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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:
FTD "June" Releases - Delayed to July: FTD have announced that the "June" CD releases will now be sent to dealers the first week of July - and the "Live On Stage In Memphis" VINYL will come out Mid-July.
- "Elvis Presley - Sold Out!" (2-CD)
Prepared and researched for FTD by Robert Frieser / Hans Slebos ('Forty Eight Hours To Memphis' and '3000 South Paradise Road'), featuring the March and June concerts of 1974 from Tulsa, AZ and Cleveland,OH, this release will be presented in 7" format accompanied by 16-page 4-colour booklet and extensive liner notes.
March 1 1974 was the Opening Show of the tour and is as hell of a show! (Thanks CiscoKing)
Disc 1, March 1, 1974, Tulsa Oklahoma
Disc 2, June 21, 1974, Cleveland. Ohio & Bonus track June 17, 1974, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Go HERE for more info, flyers and full tracklistings.
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- "Hot August Night" (1-CD)
Includes the complete live recording from the midnight show on August 25, 1969. This will be presented in 7" format with a 12-page 4-color booklet.
Tracklist: Blue Suede Shoes, I Got A Woman, All Shook Up, Monologue, Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel, Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog, I Can’t Stop Loving You, My Babe, Mystery Train/ Tiger Man, Life Story Monologue 8:39, Baby What Do You Want Me to Do, Runaway, Are You Lonesome Tonight, Words, Yesterday/Hey Jude, Elvis introductions, Tom Jones etc, In the Ghetto, Suspicious Minds, What’d I Say, Can’t Help Falling in Love
Go HERE for more info on these FTD releases.
- "Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis" (2-LP Vinyl Limited Edition)
FTD's next vinyl release features, for the first time on this format, the |
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complete concert recorded on March 20, 1974, in Memphis, Tennessee. This will be issued on 180gram vinyl and is currently available on CD from FTD in 2004.
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Blues singer Bobby 'Blue' Bland Dies aged 83: Bobby 'Blue' Bland was among the great storytellers of blues and soul music and was an integral part of the Memphis music scene. In songs such as 'I Pity the Fool', 'Cry Cry Cry' and 'Who Will the Next Fool Be' he created tempestuous arias of love, betrayal and resignation, set against roiling, dramatic orchestrations, and left the listener drained but awed. On 23 June Bobby 'Blue' Bland now 83, died in Germantown, near Memphis.
In December 1957 Elvis attended the WDIA Goodwill Revue which included singers Bobby 'Blue' Bland (right) as well as Little Junior Parker. The photo of Elvis with them both appeared in the Memphis papers the next day. Elvis described the concert as "It was the real thing" summing up both the performance and the audience response.
Bobby 'Blue' Bland's husky voice was gorgeous from the start, but as a young man he followed BB King – for a while literally, as his valet and chauffeur – and his singing took on a special character only after he began to study the recorded sermons of the Detroit preacher CL Franklin, Aretha's father. "That's where I got my squall from," he recalled. That alchemy of blues and gospel cadences would create one of the most affecting voices in black music.
He was born just north of Memphis in Tennessee and in his late teens he hung out in the city with King, the pianist Rosco Gordon and the singer Johnny Ace, an informal musical gang known as the Beale
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Streeters. He made a few recordings for Chess and Modern, and then signed with Duke.
For much of the 50s Bland toured the "chitlin' circuit" with harmonica player Little Junior Parker, in a revue called Blues Consolidated. Some of Bland's best work, done under Scott's direction in 1960-63, appeared on the albums Two Steps from the Blues, Here's the Man... and Call on Me. During the 60s Bland placed more than a dozen records in the R&B top 10, reaching No 1 with I Pity the Fool and That's the Way Love Is, but his kind of soul music was being eclipsed by the catchier sounds of Motown and the funkier ones of Stax, and by the end of the decade he was working less and drinking more.
Want to know more about Bobby 'Blue' Bland - Click here.
In 1956 Elvis appeared on the WDIA black radio station’s annual fund-raiser for "needy Negro children" at Memphis’ Ellis Auditorium - Go HERE for more info - 'Elvis was NOT a Racist'
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
"One Day, Two Legends" new Elvis/Beatles Documentary: If you could meet Elvis Presley, it would happen like this, according to Joe Esposito, Elvis' CO-best man and road manager of 17 years.
"He'd walk right up to you, shake your hand and say, 'Hi, I'm Elvis Presley,' like you'd never heard of him. That's just how he was,'" said Joe Esposito. Joe, who lives in Las Vegas, stayed with his brother while shooting interviews for a documentary, 'One Day, Two Legends' that is being produced via a shared Joe Esposito company, JRE Entertainment.
Producer Tom Jikomes of Gurnee is filming the documentary, which tells the story of the day the Beatles met Elvis. He's been working on it for three years, and it is transforming into a story about the kinship Elvis and Joe shared. Jikomes hopes the film will be released to cable television by Aug. 27, the day the Beatles and Elvis met nearly 50 years ago.
The Elvis Joe knew – not the legend who even The Beatles were nervous to meet, but his best friend – was a kind-hearted person who wanted to be good to everyone, and didn't want anyone to think he was somehow special.
Joe was scheduled tomorrow July 1 to continue production with Louise |
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Harrison, Beatle George Harrison's sister.
Tom Jikomes was born on the exact day the two legends met. As a huge Elvis fan, it was a dream come true for him to meet Joe when working on another project 10 years ago.
When Jikomes discovered that Joe had not only planned the meeting, but drove The Beatles to meet Elvis at his Los Angeles home, he was amazed that no one had thought to explore the subject before. No photos, videos or audio exists of the meeting, so Joe is one of the few people who can tell the story.
Go HERE for the full interview and link to the new documentary.
(News, Source;JRE/ElvisInfoNet) |
"Europe's Tribute to Elvis" 2013: Next Weekend in England celebrate Elvis during a three day festival held in Blackpool, England, on July 5 - 7. This event will be hosted by Tees Events Ltd. and will feature live Elvis music, vendors, showcases, special guests and more... They promise a "world class event honouring everything that Elvis Presley stood for".
Special guests in 'Conversations on Elvis' include, Dan Haggerty "Girl Happy", Charles Stone and Marlyn Mason "The Trouble With Girls",
Also a Final Farewell Show with Ultimate Elvis Champions, Ben Portsmouth and Cody Ray Slaughter.
The winner of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist preliminary will represent Europe's Tribute to Elvis in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest finals during Elvis Week 2013.
For more information, click here to EuropesTributeToElvis.co.uk.
(Almost Elvis, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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Elvis Tequila: As we noted last week EIN is not sure Elvis would approve of hard alcohol being marketed in his name - however EPE was in Las Vegas recently to share new Elvis products from licensees around the world and featured a special tasting party for the brand new Rock 'n' Roll Imports Elvis Tequila!
They note that Rock N Roll Tequila is packaged in a beautifully designed box covered with photos of Elvis and bottled in a unique guitar shaped bottle. It is available online as well as retail outlets and select Applebee’s and Texas Roadhouse locations.
Supposedly available on-line via ZeeTequila.com BUT they don't show any Elvis bottles on their website as yet. -
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
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45 years ago - The Comeback Special: On June 27 1968, forty-five years ago, Elvis began recording his legendary 'Comeback Special'. His manager Col Parker had wanted the show to be simply Elvis singing Christmas carols but 26-year-old director Steve Binder had more ambitious ideas. Binder noted that Elvis and his fellow musicians would unwind by jamming and playing old blues numbers and, despite Elvis's nervousness about recording live, he convinced Elvis that recording an 'unplugged' session would be the most memorable part of the show. The 'Comeback Special' revitalised his career.
At 6pm Elvis and his friends assembled in the NBC studios for the live taping of the first "Sit-Down" show. Clad in his Bill Belew designed super-cool black leather suit Elvis sings from his soul as if his very life - or career - depended on it....
.. Charlie Hodge shouts "Play it dirty, play it dirty!" But Elvis is already playing it dirty, reaching as if under the guitar for tones that can't be advertised. As he climbs the mountains and crosses the streams of 'Tryin' To Get To You' he waves his hands in the air, he rubs the strings of the guitar on his legs, he picks it up
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and shakes it, his whole body fluttering like a leaf picked up by a wind and shot through the air.
The music rises, slams down, rises again, as if a whole new language has been discovered, as if this night, it has to be made to say everything, because the power of ELVIS in this way - in this GLORY - and live on TV will never be spoken in this way again."
(News, Source;Guardian/ElvisInfoNet) |
The "Elvis In Demand" Mystery: Author Nigel Goodall explains some of the mystery behind the very successful UK 1976 release of the compilation 'Elvis In Demand'......
... Back in 1976, in the days when I was a graphic designer, I went up to RCA's Curzon Street offices in London to pitch an idea for a five track EP of then unavailable movie songs, including the studio version of Johnny B Goode from Elvis On Tour. I did a full proposal and a full colour sleeve visual with a letterbox still of Elvis in Charro, which I had picked up at the fan club convention in Leicester, that same year, where I had seen the Aloha From Hawaii TV special for the first time on a big screen. Seems incredible to think about now, but none of the British television companies had at that time scheduled it for broadcast.
The guy at RCA liked my proposal for the movie EP very much, and said that he wanted to make it happen, and told me he would have to get approval from the Colonel before proceeding any further, and would send it over to the Colonel. And that was the last I heard of it!
'Elvis In Demand' though, was quite a unique album for its time. It came about when RCA UK invited British fans of the official fan club to select 16 songs from Elvis's extensive recorded repertoire to represent
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studio work, Hollywood film soundtracks and live shows. Most songs picked were an assortment of singles, B-sides, album tracks and some obscure movie songs. The idea was to have on one album, as many songs that were not available at that time. Although looking back on it now, the list of selected tracks may seem strange, at the time, there was a sensible logic behind it, and it proved to be a most successful idea. It sold over 100,000 copies, peaked at No. 12 in the UK album chart and earned itself a silver disc award. It was released a month after Suspicion had become a Top Ten single and many still associate the song with the album, even though it had first appeared, 15 years before, on Pot Luck, Elvis’s No.1 album from 1962.
Even more strange is the story that Elvis personally autographed 15 copies of the sleeve in June 1977, with "Best Wishes Elvis Presley", which according to those who have claimed to have seen it, was clearly visible in black ink. If true, that would mean the album sleeves would have probably been among some of the last things Elvis would have signed for fans, but one also has to wonder what he must have thought about being asked to sign a record album with such a "ghostly" looking illustration. ...
Go HERE for the full and fascinating article...
(News, Source;NigelGoodall/ElvisInfoNet) |
'The King Revealed' New EPE Magazine: Elvis Presley has been anointed The King for good reason. The rock ‘n’ roll legend remains the highest selling performer ever and his impact on American Culture from the 1950’s until today is unprecedented. Millions of fans continue to pay homage to Elvis by visiting his iconic Memphis home Graceland, but they only get to see a fraction of the all-inclusive collection devoted to him. Until now. We go deep into the historical archives, with rare access to thousands of photos, documents, interviews and vintage bits of Elvis memorabilia and share them with the public for the first time. This Special Collector’s Edition will give readers a more in-depth look at Elvis’ life and legacy than has ever before been seen, while instantly becoming a keepsake of The King they’ll never want to part with.
EIN will have our copy soon to check exactly how many of these 350 "Rare archive photos" are actually unknown. Let's hope EPE doesn't let us down. Sadly none of the photos on the front cover look rare to us.
Go HERE to purchase - $9.99 plus postage
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Elvis and Sinatra' new Fake Duet: Hooly Dooly there's some weird stuff going around these days! While the "Elvis Duets" album is still being considered by SONY, the dodgy 'One Trybal' label is working with Public Domain material to create an album of fake duets.
And to be honest, it's a stinker!
From the album 'Impossible Duets: Frank Sinatra and Friends' the 'Are You Lonesome Tonight' duet is one of the worst. Other artists such as Chet Baker, Julie London and Doris Day fair better but it's a very strange concept overall.
It sure ain't 'Love Me Tender /Witchcraft'!
Go HERE to have a listen. - Poor Elvis
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis' Cadillac For Auction: Elvis Presley's Cadillac station wagon, Steve McQueen's old truck and prescription sunglasses worn by John Lennon are among hundreds of items once owned by celebrities that are scheduled to be auctioned in California next month.
The Mecum Auction Company said it will be displaying and auctioning about 2,000 pieces of celebrity-related memorabilia in Santa Monica, Calif. on July 26-27. One of the auction's highlights will be Elvis' 1972 Cadillac Custom Estate Wagon.
Elvis’s Cadillac Estate Wagon is cream with a brown vinyl
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top, light leather interior and has a small gold plaque on the passenger side door engraved with “TCB.” The car has the original Tennessee title, an insurance document signed by Elvis and a letter from Jack Soden President of EPE describing a colorful story about the history of the car.
Apparently, Colonel Parker’s widow said Elvis owned the car and gave it as a gift to Colonel Parker. The car was in Las Vegas and Elvis would “borrow” the car for trips to Los Angeles and his home in Palm Springs. Colonel Parker got tired of tracking the car down, so he told Elvis to take the car back. Elvis took the car back to Graceland where it was used to haul around Elvis and his friends. After his death the car was used by the staff at Graceland.
The car was kept in the Las Vegas home of Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis' manager, and then at the Las Vegas Hilton. It was later sent to Graceland, Elvis' longtime Memphis home, before the car was auctioned off with other Elvis possessions in 1999. Other Elvis-related items included in the auction are his Army induction and discharge papers and rare photos.
The auction will feature other unique pieces of pop culture history, such as Lennon's 1970s-style aviator prescription sunglasses with black plastic frames and amber-tinted lenses. The glasses were consigned by May Pang, Lennon's former personal assistant, who will be in attendance for the auction to authenticate the item, according to Mecum.
Mecum says items with ties to John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Nicholson, Roy Rogers, Hunter S. Thompson, Jimmy Stewart, Burt Reynolds and Gene Kelly also will be auctioned.
Go HERE for more info and to buy Elvis' Cadillac
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
June 26 - A Sad Day: June 26th is an inauspicious day being the date of Elvis' last ever concert in 1977 - as well as the anniversary of the death of his father Vernon Presley just two years later.
