Wednesday, November 06, 2024

November 06 - LIFE Magazine

Due for release from LIFE magazine is the annual Elvis Presley edition of 'Elvis Remembered'. This year the magazine is updated with Elvis' 90th birthday and the story of his Graceland mansion. 

Synopsis
: Celebrate the King of Rock 'n' Roll with this keepsake biography of Elvis Presley, lavishly illustrated with dozens of historic photos, including many from the archives of LIFE magazine.

A detailed timeline traces Elvis's life from when he received his first guitar to his glory days filled with recording, acting, and gyrating for shrieking fans, to his great '68 comeback, and right up to his untimely death in 1977. 

Intimate photojournalism combines with insightful text to reveal Elvis behind the scenes: at Graceland and on the road, with Priscilla and Lisa Marie, in front of the cameras, and on the stage. Explore the days of 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Don't Be Cruel', 'Blue Suede Shoes', 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Love Me Tender', 'Blue Christmas" and so many other unforgettable hits. 

The paperback / magazine is available from >>> Amazon (associate link).
Please note that this product is an authorized edition published by the Dotdash Meredith Corporation and sold by Amazon. This edition is printed using a high quality matte interior paper and printed on demand for immediate fulfillment.

(Source: Amazon)

Tuesday, November 05, 2024

November 05 - If I Can Dream of Jailhouse Rock

The Popcorn import record label released the 2-LP-set ‘Jailhouse Rock’ on 180 Gr. clear and purple colored vinyl, and as a double CD-set. 

Publicity stated: Now available is the fourth release on the Popcorn label. This amazing double album is completely dedicated to the ‘Jailhouse Rock’ sessions. These sessions took place in April and May of 1957, at Studio B at the Radio Recorders Studio in Hollywood California. Some overdubs and scoring sessions took place at the MGM soundstage. The sessions resulted in 6 master recordings beside some alternate movie versions. 

The movie premiered October 17th 1957 at the Loews Theatre In Memphis Tennessee. The title song ‘Jailhouse Rock’ was released on 45RPM (with ‘Treat Me Nice’ on side B) and topped the charts for 7 weeks. It reached the gold status but the R.I.A.A did not started their award program until 1958. According to the Billboard magazine the later released ‘Extended Play’ was the bestselling EP of 1958.   

Now you can enjoy highlights from these recording sessions on this deluxe double album. All of the takes are fully remastered and sound better then ever. The movie versions are speed corrected and are presented in their original mono sound.  

All the tracks are also available on the 2 Bonus CDs (housed in cardboard sleeves) that are added to this package. For the first time the two CDs are also available separate (in an ultra limited quantity) as a Deluxe digipack. 

LP 1 - side A: Jailhouse Rock (2001 - Take 6) - Jailhouse Rock (2002 - Pickup / Take 1 & 2) - Treat Me Nice (2003 - Take 17 - 19) - Young And Beautiful (2004 - Record Version / Take 3) - (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care (2015 - 1st Vocal Overdub / Take 1) - Don’t Leave Me Now (2016 - 1st Version - Piano / Take 1) - I Want To Be Free (H2WB 6781 - Record Version Composite) - Young And Beautiful (2005 - Solo Jailversion / Take 1 & 2 - No Echo)

Side B: Young And Beautiful (2006 - Take 3 & 4) - Treat Me Nice (2008 - Second Movie Version / Take 3, 4 & 5) - I Want To Be Free (2009 - Prison TV Version / Take 7 - 11) - Don’t Leave Me Now (2017 - 2nd Version - Hit Record Version - Take 7 & 8) - I Want To Be Free (2010 - Record Version / Take 7, 8 & 9) - Treat Me Nice (H2WB 6778 - RCA Movie Version Composite) - Young And Beautiful (MGM Composite Master - Movie End Version) - (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care (2021 - 2nd Vocal Overdub / Take 6 - Isolated Vocals)

