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Elvis Week Schedule Announced Elvis Week is Aug 10 - 16, 2010: Below is a tentative schedule of events planned for the week. More details about these events and others will be announced as they are confirmed. Tickets will go on sale in early spring 2010, with a special pre-sale available for Elvis Insiders. All information listed below is subject to change. Tuesday, August 10 - Event TBA Wednesday, August 11 Graceland Trivia Tour 5:00 p.m. Event starts at the Graceland Ticket Office. Guests are invited to tour Graceland Mansion (no audio tour) and the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum while simultaneously answering trivia questions for which answers can be found on the Graceland tour. All participants receive a gift. Adult and junior versions of the scavenger hunt will be available. Prizes for both adult and junior versions to be announced. Tickets are $30.00 for adults and $15.00 children 7-12.

Club Elvis 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 Midnight. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza. Come hang out and enjoy a private party with your fellow Elvis fans. A disc jockey spins Elvis records for your listening and dancing pleasure. Cash bar featuring adult beverages (ID's checked) and soft drinks. Outdoor smoking area designated – no smoking inside. A wristband ticket allows you to come and go from Club Elvis as much as you like during the evening in order for you to enjoy all the other activities on the property. Tickets are $25. 

Midnight Southern Breakfast 12:00 Midnight – 1:30 AM. Chrome Grille, Graceland Plaza. Following Club Elvis, fans are invited next door at the Chrome Grille for a midnight southern breakfast, which will include scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, grits, biscuits and your choice of coffee, juice or soft drink. Tickets to this event are extremely limited so be sure to order in advance. Tickets are $12.

Global Chart Update - Week 08, 2010 (Source: Mael):

United States Top Christian Albums: • # 48 (Ne) An Evening Prayer Top Catalog Albums: • # ----- (37) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits Top Country Catalog Albums: ** Not available this week ** Canada Top 100 Albums: • # ---- (95) Édition 75ième anniversaire [2CD] Top 50 Country Albums: • #37 (29) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits Australia Top 50 Physical Albums: • # ---- (44) 50 Australian Top Ten Hits: 1956-1977 Top 40 DVDs: • #30 (31) Elvis: The King Of Rock ’N’ Roll United Kingdom Top 200 Albums: • #170 (85) ELVIS 75 [3CD] • #196 (178) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

France Top 250 Comprehensive Albums: • #149 (Re) Greatest Hits: Vol. 2 • #165 (Re) Greatest Hits: Vol. 1 • # ---- (180) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits Top 40 Compilation Albums: • #32 (Re) Greatest Hits: Vol. 2 • #36 (Re) Greatest Hits: Vol. 1 • # ---- (40) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits Austria Top 75 Albums: • #26 (15) The King - 75th Anniversary Edition [3CD] Switzerland Top 100 Albums: • #80 (76) Elvis 75 [3CD] Sweden Top 60 Albums: • # ---- (41) The Essential

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At Full Force released: The remake of Hot Winter Night In Dallas, Elvis At Full Force has just been released by Audionics. We also got word that GRM's Get Down And Dirty will be out on Friday. (News, Source: Elvis News)

RARE Elvis photos - Now with over 4,300 Rare Elvis images! Click HERE for some Great Candids Now with over 1,660 members including many of Elvis' friends! Or click here directly to our EIN Facebook Photos.

Elvis Memorabilia at the Hard Rock Cafes: A new Hard Rock Cafe website offers you the chance to find out where every piece of Elvis memorabilia is that they own. Have you seen Elvis' "Lion Belt" in Memphis- well why not check out Elvis' "Suede Jacket" in the Hard Rock Cafe New Delhi! Or Elvis' Karate GI suit in San Antonio?. Click here for all the facts & pictures & locations.   (News, Source;EIN/ElvisMatters)

Jackson's 'penniless' brother to auction off Elvis Presley jacket to clear debt: Michael's older brother Tito Jackson has reportedly been forced to place a rare Elvis Presley jacket under the hammer to clear debts worth 17,000 pounds. The 56-year-old was purportedly forced to let go off the item after former friend Matt Fiddes filed a lawsuit against him over an unpaid 12,000-pound bill. "After Fiddes won the action, which was a third-party debt order, bailiffs were sent in to recover the money from Tito Jackson's London agent Ron Winter, who is contesting the order," the Daily Star quoted a source as saying. "Goods included a rare Elvis Presley jacket, allegedly a gift from Lisa Marie Presley. A load of gold and silver record discs were also seized, including one for soul star Al Green and another for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Ovation. The bailiffs also seized original film posters for Scarface, Goodfellas and The Godfather," the source added. The source also said: "The proposed auction should easily settle the debt, which is in excess of 17,000 pounds. But, unfortunately, it won't make a blind bit of difference to Tito's finances. One thing's for sure - Tito's hit the skids in financial terms. "Watching on as all this stuff is flogged to pay off his debt must be very embarrassing for him." Go here to EIN's exclusive Presley / Jackson archives. (News, Source;SanjaM/EIN)

