June 30 - Vinyl Fun with Girls!

Due for release from the DOL label on July 05, 2019 are vinyl re-issues of the “Fun in Acapulco” and “Girls! Girls! Girls!” soundtracks. These re-issues come with two additional bonus-tracks packed in a gatefold cover. 

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Juno)

June 28 - Worldwide RCA Discography

Paul Dowling is working on a new book covering Elvis’ worldwide RCA vinyl discography. The book should be due next year. He shares some nice previews of rare vinyl releases from around the world on his Worldwide Elvis Facebook page. Have a look and see if you can help him with rare release he is still looking for to complete his book. 

Link: >>> Worldwide Elvis.

(Source: Worldwide Elvis)

June 28 - Weekly Chart Update (Updated June 01)

The weekly global chart update. Elvis Presley made a re-entry on the main US Billboard Album Top 200 chart, and improved himself this week. 

US Billboard charts:

• US Billboard Album Top 200: “The Essential Elvis Presley” climbed from #172 to #148.
• US Billboard Top Catalog Albums chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” climbed from #50 to #39.
• US Billboard Top Rock Albums: “The Essential Elvis Presley” climbed from #36 to #30.
• US Billboard Top Country Albums: “The Essential Elvis Presley” climbed from #21 to #18.
• US Billboard Country Album Sales chart: “The Best Of The '68 Comeback Special” dropped from #26 to #34.
• US Billboard Country Catalog Albums: “The Essential Elvis Presley” climbed from #22 to #13.
• US Billboard Country Catalog Albums: “”Elvis: Ultimate Gospel” dropped from #17 to #24.
• US Billboard Country Catalog Albums: “Heart and Soul” re-entry #25.
• US Billboard Top Christian Albums chart: “Elvis: Ultimate Gospel” dropped from #24 to #36.
• US Billboard Soundtrack Album Sales chart: “The Best Of The '68 Comeback Special” re-entry at #25.

Official UK charts:

• Official UK Streaming Albums chart: “The 50 Greatest Hits” climbed from #87 to #80.
• Official UK Gospel and Christian Album chart: “Where No One Stands Alone” remained steady at #9.
• Official UK Music DVD chart: “Elvis The Searcher” dropped from #12 to #19.

Official Irish charts:

• Official IRMA Music DVD chart: “Elvis - The Searcher” remained steady at #3.

Official Scottish charts:

• Official Scottish Album chart: “Elvis at the Movies - 60 Essential Recordings” climbed from #74 to #56.

Australian ARIA charts:

• Australian ARIA Music DVD chart: “’68 Comeback Special - 50th Anniversary Edition” climbed from #5 to #4.

(Source: UK Mix / Billboard / Official Chart Company / IRMA)

June 27 - Elvis Live 1969

The 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s transformative Las Vegas residency at the International Hotel will be commemorated this summer with "Live 1969," a deluxe 11-CD box set out August 9 on RCA/Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. 

Marking his return to the stage for the first time in eight years, Elvis’ 1969 Vegas run featured 57 sold-out shows and the live debut of his signature #1 hit “Suspicious Minds” (the track celebrates its 50th anniversary on August 26). The transcendent performances included The King of Rock and Roll backed by two vocal groups (The Imperials and The Sweet Inspirations), a full orchestra and a band later known as the TCB band.  

"Live 1969" is the definitive collection of the king at the height of his power. For the first time ever, it features the release of eleven complete sets from Elvis’ August 1969 engagement at Las Vegas’ International Hotel. Of these performances, four are being released in full for the first time ever - including two Elvis shows that have remained almost completely unheard for fifty years (August 22 and 25). 

• August 21 1969 Midnight Show (previously released on BMG 'Viva Las Vegas CD2')
• August 22 1969 Dinner Show (previously released on FTD 'Elvis In Person CD2')
• August 22 1969 Midnight Show (Unreleased as complete show)
• August 23 1969 Saturday Dinner Show (previously released on the 2019 Record Store Day vinyl release)
• August 23 1969 Saturday Midnight Show (previously released on FTD 'Elvis At The International')
• August 24 1969  Dinner Show (previously released on BMG box-set 'Live In Las Vegas CD1')
• August 24 1969 Midnight Show - Unreleased as complete show
• August 25 1969 Dinner Show - Unreleased as complete show
• August 25 1969 Midnight Show (previously released on FTD 'Hot August Night')
• August 26 1969 Dinner Show (previously released on FTD 'Live In Vegas')
• August 26 1969 Tuesday Midnight Show (previously released on FTD 'All Shook Up')

The package also includes a 52-page booklet with rare photos, memorabilia and an oral history by Ken Sharp curated from historic interviews with Elvis, Colonel Tom Parker, Tom Jones, Jerry Schilling, James Burton, Cissy Houston, Terry Blackwood, George Klein, Fats Domino and more. 

