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Elvis International Shop - The
Netherlands.
OPEN: Saturday & Sunday March 1 & 2, 2008 - 1300. PM - 1800 PM.
E-Mail:
elvisinternational@casema.nl
The Netherlands : 0251 - 821240
Other Country's Dial : 00 - 31 - 251 - 821240
Please take note:
Since many loyal customers order at the
www.epgoldwebshop.com , a personal visit at the Elvis
International shop (starting February 1,2008) is possible - only after a
appointment is made by e-mail or phone.
2008/02/29 ElvisInternational /
www.epgold.com
Elvis has Left the Building - But the Legend Lives On.
Next time you cruise Alki or stroll along the waterfront, you can
see where Elvis slept one spring night many years ago. No, it isn't the
Heartbreak Hotel, but legend has it that the King spent one night at a
house on West Seattle's Beach Drive.
At 4225 Beach Drive SW, stands the Chambliss House -- a bright blue home
on the Puget Sound with a plaque above the doorway that states "Elvis
Presley Slept Here, May 18, 1962."
The plaque speaks the truth, according to Alan Chambliss, building owner
and 30-year resident. He wasn't around to witness Elvis, but tells the
story like it happened yesterday. About 15 years ago, Chambliss noticed
a man and woman filming his house. Wondering what the fuss was about, he
asked them what they were doing.
Their father, dying of cancer lived in the upstairs apartment years
before and loved it so much the family wanted to document it as part of
a remembrance video. While making their keepsake, the family mentioned
that the dying man was Elvis Presley's army buddy and the King once
spent the night in the upstairs apartment. As proof of their story, they
showed Chambliss pictures of their father with the music legend.
Elvis and his chum kept in touch throughout the years. In 1962, Elvis
came to Seattle to film "It Happened at the World's Fair" and the friend
picked him up from Sea-Tac and drove him to the house on Beach Drive.
"He didn’t expect to stay the night at first," Chambliss says. Perhaps
the Rock-and-Roll Legend was a sucker for water views.
Chambliss let the dying man's family film the upstairs apartment. About
three weeks later he received the plaque, now mounted above the doorway,
along with a thank you note for being so welcoming.
Tenant Bob Castonguay now rents the upstairs apartment that Elvis slept
in long ago. It is a modest room with a sizable deck and glittering
views of the Sound. "People always laugh when I tell them I rent the
Elvis room," Castonguay says. "I'm more of a Beatles fan, but I like
Elvis," he adds.
Sunlight streams through the apartment's windows, but the air hangs
heavy with the sense that something important happened there. As
Castonguay puts it, "Elvis is long gone, but his spirit lives on."
Photo's: Elvis Presley Slept Here, May 18, 1962:
http://www.westseattleherald.com/articles/2008/02/21/features/features/feature02.txt
2008/02/29 By
Amanda Halm -
www.westseattleherald.com /
www.epgold.com
Elvis's home trainer for sale.
The Florida real estate dealer Anthony Pugliese, who for the past
25 years has quietly been putting together what experts call the
greatest collection of pop culture artifacts in the world, is selling
his entire collection.
Among them: the gun Jack Ruby used to kill Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas
back in 1963. The expected price: US$2-3 million. Former FBI director J.
Edgar Hoover's badge will be sold off, rifles that once belonged to
Elvis Presley and Elvis’s gold plated home trainer.
The auction is scheduled to take place March 15th and 16th. Earlier,
Ginger Alden already agreed to sell 14 personal items of Elvis, at the
same auction.
2008/02/29 www.elvismatters.be / www.epgold.com
Graceland: Looking at the future.
The property's that are bought by EPE are officialy known. With
the help of this data, an inventive fan drawed somes sketches how
Graceland and the surrounding area could look in the near future. We
will see of fiction meets reality in a few years.
Legend:
1-Visitor's Center (Digital movie theater, eatery, retail, Art Gallery,
Sirius Radio, and traveling exhibits)
2-Lisa Marie & Hound Dog 2 Planes Museum
3-Artifacts Museum
4-Automobile Museum
5-The new Heartbreak Hotel (260-room boutique hotel)
6-Pedestrian Bridge
7-Graceland Walk (a new pedestrian only area to view Graceland up close.
8-Elvis Memorial Statue
9-Graceland Marker (a new marker on a rock platform detailing the past
and present)
10-The 4D Experience (Exhibits using the hi-tech wizardry that brought
EP to perform on American Idol)
Brown area-plaza and pedestrian space
Brown spots-trees
Green area-green space (for expansion in the future)
Blue circled areas-water fountains
White line areas-sidewalks
2008/02/29 TCB World Forum -
www.elvismatter.be /
www.epgold.com
More on George Klein owned "duets".
EIN have received a number of enquiries about the three duets
George Klein acquired from Felton Jarvis' widow.
The duets with Larry Gatlin (Help Me), Jerry Reed (Guitar Man) and Carl
Perkins (Blue Suede Shoes) were not done when Elvis was alive.
Felton Jarvis produced the duets as part of his 1980-81 "overdub"
project which saw the Guitar Man album released.
2008/02/29
www.elvisinfonet.com
/
www.epgold.com
Elvis In The Beat of the Night Into 2nd Printing.
The first printing of the book "Elvis In The Beat of the Night"
about Elvis and his friends in law enforcement has sold out, the second
print should be available next week from Phillips Entertainment.
2008/02/29
www.elvisinfonet.com /
www.epgold.com
Elvis #1 In Italy Again.
Version is back at #1 on the Official Italian Download chart. It
had fallen to #4 two weeks ago, climbed back to #3 last week.
The single is now enjoying its 7th non consecutive week (out of 12) at
#1.
2008/02/28
www.elvisnews.com /
www.epgold.com
Ernst Jorgensen: We Do Have The Elvis Hayride show, live on stage, Saturday, December 15, 1956.
This is a complete show on tape, I am only not sure if the show runs exactly 35 minutes, guess I need to check on this again.
Ernst, does this mean that after several years FTD and Sony/BMG is the owner of 12/15/56 Elvis Hayride show, there might be some thruth in the comment made by Joe that it would most likely stay in a vault?
No Andylon, the problem is "How" to release this. Is it commercial enough to release it for the big market on Sony/BMG?At this moment we are afraid not, plus the fact it is a show for 30 - 35 minutes in a reasonable radio sound that needs an upgrade.
You could release it on a FTD book & CD Ernst - Why not?
And a lot of my spare time is now used to finish the FTD Sun -project - this is personally my biggest goal and get it released end of this year!
Well, I gotte go Andylon and go ahead to publish this on EpGold.
Elvis Hayride show, live on stage, Saturday, December 15, 1956.
Heartbreak Hotel
Long Tall Sally
I Was The One -
1978 (bootleg)
Love Me Tender
- 1978 (bootleg - fades out before it ends)
Don't Be Cruel
Love Me
I Got A Woman
When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
Paralyzed
Hound Dog
- 1983 (first minute omitted)
Note Andylon Lensen:
Ernst Jorgensen confirmed that 'Dont Be Cruel' and 'Paralyzed' are slowed down like Elvis did on the MDQ session.
2008/02/28 Ernst Jorgensen - Andylon Lensen / www.epgold.com
Moody And Blue.
Released on the Fans Only import label CD "Moody And Blue" featuring 22
alternate takes of the "Moody Blue" album.
All taken from other official and bootleg releases.
Good Times In Promised Land.
Released on the Fans Only import label is the CD "Good Times In Promised
Land - The Stax Recording Sessions".
The label does what more import labels do these days, continue series
started by BMG.
The cover mentions "Essential Elvis Volume 8 73 - 74". All takes come
from other official and bootleg releases.
2008/02/28
www.elvisnews.com - Various
/ www.epgold.com
Elvis Hayride show, live on stage, Saturday, December 15, 1956 -Who Owns the Complete tape?
(Photo from Andylon Lensen private
Archives)
Dear Andylon:
Thank you for calling me to clear up the misunderstanding and publish
this statement on your website.
I was indeed contacted last week through eBay about an Elvis tape but I
thought the writer was asking about the tape up for sale, not the
12/15/56 Elvis Hayride show.
As I explained to you, I lost out several years ago in a bidding war
with Ernst Jorgensen for the tape of Elvis's final Hayride show. I can
confirm the tape does exist - I heard samples of several tracks. The
seller had made a deal with me but then backed out once BMG took
interest, and he ended up selling to them.
I told him if he sold it to me I would put it out and tell the story of
how his father, a Texarkana DJ, had recorded the tape off the radio back
in 1956, and how the tape came to be saved. He could have been famous! I
told him if he sold it to BMG, it would most likely be put in a
vault...and so it has happened.
I don't know of any plans for them to put it out. Sony would have to pay
me as I own the rights to all of Elvis Presley's Hayride songs - maybe
that's why it hasn't come out yet.
They deal in big sales and if it weren't for Jorgensen's Follow That
Dream label, a lot of collector material would never find its way out,
which is a shame.
I would hope this early concert - 10 songs covering about 35 minutes,
would be enough to warrant a release sometime soon.
If I hear anything, I'll let you know.
Thanks.
Joey Kent, The Louisiana Hayride Archives
Elvis Hayride show, live on stage, Saturday, December 15, 1956.
Heartbreak Hotel
Long Tall Sally
I Was The One
Love Me Tender
Don't Be Cruel
Love Me
I Got A Woman
When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
Paralyzed
Hound Dog
Special Edition 2006: Lousiana Hayride Years 1954 - 1956)
For More Details:
Complete Interview with Joey Kent owner of the Louisiana hayride
archives, by Fabris Giovanni Luca - Transcribed by Kevan Budd exclusive
for EP GOLD September 5, 2002.
Click Here:
JOEY KENT
Interview with Joey Kent December 2003: http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/interview_joeykent.shtml
2008/02/27 Joey Kent, The Louisiana Hayride Archives - Andylon Lensen / www.epgold.com
Cover Art Million Dollar Quartet Vinyl Release.
The two disc vinyl re-issue of "The Million Dollar Quartet" on the Code7
label is a picture disc.
The set is due for release March 3, 2008.
2008/02/27
www.play.com -
www.elvisnews.com /
www.epgold.com
Matell produces Elvis & Priscilla Barbies.
Here is the picture of the "Wedding Day Elvis and Priscilla"
barbies to be released by the Mattell company in June 2008.
Price will be $90 and you can pre-order them now.
Matell released also a 'Barbie Loves Elvis' box.
2008/02/27 Matell - www.elvisinfonet.com /
www.epgold.com
Elvis Presley Spankox Re:Versions Volume 1.
Elvis Presley Spankox Re:Versions Volume 1 - PCCY-01873 \2520
Release date April 16, 2008.
Track Listing:
All Shook Up
Blue Suede Shoes
Jailhouse Rock
Heartbreak Hotel
Hound Dog
Love Me Tender
Don't Be Cruel
I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone
That's All Right
2008/02/27 E-Mail / www.epgold.com
Tune In Alert: More on Priscilla's Graceland visit on Entertainment Tonight on 2/27/08
Tune in to see Priscilla Presley on Entertainment Tonight to talk
about her upcoming role on the new season of Dancing with the Stars and
her recent visit to Memphis and Graceland over the weekend.
In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight, Priscilla
discusses what she is doing to prepare for the grueling schedule and
physical challenges she will face on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. She
also lets ET in on a secret, that she's a University of Memphis Tiger
basketball fan!
Priscilla visited with Kevin Frazier at the FedExForum before the top
ranked Tigers and Tennessee Volunteers tipped off in what was the
highest rated college basketball game in ESPN history.
And if we are all lucky, Entertainment Tonight will show everybody what
Graceland looks like when it went blue in support of the Tigers in the
big game. Priscilla helped U of M Athletic Director R.C. Johnson flip
the switch to take Graceland blue for the big game.
2008/02/27 EPE /
www.epgold.com
Pat Harrington On Elvis.
DF: You were in a film with Elvis Presley, Easy Come, Easy Go
(1967). Any good Elvis stories?
PH: When I did Easy Come, Easy Go, Elvis was at the top of his game.
That's when he was the Elvis that we all know. He was lean -- 168
pounds, 160 pounds -- lean! He was quick and fast, and he was into all
that karate stuff. The difficulty with Elvis was that he was surrounded
by nine guys named "Red." Red Jones and Red Brown and Red Brown-Jones,
you know, those guys. So you couldn't get close to Elvis.
When we did a scene, then I had him to myself. He would never get it on
the first take or the 10th, but eventually he'd get it. We would talk in
between, and I said to him, "Elvis, I can make you laugh." He'd say,
"Oh, you can't make me laugh." And I'd say, "Yes, I can." So he said,
"All right, next take." And I said, "Next take is going to be tough for
you. [The shot's] going to be over my shoulder on you."
So the scene starts and I flared my nostrils just a little bit -- nobody
else could see that except him. And he started to laugh uncontrollably.
DF: And nobody else could see it because the shot was on him--
PH: Nobody could see it!
DF: Did he have a little more respect for your comedic abilities
afterwards?
PH: No...he was pissed!
Complete Interview Pat Harrington:
http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/26/701886.aspx
2008/02/26 Vissie - http://allday.msnbc.msn.com / www.epgold.com
George Klein owns rare takes??
George Klein said on his Sirius show, that when Felton Jarvis
passed away, Felton's wife gave him duets of (Elvis on all these) Jerry
Reed Guitar Man, Larry Gatlin on Help Me, and Carl Perkins on Blue Suede
Shoes.
George Klein didn't explain if the Carl Perkins tune was cut in the 70's
or what, he just said he had these cuts at home.
David Troedson Elvis Australia:
Yes this is true. George contacted me several weeks ago letting me know
he had these. I put him in contact with an interested buyer and they
have had discussions.
George also said "....the track of elvis and carl on blue suede
is GREAT!!!.".
2008/02/26
JonRomanovich - David Troedson /
www.epgold.com
New DVD by Kathy Westmoreland.
Kathy Talks About Elvis!
Sit down with Kathy and her good friend Diana Magrann, as Kathy, leaving
no stone unturned, discusses candidly her seven years with Elvis.
HEAR KATHY'S IN-DEPTH ANSWERS:
Were her and Elvis lovers?
If so why was it kept a secret for so long?
How did Elvis feel about marriage?
What type of women did her prefer?
Did he have a photographic memory?
What were the results of the toxicology reports?
WHAT ABOUT THE RUMORS:
Was he an unclean person?
What about his overeating?
Was he depressed?
What about the pills?
Was he a recluse?
Was he obese?
Songs by Kathy:
"My Father Watches Over Me"
"Never Been This Far Before"
Photos of Elvis and Kathy by Keith Alverson
"Released February 25, 2008
For more details:
http://www.kathywestmoreland.us/index.html
2008/02/26
www.kathywestmoreland.us
/
www.epgold.com
James Burton at Conan O'Brian's show.
James Burton once again stole the show on live television. James
played on Conan O' Brian's late night show, with singer/picker Jim
Lauderdale.
The song they did, "Honey Pie" is now available - just click the link
below.
Although there was mention that Glen Hardin and Ronnie Tutt would join
the band for this occasion, they did not.
2008/02/26 www.elvismatters.be / www.epgold.com
PERRY LOPEZ - ACTOR LOPEZ DIES.
Veteran actor PERRY LOPEZ has died of lung cancer. He was 76.
Lopez, who is best known for his role as Lieutenant Lou Escobar in the
1974 classic Chinatown, passed away in Beverly Hills, California on
Thursday (14Feb08).
Perry Lopez his role as "Two Moon" in the 1960 movie "Flaming Star".
Born in New York, Lopez began his career on the New York stage before
finding work as a character actor in movies including Creature From The
Black Lagoon, and The Lone Ranger.
He went on to star in movies such as Kelly's Heroes, Chinatown and its
1989 sequel The Two Jakes and Death Wish 4: The Final Crackdown. Lopez
also appeared in TV shows including Star Trek, Hart To Hart and
Charlie's Angels.
2008/02/25
www.contactmusic.com /
www.epgold.com
Elvis on Myspace and Facebook, plus an Elvis Week Ticket Alert!
There is alot going on with Elvis right now, so we wanted to send
a quick note around to all of our friends to let you know what is going
on. So many people have asked us who runs our MySpace page. Our MySpace
account is run by Graceland, the same people who bring you Elvis.com.
- Myspace: As you can probably already tell, our Elvis MySpace page has
received a face lift. We hope you like it, and please help Elvis get as
many friends as you can by inviting your friends. If you have not, be
sure to add a little Elvis to your MySpace page by going to our
resources page, where you can grab Elvis backgrounds, banners, contact
tables and more.
- Facebook: We know many of you also have a Facebook account, so, if you
do, be sure to add yourself as a fan of Elvis on our page. We will also
be updating that page with news, videos, music, products and more.
2008/02/25
www.elvis.com
/
www.epgold.com
Repaid by The King.
Robert Shands, nearing 70, dedicated his professional life to
sound, and the sense remains important in retirement. Shands estimates
that he worked on 15 Academy Award-winning movies in his career. Not one
of them starred Elvis Presley, but there’s more to the movie business
than Oscars.
"I made about eight movies with Elvis," Shands said.
He and the King of Rock 'n' Roll hadn't known each other in Northeast
Mississippi, but they had mutual friends back home and built up a
cordial relationship during films like "Double Trouble," "Spinout" and "Kissin’
Cousins." One day, Shands told Elvis about attending his 1956 homecoming
concert at the Tupelo Fairgrounds.
"I'd mowed yards and worked all summer to buy my ticket," Shands said.
"He came out and I only heard him say one thing, then people were all
yelling and screaming. I saw the head of the guy in front of me more
than I saw him."
Shands said he thought he’d been cheated.
"Elvis said, 'How much did you pay for the ticket?,'" Shands said,
pretending to reach into his pocket. "Then he took the money out and
gave it to me - 'Here.'"
2008/02/25
djournal.com -
www.elvisinfonet.com /
www.epgold.com
Tracklisting FTD Releases April 2008.
(That's The Way It Was FTD 1 Cd re-release April , 2008 new cover lay-out - design)
The first FTD 1 Cd 5" digi-pack re-release in April, 2008
is the FTD cd that was included in the book That's The Way It Was.
Tracklisting is the the same, but with a new cover lay-out - design.
Track Listing :
Words, The next step is love (July 14, MGM rehearsel), Ghost riders in
the sky, Love me (July 15, MGM rehearsal ), Thats all right, I got a
woman, I've lost you, I can't stop loving you, Just pretend (July 24,
RCA rehearsal), Words, I just can't help believing (July 29, MGM
rehearsal), Something (August 4, Las Vegas rehearsal), Polk salad annie,
Mary in the morning (August 7, Las Vegas rehearsal), You've lost that
loving feeling (August 10, stage rehearsal), Sweet Caroline, Hound dog,
Heartbreak hotel, Don't be cruel, Blue suede shoes, You don't have to
say you love me, Mystery train/ Tiger man, The wonder of you, One night,
All shook up.
The album "That's The Way It Is"
will be released in the 7" series and contains 2 cds
- 20 page full color booklet with
the following tracks:
DISC 1: THE ALBUM:
I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (live) Twenty Days And Twenty Nights
How The Web Was Woven
Patch It Up (live)
Mary In The Morning
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling (live)
I’ve Lost You (live)
Just Pretend
Stranger In The Crowd
The Next Step Is Love
Bridge Over Troubled Water.
BONUS TRACKS:
Patch It Up (studio version)
I’ve Lost You (studio)
Twenty Days And Twenty Nights – take 8
Bridge Over Troubled Water (live) Little Sister/Get Back (live)
Something (live)
The Next Step Is Love - undubbed master
Patch It Up – take 1
Bridge Over Troubled Water – alt. mix.
Disc 2: THE SESSIONS:
Tiger Man (jam)
Twenty Days And Twenty Nights- rehearsal, takes 1,2,3
I’ve Lost You – rehearsal, take 1
Bridge Over Troubled Water – take 1
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me – rehearsal composite
The Next Step Is Love – rehearsal, takes 2,3,6
How The Web Was Woven – rehearsal, take 1
Stranger In The Crowd – rehearsal, takes 1,3,4,5
Stranger In The Crowd – master take 9 – rough mix
Mary In The Morning – takes 1,2,3,4
Patch It Up – takes 2-7
Patch It Up – take 9 – alt. master
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me – takes 1,2
Just Pretend – takes 1,2
The Next Step Is Love – takes 7,8,9,10
Bridge Over Troubled Water – rehearsal, takes 2,5
I’ve Lost You – takes 4,5,6
Twenty Days And Twenty Nights – takes 5,6
Twenty Days And Twenty Nights – take 9 master – rough mix
Compilation by Ernst Jørgensen & Roger Semon - Mastered by
Jean-Marc Juilland and Vic Anesini - Original A&R / Producer: Felton
Jarvis - Original engineer: Al Pachucki.
