4. Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite, Jan. 14, 1973.
The most known version of all and also on film. The claim at the time was that Aloha From Hawaii was watched by no less than 1 billion people. The show has reappeared again and again on TV, and if people have a memory of his exceptional performance of the song, this version is most likely what they remember.

3. As Recorded at Madison Square Garden, June 10, 1972.
"Suspicious Minds" would be a highlight of most shows for the rest of Elvis' career, and literally hundreds of versions exist. This New York version represented a triumph for Elvis. He had never played in New York City, and basically felt that people "up there" didn't like him, based on the devastating criticism that the New York media had given in his early career.

Four sold-out shows at the Garden was a sweet revenge and triumph, and his band probably never played better than here.

'Suspicious Minds' - Elvis' Greatest Single?: "It was fifty years ago today".. 'Suspicious Minds' was released on August 26th 1969. While the NBC '68 TV Special, along with the single 'In the Ghetto' had pushed Elvis back to the forefront of popular culture, it would be the release of Elvis' last US Number 1 single that would ultimately prove to all the critics that Elvis was a still relevant contemporary musical force.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary EIN looks back in detail at the history of this classic song, including new interviews with Marty Lacker and Bobby Wood, as well as insights from composer Mark James and producer Chips Moman.

Go here for this fascinating spotlight

(Spotlight, Source; EIN)

'Elvis Is Back' next Complete Sessions FTD: Ernst Jorgensen was in Memphis for Elvis Week and at the panel discussion he informed the audience that the next FTD "Complete Sessions" deluxe box-set would be the 1960 'Elvis Is Back' post-army sessions.
'Elvis is Back' was originally released by RCA in April 1960 and was recorded at two sessions March and April at RCA Studio B.
The sessions included ‘Girl Of My Best Friend’, ‘Stuck On You’, ‘Fever’, ‘It’s Now Or Never’, ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’, ‘Reconsider Baby’ and ‘Such A Night’.
FTD have released nearly all the sessions already (see 'E.I.B' FTD review) however there are still a few outakes we haven't got from tracks including 'Make Me Know It' , 'Soldier Boy', "Mess Of Blues', 'Fame And Fortune' and 'Girl Of My Best Friend'.
(See Keith Flynn's marvellous ELVIS Sessions site for all the info)

EIN rated the 'Fun In Acapulco Complete Sessions' very highly

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

It was fifty years ago today that RCA started professionally recording ELVIS LIVE 1969 at the International Hotel Las Vegas. RCA recorded eleven concerts, all of which have now been released in the new deluxe box-set. Fifty years later fans can truly reminisce about all the excitement that Elvis generated as he returned to live performances. The eleven concerts would be culled to produce the 'Elvis In Person' 13-track album which would be released in November 1969. In 2019 EIN suggests you relive every concert day-by-day on their 50th anniversary.

Elvis history with Ernst Jorgensen: While over in Memphis for Elvis Week 2019 Elvis historian Ernst Jorgensen appeared on WREG News TV to talk about the new 1969 LIVE box-set and Elvis in general.
Unfortunately the questions were a little simplistic - "Is Elvis the greatest that ever lived?" - "How much does Elvis consume you?" but Jorgensen is fabulously animated in his replies, obviously enjoying the interview.
There is a marvelous reaction to the question, "Is there any new Elvis find that still surprises you today?"
He says about the 1969 LIVE set, "This is a music fan's dream, 11 consecutive shows professionally recorded"

Runs 6 minutes, worth a watch.
Click HERE to You-Tube

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

“The trouble with going to see Elvis Presley is that you’re liable to get killed. The experience is the closest thing to getting hit on the head by an atomic bomb. All to see Elvis sing, stomp, stagger and strum.” (Frank Beckman, Free Press)

“Elvis, leaning backwards like an intoxicated seaman with a gale at his heels while the fans whistled, screamed, wept, stomped their feet, jumped up on their seats, ran up and down the aisles and shrieked over and over again ‘Ohhh Elvis, Elvis!” (Paul Wallace, Long Beach Press-Telegram)

“A hard working stripper who tried anything like it would find herself a guest of the country.” (Variety)

A ban on lewd movements and wiggles on stage was enforced by Louisville Police Chief, Carl Hestis.