Also, being released on August 9 is the special 2-LP "Live at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, NV August 26, 1969." The vinyl release features Elvis’ complete set from August 26’s Midnight show. The material includes a repertoire of blues-tinged rock ‘n’ roll, beautiful ballads and his two, brand-new hit singles “In The Ghetto” and “Suspicious Minds.” The performance also gives rare insight into an otherwise very private man, as Elvis cracks jokes and tells in-depth stories about his career. 
Additionally, an exclusive limited-edition hot pink and yellow version of the 2-LP "Live at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, NV August 26, 1969," will be available through Shop Graceland.

Elvis’ residency at the International Hotel followed his massively successful Comeback Special on NBC-TV in 1968, featuring Elvis for 29 nights and a total of 57 sold-out performances. The International Hotel boasted the biggest showroom in Vegas at the time, with a stage large enough for a 40-piece orchestra and capable of seating 2,000 (although 200 more were accommodated each night). The shows were considered to be a dazzling success by fans and critics alike.

In addition to "Live in 1969," RCA/Legacy Recordings will release "American Sound 1969" digitally on August 23. The collection features over 90 tracks of rare and unreleased material from Elvis’ 1969 American Sound Studio sessions – which resulted in his "From Elvis In Memphis" record later that year. "From Elvis In Memphis" ranks among Elvis’ most universally beloved records, spawning the iconic hit “In The Ghetto.” 

The other singles from 1969 include “Don’t Cry Daddy,” “Suspicious Minds,” and “Mama Liked The Roses,” each of which went on to sell over one million copies. “Suspicious Minds” became Elvis’ 18th and final single to top the Billboard 100 - a prime example of his late career renaissance. "American Sound 1969" includes alternate versions of each of these classics and more.

Tracks "Live 1969":

Disc 1 Show 1 – August 21, 1969. Midnight Show
01) Blue Suede Shoes* (Carl Perkins)
02) I Got A Woman (Ray Charles)
03) All Shook Up (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley
04) Love Me Tender (Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
05) Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)/ (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
06) Heartbreak Hotel (Tommy Durden/Mae Boren Axton/Elvis Presley)
07) Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
08) Memories (Billy Strange/Scott “Mac” Davis)
09) Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Junior Parker/Sam Phillips)/ (Joe Hill Louis/Sam Burns)
10) Monologue*
11) Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Jimmy Reed)
12) Runaway (Max Crook/Del Shannon)
13) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Roy Turk/Lou Handman)
14) Yesterday/Hey Jude (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)/ (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
15) Introductions Including “Happy Birthday” Sung To James Burton)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set 08-13-1991
16) In The Ghetto (Scott “Mac” Davis)
17) Suspicious Minds (Mark James)
18) What’d I Say (Ray Charles)
19) Can’t Help Falling In Love (Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss)
Tracks 2-9, 11-19 First Issued On The Album Viva Las Vegas-7-31-2007
*Previously Unreleased

Disc 2 Show 2 – August 22, 1969. Dinner Show
1) Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins)
First Release: RCA Walmart Special (Us) and International BMG Elvis Viva Las Vegas 2-CD Set- 07-31-2007
2) I Got A Woman (Ray Charles)
3) All Shook Up (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
4) Love Me Tender (Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
5) Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)/ (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
6) Heartbreak Hotel (Tommy Durden/Mae Boren Axton/Elvis Presley)
7) Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
8) Memories (Billy Strange/Scott “Mac“ Davis)
9) Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Junior Parker/Sam Phillips)/ (Joe Hill Louis/Sam Burns)
10) Monologue
First Release: RCA Walmart Special (Us) and International BMG Elvis Viva Las Vegas 2-CD- 07-31-2007
11) Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Jimmy Reed)
12) Runaway (Max Crook/Del Shannon)
13) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Roy Turk/Lou Handman)
14) Yesterday/Hey Jude (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)/ (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
15) Introductions
16) In The Ghetto (Scott “Mac” Davis)
17) Suspicious Minds (Mark James)
18) What’d I Say (Ray Charles)
19) Can’t Help Falling In Love (Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss)
Complete Show Release: FTD Elvis In Person At The International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada 2-CD-12-2008

Disc 3 Show 3 – August 22, 1969. Midnight Show
1) Blue Suede Shoes* (Carl Perkins)
2) I Got A Woman * (Ray Charles)
3) All Shook Up* (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
4) Love Me Tender (Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set-08-13-1991
5) Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)/ (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD -08-13-1991
6) Heartbreak Hotel* (Tommy Durden/Mae Boren Axton/Elvis Presley)
7) Hound Dog* (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
8) Memories* (Billy Strange/Scott “Mac” Davis)
9) My Babe (Willie Dixon)
First Release: RCA Elvis: Today, Tomorrow and Forever 4-CD Set 06-25-2002
10) Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Junior Parker/Sam Phillips)/ (Joe Hill Louis/Sam Burns)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set -08-13-1991
11) Monologue*
12) Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Jimmy Reed)
First Release: RCA Elvis: Today, Tomorrow and Forever 4-CD Set-06-25-2002
13) Funny How Time Slips Away (Willie Nelson)
First Release: RCA Elvis: Today, Tomorrow and Forever 4-CD Set-06-25-2002
14) Runaway (Max Crook/Del Shannon)
First Release: RCA Elvis: Today, Tomorrow and Forever 4-CD Set-06-25-2002
15) Are You Lonesome Tonight?* (Roy Turk/Lou Handman)
16) Yesterday/Hey Jude* (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)/ (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
17) Introductions*
18) In The Ghetto* (Scott “Mac” Davis)
19) Suspicious Minds* (Mark James)
20) What’d I Say (Ray Charles)
First Release: RCA Elvis: Today, Tomorrow and Forever 4-CD Set 06-25-2002
21) Can’t Help Falling In Love* (Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss)
*Previously Unreleased
Previously Unreleased As A Complete Show

