March 31 - On Tour Details Revealed

Warner Bros. released the details of the Blu-ray/ DVD edition of the 1972 Golden Globe-winning DVD "Elvis On Tour".

From the press-release:


Elvis on Tour, the Golden Globe-winning documentary that followed Elvis on a 15-city tour of the United States in 1972, will make its debut August 3 in newly-restored and remastered Blu-ray and DVD versions from Warner Home Video. A screening of the documentary on August 14 in Memphis will follow the home entertainment release as WHV joins in the celebration of Elvis Week (August 10 – 16), commemorating the 75th birthday year of the rock ‘n’ roll icon.


Elvis on Tour, considered to be Presley's last film before his death in 1977, was described by Variety in their review as “a bright, entertaining pop music documentary detailing episodes in the later professional life of Elvis Presley, the pioneer Pied Piper of rock music.” The film was written and directed by Robert Abel and Pierre Adidge, and the cinematographer was Lucien Ballard. Songs included “See See Rider,” “Proud Mary,” “Burning Love,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Teddy Bear,” “Hound Dog,” “Can't Help Falling in Love with You,” “Love Me Tender,” “All Shook Up,” “Suspicious Minds,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight” and more.



Some of the highlights of the new versions:

• Remastered in High Definition with 16 x 9 2.40 letterboxed image, as seen in the theatrical release.
• Blu-ray audio will be DTS-HD Master Audio (5.1 Surround); DVD audio will be Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround.
• Packaged as a Blu-ray book filled with Elvis photos, quotes, trivia, a tour itinerary, set lists, costumes, and background information about the filming techniques used.
• 25 musical numbers spotlight Elvis Presley’s talent, range and showmanship in captivating on-stage performances and intimate backstage rehearsals with his band.
• Contains Elvis’ first performance of “Burning Love,” which was so new, Elvis referred to the lyric sheet during his performance.
• Elvis’ Ed Sullivan Show performance is included, in which the charm, personality and musical ability that made him an icon is so evident.
• Montage sequences (supervised by Martin Scorsese) showcasing Elvis’ early career and movies.

Essential Elvis Magazine 

The April/ May 2010 edition of the U.K. based Essential Elvis magazine was released.

In Japan the CD "Elvis Presley Electro Cover Compilation meets KORG DS-10" was released.

(Source: Warner Bros. / Essential Elvis / Elvis World Japan).

  

March 30 - BMG Buys Cherry Lane

The Bertelsmann-BMG Rights Management music publisher acquired the New York record label Cherry Lane Music Publishing. The rights by Cherry Lane include approximately 66,000 titles, including the songs of Elvis Presley, the Sex Pistols and Mariah Carey. According to the company a binding agreement has already been made. The purchase price will be approximately 85 million U.S. dollars. With the purchase of Cherry Lane BMG Rights nearly doubled its revenues.

March 29 - Myrna Smith Home And Marketwatch: CKX For Sale

After a stay of almost 3 weeks in a London hospital, Myrna Smith was discharged. The staff of the hospital took her to the airport and she arrived in Los Angeles where she went straight to the hospital for more research. 


From Marketwatch, March 29, 2010: 



CKX Inc. (CKXE 6.00, +0.04, +0.67%) said Monday it's in talks regarding a possible transaction involving the sale of the company, which carries a market capitalization of $500 million. CKX Inc. owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, the operations of Graceland, the rights to the name, image and likeness of Muhammad Ali and proprietary rights to the Idols television brand, including the American Idol series in the U.S. New York-based CKX said there can be no assurance that a deal will be reached.





Bay of Plenty artist Owen Dippie


In this photo taken on March 29, 2010, Bay of Plenty artist Owen Dippie puts the finishing touches to his mural titled 'Two Kings of Rock 'n' Roll' in Tauranga, New Zealand. The graffiti artist has painted the images of Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley. (AP Photo/New Zealand Herald, Alan Gibson) 

Elvis The King And His Music


The Anvil label released the 1 CD/ 2 DVD set "Elvis The King And His Music".

