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Elvis Presley 50 Australian Top Ten Hits 1956-1977 (CD Review) - A Case of What Could Have Been!: Sony Music Australia recently released an Aussie Top Ten hits compile. EIN finds that should have been a special release turns out to be flawed in several important ways and not surprisingly the album is slipping quickly down the charts! Read EIN's detailed review

Elvis, music and religion: HEAVY metal fans in Britain are being urged to officially register themselves as followers of a religion in the next Census. The campaign has attracted more than 10,000 followers on Facebook. The big question is why. Perhaps fans want tax exemptions on heavy metal albums - or hearing aids. Music can be a dangerous art. That much was understood by Plato, Tolstoy and the fathers of the medieval church, all of whom wanted to control it. The churches first attempted to control that power long ago. In 1322, Pope John XXII issued a decree banning the use in church of certain musical notes thought to cause "wantonness". The 82-year-old pope - a skilled musician - acknowledged that secular musicians were using the notes in the major scale to express joy and pleasure and could thus destroy "religious feeling". By the pope's logic, the grand sounds of Beethoven, Gershwin, Mavis Staples and Marvin Gaye would have been devoid of spirituality. Six centuries after the decree, the church was still debating which sounds were God's and which belonged to Satan. During the 1940s, the conservative white southern churches in the US preached against jazz because it contained what they called "the devil's notes". It's no joke. The church leaders were intimidated by what were technically the flattened third and seventh notes of the musical scale that gave jazz its slightly out-of-tune blues feel.

Jazz was described by Henry Van Dyke in 1920 as "music invented by demons". The Argus, a respected Melbourne newspaper, said in an editorial in 1926: "An imported vogue of sheer barbarism, jazz is a direct expression of the negroid spirit ... it affronts the ear at every turn."

A few years later, the challenging and invigorating nature of early rock 'n' roll was interpreted by some groups as evil. This mixture of intense rhythms and staccato melodies was surely the devil's work, they said.

And Elvis Presley was the devil's man, according to some. Elvis would be 75 if he were alive today and perhaps would have been all shook up by the way he is now viewed by some. For sheer religious craziness, it is hard to top the Elvis is God movement that has sprung up in parts of the world. The number of religious sites devoted to the King is staggering: there are several churches of Elvis and several online Elvis shrines.

There is a Jewish Elvis impersonator called Jelvis, who wears a Jewish prayer shawl and bills himself as the "Kosher King". In India, there is a shrine outside New Delhi devoted to Elvis, whose photo hangs beside pictures of Hindu gods. The faithful reportedly come to worship Elvis just like the other deities.

"I know it sounds strange, but there are those who sincerely believe Elvis is God," once said a spokesman for the First Presley-terian Church in Denver.

The cult of St Elvis has fascinated social scientists for years. Even Sam Phillips, the man who first recorded Elvis, was once moved to proclaim: "The two most important events in American history were the birth of Jesus Christ and the birth of Elvis Presley."

No matter that Christ was not born in the US. Truth does not matter when religious fanaticism and pop music are involved. More powerful than religion or even science, music is able to directly express the fundamental urges that move mankind. Aldous Huxley said that, after silence, music comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible.

Music is much more than mere sound waves. It is an instinctive spiritual language that is universally recognised. When Einstein was asked about his theory of relativity he said: "It occurred to me by intuition and music was the driving force behind that intuition. My discovery was the result of musical perception."

Music is the language of emotions and strong, honest emotions are often mistrusted these days, hence the facile pop lyrics that seem to push songs to the top of the charts. Much pop music is disposable dross, but thankfully not all. The best of it can be inspiring.

As Elvis himself said: "Music is like religion. When you experience either of them, it should move you." (News, Source: Bryan Patterson, Herald Sun)

New Releases: As we reported earlier, o n March 22 the Jasmine label will release a 2CD set Hits Of The '50s. According to Amazon UK Chrome Dreams will release a DVD with Elvis' picture on it this month. We have no idea what the content might be of a DVD called All Hail The King and subtitled A 75 Year Tribute To Elvis Presley.

New home for the King's favorite ride?: Bay Beach Amusement Park may become home to a roller coaster that was Elvis Presley's favorite ride. Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt expected to go to Memphis, Tenn., this weekend to check out a wooden roller coaster that is being taken apart there. Green Bay has been scoping out antique roller coasters around the country in hopes of acquiring one for Bay Beach. A roller coaster was one of the recommendations when the city hired a consultant in 2008 to upgrade the park. The city has had its eye on a 1920s-vintage roller coaster, the location of which the owner has asked to keep confidential, Schmitt said. While studying that option, the city discovered the other antique that's for sale in Memphis.

