December 31 - Elvis Has Left 2010

The Rainbow Records import label closed 2010 with the release of volume 4 in their “Vegas Variety” series featuring the complete performance of August 12, 1973 midnight show at the Las Vegas.

December 29 - No Funeral

Myrna Smith's friend Carole informed fan clubs on the arrangements for Myrna Smyth's funeral: 


"Dear All 


I've received inquiries asking about sending flowers for Myrna. Myrna's body is being cremated. There is no funeral or service or viewing, & Myrna's ashes are not being buried or interred. Myrna's brother advised he will take the urn with Myrna's ashes home & place it on the mantle next to her mother's urn. 


For those who want to do something, I believe Myrna would most like a charitable donation made in her honor. Myrna was a very giving person & always thinking of others. Most Elvis fans give to charity or belong to a fan club that supports one or more charities. Since the fans are the ones who helped Myrna, I think she would be proud to have donations made to fan club supported charities in her honor/memory. And, since the fans are the people who took on the role of Myrna's family & helped her, the fan clubs & fans can post the information regarding anything done in Myrna's honor &, thus, keep her Elvis Family informed. 


I never discussed this with Myrna, so the above are simply my thoughts, based on having known her. 


Carole"


Elvis Mag's


The always surprisingly themed Almost in Elvis has its 12th issue. This Dutch magazine is clearly a labour of love for both Elvis and publishing little art works. This issue looks like one big ancient ad for vehicles, Elvis-related vehicles. All pictures are done in one (bright) color and not surprisingly songs that get a closer look are Spinout and Long Black Limousine.


The King, the magazine from Finland, has its 26th issue. Among other things it brings interviews with Ernst Jorgensen and Hugh Jarrett, an article on Gene Vincent and his Elvis-connection.



Essential Elvis

The latest mag was released a bit plater than planned due to the winter snow.

(Source: Elvis Unlimited / ElvisNews / Essential Elvis)

December 28 - The Tenth Of Never

The Touchdown import label announced the release of the 2CD set "The Tenth Of Never" containing both the December 10 1976 evening and midnight show as recorded in Las Vegas. The latter show was previously unreleased.


(Source: FECC)

December 27 - Elvis Music in New UK Commercial

When you're having fun, sometimes there's no need for words. That's the message behind a new TV commercial featuring the remix version of Elvis Presley's hit song "A Little Less Conversation."

The new ad is for Haven Holidays, a British company that runs holiday parks around the United Kingdom. The commercial features a young boy who is trying to describe to his class what he did on his summer vacation. Elvis' voice provides the perfect soundtrack.



Scotty Moore 79

Scotty Moore, born December 1931, celebrated his 79th birthday.


The Final Financial Update on Myrna Smith's Cremation


Myrna Smith's friend Carole informed fans on the cremation of Myrna Smith. 



Dear All:


As I told you earlier today, the amount we had in Myrna's account (the account at Premier America Credit Union to which the fans have so generously donated) was $1,099.60 & I was hoping it would be enough to cover her cremation if we needed to pay for that.

First I will tell you that neither Myrna's brother (John) nor her son (Martin) came forward to pay for Myrna's final expenses. I received a request from John to give him the money to pay for the cremation. I said I would only pay the money directly to the establishment providing cremation services.

The total amount due to The Alpha Society was $1,110.63 - this amount covers cremation, pick up of the body, completing & filing documents required upon death, and the urn for Myrna's ashes. I made up the small amount we were short & left $9 in the account to cover a monthly service charge of $4.50 for Dec. & Jan. (there is a service charge only when the account drops below the minimum).

Today (12/27/10) I sent our check to The Alpha Society to pay the $1,110.63. I believe Myrna is watching & knows that her Elvis Family was there for her to take care of her final arrangements. I know she appreciates it & loves you very much for all you have done. Bless you all for caring & for being Myrna's true family.

Dear Fans, you are the only ones who were there for Myrna (i) to pay Canyon Oaks so Myrna could stay there & get the care she needed & to pay Myrna's final expenses.

I will keep you informed & let you know if plans are made to somehow celebrate Myrna's life. Two of Myrna's friends have mentioned doing something, we will wait & see.

Sincere thanks to all the fans. My personal thanks also for the sweet Emails I have received. I love you all.

