May 13 - Elvis Hits The Hymnes

Due May 20, 2016 is the SM Originals re-release “Elvis Hits the Charts”. Just the 25 Number One Hits included on this excellent value encapsulation of 5 years that changed music forever. Including 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Jailhouse Rock', and 'Hound Dog'. If you only own one Elvis CD this should be it according to the press-release.

Heartbreak Hotel / Don’t Be Cruel / Hound Dog / Love Me Tender / I Want You, I Need You, I Love You / Too Much / All Shook Up / Teddy Bear / Jailhouse Rock / Don't / Hard Headed Woman / One Night / I Got Stung / A Fool Such As I / I Need Your Love Tonight / A Big Hunk O Love / Stuck On You / It's Now Or Never / Are You Lonesome Tonight? / Wooden Heart / Surrender / (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame / Little Sister / Rock A Hula Baby / Can't Help Falling In Love

Elvis Presley - Hymnbook

Due from the SM Originals label is the re-release of the CD “Elvis Presley - Hymnbook”. Highlighting the spiritual side of the King of Rock & Roll this beautifully presented album showcases Elvis' immortal voice against a backdrop of devotional songs and hymns. Includes 'His Hand In Mine', 'Peace In The Valley', 'Mansion Over The Hilltop' and many more...

I Believe / His Hand In Mine / I'm Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs / In My Father's House / (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) / Milky White Way / Known Only To Him / I Believe In The Man In The Sky / It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) / Joshua Fit The Battle / He Knows Just What I Need / Swing Down Sweet Chariot / Take My Hand, Precious Lord / Mansion Over The Hilltop / If We Never Meet Again / Working On The Building.

(Source: Amazon)

May 12 - Elvis Up For Auction

The Christiana Auction Gallery in the USA has a new auction coming up called "Elvis Presley, Fine Memorabilia & More Sale" this weekend- 12th May 2016 6PM EST. Included a some very interesting Elvis items, clothing, autographed items and personal memorabilia. These include:

Leather boots owned and worn by Elvis Presley
Each boot inscribed with Elvis Presley's name on bottom. These boots are from a longtime collection of Elvis Presley owned and worn items. Various items come from the collection of Jim Curtin (noted to be one of the largest collector of Elvis Presley items in the world). Also, items directly from Vernon Presley, Elvis Presley estate, Col. Tom Parker (Presley estate manager), and Graceland.
Provenance: Collection of Tom Parker, acquired directly from Presley during the 1970's. Estimate $6,000 – $10,000

Prescription glasses owned and used often by Elvis Presley. 
These glasses would be used by Elvis for reading. The glasses were given directly by Elvis Presley to close friend and Memphis Mafia member - Marty Lacker and came from his desk at Graceland. Also, on the glasses are Elvis Presley's teeth marks. Marty Lacker was considered one of Elvis Presley's true friends along as his co best man for the wedding with Priscilla.
Provenance: Estate of Marty Lacker, acquired from Presley at Graceland. Estimate $6,000 – $12,000

Silver turquoise eagle ring owned and worn on many occasions by Elvis Presley. Also included a hand written letter from Elvis to Elizabeth thanking her for the letters received 
Provenance: Elizabeth Mercer collection, acquired directly from Vernon and Elvis Presley. Authentication included from Vernon Presley. Estimate $6,000 – $10,000.

Go here for the full list.

(Source: Elvis Information Network)

May 11 - ChartsPresley

Elvis has no entries on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for the week ending May 21, 2016.

The "If I Can Dream" CD drops from #6 to #7 on the Classical Album Chart.

• The "Heart And Soul" compilation is a re-entry at #25 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
• The "He Touched Me' - The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley" (Vols.1 and 2) drops from #7 to #24 on the Music Video Sales Chart.

UK Chart

• Elvis Presley's "If I Can Dream" drops to #96 from #49 on the Official UK Album Chart for the week ending May 13, 2016.
• The "If I Can Dream" CD drops from #40 to #77 on the Album Sales Chart; it also drops from #33 to #69 on the Physical Album Chart.

European Charts

• The "If I Can Dream" CD drops from #35 to #78 on the Scottish Album Chart.
• The CD "The Real... Elvis – 60’s Collection" dropped off the Belgian Mid-price Album charts.

Australian Charts

• In Australia the "If I Can Dream" CD dropped to #77 on the Top 100 Albums chart. On the Physical Albums chart the CD is listed at #53.
• The DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Perfomances And More" dropped off the Music DVD chart. 

