August 11 - Elvis Presley's Piano On eBay

The UK based Daily Mail newspaper will give away a free Elvis Presley in the Mail tomorrow. With the coupon from the newspaper you can get "Love Me Tender" at WH Smith and Tesco Express stores.

Goldmine Legacy

The September 2017 edition, volume 885, of the Goldmine magazine features Elvis Presley on the cover and inside with the article "The Elvis Legacy".

Elvis' Piano For Sale (Again)

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death on August 16, 2017, his "Boy White Baby Grand Piano" will be auctioned on eBay. Parts of the proceeds are donated to the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which provides hearing aids to needy children and adults around the world.

Link: >> Elvis piano on eBay

The auction of the piano by eBay for Charity will start on Friday, August 11, 2017, 02:00 am CET and end on Monday, August 21, 2017, 02:00 am CET. 

Turbulent history
The piano by Wm. Knabe & Co. from the year 1912 tells an extraordinary story and was performed by different music legends for almost a century. In the 1930s, it was at the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis, where, among other things, the hands of the musicians W.C. Cell phone, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Cab Calloway slide over its buttons. In 1957 Elvis Presley got it and rebuilt it according to his ideas. In his house he used it as one of his favorite instruments for practice, for performances and jam sessions in the following years. The King of Rock'n'Roll was photographed on this piano for various daytime events in Memphis.

Revenues create listening experiences
Experts estimate the value of the piano at 2.5 to 5 million dollars and expect a record price at the auction. The Starkey Hearing Foundation's work is supported with a portion of the proceeds. The foundation operates worldwide in cooperation with local partners and supports hearing impaired people who can not afford hearing aids themselves.

Unbreakable enthusiasm on eBay
Elvis-Presley products are available every day on eBay. Also at ebay.de the demand for Elvis products is still great. In the last 12 months (30.07.2016-30.07.2017), an average of 32 Elvis Presley plates were sold there every day.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / GoldMineMag.Com / eBay)

August 10 - Elvis Style

Elvis Presley is featured on the cover of the September 2017 issue of the German GQ Style magazine. 

"Elvis Presley died 40 years ago. But the King of Rock'n'Roll still fascinates and inspires today. With his music - and with his fashion. A style review! 

Everything about the style of Elvis Presley can be read in the September issue of the GQ."

Elvis Presley also graced the cover of the Austrian"TV Dabei" magazine. 

Elvis Week Charts

• The “The Wonder Of You“ album climbed from #8 to #3 on the US Billboard Classical Album chart. 
• The “ELV1S 30 # 1 Hits” compilation climbed from #38 to #35 on the UC Billboard Country Album chart.
• The Ultimate Gospel” compilation dropped from #26 to #37 on the US Billboard Christian Album chart.  
• The “He Touched Me – The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley, Volumes 1 & 2“ double album re-entered the US Billboard Christian Album chart. 

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / GQ-Magazin / Billboard / The King’s World)

August 09 - The Rhinestone Cowboy Died

Glen Campbell, the indelible voice behind 21 Top 40 hits including "Rhinestone Cowboy," "Wichita Lineman" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," died Tuesday. He was 81.

In his youth, Campbell started playing guitar and became obsessed with jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. He dropped out of school when he was 14 and moved to Wyoming with an uncle who was a musician, playing gigs together at rural bars. He soon moved to Los Angeles and by 1962 had solidified a spot in the Wrecking Crew, a group of session pros. In 1963 alone, he appeared on 586 cuts and countless more throughout the decade, including the Byrds' "Mr. Tambourine Man," Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas,” Merle Haggard's "Mama Tried" and the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling." 

Glen had one recording session with Elvis and is listed as a participant on the "Viva Las Vegas" soundtrack and also on the 'B' side of the 45 containing "What'd I Say", in 1963. Glen also played and sang on demos for Elvis on the following three songs: "Slowly But Surely", "Stay Away Joe" and "All I Need Is the Rain". He did not play on the actual recordings of these songs.

Vintage Rocker

The latest edition of Vintage Rocker magazine features Elvis Presley on the cover. Inside three article “The Final Decade: Elvis”.

(Source: Rolling Stone Magazine / FECC / Vintage Rocker Magazine)

 

August 08 - Safe And Sound

Elvis presley's former bodyguard Dick Grob released a new book entitled "Safe And Sound". The 300 page book will be available during Elvis Week 2017.

From Dick Grob's site:
“Elvis Safe & Sound,” Dick’s new book, tells some of the stories experienced by the author over his ten year relationship with Elvis. Not only was Dick Elvis’ bodyguard and Chief of Security, he was Elvis’ close personal friend. Some of his stories are funny; some are scary; other’s just plain interesting.