Recorded at RCA’s studio B in Nashville June 4-8, 1970, and live at The
International Hotel, Las Vegas, August 11-13, 1970.
Nashville musicians: Guitar: James Burton, Chip Young, Elvis Presley;
Bass: Norbert Putnam; Drums: Jerry Carrigan; Piano: David Briggs; Organ
& Harmonica: Charlie McCoy. Overdubs: Guitar: James Burton; Organ: David
Briggs; Percussion: Jerry Carrigan; Percussion and Vibes: Farrell
Morris; Steel Guitar: Weldon Myrick; Vocals: Mary Holladay, Mary
(Jeannie) Green, Dolores Edgin, Ginger Holladay, Millie Kirkham, June
Page, Joe Babcock, The Jordanaires, The Imperials.
Las Vegas musicians: Guitar: James Burton, John Wilkinson, Elvis
Presley; Bass: Jerry Scheff; Drums: Ronnie Tutt; Piano: Glen D. Hardin;
Vocals: Millie Kirkham, The Sweet Inspirations, The Imperials. Joe
Guercio and his Orchestra.
Pre - Order Now!
Click on the banner to enter the shop
2008/02/25 FTD - Ernst Jorgensen / www.epgold.com
Update: Steve Binder &
Bones Howe Re-Unite For 40th Anniversary OF ELVIS’ ‘68 Special.
(A fortieth anniversary salute to Elvis Presley’s ’68 Special)
Steve Binder and Bones Howe re-unite for the first time in 40 years at
The Paley Center for Media’s 40th anniversary salute to Elvis Presley’s
’68 Special on Friday, March 14th.
Priscilla Presley as previously announced will be present for the
celebration which will include a screening of the now called “Comeback”
special followed by a Q&A discussion with the three of them.
Binder, who directed and produced the Special will go down in television
history if for nothing else for his contribution to what TV Guide called
“the second greatest musical moment in television history next to the
Beatles debut on Ed Sullivan.”
Howe served as the music director on “Elvis,” but his working
relationship with The King goes back to 1957 when he worked at Radio
Recorders mixing records.
In his first television special originally broadcasted as Singer
Presents Elvis, Elvis Presley, who had spent most of the decade as a
film actor, returned to his concert roots exhibiting the charismatic and
emotionally charged performing style that secured his reputation as the
“King of Rock & Roll.”
Taped in June 1968 and aired on December 3 of that year, the program
attracted 42 percent of the television viewing audience and became the
season’s top-rated special. It stands as one of the great moments in
rock history and a stunningly brilliant milestone in Elvis Presley’s
career.
Noted rock critic Greil Marcus stated, “This legendary special offered
not only an unplugged session years before the term became the vogue,
but yielded the finest music of Elvis’ career.”
PaleyFest08 will be held from March 14 to 27, 2008 at the historic
Cinerama Dome at the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood.
Tickets can be purchased by Internet or telephone (service charges
apply) via TicketWeb at
www.ticketweb.com
http://www.ticketweb.com
or call TicketWeb toll-free at (866) 468-3399. For more information,
please visit
www.paleycenter.org
2008/02/25 E-Mail Jeff Abraham for EpGold - Jonas PR
/
www.epgold.com
Annie Cloyd Presley dies.
Elvis World magazine's Bill E. Burk advises:
Sadly, from Tupelo last night, came this message from Rachel Harden:
Annie Cloyd Presley of Tupelo MS passed away last Thursday. She was a
friend of Gladys Smith Presley and was interviewed over the years by
numerous authors of Elvis books. We visited her last December and she
was her usual delightful self---always glad to see us. We remember her
saying "Ya'll are so good to come visit."
You will find her in the family tree as Annie Virginia Cloyd. She was
the only person we have found that married into both Rosella Presley's
line and also Rosalinda (Mary Jane) Presley's line. She first married
Sales Presley (Rosella's line) and then, years later, married Sales
cousin, John Delton Presley (Rosalinda's line). She was a delight to
know and she will be missed.
I was one of the "numerous authors" to interview Aunt Annie for our EE:
The Tupelo Years book. We probably spent more time recording Aunt
Annie's interview than any other the others. And, in writing the book, I
noted in print that I was leaving her quotes exactly in the language she
used since she talked SO typically Southern.
We visited Aunt Annie as often as possible in the years following the
book's release. She was always in good spirits and had such a good
memory.
It was Aunt Annie who told us it was purely Myth that Gladys walked
Elvis to and from school every day.
They both had kids about the same age and she said "sometimes" they
would walk the kids "up to the corner"(Highway 6) and watch them cross
the street safely; but did not even do that often since Elvis' 5th grade
teacher lived across the street and most of the neighborhood kids walked
to/from school with her.
STILL, writers write that Gladys walked Elvis to/from school every day,
even all the way thru Humes High School (yet another Elvis Myth).
2008/02/25 Bill E. Burk -
www.elvisinfonet.com /
www.epgold.com
BIRTHDAY PARTY FIT FOR A KING HONORS THE KING OF VEGAS!
STAR FOR ELVIS PRESLEY TO BE ANNOUNCED AT BIG E BIRTHDAY PARTY
(Las Vegas, NV)-The fan generated kick-off event announcing “A
Star for Elvis” campaign for The Las Vegas Walk of Stars takes place
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2008 (3 PM to 8 PM) at a FREE SHOW in the LOUNGE
at BILL’S GAMBLIN’ HALL & SALOON during the Annual BIG ELVIS Birthday
Celebration. “A Star for Elvis” campaign, sponsored by the Viva Las
Vegas! Elvis Presley Fan Club will bestow the ultimate honor on the King
of Rock ‘n Roll, with a dedication on The Las Vegas Walk of Stars
scheduled for the fall of 2008.
Thursday, February 28th in the Lounge at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon,
Elvis fans from across the Las Vegas Valley are invited to a jam packed
entertainment showcase at the award winning Big Elvis Show (starring
Pete Vallee), with celebrity entertainers, and other special guests
including Sonny West, former Memphis Mafia member, Presley confidante
and author; West’s assistant and author of two Elvis books, Sandi Pichon;
stars from Presley’s movies, including Darlene Tompkins (Blue Hawaii),
Cynthia Pepper (Kissin’ Cousins), and Jon Patino (Charro); Sam Thompson,
former bodyguard, and Sandi Miller, Presley friend.
More information about the Viva Las Vegas! Fan Club and the fundraising
campaign for “A Star for Elvis” on The Las Vegas Walk of Stars is
available online at www.AStarforElvis.com. The Las Vegas Walk of Stars
is a non-profit organization that hopes to honor well over 3000
individuals who have achieved a level of prominence while living and or
working in Las Vegas. These honorees receive personalized granite stars,
to be installed along designated portions of Las Vegas Boulevard. More
information is available at
www.LasVegasWalkofStars.com.
Celebrity spokesperson for “A Star for Elvis” campaign, Pete
Vallee has performed his heartfelt tribute to Elvis for the past 6 years
at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon (Harrah’s Entertainment), Monday
through Friday from 3 PM to 7:15 PM. Vallee’s tribute show has received
multiple awards from the Review Journal Best of Las Vegas, including
Best Elvis Impersonator 2006, as well as awards from What’s On Magazine,
VegasTripping.com, and Las Vegas Magazine. Vallee has been featured in
documentaries and interviews on the BBC, German TV, FOX National News,
Game Show Network, Travel Channel, E-Entertainment Network, Discovery
Channel; and in articles from the L.A. Times to the National Enquirer,
for his vocal similarities to Elvis, and most recently stemming from his
weight loss of over 500 pounds during the past 3 years. More information
is available at
www.BigElvis.biz.
For Information/Interviews Contact:
Lucille Star, Personal Manager/Publicist (702) 563-2793
LStar.StarEntertainment@live.com
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING A DONATION AT THIS TIME, please
visit
www.AStarforElvis.com
(http://www.astarforelvis.com) . your donation is tax-deductible. Thank
you!
Make your check or money order payable to the Las Vegas Walk of Stars
and mail to:
Viva Las Vegas Club , 8174 S Las Vegas Blvd #109-150, Las Vegas NV 89123
2008/02/24 Joe Krein - Ultimate Elvis /
www.epgold.com
Elvis Presley: The King.
A new 2008 CD release on the K-tel label (remember them and
"Elvis 40 Greatest Hits"?) from the UK.
Focusing only on Elvis' Public Domain 1956/57 songs - it features two CDs, 'Rockin' With Elvis' and 'Lovin' With Elvis'.
2008/02/23 Barry McLean -
www.elvisinfonet.com
/
www.epgold.com
´LONG DISTANCE INFORMATION, GIVE
ME MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE ´.
After the huge success of the `Moody Blue -
Alternate Album´ here is the superb follow- up:
.JPG)
´FROM ELVIS PRESLEY BOULEVARD, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE´
This new fantastic release contains:
- 20 fantastic outtakes!
- A BLACK cd disc, which resemble miniature vinyl !! It even feels like
an original vinyl album!!
- STUNNING 4 page full color booklet with recording information and
quotes from Elvis ´ original studio musicians!
- All tracks have been digitally cleaned and remastered, with some great
surprises!!
- LIMITED EDITION ONLY
......... you liked the first release in this series???? We ensure you
you´ll LOVE this second volume!!
TRACKS:
America ( ending only - take 2 ) / Never Again ( take 11 ) / Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall ( take 1 ) / For The Heart ( take 5 ) / Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain ( take 2 ) / Love Coming Down ( take 3 ) / Solitaire ( take 7 ) / Hurt ( take 5 ) / Last Farewell ( take 2 ) / Danny Boy ( take 9 ) / I´ll Never Fall In Love Again ( take 5 ) / Bitter They Are ( take 2,3,4,5 ) / Love Coming Down ( take 4 ) / Solitaire ( take 3 ) / Never Again ( undubbed master take 14 ) SESSIONS: For The Heart ( take 1 ) / For The Heart ( take 2,3 ) / For The Heart ( take 4 ) / Hurt ( take 2 ) / Hurt ( fs, take 3 )
2008/02/23
EpGold.Com
Cover 'De Gospel-kant van Elvis'
Here it is: the new cover for the Dutch version of 'The Gospel
Side of Elvis'. 'De Gospel-kant van Elvis' marks the first translation
of Joe Moscheo's bestselling book.
The official presentation takes place on March 15th and 16th in Belgium
and Holland.
Joe Moscheo will be present on both days, and happy to sign the books
for you.
2008/02/23
www.elvismatters.be /
www.epgold.com
Elvis International Shop - The
Netherlands.
OPEN: Saturday & Sunday February 23 & 24, 2008 - 1300. PM - 1800 PM.
E-Mail:
elvisinternational@casema.nl
The Netherlands : 0251 - 821240
Other Country's Dial : 00 - 31 - 251 - 821240
Please take note:
Since many loyal customers order at the
www.epgoldwebshop.com , a personal visit at the Elvis
International shop (starting February 1,2008) is possible - only after a
appointment is made by e-mail or phone.
2008/02/22 ElvisInternational /
www.epgold.com
MEMPHIS: Private and public Elvis.
Elvis Presley memorabilia from his 18-month stint in the U.S.
Army and his first appearance in a TV special will be shown publicly for
the first time in two new exhibits opening this month at Graceland.
"Private Presley" will include his Army fatigues, dress uniforms, other
items of clothing, his foot locker and a cedar clothes storage chest.
It also shows the suits he wore for his appearance on the special
"Presley edition" of the Frank Sinatra TV show, along with other items.
These exhibits also will be part of the new and expanded VIP Tour that
includes an exclusive showing of other items never shown publicly;
"front of the line" privileges; special shuttle service; and an all-day
pass to Graceland mansion, the Elvis Presley automobile museum, Lisa
Marie Airplane Tour, and All-Access exhibit.
For more information, visit
elvis.com
2008/02/22
www.newsday.com
/
www.epgold.com
Elvis's '68 Special at PaleyFest in Los Angeles.
(A fortieth anniversary salute to Elvis Presley’s ’68 Special)
The Paley Center for Media (formerly The Museum of Television &
Radio) will present a fortieth anniversary salute to Elvis Presley’s ’68
Special, kicking off the twenty-fifth annual PaleyFest: the William S.
Paley Television Festival on March 14, 2008.
Priscilla Presley will join in the celebration which will
include a screening of the special followed by a discussion with
Presley, Steve Binder, Bones Howe and additional guests to be announced.
PaleyFest08 will be held from March 14 to 27, 2008, at its new location
at the historic Cinerama Dome at the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood. As
previously announced, acclaimed producer/writer Judd Apatow along with
two of the new season’s hits, Gossip Girl and Pushing Daisies, are among
the honorees at the upcoming PaleyFest08.
Named for William S. Paley, founder of both the Paley Center and CBS,
the annual pop-culture event celebrates television’s rich and diverse
programming and the creative process behind the medium for the last
twenty-five years. During each evening, the audience views episodes or
highlights of the featured work and has the opportunity to ask questions
of the cast and creative team or the individual involved in its
production.
Ticket Info
2008/02.22
www.paleycenter.org /
www.epgold.com
Elvis Presley Rock 'n' Roll Ride for Life.
April 17-20, 2008
Memphis, Tennessee
To Benefit the American Diabetes Association
The Inaugural Elvis Rock ‘n’ Roll Ride for Life was launched April 22,
2007, from the steps of Elvis’s Graceland mansion. Over three hundred
riders from twenty-two states and three countries rode almost 100 miles
through four north Mississippi counties returning back to Graceland for
a huge post-party celebration, raising $100,000 for the American
Diabetes Association.
Get ready for the ride of your life, as Elvis will ride again on April
18-20, 2008. Get ready for the Ride of your Life!
Visit the Elvis Presley Rock 'n' Roll Ride for Life web site to register
for the ride, check out the latest schedule of events, and much more.
2008/02/22 EPE
/
www.epgold.com
Graceland Celebrates University
of Memphis Basketball Team.
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and The University of Memphis proudly
announce that Elvis Presley’s Memphis mansion, Graceland, will be bathed
in blue light for the weekend of February 22, 2008 in honor of the
Tiger’s success as the nation’s #1 NCAA basketball team.
Priscilla Presley, Elvis Presley’s former wife and cast member of the
upcoming season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars will be on hand along
with EPE, Inc. CEO Jack Soden, U of M Athletic Director R.C. Johnson and
Pouncer the Tiger mascot to flip the ceremonial switch and light up the
National Historic Landmark in the Tiger’s trademark color of blue.
The lighting ceremony will take place Friday, February 22, 2008 at 7PM
CST at the famous gates of Graceland.
In what is being called Operation: Blue Suede Shoe, Graceland’s
employees have outfitted over 150 spotlights scattered around the 13
acre Graceland compound with special bulbs to illuminate the King of
Rock n’ Roll’s famous home in a glowing shade of blue.
Each year over 600,000 visitors from all over the world travel to
Memphis and tour Elvis Presley’s Graceland and its related attractions.
2008/02/22 EPE
/
www.epgold.com
The Elvis Las Vegas.
On February 12, 2008, Elvis Presley Enterprises filed to protect
the trademark The Elvis Las Vegas and The E Las Vegas in relation to
goods and services in three categories:
“real estate services for residential apartments, condominiums and
retail establishments”
“casino, golf course, sporting events and entertainment
services, namely, live performances featuring musicians music and
singers, prerecorded music and video, dancers, magicians, actors,
acrobats and comedians” and…
“resort hotel, hotel, restaurant, bar, lounge services, arena services,
namely providing facilities for sports, concerts, theater, conventions
and exhibition; providing theme park services; cafes; cafeterias;
catering; child care; cocktail lounge buffets; cocktail lounges; hotel
services for preferred customers; spa services; providing banquet and
social function facilities for special occasions; providing convention
facilities; providing facilities for exhibitions; snack bars”.
The majority of Elvis Presley Enterprises (85%) is owned by CKX, Inc.,
owner of 19 Entertainment, creator of American Idol. CKX Chairman Bob
Sillerman announced plans in 2006 to turn Graceland and the surrounding
areas into an international tourist destination and double the 600,000
annual visitors. Sillerman has stated that a new hotel is a possible
component to these plans.
Mork wonders if The Elvis Las Vegas will be in Memphis in the area
around Graceland, or if Elvis Presley Enterprises is actually planning a
resort hotel in Las Vegas. In any case, you can go home now. Mork has
just left the building.
Click Here for more detailed informattion:
http://www.trademork.com/the-elvis-las-vegas
20028/02/22
www.trademork.com
/
www.epgold.com
The Billboard chart listings for the week ending March 1, 2008.
Billboard Top 200: The Very Best Of Love: #186
Top Independent Albums: The Very Best Of Love: #21
Pop Catalogue Albums: ELV1S 30 #1 Hits: #34
Country Catalogue Albums: ELV1S 30 #1 Hits: #4
Music Video: Elvis Lives: #39
Music Video: Aloha From Hawaii: 35
The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation dropped off the Comprehensive Albums
chart.
2008/02/21
www.elvischarts.com /
www.epgold.com
ELVIS REMIX ‘THAT’S ALL RIGHT’ NEW UPDATE.
The new Elvis remix ‘That’s All Right’ featuring Lucy Clark will
now be released in March through I-Tunes and other download stores. In
which time a new video will be shot featuring lots of Elvis.
A new replacement cover has been issued and will now be replaced with
the alternate mix that was made featuring Anthony Krizan on drums from
‘The Spin Doctors’ and the original guitar licks by Scotty Moore .
The additional mixing and mastering was done by Dutch Engineer Real
Bouwman.
The new track listing and titles will now be as
follows:
1. THAT’S ALL RIGHT (RADIO DANCE EDIT)
2. THAT’S ALL RIGHT (CLUB DANCE MIX)
3. THAT’S ALL RIGHT (EXTENDED CLUB DANCE MIX)
4. THAT'S ALL RIGHT (ORIGINAL VERSION)
To hear the new remix versions of the above, they will be premiered on
www.elvis-express.com on Friday
22nd February and the show will be available for 1 week to listen or
download.
Elvis Express Radio will also be playing the Club and Extended mixes
during the course of next weeks two shows.
In the meantime new details and the new sample are on
www.memphisrecordingservice.com
2008/02/21 Joseph Pirzada - www.memphisrecordingservice.com / www.epgold.com
World's greatest music collection goes on sale.
Paul Mawhinney examines a Rolling Stones album worth $10,000.
Paul Mawhinney calls it the World's Greatest Music Collection,
and he might just be right. He is the owner of a music archive numbering
more than three million records and 300,000 CDs, from "the first CD ever
produced" to Elvis Presley's Sun Records 45s, but he's finally had
enough. The entire collection, indexed and catalogued, is now for sale.
And while for years he entertained private offers from businesses and
even the US Library of Congress, Mawhinney is sick of people backing out
of deals. Now, it's serious. Now, the whole kit and caboodle will go to
the highest bidder.
Mawhinney values the collection at more than $50 million but he may end
up selling it for far, far less. It is for sale via the auction website
eBay and its starting bid - at the time of writing still unmet - is a
mere $3 million. More importantly, as the listing underlines, "This is a
NO RESERVE auction. High bid wins."
Mawhinney is the owner of Record-Rama, a Pittsburgh-based shop,
mail-order and music archive that has over 36 years become a shrine to
the history of popular music. It is housed, according to the Pittsburgh
Business Times, "in a 16,400-square-foot customized cavern/retail hub
... beneath a strip mall." The winning bidder will have to pay for the
collection to be packed up and shipped out - to London, Dubai, Moscow or
wherever the wealthy music geek resides.
According to the owner, the collection was almost sold ten years ago, at
the height of the dotcom bubble. CD Now, an online music retailer, had
offered $28.5 million when suddenly - and to Mawhinney's extreme chagrin
- they declared bankruptcy instead. Talks with the US Library of
Congress broke down when the Library suffered budget cutbacks and had to
reduce their offer. "It's a very good collection that the Library would
be delighted to have," a representative told the Pittsburgh Business
Times. Mawhinney's position was a little less friendly: "They broke my
heart. They broke my spirit. And I told them they could never call me
again," he said.
If the American government can't help, perhaps there is a rich Saudi prince who is just three million LPs away from completing his private music library.
auction website eBay
2008/02/21
by Sean Michaels -
www.music.guardian.co.uk
/
www.epgold.com
Comedian Sammy Shore has just been voted into the Comedy Hall of Fame.