Elvis engineer Bill Porter Auctioning more personal Items: A long time friend of Elvis, Porter is renowned for engineering nearly all of Elvis’ post 1960 hits until his death in 1977. Recording with Elvis in the celebrated “Studio B” in Nashville, Porter helped to craft some of Elvis’ greatest hits including, “Are You Lonesome Tonight” and “It’s Now or Never." Porter’s album recordings with Elvis include “Elvis Is Back," “His Hand In Mine,” “Pot Luck," and “Something for Everybody." Bill designed the sound system for Graceland, went on the road with Elvis from 1969 to 1977 and recorded many of Elvis’ “Live In Las Vegas” shows. From Bill Porter's personal collection, Porter's personalized leather garment bag used on tour with Elvis Presley. Bill's initials as well at the "TCB" logo are stitched on the bag in yellow-gold thread. Estimate: 300-400 US Dollars. This item currently has 1 bid at 303 US Dollars. "TCB" stands for "Taken' Care of Business, "the name Elvis gave to his back up band. Elvis loved using the initials on his own accessories, including his famed tinted sunglasses. There also are 5 other lots from Bill Porter's personal collection which include Elvis collectables, photos, magazines, CDs, records, plates, and various Elvis souvenirs. Bill Porter has previously auctioned his other major Elvis memorabilia in the past few years. (News, Source;ElvisUnlimited)

Elvis Blue Hawaii Barbie Doll: Aloha, and thank you very much- Surf's up, Barbie and Elvis fans.Showcasing Elvis Presley from his first Hawaiian-themed film, Blue Hawaii in 1961, this delightfully upbeat Barbie Collector Doll mirrors The King's island look, complete with lei and ukulele. Mattel announces a follow-up for the recent releases of the Elvis 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Elvis and Priscilla' dolls. Elvis stands about 11 1/2-inches tall, but cannot stand alone. Comes with lei and ukulele! Go here for more info.     (News, Source;SanjaM/ElvisInfoNet)

'Viva Elvis' Sony CD: Brian Quinn reports that Sony executives will be meeting in New York later this month to review the master recordings from the 'Viva Elvis' Show to finalise track listing and decide on which ones to release as a possible single or singles in advance of the Album release in September. The Marketing strategy will also be on the agenda. The album will have the potential to be yet another big hit for Elvis. Bob Sillerman recently stated "Viva ELVIS is a show the devoted Elvis fan will love, but it reaches beyond that. It will be thoroughly enjoyed by the casual Elvis fan, by the fans of music from Elvis's era and by anyone who ever listened to rock and roll. It is also a show that will be loved by fans of Cirque du Soleil, as it takes their talents to an entire new level." (News, Source;BrianQuinn)

'Get Down And Dirty' tracklist confirmed: The tracklist of the new Gravel Road deluxe, double CD release has now been confirmed. This third Gravel Road Music release spotlights Elvis Presley's wild rehearsals in the summer of 1970, filmed for the MGM documentary "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is." The character of the 15 July, 1970 Culver City rehearsal is different from the 2 previous acclaimed releases, "The brightest star on sunset boulevard (2cd)" & "Plugged in and Geared up" by GRM. Featuring the second day of the rehearsal shooting, Elvis is studying songs, uses uncensored talking & singing. That’s one of the reasons to rename this historical rehearsal "Get down and dirty", it includes more than 25 minutes unreleased material! Here is the complete tracklist:

'Baby, Let´s Play House' - New cover: A rather fascinating new cover to the popular Alanna Nash book about Elvis and his relationships with women - to be re-published in March. Reviews have stated:   “Alanna Nash never ceases to amaze me. With the many Elvis books published, few ever reach the depths that Nash achieves in Baby, Let’s Play House, a page turner you’ll want to read cover to cover. It’s a fascinating look into the personal life of one of the world’s greatest performers, told by an expert storyteller.”  - Steve Binder, producer-director of the Elvis 68 Comeback Special “If anything, Baby, Let’s Play House heightens the heartbreaking aspects of Presley’s life.” - Los Angeles Times “By far the best study of Elvis Presley I have read. ‘The King’ emerges more clearly from this mosaic of his troubled love life than from any linear biography to date.Impressively researched, written--and felt.” - Philip Norman, New York Times. Go here for EIN's in-depth review and exclusive interviews with author Alanna Nash. (News, Source;SanjaM/ElvisInfoNetwork)

EPE celebrates 45th Anniversary of 'Tickle Me' Release!! Hardly Elvis' best movie but EPE has an interesting campaign noting that 2010 marks the 45th anniversary its release. The film, produced for Allied Artists by Ben Schwalb and directed by Norman Taurog, opened nationwide on July 7, 1965. In the film, Elvis plays a singing rodeo rider who finds work as a stable hand at an all-female dude ranch. Elvis received $750,000 to appear in Tickle Me, his 18th film. Due to the fact that Allied Artists was struggling to stay afloat financially, Elvis agreed to take a paycut for his appearance, but adjusted his contract so that he would receive 50% of the films profits, which was quite the negotiation coup at the time. The film's success ended up saving the production company from bankruptcy. Go here for EINs review of the 'Tickle Me' FTD. Click here more EPE info plus gallery of photos from Tickle Me. (News, Source EPE/EIN)

Antiques Roadshow' Appraiser Prices Elvis Items: "Holy Moly! This is wickedly awesome," Gary Sohmers of popular TV programme "Antiques Roadshow" said about Joe Callaway's never-published photos of Elvis Presley from a 1956 appearance on "Dance Party" with Wink Martindale. Sohmers said the negatives alone are worth $30,000. With his trademark Hawaiian shirt and his long silver hair pulled back into a ponytail, antiques appraiser Gary Sohmers expects to see lots of treasures, a little junk, some fakes and hopefully a few "Holy Grails" over the weekend. As a part of a sneak peek, Sohmers, 57, hit a wow factor Thursday afternoon. Events director Joe Callaway pulled out a stack of never-published 8-by-

