August 19 - Blue Hawaii - And Many More New Releases

The new Silver Screen Legacy record label released the the LP 'Blue Hawaii - 65th Anniversary Edition' on splattered vinyl as a Bennies Fifties Exclusive.

This LP is available for pre-order from >>> Bennies Fifties. Today the price is still the 32,99 Euro pre-order price, tomorrow the price will be the normal price of 39,99 Euro.  

Description: Celebrating 65 years of the legendary 1961 Blue Hawaii sessions, The Fifties Store announces a brand new deluxe collector’s edition dedicated to one of Elvis Presley’s most beloved soundtrack recordings.

This exclusive release features a carefully selected collection of outstanding outtakes and alternate takes from the original Radio Recorders Studio B sessions, capturing Elvis at the height of his early sixties recording career.

Special care has been taken with both sound and presentation. The recordings for this release were carefully mastered by Petrushka for the best possible listening experience. They are not copied from previously released CDs, but sourced from collector material and prepared with warmth, clarity and depth in mind. The result is a sound quality that stands proudly alongside respected earlier releases.

Pressed on spectacular splatter vinyl and limited to only 200 copies worldwide, this edition was created especially for serious Elvis collectors and lovers of high quality vinyl productions.

The deluxe presentation includes beautifully designed full colour printed inner sleeves featuring rare photographs made from original negatives, together with extensive liner notes exploring the cultural phenomenon of Hawaii in America during the late fifties and early sixties, the legendary recording sessions themselves and Elvis’ unique connection with the islands.

Inspired by the classic RCA Living Stereo era, the artwork combines vintage atmosphere with modern collector quality, making this release feel like a lost premium Presley album from the golden age of vinyl.

Features:

• Strictly limited to 200 copies

• Exclusive splatter vinyl pressing

• Deluxe printed inner sleeves

• Rare photographs from original negatives

• Extensive liner notes

• Carefully selected outtakes and alternate takes

• Newly mastered audio prepared from collector sources

More than sixty five years after the original sessions, Blue Hawaii continues to capture the romance, atmosphere and musical magic that made Elvis Presley the soundtrack of an American dream. Carefully selected from the original 1961 recording sessions at Radio Recorders Studio B, Hollywood.

Tracklisting side A: Steppin’ Out Of Line (Unedited Movie Version, Spliced Takes 8 and 19) / Almost Always True (Take 5) / Beach Boy Blues (Take 3, Movie Version) / No More (Take 11) / Hawaiian Sunset (Take 7) / Ku-U-I-Po (Take 1) / Island Of Love (Take 8).

Side B: Rock A Hula Baby (Take 3) / Ito Eats (Take 5) / Moonlight Swim (Take 2) / Can’t Help Falling In Love (Take 16, Movie Version) / Hawaiian Wedding Song (Take 1) / Aloha Oe (Section 2, Take 3).

More Vinyl

Three new LPs were announced: ‘From a Jack to a King’ on the Petticoat import record label, ‘For The Asking - The Alternate Lost Album’ and ‘The European Side of Elvis - The Alternate Album’ on the Victory import record label. All albums come on colored vinyl with either a bonus CD or photo. 

 

Publicity for ‘‘From a Jack to a King’ stated: Petticoat Records returns with another carefully selected release for the serious Elvis Presley collector.

Known for presenting rare, alternate and previously overlooked Elvis recordings on high-quality vinyl, Petticoat Records has built a distinctive reputation among collectors for combining fascinating archival material with beautifully produced, limited-edition vinyl releases. Previous Petticoat editions have explored everything from studio outtakes and alternate mixes to live performances and recordings that made their vinyl debut.

This latest release continues that tradition with 14 outstanding rare and alternate country recordings, offering a fascinating opportunity to hear Elvis in a different light. Carefully selected for their rarity and collector appeal, these performances provide an essential addition to any serious Elvis Presley collection.

The album is presented as a deluxe LP plus bonus CD edition, allowing collectors to enjoy the material in both classic vinyl format and on CD. As with previous Petticoat releases, the album is housed in a stunning full-colour sleeve, beautifully presented and suitable for framing.

Deluxe Collector’s Edition: 

• 14 rare and alternate country recordings

• Bonus CD included

• 180-gram virgin vinyl

• Available on YELLOW or CLEAR vinyl

• Stunning full-colour collector's sleeve

• Limited edition

Petticoat Records has always been about giving collectors something beyond the ordinary, and this release is no exception. Don't miss this latest Petticoat Records edition. Add it to your collection and keep your Petticoat Records series complete!

 

Tracklisting Side A: Green, Green Grass Of Home (Take 1) / Kentucky Rain (Take 3) / Snowbird (Take 2) / Release Me (Recorded Live, February 18, 1977) / Pieces Of My Life (Take 1) / Your Cheatin’ Heart (Take 9, Alternate Master) / He’ll Have To Go (Undubbed Master).

Side B: Fairytale (Take 2) / I Really Don’t Want To Know (Take 2) / From A Jack To A King (Undubbed Master) / Gentle On My Mind (Vocal Repair Version) / Just Call Me Lonesome (Take 6) / Help Me Make It Through The Night (Take 10) / Faded Love (Take 3, Alternate Master). 

 

The CD has the same content. 

Publicity for ‘For The Asking’ stated: In 1963, Elvis Presley was at a fascinating turning point in his career. Following the success of ‘Pot Luck’, Elvis returned to RCA’s famous Studio B in Nashville in May 1963 to record what was intended to become his next major studio album.

Over two days, Elvis recorded a remarkable collection of songs, including ‘Devil In Disguise’, ‘Please Don’t Drag That String Around’, ‘Long Lonely Highway,’ ‘Witchcraft’, ‘Echoes Of Love’, ‘Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers’ and ‘Never Ending’. ‘Devil In Disguise’ was the hit single from the 14 masters that were created during the sessions. But then something extraordinary happened. the planned album was shelved.

