all the latest...
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Elvis News
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...all the latest |
To save on upload time EIN no longer updates this News page.
However go here for regularly updated ELVIS NEW RELEASE NEWS about all the new Elvis CDs, Books, DVDs, magazines etc.
All recent news, reviews, interview and articles can be found on our Home page and older items in our Elvis News and Information Archives
Sonny West opens up to EIN (Part 2): Our apologies for the delay in presenting the second part of our interview with Sonny West. But here it is!
In part 2 of his long interview with EIN, Sonny talks about:
- Elvis and politics
- Elvis and bipolar disorder
- the Memphis Mafia
- sums up those in Elvis' inner circle
- the real reason why the Colonel worked Elvis so hard
- Elvis' death
- Elvis post 16 August 1977 - the conspiracy theories and claims by Dee Presley
- Sonny's new DVD and website (Interviews, Source: EIN)
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November FTD releases??: Although FTD hasn't confirmed the news, there are several identical rumours about the upcoming releases for November.
To stop all speculation Ernst Jorgensen decided not to release any dates, track listings or titles until the new CD's were ready to ship.
Despite this, the magazine 'Man And His Music' writes in their new issue that in November, FTD will bring out the CD's 'Pot Luck' (2cd) and 'Girls, Girls, Girls' (News, Source: Elvis Matters) |
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Distribution issues in Australia for "Protecting The King": It seems that the new David Stanley film bio has distribution issues in Australia. While it was listed by several leading retailers, including being featured in a recent K-Mart catalog, obtaining a copy of the DVD is proving difficult. EIN surveyed 4 K-Mart stores and none had the DVD in stock and none knew anything about it (despite its photo in the catalog!). Similarly, JB Hi-Fi has it listed only as a Special Order. A number of EIN readers have also indicated their disappointment at not being able to locate a copy.
Poor distribution arrangements can kill sales of new releases and it appears "Protecting The King" is in danger of not finding an audience for this reason. (News, Source: EIN/Various) |
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| No 2nd volume of "Elvis Straight Up": Joe Esposito, author of - amongst others - "Elvis Straight Up Vol. 1" has made it known to Elvis Matters that there will be no sequel. Volume 2 was announced, including the black & white cover, but the script itself has been withdrawn. No specific reason was given, other than Joe's hope to be able to concentrate on other book projects. (News, Source: Elvis Matters) |
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Chart update: In Austria "The King" remains #1 on the Album Charts while "Viva LAs Vegas" is at #7. In Spain "The King" drops from #11 to #16. In New Zealand "The King" remains steady at #2. In Finland, "The Essential Elvis Presley" drops from #11 to #15.
On the US Cashbox charts Elvis does very well. This is from the Cashbox site:
Last week and this week too, Elvis fans are flooding Memphis, Tennessee on the 30th anniversary of Elvis death. All Elvis product picked up steam and from our independent reports was selling so well the newest RCA releases were sold out in some areas. Our competition has this product at a low chart position, however two of these releases vaulted to # 1 in Cashbox. When is the world going to learn everything isn't soundscanned. A lot of Elvis product moved VIA independent vendors who don't know what soundscan is. I know we got it right. Sorry Billboard, you need to send some folks out in the field especially around Memphis and maybe you would get this weeks chart right. Depending solely on your source didn't get it this week.
Top Country Albums - 'Hitstory' - No.1 (EIN note: this is a surprising result!)
Top Inspirational Albums - 'Elvis: Ultimate Gospel' - No.1
Top Rock Albums - 'Elvis - Viva Las Vegas' - No.5
Some sales figures, the Billboard with cover date September 1 reports:-
Viva Las Vegas sales to date 27,759 position 54 on TOP 200
Essential Elvis sales to date 92,598 position 146 on TOP 200
In The Ghetto 10,037 downloads postion 70 on the Hot Digital Songs chart. These figures represent first week sales only. (News, Source: Brian Quinn on FECC board/Elvis News/Amber Smith)
Elvis films a hit on DVD: Warner Home Video recently participated in the largest Elvis Week in history with the release of some of Elvis’s greatest movies and the results have been amazing. A whole generation is being introduced to the fun of an Elvis movie, while Elvis fans who already knew, have been able to add to their collections. Some of the new releases are on DVD for the first time, some include new content and added scenes and a some have even been digitally remastered to look and sound even better than when they were first released. Details on each movie are available here (News, Source: EPE)
The Elvis Collection - more editions: Special Elvis movie assortments are now available. If you are a Costco or Sam’s Club member, you’ll want to know that, for a limited time, they are each offering a different, exclusive assortment of some of these movies.
Available at Costco is "The Elvis Collection". This deluxe 2-volume, 10-disc set features eight movies in blue suede-like packaging. Volume one features Jailhouse Rock, This is Elvis, It Happened at the World’s Fair, and Kissin’ Cousins while Volume two features Viva Las Vegas, Elvis That’s the Way It Is, Girl Happy and Live a Little, Love a Little.
Available at Sam’s Club is "The Elvis Gift Set" which features four great Elvis movies are available in a classic black collectible package. This assortment includes Jailhouse Rock, Viva Las Vegas, Kissin’ Cousins and Girl Happy. (News, Source: EPE) |
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Vernon Presley home set for demolition?: Sent to Elvis Express Radio by a member of the Elvis Insiders is a post from the forum from one member saying that while at night 2 of the music and movie events on the Graceland grounds, they spoke with an EPE employee who said that a number of houses (including Vernon's) had recently been purchased by EPE with the intent of knocking them down in order to make room for the building of the new Elvis experience we've heard so much about.
How true this is we just don’t know but EER has ONCE again contacted EPE for a comment. (News, Source: Elvis Express Radio) |
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Sid Shaw back in court in "Elvis vs. The Beatles": A store owner who had trouble celebrating the 30th anniversary of Elvis’s death in style is ready to fight it out further in court.
While a musical showdown between Elvis Presley and The Beatles may never go down in rock history, a dispute involving the two rock greats has left fans of the king of rock’n’roll and The Fab Four all shook up. On the surface, the turf war between two memorabilia stores in London’s tourist district has all the hallmarks of an almighty battle. The ‘rock war’ is shaping up into quite a drama in Baker Street, famed for its stores that stock mementos of British legends such as Sherlock Holmes.
It all began when Sid Shaw, who runs the Elvisly Yours store, tried desperately to get Howard Cohen from The Beatles Museum next door, to see it his way. With both singing a different tune, Shaw decided to go to court in his bid to evict Cohen from the basement in time for the 30th anniversary of his idol's death on Aug 16. Shaw, who held a grand party to mark the singer’s passing, was devastated when the judge threw out his application.
“The 30th anniversary is very important since many people who were alive during Elvis’ time would be dead when the 40th comes along,” he told local newspapers.
Shaw also wants to use the basement to run an Elvis karaoke tour business, using impersonators instead of guides, on open-top buses. The two music fans share a joint lease for the stores and their basements, with Shaw subletting his basement to Cohen last year. Shaw claimed his Beatles-loving counterpart breached the agreement by not waterproofing the basement, damaging his merchandise and not paying him 20% of ticket sales for the gallery.
“The whole thing is very sad. Why does he put me through so much anguish?” he was quoted as telling the media.
