August 29 - Vinyl Magazine

The French Marianne Melodie magazine features Elvis Presley on the cover of the August 2017 edition. Inside an article on the 40th. anniversary of his death entitled "40éme Anniversaire: 1977 - 2017 - Elvis Presley: La Légende!".

Golden Records

Due for release from Sony Music Canada on October 27, 2017 is a limited edition vinyl re-issue of the classic "Elvis' Golden Records" on 180 Gr. vinyl. 

Tracks: 1 Hound Dog 2 Loving You 3 All Shook Up 4 Heartbreak Hotel 5 Jailhouse Rock 6 Love Me 7 Too Much 8 Don't Be Cruel 9 That's When Your Heartaches Begin 10 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear 11 Love Me Tender 12 Treat Me Nice 13 Anyway You Want Me (That's How I Will Be) 14 I Want You, I Need You, I Love You

Blue Suede Shoes

The Harmonica / Chant du Monde label will release a vinyl album entitled “Blue Suede Shoes” on December 01, 2017.

(Source: elvis Club Berlin / Amazon)

August 28 - Music Hall of Fame Inductees 2017

A second book compiled and written by Paul Bélard from France, living in the United States is available. The title "Elvis Las Vegas April-May 1956". This book with glossy cover counts 240 pages, 330 pictures and they all deal with the two weeks Elvis spend in Las Vegas from April 23 to May 6, 1956.

As with Paul's other book, we mainly read articles from that period of time itself. No analyses, just pictures and articles from that time. Again as if we're stepping into a time machine. This book, however, counts far and far less blurry pics, than the first one does (added for historical reasons). All pictures and articles truly give us a feel of how it must have been those days. How Elvis looked and moved, and how fans reacted. And there are quite some I didn't see before. Some even in color.

He's working on a series of books, in which each book will count about 240 pages, covering one month only. So in the end 1956 will be presented in over 3000 pages.

If you're interested in the book, you can get in contact with the author directly by mail: pbelard@hotmail.com

Hall Of Fame 2017

Roy Orbison, “Cowboy” Jack Clement, legendary sidemen Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love of the Memphis Horns plus Earth Wind & Fire founder Maurice White are among the latest inductees to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame announced last week.

Bluesman Frank Stokes, gospel artist Cassietta George and Beale Street Music Festival founder Irvin Salky round out the 2017 class.

The seven-member 2017 class will join 60 previous inductees — including B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Otis Redding and Justin Timberlake — bringing the total number of members to 67 for the Rock 'n' Soul Museum-affiliated Hall of Fame. "We’re pleased that once again Memphis is showing its true diversity among musical genres – from blues to gospel, soul to rock 'n' roll -- with this year's class," added Doyle. 

The 2017 inductees – all honored posthumously – will be enshrined during Oct. 27 ceremonies at The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.

The Memphis Horns, trumpeter Wayne Jackson and saxophonist Andrew Love made their early reputation as part of the house band at Stax Records in the 1960s. Jackson and Love later struck out on their own, billing themselves as the Memphis Horns. The pair was essential in providing parts for hit records by Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, James Taylor and U2, among many others. The duo was recognized with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. Love died that year, while Jackson passed way in 2016. 

“Cowboy” Jack Clement, recording engineer, singer, songwriter, producer, raconteur and musical philosopher, the Memphis-born Clement, first made his mark as Sam Phillips right hand man at Sun Records. Clement would record Jerry Lee Lewis’ biggest hits, pen several others for Johnny Cash and generally help define the label’s sound and aesthetic through the ’50s.

(Source: Elvis Information Network / Mike Form Holland on FECC)

August 27 - Promo Vinyl

The Audrey Records label released the original album LP "Elvis Presley - Il Re Del Rock ´n´ Roll”. 

Tracks:
Side A: My Baby Left Me - Blue Suede Shoes - Tutti Frutti - I Want You I Need You I Love You - I Got A Woman - Just Because
Side B: Tryin’ To Get To You - I´m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry - One Sided Love Affair - Money Honey - Shake Rattle And Roll - Lawdy Miss Clawdy

Promo Elvis

To promote the “Private Elvis” LP and CD the Jukebox Legends label released a promotional CD.

Tracks:
Sample From: Tracks Released During The Army Period: A Big Hunk O´ Love
Sample From: Home Recordings - May 1958, Eddie Fadal - Waco, Texas: Sail Along The Silvery Moon / I Understand (Excerpt)
Sample From: The German Home Recordings: Guitar Solo - Que Sera
Sample From: Post Army Session: Soldier Boy (Take 11) - Frankfort Special (Take 8)

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin)

August 26 - Elvis In Hawaii November 1957

Just released by Paul Bélard is the book "Elvis In Hawaii November 1957". The book with glossy cover counts 168 pages, some 160 pictures and they all deal with the two weeks Elvis spend during his trip to and his stay in Hawaii from November 5 to November 13, 1957.

