Early July 2002
Media coverage of:
[ Elvis vs JXL: A Little less Conversation ]
- Will and Elvis to battle it out in album charts
(Ananova, July 16, 2002)
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.
- The King Is Undead: Elvis's Enduring Appeal
By Richard Harrington
(Washington Post, July 14, 2002)
Elvis Presley's wake has now lasted longer than his career. In fact, 25 years after his death, Elvis is No. 1 again, thanks to Nike, the World Cup and an obscure single dressed up with a little drum 'n' bass for the new millennium. Last week the refurbished Elvis tune, "A Little Less Conversation," was Billboard's No. 1 single on the sales chart, selling eight times as many copies as 'N Sync's new "Girlfriend" remix in its first week of release. The single also opened at No. 50 on Billboard's Hot 100 (which measures radio airplay as well as sales), marking Elvis's 152nd appearance there. No other act in history has even reached 100. "A Little Less Conversation" is in its fourth week at No. 1 in England and has topped the charts in Australia, Japan and several other countries. And that's just the beginning. ...
- A TAXI IN PARADISE: What Elvis has joined together, let no man tear asunder
By MICHAEL SUIB
(Miami Herald, July 14, 2002)
The middle-age couple sitting in the back of my cab had no set destination in mind. ''We'd just like to drive around and see what Key West looks like,'' they told me. ... The two were honeymooners, they told me, married just the week before. ... They were childhood sweethearts who parted, then found and married other partners. Years passed and both ultimately were widowed before they found each other again. ... "we met again because of Elvis and eBay.'' As their story developed, Isaac claimed to be the most avid Elvis Presley fan this side of the Rocky Mountains.
- Elvis show on rocks
By Marion Ainge
(Blackpool Citizen, July 13, 2002)
ELVIS has left the building. And the North Pier and Blackpool. After only one performance of the Ultimate Elvis Show, promoters XJL Promotions cancelled the series of Friday nighters due to run on the North Pier until August 9. Although the first show attracted quite a good house, it wasn't such a good night for former truck driver Heath, 31, who had to pack his bags and truck off back to Tiverton, Devon. Father-of-five Heath was the winner of GMTV's nationwide search to find the best Elvis tribute. Hip-swivelling Heath is the first Elvis impersonator to have been given the official Graceland seal of approval. However, no-one seems to know why The Ultimate Elvis Show and the whole tour, which included a Wembley appearance, has been cancelled.
- Elvis can't shake pair's devotion
By Neal Rubin
(Detroit News, July 13, 2002)
In this 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's alleged death, the third annual Michigan Elvisfest should be bigger and loopier than ever.
- Gareth 'records Elvis cover version'
(Ananova, July 13, 2002)
Gareth Gates has reportedly recorded an Elvis Presley cover version. He plans to release Suspicious Minds as part of a double A-side with Will Young. The other main track will be their duet on the Beatles' song Long And Winding Road. Gareth's decision to cover an Elvis song could defuse controversy over the move to delete JXL's remix of a Little Less Conversation, reports The Sun.
- Elvis Commemorative Tribute at Aladdin Las Vegas
SOURCE: Aladdin Las Vegas
(Yahoo News, July 12, 2002)
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.
- Elvis: 30 #1 Hits
By Jim Regan
(Christian Science Monitor, July 12, 2002)
A little over a year ago, "1," a collection of the Beatles greatest hits, was released, and gave the band another bestseller 30 years after their breakup. Now, in a case of promotional deja vu, BMG and RCA are about to release a collection of Elvis Presley's bestsellers, some 25 years after his death. Like "1", the Presley release is being promoted via a matching website, and while the site primarily exists as an online enticement to buy the album, "Elvis: 30 #1 Hits" has material of interest even for the non-consuming Elvis fan.
- VH1 Marks 25th Anniversary of Elvis' Death With Special
Programming All Day Long, Friday, August 16, Beginning at
2:30 P.M. (ET/PT*)
SOURCE: VH1
(Yahoo News / PRNewswire, July 11, 2002)
Viewers can log on to http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/presley_elvis/artist.jhtml for everything Elvis, including bio, discography, photos, links and more cool stuff.
- ADVISORY/AOL Music Offers the Worldwide Exclusive Debut -- Before TV Networks -- of Elvis Presley's Video for 'A Little Less Conversation'
SOURCE: America Online, Inc.
(Yahoo News / Business Wire, July 11, 2002)
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. AOL Keyword: Elvis and AOL Music on the Web at Netscape Music (music.netscape.com), CompuServe and AIM Today. 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.