Disc 4 Show 4 – August 23, 1969. Dinner Show
01) Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins)
02) I Got A Woman (Ray Charles)
03) All Shook Up (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
04) Love Me Tender (Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
05) Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)/ (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
06) Heartbreak Hotel (Tommy Durden/Mae Boren Axton/Elvis Presley)
07) Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
08) Memories (Billy Strange/Scott “Mac” Davis)
09) Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Junior Parker/Sam Phillips)/ (Joe Hill Louis/Sam Burns)
10) Monologue
11) Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Jimmy Reed)
12) Runaway (Max Crook/Del Shannon)
13) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Roy Turk/Lou Handman)
14) Yesterday/Hey Jude (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)/ (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
15) Introductions
16) In The Ghetto (Scott “Mac” Davis)
17) Suspicious Minds (Mark James)
18) What’d I Say (Ray Charles)
19) Can’t Help Falling In Love (Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss)
First Release: RCA 2-Lp Set The International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 23, 1969- 04-13-2019

Disc 5 Show 5 – August 23, 1969. Midnight Show
01) Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins)
02) I Got A Woman (Ray Charles)
03) All Shook Up (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
04) Love Me Tender (Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
05) Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)/ (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
06) Heartbreak Hotel (Tommy Durden/Mae Boren Axton/Elvis Presley)
07) Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
08) Memories (Billy Strange/Scott ”Mac” Davis)
09) Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Junior Parker/Sam Phillips)/ (Joe Hill Louis/Sam Burns)
10) Monologue
11) Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Jimmy Reed)
12) Runaway (Max Crook/Del Shannon)
13) Reconsider Baby (Lowell Fulsom)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set -08-13-1991
14) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Roy Turk/Lou Handman)
15) Yesterday/Hey Jude (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
16) Introductions
17) In The Ghetto (Scott “Mac” Davis)
18) Suspicious Minds (Mark Davis)
19) What’d I Say (Ray Charles)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set 08-13-1991
An Edited Version Was First Released On RCA Elvis-Greatest Hits Volume One 11-1981
20) Can’t Help Falling In Love (Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss)
Complete Show Release: FTD Elvis At The International- 01-2003

Disc 6 Show 6 – August 24, 1969. Dinner Show
01) Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins)
02) I Got A Woman (Ray Charles)
03) All Shook Up (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
04) Love Me Tender (Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
05) Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)/ (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
06) Heartbreak Hotel (Tommy Durden/Mae Boren Axton/Elvis Presley)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set 08-13-1991
07) Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
08) I Can’t Stop Loving You (Don Gibson)
09) Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry)
10) Monologue
11) Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Jimmy Reed)
12) Runaway (Max Crook/Del Shannon)
13) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Roy Turk/Lou Handman)
14 Yesterday/Hey Jude (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)/ (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
First Release: (“Yesterday” Only) RCA Elvis Aron Presley 8-Lp Set 08-1980
15) Introductions
16) In The Ghetto (Scott “Mac” Davis)
17) Suspicious Minds (Mark James)
18) What’d I Say (Ray Charles)
19) Can’t Help Falling In Love (Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss)
Complete Show Release: RCA Live In Las Vegas 4-CD Set -7-10-2001

Disc 7 Show 7- August 24, 1969. Midnight Show
01) Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins)
First Release: FTD Writing For The King (Book and 2-CD Set)- 11-2006
02) I Got A Woman (Ray Charles)
First Release: FTD Writing For The King (Book and 2-CD Set)- 11-2006
03) All Shook Up (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
First Release: FTD Writing For The King (Book and 2-CD Set)- 11-2006
04) Love Me Tender (Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
First Release: FTD Writing For The King (Book and 2-CD Set)- 11-2006
05) Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)/ (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
First Release: FTD Writing For The King (Book and 2-CD Set)- 11-2006
06) Heartbreak Hotel (Tommy Durden/Mae Boren Axton/Elvis Presley)
First Release: FTD Writing For The King (Book and 2-CD Set)-11-2006
07) Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
First Release: FTD Writing For The King (Book and 2-CD Set)-11-2006
08) I Can’t Stop Loving You* (Don Gibson)
09) Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry)
First Release: RCA From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis 2 Lp Set-10-14-1969
10) Monologue*
11) Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Jimmy Reed)
First Release: RCA Platinum – A Life In Music 4 CD Set-7-15-1997
12) Runaway* (Max Crook/Del Shannon)
13) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Roy Turk/Lou Handman)
First Release: RCA From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis 2 Lp Set-10-14-1969
14) Words (Robin, Barry and Maurice Gibb)
First Release: RCA Platinum – A Life In Music 4 CD Set-7-15-1997
15) Yesterday/Hey Jude (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)/ (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
First Release: FTD Writing For The King (Book and 2-CD Set)- 11-2006
16) Introductions*
17) In The Ghetto (Scott “Mac” Davis)
First Release: RCA Elvis Aron Presley 8-Lp Set 08-1980
18) Suspicious Minds (Mark James)
First Release: FTD Writing For The King (Book and 2-CD Set)-11-2006
19) Can’t Help Falling In Love (Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss)
First Release: FTD Writing For The King (Book and 2-CD Set)-11-2006
*Previously Unreleased
Previously Unreleased As A Complete Show