June 26th 1977 "Elvis performs in true Presley style before 18,000"
... "As the lights in the Arena was turned down after intermission, you could feel a silent plea rippling through the audience: Please, Elvis, don't be fat.
And then he appeared, in a gold and white jumpsuit and white boots, bounding onstage with energy that was a relief to everyone. At 42, Elvis is still carrying around some excess baggage on his mid-section, but it didn't stop |
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him from giving a performance in true Presley style.
His opening number, the audience-grabbing 'C.C. Rider' got his portion of the show off to a flash-bulb-popping, hand-clapping start. Elvis' older numbers seemed to draw more applause, although just about everything he did created mass-hysteria, especially his leg jerks. Elvis has limited his karate movements, but the stances he takes with his guitar generated screams and shrieks from delighted fans. One of his best numbers, we feel, was "It's Now Or Never," followed by a medley of his hits. The packed Arena was indication enough that Elvis is still as popular as ever. Well, well, well, well!" - The Indianapolis Star.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Vernon Presley Interview: In January 1978, Elvis' father Vernon Presley agreed to an in-depth interview with Nancy Anderson for Good Housekeeping magazine.
The interview is incredible for Vernon's honesty and openness as he discusses everything from Elvis' birth, his childhood, his girlfriends, and even his drug habits. The interview begins ....
"My love for my son began even before he was born on January 8, 1935. At that time there was almost nobody poorer than my wife Gladys and me.
But we were thrilled and excited when we learned that we were going to be parents. I was only 18 years old, but throughout Gladys’ pregnancy it never occurred to me that I wouldn‘t be able to take care of her and the baby - - - -
Go here to read this amazing interview.
(Interviews, Source;MRT/GoodHouskeeping/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Elvis '68 Comeback Anniversary Fan Mosaic!': Well, well, well, there may not be enough true Elvis fans to push 'Prince From Another Planet' into the charts but there are enough to make these Elvis Mosaic prints profitable! The Elvis World is a strange beast!
For the third time another fan mosaic print, this time the official Elvis '68 Comeback Fan Mosaic, commemorating the 45th Anniversary of this amazing performance! This will truly be the most amazing Fan Mosaic yet.
From a distance, this will appear as an iconic black and white image of the King in leather. However when viewed up close, you will notice that all smaller photos submitted by you, the fans, will be in FULL COLOR!! Truly Amazing!
The border of the commemorative print will have a special "leather-like" look to it and will feature the Elvis "Red Light Logo," making this an official piece of Elvis memorabilia not to be missed!
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*A 12 foot mural of this Fan Mosaic will also hang in Graceland for Elvis week in August, so don't miss out on this amazing chance to be part of Elvis history!
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
"My Fast Life" Rare Elvis Presley 1964 Interview: In March 1964 Elvis was filming his sixteenth movie 'Roustabout' at the Paramount ranch in Hidden Valley, California. Hollywood reporter Walter Rainbird was on set to interview Elvis for a Weekend magazine article.
Despite the never ending string of movies that needed publicity and promotion, Elvis gave very few interviews in the mid-sixties. This magazine feature therefore captured some rather interesting comments from him.
Elvis discussed everything from The Beatles, Priscilla, Ann-Margret, His Career, and Girls.
THE BEATLES - `They don't bother me ... I wish them luck'
HIS CAREER - `I haven't been hiding. There's no attempt to keep me out of the public eye'
GIRLS - `I'll admit something. I'm as red-blooded as the next guy'
Go here to this fascinating Elvis interview and some cool on-set photos.
(Interviews, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)
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'Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniversary' PRICE DROP!: Great news for fans worrying about buying these cuts for yet another time. The new STAX set has had a price-drop the 3-cd Deluxe set is now only $28 and single "Best Of' only $12 (with free delivery to some areas). They are both out on Aug 6, 2013.
... The last major studio sessions in the career of Elvis Presley have finally been gathered together for the first time in one comprehensive package as 'ELVIS AT STAX: DELUXE EDITION' bristles with energy and dynamism.
Released simultaneously will be a single CD of highlights from the box set simply titled ELVIS AT STAX, and a 180-gram, double-vinyl LP.
The official website notes 'ELVIS AT STAX' bristles with energy and dynamism. The proof is in the six consecutive singles that the Stax sessions produced, all of which skirted the Top 40 from 1973 to 1975.
Deluxe 3CD set - Price:$28.69 - Pre Order Here >>> Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniversary (3 CD) .
Best of - Price:$12.50 Pre Order here >> > Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniversary (1 CD) Best Of  . Full track details below
(News, Source;Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)
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EPE Gears up for the 2014 celebration of "60 Years of Elvis & Rock'n'Roll": EPE is proud to announce that it had another successful year of growth and expansion in its Licensing Division and is gearing up for the "60 years of Elvis’ career and rock ‘n’ roll" celebrations in 2014.
Elvis was a pioneer in the licensing world from the first day he stepped on stage. EPE continues his legacy in the same manner today with quality merchandise. In 2013, EPE signed numerous high-profile licensees and worked closely with them to maximize the business through public relations and marketing activities.
Now, with over 200 licensees worldwide, EPE works diligently with dynamic, creative and respected companies in a wide variety of licensing categories, such as Kurt S. Adler, American Greetings, UMB bank, WMS, Zippo, MZBerger, Rubie’s Costumes, Bradford Exchange, Harley Davidson, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. EPE’s Licensing Division is charged with the responsibility of protecting and preserving the integrity of Elvis Presley.
Among the new licensees this year are:
- Rock N Roll Imports: Rock N Roll Tequila has an exclusive celebrity affiliation with EPE. It is packaged in a beautifully designed box covered with photos of Elvis and bottled in a unique guitar shaped bottle.
EIN Notes - With Gladys' known problems with alcohol, would Elvis really think this a good idea?
- Mimobot: Designer USB flash drives, unveiled their first music-inspired collaboration with blazing-fast USB 3 speeds. |
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- Opening Ceremony: The men’s collection of the popular fashion house Opening Ceremony introduces a new program dedicated to Elvis as the iconic Las Vegas fixture. Celebrated moments of the king are realized on an array of dress shirts, tee-shirts, sweatshirts, and denim jackets.
- Hello Kitty: A deal that co-brands Hello Kitty with Elvis and features the famous Hello Kitty outfitted in signature Elvis poses, costumes and sunglasses on a variety of products, from purses to paper goods.
- Legends Home Bedding: New Elvis Presley Home Bedding Collection.
- Fathead: Wall decals and life-size cut-outs, as noted below.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
Memphis Horns / Wayne Jackson Documentary: Emmy-winner director Ted Bogosian is working on a new documentary on the Memphis Horns - and needs your help via Kickstarter.
Born just 3 days and a few miles apart, The Memphis Horns' Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love became symbols of A New South, as if by some cosmic design. Throughout America's Civil Rights Movement, The Memphis Horns effortlessly showcased the promise of racial harmony for concert audiences from London to Monterey Pop to Oslo ... and for listening audiences worldwide. From Elvis to Otis, Bono, Sting and Jack White, Lifetime GRAMMY recipient Wayne Jackson shares the secrets of his Star-Studded musical life. On legendary recordings like Respect, Try A Little Tenderness, Suspicious Minds, Sledgehammer, Sweet Caroline & (Sittin' On The) Dock Of The Bay, Icons from Elvis, Otis and Aretha through to James Taylor, Billy Joel, U2, Willie Nelson, Sting, Neil Young, Jack White and Alicia Keys have all called on Wayne, West Memphis'
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Favorite Son, for the perfect complements he could magically coax from his horn and help their songs skyrocket up the charts.
Based on Wayne's recently finished three-volume autobiography, "In My Wildest Dreams: Takes 1, 2 and 3", our Rockumentary film promises -- with your help! -- to make audiences laugh, cry, sing and dance in the aisles when it premieres.
This documentary will not be scrubbed clean. Wayne likes to say "you can't be an angel and make this kind of music." Believe me, after playing with everyone from Elvis to Neil Young, Wayne is full of inside stories, wit and wisdom. So we plan to have Wayne present his unique and musically unparalleled story In His Own Words, based on his autobiography.
Help me complete this cinematic valentine to Wayne, his Memphis roots and the international fame his music continues to bring American music. Together, let's make 'Memphis Horn! Wayne Jackson's Wildest Dreams' the movie musical trip of a star-studded Memphis Lifetime.
Please GO HERE to see some very moving footage of the last time Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love played together at the STAX studios - and help Kick Start this film.
Go here for EIN's exclusive interview with Wayne Jackson.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis Sweatpants now on Ebay: Marty Lacker was close to Elvis for twenty years and was his right hand man for a number of years and co-Best Man at his wedding.
The EBay description notes ... One day in late 75 or early 76 Elvis asked Marty to come upstairs at Graceland as he wanted to talk with him about a private matter. They talked for awhile and then we went into his dressing room off his bathroom where all of his clothes were kept. He went to his closet to find something to wear that day as he still was in his pajamas. All of a sudden Elvis started throwing clothes and pajamas on the floor which basically meant he no longer wanted them for one reason or another.
Amongst the pile were three pairs of pajamas, a belt and some shirts and gray sweat pants. As usual he told Marty to take whatever he wanted before his father got them because his father never threw anything away. Among the items Marty took were the gray sweat pants.. Marty remembers that a few times Elvis wore these sweat pants while he played touch football at Graceland with Marty and the Memphis Mafia.
Marty took items Elvis wanted to throw away because from time to time Memphis Charities would ask him if he could get something from Elvis they could auction off for their charity. This is one item Marty still had after Elvis died and the charities stopped asking. Thanks. Marty.
This item will come with a letter of authenticity & will be sent directly to the winning bidder from Marty himself.
Go HERE to check out the full details
(News, Source;EBay/ElvisInfoNet) |
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'Elvis Presley's Hips and Mick Jagger's Lips' new Poetry Book: The poems cover a range of subjects related to music, organized into three sections: "The Honey Thing," (relationships); "Mood Alteration," (substance abuse and shifts in emotion); and "Write a Song About It," (the music business and its relationship to other aspects of life). Each poem departs in its own unique ways from rock and roll, its lyrics, and its history.
Here we see musically facts wonderfully turned into poetic verses. This collection of poems reminds us how important music is in creating our feelings and memories.
Author Susana H. Case is a professor at the New York Institute of Technology.
Paperback: 82 pages
Publisher: Anaphora Literary Press (Out April 15, 2013)
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Slim Whitman dies at 90: Country singer Slim Whitman, the high-pitched yodeller who sold millions of records through ever-present TV ads in the 1980s and 1990s and whose song saved the world in the film comedy "Mars Attacks!," died Wednesday at a Florida hospital. He was 90. Whitman died of heart failure at Orange Park Medical Center.
Whitman's tenor falsetto and ebony moustache and sideburns became global trademarks — and an inspiration for countless jokes — thanks to the TV commercials that pitched his records. But he was a serious musical influence on early rock, and in the British Isles, he was known as a pioneer of country music for popularising the style there.
Whitman was the headliner on July 30, 1954 at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis where Elvis made his professional stage debut – Elvis’ name on the advert was then misspelt as "Ellis Presley"! Apparently Whitman encouraged the teenage Presley who admitted he was scared stiff.
Whitman recorded more than 65 albums and sold millions of records, including 4 million of "All My Best" that was marketed on TV.
His career spanned six decades, beginning in the late 1940s, but he achieved cult figure status in the 1980s. His visage as an ordinary guy singing romantic ballads struck a responsive chord with the public. |
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Born Ottis Dewey Whitman Jr. in Tampa on Jan. 23, 1923, he worked as a young man in a meatpacking plant, at a shipyard and as a postman. He was able to get on radio in Tampa and signed with RCA Records in 1949 with the help of Col. Tom Parker, who later became Presley's longtime manager. RCA gave Whitman the show business name Slim — he was a slender 6-foot-1 — to replace his uninspiring birth name.
In 1952, Whitman had his first hit record, "Love Song of the Waterfall," which 25 years later became part of the soundtrack of the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Another Whitman hit from that year, "Indian Love Call," was used to humorous effect in the 1996 "Mars Attacks!" — his yodel causes the Martians' heads to explode.
He crossed paths with Presley in July 1954 when he starred at a concert in a Memphis park just as Presley was launching his career.
According to Guralnick's book "Last Train to Memphis,"Presley's brief, energetic turn on stage caused a wild reaction from the crowd. When Whitman came on for his performance, he told the audience: "You know |
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I can understand your reaction, 'cos I was standing backstage and I was enjoying it just as much as you."
Whitman would also later run into Elvis as a performer on the Louisiana Hayride radio show.
Other Whitman hits included 'Have I Told You Lately That I Love You', 'Danny Boy' and 'I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen' - songs which Elvis would later record.
(News, Source;Various/ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniversary Vinyl: A new double vinyl album of the best of Elvis' STAX sessions will be released as part of the STAX 40th anniversary celebrations.
The interesting fact is that several alternate takes have been chosen over the Master versions.
• 180g Vinyl, Double LP. At the good-value price of US$19.68.
It seems odd that only eight tracks are featured on the second vinyl album, surely a few more choice cuts could have also been added.
Tracklist below.
(News, Source;Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)
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Tracklist:
LP 1
1. Promised Land
2. I've Got A Thing About You Baby
3. If You Talk In Your Sleep
4. Raised On Rock
5. Help Me
6. I Got A Feelin' In My Body (Take 4)
7. For Ol' times Sake (Take 4)
8. Talk About the Good Times (Take 3)
9. Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues (Take 8) |
LP 2
1. You Asked Me To (Take 3A)
2. Loving Arms (Take 2)
3. Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming (Take 4)
4. Spanish Eyes (Take 2)
5. It's Midnight (Take 7)
6. Find Out What's Happening (Takes 8-7)
7. Three Corn Patches (Take 14)
8. My Boy (Take 1) |
'Million Dollar Quartet' New Book: The Million Dollar Quartet is the name given to recordings made on December 4, 1956 in the Sun Record Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. The recordings were of an impromptu jam session between Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.
To be published in August, "The Million Dollar Quartet: Jerry Lee, Carl, Elvis & Johnny" by Stephen Miller details the early lives and careers of the quartet to where they were in 1956. Relevant social and economic factors which meant that a massive audience of young people were keenly looking for a new kind of music they could call their own.
