Early October 2002
Media coverage of:
[ Elv1s 30 #1 Hits ]
- Elvis coming but there is a fight over airfare
By Robert Wainwright
(Sydney Morning Herald, October 9, 2002)
The early delivery of three Elvis water crane helicopters to the east coast for the fire season has dissolved into a stoush between NSW and Victoria and the Federal Government over who will foot the delivery bill. The NSW Minister for the Environment, Bob Debus, said last night that he had negotiated a special delivery of the helicopters using a giant Antonov aircraft because of a dock strike in the United States. However, an argument has broken out over who will pick up the $800,000 tab for the deal, negotiated by the Rural Fire Services commissioner, Phil Koperberg. Mr Debus said last night that he had asked the Federal Minister for Forestries, Wilson Tuckey, to meet the cost but Mr Tuckey told the Herald that he knew nothing of the arrangement. While neither man was ruling out paying the freight themselves, the political byplay was going on amid the devastating news that NSW had been engulfed by 80 fires almost two months before the start of summer. The Federal Government has offered to pay up to $5 million for the hire of three Elvis helicopters, also known as Erickson Air-Cranes, during the four-month hot spell starting from next month, provided it is not more than half the bill for the giant choppers.
- Teri Garr Has Multiple Sclerosis
(Yahoo! News / Associated Press, October 9, 2002)
After nearly 20 years of dealing with the illness, Teri Garr has revealed that she has multiple sclerosis. Garr, who received an Oscar nomination for supporting actress for the 1982 movie "Tootsie," told CNN's Larry King on Tuesday night that she kept the disease secret for years because she "didn't feel it was necessary to tell anybody." In the 1980s, Garr was such a frequent guest on David Letterman's late-night talk show that she had to deny rumors they were romantically involved. ... The comedic actress got her start as a dancer in the '60s, landing spots in several Elvis Presley movies, including "Kissin' Cousins."
- Queen Given Warm Welcome by Toronto Monarchists
By Jeffrey Hodgso
(Yahoo! News / Reuters, October 9, 2002)
Queen Elizabeth II won a warm welcome on Wednesday in Toronto on the sixth day of a Golden Jubilee tour of Canada highlighted by hockey and corgis but dogged by broken boats and controversial comments. The Queen, who is Canada's head of state, and her husband, Prince Philip, arrived on a Canadian air force plane from Winnipeg. After a brief meeting at the airport with local dignitaries, the couple was whisked away to the city's landmark Royal York Hotel. They were met there by a cheering crowd that police estimated to be between 500 and 600 people. The group included one die-hard monarchist, Jane Brissenden, carrying a sign that said "Queen Elizabeth II, You're Awesome". Brissenden, a 55-year-old geneticist, said she had come because of controversial comments by Deputy Prime Minister John Manley. Manley said at the start of the Queen's visit that Canada should ditch the monarchy, sparking an uproar among opposition politicians and newspaper columnists. "To tell you the truth, I was kind of annoyed with Manley and all his disrespectful comments that he thought the king was Elvis and so on. I've always quietly appreciated the Queen," Brissenden told Reuters.
- Elvis is coming to Portage
By Robin Wilkening
(The Times Online.com, October 9, 2002)
It's hard to believe it has been over a quarter century since the King has graced us with his smooth tones. Of course the King I'm speaking of is the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. I'll never forget the day Elvis died. My Dad was one of his devoted fans. I came in the house and my father was in tears. ... This weekend everyone will have a chance to relive all the Elvis years and meet some of his personal friends as the tenth annual Elvis Fantasy Fest hits town at Woodland Park. This festival is to help support The Porter County Special Olympics and favorite Memphis charities.
- In Brief: Jagger, Elvis: Mick gives back, Elvis gets auctioned and more
(Rolling Stone, October 9, 2002)
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger donated $150,000 to his former school, the Dartford Grammar School in Kent County in southern England to encourage children to study music . . . The Original Sound of Sheffield: '78/'82, a fourteen-track Cabaret Voltaire compilation will be released on October 15th . . . Elvis Presley's first guitar and Michael Jackson's first signed contract will be included in a New York City auction this weekend, along with guitars owned by Waylon Jennings, Jimi Hendrix and B.B. King . . .
