September 30 - US Singles Collection

Due for release from the Real Gone Music budget-label on November 14, 2014 is the 4 CD-set "The US Singles Collection". 

Tracks:
CD1; 1 That's All Right Mama 2 Blue Moon Of Kentucky 3 Good Rockin' Tonight 4 I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine 5 Milkcow Blues Boogie 6 You're A Heartbreaker 7 Baby, Let's Play House 8 I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone 9 Mystery Trai 10 I Forgot To Remember To Forge 11 Heartbreak Hotel 12 I Was The On 13 I Want You, I Need You, I Love Yo 14 My Baby Left Me 15 Hound Dog 16 Don't Be Cruel 17 Blue Suede Shoes 18 Tutti Frutti 19 I Got A Woman 20 I'm Counting On You 21 I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin') 22 I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry 23 Tryin' To Get To You 24 I Love You Because

CD2; 1 Blue Moon 2 Just Because 3 Money Honey 4 One Sided Love Affair 5 Lawdy Miss Clawdy 6 Shake Rattle And Roll 7 Love Me Tender 8 Anyway You Want Me (That's How I Will Be) 9 Playing For Keeps 10 Too Much 11 All Shook Up 12 That's When Your Heartaches Begin 13 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear 14 Loving You 15 Jailhouse Rock 16 Treat Me Nice 17 Don't 18 I Beg Of You 19 Wear My Ring Around Your Neck 20 Doncha Think It's Time 21 Hard Headed Woman 22 Don't Ask Me Why 23 One Night 24 I Got Stung

CD3; 1 I Need Your Love Tonight 2 Fool Such As I 3 Big Hunk O' Love 4 My Wish Came True 5 Stuck On You 6 Fame And Fortune 7 It's Now Or Never 8 Mess Of Blues 9 Are You Lonesome Tonight 10 I Gotta Know 11 Surrender 12 Lonely Man 13 I Feel So Bad 14 Wild In The Country 15 (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame 16 Little Sister 17 Can't Help Falling In Love 18 Rock A Hula Baby 19 Good Luck Charm 20 Anything That's Part Of You 21 She's Not You 22 Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello 23 Return To Sender 24 Where Do You Come From

CD4; 1 (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) 2 It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) 3 I Believe 4 Take My Hand Precious Lord 5 I Need You So 6 Have I Told You Lately That I Love You 7 Blueberry Hill 8 Is It So Strange 9 Flaming Star 10 Summer Kisses Winter Tears 11 Follow That Dream 12 Angel 13 What A Wonderful Life 14 I'm Not The Marrying Kind 15 King Of The Whole Wide World 16 This Is Living 17 Riding The Rainbow 18 Home Is Where The Heart Is 19 I Got Lucky 20 A Whistling Tune

When The Beatles met Elvis Presley

A new documentary reveals what really happened "When The Beatles met Elvis Presley".

From the website:
The Beatles and Elvis Presley, arguably the most documented musical acts in history, had a rare undocumented night when they met each other face to face for the one and only time. Since no one thought to take pictures or video of the infamous meeting, eyewitness accounts from the people who were there at Presley's house in Los Angeles on August 27, 1965 all seem to differ. Even The Beatles, when interviewed for The Beatles Anthology documentary, couldn't agree on what happened.

But now, one of Elvis' right-hand men and best man at his wedding, Joe Esposito, wants to set the record straight in the new documentary "One Day Two Legends" which attempts to put a cohesive story together about what actually happened the one and only night when The King of Rock and Roll met The Fab Four.

The Elvis Presley Examiner was recently granted an interview with the producer of the film, Tom Jikomes. Jikomes, a lifelong Elvis fan who happened to be born on the exact day the legendary meeting took place, came up with the idea. "Although there is a lot written about that day, there has never been an in-depth formal interview about it and that's what we are doing," Jikomes explained in an e-mail.

Jikomes approached Joe Esposito with the concept, and together with his filming partner, Stephanie Rabiola, they have interviewed Esposito in-depth about what exactly happened that night.