Disc 8 Show 8 – August 25, 1969. Dinner Show
01) Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set -08-13-1991
02) I Got A Woman (Ray Charles)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set-08-13-1991
03) All Shook Up* (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
04) Love Me Tender* (Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
05) Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel* (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)/ (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
06) Heartbreak Hotel* (Tommy Durden/Mae Boren Axton/Elvis Presley)
07) Hound Dog* (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
08) Memories (Billy Strange/Scott “Mac” Davis)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set-08-13-1991
09) Mystery Train/Tiger Man* (Junior Parker/Sam Phillips)/ (Joe Hill Louis/Sam Burns)
10) Monologue*
11) Baby, What You Want Me To Do* (Jimmy Reed)
12) Funny How Time Slips Away (Willie Nelson)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set-08-13-1991
13) Runaway (Max Crook/Del Shannon)
First Release: RCA On Stage – February, 1970-06-01-1970
14) Words (Robin, Barry and Maurice Gibb)
First Release: FTD Writing For The King (Book and 2-CD Set)-11-2006
15) Yesterday/Hey Jude (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)/ (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
First Release: (“Yesterday”): RCA On Stage – February, 1970-06-01-1970
First Release: (“Hey Jude”): RCA On Stage (1999 Re-Release)-05-18-1999
16) Introductions*
17) In The Ghetto (Scott “Mac” Davis)
First Release: RCA From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis 2-Lp Set-10-14-1969
18) Suspicious Minds* (Mark James)
19) What’d I Say* (Ray Charles)
20) Can’t Help Falling In Love* (Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss)
*Previously Unreleased
Previously Unreleased As A Complete Show

Disc 9 Show 9 – August 25, Midnight Show
01) Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins)
First Release: RCA From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis 2-Lp Set-10-14-1969
02) I Got A Woman (Ray Charles)
03) All Shook Up (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
First Release: RCA From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis 2-Lp Set 10-14-1969
04) Love Me Tender (Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
05) Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)/ (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
06) Heartbreak Hotel (Tommy Durden/Mae Boren Axton/Elvis Presley)
07) Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
First Release: RCA From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis 2-Lp Set-10-14-1969
08) I Can’t Stop Loving You (Don Gibson)
First Release: RCA From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis 2-Lp Set-10-14-1969
09) My Babe (Willie Dixon)
First Release: RCA From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis 2-Lp Set-10-14-1969
10) Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Junior Parker/Sam Phillips)/ (Joe Hill Louis/Sam Burns)
First Release: RCA From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis 2-Lp Set-10-14-1969
11) Monologue
12) Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Jimmy Reed)
13) Runaway (Max Crook/Del Shannon)
14) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Roy Turk/Lou Handman)
15) Words (Robin, Barry and Maurice Gibb)
First Release: RCA From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis 2-Lp Set-10-14-1969
16) Yesterday/Hey Jude (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)/ (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
17) Introductions
18) In The Ghetto (Scott “Mac” Davis)
First Release: FTD Writing For The King (Book and 2-CD Set)-11-2006
19) Suspicious Minds (Mark James)
20) What’d I Say (Ray Charles)
21) Can’t Help Falling In Love (Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss)
Complete Show Release: FTD Hot August Night-06-2013

Disc 10 Show 10 – August 26, 1969. Dinner Show
01) Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins)
02) I Got A Woman (Ray Charles)
03) All Shook Up (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
04) Love Me Tender (Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
05) Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)/ (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
06) Heartbreak Hotel (Tommy Durden/Mae Boren Axton/Elvis Presley)
07) Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
08) Memories (Billy Strange/Scott “Mac” Davis)
09) My Babe (Willie Dixon)
First Release: RCA Elvis Aron Presley 8-Lp Set -08-1980
10) Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Junior Parker/Sam Phillips)/ (Joe Hill Louis/Sam Burns)
11) Monologue
12) Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Jimmy Reed)
13) Runaway (Max Crook/Del Shannon)
14) Inherit The Wind (Eddie Rabbitt)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set-08-13-1991
15) Yesterday/Hey Jude (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)/ (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
16) Introductions
17) In The Ghetto (Scott “Mac” Davis)
18) Suspicious Minds (Mark James)
First Release: RCA From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis 2-Lp Set-10-14-1969
19) Can’t Help Falling In Love (Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss)
First Release: RCA From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis 2-Lp Set-10-14-1969
Complete Show Release: FTD Live In Vegas-02-2011