Also covered are the "reunions" of surviving members of the quartet, the emergence of the tapes - first on bootleg and then legitimate CDs - and the genesis of the stage show and its reception. This music has enduring appeal.
The author Stephen Miller has had a lifelong interest in popular music in general and country music in particular and has already published biographies of Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Kris Kristofferson.
ISBN-13: 9781780385143. Publisher: Omnibus Press. 272 pages, Publication date: August 1, 2013.
Click here and have a Preview of this new book via Amazon.
(News, Source;Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)
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Elvis joins up with Fathead large wall decals: Imagine this, an Elvis Presley – ’68 Comeback Special Album Cover as a massive wall decal - Dimensions: (W x H) 4'0" x 4'0" - (121 cm x 121 cm).
With the exciting new announcement of Fathead's Elvis Presley Collection, they have launched a new contest challenging
Fathead is the industry leader for officially licensed sports and entertainment decals. The new Elvis Presley Collection consists of seven large wall decals, featuring three life-size cut-outs and four 6ft x 4ft murals. The Elvis Presley Fathead Collection wall decals are high definition images made of durable, high-grade vinyl that is tear and fade resistant. Fatheads are removable, reusable and designed with a special adhesive backing that enables them to be moved from wall to wall with no damage to the surface.
Fatheads are SO much bigger than posters, and an officially licensed Elvis Presley is huge. A Fathead stays up on its own with a low-tac adhesive that won’t damage your walls, making this wall graphic easy to move and reuse.
Go HERE for a look at all the available designs.
(News, Source;Fathead/ElvisInfoNet)
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Club Elvis Summer Spanish Festival - JUNE 29: The third edition of the biggest Spanish Elvis event is back NEXT weekend. After the huge success of the last two, Club Elvis Spain will return to Zaragoza this year. We are going to celebrate our 22nd Anniversary of the fanclub, and will bring the Elvis fans and the members of the Club the best Spanish Tribute artists and Spanish Elvis bands in a one big meeting, on June 29th.
This year's main theme is "Elvis In The 60's", and all the Spanish Elvis Tribute artists will sing only songs of this decade or perform parts of the Elvis career during the 60's like The Show In Pearl Harbor, Comeback Special, Elvis At The Movies, Elvis In Person, etc..
Go HERE for more info via Facebook.
(News, Source;ClubElvis/ElvisInfoNet)
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More Priceless Elvis memorabilia on display in Liverpool: The temporary 'Elvis and Us' exhibition at The Beatles Story attraction has been so popular that it has been extended by a year until October 2014.
As more than 125,000 visitors have toured the exhibition since 2011, EPE has added two key items from its archive.
These are the white wool gabardine jump-suit Elvis wore at his 1969 record-breaking return to Las Vegas and his 1965 Gretsch Country Gentleman guitar with which he played 57 shows in 28 days.
The items join 70 other authentic Elvis items, most of which have not been shown outside Graceland, in a display showing his great influence on The Beatles and their music.
The exhibition includes the bass guitar he used to jam with The Beatles and the pool table on which they all played a game at his rented Bel Air house in Hollywood when they met on August 27, 1965.
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Co-curated by Graceland and the Beatles Story attraction, the displays cover almost all of Elvis’ life, from school certificates via his US Army GI great coat to his Las Vegas period.
Angie Marchese Noted that, “We can only display about a tenth of our collection at Graceland so the Beatles Story is an ideal opportunity to show major pieces to fans. The value of these latest pieces is priceless as they are irreplaceable but Liverpool is the perfect place to do it as there are so many links with Memphis.”
Angie recently gave a guided tour of Graceland to Paul McCartney and his wife Nancy and said: “I had two hours warning that Sir Paul wanted to visit, but it went very well. What was a 20 minute scheduled visit lasted 75 minutes. This was his first visit here and he said ‘So this is Graceland!’ and was delighted to see Elvis’ former home.
“Sir Paul loved talking about Elvis and played Elvis’ piano and tweeted two pictures to his fans. He was absolutely charming.”
The Liverpool exhibition also includes artefacts from the historic meeting between The Beatles and Elvis at 'The King's' Bel Air mansion on August 27th 1965 such as the pool table that Ringo and |
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The Elvis Files Vol.6 1971 - 1973: Coming this August, Volume 6 of the great Elvis Files series.
The sixth volume of the Elvis Files story chronicles Elvis' years on tour through the USA, the Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe seasons through to the absolute historic Aloha broadcast - and on to the final STAX sessions of 1973.
All ELVIS EVENTS in this Time Frame 1971-1973 are shown
- Every Working Moment...
- The Seventies Tours
- The Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe Seasons
- Aloha Via Satellite
- Plenty of CANDID Moments
- The Recording Sessions
- Previously Unpublished Photos.
(News, Source;ErikLorentzen/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Save Elvis Presley Hillcrest House In Beverly Hills: Despite earlier indications that the new owner of Elvis' classic Hillcrest Home was going to preserve the original house, it now looks like the new owner Peter Morton is going to callously demolish this classic home.
Soon another 'historic building' will be gone. The new owner of the King's famous mansion in Beverly Hills has decided to demolish it and replace it by a new, modern style house. The document below says it all. Elvis bought the home at 1174 N Hillcrest Rd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 for $400,000 in 1967, the same year he married Priscilla.
Please sign up to the on-line Petition to save this great Elvis house - |
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"Stop the demolition of Elvis' beloved home!"
- This home is an important piece of not only Elvis' history but of history, overall. This home was loved by Elvis and he had some of his best times with his fans there. We all love it too! Until now, it's been preserved in almost the exact state it was in when Elvis owned it. We need to stop PETER MORTON (co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe) from destroying it! Please contact those involved and let them know how you feel!
We must act NOW!
CLICK HERE and sign up.
(News, Source;Elvis Fans United/ElvisMatters/ElvisInfoNet) |
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"Original 1961 Scrapbook & Photos - from Elvis Monthly" On EBay: This is Roy Barlow's ORIGINAL, and AMAZING 1961 Scrapbook. Roy worked with Albert Hand and the Elvis Monthly magazine in Britain.
In 1961 Roy, Albert and Phyllis Hand went to Graceland and to California to see Elvis. This is the scrapbook that Roy kept from this visit. The photos are original. There is one original, and very famous photo of Albert, Elvis, Phyllis, and Roy. Taken in Tennessee and California during their visit. There are ORIGINAL photos of Elvis' Dad Vernon and his wife Dee standing on the steps of Graceland with Albert, Phyllis, and Roy. Also ORIGINAL photos of Anita Wood with Albert, Phyllis, and Roy taken at a party given by Gary Pepper of the Tankers Fan Club. the party was at Elvis cousin, Gene Smith's house in Whitehaven, near Graceland.
This is an amazing piece of history. One of a kind Original photos and momentos of this very famous trip.
Go HERE to bid - and for more info an photos. Bidding ends today!
(News, Source;SanjaM/ElvisInfoNet)
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Elvis Presley 'Greatest' New PD BoxSet: Out now in the UK yet another PD box-set exploiting the local Public Domain laws. All the usual tracks over 3 CDs, this time from 1955 to 1961.
Nothing new, but a great cover shot. Priced at £6.50
The publicity states.. "Nothing really affected me until I heard Elvis. If there hadn't been an Elvis, there wouldn't have been the Beatles . - John Lennon. What else is there to say about Elvis except he was indeed the greatest. Infectious, original and irresistible Presley shook up the 50s and the world at large Immerse yourself in the Kings initial Sun Records cuts to his early RCA offerings and remind yourself why there hasn't been and never will be another like him."
From the 'Not Now Music Ltd' label.
Click here for more
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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New Guests Join Elvis Week Lineup: This year Elvis Week is August 10 - 17 and EPE have just announced new special guests who will be making an appearance for the first time.
- Ronnie Milsap - at the Official Elvis Insiders Event; Saturday, August 17
Country music legend Ronnie Milsap did session work with Elvis, including playing piano and singing on "Kentucky Rain." Milsap is known as country music's most popular and influential performers and continues to be one of the most successful cross-over singers of his time.
Mother Dolores Hart and bassist Norbert Putnam - at Conversations on Elvis; Wednesday, August 14
- Mother Dolores Hart starred with Elvis in two films – "Loving You" and "King Creole." Six years later and after 10 successful feature films, she left Hollywood and joined the Abbey of Regina Laudis. Following Conversations, Mother Dolores will be signing copies of her new book, "The Ear of the Heart."
- Norbert Putnam, known as "Putt" by Elvis, recorded as a session bassist with Elvis on over 100 tracks. Norbert was also one of the studio musicians during Elvis’ December 1973 recording session at Stax in Memphis. He will be joined by representatives from Sony who will be talking about the new "Elvis at Stax" release.
Go HERE for full EPE list of Guests.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis Week "Elvis at Stax" special party in Stax Studios: In conjunction with the much-anticipated August 6th release of "Elvis At Stax," the 3-CD box set chronicling the music Elvis recorded at Stax Studios in July and December 1973, RCA/Legacy Recordings is hosting a very special listening party at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music on August Tuesday, August 13 at 4:00 p.m.
EPE say that "Fans will have an opportunity to stand in the very same spot where Elvis recorded the music they are hearing" - this is of course rubbish as the original Stax studios were unfortunately torn down in 1989 with the new "replica studios" built for the new Stax Museum opened in 2003.
However in addition to this you can witness stories and details behind the music and recording sessions from representatives of Sony (Ernst & Roger, no doubt) and special guest Norbert Putnam, who recorded with Elvis at Stax in December 1973 - so for music fans it really will be an interesting session to attend.
Admission to this event is free.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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'Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniv' Legacy Release: Celebrating the 40th Anniv of Elvis' STAX studios sessions SONY is releasing a 3 CD 'Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniversary' complete set plus a "Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniv: Best Of" 1CD version. They are both out on Aug 6, 2013. Now we have a peak inside...
... The last major studio sessions in the career of Elvis Presley have finally been gathered together for the first time in one comprehensive package as 'ELVIS AT STAX: DELUXE EDITION' bristles with energy and dynamism.
Released simultaneously will be a single CD of highlights from the box set simply titled ELVIS AT STAX, and a 180-gram, double-vinyl LP.
GO HERE TO Elvis FTD /SONY News 2013 for a more detailed look inside . The official website notes 'ELVIS AT STAX' bristles with energy and dynamism. The proof is in the six consecutive singles that the Stax sessions
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Elvis' RIAA DVD/Video Awards Update: Elvis should soon receive a new Multi-Platinum RIAA DVD Award .
'He Touched Me - The Gospel Songs Of Elvis Presley' * (PLATINUM) (DVD) As of 1st June, 2013, this DVD had sold 220,079 units now making it eligible for an RIAA upgrade to 2xMulti-Platinum.
Below is a list of other RIAA DVD/Video Long Form releases that Elvis has received gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards for:
- He Touched Me - The Gospel Songs Of Elvis Presley * (Vol.2) (2XMP) (DVD)
- Elvis 68 Comeback - (Special Edition) (2XMP) (DVD)
- Aloha From Hawaii - (De-Luxe-Edition) (4XMP) (DVD)
- Aloha From Hawaii - (Special Edition) (2XMP) (DVD)
- Elvis 68 Comeback Special (De-Luxe Edition) (4XMP) (DVD)
- Elvis No.1 Hit Performances (PLATINUM) (DVD)
- Elvis Lives (PLATINUM) (DVD) (As a point of interest this DVD had sold 170,803 units by 1st June, 2013)
- Elvis By The Presleys (2XMP) (DVD)
- The Lost Performances (PLATINUM) (Video Long Form) (VHS)
- Great Performances (Vol.1) * (2XMP) DVD)
- Great Performances (Vol.2) * (2XMP) (DVD)
- 68 Comeback Special (1986 Release) (GOLD) (Video Long Form)
- Aloha From Hawaii (1986 Release) (PLATINUM) (Video Long Form) |
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* These releases are now available as Double DVD packages.
The sales criteria for DVD/Video Long Form Awards are as follows: 50,000 - Gold, 100,000 - Platinum, 200,000 - Multi Platinum. - Re-certification is at each 100,000 unit sales level.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
Mick Jagger To Produce Elvis biopic?: According to insider reports, Mick Jagger is in talks to produce an upcoming Elvis Presley biopic. His production company Jagged Films is set to be teaming up with Fox for the biopic, which has been in development for a very long time.
Elvis Presley is one of the most famous figures of our time, so of course there’s been numerous attempts at making a successful biopic about him. While there have been several films featuring Elvis and even some that have made an attempt at capturing parts of his life, there has yet to be a definitive biopic on him that is considered must-see entertainment. Elvis’ daughter, Lisa Marie agrees, as she explained last year, “There’s not been anything done properly with him yet, you know, that has satisfied me in terms of capturing everything. It will happen, though.”
Although the project is said to be in very early stages, this might be the first Elvis biopic that earns the stamp of approval from his family, considering that Jagger is involved.
It’s always hard to make a biopic based on such an influential figure, especially when the rights to their life still
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remain in various people’s hands, including their family’s. There’s also been a lot of competition within Hollywood itself to get this film made, and Jagger’s involvement might seal the deal for Fox.
"The Last Train to Memphis" has supposedly been in development for a long time at Fox [ten years, to be exact], and it’s said to be based on a biography of the same title that was written in 1995.
There has been industry chatter about a potential Presley biopic over the past few years, with the Hollywood Reporter calling it a race between hopefuls in November 2011. Everyone from “Idol” creator Simon Fuller to billionaire Steve Bing are said to have tried to push the project forward, but numerous roadblocks involving the narrative and intellectual property have stood in the way.
Apparently it may take someone with Mick Jagger's rock-and-roll cache to make it happen.
“He was a unique artist – an original in an area of imitators," Jagger reportedly said of Elvis.
(News, Source;SanjaM/ElvisInfoNet) |
Tupelo Birthplace Film to teach kids about Elvis: This week visitors to the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum had the chance to become part of the display. A film crew was on the grounds capturing footage for a 15-minute movie that will be shown at the birthplace’s theater beginning in the fall.
Elvis fans from Michigan and Ohio, as well as Germany and Australia, might find themselves in the film’s background, said director Chuck McIntosh, owner of McIntosh Creative Services. "I arranged for them to be here. The people from Australia were the hardest to get," McIntosh joked.