"Joe was not only there, but he picked The Beatles up and drove them to Elvis' home in Bel Air and was in the room the whole time," Jikomes continued. "Joe never elaborated on that night as deeply as he does with our film...we have dug deep into Joe's memory to re-create the day as best as possible."

"One Day Two Legends" also features famous musicians and friends who express how they looked up to Elvis, just like The Beatles did, including Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees, Louise Harrison (George's sister) and some of the best Elvis Tribute Artists in the world.

The movie's website also announced the DVD "Through Joe's Eyes"; a limited edition release containing exclusive interviews with "Diamond Joe" Esposito. 

(Source: Amazon / FECC / The Examiner / One Day Two Legends)

September 29 - Such A Release

Due from Vee-Tone Records December 2014 is the 10 inch vinyl release "Such A Night". It features 12 rockin’ floor-fillers recorded and released by Elvis Presley between 1960 and 1962 and is limited to only 1000 copies. 

Tracks:
Side A: 1.  Make Me Know It / 2.  I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell / 3. Shoppin' Around / 4. Such A Night / 5.  Slicin' Sand / 6. Follow That Dream
Side B: 1. Little Sister / 2. Put The Blame On Me / 3. Steppin' Out Of Line / 4.  I Want You With Me / 5. What A Wonderful Life / 6. Gonna Get Back Home Somehow.

(Source: Elvis Telegraph)

September 26 - 2nd Time On Vinyl

The hit-compilation "Elvis – 2nd To None" was released on vinyl by the Dutch Music On Vinyl label. 

(Source: Elvis The King)

September 25 - Charts

The "Heart And Soul" compilation drops from #114 to #121 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for the week ending October, 4, 2014 and from #16 to #17 on the Catalog Album Chart.

Barbra Streisand's "Partners" duet album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Album Top 200. The album contains an artificial duet of "Love Me Tender"  with Elvis Presley. However this also puts Barbra into a tie with Elvis with the Fourth most number one albums on the billboard 200 with 10.

The "Young Man With The Big Beat" budget box dropped off the Dutch Album charts from last weeks new entry at #87. 

The budget compilation "The Real ... Elvis" climbed from #94 to #85 ont ehItalian Album chart this week.

On the Belgian Ultrapop Album Top 200 (Wallonian part of the country) “That’s The Way It Is” dropped from #142 to #148 this week. In the Flanders part the album is a re-entry at #187 this week.

(Source: Brian Quinn / FECC / UltraPop / DutchCharts)

September 23 - 2nd To Vinyl

The 2003 hit-compilation "Elvis: 2nd To None" was released on vinyl by the Music On Vinyl label. 

Tracks: 
That's All Right - I Forgot To Remember To Forget - Blue Suede Shoes - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - Love Me - Mean Woman Blues - Loving You - Treat Me Nice - Wear My Ring Around Your Neck - King Creole – Trouble - I Got Stung - I Need Your Love Tonight - A Mess Of Blues - I Feel So Bad - Little Sister - Rock-A-Hula Baby - Bossa Nova Baby - Viva Las Vegas - If I Can Dream - Memories - Don't Cry Daddy - Kentucky Rain - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - An American Triology - Always On My Mind - Promised Land - Moody Blue - I'm A Roustabout - Rubberneckin' (Paul Oakenfold Remix / Radio Edit).

(Source: Elvis Aktuell)

September 21 - Viva Las Auction

Cars owned by Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley will be among hundreds of vehicles on the block this week when auction company Barrett-Jackson stages its final auction of the year in Las Vegas. 

Eyecatcher of the auction is the "Viva Las Vegas" Corvette. This 1963 Chevrolet Corvette appears in race scenes in the 1964 Elvis movie "Viva Las Vegas." It was converted for racing, complete with a roll cage and competition suspension. In the film, Elvis portrayed a race car driver named Lucky Jackson.

(Source: ElvisMatters)

September 20 - Weekend Charts

The ballad compilation "Heart & Soul" dropped from #110 to #114 on the US Billboard Album Top 200 this week.

The hit compilation "ELV1S 30 #1 HITS" dropped off the Irisch Album chart after it's re-entry at #60 last week. 

The "Young Man With The Big Beat" budget box entered the Dutch Album charts at #87. 