Disc 11 Show 11 – August 26, 1969. Midnight Show
01) Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins)
02) I Got A Woman (Ray Charles)
03) All Shook Up (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
04) Love Me Tender (Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
05) Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)/ (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
06) Heartbreak Hotel (Tommy Durden/Mae Boren Axton/Elvis Presley)
07) Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
08) I Can’t Stop Loving You (Don Gibson)
09) Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Junior Parker/Sam Phillips)/ (Joe Hill Louis/Sam Burns)
10) Monologue
11) Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Jimmy Reed)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set-08-13-1991
12) Runaway Max Crook/Del Shannon)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set-08-13-1991
13) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Laughing Version) (Roy Turk/Lou Handman)
First Release: RCA Elvis Aron Presley 8-Lp Set-08-1980
14) Rubberneckin’ (Dory Jones/Bunny Warren)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set-08-13-1991 (Complete Version Only)
15) Yesterday/Hey Jude (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)/ (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
16) Introductions
17) In The Ghetto (Scott “Mac” Davis)
18) This Is The Story (Chris Arnold/Geoff Morrow/David Martin)
First Release: RCA Collectors Gold 3-CD Set-08-13-1991
19) Suspicious Minds (Mark James)
20) Can’t Help Falling In Love (Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss)
Complete Show Release: FTD All Shook Up-07-2005

Live At The International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nv, August 26, 1969 Track List 

LP 1 – Side A
1. Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins)
2. I Got A Woman (Ray Charles)
3. All Shook Up (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
4. Love Me Tender (Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
5. Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)/(Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
6. Heartbreak Hotel (Tommy Durden/Mae Boren Axton/Elvis Presley)
7. Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)

LP 1 – Side B
1. I Can’t Stop Loving You (Don Gibson)
2. Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Junior Parker/Sam Phillips)/(Joe Hill Louis/Sam Burns)
3. Monologue 

LP 2 – Side C
1. Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Jimmy Reed)
2. Runaway (Max Crook/Del Shannon)
3. Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Laughing Version) (Roy Turk/Lou Handman)
4. Rubberneckin’ (Dory Jones/Bunny Warren)
5. Yesterday/Hey Jude (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)/(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

LP 2 – Side D
1. In The Ghetto (Scott “Mac” Davis)
2. This Is The Story (Chris Arnold/Geoff Morrow/David Martin)
3. Suspicious Minds (Mark James)
4. Can’t Help Falling In Love (Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss)

Tracks "American Sound 1969":

1 Long Black Limousine (Takes 1, 2, 3 & 5)
2 Long Black Limousine (Take 6)
3 Long Black Limousine (Takes 7, 8 & 9)
4 Long Black Limousine (Take 9)
5 This Is the Story (Takes 1 & 2)
6 Wearin' That Loved On Look (Takes 1, 2, 3 & 5)
7 Wearin' That Loved On Look (Take 10)
8 Wearin' That Loved On Look (Takes 12, 13 & 14)
9 Wearin' That Loved On Look (Take 15)
10 You'll Think of Me (Takes 1-6)
11 You'll Think of Me (Take 7)
12 You'll Think of Me (Take 8)
13 You'll Think of Me (Takes 11 & 14)
14 You'll Think of Me (Take 16)
15 You'll Think of Me (Takes 19, 20 & 22)
16 You'll Think of Me (Take 23)

1 I'm Movin' On (Takes 1-2)
2 I'm Movin' On (Take 2)
3 A Little Bit of Green (Rehearsal)
4 A Little Bit of Green (Take 1)
5 A Little Bit of Green (Takes 2-3)
6 Gentle On My Mind (with track replacement overdubs and master vocal)
7 Don't Cry Daddy (Take 3)
8 Poor Man's Gold (Take 12)
9 Inherit the Wind (Take 1, rehearsal, take 4)
10 Mama Liked the Roses (master track with alternate vocal overdub)
11 Mama Liked the Roses (master track with master vocal overdub)
12 My Little Friend (master track with master vocal overdub)
13 In the Ghetto (Take 1)
14 In the Ghetto (Takes 2-3)
15 In the Ghetto (Take 4)
16 In the Ghetto (Takes 5-10)
17 In the Ghetto (Take 11)
18 In the Ghetto (Take 13)
19 In the Ghetto (Take 19)
20 In the Ghetto (Take 20)
21 In the Ghetto (Take 22)

1 Rubberneckin' (Takes 1-2)
2 Hey Jude (Take 1)
3 Hey Jude (Takes 3, 5, 6 & 7)
4 From a Jack to King (Takes 1-3)
5 From a Jack to King (Takes 4-5)
6 Without Love (There Is Nothing) [Take 1]
7 Without Love (There Is Nothing) [Takes 2-4]
8 Without Love (There Is Nothing) [Take 5]
9 I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) [Take 1]
10 I'll Be There (Takes 1-3)
11 I'll Be There (Takes 4-6)
12 Suspicious Minds (Takes 1-5)
13 Suspicious Minds (Take 6)
14 Suspicious Minds (Take 7)
15 Suspicious Minds (Take 8)

