Mid October 2002
Media coverage of:
[ Elv1s 30 #1 Hits ]
- Pressplay signs licensing deal with BMG
(Yahoo! News / Reuters, October 15, 2002)
Online music subscription company Pressplay said Monday it has signed a licensing deal with leading record label BMG, bringing artists like Elvis Presley and Whitney Houston to the download service. BMG becomes the fourth of the five major music labels to license its content to Pressplay, a joint venture of Vivendi Universal and Sony Corp. Beside Sony and Vivendi's music arms, EMI Group has also licensed its content to the service.
- VIVA LAS VEGAS FOR OUR ELVIS WEDDING
(This is Gloucestershire / The Citizen, October 14, 2002)
When Teresa and Richard James declared their big hunk of love for each other the King himself was there to witness the event. The Quedgeley couple decided they needed a little less conversation than the traditional wedding ceremony offered and opted for the Viva Las Vegas option. The big man in the diamante encrusted white jumpsuit and polaroid sunshades watched on as they exchanged their vows in a Vegas marriage hall. Teresa, 35, and Richard, 36, decided to tie the knot in front of an Elvis Presley impersonator live on the internet so that friends and family in England did not have to miss their special day. Teresa said: "We didn't really want a big fuss so getting married in Vegas seemed perfect as loads of people get married there, so we could just disappear into the crowds. "We were in one hotel and all these Americans saw me in my wedding dress and they started cheering, which was fantastic."
- Elvis's Heavenly New Gig
(TV Guide Online, October 14, 2002)
Twenty-five years after his death, it's time to forget those "Elvis is alive" rumours. Tonight, he turns up in heaven! Well, 7th Heaven, anyway. When the WB show's producers sought a way to depict Rev. Eric Camden (Stephen Collins) living out his rock star fantasy, they decided to resurrect the King. The odd part is, turning Collins into Presley wasn't as hard as they imagined!
- Elvis Fantasy Comes to '7th Heaven'
(Yahoo! News / Associated Press, October 14, 2002)
Stephen Collins may not be an Elvis impersonator, but on Monday night's episode of the WB's "7th Heaven," he'll come pretty close as an Elvis Presley fantasy comes to life for his character. In the episode, Rev. Eric Camden goes into the doctor's office for double bypass surgery and as the operation is ready to begin, the anesthesiologist asks what kind of music the Rev. Camden enjoys. He replies he likes Elvis Presley and next thing, the reverend is performing as Elvis. Collins performs in four different Elvis sequences with outfits - including a jumpsuit - from four different eras in Elvis' legendary career. This Elvis fantasy is tailor-made for Collins, whose passion is rock 'n' roll. "It's insane. It's insane," Collins says of the mental preparation that went into the performance.
- Horace Logan first said 'Elvis has left the building'
(Miami Herald, October 14, 2002)
Horace Lee Logan, who started the country music program Louisiana Hayride and first said what became the catch-phrase ''Elvis has left the building,'' died Sunday. He was 86. ... He began producing the Hayride, a country music show performed before a live KWKH audience in Shreveport's Municipal Auditorium, in 1948. It survived only two years after Logan's departure in 1958. In between, he introduced a number of country music's top names to the nation. Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams were among people who got their first big break on the Hayride. When Presley debuted in 1954, Logan wrote in his 1998 memoir, Elvis, Hank and Me, he wanted to say something reassuring to the nervous young man, but didn't have time. Instead, he grabbed the microphone. ''Ladies and gentlemen, you've never heard of this young man before, but one day you'll be able to tell your children and grandchildren you heard musical history made tonight,'' he told the audience. Two years later, trying to quiet a frenzied Hayride audience after another Presley performance, Logan announced, ``Elvis has left the building.''
- 'Elvis has left the building' originator dies
(St Petersburg Times, October 14, 2002)
Horace Lee Logan, who started the country music program Louisiana Hayride and first said what became the catch phrase "Elvis has left the building," died Sunday. He was 86. Logan began in radio when he was 16, after winning a contest to become an announcer on KWKH-AM in Shreveport, La., wife Linda Logan said. He began producing Hayride, a country music show performed before a live KWKH audience in Shreveport's Municipal Auditorium, in 1948. It survived only two years after Logan's departure in 1958. In between, he introduced a number of country music's top names, such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams.