McIntosh wrote "Dream the Dream" with Donna Kaye Randle, a member of the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation’s board of directors.
In the story, an adult tour guide tells four kids about the obstacles young Elvis had to overcome on his way to become one of the best-known entertainers of all time. |
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"The guide uses Elvis as an example," McIntosh said. "He tells them how everyone has a dream and how your dreams shape your life." The film’s budget is about $25,000, and it was provided by the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation, which operates the birthplace.
Dick Guyton, executive director of the foundation, said the plan is to show "Dream the Dream" when third-graders visit the birthplace.
"Really, it’s to help kids understand Elvis, where he came from and what he had to go through," Guyton said.
He said another film is planned that would be shown to sixth-graders. The second film would examine some of the mistakes Elvis made in his life.
"We want to educate them to the point where they can make the right choices," Guyton said. "If we can change just a few lives, we feel like we’d be accomplishing something."
Go HERE to read more
(News, Source;NMDJ /ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis Marketing Rights June 26 Deadline: Just three suitors have expressed interest in the sale of the EPE marketting assets, which will be sold alongside those of Muhammad Ali, just two weeks before initial bids are due, sources say. The two assets are expected to fetch a total of $200 million, sources said.
The low turnout is not unexpected, as the Elvis assets being sold by Apollo Global Management are varied, running the gamut of music rights, a hotel, tours, potential movie rights, The King’s image and likeness, and more which require a wide spectrum of talents and abilities for any one suitor.
Apollo will cancel the sale if it fails to attract what it considers a minimum bid, sources said. The potential bidders include music-publishing company Sony/ATV, and investment firms Guggenheim Partners and G2 Investment Group.
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The Raine Group, which is executing the sale on behalf of Apollo’s Core Media unit, previously known as CKx, has set a June 26 deadline for first-round offers.
“The current owners really did all they could with the Elvis estate, they jacked up the ticket price and merchandise.”
However, revenues of the estate have been hurt by the closure last fall of the “Viva Elvis” show in Las Vegas.
The Raine Group is working in concert with entertainment lawyer John Branca, an executor of the Michael Jackson estate.
A bid by Sony/ATV co-owned by the Michael Jackson estate would be aimed at acquiring the Elvis music catalog included in the assets. Sony/ATV would tie up with a partner to take on operations at Graceland.
Given Sony/ATV’s siblings, Sony Pictures and Sony Pictures TV, the company would be well placed to polish the Elvis brand. G2, according to a source, is interested in both the Elvis and Ali businesses.
A bid by Guggenheim Partners fits in with the company’s focus on live music and sports events.
Core Media, then CKx, was purchased by Apollo Global Management for $509 million in 2011. At the time, Apollo was expecting returns from “Viva Elvis” to run for some time.
EPE was acquired by CKx in 2005 when its CEO Bob Sillerman, paid $100 million for an 85 percent stake.
The 15% balance, including Graceland itself and Elvis' possessions, is held by Lisa Marie Presley.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
Latest Billboard Album Charts: Sadly Elvis has no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Chart for w/e 22th June, 2013, - but he is still selling in the US!
The following albums appeared on the Catalog Album Chart as follows:
-'An Afternoon In The Garden' drops from 118 to 124 selling some 1,507 units. Total sales to date: 558,396 units. It also rises from 189 to 187 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 1,505 units. Total physical sales to date: 557,395 units. It also rises from 353 to 98 on the SMEI (Sony Music Entertainment International) Chart.
- 'Heart And Soul' drops from 124 to 139 selling some 1,408 units. Total sales to date: 650,030 units.
- 'The Very Best Of Love' drops from 142 to 150 selling some 1,373 units. Total sales to date: 364,508 units.
- 'Elvis Country' (Compilation) drops from 163 to 169 selling some 1,286 units. Total sales to date: 186,991 units. |
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- 'Viva Las Vegas' rises from 62 to 55 on the Top Soundtrack Album Chart selling some 423 units. Total sales to date: 58,934 units.
- 'Elvis On Tour' tops the Music Video Chart selling some 3,124 units. Total sales to date: 4,607 units.
In addition to the above the official U.S.A. Soundscan total sales for 'Elvis: 30 No.1 Hits' is 4,861,100 units.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
'Elvis - Aloha Via Satellite: A 40th Anniv Release' OUT NOW : Out now and getting rave reviews from Elvis fans - "this book is just nothing short of incredible!", "Beautiful packaging and quality all the way through", "my first thoughts on the book are WOW the photos are incredible so sharp, many I have never seen before", "Really enjoy following the whole story in chronological order, and some of those black and white rehearsal show shots are astounding" - are just some comments on FECC.
The latest release celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Aloha Via Satellite from Joseph Pirzada’s Boxcar label dropped into the EIN mail box. With considerable pre-publication hype, a stunning 440 pages and more than 1,000 visuals, many of them "alternate" shots or unpublished, can it really be as good as we all hope. Is this the ultimate photo-journal about Aloha? GO HERE AS EIN brings you the first on-line detailed review.
Click here for our detailed review by Nigel Patterson - including plenty of fabulous Aloha Elvis images
(Book Review, Source: ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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Paul McCartney Reminisces About 'Love Me Tender': It seems that the spirit of Elvis (or the good publicity) has got into Paul McCartney again. Recently Paul McCartney has posted a clip where he reminisces with band members backstage in Memphis about first seeing 'Love Me Tender' with John Lennon and others.
He imitates Elvis singing "Were Gonna Move’
Click here to see the clip.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet)
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'Impossible' New Import CD: The new release by Touchdown Productions will be the midnight show from August 28, 1971. The previously unreleased recording was taken from a 1st generation copy of the original audience recorded tape. One of the highlights - next to others - is a strong version of "I just can't help believin'" which Elvis only did four times in 1971! The soundquality is of good quality for an audience recording!
As usual the CD will be packaged with a beautiful designed 16-page booklet.
Go to EIN's 'All the CD News 2013' for full tracklist and information
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)
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'Elvis California Fall 60/61' & 'Elvis - The Gospel Album' New Bootleg Releases: Two new releases from the Official "Bootleg" series.
'Elvis California Fall 60/61', The Bootleg Series 8, New official cd release! An album from Elvis One.
Contains: 15 alternate takes from the "Wild In The Country" sessions.
Previously unreleased in this quality on cd! - "Wild In The Country" with maracas overdub.
- 9 original masters including 6 original mono masters from "Kid Galahad". - A homerecording from 1960, partly recorded with 2 microphones. |
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'Elvis - The Gospel Album' - A special cd release from The Bootleg Series. 33 Recordings! Including complete masters (with count-in and false starts), 6 home recordings, 4 alternate takes, 2 stereo masters from 1957, 4 live recordings and 3 special bonus tracks.
- Contains 12 pages booklet.
Go to EIN's 'All the CD News 2013' for full tracklist and information
(News, Source;ElvisOne/ElvisInfoNet) |
Lisa Marie Presley announces tour, new music, video: In an exclusive interview with examiner.com, Lisa Marie Presley announced a new tour scheduled for summer 2013, a new song, and new video. The band will begin a tour, “in the end of August,” Presley shared while in Nashville, “We’re scheduling the tour dates to land on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday” which means she can return home to spend time with “the babies,” twins Harper and Finley, in between show dates. The schedule “also keeps a momentum going, which I like. We’ll have a six month stretch.”
There is also a new song soon to be released, which Presley is excited about. “I’m still working on it,” she explained. “I like it.” Her latest CD,Storm & Grace, has received rave reviews from fans and critics alike.
And, an exciting kudos to Nashville, a concert video collaboration will be released soon. It features footage taken from her November 2013 concert at famed venue Exit/In. Fans will be able to watch LMP in concert any time now, thanks to the release of the video. “We shot video from several different shows,” Presley explained. Her new shows will be at various U.S. venues.
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'King's Ransom Museum' Back In Las Vegas: The 'King's Ranson Museum' is soon to reopen soon in JULY - at Binions Gambling Hall in downtown Las Vegas.
Elvis Aron Presley, The King of Rock and Roll, a new generation has embraced his music, re-mixed it, and made it their own. People of all ages are drawn to his Graceland home, longing to get a peek inside the man behind the image, by seeing the clothes he wore and the items he owned.
It is for this reason that we have decided to share our life's work in this private collection of historical artifacts.
THE KING'S RANSOM - ..an up-close and personal exhibition of 100% authentic Elvis -owned artifacts. This impressive exhibit is one of the largest privately owned collections of actual Elvis treasure outside Graceland. Display pieces include:
- The Last Car Elvis Ever Purchased: 1977 Lincoln Mark V
- Stage Worn Costume Items
- Film Worn Wardrobe
- Ring's, Necklaces And Other Jewelry |
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- Items Worn By The King, Including The Massive "Elvis On Tour" Ring That Was Worn During The Filming Of His 1972 Documentary.
- Elaborate Personal Wardrobe
- Guns, Badges, And A Variety Of Elvis' Law Enforcement Items
- Personal Items From His Graceland Home, Including The Bible That Was On His Nightstand When He Passed Away.
...And Many More Items Encompassing Elvis' Life And Career From The 50's To The 70's
The collection is complemented by rare private photos and home movies of Elvis throughout his life and career..
The goal of THE KING'S RANSOM is to preserve and document Elvis history and present it in an entertaining format that everyone around the world can enjoy.
Go here to Facebook for more info.
(News, Source;BGlass/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Tupelo Elvis Festival Wraps Up: Jay Dupuis, a hip-shakin' singer from Louisiana, will represent Tupelo in the annual contest of ETAs at Graceland. Jay Dupuis, a Baton Rouge native who now lives in New Orleans, won Saturday's tribute competition in Tupelo, where more than 10,000 visitors attend the annual Elvis Festival, The Northeast Mississippi Winning in Tupelo gives him an edge on the Elvis Week contest Aug. 13-17 in Memphis.
"This has been on my wish list for a long time," he said. Semifinalists come from nearly 30 contests worldwide and a "last chance" contest in Memphis Aug. 9-11.
Tupelo's runners-up were Jeff Lewis of Norman, Okla., and Brycen Katolinsky of St. Catherine's, Ontario.
Saturday's schedule included for two sold-out Elvis tribute performances and a morning Q-and-A, plus charity run and Elvis pet |
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look-alike contest.
Sunday opened with a brunch featuring fried chicken, barbecued pork tenderloin, tomato grits and egg-and-ham casserole and discussion of gospel music's influence on Presley.
Singing "When the Saints Go Marching In," Tupelo's Unity Choir led hundreds of fans into a gospel program — the style of music for which Presley won his only Grammies.
Shawn Klush who won the first Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest and the Blackwood Quartet evoked Presley and country great Marty Robbins as they wowed the crowd with "You Gave Me a Mountain."
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
'Mood Swings' New Import CD: The The third release from the new Rock Legends label features the infamous closing show recorded from the soundboard in Las Vegas, NV on September 2, 1974. The sound quality is a major improvement over the first issue and will contain too the first song performed by Voice titled ''I Couldn't Live Without You'' that was missing on the original. We didn't want the show to start with dialogue instead of music we have spliced in a version of '' C.C. Rider '' recorded less than a month after this one. Elvis' mood swings were legendary during this period of time, and perhaps a bit over the edge on this one. The sound improvement makes it more pleasant - It will never be his best concert but definitely one of his best representation. As a bonus the second CD features the complete August 20, 1973 M.S., a totally different mood and one of the best ever audience recordings released, and superior to many soundboard recordings.
A Limited Edition presented in a full color digipack with photos related to the time when both shows were recorded.
Go to EIN's 'All the CD News 2013' for full tracklist and information
(News, Source;FECC/ElvisInfoNet)
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'Elvis: Original Recordings' New PD Boxset: More Public Domain Elvis rubbish! A three CD set featuring all of the usual 1950s public domain songs - no need to list the songs - but using a sixties photo of Elvis on the cover.
3 CDs worth of nothing new for £15.12.
Released on 1 July 2013,
By Go Entertainment
(News, Source;AmazonUK)
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Sandy Pichon Interview: Recently a group of students from Murray High School in Kentucky took a trip to Memphis. As a part of their trip, they toured Sun Studios, Graceland, and met Elvis super-fan Sandi Pichon for an interview at Marlowe's Restaurant. Sandi is a long-time Elvis fan who met him on several occasions.
Sandy Pichon has written numerous books and personal photos recounting the life of Elvis Presley and their personal friendship.
Sandi talks about first meeting Elvis - as well as getting five kisses and five scarfs (see images below) - from five 1973 concerts.
Click HERE to this delightful 8 minute interview.
(News, Source;FECC/ElvisInfoNet)
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Tupelo Elvis Fest keeps King's memory alive: Tupelo's Elvis Festival has the staples of any summertime festival: old-school carnival rides, games that test your skill and a bit of everything Elvis.
"I come to Tupelo and I can feel [Elvis' spirit here] just like I do in Memphis. Those were his two favorite places in the world, I believe," resident Luther Brackeen said.
In fact, before the festivities kicked off Friday, what could best be described as a room full of "Elvii" filled the Ice House Club in Tupelo.
Twenty-five impersonators got to visit with fans of the King and sing in front of them. Those who know the King's library of music well say the festival is one of a kind.
Emcee Tom Brown, who opened the competition with his own rendition of “C.C. Rider,” told the crowd this year’s competitors would sing only one song to impress the judges during the first round. They’ve had two songs in past years.
“They’ve got to bring it right now,” Brown said, “because this is Tupelo.”
Jay Dupuis, 38, of Baton Rouge, felt the pressure during his rendition of “Mean Woman Blues.”
"I really think it's the overall experience, because there are so many things going on, you know, if you're an Elvis fan. I think even if you're not an Elvis fan, coming here will make you an Elvis fan," tribute artist Brandon Bennett said.
ElvisFest attracts all types of people, young and old, coming out in the spirit of something the King may not have invented, but certainly propelled into the stratosphere of music history: rock and roll. |
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D.J. Fontana knows that all too well. He served as Elvis' drummer for more than a decade.
"It's fun. It really is. It's amazing how many people still remember Elvis in a kind way. There's some jerks out there that don't, but we eliminate them," Fontana said with a laugh.
So what would Elvis think if he got to experience the festival?
