UK Album Chart for 7th April 2017.
Other Elvis Entries on the UK Charts - 7th April, 2017
'The Wonder Of You' rises from 48 to 40 on the Physical Album Chart and rises from 53 to 42 on the Album Sales Chart
'The Platinum Collection' drops from 85 to 99 on the Physical Album Chart and rises from 21 to 19 on the Indie Albums Chart
'The Wonder Of You' rises from 56 to 40 on the Scottish Album Chart
'The Platinum Collection' drops from 87 to 95 on the Scottish Album Chart
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Latest US Billboard Charts: Sadly Elvis has no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart for Week of 15th April, 2017.
- 'The Wonder Of You' drops from 7 to 9 on the Classical Albums Chart
- 'If I Can Dream' drops from 15 to 18 on the Classical Albums Chart
- 'Elvis: Ultimate Gospel' drops from 7 to 10 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart; drops from 26 to 38 on the Top Christian Albums Chart and drops from 27 to 39 on the Christian And Gospel Albums Chart
- 'Heart And Soul' remains at 23 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart
- 'He Touched Me' - The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley (Vols.1 and 2) is a re-entry at 12 on the Music Video Sales Chart.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Strictly Elvis 1973-75' New photo-book: Photographer Keith Alverson has announced that he is excited and proud to announce that KJ Consulting (Erik Lorentzen - Editor) are publishing his long anticipated 'Strictly Elvis 1973 - 1975' photo book.
The publication date will be in August, 2017 during the 40th anniversary of Elvis' death!
Keith Alverson first saw Elvis in concert in the early 70s when he secretly smuggled in his small pocket camera to sneak a few photos of Elvis from there he went from strength to strength. One his first Elvis' concerts was Elvis in Atlanta, July 1973 after which he saw Elvis over 80 times live on stage.
His outstanding photos of Elvis in his "Phoenix" jumpsuits are known by every Elvis fan.
With 1,400 photos this book concentrating on Elvis from 1973-1975 it has to be a real stunner. The volume is interestingly subtitled "Through The Lens of Keith Alverson Volume One".
More updates to come later!
Back in 2000 Elvis Unlimited previously published Keith Alverson's 'Elvis on Stage' book, however that was only a 110 page book and this new high-quality production will surpass any previous release.
(News, Source;KA/ElvisInfoNet)
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Leo Sayer on Elvis: Leo Sayer, from the UK, was a big name in pop in the mid-seventies. In 1977 he even managed two consecutive number one US hits 'You Make Me Feel Like Dancing' (Grammy Award winner) and 'When I Need You'. Leo Sayer now lives in country Australia but still keeps touring and recording.
In a strange quirk of fate back in 1977 Sayer would be one of the last strangers to talk with Elvis while on tour of the USA.
It all happened when he fell off stage in Alpine Valley, Wisconsin smashing his leg. After being hospitalised the show continued until his August 13, 1977 concert in Memphis.
Sayer explains, "I was in my Memphis dressing room when my knee went and I crawled into a ball and couldn't get up. I was carried off by a big security guy called Michael who'd once played for the Miami Dolphins and I heard he had an important boss.
He didn't tell me who his boss was but the next day his boss called me - it was Elvis Presley. He came on the phone singing 'You Make Me Feel Like Dancing' down the line.
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"I love that song, man" Elvis said, "'Michael has been looking after you. I hear you're a great guy. Just wondering if you'd like to come over to the house and hang out. Just me and my girlfriend Ginger here at the moment. Why don't you come over and spend a few days after your show?''
Sayer, 29 at the time, was going to head over but it never happened.
"The next morning I heard on the radio Elvis had been taken to hospital and died.
Years later, I began to think I must have dreamt the whole thing. But I met Ginger Alden at a dinner in London recently and she said 'Elvis had been so excited at the idea of spending a few days with you.'
I had tears in my eyes when she said that."
Sayer is a survivor in the business and he's certainly aware the pop world doesn't aid longevity. ''Elvis behaved similarly to Michael Jackson, the Artist shutting himself away, miserable and unhappy about the touring that they wanted him to do. In the end aligning himself with this doctor and basically killed himself.
I feel like the last man standing, the shock of David Bowie dying and I remember showing Prince around Warners' recording studios. He was the nicest kid."
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Beck covers Elvis' 'Can't Help Falling In Love': US artist Beck has unveiled his cover of the Elvis classic 'Can't Help Falling In Love'. With Elvis featured heavily in the HBO series Big Little Lies (see news story below) it seems his influence continues as strong as ever.
The track is taken from the Danger Mouse-curated soundtrack to the hit US TV show 'The Man In The High Castle'.
The soundtrack consists of songs from the '60s. Explaining the tracklist to Billboard, Danger Mouse said: "Because it was '62 - pre-Beatles, pre-most stuff people celebrate now as far as rock and roll it was a chance to do something different."
While Beck's next record is said to be upbeat, rocky and 'inspired by The Strokes', his take on the seminal Elvis hit is a soulful affair, leaning on the more tender mood of his previous GRAMMY-winning album 'Morning Phase'.
Click here to YouTube to hear Beck's 'Can't Help Falling In Love'
(News, Source;NME/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Ottawa proclaims “Elvis Presley Day”: Mayor Jim Watson proclaimed last Monday as “Elvis Presley Day” in Ottawa, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Elvis playing in the Canadian capital.
However God got in the way of Monique Oliver-Shaw’s only chance to see The King.
As a schoolgirl, she had a ticket to see Elvis Presley perform in Ottawa on April 3, 1957.
Oliver-Shaw, recalling the story at city hall on Monday in commemorating the 60th anniversary of that concert, said “Elvis the Pelvis” was too sinful for one of her teachers.
“During the class, the nun was asking everybody who had a ticket for that special night. Several hands came up and I was one, too. Somehow or other, the nun focused on me and she asked me to get my ticket,” Oliver-Shaw said.
“I brought it in the class and she asked me to do the ultimate sacrifice and to burn my ticket because God was loving me so much and in return I had to prove to him how much I loved him, so she produced a book of matches and she burned it in front of me.”
It was “heartbreak hotel,” she said.
See EIN's special on Elvis in Ottawa below
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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"Kissed By Elvis" Janet Fulton Interview & ELVIS In Ottawa: Janet Fulton was only 13 years-old when she attended Elvis' Canadian Ottawa concert on April 3rd 1957, despite her family having great reservations.
One of the highlights of her life was not only meeting Elvis but also being kissed by him, as shown in the famous photo.
Back in 2011 Janet Fulton contacted EIN regarding some other photos she was tracking down and was kind enough to let us interview her about the experience of meeting Elvis and being a young teenage fan in the fifties.
She tells us the experience of being at Elvis' famous Canadian concert in Ottawa "the nuns were saying it was the Devil's work" - and how meeting Elvis was a totally unexpected surprise.
Go here for our exclusive interview and for some great stories about Elvis in Ottawa in 1957 plus great photos.
(Interviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
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60 years ago in Buffalo, Elvis held her hand!: It is one of the most iconic photographs of Elvis in concert in the fifties - down on his knees looking into the eyes of his adoring, screaming teenage audience dressed in gold lame. Sixty year later we discover even more of the story as Montez Billquist reveals herself as the teenager touched by The King.
As they headed to the concert hall that incredible night Montez Billquist decided she could find a better view than the one promised by the $1.75 ticket in her hand and decided to sneak in at the front along with her friend Ann Meurer.
For Montez, it was a fateful choice. It would cost her a boyfriend but it would earn her a place in legend. That was April 1, 1957, 60 years ago last weekend.
Montez and Ann ran through a parking lot and scrambled up a ramp behind the stage. No one stopped them. Inside, stunned, amid a flood of distracted musicians and other adults, they realized they were just outside his dressing room. Elvis emerged, wearing a glittering golden jacket as he hurried toward the stage. |
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The girls, without hesitation, followed him. "All anyone could have done, was to kick us out." No one did. Montez and Ann pushed up to the stage, shouldering for a spot alongside police officers, photographers and stage hands.
They watched as Elvis triggered a shattering explosion of noise described as “incredibly ear-splitting screams and a fervor of arm-waving” from more than 10,000 in attendance, primarily teens.
Before the show was over, Elvis reached out from the stage to hold Montez's hand. She'd turn into a central figure in some unforgettable photographs that captured Elvis on his knees, singing directly to Montez during his final song of the night.
“I never saw him again,” Montez said. She describes herself as someone who rarely looks back but she called that concert "a positive highlight of my life.”
Occasionally, Montez recalls, Elvis would look down and catch her eye as he sang. She kept holding up a piece of paper to him, hoping he would pause to sign it. Yet what he did for her, in the big picture, was far more memorable.
Sylvan Fox in the Buffalo Evening news noted, “Elvis moved violently about the stage, clasped the hand of excited Montez Bellquist, 15, of Jamestown, threw himself to his knees in an impassioned gesture, ended the song and dashed from the stage. He ran full stride down the ramp, into a waiting auto and was gone.”
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Robert L. Smith, a photographer for The News, captured the moment when Montez reached toward Elvis, when he dropped onto his knees and sang for her.
From the instant Elvis sang to Montez, her life was never exactly the same. She said she was mobbed by fans in the parking lot who wanted to touch the hand that Elvis held. Back in Jamestown, she received so much attention in high school, and from the regulars at the jukebox stop, that her boyfriend – who felt he could not compete with Elvis – broke up with her.
She never saw him perform again after the show in Buffalo. “But I felt really close to him," she said. "I came from a troubled family, and his music always soothed me.”
Montez sensed a connection. She knows Elvis had almost nothing as a child, that he was raised amid harsh times in Mississippi. She hangs onto the photograph that shows her reaching toward him as he sings, as well as a pencil drawing of his face that she bought years ago. On the day he died – the 40th anniversary will be this August – she felt a sense of grief almost akin to losing family.
Go here to the full Buffalo News article
(News, Source;BNews;ElvisInfoNet) |
First 'Nashville Elvis Festival' a Success: The Williamson Herald reported on the first Nashville Elvis Festival which is expected to return in 2018.
Elvis Presley fans who have a hunk of burning love for “The King” came from far and wide for a weekend experience they will not soon forget.
Over 2,000 attendees enjoyed everything ELVIS at the Nashville Elvis Festival at the Franklin Theatre last weekend.
From an Elvis tribute contest, with multiple rounds, to conversations with friends who knew Elvis best, the four-day festival was in celebration of the music and legacy of “The King” left to generations of ongoing fandom.
The main festivities were held day and night at the theatre with six out of 11 evening shows sold out.
Wink Martindale, Tom Brown, and Jerry Schilling got together in the sound booth at Paragon Studios during a performance.
Brian Mayes of Music City Festivals, LLC and co-Founder of Nashville Elvis Festival said to expect the successful festival to come back next year.
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“Nashville Elvis Festival was a tremendous success with people from all over the world, descending on downtown Franklin to celebrate the life and legacy of the King of Rock & Roll,” Mayes said.
“Elvis fans were welcomed by Franklin with open arms, and we can’t wait to have them back next year for what we hope will be a longstanding annual tradition.”
On Friday and Saturday nights, the Elvis celebration continued down the street with parties at GRAYS on Main.
On Sunday morning, the festival concluded with an “Elvis Gospel Live” show.
A mother and daughter duo, Barbra Glidewell and Cindy Finkbiner, made the trip from Memphis, TN, where Elvis resided until the end of this life, to attend every show over the weekend.
“This is a really great festival, one of the best I have been to,” Finkiner said.
The duo are both lifetime Elvis fans. In 1956, Glidewell met Presley when she was just 14 years old in Tupelo, Miss. She was a traveling fan, going on to see Presley across several states. Glidewell’s husband went to high school with the one and only Elvis Presley, she added.
Another festival attendee, Wendy Luna, has been going to similar Elvis Festivals for the past six years.
“It is a bit addictive,” Luna said. “The level of talent was outstanding,”
EIN received a few comments noting that having to pay for each session separately made the event a little expensive in their opinion.
(News, Source;WH/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Zoe Kravitz sings “Don’t” on Big Little Lies finale: In the Season 1 finale of 'Big Little Lies', Reese Witherspoon has to deal with fallout from her past before the school’s "Elvis and Audrey" trivia fundraiser where all the ladies are dressed like Audrey Hepburn in various movies. Both Laura Dern and Zoë Kravitz (Bonnie) show up transformed into Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady. Bonnie sets herself apart by getting on stage and singing the 1958 Elvis song “Don’t.” It’s about man pleading with his lover in his embrace to “don’t say don’t.”
Zoë Kravitz, 28, is the daughter of Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. She has appeared in the movies X-Men: First Class (2011) and George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road (2015).
Adam Scott as Ed also takes the stage to croon Elvis' "The Wonder Of You" sung by Conor O'Brien.
Zoë Kravitz’s version of “Don’t“ has been released on the 'Big Little Lies' soundtrack as has 'The Wonder Of You'.
