Tuesday, August 31, 2021

August 31 - Elvis And The Finns

Published by Aviadoris was the 340-page hardcover Finnish book 'Elvis & Minä – Suomalaisten Tarinoita Kuninkaasta' (‘Elvis and Me - Finnish Stories of the King’) by Atte Varsta. 

Description: Is there anyone who has influenced more people with his music and life than Elvis Presley? He was a role-model almost from the first day he started to rise to fame and even after he died his status as a legendary performer kept on growing. 

Atte Varsta has been an Elvis fan since he was seven years old. He traveled around the United States in Elvis' footsteps, but Elvis had already passed away. Only a few people from Finland could say they had seen Elvis in person. Yet many would have liked to have that opportunity. 

In this book, Finns from Danny to Pate Mustajärvi, from Frederik to Paleface, from Mikko Alatalo to Antti Rinte, from Erja Lyytinen to Aira Samulin and more than 100 other people share their own Elvis stories. 

No. 1 Hits

Re-released in Japan is the CD '18 Hit Numbers'. 

Tracks: Love Me Tender - Heartbreak Hotel - Blue Suede Shoes - Don't Be Cruel - Hound Dog - I Need Your Love Tonight - Trouble - A Fool Such As I - Loving You - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - All Shook Up - Don´t - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - Jailhouse Rock - One Night - Mystery Train - Love Me - I Forgot To Remember To Forget

(Source: Aviador / Elvis Club Berlin)


Monday, August 30, 2021

August 30 - Review - The Army Years Uncovered

Trina Young published her third book on Elvis Presley. After delving into the legend behind Presley and the “love and rivalry” between the Beatles and Elvis, she now investigated the two years that Elvis served his country and how that changed his life. 

While some may think that stepping out of the spotlights at the height of his popularity, serving almost two years as a G.I. 53310761 in Germany following orders from Uncle Sam was mostly uneventful. Reality is on the contrary. Out of the spotlight and behind the scenes, several impactful “events” took place that would indeed redefine, reshape and revamp his life and career, both negatively and positively. 

And let’s not forget, Elvis’ did not swap his guitar for an army rifle to film ‘G.I. Blues’. “It was more like war than you might think,” Presley’s fellow soldier, Rex Mansfield said. “It was not peacetime. It was ‘be ready’ time… We’d been warned (war with Russia) could happen at any time.” 

Upon his release in March 1960, Elvis told reporters that he wanted to write a book about it someday, but he never did. 

In the book 'Elvis: The Army Years Uncovered - Behind the Scenes of the Two Years that Changed The King of Rock and Roll's Life' Trina Young goes behind the superficial public relations story of Presley’s army years. As the author notes: “The 17 months out of the U.S. public spotlight offered Elvis a time to live like a normal person again, to a degree. In fact, since becoming a household name in 1956, this would be the only time in the remainder of Presley’s career until his death in 1977 that Colonel Parker would not be there to exert management control over his client.” 

And after being mobbed again during the filming of ‘King Creole’, having to “escape from his fans” by climbing up to the roof and then cross over to the roof of another building to save himself, you can imagine Elvis himself would enjoy some time away and a little distance to those fans. 


Design

The book comes as a paperback and e-book and is primarily a text-book with 25 short chapters on almost 200 pages. It includes eight pages with black and white illustrations presenting various pictures of documents, people, and some memorabilia relevant to the story. 

You can see the author is an experienced writer as she has an entertaining and colorful writing style. The book also shows that Young is s professional journalist who did her homework as the book includes 20 pages of notes and used sources. 

The use of the many quotes from people who were there when it happened make the text come alive and add to the credibility. 


Content

The book opens setting the scene for Elvis’ Army years detailing the positive and negative reactions on Elvis’ draft, running all the way up to President Eisenhower who had an opinion on his new soldier. 

Funny to read are the letters from fans to people from the president of the U.S. to the public information officers at Fort Chaffee (one of them being the father of Elvis’ last girlfriend Ginger Alden): 

Dear President Eisenhower,

My girlfriends and I are writing all the way from Montana. We think it’s bad enough to send Elvis Presley in the Army, but if you cut his sideburns off, we will just die! You don’t know how we feel about him. 

I really don’t see why you have to send him in the Army at all, but we beg you please, please, don't give him a G.I. haircut, OK, please, please don’t! If you do, we will just about die!

(signed) Elvis Presley Lovers,

Linda Kelly, Sherry Bane, Mickie Mattson” 


Young also showed that the reactions from some die-hard fans were as hard and unpleased as some posts by today’s music fans on Facebook or Twitter. Fans will be fans. 

One of the first “events” that happened during his Army years was of course the death of his mother, August 14,1958, which left Elvis and Vernon devastated. Looking at how close the Presley family was, it is easy to understand that their life would never be the same. 

The book does not answer the question if Elvis’ draft contributed to the death of Gladys, causing stress and further deteriorating her already fragile physique. Answering the question how Elvis’ life would have evolved if he had had his soulmate at his side would be speculation anyway, and the author stays away from that. 

Perhaps being shipped off to Germany a month later It was a beneficial distraction for Presley is this regard. 

While getting ready to leave for Europe, we learn about the girls he left behind and the girls lining up to say goodbye as he embarked on his ten day trip on the U.S. Randall. On board, and later in Germany, he became friends with Charlie Hodge and others. Some of these friends stayed close to him until August 1977. 