"I think he's up in Heaven looking at us right now saying 'Shake that leg, baby, shake that leg,'"
Go HERE to the News Story Video.
(News, Source;Bette/ElvisInfoNet) |
Tupelo Elvis Festival Kicks-Off: The Tupelo Elvis Festival started yesterday with the unveiling of a new Elvis Presley marker. The marker notes Mud Creek Swimming Hole, where Elvis spent many of his summer afternoons as a child. The marker is the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau’s 11th on the Elvis Presley Driving Tour and is located just behind the Eastwood Softball Complex at the Music Bend Nature Trail.
“This has been a spot that we’ve wanted to mark on the driving tour for a while, It’s one more authentic spot that Tupelo has to tell about Elvis when he was here.”
Mayor Jack Reed Jr., wife Lisa Reed and Elvis’ childhood friend, Guy Harris, spoke at the unveiling, which was emceed by musician Memphis Jones. Harris recalled stories of when the two would play in the creek before Elvis moved away to fame.
“For the Elvis world, this (unveiling) is so monumental,” Reed said. “Hopefully this will help lengthen the stay of visitors to the city. It
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'Home Movies - Vol.1 The Fifties' DVD, Mini Review: Our friend Trevor Cajiao from 'Elvis The Man & His Music' has just posted this insightful review of this newly released fifties DVD (which to be honest, EIN was a little wary of)..
He reports.... "Oh dear... Just watched this 75-minute compilation. Since when were the Hy Gardner TV show and the 'Blue Suede Shoes' screen test 'home movies'? And since when was March 1960 and 'G.I. Blues' part of the '50s? It's basically been cobbled together from other DVDs and videos (June Juanico, 'This Is Elvis', 'Joe Tunzi DVDs' etc.) and the quality is all over the place. A few tiny bits and pieces that may well be 'new' but nothing to make it an essential purchase. Footage of him playing football at Audubon Drive could really be anyone - it's so blurred it's hard to make out. All clips are dated - several of them wrongly. Volume 2 will concentrate on the '60s, Volume 3 on the '70s (so will probably include that great 'home movie' called 'Aloha From Hawaii'!). Waste of time." - Trevor Cajiao.
Produced by dodgy sounding 'Roar Productions' maybe this is what we should have expected.
For more great insights EIN recommends 'Elvis The Man & His Music' - Click HERE to check it out.
(News, Source;ElvisTheMan&TheMusic'/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Graceland Celebrates 31st Anniversary: Elvis' Graceland home was opened to the public 31 years ago June 7th, and has now become the ultimate rock 'n' roll pilgrimage for music fans around the world. Graceland has been visited by fans, music lovers, political leaders, celebrities and many others over the years.
Check out an in-depth look inside Elvis' Graceland fromCNNMoney.com.
On June 7, 1982, around 3,000 fans paid the $5 admission fee for the opportunity to be the first to experience the place that the King of Rock 'n' Roll called home. Before Graceland plaza existed, fans would gather at a staging area across the street and wait in line for their turn to tour Elvis’ home. During the early years, Elvis' cars and motorcycles were lined up in the carport and fans would exit the tours
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through the carport door. The trophy building consisted of his gold record collection, awards, costumes, gun collection and several other pieces of memorabilia. The Mansion tour included the living room, music room, dining room, TV room, pool room, and the trophy building. -
Click HERE for the CNNMoney inside Graceland video.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
'City of Lakes '76' New Import CD: The October tour in 1976 wasn't by far the best of Elvis, but it showed that he made a step in the right direction. His physical appearance had much improved since summer when he probably looked his worst ever. Much more important was the quality of his concerts also changed for the better. During the tour in fall '76 he gave some good shows with some strong versions. Recorded Live, October 17, 1976 in Minneapolis.
Unfortunately the original release from FTD "A Minnesota Moment" left a lot to be desired.
It sounded flat, muffled, lifeless and very hissy. The soundquality was dissapointing as was the 'artwork' which showed on top an outrageous bad done photoshop job with Elvis' left hand.
The VERVE Team did everything to improve the overal sound and as a result you'll get to hear a soundboard as it should have been. Hopefully you can enjoy the concert now as much as we do while reading and flipping the sixteen pages of the booklet.
Go to EIN's 'All the CD News 2013' for full tracklist and information
Go HERE for EIN's original FTD CD review which included input from Elvis fan Steve Lecher who attended the actual concert.
(News, Source;FECC/ElvisInfoNet)
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"Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis" (2-LP Vinyl Limited Edition): FTD's next vinyl release features, for the first time on this format, the complete concert recorded on March 20, 1974, in Memphis, Tennessee. This will be issued on 180gram vinyl, and now the new album cover has been announced.
This is of course the famous 1974 Memphis concert that has been previously released edited down on vinyl as a single album - and also (almost complete!) on an FTD CD release - Look here at EIN's original FTD review from 2004.
(News, Source;FTD/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Latest Billboard Album Charts: Sadly Elvis has no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for w/e 15th June, 2013, - but he is still selling!
The following albums appeared on the Catalog Album Chart as follows:
- 'An Afternoon In The Garden' rises from 140 to 118 selling some 1,439 units. Total sales to date: 556,889 units. It also rises from 198 to 189 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 1,439 units. Total physical sales to date: 555,890.
- 'Heart And Soul' rises from 158 to 124 selling some 1,414 units. Total sales to date: 648,622 units. It also drops from 187 to 195 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 1,414 units. Total physical sales to date: 648,051 units.
- 'The Very Best Of Love' drops from 120 to 142 selling some 1,326 units. Total sales to date: 363,135 units.
- 'Elvis Country' (Compilation) rises from 167 to 163 selling some 1,227 units. Total sales to date: 185,705 units. |
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- 'Viva Las Vegas' remains at 62 on the Top Soundtrack Album Chart selling some 380 units. Total sales to date: 58,511 units.
In addition to the above the official U.S.A. Soundscan total sales for 'Elvis: 30 No.1 Hits' is 4,860,303 units.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
| Monday 3 June 2013 -- -- 2nd News Update -- -- |
Mother Dolores Hart to Appear as Special Guest at Elvis Week: Elvis fans will have the chance to hear the remarkable story of Mother Dolores Hart, a Hollywood starlit turned nun who worked with Elvis in his early filming career, during Elvis Week 2013. Elvis' former "Loving You" and "King Creole" co-star will appear on the Elvis Week Main Stage during "Conversations on Elvis" on August 14, 2013. (See Elvis Week schedule highlights below)
Mother Dolores Hart stunned Hollywood in 1963, when after 10 highly successful feature films including two co-starring roles with Elvis, she chose to enter a contemplative monastery. In 1957, as a bright college student she made her film debut alongside Elvis in "Loving You" and later co-starred with the king in what many consider his finest acting performance in "King Creole." Mother Dolores Hart now serves a higher calling as prioress of the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, CT.
Now fifty years later, Mother Dolores has released a new book, "The Ear of the Heart: An Actress" Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows", detailing her fascinating account of her life and journey toward God. |
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Hart, who is an active member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, continues to cast her annual vote and recently appeared in the 2012 Academy Award-nominated documentary and HBO Special "God is the Bigger Elvis."
Go HERE for Elvis Week Tickets
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
Tupelo Elvis Festival This Weekend: Tupelo Elvis Festival is a musical celebration designed to honor Elvis Presley, Tupelo’s native son, and the impact that his music has on the world. The festival runs June 6, 7, 8 & 9.
As the 15th Anniversary of the Tupelo Elvis Festival approaches, the excitement for each event is building. The Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association encourages fans to wrap up the festival weekend with the Gospel Brunch Sunday, June 9th. The 2013 lineup will not only be entertaining, but will also pay tremendous |
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tribute to gospel background of Elvis Presley. Following brunch, The Landmarks will perform inside the Lyric and open for the EPE Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist, Shawn Klush. Shawn will perform along with Elvis’ favorite gospel family, ‘The Blackwood Quartet' with special guest, Joe Moscheo of Elvis’ Imperials Quartet. The EAS Band will accompany the musicians during the concert. Cody Slaughter and DJ Fontana will also be there.
General Admission tickets for the Brunch and Gospel Concert will be available for purchase Friday, March 8th for $25.00. Click Here for Tickets and Schedule.
(News, Source;TupeloFestival/ElvisInfoNet) |
Elvis Historian Peter Guralnick and Conan O'Brien: Elvis fans can watch a new video featuring one of EIN's favourite music historians, Elvis expert Peter Guralnick with Elvis fan Conan O'Brien. Guralnick joins Conan on the "Serious Jibber-Jabber" series to discuss Elvis, Sam Cooke, Sun Records and more. Conan O'Brien notes how much he is an Elvis fan.
Guralnick's books include the prize-winning two-volume biography of Elvis Presley, "Last Train to Memphis" and "Careless Love." As one of America's leading cultural historians, Peter Guralnick has been called a "National Resource" by critic Nat Hentoff. He is currently working on a biography of Sam Phillips and co-produced the documentary "Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll," as well as writing the scripts for the Grammy-winning documentary "Sam Cooke/Legend" and Martin Scorsese’s blues documentary "Feel Like Going Home."
To watch the entire interview with Peter Guralnick and Conan Click here.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
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'Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniversary' Legacy Release: Celebrating the 40th Anniv of Elvis' STAX studios sessions SONY is releasing a 3 CD 'Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniversary' complete set plus a "Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniv: Best Of" 1CD version. They are both out on Aug 6, 2013.
... The last major studio sessions in the career of Elvis Presley have finally been gathered together for the first time in one comprehensive package as 'ELVIS AT STAX: DELUXE EDITION' bristles with energy and dynamism. Deluxe cover now revealed, connecting Elvis' gold style Stax's Isaac Hayes similar funky gold-chain 70s style.
Released simultaneously will be a single CD of highlights from the box set simply titled ELVIS AT STAX, and a 180-gram, double-vinyl LP.
The official website notes 'ELVIS AT STAX' bristles with energy and dynamism. The proof is in the six consecutive singles that the Stax sessions produced, all of which skirted the Top 40 from 1973 to 1975. The Stax singles still resonate today:
3CD set - Price:$28.69 - Pre Order Here >>> Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniversary (3 CD) .
Best of - Price:$12.50 Pre Order here >> > Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniversary (1 CD) Best Of . Full track details below
(News, Source;Amazon/ElvisInfoNet)
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'The CBS Concert Recordings' New Import CD: The complete soundtrack of CBS special, two concert performances - from June 19, 1977 in Omaha, and June 21, 1977 in Rapid City.
These two concerts are now available in a deluxe 2-CD set with almost 60 historical tracks. Also included is a beautiful 16-page booklet stuffed with extensive liner notes and relevant photos.
Especially for the Elvis Collectors We include numbered 100% genuine reproductions of the original tickets of both concerts. This is limited to 555 editions only!
Hear Elvis at the piano and many songs performed for the very last time on stage.
With the last and arguably best-performed version of "How Great thou art" and the last versions of "Are you lonesome tonight", the powerful "Trying To Get To You" and the unusual "Hawaiian Wedding Song".
With this release it is obvious whatever may have been wrong, Elvis' unique voice never failed him!
In the spring of 1977 CBS-TV expressed an interest in creating a the program. After much pre-planning, producers Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion chose the cities of Omaha and Rapid City on the June tour for their primary videotaping locations.
Elvis did not do so well in Omaha, but gave everything he had in Rapid City.
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The Monday, October 3, 1977 broadcast, aired about six weeks after Elvis' unexpected death, used most of the second show in their edit.
The RCA soundtrack "ELVIS IN CONCERT" reached *Billboard* U.S. #3 shortly after this airing. The program would be rerun just once, on Sunday, May 7, 1978, and has never been issued on VHS or DVD.
The Gravelroad team started this project back in 2010 but with the release of "TFC box" it seemed to be a cancelled. To our surprise their sound didn't match the results we already achieved on these two concerts.
Go to EIN's 'All the CD News 2013' for full tracklist and information
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
'Tanya For Dinner' New Import CD: Coming soon from the Straight Arrow label is their new digipak release, 'Tanya For Dinner' featuring the March 28, 1975 dinner performance.
Elvis hits the ground running with his usual openers, and keeps the energy up and pacing crisp throughout. New covers like "And I Love You So" -- taped in Los Angeles just a few weeks earlier -- are bright. Even the jokes are chipper, such as his lyric change to "I want a little drink of brandy" during "Big Boss Man," a tiny rib at stage assistant Charlie Hodge. Listen for outstanding renditions of "It's Midnight" and "I'm Leavin'" and a warm introduction of teenaged country singing sensation, Tanya Tucker. The audience recording is previously unreleased from a recently-discovered source. The quality is very good, from start to finish, save a brief segment during band introductions, where a secondary source is used to fill in a missing portion.
Go to EIN's 'All the CD News 2013' for full tracklist and information
(News, Source;GRM/ElvisInfoNet)
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Latest Billboard Album Charts- Another Record!: Elvis extended his record for the most entries on the Billboard 200's 57-year
history, as "Uncovered" debuts at No. 192 on the Top 200 Album Chart for w/e 8th June, 2013 selling some 2,338 units. Total sales to date: 86,428 ubits. The set is Elvis' 128th charted album. With the debut, he widens his lead over runner-up Frank Sinatra (82). It also enters the Current Album Chart at 151 and the Rock Album Chart at at 49. The budget-priced "Uncovered" was released in May, 2012 but finally charts following continued promotion at retail with a 87% increase in sales this week.
The following albums appeared on the Catalog Album Charts:
- 'The Very Best Of Love' rises from 126 to 120 selling some 1,591 units. Total sales to date: 361,809 units.
- 'An Afternoon In The Garden' drops from 110 to 140 selling some 1,474 units. Total sales to date: 555,450 units.
- 'Heart And Soul' drops from 115 to 158 selling some 1,378 units. Total sales
to date: 647,208 units.
(News, Source;BrianQuinn/ElvisInfoNet) |
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| News from earlier in the week .... |
Paul McCartney Visits Graceland: Paul McCartney makes first ever visit to Presley's grave and leaves his guitar pick
According to the official Twitter account of the former Beatle, McCartney said the pick was 'so Elvis can play in heaven'.
The lifelong Elvis fan toured Graceland mansion on Sunday.
