April 27 - Charts April 2025 - Week 4

At the end of the month Elvis managed to turn the tide, finding his way up the Official U.K. charts.

The 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' compilation bounced back from No. 70 to No. 57 on the Official Album chart, and from No. 59 to No. 50 on the Streaming Album chart.

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

April 25 - May Video and CD News Report

The Dutch ElvisOne import record label released four new CDs in their ongoing ‘Bootleg’ series; ‘Summer Festival 1969 – 1973’, ‘Summer Festival 1974’ and ‘Rarities’ volume 1 and 2. 

Publicity for ‘Summer Festival 1969 - 1973 / 1974’ stated: 1974, two new albums! A sequel to our "Winter In Vegas" releases from last year. This is a great collection of in total 92 tracks with many highlights. Only 10 tracks were released by Elvis' record company. All tracks presented in the best possible sound quality (with respect to how the original recording was recorded). Most of these recordings are soundboard recordings with very good sound! 

Besides many fantastic live versions like the very first live version of 'My Way' and 'What Now My Love', or the spontaneous version of 'Sweet Inspiration'. ‘Summer In Vegas 1969 - 1973 also includes 3 radio spots, an interview, announcements after the shows, and rehearsal excerpts. 

‘Summer In Vegas 1974’ is a compilation of two soundboard recordings in the style of (for example) the ‘Elvis In Concert’ album from 1977. The best of two shows without all the endless monologues between the songs. The complete shows with these recordings have been released. While the songs were often surprisingly different than usual (and good), the endless monologues detracted from this. That's why we released it this way. 

It has become a surprising album that is wonderful to listen to and lets Elvis live in August 1974 shine! We’ve only used recordings that are not available through the wonderful FTD Collectors label. 

On the second CD we have made room for the monologues, band introductions and a very special Happy Birthday to Kathy Westmoreland. This is a perfect addition to the official releases! 

‘Summer In Vegas 1969 - 1973’ CD 1: 01. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ 08/10/70, backstage 02. All Shook Up 08/03/69, ds 03. Memories 08/03/69, DS 04. Baby What You Want Me To Do 08/03/69, DS 05. Are You Lonesome Tonight? 08/03/69, DS 06. Blue Suede Shoes 08/14/70, MS 07. Heartbreak Hotel 08/19/70, DS 08. Polk Salad Annie 08/19/70, DS 09. Elvis Talks 08/19/70, DS 10. What Now My Love (1st live version) 08/04/72, OS 11. My Way (1st live version) 08/04/72, OS 12. My Babe 08/04/72, OS 13. Also Sprach Zarathustra 08/12/72, ds 14. See See Rider 08/12/72, ds 15. Proud Mary 08/12/72, DS 16. Until It’s Time For You To Go 08/12/72, DS 17. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me 08/12/72, DS 18. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ 08/12/72, ds 19. Polk Salad Annie 08/12/72, DS 20. Trouble 08/31/73, DS 21. Medley: Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Mama Don’t Dance / Flip, Flop and Fly / Hound Dog 08/31/73, ds 22. Love Me Tender 08/31/73, ds 23. Fever (with long intro) 08/31/73, ds 24. Elvis Talks 08/31/73, ds 25. Bridge Over Troubled Water 08/31/73, DS 26. A Big Hunk O’ Love 08/04/72, OS 27. Mystery Train 08/04/72, OS 

