Happy New Year!

I wish all of you the very best for 2023, just like Elvis did on December 31, 1975 in Pontiac, Michigan, almost 50 years ago! 

December 31 - Anita Pointer Died

Anita Pointer died, she was 74. 

Pointer was one of the founding members of the Pointer Sisters and co-author of the 1974 song 'Fairytale'. 

Elvis recorded a cover version on March 10, 1975 at RCA's Hollywood studios. The track appeared on his 'Today' album.

Paul Lichter Died

Elvis collector, author and dealer Paul Lichter has passed away. His family posted on Facebook:

Hello Elvis Family. Over the past 6 months Paul has been battling with Stage 4 cancer and with a sad heart I wanted to let you all know that he lost that battle on New Years Eve and has passed on. 

Thank you for sharing your passion for Elvis with him here on Facebook. He enjoyed hearing from and connecting with you all here. Long live the King and long live Paul and as he always signed his posts on here -PL 

Tristan and Betty Lichter.

Lichter wrote more than 30 books like 'Elvis In Hollywood', 'The Boy Who Dared To Rock', 'All My Best', 'Elvis Memories', 'Elvis Rebel Heart', 'E.P. In Concert' and 'Elvis In Vegas'. 

He was a dealer of (original) Elvis material through his Elvis Unique Record Club. 

(Source: CNN)

Review Tampa Wave

The Millbranch Music import record label released their second CD / DVD set this year, 'Tampa Wave' featuring Elvis' April 26, 1975 performance at the Curtis Hixon Hall in Tampa, Florida on CD and DVD with the almost complete concert from the July 18, 1975 show from Richfield Ohio (and more). 

Did they continue the series of quality releases that started with their 1974 Revisited set?

Design

 

The 'Tampa Wave' package comes as a 6-panel digipack, holding a CD and a DVD. As usual, no head-shot, but a full shot of Elvis and the TCB Band on stage. Inside more shots like this, one great portrait, even if he is wearing a two-piece suit with the fishlike epaulettes on his shoulders - and liner-notes from the fan who recorded the concert. A complete package.

 

Audio

 

The April 26, 1975 Evening Show performance on this silver disc was previously released as 'The Lightning Storm in Florida' on the Czech Memory Records in 2006. Compared with that CD this new outing of the show really sounds better, probably as it was taken from the original tape used to make this audience recording (from the 5th row according to the liner-notes. 

 

This CD contains a different and this time complete recording because not only the audio quality is better, but the sound is fuller and Elvis and the TCB band are more upfront. Great that almost 50 years later these recordings come to light!. 

 

Content - The CD

 

The King at 40 was no longer the lightning strike that hit the musical scene in 1955 at SUN. But he could still set the stage on fire when he wanted to. Victor Livingston reviewed the Afternoon concert for the St. Petersburg Times and noted: "As Elvis belts out C.C. Rider and I Got a Woman, two early rock 'n' roll classics, he executes a slow bump and grind, joking, "Let' see if it all works," then stops, clutching his leg in mock pain. He smiles, and the communication with the audience is total. Without spelling it out, Elvis is saying "Look, I'm not everything I used to be, but I still have a lot to give." The audience acknowledges each slight body movement with the expected screams and tumultuous applause." Listening to the reaction from the audience this observation is valid for the Evening Show too.

 

Overall this concert is an enjoyable, but standard 1975 show, featuring the early classics as well as more contemporary songs like Olivia Newton-John's 'If You Love Me let Me Know)' and 'Let Me be There'. But also a heartfelt renditions of  'Help Me' and 'My Boy'. 

 

'Burning Love' sounds good, and thanks to the audience recording you hear the audience clapping along, making you feel you're standing next to those 8,000 fans in the Curtis Hixon Hall in Tampa Florida. After way too long introductions we get a safe version of 'T.R.O.U.B.L.E', you can hear Elvis doesn't go all-out as he is singing the song from a lyric sheet. Our man wasn't that secure with this new hard to sing song. He states "the song has 2,000 words and I don't know one of them". That said, this was good material for Elvis at 40. 

 

Fortunately he does know the words to 'American Trilogy' and the audience immediately responds with a big applause. It must have been great witnessing being an American and watching Elvis sing this American anthem. After this highlight the show closes all too quickly with the Hawaiian theme and closing vamp. 

 

Compared to the Afternoon Show which was released in 2021 by the Follow That Dream collectors label on 'Elvis South Bound', this show had a short set-list, omitting concert favorites like 'It's Midnight', ''ll Remember You', 'Funny How Time Slips Away', 'That's All Right' and 'Heartbreak Hotel'. 

 

Content - The DVD

 

The DVD opens with footage from the Tampa show. It’s interesting to see the video of the concert on the audio CD, even if most of it are just fragments, as it helps greatly to get a more complete understanding of the show I just heard. 