- Elvis' Celebrity Continues in Death
(Yahoo News / Associated Press, July 10, 2002)
Presley's celebrity status in death has lasted longer than his professional career. He cut his first record in 1954 and died 23 years later on Aug. 16, 1977, at Graceland, his Memphis residence. "The Elvis phenomenon has continued to grow and this year is making a quantum leap," said Jack Soden, president of Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc., the business arm of the Presley estate. Elvis faithful will mark the 25th anniversary of his death with a pilgrimage to Graceland, which draws some 700,000 visitors annually. Meanwhile, RCA Records/BMG, the Walt Disney Co., Random House and AOL Time Warner Inc. are among the corporate heavy hitters marking the occasion with Presley products.
- Attacker was dressed as Elvis
(Perthshire Advertiser, July 10, 2002)
A PERTH [Scotland] man narrowly escaped a prison sentence this week after admitting a charge of assault. The court heard that Colin Swan (25), Dunsinane Drive, left Perth's Ice Factory nightclub on October 28 last year and seemingly without provocation approached Brian Finlay, c/o Tayside Police, knocked him to the ground and kicked him on the head and body to his injury. The depute fiscal added that Swan was not difficult to identify as he had been dressed in a white Elvis suit for a fancy dress event at the club.
- Michael Jackson blames press for anti-black conspiracy
(Ananova, July 10, 2002)
Michael Jackson says the press and historians are part of a conspiracy which denies the heritage of black music. He claims the press champions white stars such as Elvis and The Beatles, while ignoring black musical pioneers. And he says the press turned against him, calling him a homosexual and a child molester, when he started breaking white artists' sales records. Jackson was speaking in Harlem as part of the Music Industry Initiative summit, which aims to fight for better contracts, royalties and distribution for black artists, MTV reports. He said: "The press has manipulated the truth. They're liars. History books are a lie. You need to know this, you must know this, that all forms of popular music, from jazz to rock to hip-hop, and dance, from the jitterbug to the Charleston, are black. "But go down to the corner bookstore, and you won't see one black person on a cover. You'll see Elvis Presley. You'll see the Rolling Stones. But where are the real pioneers?" Jackson cited songwriter Otis Blackwell as a black pioneer who deserved greater recognition. He said there was something wrong with a system that saw Blackwell dying penniless, despite having written classics such as Don't Be Cruel, All Shook Up and Great Balls of Fire. Jackson said that as soon as he started gaining power, the system started working to destroy him.
- Michael Jackson Says Industry Labeled Him 'Freak' At Harlem Summit
By Jennifer Vineyard
(MTV, July 10, 2002)
Hot on the heels of Saturday's controversial press conference during which he called Sony Music chairman Tommy Mottola a racist, Michael Jackson returned to Harlem on Tuesday (July 9) to address artist rights. As part of the Music Industry Initiative summit, Jackson appeared at the Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network to lend star power to the fight for better contracts, royalties and distribution for black artists. But with Jackson's fight with his record label and his personal attacks on Mottola overshadowing the purpose of his alliance with Sharpton and attorney Johnnie Cochran, the summit came off more like a vehicle for damage control than a constructive outlet for record industry reform. ... Jackson said that as soon as he started gaining power, the system that once propped him up started working to destroy him. "Once I started breaking sales records," he began, "I broke Elvis Presley's record, I broke the Beatles' record - once I started doing that, overnight, they called me a freak, a homosexual, a child molester. They said I bleached my skin. They did everything they could to turn the public against me. It's a conspiracy."
- JACKO: I'M HATED BECAUSE I OUTSOLD ELVIS
By CLEMENTE LISI
(New York Post, July 10, 2002)
Wacko Jacko says he's no freako. Michael Jackson yesterday lashed out at accusations that he's a gay child molester who bleaches his skin so he won't look black, saying they're part of a "conspiracy" to "turn the public against him." "I was called a freak, a homosexual, a child molester. That I bleach my skin. Everything to turn the public against me," Jackson said before a packed house at the Rev. Al Sharpton's Harlem headquarters. "It was a complete conspiracy." In 1993, Jackson was accused in a lawsuit of molesting a 13-year-old boy. The child was one of the many young pals, including Macaulay Culkin and Emmanuel Lewis, the self-proclaimed King of Pop entertained at his bizarro fun-park ranch, Neverland, in California. ... Music moguls "are liars. They manipulate our history books. You must know that," he said, as the crowd cheered him on. "If you go to the bookstore at the corner, you won't see one black face. You'll see Elvis Presley and the Rolling Stones." He claimed the industry attack on him began after "I broke Elvis' record and the Beatles' record" in sales.
- Longer fair sets attendance mark: Weather, Elvis theme cited in attracting nearly 1.2 million people
By Hala Ali Aryan
(San Diego Union-Tribune, July 9, 2002)
More people went to the San Diego County Fair this year than ever before, although only by 234.