LP 2 - side C: I Want To Be Free (2011 - Pickup 1st Ending / Take 1 & 2) - I Want To Be Free (2012 - Pickup 2nd Ending / Take 1 - 5) - (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care (2412 - MGM Movie Edit) - Treat Me Nice (2405 - MGM Composite Master) - I Want To Be Free (WPA5 2508 - MGM Composite Master) - Don’t Leave Me Now (2022 - 2nd Movie Version / Take 12) - Don’t Leave Me Now (2023 - 1st Movie Version / Take 2) - Jailhouse Rock (2024 - Take 6 / Alternate Movie Version With Male Overdubs) - Treat Me Nice (2526 - Overdubbed MGM Movie Version) - Jailhouse Rock (2533 - Overdubbed MGM Movie Version)

Side D: The Soundtrack Versions In Original Mono:
Jailhouse Rock - Young And Beautiful (Version 1) - Young And Beautiful (Version 2) - Don’t Leave Me Now (Version 1) - Don’t Leave Me Now (Version 2) - I Want To Be Free - Treat Me Nice - Young Ynd Beautiful (Version 3) - (You´re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care

Bonus Songs: Jailhouse Rock (Unedited RCA Record Master) - One More Day (1st Movie Version) - Dont Leave Me Now (Movie Set Version) - (You’re So Square( Baby I Don’t Care (2013 - “Track” Take 8 & 9)

CD 1: Jailhouse Rock (2001 - Take 6) - Jailhouse Rock (2002 - Pickup / Take 1 & 2) - Treat Me Nice (2003 - Take 17 - 19) - Young And Beautiful (2004 - Record Version / Take 3) - (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care (2015 - 1st Vocal Overdub / Take 1) - Don’t Leave Me Now (2016 - 1st Version - Piano / Take 1) - I Want To Be Free (H2WB 6781 - Record Version Composite) -  Young And Beautiful (2005 - Solo Jailversion / Take 1 & 2 - No Echo) - Young And Beautiful (2006 - Take 3 & 4) - Treat Me Nice (2008 - Second Movie Version / Take 3, 4 & 5) - I Want To Be Free (2009 - Prison TV Version / Take 7 - 11) - Don’t Leave Me Now (2017 - 2nd Version - Hit Record Version - Take 7 & 8) - I Want To Be Free (2010 - Record Version / Take 7, 8 & 9) - Treat Me Nice (H2WB 6778 - RCA Movie Version Composite) - Young And Beautiful (MGM Composite Master - Movie End Version) - (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care (2021 - 2nd Vocal Overdub / Take 6 - Isolated Vocals) - I Want To Be Free (2011 - Pickup 1st Ending / Take 1 & 2) - I Want To Be Free (2012 - Pickup 2nd Ending / Take 1 - 5) - (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care (2412 - MGM Movie Edit) - Treat Me Nice (2405 - MGM Composite Master) - I Want To Be Free (WPA5 2508 - MGM Composite Master) - Don’t Leave Me Now (2022 - 2nd Movie Version / Take 12)

CD 2: Don’t Leave Me Now (2023 - 1st Movie Version / Take 2) - Jailhouse Rock (2024 - Take 6 / Alternate Movie Version With Male Overdubs) - Treat Me Nice (2526 - Overdubbed MGM Movie Version) - Jailhouse Rock (2533 - Overdubbed MGM Movie Version)

The Soundtrack Versions In Original Mono: Jailhouse Rock - Young And Beautiful (Version 1) - Young And Beautiful (Version 2) - Don’t Leave Me Now (Version 1) - Don’t Leave Me Now (Version 2) - I Want To Be Free - Treat Me Nice - Young Ynd Beautiful (Version 3) - (You´re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care

Bonus Songs: Jailhouse Rock (2411 - Long Version With Piano And Drum Intro) - One More Day (1st Movie Version - Mickey Shaughnessy) - Dont Leave Me Now (Movie Set Version) - (You’re So Square( Baby I Don’t Care (2013 - “Track” Take 8 & 9) - Jailhouse Rock (Unedited RCA Record Master)

If I Can Dream

The Petticoat records import label released the LP / CD set ‘If I Can Dream’ on colored vinyl.