- Elvis, Waylon guitars up for auction
(News-Star.com / Associated Press, October 9, 2002)
Elvis Presley's first guitar, Michael Jackson's first signed contract and what's being billed as the world's oldest guitar are going on the auction block this weekend. Guernsey's auction house is taking bids on the grand piano Liberace played in concert, a piano from the Motown studios and guitars that Jimi Hendrix, Waylon Jennings and B.B. King owned. Presley received his guitar from his parents in 1946, according to organizers of the auction. Another Presley guitar, described as one of the last he played before his 1977 death, also is up for sale. The world's "oldest guitar" dates to 1590. The auction will be held at The Altman Building.
- Elvis performer sets world record at book launch
(Ananova, October 9, 2002)
An Elvis impersonator has set a new world record by singing songs from the King for 26 hours non-stop. The record breaking attempt by Gary Jay, from Dawlish, Devon, marked the launch of the new Guinness Book of World Records at Planet Hollywood in London. Gary, who has been singing professionally for 30 years, was given a break every four hours with a 30 second break between each song, but was not allowed to repeat a song within two hours of it being sung. He was watched by officials from the Guinness World Records who recorded a singing time of 25 hours 33 minutes and 30 seconds for the new world record. ... Gary also used the event to raise around £2,000 for a local children's hospice in Devon.
- NBC Celebrates 'Elvis'
(Zap2It / TV News / News Daily, October 8, 2002)
Not even death can stop Elvis. Presley's most recent album debuted at No. 1 in 18 territories around the world, just after the 25th anniversary of his death. NBC and RCA are celebrating his lasting popularity with "Elvis Lives," a collection of stories, observations and opinions about Presleyıs importance. The hour-long special will honor his enduring legacy with commentary and performances by todayıs top musical acts, including Bono, Tom Petty, Sheryl Crow, No Doubt, Dave Matthews and Britney Spears. Other celebrities expected to make an appearance on the program are Dennis Hopper ("24"), Denis Leary ("The Job") and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler.
- O'Neill Sees Lifelong Friend in Rocker Bono
(Yahoo! News / Reuters, October 7, 2002)
... But after touring poor villages together in Africa last May, U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill and Irish rock star Bono are becoming as close as school chums, chatting on the phone as if they had met at summer camp in the Catskills. "I think this may be a lifelong friendship," O'Neill said on Monday, recounting the ebullient rocker's persistent efforts to get him to discuss aid to Africa, ultimately launching the most unlikely pairing since Richard Nixon and Elvis.
- Cult musician scores second UK hit in 25 years
(Yahoo! News / Reuters, October 6, 2002)
A 50-year-old cult musician has scored a hit on the British pop singles chart 25 years after his first and only chart success, according to the Official UK Charts Company. ... Meanwhile at the top of the chart, rival idols Will Young and Gareth Gates showed that teamwork can be twice as nice as their first duet held the No. 1 spot for a second week. The pop princes' double A-side of "The Long and Winding Road/Suspicious Minds," a cover of the Beatles and Elvis hits, fought off heavy competition from Australian pop kitten Holly Valance. ... On the album charts, reigning champ Elvis Presley's "Elv1s -- 30 Number 1 Hits" fended off a strong challenge from the Rolling Stones, whose 2-CD compilation "40 Licks" debuted at No. 2.
- High costs have biz rethinking soundtracks
By Tamara Conniff and Carla Hay
(Yahoo! News / Hollywood Reporter, October 6, 2002)
With the boom in soundtrack sales of the late 1990s, the cost of acquiring music for such collections skyrocketed. Now that sales have slowed, film studios and record labels have begun to question the cost of making soundtracks. Furthermore, many feel that the key to their success is not the presence of hit songs -- which can be expensive to license -- but the relevance of the music to the movie. For a low-budget independent film, as little as $100,000 might be spent on the score or soundtrack, while industry insiders say millions may be invested in a companion album to a major studio blockbuster. In at least one case, an individual song by a major act cost $1 million to license. ... In other cases, familiar songs can do the trick. Disney's "Lilo & Stitch," which features Elvis Presley tunes, is an example of putting a new spin on familiar songs. The album has sold nearly 500,000 copies. This formula also worked for the recent hit soundtracks "I Am Sam" and "Moulin Rouge." Walt Disney Music president Chris Montan says of the success of "Lilo & Stitch": "The music was used really well in the movie. (With animation,) we can focus a little bit more on the individual songs because they are more important to our storytelling."