Carole


(Source: EPE / Flaming Star)

December 25 - Blue Christmas; Myrna Smith Passed Away

Myrna Smith passed away Christmas day 2010. Myrna developed pneumonia while on tour in Europe with “Elvis: The Concert” in March of this year. She subsequently suffered from kidney failure and a severe stroke. Myrna spent her last weeks at the Canyon Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Canoga Park, California.


Myrna is the second of the Sweet Inspirations to pass away this year. Sylvia Shemwell died on February 13, 2010.


Sacret Elvis - Gospel Collection

The Wonderland import label released the 9 CD + 1 DVD box "Sacret Elvis - Gospel Collection" containing studio, private and live recordings from 1957 until 1976 and the DVD "Elvis His Heart Was Gospel".



(Source: ElvisMatters / Elvis Presley Gesellschaft)

December 24 - Icon Magazine

Images of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll as depicted by one of the artists at the forefront of the Pop Art movement were on display at a new exhibition at a Leamington gallery.

Peter Mars’ Elvis Collection consists of four signed limited edition prints which combine a fascinating Warholesque influence with Mars’s unique, punchy style.


Mars, who has been creating Pop Art works for the past 20 years, became captivated by the media phenomenon of Elvis Presley and began exploring Elvis imagery, text and photography, combining these elements into his unique artistic vision.


This imagery caught the attention of Priscilla Presley and Elvis Presley Enterprises, who gave him unrivalled access to iconic photographs of Elvis and a selection of private photographs from their archives.


Mars said: “If I had only Elvis to work on for the rest of my career, he would fill my days. “His legacy is daunting.

Elvis My Happiness


The French Elvis My Happiness fan club released the December 2010 edition of their self-titled magazine. 


(Source: Google / Elvis My Happiness)

December 23 - A Dunkin' Movie Book

Helmut Radermacher released his 642 pages book on Elvis Presley's movie career "Das Grosse Elvis Presley Filmbuch" in Germany. 


The book covers all the movies Elvis acted in, several movies made after his death and a short biography. The book comes with two different covers; "Loving You" and "Love Me Tender".



Dunkin' Elvis

The U.S. based Dunkin' Donuts issued gift cards featuring Elvis Presley.

(Source: Elvis Presley Gesellschaft / Elvis Express)

December 22 - Top 10 Lists

At the end of the year the annual lists appear on the world wide web; 


Top 10 Most Dangerous Autographs


Forgeries of well-known entertainment, sports and historical figures -- such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles & John F. Kennedy-- top the year's "Most Dangerous Autographs" lists compiled by experts at PSA/DNA Authentication Services of Santa Ana, California, the world's largest autograph authentication company.


Buyers beware: 
Many purported Elvis Presley signatures should be marked "return to sender." Over half of the signatures of some historical and entertainment figures submitted in 2010 to PSA/DNA Authentication Services of Santa Ana, California were judged to be fakes Elvis Presley topped the PSA/DNA list of "the most dangerous autographs" of the year.


"This past year, our experts reviewed over 200,000 autographs submitted by collectors and dealers worldwide. PSA/DNA does not often receive obvious forgeries, so if our rejection rate for a particular autograph, such as Elvis Presley, approaches or exceeds 50 percent, you can only imagine how high that percentage might be in the overall marketplace," Orlando  cautioned.


The Top 10


01) Elvis Presley
02) The Beatles
03) John F. Kennedy
04) Marilyn Monroe
05) Michael Jackson
06) Jim Morrison
07) Neil Armstrong
08) Jimi Hendrix
09) James Dean
10) Walt Disney


Wanda Jacksons Favorite Elvis Songs
 
Rolling Stone Magazine asked 50 artists about their favourite songs. Wanda Jackson selected 10 of her most favourite Elvis songs.


1. "Are You Lonesome Tonight" 1960
2. "Baby, Let's Play House" 1955
3. "Crying in the Chapel" 1965
4. "Don't Cry Daddy" 1968
5. "Good Rockin' Tonight" 1954
6. "Heartbreak Hotel" 1956
7. "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" 1955
8. "Jailhouse Rock" 1958
9. "A Little Less Conversation" 1968
10. "A Mess of Blues" 1960


Elvis Presley Most Downloaded Festive Artist


Nokia's Ovi Music download trends revealed Elvis Presley is the world's favorite festive solo artist. The American legend has over 40 seasonal tracks in the Ovi Music catalogue and rakes in more downloads than any other solo artist ' including Bing Crosby, Mariah Carey and John Lennon. Proving that the old Yuletide classics are as popular as ever, Elvis has three tracks in the top 10 most downloaded Christmas songs 'his most popular festive numbers are Blue Christmas, Santa Claus Is Back In Town and White Christmas. 


