Late September 2002
- The New Age of Enlightenment: Third Annual Estee Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Awareness Effort Illuminates Landmarks Around the World
(Yahoo! Finance / PRNews, September 30, 2002)
This October, the world will see some of its most familiar sites in a new light. In recognition of October 2002 Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Empire State Building and dozens of prominent landmarks around the world will be bathed in pink as part of the third annual Estee Lauder Global Landmarks Illumination Initiative. Also, on October 1st, The New York Times, which is normally home-delivered in blue plastic bags, will be delivered in pink ones. ... Other significant landmarks that will be in the pink include Elvis Presley's Graceland Mansion in Memphis, TN; The Park Hyatt Hotel on Sydney Harbour in Australia; Vienna City Hall in Vienna, Austria; The Atomium, Brussels, Belgium; Niagara Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada; L'Obelisque de Louxor in the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France; the Angel of Peace in Munich, Germany; The Tower of David, Jerusalem, Israel; the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Arco di Constantino and the Ponte Vecchio in Italy; Tokyo Tower in Tokyo, Japan; Seoul Nam-San Tower in Seoul, Korea; Monumento de la Madre, La Diana Cazadora, "La Senora de los Cantaros" fountain and "Las Cibeles" fountain and El Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, Mexico; Burj al Arab in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand; The George Enescu Museum, Pitesti City Hall, Cluj National Theater and Constantin Brancoveanu University in Pitesti, Romania; The Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel in Moscow, Russia, and Table Mountain in Capetown, South Africa.
- Obituaries in the News: Mickey Newbury (3rd item)
(Yahoo! News / Associated Press, September 30, 2002)
Mickey Newbury, who wrote Kenny Rogers' first hit and arranged "American Trilogy" as performed by Elvis Presley, died Sunday of emphysema. He was 62.
- Could Scientology have saved Elvis?
By Jeanette Walls
(MSNBC, September 30, 2002)
Is Priscilla Presley trying to rewrite Elvis's history? The King's widow has told a reporter that if he were alive today, he'd be a Scientologist. "I wish that he knew what Scientology was before he died," Priscilla Presley said last week, adding that the church's staunch anti-drug policies could have "helped Elvis a lot" in fighting his addiction to prescription drugs. That comment came as a shock to some friends and fans of Elvis, who say that Scientology aggressively tried to woo Elvis. They claim he was less than impressed with the religion. According to former Elvis crony Lamar Fike, Elvis stopped dating "Mod Squad" star Peggy Lipton because she kept trying to get him to join the church. "One day, in L.A., we got in the limousine and went down to the Scientology center on Sunset, and Elvis went in and talked to them," Fike said in "Elvis Aaron Presley: Revelations from the Memphis Mafia," one of several sources who say that Presley didn't like Scientology. "We waited in the car, but apparently they started doing all these charts and crap for him. Elvis came out and said, 'F - - - those people! There's no way I'll ever get involved with that son-of-a-bitchin' group. All they want is my money.' . . . He stayed away from Scientology like it was a cobra. He'd s - - t a brick to see how far Lisa Marie's gotten into it." Priscilla Presley's rep didn't return calls for comment, but a Scientology spokeswoman says the church has "no record" of Elvis ever attending services, but adds that he should have. "It is apparent that he was a casualty of unprincipled drug pushers - the ones in white coats," says the spokeswoman. "If he had gone the route of spiritual growth instead of the road he went down, Elvis could be alive and well today and as happy as Priscilla and Lisa-Marie."
- First came the sitcom. Then came the murder. Then came the pornographic Web site. Now here comes the Holly wood biopic!
(New York Times, September 28, 2002)
... Carpenter (who is not John Carpenter the horror-film director) set up systems for Elvis Presley and Alfred Hitchcock before selling equipment to Crane. ...
- U.K. Consumers Swoon For Elvis' 'Hits'
Edited by Jonathan Cohen
(Billbboard, September 30, 2002)
Presleymania returned to the U.K. sales charts this week. BMG's "Elvis 30 #1 Hits" surged to No. 1 on the new album chart while one of his most-loved hits, "Suspicious Minds," entered at No. 1 in the singles survey as half of a Will Young and Gareth Gates double-A-sided single. The single also features a cover of the Beatles' "The Long and Winding Road".
