"There's no way to explain it except that he was one of a kind. I think he'd be proud to know that he left his mark on the world".
Myrna Smith, Sweet Inspirations.
Image (C) EPE
Elvis On Tour
"He stood there at the end, his arms stretched out, the great gold cloak giving him wings - a champion, the only one in his class"
Elvis On Tour Critic
(C) EPE
(C) EPE
(C) EPE
News from around the world.
ELVIS' "I'LL BE HOME ON CHRISTMAS DAY" IS SECOND BEST CHRISTMAS SONG EVER ACCORDING TO LEADING SWEDISH NEWSPAPER; SONGWRITER MICHAEL JARRETT "THRILLED"
We were delighted to see that Sweden's biggest daily newspaper "Aftonbladet" chose Elvis' "I'll Be Home On Christmas Day" as the second best Christmas song ever. The article was written by journalist Markus Larsson, and was published in the December 23rd edition of "Aftonbladet". Larson wrote a.o. that "the choice is "I'll Be Home On Christmas Day," partly because this ballad does not get the attention it deserves, but also because it's so much more than just a Christmas song. Elvis takes the train between country, gospel and soul and crafts a song that could have been placed on his finest album ever, From Elvis In Memphis." Songwriter Michael Jarrett, who also wrote the haunting "I'm Leavin'" for Presley, was thrilled to hear the news this morning. "I was reminded today that sometimes one can reach a milestone even at my age", Jarrett comments. "It was very exciting for me to hear that one of the biggest newspapers in Sweden ranked Elvis' "I'll Be Home On Christmas Day" the second best Christmas song ever! This is truly an honor for me as a songwriter. There are many wonderful Christmas songs that we all enjoy each year, and having my song chosen to be second best is quite a thrill". Michael Jarrett will be touring Europe in May 2009 as part of "The Original Elvis Tribute 2009", which also features a.o. Duke Bardwell and Ted Roddy. For more info, please go to: www.elvisnews.dk
Christmas was Elvis Presley's favourite time of the year. To commemorate this, and the efforts of fan clubs around the world, annually, Priscilla and Lisa Marie send a Christmas message to all registered clubs. This years message, which accompanied a special cd track of If I Get Home On Christmas Day, included the following message....
Dear Friends,
Another year has quickly passed and Elvis' popularity has continued to grow with new generations being exposed to his music and legacy. Groundbreaking projects like Elvis Presley Christmas Duets allow us to celebrate the holidays with Elvis' music in a whole new way. We are certain, like us, you'll embrace and enjoy this collaboration of Elvis and the great platinum and gold award winning artists, singing his favorite Christmas music at his favorite time of year.
When you consider Elvis' impact on the world today, especially during this time of year, you have to think of the fan clubs across the globe that continue to carry on his memory through their charity work and tireless efforts in their communities.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your hard work and wish you a happy holiday season and a wonderful 2009.
Sincerely,
Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie Presley.
Second Elvis pool table
Two years ago, EPE agreed to an Elvis pool table - now here's a second Elvis pool table with different pictures. Target price is 6.995 $US. From the manufacturer's description: "In the 1950's, Rock N' Roll sensation Elvis Presley took the world's music scene by storm. With his dashing good looks and incomparable sound and style, Elvis captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Having sold over 1 billion records, more than any other artist, Elvis solidified his place in music history. Manufactured by Lordsvale LLC. THIS MACHINE COMES WITH THE KING OF ALL WARRANTIES, a 5 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY! With only one thousand beautifully crafted customer pool tables being made, purchase your own piece of Rock N' Roll history with this Elvis Presley Platinum Limited Edition Pool Table Package.
Courtessey: ElvisMatters
X-mas duets in India
The X-mas Duets album has just been released in India, with a completely different cover, though the content (songs) is the same as the regular release. Here's more good news about the album, from Billboard's website: After not charting on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart for 10 years, Elvis Presley has logged his second new entry in two weeks.
"Blue Christmas," a duet with Martina McBride, debuted at No. 43 on Thursday, following last week's No. 60 bow of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" with Carrie Underwood. "Blue Christmas" is Presley's 68th entry and marks the first time in his 53-year chart career that he's had songs debut in two consecutive weeks.
This is the second time that a Presley recording of "Blue Christmas" has appeared on Hot Country Songs. Although Elvis cut the song in 1957, it didn't chart country until January 1998, when it peaked at No. 55.
The original version of "Blue Christmas" by Ernest Tubb debuted on the survey in December 1949 and peaked at No. 2. Vince Gill took the tune to No. 74 in January 1999, and Clay Walker brought it to No. 51 in January 2001. That means the Presley/McBride duet is the highest-charting version of the composition since Tubb's original, 59 years ago.
Courtessey: ElvisMatters
Oldest fan (102) passes away
Marie Geerts from France - probably world's oldest active Elvis fan - has passed away at the age of 102. She subscribed to a French fanclub in 1977, and remained a loyal member ever since. The picture shows Marie in 2006, when she celebrated her 100th anniversary in Paris.
Courtessey: ElvisMatters.
New exhibits in 2009
It looks as if the Graceland staff is spoiling fans and visitors. New exhibits coming to Graceland in 2009 include a "Graceland 70th Anniversary exhibit" with a signed check from Elvis for the down payment on the home, the deed to Graceland and a video presentation that includes memories from the first family to call Graceland 'home'. Other items of interest are the two Rolss Royces Elvis owned and the 6 door Mercedes Benz limo that was featured in "Elvis On Tour". Further more there's a special 'Elvis In The Movies' display with original movie clothing and screenplays used by Elvis.
Courtessey: ElvisMatters
Richard Moreno passed away
Richard Moreno has passed on. Richard was one of the guards at the International/Hilton Hotel and spent many hours with Elvis.
Courtessey: ElvisMatters
December FTD I'll Remember You, Confirmed
Tracklisting on New Releases Page...
Elvis' last Cadillac for sale
Up for sale is an original Elvis owned Cadillac. This Cadillac is supposed to be the last car Elvis bought from this brand. He got the vehicle at the end of 1976 and is a 1977 CADILLAC SEVILLE. After Elvis passed away, Vernon gave the car to Ginger Alden. The opening bid is € 78.500 with no reserve, but for € 290.000 the car is yours if you pick it up in Australia.
Source: ElvisMatters
'I'll Remember You' new december FTD title?
The rumours about the new FTD title, planned for release in december, are started again. The label already announced a second release at the time they will provide the dealers with the postponed ?In Person' CDs. On the shopsite Amazon, there is a pre-order link for the CD ?I'll Remember You' and will be - again - a 2CD release on the 5" format with concerts from February 1973 in Las Vegas (the same period when Elvis donated a robe to Muhammed Ali). The news about the title and content is not confirmed by FTD, but as soon there is news, we will notify it as soon as possible.