According to the posting on the FECC forum not all pictures are of fantastic quality, and some are plain screen shots from footage, but it's all to give us a feel of how it must have been those days. How Elvis looked and moved, and how fans reacted. They have historical value, even the blurry ones. To give an impression, here are a few examples, including the front and back cover.

If you don't expect a hardcover book, with thick glossy paper, pictures coming directly from negatives and a professional lay-out, like some of the FTD ones and the Elvis Files books, than: yes. It's a soft cover book and the pages aren't shiny, but it's complete and measures 8.50 x 11.00 Inch. It covers what it claims to cover.

To my understanding, this book is a one man's project with the aim of showing as much photos and articles about a short period of time as possible. So rare pictures are shown as well, quite a few I can't remember ever seeing before, but about 20 to 30% of the 160 pictures are either somewhat pixelated or blurry. Photos you won't see elsewhere for that reason. It's for historical reasons (I guess) the author put these in the book as well. Expect no revelations, however. Just step into the time machine and make the trip to Hawaii together with Elvis.

From the back cover:
On November 5th, 1957, Elvis boarded the USS Matsonia for the 4 day boat trip to Hawaii. There, he would give the last three live performances of the 1950s. He left Honolulu on the USS Lurline on November 13, 1957.

During this visit, Elvis fell in love with the beauty of the islands and the hospitality of the people. Hawaii would become Elvis´ favorite vacation destination and he would enjoy many until his last one in March of 1977. Not only did he make three movies in Hawaii, Blue Hawaii, Girls! Girls! Girls! and Paradise, Hawaiian Style, he also came to Hawaii for two more live performances.

The first was on March 25, 1961. The show was a fund raiser to build a memorial for the USS Arizona, the largest of the battleships that had been sunk on December 7, 1941, during the surprise Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor.

The second was also a benefit show beamed world-wide on January 14, 1973. It benefited the Kui Lee Cancer Found. Kui Lee, who died of this disease in 1966, had composed the song "I´ll Remember You.

If you're interested in the book, you can get in contact with the author directly by mail: pbelard@hotmail.com




(Source: MikeFromHolland on FECC / ECB)

August 25 - Charts

To mark the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley's dearth the Dutch TV presenter and Elvis-fan Art Rooijakkers released a book entitled "Elvis en Ik, odes aan Elvis" (Elvis and Me, Tributes to Elvis"). 

The book contains contributions by Alex Boogers. Lammert de Bruin, Peter Buwalda, Eric Corton, Gerard Ekdom, Ingmar Heytze, Matthijs Kleyn, Cécile Koekkoek, Jeroen Kijk in de Vegte, Guus Meeuwis, Art Rooijakkers, Jan Rot, John Schoorl, René Shuman, Mart Smeets, Dennis van Tiel and Pieter van der Wielen.

From the publisher (in Dutch):
"Ook al beweren sommigen het tegendeel: het is alweer veertig jaar geleden dat Elvis Presley overleed. De koning is dood, leve de koning! Zo lang wij hem blijven herdenken, blijft Elvis leven.

En leven doet hij, want oudere generaties blijven (jeugd)herinneringen aan hem koesteren, en jongere generaties blijven door zijn stijl en muziek beïnvloed. Zo kwam Elvisfan Art Rooijakkers met het mooie plan dat veertig-jarig jubileum te markeren met een Nederlands boek vol persoonlijke verhalen over Presley.

Niet alleen van hemzelf, maar van 17 verschillende auteurs, onder meer schrijvers, journalisten, muzikanten en muziekliefhebbers. Een bundel vol verhalen en anekdotes over Elvis als zanger en gitarist, Elvis als stijlicoon en Elvis als trendsetter van een nieuwe generatie. Alex Boogers Lammert de Bruin Peter Buwalda Eric Corton Gerard Ekdom Ingmar Heytze Matthijs Kleyn Cécile Koekkoek Jeroen Kijk in de Vegte Guus Meeuwis Art Rooijakkers Jan Rot John Schoorl René Shuman Mart Smeets Dennis van Tiel Pieter van der Wielen"

Charts

Elvis Presley remains steady at #2 on the Official UK Album chart with the “50 Greatest Hits” double album. The album remains #1 on the Official UK Physical chart. 

The Top 3:
1 Ed Sheeran 13,975 copies sold
2 Elvis Presley 10,978 copies sold
3 Steven Wilson 10,881 copies sold

• The 6 DVD set "The Elvis Collection" dropped from #7 to #11 on the Official UK Music DVD chart. 
• The DVD "Elvis: ’68 Comeback – Special Edition" re-entered the Official UK Music DVD chart at #27. 
• The DVD "Elvis Lives – The 25th Anniversary Concert" climbed from #44 to #37 on the official UK Music DVD chart. 
• The 3 DVD set "Elvis – The DVD Gold Collection" dropped off the Official UK Music DVD chart from last week's #45 position. 
• The “50 Greatest Hits” double album remains steady at #1 in Scotland.
• The “The Real … Elvis” compilation dropped from #10 to #14 on the Official Scottish Album chart.
• The “The Platinum Collection” climbed from #48 to #41 on the Official Scottish Album chart.
• The “The Wonder of You” climbed from #89 to #57 on the Official Scottish Album chart.
• The “Rockin’ Elvis” dropped from #72 to #94 on the Official Scottish Album chart.
• The “50 Greatest Hits” double album climbed from #34 to #31 on the Official Irish Album chart.