(Source: Brian Quinn / FECC / ARIA Charts / A Charts)

May 10 - Original Cover Art

Here is the cover-art for the Documents (Membran) 10 CD set “Elvis Presley - Original Albums - Soundtracks” 10 CD set which is due June 24, 2016. 

CD 1: Something For Everybody (RCA Victor LSP-2370 - US) 
CD 2: Pot Luck (RCA Victor LSP-2523 - US) 
CD 3: Jailhouse Rock (RCA Popular 31.126 - South Africa Only) 
CD 4: Blue Hawaii (RCA Victor LPM-2426 - US) 
CD 5: Girls! Girls! Girls! (RCA Victor LPM-2621 - US) 
CD 6: Love Me Tender (RCA Victor EPA-4006 - US) - Songs aus "Flaming Star" - Songs aus "Wild In The Country" - Songs aus "Follow That Dream" 
CD 7: Elvis Presley (RCA Victor - BKL 60 - Brazil) 
CD 8: King Of The Whole Wide World (RCA Victor 31.673 - South Africa) 
CD 9: The Original Sun Singles Bonus Songs 
CD 10: The US-Pop-Charts No. 1 Singles 1956 - 1962 

FTD Re-Pressings

Despite rumours that Elvis fans have bought all they can handle and that FTD, and CD sales in general, are dropping it is great to see that FTD are repressing NINE of their most popular Classic Album releases.

These include the recently released "Live A Little, Love A Little" and "King Creole" Classic Albums. Also being reprinted are "Elvis" (the 2nd LP), "Flaming Star", "Elvis (Fool)", "The Return To Vegas", "Sold Out" , "Hot August Night"  and "The On Stage Season".

Last book of The Elvis Files series in June

Next month, the long-awaited and last part of The Elvis Files series will be released. The series, written by Erik Lorentzen, is a wonderful collection of books and tells the story of Elvis's life, private and on the road, on the basis of thousands of pictures. Each book weighs more than three kilograms! In June, the last part, about the years 1976 and 1977, will be released. 


(Source: Amazon / ElvisMatters / Elvis Information Network)

May 08 - Speedway Actor Died

Speedway Actor William Schallert died suddenly in his Pacific Palisades home on Sunday, 8 May. He was 93. William Schallert is best remembered by Elvis fans for his role as Abel Esterlake (screen father to Ellie Esterlake, who Elvis sang Your Time Hasn't Come Yet, Baby to) in the 1968 movie "Speedway". 

(Source: Elvis Information Network)

May 07 - TCB Band In Memphis And Graceland

Some members of Elvis' TCB Band were at work in Memphis yesterday. They worked in secret on a special project in the recording studio "Sam Phillips Recording", located on Madison Avenue. Also the people from Sony Music Entertainment including and Ernst Jorgensen, the major driving force behind the Follow That Dream collectors label, were present.

The Band also visited Graceland. Guitarist James Burton, piano player David Briggs, drummer Ronnie Tutt and bass player Norbert Putnam were at Graceland, and in particular in the Jungle Room. 

In February 1976, exactly forty years ago, Elvis recorded some songs, not in a recording studio, but at his home in Memphis in the famous Jungle Room. The FTD 'Jungle Room Sessions' is one of the most popular and best-selling albums in the series of Follow That Dream. 

Expectations are that a new album will be released by Sony Legacy Recordings, a special release around the Jungle Room Sessions to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of it. Norbert Putnam was only be continued at the session of February 1976. 

(Source: ElvisMatters)

May 06 - Elvis On Television Soundtrack

Continuing celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Elvis’ first appearance on national television, Memphis Recording Service will release a 2CD / 100-page set titled "Elvis On Television 1956 - 1960 - The Complete Soundtrack Recordings" on June 26th 2016. The recordings contain the complete archival recordings of Elvis Presley’s television appearances from 1956-60. 

For the first time ever, these tracks been painstakingly remastered and restored. Fans who have enjoyed our previous mastered works will be pleased to know that our restoration techniques have now been applied these historical television soundtrack recordings.

The quality of these recordings are now far superior than ever released before. The recordings contain all song tracks, comedy sketch routines and interviews including the extended Wink Martindale dialogue with Dewey Phillips. 

