May 31 - European (Illegal Roots) Releases

SONY released the eight original soundtrack budget albums in the U.K. and Japan. These albums were released in the U.S. in January this year and on June 4th in Germany.

The titles are "Roustabout", "G.I. Blues", "Viva Las Vegas", "Girls! Girls! Girls!", "Frankie And Johnny", "Girl Happy", "Clambake" and "Fun In Acapulco".


Faded Love


The Straight Arrow import release "Faded Love", featuring the infamous February 15th, 1973 Dinner show, and the Victrola import release "Our memories of Elvis Volume 1 And 2" were released.


The Travel Log – In Search of Colonel Parker



The Belgian/ Dutch ElvisMatters fan club announced the release of a new book on Colonel Parker entitled "The Travel Log – In Search of Colonel Parker". All the documents, letters, cards, and what have you that the Colonel sent his Family are included in the book. This gives an unique view on the “Dutch” side of Elvis’s manager through the travel-log as that was kept by the brother of The Colonel who had discovered his new identity and came to visit ‘The Colonel’ in 1961, documents and pictures.

The book comes with a record by Ad van Kuijk Sr. – the Colonel’s brother – who recorded a spoken message that he recorded on a 78 rpm disc and sent to his Family in Holland. The presentation is done in the birthplace of The Colonel - Breda - with an exhibition by the Dutch artist Ton van Herwaarde.


The U.K.'s Top 60 Best Selling Singles Of The Sixties


The Official Charts Company in the U.K. compiled the Top 60 Best selling singles of the sixties based on their sales data. Elvis Presley is listed 1 time in the Top 10 and has three other listings in this chart. The chart was broadcasted by the BBC.

01. The Beatles — She Loves You
02. The Beatles — I Want To Hold Your Hand
03. Ken Dodd — Tears
04. The Beatles - Can't Buy Me Love
05. The Beatles — I Feel Fine

06. The Seekers — The Carnival Is Over 

07. The Beatles — We Can Work It Out/Day Tripper

08. Engelbert Humperdinck — Release Me

09. Elvis Presley — It's Now Or Never

10. Tom Jones — Green Green Grass Of Home

37. Elvis Presley — Are You Lonesome Tonight? 

47. Elvis Presley — Wooden Heart 

58. Elvis Presley — Surrender 

(Source: ElvisMatters / Elvis Presley Gesellschaft / ElvisNews / Elvis Unlimited / For Elvis CD Collector's)

   

May 30 - Charts

On the Australian ARIA Catalogue Album Chart, "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" drops two spots to #30. On the ARIA Music DVD Chart, "Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll" rises one spot to #38. 


Elvis Matters #29


The Belgian/ Dutch ElvisMatters fan club sent out all 2500 copies of volume 29 of their self-titled fan club magazine to their members. This magazine comes with a card of the fan club ELVIS75 concert from one week ago.


(Source: ARIA / ElvisMatters)

May 29 - Elvis To Become The #3 American Idol?

The owner of the "American Idol" reality TV show said Friday it has received an acquisition offer from a group of investors led by British media mogul Simon Fuller. CKX Inc. said it is evaluating the proposal and other strategic alternatives. Fuller created the "Idol" franchise but sold his company, 19 Entertainment, to CKX in 2005. CKX owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali.


Top 500 Songs of All Time


Entertainment Tonight had a segment this evening on the new Rolling Stone Magazine issue with their list of the Top 500 Songs of All Time. Guess who had the most songs on the list? The Beatles, with 23 songs. The Rolling Stones came in second, with 17. And guess who was third? Yes Elvis Presley, with 11 songs on the list. The #1 song of all time was awarded to Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone". 



The Top Ten

1. "Like a Rolling Stone" – Bob Dylan
2. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" – The Rolling Stones
3. "Imagine" – John Lennon
4. "What's Going On" – Marvin Gaye
5. "Respect" – Aretha Franklin
6. "Good Vibrations" – The Beach Boys
7. "Johnny B. Goode" – Chuck Berry
8. "Hey Jude" – The Beatles
9. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" – Nirvana
10. "What'd I Say" – Ray Charles

The Elvis Presley listings:

19. "Hound Dog" – Elvis Presley
45. "Heartbreak Hotel" – Elvis Presley
67. "Jailhouse Rock" – Elvis Presley
77. "Mystery Train" – Elvis Presley
91. "Suspicious Minds" – Elvis Presley
113. "That's All Right" – Elvis Presley
200. "Don't Be Cruel" – Elvis Presley
361. "All Shook Up" – Elvis Presley
403. "Can't Help Falling in Love" – Elvis Presley
430. "Blue Suede Shoes" – Elvis Presley
444. " Love Me Tender" – Elvis Presley

May 28 - Elvis Coming Home To Hollywood And The Rest Of The Word?