Mr. Shore first received national attention when Elvis Presley
chose him as his opening act at the International Hotel in Las Vegas
from 1969-1972. He then went on to work with America's comedy greats and
music legends and also founded the world-famous Comedy Store in Los
Angeles, CA.
Mr. Shore is currently completing an exciting new book, The Man Who Made
Elvis Laugh, due out this year which will be produced by Joe Esposito
and Daniel Lombardy and their firm TCBJOE Publishing. This book will
reveal in hysterical detail the comedy routines that made Elvis and all
of America laugh. With wit and wisdom, he reflects on his fifty-year
career in show business, with all of its pinnacles and pitfalls, and
includes the reflections of many of America's great comedians.
In addition to his stand-up comedy career, Mr. Shore has appeared in
movies, TV sitcoms and plays, wining numerous prestigious awards.
I am really happy to hear that Sammy finally got the recognition he
always deserved Way to go!
Darwin Lamm
Publisher
Elvis The Magazine
PS: We will keep you posted on this book release"
2008/02/21 Darwin
Lamm -
www.elvisthemagazine.com /
www.epgold.com
From the Ginger Alden Elvis Presley Collection.
Elvis Presley's Pajama Top
Elvis Presley's Concho-Style Belt
Elvis's Black Star Sapphire Ring
As part of the Pugliese Pop Culture Collection Auction (March 15
& 16, 2008), Guernsey's is pleased to be offering 14 amazing Elvis
Presley lots consigned by Ginger Alden, Elvis' fiancee at the time of
his death. This marks the first time Ms. Alden has offered any of her
personal Elvis Presley collection at public auction.
These one-of-a-kind items will be sold on Sunday, March 16, following a
number of fantastic Elvis-related lots from the Pugliese Collection.
Please note, however, that these lots are not part of the Pugliese
Collection and are being consigned directly by Ginger Alden. Click on
the lots below to view a complete description from the online catalogue.
Elvis Presley's Handwritten Notes on Numerology
Elvis Presley's Handwritten Note to Amber Alden, on TCB Stationery
Elvis Presley's Painting of his Plane, Named "Lisa Marie"
Elvis Presley's Chromed Globe Phone
Elvis Presley's Ram's Head Necklace
Elvis Presley's Pajama Top
Elvis Presley's Abalone and Mother-of-Pearl Crucifix
Elvis Presley's Concho-Style Belt
Elvis Presley's Diamond and Gold Pendant on Gold Rope Chain
Elvis Presley's Black Star Sapphire Ring
Elvis Presley's Guitar Pick
Elvis Presley's Half-Smoked Cigar
Elvis Presley Carved Coconut Head
Four Elvis Presley Concert Stickers
For all details:
At the Pugliese Pop Culture Collection Auction
March 15 & 16, 2008
Palms Casino Resort
Las Vegas, Nevada
Guernsey's Elvis Auction.
On March 15 & 16, both live at Las Vegas' Palms Casino Resort and online
at liveauctioneers.com, Guernsey's will be selling the remarkable
Pugliese Collection of items relating to the pop culture.
Included in this fabulous Collection are more than two dozen Elvis
Presley treasures ranging from his Speedway racing suit (and other
memorable film costumes) to stage worn and personal clothing, his karate
suit and a number of Elvis' personal guns and handwritten documents.
Items from Elvis' fiancee Ginger Alden's Collection are also being
included such as Elvis' stunning Rams Head diamond necklace, other
prominent jewelry and several pages of thoughts Elvis wrote just days
before his tragic death.
As most would recall, Guernsey's is the auction house that conducted the
landmark Graceland Auction in 1998. For complete information and/or to
acquire the extensive catalogue (that is virtually certain to become a
collector's item), please contact Guernsey's at 212-794-2280 or by email
at
auctions@guernseys.com.
*Please note: although one can bid
on most of the nearly 1,000 lots on ebayliveauctions.com, due to ebay
restrictions, Elvis' guns will not be sold online. Interested parties
can bid live in person or contact Guernsey's to arrange for absentee
bidding via the telephone or fax.
2008/02/21
www.guernseys.com
/
www.epgold.com
Lisa Marie Pregnant With Third Child.
Lisa Marie Presley is reportedly pregnant for the third time.
Sources say the actress - the daughter of Elvis Presley - and her fourth
husband Michael Lockwood have told pals they are expecting.
Presley, 40, already has two teenage children, daughter Danielle Riley
and son Benjamin, with her musician ex, Danny Keough.
She has also been married to pop star Michael Jackson and actor Nicolas
Cage.
A spokeswoman for Presley said of the pregnancy reports:“[She] is not
one to comment on her personal life.”
Presley wed Lockwood, a guitarist and music producer, in Japan in
January 2006.
Her mother, Priscilla Presley, has just been unveiled as one of the 12
new contestants on American TV talent show, Dancing With The Stars.
Note:
EpGold first reported this story a couple of months ago. This week Elvis sites finally carried the news.
2008/01/20
Owen Williams - Showbiz Spy
/
www.epgold.com
The story of Nipper.
The logo of record company RCA Victor, also known as 'His Masters
Voice', is one of the most famous pictures of the last century. Not many
people know that the name of the dog on the painting is Nipper. Even
less known is the fact that Nipper was a real dog and lived in
Liverpool. Nipper had 3 bosses, the brothers Barraud.
Francis always was amused to see how the dog was looking strange at his
master's gramophone wondering where the voice was coming from. Some
years later Francis painted the scene. Nipper was inherited by brother
Phillip who was a photographer with a shop at 92 Bold Street in
Liverpool. The painting ended up with the record company and the rest is
history.
Fun fact is that none of the three brothers ever made a recording, so
'His Masters Voice' is not correct. On the picture, we see the one and
only Nipper, the famous logo, Francis and his painting, Elvis with
Nipper who was used as a prop in the fifties and Nippers home, today a
comic book store.
2008/02/20 Elvis
Priestly -
www.elvismatters.be /
www.epgold.com
This year's 'Elvis Presley Memorial Dinner' August 14 preliminary guest list announced.
The Elvis Presley Memorial Dinner will be held at the Peabody
Hotel on Thursday, August 14, 2008 in the grand ballroom. This year's
guest list will include the famous and fabulous Jordanaires, Terry Mike
Jeffrey, Kevin Mills, Vince Anthony, Gary Coleman, Will Debley , Gary
Elvis Britt and others.
As an added bonus we have Kevin Adams doing his great impersonations and
he is really something and if you've never seen him perform he will have
you in stitches.
We have another bonus for you - we will allow three names to be drawn -
on stage - for any amateur present who might like to come on stage and
sing - bring your own CD!
Tickets are $75.00 each.
2008/02/20
KDeN - Marian Cocke -
www.elvisinfonet.com /
www.epgold.com
Nice Candid Picture.
Here is a nice candid picture of Elvis leaving the venue in 1977.
Worth noting is that Joe Esposito is wearing Elvis' personal TCB ring.
The reason is most likely that Elvis would take his rings of while
shaking hands before leaving the stage.
It would hurt if people are squizing his hands and it's well known that
fans were trying to take his rings from his fingers.
2008/02/20
www.elvismatters.be
/
www.epgold.com
Elvis Presley - From His Roots.
Rock Music | 3 CD + DVD
Disc 1 The 50's
1. Blue Moon Of Kentucky
2. I Love You Because
3. I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone
4. I Forgot To Remember
5. Old Shep
6. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
7. How's The World Treating You
8. How Do You Think I Feel
9. (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley
10. It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)
11. Your Cheatin' Heart (Take 9)
12. (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I
Disc 2 The 60's
1. His Hand In Mine
2. I Believe In The Man In The Sky
3. In My Father's House
4. You'll Never Walk Alone
5. It's A Sin
6. Without Him
7. Guitar Man
8. Just Call Me Lonesome
9. You Don't Know Me
10. From A Jack To A King
11. Kentucky Rain
12. It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'
Disc 3 The 70's
1. I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago
2. Little Cabin On The Hill
3. I Really Don't Want To Know
4. Snowbird
5. Amazing Grace
6. Help Me Make It Through The Night
7. He Touched Me
8. Help Me
9. Green Green Grass Of Home
10. Susan When She Tried
11. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
12. He'll Have To Go
Disc 4
Elvis Presley
"Rock and Roll Royalty"
208/02/20
www.timelessmusic.com /
www.epgold.com
Elvis won't be in the building, but his former wife will.
Priscilla Presley and 11 other bold-enough-faced names were named
Monday to Dancing with the Stars' sixth-season lineup.
The programme, in which six male and six female celebrities are paired with professional dancers, regularly attracts more than 20 million viewers.
All making the dance card:
Howard Stern free-radio successor (and former Loveline and Man Show
host)
Adam Carolla;
former CSI: Miami lab tech Cristián de la Fuente;
American Pie exchange student Shannon Elizabeth;1980s box-office force
Steve Guttenberg;
R&B singer Mario ("Just a Friend");
Oscar winner Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God);
cape-eschewing magician Penn Jillette;
tennis legend Monica Seles;
Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor;
Tony winner Marissa Jaret Winokur (Hairspray); and
Olympic figure-skating champ Kristi Yamaguchi.
Eleven of the 12 pro dancers are vets of the show: two-time defending champ Julianne Hough, last seen hoisting the mirror ball with racer Helio Castroneves; two-time champ Cheryl Burke; Derek Hough; Anna Trebunskaya; Karina Smirnoff; Kym Johnson; Louis van Amstel; Jonathan Roberts; Edyta Sliwinska; Tony Dovolani; and Mark Ballas.
Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who took a second-place finish beside the Spice
Girls' Mel B last fall, is sitting out the new season, which launches
Mar. 17. But he told TV's Extra he'll be back next season.
"It's one of those things I need to attend to. My domestic studios and
my students--their competitive careers," Chmerkovskiy said. "They [the
producers] were kind enough to give me a break, and let me do it."
Filling the 12th and final pro dancer spot is Fabian Sanchez, a Dancing
newcomer. Sanchez will be joined on his maiden voyage by Matlin.
The other dance teams include: de la Fuente and Burke; Elizabeth and
Derek Hough; Guttenberg and Trebunskaya; Mario and Smirnoff; Jillette
and Johnson; Presley and Van Amstel; Seles and Marie Osmond survivor
Roberts; Taylor and Sliwinska; Winokur and Dovolani; and Yamaguchi and
Ballas.
Julianne Hough will go for her third consecutive win alongside Carolla,
the un-noted hoofer.
The show's casting net for stars yielded its usual mix of sports
standouts (Seles, Taylor and Yamaguchi), familiar faces (Elizabeth,
Guttenberg, Matlin, Jillette and Presley), a few folks you might need to
Google (Mario, de la Fuente and Winokur) and at least one guy who you
guess does the cha-cha-cha about as well as Tucker Carlson (Carolla).
The new lineup, though, does feature at least one innovation. For the
first time since the gray-haired days of John O'Hurley, Dancing's elder
statesman will be an elder stateswoman. At age 62, Presley, late of the
King, Dallas and the Naked Gun movies, will be the oldest competitor.
The 52-year-old Jillette is the only other dancer to fall outside the
18- to 49-year-old demographic.
Matlin will be Dancing's second resident Oscar winner after season-two's
Tatum O'Neal. Winokur, Broadway's original Tracy Turnblad, is the show's
first Tony winner, provided Jerry Springer doesn't have a deep, dark
stage secret.
The show itself will sport one innovation: A double-elimination results
episode on Mar. 24, featuring the expulsion of two dance teams.
No one said dancing with, or by, the stars was easy.
Now that it is official that Priscilla will be a contestant in
the next series of 'Dancing With The Stars', there are lots of
speculations about the styles, but more important, on what music she
will dance. It may seems obvious that one of the dances would be on an
Elvis song.
In an interview with 'The Insider', Priscilla was very clear about this:
'I will not dance on ELvis 'music'. Without any further explenation, she
thinks it would be inappropriate.
2008/02/19 eonline
- Various
/
www.epgold.com
New CD salutes Abraham Lincoln.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A new CD saluting Honest Abe has been released
just in time for the American Presidents Day holiday.
The album is called "Abraham Lincoln in Song" and is comprised of mostly
Civil War era songs. It may be a great gift for Elvis fans. One of the
tunes is "Aura Lee," which was written in the 1860's and is the melody
for Presley's hit "Love Me Tender."
The CD also includes "Dixie." Though it's often associated with the
South, "Dixie" was written by a Northerner and was reportedly Lincoln's
favourite song.
Instruments on the CD include guitar, fiddle, mandolin and harmonica.
It's the work of singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo from Macomb (muh-KOHM'),
Illinois, who says it's great for anyone from "lovers of acoustic music"
to "history buffs."
2008/02/19
www.brandonsun.com /
www.epgold.com
Rep. Bieda wants coin
sellers to come clean.
Buyers duped into believing value of commemorative coins will
increase.
LANSING - Not all that glitters is gold, and not every shiny new
coin is a wise investment - not even, say, a $5 Elvis Presley
commemorative coin issued by the Marshall Islands.
But many unsophisticated coin investors and collectors don't understand
that, according to a Macomb County lawmaker.
Rep. Steve Bieda, D-Warren, wants to extend Michigan's consumer
protection law to companies and foreign governments that advertise coins
as "legal tender" when those items aren't U.S. coins currently in
circulation.
"If something is called a 'coin,' it has face value or denomination, and
there's the assumption you can use it as money in the country of origin
or redeem it at the exchange rate," Bieda said.
"Sometimes you can't use them as money even in the entity that produced
them," he said.
Bieda's new proposal would require mints, issuers or foreign governments
that advertise in Michigan to "clearly and conspicuously disclose" that
such coins "cannot be exchanged or redeemed at face value for U.S.
currency in the United States." That requirement wouldn't apply to
advertising by coin dealers in the state.
Non-collectors and casual collectors are the most common purchasers,
often enticed by the prospect of profit.
Lansing coin dealer Patrick Heller said people are disappointed when
they come to his store to sell such items.
"In most instances, enough time has passed that they feel like, well,
'we didn't make such a sensible purchase but there's nothing we can do
about it now,'" said Heller, president of Liberty Coin Service.
Wendell Wolka, a member of the American Numismatic Association board of
governors, said the only way a coin will increase in worth is if the
value of its metal rises or if it has collector value. His organization
represents collectors and dealers.
"People should collect them because they like them, not because they
expect to make a fortune," said Wolka, of Greenwood, Ind.
As an example of what he labels a "scam," Bieda cites the Marshall
Islands, a now-independent former U.S. trust territory in the North
Pacific Ocean with about 62,000 residents.
Its commemorative issues include $10 coins honoring the "heroes of
D-Day," "heroes of the Philippines" and "heroes of Desert Storm" and $5
coins commemorating the space shuttle Discovery.
Bieda, a collector himself, said, "I've had a couple of pieces" from the
Marshall Islands, adding, "Sometimes you like the design, but I
recognize them for what they are."
Heller added, "The Marshall Island coins aren't even legal tender in the
Marshall Islands."
Heller said another "violator" is the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, a U.S. trust territory in the Pacific that uses U.S.
currency. "It's technically part of the U.S. and doesn't have the
authority to sponsor such an issue."
Among its coins are ones honoring scientist Albert Einstein, Pope Paul
II and "endless love."
In 2004, a New York judge ordered an end to deceptive advertising for
the so-called "Freedom Dollar" that carried the image of the former
World Trade Center, the slogan "We Will Never Forget" and the coat of
arms of the Northern Mariana Islands.
The private company that minted and marketed the coins with
authorization from the Northern Mariana Islands government was assessed
almost $370,000 in civil penalties in 2005 and refunded more than $2
million to defrauded consumers.
The advertising, telemarketing and sale of coins and similar items to
collectors and investors periodically provoke complaints about deceptive
business practices and fraud.
For example, last year the Federal Trade Commission investigated
complaints that a national mail order firm failed to adequately disclose
its practice of sending coins on approval to customers. The FTC took no
formal action after the company revised its advertisements and other
business practices.
Other cases have led to criminal convictions and partial restitution to
cheated collectors.
Bieda's bill is awaiting action in the House Judiciary Committee.
2008/02/19 By Eric
Freedman - Capital News /
www.epgold.com
Pre sales TCB tickets start March 3rd.
The pre-sale for the Tickets to the TCB Concert in Nieuw Vennep
(The Netherlands) with Jerry Scheff, Glen Hardin and James Burton on
March 29th starts on March 3rd.
Tickets are 29.50 euro and give access to a 'big show' including guest
singers Rene Shuman and Lee Towers. Tickets or more info are available
by clicking the following link.
Tickets
2008/02/18
www.elvismatters.be
/
www.epgold.com
"Rock Biography - Elvis Presley" Kindle book.
"Rock Biography - Elvis Presley" Kindle book Amazon has released an
Elvis biography in their Kindle format. The electronic
2008/02/18
Amazon.com -
www.elvisinfonet.com /
www.epgold.com
Love Me Tender DVD from Argentina.
Argentina has just released LOVE ME TENDER DVD (title in Spanish: LA
MUJER ROBADA).
An instant collector's item featuring rare original memorabilia
unavailable in ANY OTHER WORLDWIDE RELEASE including SIX different 78
rpm releases, RCA Victor record store's ad, original One-Sheet poster,
newspaper ads, etc., etc.
2008/02/17 Carlos
R. Ares /
www.epgold.com
The Billboard chart listings for the week ending February 23, 2008.
Billboard Top 200: The Very Best Of Love: #181
Top Independent Albums: The Very Best Of Love: #23
Comprehensive Albums: ELV1S 30 #1 Hits: #198
Pop Catalogue Albums: ELV1S 30 #1 Hits: #28
Country Catalogue Albums: ELV1S 30 #1 Hits: #4
Music Video: Elvis Lives: #22
Music Video: Aloha From Hawaii: 29
2008/02/17
www.elvischarts.com
/
www.epgold.com
Changes to the VIP Graceland Tour.
Graceland's new VIP tour will now showcase the deed to Graceland,
a gift from Elvis to his parents, and fun items from his personal
wardrobe. We all know what a flamboyant dresser he was!
A replica of his upstairs dressing room has been created and in it will
be some of the unique clothing he wore at home just for lounging and
custom outfits for family dinners. The VIP tour will also include the
barn, where Elvis loved to retreat at times.
On display will be his personal saddle, chaps and other artifacts
relating to his equestrian activities. Cost for the VIP tour is $68 with
no discounts for seniors or children.
2008/02/17
UltimateElvis /
www.epgold.com
TCB on NBC.
To promote his new album, Jim Lauderdale will be a musical guest
on the Conan O'Brian show on NBC Monday, February 18th.
He will bring the musicians that also worked on his album: James Burton,
Glen D. Hardin, Ron Tutt, Al Perkins and Gary Tallent. The album release
of Jim Lauderdale and The Dreamplayers, “Honey Songs,” will be released
on Yep Roc Records February 19th.
By the way, the Conan O’ Brian Band features Max Weinberg on drums, and
he’s Bruce Springsteen’s drummer in the E Street Band…
2008/02/16 James Burton
Official Website -
www.elvismatters.be /
www.epgold.com
EU seeks to extend
copyright protection for artists to 95 years.
BRUSSELS: The European Union said Thursday that it would seek to
extend copyright protection for singers and musicians to 95 years -
rather than the current 50 - a move designed to prevent performers from
losing out in later life.
The proposals, made by Charlie McCreevy, the commissioner for the
internal market, would extend to performers the entitlements to royalty
payments enjoyed by their counterparts in the United States, and by
composers in Europe, most of whom have 70 years of copyright protection.
McCreevy said that, with longer life expectancy, 50 years of copyright
protection did not give artists a guaranteed lifetime income.
"If nothing is done, thousands of European performers who recorded in
the late 1950s and 1960s will lose all of their airplay royalties over
the next 10 years," McCreevy said.
Royalties often made up the "sole pension" for artists, he said, and the
loss of them could come during "the most vulnerable period of their
lives."
"I have not seen or heard a convincing reason why a composer of music
should benefit from a term of copyright that extends to the composer's
life and 70 years beyond, while the performer should enjoy 50 years,
often not even covering his lifetime," McCreevy said.
The proposal, which needs approval from EU governments and the European
Parliament, is designed to benefit not just big names like Cliff Richard
and Charles Aznavour, but session and lesser-known musicians, McCreevy
said.
The European Commission said a survey it conducted showed that many
European performers or singers started their career in their early 20s.
Session musicians, who were not members of a band, often began
performing when they were 17. These individuals would be in their 70s
when copyright protection ended.