McCartney was in Memphis to play a show on the North American leg of his 'Out There' tour, which has seen him perform in Brazil, Poland, Italy and Austria before drawing to a close in Seattle in July.
Elvis and The Beatles actually met in 1965 in LA at Elvis' house after a music journalist with links to both the Beatles and Elvis organised it. When the Fab Four were ushered before The King they were so overawed that at first none of them could think of anything to say.
It was Elvis who broke the ice. ‘Well, if you guys are just gonna sit there and stare at me all night, I’m going to bed,’ he said, before calling for guitars to be passed around for a jam session.
Elvis was a huge influence on both McCartney and John Lennon. The emergence of Elvis’s first British single Heartbreak Hotel in 1956 had led the schoolboy Lennon to form his own group, the Quarrymen.
McCartney had been similarly obsessed, and all through their years playing in
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100th issue of 'Elvis - The Man & His Music: Ever since the first edition appeared in December 1988, the magazine has attracted a worldwide readership of Elvis fans whose interest is first and foremost The King's musical legacy. During the intervening 25 years the magazine has presented more than its fair share of exclusives: previously unpublished photos, fact-filled articles and in-depth interviews with Presley associates being top of the agenda.
Issue 100 is a bit special - a 60-page bumper edition packed with exclusive content spanning virtually every aspect of Elvis' career and legacy.
These include:
- Elvis And The Racquetball Racket - For the first time ever, a detailed account of Presley Center Courts, the ill-fated business venture that cost Elvis dearly.
- Let's Go Back And Touch The Past - A look back at some of the essential releases of the last 25 years.
- Carol Montgomery Interview - The former backing singer recalls working with The King.
- Elvis On Super 8 - The golden age of home cinema.
- David English Interview - Behind-the-scenes stories from the author of 'Welcome Home Elvis', 'From Memphis To Hollywood' and 'Summer Of '61'.
- The Dirty Dozen - 12 of the worst Elvis cover versions. |
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...plus extensive CD, DVD and book reviews, readers' letters, news 'n' views and a whole lot more!
Says Editor and founder of the magazine, Trevor Cajiao: "We've pulled out all the stops to make this 100th issue really special. There's something for everybody here and, thanks to our great team of knowledgable writers and contributors, it's the perfect way to celebrate this publishing landmark. Enjoy The King's legacy. Enjoy 'Elvis - The Man & His Music'. Let's have a party!"
EIN's favourite Elvis music magazine. -
To Order your copy GO HERE
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Virtual Elvis may appear 'live on stage': More on the sale of EPE .. The group Core Media group are looking for 180million-dollar deal for EPE plus rights to Elvis image and which could see The King appear "live" on stage more than 35 years after he died.
Media analyst Mike Raia notes that this could be one of the sweetest deals for a prospective buyer in the history of entertainment and sportsacquisitions.
Raia said that Elvis is still worth as much as 70million a year in revenue, mainly through the 550,000-plus tourists, who visit Graceland annually. Raia said that the opportunities for a serious buyer could be enormous, as there are already detailed plans for an Elvis-themed hotel near Graceland.
"Other future revenue sources include a tribute stage show in an Asian casino hub such as Macau and a massive expansion of Elvis-themed digital and social media projects," the media analyst said. |
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Jack Soden, chief executive of EPE, which was bought by Core from the Presley family for about 66million dollars in 2004, believes that the virtual technology could even lead to Presley going on tour again, at least in the shape of his digital image.
This could probably mean fans can once again watch a young and lean Presley "perform" around the world.
Members of the Presley family, led by his daughter Lisa Marie, 45, will retain their 15 per cent shareholding as a condition of the sale, irrespective of the buyer. (see more news about this EPE sale below)
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
New Elvis Recording!? - Not True: It's not so rare to run into someone with a vast Elvis Presley memorabilia collection.But what is rare is getting collectibles directly from Elvis himself while spending time in gym class together.
Frank Frasier isn't paranoid. Maybe it's just a suspicious mind. "I keep it in a safety deposit box," he said.
Because the contents of the black brief case are pretty special. And won't keep it in his Nassau County home.
Frasier was born in Memphis, Tenn., and he went to grade school at Humes, a few years younger than the king of rock and roll.
"7th grade ... Elvis was a senior then, of course he didn't look like Elvis then, rough face," Frasier said.
The two became friends in intramural gym class where Elvis was all-time quarterback in touch football.
So time goes by and Elvis Presley becomes Elvis. And in 1957, Frasier then paid a visit to his old high school buddy at Graceland. |
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"I said 'can I have a few pictures?' He said 'yeah, go ahead.'"
Frasier snapped a shot of a 22-year-old King.
"I took this pic myself with a little browing hawkeye camera."
It's locked in his briefcase along with other collectibles from the king.
But he's most proud of a rough recording of Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis, taken at a radio station in the late '50s.
A DJ friend gave it to him.
"Some people want to put it on a CD for me, and I said I like it like this. Original," Frasier said.
Priceless artifacts from a man who knew and loved the King on a unique level.
"Kinda makes me want to go back to the '50s, ya know?"
He said he's been offered as much as $20,000 dollars for his collection. He didn't accept, though he's always open to negotiation. (EIN notes: Sadly it is not Elvis, because it is the same Shelby Singleton 'Good Golly Miss Molly' fake using Jimmy Ellis Orion as the voice of Elvis.)
Go HERE to listen to the story and the recording.
(News, Source;FirstCoastnews/ElvisInfoNet) |
'Elvis Presley Historical and Cultural Perspectives On A Modern Icon' New E-Book: A new book by author Ben Griffin, not about Elvis' music but his impact on society.
The author notes, "I was never a huge fan of music but I became interested in Presley when I heard a radio show about him over twenty years after his death. Presley was called a white man who sounded black on this radio show. I thought that was very interesting and it got me started. Presley's controversial days are over, rock 'n' roll is part of the culture now and being a rock star, well, rocks."
Elvis Presley has made a mark in history beyond his lifetime. While not a giant historical figure on the scale of Plato. Julius Caesar, Washington, Napoleon or Stalin, he still commands attention. Presley has a legacy that is still controversial as a man who rose up and made it to the top of his field, rock 'n' roll music.
Presley has a cultural legacy in the English language with expressions that few other artists have. He is part of the culture in ways that go beyond the music. Rock music in the 1950s spurred social change and Presley was not the first, but permitted others to follow.
The book features chapters on, 'Elvis And The English Language', 'Elvis And The Historical English Software', 'Elvis And Henry Ford', 'Elvis And The Beatles', 'Elvis And The Presidents' and more.
Only $2.99 - click here for more info and to purchase.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Graceland NOT for Sale: Several Elvis websites - as well as the UK's Financial Times - have incorrectly reported that Graceland is for sale. This is not true. In fact the reports notes, "A significant potential for expansion".
.. Elvis Presley’ EPE business and rights to the images of Elvis and Muhammad Ali are on the market with a possible price tag of more than $200m, people familiar with the process said.
Three people familiar with the process said Core Media Group, the entertainment group behind TV programmes such as American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, has begun approaching potential bidders from Asia, Europe and the US for Elvis Presley Enterprises and Muhammad Ali Enterprises.
Core, known as CKx before Apollo Global Management bought it for $509m in 2011, has appointed The Raine Group, a New York merchant bank, to review strategic alternatives, two of these people said. It is |
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testing the market but could keep both if it is unhappy with the offers it receives, they said, but Core hopes to focus on producing content for television and digital outlets. Core and Raine declined to comment.
More than 35 years after Presley’s death and 32 years after Ali’s retirement, the two assets generate revenues of about $60m a year and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of about $23m.
Despite global downturn, a record of stable, predictable cash flows and a history of revenue raising Elvis re-releases, people familiar with the Presley estate see significant potential for expansion if a buyer is willing to invest.
Possible investments include an Elvis-themed hotel near Graceland in Memphis, a stage show in an Asian casino hub suchas Macau, and digital and social media expansion. People |
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familiar with the estate add that per capita spending by Graceland’s 550,000 annual visitors is relatively low and could be improved. (EIN notes, Really!!??)
The Presley family, represented by the singer’s daughter, Lisa Marie, retained 15 per cent of the company when it sold the remainder to Robert Sillerman’s CKx for about $100m in 2004.
Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings division holds the rights to all Presley’s master recordings, and has overseen several reissues, including plans to release a deluxe edition of “Elvis at Stax” in August.
Core considered a bid for Endemol before the European television production company’s owners put sale talks on hold. A successful sale could raise proceeds for a renewed attempt to buy Endemol or other production businesses.
EIN notes that while the news report says that Elvis Presley Enterprises includes, More than 110,000 pieces of memorabilia, including 3,000 pieces of clothing and 30 vehicles; royalties from 24 films; and copyrights and royalties for 1,150 songs. - These like Graceland itself are NOT for sale.
Lisa Marie has noted, "Business-wise any company can always grow, what is predominately sacred and can never be touched is Graceland itself and its contents and artifacts and that is and remains mine and my family's forever.
Lisa Marie has also clarified after the sale to CKx, "The home Graceland is absolutely mine. Everything in it is mine. All of his personal things are mine."
No need to worry Elvis fans, this could mean even more Elvis!
Go HERE to EIN's spotlight on the on-going EPE business sale since 2004,
(News, Source,ElvisInfoNet) |
| More news and EIN exclusives from earlier in May ... |
Elvis Week 2013 Brochure: Now available to download is the official brochure for
Elvis Week 2013 showing EPE’s full schedule.
CLICK HERE to download the Elvis Week brochure -
Elvis Week 2013 is Saturday, August 10 - Saturday, August 17. EPE are excited to be bring back the Elvis Week Main Stage at Graceland again this year.
The Main Event this year is the repeat of the “Aloha from Hawaii” 40th Anniversary Enhanced Screening that was shown in Hawaii this past January (and damn good it was too - See EIN Review here)
See Elvis Week 2013 Schedule highlights below
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
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'Nobody' a new Elvis short Film: It is unusual to see EPE supporting a short film about Elvis that is only in pre-production. As EIN reported last month 'Nobody' is a short film about an 18-year-old kid named Elvis, before he became "Elvis Presley". The story features the tender relationship between him and his mother, his devoted teacher, and the talent show that changed everything...
It's an intimate portrait of a young dreamer, before the fame and fandom.
EIN was interested to know more, so we asked William Bryan (Writer/ Director/Producer) a few questions about the movie and his Elvis fascination.
EIN - Why make a film about Elvis' Humes High years?
William Bryan – To be fair, I should note that "Nobody" is a biographical (non-documentarian) short film that covers a single, vitally important moment of Elvis’ senior year. The reason I am telling this story is because it arguably was the night that transformed ‘that kid, Elvis’ into ‘Elvis Presley.’
EIN - A large amount of Elvis' legacy has been mythologized. Do you want to show the myth or the reality?
WB – My ultimate goal with this project is to depict an 18-year-old Memphian in a positive and historically accurate light. I have read and seen many accounts that showcased an inhuman or stereotypical representation of Elvis; and I would like to show the reality of who he was as a young man, before the fame and fandom.
EIN - Where are you getting the information from for the film, have you read Bill Burk's series of books?
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WB – I couldn’t help but smile at your mention of Bill Burk. I happened to obtain all 3 of his "Early Elvis" books while visiting Presley’s birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi. Having read and re-read that trilogy over the years, I couldn’t have told you before this summer that one of those entries would end up inspiring "Nobody." A single chapter, rather, a single paragraph in "Early Elvis: The Humes Years" was what instigated the concept for the film.
EIN - A large number of Elvis associates have passed away, how many have you contacted or interviewed from that period?
WB – While I have informally met a handful of individuals who went to school with Elvis, over the years, my prime resources for telling this story has been a series of books, among them including Burk’s "Early Elvis: The Humes Years" and Elaine Dundy’s "Elvis and Gladys."
EIN - Have you discovered more about Elvis' early history that you feel fans need to know about?
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WB – This happens to be a very exciting question for me because, in my extensive research for the film, I discovered something about Elvis’ life that many fans and even historians have misinterpreted over the years. Respectfully, I’m going to keep that a secret until the film’s release. I would like to withhold a little mystery and intrigue to the story.
EIN - How much involvement have you had with EPE?
WB – While my production team and I are funding, arranging, and producing the project on our own as independent filmmakers ; I have nothing but the highest respect and gratitude for the good people at Elvis Presley Enterprises. They have not only showed continued encouragement for our endeavors, but as well, enthusiasm for the overall intention of depicting the man they represent in a positive light.
EIN - You are hoping that Elvis fans will help with your "Kickstarter campaign", what might they get out of donating to the movie?
WB – Our short film, low-budget goal is $12,000, and we only have until June 1st 2013 to reach this all-or-nothing aspiration. Sadly if we don't make this goal our funding will not happen. This is where I need my fellow Elvis fans, historians, and people-of-interest to come through for "Nobody." Each contributor will receive a unique set of rewards based on their donation (listed on the campaign), which can range from a special thanks in the credits, to a copy of the film, and up through a permanent Executive Producer credit on the production. With your kind contributions, we can reach our campaign’s ambition… and give Elvis Presley the cinematic justice he truly deserves.
Fans of this project - Please CLICK HERE for more info and to become involved.
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
Linda Thompson's Memoir: Linda Thompson is finally writing a memoir detailing her long romances with Elvis Presley, Bruce Jenner and David Foster. But it’s not a dirty tell-all. It’s the kind of well-tempered book we would expect from this Oscar-nominated lyricist and mother of Brody and Brandon Jenner.
"I got offers right away to write books — big money offers after Elvis died", Thompson says in her Memphis-cultured voice,"But I turned everything down. I didn’t want to be that person who capitalized on a lovely, loving, natural relationship.
"It was important to me not to be one of those vampires that bled on him."
Thompson was recently in Las Vegas at an official Elvis contest.
"He would be really astonished by it," she says of Elvis tribute artists.
Elvis and Thompson saw a few Elvis impressionists in their Vegas days.
"He would say, ‘Well, there I am again.’ It was funny. ‘Here I come again,’" she recalls. "Elvis had an irreverent sense of humor. It bonded us."
"We never went out on the town. I was with him four and a half years, and once we went to the restaurant at the Las Vegas Hilton, downstairs in the steakhouse, and we couldn’t finish our meal. It was chaos."
