August 31 - A Gospel Playlist From The Showroom Internationale

The cover art for the new Gospel compilation "Playlist: The Very Best of Elvis Presley Gospel" was released. This budget compilation from Sony Legacy has October 12th as the release date.


Showroom Internationale



The "Showroom Internationale" import boxset, containing Elvis Presley's performances from January 28 and February 23 1971, was released. The limited edition set of 500 copies comes on two red vinyl albums, 2 CDs and an A4 sized flyer.



LMP – Karma 2010: A Genesis Of Rebel DNA / Elvis – Through My Eyes

“LMP – Karma 2010: A Genesis Of Rebel DNA / Elvis – Through My Eyes” by Darrin Lee is an A5 format soft cover written in memory of Mr. Vernon Elvis and Mrs. Gladys Love Presley. This project is dedicated to the daughter who dreams of redemption for a father that worshipped the ground she walked on and with whom she shares a magical connection; who dreams about dignity being restored to the Presley family name and has never lost faith that some day it would happen.


Il Re Del Rock And Roll: Elvis Country


Volume 10 in the Italian magazine 'Sorrise e Canzoni TV' (by Mondadori)  digi-book series "Il Re Del Rock And Roll" was released; "Elvis Country". This CD was only available for one week.

 

August 30 - Visa Elvis!

The Visa credit card company released their new Elvis Presley credit cards. 

A Rocket In My Pocket



Our man is on the front cover of a pretty cool new rockabilly compilation caled "A Rocket In My Pocket" with the track "Mystery Train".


Elvis: One Hour Specials


In France the 8 DVD box-set "Elvis: One Hour Specials" was released.

(Source: Flaming Star / Elvis Club Berlin)

(Source: Flaming Star / Amazon)

August 29 - Australian Charts

On the Australian Catalogue Album Top 50 the "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation dropped from #19 to #23. 

August 28 - A Slip Of The Curtain

The Boxcar import label released a new trailer for their "Elvis 77 - The Final Curtain" box-set focussing only on the 400 page book and the 2 DVD’s containing the 8mm movies.

This is part of a 6 DVD and 6 CD package promising unreleased footage and new complete soundboards. Further details have surfaced that this set will be out before the end of the year but will only be Limited to 1500 copies. EPE took the video down August 31st: "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by CKX, Inc.."

Elvis King Of Rock 'N' Roll

In cooperation with SONY the Greek newspaper 'TA NEA' released  an Elvis Presley 4 CD set. Part 4 - "Viva Las Vegas Bonus Concert" - was released this week. 


(Source: Elvis On CD / FECC)

August 27 - The Man And His Music

Volume 89 of The Man And His Music magazine was released. It contained articles on Elvis mags of the '50s by Ger Rijff, Wild In The Country - The Movie Files: The Deleted Scenes!, I'll Be A Rovin' Roustabout - The truth behind a rare 1964 promo 45, Audience-Rrecorded Exclusives Part 2 and and the usual CD, DVD and book reviews.

August 26 - Top 5 Global Music Icons

Author Erik Lorentzen announced the the release of volume 6 in his "Elvis Files" series. This volume - on the years 1957 to 1959 - has an October release-date.

Elvis Among Top 5 Global Music Icons


CNN conducted a poll among it's viewers for the top global music icons, Elvis was of course among the top 5. 
The votes are in and Michael Jackson is the number one global music icon. Almost 100,000 people voted to tell CNN  that the self-styled "King of Pop," who died suddenly in June 2009, is the musician you rate above all others. British pop group The Beatles, late Canto pop sensation Leslie Cheung, rock 'n' roller Elvis Presley and Reggae godfather Bob Marley also made the top five.

Elvis Memories Returns # 72

The King of Rock & Roll's CD "Elvis: Memories" returns to the Billboard 200 at #72 following a direct-response TV advertising campaign kicked into high-gear. It went from selling a negligible number the week previous to 6,000 this week.


(Source: CNN / Elvis Unlimited / Elvis Files)

August 24 - Can't Help Falling In Love

Songwriter George David Weiss, 89, died. He is the author of the 1961 hit and concert closing song "Can't Help Falling in Love". Weiss was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984. In addition he served as president of the Songwriters Guild of America from 1982 to 2000.