While Elvis is the most downloaded festive artist, Wham! takes the title for the most downloaded seasonal single with the yuletide classic Last Christmas. Meanwhile, mum-to-be Mariah Carey has the most downloaded Christmas track by any female artist with All I Want For Christmas Is You and Hong Kong's "God of Songs" Jacky Cheung has broken into the top 10 with Everyday Is Christmas. 


Top Downloaded Christmas Songs Globally 


1. Wham! - Last Christmas 
2. Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You 
3. Bing Crosby - White Christmas 
4. Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas? 
5. John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
6. Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas
7. Chris Rea - Driving Home For Christmas 
8. Elvis Presley - Santa Claus Is Back In Town
9. Elvis Presley - White Christmas 
10. Jacky Cheung - Everyday Is Christmas

Tunzi's Christmas Top 5

Elvis Presly author and publisher Joseph Tunzi listed his Top 5 Elvis Christmas songs on the Comet website:

Everyone needs a little Elvis for the holidays. To bring our readers a little rock ‘n’ roll yuletide cheer, Elvis historian and author Joseph Tunzi offers The Comet his Top 5 Christmas Songs by the King.

5. “Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees” (written Bobby “Red” West, Glen Spreen)—A song that wouldn’t be as identifiable as “Blue Christmas,” “Holly Leaves” evokes sadness and brings a tear to the eye, with Elvis singing, Home’s the place that I don’t know.

4. “Merry Christmas Baby” (written by Lou Baxter, Johnny Moore)—An Elvis classic, Presley recorded this bluesy Christmas song in just one take. The track, recorded in 1971, is a true jam at over seven minutes long.

3. “Blue Christmas” (written by Billy Hayes and Jay Johnson)—Probably the most recognizable Elvis Presley Christmas song and his biggest seller to date, recorded in 1957.

2. “If Every Day Was Like Christmas” (written by Bobby “Red” West)—A song recorded in 1966 that was released as Presley’s new seasonal single. It’s a touching holiday song with a message of peace and love, Why can’t every day be like Christmas.

1. “Santa Claus Is Back in Town” (written by Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller)—This was the King’s personal favorite and it’s mine, too. It’s a raunchy blues number, where Elvis doesn’t use a sleigh but drives in a big, black cadillac and will come down your chimney tonight. The best from the best.



Hound Dog



Elvis may be the King of the charts, but he is also the King of Celebrity Pet names. In 2010 there were 256 pets regitered with the name Elvis and in 2nd place with 117 is Houdini.


The Top 10 Celebrity Pet Names:


01. Elvis (256)
02. Houdini (117)
03. Cher (92)
04. Madonna (62)
05. Twiggy (61)
06. Oprah (43)
07. Lady Gaga (34)
08. Beyonce (28)
09. Coco Chanel (24)
10. Shakira (17)


Import Releases Released


According to postings on the FECC forum the import releases "All In A Blaze", "A Private Audience With The King" and "In The Heart of Georgia" were released.

(Source: Elvis Express / Google /Ovi / Music News / The Comet / FECC)

December 21 - Gibson Inductee In Top 2000 Is Back

The double DVD budget set  "Elvis: Gold Edition"  was announced with March 23, 2011 as the release-date. 

Elvis In Dutch Top 2000


The 2010 edition of the annual "Top 2000" chart - an all time greatest hits chart -  featured 20 Elvis songs, with "Suspicious Minds" entering the Top-100 at #77 (#108 in 2009).



Elvis Scotty & Bill

The Charly label released the budget compilation "Elvis Scotty And Bill". 

Good To Be Back

The Gravel Road import label continued the promotion of their new release "Good To Be Back". 

From the press-release:

The December 13th, 1975 is widely accepted as one of the finest later-period Presley shows available on soundboard. Yes, the punk lounge rock feel of the ’69 shows was now gone, but in its place were a warmth and an intimacy that were just as captivating in their own way. 