Known as the Zippin Pippin, the wooden structure stands in the former Libertyland amusement park in Memphis. Workers were dismantling it this week and numbering the pieces for eventual reconstruction, but halted at Schmitt's request so he could travel down to see it. The trip, including air fare and hotel accomodations, should be less than $600 and would come out of the parks department budget, according to Schmitt's office.

The ride was built in 1915, then moved and reconstructed in 1923. A sign at the Memphis park claims the Pippin was Elvis Presley's favorite ride, and that he had rented the entire park for a group of friends eight days before he died in 1977. It reportedly was his last public appearance.

The owner is a nonprofit group dedicated to saving the ride and amusement park, Schmitt said. "People don't want to see these things disappear from their communities," said Green Bay parks director Bill Landvatter.

Libertyland closed in 2005 for financial reasons. Both roller coasters under consideration are among the nation's 10 oldest, Schmitt said. Either would be suitable, but Schmitt admitted it would be especially attractive to have a ride that the King of Rock 'n' Roll loved.

"Could you just see having Elvis Presley Day at Bay Beach?" Schmitt said.

Along with continuing negotiations with both owners, Schmitt said, the city is studying Wisconsin's amusement ride standards to see what would be involved in bringing either roller coaster up to code. The cost of either is almost irrelevant, because the purchase price is a fraction of the cost of dismantling, moving, reassembling and re-engineering, Schmitt said. The overall price tag likely will range from $2.5 million to $3 million —about half the cost of building a new one from scratch, Schmitt said.

"We're confident that revenue from rides will pay for the cost of it, and we'd have a revenue source for years to come," Schmitt said.

Bay Beach generates hundreds of thousands of dollars in income each year through ticket and concession sales. If a third of park visitors rode the roller coaster at $1 a ticket, it would quickly pay off the purchase debt and increase the use of the park's other attractions, Schmitt said. Bay Beach last had a roller coaster in 1936. (News, Source: greenbaypressgazette.com)

Presley's Place cafe/pub: If you happen to be in Belgium, be sure to visit the new Elvis cafe "Presley's Place" in the city of Rijkevorsel, about 15 minutes from the Elvis shop. Peter Godefridi opened up this themed pub this week and invites all Elvis fans to check it out. And since it's so close to the Elvis Matters shop, why not combine both? Here's the address: Presley's Place, 12 Dorp, Rijkevorsel Belgium. (News, Source: Elvis News/Elvis Matters)

Aussie Chart Update: On today's ARIA charts, Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll slips one place to #24 (91 weeks on chart; 2xP) on the Music DVD Chart. On the Album chart, Elvis Presley 50 Australian Top Ten Hits slides four places to #24 (4 weeks on chart). (News, Source: ARIA)

Local woman reunited with late mother thanks to Elvis Friday Flashbacks: Elvis, as we all know, is even bigger now than he was when he was alive and a local family is saying thanks to Elvis.

Watch the video
 

This month, WHAS11’s Friday Flashbacks, from the WHAS11 archives continues and what fitting way to start it with a true occurrence. On January 8th, WHAS11 News featured a Friday Flashback honoring Elvis’ 75th birthday and a Louisville family watching the newscast that night, suddenly reunited with their late mother, after a nine second film clip.

It was Louisville in 1974 and on the video; Elvis emerges from his hotel room near the fairgrounds to head to Freedom Hall for his concert. In the crowd that day, WHAS reporter Jim West was interviewing people. He happened to talk to Dorothy Goff, who was with her daughter and grandkids that day. Because the concert ended late, she never saw her interview that aired on WHAS that day.  She and her family missed it.

That is, until a few weeks ago, during WHAS11’s 6pm news. WHAS11 invited them both to the station to view that short clip once again. It became a tearful reunion, 30 years after her mother's death. The family has no home movies so it was the first time they've seen or heard her voice since her death. But WHAS11 had a surprise for them both; a longer segment of Dorothy on film that had never aired. And through it all, the unlikely reunion via film really does have the hand of Elvis all over it.  Dorothy died at age 75. Her daughter and granddaughter saw her again, by chance, on the day of Elvis' 75th birthday, which was also Dorothy’s birthday. (News, Source: whas11.com)

The show is backed by The Extravaganza Show Band the #1 touring tribute band in the country complete with rhythm section, horns, singers and complete orchestra charts based on Elvis' original arrangements. In addition to the show fans will have more than a dozen memorabilia tables to choose from to find their favorite Elvis collectible or souvenir as well as exclusive fan-only gatherings after the shows at a nearby hotel.