- Horace Logan, started the "Louisiana Hayride," which gave breaks to Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, dies
(Yahoo! News / Associated Press, October 13, 2002)
Horace Lee Logan, who started the country music radio show "Louisiana Hayride" and first uttered what became the catch-phrase "Elvis has left the building," died Sunday. He was 86. ... Logan began in radio when he was 16, after winning a contest to become an announcer on KWKH-AM in Shreveport, Louisiana, Mrs. Logan said. He began producing the Hayride, a country music show performed before a live KWKH audience in Shreveport's Municipal Auditorium, in 1948. It survived only two years after Logan's departure in 1958. In between, he introduced a number of country music's top names to America. Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams were among people who got their first big break on the Hayride. ... When Presley debuted in 1954, Logan wrote in his 1998 memoir, "Elvis, Hank and Me," he wanted to say something reassuring to the nervous young man, but didn't have time. Instead, he grabbed the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you've never heard of this young man before, but one day you'll be able to tell your children and grandchildren you heard musical history made tonight," he told the audience. Two years later, tring to quiet a frenzied Hayride audience after another Presley performance, Logan announced, "Elvis has left the building." "With his voice of authority," said Kilgore, who was in attendance that night, "all of those kids shut up and believed him. Of course, Elvis really had left the building."
- 'Long Road' Shortens for Pop Princes on UK Charts
(Yahoo! News / Reuters, October 13, 2002)
Rival pop idols Gareth Gates and Will Young were knocked off the chart's top slot by Spanish group Las Ketchup, the Official UK Charts Company said on Sunday. The pop princes' double A-side of "The Long and Winding Road/Suspicious Minds," a cover of hits from the Beatles and Elvis Presley, was knocked down to No. 3. Las Ketchup's "The Ketchup Song" -- a big dance hit in European clubs over the summer -- came in straight at the top of the charts ahead of another new entry, "New Direction" from S Club Juniors. But Young ruled the album charts as "From Now On" opened at No. 1, sending "Elvis: 30 #1 Hits" down to No. 3. The Rolling Stones compilation "Forty Licks" held steady at No. 2.
- Elvis fest brings back the King
By BRIAN WILLIAMS
(The Times Online / North West Indiana News, October 13, 2002)
There was plenty of black slicked hair, sizable sideburns, sweaty brows and silk scarves and also plenty of Presleys at the10th annual Elvis Fantasy Fest Saturday in Portage. They came as the scandalous '50s rocker who could only be shown from the waist up on the Ed Sullivan show, the smooth '60s movie star and the overfed '70s Vegas crooner. Their outfits matched different eras in the King's career, from gray sports coat to black leather to a robin's egg blue jumpsuit with sequins. But don't call them impersonators. The preferred term is tribute artist. "Elvis impersonator has a weird connotation," said event chairman Kay Lipps "There's nothing better for Elvis's image than a good tribute artist. And there's nothing worse than a bad one."
- Coffee, donuts and Elvis on the side
By TIFFANY SNYDER
(San Marcos Daily Record, October 12, 2002)
Last night, at approximately 7 p.m., something astonishing took place at San Marcos High School. Elvis entered the building. And while that may happen at locales around the world, what was so special about this particular appearance is that he was followed by another Elvis and another, and suddenly, the North Cafeteria was transformed by costumes and music into a night of entertainment in 1960. Eighty choir members and dozens of Booster Club parents turned out last night in what proved to be one of the funest, most successful, most entertaining fundraiser activities for the choir.
- Elvis, Las Ketchup battle over war
By Michael Miller
(columbus.bizjournals.com, October 11, 2002)
Elvis has spoken. He says it's time for action in Iraq, and the entire planet agrees. Well, almost the entire planet. Three Spanish women who call themselves Las Ketchup are daring to interrupt Elvis' hawkish message. While the United Nations debates and Congress debates and the media debates, Elvis has clearly communicated his orders to the world: "A little less conversation and a little more action." In just about every nation, Elvis song "A Little Less Conversation" is a major hit. It dominates Europe, ranking higher than new material by American idols Bruce Springsteen and Eminem. ... It's not surprising Elvis is No. 1 in Britain and Canada, countries that always do what we tell them to do. It's understandable that the record has its weakest impact in Germany, which has a history of backing the wrong horse. But here's the clincher: Elvis is No. 1 in the United Arab Emirates. ... Is it coincidence that the world's record buyers, including those in Saddam Hussein's back yard, are heeding Elvis' call for "A little more bite and a little less bark?" ... Is it a quirk of fate that everyone from Tony Blair to whoever's running Japan can hear Elvis on the radio, warning, "Don't procrastinate, don't articulate/It's getting late, gettin' upset waitin' around?" The evidence is clear: Elvis is impatient for action, and he's lit a fire under the Bush administration to treat Hussein like the hound dog he is.