As Elvis’s movie career accelerated, the demands for soundtrack albums began to dominate RCA’s release schedule. Instead of issuing a brand-new Elvis studio album, the company increasingly relied on movie soundtracks, greatest-hits collections and singles. The recordings from the Nashville sessions were gradually broken up, with individual songs appearing as single B-sides or as bonus selections on soundtrack albums.

The result was an album that existed in the recording vaults, but never appeared as an official Elvis album during his lifetime. For Elvis fans, this makes ‘For The Asking’ something truly special: a glimpse of the studio album that might have been. 

At last, decades after the original recordings were made, the collection was assembled and released in 1990 in Europe, under the title ‘For The Asking - The Lost Album’, with the American release following in 1991 as ‘The Lost Album’. Featuring Elvis in the Nashville studio during one of the most intriguing periods of his 1960s career, For The Asking brings together a collection of recordings that were never given the opportunity to stand together as an album when they were new.

The European version of this album came out in 1990 and has one of the nicest album covers in the Elvis catalogue. This album is highly sought after by collectors and is becoming increasingly difficult to find. Victory Records proudly presents an alternate album edition featuring 15 rare and hard-to-find recordings, offering collectors a unique opportunity to discover an album that, in our opinion, should have been available many decades ago.

Carefully selected for their rarity and quality, these recordings make this a truly fascinating release for every serious collector. Available as a strictly limited edition on Red or Blue vinyl, this special release also includes a bonus CD

 

Tracks side A: Long Lonely Highway (Take 1 / Single Master) / Western Union (Take 3) / 

Witchcraft (Take 2) / Love Me Tonight (Take 5) / What Now, What Next, Where To (Original 2- Track Stereo Mix) / Please Don’t Drag That String Around (Take 5) / Blue River (Takes 1 And 2) / Never Ending (Take 1).

Side B: (You’re The) Devil In Disguise (Take 3) / Finders Keepers Losers Weepers (Take 1) / Echoes Of Love (Takes 2 And 3) / Slowly But Surely (Take 1) / It Hurts Me (Take 1) / Memphis Tennessee (Take 5) / Ask Me (Take 7).

The CD holds the same tracks.

Publicity for ‘The European Side Of Elvis’ stated: Discover a side of Elvis Presley you may never have heard quite this way before. Every song on ‘The European Side of Elvis - The Alternate Album’ has a connection to Europe. Some were written by European songwriters. Others feature European words, phrases or expressions woven into the lyrics. And some reveal an intriguing musical connection, English-language adaptations of songs originally recorded or written in Italian.

Together, these songs tell a fascinating story of the relationship between Elvis Presley and European music and culture, a connection that can be heard not only in the melodies, but in the words, the writers and the origins behind the songs. From rock ’n’ roll to romance, from Italy to the wider European continent, The European Side of Elvis uncovers the international influences hidden within the music of The King. Different songs, different stories, one unmistakable voice.

This ‘Alternate Album’ version is limited to only 100 copies per color. Each album contains a bonus CD or bonus photo, and is Available in Red or Orange vinyl.

Side A: It’s Now Or Never (Undubbed Master) / Surrender (Spliced Take 7) / You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Take 2) / Ask Me (Rejected 1963 Master) / Santa Lucia (Vocal Overdub Take 3) / Tonight’s All Right For Love (Take 1) / My Way (Live 04-05-77) / What Now My Love (Live 01-14-73) / I Love Only One Girl (Take 1) / Almost Always True (Take 6).

Side B: Wooden Heart (Take 4) / Tonight Is So Right For Love (Take 7).

Side B Bonus Songs: Yesterday (Live, February 1970) / It’s Easy For You (Take 1) / My Boy (Take 2) / Wonderful World (Take 15) / The Last Farewell (Take 2) / Heart Of Rome (Different Mix).

The CD holds the same tracks.

New Follow That Dream Collector Label Releases

The Follow that Dream Collector’s label announced no less than four new book, CD and vinyl sets: the ‘Paradise, Hawaiian Style’ double LP, the ‘The Frankie And Johnny Sessions’ triple CD set, the 'Elvis: Memphis In March ‘74’ triple CD set and the book / 2-CD combo 'Celluloid Sell-Out 1968-1969'. The titles are due for release September 21, 2026.

Publicity for ‘Paradise, Hawaiian Style’ stated: FTD Vinyl is pleased to announce the release of ‘Paradise, Hawaiian Style’. This edition contains a selection of original soundtrack Masters and Studio Outtakes. It may have taken 60 years, but finally the cover features an appropriate portrait photo from the production itself as opposed to 'Fun In Acapulco!'. 

Side A: Paradise, Hawaiian Style - This Is My Heaven - Stop Where You Are - A Dog’s Life (Take 5, 6) - House Of SAnd (Master With Movie Intro) - Datin’ (Take 5, 9) - Sand Castles:

Side B: Drums Of The Islands - Scratch My Back (Then I’ll Scratch Yours) - Stop Where You Are (Take 1) - A Dog’s Life (Take 8) - Queenie Wahine’s Papaya (Take 4) - This Is My Heaven (Take 1 - 3) - Paradise, Hawaiian Style (Take 1)

Side C: A Dog’s Life (Take 7) - Datin’ (Take 11, 12) - Drums Of The Islands (Take 1) - Sand Castles (Electric Guitar Version Take 4 - 6) - Queenie Wahine’s Papaya - House Of Sand (Take 2, 3) - Scratch My Back (Then I’ll Scratch Yours) (Take 1)

Side D: Paradise, Hawaiian Style (Take 2, 3) - Paradise, Hawaiian Style (Take 4) - Datin’ (Take 13, 14) - Stop Where You Are (Take 2, 3) - This Is My Heaven (Take 4) - Drums Of The Islands (Take 4, 5) - Sand Castles (A Capella).