(Source: Associated Press / Amazon)

March 28 - Global Charts

The global chart update - Week 12, 2010



United States


Top 50 Country Catalogue Albums:
• #9 Elvis: 30 #1 Hits
• #39 Essential Elvis


US (Soundscan) sales, as of this week:
• Elvis: 30 #1 Hits - 4,621,053 (sold 2,083 copies this week)
• Essential Elvis - 319,145 (sold 1,147 copies this week)


Canada


Top 50 Country Albums:
• #40 (41) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits


Australia


Top 40 DVDs:
• #18 (35) Elvis: The King Of Rock ’N’ Roll


Top 50 Catalogue Albums:
• #39 (33) The King


Austria


Top 75 Albums:
• OUT (67) The King - 75th Anniversary Edition [3CD]

March 27 - Elvis (Out) Now And UK Best Selling Artist

The Follow That Dream Collectors label released the original album "Elvis Now" as a 2 CD set in their Classic Albums series. 


This album features the single Until It's Time For You To Go / We Can Make It In The Morning. Bonus tracks include I'm Leavin', It's Only Love and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. In addition to the masters, it features many great outtakes. The 7' inch digi-pack format features a 12-page booklet with great photographs and RARE memorabilia.


The double vinyl re-issue of the classic "Jailhouse Rock" soundtrack has been released on the Follow That Dream collectors label too and was shipped to fans early April.  



All-Time Top 40 Best Selling Singles Acts in the UK

The Top 50 UK Singles Acts were originally revealed on Channel 4, on Sunday 22nd February 2004.

Here is VH1's up-date - shown today - Saturday 27th March 2010.

key: 2010 rank [2004 rank] artist -- total sales change since 2004 {rank in best sellers of the 00s}

1 [1] Cliff Richard -- 21,350k ä +381k
2 [3] Elvis Presley -- 20,840k ä +1,547k {27}
3 [2] Beatles -- 20,800k ä +0k
4 [4] Madonna -- 17,000k ä +2,437k {6}
5 [5] Elton John -- 14,725k ä +1,250k
6 [6] Michael Jackson -- 14,030k ä +2,719k {17}
7 [7] Queen -- 11,900k ä +1,565k
8 [8] Abba -- 10,040k ä +36k
9 [9] Paul McCartney / Wings -- 9,910k ä +128k
10 [10] David Bowie -- 9,910k ä +518k 

March 26 - Elvis Presley's Newseum

Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. and Memphis’ award-winning newspaper, The Commercial Appeal, are proud to bring Elvis fans, historians, music lovers, and everyone who loves Memphis an exciting new book, "Elvis Presley’s Memphis." Both entities have opened their significant archives and discovered photographs, documents and news stories that share Memphis through the eyes of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. 

Elvis on August 5, 1955 at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis, TN. This was Elvis' second Shell appearance, his first being July 30, 1954. The photographer, Robert W. Dye, photographed Elvis from February 6, 1955 until September 29, 1956 throughout Memphis. This is one of hundreds of photos of Elvis in Memphis that will appear in "Elvis Presley's Memphis."


There is no question about it, Elvis Presley loved his hometown. He may have been born in Tupelo, taken Hollywood by storm, and later triumphed everywhere from Vegas to Honolulu, but to everyone in every city he said, “I would love to show you Memphis.” 


Preorders for the book will begin on Friday, April 2 and a special enhanced version, which will include a DVD, will be on sale only at Graceland during Elvis Week in Memphis. 


Elvis At The Newseum



Experience the power of Elvis Presley and the explosive impact he had on music and popular culture in a new Newseum exhibit featuring stage costumes and other professional and personal mementos from the Graceland collection.

The exhibit tells the story of Presley as he was portrayed in the news media and explores how
his music and physicality pushed the boundaries of mainstream taste and free expression during a time when America was experiencing deep generational shifts.

“Elvis!” will open in what would have been Presley’s 75th birthday year. The Newseum — a 250,000-square-foot museum of news in Washington, D.C. — offers visitors an experience that blends five centuries of news history with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits. Within its seven levels of galleries and theaters, the Newseum offers a unique environment that takes museum-goers behind the scenes to experience how and why news is made.

Produced in collaboration with Elvis Presley Enterprises, the Newseum exhibit includes a number of rare objects from the Graceland vaults that have never before been publicly displayed. See private telegrams, letters and scrapbooks that chronicle Presley’s rise as a music and media sensation, as well as his death and his enduring legacy. The exhibit also includes an original Newseum-produced video featuring vintage footage of the entertainer, from performances to press conferences, shown on a dazzling 90-foot-long video wall in the Newseum’s Big Screen Theater.