But another song sweeping the planet is threatening Elvis' reign (the phrase "King of Rock and Roll" has been trademarked by RCA Records, so I can't refer to Elvis' status as a certain monarch without having to send a check to Elvis' heirs. RCA is also hoping to get everyone to spell "Elvis" with a numeral "1" in place of the "i" to remind us that "Elv1s" has more number one songs than anybody, but that's also protected by a trademark, so I'm limited to "Elvis.").
The anti-war anthem seeking to replace Elvis is an insistently catchy little ditty so shifty it goes by several aliases: "Aserje," "The Ketchup Song" and "The Hey Ha Song." The record is performed by three Spanish hotties, Pilar, Lucia and Lola Muñoz, who call themselves Las Ketchup. They are daughters of a Spanish musician named El Tomate. Get it? Daughters of the tomato? Ketchup? Fortunately, the record is stronger than its creators' penchant for puns. "Aserje" offers an opposite view from Elvis, pushing friendship, fun, dancing, singing, love, sex, beauty and other anti-war sentiments: "Friday night it's party time/feeling ready looking fine." The Muñoz sisters sing like Bananarama, all on one note, to show their unity and harmony. The record is an international smash, chasing Elvis in nearly every country.
- Texas' ex-lottery chief accuses governor's staff of intimidation, defamation
(Yahoo! News / Associated Press, October 11, 2002)
The former director of the Texas Lottery sued Gov. Rick Perry's chief of staff and two aides, accusing them of trying to cover up a harassment investigation of another former lottery official.
The suit by Linda Cloud also accused the three of conspiring to intimidate her so she wouldn't reveal what she knew about the investigation of former Lottery Commissioner Walter Criner. ... Sanchez campaign manager Glenn Smith denied any involvement. "Whoever believes something like that probably believes something like Elvis is still alive," Smith said.
- Elton John Greatest Hits 1970-2002, Most Comprehensive Career-Spanning Hits Collection Ever Released, Features 22 Top 10 Pop Smashes
(Yahoo! Finance / Business Wire, October 11, 2002)
The only complete, career-spanning hits collection from one of the most successful musical artists of the modern era, the two-CD set Elton John: Greatest Hits 1970-2002, released November 12, 2002, boasts 34 newly digitally remastered selections, including every Elton-penned original Top 10 pop hit -- all 22 of them (six #1 pop, three others #1 Adult Contemporary). These are the songs fans will hear live one more time on Elton's 2003 Greatest Hits Tour. ... In 1992, Elton broke Elvis' record for the most consecutive years with a Top 40 pop single (he extended the mark to 30 before missing in 2000). ...
- Roots Revolution: The Louisiana Hayride Recordings
By Jason MacNeil
(Pop Matters, October 11, 2002)
With the latest advancements in digital and sound technology, it will become the norm for analog to be transferred into digital. Cassettes will be burned onto compact discs and all of the hiss of vinyl will be removed for a clearer, more pristine sound. Such is the case with "ancient" records and old radio recordings, a prime example being the early work of Elvis Presley. Prior to hitting his pelvic stride on Ed Sullivan, Elvis Aaron Presley made a name for himself on a series of radio shows, including KWKH's The Louisiana Hayride. From 1954 to 1956, Presley performed early hits that would catapult him to stardom. Now, having been released two decades ago as Elvis: The First Live Recordings and The Hillbilly Cat, the recordings have been retouched and re-mastered into this single collection. And while the obvious tinkering with the sound might be a double-edged sword, the performances themselves are clearly testaments of what was to come. ... Although at just under a half-hour, a good portion of the album is given to advertisements as well as brief passages such as the "Louisiana Hayride Theme". The song that Presley doesn't do justice to is "Tweedle Dee", which seems more of a bland and unimaginative track. Moore again picks up the slack with a credible guitar solo, but it's too little and a bit too late. The highlight of the album is "I Got A Woman", a rockabilly-tinged track that seems to pick up in its pacing, with Presley letting loose to the crowd's approval. A cover of Chuck Berry's "Maybellene" is run through quite quickly, with his supporting musicians trying to start a rave-up. Another performance of "That's All Right (Mama)" has a false start before giving a guitar instrumental to start the song. On the whole, the album stays true to the original recording, but uses the latest technology to get a crisper, cleaner sound. Unfortunately, though, it's an album more of historical significance than of stellar and consistent quality. After ending with a rousing rendition of "Hound Dog", which has several false finishes, host Frank Page says "Elvis has left the building." If only he had patented the phrase.
- King-sized Celebration!
