April 29, 2002
Sean O'Neal
Hi Sean, It's an
honor for me to have you interviewed.
The pleasure is mine
Andylon. I will try and make
my answers worthy of your praise.
Is this your premier-
exclusive interview with an
Elvis web-site or you as a person "Sean
O'Neal"?
Yes it is. For some
reason no one else seems to be interested
in hearing from me. I have done a lot of radio,
newspaper, and documentary stuff, but nothing on
the internet, other than my web site.
Do I have to feel
good or bad about this Sean ?
I always have been interested in you , "you
are one of a kind on the 50's" ,
as an Elvis-specialist to me !
For the Elvis
fans whose bell doesn't ring by the
name "Sean O Neal", it will, after
they read this interview we did, I am
certain.... Who doesn't remember the incredible
acetate you found and has been released
years ago by BMG Sean, tell us more
about that. Sean
I had the good fortune
to find Elvis' second Memphis Recording
Service Acetate, I'll Never Stand In Your Way/It
Wouldn't Be The Same Without You "" . It was
one of those things that I think
most people assumed was lost
forever. It certainly made up for a lot of hours
I have wasted over the years digging through flea
markets, answering newspaper ads, etc. trying to
find some great Elvis piece. The moment that I first
saw it is something that I will never forget. It
changed my life in many ways. I am not sure anyone
would have ever heard of me if it had not been
for the acetate.
NOW Sean, people
know you were the person who was
behind this acetate, it was announced "world-wide".
Let us go back to your roots, tell me me about
your background?
I have a lovely wife
and an even more lovely daughter.
I am an only child. I grew up in a small town
called Columbia, Missouri.
When and - how
did you discover Elvis?
My parents introduced
Elvis to me. Both of my parents
were teenagers in the southern U.S. in the 1950s.
They both were Elvis fans. My mom says that my
dad tried to dress like Elvis. (Which he adamantly
denies.) My mom wanted to see Elvis in concert
in 1956 at a small Arkansas town, Batesville.
Elvis was appearing at the White River Water
Carnival. However, she came from a very poor family
and could not come up with $1 for a ticket.
Did you ever see
Elvis live on stage ?
I saw Elvis only once
in concert. It was at Kemper Arena,
June 1977. I was 12 years old. One of Elvis' last
concerts. We walked in just as 2001 was starting.
Although Elvis was in poor health, the concert
was very exciting. I remember how funny it seemed
to see ladies my mothers age screaming and fainting.
I have gone to a lot of concerts. Paul McCartney,
Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, etc. None
of them compare to the excitement in the air when
Elvis hit the stage.
When, why and
what did you started collecting
Elvis ?
The program and a
ticket stub from the Kansas City concert
were the start of my Elvis collection. I still
have them. Over the years I bought an item now and
then. About 15 years ago it became an obsession. I
focus on 1954-56 EPE, concert stuff, photographs. Although
I love Elvis in the early 70s as a performer,
collecting from that period has no interest
for me.
What was your
first reaction when Elvis died on
August 16th 1977 ?
It was a shock. The
public really had no idea or did not
want to have any idea that anything could ever happen
to him. My aunt called my mom and told her. I started
recording the news coverage and tributes on eight
track tape. I still have them as well.
What is your favorite
Elvis Single-album-film ?
Favorite album: Elvis
Gold Records 1
Favorite Song: Suspicious
Minds
Favorite Movie: Viva
Las Vegas
I have the part when
Ann Margaret brings her car into
the garage and tells Elvis that it whistles and
he answers that he doesn't blame it.
Aah, I guess you
like cars and Girls and Rock N
Roll, right ?
Well, I really found
Ann-Margaret much more interesting
than the car. (lol)
When did you start
seriously collecting unpublished-rare
photo's of Elvis
I started really
collecting photos when I bought the collection
that had the Memphis Recording Service acetate
in it.
Is that the same
acetate where we talked in the
beginning of our interview about, Sean
?
Yes, that's correct.
The acetate rightly got the most
attention, but there was a lot of great stuff in
that collection There were a lot of great early photos
in it. Stuff as early as 1947. That got my photo
collecting really going.
What era of Elvis
photos are you collecting and
why.
Anything before 1960.
1956 and earlier being my special
favorites. I don't collect anything past 1959
in general.
What kind of work
do you do besides Elvis ?
The Elvis stuff I
do for fun. I am the business
manager for a large Orthopedic Medical
center.
That's way different
than doing the Rock N Roll dance
everyday, Sean. Then I would have been your first
patient, it would kill me now a days. Ohh, if
only I was young again (lol)
Okay, seriously
Sean, Up until now, what was your
favorite project you did on Elvis?
Actually I have two
favorites. My book Elvis, Inc. I am
very proud of. It meant something to me personally.
It has gotten very good response from the
fans over the years. My latest
book is an Elvis Memorabilia collectors guide.