Soundtrack Re-issues


Four movie soundtracks were re-issued on vinyl by the Dutch Music On Vinyl label; "Girls Girls Girls", "G.I. Blues", "Viva Las Vegas" and "Girl Happy".


Il Re Del Rock And Roll: Golden Records, Vol. 1

Volume 9 in the Italian magazine 'Sorrise e Canzoni TV' (by Mondadori)  digi-book series "Il Re Del Rock And Roll" was released; "Golden Records, Vol. 1". This CD was only available for one week.

August 23 - Sing Hits Like The King

Released through iTunes is the "Elvis Sing-A-Long - A 75th Anniversary Celebration" digital karaoke album set from Madacy Entertainment. The digital album features both full-vocal and backing-tracks-only versions of Elvis’s biggest hits.

Silver Award

The "ELVIS 75" compilation sold 63,798 copies in the UK, thereby making the title eligible for a Silver Sales Award  (minimum sales of 60,000).




Definitive Collection

The 3 CD set "Definitive Collection" from BMG India popped up on a collector's website (catalog number : BMG 8697647392. This 3 CD-set includes songs from the CD publications '50 Greatest Love Songs' (CD 1 & 2)  and 'Elvis Presley' (CD 3). 


Also from India are the double DVD "Tribute To Elvis" containing "Jailhouse Rock" and "On Tour" and a double DVD set containing "Blue Hawaii" and "King Creole".

(Source: EPE / The Elvis Express / Mahalo From Elvis / ElvisNews)

August 22 - Charts

On the Australian Catalogue Album chart the "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" jumped from #27 to #19.

Global Chart Update - Week 33

US:

Top Catalog Albums:
• #49 (Re) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

Top Christian Albums:
• #25 (28) An Evening Prayer

AOL Video:
• #3 (2) Elvis (excerpt from interview)

Soundscan Update:
• Elvis 2nd To None - 952,000

UK:

Top 200 Albums:
• #56 (167) Elvis 75 [3CD]

Bonus (sales info):
It was the 33rd anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death last Monday (16th), a fact which sparked a big increase in sales of Elvis 75, the album issued to mark what would have been his 75th birthday in January. Sales of the set were up 163% week-on-week to 2,534, generating a 167-56 chart leap. (- MusicWeek)

Australia:

Top 50 Catalogue Albums:
• #19 (27) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

Bonus (sales info):
‘50 Australian Top Ten Hits: 1956-1977’ had sold 10,475 copies (in Australia) by the time it left the top 100 earlier this year.

Canada:

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

August 21 - iElvis On Tour

The first official  Elvis Presley game for the iPhone was announced; The Official Elvis Challenge. 


From the update:

Bless his soul, what's wrong with him? Well, he's dead for starters. Or is he...


We won't fuel the conspiracy theories about Elvis Presley being alive, well and working in a chip shop in Neasden. But we will tell you about a new iPhone game called The Official Elvis Challenge, which as the name implies, has the blessing of the Elvis estate.


Essentially, it's an Elvis trivia game, with more than 2,500 questions spread across The King's entire career. They're also divided between different mini-games, including Hangman, Fill in the Blanks, What Year?, Odd One Out, Guess the Song Lyrics and Uncover the Artwork.


The game also features more than 2,000 Elvis photos, and can sync with your iTunes library allowing you to have your Presley tracks blasting out in the background while you play the game. A Pass'n'Play mode lets you ensure that - sorry - you won't be lonesome (tonight) while playing.


"Words cannot accurately describe this amazing iPhone app," says the official quote from Elvis Presley Enterprises. Be warned, though, the app blurb makes it clear that "some of the questions and answers will be in conflict with myths and misinformation that have long been part of Elvis lore".


Elvis Really On Tour


Elvis Unlimited learned that SEG Events will bring the big screen show, Elvis Presley In Concert to the USA, Canada and Asia in the spring of 2012. The European tour will begin in the fall of 2011.