The 10 disc CD/DVD-Box "Elvis – That’s The Way It Is – Deluxe Edition" dropped from #76 to #142 on the Belgian Album charts. 

"The Real... Elvis" compilation re-enterd the Italian Album charts at #94. 

The DVD "The King Of Rock’n’Roll" dropped off the Australian Music DVD chart fro last weeks listing at #33.

The continuous publicity campaign is certainly working as "Elvis and Ginger" charts at #14 on this week's New York Times Hardback Non-Fiction best seller list - becoming one of the biggest selling Elvis books in years.

Elvis Presley has been voted as the most desirable person to sit next to by Irish passengers when going on our travels, according to a survey by London City Airport. The survey involving 2,500 participants from Ireland, the UK, Spain, Italy and Switzerland, was designed to understand our attitudes and behaviours when it comes to travelling and how they differ from our European counterparts.

Top ten people Irish would most like to sit next to on a plane:
1 - Elvis (20%) 
2 - Obama (12.5) = 2 - Nelson Mandela (12.5) = 2 - George Clooney (12.5)
5 - Albert Einstein (11%)
6 - Brad Pitt (10%) 

(Source: The King's World / Elvis Memories / Dutch Chars / UltraPop / Elvis Information Network)

September 19 - That's Living The Pain

The SR import-release "Living the Pain", featuring the unreleased February 21, 1972 show from Las Vegas, has been released. The CD comes in a new kind of deluxe long four panel digi-pack, containing a collection of live and candid photographs from early 1972. The concert has a running-time of 49 minutes.

From the press-release:
As everybody knows SR concentrates it's work on early 70's live period of Elvis' activity, trying to produce always unreleased shows with Elvis at the top of his possibilities. With the new release, we are proud to present the complete show from February 21th midnight show,a rare show from a Vegas winter season always poor of official and unofficial releases. Elvis' love of singing is clear in this tape and we are glad to give you the opportunity to listen to it.

The midnight show from February 21th, as presented on this CD, represents just one of the best shows of the season, If we look closely at the first Vegas act of 1972 we can see that Elvis concentrates on the music to produce great shows. The in-between song chat and banter have gone and each number is delivered promptly without even a pause for applause. The 'NEW' songs introduced do reflect the mood of the man and for sure the rocking days are over but the rendition of the early seventies repertoire is solid and sung with great ability.

Talking of these new additions we see some great songs, representative of his life from this stage on. Naturally we are referring to songs such as 'You Gave Me A Mountain' which has an autobiographical theme of a man who no singing the pain, but living it and 'An American Trilogy' which demonstrates his personal beliefs and patriotic views. Elvis also worked hard to promote his new single 'Until It's Time For You To Go.' Here are also included rare performance of Help Me Make It Through The Night together the classic Bridge Over Troubled Water..

This recording come from an early generation copy of the master tape, the sound quality is very good considering the early season. The sound was restored in a studio to achieve best possible results. We have spent hours in the studio over the digital restoration of the sound, to achieve the best possible results and to give you the chance to hear it with pleasure.

Tracks: 
01. 2001 Theme 02. See See Rider 03. Proud Mary 04. Never Been To Spain 05. You Gave Me A Mountain 06. Until It’s Time For You To Go 07. Polk Salad Annie 08. Love Me 09. All Shook Up 10. Teddy Bear/ Don’t Be Cruel 11. Hound Dog 12. A Big Hunk Of Love 13. Help Me Make It Through The Night 14. Bridge Over Troubled Water 15. Suspicious Minds 16. Band Introductions 17. An American Trilogy 18. Can’t Help Falling In Love 

That’s The Way It Is Viny-Box

The 4 LP re-issue of the "That’s The Way It Is" album has been released. It comes on 180 Gr. vinyl and a triple fold-out cover with 16 page booklet.