“Elvis Safe & Sound” is jammed-packed with Dick’s personal descriptive accounts of his time with Elvis. The book tells just that, keeping Elvis safe while he delivered the sound of the 20th Century. Dick’s book tells stories from the road on tours and from Elvis' homes in Palm Springs and Graceland in Memphis. The complexities and organization required to ensure a safe tour are well documented from the archives of Dick Grob. Read about the rarely discussed Tahoe incident in 1974 to the bomb scare ordeal in Pittsburgh of 1976. First hand accounts from one who was there to give frank, honest perspectives are in the book. See who was there, who was where, and who left and when. View the never before published photos of Elvis on stage and the private photos of Dick’s family enjoying Elvis' generosity.

This book is jam packed with Dick’s documents, rare photos and eyewitness accounts of his life with Elvis and his contribution to keeping Elvis Safe and Sound. It includes documents from Dick’s personal archives as well as rare, never before seen photos of Elvis on stage, and copyrighted documents and photos (in color and black and white). “Elvis Safe & Sound” is a great narration of Dick’s authentic and personal time while he kept “Elvis Safe & Sound.” To the avid Elvis fan and the just interested fan, this book is a revealing and historical guide.

(Source: FECC / Jon Daly / Safe And Sound)

August 07 - Search For Free Elvis DVD

The UK Daily mail newspaper for Sunday August 13, 20-17 will contain a voucher  for a free "Frankie And Johnny" DVD. The voucher can be exchanged for the DVD at Tesco Express or WH Smith stores.

Elvis Symphonique

Sony Legacy France released the double CD “Elvis Symphonique”. This set contains the “The Wonder of You” and “If I Can Dream” albums by Elvis Presley and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra including all the bonus tracks previously only available on various special releases and deluxe sets. it comes with a 20 page booklet.

A Boy From Tupelo Short Film

Sony Legacy put a short movie on "The Boy From Tupelo" on-line. Watch it >> here. 

Synopsis:
"A Boy From Tupelo: A Short Film" chronicles the story of Elvis Presley before he becomes world-famous, and how this amazing young man readies himself for stardom, achieving success on a level that no one could have dreamed possible. 

The short 15 minute film tells the story of Elvis Presley from the perspective of the people who witnessed his rise to the top. It features great footage of inside SUN studios, where it all began,and the original equipment (which created Rock'n'Roll history) with wonderful early photos of Elvis. Jerry Phillips features and there is some marvelous rare footage of Sam Phillips.

Elvis Presley - Rock 'N Roll!

The UK Republic of Music label released the 12 track vinyl compilation “Elvis Presley - Rock 'N Roll!”.
Tracks: 1. That's All Right Mama, 2. Surrender, 3. Ready Teddy,  4. All Shook Up,  5. Money Honey,  6. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy,  7. Blue Suede Shoes,  8. Tutti Frutti,  9. Shake Rattle and Roll,  10. Hound Dog,  11. Rip It Up,  12. Long Tall Sally

Elvis Presley: The Searcher

HBO announced the name of their forthcoming major Elvis documentary that will debut next year; “Elvis Presley: The Searcher”. The documantary will debut in 2018. 

“Elvis Presley: The Searcher” will be a three-hour, two-film presentation focusing on Elvis Presley the musical artist, taking the audience on a comprehensive creative journey from his childhood through the final 1976 Jungle Room recording sessions. The films include stunning atmospherics shot inside Graceland, Elvis’ iconic home, and feature more than 20 new, primary source interviews with session players, producers, engineers, directors and other artists who knew him or who were profoundly influenced by him. The documentary also features never-before-seen photos and footage from private collections worldwide.

An HBO Documentary Films Presentation in association with Sony Pictures Television; executive producers, Glen Zipper, Priscilla Presley, Jerry Schilling, Andrew Solt, Alan Gasmer and Jamie Salter (chairman and CEO, Authentic Brands Group); producers, Jon Landau and Kary Antholis; directed and produced by Thom Zimny. Thom Zimny,  is a Emmy and Grammy winner who has work on multiple Bruce Springsteen projects.

“The producers came to HBO and Sony with the idea for a film drawing upon very rare footage that captures Elvis’ musicianship in a new and exciting way. The artistry on display in that footage reminded us of the great work by Jon Landau and Thom Zimny on their previous HBO documentaries, we are thrilled to have them at the helm to lend their unique cinematic perspectives to this iconic, complex and singular artist” noted HBO's Kary Antholis.