Female students of Notre Dame High School burned Elvis souvenirs together with an effigy, and prayed for forgiveness for their teenage excesses. “girls shrieked and Elvis shrieked, but he was outnumbered.” (Post-Dispatch, St. Louis)

“On stage he is obscene, ridiculous and sullen, yet he gets $50,000 a week because of his appearances. Off-stage he appears polite and good-natured, only too eager to tell the truth about the way he acts and feels.” (Donalee Donaldson, Lakeland Ledger)

“Tennessee fugitive from a barber shop.... Elvis Presley, who allegedly sings.” (Jim O’Connor, Daily News)

“The sound from the audience was like 12,000 girls having their heads shaved at once.” (Don Duncan, Tacoma News-Tribune)

“His performance was the most disgusting exhibition this reporter has ever seen. He has a sulky look and his infrequent smile is almost surly. The act was merely variations on a single theme, except that each wiggle was a little more ‘low down’.” (Marjorie Howe, Sioux City Journal)

“At the first tap of the Presley leg, the auditorium exploded.” (David Lee, La Crosse Tribune)

Note: Following the Elvis show a letter was sent from La Crosse to J Edgar Hoover at the FBI. It read:

“The filthiest and most harmful production that ever came to La Crosse for exhibition to teenagers.... sexual gratification on stage...a strip-tease with clothes on...may possibly be a drug addict and sexual pervert.”

Elvis as a religious figure: Since the Elvis’s death at Graceland on Aug. 16, 1977, at age 42, there have been alleged post-death sightings of Elvis. It gave him a resurrection theme to go with his divine pop culture status as “The King,” after a rise from humble beginnings in a stable-like home in Tupelo, Miss.

In 2006, Gregory L. Reece, a former instructor at the University of Montevallo, wrote a book called “Elvis Religion: Cult of the King.” Reece explored the possibility that Elvis had founded his own religion.

''I don’t think there’s an Elvis cult,'' Reece said. ''But there are a lot of religious references to Elvis in popular culture.''

Reece, a former Methodist minister who has taught classes in religion and philosophy at several Alabama colleges, once taught a class at the University of Montevallo applying scientific methods of analyzing religion to the cult of Elvis Presley. He did a similar presentation at the American Academy of Religion, which caught the attention of a book editor.

Some say the intense devotion to Presley constitutes not just reverence but worship, and that his life bears messianic parallels. Presley died and many think he lives on; pilgrims constantly throng his home, Graceland in Memphis, as if it’s the Holy Land; his image on objects turns them into icons; relics from his lifetime are treasured; a priesthood of Elvis impersonators imitate him in reverence.

Watch the Candlelight Vigil REPLAY: It is Thursday night in Memphis as thousands of fans honour the life and legacy of Elvis Presley and observe the annual Candlelight Vigil at Graceland.
Thousands of Elvis fans have gathered around the gates of Graceland for the annual Candlelight Vigil and to celebrate the life and legacy of the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
The ceremony for the 41st anniversary is organized as always by the Elvis Country Fan Club.
You can watch the vigil live from Graceland starting at 8pm. CT USA tomorrow =1am GMT on Livestream. 11am Sydney time

CLICK HERE TO WATCH via LiveStream

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

The ceremony for the 41st anniversary is organized as always by the Elvis Country Fan Club.

The Elvis Country Fan Club included these words in the service...

... People around the world are present with us tonight, in person, in spirit and via all the media outlets to honour the many unsurpassed achievements of Elvis Presley. This candle is lit for those people that are not able to be here in person, we acknowledge their presence with the lighting of this candle.

The theme for this year's Candlelit Service is "It Keeps Right on a A-Hurtin'"

It has been 42 years since Elvis has walked this earth. As it was only 42 short years that Elvis accomplished more than any other entertainer. And it keeps right on a hurtin' every minute of the day ... for every year and for every year to come.

When we see your picture, hear your magnificent voice, and a walk in your footsteps, our hearts break down and we cry a million tears. It just keeps right on hurtin' since your gone.

Yes, Elvis it does keep right on hurtin' and it always will, since you're gone. We miss you more than words can express.

Lisa Marie shared this message with the Elvis fans at the vigil....

"I am sorry that I am not able to be there with you this year. by now you will have read that it is not possible for us to do so. Please know that our hearts and spirits as they are with you regardless. I have said many times before that there's nowhere else I'd rather be and no one else I would rather be with at this time than with you. thank you for your continued love and support. Most sincerely Lisa Marie, Riley, Ben, Harper and Finley"

(Photo from the 2017 Elvis candlelit vigil)

Watch the Candlelight Vigil Live: Tomorrow evening the world will honour the life and legacy of Elvis Presley and observe the annual Candlelight Vigil at Graceland on Thursday, August 15.
Thousands of Elvis fans will gather around the gates of Graceland for the annual Candlelight Vigil and to celebrate the life and legacy of the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
The ceremony for the 41st anniversary is organized as always by the Elvis Country Fan Club.
You can watch the vigil live from Graceland starting at 8pm. CT USA tomorrow =1am GMT on Livestream. 11am Sydney time

CLICK HERE TO WATCH via LiveStream

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

For the Memphis Mafia book, she spoke with three members of Elvis Presley’s entourage - who between them - covered just about every phase of his life, including his cousin, Billy Smith, who was able to detail the early years. Smith, Marty Lacker, and Lamar Fike painted a vivid portrait of what it was like to live with Elvis through the highs and lows of his life and career, and during the later years as he began to slip away.

