June 25 - Re-issues for Christmas

Omnibus Press announced the May 19, 2026 re-release of the 352-page book 'The Comeback: Elvis and the Story of the 68 Special' by Simon Goddard. The book was originally released in September 2018. 

Description: He wasn't dead and gone to Heaven. He was alive and still in Graceland. Cursed to live another year on God's earth as Elvis Presley. The man from yesterday trapped in a today of tomorrows..." 

As 1968 dawns, the once King of Rock 'n' Roll faces cultural oblivion. While elsewhere the Sixties are swinging, for Elvis they're sinking - in terrible films, drug addiction, paranoia, religious mania and the mercenary wiles of his psychopathic manager. At 33 the legend who once had it all is lost, lonely and slowly going insane. Until thrown a last lifeline. His own one-hour TV special: a do-or-die final chance to remind the world who, and what, Elvis Presley really is. The Comeback plots the incredible true story of Elvis' fall and rise from Army discharge to iconic black leather resurrection. 

Simon Goddard takes the reader inside the life, music and mind of Elvis: a 24/7 delirium of women, pills, midnight movies and holy mumbo jumbo, isolated from an America unravelling in its own Sixties chaos of war, racism, riots and assassinations, until his world and theirs collide in the greatest performance of his life. A genre-busting modernist rock 'n' roll fable unlike any music biography you've ever read, The Comeback is the definitive account of how it took Elvis eight years on the big screen to lose his crown - but just one magical hour on a small one to win it back.

The book is available for pre-order from >>> Amazon (associate link).

Re-issues for Christmas

Music on Vinyl will re-issue the 'Elvis Presley Songs For Christmas' compilation once more as a Limited Edition on turquoise colored vinyl on November 14, 2025. 

Side A 1. Santa Claus Is Back In Town 2. White Christmas 3. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Lane) 4. I’ll Be Home For Christmas 5. Blue Christmas 6. Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me).

Side B 1. O Little Town Of Bethlehem 2. Silent Night 3. (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) 4. I Believe 5. Take My Hand, Precious Lord 6. It Is No Secret (What God Can Do).

Elvis Presley Street

On July 20, 2025, Elvis Presley will be honored with his own street in the small town of Zawada (near Bochnia). This is the first "Elvis Presley street" in Poland. 

Together with the naming of the street, a monument for the singer will be unveiled. 

(Source: Amazon / Gazeta Krakowska / Elvis w Krakowie / Mariusz Ogiegło)

June 21 - Hall of Excellence

The King is back in Vegas, and he's in good company, as he is now featured in the new Hall of Excellence at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, curated by Tom Brady and Jim Gray. This one-of-a-kind exhibit brings together legendary icons across sports and entertainment.

Elvis' section highlights his game-changing 1969 return to the stage, when he helped define the modern Las Vegas residency. On display: the custom suit he wore during his first visit to the International Hotel construction site, his opening night invitation, and other rare pieces from the era that reshaped music history.

(Source: EPE / Fontainebleau)

June 21 - Charts June 2025 - Week 3 (Updated)

Elvis' presence on the U.K. charts are steady this week. 

The 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' compilation remained steady at No. 68 on the Official Album chart, and won one spot on the nation's Streaming Album chart, climbing to No. 54. 

The 'The Elvis - The King of Rock and Roll' DVD re-entered the chart again at No. 39 after dropping off the chart last week. 

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

June 20 - Maurice Elliott Died

Maurice Elliott, the reporter who announced Elvis’ death to the world from Baptist Memorial Hospital has died.

From the L.A. Times Archive: Maurice Elliott used to be assistant administrator at Memphis’ Baptist Hospital and, as such, oversaw public relations duties. The job escalated each time Elvis Presley checked in.

He was hospitalized four times, from 1973 prior to his death. He was also at the hospital when his father suffered a heart attack and when his daughter, Lisa Marie, was born.

Seated in his office at Methodist Health Systems (just down the street from Baptist Memorial), where he is now executive vice president, Elliott recalled that on the day Elvis and Priscilla left the hospital, carrying newborn Lisa Marie, “There was a face pressed against every single patient window of the 20-story hospital building.” Mused Elliott, “I always found that pretty amazing.”

It wasn’t easy work having Elvis as a visitor: “A little Elvis went a long way.” His stays came complete with entourage, girlfriends and orders to tin-foil the windows so that he could sleep during the daytime hours. For security reasons, Elvis was always ensconced on the end of the 18th floor.