This year's special guest is Elvis Presley personal physician Dr George Nikopolous, "Dr. Nick."  Nikopolous was Elvis' full time doctor and traveled with Presley from 1970 until his death in 1977.  Nikopolous attempted to resuscitate Elvis, pronounced him dead on August 16, 1977 and was present during his autopsy.  This marks the first time that Dr. Nikopolous has participated in a fan event. Also appearing is Dean Nikopolous, a member of Elvis' Memphis Mafia.

On Sunday at the 6pm show the National Winner will be announced and will receive cash, prizes and the title of "The World's Finest Elvis Impersonator." 2008 Winner Vic Trevino of Denton, TX is now touring with "The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Tour" produced by Elvis Presley Enterprises and On Stage Touring (a division of Legends in Concert).  2009 Winner Billy Lindsey will return to the event to defend his title.

Fans can obtain more information and impersonators can still sign up to participate at www.elviscontest.com. VIP Passes are still available which include 2-day admission to the fair (Sat & Sun), admission to the fan after-show events, a t-shirt and an advance meet and greet with Doctor Nick Friday night at the VIP gathering.  Get yours here:

http://elvismall.com/products/2010-National-Finals-FAN-VIP-PACKAGE-EARLY-BIRD-SPECIAL.html 

"Original Elvis Tribute" Returns To Holland & Belgium To Mark Elvis' 75th Anniversary!: In early May, "The Original Elvis Tribute 2010" production will return to Holland and Belgium for three exclusive shows in Holland and Belgium to mark The King's 75th year:

Effenaar, Eindhoven - May 2

Roma, Antwerpen - May 6

Het Bolwerk, Sneek - May 8

The show in Eindhoven will be rather special, because the Dutch Elvis-fanclub "Elvis For Everyone" is celebrating its 15th anniversary, and they are planning lots of surprises for that day. The "Original Elvis" show will consist of top Elvis sound-a-like Robert Washington, Elvis' 1974/'75 bassplayer Duke Bardwell, Elvis-songwriter Michael Jarrett, singer & model Sue Moreno, top session-guitarist Chris Casello and Hollywood drummer Marc Singer.

Duke says: "We are really looking forward to coming to Holland and Belgium. I've always had a special relationship with both countries ever since I first performed there back in 2003. I have made a lot of friends there, and I'm very excited about seeing them all again at the shows. We are planning to make this something special for Elvis' 75th anniversary, and we will be doing a lot of Elvis' lesser-known songs that are just as good as the classics, like 'Stranger In The Crowd'. Wait til you hear Robert Washington sing - he's the closest to Elvis that I have ever heard. Sue Moreno from Holland will also be a part of the band, and I'm really looking forward to working with her. She's a gorgeous woman and a great singer.

Let's make these shows a great celebration in memory of The King - see you there!". (Info: www.elvisnews.dk) (News, Source: Arjan Deelen)

'Love Me Tender: The Love Songs of Elvis Presley' to Air On US Hallmark Channel: On February 12, at 8.00PM Eastern Time "Love Me Tender…The Love Songs Of Elvis Presley" will air on The Hallmark Channel, celebrating romantic favorites by Elvis. "Love Me Tender" is hosted by Ashley Judd and includes footage of Elvis singing his most heart-warming hits, plus interviews that offer a truly unique look at another riveting facet of this international superstar. Known and loved around the world as the undisputed King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley was also among the world’s most beloved singers of love songs. Starting with his first recorded love song in 1956, "I Want You I Need You I Love You" his love songs revealed a tender side of Elvis in which his audiences fell in love! Click here to see EIN's review of the DVD. (News, Source;EPE)

'RARE ELVIS VOLUME 4' 30th Anniversary CD: A new import release. From 1980 to 2010, 30 years after the first volume of RARE ELVIS, finally here is Volume 4, to celebrate its 30th anniversary! Features 25 hard-to-find tracks in the best sound quality ever available!! Limited Edition of 500 copies. Full colour booklet - lots of info and great pictures! Including 6 tracks unreleased in this form! Almost 70 minutes of rare tracks for the first time on one CD! Tracklist; Ready Teddy - 1983 remix from I Was The One LP (unreleased on CD) Brown Eyed Handsome Man - (unreleased new edit ) Don’t – 1983 remix from I Was The One LP (unreleased on CD) Ain´t That Loving You Baby - spliced alternate take, full version Frankfort Special – takes 7,8 Tonight is All Right for Love – extended stereo version Bossa Nova Baby – original 1987 extended mix by Simon Harris (unreleased in digital remastered sound ) Please Don’t Stop Loving Me – take 17