The book illustrates how Elvis found his way in his new temporary home abroad. And where some may expect a “sensationalistic” coverage of Elvis dealing with girls, substances and more, using some of the original coverage of Elvis life abroad, Young keeps it fact based. 

She covered all aspects of Elvis’ army years. Next to his military training and career, she covers his personal life, dating Elizabeth Stefanik, Margit Buergin, actress Vera Tschechowa and others, his daily routines on and off base, the hotels he rented with his entourage (and got kicked out) and settling down with his family at Goethestrasse 14 in Bad Nauheim, The Colonel keeping him in the spotlight releasing pre-recorded movies and records.

During this time, Elvis also became more interested in spiritual matters as he grieved for his mother. Elvis was reading books like ‘The Prophet’ by Kahlil Gibran given to him in 1956 by former girlfriend, June Juanico. He would keep reading this book - and giving away many copies - for the rest of his life. 

The same goes for his new hobby karate which he started in Germany taking lessons from Jurgen Seydel, known as the “father of German karate”. Quoting Patsy Presley “A part of Elvis’ personality was looking for some discipline and order … He didn’t always achieve it, but he was always seeking it.” 

Next to this introduction into spiritual matters, Elvis was also introduced to amphetamines and other substances to keep them energized helping Elvis and his fellow soldiers to stay up all night for their exhausting training manoeuvres. 

The book places the uses of these substances in the proper context. Not condemning or justifying it. At the time, they didn’t know how addictive these pills could become, although Elvis already had some basic knowledge about several prescription drugs according to Anita Wood and he studied several books on the matter as his mother took various kinds of medicine. 

In Germany he met and dated several girls and the press picked up on those adventures quickly. Headlines included “Spreading Good Will In Germany, Elvis Dates Girl With Dictionary”. 

Elvis was not the only Presley to date girls. His father secretly dated Dee Stanley, who was still married at the time. And behind his back, his friend Rex Mansfield and Elvis’ "girlfriend" Elizabeth Stefanik had their own romance. But Presley had no reason to blame them as at moments it seemed that as one girlfriend left the front door, the next one was coming in through the back. Young doesn’t portray Elvis as a saint. 

As Anita Wood, Elvis’ “official” girlfriend was planning to come over to Germany, The Colonel put a stop to it. “Elvis said the Colonel did not think it was a good idea because the press would say they were engaged or married which would hurt Presley’s public image with his young female fans.” Elvis’ complied, and perhaps this should have been a sign of things to come for Anita. 

It was interesting to learn that Don Cravens - who shot the iconic portraits for the ‘His hand In Mine’ album and the beautiful color portrait of Elvis in uniform with his parents in June 1958, just months before his mother died - also shot the famous pictures of Elvis in Bad Nauheim. Although I couldn’t find confirmation on the photographer other than the one interview Young used for this book. The most complete information on this photoshoot can be found on the Echoes of the Past website, and that site doesn’t mention Don Craven. 

One of these pictures ended up on the cover of the single ‘A Big Hunk O’ Love’ while another of Elvis posing on a bridge, was the inspiration for a statue (the unveiled in August 2021 is included). This illustrates that the book is very up-to-date. 

Unfortunately the book doesn’t feature any of these photos, and just a very few illustrations to cover everything else that happened these two years. Writing a chapter on ‘A legendary Photo’, that photograph should be included. And with so much other material available, one or two pictures per chapters would really be a big plus and credit for these stories. 

Young also noted that after Elvis seeing Elvis play some “jazz standards” at a piano at the Lido Club in Paris, comedian George Bernard asked Elvis why he performed Rock and Roll professionally since he could sing so well as a crooner. “Elvis replied: “I have a lot of fans who like me rocking. I like rocking, too. So we have a good time. When they want me singing softer ballads - I’m ready. Till then, I go on rocking.” Here was tangible proof of how Elvis’ true musical passions were not necessarily linked with his commercial success. 

The more free time Presley had in the army, the more his musical expressions shifted to the styles he truly enjoyed singing. The home-recorded tapes from Germany and his ‘Elvis Is Back’ album, released after his return home, illustrated the first signs of his musical shift from ‘Rock and Roll’ to “Middle of the Road’. 

Having dated many girls abroad, like Margit Buergin, Heli von Westrem and actress Vera Tschechowa, actually a romance that never was, and trying to keep things going with his “official” girlfriend Anita Wood back home, his main love interest in Germany was of course Priscilla Presley. All of Elvis “relations with these ladies - or should we say “young girls” - are covered respectfully and factual in this book. Although naming the chapter in meeting Priscilla “Meeting An Angel” goes a bit far in my book. 

Elvis and Priscilla kept their romance a secret for five months, but ultimately it was Presley himself who spilled the beans of their affair in an interview with British journalist Peter Hopkirk, shortly before he was set to leave Germany. 

As Hopkirk realized he had just broken a huge story, Presley grinned and said: “I shall be in trouble tomorrow for talking to you.” Sure enough, Hopkirk would state in his article: “Sergeant Elvis Presley let me into a little secret tonight.” 

After 711 days on active duty - enlisting during the height of his career - and rising to the rank of sergeant in two years, G.I. Presley was discharged and returned to normal life and his hometown Memphis. This is where the book ends. 