The 100-page book is a chronological photo journey following Elvis from the very first in 1956, to his appearance on The Frank Sinatra show in 1960. It contains liner notes accompanied by many rare and new unpublished photographs.

Tracks Elvis On Television:

CD 1: The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (28.01.1956):
Introduction & Bill Randle Introduces Elvis Presley - Shake Rattle And Roll / Flip Flop And Fly - I Got A Woman

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (04.02.1956):
Introduction - Baby Let's Play House - Tutti Frutti

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (11.02.1956):
Introduction - Blue Suede Shoes - Heartbreak Hotel (With Orchestra)

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (18.02.1956):
Introduction - Tutti Frutti - I Was The One

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (17.03.1956):
Introduction - Blue Suede Shoes - Heartbreak Hotel

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (24.03.1956):
Introduction - Money Honey - Heartbreak Hotel

The Milton Berle Show (03.04.1956):
Introduction & Shake Rattle And Roll (In Part) - Milton Berle Introduces Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel - Blue Suede Shoes - Milton Berle & Elvis Presley Comedy Sketch - Blue Suede Shoes (Reprise)

The Milton Berle Show (05.06.1956):
Introduction - Hound Dog - Milton Berle & Elvis Presley & Debra Paget Comedy Sketch - Milton Berle Introduces Elvis Presley - I Want You I Need You I Love You - Milton Berle Presents Elvis Billboard Award

Wink Martindale - Top Ten Dance Party (16.06.1956):
Wink Martindale Interviews Elvis Presley & Dewey Phillips Singing Money Honey

CD 2 :

The Steve Allen Show (01.07.1956):
Introduction / Dialogue With Steve Allen - I Want You I Need You I Love You - Hound Dog - Yippee Yi Yo Yippee Yi Yay (Comedy Routine With Steve Allen, Elvis Presley, Imogene Coca & Andy Griffith)

Hy Gardner (01.07.1956):
Calling Elvis (Interview)

The Ed Sullivan Show (09.09.1956):
Introduction And Charles Laughton Introduces Elvis - Don't Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - Ready Teddy - Hound Dog

The Ed Sullivan Show (28.10.1956):
Introduction Ed Sullivan - Don't Be Cruel - Introduction Ed Sullivan - Love Me Tender - Introduction Ed Sullivan - Love Me - Hound Dog - Elvis Talks Farewell

The Ed Sullivan Show (06.01.1957):
Ed Sullivan Introduction - Hound Dog - Love Me Tender - Heartbreak Hotel - Don't Be Cruel - Too Much - Elvis Talks - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - Ed Sullivan Speaks - (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley - Ed Sullivan Farewells Elvis

The Frank Sinatra Show (26.03.1960):
It's Very Nice to Travelling (With Frank & Nancy Sinatra, Joey Bishop & Sammy Davis Jr.) - Fame And Fortune - Stuck On You - Frank Sinatra And Joey Bishop Talk To Elvis - Witchcraft / Love Me Tender (With Frank Sinatra) - Love Me Tender (Reprise With Frank Sinatra) - Frank Sinatra And Nancy Sinatra Farewells Elvis

Released 

The Dutch Elvis One label released "The Elvis Presley Movie Album: Original Mono Masters" CD containing 34 masters from Elvis Presley as original released in mono on his albums, EPs and singles from 1956 to 1962. Many of the later released versions on CD are different to the versions as original released, like the master of 'I Want To Break Free' (as appeared on the 'Jailhouse Rock' EP), 'Dixieland Rock' (as appeared on the 'King Creole' EP), the extended master of 'Tonight's All Right For Love' (released on a German vinyl single), the album master of 'Didja' Ever', and the original mono masters of 'A Whistling Tune', 'Home Is Where The Heart Is', 'I Got Lucky' and 'King Of The Whole Wide World' (as appeared on the 'Kid Galahad' EP). All these songs as original released, including all Elvis' movie songs released on singles from 1956 to 1962 now for the first time together on one CD. 


The Elvis One label released "Elvis 25" in their bootleg series. It comes as a single and a "Special Deluxe Edition" double disc. The latter contains all masters from March 20-21 and April 3-5 1960 in original Mono and Stereo sound as well as outtakes and alternate versions from these legendary studio sessions plus Elvis at 'The Frank Sinatra – Timex Show' March 26, 1960, including Elvis' duet with Frank Sinatra 'Witchcraft / Love Me Tender' (unedited – with reprise.) Also including is a 16 pages booklet with photos and recording information.