'All Hail The King' new UK DVD: UK company Chrome Dreams will release an new Elvis DVD on Feb 15th this month. Titled 'All Hail The King' and subtitled 'A 75 Year Tribute To Elvis Presley' EIN imagines that the content will be interviews with the usual suspects and little more. Chrome Dreams have so far concentrated on Presley Public Domain releases.       (News, Source;EIN/ElvisNews)

'Elvis In A Minnesota Minute' MRS book Previews: The MRS label will publish its first standalone book as a limited edition only release. The 9 x 11 inch hardback book contains 100 pages in full color gloss print, featuring the photographic works of Tim Healy in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Elvis Presley show on October 17, 1976. "As the Minneapolis Tribune reported at the time, “Elvis is in as good shape as ever and, of course, as a performer on stage, singing or just fooling around, he has more charisma than a dozen other top performers combined. Will Elvis endure? Judging by the screams of the audience he's in no trouble.” Below are two of Tim Healy's exclusive photos from the book showing Elvis in fine form for 1976. Click here for more details & purchase info. (News, Source;MRS)

Alanna Nash talks to EIN: In the final part of her absorbing interview with EIN, author Alanna Nash talks candidly about many fascinating issues including: the controversy about her new book, Baby, Let's Play House Elvis and physical force against women in his life Elvis' psychological issues Elvis and relationships the Gladys Presley letter to Parchman Prison why Elvis acquiesced to the Colonel Elvis' mischievous side Read the interview

The spelling of "Aaron": Following our story yesterday about documents uncovered by Elvis researcher, Patrick Lacy, we received this message from Memphis Mafia member, Marty Lacker: For those who have not read my book Elvis Aaron Presley: Revelations of the Memphis Mafia (later re-issued as Elvis and the Memphis Mafia), here is the full story of what Patrick Lacy refers to when he mentions my name in his findings about the true spelling of Elvis' middle name Aaron, not Aron. In December, 1966 in the basement den with Elvis, his father, Richard Davis and Mike Keaton, we were talking about something that had to have his name on it.  Out of the blue I said to Elvis,"You know with your knowledge of the bible, how come your middle name is spelled with one "A" as opposed to the biblical spelling,  which is normally used, that of Aaron with two "A's?"  He answered while glancing at his father then back to me,"Well you know back then some people didn't know how to spell or spell someone's name."  He was referring to Vernon giving Elvis his middle named to honor Vernon's best friend in Tupelo, Aaron Kennedy.  So when Vernon went to register his name for the birth certificate he misspelled the name when filling out the form.  What's ironic is that the Dr. who delivered Elvis, when filling out the required birth record that he was legally bound to do, he spelled Aaron with two "A's" on the birth record.  What makes it even more unusual is the Dr. wrote Elvis' first name as Evis because when he asked Vernon the name, Vernon always,for whatever reason, didn't pronounce the "L" in Elvis and called him Evis.  I have a copy of the birth record and it plainly states in the Doctor's handwriting Evis Aaron Presley. So after Elvis saying that about the spelling, he further turned to his father and said,"Daddy from now on, on any legal document or anything else I want you to spell my middle name with two "A's."  And there you have the reason why the spelling was changed from one "A" to two "A's." Marty

Read more of Marty's Comments on EIN

Live On Tour New Version: This will feature footage of Madison Square Garden, the March '72 " Rock'n'Roll Medley " rehearsal, the complete Jaycees documentary, the most complete Madison Square Garden Press Conference, the complete Houston Press Conference, superb, never-before-seen-quality video of the hit single "Always On My Mind," plus a few extras! (News, Source: Elvis News/FECC)

Elvis' death revisited: Radio DJ Michael O'Connor was program director on station KYA 1260AM in San Fransisco in August 1977. Michael just launched a site, deticated to Elvis' death, filled with original news broadcasts. The site features radio broadcasts from August 1977 including vintage interviews of shocked friends and fans reacting to the death of Elvis. Hear on-the-scene reports as fans are interviewed at the gates of Graceland. Listen to the news conference at the hospital where Elvis was taken. Tune-in to rare interviews with friends who last saw him alive. (News, Source: Elvis Matters/Michael O'Connor)

New licensed product - Elvis Coin Banks: Flexcraft brings you their Elvis Presley coin bank series, where all seven high gloss, guitar-shaped banks measure 21" tall and each is decorated with memorable graphics of the king himself. The banks are offered with or without Flexcraft's gourmet popcorn, and are sure to be a hit with your favorite Elvis collector. (News, Source: Elvis News/EPE)

More FTDs deleted: FTD has deleted Studio B and Nashville Marathon. (News, Source: Elvis News/Elvis Australia)