‘Summer In Vegas 1969 - 1973’ CD 2: 01. Never Been To Spain 08/04/72, OS 02. Little Sister / Get Back 08/04/72, OS 03. One Night 08/04/72, OS 04. Elvis receiving gold records 08/04/72 05. My Boy 09/02/73, MS 06. I Can’t Stop Loving You 09/02/73, MS 07. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 09/02/73, MS 08. Mystery Train / Tiger Man 09/02/73, MS 09. Elvis Talks 09/02/73, MS 10. A Big Hunk O’ Love 09/02/73, MS 11. Release Me 09/02/73, MS 12. What Now My Love 09/02/73, MS 13. Can’t Help Falling In Love 09/02/73, MS 14. Closing Vamp 09/02/73, MS 15. Announcements 09/03/72, 3am 16. Help Me Make It Through The Night 08/10/73, MS 17. Something 08/23/73, ds 18. Radio Promo #1 19. Sweet Inspiration 08/20/70, MS 20. Memphis Tennessee 08/11/71, ds 21. Trying To Get To You 08/11/71, ds 22. Tony Prince interview 09/04/72 23. Radio Promo #2 24. Radio Promo #3 BONUS TRACKS 25. Rehearsal excerpt 08/04/70 26. Announcement 09/01/73, MS.

Summer In Vegas 1974 CD 1: 01. It’s Midnight 09/02, CS 02. Big Boss Man 08/30, MS 03. Fever (with long intro) 08/30, MS 04. Elvis talks 08/30, MS 05. Softly As I Leave You 08/30, MS 06. It’s Now Or Never 09/02, CS 07. Suspicious Minds 08/30, MS 08. Love Me 08/30, MS 09. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) 09/02, CS 10. You Gave Me A Mountain 09/02, CS 11. Hound Dog 09/02, CS 12. I Got A Woman / Amen 09/02, CS 13. Until It’s Time For You To Go 09/02, CS 14. Elvis talks 08/30, MS 15. If You Talk In Your Sleep 08/30, MS 16. Help Me 08/30, MS 17. Let Me Be There 08/30, MS 18. Elvis talks 08/30, MS 19. How Great Thou Art 08/30, MS 20. Hawaiian Wedding Song 08/30, MS 21. An American Trilogy 08/30, MS BONUS TRACKS 22. Hawaiian Wedding Song 09/02, CS 23. Can’t Help Falling In Love 09/02, CS 24. Elvis Talks 09/02, CS 25. I Couldn’t Live Without You (sung by Voice) 09/02, CS 

Summer In Vegas 1974 CD 2: 01. Intro / See See Rider 08/30, MS 02. Band Introductions 09/02, CS 03. James Burton solo 09/02, CS 04. Ronnie Tutt solo 09/02, CS 05. Duke Bardwell solo 09/02, CS 06. Glenn D Hardin solo 09/02, CS 07. Elvis introduces Ed Parker 09/02, CS 08. Elvis introduces John O’ Grady and talks about Paternity Suit 09/02, CS 09. Drugs dialogue 09/02, CS 10. Elvis introduces his sound engineer Bill Porter, his father and Colonel Parker 09/02, CS 11. Jewelry dialogue 09/02, CS 12. About ‘You Gave Me A Mountain’ / Elvis introduces Priscilla, Lisa Marie and his girlfriend Sheila Ryan / Elvis talking about his divorce 09/02, CS 13. Elvis talks about Judy Spreckels 09/02, CS 14. Happy Birthday to Kathy Westmoreland 08/23, MS.