Such visits meant fielding phone calls from fans, processing increased mail (“He always got lots of teddy bears”) and, of course, responding to the press.

The excitement of those visits, said Elliott, never prepared him for the events of Aug. 16, 1977.

They began with a phone call from a nursing supervisor in the emergency room. Recalled Elliott: “She called and said, ‘We’ve just gotten Elvis Presley in respiratory distress, and it doesn’t look good.’

“Well, that floored me. I’d gotten accustomed to Elvis Presley coming into the hospital and, well, checking out again. I was dumbfounded.”

Elliott bolted to the emergency room (“I didn’t wait for an elevator--I took the stairs”). “There were a lot of people there, working on Elvis Presley. . . . From a layman’s point of view, the first thing I remembered thinking was, ‘This fella’s dead.’”

It was Dr. George Nichopoulos who broke the news to Elvis’ friends. “People were crying,” said Elliott, “and then Joe Esposito made the point that everyone should pull themselves together, so that when they left the hospital no one could see them like this.”

Then came a request from Nichopoulos: He wanted to drive to Graceland to break the news to Vernon Presley. “He didn’t want him to have to hear it announced over the TV or radio,” explained Elliott. This meant the hospital had to postpone announcement of the death for at least 30 minutes.

But word had already gotten out: “They were on to us,” said Elliott, “because Elvis had come into the hospital in a fire department ambulance.” For the next 30 minutes, the hospital fielded “a deluge” of calls from reporters.

“We were in a tough situation, because we knew Elvis Presley was dead, but we also had an obligation to his family. So we kept telling reporters that he was in respiratory distress, and we were working with him.”

After the hospital finally received its call from Graceland, where Vernon Presley had been told about his son, it was decided that Joe Esposito would officially announce the death to those members of the press (“maybe 30 or so”) who had already gathered at the hospital.

But when Elliott and Esposito walked into the hospital’s administrative library, set aside for the press, Esposito, said Elliott, “choked up and said, ‘I can’t do it. You do it.’ ”

So Elliott made the announcement: “And, to tell you the truth, I’m not sure what all I said at the time.” What followed was “sort of a mad-dash-to-the-phone type of thing.” The mood was to continue for days.

(Source: Anthony Stuchbury / L.A. Times)

June 19 - Golden '57 Promo

Following the release of the book 'Elvis '57 - The Final Fifties Tours' the Norwegian Flaming Star fan-club released the 'Elvis '57' promotional EP.

The release in limited to 250 copies on black vinyl.

Side A: All Shook Up - Is It So Strange.
Side B: I Beg of You - Blueberry Hill.

The Golden Boy Magazine

Volume #2/2025 of the German glossy 'Golden Boy Elvis' magazine has been published, with a fragment of Betty Harper's recently revealed mural at Elvis' Birthplace as the cover.

Inside the 60-page magazine we get a wrap-up of the latest news and insightful articles on Elvis as a style icon (a follow-up from the article in volume #4/2024), a fan portrait, a goodbye to almost 10 people with a relation to the Elvis world, including a heartfelt tribute to David Briggs through memories shared by Rio, who gained surprising insights during recording sessions at David Briggs' "House of David" studio.

Added to that are a detailed analysis of FTD's 'Elvis June '75' CD set, a report on the club's recent trip to the U.S., the ongoing series "Songs from A - Z" with songs like 'Earth Angel' and 'Early Morning Rain,' and a detailed look at one of the most successful 45s in Germany, 'Devil In Disguise / Please Don't Drag That String Around,' and more. This new volume will keep me engrossed until the weekend!

For more information on the magazine visit the publisher's website at: >>> www.goldenboyelvis.de or contact Volker Christensen by mail at service@golden-boy-elvis.de.

Close-up

Graceland posted another video in their 'Close-up' video series. In this episode of Elvis Up-Close, fans get an up-close look at the Blue Prehistoric Bird jumpsuit—an iconic 1976 stage outfit known for its striking design and intricate embroidery.

(Source: Flaming Star / Golden Boy Elvis / Graceland)

June 17 - Announced and Delayed

The New Continent record label announced the September 5, 2025 release of the double CD-set 'At The Movies 1956-1962 Film Soundtrack Collection'.

Publicity stated: This essential 2-CD set presents Elvis Presley’s first five film soundtrack LPs in their entireties: 'Loving You', 'King Creole', 'G.I. Blues', 'Blue Hawaii' and 'Girls! Girls! Girls!', as well as Elvis’ performances for two other motion pictures from the same period; the also celebrated 'Love Me Tender' and 'Jailhouse Rock'.