(Source: FECC / Sony Legacy / HBO / Elvis Information Network / Elvis Aktuell)

August 06 - UK Vinyl Re-issues

The Real Gone Music record label announced the release of several extended plays from 1956  on white vinyl (25cm). All releases limited to 1000 copies. The first release in this "Original UK EP Collection" contains tracks by Elvis Presley:

Tracks:
Side A: 1. Blue Suede Shoes / 2. I’m Counting On You / 3. I Got A Woman / 4. One Sided Love Affair
Side B: 1. Tutti frutti / 2. Tryin’ To Get To You / 3. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry / 4. I’ll Never Let You Go 

Elvis in 2017 Calvin Klein Campaign

Showing that 40 years on Elvis and Andy Warhol are still important as objects of style, the new Calvin Klein Campaign features models standing against Andy Warhol's "Elvis 11 Times" from 1963 in the Mojave Desert, California. The campaign features the debut Calvis Klein 205W39NYC collection by Chief Creative Officer Raf Simons.

Shot by photographer Willy Vanderperre, the visually striking campaign presents a cast of 22 models shot against a series of billboards that feature billboards of the previous campaign – which include works by artist Andy Warhol – were erected in the California desert in the days leading up to the shoot. The campaign is a study in art and artifice, of the real and the imagined, the mannered world of high fashion combined with a sense of the everyday. Ultimately, the campaign explores the cinematic and romantic outsider’s view of America. 


(Source: UEPS / Elvis Information network)

August 05 - Weekend Charts

The charts for Elvis Presley this week:

• The "The Wonder Of You" dropped from #4 to #8 on the US Billboard Classical Album chart.
• The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" dropped from #37 to #38 on the US Billboard Country Album chart. 
• The "Ultimate Gospel" compilation climbed from #28 to #26 on the US Billboard Christian Album chart. 
• The “A Boy From Tupelo” set is a new entry on the Official UK Album charts at #82 this week. 
• The “A Boy From Tupelo” set is a new entry on the Official UK Vinyl Album charts at #23 this week. 
• The 6 DVD set "The Elvis Collection" dropped off the Official UK Music DVD chart from last week's #41 position. 
• The “Real Elvis” compilation climbed from #35 to #32 on the Official Scottish Album charts. 
• The “A Boy From Tupelo” set is a new entry on the Official Scottish Album charts at #52 this week. 
• The “Top 40 Elvis – His Ultimate Top 40 Collection” double album climbed from #11 to #6 on the Belgian Mid-price Album chart. 
• The “A Boy From Tupelo” set  is a new entry at # 95 on the Belgian Ultratop Top 200 chart (Flandres)
• The “A Boy From Tupelo” set album is a new entry at # 54 on the Belgian Album Top 200 (Wallonie)
• The “A Boy From Tupelo” vinyl LP is a new entry at # 161 on the Belgian Album Top 200 (Wallonie)
• The “A Boy From Tupelo” set is a new entry at # 67 on the German Album Top 100.
• The vinyl “A Boy From Tupelo” album is a new entry at # 14 on Dutch Vinyl 33 chart.
• The “A Boy From Tupelo” set is a new entry at # 277 on the Australian Album Top chart.
• The "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More" DVD dropped from #11 to #27 on the Australian Music DVD chart.

(Source: Billboard / Official Charts / Belgian Charts / FECC)

August 03 - New DVDs

The Ragdoll import-label released the previously unreleased audience recording from April 21, 1977 in Greensboro. This show is one of his better shows from 1977 and comes with an eight page booklet containing rare photos from the actual concert. 

New DVD's

Due from Paramount Home Video are four DVD titles. On September 12, 2017 “Blue Hawaii” and “G.I. Blues”. On October 10, 2017 “Girls! Girls! Girls!” and “King Creole”. 

Remind

The August 2017 edition of "Remind" magazine features Elvis Presley on the cover and inside the article "Elvis - Trivia You Don´t Know".

(Source: Amazon / Elvis Club Berlin / Elvis on CD)

August 02 - Italian Vinyl

Available through the Italian Corriere dello Sport newspaper is a series of twelve compilations of his classic recordings on vinyl. These albums are available through news stands.  

The Weekly News

Elvis Presley s featured on the cover of the "Weekly News" magazine and inside with an article entitled "The King - 40 Years Gone But Never Forgotten".

(Source: Corriere dello Sport / WEEKLY NEWS)

Tracklisting Corriere dello Sport compilations:

Elvis Presley #1 - Tutt Frutti
Side A: Tutti Frutti - Money Honey - My Baby Left Me - Hound Dog - Blue Suede Shoes - Blue Moon
Side B: I Got A Woman - Lawdy Miss Clawdy - Just Because - Ready Teddy - Trying To Get To You - I Love You Because

Elvis Presley #2 - Shake Rattle And Roll
Side A: Shake Rattle And Roll - Baby I Don’t Care - All Shook Up - Rip It Up - Dixieland Rock - Love Me Tender
Side B: Don’t Be Cruel (To A Heart That’s True) - Hard Headed Woman - Too Much - That’s When Your Heartaches Begin - One-Sided Love Affair - I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry Over You
 