Source: ElvisMatters.Com
Fingerprints for sale (Update)
Update: The item was sold for $81,740 / € 57.291
Elvis Presley's fingerprints are among a host of memorabilia up for auction in London this month. Appearing on Presley's application for a concealed gun permit, the prints are thought to be the only set from the icon in existence. The memorabilia auction, entitled 'It's More Than Rock and Roll', will take place September 4 at the Idea Generation Gallery, London.
From the auction catalogue: Elvis Presley Fingerprints The only record of Elvis Presley's fingerprints that are known to exist. Elvis Presley in applying for a gun permit for a concealed weapon was asked for full sets of his fingerprints as well as other personal information. The details of which make up the State of California file copy where he records his driving license and social security numbers, his residential and his business address. The application notes that Elvis is applying for a concealed weapon permit for his Colt revolver 38 as well as a Berette(sic) Automatic 7.6 . The document has been stamped Oct 30 1970 and is signed on the reverse side by the applicant, where he also includes details of his sex hair and eye colour, height, weight, and date of birth and full sets of prints for both left and right digits. It is well know that Elvis would never leave the house without the protection of a weapon, he was even known to carry a small derringer in his boot whilst on stage. To obtain a fire arm he would have had to apply for a license in every state that he travelled through. In normal circumstances these written licenses and full set of fingerprints would be filed until the owner died at the local sheriffs office and after death of the licensee would be shredded. Somehow this perfect set escaped the shredder as a testimony to one of Elvis Presley's favourite pastimes, collecting weapons .Over the past 15 years over 300 of his hand guns and rifles have come to auction in the USA. Estimate GBP50,000-75,000 USD100000-150000
Elvis keyboard player releases Tribute CD
Ron Feuer, keyboard player in the original Joe Guercio Orchestra, is putting the finishing touch to his own Tribute to Elvis CD, called "Elvis Remembered". Ron, who will be touring with the big Original Cast show next month, has recorded instrumental versions of the songs he performed with Elvis in Las Vegas. The strictly limited CD is set for release on October 1st, and now available in pre order.
TRACKLISTING
Heartbreak Hotel
Love Me Tender (swing version)
Are You Lonesome Tonight
Blue Christmas
Can't Help Falling In Love
What Now My Love
In The Ghetto
Love Me Tender (ballad version)
I Got A Woman
Elvis Remembered
TCB Cruise out at sea longer than anticipated
Those aboard the Elvis Cruise reached dry land around 5.30pm yesterday when their ship finally docked in Mobile, Alabama. Ports along the Gulf of Mexico had been closed due to the imminent threat of Hurricane Gustav, the result being that the cruise ship was out at sea two days longer than anticipated. Guests aboard the cruise included Jerry Scheff, Glen D Hardin, James Burton, Paul Leim, Joe Guercio, The Imperials, DJ Fontana, George Klein, Terry Mike Jeffrey, Ed Bonja, Jerry Schilling, Ruby Wilson, The Dempseys, Shaun Klush and Ronnie McDowell. We are all relieved to hear that everyone is back on dry land and wish everybody a safe and uneventful trip home.
Spare stained glass windows for sale
The Meditation Garden at Graceland, Elvis Presley's grave site, is perhaps the most emotionally moving area on the grounds of the Estate. It was designed and built by Memphian Bernard Grenadier (who also built the waterfall in the Jungle Room) in the mid 1960's. One of the most beautiful and mysterious features of the Garden are the four nineteenth-century stained glass windows in the curved brick wall overlooking the graves. Moorish in nature and religious in their imagery, their meaning has been the source of much speculation over the years.
In researching the history, it turns out that Mr. Grenadier obtained eight windows in Spain in the early 1960's, each a different scene. He put four pieces in the Meditation Garden and, without any fanfare, put the other four pieces in his private home he built in 1965. The four pieces in the Grenadier home, the companion pieces to the stained glass at Graceland, remained in that house in obscurity through four decades and several different owners.
'Guitar Man' Jerry Reed passed away
Musician and actor Jerry Reed passed away at the age of 71 after a long disease. Reed worked as a session musician for Elvis and wrote the hits ?US Male' and ?Guitar Man'. During the recording sessions of those songs, Elvis was not satisfied with the sound of the guitar and asked producer Felton Jarvis to contact Reed and ask him how to could improve the guitar sound. Reed answered: ?By hiring me as a musician'. Artists like Johnny Cash and Brenda Lee also used Reeds talent.
No new owner for Elvis' Gibson Dove guitar
The Ebay auction for Elvis' black Gibson guitar just ended. A bid of $85,300 was not enough to reach the reserve price, so the guitar remains unsold. The current owner did refuse a $200,000 bid in the past. The unique instrument stays in his collection at this moment. You can still see the item on the Ebay link below. More background info about the instrument is available on Scotty Moores website.
The sad Goodbye to the Circle G Ranch
Today and tomorrow over 2.000 members of ElvisMatters get their brand new ElvisMatters Magazine, as always filled with unique pictures, stories, news, interviews and reviews. Among the many articles, is also a report by our members Marc Rixen, Ruud Smeets, Hans Wolters and Jan Meijers, who recently visited the Circle G Ranch.. But their report has no happy end, as the pictures show. The whole ranch is abandoned and apparently occupied by homeless. The door is unlocked, and the pictures taken inside the house are just horrifying. Was THIS the house Elvis was so proud of in the sixties? The FULL and EXCLUSIVE report + pictures is now available in the brand new ElvisMatters Magazine. Don't miss it. and subscribe now!
All Items Courtessey Of ElvisMatters
Replica Graceland
An Elvis Presley fan from Grangemouth has converted his house into Graceland for his local gala day. It took Walter Gibb and his family 11 weeks to make the three-dimensional timber replica of Elvis's Memphis home. The 46-year-old, whose daughter Robyn is a maid of honour in the Grangemouth Children's Gala, said he wanted to do "something a wee bit special". Mr Gibb said he wanted to raise the profile of the gala day which has been under threat in recent years.
Courtessey: EM
Elvis Expert Talks About Most Important Book Written About Elvis Presley
Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - Even though musical legend Elvis Presley is gone, many questions about him still remain. That's why Elvis expert Cory Cooper is claiming that the book by Patrick Lacy entitled, "Elvis Decoded: A Fan's Guide to Deciphering the Myths and Misinformation," is one of the most important books written about The King.
Cooper told Celebrity News Service, "There has been so much wrong, misleading and confusing material written over the years about this very talented, unique and innovating icon," he said regarding information compiled about Elvis.
"Mr. Lacy has accomplished an impressive amount of research and effort to sort out and decipher the mountain of conflicting and misguided information. He explains why and how this might have evolved to begin with and allows the reader to form their own conclusion based on his research," Cooper said in an exclusive interview with Celebrity News Service.
