Tuesday, May 21, 2024

May 21 - Movie and Mansion Sell-out? (Updated)

The Follow That Dream collectors label announced the early July 2024 Follow That Dream / Flaming Star release of the 400-page / 2 CD set 'Celluloid Sell-out - Worldwide Elvis Presley Movie Memorabilia 1959 - 1961
by Bob Pakes.

Publicity statedFollowing on from the highly successful Vol. 1, this edition features 448 pages with over 2,000 images. It’s packed with movie posters, lobby cards, press books, and much more. Also includes extensive information on memorabilia and how the movies from 1960 and 1961 were promoted around the world. Two CD’s feature alternate soundtrack recordings from 'G.I. Blues', 'Flaming Star', 'Blue Hawaii' and 'Wild In The Country'.

CD 1: G I. Blues: Tonight Is So Right For Love (Take 2) - What’s She Really Like (Take 5) - Frankfort Special (Version 1 Take 13) - Wooden Heart (Take 1) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1 - Take 12) - Shoppin Around (Version 1 Master, Take 11) - Big Boots (Fast Version - Master, Take 7) - Didja Ever (Take 1) - Blue Suede Shoes (Album Master Take 1) - Doin The Best I Can (Take 3) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (Take 1)

Flaming Star: Flaming Star (Take 1) - Summer Kisses, Winter Tears (Take 2) - A Cane And A High Starched Collar (Master - Splice From Take 6 And Insert 1, Take 6) - Britches (Master - Vocal Overdub Spliced From Take 5 & 7 And Insert 1 Take 1) - Flaming Star (End Title Version, Master - Spliced From Take 5 And Ending Of Take 4) - Black Star (Master - Take 14)

CD 2: Wild In The Country: Lonely Man (Solo Version - Master - Take 4) - Wild In The Country (Take 11) - In My Way (Take 1) - Forget Me Never (Take 1) - Lonely Man (Record Version - Take 1) - I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell (Alternate Master - Take 18) - Husky Dusky Day

Blue Hawaii: Blue Hawaii (Take 3) - Almost Always True (Take 3) - Aloha Oe (Take 6) - No More (Take 8) - Can’t Help Falling In Love (Movie Version - Take 23) - Rock-A-Hula Baby (Take 3) - Moonlight Swim (Take 2) - Ku-U-I-Po (Take 5) - Ito Eats (Take 5) - Slicin’ Sand (Take 4) - Hawaiian Sunset (Take 2) - Beach Boy Blues (Movie Version - Take 3) - Island Of Love (Take 8) - Hawaiian Wedding Song (Take 1) - Steppin’ Out Of Line (Unedited Movie Version - Spliced From Take 8 & 19)

Due late June from FTD is the 5-CD-set 'Guitar Man Sessions 67/68'.

Publicity stated
: As part of its ongoing 'Sessions' series, FTD is pleased to announce the release of 'Elvis Presley - Guitar Man - The '67/68 Sessions'.

Released as a 5-CD-set, It features the RCA label sessions at RCA Studio B in Nashville. September 1967 highlights include the title track along with 'Hi Heel Sneakers', 'Big Boss Man' and 'You Don’t Know Me'. 

January 1968 spawned 'Too Much Monkey Business' and 'U.S. Male'. The 24-page booklet features rare photos, session data, memorabilia and global chart and release information.

Disc 1: Big Boss Man - You Don't Know Me - Guitar Man - Singing Tree - Just Call Me Lonesome - Hi-Heel Sneakers - U. S. Male - Stay Away - You'll Never Walk Alone - We Call On Him - Mine - Going Home - Too Much Monkey Business - Suppose

September 10, 1967 sessions: Guitar Man (Take 1 - 5) - Guitar Man (Take 6 - 9) - Guitar Man (Take 10) - Guitar Man (Take 11 - 12 Undubbed Master) - Guitar Man (Overdub Of Take 12 - Unedited) - Big Boss Man (Take 1 - 2) - Big Boss Man (Take 3 - 9) - Big Boss Man (Take 10 - 11 Master)

