Elvis' first guitar to go for big bucks

It wasn't the kind of transportation 11-year-old Elvis Presley had in mind. He wanted a bicycle, but the $12.95 guitar he got put him on the road to virtual immortality. That first guitar, bought at Tupelo Hardware Co. in 1946, is among hundreds of celebrity items being auctioned next month as part of what New York auctioneer Arlan Ettinger calls "the best auction ever held."

Three other Elvis guitars also will go on the block Oct. 12-13 through Guernsey's Auction House, where Ettinger, president of the company, predicts Elvis items could be the stars of an all-star show. Also on the block will be items from Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Madonna, Tom Cruise and Greta Garbo, among others. Ettinger says the Elvis uitars are among about 50 guitars in the auction, including a 16th Century instrument believed to be the oldest known guitar. "Guitars have become a pretty hot commodity among collectors. Three months ago we held an auction with material from the Grateful Dead with featured items including two Jerry Garcia guitars, which brought close to $1 million apiece. The previous record was about $450,000 for a guitar played by Eric Clapton." Ettinger, who conducted the 1999 Graceland auction in Las Vegas, said the first Elvis guitar is the only Elvis item with a minimum reserve bid, meaning it can be withdrawn from the auction if it fails to meet the minimum. He declined to reveal that minimum, but said, "One could make an argument that it should be worth more than the two Jerry Garcia guitars that we sold. No one is more important in the scheme of things than Elvis Presley." Ettinger's version of the story of the first Elvis guitar is different from the official version in Graceland's Presley biography. Ettinger says the young Elvis had wanted a shotgun, but was told it cost too much. Instead, his mother, Gladys Presley, bought the guitar for him for $7.75, says the auctioneer. The Graceland version is that Elvis wanted a bicycle in 1946, but Gladys talked him into a $12.95 guitar until she was able to afford the bicycle for Christmas in 1947.

Graceland spokesman Todd Morgan says he has seen "several versions" of the story about the first Elvis guitar. There has been some speculation among Elvis biographers that the guitar "no longer exists," he says. But Ettinger says the guitar "was passed by Elvis to a close friend." That friend gave the guitar to one of his friends. When he died, it remained in his family until now, says the auctioneer. The other Elvis guitars come with stories, too. One, which Ettinger describes as a Gibson J200, is "a black-bodied guitar with a karate sticker on it." Ettinger says Elvis was playing the guitar at a 1975 concert in Springfield, Mass., when a string broke. "Elvis turned around, took the guitar and hurled it in the direction of the backstage area." He says a couple sitting in that area shot a photograph just as Elvis tossed the guitar, then dropped the camera just in time to catch the guitar in flight. In a 1977 concert, one of Elvis's last, he was playing a blond-colored guitar when the strap broke. The guitar fell to the stage. "At which point Elvis yelled out to the audience, 'Which of you people waited the longest to see me here tonight?' " In the end, Elvis handed the guitar to a young woman who had waited all night in a lawn chair to be among the first admitted to the show. The fourth "Elvis" guitar was actually a metal-bodied guitar owned by Uncle Jim and the Westones, a group that met Elvis early in his career while singing with them at country fairs in the Memphis area. Ettinger says Elvis signed their guitar. "He pressed so hard it looks like an engraving in the neck of the guitar," says Ettinger.

Ettinger says the two-day auction in New York's Altman Building will be divided between music and movie star memorabilia. Other musical instruments included in that phase of the auction: guitars from John Entwistle of The Who, B.B. King, Waylon Jennings, The Doobie Brothers and Chet Atkins. There will be a trombone played by Tommy Dorsey, a player piano once owned by Elvis, a grand piano once owned by Motown Records Recording Studio and used by Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and The Temptations, and a concert grand piano built for Liberace and used by Elton John and Billy Joel. Among movie star memorabilia will be a dress and jewelry from Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin's cane, and movie posters and other possessions from John Wayne, Madonna, Cruise and Garbo.

For auction catalogs ($30) or other information, call Guernsey's in New York at (212) 794-2280, E-mail Guernsey's at auctionsguernseys.com or visit the Web site www.guernseys.com
Source: Neapolitan

Ger Rijff ©

We announced a few months ago that Ger Rijff would join our Elvis Squad. We also mentioned that he was working on a trilogy of photo books. We should be getting within the next 2-3 weeks a sneak preview of his first installment  titled " Elvis - The Rock ' n ' Roll Years-vol.1 ". In the meantime Ger Rijff asked us to use some of his earlier articles and provided us great color shots for making these more interesting to the readers.We will publish the first one later this week. As soon as possible Ger Rijff will provide new and unpublished articles for us.  The picture above was taken into the Indianapolis RCA vaults in June 1990. We'd like to mention that  the reel-to-reels boxes shown above aren't only Elvis tapes.

Source: Ger Rijff / FECC

---

Here's the latest magazine from the Dutch Elvis fanclub " It's Elvis Time ". You can visit " It's Elvis Time " website if interested to subscribe and/or obtain all the informations on their meeting held in Dodrecht on October 20th. Special guests to this meeting will be the Sweet Inspirations, The Imperials, and Jenson Bloomer & Band.

Source : Peter Haan / It's Elvis Time

---

Lisa Marie: The Day She Gave Up Drugs

Fresh from her nuptials with actor (and occasional ELVIS impersonator) NICOLAS CAGE, LISA MARIE PRESLEY opens up about her drug use and life as The King's daughter in the new A&E Biography about her mother, "PRISCILLA PRESLEY: Keeper of a Dream." Tonight on ET, get a sneak peek at this revealing interview! Airing tonight at 8 on A&E, this Presley special delves deeply into Elvis and Priscilla's storybook marriage. He could have had anyone he wanted, but in 1959 he chose ninth-grader Priscilla. What followed was a stormy and bizarre relationship that would force her into the role of reluctant celebrity -- and happy mother of Lisa Marie. When Elvis died of a drug overdose in 1977, Priscilla was shocked to learn how small his estate was. She decided to make their home, Graceland, into a museum, a choice that would boost the value of Elvis Presley Enterprises to approximately $100 million.

As an adult, Lisa Marie became chairman of the company and finally learned to step outside of her father's shadow. But her private life was made more difficult by some very public break-ups, including one with her first husband, musician DANNY KEOUGH, in 1994, and with her second husband, the King of Pop, MICHAEL JACKSON, in 1996. In the A&E special, Lisa Marie talks candidly about her drug use during these troubling times and what made her stop. "In the end it was my decision just to stop it," says Lisa Marie. "I can't do this anymore. I was tired and done with it." Tonight on ET, discover more about Priscilla and Lisa Marie's life under the microscope, plus get the scoop on Lisa Marie's new marriage with Nic!
Source: Entertainment Tonight

---

Tiesto remixes Elvis track

Tiesto has revealed he is working on a remix of the Elvis Presley track Burning Love. He says it might get an official release if Elvis's family agree. The DJ is playing the closing party of Cream in Ibiza this Thursday, along with Paul Van Dyk and Jo Mills. Tiesto told Radio 1: "It's quite good because it's something completely different than I used to produce. It's more breakbeat - it's very good." "In England the record company really likes it, but the family of Elvis decides if it's going to be released or not. So I haven't had an answer yet if they like it."
Source: Ananova

The popular U.K. band NUMBER NINE, who has impressed many Elvis fans with their performances at a.o. Blue & White Christmas in Amsterdam (1999), are now putting the finishing touches on their new album. This CD is titled 'Sweet Inspiration', and is a tribute to Elvis. Singer Paul Ansell told us that instead of doing the classics, they decided to focus on obscure songs and stuff that Elvis is supposed to have sung. Tracks include: Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues, Sweet Inspiration, I Almost Lost My Mind, Tiger Man, Don't Forbid Me, Little Mama, Always Late With Your Kisses, Viva Las Vegas and Happy Happy Birthday Baby. The album will be out in october. NUMBER NINE will be doing a 13-city U.K. tour together with Scotty Moore later this month. For more info please contact the band at: no9rockin@yahoo.com
Source: Arjan Deelen

---

A New Member In The Elvis Squad

A new member will join our Elvis Squad. The webmaster of the excellent website " Master & Session " will share his knowledge and expertise on sound quality and related subjects in a new column titled " The Spirit Of Steve Sholes ". We are certain that this new column will be appreciated by everyone. His first article will be related to the forthcoming " Elvis 30 #1 Hits " and without a doubt a very interesting read.
Welcome aboard the FECC team Sebastian !!!!
Make sure to visit the " Master & Session " website.

---

Elvis Is Alive And Well In London

An exhibition of restored, never-before-seen photographs of Elvis Presley has inaugurated a new gallery area at Angelprints, in London's Islington district.
The pictures were taken by amateur photographer Arthur Armstrong in January 1960 while he was serving in the Royal Army Pay Corps in Munchengladbach, Germany.The processed films were stored for more than 40 years before being discovered by Armstrong when moving house. He took the films, by now in a poor condition, to digital specialist lab Angelprints in the hope that something could be rescued from them. Such was the success of the restoration that the pictures now serve as the first exhibition at the Angelprints gallery.
Source: BJP Online

---

Capitol Records to Release a Tribute to the King

John Lennon once remarked that, "Before Elvis, there was nothing." This might have put him at odds with several better-established creation myths, but when it comes to the Rock n' Roll Book of Genesis, John was perfectly right. In the beginning, there was Elvis. The length, breadth and depth of his influence are immeasurable and he is inarguably the single-most important person in the history or popular music.