Conclusion 

Looking back these two years we see how the Army turned the boy into a man and gained more insight in the “events” that happened and impacted Elvis for the rest of his life. Elvis was proud of his two year stint in the Army too. A little piece of evidence is that, as a memento of his achievement, it was discovered that for 17 years Elvis kept a newspaper clipping about his army service in his wallet from March 1960 until the day he died in 1977. 

The author set out to answer questions on the German girls Elvis dated, secret concerts that Elvis gave in Germany, close calls and dangerous situations Elvis faced, special treatment he received, friends he made, new hobbies he discovered and of course the girls he left behind in the U.S. leaving for Germany and girls he left behind in Germany returning to the States. 

Reading the book, I can only conclude that all questions were covered, but not all were answered. And that’s not a complaint, as part of answering these questions would be speculation. What if he had done … or hadn’t met …? Young stays away from that. 

You can conclude that losing his mother, living abroad with his father and grandmother - with a real threat of war hanging over their heads - being introduced to “substances” and meeting the mother of his only child were the most impactful events. But what the real impact was … only Elvis really knew. 

Overall, Trina Young wrote a knowledgeable and easy to read book. She compiled information from many sources, adding new elements and perspectives on these two years. Young stayed away from the “what-ifs” but handed the reader the material to make up his own mind. The only minor would be that a few more illustration would have given this book some more appeal and credibility and help the stories come alive even more. 

I found the book entertaining and learned a few new facts I wasn’t aware of before. Something to keep in mind next time I visit Bad Nauheim. 

 

August 30 - Sold Out Press Release

The Pyramid import label finally published the press-release (and released the DVD according to various sites) with more details on the content of volume 8 in their 'Sold Out' DVD series. The label also announced the release of volume 9 in the series.  

The publicity stated: The frontcover on ‘Sold Out volume 8’ really says it all: this is a man who loves what he is doing. More than anything, Elvis was a live performer. He did his finest work in front of audiences. The fans loved him, and he knew it. Elvis needed to feel that love in order to create, especially in his later years. That’s why ‘Sold Out’ is such an essential DVD series. 

If future historians want to get to the core of Elvis Presley on stage in the seventies, then these releases are actually not a bad place to start, as they really capture the nitty gritty of the concert years. In the restorations done for these releases, our focus is on therefore preserving what was originally captured by the filmers. We work with high resolution transfers of their 8mm films, and we try to present these in the best way possible without compromising the authenticity of these films. So no watermarks, no fake stereo effects, no artificially brightening up the colors… what you get from us is an honest quality product, and something that is lasting.

‘Sold Out’ volume 8 brings you almost three hours of unreleased concert film, including plenty of clips from 1970 - 1972, when he was performing at his peak and every show was a knockout. The great tours are represented well: November ’71, April ’72, March ’74… and much, much more. This is another deep dive into the collector vaults, and even though each release is a true ‘escape’, it’s a real pleasure to be able to bring you this rare footage. Keep supporting us and we will release out some genuine surprises that will make your heads spin!

It’s always an honor for us to get the approval from those who actually worked with the man, and to hear from them that they are enjoying the series, and that watching the footage brings back a lot of memories.  We are thrilled with the fact that Mr. Jim Murray of The Imperials wrote exclusive liner-notes for this new release, in which he looks back on his friendship with Elvis and also describes beautifully what made Elvis so special, both as a man and as a performer. As many of you know, Murray worked extensively together with Elvis during his comeback period, and he can be seen in the ‘Elvis: That’s The Way It Is’ film from 1970, and heard on albums like ‘On Stage - February 1970’ and the Grammy Award-winning ‘He Touched Me’ (1972).

Packaged in a beautiful digipack with relevant notes and photos, ‘Sold Out volume 8’ is a true must-have for the serious collector. 

(Source: Facebook: Elvis Presley: His Truth Is Marching On)

Sunday, August 29, 2021

August 29 - Ed Asner Died

Actor Ed Asner died, he was 91. The seven-time Emmy Award winning actor made his film debut in 1962, in the Elvis Presley movie 'Kid Galahad' and worked again with The King in 'Change of Habit'. 

Asner is best known for his character Lou Grant, who was first introduced on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970, she wa sElvis' last leading lady in 'Change of Habit'.

On working with Elvis Presley he said; He was very nice to work with. I worked with him twice. I worked with him on 'Kid Galahad', and I worked with him on 'Change of Habit'. In 'Kid Galahad', his hands were all bandaged and broken up because he was in his karate stage at that time, breaking bricks. But he was a delightful young man to be around, never offensive, always seemed to work hard. Then in 'Change of Habit', he was a different young man at that point and seeming to be concentrating very seriously on being an actor.

(Source: Variety / Wikipedia)

Saturday, August 28, 2021

August 28 - FTD Updates / Rumors

According to rumors on the FECC forum and hints from Elvis The Man and His Music on-line it appears that the previously announced big surprise from the Follow That Dream collectors label will be a book / CD project on 'Jailhouse Rock'. 

Before that set should be available, the FTD label will issue two more normal titles. 

More information when available.

(Source: FECC)

August 28 - Charts August 2021 - Week 4

The weekly global Elvis Presley chart updates. For now, Elvis is only listed on the main U.K. album chart and the U.K. Country Compilations chart.  