Cooper said that many people want to know about Elvis's personal life, what he did for fun, the music he enjoyed and what he might be doing today had he lived. And then, of course, there are the famous "Alive" theories.
"This topic is part of the reason Patrick Lacy decided to write "Elvis Decoded" to begin with," Cooper said. "Although Mr. Lacy does address this topic, his book covers much more than just the death hoax stories."
Cooper said he became an Elvis fan at a young age, reading and studying everything he could get his hands on that had to do with Elvis. At one point he heard a radio talk show host speaking about Elvis and they mentioned many things that were wrong.
"I called the radio station, they put me on the air and I corrected the host on his errors. That led to many more local and nationally syndicated radio programs, consulting on Elvis projects, guest writing for an Elvis publication and meeting and becoming friends with a wealth of people from the Elvis inner circle including his friends, bodyguards, co-stars, family members, band members and Elvis fans from all over the world," Cooper told Celebrity News Service.
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Three (FIVE actually) new FTD CDs For July
Superb news from Ernst Jorgenson: "Many of our customers have asked to have information about new releases as early as possible. Consequently we hereby publish the information about the July 2008 releases. As they are all work in progress, this is just basic information. Track listings and cover art is not ready yet."
AMERICA
A soundboard release from April 1976, with the body of the recordings being from the Omaha show.
MEMPHIS TENNESSEE (The Lost Album)
2 CD version in our Classic Album series (7" digipack with booklet).
LOVE LETTERS FROM ELVIS
2 CD version in our Classic Album series (7" digipack with booklet).
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BMG puts summer focus on 68 release
Slowly but surely the first details for this Summer's Sony/BMG release leak out. Confirmed are the plans for a "40 years after" release of 'the best of the Comeback Special'. Although there is talk about a box set, the song list nor the amount of CD's are known at this time. The 'box set' is scheduled for a worldwide release aimed at the general public, thus indicating that fans don't have to expect too many outtakes. More news on this site, the minute we have it.
The Shell in full progress
7 days a week, workers try to catch up with the renovation schedule of the new Overton Park Shell. It was here, at this historic location near Poplar Avenue, where Elvis made his live debut on July 30th, 1954, singing That's All Right Mama (in a show headlined by Slim Whitman). As you can see on the picture, the concrete (video)walls are alreeds in place. It's expected that the actual video screens will be added on, in less than two months time. The back of the concrete walls, will feature portraits of Memphis's musical heroes. Much to our delight, Elvis's portrait is still there. If all goes as planned, the entire wall will be covered with painted portraits.
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Eddy Arnold passed on
Eddy Arnold, whose mellow baritone on songs like "Make the World Go Away" made him one of the most successful country singers in history, died Thursday morning, days short of his 90th birthday. Arnold died at a care facility near Nashville, said Don Cusic, a professor at Belmont University and author of the biography "Eddy Arnold: I'll Hold You in My Heart." His wife of 66 years, Sally, had died in March, and in the same month, Arnold fell outside his home, injuring his hip.
`Elvis recorded several songs written and/ or recorded by Eddy Arnold including "It's A Sin", "How Is The World Treating You", "You Don't Know Me" and "Make The World Go Away". Early in his career, his manager was Col. Tom Parker. Arnold fired him as his manager late in 1953 over a dispute never made public (they actually remained friends), and Parker soon moved on to Hank Snow and (most famously) Elvis Presley
Arnold's vocals on songs like the 1965 "Make the World Go Away," one of his many No. 1 country hits and a top 10 hit on the pop charts, made him one of the most successful country singers in history. Folksy yet sophisticated, he became a pioneer of "The Nashville Sound," also called "countrypolitan," a mixture of country and pop styles. His crossover success paved the way for later singers such as Kenny Rogers. "I sing a little country, I sing a little pop and I sing a little folk, and it all goes together," he said in 1970. He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966. The following year he was the first person to receive the entertainer of the year award from the Country Music Association.
The reference book "Top Country Singles 1944-1993,'" by Joel Whitburn, ranked Arnold the No. 1 country singer in terms of overall success on the Billboard country charts. It lists his first No. 1 hit as "It's a Sin," 1947, and for the following year ranks his "Bouquet of Roses" as the biggest hit of the entire year. Other hits included "Cattle Call," "The Last Word in Lonesome Is Me," "Anytime," "Bouquet of Roses," "What's He Doing in My World?" "I Want to Go With You," "Somebody Like Me," "Lonely Again" and "Turn the World Around."
Most of his hits were done in association with famed guitarist Chet Atkins, the producer on most of the recording sessions. The late Dinah Shore once described his voice as like "warm butter and syrup being poured over wonderful buttermilk pancakes."
Reflecting on his career, he said he never copied anyone."I really had an idea about how I wanted to sing from the very beginning," he said. He revitalized his career in the 1960s by adding strings, a controversial move for a country artist back then. "I got to thinking, if I just took the same kind of songs I'd been singing and added violins to them, I'd have a new sound. They cussed me, but the disc jockeys grabbed it. ... The artists began to say, `Aww, he's left us.' Then within a year, they were doing it!"
Arnold was born May 15, 1918, on a farm near Henderson, Tenn., the son of a sharecropper. He sang on radio stations in Jackson, Tenn., Memphis, Tenn., and St. Louis before becoming nationally known.
His image was always that of a modest, clean-cut country boy. "You cannot satisfy all the people," he once said. "They have an image of me. Some people think I'm Billy Graham's half brother, but I'm not. I want people to get this hero thing off their mind and just let me be me."
Courtessey: ElvisMatters
"Another Soldier Has Gone Home"
REV. RUSSELL H. SUMNER
1919 - 2008
His Mom and Dad named him Russell Harvey
He became known to many as the Brother of J. D. Sumner
To some he was referred to as the Father of Donnie Sumner
But I knew him as
"DADDY"
He loved me, taught me, disciplined me and helped me become the man I am
At 6:16 P.M. this 29th day of April 2008
My daddy was enfolded by the arms of God
and ushered into the Heaven
that he preached about for over sixty years
"He fought a good fight, He kept the faith
henceforth there is a crown of righteousness awaiting him"
"See ya in the morning Daddy!"
Recevied by ElvisOnLine.Org
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New (small) Elvis auction
Regency Superior has announced a new Elvis related auction for May 3rd. Among the 20+ items are signed Sun-records, promotional 78 rpms, contracts, signatures, pictures and even a 2 piece buff-colored leather suit, custom made for Elvis by the famous North Beach Leather Company (bearing its label). The jacket, the highlight of the Elvis items, is hand-stitched, 5-button, with 2-button cuffs. The pants, also hand-stitched, feature a football-style fly, and slightly bell-bottomed. The suit appears moderately worn with some sweat stains. Even Elvis, apparently, appreciated a casual Friday in Las Vegas. This leather suit was one of his favorites and sometime around 1974 had similar ones made for the stage. It is very similar to his 'Mermaid' and 'Rainfall' suits. The suit was a gift from Vernon Presley to Jim Curtin. (Letter of authenticity from Jim Curtin included).