Relive some of the top headline making moments from Presley’s career, including:
• The breakthrough recordings that made music history.
• The smoldering performances that made him a symbol of youthful rebellion and a target of censorship.
• The early television appearances that created controversy and coverage.
• His White House meeting with President Richard M. Nixon.
• His shocking 1977 death, which dominated the news as no entertainer’s death ever had before.

The Newseum exhibit features rare photographs and original newspapers and magazines covering Presley’s career. Artifacts on loan from Graceland include Presley’s iconic 1957 Harley- Davidson motorcycle; the “American Eagle” jumpsuit and cape wore during the rehearsal for his 1973 Aloha From Hawaii concert, seen by more than 1 billion viewers worldwide; the gold and diamond belt presented to him in 1969 for breaking Las Vegas attendance records; and memorable costumes from his stage and screen appearances. Also included are rare news scrapbooks compiled by his manager, Col. Tom Parker, the coat and belt Presley wore during his historic 1970 White House meeting with Nixon and the memorial tribute book from his funeral.

The Newseum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For additional information, call 888-NEWSEUM (888-639-7386) or visit newseum.org.

March 25 - Jerry Carringan Honored

Jerry Carringan, who drummed for Elvis Presley during the "Nashville Sessions"  June 1970, will be inducted into the Alabama Music Hall Of Fame on March 25th. He will be inducted in the Music Creator catagory. Last year, the Country Music Hall of Fame honored him as one of the Nashville Cats.

March 24 - Graceland For Sale

ontract Graceland For Sale




Just weeks after successfully selling the original marriage certificate issued to Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley in 1994 (for $70,800), Philip Weiss Auctions is offering yet another blockbusting piece of rock ‘n’ roll history: the original contract to purchase Graceland in Memphis, Tenn., in 1957, signed by Elvis Presley and both his parents.


The rare document – plus other property contracts signed by Elvis -- will be offered on the weekend of Apr. 23-25. The consignor of the Elvis documents is a gentleman who had worked at a law firm in Memphis that specialized in real estate. In 1987, the company was purging its old files and one file – marked “Elvis Presley” – was about to be thrown out when the gentleman retrieved it from the trash.

Also in the file (and to be offered Apr. 25) was the contract to acquire the home Elvis initially purchased in Memphis, at 1034 Audubon Road. That document is also signed by all three Presleys and details the price paid and the terms. Later, when Elvis purchased Graceland, part of the agreement had him turning the Audubon Road property over to Ruth Brown Moore.


Also sold will be the documents for Elvis’s purchase of the Circle G Ranch. The remarkable thing is that the documents are coming to auction at all; normally, they remain within a family or get loaned to a museum. Rarely do such items come up for bid.

March 23 - Return Of A Prodigy On Stage

It was at the International Hotel in Las Vegas where - after eight years of non-stop movie making that left no room for live performance tours - Elvis and his manager Colonel Tom Parker finally staged his triumphant return to public concerts in 1969. As if making up for lost time, Elvis unleashed a torrent of pent-up energy at the International, picking up where his black-leather NBC-TV 'comeback' special of December 1968 left off. 

The International Hotel premiere took place over the course of four memorable weeks in July-August 1969; Elvis returned to the International for another four weeks in January-February 1970. A handful of the 12 songs from the 1969 shows were released in November that year as Elvis In Person at the International Hotel, better known as disc one of the double-LP From Memphis To Vegas - From Vegas to Memphis. The next year, ten songs from the '70 shows were released in June as the album On Stage (inexplicably including two songs from the previous year).


Now four decades later, those two albums - with multiple bonus tracks on each - have been coupled together for the first time. On Stage: Legacy Edition pays tribute to Elvis in one of the most outstanding performance periods in his career. The specially-designed double-CD package, encased in the distinctive Legacy Edition mylar slipcase, will be available starting March 23rd.

On Stage: Legacy Edition contains a full-color booklet with numerous photos and a new 3,000-word liner notes essay by Ken Sharp that provides the essential backstory. Sharp's recent book, Elvis: Vegas '69, draws on exclusive interviews with the people who were there, including Elvis' TCB bandmates, the Sweet Inspirations, the Imperials, celebrities in attendance, International Hotel personnel including hotel president Alex Shoofey, international media, and many others. 'It was his first live show in eight years and it was a big challenge coming back', master guitarist and TCB bandleader James Burton told Sharp. 'He'd been doing movies for so long and was very insecure about how his fans would accept him. Elvis came up to me right before the show and said, 'James, I'm so nervous, I don't know if I can do this'. I said, 'Elvis, when you walk out there and the curtain goes up, after the first two or three songs it'll be like sitting at home in your living room'.