 

Elvis doesn't look all that bad in these two-piece suits, and yes, he only had to shake one leg to get a reaction from the audience, even if he just wiggles it. So it really must have been the atmosphere he brings with him to a concert, that make these 1975 shows a great concert experience for the fans in audience. 

 

Also interesting, watching J.D. Sumner do his dive-bomb routine, you see Elvis directing him to go high and low. 

 

The footage from Lakeland (April 27 and 28th) has almost the same songs, obviously favorites from the filming fans, but the quality of the footage from the 27th is less than the footage from the other days.

 

Elvis seems a bit more enthusiastic in Atlanta (May 1st) watching the footage, but the quality of the video-material dropped again and the songs were the same opening performances. The same songs, three times in a row is getting a bit much, but it illustrates the shows as they were ... “standard”. It also illustrates that the fans enjoyed these standard songs, otherwise they probably would have filmed the others too! Elvis gives them what they want. 

 

Fortunately we get footage of other songs too, but again, mainly fragments. Watching this disc, I realize it actually must have been hard for Elvis do these shows properly as the ladies are demanding - wanting a kiss and a scarf, and Elvis doesn't let them down! - and he gets all kinds of gifts while he somehow has to continue singing his songs. 

 

The highlight of the  DVD is of course the "almost complete" Richfield performance from July 18, 1975, 53 minutes in total. This concert was released on CD by the E.P. Collector record label as 'Flying In Twice' (2020). See the review in ‘Elvis Day By Day 2020’).

 

Using footage from different perspectives and audio from various sources, including some photos and black screens, we get a “near complete” concert experience. Of course we could only wish for the quality we know from the 'Aloha' or the 'Elvis In Concert' special, but it isn't to be. Using the many split screens was a great choice by the producers considering the quality and the availability of the footage from different angels. 

 

Still, watching Elvis in concert, he draws you into the concert almost from the opening bars, even if it is another standard show and he wears the - in my opinion ugly - Totem Pole suit. Experiencing this concert almost 50 years later, we get 50-plus minutes of "golden records" with Elvis strutting up and down the podium, handing out boxes of scarfs to the ladies who keep coming to the podium. Charlie must have ran half a marathon, just bringing new ones to Elvis.

 

It’s interesting - or sad? - to see that our man gets some of the most enthusiastic reactions from the fans, when he throws the scarfs a bit further into the audience, and not necessarily for the performances he does, interesting to see. Doing his moves during ‘Tiger Man’ didn’t get the same response! 

 

Conclusion

 

Following their 'From Sea To Shining Sea” set, the Millbranch Music import label delivered another interesting and entertaining set. It complements FTD's 'South Bound' CD with the Evening Show performance in a better quality than we had until now, and a short video-experience of this concert on DVD. 

 

The CD is entertaining enough and thanks to the good audio-quality something every fan can enjoy. But for most fans the almost one hour concert performance from Richmond will make be the reason to get this set. The DVD does not disappoint as the editors made the best of what’s possible with the material available. 

 

What I especially like about the Millbranch DVDs is that they present a coherent picture of our man, focusing on footage from just one year. This set shows that bootleg labels can find a way to release interesting sets where others keep scraping the bottom of the empty barrel.

December 31 - Charts December 2022 - Week 5 (Updated)

The last weekly global Elvis Presley chart update for 2022, let's see how The King closed 2022.

On the Billboard singles chart he scored another "Top 40" hit with 'Blue Christmas'! and a "Top 40" album on the Dutch and Norwegian Album charts with his classic 'Elvis' Christmas Album'. 

In the United Kingdom, the 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' compilation made an impressive jump on the Album charts. In other parts of Europe, Elvis classic 'Christmas Album' returned to the charts.

On the Official Top 40 Biggest Albums of 2022 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' was listed at #22.

I guess The King still matters (on the chart) in 2022!

U.S. Billboard charts:

• Billboard Hot 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #41 to #27. 
• Billboard Top 200 Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' dropped from #29 to #31. 
• Billboard Global Top 200 chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #65 to #49.
• Billboard Global Top 200 chart: 'Here Comes Santa Claus' re-entry at #188.
• Billboard Global Top 200 chart (excl. U.S.): 'Blue Christmas' re-entry at #176.
• Billboard Streaming Songs chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #36 to #22.
• Billboard Top Current Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack album climbed from #76 to #64.
• Billboard Catalog Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' dropped from #17 to #18. 
• Billboard Soundtrack Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack Album chart: dropped from #8 to #11. 
• Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' remained steady at #7. 
• Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'The Essential Elvis Presley' climbed from #22 to #21.  
• Billboard Top Country Streaming Songs chart: 'Blue Christmas' remained steady at #4. 
• Billboard Top Country Streaming Songs chart: 'Here Comes Santa Claus' re-entry at #15.
• Billboard Country Digital Song Sales chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #14 to #10.
• Billboard Top Rock and Alternative Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' remained steady at #4.
• Billboard Top Christian Album chart: ''Elvis: Ultimate Gospel' re-entry at #50.
• Billboard Holiday 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' remained steady at #20.
• Billboard Holiday 100 chart: 'Here Comes Santa Clause' dropped from #92 to #70.  
• Billboard Holiday Airplay chart: 'Blue Christmas' re-entry at #47.
• Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #42 to #38.
• Billboard Top Holiday Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' remained steady at #14.
• Billboard Holiday Streaming Songs: 'Blue Christmas' remained steady at #19.
• Billboard Classic Albums Sales chart: 'Elvis Christmas with the RPO' climbed from #15 to #14. 