There are over 600 photos, all of them color. A
lot of rare stuff. Everything from 1955 concert posters
to Vegas. Also I have in the book what I think
is the earliest known Elvis autograph. ( I am sure
Russ Howe would want to discuss that).
Well Sean, if you
want me to discuss this with Russ Howe, it
means it would get me in the middle of this conversation,
right? Ever heard of the one liner : Don't shoot
the messenger ? Well that's how I would feel,
Sean (lol)
And what can we
expect from you in the future ? Can
you tell us a bit more explicitly?
I am already working
on the second edition of the memorabilia
book. I am looking for photos of pre 1977,
non-record stuff, made outside the U.S. If any of
your readers would like to submit photos I would welcome
that. I am also possibly
going to do a book on the 1956 Tupelo
concert. Lots of unpublished photos. Some memorabilia.
Some stories.
How many books
have you written about Elvis, Sean?
Elvis The Lost Photographs,
done with Joe Tunzi. A photo
book. Mostly from my collection. Time period 1947-1962
roughly.
Oh yes, I really
love this book, Sean it's one of
my favorites This is a valuable book to have
in your private collection for every Elvis
fan world-wide, who's into the
50's , really it's a GREAT book.
And Andylon, Elvis
Inc. the rise and fall of the Presley
Empire. Two parts to the book. The first is a
look at the business dealings between Elvis. The Colonel
and RCA. Also an examination of how the most successful
entertainer in that history of the world died
nearly bankrupt. The second half of the book is a
behind the scenes look at the business of Graceland
and the other activities of Elvis Presley Enterprises
since Elvis died. And the book My boy Elvis.
The Colonel Tom Parker Story: A biography of Colonel
Parker. I have also written numerous magazine
articles on Elvis and have consulted on three
documentaries. To date I haven't done any non-Elvis
projects.
Yes, I tried to
read this book Elvis Inc. , but
after all the figures and everything I began
to feel stupid, thought I had to go back
to school again, so, I closed the book
after 30-40 pages and never read it again.
It was too much for me to read all those
calculations, Geezz But maybe I am a bit
older now and have more wisdom ( which I doubt...
lol... ) So, I promise you: I will TRY to read
it again Sean. I will let you know the outcome (lol)
And your book:
My Boy Elvis... Remember Sean , that
we both had to laugh, ( before it was going to
sell in public ) the mistake your publisher
made on the front-cover, oh my God.. I
did feel sorry for you, but at the same
time we had to laugh about this mistake
they made. I was also a consultant once
on a documentary a couple of years ago, right after
he died - for the English television company ITV
(if I recall well) but they showed the real Colonel
Tom Parker, Sean. (hihi)
Tell the Elvis
fans who this old man was, standing
next to Elvis.....( It should have been The Colonel
with Elvis) Was the book ever re-issued, Sean,
with right photo on the front-cover
?
The book was never
reissued The old man on the cover was
an official for the Texas Livestock Association. The
photo was taken when Elvis was appearing at the Houston
Astrodome. The picture was
a mistake on the part of my publisher.
The cover that I first saw had pictures of
Elvis and the Colonel that I supplied. When the book
shipped the had changed the cover. My wife called
me at my office one day and said the book is here.
You aren't going to believe the cover. Needless
to say, I was shocked and furious. My publisher
bought the photo from a stock photo house in
New York who told them that the guy on the cover with
Elvis was the Colonel. Unfortunately it was too
late to change the cover because several thousand
copies had been printed and shipped.
Who is your favorite
writer on Elvis books ?
It's definitely Elvis
author ; Lee Cotton , because of
my tremendous admiration for his research. I also enjoy
Alanna Nash.
What do you read
(besides Elvis) for kind of books
and who is your favorite writer ?
My favorite non-
Elvis author is Stephen King. Although
I have a hard time finding time to read anything.
With whom do you
still have contact in the Elvis
world (for hunting, lol) ?
Other than a few
collector friends I don't really socialize
or stay in contact with any "Elvis people".
I usually talk with them when I am working on
a project and then leave them alone. I do usually run
into Ernst Jorgensen or Joe Tunzi or someone like
that in Memphis each August.
Do you mean that
every year Ernst is always in
Memphis in August ?
I think that he is
there almost every year.
Who the hell is
Joe Tunzi ? Oh, I remember, he has
left the Elvis building (for the moment),
that's the Beatle specialist who wrote a book
about them.
Did he run out
of pictures on Elvis, Sean (lol) ?
(Just Joking)
You mean; when he
ran out of people like me who had Elvis
pictures that he could use in one of his books.
Ouchhhh, that hurts!
Well Andylon , the
truth always hurts.
What is your favorite
Elvis Web-site Sean ?
Elvis CD Collectors,
Elvis News, and Elvis World Japan.
I think I will
regret this interview Sean, you know
WHY Sean ? See my little tear in my left
eye, (lol)
Well, this is
between the fans and me, you don't
need to hear this Sean, (lol) I
think 7 years ago I found a 45 vinyl single with a
song that Colonel Tom Parker wrote (his name is even
mentioned on the label) The only time Colonel Tom
Parker wrote a song that was published and released..