- Elvis brother in town
By Garry Grattan
(Belfast Telegraph, October 6, 2002)
ELVIS Presley's stepbrother will appear on the Kelly Show later this month as part of the all-Ireland evangelical 'Power to Change' campaign. Rick Stanley, whose mother married Vernon Presley after Elvis' mother died, is one of America's most respected evangelists. He was brought up in Graceland from the age of six and travelled with Elvis as his personal aide and bodyguard. He has lived through the trauma of a broken home and addiction to alcohol and drugs. When Elvis died in 1977, Rick thought his world had ended. Through a high school friend, he was invited to church where he had a powerful conversion experience.
- Look for Elvis Saturday in Kewanee
By Star Courier staff
(Star Courier, October 5, 2002)
Elvis impressionist Al Hull of Legend's Cafe in Galesburg will perform an Elvis tribute concert on Saturday to benefit Abilities Plus. Pay tribute to ''The King,'' help local people with disabilities and enjoy two hours of '50s and '60s music by attending the show from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Petersen Auditorium in Kewanee. The auditorium is located near Kewanee High School on East Third Street.
- ART/ARCHIECTURE; A Collage in Which Life = Death = Art
(New York Times, October 5, 2002)
... When a man in Philadelphia announced that he had predicted the death of Elvis Presley, Johnson phoned him and began a correspondence. ...
- Mickey Newbury, 62, Writer of Hit Songs
(New York Times, October 4, 2002)
Mickey Newbury, who wrote Kenny Rogers's first hit and arranged ''An American Trilogy'' as performed by Elvis Presley, died of emphysema on Sunday. He was 62 and lived in Vida, Ore.
- Presley Guitar Up for Bid at Auction
(Yahoo! News / Associated Press, October 3, 2002)
Elvis Presley's first guitar, Michael Jackson's first signed contract and what's being billed as the world's oldest guitar are going on the auction block this weekend. Guernsey's auction house is taking bids on the grand piano Liberace played in concert, a piano from the Motown studios and guitars that Jimi Hendrix, Waylon Jennings and B.B. King owned.
Presley received his guitar from his parents in 1946, according to organizers of the auction. Another Presley guitar, described as one of the last he played before his 1977 death, also is up for sale. The world's "oldest guitar" dates to 1590. The auction will be held at The Altman Building in New York City.
- Elvis Presley Still Breaking Records 25 Years After His Death
(Yahoo! News, October 3, 2002)
This is certainly proving to be the year of "The King"-- Elvis Presley, that is. Twenty-five years after his death, Elvis is managing to break records and accomplish feats he never did during his lifetime. This week, Elvis set a new record when the new hits collection, Elvis 30 #1 Hits, debuted at Number One in 17 territories, including the U.S., the U.K., Canada, France, Australia, Spain, Belgium, Argentina, New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Chile, Switzerland, Austria, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates. The set is the first Elvis album ever to debut at the top of the U.S. chart. RCA Music Group chairman Bob Jamieson said in a press release: "RCA is thrilled and truly proud to be giving renewed life to the musical legacy of one of the greatest musical artists of all time. The debut of Elvis 30 #1 Hits at the top of the charts speaks as much to Elvis's future as it does his past."
- Elvis is alive and well after helping his owner
By Allyn Harvey
(Aspen Times, October 3, 2002)
Elvis Lipke tried desperately Tuesday afternoon to find help for Scott Lipke after their Ford Bronco veered out of control and tumbled down a steep hillside. Elvis, an 8-year-old German shepherd mix, and Scott, a 36-year old fly-fishing guide, were ejected as the vehicle rolled down several hundred feet in the Shale Bluffs area and into the Roaring Fork River. But unlike his owner, Elvis was not injured. With Scott lying on his back with five broken ribs and a badly injured shoulder, Elvis took off upstream to search for help. The dog soon found Jay Coarsey, who was more than a mile away fishing on the opposite side of the river. Elvis spent the next hour coaxing him downstream toward the accident site.
- Steve Forbert pays tribute to Jimmie Rodgers - the rock 'n' roller
By By JIM PATTERSON
(Yahoo! News / Associated Press, October 3, 2002)
The Father of Country Music was actually a rock 'n' roller ahead of his time, argues a folk-rocker who's recorded a tribute album to "Singing Brakeman" Jimmie Rodgers. ... Rodgers, also known as "America's Blue Yodeler," was 35 years old when he died in 1933. Although his recording career was brief - just six years - he set the tone for the early country music industry. ... 'immie was called a hillbilly singer, but that was not his attitude," Forbert said. "He really had kind of a Gene Vincent attitude, and kind of an Elvis attitude. He was drinker and partied and he had that joy for life, and he wasn't interested in being like Fiddlin' John Carson." ... "His songs borrowed from everywhere - romantic tunes, blues, jazz - which is exactly the definition of rock 'n' roll," Tallent said.
