Early June 2002
- Four More Florida Lottery Players Win Trips to Graceland in Third "Elvis'' Drawing
(Yahoo News / Florida Lottery, June 10, 2002)
The final group of Florida Lottery players has won vacation trips for two to Graceland(R) from the Lottery's Scratch-Off game ELVIS(TM). The winners were chosen randomly in the third ELVIS(TM) Bonus Drawing at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee last week.
- Rome: Pigs fly, Elvis lives, Tyson gracious in defeat
By Jim Rome
(Fox Sports, June 10, 2002)
Lennox Lewis probably doesn't have to worry about being called a coward by my Mike Tyson's handlers anymore. Not after the beating he laid on their guy on Saturday night.
- Elvis may be dead, but can he still sell magazines?
By David Carr
(New York Times, June 10, 2002)
Gruner & Jahr USA is betting the long-dead icon can do what few living stars seemt to be able to do - sell magazines off a newsstand. As part of the commemoration of the death of Mr Presley 25 years ago, in August the company is issuing a one-time publication, 'Elvis, then and Now', which will cost [US]$9.99. Because of an exclusive agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Gruner & Jahr will include photographs from the Presley estate's of 40,000 images and a special CD from Gruner & Jahr's corporate sibling, BMG with versions of "Heartbreak Hotel" and "In the Ghetto".
- Elvis: the man and the myth - and the clash over same
By George Varga
(San Diego News, June 9, 2002)
Elvis Presley continues to transcend time, place and the rock 'n' roll revolution he helped ignite in the 1950s. "Of anybody who's ever played rock music, Elvis was by far the greatest talent," said Billy Corgan, the former Smashing Pumpkins leader. "Elvis is my man," Paul McCartney said. "He was a big influence on The Beatles, and he just was great." But not everyone holds Presley in high regard, as Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis is quick to note. "To me, Elvis represented somebody who - because our country was not ready then to embrace the black artist and make them No. 1 - became No. 1 because of his rendition of what some black people sounded like," Marsalis said. "What made it distasteful is that we had people who could do it better than him, but who couldn't be accepted at that time because of the color of their skin." ... Simultaneously heroic and tragic (he was just 42 when his heart gave out), an innovator and a cultural thief, his controversial mythology looms larger than ever.
... But Presley never publicly credited Blackwell. Nor did he acknowledge the enormous debt he owed to African-American music in general - or to Matt "Guitar" Murphy and North County resident Ike Turner, whom the teen-aged Presley avidly watched at various Memphis nightclubs - and soon copied. To hold Presley partially responsible for the nation's racial climate in the 1950s is no more fair than to blame his dictatorial manager, "Colonel" Tom Parker, for the spate of wretched movies Presley starred in the next decade. To appreciate his historic musical and social impact without acknowledging the African-American artists who paved the way, however, perpetuates a sad legacy that even an icon like Elvis Presley can't transcend.
Comments to: ron.james@uniontrib.com
- State to take control of Elvis Presley Lake: Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks will officially assume management
By BOBBY HARRISON
(Daily Journal, June 9, 2002)
JACKSON - Elvis Presley Lake in northern Lee County is scheduled to get a new owner this summer. Legislation was passed earlier this year to allow the Tombigbee River Valley Management District to transfer the 800-acre park to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The water management district turned the operation of Presley Lake over to Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks this past fall. Legislation was passed and signed into law by Gov. Ronnie Musgrove during the 2002 session allowing the water management district to cede the property to Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The transfer is scheduled to take place this summer when both governing boards officially approve the change in ownership. ... Elvis Presley Lake, located northeast of Tupelo, was created as a recreation and flood control structure in the 1960s. The operation of the park through the years has passed back and forth from Tupelo city government to the Lee County government - and other entities, such as the Tombigbee River Water Management District.
- A Hon's higher calling
By M. Dion Thompson
(Baltimore Sun, June 9, 2002)
Randi Rom, spokesHon for the 8th annual Hon Fest in Hampden, is trying to explain some of the basics of Hon-ness as the air around her fills with the aerosol exhaust of Aqua Net hairspray. We're ... talking teased hair, loud colors and prints, rollers in the hair, an accent that grew out of the great gathering of humanity that found its way to the headwaters of the Patapsco. Yesterday, several hundred people strolled 36th Street and found their way to Cafe Hon, center of the universe for the celebration. Organizers had set up a Spam bowling alley outside the shop. An Elvis statue, circa 1957, pompadour and all, was in the alley.