“They were haunted by Elvis and how they weren’t able to save him,” says Nash. “And it was extremely important for them to be able to tell their story because they’d been blamed for letting him die, and they were blamed by fans who thought they were hangers-on when honestly I think he would have died years earlier without that pack of guys around him to bolster him emotionally, save him from overdoses, and rescue him from lots of frightening situations when he was too drugged to realize what he was doing.”

Her book Baby, Let’s Play House explores his relationships with the women with who touched his life from lovers to friends to family members. It includes interviews with Ann-Margret, Barbara Eden, Cybil Shepherd, and a host of others. It also delves into his extremely close relationship with his mother, Gladys.

“He was really very woman-centered because of his closeness with his mother and the death of his twin at birth,” explains Nash. “He was what a psychologist would call ‘lethally enmeshed with his mother.’ She was always going to be the premiere female figure in his life. But he loved being around female energy and I don’t just mean sexual energy. He liked being around young people and he adored those younger fans. It wasn’t just ‘love me, love me,’ he wanted to know what they thought about the music.”

It did seem odd the Colonel never allowed Elvis to tour in Europe when he was so popular there. Nash met with Colonel Parker three times and traveled to the Netherlands to uncover his story. She says that while the Colonel made a number of bad decisions, he’s credited with others that kept Elvis on top through the years, even when music had radically changed. The Colonel shifted Elvis from records to movies, then when the movies petered out, to Vegas. Still, she says, there was something that struck her with each of her three in-person meetings with Colonel Parker.

“They were strange and wonderful, he was very wily and there was a lot to like about him. He was also very amusing, but there was something predatory about him that was really frightening. It was the only time I’ve ever felt that I’d been in the presence of evil.”

Nash admits that studying Elvis so closely through the years has not always been easy, but it has been very rewarding. While Elvis faced a number of challenges and his life ended far too soon at the age of 42, his music, his art, and his legacy lives on. And will continue to do so.

“I expect Elvis will still be someone that generations will study long after you and I are in the grave," says Nash. “He’s probably the most influential figure in the 20th century.” (Article, Source: Pam Windsor, Forbes magazine)

Taylor Rodriguez 2019 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist: The 2019 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest final round took place Saturday night. Taylor Rodriguez - who represented the Tupelo Elvis Festival - was declared the winner.
Taylor Rodriguez, 21, of Lynchburg, Virginia, has a passion for entertaining. He was introduced to Elvis' music by his aunt, who was a lifelong Elvis fan. When Taylor was 9 years old, he began to seriously study Elvis' music and moves. In addition to being an Elvis tribute artist, Taylor enjoys writing songs, playing guitar and working with youth in his community.
His favorite Elvis song is 'How Great Thou Art' and his favorite Elvis song to perform is 'The Impossible Dream'.

Congratulations to second place winner Radney Pennington and third place winner Cote Deonath, and top five finalists Diogo Light and Jake Slater.

If you want to know more about Taylor Rodriguez - go to his website.
(News, source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)

'Elvis Week App' Free Download: EPE once again for Elvis Week 2019 let your fingertips do the walking with the Elvis Week app!
They say that the app has everything you need for Elvis Week. You can check out a daily schedule of events, list of special guests, map, a virtual candle, photo booth and more plus you can build your own personal schedule for the week.
It's a free app - Click here to EPE

(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)

In a book which also incorporates information about Ricky Nelson's proficiency in the martial arts and a fascinating musical history of a particular part of the sixties, Memmer manages to include a large number of well known and obscure celebrities and recording artists of the day.......names such as Steve McQueen, Jayne Mansfield, the Dan-Dees, Lonnie Mack, the Hubs, Bo Diddley (who remembers Bo's 1963 single Monkey Diddle backed with Memphis?), Gene Vincent, Jan and Dean, Sandy Nelson, the Hollies, Dave Berry and the Cruisers, Lonnie Mack, the Surfaris, Chuck Berry, and the Shakers.

In relation to the Beatles recording of Memphis, Memmer insightfully records the small change they made to improve the song.

Darrin Memmer's rigorous research continues to set high standards and the primary source material he uncovers highlights the lack of rigour applied by many other researchers. His latest book is a fast paced and revealing read. Music historians will be particularly interested. (News, Source: EIN/Darrin Memmer/Amazon)

Read EIN's review of Richard Zoglins's book, Elvis in Vegas

Read EIN's interview with Richard Zoglin

Revisiting Blue Hawaii: Pop culture analyst and author, Tom Lisanti, has written many books on his favorite topic. In his almost 450 page Hollywood and Surf Movies, Lisanti includes chapters on two Elvis films, Blue Hawaii and Girl Happy. EIN found the following excerpts about Blue Hawaii particularly interesting, and some amusing. (The book also contains some surprising information about a number of Elvis' co-stars.......not always positive):

(pr for the film) Exotic Romance ... Exotic Dances ... Exciting Music in the World's Lushest Paradise of Song!