Publicity stated
: Petticoat records is back! This time with a fantastic vinyl album full of selected outtakes recorded during the recording sessions and filming of the '1968 Comeback Special'.
 
This high quality album (including bonus CD) featuring 16 rare and hard to find alternate versions is now available. Most tracks debut on vinyl for the very first time.
 
Great stuff: from beautiful versions of 'If I Can Dream' and 'It Hurts Me' to powerful renditions of 'Big Boss Man' and 'Little Egypt'. The record ends with 5 powerful highlights of the dressing room rehearsal of June 25 1968. 

And as always housed in a stunning full color sleeve suitable for framing! This high quality 180 Gr. virgin vinyl pressing is now available in clear and on red colored vinyl. And of course a bonus CD featuring all tracks is included.
  
Side A: If I Can Dream (V.O Take 4 - 918 - 30.06.1968) - Nothingville / Guitar Man (“Guitar Man’s Evil” Section 1 Take 2) - Let Yourself Go (“Guitar Man’s Evil” Section 2 Take 7 - M - 20.06.1968) - It Hurts Me ("Escape” Section 4 Take 5 - 20.06.1968) - Big Boss Man (“Escape” Section 3 Take 1 & 2 - 20.06.1968) - Saved / Preach For The Sky / Saved (“Gospel” Section 3 Take 4 - 22.06.1968) - Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child / Where Could I Go But To The Lord? / Yes, Yes, Yes / Up Above My Head (Rehearsal & Take 1 - 21.06.1968)

Side B: Trouble / Guitar Man (“Guitar Man Opening” Take 7 - 22.06.1968) - Nothingville ("Guitar Man’s Evil” Section 1 Take 5 & 6 - 20.06.1968) - Little Egypt / Trouble (V. O “Nightclub” Take 4 - 1010 - 30.06.1968) - If I Can Dream (Record Version Take 2, 3 & 4 - 23.06.1968)

Highlights Dressing Room Rehearsal - 25.06.1968: Tiger Man - Lawdy Miss Clawdy - One Night - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - Blue Moon Of Kentucky
 
v.o. = vocal overdub / all tracks in Stereo except for A01/A08/B03/B05-B09 which are in Mono.

(Source: Elvis Shop London)

Monday, November 04, 2024

November 04 - Elvis UK - The Ultimate CD Trilogy

British authors John Townson and Gordon Minto announced the December 2024 release of ‘Elvis UK - Compact Volume 1 The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British CD Releases 1983-2005‘, the first volume of a new physical soft-back trilogy on Elvis Presley’s U.K. CD discography. Released "by popular demand".

Publicity stated
: This trilogy of books represents the first major attempt by anyone to chronicle in exhaustive and painstaking detail the rise of Elvis’s compact disc releases from 1983 onwards – cross-referenced where appropriate with vinyl versions. And while particularly focused on the UK, there is a huge amount of overlap with other territories which makes it of major interest to Elvis collectors throughout the world. 
 
When first published in digital form, the reviews were outstanding. Here are just a few of the comments received:  I have never seen such a detailed book’ (Bernard Roughton), ‘an amazing piece of work’, (Andy Pendl),  ‘an incredible amount of detail’ (Carlos Filgueires), ‘one helluva reference book’ (Bill Bruce), ‘the amount of information is mind-blowing’ (Tony Galvin), ‘absolutely brilliant!’ (Mal Walsh), ‘oozes class, an absolute stunner!’ (Mike Reddy).