Disc 2 September 10, 1967 Sessions continued: Mine (Take 1 - 4) - Mine (Take 5 - 7) - Mine (Take 8 - 9) - Mine (Take 10 - 13) - Mine (Take 14 - 16) - Mine (Take 17 - 18) - Mine (Take 19 - 21) - Mine (Take 21 With Vocal Replacement - Master) - Singing Tree (Take 1) - Singing Tree (Take 2 - 4) - Singing Tree (Take 5 - 7) - Singing Tree (Take 8) - Singing Tree (Take 9 - 12) - Singing Tree (Take 13 Alternate Master) - Just Call Me Lonesome (Take 1 Master) - Just Call Me Lonesome (Take 2 - 4) - Just Call Me Lonesome (Take 5 - 6 Alternate Master)

Disc 3: September 11, 1967 Sessions: Hi-Heel Sneakers (Take 1 - 5) - Hi-Heel Sneakers (Take 6 - 7 Unedited Master) - Hi-Heel Sneakers (Splice Of Take 7 & First Line Of Take 5 -  Edited Master) - You Don't Know Me (Take 1) - You Don't Know Me (Take 2) - You Don't Know Me (Splice Of Take 1 And Last Chord Of Take 2 - Master) - We Call On Him (Take 1 - 2) - We Call On Him (Take 3) - We Call On Him (Take 4 - 5) - We Call On Him (Take 6 - 7) - We Call On Him (Take 8) - We Call 0n Him (Take 9 Master 9 - You'll Never Walk Alone (Take 1) - You'll Never Walk Alone (Take 2) - You'l Never Walk Alone (Take 3 - 8) - You' Never Walk Alone (Splice Of Take 8 & 1- Master) - Singing Tree (Remake - Take 1 - 3) - Singing Tree (Remake - Take 4 - 5 Undubbed Master) - Singing Tree (remake) (Overdub Of Take 5 Master)

Disc 4: The January 15, 1968 Sessions: Too Much Monkey Business (Take 1 - 3) - Too Much Monkey Business (Take 4- 9) - Too Much Monkey Business (Take 10) - Too Much Monkey Business (Take 11 - 13) - Too Much Monkey Business (Take 14 Undubbed Master) - Too Much Monkey Business (Overdub Of Take 14, Take 1) - Too Much Monkey Business (Oerdub Of Take 14. Take 2 - 5 Master) - Goin' Home (Take 1 - 5) - Goin' Home (Take 6 - 15) - Goin' Home (Take 16 - 21) - Goin' Home (Take 22 - 23) - Goin' Home (Take 24 - 29) - Goin' Home (Take 30 Master)

Disc 5: The January 16, 1968 Sessions: Stay Away (Take 1 - 2) - Stay Away (Take 3 - 6) - Stay Away (Take 7 - 9) - Stay Away (Take 10 - 13) - Stay Away (Take 14) - Stay Away (Take 15 Undubbed Master) - Stay Away (Overdub Of Take 15, Take 1) - Stay Away (Overdub Of Take 15, Take 2) - Stay Away (Overdub Of Take 15, Take 3 Master) - U. S. Male (Take 1 - 4) - U. S. Male (Take 5) - U. S. Male (Take 6) - U. S.Male (Take 8 - 10) - U. S. Male (Take 11) - U. S. Male (Take 12)

March 20, 1967 Overdub Session: Suppose (Elvis At The Piano, 1966 Recording) - Suppose (Overdubbed Master) - Suppose (Instrumental)

Note: An overview of the unreleased material on this set as compiled by Michael Sander on the Elvis Club Berlin Forum:

Completely unreleased:

Sept. 10/11, 1967:
Guitar Man Take 8 (LFS)
Mine Takes 10-12 (FS), 14-15 (FS), 16, 17 (FS), 18, 19-20 (FS), 21
Singing Tree Take 3 (FS), 5-6 (FS), 7, 9+11 (FS), 12
Just Call Me Lonesome Take 2 (FS)

Sept. 11/12, 1967:
Hi-Heel Sneakers Takes 2-4 (FS)
We Call On Him Take 6 (FS)
You'll Never Walk Alone Take 7 (2x FS)
Singing Tree (Remake) Takes 4 (FS), 5