Blue Hawaii is arguably Elvis Presley's best post-Army musical - even more entertaining than the overrated Viva Las Vegas. It excellently blends comedy, romance, music, lush locations and a bit of surfing to make it a beach movie well worth viewing.

A new leading lady was needed fast so Wallis offered the film to his recent discovery Pamela Tiffen ........ Astonishingly, the newcomer turned it down! Tiffin explained in Fantasy Femmes of the Sixties Cinema (EIN Note: another book by Tom Lisanti) that she was advised by many people in the industry not to do an Elvis Presley movie as it could hurt her fledgling career. She abided by their advice but years later regretted it.

Publicity photos to the contrary, there are no shots of Elvis or a stunt double surfing. Presley is seen only lying on his board in the bay or coming out of the surf carrying it.....Blue Hawaii remains a spectacular travelogue come to life with pleasant songs, pretty girls and Elvis at his peak.

Unlike Elvis musicals to follow, here at least the songs mesh into the plot. Standing out are "Rock-a-Hula Baby" and the poignant "Can't Help Falling In Love", which was touted for an Academy Award nomination.

Angela Lansbury had been appearing in the dramatic play A Taste of Honey on Broadway when she was offered the role of Southern-fried Sarah Lee, the mother of Elvis' Chad Gates. The British-born actress jumped at the chance to play this comical character even though she was only ten years older than Presley.

"Well, when I met Elvis and he spoke to me and I didn't faint," contunues (Darlene) Tompkins with a laugh. "Now, after all these years knowing how much he impacted my life and how much I miss him, I should have fainted." (EIN Note: As reported by EIN last month, sadly Ms Tompkins passed away, aged 78, on 18 July following complications after suffering a stroke).

When Blue Hawaii opened it received mostly positive reviews, but no one expected it to be such a huge hit. It grossed $4.2 million, becoming the eighteenth highest grossing film of 1962 per Variety. "The movie's success really , really surprised us becaise it was done so light-hearted", admits (Darlene) Tompkins. "We had so much fun just filing it nobody expected it to be as big as it was."

As for Elvis, the film's success had a negative effect on his acting career in that his manager Col. Parker steered him away from anything different and challenging.

Memorable lines from Blue Hawaii:

(Potential client Abigail Prentice questions Chad to see if he would make an appropriate tour guide)

ABIGAIL: Mr Gates, do you think you can satisfy a schoolteacher and four tennage girls?

CHAD: Well, uh, I'll sure try, ma'am. I'll do all I can.

(Chad announces to his parents that he will not work in the family business and will not give up his girlfriend Maile)

SARAH LEE: Oh, Daddy, what'd we do wrong?

FRED: Offhand, I'd say we got married.

Leaving Graceland: In the fourth part of Robert "Yoshi" Kim's adventures in becoming a successful Elvis Tribute artist, Yoshi discusses his meetings with Elvis' housekeeper/cook, Nancy Rooks, and Elvis' close confidante and spiritual adviser, Larry Geller. (Right with Yoshi)

Among other things, Yoshi relates what Larry told him about Elvis' death on August 16, 1977.

(Almost Elvis, Source: Yoshi Kim)

San Diego Musical Theatre’s production of the musical comedy “All Shook Up” features at least 25 of Presley’s popular tunes and themes from various Shakespeare plays, especially “Twelfth Night.” It is enjoyable, funny and features terrific singers who belt out many a tune about finding, losing or desiring love.
The show takes place over a 24-hour period — though it seems longer with all the plot twists, turns and pairings involved — during the summer of 1955 in “a small you-never-hear-of-it town somewhere in the Midwest.”

While the Elvis element is likely to attract a certain older generation, the show is so entertaining that even those decades younger will also enjoy it.   Left: Jesse Bradley, as roustabout Chad, and Krista Feallock, as the love-struck tomboy mechanic Natalie, star in San Diego Musical Theatre’s production of “All Shook Up - copyright: Heather Longfellow

Frequent SDMT leading man Robert J. Townsend in his directorial debut aptly staged the 20 actors and with delightful choreography by Michael Mizerany — showcased early with the opening number “Jailhouse Rock” and continuing throughout the nearly three-hour show — the musical is frequently fast-paced and energetic.