Rarities Volume 1: 01. That’s All Right (Live, 10/06/74, Evening Show) 1:36 02. Banana (Sung By Liliane Montevecchi) 2:35 03. Banana (Bow Music For Ending) 0:11 04. Muskrat Ramble (Movie Version Transfer) 1:07 05. It’s Midnight (Rehearsal) 4:02 06. Ghost Riders In The Sky (Rehearsal, 2 Lines) 0:21 07. Trying To Get To You (Live, 03/16/74, Afternoon Show) 2:28 08. All Shook Up (Live, 03/16/74, Afternoon Show) 1:00 09. Steamroller Blues (Live, 03/16/74, Afternoon Show) 2:59 10. Killing Me Softly (Live, Sung By Sherrill Nielsen, 01/26/74, Opening Show) 3:30 11. Spanish Eyes (Live, Sung By Elvis And Sherrill Nielsen, 01/26/74, Opening Show) 3:53 12. Hank Snow All Star Jamboree Commercial (1955) 1:07 13. Heartbreak Hotel (Live, 08/06/56) 1:55 14. Interview By Ron Ross (11/22/56) 2:46 15. Introducing Elvis (Live, 11/22/56) 2:31 16. Heartbreak Hotel (Live, 11/22/56) 3:27 17. Long Tall Sally (Live, 11/22/56) 2:04 18. Don’t Be Cruel (Live, 11/22/56 - Part Only) 1:44 19. Interview By Nashville Tennessean Reporter (04/19/60) 0:39 20. Follow That Dream Radio Spot (#1) 0:49 21. Follow That Dream Radio Spot (#2) 0:18 22. Follow That Dream Radio Spot (#3) 0:19 23. Rock-A-Hula Baby (Demo For ‘Blue Hawaii’) 1:51 24. Moon Burn (Demo For ‘Blue Hawaii’) 1:59 BONUS TRACKS 25. Don’t Close Your Door (By Vernon Presley / Overdubbed) 2:34 26. A Message To Elvis’ Fans And My Friends (By Vester Presley) 2:58 27. Red Robinson Presents ‘12 Years Of Elvis’ 5:39 28. Don’t Close Your Door (By Vernon Presley / Complete) 4:46 29. Hank Snow All Star Jamboree Commercial (Complete) 2:16.

Rarities Volume 2: 01. Radio Spot For Elvis At Madison Square Garden, New York 0:34 02. Sweet Caroline (Live, 01/26/74, Opening Show) 2:34 03. Heartbreak Hotel (Live, 10/06/74, Afternoon Show) 1:35 04. Ghost Riders In The Sky (Rehearsal, 07/15/70) 2:33 05. Sylvia (Rehearsal, 07/15/70) 0:43 06. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Live, 10/06/74, Evening Show) 2:36 07. Fever (Live, 01/26/74, Opening Show) 2:25 08. Big Boss Man (Live, 10/06/74, Afternoon Show) 2:35 09. Elvis Arrives In St. Louis (06/28/73) 0:16 10. Five Hundred Miles (Home Recording / Overdubbed) 2:58 11. Blowin’ In The Wind (Home Recording / Overdubbed) 2:55 12. Fools Rush In (Home Recording / Overdubbed) 1:54 13. Tiger Man (Live, 8/11/73, Midnight Show) 1:08 14. Elvis At Kennedy Veterans Hospital (01/04/57) 0:38 15. It’s Very Nice To Go Traveling (Live, 03/26/60) 3:59 16. Fame And Fortune (Live, 03/26/60) 2:23 17. Stuck On You (Live, 03/26/60) 2:29 18. Introduction (Live, 03/26/60) 1:02 19. Witchcraft / Love Me Tender (Live, 03/26/60) 2:17 20. Farewell To Elvis (Live, 03/26/60) 0:19 21. Follow That Dream Radio Spot (#1) 0:50 22. Follow That Dream Radio Spot (#2) 0:25 23. Follow That Dream Radio Spot (#3) 0:14 24. Follow That Dream Radio Spot (#4) 0:07 25. Interview (01/11/58) 1:05 26. Slicin’ Sand (Demo For ‘Blue Hawaii’) 2:00 27. Playing With Fire (Demo For ‘Blue Hawaii’) 1:57 BONUS TRACKS 28. Girls! Girls! Girls! / Fun In Acapulco Radio Spot 0:57 29. Girls! Girls! Girls! / Fun In Acapulco Radio Spot 0:27 30. Elvis’ Grandfather Jesse D Presley Interview (07/09/58) 3:01 31. The Billy Goat Song (By Jesse D Presley) 2:31 32. Who’s That Kickin’ My Dog Around (By Jesse D Presley) 1:57 33. Lew Irwin Interview (06/08/56) 6:56.