Click HERE to listen to her version of 'DON'T' on YouTube - Sadly it cannot compete with Elvis' sensational version. It does however work better within the show itself.
Click HERE to listen to Conor O'Brien's The Wonder Of You' on YouTube. Note - it sure ain't Elvis!
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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Elvis in Jail - 62 years ago!: Louisiana State Police this week recalled the story about Elvis being stopped sixty-two years ago for speeding in Caddo Parish. Elvis ended up spending a short time in the Caddo Parish Jail before posting a bond of $25 for traveling 20 mph over the speed limit.
Louisiana State Police marked the anniversary of the traffic stop with a Facebook post. The King was 20 years old when he was pulled over Sunday April 3, 1955, for speeding on U.S. Highway 171 in Caddo Parish.
"I turned around and followed him for eight miles at speeds of 65 to 80 mph ...," says a statement by the trooper who stopped Elvis.
It's believed that Elvis was on his way to play a concert at the Louisiana State Fair Grounds in Shreveport when authorities stopped his 1954 pink and white Cadillac.
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He reportedly was driving at 80 mph in a 60-mph zone.
LSP noted, "Presley was taken into custody and carried to the Caddo Parish Jail where he posted a bond of $25 for traveling 20 mph over the speed limit."
EIN notes that in fact Elvis would have been rushing home to Memphis from his Saturday night Louisiana Hayride concert in Houston, Texas April 2 1955. Shreveport is halfway between Houston and Memphis.
On April 5, 1955 his name was called three times at the Caddo Courthouse door but he failed to appear, leading to the forfeiture of the bond, records show.
You can click here to official LSP documents
OK- we know the above photo is Elvis in 1957 and not Caddo Parish Jail 1955 - but we love the image!
(News, Source;BQ/ElvisInfoNet)
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'Bruce Jackson: Six Years On the Road With Elvis' New Book: Australia's Evan Mueller is excited to announce a project that he knows keen Elvis fans have been wanting for years. The richly illustrated large-format book 'Bruce Jackson: Six Years On the Road With Elvis' delves deeply into sound-man Bruce Jackson’s life travelling with the Elvis Presley Show.
'I mixed and ran the sound for Elvis for six years until his death on August 16 1977. I was 22 when I started working for him. I did hundreds and hundreds of shows with Elvis across mainland United States and Hawaii, constantly on the road to the next city or town. In between there were recording projects Elvis asked me to be a part of and stopovers for rehearsals at Graceland. Over those six years I got to know him on a candid personal level as a friend.' - Bruce Jackson
Written and compiled by the Jackson family using intimate letters and direct quotes from talking tapes recorded by Bruce Jackson back in the day, this book will take the reader on a previously unexplored journey behind the scenes with new stories, new artefacts, and details never before read about Bruce Jackson, Elvis Presley and his entourage. Richly illustrated, you'll get an accurate impression of day-to-day touring life through postcards written and posted along the track by Bruce to his girlfriend and family, through fastidiously collected and preserved tour literature, and what everyone is
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wondering about: the tapes. Bruce recorded every show he did with Elvis. It's a fact.
Bruce was warmly welcomed into the TCB inner circle. This is Bruce’s story told in his words, with contributions from family, friends, and colleagues including Roy Clair (co-founder of Clair Bros Audio).
Whilst the release date is to be confirmed, we will post details in due course and let you know how to order your copy of this limited edition.
Evan Mueller has been friends with the Bruce Jackson family for years and is a very knowledgeable Elvis fan. This should be a fascinating book.
(News, Source;FECC/ElvisInfoNet) |
'Easy Come, Easy Go' and 'Double Trouble' two of Elvis' Worst Movies Turn 50: In the spring of 1967 two of Elvis' musical comedies were released within weeks of each other - 'Easy Come, Easy Go' and 'Double Trouble'. There is no doubt that these were two of Elvis' all-time worst movies!
The recent Graceland Blog discusses each movie and tries to put a positive spin on this disastrous period.
"Easy Come, Easy Go, Romance, comedy and an underwater treasure – what more do you need? (EIN would suggest possibly a good script, a positive director and some quality songs!) It’s the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ 23rd movie, “Easy Come, Easy Go.” The movie premiered in March 1967. While it didn’t make a huge impression at the box office, Elvis fans were happy with the colorful, adventurous plotline, Elvis tunes and, of course, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll himself. Elvis stars as Ted, a former U.S. Navy frogman and singer."
“Double Trouble” doesn’t top many fans’ lists of favorite Elvis films, and it performed well, but not great, at the box office. Still, fans enjoy the laughs, the music and, of course, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, in this romp about a rock star who gets mixed up with an heiress, jewel thieves and detectives."
As EIN notes, even the movie trailer was ludicrous; “Elvis takes mad mod Europe by song as he swings into a brand new adventure filled with dames, diamonds, discotheques and danger”.
The day after the Double Trouble soundtrack session Elvis attended a Jackie Wilson concert and met with James Brown who was in the audience. These were two performers who were spearheading the new Soul movement that was dominating the charts along with The Beatles. And what song had the great Elvis Presley recorded the day before, ‘Old MacDonald Had A Farm’! I bet Elvis didn’t mention that to The Godfather of Soul! |
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60 years ago - Elvis rocked Buffalo: Elvis Presley stepped onto Buffalo Memorial Auditorium's stage 60 years ago, wearing a shimmering gold lamé jacket, black pants and gold shoes.
The Army drafted Elvis eight months later, and after his discharge, the rawness that characterized his early career would diminish. But not on April 1, 1957.
Elvis stepped onto the spotlit stage, gripped the microphone in his right hand and waited more than 3 minutes for the crowd to quiet down enough for him to begin.
"Elvis Presley – the stuff of which some teenage dreams are made – swept Buffalo like a whirlwind Monday evening," Buffalo New's Sylvan Fox's review began.
"For 30 minutes, the gyrating, grimacing guitarist-singer slumped and waved his way about the small stage in Memorial Auditorium, bringing his predominantly feminine audience to a fever pitch of excitement, which expressed itself in incredibly ear-splitting screams and a fervor of arm-waving," Fox wrote.
Robert L. Smith, a photographer for the Buffalo Evening News, captured the spectacle and took 26 photographs that night. |
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One became the most iconic photograph of the young Elvis, reproduced on everything from posters and coffee mugs to Graceland shopping bags and Visa cards.
Tickets cost $2 to $3.50 that night the set list included "Heartbreak Hotel," "I Was the One," "I've Got a Woman," "Don't Be Cruel," and "That's Where Heartaches Begin."
"For a climactic close," the reviewer wrote, Presley performed "You Ain't Nothing But a Hound Dog," in which he "moved violently about the stage."
It was hard to hear Elvis that night. Swiveling hips that caused TV networks to only show him from the waist up elicited loud screams and shrieks from the bobby-sox set.
"The turnstile count of the crowd was 10,375, and they were mostly teenagers screaming at the limit of their physical power," Fox wrote. "Elvis could barely be heard as he went through his repertoire of inimitable numbers ... but whether he could be heard or not didn't make too much difference.
"The thousands of young girls, and a scattering of boys and adults, had come not to hear a singer. They had come to see Elvis, to touch him if possible and to get his signature on a piece of paper to cherish always -- or at least until another idol comes along."
Later, the reviewer referred to Elvis' performance as a "vast emotional catharsis for thousands of teenagers who have found in this 22-year-old former truck driver something that answers in a vague and ephemeral way, their longings and strivings."
Before the concert, Elvis held a press conference backstage. He was dressed in a red jacket, frilly silver shirt, dark pants and the gold shoes he would wear onstage.
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Elvis answered most questions with "Yes, sir" and "No, sir."
In response to a reporter's question, Elvis, sitting on a table with one foot dangling, was asked if he had an adverse effect on his fans.
"I don't think I'm causing them to do anything wrong," Elvis said. "They scream and yell and have fun."
Smith only had 13 holders for his "standard press photographer's camera," which allowed two pictures for each. That limited him to 26 photographs. After the backstage photos, and several shots of teens erupting with screams after getting glimpses of Elvis before the show, that left eight unused photos.
Then something unexpected happened.
"Elvis came up to me, and asked me if I would like to photograph him up on stage," Smith said.
"Sure, I would," he answered.
"At that point, I was just starting my career in photography. I was excited. I had never seen anything like this before -- I had never been to a concert before," Smith said.
The photographer stood on the edge of the stage, directly in front of Elvis, for two or three songs, he recalled.
"I remember the screaming," he said. "The girls were on the edge of the stage, reaching up for autographs, and I'm up there, in front of Elvis."
Go here to the Buffalo News for the full story
(News, Source;BN/ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis' Ed Sullivan Show To Be Colourized + 4K Resolution: The 'America in Color' series will restore a century of footage, including the attack on Pearl Harbor, Franklin Roosevelt's home movies and Elvis Presley's first Ed Sullivan TV appearance September 9, 1956, to high-resolution color images.
The Smithsonian Channel, the US network run by Showtime and the Smithsonian Institution, has launched one of the most ambitious and wide-ranging restoration projects ever undertaken colorizing a century of black-and-white footage chronicling the history of the US, its people and pop culture.
For its new five-hour series America in Color, the Smithsonian Channel will restore images ranging from Prohibition and the Jazz Age to the moon landing and the birth of rock and roll. Footage includes illegal drinking in speakeasies in the 1920, President Franklin Roosevelt's rare home movies shot during the Great Depression, scenes of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and Elvis Presley's debut television appearance on the Ed Sullivan show.
British production company Arrow Media, whose credits include National Geographic's Live from Space produced the series, colorizing the footage and restoring it to high def 4K color.
“This series shows America as never seen before – taking stories that everybody thinks they know and telling them in a compelling new way that is instantly relatable. We have covered some of the most dramatic and iconic moments in 20th-century America, with rare footage that now feels fresh and modern but also highly authentic.
America in Color was commissioned by Chris Hoelzl and David Royle at Smithsonian Channel.
“This is one of our most important commissions – it’s a landmark series that puts the color back into history and transports viewers into a past that once seemed gray and distant, but now is vibrant and compelling,” said Royle.
(News, Source;BQ/ElvisInfoNet)
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Happy Birthday Graceland, March 25, 1957: With such a busy month EIN let this slip under the radar. Of course it was Graceland's 60th anniversary on March 25 2017.
The mansion that Elvis purchased for $102,500 on March 25, 1957 for his mama, Gladys, his dad, Vernon, and himself to "stretch out in" (Elvis' words) has 23 rooms spread out over 17,000 square feet, and is situated on 13-plus acres of prime Memphis real estate.
But it's small, compared to what people expect. Small, compared to the Versailles-like palace many imagine the King of Rock and Roll to have held court in, with his "Memphis mafia," pink Cadillacs and closets full of sequined jumpsuits. Small, in other words, compared to how large Graceland looms in the popular imagination.
As Elvis fans visiting for the first time note, as far as superstar mansions go, it is very modest in terms of size. |
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But size isn't everything. And Graceland's relatively modest footprint hasn't deterred thousands of annual visitors from turning the Elvis mansion into the second most visited residence in the US (White House is No. 1).
Graceland has become an inspiration, a symbol, a byword. When Bruce Springsteen was anointed the new king of rock and roll after the release of "Born to Run" in 1975, it was only natural that he'd celebrate by jumping the iconic music-note gate at Graceland at 3 a.m., seeking an audience with the reigning monarch. (Guards escorted him to the sidewalk.)
When Marc Cohn went "Walking in Memphis" in his 1991 hit, it was a foregone conclusion that he would end up at Graceland: "Saw the ghost of Elvis, On Union Avenue, Followed him up to the gates of Graceland, Then I watched him walk right through." Most notably, Paul Simon's Grammy-winning 1986 album "Graceland" used the Elvis mansion as a jumping-off point for a whole odyssey about race, class, homelessness and identity.
It goes beyond the house. There's an aura, because of who lived in it."
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Graceland was named after Grace Toof, the daughter of Memphis printer Stephen C. Toof, founder of S.C. Toof & Co., whose namesake grounds and mansion, built in 1939, Elvis Presley bought when he was seeking refuge from his hordes of fans.
But such is the power that Graceland has assumed in the popular imagination, 40 years after Elvis' death on Aug. 16, 1977, that it has come to encompass all meanings.
The mansion graced for 20 years by the King of Rock and Roll himself, and finally Graceland the shrine, the place where, since it was opened to the public in 1982, 650,000 pilgrims arrive each year to seek the blessings of the great god Elvis.
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"I have reason to believe we all will be received in Graceland," Paul Simon sang, knowingly. His use of the word "received" is the tip-off. Substitute "heaven" for "Graceland", "I have reason to believe we all will be received in heaven", and you have the basic promise of the Christian church.
So what is the grace that visitors seek at Graceland?
