The Norwegian Flaming Star fan-club announced volume 64 of their self-titled magazine. The magazine was shipped April 5th.
The Very Best Of
Since 1828 the German Reclam Publishing House has published classics in world literature as pocket books. The yellow cover is typical of the series.
Reclam starts up with great stars like Johnny Cash, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Santana and Simon & Garfunkel. With the CDs you get a 16 page booklet with biographies, discography, time line, photos and tracklistings. The tracklisting is the same as on ELV1S 30 #1 Hits. The series will be expanded.50 Years Ago: The Pearl Harbor Benefit Concert
Fifty years ago today, Elvis Presley helped raise money and directed much-needed attention to the stalled efforts to build the USS Arizona Memorial. The King is now being remembered for his contributions as the historic sites at Pearl Harbor enter a new era. Pacific Historic Parks, in partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc., stared selling T-shirts to commemorate the historic benefit concert at Pearl Harbor's Bloch Arena on March 25, 1961. Proceeds will support the educational programs at the USS Arizona Memorial and the new $56 million Pearl Harbor Visitor Center."For us, recognizing this benefit concert is a way of making the public aware of the cultural history of the memorial," said Daniel Martinez, Pearl Harbor historian for the National Park Service's World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.
Congress in the late 1950s authorized the construction of the memorial to honor the crewmembers entombed when the USS Arizona was sunk during an aerial attack by the Japanese that plunged the United States into World War II. The Pacific War Memorial Commission was tasked with raising $500,000 to build the USS Arizona Memorial.
Ralph Edwards, host of the hit TV series, "This is Your Life," kicked off the public fundraising efforts on his Dec. 3, 1958 show when he featured Arizona crewmember and Medal of Honor recipient Samuel Fuqua. More than $95,000 was raised. But contributions and attention dwindled over the next couple years, with less than half of the $500,000 raised. Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, read about the stalled efforts in the Los Angeles Examiner.Presley, who was already scheduled to be in the islands to film "Blue Hawaii," agreed to help by performing a benefit concert. It was his last live stage performance for more than eight years.
"Both of these celebrities, one that kicked it off and one that came to its aid two years later, are important," Martinez said. "I think this is the beginning of the influence of celebrities in national campaigns of fundraising in our country. ... It wasn't just a concert. It was an event that had national attention and media coverage."On March 25, 1961, the 26-year-old Elvis Presley took the stage to an arena packed with 4,000 frenzied, screaming fans who paid anywhere from $3 to $100 a ticket. He performed 15 songs that night, including "Heartbreak Hotel," "All Shook Up," "I Got A Woman," "I Need Your Love Tonight," "Don't Be Cruel," "Are You Lonesome Tonight," and "Swing Down Sweet Chariot." He ended the show with a rousing performance of "Hound Dog," which included a slide across the stage on his knees.
The concert raised about $54,000, and public and private donations poured in following the show, which received heavy publicity across the country. Hawaii's then-freshman Sen. Daniel Inouye, who today is the most senior member of the Senate, helped secure the final $150,000 to complete the construction during the fall.
"Mr. Presley's role is significant because it brought renewed interest in finishing the memorial and undoubtedly had an influence on the citizens of the United States and our government," Martinez said.
The USS Arizona Memorial was dedicated the following year on Memorial Day — May 30, 1962. The gleaming, white, open-air structure straddles the Arizona's sunken hull, where 1,177 lives were lost. In all, some 2,400 sailors, Marines and soldiers were killed in the attack on Dec. 7, 1941.
"This is one of many examples we have of Elvis' desire to use his talent to help and honor others," Jack Soden, president and CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises said in a statement. "Especially considering his own military service, we're certain this one was especially significant to Elvis."
Sold!
Several Elvis owned items found their way to a new collection this weekend. Both Julians Auctioneers and Gotta Have Rock 'n' Roll sold stuff that once belonged to the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Although no sales records were broken, the prices were high enough to make the auctioneers smile.
Here are the highlights of both US auctions:
* June 26th 1977 concert ticket - 1,920 $US
* Gold/silver Chieftain Ring - 15,360 $US
* Karate Jacket - 11,042 $US
* Jeans jacket worn in Stay Away Joe - 5,100 $US
* Scarf and shirt worn in 'On Tour' - 13,683 $US
* Jacket and pants worn in Viva Las Vegas - 22,039 $US
Budget
The 16-track budget compilations 'Loving You', 'Love Me Tender', 'Long Tall Sally' and 'That's All Right' were released by the Finnish VL-Musiikki.
(Source: Flaming Star / EPE / Elvis On CD / ElvisMatters / eBay)