“All Shook Up” is a about a roustabout named Chad (Jesse Bradley), who was recently released from a stint in jail and stops in a small town to get his motorcycle fixed. He is surprised to find the local mechanic is a young woman, Natalie (Krista Feallock), who dreams of heading out on the open road with er dream man, but feels destined to stay home because of her widowed father, Jim (Richard Van Slyke). Chad is also stunned to learn the town has outlawed “loud music, public necking and tight pants” in the name of decency and makes it his mission to get the townspeople to rebel.

Dennis (Noah Filley) however is in love with Natalie, his longtime friend, but cannot find the courage to tell her. In a comedic twist of fate, these characters — and several others in town — “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” though in each case it is unrequited. The exception is the forbidden love of teens Lorraine and Dean (Brooke Henderson and Brendan Dallaire). Lorraine’s mother, Sylvia (Erin Vanderhyde) objects because of their ages and his mother — the overbearing Mayor Hyde (Barbara Schoenhofer) — because it is an inter-racial relationship circa 1955.

All the main actors come across as well-suited for their roles. Bradley has enough swagger as the Elvis-wannabe, Feallock ably switches between the sweet and charming tomboy who finally wears a dress to attract Chad, to cross-dressing as another roustabout named Ed in order to befriend Chad. Vanderhyde as the “I’ve been burned by love” honky tonk owner is full of “don’t mess with me” personality and an amazing voice, while Henderson, as her headstrong 16-year-old daughter is full of sass. Filley is enjoyable as the awkward widower trying to reenter the dating scene and Schoenhofer is perfect as the unyielding, rule-enforcing mayor.
Several of the musical numbers are especially good. They include the cute “Teddy Bear/Hound Dog” mash-up, “It’s Now or Never,” and the entire cast in “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” which closes Act I. “Devil in Disguise” is particularly funny and Vanderhyde’s powerful, emotion-driven voice in “There’s Always Me” is wonderful.
“All Shook Up” can be seen at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 1 in the Horton Grand Theatre, San Diego.
Tickets are $30 to $70, available at sdmt.org or 858-560-5740.
(Review, Source: San Diego Union Tribune)

(Interview) Eric Wolfson, author of 'From Elvis in Memphis': In a very interesting and detailed interview, Eric Wolfson talks to EIN's Nigel Patterson about how his upcoming book, From Elvis in Memphis (part of the popular Bloomsbury 33 1/3 series), came about and what we can expect in it.

Eric also discusses why American Sound Studio was so successful and whether, by the late 60s, Elvis' recordings could have been improved through more innovative use of contemporary recording techniques.

If you are interested in Elvis' recording sessions and how they led to the stunning impact of "The Memphis Sessions" this is a fascinating read.

(Interview, Source: EIN)

Read Eric's interview

'Elvis Live 1969' SONY Promo Video: SONY have released a cute promo video for the brand new "Elvis Live 1969" deluxe 11CD boxset and also the double August 26 1969 vinyl release.
Worth a look - only runs 1 /12 minutes

Unfortunately they state that "Elvis hadn't performed on stage for over 11 years" - which is crazy seeing that the March 1961 Arizona Memorial - Pearl Harbour fund-raiser was one of Elvis' best concerts of all time.
Elvis also performed two concerts in Memphis on February 25 1961.

Click here to YouTube to see the promo video

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

Remembering "Presleymania" - Toledo Teen Tussles with Elvis: At the height of his popularity in the 1950s, Elvis created pandemonium during his 'live" performances and attracted the ire of not only parents, but also jealous boyfriends and husbands.

One incident, in Toledo, Ohio gained nationwide press coverage when Elvis was confronted by an unemployed 19-year-old sheet metal worker named Louis Balint and a fight ensued.

But was the fight between Elvis and Balint real?

The aftermath to the incident is interesting - Balint, a former Los Angeles drama student, offered this explanation:

A “sharp character” approached him at a bar between Presley concerts and promised him $200 if he would stage a fight with the singer to generate positive publicity. Only a month before, Presley had been in a fight with a Memphis gas station owner, which drew national attention; you know what they say about there being no such thing as bad publicity.

“To show you how phony the fight was,” Balint told The Toledo Blade, “the guy who fixed it had me give the cops my age as 19. I’m 22. The guy said 19 would sit better with the young chicks. I still haven’t seen the jerk,” he added later in the interview. “If my old man hadn’t read about it in the Los Angeles papers and sent me the money I’d still be in the clink.”

The Associated Press picked up the story and interviewed Balint’s 20-year-old wife, Joan. She denied carrying a photo of Presley. “I don’t like him, but then I don’t like most singers,” she said. “But I do think Liberace is pretty good.” (News, Source: Elvis November 1956, upcoming book by Paul Belard)

Jimmy Page talks Elvis, Scotty Moore: Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page is once again re-visiting his musical roots via comments on Instagram.
He recently posted a marvllous and rare photo of Elvis Presley and Scotty Moore, who had been a major musical inspiration of Jimmy’s early years.
Jimmy has revealed an untold story about his biggest influence on electric guitar, the great Scotty Moore..