The Star import label released their video compilation "Coming Home" and announced the release of volume 2 in their "Elvis In Hollywood" series.

Japanese DVD Re-issues

Paramount Japan re-issued eight classic movies; King Creole, G.I. Blues, Blue Hawaii, Girls! Girls! Girls!, Fun In Acapulco, Roustabout, Paradise, Hawaiian Style and Easy Come, Easy Go. 

Captain Video re-released the Messiah Productions DVD simply titled "Elvis Live Live Live". This DVD was originally released as a DVD-recordable in January 2010. This reissue is a factory pressed commercial DVD and contain even more unreleased footage than before. The extra bonus footage highlights include for the first time ever, the complete ‘Always On My Mind’ rehearsal from ‘Elvis on Tour’. This was only ever seen before in part, on the movie ‘This Is Elvis’.



The Man And His Music #88

Volume 88 of the U.K. based magazine "Elvis: The Man And His Music" is out. It has articles on - Audience-Recorded exclusives! songs that only exist as Audience Recordings, Rare photos of Elvis and Ann-Margret, Rare Japanese EP Covers, Myrna Smith and Estelle Brown Of The Sweet Inspirations Interviewed By Arjan Deelen, CD & Book reviews plus a fascinating article by Keith Flynn on ‘Remasters’ The Sources Used For recent Elvis Releases – plus lots more.

Elvis In Concert?

A small poster on the The Stig Edgren Events website showing "Elvis In Concert" started rumors that the 'Elvis In Concert' video screen show will keep touring again next year. The producer of the shows indicates that the tour will hit the road again in the fall of 2011.

 

May 27 - King Of Cars, Rare Tracks And Vinyl

Volume 5 in the "Rare Elvis" import series has bee released. This volume - "Celluloid Treasures" - with a focus on Elvis in Hollywood contains mostly material taken from other (bootleg)releases.

The Elvis Express

The Belgian United Elvis Presley Society released the first edition of their free "Elvis Express member magazine". 


For the first time ever, May 27 – 30, 2010, Elvis’ love for collecting cars was  celebrated when Icons presents The Elvis Motor Classics International Car Show at Graceland during Memorial Day weekend in Memphis, Tennessee. 

Hundreds of cars from car clubs throughout the country were on display throughout the 70 acres that surround Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis. Car clubs represented at the show include Street Rods, Customs, Mustangs, Chevelles, Camaros, Pontiacs, Chryslers, Cadillacs, Dodges, Plymouths, Trucks and Motorcycles and many more!







Elvis' Record Collection Sold

Elvis Presley's collection of the records that influenced his music and put him on the path to fame went up for sale through The Fame Bureau and sold for 75000 Pounds. In 1968 The King asked his guitarist, manager and friend Scotty Moore to transfer his favourite 78s on to reel-to-reel tape. Scotty Moore's letter authenticating the set says: 'Elvis left me the briefcase with the records and asked me to mail the tape back to his house in Memphis. I made a safety copy for myself and kept the records and tape in my studio in Nashville. Elvis never asked for the records to be returned'.

The discs cover a wide range of music including Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Sammy Davis Junior and Carl Perkins - and Elvis recorded many of the songs himself.

Moore has decided to sell the 26 records - which could make £125,000 - through the Fame Bureau auction house in London on Thursday. James Wilkinson from the Fame Bureau said: 'These records really were the birth of rock 'n' roll because they influenced Elvis in his very early days'.

26 songs which inspired Presley:

