Elvis Cd's......they don't sell enough

Juan Luis · #220573

I agree. But you canot please everyone. People will complain why the Cd is only 20 minutes long for the classic early albums. But that is the way they should be heard in the album context. IMO

#220580

i sell records at a shop. elvis lps sell better than the cds do.

#221073

I regularly have a habit of "monitoring"
the Elvis racks of various U.S. record shops when time permits, including
"big block" stores like BEST BUY, Target,Walmart
K-Mart, or book emporiums like Borders that sell CD's and
such remaining record palaces like Tower Records.

I like to put the "best" Elvis discs
up front - especially when there's that Hayride CD with the
"Girls,Girls, Girls" cover.

Or "Elvis Sings for Children."

By comparison, "Live In Las Vegas" and "Love, Elvis" aren't that
bad. I otherwise dislike them as well as they needlessly
supplant albums that took years to build up a following.

Instead of hyping "Live In Person," for example, as the King's
great Vegas album, they concoct a new one. Instead of using
the "Golden Records" album, they clutter the rack with a hodge-podge
"Classic Elvis" release on Camden, etc. etc.

Eileen and LTB, those comments were well-put about how to reach and inform fans and would-be fans.

As a fan since the mid-to late '70s (not obsessed but having
most of his albums)
I was extremely confused about the "new" Elvis
products that were in the racks until Paul Simpson's deceptively
brilliant little volume of the "Rough Guide to Elvis" tipped me off
to FECC and the "cyber-Elvis" world in 2002. I'd been on the net
for years and really didn't think anything was going on with
Elvis records - or fans, judging from the media- the latter seeming like an embarrassing cousin once removed.

I never heard of FTD most
notably until 2002 not that I would have gotten the "alternate" /
soundboard" appeal right way as I had to be sold on that idea.
There could not have been a dime of promotion here in the U.S.
of things like FTD. I heard more about Elvis through films referencing
him then I did from the label by and large.

So as for the U.S., I think Elvis' CDs move from racks reasonably well. In smaller independent shops (when you can find them),
if they stock a handful of titles,
I'm fine with that. Such shops tend to stay away from that which the
local mall sells, so you'll see less of 50 Cent, Britney, Juelz Santana
or yes, Elvis, but you'll see racks of more of the specialty genres.

And one local store had the three '05 Kevan
Budd remasters - and the next trip they were gone. It's all
very anecdotal. I don't think RCA seriously set out to make
these "sellers" - they were sort of "place holders" of a sort.

We'realways saying "keep the catalog alive and in print," so they do.
It didn't come with any promotion or hype but at least they did it.
I even saw these in Walmart and Target. But then that was negated
by these phony "new" titles like "Hitstory" or endless "love" comps.

As KiwiAlan points out, it is 2005. I don't expect Elvis to sell well
forever - not anymore than say the Beatles or Frank Sinatra.

Suchlegends' sales will level off but also be timeless catalog artists.
If RCA (and some fans?) would stop going for "new" albums such as "Love, Elvis" or "Christmas Peace"
(an unnecessary 2003 re-working of the original LPs, by the way)
or "Ultimate Gospel," then we could return
to buffing and shining up the jewels in the Elvis catalog such
as "From Elvis In Memphis," "Elvis Is Back" or "Elvis Country," and many others.

After all, this in an era when younger fans are dispensing with
album covers and artwork, so throw us a bone and keep the classic
titles as is.

As Elvis made so much money for his label, there's apparenly always going to be another exec who comes along
and says "flog that horse one more
time - slap a new pretty cover on it and fans will lap up the 'new'
Elvis album."

That's entirely short-sighted and there's no reason why they
cannot wise-up even now.

To the original poster, Mike DK, this is a well-worn topic that we always do
(and should for now) return to. I wouldn't take one guy's notion
for gospel. Elvis sells fine for a guy gone since '77 and his "household
penetration" (homes that own something by him or once did) is probably sky-high. The strategy of RCA/BMG is infuriating, but there's little
to suggest that the Beatles or Dylan have actually pulled ahead in total sales over time.

Please do see this terrific thread on "Cutting The
Catalogue" by Peter Franks (it was actually once even longer):

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=384&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Rob · #221268

Gregory Nolan Jr. wrote:
I never heard of FTD most
notably until 2002 not that I would have gotten the "alternate" /
soundboard" appeal right way as I had to be sold on that idea.
There could not have been a dime of promotion here in the U.S.
of things like FTD. I heard more about Elvis through films referencing
him then I did from the label by and large.