Canadian charts:

• Billboard Canadian Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from #31 to #26.

Official U.K. charts:

• Official Single Top 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #86 to #54. 
• Official Streaming Single Top 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #62 to #44. 
• Official Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #60 to #31.
• Official Compilation Albums chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #28 to #39.
• Official Streaming Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #27 tom#18.  
• Official Soundtrack Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #6 to #2. 
• Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40: 'Elvis Back in Nashville' climbed from #11 to #6. 
• Official Country Compilations Chart Top 20: 'From Elvis In Nashville' remained steady at #18. 
• Official Film Top 40 chart: 'ELVIS' remained steady at #5.
• Official DVD Chart Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #4 to #5.
• Official Video Chart Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #4 to #5. 
• Official Blu-ray Chart Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' movie dropped from #3 to #15.
• Official Film on Disc Chart Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #3 to #4.
• Official Music DVD chart: 'Elvis The Searcher' dropped from #37 to #50. 

Irish IRMA charts:

• Official Irish Album Top 100 chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' re-entry at #58.
• Official Irish Album Top 100 chart: 'The Essential Elvis Presley' re-entry at #73.
• Official Irish Single chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #82 to #56. 
• Official Irish Single chart: 'Here Comes Santa Claus' re-entry at #100. 
• Official Irish Video chart: 'ELVIS' climbed from #3 to #2.

Official Canadian charts:

• Canadian Singles chart: 'Blue Christmas' re-entry at #28.
• Canadian Digital Song Sales chart: 'Blue Christmas' re-entry at #37.
• Canadian Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed From #31 to #26.

Official Dutch charts:

• Official Dutch Single Top 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #73 to #44.
• Official Dutch Single Top 100 chart: 'Here Comes Santa Clause' re-entry at #69.
• Official Dutch Album Top 100 chart: 'Elvis' Christmas Album' climbed from #44 to #16.

Official Swedish charts:

• Swedish Album Top 100 chart: 'Elvis' Christmas Album' climbed from #33 to #30.

Norwegian charts:

• Norwegian Album chart: ‘Elvis’ Christmas album’ re-entry at #34.

Finnish charts:

• Finnish Album chart: 'Elvis' Christmas Album' re-entry at #18. 

Austrian charts:

• Austrian Album chart: 'Elvis' Christmas Album' re-entry at #52. 

Official Swiss charts:

• Swiss Album chart: 'Elvis' Christmas Album' re-entry at #41.
• Swiss Singles chart: 'Blue Christmas' re-entry at #81

Official Belgian charts:

• Belgian Ultratop charts (Wallonia): 'Elvis' Christmas Album' re-entry at #167.

Official German Album charts:

• German MTV Album Top 100 chart: 'Elvis' Christmas Album' re-entry at #60.

(Source: Official Chart Company / IRMA / UK Mix Forum / Dutchcharts / Swedish Charts / Elvis Movie Facebook Group)

December 28 - More Photo-books

Julian Watson published the 32-page 'Elvis Presley Photobook' holding 30-plus photo's of our man. 

Note: buyer beware, this is another money-grab release by a fake author. 

December 27 - For Your Oscar Consideration

Here is something for the collectors, the "For Your Consideration" 'ELVIS' Blu-ray set for the Oscars.

The first Billboard and advertisements are published too in movie and cinema magazines, so the campaign has started.

(Source: eBay / Facebook)

December 25 - The Life Of Elvis Presley

Palmer Manning published his 76-page paperback 'The Life Of Elvis Presley: The Amazing Life And Tragic Death Of The King Of Rock 'n' Roll'.

Synopsis: Are you the biggest Elvis Presley fan there is? Or are you interested in learning everything there is to know about a renowned King of Rock and Roll? 

If so, then you should read this book! You will discover a lot about Elvis Presley's legacy and early demise, which has served as inspiration for a lot of people, as well as his history, plot, personal life, and military service. 

This book is an excellent addition to any bookshelf because it is clearly divided into parts that make it easy to access the information you need. Take action right away and get yours today.

Note: Buyer beware, this book contains about 20 to 50 words per page, so it's easy on the eyes :-). 