• Joe Turner: Corrine Corrina and Boogie Woogie Country Girl. 
• The Dominoes: That's What You're Doing To Me and When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano. 
• Ivory Joe Hunter: It's A Sin and Don't You Believe Her. 
• Roy Brown: Hurry, Hurry Baby and Travelin' Man. 
• Fats Domino: Blueberry Hill and Honey Chile. 
• The crickets: You're Mine and Milk And Gin. 
• Tommy Edwards: It's All In The Game and All Over Again. 
• Ray Charles: I Got A Woman and Come Back. 
• Hank Snow: I'm Gonna Bid My Blues Goodbye and Just A Faded Petal From A Beautiful Bouquet. 
• Louis Jones And His Band: Rock And Roll Bells and All Over, Goodbye. 
• Lowell Fulson: Reconsider Baby and I Believe I'll Give Up. 
• Brownie Mcghee: I'm 10,000 Years Old and Cherry Red. 
• The Four Lads: Moments To Remember and Dream On, My Love, Dream On. 
• Johnny Ace With The Beale Streeter: My Song and Follow The Rule. 
• Roy Hamilton: Hurt and Star Of Love. 
• Sammy Davis Jr: Because Of You Parts 1 & 2. 
• Fats Domino: Ain't It A Shame and La-La. 
• Lloyd Price: Lawdy Miss Clawdy and Mailman Blues. 
• Buddy Blake: Rosie and You'll Cry For Me. 
• The Pearls: Your Cheatin' Heart and I Sure Need You. 
• Ivory Joe Hunter: Since I Met You Baby and You Can't Stop This Rockin' And Rollin'. 
• Carl Perkins: Matchbox and Your True Love. 
• Billy Ward And His Dominoes: Rags To Riches and Don't Thank Me. 
• The Billy Vaughn Orchestra: The Shifting Whispering Sands parts one and two. 
• Arthur Gunter: Baby Let's Play House and Blues After Hours 
• Willie Mae 'Big Mama' Thornton: Hound Dog and Night Mare

The medaillon on this picture sold for 60000 Pounds while the partner cross sold for 28000 pounds.

This incredible, enormous Medallion was given to Elvis Presley By Barron Hilton, former co-chairman of The Hilton Hotel group, on the closing night of Elvis Presley's 1975 tour at the Hilton in Las Vegas. Elvis wore the Medallion with his 'Rainfall Jumpsuit' The Medallion is fabricated of f Solid Gold surrounding a rare 1924 St Guadens $20 gold coin. Within the gold there are 40 round cut diamonds each 1.6mm in diameter colour H clarity VS2. There are an additional 12 round cut brilliant diamonds measuring 3.45 mm colour H clarity VS2. The total weight of all diamonds is 2.60 ct. The gold weighs 870 grams and the chain is a fox-tail design 18kt th a length of 30”.The Medallion comes with jewellers appraisals, and a history of the medallion's provenance from Elvis Presley's ownership until the present date.

Elvis Presley's 14 carat filigree gold partner cross aprox 2.5x1.5” Elvis had commissioned and designed two special crosses one for himself and one for Priscilla, both identical. When Elvis and Priscilla finally split they each kept their cross. Even after their break-up Elvis always treasured his cross and kept it close by his side. The yellow gold cross, designed to hang from a chain has at its centre a delicate, golden ball Elvis's very own 'partner' cross was displayed in public for the very first time, on Valentine's Day 2004 at the Fingerprints of Elvis at Albert Dock, Liverpool. It was loaned to the Exhibition (now closed) by an anonymous collector who insured the piece for £1million.Includes letters of authenticity from David Stanley and Lamar Fike.

(Source: EPE / Associated Press / Elvis Unlimited)

May 25 - Viva Las Rumors Podcast

A rumor spread that a possible 'Viva Elvis' CD should be released September or October 2010. A final decision has yet to be made. Sony managers from all over the world met in Berlin about ten days ago and heard a preview of some eight or nine tracks. They are all predicting a worldwide No.1 to hopefully equal or surpass sales of the 30 No.1's CD.

Further, there will definately be at least two single releases, and possibly three, and they may not actually be from the said 'Viva Elvis' Show as 46 tracks overall were recorded at the session. Major brands e.g. Adidas etc., are being sought to utilise the single tracks in their advertisements. 


The album will have massive publicity, including TV promotion featuring clips from the 'Viva Elvis' show.





BBC RADIO 6 Presents The Elvis Story

Starting today BBC Radio 6 presented the 13 part series The Elvis Story narrated by Wink Martindale. Each episode is available as a podcast for one week.

25 May - The Early Years
26 May - Sun Records 2/13.
27 May - Presleymania 3/13.
28 May - Presleymania II - The Touring Continues 4/13
29 May - Elvis Goes to War 5/13.


    

May 24 - The Great British Songbook For LP Fans Only

Sony U.K. released the 2CD compilation "Elvis Presley Sings The Great British Songbook". It contains 35 tracks by British composers and is an initiative of the Official U.K. Elvis Presley fan club.  

This original Elvis album "For LP Fans Only" was re-issued on the U.K. based Hallmark label. 