Shaw, whose wife Maureen died in March, said he was trying to rebuild his life and to do the things they had both loved to do. Cohen, on the other hand, said he had been working like a dog to pay the rent and was not prepared to budge. His counsel, Gillian Crew, told the court her client had been paying the rent for both men and was consequently owed money. She also claimed there was a delay in bringing the row to court after the agreement between both parties broke down last December.
Central London County Court judge Peter Cowell refused to grant the injunction, saying Cohen was breaking even and providing employment. The case has now been referred for a full trial in October. An epic battle seems to be looming ahead between the colourful Shaw, who wore wearing blue suede shoes to court, and the enigmatic Cohen, who’s determind to stand his ground. But as far as Cohen is concerned, Paul McCartney is absolutely brilliant and “we can hardly wait for his UK tour.”
In any case, he drove home the point that he was getting publicity from The Beatles’ great music, not from private matters. Shaw is adamant he’ll come out a winner.
“I’m a fighter. I fought to get the rights for Elvis in this country for 20 years and I won,” he was quoted as saying.
Whatever the outcome, the media hype surrounding the controversy should prove more entertaining than the case itself. But the publicity generated may actually provide a welcome boost in sales for both stores. After all, no one stands to benefit from any bad blood between fans of the two rock greats. (News, Source: Choi Tuck Wo, The Star Online/EER)
Latest celebrity visitors to Graceland: Diane Sawyer visited Graceland on August 15th to tape an interview with Lisa Marie Presley for the August 16th edition of Good Morning America. Larry King hosted an entire edition of Larry King Live inside Graceland on August 15th with special guest Priscilla Presley. Film and television producer James L. Brooks toured Graceland on August 23rd. Actor/comedian Andrew Dice Clay, who visited once before, toured Graceland on August 24th. (News, Source: EPE)
Elvis upgraded DVDs going cheap in Australia: Target stores in Australia are offering the newly upgraded Warner & Paramount DVD releases for the fabulous price of just AU$8.99. Including 'Blue Hawaii', 'Jailhouse Rock' and the 'Viva Las Vegas Deluxe edition' EIN suggests that Aussie Elvis fans check out their local store asap since the sale ends September 5th. During Elvis Week we saw these same DVDs for sale in Graceland stores for the rip-off price of US$23. For this price it might even be worth purchasing a new copy of 'Harum Scarum'! Note: K-Mart also has the Elvis DVDs for $8.99.
(News, Source: EIN) |
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| 'One night' not enough for Elvis fund-raiser: A fund-raiser was all shook up and ready to hang up his Blue Suede Shoes after an attempt to cycle from Elvis, in Shetland, to Presley, near Logie, to raise cash and awareness for a local charity, was cut short just a few miles short of his goal. David Balfour, who was attempting a 24-hour bike ride to raise cash for the Highland Suicide Awareness Group, was attempting 'the King' of all fund-raising challenges by cycling 205 miles in 24 hours from Elvis to Presley. However, despite bad weather and complete fatigue, David, a business consultant in Inverness, still managed to complete an amazing 183 miles in the 24 hours, raising a total of £1,500 for his charity. His challenge, which he was tackling in three stages, started at Elvis Voe, a remote inlet on the north end of Bressay (Photo: Elvis Voe Beach, how good is that!). "A few people know there is a Presley in Scotland, although not many people know it's a wee place outside Forres. However, hardly anyone knows there is an Elvis in Scotland. It's in Shetland, on the island of Bressay. Suicides are a really big problem in the Highlands, particularly among young people. It wasn't just about raising the cash, it was about raising awareness about a serious issue." (News, Source;Forres Gazette) |
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New Portuguese Elvis children's book: 'Elvis: O Rei Do Rock' is the name of this new Portuguese children's book about Elvis. The book by author José Jorge Letria is being released in September and will be launched at Lisbon's Hard Rock Café. It costs 13 euros.
(News, Source; Burning Star) |
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| "Living Elvis" exhibition in Melbourne, Australia: The RMIT Gallery in Melbourne (August 16 to 20 October) is hosting a show bringing together artworks inspired by Elvis, as well as Elvis memorabilia. Featured are Greg Page's (major Elvis collector)collection of original costumes and other artefacts, including a set of blueprints for Graceland. The Artworks range from homoerotic silkscreen prints to the lyrical. Artists such as Marcus Kaiser, Liu Xiao Xian, Nicolaides and Ross all appropriate the image of the 25-year-old Elvis in the role of Flaming Star's Pacer Burton, with his gunslinger's wide stance and heavy-lidded eyes (also favoured by Andy Warhol in 1963.) Whereas the crotch shot used in Harding's 'Koo Wee |
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Rup Kid Comes to Town' series, with its zippered jeans and big belt buckle looks to be slightly earlier. Five verses of Love Me Tender are superimposed sequentially on the prints: the film of that name dates from 1956. Soda-Jerk's 'Pixel Pirate II: Attack of the Astro Elvis Video Clone' shows "the Pelvis" incapable of making an ungraceful move as he sleepwalks through nondescript rom-com movie scenes. Here the "living Elvis" is not the 30-years-dead Elvis who won't go away, but the slender, softly moulded body of the beautiful boy in his 20s.
Dusseldorf artist musician Kaiser gets it right with Forgetting Elvis/Blue Elvis, a two-screen video projection of a recent performance in which the artist's cello is heard in strange harmonies with snatches of Elvis singing 'Blue Moon'. The two screens slowly zoom in on the full-length Flaming Star figure, with the musician silhouetted in the foreground, until the image dissolves in magnified film grain and digital patterns. It's an astonishingly beautiful mediation on a lyrical song, on a figure lost to time, and on what we project onto that figure. In its different colour registers and shifts in framing, the image is never less than haunting. The mood of the soundtrack is elegiac, but the experience of staying with this 49-minute DVD is completely uplifting. Kaiser, born in Germany in 1967, "gets" Elvis like no one else here. (News, Source: Sanja Meegin) |
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New 'Elvis Is Alive' book - 'The Resurrection of the King': A new book called 'The Resurrection of the King: The Most Compelling Elvis Is Alive Story Ever Told' by author Bruce L. Kearns is soon to be released by publishers Booksurge Llc. The novel blends fact and fiction over its 208 pages. The book will intrigue conspiracy theorists, of which there are still a surprising number. If you feel the need to know more, visit EIN's Conspiracy section.
(News, Source; Amazon) |
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'In The Ghetto' duet now released worldwide: As expected the Lisa Marie/Elvis duet of 'In the Ghetto' has now been released worldwide by iTunes, as well as in the USA. In Australia it costs $1.69 for the song and $3.39 for the video, while in the UK prices are 79p for the song and the video at £1.89. Proceeds go to the Presley Charitable Foundation benefitting homeless families in New Orleans. So to purchase please click here and search for 'In The Ghetto'.
(News, Source EIN) |
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Ultimate ETA Shawn Klush gets the Royal Treatment: He made news around the world when he became King of the King impersonators. And he’s a local boy, whose hometown wants to treat him royally. So when Shawn Klush, who was named the “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist” in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 17, comes back off the road to rest back in Pittston, the hometown folks want to honor him. City fathers would like to have something downtown, maybe a parade or a concert, City Councilman Joseph McLean said, adding, “We have to try to put things hastily together.”
