Tracks:
Fun In Acapulco - Vino Dinero Y Amor - Mexico - El Toro - Marguerita - The Bullfighter Was A Lady - (Theres) No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car - I Think Im Gonna Like It Here - Bossa Nova Baby - You Can't Say No In Acapulco – Guadalajara - Bonus Songs: Love Me Tonight - Slowly But Surely
USPS Stamp And CD
The U.S. Postal Service previewed the Music Icons: Elvis Presley Commemorative Forever stamp today and joined with Sony Music’s RCA/Legacy Recordings in announcing the upcoming debut of an exclusive music CD titled “Elvis Forever” that includes an Elvis song, as you’ve never heard it before. The CD will be available online and in select Post Offices beginning August 12 — on the same day as the Elvis Presley stamp dedication ceremony.
Priscilla Presley will join Postmaster General Megan Brennan in dedicating the stamp on the morning of Aug. 12 at Graceland in Memphis as part of this year’s Elvis Week celebration. The public is encouraged to tweet about this news using #ElvisForever.
The Postal Service is proud to announce the offering of an exclusive CD of 18 Presley hits titled, ELVIS FOREVER, which includes a new performance of Elvis’ inspiring song “If I Can Dream” as you’ve never heard it before. “If I Can Dream” has been selected from a forthcoming Fall 2015 Elvis Presley album release. Customers can get this track first by picking up a copy of “Elvis Forever” at their local Post Office location or pre-order the stamps and the commemorative $9.99 CD now at this link for delivery shortly after August 12.
Launched in 2013, the Music Icons series consists of beloved musicians whose blend of sound and way of life broke musical boundaries. The first inductees were Lydia Mendoza, Johnny Cash and Ray Charles. Last year’s inductees were Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.
The King of Rock and Roll™
Elvis Presley is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. Known worldwide as “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” his music and unique performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences, made him enormously popular. “The King’s” influence continues to inspire many of today’s artists, musicians, designers and social influencers.During his lifetime, Presley starred in 33 films, recorded 18 number one singles, and racked up 14 Grammy nominations and three Grammy wins. He sold out every one of the 1,140 concerts he performed after serving in the Army. To date, no one has ever surpassed his record for scoring the most Top 40 hits, a total of 114. Presley is the first recording artist to have sold more than one billion albums, cementing his status as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
The Postal Service previously honored Presley on a stamp in 1993. The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum calls that stamp the most popular U.S. commemorative stamp of all time.
This stamp features a 1955 black-and-white photograph of Presley taken by William Speer. In the bottom left corner, between the words “Forever” and “USA,” is a small gold crown, a nod to Presley’s nickname, The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Presley’s signature, in gold ink, also is featured along the right side of the stamp.
The square stamp pane resembles a vintage 45 rpm record sleeve. One side of the pane includes 16 stamps while the image of a sliver of a record seems to peek out of the top of the sleeve.
An image of Presley performing was shot by photographer Alfred Wertheimer and the logo for the Music Icons series appear on the reverse side (above) of the stamp pane. Antonio Alcalá of Alexandria, VA, served as the art director and designed the stamp pane with Leslie Badani, also of Alexandria, VA.
The following text borders the block of 16 stamps:
“During his illustrious career, rock-and-roll superstar Elvis Presley starred in dozens of feature films, won three Grammy Awards, and recorded 18 number one singles: Heartbreak Hotel, I Want You, I Need You, I Love You, Don’t Be Cruel, Hound Dog, Love Me Tender, Too Much, All Shook Up , (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear, Jailhouse Rock, Don’t, Hard Headed Woman, A Big Hunk O’ Love, Stuck On You, It’s Now Or Never, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, Surrender, Good Luck Charm, Suspicious Minds.”
Presley left an indelible mark on American pop music, inspiring and influencing thousands of rock musicians. Nearly 40 years after Presley’s death, more than 600,000 people still visit his Graceland home in Memphis every year.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
The track-listing on the Elvis Presley Forever CD is:
1. That's All Right – 2. Heartbreak Hotel – 3. Hound Dog – 4. Don't Be Cruel – 5. Jailhouse Rock – 6. It's Now Or Never – 7. Are You Lonesome Tonight? – 8. Little Sister – 9. Can't Help Falling In Love – 10. Return To Sender – 11. Bossa Nova Baby – 12. Viva Las Vegas – 13. In The Ghetto – 14. Suspicious Minds – 15. Burning Love – 16. The Wonder Of You – 17. If I Can Dream (From Upcoming Fall 2015 Release. Previously Unreleased) – 18. What Now My Love (Exclusive to USPS Release, Elvis Forever. Previously Unreleased).
Roy C. Bennett Died
Songwriter Roy C. Bennett died July 2 in Queens, N.Y., at the age of 97, leaving behind a legacy of credits that include work for Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong and more.
Along with songwriting partner Sid Tepper, Bennett published over 300 songs. The duo wrote more than 40 tracks for Presley alone, including almost half of the massively successful Blue Hawaii soundtrack. In 2002, they were honored in Memphis for their contributions to Presley's career.
They also wrote songs recorded by the Beatles, Carl Perkins, Perry Como, Eartha Kitt, Duke Ellington, Marty Robbins and Wayne Newton, among others.
Bennett started his songwriting career at the age of 11, Variety reports, teaming with Tepper from the start. Tepper died this past April at the age of 96 of natural causes.
Both vets of WWII, Bennett and Tepper's first hit came with "Red Roses for a Blue Lady" in 1948, originally recorded by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians before vocalist Vaughn Monroe made it a No. 3 hit single. That was followed by another big success came in 1951 with Rosemary Clooney's recording of "Suzy Snowflake". And in 1955, their song "Naughty Lady of Shady Lane" was a top-10 hit for both Dean Martin and the Ames Brothers.
Bennett and Tepper's collaboration ended in the 1970s when Tepper suffered a heart attack and retired to Florida, but Bennett continued on and even published the popular Choral Singer's Handbook, which still prints today.
Bennett is survived by his wife, Ruth Bennett; two sons, Keith and Neil Bennett; and three grandchildren.
(Source: Elvis And His Music / Elvis The Music / Billboard)