Chart Update


On this week’s Catalog Album Chart, Elvis 30 #1 Hits drops 10 spots to #28.  Also on the Catalog chart is The King, holding steady at #45, after 12 weeks on the chart and a high of #15.  On the ARIA Music DVD Chart, Elvis The King of Rock n Roll drops 7 spots to #39.  


Happy Birthday



Priscilla Presley turned 65 today.

   

May 23 - Our Chart Memories Of Elvis And Ferlin

The Victrola import label announced the release of "Our Memories Of Elvis" volumes 1 and 2. 

From the press-release:


Revisiting the 'Our memories of Elvis' albums (a.k.a. 'More of the pure Elvis sounds') from 32 years ago, we came to realize that Joan Deary did have a vision well ahead of time. Nowadays we're craving for recordings like this.


Unfortunately, at the time most fans didn't understand the concept of these two albums. These weren't ever intended to be 'undubbed recordings'. Both 'Our Memories Of Elvis' and 'Our Memories Of Elvis - volume 2' are mainly the masters which were completely remixed and edited. Most overdubbed recordings and in a few cases also parts that were recorded at the original sessions were left out of the mix to get more out of Elvis' voice. Obviously, in some instances this left gaps in the sound, so the engineer had to remix it! With these releases, Joan Deary showed that her musical vision was right… Most songs sound much better in their stripped form.


The main reason for this project was that there were many requests at the time from fans complaining about the fact that Elvis' voice was buried under the many instruments and backings. 'Can we have a more pure Elvis…' -well, that's what they got in 1979.


Purists complained that it is tampering with 'original' recordings. (Would it have been okay if it had been done a few years earlier?). Many forget the purpose of making music… In order to survive as an artist, you need to go along with your time and the music will stay in the mainstream. Elvis is an artist who, if treated well, will survive the new eras also. 


This release is a must-have and a rare one at the same time. SONY-BMG/ FTD decided that this is not an essential release, simply because it was done in 1979. They focus on the masters "as is", and the undubbed takes. This leaves out these essential remixes, which are not done anymore with the multi-track recordings. Only minor adjustments are being made these days, without the intention to redo the old job for a new / more up-to-date version of a song. Many lesser-known artists have re-releases with updated sound, why not Elvis, the King of Music himself!


We seriously remastered these two albums in detail from newly discovered Joan Deary reference tapes which included an unreleased track, "It's easy for you", which was cut out of the Volume 2 because of the total running time - likely because of the long jam "Don't Think Twice It's All Right."


The song selection is well-chosen within his concept. The slightly longer silences between the songs give you comfortable time to get into the next song. 


This new release is perfect introduction to a more personal encounter with Elvis.


Country Music Hall Of Fame


Ferlin Husky was introduced to the Country Music Hall Of Fame. He brought change and innovation to Nashville-based music, entered the Country Music Hall of Fame during a Sunday evening Medallion Ceremony in the Hall of Fame and Museum’s Curb Conservatory. In his early days Elvis Presley opened shows for Ferlin Husky.



Global Chart Update - Week 20 

United States:

Top 50 Christian Albums:
• #29 (34) An Evening Prayer

Top 50 Catalog Albums:
• OUT (46) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

Canada:

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

Australia:

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

Top 50 Catalogue Albums:
• #28 (18) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits
• #44 (45) The King

May 22 - A Spiritual Opening Night

The new Flaming Phoenix Productions import label announced the release of their first CD, simply entitled "Opening Night 1971". This album - packed in a digipack - features the opening show of Elvis' fourth appearance in Las Vegas as recorded from the soundboard on January 26, 1971. 


For the first time ever all the recordings from this show are assembled together on one CD, including some previously unreleased performances such as ''Johnny B. Goode'' and ''The Wonder Of You''. 


Unfortunately due to recording difficulties this concert was only partly recorded, and needed to be completed with songs from two other shows from the same season.




Tracklisting:


1- Introduction : Also Sprach Zarathustra ; 2- That's All Right ; 3- Mystery Train / Tiger Man ; 4- Love Me Tender ; 5- You Don't Have To Say You Love Me ; 6- Sweet Caroline ; 7- You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' ; 8- Polk Salad Annie ; 9- How Great Thou Art ( with a false start ) ; 10- Introductions ; 11- Johnny B. Goode ; 12- Introductions ; 13- The Wonder Of You ; 14- Introducing Hal B. Wallis ; 15- Can't Help Falling In Love ; 16- Make The World Go Away ; 17- Something ; 18- Heartbreak Hotel ; 19- Blue Suede Shoes ; 20- Hound Dog ; 21- One Night ; 22- Teddy Bear ; 23- Suspicious Minds ; 24- The Impossible Dream / closing vamp


Tracks 5-10 recorded on January 27, 1971 Midnight Show;
Tracks 18-24 recorded on January 28, 1971 Midnight Show.