Jan. 15/16, 1968:
Too Much Monkey Business Takes 2+5+7+8+11 (FS), 13, 14
Too Much Monkey Business (Guitar Overdub) Takes 1-4
Goin' Home Takes 1 (FS), 6-8 (FS), 13 (FS), 25 (FS, cut-off on bootleg)

= 32 FS, 8 Takes resp. Undubbed Master, 4 Takes Guitar Overdub

Officially unreleased:

March 20, 1967:
Suppose (Instrumental)


Sept. 10/11, 1967:
Guitar Man Takes 3 (FS), 4 (2x FS), 6 (FS), 8 (LFS)
Big Boss Man Takes 8 (FS), 10 (FS)
Mine Takes 5 (FS), 6 (FS), 7, 10-12 (FS), 14-15 (FS), 16, 17 (FS), 18, 19-20 (FS), 21
Singing Tree Take 3 (FS), 5-6 (FS), 7, 9+11 (FS), 12
Just Call Me Lonesome Take 2 (FS)

Sept. 11/12, 1967:
Hi-Heel Sneakers Takes 2-4 (FS)
We Call On Him Take 6 (FS)
You'll Never Walk Alone Take 7 (2x FS)
Singing Tree (Remake) Takes 4 (FS), 5

Jan. 15/16, 1968:
Too Much Monkey Business Takes Takes 2+5+7+8+11 (FS), 13, 14
Too Much Monkey Business (Guitar Overdub) Takes 1-4
Goin' Home Takes 1-4 (jeweils FS), 5, 6-8 (FS), 9-11 (FS), 14 (FS), 20 (FS), 25 (FS)

Jan. 16/17, 1968:
Stay Away Takes 7-8 (FS), 9, 15
Stay Away (Guitar Overdub) Takes 1-2
U.S. Male Takes 1 (LFS), 3 (FS+LFS), 8 (LFS)

= 51 FS, 12 Takes resp. Undubbed Master, 6 Takes Guitar Overdub, 1 Instrumental

(All data without guarantee).


Follow That Dream also announced that it would reprint the following 'Sessions' box sets for release at the end of June.
  • Elvis: The Kid Galahad Sessions 2 CD Boxset
  • The Elvis Is Back Sessions 4-CD Set from FTD
  • Elvis: The Fun In Acapulco Sessions 3 CD Box Set

That's All Right

The Norwegian Flaming Star fan-club announced the August 2024 release of the vinyl EP 'That's All Right'.

Publicity stated: We're celebrating the 70th anniversary of "That's All Right" with a truly unique release. This is an EP record that has been produced in a very limited edition, with sound remastered for the occasion.

Side A: That's All Right - Blue Moon Of Kentucky.
Side B: Good Rockin´ Tonight - You're A Heartbreaker.

Graceland Sell-out

The Memphis based WREG reported that due to an ongoing lawsuit involving a claim that Graceland was used as collateral for a loan by the late Lisa Marie Presley, the Graceland Mansion may be set for a foreclosure auction. Elvis heir Riley Keough claims fraud and fights sale. 

The news update stated: Graceland, is set to be sold off at a foreclosure sale this Thursday according to a legal notice. The notice alleges that Promenade Trust, which controls the Graceland estate at 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd., owes $3.8 million after failing to repay a loan taken out on May 16, 2018.

Presley’s granddaughter is fighting the sale with a lawsuit, saying the claims are fraudulent. Memphis-based law firm Morton and Germany is representing Keough and the Promenade Trust. Attorney Jeff Germany confirmed the temporary restraining order is in place, which delays Thursday's sale.

Naussany Investments and Private Lending in Missouri says Graceland was used as collateral and that Lisa Marie Presley failed to repay the loan. Keough, on behalf of the Promenade Trust, has filed a lawsuit against Naussany Investments. In the lawsuit, Keough claims the company presented fraudulent documents regarding the loan and unpaid sum in September 2023.