Klush, 38, won the championship round of a series of Elvis tribute contests held around the world. Besides bragging rights, Klush won $5,000 in cash, a $5,000 shopping trip to Graceland’s souvenir shops, $3,000 toward a new Elvis jumpsuit and other prizes. EPE, managers of Graceland and the majority of Presley’s estate, crowned Klush the new king, said his manager, Dan Lentino. |
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It was the first contest ever sponsored by the late rock star’s estate. But just how his hometown will honor him is not yet decided, Pittston Mayor Joseph Keating said. “We don’t know what costs are involved,” he said. “If nothing else, we’ll probably proclaim a Shawn Klush Day.” It might be a few weeks before Klush is back in town, the mayor said. “We have somebody that’s talking to his manager,” he said. Klush has been touring the northeastern United States, and is scheduled for a South American tour next weekend. The tribute contest in Memphis was part of a week-long series of concerts, dances and memorials in memory of Presley, who died at Graceland, his Memphis residence, on Aug. 16, 1977. Klush, decked out in a white jumpsuit, sang “My Way,’’ “Bridge Over Troubled Water’’ and “You Gave Me A Mountain.’’
“I worked with his father, going back to the 70s,” Keating said. “I could remember him telling me how his kid was always idolizing Elvis. "He got pretty good at it.” (News, Source; Sanja Meegin) |
New BMG Japan 30th Anniversary release: BMG Japan has released a special CD for the 30th Anniversary of Elvis' death. The compilation 'Best Hits In Japan' features 29 Japanese favourites selected by Tomoaki Ogura. There is a bonus 3-track disc with early pressings. It is interesting to see the inclusion of 'All That I Am', yet nothing from Elvis' 1969 session featured on the disc.
Tracklist: Heartbreak Hotel; I Want You, I Need You, I Love You; Hound Dog; Don't Be Cruel; Love Me Tender; Jailhouse Rock; Wear My Ring Around Your Neck; It's Now Or Never; Are You Lonesome Tonight; GI Blues; Surrender; Crying In The Chapel; Blue Hawaii; Can't Help Falling In Love; Follow That Dream; Suspicion; Return To Sender; Devil In Disguise; Viva Las Vegas; All That I Am; I've Lost You; Bridge Over Troubled Water; You Don't Have To Say You Love Me; I Really Don't Want To Know; An American Trilogy; Always On My Mind; My Boy; My Way; Blue Christmas.
Bonus CD: A Little Less Conversation (JXL Radio Edit remix); Rubberneckin' Paul Oakenfold Remix; The Elvis Medley. (News, Source;HT Long) |
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Elvis' 2007 Worldwide Chart success: According to Elvis news this is Elvis' recent 2007 worldwide chart successes. It is interesting to see that some countries marketed this year's earlier compile 'Essential Elvis' getting it to the top of the charts before the more recent (BMG suggested major release) 'The King.'
Canada is the odd one out with 'Introducing Elvis' (opposite) a 3CD compile with only 30 tracks (of Elvis in the fifties) getting a major marketing push getting it to Number 2.
Worldwide At #1
Sweden (The Essential)
France (The Essential)
Germany (The King)
UK (The King)
Netherlands (The Dutch Collection)
Austria (The King) |
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#2
Canada (Introducing Elvis)
New Zealand (The King)
#3
Belgium (The Essential)
Ireland (The King)
#4
Australia (The King)
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#11
Finland (The Essential)
Spain (The King)
#12
Switzerland (The King)
#40
Denmark (The Essential) ... (News, Source;EIN/ElvisNews) |
Ed Enoch on the future of The Stamps: While on our recent Elvis Week 2007 Tour EIN thought it very strange when we saw two different groups purporting to be 'The Stamps' perform within days of each other. (See EIN exclusive Elvis Week reports).
At the Grand Ole Opry the only original member performing was Ed Enoch, yet he was absent from any of The Stamps performances in Memphis. It appeared to EIN that there was a split within the original members but it appears to be more due to health issues. Here is a letter of explanation from Ed Enoch to the United Elvis Presley Society which sadly confirms poor health within the original quartet.
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"Please allow me to explain regarding the Stamps. In August 2003, I applied for the official trademark of the Stamps Quartet name with the United States Patent and Trademark office in Washington, DC. I was granted the official trademark of the Stamps Quartet and I became the owner of the Stamps Quartet in Aug. 2003. The billing for the concert events in Memphis was supposed to be, "The Former Members of The Stamps". The "former members" were Ed Hill, Bill Baize, Donnie Sumner, Larry Strickland. Not any of these guys sing full-time anymore. Ed Hill hasn't sang with this quartet (The Stamps) since March 2004 when he had a 4th stroke. Ed Hill was recovering from triple by-pass-surgery when he had another stroke. I continued paying Ed Hill for 3 months afterwards - as though he was still singing in this group. I met with Ed for lunch and asked how he was feeling. He could hardly talk. I asked if he thought he could still sing, and he said he had lost his short term memory and would have to have the words written out and he couldn't remember the tunes - his memory was here and there. I explained to Ed Hill (he had just turned 70 years) that I thought it would be best for him if he got off the road and spent time with his family. I explained that he had a hard time when we went overseas six months before and he had to be wheeled around in a wheelchair. I explained that we were going back overseas and I knew that he wouldn't be able to make another tour over there. I explained that I didn't want to take him back overseas and something happen to him and I would have to shipped him back home. He agreed. The best to you... Ed Enoch. (News, Source; United Elvis Presley Society/EIN) |
| Elvis Number One, and Two on UK HMV Top 40 singles chart: HMV the UK's biggest music store has Elvis at #1 and #2 on this week's singles chart. The BMG new single 'Blue Suede Shoes' is the highest new entry at Number One. Meanwhile the HMV exclusive release 'My Baby Left Me' goes straight in at #2. Elvis also has 'Suspicious Minds' at #6, while the 'Heartbreak Hotel single Box-Set' is at #14. 'Blue Suede Shoes' was first released in May 1956 and now holds the record at 51 years as the longest gap between chart appearances. |
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Who else but The King could get a 51 year-old single back to Number One? In England BMG has revved up the Elvis publicity with advertising posters for new 'The King' CD along with the new singles prominent in the London Underground and elsewhere.
On the Official UK Top 10 Music DVD Chart Elvis has three entries:
# 4 The 68 Comeback Special
# 5 Destination Vegas (a "cheapo" from Wienerworld Ltd)
# 10 Aloha From Hawaii. (News, Source; UK Charts/HMV) |
| How Elvis changed Tom Petty's life: Tom Petty is a well-known US singer and guitarist who has produced numerous hit singles such as 'American Girl', the #7 hit 'Free Fallin', the #12 hit 'I Won't Back Down', and a 1981 #3 with Stevie Nicks on 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around.' In 2002 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Elvis changed Petty's life when one summer morning in 1961, an 11-year-old Tom Petty sat on pine straw in his front yard, wondering how he was going to spend his day. By the end of the afternoon, he knew how he would spend his life. The difference made by that afternoon added another notch to rock 'n' roll history, and a tantalizing addition to Florida lore. For, by the end of the day, the young Petty would encounter none other than Elvis Presley, the swivel-hipped sensation who had already been crowned "The King of Rock 'n' Roll." And by that evening, the Gainesville youngster would be forever fascinated - and hooked - on rock 'n' roll. "I caught the fever that day and I never got rid of it," says Petty. "I learned all of those early Elvis songs, and having that kind of background in rock 'n' roll, of where it had come from, has served me to this day. It became an invaluable thing to have. So for that, I thank him." Click here to read the full story in our EIN spotlight. (Spotlight, Source; Gainesville.com) |
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More Elvis chart news: On the Irish Album Charts 'The King' stays at #3 for the second week, while the 'Elv1s 30#1 Hits' climbs back up to #46. On the Irish single Top 50 Elvis has four entries.