Sean did NOT know this, So, he was so excited
I promised him he could have it for his collection
to use it in his book... Which he finally did
in his latest book Memorabilia, showing the vinyl
and tells about this and he promised me, he would
give me a credit, but he never did..... that gave
me a tear in my right eye ,Sean (lol) So, C'mon I
am waiting..... C'mon Sean... don't be shy now...(lol)
Opps! You are right.
i will make it up to you in the second
edition. I love that record. It is one of the highlights
of my Colonel collection.
Okay, I forgive
you, this time.
Tell me , What
is your ultimate wish on a
Elvis-project in the future?
To find the Pied
Piper film. That or Elvis Hayride footage.
Do you have any,
so we really can believe this Pied
Piper really exists, if so, tell us some facts
you can share with me.
I wish that I did
have the film. I do believe that it
is out there. I think that we will see it when the
owner figures out how to bring it out commercially
and keep Graceland happy. On
the music front I am working on a project involving
another unreleased Elvis Memphis Recording Service
acetate. I can not really go into any other details
other than to say that it is spectacular.
Since you don't
want to talk about the new Exciting
acetate you found, you really don't want to talk
about it ? Not a little bit ? You made
me curious .?
I really can not talk
about it other than to say that the
song titles are ones that legend says that Elvis recorded.
If not okay, then
I am going to ask you other
questions. What do you know about Uncle Penn
?
I have never
actually heard it , so I can not confirm it.
Well I have a
friend who's got a tape, but I can't go
in to details either. Except Elvis is using different
lyrics to the same song.
What about the
song Juanico Sean ?
What is Juanico, Andylon
?
That's a song Sean
(lol)
Well Rufus Thomas
claimed that Elvis sang this song several times on the Louisiana
Hayride show, that's all
Careless Love,
Sean ?
If you mean Casual
Love Affair., yes it exists.
Did I say Careless
Love ?, well, I don't know sometimes. I am getting confused
with all these old titles, I think it's because of you Sean,
I don't know why ?? Maybe, because you are such a well known
specialist in the Elvis-world (lol)
Only you, Sean?
This exists too, Andylon
Yes I know, Sean.
( I also know, when he recorded Hound Dog 33 or 35 takes this
is also on reel to reel existing in binaural stereo ) He also
sang To Fool Around on the same recording session: Only, did
you also hear about this, Sean?
No. The Only You I
knew about was a live version.
What about the
medley: Rock around the clock/Good rocking tonight ?
I have heard rumors
of this but have not heard it.
Well Sean I heard
it and it was great to hear this, really exciting.
You left out Little
Mama which is fantastic. It is too bad that BMG can not open
its purse wide enough.
Yeah right, well
, I heard that it's exciting, but I don't know this. It really
would be great if BMG would shake their wallet upside down once
in a while... But we heard this over and over again, it's not
commercial enough. Most of the Elvis Fans now a days are seventies
fans, this is also a reason that it won't sell world wide, it's
a shame though, don't you think so ,Sean ?
I keep hearing that
stuff about the fans wanting 70s stuff. I guess they have sales
numbers to back this up. I just find to hard to believe that
if promoted properly, Little Mama does not have more commercial
potential than take 137 of Burning Love.
Well Sean I really
enjoyed talking to you again, do
you have anything to say to the Elvis world that
is important to know?
I would first like
to tell everyone; what a truly nice
person you are Andylon and what a great fan that
you are. I am honored that you would find me important
enough to interview.
Thanks for the
compliment Sean. But
you are one of the people in the Elvis-world and that is truly
a highlight for me and my site Epgold.com
and will always be in the future.
If any of your readers
are interested in ordering my new
memorabilia book they can do so by visiting my web
site www.elvispresleyblvd.com.
The book sells for $29.95
plus shipping. There is also a lot of other
stuff on my site that I think collector's will find
interesting. Also, if anyone would like to contribute
photos of their memorabilia for the next edition
of my book, they will find a link on my web page
to e-mail me.
Now everybody
GO to Sean's site, you won't be sooorrry (lol)
Also, be sure to
see the "Pic of the Week"
that Sean sent us!
And check out his
book below!
Elvis Presley wears
another crown in addition to the King of Rock 'N' Roll-
he also is the King of Collectables. Nearly a quarter of a century
after his death, items bearing Elvis'
name and likeness are in hot demand. In
this comprehensive book, Sean O'Neal chronicles the Elvis phenomenon
in more than 600 color photographs.
Commercially produced memorabilia, novelties,
magazines, promotional pieces, and movie paraphernalia recount
Elvis' life and career. Items range
from concert posters, to paint by number
sets, to the Presley family bible. Every item is presented with
its current market price.
A special section provides tips on avoiding counterfeit
memorabilia. Also included is a history of Elvis Presley
Enterprises, the original driving
force behind Elvis memorabilia. This fascinating
reference book is the definitive guide to collecting Elvis.