Lp 1 and 2: Original Album 
Side 1 1. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ 2. Twenty Days And Twenty Nights 3. How The Web Was Woven 4. Patch It Up 5. Mary In The Morning 

Side 2 1. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me 2. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ 3. I’ve Lost You 4. Just Pretend 5. Stranger In The Crowd 

Side 3 1. The Next Step Is Love 2. Bridge Over Troubled Water The Original Singles 3. I’ve Lost You (Single Version) 4. The Next Step Is Love (Single Version) 5. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Single Version) 6. Patch It Up (Single Version) 

Side 4 The Outtakes : 1. How The Web Was Woven (Take 1) 2. I’ve Lost You (Take 1) 3. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Take 2)  4. Patch It Up (Take 1) 5. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Take 1) 

Lp 3 and 4: August 12 – Dinner Show 

Side 5 1. That’s All Right * 2. I Got A Woman * 3. Hound Dog * 4. Heartbreak Hotel * 5. Love Me Tender * 

Side 6: 1. I’ve Lost You * 2. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ * 3. Patch It Up 4. Twenty Days And Twenty Nights 

Side 7: 1. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ * 2. Polk Salad Annie * 3. Introductions * 4. Blue Suede Shoes * 


Side 8:1. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me 2. Bridge Over Troubled Water 3. Suspicious Minds * 4. Can’t Help Falling In Love * * Previously Unreleased.

(Source: FECC / Elvis Akuell)

September 18 - Elvis For Christmas

Cargo Records will re-issue the 2012 release "Elvis Presley - Songs For Christmas" on CD and vinyl on November 14, 2014. 

Side A:
Santa Claus Is Back In Town - White Christmas - Here Comes Santa Claus - I'll Be Home For Christmas - Blue Christmas - Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)

Side B:
O Little Town Of Bethlehem - Silent Night - (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) - I Believe - Take My Hand, Precious Lord - It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)

(Source: Amazon)

September 17 - Collecting Elvis Covers

The earlier announced book "Channeling Elvis: How Television Saved the King of Rock 'n' Roll" by Allen Wiener is out soon! Here is the cover art.

From the Publishers: 
Based on more than a decade of research, dozens of fresh interviews, and careful review of hours of television and other footage, this book focuses on Elvis' TV career and the role it played in creating, sustaining, and reviving his unrivaled popularity. Only television captured the full arc of the King's career, from his initial steps on the national stage and highly anticipated return from the U.S. Army, to his resurrection in the wake of some lame recordings and lousy movies, renewed acclaim as a concert artist, and premature, self-inflicted 1977 exit. Television captured it all. 

And Elvis Presley's TV appearances also provided us with the most extensive visual record of this incredible man doing what he loved best: performing live. Elvis Presley was a virtual unknown when, in 1956, he strutted his stuff in front of a national television audience for the very first time. By year’s end, following a dozen TV appearances, he was an international superstar. Over the next two decades, Elvis turned to TV whenever his career required a boost or a complete makeover. 

Channeling Elvis: How Television Saved the King of Rock 'n' Roll takes a close-up look at his 20-year career through the unique lens of television. Featuring the insights and observations of some of his closest associates, Channeling Elvis: How Television Saved the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll places the reader behind the camera as well as in front of the small screen to explore one of the most fascinating and revealing aspects of a legendary career.

Vinyl Art

These are the covers for the previously announced Waxtime vinyl re-issues of the "Elvis’ Christmas Album" (Camden 1970) and "His Hand In Mine". Both are due for release on October 13, 2014.

Tracks:
Elvis’ Christmas Album: Santa Claus Is Back In Town - White Christmas - Here Comes Santa Claus - I'll Be Home For Christmas - Blue Christmas - Santa Bring My Baby Back - Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem - Silent Night - Peace In The Valley - I Believe - Take My Hand, Precious Lord  - It Is No Secret


His Hand In Mine: His Hand In Mine - (I'm) Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs - In My Father's House - Milky White Way - Known Only To Him - I Believe In The Man In The Sky - Joshua Fit The Battle - He Knows Just What I Need - Swing Down Sweet Chariot - Mansion Over The Hilltop - If We Never Meet Again - Working On The Building - It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) - You'll Never Walk Alone - Who Am I

Collecting Elvis

Volume 71 of the German "Elvis-Sammler-Edition" was released by De' Agostini. This volume contains the usual magazine, memorabilia reproductions and a mini-poster for "Frankie And Johnny".