The 1969 shows (represented on disc two) found Elvis asserting his dominion over the formative songs of his career, including '50s hits 'Blue Suede Shoes', 'All Shook Up', 'Hound Dog', 'Heartbreak Hotel', a medley of 'Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel', and a medley of 'Mystery Train' with Rufus Thomas' 'Tiger Man'. Early '60s hits include 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?' and 'Can't Help Falling In Love'. There were covers of early rock and blues standards from Chuck Berry ('Johnny B. Goode'), Willie Dixon ('My Babe'), Jimmy Reed ('Baby, What You Want Me To Do'), Lowell Fulsom ('Reconsider Baby'), and Ray Charles ('I Got A Woman', 'I Can't Stop Loving You'). Contemporary material was limited to 'In The Ghetto' and 'Suspicious Minds' (both from the Memphis sessions earlier that year), Willie Nelson's 'Funny How Time Slips Away' (a year before Elvis recorded it in 1970), and a surprising cover of the Bee Gees' 'Words' from 1968.


Six months later, the repertoire of the 1970 shows (represented on disc one) was entirely different - except for Elvis' red hot version of the blues staple, 'See See Rider' (the opening number) and Little Richard's 'Long Tall Sally', now the material was all from the contemporary song book. This included two songs from the '69 Memphis sessions, 'Don't Cry Daddy' and 'Kentucky Rain'. The emphasis was on ballads, including updates of the Everly Brothers' 1960 hit, 'Let It Be Me', and Ray Peterson's 1959 'The Wonder Of You' (which Elvis chose to issue as a rare live single, and it rose to the Top 10; included here is a bonus afternoon rehearsal version of the song).

'Eschewing the rockier edge of the '69 shows', Sharp writes, 'Elvis broadened his artistic swath, lending evocative interpretations of contemporary material like 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond, 'Proud Mary' by CCR and Joe South's 'Walk A Mile In My Shoes'. Elvis also applied his personal stamp to Engelbert Humperdink's 'Release Me' and Tony Joe White's 'Polk Salad Annie.' As mentioned, two songs were brought over from the International Hotel recordings of the year before, Del Shannon's 'Runaway' and the Beatles' 'Yesterday'. Four decades later, the impact of these live tracks confirms the fact that Elvis was as much a part of the current pop music scene as any performer of his time.

Details: On Stage: Legacy Edition By Elvis Presley 
(RCA/Legacy 88697 63213 2)


The first disc in the On Stage: Legacy Edition package is a newly-remastered version of Elvis' first live album.


Disc One - Selections: 1. See See Rider • 2. Release Me • 3. Sweet Caroline • 4. Runaway • 5. The Wonder Of You • 6. Polk Salad Annie • 7. Yesterday • 8. Proud Mary • 9. Walk A Mile In My Shoes • 10. Let It Be Me • Bonus songs: 11. Don't Cry Daddy • 12. Kentucky Rain • 13. Long Tall Sally • 14. The Wonder Of You


The disc's final addition is a unique glimpse of Elvis working on his repertoire, as he runs through 'The Wonder Of You' at an afternoon rehearsal, only hours before the original album recordings were done later that night. 


Notes:


• (Tracks 1-10 originally issued June 1970, as On Stage, RCA 4362.)
• All tracks 1-13 recorded at dinner shows and midnight shows at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, February 16-19, 1970, except tracks 4 and 7, recorded August 25, 1969.
• Track 14 recorded at afternoon rehearsal, February 18, 1970.


Disc Two - Selections: 1. Blue Suede Shoes • 2. Johnny B. Goode • 3. All Shook Up • 4. Are You Lonesome Tonight? • 5. Hound Dog • 6. I Can't Stop Loving You • 7. My Babe • 8. Medley: Mystery Train/Tiger Man • 9. Words • 10. In The Ghetto • 11. Suspicious Minds • 12. Can't Help Falling In Love • Bonus tracks: 13. I Got A Woman • 14. Medley: Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel • 15. Heartbreak Hotel • 16. Baby, What You Want Me To Do • 17. Reconsider Baby • 18. Funny How Time Slips Away.