(Source: Memphis Recording Service)

May 05 - Charts

The "If I Can Dream" CD rises from #60 to #49 on the Official UK Album Chart for the week ending May 6, 2016. Total sales to date total approximately 1,037,872 units. The "If I Can Dream" CD drops from #31 to #33 on the Physical Album Chart.

European Charts

The "If I Can Dream" CD rises from #66 to #35 on the Scottish Album Chart.
The CD "The Real... Elvis – 60’s Collection" entered the Belgian Mid-price Album charts at #46.

US Charts

Elvis Presley has no entries on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for the week ending May 14, 2016.
The "If I Can Dream" CD drops from #3 to #6 on the Classical Album Chart.
The "He Touched Me - The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley (Vols.1 and 2)" rises from #11 to #7 on the Music Video Sales Chart.

Australian Charts

The DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Perfomances And More" dropped from #38 to #39 on the Australian Music DVD chart. 


(Source: Brian Quinn / FECC / The King's World)

May 04 - Opening Night At The Lake Tahoe Showroom

The AudiRec import-label has announced a new CD entitled "Opening Night at Lake Tahoe" containing an audience recording of the Opening Show in Lake Tahoe from April 30, 1976.

From the press-release: 
AudiRec proudly presents "Elvis - Opening Night at Lake Tahoe", a brand new CD which will be released shortly. It includes an audience recording of the complete and so far unreleased performance from April 30, 1976 (the Opening Show was actually a Dinner Show, there were two performances this day). Welcome to another AudiRec CD release which takes you back to the spring of 1976. At the time this CD is being released it means that it´s actually kind of a “40th Anniversary”. To be honest, we did not plan to do this just because it is exactly 40 years ago that Elvis played his final Lake Tahoe-Season. As a matter of fact Elvis was working very hard the whole year of 1976. While in January Elvis had a rather quiet time and even showed some effort to just relax and have fun, early February he was kind of “forced” to record new songs for an album release and early March he was back on tour. 
We all know from “Elvis History”, that the “King” would have done much better for his health if he would not let himself being that busy but for whatever reason tour after tour was being scheduled… and done. No matter what the critics in many newspapers wrote about his performances – at least they had to admit that Elvis´ popularity (at least all over the USA) was so big that ticket-selling for any upcoming concerts didn´t even need any advertising. Billboard´s Headline in early March 76´ told us “No Ads, But Presley SRO On Current 5-Concert Gig” for the short tour in March. “Elvis plans busy spring” was another headline shortly after this and it said “Like Lightning: Who says Elvis isn´t working hard? Before he stars at the Sahara Tahoe April 30 – May 9, Elvis will be on a concert tour”, then adding the dates and finally conclude “Elvis is still the super superstar”. 
So when Elvis came to the beautiful area of Lake Tahoe at the end of April, he most likely was not aware that this would be his last season at the Sahara Tahoe Hotel. The shows have mostly been described by fans as “relaxed” with “lots of surprising moments”, but there were also remarks saying that the “King” looked unhealthy and tired. From what we can hear on the so far released CDs it sure was a mixture of all of this and still we believe that this last engagement had many moments fans do not want to miss. Please be aware that this new release is limited to 300 copies only! Be sure to get your copy if you are interested. Once you have it in your hands, we hope your spare time will allow you to sit back, put your headphones on, flip through the accompanied 16-page booklet and listen to the show from April 30, 1976. It´s Lake Tahoe! It´s the Sahara Tahoe Showroom! It´s ELVIS! Enjoy!

Tracks Lake Tahoe, 30.04.1976 Opening night: 
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra 02. C .C. Rider 03. I Got A Woman / Amen (medley) 04. Love Me 05. Let Me Be There (false start only) / If You Love Me (Let Me Know) 06. You Gave Me A Mountain 07. All Shook Up 08. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (medley) 09. Trying To Get To You 10. Polk Salad Annie 11. Band Introductions 12. What'd I Say (James Burton) 13. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) 14. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) 15. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) 16. Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs) 17. School Day 18. America The Beautiful 19. Hurt 20. Burning Love 21. How Great Thou Art 22. Funny How Time Slips Away (with reprise) 23. Hound Dog 24. Can't Help Falling In Love (with false start) 25. Closing Vamp / Announcements

Hilton Showroom Volume 3

The AudiRec import-label also announced a new CD entitled "Elvis: Hilton Showroom Volume 3" containing an audience recording of the Dinner Show in Las Vegas from December 6, 1975.