The lawsuit was filed on May 15th in Shelby County Chancery Court. An injunction hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, between both parties in Chancery Court. A temporary restraining order on the sale was granted Monday, according to an attorney for heir Riley Keough. An injunction hearing is set for Wednesday.

A notice published this month states that Graceland and surrounding acreage on Elvis Presley Boulevard is set to be auctioned off for cash to the highest bidder on the Shelby County Courthouse steps May 23, 2024.

The legal notice states that Lisa Marie Presley allegedly signed a Deed of Trust in 2018 securing a US$3.8 million loan with a Missouri company called Naussany Investments and Private Lending, using Graceland as collateral. The company claims she never paid back that money before she died last year.

But Presley’s daughter Danielle Riley Keough says in a 60-page lawsuit against Nassau Investments, filed May 15 in Shelby County Chancery Court, that her mother never borrowed any money from the company. “These documents are fraudulent,” the lawsuit states.

Keough claims Presley’s signatures on the deed are forgeries, and that Naussany Investments is not a real entity. According to the suit, the notary involved in the deed denies that she notarized Lisa Marie Presley’s signature or ever met her.

WREG has reached out to Graceland officials for comment but Graceland did not immediately respond to the request for comment on Monday. A number listed for Naussany was not in service. 

Elvis Presley bought the Graceland mansion in the Whitehaven area of Memphis in 1957. Lisa Marie inherited Graceland after her father’s death in 1977, and it opened to the public as a museum in 1982.

Lisa Marie Presley died in January 2023. Her daughter became heir to the estate and trustee of the Promenade Trust. About 600,000 visitors tour Graceland each year. 

Note: The "news" itself is legitimate, but the claim falls in the category "bogus" as Riley Keough has stated. Even if correct, the US$3.8 million dollar loan shouldn't be a problem for the estate, trust or Authentic Brands Group to protect its interest, looking at the revenue still generated each year.  

From our perspective (we are not lawyers) it will just have to run its "day in court". It's unfortunate but it is what it is.

Even Priscilla Presley posted a photo of Graceland with "It's a scam" emblazoned over it in bright red.

Bill Stanley stated: "I see Facebook is all blown up about this scam, someone is trying to pull. 
 
Can I say something here?  This has been going on ever since I became part of the family. It seemed like every year someone was trying to sue Elvis. None of it went to court. Lisa, bless her heart had the same thing happen when she took over, but nothing ever happened. Now, it's Riley's turn to step up and put a stop to this (blank)., and she will.  I'm sure the apple didn't fall too far from the tree.  Riley is just as tough as her mother.
  
In closing, these words come to mind.  "If you're looking for trouble, you came to the right place".  Go get 'em Riley!"

Update May 22nd: A Tennessee judge on Wednesday blocked a foreclosure sale of Graceland, ruling that it's in public's best interest to slow any potential ownership change of Elvis Presley's "well loved" estate.

The Shelby County Chancery Court judge went as far as to say that actor Riley Keough, the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley and granddaughter of the “King of Rock and Roll,” would likely prevail in her lawsuit, accusing a creditor of falsely claiming rights to Graceland, as long as there is evidence to back up her claims.

It appears that you Mr. Germany, your client will be successful on the merits ... providing that you prove the fraud that has been alleged," Chancellor JoeDae L. Jenkins told the court and Keough's attorney Jeff Germany.

The estate is considered unique under Tennessee law, and in being unique the loss of the real estate will be considered irreparable harm," Jenkins said at the hearing, which neither Keough nor the defendant, a company called Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC, attended.

Jenkins' order not only pauses the sale, but also delays the trial until Naussany provides a defense to Keough's claims.

Graceland stated: "As the court has now made clear, there was validity to the claims," the statement read. "There will be no foreclosure, Graceland will continue to operate as it has for the past 42 years, ensuring that Elvis fans from around the world can continue to have the best in class experience when visiting his iconic home".

Sources with direct knowledge of the situation said the FBI has already jumped on the scandal, allegedly contacting Graceland officials and Riley's team.

TMZ reported the FBI told those contacted that the agency was "interested" in conducting a criminal probe, with the would-be victims in the process of reaching out to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

But those involved believe they know who was behind the fraudulent auction, sources shared.