European Charts

• On the Swiss Album charts the “Elvis Symphonique” double album climbed from #55 to #30.
• The “The 50 Greatest Hits“ double album is a new entry at #85 on the Swiss Album chart. 
• The 3-CD-Box “Elvis Presley: A Boy From Tupelo – The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings” dropped from #72 to #85 on the Belgian Album chart.
• The double set “The Wonder Of You & If I Can Dream” re-entered the Belgian Album chart at #132 
• On the Swiss Album charts the “The 50 Greatest Hits” is a re-entry at #85.
• The “Top 40 Collection - His Ultimate Top 40 Collection” climbed from #7 to #2 on the Belgian Mid-price Album chart.
• The “ELV1S 30 #1 Hits” is a re-entry at #36 on the Belgian Mid-price Album chart.
• The “Top 40 Collection - His Ultimate Top 40 Collection” is a new entry at #28 on the Dutch Mid-price Album chart.
• The “ELV1S 30 #1 Hits” dropped from #11 to #14 on the Dutch Mid-price Album chart.
• The “The Wonder of You” album remains steady at #4 on the French Album chart. 

Australian Charts

• The DVD "The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More" climbed from #14 to #2 on the Australian Music DVD chart. The DVD marked it's 250th week on the chart.

(Source: BOL / Official UK Charts / Acharts)

August 24 - Vinyl Explosion

A special release made for the Elvis Presley Festival in Bad Nauheim is a beautiful CD and LP entitled “Private Presley”. It features tracks released during his army years, home recordings and some post army tracks. Both the CD and vinyl LP have their own cover.

The Alternate Moody Blue

To mark the 40th anniversary of the album release of "Moody Blue" the Hepcat Record import label announced the release of “The Alternate Moody Blue” on 10 inch vinyl (45 RPM) and CD. This deluxe 10 inch boxset contains a 10 inch vinyl record, a 45 RPM EP and CD. Available on black and blue vinyl. 

Tracks 10 inch album: 

Side 1: 01. He’ll Have To Go Undubbed Master (Vocal Overdub) 02. Way Down Unedited, Undubbed Master (Take 2c) 03. Pledging My Love Unedited, Undubbed Master (Take 6)

Side 2: 01. Moody Blue Take 4 02. She Thinks I Still Care Take 14 03. It’s Easy For You Take 1 04. Little Darlin’ Undubbed Master (Live 04-24-77)

Tracks 45rpm EP: 

Side A: Let Me Be There 

Side B: If You Love Me Let Me Know (Undubbed Master) Unchained Melody (Undubbed Master)

Tracks CD: 

01. Unchained Melody Undubbed Master (Live 04-24-1977) 02. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) Undubbed Master (Live 04-26-1977) 03. Little Darlin’ Undubbed Master (Live 04-24-1977) 04. He’ll Have To Go Undubbed Master (Vocal Overdub) 05. Let Me Be There Live 03-18-1974 06. Way Down Unedited Undubbed Master (Take 2c) 07. Pledging My Love Unedited Undubbed Master (Take 6) 08. Moody Blue Strings Overdubbed Master (Take 10) 09. She Thinks I Still Care Take 14 10. It’s Easy For You Undubbed Master (Take 2) 11. Way Down Unedited Overdub Lp Master, Diff. Mix 12. Moody Blue Take 3 13. Pledging My Love Take 3 14. Way Down Take 2 & 2a 15. Unchained Melody Live 02-16-1977 16. Moody Blue Live 02-20-1977 (First Live Attempt) 17. Moody Blue Live 02-21-1977 (Last Live Attempt) 18. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) Live 04-24-1977 19. Let Me Be There Live 03-16-1974 20. Unchained Melody Live 02-20-1977 21. Little Darlin’ Live 10-20-1976 22. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) Live 06-24-1977 23. Unchained Melody Live 06-21-1977

The Alternate Moody Blue Double LP

To mark the 40th anniversary of the album release of "Moody Blue" the Hepcat Record import label released “The Alternate Moody Blue” double LP containing the best available material from this legendary album. Available in black and blue vinyl. 