Designer Jimmy Carpenter wrote about his work for this cover: This is my gatefold sleeve design and label art for the Sony Music/FTD 2-LP set soundtrack companion to Elvis' 1966 'Paradise, Hawaiian Style' album. This FTD limited edition is based on the design style of the original UK release, and features the Red Dot RCA Victor label. FTD is Sony Music's 'Follow That Dream' custom Elvis label. 

Carpenter also noted: Someone on social media has created an edited version of this album art, showing my rear cover design altered with only two sides and with a song from "Blue Hawaii" added. This is obviously a troublemaker with nothing better to do with their time than to try to cause confusion and mayhem. Rest assured, this is the official package shot created by me for FTD.)

Publicity for 'The Frankie And Johnny Sessions' stated: As part of its successful 'Sessions' series, FTD is pleased to announce the release of 'The Frankie And Johnny Sessions - the 60th Anniversary Edition' newly mixed and mastered by Sebastian Jeansson and Vic Anesini, the Masters and Outtakes now offer superior audio to the original 1966 soundtrack album. The 24-page booklet contains many rare photos, memorabilia, movie trivia, recording data and insightful essay.

Disc 1 - Album Masters: Frankie And Johnny - Come Along - Petunia, The Gardener’s Daughter - Chesay - What Every Woman Lives For - Look Out, Broadway - Beginner’s Luck - Down By The Riverside And When The Saints Go Marching In - Shout It Out - Hard Luck - Please Don’t Stop Loving Me - Everybody Come Aboard                                              

 

Outtakes - May 12 - 13, 1965 Sessions: Come Along (Track, Take 6/M) - Beginner’s Luck (Track, Take 5/M) - Down By The Riverside And When The Saints Go Marching In (Track, Take 7/M)

 

May 13 - 14, 1965 Sessions: Come Along (Vocal Overdub Take 1 To Track 6/M) - Beginner’s Luck (Vocal Overdub Take 2 To Track 5/M) - Down By The Riverside And When The Saints Go Marching In (Vocal Overdub Take 4 To Track 7/M) - Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (Take 1 - 3) - Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (Take 4 - 7) - Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (Take 8 - 9) - Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (Take 10) - Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (Take 11 - 16) - Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (Take 17) - Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (Take 18) - Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (Take 19/M)

Disc 2 - Sessions: Shout It Out (Take 1) - Shout It Out (Take 2 - 6) - Shout It Out (Take 7/M) - Frankie And Johnny (Movie Version, Part 1, Track Take 1) - Frankie And Johnny (Movie Version, Part 1, Track Take 2 - 3/M) - Frankie And Johnny (Movie Version, Part 2, Track Take 1/M) - Frankie And Johnny (Movie Version, Part 3, Track Take 1) - Frankie And Johnny (Movie Version, Part 3, Track Take 2/M) - Frankie And Johnny (Movie Version, Part 4, Tracks Take 1 - 2) - Frankie And Johnny (Movie Version, Part 4, Track Take 3/M) - Frankie And Johnny (Movie Version, Part 5, Track Take 1) - Frankie And Johnny (Movie Version, Part 5, Track Take 2/M) - Frankie And Johnny (Movie Version, Part 6, Track Take 1/M & Wild Piano Take 1/M) - Frankie And Johnny (Movie Version, Part 7, Track Take 1 - 2) - Frankie And Johnny (Movie Version, Part 7, Track Take 3 - 4/M)

 

May 14 - 15, 1965 Sessions (Tracks 17 to 20 And 22 To 23 Recorded the night before): Frankie And Johnny (Movie Version, Vocal Overdub From Acetate Source) - What Every Woman Lives For (Track, Take 1) - What Every Woman Lives For (Track, Take 2) - What Every Woman Lives For (Track, Take 3 - 5) - What Every Woman Lives For (Track, Take 6/M) - What Every Woman Lives For (Vocal Overdub Take 8 To Track, Take 6/M) - Hard Luck (Track, Take 1) - Hard Luck (Track, Take 2 - 5 & Ending Tag Take 1 - 2) - Petunia, The Gardener’s Daughter (Take 1) - Petunia, The Gardener’s Daughter (Take 2) - Petunia, The Gardener’s Daughter (Take 3)

 

Disc 3 - May 14 - 15,  1965 Sessions: Petunia, The Gardener’s Daughter (Take 4) - Petunia, The Gardener’s Daughter (Insert, Take 1 - 3) - Petunia, The Gardener’s Daughter (Take 5) - Petunia, The Gardener’s Daughter (Take 6/M) - Look Out, Broadway (Take 1 - 5) - Look Out, Broadway (Take 6 - 8) - Look Out, Broadway (Take 9) - Look Out, Broadway (Take 10 - 12/M) - Everybody Come Aboard (Take 1 - 2A) - Everybody Come Aboard (Take 2B - 4) - Everybody Come Aboard (Take 5 - 10) - Everybody Come Aboard (Take 11 - 13) - Everybody Come Aboard (Take 14 - 15/M) - Everybody Come Aboard (Take 16) - Chesay (Take 1) - Chesay (Take 2 - 4) - Chesay (Take 5 - 6) - Chesay (Take 7/M) - Frankie And Johnny (Record Version, Take 1) - Frankie And Johnny (Record Version, Take 2 - 4) - Frankie And Johnny (Record Version, Take 5 - 6M)

 

May 19,1965 Session - Elvis Vocal Overdub Session At The Samuel Goldwyn Studio: Hard Luck (Vocal Overdub Take 3 To Composite Track Take 5 And End Ending Takes 2 and 1/M) 3:00.