#20 'Suspicious Minds'
#24 'Blue Suede Shoes' (new entry)
#31 'Heartbreak Hotel'
#49 'My Baby Left Me' (new entry)
In the Australian Album Charts it's good too see so many Elvis albums displayed on the shelves. Elvis remains steady with five chart entries. #4 'The King'; #63 'Viva Las Vegas'; #77 'Elvis Live'; #85 'Elvis 30#1 Hits'; #95 'Elvis At The Movies'
EIN Note: Another view is that it is the usual BMG "excess of releases" that ultimately damages one special album release doing mega sales (as is the case with The Beatles marketing policy)
On the Australian Music DVD chart the 'Aloha' and '68 Comeback' DVDs change places still at #2 and #3.
In the German DVD Charts Elvis has four Top 20 DVDs in the music chart:
#5 '68 Comeback Special'
#8 'Aloha from Hawaii'
#15 'Elvis by the Presleys'
#19 'Elvis; That's The Way It Is' (News, Source; Aria/Various)
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Priscilla Presley interview - on CNN: On August 15th as fans assembled for the Candlelight Service, Larry King interviewed Priscilla in the living Room of Graceland. She answered some interesting questions, even showing Larry King some of her personal mementos that belonged to Elvis. Priscilla also talked about meeting Elvis for the first time and their divorce - "We didn't get divorced because I didn't love him." If you missed the programme, now is your chance to examine the interview via EIN's specially edited transcript. EIN also features special photos and the link to the CNN videocast.
(News, Source;EIN/CNN) |
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Lisa Marie on GMA, as good an actor as her father!: On the USA Good Morning America programme this past week, when Lisa Marie goes into the archive building (photo right) they show her a scarf with a message written on it to her from Elvis. In a strange move Lisa Marie acts surprised and says that she has never seen it before. As this very item is featured in the book 'Elvis By The Presleys' (page 173) how can she not have seen it before? It is possible that she just has a bad memory and has never closely read the book - or maybe it is just good acting! Look here at 12mins 53 seconds into the clip.- (News, Source;Tony Stuchbury/ ElvisScrapbookUK)
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| Australia's SHE IS THE KING tuesday morning on National TV: After all those overweight (and over 42 years old!) lame Elvis Tribute Artists at the Graceland crossing this year, Australia's 'She Is The King' sure let them know who was the boss! (see photos opposite!) So don't miss this great TV moment when She Is The King appears on Australia's Channel Nine 'Mornings with Kerri-Anne' this Tuesday, August 28th. As the only female Elvis Presley interpreter to have been invited to compete in the EPE sponsored Ultimate ETA competition don't miss out on a chance to see her performing LIVE, as well as revealing all the news about her Memphis trip with Kerri-Anne. The second single from her highly anticipated, and appropriately named, album 'Edge Of Reality' has just been released. Click here for more details. (News, Source EIN/SITK) |
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| Lisa Marie Presley Interview: She's the daughter of music's biggest icon, a singer-songwriter in her own right, a mother of two and the head of one of the world's biggest tourist attractions. Lisa Marie Presley is also very outspoken. On the week of the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, which she commemorated by filming a duet of 'In the Ghetto', she shared with Spinner her candid opinions on the commercialization of his music, her distaste for young Hollywood and why she doesn't need fans to remind her how wonderful her dad was. With the new single entering the charts and her upset about the 'Viagra' TV campaign (see below) it is fascinating to hear Lisa's recent views. (Interview, Source: Spinner.com) |
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Lisa Marie upset about Elvis viagra theme: Lisa Marie Presley is fuming after learning her late father's Viva Las Vegas hit is providing the theme to a new TV campaign for sex drug Viagra. Elvis croons the classic as part of the quirky Viva Viagra TV ad - suggesting even The King understood how frustrating erectile dysfunction can be.
But the rocker's daughter is far from amused by the new ads for drug giants Pfizer. Lisa Marie says, "I find it revolting. Some songs we have no control over and I know we didn't license that one."
(News, Source , Sanja Meegin) |
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Two new European Elvis fifties CD compiles released: 'Elvis Presley the collection' (left) is a 47 track, 3CD set featuring all the regular fifties public domain songs from SUN and RCA. 'Elvis Presley Icons' collection (right) features the same 47 tracks as a 2CD set.
(Elvis News: Source: Barry Mclean) |
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Elvis back at NUMBER ONE!: Elvis has once again cracked two important Number One spots in Europe. 'Elvis The King' goes straight into the British album charts at #1. In the Nederlands 'The Dutch Collection' CD hit the #1 spot on the Dutch album chart this week. This is Elvis' third #1 album since their chart was started in 1969 with the compile 'Elvis Forever' being his first Dutch chart topper in 1974. Also worth noting is that the new BMG single 'Suspicious Minds' enters their charts at #11. (In the UK it originally made #2 in December 1969.)
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| 'Elvis 30th Anniversary Concert' - The Ultimate Review: The shared emotions of this adoring, loving, crowd wrapped up in the beauty of Elvis as he sang from his heart and soul will never be repeated. When we arrived at the FedEx Forum at 7.15pm we were prepared for anything. We had had such a great trip, that nothing could dampen our spirits, but I don’t think anything prepared us for the treat we were about to experience. Just walking into that massive stadium was electrifying…. the atmosphere was something I had never experienced, and the sense of anticipation was spine tingling. Thanks to EIN the whole group had some great seats, and a surprise was in store for us later in the evening. . . Do Not Miss this EIN ultimate review of the final 'Elvis In Concert' - plus 'The Midnight Show'. Includes complete set-lists and photos. It was a very magical experience. (Spotlight, Source;EIN) |
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Australia's SHE IS THE KING to appear on National TV: After her sensational Elvis Week performance at the Graceland crossing in Memphis, SHE IS THE KING will appear on Australia's Channel Nine morning show 'Mornings with Kerri-Anne' this coming Tuesday, August 28th. As the only female Elvis Presley interpreter to have been invited to compete in the EPE sponsored Ultimate ETA competition don't miss out on a chance to see her performing LIVE, as well as revealing all the news about her Memphis trip with Kerri-Anne. The second single from her highly anticipated, and appropriately named, album 'Edge Of Reality' has just been released. Click here for more details.
(News, Source; SITK/EIN) |
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Elvis high in the Australian charts: In the Australian album charts 'Elvis The King' has raced up to Number 4. Also in the album charts are the new double CD 'Viva Las Vegas' at #57, as well as 'Elvis 30 #1' back at #74, and the two new releases 'Early Elvis' at #81 and 'Elvis At The Movies' in at #98.