- Art Student Faces Charges Over Painted-Trash Items
(Yahoo! News / PRNewswire, September 27, 2002)
Charges were filed Friday against a young man who says all that mysterious, music-playing trash found in front of some Kansas City homes Thursday was simply art. Frank R. Heath, 20, is facing seven city charges of leaving an imitation of an explosive device. Heath turned himself in to police voluntarily Thursday after seeing reports on the news. People in several spots reported finding old trash, painted white, that played a song when it was moved. Police and firefighters were called, and spent hours investigating. KMBC's Donna Pitman reported that what was old, was back again for several families living near the Plaza and in Brookside. Trash, which had been hauled off, turned up again on their front lawns and porches painted white. In some cases, it played Elvis Presley's "Return To Sender."
Residents called 911 and police closed down the streets and called out the bomb squad. "He thought, 'Oh, no. That my project,'" said Anne Canfield, of the Kansas City Art Institute. "The student feels so bad about it. He's a very nice young man, and intended no harm. He just didn't understand how people would react." But people living in a post-9/11 world are likely to scrutinize anything out of the usual, whether it's art and regardless if it is found on private property, Pitman reported.
- The New TNN Goes 'Vegas' in October With Month Filled of Las Vegas-Inspired Programming
By DESIREE HUNTER
(Yahoo! Finance / PRNewswire, September 27, 2002)
This October, The New TNN brings viewers the bright lights, glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. From showgirls to crime scene investigators, The New TNN presents an entire month's worth Vegas-inspired original series episodes, specials, events and movies. ... Immediately following on both nights of REAL WORLD "Sin City Preview" telecasts on Wednesday. Oct 9 and Thursday, Oct 17, The New TNN will be premiere episodes original of the series OBLIVIOUS. "The game show you don't even know you're on" hits the streets of Vegas to quiz unsuspecting contestants where they least expect it. Series host Regan Burns disguises himself as a blackjack instructor at Harrah's Casino, an Elvis impersonator and a wedding chapel justice of the peace - to quiz "oblivious" contestants. For every question answered correctly, contestants win a cash prize.
- What would Elvis think? Las Vegas is becoming the city to dig for consumer opinions
By DESIREE HUNTER
(Herald Tribune / Associated Press, September 27, 2002)
With an estimated 36 million tourists a year, Las Vegas is becoming the city of choice for market researchers to gather consumer opinions on everything from pizza to diapers, along with television shows and commercials. ...
- Elvis is alive in La Canada
By RAINA MARTINEZ
(Valley Sun, September 27, 2002)
Elvis was alive and well when he visited La Canada at the Palm Crest Elementary School Back to School Barbecue last Friday evening. He made a grand entrance in a white vintage convertible with dashing red interior as he waved to his waiting fans. Whether it was Elvis or the popular Elvis impersonator Dennis Kolb, either way his admirers took photos with their cherished idol, including Wendy Sinnette, the school's principal.
- 'Elvis' boost for Argus
(Holdthefrontpage, September 27, 2002)
The Argus, Brighton, has launched its latest promotion On Location with the help of none other than Elvis himself. On Location is a month long campaign taking readers to the four corners of the world following the themes of some famous old movies.
- The Killer' still knocking them dead at 67: Party on tap for DeSoto County's Jerry Lee Lewis
By ROBERT LEE LONG
(DeSoto Times, September 26, 2002)
There will be a whole lot of shaking going on this weekend in Nesbit as DeSoto County's most famous resident Jerry Lee Lewis celebrates his 67th birthday before friends, family and members of his worldwide fan club who are plunking down $200 each to see "The Killer." Fans are expected from across the globe to attend the 4th Annual World Fan Club Convention Friday and Saturday at the Lewis Ranch off Malone Road, said Bob McCarver, who directs tours of the legendary singer's sprawling Nesbit ranch and is the father of Lewis' wife Kerrie. "He always puts on a great show," McCarver said. "Last year he played for three hours and never got off the bench." ... Mrs. Franklin relishes the tale of the night that Elvis died. "It was a weeknight and Elvis fans were just looking for a place to hang out and mourn," she said. It seems that Lewis was playing a set on stage at the Franklins' former nightclub, Bad Bob's in Memphis. Singer Willie Nelson and his entourage just happened to stop by. As Mrs. Franklin remembers it, both entourages kind of got in a scuffle.