News Report

Emiel Maier posted the May 2025 Elvis Video News Report on YouTube. This edition looks back on the main news from April 2025 and covers reports on the postponed premiere of the Elvis hologram show in London, Wink Martindale's death, but also the loss of songwriters and performers Troy Seals and Johnny Tillotson. 

Besides that it touches upon  the missed opportunities for singles success in the 1960s, book, vinyl and all the other relevant news. highlights. 

(Source: Emiel Maier / Elvis shop London)

April 23 - Elvis Un Fenomeno Mondiale

NovAntico has published the fourth volume in its series on Elvis in Italy, titled 'Elvis Presley - Un Fenomeno Mondiale Nelle Cronache Italiane 1970 - 1974' ('Elvis Presley - A Worldwide Phenomenon in Italian Chronicles 1970 - 1974').

This illustrated 184-page paperback, written by Luca Castellino and Ernesto Zucconi, explores Elvis's presence and impact in the Italian media through quotes from original articles in Italian newspapers and magazines from 1970 to 1974.

(Source: Nigel Patterson)

April 22 - Debut, Second Print and Farewell

The French RDM-Edition record label announced that due to popular demand, and exceptional sales, the label will do a second print-run of their latest Elvis release titled ‘From Florida To Hawaii’. The CD sold out in the first week of release.

Listen to previews or buy the CD at the >>> RDM Edition webshop and the >>> Bennies Fifties webshop.

David Briggs Died 

Elvis' former piano and keyboard player David Briggs died. He had been fighting cancer for a while.

In May 1966, he was given the opportunity of recording on sessions for Elvis' 'How Great Thou Art' album when Floyd Kramer was running late. Briggs continued to record and tour with Presley until February 1977.

David Briggs standing on the far left.

Briggs would leave the TCB Band after the February 1977 tour when Elvis discovered that he was having a relationship with Linda Thompson. The relationship between David Briggs and Linda Thompson would last three years, although they still remained close friends. Linda credits him with starting her career as a composer.

David Briggs' work with Elvis sessions would continue after 1977 when in 1982 he produced the remix Sessions for 'The Elvis Medley'. The single would chart at #51 UK and #71 in Billboard Top 100.

There are only a few distinct session players in Nashville who can legitimately claim to be part of the cast of “Nashville Cats” who were in high demand for decades to perform on country albums, along with albums from across the American music spectrum. There are even fewer session players who can claim they were also part of the original Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. Piano and keyboard player, songwriter, producer, studio owner, and performer David Briggs was one of those rare unicorns.

He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1999, and the Musicians Hall of Fame as part of the original Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section in 2019.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum posted: David Briggs could play keyboards in any style. For more than four decades, his deft touch graced countless country, R&B, rock, and pop recordings. He was eighteen years old when he played piano on Arthur Alexander’s epochal Muscle Shoals hit ‘You Better Move On.’ 

Recruited to Nashville by producer Owen Bradley, Briggs immediately became a studio fixture, enhancing records by Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and many more. 

He further shaped Music City in co-founding Quadrafonic Studio and opening his own House of David studio. He was a man of music through and through. Kyle Young, CEO

Linda Thompson posted on Instagram: We lost a great talent and a wonderful friend this morning. David Briggs was responsible for my becoming a songwriter. Many years ago he read some of my poetry and insisted that I was a lyricist. He composed music around some of my lyrics and the first cut I ever had was this beautiful song recorded by Kenny Rogers - written by David and me. I owe so much of my success to him. I was able to speak those reaffirming words to him last night in our conversation while he was in hospice. 

For those of you who may not know, David was Elvis‘s keyboard player for many years and that’s how I met him. What a blessing it was to be able to reminisce about our good times together and our lasting friendship before he passed away only a few hours after we spoke. Our last words to each other were “I love you.” If you have someone you’ve been meaning to reach out to, do it now, please. You never know how much it might mean to them… And to yourself. 

God bless your soul, and rest in peace, David…

Return To Paradise

ViaVision announced the July 16, 2025 debut release of 'Paradise Hawaiian Style', housed in a slipcase.