(Source: Elvis And His Music / Elvis Aktuell)

September 14 - Elvis On Tour 1970

Due for pre-order is "Elvis On Tour 1970 Volume 2" from Kieran Davis. According to the site it is a "comprehensive review of the November tour of 1970. With140 pages, many new and unpublished photographs, and new fan stories".

From the website:
Elvis On Tour 1970 Volume 2' is in the final proofing stage and will be available shortly. If you would like to place an order for this book then be sure to let us know as once 
again the initial print run will be limited to less than 500 copies.

The book is the same length and format as On Tour November 1971 (140 pages) and all our other books, with the same quality printing and contents. If you have our other books you know exactly what to expect. There are new photos and new stories, plus a great 'California Adventure' describing the quest to get tickets and see all of Elvis' shows that were held in California in November of 1970.

Contract For Sale

Up for auction from "Got To have It" auctions is the contract used in the purchase of the Graceland Mansion. 

From the site:
This original contract used in the purchase of Graceland, is signed by Elvis Presley's father Vernon Presley. The original contract was created to acknowlege the use of two brokers, each is named on the contract. Each page measures 8 X 14. 

The agreement shows that Elvis (Vernon) put down a $1000.00 deposit on the purchase of Graceland, and that the purchase price was a total of $102,500.00. This was ultimately made up of a $10,000.00 cash payment, the trade of the Presley’s Audubon Drive home for $55,000.00, and a mortgage over Graceland. 

On Saturday, March 17, 1957, Vernon Presley called local Memphis real estate agent, Virginia Grant, and asked her what properties she had that they could look at to purchase on behalf of their son, Elvis Presley. Grant wasted no time, and showed them two properties that day, leaving Graceland to last. By 6pm, she had drawn up a provisional sales agreement for Vernon to sign and the deal was put in place for what has become as much a part of Elvis as anything else you will see.

More Auctions

Julien's announced the exclusive fall online Entertainment Auction 2014. The catalogue features Elvis Presley on the cover. 

Synopsis:

Julien’s Auctions presents a unique online only entertainment auction that will occur twice a year in the Spring and Fall prior to our premier live auctions. This timed auction will run from Friday, September 5th through Monday, September 22nd, 2014. This wide-ranging sale includes items from vintage and contemporary Hollywood, Rock n’ Roll, and everything Entertainment! You will have an opportunity to bid on Marilyn Monroe photographs, Phyllis Diller original artwork, Michael Jackson signed memorabilia, Jackson 5ive, Elvis Presley, David Hasselhoff, Debbie Reynolds, Cyd Charisse, Greta Garbo personal and professional items, Rick Griffin artwork, Frank Sinatra, Fran Drescher, and much more!

(Source: FECC / The Elvis Presley Show / ElvisMatters / Gotta Have It / Julien's)

September 13 - Weekend Charts

Elvis Presley is listed two times with his "Heart And Soul" compilation on the US Billboard Charts for the week ending September 20, 2014. The album climbs from #118 to #110 on the Album Top 200 and drops one spot, from #13 to #14, on the Top Catalog chart.

The hit-compilation "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" re-entered the Irish Album chart at #60 this week.

The 8-CD / 2-DVD Box "Elvis – That’s The Way It Is – Deluxe Edition" is listed at #76, dropping from #61 last week.

The DVD "The King Of Rock ’n’ Roll" re-entered the Australian Music DVD chart at #33.

(Source: FECC / The King's World)

September 12 - Released!

The earlier announced Straight Arrow import CD releases “Adios Lincoln” and “Rattling Plates, Aces'n'Eights” are now out!

The vinyl re-issue of “That’s The Way It Is” was re-issued by the Music On Vinyl label. 

Follow That Error


The latest Follow That Dream release "The Best Of British - The RCA Years" contains an error. The CD-label should read "The RCA Years" but actually reads "The HMV years". 

Fake track 


The promotional blurb for the recent FTD book 'Best Of British – The RCA Years 1957-1958' noted in part, "This is Elvis, with the continuation of the British story now detailing his RCA releases from 1957 - 1958. The CD included with this book features many first-time officially released Elvis tracks. Here, amongst his classic songs, are the songwriters’ demo recordings as Elvis first heard them, plus the message he recorded on his home answer machine!" Unfortunately it has now been revealed that Elvis' answering-machine message is a fake, edited together from The Truth About Me interview outtakes of August 22 1956. It isn't an answer phone message at all!.

