November 21 - On The Road With Elvis (Updated)

Just released is the book "On The Road With Elvis" by Gary Jackson.

From the press-release:
Bruce Jackson was Elvis Presley's touring soundman for six years. On July 5, 1976, in Memphis at the end of a tour, Elvis gave Bruce a gold TCB necklace and welcomed him to the inner circle, adding that it was long overdue. 

Bruce Jackson came from Sydney, Australia. In about 1971, when he was just 22, he became the sound engineer for Elvis Presley. Bruce revolutionised Elvis Presley's sound. He was the first person to put the speakers up off the ground, and fly them from scaffolding. After Elvis died in 1977 he then became Bruce Springsteen's front of house guy. A lot of the sound and techniques in common use today come from elements that Bruce Jackson developed.

'​​Bruce Jackson On The Road With Elvis' is a large format (240 X 315mm, 222 page) beautifully presented hardback book printed on premium, semi-matt art archive paper and comes in a custom made slipcase. This original story, with not only an account of a remarkable Australian's life but also a fresh, new insight into the life of Elvis Presley, will be welcomed by fans who may have thought everything on Elvis's life and career had already been said. Bruce Jackson On The Road With Elvis features many original, never-before-published photographs from the Jackson family collection.​

Raised in a castle overlooking Sydney Harbour, Bruce Jackson dropped out of university course in 1968 to build stroboscopes, amplifiers and color-organs for the emerging psychedelic light show culture. Little did he know that in just three years he'd be on the road managing Elvis Presley's sound and poised to change forever how live concert sound was presented. In six years with the Elvis Presley Show Bruce established a close professional and personal bond with Elvis who trusted him implicitly to deliver the best sound possible. Bruce's inventions and technical advances were adopted by the entire live concert touring industry.

"Bruce was killed flying his own plane in Death Valley, California in 2011. He was a keen collector of memorabilia and left a haunting day to day record of his life on the road in postcards, letters and talking tapes. I've used them plus interviews with his colleagues and my own experience as his younger brother to write a fitting tribute to both men. The book delivers an intimate, engaging narrative of Bruce's extraordinary life, up close with the world's top performer. After Elvis died, Elvis-fan Bruce Springsteen hired Bruce Jackson, saying "I've got Elvis's guy... Elvis's man is working for me in the house."

Years of work have gone into making this book a fitting tribute. Bruce's first person narrative and contributions by friends and colleagues plus the eye-witness perspective of his brother Gary come together for an extraordinary insight. This is, incredibly, a new look at Elvis by someone who worked with him in a professional relationship that evolved into a personal friendship.
Elvis came to respect Bruce Jackson as much as Bruce respected Elvis Presley.

Michele Carey Passed Away

Elvis Presley’s former co-star Michele Carey died. In the movie “Live A Little, Love A Little”, Michele plays Bernice, the eccentric girl who has "different names for different moods". She messes with Elvis' head big-time by "fixing" his life for him, constantly changing her mind, and generally fitting all the "flaky girl" stereotypes of the late sixties, but he puts up with it since she looks like Michele Carey! Along the way, he sings "Edge Of Reality" in a weird dream sequence, and "Almost In Love" to her as she pretends to play acoustic guitar.

(Source: Elvis Information Network/ FECC ? Various)