Elvis also dominates the DVD charts with 'ELVIS: The '68 Comeback' at #2, and 'ELVIS: Aloha From Hawaii' at #3.
(News, Source; ARIA charts) |
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Elvis and Lisa Marie's duet of 'In The Ghetto' enters the Billboard charts at #83; The charity duet version of Elvis' No.1 hit from 1969 as premiered at the 30th Anniversary Fedex Concert is available from iTunes for a limited time. Proceeds go to the Presley Charitable Foundation benefitting homeless families in New Orleans.
Lisa Marie also issued this comment on her website. "Calling all troops! In order to stem the tide of the public (illegally) watching the 'In the Ghetto' video on YouTube and other video sites, we've made a movie that will hopefully persuade the viewers to go to iTunes and purchase it, and thereby.... HELP END HOMELESSNESS! You can help tremendously by downloading the movie, then UPLOADING it to YouTube and any other video site you can think of. Go nuts. Flood the world. End suffering." Click here to see the video. For more Lisa Marie information go here to EIN's special Lisa Marie news page. (News, Source;EIN) |
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| Toby Keith and Aerosmith's Joe Perry to Honour Elvis; Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry will join Toby Keith onstage Friday (Aug. 24) in Buffalo, N.Y., to tape a performance for an upcoming ABC News special commemorating the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death. The footage from Keith's Big Dog Daddy tour will be featured in Elvis: Viva Las Vegas, a two-hour program analyzing Presley's connection to the gambling mecca. Keith is among several contemporary artists who will perform Presley classics in the special airing on Sept. 18. The ABC News two-hour TV event in High Definition will examine how the King of Rock-and-Roll re-invented Las Vegas and how it re-invented him. Top recording stars of 2007 will perform Elvis' Vegas classics, woven in with previously unreleased music and documentary footage - never-before-seen-film of Elvis's Vegas years. (News, Source; EIN/CMT) |
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| More new Elvis UK Vinyl releases: Following on from our review of the M.R.S. issued 'My Baby Left Me' yesterday, here are the covers of the other British vinyl RCA/BMG releases 'Blue Suede Shoes' and 'Suspicious Minds', together with the M.R.S. 10" cover. (News, Source; EIN) |
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New Elvis postage stamps released for 30th Anniversary: Popular with collectors these are the new Elvis stamps from St Kids released for the 30th Anniversary of Elvis' death.
(News, Source: ElvisMatters) |
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| New UK budget CD release 'The Blues Roots of Elvis Presley': Announced on Amazon from the Complete Blues label is 'The Blues Roots of Elvis Presley'. Sadly this will not be the definitive Elvis Blues CD that we are all waiting for, instead it will be a rehash of those budget public domain 1955/1956 songs. To be released September 24. Click here for EIN's spotlight on Elvis Blues. (News, Source; EIN/Amazon) |
New 'La Légende Du King' French budget CD: This is the cover of the new French budget release 'La Légende Du King' recently issued on August 20. The package contains a CD with the regular selection of budget 1956 tracks, plus one documentary DVD.
(News, Source; Amazon) |
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'My Baby Left Me'/'One Sided Love Affair' HMV CD/Vinyl single review: Elvis' earliest UK releases were on the EMI label 'His Master's Voice'. These early Elvis releases are very rare and there is something extremely appealing about their purple and gold labels. Owning an HMV original is a real treat for Elvis collectors.
In a very smart marketing move the M.R.S label has released another 'His Master's Voice' collectable, in collaboration with HMV UK stores. Released on August 20th on both 10" vinyl and enhanced CD, this collector's HMV version of 'My Baby Left Me'/'One Sided Love Affair' is a real pleasure. Go here for our full review.
(News, Source; EIN) |
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Elvis Week - 29th Candlight Service; Scotty Moore's last concert: Continuing our exclusive reports from Elvis Week in Memphis. August 15th was a day of emotion with the EIN Tour group attending Scotty Moore's last ever concert, followed by a night of reflection and contemplation at the 29th Candelight Service. Read EIN contributor Tony Canatta's marvellous article on what it felt like to attend his first Elvis candlelit vigil - "It was always my dream to pay my respects to Elvis and to thank him for bringing so much joy into my life." EIN continues with all the Elvis Week news and photos that others have missed. Go here for all of EIN's Elvis Week reports. (News, Source; EIN) |
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The Boss's Lady meets The King in 'Looking For Elvis': As featured on MTV Patti Scialfa's (aka Mrs. Bruce Springsteen) new video clip will delight all Elvis fans. The video features Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen as well as a brief clip of Elvis. 'Looking For Elvis' is a track from her new album 'Play It As It Lays' which will be released next month. Click here to view the video clip.
(News, Source; MTV/EIN) |
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| Elvis Week Insiders Conference; The Main Act, Priscilla: EIN continues its reports from Elvis Week in Memphis with a look at what Priscilla said at the EPE Insiders Conference. There can be no doubt that she has had a marketing, as well as a facial, make-over since she last faced Elvis' beloved fans. She talked about the future for EPE, her concerns over the youth of today as well as some delightful stories about her time spent with Elvis. Priscilla's new relaxed demeanour and casualness made her a real hit with the audience. We also report on the sensational experience of watching 'TTWII' on Graceland's lawn. Unfortunately a data overload stopped EIN's earlier reporting from Memphis, however we will continue with all the Elvis Week news that others missed. Go here for all of EIN's Elvis Week reports. (News, Source; EIN) |
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| 'Elvis 30th Anniversary Concert' - a sensational event and YouTube clip: EIN were there in force and the special introduction with Elvis flying in from Graceland to the concert was good enough to give you goosebumps. ETA Shawn Klush provided a fabulous image of Elvis as Jerry Schiling and Joe Esposito called on "Elvis" at Graceland and helicoptered him to the Fedex Forum concert. It was a very magical experience. EIN will provided a detailed review asap, in the meantime check out this marvellous YouTube clip of the concert intro and first two songs. Hearing Elvis noting, "It's a big place" as the helicopter flies over the FedEx forum was very surreal. EIN also noted that this was the first 'Elvis In Concert' performance ever where we saw three camera angles of Elvis running at the same time, all synced and on multiple separate screens. |
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| (Similar to original 'On Tour' concept). EPE even used timecode at the bottom of the screen as if to point out that it was "new/rare" footage. While it was material as seen on the TTWII bootleg DVDs, it was the first time I have seen it used in public. They even used ISO camera material from Aloha that EIN has never realised had been recorded before. This was from at least two cameras, a wide-shot plus the main Elvis camera. Definitely new to me. This must have been a post-production safety back-up recording, seeing as the show was switched "live-to-air" as a TV show would be. Stayed tuned for full review and photos. Go here for YouTube clip. (News, Source;EIN/Nora Sivle) |
Elvis' stolen Gun is recovered; As reported yesterday an Elvis fan went too far in the quest for memorabilia during Elvis Week festivities at Graceland. Someone broke into a glass display case at the Elvis After Dark Exhibit last week and stole a gun belonging to Elvis. The Smith and Wesson handgun was valued at $30,000, a police report said. According to the report, the thief was seen on surveillance video shaking the case before removing the glass and walking away with the gun. The report said the theft happened Tuesday August 14, 2007 around midnight but wasn't noticed by exhibit officials until Friday August 17th. Police collected the surveillance video and blood evidence left on the display case to use as evidence in the investigation. Officials with EPE had no comment about the theft. CNN has a video clip of the theft that shows how easy it was to achieve.