The Elvis Information Network noted: In a similar fashion to 'Paradise Hawaiian Style', Elvis failed to turn up on the first day of the session ("he threw a temper tantrum") and five tracks 'Come Along', 'Beginners Luck', 'Down By The Riverside / When The Saints Go Marchin' In', 'What Every Woman Lives For' and 'Hard Luck' are Vocal Overdubs. The vast majority of 'new' outtakes have been previously released on bootleg. 

Publicity for ‘Elvis: Memphis In March ‘74’ stated: As part of its ongoing live on tour series, FTD is pleased to announce the release of ‘Elvis: Memphis In March ‘74’. 

Released as a 3-CD 5-Inch digipack, this set features three hometown concert performances from the Mid-South Coliseum.  The concerts feature all of the songs that were recorded by the engineer during the March 1974 tour. Recorded in Mono.

Disc 1 - March 16 Show - Afternoon Show: Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See Rider - I Got A Woman /Amen - Love Me - Trying To Get To You - All Shook Up - Steamroller Blues - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - Johnny B. Goode - Hound Dog - Fever - Polk Salad Annie - Why Me Lord - Suspicious Minds - Introductions - I Can’t Stop Loving You - Help Me - American Trilogy - Let Me Be There - Funny How Time Slips Away - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp

 

Disc 2 - March 16 Show - Evening Show: Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See Rider - I Got A Woman /Amen - Love Me - Trying To Get To You - All Shook Up - Steamroller Blues - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - Johnny B. Goode - Hound Dog 1:13Fever - Polk Salad Annie - Why Me Lord - Suspicious Minds - Introductions - I Can’t Stop Loving You - Help Me - American Trilogy - Let Me Be There - Funny How Time Slips Away - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp

 

Disc 3 - March 17 Show - Afternoon Show: See See Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - Trying To Get To You - All Shook Up - Steamroller Blues - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - Johnny B. Goode - Hound Dog - Heartbreak Hotel - Fever - Polk Salad Annie - Why Me Lord - Suspicious Minds - Introductions - I Can’t Stop Loving You - Help Me - American Trilogy - Let Me Be There - Funny How Time Slips Away - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp

Note: The March 17, 1974 is previously unreleased. 

Publicity for ‘Celluloid Sell-Out 1968-1969’ stated: FTD Books is pleased to announce the release of the Limited Edition book ‘Celluloid Sell Out 1968-1969’ by Bob Pakes.

 

With 448 pages and over 2000 images, it also includes worldwide movie memorabilia and two soundtrack CDs. This volume focusses on the years movies 1968 to 1969 and the movies 'Speedway', 'Stay Away, Joe', 'Live A Little, Love A Little', 'Charro', 'The Trouble With Girls' and 'Change Of Habit'. 

The book is loaded with movie posters, lobby cards, press-books, publicity stills, standees, heralds and much more!

CD 1: There Ain't Nothing Like A Song (With Nancy Sinatra) - Your Time Hasn´t Come Yet, Baby - Five Sleepy Heads - Who Are You? (Who Am I?) - Speedway - Suppose - Let Yourself Go - He's Your Uncle Not Your Dad - Stay Away - Stay Away, Joe - Dominic - All I Needed Was The Rain - Goin´ Home - Too Much Monkey Business - U. S. Male - Wonderful World - Edge Of Reality - A Little Less Conversation- Almost In Love.

CD 2: Change Of Habit - Rubberneckin' - Let's Be Friends - Have A Happy - Let Us Pray - Clean Up Your Own Backyard - Almost - Charro - Let's Forget About The Stars  - Let's Forget About The Stars (Rough Mix) - Charro (Rough Mix) - Clean Up Your Own Backyard (Undubbed Master) - Almost (Undubbed Master) - Swing Down Sweet Chariot (Movie Version) - Swing Down Sweet Chariot (Female Vocals and Brass Overdub) - Signs Of The Zodiac (With Marlyn Mason) - College Songs Medley: Far Above Cayuga's Waters (Featuring Elvis) / Boola Boola / Dartmouth's In Town Again - The Eyes Of Texas - On, Wisconsin / The Wiffenpoof Song (Featuring Elvis) / Fair Harvard / Notre Dame / Violet (Featuring Elvis) - Almost (Take 1, 2, 3) - Almost (Take 4, 6) - Almost (Take 10, 11) - Almost (Take 13) - Almost (Take 14, 15, 16) - Almost (Take 22, 23, 24, 25) - Almost (Take 27, 28) - Almost (Take 29) - Let Us Pray (Alternate Vocal Overdub) - Let Us Pray (Master Vocal Only).

Note: CD 2 is a copy of the 'The Last Movies' FTD compilation. 

Go to the ElvisMatters webshop to pre-order:

>>> the ‘Paradise, Hawaiian Style’ double LP.

>>> the ‘The Frankie And Johnny Sessions’ triple CD set.

>>> the 'Elvis: Memphis In March ‘74’ triple CD set.

>>> the 'Celluloid Sell-Out 1968-1969'.book / 2-CD-set.

Ryman Auditorium Named ACM Theater of the Year

Nashville hosted the 19th annual ACM Honors tonight at The Pinnacle, the Academy of Country Music's yearly celebration of Country Music.

The world-famous Ryman Auditorium was named 'ACM Theater of the Year'. During the presentation, the venue's storied history was celebrated, including a nod to Elvis Presley, one of the legends who once stepped on its stage.

Opened in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle church, the Ryman later became home to the Grand Ole Opry in 1943. It was there, on October 2, 1954, that a then-unknown 19-year-old Elvis made his only Opry appearance, enough to secure his place in the building's legendary history.

(Source: Bennies Fifties / FTD / ElvisMatters)

Elvis Day By Day - Exclusive Hardcover Edition With a Discount

The annual Poplar Tunes Exclusive Hardcover edition of the 2025 'Elvis Day By Day - The year In Review' is available with a 20% discount!