Our man was in top form vocally in late ’75 (just listen to his sensational vocals on ‘How Great Thou Art’), and the December 13th, ’75 Midnight Show stands out as one of the finest from this engagement. This show was the first soundboard to be released on bootleg back in ’91, causing quite a sensation at the time. The technology used for working on vintage recordings have improved greatly in the years since then, and Gravel Road has used the latest version of the renowned Oxford / ProTools technology to work on this show.


The results are it’s an obvious sound upgrade that makes this remarkable show shine that much more -- Just like you’ve come to expect from us with ‘Prodigy’. It’s also interesting to point out that this release is more complete than the aforementioned ’91 release (which had several edits). 


‘Good To Be Back’ is a title that really captures the sentiment of the show, since Elvis clearly enjoyed being back on stage again following his August ’75 hospital stay and subsequent three months of rest. He’s relaxed and in a great mood, and he delivers several fantastic performances, with one of the highlights being a beautifully sung ‘Just Pretend’. 


This new Gravel Road release is a true keeper. Presented in a stunning digi-pack with numerous photos from the actual show, memorabilia related to this engagement, intelligently written liner-notes packed in a 28 page booklet. As an extra, a special limited “Concert Tour ’75 Photo Folio” as it was available during the tours and Vegas shows  in the 70's with some totally new color photos in high quality from the '75 Tours.  This album is one of those rare releases that you just got to have. 


It’s made with great professionalism and love for Elvis, and this shines through in every single detail of this release. ‘Prodigy’ was sold out within weeks of its release. Order ‘Good To Be Back’ now to avoid disappointment.


Elvis inductee - Gibson Revolutionary Hall of Fame


Gibson.com is pleased to present the inaugural class of the Gibson Revolutionary Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors musical artists whose contributions went beyond mere entertainment and actually altered the art form, the business or the technology of popular music. This year’s inductees were chosen in a recent poll on Gibson.com, asking fans and pros to decide the Top 50 Most Revolutionary Artists of the Past 100 Years. The list of inductees is composed of the top five vote recipients from the readers poll, as well as the top five from the overall combined poll of fans and professionals. As there was some overlap between the lists, a total of seven artists have been honored. Today we celebrate one such honoree: Elvis Presley. 


Anyone who’s ever said, “Elvis Presley had no right to sing the blues,” has no idea who he was or where he came from.


Born in a shotgun shack in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935, with a stillborn twin the family named Jesse, Elvis Aaron Presley grew up in a family that lived paycheck to paycheck, on a good week. His father Vernon worked odd jobs when he could get them, but the Presleys still sometimes required help from the government and from their neighbors — particularly in 1938, when Vernon was jailed for passing a bad check and the family lost their modest home.


I mention all of this to give you a little background about this guy who “stole” blues and R&B music. You have to understand: the blues was all he had. When he entered the sixth grade at a new school in his predominantly African American neighborhood, he dragged his cheap little guitar to class nearly every day and — to paraphrase one of his later hits — his hunger burned.


Presley didn’t only grow up with rhythm and blues music. He was also raised with a healthy diet of gospel, courtesy of his mother Gladys. And there was always some old country music in the air, as well: Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb and the like. All of these musical seeds took root in young Elvis and grew into something…something new.


Now Presley wasn’t the only one to marry blues, rhythm and blues, gospel and country, but he was certainly in that first wave – with Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis and the rest. The thing Elvis brought to the table — which was evident when he launched into Arthur Crudup’s “That’s All Right, Mama” on that fateful night in Sam Phillips’ Sun Studios in 1954 — was an electric charisma and a voice. Man, that voice. Elvis Presley had that one-in-a-million, billion-dollar voice that could find equal shelter in a Sunday school choir or the dirtiest juke joint on Beale Street. Phillips saw (and heard) it — and fostered it. Put a killer band behind Elvis and let him be himself. Let him sing whatever song he wanted, no matter what side of the tracks it came from or what polite radio might think of it.

And once Elvis hit the airwaves, that was it. You say you want a revolution? Elvis Presley fired through the radios and televisions of America like a speedball of bourbon and Spanish fly. While other rock and roll pioneers — legends in their own right, for sure — knocked at the door, Elvis kicked it in. If rock and roll had seemed to the general public like a polite and groomed Bill Haley just a few months before, now it had a pulsating beast leading the charge. And there was no turning back.