Notes:


• (Tracks 1-12 originally issued November 1969, as Elvis In Person at the International Hotel, i.e. disc 1 of original double-LP From Memphis To Vegas - From Vegas to Memphis, RCA 6020; re-issued November 1970 as single-LP Elvis In Person, RCA 4428)
• All tracks 1-18 recorded at dinner shows and midnight shows at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, August 23-26, 1969.
• Tracks 13-16 originally issued 2008, on Elvis In Person (Follow That Dream Music, 88697 40721 2)
• Track 17-18 originally issued 1991, on Collectors Gold (RCA 3114).


This 2-CD set is a potent reminder that Elvis was enjoying one of many career peaks during these engagements in Las Vegas. During the August 1969 shows that yielded In Person, the artist prowled the stage like a panther and shocked audiences with his full-throttle intensity. Conceived similarly to his '68 Comeback Special, these tracks capture Elvis doing what he did best, but now with a full band and an hour-long setlist.



Elvis -The Return Of The King And The Prodigy

The Gravel Road Music import label announced the re-issue of their CD "Elvis -The Return Of A Prodigy".

The Godfather import label also announced the release of their re-issue of this same CD with the title "The King Has Returned". 



That's All Right Mint On eBay


Here it is - the one you've been waiting for - a mint, unplayed original pressing of the 45 that launched it all: Elvis Presley's landmark 1954 debut record "That's All Right"/"Blue Moon of Kentucky" (Sun 209), from the personal collection of Sun Records Promotion Manager Cecil Scaife! Cecil donated another copy from this very batch (Sam Phillips gave him a box of 25 copies back in the 1950's) to the Country Music Hall Of Fame for display. We had the distinction of listing one of Cecil's copies back in 2006 and we are beyond honored to offer another one up to you now in 2010! As you can see by the photos, this 45 comes out of its original shipping box (not included as part of this auction), is housed in its original brown stock paper sleeve, and is guaranteed original and unplayed!

This 45 - being unplayed - is in mint condition. Its labels, which have the push marks caused by the equipment at Plastic Products (the pressing plant that manufactured Sun records at the time), are also in mint condition, with raw flecks still flaking off the spindle hole! You couldn't have found a nicer copy if you'd walked into Poplar Tunes in July, 1954 to buy one hot off the press.

The Winning bid is 10,000.00

Despite the good hope that Myrna had to travel to Vienna today to perform with The Sweet Inspirations, The TCB Band and Dennis Jale, things turned out differently. The doctor did not allow Myrna to leave the hospital because he thinks she is not ready to go yet. It is the highest priority that Myrna will recover 100% before getting back on stage! 

March 22 - Elvis An American Idol Cancer Hits Sherrill Nielsen

The U.K. based Hallmark label released the fourteen track fifties compilation "Elvis". T2 Entertainment released the DVD/ 2 CD set "Elvis - An American Icon" in the U.K.



Letter From Sherrill Nielsen

This letter by Sherrill Nielsen was just sent to ElvisMatters.

Hello dear friends

Sherrill and I are touched by the out pouring of love and concern for his health. I thought I would give you all a recap of what we know thus far. In January, Sherrill and Brenda Nielsen along with Sherrill and the Elvis Connection (Bill Baize, Ed Hill and Butch Owens) performed in Denmark. While in Denmark, we rushed Sherrill to the Emergency Room only to find that he had a blood clot in his left leg. That didn't slow down the concerts (we were celebrating Elvis' birthday and we did that in style).

Upon returning home to Alabama, he developed a dry non-stop hacking cough, they treated him for Pneumonia. It continued to worsen, and finally, we got referred to a Pulmonary Specialist who started running CT Scans, PET Scans and they showed a suspicious object in his lungs. They did a CT Needle Biopsy of the lung and found out that he has Stage III non small cell adenocarcinoma in the upper right lobe of chest and into lymph nodes. It is inoperable at this time, so they must kill and shrink the cancer first.

Last week he started his chemo therapy treatments and found that he was a candidate for a new drug Erbitux, which they started Thursday. He will start radiation this week. So his schedule will be chemo once a week, Erbitux once a week, and radiation every day. They will do this for 2 months and then reassess the situation. He is weak but in good spirits, particularly knowing that there are many people throughout the world that love him and are praying for him. We are believing God for his healing. For those of you who know him well, know that he has been a "health nut" for many years. Hasn't smoked in 37 years, rides his exercise bike 15 miles every day, watches his diet religiously and does not have a sign of cancer on either side of his family. So this has been a shocker.

