The Penultimate Memphis Press Conference --> 1961

This interview was put out on a number of records in late 1977. I like the two LP version Elvis Speaks To You (I think It was called I would have to pull it) which also had the 1970 Astrodome interview.

Thank You, very much Doc, for this transcript. For me it was the first time I read the content of this famous event. Elvis was so at ease to answer these quesstions. But if he knew in the following 7 years that from the top of the World - as he was in 1961- he would rarely reach the top 30 in 1966-1968 years (until If I can Dream single) maybe he insisted much with the Colonel to do more live shows and TV appearances. He was clearly manipulated by Parker saying something like :"Too much TV and concerts will damage the movies".

Hindsight is 20/20, as they say.

Thank you for the kind words, and note that, lo these 18 months later, this topic remains the only accurate transcription of this press conference. As stated before, I put a lot of time in to make it so.

Thank you, again, Doc. I read many Elvis forums and sites in the past ten years but this is the best. Only one thing I am sorry about: I didn't find earlier about it. Now I want to read all the pages (I am back to page 116) trying to not repeat subjects discussed before.

Thank you, again, Doc. I read many Elvis forums and sites in the past ten years but this is the best. Only one thing I am sorry about: I didn't find earlier about it. Now I want to read all the pages (I am back to page 116) trying to not repeat subjects discussed before.

FECC is a great place for the dedicated Elvis fan, with many awesome members -- enjoy!

Thank you, again, Doc. I read many Elvis forums and sites in the past ten years but this is the best. Only one thing I am sorry about: I didn't find earlier about it. Now I want to read all the pages (I am back to page 116) trying to not repeat subjects discussed before.

FECC is a great place for the dedicated Elvis fan, with many awesome members -- enjoy!

Thanks for this great topic, Doc. It's the first time i've read the interview. Apart from some silly questions from reporters (even though Elvis probably thought so himself) like, "what about your love life?", "Do you still eat cheeseburgers?" Interesting when Elvis says he still prefers R'n'R or hasn't changed his mind about it, even though he wasn't really doing any R'n'R at that point. The picture of Elvis and Sam (not the one were they are looking at each other) i've not seen before, thanks for posting that, Doc. It's a shame that the reporters weren't a little more educated and asked some questios about his time at Sun or about Sam. I've read somewhere, that Sam Phillips did say to reporters why Sun Records gets no mention or recognition, also said, "if it wasn't for Sun Records, RCA wouldn't have him in the first place".......

Thanks for this great topic, Doc. It's the first time i've read the interview. Apart from some silly questions from reporters (even though Elvis probably thought so himself) like, "what about your love life?", "Do you still eat cheeseburgers?" Interesting when Elvis says he still prefers R'n'R or hasn't changed his mind about it, even though he wasn't really doing any R'n'R at that point. The picture of Elvis and Sam (not the one were they are looking at each other) i've not seen before, thanks for posting that, Doc. It's a shame that the reporters weren't a little more educated and asked some questios about his time at Sun or about Sam. I've read somewhere, that Sam Phillips did say to reporters why Sun Records gets no mention or recognition, also said, "if it wasn't for Sun Records, RCA wouldn't have him in the first place".......

The quote was allegedly made during the press conference, but it is not heard on the existing recording, which appears to be complete.

Elvis would give rock a little nudge with his cover of "I Feel So Bad" in March, and songs like "Little Sister" and "Follow That Dream" later that summer.

His dodge of the Anita Wood question is ironic, since she was living at Graceland, and hoping to get married sooner than later. A major miss in my book.

Thank you for the kind words.

You know what kills me the most about this?

I lived at the Claridge House in 1992 when it was an apartment building. At that time, I had no idea that it previously had been a hotel nor that Elvis had held a press conference there.

I found some more, taken during and after the 1961 press conference at the Claridge Hotel:

610225_Claridge Hotel_Memphis_01.JPG

610225_Claridge Hotel_Memphis_02.JPG

610225_Claridge Hotel_Memphis_03.JPG

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

I found some more, taken during and after the 1961 press conference at the Claridge Hotel:

610225_Claridge Hotel_Memphis_01.JPG

610225_Claridge Hotel_Memphis_02.JPG

610225_Claridge Hotel_Memphis_03.JPG

Nice pictures, Doc.

More amazing pictures. Thanks, Doc.

Thanks, gentlemen!

I added a nice photo to the original post, and below is another.

Both were taken by the late Jim Reid of the Memphis Press-Scimitar. Enjoy!

610225_Post Press Conference Luncheon_Memphis.jpg

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

I added a nice photo to the original post, and below is another.

Both were taken by the late Jim Reid of the Memphis Press-Scimitar. Enjoy!

610225_Post Press Conference Luncheon_Memphis.jpg

Excellent work Doc!!

I added a nice photo to the original post, and below is another.

Both were taken by the late Jim Reid of the Memphis Press-Scimitar. Enjoy!

610225_Post Press Conference Luncheon_Memphis.jpg

Excellent work Doc!!

Thank you very much.

In the photo above, you can see the mint in his mouth!

In the photo above, you can see the mint in his mouth!

Wow... I wonder what brand it was?!