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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:
New format - Elvis Presley (Experimental Release 6) High Definition Music Card (Blu-ray): Have you heard about the new format that will replace the music CD and revolutionize the music industry as you know it? Let us introduce to you the new High Definition Music Card. If you love music, then you have a lot of sources to choose from today.
But, if you REALLY love music, you're probably not satisfied with the sound quality of what you are listening to. Your frustration is comparable to a viewer watching a movie in IMAX and 3-D at the local theater, and then seeing the same recording on their Smartphone... wow, what a difference.
See, the High Definition Music Card is based on an advanced technology that places each sound in a unique 3-D location in space. Well, now you can get that 3-D type of experience in music by using The High Definition Music Card. |
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Developed by Alexander Goldberg Jero, winner of prestigious Surround Music Awards, The High Definition Music Card is a new USB format device for delivering music content that features the latest advances in surround sound reproduction that compares with no other format in the world.
The release features 11 Elvis tracks licensed from Sony Music plus a swag of bonus extras. Available only on a pre-order basis so if you are interested you'd be wise to order quickly.
EIN NOTE: Please investigate the new technology before purchasing. Back in 2002 David Bendeth produced the rather fine 'Surround Sound' 5.1 version of 'Elvis 30#1 Hits'. While the multitrack Elvis recordings (ie Memphis Sessions onward) sounded fantastic, the manipulated 3 track stereo or mono recordings were trickier fare.
From the tracklist it looks that newer 'Where No One Stand Alone' overdub versions could be in this playlist. There is no way that the recordings come from "7.1 / 5.1 surround sound configuration" original RCA masters.
(News, Source:Amazon/ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis Items at RR Auction: The RR auction for 'Fine Autographs and Artifacts' features a couple of neat Elvis items.
- A signed Elvis photo from MGM, Culver City on July 1, 1966. Described as (lot #579) Bold ink signature "Elvis Presley" on an off-white 5 x 3 card, with a typed collector's notation indicating that it was signed after an impromptu photo session at MGM in Culver City on July 1, 1966. In fine condition, with faint toning. Accompanied by a modern reprint of one of the photographs taken at the time, as well as a few other unsigned modern Elvis pictures.
With 14 bids and going for $1300
- 'Cufflinks worn by the King' - Elvis Presley's personally owned pair of gold-tone mesh cufflinks with swivel backs, each inset with a large yellowish green faceted stone encircled by smaller diamond-like gems. Presley gifted these cufflinks to his friend, Las Vegas physician Elias Ghanem, in the 1970s. In fine condition. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Bud Glass at The King's Ransom Museum, who notes that "Elvis gifted many things to Dr. Ghanem, including a Stutz automobile, and many of Elvis' own personal jewelry items, including watches, rings, pendants and several pair of cufflinks.In the mid 2000's, major Elvis collector-Chris Davidson of the world famous Elvis-A-Rama Museum purchased the entire Elvis collection of items.from the widow of Dr. Ghanem.Many of the items were sent directly to me. Among the items were the green stone, gold mesh cufflinks."
With 10 bids now standing at $860
Click here to RR auctions to bid - Closes February 6.
(News, Source;RR/ElvisInfoNet) |
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NBC's 'All-Star Elvis Presley Tribute' Gets International Distributor: Good news for worldwide Elvis fans who are interested to see the new 'All-Star Elvis Presley Tribute' as the show will be distributed internationally by Alfred Haber Television.
The distributor has landed the rights to the one-off show, which goes out on the U.S. network on Feb. 17.
The special celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 1968 NBC special that helped Presley climb back up to the top of the charts.
Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, Josh Groban, Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton will all be in the new show. The modern-day stars will perform Elvis classics including "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog," "All Shook Up" and "Blue Suede Shoes."
There will also be outtakes from the 1960s special and interviews from those involved in that original broadcast. Veteran music producer Ken Ehrlich will produce the new show.
"We all know Elvis Presley as the king of Rock 'n' Roll, but it was his '68 comeback special on NBC that truly secured his reign," said Alfred Haber. "Now, 50 years later, the 'Elvis All-Star Tribute' is the fitting salute to the man, his music, and the night he reclaimed his crown."
Alfred Haber handles international sales for a raft of U.S.-produced music shows and events, including the coverage of the Grammy Awards.
No news on which Australian channel has picked up the rights as yet.
(News, Source;NBC/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Suspicious Minds' - Elvis' Greatest Single?: It was FIFTY YEARS AGO, in the early morning hours of January 23, 1969, that Elvis recorded the song that would guarantee his true musical
renaissance would last through until his all-too-early demise almost a
decade later. 'Suspicious Minds' would be 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.
Back in 2009 EIN celebrated the 40th anniversary of this Number One single and looked 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; ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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Maxine Brown, Country Music Hall of Fame Singer, Passed away at 87: Sad news as we learn that the great Maxine Brown has died aged 87.
(Ella) Maxine Brown was a member of the groundbreaking trio the Browns with siblings Jim Ed and Bonnie Brown. She died January 21 in hospice care in Little Rock, she was 87.
To Elvis fans she is best known for touring with Elvis Presley back in 1955 and tells some fabulous stories of sharing special moments with Elvis in her biography 'Looking Back to See'.
As one of the premier vocal groups bridging the gap of pop and country music in the late Fifties, the Browns’ silky smooth harmony vocals turned the 1959 single, “The Three Bells,” based on the 1945 French tune “Les Trois Cloches,” into a 10-week Number One hit on the country chart. The trio’s version also topped Billboard’s Hot 100 for four weeks.
An influence for decades on acts from the Beatles to Little Big Town, the Browns joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1963, and scored other hits including Jim Ed and Maxine’s Top Ten, “Looking Back to See” in 1954, and the trio’s “Here Today and Gone Tomorrow,” “I Heard the Bluebirds Sing” and the sentimental favorite, “Scarlet Ribbons (for Her Hair).” |
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Born Ella Maxine Brown in Campti, Louisiana, on April 27th, 1931, Maxine joined her brother and sister to perform at church and other social functions during their teen years. Maxine signed her brother up for a talent contest on Little Rock radio station KLRA’s “Barnyard Frolic,” and although he didn’t win, Jim Ed was invited to become a member of the show’s cast. Maxine would soon join him, and in 1954 they began appearing on Shreveport’s hugely influential Louisiana Hayride, as “Looking Back to See” became their debut hit. Bonnie joined the following year.
The trio toured with Elvis Presley and, like Presley, would sign to RCA Records in 1955.
With producer Chet Atkins at the helm, the Brown recorded 250 sides for the label. They also toured the U.S. and Europe where “The Three Bells” would scale the charts in the U.K., Norway, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. The record also topped the Australian charts. In 1964, the Browns were nominated for a Best Vocal Group Performance Grammy for their LP, Grand Ole Opry Favorites, but lost the award to the Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night.
Their second Grammy nod came in 1967 in the Best Sacred Performance category, with the award going to their longtime friend Elvis Presley.
She published her autobiography Looking Back to See and in 2012, she was honored with the Ella Dicky Literary Award for the memoir. In 2015, the Browns became members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Jim Ed Brown died in 2015, two months after the Hall of Fame announcement was made, and Bonnie Brown died in 2016.
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet) - Please Read EIN Book Review below about Maxine Brown & The Browns |
'Nashville Chrome' - Book Review: In the late fifties the Country Music group The Browns - Maxine, Bonnie, and Jim Ed - were enjoying unprecedented international success, rivaled only by their longtime friend Elvis Presley. The book 'Nashville Chrome' by author Rick Bass presents a vivid evocation of an era in American music, while at its heart it is a wrenching meditation on the complexities of fame and of one family who experienced them firsthand.
Just two months ago it was announced that The Browns would be inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame. With immaculate timing, EIN contributor Susan McDougall reviews the 2010 publication 'Nashville Chrome' about this fascinating group.
The connection between The Browns and Elvis is an interesting topic - and as always Susan presents both the positives and negatives about publishing a book about such a well-researched period.
Read Susan's full review
(Book Review, Source: EIN, May 2015) |
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'Elvis in Vegas' New Book: Announced on EIN a few months ago we now have more details about the new book 'Elvis in Vegas' by Richard Zoglin.
... The story of how Las Vegas saved Elvis and Elvis saved Las Vegas in the greatest musical comeback of all time.
The conventional wisdom is that Las Vegas is what destroyed Elvis Presley: launching him on a downward spiral of drugs, boredom, erratic stage behavior, and eventually his fatal overdose. But in Elvis in Vegas, Richard Zoglin takes a revisionist view, arguing that Vegas is where the King of Rock and Roll resurrected his career, reinvented himself as a performer, and created the most exciting show in Vegas history.
Elvis’s 1969 opening night in Vegas was his first time back on a live stage in more than eight years. His career had gone sour - bad movies, mediocre pop songs that no longer made the charts - and he’d been dismissed by most critics as over the hill. But in Vegas he played the biggest showroom in the biggest hotel in the city, drawing more people for his four-week engagement than any other show in Vegas history. His performance got rave reviews, 'Suspicious Minds' gave him his first number-one hit in seven years, and Elvis became Vegas’s biggest star. Over the next seven years, he performed more than 800 shows there, and sold out every one.
Las Vegas was changed too. The intimate night-club-style shows of the Rat Pack, who made Vegas the nation’s premier live-entertainment center in the 1950s and ‘60s, catered largely to well-heeled older gamblers. Elvis brought a new kind of experience: an over-the-top, rock-concert-like extravaganza. He set a new bar for Vegas performers, with the biggest salary, the biggest musical production, and the biggest promotion campaign |
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the city had ever seen. In doing so, Elvis opened the door to a new generation of pop/rock performers, and brought a new audience to Vegas - a mass audience from Middle America that Vegas depends on for its success to this day.
A classic comeback tale set against the backdrop of Las Vegas’s golden age, Richard Zoglin’s Elvis in Vegas is a feel-good story for the ages.
This title will be released on July 23, 2019 -
Click here to Amazon for more details
(News, Source;SS/ElvisInfoNet) |
'Bruce Jackson On The Road With Elvis' New Book: Bruce Jackson was Elvis Presley's touring soundman for six years. On July 5, 1976, in Memphis at the end of a tour, Elvis gave Bruce a gold TCB necklace and welcomed him to the inner circle, adding that it was long overdue.
Bruce Jackson came from Sydney, Australia. In about 1971, when he was just 22, he became the sound engineer for Elvis Presley. Bruce revolutionised Elvis Presley's sound. He was the first person to put the speakers up off the ground, and fly them from scaffolding. After Elvis died in 1977 he then became Bruce Springsteen's front of house guy. A lot of the sound and techniques in common use today come from elements that Bruce Jackson developed.
'Bruce Jackson On The Road With Elvis' is OUT NOW and the story was recently featured on Australian TV Channel TEN as "The Aussie Legend Who Made Elvis Presley Sound His Best" - While Elvis
Presley fans think they know it all about the King, many might be
surprised to find out about the story of Aussie sound engineer Bruce
Jackson who worked closely with him. His brother, author Gary Jackson and friend were in the studio to share the story of his life on the road
with Elvis.
The video also includes footage of Bruce Jackson from a few years ago talking of his times with Elvis.
CLICK HERE to Channel TEN to watch the 10 minute interview.
Bruce Jackson On The Road With Elvis features many original, never-before-published photographs from the Jackson family collection. |
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In six years with the Elvis Presley Show Bruce established a close professional and personal bond with Elvis who trusted him implicitly to deliver the best sound possible. Bruce's inventions and technical advances were adopted by the entire live concert touring industry.
"Bruce was killed flying his own plane in Death Valley, California in 2011. He was a keen collector of memorabilia and left a haunting day to day record of his life on the road in postcards, letters and talking tapes. I've used them plus interviews with his colleagues and my own experience as his younger brother to write a fitting tribute to both men. The book delivers an intimate, engaging narrative of Bruce's extraordinary life, up close with the world's top performer. After Elvis died, Elvis-fan Bruce Springsteen hired Bruce Jackson, saying "I've got Elvis's guy... Elvis's man is working for me in the house." - Gary Jackson
Years of work have gone into making this book a fitting tribute. Bruce's first person narrative and contributions by friends and colleagues plus the eye-witness perspective of his brother Gary come together for an extraordinary insight. Elvis came to respect Bruce Jackson as much as Bruce respected Elvis Presley.
Click HERE to the 'Bruce Jackson On The Road With Elvis' Facebook page for all the details.
(News, Source;EM/ElvisInfoNet) |
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First 'Graceland Live' Concerts Announced: Graceland have announced the artists and dates for the first "Graceland Live" concerts of 2019.
This is part of the new Graceland / Live Nation partnership hoping to make Graceland as a top live music destination in the region.
The first concert with Bret Michaels is on March 23.
The state-of-the-art Graceland Soundstage features two giant 20' x 12' screens and can accommodate 1,600 fans for seated shows and over 2,000 fans for general admission (standing) shows.
The Graceland Guest House Theater gives fans a powerful, yet intimate experience, 464-seat capacity.
Nine performances are already confirmed for 2019 Graceland Live shows, and the of list shows include:
March 23 - Bret Michaels (Graceland Soundstage)
April 6 Billy Gardell (Graceland Guest House Theater)
April 13 - George Thorogood and The Destroyers (Graceland Soundstage)
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April 19 - Buckcherry (Graceland Soundstage)
May 3 - Allman Betts Band (Graceland Soundstage)
June 2 - Stryper (Graceland Soundstage)
June 16 - Boz Scaggs (Graceland Soundstage)
June 22 - Chubby Checker & The Wildcats (Soundstage)
August 21 Brian Setzer's Rockabilly Riot (Soundstage)
Tickets on sale now. CLICK HERE to EPE and are available to fans that visit GracelandLive.com and sign up for LiveFeed.
Tickets went on sale Friday, January 25.
Graceland Live will host icons, national touring artists and rising stars, and fans returning to Graceland or visiting for the first time can explore the new world of Graceland and be part of a once-in-lifetime entertainment experience.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'First In Line' New Import CD: MxF Records announces 'First In Line' featuring both the shows performed by Elvis in Las Vegas NV, Hilton Hotel on February 1st 1974 DS & MS. Both the previously unreleased shows are taken directly from AUDIENCE RECORDINGS.
After the deserved rest of 5 months, Elvis is back in Las Vegas Hilton. He opened the season dressed in a white jumpsuit in good spirit and in good shape too. The repertoire was reduced compared to the previous season to 15/20 songs with three new additions: Help me, Spanish Eyes and the popular Let Me Be There. The choice of songs in the different shows varied little, in particular in the two shows here presented the only variation is the song The First Time Ever I Saw your face that replaces the now classic Let Me Be There in the Midnight Show.
Speaking about the two unreleased shows, they are very similar, the track list is minimized and the shows are practically identical, but we are talking about of two concerts of very good quality and well performed with the audience very pleased by the shows.
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The publicity says the sound is very good for ambient recordings.
This new SR special Product will be housed in a deluxe LONG DIGIPACK.
To have a special collector's item, the 400 copies will be presented with four different sleeve VARIATIONS.
NOTE: Some collectors have complained to EIN about the quality of MxF audience releases before - Please CHECK SAMPLES before buying.
Click here to 'All The 2019 Elvis CD News' for all the details
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Guitarist Reggie Young - Died, age 82: While this week celebrates the 50th anniversary of Elvis' musical renaissance at the American Sound Memphis sessions, it is incredibly sad to hear that legendary Memphis Boys guitarist Reggie Young (far right) passed away Thursday aged 82.
When you listen to 'Suspicious Minds', 'In The Ghetto', the classic sitar of 'You'll Think Of Me', Dusty's 'Son Of A Preacher Man' or Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline' it is Reggie Young's guitar playing that leads the way.
Young started his illustrious career in Memphis, where he was an in-demand session player working with acclaimed producer Chips Moman, and opened for the Beatles with the Bill Black Combo in 1964.
At Moman's American Studio in Memphis, he played the signature sitar intro on 'Hooked on a Feeling' by B.J. Thomas, 'Son of a Preacher Man' by Dusty Springfield and 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond.
Reggie Young first played with Elvis in 1969 on the "Memphis Sessions" and again when Elvis returned to STAX in 1973.
After moving to Nashville in the 1970s, he became part of the Nashville Cats session players recording hundreds of songs for top country stars. Young added guitar to No. 1 records including "Luckenbach, Texas," by Jennings, "Pancho and Lefty" by Nelson and Merle Haggard and "Always On My Mind," by Nelson.
When the Highwaymen super group formed between Nelson, Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson, Young played on their No. 1 records and even toured with them.
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The 82-year-old Young died Thursday night at his home outside Nashville, following an illustrious seven-decade career.
His passing was confirmed by family, friends and several artists he worked with, including singer B.J. Thomas.
“From the first time I was in the studio with Reggie in 1967, we just fit together like a hand in a glove, and over the years became like brothers,” Thomas said.
Born in 1936 in Caruthersville, Missouri, and raised in Osceola, Arkansas, Young moved with his family to Memphis in 1950 at the age of 14. A relative prodigy, Young was gigging professionally at age 15. He would go on to back local rockabilly singer Eddie Bond — putting his signature lick on Bond's hit "Rockin' Daddy" — before being hired away by country star Johnny Horton. In the late-'50s Young would land as the house guitarist at the fledgling South Memphis’ Royal Studios/Hi Records, making hits with Bill Black’s Combo.
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After being drafted and serving a stint in the Army, where he was stationed in Africa, and recruited by and rebuffed an offer to join the CIA, Young returned stateside where he began his stunning session guitarist career.