"On this day in 1999, I presented a Gibson Guitar to Scotty Moore at Air Studios. Scotty Moore had been a major inspiration in my early transitory days from acoustic to electric guitar.
Scotty Moore's character guitar playing on those early Elvis Sun recordings, and later at RCA, was monumental. It was during the 50s that these types of song-shaping guitar parts helped me see the importance of the electric guitar approach to the music.”

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

'Elvis In Vegas' new Elvis Week Event: Hear stories and memories from those who shared the stage with Elvis, starting with his 1969 return to the live performances through the 1970s at the new Elvis Week event 'Elvis In Vegas'. Hosted by Tom Brown, confirmed guests include TCB Band members James Burton, Ronnie Tutt and Glen Hardin, Elvis historian Ernst Jorgensen and John Jackson of Sony/Legacy Recordings, plus original members of The Imperials Terry Blackwood and Jim Murray.
Looks interesting
Saturday, August 17 at Graceland Soundstage,

Click here to EPE's Elvis Week Schedule for more info

(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)

(Book Review): Elvis in Vegas: How the King Reinvented the Las Vegas Show (Richard Zoglin): EIN recently interviewed senior editor of Time magazine, Richard Zoglin, about his new book, Elvis in Vegas.

To complement our interview, EIN's Nigel Patterson provides a detailed review of Zoglin's book, a release that offers a lot more than its title suggests, and a book that is clearly one of the most important Elvis releases of 2019.

Read Nigel's detailed review of Elvis in Vegas: How the King Reinvented the Las Vegas Show

Read EIN's interview with the author, Richard Zoglin

Understanding Elvis and his life (excerpted from Elvis and the Memphis Mafia by Alanna Nash with Billy Smith, Marty Lacker, and Lamar Fike):

Lamar Fike (about Elvis and Gladys): I've never seen anybody connected like Elvis and Gladys were. It was just amazing.

Billy Smith (about Scatter the chimpanzee): When we took Scatter back to Graceland, the maids had to feed him because we were gone so much. One day, a maid named Daisy went out there, and she had her wig on, and that damn chimp grabbed the wig right right off her head. It scared a couple of years off her life. We always thought she poisoned him. And it wouldn't surprise me. Because not long after that, the monkey came up dead.

Marty Lacker (the Aug 1971 Vegas season): When Elvis went back to Vegas in August of '71, they had him playing three shows a day because of the overflow crowds. When he finished his engagement, he'd broken his own attendance record.

Lamar Fike (Elvis and demo records): After a while, the demos got so locked that Elvis literally became a parody of himself. because Elvis would just ape whatever the demo singer was doing. And a lot of times, the demo singer was trying to sound like him. So Elvis would end up copying a guy who was copying him.

Billy Smith (was Elvis superstitious?): Elvis wasn't all that superstitious, himself. If a black cat ran in front of the car, he didn't turn around and go back the other way. And he didn't believe in "lucky" shirts or good-luck charms.

Marty Lacker (Elvis and Priscilla's wedding): The truth is, the suite the cermony was in was big enough for the rest of the guys to be there. But the Colonel invited who he wanted, and in essence told the others to go f*** themselves. (News, Source: EIN/Alanna Nash: Elvis and the Memphis Mafia)

Blue Hawaii's Darlene Tompkins Dead at 78: US actress Darlene Tompkins is most famous for her role as Patsy Simon in Elvis' 1961 movie Blue Hawaii. Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1940 her real surname was 'Perfect' but after her parents' divorce she took the surname of her stepfather. Her family worked in theatre and so it was no surprise that she wanted to get to Hollywood. Winning a beauty contest led to her appearing in commercials while he first movie role was in 1960's 'Beyond the Time Barrier' and then 'The Ladies Man' starring Jerry Lewis.
She then co-starred opposite Elvis in Blue Hawaii as Patsy Simon one of the teenage girls. In 1963 she had a role in 'My Six Loves' with Debbie Reynolds and also has a small part again with Elvis in 'Fun In Acapulco'. She continued acting with parts in several television shows.
Earlier this year she suffered a stroke which caused a serious fall, bruising and bleeding on the brain.

She died last Thursday July 18, 2019 aged 78.