The man, wearing goofy sunglasses atop his head, just reached into the case and took the black 9 mm Smith and Wesson. But, by pure luck, the gun was recovered and turned in to police Monday. Seems one Travis Brookins was cleaning the portable toilets behind the Elvis After Dark museum last Thursday when he found what he thought was a toy gun, dropped into that horrendous muck. He took the piece home, cleaned it up and probably didn't think much else about it until news reports surfaced Monday.
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"He called us and said he thinks he had the gun and brought it to us," Memphis police Lt. Jerry Gwyn said. Turns out it was the same gun, police said, smelling a little better. It's now in their property room. Surveillance video shows the thief -- wearing extra-long shorts and a camouflage T-shirt pushing open the glass case and snaking an arm in to snag the gun. At some point, he must have stopped by the toilet on the way out, a decision perhaps sparked by adrenaline. And that's when police believe he got fumbly fingers.
"It's a good possibility who ever took it accidentally dropped it in there," Gwyn said. "Of course, whoever dropped it wouldn't go in there." The thief is still on the run, and police wonder if he's even from around here. Go here for CNN video clip of the theft.
As anyone who's toured Graceland knows, the King was a fan of guns, even setting up a shooting gallery behind the house. (News, Source: EIN/Presley In The Press) |
Elvis doing nicely in the U.S. Billboard Elvis Charts this week, August 25:
Top 200 Albums - Viva Las Vegas - down 11 to 105
Top Comprehensive Albums - Viva Las Vegas - down 12 to 111
Top Country Catalog Albums - Elvis 30 #1 Hits - up 1 to #6
Top Country Catalog Albums - Ultimate Gospel - up 4 to #14
Top Music Video - Aloha from Hawaii - up 6 to #2
Top Music Video - Elvis Lives - 25th Anniversary Concert - up 10 to #3
Top Music Video - 68 Comeback Special - up 6 to #5
Top Comprehensive Music Video - Aloha from Hawaii - up 6 to #2
Top Comprehensive Music Video - Elvis Lives - 25th Ann - up 10 to #3
Top Comprehensive Music Video - 68 Comeback Special - up 6 to #5
Note that Elvis has 3 of the Top 5 Music videos.
(News, Source; www.ElvisCharts.com) |
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New MRS project revealed: Accompanying the new MRS single, My Baby Left Me (see above), is promotion announcing "New York RCA Studio 1 - The Complete Sessions" as the latest MRS project. Joseph Pirzada talks about both the New York and My Baby Left Me releases in part 2 of his interview with EIN (coming soon). (News, Source: Joseph Pirzada)
More Elvis for sale: The owners of the Tupelo Hardware Store, the place where Gladys bought her son his First guitar, found another interesting way to cash in on Elvis. A few weeks ago, the glass of the display case in which the guitar was stored, broke because of an accident. The 400 pieces of glass of the original counter, are now for sale for 4.95 $US each – including a certificate of authenticity.
Shirley Sumner, JD’s daughter, has cleaned up the garage, or so it seems. She’s offering some unusual personal belongings of her father, such as a set of old ties (400 dollar each), a tire of a car that Elvis gave JD (4.000 dollar), a contract (12.000 dollar) and a 1972 poster (1200 dollar). Other items are Las Vegas menus, pictures and albums. (News, Source: Elvis Matters/Elvis News)
New Elvis book release in Spain: The book “Elvis Corazon Solitario” (Elvis Lonely Heart), by Javier Márquez, hit the Spanish bookstands August 16th 2007. The book is published in Spain by Editorial Almuzara. The target of this book is taming the different versions known of Elvis Presley with a pinch of that passion which is needed to understand the man that mainly lived his life to make those around him happy, with a song if possible.
Synopsis: Most probably the boy from Tupelo has more written history about him than any other artists of the 20th Century, maybe with the exception of The Beatles.
The bigger problem facing this task is the surplus of information, which makes it too diffused and exploited, and, thus, the details worth of consideration are lost in the sea of information.
For this particular reason this book does not shed a new light into all what has been said and written in the hundreds of books devoted to Elvis Presley published through the world.
The main target of this book is to filter all the existing information, the testimonies of family and friends, the discoveries made by dedicated historians; and mesh it with a critical analysis of his, mainly, musical and cinematographic career with a pinch of that passion that he had. (News, Source: ElvisBookResearch/EP Gold)
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Elvis gun stolen during Elvis Week: An Elvis fan went too far in the quest for memorabilia during Elvis Week festivities at Graceland. Someone broke into a glass display case at the Elvis After Dark Exhibit last week and stole a gun belonging to the King of Rock and Roll. The Smith and Wesson handgun was valued at $30,000, a police report said. According to the report, the thief was seen on surveillance video shaking the case before removing the glass and walking away with the gun. The report said the theft happened Tuesday August 14, 2007 around midnight but wasn't noticed by exhibit officials until Friday August 17th. Police collected the surveillance video and blood evidence left on the display case to use as evidence in the investigation. Officials with Elvis Presley Enterprises had no comment about the theft. (News, Source: Presley In The Press/Elvis News)
Italian DVD releases: A set of 14 Elvis DVDs has been released in Italy for sale in through newspapers shops. Each DVD comes with an 8 pages illustrated booklet and with English and Italian languages.
The 14 films of this series are: Love Me Tender - Viva Las Vegas - Jailhouse Rock - Frankie And Johnny - Harem Holiday - Flaming Star - The Trouble With Girls – Speedway - Kid Galahad - Wild In The Country – Spinout - Double Trouble – Clambake - It Happened At The World's Fair.
All the DVDs are released by "Edizioni Master" under concession of Warner Home Video. Paramount Video is currently re-releasing many of their Elvis movies to be sold through newspapers stores too. The first titles are “Paradise Hawaiian Style", currently on sale, to be followed by "Girls Girls Girls". (News, Source: EP Gold) |
| Monday 20 August 2007................................the day after Elvis Week 2007 |
| Chart Updates: |
"Elvis The King" album #1 in UK |
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No more "Elvis In Concert": While band members had hinted this would be case during their shows "downunder", it is now official. Priscilla Presley announced that the EW 2007 performance was the last. While the earlier show was a sell-out (see below), the midnight show during EW 2007 ws not. (News, Source: EIN)
Lisa Marie "live" during Elvis Week 2007: A sold out crowd rocked FedExForum Thursday night in honor of the King of Rock and Roll, 30 years to the day after he died. Elvis Presley died in 1977 but his spirit was "in the building" for the 30th anniversary concert.