Nick Jonas as Elvis: Nick Jonas, member of the pop group The Jonas Brothers, can be seen on the Spring 2010 issue of the Vman magazine. Jonas' photoshoot is inspired by Elvis. As you can see, there is a resemblance of Elvis' publicity shots for the movie Love Me Tender. Jonas announces a solo album in the article. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

'Off Duty With Private Presley' MOJO Promo: Noted UK music publication MOJO features an advert for the new MRS release 'Off Duty With Private Presley' in this month's issue. The full page advert notes,  50 YEAR COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE (1960-2010). Contains recordings made during Elvis' time off duty with such classic's as 'A Big Hunk 0' Love', `A Fool Such As I' and 'I Got Stung' plus 30 UNRELEASED TRACKS privately recorded by Elvis, available for the first time ever. The accompanying book has 100 pages of stunning rare and unreleased photographs with informative text and historical facts. OUT 22nd February 2010. With links to on-line sales via HMV (click here) or Play.com (click here)  there is a good chance that this new release will get to a high position in the UK charts, after already reaching the Top Ten on pre-order charts.   (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet/MojoUK)

Elvis Presley's GOLD Cadillac Tour of Australasia 1968-69 (Book Review): Australasian Elvis fans never got to see Elvis on their sunny shores but in 1968-69 they did get to see a piece of Elvis history when his 1960 Series 75 Fleetwood Limousine went on display across Australia and New Zealand. Well known Australian Elvis historian, Bob Hayden, has released his comprehensive look at the events behind the tour and its trek north, south, east and west around Australia and on to New Zealand. Filled with well researched information and many rare photos, this is a little known tour in Elvis history well worth taking! Read the full review (Book Review, Source: EIN)

The initial romance between the artist and his fans, however, devolved into a fatal attraction for a self-destructive star in decline, a seemingly different man altogether, who history would mockingly remember as "Fat Elvis."

"Elvis rolled out the blueprint for a lot of the behaviour that modern-day rockers take for granted: excessive women and substance abuse," says Nash. "But he would hate to think that was his legacy."

The morbid fascination with Presley's decay set a tone for tabloid stories about celebrities that endures to this day. Fortunately for the singer, planting the seeds of schadenfreude meant he didn't experience the full ugliness of its outgrowth. The sexual dalliances laid bare in Baby Let's Play House, for example, are enough to make Tiger Woods' indiscretions look like fodder for Seventeen magazine.

Lest we forget that, among countless other improprieties, Presley began courting future wife Priscilla when he was 24 and she was 14. But, save for conservative fearmongering over his swivelling midsection, Presley's tawdrier exploits went largely unreported.

"I suspect there's a lot of stuff Elvis did that we don't know about," says Robert Thompson, one of North America's foremost experts on popular culture. "And even if the press were aware of the more unsavoury stories, they were often reluctant to cover them; look at how they gave [U. S. president John F.] Kennedy a pass."

Although the passion still flourishes, it's an informed love that recognizes Presley as a complete person -- both flaws and fortes -- and as a foundational piece in a much bigger picture.

"Elvis Presley was the beginning of a new era in celebrity culture and obsession, which manifested itself in what now seem like charming, innocent ways," says Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University. "Michael Jackson represents the end of that chapter, with it becoming totally toxic and ultimately deadly." (Book Review, Source: Misty Harris, Canwest News Service/The Vancouver Sun)

Tomorrow on EIN: The final part of EIN's absorbing interview with noted author, Alanna Nash, author of the intriguing and controversial book, Baby, Let's Play House: Elvis Presley and the Women Who Loved Him. In Part 3 of her interview, Alanna talks candidly about many fascinating issues including: the controversy about Baby, Let's Play House Elvis and physical force against women in his life Elvis' psychological issues Elvis and relationships the Gladys Presley letter to Parchman Prison why Elvis acquiesced to the Colonel Elvis' mischievous side

Alanna Nash podcast links: As more fans discover one of the best Elvis books to be released in years, Baby, Let’s Play House: Elvis Presley and the Women Who Loved Him, author Alanna Nash has been on the media trail and here are a selection of podcasts involving Alanna:

Don’t miss these Radio Caroline Programmes on Sky Channel 0199, NTL Eire, across Europe on the Astra satellite and a variety of fm radio services, plus around the world on the Worldspace Satellite Network and on line on www.radiocaroline.co.uk  (News, Source: Todd Slaughter/Elvis News)

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Elvis 76 - Hot Summer Nights: new CD-book set: 4 CD Book, Memphis Tennessee, July 5, Hartford, July 28, Charleston, July 24, Hampton Roads, August 1. Limited and Numbered Edition of 500 Copies. (News, Source: www.elvisunlimited.com/  www.epgold.com)