It isn't graceful living, at least in any sense that Better Homes and Gardens would recognize. Elvis was many things, but he was not an interior decorator. The famous "Jungle Room" with its tiki bar furniture, fake waterfall and colored lights, is not exactly a byword for tasteful restraint. The all-white living room with its peacock-stained glass windows, the billiards room with its outrageous sunburst ceiling and Tiffany-style lampshades, is something no self-respecting mobster would be seen in.
The gaudy decor, in fact, may be a key to the place that Graceland holds in the American imagination.
Elvis Presley was a dirt-poor Mississippi boy from Tupelo. From sheer determination, force of character, and talent - lots of talent - he made himself into a wealthy pop star, the idol of millions. His mansion reflects how a poor boy from Mississippi might imagine rich people lived.
Rich Elvis was exactly the same as poor Elvis - one of the reasons so many people loved him. When Presley came into millions, he didn't suddenly switch from beer to fine wine, develop an interest in Chippendale furniture, hobnob with senators or obsess about which fork to use. He still hung out with the same good old boys he grew up with, and horsed around the way he did in high school. To the end of his life, he lived the way a 17-year-old country boy who had suddenly come into lots of money would live.
When you walk through Graceland, you imagine a scene in Elvis' life, picturing what he might be doing. The only thing is fans always wish they could go upstairs. It seems so off-limits. Just to see the bedroom. Crushed velvet, perhaps. Mirrors.
But maybe Graceland isn't a shrine to Elvis after all. Maybe it's a temple to our most sacred idea: The American Dream.
As the class divide in the United States gets more conspicuous, as the traditional routes to achievement become blocked, more than ever we seek tangible proof that it is still possible to rise in this country, that one day it could be us driving that pink Cadillac, living in that mansion with the white columns, or even issuing directives from the Oval Office.
The American Dream, like all beliefs, is impalpable - abstract. But since March 25, 1957, it's had a concrete address: 3764 Elvis Presley Blvd. (formerly Highway 51 South), Memphis.
Graceland. Where we all will be received.
We need our mythology. People go to Graceland because Elvis represents the American dream. The guy who came from nothing, and shook his behind to the top of the world.
Go HERE to EIN's spotlight - 'All About Graceland'
Go here to 'Elvis Presley's Graceland Through The Years' Book review
(News, Source;Game-Changers/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'The Wonder Of You' still in the UK charts: After nearly six months in the UK album charts, the Elvis & RPO album 'The Wonder Of You' is still hanging on.
'The Wonder Of You' rises from 93 to 65 on the UK Album Chart for 31st March, 2017.
Other Elvis Entries on the UK Charts - 31st March, 2017
- 'The Wonder Of You' rises from 54 to 48 on the Physical Album Chart and rises from 69 to 53 on the Album Sales Chart
- 'The Platinum Collection' rises from 87 to 85 on the Physical Album Chart and drops from 16 to 21 on the Indie Albums Chart
- 'The Wonder Of You' rises from 75 to 56 on the Scottish Album Chart
- 'The Platinum Collection' is a re-entry at 87 on the Scottish Album Chart
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Allan Weiss, Elvis scriptwriter, Dies aged 90: Screenwriter Allan Weiss, who was on hand to witness Elvis Presley's first Hollywood screen test and worked on six of Presley's movies in the 1960s, died last Thursday aged 90.
He was there in 1956 for the singer's first Hollywood screen test and later penned 'The Sons of Katie Elder.'
Weiss provided the story for Presley's Blue Hawaii (1961) and wrote or co-wrote the screenplays for the films Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), Fun in Acapulco (1963), Roustabout (1964), Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966) and Easy Come, Easy Go (1967).
Weiss once noted that to write a screenplay for an Elvis movie, "You had to make room for 12 songs, and they had to be integrated." He and Anthony Lawrence's script for Roustabout was nominated for a WGA award for best movie musical that year, losing out to Mary Poppins.
Weiss received credit for just one other screenplay during his career, The Sons of Katie Elder (1965), the Henry Hathaway-directed film that starred John Wayne and Dean Martin.
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Weiss was an associate of producer Hal Wallis, whose credits included The Maltese Falcon (1941), Casablanca (1942) and multiple Elvis films. Weiss was present when Hal Wallis made Presley's screen test in March 1956.
Weiss noted, "No one had any expectations; Presley was such a strange, quiet fellow, so completely foreign, but he sang and read a scene from The Rainmaker and answered questions asked from off-screen and it was phenomenal. It was an amazing experience to be there, one of those life-changing experiences."
A native of Sharon, Pa., Harry "Allan" Weiss served in the U.S. Army, later he graduated from UCLA and worked as a sound engineer and in journalism.
Weiss' partner, producer Paul Nathan, who also worked alongside Wallis, died in 1977. The two are buried near each other at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
(News, Source;HollywoodNews/ElvisInfoNet) |
'Platinum: A Life In Music' Re-Release OUT NOW: Sony UK has re-released the classic 4-Cd set 'Platinum: A Life In Music'- in a small-book format twenty years after its first release in 1997.
The set chronicles the outstanding career of Elvis Presley (1954 to 1977) from a unique perspective and it includes 100 performances, 77 of which were previously unreleased in 1997. This historic overview traces his development as an artist and emphasizes how Elvis' music always returned to its unshakable core values. This 4-CD box set contains a 48-page book and consists mostly of previously unreleased alternate takes of Elvis Presley's hits.
There is no info on whether this 20th anniversary release includes audio upgrades of all the "77 were previously unreleased takes" which have since been remastered.
The publicity notes, "You probably think you've heard all there is to hear from The King, what with countless Elvis retrospectives, anthologies, and reissues flooding the market. While PLATINUM is far from the first Elvis boxset, it's unique in that it's composed largely of previously unreleased material. Four discs cover every phase of Presley's career, from young Memphis hip-shaker to the Las Vegas era, adding a fresh perspective to each period.
It's both an education and a kick to hear alternate versions of songs as ingrained in the public consciousness as 'That's All Right', and others from Elvis' legendary Sun sessions."
Only £18.53 & FREE UK Delivery on Amazon UK orders (see below)
(News, Source;Sony/Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)
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Official Elvis CD Box-sets at bargain prices through Amazon UK |
| Recent Elvis News from earlier last week . . . |
Nashville ELVIS Festival Kicks off Today: Elvis Presley fans from around the world are gathering in Nashville for the inaugural Nashville Elvis Festival, starting today and running March 30-April 2, 2017.
The historic Franklin Theatre is serving as the host venue, with additional events taking place at Paragon Studios and GRAYS on Main - all just south of downtown Nashville.
The 4-day festival will be filled with celebrity appearances, live music performances and on-stage interviews with Elvis Presley's friends and band members.
The festival will also include an Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest with contestants from worldwide.
Two special VIP events will feature live recreations of portions of the "'68 Comeback Special" and an Elvis recording session inside one of Music City's top recording studios.
The list of Special Guests scheduled to Appear Include:
Jerry Schilling - Elvis' friend, "Memphis Mafia" member
Brenda Lee - Friend of Elvis; iconic female vocalist
T.G. Sheppard - Close friend of Elvis; Chart-topping artist
Wink Martindale - Friend of Elvis; Legendary TV personality
Sandy Martindale - Elvis' former girlfriend; Dancerin Elvis movies
D.J. Fontana - Elvis' drummer
Donnie Sumner - lead vocalist of JD Sumner & The Stamps
Norbert Putnam - Bass man - Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section
Armond Morales - Member of The Imperials (below)
Joanne Cash - Legendary Gospel artist and the younger sister of Johnny Cash
Mary Sarah - One of Country music's top new artists, as seen on NBC's "The Voice"
Brian Oxley - Music history buff who recently saved Col. Tom Parker's home & office
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Gina Keltner - Senior Talent Manager at the Grand Ole Opry
Jeff Lewis - Award-winning Elvis Tribute Artist, songwriter, and emcee
Bill Cherry - 2009 Ultimate ETA Champion; Co-star of Elvis Lives Tour
Jay Dupuis - 2014 Ultimate ETA Champion; Co-star of Elvis Lives Tour
Dean Z - 2013 Ultimate ETA Champion; Co-star of Elvis Lives Tour
Nashville Elvis Festival is produced by Music City Festivals, LLC - founded by Nashville entertainment publicist Brian Mayes and Tom Brown, former Vice President of Original Production for Turner Classic Movies (TCM), longtime host of select Elvis Week events and one of the hosts of the Gates of Graceland web series. Brown will also serve as the host for all Nashville Elvis Festival events.
For tickets and Event schedule information, visit the official website at http://www.NashvilleElvisFestival.com.
(News, Source;NashvillePRWeb/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Elvis: One Night In Toronto': OUT NOW: Paul Sweeney is a name that you often see in the credits of quality Elvis photo-books and is the main author behind the new book 'Elvis Presley In Person 'One Night In Toronto' April 2 - 1957' - OUT now. The book is a historical document for the 60th Anniversary featuring interviews, backstage stories, private moments, hundreds of never before published photos and with the images taken from original negatives.
The book has arrived in Toronto and author Paul Sweeney told EIN that he feels "like a proud Father"!
Elvis fans have recently contacted EIN wanting to know more about the up-coming book - especially as there has been some odd negative publicity from another publisher - and Paul Sweeney kindly agreed to answers some of our questions and to clarify a few issues.
Go here to EIN's interview with Paul Sweeney plus some great sneak-peak Elvis photos from the book
(Interviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
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Tom Jones Denies Priscilla Relationship: The story about Tom Jones & Priscilla getting together has been doing the rounds in the tabloids. Needless to say the story is another beat-up started by the media seeing two 70+year-olds having dinner together.
This week Tom Jones insisted tying the knot again is “the last thing” on his mind because he is still getting over the death of his wife last year, who he was married to for nearly 60 years.
Sir Tom previously said Elvis “wouldn’t be too sure” about his relationship with Priscilla, who he has grown close to since Linda’s death and while addressing rumours that they are dating for the first time, the Welsh singer has admitted he’s unsure how the late King of Rock ‘n’ Roll would feel about them having dinner and hanging out together.
Jones said: “I really don’t know how Elvis would feel about us having dinner together – he probably wouldn’t be too sure.
But Elvis was a great man. It’s nice to know that |
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Priscilla and I are still in touch after all this time.”
He revealed that the pair bonded over his song ‘Elvis Presley Blues’ from his 2005 album ‘Long Lost Suitcase’, but that they don’t spend much time talking about music.
“Musically, that’s about as much as we talk about. But she’s been a friend of mine since 1968 when I first met her with Elvis.”
Explaining their relationship, he added: “We were friends so we’ve kept in touch. We’ve been in each other’s lives for years and she is one of a bunch of people that I know in Los Angeles and we do hang out.”
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet) |
Actor Vanessa Hudgens Elvis fashion statement: Vanessa Hudgens who rose to fame playing Gabriella Montez in the 'High School Musical' series was photographed this week in LA wearing ELVIS fashion. She has continued her mainstream success and her relationship with co-star Zac Efron was heavily publicized and in the US is a household name. She has since appeared in films Sucker Punch, Spring Breakers and Machete Kills and also played the role of Rizzo in 'Grease: Live' in 2016.
Great to see such young talent sporting a trendy hoodie with a graphic of rock n roll legend Elvis Presley's eyes.
The 28-year-old actress looked relaxed and comfortable as she shopped around Los Angeles in her super casual Elvis get-up.
The Salinas-born beauty looked ready for a workout in her pink hoodie and black leggings with a grey stripes.
Vanessa kept her dark raven hair pulled up in a tight ponytail and framed her face with tortoise shell sunglasses.
Once again Elvis' stunning image passes on to the next generation.
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'A Brand New Cadillac, Honey!' New Import: Straight Arrow is pleased to bring you a new double CD dedicated to Elvis' April ’76 tour. It was short but very good tour, with Tony Brown and Ronnie Tutt replacing Shane Kiester on piano and Larrie Londin on drums.
The Long Beach, April 25th, 1976 afternoon show is previously unreleased. The Seattle, April 26th, 1976 show was first released by Millbranch Music in 2010 from a rather poor sounding tape source.
Straight Arrow was fortunate enough to obtain recently recovered 1st generation copies of the original audience-recorded cassettes, which were not in circulation previously. Both shows were recorded by the same person. These enjoyable concerts were never before available in good sound quality… until now! Ask your dealer for sound samples.
As usual, this new release will be presented in a beautiful 4-panel digipak that includes photos taken in Long Beach (2:30 pm) and Seattle and newspaper reviews of both concerts. Again - it’s new STRAIGHT ARROW so you know what to expect!