Volume 1 of this three-volume, soft-backed set (each volume published in turn over a period of several months – thus spreading the cost) will be available to order as of December 2024 priced at UK£50 per book (which includes p&p costs for UK buyers) directly available from the author’s webshop at >>> Elvis UK Books

Apart from minor changes to the layout, the print copy editions will contain exactly the same content as the downloadable, digital flip book version (entitled ‘
Elvis UK3 The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British CD Releases 1983-2005’), first issued in early 2021. Nothing has been added; nothing omitted.
 
Please note: On buying the three volumes, each buyer will be sent a complimentary copy of the 23-track CD entitled ‘Beyond The Legend’, completely free of charge. More details to follow soon. Watch this space!

(Source: Gordon Minto)

Sunday, November 03, 2024

November 03 - German Gold

The 'Jailhouse Rock' single was awarded a Gold Certification by the BVMI for selling over 300,000 copies (physical and streams) since the re-release of the single in 1975. 

This marks the first certification for Elvis Presley since the Triple Gold certification of the 'ELV1S 30 No. 1 Hits' compilation in 2003.


Quincy Jones Died

Legendary Music Composer and Producer Quincy Jones Die. He was 91.

His resume of high-profile projects reads like a list of essential cultural touchstones - scoring the TV series 'Roots', producing and composing for the film 'The Color Purple', and conducting and producing the multi-artist song 'We Are the World', to raise money for African famine relief. Jones won an Emmy, an Oscar, a Tony and 28 Grammys (with 80 nominations), plus three special Grammy awards. In 2013, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Jones worked with Billie Holiday at 14, arranged Frank Sinatra records at 29, and teamed with Michael Jackson to produce three albums, including Jackson’s landmark 1982 LP, 'Thriller', which broke sales records of more than 100 million copies worldwide.

In 1956 he played second trumpet in the Dorsey Brothers band on TV’s 'Stage Show', supporting 21-year-old Elvis Presley in his six appearances on the show.

In a wide-ranging discussion, Jones was asked about his opinion on both Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley, to which he replied: “[Jackson] was doing some Elvis copying, too. ‘The King of Pop,’ man. Come on!” Jones said.

Over the years, Jones was rarely afraid to share this view, no matter the subject of the question. Having famously taken The Beatles down a peg before apologizing to Paul McCartney, it would seem Jones also had an issue with Elvis Presley and labelled the Graceland icon a “racist”.

While Jones has worked with some of the biggest names in popular culture history, he would never have considered collaborating with Elvis: “No. I wouldn’t work with him,” he said. Given Jones’ role as a fantastic producer and Presley’s penchant for pop hits, one might have considered the match good, but Jones refused to entertain the notion.

I was writing for Tommy Dorsey, oh God, back then in the ’50s,” Jones elaborated on why he would ignore The King. “And Elvis came in, and Tommy said: ‘I don’t want to play with him.’ He was a racist mother - I’m going to shut up now,” Jones notes without too much of a hint of coming through with his threat. “But every time I saw Elvis, he was being coached by [‘Don’t Be Cruel’ songwriter] Otis Blackwell, telling him how to sing,” he added.

Note: the story is not correct, Elvis Presley and Otis Blackwell never met in person. There is no proof of the Tommy Dorsey quote.

You can read Alanna Nash' complete obituary on the >>> AARP website.
 
(Source: Martin van den Driessche / BVMI / Alanna Nash / AARP / Far Out magazine / Elvis Information Network)

Saturday, November 02, 2024

November 02 - Charts November 2024 - Week 1

Elvis did a little better on the Streaming charts compared to last week, winning 10 spots in the U.K. thanks to fans streaming his classics, and he returned to the Holiday Album chart in the U.S. as we're approaching that time of the year again.

On Billboard's Top Country Album chart the 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' compilation marked its 300th week on the chart. 






Official U.K. charts:
  • Official Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' won 2 places, climbing from No. 58 to No. 56. 
  • Official Streaming Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed 10 places, from No. 49 to No. 39. 

Irish IRMA charts: 
  • Official Irish Album chart: 'ELV1S 30#1 Hits' lost 2 places, dropping to No. 80. 