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum Founder Joe Chambers remembers.. After moving to Nashville Reggie’s intro to “Drift Away” alone would be enough for most musicians to hang their professional hat on for a lifetime not to mention Reggie’s drawer full of other incredible riffs or just being a member of the Highwaymen band or being on Eric Clapton’s list of favorite guitarists. Like so many other great musicians who have passed, Reggie is still with us every time we hear his guitar on the radio which is, thankfully, all the time. Reggie was among the first group of musicians inducted into The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum as a member of The Memphis Boys in 2007. I’ve said it before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again, the most talented musicians I’ve ever met are usually also the nicest and Reggie was positively both of those.
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis Week 2019 Schedule announced: Graceland is excited to announce its preliminary line-up of events for Elvis Week 2019 this August.
More details, including additional events and guests, plus ticket prices and packages, will be announced the week of January 28 & tickets on sale early February.
There will be exciting changes at Elvis Week 2019, including our live music pavilion that will feature continuous live entertainment and a comfortable area for fans to recharge and reconnect. Whether this is your first time or you have been coming for many years, this is the perfect year to experience Elvis Week in Memphis with exciting new changes, an all-star line-up of guests and more free events than ever before!
Elvis Week 2019 will of course be heavily focused on the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ legendary recording sessions at Memphis’ American Sound Studio that included the sensational 'Suspicious Minds', 'In the Ghetto', 'Kentucky Rain', 'Power Of My Love' and “Don’t Cry Daddy.” Elvis 1969 "Return To Splendor" and live concerts in Las Vegas will also be celebrated.
Highlights already announced ...
- American Sound Studio Panel
Enjoy stories and memories from those who shared the studio with Elvis in 1969 for his legendary recording sessions at American Sound that produced songs such as “Suspicious Minds,” “In the Ghetto” and “Don’t Cry Daddy.” Hosted by Tom Brown, confirmed panelists include Memphis Boys Bobby Wood and Gene Chrisman, Mary and Ginger Holladay, who sang back-up vocals; with more special guests to be announced soon.
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- American Sound 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert
An incredible night of music as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ legendary recording sessions at Memphis’ American Sound Studio. Join Memphis Boys Bobby Wood and Gene Chrisman, along with special guests the Holladay Sisters, Andy Childs and Terry Mike Jeffrey.
- 1969 50th Anniversary Concert – Elvis Returns to Vegas
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ triumphant return to the stage at the International Hotel in Las Vegas with a celebration concert featuring those who shared the stage with Elvis that evening. The concert will feature Elvis live in concert on the big screen, with performances by Elvis’ TCB Band – James Burton, Ronnie Tutt, and Glen Hardin – along with Imperials Terry Blackwood and Jim Murray.
- Elvis in Vegas Panel
Hear stories and memories from those who shared the stage with Elvis, starting with his 1969 return to the live performances through the 1970s. Hosted by Tom Brown, confirmed guests include TCB Band members James Burton, Ronnie Tutt and Glen Hardin, plus Imperials Terry Blackwood and Jim Murray.
Click HERE TO EPE for their initial schedule
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
'From Elvis To Garth' Bobby Wood & The Memphis Boys; EIN contributor Pamela Mays Decker back in 2009 turned a much-needed spotlight on Bobby Wood, keyboardist and a musical inspiration behind Elvis' important 1969 Memphis sessions. Extraordinarily back in 2009 the 40th anniversary of Elvis' pivotal recordings at American Studios has essentially passed without so much as a whimper and with no respectful fanfare from EPE. As part of The Memphis Boys Bobby Wood recorded some astounding material which totalled over 100 chart hits in four years – a feat yet unmatched. He is writing his memoirs subtitled "From Elvis to Garth" which is slated for later this year.
Go here for a fascinating look into Bobby Wood and this amazing musical scene.
(Spotlight, Source;Pam Decker/EIN)
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MRS 'Made In Germany' Deluxe set: The final details have been announced for MRS' new special celebration of Elvis' home recordings in Germany.
MRS will release the 4CD/152-page book entitled ‘Elvis - Made In Germany – The Complete Private Recordings’ on 8 March 2019.
The CD set contains more than 3 hours of all the private recordings Elvis made while off duty in Germany when he was serving as a soldier in the US army during the 1958 -1960 period and, includes rare tracks from a recently discovered tape comprising over an hour of unheard personal recordings.
Although the original tapes were damaged with noise, hiss and distortion, for the first time ever, all of Elvis’ recordings made in Germany, have now all been painstakingly cleaned, repaired, and restored, using the most sophisticated technology. This means that, finally, these truly historical recordings now provide for a complete and enjoyable listening experience.
Over the coming weeks, prior to the release date, MRS will be releasing previews of our high restoration techniques through the various collectors forums and channels, providing audio comparisons with all the previous poorly
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mastered versions - including those included on the recent FTD release which we acknowledge contains some of the tracks also contained in this set.
The 152-page hardback book contains rare unpublished photographs and documents, complemented by a comprehensive text provided by Gordon Minto, which discusses each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1957-58, before focusing on the private recordings he made in Germany.
The BONUS CD included features the essential RCA studio masters from the 1957-’58 period (also lovingly restored and remastered by MRS) and includes - together for the first time - studio banter AS WELL AS the count-ins on ‘All Shook Up’, ‘Don’t Leave Me Now’ and ‘White Christmas’.
The ELVIS Made in Germany CD set is available for preorder from your local Elvis dealer now.
Also, watch out for the announcement in the coming weeks for the Limited Edition 180-gram 2LP/24-page VINYL gatefold version, containing the best of the home recordings Elvis made in Germany!
CD1 features Elvis recording at home Guitar Reel 1 plus relevant September 1958 Interviews
CD2 features recently discovered Guitar Reel 2 including home recordings of 'Like A Baby', 'He Knows Just What I Need', 'His Hand in Mine' and 'Cool Water'
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CD3 features Piano Reel including home recordings of 'Earth Angel', 'Soldier Boy', 'I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen' and 'I Asked the Lord'.
Bonus Disc CD4 features 'The Essential RCA Studio Masters 1957 & 1958' with count-ins and studio banter.
Click here to 'Elvis: All The CD News 2019' for full tracklistings
(News, Source;MRS/ElvisInfoNet) |
Tupelo Elvis Festival 2019: The Tupelo Elvis Festival is a celebration designed to honour Tupelo's native son, Elvis Presley, and the impact his music continues to have on the world.
The 21st Annual Tupelo Elvis Festival is on June 5 - 9, 2019.
The Southeast Tourism Society has recently named the festival one of the STS Top 20 Events in the Southeast for June 2019.
Travel industry experts select 20 events per month, and STS publicizes them throughout the United States.
Dick Guyton, the executive director of the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum, says the festival bring in international tourists from over 30 countries.
The CVB estimates that it brings about a million dollars a year in revenue for the city.
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For some people, this festival is one of the most important events of their year.
And with so many people visiting, the push is for people to stay in Tupelo for the entire festival.
Click to the Tupelo Elvis festival website for more information
(News, Source;Tupelo/ElvisInfoNet) |
'Elvis All-Star Tribute' NBC Promo pics: The publicity is building fast to promote the up-coming 'Elvis All-Star Tribute'. Various stars have posted promo pictures and the tabloids are also featuring the story.
Some new photos shows the "Sit-down" stage set-up as well as some of the Production numbers.
A preview image of the 'If I Can Dream' grand finale featuring Elvis and Blake Shelton (and others) has also been released.
The press notes that Jennifer Lopez and Carrie Underwood will be just a few of the musical stars paying tribute to Elvis Presley during the upcoming special, Elvis All-Star Tribute.
The show will include musical performances, interviews with Priscilla Presley and Steve Binder, the director of the original special, plus a special appearance from Elvis' daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.
Jennifer Lopez (below right) and Carrie Underwood have been pictured on stage taping the upcoming NBC special, which will pay tribute to The King's 1968 'comeback special.'
The 49-year-old Lopez was wearing a shimmering bodysuit and black heels while on stage, where she performed the classic track Heartbreak Hotel
The 35-year-old Carrie Underwood was wearing a shimmering black mini-dress with black heels, while performing two songs as part of all-star medleys.
Underwood sings a Gospel Medley with Yolanda Adams featuring How Great Thou Art, He Touched Me and You'll Never Walk Alone
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The two-hour special is hosted by Blake Shelton, who sings three Elvis hits on his own, Trouble, Guitar Man and Suspicious Minds.
Shelton is also part of the Hits Medley with Mac Davis, Post Malone, Little Big Town and Hootie and the Blowfish singer Darius Rucker, which includes That's All Right, Don't Be Cruel and Blue Suede Shoes.
Shelton's final performance is a new version of the song that closed out the original special, If I Can Dream. On this new "Duet" he shares the stage with Underwood, Post Malone, Shawn Mendes and Darius Rucker which also features Presley's original vocals.
Other performances include Hound Dog by Shawn Mendes (right), Burning Love by Keith Urban, Baby, What You Want Me To Do by Urban and Post Malone and Jailhouse Rock by John Fogarty. |
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The line-up also includes Can't Help Falling In Love by Ed Sheeran, Love Me Tender by Aleesia Cara, Memories by Mac Davis, A Little Less Conversation by John Legend (right) and Are You Lonesome Tonight by Little Big Town.
The final performances include Blue Suede Shoes by Adam Lambert, Love Me by Pistol Annies, Little Sister by Dierks Bentley and It's Now or Never by Josh Groban.
On February 15, two days before the special airs, RCA/Legacy Records will release The Best of the '68 Comeback Special.
The album includes 15 remastered Elvis performances from the 'stand-up' and 'sit-down' shows filmed for the '68 broadcast, plus three original studio recordings to represent songs that appear in the new special.
The Elvis All-Star Tribute airs Sunday, February 17 from 9 PM ET to 11 PM ET on NBC.
(News, Source;NBC/Various/ElvisInfoNet) |
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| Tuesday 15 January 2019 - - 50 YEARS AGO TODAY - Elvis was in American Sound. |
The Memphis Sessions - 50 Years ago Today: It seems impossible that it was fifty years ago this month that Elvis walked into American Studios in Memphis and started work on what are probably his most celebrated sessions, maybe even better than those made at Sun.
Not as influential, of course, but certainly deeper and darker from both the point of view of lyrics and Elvis’s emotional involvement. He was no longer a (relatively) innocent teenager singing about love to his sweetheart, but someone who had really experienced love as an adult.
Elvis could also sing about loss in a way he couldn’t fifteen years earlier, he had lived, and he seemed to pour all of his experiences into the recordings at America, and didn’t care about laying bare his soul. In fact, he knew he had to.
This was make or break....
In this fascinating article EIN contributor Shane Brown investigates the importance of The Memphis Sessions and the press reaction from the time...
(Spotlight, Source;ShaneBrown/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Duke Bardwell performs for Elvis at Lake Tahoe 1974: Elvis bassist Duke Bardwell has recently toured in Arjan Deelen's "An Evening with Elvis' Friends and Original Musicians" production.
While talking about his time with Elvis it has become the stuff of legend that one night in late ’74, a tired Elvis Presley asked his bassplayer Duke Bardwell to do a song. Duke, initially taken a bit aback, then got a guitar from Charlie Hodge and performed John Prine’s ‘Please Don’t Bury Me’… and rocked the house. It’s a great story, but until now, there was no documentation whatsoever: no photos, no recordings….
Finally over 40 years later evidence has been uncovered. (photo right)
Duke Bardwell explained to Arjan Deelen, “We had done something that we had not done before. We had gone out on a relatively short tour, and then we went to Tahoe for about five days. I still don't know why the Colonel had it lined up like that, but we did it. |
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| By the time we got towards the end of our stay there, Elvis was worn out. It was obvious to all of us on stage. He was sluggish and obviously tired. He didn't have his real vocal power and he was running out of gas, but he wanted to give them their money's worth. He got all the singers individually to do a song ... Elvis was still looking for something to do. Of course, all the musicians knew that I play and sang, because I always was playing and singing at all of our parties, after the shows in the dressing room, at the hotels ... They knew some of my songs. Elvis was obviously hesitating and thinking of something else to do, and Ronnie said: 'Let Bardwell sing'. He just went, 'Yeah, right ...'. And Guercio said, 'No, really. You wanna do something else, let him sing, because he can sing'. So Elvis went, 'Ladies and gentlemen, my bassplayer is going to sing now'. So Charlie Hodge gave me his guitar and I got Charlie's mike. Charlie was holding another mike on the guitar, for me to play it. And I didn't know what to do. I mean, how am I going to follow Kathy Westmoreland doing 'My Heavenly Father'? And Donnie Sumner said, 'Do the Hurricane song'. You know, 'Please Don't Bury Me' by John Prine. It's one that they all thought was funny, and they all knew how it went. I started that song, and by the time I got to the first chorus, the whole band got in it. By the time I got to that chorus, the singers that knew the song were |
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doing the harmony parts to it. He looked a bit unsettled, you know, 'Hey, wait a minute ... You all know this. How come I don't know anything about it?'. It got to the last verse of the song that's a bit off color, and he really enjoyed that part. We were going from 'My Heavenly Father' to 'Kiss My Ass Goodbye', and it just took everybody by surprise. Elvis really got off on it. He really didn't know it – they didn't know who John Prine was. That was a really good moment, because I had shown him a part of me that he didn't know of. He knew that what we had just done was showbusiness, and it was good showbusiness, because it was entertaining.
I went back to the dressing room after the show, and Tom Diskin knocked on the door. We let him in, and he said, 'I have a message for you from the Colonel'. And I'm going, 'I'm a fired bassplayer because I had sang 'Kiss My Ass Goodbye' right after a gospel song, in front of everybody'. The Colonel wouldn't speak to any of us ... NEVER spoke to any of us. I mean, you could say, 'Hello Colonel, how are you doing, nice to see you ...'. He wouldn't even acknowledge that you were there. So I figured that I was fired when he sent Tom Diskin into the dressing room, but he said, 'The Colonel wants me to tell you that that's one of the funniest things he's ever seen at an Elvis Presley show'. I was thrilled with that. If I didn't do anything else I had done that. That was fun”.
Arjan Deelen comments.. It was a remarkable story, and I really wanted to be able to find some sort of documentation that would support the story. I asked various collectors, but nobody had anything: no recording, no photos…. After a couple of years it began to seem like there truly was nothing.
Then, around New Year’s Eve, a photo suddenly popped up! It’s blurry and taken from a distance, but nevertheless you can see Duke performing a song while he accompanies himself on guitar. Charlie is standing next to Duke. Elvis, dressed in his Sundial suit, watches the proceedings.
The photo is far from perfect, but nevertheless it’s an amazing find. I am sharing it with you here.
I sent the photo to Duke, and he quipped: “… I was beginning to wonder if I had made the whole thing up!! I really appreciate this, Arjan!”.
(News, Source;Arjan Deelen/ElvisInfoNet) |
'Christmas at Graceland' No. 1 Hallmark holiday movie: Nice to see that the Elvis-inspired 'Christmas at Graceland' Hallmark movie rated as the Most Popular Hallmark holiday movie of the season.
It also was the fourth most-watched Christmas movie in the channel's history, according to final ratings numbers released this week by Hallmark.
With close to 4.7 million viewers tuned to its premiere "Christmas at Graceland" was tops among the 34 new happily-ever-after holiday movies produced for the Hallmark Channel and its sister station, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
For Memphis promoters and EPE, the success of "Graceland" validates the value of the Elvis "brand."
For Hallmark, the film contributed to another record winter in which the channel routinely beat out its broadcast and cable competition during the "Countdown to Christmas" run, which began Oct. 27 and continued through the first week of January.
The "Countdown" especially attracted large numbers of women: According to Hallmark, the network was No. 1 on cable among women 18-54 for eight straight weeks.
"Christmas at Graceland" stars Kellie Pickler as a Chicago bank executive who returns to her Memphis hometown for a business deal that soon leads to a merger of a more romantic kind with her ex-beau, played by Wes Brown. Shot on location at Graceland and around Memphis, with fake snow and holiday decorations
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providing an illusion of winter despite the sweltering summer temperatures, the movie provides a picture-postcard endorsement of Memphis as a place where the barbecue is tasty, the people are friendly and the fall of snow is embraced rather than cursed.
To the consternation of Hallmark executives, Joel Weinshanker, managing partner for Graceland / EPE let slip at a City Council meeting in December that the cable channel plans to film two more movies in Memphis, at least one of which likely will be a sequel to the Pickler film.
Hallmark is expected to announce details on those new Elvis inspired productions during next month's Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California.
(News, Source;MemCommAppeal/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Through the Lens of Phillip Harrington' New FTD Book: As noted below FTD/ Flaming Star will issue a following up from the excellent 'Rebel With a Cause' and 'The Wild One' in 2018, with 'Through the Lens of Phillip Harrington'. The book includes more than 350 photos, with over 150 unpublished from the original negatives of Phillip Harrington.
A bonus CD features Elvis live at Robinson Memorial Auditorium, Little Rock, Arkansas, May 16, 1956.
Right is the fabulous cover shot - below are a couple of Harrington's iconic Elvis images.
EIN notes that Phillip Harrington photographed Elvis in May 1956 (some of his photos are truly iconic) and 83 of his images can be checked out and bought at the Fine Art gallery. - Click here to Fine Art America
(News, Source/FTD/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Parkes Elvis Festival Champion: At just 22 years old Brody Finlay has become the youngest ever person to take out the Parkes, Australia Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest.
As the five-day Elvis Festival ended, with close to 30 thousand fans in attendance far bigger than Elvis' birthday celebrations in Memphis, the annual ETA contest put the best of the tribute artists to the test and this year 18 Elvii competed for the crown.