Janie Steele's theme song should be "Thanks for the Memories." The 67-year-old photographer-turned-bookkeeper retired Friday from the Las Vegas Hilton, where she hobnobbed with Elvis Presley and other celebrities during her almost 30 years at the venue.
"When I feel sorry for myself about not having done anything, I think that for somebody who thought they would never leave their small town, I've seen and done quite a lot," says Steele, a native of Westminster, S.C., population 2,763.
As Steele thought of retirement, she began turning back her pages: She saw Ike & Tina Turner, Redd Foxx and Frankie Laine at the Hilton lounges and such memorable entertainers as Barbra Streisand, Bill Cosby, Juliet Prowse and Maurice Chevalier with the Kim Sisters at showrooms around town.
And of course, Elvis. Steele went to work at the Hilton ? then the International Hotel ? as a photographer in 1970. Streisand was the headliner at the International when it opened in 1969, but then it was Elvis. "He would do two shows a night, seven nights a week, for four weeks," Steele says. "I don't know how he did it, but that's how all the entertainers used to do here. They never had a day off."
She lost track of how many times she saw Elvis. She would attend his shows even if she had to pay for them. She often joined members of the public who were invited to his suite. "It was the only way he could meet normal people," Steele says. "They would just invite people up to his rooms. Music would be playing. He'd sometimes demonstrate his karate kicks. He'd chitchat with everyone, mingle with the little groups of people who were all around the suite. He was such a gentleman to me. It breaks my heart that things happened the way they did."
It wasn't unusual for her to bump into Priscilla Presley and their daughter, Lisa Marie. "The last time I saw Lisa Marie was in the showroom. She was about 6 years old. A gorgeous child."
When Steele arrived from South Carolina in 1964, she worked in data processing at the Nevada Test Site. "A bus would pick up employees in the morning and take us home in the evening. It was 180 miles round-trip, an hour and a half each way."
Courtessey: EM
70 undiscovered shots by Ed Bonja
Elvis Presley's official stage photographer Ed Bonja was going thru his thousands of prints this week, and discovered SEVENTY (70!) shots of Elvis that have never been seen or printed before. "It was truly amazing", Ed told us on the phone. "I hadn't seen that part of my archive in years, and all of a sudden - there they were." It's unclear yet as to how Ed will share the prints with the fans.
(Note: the picture is added for illustration purposes only, it's not one of the undiscovered gems)
Courtessey: ElvisMatters
Elvis Disney
Is this really what we're waiting for? Mickey does Elvis. From the official Disney/Hamilton website: "Get ready to Shake, Rattle and Roll with Mickey as he pays tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll! A first-ever from The Hamilton Collection, this fabulous collectible Disney Mickey Mouse figurine collection is a special Elvis tribute, showcasing Mickey in a variety of Elvis-inspired jumpsuits, starting with Issue One, Jumpsuit Salute. Before long, your dazzling collection will continue to honor Elvis with Issue Two and additional issues of collectible Mickey figurines, each a separate issue to follow. Each of the collectible Disney Mickey Mouse figurines in this collection is licensed by Disney and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., and is specially designed by The Hamilton Collection. These limited editions are superbly handcrafted and hand-painted, and loaded with show-stopping details, from each figurine's Elvis-like pose to their elaborate jumpsuit costumes studded with hand-applied simulated gems."
Courtessey: EM
Lost Madison Square Garden pictures turn up
Nearly 36 years after Elvis Presley rocked Madison Square Garden, George Kalinsky raided his files, hunting for pictures he'd taken of the concert and never printed. He dug out nearly 100 never-before-seen shots, including some Graceland officials consider the most iconic ever taken. "I thought I had eight or 10 good photos, but I found four rolls of film," said Kalinsky, the Garden's official photographer for 40 years. "It was mind-boggling. I'd totally forgotten that I'd taken that many." The collection is headed to Graceland for an exhibit.
One picture - showing a white jumpsuited Elvis, his cape billowing behind him - stands 36 feet tall on a Times Square billboard, part of a display honoring the world-famous snapper. "That is the one Graceland said was the most iconic," said Kalinsky, who met Elvis backstage after the show and described him as "very humble."
Kalinsky, 64, has taken pictures of every major Madison Square Garden event - including Muhammad Ali's fight with Joe Frazier, a Jimi Hendrix show and the Pope's 1979 visit. He found the films after being invited to take part in a Times Square display celebrating "Great Moments in New York." He had asked Graceland for permission to use another of his shots, and they asked if he'd search to see if he had any he'd never published. "This is an incredible and rare find," said Kevin Kern, spokesman for Elvis Presley Enterprises. "It is as if George found a treasure chest of never before seen Elvis photos."
Courtessey: ElvisMatters.Com
Original Elvis Photos Create Buzz (Cut)
On the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley's haircut during his induction into the Army at Fort Chaffee, five black and white images of the original event have surfaced. The photos, which likely ran in the Southwest American newspaper, were discovered by Rick Altes, a photographer from Greenwood, about three years ago during an estate sale, he said. Altes, 55, spoke to a group of more than 30 people who gathered Tuesday where Presley lost his dyed-black locks in building 803 at now-Chaffee Crossing. Altes said he has always been interested in history, music and photography and when he found the photos in a file cabinet he bought from a living estate auction he "was very aware that I really found something important." After doing some research, Altes learned that the photos were more than likely taken by a photographer at the Southwest American. He said a Times Record representative told him that back then negatives were thrown away and prints were filed. Eventually, the prints would end up in the trash, too, so someone apparently dug them out of the trash, he said. The Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau received the images from Altes as a donation and the Visitors Bureau will display the photos until there is an Elvis barbershop museum.
Priscilla channels Elvis
PRISCILLA PRESLEY is using her late husband ELVIS PRESLEY's secret pre-show routine to help her win reality T.V. show DANCING WITH THE STARS.
The king of rock taught his widow a mental regime, including a secret chant, that he used to ensure he was in the best shape to perform.
And Priscilla is convinced it can help her to victory - after watching the bizarre effect it had on her late husband.
She says, "It was like Elvis was charging his batteries using this 15-second technique, and by the time he reached the stage, he was actually glowing. I just picture Elvis looking at me, and it gives me a sense of energy I've never had."
Courtessey ElvisMatters.Com
McFarlane 08 - Aloha Preview
On January 14, 1973, the first-ever concert live via satellite beamed its way to 40 countries and 1.5 billion people! With his Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii concert, Elvis Presley made music history yet again. The concert was a worldwide smash and features the King of Rock 'n' Roll at his very best.