Elvis Matters new magazine #28 Out Now: The most recent issue of the Dutch fanclub magazine is out. The magazine features all the regulars, a review of the FTD 'Good Times', an article by Elvis photographer Ed Bonja plus a major feature on Elvis' Circle G Ranch plus one on Cirque du Soleil. With the issue comes a free CD of Piano Songs recorded by the Dutch singer Bouke, with Glen Hardin on piano. Go here to order a magazine subscription. (News, Source;SanjaM/EIN)

March 1960 - The Return Of The King: Elvis Presley left the army 50 years ago this week, to suggestions that the music he pioneered had died in his absence. On the morning of 3 March, 1960, after a flight from Germany broken by a refuelling stop at Prestwick Airport, 30 miles south of Glasgow (the only time he set foot in Britain), the DC7 jetliner carrying Elvis Presley landed at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, amid the remnants of a light blizzard. At the US base he was then met and escorted away from military life by Nancy Sinatra, the 19-year-old daughter of a man who had once described Presley's music as "a rancid-smelling aphrodisiac". The truth however turned out to be a little different! Go here to read this fascinating spotlight by Richard Williams of The Guardian.   (Spotlight, Source;Guardian/ElvisInfoNet)

Scottish Fan's teenage encounter with Elvis 50 years ago: It's 50 years since Elvis set foot on British soil for the first and last time. But the people who saw him on that cold night - March 3, 1960 - at Prestwick Airport have never forgotten their close encounter with the King of rock 'n' roll. US Army Sergeant Elvis Aaron Presley, then aged 25, had finished his two-year stint in uniform and was on his way home from his German base when his plane stopped to refuel. Fewer than 200 people saw him but for some, such as Ann Murphy - then aged 16 - it changed their lives. "I used to babysit for a Sergeant Phelps at the US airbase. I was at work one day when he turned up at my house and told my mum that Elvis would be at the airbase that night and I should go if I wanted to see him. My mum ran to a phone box to call me at work. I couldn't believe it. I loved Elvis. I had all his records. On the bus home, I was telling everyone I was going to see Elvis that night but they all thought it was just a

rumour. They probably thought I was crazy. I changed into my American jeans, lumberjacket, bobby socks and blue suede shoes and cycled the three miles to the airport base. When we got to the base there was a small group of people already there, standing at the barrier in front of two huge Cadillac cars. Muriel and I were right at the barrier. We were so excited and suddenly the plane was in front of us. The door opened and there was Elvis. He was so handsome in his uniform. He waved and we started screaming. He shouted: "Where am I?" and people shouted back: "Prestwick" - but I was shouting: "I love you." He came down the stairs and looked fantastic with that beautiful smile. We could hardly believe we were looking at him. We could nearly touch him. Then Muriel did an amazing thing. She jumped over the barrier and threw herself twards Elvis. However a couple of huge military policemen scraped her off and put her back over the barrier.

Producer Jerry Weintraub comments on Col. Parker: Jerry Weintraub broke up a fight at Elvis Presley's funeral, wooed Julia Roberts with $20, and played party planner to George H.W. Bush during the producer's more than 50 years in Hollywood. In his new memoir, "When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead," due out in April, Weintraub details his highs, lows and moments of comeuppance as a film producer and manager of Presley, Frank Sinatra and John Denver, to name a few. His story includes how at Elvis Presley's funeral, his father, Vernon, and his manager, Col. Tom Parker, argued about whether it was appropriate to sell Elvis-themed mementos to mourners in the street. Weintraub relates, "I got between them and said something like, 'What's wrong with you guys? The body's in the next room. We're about to leave for the funeral. Have some respect.' "What a bizarre moment, the entire world gathered around the house in tears, and in a room in the house, the old man and the Colonel arguing about T-shirts." Go here for more about The Dark Side of Colonel Parker. (News, Source;SanjaM/ElvisInfoNet)

Aaron Schroeder, Elvis Songwriter: The New York publisher and songwriter Aaron Schroeder was one of the key figures around the Brill Building in the 1950s and 1960s. He was a songwriter who preferred to collaborate with others, especially in improving the commerciality of a promising song. Several of his 300 published compositions were recorded by Elvis Presley, including the multi-million seller "It's Now or Never" (1960). He liked to say, not entirely in jest, "I don't read music – that's why I make so much money." Aaron Harold Schroeder was born in Brooklyn in 1926, was a competent pianist, mostly playing by ear, who was first attracted to the big bands of the 1940s. An early success was with "At a Sidewalk Penny Arcade" (1948), which was recorded by both Rosemary Clooney and Guy Lombardo. In 1955, he was working as a staff writer for the publishing company Hill and Range when he learnt that they were supplying songs to Elvis Presley, who had been signed to RCA-Victor Records. Schroeder was asked to improve a song by other staff writers, "I Was the One", and the result was the B-side of "Heartbreak Hotel" and made the US Top 20 in its own right.

