Friday, March 15, 2019

March 15 - Vegas ’69 - This Is The Story (Updated 18/03)

The Madison import-label is back with "Vegas '69 - This is the Story", the first vinyl release of the label. This is a limited edition that comes on transparant, gold, black and red vinyl and on a CD as a bonus. Each color limited to 200 copies. 

From the press-release: Madison is finally back!

This time to announce their first ever vinyl release titled ‘Vegas ’69 - This Is The Story’ just in time for the 50th anniversary of these special shows. Presented as a stunning double LP set, in three different colors (clear, gold, and red), and naturally on black vinyl. You’ll have the ultimate compilation of this very special time in history, Mixed as one long show, hear Elvis sing his heart out, with songs like My Babe, I Got A Woman, Reconsider Baby, Funny How Time Slips Away, This Is The Story and many more! As a bonus we added a CD in its own period cardboard sleeve, for those who like to listen in their car or just for easy playback. This release will be an exclusive limited edition of 200 copies of each color only! 

In 1969 Elvis made his triumphant return to live performances following his recent and successful TV special ‘Elvis’ nowadays better known as his ’68 Comeback’, in which we saw a Elvis that was unleashed and unplugged, singing his guts out like a roaring tiger, the real Elvis was back after years of making formula movies, Elvis returned with a passion that had been gone for quite some time. The next step was Las Vegas, Nevada, Elvis would perform an almost month long engagement from July 31st until August 28,

In the city that he failed to win over back in the 50’s. Obviously nervous, Elvis would be performing twice a day, but would the audience accept him this time? The answer is a definite yes! Elvis sold out show after show, and the audience was ecstatic, with a new band selected by Elvis himself, and backing vocalists, Elvis conquered Las Vegas, singing his older hits Jailhouse Rock, Don’t Be Cruel, All Shook Up and Heartbreak Hotel but also recent hits like Suspicious Minds and In The Ghetto, while also showing some of his roots by playing the electric guitar, and performing select covers of artists and music styles that inspired him. Elvis showed the audience that he was still as great as ever. 

LP 1 - Side A
01. Blue Suede Shoes (August 21, 1969 MS)
02. I Got A Woman (August 23, 1969 MS)
03. All Shook Up (August 21, 1969 MS)
04. Heartbreak Hotel (August 21, 1969 MS)
05. Jailhouse Rock / Don't Be Cruel (August 26, 1969 MS)
06. My Babe (August 26, 1969 DS) 
07. Hound Dog (August 26, 1969 DS

Side B: 
01. Rubberneckin' (August 26, 1969 MS)
02. Mystery Train-Tiger Man (August 26, 1969 MS)
03. I Can't Stop Loving You (August 26, 1969 MS)
04. Baby What You Want Me To Do (August 22, 1969 MS)
05. Funny How Time Slips Away (August 22, 1969 MS)
06. Reconsider Baby (August 23, 1969 MS)

LP 2 - Side C
01. Runaway (August 26, 1969 MS)
02. Inherit The Wind (August 26, 1969 DS)
03. This Is The Story (August 26, 1969 MS)
04. In The Ghetto (August 23, 1969 MS)
05. Suspicious Minds (August 26, 1969 MS)
06. Can't Help Falling In Love (August 25, 1969 MS)

LP 2 - Side D (Bonus Side)
01. Memories (Bonus, August 3, 1969)
02. Are You Lonesome Tonight (Bonus, August 3, 1969)
03. What'd I Say (August 21, 1969 MS)
04. Words (August 25, 1969 DS)
05. Yesterday - Hey Jude (August 21, 1969 MS)

Bobby Morris Biography


Due for release from Hudson Music on May 1, 2019 is the book "Bobby Morris My Las Vegas - With Elvis, Sinatra, Streisand, Darin, Prima & More" by Bobby Morris and J. J. Grant.

From the publisher:
"My Las Vegas is the incredible life story of Bobby Morris, who arrived in the U.S. from Poland at age ten, where he shined shoes and dreamed of being a drummer, and rose to become a music legend both behind the drums and in the Vegas entertainment industry. Leaving home as a teenager during the height of the Great Depression, Morris witnessed the birth of bebop coming from Harlem, and is himself credited with laying down some of the very first beats of rock n roll.

Hearing about a little town out west called Las Vegas, Morris arrived there in 1950 and proceeded to carve out a niche for himself in the music and entertainment management worlds, ascending to accompanist to the greatest stars of all time: Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Eddie Fisher and dozens of others.

Achieving fame as the drummer for Louis Prima s Witnesses during a golden age in Vegas, Morris eventually became the conductor and friend of Elvis Presley. He rubbed elbows with American presidents, playing the Kennedy Inauguration and befriending a young actor named Ronald Reagan. Also an important figure on the business side of the industry, Morris ran the successful Bobby Morris Agency, Inc. from his own building in downtown Las Vegas, and was involved in management, booking and entertainment direction of many of the major hotels and venues on the Strip.

This, his autobiography, is the inspiring and nearly unbelievable story of one man achieving his dreams and rubbing elbows with the greatest personalities of the twentieth century in the process.


Also included are Bobby's tips on success in the music business, preparing for an audition, business negotiations and more."

Chauncey Crumpacker Died


Chauncey "Chick" Crumpacker, a three-time grammy-nominated producer and executive for RCA Victor who brought Elvis Presley to the label, died on Tuesday. He was 91. 


Born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, Crumpacker's career in music began in 1953 in RCA Victor's A&R department shortly after moving to New York City. During his time in A&R, he played a key role in bringing Presley to the label from Sun Records and then toured and traveled with the now-iconic rocker. He also tried to bring Johnny Cash to the label, but was ultimately unsuccessful after the label failed to support the move. 

(Source: FECC / Hudson Music / Elvis Club Berlin / Billboard)