McFarlane Toys showcases Elvis Presley in one of his most famous on-stage performances, wearing one of his most renowned jumpsuits -- The American Eagle. Celebrate music's greatest icon in a performance that has never been equaled -- or forgotten.
Courtessey: Elvismatters.com
Marion Cocke Hospitalized
Marion Cocke, who was Elvis' nurse, fell at the funeral of Todd Morgan. She was taken by ambulance back to Memphis. She suffered a hair line fracture to her hip and knees. She currently is recovering at the Baptist East hospital in Memphis. Marion Cocke took care of Elvis when she worked at Baptist Memorial and remained friends with Elvis ever since.
Courtessey: Elvismatters.com
The white blanket of snow has now melted that was covering the Graceland property. Check out the live feed...
Todd Morgan, who for years has been Graceland's "public face," was found dead in his apartment. It had not been announced publicly yet, but Todd had just been promoted to a new position and was to report directly to Gary Hovey in Los Angeles, though he would remain in Memphis. He was due to go out to dinner last night with friends to celebrate his promotion, but did not show.
Reports are he must have died in his sleep last night. Todd has been at Graceland since it was opened to the public in 1982. He started as a tour guide.
Todd has worked on tons of creative projects for Graceland during recent years. He died at the age of 45. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Todd's family and friends. Rest in Piece, Todd.
Final days for The Cow Palace
The Cow Palace has hosted some of the biggest musical acts in the past half-century, from the Beatles to Elvis (November 13th, 1970 + November 28 & 29, 1976 - each show for 14,300 fans), and it was at the Daly City venue that John F. Kennedy gave his 1960 speech that first outlined his idea for the Peace Corps. Though it is one of the Bay Area's historic venues for concerts and events, the Cow Palace may soon go the way of other old structures - like New York's Polo Grounds and San Francisco's Playland at the Beach- that are torn down to make way for redevelopment.
State Sen. Leland Yee has introduced a bill to let Daly City purchase the Cow Palace property, which is owned by the state. He said he wants to fix up the neighborhoods near the Cow Palace and put more money in state coffers. Ultimately, say Yee and Daly City officials, the 68-acre property will be used to build a grocery store, bank, housing and other projects that will benefit people in the underserved areas - including San Francisco's Visitacion Valley - that border the Cow Palace.
PICTURE; Autographs from celebrities, including Elvis Presley and Gene Kelly, decorate the walls of the Cow Palace box office.
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 seel 14 personal items of Elvis, at the same auction.
The property recently bought by EPE covers well over 500 acres. With the help of this data, an inventive fan drew some sketches how Graceland and the surrounding area could look like in the not so far future. Let's wait and see if fiction meets reality in a few years. The street below the picture, of course, is Elvis Presley Boulevard. Graceland is marked in white.
News from Matells Toy factory! The company that is well known for his Barbie dolls announces a new product for june. Around that time, an Elvis & Priscilla couple will hit the shelves. The scene portrays Elvis and Priscilla on their wedding day. It's not the first time that Matell uses Elvis as an inspiration. A while ago, they released a 'Barbie Loves Elvis' box.
It has been brought to the attention of Jerry Scheff that a number of Elvis Fan Club websites have posted on the internet that due to health problems, he will no longer be part of The TCB Band and will be replaced by Duke Bardwell. The Official TCB Band website confirms that this statement is totally untrue. Jerry has asked us to publish the following statement on his behalf:
"The rumours flying around at this present time are nothing but malicious gossip. I do not have any idea were any of this has originated from. I want everybody to know that there is no truth in any of it and I am not leaving The TCB Band nor being replaced.
Director/producer Dwight Hemion has passed away on Monday, January 28th. Dwight Hemion, who directed the 1977 CBS Special Elvis in Concert was 81 years old. In his prolific career, he garnered 47 Emmy nominations in and won 18. He is best-known for producing specials with such legends as Julie Andrews, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Frank Sinatra, and Barbra Streisand and Elvis Presley.
Elvis In Concert was filmed just six weeks before the singer's death and although the show was original broadcast on television, it has never been officially released on video or DVD.
The TCB band is ready to delight the Bulgarian public with a concert to be staged on January 30 in Sofia's National Palace of Culture. The musicians are to perform a selection of Elvis' greatest hits along with the backup group The Sweet Inspirations. The songs will be sung by the special guest of their tour - the Austrian Dennis Jale. It's the first time that the TCB Band plays Bulgaria and the ticket sales have been terrific. The band has also been contacted by the Turkish Elvis fanclub.
Picture: Dennis Jale, Jerry Scheff, Ron Tutt, Estelle Brown, Myrna Smith en Portia Griffin in Bulgaria.
Julien's Auctions has a very interesting item on the block, next February 8th: Elvis's doubly cut-away, 1965 Gretsch Country Gentleman Guitar. The Gretsch Country Gentleman Guitar was endorsed by Chet Atkins. Elvis, George Harrison and Duane Eddy were among the Country Gentleman Guitar players. Elvis' Gretsch were used both on stage and in the studio. Elvis was photographed extensively with this guitar on opening night at the International in 1969. According to the auction catalogue, there are two models of this guitar. One is housed at Graceland. After years of filming movies, Presley returned to live performances in Las Vegas at the International (late renamed The Las Vegas Hilton). Rolling Stone called his performance "Supernatural." Accompnaied by a letter of authenticity from Jonathon Taurog, son of Norman Taurog. Norman Taurog was the director of nine Elvis Presley films. Norman Taurog was personally given this guitar by Presley in the 1970s. More info @ http://www.juliensauctions.com/auctions/2008-grammy-awards/index.html
First Look Studios is no longer negotiating for the distribution rights of "Elvis The Movie" starring Kurt Russell as Elvis Presley and therefore will not be releasing this title. For this 1979 movie, director John Carpenter teamed up with his favorite actor, Russell, in this biography of Elvis Presley. Beginning with his humble beginnings as a country boy without a father, the film chronicles Elvis's journey to the height fame, his Las Vegas comeback, and his eventual death.
Typing error on spine of Wild In The Country
Although the FTD team of Ernst Jorgenson checks and double checks every detail before going to the printer's, they missed one small thing: the spine of the latest FTD release "Wild In The Country" has a typing error. It reads Elvis PRESELY (instead of, of course, PRESLEY). FTD is willing to replace the wrong covers by new ones - but that may take some time.
RARE ELVIS PRESLEY CONCERT & BACKSTAGE FOOTAGE TAPES FROM THE CBS 1977 SPECIAL. Permitted by EPE, check out the link below... However, potential bidders please note, you must have a spare dollar or two. Alledged value is an approx $500,000. Current bid, in excess of $15,100.