Side A: 01. Unchained Melody Undubbed Master (Live 04-24-1977) 02. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) Undubbed Master (Live 04-26-1977) 03. Little Darlin’ Undubbed Master (Live 04-24-1977) 04. He’ll Have To Go Undubbed Master (Vocal Overdub) 05. Let Me Be There Live 03-18-1974 06. Way Down Unedited Undubbed Master (Take 2c) 

Side B: 07. Pledging My Love Unedited Undubbed Master (Take 6) 08. Moody Blue Strings Overdubbed Master (Take 10) 09. She Thinks I Still Care Take 14 10. It’s Easy For You Undubbed Master (Take 2) 11. Way Down Unedited Overdub Lp Master, Diff. Mix 12. 

Side C: Moody Blue Take 3 13. Pledging My Love Take 3 14. Way Down Take 2 & 2a 15. Unchained Melody Live 02-16-1977 16. Moody Blue Live 02-20-1977 (First Live Attempt) 17. Moody Blue Live 02-21-1977 (Last Live Attempt) 

Side D: 18. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) Live 04-24-1977 19. Let Me Be There Live 03-16-1974 20. Unchained Melody Live 02-20-1977 21. Little Darlin’ Live 10-20-1976 22. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) Live 06-24-1977 23. Unchained Melody Live 06-21-1977

Rockin’ With Elvis And Wanda

Released on 10 inch black and red vinyl is “Rockin’ With Elvis And Wanda”. 

Side 1 - The Wanda Side:

Let's Have A Party Money Honey My Baby Left Me Hard Headed Woman Long Tall Sally Tweedlee Dee

Side 2 - The Elvis Side:

Party - Alternate Master Money Honey My Baby Left Me Hard Headed Woman (On The Spot Mono Mix) Long Tall Sally (February 23 1970) Tweedlee Dee (April 30 1955) Bonus Track: Long Tall Sally (May 6 1956)

(Source: FECC)

August 23 - Graceland Reveals Plans To Add Concert Venue

Graceland revealed plans to add a 6,200-seat venue. The venue will be about 2,000 seats smaller than the Landers Center in Southaven, and it will be used for concerts and graduations, according to Graceland representatives. It will be second only to FedExForum in venue size in Shelby County.

The theater, which will be located across the street from the Guesthouse at Graceland, will cost $40-50 million to construct, adding 150 permanent jobs in Whitehaven--not including construction.

"We welcome this growth and economic development in our community," City Councilwoman Patrice Robinson said. Graceland said a fee from each ticket would be given to projects to reinvest in the Whitehaven area. They estimate $300,000 each year will be invested directly in the Whitehaven Economic Redevelopment effort.

Robinson said Elvis Presley Enterprises proposed paying for it with help from taxes. That's money Robinson believes will help bring other businesses and jobs to the Whitehaven area. "We want to make this a robust community for people visiting and tourists but available to the community as well," Robinson said. The venue is projected to open in early 2019.

The Elvis Tapes

Released on the GNW label (Great Northwest Music Company) is the 1977 talking only album “The Elvis Tapes”. 

Side A: Introduction And Press Conference, Vancouver, B.C., 1957

Side B: Press Conference And Description Pre-Concert Scene, August 1957, Vancouver, B.C.

The Official Top 50 biggest selling Elvis Presley singles revealed

40 years after his death, Official Charts counts down the King's 50 best sellers of all time. 40 years ago this week, Elvis Presley tragically died and music lost its King of rock n roll. But despite his untimely death aged just 42, Elvis remains one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of all time and an icon of the '50s and '60s.

Elvis's legacy and monetary worth remain immensely strong in 40 years after his untimely death. According to Forbes' list of top earning dead stars, he earned $27m (£21m) in 2016 and sold one million albums. And since 2000, he has sold 4.5 million singles in the UK alone.

To mark the occasion, Official Charts is revealing the King’s 50 best-selling singles in the UK. At Number 1 is It’s Now Or Never (with the Jordanaires), a song that spent eight weeks at the top in 1960-1961 and returned to the summit again in 2005 for a single week - 28 years after his death. To date, the ballad has sold 1.3 million copies in the UK alone.

Elvis’s second best-selling single is 1958’s Jailhouse Rock (985,500 sales), the theme song of the motion picture he also starred in, and Are You Lonesome Tonight? is third with sales of 911,000. Released in the UK in January 1961, the song spent four weeks at the Official Singles Chart summit.

Elsewhere among the Top 10 hits is A Little Less Conversation at Number 4 (sales of 894,000). The song became a worldwide hit in 2002 including four weeks at the top of the Official Singles Chart when JXL released a remix of the track, originally performed by Elvis for the 1968 film Live A Little, Love A Little.

Rounding off the Top 5 is The Wonder Of You. The track logged six weeks at Number 1 in the summer of 1970, and has sold 891,000 copies to date in the UK.

Other notable entries include his double A-side of Rock A Hula Baby/Can't Help Falling In Love with 760,000 sales, and 1969's Suspicious Minds, which just misses out on a Top 10 placing at Number 11 with 640,000 sales. The track narrowly missed out on reaching the top spot in the UK, peaking at Number 2 in January 1970. 