Official U.K. charts:

  • Official Album Top 100 chart: 'The 50 Greatest Hits' dropped from #50 to #59.
  • Official Streaming Top 100 chart: 'The 50 Greatest Hits' dropped from #41 to #44.
  • Official Country Compilations chart: 'From Elvis In Nashville' remained steady #6. 

Australian ARIIA charts:

  • Australian Top 40 Audiovisual chart: '68 Comeback Special - 50th Anniversary Edition) dropped from #10 to 14.

(Source: Official Chart Company)

Friday, August 27, 2021

August 27 - Unboxing Elvis Day By Day 2018 (and more)

Here is an unboxing video of the Deluxe Hardcover Edition of 'Elvis Day by Day 2018 - The Year In Review'. It gives you a first impression of the book. 

For more information, go to the >>> 'Elvis Day By Day 2018' page.


News Wrap-up August 2021

Emiel Maier wrapped-up the news from August 2021 in one video journal.


(Source: Elvis Day By Day / Emiel Maier)



Thursday, August 26, 2021

August 26 - Elvis - The King of the Army

Released in Germany is a 3-DVD set containing the 13 episodes of the 1990 ABC TV series 'Elvis - The King of Rock and Roll' with Michael St. Gerard as Elvis. As a bonus the third disc features the complete Dorsey Shows.

Elvis: The Army Years Uncovered

Trina Young, author of the books 'Elvis: Behind The Legend: Startling Truths About The King of Rock and Roll's Life, Loves, Films and Music' and 'Elvis and the Beatles: Love and Rivalry Between the Two Biggest Acts of the 20th Century' announced the release of her third book on Elvis titled 'Elvis: The Army Years Uncovered: Behind the Scenes of the Two Years That Changed The King of Rock and Roll's Life'. The book is due August 31, 2021.

Synopsis: Has the full story of Elvis Presley’s military service ever been told? Elvis Presley served in the U.S. Army for two years and while most biographical accounts seem to quickly skim through the “army years,” author Trina Young argues that this period was perhaps the most significant and life-changing time in The King of Rock and Roll's life.

Captivating untold stories have been coming out over the years involving the highs and lows Presley experienced as a soldier away from the public eye. The truth is many aspects of Presley’s time in the army were never reported or never made it into the history books. Now, looking back with the benefit of hindsight and years of research, more stories and insights to Presley's life and times as a soldier are constantly emerging.

Finally, we are able to go behind the scenes in the life of the most famous U.S. army soldier of all time in ELVIS: The Army Years Uncovered. Come take a journey into the life of Private Presley, who rose to the rank of Sergeant, with the stories of many women, nightclubs, strippers, death rumors, secret concerts and fan encounters to name a few.

This biographical account offers a behind-the-scenes look into the two years that Presley served in the military with stories ranging from the most raucous to the most warm-hearted.

Learn fascinating facts about the two years that changed Elvis Presley's life including the answers to these questions:
  • Who were the German girls that Elvis dated?
  • Where were the secret concerts that Elvis gave in Germany?
  • What happened between Elvis and a famous German actress?
  • What incited multiple death rumors while Elvis was in Germany?
  • Who was Elvis dating when he met Priscilla?
  • Did Elvis have more than one close call with death in Germany?
  • What future world leader would visit Elvis in Bad Nauheim?
  • How much danger was Elvis in during his military service?
  • Where did Elvis spend the one-year anniversary of his mother’s death?
  • Who was rumored to have kidnapped Elvis in Germany?
  • How did Presley's Memphis girlfriend cope with their two-year separation?
  • Who did Elvis meet at the nightclubs in Paris and Munich?
  • What lifelong hobby did Elvis start in Germany?
  • What special treatment did Elvis get while he served in the army?
  • Who spilled the beans that Elvis and Priscilla were dating? 
The book also includes an 8-page photo section and an Elvis Army Timeline. 

Auction Results

Rockhurst's 'Rock & Roll, Entertainment, Sports and Americana' auction featured a lot of Elvis Presley items, including the usual Gold Record Awards, autographs, memorabilia, clothing and more. But this auction also included a 1954 14 inch hand--painted, cardboard ceiling hanger to promote the release of Elvis' "SUN #209" sold for US$63,250. The estimate was US$3,000 - US$5,000.

It was offered as the very first advertisement for an Elvis Presley record.
Lot 11 1954 Elvis Presley Ceiling Hanger Advertisement from Poplar Tunes Memphis Record Store for his first Sun Record 'That's All Right / Blue Moon of Kentucky'/ An incredible price for a hand painted cardboard prop!

Other sales included:
  • Elvis Presley Owned Neostyle Nautic "TCB" Sunglasses - Gifted to Friend Kathie "Kitten" Spehar in His Suite at The Las Vegas Hilton sold for US37,375 (Estimate US$50,000 - US$75,000)
  • Elvis Presley Owned and Played 1970 Hagstrom Viking V-1 Electric Guitar Purchased for Concert Use - Given to Charlie Hodge sold for US$31,625 (Est: US$50,000 - US$75,000)
  • Elvis Presley Owned 22-Diamond and Gold Ring Gifted to J.D. Sumner - Former Mike Moon Collection - with LOA from Graceland Authenticated sold for US$20,700 (Est US$20,000 - US$25,000)
  • Rare Complete Set of Five Elvis Presley’s Sun 78 RPM 10-Inch Records – with LOA from Graceland Authenticated The records present in GD+ condition overall, with moderate to heavy scuffing and many scratches. Sold for US$3,450 (Est: US$3,000 - US$5,000)
  • Elvis Presley's Kenpo Karate 7th Degree Black Belt Gold Metal ID Card - Dated August 16, 1974 - Gifted to J.D. Sumner, Former Mike Moon Collection. Sold for US$4,313 (Est: US$3,000 - US$5,000)
Interestingly the TCB necklace Minimum Bid: US$5,000 was not sold.