Delayed

The RDM-Edition record label postponed the release of the 'King Creole - Mono II Stereo' 10-inch LP and CD from July to September. 

You can read an interview with Anthony Stuchbury by Piers Beagley in which they talk about this new release on the >>> Elvis Information Network. 

The CD is available for pre-order from the >>> Bennies Fifties webshop. 

The World Records / TCB Tapes Record label still has not released the 'Mid-South Coliseum '74' and 'Murfreesboro '74' double LP sets, which were originally announced almost a year ago, with May 2025 as the postponed release-date. The site states that the records are "sold-out", but there is no release-date mentioned. 

The 'Clambake '67' LP / 45 RPM / book combo has been pushed back to August 2025 due to the delay of the 1974 concert albums.

Update June 21: The LPs have been shipped to Norway and will be distributed from there to dealers and customers.

(Amazon / Anthony Stuchbury / Elvis Information Network / The Elvis Files / Robert van Beek)

June 16 - Stuck On Vinyl

Graceland released their second title in the Graceland Vinyl collection, the 10-inch single 'Stuck On You'. 

Publicity stated: The release features Elvis Presley’s first post-Army hits, 'Stuck on You' and 'Fame and Fortune,' commemorating his incredible return to the spotlight after serving two years in the U.S. Army. This limited-edition vinyl is only available at Graceland. 

In March 1960, Elvis made a remarkable return to the music scene with the release of his first single after his military service. On March 23, he released 'Stuck on You' as the A-side and 'Fame and Fortune' as the B-side. 

Fans embraced the King’s return, sending 'Stuck on You' soaring to number one and 'Fame and Fortune' peaking at number 17 on the charts, proving that Elvis’ star power had not diminished during his time away.

Shortly after, Elvis made his highly anticipated television return, filming the 'Welcome Home Elvis' episode of 'The Frank Sinatra Timex Special.' 

The special aired in May 1960 on ABC, where Elvis performed both songs and delighted audiences with a memorable duet alongside Sinatra, trading verses on 'Love Me Tender' and 'Witchcraft.'

This exclusive limited-edition 10 inch vinyl is the second in the Graceland Collectors Vinyl series. The first, 'That’s All Right,' sold out during the pre-order. 

(Source: Graceland / Facebook)

June 15 - Deluxe Re-issues (Updated)

J. K. Mullins published part two in his ‘Iconic Moments with Elvis’ double book-set. Subtitled ‘The Long Journey Home - March 6,1960 to 1969’. The book is available in both a soft and hardcover edition. 

Synopsis for the 114-page paperback: This second volume in the series describes Elvis’ return from the U.S. Army starting with his long train journey down to Memphis from Washington D.C., and the ‘Welcome Home Elvis’ TV show with Frank Sinatra. Elvis’ significant contribution to the construction of USS Arizona Pearl Harbor Memorial with the aid of his 1961 concert in Honolulu is also featured. 

Several of Elvis’ sixties movies are discussed along with significant recordings, leading to his 1968 TV special and return to live performances in Las Vegas in 1969. After years grinding out Hollywood movies his return to the stage could be viewed as Elvis’ second long journey home of the decade.

The books are available from >>> Amazon (associate link).

Catch A Limited Edition

The VV import record label released various new editions of previous their earlier titles ‘Live In ‘76’ and ‘Catching a Falling Star’.

 

The ‘Catching a Falling Star’ was released as an ‘Ultimate Box Set’ of 15 copies in three variations and a Super Deluxe Edition of six sets containing five gatefolds each. The ‘Live in ‘76’ was re-issued as a Special Deluxe 2CD  / DVD-R Edition of six sets containing five copies each. 
 

All sets come with a plethora of artwork and bonus material like CDs, colored vinyl, DVD-Recordables, certificates, t-shirts, OBI’s and more. 

(Source: Amazon / Pascal Matteo)

July 14 - A Lifetime On The Piano with The Colonel

With a 2 month delay, the Danish Memphis Mansion published the 200-page Deluxe hardcover book 'Glen D.Hardin - A Lifetime On The Piano’ by Julie Yeardye. 

Depending in which country and dealer you ordered the book, you receive a different color 45 RPM vinyl single containing Glen's first arrangement recording, and a signed picture of Glen D. Hardin. This book is limited to 300 copies. 

You can order the book from the >>> Memphis Mansion webshop.