- The lunatic and the mother's boy
By Robert Lusetich
(Weekend Australian, June 8, 2002)
A GERMAN couple swelters while posing for pictures in crass, matching rockabilly outfits after being married at the Graceland chapel to the strains of Love Me Tender while a nun, wearing a Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame jacket over her habit, quietly meditates at the grave of Elvis Aaron Presley. In separate, but spiritually related incidents, a man tries to jump into the King's swimming pool and another visitor scales a fence to ride a horse he thought belonged to Elvis, who's been dead - not an altogether accepted fact, by the way, 'round these parts - for 25 years. "There's some strange shit that goes on here, man, real strange shit," says a young Graceland employee. And then, as the anti-fashionista newlyweds hand over their $US550 ($955) (the wedding certificate is $24.95 extra, plus $3.50 for shipping and handling), it all becomes stunningly obvious. This is where they should have held the greatest hyped - and not coincidentally, richest - heavyweight fight in history. Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis could've squared off in the Jungle Room, decorated to Elvis's impeccable Las Vegas-on-hallucinogens taste. With such a fitting motif they could've called it Rumble in the Jungle II. It is perhaps the only marketing opportunity missed by the no-dollar-left-uncollected promoters of this monster's brawl which pits Tyson, at least 10 years removed from athletic relevance, against Lewis, whose boring, clumsy shuffle-then-jab style matches perfectly his colourless personality and reminds no-one of Ali. "I'm not here for the fight," says legendary Miami Herald sportswriter, Edwin Pope, who has covered all the greats, starting with Joe Louis in 1948. "I'm here like everyone else because of morbid curiosity. One guy's a lunatic and the other guy lives with his mother and has a pet poodle. It's bizarre, that's why I'm here."
- No matter the result, Lewis-Tyson spectacle sure to
fascinate
By GREG BEACHAM
(Yahoo News / Associated Press, June 8, 2002)
In both fighters' contracts for the Mike Tyson-Lennox Lewis bout, there is a dollars 3 million penalty for any "onerous" foul that stops the match - something, for instance, like one fighter biting the other. That's just one of the facets of Saturday night's heavyweight title fight at The Pyramid, Memphis, that makes it unique - a fascinating spectacle for fans, celebrities and other athletes alike. "This is the Super Bowl of boxing," WBC welterweight champion Vernon Forrest said. "Boxing is Mike Tyson, and Mike Tyson is boxing. Everybody can't wait to see what happens, and what Mike is going to do." Blues, barbecue and Elvis have yielded center stage in Memphis this weekend to the first fight between Tyson and Lewis, two of boxing's biggest stars for the past decade. The city streets are teeming with the rich, the famous and the bloodthirsty - all here to have a good time.
- Elvis just does it
By Dino Scatena
(Daily Telegraph, June 8, 2002, p. 21)
It is the oldest contest in rock 'n' roll: who is the biggest ever - Elvis Presley or The Beatles? ... Ed St John, managing director of the Australian division of Presley's record company, BMG, says: "The 25th anniversary of his death seemed like a pretty good opportunity to go back in there and give Elvis a really good relaunch, if that doesn't sound like a bizarre idea this far into his career. Almost coincidentally, along comes this opportunity where Nike licenses this track - A Little Less Conversation - and remixed it and turned it into something that was incredibly contemporary and cool." ... It's the first time the Elvis Presley estate has officially given permission for any of Presley's original music to be updated or tampered with - although Nigel Patterson, the president of the [sic] official Australian Elvis Presley fan club, disputes that fact. ... Patterson and his cohorts have already done their part in revamping the Presley legend for the 21st century, building a state-of-the-art website-cum-shrine in his honour. ... Through the site and the fan club, [David] Troedson[, the webmaster,] has also pulled together a delegation of 40 Australian fans who will make the pilgrimage to Graceland this year to take part in the official week-long festivities.
- Remarks by DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe, Wisconsin
Democratic Party Convention, June 7, 2002 - Madison,
Wisconsin
Source: Democratic National Committee
(Yahoo News, June 7, 2002)
Speech includes the lines:
"With a record like Scott McCallum's, it's no wonder the guy's entire campaign staff quit. In fact, if I were a Wisconsin Republican, I'd support Scott McCallum's primary opponent, Bill Lorge. I'd rather have the state run by a guy who impersonates Elvis than someone who's impersonating a governor."