Billboard charts:
   
  • Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' remained steady at No. 37. This marked the 300th week on the chart.   
  • Billboard Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' lost 1 spot, dropping to No. 49.  
  • Top Holiday Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' made a re-entry at No. 14.

US Book Charts: 

Extra charts from the U.S. this week, for the Lisa Marie Presley biography. On the New York Times 'Combined Print and E-Book Nonfiction' and 'Hardcover Nonfiction' bestsellers lists, 'From Here To The Great Unknown' dropped 5 spots to No. 7. On the Hardcover Non Fiction bestsellers list the book lost 5 spots and slid down to No. 8. 

The book dropped off the Publisher's Weekly Overall Bestsellers list Top 10 but remained steady at No. 2 on the Non Fiction Hardcover book list. 

(Source: Billboard / Official Chart Company / IRMA / UK Mix Forum/ IPFI / Amazon / NY Times / Publisher's Weekly)

Friday, November 01, 2024

November 01 - Return of a Prodigy - Elvis By Invitation Only

The Gravel Road Music import record label announced the release of the Deluxe vinyl box-set 
of their ‘Return of a Prodigy’ and  a new book / Blu-ray / DVD  / CD  set titled 'Elvis By Invitation Only'. 

And according to the opening words of the promotional text: “what’s a better year than to start with Elvis’ Big Bang year 1969!

The complete publicity stated: Together with our new book we will also release our very first deluxe vinyl-set by Gravel Road Music! 

First of all, we would like to apologize for the amount of text, but there is so much that needs to be said that we cannot avoid it. Normally there is at least 1 reason that you have to mention that really matters for a release.
 
We have 7 solid reasons for all kind of collectors, 
  1. Almost all photos of the opening show including unpublished ones in very good quality. 
  2. Extensive and new information from the first days in Las Vegas. 
  3. Impressive new transfer of dinner show from August 3, 1969 with many extras on 2 Gold CDs. 
  4. 50+ minutes of documentary of 8mm footage in incredible unreleased quality on Blu-ray and DVD.
  5. Our first double LP ‘The Return of a Prodigy’ in a trifold sleeve with a beautiful 24-page full color booklet in 12-inch format.
  6. A complete reproduction of the extremely rare VIP gift box from 1969 with very rare content and the opening night invitation. Everything in the same high-quality as back in 1969 which of course includes the album ‘The Return of a Prodigy’ in a trifold sleeve.
  7. The book and the boxset are fully integrated with each other. It is not a repetition of the content of the book but an addition to the experience of 1969.

Also, when you buy the book in combination with the VIP box set, you get the specially made double-sided single ‘In The Ghetto / Suspicious Minds’ as a bonus. The single comes as a surprise color, from all the possible colors vinyl we could find. 

All sets are numbered with a hologram seal to guarantee that it is a one-off release in this form. The VIP box set album, ‘The Return of a Prodigy’ trifold sleeve will be available in 2 different sets, one on magenta and orange colored vinyl and second second edition on high grade black vinyl. Both editions have a number code to identify which color is in the packaging.

The book ‘Elvis By Invitation Only’ includes 2 CDs, a Blu-ray and a DVD.

The book ‘Elvis By Invitation Only’, in combination with the promotional Pre-opening Night VIP Box-set, is meant to transport yourself to 1969 and see everything happening first hand!  

July 31, 1969 is a moment, if not the most important moment in Elvis’ career and definitively one of the most exciting times in his life. The book details how he rose to the untouchable immortal status, his fears and victories and how he became the benchmark for music today! 

The book explains how none fans became fans overnight in 1969 and how the music industry watched closely what the impact of Elvis’ return to live performing would be. Would rise or fail? This set helps you capture the shear feeling of excitement of being there, not as a fly-on-the-wall, no, it puts you in the center of it all!