35 years ago today - January 9th, 1973 - only one day after his 38th birthday, Elvis arrives on the Islands for what would be the biggest event in his carreer. The "Aloha From Hawaii" Show would be seen bij - eventually - 1.5 billion (with a 'b') viewers all over the world. Although it was live satellite television, still Europa and Amerika had to wait until April to see the spectacular show.
Elvis flew in on the 9th, did a rehearsal show on the 12th and the live show on the 13th/14th. And the rest... is history. Recently both the rehearsal and live Jumpsuits were displayed together uniquely at EPE...
Bill Belew died
Bill Belew, who headed the design team for Elvis Presley's stagewear and much of his personal wardrobe from 1969 to 1977, died of cardiac arrest on january 7 after a prolonged illness. Bill Belew and his design team made an outstanding contribution to the definition of Elvis Presley's personal style on stage and off. Belew designed the now iconic black leather suit Elvis wore for the key components of his all important 1968 "comeback" television special, along with his other outfits for the show. The collaboration continued through the 1970s, including the famous jumpsuits Elvis wore on stage, most notably the American Eagle jumpsuit made for the global television concert event Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii, via Satellite. "You could be daring as a designer and put anything on Elvis and he could make it work. And the simplest outfits that didn't seem particularly remarkable on the rack transformed into something spectacular when Elvis put them on. He was that beautiful and powerful a presence. As a wardrobe designer Bob Mackie had a perfect muse and a perfect canvas in Cher. I got to have that in Elvis." - Bill Belew
Courtessey: Elvismatters
RESULTS OF TOP FAVOURITE ELVIS SONGS...
As previously advised, Phoenix FM in the UK were conducting their latest TOP 20 poll, and Elvis was chosen to determine the all time top twenty favourite songs of his... Exclusively below, are the results... How has your favourite rated???
"73 years ago - a star was born. Happy Birthday, Elvis!"
FANCLUBS AROUND THE WORLD PAY TRIBUTE AND REMEMBER ELVIS' 73RD BIRTHDAY... BORN JANUARY 8TH 1935. THIS IS ELVISMATTERS TRIBUTE...
Legendary Pin-up Jeanne Carmen dies at 77
B-movie queen and legendary blonde bombshell pinup Jeanne Carmen died on Thursday after a battle with lymphoma. A 1950's Hollywood party girl and model, Carmen was known for claiming to be a close confidant of Marilynn Monroe?long rumored to have had lesbian affairs?and a lover of such famous celebrities as Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.
Born in Paragould, Ark., Jeanne Laverne Carmen was often labeled as the "little country girl" who ran away from home when she was 13 to pursue stardom in New York. A gorgeous platinum blonde, Carmen landed an off-Broadway job as a burlesque dancer and later modeled as a pinup. At 18, Carmen picked up skills as a trick golfer from trick shot master Jack Redmond and claims she used her golfing skills to hustle pro golfers with Las Vegas mobster Johnny Roselli, according to the Associated Press.
Eventually Carmen transitioned into acting in a variety of low-budget films, earning the title of "Queen of the B Movies," according to MSNBC.com. "I was just a little country girl that wanted to be a movie star," Carmen said in a 1996 interview with The Orange County Register. Carmen appeared in such movies as Guns Don't Argue, The Three Outlaws and The Monster of Piedras Blancas.
During her time as an actress and model in Hollywood, Carmen claimed she had affairs with such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, John F. Kennedy, Bob Hope, Clark Gable and Elvis Presley. She also claimed to have become close friends with Marilyn Monroe and did not believe Monroe committed suicide. According to MSNBC.com, Carmen's son Brandon James claims she fled Hollywood after Monroe's death out of fear for her own life.
Carmen's rise to stardom has been profiled by The Golf Channel and the E! True Hollywood Story. A Hollywood biopic about Carmen's life is reportedly in the works, with starlets Kate Bosworth and Scarlett Johansson rumored to be in line to play the lead. Christina Aguilera was also supposedly under consideration for the role, but declined to participate after she became pregnant, according to ContactMusic.com. The movie is based on Carmen's son Brandon James' biography The Wild, Wild Life of Jeanne Carmen.
Carmen died on Thursday after a battle with lymphoma in her Orange County home. She is survived by her son Brandon James, daughters Melinda Belli and Kellee Jade Campo and three grandchildren.
Note, this is the only known photograph of Elvis having a beer...
Courtessey: ElvisMatters
LATEST ELVIS ON EBAY ITEM...ELVIS' WEDDING PHOTO ALBUM.
Folks, if you have a spare few thousand, why not treat yourself to a Christmas treat this year...The latest item to appear on Ebay is Elvis' Wedding Photo Album. The album, directed by the Colonel, was presented to Vernon Presley who then gave it to Elvis at the time of his wedding. It remained treasured by Elvis until his death before going into Elvis Archives storage, before being purchased by a collector. The current bid stands at an initial $7,600.00 with the reserve not met. Check it out now ... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELVIS-PRESLEY-s-PERSONAL-WEDDING-ALBUM_W0QQitemZ110207627158QQihZ001QQcategoryZ2014QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m122
Unseen picture, 1974 in Sundial
Most fans probably know that Elvis wore the so-called "Sundial" suit quite often in 1977, but to many it's still a secret that Elvis actually introduced this very same suit in Lake Tahoe, on October 12, 1974. Not too many pictures of that particular show have surfaced, but recently the inlay of the import CD "It's Tahoe Time", has surfaced showing Elvis wearing the suit. His weight being noticeably less as was in the 1977 pictures...
Courtessey: ElvisMatters.
ELVIS MUSIC POLLS (RESULTS PENDING....)
ELVIS PRESLEY TOP 20 SONGS VOTE REVEALED THIS WEEKEND ON Phoenix 98FM, Essex... (Prev news alert below)
Folks, I have been contacted by Phoenix 98FM and The Elvis Presley Fan Club, UK, Oxford Branch, requesting me to cast my vote in their Elvis Presley All Time Top 20 Show, to be aired live on December 22nd at 8PM with David Bishop and Paul Coogan. You can vote your top ten favourite songs of all time in ascending order at www.phoenixfm.com/top20-elvis.php. You can tune in live via www.phoenixfm.com on the 22nd December at 8pm to see if your favourite makes the list...
ALSO, MY GOOD FRIEND GEORGE TWAMLEY WHO PRODUCES ELVIS EXTRA AIRED ON 106.8FM EVERY SUNDAY COUNTS DOWN HIS TOP 100 SONGS OF ELVIS, AS VOTED BY LISTENERS... TUNE IN THIS SUNDAY AS THE COUNTDOWN TO NUMBER CONTINUES, TO BE REVEALED ON JAN 6TH 2008...