The release of the thirteen-track A TRIBUTE TO THE KING shows just how far-reaching his influence was. Elvis contemporaries Jerry Lee Lewis pounding out "Jailhouse Rock," Del Shannon doing "(Marie's The Name) Of His Latest Flame," and Eddie Cochran with "Blue Suede Shoes" seem only natural in such a collection. Lennon belting "Hound Dog" (live) and McCartney rendering "All Shook Up" amount to giving Elvis his propers since they were the ones who followed most closely in those blue suede footsteps. Compare and contrast, though, Lou Rawls smoothing out the bumps in "(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I" with Bryan Ferry's "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" or Kenny Rogers' sweet version of "Love Me Tender" with "Suspicious Minds" by Fine Young Cannibals and Willie Nelson's and Leon Russell's relaxing "Heartbreak Hotel" to Canned Heat's essaying of "That's All Right" to see that "eclectic" doesn't begin to describe The King's reach. Most fitting on the album, though, might be Otis Blackwell singing "Don't Be Cruel" with Jersey rockers The Smithereens and Candi Staton's "In The Ghetto." Blackwell, who passed away this spring, wrote "Don't Be Cruel" along with "All Shook Up" and several other early Presley hits. R&B and gospel legend Staton's version of "Ghetto" was said to be Elvis's favorite. Their inclusion here is a nice reminder that before Elvis there was gospel and there was R&B.
Here you have the tracklisting:
"All Shook Up" - Paul McCartney "Blue Suede Shoes" - Eddie Cochran "Heartbreak Hotel" - Willie Nelson & Leon Russell "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" - Bryan Ferry "In The Ghetto" - Candi Staton "Jailhouse Rock" - Jerry Lee Lewis "That's All Right Mama" - Canned Heat "Don't Be Cruel" (live) - Smithereens w/Otis Blackwell "(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame" - Del Shannon "Love Me Tender" - Kenny Rogers "(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I" - Lou Rawls "Suspicious Minds" - Fine Young Cannibals "Hound Dog" (live) - John Lennon
Source: Arjan Deelen

---

Russ Howe And Tom Salva Book On Nassau 1973

The book Russ Howe has been working on with his partner, Tom Salva, will be released by the end of this year. The book will cover Elvis' engagement at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in New York, in the Summer of 1973. It will be filled with many rare photos, most of which will be published for the very first time.
Source: Elvis News

---

It's Elvis Time Meeting

The Dutch fanclub "It's Elvis Time will organize a meeting on October 20th in Dodrecht. Special guest will be the Sweet Inspirations, The Imperials, and Jenson Bloomer & Band. Also you can see the Omaha & Rapid City from June 19/21th 1977 videos on a large screen. Tickets for the meeting can be reserved from the giro account 4207201 tnv It's Elvis Time / Postbus 27015 / 3003 LA Rotterdam
Tickets are 35 euro each. You can click on the small flyer above to see it enlarge.

---

Elvis in Canada

Following the success of the single " A Little Less Conversation " in Canada ( No.1 for seven weeks in a row and the biggest single seller for the whole Summer) BMG will launch one of the biggest promotional campaign for the " Elvis 30 No. 1 Hits ", which is even rarely seen with contemporary artist within this country.

BMG Canada will invest 1,5M$ for promoting this CD on TV, radio and even road publicity signs advertising the CD will be placed all across Canada. The publicity will also be shown in 850 movie theatres in the country. The most important TV music channels in Canada ( Musique Plus, MusiMax and MuchMusic ) played the single on a regular basis and will most likely promote as well the " Elvis 30 No. 1 Hits ". This CD will be available on September 24.

---

Greatest UK no. 1 Hit

Vote now in the poll to decide the greatest UK no. 1 hit of all time.
The URL is http://www.theofficialcharts.com/favtunes/frame.htm
Here you have another chance to put Elvis at the top of a chart!
Source: It's Elvis Time

---

An Evening With Elvix & The Hounddogs

On Saturday October 26, the band Elvix & the Hounddogs will be recording a live album at "Le Carnac". This is the lounge of the N.A.C. soccer club stadium in Breda, Holland. Of special interest to the Elvisfans: Bill Burk - a friend of Elvis and the chairman of the largest Elvis fanclub magazine in the U.S.A.: "Elvis World" - will be attending this show. Fans will be able to ask Mr. Burk questions, shake his hand and perhaps get their picture taken with him. Also efforts have been made to get maybe one or two former Elvis-bandmembers to attend, but so far nothing can be confirmed about that. For future updates on the band and this event check out the website www.elvix.nl .
Source: Mark Schraven

---

Jerry Schilling quits music panel

Music industry veteran Jerry Schilling, who was a confidante of Elvis Presley, has resigned as president and chief executive officer of the Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission. His resignation was announced Wednesday. He took the post in 1999. Schilling, 59, wouldn't discuss the reasons for his departure. But he told The Commercial Appeal, "I think the timing is right for a change — but I'm definitely going to miss it." In April, the commission's board retained him by a vote of 11-9. In the 1960s and '70s, Schilling was Presley's bodyguard and a member of the "Memphis Mafia," a group of men who were the performer's closest friends. He later managed the Sweet Inspirations, Presley's backup singers onstage, and the Beach Boys. Schilling said he'll look into opportunities in the Memphis area and on the West Coast. He lived for many years in Los Angeles, where he ran Jerry Schilling Management and also worked as a film editor. At the April meeting, commission chairman Onzie Horne had complained about a "crisis of vision" and "crisis of leadership" on Schilling's part. Horne said Schilling's departure was his own decision.
Source: AP

---

D.J. Fontana's Book & CD

"The Beat Behind The King" is now available. The drummer who played with Elvis Presley offers a book and CD that covers his fourteen years with "The King." It's a personal look at D.J.'s life on the road, plus recordings, movies and TV appearances including the famous '68 Comeback Special. The book contains over 50 photos ... rare and candid shots of D.J. and Elvis. Fontana recalls the memories as only he can tell them, and insights into Elvis at work, rest and play and dispells some of the myths that still persist about the man and his music. This book and free accompanying CD are available from Elvis International, P.O. Box 3373, Thousand Oaks, CA 91359. You can also order by phone (818-991-3892) or fax (818-991-3894). USA price is $24.95 plus $5 shipping (foreign airmail, add $15). Published by Darwin Lamm, the editor and publisher of "Elvis International - The Magazine."
Source: Arjan Deelen

---

Essential Elvis

We have just received today issue #24 of the magazines "Essential Elvis". We at Elvis Collectors wants to congratulate Andrew and Polly Hearn with their baby boy Toby, and we are sure that you will be very busy these coming months ;-)
Now for the magazine, again it is a very interesting issue with a scoop interview with Nancy Sinatra, and an exclusively interview with Larry Geller and more.
For more info to subscribe to this magazine you can go to their Essential ElvisWebsite.

---

25th Anniversary VCD Release

Here we have the artwork for the Special Limited Edition - Malaysia only: 25th Anniversary VCD Release . "Rock N Roll with Elvis Presley"
Source: HT Long

---

Beatles vs Elvis: Who is number one?

Elvis Presley and The Beatles represent the two poles of pop music superstardom. On one side, the patriotic American truck driver with a voice that conquered the world over a two-decade career - and on the other, the four sharp-tongued Liverpudlians who came and went with the 60s but changed pop history.
You can vote for Elvis or the Beatles here.
Source: BBC

---

DVD Comeback special

A new DVD release from Malaysia is "Elvis 68 Comeback Special 25th Anniversary". And this time it is in DTS sound and with a new smaller CD jewelcase size packaging instead of the usual long box format.
Source: HT Long

---

Elvis #1 Again in Australia

'The Definitive Elvis' boxset has debuted at #1 on Australia's ARIA DVD chart. It also retained its #1 position for a second week on the ARIA Video chart. Also debuting at #28 on the DVD chart is the Elvis gospel release 'He Touched Me'. Elvis vs JXL has dropped to #7 on the singles chart and #3 on the dance chart.
Source: EIN

---

It's one for the money...

ELVIS is about to enter circulation. To mark the 25th anniversary of the King's death, a set of legal tender Elvis Presley coins have been issued in the US. A very small quantity of colourised Elvis quarters have been produced featuring 10 designs which honour different times of the singer's career. Issued in co-operation with Elvis Presley Enterprises, images include Elvis in the movie Jail House Rock, one of the singer in the Army, and one in a black leather suit from his 1970 tour. Each coin also features the King's authorized facsimile signature or the official "Elvis Presley 25th Anniversary" logo. Based on the overwhelming popularity of Elvis Presley memorabilia, it is expected that these coins will sell out quickly. When the US Postal Service issued the official Elvis postage stamp in 1993, it became the best-selling commemorative stamp in US history. More than 500m stamps were printed, and they sold out in record time. Millions of collectors were left out because they did not order in time. A very small quantity of the coins has been released for European countries.
Source: CV View

---

Wild in The Country 

Twentieth Century Fox has released recently the movie “ Wild In The Country “ ( 1961 ) on DVD. I was expecting an excellent picture quality on this and this outing lived up to my expectations. 

The DVD features an Anamorphic Widescreen transfer ( aspect ratio 2:35:1 ), an interactive menu from which you can choose to play the movie, make scene selections or a special feature containing the theatrical trailer of this movie along with the other two 20^th Century Fox movies released at the same time on DVD, “ Love Me Tender “ and “ Flaming Star “. 

On the audio side you can watch “ Wild In The Country “ in English ( Dolby Surround ) or in Spanish ( mono track ). Subtitles in English and Spanish are also available. 

“ Wild In The Country “ is one of my favourite Elvis movie from the sixties. This type of movie was rather popular during the late fifties and early sixties. Lana Turner had a hit movie with “ Payton Place “ in 1957, which was about the secrets and scandals of a small New England town, and a few years later (1961 ), Carol Lynley and Jeff Chandler starred in the movie “ Return To Payton Place “ which had a similar success. Both films were also done at 20^th Century Fox so it’s not surprising this type of film was proposed to Elvis. I guess it didn’t get the same impact since Elvis wasn’t seen as being well casted for this genre after the huge success of “ G.I. Blues “ and its soundtrack. “ Flaming Star “ was next on the agenda after “ G.I. Blues “ (next DVD review to follow within the next few days), and for similar reasons suffered as well at the box-office. I’m certain that Elvis greatly enjoyed those two movies since he played more demanding and emotional roles, yet his next movie was “ Blue Hawaii “ and by itself would settled the Presley type movie ( excepted for a few ones ) until his return to Las Vegas in 1969. 

Elvis’ acting is excellent in “ Wild In The Country “ and well surrounded with Hope Lange, Tuesday Weld, Millie Perkins and John Ireland. Elvis plays a rebellious delinquent who has a literary talent and gets help from Irene ( Hope Lange ) who plays the role of a psychiatrist. I won’t go into details here since ALL Elvis fans know the story. 

The transfer on DVD gives a new life to this movie when compared to the previous video version. The colours are vivid and with its presentation in the widescreen format you can’t help but notice a big improvement over previous releases ( VHS ). The picture quality is GREAT and with the exception of “ T.T.W.I.I. – S.E. “ by Warner, this is the best film transfer to the DVD format of Elvis’ cinematographic work, closely followed by the Paramount DVD outings. 

I was hoping for more extras though. There was an alternative ending filmed for this movie where Irene ( Hope Lange ) died at the end. They choose in the final print to keep her alive after her suicidal attempt, why not adding this scene as an extra ? The theatrical trailer for the movie contains a snippet of Elvis singing “ Lonely Man “, why not adding this scene as a bonus ? We know that ALL the films has out-takes and bloopers, why not adding some of these as a bonus as well ? Somehow it seems that getting interesting extras on Elvis DVDs is very complicated, for not saying impossible. 

Nevertheless I highly recommend “ Wild In The Country “ on DVD and let’s hope future releases will contain those little extras that makes the difference between a very good release from an excellent one.

The Crazy Canuck ( August 2002 )

You can this DVD on-line at $16.99 USD + shipping. 