James Burton Update

A Christmas update from the Burton family: 

A Christmas Miracle ✝️

James got to come home for Christmas because of all your prayers 🙏

Have a very blessed Merry Christmas to everyone ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ - The Burton Family

(Source: Amazon)

Merry Christmas

I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2023! 

Let's hope 2023 will be an even greater Elvis year than 2022. 

Take care

Kees

December 24 - Charts December 24 - Week 4 (Updated)

The weekly global Elvis Presley chart update. The 'King of Christmas Songs' keeps doing well on the charts, thanks to the Holiday season, improving his listing on almost all charts! 

On the Canadian Billboard Album chart he scored another "Top 40" album with 'The Classic Christmas Album'. 

Not featured on this overview are the charts of the many on-line retailers. New statistics will be added over the weekend when they become available.

U.S. Billboard charts:

• Billboard Hot 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #45 to #41. 
• Billboard Top 200 Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from #34 to #29. 
• Billboard Top 200 Album chart: 'The Essential Elvis Presley' remained steady at #174. 
• Billboard Global Top 200 chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #79 to #65.
• Billboard Streaming Songs chart: 'Blue Christmas' remained steady at #36.
• Billboard Top Album Sales chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' dropped from #73 to #95. 
• Billboard Top Current Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack album dropped  from #70 to #76.
• Billboard Catalog Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' dropped from #16 to #17. 
• Billboard Soundtrack Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack Album chart: dropped from #7 to #8. 
• Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' remained steady at #7. 
• Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'The Essential Elvis Presley' remained steady at #22.  
• Billboard Top Country Streaming Songs chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #7 to #4. 
• Billboard Top Rock and Alternative Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from #5 to #4.
• Billboard Top Rock and Alternative Album chart: 'The Essential Elvis Presley' climbed from #32 to #30. 
• Billboard Top Rock and Alternative Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #44 to #46. 
• Billboard Top Rock Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' remained steady at #4.  
• Billboard Top Rock Album chart: 'The Essential Elvis Presley' made a re-entry at #24. 
• Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #20 to #14.
• Billboard Holiday 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #21 to #20.
• Billboard Holiday 100 chart: 'Here Comes Santa Clause' dropped from #96 to #92.  
• Billboard Holiday Digital Song Sales chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #43 to #42. 
• Billboard Top Holiday Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from #15 to #14. 
• Billboard Holiday Streaming Songs: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #20 to #19.
• Billboard Classic Albums Sales chart: 'Elvis Christmas with the RPO' climbed from #18 to #15. 

Canadian charts:

• Billboard Canadian Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from #33 to #31.

Official U.K. charts:

• Official Single Top 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #100 to #86. 
• Official Streaming Single Top 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #76 to #62. 
• Official Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #61 to #60.
• Official Compilation Albums chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #37 to #28.
• Official Streaming Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' remained steady at #27.  
• Official Soundtrack Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #6 to #2. 
• Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40: 'Elvis Back in Nashville' climbed from #12 to #11. 
• Official Country Compilations Chart Top 20: 'From Elvis In Nashville' dropped from #12 to #18. 
• Official Film Top 40 chart: 'ELVIS' climbed from #6 to #5.
• Official DVD Chart Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #2 to #4.
• Official Video Chart Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #2 to #4. 
• Official Blu-ray Chart Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' movie climbed from #5 to #3.
• Official Film on Disc Chart Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #2 to #3.
• Official Music DVD Top 50 hart: 'Elvis The King' re-entry at #36.
• Official Music DVD chart: 'Elvis The Searcher' re-entry at #37. 

Official Canadian charts:

• Canadian Singles chart: 'Blue Christmas' re-entry at #28.

Official Dutch charts:

• Official Dutch Single Top 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #83 to #73.
• Official Dutch Album Top 100 chart: 'Elvis' Christmas Album' climbed from #61 to #44.

Official Swedish charts:

• Swedish Album Top 100 chart: 'Elvis' Christmas Album' climbed from #42 to #33.

Norwegian charts

• Norwegian Album charts: 'Elvis Christmas Album' re- entry at #34. 

(Source: Official Chart Company / IRMA / UK Mix Forum / Dutchcharts / Swedish Charts / Elvis Movie Facebook Group)

 

December 2023 - 2022 Elvis Rewind

Emiel Maier posted the December 2022 Elvis News Report, looking back on all the main events of 2022 and more in an entertaining "2022 Elvis News Rewind". I particularly enjoyed the end-segment :-) 

December 22 - Blowin' In The Wind

The Reel Track import record label released an Exclusive Limited Edition of their 'Blowin' In The Wind' CD with a new cover-art. This CD is only available at the Dutch Bennies Fifties store. 

Visit the >>> webshop.

