Monday, May 15, 2017

May 15 - Highest Dead Earners Announced

When a person is catapulted to stratospheric celebrity status during their lifetime, not even death can halt their earning potential and ability to draw in revenue. On top of this, there are some whose demise has actually boosted their income with posthumous commemoration coming from all quarters. 
Elvis Presley is listed at #3 on the highest earning dead celebrities over the last 12 months. 

The Top 5: 
1 - Michael Jackson – $825 million
2 - Charles Schulz –  $48 million
3 - Elvis Presley - £27 million
4 - Bob Marley – $21 million                              
5 - David Bowie - £10.5 million

Far from diminishing over time, Elvis Presley’s potency as an artist and his uncanny ability to sell records since his death almost 40 years ago has remained a constant. This has led to $27 million of earnings for his estate in the last 12 months or so.

Presley’s latest albums, 'If I Can Dream' and the follow-up, 'The Wonder Of You', are a collection of orchestral reworkings of some of his greatest hits. Released toward the end of 2015 and 2016, this body of work spent time at the top of the charts in the United States and the United Kingdom and sold more than 2 million copies in the U.K. alone - most of these being physical rather than digital. Combined with the sales of his other albums, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll amassed a huge amount of revenue in 2016. 

Elvis has clearly mastered the art of staying relevant even in the world of digital sales and music streaming sites and has even enjoyed success in other ventures, as shown by the popular Elvis slot at CasinoEuro.

Elvis Week 2017 schedule
 
The Elvis Week 2017 schedule is just announced by EPE. Elvis Week 2017 will mark the 40th anniversary since Elvis’ passing. At Graceland in Memphis, we are anticipating this to be the largest Elvis Week ever with fans from around the world making the ultimate pilgrimage here in August to be with us during this very special celebration of the life and legacy of Elvis Presley. Join us in Memphis this August for the ultimate celebration of the life and legacy of Elvis Presley.

Below is the current schedule of events for Elvis Week 2017. All event details, guests and additional information listed below is subject to change. Updates will continue to be made on this page as they are available. Ticket general on-sale begins Friday, May 26. 

Friday, August 11

Elvis Fan Reunion

2:00 PM. Graceland Soundstage A, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. $10

Join us for one of our most celebrated first-time events from last year – as we welcome Elvis fans to Memphis. This special Elvis Fan Reunion allows fans to re-connect, meet new friends, share stories, play Elvis team trivia and much more. Elvis Week hosts Tom Brown, Joey Sulipeck and DJ Argo will be part of this special event. This is an Elvis Fan "Family" Reunion to celebrate YOU! Tickets for this event are available as part of an Elvis Week ticket package or individually through Graceland Reservations. Ticket general on-sale begins Friday, May 26. 

Elvis Week Dance Party

8:00 PM – 11:00 PM. Graceland Soundstage A, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. $25

Join Elvis Radio DJ Argo as he spins your favorite Elvis records while you dance the night away at our Elvis Week Dance Party event. The night will feature dancing, games and lots of giveaways! Tickets for this event are available as part of an Elvis Week ticket package or individually through Graceland Reservations. Ticket general on-sale begins Friday, May 26. 

Saturday, August 12

35th Annual Elvis 5K Run Benefiting Livitup

8:00 AM. Run starts and finishes at gates of Graceland.

Join Livitup Inc. for their annual 5K run. After the race, enjoy a party featuring food, music and fun! 

Elvis Presley Fan Club Presidents’ Event 

10:00 AM. Graceland Soundstage A, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. $20

Celebrate the world of Elvis Presley Fan Clubs around the world at our bi-annual fan club event. The event will feature special programming that celebrates both Elvis and his dedicated fan clubs. Special guest speaker for the event will be Elvis’ friend and hair stylist Larry Geller. Fan Club presidents will get an invite and registration form directly from EPE to attend the event. Tickets for this event are available as part of an Elvis Week ticket package or individually through Graceland Reservations. Ticket general on-sale begins Friday, May 26. 