---

Takin' Care Of Business

Sonny West has started work on a follow-up book to 'Elvis: What Happened?' with Marshall Terrill more than 25 years after the book was released. The book, co-authored with Red West and Dave Hebler, sold more than 4 Million copies and was considered the best-selling original paperback when it was released in 1977. The book drew much controversy because it blew the lid on Elvis Presley's abuse of prescription drugs while he was still alive. West has enlisted biographer Marshall Terrill to write his second book on Presley tentatively titled, " Taking Care of Business." Terrill is the author of seven books including the best-selling biography 'Steve McQueen: Portrait of An American Rebel' and his latest, 'Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years' with Rex and Elisabeth Mansfield."

West said 'Elvis: What Happened?' covered mainly the years from 1970 to 1976 during Presley's downward spiral. The new book, he said, will cover his years with Elvis from 1960 to 1976, the aftermath of " Elvis: What Happened? " to his thoughts on Elvis today. West said the book will contain many stories that have never been told before, with many never seen before photos from West's personal collection and photos donated from the Russ Howe collection. West said the book is not a look back in anger, but a portrait of a man he claims was like a brother to him. "The first book was written as a challenge to Elvis," West said. " The second book is written out of love. "
source : e-mail

---

The Austrian magazine 'News' published their weekly issue No. 33 with a special Austrian promotional CD. Unlike the promo audio CD which has been enclosed to the German 'Stern spezial - Biografie' (No 1/2002) this Austrian disc is a CD-plus, an audio CD playable on the CD-player plus CD-ROM for the computer. In contains two songs in full length, 'Suspicious Minds' and 'Burning Love' from the 'ELV1S #1 Hits' CD and the compare versions to present the improved remastered songs. Additionally there are instrumental versions of the two songs for an Austrian Elvis-contest. The CD-ROM part includes a biography, discography, RIAA awards, a gallery of 60 pictures with notes, a quiz, screensaver, the songs and the Karaoke part with songtexts.

source : ElvisNews.com

---

VigilCast

The fans who wants to see the yesterdays Vigil can click here to see it on-line.
Source: EPE

---

Interview With Linda Thompson

The beautiful Linda Thompson was Larry King guest yesterday on the Larry King Live show, here you have the interesting complete transcript on-line.
Source: CNN

---

Priscilla welcomes Elvis fans

Priscilla Presley has greeted thousands of cheering Elvis fans at a concert to mark the 25th anniversary of the King's death. "You're helping Elvis make history again," she told the 14,000 fans at The Pyramid arena in Memphis on Friday night. "I want to thank you for your loyalty and support for Elvis. You have given so much back to him." She promised the concert would "blow you away."
Read the full story at CNN
Source: CNN

---

Treat me nice

The Swedish fans can listen today (Aug 17th) at the swedish radio that is broadcasting nationwide a one hour long elvisprogram at 19PM to 20PM.
The program is titled "Treat me nice - Elvis after 1977", and deals with elvis "career" after his death. In the program I´ll talk about his record releases (Ernst Jörgensen is interviewed), Graceland, fan clubs, Elvis The Concert and so on. There will be only Elvis music played that was released after his death from the Guitar man sessions right up to the new "Today, tomorrow and forever boxset.".
Source: Thomas Melin

---

Lisa Marie Family Watch Elvis Vigil

Elvis Presley's newlywed daughter, her movie star husband and her mother secretly visited Graceland in the wee hours Friday morning and watched from the mansion windows as fans carried candles to Elvis' grave in an all-night vigil on the 25th anniversary of his death. A Graceland representative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Lisa Marie Presley, husband Nicolas Cage and mother Priscilla Presley arrived after midnight to witness the largest gathering of fans since Presley died at the mansion on Aug. 16, 1977 — an estimated 35,000. They were unseen by the crowd as they entered and left. They then made a brief stop at Elvis Presley's Memphis, a restaurant and night club on Beale Street, where they watched revelers from the privacy of a VIP area.

The family also prepared for an appearance at the 25th Anniversary Concert at the Pyramid Arena Friday night. About 14,000 tickets were sold months ago. An additional 500 tickets that were made available Thursday were snapped up within five minutes, the Graceland representative said.
Source: Yahoonews

---

A Proposito Di Elvis

I guess all Italian readers will be interested to know there is an excellent magazine for them in the Elvis World. The Elvis Presley Club Of Italy has a bi-monthly magazine titled " A Proposito Di Elvis " in an A4 format, and contains different columns such as : in-depth interviews, reviews of books and CDs, the latest news, pictures and several other interesting features. This is a black and white publication but printed on quality paper and done with taste. You can get more information on the Italian fan club on their website (link above)  or simply write to :elvis_presley_club_of_italy@yahoo.it

---

ELVIS & BUDDY - LINKED LIVES

ISBN 0-9519888-5-9 (paperback, 160 pages) 2002

The achievements of Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly have been extensively documented, but until now little if anything has been known about the many ways in which their lives were interconnected.  For the first time anywhere, rock & roll expert Alan Mann, author of The A–Z Of Buddy Holly (Aurum Press), takes a detailed look at each artist's early years, comparing their backgrounds and influences, chronicling all their meetings and examining the many amazing parallels in their lives, careers and tragic deaths.  Contains many rare and previously unpublished photos.  A fascinating, thought-provoking insight into two of the greatest popular musical figures of the Twentieth Century. This book is out now.

source : Music Mentor Books

---

Poll: When it comes to rock 'n' roll, Elvis is still the king

When Americans were asked in a new poll to name the greatest rock 'n' roll star of all time, Elvis Presley was still the king -- by a wide margin. Almost four in 10 named Elvis Presley in the ABC News poll released Wednesday, two days before the 25th anniversary of his death. All others were in the low single digits. Presley may have had an advantage because the poll was taken at a time when the 25th anniversary of his death is in the news. Still, the public also overwhelmingly preferred him when asked that question in March 1999 and August 1995. The poll of 1,023 adults was taken Aug. 7-11 and has an error margin of plus or minus 3 percentage points. The poll also found: --Jimi Hendrix was at 4 percent; tied at 2 percent were John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Michael Jackson. --Nine in 10 said Presley has had a lasting impact on American culture. --People were evenly split as to whether they were fans of Elvis Presley or not. --Four in 10 said he was a good role model, while almost six in 10 said he was not. --Two-thirds of those from age 55-64 said they are Presley fans, while almost four in 10 of adults age 18-34 said they are fans.
Source: The Associated Press

---

Essential Elvis interviews Nancy

The magazine Essential Elvis has an exclusive interview with Nancy Sinatra about her years with Elvis, the movie Speedway and the true relationship between the Chairman of the board & Elvis, all this and more in the September/ October issue of Essential Elvis. You can click on the picture above to see it enlarge for more information to subscribe.
Source: Essential Elvis

---

Ernst Jørgensen on Danish Radio

Some news for the Danish fans: Ernst Jørgensen will appear on Danish Radio Station P4 (Regionalradioen) during the programme "Spadestik i Radioen" from 20.00 to 23.00 on August 18th. Listeners will have the opportunity to call in and ask Ernst questions.
Source: Arjan Deelen

---

Sun Keeps 'Rockin' On Home Video

The documentary "Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records" will be released Oct. 1 on DVD/VHS via Image Entertainment. The film, which aired last November on PBS in the U.S., features such luminaries as Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, and Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Robert Plant paying tribute to the artists of Sam Phillips' pioneering Memphis label, which helped usher in the mainstream acceptance of rock'n'roll.

The documentary intercuts interviews with Sun artists such as Billy Lee Riley, Sonny Burgess, Rufus Thomas, and Jack Clement with performances from contemporary musicians. The likes of Kid Rock, Third Eye Blind, Live, Tom Petty, Chris Isaak, and others cover early standards from Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Junior Parker, and Hank Williams. McCartney handles Presley's "That's All Right, Mama," with help from Presley guitarist Scotty Moore, while Page and Plant tackle Clarence Williams' "My Bucket's Got a Hole in It."

Produced by Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, the documentary also captures performances from Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry (singing "Don't Be Cruel" with Mark Knopfler, Jools Holland, Moore, and DJ Fontana) and Isaak (undertaking Williams' "It Wouldn't Be the Same Without You"). Petty & the Heartbreaks offer Bill Monroe's "Blue Moon of Kentucky," Jeff Beck and Chrissie Hynde team for Parker's "Mystery Train," and Sheryl Crow covers Charlie Rich's "Who Will the Next Fool Be?" A soundtrack was released last year via Sire.

The DVD follows on the heels of a 44-track, two-disc set from BMG Heritage that honored the 50th anniversary of the label. The set, released Aug. 6, compiles early and rare recordings from the Sun vaults.
Source: Billboard

---

Artist makes giant Elvis portrait from toast

A New Zealand artist has made a giant portrait of Elvis Presley from over 4,000 small slices of toast. Maurice Bennett's previous toast portraits include da Vinci's Mona Lisa and rugby player Jonah Lomu. He spent two months making the Presley piece to mark the 25th anniversary of his death. On his website he says he produces the effect by toasting bread "to different tones to create skin highlights and shadow." The portrait will go on show at the Walrus Gallery in Wellington in September.
Source: Ananova

---

Elvis in Goldmine magazine

Twice a year Goldmine Magazine (January & August) is featuring Elvis on their front cover.  They don't make exceptions this year and Elvis is making the headline with a 25th anniversary special. 
Source: Goldmine Magazine

---

100,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong

100,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong 'The King' Cracks 100 Million Sales Plateau

While legions of fans all over the world pay tribute to the memory of the undisputed "King of Rock 'n Roll" as we approach the 25th anniversary of his untimely death, RCA Records upgraded eight previously certified titles and seven new titles to bring his cumulative album sales total to 100 million units. He has received more Gold and Platinum records than any performer in U.S. music history according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

"Reaching this milestone now is a perfect tribute to the legendary career of Elvis Presley," said RIAA Chairman and CEO Hilary Rosen. "He was and will always be a cultural, musical and an American icon. We have long known that due to scattered sales data from the early years of Elvis' career, the true volume and scope of his sales have not been reflected. We have been and will continue to work closely with RCA to make sure 'The King' gets his due. Today's announcement is a great start."

Added to his already impressive sales total are seven new Gold albums ("Heart and Soul," "The Rock 'n' Roll Era," "It's Christmas Time," "Platinum: A Life In Music," "The Legend Lives On," "The Complete Sun Sessions" and "This Is Elvis") along with two new Platinum albums ("It's Christmas Time" and "If Every Day Was Like Christmas").

Additionally, there were a total of seven multi-Platinum certifications including "The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters" (two million), "50 Years - 50 Hits" (two million), "Elvis In Concert" (three million), "The Number One Hits" (three million), "Blue Hawaii" (three million), "Aloha From Hawaii" (five million) and "Elvis' Christmas Album" (seven million).