During the two day competition, expert Elvii from across Australia and New Zealand were judged on vocals, appearance, stage presence and the overall quality of the performance.
In a very tough competition, Brody Finlay was declared the winner, while Gabe Phoenix of Karragarra Island in Queensland took out second place and Marcus Jackson of Melbourne came in third.
As well as winning a cash prize of $3000, Mr Finlay will go on to represent Parkes in the semi-finals of the UETA Contest at Elvis Week in Memphis, USA this August.
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Mr Finlay, who comes from Townsville, only begun working as a tribute artist just a couple of years ago.
"The whole city of Parkes will be cheering him on in August when he represents us in the USA."
The Parkes Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest is officially endorsed by EPE.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
| Sunday 13 January 2019 - - - - FIFTY YEARS AGO TODAY - - - - |
The Memphis Sessions 50 Years Ago today: Fifty years ago today, Monday January 13th 1969, a recording session in Memphis changed not only the course of Elvis’ career but Pop music history. At American Sound Studios, 827 Thomas Street, Memphis, Elvis would find musical redemption and another career renaissance as the creative funk under Chips Moman’s guidance produced classic after classic.
In celebration of this major event tomorrow EIN will feature a special Spotlight on The Memphis Sessions by Elvis author and specialist Shane Brown.
It includes…
... It seems impossible that it was fifty years ago this month that Elvis walked into American Studios in Memphis and started work on what are probably his most celebrated sessions, maybe even better than those made at Sun. Not as influential, of course, but certainly deeper and darker from both the point of view of lyrics and Elvis’s emotional involvement. He was no longer a (relatively) innocent teenager singing about love to his sweetheart, but someone who had really experienced love as an adult. |
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He could also sing about loss in a way he couldn’t fifteen years earlier, for he had experienced that, too. In other words, he had lived, and he seemed to pour all of his experiences into the recordings at America, and didn’t care about laying bare his soul. In fact, he knew he had to. This was make or break.
The first song recorded Long Black Limousine was a tour-de-force. Long Black Limousine tells the story of a girl from a small town who left the narrator behind to go and live in the city, boasting that she would return rich and in a “fancy car,” only to fulfil her prophecy at her own funeral, with the fancy car being a hearse. Elvis knows this story, he knows the frustrations the girl felt, and he also knows that he could one day be in her place. . . . . .
- Don’t miss the full article tomorrow on EIN.
(News, Source;SB/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'The Best of The '68 Comeback Special' New CD Release: The new companion album to NBC's "Elvis All-Star Tribute" titled 'The Best of The '68 Comeback Special' will be released worldwide by RCA/Legacy Recordings on February 15, 2019.
Described as "An ideal set for long time Elvis fans and newcomers, 'The Best of The '68 Comeback Special' comprises the Elvis recordings and performances that inspired the upcoming tribute and showcases a new version of the legendary closing number, "If I Can Dream" as heard in the new special - featuring Elvis' original vocals alongside new performances by Carrie Underwood, Shawn Mendes, Post Malone, Darius Rucker and Blake Shelton. The album features 15 Elvis performances from the "stand-up" and "sit-down" shows filmed for the '68 broadcast, plus three original studio recordings (A Little Less Conversation, Suspicious Minds, Burning Love) to represent other songs that appear in the new special.
The original special, recorded over several sessions in June 1968, featured Elvis playing the songs that mattered most to him, in his first live performance since 1961. When it aired on December 3, 1968, the special was the week's highest-viewed television program, re-establishing Elvis as a driving force in popular music.
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Tracklisting: 1. Trouble / Guitar Man (Opening), 2. Heartbreak Hotel (First "Stand Up" Show), 3. Hound Dog, 4. All Shook Up, 5. Can't Help Falling In Love, 6. Jailhouse Rock (all Second "Stand Up" Show), 7. Don't Be Cruel (First "Stand Up" Show), 8. Blue Suede Shoes (Second "Sit Down" Show), 9. Baby, What You Want Me To Do (First "Stand Up" Show), 10. Are You Lonesome Tonight? (First "Sit Down" Show), 11. One Night (Second "Sit Down" Show), 12. Love Me Tender (First "Stand Up" Show) , 13. Trying To Get To You (Second "Sit Down" Show), 14. Love Me (Second "Sit Down" Show), 15. Memories
Bonus Single Tracks: 16. A Little Less Conversation 17. Suspicious Minds 18. Burning Love
19. If I Can Dream - Elvis Presley, Carrie Underwood, Shawn Mendes, Post Malone, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton Previously Unreleased
CD priced $12 in USA, £9.99 in UK, JbHiFi in Australia AU$19.
(News, Source;SONY/ElvisInfoNet) |
Three New FTD Releases: FTD have announced three new release for next month, a 1974 double-soundboard, special double-VINYL of 'Kissin Cousins' and new photo book of Elvis in 1956.
- "ELVIS: St. Paul to Wichita - October '74".
Released as a 5" digipack, and taken from the original soundboard source, this 2-CD set features Elvis in excellent form from the fall tour of 1974.
Elvis' 1974 September / October tour saw him on a post Desert-Storm emotional and physical roller-coaster. Some shows were particularly poor. However FTD promise that "Elvis was in great form and using a variety of repertoire."
Neither show has previously been released, even on bootleg, so it will be very interesting to discover how Elvis performed these nights.
Disc 1: 1 See See Rider, 2 I Got A Woman/Amen, 3 Love Me, 4 Blue Suede Shoes, 5 Until It's Time For You To Go, 6 Big Boss Man, 7 Fever, 8 If You Love Me (Let Me Know), 9 Love Me Tender, 10 Hound Dog, 11 Introductions including: Lawdy, Miss Clawdy, 12 All Shook Up, 13 Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel,
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14 The Wonder Of You, 15 Why Me Lord, 16 Heartbreak Hotel, 17 Let Me Be There, 18 Hawaiian Wedding Song, 19 American Trilogy, 20 Johnny B. Goode, 21 You Gave Me A Mountain (Rest of show is missing on the source tape)
Disc 1 recorded at Civic Center, St. Paul, Minnesota. Oct 2, 1974 - Click to SONY / FTD 2019 releases for more info
- 'Kissin' Cousins' Double-Vinyl Limited Edition.
FTD promises that this special double-album contains great alternative versions of songs from the film soundtrack sessions and related tracks.
Mastered at Abbey Road Studios
Released in 180 gram format.
LP1, SIDE 1:1 Kissin' Cousins (# 2) (unedited master), 2 Smokey Mountain Boy (track, take 1-intro & take 4/M), 3 Catchin' On Fast (unedited master), 4 There's Gold In The Mountains (track, takes 1-2), 5 Kissin' Cousins (track, take 1), 7 One Boy Two Little Girls (master), 8 Pappy Won't You Please Come Home (Dolores Edgin vocal, take 6/M)
SIDE 2 1 Kissin' Cousins (hillbilly vocal), 2 Anyone (Could Fall in Love with You) (v.o. take 2/alternate master), 3 Barefoot Ballad (instrumental), 4 There's Gold In The Mountains (instrumental), 5 Smokey Mountain Boy (master), 6 Once Is Enough (master), 7 Tender Feeling (track, take 1),
8 Catchin' On Fast (track, take 1 & ending take 2)
- Click to SONY / FTD 2019 releases for more info |
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- 'Through the Lens of Phillip Harrington' New Book.
FTD/ Flaming Star will issue a following up from the excellent 'Rebel With a Cause' and 'The Wild One' in 2018, with 'Through the Lens of Phillip Harrington'. The book includes more than 350 photos, with over 150 unpublished from the original negatives of Phillip Harrington.
A bonus CD features Elvis live at Robinson Memorial Auditorium, Little Rock, Arkansas, May 16, 1956.
EIN notes that Phillip Harrington photographed Elvis in May 1956 (some of his photos are truly iconic) and 83 of his images can be checked out and bought at the Fine Art gallery. - Click here to Fine Art America
(News, Source/FTD/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Parkes Elvis Festival 2019: Where else would you want to celebrate Elvis' 84th birthday but in country New South Wales, Australia where the street parade was held in scorching humid heat of 39C / 103F!
This Saturday, midday, tens of thousands of visitors made the annual pilgrimage to the Parkes Elvis Festival in central west New South Wales to worship the life and music of The King and watch the main street parade as they "All Shook Off" temperatures in the high thirties, along with humid conditions.
Fans young and old drew inspiration for this year's festival from Elvis' number 1 worldwide smash 'All Shook Up'.
Now in its 27th year, the event is drawing hordes of spectators and performers from interstate and abroad, many who hold a lifelong passion for the rock'n'roll legend.
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The mammoth parade that is the North-Parkes Mines Elvis Festival street parade had entrants and thousands of spectators "All Shook Up" as hundreds of cars and international and local groups all strutted their Elvis stuff.
Jumpsuits, a little bit of love and some rock and roll saw hundreds of people make their way down the main street of Parkes on Saturday morning to participate in the parade. It was great seeing plenty of youngsters getting into the Presley vibe.
Thousands watched as one of the biggest tributes to Elvis in the world made its way down the street.
Parkes
Community groups, tribute artists, fan groups and residents from around town took part in the annual event, which continues to grow each and every year.
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With the ongoing drought, the yearly summer festival is a much-needed financial and morale boost for the rural community of 11,000 people.
Event organisers expect more than 30,000 visitors to attend, injecting an estimated $15 million into the local economy.
"I would hope that people might come out because of the drought and support our community that is suffering," Parkes Shire mayor Ken Keith said.
Australia's deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack who is a keen Elvis fan (and sometime imitator) was at the Parkes' Elvis festival.
Michael McCormack (see photo below) jokingly noted, "I told a bloke this morning I was the Deputy Prime Minister and he said 'you wish'!"
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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T.G. Sheppard Releases Elvis-Inspired Song:Elvis' friend and country star T.G. Sheppard has released a new Elvis-inspired song, "I Wanna Live Like Elvis."
Sheppard premiered the song at Graceland during Elvis Week 2018 and released the single on Elvis' birthday, January 8. Sheppard, who has enjoyed a stellar career in country music with 21 No. 1 hits, hopes the song honors Elvis and that listeners are inspired to "live like Elvis" too.
Learn more about the song on T.G. Sheppard's website,
T.G. Sheppard notes, "I first met Elvis back when I was about 16 years old, we were just close friends at that time. And then, in the early 70s, I became VP of Marketing and Promotions at RCA, and Elvis was one of my artists there. The association then became one of friendship and business."
The songs has some fun lyrics, "I Wanna live like Elvis, I wanna lay around with 'Cilla, in my silk pyjamas, wanna start my own band, wanna buy Graceland"
Hear the song on YouTube click here
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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| Wednesday 9 January 2019 - - - - 2nd News Update - - - - |
Rick Stanley, Elvis' step-brother, has died: Ricky (Richard, Earl) Stanley was six years old when Elvis' father Vernon married his mother Dee Stanley in 1960 thus becoming Elvis' step-brother. He was the middle son to his brothers David and Billy Stanley and started working with Elvis in 1971 after he quit school. Elvis nicknamed him "Reckless Rick". After Elvis’ death Rick became a Evangelist, sharing his powerful testimony “From The King of Rock & Roll to the King of Kings’ around the world.
His brother David Stanley posted.. My brother Ricky is going home tonight to be with the Lord. He is moments from passing. His daughters are with him. They put the phone to his ear and I said my final goodbyes. I’ve never been this sad. I love you Ricky. Gods open arms are waiting to welcome you home my big brother. - David Stanley
His brother Billy Stanley posted...
.... Rick passed away at 1:45am this morning. Rick was special, he had a way with people, everyone loved him..Elvis saw this in Rick, he wanted Rick around him, that's why he took Rick on the road with him first.
Jo Smith and I talked about this yesterday. She and I said |
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there were 2 people Elvis always wanted with him... Billy Smith and Rick... Elvis wanted his family with him at all times...
When Elvis passed away, Rick took it very hard, we all did... But, Rick blamed himself... He said, it happened on my watch. If I hadn't gone to sleep, Elvis never would have gotten the last pills, early that morning. he never forgave himself for it... I know, for a fact..
Rick changed when Elvis died, he became a preacher. He was doing something that Elvis always wanted to do, himself... Rick led many people to Christ... Donnie Sumner said, Rick had a black belt in preaching.
Rick will be missed by many but Rick is with family now.
He leaves a legacy of a loving father, a great brother, and a faithful servant of God... Rest In Peace, my brother... We love you...
Click here to his facebook Remembrance page
(News, Source/SM/Stanley/ElvisInfoNet) |
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| In 2010 EIN's Sanja Meegin caught up with Billy and Ricky Stanley (right) during Elvis Week, although it was Billy Stanley who got Sanja Meegin onto the back of his Harley Davidson! (look here) |
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Elvis sings ‘For the Heart: On Elvis' birthday Rolling Stone presented a "Flashback: Elvis sings one ‘For the Heart".
In it they noted... Elvis Presley transfixed millions of fans (and outraged many others) with his rock & roll swagger before most of them had any idea what rock & roll was or would become in popular culture. His incendiary stage presence notwithstanding, Presley’s Southern roots and polite demeanor would also endear him to country music listeners and, until his untimely death in August 1977 at 42, Presley continued to record songs from some of the great country tunesmiths.
One of the last country songs to chart for Presley came from the same person who afforded him his last-ever Top Ten pop smash. Dennis Linde, a notoriously reclusive but prolific Texas songwriter who moved to Nashville in 1969, penned 'Burning Love' a 1972 single and a concert staple for the last five years of Presley’s life. In 1976 Elvis would record Linde’s 'For the Heart' which served as the b-side of his Top Ten single, “Hurt.”
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Although 'Hurt' (a 1961 Billboard #4 for Timi Yuro) became a Top Ten country and Top 30 pop entry for Presley, its flip side would also climb the country survey as its own entry, landing just outside the Top 40.
Rolling Stone posted a cleverly edited EOT studio clip edit of Elvis singing ‘For the Heart'
Click HERE to YouTube for the cute 'For The Heart' clip
(News, Source;RStone/ElvisInfoNet) |
NBC 'All-star Elvis Presley Tribute' Details: NBC will belatedly mark the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s "Comeback Special' with an all-star concert tribute on Sunday February 17.
The two-hour program will be hosted by Blake Shelton and pay tribute to Presley’s 1968 special, recreating the night with musical performances, a showcase of rare footage and interviews with former wife Priscilla Presley and Steve Binder, the director of the 1968 special, plus a special appearance from daughter Lisa Marie Presley.
Footage from the 1968 special will be included, as well as performances by a variety of popular entertainers.
Artists include Keith Urban, John Fogerty, Josh Groban, Adam Lambert, John Legend, Little Big Town, Jennifer Lopez, Post Malone, Shawn Mendes, Ed Sheeran, Carrie Underwood
Also featured are performances from Yolanda Adams, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Alessia Cara, Mac Davis, Pistol Annies and Darius Rucker.
Along with solo performances, there will also be multiple collaborations, including one from Keith Urban and Post Malone, who joined forces for a cross-genre performance in which Malone honored Presley by dressing in a rhinestoned banana-yellow suit complete with sparkling cowboy boots.
Musical performances so far listed are:
“Trouble”/”Guitar Man” – Blake Shelton
“Hound Dog” – Shawn Mendes
“Burning Love” – Keith Urban |
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| ... “Baby, What You Want Me to Do” – Keith Urban & Post Malone (picture right)
“Jailhouse Rock” – John Fogerty
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Ed Sheeran
“Always on My Mind” – Kelsea Ballerini
“Heartbreak Hotel” – Jennifer Lopez
“One Night” – Darius Rucker
“Suspicious Minds” – Blake Shelton
“Love Me Tender” – Alessia Cara
“Memories” – Mac Davis
“A Little Less Conversation” – John Legend
“Are You Lonesome Tonight” – Little Big Town
“Blue Suede Shoes” – Adam Lambert
“Love Me” – Pistol Annies
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Hits Medley (“That’s All Right,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Blue Suede Shoes”) – Mac Davis, Post Malone, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker & Blake Shelton
Gospel Medley (“How Great Thou Art,” “He Touched Me,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone” – Carrie Underwood & Yolanda Adams
“Little Sister” – Dierks Bentley
“It’s Now or Never” – Josh Groban
“If I Can Dream” – Elvis Presley, Carrie Underwood, Shawn Mendes, Post Malone, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton
Filmed originally in June 1968, “Singer Presents...Elvis,” as it was officially entitled, was broadcast on December 3, 1968.
It marked Presley’s return to live performance after seven years during he focused his attention on acting in movie musicals.
According to Neilsen ratings, 42 percent of the total television audience viewed the special, making it the most watched program of the season.
Following the special Elvis' career would take him to Vegas and back to LIVE performances influencing one and all - the Pop music world would never be the same.
(News, Source;Various/ElvisInfoNet)
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Graceland Birthday Auction Results: With thousands of fans and pop culture enthusiasts in Memphis for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s 84th birthday celebrations at Graceland, music fans and Elvis collectors in Memphis and on-line around the world participated in the Elvis birthday auction at Graceland, which brought in over $600,000 yesterday.
The auction was held at the The Guest House at Graceland with a portion of the auction benefiting the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation.
The auction featured rare and unique artifacts expertly authenticated by Graceland Authenticated, including memorabilia from Elvis’ personal life, prized jewelry pieces and attire.
Highlights and sale prices included..