No Sale for Elvis' strand of hair: A strand of Elvis Presley's hair, owned by a music fan in Gloucestershire, has failed to sell at auction. The piece of hair was expected to fetch £600 but it failed to meet its reserve price. The owner bought the hair "on a whim" in a television auction. It was mounted in the centre of a gold disc inscribed The King's Authentic Hair, together with a photograph of the singer and a certificate of authenticity on the reverse. A spokesman for Chorleys, the auctioneers selling the item, said: "These more fun items are not doing as well in the current market as the more serious antiques. It's just one of those things." A clump of Elvis's hair sold at auction in Chicago for $15,000 in October last year.   (News, Source;SanajM/ElvisInfoNet)

A BIG ELVIS HAPPENING in Holland, May 2nd 2010: On May 2nd, 2010,  “The Original Elvis Tribute” will return to Holland for a show at the Effenaar in Eindhoven, one of Holland’s leading concert venues. The show is being organized by the biggest Elvis fanclub in Holland, “Elvis For Everyone”, who are celebrating their 15th anniversary this year. Fanclub president Constatijn Zantingh is only 33 years old, making him one of the youngest Elvis fanclub-presidents worldwide. Constatijn is always looking for new and innovative ways to promote Elvis for a younger audience, and it seems that this is working well for him: “The magazine is getting new members all the time. Our conventions are well attended. Our books are quite popular; the ‘Images’ book was sold out within a matter of months. Volume 2 of that book has just come out”, says Constatijn, who is very excited about the Eindhoven show: “We first booked that show last year, and it was just tremendous. It’s a very special show, and Duke Bardwell and Michael Jarrett really know how to connect with an audience. Ticketsales for the concert in Eindhoven are  quite strong already now, so I think it’s going to be a fantastic day”. Click HERE to see the special promo for the show. Go here for more info about “The Original Elvis Tribute”. (News, Source:EFE/www.elvisnews.dk)

In spite of the fact that Elvis is getting bored of Las Vegas, he is still able to the end the season by giving life to some terrific shows. Here they are presented in great audio quality , the CD 1 with the complete show from February 19 midnight show and the CD 2 with the unreleased February 22 midnight show taken from an early generation copy of the original master tape, as recorded by a member of the audience. All tracks were digitally restored for your best possible listening pleasure; the sound quality is incredibly good considering the early Vegas Season. The shows are linked from the highlight of February 21 midnight show.

We are proud to give life to a unique view with almost 160 minutes of great music with Elvis at his best for that season. As a first time for this label, the double CD will come in a deluxe LONG six panel DIGIPACK, containing a collection of live RARE photographs of the Vegas February 1971 season. (News, Source: FECC)

This soundbite clip is only a fragment of the full CD we are offering. The CD entitled "Blue Sude Shoes in the Hood" became the exclusive musical score for the film documentary film "Blues Suede Shoes in the Hood" 3 years ago. It won the best Documentary and best film at the Biloxi Film Festival. The film has only been shown in a few places around the country. Pictorial footage on the film has not been seen by any Elvis or Tupelo resident or collectors anywhere in the World.

Stay tune as we will for the first time in 2010 make available some of the history of this landmark place called "ShakeRag". Tupelo Mississippi has since put up a historical marker indentifying the maginalize area. Your comments will be screened .

I was the first African-American to have discovered for the "public where Elvis truly live in the exclusive Black neighbood of Park Hill for a short time. I lived in Tupelo for 7 years looking for the unique and unkwnown contributions. (News, Source: Wsir)

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Hush Puppies Pay Tribute to Elvis: You don’t have to be an Elvis impersonator to take a walk in a pair of blue suede shoes. A style inspired by Elvis Presley’s 1955 hit song is now available at menswear retailer Lansky in Memphis, Tenn., where founder Bernard Lansky personally dressed Presley throughout his career. As part of a collaboration between the landmark store and Hush Puppies, known for its suede footwear, the retailer will offer a limited-edition collection of slip-on and laceup shoes in signature blue suede. The store has been selling an Elvis-inspired apparel collection, Lansky Brothers – Clothier to the King, since 1990, said Julie Lansky, who heads up marketing. The line features reproductions of actual looks from the entertainer’s wardrobe, as well as pieces inspired by his personal style. The blue suede looks will be the first signature shoes. “Customers have always asked for the blue suede shoes,” said Lansky, noting that the footwear will be co-branded. And because many pieces in the apparel line hark back to Presley’s heyday in the 1950s, a companion black-and-white slip-on and laceup in smooth leather will also be available. The footwear will be available at Lansky at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis through the summer. The blue suede shoes retail for $145, and the black-and-white for $160. (News, Source: Elvis News/Google)

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Redefining Elvis: FIRST, there was Elvis. Long before The Beatles were anointed the heart of rock and roll, ages before the Rolling Stones were crowned the loins of rock and roll, not too far from when Bob Dylan was anointed the mind of rock and roll and as recent as the 1980s, when Bruce Springsteen was the conscience of rock and roll, there was Elvis Presley, the King of rock and roll. He reigned for a good two decades, purloining the blues and soul of black music and, with not an iota of subtlety or subtext, converted it into his own legendary making, making the girls scream in decibel madness, swoon in overawed drama and breathlessness in keeping up with his bravura.

It’s been 34 years since his less-than-delicate death but in those 31/2 decades, Elvis’ stature has transcended somewhat beyond religion, so much so that his obsessed fans have prayed and insisted that the King is alive and doing his pelvic gyrations to Hound Dog and Blue Suede Shoes. That fanaticism — and the kind of guilt, angst and attempts at redemption that Elvis’ might carried — might have turned him into a 21st Century prophet. That’s right: A prophet of rock and roll, an elevation from his monarchical sovereignty.

Reinforcing that mysticism is what propelled his old record company, RCA (now under the aegis of Sony Music) to reissue yet another reissue of his greatest hits, this time a 3-CD wonder of 75 songs to mark what would have been his 75th birthday.

Simply entitled Elvis 75, this collection supercedes the far superior 4-CD box set complete with an 80-page booklet carrying a Billy Altman biographical essay, rare pictures, reproductions of original record labels, covers and picture sleeves, film posters, master tape boxes and detailed recording, chart and personal data.

The box may yet make its way into Malaysia but for now, Elvis fans continue to worship him for more than just his music and the lightweight films.