The Auction at Graceland 

2:00 PM. Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland

The Auction at Graceland will include artifacts from across the spectrum of collecting, including items owned by Elvis, gifted by Elvis, written by Elvis, used by Elvis and created to promote the king and his career. Each and every lot in this auction has been thoroughly researched and certified by Graceland Authenticated, the authority in Elvis and pop culture authentication. 

The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley Celebration Concert

8:00 PM; Graceland Soundstage A, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. $40

Enjoy a very special evening at the Graceland Soundstage to celebrate the gospel music of Elvis Presley. Hear the music that not only influenced Elvis, but that also earned him his only three Grammy Awards. Special guest performers for the evening include some who shared the stage with Elvis, plus those who have been inspired by his music: Bill Baize, Donnie Sumner, Larry Strickland and Ed Hill, former members of JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet; Terry Blackwood, Darrell Toney and Lynn Royce Taylor of Terry Blackwood and The Imperials; plus musician Terry Mike Jeffrey. The show will feature Elvis imagery and videos on the big screen throughout the performance. Tickets for this event are available as part of an Elvis Week ticket package or individually through Graceland Reservations. Ticket general on-sale begins Friday, May 26. 

Sunday, August 13

Elvis 101

10:00 AM. Graceland Soundstage A, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. $20

Elvis' influence on music, pop culture and society has been studied, analyzed and debated since his music first hit the airwaves in 1954. Elvis 101 features scholars, authors and those who have spent hundreds of hours studying Elvis Presley talking in-depth about different aspects of The King of Rock 'n' Roll's life and career. Hosted by Tom Brown, special guests for 2017 include: author Peter Guralnick, sharing stories about what it was like to research for his two Elvis biographies “Mystery Train” and “Careless Love”; John Beifuss, film critic and reporter for the Memphis Commercial Appeal, talking about Elvis’ films; Sony Music's Ernst Jorgensen; and Tupelo historian Roy Turner. Tickets for this event are available as part of an Elvis Week ticket package or individually through Graceland Reservations. Ticket general on-sale begins Friday, May 26.

A Salute to Sun Records Hosted by John Paul Keith

8:00 PM. Graceland Soundstage A, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. $30

Hosted by renowned singer-songwriter John Paul Keith with Will Tucker and Brad Birkedahl, featuring special guests Jerry Phillips and Sun studio drummer J.M. Van Eaton. Keith, along with some of Memphis' top musicians will pay tribute to the early music of Elvis and all the legendary Sun artists, and will feature appearances Will Tucker, Shawn Zorn, and Griffin Rone. Tickets for this event are available as part of an Elvis Week ticket package or individually through Graceland Reservations. Ticket general on-sale begins Friday, May 26.

Monday, August 14

Official Graceland Insiders Conference

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM & 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM. Graceland Soundstage A, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. $50

Hosted by Tom Brown, the Graceland Insiders Conference will feature special segments that highlight various parts of Elvis' life and career with sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes looks, rarely-seen videos, feature segments filmed just for the event and much more. 2017 special guests include: Bill Wallace, Elvis' friend and karate champion; Sam Thompson, Elvis’ bodyguard and the brother of Elvis’ girlfriend Linda Thompson; Charles Stone, who worked closely with the Colonel on Elvis' tours and career; Dick Grob, who served as chief of security for Elvis; Lisa Marie co-pilot Ron Strauss; and more to be announced. Tickets for this event are available as part of an Elvis Week ticket package or individually through Graceland Reservations. Ticket general on-sale begins Friday, May 26. 

A Band of Legends Remembers Elvis

8:00 PM. Graceland Soundstage A, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. $40

Hear stories and music from the legendary musicians who shared both the stage and the studio with Elvis Presley in this unique concert event. Hosted by Andy Childs, join us for a night of storytelling and amazing music with special guests Norbert Putnam (bass), David Briggs (piano), Memphis Boys’ Bobby Wood (piano) and Gene Chrisman (drummer); plus guitarist Kerry Marx. Tickets for this event are available as part of an Elvis Week ticket package or individually through Graceland Reservations. Ticket general on-sale begins Friday, May 26. 