- Las Vegas' Newest Stars Debut in California Raisin Ad With City's Top Chefs
Source: California Raisin Marketing Board (CRMB)
(Yahoo! Finance / PRNews, October 3, 2002)
Those crazy raisins are at it again. This time, the famous California Raisins are starring in a new print advertisement along with five of Las Vegas' most well-respected chefs, the city's colorful mayor, Oscar Goodman, Vegas showgirls and the ubiquitous "Elvis." Why? To remind people everywhere that California raisins are special and that some 5,000 raisin farmers in California rely on their success and popularity to stay in business.
- U2's Bono the Most Powerful Man in Music, Poll Says
(Yahoo! News / Reuters, October 3, 2002)
U2 front man Bono is rated as the most powerful man in music and not just because of his soaring vocals, according to a poll of top music industry executives. Irishman Bono tops the list, to be published in British music magazine "Q" next week, because of his high profile pronouncements on political issues ranging from Third World debt to the enlargement of the European Union ( news - web sites). The 42-year-old singer, real name Paul Hewson, has used his fame to gain access to the world's political leaders and has even met the pope. Earlier this year Time Magazine's cover had the banner headline: "Can Bono Save the World?" The singer, usually seen with his trademark wraparound blue sunglasses, not only makes a success of lobbying politicians but his band continues to enjoy worldwide hits 25 years after it was formed. Runner-up in the poll was Doug Morris, 64, head of the world's largest record company, Universal. Third was controversial rapper Eminem -- seen as influential for his challenging song lyrics -- while at No. 4 is L Lowry Mays the founder of U.S entertainment giant Clear Channel.
Also in the top ten are the late Kurt Cobain, who was seen to have taken underground rock into the mainstream, Sir Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono and Simon Fuller, the creator of the Spice Girls. ... Elvis Presley, whose songs are still topping the charts on both sides of the Atlantic 25 years after he died, was ranked 44th, one behind the Gallagher brothers of Oasis fame.
- Worst Elvis is Welsh - Ain't that a shame?
By Tim Greening
(icWales.co.uk/ The Western Mail, October 3, 2002)
HIS rendition of I'm All Shook Up sounds like a cat being mauled to death by a pack of half-starved Rottweilers. His version of It's Now or Never is so atrocious that those forced to listen would have a strong case they had been subjected to a cruel and unusual punishment. Worse still he forgets the words halfway through. Larry "Elvis" Kewley has been doing the King for the last six years and has gained a cult following in the Conwy Valley and towns like Colwyn Bay and Llandudno. His high-pitched voice sounds more choir boy than rock 'n' roll love God. But his popularity seems rooted in the fact that his audiences know they will be treated to something uniquely appalling. Later this month the 53-year-old will probably fill Theatre Colwyn, in Colwyn Bay, in the latest in his series of shows that raise thousands for local charities like St David's Hospice and Hope House. Bus driver Larry, from Llanrwst, has never pocketed a penny from his time mimicking the King - all he earns goes to charity. Yesterday he was doing a gig at the Bay View Shopping Centre, in Colwyn Bay, for charity. His performances on shows like Noel's House Party and BBC's Picture of Wales and at venues in north Wales have earned him the reputation as the UK's worst Elvis impersonator.
- Multimedia Elvis concert coming to Shreveport
By Tim Greening
(Shreveport Times, October 2, 2002)
Elvis - the Concert, a unique stage show in which a live band accompanies film and video of concert performances by Elvis Presley, is coming to Shreveport on Oct. 18, show sponsor Harrah's announced Tuesday. (Hmmmm ... afterward, will Frank Page tell the audience "The video of Elvis has left the building?"). Tickets, on sale now at Shreveport Trading Co. in the casino's pavilion, are $30 each, $20 each with the casino's Total Rewards card. The show will be at Expo Hall.