Interview with Peter Guralnick

Henry Carrigan did a short interview with Peter Guralnick for Publisher's Weekly on his new book 'The King and the Colonel'. In this upcoming book, the biographer draws from archival material to paint a fresh portrait of Elvis Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

PW: How did this book come about?

PG: This book has really been 30 years in the making, ever since my wife and I got access to the Elvis archives, where I discovered this vast collection of Colonel Tom Parker’s letters and other materials. 

Almost as soon as I saw the letters, I saw that the Colonel who revealed himself in them was so bright, so funny, so resourceful, and absolutely dedicated to the interests of his artist, as he referred to his client, and the connection between them. I felt like he’s gotten such a raw deal from history, and that’s increased exponentially in recent years. Once I had this exposure to the Colonel’s letters, I wanted, as much as anything, to restore him to his true place in history.

PW: What were his strengths and weaknesses as a manager?

PG: His greatest strength was that he was for his artists—he was 110% dedicated to the interest of his artists, was committed to offering them every opportunity for creative expression. His greatest weakness stemmed from a childhood that appears to have been severely traumatic and led to his mistrust of others. He placed all his faith in Eddy Arnold, and when Arnold fired him in 1953, he was absolutely devastated, he just didn’t see it coming.

PW: How did Parker come by the title Colonel?

PG: He got two appointments, one from the governor of Louisiana and, later, from the governor of Tennessee, Frank Clement. He enjoyed getting people’s respect in a sense through the title, but also saw it as utterly ridiculous, and referred to himself frequently as a phony. With his old friends, he remained Tom, or “your pal Tom.”

PW: What do you want readers to take away from your book?

PG: I’d like them to carry a picture of someone who is as unique an individual as they’re ever likely to encounter, who created so much of the way in which pop music has come to be experienced, and who did it out of genuine love and joy. 

In his relationship with Elvis, they found a commonality, each of them, I think, had a vision of something that was inexpressible because it was a vision of something that didn’t exist. Yet each of them believed in the talents and dedication of the other to the extent that they were prepared to throw everything else aside. They traveled the world together for 10 years, with total faith in each other, and it was not a one-way street. It’s the way in which that love sort of declined in the last few years of their relationship that I think gives the story a tragic tinge I had never expected to encounter.

Several answers in this short interview raised some eyebrows with fans ... A version of this article appeared in the 06/16/2025 issue of >>> Publishers Weekly.

Little, Brown and Company will publish the 624-page book on August 5, 2025. The book is already available for pre-order from >>> Amazon (associate link).

Priscilla In Germany

Here is the German cover for the German edition of Priscilla Presley's second memoir 'Softly, As I Leave You: Mein Leben nach Elvis - eine Autobiografie' which will be published by Hannibal Verlag on September 23, 2025.

The book is already available for pre-order from >>> Amazon (associate link).

(Source: Memphis Mansion / Publisher's Weekly / Amazon / Dorthe Bach Richter Larsen)

June 14 - Charts June 2025 - Week 2

Elvis' presence on the U.K. charts stalled this week. 

The 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' compilation fell 11 places, landing at No. 68 on the Official Album chart. On the nation's Streaming Album chart the compilation only lost two spots, ending the week at No. 55.  

The Elvis - The King of Rock and Roll' DVD fell off the chart again, after last week's re-entry at No. 33.

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

June 13 - Sunset Boulevard

Due from Sony Legacy on August 1, 2025 are the 5-CD-set and double LP 'Sunset Boulevard'. 

Publicity stated: An unprecedented look into Elvis’ Los Angeles studio sessions (1970–1975). 89 tracks of rarities + new and never-heard mixes to be released in 5-CD and digital formats, alongside a 2-LP ‘highlights’ edition.

It is a definitive 5-CD collection chronicling Elvis’ recording sessions and rehearsals at RCA’s legendary Los Angeles studios. Spanning 89 rarities (over half of which have only been previously released via FTD) 'Sunset Boulevard' delivers illuminating perspective onto Elvis’ 1970s recording output. 

This includes rare alternate studio versions of late-period gems like 'Separate Ways' - widely seen as the most autobiographical song Elvis ever recorded - 'T-R-O-U-B-L-E' which channeled the groundbreaking signature vocal style from his earlier years, and 'Burning Love' the 40th and final Top Ten US single of his career.

The collection’s first two discs (as released on the 2 LP ‘highlights’ vinyl set) feature new and never-heard mixes from four-time GRAMMY winner Matt Ross-Spang, stripping all overdubs and delivering fresh insights in the process.

