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Michael Jackson and Elvis - pretty boys gone wild: First there was Elvis, the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” then came Michael, the “King of Pop;” the only two musical artists ever to be anointed the title of King. Both their reigns came to an eerily similar, tragic end. Each artist belonged to a generation coming of age in very different eras — the baby boomers grew up with Elvis while the subsequent generation laid claim to Jackson. But Jackson’s surprising death Thursday has not only sparked an outpouring of grief among fans and the music industry, but impromptu celebrations of his music. In death come the tributes and dissection of the superstar’s legacy — the good, the bad and the ugly.

Both musicians were troubled, both changed the landscape of popular culture with their music and style, both died too young, were victims of fame, and broke musical and cultural barriers. The untimely end of both men’s lives was shocking and tragic. Elvis overdosed on pills and there’s wide speculation that pills may have also contributed to Jackson’s death.

Elvis wasn’t nearly as eccentric as Jackson, but they both underwent physical transformations leaving them shadows of their former selves. Jackson started his career as the adorable, charismatic lead singer of the Jackson 5 who became a teen idol. Both Jackson and Elvis were pretty boys, adored by millions of screaming teenage girls.

Jackson underwent a backwards evolution by starting off as a regular, handsome young man who evolved into a strange, almost alien-like caricature — the man in the mirror staring back without any remnants of the Michael Jackson of old.

Elvis’s transformation wasn’t as extreme, but still dramatic given his start as a gorgeous, highly-sexual performer who burst onto the scene seemingly out of nowhere in the 1950s. By the 1970s, Elvis’s leading-man good looks had faded as he battled health problems and his weight. In one of his later performances he would appear dazed, bloated and unable to remember the lyrics to one of his most famous songs — Are You Lonesome Tonight. Both Jackson and Elvis struggled with health problems and abused prescription drugs. They also had problems with their weight — Elvis packed on the pounds while Jackson shed too many. Their upbringings were very different, but they had in common humble beginnings. Jackson grew up in Gary, Indiana; Elvis in Tupelo, Mississippi. But what Jackson and Elvis contributed to popular music remains unsurpassed — Jackson is ranked alongside Elvis and The Beatles as the biggest pop sensations of all time. When Elvis first came onto the music scene he was doing what no one could even conceive of doing — his gyrating dance moves were too sexual and too controversial for the time, (so much so that one of his first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show was filmed from the waist up only.) Elvis moved like no other. His music crossed racial barriers by appealing to both black and white audiences due to his sound; a mix of rhythm and blues, soul and rock. He is regarded as the first “white man” to play “black man’s” music.

Jackson also broke a racial divide with a sound combining synthesized pop, R & B, hip hop and rock, which also appealed to both black and white listeners. In the infancy of music videos, Jackson was not only a pioneer of the new genre, but the first black artist to gain constant airplay on MTV. His spectacular dance moves, like Elvis, were natural and seamless, and bridged the gap between urban subculture and mainstream pop culture. Jackson’s (dance) moves were unlike anything anyone had seen before and like Elvis, the movements were innate gifts.

When Jackson and Elvis were on stage they couldn’t help but move to the beat of their own drummer.

They even had widely-known private sanctuaries — Jackson had Neverland, Elvis had Graceland. For Jackson, Neverland was a place to reclaim his lost childhood, a place where he could escape into his own fantasies. Meanwhile, Graceland provided Elvis with the solace and calm he often sought away from the spotlight.

John Lennon once said: “Before there was Elvis there was nothing.” And so perhaps that is why he is the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the one people couldn’t help falling in love with. But the King of Pop isn’t too far behind. Jackson thrilled audiences just the same; he was bad, accused of being dangerous, but in the end he wasn’t invincible. He may be gone, but it’s unlikely he’ll be dethroned any time soon. (News, Source: The Vancouver Sun)

Breda celebration photo archive: Elvis Matters has added a 100 item photo archive of last month's celebration in Breda, Holland, of the Colonel's 100th birthday. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

From the Archives - When 7th Heaven did Elvis!: Synopsis: The Elvis icon is one which has fascinated the world for 5 decades. Since his death in 1977, Elvis has in various ways apearted in hundreds of TV shows from Sledge Hammer to Crossing Jordan and Quantum Leap. And in one episode of the popular family drama, 7th Heaven, the Reverend Camden had his own unbusual Elvis experience. Synopsis: The extended Camden clan wrestles with their emotions as they await the outcome of Eric's double bypass surgery. While under anesthesia, Eric hallucinates that he's Elvis, performing "I'm All Shook Up," "Don't Be Cruel," "Teddy Bear" and "Rock-A-Hula-Baby." On the romance front, Lucy finally realizes that Kevin is the one and that she's ready to marry him, but he refuses to propose until Eric gives them his blessing. Simon complains to Annie about the absence of Matt and Mary during their father's health crisis. Meanwhile, Sarah also comes to Glen Oak to wish Eric well.