1 Stranger In My Own Home Town (Jam)
2 Medley: It's My Way / This Time / I Can't Stop Loving You (Jam)
3 True Love Travels On a Gravel Road (Take 2)
4 True Love Travels On a Gravel Road (Take 4)
5 True Love Travels On a Gravel Road (Take 5)
6 True Love Travels On a Gravel Road (Takes 6-7)
7 True Love Travels On a Gravel Road (Take 11)
8 And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind (Takes 1, 3 & 5)
9 And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind (Take 6 (master track with live vocal)
10 And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind (Take 6 (master track with overdubbed vocal)
11 Power of My Love (Take 1)
12 Power of My Love (Takes 2 & 3)
13 Power of My Love (Take 6)
14 Power of My Love (Take 7)
15 After Loving You (Take 2)
16 After Loving You (Take 3)
17 After Loving You (Take 4)
18 Do You Know Who I Am? (Takes 1 & 3)
19 Do You Know Who I Am? (Take 4)
20 Do You Know Who I Am? (Take 5)
21 Do You Know Who I Am? (Take 7)

1 Kentucky Rain (Takes 1-3)
2 Kentucky Rain (Takes 5-7)
3 Kentucky Rain (Take 8)
4 Kentucky Rain (Take 9)
5 Kentucky Rain (Take 10)
6 Only the Strong Survive (Take 1)
7 Only the Strong Survive (Takes 8, 11 & 12)
8 Only the Strong Survive (Takes 17, 21 & 22)
9 Only the Strong Survive (Take 29)
10 It Keeps Right On a Hurtin' (Takes 1 & 2)
11 Any Day Now (Takes 1 & 2)
12 Any Day Now (Takes 3 & 4)
13 Any Day Now (Takes 5 & 6)
14 If I'm a Fool (For Loving You) [Takes 1, 2 & 3]
15 If I'm a Fool (For Loving You) [Takes 6, 7, 8 & 9]
16 The Fair's Moving On (track master with vocal overdub)
17 Who Am I? (track master with vocal overdub)

(Source: Sony Legacy / Graceland)

June 26 - Plaque for Colonel Tom Parker

Today on the 110th birthday of Colonel Tom Parker, and on the day that Elvis gave his last concert 42 years ago, a plaque was revealed in the Dutch city Breda where he was born in 1909. The plaque was revealed by a cousin of the Colonel Ad Van Kuijk.

(Source: ElvisMatters)

June 25 - A Blue Date With Elvis

The Music on Vinyl label announced the released of a blue vinyl re-issue of the classic "A Date With Elvis" LP on August 09, 2019. This 60th Anniversary Edition of 2000 individually numbered is housed in a gate-fold sleeve.

From the press-release:
"A Date With Elvis" is Presley's eighth album originally released in July 1959. It is a compilation of previously unreleased material from an August 1956 recording session at 20th Century Fox Stage One, two sessions from Radio Recorders in Hollywood, and multiple sessions at Sun Studio.

Side A
1. Blue Moon Of Kentucky  
2. Milkcow Blues Boogie  
3. Baby, Let's Play House  
4. I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine  
5. Tutti Frutti
6. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You) 
7. I Got A Woman

Side B
1. Good Rockin' Tonight  
2. Is It So Strange  
3. We're Gonna Move  
4. Blue Moon  
5. Just Because  
6. One-Sided Love Affair  
7. Let Me

(Source: Music on Vinyl)

June 24 - Elvis on Blu-ray

Due for release from Twilight Time August 20, 2019 (estimated street-date) is the Blu-ray release of the 1961 classic "Wild in the Country". The movie was already available on Blu-ray in Europe, this release marks it's U.S. debut on Blu-ray. 

Steve Dunleavy Died

Steve Dunleavy, the hard-hitting, hard-drinking journalist who helped define The New York Post as a crime reporter, editor and premier columnist, died Monday at his home on Long Island. He was 81.

Dunleavy once flew to California to entice three members of Elvis Presley’s “Memphis Mafia” bodyguards to reveal the singer’s drug addiction. The ensuing series of stories boosted the circulation of the Star tabloid, where Dunleavy was then working, from 2 million to 3 million, and also led to the publication of a best-selling book, “Elvis: What Happened?” shortly before Presley’s death.

Fans of the King responded with death threats that followed Dunleavy to The Post — where someone even sent a hearse with instructions to pick up his body.

(Source: FECC / Silver Screen Archives / FECC)

June 23 - Jerry Carrigan and Dave Bartholomew Died

Jerry Carrigan died, he was 75. He was the drummer of the first edition of Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section along with Norbert Putnam and David Briggs. He eventually moved to Nashville and became one of the most sought after studio musicians there. His first job for Elvis was in June 1970 and "I've Lost You" was the first song. In the picture Jerry Carrigan is seen during a break in a recording session at RCA Studio B in 1971 top-row left.

Modern Drummer did an interview with Jerry Carrigan:

RF: Speaking of Sam Phillips, what about your work with Elvis Presley?