The Elvis Files Volume 3

Author Erik Lorenzen released the first book of his six volume series "The Elvis Files". The first book - volume 3 in the series - documents the years 1960 to 1965. It contains a stunning 472 pages containing 1500 photos. 

The series "The Elvis Files volumes 1 - 6" carefully documents almost every single day of Elvis Presley's life from the 1954 to 1977, covering everything from what he wore onstage to whom he met that day. Each book contains 360 pages. Packed with over 1200 images, many of them never seen before, interviews and concert reviews.

Spiritual Strings Of James Burton

James Burton released a gospel CD entitled "The Spiritual Strings Of James Burton" featuring James Burton on guitar and even on vocals. The Cd was presented at the Elvis 75 Concert with the TCB band organized by the ElvisMatters fanclub.

(Source: Elvis Files / For Elvis CD Collectors)

May 21 - More Images

The Dutch Elvis For Everyone fan club released the second volyume of their "Images" book. This 120 pages hardcover book by Patrick Janssen and Constantijn Zantingh contains images from the fifties, sixties and seventies; both in color and black and white and comes with a bonus photo and calender card.

May 20 - Faded Love

The Straight Arrow import label released a press-release announcing that the team obtained a couple of great quality Las Vegas off-line recordings. The first release will be "Faded Love" containing the infamous February 15th, 1973 Dinner show. Elvis had the flu and appeared on stage against his doctor's advice. "Faded Love" was released on May 24, 2010. 

These concerts were recorded using a 1972 portable Sony high-end cassette recorder equipped with two microphones. The microphones were placed apart from each other in the balcony seating, behind the mixing desk of sound engineer Bill Porter. Usually, such tapes are called a "booth recordings" and often are used for mixing in with a multi-track recording to obtain full depth of the sound. However, the label calls them "two-mike ambience live recordings"- because that's precisely what they are according to the team.


From the press-release:


The first volume of our mini-series is titled "Faded Love" (SA/SP 2010-01-02) and will feature the infamous February 15th, 1973 Dinner show. Elvis had the flu and appeared on stage against his doctor's advice. There was no Midnight show on this day. He was trying hard, but after seven songs he called the Stamps to the spotlight to sing a couple of gospels, and left the stage. During that time Charlie Hodge - true professional as always - introduced each song, adding a couple of jokes too. Elvis returned after some 20 minutes, and apologized for his voice problems. He finished with "Can't Help Falling In Love" and he was about to leave the stage, but he suddenly decided that this would disappoint his fans. To the audience’s surprise, he continued the show and tried to make up for his restricted vocal abilities with several rare performances. "Faded Love" is the very first known live-performance of his 1970 country-rocker, while country weeper "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is sung on stage for the last time. "Polk Salad Annie" was performed only twice in 1973 (listen to the only other live-version on 2009’s Straight Arrow's release "A Change Of Mind"!). During "An American Trilogy" Elvis changed the lyrics to: "Oh I wish I was - in the doctor's office" but otherwise sung a straight version of the song. Finally "Can't Help Falling In Love" was performed for the 2nd time and that made this show even more special. We decided to add an edit of post-concert fan's comments related to this show for historic reasons, too.


Unlike previous releases from Straight Arrow, this mini-series will be presented in cool looking digipacks with all necessary information and rare photographs.


Note: the Straight Arrow team is aware that this concert was released in 1992 on the CD "Las Vegas Dinner Show". However, it was a below-average quality audience-recording, in no way comparable with two-mike ambiance live recordings. Forget the old inferior outing and enjoy this new, clear, warm and ambient stereo sound!


(Source: ElvisNews)

May 19 - Never Ending Auction At Hyde Park

The Rainbow Records import label announced the release of the CDs “Never Ending Demand” volume 1 and 2 featuring complete audience recordings of the performances of February 16, 1977 Montgomery, AL (Volume 1) and February 17, 1977 Savannah, GA (Volume 2).

From the press-release


The newspaper headlines titled it "Emperor Elvis Still Has It: Memphis Music. Vegas Touch“ and "Elvis Wows 'Em“ – can you ask for more? Even the reporters were entertained and satisfied with the shows they attended – their reviews and comments can be found along with dozens of pictures from the actual shows in the accompanying booklets of the 2 new releases. The Montgomery performance has never been released in its entirety until this day. 