This VIP box gives you the chance to hold and touch a little piece of the history yourself. It’s a time capsule, so join us and travel back in time to meet Elvis in July 1969!

Content of the book

The 408-page book is an extensive in-depth study of the massive impact Elvis’ return to live performing had on the music industry today. Because this wasn’t just a comeback for Elvis, but a revolution in the music and entertainment industry and how Elvis was the source of it all. This book is based upon months of research, revealing new facts, documents and interviews. 

It features rare promotion material, supported with original documents and a staggering 440+ photos to see for yourself. The book holds the largest collection of the Opening Show photos ever published and includes unpublished and rare photographs in excellent color quality. 

The two audio CDs contain a new transfer of the August 3, 1969 Dinner Show, the pre-opening VIP interviews, part of the Sammy Shore act and even the Las Vegas radio spots. No, we didn't want to skip a single piece of essential audio. There is no comparison to what is already known by fans listening to these two discs.

The Blu-ray and the DVD contain a brand new 50+ minutes 8mm documentary featuring only  1969 footage to support the book’s content and includes new and rare footage in amazing quality. The content of the Blu-ray and the DVD is the same, but on the Blu-ray we were able to present it in a better quality. 

On the discs you’ll find the pre-opening VIP Interviews, Sammy Shore and over 21 minutes Elvis live on stage in Las Vegas 1969. Also included are 6 extra 6 minutes of footage from August 18th, 1969. This is only included for the rareness, but is unfortunately only available in lesser quality. The disc ends with footage of at Elvis home in Los Angeles, during the rehearsals in 1969 featuring, among others Priscilla, Colonel Parker, and of course, Elvis! As a bonus we included a 1969 music clip. 

LP - Side One: Blue Suede Shoes / I Got A Woman / All Shook Up / Love Me Tender / Jailhouse Rock - Don't Be Cruel / Heartbreak Hotel.
Side Two: Hound Dog / Memories / Mystery Train - Tiger Man / Life Story.
Side Three: Baby, What'd You Want Me To Do / Are You Lonesome Tonight / Yesterday / Hey Jude / Introductions.
Side Four: In The Ghetto / Suspicious Minds / What'd I Say / I Can't Help Falling In Love With You.

CD 1: 1. Radio Spot no. 1 2. Radio Spot no. 2  3. Interviews with Gloria Steinem (Opening Night, July 31, 1969.) Alex Shoofey 4. George Hamilton 5. Shirley Bassey 6. Henry Mancini 7. Ed Ames 8. Bill Miller 9. opening Act Sammy Shore (excerpt) Fanfare (the Bobby Morris Band) (excerpt) 10. Blue Suede Shoes 11. I Got A Woman 12. All Shook Up 13. Elvis Welcomes Audience 14. Love Me Tender 15. Medley: Jailhouse Rock - Don’t Be Cruel 16. Heartbreak Hotel 17. Monologue - Vegas throat 18. Hound Dog 19. Memories.

CD 2: 1. Medley: Mystery Train - Tiger Man 2.  Life Story 3. Baby What You Want Me To Do 4. Are You Lonesome Tonight? 5. Yesterday - Hey Jude 6. Introductions 7. In The Ghetto 8. Suspicious Minds 9. What I’d Say 10. Can’t Help Falling In Love.
 
Details of the Promotional Pre-opening Night VIP Box

Because this is our very first vinyl release, we wanted to make something spectacular for the collectors. So it is really limited, and there will be no reprints. 

We focus on the content and quality of this set. And because it is special, we will used the 180 Gr. high grade vinyl and two symbolic colors of the International Hotel. The black vinyl edition is limited to 375 copies, the colored vinyl set is limited to 600 sets. Every box is numbered with holographic seals. This promotional VIP box is also intended as promotion for our book ‘Elvis - By Invitation Only’. 

Everything for this box set was custom made, using as much as possible the same material as originally used in 1969. And believe us, they were not stingy, it is quality all over. This made the production more expensive than a regular release. It also shows the high standard the International Hotel stood for in 1969.