Elvis' custom made Red Velvet shirt likely worn on stage for the 1956 evening show of his famous Tupelo September 1956 show $37,500
Dr. Nick TCB Diamond and Gold Necklace Gifted from Elvis Presley Final Price: $37,500 (right)
Elvis Gold and Diamond Ring that he wore on stage and then gave to his father Vernon - $30,000
Elvis owned Diamond and Gold Ring given to J.D. Sumner - $22,500;
Elvis’ Electro-Voice Microphone - $17,500
Elvis’ Turquoise and Silver Ring - $11,875
1956 Love Me Tender theater lobby standee - $11,250
Elvis’ Blue Winter Ski Jacket - $10,625
A pair of 1955 colour slides of Elvis performing in Austin, Texas on the Louisiana Hayride Tour - $10,000 (see below) |
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The noted rather unique "a personal 2-Hour Private Tour of Graceland Archives" which was estimated for "$40,000 - $50,000" (which EIN questioned as craziness or plain greediness on EPE's part) rightly sold for only $6,250 with just one bid!
For the full list of all items and final prices CLICK here to EPE
(News, Source;Various/ElvisInfoNet) |
| Tuesday 8 January 2019 - - - - HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS ! - - - - |
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS
EIN wishes Elvis all the best, where ever he is, celebrating his 84th Birthday.
Fifty-seven years ago today in 1962 Elvis celebrated his 27th birthday at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas - (photo right).
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Elvis was there with Memphis girlfriend Bonnie Bunkley as well as Joe Esposito & friends. Elvis also met up with one of his favourite songwriters Don Robertson.
President Nigel Patterson of the Elvis Information Network Fan Club (Australia's oldest Elvis fan club) was also there to present Elvis with a special Birthday cake. |
'Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony' Watch live: Happy Birthday, Elvis! EPE and Elvis fans have gathered at Graceland to celebrate Elvis' birthday with a weekend full of events and of course, Birthday cake.
The 'Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony' was earlier today at Graceland with free admission for fans.
It features a ceremony with Graceland and Memphis officials plud the birthday cake cutting.
Fans who were unable to attend can watch the REPLAY ceremony live via Elvis Presley's Graceland Livestream. Runs 45 minutes
Click HERE to Graceland Livestream to watch Elvis Birthday Proclamation REPLAY
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
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Elvis Highest-Charting Billboard Hot 100 Hit since 1981: Billboard have announced that this week Elvis appears in the Billboard Hot 100's top 40 for the first time since 1981, as his classic carol "Blue Christmas" debuts at last, at No. 40 on the chart dated Jan. 5.
Powered by streaming, it zooms 48-32 on the Streaming Songs chart, up 61 percent to 21.3 million U.S. streams in the Dec. 21-27 tracking week, according to Nielsen Music.
It also drew 9.6 million in airplay audience (in the week ending Dec. 30).
Presley had last ranked in the Hot 100's top 40 on the chart dated March 28, 1981, when "Guitar Man" peaked at No. 28.
"Blue Christmas" first recorded and released by Presley in 1957, arrives as his 81st top 40 Hot 100 hit, tying Lil Wayne for the second-best total in the chart's history (with Presley's career predating the survey's 1958 inception).
Drake leads with 94 top 40 hits.
Presley adds his 109th Hot 100 entry overall and first since "Rubberneckin'," which reached No. 94 in 2003.
(News, Source;Billboard/EIN)
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'A Hell Of A Ride' Red & Pat West book Update: With no definite publication date yet finalised co-author Jon W. Sparks has confirmed to EIN that .. "Pat West and I have finished the book and our agent is working with it now. We’re hoping it will be published this year, and I know fans will enjoy the stories about Elvis, some of them untold until now, and the extraordinary life of Red West who, as you know, was a very close friend and confidante of Elvis and who would make his own mark as a songwriter and actor in numerous TV shows and films. Thanks for the inquiry, and stay tuned!... Jon Sparks
... Red West and Elvis were friends ever since the day in high school when Red broke up a plan by some punks in the boys room to give shy outsider Elvis an unwanted haircut with a pair of scissors. The events between that moment and Red’s death in 2017 could fill a book, and that’s just what he and his wife Pat were finishing up when an aortic aneurysm felled the man who |
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was not only a friend and confidant to Elvis, but also someone who had carved out his own career as an acclaimed songwriter and film and television actor. I’ve had the privilege of working with Pat and Red to tell their story. There are hours of interviews, detailed notes, and memorable photographs going into the forthcoming book about this couple who have had the experiences of a lifetime.
In the early 1950s, of course, not a soul could have imagined that Red would become the first member of what would become the Memphis Mafia, that Elvis would become a global phenomenon, and that their relationship would have the ups and downs of the Zippin Pippin.
Red was in Germany when Elvis was drafted into the US Army.. “One day I walked into the living room in the house we were renting. Nobody else was around and Elvis was sitting in there alone, quiet and staring at the floor. I told him he looked like he’d had a rough day and asked if everything was all right.
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“He looked up at me and said, ‘Red, I reached the top, man. I had it made and suddenly it was snatched away. I was drafted into the Army, then my mother dies while I’m in boot camp and I’m shipped to Germany and my father’s screwing a sergeant’s wife while the man’s away on duty freezing his ass off. I’m sick of this shit. I’m here and my career is finished. It’s hard to handle.’
'A Hell Of A Ride: Recollections of a Remarkable Life Before, During and After Elvis & The Memphis Mafia' by Red and Pat West with Jon W. Sparks, will be published later this year.
This book will be essential for all Elvis fans
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
| Tuesday 1 January 2019 - - - HAPPY NEW YEAR - to all our EIN readers - - - |
(Book Review) Elvis Presley Music Movies Myth (Matthew Martin): October 2018 saw the release of a new but little known Elvis book, Elvis Presley Music Movies Myth.
In hardcover format (with dust jacket) and containing more than 400 pages, EIN's Nigel Patterson decided to explore what author Matthew Martin had to offer.
Is Elvis Presley Music Movies Myth simply another run-of-the-mill biography, or does it offer the reader something more substantial?
What Nigel found in a book few have heard of, was a pleasant surprise.
Read Nigel's detailed review
(Book Review, Source: EIN) |
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| Reflections on Elvis #1: Baby, Let’s Play House…….it’s time to have a Party….…Elvis opened the door to damnation and the ruination of society!: In the mid 1950s Elvis records were burned on various pretenses, from his presumably corrupting effect on the morals of kids to the alleged communist influence of rock ‘n’ roll. In the 1960s Beatles records were burned after John Lennon suggested that the Fab Four were more popular than Jesus. By the 1970s, the sexual revolution was in full swing, and that provided the justification for the Tallahassee record roast. The Reverend Mr. Charles Boykin criticized rock music for its “appeal to the flesh,” but he wasn’t just speaking in generalities — he had statistics. Out of a thousand girls giving birth out of wedlock, he claimed, 984 of them were listening to rock music when they got pregnant. To fight this lascivious trend, albums by artists including the Rolling Stones and Elton John were fricasseed.
The columnist wisecracked that all of the pregnant girls were breathing at the time of conception, so “maybe the congregation should hold their breath.” While a few critics might have been sympathetic to setting copies of It’s Only Rock and Roll (the Stones’ most recent album) ablaze, the protest got little notice at the time, and had little effect — after all, Boykin wasn’t calling for the burning of rock radio stations. (News, Source: Rock Flashback: Tallahassee Roasts the Rolling Stones, 1975) |
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The Oracle Speaks: What did capitalist society learn between the advent of Elvis in the mid 1950s and the (let’s face it) musically stuttering Rolling Stones of the mid 1970s? Going by the above, it seems not much! Yes, Elvis opened the door very wide to allow subsequent minstrels of alleged societal destruction the opportunity to their dastardly deeds. But hey…have a guess what? In the noughties it doesn’t seem they succeeded!
The fundamental issue here is that western societies were still paranoid about change in the mid 1970s. OK there was a Cold War raging but even blind Charlie (and what an inspired harmonica infused blues player he was) could see teenager’s music had not undone the core pillars of western democracy and capitalist society. In fact, the advent of Elvis and the subsequent burgeoning market driven by youth favored music and fashion had only stimulated the capitalist levers to produce more, sell more, create bigger profits and (heaven help the world) help validate a teenager’s identity (in 2012 a teenager in love is not that different to a teenager in love in 1955).
So if rock and roll, rock, punk and rap and whatever Gangnam Style is represent society’s Devil in Disguise, I’ll sleep a lot easier tonight. It could have been a lot worse! I mean, there could have been fruitcakes in the kitchen!!!
Is this the biggest selling Christmas album of all time?: OF ALL the albums that Elvis released, Elvis' Christmas Album is his most valuable for a collector, writes MICHAEL BROOKS. In 1957, an engineer at the RCA plant where this record was being pressed, made the first copy of it in red vinyl, numbered it and took it home. Due to the success of the record more red vinyl copies were issued as limited editions, now rated as extremely collectable. Sixty years later, that first copy including the documentation with a signed affidavit, [was recently] on sale on e-Bay for $30,000 dollars, if it's not sold soon it will be put up for auction.
1957 was the year that Elvis rocketed to stardom. In the UK alone he had 12 different records in the top 20, and he had moved his family from a little shack in Tupelo, Mississippi, to a mansion that we now know as Graceland on the outskirts of Memphis.
This was his third studio album and the film Jailhouse Rock was about to be released. Many will agree that the most popular Christmas song of all time is the Irving Berlin classic White Christmas recorded by Bing Crosby in |
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1942 which has appeared every December in the Billboard charts until 1962 and is still a perennial favourite even today. When Irving Berlin discovered that Elvis had recorded the song and put it on his Christmas album, he was far from happy. (see full story below)
Like many mainstream musicians and composers, he hated the new rock 'n' roll craze which was sweeping across America. He was so incensed by Elvis' recording of his song that he ordered his staff to telephone radio stations across the USA demanding that the Elvis version of his song be removed and banned from radio airplay. Most of them ignored Berlin's request, although one disc jockey whose station had acceded was fired for playing the song. Surprisingly, most Canadian stations did refuse to play it, including the album. I can only imagine that the royalties sent to Berlin eventually softened his anger.
First pressings had eight Christmas songs, including four gospel songs that RCA had originally released on an EP Peace In The Valley (value £30). Subsequent re-releases saw the format change. The gospel songs were removed with a couple of Christmas songs replacing them. To date 17 million copies have been sold making it Elvis' highest selling album. It is the biggest selling Christmas album of all time.
Elvis Christmas Album, 1957, on RCA label by Elvis Presley. Value, original pressing £100, red vinyl limited edition £5,000:
Comments on the article:
gfperez-arguello: The album has sold 3,000,000, as per the RIAA. Then the 1970 version, with one song which is not in the original, sold 10,000,000, After Berlin's death, which was in 1989, another two versions of the Elvis XMas album have sold 3,000,000 and 4,000,000 respectively. That is a total of 20,000,000. As to White Christmas, Irving Berlin must have been afraid to be called a racist, and that is why he took the easy way out and slammed Presley's version, which was solely based on the 1954 version by the r&b group the Drifters.
davidgibbs1954: It has just recently been certified has a Diamond album by the RIAA with 10m sales* but with the travesty of the Moody Blue album sales figure it makes you wonder how far out they are. The sales figures seem to change every time you read about them which is no unusual with Elvis thanks to his devious |
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manager and lackluster record company. It certainly has his only diamond disc for 10m sales from the also lackluster RIAA. It is though certainly the best Christmas album ever released. (News, Source: Adrian Mullen, The Westmoreland Gazette, UK) * EIN Note: The RIAA Diamond Award (which encompasses both the original 1957 release and its re-issue in 1970 as the RCA Camden release) relates ONLY to sales in the USA. Sales outside the US would undoubtedly add millions more to the total.
| News from earlier this week... |
Graceland 2019 Elvis Birthday Celebration: EPE says, "Happy birthday, Elvis!" - The 2019 Elvis Birthday Celebration kicks off in just 7 days - January 5-8 at Graceland - and the festivities include the Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony, Elvis Birthday Brunch, Elvis Birthday Bash, "Viva Las Vegas" sing-along and more. Our special guests include Charlotte Stewart, who starred in "Speedway" with Elvis.
Among the highlights of the 2019 celebration: a series of events featuring Presley's close friend Jerry Schilling. As part of an exclusive package offer, Schilling will attend a cocktail party and private movie screening with fans, host a "show & tell" event and more.
Two other main events of the four-day celebration are the annual Birthday |
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Proclamation and "The Auction at Graceland" both are scheduled for Tuesday, January 8.
"The Auction at Graceland" will begin at 12:30 p.m. CT at Graceland's Guest House Theater. Among the priciest items up for bid is "Dr Nicks" gold and diamond "TCB" necklace which is expected to sell for between $60,000 and $80,000.
Fans who cannot make it to Memphis can watch the Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony live on EPE's Livestream page. - Go here to EPE for more info
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
ELVIS 'Comeback Special' still relevant, 50 years on: The meeting with Elvis in Steve Binder's office early 1968 became the first meaningful step in the creation of the one-hour TV show "Singer Presents...Elvis," better known today as the '68 Comeback Special. Aired on Dec. 3, 1968, the program was a rapturous return for the 33-year-old Presley, whose music had mostly stuck to soundtrack songs from his often pulpy, saccharine films. It was sponsored by Singer, the sewing machine company.
The finale features an emotional Presley singing "If I Can Dream," a moving piece written for the show that served as a response to the tumult of 1968, when the Vietnam War served as the backdrop for the assassinations of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.
Presley returned to prominence. He began performing for sold-out crowds in Las Vegas and produced "From Elvis in Memphis," an album that included "Suspicious Minds" and "In the Ghetto."
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Television had been an early friend to Presley. He made groundbreaking appearances on variety shows hosted by Ed Sullivan and Milton Berle. Later, however, they became sources of embarrassment. Binder says Presley complained that hosts openly made fun of him.
Presley's return to TV required a leap of faith.
Musical director Billy Goldenberg, who preferred music from "West Side Story" over Presley's "Hound Dog," said he had to find a path to Presley's "subconscious character, the things that were going on that he didn't say, but did."
"There's a lot of raw primitiveness," Goldenberg said. "There's a lot of sexuality in Elvis. And if course there is the tender side."
Goldenberg wanted to "bring Elvis into the 1960s" and make him "valid."
NBC's investment was validated. The special became its top-rated show of the year and has grown in stature since.
"Nothing is dated. That show could have been shot yesterday," Binder said. "I had no idea it would ever be seen again."
In 2019 NBC hopes to replicate the magic in February. The "Elvis All-Star Tribute" will feature Blake Shelton as host and will include well-known performers recreating the songs and staging of the original program.
(News, Source;AP/ElvisInfoNet) |
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South Tyneside Man celebrates Elvis anniversary!: Trevor Cajiao has been publishing Elvis - The Man And His Music magazine since 1988, helping to keep the memory and music of the musical icon alive for fans old and new. Today, Trevor Cajiao (with key contributor Gordon Minto on the right ) explains how started the magazine, the latest edition - the 30th Anniversary - of which is a must for Elvis fans.
"By December 1988 I'd already been putting together 'Now Dig This', our monthly 50s rock n roll magazine, for over five years.
So I knew how to go about things, and I sort of knew what the market for specialist mags was like.
Sadly, none of the other Elvis fan magazines concentrated on the most important aspect of his whole career - his recorded legacy. I wanted to read about the nuts and bolts of his recordings.
I wanted to read interviews with songwriters and producers who worked with him. I wasn't interested in |
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reading poetry about him or knowing the names of the jumpsuits he wore - which is what the other mags seemed to concentrate on.
So, using a lot of my contacts we launched 'Elvis - The Man And His Music' in December 1988. The reaction was immediate: there were lots of folk out there who wanted a no-frills Elvis magazine that dealt only in the facts and wanted to know everything there was to know about his recordings, films etc.
Before too long we were bagging exclusive interviews with Elvis' musicians, producers, friends, co-stars and associates - all of whom found it most refreshing that we wanted to talk about the man's artistry and not his private life or any of the other tabloid-like stuff that was so common back then. And we've continued that way ever since.
We have subscribers in virtually every country in the world and they continue to join us, even though Elvis died 41 years ago.
Elvis means lots of different things to different people, but to me it's always been about the music. He was a trailblazing trendsetter whose recorded legacy and impact on the world should never be trivialised or played down in any way.
We've done it for 30 years now and it's been one heck of a ride ... and we've still got plenty of gas in the tank! - Click here to ETM&HM to subscribe
Go here to the ShieldsGazette for the full story!
(News, Source;SG/ElvisInfoNet) |
EPE Says It Will Set Aside Arena To Move Forward With Expansion: The local Memphis media report that there is a change in tune from leaders at Elvis Presley Enterprises.
In an earlier update to the Memphis city council Joel Weinshanker from EPE said he's now open to setting aside a proposed 6200-seat arena as part of a planned Graceland campus expansion so the other portions can get built.
That arena piece is part of an ongoing lawsuit tied to FedExForum's non-compete clause.
EPE also wants to add a manufacturing facility, soundstage, and stores with the help of tax incentives.
"We are looking to do all the things that is great for everyone in Memphis to do and get the city government to say 'without the arena on the side, there is no issue,'" says Weinshanker.
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"If we can set that aside successfully and move forward with the other elements of the development independently, I think then that's the best immediate path forward," says City of Memphis Chief Operating Officer Doug McGowan.
It could take several years for the courts to rule on FedExForum's non-compete agreement for new performance venues in Shelby County.
(News, Source;NP/ElvisInfoNet) |
| EIN exclusives and News from earlier in December ... |
Elvis in Christmas Charts: As always several of Elvis' Christmas compilations have charted over the festive period worldwide.