#221402

Oh, you're back onto hectoring me again, eh?

I was just enjoying the import version of this show ("Hello Memphis")
acquired via the generosity of a good soul. Nice not to hear
that phony audience overdub!

Rob · #221465

You won't hear it on the FTD either. You'll only hear it on the phony BMG release that YOU have.

#221478

Now RCA is phony? Hmmmph! Sure gotta a lot nerve, baby.

#221484

In Brazil Elvis is selling good, not very well, but not bad. Yes... could be better....
Some titles are totally sold out on most store magazines. Titles like Christmas Album, Elvis In Person, Aloha, On Stage, From Elvis In Memphis, Elvis In Concert, Elvis Thats The Wau It Is are almost sold out, are difficult to find today.

Recently BMG/Sony Brazil re-release Madison Square Garden (series number AB000500 – this means only 500 was pressed) and Elvis Memories of 68.

Elvis, Love is selling very good, actually its series number is AC0002000 (this means: series AA, AB are totally sold out). The Ultimate Gospel is AI serie, and it is selling very good too.

According brazilian copyrights the CDs and DVDs must be numbered in series, i.e., serie AA000000, AB00000, the number means total of CDs pressed. Exemple: AC002000 means 2000 CDS pressed.

#221498

One of the problems is that his Elvis' own record label is more interested in releasing endless best ofs, rather than putting some investment into the original albums.

Suppose they can't be blamed - they're a business after all and these CDs sell - but the number of greatest hits comps still available is ridiculous.

#221541

KiwiAlan wrote:Let's stop being in denial. Elvis is DEAD!

And he's been dead for for over 28 years.

It is now evident that the Kevan Budd very worthy classics did not sell in any volume.

There's no point in blaming marketing - how much money do you expect should be spent on advertising when sales of only ten or twenty thousand result? An old marketing rule of thumb was 2% of factory sales - given that a 20,000 seller album at $10.00 wholesale would generate a gross of $200,000 or a marketing budget of $4000

There is not a lot you can do on $4000.

Elvis has been dead 28 years? I thought he's been dead for almost 32 years, He did die in 1973 didn't he?

Anyway on a serious note, you don't think any promotion would have helped? I bet at that price and the advertisements all of them would have sold very well. The market is there, the only problem is you need to let the people know your product. I bet if they took a risk and advertised they might actually be impressed by the results. $4000 is a tax write of to them, or at least in this country.
I bet the gamble would pay off, Nobody thought 30#1's would sell. Imagine what would have happened if they had released it without any advertisements. I bet it wouldn't have sold even a quarter of what it sold.

Just my opinion

-George

#221550

Kingtiger -

You wrote:

Elvis has been dead 28 years? I thought he's been dead for almost 32 years, He did die in 1973 didn't he?

I'm almost certain it was 1977, actually.

#221551

I don't agree with you KiwiAllan, music dealers are idiots.

I've been watching them for years and years. I used to buy a lot of cds in retail stores. For instance, I could go into Best Buy or Target or wherever and buy 5 cds by 5 different artists. I would go back there in two weeks and there shelves would replace the 5 discs with the same 5 that I just bought. That may be fine if they would add some other titles by those artists. They would do this time and time again. I would also buy some films on DVD. The same thing would happen. How do they expect to get return visits from these customers when they replace with the same product? That, to me, is stupid marketing. I suppose they are thinking "well, it sold, let's replace it". But what about me, the consumer? I'm not going to go back and buy the same product.

There was one time, years ago, I bought 5 or 6 cds by some group. They were the only discs stocked by that group. When I went back they only restocked those same titles when there were at least 10 others still in print. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

jeff R

Claus · #221571

I also think the state of the Elvis catalog is a disaster but I don't know what to do about it really. If Sony BMG don't want to keep the original albums in print, they could at least put together more imaginative compilations containing lesser known material.

Another idea could be two-fers like the Beach Boys catalog.

JerryNodak · #221578

They're not likely to put together comps. with lesser known songs because the general public isn't familiar with these songs. Therefore, they won't buy the album. Hence, BMG/Sony doesn't make money.

Well, spend money on ads and "educate" them you say. Ah, but spending money to promote an "iffy" album cuts into the profit margin.
It's a catch 22.

#221580

ritchie valens wrote:i sell records at a shop. elvis lps sell better than the cds do.

Every morning Ritchie and his boss sing:-

It's just a jump to the left.