The Official Top 50 Best Selling Elvis Presley singles and tracks appears below:
(Note: the chart is based on all-time sales of all Elvis digital track and physical single releases up to August 2017). 
1 It's Now Or Never Nov-60 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires 1.3m
2 Jailhouse Rock** Jan-58 Elvis Presley 985,500
3 Are You Lonesome Tonight Jan-61 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires 911,000
4 A Little Less Conversation Jun-02 Elvis vs JXL 894,000
5 The Wonder Of You Jul-70 Elvis Presley 891,000
6 Way Down Aug-77 Elvis Presley
7 Wooden Heart Mar-61 Elvis Presley
8 Rock A Hula Baby / Can't Help Falling In Love* Feb-62 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires 760,000
9 All Shook Up Jun-57 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
10 Surrender May-61 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
11 Suspicious Minds Nov-69 Elvis Presley 640,000
12 Return To Sender Nov-62 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
13 Good Luck Charm May-62 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
14 A Fool Such As I / I Need Your Love Tonight* Apr-59 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
15 In The Ghetto Jun-69 Elvis Presley
16 Devil In Disguise Jul-63 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
17 Hound Dog Sep-56 Elvis Presley
18 (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame / Little Sister* Nov-61 Elvis Presley
19 It's Only Love / Beyond The Reef* Aug-80 Elvis Presley
20 Crying In The Chapel May-65 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
21 She's Not You Aug-62 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
22 One Night / I Got Stung* Jan-59 Elvis Presley
23 Heartbreak Hotel May-56 Elvis Presley
24 A Mess Of Blues Jul-60 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
25 Always On My Mind Dec-72 Elvis Presley
26 Don't Feb-58 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
27 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear Jul-57 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
28 Burning Love Sep-72 Elvis Presley
29 King Creole Oct-58 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
30 Hard Headed Woman Jul-58 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
31 Party Oct-57 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
32 Stuck On You Apr-60 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
33 Wear My Ring Around Your Neck May-58 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
34 An American Trilogy Jun-72 Elvis Presley
35 A Big Hunk O' Love Jul-59 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
36 My Boy Nov-74 Elvis Presley
37 If I Can Dream Feb-69 Elvis Presley
38 Wild In The Country / I Feel So Bad* Sep-61 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
39 Moody Blue Mar-77 Elvis Presley
40 Blue Christmas Dec-64 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
41 Viva Las Vegas Mar-64 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
42 Blue Suede Shoes May-56 Elvis Presley
43 It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You) Dec-79 Elvis Presley
44 My Way Dec-77 Elvis Presley
45 Until It's Time For You To Go Apr-72 Elvis Presley
46 Love Me Tender Dec-56 Elvis Presley
47 The Girl Of My Best Friend Sep-76 Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
48 Love Letters Jul-66 Elvis Presley
49 I Just Can't Help Believing Dec-71 Elvis Presley
50 There Goes My Everything Mar-71 Elvis Presley
* - Double A Side Releases includes digital tracks sales 
** Includes sales of the Jailhouse Rock EP 

A look at how Elvis’s songs are holding up in the streaming age paints a very different picture from his sales-based chart. Since streaming started counting towards the Official Chart in summer 2014, the icon has notched up 164 million plays across all services in the UK.

Topping the list is Can’t Help Falling In Love, which has notched up 13 million plays. Released in 1961 as a double A-side with Rock-A-Hula-Baby, the song reached Number 1 on the Official Singles Chart and became his signature ballad, closing many of his live performances in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Taking second place on Elvis’s most streamed songs is 1969’s Suspicious Minds (11.5m), followed by Burning Love (7m). Interestingly, 1964’s Blue Christmas, which makes Number 40 in his sales chart, is his sixth most streamed song in the UK (6.2m), no doubt bolstered by the annual surge in streaming festive songs.