JC: I first worked with him in 1970. What a thrill that was! The first thing we did was “I’ve Lost You.” I never was crazy about what I played on that stuff, but he always wanted you to have a charging feeling about everything. He wanted you to push him to the wall. I thought it sounded like I was rushing all the time, but they loved it. He would stand out in the middle of the studio, just like being on stage, and he would face you. He would wiggle and point to you when he’d want you to do a fill or something. The first week I worked with him, we did 35 tunes. One of them was “Letter To Sylvia.” We blasted through that stuff. We started at 6:00 at night and worked until 6:00 the next morning. He was definitely nocturnal. He was wonderful. I’ll tell you, when he walked into that studio and I saw him for the first time, there was no doubt that a real star had just appeared. He used to change clothes three times during the evening. It was like a performance.

RF: Just to get into different moods?

JC: Yeah. One time I did a Christmas record with him in July. We walked in, and there was a Christmas tree in there with presents under it.

Dave Bartholomew Died

Dave Bartholomew, the producer, arranger, composer, trumpet player and bandleader who had a major hand in the shaping of New Orleans rhythm and blues and early rock ’n’ roll, died on Sunday in New Orleans. He was 100. Dave Bartholomew, co-writer of “One Night”, “One Night of Sin” and “Witchcraft”. 

From the NY Times:

An influential figure who worked mainly behind the scenes, Mr. Bartholomew was best known for the hits he produced for and wrote with Fats Domino, including “Ain’t That a Shame” (originally released under the name “Ain’t It a Shame”) and “Blue Monday.” Under Mr. Bartholomew’s direction, Mr. Domino placed 65 singles on the Billboard pop chart from 1955 to 1964. Among rock ’n’ roll singers, only Elvis Presley had more during that period.

Dave was one of rock ’n’ roll’s first great producers, he created what might have been the first rock ’n’ roll record with ‘The Fat Man,’ ” a hit for Mr. Domino in 1949. There was nothing else like it at the time. He put a heavy backbeat behind an old blues tune, and it became rock ’n’ roll. That “big beat,” as it came to be known, was supplied by the drummer Earl Palmer, one of several unerringly funky musicians whom Mr. Bartholomew recruited to work in his band.  Besides appearing on his sessions, this tight ensemble played on Little Richard’s volcanic mid-50s hits “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally.” It also backed Sam Cooke, with a young Allen Toussaint on piano, during his 1960 tour of the United States.
A member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he was elected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. He was given a Trustees Award, for lifetime achievement, by the Recording Academy in 2014.

(Flaming Star / Modern Drummer Magazine / FECC / NY Times)

June 21 - Charts at the International (Updated 22/06)

Elvis World Japan added a new double vinyl release "Live at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, NV August 26, 1969 (Midnight Show)". Could be that  the previous information on the upcoming box-set and vinyl double album used the wrong image.

Charts

The weekly global Elvis Presley chart update. In the US Elvis Presley returns to the Catalog Album chart for the first time since 2013, when it spent a single week at #8. He also returns to the Billboard Album Top 200. The last listing on that chart was for one week previously this year.

US Billboard charts:

• US Billboard Album Top 200 chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” re-entry at #172.
• US Billboard Catalog Album chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” re-entry at #50.
• US Billboard Top Rock Album chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” re-entry at #36.
• US Billboard Top Country Album chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” climbed from #40 to #21.
• US Billboard Country Albums Sales chart: “The Best Of The '68 Comeback Special (Soundtrack)” remained steady at #26.
• US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart: “Heart and Soul” dropped off the chart after last week's re-entry at #21.
• US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart: “Elvis: Ultimate Gospel” climbed from #18 to #17.
• US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart: “The Essential Elvis” climbed from #24 to #22.
• US Billboard Top Christian Album chart: “Elvis: Ultimate Gospel” climbed from #25 to #24.
• US Billboard Christian Album Sales: “Where No One Stands Alone” dropped off the chart from last week's #39 spot.
• US Billboard Soundtrack Album Sales chart: “The Best Of The '68 Comeback Special” dropped off the chart after last week's re-entry at #21.
• US Billboard Artist Top 100 chart: Elvis Presley dropped off the chart from last week's re-entry at #92.

Official UK charts:

• Official UK Streaming Album chart: “The 50 Greatest Hits” climbed from #90 to #87.
• Official UK Christian and Gospel Album chart: "Where No One Stands Alone" remained steady at #9.
• Official UK Music Video Chart: "Elvis The Searcher" dropped from #4 to #12.
• Official UK Music Video Chart: "Elvis Lives - Live from Memphis" is a re-entry at #49.

Official Scottish charts:

• Official Scottish Album chart: “Elvis at the Movies - 60 Essential Recordings” dropped from #72 to #74.

Australian ARIA charts

• Australian ARIA charts: “’68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition)” remained steady at #5.

(Source: Elvis World Japan / UK Mix / Billboard / Official Chart Company / ARIA / Fan)

June 19 - Sam Phillips Letters for Sale

Up for sale at Henry Aldridge & Son Auctioneers on Saturday are letters from Sam Phillips that have revealed how a record producer struggled to get a young Elvis Presley's music heard - faced with record executives and DJs who said it 'stinks'.  The letters date from July 1954 when Elvis, then 20, had released his first single. 