In all, Elvis Presley has received 88 Gold Records, 45 of which have been certified Platinum, and 22 have gone on to multi-Platinum status. His highest certified album is "Elvis' Christmas Album" which has been certified for the sale of more than seven million copies.

He has also received more Gold and Platinum singles than any artist in history with 51 Gold singles, 27 of which have been certified Platinum with seven being certified multi-Platinum.
Source: RIAA

---

Nicolas Cage marries Lisa Marie Presley

Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage married Elvis' daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, during a romantic Hawaiian Island ceremony witnessed by family and close friends, publicists confirmed Monday. The couple recited wedding vows Saturday evening at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows on the Big Island of Hawaii, Cage spokeswoman Annett Wolf and Presley spokesman Paul Block said. Cage is 38, Presley is 34.

This is Presley's third wedding; she was married previously to musician Danny Keough and pop star Michael Jackson. It was the second marriage for Cage, who divorced actress Patricia Arquette in 2000. They had no children. "The wedding was in front of immediate family and friends," Block said, including the bride's mother, Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie's children -- Danielle, 13, and Benjamin, 10, from her marriage to Keough -- and Cage's 12-year-old son, Weston, from a previous relationship. There were no other details. Lisa Marie Presley is the only child of Priscilla Presley and Elvis, who died 25 years ago this week The couple returned to Los Angeles on Sunday.

Wolf said Cage was back at work Monday filming his latest movie, "Matchstick Men," which Ridley Scott is directing. Asked about a honeymoon, Block and Wolf said they "know of no other plans." Cage won a best-actor Academy Award for 1995's "Leaving Las Vegas," and starred in this year's "Windtalkers." His other recent movies include "Captain Corelli's Mandolin," "The Family Man" and "Gone in 60 Seconds."
Source: CNN

---

Stern magazine

A magazine that will be out in Germany that will contain a free CD with two tracks. The magazine will be available on August 19th in the German stores.
Source: Ingemar

---

Elvis Unlimited #15

We have received this week the latest issue of Elvis Unlimited, and again it's in full color. This issue #15 features the following articles: Elvis VS JXL, Interview with the Sweet Inspirations, new releases, Homecoming February 61 (live in Memphis), Elvis in print Elvis on DVD & VCD, Life and Times (part 1 - John Wilkinson), and of course a lot of pictures.
For more info you can contact:
Elvis Unlimited
Store Voldgade 16
8900 Randers
Denmark
Tel. +45 8642 9696
Fax +45 8642 8484
e-mail: info@elvispresley.dk

---

Elvis special at CNN

CNN has a huge special dedicated to our man at their website. You can click on the banner above to go to the website.
(source: Arjan Deelen/CNN)

---

DVD's out now

The Fox DVDs (region 1) " Love me tender ", " Wild in the country " and " Flaming Star " are now available through Walmart in Canada (Montreal). Walmart has the good habit of releasing DVDs a week before the official date. We can't tell at this moment if it's on sale all over Canada and in the USA but since this is an American based company, then it is most likely the case.
Source : Patrick Hughes

---

Elvis friend: The King was 'the absolute best'

Elvis Presley had his excesses -- he loved junk food, once bought 34 pickups for his ranch and developed a drug abuse problem that contributed to his death at age 42. But, said longtime Presley friend, best man and pallbearer "Diamond Joe" Esposito, the King of Rock 'n' Roll was never one to skimp on giving of himself. He was "the absolute best" entertainer, Esposito said Tuesday during an appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live." "He just was so at ease onstage. He loved performing," Esposito said. Even when Presley was just among friends, he would perform, Esposito said. "He'd sit in his house for hours on end by himself at the piano and just play songs and sing," he said. Presley died August 16, 1977, 25 years ago this month. Commemorations and celebrations of his life are planned in his adopted hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, during Elvis Week, which begins Saturday.
Click here to read the full article, and click here to read the transcript from Larry king Live.
Source: CNN

---

To those who came of age in the 1950s and '60s, there is only one king of rock 'n' roll, and his name is Elvis Presley. Aug. 16 marks the 25th anniversary of Presley's death. Where were you and what were you doing when you heard news of his passing? The Morning Call would like to know. Responses, which should be about 50 words, will be published on the anniversary in A.M. Magazine. Mail them to Pat Bosha, The Morning Call, 101 N. Sixth St., Allentown, Pa. 18105, fax them to 610-820-6693, or e-mail them to features@mcall.com.
Deadline is Aug. 11.
Source: The Morning Call

---

Singer and actress Nancy Sinatra on Wednesday picked the three greatest men she has ever met -- her father Frank, Elvis Presley and Peter Fonda. At the age of 62, she said she has already written her epitaph: "I sometimes feel it will be: Daughter of Frank Sinatra; she sang 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin."' That famous 1966 Number One hit will be the inevitable highlight of her concert next week at the Edinburgh Fringe, billed as the world's largest arts festival. Speaking to The Scotsman newspaper, she singled out the three greatest men she had ever met. They were: her father with whom she starred in the film "Tony Rome;" Presley who she appeared with in "Speedway" and Peter Fonda, her co-star in the 1966 biker movie "The Wild Angels." Sinatra had no regrets about having stripped off in her mid-50s to appear nude in Playboy Magazine, earning $250,000, boosting publicity for her singing career and striking a blow for the older woman. "Look at (59-yearold) Mick Jagger," she said. "He's out there kicking ass and working hard and enjoying life and bringing his music to his fans. "It's important that younger women see that older women can do the same thing, that you don't have to just roll over and die as soon as you become a senior citizen."
Source: Reuters

---

Joe Esposito on Larry King

Joe Esposito was on the Larry King live show last night, for people who missed the show we added the transcript here on-line. Linda Thompson will be on the Larry King live show on August 16th. You can click here to see the transcript.
(Transcript courtesy of CNN)

---

TV Guide

Don't miss the August 17 issues of TV Guide. You can collect all three special-effects covers of Elvis! Get a wink and a kiss on one, see those rockin' hips swing on another and catch Elvis in 3-D on the third. These will be classic collector's items!
Source: EPE

---

Elvis 'Bookazine' On Sale Now

A special edition "bookazine" that commemorates the 25th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley on August 16, 1977 - and the first such product to be produced under the rubric of G+J Presents - hits U.S. newsstands today. A unique compendium of interviews, original essays and rarely seen photos, "Elvis, Then & Now" is a publication of G+J USA. The collector's item piece also is the latest building block in Bertelsmann's cross-platform strategy of ensuring the continuing high-profile visibility of one of the most dynamic performers in American popular culture. The special edition was created in cooperation with Elvis Presley Enterprises; editors had special access to Presley's Graceland archives and photo library of more than 40,000 images. The publication is polybagged to include a free CD that contains "Heartbreak Hotel" as well as a rare recording of "In The Ghetto."
Source: EPE

---

Here we included a list of all the Elvis programs that will be seen on the TV in the UK. You can click here to see the complete list. And have fun, for there are a lot of Elvis programs to be watched!!
Source: David Wilson

---

Elvis in Hollywood

Here you have the artwork of the new BMG VCD Elvis In Hollywood was launched last weekend at the Malaysian Elvis Convention.
Source: HT Long

---

The 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's ascension into heaven is next week, and few people are more excited than Atlanta developer J.D. Stacy. Stacy has a dream. He wants to give everyone a chance to play the King. He and his investment group are in talks to buy the 155-acre Elvis Presley Ranch in Horn Lake, Miss., from the estate of the late supermarket kingpin William Floyd McLemore. Elvis and Priscilla spent part of their honeymoon at the ranch, just fifteen minutes from Graceland in Memphis. And it's where Elvis and his crew rode horses, barbecued and made music.

Elvis at Fame

There will be a huge Elvis day at the music shop Fame in Amsterdam, Holland on August 10th. laurens van Houten and Arjan Deelen will be there to sign their book "Caught in a trap", also DJ Eric Staver will play the whole afternoon only Elvis music, and the Elvis coverband Viva Las Vegas will give a live performance. Also they organize a contests, for more information you can click here to see the flyer (only in Dutch).
Source: Fame

---

Floats are under construction, bands are rehearsing their takes on everything from "Love Me Tender" to "Jailhouse Rock" and everybody from the "Today" show's Katie Couric to Lisa Marie Presley are planning what to wear in Memphis in mid-August. The Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates up to 75,000 visitors will turn the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death into one of the few events in the country that will defy the ailing economy and Sept. 11's lingering travel angst.

In honor of the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, RCA Records tracked down additional sales figures to give the King three more gold albums: 'Heart and Soul', 'The Rock 'n' Roll Era' and 'It's Christmas Time.' Additionally, two releases -- 'The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters' and '50 Years -- 50 Hits' -- have been upgraded to multi platinum status. Presley's cumulative album sales have now surpassed 93 million units. Additionally, the soundtrack to 'Lilo & Stitch,' which features Presley songs, was certified gold.
Source: Hollywood reporter/ Elvisnews

---

Caught in a trap

The new photo-book ELVIS: CAUGHT IN A TRAP has now been officially authorized by Graceland, and they will have it in stock right in time for Elvis week. Dutch television will be doing a news-item about the book, and they have interviewed Laurens van Houten (photographer), Arjan Deelen (author), Louisa van Loon (who as a 15-year-old won the trip in a competition in 'Muziek Expres') and Constant Fonk (a Dutch fan who saw six shows during Elvis' Summer Festival in 1973). Constant Fonk shot 2 hours of 8mm footage during the 1973 fanclub trip to Memphis, Tupelo and Las Vegas, and excerpts from this never-before-seen material will be shown during this programme. It will be shown at 17.00 on Channel 2 (Nederland 2) on August 15th: "2vandaag". Laurens van Houten and Arjan Deelen will be signing the book at "Fame" in Amsterdam during their Elvis Day on August 10th from 13.00 to 15.00.
Source: Arjan Deelen

---

Noted country-music songwriter Joe Allison, whose songs were recorded by such stars as Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby and Patsy Cline, has died at age 77 in Nashville from lung disease, officials at St. Thomas Hospital said. Allison, a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, composed such hits as Jim Reeves' classic "He'll Have to Go" and Faron Young's "Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young." Allison died on Friday, hospital officials said. Allison's first big success as a songwriter came when Tex Ritter recorded the Top Ten hit "When You Leave, Don't Slam the Door" in 1946. His biggest success came with "He'll Have to Go" in 1960 which not only topped country charts but was a major pop hit as well. Other artists who recorded his works included Nat King Cole, Patsy Cline, The Limeliters, Elvis Presley, Ray Price, Bing Crosby, Tom Jones and Eddy Arnold. In addition to his writing, Allison was a recording executive and producer, working with Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, Hank Thompson and others. He was credited with reviving the career of western swing king Bob Wills while at Liberty Records and at various times produced for Paramount Records, Dot Records and Capitol Records. Allison, who was born in McKinney, Texas, initially made his mark as a radio broadcaster, then moved to Nashville in 1949 and later to Los Angeles to produce the "Country America" TV show from 1957 to 1960. He returned to Nashville in 1965.
Source: Reuters

---

Elvis Presley preferred plain clothes to sequined jumpsuits off-stage, blamed fried foods for his weight gain, and swung his hips to "put on a show," according to new snips of old, unpublished interviews.
Men's magazine, Esquire, on Friday said it will run a page of quotes in an upcoming issue that were culled from a handful of never-before-seen interviews the entertainer gave from 1954 to 1972. Esquire's plans coincide with the 25th anniversary later this month of Presley's death back on Aug. 16, 1977. The quotes contain few if any startling revelations, but taken together they bolster the popular image of the King of Rock 'n' Roll as a man who came from humble origins, indulged an out-sized appetite and delighted in simple pleasures. Above all, though, Elvis was a performer. "I watch my audience and listen to 'em, and I know that we're all getting somethin' out of our system," he once said. "None of us knows what it is. The important thing is we're getting rid of it and nobody's getting hurt."