Keep up the prayers and we'll have him back on the road to Europe..... and as Elvis would say "he is my favorite tenor".

Love to all

Brenda Nielsen

Sherrill sends his love

March 21 - 1971 Summer Festival And Global Charts

The Showroom import label announced the 4 CD longbox "1971 Summer Festival" containing 4 audience recordings shows from the 1971 Summer Festival; 3 of them previously unreleased. The shows are August 21 M.S., August 24 M.S., August 30 D.S. and the September 3 M.S..


John Wilkinson informed ElvisMatters on his health. He's feeling much better and the best news is: the new chemo therapy and radiation seems to work. Of course it's too soon to tell, but doctors are optimistic about a complete recovery.



Global chart update Week 11

Canada

Top 50 Country Albums:
• #41 (40) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

Australia

Top 40 DVDs:
• #35 (32) Elvis: The King Of Rock ’N’ Roll

Top 50 Catalogue Albums:
• #33 (34) The King

Austria

Top 75 Albums:
• #67 (52) The King - 75th Anniversary Edition [3CD]

March 20 - My Happiness

The French Elvis My Happiness fan club released volume 71 of their fan club magazine containing news, reviews and a bighuge article on the fanclub's trip to the States last January.

March 19 - We Want Elvis And Gaga In Person In New York

Sony Legacy re-issued "Elvis On Stage" in their Legacy Edition series in Europe and March 23rd. in the U.S. It contains the original albums "On Stage - February 1970" and "In Person - August 1969" with additional bonus tracks in a digi-pack.

Elvis! Opens at the Newseum

Experience the power of Elvis Presley and the explosive impact he had on music and popular culture in the Newseum's newest exhibit "Elvis! His Groundbreaking, Hip-Shaking, Newsmaking Story."

The exhibit opened March 19, 2010, in what would have been Presley's 75th birthday year. It tells the story of Presley as he was portrayed in the news media and how his music and physicality pushed the boundaries of mainstream taste and free expression.

Produced in collaboration with Elvis Presley Enterprises, the exhibit includes a number of rare objects from the vaults of Graceland that have never been publicly displayed, including private telegrams, letters and scrapbooks that chronicle Presley's rise as a music and media sensation.

A Newseum-produced video featuring vintage footage of Presley will be broadcast on the 90-foot-long video wall in the Robert H. and Clarice Smith Big Screen Theater.



Exhibit Highlights

• Rare photographs and original newspapers and magazines covering Presley's career.
• Presley's iconic 1957 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
• The "American Eagle" jumpsuit and cape Presley wore during rehearsals for his "Aloha From Hawaii" concert in 1973.
• The gold-and-diamond belt presented to Presley in 1969 for breaking Las Vegas attendance records.




We Want Gaga And... Elvis

The British public recently voted that the duet they’d most like to see happen would be with the late Elvis Presley and Lady GaGa, according to a new online poll by Match.com.


Kate Taylor from Match.com said: “Lady GaGa and Elvis are both strong vocalists, with great charisma who just ooze sex appeal. They’re passionate, powerful performers who aren’t afraid to show their emotions through their music. Just think of the fireworks if these two had ever shared a stage together.”


She continues: “Today over half of us believe a potential partner’s taste in music is very important (55%). Why? Because music helps forge a bond at the start of a relationship, provides strength during difficult times and triggers happy memories to keep the spark alive.”


The top 5 most-wanted duets as voted by the UK public are:


Lady Gaga and Elvis Presley
Michael Buble and Nina Simone
Aretha Franklyn and Luther Vandross
Barbara Streisand and Will Young
Bonnie Tyler and Meat Loaf

March 18 - Not My Cup Of Tea

A German company makes rockstar themed teabags; Elvis is included in the set.

March 18 - Zippin Pippin Saved (And Graceland Area Too)

The mayor of Green Bay, Jim Schmitt, signed an agreement Thursday to buy Elvis Presley's favorite roller coaster during a ceremony in which the city officially acquired the rights to the Zippin Pippin.