- Music labels' latest anti-piracy gimmick: free tunes
By By Bernhard Warner
(Yahoo! News / Reuters, October 2, 2002)
In a fight to win back fans from the "grey zone" of online song-swapping services, the music industry is borrowing a trick from its nemeses: free music downloads. For one week beginning Thursday, music fans in Europe will be able to download, stream or burn onto their hard drives a selection of tracks from 6,000 artists including ColdPlay, Dido and Elvis Presley. It is part of a marketing ploy called "Digital Download Day" devised by British firm OD2, a technology company specializing in digital music distribution and co-founded by recording artist Peter Gabriel. Backed by record labels and music retailers, a host of subscription download services have been hatched over the past year to tap into the consumer craze of downloading music. But the pay-for services are still no match for free download services such as Kazaa and Morpheus MusicCity, which claim tens of millions of users. The major labels blame the availability of free music downloads for a drop in CD sales. The free download, or peer-to-peer services, brand themselves as "file sharing" websites and do not actively condone downloading copyrighted files such as music or video. But the music industry brands them as pirates, and has launched a number of high-profile lawsuits against them, recently claiming the scalp of now-defunct peer-to-peer pioneer Napster. "We're now facing a marketing challenge," said Ed Averdieck, marketing director for OD2. "We need to show the public that instead of downloading from ... one of the file-swapping services, you can download from the legal sites." OD2 builds subscription music download services for retailers and Web firms. Its clients include Internet service providers Tiscali, Wanadoo and Microsoft Corp's MSN web portal, plus retailer HMV Group.
- Elvis Hits Album Set to Top Charts Round the World
By Sue Zeidler
(Yahoo! News / Reuters, October 1, 2002)
Twenty-five years after his death, Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n Roll, is about to do something he never managed in life -- debut an album at No. 1 on record charts around the world. According to industry watchers, Presley's "Elvis 30 Number One Hits" compilation, which was released by Bertelsmann AG's RCA Records on Sept. 24, is poised to top the charts in at least 12 countries around the world. Sales in the United States alone are expected to hit almost 500,000 units in the last week, said a spokesman for RCA, noting it would be the first time an Elvis album ever debuted at No. 1. There already are more than a dozen Presley greatest hits compilations, but music fans have been anticipating this CD, a broad collection of tunes, thanks largely to a $10 million publicity push aimed at showcasing the King to a new generation. The collection features songs from each part of Presley's career and includes early hits such as "Don't Be Cruel" and "Jailhouse Rock," as well as later songs like "Return to Sender" and "Burning Love." This past summer, thousands of fans paid homage to the King on the 25th anniversary of his death as "Elvis-mania" took the world by storm, fueled in part by the success of a new remix of the song, "A Little Less Conversation," which is also on the new CD. "This has been the biggest marketing push I can think of that has ever been put together for an Elvis compilation," said Geoff Mayfield, director of charts for Billboard, a music trade magazine. "I suspect this will be a big seller into the holiday season." Mayfield said RCA's marketing blitz was, in part, inspired by the record label's success a few years ago with its CD featuring No. 1 hits by the Beatles. Presley, the world's top-selling pop star, with more than 1 billion records sold, died of a drug-induced heart attack at the age of 42 on Aug. 16, 1977. According to music experts, 68 of Presley's singles reached the American Top 20 in his career.
 
- Dead Celebrities: Elvis Reigns, Again
By Davide Dukcevich
(Forbes.com, October 1, 2002)
Even though he's been dead for 25 years, Elvis Presley can still shake up the music world. This spring, a remix of the Elvis tune "A Little Less Conversation" topped the singles charts after appearing on a Nike commercial. This summer, The King reclaimed his throne as the top-earning dead celebrity, as his estate raked in $37 million during the previous 12 months. And this week, a compilation of Elvis songs -- appropriately titled Elvis: 30 No. 1 Hits -- dominated the U.S. album charts after its Sept. 24 release. Elvis: 30 No. 1 Hits has sold about half a million copies domestically and has climbed to No. 1 in 11 other countries, including the United Kingdom, Brazil and Spain. It has reached second place in Japan and Mexico. Though a total of foreign sales hasn't yet been tallied, the albumsold in the neighborhood of 135,000 copies in Britain, and total international sales are so far outstripping American sales. ... Although it's still early in the game, it looks as though it will be impossible to dethrone The King from the top of the Forbes.com dead celebrities list for 2003.
- Sacramento back intact for another run at Lakers
By GREG BEACHAM
(Yahoo! News / Associated press, October 1, 2002)
... The Sacramento Kings are brimming with the confidence and sporting a new look. The new home togs have the same white-and-purple color scheme, but a stylized script is used for the "Kings" on the chest, as well as new numerals on the back. Also offering a new look was resident oddball Scot Pollard, who had black hair, long sideburns and Elvis sunglasses.
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