Buy the Daily Mail on Saturday August 14 to claim your free Elvis DVD! The first of our Elvis DVDs is the classic, "G.I. Blues". The year was 1960. A payola scandal shocks the music world.

Elvis King Of Rock 'N' Roll

In cooperation with SONY the Greek newspaper 'TA NEA' released  an Elvis Presley 4 CD set. Part 3 - "Viva Las Vegas Live" - was released this week. 


(Source: Recombu / Elvis Unlimited / Elvis On CD)

August 20 - I Just Kent Help Believin'

Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie, with her husband Michael Lockwood (42) and their twin girls, moved from Los Angeles to an £8million pad close to Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

The 11-bedroom pad also boasts an indoor pool, cinema, sauna and lake in its 90-acre grounds. She has previously told how she loved Britain for its culture and damp climate - saying: "Any place that is perpetually sunny is suspect. I'm the only person who came to England for the weather."

August 19 - Elvis Covers Collected

Hallmark announced the release of the 3CD set "Elvis Collected" featuring the original albums "Elvis Presley“ (1956), "Elvis“ (1956), "King Creole“ (1958) and "A Date With Elvis“ (1959).


Viva The Cover


A new cover for the "Viva Elvis" appeared on several websites.



(Source: Amazon / The Elvis Presley Gesellschaft)

August 17 - Myrna Back In The Hospital

On August 17 Myrna was admitted to Northridge Hospital again for several tests. Hhe had to stay there while the staff worked to get her better.  

Classic Elvis


The budget compilation "Classic Elvis" was re-issued in Canada by Sony Legacy.


Il Re Del Rock And Roll: "King Creole


Volume 8 in the Italian magazine 'Sorrise e Canzoni TV' (by Mondadori)  digi-book series "Il Re Del Rock And Roll" was released; "King Creole". This CD was only available for one week.


(Source: Elvis Unlimited / Amazon)

August 16 - 75 And 33 Years Ago

August 16 2010 marked the 75th anniversary of Elvis Presley. It was 33 years ago,  on August 16 1977, that the undisputed King of Rock 'n' Roll left the building at the age of 42. 

Awards For Elvis



Several RIAA updates were presented to the Elvis Presley Estate:


DVD:
Aloha  From Hawaii (deluxe edition) - 4x Platinum -
68' Comeback Special (special  edition) - 4x Platinum -


Albums:
50  Greatest Love Songs (2D) - Gold
Essential Elvis (2CD) - Gold
Blue Christmas - Platinum


Follow That Dream News


At the Memphis gathering today Follow that Dream producer Roger Semon announced the dates of the new Elvis releases; "Jailhouse Rock volume 2" and a double pack with two 1976 Chicago soundboard releases. Also due October is the Mail-order only set "Elvis Masters" 30 CD set on the Legacy label. 


Before that, September 2010 brings us "Elvis (Fool) - Classic Album 2CD" and "Boston Garden 1971" a (Live Soundboard). 

August 15 - John Wilkinson

CashBox released a commemorative issue of their chart-magazine on Elvis Presley. 

John Wilkinson Update


As reported last month, John was due in hospital on August 2nd for a P.E.T scan which would hopefully show the tumour has gone away. But the actual results would not be known until on or around August 11th.


John had a good report back from the tests and his blood work is at a good level and the P.E.T scan did not show any activity, the area is still swollen from the radiation so the doctors could not see it very well, but they are not concerned, which is great news. 


John is still having issues with not having a colon and they continue to 
work on which foods work and which ones cause him problems, but 
he is looking very well and sends his love and thanks to the listeners 
of Elvis Express Radio around the world.


(Source: Elvis Express / CashBox)

August 14 - Ultimate Auction (Flops) And Free DVDs

Elvis Presley's grand piano, valued at $1 million, failed to receive a starting minimum bid of $500,000 in Saturday's "Ultimate Elvis Auction," but at least one seller walked away happy.

"That will be my daughter's tuition," said Blair Hill, who had just sold a gold-and-diamond cameo ring given by Elvis to Hill's grandmother, the late Janelle McComb, a close friend of the Presley family and founder of the Elvis memorial foundation in Tupelo, Miss.