My friend Joe Krein of Elvis 2001 has just informed me of his exciting new interview with Patrick Lacy, on his recent book, Elvis Decoded... The interview has received tremendous reviews and I strongly urge members to check it out at http://www.elvis2001.net/patrick%20lacy%20elvisdecoded%20interview%20joe%20krein.htm. EOL wants to hear what you think...
John Wilkinson dignosis of Cancer.
John Wilkinson, asked EM to inform the fans about his medical condition. As you may have read on this site, John was taken to the hospital for surgery. With John's permission, they can now give you more details. John was diagnosed with colon-cancer. During surgery two weeks ago, the doctors took away his colon, and a tumor. In order to be 100% sure that all the cancer cells are removed, John starts with chemotherapy later this month. In the meantime, he's home to rest and recuperate.
Given the circumstances, John has cancelled all performances for the next 14 months - maybe longer, if necessary. But John told us that, if he feels better after that period of time, he will be ?available' to the fans once again. To quote John: "I will not give up on the fans, for as long as I may live." What his plans include after his Sabbatical, is unsure. What matters now, is that he takes the rest he needs and deserves, and prepares himself for the chemotherapy that begins right after Christmas.
Just like it was before the surgery, we keep in close contact with John, and if there are developments, we will post the news - needless to say after checking with John first, or - like now - on his request. John will be kept informed on what's happening in the Elvis world, but he'll be ?watching' instead of ?participating'.
Get well-cards for John are, of course, still very welcome at this address:
John Wilkinson / ElvisMatters - 140 Postelarenweg - 2400 Mol - Belgium. We will deliver the cards to John personally in Springfield, MO in three weeks time.
The British company "I Want One of Those" has found the - what they call - the ultimate picture gadget. If you fancy yourself as the next Bond, Monroe or Elvis, then you needn't be repressed for long. The B-Somebodies allow you to pop a passport-sized mug-shot of your fair self or significant other onto the body of Elvis. The gadgets are sold out.
Courtessey ElvisMatters
INSIDE GRACELAND... The book arrived and is now available for purchase. It is receiving positive reviews online. Check it out, and if you have purchased it, tell us what you think...
The book is available through ElvisMatters and I have posted their initial review of it on the New Releases page...
This museum in Vegas is not accessible for the general public, although most items are for sale. Among the eye catchers are the original Peacock suit (without belt and cape), the 2nd Clambake jacket (the first was cut to pieces - for souvenir cloths), the white McNabe piano and a colorful Nudie shirt that Elvis wore in the seventies. I must stress that the creses in this jumpsuit, being alarming to its upkeep...
Courtessey Elvismatters/edited by EOL
Well folks, the Elvis Social Club's Christmas Party arrived and in style as usual. All kicking off last night, December 7th, at Hush Night Club, Red Cow Inn.
The night was extremely enjoyable. Myself and father arrived at 8.30pm and received a warm welcome from John Kavanagh and fellow members of the Elvis Social Club. The Club's house DJ as always delivered brilliant songs of the King followed by Limo George, all the way from Belfast. This was my first experience of Limo, and must say was impressed!!! Followed by Limo was the great Preston and his Dream Girls backing. As a huge fan of his, his performance was fantastic with great listings, including a favourite, What Now My Love... We also had the presence of the main man himself, (not Elvis) Santa of course, delivering presents to all present! As the evening concluded in the Night Club, it only began in the ajoining lounge, where there was an excellant band performing, no doubt due to our requests... Elvis Songs!!! I think I managed to convert my two accompanying friends to Elvis, the night was excellent and look forward to the next Social Night! Thanks John...
An Elvis collector in California is now the new owner of the On Tour Cadillac. Elvis used this Cadillac Sedan in the making of his 1972 concert film, "Elvis On Tour". He leased this Cadillac in April of 1972 for his Virginia concert dates and used it for transportation from the airport to the hotel and the Coliseum. The Limo was owned by Albert Durant, at that time the first black limo company owner in Virginia. The footage in the movie is from three different concerts spliced into one clip. Elvis is shown in this limo as it leaves the Coliseum filmed from the outside. The interior shots were taken a few days later from a separate concert in Jacksonville Florida. All three concerts in Virginia were filmed for "Elvis on Tour".Only years after Albert Durant passed away, his family finally sold the car.
Courtessey ElvisMatters.Com
The brand new Elvis Presley remixed song Baby Let's Play House, available since last week for download exclusively from iTunes, has entered the Italian Top 5 of Apple's digital online store and is today sitting at n.3, just after Alicia Keys's No One and Italy's rockstar Ligabue's Niente Paura. Elvis was the only new entry in the Top 10 which was otherwise little changed.
"This new remix by Spankox is nicer than JXL's remix of A Little Less Conversation" - said Radio Deejay's famous dj-musician Nikki.Canada, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway will be the first territories to release the single and the reaction has been a mix of delight, surprise and respect."Initially, we're always wary of anything that involves altering Elvis' master recordings in any way, but this Spankox Re:Version is fantastic and just blew us away" said Tom Holzen, President of EP Ltd.
Courtessey ElvisMatters
My friend Elvira Khan is pleased to announce that The Elvis Presley Fan Club/Community of Interests, Germany represent their special magazine No. 4, Elvis Lives Forever, In memory of Elvis' 30th year of his death.
The total proceeds from the sale of this magazine will be for charity! Besides the statements of their members, drawings from Astrid Gahler, the best German of the Art Contest in Memphis in 2006, they did have the opportunity also to interview national and international stars such as A like Paul Anka until Z like Joana Zimmer, what Elvis meant to them. Furthermore rare original Elvis photos, which were kindly given to them from an Elvis fan from the United States. Are you curious? Then let surprise you by 110 pages (44 pages of that are in English language) pure Elvis. Be sure to get your issue!!! http://www.elvispresley-fanclub.de/
Limited Edition Only 1977 issues worldwide 30 Euro
You do have a lucky number between 1 and 1977? Do let us know and you will get your magazine with your lucky number!
The Brithish news paper The Telegraph publishes an interesting read on Elvis and Led Zeppelin in today's edition. Here's the full article, about the only meeting between Elvis and Led Zeppelin, 35 years ago.
It's hard to believe that they were ever in the same room, but in 1972 the two diametrically opposed corners of the music world came together. Led Zeppelin met Elvis Presley. The matchmaker was their mutual promoter, Jerry Weintraub (later to produce the Ocean's 11 series with George Clooney and Brad Pitt), who took Jimmy Page and Robert Plant up to Presley's Las Vegas hotel suite.
Zeppelin's music then permeated the airwaves. They were enormously popular, an enigmatic force of hard rock. Presley had already reinvented himself as the jump-suited King of Vegas, and an "honorary drug-enforcement" pal of Richard Nixon's.