Leading Asian Elvis stylist releases new album: One of Asia's most popular and respected Elvis stylists, HT Long, has released his latest album, HT Long Sings the Golden Hits of Elvis Presley The Number One Love Songs Album. The track listing is: 1. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry   2. Never Ending   3. Pocketful Of Rainbows   4. Hard Knocks   5. Hawaiian Sunset   6. Echoes Of Love   7. Fountain Of Love   8. I'll Be There   9. Mr.Songman 10. Love Me Tender 11. Jacqueline (News, Source: EIN) Read EIN's review of an earlier HT album: Please Don't Stop Loving Me

John Wilkinson remembers Elvis: Sunday night the music industry celebrated its biggest stars at the Grammy Awards, including people who have made such a mark on the world's culture, we refer to them simply by their first names because we feel like we know them. A Springfield musician, though, really can say he knew Elvis. Johnny Wilkinson says he's one of the few people who lived out his childhood dream. The guitarist shared the stage with Elvis Presley for the last ten years of the King's life. It's a friendship that began here in Springfield. "I'd like to introduce some members of my group to you," Elvis said during one concert. "On the rhythm guitar from Springfield, Missouri, John Wilkinson."

Elvis fan remembers Elvis in Minnesota: Coinciding with the 'Elvis In A Minnesota Minute' MRS book and the FTD ‘A Minnesota Moment’ CD release, Elvis fan Terrie Counter sent us her special memories of being at the very concert. >>> This is my story of being there the Elvis concert in Minneapolis on October 17,1976......it is how I remember seeing Elvis - Terrie Counter. When the news broke Elvis was going to be in Minneapolis to do a concert, I immediately called my sister who lived 250 miles away to tell her. I am sure in the back of my mind, I wanted to make her jealous since she was really the Elvis fan in the family. I actually was not an Elvis fan at the time. Once it came out in the paper we could send for tickets, I did just that. Much to my disappointment, I got a letter back saying “THE ELVIS CONCERT WAS SOLD OUT”- Fortunately, a neighbor of mine had sent for tickets and so had her brother. They had two extra tickets and sold them to me....surprisingly for what they paid for them...which if memory serves me correctly, it was $12.50 each. The night we walked into the auditorium you could feel something in the air.....it was like there was a charisma.....I now know why and what fans mean when they say they feel it.

When Elvis walked out on stage, it was the most exciting and incredible feeling one could ever experience. I actually did not think I was going to like Elvis....I thought he would act like.....here I am..... I was totally blown away..... I was so impressed with how he treated his fans. He acknowledged everyone that hollered something out to him.....he could not always do what they wanted him to do, but he acknowledged them. Elvis never forgot who put him where he was. Elvis did a fabulous show and I walked away from that concert an Elvis fan and have been one ever since. After seeing him in Minneapolis, I wanted more and wanted to see him in Vegas. A group of us were going to go see him September 1977 in Vegas but we all know that did not take place. I do feel very fortunate though that I got to see him when I did. The ironic part of this is my sister, as I said, was the true Elvis fan and she always wanted to see Elvis and I wanted to go to Hawaii......I saw Elvis and she went to Hawaii....crazy, huh? -TCB 4 NOW, Terrie, January 2010. (Right:Elvis fan Terrie Counter & the FTD ‘A Minnesota Moment’) See below for full details of the MRS & FTD releases. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet/EP.ScrapbookTony)

Marty Lacker hits back at Charlie Watts. Yesterday EIN ran the on-line newspiece that Rolling Stone Charlie Watts never liked The Beatles or Elvis: "Of Ringo, yes, but not of the music. And I've always hated Elvis. He was the last one I wanted to use as a guide. Miles Davis and Fats Domino, yes, but Elvis, no." Marty Lacker sent EIN the following... "I read with interest the comments by Charlie Watts that he hates Elvis and doesn't like the Beatles but he is condescending to Ringo because he's a drummer which would make Watts look bad if he dissed Ringo. I'm sure the world couldn't go on until they got Watts' opinion on Elvis. I know I wouldn't have been able to sleep tonight without knowing. I just heard from rumblings Elvis' resting place at Graceland and I could swear I heard him say, "Charlie Who?" - Marty Lacker. (Photo Right; Keith Richards, Scotty,Elvis,Ronnie Wood)