In Australia ARIA charts
Album Chart #23 - Christmas with Elvis and the RPO (up from #35 last week)
DVD Music chart #21 - 'Elvis: The King Of Rock 'N' Roll'
Official UK Charts
Surprisingly nothing in the Top 100 UK album charts
Gospel / Christian Album Chart - #2 'Where No One Stands Alone' (down from last week's #1)
Music DVD Chart - #1 'The Searcher' |
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US Billboard Charts - for week ending 29/12/2018
Album Top 200 - #50 'It's Christmas Time' (budget compile)
Country Album - #3 'It's Christmas Time' and at #26 'The Essential Elvis Presley'
Catalog Album - #16 'It's Christmas Time'
"Holiday Album chart" - #16 'It's Christmas Time' sadly with no sign of Elvis' best-selling original 'Elvis Christmas Album'.
On the "Artist 100" chart Elvis is at #31, one spot above Ed Sheeran but 5 spots below Frank Sinatra!
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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Graceland named Best Holiday Historic Home Tour: Elvis' Graceland was voted #1 "Best Holiday Historic Home Tour" in USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. Graceland was voted into the top spot by the general public and readers of USA Today's online travel site, who were asked to cast their ballot for their favorite historic home holiday tour from a pool of 20 nationwide attractions.
This marks an impressive fifth USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Award win for Elvis Presley's legendary home, which was previously voted the world's "Best Tennessee Attraction" and "Best Musical Attraction" in 2018, "Best Historic Southern Attraction" in 2015, and the #1 "Iconic American Attraction" in 2013 by USA Today 10Best readers.
The extensive Christmas display at the king's castle includes hundreds of blue lights along the driveway, a life-size Nativity scene, Santa and his sleigh, and much more, all originally displayed at Graceland by Elvis and the Presley family. The interiors of Graceland mansion feature the Presley family's Christmas décor including Elvis' traditional red velvet drapes as well as Presley family Christmas artifacts on display around several decorated trees throughout the home.
10Best.com averages 5 million visitors per month. You can click here to 10Best.com for more info.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Songwriter Jerry Chesnut Dies: Nashville songwriter Jerry Chesnut, whose songs were recorded by dozens of artists including Elvis Presley as well as George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, died last week in Nashville. He was 87.
A native of Loyall in Kentucky's Harlan County, Chesnut had his first hit, "A Dime at a Time," cut by Grand Ole Opry star Del Reeves in 1958.
Chesnut wrote compellingly about heartbreak, as he did to great emotional effect in "A Good Year for the Roses," a ballad that reached No. 2 on the country chart for George Jones in 1971 and gained an entirely new audience in the early Eighties when Elvis Costello recorded it for the Billy Sherrill-produced Almost Blue LP.
Another of his best-known tunes, the bluesy "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" was a 1975 hit single for Elvis and would later be a 1992 hit for Travis Tritt.
Chesnut's other well-known compositions include Faron Young's 1972 Number One "It's Four in the Morning", "They Don't Make 'Em Like Daddy," a Top 10 country hit in 1974 for Loretta Lynn; and "Holding On to Nothin'," a Top 10 hit for Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton in 1968. Jerry Lee Lewis's shuffling rendition of Mr. Chesnut's "Another Place, Another Time," another Top 10 country hit from 1968, was nominated for a Grammy Award.
At least 30 members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, along with Southern soul singers like Brook Benton and Arthur Alexander, have recorded Mr. Chesnut's material. In 1972 Billboard magazine named him country songwriter of the year.
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Chesnut appeared on the television comedy-variety hour "Hee Haw" in the early 1970s. He retired from songwriting in 1980. -
Chesnut was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1996.
(News, Source;CMT/ElvisInfoNet) |
| Tuesday 25 December 2018 - MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY! |
Everyone at EIN wishes all of our readers a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Santa Claus Is Back in Town
(Jerry Leiber/ Mike Stoller)
Well, it's Christmas time pretty baby
And the snow is falling on the ground
Well, it's Christmas time pretty baby
And the snow is falling down
Well you be a real good little girl
Santa Claus is back in town
Got no sleigh with reindeer
No sack on my back
You're gonna see me comin' in a big black caddilac
Oh, it's Christmas time pretty baby
And the snow is falling on the ground
Well you be a real good little baby
Santa Claus is back in town
Merry Christmas everybody!
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Elvis Files Magazine #26 In the POST!: The cracker Elvis Files Magazine #26 December 2018 issue is OUT NOW, at dealers and in the post to you!
No need to explain what it is all about ...
'Still The Greatest Show On Earth'
Can one ever have enough Comeback Special photos?
As fans can see from the example pages below - huge full-page glorious photos - this will be a sensational issue.
Subscriptions (4 issues) Send € 58 by PayPal for your subscription to: sales@elvisfiles.no
If you want to order only this issue, send € 15 by PayPal to:
sales@elvisfiles.no
(News, Source;EL/ElvisInfoNet)
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'Elvis Christmas Album' a 2018 Review: On-line music site Beat-Com recently reviewed Elvis Presley's iconic 1957 Christmas album.
Beat's Bronius Zumeris decided that it was still a classic!
... This was the work of a man at the peak of his powers
Very early on in his fledgling career, the King had the foresight to release a Christmas album before it became fashionable to do so.
Of course, it was a chart smash and rode the wave at close to the pinnacle of his powers. Accordingly, this record is not only the best selling Christmas recording, but also one of the best selling records, period.
Blending a mix of Christmas and gospel songs was inspired, as was the inclusion of two contemporary rock’n’roll songs, ‘Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me’ and ‘Santa Claus Is Back In Town’. A killer band accompaniment, The Jordanaires’ searing melodies make this album simply beautiful while Elvis Presley was no slouch, turning everything to gold with his infectious voice.
Let’s not forget that this was a time when Presley was in his prime rock phase, rather than what was to become a caricature of a bloated, space cadet singing the standards.
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Sensitive and emotive, Presley produces the most powerful performances on ‘Silent Night’, ‘Peace In The Valley’ and ‘Take My Hand, Precious Lord’, the last of which was reportedly Martin Luther King Jr’s favourite song.
You cannot argue with such an endorsement. And just in case anyone wants to know, a few months later Presley was conscripted into the army thus temporarily stalling his head full of steam.
This record captures a performer who clearly loves the subject matter and superbly streamlines his singing in accordance with the necessary mood.
A classic in every sense of the word. -Rated 9/10
(News, Source;Beat/ElvisInfoNet) |
Graceland Auction Online Bidding Now Open: During the Elvis Presley Birthday celebration at Graceland, collectors, fans and pop culture enthusiasts from around the world will raise their paddles to bid in hopes of going home with a piece of Elvis history at “The Auction at Graceland” live auction event at The Guest House at Graceland resort hotel theater and online. The auction will feature a vast array of artifacts from both Elvis’ theatrical and musical careers as well as personal tokens and gifts.
The Auction at Graceland live auction event will be held Tuesday, January 8 at 12:30 p.m. CST/1:30 p.m. EST in the 464-seat state-of-the-art theater at The Guest House at Graceland.
Online bidding is now open at GracelandAuctions.com. Every artifact is authenticated by Graceland Authenticated, LLC.
A portion of the auction will benefit the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation (EPCF) formed in 1984 to continue Elvis’ own tradition of generosity and community service, and to honor his memory. All of the EPCF’s funds are used for charitable donations — nothing is deducted for staffing or other operating costs.
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Highlights in the auction include...
- The original sale agreement for Graceland, Estimate $50,000 - $100,000
- Elvis red velvet shirt likely worn on stage at his famous Tupelo homecoming concert in 1956 Est $30,000 - $50,000
- An original 1955 concert poster Est: $20,000 - $30,000
- Elvis Owned Gold and Diamond Ring Gifted to Vernon Presley Estimate: $25,000 - $35,000
- Elvis TCB necklace given to Dr. Nick (Right) Est $60,000 - $80,000,
and rather uniquely a personal 2-Hour Private Tour of Graceland Archives Est: $40,000 - $50,000 (EIN - Really!?)
Plus Elvis signed check dated January 8th, historic tour documents once belonging to Elvis’ sound engineer Bill Porter, pieces of his personal clothing, stage-used microphones, gold record awards and much more.
A selection of the artifacts are available for viewing at Graceland’s new entertainment complex Elvis Presley’s Memphis now through January 6, 2019 9:00 am to 5:00 pm CST and at The Guest House at Graceland in the Rock Conference Room Monday, January 7, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Click HERE to EPE for more info and to BID on-line
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis Presidential Medal of Freedom At Graceland: Last month President Donald Trump awarded Elvis Presley posthumously with the Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honour.
Elvis was part of an eclectic group of seven Americans being awarded the Medal of Freedom, including the late baseball legend Babe Ruth and Antonin Scalia, the conservative Supreme Court justice
The White House stated, “Elvis Presley defined American culture to billions of adoring fans around the world. Elvis fused gospel, country, and rhythm and blues to create a sound all his own, selling more than a billion records. Elvis Presley remains an enduring American icon 4 decades after his death.”
Jack Soden, CEO of EPE / Graceland accepted the award. “On behalf of the Presley family, Elvis’ friends and millions of fans, it will be a great honor to accept this award. Elvis loved his country, served proudly in the U.S. Army and would no doubt consider this one of the great honors of his life. "
The Presidential medal is now proudly being displayed at Graceland for all Elvis fans to see.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Interview with hypnoanalyst Bill Ronan: Bill Ronan is the author of the intriguing book, Psychological Autopsy of Elvis Presley. Bill recently talked with EIN's Nigel Patterson about the motivation for his book and the major psychological conditions which he considers may have influenced Elvis' death at an early age.
In his interview Bill discusses, among other things:
- the major psychological causes for Elvis' death
- the little known conditions Walking Zombie Syndrome and Ponce de Leon Syndrome
- provides his view on whether or not Elvis was schizophrenic
- the impact on Elvis of his feeling he had communicated with God.
Read the interview ........(Interview, Source: EIN)
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| Wednesday 12 December 2018 |
Four New FTD Releases OUT NOW: The four new FTD releases are OUT NOW and at your local dealers.
- 'ELVIS: “HOLIDAY SEASON IN VEGAS (Hilton 1975)'. Live double-soundboard release from Elvis' 14th Las Vegas season from the Hilton Holiday Season shows in December 1975.
The two concerts Midnight Show, December 13 and December 6 1975 (which show is not noted)
The shows are ‘soundboard quality’ but FTD note the AUDIO has sonic imperfections as from the original source tape.
Disc 1 MIDNIGHT SHOW – DECEMBER 13
1 C.C. Rider, 2 I Got A Woman/Amen, 3 Love Me, 4 Trying To Get To You, 5 And I Love You So, 6 All Shook Up, 7 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel, 8 You Gave Me A Mountain, 9 Help Me Make It Through The Night, 10 Polk Salad Annie, 11 Introductions, 12 Just Pretend,, 13 How Great Thou Art, 14 Burning Love, 15 Hound Dog, 16 Softly, As I Leave You, 17 America, 18 It’s Now Or Never, 19 O Solo Mio, 20 Little Darlin’, 21 Little Sister, 22 Can’t Help Falling In Love.. |
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- 'FOR LP FANS ONLY' Classic Album. Finally Elvis' 'FOR LP FANS ONLY' gets a FTD 'Classic Album' release. This legendary album released in 1959 while Elvis was serving his time for the US Army in Germany, now features bonus tracks including RADIO and TV performances from the ‘50s and the quality highlights from the recently discovered Bad Nauheim German home recordings.
Great performances from the Milton Berle Show, Stage Show and the Steve Allen Show are complemented by intimate recordings of Are You Lonesome Tonight, His Hand In Mine and He Knows What I Need.
Released in 7” gatefold format it also contains a 16-page booklet. FOR LP FANS ONLY was nominated for best album art of 1959.
DISC 1 features the The Original Album plus Bonus Tracks That’s All Right (Takes 1-3), Harbor Lights (Take 7), I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone (Slow Version Takes 4 & 5/M), When It Rains, It Really Pours, along with 'For Radio Fans Only Live Performances 1954-1955' from The Louisiana Hayride, Eagles Hall and Radio Acetates of Fool, Fool, Fool and Shake, Rattle And Roll.
DISC 2 features "FOR TV FANS ONLY Live Performances" |
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The Dorsey Brothers Shows, The Milton Berle Shows plus The Steve Allen Show along with newly found German Home Recordings Bad Nauheim, He Knows Just What I Need, Cool Water (Fragments), Like A Baby (1 Verse), Return To Me (Fragments), Her Hand In Mine, His Hand In Mine, Her Hand In Mine, If I Didn’t Care, Are You Sincere, Are You Lonesome Tonight? and Stand By Me (Fragments).
Click here to for all sixty tracks and details 'Elvis FTD / Sony News 2018' |
- 'ELVIS – “CAFÉ EUROPA – G.I. BLUES VOL. 2' VINYL limited edition.
The album contains more great outtakes from the G.I Blues soundtrack sessions.
Double album of G.I. Blues session outakes
Mastered at Abbey Road Studios - 180 gram format.
DISC 1 Side 1 - 1 G.I.Blues (take 6), 2 Tonight Is So Right For Love (take 8 ), 3 What’s She Really Like (takes 14-16), 4 Frankfort Special (remake, takes 9-10/M), 5 Pocketful Of Rainbows (version 1, take 17), 6 Tonight’s All Right For Love (take 6), 7 Wooden Heart (‘Gramafunken version’- instr.)
Side 2, 1 Doin’ The Best I Can (takes 10-12), 2 Shoppin’ Around (takes 1,2), 3 Whistling Blues (instrumental), 4 Pocketful Of Rainbows (version 1, takes 26-28), 5 Tonight’s All Right For Love (takes 7-8), 6 Big Boots (fast version, takes 6,5)
For DISC 2 tracklisting and and details go to 'Elvis FTD / Sony News 2018' |
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- 'THE WILD ONE ’56' Book / CD Combo.
Following on from the excellent 'REBEL WITH A CAUSE' FTD book release earlier this year is 'THE WILD ONE ’56' by David English and Pål Granlund. It consists of 228 pages and features great photographs, including 60 recently discovered shots taken from the original negatives.
A bonus CD is included that features the 2nd ED Sullivan Show and The evening Tupelo Fair performance.
All of these should be available on Pre-Order from your local Elvis dealer
If you have pre-ordered them they should be delivered perfectly in time for Elvis Christmas presents.
(News, Source;FTD/ElvisInfoNet.com) |
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(Critical Review) Letters from Elvis (Gary Lindberg): In his latest book, author/researcher Gary Lindberg claims that Elvis wrote 65 letters to his "spiritual adviser", Carmen Montez.
This controversial book is incensing many fans with claims including that Elvis had close friendships with Marlon Brando and Harry Belafonte and Elvis was abducted and sexually assaulted.
Other claims that have received next to nil coverage are that Vernon Presley was not Elvis' biological father and that Elvis' "lost (true) love" disappeared under mysterious and violent circumstances.
EIN's Nigel Patterson takes an extensive and critical look inside Letters from Elvis in a 7,000+ word critical review.
Nigel's review covers a lot of interesting and relevant issues, both technical and Elvis related. It dissects major claims in the book, examines the role of forensic document examination and graphoanalysis, outlines copyright law around letters, examines third party records in relation to several of the claims, and identifies another celebrity "letters" case - one where the letters were initially authenticated, but later revealed to be an elaborate hoax - this case may be instructive in considering Letters from Elvis.
Contributing to Nigel's review are comments from Elvis' known "spiritual adviser", Larry Geller. (Book Review, Source: EIN) |
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Matt Shepherd ('Elvis: Stories Behind The Songs') Interview: BBC Local Radio presenter and EIN contributor Matt Shepherd has published his first book looking at some of Elvis' biggest hits and lesser known treasures.
'Elvis Presley: Stories Behind The Songs' the first of a two volume book, starts in January 1969, almost 50 years ago, when Elvis recorded in Memphis for the first time in 14 years.
Shepherd notes, "I started my book in 1969 as it was a crucial crossroads for Elvis, he had proved in the 68 Special that he was still a dynamic performer. However the 69 sessions would go on to show Elvis was still a major chart force, able to select and record hit making and relevant songs.
"Had these Memphis sessions not been the great success they were, Elvis could well have spent the rest of his life as a nostalgia act. So it was essential he got it right."
EIN wanted to find out more about this new volume..
- How will your book compare to recent books about Elvis’ music?
- Elvis movie songs are they what was required or tripe that never should have been recorded?
- At what point should Elvis had said "NO, I am not recording this crap”? Can you name a particular song?
- What was Col Parker’s biggest musical mistake?
- What do you think of Elvis’ “remixes” or the new fake duets? Are they a necessary evil?
Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley asked the tricky questions..
(Interview, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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'Elvis All-Star Tribute Special' to air Sunday, Februry. 17: NBC will mark the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s 1968 “Comeback Special” on US TV with the new “Elvis All-Star Tribute Special,” to air on Sunday, Feb. 17.
Participating artists have not yet been totally confirmed, other than host Blake Shelton.
The original “Singer Presents…. Elvis” special aired on Dec. 3, 1968 fifty years ago this week and was sponsored by the sewing machine company. Later known as the “’68 Comeback Special,” the appearance marked Presley’s first live television performance since 1961 and featured the iconic artist, dressed in a black leather jumpsuit, accompanied by his band in the famed, intimate “boxing ring without ropes.” It was shot in front of a studio audience, in-the-round 360-degree style.