The songs are far too familiar, a loop in the time-space continuum, a recycled deja vu, to be given a further once over. It’s pointless really because the credentials are supremely solid. The songs may be beyond criticism. They have become a life’s code for many on Earth. Cherry pick your way into the collection and see what tunes befit your generational epiphany.

Heartbreak Hotel? Blue Moon? Suspicious Minds? Moody Blue? I Just Can’t Help Believin’? That’s All Right? Each of these songs defined and redefined rock and roll’s governance and imperceptibly coerced rockers to elevated levels of groundbreaking performances.

On the discretionary aspect of music, does it matter now that much of the early, rip roaring and pelvic pulverising songs were ripped off, inadvertently or otherwise, from some poor Southern bluesman or that the stylings were crude and unrefined? What matters most was that Elvis came to the fore when the world badly needed a fresh slate, away from the flavourless and vapid music dominating the air waves and oppressing other alternative acts.

Elvis broke the taboos of the niceties of the1950s and rallied people, the people of his generation especially, away from the obscene trauma of two successive wars that pulverised the world first and then Korea, and later Vietnam.

He may have not realised that he was innovating and winging his way towards rock and roll divinity but he changed the way music was heard and appreciated and he brought people of all colours together to the consternation of the white establishment.

Elvis pioneered a new attitude, stage presence and dance (if you can define his pelvic palpitations as dance) that influenced the modern preening of frontmen like Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Bono and Mick Jagger. He whispered, wowed, hummed and purred killer ballads that shook the soul hard — for that post-war age. His voice was the sui generis the world will never witness again, save for the unnerving mimics who find their destiny in walking, talking, singing, moving and smirking like Elvis. Eddie Murphy does a scarily fine version of Elvis in Delicious, his X-rated 1980s rancid comic stand-up.

Elvis was also a walking fashion statement — deliciously strident sideburns, loud, sassy hairstyle and sartorial slickness. These statements perforated the consciousness of the rebellious new youth screaming to heave their individuality beyond their horrified parents’ haplessness in stopping the red tide of rock and roll, piercingly devilish and all. (News/Review, Source: MISHAR, NewStraitTimes, Malaysia)

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'The Memphis Boys The Story About American Studios' book release: Marty Lacker advises EIN:

Thought you might like to let your readers know about a great new book that just became available today that features a very detailed and definitive chapter about Elvis' American Studios '69 sessions.

 

The book is called The Memphis Boys The Story About American Studios by Roben Jones.

 

In addition to the detail about the sessions, this book is a complete detail of all the years of hits from American Studios and is full of reminisces of each and every session cut there by Chips Moman,Tommy Cogbill, the American Band as well as songwriters. It also has knowledgeable comments by a number of highly successful people from other studios who are in awe of the accomplishments of the American guys.

 

I am also proud that it includes the work I did at American and the contributions I made to it as well as many first hand quotes from me. I would still recommend it even if I was not in it. Everyone who had anything to do with that studio from beginning to end has made contributions to the book and you will learn of many inside anecdotes on the recording of some of the biggest records in the history of the world.  You'll also learn the reasons why Chips turned down producing The Beatles as well as Bob Dylan after Elvis recorded there.

 

Anyone who has any interest in music would be remiss in not reading this book.

 

You can find out more about obtaining the book by going to the publisher, The University of Ole Miss Press at www.upress.state.ms.us

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Marty Lacker on recent news items on EIN: THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL (28 Feb 2010) - I don't know how old the two writers are but from their names and publication they write for I suspect they are from/in Korea.  I say that because unless you experienced the change in music first hand in the 50's, I doubt you can speak authoritively about what actually happened. I was fortunate to have been there when it all begin and I was at an age to know what was happening and the change it wrought.  I also had an advantage because I had moved from NY to Memphis back then at the age of 15 in '52. I had the knowledge of the music I heard in NY and also saw many of the artists of that day in the movie theaters on Broadway that also had live stage shows throughout the day and night featuring many of the great artists and big bands of that era.  So I really saw the drastic change that Elvis really brought to the forefront. the music and artists of that era was vastly different than what Elvis brought to the world. Yes, there were forerunners of RnR but Elvis was the first to take more than one genre of music and combine them with another thus coming up with his never before heard style of music.  He, growing up, listened to and was influenced by blues, what was then called Race Music (later named R&B), Country Music and Gospel. Jazz played no part in Elvis' music. The influence of all four strongly formed the natural style of Elvis, that at first was called Rockabilly then because Alan Freed in Cleveland used the term Rock and Roll when speaking of the movements of the teenage dancers at a sock hop in Cleveland in the 50's.   Elvis was the first in introducing that style of music, it's what he naturally felt inside of himself. Fats came along with his first record in 1949 "The Fat Man" on Imperial Records and that was classified Race Music.  His first major record that crossed over into what was then called RnR was "Ain't That A Shame" in '55, a year after Elvis' first record,"That's Alright" changed the face of music.  Little Richard started in '51 and he too was mainly Race Music, wherein he combined Jump Blues with Gospel and boogie woogie and his first big record was in '55 too.  Chuck Berry first became known in '55 also.

See the pattern?  What Elvis did is take the styles that influenced him and melded them into his own style that came from him naturally from what he felt in July '54 and what that caused, among other things, is the barriers for those black artists to be knocked down. He didn't set out to do that, it was just what happened naturally by teenagers who also sensed a great deal of freedom from Elvis' music, something nobody had ever done before him. Let's not forget when he first came out many people who did not know him or know what he looked like, thought he was black.  If it hadn't been for Elvis bursting force with his genre of music I doubt we'd be listening to all that music in the last  56 years and with that music he not only changed the music, he changed the culture of the world. No other artist can make that claim, if that doesn't make him The King of Rn R, I don't know what does.  Another thing, to my memory and my memory is very good, he is the first to be dubbed King of any style of music.