If you order the book between August 17 and 19th from >>> Blurb with the code "AUGUSTBOOK2" you have a great deal!

For the first time available as a double volume edition, this 558 pages set contains are all the worldwide chart listings and circa 10 bonus interviews and reviews that didn't fit into the paperback edition as that reached it max. with 480 pages.

Description: Born in a shotgun shack in East Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1935, Elvis Presley achieved legendary status. He transformed the industry with his unique sound and style, leaving a legacy that still resonates on his 90th birthday year. 

 

A remarkable aspect of Elvis is that his posthumous legacy, like his life, continues to produce news, day by day. His legacy is still debated and celebrated every day by millions of fans around the world. So here, in recognition of 90 years of Elvis, is a day by day yearbook featuring all the significant releases and events from the continuing saga of the King of Rock and Roll. No other artist could justify such a retrospective each year, but Elvis does!

 

This detailed timeline traces everything Elvis Presley from 2025: all the new books on a wide variety of subjects, the "EPIC" movie releases on DVD and Blu-ray and of course the music on CD and multicolored vinyl. Added to that are over 75 in-depth reviews, articles and interviews on the main releases, showing you what you missed, and helping you to distinguish what you should or shouldn't add to your collection. All that and much, much more in the ultimate tribute in the 90th anniversary of the King Rock and Roll!

 

If you thought you'd seen it all, just browse through these 558 full-color pages! The King Still Lives Today, this book proves it!

 

The foreword was kindly written by Roy Turner, Executive Director of the Elvis Presley Birthplace, where Elvis' legacy began on January 8th 1935, 90 years ago in 2025.

The Exclusive 2-volume hardcover edition is available from the >>> Poplar Tunes webshop and the >>> Blurb webshop.

Here is a new preview trailer of the 2025 Elvis Presley yearbook. 

August 16 - Elvis Im Hertzen von Europa 1958 - 1960

German Elvis authors and fans Helmut Rademacher and Thorsten Baumstark announced the December 2026 release of the 600-page German hardback 'Elvis Im Hertzen von Europa 1958 - 1960' ('Elvis In The Heart of Europe 1958 - 1960').

The A4-sized book contains both colored and black and white photographs and illustrations. It is limited to 500 copies. 

Publicity for the book stated: An extraordinary book about Elvis Presley's excursion to Europe in the years 1958-60, built up chronologically over an unforgettable time, carried by authentic reports and pictorial documents from the archives of Helmut and Thorsten as well as from witnesses of that time.

"I will soon come back to Europe, as an entertainer and as a private person" With these words Elvis Presley said farewell to Germany. But his further path in life and his all-too-early death left this promise unfulfilled. What remained were memories - and people whose encounters with the young G.I. from the Southern states still accompany them to this day.

When Elvis left Germany in March 1960, he left behind far more than broken hearts. He left behind stories, encounters and traces that have remained alive to this day.

Helmut Radermacher and Thorsten Baumstark together unite 118 years of passion for the life and work of Elvis Presley. After years of intensive research, they do not retell the story of Elvis's military time anew - but from a perspective that has largely remained hidden until now.

This book was created on the basis of numerous previously unpublished photographs, documents and exhibits from the authors' private archives and collections, as well as from photographs, keepsakes and personal accounts made available by contemporary witnesses. In this way, a multifaceted picture emerges of those extraordinary months that Elvis spent in Germany. Personal experiences, rare finds and carefully verified historical sources open up new insights, clear away long-held legends, and document places and events that even many long-standing fans have so far hardly known about.

This book is more than a chronicle. It is a journey of discovery into a special chapter of Elvis history - and at the same time a personal thank-you from two authors to the artist who, for a combined 118 years, has enriched their lives with his music, his personality and his legacy."

50th Anniversary Preparation

The Memphis based Commercial Appeal newspaper wrote that the preparations for the marking the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, and plans for an Elvis hologram show were among the topics discussed by Elvis Presley Enterprises managing partner Joel Weinshanker during an Elvis Week event at Graceland on August 15th.

Speaking as part of the Conversations on Elvis panel at the Graceland Soundstage, Weinshanker made his remarks during a brief 10-minute appearance in which he promised “at least four major events during the 50th anniversary" in 2027. "Four new, major, amazing attractions coming in, things that you've never seen before," he said.

“Coming up on the 50th anniversary, it's really important, so important, to keep Elvis alive in our hearts, in our heads, and here at Graceland,” Weinshanker said. “But for the 50th, we're actually going to look at it from a little bit of a different lens. You might see people here you have not seen in a long, long time, if ever.”

The EPE boss hinted that members of the Presley family - including the late Lisa Marie’s Presley’s children - would be part of next year’s remembrances.

“You're going to see family here,” said Weinshanker, his voice choked with emotion. “You do have to understand how difficult it is, especially for Lisa's kids to come here right now. I do not like to speak for them, but you have to understand how difficult it is coming to a place where their grandfather, who they never met, and where their [mother] and where their brother are buried. But I have a very high level of confidence we're going to see a lot more family in [2027], and I think that's going to be important.”

Weinshanker also confirmed that the long-rumored Elvis hologram project would finally see the light of day. He noted that there would be “an absolutely state-of-the-art, world-class state-of-the-art hologram show in Las Vegas within the next 18 months.” 

He added: “When you see who's involved, when you hear about it, it's going to be something great. Elvis didn't love the idea of holograms, and I didn't love it for a decade either, but we've gotten to the point where we’re very excited about it.”

Weinshanker closed by noting that preparations for 2027's Elvis Week were already underway. “Everybody at Graceland has a lot of work to do,” he said. “We're doing it for you all. We're doing it for Elvis.”

One Helluva Cover!