Description Advertisement:

Lot #11: 1954 Elvis Presley Ceiling Hanger Advertisement from “Poplar Tunes” Memphis Record Store for His FIRST Sun Record “That's All Right/Blue Moon of Kentucky”

Offered is the very first advertisement for an Elvis Presley record. Ever. The handpainted, cardboard ceiling hanger promoted the 1954 release of "SUN #209", exclaiming "It's Here". Attesting to its early creation is the fact that "Blue Moon of KY." is listed before "That's All Right" it was the more well-known of the the two songs, and who knew during those first few heady weeks what was going to be the regional hit! This is an incredibly historically significant artifact--an object that defines the two sides of history as we now know it: those eons before Elvis, and everything to do with popular music and the broader American culture since. It emanates from that magical period when the storybook events were still unfolding, when the record gets made and heard on the radio within days. When the phones light up so fast it has to be played over and over, and the record has to be pressed with a few days more, and Elvis is on stage even sooner. It is from those moments from when Elvis was just becoming ELVIS.

Popular Tunes, founded just after World War II in 1946 by Joe Cuoghi and John Novarese, was a record store in Memphis where Elvis shopped and hung out. It is rumored that when he released a new song, Elvis would hide around the corner to watch people go in and buy his new record. This very advertising hanger would have been hanging from the ceiling on one of those first such nervous visits to Poplar Tunes.

The sign originally came from the personal collection of Rosalind Cranor, author of the authoritative Elvis Memorabilia hobby guide, and it comes with a letter from Brian Beirne on “Mr. Rock n’ Roll presents Legendary Entertainment” stationery, which states:

My name is Brian Beirne. I was a radio personality for over 40 years and have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. My entire life I have been a major collector of records, posters, and Hollywood memorabilia with the main focus on Elvis items. About 30 years ago I purchased a number of items from Rosalind Cranor (EP expert who wrote the first Elvis Collectibles books). Rosalind was ill at the time and many Elvis items from her collection. Among the items I purchased was the earliest Elvis concert poster from the Eagle's Nest. I also purchased from her this original circular record store mobile for Sun 209 "That's All Right" which she said had hung at Poplar Tunes Record Store in Memphis. Ms. Cranor told me both the mobile and the Eagles Nest poster had belonged to a gentleman from Memphis who became an Elvis fan in 1954.

The hanger measures 14 inches in diameter and presents with areas of paper still adhered to the reverse, most likely from being attached to another round sign or perhaps a wall. Otherwise the piece is in remarkable, near mint condition.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Trina Young / Rock Hurst / Elvis Information Network)

 

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

August 25 - Golden Records

The Friday Music record label announced the release of a Limited 55th Anniversary Edition of 'Elvis' Golden Records' on 180 Gr. red colored vinyl. This "monophonic" re-issue comes in a gate-fold sleeve. 

Side A: Hound Dog - Loving You - All Shook Up - Heartbreak Hotel - Jailhouse Rock - Love Me - Too Much.

Side B: Don't Be Cruel - That's When Your Heartaches Begin - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Love Me Tender - Treat Me Nice - Any Way You Want Me (That's How I Will Be) - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You.

(Source: Friday Music / Elvis Club Berlin)

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

August 23 - For Eastern European Vinyl Fans Only

Here is the cover-art for the upcoming discography books 'For Vinyl Fans Only - Vinyl Discography from Eastern Europe, Part 2 (Yugoslavia and Romania)' and ' For Vinyl Fans Only - Vinyl Discography from Eastern Europe, Part 3 (Poland and Soviet Union)' by Piotr Soczynski. Part 2 is due for release later in 2021, part 3 had 2022 as the release date. 

You can read an interview with the autor on the >>> Elvis Information Network.

The Prophet Sold For US$30,000

A copy of the book 'The Prophet' by Lebanese author Gibran Khalil, annotated and signed by Elvis Presley to his friend Ed Parker, founder of American Kenpo Karate, in 1960, was sold at auction for US$30,000 by Peter Harrington, a London-based rare book dealer. 

(Source: Elvis Information Network / Kawa News)

Sunday, August 22, 2021

August 22 - Don Everly Died

Don Everly, who with his brother Phil became 'The Everly Brothers' and the most revered vocal duo of the rock-music era, has died at the age of 84. This leaves Jerry Lee Lewis as Rock 'n' Roll's "Last Man Standing".

Elvis was well-aware of the delight of the close harmonies of The Everly Brothers recordings. When he arrived at Nashville's RCA StudioB on March 20th 1960 for his 'Elvis Is Back!' sessions, just 2 days earlier Elvis' new studio band (Nashville’s outstanding 'A Team') had just worked with The Everly's recording their #1 pop classic 'Cathy's Clown’. In his personal record collection Elvis owned the Everly's 'All I Have To Do Is Dream', 'That'll Be the Day' and the 1967 single 'Bowling Green' if not more. 

