April 29 - The King Of The Rings

Elvis biographer Paul Belard published a second edition of his book 'Elvis  - The King of the Rings - Volume 1' which was unavailable for a while. This is a second edition, similar to the first edition except for the cover. 

The book is a great, visually colorful record of Elvis' love of glittery jewelry of the ring type. 

Description: Elvis liked expensive things: cars, motorcycles, clothes, and jewelry. His jewels befitted a king. He wore sumptuous pendants hung on heavy gold chains; huge and lavish rings set with rubies, sapphires, lapis lazuli, and emeralds; bracelets of gold and precious gems. Like Elvis himself, they were at times dazzlingly tasteful and beautiful, and at other times flashy and ostentatious. Occasionally, he would design the jewels himself, such as the famous TCB - Taking Care of Business - pendant and ring.

He loved to give his possessions away to people close to him, as well as to complete strangers. The value of the item was of no concern to him. An expensive horseshoe ring was designed by Memphis jeweller Lowell Hays, specifically for Elvis to wear on stage during his televised Aloha from Hawaii performance in 1973. Elvis gave the ring away a few years later. It eventually sold at auction in 2017 for $204,800.

The book is available from >>> Amazon.

Happy Birthday

Elvis former 'Viva Las Vegas' co-star love Ann Margret turned 84 today, congratulations!

New Elvis Mix

Today A24 shared the trailer for their upcoming film The Smashing Machine, based on UFC fighter Mark Kerr, played by wrestling legend and long time Elvis fan Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The trailer features a unique mix of Elvis' My Way', based on Elvis' 1971 studio version. 

White Roots

Following the release of ‘The Black Roots of Elvis’, the U.K.-based Jasmine record label announced the May 9, 2025 release of ‘The White Roots of Elvis’. 

Publicity stated: Elvis’ original influences have been scrutinized and examined over the decades, and he was always quick to namecheck his main sources and inspirations. Let’s face it, had it not been for Presley, how many of us would have ever heard of Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup? At the outset of his career there were few suitable original songs being submitted by music publishers, so it was inevitable that he would reach back and revive old favorites.

This compilation presents thirty such examples, examining Elvis’ White music roots, featuring some of the most notable Country, Rock and Roll and Pop numbers that he recorded. Featured artists include Leon Payne, Bill Monroe, Dean Martin, Carl Perkins, Freddie Bell and The Bell Boys, Frankie Laine, Carl Mann, Eddy Arnold, Vern Stovall, Hank Snow, Ned Miller, Ray Peterson, George Jones, and more.

Tracks:

1. Jon and Sondra Steele - My Happiness

2. Leon Payne - I Love You Because

3. Bill Monroe - Blue Moon Of Kentucky

4. Jimmy Wakely - I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin')

5. Dean Martin - I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine

6. The Shelton Brothers - Just Because

7. Johnnie Lee Wills and His Boys - Milk Cow Blues Boogie

8. Carl Perkins - Blue Suede Shoes

9. Freddie Bell and The Bell Boys - Hound Dog

10. Jimmie Rodgers Snow - How Do You Think I Feel

11. Beaver Valley Sweethearts - How's The World Treating You

12. Wiley Walker and Gene Sullivan - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again

13. Red Foley - Old Shep

14. Frankie Laine - I Believe

15. David Hill - I'm All Shook Up

16. Gene Autry - Have I Told You Lately That I Love You

17. Tony Martin - There's No Tomorrow

18. Charlie Blackwell - Girl Of My Best Friend

19. Al Jolson - Are You Lonesome Tonight

20. Thomas Wayne - Girl Next Door Went Awalking

21. Darrell Glenn - Crying In The Chapel

22. Carl Mann - I'm Comin' Home

23. Eddy Arnold - I'll Hold You In My Heart

24. Vern Stovall - Long Black Limousine

25. Hank Snow - I'm Movin' On

26. Ned Miller - From A Jack To A King

27. Eddy Arnold - After Loving You

28. Ray Peterson - The Wonder Of You

29. Eddy Arnold - I Really Don't Want To Know

30. George Jones - She Thinks I Still Care

Get 'The White Roots of Elvis' from >>> Amazon (associate link).

Get 'The Black Roots of Elvis' from >>> Amazon (associate link).

Released

The MRS record label released the LP versions - on 180 Gr. clear and black vinyl - of 'Live at the Houston Astrodome 1974', featuring newly created Stereo Mixes of Elvis' show in Houston. 

(Source: Paul Belard / FECC/ Facebook)