-- "I've had a pretty good lesson in human nature. It's more important to try to surround yourself with people who can give you a little happiness, because you can only pass through this life once, Jack. You don't come back for an encore."

The material was supplied to Esquire by RCA Records, a unit of Bertelsmann AG's music group, which owns rights to the original master recordings of Presley's entire catalog.
Source: Esquire

---

Anne Williams Joins Cast of Anniversary Concert

Former Sweet Inspirations member Anne Williams has joined the cast of Elvis: The 25th Anniversary Concert. Anne joined the group after the departure of Cissy Houston. This kept the size of the group at four members for a while. Her brief stint with them included the summer 1970 Las Vegas engagement that was the setting for the concert documentary Elvis: That's the Way It Is. As reported earlier, slow recovery from a stroke last year will keep Sweets member Sylvia Shemwell from attending as she had planned. Please know that Anne Williams was always on our list to track down and invite once all longer-tenured Elvis cast members were booked. She is not being brought in as a replacement for Sylvia.

Three performers declined our invitation to appear: Charlie Hodge, Scotty Moore and Kathy Westmoreland. With Hodge, agreement could not be reached. Moore and Westmoreland have cited other commitments. In these final weeks, we have been back in touch with them all to try one last time to ask them to join the cast as we finalize the elements of the show and go to press with the concert program book. If there are any new developments on this front, we will let you know.
Source: EPE

---

All Elvis

Today we received the new photobook "All Elvis" from Elvis Unlimited Productions. This book is in full color and features over 200 photographs, a lot of these are rare or unpublished. The format is the same as the On stage book (by Keith Alverson & Unlimited), the only difference is that All Elvis is a sopftcover book. Only 2002 copies were printed, this to mark the 25th anniversary of The Artist of the Century - Elvis Presley. This book will no doubt be a collectable. Overall it's a great book with lots of pictures, and 100% worth your money so don't forgot to order your copy today through our Elvis Shop for only $18 plus postage. You can click here to view a few pages from the book.

---

Elvis Under Glass

If you are interested in great items in glass, you should definitive check the website www.elvisunderglass.com. The items you will find there are 11 by 14 new mat, new frame, new glass, and also new CD's that are hard to find, the CD's may be used. 45's are used ands comes in 10 by 13 frames, new mat, new frame, and glass. They will be doing things from our own collection. They are honest and dedicated fans that have been collecting elvis for 37 years and they can frame almost any CD you would like. If you are not happy with the plaque or anything we sell, they guaranteed 100% cash back and they are going to try and have some out of print books, CD's, and so on, if someone buys a number of itmes they will deal on price. You can buy there with confidence, and we are certain that you will loved these items for very low prices.

---

Elvis Unlimited Hamburg Show

To promote our new German magazine will we do a show in Hamburg on September 29th 2002. The guests will be Red And Pat West and the Dutch rock'a'billy band Sue & The Flaming Stars. Ticket price 25.- Euro Incl. a free Cd. Tickets can be ordered through Elvis Unlimited, Tel. +45 8642 9696 Or via e-mail: info@elvispresley.dk
There will also be a show in Denmark on the 28th in Randers. Ticket price 199.- Dkk. Incl. a free telecard. To see the Flyer, click here.
Source: Elvis Unlimited

---

Elvis is quite a salesman for a guy who died 25 years ago

In recent weeks, he has had the top-selling single in Europe and America. Several of his songs, meanwhile, are showcased in Disney's big summer movie, Lilo & Stitch. He's on the cover of a special TV Guide. And before the summer's over, he'll have a new album, some new books and three new DVDs released, joining his outlet mall's worth of merchandise already available. Not bad for a guy who's been dead for 25 years. "Elvis is not behaving the way dead celebrities are supposed to behave," says Gilbert Rodman, author of Elvis After Elvis: The Posthumous Career of a Living Legend. "He is circulating in ways that don't really make sense, at least for anyone other than Elvis." Stars -- of both the heaven and Hollywood variety -- usually flame out and go cold. But as we approach Aug. 16 and the official 25th anniversary of his death, Elvis is still burning, bright and hot. Simply put, when it comes to marketing memorabilia, it's good to be Elvis Presley. Or rather, it was good to be Elvis; nowadays, it's good to be a representative of Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE). "Elvis Presley is any marketer's dream. In terms of appeal and awareness, he's one of the most powerful brands in pop culture," says Jennifer Burgess, EPE's director of marketing "You can go to any country in the world and say the word `Elvis' and people will smile and start singing Blue Suede Shoes."

The power of the Elvis brand is nothing new. But if anything, that power has grown stronger this year. With the techno remix of A Little Less Conversation reaching No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic and the booming market of Elvis-ana, the dead King is having sales that any living pop star would envy. You don't have to travel to Graceland to browse the bounty. Just perform an Internet search on the words "Elvis Presley merchandise." Boom -- up comes site after site, from elvisshop.demon.co.uk to hicksfromthesticks.com with offerings ranging from an Elvis phone to an Elvis watch, from an Elvis edition of Monopoly to an Elvis jukebox, from Elvis action figures to Elvis glassware. When it comes to the pop culture market, Elvis is not only just about everywhere, he is just about everything. With the sheer breadth and volume of Elvis-themed products, it is tempting to think of the man appointed "the King" as that rarest of celebrity brands. He is impossible to oversell, to overexpose -- like Krusty the Klown from The Simpsons, you can put his name or likeness on any product and his fans will just keep buying. But you'd be wrong. "That's something we take very seriously. We don't want to oversaturate," says Burgess. "We're very selective in the products, alliances and associations we get involved with. "Our challenge is to find new revenue streams that match the changes in consumer patterns." This is where the rock-legend rubber meets the big-business road. "There are several different Elvis-consumer niches," Burgess continues.

"There are the die-hard, hard-core fans that take their collecting very seriously. They're a large but not huge group. And then there are Elvis fans -- that's a giant group. They don't belong to the Elvis fan club, but they might buy an Elvis clock for their office. "And so on. And we need to understand them all and provide the right products at the right time." One example she cites is the new Elvis Presley Collectors Club, which provides members access to high-end, limited merchandise: "It's been a big success." All the dolls and clothes and jewelry and toys and electronics and dishes -- all this stuff -- could seem a weird, overwhelming reaction to a singer who died a quarter of a century ago. Or it could seem like a perfectly appropriate way of memorializing a man who changed American culture. "When we were putting things together, we spent a lot of time in the Elvis warehouse," says Dan Rubin, publisher of the upcoming magazine Elvis Then & Now. "You wouldn't believe how much stuff he had -- boots, medallions, badges. There was just so much." So forget crass, forget silly. Perhaps the buying and selling of an endless array of merchandise is the proper way to celebrate the man who was not only the King of Rock 'n' Roll, but the King of Stuff.
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

---

Roots Revolution

The new upcoming release Roots Revolution: Louisiana Hayride is now available for pre-order here on-line. We did mentioned about this release a few days ago, the recordings, which were largely unheard among the public due to shoddy sound quality, were issued in 1982 as Elvis: The First Live Recordings and The Hillbilly Cat, but issues with the sound kept all but completists away. For Roots Revolution, Elvis' vocals and Scotty Moore's guitar parts were both cleaned up, while other components of the performances, which were virtually inaudible on the original recordings, have been restored with new parts performed note-for-note on actual period instruments.

---

BBC1 marks anniversary of Elvis's death with documentary

BBC1 is to explore the private life of Elvis Presley in a documentary to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his death. It will feature interviews with his physician, bodyguards, drivers, 'fixers,' golfers and confidantes. The Elvis Mob will be shown on Thursday August 15. According to WaveGuide.co.uk, the interviews reveal a darker side of Elvis's character, very different to his stage persona.
Source: Ananova

---

Priscilla Presley Backs Show on Elvis Marriage

Call it "Love Me Tender" or "Heartbreak Hotel." Elvis Presley's ex-wife Priscilla Presley and Los Angeles-based Immortal Entertainment Group on Wednesday unveiled plans to develop a musical stage show based on her legendary romance with the king of rock-and-roll. Immortal President David Codikow promises a lively and upbeat show like the current production of "Mama Mia," which uses songs from 1970s pop music sensation, Abba, but the as yet unnamed Presley show will span the 1950s, 60s and 70s. "This is going to be Priscilla's vision. It's her story. It's the king and the queen. It's the birth of rock-and-roll," said Codikow. Codikow said it may take 12 to 14 months to get a show up and running, and his company plans to conduct a nationwide talent search for the lead parts of Elvis and Priscilla. He said the musical will aim for Broadway, of course, but could easily open in Las Vegas, where Elvis made his mark in his later years. Later, a spokeswoman for Immortal said it was not clear how much of Elvis' own music would be in the production. "It's a celebration of the music from that period. It may include some Elvis music, it may not," depending on resolution of copyright issues, she said.