Old Elvis, perpetually young thanks to new technology, a new band and a new live show. For an enthousiast crowd of 17.000 fans Lisa Marie performed the "In The Ghetto' duet with her father at the 30th anniversary concert. (News, Source: Elvis News) |
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EW 2007 not everyone's cup of tea!: Old-timers, veterans of almost every Elvis Week past, say this year's experience was "horrible." All the jam-packed venues, the over-commercialism, the pushing and shoving. Plus the ultra-high prices everywhere. The old-timers are saying they will be glad to see 2008 come and the crowds drop back down. (News, Source: Bill E. Burk)
Elvis The King (again) of UK pop charts: Elvis Presley was once again king of the pop charts on Sunday as fans marked the 30th anniversary of his death by sending a greatest hits album straight to the number one spot. The compilation titled The King dethroned London singer-songwriter Kate Nash who slipped to second in the album charts with her debut effort Made of Bricks, the Official UK Charts Company said. Elvis was the only new entry in the top 10 which was otherwise little changed. (News, Source: Reuters)
| Elvis podcast series: On iTunes you can now subscribe to the Elvis podcast series. The Podcast series covers Elvis life and career through a variety interviews and music featuring musical experts and celebrities like Bill Medley and Billy Bob Thornton. (News, Source: Elvis The Music /Elvis News) |
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Watch Priscilla on Larry King: On the CNN site you can now watch the interview with Priscilla Presley with by Larry King. (Source: CNN/Elvis News)
Earnhardt Jr. pays tribute to Elvis: In the movie “Spinout” there is a piece of dialogue that sums up the appeal of Elvis Presley in all of his movies, but especially in the ones set against the backdrop of auto racing. The piece of dialogue is muttered with respect by a wealthy industrialist who has foolishly just tried to hire Elvis’ character to drive his new race car.
“He’s a real guy,” says Howard Foxhugh (played by Carl Betz). “He drives a Duesenberg, he races a Cobra and he told me to go to hell.”
Sound like any real-life auto racers you’ve heard of? Maybe one who raced a black Chevrolet and told more than one person who tried to tell him how to conduct his business, to go, um, take a hike? Perhaps a cosmic nexus is why, on this, the week of the 30th anniversary of Presley’s death, members of Dale Earnhardt’s family traveled to Graceland for a visit that touched all involved. Taking the special tour of the Presley mansion were Martha Earnhardt (Earnhardt’s mother), Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Cathy Watkins (Earnhardt Jr.’s aunt).
“He (Elvis) was her man, her favorite,” Earnhardt Jr. said of Martha Earnhardt. And as a result, Elvis became one of Earnhardt Jr.’s favorites as well.
“I just learned a lot from her about his music and his films,” he said, “and that has stuck with me as I’ve grown up. I think there’s a powerful connection people have with the music they grow up with, and Elvis fits into that category with me.”
Because of Martha, Junior began collecting Elvis memorabilia. He once dedicated a room in his house to Elvis, calling it, oddly enough, the “Elvis Room.” Most of the memorabilia has been moved to Junior’s JR Motorsports race shop, but affection for the King of Rock ’n’ Roll has remained where it has always been.
On Monday, after the tour, Earnhardt Jr. signed autographs, held a question-and-answer session with fans and unveiled a special Elvis paint scheme that he will run on his Nextel Cup car. He also took part in the unveiling of the digitally remastered Elvis film, “Viva Las Vegas” at Graceland. “Viva” was one of three Elvis movies that had auto racing as part of the “plot” — the others were “Spinout” and “Speedway”.
None won Academy Awards: Not for acting (sorry about that, Elvis) and not for music (bummer). But especially not for special effects, as scenes of Elvis “driving” in races add more laughs and painful grimacing to the films than gasps of “gee-whiz, look at The King drive.”
Earnhardt Jr. told reporters that his favorite of the three movies is “Speedway.” Most NASCAR fans would probably have to agree. It is the only movie where Elvis is strictly a stock-car driver. It was filmed on location in 1967 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway back when that track was known as Charlotte Motor Speedway and was released in 1968.
“Speedway” also picks up track cred for including some of the best drivers of the time — Richard Petty (King vs. King), Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker and Tiny Lund. That movie, like the others, is more high camp than high art when it comes right down to it. But all are worth viewing if you like Elvis or racing. (News, Source: Jim Pedley, KansasCityStar.com)
| Sunday 19 August 2007.........................the final day.....................Day 9 of Elvis Week 2007!!! |
Upstairs of Graceland featured in Danish newspaper: As we reported a while ago, the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet was publishing a feature article by Martin Kirchgässner this week.
The article includes this visual representation of Elvis' upstairs rooms at Graceland. (News, Source: Ekstra ´Bladet)
Direct link to higher quality graphic |
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Elvis rides high on Aussie album & DVD charts: On this week's ARIA charts 'Elvis The King' rockets to #4 on the Albums chart while the 'Comeback Special' and 'Aloha From Hawaii' jump to #2 and #3 respectively on the Music DVD chart. (News, Source: ARIA)
HMV Elvis campaign: HMV, the high street retailer and record label which released the first Elvis singles in the UK, is launching a rebranded identity and logo, its first major image overhaul in more than 15 years.
A strapline called "get closer" will officially be unveiled later in the month, and Nipper, its longstanding dog and gramophone emblem, will be used as a stand-alone ident. Graham Sim, marketing director for the UK and Ireland, says the new design is an evolution for the brand and is designed to give customers an emotional attachment. "We want to say no one gets you closer to films, music and games," he says.
A new press campaign in its "My Inspiration" series of ads will feature Elvis Presley in the new style and will break in the Observer newspaper on Sunday. Sim says he is looking at extending the My Inspiration idea for use in a Christmas campaign.
The Memphis Recording Service reissued the single "My Baby Left Me", exclusively through HMV. The single will be available for one week only. (News, Source: For Elvis CD Collectors Forum/Elvis News) |
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"The Truth About Elvis" Film Update
Shawn Klush wins Ultimate ETA Contest in Memphis: During the final round of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest held earlier this evening, Shawn Klush of Pittstown, Pennsylvania, took home the title of "Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2007."
Klush, the winner of the Viva Las Franklin preliminary round, says while he loves performing Elvis on stage, he is first and foremost an Elvis fan. The event, held at the sold-out Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis, featured the top ten finalists from the Qualifying Rounds held earlier in the week. (News, Source: EPE/Charmaine Voisine) |
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Elvis is for the oldies: The world is run by Elvis fans. Which means the world is run by old people. It is to guard themselves that they call the youth, “the future”. Opinion leaders are old. People who decide what popular culture is are old. And they are in the delusion that Elvis Presley is an eternal icon. But in reality he is the mascot of the aging. To the youth of today which appreciates good music of every era, the charm of Elvis is confusing. The Beatles, The Eagles, Jim Morrison, Pink Floyd, Ray Charles and Johnny Cash, they can understand. But Elvis, even though he had a great voice, is somewhat laughable.
Tim Luckhurst, writing in The Guardian, has captured the view of the youth accurately, “Elvis was no genius,” he says. “He wrote hardly any original music and performed some appalling, lachrymose tripe. Better comparisons include Jason Donovan, Bros and Britney Spears...Listening to him for more than ten minutes is agonising...People of our parents’ generation met members of the opposing sex while dancing to his singles. They are entitled to their nostalgia. The rest of us should grow up.”
More than a musical phenomenon, Elvis is a sociological event. He arrived at a time when the First World was economically emerging and the women saw in him and his shocking stage performances a sexual liberation. Before him, the world was all grey and dank. In 1956, a critic for the New York Daily News wrote that popular music “has reached its lowest depths in the ‘grunt and groin’ antics of one Elvis Presley”. A Florida judge called Elvis a “savage” and declared that his music was undermining the youth of America. Even Frank Sinatra, his contemporary, said unkindly, “His kind of music is deplorable, a rancid smelling aphrodisiac. It fosters almost totally negative and destructive reactions in young people.”
