April 13 - Drowned In Spanish Eyes

The Gravelroad Music import label re-issued Elvis Presley's performance from May 24, 1974 at the Sahara Tahoe Hotel (MS) as "Spanish Eyes By Request".  The concert was originally released in 1995 by Fort Baxter, this time the speed of the tape was corrected. At this show Elvis was heard taking a personal request for "Spanish Eyes," not something he did too often. Along with a booklet filled with Tahoe '74 facts, photos and detailed liner notes, there is also a reproduction of the rare May 1974 Sahara Tahoe reservation postcard with the color photo of Elvis on back, and another menu-sized, "Your Personal Invitation" card with the invite on the flip-side. 


Drowned In Sound


The new Omega Records import release "Drowned In Sound" containing a multitrack/soundboard recording of the August 24th, 1969 Midnight show as recorded live in Las Vegas, NV, at the Hilton Hotel Showroom was released. 

This concert has been released 16 years ago on DAE serie “Here I Go Again” with wrong showdate (August 23rd Dinner show). Last three tracks (Suspicious Minds, What´d I Say, Can´t Help Falling in Love) were taken from from August 3rd. The CD comes in digipack with a 12 page booklet containing a collection of August 1969 on and off stage photo's.



Joe Guercio To Be Honored In Las Vegas Rock Reunion Hall Of Fame

Joe Guercio has enjoyed a prolific career, but he is probably best known and admired for his work with Elvis Presley. He was musical director and conductor for Elvis' concert shows from the summer of 1970 to the summer of 1977 when Elvis made his last concert appearance. Elvis was known for spontaneity and improvisation on stage and the cast had to be ready for anything. Guercio remembers "He'd just turn around and start a tune. The rhythm section knew him backwards and forwards, but when you're up there conducting a twenty-six-piece orchestra, what are you gonna do?" In describing that experience, Guercio once commented good-naturedly that conducting for Elvis was "like following a marble down concrete steps." This led to his being a target for a particular practical joker. Guercio later found his stage tux stuffed with marbles and a few hundred more rolling around in his dressing room.

Guercio was musical director for the International Hotel in Las Vegas when the work with Elvis began. Along with the obvious contributions he made to Elvis' shows, including many of the triumphs of Elvis' "concert era", it was Joe Guercio who created the now almost iconic six-note theme for Elvis' stage entrances and bows. It was also Guercio who suggested that Elvis' shows open with Theme from 2001 - A Space Odyssey (Also Sprach Zarathustra). The inspiration came when Guercio and his late first wife saw the now-classic science fiction movie in a theater, for when the music began Mrs. Guercio whispered to her husband "You'd think Elvis was about to enter."



Las Vegas Rock Reunion Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Concert
The event will be held at the Henderson Pavilion, May 1st, 2011.


(Source: EPG / ElvisNews / Back In Memphis)