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“I’ve always wanted to do a tribute to these shows, and the 50th anniversary marks the perfect occasion,” says veteran Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich. When mega-attorney John Branca approached him a year ago with the idea, Ehrlich jumped right in. “There are only a few moments in television history as iconic,” he says, having previously helmed a special on the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
And while the official line-up of performers won’t be announced until next week, expect plenty of the kind of unique stylistic and artist pairings that Ehrlich has become used to.
“We’ve really tried to be as authentic as we could to that original look,” says Ehrlich, who slightly enlarged the original production’s 12 x 12-foot stage on NBC’s Burbank lot to 14 x 14. “I’ve used that in-the-round look on many occasions in my career,” hinting he might even use the technique on this year’s Grammys.
The likes of original director Steve Binder (who is interviewed during the program) and songwriter Mike Stoller were among the invited guests to view the tapings on a sound stage at Universal last month, which was supplemented by set pieces that evoke the original gospel and opera segments, as well as the famous scene set against that flashing neon-lit ELVIS backdrop.
So far artists Post Malone, Keith Urban plus Shawn Mendes, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Adam Lambert, Dierks Bentley, the Pistol Annies, and John Fogerty have all been mentioned for the upcoming show with some co-hosting by Elvis’ only child, Lisa Marie Presley, and her actress daughter Riley Keough. |
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The 50th Anniversary of the Elvis Comeback Special, which was recorded in Los Angeles over two days last October, also includes pre-taped sets performed by the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood, Ed Sheeran, John Legend, Alessia Cara, and Yolanda Adams, who all chose classic Elvis cuts for the tribute.
In addition, rare clips and interviews with Elvis himself will air as part of the TV event. The 50th anniversary of Elvis’ famed ’68 comeback also included a Fathom Events theatrical run last August, and Sony Legacy’s just-released box set, “’68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition),” a five-CD, two Blu-ray package that collects all known audio and video for the first time in one place.
(News, Source;JG/ElvisInfoNet) |
| Monday 3 December 2018 - - - It was FIFTY YEARS AGO today - - - |
‘Behind The Music- Elvis 68 Television Special’: It was FIFTY YEARS AGO TODAY - that Elvis' stunning 68 NBC Television Special was broadcast in the USA. The programme would become one of the highest rated of the year, Elvis re-discovered his roots, Col Parker was stunned by the reception and Elvis was empowered to choose Memphis' American Sound Studio for his next serious recording session. A string of top-ten Billboard Hits beckoned and his life and ours would never be the same.
EIN contributor Dennis Laverty has compiled a unique documentary called “Behind The Music- Elvis 68 Television Special” to celebrate this great day.
It tells the story of the 'Comeback Special' by those that were there examining the How and Why Elvis career came to this creative point where he desparately needed to do the show. There is discussion of production numbers, sit down, standup shows, the '69 rebirth plus much more.
This special includes ELVIS interviews from 'On Tour' |
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and features Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, Chris Bearde, Steve Binder, Billy Strange, Tanya Lemani Little Egypt, Anita Mann (choreographer), Bill Belew, Earl Brown plus plenty of old compiled interviews from all too many who have sadly passed away.
EIN thanks Dennis Laverty for the input.
Click here to Vimeo. -
Sit Back And Celebrate this special day - The video runs around 2 1/2 hours.
(Spotlight, Source;DL/ElvisInfoNet) |
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The '68 Special - the Anniversary Celebration: How lucky in life would you be to get to the original recording of Elvis' 68 TV Special and also make it to the recent 40th Anniversary screening in L.A? EIN's correspondent Joan Gansky is one of those few very fortunate fans. Joan Gansky not only met Elvis multiple times - but being at the original NBC recording of the 68 Special truly changed her life! Here are her unique recollections of attending the 40th Anniversary celebration - as well as her thoughts on being there back in June 1968.
This EIN exclusive features comments by Steve Binder, Priscilla, Bones Howe as well as great close-up photos by Paul Gansky.
Click here for EIN's 2008 full article.
(Spotlight, Source;EIN/JoanGansky) |
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'Elvis: The Searcher - Additional Stories' Spotlight: Like all too many serious Elvis fans Dennis Laverty felt let-down by the lack of seventies content in the HBO 'Elvis The Searcher' documentary. Luckily for us he has produced a lovely documentary "Elvis Presley: The Searcher - Additional Stories Not in the Original Film" that anyone can view on Vimeo.
He writes, "I really enjoyed The Searcher documentary, but after watching I wished they would have made it 4 hours. The 1950's skipped what pushed Elvis over-the-top when he appeared on TV, two of his best films and soundtracks (Loving You & Jailhouse Rock), and the backlash he took with his rock and roll Christmas Album. The 1960s unfortunately glossed over American Sound, especially Elvis taking a risk with 'In The Ghetto'.
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The 1970s disappointed when nothing was discussed about Elvis' only concept album (Elvis Country), nor 'He Touched Me' (they could have included unreleased Elvis on Tour footage of gospel segment) and finally with David Porter one of the Execs of the film from Stax Records that nothing was discussed about Elvis' returning to Memphis and STAX to record three key albums.
My goal was just to highlight those stories in some way.
Obviously I don't have access to the Elvis archives at Graceland, but I hope you enjoy.
The following are 10 segments that I thought could have fit into the film."
... EIN totally agrees and thoroughly recommends this 37 minute video.
This is the type of material that should have been in the DVD Extras
CLICK HERE to VIMEO to watch
EIN thanks Dennis Laverty for his input.
(Spotlight, Source;Dennis Laverty/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'68 Comeback Special' (50 Anniv) Australian Deal: The upcoming 'Elvis: '68 Comeback Special (50th Anniv)' out later this week is being offered at a great price of $151.41 from Amazon Australia and includes free postage..
The 7-Disc definitive box set chronicles the pivotal NBC-TV '68 special called Elvis and takes you behind the scenes in audio and remastered 4:3 Blu-ray video
Contains ALL KNOWN recordings/rehearsals from the RCA vaults and from original NBC-TV videotapes
80-page book includes a new, oral history on the special, crafted from interviews with producer Steve Binder, recording engineer Bones Howe, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Priscilla Presley, Emmylou Harris, Scotty Moore conducted for Thom Zimny's 2018 documentary, "Elvis Presley: The Searcher."
The book also features rare photos and memorabilia and full recording data..
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Over 7.5 hours of footage across 2 newly mastered Blu-ray discs, overseen by Thom Zimny.
Other Australian prices for the deluxe boxset are JBHiFi at $200, Sanity at $215 and Elvis Australia for $180 but none including free postage.
Thanks to EIN member Bob Poole for the info
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Don't forget that EIN's Elvis Facebook page regularly features fabulous RARE newly discovered photos of Elvis.
This week celebrated our 25,000 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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'Bring Back the King' Book Review: Scientists are seriously debating the possibility of bringing back T-Rex or the Woolly Mammoth via DNA cloning, so what makes it so difficult to "Bring Back the King".
The idea seems a genuine possibility in the future.
Helen Pilcher's 'Bring Back the King - The New Science of De-extinction' was published last year and raises some interesting questions.
Pilcher is uniquely qualified to explain the cutting-edge science that makes the resurrection of extinct animals a very real possibility, while acknowledging the serious and humorous aspects of giving a deceased animal a second chance to live. If you could bring back to life a person who would you choose? Pilcher highlights her own choices from eras gone, including the King of the Dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus rex, and the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley.
From dinosaurs to dodos and Neanderthals, BRING BACK THE KING reveals how the burgeoning field of DNA science is being used to help resurrect individual animals and assesses the ramifications of how these genetic Lazaruses might fare in their brave new world.
EIN contributor Susan MacDougall once again does the detective work that most Elvis fans tend to ignore and tracks down yet another Elvis phenomenon.
Click here to Susan MacDougall's review of BRING BACK THE KING to see whether the book and the idea are worth considering.
You never know who might just be knocking at your front door in the future!
(Book Reviews, Source;SM/ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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Book Review - 'Elvis The Gospel Singer' (Paul Belard): Paul Belard has a quest to present the Elvis story in chronological visual form. To date he has released seven books with another 40+ at an advanced stage. In Elvis The Gospel Singer Belard moves from his chronological account of the Elvis day-by-day biography and offers a subject specific chronological account of Elvis' favourite music: gospel.
Over an impressive 300+ pages the author offers a full account of the gospel artists and music influencing Elvis and provides the lyrics for, and often background information to, all of Elvis' gospel recordings.
With more narrative than usual Belard delves deep into Elvis and his love of gospel music and includes rare historic material, and some unusual but valid song choices.
Read Nigel Patterson's review of Elvis The Gospel Singer.
(Book Review, Source; ELvisInformationNetwork) |
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'The King In The Ring' VINYL 50th Anniv Release: The 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley's groundbreaking 1968 NBC "Comeback Special" is also being celebrated with the 2LP vinyl presentation of "The King In The Ring." Originally released on a red vinyl limited edition run for Record Store Day this 2LP set showcases the standout, intimate "sit down" sets from the '68 special. These laid-back live performances were recorded in the round before a small audience and featured a powerful ensemble, including guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer D.J. Fontana, both part of Elvis' original classic backing band.
... In 1968 Elvis Presley re-established himself as the King of Rock and Roll with ELVIS, the "comeback special", to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ELVIS both electrifying intimate "sit-down" sets will be released in the 2LP package with a beautiful gatefold sleeve.
General release November 30th
Great Cover shot.
(News, Source:ElvisInfoNet) |
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'The King In The Ring' VINYL 50th Anniversary Release - Double LP.
Great prices at Amazon.
$23 in the USA
And in the UK £18.05 |
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The VINYL Boom: Over 7.6 million vinyl LPs were sold in the USA during the first half of 2018, a 20% increase from the previous year, while in Australia vinyl sales increased by $3 million, the same increase of 20%. In the same period CD sales however dropped by 15%.
Elvis vinyl is still selling very nicely with ‘ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits’ recently in the UK Top ten VINYL charts.
And there is plenty of Elvis Presley vinyl on offer.... |
‘ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits’ on GOLD Vinyl: ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits was re-released by Sony Music on GOLD Vinyl on 12 October. UK's Entertainment-Focus have posted this cute review.
... What is there to say about Elvis Presley that hasn’t already been said?
It may be 41 years since the icon died tragically at only 42 years old but his music continues to live on, and likely will forever. It’s actually mind-blowing to think that his music has survived for almost as long as he was alive. In 2002 Sony Music released a new greatest hits collection titled ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits, which dominated charts across the world and sold millions and millions of copies. 16 years on from its original release, ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits has been reissued on 2LP vinyl.
Taking inspiration from the album cover, the release has been pressed on gold vinyl making the whole package feel very special.
Presley was an incredibly prolific artist so getting this collection down to 31 tracks was no easy feat. It also includes the ALLC Junkie XL remix.
What was achieved with ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits though, is a
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collection that gives you all the highlights you need from The King’s career to showcase the incredible impact he had on music. The album opens with Heartbreak Hotel and there isn’t a single filler track here.
It’s actually near impossible to pick out highlights across the 2LPs because every single one of these songs is a classic.
Of course no Elvis collection would be complete without Suspicious Minds and that track is near the end of the track listing on the final side.
The release features the artwork from the original 2002 release and it’s a beautiful, high-quality gatefold. I mentioned earlier about the gold vinyl but what I’ve not commented on yet is the sound. The CD version was a little patchy given that the songs were all recorded at different times. It’s not as noticeable on the vinyl release and the quality is crystal clear. The warm crackle of vinyl adds to the overall feel too.
ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits is a must-have release for any Elvis Presley fan. While he had plenty of great songs that aren’t featured here, this collection truly is the definitive one to own. There’s not a single bad song here and it’s lengthy enough to give you value for money. The whole vinyl package is fantastic and it looks as good as it sounds.
They don’t make artists like Elvis anymore and they probably never will again.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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‘ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits’ GOLD Vinyl Double LP.
'ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits' is a must-have release for any Elvis Presley fan.
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| The Official 'A Boy From Tupelo' Vinyl album is still selling, while there are some interesting Public Domain Vinyl releases out in the UK including 'Jailhouse Rock' with 16 tracks even including 'Lonesome Cowboy'! Also the rather odd CD called 'Girls! Girls! Girls! + Loving You' with thirty tracks including Bonus tracks such as 'Is It So Strange' and even 'Good Luck Charm' out 29 October 2018 from Hoo Doo Records! |
Graceland Holiday Concert Weekend December 14-15: EPE are planning three concerts to celebrate Elvis and the Christmas Season.
- Christmas with Elvis at Graceland - With Live Orchestra led by Renown UK Conductor, Robin Smith
Friday, December 14 at 8pm at Graceland Soundstage
- An Elvis Gospel Christmas - Live at Graceland starring the Blackwood Brothers Quartet and former members of JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet
Saturday, Dec 15 at 5pm. at the Graceland Soundstage
An inspirational and uplifting concert featuring Elvis' favorite gospel and Christmas classics
- Elvis Live in Concert - with All-Star Band featuring TCB Guitarist James Burton
Saturday, Dec 15 at 8.30pm. Graceland Soundstage
An unforgettable concert experience featuring Elvis live in concert and on the big screen performing the King of Rock 'n' Roll's greatest hits,
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There's no place more magical than Elvis Presley's Graceland at Christmas. On December 14 and 15, 2018, Graceland will host a special weekend of holiday music and activities highlighted by three incredible live concerts on the Graceland Soundstage at Elvis Presley's Memphis entertainment and exhibit complex:
Anyone attending these concerts will receive free admission to Elvis Presley's Memphis at 3:00 pm that day where they can visit two newly expanded exhibits: ICONS and Presley Cycles.
There will also be a special screening of the Hallmark's "Christmas at Graceland" in The Guest House Theater.
Click here to EPE for tickets and more info
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'68 Comeback Special - 50th-anniversary' deluxe box-set.
Priced at around US$150 and £95.40 in the UK.
Not cheap if you already own the DVDs and CD box-set but the Blu-Rays are still pretty tempting. |
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'68 Comeback Special - 50th-anniversary': More publicity out for the new box set.
... '68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition) is set for release on November 30 and includes five CDs of music plus two Blu-ray discs featuring video content.
After spending most of the decade in Hollywood making forgettable movies and mostly boring music to accompany those films, Presley staged a comeback in 1968 with a TV special that was simply called Elvis and aired on Dec. 3.
Part of that program featured Presley singing some of his old hits, as well as a few new songs, surrounded by a lavish, Hollywood-style backdrop. But another section of that show spotlighted Presley, decked out in black leather and armed with a guitar, sitting on a stool on a spare stage that also included guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer D.J. Fontana, two-thirds of the trio that catapulted Presley to fame in the mid '50s with their work on the Sun sessions and early RCA recordings.
That "sit-down" performance included raw takes of some of their best records, including "That's All Right" and "Heartbreak Hotel." |
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There were also scorching versions of "Baby, What You Want Me to Do" and "Lawdy, Miss Clawdy" that pretty much signalled Presley's return to rock 'n' roll.
The Comeback Special, as it was later called, opened the door to Presley's terrific Memphis records from 1969 and his renewed success in the '70s until his death in 1977.
The '68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition) collects all of the existing audio and video from the show plus rehearsals and sessions recorded with the Wrecking Crew.
The CD Track-listing is a previously noted by EIN - see below.
The book also features rare photos and memorabilia and full recording data
There is over 7.5 hours of footage across 2 newly mastered Blu-ray discs, overseen by Thom Zimny.
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Blu-ray Disc 1:
- Elvis NBC TV Special originally broadcast on December 3, 1968
- Black Leather Sit-Down Show #1 - June 27, 1968
- Black Leather Sit-Down Show #2 - June 27, 1968
- Black Leather Stand-Up Show #1 - June 29, 1968
- Black Leather Stand-Up Show #2 - June 29, 1968
(News, Source;SONY/ElvisInfoNet) |
Blu-ray Disc 2:
- Trouble/Guitar Man TV Show Opener - June 30, 1968 - All Takes and Raw Components
- If I Can Dream TV Show Closer - June 30, 1968 - All Takes
- Huh-Huh-Huh Promo - June 30, 1968
- Elvis Closing Credits Without Credit Roll - June 30, 1968
- If I Can Dream Special Music Video 2004 - June 30, 1968
- Gospel Production Number - All Takes and Raw Components
- Guitar Man Production Number - All Takes and Raw Components
- Blu-ray Special Feature Re-Cut |
'The Searcher' DVD vs Collector's Edition: How disappointing for Elvis collectors that the upcoming DVD releases contain no extra outtakes. All those mouth-watering newly-found all-too-short clips in the 3 hour documentary that deserved to be expanded as DVD extras are nowhere to be found.
Ernst Jorgensen told EIN that he had no input in to the final edit of the DVD so it is HBO who are to blame.
It hardly makes the DVD worth buying if you already recorded the show in HD.
With the announcement of pre-orders of 'The Searcher Collector's Edition DVD' we now have it confirmed that both the 'Standard' version and 'Collector's Edition' feature 1 DVD and both run the same time of 205 minutes.
Fans can pay $15 more purely for a bonus 24 page photo booklet (with Introduction by Priscilla Presley!!) along with "access to a digital copy of the content"!
Why would you need this if you already own the DVD?
US Release date yesterday October 16, 2018
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EIN reckons this is terrible marketing - even 10 minutes of extra clips would have been a better bonus for 'Collector's Edition'
Prices vary from $44.98 (Collector's) and $34.98 (standard DVD) at the Graceland Shop to $32.99 and $17.96 for the same product on Amazon.
EIN cannot see this being a big seller that they would hope for.