- Elvis has left the building -- Graceland, that is: Mobile museum makes its way across nation
By Michael Wilson
(San Francisco Chronicle / New York Times, September 26, 2002)
There is black, like the night sky or a dark hole, and there is black, like what the desk clerk wears down at the end of Lonely Street. This room is the second black. All you can see, walking in from the bright sunshine, is something big and white on the wall. In the split second it takes the human eye to adjust, comprehend and transmit to a shocked brain, it could almost be an angel, but for its adorned pelvis. The jumpsuit. Elvis Presley is touring again. Mobile Graceland rolled into Manhattan on Tuesday, like some kind of rock 'n' roll bookmobile in a big, black 18-wheeler. The jumpsuit is one of several Elvis artifacts in the exhibit, which will travel to Southern California in early November. The Mobile Graceland tour is part of an orchestrated barrage of all things Elvis this year, 25 years after his death.
- 'D' treasures his memories of The King
By Justin Oppelaar
(Yahoo! News / Allentown Morning Call, September 26, 2002)
The King may be dead. But the memories of his friendship with Montgomery County's George DiDomizio live long. Both Elvis Presley and DiDomizio, a 1953 graduate of Lansdale Catholic High School, were drafted into the Army and stationed in Germany in 1959 and 1960. Through the simple act of assigning bunkmates - DiDomizio's was a man named Joe Esposito who would become Elvis's tour manager - DiDomizio got to meet and hang out with the man who could make women swoon with the simple swirl of his hips and snarl of his lips. Esposito invited DiDomizio to hang out in Elvis's off-base house one weekend. ''He told me 'Elvis makes instant judgments of people - he'll either like you or hate you,''' DiDomizio recalled. Well, Elvis liked him - and quickly gave him the nickname of ''D.''
- The Ministry of Elvis, Donut Optimism, Turn Down the Orchestra [First item]
(Online Journalism Review, September 26, 2002)
The Ministry of Elvis: A Canadian minister who officiates at weddings and funerals dressed as Elvis is under fire from church officials, reports Heather Sokoloff in Canada's National Post. Reverend Dorian Baker arrives at weddings wearing a flashy Elvis jumpsuit, says Sokoloff. He changes into priestly vestments for the ceremony, then transforms back into the (earthly) King to put on what he proudly calls "a bang-up good show." "Often requested is his version of Blue Suede Shoes," writes Sokoloff: "One for the Father, Two for the Son, Three for the Holy Spirit and your life has just begun." Not so surprisingly, Anglican Church officials aren't fans of Baker's act: they've yanked his license to perform weddings (Baker kept going, bringing a Unitarian or Baptist minister along to supervise) and banned him from the pulpit where he used to preach. Still, Baker refuses to resign from holy orders. "I have led tens of thousands of people to Jesus through the music of Elvis..." says the hip-shaking holy man. "I've told the bishops all they need to do is buy a few of his CDs. I don't know what they are complaining about." A traveling collection of Elvis jumpsuits and other memorabilia is bringing fans to their knees, writes Michael Wilson in The New York Times; the writer strains to include as many Elvis lyrics as possible in the article.