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Her Elvis record collection is unlike any other.
"I have his album collection — but just what he collected, the things he listened to."
Thompson is more than Elvis memories. She and Foster co-wrote the Oscar-nominated "I Have Nothing" for Whitney Houston. She has written for other singers. And she has acted in TV shows.
She also works with charities for animals, children and old people.
Her adage: "People shouldn’t take life so seriously. None of us is going to get out of this thing alive, anyway." and she’s got this memoir nagging at her.
"Some things I’m privy to," she says, "I’ll have to take to the grave with me.
"I don’t think you ever win by hurting another person," she says. "Don’t sit around and wait for karma to bite somebody in the ass, or to reward you. Just try to do the right thing, and that’s immediate karma: ‘I feel good about myself.’"
Go here for EIN's Linda Thompson interview special.
(News, Source;LasVegasReview/ElvisInfoNet) |
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The "Elvis Experience" Exhibition Returns to Brazil: Elvis fans from Brazil and throughout South America can enjoy the largest exhibition of personal items from the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll ever displayed outside of the United States, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, at the Barra Shopping South.
A first of its kind exhibition outside the United States, the "Elvis Experience" includes over 600 rare artifacts, documents and photos, many of which have never left the vaults or exhibit areas of Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis. The exhibition debuted on September 5, 2012 in Sao Paulo and became one of the most successful exhibitions ever held in Brazil with over 100,000 visitors.
Among the items featured are Elvis’ red MG automobile from his classic film "Blue Hawaii," a gold plated rotary dial telephone from Elvis upstairs bedroom, and his signature white suit featured in the closing number of his 1968 television special now referred to as "The ’68 Special."
In addition to the exhibition, South American fans will also be able to experience "Elvis Presley in Concert" when it returns with nine shows in seven cities beginning in October of 2013.
To learn more about the exciting Elvis events taking place in Brazil Click HERE.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet)
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New FTD Releases for June: EPE have announced full details of the up-coming June FTD releases.
- "Elvis Presley - Sold Out!" (2-CD)
Prepared and researched for FTD by Robert Frieser / Hans Slebos ('Forty Eight Hours To Memphis' and '3000 South Paradise Road'), featuring the March and June concerts of 1974 from Tulsa, AZ and Cleveland,OH, this release will be presented in 7" format accompanied by 16-page 4-colour booklet and extensive liner notes.
March 1 1974 was the Opening Show of the tour and is as hell of a show! (Thanks CiscoKing)
Disc 1, March 1, 1974, Tulsa Oklahoma
Disc 2, June 21, 1974, Cleveland. Ohio & Bonus track June 17, 1974, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
DISC 1- Also Sprach Zarathustra, See See Rider, I Got A Woman/Amen, Love Me, Trying To Get To You, Sweet Caroline, Love Me Tender, Johnny B. Goode, Hound Dog, Fever, Polk Salad Annie, Why Me Lord?, Suspicious Minds, Introductions by Elvis, I Can't Stop Loving You, Help Me, American Trilogy, Let Me Be There, Funny How Time Slips Away, Can't Help Falling In Love, Closing Vamp, Announcements.
Go HERE for more info, flyers and full tracklistings of second disc.
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- "Hot August Night" (1-CD)
Includes the complete live recording from the midnight show on August 25, 1969. This will be presented in 7" format with a 12-page 4-color booklet.
Tracklist: Blue Suede Shoes, I Got A Woman, All Shook Up, Monologue, Love Me
Tender, Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel, Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog, I Can’t Stop
Loving You, My Babe, Mystery Train/ Tiger Man, Life Story Monologue 8:39, Baby
What Do You Want Me to Do, Runaway, Are You Lonesome Tonight, Words,
Yesterday/Hey Jude, Elvis introductions, Tom Jones etc, In the Ghetto,
Suspicious Minds, What’d I Say, Can’t Help Falling in Love
Go HERE for more info on these FTD releases.
- "Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis" (2-LP Vinyl Limited Edition)
FTD's next vinyl release features, for the first time on this format, the |
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complete concert recorded on March 20, 1974, in Memphis, Tennessee. This will be issued on 180gram vinyl and is currently available on CD at ShopElvis.com.
- "Best of British - The HMV Years" (Book)
Due to popular demand, FTD is pleased to announce a limited reprint of 'The Best of British - The HMV Years'.
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Director Marty Pasetta Talks about 'Aloha': Forty years ago last month, NBC aired the 90-minute special 'Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite' after a shorter version was seen around the globe LIVE on Jan. 14, 1973. (Right:Elvis, Waterson & Pasetta)
It was the first time satellite technology was used to transmit a live concert around the world and the project gave Presley one last magnificent credit to add to his legend.
The idea for a satellite broadcast was conceived by Presley's manager, Col Parker, while they both lived part-time in Palm Springs in 1972. Parker sold the idea to RCA, which owned NBC, and NBC's vice president of nighttime programming, part-time Palm Springs resident John Hamlin, assigned it to Marty Pasetta.
Pasetta, 81, who now lives in La Quinta, Calif., says he's not sure how many people saw the broadcast.
"What I was told by NBC and others is that every third person on Earth saw that first show when it went out," Pasetta said in his memorabilia-laden home office. "In Africa and places like that, it played in theaters. They didn't have television." |
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By the accounts of those closest to him, the Aloha concert was the last time Presley suspended his prescription drug abuse and performed at his optimum 175-pound weight.
Biographer Peter Guralnick and Sonny West credit Pasetta for inspiring the singer to clean up his act. After meeting Pasetta, West said that Elvis insisted that he and two other bodyguards join him on a diet to burn up the fat in his system. Pasetta said he told Presley at their first sit-down meeting, attended by two bodyguards, he had to lose weight before the concert.
"He sat straight and the guys on either side of him took out their guns and laid them down on the table, and if you don't think I was scared, you're crazy.
"I said, 'I want you skinny because I'm going to use close-ups,' which wasn't very popular in television in those days. I said, 'I'm going to go from your neck to the top of your head. That's going to be your sex appeal on the tube, along with your voice, and it's going to make a landmark.'
"He jumped out his chair. He grabbed me, put his arms around me and said, 'You're the first person who was ever honest to me.' He said, 'I will lose the weight for you,' and he lost 20 pounds in two months."
Working with Elvis
Pasetta was just coming off his Academy Awards broadcast directorial debut when Hamlin offered him the opportunity to work with Presley. Pasetta wasn't sure he wanted to do it at first. Hamlin told him to watch Presley at the Long Beach Arena that November and Presley gave an uninspiring performance.
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"He stood there like a lump," said Pasetta. "He didn't do anything. I went back to NBC and said, 'Hey, guys, what am I going to do with this guy? How long is the show? 90 minutes? I can't tap dance that much. It doesn't look like he's going to move.' They said, 'That's your problem.' "
The concert film would feature Presley giving a one-hour benefit concert at the HIC Center. Pasetta tried to provide an international reach by putting Elvis' name on the set in various international alphabets and fonts. He also tried to convey Presley's romantic appeal, much to Parker's consternation.
"I wanted to put a runway in, 8 foot wide, so he could walk down the center," said Pasetta. "I wanted to put girls around there and I wanted the stage 6 feet off of the floor. The Colonel always had the stage 10 feet above the floor and he had guards across the front. He didn't want to have anybody touch his boy.
"When I told this to the Colonel, he had a fit. He said, 'I'm not lowering the stage. I'm going to have my guards there and he can stand there and sing.' I said, 'That's not going to work on the tube for an hour and a half show.' He said, 'No. I won't do it. You can't do the show.' "
But Pasetta says Presley loved his ideas and, in one of the few instances in his career, he overruled his manager.
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"Elvis said to me, 'The Colonel controls my business. I control my creativity and my music and my show. He has nothing to say about it. That's your rule. You will deal with Joe Esposito'," said Pasetta. "I talked to Joe, the Colonel — everybody. But I tried not to deal too much with the Colonel. I had enough problems getting the show on."
The production however was fraught with technical problems. A day before the broadcast, it was discovered someone had cut the power lines going into the auditorium. Pasetta called Don Ho and, "He got people out of bed and they came back and fixed it just in time."
The day of the show, it was discovered the backstage equipment was creating a humming sound. Pasetta called Ho again and, "Don said, 'Call the Navy yard.' We had a truckload lead sheets that were brought over two hours before the show and we lined them up and got our sound back."
Then, at the start of the show, knowing they had to shoot the entire concert continuously, "My technical director froze on me," Pasetta said. "I had to cut the first part of the show. He was nervous."
The soundtrack entered the Billboard charts on Feb. 24, bolstered by Presley's best reviews in years. It would be his last No. 1 album. The next week, Parker signed a seven-year deal for Presley to remain with RCA.
Aloha From Hawaii also temporarily quieted demands for Presley to tour overseas, something Parker was reticent to do.
Go HERE for the full article.
(News, Source;USAToday/ElvisInfoNet) |
Marty Pasetta - One of The Best Elvis ever worked with: Marty Lacker wrote to EIN about our Marty Pasetta article. (see above)
... It was nice to hear that Marty Pasetta is still going strong as he was one of the nicest people we ever worked with.
It was surprising yet refreshing to hear what he was thinking back then as his actions and words were always praising and encouraging to Elvis and some of us. I got to know him fairly well although I have not spoken to him since a few years after Aloha when he Directed and produced The Grammys Award Show from Nashville and I got him to add The Staple Singers and Al Green as performers so Memphis would be represented on the show. He was very accommodating to me by doing that.
It was typical of Parker and his bullshit about the runway height, whenever he got involved in the production side of anything Elvis did, he always messed it up which hurt Elvis' career.
(Photo right is of Elvis thanking Marty Pasetta after the Aloha Rehearsal - From the new Deluxe Boxcar book see here for more previously unpublished photos)
Marty almost got it right in his comments about Parker and touring outside the U.S. He came up with the idea of the satellite show for his own selfish reasons. Not just because of the money he made but this was his way of not having Elvis tour outside the U.S. because Parker did not want Elvis to do that without Parker travelling with him but we now know that Parker was an illegal alien and he was afraid he would be discovered and deported or jailed because of it and if he managed to go he was afraid he wouldn't be allowed back in to the U.S. because of it plus he might not have been able to get a passport without a valid |
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birth certificate proving he was an American citizen.
I found it humorous too that Elvis told Marty to deal with Esposito instead of Parker because they were basically one and the same. Joe probably told Parker everything Marty wanted because Joe was his boy.
However because he knew better I'm sure he also told Elvis what Marty Pasetta said.
- Marty Lacker.
Go HERE for more of Marty's Musings about Elvis and his amazing legacy.
(News, Source; MartyLacker/ElvisInfoNet) |
'From Elvis In Memphis' FTD Mini-review: EIN contributor David Tinson kindly supplied us this mini-review of the just released FTD Classic Album of 'From Elvis In Memphis'.
... Inspired by his 1968 "Comeback Special" success - Elvis entered American Sound Studios and made one of the albums of his career - pop,blues,soul,country - and gospel form elements of an album the equal of anything he EVER recorded - Follow That Dream's classic 2-CD album offers a fly-on-the wall experience in fantastic sound.
Firstly the first takes are fantastic - "I had to leave town for a little while. You said you been good while I’m gone, but the look in your eye"...Elvis voice falters on the opening of first takes R&B nugget, “Wearing That Loved On Look" takes 3,10 - and amid nervous laughter, and the "A Little Less Conversation" one liner, he knows he’s got to get it right before regaining his mojo on an excellent take which sounds crystal clear hear - and listen to those funky guitar breaks...great organ too. Elvis sings: "Alright" before the piano solo and a more prominent bass drum kicks, adding to the gospel rave-up feel...
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More standouts – Jerry Butler’s "Only The Strong Survive" take 1 – “Boy! Oh, I see yer sitting out there all alone. Crying your eyes out, because the women that you love is gone." Elvis sings the lyric line with pure yearning soul... - he finishes the song with, "oh s..." - but Elvis knows he's nailed it
"You finally got your dream - you’re riding in a long black limousine" - prophetic words on take 6 "Long Black Limousine" which gets a wonderfully gorgeous gospel piano feel - the powerful, tragic storytelling tale is a gem in the Elvis canon - here it sounds stripped back but still very powerful.
The stripped down first takes are a real joy to listen to.
Hank Snow's "I'm Moving On" takes 1, 2, Elvis sings a different verse early on and it is a very enjoyable version. There's bump & grind blues power on "Power of my Love" - but perhaps a stone cold classic is Elvis playing the piano intro on R&B stomper - "After Loving You" - the song breaks up at the end but this is a delightfully loose version...
Bobby Emmons' great organ playing enhances 'Any Day Now' takes 1,2 - after working through a short take 1, Elvis delivers a flowing version.
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There's more: we get 3 beautiful takes of 'In The Ghetto' to finish CD-1 with takes 2, 3 being of particular note: Felton asks for the mic to capture more of the acoustic guitar; turned up more the guitar adds another dimension to the political songs reflective story telling - fabulous!
What's apparent here is Disc Two adds to the quality with more great takes. Instrument nuances pop and crackle - and the numerous takes all have subtle differences...
Another standout is – 'True Love Travels On A Gravel Road' (take 4) - with the opening line: "How many girls choose cotton dressed worlds, when they could have satins and lace..." Wonderful lyrics and listen to Elvis off mic remark - "Oh baby" - he's enjoying the hell out it and working hard.
The aforementioned "After Loving You" thrills once more but this time take 3, Disc Two - Elvis says: "Is someone else taking lead because I can't play it to save my a.. that piano" - before a delicious, bluesy cool version that just swaggers before falling apart.
The booklet and package sparkles although I would have liked more photos from the era. But the main event is the music and FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS delivers the goods
It has to be said Presley's recording sessions were fun-filled affairs, but as the first takes demonstrate here Elvis was working hard on all the songs and his utter professionalism to get the songs right - spurred on by Chips Moman and the American Sound Studio team is fascinating to hear - another top draw release from FTD.
EIN sincerely thanks David Tinson since our copy only arrived in Australia today - Full review ASAP.