'The Searcher Collector's Edition DVD'
Elvis Presley: The Searcher HBO dvd includes never-before-seen photos and footage from private collections worldwide, stunning atmospheric shots taken inside Graceland, Elvis’ iconic home, and more than 20 new interviews with Priscilla Presley and the many artists, session players, producers, engineers and directors who knew him or who were profoundly influenced by him.
Elvis Presley: The Searcher Collector's Edition DVD will only be available while Edition supplies last and includes special Collector's packaging, a 24 page photo booklet that features exclusive content and photos from Graceland Archives and an introduction written by Priscilla Presley.
Run Time: 205 minutes
In addition, the Collector's Edition includes BONUS access to a digital copy of the content that is available for viewing until 12/31/19.
A special access code is included within the physical package of the Collector's Edition along with instructions for accessing the digital content.
'Elvis Presley: The Searcher DVD '
Elvis was a boy from Tupelo who grew up to become the biggest star in music.
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Along the way, he absorbed a staggering range of influences, creating a revolutionary sound in his lifelong search for self-expression. Following his creative journey from childhood through the final 1976 Jungle Room recording sessions, Elvis Presley: The Searcher includes never-before-seen photos and footage from private collections worldwide, stunning atmospheric shots taken inside Graceland, Elvis’ iconic home, and more than 20 new interviews with Priscilla Presley and the many artists, session players, producers, engineers and directors who knew him or who were profoundly influenced by him.
Run Time: 205 minutes.
(News, Source;Sony/ElvisInfoNet) |
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The Searcher DVD - OUT NOW
The standard versions are available from under US$18 and £14.99 in the UK.
'The Searcher Collector's Edition' costs $33 from Amazon USA. |
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'50th Anniversary NBC Special Box-Set CD Details': Although still not officially announced by SONY the tracklists of the new 5CD boxset have been confirmed. The disappointment to many collectors is that the five CDs in this special re-release comprise of
the 4 CDs from the SONY/BMG 2008 'The Complete '69 Comeback Special' plus CD2 'The Wrecking Crew Sessions' from the FTD 'ELVIS: Original
Soundtrack Recording'.
These releases were top-notch releases when they first were released Mixed & Mastered by Vic Anesini / Sebastian Jeansson - but do we need to buy them again?
The draw-card to collectors is the 88 page booklet plus the upgraded BluRay video presentations - albeit a compromise as the original NBC Special was of course recorded as 525 NTSC standard definition TV.
The Sony release of 5-CD/2-BluRay boxset to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1968 TV Special is out November 2018.
- Definitive box set chronicles the pivotal NBC-TV special that helped Elvis Presley reclaim the title of "The King Of Rock and Roll"
- The original Special included spirited "sit-down" performances
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with Elvis and original band members Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana plus then-new material, including the classic "If I Can Dream"
- 5CD / 2Blu-Ray box set offers all previously released audiovisual material from the special including rare outtakes, plus deluxe book with rare photos and a newly-compiled oral history of the making of the program
- BluRay Disc 1 - 229 mins
Original Broadcast Version
Sit-down Show #1
Sit-down Show #2
Stand-up Show #1
Stand-up Show #2
- BluRay Disc 2 - 241 mins
Trouble / Guitar Man TV Show Opener
If I Can Dream TV Show Closer
Gospel Production Number
Guitar Man Production Number
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CD1 - Original Album, plus bonus tracks:
It is notable that the track 'A Little Less Conversation' mistakenly thought to have been laid down at the 68 Special is now omitted from the 2018 Re-Release Bonus Tracks
Bonus Tracks: It Hurts Me - Let Yourself Go - Memories (stereo) - If I Can Dream (stereo)
CD2 - First Sit-Down show & First Stand-Up show:
CD3 - Second Sit-Down show & Second Stand-Up show
CD4 - First Rehearsal/Second Rehearsal
Click here to see 2008 Original Release tracklist
CD5 - On the final disc the tracks have been combined to give a less complicated tracklist of 19 songs although the content is in fact the same as the 30 tracks on the FTD - look here at EIN's in-depth review.
New Tracklist 1. Nothingville (Guitar Man's Evil #1) (Takes 5 & 6), 2. Guitar Man (Guitar Man's Evil #1) (Take 2), 3. Let Yourself Go, part 1 (Guitar Man's Evil #2) (Take 5 & 7/M), 4. Let Yourself Go, part 2 (Guitar Man's Evil #3) (Take 7/M), 5. Guitar Man (Escape #1, fast) (Takes 1, 2 & 5), 6. Big Boss Man (Escape #3) (Take 2), 7. It Hurts Me, part 1 (Escape #4) (Take 5), 8. It Hurts Me, part 2 (After Karate #1) (Take 3), 9. Guitar Man (After Karate #2) (Take 1), 10. Little Egypt (After Karate #2) (Take 6), 11. Trouble / Guitar Man (After Karate #3) (Take 2), Trouble / Guitar Man Medley, 12. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child / Where Could I Go But To The Lord (Gospel #1) (Rehearsal & Take 1) Medley, 13. Up Above My Head / Saved (Gospel #2) (Takes 4 & 7), Medley, 14. Saved (Gospel #3) (Takes 2 & 4), 15. Trouble / Guitar Man (Opening) (Takes 6 & 7) Medley, 16. If I Can Dream (Alternate Take 1), 17. If I Can Dream (Takes 2, 3 & 4), 18. Memories (Takes 3 & 4/vocal overdub #1), 19. Let Yourself Go (Closing Instrumental) |
(Book Review) The Comeback - Elvis and the Story of the 68 Special (Simon Goddard): The past two months have been a busy period regarding Elvis' legendary '68 Comeback Special. Marking its 50th anniversary, the Special was shown in cinemas and two new books were published, one by Steve Binder (Director/Producer of the Special) and the other by noted rock music analyst, Simon Goddard.
EIN's Nigel Patterson recently took a few deep breaths and submerged himself in the Simon Goddard release.
Having previously read a number of the author's cerebrally challenging books, he was not surprised to find that Goddard's treatise on Elvis' legendary Comeback Special is one hell of an intellectively challenging and dizzy rollercoaster of a ride....... a journey most rewarding for those brave enough to go the distance.
Read Nigel's detailed review (Book Review, Source: EIN) |
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(Book Review) The Elvis Experience (Dave Hebler): As a member of Elvis' Memphis Mafia, Dave Hebler was part of Elvis' inner sanctum at least until his acromonious sacking, along with Red West and Sonny West, in 1976, and the subsequent publication of the infamous book, Elvis What Happened?.
Over the years, Dave, Red and Sonny West reclaimed respect in the Elvis world, at least with many fans, if not the Presley family and EPE.
Dave Hebler's new book was released during Elvis Week 2018.
The Elvis Experience has a 'fan friendly' feel to it. There are many amusing and fun stories and the author does not shy away from discussing at least some of the not so positive aspects of his experience working for Elvis.
To find out more about "The Elvis Experience" you can read Nigel Patterson's in-depth review here.
(Book Review, Source: EIN) |
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EIN founding President, Nigel Patterson, interviewed by Pop Music Research Blog Spot: EIN recently interviewed Dr Mark Duffett and reviewed his excellent book, Counting Down Elvis His 100 Finest Songs.
Due to Nigel's keen interest in "Elvis world" history and the socio-cultural aspects of the Elvis legend, Dr Duffett decided to "turn the tables" and interview Nigel for his insightful pop music research blog.
In a three-part interview Nigel discusses a wide range of topics including:
- what the Elvis world was like in the 1970s;
- the most important "landmarks" (changes) in the Elvis world since August 1977;
- answers the question: "Do Elvis fans have a shared, collective ethics or morality?";
- Elvis' unfairly maligned film canon;
- Elvis as a socio-cultural force;
- an attempt to establish a national fan club in Australia in the late 1990s;
- the issues that most divide Elvis fans;
- the biggest myths that still persist about Elvis;
- what Elvis' interests in reading say about him as a person;
- have those closest to Elvis been straight with fans about what he was really like; and
- a lot more......
Read part 1 of the interview |
... some of the best in popular music research compiled by Dr Mark Duffett
an interview with EIN's Nigel Patterson
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SEPTEMBER 12 - New Elvis Home Recordings Discovered: EIN is stunned that another tape has been discovered from Elvis' Home Recordings in Bad Nauheim, Germany late 1958.
HUGE THANKS to Juan Luis Gonzalez Brugal who has obtained the tape which features Elvis singing at home with Red West, Rex Mansfield, Charlie Hodge and Lamar Fike.
Previous songs from the same session have been released such as Earth Angel, I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen, There's No Tomorrow, and The Fool.
However this second tape features some fabulous incredible performances of 'He Knows Just What I Need', 'Like A Baby', 'His Hand In Mine', a very different arrangement of 'Stand By Me' even an amazing home-recording of 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?' all being performed at home before Elvis recorded them professionally. For full tracklist see my good friend Keith Flynn Sessions website here
EIN gives its greatest thanks to Juan Luis Gonzalez Brugal for the discovery.
Go to the excellent and friendly Elvis PHOENIX FORUM for all the discussion & download them for free |
Elvis Home-Recording New Bootlegs: From the moment that the new Elvis Home-Recording tapes were discovered and offered for free, EIN could hear the bootleggers' computers whirring into life creating "New" bootlegs CD covers.
It was all so inevitable and a little sad - signs of desperation if anything.
At least THREE bootlegs were announced in the following 24 hours and all sadly opportunistic and basically rip-offs.
What did the wily Col Parker say back in the fifties, "How much does it cost if it is FREE!"
Fans can download these fabulous three hours of Elvis jamming at home in Germany for FREE. (click here to the highly recommended Phoenix Elvis Forum)
Please see the tracklists at my good friend Keith Flynn website here.
Any bootlegger rushing out these newly found recordings have obviously done no quality audio remastering work.
Hopefully FTD / Ernst Jørgensen will find a right place to officially release them - possibly CD2 of the future Classic Album 'For LP Fans Only' |
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Or perhaps MRS may release them in the future once their audio engineer 'Studio D' has worked his wonders.
For a fan's point of view, the more Bootleg versions that are announced then the less that each of them will make from them. Prices have been noted at US$45 / EuroE40 + postage for the 3cds.
Rather strangely "3DM audio" label (above) announced that their release is a "non-profit base" requested by the donor of the recording Juan Luis Gonzalez Brugal.
This however was a typical bootleg marketing ruse...
Juan Luis has confirmed, "I am not endorsing anyone or any thing. If I sign something, it would be a waiver to Sony/FTD. I am not making money off of this or endorsing anything outside FTD/Sony. I hope that is very clear. Someone here with connections please let all the Elvis news sites know."
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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| Newly discovered tape Tracklist: 'He Knows Just What I Need' (multiple versions), Reading The News - Lamar Fike, 'Cool Water', 'Like A Baby', 'His Hand In Mine', 'Young Love' - Red West, 'His Hand In Mine', 'Return To Me' , 'Are You Sincere', 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?', 'Stand By Me', 'Just a Closer Walk With Thee', 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord', 'Oh, Lonesome Me'. |
'All Shook Up' Australian Parkes Festival 2019: 'All Shook Up' is the theme for 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival. The fabulous fifties is the focus of next year’s Australian Parkes Elvis Festival that was officially launched this week.
Elvis Festival director Cathy Treasure announced the 2019 program and some exciting new additions.
“I’m quite proud to stand here and confidently can say we have a bigger and better festival again coming up next year.
We have over 200 events at the festival...It is celebrating the 50s, we’re getting All Shook Up, we’ve shaken up a few things which I hope you’ll enjoy.”
Next year’s Parkes Elvis Festival will run from Wednesday, January 9 to Sunday, January 13, where more than 26,000 people are expected to shake, rattle and roll into Parkes for the biggest tribute to The King in the Southern Hemisphere.
The theme is All Shook Up celebrating Elvis' iconic song and all things '50s.
Released in March 1957, All Shook Up quickly topped several American charts and became a certified double-platinum and an instant jukebox hit.
Kicking off the festival is the all-new All Shook Up Special – a tribute to the Million Dollar Quartet, featuring Lance |
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Lipinsky as Jerry Lee Lewis, 2018 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest winner Anthony Petrucci as Elvis Presley, Daniel Thompson as Johnny Cash and Brad Bergen as Carl Perkins.
New to the program are a range of exciting workshops, including ukulele workshops and mini-Elvii can have all sorts of fun at the Kids Talent Workshops, hosted by the yellow Wiggle and all-around Elvis fanatic, Greg Page.
The Parkes Elvis Festival is today recognised as one of the world’s largest Elvis Presley tribute events.
Tickets are on sale now to all events, including the 2019 Feature Concert Series, featuring headline act US Elvis tribute artist, Ted Torres Martin.
For programming and ticketing information, visit www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au
(News, Source;PCP/ElvisInfoNet) |
Documentary 'The King' set for DVD and Blu-ray release: Eugene Jerecki's 'road trip' across America in Elvis' Rolls Royce Phantom V will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on 2 October in the US.
The film suggests that America, like Elvis, has squandered its potential and betrayed the promise of its glorious beginning. As Harlem rapper Immortal Technique tells Jarecki in the film: "If Elvis is your metaphor for America, we're about to O.D."
Jarecki's "The King" is essentially a filmed essay, with musical interludes and commentary provided by guest artists (Emmylou Harris, Chuck D), journalists (Dan Rather) and celebrities (a seemingly irrelevant but quite eloquent Mike Myers), many of whom discuss Elvis and America from the back seat of the large luxury car, purchased at auction for the production. (Entering the Rolls in Nashville, musician John Hiatt breaks into tears, struck by how "trapped" Elvis must have felt.) News, Source: EIN/Amazon) |
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UPDATED - Keith Alverson 'Strictly Elvis 76-77' Interview: The deluxe hard-back book 'Strictly Elvis: 1976-1977' is the follow up by Keith Alverson and Erik Lorentzen to last year's stunning 'Strictly Elvis Vol 1: 1973-1974 - 1975'.
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 and from there he went from strength to strength. One of his first Elvis' concerts where he was able to get quality photos of Elvis in concert was in Atlanta, July 1973, after which he saw Elvis over 80 times live on stage. Alverson's outstanding photos of Elvis in his "Phoenix" jumpsuits are known by every Elvis fan and it is obvious that the quality of Alverson's photos got better and better as the years went by.
In last year's EIN interview we discovered the background surrounding photographer Keith Alverson as well as how he got to become one of Elvis' most well-known concert photographers.
With Strictly Elvis Volume 2 just published EIN's Piers Beagley tracked down the man - as he packed for Memphis - to ask him more about the last two years of capturing the King in concert....
The book contains over 800 previously unseen photos of Elvis on stage.
We asked him that, as we all know of Elvis' sad decline over these two years, do fans really need to see so many images of an unhealthy Elvis?
To find out click here to Keith Alverson 'Strictly Elvis 76-77' Interview with lots of example pages... UPDATED more photos
(Interviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
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'The Steve Allen Show' EIN Spotlight: Much has been written about The Steve Allen Show appearance over the years and with each retelling of the story, much of the information required to give a fair hearing to Allen is conspicuous by its absence. Recent articles in ETMHM as well as Elvis Files magazine still repeat the usual story.
But was Steve Allen really the rock'n'roll hating villain as usually portrayed in the Elvis story?
In the past, this might have been done because some of the information was not available, but with the appearance of online newspaper and magazine archives over the last decade it is much easier to piece together the complete story rather than the fragments of it that have been passed down amongst Elvis fans over the last sixty years.
After all, alongside Parker, Allen has become the second of the pantomime villains in the Elvis story, and it is time to investigate anew in order to see what really happened, and what Allen’s real relationship with rock ‘n’ roll was.
In this fascinating new article, EIN contributor Shane Brown investigates the truth behind ELVIS on the Steve Allen show...
(Spotlight, Source;ShaneBrown/ElvisInfoNet)
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'Orgies and Orgasms: Presley in the Press 1956'- an in-depth Spotlight: By the beginning of 1956, everything was in place for Elvis Presley to burst onto the national and international music scene. Within weeks of his signing to major label RCA he would record Heartbreak Hotel, his first single for RCA and his first to reach number 1 in the U.S. charts, and then, at the end of January 1956, he would appear on national television for the first time.
Despite all of the success that 1956 would bring Elvis, with three singles and two albums reaching the top spot in the U.S. charts, the year would also prove to be a difficult one when it came to his treatment in the national and international press.
Mainstream media published reviews such as...
"Every girl watching him sees herself as Elvis’ partner in his fantastic writhing orgy"
and "Presley is suggesting he is about to have a self-induced orgasm!"
So, let’s go back in time and examine how a single television performance in June 1956 resulted in a change of attitudes towards Elvis within the media from little more than curiosity about the new phenomenon to downright hostility and revulsion.
Go here as EIN contributor Shane Brown investigates the phenomenon of Elvis in 1956 - and what the media made of this new, and middle-America shocking, entertainer.
(Spotlight, Source;ShaneBrown/ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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Dave Hebler Interview Update with EIN: Dave Hebler is best known to Elvis Presley fans as being part of the Memphis Mafia and Elvis’ bodyguard in the mid-seventies. As an integral part of Elvis’ personal and professional life, Hebler’s primary responsibility was the personal safety of Elvis at home as well as at recording sessions, personal appearances, concert tours and various recreations.
After our April interview with Dave Hebler he has completed his new book 'The Elvis Experience' which is now available through Amazon. (see below)
EIN's Piers Beagley wanted to find out more about the book - released just in time for Elvis Week - and giving Hebler a chance to answer a few EIN readers questions..
Go here for EIN's exclusive catch-up with Dave Hebler including some cool photos..
(Interviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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“Elvis: The Viva Las Vegas Sessions” New FTD Box-set: FTD is pleased to announce the release of “Elvis: The Viva Las Vegas Sessions”. Out end of July.