The Best Box Sets of 2022

Rolling Stone listed the "Best Box-sets of 2022", Elvis Presley's 'On Tour' set was listed at #7. The magazine commented: "This year's best crop of archival sets ranged from deep dives into classic albums by David Bowie, Guns N’ Roses, and the Beatles, a box that enhances the legacy of New York punk’s greatest pop band, and several sterling sets by heroes of live Rock and Roll". 

An on the Elvis set they noted "So much love has been showered upon Elvis Presley’s 1973 'Aloha From Hawaii' special that it’s easy to overlook what led up to the historic concert. The Elvis on Tour six-CD box set zeroes in on Presley’s 1972 U.S. run, assembling four full concerts from the tour. While much of the setlist leans on Presley’s usual Seventies suspects ('See See Rider', ' 'You Gave Me a Mountain', Tony Joe White’s 'Polk Salad Annie'), it’s fun to hear Elvis change his inflection here and there, probably to keep himself from getting bored. 

It’s the two discs of rehearsals, though, that pack the most surprises: Presley teasing his musicians in 'Can’t Help Falling In Love', vamping through Marty Robbin’s 'El Paso',” and delivering spine-tingling renditions of the gospel songs he so adored."

(Source: Bennies Fifties / Rolling Stone)

Elvis Day By Day 2022 Available For Pre-order

The fifth volume in the 'Elvis Day By Day - The Year In Review' yearbook series will be released January 2023 by Poplar Tunes Publishing.

You can already pre-order the book, it will be shipped to you as soon as it comes out.

Description: What a great year it was for Elvis fans with Baz Luhrmann's No. 1 and award winning 'ELVIS' biopic and soundtrack, putting Elvis back in the spotlight.

Add to that the 50th Anniversary release of 'On Tour', Follow That Dream's 'Aloha', classic hits, albums, concerts as well as alternate takes in mono, stereo and HD-quality on CD, vinyl, DVD and 4K Ultra HD discs. There were also interesting books on Elvis' musical catalogue, the SUN years, airplanes, pilot, manager, cars, jewelry, concert tours and much more. 

Literally too much to keep track of. The 2022 edition of 'Elvis Day By Day' - volume 5 in the series - contains it all. The foreword of this 2022 Elvis Presley reference book is written by Elvis World's Phil Gelormine.

With 400-plus pages - over 70 pages more than the 2021 edition! - this 5th volume in the series is literally a great addition to your Elvis library.

Click here for the pre-order link to the Poplar Tunes shop >>> Elvis Day By Day 2022. A hardcover edition will be added later. 

For wholesale inquiries, please contact the author by >>> email.

December 21 - A Tampa Wave (Updated)

Millbranch Music import record label released the CD / DVD set 'Tampa Wave'. 

Publicity stated: The CD includes Elvis' full performance of the evening show in Tampa, Florida (April 26, 1975), taken from the original tape which has been recorded by a by then “experienced” fan who had a great seat in the 5th row - and his recording equipment with him! 

The DVD includes rare and high-quality 8mm-footage of the Tampa 'Evening Show from April 26, 1975 (the same as you can hear on the CD) and more impressions from the same tour with the concerts in Lakeland, FL (Evening show from April 27 and the show from April 28) and Atlanta from May 1st. As a bonus the DVD contains an absolutely stunning performance from Elvis' concert in Richfield, filmed at his magnificent July 75' tour (July 18). 

Diane McBain

Actress Diane McBain died yesterday, she was 81. R.I.P. 

Diane played opposite Elvis in the movie 'Spinout' in which she starred as an author fighting for his affection alongside characters played by Shelley Fabares and Deborah Walley.

'Women have asked me many times what it was like to kiss Elvis,' McBain told Boomer Magazine last year. 'And I tell them it was just as wonderful as you would imagine! He was charming and a lovely person to work with. He didn't come on to me, which I appreciated because so many did throughout my career.' 

A Life From Beginning to End

Hourly History published the 104-page hardcover book 'Elvis Presley: A Life From Beginning to End'. 

Synopsis: Elvis Presley was much more than a cultural icon; he was a reliable barometer of the world he grew up in. Long before the cultural revolutions of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Elvis was sparking a dynastic change of hands in American society. And by his own admission, much of it was by accident. Whenever his performances caused a stir, Elvis was always the first to ask what all the fuss was about. When questioned if he was trying to provoke a response from his audience, Elvis innocently replied that he was just doing what came naturally.

Inside you will read about...

- Elvis and His Twin

- That’s All Right

- Presley’s Controversial Rise

- Elvis Joins the Army

- Comeback in Las Vegas

- Last Years and Death

And much more!

(Source: FECC / Hollywood Reporter / Variety / Amazon)

December 20 - From Denmark to Dealers

The Danish Follow That Dream collectors label released the 'Elvis: From Louisiana and Memphis' 4-CD-set. The 5-inch digi-pack features three 1976 concerts recorded at Hirsch Coliseum, Shreveport, Louisiana July 1, 1976, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana July 2, 1976 and Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, Tennessee July 5, 1976.  