- Shepard Smith Emerging as Fox Star
By FRAZIER MOORE
(East
Side Boxing, June 6, 2002)
Shepard Smith is host of "Fox News Live" weekday afternoons from 2:30 to 4 p.m. EDT. Then, from 7 to 8 p.m., he anchors "The Fox Report. Smith, 38, grew up in tiny Holly Springs, Miss., living "a McDonald's-free childhood" and ignoring Elvis Presley, despite Memphis being less than 50 miles away. Then Elvis died. Smith found himself glued to local TV coverage from Graceland. What he saw were open-ended live remotes with innovative portable equipment. Smith saw the future of TV news - and his own.
- The Home of Elvis Presley Rocks to Lewis-Tyson
By Tony Nobbs
(East Side Boxing, June 6, 2002)
The home of Elvis Presley will be rockin' to a different and more thunderous beat on Saturday night when former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Iron Mike Tyson (49-3-2NC with 43 KOs) attempts to dethrone reigning Heavyweight King Lennox Lewis (39-2-1, 30 KOs) at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tennessee. Lewis, 36, will go into the fight a firm favorite but there is also a measure of doubt. If Tyson turns up in the best shape mentally and physically, he can win. He still has considerable power early and Lewis has been ko'd twice when he was as serious as a council worker. And that is why it will be the most-watched and highest grossing fight ever. Last figures suggested $300 million. Many have said that they won't watch, but come fight time they'll be glued to their television sets Anything can happen. I've already booked it, watching it home in peace. And of course, keeping the pair apart until blast off is the best thing to do.
- Junkie XL and Dave Clarke to headline Gatecrasher London
Author
(Ananova, June 6, 2002)
Junkie XL, Dave Clarke and Smokin Jo will be headlining this month's Gatecrasher London residency. It takes place at Heaven on Friday June 28. Joining Junkie XL in the main room will be resident Matt Hardwick and a special guest to be announced. The following night, Gatecrasher holds its relaunched monthly residency at the Republic in Sheffield. Headlining DJs are Ferry Corsten, Judge Jules, John 00 Fleming, Armin Van Buuren and Mario Piu. JXL's remix of Elvis's A Little Less Conversation is tipped to top the charts when it is released on June 10. They also co-produced Sasha's new album Airdrawndagger, out in August.
- Retiring Elvis impersonator runs in 40th Assembly district
By Ben Jones
(Post-Crescent, June 6, 2002)
The 40th state Assembly District, represented from 1988 to 1998 by self-proclaimed Elvis Presley impersonator Bill Lorge, has a new Elvis seeking the Republican ticket for the fall election. This time, the candidate with the silky voice and gyrating hips will be Gary Hill of Waupaca. "I'm waiting for people to say, 'We had one, now here comes Elvis number two,'" Hill said. Hill, 44, works nights at a cheese factory and performs at events around the area. He will face incumbent Jean Hundertmark, R-Clintonville, in a Sept. 10 primary. "It should be an interesting race", Hundertmark said.
- Eminem debuts with 1.3 million sold
By Thom Loverro
(CNN, June 6, 2002)
American youth rushed to the rescue of the ailing music industry last week as more than a million fans scooped up copies of bad-boy rapper Eminem's latest album. Eminem, whose lyrics have indicated a awareness of his commercial appeal -- "I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley, to do black music so selfishly," he intones on one song -- was thrilled with the sales, said his manager, Paul Rosenberg.
- The Amazon.com Hit List
(Yahoo News / Amazon.com, June 5, 2002)
The Amazon.com "Hit List" provides biweekly information from the No. 1 online retailer to supply entertainment media with regular, interesting industry facts, trends and numbers. Based on purchasing information from Amazon.com's millions of customers, this list represents real-time consumer data that only Amazon.com can provide.
FACT: Amazon.com Customers Are All Shook Up over Elvis Streams; previously unreleased material Is available with pre-orders of the King's Anticipated Box Set
- Put on your blue suede shoes! This summer marks the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, and events across the country will commemorate the musical legend's enduring legacy.
- To honor the King, now through June 24, Amazon.com customers who pre-order Elvis Presley's "Today, Tomorrow & Forever" four-CD box set at Amazon.com's Music store (www.amazon.com/music) will receive immediate access to an audio stream of 20 previously unreleased outtakes and live performances.
- The four-CD box set contains 100 previously unreleased versions of Elvis' biggest hits spanning his entire career (1954-1976), as well as rare photos and song-by-song commentary. This is the only new Elvis box set to be released during this special anniversary year.