Go to 'All The CD News 2017' for full details and tracklistings
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Got Me Workin' Boss Man - 40 Years After Vol. 1' New Import: Yet another Straight Arrow release, this time dedicated to Elvis' May ’77 tour. The Macon, June 1st, 1977 show is previously unreleased. This recording was taken directly from a recently found 1st generation copy of an audience-recorded mastertape. This historic concert was never before available in decent sound quality… until now! Ask your dealer for sound samples. Compared with an average show in Baton Rouge, May 31st, Macon concert is surprisingly good. 'Fairytale', 'My Way' and 'And I Love You So' are performed really well but one highlight stands out, rocking performance of 'Big Boss Man' at the end of show. As usual, this new release will be presented in a beautiful 3-panel digipak that includes photos taken in Macon and a newspaper review. If you liked our other May 1977 release “Too Late For Goodbyes” (SA/SP 2016-42-02), we'll bet that you will also love this one.
Go to 'All The CD News 2017' for full details and tracklistings
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Latest US Billboard Charts & Spotify : Sadly Elvis has no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart for Week of 8th April, 2017.
- 'The Wonder Of You' rises from 8 to 7 on the Classical Albums Chart
- 'If I Can Dream' rises from 18 to 15 on the Classical Albums Chart
- 'Elvis: Ultimate Gospel' rises from 8 to 7 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart and rises from 30 to 26 on the Top Christian Albums Chart
- 'Heart And Soul' is a re-entry at 23 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart.
Billboard and Spotify are also teaming to present three new Spotify-driven charts published weekly on Billboard.com. The Viral 50 will feature songs with the greatest volume of social and sharing activity; the 30-track Velocity Chart covers songs that are growing rapidly on Spotify; and the Spotify Rewind tally will highlight five songs for each decade from the 1960s through the 2000s, ranked by popularity and relative weekly revival. In addition, those who visit Billboard's site will be able to hear 30-second snippets of each song on every chart, with the option to stream tunes in their entirety on Spotify's service:
- 'Pocketful Of Rainbows' - a new entry at 5 on the Spotify 60's Rewind Chart
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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| EIN exclusives and News from earlier in March . . . |
'Elvis On Television 1956-1960' MRS Special Double Vinyl: Memphis Recording Service will release an exclusive limited edition Record Store Day release for 2017. Under RSD rules any leftover copies (the week after April 22nd) can then be purchased through local Elvis dealers.
'Elvis On Television 1956-1960: The Complete Sound Recordings', 2LP 180 gram with 24-page gatefold photo album. MRS Record Store Day 2017 release.
This Limited Edition 180 gram double-album set contains for the first time ever, the complete archival sound recordings of all of Elvis Presleys television appearances from 1956 – 1960.
All the 40 tracks herein are restored re-mastered using the most sophisticated technology.
The bonus 24-page gatefold photo album contains many rare photographs with listings of Elvis TV appearance dates.
Go here to EIN's review of the 'Elvis On Television 1956-1960' book/CD release.
Go to All The CD News 2017 for full details and tracklistings
(News, Source;MRS/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis, Bob Dylan, George Harrison session?: In a recent interview Bob Dylan opened up about his music and songwriting and discussed his relationships with Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and others in a rare and lengthy interview.
The interview included Dylan recalling Sinatra telling him, “‘You and me, pal, we got blue eyes, we’re from up there … These other bums are from down here.’”
“I remember thinking that he might be right,” added Dylan, who last year was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature, but did not show up to accept the award.
Of the many superstars who died last year, including Muhammad Ali and Merle Haggard, Dylan said in the interview the deaths hit him hard. “We were like brothers, we lived on the same street and they all left empty spaces where they used to stand. It’s lonesome without them,” he said.
When asked about why Presley didn’t show up for a recording session with Dylan and George Harrison, he replied: “He did show up – it was us that didn’t.”
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| EIN notes Dylan, who often plays games with journalists is telling a ludicrous story. As IF Elvis showed up at a planned recording session and Bob Dylan did not!
While Dylan has always acknowledged Elvis as a hero, noting that first hearing Elvis was like "busting out of jail." Upon Elvis' death Dylan said, "It was so sad. I had a breakdown! I broke down. One of the very few times I went over my whole life. I went over my whole childhood. I didn't talk to anyone for a week after Elvis died. If it wasn't for Elvis and Hank Williams, I couldn't be doing what I do today."
However at no point was a recording session ever planned with Elvis, Bob Dylan and George Harrison working together. Rolling Stone however is posting the news as genuine.
(News, Source;RS/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'The Wonder Of You' Elvis RPO UK Tour 2017: Following the sellout British arena tour last year and the No.1 multi-platinum album The Wonder Of You, Elvis Presley returns to the UK for a live concert experience like no other backed by the legendary Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
The six date UK arena tour kicks off in Glasgow at the SSE Hydro on November 23rd, taking in Leeds First Direct Arena (24th), Newcastle First Direct Arena (25th), Birmingham Genting Arena (27th), Manchester Arena (28th), with the finale at London's O2 Arena on November 30th.
Last year's run gained critical applause including, the Lancashire Telegraph's "By the end, the show left no-one in any doubt. Elvis is and always will be the king of rock and roll - and so much more besides".
Featuring a special personal appearance by Priscilla Presley, the shows will once again give fans a chance to experience the man who changed the course of popular music. |
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If I Can Dream and The Wonder Of You (Elvis' 13th No.1 album in the UK!) were produced by Don Reedman, Priscilla Presley and EPE. Priscilla Presley will be also be making a very special appearance at the arena shows.
These shows will be a musical celebration of the legend for whom superlatives weren't enough and who continues to break records.
Go here to EIN's exclusive review of the Elvis / RPO 2016 London Concert
Tour Dates: - ON SALE NOW - click here for tickets
November 23 Glasgow SSE Hydro
November 24 Leeds First Direct Arena
November 25 Newcastle First Direct Arena
November 27 Birmingham Genting Arena
November 28 Manchester Arena
November 30 London O2 Arena
(News, Source;BQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
Elton John's 'sad' meeting with Elvis: A new book about Elton John is, of course, being promoted using Elton John's story about meeting Elvis. Yet again this shows the power of Elvis' legacy.
... An audience with the king of rock 'n' roll was something that most baby-boomer musicians could only dream about. But when Elton John finally got his chance to meet Elvis Presley, he found the experience to be more nightmarish.
John (who grew up miming to Elvis records in his bedroom) got the chance to meet his idol in June 1976 at the height of his US success.
As he recalls in the new book "Captain Fantastic" (based on hours of new interviews with the singer), John took his mother, Sheila, to a concert in Washington, DC. But the Elvis of his youth had long left the building.
"It was sad," Elton notes, recalling Presley's bloated and drugged state. The two met backstage prior to the show, and engaged in awkward chitchat. John requested "Heartbreak Hotel," but Presley was unable to deviate from the rehearsed set and couldn't perform the epochal 1956 single. "Elton looked into the eyes of the King and felt there was 'nothing there,'" Doyle writes.
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EIN Notes that Elvis DID actually perform 'Heartbreak Hotel' at Elton John's concert. This article seems to be the usual sensationalistic publicity grab.
John and his mom were then escorted to their seats, and they watched with equal parts horror and admiration. "It was someone who was in a complete drug haze giving nylon scarves away to these fans," John recalls. "And yet it was still, in a way, magical."
Sheila, however, wasn't quite as dazzled by this fading star. As soon as the show was over, she predicted Presley would be dead in six months. "Well," John reflects in the book, "it was a year."
(News, Source;SM/ElvisInfoNet) |
How Can Lisa Marie Have Financial Problems?: An article posted by Celebrity Net-worth has raised some good questions about Lisa Marie's supposed financial problems.
In 1979 Lisa Marie, 12-years-old, became the sole heir of the Elvis estate which at the time was worth an estimated $100 million, roughly $295 million in today's dollars. According the terms of the trust, Lisa officially inherited her father's estate in 1993, on the day of her 25th birthday. In the February 2005 deal with Core Media Group Lisa Marie received $53 million, was absolved $25 million of debt and also received $20 million worth of equity in Core Media Group (CKX Inc.).
So you would think Lisa Marie would have some very definite financial security. But apparently that isn't the case for Lisa Marie Presley and the divorce battle with Michael Lockwood has begun to show that Lisa Marie's financial situation is grim.
Lisa Marie receives a monthly income of about $100,000 from her inheritance. According to Elvis' daughter, her manager did not pay taxes for her and as a result, she reportedly owes the IRS $1.5 million and the government of the U.K. $5 million. She also owes $250,000 in state taxes as well as other debt in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Lisa Marie alleges that her ex spent more than a million dollars of her money without her consent. Lisa claims that when she confronted him he admitted he'd racked up that amount on her personal credit cards.
On the other side of the divorce proceedings, Lockwood, who is seeking spousal support, is alleging that Lisa Marie squandered her fortune on drugs and alcohol. According to Radar, Lockwood is expected to use her issues with substance abuse against her as Lisa Marie spent some time in rehab just last summer. |
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The couple are also fighting over custody of their 8-year-old twins Harper and Finley.
Lisa is technically an employee of Graceland and as such, she receives a salary of $4,300 a month in addition to her inheritance. She claims to have been attempting to save money over the past 18 months since she hasn't taken any vacations, flown on a plane, or traveled anywhere. She doesn't even pay any rent or mortgage as she lives with her adult daughter Riley Keough and her family.
(News, Source; CelebrityNetworth/ElvisInfoNet) |
March 18 - Chuck Berry has died aged 90: The great rock'n'roller, one of the true pioneers Chuck Berry has died aged 90. The legendary singer / songwriter's revolutionary sound with hits like 'Rock and Roll Music', 'Maybellene,' 'Roll Over Beethoven', 'Memphis, Tennessee', 'Sweet Little Sixteen', 'No Particular Place to Go' and 'Johnny B. Goode' inspired many and, along-side the likes of Elvis, had a massive impact. Chuck Berry passed away at the age of 90 on Saturday March 18.
During his 60 years in show business, Berry became one of the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, The Blues Foundation’s Blues Hall of Fame in ’85 and also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
He performed in 1979 for President Jimmy Carter at the White House, landed at No. 6 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and trademarked his stage showmanship with his famous “duck walk.”
John Lennon once said, “If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry.’” He paved the way for such legends as the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and many others.
Elvis loved Chuck Berry's music, performing Berry's very first single 'Maybellene' on stage only a few weeks after it had been released in July 1955. At the famous Million Dollar Quartet jam Berry's 'Brown Eyed Handsome Man' was the song they kept returning to, three times in all, with all noting admiration for Berry as a composer.
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Elvis also recorded Berry's 'Memphis, Tennessee', 'Johnny B. Goode' and 'Promised Land' performed 'School Day' in concert and based his recording of 'Merry Christmas Baby' on Berry's version.
At the 1973 STAX sessions Marty Lacker told EIN that, "Elvis sometimes sung Chuck Berry songs at Graceland, but for whatever reason decided not to record any more of them at the Stax session apart from 'Promised Land'.
At the August 27, 1965 meeting between Elvis and The Beatles it has been confirmed that Elvis handed out a couple of guitars and they started singing songs including Chuck Berry compositions, as well as Elvis singing a couple of Beatles songs. Elvis and Paul alternated at the piano and Lennon was playing a guitar.
Oh, to have a tape of Elvis and The Beatles singing Chuck Berry songs!
Chuck Berry was born on Oct. 18, 1926, as Charles Edward Anderson Berry. He was raised in St. Louis in a middle-class black neighborhood. Married to Themetta Suggs in 1948, Berry supported his family by becoming a factory worker before pounding the pavement in the club circuit to earn extra cash. |
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He partnered with pianist Johnnie Johnson, joining his group Sir John’s Trio, which later became known as the Chuck Berry Combo.
The lyrics for Berry's songs had narrative swagger, reflecting the spirit of teenage angst depicting fast cars, drag races and the story of an unfaithful girl as its main themes.
He explained his appeal to adolescents across different cultural backgrounds: “Everything I wrote about wasn’t about me but about the people listening.” He had a way of identifying what people wanted to express, but weren’t able to, during this segregated time.
His 1972 album The London Chuck Berry Sessions, featuring a who’s who of British rock royalty went gold within a month, but sadly his only No.1 hit on both the Billboard and UK charts was the novelty song 'My Ding-A-Ling'.
Berry fought a number of legal situations that happened in his life including several times in prison once for tax evasion.
Bands like the Rolling Stones, Beach Boys and Beatles all covered his songs, Bruce Springsteen and Steve Miller performed live with Berry. Springsteen and the E Street Band backed Berry during his performance of “Johnny B. Goode” and “Rock and Roll Music” at his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Keith Richards noted, “The beautiful thing about Chuck Berry’s playing was it had such an effortless swing. None of this sweating and grinding away and grimacing… just pure, effortless swing, like a lion.”
Today musicians around the world reacted to the sad news.
Mick Jagger - "I am so sad to hear of Chuck Berry's passing. I want to thank him for all the inspirational music he gave to us. He was a true pioneer of rock'n'roll & a massive influence".
Rod Stewart - "It started with Chuck Berry. He inspired us all."