Opening with seventeen classics from throughout Elvis’ time in RCA Studio C, these mixes provide an intimate glimpse into the ways his riveting voice interacts with material from the era’s greatest songwriters: Kris Kristofferson’s 'For The Good Times' (a 1972 b-side), Paul Williams’ 'Where Do I Go From Here' (1973), plus 1975's Billy Swan’s 'I Can Help' (1975) and Don McLean’s 'And I Love You So' among them.

Ross-Spang’s stripped-down mixes equally bolster the seventeen studio outtakes that comprise the set’s second piece.

The final three CDs are a behind-the-scenes look at Elvis’ history-making Las Vegas residency, featuring Los Angeles rehearsals from July 1970 and August 1974 with his iconic TCB Band. Throughout the sessions, Elvis pours himself into every line - with no one listening but his band and the engineer in the control room, as his lifelong love of performing is on full display.

Notable among the 1974 recordings are two featured tracks that Elvis never made studio versions of - 'Twelfth of Never' (originally a hit for Johnny Mathis) and 'Softly As I Leave You' - which finds him narrating a prologue about the song’s purported origins (inspired by  Charles Boyer). Elvis’ instinctive chemistry with The TCB Band is palpable throughout both rehearsals, perhaps owing to his decision to record with a road band for the first time during this era.

The 5-CD set and digital formats, including rare archival photographs and new liner notes from music historian Colin Escott.

The set is available for pre-order from >>> Amazon. Listen to the preview of  'Burning Love' Take 2' here:

CD1 - The Masters: Burning Love - Always On My Mind - Where Do I Go From Here - Separate Ways - For The Good Times - It's A Matter Of Time - Fool - T-R-O-U-B-L-E - And I Love You So - Susan When She Tried - Woman Without Love - Shake A Hand - Pieces Of My Life - Fairytale - I Can Help - Bringin' It Back - Green, Green Grass Of Home

CD 2 - Outtakes Highlights: Separate Ways (Take 25) - For The Good Times (Take 3) - Where Do I Go From Here (Take 2) - Burning Love (Take 2) - Fool (Take 1) - Always On My Mind (Take 2) - It's A Matter Of Time (Take 1 - 3) - It's A Matter Of Time (Take 4) - Fairytale (Take 2) - Green, Green Grass Of Home - And I Love You So (Take 2) - Susan When She Tried - T-R-O-U-B-L-E (Take 1) - Tiger Man  - Shake A Hand (Take 2) - Bringin' It Back (Take 2 & 3) - Pieces Of My Life (Take 2 & 3)

CD 3 - July 24, 1970 Rehearsal: That's All Right - I Got A Woman (#1) - I Got A Woman (#2) - The Wonder Of You - I've Lost You - The Next Step Is Love - Stranger In The Crowd - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Something - Don't Cry Daddy (#1) - Don't Cry Daddy (#2) - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Polk Salad Annie - Bridge Over Troubled Water - I Can't Stop Loving You - Just Pretend - Sweet Caroline - Love Me Tender - Words - Suspicious Minds - I Just Can't Help Believin' (#1) - I Just Can't Help Believin' (#2)

CD 4 - July 24, 1970 Rehearsal (continued): Tomorrow Never Comes - Mary In The Morning - Twenty Days And Twenty Nights - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Just Can't Help Believin' - Heart Of Rome - Heart Of Rome - Memories - Johnny B. Goode - Make The World Go Away - Stranger In My Own Home Town - I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water

August 16, 1974 Rehearsal: If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - Promised Land - Promised Land - Down In The Alley - Down In The Alley

CD 5 August 16, 1974 Rehearsal (continued): It's Midnight (#1) - It's Midnight (#2) - Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming - Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues - Softly As I Leave You (#1) - Softly As I Leave You (#2) - I'm Leavin' - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Proud Mary - If You Talk In Your Sleep - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (#1) - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (#2) - The Twelfth Of Never - Faded Love - Just Pretend

Vinly Editions

The 2-LP set includes a selection of highlights from 'Sunset Boulevard', a comprehensive 5-CD collection of Elvis’ recordings at RCA’s historic Sunset Boulevard Studio and includes the hits 'Burning Love', 'Always On My Mind' (1972) and 'T-R-O-U-B-L-E' (1975) from the 'Today' album. 

This new LP features newly mixed versions of select recordings and outtakes, pure and without overdubs.

Graceland announced the release of a Graceland Exclusive vinyl edition with a yellow and orange colored LP. 