Strange Track

The label of the "Elvis For Everyone" CD contains a strange track. It reads "Forgive me Never'' instead of ''Forget Me Never''.

Young Man With The Big Beat

The budget re-issue of the box-set "Young Man With The Big Beat" has been released by Sony Legacy.

(Source: FECC / Elvis Aktuell)

September 11 - Richard Kiel Passed Away

Most news papers worldwide will report the passing away of the James Bond actor Richard Kiel. Although Richard Kiel, 74, was best known for his acting in the 007 movies where he portrayed the character of 'Jaws', most Elvis fans will remember him from the 1964 movie Roustabout. Elvis was quite impressed by the 7 feet tall actor. Richard Kiel never said one bad word about Elvis, in fact he went to see the King live in Las Vegas several times, in the early seventies.

(Source: ElvisMatters)

September 10 - Elvis Is Alive

Adventures Unlimited Press has announced a new book written by Xaviant Haze; "Elvis Is Alive: The Complete Conspiracy". Due for release February 12, 2015.

From the Publisher: 
Oh Elvis, where art thou? Living on the Moon? Witness Protection? Kalamazoo? For more than 35 years Elvis lovers have been asking themselves this question, desperately wanting to believe their musical hero is still alive. Seeking to finally put the matter to rest, Xaviant Haze blows the Elvis conspiracies vault wide open with the first book dedicated solely to the mysteries surrounding the King of Rock n’ Roll. 

While giving an accurate and concise history of the King's life, he also illustrates how Elvis's talent was seized and controlled by the darker forces within the entertainment industry. The rise of an artist to celebrity status, his work while a mind control victim and his (or her) ultimate self-destruction has become an all-too-familiar story in pop culture, so frequently seen it can hardly be considered a coincidence. 
But Elvis was no manufactured Disney creation, he was a true one-of-a-kind talent rising from epic poverty to become one of the most iconic entertainers the world has ever seen. His was a tale of screaming fans, groundbreaking music, untold riches, dizzying fame and a spectacular free fall into obliteration. 
It was also a tale of UFO encounters, zany fake funerals, studies in metaphysics, numerology, occult theology—and a strange connection with Michael Jackson. An infamous pill addiction led the King to an early “death” and in the aftermath a pop culture phenomenon was born, enabling Elvis to sustain a famous afterlife thanks to over three decades of conspiracy theories. It’s time to reexamine these theories and put to rest once and for all the notion that Elvis could have faked his own death. If we can…

(Source: Elvis And His Music)

September 08 - Flaming Blu-Ray

The 1960 movie "Flaming Star" was released on blu-ray for the first time by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

(Source: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Amazon)

September 07 - Can I Get A Witness

A new book by John Gibbs Rockwood, entitled "Can I Get A Witness" is due from the University of Toledo Press. It contains some unreleased images of Elvis Presley performing at the Centennial Hall, Toledo, OH. on April 23, 1977. 

From the press-release:
All John Gibbs Rockwood really wanted was a concert ticket and a backstage pass. He came of age in rock and roll’s prime, drawn to the music’s seductive pull by watching Elvis and The Beatles and the Rolling Stones make the girls scream on The Ed Sullivan Show. Now, more than 26,000 pictures later, the 65-year-old retired worker is basking in the publication of Can I Get A Witness (162 pages, University of Toledo Press, $22.95), which collects more than 150 of his photos in a handsome presentation that captures the grit, passion, and grind of an era of music that will never happen again.

Artists featured in the book include Elvis Presley, Lou Reed, David Bowie, Bonnie Raitt, Frank Zappa, the J. Geils Band, Humble Pie, Bad Company, the Stones, Jimmy Reed, Ritchie Havens (the cover shot), and Toledoans such as Art and Roman Griswold. The unseen Elvis pictures all date from April 23rd, 1977 when the King performed at the Centennial Hall, Toledo, OH.