Full Recap: As Eric undergoes surgery he dreams he is Elvis. He sings "I'm All Shook Up," "Don't Be Cruel", "Hula Baby" and more, complete with Elvis getups and a pompadour. Meanwhile, Annie, Lucy, Robbie, Kevin, Ben and Sarah support each other in the waiting room.Lucy has a revelation: Eric's open-heart surgery has made her realize life is fragile. She doesn't want to waste anymore time. She tells Robbie she is ready to marry Kevin.

Robbie has Kevin paged and told to report to the hospital immediately. Robbie just wants to tell him Lucy is ready to marry him, but Kevin is upset because he thought he was called to the hospital because Eric was in danger. He tells Robbie he is not going to ask Lucy to marry him just because she thinks she is ready. Kevin believes Lucy is under duress from her father's surgery and only wants to marry Kevin out of fear of losing him. Lucy looks for him, but he avoids her.

Even though Simon did apologize to Eric for his outburst last week, and Eric forgave him, he's still upset. After both Annie and Robbie tell him to let go of what is bothering him, he decides he needs to go talk to someone. He sees the police chief who told him about the Safe Baby program.

Ruthie is angry at Eric for lying about needing surgery and refuses to go to the hospital.

As Annie waits for Eric to come out of surgery, she handles several family issues. She tells Lucy how she will know she is ready to marry Kevin. She tells Simon to let go of what is bothering him. She asks Sarah to convince Ruthie to come to the hospital. She sends Robbie and Ben to help Lucy and Kevin resolve an argument. And, Lou asks Annie to figure out how to find a temporary replacement for Eric at church or they will just shut down services for two weeks.

Lucy finally finds Kevin and basically orders him to ask her to marry him. He tells her he is not going to propose marriage in the hospital - it's not romantic enough- plus, he wants to ask Eric for permission. Sarah gets Ruthie to talk to a friend of hers, Susan, who didn't speak to her father for five years then regretted it. The talk works and Ruthie agrees to go to the hospital. Simon talks to the police chief about what is bothering him: He wants to talk to someone about how he helped a girl give up her baby - and he wants some credit for his bravery. The chief tells him the girl who gave up the baby was the brave one and Simon shouldn't look for praise. He also reminds Simon that God knows he did a good thing.

Eric comes out of surgery just fine. One by one the Camdens come into the room. Ruthie apologizes. Kevin asks for Lucy's hand, and Eric says "welcome to the family." Simon tells Eric he's not going to brood anymore. Sarah says her father, the rabbi, will take over Eric's Sunday services. Annie tells Eric never to lie to her again. Eric falls asleep and dreams the whole family is dancing along while he sings Elvis' "Hula Baby". (News, Source: TV.com)

Read EIN's detailed Spotlight article: Elvis Rules on Television!

End of an Era!: Back in 1999 the Elvis Telegraph website was launched and soon became Elvis News. EIN was stunned and saddened to learn that after almost 10 years the guys at Elvis News are calling it a day.

For most of the past decade, EIN has enjoyed a friendly rivalry with Elvis News and appreciated its presence in spurring us on.

As the original Elvis website, the guys behind Elvis News can hold their heads up high in knowing that they were at the forefront, and always continued to be, of Elvis on the phenomenon known as the Internet.

We wish those at Elvis News all the best for the future and thank them for helping enrich the Elvis world. Undoubtedly the Elvis world will be poorer for its 'leaving the building'.