Elvis Presley’s Official Top 20 most streamed songs
1 CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE ELVIS PRESLEY 13m plays
2 SUSPICIOUS MINDS ELVIS PRESLEY 11.5m plays
3 BURNING LOVE ELVIS PRESLEY 7m plays
4 JAILHOUSE ROCK ELVIS PRESLEY
5 IN THE GHETTO ELVIS PRESLEY
6 BLUE CHRISTMAS ELVIS PRESLEY 6.2m plays
7 HOUND DOG ELVIS PRESLEY
8 ALWAYS ON MY MIND ELVIS PRESLEY
9 LOVE ME TENDER ELVIS PRESLEY
10 IF I CAN DREAM ELVIS PRESLEY
11 THE WONDER OF YOU ELVIS PRESLEY
12 HEARTBREAK HOTEL/I WAS THE ONE ELVIS PRESLEY
13 IT'S NOW OR NEVER ELVIS PRESLEY
14 ALL SHOOK UP ELVIS PRESLEY
15 (YOU'RE THE) DEVIL IN DISGUISE ELVIS PRESLEY
16 DON'T BE CRUEL ELVIS PRESLEY
17 RETURN TO SENDER ELVIS PRESLEY
18 AN AMERICAN TRILOGY ELVIS PRESLEY
19 BLUE SUEDE SHOES ELVIS PRESLEY
20 BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER ELVIS PRESLEY
21 ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT ELVIS PRESLEY
22 VIVA LAS VEGAS ELVIS PRESLEY
23 A BIG HUNK O' LOVE ELVIS PRESLEY
24 (MARIE'S THE NAME) HIS LATEST FLAME ELVIS PRESLEY
25 DON'T ELVIS PRESLEY
26 STUCK ON YOU ELVIS PRESLEY
27 YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELIN' ELVIS PRESLEY
28 FEVER ELVIS PRESLEY FT MICHAEL BUBLE
29 HOW GREAT THOU ART ELVIS PRESLEY
30 BLUE CHRISTMAS ELVIS PRESLEY/MARTINA MCBRIDE
31 (LET ME BE YOUR) TEDDYBEAR ELVIS PRESLEY
32 AND THE GRASS WONT PAY NO MIND ELVIS PRESLEY
33 THAT'S THE WAY IT IS ELVIS PRESLEY
34 WOODEN HEART ELVIS PRESLEY
35 WAY DOWN ELVIS PRESLEY
36 THERES ALWAYS ME ELVIS PRESLEY
37 THAT'S ALL RIGHT ELVIS PRESLEY
38 GOOD LUCK CHARM ELVIS PRESLEY
39 STEAMROLLER BLUES ELVIS PRESLEY
40 SHE'S NOT YOU ELVIS PRESLEY
41 ONE NIGHT/I GOT STUNG ELVIS PRESLEY
42 CRYING IN THE CHAPEL ELVIS PRESLEY
43 SURRENDER ELVIS PRESLEY
44 A FOOL SUCH AS I ELVIS PRESLEY
45 I JUST CAN'T HELP BELIEVIN' ELVIS PRESLEY
46 TOO MUCH ELVIS PRESLEY
47 HARD HEADED WOMAN ELVIS PRESLEY
48 I'VE GOT A THING ABOUT YOU BABY ELVIS PRESLEY
49 AMAZING GRACE ELVIS PRESLEY
50 JUST PRETEND ELVIS PRESLEY

(Source: FECC / WMCActionNews5 / Official Charts Company / Rob Copsey.)

August 22 - Elvis Sings All Kinds

The Spanish El Toro Records (Broken Arrow) label announced the release of four new colored vinyl EP’s all due September 15, 2017. 

Tracks Elvis Sings Otis Blackwell (Limited edition green vinyl)
1. Paralysed (Side A, 33 RPM)
2. Fever
3. Return To Sender (Side B, 45 RPM)
4. Easy Question

Tracks Elvis Sings New Orleans (Limited edition white vinyl)
1. One Night (A-Seite)
2. Crawfish
3. Blueberry Hill (B-Seite)
4. Witchcraft

Tracks Elvis Sings Ivory Joe Hunter (Limited edition blue vinyl)
1. Ain't That Lovin' You Baby
2. I Need You So 
3. My Wish Come True 

Tracks Elvis Sings Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup (Limited Edition purple vinyl)
1. That's All Right (A-Seite)
2. So Glad You're Mine
3. My Baby Left Me (B-Seite)
4. That's All Right (Alternative Take)


Elvis White Knabe Piano Sells for $375,000

Elvis famous white Knabe baby grand piano was sold on Ebay for US $375,190 after 117 bids. Previously figures of up to 1 million had been mentioned. The grand piano — which reportedly was played by W.C. Handy, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Cab Calloway before it was acquired by Elvis Presley.  The piano was built in 1912 and an d bought by Elvis in 1957 after he moved in to Graceland. It stayed in his Music Room at Graceland until 1969.


A statement on the piano reads: “It was played constantly by Elvis and many friends for practice sessions, friendly sing alongs and untold numbers of jam sessions by Elvis and visiting celebrities to Graceland and became one of Elvis's most loved, personal musical instruments.” In 2016 Heritage Auctions were hoping for  $600,000 for the same piano.  

(Source: Amazon / Elvis Info Network)

August 21 - Elvis On DVD

Due for release on September 27, 2017 in France is the 8 DVD set "Elvis Presley - Coffret 8 Films". The box contains the movies "Speedway", "Viva Las Vegas", "It Happened At The World's Fair", "Harum Scarum", "Double Trouble", "The Trouble With Girls", "Jailhouse Rock" and "Spinout".