- In the Land of Elvis
By JOSEPH SIANO
(New York Times, July 7, 2002)
The 110-room Madison Hotel opened May 1 in downtown Memphis, four blocks from Beale Street, and through August it will offer rooms for $175 a night; after that, the lowest rate will be $190. Built in 1905 as a bank, the building has views of the Mississippi and an indoor pool, a roof garden and fitness center.
- 'Roots' writer Lee dead (4th item)
(CNN, July 5, 2002)
James H. Lee, a stage, film and television writer honored with the Humanitas Award and an Emmy nomination for his work on "Roots," died Tuesday. He was 79. ... he wrote five other films, including "Change of Habit" starring Elvis Presley and Mary Tyler Moore, and "Winning" with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.
- Actress Katy Jurado dies at 78
(CNN, July 5, 2002)
Katy Jurado, the Mexican actress who played a sultry wildcat in some of the top American films of the 1950s and gained an Academy Award nomination, died Friday at the age of 78. She acted alongside some of the most famous male stars: John Wayne, Marlon Brando, Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster and Elvis Presley.
- Elvis DVDs Track King's Rise To Fame
Edited by Jonathan Cohen
(Billboard, July 5, 2002)
It's shaping up to be an Elvis Presley summer. The remix of "A Little Less Conversation" by Dutch DJ Junkie XL is No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart, and this week debuted at No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 to give the King his first charting hit on that tally since 1982. On Aug. 13, fans will be able to follow Presley's incredible rise to fame with the three-volume DVD collection, "Elvis: The Great Performances." The boxed set retails for $49.99; individual DVDs can be purchased for $19.99. ... All this activity is part of a year-long initiative by BMG Entertainment and RCA Records that centers on a one-disc retrospective of the artist's top hits -- akin to Capitol's Beatles retrospective, "1." The album, "ELV1S 30 Number One Hits," is set for a late October release on RCA. It will be the first time Presley's 30 No. 1 singles have been assembled on one CD. The new four-disc boxed set "Elvis: Today, Tomorrow & Forever" (RCA) debuted at No. 21 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart this week.
- What would Elvis do? [Theatre review]
By Rich Kane
(Orange County, July 5-11, 2002)
The King at Stages Theatre, 400 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton. Basically, Elvis (Frank Tryon) is thawed out at the cryogenics center where he has been kept for 25 years by Colonel Tom Parker's grandson Chet (Alex Dorman). No one, of course, believes he's really
the resurrected rock & roll messiah ... When he tries making a comeback, the only singing gigs he can land are on the rodeo circuit as a clown whose white jumpsuit is plastered with the sequin-studded logos of fast food chains. Confused by the freaky Elvis cult that has permeated since his supposed death - the impersonators, the sightings at 7-Eleven - he's made to live as the caricature others have sculpted from him. Pretty funny, as long as this guy who calls himself Elvis stays outside the margins.
But when DNA tests prove he's the real King, that's when things get complicated ... raising such questions as: What would happen if Elvis/Jesus did return but didn't nicely fit into that cramped little
prison his followers built around him? ... It's essentially the same point raised by the controversy over the film The Last Temptation of Christ when it came out in 1988: What happens when the legend - be it Jesus, Jim Morrison, Joe Hill or Tupac Shakur - becomes more powerful than the man? Or in the case of The King, when Elvis the Man is confronted with Elvis the God? That's where The King ultimately turns tragic.
You can't leave the theater without this gnawing feeling that if Elvis - or Jesus - ever did come back, everything would be played
out just as writer/director Brian Newell scripted it. The King works because it's all so damned, depressingly true.
- Elvis impersonators get all shook up over King-sized battle
(This is Bolton, July 5, 2002)
A BATTLE of King-sized proportions will be rocking venues in Bolton next month. Two Elvis impersonators will be taking to the stage to prove they are the best in the business as events are held to mark the 25th anniversary of his death. Well known Elvis fan, Mark 'Elvis' Williamson, will be performing at the Albert Halls on Sunday, August 18, belting out hits including Blue Suede Shoes and In the Ghetto. On Tuesday, August 13, Mark Keeley will appear at a 50s-style theme evening at the Tonge Ward Labour Club. Other events include an Elvis look-a-like competition and a best dressed Teddy boy and girl contest. Elvis impersonators have enjoyed an increase in popularity recently following Presley's little-known remixed song, A Little Less Conversation, reaching number one in the pop charts.