Here is the cover-art for the long awaited memoir  'One Helluva Ride! Red West - His Remarkable Life Before, During and After Elvis and the Memphis Mafia' by Red and Pat West with John W. Sparks. 

The book has been in the works for over a decade, but should be out in the fall of 2026 (northern hemisphere) and in the Spring of 2027 (southern hemisphere). The book will be available in hardback and softcover formats from Page Publishing.

Rockhurst Elvis Auction Results

• Elvis signed prototype Aloha jumpsuit stage belt with Bill Belew provenance which sold for a stunning $115,000.
• It was noted that "after trying on the belt and carefully inspecting the buckles, Elvis signed "ok" on the inside of the belt and sent it back to Bill Belew so that the rest of the ensemble could be completed." 
• Elvis' "chieftain" gold and diamond ring given to his karate instructor Ed Parker sold for $57,500
• The 1955 Elvis Presley signed "Louisiana Hayride" contract also signed by Vernon and Gladys Presley (Beckett authentic) sold for $57,500
• 1958 Elvis Presley twice-signed contract for "G.I. Blues" plus archive of related materials (PSA, DNA and JSA) sold for $18,400.
• The incredibly early Elvis Presley signed 1955 promotional photo - highest grade (Beckett authentic) sold for $3,450.
• However Elvis' full U.S. Army uniform given to "G.I. Blues" director Norman Taurog remained 'unsold' despite getting to $85,000 in bidding. 

You can now check the entire auction results at >>> Rockhurst Auctions.  

(Source: Robert van Doorn / Commercial Appeal / Elvis Information Network / Elvis Club Berlin)

August 13 - FTD World Updated

The two-volume discography book on the Follow That Dream catalog by David Ward and Atsushi Nakamura, titled 'FTD-World' will be reprinted and released September 2026. 

This reprint was done because the authors couldn't meet the initial demand. The  changes to this second edition are minimal. 

The first volume of this set covers the Studio Outtakes, Live Performances, Rehearsals, Private Recordings and the 'Classic Album' re-issues while the second book details the Soundtracks, the Books, the Session set and the vinyl releases by the collectors label. 

The main changes are addition of 'Music Rarities' a FTD sampler CD that came free with a DVD box set - plus very brief entries for the six FTD titles that have so far been issued in 2026. 

Go to the >>> FTD WORLD 1999-2025 webshop for more info and to order these books. Go >>> here to read the review of the first print.

Moody Blue: Between The Lines

The Contrand Trading Co. Film, in association with Tulip Road Recordings and A.6.7. Productions announced the August 2027 release of the documentary movie 'Moody Blue: Between The Lines'. 

Description: A story built from the voices, memories, and people who were there  taking you beyond the music and between the lines. The movie is directed by Matthew Zeiss and features contributions by Brent Maher, Estelle Brown, Georg Bracke, Glen Hardin, James Burton, Jerry Scheff, Larry Strickland, Layng Martine Jr., Letitia Henley Kirk, Mark James, Shirley Dieu and many others. 

Watch Now On YouTube

Rockhurst 'Auction on Elvis Presley BLVD

Rockhurst Auctions are back with their special Elvis Week Auction - “The Auction on Elvis Presley BLVD” Live Saturday, August 15, 2026. 

The lots are on display in Memphis during Elvis Week from August 12 to 15 at The Holiday Inn Express on Elvis Presley BLVD. It includes 100+ Lots of Elvis Presley owned and worn clothing, jewelry, autographs, personal effects, concert memorabilia, records and more.

Highlights Include:

• Elvis’ Full Army Uniform, given to 'G.I. Blues' Director Norman Taurog. Current starting Bid - $40,000
• Elvis Presley Signed Prototype Aloha Jumpsuit Stage Belt with Bill Belew provenance. Current Bid $50,000
• Elvis'"Chieftain" Gold and Diamond Ring given to His Karate Instructor Ed Parker. Starting Bid $25,000
• Elvis Owned and Worn “Brooks Leather Sportswear” Motorcycle jacket and pants. Starting Bid $10,000
• Elvis Presley’s Shelby County Deputy Sheriff Badge given to bodyguard Dave Hebler. Current Bid $7,500
• Incredibly Early Elvis Presley signed 1955 promotional photo. Starting Bid $2,500.
• 1955 Elvis Presley Signed "Louisiana Hayride" contract also signed by Vernon and Gladys Presley. Starting Bid $25,000.
• 1958 Elvis Presley twice-signed contract for "G.I. Blues" plus archive of related materials. Current Bid $5,000.
• 1956 Elvis Presley's first signed Screen Actors Guild contract. Current Bid $10,000.

You can now view the entire auction at  >>> Rockhurst Auctions.com.  

(Source: David Ward / Elvis Shop London / Elvis Information Network / Anthony Stuchbury)

Review Elvis 33 ⅓ RPM, Volume 1

In 1987 John Townson and Gordon Minto published the landmark book ‘Elvis UK’, setting a new standard for "encyclopedic" discographies. For example, during their research they pioneered a system to place each release on the Elvis Presley timeline based on tax codes. Who would have thought that the tax department could be a blessing for collectors everywhere ...

The past five-plus years these two researchers have been systematically expanding both the depth and scope of their research for the first book, with the publication of almost two handfuls of standalone soft-backed books covering Elvis' releases on 78 RPM, Extended Plays, CD, the non-RCA releases, and even the vinyl cover art. In each of these, they have written the definitive word on the subjects covered.

Apparently one thing kept nagging these two gentlemen: their first book was due for an upgrade, color and content-wise. Landmark though it was at the time, that upgrade was all that seemed to be missing, even as the authors kept us engrossed with the aforementioned expansions on their first publication.

So many Elvis U.K. vinyl collectors may have cheered when the announcement was made that the upgrade was on the horizon. And what an update, their debut publication will be expanded from one to five volumes! The first volume - holding 462 pages - has been published, and offers collectors everything there is to know about the Elvis LPs that were released between 1956 and mid-1962 in the United Kingdom.