(FTD Reviews, Source;DavidTinson/ElvisInfoNet) |
She kissed Elvis, then became a Nun!: In the sultry climate of New Orleans, where she broke into films in 1957’s "Loving You," co-starring a young singer named Elvis Presley, Dolores Hart locked lips with the hottest musical sensation of the day. That kiss — a first for both on screen, and in Technicolor, no less — was a stunning start to a brief film career.
Six years later, the young actress entered the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Conn., and began a life far removed from the flash and glamour of Hollywood. Today, she is the Rev. Mother Dolores Hart, prioress, or second-in-charge, at the abbey.
"The kiss from Elvis was the thing that put me right smack into the middle of Hollywood; it’s where I wanted to be," Mother Dolores said in an interview this week. However, she added, "My vocation, it really was a gift from God, a call from God. Something I knew I really I had to do."
Mother Dolores tells her story in "The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’ Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows," just released by Ignatius Press.
A documentary film about her journey, "God Is the Bigger Elvis," was up for a 2012 Academy Award, but didn’t win. Ironically, Mother Dolores, who joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1960, is a voting member who casts an annual Oscar ballot.
Although she was raised Roman Catholic and Elvis was a Protestant, that didn’t stop the two young adults — she was 19, he was 21 — from palling around during filming, when Presley was mobbed by local teens.
"He carried a guitar even between scenes, and they would sing gospel music," Mother Dolores recalled. "I loved it." |
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The two went their separate ways, with Mother Dolores acting in nine more films, including Presley’s "King Creole" a year later. By 1963, Mother Dolores, who was engaged to businessman Don Robinson, left Hollywood and her pending marriage for a religious life.
Robinson, never married, remained a friend and visitor to the abbey until his death at the end of 2011.
Click HERE to find out more about the new book via a delightful YouTube Promo clip
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
'Love Me Tender' on Blu-ray in 2013: Elvis' big screen debut is hitting Blu-ray in July. Moviegoers were introduced to Elvis Presley in this film set during the dying hours of the Civil War. Elvis sings four songs, including the title song. The year is 1865, and the three Confederate Reno brothers don't know the war has ended. They manage to steal a Union Army payroll, and head for home with the money. While Vance (Richard Egan) can think only of the love of his life, Cathy (Debra Paget), it turns out that the brothers have been reported dead, and Cathy has married their youngest brother Clint (Elvis Presley). Vance accepts this until he learns that Cathy still loves him. To complicate things, the U.S. Army knows of the brothers' theft and is hunting them down.
The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Audio Commentary By Noted Elvis Historian Jerry Schilling; Elvis Hits Hollywood; The Colonel & The King; Love Me Tender: The Birth & Boom Of The Elvis Hit; and Love Me Tender: The Soundtrack.
In an early announcement, 20th Century Fox is preparing 'Love Me Tender' for Blu-ray on July 30.
Suggested list price $19.99.
Go here for our EIN review 'Love Me Tender' 50th Anniv Edition DVD
(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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| Boxcar 'Elvis - Aloha Via Satellite: A 40th Anniv Commemorative Release' SPECIAL PREVIEW : On January 14th 1973, Elvis Presley's "Aloha from Hawaii - Via Satellite" was the world's first Satellite TV broadcast of a full live concert by an entertainer with a global viewing audience of 1.5 Billion. This massive, most comprehensive 450 page hardback volume is packaged with hundreds of photographs many of which have never before been seen. Collected here exclusively, are also scores of historical memorabilia as well as the Colonel Tom Parker's original internal documents and scripts that explores the making of this historical event. It details from the early plans all the way to the Record LP releases that followed this extraordinary event. |
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**** More Great Elvis Books to order or pre-order now **** |
'Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniversary' Legacy Final Details: Celebrating the 40th Anniv of Elvis' STAX studios sessions SONY is releasing a 3 CD 'Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniversary' complete set plus a "Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniv: Best Of" 1CD version. They are both out on Aug 6, 2013. Final Details released today by SONY.
... The last major studio sessions in the career of Elvis Presley have finally
been gathered together for the first time in one comprehensive package as 'ELVIS
AT STAX: DELUXE EDITION' bristles with energy and dynamism. The deluxe 3-CD box
set, a 40th anniversary chronicle of a dozen nights that Presley spent at Stax
Recording Studios in his hometown of Memphis in July and Dec 1973, will be released worldwide August 6.
Released simultaneously will be a single CD of highlights from the box set simply titled ELVIS AT STAX, and a 180-gram, double-vinyl LP.
The official website notes 'ELVIS AT STAX' bristles with energy and dynamism. The proof is in the six consecutive singles that the Stax sessions produced, all of which skirted the Top 40 from 1973 to 1975. In effect, they rivaled some of the hottest streaks that Presley had charted a decade earlier. The Stax singles still resonate today: |
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•"Raised On Rock" b/w "For Ol’ Time Sake" (Hot 100 #41, country #42);
•"I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby" b/w "Take Good Care Of Her" (Hot 100 #39, country #4);
•"Promised Land" b/w "It’s Midnight" (Hot 100 #14, country #9);
•"If You Talk In Your Sleep" b/w "Help Me" (Hot 100 #17, country #6);
•"My Boy" b/w "Thinking About You" (Hot 100 #20, country #14);
•"Mr. Songman" (B-side of "T-R-O-U-B-L-E," Hot 100 #35, country #11).
(EIN note - How odd that Elvis "skirting the Top 40" is a sign of dynamism! Surely RCA would have hoped that Elvis would get into the Top Ten after the success of 'Aloha'?)
Ernst Jørgensen has long been concerned with doing justice to the Stax sessions, which were never acknowledged by the artist's record label RCA as a unified whole. Instead, as with most of Presley's studio work in his second decade as a recording artist, the tracks were scattered onto LPs and intermingled with material recorded in Nashville and Hollywood. The bulk of the Stax cuts showed up on Raised On Rock/For Ol’ Times Sake (1973), Good Times (1974), and Promised Land (1975). For ELVIS AT STAX, many of the outtakes originated on the reissues of those three albums on the FTD label. ELVIS AT STAX was produced by Jørgensen, Semon, and Rob Santos of Legacy A&R.
Taking up the cause for ELVIS AT STAX is another scholar and aficionado of the artist, award-winning resident Memphis journalist Robert Gordon, who has written an in-depth, day-by-day liner notes essay for the box set.
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(EIN Note - It will be fascinating to see whether Robert Gordon includes the mainly despondent stories from Elvis' acquaintances at the STAX sessions.)
Elvis spent 12 days at Stax in 1973 (July 21-25 and December 10-16), and the rollercoaster ride of those sessions is meticulously detailed in Gordon’s liner notes. ELVIS AT STAX neatly compartmentalizes the results:
•Disc 1: The R&B and Country Sessions – The Outtakes: 17 tracks
•Disc 2: Part 1 – The Pop Sessions – The Outtakes: 10 tracks
•Disc 2: Part 2 – The July 1973 Masters: four single sides and six album tracks, and
•Disc 3: The December 1973 Masters: seven single sides and 11 album tracks.
GO HERE to Elvis The Music for all the details.
3CD set - Price:$28.69 - Pre Order Here >>> Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniversary (3 CD) .
Best of - Price:$12.50 Pre Order here >> > Elvis At Stax: 40th Anniversary (1 CD) Best Of .
(News, Source;Amazon/ElvisInfoNet) |
CD1 - The R&B and Country Sessions
1. I Got A Feelin' In My Body - take 1
2. Find Out What's Happening - tks 8/7
3. Promised Land - take 4 (I)
4. For Ol' Times Sake - take 4
5. I've Got A Thing About You, Babe - take 14
6. It's Midnight - take 7
7. If You Talk In Your Sleep - take 5
8. Loving Arms - take 2
9. You Asked Me To - take 3A
10. Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues - take 8
11. Talk About The Good Times - take 3
12. There's A Honky Tonk Angel - tk 1
13. She Wears My Ring - take 8
14. Three Corn Patches - take 14
15. I Got A Feelin' In My Body - take 4
16. If You Don't Come Back - take 3
17. Promised Land - take 5 |
CD 2 - The Pop Sessions / July 1973 Masters
1. Mr. Songman - take 2
2. Your Love's Been A Long time Coming tk4
3. Spanish Eyes - take 2
4. Take Good Care Of Her - takes 1,2,3
5. It's Diff'rent Now (unfinished recording)
6. Thinking About You - take 4
7. My Boy - take 1
8. Girl Of Mine - take 9
9. Love Song Of The Year - take 1
10. If That Isn't Love - take 1
11. Raised On Rock
12. For Ol' Time Sake
13. I've Got A Thing About You Baby
14. Take Good Care Of Her
15. If You Don't Come Back
16. Three Corn Patches
17. Girl Of Mine
18. Just A Little Bit
19. Find Out What's Happening
20. Sweet Angeline |
CD 3 - The December 1973 Masters
1. Promised Land
2. It's Midnight
3. If You Talk In Your Sleep
4. Help Me
5. My Boy
6. Thinking About You
7. Mr. Songman
8. I Got A Feelin' In My Body
9. Loving Arms
10. Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues
11. You Asked Me To
12. There's A Honky Tonk Angel (Who Will Take Me Back In)
13. Talk About The Good Times
14. She Wears My Ring
15. Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming
16. Love Song Of The Year
17. Spanish Eyes
18. If That Isn't Love |
Updated - 'The Elvis Files Vol. 1 1953-56' In Depth Book Review: The first volume of the Elvis Files story, chronicling Elvis' rise from his pre SUN discovery to becoming the world's biggest new sensation - nearly 600 pages & over 1,400 photos...
All ELVIS EVENTS in this Time Frame Period 1953-1956 are shown..
- Every Working Moment...
- The Early Tours
- Plenty of CANDID Moments.
- Elvis Interviews
- The TV Shows
There is an incredible impact to this book that can shock even the most blasé of Elvis fans who think they have seen it all before. The amazing amount of sensational images, interviews and informative articles gathered together within its 600 pages is stupefying.
Of all the books I have previously purchased about early Elvis none of them demonstrate the excitement and dynamic life of Elvis as well as this superb volume. No other series of Elvis photo-books comes close.
Click here to find out what it includes with lots of example pages, book extracts - plus great ELVIS photos- Updated with extra images
(Book Reviews, Source;EIN) |
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UPDATED - 'Aloha From Hawaii' 40th Anniv LEGACY CD Review: There is no doubt that most people reading this review will know Elvis’ phenomenal Aloha From Hawaii' concert inside out. Every fan will know the TV broadcast, most fans will have bought the album several times, a fair number will have also bought the "Alternate Aloha" rehearsal and a few will have seen the original broadcast on TV back in 1973.
We all know this classic record-breaking concert so well. Dressed in his stunning "American-Eagle" jumpsuit, tanned, slim and Adonis-like, Elvis was truly at the peak of his later career.
But with no "new" material to be offered on this Legacy 40th Anniversary re-release do the audio re-masters and packaging with 24 page booklet create a release worth of such a magnificent event.
Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley takes a good look at this all-important 40th Anniv release and discovers the Good and the Bad.. Now UPDATED with YOUR feedback and Ernst Jorgensen interview
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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Elvis And The Vocal Group Tradition: Elvis Presley and doo-wop are not two phrases that normally go together. But, the vocal-group tradition was a profound part of the King's musical heritage, and the group sound's influence on Presley demonstrates the way the art form has infiltrated and informed pop music even if the sound is not visible on the surface.
But like blues, gospel and country, the vocal-group sound was where Elvis returned whenever he needed a shot of the real thing. It was a part of who he was.
Harley Payette sent this article on "Elvis and doo-wop" to EIN several years ago, asking for us to wait a while before we published it on-line. Today seems the right day to remember his insightful writing and thoughts about the music world that he so loved....
Go here as EIN contributor Harley Payette takes a fascinating look at this often over-looked Elvis musical influence...
(Spotlight; Source;HarleyPayette/ElvisInfoNet)
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Elvis Week 2013 Pre-Sale and Events Schedule: EPE is already warming up for Elvis Week 2013 with tickets for Elvis Insiders going on sale this Tuesday, April 9.
Elvis Week 2013 is Saturday, August 10 - Saturday, August 17. EPE are excited to be bring back the Elvis Week Main Stage at Graceland again this year.
The Main Event this year is the repeat of the “Aloha from Hawaii” 40th Anniversary Enhanced Screening that was shown in Hawaii this past January (and damn good it was too - See EIN Review here)
Other Elvis Week 2013 highlights are
- August 14 - Conversations on Elvis - Hosted by Tom Brown, this event lets fans hear from those who worked closest with the king – from friends, colleagues, co-stars, |
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musicians and more. Confirmed guests: Mother Dolores Hart, T.G. Sheppard, who formed a close personal and professional relationship with Elvis while promoting records for RCA – Elvis would later, as a token of their friendship, give TG his first tour bus. More guests to be announced soon.
- August 15 - Elvis Gospel Celebration: Start off your morning with an amazing gospel celebration featuring Terry Mike Jeffrey, Andy Childs and former members of J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet – Bill Baize, Donnie Sumner, Ed Hill and Larry Strickland as they sing some of their favorite Elvis gospel songs on stage.
- August 15 - Candlelight Vigil: After an opening ceremony at the gates of Graceland, fans are invited to walk up the driveway to Elvis' gravesite in quiet remembrance.
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- August 16 - Official Elvis Insiders Event: This year’s Elvis Insiders event will be a celebration of all that is Elvis with special segments that highlight various parts of Elvis’ life and career. Attendees will enjoy sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes looks, rarely-seen videos, feature segments filmed just for the event,
- August 16 - “Aloha from Hawaii” 40th Anniversary Enhanced Screening: At the Orpheum Theatre, celebrate entertainment history with a special enhanced screening of Elvis’ landmark 1973 television event. Elvis’ “Aloha from Hawaii”. As a special enhancement to the evening, enjoy a performance by former members of J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet.
- August 17 - Elvis Celebration Concert featuring Terry Mike Jeffrey with Special Guest DJ Fontana: Join us for a celebration of Elvis music during a special afternoon concert event. The show will feature Terry Mike Jeffrey and band performing some of their favorite Elvis tunes, joined by Elvis’ original drummer – DJ Fontana.
Plus the usual 'Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contests' that for some reason regularly sell out.
For the complete EPE 'Schedule of Events' Click Here.
(News, Source;EPE/ElvisInfoNet) |
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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 website 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
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