The words of contemporaries, conservative judges and, especially, media critics, should not be mistaken for the truth. But the real youth of today would identify with Sinatra’s summary. And, of course, with Sinatra’s music.
When he was 11, Elvis wanted a gun and his mother bought him a guitar. Thus began, dramatic historians say, the music career of the man. Taking inspiration from local radio station songs and Memphis’ blues culture, Elvis rolled on to the stage and captured the hearts of millions of people instantly. It is not difficult to see how that happened. His songs were catchy and populist. Even blacks mistook him to be one of them when he first hit radio stations. It was ironic that the man will be accused of extreme racism. He is alleged to have said, “The only thing Negro people can do for me is to buy my records and shine my shoes.” Even his death was not as spectacular as John Lennon’s or as fascinating as Kurt Cobain’s.
Twenty-one-year-old Sagar Sawarkar, one of the finalists of last season’s Indian Idol tries to interpret Elvis in modern times. He says, “Rock-n-roll is a genre that is supposed to lift your spirits. His songs therefore lift you up no matter what. Frank Sinatra was more versatile than Elvis and his voice had depth. However, he wasn’t as histrionic as Elvis. That is where Elvis left him far behind. I also feel Kishore Kumar is better than Elvis.”
The youth of today still relate to The Beatles because of John Lennon and his poetry. They identify with Frank Sinatra’s romantic verse, they know the ebullience of Pink Floyd and understand Nat King Cole’s passionate voice. They try to find out why Elvis is big deal, and give up.
Gary Lawyer, popular singer and one of the earliest Elvis fans, explains patiently how the revolution had unfolded then in India, “I was in St Mary’s school in the late 60s. With Elvis coming to the world scene, boys’ pants began to get tighter and the formal world was thrown out of the window. Rock music today owes everything to Elvis. His songs cheered up whoever listened to them.” But, in time, no one will. (News, Source: India Times)
| Saturday 18 August 2007.....................1 day to go..................Day 8 of Elvis Week 2007!!! |
Stunning New Home Movie Footage Discovered From Elvis At Graceland, June 1957.
Newly discovered Elvis video footage: Home movie footage from the Davidson family collection.
Elvis gets his tractor stuck in the mud at Graceland in June 1957; Colonel Parker stops at the gates to greet the kids.
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Upcoming International Elvis CD Releases from Sony BMG (News, Source: EPE)
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| Friday 17 August 2007.............Building towards a crescendo.............Day 7 of Elvis Week 2007!!! |
Record crowds in Memphis!: While the EPE and Visitor Center estimates of 75,000 to 100,000 may be clever pr rhetoric, there is no doubt Memphis has been invaded this week. Elvis World's Bill E. Burk says estimates of 50,000 are not far off the mark. Bill also says the Candlelight Vigil start time was brought forward to 8pm (15/8) and at 8.30am (16/8) a stready stream of fans was still going up the hill to pay their respects. (News, Source: Bill E. Burk)
Deadly Memphis heat takes its toll: Bill E. Burk also reports: 'We had one Elvis fan die from the heat - a 67-year-old woman fan from New Jersey was found dead in a tent next to her RV, parked behind Heartbreak Hotel, at 2 p.m. on 15 August. Temperature inside the tent reported at 111 degrees(F). Overall, 8 people in Memphis have died from the heat. Many more hospitalized.' (News, Source: Bill E. Burk)
| Thursday 16 August 2007..................Day of remembrance.................Day 6 of Elvis Week 2007!!! |
Elvis Aaron Presley: Jan 8, 1935 - Aug 16, 1977
It was 30 years ago today............and millions still care! Therein lies the secret.
The music, the warmth, the passion.......they all still resonate around the world. |
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"Cry Like Memphis":
A poignant audio-visual tribute on the 30th anniversary
(Source: Charmaine Voisine)
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Elvis street dance today in London: IF YOU'RE ANYWHERE near the London area and will not make it to Elvis Week in Memphis, make an effort to attend the Elvisly Yours Street Dance at 233 Baker Street from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday (16th). The party will also raise money for the Linda Jackson MacMillan Center to honor Maureen, Sid Shaw's life companion for 27 years, who lost her long battle with cancer earlier this year.
For more info, go to: Sid@elvisly-yours.com (News, Source: Sid Shaw/Bill E. Burk)
A Legendary Performer Vol. 12: In the "Legendary Performer" alternate takes and performances series volume 12 has just been released on the Cry Wolf label. The running time is almost 66 minutes.
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Track listing: A Mess Of Blues (alt. take) / After Loving You (alt. take 2) / Aloha Oe (take 1) / Danny Boy (remix) / Double Trouble (take 1) / Gently (take 2) / Going Home (take 2) / I Need Somebody To Lean On (take 8) / I Want To Be Free (alt take) / If That Isn't Love (spliced take) / It's Midnight (unknown take) / I've Got A Thing About You Baby (take 14) / Make Me Know It (take 18) / My Way (master take) / Night Life (take 3) / One Track Heart (master take) / Pledging My Love (take 3) / Singing Tree (take 4) / Such An Easy Question (take 1, 2) / That Someone You'll Never Forget (alt. take) / Without Love (take 1) / You Asked Me To (take 2) (News, Source: Elvis News)
EPE warned about ETAs contest: A high-ranking official with RCA/BMG records has twice told Elvis World, in private, that in a planning session with EPE for Elvis Week 2007, the record company strongly advised against EPE starting its own Elvis impersonator contest.
"We told them that if they got into the impersonator (ETA) business, all the press would flock to the Elvis look-alikes and would forget everything else. When they insisted they push ahead, we (RCA/BMG) felt like we didn't want to come out with some special release for the 30th anniversary because it would get lost in all the hoopla the press would be giving to the impersonators."
WELL, FOLKS, the warning has proven true! You don't pick up a local Memphis newspaper, or turn on a local TV channel, without seeing Elvis impersonators everywhere you look.
They're everywhere! They're everywhere!
And, of course, media cameras always seek out the heaviest-set, ugliest ones with the worst looking sideburns. One on TV last night sang a few bars of an Elvis song and I felt my TV screen was going to shatter! Even at the new Elvis Expo at the Cook Convention Center downtown, they are there entertaining and there's even an Elvis karaoke which attracts them like flies to a dumpster !
SO ... RCA/BMG seems to have known what it was talking about.
The new Elvis Expo has dealer tables covering over 35,000 square feet of space. Heretofore, dealers have been limited to independent productions at the Clarion Hotel and Airport Inn. Now, with the advent of Elvis Expo, we'd venture to say the independent Elvis "conventions" may soon be a thing of the past.
ONE WORD can be used to describe Elvis Week 2007: Commercialism! Or maybe two words: ELVIS COMMERCIALISM !!
And this is nothing but a preview of what is to come. Whereas the independent dealers' "Elvis conventions" cost $2 at the door; the Elvis Expo charges $15. And being downtown, add another $10 or so for parking.
(News, Source: Bill E. Burk)
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