The authors stated in the announcement: "For those who have repeatedly requested a major revision to their original book 'Elvis UK', published in 1987, this new series focuses on the biggest section of that book - the U.K. LP section - though this new series will run to five volumes - an indication of how much detail has gone into each book."  So lets see how they upgraded their first release.

Design

The authors are as true to their design as they are to their format, so we get a black cover with the trademark "Elvis UK" logo and a title that could work as a summary of the book. Looking at the content, it is logical to use Elvis' U.K. debut release on the His Master's Voice label as the main illustration.

The content of this 462-page paperback is presented using a logical format, numbering each release. Each entry starts with the title and cover art, followed by the history and facts on the album. From there it moves through original advertisements, contemporary press coverage from newspapers and music magazines, paperwork, and label and sleeve variations, all drawn from a host of sources, including the record companies and people involved at the time. All of it is annotated in detail, pointing out what's important, relevant, or sometimes funny.

I especially enjoyed the retrospectives and newspaper round-ups for each year, as they provide both factual and social-historical context for the albums at hand. Over time you experience how Elvis grew as an artist, to a level no one could have imagined. But you also see how his image changed, from someone parents feared for their kids to an artist loved by both the kids, their parents and the press.

Along the way the authors try to place their research in perspective and infuse it with their observations and opinions and do so with some of that typical British humor. For example, in the chapter on 'Blue Hawaii' they pose the question of which album had the most impact on Elvis' career, and name the soundtrack album as their answer. Their reasoning: it steered his film and recording career in an (unintended) direction. It would not be my first choice, but it is food for thought, and you could build an argument for this classic soundtrack. These infusions of factual content make this book a joy to read and so much more than a "discography." 

The authors love to do their research and write about it. The consequence is that the book holds “too much” information, you simply can't take it all in at once. But thanks to the pleasant way of writing, it isn't "too much." It is the kind of book you use as a reference or study-book.

Content

This book covers Elvis' British LP releases from 1956 to 1962, sixteen albums in total. It starts with the first three releases on the legendary His Master's Voice label, followed by the first thirteen titles on the RCA Victor record label. Every album is carefully cross-referenced to later re-issues.

The first 100 pages provide an introduction and context for the albums covered in these five volumes. They cover the making of the original 'Elvis UK' book, along with background on the research and methodology used, and developed, over the years. They also lay out all the necessary background information on producing records: the (inner) sleeves, the mechanical rights, the business side, the publishing, and more. This section almost could have been a book on its own. 

Following the albums, the closing chapters offer a song title index of titles released between 1956 and 1962, including references to the albums and whether they were released in Mono and/or Stereo. It is important to note, though, that this is not simply a colored update of the 1987 book. It's completely built again from the ground up.

The authors have included all the known variations of a particular LP up to the point when it was deleted. Re-issues (old albums re-issued with new catalogue numbers, as happened with many at the beginning of the 1970s after RCA had launched its own label in the United Kingdom) then they are dealt with separately as, by virtue of having a different cat number (though the same tracks) makes it a re-issue. The authors discuss this at various points throughout the text and, of course, across the different volumes. 

In previous reviews of these authors' work, I have already praised the authors on the meticulous research underpinning their books, and the same applies here. Take my word for it. The book is illustrated throughout with relevant photographs, advertisements and more. The details of label combinations, production errors, and other fascinating oddities will delight collectors! 

In true English fashion, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating." With that in mind, I selected one of the most appealing and quintessentially English releases: the 1956 LP 'Rock and Roll No. 2,' to find out which variation I own, and what there was to learn about this collectable release.

Finding the album was easy thanks to the index. The page for this second Elvis LP release opens with the front and back of the first pressing. My copy of the second ‘Rock and Roll’ album was a first pressing, variation 1. Identification was easy, the positioning of the “HMV” was the identifier. Still, this variation had six sub-variations when you look at the positioning of the initials of the printer (“W.R.W”) on the back. 

This illustrates the level of details featured in the book. Reading the information presented, you see where this book differs from other U.K. discographies, for example the ‘Elvis on Record’ books by Paul Alner, which contain the same factual information but not the detailed background details these books hold.

You could argue whether all the information about the recording session, and the details on the original color of the front cover image, belong in a reference book like this one. Similarly, one could ask the same of a chapter on the songs featured on Elvis' first two albums, the Decca Record Company and RCA record labels from 1957 to 1968. I would expect this kind of information in the introduction chapters, not in between 'Rock and Roll No. 2' and the 'Loving You' soundtrack. But there are more little chapters like this throughout the book, and they do offer additional information and a little variation when leafing through the pages.

As Townson and Minto explained: "We have always focused on giving as much context as possible about the releases, there is a clear narrative, a story being told in chronological sequence, recording the history of each release in what we hope is an entertaining and informative manner."

On the one hand it is great to have everything in one place; on the other hand, much of the information presented would be great content for an in-depth analysis of the album. And although the book is very complete, I did learn that it still doesn't cover everything. The authors themselves also refer to their 'Elvis UK - Cover Story' book for more details on the cover art. I also found some images of a test pressing for this album in Alner's book that weren't featured in this book, and vice versa.

Here's where the two books diverge most. Take 'Loving You,' for example: Paul Alner identified 11 label variations up to 1963, while this book offers 19 different labels up to 1963. Alner's book shows variation 10, which is omitted in this book. Conversely, the text for "variation 9" in Alner's book mentions a variation he has no graphic evidence for, but it is shown in this book. And where the identified variations of 'Rock and Roll No. 2' were identical, this is not the case for the 'Loving You' example, as both books name the variations differently. Here collectors must choose which reference to follow for their collection.