Bruce Springsteen - "Chuck Berry was rock's greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest pure rock 'n' roll writer who ever lived."
Keith Urban - "RIP Chuck Berry !!!! Thank you for the poetry, the passion and the potency!
Back in 1986 when asked about Elvis, Chuck Berry said, "Elvis Presley? He was the greatest who ever was, is or ever will be."
Click HERE to YouTube for Elvis' fabulous 'Promised Land'
Click here to YouTube for CNN's news story about Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry RIP 18/10/1926 - 18/03/2017
(Go here to read EIN's spotlight on Elvis Meets the Beatles)
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
"The Wonder of You" Coming to Sydney: Jerry Schilling is doing the promotional work ahead of the Elvis Presley Australian and New Zealand, The Wonder Of You tour.
Jerry Schilling was only 12 when he met Presley, 19, on a football field but even then this lanky teen, with greased hair, blue jeans and white T-shirt, oozed a cool attitude the likes of which Schilling had never seen.
“We forget that Elvis started out rebel, a danger, not the iconic Elvis that is perceived by most, he was more like a James Dean character,” Schilling says.
“I was drawn to that because in the 50s as teenagers we were very much into rebellion and Elvis personified all of that, He was a rebel but a loveable rebel.”
It was a sunny Sunday in 1954 when Schilling was invited to join a touch football game at a local oval in a poor area of Memphis, it was a game that would change his life forever, the start of a 23-year friendship with Presley.
“We started playing every Sunday and within three weeks everyone in Memphis, where we grew up, knew who Elvis was because his first record (That’s All Right) took off,” Schilling, 74, says.
Schilling says for the next decade, while he was in grade school, high school and college, he saw Presley whenever he was in Memphis.
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“We continued to play football for years, we would go to all-night movie screenings or the amusement park,” he says.
“After ‘57 when he bought Graceland there would be parties that would go late into the night.”
For a decade Schilling watched with envy as Presley and his crew packed up and went on their latest Hollywood adventure, leaving him behind to finish his studies and attend odd-jobs.
“I was in my last semester at college, I was going to be a history teacher and football coach but I got this offer I couldn’t refuse. I had to quit school, quit two jobs, tell my father and that night we were on a bus that Elvis was driving from Memphis to California,” Schilling says.
He quit working for Elvis twice, to pursue film and TV work and then to work in the music industry. He managed the Beach Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis and Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie as well as Billy Joel, but Elvis kept him close with enticing job opportunities, including heading up the Elvis Presley Films production company.
Schilling, now a veteran music and film mogul who has been linked to Bono, John Lennon and a host of other celebrities, is committed to keeping the Presley legacy alive with projects, including a new HBO series that focuses on Presley as a music producer, something Schilling says the world never knew.
He is working with Priscilla Presley on both the new HBO series, that will air later this year, as well as the new The Wonder Of You spectacular - at the ICC Sydney theatre on June 2 and 3.
The Wonder Of You, is an Elvis experience like no other with state-of-the-art screens, featuring the man who changed the course of popular music, and a 40-piece orchestra. |
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Priscilla, who was an executive producer for both albums and closely involved in the creation of the live concert tour, says Elvis loved the big sound and fullness of an orchestra.
She says, “I feel certain this is the kind of live show and these are the kind of albums Elvis would have been doing if he were with us today. He would have loved this. It really is a dream come true.”
Go here to book Australian 2017 Tour Tickets
Go here for EIN's interview with Jerry Schilling
(News, Source;DailyTele/ElvisInfoNet) |
Sonny West - Health Update: Concerned fans have been contacting EIN, here is the most recent update from Sonny West's son Bryan . . . "My apologies for lack of personal messages and updates. There have times recently we could have lost dad at any given moment. Thank God that has not happened. Dad is still on the ventilar, however showing improvements. We plan on meeting with a tracheotomy team Monday for a consult. Dad is far from being out of the woods, but we are taking steps in a positive direction. You all know how tough and what a fighter my dad is. He's putting up the best fight of his life for his life. Thank you again for all the prayer, love and support! I'm asking out of respect to leave only positive and uplifting comments. If anyone is wondering, this Gofundme is set up for donations to be deposited directly into my parents account who only they have access.
Prayer and faith are so powerful! I want to thank you all for your prayers, love and support". - Bryan West
There is a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to pay off their debt. PLEASE HELP - click here.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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Two New FTDs for April: FTD have announced two new releases for April 2017.
- 'ELVIS: Las Vegas ‘74': A double set featuring two concerts from Elvis' legendary August 1974 Summer Season at the Las Vegas Hilton comes as a 5” 2-CD digipack
The release features both Dinner and Midnight shows from August 20, 1974. (Although previously released audience recordings from these supposed shows do not match FTD's set-lists)
For Elvis 1974 was an emotionally turbulent year. This was his sixth season singing to the Las Vegas casino audiences, still doing two shows a night, and he was really feeling the loss of Priscilla. The dinner shows were beginning to bore him (people rattling cutlery) and who could blame him? Yet this inner turmoil helped produce the most fascinating Las Vegas season of his career. He gave some of his longest performances and with a varied set-list including great new songs It’s Midnight, Promised Land, If You Talk In Your Sleep and Help Me.
It has been mastered by Jan Eliasson.
Go here to 'FTD / SONY News 2017' for tracklistings |
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- 'Elvis: His Songs of Praise Vol.2': Trevor Simpson's first book about Elvis' sacred, spiritual and gospel songs came out last september and now the long-anticipated sequel will be published next month. The second volume titled "Elvis: His Songs of Praise Vol.2" will feature 350 pages about the final half of the chosen Elvis sacred songs - 100 in all.
It promises over 350 pages with lavishly illustrated high-quality images, many unseen photographs and graphics. Every song has been thoroughly researched in a similar manner to Trevor Simpson’s previous trilogy "Elvis: The Best of British”.
In early interviews, Elvis divulged that spiritual music was his first
love and he publicly continued to reaffirm. Despite being acclaimed as
the ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, he was only presented with three Grammy
awards and they were for his spiritual music and the stories of these
iconic songs are much, much more contained within this book.
Go here to 'FTD / SONY News 2017' for tracklistings
Click here to the 6 minute YouTube Promo video
More info soon. - Click here to EIN's interview with author Trevor Simpson about this Gospel project.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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(TV Review) 'Sun Records' (Episode 1): So how good is this new CMT series?
While some media reviews have been so-so, EIN's Nigel Patterson was more than impressed!
Nigel found the show had a vibrant fifties feel with strong characters, dramatic thought provoking moments, wonderful doses of humor, great music, and several adult situations..... all of which suggest plenty of potential for future episodes!!
Read Nigel's detailed review here
(Review/spotlight, Source: EIN) |
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'Marty Lacker: A Life Well-Lived' & Elvis at American Studio's Interview: It was with immense sadness that last month EIN had to report on the death of our great friend - and a true friend to Elvis - Marty Lacker. We will miss him dearly.
Marty is well-known as one of the key members of the Memphis Mafia and also co-Best Man at Elvis' wedding. He was known for both his honesty and being forthright with his opinions. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia who still watched and commented on recent Elvis News. He had no issue with holding people to account (especially ones who would inflate their importance within Elvis' legacy) and would regularly ask EIN to add his comments or to correct any inaccuracy.
Elvis fans often ask about Marty Lacker's background, how he came to meet Elvis, as well as his involvement in the music industry outside of working for The King.
As a prelude to Ken Sharp's fascinating interview with Marty Lacker and a discussion about Elvis' famous American Studio' Memphis sessions, EIN presents "Marty Lacker: a life well-lived" in which Marty tells of his life in the music industry, his friendship with Elvis along with his dislike of the over-controlling Col Parker.
Go here to learn all you need to know about Marty Lacker as well as Elvis outstanding Memphis American Sound sessions in 1969.
(Spotlight; Source,KenSharp/ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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Australian Elvis Presley Stamp in 2017: Back in 2009 EIN sent a proposal to Australia Post that they consider issuing an Australian set of four Elvis Presley postage stamps in 2010 to commemorate four decades of Elvis having Australian number one hits - 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 2000s. EIN suggested that an Elvis stamp issue in Australia would fit Australia Post's criteria, in that Presley remains a subject of outstanding international interest and significance, enjoying widespread popular acclaim, both within Australia and worldwide. We noted that Australia Post had already established a precedent of issuing stamps with overseas icons, for example, the Star Wars stamps
At the time Australia Post's response to EIN was “thanks, but no thanks”, a case of Star Wars being OK to be celebrated but that Elvis Presley was not.
Now in 2017 Australia Post has announced "The Elvis Presley stamp pack" which comprises of three sheetlets of stamps featuring 25 x $1 red-rose heart stamps from the Love to Celebrate stamp issue. There are 25 stamp-tabs in total featuring images of Elvis throughout his career. For sale in Aussie Post Offices March 14. |
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Australia Post comments - Gifted and charismatic, Elvis Presley blasted the status quo when he sashayed onto the American music scene in the early 1950s. His career was launched when Memphis studio Sun Records divined his musical genius and pressed his version of “That’s Alright” in 1954, with “Blue Moon of Kentucky” on the flip side. Within a few short years, and picked up by RCA Victor, Elvis had wooed legions of fans worldwide. His distinctive voice, smouldering good looks, provocative style and independent spirit were a magnet for youth, and the musical rebel ignited a revolution in popular culture during the staid 1950s.
Born in 1935 into a humble church-going family in Mississippi and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Elvis was influenced in his music-making by his immediate world. From the Assembly of God’s gospel song to Beale Street’s r&b, the “King of Rock and Roll” deftly wove these musical touchstones into his own distinct sound, challenging mores and expectations in the process.
Over his career, Elvis’s music earned him gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards in American sales, and his global record sales have topped more than one billion. He achieved three Grammys from his 14 nominations, as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Besides his musical accomplishments, the King extended his influence on popular culture through both the big screen and the small, appearing in 33 films during his lifetime.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
'Elvis Presley's Memphis' Opens at Graceland: Elvis Presley’s Graceland officially opened its new, $45 million, state-of-the-art entertainment complex, “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” – 40 acres in size -- and welcomed visitors from around the world to its largest and most significant expansion since first opening to the public in 1982. The four-day opening celebration features live performances that celebrate Elvis’ incredible life and career, and honor Memphis’ rich musical legacy across genres, including Blues, Rockabilly, R&B, Soul and Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Priscilla Presley joined Graceland Holdings Managing Partner Joel Weinshanker and Elvis Presley Enterprises CEO Jack Soden at the official ribbon cutting to welcome guests and kick off the opening celebration.
The complex features the major museum spaces... |
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Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum, Presley Motors Automobile Museum, Presley Cycles
Plus the following exhibits
- Icons: The Influence of Elvis Presley Exhibit
- Mystery Train: The Sam Phillips Exhibit
- Elvis' Tupelo Exhibit
- The Fairgrounds
- The Country Road to Rock Exhibit: The Marty Stuart Collection
- Private Presley: Elvis in the Army Exhibit
- Archives Experience
- Elvis Fashion King Exhibit
- Soundstage A (See Elvis' movies & the King of Rock 'n' Roll in concert on the big screen!)
Click here to EPE for more tour information
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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‘ELVIS: The Complete Works 1953 – 1955’ Review: MRS newest release, a 2CD/100page book compilation ‘MRS: The Complete Works 1953 – 1955’. The 100-page book chronicles Elvis’ short recording career there, from its humble beginnings (his personal acetate recordings from 1953) through to the final Sun sessions in 1955. The full and comprehensive text is complemented by rare photographs and unseen pieces of documentation.
The 2CDs contain the complete archival studio recordings from 1953-1955, Elvis’ personal acetates, the Sun masters, along with rare session outtakes. The tracks have been painstakingly remastered and restored. The set includes for the first time ‘That’s All Right’ taken from the ‘Mother’ master of the original Sun 45rpm.
But how does it differ from previous volumes about the same topic and is the audio any better?
Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new volume from MRS to find what is on offer.
(Book Review: Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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(Book Review) 'Being Elvis - A Lonely Life': The latest Elvis biography is authored by noted rock writer, Ray Connolly. Media reviews have suggested that... "Perhaps because we all know how it ends, it’s those early years that make for the hardest reading. The decisions Elvis makes all seem to be omens of what’s still to come for the young man."...
EIN's Nigel Patterson offers his observations on a release which searches below the surface to reveal how Elvis' insecurity and loneliness were exacerbated by the unique situation that he experienced as the world's first truly global superstar.
Go here to Nigel's review of this new biography
(Book Review, Source: EIN) |
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"Elvis Presley's Memphis" Opens This Week: Priscilla Presley will be on hand to kick off a four-day grand opening celebration for the brand new "Elvis Presley's Memphis" at Graceland on Thursday, March 2. The $45 million, 200,000-square-foot entertainment and museum complex is the second phase of Graceland's expansion plans. It will feature a new Elvis Presley career museum, the "Presley Motors" automobile museum, a 20,000-square-foot "Graceland Soundstage" performing space/meeting hall, a barbecue restaurant, a 1950s-inspired diner and retail stores. The facility will be five times the size of the current visitors center.