Who knows what rock would have been if it wasn’t for Elvis Presley. Maybe Chuck Berry and Little Richard could have broken through on talent alone. God knows they had plenty of it. But it’s very difficult to say whether it would have won such a complete and overarching victory over American — and world — culture. After Elvis it was, quite simply, a different planet.


Hail to the King!


(Source: ElvisMatters / Gibson / Elvis Club Berlin)

December 19 - Viva Burning Love

As the Cirque du Soleil's "Viva Elvis" show celebrates one year of performances a new video for "Burning Love" has been released combining the real Elvis from 'Aloha from Hawaii' with footage from the actual 'Viva Elvis' show.

Charts Down Under


In Australia the "ELV1S 30#1 Hits" compilation dropped off the Back Catalogue Chart after re-entering it last week at #44.


Elvis International


Elvis International announced the January 2011 edition of their self-titled magazine. 

December 18 - Taking Care Of Copyright Infringement

EPE took care of their business and through their lawyers websites around the world wide web were forced to remove all pages with a link to "The Final Curtain" import release. Several sites mentioned threat of fines and legal costs. 

One of the sites that was off-line for posting You-tube trailers for the before mentioned release was ElvisNews.com. The site was absent for over 24 hours because of legal actions by EPE. Their host was forced to suspend our site because of copyright infringement. On the For Elvis CD Collector's Forum (FECC) all treats on this release were deleted too.


(Source: Various / ElvisNews / FECC)

December 17 - EPE vs The Final Curtain Press-release

According to ElvisMatters various webmasters were asked to immediatelty take down, or block access to, the pages of their Elvis websites featuring the information on the "Elvis '77 - The Final Curtain" box set.

The box set "Elvis is an infringement of their intellectual Property Rights according to Elvis Presley Enterprises' (EPE), and their solicitors are not looking the other way this time. It seems that EPE is not planning on pretending as if nothing happened, as they are very concerned about the release of the unreleased footage, soundboards and coffee table book.

But despite this request the producers behind the set released a press-release with the definitive information on this import release which found it's way to the fans around the world. 


(Source: FECC / ElvisNews / Various)

December 16 - Gold Variety In The Trophy Room

The Rainbow Records import label announced the release of "Vegas variety 4" on December 31, 2010. It contains the complete performance of August 12, 1973 midnight show at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, Nevada. 

The producers did not remaster the show from the first Import CD release of this concert (Crying Time In Vegas - originally released in 1994). They got a new source with noticeably better sound compared to the release from sixteen years ago. 


Gold VIP CD
 
ElvisMatters announced that visitors with VIP-tickets for the 5th ElvisMatters Christmas Show in Tilburg (The Netherlands) will receive a full CD "White Christmas" with the best Elvis Christmas Songs.

Billboard Top 200 Album Charts

Elvis has three Albums on the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts for week ending 25th December, 2010:

1. Elvis Christmas #94

2. It's Christmas Time #130

3. Christmas Duets #200

Trophy Room Is Getting A New Look 

The entrance room inside the trophy building at the Graceland mansion is getting a new look. The room now features an interactive timeline celebrating 1956, the year Elvis Presley catapulted from anonymity to superstardom. The new display will be unveiled on January 8, 2011 during the Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration. Remarkably, 55 years ago, Elvis enjoyed his first RCA single and national hit, "Heartbreak Hotel," his first album, "Elvis Presley," his first movie, "Love Me Tender," and his first television appearances on The Dorsey Brothers' "Stage Show," "The Milton Berle Show," "The Steve Allen Show" and "Ed Sullivan." 


The new timeline highlights each of these achievements through exclusive photos, video clips, and other memorabilia! Elvis’ trophy building also houses an amazing collection of his gold and platinum records, as well as items from his movies, his charitable endeavors and more.


(Source: ElvisMatters / FECC / EPE)

December 15 - The Beauty Queen Is Back

The Gravel Road import label started the promotion of their new release "Good To Be Back" containing the complete "December 13th, 1975 Midnight show". This time in an extensive package with a 28 page booklet, plus, as an extra, a limited edition of a Concert tour photo folio in the classic Vegas style of the seventies which will include new full color photos from the ’75 tours.