Elvis and Priscilla met when she was just 14 years old and the daughter of a military man stationed in Germany at the same time as the 24-year-old Elvis. Priscilla eventually moved into Elvis' home, Graceland, in Memphis, Tenn. where she lived and went to high school, graduating in 1963. The two were married in 1967, when she was 21 years-old, in Las Vegas at a time when the "Rat Pack" led by Frank Sinatra ruled the gambling town. Nine months after their marriage, Elvis and Priscilla had a baby girl, Lisa Marie. But theirs was a stormy relationship at times filled with infidelities and his drug abuse. They divorced in 1973. Priscilla eventually forged her own career as an actress, appearing in such shows as 1980s prime-time TV soap, "Dallas." The announcement of the musical coincides with the upcoming 25th anniversary of Elvis' death on Aug. 16, 1977. Immortal Entertainment operates record label Immortal Records and produces various live shows and touring events, such as the current "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" tour which features music from the 2000 movie of the same name.
Source: Reuters

---

Jordan's Elvis World Reception

Attn: All fans who are coming to Memphis and will be attending the vigil. Come and talk with Jordan of Jordan's Elvis World. Jordan's Elvis world will be holding a reception at Vernons house on Dolan drive (behind graceland) from 6pm-11pm the night of the vigil. We will be offering free soft Drinks to visitors. This event is being offered in cooperation with Universally Elvis Fan Club of Memphis. I look forward to meeting you!
Source: Jordan

---

Elvis Ranch Developers Face Hurdle

If the developers of the Elvis Presley Ranch to leap several legal hurdles pretty quickly. The developers want to build a $500 million resort and entertainment complex on 800 acres near Horn Lake, Miss. — part of it on land once owned by Elvis.

The DeSoto County, Miss. planning director says the developers still haven't gotten approval on the final site, which means the county can't issue a building permit. But a spokeswoman for the developers insists they will break ground on the 25th anniversary of Presley's passing. She says the ground-breaking will be ceremonial, and zoning regulations aren't a problem for "a bunch of people sticking shovels in the ground and tossing small amounts of dirt in the air."

Meanwhile, expect Elvis sightings to increase between now and mid-August. Not necessarily sightings of The King himself — but stuff about him is going to be everywhere. Two of the niftiest new pieces of Elvis-a-bilia will set you back plenty. Two new coffee table books, "The Elvis Treasures" and "Elvis: A Celebration," cost $50 apiece. "The Elvis Treasures," published by Villard, is like owning The King's scrapbook. It tells the story of Presley's life through letters, press releases, film scripts, photographs, movie posters, print ads, record sleeves, magazine covers, and a CD of Elvis interviews from the 1950s through the 1970s. Meanwhile, DK Publishing's "Elvis: A Celebration " is 600 pages, and was done with the support and authority of the Elvis Presley Estate.
Source: Yahoo

---

All Elvis

The new photo book “All Elvis” is now released. “All Elvis” is a brand new book from Elvis Unlimited Production. You will find more than 200 pictures in b/w and colour in “All Elvis”, most of them have never been published before. The production is only 2002 books, this to mark the 25th anniversary of The Artist of the Century - Elvis Presley. This book will no doubt be a collectable, so don't forgot to order your copy today through our Elvis Shop.
Source: Elvis Unlimited

---

Elvis in Hawai'i

It is well known that Elvis loved Hawai'i. Not only did he perform in the islands in three decades, making movies and performing concerts, this was the king of rock and roll's favorite vacation spot. Elvis in Hawai'i by Jerry Hopkins guides readers through the King's relationship with the islands in a fully-illustrated story, using photographs and memorabilia from the personal collections of Tom Moffatt, DeSoto Brown, Eddie Sherman, and others. Published in an attractive flexibind format. It will be available around Fall 2002

---

The King is alive

Twenty-five years after his death, we are once again in the midst of an Elvis revival: he has a single in the top 10 and 100,000 are people expected in Memphis to mark the anniversary next month. Why? Matthew Engel looks for answers at Graceland. You can read the full article here
Source: Guardian

---

Remembering Elvis

ELVIS PRESLEY may be gone, but he is definitely not forgotten. Aug. 16, 2002 marks the 25th anniversary of the passing of the King of Rock 'n' Roll with the release of a new Presley collectible.
"Elvis - His Best Friend Remembers" is a one-of-a-kind acknowledgment from "DIAMOND JOE" ESPOSITO, one of Presley's best buddies and confidants. Esposito provides a candid commentary of the close to 20 years he spent on and off the road with Presley, beginning with their U.S. Army adventures. Among those stories are "Elvis Buys a Chimp," "Germany 1959," and "A Kiss from Don Ho."

Both the DVD and VHS versions of the tribute, which hits stores on July 30, also include extremely rare photos, home movies, classic performances, newsreels and interviews. In addition to "Elvis: His Best Friend Remembers," Universal Studios Home Video will release 'Change of Habit,' Presley's last motion picture, in DVD for the first time. Tune in to ET tonight for more on the 25th anniversary tribute to Presley. And watch as some hip-swiveling impersonators do their best impressions of The King.
Source: ET

---

Early Elvis Tracks Get a Facelift

A collection of historic early Elvis Presley recordings, aided by new instrumentation, will be released on August 13th as Roots Revolution: The Louisiana Hayride Recordings on Tomato Records. The sixteen-track set features songs recorded from radio performances in 1954, 1955 and 1956, prior to Presley's superstardom. Broadcast from Shreveport, The Louisiana Hayride was an immensely popular radio program that launched the careers of numerous country and rockabilly performers, including Presley and Hank Williams.

The recordings, which were largely unheard among the public due to shoddy sound quality, were issued in 1982 as Elvis: The First Live Recordings and The Hillbilly Cat, but issues with the sound kept all but completists away. For Roots Revolution, Elvis' vocals and Scotty Moore's guitar parts were both cleaned up, while other components of the performances, which were virtually inaudible on the original recordings, have been restored with new parts performed note-for-note on actual period instruments. Jon Paris (who played with Bo Diddley, Link Wray, Johnny Winter and others) played new acoustic guitar parts for Elvis, while bassist Paul Nowinski (Keith Richards, Rickie Lee Jones) stepped in for Bill Black and Steven Wolf plays on "Hound Dog," the only one of the tracks to feature drummer D.J. Fontana. "Baby Let's Play House," "Blue Moon of Kentucky," Maybellene" and "Tweedle Dee" are among the other tracks included.

"We approached this much like that of restoring a master painting," says Kevin Eggers, who spearheaded the project, which is part of the flurry of releases that mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of Presley's death. "Our intent was to bring out the original colors and energy of the music being created."
Source: Rolling Stone

---

Donation for Dutch Newspaper add

Freia Göbel & Erik Straver has an announcement to make, so here is some space.... ;-)
We would like to put an "In Memoriam" ad. in the national Dutch newspaper at the 16th of august. We can't do it alone, because it's way to expensive. So we need your support. When you like to donate some money to make this work, please let us know as soon as possible. Remember small amounts count as any!!! Elvis needs to be in the spotlights particular that day, we owe it to him!!! For more information you can contact Freia Göbel at fridava@hetnet.nl or Erik Straver at straver@xs4all.nl.

---

Malaysian Fan Club BMG Promo Sampler CD

A new Malaysian Fan Club BMG Promo Sampler CD will be released in the 1st week of August. It will be a very limited to 300 copies only. It will have a colour picture disc with a picture from Elvis in Aloha from Hawaii.
Songs are Little Sister/ Burning Love/ Such A Night/ The Elvis Medley/ ALLC plus Bonus 2 AVCD Elvis Video Clips Version 1 & 2
Source: HT Long

---

Change of Habit

We have added the Change of Habit review from DVD File.COM. You can click here for reading the review, and you can buy this also through our DVD on-line shop.

---

Elvis - His best friends remember

After watching this preview copy of the Elvis - His Best Friend Remembers video , I have to say it did entertain me more that I thought. Joe is a great story teller, and with the combination of (rare) footage and pictures it really did succeed. Joe is talking about every aspect of Elvis life, and of course about the emotional day on August 16th including the news stories that was reporting Elvis dead, and an emotional JD Sumner. One warning here is on it's place, skip the last part of the video/DVD with the "crazy" lady please ;-) and you will enjoy this very muych!

---

Lilo & Stitch

The Sony Asia has released the LILO & STITCH audio CD with a free VCD as a Bonus (see picture on the right), also we added the artwork of the Lilo & Stitch from China, that contains more Bonus Chinese songs but didn't include the VCD.
Source: HT Long

---

Bluesman Roscoe Gordon Dies at 74

Blues singer Rosco Gordon, whose music influenced rock and roll, reggae and ska, is dead. He was 74. A family member said Mr. Gordon suffered a heart attack earlier this month at his home in Queens, New York. Mr. Gordon rose to prominence in the 1950's with hits including Booted, No More Doggin and Do the Chicken. He is perhaps best known for the classic Just a Little Bit, a song that sold over four million copies in covers by the Beatles, Elvis Presley and Etta James. In the late 1950s Mr. Gordon toured South America and the Caribbean, where his idiosyncratic style helped shape both ska and reggae. Few royalties for his music ever made it the musician's way, and in later life he opened a dry cleaning business, while still recording occasionally.
Source: VOA News

---

(Click on the pictures to see them enlarge)

Elvis - Sessions III

J.A.T. Publishing will soon distribute ELVIS SESSIONS, the third volume of the acclaimed series, containing the most complete and up-to-date sessionography with over 440 pages, including one hundred amazing and unpublished photos. You can see Elvis creating his music in photographs from the sessions themselves, some in full, stunning color. You'll be taken back in time to every recording session and professionally recorded concerts and performances.

The Many chapters will include bootlegs, rehearsals, soundboard recordings, the complete updated discography, Elvis' songs A to Z, That's The Way It Is and Elvis On Tour, profiling the film's outtakes, plus much more.

The ultimate look at Elvis' recorded library, this book is a requirement of every 20th-century music fan's collection. Go inside the vaults - from his first demo to his last tour, explore the most important body of music ever recorded with Joe Tunzi's even-handed and accurate approach to Elvis' recorded legacy. With this ultimate tome, accept no substitute- make ELVIS SESSIONS THREE a part of your collection now !

Sessions III will be available through our Elvis shop or can be ordered directly from with this pre-publication offer. We will have a little contest this Falls and give away a free copy of ELVIS SESSIONS III - Watch this space for all the details concerning this contest. Joe Tunzi has been listening to suggestions and comments from the fans during the last few years, and taking this into considerations, J.A.T. Publishing is working on some VERY interesting projects that will certainly please them. Joe Tunzi will announce this in the near future.

---

More Seats Opened Up To Meet Ticket Demand

As ticket sales for Elvis: The 25th Anniversary Concert come within a few hundred seats of a sell-out, 700 more seats in the two top price categories ($75 & $50) have been released for sale to meet ongoing demand, a demand that is guaranteed to escalate as Elvis Week draws nearer and publicity increases. These seats are on the floor and on the risers to the sides. This was made possible when it was found that there was room to move the stage back a little farther than its planned position. On the floor, this means that all the floor seats already sold move forward with the stage and retain their proximity to it, while additional rows of floor seats are added on the back end. The seats already sold on the risers to the sides, unlike the portable chairs on the floor, are permanently bolted down and cannot be moved or renumbered, but they now have an even better view by being just a little further back from the stage, giving them more of a head-on view.