Publicity stated: Elvis Presley returns to Hawaii for the last time in the musical extravaganza 'Paradise, Hawaiian Style', also starring iconic Hammer horror favorite Suzanna Leigh and Die Hard’s James Shigeta. 

Elvis takes to the skies over the island paradise of Kauai. He’s a partner in a helicopter charter service. Romance, naturally, is in the air for the King… but his business may be grounded. A threatened suspension of his pilot’s license means he may have to kiss his assets goodbye.

Directed by Michael D. Moore – the prolific second unit director behind many blockbuster hits including 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid', 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and 'Cool Runnings'.

Special Feature: Theatrical Trailer.

Note: Special features and artwork are subject to change. 

(Source: Anthony Stuchbury / RDM Edition / Steve Hoffman Forum / Elvis Information Network / Saving Country Music)

April 21 - Will Hutchins Died

Actor Will Hutchins died. He was 94.

Hutchins appeared in two Elvis films, as Tracy Richards in 'Spinout' (1966) and as Tom Wilson in 'Clambake' (1967) in which he lip-synced the “Who Needs Money?” duet with Elvis.

(Source: Elvis Information Network)

April 19 - Charts April 2025 - Week 3

Elvis Presley's presence on the charts is still limited to the United Kingdom alone, and unfortunately sales are dropping. 

On the Official Album chart, the 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' selection lost another nine places and dropped from No. 61 to No. 70. On the nation's Streaming Album chart the compilation lost six places and fell from No. 53 to No. 59.

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

April 19 - Las Vegas on a Budget

The Memphis Recording Service re-issued their 2021 set 'Las Vegas International Presents Elvis - The First Engagements 1969-70', spread over the two CDs 'Las Vegas - August 1969' and 'Las Vegas - January Thru February 1970’ on their MRS Camden budget label. 

The 1969 CD features the August 3, 1969 performance, the 1970 double CD contains the January 26, 1970 Opening Show, the February 23, 1970 Closing Show, and as a bonus 4 performances from the February 19, 1970 Dinner Show. 

All shows have come as newly created stereo mixes, housed in digi-sleeves with a bonus booklet. 

Released

The Infinity import record label released two new double CD sets: 'The Pope is Coming' and 'Burning In San Bernardino', both with live performances from 1972.

'The Pope Is Coming' features the brand-new and previously unreleased evening show Elvis performed in Chicago on June 17, 1972. 

 

The second 2-CD set features two of Elvis's finest shows from November 1972 at the Swing Auditorium. This was Elvis preparing for his worldwide satellite show with the shows a couple days later in Hawaii to serve as Elvis' debut to the world according to the press release.

(Source: Facebook)

April 18 - Platinum French Cartoon Rocker

The French Diggers Factory record label re-issued the 44-page hardcover Elvis comic 'Jean-William Thoury Presente Elvis Presley - BD Rock Par Fred Beltran'. This re-issue comes with a 24-track single CD edition featuring classic hits.

This set was previously released in 2016 as a comic book biography with 2 CDs and on vinyl in 2022.

Description: He has been given countless nicknames, the most eloquent of which is the King. Elvis Presley, the greatest phenomenon in the history of recorded music, is the King of Kings!

 
In the mid-1950s, catalyzing various trends, he imposed Rick and Roll on the planet, overturning everything in his path with irresistible originality, charm and freshness. His talent allowed him to tackle all styles, he does not hold back. His influence remains profound and his character is the object of a cult that never runs out of steam.

Tracks: That’s All Right Mama / Heartbreak Hotel / Blue Suede Shoes / Tutti Frutti / My Baby Left Me  / Hound Dog  / Don’t Be Cruel / Love Me Tender / So Glad You Are Mine / All Shook Up / Jailhouse Rock / Baby I Don’t Care / Doncha’ Think it’s Time / King Creole / Trouble / Fever / Stuck on You / Such A Night / It’s Now or Never / Are you Lonesome  / Tonight Is So Right For Love / Little Sister / Night Rider / Return To Sender.