The facility will also feature a permanent exhibition on Sun Records' founder Sam Phillips.
In addition to an appearance by Priscilla Presley, the four-day celebration will feature major |
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celebration events each day, including live concerts that will celebrate Elvis’ incredible life and career, and honor Memphis’ rich musical legacy across genres, including Blues, Rockabilly, R&B, Soul and Rock ‘n’ Roll.
The largest entertainment complex of its kind, and exponentially bigger than Graceland’s current visitor center, “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” will enable music fans, pop culture enthusiasts and Memphis visitors to follow the path that Elvis took, surround themselves with the things that he loved, and experience the sights and sounds of the city that inspired him.
While the acclaimed Graceland Mansion tour will continue to present the personal and family side of Elvis’ life, “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” will tell the rest of the story, exploring the beginning of the incredible music and pop culture explosion that all started here in Memphis, with the greatest entertainer of all time.
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As “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” opens, a new tour experience will also debut. The new “Ultimate VIP” tour experience (US$150) will take a small group of visitors on an unprecedented journey through Elvis Presley’s life story and the history of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Led by an expert tour guide, visitors will tour Graceland Mansion and explore all of “Elvis Presley’s Memphis,” including the new EP Automobile Museum, The Entertainer Career Museum, Elvis Discovery Exhibits, Elvis’ Custom Jets and an exclusive Ultimate VIP Tour Exhibit.
The cornerstone of the “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” experience will be “Elvis: The Entertainer,” a 20,000-square-foot museum the largest and most comprehensive Elvis museum in the world.
Click here to EPE if you want to get tickets
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
'Elvis: His Songs of Praise Vol.2' FTD book Promo Video: Trevor Simpson's first book about Elvis' sacred, spiritual and gospel songs came out last september and now the long-anticipated sequel is being prepared. The second volume titled "Elvis: His Songs of Praise Vol.2" will feature 350 pages about the final half of the chosen Elvis sacred songs - 100 in all.
It promises over 350 pages with lavishly illustrated high-quality images, many unseen photographs and graphics. Every song has been thoroughly researched in a similar manner to Trevor Simpson’s previous trilogy "Elvis: The Best of British”.
In early interviews, Elvis divulged that spiritual music was his first love and he publicly continued to reaffirm. Despite being acclaimed as the ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, he was only presented with three Grammy awards and they were for his spiritual music and the stories of these iconic songs are much, much more contained within this book. The book comes with bonus CD - see tracklist below.
Click here to the 6 minute YouTube Promo video
More info soon. - Click here to EIN's interview with author Trevor Simpson about this Gospel project.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Classic Marty Lacker (R.I.P.): One of Marty Lacker's last conversations with EIN was about Elvis impersonators.
Only two months ago EIN received a note from a US Elvis impersonator - and their Attorney - suggesting a defamation case for lost earnings against EIN and Marty Lacker stating that Marty's "False statements have hurt and tainted my life & career in the music industry" and that he wanted to sue for compensation!
This was because Marty had openly stated that this person was a "nut-job" like most other other impersonators.
Marty said "I’m not fan in any shape or form of Elvis impersonators. Calling themselves Tribute Artists is a joke; they just want their 15 minutes of fame. If they had any talent they should put it to use being themselves.
The problem is most of them don’t have the talent. They will never be Elvis or anything close to it. If you want to hear Elvis music, play an Elvis record. If you want to see him perform, play a video or DVD of ELVIS!"
Below are two other classic Marty Lacker stories. He will be terribly missed.
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MARTY on Colonel Parker -
Let me be perfectly clear from the beginning, Parker was all about money lining his pockets and Elvis was his golden goose that made that happen.
He never took into consideration Elvis' personal well being as far as his mental and physical condition was concerned.
Parker was good for Elvis in the very beginning because with his carny con ways he got him known quickly and Elvis quickly made big money compared to where he came from.
But Parker never changed with the times and he continued to treat Elvis like a carnival side show in his publicity and tactics.
However, Parker took a ridiculous 25% of everything as a managers fee when the norm was either 10% or 15% at the most.
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He instilled in Elvis from the start to let him handle the business side while making sure that Elvis really never learned much about it until he died.
Then in '67 when Elvis fell and had a slight concussion in L.A. Parker took advantage of him and demanded 50% and Elvis gave into him because his head was messed up.
In my opinion Parker never was concerned about Elvis' well being and his bullshit after Elvis died was to always say "that's the way Elvis wanted it" and "he only did what Elvis wanted him to do".
Elvis should have gotten rid of him around '62 and maybe he wouldn't have had to suffer through those shitty movies and got good scripts via another manager.
Elvis wasn't aware of the business side and he really didn't know there were good managers out there who would not only get him good deals in which he would have made more money but they also would have cared about his well being too.
I blame Parker's actions for a big part of Elvis relying on pills to escape his mental well being.
- Marty |
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MARTY regarding the sub-standard movie songs. Weeks before every movie Elvis would receive a stack of demos from Parker and Freddy Bienstock of Hill & Range Music and most of them were pure shit.
We used to listen them up in his office and put them in three piles,one pile was the 'No', maybe's and Yes.
Without exception the 'No' pile would be huge, 'Maybe' had a few in it and the 'Yes' pile was usually three or four.
It really was disheartening to see what Parker was sending him but he did it because he had a piece of the publishing of every song.
If a songwriter came to us with a song that he wanted Elvis to record we had to tell them to see Parker. Parker would then demand a piece of the publishing before Elvis would record the song, some of them gave it to him but most of the hit songwriters told him to go to hell. I didn't blame them because to me that was not fair, it would be like a hit songwriter telling Elvis he wanted a piece of his record sales royalties if he wanted to record his song, that would never happen.
All that was a negative result of Elvis allowing Parker to handle everything. |
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I am proud that I got that to change a bit during the American Studio sessions in '69 when one night when Elvis was taking a break because of having a throat problem we were up in his office listening to Parker's demos and Elvis was lamenting that he didn't have any good songs to cut, I then got up and did a long explanation why and I laid into Parker and Bienstock's doings and that it was hurting Elvis.
This was at a time I was not working for Elvis anymore because I had started a record company in Memphis and became educated about the real workings of the music industry and what was the normal and right way of doing things musically.
That talk I had resulted in Elvis recording 'Suspicious Minds' the next night even if Chips Moman owned the song and refused to give them a percentage of the publishing when he was brow beated by Parker's assistant Tom Diskin.
Diskin then complained to Elvis who told Diskin to let him, Chips and Felton Jarvis handle the session. That made me feel good and I gave Elvis the thumbs up when he did it. Diskin called Parker in California and Parker angrily told Diskin to leave there and come back to California and he said, "If Elvis wants to do this without us, Let him fall on his ass."
Parker was pissed and I was happy he was.
Some falling on his ass (lol), Four hit singles, His first Number One in 5 years plus two platinum albums that are still selling 46 years after the session!!.
- Marty
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14 Feb 2017 - Marty Lacker - RIP: It is with immense sadness that EIN has to report on the death of our great friend - and a true friend to Elvis - Marty Lacker.
Marty is well-known as one of the key members of the Memphis Mafia and also co-Best Man at Elvis' wedding.
He was known for both his honesty and being forthright with his opinions. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia who still watched and commented on recent Elvis News. He had no issue with holding people to account (especially ones who would inflate their importance within Elvis' legacy) and would regularly write to EIN asking us to add his comments or to correct any inaccuracy.
I feel so saddened as Marty's passing so easily demonstrates the fragility of life. His death being caused by a simple home accident (he fell over while doing laundry) which caused him to be hospitalised with internal bruising and eventual kidney failure. Marty was such a character that he even apologised for being in hospital and not replying to all his friends emails!
Marty Lacker was born in Brooklyn, NY but grew up in the South Bronx until he moved to Memphis in 1952.
In 1953 he transferred to Humes High School where he became aware of Elvis because they both dressed alike which was unlike most of the kids back then. Carrying his NY influences Marty would also wear bright, loud colour clothes with collars up and had semi longer hair than the regular crew-cuts of the time.
It was later after his time in the army, early 1957 that Marty started going over to Graceland. |
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While Elvis was in the army Marty would become Production Director for Memphis WHHM Radio and it was only in 1961 that Elvis persuaded him to join Elvis' core team full-time.
Unlike many others in the 'Memphis Mafia' Marty Lacker managed a separate career (working for radio stations as well as starting his own label Pepper Records in late 1967 before becoming VP and General Manager of Chips Moman's American Studios in 1969) as well as staying a best friend to Elvis.
Marty was responsible for many stars coming to work at American and was friends with names such as Petula Clark (Marty flew to New York to convince her to record in Memphis) , Dionne Warwick, Bill Medley, Dusty Springfield, Neil Diamond and many more. Marty was had a good friendship with the legendary Jackie Wilson, as did Sonny West.
In recent years Marty Lacker stated his disappointment over Priscilla / EPE's cheap commercialisation of Elvis' legacy and their lack of support or interest in cousin Billy Smith who stayed by Elvis' side to the very end.
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The Memphis Commercial Appeal today commented..
"If not for Marty Lacker, Elvis might never have gone to American Studios in 1969 to record the landmark "From Elvis in Memphis" record. If not for Mr. Lacker, then, the world might never have had such Presley hits as "Suspicious Minds", "In the Ghetto," among many others.
Chips Moman noted, "Marty was working for me and he was still in close with Elvis. So Marty was talking to me about Elvis and talking to Elvis about me and slowly bringing us together. He's really the one that got that album to take place."
Mr. Lacker also worked in the music business both during his time with Elvis and after The King's 1977 death. In 1967, Lacker helped launch Pepper Records and went on to become American Studios' vice president and business manager. In the early '70s, Lacker also helped co-found the local Grammy chapter and also served as the chairman of the original Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission.
"A big thing that I wanted to accomplish was to organize the music industry in town. Memphis was not a very organized city; everybody did their own thing," Lacker told the newspaper in 2010. "At the end of the day, you can't underestimate what the music that came out of Memphis has brought to this city."
- Funeral arrangements were still being finalized late Monday.
EIN will publish more about our good friend tomorrow.
Meanwhile, may the great man Rest In Peace - we miss you Marty.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Marty Lacker RIP : Sadly Marty will no longer be able to answer all your those fascinating questions, but his honesty and openess should not be forgotten.
- Chips Moman (RIP) later thoughts on Elvis
- Being a consultant on 1979 "ELVIS" movie.
- The demonstrations in Memphis this Elvis Week.
- Felton Jarvis as Elvis' Executive Album Producer.
- The Jungle Room sessions
- Elvis might have some illegitimate children
- Why did Elvis never travel to holiday in Europe,
- Is David Stanley, Holy Priest of truth, OR a liar
Go here to 'ASK MARTY' to remember the great man.
(Ask Marty, Source;ML/ElvisInfoNet)
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Marty Lacker opens up to EIN: In Part 1 of our interviews with Memphis Mafia member, Marty Lacker, Marty tells us about the famous celebrities, the pills, marriage and the Memphis Mafia, the $10m concert offer for Elvis to play in front of the Pyramids in Egypt and the real reason Elvis shot out his TV set when Robert Goulet appeared on the screen.
Marty Lacker was first interviewed in depth by EIN's Nigel Patterson back in 2005.
(Interview, Source: EIN) |
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'The World of FTD' In-Depth Review: The new deluxe book 'The World Of FTD' has been received by some lucky fans and Elvis collector Mike Lodge has provided EIN with a very detailed review - of well over 3 thousand words!
The book was authored and designed by Keith Flynn with input from a large number of other Elvis specialists including EIN's Piers Beagley, EM&HM's Trevor Cajiao, Geoffrey McDonnell, Gordon Minto and many others.
It is 1,200 pages, hardbound three book set, chronicling every release by FTD.The book also features 100s of high-quality photos from the collection Erik Lorentzen
KJ Consulting are proud to publish this Box Set which weighs 8 kilos.
Unfortunately the book has not arrived in Australia yet so I have not seen the final product!
Go here to see his very detailed review - plus more new preview pages - EIN thanks Mike Lodge for the review
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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'Elvis On Tour' boxset for 2017?: It would make sense to tie in the 2017 long-awaited 'Elvis On Tour' box-set with the already announced 'Elvis On Tour: 1972' FTD book. 2017 is also the 45th Anniversary of 'Elvis On Tour' and what a treat for Elvis collectors for the 40th Anniversary year.
Now the rumours look even more likely as Memphis audio-engineer Matt Ross-Spang (who did such a good job on the "Way Down in the Jungle Room" legacy release) recently announced to music magazine 'Tape Op' that "Now (Sony) have got me mixing some live shows, and rehearsals from Elvis' live shows."