In 1970 Elvis recorded his own version of their magnificent 'Let It Be Me' for his 'On-Stage' album - while the Everly's key composers Felice and Boudleaux Bryant also wrote 'How's The World Treating You' and 'She Wears My Ring' which Elvis would also record.  

(Source: Rolling Stone / Variety / Elvis Information Network)

August 22 - Kansas City 1974 Reviewed

When the Millbranch Music import-label announced the release of ‘Kansas City 1974 Revisited’, containing a previously unreleased soundboard recording, an audio upgrade of a known concert and high quality 8mm footage of the two Kansas City shows on DVD, it made some heads turn as the label was not known for releasing this kind of material. The label’s track-record was limited to ‘The Bicentennial King Vol. 1 to 5’ featuring audience recordings.

A new unreleased soundboard and good 8mm footage featuring Elvis in a good mood during one of the better tours of the seventies was a no brainer for some fans while others noted that they would wait for the Follow that Dream label to release these concerts. But with so many great bootleg releases still untouched by the FTD label until today - and knowing that the collector label has released several shows from this tour - what is wisdom? 


Design

The Kansas City set comes housed in an attractive six-panel digi-pack with a modern design that gives a nod to the album designs from back when the concerts were recorded. 

Inside we get three collages of pictures, tickets and newspaper-clippings behind the discs and an original review. Due to the purple font-color I couldn’t read the date and due to the font-size it was hard to read the review. The review was spot on regarding Elvis in 1974, his music, shows and fans. Leaving out the pictures next to the original review creating space for a bigger font would have been a better choice for a fanbase that isn’t getting any younger.






Content

The set contains soundboard recordings of the June 29, 1974 Afternoon and Evening Show performances. These shows were part of Elvis’ 11th tour, playing 25 sold-out concerts for over 300,000 enthusiastic fans. 

The evening performance was previously released on the 1995 Fort Baxter ‘A Profile’ box-set. The sound of that first release of the evening show was a bit dull (some say “muddy”) and it ran too slow. This new version is relevant for fans as it was mixed to stereo and speed corrected and sounds much more alive and therefor more enjoyable. 


Audio

Some fans may have a reservations when it comes to mixing mono sources into stereo, but with technology improving the results get better and these two shows sound great. The balance sounds good, it has an excellent stereo effect with good separation, Elvis positioned nicely in the middle and pretty much all instruments are audible. Personally I can appreciate that the MBM label made the effort to present this material in the best way (they think) possible.

As the tapes used for this set were incomplete, the Afternoon Show was completed with ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ (Tarrant County Convention Center, Fort Worth TX. Afternoon Show, June15, 1974 and the only mono track) and the Evening Show was completed with tracks recorded at the Omaha Civic Auditorium, June 30 1974 Afternoon Show. Comparing the two shows, the sound on the second disc is a bit better than the sound on disc 1. 


Evening Show 

As the Evening Performance was released and reviewed before I’ll summarize the review as a very enjoyable show, Elvis in a good mood and delivers some entertaining performances of ‘Trying To Get To You’, a strong ‘Polk Salad’ a beautiful version of his new single ‘Help Me’, “Bridge Over Troubled Water’ with a reprise and a nice version of Olivia Newton John’s ‘Let Me Be There’. 

And there was some on stage humor too. With so many songs starting with “well well well” he comments “well, well ... I just don't know which one I'm gonna do" jumping into ‘When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again’, cutting that short after one sentence moving to ‘Blue Christmas’ before remembering the “well, well wells” were part of the ‘I Got A Woman / Amen’ medley in this early stage of his show. With Elvis changing songs so quickly, it is great to hear - but also see - his band following him almost instantly. 

A fun moment, showing Elvis humorous side, is when he gets a big stuffed gorilla from some fans and he says: “I told the Colonel to stay of the stage". He later comments "You're really a good audience ladies and gentlemen. Really, to pay money to put over that kind of stuff you got to be good". 


Afternoon Show

The first of the highlights on this set is of course the previously unreleased soundboard of the Afternoon Show performance. It is great to have a new show in soundboard quality, especially with import-labels struggling to release something new or interesting. 

Elvis started the show with ‘See See Rider’ and you immediately hear he is in a good mood opening with some energy. He extends the dive-bomber routine on ‘Amen’ with J.D. a bit too much though. 

‘Love Me’ is nice and you hear our man had to work on ‘Trying To get To You’ while ‘All Shook Up sounds like a walk-through. Listening to the audience, he gives the audience ‘fever’ with this song (or “acne” as Elvis changes the lyrics). But this version is performed a bit too loose to really swelter as it did on the original. 

The latter song is a good illustration of what the reviewer in the original review noted. Shaking his “fruit of the loom” - or just any part of his body - still makes the girls react like they did 20 years ago. Visiting an Elvis concert is part about “Elvis The Man” and part about “Elvis The Singer”. The great thing about this MBM set is that we get both!

‘Polk Salad Annie” is nice, but again, not sweltering as it should. Although Duke Bardwell plays his parts well, he is not as prominently setting the tempo with his bass as Jerry did. The same goes for ‘Suspicious Minds’ which is o.k. as Elvis plays around a bit too much which doesn’t make it the rocker it once was. It sounds more like a crowd-pleaser and they like it. 