'SOMETHING' new Audionics CD: As recorded live in the International Hotel showroom in Las Vegas, Nevada, August 11th, 1970, Dinner Show. AUDIONICS® STEREO 2009-03-2 The label Audionics will release soon the CD 'Something' featuring the August 11, 1970 dinner show. This is our last release from that series linked to Elvis’ third and very successful season in Las Vegas. 'Something'  will be the first release of this show in FULL STEREO sound, and very much in the same quality as our previous two STEREO outings. It will be presented in a beautiful 3-panel digipack with a 16 page booklet and accompanying photographs taken from the actual show, the next dinner show and additional candids. All the shows recorded during his first week were highly entertaining and 'Something' is no different. Our last release of those August 1970 recordings is SOMETHING not to be missed! Tracks: 01. A Thing Called Love * - 02. On The Other Side * - 03. Opening Theme ( Joe Guercio orchestra ) - 04. Opening vamp / That’s All Right, Mama - 05. I Got A Woman - 06. Hound Dog - 07. Monologue #1 - 08. Heartbreak Hotel ( with false start ) - 09. Monologue #2 - 10. Love Me Tender - 11. I’ve Lost You

'Explore Elvis' Dressing Room in 1969': EPE is offering a Virtual Tour of Elvis' backsatge Vegas dressing room. It’s 1969 and you're at the International Hotel in Las Vegas for Elvis’ opening engagement. While Elvis is on stage, you've used your backstage pass to gain access to his dressing room to take a look around! As you explore Elvis’ virtual dressing room through this online interactive experience, you can read Elvis’ personal telegrams, play a few chords on his guitar, look through the clothing on his clothes rack, flip through the Colonel’s scrapbook, and lots more. This virtual experience features photos, artifacts, video and audio clips and much more – and your pass gets you all-access... Cost is only $1.99 to get access to this virtual online backstage experience for 24-hours. Worthy of Colonel Parker - Viva Las Vegas! Click here for EPE Back-Stage Access. (News, Source;EPE/EIN)

Parallels in lives, deaths of Michael Jackson and Elvis - But Presley's path was Trailblazing: Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, but his personal life may haunt his legacy. Elvis Presley had an impact on the culture of an entire generation. The passing of Michael Jackson on Thursday afternoon reignited the occasional debate between the King of Pop and Elvis Presley, "The King" of rock and roll. The articles analysing the similarities between Jackson and Presley have been ubiquitous and inevitable over the last 72 hours. Even Billboard magazine declared, "The world just lost the biggest pop star in history, no matter how you cut it." Here with major input from Alanna Nash, Bob Mehr of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes about these icons of Popular Culture. (News, Source;CommercialAppeal)

EXCLUSIVE new Elvis photographs: Tammy sent EIN these fabulous exclusive photographs of Elvis in concert. She says, "These photos were a gift from my grandmother. I thought that you might enjoy them as well. Please post them on EIN for all Elvis fans if you like." -  Tammy. Go HERE to over 3,000 Rare Elvis Photos! Click HERE for some Great Images and more EIN photo-site information Don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs. Now with over 930 members! Why not JOIN NOW! Or click here directly to our EIN Facebook Photos. (News, Source;SanjaM)

Director David Lynch & his favourite Elvis song: David Lynch is well known for being an Elvis fan. You can see Nicholas Cage (right) play a lizard-skin Elvis in his great film 'Wild At Heart'. Lynch has a distinctive filmmaking style that includes meticulously crafted sound design so it’s no surprise that his picks include some of the greatest musicians of all time. Of his five key songs he recently chose Elvis' 'That's All Right' was number 1. David Lynch, "It's almost a cruel show you have going. It's impossible to pick five songs but I picked this song as a first. This was when.. Elvis Presley was nobody. Sun Records, Sam Phillips was down the street and he made friends with the receptionist, she knew he wanted to sing, he couldn't get arrested. And one day, a guitar player and a bass player booked the place for the weekend and they said to Sam, maybe you know a singer who could come in and we'll just fiddle around. And he called Elvis. So, they spent the morning singing gospel. If I was shooting this scene, I'd start a slow dolly in on Elvis' face, because history was about to made. He gets up clowning around singing this song, "That's All Right Mama," immediately the bass player jumps up starts slapping this bass. A second later, Sam comes running down the hallway and says ‘what’s going on’ and it changed the course of time." Click here for the complete interview. (News, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