Eight new Soundtrack Re-Releases Out Now: Sony Special Products have re-released the 8 new Elvis Soundtrack original albums BUT have included 'Viva Las Vegas' as a single album release for the first time. The soundtracks are G.I. Blues, Viva Las Vegas, Roustabout, Girls! Girls! Girls!, Frankie & Johnny, Girl Happy, Clambake, Fun In Acapulco all with the original tracklistings. Here are the new 75th Anniversary covers - plus the new one specially for Viva Las Vegas (note the added .. 'AND MORE'.) With thanks to Super-collector Barry McLean. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork;Barry Mclean)

Elvis Weekly Chart Update: - Billboard Top 200 Album Charts: 'Elvis 75' - Down from 43 to 138 - 'Cashbox Charts': Top Pop Albums - 'Elvis 75' (17) Top Pop Albums - 'Memories' (3CD Box Set) (39) Top Rock Albums - 'Memories' (3CD Box Set)(16) Top Rock Albums - 'Elvis 75' - (20) Top Recurrent Country Albums  'Elvis: 30 No.1 Hits' (10). - Somewhat sadly the QVC/Sony 'Memories' compilation is undermining 'Elvis 75' sales in the US. Australian ARIA Charts ARIA Album Chart '50 Australian Top Ten Hits 1956-1977' dissapointingly down to No.20 (3rd Week). ARIA Music DVD Chart 'Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll' #25 (News, Source:BrianQuinn/ARIA)

'Elvis 75 - The Concert' in Europe; Fans in Europe will be interested in the new Elvis Matters concert with the TCB Band.  May 22nd (Utrecht, The Netherlands) and May 23rd (Turnhout, Belgium) - be sure to take down those dates in your agenda. That's when ElvisMatters present "ELVIS 75 - THE CONCERT" featuring the TCB Band, Joe Guercio + Orchestra and backing vocals, and the new Dutch singing sensation Bouke. For Tickets and more info click here.       (News, Source;ElvisMatters)

Rolling Stones drummer, Charlie Watts blasts Elvis and the Beatles: What's up with the Rolling Stones? As they fast approach the anniversary of their half century of playing together, guitarist Keith Richards recently hopped on the wagon after decades of pummeling his body and now drummer Charlie Watts has told an Austrian newspaper that he's always hated the music of Elvis Presley and 60s rival the Beatles. The drummer, who is currently playing a series of concerts in Austria with blues-jazz ensemble The ABC&D of Boogie Woogie (named after the musicians in the band - pianists Axel Zwingenberger and Ben Waters, drummer Charlie Watts and bassist Dave Green), said, "I've never been a big Beatles fan.

"Elvis" hits the same marks as many biopics, beginning with a pensive backstage moment prior to a pivotal gig — in this case, Presley’s 1969 Las Vegas comeback. The narrative then doubles back to Presley’s poverty-stricken childhood, through career and life milestones (Sun Records, "The Ed Sullivan Show," the movies, marrying Priscilla, the birth of Lisa Marie).

"Elvis" scores highest when depicting Presley’s increasingly paranoid, passive-agressive treatment of his posse and wife. But the film stops short of presenting Presley’s ultimate disintegration; it ends on the Vegas stage, so we are spared the "fat Elvis" years.

DVD extras include casual commentary by Ronnie McDowell, who did all of the singing in the film, and Edie Hand, a cousin of Presley’s. Also included are vintage "American Bandstand" clips (alas, none with Presley) and "Elvis: Bringing a Legend to Life," a documentary produced at the time of the original broadcast. In it, Shelley Winters (who plays Presley’s mom, Gladys) recalls that Presley and Natalie Wood used to neck on her white-leather couch, and theorizes that Presley was such a mama’s boy, he wouldn’t get married until after his mother’s death. (DVD Review, Source: Mark Voger/The Star-Ledger)

Demolition of Zippin' Pippin: Elvis Presley's favorite roller coaster the Zippin' Pippin is coming down. Yesterday, a demolition crew began to tear down the classic 1923 out and back woodie. Efforts to save and relocate the roller coaster from the closed Libertyland amusement park failed. The city is spending $2 million to demolish the remains of Libertyland and the fairground property, so they can proceed with plans to redevelop the Mid-South Fairgrounds property. In November the city hired an expert to see if the roller coaster was salvageable. After a section of the ride was tore out, it was estimated that it would cost millions to restore or rebuild it. Zippin' Pippin has been sitting unused, exposed to the elements, since Libertyland shut its doors forever in October 2005. (News, Source: ultimaterollercoaster.com)