Only a handful of songs were released in 1999 on the CD "Coming On Strong“ featuring the rare performance of "Where No One Stands Alone“. For the new Rainbow Records release (Vol. 1) the producers obtained a first generation tape that has never circulated before and unlike all other audience recordings from this date features "My Way“ as an uncut, complete version and includes the complete Opening Act by the Stamps Quartet. 


The quality of the show recording is very clear and even the fans that usually avoid audience recordings should give this CD a try – they won’t be disappointed. The booklet features also a review by the person who taped the show plus some interesting and official paperwork from the tour itself. 


For the second cd, the Savannah show the producers had access to the archive of Savannah’s press and staff photographer Bob Morris who made some high class shots of Elvis in action. He also took a couple of shots of the audience - you can even see the band setting up the stage and tuning the guitars. 


A total of four newspaper articles are included which set a great spotlight on the situation of Elvis‘ arriving, his security and the show itself. Elvis himself is in a good mood and gives more than a solid performance with highlights like "Little Sister“, "Tryin‘ To Get To You“ and "Polk Salad Annie“. 

Elvis On Tour Book


JAT Publishing published the cover of their "On Tour" book which was released July 2010.


BBC To Stage Major Elvis Concert?


A rumor poppet up that BBC Radio 2 is planning a major concert in Hyde Park to celebrate the life and music of Elvis Presley. Details of the event have still to be confirmed by the broadcaster, but it is understood the concert - which is being held to mark what would have been Presley’s 75th birthday - will be hosted in Hyde Park this September.


It will feature an array of musical talent performing hits from Presley’s career.Earlier this year, Radio 2 broadcast a season of documentaries to mark what would have been Presley’s 75th birthday, and a source close to the network said the idea behind the Hyde Park event is to conclude the celebrations.The source said: “If Elvis had lived he would have been 75 this year. Radio 2 had a big Elvis season in January and the event in Hyde Park will be an Elvis night featuring all of his songs and back catalogue.


”The Elvis concert follows last year’s Radio 2 Abba celebration in Hyde Park, which featured performances from Kylie Minogue, and 2008’s celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music.It is being produced by Anthony Cherry.A spokeswoman for Radio 2 said the broadcaster was not currently able to “confirm any details”.


New Elvis Auction

Several Elvis(related) items became available for Elvis fans at the The Fame Bureau auction of music memorabilia, We 
Will WOCU, on May 27 in London.


Elvis Presley's Solid Gold and Diamond Medallion - Estimate £725,000 - £1,000,000


This incredible, enormous Medallion was given to Elvis Presley By Barron Hilton, former co-chairman of The Hilton Hotel group, on the closing night of Elvis Presley's 1975 tour at the Hilton in Las Vegas. Elvis wore the Medallion with his 'Rainfall Jumpsuit' The Medallion is fabricated of f Solid Gold surrounding a rare 1924 St Guadens $20 gold coin. Within the gold there are 40 round cut diamonds each 1.6mm in diameter colour H clarity VS2. There are an additional 12 round cut brilliant diamonds measuring 3.45 mm colour H clarity VS2. The total weight of all diamonds is 2.60 ct. The gold weighs 870 grams and the chain is a fox-tail design 18kt gold with a length of 30”.The Medallion comes with jewellers appraisals, and a history of the medallion's provenance from Elvis Presley's ownership until the present date.

Elvis wore the medallion with his "Rainfall Jumpsuit" (pictured) during the gig, which took place at the Hilton hotel in Las Vegas on the closing night of his 1975 tour.


A Las Vegas menu signed by Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker


A menu from Leonardo's restaurant at the International hotel in Las Vegas, signed and inscribed on the cover in blue ballpoint:


"To Sharon, My best wished, Elvis Presley,"


Also autographed on the back cover by Elvis and countersigned by Vernon and Dee Presley, Colonel Tom Parker and Charlie Hodge. This is an exceptional item in fine condition. Mounted, framed and glazed.