From the press-release:
AudiRec proudly presents "Elvis - Hilton Showroom Volume 3" a brand new CD which will be released shortly. It includes an audience recording of the complete and so far unreleased performance from December 6, 1975 (Dinner Show). With this CD release Elvis Collectors should now be able to own every single show from Elvis' second to last Las Vegas engagement on “real” factory-pressed CDs.

Since his Opening Show on December 2 Elvis did only one show each day. But since this 6th of December, 1975 was a Saturday he did two shows, well known as “Dinner” and “Midnight” Shows. In the past Elvis occasionally had a hard time getting “awake” while going on stage for a Dinner Show. But that was not the case in December of 1975. The show you are able to hear on this CD release is just as good as all the others of this engagement. There is no performance in any of those shows that is not at least “decent”. 
Still there are fans who don´t like the Elvis of the “later years” but maybe they can make an exception with this engagement since it has too many performance highlights in it to call it mediocre or even bad. Please be aware that this new release is limited to 300 copies only! Be sure to get your copy if you are interested. 
Once you have it in your hands, we hope your spare time will allow you to sit back, put your headphones on, flip through the accompanied 16-page booklet and listen to the show from December 6, 1975. It´s Las Vegas! It´s the Hilton Hotel Showroom! It´s Elvis! Enjoy!

Tracks 06.12.1975 Dinner show: 
01. Opening Vamp / C .C. Rider 02. I Got A Woman / Amen (medley) 03. Love Me 04. Fairytale 05. Elvis talks about "TODAY" album / Instrumental fanfare by orchestra 06. And I Love You So 07. Trying To Get To You 08. All Shook Up 09. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (medley) 10. One Night 11. Polk Salad Annie 12. Band Introductions 13. What'd I Say (James Burton) 14. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) 15. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) 16. Piano Solo (Glen D. Hardin) 17. School Day (incomplete) 18. Introduction of singer Charlie Pride 19. Blue Christmas 20. How Great Thou Art (with reprise) 21. Burning Love 22. Softly As I Leave You 23. America The Beautiful 24. Mystery Train / Tiger Man (medley) 25. Can't Help Falling In Love 26. Closing Vamp

(Source: FECC)

May 03 - 20 Million Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong

Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, Tenn., the music world’s most important and beloved landmark, has officially welcomed its 20 millionth visitor today, nearly 34 years after first opening its legendary gates to the public.  The iconic mansion was home to Elvis and his family for 20 years and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006.  Since beginning tours on June 7, 1982, Graceland has hosted music fans from around the world, coming from more than 140 countries, along with U.S. presidents, foreign heads of state, esteemed royalty and hundreds of notable music artists, actors and celebrities, who have visited the historic home to honor and celebrate Elvis Presley’s incredible legacy.  Graceland continues to be known as one of the most famous residences in world, joining the ranks of The White House and Buckingham Palace.  The 20 million visitor milestone is the total reached for paid admissions since Graceland opened to the public.

Newlywed Tiffany Greenoak, 31, originally from Montreal, Canada and now residing in London, England, was named the 20 millionth visitor to Graceland this morning.  On her honeymoon with husband Robert Greenoak, 40, the couple had no idea that they were about to become part of Graceland history when handed their tickets for the tour of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s famous Memphis mansion.  Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises, greeted the newlyweds on the front steps of Graceland to kick-off the celebrations which included a private tour of Presley’s home with staff from the Graceland Archives. As an added bonus, Priscilla Presley spoke to Tiffany and Robert by phone as they stood in front of Graceland and congratulated them on their 20 millionth milestone status. 


“We played Elvis music at our wedding, so for us as a couple, this trip to Memphis has tremendous meaning.  It has been a dream to visit Graceland.  I just can’t believe we’re here. We both grew up with Elvis music in our homes, our mums were big fans,” said Tiffany. “It says a lot that 20 million people have been here and to turn out to be the 20 millionth visitor is an incredible honor. We’ll have to come back for our anniversary and maybe we’ll be the 40 millionth visitor.”

Frech Comic

The French Elvis Presley CD / comic book set "Elvis Presley" by Fred Beltran has been released in the “BD Rock" series. The longbox contains a 48 tracks from 1954 - 1962 on two discs. 

(Source: Amazon)