- Elvis fans can't help but fall in love with the King at Amazon.com. Currently, the most popular Elvis titles in Amazon.com's Music store are "The 50 Greatest Love Songs" at No. 1, "Today, Tomorrow & Forever" (box set) at No. 2, "The Best of Elvis Presley" at No. 3, "Elvis' Golden Records" at No. 4 and "America the Beautiful" (CD single) at No. 5.
- To speak to an Amazon.com Music editor about Elvis Presley's musical legacy, contact Amazon.com Media Relations at (+1-206)- 266-7180.
- Blues take back seat to bout
By Tom Weir
(Yahoo News / USA Today, June 5, 2002)
This Mississippi River city is known as the ''Home of the Blues,'' but for decades the dejected tone of that music also has extended to Memphis' personality. It's also a chance for Memphis to remind visitors its musical heritage is as closely tied to B.B. King as it is to The King, Elvis Presley. ''I think a lot of people have the perception that this is a very rural city,'' said the self-titled Dr. Malcolm Anthony, the ''bluesologist'' who greets customers at Beale Street's Memphis Music store. ''This is a great time to showcase how great our music and our history is. . . . I think most people didn't think this was going to happen.'' But Memphis also knows all that attention will bring another inevitable wave of Elvis impersonator references and a sniping round of potshots.
- Tyson might have bonded with Elvis
By Thom Loverro
(Washington Times, June 4, 2002)
Mike Tyson is staying in some former University of Memphis quarterback's private home outside of town, but is there any doubt that if Elvis were still alive, 911 Mike would be spending his time at Graceland, shooting out televisions and eating peanut butter and fried banana sandwiches with the King? If there was ever a marriage of fame and misery, it would have been Elvis and 911 Mike - both larger than life figures (in Elvis' case, larger than two lives) tortured by inner demons. They would have been soulmates, sharing each other's stories of how they were victimized by their fame and how all they wanted was to be left alone. Then they would take Elvis' gun collection, hop into his green Cadillac convertible, and drive around town shooting at reporters and singing, "In the Ghetto." It would have been like King Kong and Godzilla on a cocaine binge together in Japan. Elvis had more than a passing interest in boxing. He was on the boxing team at Humes High School, if only for a brief period. Walt Doxey, the school boxing coach, is quoted on one Elvis Web site as saying, "Elvis came out for the boxing team. I put him in the ring against Sambo Barrom and this guy bloodied Elvis' nose pretty good. Then Elvis came to me and said, 'Coach, I hate to tell you this, but I'm quitting the team. I'm a lover, not a fighter.'"
- Boxing: Elvis happy to sing Lennox's praises
By David Smith in Memphis
(This Is London, June 4, 2002)
Elvis will be rooting for Lennox Lewis in his showdown with Mike Tyson here on Saturday. The King of rock 'n' roll told me so himself. "Lennox is going to teach Tyson a lesson, uh-huh," he sang. Okay, so it wasn't really this city's most famous son - 2002 marks the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death - but rather 49-year-old professional impersonator Radford Ellis, who zips himself into a black sequined suit and works a patch on Beale Street, birthplace of the blues. ... Alas, not every Memphian in this sprawling metropolis shares the enthusiasm of their Mayor. ...those opposed to the place playing host to Tyson, the serial-biter and convicted rapist, have tagged the event 'The Bloody on the Muddy'. ... privacy has been the keyword for both champion and challenger as tension mounts before their clash at the 19,500-seat Pyramid Arena. ... There has been more chance of spotting the ghost of Elvis wandering through his Graceland home than seeing Lewis in the ring erected especially for him at Sam's Town, the casino in Tunica, 20 miles south of Memphis, that has contributed a significant sum to the £8m site fee that helped attract the fight to the area.
- Labour of love for Elvis fans
(This Is Bolton, June 4, 2002)
A TRIBUTE to Elvis Presley to mark the 25th anniversary of his death is being held at Tonge Ward Labour Club. The event on August 13 will feature rock'n'roll group Good Rockin Tonight, plus DJ Bob (The Duke) Earl and Brenda Lee sound-a-like Kelly Weaver. Actor Louis Emerick, who plays Mick Johnson in Brookside, is also due to make an appearance. There will be a jive competition, Elvis look-a-like competition, and best dressed Teddy boy and girl competition. All proceeds will be donated to the NSPCC.