What other shows could they be with rehearsals that need multitrack re-mixing?
Matt Ross-Spang also commented.. that since moving in to Sam Phillips' Memphis studio, "I've been mixing Elvis in here, which is funny. He got tired of recording in Nashville, so he demanded they record him at home. He'd done the record at American Sound Studio, obviously with From Elvis in Memphis. So then Felton Jarvis bought a bread truck, turned it into a mobile studio, and drove it down to Memphis. It promptly broke down in Jackson, Tennessee, so they towed it to Graceland, where it stayed until after Elvis died. We found one picture of the |
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outside, but we've been trying to find pictures of the inside of the truck. They recorded a bunch of dates in Graceland's Jungle Room, so I mixed a lot of that.
They put out the original masters, as well as all my mixes of the unreleased music [Way Down in the Jungle Room - see EIN review here]. Now they've got me mixing some live shows, and rehearsals from the live shows.
- (Hearing Elvis' voice) It's amazing! The studio banter is incredible too, because you hear Elvis completely relaxed in his "element." He really controlled the sessions musically, as well. He really pushes the band to get the feeling he wants. When I was mixing, they brought the guys down, so James Burton [guitar], Ronnie Tutt [drums], and Norbert Putnam [bassist] were there.
- (Ronnie Tutt) He's like Animal (from the Muppets) on the drums; just endless energy, especially with that double bass drum! Mixing the Elvis tracks has really inspired me with the artists I have been working with lately. Those Elvis records had incredible arrangements, with horns, strings, and The Stamps Quartet that really make choruses huge and the songs feel so cinematic. I really love the impact that they have on his records, so I've been stealing that idea!
Go here to the full article --- (Cover above is an EIN suggestion!)
EIN thanks Johnny van der Geld for the LINK
(News, Source;JVG/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis Week 2017 Tentative Schedule of Events: EPE is already making plans for Elvis Week 2017 which will mark the 40th anniversary since Elvis’ passing. Graceland is anticipating this to be the largest Elvis Week ever. Fans from around the world will make the ultimate pilgrimage to Graceland in August 2017 to be close to Elvis' spirit during this very special celebration of his life and legacy.
Elvis Week 2017 will be August 11-19.
Click here to EPE for a tentative schedule of events for Elvis Week 2017 for planning purposes.
EIN notes Wednesday, August 16 features the "Elvis Week Concert Event" for 8pm, which we presume will be the "Elvis with the RPO" performance with special added guests.
EPE notes, additional information will be posted as details are finalized.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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EIN review - 'Elvis & RPO In Concert' London: The general media have been very positive in their reviews of the new 'Elvis & the RPO' UK concert tour. It is amazing that almost 40 years after his death, Elvis Presley is still getting fully-deserved standing ovations at packed arenas.
Cleverly put-together, the interaction between an On-Screen Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra works better than many expected.
Once again the new Elvis shows have such an impact that reviews note, "So realistic fans felt Elvis really was in the building! "
Elvis super-fan and EIN contributor Brian Quinn was at the London O2 concert and reports back in detail on the lengthy concert.
Go here for the review, concert photos and more
(Spotlight; Source;BQ/ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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'The Wonder Of You' Elvis with the RPO - In-depth CD Review: It is forty years since Elvis Presley entered a recording studio and he seems very reluctant to record anything new. So in terms of releasing a "new" album of Elvis material the topic has always been a tricky one. After the massive 2015 success of "Elvis with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra" and ‘If I Can Dream’ the follow-up was inevitable and 'The Wonder Of You' recently achieved Number One in the UK album charts.
But can a follow-up really be as impressive - and do the true Elvis fans have to approve of these on-going fake "Revisions"?
Click here as EIN's Piers Beagley and Bryan Gruszka are back again to cause "Double-trouble" and supply a very detailed review, discovering what's good and bad...
And HAVE YOUR SAY - what do you think of the new album? Are we wrong in our opinions?
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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'The Wonder Of You/If I Can Dream' Elvis/RPO Double set: Yet another version of the new 'Wonder Of You' album has been announced. A double-CD combining both the new album as well as the previous 'If I Can Dream'. I am not sure why any Elvis fans would need this - but it does have a cute alternate cover. So far you can only pre-order this via Amazon in Germany and Japan.
SEE below for Pre-order info for other CD versions.
The Wonder Of You: Elvis Presley With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra presents the iconic artist’s unmistakable voice and most dramatic original performances augmented with lush new orchestral accompaniment. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios featuring beloved Presley classics along with several surprises, standout tracks include a sultry new version of “A Big Hunk O’ Love,” the glorious “Amazing Grace,” and a stunning new take on “Always On My Mind.”
'The Wonder Of You: Elvis Presley With The Royal Philharmonic' VINYL release is presented in beautiful gatefold packaging and pressed on 150g vinyl.
'The Wonder Of You: Elvis Presley With The Royal Philharmonic' DELUXE Edition includes 3 additional tracks on CD, two, 150 gram LPs in a gatefold package, poster and a 12 page booklet, all housed in a 12”x 12” lift off box.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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EIN's Elvis Facebook page this week celebrates its 20,000 members! - including several of Elvis' own friends and colleagues
So Elvis fans don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs.
Now with over thousands of great photos, News and with more added every day – including YouTube footage.
Click here to Facebook - Elvis Information Network group.
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Book Review: A Little Thing Called Life: Finally, Linda Thompson's memoir has been published.....and it has been well worth the wait! Linda's life, not only with Elvis, but with two other global icons and her own amazing career is an engrossing and revealing read.
Inside its nearly 400 pages Linda reveals her life as an individual, as a mother and as a partner. We learn of the similarities and differences between the three.
Alternating between the light, dark and shades of life in between, A Little Thing Called Life is an honest and intimate account of the incredible life of an amazing woman, from the three men who shared her life and her family to the highly successful and varied career that she continues to enjoy. (Book Review, Source: EIN)
Read Nigel Patterson's detailed review
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UPDATED - 'Way Down In The Jungle Room' EIN Review: Released for August 2016 this SONY Legacy pack celebrates the 40th anniversary of Elvis’ last recording sessions which took place in Graceland’s Jungle Room.
The publicity noted the sessions “have been newly mixed by Matt Ross-Spang at Sam Phillips Recording” and “includes both outtakes and in-the-studio dialog, providing a ‘fly-on-the-wall experience’ of what the sessions were like".
Elvis' original 76/77 albums were fairly uninspired collections (bar a few fine singles) and on the original LPs it was almost impossible to glimpse any sign of creative input from Elvis through the syrupy overdubs. It wasn't until the release of FTD’s magnificent ‘The Jungle Room Sessions’ that many fans began to understand the raw emotion, close camaraderie and Elvis’ personal feelings that were revealed by these intimate Graceland sessions.
To produce that same kind of revelation for the 'General Public' would be a very tricky project but that is exactly what the new legacy team has done - and to great effect.
Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley discovers the old Elvis magic and what is special for Elvis Collectors in our in-depth review
Now Updated & Expanded with Your Comments - James Burton talks about the Jungle Room sessions & more
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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In Australia - buy this great release for only $23 at JBHiFi click here . delivery only $1.70!
Please Do Not be ripped off by other Australian Elvis shops. |
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UPDATED - Paul Dowling EIN Interview Part Three: Paul Dowling is without doubt one of the major names in the Elvis World. He started collecting and selling Elvis vinyl over 40 years ago and has one of the world's largest Elvis Presley record collections. He started his "WorldWide Elvis" shop back in the seventies, way before the internet, where fans could get hold of rare Elvis records and memorabilia.
With such a fascination with Elvis, Dowling not only became a big name in the early years of Elvis bootlegs but later became friends with Ernst Jorgensen and helped RCA with various official releases.
In the final part of our fascinating interview Paul Dowling discusses ....
- Dodging the FBI agents that were sent after him
- Unreleased Elvis material that still hasn’t come out
- Why does Ernst Jorgensen doubt this claims
- His BMG project 'For The First Time Ever' - what happened
- The true story of obtaining the Million Dollar Quartet tape
- His thoughts on Paul Lichter, Sean Saver, Sherif Hanna, Rex Martin
- Spending time with Alan Fortas
- Jim Curtin, newly added story
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'Elvis Taking Care Of Business - In A Flash FTD Book Review: Focusing on Elvis in late 1970 and early 1971, "Elvis Presley Taking Care Of Business - In A Flash" is the new FTD Book/CD combo by Flaming Star/FTD.
Produced by David English, Pål Granlund and Paul Richardson, this book presents a detailed chronicle of Elvis’ personal life and public career between the autumn of 1970 and the early weeks of 1971.
It is a hardcover, large-format book with 450 pages that offer detailed coverage of Elvis’ life and career over the important four months from October 1970 to January 1971.
The publicity promised hundreds of photographs, many of them candid and previously unpublished and new and exclusive interviews.
It also comes with a bonus CD with unreleased versions of studio-tracks plus Elvis’ concert in Portland, Oregon on Nov 11th 1970.
Can it really be as good as promised? EIN's Piers Beagley investigates and discovers plenty .. Go here to our indepth review featuring plenty of extracts and wonderful photographs.
(FTD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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'ELVIS - NBC TV Special' FTD CD Review: Elvis’ NBC TV Special was such a high point in his career - his musical renaissance and the sound of him kicking open the door to his prison cell of movie contracts and dreadful scripts - that can there really ever be enough compilations to satisfy us all?
'ELVIS - Original Soundtrack Recording From His NBC TV Special' is finally released as an FTD "Classic Album" with a 16-page booklet and remastered audio.
The first disc includes the original album plus the expected Bonus Cuts, while Disc 2 contains a full 80 minutes of Elvis' studio sessions of June 21-23 with LA session band 'The Wrecking Crew'.
The vast majority of the session outtakes however have been previously released, so can this FTD Classic Album really offer anything new?
EIN's Piers Beagley investigates and discovers that it is one of FTD's best releases of all time!
Go here for our in-depth review
(FTD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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'ELVIS On Television The Complete Sound Recordings' Review: The 60th anniversary of Elvis’ first appearance on national television is celebrated with this 2CD/100-page set.
The new MRS box-set was publicised as containing the complete archival recordings of Elvis Presley’s television appearances from 1956-60. For the first time ever, these tracks been painstakingly remastered and restored.
The recordings contain all song tracks, comedy sketch routines and interviews including the extended Wink Martindale interview.
The 100-page book is a chronological photo journey following Elvis from the very first in 1956, to his appearance on The Frank Sinatra show in 1960. It contains liner notes accompanied by many rare and new unpublished photographs.
In the individual chapters Gordon Minto provides the main details and highlights of each TV performance. Matching the text, each chapter features around 15 pages of significant photographs, a surprising number of the in colour.
Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley checks out this new MRS CD/Book package with an in-depth review along with some scans from the book showcasing some excellent Elvis images.
(Book/CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork) |
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Now available:
NOW UPDATED - 'Elvis Presley - The Album Collection' EIN Review: This 60th Anniversary 60-CD Deluxe Edition celebrates RCA Victor's signing of Elvis Presley. It features nearly all of the albums Elvis recorded and RCA released in his lifetime: studio, soundtrack, and live.
It includes a 300-page deluxe fully illustrated hard cover book with complete insightful commentary, discography and recording session data. Elvis Presley-The Album Collection represents a level of artistic achievement unparalleled to this day.
Elvis collectors have bought these Elvis albums time and time again - so can this new set really offer anything more..
Go here as Elvis author Shane Brown investigates the new deluxe box-set and and discovers the good, the bad and truly great value package ...
Now Updated- EIN Contributor David Tinson add his comments on the two classic album s NBC-TV Special and Memphis To Vegas, Vegas To Memphis
(CD Reviews; Source;ShaneBrown/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Ultimate Elvis' New Electronic Edition: Announced by Elvis sessions expert Keith Flynn for publication November 1 is the brand new concept of the 1750 page super-deluxe Elvis sessions book 'Ultimate Elvis' Electronic Edition.
This incredible three volume book will now be available as an e-book on an i-pad or android tablet.
- Created in HTML5
Fully updated e-books will open in any web browser on any operating system, so no need for separate downloads for different operating systems.
- Life-Like 'Flipping' Pages
Flip through pages as if you are reading an actual book, but also being able to zoom-in to view smaller images and captions.
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- View as Double or Single pages
View as double pages on a computer or laptop etc, and single pages when viewing in portrait on an i-pad or Android tablet.
- Fully Navigational Table Of Contents
Jump back and forth to the sections of the books you want to read, instead of flipping through numerous pages to find what you want.
PRICED AT - all 3 Volumes for £60 = US$93
On sale from November 1st 2015.
Try Before You Buy -
Download free zip-file containing 27 pages from Volume 1, before you decide to buy the complete set. -
NOTE - These books are MASSIVE so you will need approximately 1GB of spare disc space for these three volumes, -
Click HERE to Keith Flynn's 'Ultimate Elvis' Electronic Edition to try.