The proposals were widely welcomed by the music industry.
"If implemented, these measures are excellent news for thousands of
artists, many of whom rely on income from sound recordings for their
long term financial security," the EMI chairman, Guy Hands, said. "EMI
has long believed that the significant imbalance in the protection
provided to performers compared to composers is unjustified and unfair.
Like composers, artists should enjoy recognition for their work
throughout the whole of their lives."
John Smith, president of the International Federation of Musicians,
said: "This is great news for thousands of musicians and we are
especially delighted that the commission has acted to benefit session
musicians."
McCreevy also proposed a new "use it or lose it" law under which record
companies that refused to re-release a record during the extended
copyright period would not be able to prevent artists from moving to a
new label. The move would have no impact on consumers, the commission
said.
The commission also wants to revisit a reform of copyright levies
charged on blank discs, data storage and music and video players. These
charges, which vary widely among European countries, help to compensate
artists and copyright holders for legal copying of their material. In
2006, McCreevy tried and failed to reform the copyright levy system,
opposed by the French government.
"There is little coherence between member states as to how they apply
these levies," McCreevy said.
2008/02/16
www.iht.com
/
www.epgold.com
‘Unchained Melody’ voted ‘Most Popular Song of All Time’
The Righteous Brothers’ global hit ‘Unchained Melody’ has been named the most popular song of all time.
The Righteous Brothers’ global hit ‘Unchained Melody’ has been
named the most popular song of all time.
The recording, which was used in the film ‘Ghost,’ beat the likes on
ABBA, the Beatles and Elvis Presley, in the list of the Top 1000 Most
Popular Songs, as voted by the listeners of Brisbane radio station 882
4BH.
The second most popular song of all time title went to John Lennon’s
‘Imagine,’ while the third spot was secured by ‘Bridge Over Troubled
Water’ by Simon & Garfunkel.
Louis Armstrong’s ‘What A Wonderful World’ was voted the fourth best
song, while ABBA’s ‘Dancing Queen’ came fifth.
Elvis Presley’s ‘Love Me Tender,’ Bette Midler’s ‘Rose,’ Roy Orbison’s
‘Pretty Woman,’ Beatles’ ‘Yesterday,’ and Midler’s ‘Wind Beneath My
Wings’ rounded off the top tem.
ABBA secured a total of 11 hits in the top 1000 the Top 1000 Most
Popular Songs list, including ‘Mamma Mia,’ ‘Fernando,’ ‘I have a Dream,’
and ‘Waterloo.’
The Beatles got a total of 20 songs on the full list, including ‘Hey
Jude,’ ‘Something,’ ‘All My Loving,’ ‘Help,’ and ‘Penny Lane.’
Other hits on the list included ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra, ‘My Heart
Will Go On’ by Celine Dion, ‘Annie’s Song’ by John Denver, ‘Sweet
Caroline’ by Neil Diamond, and ‘Everything I Do (I Do For You)’ by Bryan
Adams.
The Australian radio station throws the topic open every year to its
listeners.
Program manager Geoff Harrison said the radio stations takes "thousands"
of votes from listeners over a three-week period.
"It takes about two weeks - or 10 days - to play the top 1000 songs,"
the Brisbanetimes. com. au quoted Harrison, as saying.
"The top 200 to 300 are similar every year, and I could pretty much pick
what the top 50 are going to be,” he added.
The top 20 Most Popular Songs are:
1. Unchained Melody Righteous_Brothers
2. Imagine John Lennon
3. Bridge Over Troubled Water Simon_&_Garfunkel
4. What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong
5. Dancing Queen ABBA
6. Love Me Tender Elvis Presley
7. Rose Bette Midler
8. Pretty Woman Roy Orbison
9. Yesterday Beatles
10. Wind Beneath My Wings Bette Midler
11. Mamma Mia ABBA
12. Unforgettable Natalie Cole/Nat "King" Cole
13. Green Green Grass Of Home Tom Jones
14. My Heart Will Go On Celine Dion
15. My Way Frank Sinatra
16. Candle In The Wind Elton John
17. I Will Always Love You Whitney Houston
18. Way We Were Barbra Streisand
19. Fernando ABBA
20. Hey Jude Beatles
(ANI)
New York Radio Station WCBS-FM meanwhile voted three Elvis songs
into their Love Songs chart Top Ten. The Righteous Brothers was also
their most popular Love Song.
1. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
2. Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
3. I Only Have Eyes For You - The Flamingos
4. Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli
5. Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
6. The Wonder Of You - Elvis Presley
7. My Girl - The Temptations
8. All My Loving - The Beatles
9. Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley
10. Always & Forever - Heatwave
2008/02/16
www.topnews.in
- WCBS-FM -
www.elvisinfonet.com
/
www.epgold.com
Elvis International Shop - The
Netherlands.
OPEN: Saturday & Sunday February 16 & 17, 2008 - 1300. PM - 1800 PM.
E-Mail:
elvisinternational@casema.nl
The Netherlands : 0251 - 821240
Other Country's Dial : 00 - 31 - 251 - 821240
Please take note:
Since many loyal customers order at the
www.epgoldwebshop.com , a personal visit at the Elvis
International shop (starting February 1,2008) is possible - only after a
appointment is made by e-mail or phone.
2008/02/15 ElvisInternational /
www.epgold.com
Fike - An Uncommon Movie?
Veteran PR man David Salidor, who will be handling publicity for
the book "Fike - An Uncommon Journey", hints in an interview with The
Improper that a screenplay will soon be in the works. The book is
co-written with music writer Marc Bego who also collaborated on David
Stanley's 1996 book Raised On Rock as well as on books with Micky Dolenz
and Martha Reeves.
From the interview:
Lamar Fike, the man who for years ran Elvis Presley’s publishing
company in Memphis, is hard at work with writer Mark Bego putting the
finishing touches on a new book entitled An Uncommon Journey. It seems
that this one-time member of the King’s “Memphis Mafia” is willing to
finally share all his untold stories.
He also reveals a rather odd connection to this particular bit of
tub-thumping. “My Dad had worked for the legendary Decca Records back in
the day and knows Lamar,” Salidor explains. “So, when we first spoke,
Lamar said to me, ‘I met you when you were five at the Copacabana in New
York.' Amazing and, true.”
Meanwhile, in a synopsis of the book posted on Fike’s official website,
the former King best pal makes a rather intriguing comparison: “Let me
tell you, The Memphis Mafia was the original Entourage… I never knew
what to expect when I was around Elvis. There would be Hollywood
starlets in the pool or Natalie Wood would drop by for a visit.”
And how’s this for a side trip? In the book, Fike also recounts his
experiences in Rome with Tennessee Williams and Hercules actor Steve
Reeves while Elvis was stationed in Germany.
http://www.lamarfike.com/main.html
2008/02/15 Google /
www.epgold.com
Elvis: From Memphis To Hollywood.
Due for release June 2008 from Aurum Press Ltd. is the 388 pages
book "Elvis: From Memphis to Hollywood" by Alan Fortas and Alanna Nash
(ISBN: 1845133226).
From the publisher:
"When in June 1968, clad in black leather, a nervous Elvis Presley made
his television "Comeback Special", Alan Fortas was one of the five
friends asked to be on stage with him.Fortas ultimately spent nearly
twelve years working for Elvis, having been asked to join his fraternity
of bodyguards and close buddies that came to be known as "The Memphis
Mafia" back in 1958.
He lived, travelled and played hard with Elvis during that time,
watching Elvis become increasingly disillusioned with the endless stream
of movies he was forced to act in, saw him become increasingly reliant
on drugs, and witnessed Elvis' colourful sex life.
The only other memoir of Elvis that can offer such genuine inside
knowledge and intimacy is "Elvis and the Memphis Mafia", by three other
members of his bodyguard fraternity, which "Uncut" magazine acclaimed as
"the best Elvis book written to date", and which Aurum has already
re-published and seen reprint four times.Now it re-issues Alan Fortas'
book, which has been out of print for over ten years."
2008/02/14
www.aurumpress.co.uk /
www.epgold.com
The Presley Family and Friends Cookbook.
A paperback edition of the "The Presley Family and Friends Cookbook " by
Donna Presley Early.
The 288 pages book will be published by Cumberland House Publishing on
February 28, 2008 in the UK (ISBN-10: 188895275X, ISBN-13:
978-1888952759).
Synopsis
The Presley Family & Friends Cookbook is a special blend of recipes,
memories and photographs compiled by the people who knew Elvis best: his
personal cook, family, friends and fellow performers. Simmering with
nearly 300 recipes, it contains an amazing variety of foods, from
Elvis's All Shook Up Milkshake to his You Ain't Nothin' but a Hot Dog to
the family's King Creole Lobster and Clam Bake, plus his favourite
banana pudding and hamburger recipes. Also included are recipes from his
favourite restaurants and Memphis juke joints. The Presley Family &
Friends Cookbook contains more than 100 personal family photos - many of
which have not been published - and provides personal reminiscences from
Elvis's family and friends. Also included are dozens of fan-friendly
sidebars and useful information about Elvis movies available on video,
plus lists of his many hits and albums and when they appeared on the pop
charts. Come and enjoy platter after platter of some the King's
favourite foods, straight from the kitchens of some of his most beloved
cooks.
2008/02/13
www.amazon.co.uk
-
www.elvisnews.com
/
www.epgold.com
The Quotable King Books.
Set for release on February 28, 2008 is the paperback book "The
Quotable King" by Elizabeth McKeon and Linda Everett. The 173 pages book
will be published in the UK by Cumberland House Publishing (ISBN-10:
188895244X, ISBN-13: 978-1888952445).
Synopsis:
Gathers quotations from Elvis Presley on such topics as the Army,
Hollywood, fame and fortune, fans, music, and concerts.
Also due for release on the same date from the same authors and
publisher is the 256 pages hardcover book "Elvis Speaks" with thoughts
of Elvis on fame, family, music and more in his own words (ISBN-10:
1581823940, ISBN-13: 978-1581823943)
2008/02/13
www.amazon.co.uk
-
www.elvisnews.com
/
www.epgold.com
Australian Release Elvis! - Lights Camera Elvis Collection.
"Paramount will release the eight DVD box set, "Elvis! - Lights!
Camera! Elvis! Collection in Australia in April.
The eight titles are the same as released last year in the Elvis, 30th
Anniversary Collection.
2008/02/13
www.elvis.com.au
/
www.epgold.com
New Exhibits Installation at Graceland!! Check Back for Regular Updates!!
This spring, you'll see a whole new look to the shopping center
just to the north of the entrance to the Graceland parking area. In
addition to Souvenirs of Elvis, the Graceland Harley-Davidson Shop and
the Rock 'n' Roll Café, the Graceland Crossing shopping center will also
be the home of the '68 Special exhibit and shop and The Private Presley
exhibit. Also new to this area is the Everything Elvis shop which will
offer a great selection of Elvis gifts and merchandise. A kick-off event
is planned for late March.
To help share the excitement of this transformation and
installation of three new exhibits, Graceland Archives Director, Angie
Marchese, will be posting blog entries here in the news section of
elvis.com, so check back for regular updates.
Be sure to check out EXCLUSIVE pictures of the new exhibits at
www.elvisinsiders.com If you're not an Elvis Insider,
join today! When you join The Official Elvis Insiders, you’ll receive
discounts and get access to rarely seen Elvis Presley photos, Graceland
artifacts, Elvis video clips and rare documents from the Graceland
archives are just a few of the exclusive items you'll have access to as
an Official Elvis Insider.
FEBRUARY 12, 2008
Hey everybody, there is plenty of activity at Graceland these days, especially in Archives, WOW, we are ALL on the move.
We are starting the transformation and creation of three new exhibit areas that are sure to knock your socks off, or my archival gloves, when you see them!
We just put the final touches on the new VIP Tour exhibit yesterday. We dug deep into the Graceland Archives for this re-vamp of the VIP Tour exhibit area. For the first time ever we are displaying the living room furniture from Elvis and Priscilla's honeymoon hideaway in Palm Springs, truly a blast from the past with this vintage furniture display.
Another favorite of mine in this exhibit is a collection of
photos from the first-ever professional photo shoot with Elvis. In 1955
Elvis posed for William Speers here in Memphis and this portion of the
VIP exhibit allows visitors to see the original proofs from that shoot
that have Elvis’ handwriting on the back, indicating his favorites.
I would write more, but it is back to work for me and the Archives
staff. Check back soon for more updates in our news blog.
Angie
FEBRUARY 13, 2008
It’s another day and a different side of the street. We are now
over at Graceland Crossing working on the installation Private Presley.
Before we could even start thinking about putting up camouflage netting
and exhibit text panels, we first had to de-install the Elvis After Dark
exhibit, hopefully you all had the chance to see it. Oh my, that was a
job. Following typical Graceland Archives protocol, all of the artifacts
were delicately packed away in acid free tissue and boxes, then loaded
onto a truck and back to storage until they are needed.
Now the space is ready for a new coat of paint, Army Green of course,
then it’s off to the races for our Archives staff. We have three days to
turn this space into Private Presley. Looks like a mess right now but we
are starting to get a feel of what it will look like as test paint and
camouflage nets are going up on the walls as we speak, it’s all coming
together nicely, and the good news is that it’s still on schedule!
Angie
2008/02/13 EPE /
www.epgold.com
Gretsch guitar fetches 180.000 dollar.
Four Elvis items were up for auction during the Grammy Awards
Charity Auction benefitting the MusiCares foundation.
A gold record for "Elvis In Concert" raised $375.00. An Elvis owned and
worn shirt raised $9,000.00. A photograph of Elvis with his parents
raised $656.25.
And finally an Elvis owned and played Gretsch guitar raised $180,000.00
and was the biggest selling item during the auction which raised
$540,250.00 in total.
Note EpGold: The true original Gretsch is
at Graceland.
2008/02/12
www.grammy.com - various /
www.epgold.com
Elvis collector is considered an expert.
Photograph by Vicki
Thompson-Devoted: Robin Rosaaen of Willow Glen has 40,000 Elvis Presley
items in her extensive collection. One of those pieces is a pair of
Elvis slippers. She also has a rare leather jacket.
Fifty years ago, The King of Rock 'n' roll debuted in his first
film, Love Me Tender, to the delight of Elvis fans across the nation.
As a 9-year-old in San Lorenzo, Robin Rosaaen went to see the film,
which premiered in New York City on Nov. 16, 1956, and immediately fell
in love. Today Rosaaen's home is a testament to the man who ruled rock
'n' roll.
"Rockin' Robin," a nickname given to her by The King himself, has one of
the largest private Elvis Presley collections in the world, according to
James Forsher, who recently published The Love Me Tender Diary. Her
two-bedroom Willow Glen apartment is covered floor to ceiling with
everything Elvis.
Rosaaen estimates she has 40,000 Elvis items, including records, 600
books, scarves he wore on stage, shirts, pins, playing cards, figurines,
documents and knick-knacks. She also has his life documented in 80,000
photographs, some of which are extremely rare, including personal
messages from Elvis to Rosaaen. Included in her extensive collection are
13 scarves, some of which Elvis gave her during his concerts.
Among her prized possessions is a sweater from the 1962 film Kid
Galahad, starring Elvis as a boxer, and pants he wore in the movie
Frankie and Johnny.
Throughout the years Rosaaen has collected Elvis items by going to
auctions, and buying from fans and celebrity shops. She even lays claim
to his dental records, his divorce papers signed by Elvis and Priscilla
Presley, and an Elvis Presley leather jacket she purchased in 1988.
Ultimate fan
Rosaaen has been a collector and an Elvis fan since she was a child, but
it wasn't until her early 20s that she combined the two passions. She
was living in Los Gatos and rediscovered The King while watching his
1968 comeback special on television.
As her fascination grew, Rosaaen sold off her other pop collections,
which included the Beatles and the Beach Boys, in order to work on
preserving Elvis' memory.
In early 1970, she drove to Las Vegas for her first live Elvis concert.
It became a bi-annual ritual, and Rosaaen became a regular front-row
face at performances.
It took hard work and dedication, and a bit of cash, to stand out among
the throngs of fans, but her persistence paid off during one concert at
the Sahara-Tahoe Casino in 1974. That's when Rosaaen became known as "Rockin'
Robin."
Rosaaen says she bribed her way to the front row and held up a bumper
sticker that read, "I want your body."
Elvis came over and grabbed the sticker and said, "You got it!" Rosaaen
reached for his scarf, but he stopped her and said, "Let me do it," and
wrapped the scarf around her neck.
Later in the performance, Rosaaen says, "He came over and pointed at me,
and said, 'Rockin' Robin.' "
The entire incident is documented in a series of photographs, Rosaaen's
most sentimental piece of Elvis history--and her own.
Rosaaen continued to attend his concerts whenever possible and kept
track of Elvis' travels.
"I used to write Elvis when I knew he was home," she says, and that
correspondence included pictures for him to sign.
It wasn't an obsession, she insists. It was "more of a passion for Elvis
the man and entertainer." When the reply letters came, Rosaaen says, her
neighbors and friends would marvel at the return address.
"He enjoyed the rapport he had with his fans," Rosaaen says. "In those
days, you respected the pleasure entertainers gave you."
Rosaaen was present at his last three shows in 1976.
"He was vocally strong," she says, "but he didn't appear well."
When he died in 1977, Rosaaen decide not attend his funeral at
Graceland.
"I wanted to remember him as I last saw him on stage," she says.
After the initial shock wore off, Rosaaen kept his persona alive by
visiting Graceland and keeping in touch with other Elvis fans.
She lent photographs and collectibles for book projects, most recently
Rockin' Down the Highway: The cars and people that Made Rock 'n' roll,
which is available in local bookstores. In 1996, part of her collection
appeared in an "Elvis and Marilyn" exhibit at the San Jose Museum of
Modern Art, and was on display at UC-Berkeley and the 1996 Olympics in
Salt Lake City. Her Elvis collection even made it into a picture book
geared toward children. All the King's Things earned Rosaaen fame among
Elvis fans around the world, according to various experts.
Over the years as Rosaaen built up her collection, she developed an eye
for what were genuine Elvis collectibles. She considers herself a
connoisseur of Elvis memorabilia and knows a fake from the real thing.
Talk show hosts such as Geraldo Rivera, Oprah Winfrey and Joan Rivers
considered her an Elvis expert.
"I never dreamed back in the '60s that being an Elvis fan would get me
on to all these talk shows," she says.
Hobby turned job
In 1997, Rosaaen started working at eBay as employee number 41,
opening envelopes in customer services. But she couldn't get Elvis off
her mind, and pitched the idea of an Elvis trade page and virtual museum
on eBay's website to management.
She worked nights and weekends to create the Elvis webpage and named it
after the book, All the King's Things.
The idea proved so popular the company made Rosaaen the category manager
of the Elvis page.
"My hobby became my job," she recalls.
She served as the Elvis official in the "ask the expert" section, and
still answers emails sent to elvis@ebay.com. As part of her job, she
checked for fraud and pulled fake items off the site within five hours
of their postings.
Rosaaen says the items that are tops on the fraud list include fake
autographs and "rare" photographs that are actually copies. Rosaaen's
expert eye can tell immediately if an autograph is fake.
Her job at eBay helped refine her own collection. She collected an array
of new items, from Christmas cards to an Army pocket guide from his
service days that included handwritten margin notes.
Then eBay had major layoffs in 2001, and Rosaaen decided to continue on
her own.
She had already made a name for herself among Elvis fans, and found a
way to earn a living by offering her Elvis collection and expertise to
companies.
She recently worked out a deal with PressPass, a hobby company, to
purchase a shirt and a scarf from her Elvis collection, which will be
cut into small pieces and included in selected trading cards in the
Elvis Lives series that will be sold at Target and Wal-Mart.
"People always wanted a part of my collection," Rosaaen says. "Now they
can get it."
Rosaaen's dream is to open a gallery on Lincoln Avenue where she can
show and share her extensive collection with the public and Elvis fans.
"Elvis will live on even after the original fans are gone," Rosaaen
says. "If I can pass on the pleasure Elvis gave me as a fan, that's kind
of the purpose."
2008/02/12 E-Mail Robin Rosaaen - By Laura
Rheinheimer /
www.epgold.com
Wattstax: “I Am Somebody!" Exhibit.
In celebration of Black History Month, Rhodes' African American
Studies Program is hosting "Wattstax: I Am Somebody!" an exhibit of over
50 rare photographs from the archives of the Stax Museum of American
Soul of Music, Memphis, TN.
The 1973 film "Wattstax: The Living Word," is based on Stax Records'
seven-hour concert that entertained more than 100,000 people in the Los
Angeles Coliseum at the annual Watts Summer Festival in 1972.