 

As for what I alluded to earlier,Alan Freed was talking about the way the teenagers were moving when they danced he wasn't talking about the genre of music when he said,"Are You Ready To Rock And Roll.! He didn't say Rock N' Roll, he was talking about the way kids rocked back and forth and rolled when dancing.  However, that term stuck in the minds of teenagers and Rockabilly was soon known as Rock And Roll.

 

The fact is, the people dubbed Elvis The King Of Rock N" Roll,making him the first King of any Music. he like a couple of others did not give himself that title. He earned it then and he deserves it still today.

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Viva Elvis (28 Feb 2010): As for the negative reviews of VIVA Elvis Cirque show, although I haven't seen the whole show, I have seen a number of video clips as well as have read many of the reviews from the Vegas papers and elsewhere and have read the comments by people who have seen it.

I hate to say this but you know me, I tell it like it is.  I knew it wouldn't be great for two reasons, one is the Elvis input came from Priscilla and two of her ass kissers and none of them are that creative, plus I knew she would slant it from her point of view and also make sure it was partly about her two. Her minions agree with whatever she says because they get thrown a bone by her every once in awhile and they need it. One of them works for her and EPE, so they're not gonna' do anything to make her mad at them.  Naturally she had to include herself in that show by including the wedding.  If they wanted to show the real Elvis, as they claim they were doing, they should have had a number of girls around him, not just her.  What about Linda Thompson,Anita Wood and another that he really loved, Ann Margret.

Secondly, ELVIS IS NOT BROADWAY, he's not a musical  theater stage show, he proved that in his crummy musical travelogues they called his movies.  He called them that himself after awhile with a couple of exceptions in the early years. Cirque's Beatles show is different in that the people the Beatles mainly appealed to came ten years after Elvis and by then the music taste was different. 

Elvis was raw Rock N' Roll and R&B and that is so far from Broadway it's the difference of night and day.  The biggest reason his comeback special was so successful was, in addition to the fact that he had not been seen on TV by the masses in a number of years until then, the Black Leather Segment was the real Elvis Presley,not those other staged segments that were just like his movie scenes.  If the entire Special had been like the Leather segment it would have been even more highly acclaimed.

One famed reviewer in the Las Vegas Review Journal made mention that, "one of the main aspects of Elvis' life, the men around him he trusted and bonded with all of his career,The Memphis Mafia, is not even hinted at in the show".  Once again,Priscilla strikes out of pettiness, which I personally believe is a reason none of the other women including Ann Margret, are not mentioned or depicted.  It's all about Priscilla, his ex-wife.

As someone who is experienced in the production of music and shows having produced and directed a number of them successfully, I am deeply disappointed in this opportunity that presented itself in Vegas to depict and honor the memory of one of the greatest entertainers of all times and one who meant a great deal in my life, was done so shabbily.  I realize that is my opinion but it also seems, also by the reviewers, I am not alone in that opinion.

I do think though that if you can, you should see the show and form your own opinion.

Read more of Marty's Musings on EIN

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Larry Geller's Review of Viva ELVIS: In contrast to Marty's views, here is another from Larry Geller: Hal Wallis once said “An Elvis picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood.” The same might be said of “Viva ELVIS Cirque du Soleil,” one of the few sure bets in a struggling Las Vegas today. I had the great pleasure of attending the world premiere of this highly-anticipated show in Vegas last Friday night. Waiting for the show to begin, I have to admit I was skeptical and even a bit apprehensive; I’ve been disappointed so many times in the past thirty-two years. But then, this was Cirque du Soleil, known for their creativity and professionalism, so perhaps they would surprise me. Yet how could anyone or any show possibly capture and convey the magic of Elvis? The set designer for the show, Mark Fisher, acknowledged the challenge they faced in creating this show when he said, “Elvis has transcended reality and become a kind of mythic figure.”

Look, we all know only too well that Elvis has left the building and no one can truly bring him back. But to my utter amazement and great joy I soon realized that – in a unique and spectacular way - I was experiencing Elvis once more, sitting there in the Elvis Theater at the Aria Resort and Casino. In an eye-popping extravaganza, he dances, laughs, sings and goofs as he explodes on a massive screen. What a brilliant move, bypassing the use of any male singers for live renditions of his songs. Elvis plays Elvis, coming to life as never before. His image on the huge screen above the stage is so compelling, I had to force my eyes to look at the stage to watch the amazing performers. And they are truly amazing dancers, gymnastic-acrobats and singers, all united in Cirque du Soleil’s celebration of Elvis’ remarkable legacy.

The show hits the highlights in Elvis’ life and career, taking us on a journey that includes his musical roots in the southern church, his youthful fascination with comic superheroes, his army years, his love affair with Hollywood and his own movie career, culminating in his record-setting Las Vegas triumph.

On a personal level his relationship with Priscilla and their wedding are beautifully and gracefully portrayed. I loved the aerial ballet of two couples floating above the stage in wedding rings.

One of the most poignant and intimate moments was when “Viva ELVIS” soars into metaphor in a tender rendition of the ballad “One Night With You”. Two young men that we recognize as Elvis and Jesse Garon execute soulful acrobatics, alone and together, on a guitar-shaped apparatus suspended in front of a starry night.