Beauty Queen II Update


The sequel to "Elvis, The Beauty Queen & Me" was announced early 2010 but has been postponed until recently.The producers announced that the DVD is due early January 2011. 



Producers of "The Final Curtain" Not Arrested
 
One posting after the other appeared on the FECC and TCB World message boards yesterday and this morning, with the rumor that the producers behind the "The Final Curtain" import box-set were arrested. The rumor was false.


(Source: ElvisNews / ElvisMatters)

December 14 - DVD Recording Studio At The Mohegan Sun Arena

James Burton announced the opening of a recording studio on January 8th, 2011. He will officially open his own recording studio in the building of the James Burton Foundation on Elvis Presley Ave in Shreveport, Louisiana. The studio is a gift from James and his wife Louise and the James Burton Foundation to young musicians who are trying to find their way in today's music industry.

Budget DVDs


In Denmark two budget documentary DVDs were re-issued; "Walking In Memphis" and "The Presley And Cash Roadshow". 



Porturing

Elvis entered the Portuguese "Top 30 Ring Tones" this week on number 28, with "Love Me Tender". This is the AFP (Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa) official portuguese toplist.

Elvis Presley Coming to Mohegan Sun Arena


SEG Events, in association with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., announced a special presentation of Elvis Presley in Concert at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Elvis Presley in Concert reunites some of his former Elvis band mates live on stage with a state of the art video-projected Elvis.


(Source: EPE / ElvisMatters / EPE)

Decemer 13 - Revolutionary Guitar Man

Gibson, the famous guitar brand, published a list of names with the most revolutionary artists in music history. Elvis can be found on the 4th spot. It is remarkable to see that there are no names from the last 20 years in this list.

The Top 10:


1. Bob Dylan 
2. The Beatles 
3. Jimi Hendrix 
4. Elvis Presley 
5. Les Paul 
6. Miles Davis 
7. Chuck Berry 
8. John Coltrane 
9. George Gershwin 
10. Muddy Waters 


Noel With Elvis


Released through the Canadian Pomango sore is the CD "Christmas With / Noel Avec Elvis" featuring Christmas classics. A four track promo CD was released too. This CD was only available in Quebec (Canada). It was inserted with the 7 Jours magazine which was on the shelves for a period of  7 days only.



Cashbox Chart

On the Cashbox Hot Christmas Albums chart "Elvis Christmas" climbed from #15 to #14.


(Source: ElvisMatters / Elvis On CD)

December 12 - Charts Down Under

In Australia "The King" dropped off the Back Catalogue Chart while 'ELV1S 30#1 Hits" re-entered at# 44.

December 11 - Follow That Release

The Follow That Dream Collector's label released the November / December 2011 releases. "Chicago Stadium" a 2 CD soundboard consisting of above average sound quality and features Elvis in absolutely great form packaged on a 5" gatefold digi pack with an 8-page booklet with many photos from the shows on October 14/15, 1976. The track numbers on disc 1 do not match the song line-up. 'See, See Rider' is shown on the cover as track 1, but on the disc it is actually track 2. And by the time you get to the 'Closing Vamp' you are two numbers out. 'Closing Vamp' listed as track 22 but actually track 24. 
Disc Two is one behind from track 12 onwards, it should be 'What'd I Say/Johnny B. Goode' but is 'Early Mornin' Rain'. It seems those medleys cause track point issues for FTD but that can't be used as an excuse on disc 1.

"Jailhouse Rock Vol. 2" a 2 CD set in the Classic Album Movie Soundtrack series (or EP in this case) that complements its previous volume. It features all the missing outtakes for 6 great songs. The 7" inch digi-pack format features a 12-page booklet with great photographs and rare memorabilia. 


And finally a limited edition vinyl re-issue of the "Viva Las Vegas" soundtrack;  a 2LP Limited Edition 12" double vinyl, supplied in a high quality gatefold sleeve, the album features the original masters and many outtakes. Previously unreleaqsed versions on this set are "If you think I don't need you" take 2 an "The lady loves me" take 2.



The Elvis Files Vol. 2 Released

Volume 2 of the "The Elvis Files" was released containing 530 pages broken down in: 1957 (334 pages); 1958 (156 pages); 1959 (40 pages).