Tracks vinyl version - side A: Always On My Mind - Burning Love - Separate Ways - It's A Matter Of Time - For The Good Times - Fool

Side B: T-R-O-U-B-L-E - Bringin' It Back - Susan When She Tried - Woman Without Love - I Can Help - Pieces Of My Life

Side C: Burning Love (Take 2) - Separate Ways (Take 25) - Where Do I Go From Here (Take 2) - Always On My Mind (Take 2) - Fool (Take 1) - For The Good Times (Take 3)

Side D: Tiger Man - Green, Green Grass Of Home - Shake A Hand (Take 2) - And I Love You So (Take 2) - Fairytale (Alternate Take 2) - T-R-O-U-B-L-E (Take 1)

The LP set is available for pre-order from >>> Amazon (associate link), check it out!

Back Online

After the recent hack of the ElvisCities hosting servers that hosted nearly 100 (in)active websites, more and more sites return online. 

A favorite of many photo fans, Paul Sweeney's Elvis Candid Central is back, thanks to the Elvis Appreciation Society hosting the sites. 

The EAP Society also offered other affected sites to help them return online. You can contact the society at www.eapsociety.com.

 

Here are the new links:

https://www.eapsociety.com/paulselvispage/index.html

https://www.eapsociety.com/paulselvispage/central.html

(Source: Elvis Collectors Facebook Group / SMF Store / Elvis The Music)

June 12 - The Art of Creation

Vanity Fair have featured a story on 'Riley Keough taking aspiring female filmmakers behind the scenes' with a new series 'In Process'.

Inspired by the Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program, Keough and her co-creator Gina Gammell tapped Lucy Boynton, Ruth Negga, and Nia DaCosta to share an intimate look at what goes into filmmaking.

It is the "messy, nonlinear part of the creative process" that Keough and Gammell discussed that's on full display in each episode of In Process. It highlights the intimate and vulnerable processes of the actors including Keough herself. Though the notion of sharing these private moments of creativity with an audience might sound scary but Keough says it took no convincing at all.

“It was really insane. They didn’t even really question it. They just came so open. It inspired me. They showed up and were really present.”

The video was shot at Graceland, with Riley providing the narrative on how she "creates".

Legends

Elvis Presley’s Graceland announced that the next inductees to the Graceland Legends program will be Elvis’ Imperials. 

The Imperials were formed by gospel music legend Jake Hess. They worked with Elvis in the recording studio from 1966 to 1971; and from 1969 to 1971, they were his male backing vocal group on stage, including for opening night in Las Vegas in 1969. Members of Elvis’ Imperials included Terry Blackwood, Greg Gordon, Armond Morales, Joe Moscheo, Jim Murray and Roger Wiles. 

Graceland Legends is designed to honor and recognize the musicians and musical groups who were an integral part of Elvis Presley’s legendary career. In addition to being recognized in a ceremony at Graceland, the honorees will also be added to the Graceland Legends exhibit at Graceland.

Past Graceland Legends inductees include James Burton, Ronnie Tutt, Glen Hardin, Jerry Scheff, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, DJ Fontana, David Briggs, Norbert Putnam, Charlie McCoy, The Jordanaires, and the Sweet Inspirations.

 
The induction ceremony and recognition will occur at Elvis Week 2025 during the Conversations on Elvis on August 15, with a special appearance by Terry Blackwood and Jim Murray.  

(Source: YouTube / Graceland)

June 11 - Elvis U.K. 3

The third and final volume in the 'Elvis UK Series - Compact - The Ultimate Guide to Elvis Presley British CD 1983 - 2005' of this major series of books (comprising three soft-backed print volumes), will be published and available to buy very soon and continues the story from where the already successful and widely acclaimed Volumes 1 and 2 left off.

Publicity stated: What can you expect in volume 3? CD singles, Various Artist CDs that include Elvis tracks, film soundtrack CDs, BMG promotional CDs, BMG in-house promos, VA promotional material, CD-Rs, Interviews and spoken word releases, live recordings, recording modes, song versions, home recordings, plus an 80-page song title index that also references outtakes! In other words – the complete picture!

As with previous volumes, apart from minor changes to the layout, revised cover artwork, and a new introduction and conclusion, the print copy edition contains exactly the same content as the digital flip book version. Nothing major has been added; nothing omitted.

Finally, this highly acclaimed trilogy of books represents the first major attempt by anyone to chronicle in exhaustive and painstaking detail the rise of Elvis’s compact disc releases from 1983 onwards – cross-referenced, where relevant, with vinyl versions. And while focused on UK releases, there is a huge amount of overlap with other territories – especially Europe and the USA - which makes it of major interest to Elvis collectors throughout the world.