- Eminem, we've seen the likes of you before
Edna Gundersen
(USA Today, June 4, 2002)
[Considers Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Elvis Presley as forerunners / models for Eminem.] ... Presley also conjures comparisons. On hit single Without Me, Eminem mockingly name-checks the king of rock as a culture thief and a dated idol that the rapper's fans are ''embarrassed their parents still listen to.'' Eminem jabs: ''Though I'm not the first king of controversy/I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley/To do black music so selfishly/And use it to get myself wealthy.'' His put-down underscores an obvious similarity in that both pilfered black forms of music and regurgitated less menacing versions
to white masses. Also notable are comparable backgrounds, especially in the eyes of bicoastal snobs unwilling to recognize genius
in a scrappy motormouth from a shabby Detroit suburb. ''Like Elvis, he's coming from his own little corner in the world, a place the people who make culture don't come from, and people who don't understand that hate him,'' Marsh says. ''He's much more musically talented than they imagine. He's threatening to the intellectuals stumbling around thinking they're interpreting him. 'Who are you to presume you have any right to a voice in this society?' That's how I hear the orthodox anti-Eminem people. He doesn't respect them, and that's his point.''
- Walt Disney Records is All Shook Up Over "Lilo & Stitch'' Soundtrack and "Read-Along''
(Yahoo News / Walt Disney Records, June 3, 2002)
Walt Disney Records introduces the legendary music of Elvis Presley to a new generation of fans on the all-new "Lilo & Stitch" soundtrack and "Read-Along," which features music from the highly anticipated animated film due out this summer from Walt Disney Pictures. The soundtrack showcases a score by Academy Award®-nominated composer Alan Silvestri, five classic Elvis Presley songs, plus newly recorded renditions of "Burning Love" by Grammy Award-winning artist Wynonna and "Can't Help Falling in Love" by A*Teens. Both the soundtrack and the "Lilo & Stitch Read-Along" will be available at [US] retail outlets nationwide beginning June 11, 2002.
- Terra Lycos Gets 'All Shook Up' With the Launch of the
Elvis Presley Destination On Lycos
(Yahoo News / Terra Lycos, June 3, 2002)
Terra Lycos (NASDAQ: TRLY - News), the largest global Internet
network, today announced the launch of an Elvis Presley destination on Lycos (http://elvis.lycos.com, in conjunction with BMG, a division of Bertelsmann AG. The new destination and corresponding online promotion provide fans from around the globe with a comprehensive Elvis destination in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of his death. The Elvis destination will be continuously enhanced through the summer with free Elvis audio downloads and streams, audio clips, fan pages, photos, clubs games and e-cards, along with the ability to purchase Elvis products including books and CD's.
- Elvis Impersonator Running for Gov.
(Yahoo News / AP, June 3, 2002)
A challenger to Gov. Scott McCallum has entered the race. Elvis impersonator and former state Rep. Bill Lorge will seek the Republican nomination in the November race for governor. Lorge made the announcement late Friday as Republicans gathered in Green Bay for their annual convention, but he said he had no plans to attend. "I'm going to be out with the real Republicans," around the state, Lorge said. Delegates on Saturday approved McCallum as their choice for governor. Lorge said he thinks he can beat McCallum and "save the party." McCallum campaign manager Darrin Schmitz said Lorge's decision won't affect the governor's campaign plans. "We're going to stick to our message and if other people want to talk about what's good for Wisconsin, that's just fine," Schmitz said. Lorge, 41, represented Bear Creek in northern Wisconsin for 10 years, in the same seat his father held for more than 30 years.
- People and Places in the News: Bobby socks and gold jackets for '50s show
(Canberra Sunday Times, June 2, 2002, p. 84)
There may have been sightings of Elvis during the week, but there's a rational explanation - the '50s rock 'n' roll musical "Bye Bye Birde" was in town. The Phoenix Players were at the Belconnen Community Theatre in Swanson Street for their latest production, which is a take-off of the drafting of "The King" into the United States Army in 1958.
- Elvis fans plan historical marker
(New Haven Register, June 2, 2002)
The last building that Elvis left may be gone, but some fans are doing their part to make sure it's not forgotten ... [Same story as below].
- Fans to Mark Last Elvis Show
(Yahoo News, June 1, 2002)
Same story as below.
- People and Places in the News
(Yahoo News, June 1, 2002)
The last building that Elvis left may be gone, but some fans are doing their part to make sure it's not forgotten. When Elvis Presley took the stage at Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, during the summer of 1977, no one knew it would be his last show. On June 26, the 25th anniversary of that concert, a group of Presley fans will dedicate a historical marker at the site where the arena stood until it was demolished last year. The marker will bear an inscription in bronze reading "Ladies and Gentlemen, Elvis has left the building" atop a granite column.
- Elvis alive? Only on Fox
(Aberdeen News, June 1, 2002)
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