Elvis Presley Electric Sitar. Estimate £3,000 - £5,000


This amazing instrument was designed by Vincent Bell a veritable guitar maestro who played the sitar and various other guitars parts on some of the most famous pop records in modern history. This particular guitar was played by Memphis guitar legend Reggie Young on Elvis Presley's greatest recording session 'The Suspicious Minds Sessions' at the American Recording Studios in Memphis, resulting in Elvis' groundbreaking soulful album 'From Elvis in Memphis'. It was this recording session that began the turnaround in Elvis' career and paved the way for his well known subsequent concerts up until his untimely death. The sessions were overseen by Lincoln 'Chips' Moman, one of the most successful and respected record producers songwriters and studio musicians in the history of American popular music, indeed it was Chip's intervention over Presley's record company that enabled Elvis to make these historic recordings instead of the film-based drivel that he had been turning out in the previous years. Moman and Elvis had long been friends and so it was no surprise that Elvis, hearing of the success of the studio, chose to record there. The Sitar belonged to Chips, and was kept it in the studio. It was used on many tracks for many artists. During the sessions for RCA that took place between January 13-16 and 20th-23rd 1969 The Sitar can be very clearly heard on the track, "You'll think of Me' recorded by Elvis on the 14th January between 7and 10pm, the track ended up as the B-side to Suspicious Minds. The intro is all Sitar! It was also used on Stranger in My Own Home Town and Rubberneckin'. Aside from Elvis, Reggie also played the Sitar on many other hits including Dusty Springfield's 'Don't You Forget About Me'


Elvis Guitar, Amp Lead and Army collection - Estimate £25,000 - £30,000


Elvis Guitar, Amp Lead and Army collection. An amazing collection of Elvis Presley items from his army period includes the golden guitar seen clearly on a number of photographs as Elvis plays piano for friends. During this period Elvis would relax at friends and family's houses and would listen to and play music. There are many documented photographs of Elvis playing pianos, guitars and accordians during his army years. The guitar in question is an Alden Solid body copper/bronze finish guitar produced circa 1958 derived from the Harmony H44 Stratatone, the Alden has a distinctive "A" emblem on the headstock. The guitar comes with it's original Valve amplifier and lead and can be seen quite clearly with Elvis in a number of photographs. It is likely that the guitar was given to Captain Betts, Elvis' CO as it is accompanied by personal unpublished photographs and a newspaper article relating to Elvis's visits to Captain Bett's home in Germany. The photographs include Five candid slides of Elvis relaxing and playing piano along with six b/w 8x10 photographs of Elvis posing and helping to erect a war memorial in Germany. 2 of the photographs bear a stamp instructing that the photos are for private use only and must not be published. With a signed letter of authentication from The Walt Disney Attractions Merchandise and a photograph showing Elvis with the guitar in his military uniform in Germany.


Elvis & Scotty Moore Elvis Presley's Record Collection -  Estimate £100,000 - £125,000