Myrna Smith EIN Interview: Myrna Smith is one of the original Sweet Inspirations, the backing group who sang with Elvis in concert from 1969 until the very end. She has also worked with stars from Aretha Franklin to Van Morrison and has provided the world with some of the best soulful harmonies that have ever been recorded. It was actually Myrna who introduced a young Lisa Marie to her future husband Michael Jackson. In 2003 EIN's Piers Beagley interviewed Myrna Smith when she was in Australia along with the TCB Band. She talked in depth about her time with Elvis, Colonel Parker, her relationship with Lisa Marie and lots more. Go here to this recently re-discovered interview (Interview, Source;EIN)

Lisa Marie posted this message on June 26th. He Knew. Years ago Michael and I were having a deep conversation about life in general. I can't recall the exact subject matter but he may have been questioning me about the circumstances of my Fathers Death. At some point he paused, he stared at me very intensely and he stated with an almost calm certainty, "I am afraid that I am going to end up like him, the way he did." I promptly tried to deter him from the idea, at which point he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded almost matter of fact as if to let me know, he knew what he knew and that was kind of that.

'Elvis, The Beauty Queen & Me, with Jeanne LeMay' DVD update: The majority of this DVD - which includes UNSEEN Elvis footage - was filmed during Jeanne's trip to the UK last year. She was filmed talking candidly about her time with Elvis at Graceland, on tour and in Vegas. She openly discusses how she was able to enjoy a close relationship with Elvis through her friendship with Linda Thompson, how she became a secretary at Graceland and what went on there. Her memories of those times are funny, fascinating and extremely riveting. Jeanne is a great talker and her warmth comes across beautifully in the programme. Over the past few months we have been lucky enough to have tracked down and acquired some STUNNING new 1974 cini film of Elvis, still on the original reels!!! The reels have been digitally transferred and restored. The speed has now been expertly corrected, the picture quality has been enhanced and the brightness and colour has been worked on enabling us to now offer the footage in virtually perfect quality. . You'll get to see Elvis in Vegas during his August 29th 1974 midnight show, September 1st dinner show and the infamous September 2nd closing show (wearing the beautiful Tiger jumpsuit). There's lots of karate on these clips with Red West coming on stage at one point. Elvis even knocks poor Charlie on his backside... Amazing stuff! There will also be some 1973 footage shot at Graceland.

'Stranger In The Crowd' officially Sold Out: Despite the bizarre timing of the FTD release of the same concert the Audionics release of Elvis as recorded live in the International Hotel showroom August 13th, 1970, Dinner Show is becoming hard to find. The sleeve design is as usual impressive - opposite some cover scans. 'Stranger In The Crowd' is different kind of release - whole show is in FULL STEREO sound, taken from original mastertape. This release comes in a beautiful 3-panel digipack, with 16-page full color booklet.

'My Years With Elvis & The Colonel' OUT NOW: Charles Stone's new book "My Years With Elvis & The Colonel" is out now. A hardcover book with unreleased pictures allowing one an inside view of the memories of Elvis Presley's tour producer, Charles Stone. Colonel Parker was a smart manager and naming one of Elvis' albums "Something For Everybody" was also a stroke of genius. The title not only fits the Elvis' LP, but also the content of the new book by Praytome Publishing: never-before-seen pictures, new information, new documents and paperwork, new inside views... EIN however does not agree with the statement that Colonel Parker was a "smart manager" especially in Elvis' later years. Go here for info and to Order Your Copy - - - - (News, Source;praytome-publishing.com)

Presley Tributes for Michael Jackson: Lisa Marie paid tribute to ex-husband Michael Jackson today saying, "I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me." Lisa Marie married singer Michael Jackson on May 26, 1994 in the Dominican Republic. She was a major support to him while he went through the public accusations of child molestation. At the time Lisa Marie said, "I believed he didn't do anything wrong, and that he was wrongly accused and, yes, I started falling for him. I wanted to save him. I felt that I could do it." They stayed married from 1994 until January 1996 when Lisa Marie filed for divorce but still remained friends. In a move that may have been designed to help support Jackson's heterosexuality, Lisa Marie appeared in close to nothing in Jackson's rather bizarre music video for his 1995 song "You Are Not Alone". The song made #1 in the US charts. Click here to see the 'You Are Not Alone' video. Priscilla Presley, the pop star's former mother-in-law, also expressed her sadness saying, "I'm in shock, as I know everyone must be. What a tragic loss. My heartfelt thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time." (News, Source;EIN)