“Viva ELVIS” is truly a spectacle, theatrically and dramatically chronicling Elvis’ musical biography. Rockin’ good music, breathtaking acrobats and dancers, dazzling sets and costumes play off stunning archival footage and iconic images of Elvis, making this the perfect experience. I left the theater feeling totally satisfied…yet wanting more. (News, Source:http://www.larrygeller.blogspot.com/ TCB World)

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(Source: Email: Ann)

Calling all ETA's:

The first of the 2010 Elvis Extravaganza Regional events are now posted
online at http://www.elviscontest.com.

Sign up today! (Source: Elvis Extravaganza)

MRS makes history again for Elvis: ELVIS PRESLEY has for the first time entered the UK Indie Album charts with the release of Off Duty with Private Presley. It is new at #22 and also made the Top 200 UK overall Album Chart. MRS originally had a #1 for Elvis in the UK Indie Singles chart for 4 weeks a few years ago with ‘My Baby Left Me’ and also got into the national overall Single chart in the Top 20. Thanks to all the Elvis fans, dealers and the MRS team for this achievement. This is truly one of the best projects we have done in recent years. ( Joseph Pirzada.......MRS – Always making history!!) Audio component also available in downloadable MP3 format

The King's Castle Australian Qualifier for the Elvis World Cup - 20 - 21 March 2010 - Special guest judges include Joe Esposito & Greg Page

Parkes is looking for the best Elvis Tribute Artist to send to Cardiff, Wales to compete against 11 other countries in the Elvis World Cup on 4 July 2010.

Entries have now closed to competitors.

Tickets are on sale on Tuesday 23rd February from 10am. Phone or visit the Parkes Leagues Club to purchase, 02 6862 1499.

Heat tickets are $10 per day, finale tickets are $25. (News, Source: Chris Bamford/Parkes Elvis Festival)

John Wilkinson cancer update: Please continue to remember him in all your prayers. John is such an important part of our Elvis world and a dear friend who needs our support and certainly our prayers. John and his wife Terry will go in Monday to get the markers on his body that will tell the doctors where to aim, and in a week and 1/2 or 2 weeks it will start. It will only take 1/2 hour daily for 7 to 8 weeks. John's doctor feels that she will be able to get rid of the cancer and radiate any other area that may have a chance of the Cancer to spread. This should take care of it, and the best part is that he will not loose his hair. The news from the doctor really gave John a positive feeling. Again, he wants to thank everybody for your prayers. He WILL get through all this. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

Own a piece of Elvis history: ELVIS' RED SUEDE JACKET WORN ON "JAILHOUSE ROCK" 45 COVER and PROMOTIONAL PHOTOS — Bids start at: $10,000: Was worn frequently by Elvis as his casual every day attire and for the RCA publicity photos taken at the time of his film "Jailhouse Rock." The jacket was purchased at Elvis' favorite men's clothier store, Lansky Brothers in Memphis. Photos of Elvis wearing this jacket graced the covers of 2 of Elvis' most famous and biggest RCA hits, "Jailhouse Rock" and "One Night." For more information visit: gottahaverockandroll.com

Is Elvis still the reigning King of rock and roll?: Some men leave an indelible mark on the world. Decades after their reign at the top, a few choice musicians still dominate the radios and hearts of music fanatics everywhere. Such admiration prompts the age-old question: Who is the real king of rock and roll?

The Memphis Jukebox CD release: Vee Tone Records will release a CD The Memphis Jukebox 1 soon. The CD will contain 22 records found in Elvis' personal jukebox, as detailed in Record Collector's "The Secret of Elvis' Jukebox".

Carl Perkins - Jive At Five; Dale Hawkins - Don't Treat Me This Way; Carl McVoy - Tootsie; Gene Vincent - Woman Love; Ricky Nelson - Believe What You Say; Warren Smith - Miss Froggie; The Champs - Midnighter; Ray Sharpe - Linda Lu; Bo Diddley - Who Do You Love; Chuck Berry - You Can't Catch Me; Little Walter - Who; Ray Charles - I've Got a Woman; LaVern Baker - Whipper Snapper; Clyde McPhatter - That's Enough For Me; Big Joe Turner - Boogie Woogie Country Girl; Little Richard - She's Got It; The El Dorados - At My Front Door; The Rays - Daddy Cool; The Cleftones - You Baby You; The Drifters - Fools Fall In Love; Chuck Wilis - CC Rider; James Brown & The Famouw Blue Flames - Try Me (News, Source: Elvis News)

Latest issue of Elvis The Man and His Music released: The March 2010 issue of this highly respected magazine is now out: In this fantabulous issue!: Norbert Putnam Interview Elvis In Scotland - The One Hour Visit That Went Down In History Aloha From Hollywood - Rare 1960 Interview Dayton Reloaded - October 6th 1974 revisited It's Midnight...or is it the Dinner Show? Part 9 Your Letters CD, DVD & Book Reviews

'Viva Elvis' not universally applauded: Cirque du Soleil's tribute doesn't tap into the essence of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. When Cirque du Soleil premiered the Beatles-based “LOVE,” in 2006 at the Mirage Resort, the barre of excellence was set anew for this Montreal-based entertainment behemoth in terms of artistry, technology and shear pop culture magnitude.

Las Vegas' adopted native son, who spent a good chunk of his later life as the city’s top showroom draw, even if the pioneering rock-n-roll singer was now dressed up as a jumpsuited superhero, cape and all. So with the full cooperation of CKX Inc., (the company that controls the Presley estate), Elvis Presley Enterprises, access to every master recording Presley ever put down on tape, as well as all of his films and television appearances, home movies, and input from Priscilla Presley herself, how could Cirque miss?