The event is believed to have launched the careers of Richard Pryor,
Isaac Hayes, Luther Ingram, Rufus and Carla Thomas, The Bar-Kays, and
the Staple Singers and moved Rev. Jesse Jackson to lead the crowd in the
“I Am Somebody” refrain.
In July and December 1973, Elvis recorded several well-known songs at
Stax, including "If You Talk in Your Sleep," "I've Got a Thing About You
Baby," "My Boy," and a cover of Chuck Berry's "Promised Land."
The "Wattstax: I Am Somebody!" exhibit recaptures the Wattstax concert
and documentary and chronicles the African American experience during a
time of social change and empowerment.
Free and open to the public, the exhibit will be on display in the Paul
Barret, Jr. at the Rhodes College Campus library in Memphis from
February 2-28, 2008. Times are: Thursdays, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturdays,
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and Sundays 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Those with specific inquiries can contact Dr. Anita Davis at
901-843-3989.
2008/02/12 EPE /
www.epgold.com
Vegas Rocker Freddie Bell Dies at 76.
LAS VEGAS — Freddie Bell, a forerunner in the 1950s rock 'n' roll
era whose toe-tapping versions of "Giddy Up A Ding Dong" and "Hound Dog"
inspired Elvis Presley to cover the songs, has died. He was 76.
Bell died late Sunday in a Las Vegas hospital of complications from
cancer, said his publicist Norm Johnson.
Bell was performing at the Sands casino-hotel on the Las Vegas Strip in
the mid-1950s when Presley was just an opening act across the street at
the New Frontier. Bell's upbeat covers, and perhaps his knee-wiggling
dance moves, inspired Presley, Johnson said.
"He loved Freddie's version," Johnson said. "He added new words and a
better beat."
Bell went to Las Vegas in 1953 from his hometown of Philadelphia and was
considered one of the great lounge acts of the time, alongside the trio
of Sam Butera, Louis Prima and Keely Smith, Johnson said.
He was good friends with some of the most popular performers of the era.
"They remained friends throughout Elvis' lifetime," Johnson said.
"Freddie was very, very close to Frank Sinatra. That was one of his
compadres. Whenever they were in any town performing, Frank would show
up, or Freddie would go to see him."
Bell also appeared in a number of films, including 1956's "Rock Around
the Clock," starring Bill Haley.
Watch the Video: FREDDIE BELL & the BELL BOYS - GIDDY UP A DING ...
2008/02/12
www.newsvine.com
- youtube /
www.epgold.com
When I married Elvis.
For nearly 50 years Charlotte Richards has embodied Las Vegas,
the self-styled "wedding capital of the world". As a young woman she
made a name for herself among the great and the good as a wedding
organiser par excellence. And over the better part of the last three
decades, she has owned and operated the Little White Wedding Chapel, the
most famous business of its type in the world on a sprawling site at the
unfashionable end of Las Vegas Boulevard.
This is a business in which nothing sells like celebrity. Richards has
married off more famous couples than a busload of archbishops. Frank
Sinatra and Mia Farrow, Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, Jack and Vera
Duckworth: they have all said their vows in her presence.
When "my dear, precious Elvis" married Priscilla at the Aladdin Hotel
back in 1967, Richards was there to ensure there were no hitches. "I was
his wedding co-ordinator," she recalls. "I got the judge, the flowers,
his cake, everything. And I made sure that everything ran well. Many
times my husband Merle and I had been with Elvis before he was married.
This wasn't just somebody we arranged a wedding for. This was someone
who was tender and warm. His music was an example of the tenderness of
his heart."
Richards was also on hand again when Sinatra married Farrow. She recalls
a phone call from the wife of comedian Red Skelton. "She said, There's
something we've got to do.' We went over to the Sands Hotel, and we had
to decorate it just so, because she said, It's Frankie's wedding and
he's going to be married tomorrow'."
But isn't a wedding meant to be forever in the eyes of God? "Well, I'd
like to be able to believe that," she says. "Unfortunately, I can't go
home with them and say, No, don't do that!' Some people are not who they
think they are when they get married. People think they're in love, but
some are not.
"I've seen it all. I've heard it all. And I love it all. Except when
they come back and say, It's me again'." Richards pulls a shocked face,
as she falls into an imaginary conversation with a bride-to-be. "I say,
Oh no - what happened?' Well, I chose the wrong one.' I say, Well if at
first you don't succeed, try again'. But I pray that this time, it will
be the time of your life."
2008/02/12
www.elvisinfonet.com
/
www.epgold.com
Anders Blichfeldt From Big Fat Snake To Perform With The TCB Band.
Anders Blichfeldt the lead singer in the successful Danish band
Big Fat Snake will be special guest at the show with the TCB Band in
Brøndby, Denmark on April 24, 2008.
When Big Fat Snake and the TCB band released the Cd/dvd One Night Of Sin
back in 2003 did it sell on less than 135.000 copies and went no. 1 for
weeks at the Danish chart. This is the first and only time since One
Night Of Sin that Anders Blichfeldt will perform with the TCB band
again.
Also starring at the show are another three famous Danish artists
Fleming “Bamse” Jørgensen (who recorded his latest album with the TCB
band in Nashville and Memphis last august), Pernille Højmark (from the
band Sweethearts) and Jimmy Colding (from the band Zididada).
Thursday April 24, 2008
Brøndby Hallen in Brøndby, Denmark
Ticket price 395.00 Dkk.
Tickets can be ordered at +45 7015 6565
There will also be another two shows with the TCB Band in Denmark in
April, but Anders Blichfeldt will not be performing at them.
Saturday April 19, 2008
Værket in Randers, Denmark
Ticket price 349.00/399.00 Dkk.
Tickets can be ordered at +45 8913 5110
Friday April 25, 2008
Tinghallen in Viborg, Denmark
Tickets can be ordered at +45 8662 6100
2008/02/12
www.elvisunlimited.com
/
www.epgold.com
Guia Musical De Elvis Presley.
The 124 pages paperback "Guia Musical De Elvis Presley" by author John
Robertson was released January 28, 2008 by Grupo Editorial Tomo in
Spain.
2008/02/12
www.amazon.com
-
www.elvisnews.com /
www.epgold.com
The TCB Band will play the exciting city of Nieuw-Vennep in Holland.
In cooperation with ElvisMatters, the Dutch promoter Volendam Music
www.volendammusicbv.com has
booked the TCB Band for a live show on Saturday March 29th.
(Photographer:Ron Rutten)
Lead singer for the Band (James Burton, Jerry Scheff, Glen Hardin) is Maarten Jansen (picture).
Rene Shuman & Angel-eye has been asked to open the show, while Lee Towers will do a guest performance.
Tickets are now for sale - just click the link below.
Saturday March 29: TCB Band Live with guests - Van Zantenhal, 1415 IJweg
– Nieuw Vennep (NL)
Tickets: 29.50 euro
Doors: 7 pm
Please follow this link for more details:
http://www.vanzantenhal.nl/vanzantenhal/za.-29-maart-2008-elvis-avond.html
2008/02/11
www.elvismatters.be /
www.epgold.com
Radio Tos & ‘Baby Let’s Play House’ .
Last week, the popular local radio station ‘Radio Tos’ put the
focus on the vinyl cd ‘Baby Let’s Play House’.
The interview – in Dutch only – is available online (click the link
below). In the interview, it also mention the visit of Joe Moscheo to
the shop in Turnhout on March 15.
All the details on that event will be available in the next ElvisMatters
Magazine (March 1st)
2008/02/11
www.elvismatters.be
/
www.epgold.com
In the contest for a Grammy, popularity may still take priority over great music.
Does the name Elvis Presley ring a bell? With 1 billion records
sold and more than 100 Top 40 hits to his credit, he went down in
history as the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Yet the three Grammy Awards he won
over the course of his career were only for gospel recordings.
"It's the absolute jaw-dropper shockeroo of all time," says Tom O'Neil,
author of "The Grammys" and columnist for theenvelope.latimes.com, an
awards-show Web site.
"The ultimate hedonist's only Grammys were in religious categories!"
O'Neil says. "It's a scream!"
Rapper Kanye West leads this year's contenders, with eight nominations.
Embattled neo-soulstress Amy Winehouse has six nods, including one in
each of the four top races -- record, album and song of the year, and
best new artist. The hard-rocking Foo Fighters, pop singer Justin
Timberlake and hip-hoppers Jay-Z, Timbaland and T-Pain each have five
nominations.
We'll see if any more howlers ensue Sunday night during the 50th annual
Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Bestowed by the Recording Academy, the golden gramophone trophies are
regarded as the music industry's top honor. Over the past half-century,
however, the Grammys haven't always gotten it right. Bob Dylan, for
example, didn't win a single one for any of his seminal 1960s
recordings.
Chances are he wouldn't get any sympathy from the likes of the Beach
Boys, Sam Cooke, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin or Led Zeppelin, to name but
a few of the major talents who mind-bogglingly never won a Grammy.
How did luminaries of this magnitude slip through the cracks?
"Because they were young and dangerous when the voters were old guys,"
O'Neil says. "Remember who votes on this. It's the music-industry
establishment. They're always fighting off challenges to the established
sound."
Academy makes 'progress'
The Recording Academy (formerly known as the National Academy of
Recording Arts and Sciences) was founded in 1957. It has 12,000 voting
members -- including musicians, producers and recording engineers -- who
cast Grammy ballots.
For years, some people dismissed the awards as "the Grannys" because
they seemed hopelessly out of touch with the latest musical trends.
"We've made tremendous progress," says Neil Portnow, a former Jive
Records executive who became president of the Recording Academy in 2002.
"There may have been a time when as an organization, we were in
development mode and in a transitional phase," Portnow says. "When the
first Grammy Awards were given, it was an interesting time culturally,
when you still had a great dominance of music from a previous
generation.
"Now, mainly because of our voting population and a more highly
sophisticated vetting process, we generally do get it right."
All the same, there's still room for improvement. Hip-hop, the dominant
form of popular music for decades, consistently comes up short for the
top awards. Ditto country music -- at least until last year, when the
Dixie Chicks and Carrie Underwood won big.
The Grammys cover 110 categories, ranging from best rap/sung
collaboration to best jazz instrumental solo. And don't forget best
spoken word album, in which this year's nominees include Jimmy Carter,
Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
For all their shortcomings, the awards can pay big dividends for
winners. After the Dixie Chicks won five Grammys last year, their
"Taking the Long Way" album sold nearly 108,000 copies, a 700 percent
increase over the previous week.
Singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin, a three-time Grammy winner, won record
and song of the year for "Sunny Came Home" in 1998.
"I felt very proud and lucky," Colvin says. "It certainly gave my career
a little boost."
Beachwood-based record company Telarc and its subsidiaries have won 54
Grammys for classical, jazz and world-music recordings. Awards in those
fields are handed out during the pre-telecast ceremony.
Elaine Martone, Telarc's executive vice president of production and
senior recording producer, has three Grammys to her name. She was
awarded the classical producer of the year prize in 2007.
"It was great," she says. "I got up and did a little dance in the
aisle."
Artists welcome coveted statue
Winning a Grammy brings a certain amount of cachet, which can be good
for business, Martone says.
The Grammys "get it right to the extent that things get recognized that
deserve to get recognized," she says. "But there are some glaring
exceptions."
Take Dave Brubeck, the Grammy-less jazz legend of "Take Five" fame.
Still going strong at 87 years old, he released a solo album, "Indian
Summer," last year on Telarc.
As the Grammys pass the half-century mark, the question remains: Do
these gleaming gramophones reflect the best music out there, year in and
year out?
"We certainly think so," Portnow says. "I suppose the question is:
'According to whom?' There are different ways to evaluate that question.
"One could look at popularity. One could look at record sales. One could
look at chart positions. That's not what we do.
"Our voting members are peers of the nominees. . . . In their
estimation, these nominations are in fact the best music of the past
year."
The Grammys "tell us who's in and who's out of the club," O'Neil says.
"It's absurd to believe this is the best music of the year. But on the
other hand, they make a valid point.
"We don't expect the edgiest movies to win the Oscars or the grittiest
TV shows to win the Emmys. But God help the Grammys if the coolest rap
music doesn't win. That's an unfair standard."
The Grammys "can't speak for everybody," says Matchbox Twenty's Rob
Thomas. He took home three Grammys in 2000 for his contributions to
"Smooth," Santana's monster hit.
"Music is subjective," Thomas says. "One artist is somebody's favorite
and somebody else's least favorite.
"It's great to be nominated. It's great to win. Everybody should
appreciate it. But after the Grammys, put it on your shelf and leave it
there."
2008/02/11 by John Soeder - Pop Music Critic -
www.cleveland.com
/
www.epgold.com
Opening Night - January
1970.
Opening Night - January 1970 will be the follow up to Madison's Hot
August Night .
This January 26, 1970 opening show recording was overall of poor quality
because of severe microphone overload. It ain't perfect but NOW for the
FIRST TIME you will be able to enjoy this GREAT concert from beginning
to end.
This excellent new source has been greatly improved into a surprising
fuller, dynamic and warmer sound. Elvis' vocal never sounded so good,
and neither gives the impression this was produced from a worn out tape.
Most previous releases of this show had the closing song cutting short (
less than 20 seconds ) and mentioned as '' not completely recorded ''.
The whole closing number was recorded and features on this new version.
This limited edition of Opening Show - January 1970 will come with a
professionally designed 16-page booklet, liner notes, memorabilia and
photographs from Elvis' second Las Vegas season.
Don't miss out in March 2008 a remarkable concert and Closing Night -
February 1970's perfect companion,
Opening Night - January 1970 !!!!
Watch out for an unreleased 1973 soundboard recording from the same
label !!!!
Track list :
1- Opening /All Shook Up 2:22 ; 2- That's All Right 2:51 ; 3- Proud Mary
2:55 ; 4- Don't Cry Daddy 3:00 ; 5- Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel 2:24 ;
6- Long Tall Sally 1:50 ; 7- Let It Be Me 3:53 ; 8- I Can't Stop Loving
You 2:50 ; 9- Walk A Mile In My Shoes 2:56 ; 10- In The Ghetto 3:23 ;
11- True Love Travels On A Gravel Road ( with false start ) 3:44 ; 12-
Sweet Caroline 4:02 ; 13- Polk Salad Annie 5:27 ; 14- Band introductions
2:16 ; 15- Kentucky Rain 3:18 ; 16- Suspicious Minds 6:27 ; 17- Can't
Help Falling In Love 2:02
2008/02/10 E-Mail /
www.epgold.com
The Billboard chart listings for the week ending February 9, 2008.
Billboard Top 200: The Very Best Of Love: #191
Top Independent Albums: The Very Best Of Love: #24
Comprehensive Albums: ELV1S 30 #1 Hits: #189
Pop Catalogue Albums: ELV1S 30 #1 Hits: #27
Country Catalogue Albums: ELV1S 30 #1 Hits: #4
Music Video: Aloha From Hawaii: #39
2008/02/10 www.elvischarts.com / www.epgold.com
Tweedle Dee tape for sale.
For sale on eBay is the original 1/4" reel-to-reel tape recording
of Elvis Presley singing "Tweedle Dee" on the Louisiana Hayride during a
road show in Gladewater, Texas. According to the seller, the tape is in
excellent condition. His name is Joey Kent and he’s the owner of the
historic Louisiana Hayride Archives.
His father, David Kent, purchased the Louisiana Hayride name and assets
from KWKH in 1975 and this Elvis tape was part of that collection. This
tape represents the last remaining original reel I have on Elvis. It was
recorded by Louisiana Hayride engineer Bob Sullivan on the evening of
Saturday, April 30, 1955.
Elvis had some car trouble that evening and was very late getting to the
show. In fact, you can hear Hayride announcer Horace Logan admonish him
by saying "Well, sir, he got here a little late..." as he squeezes in
Elvis for the last song of the evening. Logan asks Elvis if he's got a
"two minute version of Tweedle-dee-dee" to which a dejected Elvis
replies "Yes, sir, I guess so...".
The bidding on this one started at $2500 with no reserve. However, the
seller reserves ALL RIGHTS to the contents.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity signed by Joey Kent and Hayride
announcer Frank Page, along with a detailed Provenance. The song itself,
has been released on many Hayride CD’s.
eBay
2008/02/09 Ebay -
www.elvismatters.be
/
www.epgold.com
The spirit of Elvis is in the building!
Well not quite but Lisa Marie's daughter, the gorgeous Riley
Keough, made an appearance at the Anna Sui fashion show in NYC on
Wednesday.
Recognise the look around the eyes? Fans question why she's dating
American pop rock musician Ryan Cabrera.
2008/02/09
www.elvisinfonet.com /
www.epgold.com
Jerry Lee Lewis, John Fogerty help Grammys mark 50 years of music's influence on social change.
LOS ANGELES: Jerry Lee Lewis and John Fogerty warmed up for their
upcoming collaboration on the Grammy Awards by tearing it up in
celebration of music's influence on social change over the last 50
years.
Lewis didn't make it halfway down the red carpet at Wednesday night's
"Sounds of Change," this year's Grammy Foundation Music Preservation
Project.
"My back's hurting. I'm going to go sit down," the 72-year-old musician
said.
But Lewis came back strong.
He sounded energetic enough to make the Wilshire Ebell Theatre audience
believe it was 1957 again with a searing rendition of "Great Balls of
Fire." He thumped the electric piano's keys, backed by Fogerty's band
that included drummer Kenny Aronoff and guitarist Billy Burnette.
"I'm only doing this by request," he said before launching into his
signature hit.
The crowd responded with a standing ovation and shouts of "Killer,"
Lewis' nickname.
"He's a force of nature and I'm just going to stand back and enjoy it,"
Fogerty said before the show.
In between performances by Grammy nominees Natasha Bedingfield,
Chrisette Michele, Ryan Shaw and Musiq Soulchild, the event featured
black-and-white newsreel footage of key cultural moments from the 1950s,
'60s, '70s and the present decade.
Images of Lewis in his younger days flashed on the screen, along with
Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, the civil-rights marches, the segregated
South and the Vietnam War.
Fogerty, the former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman, noted music's
influence on the political unrest of the '60s.
"I've long said if any one person stopped the Vietnam War, then it was
Bob Dylan," he said. "Millions of kids sitting around listening to his
records, talking about what the words meant and feeling inspired about
that. That really gave voice to a whole generation. Bob was so noticed
for his lyrics and his stance and attitude. I really believe music can
change the world."
Fogerty rocked out on several war protest songs: the old CCR hit
"Fortunate Son" and "I Can't Take It No More" from his new album.
Shaw opened the show with Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come." A choir
backed Michele on "We Shall Overcome," Bedingfield did a breathy version
of John Lennon's "Imagine" and Musiq Soulchild sang Bob Marley's
"Redemption Song." The foursome closed with Marvin Gaye's "What's Going
On."
"We're in an amazing time in America right now and I think it's
reminiscent of a lot of things that happened during the time of civil
rights," said Michele, a 25-year-old R&B singer who has recorded with
Jay-Z and Nas.
"It's an honor to be a young person and still looked at as someone who
understands where they're coming from."
Lewis, Fogerty and Little Richard will form a supergroup at Sunday's
Grammys. The musical pioneers will headline a "Cornerstone of Rock"
segment during the CBS telecast from the Staples Center in downtown Los
Angeles.
Fogerty's new album, "Revival," is nominated for rock album, a category
he won in 1997.
2008/02/09
www.iht.com
/
www.epgold.com
30 years EPG.
The German fanclub Elvis Presley Gesellschaft (EPG) celebrates
its 30th anniversary this year. The team of president Peter Beines has
prepared a year full of surprises.
The kick off event is set for March 29th in Bad Nauheim, with a reunion
of Sean Nielsen, Ed Hill, Bill Baize, Ed Bonja and the German
sing-a-like Rio.
For tickets and information: see link below.
2008/02/08 Elvis
Presley Gesellschaft -
www.elvismatters.be /
www.epgold.com
Hot August Night Released.
The Madison import label "A Hot August Night" has been released.
It features the August 12, 1972 Midnight Show as recorded from the
soundboard at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Elvis was in great form physically and vocally, and delivered an
excellent performance in the Hilton Showroom that night.
This packaging will contain a 16 page booklet with liner notes and color
photographs. This concert features a few previously released
performances but for the first time available unedited.