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

'Elvis in Vegas’ Wall Street Journal Review: The respected Wall Street Journal this weekend reviews Richard Zoglin's 'Elvis in Vegas' and features a photo by EIN contributor Paul Gansky...
The review includes... ‘Elvis in Vegas’ : The King’s Second Coming
The response to Elvis’s Las Vegas show redefined the singer and the city, replacing faded glory with fresh showbiz success.
In July 1969, Elvis Presley was busy gearing up for his first live-venue concert in nearly a decade. The site was a spacious 2,000 - seat theater in the new, ultra-swank, high-rise International Hotel in Las Vegas. His manager, Col. Tom Parker, decided that it would be too risky to be the opening act at an untested showroom, so the hotel first booked rising star Barbra Streisand, fresh from her Academy Award-winning role in “Funny Girl.”

‘Elvis Sings Memphis Tennessee’ FTD Double-Vinyl:  FTD is pleased to announce the release of “Elvis Sings Memphis Tennessee” limited edition, a double-vinyl set.
The album contains great alternative versions of songs from The Lost Album sessions in May 1963 and January 1964.
Mastered at Abbey Road Studios, the album is released in 180-gram format.

EIN Notes: This double-album looks a real stunner with tracks such as 'Memphis, Tennessee', 'Echoes Of Love', 'Please Don't Drag That String Around', 'Devil In Disguise', 'What Now, What Next, Where To', 'Blue River'  and 'It Hurts Me' all on the same album.

Go here to 'FTD / SONY CD News' for the full-tracklist.

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

(Interview) Richard Zoglin (author of Elvis in Vegas) talks to EIN: Time magazine contributing editor and theater critic, Richard Zoglin, recently talked with EIN's Nigel Patterson about his much anticipated new book, Elvis in Vegas.

In an illuminating interview, Richard discusses, among other things:

• why Elvis was so important to Vegas;
• how Elvis redefined the Vegas show;
• the important role Colonel Parker played in the success of Elvis' comeback to Vegas in 1969;
• the impact of Elvis' lack of a musical director for his Vegas shows;
• Elvis fans and his decline;
• Elvis and rock critics; and
• mob rule, Howard Hughes and the corporatisation of Vegas.

Read the full interview ...........(Interview, Source: EIN)

Live 1969 will collect 11 full sets from Elvis’ run recorded in late August, including four shows that have never been previously released in full (two of those gigs, recorded August 22nd and 25th, have remained almost completely unheard since 1969). The set will be released digitally and as an 11-CD box set, with the latter coming with a 52-page booklet featuring rare photos, memorabilia and an oral history by Ken Sharp comprising historic interviews from Presley, Colonel Tom Parker, Tom Jones, Jerry Schilling, James Burton, Fats Domino and more.

Live 1969  is available to  pre-order , along with a separate two-LP vinyl set chronicling Elvis’ August 26th, 1969 midnight show, which will also arrive August 9th. A limited edition version of that record pressed on hot pink and yellow vinyl will be available via the Graceland store.

American Sound 1969 , meanwhile, will comprise 90 tracks of rare and unreleased material that Elvis recorded during the American Studio sessions that produced his acclaimed record, From Elvis in Memphis. That set is available to pre-order and will only be available digitally.

The collections, all due out in August, will delve into the music Elvis produced during his comeback year of 1969.

The largest set of the bunch, "Live 1969," commemorates the 50th anniversary of Presley's residency at Las Vegas's International Hotel, where he performed 57 sold-out live shows after an eight-year absence. At the time, the musician was backed by his TCB Band, a full orchestra as well as two vocal groups, the Imperials and the Sweet Inspirations.

"Live 1969" features 11 complete sets from his run, including two shows recorded on August 22 and 25 that have remained almost completely unheard since 1969. It also includes four gigs that have never been previously released in full.

The set, out on August 9, comes with a 52-page booklet featuring rare photos, an oral history by Ken Sharp with historic interviews with Elvis, Colonel Tom Parker, Tom Jones and more.

New 'American Sound 1969' DIGITAL release: In addition to Live in 1969, RCA / Legacy Recordings will release 'American Sound 1969' digitally on August 23rd. The collection features over 90 tracks of rare and unreleased material from Elvis’ 1969 American Sound Studio sessions – which resulted in his From Elvis In Memphis record later that year. From Elvis In Memphis ranks among Elvis’ most universally beloved records, spawning the iconic hit “In The Ghetto.”

American Sound 1969 is available for pre-order now: https://Elvis.lnk.to/AS1969PR

More info coming soon..

(News, Source;SONY/ElvisInfoNet)

Ken Sharp Interview 2019: Ken Sharp is a New York Times best-selling writer who has published an astounding number of books about musicians such John Lennon, David Bowie, Kiss, Cheap Trick, LA's Wrecking Crew as well as Elvis Presley.
He authored the stunning FTD book 'Writing For The King' as well as the unique 'Elvis Vegas 1969' and has published a multitude of interviews with key Elvis acquaintances in major music magazines such as Goldmine, he has also supplied sleeve notes for some major Sony ELVIS releases.
Packed full of unique interviews, fans have asked EIN whether "Elvis Vegas '69"is being republished for the 50th anniversary.