Go HERE to EIN's independent review of 'Ultimate Elvis'
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Did Elvis Record 'Tiger Man' At Sun?: A question that has puzzled Elvis fans through the years is whether he actually recorded the song ‘Tiger Man’ during his years at SUN studios.
The basic question is why did Elvis refer to 'Tiger man' several times in concert as “The second song that I ever recorded, not too many people heard it”?
And if Elvis DID record it, then why hasn’t any reference to it at SUN or proof of its existence been found?
Elvis would first perform ‘Tiger Man’ in concert at his first 1969 Las Vegas International season and would continue playing it through the years – usually in a medley with Mystery Train - until his last performance at Saginaw on May 3 1977. He would sing it over 150 times on stage!
The thought that there might be an acetate or undiscovered tape of Elvis at SUN singing ‘Tiger Man’ is a mouth-watering concept - but is it an unlikely fantasy or strong possibility?
Go here to our detailed 'TIGER MAN' spotlight as EIN's Piers Beagley puts in the hard yards to check the facts from the fantasy .
(Spotlight; Source;ElvisInfoNetwork) |
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Now available from Amazon USA:
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.
EIN also has a local Australian national Elvis Fan Club for paid up members featuring quarterly newsletters and an annual EIN Elvis Mega Quiz with special prizes.
The printed newsletters have extra content, articles and reviews to this w
ebsite along with the popular Elvis EIN Mega Quiz.
If you need to know more about the fan club, newsletters, Elvis EIN quiz or EIN membership
' ELVIS EIN QUIZ', Elvis EIN quiz, elvis EIN mega quiz, elvis mega quiz, EIN mega quiz, ELVIS EIN QUIZ, EIN elvis mega quiz,
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Giving fans more than any other Elvis website - coming this week ....
- The Elvis Files Vol.8 1976-1977 - in-depth review
- Brian Quinn reviews Elvis & RPO On tour London concert |
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Most Popular |
| 'Elvis On Television 1956-1960' MRS Special Double Vinyl |
| Ernst Jorgensen talks about the 'Easter Special' FTD |
| Book Review - 'Elvis: One Night In Toronto'; |
| 'Elvis: One Night In Toronto': Paul Sweeney Interview: |
| (CMT - TV Review) 'Sun Records' (Episode 1): |
| 'Marty Lacker: A Life Well-Lived' & Elvis at American Studio's Interview: |
| ‘ELVIS: The Complete Works 1953 – 1955’ Review: |
| (Book Review) 'Being Elvis - A Lonely Life': |
| 'The World of FTD' In-Depth Review: |
| 'Elvis: Spirit Of Jackson, MS' - FTD In-depth Review: |
| 'A Vegas Fling With The King' CD Review: |
| EIN review - 'Elvis & RPO In Concert' London: |
| Joe Esposito EIN Interview: |
| Jimmy Ellis In The Shadow of A King (Book Review): |
| 'The World Of FTD' by Keith Flynn Interview: |
| Book Review - Elvis: Truth, Myth & Beyond An Intimate Conversation with Lamar Fike: |
| 'The Wonder Of You' Elvis with the RPO - In-depth CD Review: |
| RPO tours WITHOUT the RPO: Have EPE lost the plot completely?: |
| 'The Hometown Shows' FTD In-depth Review: |
| 'The Death and Resurrection of Elvis Presley' - Book Review: |
| Book Review: A Little Thing Called Life' by Linda Thompson: |
| 'Secrets and Lies: Getting to the Truth about Elvis' Christmas Album': |
| Trevor Simpson talks about FTD Book - "Elvis: His Songs of Praise": |
| (Interview) Bill "Superfoot" Wallace talks to EIN: |
| 'Way Down In The Jungle Room' EIN Review: |
| (Book Review) Elvis on Television 1956-60 - new Boxcar deluxe production another winner!: |
| Paul Dowling EIN Interview Part Three: |
| 'Speedway' - FTD Soundtrack Album Review: |
| 'Elvis Taking Care Of Business - In A Flash FTD Book Review: |
| The Dark Side Of Colonel Parker' - EIN Spotlight: |
| 'Elvis Meets The Beatles': |
| Did Elvis Record 'Tiger Man' At Sun? |
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Latest Reviews |
| Book Review - 'Elvis: One Night In Toronto'; |
| (TV Review) 'Sun Records' CMT (Episode 1): |
| ‘ELVIS: The Complete Works 1953 – 1955’ Review: |
| (Book Review) 'Being Elvis - A Lonely Life': |
| 'The World of FTD' In-Depth Review: |
| 'Elvis: Spirit Of Jackson, MS' - FTD In-depth Review: |
| 'A Vegas Fling With The King' CD Review: |
| EIN review - 'Elvis & RPO In Concert' London: |
| Jimmy Ellis In The Shadow of A King (Book Review): |
| Book Review - Elvis: Truth, Myth & Beyond An Intimate Conversation with Lamar Fike: |
| 'The Wonder Of You' Elvis with the RPO - In-depth CD Review: |
| 'The Hometown Shows' FTD In-depth Review: |
| 'The Death and Resurrection of Elvis Presley' - Book Review: |
| Book Review: A Little Thing Called Life' by Linda Thompson: |
| 'Way Down In The Jungle Room' EIN Review: |
| (Book Review) Elvis on Television 1956-60 - new Boxcar deluxe production another winner!: |
| 'Speedway' - FTD Soundtrack Album Review: |
| 'Elvis Taking Care Of Business - In A Flash FTD Book Review: |
| 'ELVIS - NBC TV Special' FTD CD Review: |
| 'ELVIS On Television The Complete Sound Recordings' MRS Review: |
| 'ELVIS Las Vegas 1975' FTD CD Review: |
| (Book Review) Elvis' Humor Girls, Guns & Guitars (Bo Keeley): |
| Book Review - Elvis Style: from zoot suits to jumpsuits (Zoey Goto): |
| 'The Elvis Files Vol. 7 1974-1975' Book Review: |
| NOW UPDATED - 'Elvis Presley - The Album Collection' EIN Review: |
| 'The West Coast Tour '76' FTD CD Review: |
| MRS ELVIS Record Store Day Releases - SPECIAL PREVIEW: |
| 'ELVIS LIVE in the 50's The Complete Concert Recordings' Review: |
| 'Live A Little, Love A Little' FTD Soundtrack Review: |
| 'If I Can Dream' Elvis with the RPO - In-depth CD Review: |
| 'A Touch Of Gold Lamé' Book Review |
| 'Ultimate Elvis' Book Review |
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Latest Articles (Spotlights) |
| (CMT - TV Review) 'Sun Records' (Episode 1): |
| 'Marty Lacker: A Life Well-Lived' & Elvis at American Studio's Interview |
| RPO tours WITHOUT the RPO: Have EPE lost the plot completely?: |
| 'Secrets and Lies: Getting to the Truth about Elvis' Christmas Album': |
| All Shook Up - EIN Spotlight: |
| UPDATED - Elvis and the Coco Palms Resort: |
| - 'The Elusive Norman Taurog' EIN Spotlight: |
| "Baby, Let's Play House" - EIN Spotlight |
| 'If I Can Dream' new Elvis album - EIN Readers Respond: |
| "You Can Have Her" Elvis' One-Off Performance: |
| 'Elvis Meets The Beatles': |
| Did Elvis Record 'Tiger Man' At Sun? |
| .ELVIS WEEK 2015. |
| Forever Elvis - A 2015 commemorative Spotlight: |
| Elvis "Non Stop Erotic Cabaret": |
| Elvis London O2 Exhibition EIN Review: |
| 'Suppose - Did It Inspire Imagine': |
| EIN Spotlight on Aloha's director Marty Pasetta |
| 'Elvis - The UK's 'Most Successful Chart Act': |
| FTD "What now, What next, What If? PART TWO ": |
| Elvis and the Coco Palms Resort: |
| FTD "What now, What next, What If?": |
| EIN's 'Elvis Star Track' Of The Week |
| Music of Mississippi at the Grammy Museum: |
| Elvis London O2 Exhibition Spotlight: |
| 'Trains, Jet Planes and Morning Rain' EIN Spotlight: |
| Wertheimer's Reaction To Finding The 'Mystery Kisser': |
| UPDATED - 'Elvis Madison 1977 - The Gas Station Incident' with Kathy Westmoreland: |
| 'Big Boss Man: What Kind of Technical Advice Did Parker Provide for Elvis’s Movies?': |
| Elvis' Personal Record Collection: |
| Linda and Sam Thompson in Australia: |
| Happy Birthday EIN EIN turns 100 – a retrospective!: |
| Elvis Week Through The Years - Sanja Meegin looks back: |
| 'The Wedding' Elvis & Priscilla EIN special Spotlight: |
| John Lennon And Elvis: It was "Thirty Years Ago Today" |
| Elvis or Michael Jackson - who is the bigger star? |
| Dark Side of the Colonel |
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Latest Interviews |
| 'Elvis: One Night In Toronto': Paul Sweeney Interview: |
| Joe Esposito EIN Interview: |
| 'The World Of FTD' by Keith Flynn Interview: |
| Trevor Simpson talks about FTD Book - "Elvis: His Songs of Praise": |
| (Interview) Bill "Superfoot" Wallace talks to EIN: |
| Paul Dowling EIN Interview Part Three: |
| (Interview) Adventurer, author and all round high achiever, Bo Keeley opens up to EIN about his amazing life and his book, Elvis' Humor Girls, Guns & Guitars: |
| (Interview) Zoey Goto (author of Elvis Style from zoot suits to jumpsuits: |
| Go here to EIN's exclusive interview with Wayne Jackson - RIP. |
| UPDATED - Paul Dowling in-depth EIN Interview: |
| Interview with Caroline Cahoon-Hauser - her encounters with a Young Elvis: |
| Interview - Joseph Rene, author of Elvis, The Numbers: |
| "Dr. Nick" Exclusive EIN interview: |
| Interview - Glenn Reimer author of A Guide to the Australian Records of Elvis Presley |
| EIN Joyce Bova exclusive Interview: |
| Jon Abbott pop culture and The Elvis Films |
| Bob Hayden author of Lee Gordon Presents Elvis Presley |
| (Interview) Anne E. Nixon answers your questions |
| Ginger Alden Interview: |
| Elaine Beckett -Easy Come Easy Go costar- Interview: |
| (Interview) Dennis Forbus author of one of 2014's best Elvis books talks to EIN: |
| Shirley Dieu, author of Memphis Mafia Princess, talks to EIN: |
| Interview With Elvis author - : Gillian G. Gaar |
| Bobby D. talks to EIN about his good friend, Jimmy Ellis (aka the masked man known as Orion): |
| Interview with Dick Grob, Elvis' Head Of Security: |
| Hollywood veteran Michael Hoey talks to EIN: |
| Interview with 'Elvis Films FAQ' author Paul Simpson: |
| Elvis Music FAQ - Mike Eder Interview: |
| "My Fast Life" Rare Elvis Presley 1964 Interview: |
| John Wilkinson Tribute & 1972 Interview: |
| Vernon Presley Interview: |
| Jerry Leiber Interview for EIN |
| Elvis Paradise Hawaiian Interview - with Peter Noone |
| Sam Thompson, Elvis' bodyguard, 2011 Interview |
| James Burton Interview - Rick Nelson & Elvis: |
| Elvis Drummer Jerome "Stump" Monroe EIN Interview: |
| Donnie Sumner Remembers his friend Sherrill Nielsen: |
| Lamar Fike EIN Exclusive Interview |
| Ernst Jorgensen interview about 'The Complete Masters' and more: |
| Red West Interview:- 2010 Elvis week special |
| Linda Thompson - Interview Special: |
| Dr. Nick talks to EIN |
| Alanna Nash |
| Ernst Jorgensen (2009) |
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Audio-Visual |
| Best of Elvis on YouTube |
| Graceland cam |
| EPE's Multimedia Elvis Gallery |
| Sirius Elvis Satellite Radio |
| Elvis Radio (ETA's) |
| Elvis Express Radio |
| Ultimate Elvis Radio |
| Elvis Only Radio |
| "Images in Concert" PhotoDatabase |
| Radio Interview: Vernon & Gladys Presley |
| Sanja's Elvis Week 2007 Photo Gallery |
| 'EIN's Best of Elvis on YouTube' |
| The Music of Elvis Presley - Australian Radio Show |
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Reference |
| All about Elvis |
| All about Elvis Tribute Artists |
| All about Graceland |
| All about Lisa Marie Presley |
| Ancestors of Elvis |
| Art Archives |
| Book Releases 2009 |
| Contact List |
| Elvis and Racism |
| Elvis as Religion |
| Elvis Film Guide |
| Elvis Online Virtual Library |
| Elvis Research Forum |
| Elvis Rules on Television |
| FTD Database (EPE) |
| 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 |
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