- Americans overseas festive but wary on July 4
(CNN, July 4, 2002)
... the Fourth of July holiday hasn't been all fun and games for Americans overseas. Americans around the world were celebrating their first Independence Day since suicide hijackers struck targets in New York and Washington on September 11. Many were festive but wary, amid warnings from the U.S. government to avoid crowds because of possible suicide bombers and recent threats from the al Qaeda group that Americans would be targeted again. ... In London, poodles, protests and Presley marked U.S. Independence Day, with protesters taking a pop at the special relationship between the two countries and expat Americans seeking a little bit of home. U.S. citizens in Britain were determined not to let their big day be spoilt by warnings of possible terrorist attacks. "We have to stand strong in the face of the terrorist threat," said Philadelphian Vicki Sabatini, one of a crowd being entertained by an Elvis Presley impersonator at London's American-themed Hard Rock Cafe. "We're a freedom-loving people."
- Junkie XL, Sander Kleinenberg at Space in Ibiza
(Ananova, July 4, 2002)
Junkie XL will perform live at Sundays at Space on July 7. His remix of Elvis Presley's A Little Less Conversation is currently number one in the UK singles charts.
- Elvis beat me up in the street
(Daily Record, July 4, 2002)
ASSAULT victim Brian Finlay could not believe his eyes when he was attacked in the street by an Elvis lookalike. Mr Finlay lost a tooth when he was pushed over and then kicked in the head and body by a man dressed as The King. Labourer Colin Swan yesterday escaped a prison sentence after admitting carrying out the brutal attack while in fancy dress. Perth [Scotland] Sheriff Court heard that Swan was arrested soon after the assault because of his distinctive outfit. Swan had gone to a Halloween party in the town dressed as a Las Vegas-style Elvis in a full-length white jumpsuit and wig.
- Elvis Inc lives!
By James Arnold
(BBC News Online, July 3, 2002)
To his more zealous fans, Elvis Presley makes regular appearances in shopping malls all over the world. Now, he's starting to do it to the rest of us. The 25th anniversary of the King's death - 16 August this year - will be accompanied by a marketing barrage unprecedented even by the bombastic standards of the US music industry. Already the most intensively merchandised artist in music history, Elvis is branching out into all sorts of new markets this summer, including coffee-table books, an animated cartoon, his beloved cheeseburgers, and even furniture.
- Bizarre Vic Reeves artwork goes on show
(Ananova, July 2, 2002)
Celebrity portraits of Cannon and Ball and the Gallagher brothers feature in Vic Reeves' new art exhibition. It also has pictures of dog dirt, Bill Cosby, Michael Jackson and Elvis in various poses. Other bizarre images are of A Lump Of Nazi Nougat Walking Down The Avenue and A Scoutmaster At Daybreak Putting Peanuts In His Glove.
- Elvis impersonator's prize UK tour faces cancellation
(Ananova, July 2, 2002)
GMTV's prizewinning Elvis impersonator Heath Ashton is in crisis talks over his UK tour. Ashton won a GMTV competition last December to find the nation's best Elvis tribute act. But he was told last week his 24-date UK tour faces collapse after just three shows. Portsmouth-based XJL Promotions - the company which put together his 'Tribute to the King' tour - has contacted venues to cancel most of the remaining shows. The company has yet to confirm the reasons for the cancellations. But Heath says he was told by company boss Jonathan Shirlaw that XJL faced a "financial crisis."
- Seriously Elvis
Source: Presleys in the Press
(PR Wire, July 2, 2002)
As a whole, the US media has spectacularly failed to understand the Elvis Presley phenomenon. By laughing Elvis Presley off as a joke, the US media has managed never to think more deeply about him, treat him as a human being, ponder what he was really like as a person, appreciate his singing talent, or investigate what really happened to him during his lifetime, especially in Las Vegas. Even when they interview knowledgeable people, individually or severally, they insist on peppering their media articles and
documentaries with pejorative phrases, skewing the balance of the whole. Whatever happened to fairness and integrity? If there are any America journalists with open minds, they should take a look at some of the new information that is emerging, for example, in The M Files. Conspiracy theory or not? At least it will give them a new angle instead of the tired
old lines.
The M Files: http://www.geocities.com/epmfiles/
- Elvis returns
(Casa Grande Dispatch, July 1, 2002)
Janet Jepsen of Casa Grande won the bubble-blowing contest during the American Red Cross Pinal Chapter's 15h annual Sock Hop and Silent Auction at the Holdiay Inn Saturday. Elvis Presley impersonator Wes Worthey sings to Martha England of Arizona City during floor show.
- Elvis play to premiere at Cambridge Theatre festival
(Ananova, July 1, 2002)
A new play about Elvis living in Lincolnshire will have its world premiere in Cambridge this weekend. Lonesome Tonight by Amanda Whittington is among the premieres at the Cambridge New Writing Theatre Festival which takes place from July 5 to 21.
Go to Late June 2002
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