Charts

The 2002 album "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" re-entered the US Billboard Album Top 200 at #164. 
The "ELV1S 30 #1" Album Hits climbed from #40 to #27 on the US Billboard Country Album chart. 
The "Ultimate Gospel" compilation climbed from #28 to #27 on the Billboard Christian Album chart.
The "The Wonder of You" dropped from #2 to #3 on the US Billboard Classical Album chart. 

(Source: Amazon / Billboard)

August 18 - Elvis Hits #1 In Scotland, #2 On UK Chart

Ed Sheeran pips Elvis Presley to Albums Number 1 in one of the year's closest chart races. The Top 2 on this week’s Official UK Albums Chart were separated by just 35 combined sales, and it is Ed Sheeran who scoops his 16th (non-consecutive) week at Number 1, denying Elvis Presley an extension of his Official Chart record. Elvis Presley missed out on the digital charts.

Elvis Presley is a new entry on the official UK Album chart for Friday August 18, 2017 with the compilation "The 50 Greatest Hits". This album was originally released in 2000. This week's new entry marks the 50th. week on the chart for this compilation.

Elvis’ collection, re-released in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of his death, reaches a new peak of #2 following its previous best of #8 achieved in 2000.Elvis holds the record for the most Number 1 albums ever achieved by a solo artist; he topped the Official Albums Chart last year with his 13th Number 1 album The Wonder Of You, his collaborative collection with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Official UK Top 40 Albums Chart Top 5:
1 Ed Sheeran - Divide (with 15,343 copies sold)
2 50 Elvis Presley -  The 50 Greatest Hits (with 15,308 copies sold)
3 Glen Campbell - Adios
4 Kesha - Rainbow
5 Rag’n’Bone Man - Human

Other UK charts this week:

• The "The 50 Greatest Hits" album is a new entry at #18 on the Official UK Album Downloads chart.
• The "The 50 Greatest Hits" album is a new entry at #52 on the Official UK Album Streaming chart.
• The "The 50 Greatest Hits" album is a new entry at #1 on the Official Physical Sales Album Downloads chart.
• The "The 50 Greatest Hits" album is a new entry at #1 on the Official UK Album Sales chart.
• The "The Platinum Collection" rises from #65 to #49 on the Album Sales Chart and also rises from 50 to 39 on the Physical Album Chart
• 'The Wonder Of You' is a re-entry at 67 on the Album Sales Chart and is also a re-entry at 61 on the Physical Album Chart
• The "If I Can Dream" album is a re-entry at #94 on the Album Sales Chart and is also a re-entry at #87 on the Physical Album Chart
• The "A Boy From Tupelo" set drops from #79 to #91 on the Physical Album Chart
• The 6-DVD-Box "The Elvis Collection" re-entered the Official UK Music DVD chart at #7. 
• The "Elvis Lives – The 25th Anniversary Concert" DVD re-entered the Official UK Music DVD chart at #37.
• The 3 DVD Box "Elvis – The DVD Gold Collection" entered the Official UK Music DVD chart at #45.

European Charts

• The "The 50 Greatest Hits" album is a new entry at #34 on the Official Irish Album chart.
• The "The 50 Greatest Hits" album is a new entry at #1 on the Official Scottish Album chart.
• The "The Real Elvis" album rises from #30 to #10 on the Scottish Album Chart
• The "The Platinum Collection" set rises from #85 to #48 on the Scottish Album Chart
• The "Rockin' Elvis - The Absolutely" album is a re-entry at 72 on the Scottish Album Chart
• The "The Wonder Of You" is a re-entry at #89 on the Scottish Album Chart
• The "If I Can Dream" album is a re-entry at #90 on the Scottish Album Chart
• The "Top 40 - His Ultimate Top 40 Collection" climbed from #11 to #7 on the Belgian Mid-price Album chart. 
• On the Dutch Mid-pice Album chart the "50 Greatest Hits" is a new entry at #39.
• On the Dutch Mid-pice Album chart the "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" is a re-entry at #11.
• The "The Wonder Of You" CD climbed fro m #25 to #4 on the French Album chart at #25. 
• The double album "Elvis Symphonique – Elvis Presley Avec Le Royal Philharmonic Orchestra" entered the Swiss Album chart at #55

Billboard Charts

• The "The Wonder Of You" album climbed from #3 to #2 on the US Billboard Classical Album chart. 
• The "Ultimate Gospel" album climbed from #37 to #28 on the US Christian Album chart. 
• The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation dropped from #35 to #40 on the US Billboard Country Album chart. 

Australian Charts

• The DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More" climbed from #33 to #14 on the Australian Music DVD chart

(Source: BBC / FECC / Official Chart Company / Billboard / Brian Quinn / The King's World / Dutchcharts)

August 17 - Vigil Numbers Down On 2012

Forty years ago today, Elvis Presley died in his Memphis home. As one of the world's biggest stars and a pioneering voice in rock and roll music, news of his death at age 42 would give rise to the cult of personality that endures still today.