Hill, recently named sales manager for the Elvis birthplace and museum in Tupelo, said his grandmother kept the ring for years before giving it to him. Hill had expected the ring to sell close to the $10,000 minimum bid. With bidders from around the world via the Internet, bids quickly sailed past the minimum. They then climbed to the estimated value of $20,000 and kept going.

When a winner was declared at $32,500, a cheer went up in the Venetian Room of The Peabody, where more than 100 seats were filled. Spectators also lined the walls of the packed room. Hill happened to be seated immediately across the aisle from the winning bidder, Michael Werner of Las Vegas.

Werner, a former Belgian, already was wearing another Elvis diamond ring. He said he considered the cameo ring "the top item in the whole auction ... It's just the look of it actually -- shiny and golden."

The auction, held by Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas, was expected to continue until almost midnight. Major collectors involved in the bidding said they are not immune from the flailing economy and unwilling to invest based primarily on the look of an item.


Gold And Platinum For Elvis

Thirty-three years after his passing, Elvis Presley continues to earn multi-gold and platinum certifications from the Recording Industry of America (RIAA).

The King of Rock n' Roll received five new sales awards this year.  They were presented during Elvis Week in Memphis, on August 14 at the Conversations on Elvis event hosted by The Orpheum Theater.

• "Aloha From Hawaii Deluxe Edition DVD" received multi-platinum certification (4X), released on June 18, 2004. 
• "Elvis '68 Comeback- Special Edition DVD" received multi-platinum certification (2X), released on August 1, 2006. 
• "50 Greatest Love Songs" received gold multi-disc set certification, released on September 11, 2001. 
• "The Essential Elvis" received gold multi-disc set status, released on January 2, 2007. 
• "Blue Christmas" received platinum album certification, released on July 14, 1992.

These certifications are based on current standards: 500,000 copies for a gold single or album and 1 million copies for a platinum single or album.

Elvis King Of Rock 'N' Roll

In cooperation with SONY the Greek newspaper 'TA NEA' released  an Elvis Presley 4 CD set. Part 2 - "Jailhouse Rock" - was released this week. 


Free DVDs


Buy the Daily Mail on Saturday August 14 to claim your free Elvis DVD! The first of our Elvis DVDs is the classic, "G.I. Blues". The year was 1960. A payola scandal shocks the music world.

This fantastic seven part series of classic Elvis films will delight Elvis fans everywhere. So don't forget to buy the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday every day from Saturday August 14 to get your seven part series of classic Elvis DVDs.

(Source: HA / Elvis On CD)

August 13 - Elvis In Poland

The eight disc DVD-set "Elvis Presley: Kolekcja" was released in Poland. It contains the movies  "Więzienny Rock", "Viva Las Vegas", "Wielkie kłopoty", "Speedway", "Spinout", "Kłopoty z dziewczynami", "Harum Scarum", "Co się wydarzyło na targach światowych".

Elvis W Trasie


"Elvis W Trasie" is the Polish edition of "Elvis On Tour" and was released on DVD and Blu-Ray.

The Essence Of Energy Out


The Rainbow records import CD "The Essence Of Energy" was released. 


Re-issues On Vinyl


The Dutch Vinyl On Music released the first of four vinyl re-issues of classic Elvis Presley soundtracks; "Clambake", Frankie And Johnny", Fun in Acapulco" and Roustabout". Four more re-issues are due August 20th while the re-issue of "50 Million Fans Can't Be Wrong" was postponed to September 20, 2010.

August 12 - More Memories Of Elvis On Tour

After the big success of the "Our Memories Vol.1 & 2" re-release the Victrola import label announced the release of volume 3 in this series. 

This was a continuation of RCA producer Joan Deary's vision that offered fans more "pure Elvis". The main reason for the project was that there were many requests after Elvis death from fans complaining about the fact that Elvis' voice was buried under the many instruments and Felton Jarvis' overdubs. The original 'Our Memories Of Elvis Vol.3' tracklisting was suggested but the project was cancelled and the mixing never finished. In 2010 Victoral finally offers the original thirteen album tracks plus ten bonus 'Rare or Unreleased' tracks. Some selections are undubbed masters while some are special remixes of the overdubbed Masters.