- Great prizes still unclaimed in Elvis promotion
By Zorianna Kit
(Moberly Monitor, September 25, 2002)
If you haven't won a prize in the Missouri Lottery's "Viva Las Luckytown" promotion, there is still plenty of time. Hundreds of Missouri Lottery players have claimed trips, computers, cash and other prizes in the Viva Las Luckytown promotion, and hundreds more prizes are
still waiting to be won. The promotion began June 8. (A complete list of all winners can be found at molottery.com.) "So far, approximately 30 percent of the promotion's prizes have been unclaimed, including one of the three 2002 Thunderbirds," said Jennifer Kempker, promotions manager for the Missouri Lottery. "That means there are still a lot of great prizes left." To win a prize in the promotion, players collect game pieces that can be found on three promotion-specific Scratchers games: "Quick Cash," which is a $1 game; "Red Hot Money," which is a $2 game; and "Elvis¨," which is a $3 game. Each game ticket has a perforated
"scratch-off" game piece to affix to the promotion's game board for a chance to win prizes. Prizes can be claimed by filling out the claim form found attached to the game board and taking the claim form, game board and winning pieces to any Missouri Lottery office or by mailing them to the Lottery.
- Par, Alphaville cook up 'Creole,' 'Greatest Show'
By Zorianna Kit
(Yahoo! News / Hollywood Reporter, September 24, 2002)
Paramount Pictures and studio-based Alphaville have teamed to remake the Elvis Presley starrer "King Creole," with Grant Morris writing the script. At the same time, the studio and production company are moving ahead on a project titled "The Greatest Show in the Universe." The project, not to be confused with Paramount's 1952 Oscar-winning picture "The Greatest Show on Earth," is an original idea by Tab Murphy ("Atlantis: The Lost Empire"). The plot for "Show" is being kept under wraps, though it is said to be an action-adventure set in space, much in the way "Star Wars" was. "King Creole," which Paramount released in 1958, is considered one of the better feature films of the late crooner's career. It saw him star as a young delinquent who flunks out of high school only to get a job as a dishwasher in a New Orleans nightclub. One night, he gets the chance to perform and quickly finds success. When a local crime boss wants to hire him to perform at his nightclub, King Creole, the young man suddenly finds himself drawn into a crime underworld. Morris' script is set in contemporary New Orleans. Alphaville principals Sean Daniels and Jim Jacks are producing both projects. Murphy, repped by Hohman Maybank Lieb, wrote "Tarzan," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey." Morris, repped by WMA, wrote "The Return of the Swamp Thing," "The Shrimp on the Barbie" and "Dead Dog." Paramount and Alphaville most recently teamed with Orlando-based Ripley Entertainment Inc. to create a franchise feature film series based on the real-life character and adventures of Robert Ripley, founder of Ripley's Believe It or Not! The duo also is developing "A Princess of Mars," a feature film based on the first book of Edgar Rice Burroughs' 11-book science fiction series, "John Carter of Mars".
- Paramount Reheats 'King Creole'
By Dave McNary
(Yahoo! News, September 24, 2002)
Paramount Pictures is looking to bring back more of Elvis Presley, whose disc of 30 No. 1 hits debuts Tuesday. The studio is developing an updated version of its 1958 Presley starrer "King Creole," which revolved around a delinquent who takes a job as a dishwasher in a New Orleans nightclub and gets the chance to perform one night. "King Creole," directed by Michael Curtiz and featuring Carolyn Jones, Walter Matthau and Dean Jagger, was Presley's last feature before his Army service and is regarded by critics as one of his better films. The picture was based on the Harold Robbins novel "A Stone for Danny Fisher," The current project will tap into the source material while being set in contemporary New Orleans with the lead actor striving to become a rock star. Grant Morris has been hired to write the script; he has also been attached to Miramax's remake of "Everybody's Famous."
- Elvis outside the building
By BILLY HELLER
(New York Post, September 24, 2002)
DON'T get all shook up if you can't get to Graceland. It's coming here [to New York] - today. A 53-foot-long, 18-wheel semi - dubbed "Mobile Graceland" and packed with Elvis memorabilia - is set to park outside the FYE store at 1290 Sixth Ave., at 51st Street, from 7 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The Elvis artifacts on display include his comb, a box of crayons used by a first-grade Elvis (he wrote his name on the front), his high school report card (which shows he failed music), the Army jacket he gave Priscilla, his rhinestone-studded white jumpsuit, and more. Fans can also see and hear Elvis through the magic of audio and video stations inside his mobile home - and of course in the store, where copies of the brand-new CD "Elv1s 30 #1 Hits" will be on sale.
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