It has been a while since EIN has caught up with Ken Sharp - and with the 50th anniversary of Elvis' 1969 Las Vegas Return-To-Splendour about to be celebrated we thought it was about time to find up what he was up to.

Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley asked the questions.. and YES you can get copies of 'Elvis Vegas 1969' now at a special price for the 50th anniversary.
(Interviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

(Book Review): Elvis September 1958 - Germany Bound (Paul Belard): Paul Belard's latest visual and archival record of the Elvis story focuses on just one month, September 1958. This was the month Elvis prepared for his departure from the USA on deployment to Germany to continue his Army training.

EIN's Nigel Patterson took a tour of duty through Germany Bound. He has taken inventory and you can read what Nigel found here:

Read Nigel's review ......

..(Book Review, Source: EIN)

The book is available for Pre-Order through the Elvis Shop London.

Or Pre-order with Elvis Files - Send € 105 by PayPal to: sales@elvisfiles.no (includes shipping with DHL)

Erik Lorentzen promises lots of new previosuly unpublished photos....

(More example pages below)

(News, Source;EL/ElvisInfoNet)

MRS ‘Made in Germany – Private Recordings’ VINYL Review: The MRS label released ‘Made in Germany: Private Recordings’ which features the best of the remastered private recordings Elvis made in Germany, for Record Store Day 2019.
The audio from Elvis' private recordings has been painstakingly cleaned, repaired, and restored, using the most sophisticated technology.
Elvis vinyl fans can now enjoy these truly historical recordings including the newly found 'Like A Baby', 'He Knows Just What I Need', 'His Hand in Mine', 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?' and 'Cool Water' for the very first time.
Limited Edition 180-gram 2LP set with a 24-page photo spread gatefold with stunning pictures and with several photos not featured in the recent MRS Book/CD combo.
Released on 180grm Vinyl and with quality audio remastering.

EIN's Vinyl-lover Piers Beagley spins these new discs of Elvis' German Private Recordings and checks out the sumptuous packaging...

(VINYL Review, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

Paul has numerous other titles nearing completion including Elvis May 1956; Elvis October 1958, and Elvis November-December 1958, as well as the thematic volumes, Elvis A Humanitarian; Elvis Badges, Cops and Guns; and Advertising Elvis.

Contact Paul Belard for purchase information

Other titles from Paul Belard already published are:

Best (and Worst) Books of 2018: What were the best Elvis books published in 2018? The worst? The most incredulous?

EIN's Nigel Patterson, with help from Piers Beagley, has compiled an extensive list of the best and worst Elvis books of last year.

The 14 award categories include the best:

• general biography
• "subject specific" release
• composite (book/CD and/or DVD) release
• "insider" memoir
• photo-journal
• fiction release
• ebook
• book for younger readers
• non-english text
• re-issue
• fan club/fan publication
• most incredulous release

Plus EIN names its top two Elvis books of 2018!

To find out what they are (and why) and read about more than 70 other Elvis books published in 2018 click here..(Spotlight, Source: EIN)

Larry Geller talks to EIN: Larry Geller, Elvis' personal hair stylist and spiritual confidante, recently talked with EIN's Nigel Patterson about a range of Elvis and Larry related issues. Larry's fascinating and candid interview traverses issues including:

• Elvis' last few years and his dramatic plans to change his life and career from September 1977
• new claims about Elvis by Aurelia Dupont Yarbrough and singer-songwriter, Leo Sayer
• meeting Elvis for the first time - and later working for him
• "What was Elvis really like?", what Larry tells fans who want to know
• Elvis and UFOs
• Vernon Presley and the "blue light" over the Presley home in Tupelo the night Elvis was born
• Larry's new company, Wisdome Organics, based on his Holistic Hair Care Philosophy

Read Larry's interview

(Interview, Source: EIN)

'What was Elvis searching for?' EIN Spotlight: The question is raised – but never answered – in the title of HBO’s recent absorbing, imperfect documentary 'Elvis Presley: The Searcher'.
At the start it seems clear what the teenage Elvis was searching for – an escape from the oblivion of poverty in the American South. Yet his quest was cultural as well as financial.
Later Elvis read obsessively, seeking out such books as The Impersonal Life, Joseph Brenner’s guide to self-discovery and Kahil Gibran’s book of fables, The Prophet. In his copy of Gibran’s tome, Elvis jotted down the line: “A singer can sing his songs but he must have an ear to receive the song”.
So what exactly was Elvis searching for?

In this fascinating EIN Spotlight respected author Paul Simpson takes a close look at this all important question which, for some reason, was basically ignored in the recent HBO documentary..

(Spotlight, Source;PaulSimpson/ElvisInformationNetwork)