It thrilled Elvis and countless others for years in Memphis, but the wooden roller coaster stopped running when the Memphis amusement park closed down in 2005. Now, Green Bay will pay $35,000 to acquire the name, the design, and the history of the Zippin Pippin. And they'll spend $3 million to re-create the classic ride at Bay Beach Amusement Park. Construction will begin this summer - and it's scheduled to open in May of next year.

The city has been trying to figure out what to do with the Mid-South Fairgrounds site for several years. Last year, city officials chose a plan backed by real estate developer Henry Turley to redevelop the area into a center for retail, entertainment and other purposes. But disagreements over fees have slowed that project, leading officials to consider other alternatives.
The ownership of the coaster is even in dispute.


Save Libertyland says they own it after a previous developer, Carolina Crossroads, deeded it to them. However, Mulroy said city officials told Save Libertyland to remove the coaster. When they didn't, Mulroy said, city officials claimed ownership. When asked who owned the ride, Lipscomb could only say, 'I have no idea', then added, 'If they own it, they need to get it moved'.


Graceland Redevelopment Remains A Priority


Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. plans to roll out his first budget proposal next week to the Memphis City Council.

When he does, the mayor will draw on themes he has emphasized since taking office in October.

One of those is the area around Graceland. Wharton has repeatedly said redeveloping it is one of his administration’s top economic development priorities.

The statement affirms an ambitious plan to promote the Elvis brand worldwide by Robert Sillerman of CKX Inc., the media company that owns 85 percent of Elvis Presley Enterprises.

Since a 2005 unveiling of a $250 million blockbuster remake of the late entertainer’s Memphis home and its surroundings, Sillerman and CKX have suffered like other businesses in the worst national recession since the Great Depression.

The recession has forced Sillerman to scale back plans outside Memphis and rewrite the Memphis plans with more cautious language.

In CKX’s annual report, filed with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission this week, Sillerman and the company again talked of its goals for Memphis.

“The company remains committed to the Graceland redevelopment and will continue to pursue opportunities on its own or with third parties,” the report reads.

Before the last line in the annual report about CKX’s commitment to the Memphis part of its plan for the Elvis brand, CKX executives also reported, “The company has determined that there is a strong likelihood that the original preliminary design plans may require significant modifications or abandonment for a redesign due to current economic conditions and a lack of certainty as to exact scope, cost, financing plan and timing of this project.”

Sillerman has met privately with city leaders about the project. He also appeared via a video recording at a 2008 Elvis fan club gathering in Memphis.

Earlier in 2009, CKX took a $900,000 write-off on the preliminary design work for the Graceland remake. The write-off followed the failure in March 2009 by FXRE, the real estate arm of CKX, to make an annual guaranteed minimum royalty payment to EPE.

The issue was settled with a termination of the licensing agreement with EPE to develop one or more hotels at Graceland.

The hotels could still be developed through a third party. CKX still operates the Heartbreak Hotel across the street from the mansion.

In January, Wharton met with Sillerman in New York. Wharton said Sillerman told him CKX is more than committed to a revitalization of the Graceland area.

“You won’t recognize Elvis Presley Boulevard in a few years,” Wharton said earlier this year. “You won’t recognize that campus.”

Wharton also said Sillerman has groused about any doubts the SEC filings have created about his commitment to the Memphis development.

March 17 - A Big Hunk O' Elvis And Robert Washington

The Play 24-7 label released the compilation "A Big Hunk O' Elvis Presley" containing fifties material.

75th Birthday Concert CD


The Dutch Elvis For Everyone fan club announced this Elvis 75 CD as a gift for their May 2nd. fan club concert. It contains "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck", a remastered version of "Hearts Of Stone" and a rare Army interview by Elvis and  three tracks by Robert Washington.

March 16 - Myrna And Elvi$ Are Back

Analogue Productions released the classic album "Elvis Is Back" as a double album on vinyl. To improve the quality of the audio the music was remastered and the album plays at 45 RPM  (180gr Vinyl).


Myrna


Sweet Inspiration singer Myrna Smith has been released from the hospital. She had rested a lot the past few dats, felt great and is looking foreward to perform again. The shows with Dennis Jale will go on as planned.


