March 16 - Australian 45's and Danish Book, CDs and Vinyl

Australian author-researcher, Bob Hayden, has  published his latest Elvis books 'Australian 45 RPM Extended Plays Vol. 1 and 2'.

Description: In full colour, the two volumes provide the front and back covers for all (variations) of Elvis’ Aussie 45RPM EP releases plus manufacturer’s details which help to differentiate between different releases of the same title. These books will appeal to collectors. 

The books have a softcover and the paper stock is high quality gloss. Volume 1 has 88 pages, volume 2 holds 92 pages. 

Elvis August 56, Hollywood Bound

Elvis biographer Paul Belard announced the upcoming release of his latest escape 'Elvis August 56, Hollywood Bound'.

The description: On August 16, Elvis flew to Los Angeles to star in his first movie. He was welcomed at the airport by a group of fans, some of whom carried banners inscribed “Elvis for President”. 

He stayed at the Knickerbocker Hotel. There, photographer Ed Braslaff took multiple pictures of Elvis in a variety clothing, or lack thereof, in his room and on the roof of the hotel. Most pictures were published in the book 'Elvis 1956 Reflections'. 

On the 24th, while on the set, Elvis recorded three of the songs that would appear in the film. Preliminary work began on the 25th. At that time, the film was still titled 'The Reno Brothers'. 

In late August, Debra Paget and Elvis were interviewed by Jules Archer. Archer was an American author of many books on U.S. history, political events, and personalities. The interview titled 'Stop Hounding Teenagers!' appeared in the magazine Writer’s Digest in November 1956. 

It is one of the best articles written about Elvis. Towards the end of the interview, to the question, “Elvis, do you think that your popularity with teenagers could be harnessed to fight delinquency and to keep kids on the right path”, Elvis replies: “I’d be right proud to help any way I could to influence kids to do the right thing. If I can help any civic, charitable or religious drive by sending a special message, or posing for a special picture, I’ll be happy to do so. That goes for Protestants, Catholics, Jews - white or colored. We’re all God’s children, and I don’t care what a man’s color or religion is. If my influence can help people, especially teenagers, solve their problems, I hope they’ll let me help.” 

At the time of this interview, Tupelo and Memphis and most of the South were still segregated. For Elvis to admit he did not care about a man’s color or religion took courage. For those who still think Elvis was a racist, this article is a must-read.

The book is available on Amazon and the author can be contacted at: pbelard@hotmail.com 

Follow That Dream April 2022 Releases

The Follow That Dream collectors label announced the April 2022 releases: the double CD ‘Elvis: Madison to Pine Bluff’, the double LP ‘Kid Galahad’ and the book / CD set ‘Celluloid Sell-Out!’ by Bob Pakes.

Publicity stated: As part of its ongoing live on tour series, FTD is pleased to announce the release of ‘Elvis: Madison to Pine Bluff’. 

Released as a 2-CD 5-inch digi-pack, this set features two shows: Dane County Coliseum, Madison, Wisconsin October 19, 1976 - 8:30 P.M. / Pine Bluff Convention Center, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, September 8, 1976 - 8:30 P.M.

Disc 1 - Madison, Wisconsin October 19, 1976

Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - awaiian Wedding Song - Jailhouse Rock - All Shook Up - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - And I Love You So - Fever - Steamroller Blues - America - Introductions - Early Mornin’ Rain - What’d I Say / Johnny B. Goode - Love Letters - School Days - Love Me Tender - Blue Suede Shoes - Hurt - Hound Dog - Blue Christmas - Funny How Time Slips Away - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp

Disc 2 - Pine Bluff, Arkansas September 8, 1976

Amen - Love Me - Fairytale - All Shook Up - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - And I Love You So - Jailhouse Rock - One Night - You Gave Me A Mountain - Fever  - America - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions (Incomplete) - Early Mornin’ Rain ­- What’d I Say /Johnny B. Goode - Love Letters - School Days - Hurt - Hound Dog - Funny How Time Slips Away - Why Me Lord - That’s All Right - My Heavenly Father (Sung By Kathy Westmoreland) - Mystery Train / Tiger Man

FTD is pleased to announce the release of the first official ‘Kid Galahad’ vinyl soundtrack album. It is hard to believe that it was 60 years ago that this movie first made its debut. ‘King Of The Whole Wide World’ sounds as fresh today as it did then. This 180 Gr. 2-LP limited edition contains all the original soundtrack masters and many excellent alternative outtakes.

Side A: King Of The Whole Wide World - This Is Living - Riding The Rainbow - Home Is Where The Heart Is - I Got Lucky - A Whistling Tune - King Of The Whole Wide World (takes 2 - 6)

Side B: This Is Living (Take 2) - King Of The Whole Wide World (Take 8) - Riding The Rainbow (Take 1) - I Got Lucky (Take 1) - King Of The Whole Wide World (Take 11) - Home Is Where The Heart Is (Take 10) - This Is Living (Take 4 - 8)

Side C: A Whistling Tune (Take 2) - King Of The Whole Wide World (Take 16 - 19) - Home Is Where The Heart Is (Take 13,14) - I Got Lucky (Take 6) - Riding The Rainbow (Take 2 - 4) .- King Of The Whole Wide World (Take 30, 31)

Side D: I Got Lucky (Remake - Take 1) - I Got Lucky (Remake - Take 2 / Unedited Master) - King Of The Whole Wide World (Remake - Take 1 - 3) - Home Is Where The Heart Is (Take 21 / Unedited Master) - Riding The Rainbow (Remake - Take 2 - 6) - King Of The Whole Wide World (Remake - Take 4 / Unedited Master)

FTD Books presents ‘Celluloid Sell-Out!’ 448 pages of Worldwide Elvis Presley movie memorabilia from 1956-1958. 

It’s packed with movie posters, lobby cards, press-books, publicity stills, programs, standees, heralds and much more! Plus 2 bonus CDs featuring the soundtracks from ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Loving You’, ‘Jailhouse Rock’ and ‘King Creole’.

Elvis’ World Premiere at Cannes!

Great news that the Baz Luhrmann ELVIS biopic will have its World Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

Warner Bros is hyping up its upcoming film ELVIS with a premiere just as flashy as the man himself. The movie will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival a month before its theatrical release. While no specific date has been selected yet it will have to be between May 17 to May 28.

Luhrmann has previously opened the French Riviera Film festival with both Moulin Rouge! in 2001 and The Great Gatsby in 2013. Luhrmann’s first movie since The Great Gatsby, ELVIS explores the life and music of Elvis Presley, seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager. The story delves into the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. 

Variety had predicted the film will play at Cannes along with 'Top Gun: Maverick', George Miller’s 'Three Thousand Years of Longing', David Cronenberg’s 'Crimes of the Future', Wes Anderson's 'Asteroid City' among others.

The Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection will be unveiled at a press conference in Paris during the second or third week of April. - ELVIS is set to hit Cinemas on June 24.

(Source: Elvis Information Network / Follo That Dream / FECC)