The CBS TV Special : Elvis '77

The Boxcar import label released another trailer leading up to the release of the "Elvis '77 : The Final Curtain" Boxset. The set will only be Limited to 1500 copies.



All In A Blaze



The TouchDown Records import release "All In A Blaze", featuring the complete and previously unreleased Las Vegas show from December 12, 1975, was released.

(Source: Elvis Australia / Elvis Files / FECC / EP Gold)

December 10 - Soflty Als I Leave You, Sherril Nielsen Died

Sherrill (Shaun) Nielsen passed away. The news came from Donnie Sumner, nephew of famed J.D. Sumner, that Sherrill (Shaun) Nielsen died at about 11:00 A.M. Friday. For Elvis fans, or those who enjoy gospel music, the name of Nielsen is one that can bring a smile from a memory of a song or note that sent shivers up your spine. Nielsen was that good. 


This message came from Donnie Sumner, long time member of the vocal group Voice: 

"I regret to inform you that MY FRIEND Sherrill (Shaun) Nielsen passed away Friday morning at about 11:00 A.M. Sherrill fought a good fight and has now received his new body. I will miss MY FRIEND. Remember Brenda in your prayers. I haven't heard about the funeral arrangements yet, but Sherrill and Brenda have a home in Cullman AL and I assume the memorial service will be in Cullman I'll let all of my friends know as soon as I am informed."

In February 1978, six months after Elvis’ death, RCA released a single from that same concert – a haunting version of “Unchained Melody,” with piano accompaniment by Elvis himself. The flip side of that 45 RPM record was “Softly, As I Leave You,” which includes almost no singing by Elvis. Instead, in this December 13, 1975, recording from a Las Vegas concert, Elvis tells a fictional story about a dying man composing the song as a final letter to his wife. As Elvis delivers the dramatic tale and speaks the lyrics of the song, Nielsen provides the nearly operatic vocals. They close in harmony together on the final line, “I will leave you there.”


Elvis Unlimited #45


Volume 45 of the Elvis Unlimited fan club magazine was mailed to it's subscribers. So was volume 118 of the Danish "ElvisNews" magazine from the same fan-club.


Charts



On this week's Billboard Top 200 Album Chart (w/e 18th December) Elvis has four entries as follows:
1. Elvis Christmas (#86)
2. It's Christmas Time (#141)
3. Viva Elvis (Re-Entry) (#184)
4. Christmas Duets (Re-Entry) (#191)

In Canada "Viva Elvis" climbed from #51 to #48 in its 4th chart week.

Jailhouse Rock

The Intense Music budget label re-issued the "Jailhouse Rock" compilation.

(Source: ElvisMatters / Elvis Unlimited / Various)

December 9 - Viva Downloads And Holiday Charts

A recent survey of the most downloaded Christmas tracks showed Elvis Presley has three songs in the top ten. "Blue Christmas", "Santa Claus Is Back In Town" and "White Christmas" are all featured on the list.



Top Downloaded Christmas Songs Globally:

1. Wham! 'Last Christmas'
2. Mariah Carey 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'
3. Bing Crosby 'White Christmas'
4. Band Aid 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'
5. John Lennon 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)'
6. Elvis Presley 'Blue Christmas'
7. Chris Rea 'Driving Home For Christmas'
8. Elvis Presley 'Santa Claus Is Back In Town'
9. Elvis Presley 'White Christmas'
10. Jacky Cheung 'Everyday Is Christmas'


Billboard Holiday Songs Top 100


Billboard have announced their Top 100 songs for the Holiday season as Christmas fast approaches and Elvis sits in the Top 20 at #18 with "Blue Christmas" and at #84 with "Here Comes Santa Claus".



Viva Japan

The "Viva Elvis!" soundtrack, featuring a "Love Me Tender" duet by Elvis Presley and Miho Fukuhara was released in Japan.



Saxophonist James Moody Died
 
Las Vegas saxophonist James Moody (85) died last Thursday at 1:07 PM after a 10 month fight with Pancreatic Cancer. Moody performed on stages around the world, including the White House, Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and London's Royal Festival Hall. He was a member of the Las Vegas Hilton Orchestra in the 1970s, sharing the spotlight with everyone from Glenn Campbell, Liberace and the Osmonds to Lou Rawls and Elvis Presley.

(Source: EPE / Elvis World Japan / Elvis Express / ElvisMatters)