Content of the Promotional “Opening Nigh VIP Box-set: 

The box itself is a reproduction with minor upgrade of the rare original 1969 Opening Night VIP gift box and contains:  
  • The most faithful reproduction of the Opening Night invitation and the RSVP card with the matching envelopes (very rare).
  • Two rare different promotional photo cards of the International with the mirrored advertising and the International Hotel logo on the front.
  • The 9-page newsletter from Col. Parker.
  • Two of four different promotion photos with alternate photos.
  • The original 1969 RCA catalog (36 pages) which were handed out during the press conference. These were also included with the VIP box.
  • Double sided reproductions of the music store poster for ‘Suspicious Minds’ with promotional text for the Elvis performance at the International Hotel (24 x 12-inch).
  • The audio for the ‘Elvis - The Return of a Prodigy' is directly taken from a new transfer and was remastered with impressive audio results. The concert is pressed on 2 LPs for optimum audio quality.
  • The set comes housed in a deluxe 12-inch three panel gatefold sleeve with a beautiful 24-page full color booklet (12 x 12 Inch).
  • The photos used for the boxset are different from the book, so you will have new photos when you have both.
There are 2 versions of the box: the Platinum Seal Edition containing a high grade black 180 Gr. vinyl set (the best choice for audio on vinyl) and the Gold Seal Edition with a transparent magenta / orange 180 Gr. vinyl set. 

All the items from 1969 are very carefully chosen for its rarity and value. No expense was spared to realize this custom time capsule. Every Elvis historian, die-hard fan, collector of 8mm footage, music or photo collector will recognize the value of this iconic collection. The quality is unmatched, this is the real Elvis standard and for once limited available. All box sets are numbered to ensure it is really limited.

As you can read, we are excited ourselves! Read the book and be proud of Elvis and Colonel Parker's achievements. They did it! On July 31, 1969 they changed the music world forever.

NoteThis concert was previously released by the Gravel Road label on CD in 2009.

The set is available from the >>> Bennies Fifties webshop.

Elvis Poster Magazine

Hot kn the heels of their annual Elvis Presley edition, the Vintage Rock magazine announced the release of a new poster magazine titled 'In Focus Elvis'. 

Publicity stated
We're thrilled to introduce you to this brand new 'In Focus Elvis A3' poster magazine, "a must-have for any Elvis fan!"

Description: 'Elvis In Focus' is a luxurious collectors item that marks what would have been the King's 90th birthday, detailing his rise to fame and his many music, movie and personal achievements, all illustrated with 16 lavish A3 portraits plus one stunning A2 pull-out poster.

(Source: Gravel Road Music / Pascal Matteo / Vintage Rock)

Thursday, October 31, 2024

October 31 - Golden Boy Elvis

The German Golden Boy Elvis fan club published the 4th digital supplement to their self titled paper fan club magazine. 

This Halloween edition features an up-to-date wrap-up of the news and various articles on the new Netflix documentary, the AI Show in London, FTD releases and more. From the GBE-archive this e-magazine features an in-depth review of the 'American Sound Sessions' set.

For more information on the magazine and fan club, visit the >>> Golden Boy Elvis website. 

(Source: Golden Boy Elvis)

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

October 30 - Million Dollar Christmas

Forbes published their annual 'Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities' list', stating "dying is the only thing that guarantees a rock star will have a legacy that stretches beyond temporary relevance. It also still pays well.” The Top 3 for 2024:

1. Michael Jackson - US$600 Million.
2. Freddie Mercury - US$250 Million
3. Dr. Seuss - US$75 Million

Elvis Presley is listed at No. 4 with US$50 Million. The magazine noted: "The King is dead, but his fans haven’t left his building. A combination of licensing, music streaming, and revenues generated by Graceland, his Memphis, Tennessee home, remain extremely profitable. Graceland welcomed 600,000 visitors in the past year, according to family representatives, despite a fraudster’s best efforts to sell it at a foreclosure auction in May. In August, the Department of Justice charged a Missouri woman with attempting to defraud the Presley family of millions."