For the first few minutes of the summit meeting, Elvis ignored Led Zeppelin. The room was filled with an awkward silence. Bodyguards monitored the temperature. Jimmy Page - who had first picked up a guitar after hearing Elvis singing Baby Let's Play House on overseas American radio - began to fidget. What was going on? Did Elvis really want to meet them? Was this a big misunderstanding?
Finally Elvis turned to his guests. His first question had nothing to do with Zeppelin's music. It was their roguish reputation that interested him. "Tell me," asked Elvis, "is it true, these stories about you boys on the road?"
For a surreal moment, they found themselves staring at the three-dimensional embodiment of their own youthful rebellion. Plant spoke first, without cracking a smile. "Of course not," he said. "We're family men. In fact, I get the most pleasure out of walking the hotel corridors, singing your songs." Plant leaned forward, and offered his own best Elvis Presley impersonation. "Treat me like a foooool, treat me mean and cruuuel, but loooooove me."
Presley eyed Plant very carefully. Presley's "Memphis Mafia" studied the moment with growing intensity. And then Presley burst out laughing. The bodyguards burst out laughing. Suddenly, the atmosphere was dorm-room friendly.
For the next two hours, Presley entertained them with his own road stories, and tales from his movie-making days. He confessed that he had never heard Led Zeppelin's music, except for the one song his stepbrother played him - Stairway to Heaven. "I liked it," said Presley.
Later, walking down the hallway from the hotel room, Page and Plant congratulated themselves on their meeting with the King. Had it really gone as well as it seemed? The answer arrived a moment later.
"Hey," came a voice from down the hall. Elvis had poked his head out the door. They would never meet again, but this last image was one for the memoirs. It was Presley, serenading his new hard-rock friends with a perfect imitation of Robert Plant doing him. "Treat me like foooool."
Courtessey ElvisMatters.com
Elvis On Irish TV
An IRISH Advertising campaign has been launched advertising the Elvis # 1 Hit Performances DVD recently released, for the coming Christmas market. It may help see Elvis again on the Irish Charts...
My friend Joe Krein from New York at Elvis2001 has furnished me details of the recent application of Graceland to be nominated a historic premises in the State of Memphis. The application makes interesting reading and gives us an insight to the history of Graceland before it became Elvis' home. We learn of its original construction, the reasoning of the large ground floor rooms, and the Moore family who built the classic revival residence in 1939 before Elvis purchased it in the 1950's. Stayed tuned for this document as its uploaded on ElvisOnLine shortly.
Mercury Rising...
Elvis was voted #2 in the top ten rock legends of all time by a new survey out November 23rd. The research, commissioned to coincide with the launch of video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, asked Britons to vote their top ten Rock Gods of all time. Elvis Presley narrowly missed out on the Rock ?n' Roll crown coming second after Queen's Freddy Mercury. Following him, Woodstock veteran Jimi Hendrix was awarded third placing. EOL would like your views.
How Great Thou Art......
After uploading my recent article of Elvis How Great Thou Art...We Shall Have Acclamation... I learnt of the following posting on You Tube. The posting is a fans editing of the official Elvis On Tour version and the '77 CBS Special, with the argument that the later being equally better. In total agreement, check out the link and tell EOL your opinion...
With the "Annual Lighting Ceremony" taking place on November 23rd, Graceland has now been officially lit for the festive season. Click http://winter.elvis.com/ to see Elvis' beloved home lit up, on EPE's live web cam of Graceland. The lawn has also been decorated with the original nativity that was used by Elvis while he lived there. This can be seen live at http://elvis.com/graceland/vtour/gracecam.asp.
(Image courtessey of elvismatters)
CHRISTMAS TREE
ElvisOnLine has received these beautiful photographs of an Elvis Decorated Christmas Trees, as decorated by Betty and Barbara of the Elvis Presley Fan Club of the Carolina's. The tree is artificial, with full decoration of Elvis Christmas Festivities. They will make any collection that bit special and no doubt look superb in their home this Christmas time. EOL would like to wish the Betty and Barbara a Merry Christmas and offer our support at this difficult time to Betty. Watch next for the Elvis cakes made by fellow members of her club
Last weekend 35 years ago ... NOVEMBER 17th & 18th 1972
Today, 35 years ago, Elvis began his so-called 'pre rehearsal shows' for the big "Aloha From Hawaii" TV-show. Elvis and his band would do three shows in Honolulu, Hawaii, on November 17th & 18th. These were the last shows of the year, and the next live performance would be live on TV via satellite. The shows themselves featured new songs, that would eventually be done at the Satellite show too, and Elvis felt obviously relaxed - throwing his belt in the audience just as he would do 2 months later.
Always a true romantic, Elvis recorded many, many love songs throughout his career, beginning with "I Want You I Need You I Love You" in 1956 and running the entire span of his life. Entire eras of his remarkable life and career can be evoked by the mere mention of the title of one of his many love songs. Mention "Love Me Tender" and a hundred images spring to mind. The same can be said for his many other songs of romance. Elvis and his love songs had remained an unexplored area of Elvis' remarkable career. Now,"Love Me Tender.The Love Songs Of Elvis Presley" tells the warm story of the tender side of the King of Rock and Roll. Narrated by Ashley Judd, "Love Me Tender" is Elvis as you've never seen him.
"I'd like to tell you that it's really been a pleasure bein' in Las Vegas"
Elvis Presley, 1956.
Elvis Nevada Nights...
The latest Elvis Nevada nights release does appear to capture Elvis as remembered by his fellow musicians... Having Fun... The intimacy captured of Elvis interacting with his band as audience, highly insightful...
Christmas Elvis Duets Album...Yes?No?
NOV: ALERT!!!
Elvis, No 1 Dead Celebrity Earner 2008
The American magazine Forbes just published it's yearly
list of top earning dead celebrities. Elvis is still the number
one in this list with a whopping $52 million. That is more
than some of today's active entertainers. For example,
Madonna earned $40 million. Famous legends as Marilyn
Monroe and James Dean are among the steady names in
the list. New arrivals are actors that just passed away:
Heath Ledger and Paul Newman. Two years ago, Elvis lost
the number 1 position to Kurt Cobain, who's catalogue was
sold in 2006. His name does not appear on the list anymore.
Courtessey: ElvisMatters
What is your opinion of Elvis songs remixed, such as the latest 2008 remix of Baby Let's Play House?
What do you think of the scheduled Elvis duets Christmas album to be released?
What is your opinion of EPE's latest statement and speculated expansion intentions?
Do you think the CBS Special of 1977 should be released as a Special Edition ?
Should FTD go down the road of DVD releases?
What is your opinion of Elvis Tribute Artists?
"Elvis managed to take over a song . . . It's written in stone once he cuts it."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS
My friend Joe Krein of Elvis 2001 has just informed me of his exciting new interview with Patrick Lacy, on his recent book, Elvis Decoded... The interview has received tremendous reviews and I strongly urge members to check it out at 