Anyone who is thinking about attending but has not decided would be well-advised to decide quickly. A small number of the seats held for sponsors, contingencies, etc. could end up not being used and get released for sale in the final days before the show. The same with some seats held until all production elements are in place.
Seating capacity is expected to be about 11,600.
Source:EPE

---

Request

If you are living in the US, you might be aware of the show "TRL" ("Total Request Live") on MTV. For this show, viewers can call or write in for their favorite songs, which then get played on the air. On TRL's official web page, viewers can also submit their request. A few weeks ago, Elvis was of course nowhere to be found on this list. Fortunately, the list allows for suggestions not already on the list. Due to a significant number of votes (I assume), Elvis has now become part of the regular voting list. I think it would be a fantastic marketing move if Elvis could get his video played on this show, seeing as the target audience is (almost exclusively) teenagers. So I would suggest that all Elvis fans go here:
http://www.mtv.com/onair/trl/votevideo.jhtml
and vote for Elvis vs. JXL. (It should be on the right hand side.) You don't even have to register with MTV or give an email address! I truly think this could be some of the best marketing for Elvis. I don't think even BMG can find a better promoting tool than TRL. I really hope many people will vote for Elvis so that it can get a least a little exposure in the US. Maybe, even if it only gets to the bottom of the list, it will turn a few heads.
Source: Robin van Cleef

---

Before Anybody Did Anything..Elvis Did Everything

RCA is promoting ALLC very heavily to US Radio stations. The slogan they've come up with is "Before Anybody Did Anything..Elvis Did Everything."

In the US, the Top 40 stations in New York and Los Angeles are now playing the song. This should move it up the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart nicely. That, in combination with the #1 showing on the Single Sales Chart, should bring Our Boy closer to #1 on the Hot 100.

Today I recorded a phone interview with JXL, which will be broadcast on our 25th anniversary "Elvis Only" special. He says that if there is another remix it won't be Burning Love, as we have been hearing. He says the song has far too many "beats per minute," and Elvis' vocal would have to be slowed down too much.

An interesting comment he made was that most of Elvis' music is just fine the way it is, and shouldn't be given the ALLC treatment!
Source: Jay Gordon of www.elvisonly.com

---

NBC to Remember Elvis Presley

Celebrating the legacy of Elvis Presley on the 25th anniversary weekend of his passing, NBC will exclusively telecast his second-ever feature film, “Loving You,” on Saturday, Aug. 17 (8-11 p.m. ET), in a newly restored and digitally re-mastered version from the original Technicolor film elements, that reveals a young Presley in his prime.

In addition, “Loving You” will be broadcast in high-definition television (HDTV) marking the first time that an Elvis Presley feature-film has ever been telecast in this format. Furthermore, throughout the telecast, various NBC stars will present their memories of Presley’s lasting impact. The announcement was made today by Rick Ludwin, Senior Vice President, Late Night and Prime Time Series, NBC Entertainment. “This is Elvis Presley at the start of his career, with all of the talent, energy and charisma that launched rock ‘n’ roll. We’re excited that viewers will get to see this movie as it has never been seen before,” said Ludwin.

At the age of 21, Presley’s command of the stage is evident in “Loving You” as he performs such classics as "Teddy Bear," "Mean Woman Blues," "Got a Lot O' Livin' to Do," and the title song “Loving You,” which was written by legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The raw excitement and presence of the King’s early years are captured on-screen through the story of Deke Rivers (Presley), a delivery boy by trade an d a singer by heart. Deke is lured on stage during a small-town gathering, and captivates the audience with his dancing and singing.

Attracted to his star potential and his country manner, hard-boiled publicist Glenda Markle (Lizabeth Scott) catapults Deke on the road to fame - and romance. Also starring are Wendell Corey as Tex Warner, and Dolores Hart (“Come Fly With Me”) as Susan. Three-time Emmy Award winner Hal Kanter (“The 64th Annual Academy Awards”) directed and co-wrote the screenplay. Oscar winner Hal B. Wallis (“Casablanca”) produced this Paramount Picture, which was originally released in VistaVision and Technicolor in 1957.

Presley died on August 16, 1977 at his Memphis home, Graceland. Regarded as one of the most important entertainment icons of the 20th century, he achieved acclaim through over 30 successful films and record-breaking live concert performances on tour and in Las Vegas. Presley’s accolades include 14 Grammy Award nominations, which include three wins, as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1971. He has sold over one-billion record units worldwide, with over 130 different albums and singles, certified as gold, platinum or multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of American (RIAA).
Source: Zap2it

---

Ed Bonja Exhibition at Hollywood Casino Tunica

Ed Bonja's IMAGES OF THE KING - ELVIS HAS ENTERED THE BUILDING! Come and enjoy a close, intimate look at Elvis Presley's life and legacy as seen through the eyes of his official photographer, Ed Bonja. FREE at Hollywood Casino August 9th - 15th.

This touching photography exhibit features original photographs of Elvis - many, which appeared on classic album covers, posters, calendars, books and magazines. Plus, rare selected photos will be offered for sale to the public. While you're here at Hollywood, come check out our authentic Elvis memorabilia, then shake things up on our exciting gaming floor. It's an experience fit for a King, and it's only at Hollywood.

ADMISSION IS FREE in the Burton Room at Hollywood Casino.
AUGUST 9TH - 15TH
Sunday - Thursday from NOON to 8:00 PM and Friday & Saturday from NOON to 9:00 PM

Hollywood Casino - Tunica

1150 Casino Strip Blvd

Robinsonville, MS 38664
Source: Elvis Unlimited

---

The 2 in 1 DVD

As we already mentioned the info about this DVD yesterday, we now added the back cover of the DVD too. You can click on the pictures to see them enlarge. This Two in one DVD release features the Aloha from Hawaii & the original version of TTWII. On the cover you can see that the sound is in DTS. It has been printed as coloured picture DVD Disc. This one is very difficult to find now, almost impossible, even in Asia.
Source: HT Long

---

DVD Behind the Image

We have a review on-line of the DVD Behind the Image. The DVD is also available through this website for $40 (not including postage) and $45 for European countries (without postage).

---

Special offer Essential Elvis

Essential Elvis UK has a great offer for you, the non-readers of Essential Elvis, you can receive two copies of this great magazine for free, click on the essential banner above for more info.

---

Elvis week

Announcement of Panelists for Elvis Week's "Conversations on Elvis" Event 7/17/02 The panelists for Conversations on Elvis, an Elvis Week event presented by Graceland/EPE at 10:00 AM on August 14th have been confirmed. They are:
T.G. Sheppard - country music star, the former Bill Browder, who worked with RCA back in the Elvis days and became a good friend.
Julie Parrish - one of Elvis' female co-stars in Paradise, Hawaiian Style.
Dick Grob - longtime friend and security man for Elvis.
Patti Parry - longtime friend of Elvis, considered to be the only female member of Elvis' inner circle of friends known as The Memphis Mafia.
Surprise guests also expected
Source: EPE

---

Latest news from Chile

The A little less conversation is number one in The Chilean Ranking Radio station.
Only the first 1000 CD's of ALLC comes with a discount coupon (information surrendered by BMG Chile). Most of these 1000 CD's has been sold outside Chile.
On August 22 there will be a Joe Esposito´s show in Chile called "Elvis On Tour". The people from South America can obtain a ticket through the ElvisChile fan club, e-mail elvischile@elvis.com. The prices are available from US$10 to US$50.

The Esposito team are:
LIVE SHOW - CONCERT Joe Espósito : Manager de Elvis (por 17 años) Presentador Oficial R. Peltonn : Actor - Singer - Model ( Performance Elvis 60) DJ Fontana : Baterista and Elvis friend (Special Guest ) Mikeal W. A. : Músico - actor- (Performance Elvis -70) Elvis´s Band : Banda de Rockabilly (Live Show) L. Van Fossen : Director Musical Mitchell D. Fox : Piano - Synth - Donald White : Fender Bass Jan & Roll : Drums Lorne Jackson : Lead Guitar Tom Weisend : Rhytm Guitar John Durzo : Saxo Ray Newbold : Trompet Tony Spéncer : Percusión - Accesorios The Supremes Canadian Voice Linda Lawson : Female Vocalist Tenor Mary Sorensen : Female Vocalist Barítono Corina Van Fossen : Female Vocalist Barbara A. Fox : Female Singer Crew Production Darwin Lamm : Agente Elvis International Mario Giordani : Director Artístico Charles Lawson : Sound Tech Wendy Albert : Stage Manager James Buckana : Operador de Luces Rick F. Perkins : Operador de Sondo Patrick Lyon : Operador de Video Ronald Gerald : Escenografía Sarah Fontana : Vestuario Yiang Lee : Maquillaje
Source:Mario Silva

---

New DVD Elvis: Rare Moments With The King

Another upcoming DVD release that is quite interesting is Elvis: Rare Moments With The King / King Of Entertainment on the goodtimes label. This was released 5 years ago on video, and back then it was pretty hard to get. It contain some great rare footage that was never seen before at that time. We can only hope it will feature the same or more. The release date is August 27th, and retail price is supposed to be around $9,99. The cover seen above is actually the video artwork.

---

German Elvis Unlimited

Today we received the German edition of Elvis Unlimited, and as the English version it looks very professional, and it is also in full color. The info is the same as the English version, and that is also one of the top 3 Elvis magazines out there, and I'm sure a lot of the German speaking people will be interested in this. For more info how to subscribe you can go visit their website at www.elvisunlimited.com

---

DVD Elvis & June - A Love Story

The DVD Elvis & June - A love story is also available through Amazon and you can this DVD on-line for $9.98. The DVD will be released on July 23, 2002.
It will feature unreleased outtakes from the Biloxi home movie, never-seen still images) and is about June Juanico and Elvis' romance. It contains loads of unreleased footage plus unreleased private photos of Elvis that has never been seen before. Also, interviews with Elvis' original musicians Scotty Moore & D.J. Fontana, long time friend George Klein, Col. Parker's executive assistent True Forsher, girlfriend June Juanico, May Juanico and home movies owner Eddie Bellman.