Methodology: This year's Dead Celebrity ranking includes pretax earnings from sales, streams, licensing deals and other sources between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024, as well as estate acquisitions made or announced during the same period. Forbes compiles the numbers with the help of data from Luminate and interviews with industry insiders. Fees for agents, managers and lawyers are not deducted.


Christmas at Graceland

In time for the Holiday season, Graceland published the hardback book 'Christmas at Graceland'. 

Publicity stated
: This collectable Graceland Exclusive hardcover book is filled with photos of Elvis and Graceland during the holidays. Direct from the Graceland Archives, 'Christmas at Graceland' is a photo based book that tells the stories of Elvis’ holiday traditions in addition to giving the reader an insight into the holiday décor, Christmas cards, and much more. 

This is the perfect gift for all Elvis fans and Graceland visitors.

(Source:Graceland / Forbes)

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

October 29 - 90th Birthday Celebrations

Graceland shared details of the 90th Birthday celebrations, January 2025. Born in 1935 in humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis Presley achieved legendary status, leaving a legacy that still resonates.

Graceland invited fans to join them in Memphis from January 8 to 11 2025 for a memorable celebration featuring live concerts, panels, special tours, and much more! Performers and special guests include Sweet Inspiration Estelle Brown, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Terry Mike Jeffrey, Argo, Tom Brown and more. 

Tickets for Elvis' Birthday Celebration will go on sale Friday, November 8 at 1:00 pm CST. More information available on the >>> Graceland website.


Teri Garr Died

Actress Teri Garr, who appeared in several Elvis movies, has passed away at the age of 79.  

She appeared (mainly as a background dancer) in the movies 'Fun In Acapulco', 'Viva Las Vegas', 'Kissin' Cousins', 'Roustabout' and 'Clambake' before her own career took off with roles in such classics as 'Young Frankenstein' (1974), 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (1977), 'Tootsie' (1982) and various TV-shows.

The picture shows Teri Garr (white top) dancing it up with Elvis and Ann Margret in 'Viva Las Vegas'.

(Graceland / Always Elvis)

Saturday, October 26, 2024

October 26 - Elvis, The Guitar and Me

Todd Slaughter announced the December 3, 2024 release of his book 'Elvis, The Colonel and Me - The Elephant in the Room'. 

Publicity stated
: T
his full colour book is released a month prior to the 90th anniversary of Elvis birth (8 January 1935). With the sub-title The Elephant in the Room the text deals with those urban myths that have devalued Elvis’ legacy whilst looking at both his and the Colonel’s private and professional life stories, and Todd Slaughter’s personal recollections of times spent with them both. 

It’s a compassionate story which should answer some of those questions which have often puzzled us. The photographic content of 300 images, in the main, was gifted to us from the Colonel’s private collection. 

Signed author copies can be pre-ordered now from Elvis4Sale.com. 


Not Sold

An Elvis Presley owned and sage played 1974 Martin D28 Acoustic Guitar did not sell at the Gotta have Rock and Roll auction, the instrument did not meet the US$75,000 - US$100,000 estimate.

From the description
: This beautiful Martin D28 acoustic guitar was owned and stage used by Elvis Presley and comes with a detailed letter of provenance from his close friend Charlie Hodge. Elvis used the guitar in the mid-1970's and was his personal property. According to Charlie, Elvis played the guitar both on stage as well as during jam sessions. 

According to Charlie, he nearly always caught it, and a few times it fell on the stage. One of the times he didn't catch it, it hit the stage floor and cracked the guitar towards the bottom - it's a crack that really looks more like several scratches. After that night he stopped using this particular Martin guitar and gifted it to Charlie.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Elvis U.K. Fanclub / Gotta Have Rock and Roll / UEPS)