Tuesday, August 15

Conversations on Elvis: Elvis Family & Friends 

10:00 AM. Graceland Soundstage A, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. $25

Elvis enjoyed surrounding himself with friends and family whether he was home at Graceland, traveling on tour, or vacationing. Hear from some of Elvis’ closet friends and family as their memories and stories of time spent with Elvis. Hosted by Tom Brown, special guests include Priscilla Presley, plus Elvis’ close personal friends Jerry Schilling, Bill Medley, Bill Morris plus childhood friend Guy Harris. Tickets for this event are available as part of an Elvis Week ticket package or individually through Graceland Reservations. Ticket general on-sale begins Friday, May 26. 

Songwriters Showcase 

3:00 PM. Graceland Soundstage A, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. $30

Hear the stories behind the songs written for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll during our Songwriters Showcase. Hosted by Andy Childs, the Songwriters Showcase will feature music, stories and special guests talking about the music they wrote for Elvis. Confirmed guests include Mac Davis, who wrote many of Elvis' hits, such as "In the Ghetto;" Mike Stoller, who with his partner Jerry Leiber, wrote more than twenty songs recorded by Elvis, including “Jailhouse Rock,” “Loving You,” “Love Me,” and “Treat Me Nice”; and Mark James, who wrote “Suspicious Minds,” “Always on my Mind,” “Moody Blue,” among others. Tickets for this event are available as part of an Elvis Week ticket package or individually through Graceland Reservations. Ticket general on-sale begins Friday, May 26. 

Candlelight Vigil 

8:30 PM. Graceland Front Gate

After an opening ceremony at the Gates of Graceland, fans are invited to walk up the driveway to Elvis' gravesite and back down carrying a candle in quiet remembrance. Gates remain open until all who wish to participate in the procession have done so, which typically takes until the early morning hours of August 16, the anniversary of Elvis' passing. 

Wednesday, August 16 

Conversations on Elvis: In the Studio

10:00 AM. Graceland Soundstage A, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. $25

Hear what it was like to record in the studio with Elvis Presley from those who were there to experience it. Hosted by Tom Brown, special guests include: DJ Fontana, who recorded with Elvis in the 1950s and 1960s; back-up singers Mary Holladay Pederson and Ginger Holladay, who sang with Elvis on some of his biggest hits; and Sony Music's Ernst Jorgensen, author of "A Life in Music," a definitive study of Elvis' recording sessions;. More guests to be announced. Tickets for this event are available as part of an Elvis Week ticket package or individually through Graceland Reservations. Ticket general on-sale begins Friday, May 26. 

ELVIS: The Wonder of You

40th Anniversary Celebration Concert Event with Full Symphony Orchestra

8:00 PM. FedExForum, downtown Memphis. 


The new, critically-acclaimed concert event which has sold out arenas across the world is coming to Memphis to celebrate the life and music of Elvis Presley during the 40th anniversary. In this live concert event experience, a full symphony orchestra performs live on stage with Elvis Presley himself on the big screen. Hear some of Elvis’ biggest hits and fan-favorite songs. The concert will feature a very special personal appearance by Priscilla Presley plus other surprise guests. This production is inspired by the award-winning, chart-topping album releases "If I Can Dream" and "The Wonder of You: Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,” which featured archive recordings of the king’s voice, and new orchestral arrangements of some of his biggest hits. The show has received rave media reviews - “So Realistic, fans felt he was really in the building” - “thrilling experience” – “… so gripped were you by THAT voice, the mannerisms and frequent flashes of devilment in his eyes or on the curl end of his lips.” Join us for this historic night as we salute the life and legacy of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Tickets for the show range from $300 to $65. The $300 VIP ticket is only available through Graceland as part of the Elite and Premier Elvis Week Packages. For more on purchasing tickets for the 40th Anniversary Concert, visit the Elvis Week Ticket Page.

(Source: Substream Magazine / Graceland)