The startling criticism has emerged in a series of letters, never seen before in their entirety, due to go up for auction in Devizes, Wiltshire, this weekend. 

The fascinating archive, on sale for £50,000, reveals calamitous calls made by moguls who said Presley's music 'would never sell' despite his popularity in Tennessee.     

Memphis music impresario Sam Phillips, of Sun Records, had written to industry bigwigs citing 'a new artist who is causing tremendous excitement' in the hope Presley's songs could be heard further afield. But his letters met with a lukewarm reception, despite him trying to win over the recipients by saying 'this Presley thing is tremendous' and 'we've got a big one - don't let it get away.'

Miami record distributor, Marvin Lieber, wrote back: 'Locals won't even touch it... as they consider it too racy.' Nate Duroff, of the LA-based Monarch Records, said Elvis' type of music 'stinks'. He wrote: 'Elvis Presley records would not sell in Los Angeles. I know for a fact that Western and Hillbilly out here 'stinks' as far as sales.' The archive of 47 letters cover the 16 months Elvis was signed to Sun Records. The letters belong to a British collector who is now selling them through Henry Aldridge and Son Auctioneers. 

Despite the initial rejections, his career soon soared and he signed with big-time RCA Records in December 1955.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said they document the evolution of Elvis Presley and the birth of rock 'n' roll. He said: 'This is one of the most important archives of letters relating to the earliest parts of Elvis Presley's career ever offered for auction. 'It chronicles the birth of Elvis' career and the genesis of the journey that would lead him on the path to stardom. 'It is being auctioned almost 65 years to the day his debut single was released.

'Elvis was a nobody when he first signed to Sun Records. He recorded That's All Right and the early correspondence from Sam Phillips does not even mention Elvis by name, he was that unknown.

'But as they progress you sense the realisation dawning on Phillips that these record executives had a once- in-a-lifetime opportunity here. 'The tone changes to one of Elvis generating tremendous excitement and record sales in Memphis that had never been heard of before. 'Phillips sent these letters to executives all over America but the response he got back was lukewarm to say the least.

'The rejection letter from Monarch Records stating Elvis Presley would never sell in Los Angeles has to be one of the worse judgments made in the music industry of all time.'

Forty-one of the documents are the carbon copies of letters sent from Sun Records.

Mr Aldridge said: 'When Sam Phillips wanted to send a letter to a record distributor, disc jockey or retail outlet he would dictate the contents to office manager Marion Keisker. 'She would take a sheet of Sun Record Company stationary, put a piece of carbon paper below it, and put a piece of plain white paper below that. 'She would type out the letter, mail the top letter and file the bottom sheet in the Sun's files.
'These copies have been with a couple of serious collectors of Elvis memorabilia and have been certified by the Elvis Presley Museum. 'The current owner, who is British, bought them about 10 years ago and they have never been seen before in their entirety.'

One of the first letters sent by Sun is dated July 29, 1954 to Nate Duroff of Monarch Records. Phillips pleads with Duroff to 'please get this record out there... this record has the necessary potential to sell in any territory in the country. It is definitely going to be one of the biggest records of the year.'

Eight days later he wrote to Bronzeville Distributors in Chicago stating: 'This Presley thing is tremendous. In Memphis there was never a record like it for sales, plays and listener-demand. So ride it, boy, and we'll have it made.'

On August 10, 1954 Phillips wrote to Marvin Leiber of Pan American Distributors in Miami, telling him 'we've got a big one; don't let it get away.'

On September 11, 1954 he wrote to the Campbell-Carl Company of Wichita, Kansas, citing the airplay figures of Elvis' single in Memphis.

Phillips added: 'It is on virtually every Juke location in town and the ops are ordering and re-ordering and re-ordering!'

On November 4, 1954 he chastised the boss of a record company in Philadelphia for not distributing Elvis' songs.

He wrote: 'In the past few months Sun has released a new artist who is creating a tremendous excitement...his name is Elvis Presley, and we sent you samples.

'There has been big movement on the number in virtually every market and we regret that nothing has happened on it in your territory.'

Memphis City Council again delays Graceland Expansion

EPE had planned on teaming up with concert promoter Live Nation to produce concerts on the property, which would range from well-known legacy artists to emerging talent. To do so EPE wanted to expand the complex with a new arena meaning additional costing. Presley’s Memphis entertainment complex already features a 2,000-capacity Graceland Soundstage, and with another 464-capacity theater located inside the Guest House at the Graceland Hotel.
According to reports, City Council members in Memphis, have postponed a vote to approve tax incentives for the $100 million expansion project for the fifth time. Council members are reportedly concerned that an improved and expanded concert schedule at Graceland would put up too much competition to the FedExForum, Memphis’ current main concert venue.


Graceland this week offered a new plan without the soundstages but adding a new “auxiliary building.” Most council members wanted more time to review the new plan. Graceland even left the soundstage part out of their latest proposal, rather stating they would use the incentives to build a new “auxiliary building.”

(Source: Mail Online / Google)