My friendship with Elvis Presley was something which changed my life. The music we made with Bill Black, later D.J. Fontana and the Jordanaires has lived on now 50 years later. We had a lot of fun in those early days. Little did we know at the time, what we were creating…don't blame us! I first met Elvis when he came to my house in Memphis to audition for me on the 4th of July 1954. The next day Elvis, Bill Black and I recorded “That’s Alright” at Sun Studios. I am proud of our first band “Elvis Presley and The Blue Moon Boys”. I am happy to be a part of that rock ‘n’ rock history as Elvis’ first guitarist, first manager and “right hand man” in the early years. Elvis and I recorded 500 songs together – that is a whole lot of music! I write this letter to confirm that I own a very special collection of records that used to belong to Elvis, and to confirm the story of the records: In early January 1968 I got a call from Elvis. We were soon to meet in Nashville to record at RCA’s Studio B. Elvis asked if I could transfer his old favourite 78 RPM records to reel-to-reel tape for him at my studio. I told him yes. When we met at the sessions in Nashville, which took place on January 15th and 16th 1968, Elvis brought with him a briefcase with 26 78s wrapped in the January 14th edition of the Memphis news-paper “The Commercial Appeal”. Elvis left me the briefcase with the records and asked me to mail the tape back to his house in Memphis, which I did. I made a safety copy for myself and kept the records and tape in my studio in Nashville. Elvis never asked for the records to be returned. Later in that year 1968, Elvis called me to get our old band together for a program which later has become known as the “NBC Comeback Special”. We rehearsed and taped the program, and after the program was filmed, Elvis asked me and D.J. Fontana if we would go to Europe for a tour with him. We all agreed, but Elvis went to Las Vegas instead of Europe. This was the last time I saw Elvis. Some years later – around 1973, I believe, I was cleaning out my studio when I noticed the briefcase with the 78 RPM records. I called Graceland who took notice of the titles, and I took the records back to my home studio in Nashville where they have been kept safe in my home ever since. For 40 years, the records have never left my possession. These records were some of Elvis’ first and all time favourite records. They influencedElvis as a musician and vocalist for sure. They were to be part of the recorded music Bill and I created with Elvis back in the 1950's. After Elvis, Bill and I recorded “That’s Alright” / “Blue Moon of Kentucky”, we were thinking of other songs we like to record. From this collection of 78s we recorded “Blueberry Hill”, “I Got A Woman”, “Lawdy Miss Clawdy”, “Your Cheatin’ Heart”, “Let’s Play House” and “Hound Dog”. I hope the records will end up in a museum for all in the world to see. They have Elvis’ DNA all over them! I wish Elvis and Bill Black were still around to see the influence our music has on later generations of fans and musicians. The 78s were a large part of that musical journey for Elvis and later Bill and I. The record collection shows Elvis' wide range of musical tastes and his passion for the music and the song. I want to show the world and everyone now listening, the impact these recordings had on Bill, Elvis and me. Here are the records which helped inspire us to create the music which later inspired the ones who came after us.Joe Turner - Corrine Corrina / Boogie Woogie Country Girl; The Dominoes - That's What You're Doing To Me / When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano; Ivory Joe Hunter - It's A Sin / Don't You Believe Her ;Roy Brown - Hurry, Hurry Baby / Travelin' Man; Fats Domino - Blueberry Hill / Honey Chile; The Crickets - You're Mine / Milk And Gin; Tommy Edwards - It's All In The Game / All Over Again; Ray Charles - I Got A Woman / Come Back; Hank Snow - I'm Gonna Bid My Blues Goodbye/ Just A Faded Pedal From A Beautiful Bouquet; Louis Jones & His Band - Rock And Roll Bells / All Over, Goodbye; Lowell Fulson - Reconsider Baby / I Believe I'll Give Up; The Four Lads - Moments To Remember / Dream On, My Love, Dream On; Johnny Ace with The Beale Streeters - My Song / Follow The Rule; Roy Hamilton - Hurt / Star Of Love; Sammy Davis Jr. - Because Of You Parts 1 & 2; Fats Domino - Ain't It A Shame / La-La ; Lloyd Price - Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Mailman Blues; Brownie McGhee - I'm 10,000 Years Old / Cherry Red; Buddy Blake - Rosie / You'll Cry For Me; The Pearls - Your Cheatin' Heart / I Sure Need You; Ivory Joe Hunter - Since I Met You Baby / You Can't Stop This Rockin' And Rollin'; Carl Perkins - Matchbox / Your True Love; Billy Ward & His Dominoes - Rags To Riches / Don't Thank Me ; The Billy Vaughn Orchestra - The Shifting.


Elvis Presley's Solid Gold TCB Necklace - Estimate £6,000 - £7,000


TCB Gold necklace given to Norman Taurog Elvis Presley TCB Gold necklace given to Norman Taurog. Elvis was known to be generous to those around him and one of the ways that he would show his generosity would be to award his friends with a TCB necklace. The initials are for Taking Care of Business in a flash. The flash is represented by a lightning flash. One recipient of one of these special gifts was Norman Taurog, the Director of the 1960 G.I. Blues and eight other Elvis films. Elvis was a big fan of Taurog. With a copy of a letter from Norman Taurog's son.


Elvis Presley's Fingerprints – Only Known Example - Estimate £50,000 - £75,000


Elvis Presley Fingerprints 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.


A 1957 Black and Pink Cadillac originally owned by Elvis Presley. Elvis purchased a large number of cadillacs when he first found fame. this particular model VIN number 5762037142 4 door hard top sedan current license plate 3 Elvis, was owned by Elvis Presley from new. This car currently is situated in the USA and is being sold as is. The interior and exterior original chrome-ware is currently unattached but comes with the car. Mechanics report states that the car is in working order and running smoothly. Estimate £175,000 - £200,000

(Source: Elvis Unlimited / For Elvis CD Collectors / ElvisNews)

May 18 - Showtime At The High Sierra

The May 2010 Follow That Dream releases were released. 

"Showtime! -  Birmingham / Dallas ’76" is a 2-Disc Set that features Elvis in top form in two shows It comes packaged as a 5” digipack with 8-page booklet. The Birmingham Show is from the Jefferson County Coliseum and Dallas from the Memorial Auditorium.


On the back cover of this release, there is a mistake;  the tracks on disc 2 are numbered wrong with two two tracknumbers "11" and tracknumber 16 is missing


"High Sierra" features mainly the performance from May 21, 1976 at the Sahara Tahoe Hotel with additional highlights from other shows that month. "High Sierra" is released in a 5” digipack format with an 8-page booklet.

(Source: ElvisMatters)