Tracklisting:
1- Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra / 2- C.C. Rider / 3- I Got A
Woman / Amen / 4- Proud Mary / 5- Never Been To Spain / 6- Until It's
Time For You To Go ;/ 7- You've Lost That Loving Feeling / 8- Polk Salad
Annie / 9- What Now My Love / 10- Fever / 11- Love Me / 12 - Blue Suede
Shoes / 13- One Night / 14- All Shook Up / 15- Teddy Bear / Don't Be
Cruel / 16- Heartbreak Hotel / 17- Hound Dog / 18- For The Good Times /
19- Suspicious Minds / 20- Band introductions / 21- My Way / 22- An
American Trilogy / 23- A Big Hunk 'O Love / 24- Tiger Man (opening only)
/ 25- Can't Help Falling In Love / 26- Closing Vamp
2008/02/08 Various
/
www.epgold.com
NERVOUS CHER TURNED DOWN A DATE WITH ELVIS.
CHER once turned down a date with ELVIS PRESLEY because she was
too terrified about spending the night with The King.
The pop superstar has revealed she almost became Elvis' girlfriend when
the tragic rock 'n' roll icon made his feelings for her known - and
she'll forever regret not jetting off to Las Vegas to romance him.
In a candid TV interview, aired in America on Thursday morning
(07Feb08), Cher tells Good Morning America, "I was nervous to go to Las
Vegas with him, for the weekend. I regretted it forever."
And the diva admits Elvis wasn't the only megastar suitor she turned
down: "I regretted it (not dating) with Marlon Brando too."
2008/02/08
www.pr-inside.com /
www.epgold.com
Elvis International Shop - The
Netherlands.
OPEN: Saturday & Sunday February 09 & 10, 2008 - 1300. PM - 1800 PM.
E-Mail:
elvisinternational@casema.nl
The Netherlands : 0251 - 821240
Other Country's Dial : 00 - 31 - 251 - 821240
Please take note:
Since many loyal customers order at the
www.epgoldwebshop.com , a personal visit at the Elvis
International shop (starting February 1,2008) is possible - only after a
appointment is made by e-mail or phone.
2008/02/08 ElvisInternational /
www.epgold.com
The Jack to a King Forum
From Scott - I would just like to add a few words about our
brand new Forum. Although there are many forum's such as this one, we
have an edge to it that no other forum has.It was built and is run by
Elvis family members and that is unique in its self.
It is a site where questions are welcomed on Elvis the family man, which
other persons do not really have an insight to. Many people have known
Elvis, but few knew the family side of him, he rarely mixed the two, as
it didn't work for him to do so. We will welcome as members, all serious
Elvis fans, whether that be, Eta's, ordinary folk or Joe Bloggs from
next door.
You want to talk Elvis then, we're for you. Click >>to join>> http://www.elvisandhistory.com/forum.htm
2008/02/08 www.elvisandhistory.com - www.elvisinfonet.com / www.epgold.com
Meet an Elvis Collector: The King's Queen.
(Photographed by Manuello Paganelli -Dubbed Rockin' Robin by Elvis himself, Robin Rosaaen shakes her pelvis with an impersonator friend)
2008/02/08 www.rd.com - www.elvisinfonet.com / www.epgold.com
The Request Box.
Here is the complete booklet and text for the upcoming double import CD
set "Request Box show". Normally it will kill the surprise to reveal the
complete booklet, so only one great page is added.
The booklet is very interesting read, and of course we all know what we
can expect on this 2 CD set.
Tracklisting:
CD ONE- COMPLETE AUGUST 20th, 1975 DINNER SHOW:
01 Opening Vamp/C. C. Rider 02 I Got A Woman/ Amen (medley) 03 Hound Dog
04 Its Now Or Never 05 And I Love You So (with 2 false starts) 06 Blue
Suede Shoes 07 Green Green Grass Of Home 08 Fairytale 09 Softly As I
Leave You (with Sherrill Nielsen) 10 Band Introductions 11 Johnny B.
Goode 12 Drums Solo (by Ronnie Tutt) 13 Bass Solo (by ferryScheff) 14
Piano Solo (by Glen D. Hardin) 15 School Day 16 T.R.O.U.B.L.E 17 Why Me
Lord 18 Until Its Time For You To Go 19 Burning Love 20 Can't Help
Falling In Love 21 Closing Vamp AUGUST 19th, 1975 MIDNIGHT SHOW 22
Opening Vamp/C. C. Rider 23 Bathroom Story 24 Blue Suede Shoes 25 Young
And Beautiful 26 Are You Lonesome Tonight 1 27 If You Love Me (Let Me
Know) 28 Softly As I Leave You (with Sherrill Nielsen) 29 Its Now Or
Never 30 Polk Salad Annie 31 My Boy Running time: 79:47
CD TWO - AUGUST 19th, 1975 DINNER SHOW:
01 Also Sprach Zarathustra 02 C.C. Rider 03 I Got A Woman /Amen (medley)
04 Monologue 05 Blue Suede Shoes 06 If You Love Me (Let Me Know) 07 Its
Now Or Never 08 My Boy 09 Love Me 10 Loving You 11 Suspicious Minds 12
Band Introductions 13 Johnny B. Goode 14 Drums Solo (by Ronnie Tuff) 15
Bass Solo (by Jerry Scheff) 16 Piano Solo (by Glen D. Hardin) 17 School
Day #1 18 School Day #2 19 Introduction of Neil Sedaka 20 T.R.O.U.B.L.E.
21 Why Me Lord 22 How Great Thou Art 23 Let Me Be There 24 Crying In The
Chapel 25 Can't Help Falling In Love 26 Closing Vamp
AUGUST 20th, 1975MIDNIGHT SHOW (CLOSING NIGHT)
27 That's All Right/ C. C. Rider (medley)
From the booklet:
1975 Revisited: The Request Box Shows -
1975.
As history would reveal all too clearly, the best was behind
him. Worse though, as 1975 dawned and Elvis approached his fortieth
birthday, it seemed that he was only too well aware of this, also, as
most observers and biographers have recorded. And while it is
speculative to do so, it is not too great a leap of imagination to
suggest that he must have been reflecting – as we all do during such
significant birthdays / anniversaries – not only on his mortality, but
also on his great past achievements. Achievements made all the more
poignant when compared with his flagging career in recent times,
characterised as it was by relatively minor peaks and some seriously
deep troughs – notably, bouts of ill health and some erratic, lacklustre
live performances. Sadly, overall, 1975 was to prove as artistically
unrewarding as the previous year.
Leaving aside health issues for a moment, the problem was one of scale.
The late sixties’ and early 1970s had been heady days for Elvis. His
career took on an unexpected new lease of life with the phenomenal
return to live appearances, underpinned and complemented by some equally
successful recording sessions in Memphis (1969) and Nashville (1970).
Two documentary films (TTWII and On Tour) charted some of these changes,
though by the autumn of 1972, not too long after he and Priscilla had
separated, he was tiring visibly and the vitality that had once
distinguished and set him apart from other performers - and permeated
his live work - seemed to elude him.
But then in early 1973 came to the tremendously ambitious and successful
Aloha from Hawaii satellite show, during which he looked terrifically
commanding even though his live performance seemed quite tame compared
with what had gone before. Almost unanimously though, just as history
revealed the NBC ’68 TV Special to be his ‘comeback’, the view is that
the Aloha show represented his last major artistic achievement.
Thereafter, 1973 offered nothing new, and recording sessions held at
Stax studios in Memphis (July) were, by common consent dull, uninspired,
unimaginative and insignificant though, in fairness, the December
sessions proved to be significantly better.
Strangely though, while he performed live extensively in 1974 (often to
mixed reviews) he never entered a recording studio – a clear sign that
all was not well. This set the stage for 1975 when it became obvious –
and, more significantly, public knowledge – that his general health had
deteriorated: his physical appearance had altered considerably and he
was being ridiculed in the press for being overweight. Understandably,
Elvis was stung and humiliated. Yet to compound these problems – and
which added credence to the rumours - the series of shows lined up for
late January ’75 in Las Vegas were cancelled. It was not a good start to
the year.
Yet, despite this inauspicious start (he was hospitalised for two weeks
in late January and not long after his father was admitted to the same
hospital having had a major heart attack), he made a reasonably
successful return to the RCA’s recording studio in Hollywood during
March and produced the album Elvis Today (which proved to be his most
varied and successful studio album in a while), laying down ten masters
over a couple of days before proceeding to perform live again on a
regular basis. After a hesitant start to the year, he was back on the
treadmill of live performances which, despite the fact that they drained
him in every sense, seemed to remain his preference regarding work.
First up was Vegas, his twelfth season since returning to live work in
1969. He started out quite impressively though, as before, those who
were there to see him report that his performances did vary in quality.
In his defence though, a more frequent positive comment was that he
focused more on the songs and less on inane interaction with the
audience this time. As well as the standard inclusions, there was a
definite attempt to vary the set. He added things such as the recently
recorded And I Love You So, Green, Green Grass of Home and Fairytale
(turning in some very strong performances) as well as reprising the
likes of The Wonder of You (usually jumping straight to the second
verse!), the thumping Big Boss Man, and a very acceptable Burning Love.
And it was during this season (Midnight show, March 22th) that he
performed You’re the Reason I’m Living for the first and last time. This
track (and some of the others referred to above) was officially released
in 2005 by FTD on their album Big Boss Man – a generally fine showcase
of Elvis’s work during this time period.
Following on from this success, he resumed touring from April 24th
through to May 7th, once again including some songs recently cut in the
studio, and even promoting his latest single, the tongue-twisting and
demanding T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Fortunately for the fans, this tour was a far
cry from the mediocrity of his previous tour in September / October ’74
and generally Elvis was in good voice. And the magic of this tour is
available in on FTD’s Dixieland Rocks CD, featuring recordings made on
6th and 7th May which captures the essence of this tour very well.
Following this two week stint Elvis had a short break only to return to
the road again on May 30th for his fourteenth tour, this time in a
series of southern cities where, undoubtedly, he felt at home and
comfortable. He was in even better shape and health on this tour and, as
the soundboard releases demonstrate (and there are many), he was doing
longer shows. Songs such as For the Good Times, Release Me, Help Me Make
it Through the Night and I’m Leavin’ were revisited briefly, much to
everyone’s surprise (all included on FTD’s pleasing compilation Southern
Nights). Yet within a few days of the tour coming to an end, he was back
in hospital, purportedly because he had eye trouble, though while there
he actually had cosmetic surgery to the area under his eyes. He was not
taking being forty very well!
By July 8th he was back on tour again, his third of the year. And while
some of these shows continued to be varied in content and quite upbeat,
during the July 20th show in Norfolk, Virginia, in separate incidents,
Elvis unfortunately gave great offence to Kathy Westmoreland and the
Sweet Inspirations while on stage, causing everyone in the group but
Myrna Smith to walk off the stage, deeply hurt and offended. And
although apologetic about it later and anxious to make amends (more
gifts!) it represented clear evidence that Elvis was erratic and
unstable on occasions, behaving in an uncharacteristically mean way,
adopting a manner that would have seemed totally inconceivable only a
few years earlier. Yet strangely, the night before he’d given a striking
performance in Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York and not only wowed
everyone with a solo rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone (accompanying
himself on the piano), but also sang the gospel song You Better Run,
both captured on the bootleg CD America’s Own.
However, despite some strong live performances, much was wrong in the
Presley world. Essentially, Elvis was bored – he always had a low
threshold of boredom – and life seemed to offer no new challenges (or at
least ones he was prepared to fight for). Remember, having been invited
by Barbra Streisand to play opposite her in the remake of A Star is Born
earlier in the year, following his March 28th appearance in Vegas– an
ambitious project he was excited about and enthused by – ultimately, for
reasons best known to Colonel Parker and himself, nothing more ever came
of it, even though the film was made, co-starring Kris Kristofferson,
and became a great success.
Then, apart from his boredom and violent mood swings, there were serious
health issues to contend with, admittedly aggravated by his ‘substance
misuse’, as well as bouts of binge spending (jewellery, cars, houses and
planes) and other examples of erratic behaviour, such as offending
members of his stage band (bassist Duke Bardwell left after the April –
May tour, claiming Elvis had persistently humiliated him on stage),
something he never would have done earlier in his career. After the
Asheville gig on July 24th – during which Elvis felt the crowd reaction
was less responsive than usual, despite his giving away presents and
throwing a guitar into the audience - he went back to his hotel room and
shot out a television. Prior to the show a gun he was carrying
accidentally went off and the richoting bullet actually hit Dr Nick in
the chest though it didn’t cause any serious harm, fortunately. It was
yet another example of how truly careless - in the proper sense of the
word - he could be. Yet, ironically, musically this era has held up
quite well, and been extremely well-represented in terms of live
recordings, mainly through innumerable unofficial sources, though by BMG
also. And as the various recordings show, he was still capable of
cutting it when motivated to do so and, in general, these shows
obviously pleased the crowds, if not the critics.
So, while 1975 had started badly, it had picked up the beat for a while
before ultimately floundering again. Yet something unusual and
noteworthy did occur during the summer months when, departing from past
experience, he began to accept and respond to requests from the audience
for certain songs. This actually began at the Asheville gig in July when
he had asked for a box to be placed in the lobby asking the audience to
make requests. He also responded to songs shouted out to him. In quick
succession he ran through the likes of An American Trilogy, Heartbreak
Hotel, Jailhouse Rock, Something, Return to Sender, and Young And
Beautiful. These particular recordings can be heard on the bootleg
release Pieces of My Life where it is hard to believe that he was not
being received extremely enthusiastically, judging by the audience
reaction. Incidentally, he also sang Shake a Hand and Pieces of My Life
(fantastic versions of both songs recently recorded for the Today album)
during this show, again the only time they were performed live. The
latter song was in response to his father’s request. It doesn’t take
much imagination to see the song as partly autobiographical, if you
substitute the whisky for drugs. And Elvis’s pained performance of this
song makes it obvious how closely he related to it.
All of which brings us to the fateful August shows. Prior to the season,
first hand accounts chronicle how unwell he was. He should never have
started the season. His weight had gone up again and his medications
still caused problems. On route to Vegas his plane had to make an
emergency landing in Dallas because he was having a problem breathing.
This was resolved after a few hours but signalled an ominous start to
the season. However, while the critics savaged his performances once
again - with some justification, it seems - on the face of it, he did
appear reasonably happy the first night or so, joking with the audience
and changing lyrics here and there, much to delight of the crowd. And it
was during this time that Charlie was given the task of taking a ‘box’ –
actually a champagne bucket – into the audience, inviting fans to make
their requests. This produced his one and only live attempt at Crying in
the Chapel though he also had a stab at Loving You and Young And
Beautiful again. Oddly enough, the aural evidence available of these
shows belies how serious matters were regarding his health, for some of
the individual performances actually come over as being spirited and
enjoyable. For example, the August 20th performance of Green Green Grass
of Home reveals it to be a pleasingly strong version – which is also
true of some of the others songs from this date.
Now very little has been written about this development and nothing to
explain precisely how it came about – or why it stopped, for that matter
(when he returned to Vegas in December the practice ceased). Of course,
while we have the tracks he responded to on CD, the other question was
how many of the requests received were simply discarded? I guess we’ll
never know. But as we know only too well, this season was short-lived
and aborted after only three nights. Even Linda was staggered by how
weak his performance was – he seemed to have no stamina. On the second
night he actually lay down on stage early in the show! And he only
completed the two shows scheduled for the third night under heavy
pressure from the Colonel; but by early the next morning Elvis had left
for Memphis and the rest of the season was cancelled.
The speed with which all references to the engagement were removed from
the Hotel astonished everyone – not least the thousands of fans who had
travelled across the country to Vegas to see him. But it was especially
hard for those fans from Europe who had flown several thousand miles –
at great expense – to see him. Understandably, they were hurt and
disappointed, while others were justifiably angry. Of course,
undeniably, Elvis was in poor shape and was admitted to hospital yet
again for another two week stay. The official reason given was fatigue
but, in reality, it was much more complicated and had to do with a whole
range of serious medical conditions and, worryingly, depression.
He did not work again until December. And despite a reasonably
successful return to Vegas that month, in essence, he was in the end
game both in terms of his career and, more importantly, his life. Within
two years he was dead and everyone’s worst fears were realised.
© Philip Samm - 2007
2008/02/08 E-Mail / www.epgold.com
New website for the David Stanley film, Protecting The King.
2008/02/08 www.protectingtheking.com - www.elvisinfonet.com / www.epgold.com
Graceland Celebrates National Wear Red Day.
On Friday, February 1, 2008, the American Heart Association
celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Go Red For Women movement, a
nationwide initiative that celebrates the energy, passion and power
women have to band together and wipe out the No. 1 killer of women,
heart disease, by wearing red.
In 1997, only seven percent of women believed that heart disease was the
greatest threat to women’s health. Since the inception of Go Red For
Women, that number has nearly tripled. Yet, in spite of our efforts,
only one in five women (21 percent) believe that heart disease is the
leading cause of death among women.
Local landmarks and buildings in Memphis supporting Wear Red Day include
Graceland which will be illuminated red Jan. 31 – Feb. 14 as well as the
fountains of CB Richard Ellis buildings at Corporate Plaza and Thousand
Oaks Business. Nine Methodist Le Bonheur locations will also be
participating.
2008/02/07 EPE / www.epgold.com
All Shook Up Musical opens in England.
Award-winning Stage One Theatre Company celebrates its 40th
production in true rock 'n' roll style when it presents the UK premiere
of All Shook Up at the Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford next week. Never
afraid to try something different, Stage One has enjoyed considerable
success since its inception in 1992, as one of the leading purveyors of
musical theatre in east London.
Performed in association with Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc, All Shook
Up is a radical new musical comedy inspired by, and featuring the songs
of, Elvis Presley. Combining all the hits with a rock 'n' roll story,
All Shook Up tells the romantic tale of how a small town girl's dreams
become reality when a mysterious stranger arrives and turns the town
upside down with his hip-swivelin', lip-curlin' and sexy song singin'.
He even helps the townsfolk discover the magic of romance and the power
of rock 'n' roll changing their lives forever.
A show about tolerance and understanding, as well as fun, All Shook Up
took Broadway by storm with a score of Elvis classics including
Heartbreak Hotel, A Little Less Conversation, Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock,
Blue Suede Shoes and It's Now Or Never. Stage One founder and director
Jai Sepple, who also plays the lead role of Chad, says: "This is an
exciting musical about romance, rebellion and rock 'n' roll, but also
about breaking barriers and acceptance. "Elvis' music helped to break
many barriers, and it was arguably the single greatest influence in the
cultural revolution that was rock'n'roll.
"This is reflected in All Shook Up as the characters learn to look
beyond the surface and accept one another. It's like an Elvis movie with
more than just a dash of Grease, Footloose and The Wild One thrown in."
This show will be performed at the Kenneth More Theatre, Oakfield Road,
Ilford, from Wednesday- Saturday, February 13-16 at 7.45pm, with a 3pm
matinee on Saturday. Tickets from 0208 553 4466, or click the following
link.
2008/02/07 Reporter24 -
www.elvismatters.be /
www.epgold.com
Collectors Elvis License Plate Auction On Ebay.
Today, THE MED Foundation will list for Auction on Ebay, the
second of two Artists Proofs, Plate Number “00000”.
This one of a kind, special collector’s plate will be available for fans
from all over the world to place bids online. This official Elvis
License Plate Artist Proof has the signatures of those that made this
possible, including Elvis’ long-time friend, Mr. George Klein in
addition to the signatures of Priscilla Presley as well as Elvis’
daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.
This plate is truly a one of a kind collector’s item. All Proceeds from
the auction will go to The Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center at The
Regional Medical Center at Memphis.
This ’Artist Proof’ Elvis Presley License plate is not intended for use
on vehicles in place of an official state license plate. This plate is
being auctioned as a collectible and can be found on Ebay.
2008/02/07 EPE - www.epgold.com
Graceland Safe Following
Tornado Outbreak In Memphis Area.
The staff of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and Graceland want
all of the faithful Elvis fans around the world to know the famous
Memphis mansion that was home to the King of Rock N' Roll was not
damaged and none of our employees were inured by the series of tornados
that tore through the Memphis area late Tuesday afternoon and evening.
"We appreciate the concern that has been expressed through your e-mails
and phone calls as some of you are now starting to see the damage from
news reports coming out of Memphis. The storm damage is primarily
centered around the Southeastern portion of the city, Graceland and The
Heartbreak Hotel never even lost power.
Graceland and all of it's employees were very lucky to escape unharmed
and we ask for your thoughts to be with our neighbors in the Memphis and
Mid-South region that were not as fortunate."
2008/02/07 EPE -
www.epgold.com
Elvis Presley Enterprises
Buys Whitehaven Multifamily.
Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. purchased 1032 Craft Road in
Whitehaven for nearly $1.58 million from Michael E. Reed. EPE purchased
the property as part of its $250 million redevelopment of the Graceland
visitor center. The property at 1032 Craft Road is an apartment building
on 5 acres. EPE purchased the property for its land value and will tear
down the 88-unit apartment building that was built in 1963. The land
sold for about $315,000 per acre.
EPE’s parent company, CKX, plans to own more than 105 acres that
surround Graceland. It plans to build new hotels and improve the public
spaces around Graceland. For instance, the existing 128-room Heartbreak
Hotel will be raised and in its place will be a much larger convention
hotel on the Graceland side of Elvis Presley Boulevard. Furthermore, the
existing visitor center will be raised and replaced with one seven times
the size of Graceland.
2008/02/07 Google / www.epgold.com
European tour for Larry Geller.
Larry Geller, Elvis's former hairdresser, is working on a
European tour for November. Stops include Denmark and Germany. Larry has
a new book out - "Leaves of Elvis's Garden" - and will take the
oppertunity to talk about his book, his relationship with Elvis, and the
spiritual side of world's greatest entertainer.
One of the eyecatchers of the tour, is a special weekend in Germany (7-9
November), put together by top-collector Markus Henfling.
More information: check the link below.
2008/02/06
Markus Henfling -
www.elvismatters.be /
www.epgold.com
Quick Poll on Elvis Dance
remixes.
There is a non biased quickpoll on ElvisMatters.
Elvis Dance remixes - the more the better - Number of votes: 132 [50%]
Elvis Dance remixes - the less the better - Number of votes: 134 [50%]
Votes entered: 266
2008/02/06
www.elvismatters.be
/
www.epgold.com
I Sing My Own Kinds - Out Now!
The "SR" Import label is entitled "I Sing My Own Kinds" and
is out now, it feature the unreleased show from Las Vegas August 10,
1971 Dinner Show + part of the Midnight Show.
As everybody knows SR concentrates its work on the early 70's live
period of Elvis' activity, trying to always produce unreleased shows
with Elvis at the top of his ability. In this our eighth release, we are
proud to present two very rare shows, one complete and part of the
second to give you a more complete view of the day.
Three songs from August 10th dinner were already present as bonus on the
first SR release “Trying to Get to Memphis” here you have the
possibility to listen the complete concert. Elvis' love of singing is
clear in these tapes and we are glad to give you the opportunity to
listen to them.
The Dinner show from August 10th, as presented on this CD, represents
just one of the best shows of the season. If we look closely at the
early Vegas act of August 1971 we can see that Elvis concentrates on the
music to produce great shows. Elvis singing straight to the audience
without pauses or jokes, the performance is solid and rough; the basic
track listing is presented superbly.
Songs like Proud Mary, You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling or Polk Salad
Annie never sounded better; Elvis is still dynamic on stage especially
in songs like Suspicious Minds. He presents the best of his repertoire
from the last two years. The only new song is the single I’m Leaving,
heavily promoted during all of 1971 and sang until 1974.
The man looks, sings and moves in a great way. Elvis is still performing
at the height of his ability despite the presence of the golden cage of
Vegas and the mediocre management, Elvis is still into his music. His
focus, the attitude and his relationship with the music are still
evident which enables him to deliver a great show.
This level remains throughout the season These recordings come
from an early generation copy of the master tape; the sound quality is
very good considering the season. The sound was restored in a studio to
achieve best possible results. We have spent hours in the studio over
the digital restoration of the sound, to achieve the best possible
results and to give you the chance to listen with pleasure.
For the second time from this label, this new CD will come in a deluxe
DIGIPACK, containing a collection of live photographs of the August
season and some informative liner notes.
Tracks:
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra 1.15-02. That's All Right Mama 2.33-03.
Proud Mary 2.57 -04. Jailhouse Rock 1.43-05. You Don't Have To Say You
love Me 1.59-06. You've Lost that Loving Feeling 4.23-07. Polk Salad
Annie 5.18-08. It's Over 2.22-09. Love Me 1.34-10. Blue Suede Shoes /
Whole Lotta Shakin' 1.30-11. Heartbreak Hotel 1.37-12. Teddy Bear/Don't
Be Cruel 1.52-13. Love Me Tender 2.36-14. Hound Dog (false starts)
2.47-15. Hound Dog 1.11-16. Suspicious Minds 5.46-17. Band Introduction
2.02-18. Mike Stone' introduction 1.13-19. I'm Leaving 3.22-20. Lawdy
Miss Clawdy 1.29-21. Bridge Over Troubled Water 5.35-22. Can't Help
Falling In Love 1.43-23. Closing Vamp 0.23
TIME 57.24
Bonus tracks:
24. That's All Right, Mama 2.43-25. Proud Mary 3.16-26. Jailhouse
Rock/Amen 2.45-27. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me 2.07-28. You've
Lost The Loving Feeling 4.29-29. Polk Salad Annie 4.25-30. Johnny B.
Good 1.58
TIME 21.86
Approximate Total running time: 79.10
2008/02/06
EpGold.Com
Return to Sender: Elvis
painting recovered.
A missing painting of singer Elvis Presley said to be worth
$15,000 has been recovered, according to the Washington Country
Sheriff's office.
The original art piece worth, was reported missing on February 5,
apparently taken from the owner's driveway in West Lakeland Township.
Following news reports, the painting was brought in to the sheriff's
office. According to the sheriff's office, "A 'Hound Dog' or the threat
of singing the 'Jailhouse Rock' was not needed for the return of the
$15,000 painting."
Officials say that a passing motorist thought the painting had been put
out for recycling and picked it up for a relative who is a big Elvis
fan.
The Oakdale woman who received the intended gift turned the painting
over to authorities immediately after seeing news reports.
The sheriff's office has contacted the owner of the artwork. No charges
will be filed.
2006/02/06
www.kare11.com /
www.epgold.com
Deadly tornadoes hit southern US.
The twisters caused large-scale
damage [GALLO/GETTY]
Tornadoes sweeping across the southern United States have killed
at least 45 people and injured more than 100 others, weather officials
and US media outlets have said.
Thunderstorms and more than 50 tornadoes cut a swathe through the
region, flattening buildings and downing power lines in Arkansas,
Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Twenty-four people were killed in Tennessee, while 13 died in Arkansas
and seven lost their lives in Kentucky, state officials said. CNN also
reported one fatality in Alabama.
Hundreds of thousands of people were also left without power after
cables were downed.
"It took the whole house," one woman in Tennessee told CNN news channel.
"I just got up and I thought it was a fire. We got up and there was no
house left."
Tornado watches were in effect on Wednesday morning for parts of
Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and the western Florida panhandle, the
National Weather Service said. Assessing damage
In Tennessee, twisters knocked down a police radio tower, crushed the
wall of a shopping centre and damaged a hangar at the airport in the
largest city, Memphis.
"We're still trying to assess all the damage now that the sun is
coming up," Laura McPherson of the Tennessee Emergency Management Area
told AFP news agency.
Several people sheltering under a bridge north of the shopping centre
were washed into state's Wolf River, but were rescued, Steve Cole of the
Memphis police department said.
The same storm then moved to Jackson, Mississippi, and damaged a
dormitory at Union University, where eight students were temporarily
trapped at the dormitory but escaped serious injury, school officials
said.
At least six tornadoes occurred between Oxford, Mississippi, and
Jackson, Tennessee alone, Richard Okulski, from the National Weather
Service in Memphis, said.
2008/02/06 Memphis Journal -
www.itselvistime.nl /
www.epgold.com
Vegas Variety, Vol. 2 Has Been Released.
The new Import from Rainbow Records release Vegas Variety, Vol. 2
has now been released.
This double Cd containing the complete and nearly 85 minutes long
performance of Elvis Presley’s December 11, 1976 Midnight Show in Las
Vegas.
The press release:
Rainbow Records is going to release a double CD-Set titled Vegas Variety
Volume 2“ containing a complete and nearly 85 minutes long performance
of Elvis Presley’s Dec. 11th, 1976 Midnight Show in Las Vegas.
The recording of this show has been taken from an early generation
(audience recorded) Cassette-Tape and it has been carefully worked on
using professional studio-equipment. So the Producers are again able to
present exactly what their aim for this series of classic Presley-Style
Vegas-Concerts stands for: a real good performance from Elvis´ very last
engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel in good and listenable
sound-quality, rounded off by a great 20 page booklet containing a lot
of information regarding the show – including a detailed review of the
concert written just one day after it took place.
Hear Elvis, who is clearly in a relaxed mood, enjoying himself and doing
classy versions of songs like Trying To Get To You, My Way, „Hurt. Elvis
also does spontaneous versions of Reconsider Baby plus a gospel song
called Until Then.
As a bonus you get even more highlights from the December 76 Las Vegas
concerts, such as I Just Can’t Help Believin’ from the Opening Show and
Bridge Over Troubled Water from the Closing Show. We hope you like our
second volume of Vegas Variety!
Disc 1
01) 01:12 Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss)
02) 03:31 See See Rider (traditional)
03) 08:52 I Got A Woman / Amen (Ray Charles) / (traditional)
04) 03:15 Love Me (Leiber / Stoller)
05) 02:51 Trying To Get To You (Singleton / McCoy)
06) 04:10 O Sole Mio / It's Now Or Never (Schroeder / Gold)
07) 01:51 Jailhouse Rock (Leiber / Stoller)
08) 02:51 Until Then (Stuart Hamblen)
09) 03:15 Blue Christmas (Hayes / Johnson)
10) 04:15 Softly As I Leave You (deVita / Shaper)
11) 02:38 Are You Lonesome Tonight ? (Turk / Handman)
12) 00:49 Introduction of the Presley Family (traditional)
13) 04:02 My Way (Anka / Francois / Revaux)
14) 02:44 Band Introductions (traditional)
15) 01:53 Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot)
16) 00:50 What'd I Say (Ray Charles)
17) 07:19 Johnny B. Goode & Band Soli (Berry)
18) 03:08 Love Letters (Heyman / Young)
19) 00:55 School Days (Chuck Berry)
20) 01:21 Introductions of Celebrities (traditional)
21) 02:08 Hurt (Crane / Jacobs)
Disc 2
01) 04:34 My Heavenly Father (traditional)
02) 02:44 Danny Boy (Weatherly)
03) 03:10 Walk With Me (traditional)
04) 00:23 Reconsider Baby -false start (Fulsom)
05) 02:44 Reconsider Baby (Fulsom)
06) 01:45 Can't Help Falling In Love (Weiss / Peretti / Creatore)
07) 00:41 Closing Vamp (Traditional)
08) 05:44 I Just Can't Help Believin' (B.j. thomas)
09) 02:48 Fairytale (Anita & Bonnie Pointer)
10) 10:27 Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
11) 03:08 You Better Run / Rock My Sould (traditional / traditional)
12) 04:16 How Great Thou Art (Stuart Hine)
13) 03:18 Steamroller Blues (James Taylor)
14) 02:06 Little Sister (Pomus / Shuman)
15) 04:42 Bridge Over Troubled Water (Paul Simon)
2008/02/06
E-Mail /
www.epgold.com
Elvis: The Illustrated Biography.
(ISBN: 0955794919)
Release date June 1, 2008 - Transatlantic Press, 224 Pages compiled by
Marie Clayton.
More Details soon.
2008/02/06 Various
/
www.epgold.com
NEW FROM STAR, THE AMAZING
35 TRACK DVD: Gently - OUT NOW!!!
A COLLECTION OF BEAUTIFUL BALLADS AND TENDER LOVE SONGS.
- 35 REMIXED ELVIS CLIPS!
- FREE ELVIS VALENTINES´ CARD !
- DOLBY DIGITAL SOUND!
- RED DVD CASE!
- RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 5, 2008
Tracklisting:
I Love You Because - “Elvis love for fans #1”
Are You Lonesome Tonight
Doin The Best I Can
As Long As I Have You
Suppose
I Just Cant Help Believing
Gently
Because of Love
Something
Could I Fall in Love – Alternate Harmony version
I Want You I Need You I Love You – take 16
The Wonder of You
It Hurts Me
True Love
All That I Am – “Elvis love for fans #2”
Love Me – “Live, Through the Years”
There Goes My Everything – take 1
Tender Feeling
68 Ballads
Puppet On A String
I’ll Remember You
Mary in the Morning – take 4
Until It’s Time For You To Go
Today Tomorrow and Forever – Duet with Ann Margret
Do You Know Who I Am
So Close Yet So Far
Almost in Love – remix
Young and Beautiful – remix
Please Don’t Stop Loving Me – remix
Always on My Mind – strings overdub
Pledging My Love - “Elvis love for fans #3”
Memories (alt)
Bonus:
Are You Lonesome Tonight(laughing)
What Now My Love , by popular request, ELVIS THE CONCERT 2002
ORDER NOW, AND HAVE THIS DVD IN TIME FOR THE PERFECT VALENTINES´ GIFT!!
2008/02/05 Star /
www.epgold.com
Elvis lots on this Fridays Musicares Auction.
ELVIS RECORD AWARD FOR "ELVIS IN CONCERT"
600.00—800.00 USD
ELVIS OWNED AND WORN SHIRT 4000.00 — 6000.00 USD
Check out the Elvis lots on this Fridays Musicares Auction. Be sure to
watch the video's for each item.
http://www.auctionnetworklive.com/servlet/SelectAuction.do?auctionId=3&path=/servlet/List.do
2008/02/05
TobyTyke -
UltimateElvis@groups.msn.com /
www.epgold.com
EPE acquisitions continue around Graceland.
Elvis World's Bill E. Burk reports: EPE continues buying up
every inch of land within sight of Graceland. Last two purchases have
been apartment complexes on the hill behind the shops, giving Graceland
now over 100 acres in the area -- bigger than the Memphis Zoo! ALL of
announced plans have "Elvis"connected things (hotel<s>, restaurants,
shops, visitors center, parking) being re-located to the east side of EP
Blvd., leaving a vast amount of acreage on the west side unannounced.
The name "Disney" keeps getting mentioned more and more and time passes.
Until EPE gets its hands on the Boulevard Souvenirs property, don't
expect a lot of work to get started on the east side ... but 2009 seems
to be the target date for opening all these things.
2008/02/05 Bill E. Burk - www.elvisinfonet.com / www.epgold.com
Tenn. to unveil Elvis license plate.
The official Elvis Presley Tennessee license plate will be
unveiled Tuesday at a Graceland ceremony following a classic car rally
at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis.
Proceeds from the sale of the plate will benefit the Elvis Presley
Memorial Trauma Center at The Med and The Med Foundation, the
fundraising arm of the Shelby County owned hospital.
The plates are now being distributed to those who pre-ordered them but
will soon be available throughout Tennessee at local county offices and
mail order.
The first license plate will be placed on the first Rolls Royce ever
owned by Presley. The plate -- license number (EP)000 -- is being
donated to the Graceland archives and will become a permanent part of
the collection.
The Med's trauma center is this region's only Level-1 trauma center and
has served a 5-state, 150-mile radius around Memphis for 25 years.
2008/02/05 www.bizjournals.com / www.epgold.com
SPINOUT AT GRACELAND!
MEMPHIS, TN (February 5, 2008) – Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.,
The MED Foundation, and the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center
announce a special Spinout Rally and Unveiling of the new official
Tennessee Elvis Presley License Plate benefiting The MED Foundation.
Classic cars from around the Mid-South will rally at The MED's Elvis
Presley Memorial Trauma Center at 877 Jefferson Avenue, 8AM - 9AM on
Tuesday morning, February 5th.
At 9:15AM, the Spinout Rally will caravan to Graceland at 3764 Elvis
Presley Boulevard, escorted by the Shelby County Sheriffs Department.
The classic cars will then be led through the grounds of Graceland and
park along the front drive.
Officials from Graceland, The MED, the State of Tennessee, Shelby County
and Memphis, along with those responsible for the development of the
Elvis Presley License Plate, classic car rally participants and a few
lucky Elvis fans will assemble at the steps of historic Graceland.
At 10:00AM, the new official Tennessee license plate featuring Elvis
Presley, the King of Rock‘n’Roll, and the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma
Center will be unveiled in front of the Graceland Mansion. The license
plate will then be placed on the first Rolls Royce ever owned by Elvis.
This Rolls Royce Phantom V was custom made for Elvis in 1960 and is
being made available for this event courtesy of Graceland Archives and
Elvis’ Automobile Museum.
This official "artist proof" plate, license number (EP)0000, is being
donated to the Graceland Archives and will become a permanent part of
their collection. We will have a very special announcement about the
other official "artist proof" plate, license number 00000.
A portion of the proceeds from all Elvis Presley License Plate sales
goes directly to support the wonderful lifesaving work done by The Elvis
Presley Memorial Trauma Center and The MED Foundation. The Elvis Presley
Memorial Trauma Center is this region's only Level-1 trauma center and
has served the trauma emergency needs of a 5-state, 150 mile radius from
Memphis, TN. for over 20 years.
The Elvis License Plates are now being distributed to those that have
pre-ordered them and will soon be available throughout Tennessee at your
local county offices and by mail order.
In the event of inclement weather, the classic car procession will be
cancelled, and the Elvis License Plate will be unveiled at Elvis’
Automobile Museum, directly across from Graceland at 10:00AM.
For more information contact:
Sandy Snell, VP, Communications & Marketing (901) 545-7117
2008/02/05 EPE / www.epgold.com
Elvis Has Left The
Driveway.
WEST LAKELAND TOWNSHIP, Minn. (CBS) ― For an east metro family,
Elvis is gone but not forgotten. A man who set a $15,000 painting of
Elvis at the bottom of his driveway to attract attention for a business
meeting had it stolen last week, Washington County authorities said.
The painting was stolen from a driveway on in West Lakeland Township
sometime between 8:30 and 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"My husband's kind-of known as an Elvis fan," said Heather Kittelsen,
the wife of the owner of the painting.
That's why John and Heather Kittelsen thought a favorite Elvis painting
would be an eye catching marker to welcome guests to a business meeting
at their home. It was displayed at the entrance to their driveway on
Jan. 30.
"He's devastated more for the sentimental value than the monetary value.
He was a very close friend," said Heather Kittelsen.
The painting was by Peter Bue, who also uses the name "Fucci". John
Kittelsen had known the artist Fucci for years. He died suddenly of a
heart attack in 2005.
Fucci's paintings and murals of pop culture icons are all over the Twin
Cities, several of them in Uptown. The Kittelsens hope their loss will
help call attention to an artist lost to the world much too soon.
"The best thing, selfishly, would be get the painting back, but the best
thing all in all is that if we're going to get the attention for losing
something that's valuable to us, perhaps people will start to purchase
and look at Fucci's artwork with a new eye," said Kittelsen.
In retrospect, the Kittelsens think they were a bit too trusting to
display the valuable painting on their driveway.
2008/02/05
http://cbs2.com /
www.epgold.com
Words 10 – The Complete Lyrics has been released.
The 10th and last volume in the Words – The Complete Lyrics
series has now been released.
This volume contain the lyrics and stories behind each title between WHA
and Y.
The 10 volumes in the Words series feature more than 800 songs.
All recorded or sung by Elvis Presley.
2008/02/04
www.elvisunlimited.com /
www.epgold.com
"Black Elvis" serenades
Hillary Clinton.
Dwayne Turner, who performs in Little Rock as the "Black Elvis,"
greets Sen. Hillary Clinton at the Kitchen Express restaurant during a
campaign event. Jan. 30, 2008.
Watch The Video:
2008/02/04 Youtube / www.epgold.com
CLIFF RICHARD - CLIFF RICHARD TURNED DOWN ELVIS.
(Pic: Cliff Richard in Manhattan
New York City, USA - 10.09.07)
Singer SIR CLIFF RICHARD turned down the chance to be
photographed with ELVIS PRESLEY - because he was too fat. The
67-year-old was a huge fan of the Suspicious Minds hitmaker and always
dreamed of having his picture taken with his idol.
But when Richard finally got the opportunity to be snapped with Presley
in 1976, he refused as the star was looking "really heavy" at the time.
Richard says, "I noticed that when he was making a film he would diet
down and regain the animal magnetism.
And I wanted a picture of Elvis looking good. So I said no and I
waited." But, much to the singer's disappointment, a year later (77)
Presley died of a heart attack and Richard has regretted his decision
ever since.
He adds, "I really kicked myself."
2008/02/04
www.contactmusic.com /
www.epgold.com
COUNTY THIEF INSPIRES ELVIS TV DRAMA.