Naussany Investments and Private Lending LLC has withdrawn all claims on Graceland with prejudice. The withdrawal comes after a judge blocked an auction from taking place on the home.

Naussany filed a lawsuit in 2023, eight months after Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie passed away, claiming she didn’t pay back a $3.8 million dollar loan and used Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises as collateral.

Naussany said in a statement that no harm was meant on Riley Keough, who became the trustee of Promenade Trust, Graceland’s owner, after her mother’s passing in 2023.

Update May 30: A self-proclaimed schemer is claiming responsibility for the foreclosure threat against Elvis Presley’s iconic Graceland.

A person purporting to be involved in the scheme responded to an email from CNN, saying, “I didn’t win this one.” The email was written in a mixture of English and Luganda, a language spoken primarily in Uganda.

As with all schemes, it’s unclear whether the person who emailed CNN is actually behind the scheme, but they responded to a CNN request for comment sent to an email address associated with Naussany Investments and Private Lending.

Other news outlets, including The New York Times, received similar messages from the same email address.

The foreclosure sale was ultimately blocked. The Tennessee attorney general said he was looking into possible fraud involving the matter.

Shortly following the news two "quicky" books were released, documenting the event; 'The Fight for Graceland: How Family and Fans Fought Back Against Fraudulent Claims to Elvis Presley's Home' by LifeStory Print (76 pages, May 22, 2024) and 'Elvis Presley Graceland House: Biography of the Long Lasting Mansion of the Iconic American Singer in Memphis and How Lisa Marie and Riley Keough Have Worked Hard to Preserve the Legacy of the Home' by Naomi Jeffery (108 pages, May 23, 2024).

Update July 02:

"Missouri con-woman tried to steal Graceland": An amazing twist in the tale with NBC News reporting that a con woman from Missouri was responsible for the recent Graceland scam.

WWJ News explained that the in-depth investigation by NBC revealed that the mastermind behind the scam is allegedly a woman named Lisa Holden, a grandmother/con woman who lives in Branson, Missouri.

Holden is alleged to have decades-long rap sheet of romance scams, forged checks and bank fraud totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, for which she did time in state and federal prison."

The Graceland saga started in May when a Missouri company 'Naussany Investments" claimed it was going to put Graceland on the auction block since Lisa Marie Presley signed a Deed of Trust in 2018 to secure a $3.8 million loan and used Graceland as collateral. Riley Keough quickly filed a lawsuit to stop the

potential sale, claiming that her mother never borrowed any money from the company and that Naussany Investments was a false entity. At a court hearing for the matter, no one representing Naussany Investments showed up and the sale of Graceland was blocked. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti launched an investigation saying he wanted to find out why investors threatened one of America's most iconic landmarks.

NBC News went to work, trying to unravel the mystery behind Naussany Investments but found no record of them. NBC then found other connections to the Graceland scam and this month tracked down Lisa Holden at a trailer park in Branson. "Lisa came out to the porch and for 13 minutes answered questions about the connections between her and Naussany" but said she had "no earthly idea" what the reporter was talking about. She claimed she must be a victim of identity theft.

A spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office stated that it "looked into the Graceland matter, and it quickly became apparent that this was a matter best suited for federal law enforcement." An spokesperson for the FBI told reporters that the agency does not comment on investigations or even the likelihood that they exist.
It sure is a true-crime drama. Hopefully all will be revealed before Elvis Week.

Fighting To Stay Alive

The VV import record label released a Limited Test Pressing Edition of their 'Fighting To Stay Alive' LP, limited to 10 copies with 2 sleeve variations. 

Publicity stated: Each exclusive gatefold includes the pink color 2-LP test pressing, an exclusive poster 50 x 30 cm, a forex panel 31 x 31 cm, and the certificate 30 x 30 cm all the gatefolds are gifted by OBI hand numbered and sealed.

(Source: WREG / Yahoo News / USA Today / Commercial Appeal / FECC / Elvis Club Berlin / Pascal Matteo / Radar Online / TMZ)