Elvi$


Elvis Presley Enterprises parent company CKx Inc. released its annual report Tuesday, which showed a 34.6 percent increase in Presley royalties and licensing revenue. The Presley business segment of CKx brought in $24.473 million in royalties and licensing revenue in 2009, compared to $18.186 million in 2008. Attendance at Elvis’ Memphis home was also up in 2009. 542,728 people went to Graceland in 2009, a 1.2 percent increase compared to 536,196 in 2008. CKx also noted in the report that its planned, $250 million redevelopment initiative for Graceland would need some retooling. “The company has determined that there is a strong likelihood that the original preliminary design plans may require significant modifications or abandonment for a redesign due to the current economic conditions and a lack of certainty as to exact scope, cost, financing plan and timing of this project,” according to the report.



Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2010

The 2010 Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame ceremony took place last night at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York City. In the non-performer category, record mogul David Geffen was inducted, along with the following legendary songwriters:

• Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
• Ellie Greenwich & Jeff Barry
• Jesse Stone
• Mort Shuman
• Otis Blackwell.

The songwriters were all inducted by Carole King. Their songs were sung by the likes of Chris Isaak (”Don’t Be Cruel” by Blackwell), Eric Burdon (”We Gotta Get Out of This Place” by Mann/Weil) and Ronnie Spector (”Be My Baby” by Barry/Greenwich).


ELVIS75 Promo CD


The Dutch Elvis For Everyone fanclub announced a promotional CD for their May 22th. fanclub event. 

March 15 - Myrna Smith Hospitalized And Charts

Myrna Smith was hospitalized in London. Myrna was on her way home from the Elvis Presley In Concert Tour, when she suddenly had to be rushed off the airplane. Myrna had been battling pneumonia and kidney problems during the entire tour. But like a true professional, Myrna kept taking care of business.

Global Chart Update - Week 10, 2010


Canada


Top 50 Country Albums:
• #40 (27) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits


Australia


Top 40 DVDs:
• #32 (33) Elvis: The King Of Rock ’N’ Roll


Top 50 Catalogue Albums:
• #34 (35) The King


United Kingdom


Top 200 Albums:
• OUT (196) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits
• OUT (200) Off Duty With Private Presley


France


Top 250 Comprehensive Albums:
• OUT (193) Greatest Hits: Vol. 2
• OUT (186) Greatest Hits: Vol. 1


Top 40 Compilation Albums:
• OUT (38) Greatest Hits: Vol. 1
• OUT (40) Greatest Hits: Vol. 2


Austria


Top 75 Albums:
• #52 (40) The King - 75th Anniversary Edition [3CD]


Switzerland


Top 100 Albums:
• OUT (87) Elvis 75 [3CD]

March 14 - Bootleg Break-up And Charts

After several years re-issueing vintage Baxter CD titles, the owner of the original tapes has decided to call it a quitts for the cooperation between the Fort baxter and Gravel Road label. The CD "Get Down And Dirty" was be the last co-produced title from the Fort Baxter and Gravel Road import labels. 

Australian Chart Update


On this week's ARIA Music DVD Chart, Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll rises one place to #32 after 96 weeks on the chart. On a related issue, symbolic of its low sales performance, the 50 Australian Top 10 Hits 1956-1977 double album (which exited the ARIA Top 40 Album chart after only a handful of weeks) has apparently been relegated to the $2.00 bin in Bi-Lo stores.

March 13 - Sylvia Shemwell Died, John Wilkinson Broke His Arm

Sylvia Shemwell passed away on February 13, 2010. She was an original member of The Sweet Inspirations and stopped touring with the group in 2001 due to a stroke. 

John Wilkinson broke a bone in his left arm ("on the bad side of his body") falling down a staircase while waiting for an ambulance to arrive because he did not feel very well. 

Mattel, owner of the world famous Barbie dolls, announces a follow up for the recent succesful releases of the 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Elvis and Priscilla' dolls.

The toy tycoon will launch a doll in a 'Blue Hawaii' theme, available in May. The price is estimated at €45 and that is a lot cheaper than previous releases.

March 12 - Get Down And Dirty At The Heartbreak Hotel

The Gravel Road import release "Get Down And Dirty" featuring the rehearsal of 15 July, 1970 Culver City, LA. was released. 

Jerry Schilling, former Elvis aid and closely involved in the making of "Elvis On Tour" in 1972 has confirmed that the DVD that will be released later this year,  will not contain any extras. The movie is property of Warner Bros while the outtakes are owned by Turner Classics. Both parties tried to come to an agreement, but unfortunately the negotiations were unsuccesful.


The Pegasus label re-issued the budget compilation "Heartbreak Hotel".