The Danish Memphis Mansion announced the release of the Deluxe Box Set 'Welcome Home Elvis!' featuring the complete show as recorded on March 26th 1960 and aired on television on May 12th 1960.
The box contains two twelve inch LPs, one 10 inch LP, a booklet, poster and more. The release is planned for February 2021.
From the press release: For the first time ever, you will hear the show in a completely magical sound quality! If you want to give yourself a blast of a new Elvis experience, you shouldn’t hesitate to buy this release!
Tracks: It’s Nice To Go Trav’ling (Opening ensemble) / Frank’s Time Machine (Frank Sinatra and Joey Bishop) / Witchcraft (performed by Frank Sinatra) / Come On Bess (performed by Sammy Davis Jr.) / Oriental Wedding Celebration (Leona Irwin and the Tommy Hansen Dancers) / Gone With Wind (performed by Frank Sinatra) / Uh Oh-The Nutty Squirrels (The Tommy Hansen Dancers) / Sammy Recalls the Oscars (Sammy Davis Jr.) / Shall We Dance (Sammy Davis Jr. and Peter Lawford) / Fame and Fortune (Elvis Presley) / Stuck on You (Elvis Presley) / Love Me Tender - Witchcraft Duet (performed by Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley) / Love Me Tender - Witchcraft reprise (performed by Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley) / Love Makes You Feel So Young (performed by Frank and Nancy Sinatra) / Let’s Dance (Nancy Sinatra) / Goodbye (Frank Sinatra).
The label announced the release of a new 60-page magazine 'Elvis Unlimited' which will be published four times per year, starting Spring 2021. The magazine is in English, written by authors from around the world.
Among the items personal items, jewelry, autographs, personal affects (like his saddle!) and vintage concert memorabilia. Highlights include:
- Elvis' stunning, 14K gold nugget style ring with a dozen diamonds embedded randomly on its face that was owned by Elvis Presley and gifted by him to the lead singer J.D. Sumner. Sumner was a close friend and early idol of Elvis', going back to Sumner's time in the gospel group The Blackwood Brothers Quartet in the early 1950s. Throughout Elvis' 1970's tours, J.D. Sumner and The Stamps were fixture, backing up the singer for years. During that time, Elvis constantly gifted items such as the offered ring to J.D., often times after they left the stage after a show. He admired Sumner and showed it any way he could. Estimate US$20,000 - US$30,000.
- Elvis Presley Owned Bible Given to Him By Gary Pepper at 1957 Graceland Christmas Eve Party. The bible was given to Elvis by Gary Pepper, a long time friend, on December 25, 1957. Elvis used the bible and then gave it to Elvis’ Aunt Nash, in early 1965 during one of their many bible discussions. Any time that Aunt Nash was around Elvis would often take her upstairs to his bedroom, wrap her in a blanket and they would have in-depth conversations about the bible. During one of these conversations - Estimate: US$10,000 - US$12,000.
Other items:
- Elvis owned custom black three-piece tuxedo made for his 1969 film 'The Trouble With Girls'.
- Elvis's saddle used at Graceland and his “Circle G” ranch – made by Mike McGregor.
- Elvis owned 14k gold nugget diamond and garnet ring given to his girlfriend Sheila Ryan – former jimmy velvet collection.
- Elvis owned custom made shirt blue nylon v-neck button down gifted to his cousin billy smith.
- Elvis owned deep red sweater 1960's “sy devore” button-down.
- 1957 RCA green felt gold record award to Colonel Tom Parker for making Elvis Presley’s 'Jailhouse Rock' a million seller.
- Elvis owned "Elvis" silver ID bracelet - gifted to his cousin Patsy Presley.
- Elvis Presley signed and inscribed photo and Priscilla Presley signed wedding photo.
- Gold Record Awards, presented to both Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker.
Also up for auction is (almost) the entire contents of Elvis' former Palm Springs Honeymoon House which was recently sold. The owner has new plans with the house so almost everything will go under the hammer on Saturday 16 January. From carpets, chairs, furniture to memorabilia and also Elvis' entire bedroom at the front of the house are for sale.
Music producer Died
Music producer Phil Spector died. He was 81.
Phil Spector, famous for his "Wall Of Sound", wrote and produced some of the most important recordings of all time, including the classic 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling', the Beatles' 'Let It Be' album and John Lennon's 'Imagine'.
He co-wrote 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling', which Elvis performed and recorded live on stage in 1970 for the movie 'Elvis: That's The Way It Is'.
Spector was a good friend of writer Doc Pomus, producing some of his demos for Elvis. One of these, 'Night Rider', had such a complex arrangement that Elvis and the band tackled it on 2 separate recording sessions never achieving a satisfactory master.
Phil Spector'sand Elvis' lives were linked in several other ways. In 1972 Spector introduced Elvis to his own bodyguard Mike Stone who, like Elvis, was interested in martial arts. Stone would later become Priscilla's karate instructor and their affair would help lead to Priscilla and Elvis' divorce in 1973.
Singer Darlene Love was the lead singer of Spector's The Crystals before becoming part of The Blossoms who worked with Elvis on the 68 Comeback Special. She sang the beautiful lead vocal on the gospel song 'Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child'.
Several of Spector's 'Wall Of Sound' musicians also worked with Elvis including drummer Hal Blaine and guitarist Barney Kessel.
Phil Spector was a huge Elvis fan who once said, 'Elvis is sensational. He can do anything with his voice. He can sing anything you want him to, anyway you tell him. The unquestionable King of Rock n' Roll'.
(Source: Memphis Mansion / Rockhurst Auction / Elvis Information Network / ElvisMatters / BBC)