It's a fandom that drew an estimated crowd of 50,000 to 60,000 people last night to Elvis Presley Boulevard for Graceland's annual Candlelight Vigil, about 15,000 fewer than five years ago. Officials predicted a larger than average attendance this year, enticed by the recent $130 million expansion of the entertainment complex.

But many long-time Elvis fans had as much to say about the corporate changes at Graceland and EPE as they did about their love for the King of Rock and Roll.
"It's just not the same; it just isn't," said Kelly Diakonis, a frequent vigil attendee from Chicago. She was first in line outside the famous gates of Graceland on Tuesday afternoon.

"I don't think it's only me, most of everybody is saying the same thing. It's kind of Disney World now. It's lost that feeling of being someone's house."
The expansion added gift shops, a hotel and museum exhibits. It also added steeper admission prices.

Cheryl Skogan from LA said the structure and pricing of Elvis Week is broadcasting the wrong message to fans.
"It's not personal anymore; it's too commercial," she said. The most egregious change for die-hard Elvis fans was Graceland's decision to make the vigil a paid event. Traditionally, it has been free, giving everyone who wanted to wait in the enormous line the opportunity to walk quietly past Elvis' grave and pay their respects. Now locals who have no desire to buy tickets to see the Museum during Elvis Week must pay Graceland $28.75 for the privilege. Skogan called the scheme "ridiculous."

Graceland defended the cost, citing crowd size and beefed up security measures that kept many early arrivals standing in long lines just to access the street in front of the house. Far fewer in numbers were the homespun Elvis "shrines" set up most years by local Elvis fans. 

Elvis would have been 82 this year, and while the ages of his fans seem to get ever younger, his music itself remains ageless.

Miley Cyrus Channels Elvis

Miley Cyrus released the title track of her upcoming album together with a brand new music video on Friday. The video is for the song Younger Now, which is her second single off the new album, and features Miley channelling her inner Elvis Presley. The song follows the same style as her first single, Malibu, in that it focuses on her voice and raw instruments. 

(Source: WKNO / Elvis Information Network / Twitter / Channel 24)

August 16 - 40 Years Gone

It will be 40 years on the 16th of August that The King died, leaving millions of fans behind. Still today, his ingenious music, style statements and over the top lifestyle fascinate. The Stylight website partnered with the music streaming platform Deezer, and looked back at 10 things you did not know about Elvis Presley. From his windmill dance move to his rockabilly hair there is no denying, especially with the millions of fans still streaming his songs, The King’s era is still alive.

Click on the illustration or >>> here to download the inforgraphic in high resolution.

Impact Of Elvis Lasts Today

The Dutch NOS news-site did a nice story on the impact of Elvis Presley which still lasts today "There is no new Elvis, because everyone is listening in his own bubble".

He was able to make the black music mainstream, at the heart of pop culture and was a worldwide sex symbol: Elvis Presley. Today, it's forty years since he died in Memphis. His influence on pop music is invaluable. Are there pop artists who are as innovative as Elvis at the time or who have the same impact? Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Beyoncé or Jay Z, for example? Music connoisseurs do not think: "The impact of Elvis is not over."

Music is now everywhere, releases pop journalist Gijsbert Chamber. "A summer hit like Despacito this year can be missed by listening to your own music only. In Elvis's time, you could not hear that, when listening to the radio, you heard Elvis."

"A new Elvis can not be at all, that's been," says Leo Blokhuis. "He is the big bang of pop culture - even though there was a prelude." Rock-'n-roll originated as black music, but Elvis made the music stream mainstream and eventually all other pop music came out, Blokhuis said. "The musical revolution makes him unique, that impact he has and can not be overlooked by anyone."

In the segregated America of the 1950s, a white artist like Elvis was required to grow rock-n roll, Blokhuis explains. "In addition, Elvis added his appearance and appearance, making the connection between black and white, which made a huge impact."

During the first TV shows in The Ed Sullivan Show, he should not be filmed under his waist. "Moving his hips was obscene, which indicates what shock he caused in America in the 1950s."

The time joint was unique, say Room and Blokhuis. "Elvis and The Beatles were the first to make pop music so popular," said Chamber. "Ultimately, all modern music currents are rock-n-roll branches, shortly afterwards, pop, soul, funk, r & b and hard rock originated, which is a consequence of Elvis's big bang," Blokhuis said.

Now, in a time of music on YouTube and Spotify, it's different. It is much fragmented. "I've been hoping for a real pop star once again that connects everyone," said Chamber. "But it's difficult, now everyone is listening to music in his own bubble. You have your own Spotify playlist and do not have to listen to what's popular."


Individually, an artist can still have huge impact, Blokhuis thinks. "If I look at Justin Bieber's concerts, I believe he has huge impact on all the girls who are watching, but that's individual." Chamber also thinks that a teenager like Bieber can not make the same impact: "We will not know him about fifty years now, as we know Elvis now."

The original article in >>> Dutch. 

(Source: Stylight / NOS)