Please note that volumes 1 and 2 are almost sold out. 

Priced at £50 (in UK includes p&p costs) this book will only be available to buy via our website www.ElvisUKBooks.co.uk.

(Source: Elvis Information Network Elvis UK Books)

June 10 - Follow Those New Releases

Following the release of the ‘Elvis ’57: The Final Fifties Tours’ book, the Follow That Dream record label released the delayed 'Girl Happy’ double LP and the 'Harum Scarum Sessions' triple CD-set. 

Description 'The Harum Scarum Sessions – the 60th Anniversary Edition': Newly mixed and mastered by Sebastian Jeansson and Vic Anesini, the masters and outtakes now offer far superior audio to the original 1965 soundtrack album. For purists, the original Masters are also featured on Disc 3.

As always, the set is packaged in a beautifully designed 8-inch digipack with a booklet containing the backstory on the sessions, recording information and rare photos, memorabilia and documents from the sessions.

Tracks CD 1 - Remixed Masters: Harem Holiday - My Desert Serenade - Go East, Young Man - Mirage - Kismet - Shake That Tambourine - Hey Little Girl - Golden Coins - So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) - Animal Instinct - Wisdom Of The Ages.

Outtakes: Shake That Tambourine (Take 2001 - 2008) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2009 - 2011) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2012 - 2017) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2018 - 2019) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2020 - 2024) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2025) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2026 - 2027)

CD 2 - Outtakes: Shake That Tambourine (Take 2028 - 2032) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2033) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2034 - 2040) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2041) - Shake That Tambourine (Splice Of Take 2041 And 2027 / Master) - So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) (Take 2042) - So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) (Take 2043 - 2044) - So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) (Take 2045) - So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) (Splice Of Take 2044 And 2045 / Master) - My Desert Serenade (Take 2046 - 2048) - My Desert Serenade (Take 2049 - 2051) - My Desert Serenade (Take 2052) - My Desert Serenade (Take 2053) - My Desert Serenade (Take 2054 - 2055) - My Desert Serenade (Take 2056 - 2057 / Master) - Wisdom Of The Ages (Take 2058 - 2059) - Wisdom Of The Ages (Take 2060) - Wisdom Of The Ages (Take 2061) - Wisdom Of The Ages (Take 2062 / Master) - Kismet (Take 2063 - 64) - Kismet (Take 2065 - 2067 / Master) - Hey Little Girl (Take 2068 - 2069) - Hey Little Girl (Take 2070) - Hey Little Girl (Take 2071 - 2072 / Master) - Golden Coins (Take 2073 - 2076) - Golden Coins (Take 2077 - 2078) - Golden Coins (Take 2079 - 2080).

CD 3 - Outtakes: Golden Coins (Take 2081 - 2082) - Golden Coins (Take 2083) - Golden Coins (Take 2084 - 2088) - Golden Coins (Splice Of Take 2088 And 2083 / Master) - Animal Instinct (Take 2089 - 2091) - Animal Instinct (Take 2092) - Animal Instinct (Take 2093) - Animal Instinct (Take 2094 / Master) - Harem Holiday (Take 2095 - 2096) - Harem Holiday (Vocal Replacement Of 2096 / Unedited Master) - Go East, Young Man (Track: Take 2097 - 2098) - Go East, Young Man (Track: Take 2099) - Go East, Young Man (Vocal Overdub To Take 2099 / Master) - Mirage (Track: Take 2100 - 2104) - Mirage (Vocal Overdub To 2104 / Master).

Original 1965 Stereo Album Masters: Harem Holiday - My Desert Serenade - Go East, Young Man - Mirage - Kismet - Shake That Tambourine - Hey Little Girl - Golden Coins - So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) - Animal Instinct - Wisdom Of The Ages.

Regarding the tracklisting, the Elvis Information Network noted: This  sessions set includes 30 previously unreleased Outtakes of 'Shake That Tambourine', 6 new outtakes of 'My Desert Serenade', 4 new (previously available on bootleg) of 'Wisdom Of The Ages', 4 new (previously available on bootleg) 'Kismet', 1 of 'Hey Little Girl', 12 unreleased 'Golden Coins' Outtakes and one  of 'Animal Instinct'. The vast majority of these Outtakes are, of course, False Starts. 

