As the world celebrated the King of Rock 'n' Roll on his birthday, Memphis and Shelby County officials also proclaimed January 8 to be Elvis Presley Day. During the ceremony on the front lawn outside the Graceland mansion, Memphis Mayor AC Wharton and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell spoke about Elvis' lasting legacy and impact on pop culture.
Jim Murray of The Imperials was on-hand to help with the celebrations along with host Tom Brown.
New Exhibitions
Six new Elvis exhibitions for 2011 were announced, The Roots of Elvis, Elvis In The News, The 1956 On-line Experience, Elvis and Lisa Marie, Elvis On Tour and Elvis The Icon.
Elvis Presley's Top Ten Television (vocal) Performances
In celebration of the anniversary of his birthday Elvis historian and author Joseph Tunzi (JAT Publishing) has compiled a list of what he considers to be the King's top ten television vocal performances. Counting down from ....
10. 'Baby Let's Play House' (Arthur Gunter)
February 4, 1956 on the CBS television program, 'Stage Show', hosted by Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey. Elvis made his first television performance, stepping out on the stage and performing this 1955 Sun recording. Singing with the same fervor he had given on his historic studio track, this was a true testament to what would follow.
9. 'Jailhouse Rock' (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller)
June 29, 1968 for the December 3, 1968 NBC 'Singer Special' during the 6pm live arena segment.
With a slightly different arrangement than the original, this is classic Elvis, complete with bump and grind motions at the end.
8. 'How Great Thou Art' (Stuart K. Hine)
June 19, 1977 taped at the Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska for the October 3, 1977 CBS television special, 'Elvis In Concert'. Elvis' rendition of this gospel song showed a man in very ill health, who yet manages to deliver a stellar performance complete with his now famous operatic-style vocal endings.
Mario Lanza may have appreciated this performance.
7. 'One Night' (Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King)
Taped June 27, 1968 at the 6pm live informal recording for the NBC television special, 'Singer Presents Elvis'. Elvis takes this song to a new high with a gut-wrenching vocal and some mighty fine guitar playing. A sight to see and hear. Elvis did two versions of this song at the 6pm performance. Take your pick.
6. 'Hurt' (Jimmie Crane, Al Jacobs)
Filmed June 21, 1977 for his last CBS television special, 'Elvis In Concert', in front of a live audience in Rapid City, South Dakota. As painful as it is to watch Elvis compared to just four years earlier in the 'Aloha Special', it is not his physical appearance I am judging. It is his vocals and his performance of the Timi Yuro classic ballad hit. Elvis makes you feel his pain yet marvel at the greatest singer of all time.
5. 'Hound Dog' (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller)
On June 5, 1956, Elvis appeared on 'The Milton Berle Show'. It's a remarkable vocal performance given by a gyrating, hip swiveling Elvis. He would record his studio version a month later on July 2 in New York City.
4. 'Trying To Get To You' (Charles Singleton, Rosa Marie McCoy)
Taped June 27, 1968 at the 6pm informal recording for the NBC 'Singer Special'.
Elvis sings most of it at the top of his lungs throughout. Remarkable.
3. 'An American Trilogy' (Mickey Newbury)
January 14, 1973 from the worldwide television show 'Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite' presented by NBC television. The concert aired to over 40 countries across Asia and Europe (which received the telecast the next day in primetime) and was shown in the USA on April 4, 1973. Over one billion people watched Elvis dressed in white with the American eagle on his chest singing this patriotic number to the whole world. Highlighting an incredible hour of entertainment with a vocal sure to send chills up and down your spine.
2. 'Ready Teddy' (Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell, John Marascalco)
September 9, 1956 marked his first appearance on Ed Sullivan's 'Toast Of The Town'. This performance encompasses everything rock 'n' roll. After viewing hours of Elvis Presley's early performances, producers Pierre Adidge and Robert Abel chose this unedited performance to be included in the 1972 Golden Globe winner, 'Elvis On Tour' - a documentary focused on Elvis Presley's 1972 April concert tour. The reason was obvious. It's a one-of-a-kind performance. Elvis was now changing the world.
1. 'If I Can Dream' (Walter Earl Brown) On December 3, 1968, the NBC 'Singer Special' aired.
This is Elvis' #1 performance. Long before John Lennon's 'Imagine', Elvis would sing 'If I can dream of a better land where all my brothers walk hand in hand'. Elvis on top of the world singing a message-song of 'lights burning brighter somewhere' and for 'peace and understanding'.