Elvis Presley #3 - Teddy Bear
Side A: Teddy Bear - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin´) - Paralysed - Long Tall Sally - Lover Doll
Side B: Don’t - Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? - Mean Woman Blues - Wear My Ring Around Your Neck - A Big Hunk O´Love - A Fool Such As I 

Elvis Presley #4 - Jailhouse Rock
Side A: Jailhouse Rock - I Was The One - We're Gonna Move - Let Me - I Got Stung - Party
Side B: Heartbreak Hotel - Such A Night - Hot Dog - That’s All Right - I'm Left, You´Re Right, She’s Gone - Stuck On You

Elvis Presley #5 - Treat Me Nice
Side A: Treat Me Nice - Anyway You Want Me - I'm Counting On You - Don’t Ask Me Why - Lonesome Cowboy - Blueberry Hill
Side B: Don’t Leave Me Now - I Forgot To Remember To Forget - G. I. Blues - Pocketful Of Rainbows - I Beg Of You - Make Me Know It

Elvis Presley #6 - I Need You Love Tonight
Side A: I Need Your Love Tonight - So Glad You're Mine - How Do You Think I Feel - Anyplace In Paradise - I Need You So - One Night

Side B: Fever - The Girl Of My Best Friend - Reconsider Baby - Baby Let’s Play House - Thrill Of Your Love - I Will Be Home Again

Elvis Presley #7 - Trouble
Side A: Trouble - Poor Boy - I Want To Be Free - Dirty, Dirty Feeling - Blue Moon Of Kentucky
Side B: Wooden Heart - Is It So Stange - You're A Heartbreaker - Crawfish - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - Peace In The Valley

Elvis Presley #8 - As Long As I Have You 
Side A: As Long As I Have You - It Feels So Right - Young Dreams - The Girl Next Door Went A´Walking - Playing For Keeps - Got A Lot O´Livin To Do
Side B: King Creole - Fame And Fortune - Shopping Around - My Wish Came True - Like A Baby - It’s No Secret.

August 01 - A Five Star Sin

The UK based Rockwell Record re-issued their "It's A Sin" compilation, featuring classic Elvis recordings from 1961, once more. This time as a limited edition of 135 copies on blue vinyl.

Side One: Feel So Bad / I'ts A Sin / Give Me The Right / Theres Always Me / In Your Arms / I'm Comin' Home / Gently / I Want You With Me
Side Two: Starting Today / Sentimental Me / Judy / Put The Blame On Me / No More / Aloha-Oe / Ku-U-I-Po / Hawaiian Sunset / Slicing Sand

Commercial Appeal Special

The Memphis based Commercial Appeal newspaper will add an Elvis Presley special entitled "Elvis Lives" to their paper on August 13, 2017.

Synopsis:
"Elvis Lives: a commemorative magazine to celebrate Elvis’s music, life, and legacy 40 years after his death. 400+ photos, 40 Best Elvis Songs, the Graceland Experience, and more Elvis than you can imagine!".

Great 5 Star Review

Rolling Stone magazine has given 'A Boy From Tupelo' an incredible 5-out-of-5 in their review noting Elvis Presley's 'A Boy From Tupelo' Is a Museum-Grade look at Sun sessions years. The 3-CD set contains a wealth of material from 1953 to 1955.

There's an eye-popping photo in this essential 3-CD set taken on July 31, 1955, at a Tampa, Florida. gig. Elvis clutches his customized Martin acoustic, hollering to heaven and the cheap seats, right hand a strumming blur, face and throat glistening, pants soaked in sweat, as Scotty Moore leans into the shot with his Gibson peghead.

It's a high-resolution alternate angle on the cover shot from Presley's debut LP, one of rock's most iconic images, packaged with a 120-page detailing – via images and a day-by-day timeline, of Presley's birth as recording artist and mega-star. Why buy music when you can stream it? This is why.

The set includes the Memphis Recording Service acetates Presley had cut on his own dime ($3.98 a pair, to be exact); the entire legendary Sun Sessions, aborted takes and all; and every known concert and radio recording from the period.

The sound quality is likely as good as it'll ever get, and the performances are musical bedrock. Five versions of "Blue Moon," with slight variations on its clip-clop falsetto-moan conjuring? More'd be fine. Ditto the Louisiana Hayride live recordings here, which show a 19- and then 20-year-old galloping headlong into fame's stratosphere.

Released

Two titles from the E.P. Collector's label have been released; "Everybody Let's Rock" containing an audience recordings from the August 5, 1972 Dinner and Midnight show performance as recorded by a Japanese fan in Las Vegas, and "Breaking News - Elvis Seen In Kalamazoo, Michigan!" containing a previously unreleased audience recording from the April 26, 1977 performance as recorded from the audience at  Kalamazoo, MI. 

(Source: Rockwell Music / Commercial Appeal / Rolling Stone)