Singer says The King a real prince of a guy: Glen Campbell was a highly respected studio guitarist in L.A., before he became a solo artist in his own right in the late '60s and a superstar in the '70s. Among the classic songs he played on as a member of the studio clique, The Wrecking Crew, was Elvis Presley's Viva Las Vegas. Campbell said he thinks often of The King, who would have celebrated his 75th birthday on Jan. 8. "He's with me all the time," Campbell said. "I'll see stuff and it'll remind me of him. He was really, really a nice guy. I knew Elvis when he came in through Albuquerque, and that's where I was at the time (playing in my uncle's band). That's the first time I met him and he opened for Farron Young, and guess how many times he opened for Farron Young? Once. The crowd was saying, 'We want Elvis! We want Elvis!' I think Elvis had more charisma than anybody I've ever played with, ever met or ever seen. He just had it." It helped that the Arkansas-born Campbell and the Tennessee-born Presley were both small-town Southerners. "When I started the (Glen Campbell) Goodtime Hour (on CBS from 1969-72), I'd make it a point to go to Elvis, when Elvis was there, and he'd make a point to (come to me). 'Cause we really enjoyed talking to one another and singing. He was born and raised the same way, out in the sticks." (News, Source: Brian Quinn)

New book of Elvis poetry: Elvis Presley A GI's Watch is a collection of poetry by the Author Barbara O'Sullivan. This book contains a poem called A GI Watch which tells the story of a German Army wrist-watch being swapped for a bar of Chocolate in London in the second World War by the author's father, the late Timothy O'Sullivan. The wrist-watch is very similar to the wrist-watch Elvis wore in the film GI Blues and so the poem is dedicated to the late Elvis Presley and to the author's father and mother. In the film GI Blues, Elvis sings the song Wooden Heart as he watches a Punch and Judy show; he enjoyed it so much that he joined in as well. The book also contains poems dedicated to the author's mother, the late Monica O'Sullivan, the late Marlon Brando, the late Princess Diana, the late Michael Jackson, as well as many other poems and sonnets on various subjects including mythology and nature, and a poem about 5p - a shrinking British coin that predicts its own demise. (News, Source: Geri Walker) Buy the book

New eBook: Elvis' legend lives on... New generations continue to be fascinated by Elvis and his music. He was truly a 'legend in his own time' and since his death in 1977 his fame has only continued to grow. But who was Elvis BEFORE he was a legend, how did he become famous and how did fame and its pressures take over his life? “Want to Know the REAL ELVIS?” Ask the questions, find out the answers! Once you get started you won't want to stop. Elvis' life story is sure to captivate you... "Satisfy Your Craving for MORE Elvis...” Before you move to Memphis or book a trip to Vegas, satisfy your curiosity in the comfort of your home with information on the songs that made Elvis a hit, how his image changed during his career and the personal struggles that plagued him... All this and more in... ELVIS - Life of the King of Rock'n'Roll...(News, Source: Geri Walker) Buy the eBook

Graceland Brooklyn barbershop is fit for a king: Graceland Brooklyn, an Elvis Presley-themed barbershop and tattoo parlor that opened in Williamsburg last week, is drawing a steady stream of hipsters who want to go hillbilly. "There's definitely a throwback, retro attraction to it," said 44-year-old Village resident Doug Vannoni as he waited for an appointment. Vannoni said his pompadour hairstyle, which he nicknamed "Sheldon," gets him plenty of attention on his daily commute. "I'll be on the subway and a bunch of ...kids will see me and yell, 'Yo, Elvis! What's going on?' It's been pretty interesting."

"There's a lot of pompadour haircuts that we've done," said Hunt, 39, who idolized Presley as a kid growing up in Denver. It's just a different version. Elvis' pompadour was actually pretty long. The guys still like to have that essence on top but definitely the sides and the back are cleaned up."

The haircuts at Graceland aren't the only things that harken back to a time when Elvis was king. The salon itself looks like it was plucked directly from Presley's sprawling Memphis home. A black velvet painting of Elvis draped in fur tails greets customers as they enter the motorcycle garage-turned-salon on Lorimer St. Animal skin rugs and vintage barber chairs made of reptile skin fill the space as a turntable plays a wide variety of classic rock records including - you guessed it - Elvis.

"I actually have my mom's first-pressing 45s in here," said co-owner and stylist Bethany Paul who has an Elvis tattoo that covers her entire back. "Every time he came out with a new one she went out and bought it."

There's even a candle-covered piano with sheet music of Elvis love songs and a guitar mounted on the wall for anyone who gets a sudden urge to shake, rattle and roll while waiting to have their muttonchops trimmed. Some may scoff at the notion that Elvis' unique style still has a place in modern-day New York, but Vannoni and his throwback hairdo beg to differ.

"I think if Elvis fell out of the sky today and started walking the streets of Manhattan," Vannoni said, "people would think he is very fashionable and cool." (News, Source: Jeff Wilkins, NY Daily News)

Watch video of Graceland Brooklyn

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