Tracks include; Hurt, Shake A Hand, Promised Land, Heart Of Rome, If You Don't Come Back, For Ol' Time Sake, It's A Matter Of Time, Love Coming Down, Woman Without Love and Moody Blue.

On Tour Book


JAT Publishing have released the photo book, 'Elvis On Tour' to coincide with the Elvis On Tour DVD and Blu-ray releases. The book is a dynamic release with many unreleased photos. This hardback edition has over 130 pages and features over 250 photographs, color and black & white. 

(Source: FECC)

August 11- From East Tupelo To New York And Chicago

The SR import label announced the release of the six-panel long box digi-pack 2CD set "From New York to Chicago" featuring newly remastered audience recordings from Elvis’ June 1972 tour; June 11 8:30 at Madison Square Garden, New York and June 17 2:30 at Chicago Stadium, Chicago.

East Tupelo & Elvis, That's the Way It Was Book 

The book, 'East Tupelo & Elvis, That's the Way It Was' by Wanda Powell Heagy was released with a different cover than the one featured in the original announcement.

This is a book that contains the history of East Tupelo where Elvis was born and how it progressed during his life living here. It also contains information about Elvis, his family, interviews, and over 150 photos and maps (357 pages).


Free G.I.


The U.K. Daily mail newspaper showed an advertisement that they will give away a free "G.I. Blues" DVD with Saturday's newspaper. 


Elvis Rocks The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame



The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will celebrate its 15th anniversary in part with a new Elvis Presley exhibit set to open this September 13th. "Elvis 1956: Photographs by Alfred Wertheimer" will feature intimate photos of the King in the studio and at home, just as he was on the brink of stardom as a 21-year-old. You can preview the collection in our gallery. The Rock Hall will also import over 30 Elvis artifacts from Presley's Graceland home.

Photographer Alfred Wertheimer was a freelance photojournalist when he captured Presley in 1956, the year Presley released his self-titled debut on RCA. (The album was later named to Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.) That year, Presley also made multiple noteworthy appearances on nationally televised programs like The Milton Berle Show, The Steve Allen Show and The Ed Sullivan Show, with the latter filming Presley only above the waist due to Elvis' then-controversial hip gyrations during performances of "Hound Dog."

The Graceland artifacts include a proclamation from the city of Memphis declaring January 25th, 1961 "Elvis Presley Day," a Guild acoustic guitar used by Presley in 1976, and Presley's 1974 Best Inspirational Performance Grammy. The Rock Hall's curatorial director Howard Kramer, who oversaw the execution of the exhibit, highlights items from a March 20, 1974 show in Memphis (which was later released by RCA as a live recording.) "He wouldn't go back in the studio so they sent a recording truck and figured, 'Great, we'll get a live recording out of it," says Kramer. "So we have the jumpsuit he was wearing and his handwritten setlist."

Presley was among the Rock Hall's inaugural class of inductees in 1986, along with Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Sam Cooke, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis.

(Source: FECC / Elvis Australia / Google)

August 10 - From Sin City To Heaven

The Victrola import label announced the release of their first DVD production, "From Kansas City To Sin City" with August 16, 2010 as the releasedate. The full color DVD includes both released and unreleased footage of Elvis in concert in Las Vegas 1973/74 and Kansas City 1974 and runs for approxomately 60 minutes.

David L. Wolper Died

David L. Wolper, executive producer of "This Is Elvis" died at the age of 82.

Elvis Presley Acting Career 

The paperback "Elvis Presley Acting Career" by Frederic P. Miller, Agnes F. Vandome , and John McBrewster was released by Alphascript Publishing. It contains "high quality content by Wikipedia articles" according to the product information on Amazon.

Il Re Del Rock And Roll: His Hand In Mine

Volume 7 in the Italian magazine 'Sorrise e Canzoni TV' (by Mondadori)  digi-book series "Il Re Del Rock And Roll" was released; "His Hand In Mine". This CD was only available for one week.