CD 1: Hirsch Coliseum, Shreveport, Louisiana:

Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See Rider -  Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - You Gave Me A Mountain - All Shook Up - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - And I Love You So - Jailhouse Rock - Fever - America - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions / Early Mornin’ Rain - Introductions / What’d I Say / Johnny B. Goode - Love Letters - School Days - Hurt - Hound Dog - Funny How Time Slips Away - Happy Birthday - It’s Now Or Never - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp

CD 2: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana:

Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - Fairytale - You Gave Me A Mountain - All Shook Up - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - And I Love You So - Jailhouse Rock - Fever - America - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions / Early Mornin’ Rain  - Introductions / What’d I Say / Johnny B. Goode - Love Letters - School Days - Hurt - Funny How Time Slips Away - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp

CD 3: Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, Tennessee (Teil 1):

Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - Fairytale - You Gave Me A Mountain - All Shook Up - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - And I Love You So - Jailhouse Rock - Fever - America - One Night - That’s All Right - Blue Christmas

CD 4: Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, Tennessee (Teil 2):

Introductions / Early Mornin’ Rain - Introductions / What’d I Say / Johnny B. Goode - Love Letters - School Days - Hurt - Hound Dog - Funny How Time Slips Away - Help Me - How Great Thou Art - Softly As I Leave You - Polk Salad Annie - Jambalaya - It’s Now Or Never - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp.

New Exhibition

Graceland will soon unveil a  brand new exciting exhibition titled 'The Making of Elvis' to celebrate the Elvis movie’s worldwide success! 

n partnership with Warner Bros., National Film and Sound Archives of Australia, and Baz Luhrmann, Graceland will open an all-new Making of ELVIS Movie Exhibition. The Exhibition will look at the beginning of the creative process for the celebrated film and follow it through its journey to the big screen, taking the story from paper to film.

Highlights of the exhibition will include behind-the-scenes videos of the making of the film, including videos shot while researching Memphis and Tupelo, during the set builds in Australia, and in rehearsals, plus handwritten notes, drafts of scripts, storyboards, and more.Props from the film, set pieces, and costumes and accessories worn by Austin Butler (Elvis), Tom Hanks (Colonel Tom Parker), Olivia DeJonge (Priscilla) and other actors will also be on display, plus a look at the worldwide media frenzy surrounding the film.

For more information visit graceland.com/elvis-movie

(Source: FECC Forum)

December 19 - Elvis UK - Beyond RCA

Gordon Minto and John Townson announced the January 2023 release of 'Elvis UK - Beyond RCA The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British Non-RCA LPs 1974-1997'.

Publicity stated: The new 400-page book by Gordon Minto and John Townson focuses on the non-RCA releases (official ones) issued in the United Kingdom between 1974 and 1997 in much more detail than has ever been done before and, like the volumes before it, it is available as a digital flip-book.  

More details to follow after Christmas.

Elvis On Tour Interviews

Sony / EPE published a new promotional video for the 'Elvis On Tour' box in their 'Elvis On Tour Interviews' series, this time titled 'Behind The Box Set'. 

(Source: Gordon Minto / Sony on Facebook)

December 18 - Holiday Greetings From Graceland

Graceland /  Elvis Presley Enterprises Holiday Classics sent out their annual Fan Club President's Christmas card / CD. This year's title - the 26th edition in the series - is 'Holiday Classics' featuring the tracks 'On A Snowy Christmas Night', 'Winter Wonderland' and 'It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You)'. 

Inside the cardboard picture sleeve you will find a Christmas message from the Presley family (click to enlarge).

Brian Petersen Died

Elvis fan and noted author Brian Petersen died earlier this week. This Danish fan has written the book 'The Atomic Powered Singer' (1994). 

His website is still online at >>> http://www.brian56.dk

Update James Burton

James Burton's family shared another update on his health:

James is back at Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehab Center and they are trying to get him released on December 23rd so he can be home for Christmas.  We have witnessed a complete Christmas Miracle this week.  Prayers with Faith do work!!!

A Very Merry Christmas To All Our Friends 🌲🎅🎸

God Bless You ✝️✝️✝️

Thank you all and please share...the Burton Family.

(Source: Elvis On CD / The james Burton Family)

December 17 - Charts December 2022 - Week 3

The weekly Elvis Presley chart update. The 'King of Christmas Songs' is back on the Billboard charts. 

Elvis re-entered the Dutch and Swedish charts too with his Christmas album.

Not featured on this overview are the charts of the many on-line retailers. New statistics will be added over the weekend when they become available.