And then a step to the right.

With your hands on your hips.

You bring your knees in tight.
But it's the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane.
Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again.

#221846

In my view certain releases should be available in the mass-market on principle. I think of these as 'integrity releases.' They are the records that enhance the artist's reputation by showing him in the best possible light. The Elvis records that do this are: Elvis Presley; Elvis; Loving You; Elvis' Christmas Album; King Creole; Elvis Is Back! His Hand In Mine; How Great Thou Art; Elvis TV special; From Elvis In Memphis; Elvis In Person; Back In Memphis; OnStage Feb. 1970; That's The Way It Is; Elvis Country; He Touched Me; Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden; Aloha From Hawaii; Live On Stage In Memphis.
These were the records that the majority of us would consider his best work (not counting hits collections and the Sun material). These are the classics of the catalogue. Now it's possible to do compilations on some of this material (The Memphis Sessions; Elvis' Christmas material), but these titles should still be available as individual titles. End of story!

Francesc · #221851

jeffreyjames wrote:I don't agree with you KiwiAllan, music dealers are idiots.

There was one time, years ago, I bought 5 or 6 cds by some group. They were the only discs stocked by that group. When I went back they only restocked those same titles when there were at least 10 others still in print. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

jeff R

I dont see you going to heaven

#221856

Francesc, what is your problem?
Do you have to criticise everything I say?.
Not only that, you butcher my comments to make me sound like a jerk.

What does going to heaven have to do with the comments I made?

jeff R

Francesc · #221861

Ohhh I'm sorry it was a little joke ! I added all your quote so you dont look like a jerk.

Again I apologize if I bothered you.

Rob · #221916

ColinB wrote:Kingtiger -

You wrote:
Elvis has been dead 28 years? I thought he's been dead for almost 32 years, He did die in 1973 didn't he?
I'm almost certain it was 1977, actually.

That depends on who you're talking to. Some say he died much earlier than '77 (even as early as March 1958.)

Some seem to think he's still around and frequenting various drive-through's.

#222060

Pete Dube wrote:In my view certain releases should be available in the mass-market on principle. I think of these as 'integrity releases.' They are the records that enhance the artist's reputation by showing him in the best possible light. The Elvis records that do this are: Elvis Presley; Elvis; Loving You; Elvis' Christmas Album; King Creole; Elvis Is Back! His Hand In Mine; How Great Thou Art; Elvis TV special; From Elvis In Memphis; Elvis In Person; Back In Memphis; OnStage Feb. 1970; That's The Way It Is; Elvis Country; He Touched Me; Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden; Aloha From Hawaii; Live On Stage In Memphis.
These were the records that the majority of us would consider his best work (not counting hits collections and the Sun material). These are the classics of the catalogue. Now it's possible to do compilations on some of this material (The Memphis Sessions; Elvis' Christmas material), but these titles should still be available as individual titles. End of story!

Well said, PETER!

#222124

[quote="Gregory Nolan Jr

As a fan since the mid-to late '70s (not obsessed but having
most of his albums)
I was extremely confused about the "new" Elvis
products that were in the racks........
I never heard of FTD most
notably until 2002 not that I would have gotten the "alternate" /
soundboard" appeal right way as I had to be sold on that idea.
There could not have been a dime of promotion here in the U.S.
of things like FTD. I heard more about Elvis through films referencing
him then I did from the label by and large.

=[/quote]

I couldn't agree with you more. I've been an Elvis fan since early 70's and until I found this forum, which has only been recently, I was also confused by "new" Elvis releases and thought FTD stood for flowers! Never heard of it.

#222594

Then I"m not alone.

It's incredible how little promotion was done -and I'm a fan in
his '30s who knew his way arond the net.

I laughed when I heard there was a website called
"Elvisnews.com"

I hadn't a clue how much he "lives" in cyberspace. How many
other fans don't know? I bet they'd be quite a few who
loved to hear these "new" FTD Elvis records...if they were
cheap and actually in USA stores!

#222664

Rob wrote: Some seem to think he's still around and frequenting various drive-through's.

So, it iz true...

My friend told me he could have sworn he saw Elvis workin' az a manager at the local Burger King in Osh Kosh

Rob · #222666

Gregory Nolan Jr. wrote:I bet they'd be quite a few who
loved to hear these "new" FTD Elvis records...if they were
cheap and actually in USA stores!

Some would also love to hear them if they'd just get off their ass and order them.