Like Elvis, Michael Jackson was a troubled king; Michael Jackson didn't want to be just a superstar. Like the Beatles, he wanted to be the biggest, the undisputed king. He wanted to topple the reigning man with the crown, Elvis. In the end, Jackson came to resemble Elvis in both the best and worst ways - supremely gifted and successful but also self-destructive and beset by demons. And like Elvis, he died way too young. "It's just so weird. He even married Elvis' daughter," said author-music critic Greil Marcus, who wrote at length about Presley in his acclaimed cultural history, Mystery Train. Elvis Presley died a over-weight middle-aged man after overdosing on prescription drugs at home in 1977 at age 42. Michael Jackson died on Thursday at age 50 after being rushed from his Los Angeles home to UCLA Medical Centre. Jackson was taking prescription drugs as he battled to get into shape for his gruelling concert comeback due to get underway in London next month, a lawyer for the family said on Thursday. Jackson, like Elvis, fought long-running battles with prescription medication throughout his career, and was taking the drugs after suffering injuries during training for his comeback, lawyer and spokesman Brian Oxman said.

Pop legend Michael Jackson dead at 50: In a strange twist Michael Jackson who would have been Elvis' son-in-law when he married Lisa Marie has died on this fateful day June 26th. (June 25th in USA). He is reported to have died of a heart attack after he was rushed to hospital in Los Angeles. He suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon and paramedics were unable to revive him. Spokespersons for Jackson could not be reached for comment but earlier, The LA Times reported paramedics went to the singer's home and found him not breathing. In 1994, Jackson married Elvis’ only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996. Jackson married Debbie Rowe the same year and had two children, before splitting in 1999. The couple never lived together. The newspaper said paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene before taking him to the UCLA Medical Centre. Jackson had been due to start a series of comeback concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. (News, Source;ABC)

'The Dark Side Of Colonel Parker' - EIN Spotlight: June 26th 2009 is a special date that commemorates four unique events of the Elvis World. 1. The 100th Birthday of Colonel Parker. 2. The 32nd Anniversary of Elvis' final concert in Indianapolis. 3. The 30th Anniversary of the death of Elvis' father, Vernon Presley. 4. The 30th Anniversary of the revelation to Elvis’ estate that Colonel Parker was still fleecing his client. Although comedian Nipsy Russell stated that "Every entertainer should go to bed at night and pray he finds a Colonel Tom Parker under his bed when he wakes up in the morning" - is that really the truth? It is a fact that after Elvis' death an official investigation found that "both Colonel Parker (and RCA) acted in collusion against Presley's best interests. Colonel Parker was guilty of self-dealing and overreaching and had violated his duty to both Elvis and to the estate." While there is no doubt that Elvis and The Colonel's story is extremely complex, in this in-depth Spotlight EIN takes a look at the darker side of Colonel Tom Parker - and includes plenty of insights from Elvis’ colleagues and friends. . Go here for this fascinating investigation- and also Have Your Say. (Spotlight, Source;EIN)

New DVD 'Love Me Tender: The Love Songs' cover art: Here is the cover for the EMI Music DVD 'Love Me Tender - The Love Songs'. The DVD is the first-ever in-depth look at the love songs of Elvis. This documentary explores the remarkable music that sparked such phenomenal devotion in the hearts of fans worldwide. Hosted by Golden Globe-nominated actress Ashley Judd it features 20 fabulous performances plus interviews and other footage in its 120 minutes. To be released August 25th. Click here to pre-order at Amazon for $18. Tracklist: Love Me Tender I Can’t Stop Loving You The Wonder of You I Just Can’t Help Believing Always On My Mind What Now My Love Can’t Help Falling In Love There Goes My Everything It’s Now Or Never Are You Lonesome Tonight As Long As I Have You You Don’t Know Me Loving You Unchained Melody I’ll Remember You For The Good Times And I Love You So You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me Just Pretend Love Me Until It’s Time For You To Go Mary In The Morning I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - (News, Source:EMIMusic/Amazon)

New Triple Features release: Here is the cover art for the new USA 3CD set titled Triple Feature which includes Burning Love, Seperate Ways, and You'll Never Walk Alone.  (News, Source: SPKCollectibles.com) Contact 'SPKCollectibles.com'