But miss it has, and after experiencing the 90-minute “Viva ELVIS” gala premiere Friday night at the plush Elvis Presley Theatre inside the Aria Hotel at CityCenter, the reason becomes clear: Somewhere along the creative road, the production lost sight of the essence of Elvis Presley. (Trust me, it won’t be found in a group of rollerskating “bridegrooms” in one of the silliest giant wedding cake sendups this side of Busby Berkeley.)

Part Cirque, part rock concert, the production — written, directed and co-choreographed by Vincent Patterson — is eye-candy to the max, a color-rich explosion of Andy Warhol-meets-Bob Mackie-meets- “The Folies Bergere.” With its cast of 28 acrobats, 30 vibrant dancers (this show is almost entirely driven by dance), four female vocalists (the only male voice in the production is that of Presley himself) and a scorching nine-piece band that steals the show, “Viva ELVIS” is not the story of Elvis’ life, but a celebration of his legacy, the show’s program informs. To that end, glorious montages of home movies, vintage news reel footage and clips from Presley’s feature films provide the video backdrop to the action way, way below on one of the largest proscenium stages ever constructed.

Despite all that and more, Cirque has not quite figured out what it wants to do with Presley. Was he the King of Rock and Roll, or the king of kitsch? Do we really need pole dancers to sexy-up “It’s Now or Never” (which has incidentally been re-mixed in a minor key)? And when it comes to hearing Elvis sing, the show too often splits that duty between his vocals stripped from those master tapes and the aforementioned very capable female singers who tackle the Presley songbook in contemporary solo efforts or in funky “duets” with the King. A weakly written narrative delivered by an actor portraying Presley’s lifelong manager Colonel Tom Parker as a jolly old fella is just too much to forgive.

There are moments when the show does find its way: A brassy, big-band sendup of “Don’t Be Cruel” is a marvelous take on the classic. “All Shook Up” is reborn as a rousing spiritual in tribute to Presley’s Tupelo, Miss., roots. A gorgeous aerial trapeze pas de deux plays against Presley’s gentle vocals on “Are You Lonesome Tonight.” “One Night With You,” unfolds as a dramatic visualization of Elvis and his twin brother Jesse Garon (who died at birth) in which two male acrobats (dressed identically in 1950’s-style white T-shirts and jeans) navigate a massive skeletal guitar suspended high overhead. One climbs the guitar’s neck to the stars; the other tumbles into the abyss below. It is the evening’s emotional high point.

In the end, what’s missing in all of Cirque’s re-Elvising of Elvis is the heart and soul of the boy who would be king. Presley delivered rock and roll, blues, gospel and pop, with an incomparable dose of soul always at their core. Presley’s ability to cross all musical genre (and color) lines with the greatest of ease was his forte, from his earliest recordings, to his incomparable ’68 “Comeback Special” (shamefully missing from the production, since that television special paved the way for Elvis’ return to the Las Vegas stage) to those jumpsuited ’70s shows at the International Hotel that were the hottest ticket in town.

If you know little about the life of Elvis Presley or his music, “Viva ELVIS” will do little to enlighten you, though it will entertain you. But you will walk out of the theater knowing nothing of the deep faith Presley brought to “How Great Thou Art,” or the sexiness he brought to “Jailhouse Rock,” or the spirited rockabilly he brought to “Mystery Train.” It’s those musical qualities and abilities that made Presley the artist he was, and ultimately the pop culture icon he became. It’s those qualities that will forever be his true legacy. Now that’s something to celebrate. (Review, Source: Albert, TCB-World/ Miriam Dinunzio suntimes.com)

She softens on Elvis once she hears "Love Me Tender" and realizes he's a good singer. And she is proud when Stamaty does his Elvis imitation onstage for a large Cub Scout event.

After the story, Stamaty offers photos of himself in third grade, when he first heard Elvis; in fourth grade, when he transformed his hair into an Elvis pompadour; and onstage playing Elvis for the Boy Scouts. He also recounts how years later, he got to do his impersonation in the Oval Office for Elvis fan Bill Clinton, and includes a photo of that, too. (Book Review, Source: Regan McMahon, Special to The Chronicle/SFgate.com)

Glen D. Hardin wins iaugural "The King's World" Award: Dear friends, the new fan organisation from Germany, "THE KING'S WORLD - Fan-Service In Memory Of Elvis" is proud to announce, that GLEN D. HARDIN is the winner of the very first ELVIS PRESLEY MEMORIAL AWARD, which was created to honor artists who have made outstandingcontributions to the music and career of Elvis Presley.

Aussie Chart Update: On tomorrow's ARIA Music DVD Chart, Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll rises one spot to #30 after 94 weeks on the chart. (News, Source: ARIA)

The King and Dr. Nick What Really Happened to Elvis and Me (Book Review): Dr. Nick's long awaited memoir was recently released. After three decades of being often maligned by the media and an unforgiving public Elvis' personal physician finally has his say. In conjunction with interviewing Dr. Nick, EIN's Nigel Patterson spent time exploring Dr. Nick's side of the story. What EIN found: sheds great light on Elvis' medical conditions; provides facts around several contentious issues; is a memoir written with honest caring and compassion; and a memoir which will challenge the views held by many fans! In order to establish the truth, Dr. Nick deserves to be heard and his memoir is a fitting way for him to clearly state his case. (Book Review, Source: EIN) Read EIN's full review

John Wilkinson update: Thanks to Hubert Vindevogel for sending us this message:

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