Elvis on Catalina Island.

In his book "The Rebel & The King" Nick Adams tells about how he, Gene Smith and Elvis were invited by director Robert Webb (thanks Doc for the correction) to come along with him and his wife on their cabin cruiser to Catalina Island.

We discussed the video-footage some years ago and Doc suggested that it be from Aug-Sep 1956 back then while I suggested that it be from Catalina Island. How right we were.

Nick´s book covers two monts of Elvis´ life. August and September 1956. Or rather just a little over one month because it ends after the Tupelo concert on Spetember 26 and Nick didn´t meet Elvis until around the 20th of August.

So the photos below can now for certain be dated to September 1956.
Gene Smith´s face just visible behind Elvis´ back.

5609xx-Catalina Island-10.jpg

Elvis jumping up on Nick´s back

5609xx-Catalina Island-16.jpg

5609xx-Catalina Island-19.jpg

Sincerely
Brian
http://www.brian56.dk

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Last edited by bripet56 on Thu Jan 24, 2013 10:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Nice Brian. Thanks, as I missed these when you originally were trying to place a date on them.

You´re welcome Paul.
I think that we can maybe narrow down the date even more.
Nick writes that this was on a weekend and the question is how soon after his arrival in Hollywood Nick Adams met Elvis.
Elvis´ first weekend in Hollywood would be August 25-26 and I don´t think Nick had met Elvis by then and it would be doubtful that Robert Wagner would invite them along to Catalina Island after just a few days on the set.

Next weekend was September 1-2 and Elvis had appointments at Radio Recorders Studio so that weekend is out of question.

Then comes September 8-9 with Elvis doing his part of the Ed Sullivan show (Sept 9) from Los Angeles and maybe rehearsing the day before so this weekend would also be out of question.

Sept 15-16 is the next weekend and this is my guess for these photos/film footage.

Last weekend is Sept 22-23 with Elvis, Nick and Gene Smith flying home to Memphis on either the 22nd or 23rd.

Nick´s story ends after the week in Memphis so September 15-16 is my best guess on a more specific date.

Sincerely
Brian
www.brian56.dk

I knew that book by Nick Adams would be useful -- mine has not yet arrived.

September 15-16, 1956 (Saturday-Sunday) as the timeframe sounds good, but I suspect you meant to type "Love Me Tender" director Robert Webb as the man who invited Elvis to the island.

For the many who are unfamiliar with Catalina Island, this official site may be helpful:
http://www.catalinachamber.com/catalina/where-is-catalina

Here's a map and a beautiful postcard of what Elvis, Nick, Gene and Mr. Webb enjoyed back in the summer of '56:

Catalina Island map.JPG

Catalina Island postcard.JPG

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

For the many who are unfamiliar with Catalina Island, this official site may be helpful:
http://www.catalinachamber.com/catalina/where-is-catalina

And The Four Preps sang quite a good song about it ("26 Miles").

I knew that book by Nick Adams would be useful -- mine has not yet arrived.

September 15-16, 1956 (Saturday-Sunday) as the timeframe sounds good, but I suspect you meant to type "Love Me Tender" director Robert Webb as the man who invited Elvis to the island.

For the many who are unfamiliar with Catalina Island, this official site may be helpful:
http://www.catalinachamber.com/catalina/where-is-catalina

Here's a map and a beautiful postcard of what Elvis, Nick, Gene and Mr. Webb enjoyed back in the summer of '56:

Catalina Island map.JPG

Catalina Island postcard.JPG

Yes of course Doc, it should be Robert Webb, not Robert Wagner. I´ve edited my post.
Thanks.

Sincerely
Brian
www.brian56.dk

Yes of course Doc, it should be Robert Webb, not Robert Wagner. I´ve edited my post.
Thanks.

Did you like the map and postcard?

Yes of course Doc, it should be Robert Webb, not Robert Wagner. I´ve edited my post.
Thanks.

Did you like the map and postcard?

Sure did Doc. I had seen both of them on Internet.
I chose to save this one to my Septemer 1956 folder.
I guess Avalon is where the "action" took place back in 1956 and where Elvis and the rest of the party went.

catalina-island.jpg

Sincerely
Brian
http://www.brian56.dk

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Too bad Elvis didn't live long enough to enjoy Roxy Music's Avalon.

Avalon (Roxy Music album)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_(Roxy_Music_album)