U.S. Billboard charts:

• Billboard Hot 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' dropped from #43 to #45.
• Billboard Top 200 Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from #42 to #34. 
• Billboard Top 200 Album chart: 'The Essential Elvis Presley' was listed at #174. 
• Billboard Global Top 200 chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #94 to #79
• Billboard Streaming Songs chart: 'Blue Christmas' dropped from #27 to #36.
• Billboard Top Album Sales chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from  #95 to #73.
• Billboard Top Current Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack album climbed from #79 to #70.
• Billboard Catalog Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from #21 to #16.
• Billboard Soundtrack Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack Album chart: remained steady at #7. 
• Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from #9 to #7. 
• Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'The Essential Elvis Presley' dropped from #22 to #22. 
• Billboard Top Country Streaming Songs chart: 'Blue Christmas'remained steady at #7.
• Billboard Top Rock and Alternative Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from #10 to #5.
• Billboard Top Rock and Alternative Album chart: 'The Essential Elvis Presley' climbed from #36 to #32. 
• Billboard Top Rock and Alternative Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #45 to #44.
• Billboard Top Rock Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from #7 to #4. 
• Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales chart: 'Blue Christmas' re-entry at #20.
• Billboard Holiday 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #22 to #21.
• Billboard Holiday 100 chart: 'Here Comes Santa Clause' dropped from #78 to #96. 
• Billboard Holiday Digital Song Sales chart: 'Blue Christmas' re-entry at #43. 
• Billboard Top Holiday Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' dropped from #14 to #15.
• Billboard Holiday Streaming Songs: 'Blue Christmas' climbed from #21 to #20.
• Billboard Classic Albums Sales chart: 'Elvis Christmas with the RPO' dropped from #16 to #18.

Canadian charts:

• Billboard Canadian Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from #62 to #33.

Official U.K. charts:

• Official Single Top 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' dropped from #99 to #100. 
• Official Streaming Single Top 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' dropped from #73 to #76. 
• Official Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #54 to #61.  
• Official Compilation Albums chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #35 to #37.  
• Official Streaming Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #25 to #27. 
• Official Soundtrack Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #3 to #6. 
• Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40: 'Elvis back in Nashville' dropped from #12 to #14.  
• Official Country Compilations Chart Top 20: 'From Elvis In Nashville' climbed rom #19 to #12.
• Official Film Top 40 chart: 'ELVIS' climbed from #7 to #6.
• Official DVD Chart Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' climbed from #3 to #2.
• Official Video Chart Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' climbed from #4 to #2. 
• Official Blu-ray Chart Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' movie climbed from # 9 to #5.
• Official Film on Disc Chart Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' climbed from #3 to #2. 

Official Irish IRMA charts:

• Official Irish Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #73 to #95. 
• Official Irish Compilation Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack album climbed from #14 to #9.

Official Dutch charts:

• Official Dutch Single Top 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' re-entry at #83.
• Official Dutch Album Top 100 chart: 'Elvis' Christmas Album' re-entry at #61.

Swedish charts:

• Swedish Album Top 100 chart: 'Elvis' Christmas Album' climbed from #42 to #33.

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

 

December 17 - SUN's Prodigy Was Delivered

A few days later than expected, the printed copies of 'ELVIS Prodigy of SUN Records' were delivered at KJ Consulting / The Elvis Files headquarters in Norway. 

The authors, Erik Lorentzen and Erik van Beek stated: we are absolutely delighted with these books. "The printing is much better than expected", were his first words after leafing through the publications. From this day on, there will be a rush to ship all worldwide orders. As previously stated on the site, the LP will be released a little later, it'll be sent to everyone for free when pressing is done. 

Most likely the set will not make it to your home before Christmas. Sorry for this but we really did our best to get everything done on time. Nevertheless, you will enjoy many hours of reading it over and over and drool over the quality of this box set. The photos in these two volumes are ... gee, just awesome - breathtakingly - absurdly good.

We wish you a very happy Christmas and thank you for all the trust you've placed in us, including your patience. A big Thank You!

The book is available from >>> the Elvis Files site where you can watch a preview. 

The Inspirational Success Story

Peter Chasey published his 399-page book 'The Inspirational Success Story, Legacy and the Mysterious Death of Elvis Presley: Rock and Roll'. 

Note: buyer beware! The preview looks like a badly translated datadump from various sources. 

(Source:Various / Amazon)

December 16 - Graceland Wins ... Again!

The votes have been counted and the results are in, and thanks to all the Elvis fans out there, Graceland has stayed on top and been named the #1 “Best Holiday Historic Home Tour” by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards again!

This marks an impressive total of ten USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for Elvis Presley's legendary home! 

Graceland was voted into the top spot by the general public and readers of USA Today's popular 10Best online travel sites. Readers were asked to vote for their favorite Holiday Historic Home Tour from a pool of 20 nationwide attractions nominated by a panel of travel writers and photographers.  

(Source: Graceland)

December 15 - James Burton Update

The Burton family posted a new update on James Burton's health, following the news from yesterday that he was back in hospital. Thing are looking up a bit. 