This is the ultimate "Viva Las Vegas" 3CD set which includes more than an hour of previously unreleased false starts, break downs, and complete takes!
All tracks have been recently remixed and mastered from the original 3-track session tapes.
The 8”x 8” slipcase replicates an original Session Reel box.
Until now it was thought only two takes of the marvelous 'I Need Somebody To Lean On' existed in the vaults but now we get the whole session up to movie outtake #19.
The 28 page booklet includes rare photographs, memorabilia, session data, Movie Trivia, Ann-Margret bio by the late Stuart Colman and Movie overview by Alan Hanson. |
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The 3 CDs are housed in a CD carrier adorned by original tape box documentation.
This release is a strictly LIMITED EDITION. Due to manufacturing costs, there will be no reprint. |
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DISC 1: SOUNDTRACK
1. Viva Las Vegas 2:27
2. Yellow Rose Of Texas/ The Eyes Of Texas 2:57
3. The Lady Loves Me 3:46
4. C’mon Everybody 2:21
5. Today, Tomorrow And Forever 3:28
6. The Climb (planned record version - take 3) 2:44
7. What’d I Say 3:06
8. Santa Lucia 1:15
9. If You Think I Don’t Need You 2:07
10. I Need Somebody To Lean On 3:05
BONUS SONGS
11. Night Life 1:52
12. Do The Vega 2:25
13. You’re The Boss 2:49
FIRST TAKES
14. Viva Las Vegas (take 1) 1:48
15. Yellow Rose Of Texas/ The Eyes Of Texas (take 7) 2:59
16. The Lady Loves Me (takes 1-2) 4:14
17. C’mon Everybody (take 3) 2:48
18. Today, Tomorrow And Forever (takes 1-3, 5 & 4) 5:46
19. What’d I Say (takes 1-2) 4:00
20. Santa Lucia (v.o. take 1) 1:23
21. If You Think I Don’t Need You (takes 1-2) 3:16
22. I Need Somebody To Lean On (takes 1-2) 3:30
23. Night Life (take 2) 2:08
24. Do The Vega (take 1) 2:48
25. You’re The Boss (takes 1-3) 3:34
26. Today, Tomorrow And Forever (2012 takes 1-2, duet) 5:45
DISC 2: OUTTAKES
1. Night Life (takes 1 & 3) 4:09
2. Night Life (takes 4-8) 3:11
3. C’mon Everybody (takes 1-2 & 4-5/M) 4:36
4. If You Think I Don’t Need You (takes 3-7) 5:09
5. I Need Somebody To Lean On (takes 3-5) 3:58
6. I Need Somebody To Lean On (takes 6-8) 4:42
7. Do The Vega (take 2) 2:41
8. Santa Lucia (track, takes 1-2) 1:55
9. Viva Las Vegas (take 2) 2:50
10. The Climb (takes 1-2 & 4-7) 6:43 |
11. Yellow Rose Of Texas/ The Eyes Of Texas (takes 1-4) 3:58
12. Yellow Rose Of Texas/ The Eyes Of Texas (takes 5-6 & 8-9/M) 5:33
13. The Lady Loves Me (takes 3-6) 4:51
14. You’re The Boss (takes 4-8) 4:42
15. You’re The Boss (takes 9-10) 4:32
16. Today, Tomorrow And Forever (2012 take 6, instru) 3:34
17. Santa Lucia (vocal overdub, take 2) 1:20
18. Santa Lucia (vocal overdub, take 3) 1:20
19. Today, Tomorrow And Forever (movie version, vocal overdub 2016 take 8) 2:38
20. What’d I Say (takes 3-4/M) 5:47
DISC 3: MOVIE TRACKS
1. C’mon Everybody (movie version, take 7 with overdubs) 2:30
2. Today, Tomorrow And Forever (movie version, v.o. take 10, edited) 1:25
3. The Climb (movie version - take 9, edited) 1:38
4. Santa Lucia (v.o. take 6/M, movie version) 1:14
5. Appreciation (Ann-Margret, take 3 & pickup take 2) 4:37
6. My Rival (Ann-Margret) 2:11
OUTTAKES
7. Night Life (takes 9-10) 2:56
8. Night Life (take 11) 2:10
9. Night Life (takes 12-13) 2:46
10. If You Think I Don’t Need You (takes 8-10) 4:22
11. If You Think I Don’t Need You (takes 11-13/M) 4:15
12. I Need Somebody To Lean On (takes 9-15) 7:16
13. I Need Somebody To Lean On (takes 16-19) 5:12
14. Do The Vega (takes 3-7/M) 4:25
15. Viva Las Vegas (takes 3-7/M) 5:06
16. The Climb (take 8) 2:53
17. The Climb (take 9) 2:53
18. C’mon Everybody (takes 6-7/M, movie version) 2:34
19. The Lady Loves Me (takes 7-9) 6:37
20. You’re The Boss (takes 11-12) 3:23
21. You’re The Boss (takes 13, 15 & 14) 4:09
22. Santa Lucia (vocal overdub, take 5) 1:26
23. Today, Tomorrow And Forever (movie version, 2016 vocal overdub take 10/M) 2:46
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DJ Fontana Obituary and Interview: D.J. Fontana was born in Shreveport Louisiana on March 15 1931 and originally began backing Elvis Presley, Bill Black and Scotty Moore when he worked at the Louisiana Hayride as early as 1954.
By his early 20s he performed at strip joints and spent enough time around the “Hayride” that he was hired full time.
Sun Records Sam Phillips originally assembled Elvis' Blue Moon Boys without a drummer and so it wasn't until the key RCA session of January 10 1956 that DJ Fontana joined the band on studio recordings.
That session produced 'Heartbreak Hotel' and the music world would never be the same.
EIN presents a spotlight on DJ Fontana along with a new interview “I Tell You What, He Loved Gospel Music” by EIN contributor Thomas Melin.
While DJ Fontana created some of the greatest rock'n'roll drumming ever cut on wax he always stated that he liked to "keep things simple" in a way that complemented not just Elvis, but also his other band-mates.
Go here as EIN pay their respects to the charming DJ Fontana.
(Spotlight, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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UPDATED - COME ON FTD! Let's Speed Things Up A Little!: EIN has very strongly supported the FTD label from the start even though their quality control has slipped at times.
Recently this seems to have got worse, perhaps due to the producers Ernst Jorgensen and Roger Semon's extra work with mainstream SONY releases.
The last couple of FTD live soundboards have notably run slow dragging down the pace of Elvis' performance. This has also been an issue on some previous concert releases.
On ELVIS LAS VEGAS '74' FTD the dates were wrong with the two shows reversed from what the cover indicated.
Do FTD collectors deserve better or should we be happy to have anything released with faults and all?
Go here as EIN contributor & Elvis author Shane Brown investigates.
Now updated with YOUR COMMENTS - Are you a FTD collector - we want to know YOUR THOUGHTS
(Spotlight, Source;ShaneB/ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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UPDATED - Elvis Presley: The Searcher (HBO film review): EIN's Nigel Patterson takes an in-depth look at Thom Zimny's documentary film about Elvis and his music.
What Nigel finds will surprise many fans. Discover what's The Good and The Bad about this new documentary looking at Elvis' music.
Is the film a masterpiece (the definitive Elvis documentary), over-rated or somewhere in the middle?
NOW UPDATED WITH YOUR COMMENTS
Read Nigel's review here
(Film Review, Source: ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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UPDATED - EIN review ‘Elvis: The Searcher’ Deluxe CD boxset: If your main interest in Elvis is his music then HBO’s ‘Elvis: The Searcher’ will probably become your favourite documentary ever produced about our hero.
The companion 3-CD deluxe edition box set offers an expanded 55-track overview of Elvis’ career as heard in the film including familiar hit recordings, powerful vocal performances and rare outtakes plus a bonus disc of additional recordings relevant to the film - including several early singles that inspired Elvis.
Thom Zimny said, "To live with the music of The Searcher over a period of years was more than a privilege. It changed my thinking about the emotional life of songs, both for those who make them and those who listen to them."
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| April 6 - 'ELVIS PRESLEY: THE SEARCHER' OUT NOW: The soundtrack to Elvis Presley: The Searcher showcases Elvis' most enduring hits, powerful performances and rare alternate takes, from his early blues and country-influenced recordings to his final 1976 recording sessions in the Jungle Room. The soundtrack is OUT NOW as an 18-track overview on CD or 2LP & a 3CD deluxe version which adds 37 additional Elvis cuts, original score compositions by Mike McCready of Pearl Jam plus songs that inspired Elvis, from R&B and country classics to his mother Gladys Presley singing at home. |
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| 'Elvis Presley: The Searcher' Deluxe 3CD Release:
The 3-CD deluxe edition box set offers an expanded 55-track overview of Elvis’ career as heard in the film including familiar hit recordings, powerful vocal performances |
| (“That’s All Right,” “Tomorrow Is a Long Time,” “Trouble/Guitar Man”) and rare outtakes (“Suspicious Minds,” “Separate Ways”), plus a bonus disc of additional recordings relevant to the film - including singles that inspired Presley (Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup’s original version of “That’s All Right,” Odetta’s gospel version of Bob Dylan’s “Tomorrow is a Long Time”) and also features two original instrumental pieces composed for the documentary by Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready. - |
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3CD Deluxe set priced at around $35 - see updated prices below.
Elvis Presley: The Searcher (Original Soundtrack) Deluxe includes a 40-page book of photos, liner notes by Warren Zanes, and a producer's note from film director Thom Zimny. |
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'Elvis: The Movies' Book Review: Respected Elvis author Alan Hanson, along with Erik Lorentzen, has just published 'Elvis - The Movies', 432 pages examining all of Elvis' movies and including some sensational photos.
Elvis Presley's dream was to become a movie star, and the dream started well for him. His acting ability developed steadily throughout his first four movies. But, alas, it was the music which first gave him access to Hollywood, that proved the undoing of his acting career. The inevitable result was a long series of films with weak plots in which only the music mattered.
Author Alan Hanson chronicles Elvis' cinematic career, combined with hundreds of stunning photos from Erik Lorentzen's exclusive collection. But how could this improve on all the previous 'Elvis movie' books.
Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley checks out this new deluxe production and includes some of the book's fabulous Elvis photos
(Interviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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'ELVIS ON TOUR - 45th Anniversary Deluxe Edition' IN-Depth Review: Amiga International's long awaited LIMITED-EDITION boxset featuring 9-CD’s, all remastered, of all known recordings made for the Golden Globe Award-winning concert documentary ELVIS ON TOUR is OUT NOW. It includes the premiere of the complete rehearsal recorded in Buffalo, NY on April 5, 1972, with three previously unreleased performances.
The 13-inch boxset also includes a huge 128-page hardcover book containing detailed essays of the entire April 1972 tour with RARE AND UNPUBLISHED photographs and related memorabilia.
When considering the lack of attention paid to this concert documentary, it seems a shame that so few official releases have emerged. It is for this reason that AMIGA International presents this deluxe package to honor the excellent recordings made for the much neglected "Elvis On Tour" film. |
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FTD will NOT end in 2019: A fair number of uninformed supposed Elvis "insiders" (even some Fan Club Presidents) have been publishing fictional stories that the FTD label is planning to close in 2019.
Ernst Jorgensen had strongly denied this story stating, that FTD has plans to continue for the foreseeable future.
In an interesting interview about 'The Future of FTD' - with Trevor Cajiao in the recent ETM&HM magazine - Ernst Jorgensen's main points were....
1. FTD will not be closing in 2019
2. The 'Classic Albums" series is nearly complete but there are more to come, noting 'Aloha' and 'Madison Square Garden' are still to be done.
3. Expanded "complete session tapes" releases are being considered
4. Plenty more soundboards to come
To read the complete story including answers about FTD deletions and other future ideas please read the December issue of ETM&HM.
For what's left for FTD check out our detailed listing
(News, Source;FTD/ElvisInfoNet)
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UPDATED - Trying To Get To You: The Truth Behind The Elvis And Roy Orbison Show Rumours: For decades there has always been an unsubstantiated rumour that Elvis Presley appeared as a guest on Roy Orbison's TV show on the local station KOSA.
The Roy Orbison website notes that both Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley performed on Roy’s TV show in late 1955.
Respected author Colin Escott wrote in his book Good Rockin’ Tonight about a kinescope of Elvis on the Roy Orbison TV show actually existing.
Some keen Elvis fans have said that they have seen this very kinescope at Elvis Week shows back in the 80s.
But like infamous Pied Piper of Cleveland does this footage really exist and is there any real proof that Elvis did appear on the Roy Orbison TV show?
Shane Brown (author of Reconsider Baby: Elvis: A Listener's Guide) has done an immense amount of investigation and thinks he has found the answer.
Go here as EIN contributor & author Shane Brown investigates and checks the facts and the fantasy.
(Spotlight; Source;SBrown/ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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'Elvis:The Last Movies' FTD in-depth Review: Charro!, The trouble with girls, Change Of Habit, finally Elvis’ last soundtrack recordings are brought together in a cohesive release that works as a companion set for the FTD 7” Classic Album series.
“The Last Movies” contains outtakes and an informative illustrated 16-page booklet with rare memorabilia and photos.
In this period Elvis' voice had matured and the sound of ‘68/’69 was a great musical turning point for Elvis with the NBC TV special and the Memphis sessions. While some of the movie compositions were not as good as he deserved, with Elvis sounding vocally great at this time what does this new Classic Soundtrack have to offer?
The one disc contains previously unreleased material, including "rough mixes" and also multiple outtakes from 'The Trouble With Girls' 'Almost' session.
EIN contributor Ian Garfield checks out this new FTD Classic soundtrack album release....
(FTD Reviews, Source;IanGarfield/ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware) - Exposing the Amazon Elvis Book Rip-Off?: From RCA to Sony Elvis' back catalog has long been exploited at the expense of his legacy. The same thing is now happening regarding Elvis book releases!
Through clever marketing, including the use of different (but suspicious) author names and different book titles for releases which are essentially identical; short and long book editions; and coupling the Elvis story with that of other celebrities, a glut of Elvis related book titles (with repetitive text) only available from Amazon are blatantly misleading fans.
Read EIN's findings in our "exclusive" investigative report
(Spotlight, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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UPDATED - 'ELVIS: That's The Way It Was & This Is How It Is Today': Elvis is no longer with us but his spirit lives forever. Elvis fans always discover something quite magical when they get the chance to “Walk-a-mile-in-his-shoes”. Graceland, when not overrun by crowds, feels very special indeed. Standing in the quiet you can almost feel the spirit of Elvis still inhabiting his home. The feeling in Memphis’ Sun Studios can bring fans to tears.
One of the places that Elvis spent a large part of his life is the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel – now the Westgate. Elvis performed a stunning 636 concerts in the Hilton showroom and the impact of his incredible legacy can still be felt. - NOW with more great Hilton photos - plus EIN Readers Feedback.
Arjan Deelen recently returned to the classic hotel to investigate “Elvis Hotspots” and discovered that behind the showroom stage it is relatively unchanged.
(Spotlight, Source;ArjanDeelen/ElvisInfoNetwork) |
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Book Review "Reconsider Baby: Elvis: A Listener's Guide": Elvis Presley made over 700 recordings during his life. This book by author Shane Brown examines all of them. Session by session, song by song, Reconsider Baby takes the reader on a journey from Elvis’s first recordings in 1953 through to his last performances in 1977.
This significantly expanded and revised edition of 2014’s Elvis Presley: A Listener’s Guide provides a commentary on Elvis’s vast and varied body of work, while also examining in detail how Elvis and his recordings and performances were discussed in newspapers, magazines, and trade publications from the 1950s through to the 1970s.
The text draws on over 500 contemporary articles and reviews, telling for the first time the story of how Elvis and his career played out in the printed media, and often forcing us to question our understanding of how Elvis’s work was received at the time of release.
Can another detailed examination into Elvis' musical legacy really be worth buying? (Hint, the answer is a big YES!)
Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley reviews the newly expanded look into Elvis' musical legacy, including some choice book extracts...
(Book Reviews, Source,ElvisInformationNetwork)
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'Roustabout' FTD Soundtrack Review: Roustabout was Elvis' 16th movie, it had been five months since Elvis’ last album session and his publishers had a chance to secure soundtrack material from a variety of composers. Eleven songs were needed and while the carnival theme stopped most of them having any inspired lyrics, at least the composers Leiber / Stoller and Otis Blackwell were included in the selection.
Reaching #1 on Billboard in early 1965, it would Elvis’ last chart topping album until "Aloha From Elvis Via Satellite" in 1973.
53 years after its original release FTD is pleased to announce the long awaited "Classic Album" version of "Roustabout". Packaged in 7" format with a full colour 16-page memorabilia booklet, it contains some previously unreleased material.
So why has it taken FTD so long to release? It was once noted that only the masters had been located in the vaults, so there was not much to include for a “Classic Album”...
Go here as EIN contributor Ian Garfield examines this new FTD soundtrack release and checks out what's new.
(FTD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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Some of the better Elvis books released for the 40th anniverary:
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 - Now with Reader Feedback.
(Interviews, Source;SMeegin/ElvisInformationNetwork)
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Official Elvis CD Box-sets at bargain prices through Amazon UK |
'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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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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'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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US VINYL |
UK CD |
UK VINYL |
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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'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,
Elvis Pesley News, Elvis Presley News, Latest Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley News,Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley news, Piers Beagley Elvis presley, piers beagley elvis, piers beagley elvis presley, piers beagley elvis, Elvis Presley News, Elvis Presley News,
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