Visual Elvis biographer Paul Belard published another volume in his ongoing biography series through Linden Press, this time focusing on the months April and May 1959.
Early in May, an extensive photo shoot took place in Frankfurt. Several of the pictures will be used on forthcoming record sleeves. Close to 220 pages, the book is chock-full of rare and not so rare pictures, all of them retracing his life during these two months.
The book, and all other volumes in this series, are available from >>> Amazon (associate link) or directly from the author. You can >>> contact him here by mail.
The October 17th edition of the German Stern magazine features Elvis, his daughter and his granddaughter on the cover. Inside the article 'The Last Secrets of the Presley's', an interview with Riley Keough and more.
Return of the King - Netflix Documentary
Netflix announced the new documentary 'Return of the King - The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley' which will go live on November 13, 2024.
Publicity stated: Netflix’s new documentary “Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley” delves into the extraordinary journey of Elvis Presley, from his meteoric rise to becoming the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, through the challenges and personal struggles that followed his peak fame and finally to his triumphant 1968 comeback.
He had one chance to show the world he was still the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Discover the story behind Elvis Presley's triumphant '68 Comeback Special.
Elvis explains, "I didn't know what to do.I just felt I was obligated to things that I didn't fully believe in. They couldn't have paid me no amount of money in the world to make me feel any satisfaction inside."
Includes interviews with Priscilla Presley, Jerry Schilling, Baz Lurhmann, Darleen Love and Bruce Springsteen and others. Out November 13th on Netflix. Watch the trailer now and relive the moment that changed music history.
In March backing vocalist Darlene Love posted on her Facebook account: "Forgot to mention that I was invited by Priscilla Presley a few months ago to participate in a documentary series about Elvis Presley that will air on Netflix in the coming months. I’ll keep you all posted once an air date is confirmed."
In August, ‘The Last Dance’ Director Jason Hehir shared he was working on an Elvis Presley documentary for Netflix. Production on the documentary has been ongoing since early 2023.
Hehir said: "The documentary will focus on the legendary singer and actor using an abundance of archival footage detailing the life and career of the artist, who ultimately passed away at the age of 42".
Speaking briefly about the upcoming documentary, Hehir said, “I’ve been fascinated with that guy my whole life because I know there’s a human being underneath that two-dimensional facade we see culturally. It’s always been an interest of mine.”
Hehir's ultimate aim is to peel back the layers of well-known figures and stories to reveal the deeper, often unseen, aspects of their lives. This method suggests that the Elvis documentary may possibly offer a fresh perspective on the iconic musician’s life, focusing on the man behind the myth.
Note: the preview made a lot of fans remember the 'Reinventing Elvis' documentary from 2023.
The Elvis Files website updated their 2024 / 2025 release backlog for previously announced books and vinyl.
- The book 'Elvis Portraits - Vol. II The 50's' should be due October 2024, followed by 'Elvis Portraits - Vol. III - The 60's' in December 2024. Volume IV on the 70's should be out later in 2025. All books are by Erik Lorentzen and Robert van Beek.
- The 'Mid-South Coliseum '74' and 'Murfreesboro '74' double LPs with newly mixed Stereo audio have January 2025 as the release date.
- The previously announced Stereo re-issues of 'Elvis' Golden Records' volume 1 to 4, will come as a set titled 'Elvis Gold Rush' as four individual albums, together with the fully illustrated hardback book titled, 'Elvis Prodigy of RCA Records' by Erik Lorentzen and Robert van Beek. Other than "2025" no other information is given.
- Previously announced, but no longer listed are the four volumes of 'Elvis Live at Burbank Studios' volume 1 to 4, also featuring newly created Stereo mixes of the four Stand-up Shows from the 1968 'ELVIS' TV-Special.
(Source: Paul Belard / Amazon/ Elvis Club Berlin / Stern / Elvis Files)