Rock 'n' Roll Album

Another "witness", Terry O´Neill, re-issued his 300 page book "Rock ´n´ Roll Album" containing his life shots of Elvis.

From the publisher:
"Terry O'Neill is one of the world's most celebrated and collected photographers. No one has captured the frontline of fame so broadly - and for so long.

Terry O'Neill's Rock 'n' Roll Album contains some of the most famous and powerful music photographs of all time. At the same time the book includes many intimate personal photos taken 'behind the scenes' and at private functions. Terry O'Neill photographed the giants of the music world - both on and off stage.

For more than fifty years he captured those on the frontline of fame in public and in private. David Bowie, Elton John, Led Zepplin, Amy Winehouse, Dean Martin, The Who, Janis Joplin, AC/DC, Eric Clapton, Sammy Davis Jnr., The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Chuck Berry and The Beatles - to name only a few. O' Neill spent more than 30 years photographing Frank Sinatra as his personal photographer with unprecedented access to the star.

(Source: Toledo Blade / ElvisMatters / Photo: John Gibbs Rockwood / Elvis Club Berlin)

September 05 - Elvis For Sale

A Palm Springs home once owned by Elvis Presley is back on the market for $3 million and could go up for public auction in October. The 1946 home originally asked for $4 million in February. An open house drew large crowds hoping for a glimpse of the rock icon’s former digs, but no successful buyer. The famous home at 845 W. Chino Canyon (picture) was quietly slipped back onto the market in early August. Palm Desert-based listing agent Jeff Egan said the home will go up for an on-site public auction in late October if it hasn’t been sold by then. An exact date has not been set.

The Palm Springs property has sat vacant for months. Court documents show that US Bank National Association bought the foreclosed property at a Sept. 17 public auction for $1.7 million. Elvis Presley bought the four-bedroom, seven-bathroom, home in 1970 for $105,000 and owned the property for seven years. The 5,040-square-foot house was one of the few Spanish colonial homes designed by famed architect Albert Frey, who is known much more for his modernist designs. After Presley died, Frankie Valli of The Four Seasons bought the expansive 1.75-acre estate and home.

Another Palm Springs property associated with The King is also on the market. In 1966, Presley leased a 1960 midcentury modern house at 1350 Ladera Circle for about a year for $21,000. He and then-wife Priscilla honeymooned at the hideaway after their May 1967 wedding in Las Vegas. The estate is now on the market for $9.5 million.

Elvis' 1967 Cadillac Coupe De Ville For Auction

The final Barrett-Jackson event of the year and what better way to kick it off than with a Cadillac? Not just any Cadillac, mind you, but the very one that Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in late in 1967.

Here is the description from the Barrett-Jackson docket:
“Elvis Presley's 1967 Cadillac Coupe De Ville has been a part of Mike L. Moon's private collection since 1979 and has been on display at the Elvis Presley Museums in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Niagara Falls, Canada ever since.
“This red Caddy purchased by Elvis on September 15, 1967 had become widely known as ‘The Honeymoon Cadillac’ as he and Priscilla were often seen driving it around Memphis and to his Circle G ranch shortly after they were married. (EIN notes, that is odd as they were married in back in May '67!) 

“Documentation includes copies of the original Bill of Sale and title as well as the original Protect-O-Plate showing the name Elvis Presley and listing the address of Graceland. Also included are newspaper clippings and a copy of the book ‘Hurry Home Elvis’ in which the Cadillac is mentioned on page 118."
The Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas auction takes place Sept. 25-27 in Sin City. 

Charts

• The compilation "Heart & Soul" dropped from #115 to #118 on the Billboard Album chart. The CD remained steady at #13 on the Top Catalog Album chart
• The set "Elvis – That’s The Way It Is" climbed 20 spots on the Flamish Album chart in Belgium, from #81 to #61. On the Wallonian Album chart in Belgium the set entered the charts at #96 .
• The compilation "The Real... Elvis" dropped off the Italian Album chart. 
• The DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock ’n’ Roll" dropped off the Australian Music DVD chart. 