More Platinum

The British Phonographic industries certified the single 'If I Can Dream' Platinum for selling over 600,000 copies ((streams plus digital downloads plus physical sales) since its re-release on November 15, 2004.

(Source: Diggers Factory / Cultura / BPI / Phoenix Elvis Forum)

April 17 - The Lisa Marie - The King's Flying Graceland

Exactly Fifty years to the date that Elvis bought his Convair 880 jet airliner, Elvis author and aeronautical engineer Carlos Varrenti published his 4th book on Elvis and his airplanes, titled 'The Lisa Marie - The King's Flying Graceland'.

Publicity stated: In the world of music, few names resonate as profoundly as Elvis Presley's. While the King of Rock 'n' Roll is celebrated for his legendary music and iconic performances, there exists another dimension to his life that has long captivated me: his enduring romance with the skies.

In my previous books on 'The Airplanes and The King', I embarked on a journey to explore Elvis' remarkable aviation adventures. I delved into the aircraft he chartered, purchased, and occasionally flew, providing a glimpse into his fearless exploration of the world of flight. Yet, with each passing edition, I couldn't help but feel that there was a significant piece of the puzzle left unexamined as deserved, the centerpiece of Elvis's aeronautical legacy: The Lisa Marie. 

This book is the biography of 'The King's Flying Graceland' and contains "everything there is to know about this aircraft and how the King used this plane from 1975 to 1977" according to Carlos Varrenti. Also included in the richly illustrated book, is the history of the 1960 Convair 880 before Elvis bought it, its time at Delta Airlines, when the plane crisscrossed the U.S. countless times, and everything else that happened to the plane after Elvis died and before it found its definitive landing-place at Graceland in 1984.

Within these pages, I invite you to embark on an immersive journey through the life of Elvis Presley, as seen through the prism of aviation and the extraordinary tale of his Convair 880.

The book is available from >>> Amazon (associate link). 

You can read an interview with Carlos Varrenti by Nigel Patterson on the >>> Elvis Information Network website. 

(Source: Carlos Varrenti / Amazon)

April 15 - Wink Martindale Died

Wink Martindale, a radio personality who became a television star Wink Martindale passes away. He was 91. R.I.P.

Wink Martindale spent 74 years in the radio and television business, starting his career at 17 as a DJ before making a name for himself at Memphis-based station WHBQ. Martindale was in the studio, although not working on-air that night, when the first Presley record 'That’s All Right' was played on WHBQ on July 8, 1954. Upon hearing the track, Martindale called Presley’s mother to see if he could come to his station for a chat. The conversation is thought to be instrumental in launching the career of a young Presley.

At his tenure with WHBQ, Martindale became the host of the TV show 'Top Ten Dance Party' where Elvis made an appearance on 16 June 1956. In 1959 he did a trans-Atlantic telephone interview with Presley, who was in the Army in Germany. Martindale’s second wife, Sandy, briefly dated Presley after meeting him on the set of 'G.I. Blues' in 1960.

The two stayed friends until Presley's death in 1977. Following Elvis' death Martindale aired a nationwide tribute radio special in his honor. 

Most recently, Wink appeared at Elvis' 2024 Elvis Birthday Celebration where he was honored with a Beale Street Note on the Beale Street Walk of Fame.

He also narrated the 12-chapter 'Elvis Story' which was released on vinyl - a collectable according some fans - and (bootleg) CD.

Priscilla posted: "We lost a dear friend ... Wink Martindale. I'm still in disbelief. I spoke to Sandy, his loving wife and longtime friend two days ago and she thought he was making progress, All of us who knew Wink have lost a great friend, My heart goes out to you Sandy"

Martindale remembered Elvis on Fox News: I met Elvis Presley on a hot July night in 1954. I was morning man at WHBQ Radio in the Chisca Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. I did the morning show called 'Clockwatchers'. At night from 9:00 to midnight, we had a wild DJ on the air who played black music for white kids in those days. They called it race music, rhythm and blues music. He had 65 to 70 percent of the audience.

