March 9 - Memphis Photographer Passes Away
Retired Memphis photographer Charles Nicholas has passed away at 88. Nicholas photographed Elvis Presley among many other Memphis celebrities and news events. In one of his more iconic photos, Elvis Presley stands outside Graceland. Night has fallen, and The King is posing in the door of a new car. The lighting from a chandelier at the front of Graceland warms the scene. The shimmering light reflects off the black car, adding another glow as Elvis unleashes that famous smile/sneer.
This photograph published March 7, 1965 in the first issue of Mid-South, the now-defunct Sunday magazine. Elvis complained of the long sessions with photographers making movie publicity stills: "I try to cut the time down to three or four hours, but sometimes you have to pose for six or eight. A man only has so many different smiles, and I don't have many."
Elvis Presley fiddles with an electric bass inside Graceland in this photograph published March 7, 1965 in the first issue of Mid-South, the now-defunct Sunday magazine. Elvis had misgivings about allowing pictures to be made inside his home. "It's not that I don't want pictures," he said. "You know what I mean. Some people might think I am looking for publicity or trying to exploit my home. I certainly don't want anyone to think that."
Some 200 fans waited at Union Station to welcome Elvis Presley home from his stint in the U.S. Army Monday March 7, 1960. His manager, Col. Tom Parker, was close behind. He was wearing a (non-issue) dress blue Army uniform made in Germany. Elvis was discharged at the rank of sergeant, but the tailor had mistakenly given him the stripes of staff sergeant. The formal white shirt was a gift from Frank Sinatra delivered by his daughter, Nancy, Thursday (March 3) on Elvis' first day back in the U.S.
Vegas Variety Released
The Rainbow Records import label released the complete performance of Elvis Presley´s Las Vegas Dinner Show from exactly one week after his triumphant return to live appearances on July 31st, 1969. The set is volume 3 in their "Vegas Variety" series.