Follow Those Releases

The Follow That Dream releases "The Best Of British, Vol. 2 – The RCA Years 1957 - 1959" by Trevor Simpson, the double CD "Elvis For Everyone" re-issue in the "Classic Album Series" and the vinyl re-issue of the August 25, 1969 concert as "Hot August Night". 

Elvis For Sale

Whom would you prefer to live with, Elvis Presley or Marlon Brando? For $140 million, you might have them both! 

Two seminal paintings by Andy Warhol from the 1960s “Triple Elvis [Ferus Type]” from 1963 and “Four Marlons” from 1966, will be put up for sale at Christie’s Rockefeller Center auction house on Nov. 12. While Brett Gorvy, Christie’s worldwide chairman of postwar and contemporary art, is cautiously estimating the paintings could bring $140 million together, he added that each has the potential to top the $100 million mark, perhaps even outperforming Warhol’s “Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster),” a two-panel painting from 1963, which brought $104.5 million at Sotheby’s in November.

Of the two, “Marlon speaks to a younger audience, because there is a very raw sexuality to the image,” Mr. Gorvy said. “He’s the person every young actor wants to be.”

For years, dealers and auction house experts have courted officials at WestSpiel, the German casino company that owned the paintings. Controlled by the German government, WestSpiel runs six casinos; the paintings had been hanging in its casino in Aachen since the late 1970s. “They were originally purchased for the décor of the casino,” Lothar Dunkel, WestSpiel’s managing director, said in a telephone interview.

Five years ago, when officials realized just how valuable the paintings were, they came down off the walls and were placed in storage for safekeeping.
“We have thought about this long and hard and believe now is the time to sell,” Mr. Dunkel said. The art market’s strength is one reason.

Thomas Ammann, a Swiss art dealer who died in 1993, sold both paintings to WestSpiel in the late ’70s. The company paid around $85,000 for the Presley and about $100,000 for the Brando, according to Mr. Gorvy.

The paintings have never been at auction before, but among Pop Art images, they are about as celebrated as any. “Four Marlons,” based on a film still from the 1953 movie “The Wild One,” shows Brando in a leather jacket leaning forward on his motorcycle looking cool and seductively composed.

“Triple Elvis [Ferus Type]” shows the singer in three overlapping images — Warhol’s way of creating the feeling of movement — taken from a publicity shot for his 1960 movie “Flaming Star,” with his legs apart, pointing a gun at the viewer. Nearly 7 feet tall and 6 feet wide, it was an impressive presence when first shown at Warhol’s 1963 solo show at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles.

(Source: ElvisMatters / Elvis Information Network / The King's World / Elvis Information Network)

September 04 - Elvis Profile

A new CD is due in the "Profile" series adding Elvis Presley to the series on two CDs. This CD from the "Profile Series" label is due for release on October 20, 2014.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin)

September 03 - A Rocket In My Pocket

Serpent's Tail has announced the (re)release of the book written by Max Décharné; "A Rocket In My Pocket: The Hipster's Guide To Rockabilly Music". The book, containing 336 pages, is due for release on November 6, 2014.

From the Publisher:
Rockabilly had its roots in country, blues, folk, hillbilly, R&B, boogie-woogie and most other indigenous Deep South forms of popular song that you could strum three chords along to or howl down a cheap microphone.

It was young people's music, made almost entirely by the first wave of teenagers, despised by adults in general and the country music establishment in particular. Its pioneer exponent, Elvis, eventually become respectable in the eyes of straight society but he was the exception.

1950s rockabilly was a spontaneous outburst of spirited three-chord songs, tiny record labels, primitive studios, fiercely partisan audiences and wild-eyed, driven performers who weren't even sure that their musical careers would last the week.

The book charts the rise (and fall) of the original 50s wave of rockabillies. It will also follow the progress of the music, in clubs, on radio, TV and film, pinpointing the key record labels and important regional centres, showing how fashions eventually changed and left rockabilly high and dry, far too wild and primitive in an era of smoother sounds. Décharnétraces the music to its Memphis roots.

Collecting Elvis

Volume 70 in the German "Elvis Sammlung" was released by De' Agostini. This volume contains the usual magazine, memorabilia reproductions and a mini-poster. 

(Source: Elvis And His Music)