After the long band introductions we get I’ Can’t Stop Loving You’ on which we hear some of the power his voice had. The new single ‘Help Me’ is performed seriously illustrating the kind of material Elvis liked and almost always delivered good on stage. An enjoyable version of ‘Bridge’ confirms this. Although not as strong as in 1970, it is still great to listen to Elvis singing this classic, especially with his voice nice up-front in the mix. It shows “Elvis the Singer”.

We go a bit poppy with ‘Let Me be There’, a song he obviously loved to perform. ‘Funny How Time Slips Away’ gets the crowds screaming again. Nice to hear Ronny imitating a clock with his drumsticks at the end of ‘time is ticking away”. Never noticed that before. The reprise going down again with J.D. is unnecessary. Reprises always feel like going back a step into the show.

On ‘Big Boss Man’ he shows who’s the “big boss entertainer” you can’t help singing along in your head with this one. Here J.D.’s low voice in the back really adds to the song. ‘Steamroller’ lacks Jerry’s low bass again, but still has enough “rhythm and blues” to make this one of the better performances of this afternoon show. 

Overall the Afternoon show is enjoyable, but it isn’t as solid as the Evening Show. Elvis talks less, although there is plenty of interaction with the audience. He saved the best (vocal) performances for the end of the show.


DVD

More than the audio, the DVD was the highlight of this set. It really made the concerts come alive. The DVD features a new HD transfer - it isn’t sourced from the ‘From Kansas City To Sin City’ set - and it looks excellent for this kind of material on the big TV screen. 

It features a documentary on Elvis June 1974 tour with facts, interviews, news- and candid footage and of course, Rex Martin's 8mm footage of the Kansas City June 29, 1974 Afternoon and Evening Shows, carefully synced with the soundboard audio creating a real concert experience. Other footage includes Philadelphia (June 23 1974 Evening Show) and Kansas City (November 15, 1971 and June 18, 1977 Evening Shows). 

The set opens with a newly created clip of 'Burning Love' - from 'On Tour' - showing a wide variety of Elvis footage followed by a small text introduction, setting the scene for the 'June 1974 Tour', captured in Kansas. Next we see exited fans before a concert (Fort Worth) and the arrival of Elvis’ plane and the band getting ready for the transfer from the airport to the hotel or venue. A glimpse of “life on the road” from June '74. This is followed by a short explanation of the contributions of the performers, highlighting J.D. Sumner and his Stamps Quartet with some concert clippings

Some of this footage is very (very) raw, but it’s inclusion is necessary to paint the complete picture. The overdubbed audio is good. It is interesting to see J.D. having fun and fooling around on stage as I always imagined that his performances were a bit more serious, in line with the nature of his gospel repertoire. 

The concert-footage comes in great quality, both video and audio. The Evening Show is filmed from “close by” so you really see the expression on Elvis’ face. The Afternoon show is filmed from further back showing the stage and zooming in on Elvis. Both with matching soundboard-audio that sounds great.

This DVD is made to sit back and enjoy Elvis in concert on a big screen. As we all know how Elvis sounded, and we saw him perform through photographs, this set makes these concerts come alive. So great to see our man perform, playing with the band and the audience. O.K. the hips aren’t gyrating like in the fifties, he is not tearing the stage apart like in 1969, he is not the slim-looking 1970 Las Vegas showman, no, he is a mature entertainer who knows how to please his fans. And he does! It is great to see that the reaction of the girls is still the same as in the fifties. 

Watching Elvis perform explains almost everything we are used to hear on live recordings. Why he gears up and where he has to catch his breath, where he interacts with his fans and how this affects his performance and when fans demand too much and he corrects them. But also how he interacts with his bad and backing singers. He is really in touch with J.D., laying his hand on his shoulder various times during the performance. I never noticed such small things before. 

The Sean Shaver footage from 1971 shows Elvis in real great shape rockin' with ‘That's All Right' and 'Hound Dog'. And what a difference to the Elvis from June 18, 1977 at Kemper Arena (Gary Hiland footage). Although the girls still scream, it's hard and a bit painful to watch Elvis like this. 

Just like on the CBS Special we see Charlie Hodge help him with a microphone. Looking at the expression on Charlies he feels the pain of his friend really having to work to get the performance right. Charlie looks almost happy that his friend manages to deliver the goods. 

One touching and fun moment is when Elvis sings 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?' with Charlie still standing next to him. It’s like he is singing the lyrics especially for him. Elvis sees it, the audience sees it and Charlie sees it, all having a laugh but finishing the song well. It showed our man still had it, and when he found the right groove, he could deliver a nice - and fun - performance. 

The DVD ends with a touching clip of Elvis entering the Lisa Marie at Kansas City airport and taking off into the sky, set to music of 'Danny Boy'. 


Conclusion

The conclusion is simple. This really is a great and very complete set. Not only does it bring a previously unreleased soundboard of an entertaining concert, it also gives us a new and pretty complete concert experience. All housed in a pretty package. 

With bootleg labels struggling to come up with something new and interesting, the Millbranch Music label unexpectedly delivered the goods. Don’t hesitate to add this to your collection. 

Saturday, August 21, 2021

August 21 - Felton's and James' Anniversaries

The new Felton Records import 2-CD 'Felton Jarvis 40th Anniversary' has been released. 