When this song was presented to Elvis for the special, he couldn't refuse. A perfect vocal performance that Elvis takes to a new level. He makes the song ring true. It's really what great singers do and nobody did it better!
Now, for some honorable mentions that didn't make my top ten but came close:
'Tutti Frutti' (Dorothy LaBostrie, 'Little' Richard Penniman) February 18, 1956 from 'Stage Show' hosted by Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey.
'Don't Be Cruel' (Otis Blackwell, Elvis Presley) on January 6, 1957 during his last appearance on Ed Sullivan's 'Toast Of The Town' - Elvis' most controversial television appearance. This made music history when the television censors had Elvis filmed from the waist up.
'Tiger Man' (Joe Hill Louis, Sam 'Burns' Phillips) taped June 27, 1968 at the 6pm live informal recording for the 1968 NBC television special 'Singer Presents Elvis'.
'Baby, What Do You Want Me To Do' (Jimmy Reed) taped June 29, 1968 for the NBC television special 'Singer Presents Elvis' recorded at the 6pm live arena segment at NBC Studios in Burbank, CA. We get a stirring performance of the blues classic with Elvis jamming on his guitar on bended knee in front of a live studio audience.
'What Now My Love' (Carl Sigman, Gilbert Becaud) January 14, 1973 from 'Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite'.
'Steamroller Blues' (James Taylor) January 14, 1973 from 'Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite'.
'Unchained Melody' (Alex North, Hy Zaret) June 21, 1977 from 'Elvis In Concert'.
Happy Birthday, Elvis!
Remembrance (Cards) for Myrna Smyth
ElvisMatters organized a Church Service in Veldhoven, The Netherlands, to remember Myrna Smith as there was no service when she died.The Church Service did not go unnoticed in the Elvis World. ElvisMatters got messages that were read during the Ceremony by Jack Soden (EPE), Terry Blackwood, Joe Moscheo, Donna and Ronnie Tutt and many others. Ed Bonja just emailed us as he will be attending the Ceremony in person: "Hi Peter, I read about the Memorial Service and I will be going there for the Saturday evening service. I really felt that I needed to be there, as it is the only memorial I heard about. Ed."
And here's an email from Terry Blackwood: "Peter, thanks for doing this. I'm sure the families are appreciative of this and it will give them comfort and solace for the days ahead."
Charles Stone: "Thank you for doing this for Myrna"
Myrna's family announced to hold a memorial later this month. This is what her son Martin emailed:
I wanted to give you all a great big THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all that you did for my mother. Not only when she was ill, but all the support you gave her during the years of touring, as well as, listening and purchasing her music. Many of you followed her closely and she loved you for that.
My mother was a wonderful lady. My life with her will never be forgotten. I have watched my mom from day one of her time with Elvis and the people from Graceland, showing many people what a great entertainer should project. My mom, although had friends by her side all the way to the end, always understood our special relationship. I will always love and respect my mother for who she is and what she became. Her grandson had the opportunity to sit with his Grandmother long before she became too ill and shared with her his aspirations to follow her entertainment footsteps.
Thank you all for the respect while the family was grieving and we appreciate your well wishes and condolences. I have included the memorial information below and would love to hear from you or see you there. For people who cannot make it to the memorial, we will be taking all emails and posting them at the memorial for people to read. We may even read a few there.
Sincerely, Martin Smith
Myrna's Memorial:
First Christian Church of North Hollywood
4390 Colfax Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91604
818-763-8218
Chilean Elvis Fan
On Saturday, Chilean miner Edison Pena was among hundreds of fans who gathered at Graceland to celebrate Elvis's 76th birthday. He is a huge fan of the legendary singer and sang Elvis songs to boost morale when he and 32 other miners were trapped underground.
Pena was the guest of honor and cut a four-foot cake that resembled stacked television sets. "It's a pleasure to be here, with so many beautiful people," Pena said in Spanish. "I never thought I would survive, and escape my trap. This is a gift from God. Viva Elvis. Viva Memphis." Then, he uttered two newly learned words in English: "Hey y'all," which drew loud laughter from the crowd. Some fans asked Pena for a song, so he led everyone in singing Elvis's "The Wonder of You." He was at first reluctant because he's been constantly asked by the media to sing. His rendition was good, and he even did some Elvis moves like pointing and swirling arm motions.
You Give me FeverThe Italian DJ Spankox released a "happy Birthday Elvis" mix of his "You Give Me Fever" as s commercial single through iTunes to celebrate his 76th birthday anniversary.
Elvis Porn
Axel Braun Productions released a porn parody on Elvis Presley.