Now, even though I worked mornings, I happened to be there this particular night showing some of my hometown buddies around the radio station. I heard this commotion coming out of the studio where Dewey Phillips was doing his show called 'Red, Hot and Blue'. I excused myself from my friends, and I walked into the studio. I discovered that Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Records, had walked in with an acetate - not a finished record - but an acetate of a recording he had made just two hours earlier by a truck driver for Crown Electric Company whose name was Elvis Presley.

He wanted DJ Dewey Phillips to test it on the air to see if he had anything. Dewey Phillips played it. The switchboard lit up. It was called 'That's All Right Mama'. It turned out to be his first hit. He played it seven times in a row. I was the one delegated by Sam Phillips to call Elvis' parents, who lived in low rent housing out in east Memphis called Lauderdale Courts. They were very poor. I got on the phone, and I called the Presley residence and Gladys, Mrs. Presley, answered the phone.

FN: Was Elvis' family aware of what was happening on the radio?

Wink Martindale: They were listening, of course, and they were very excited about the way the audience was reacting to 'That's All Right Mama', Elvis' first record. I said, 'Mrs. Presley, Dewey would like him to come down to the studio. He wants to interview him. Where is he?' She said, 'Well, he was so nervous about his record being played. He went to see a double-feature Western. You'll find him at Suzores Theatre on Decatur Street'.

They got in their truck, and they went over to the Suzores and walked up and down the dark aisles. There was Elvis sitting all by himself watching this Western movie. They whispered to him about the excitement being generated by 'That's All Right Mama'. He, of course, was excited. They came down to the station. Dewey put him on the air and interviewed him. It was his very first interview as a pro. I met him that night, and he remained my friend until the day he died.

FN: What surprised you the most about Elvis?

Wink Martindale: He was a giver. Very few people knew that he gave away literally millions and millions of dollars to charitable organizations not only in this country but all over the world.

He was a great giver. If he was your friend, he was your friend until the day you died. I mean he would always be your friend and do anything for you that you needed him to do. He was that kind of a person.

Vinyls Delayed

The 'Follow That Dream' 2-LP 'Girl Happy' has been delayed by at least 3 weeks due to production problems. The vinyl is now expected in May. This also effects the shipping of re-issues of 'The Last Tours' and 'The /Blue Hawaii Sessions' sets.

The LP version of the MRS 'Elvis - Live at the Houston Astrodome 1974' release – on both black and transparent vinyl – has been delayed due to a delay in the production process at the supplier, this edition is now expected in May.

Pop Icon

Taylor Prescott published the 187-page book 'American Pop - Icons: Elvis'. 

Description: 'American Pop - Icons: Elvis' is the debut volume in the new 'Icons' spin-off of the bestselling 'American Pop' series, a bold cultural history that positions Elvis Presley as more than just the King of Rock and Roll. In this sharp, engaging analysis, Taylor Prescott traces how a shy boy from Tupelo became one of the most iconic figures in American life, redefining fame, race, sex, youth, and identity in the process.

Through rich storytelling and sharp cultural insight, Prescott examines Elvis as a brand, a mirror, and a catalyst for change. Perfect for fans of pop culture, music history, and anyone interested in how a single performer came to reflect the hopes, anxieties, and contradictions of twentieth-century America.

This is not just a biography. It's a deep dive into how Elvis’s image and sound transformed American culture. From the Pentecostal rhythms of his Mississippi childhood to the media frenzy of his television appearances, from his explosive impact on 1950s youth culture to his controversial place in the racial politics of rock and roll, 'American Pop Icons: Elvis' explores the man behind the myth—and the myth that shaped a nation.

(Source: Pascal Matteo / New York Times / Wikipedia / Elvis Australia / FECC / Reuters / UEPS / ElvisMatters / Amazon)