The double CD release feating tracks by Felton Jarvis himself and records he helped create. Almost half of the tracks are by Elvis Presley, the set also features some interviews and comes with a 12-page booklet.


Happy Birthday

James Burton celebrates his 82nd birthday today. Congratulations!














Auction Results

The Gotta Have Rock and Roll 'Rock & Roll Pop Culture Sports Auction' closed. Several Elvis Presley items were sold, but many items remained unsold, not getting any bid. Some highlights:
  • Original 1955 Memphis Auditorium concert poster: sold for US$11,713.
  • Elvis owned and worn 14kt Gold Diamond Cross necklace sold for US$18,366
  • Elvis owned and worn Gold Pavé Ddiamond ring sold for US$13,798.
  • Elvis Presley owned and worn Blue Suede Shoes sold for US$7,786.
  • Signed debut 1956 LP sold for US$4,713.












(Source: Facebook / Gotta Have Rock and Roll)

August 21 - Charts August 2021 - Week 3

On the weekly global Elvis Presley chart update Elvis Presley dropped off the U.S. Billboard charts - even if it is Elvis Week - but made a re-appearance on the Scottish chart.

Official U.K. charts:

  • Official Album charts: 'The 50 Greatest Hits' climbed from #55 to #50.
  • Official Streaming Album charts: 'The 50 Greatest Hits' climbed from #45 to #41.
  • Official Country Compilation chart: 'From Elvis In Nashville' climbed from #11 to #6.
  • Official Music DVD chart: 'The Elvis Collection' dropped from #16 to #17.
  • Official Music DVD chart: 'The King of Rock and Roll' re-entry #48.

Official Scottish charts:

  • Official Album Top 100 chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' re-entry #60.
Australian ARIA charts:
  • ARIA Top 40 Audio Visual chart: '68 Comeback Special - 50th Anniversary Edition) climbed from #11 to #10. 

(Source: Official Chart Company / UK Mix Forum)

Thursday, August 19, 2021

August 19 - Elvis Day by Day 2018 Released

The book 'Elvis Day by Day 2018 - The Year In Review' has been released. It is the third volume in the 'Elvis Day Bay Day' yearbook series. 

The first copy was presented to my daughter Lieske - my youngest fan - at the Danish Memphis Mansion. 

The book was compiled and written by Kees Mouwen with additional contributions by Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley from the Elvis Information Network, Rogier van Luyken from the Dutch It's Elvis Time magazine, Andreas Pendl from there German Elvis Presley Gesellschaft Ev. and other fans from around the world. Thanks guys!

The book is available on-line from Amazon and selected fan clubs. If you want an autographed copy, contact Kees Mouwen at >>> elvis @ xs4all.nlFor wholesale inquiries, please use this address too.

The book comes in two editions, just like the 2019 and 2020 editions, a paperback version and a hardback. The latter is a bit more expensive as it is made 'print-on-demand'. 


The softcover is available on-line at: 

>>> Paperback edition from >>> Amazon.com

Other local Amazon outlets that feature the book: 

>>> Paperback edition from >>> Amazon.co.uk.
>>> Paperback edition from >>> Amazon.de.
>>> Paperback edition from >>> Amazon.fr.
>>> Paperback edition from >>> Amazon.es.
>>> Paperback edition from >>> Amazon.it.
>>> Paperback edition from >>> Amazon.ca.

Signed softcover editions are available from the author at >>> elvis @ xs4all.nl

The hardcover is available on-line at >>> Blurb.com on-line webshop.

Signed hardcover editions are available from the author at >>> elvis @ xs4all.nl




Preview Elvis Day By Day

Click on the cover for the preview-pages on 'Elvis Day By Dat 2018.





The first reactions on the book:

I bought this book without any hesitation. I already have the first two books which are for me absolute reference. I will have hours of fun guaranteed with the third. 

I saw a preview of your book on your site ... it is in the same style as the first two books. It's excellent to keep the same style, it already has its place reserved in my library just next to the first two volumes. So don't change anything in the structure of your next book. 

It is already a pride to show these books to my friends and in a few years with your other future books it will make a very nice display ... I would like the producer to give us a volume on the year 2017, it's one of the biggest years of the 40th anniversary of Elvis's death ... that would be really great. I advise you to all those books which are very precious to me. They are of a very high quality worthy of the king of rock n roll, with superb photos. 

Thank you to the producer and his team, I wish them long life and keep up the excellent work. I am already looking forward to a fourth volume and more more more ... the sky is a no limit. - Martin St-Pierre.

 


Leaving the Building Released


The 352-page hardback book 'Leaving the Building: The Lucrative Afterlife of Music Estates' by Dr. Eamonn Forde is due for release from Omnibus Press on August 19, 2021.

Synopsis: When a musician dies, it is rarely the end of their story. While death can propel megastars to even further success, artists overlooked in their lifetime might also find a new type of fame. But a badly timed move or the wrong deal can see the artist die all over again. Colonel Tom Parker, the former carnival huckster, understood this high-wire act implicitly and the posthumous career of Elvis Presley has provided a template for everyone else.

Estates have two jobs: keeping the artist’s name alive and ensuring they continue to make money. These can sometimes be compatible goals, but often they spark a tension that is unique in the music business.

Drawing on interviews with those running music estates as well as music lawyers, record company executives and archivists, Leaving the Building reveals how the music industry is constantly striving to perfect the business of death.