(Jailed Elvis fanatic Julie Wall)
A new ITV drama is to tell the story of a real life Elvis fanatic.
But Caught In A Trap, due to be aired at the end of the year, was
actually inspired by former North Kesteven District Council employee
Julie Wall.
She stole more than £500,000 to fund her obsession with the King buying
8,000 Elvis records, CDs, DVDs and signed mementoes - often for a lot
more than their market value.
Reality TV star Connie Fisher has been cast to play Wall.
Business manager for Sleaford Little Theatre, Garry Goodge, said: "I
have never thought of the story as a script or film material but I
suppose it is very quirky and a strange thing to happen.
"It will highlight the fact that no-one uncovered it for such a long
time and because of the Elvis thing there is a strong fan base out there
- it will capture the imagination."
An employee for 30 years, Wall stole the money from Sleaford parking
meters.
And her deviant sprees went unnoticed for nine years while she ferreted
away an average of £4,850 a month.
The title Caught In A Trap aptly reflects Wall's eventual fate - a
three-year prison sentence.
But possibly more distressing was the sale of the precious loot to repay
the council's loss.
For the full story and more on Connie Fisher, see Saturday's
Lincolnshire Echo.
2008/02/04
www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk /
www.epgold.com
Hunt For Owner After Haul Of Elvis Memorabilia Found.
POLICE appealed to Elvis fans today in a bid to reunite a haul of
stolen memorabilia with its owner.
A gold Elvis record and a signed picture of the "King" were among the
rare items discovered by detectives during a house search in Edinburgh
city centre.
Framed show bills were also found in the raid, along with a copy of the
lyrics to Don McLean's hit American Pie, thought to have been written by
the singer himself.
It is not known how much the memorabilia is worth.
A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "These value of the
items is not known, but they look genuine and if they have been stolen
then we hope that the original owner will recognise them and contact
us."
2008/02/04
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
/
www.epgold.com
"Elvis" character to feature in new James Bond film.
For those of you who have completely given up on trying to remain
spoiler-free, there are now many details of a key car chase that will occur
in the film along with the mention of a new "Elvis" character.
The Italian press have been detailing that the usual high-speed car-chase
will take place along the banks of Lake Garda, between the resort towns of
Navene and Malcesine and that the cars are expected to top speeds of 125
mph.
According to them "the pursuit will feature spectacular and reckless
maneuvers in a series of tunnels, culminating with a scene where a truck
brings the action to an abrupt halt and a huge explosion."
Finally, of interest to Elvis fans, is that thanks to some advance toy
marketing we know that there will be a character in this film known as
'Elvis.' There's no confirmation on who this character is supposed to be,
but since he is prominent enough to be toy-worthy, expect yet another
casting announcement soon.
The film is the 22nd James Bond movie.
2008/02/04 M16 -
www.elvisinfonet.com /
www.epgold.com
Vernon in Tupelo, early '60-ies.
15 years after Vernon, Gladys and Elvis left Tupelo, hoping for a
better life in Memphis, Vernon returned to the birthouse of Elvis, the
house that he had built with his bare hands.
On that occasion in the early sixties, Albert Hand rode with Vernon to
Tupelo. It's that report that we made available on the member's area,
together with a picture of Vernon taken that day, on the steps of the
birthouse.
PICTURE: The birthouse in 1956, note the (now disappeared)
neighbouring house that was noticeable bigger than the Presley
shotgun-house.
2008/02/04
www.elvismatters.be
/
www.epgold.com
R.I.P.
(Photo Keit : The fields where the plane
went down... there is a little marker there)
On a cold winter's night a small private plane took off from Clear Lake,
Iowa bound for Fargo, N.D. It never made its destination.
When that plane crashed, it claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie
Valens, J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson and the pilot, Roger Peterson.
Three of Rock and Roll's most promising performers were gone. As Don
McLean wrote in his classic music parable, American Pie, (annotated) it
was "the day the music died." -
Feb 3rd 1959: Buddy Holly, Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens were all
killed in an air crash 49 years ago.
Performing in concert was very profitable, and Buddy Holly needed the
money it provided. "The Winter Dance Party Tour" was planned to cover 24
cities in a short 3 week time frame (January 23 - February 15) and Holly
would be the biggest headliner. Waylon Jennings, a friend from Lubbock,
Texas and Tommy Allsup would go as backup musicians.
Ritchie Valens, probably the hottest of the artists at the time, The Big
Bopper, and Dion and the Belmonts would round out the list of
performers.
The tour bus developed heating problems. It was so cold onboard that
reportedly one of the drummers developed frostbite riding in it. When
they arrived at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, they were cold,
tired and disgusted.
Buddy Holly had had enough of the unheated bus and decided to charter a
plane for himself and his guys. At least he could get some laundry done
before the next performance!
That night at the Surf Ballroom was magical as the fans went wild over
the performers.
Jiles P. Richardson, known as The Big Bopper to his fans, was a Texas
D.J. who found recording success and fame in 1958 with the song
Chantilly Lace.
Richie Valenzuela was only 16 years old when Del-Fi record producer, Bob
Keane, discovered the Pacoima, California singer. Keane rearranged his
name to Ritchie Valens, and in 1958 they recorded Come On, Let's Go. Far
more successful was the song Valens wrote for his girlfriend, Donna, and
its flip side, La Bamba, a Rock and Roll version of an old Mexican
standard. This earned the teenager an appearance on American Bandstand
and the prospect of continued popularity.
Charles Hardin "Buddy" Holley (changed to Holly due to a misspelling on
a contract) and his band, The Crickets, had a number one hit in 1957
with the tune That'll Be The Day. This success was follwed by Peggy Sue
and an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. By 1959, Holly had decided to
move in a new direction. He and the Crickets parted company. Holly
married Maria Elena Santiago and moved to New York with the hope of
concentrating on song writing and producing.
Dwyer Flying Service got the charter. $36 per person for a single engine
Beechcraft Bonanza.
No, the plane wasn't named American Pie. It only had serial numbers,
N3794N.
Waylon Jennings gave his seat up to Richardson, who was running a fever
and had trouble fitting his stocky frame comfortably into the bus seats.
When Holly learned that Jennings wasn't going to fly, he said, "Well, I
hope your old bus freezes up." Jennings responded, "Well, I hope your
plane crashes." This friendly banter of friends would haunt Jennings for
years.
Allsup told Valens, I'll flip you for the remaining seat. On the toss of
a coin, Valens won the seat and Allsup the rest of his life.
The plane took off a little after 1 A.M. from Clear Lake and never got
far from the airport before it crashed, killing all onboard.
A cold N.E wind immediately gave way to a snow which drastically reduced
visibility. The ground was already blanketed in white. The pilot may
have been inexperienced with the instrumentation.
One wing hit the ground and the small plane corkscrewed over and over.
The three young stars were thrown clear of the plane, leaving only pilot
Roger Peterson inside.
Over the years there has been much speculation as to whether a shot was
fired inside the plane which disabled or killed the pilot. Logic
suggests that encased in a sea of white snow, with only white below,
Peterson just flew the plane into the ground.
Deciding that the show must go on at the next stop, Moorhead, MN, they
looked for local talent to fill in. Just across the state line from
Moorhead, in Fargo ND, they found a 15 year old talent named Bobby Vee.
The crash that ended the lives of Holly, Valens and Richardson was the
break that began the career of Vee.
Tommy Allsup would one day open a club named "The Head's Up Saloon," a
tribute to the coin toss that saved his life.
Waylon Jennings would become a hugely popular Country singer.
Dion di Mucci would enjoy a long lived solo career.
Inscribed on Ritchie Valens' grave are the words, "Come On, Let's Go."
2008/02/03 Lonesome Cowboy - Keith -
UltimateElvis@groups.msn.com
/
www.epgold.com
Graceland.
Did you know that...
Mrs. Virginia Grant, the relator (real estate agent) that sold Graceland
to Elvis afterwards wrote a booklet of the transaction.
Here's the short version;
Mrs. Grant accidentally met with Gladys outside one of Memphis'
major department stores, Lowenstein's East, Feb. 11th 1957. When she
walked out of the store she noticed "the most gorgeous pink Cadillac I
have ever seen".
After learning that it's Gladys sitting inside "this beautiful vehicle"
she raps on the closed window to get her attention and they start to
chat. Gladys learn that Mrs. Grant is in fact a relator, who remarks, "I
heard that you folks would be interested in finding a good farm". Gladys
said this was untrue but they actually would like to find a few acres
with a big house somewhere out of town.
Grant then said that she had a nice seven-acre site. But as Gladys and
Vernon (who was inside the store when Grant talked with Gladys) was
leaving that very day for LA to visit with Elvis they would instead
welcome any referrals when they got back home again.
Then on Saturday the week after Vernon calls her and he wants to see the
house she had talked about. After the party (Grant, Vernon and Gladys)
arrives at the site, Grant detects only a vague interest and writes in
her booklet, "I had made the error of showing them property of a much
lesser value than they expected to buy. Fortunately for me I discovered
my mistake immediately...".
Gladys then asks her, "Don't you have anything to show us with a
Colonial home?". Although the Graceland listing was with another relator,
and the fact that Mrs. Grant had never even been in the house, that's
what she suggested, "Oh yes, on Highway 51 South as you approach
Whitehaven Plaza, there is the most beautiful Colonial mansion which a
friend of mine has for sale - it's thirteen beautiful acres too". Gladys
wanted to see the house that very day, and loved it, as did Vernon. By 6
pm. Mrs. Grant had their offer, contingent on the approval of Elvis, not
later than 8 pm. the following Monday.
When Monday came Elvis showed up early, and slowly walked through
Graceland for the first time and sat down with the piano. He got up and
remarked, "This place sure needs a lot of work done on it". Mrs. Grant's
heart sank.
Then he continued, "This is going to be a lot nicer than Red Skelton's
house when I get it like I want it". Mrs. Grant's heart soared.
Elvis was ready to sign, and he wanted to close the deal as soon as
possible. The story was also, as I understand it, well covered in
Memphis Press-Scimitar with daily coverage of the house buying for
almost a week.
Elvis told the reporter; "I want the darkest blue there is for my room,
with a mirror that will cover one side of the room. I probably will have
a black bedroom suit, trimmed in white leather, with a white rug". He
also said he intended to have a hi-fi receiver in every room and that he
wanted the entrance hall painted to resemble the sky with clouds on the
ceiling and dozens of tiny lights for stars.
Gladys commented, "I think I'm going to like this new home", while
Vernon complained, "We just had the old place fixed up like we wanted
it, now we have to start all over again...". Elvis also remarked on the
basement bathrooms were marked "Boys" and "Girls", and that he thought
that the first thing the house needed was a swimming pool on the south
side of the house with a large sunken patio leading up to the pool.
He also said that he wanted a six-foot stone fence across the front and
up the sides of the property, (the wall also made it easy for Gladys to
have her chickens again, and to hang out washing behind Graceland as it
was not so easy for fans to grab the clothes with the fence). Elvis also
noted the house had garage place for only four cars...
Elvis and his parents moved into Graceland in late April of 1957.
2008/02/03 Mr.T /
www.epgold.com
ELVIS SONG POLL 2007 RESULTS PARTS 1 - 5.
The Elvis Song 2007 Final Countdown has begun on Easy TIme Radio
in a series of short shows counting down the top 250 songs as voted by
Elvis fans from around the world.
Parts 1-5 are up on the website to listen to at your leisure.
Click here: http://www.easytimeradio.co.uk/elvissongpoll.html
Thank you for listening.
2008/02/03
www.easytimeradio.co.uk
/
www.epgold.com
The Magic of Elvis is still
growing.
Elvis Presley Enterprises had its "biggest year ever" in 2007,
according to Scott Williams, EPE's director of marketing who spoke in
Tupelo Friday. He's gave a run-through of the organization's activities
for the past year. What made 2007 stand out, Williams said, was the
successful brand partnerships.
He cited the partnership with Reese's for a Collector Edition Peanut
Butter & Banana Creme version of its peanut butter cup. Other successful
partnerships in 2007 included Harley-Davidson, Budweiser, Sports
Illustrated, Tennessee Tourism and American Idol.
Another standout partnership, according to Williams, was with NASCAR and
Dale Earnhardt Jr. "The only fans I can think of who are bigger than
Elvis fans are NASCAR fans," Williams said with a quick laugh.
The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, of which Tupelo hosted one of
the preliminary rounds, contributed to the year's success as well.
Tupelo, being the birthplace of Elvis, was selected again to host a
preliminary round at the Tupelo Elvis Festival June 6-8.
Williams said EPE used Tupelo last year as the model for a lot of the
smaller towns that were hosting qualifying rounds. He also showed a
video about the contest, which featured Tupelo's winner Brandon Bennett.
The finals were held in Memphis during Elvis Week 2007 and sold out the
Cannon Center.
Business also was good at Graceland and the surrounding properties in
Memphis. Williams said about 600,000 people buy a ticket to tour the
house each year, and another several thousand visit just to shop or do
the free walk-up to the house.
And Williams said he only expects business in the Elvis world to get
better.
"The magic of Elvis is still growing as more younger fans discover
Elvis," he said.
About one-third of visitors to Graceland are younger than 34 and 75
percent of Graceland tourists are visiting for the first time.
"According to all of our research, it's growing and growing," he said.
"The more than you guys can do to celebrate and bring awareness, the
better it is for all of us."
EPE's goal is to preserve, protect and enhance the legacy of Elvis. It
is a subsidiary of CKX Inc., a publicly traded company that also
includes American Idol and Muhammad Ali.
2008/02/03 By
Carlie Kollath -
www.dailyjournal.com /
www.epgold.com
Church on the move.
Two weeks ago, the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation announced
the newest venue at the Birthplace and Park will be the church where
Elvis learned the basic chords he needed to begin the trek that
ultimately made him the “King of Rock and Roll.” The original structural
of the First Assembly of God church in East Tupelo has now been moved
(see pictures) to be fully restored as it was when Elvis and his family
worshiped there.
“The church will be within 100 feet of the existing memorial chapel
built by fans’ donations at the Birthplace,” said Henry Dodge, Chairman
of the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation. “This will present the full
life cycle of the gospel music of Elvis, from the roots learned as a boy
in the historical original church to the Birthplace memorial chapel
where the contemporary gospel music of Elvis is constantly played. This
will be the only place in the world where fans can have that
experience,” Dodge added.
“The First Assembly of God Church in East Tupelo was at the center of
the Presley family’s life and provided the social structure as well as
entertainment on which the family thrived. Young Elvis regularly sang in
church, as did many of the members, but according to his minister,
Brother Frank Smith, Elvis was fascinated with music and the prospect of
learning to play the guitar. Brother Frank taught Elvis how to make a D
chord, an A chord and an E chord…all he needed to play “Ole Shep,”
Guyton said.
Church, and especially the music of the church, was the motivation for
Elvis to become a performer. After the Presleys moved to Memphis in
1948, Elvis regularly went to the all night gospel sings at Ellis
Auditorium, near his home in Lauderdale Courts. His burning ambition was
to become a member of a gospel quartet. He never realized his dream of
becoming a member of the Statesmen or the Blackwood Brothers. He had
other worlds to conquer. Throughout the rest of his life, Elvis recorded
many of the beloved songs of his youth, the emotional and uplifting
music of the church.
The actual building where the Presley family attended services is itself
an artifact. Through original photographs of this church and other
churches of this area, we will restore the inside and outside of the
building to the look of 1940.
The Assembly of God Pentecostal church services of this time period will
be described and featured in a multi-media presentation. The plain,
humble structure will greatly contrast with the lively and intense
nature of the sermons and the music.
Small groups of visitors will be admitted to the church, the optimum
number will be 10 to 15 people at a time. A docent will invite them
inside. Once visitors take a seat in the center of the church, the
docent will turn a key switch that activates the first projector. The
entire presentation is about 10 minutes in length. During heavy traffic
times the maximum time between tours will be 15 minutes.
The presentation will introduce visitors to aspects of a “neighborhood
church” in Elvis’ day and explain the Assembly of God religion. “We plan
to film an actual church service in the renovated church using several
cameras at different locations,” Guyton said.
A four-minute introductory segment will be shown on the center wall
located behind the pulpit. Included will be an overview of the
Pentecostal religion, the Assembly of God denomination, and southern
Christian churches of the 1940’s.
“We have been working on this quite some time,” Guyton said. “We
appreciate the cooperation of the Stanford family and the valuable
assistance of real estate professional Tina O’Quinn in helping us
acquire the structure. Additionally, Elvis’ boyhood friend Guy Harris
was instrumental in helping us locate the structure.
“We have made many significant changes at the Birthplace and park over
the past several years as we continue to find exciting new ways to
continue to tell the story of the innocence of Elvis,” Guyton said.
The project is being funded by the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation
from ticket sales and gift shop purchases of fans, and by a $40,000
donation from the Carpenter Foundation.
2008/02/02 EPE /
www.epgold.com
The Importance Of Being Elvis Project On Hold.
Stephen Frears' movie 'The Importance of Being Elvis' put On Hold: Back
in 2004 Oscar-Wining director Stephen Frears ('The Queen',
'Hi-Fidelity', 'Mrs Henderson Presents') talked of making a new
comedy-drama 'The Importance of Being Elvis'.
The reported premise of 'The Importance of Being Elvis' was about a man
who assumes Elvis' identity while the singer was serving in the U.S.
Army during the late 1950s. Elvis loses his golden singing voice after
being shot in the throat.
An impersonator named Brian is then tapped by Elvis' shady manager, Col.
Tom Parker, and the U.S. government to take over for The King. Stephen
Frears was to direct with the screenplay by Christopher Bradshaw & Roger
Payne.
Stephen Frears' representative told the E.I.N. this week that Frears is
no longer involved with his Elvis project but will let E.I.N. know if
anything changes.
2008/02/02
www.elvisinfonet.com
/
www.epgold.com
The Billboard chart listings for the week ending February 9, 2008.
Comprehensive Albums: ELV1S 30 #1 Hits: #176
Pop Catalogue Albums: ELV1S 30 #1 Hits: #25
Country Catalogue Albums: ELV1S 30 #1 Hits: #3
Music Video: Aloha From Hawaii: #40
Note: The "ELV1S #1 Hits Performances" fell off the Music Video chart.
2008/02/02 www.elvischarts.com / www.epgold.com
Elvis International Shop - The
Netherlands.
OPEN: Saturday & Sunday February 02 & 03, 2008 - 1300. PM - 1800 PM.
E-Mail:
elvisinternational@casema.nl
The Netherlands : 0251 - 821240
Other Country's Dial : 00 - 31 - 251 - 821240
Please take note:
Since many loyal customers order at the
www.epgoldwebshop.com , a personal visit at the Elvis
International shop (starting February 1,2008) is possible - only after a
appointment is made by e-mail or phone.
2008/02/02 ElvisInternational /
www.epgold.com
IN THE SHADOW OF KINGS.
GOOD NEWS ... I am wrapping up my book IN THE SHADOW OF KINGS.
The publisher has asked me to create an addendum to the book.
They would like questions from the Elvis fans and the J.D. fans. If you
have something you want to ask about either just sent me an email (Click
on the blue copy
donnie.sumner@comcast.net) and type in
your question then hit send.
Try to keep your questions to the point because I am sure that the
response will be overwhelming.
I am going to keep a copy of all the questions and those that the
publishers choose will be forwarded a complimentary copy of my book as
soon as it is released.
I look forward to hearing from you and Keep looking up .... There's a
blessing coming down God bless you according to THE WORD.
Your Friend
Donnie
2008/02/02 Joe krein -
www.elvis2001.net /
www.epgold.com
FTD Wild In The Country.
Besides te misspelled name of Elvis (Presely) on the side of the
CD-cover of the Wild in The Country release, there is another small
error inside: the name of Raymond Greenleaf (Dr Underwood) is mentioned
twice in the cast.
This minor error isn't so bad at all, but If Ernst Jorgensen needs to do
a reprint of the cover, this name should be mentioned only once.
2008/02/02 Hubert
Vindevogel -
www.ueps.be
/
www.epgold.com
Looking for a job...?
The Belgian media and communication group Telenet has just launched a
new job campaign, featuring the Elvis image.
Baseline of the campaign is: "We're looking for talent".
And if you're talking talent, you're talking Elvis. The full page ads
are available in most Belgian news papers, and on the Telenet website.
2008/02/02
www.elvismatters.be /
www.epgold.com
Elvis By The Presley from Vietnam.
ELVIS By the Presley is being re-issued in Vietnam with nicer new cover
sleeve and picture disc.
2008/02/01 HT Long -
www.epgold.com