On this observation the authors commented: "The number of variations we each present differs because of the way they are interpreted. It is not a science but often requires some finely balanced analysis and judgment ... and this has been borne out by the buying practices of our loyal customers ... Ultimately, buyers must make up their own minds about which source offers them the best balance". And interpretation, editorial and design choices made by the respective authors I would like to add. 

Conclusion

As stated in previous reviews of books in this series, I would argue that these 'Elvis UK' books are the definitive word on Elvis' U.K. discography. This new volume is so much more than an "upgrade". And anyone who thinks these are "just" discographies is mistaken. They function as discographies, yes, but also as reference books and social histories of the era. In short, for collectors these volumes will be the definitive word on Elvis U.K. LP releases. 

Comparing this volume to Paul Alner's 'Elvis On Record' (which will be expanded by two more volumes), I noticed that both authors followed their own research and methodology to present their findings. My conclusion is that there are some significant differences, both in content, methodology, and presentation, so collectors could opt to accept one of the two as "their truth" to structure their quest, or get both and draw their own conclusions.

And although the book holds pretty much everything there is to know and learn about each album, there are (still) more variations to be discovered and categorized. The quest continues, and I already look forward to delving into the next volumes.

This is what Sean Tarrant had to say about the book:

Get the book

The print copy of Elvis 33 ⅓ RPM, Volume 1 costs £53 and can only be ordered via our website >>> Elvis UK Books website. You can also find details of all their other recent publications.

August 11 - EPiC Conversations with Scotty Moore

Jim Berkenstadt published his 120-page paperback 'Elvis Presley: Conversations with Scotty Moore', with a foreword by Albert Lee.

Description: July 4, 1954, was no ordinary Independence Day. It was the day a young delivery truck driver named Elvis Presley walked into guitarist Scotty Moore’s Memphis living room to sing, and change popular music forever. Only three men were there: Elvis, Scotty, and bassist Bill Black. From that moment came a new kind of independence for American youth: the birth of Rock and Roll.

In 'Elvis Presley: Conversations with Scotty Moore', Elvis’s first guitarist, manager, and close confidante, reveals how a shy kid from Memphis became the King of Rock and Roll.

Scotty recalls their early days at Memphis Recording Service, the wild tours, tangling with Colonel Tom Parker, making Hollywood films, and Elvis’ historic 1968 Comeback Special. Scotty’s pioneering guitar work on Presley’s records inspired a generation of great guitar slingers. This is Scotty Moore’s personal, inside story of the man - and the music - that set the world on fire.

The book is available from >>> Amazon.

Releases That Linger In My Heart

The new Panther records import record label released the double CD set 'Memories That Linger In My Heart', featuring the December 10, 1975 performance as recorded from the audience in Las Vegas.

Publicity stated: December in Las Vegas in the 1970´s has not really been a time where it would be easy to sell out concert venues. Unless you were considering bringing a musical phenomenon to town for the holiday season. Exactly this happened in 1975. When Elvis played Vegas in August of this year, it was a short-lived engagement as the “King” gave up after just 5 appearances because of pure exhaustion. Fans who eagerly awaited his iconic presence were disappointed, yet hope remained alive that Elvis would be back soon. And the contract had to be fulfilled anyway, so the Colonel and the Hilton management decided to bring Elvis back in December of the same year.

To make it short, the whole engagement in December of 1975 was nothing less than a rescheduled triumph! What you will hear on our new double CD set is (for the first time) the complete show of December 10 (there was only 1 show that day, at 10.00 PM). On previous releases of this concert the producers were not willing to invest in a second CD so they simply cut out some dialogue – which is a shame of course.

There are many highlights in the very good sounding audience recording of this evening. A more loose show with Elvis seemingly having a good time interacting with the audience. Plus the one or the other surprise, such as Elvis obviously playing a prank on people at the beginning of the show by going from 'See See Rider' into 'Can't Help Falling In Love' (including the so-called 'Closing Vamp'!) – as if the show would already be over after just 2 songs! And then, when you could have expected that he would go straight into 'I Got A Woman' after the usual “Wells” he presented another surprise: a spontaneous, nice version of 'When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again'. A hilarious moment indeed! 

The song 'Just Pretend', a musical pearl from 1970 was brought back this season as a regular in the setlist after not having been performed since November 72 in Hawaii. A seemingly spontaneous request shortly before the end of the show, the “dramatic” tune 'My Way' became a duet between Sherill Nielsen and Elvis because Elvis did not remember the lyrics and made Sherill sing for him in certain parts. 

And regarding the quality of our new CD: needless to say that the recording of this show is newly remastered and speed-corrected. Enjoy this show with its very entertaining nature, and make sure early to get your copy of this new Panther Records release from your favorite dealer!

Tracks CD 1: Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See Rider - Can’t Help Falling In Love (#1)- Closing Vamp (#1) - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - Fairytale - And I Love You So - Trying To Get To You - All Shook Up - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - You Gave Me A Mountain - Polk Salad Annie.

Disc 2: Introductions / Johnny B. Goode -  Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) - Piano Solo (Glen D. Hardin) - School Day - School Day (Reprise) - Just Pretend - How Great Thou Art (With Reprise) - Softly As I Leave You - America The Beautiful - Mystery Train / Tiger Man - My Way - Blue Christmas - Can’t Help Falling In Love (#2) -  Closing Vamp (#2).

EPiC Blu-ray Release

NEON and Universal Pictures International released the 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD editions of 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert' in the United States.

Publicity stated: Fans around the world can now experience the magic of Elvis Presley ... at home. Following its enormously successful global theatrical release, Baz Luhrmann’s 'EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert' gives audiences the opportunity to experience Elvis Presley like never before at home, with breathtaking picture quality and immersive sound. 

Get your copy from >>> Amazon.

(Source: Amazon)