James got ready for surgery today and right before surgery the doctor said the surgery was cancelled! Do you really believe that prayer works? This is proof!

They decided to give strong antibodies for the next few days to see if that works first🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️

Today they found a blood clot in his leg! Now the doctors are trying to control that problem also! 🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️

James just wants to get back to playing 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

Please continue praying and please share this with everyone you know.  God is good! 

Thank you so much - the Burton Family.

Les Dieux Du Rock

Released in France was volume 5 in the 'Album' magazine series. This edition covers 'Les Dieux Du Rock', Johnny Halliday and Elvis Presley. 

(Source: Burton Family / Journaux)

December 14 - Nominations In Hospital

The nominations for the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards were announced by the Hollywood Critics Association. The 2022 'ELVIS' biopic was nominated in 7 categories:

Best Picture - ELVIS

Best Actor – Austin Butler

Best Director – Baz Luhrmann

Best Production Design – Catherine Martin, Karen Murphy, Bev Dunn

Best Editing – Matt Villa, Jonathan Redmond

Best Costume Design – Catherine Martin

Best Hair and Makeup - ELVIS

The Awards Ceremony will air live on Sunday, January 15, 2023.

James Burton Back In Hospital

James Burton's family posted a new update on his health:

James is back in Vanderbilt Hospital for infection of his hip incision!
They are going to operate on him again tomorrow to get all the infection out of his body.

Need all prayer warriors to pray for him.🙏🙏🙏🙏

This will be the the 4th surgery in 5 months. God has something wonderful for James to do but he can't do it without your prayers!!!

Please Pray 🙏✝️😇🎸

Please share and thank you and God bless you all - the Burton Family.

(Source: James Burton Family / Critics Awards)

December 13 - Elvis and the Colonel: An Insider's Look

St. Martin's Press announced the November 28, 2023 release of the 304-page book 'Elvis and the Colonel: An Insider's Look at the Most Legendary Partnership in Show Business' by Greg McDonald and Marshall Terrill. 

Marshall Terrill is a veteran film, sports and music writer and the author of more than 30 books. They include best-selling biographies of Steve McQueen, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Billy Graham, and Pete Maravich.

(Source: Amazon)

December 12 - Nominations Golden Globes (Updated)

The nominees of the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards have been announced.

Baz Luhrmann's 'ELVIS' biopic has been nominated in three categories; Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director – Motion Picture. 

The award ceremony will take place on January 10, 2023. 

Best Motion Picture – Drama

Elvis (Warner Bros)

Competing with: 

Avatar: The Way Of Water (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

The Fabelmans (Universal Pictures)

Tár (Focus Features)

Top Gun: Maverick (Paramount Pictures)

 

Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture – Drama

Austin Butler - Elvis

Competing with: 

Brendan Fraser - The Whale

Hugh Jackman - The Son

Bill Nighy - Living

Jeremy Pope - The Inspection

 

Best Director – Motion Picture

Baz Luhrmann - Elvis

Competing with: 

Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert - Everything Everywhere All At Once

James Cameron - Avatar: The Way Of Water

Martin Mcdonagh - The Banshees Of Inisherin

Steven Spielberg - The Fabelmans

Photo books

Author "Kymani Fountain" published the 24-page Elvis Presley photo book 'Beautiful And Iconic Photos Collection Of The Famous Singer for Special Day'. The same book is also available with 4 other covers, supposedly written by "Tea Delarosa", "Clyde Colley", "Madelaine Mckenzie" and "Ane Kit". 

Note: buyer beware!

Doja Cat's song for 'ELVIS' deemed ineligible for the Oscars

Members of the Academy's music branch are stepping on Doja Cat's blue suede shoes. 'Vegas', co-written by the rapper for the 'ELVIS' biopic, has been deemed ineligible for the 2023 Academy Awards.

The original score for Tár, one of the most buzzed about films of the year, has also been disqualified as the eligibility list was made available to Academy members. The disqualifications, first reported by Variety, affirm previous speculation about the fate of the two tracks at next year's ceremony.

'Vegas' is an interpolation of the Big Mama Thornton / Elvis Presley classic 'Hound Dog', dooming it for Oscars consideration. The key lyric "You ain't nothing but a..." is sprinkled throughout, and the Oscars guidelines dictate that words and music must be "original and written specifically for the motion picture".

The hit song reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October, marking the rapper's sixth Hot 100 top 10.

As for the 'Tár' score by Icelandic composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, ineligibility stems from the insufficient amount of original, clearly audible music, going against guidelines. To be eligible, the scores must not be "diluted by the use of pre-existing music." Much of the audible music consists of symphonies and classic musical excerpts that diluted the score.

Congratulations

Happy 90th birthday to Steve Binder, the man who saved Elvis' career in 1968 and gave him some credibility back.

 

(Source: Golden Globes / Amazon / Variety / Entertainment Weekly)