Additionally, the set contains the backing tracks for 'Go East, Young Man' and 'Mirage'.

The new set is available for pre-order from the >>> ElvisMatters webshop.

Description 'Girl Happy' LP:

This unique companion edition is based on the original UK release and features the red dot RCA Victor label. The double album includes original soundtrack masters, studio outtakes, extended versions and bonus track outtakes of 'You'll Be Gone'.

Side A: Girl Happy (Take 13 + Ending Take 4/M) - Fort Lauderdale Chamber Of Commerce (Take 7 - Vocal Overdub 2/M) - Cross My Heart And Hope To Die - Wolf Call (Take 8 - Unedited Version) - Puppet On A String (Take 4 - 7) - Startin' Tonight - I’ve Got To Find My Baby

Bonus Song: You’ll Be Gone (Take 1)

Side B: Do The Clam (Take 5 - Vocal Overdub Take 2) - Spring Fever (Take 21) - Do Not Disturb (Take 28) - The Meanest Girl In Town (Take 6) - The Meanest Girl In Town (Take 7 - 9) - Girl Happy (Take 4) - Startin' Tonight (Unedited Version)

Side C: Cross My Heart And Hope To Die (Take 6) - Spring Fever (Take 15 - 16) - I’ve Got To Find My Baby (Unedited Version) - Puppet On A String (Take 11/M) - Wolf Call (Unedited / With "The Jordanaires") - Do The Clam (Unedited Version) - Do Not Disturb (Take 36/M)

Site D: Girl Happy - Spring Fever (Take 22 - 23) - Spring Fever (Take 24) - Startin’ Tonight (Take 3 - Vocal Overdub Take 4) - Puppet On A String (Take 8 - 10) - The Meanest Girl In Town (Take 12 - 13) - Wolf Call (Spliced Master - Vocal Overdub Take 5)

Bonus Song: You’ll Be Gone (Take 4 - Alternate Master)

The 'Girl Happy' 2-LP set can be pre-ordered from the >>> Elvis Matters webshop here.

Released earlier this week by the FTD label is the 'Elvis ’57: The Final Fifties Tours' book can be pre-ordered from the >>> Elvis Matters webshop here. 

Growing Up At Graceland

The concept of the movie 'Growing Up At Graceland' based on the lives of Elvis' three step-brothers has been kicking around since 2012. This week however David Stanley has posted this photo and said that he has been "very busy" and that the movie should be coming out next year.

"Billy, Myself and Ricky lived a life with our brother Elvis that fans from around the world can only dream of. We lived the history firsthand. Before Priscilla and Lisa, before all the girl friends who came and went and through ups and downs that was Elvis’ life, we stood by Elvis our beloved Brother. Today Vernon and Elvis are gone, Ricky has passed and most of the so-called Memphis Mafia are also dead.

After much consideration and much prayer Billy and I have decided to pull all our resources and memories together to do a major motion picture project. The true and untold story of Billy, Ricky, and David Stanley."

Down in the Alley

The MRS record label released the vinyl and CD editions of the ‘Down in the Alley’ set. 10 days ahead of the street date.

Publicity stated: 'Las Vegas - Down In The Alley 1974' features Elvis’ Opening Night show at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel on 19 August 1974. 

At the start of his eleventh Vegas season, he performed an almost completely revamped setlist introduced and singing many unique songs, like ‘Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues’, ‘Promised Land’, ‘It’s Midnight’, ‘If You Talk In Your Sleep’, ‘If You Love Me (Let Me Know)’ and the title track ‘Down In The Alley’. 

Also introduced were 'Softly As I Leave You’, ‘My Baby Left Me’ and ‘I'm Leavin'’. For the first time ever, the original Mono recording has been remastered and mixed into Stereo. 

The accompanying booklet in the Deluxe Digibook CD-set features rare photographs and memorabilia from the event and also includes liner notes that set the scene. The vinyl edition, housed in a gatefold sleeve, will be available on black and on clear vinyl. 

The vinyl and CD version contain the same tracks: Big Boss Man - Proud Mary - Down In The Alley - Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues - Never Been To Spain - It’s Midnight - If You Talk In Your Sleep - I’m Leavin’ - Let Me Be There - Softly As I Leave You - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - Love Me Tender - Polk Salad Annie - Band Introductions - Promised Land - Introduction Of Telly Savalas - My Baby Left Me - Bridge Over Troubled Water - Fever - Hound Dog - Can’t Help Falling in Love

(Source: Elvis Information Network /ElvisMatters /  TCB Shop)