---

Elvis Week In Nashville - Country Hall of Fame

Elvis Presley once appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and began his career as a country singer. So, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is going to honor his memory with a week of special events. The museum's Elvis Week is August 9-18. It commemorates the 25th anniversary of Elvis's death in 1977. He was 42 when he died. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will have events that will focus on Elvis's country and gospel connections and his ties to Nashville.
Source: NMC

---

Will and Elvis to battle it out in album charts

Will Young's debut album will be released on the same day as a new Elvis Presley compilation. The Pop Idol winner's as-yet-unnamed album will hit the shops on September 30. According to The Sun, Elvis's new greatest hits release is also out that day on the same label, BMG. Some fans had hoped the clash would be avoided to help Will go to number one in the album charts. Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates' new single Anyone Of Us (Stupid Mistake) went to number one after BMG deleted JXL's remix of Elvis's A Little Less Conversation.
Source: Ananova

---

The Beat Behind The king

DJ Fontana released a book "The Beat Behind The king" on his fourteen years with Elvis. The book deals with Recording sessions, Movies, the 68 Special and television appearances. It contains 50 photo's and a free CD.
Source: Elvisnews

---

Essential Elvis

We received the latest isssue of one of the best Elvis magazines out there "Essential Elvis" issue #23. In this issue you can read an interesting interview that Andrew Hearn had with Joan Blackman (co-star in Blue Hawaii & Kid Galahad), his wife Polly did interview Elvis' stepbrother David Stanley. As most of the fans knows already, this magazine is the #1 magazine when it comes down to interviews. In this issue they have announced another scoop interview with no one less than Nancy Sinatra. Other news on the magazine is a story about their Summer event with Sony West, Blue suede shoes news, a story about BMG/EPE overall promtions of Elvis, and more.
For more info and to subscribe to this magazine you can go to their Essential ElvisWebsite.

---

Sylvia Shemwell Bows Out of 8/16 Concert

Sweet Inspirations member Sylvia Shemwell will not be able to join the cast for Elvis: The 25th Anniversary Concert in Memphis on August 16 as she planned. Over a year ago, a stroke left her with significant speech difficulties and and sigfificant paralysis on one side. Her recovery has been very slow and has not progressed to the point that making the trip to Memphis would be feasible, something she and all of our concert team had hoped for until these last weeks before show date. We will miss her terribly and will continue to look forward to her return to good health and her return to her audience. We send our love.
source: EPE

---

Official Elvis Presley Collectors Club

The Official Elvis Presley Collectors Club is an exciting new club from Elvis Presley Enterprises. In addition to all the amazing benefits you receive as a member, this year is even more special. If you sign-up this year you will be forever listed among the founding members.
Other great benefits for founding members of The Official Elvis Presley Collectors Club include an exciting welcome kit designed to be of value to both new and seasoned collectors.
As a special "founding member" introductory offer, members in the U.S., who join in the first year pay no shipping and handling on the membership kit. Members from other countries will pay the lowest current rate via Fedex or DHL.
This special membership kit contains:

A 3-Ring binder designed to hold quarterly magazines and other memorabilia materials.

A limited-edition collectible "founding member" pin.

A letter to you from Jack Soden, president and CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

A "founding member" of The Official Elvis Presley Collectors Club Membership Card with a unique identification number and your name. When you join the club this year, your founding member status will forever be listed on your card.
source: EPE

---

Elvis Commemorative Tribute at Aladdin Las Vegas

For one night only, August 24th, 2002, The Aladdin Theatre will present "Elvis - The Concert" in a commemorative tribute to "The King." Marking the 25th anniversary observance of his death, Elvis will once again be performing before thousands of fans.
"Elvis - The Concert" is like no show ever conceived. Its star is Elvis himself, not an impersonator, not a sound alike or look alike, but the Elvis that the world knows and loves.
"Elvis - The Concert" is an awesome achievement made possible by the use of state-of-the-art video technology. By combining concert footage from some of Elvis' greatest specials -- "Aloha From Hawaii," "That's the Way It Is," "Elvis On Tour" and finally, "Elvis, The Lost Performances" -- Elvis will appear on a two-story high video screen with two large side screens featuring live, on-stage shots of the TCB, The Sweet Inspirations and/or The Stamps or The Imperials performing side-by-side with Elvis. The is combined with a 16-piece live orchestra performing on stage under the direction of Elvis' original musical director, Joe Guercio. Completing this unique presentation, fans will hear Elvis introduce his band and singers, talk to the audience, and even crack a few jokes.

The show has played to sold-out performances in London, Germany, Scandinavia and New York.
Tickets for this spectacular are priced at $35, $45 and $55, and are available at the Aladdin box office or through TicketMaster. Reservations can be made by calling the Aladdin at (702) 785-5505 or by calling 1-877-333-9474
Source: Business Wire

---

Re-release DVD Loving you

Another DVD release that is actually a re-release is Loving you that will be available on August 5. The DVD will be available in region 2, and as far as we know it doesn't feature any extras. You can buy the DVD here on-line
Source: Elvisnews/Black Star

---

Elvis on Cover of U.S. News & World Report

The July 8-15 edition of U.S. News & World Report magazine has numerous features about American music. Elvis is the performer they selected for the cover. Check it out on the USN&WR web site.
Source: EPE

---

Special Announcement EPE

EPE will have a Special Announcement Coming Monday, July 15!!! Let's wait and see...
Source: EPE

---

Boots Randolph Joins Cast of Elvis: The 25th Anniversary Concert

Saxaphone great, the legendary Boots Randolph has now joined the cast for Elvis: The 25th Anniversary Concert. The "Yakety Sax" man will be featured on several numbers. Boots performed on many of Elvis' recordings and appeared on stage with him when Elvis gave his March 1961 benefit concert for the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Hawaii.

A few more cast additions are expected in the weeks ahead. For all the details, including the complete cast list thus far, see the listing for Elvis: The 25th Anniversary Concert in the Elvis Week 2002 event information.
source: EPE

---

Elvis Presley makes pop music history...again

Remix single tops chart in Canada and the U.S. creating Presley's 31st No. 1 hit.
With the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death approaching, his music continues to live on. Presley's "A Little Less Conversation", remixed by Amsterdam-based DJ JXL, has exploded into the music scene in Canada and the US and has climbed to the top of the charts in its debut week at retail. This marks Elvis' 31st No. 1, overtaking The Beatles by three No. 1 singles, as the artist with the most No. 1 hits in history. "The remix of this single takes Elvis to a whole new level and introduces his music to a new generation of fans," said Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, Chairman and CEO, BMG Entertainment. "With the anniversary of his death approaching, what better way to commemorate such a historical moment than by creating another. This No. 1 single really does prove that Elvis' music lives on."

The song -- remixed by Dutch musician Tom Holkenburg, known as the DJ of the techno-group Junkie XL -- was made for a Nike TV commercial, which aired throughout the world, except Canada, during the World Cup. The commercial was so popular that the song was released as a single and topped sales charts around the world, including those in the UK, Hong Kong, Ireland, Australia, Denmark, Norway and now, Canada and the U.S. The original version of "A Little Less Conversation" first appeared in Presley's 1968 movie "Live A Little, Love A Little" and peaked at number 69. Since reaching a No. 1 status in 2002, the remix will be added as a bonus track to "ELV1S: 30 No. 1 HITS", a collection of all of Presley's No. 1 hits scheduled for release in September 2002. Due to the high demand, Elvis' remix single, "A Little Less Conversation" is currently available in stores, and is the No. 1 sales single in the country.

Visit www.elvisnumberones.com, the official website of "ELV1S: 30 No. 1 HITS", and the most comprehensive website ever devoted to Elvis' music.

---

AOL Worldwide Exclusive Debut of Elvis Presley's Video

The highly anticipated video remix of Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation" will be available exclusively through AOL Music "First View" for 5 days - before it is seen anywhere else. "A Little Less Conversation" has been remixed by progressive DJ JXL and will appear as a bonus track to Elvis 30 #1 HITS, which will be released by RCA Records September 24.

Starting Thursday, July 11 at 12:01 a.m., AOL Members can access an exclusive video premiere of "A Little Less Conversation." It will be available exclusively for 5 days.

The "A Little Less Conversation" video will also be available across AOL's international services including AOL in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Argentina, Australia and Canada.

Almost 25 years after his death, Elvis Presley -- recognized the world over as one of the most important figures in 20th century music and pop culture -- has once again regained the top of the charts with the #1 Soundscan sales single. Presley's "A Little Less conversation," which has held the #1 chart spot in the U.K for three straight weeks, has reached #1 in sales in the U.S. in its first week of release.

The single, remixed by progressive Dutch DJ JXL, has been prominently featured in the Nike World Cup soccer advertising campaign "Secret Tournament" shown throughout the world, and marks the first time BMG/RCA and Elvis Presley Enterprises have granted permission to a contemporary artist to remix a Presley song. In addition to topping the charts in the U.K., "A Little Less Conversation" is also #1 in Japan, Hong Kong, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, The Netherlands, Australia and Mexico, underscoring Elvis' continuing appeal to music fans throughout the world.
Source: BUSINESS WIRE

---

The Sun Years

A new Dutch fanclub release that comes with a 28 page booklet is "The Sun Years", it's a "talking" album with that features the following tracklisting:
"The Sun Years" story / Elvis presents new RCA record player (1956) / Interviews / "Elvis is dead" news report / radio-spot for "Blue Hawaii", "Follow That Dream", It Happened At The World's Fair", "Harum Scarum", "Speedway" and "Frankie and Johnny" / Vernon and Gladys Presley interview - and an interview with Nick Adams, A Fan and Elvis / The Hayride story / Heading for Famous / "Suspcious Minds" (performed by State of Grace / early live demo) / and an Elvis telephone conversation from 1971 (more than 6 minutes).
source: elvis4everyone

---

Great performances Volume 2

Yesterday I did received the 2nd volume of the European version of the DVD "Great performances Volume 2, the man and the music" and again this is an official 25th anniversary edition product authorized by the Elvis presley estate. I can be very short with the 2nd volume, just as the volume 1 this is copied from the video, and again with a sound that was not always synchronal with the picture, but have to admit, it's less worse than the 1st volume. You better should save your money on this and let's hope that the American 3 DVD Box-set of Great Performances will be much better.

---

Elvis happening in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is THE place to be for Elvis fans on Thursday July 18th, because Tristan Video is organizing a great Elvis Happening in cooperation with the Hard Rock Café and the It's Elvis Time fanclub on that day. This very special event will take place at the Hard Rock Café from 16.00 to 18.00. Tristan Video will be presenting its unique "The Definitive Elvis" set on four DVDs / videos. These sets contain many interviews with Elvis' associates and friends, as well as lots of rare home-movie and concert footage, and are a must for all Elvis fans. One of the guests is Mr. Glen D. Hardin, who will be flown in directly from the States exclusively for this event. Mr. Hardin played piano for Elvis from 1970 to '76, and also wrote the arrangements for many Presley classics like "The Wonder of You". He recently wrote a special introduction for the book "Elvis: Caught In A Trap", and the book's author, Mr. Arjan Deelen, will also be present at this event to sign the book. The highlight of this presentation will be a very special concert featuring Glen. D. Hardin and Mr. Rock 'n' Roll himself, René Shuman! This popular Dutch performer, who has often been compared to the King because of his amazing voice and his great looks, is ready to rock the joint for this very special Elvis happening! The entrance is FREE, so be there on July 18th!!! For more information please contact: itselvistime@planet.nl
Source: It's Elvis Time

---