(NME.COM, October 11, 2002)
BONO, BRITNEY SPEARS and NO DOUBT are amongst the stars who will sing ELVIS PRESLEY songs for a US television special. 'Elvis Lives' will be broadcast on NBC in late November or early in December, and will feature famous stars covering Elvis singles. Others confirmed for the event includeTom Petty, Sheryl Crow and Dave
Matthews. Elvis Presley's current singles compilation '30 #1 Hits' is at the Top of the UK album charts.
CAPTION: Will anyone be able to recreate those amazing sideys???
- World Music Sales Spin Lower
By Merissa Marr
(Yahoo! News / Reuters, October 10, 2002)
Global music sales spiraled 9.2 percent lower in the first half of 2002 but the battered music industry is holding out for a second-half revival led by Elvis, Coldplay and Shakira, a leading industry body said on Thursday. Rampant piracy, weak economies and competition from other entertainment such as video games ate into sales, forcing world CD sales seven percent lower in the first six months of 2002, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry said. The music industry has been in steep decline as extensive CD piracy, often from pirate Web Sites, and the economic slowdown hammers sales. Among the hardest hit have been the five major music companies which account for 75 percent of sales -- Universal Music, Warner Music, Sony, BMG and EMI.
- Elvis reigns on album sales charts: The King's greatest hits deprives Stones of No. 1 satisfaction
(CNN, October 10, 2002)
Elvis rolled the Stones on the U.S. pop album charts, depriving the veteran rockers of what would have been their first No. 1 album in 21 years, according to sales data issued on Wednesday. The Elvis Presley retrospective "Elvis: 30 #1 Hits" sold nearly 337,000 copies in the week ended October 6, its second week of release, while the Rolling Stones' hits package "Forty Licks" opened at No. 2 with sales of 310,000 units, according to tracking firm Nielsen SoundScan.
- Soundscan: Elvis Edges Out The Stones
(Chart Attack, October 10, 2002)
Well, the top of this week's Soundscan chart certainly isn't all shook up. Elvis holds fast at the top, outselling The Rolling Stones' Forty Licks (which, debuting at #2, ain't too shabby for a double album) and Diana Krall's new one, Live In Paris, which enters the chart at #3.
- Bastrop Enterprise brings 'Elvis' to Cotton Festival
(Bastrop Daily Enterprise, October 10, 2002)
The crowd response was so enthusiastic at last year's Cotton Festival when Texas businessman, Jerry Griffin, performed as an Elvis impersonator, that he was hired during his break to return again this year. Griffin, presented by the Bastrop Daily Enterprise, will perform at the Northeast Louisiana Cotton Festival and Fair Thursday, October 10 at 7 p.m. Explaining how he became a professional Elvis impersonator, Griffin said "Growing up I was not exposed to Elvis's music at all. My parents were straight country and my sister turned me on to the current pop music, which I listened to all through high school." The 40 year old entertainer said that as he got older, he became a fan of country music and at about age 30 he discovered Elvis. "I was hooked after listening to "Top Ten Hits" by Elvis," he said. On a dare by a friend, Griffin entered the 1995 Toys to Tots Parade in Atlanta, Texas. He was dressed in a cheap rented costume, wore a wig and sang Blue Christmas. The crowd cheered him and according to Griffin "The fire was lit." The cheap costumes were eventually replaced by expensive hand crafted Elvis replica suits. He said the wigs and stuck on sideburns gave way to growing his own hair longer, coloring it darker and also growing his own sideburns. "I figured if a guy was serious about being Elvis, he needed to do everything possible to look great, cause Elvis always looked great," Griffin said. ... Griffin ended by saying the neatest thing about being an Elvis impersonator has been meeting all the wonderful people who love Elvis. "I have made hundreds of new friends and I have heard many great Elvis stories from people who knew him including old Army buddies and former girlfriends," Griffin stated.
- Showbuzz: Elvis TV special in works (2nd item)
(CNN / Associated Press, October 10, 2002)
Britney Spears, No Doubt, Sheryl Crow and Bono will celebrate Elvis Presley's legacy ... [as below].
- NBC to Air TV Special on Elvis
By Scott Hiaasen
(Yahoo! News / Associated Press, October 10, 2002)
Britney Spears, No Doubt, Sheryl Crow and Bono will celebrate Elvis Presley's legacy on an hour-long NBC special to air later this year. "Elvis Lives" will pay tribute to the King with performances and interviews with entertainers including Dave Matthews and Tom Petty, the network said Wednesday. Even Chuck D from the rap group Public Enemy, who once derided Presley as a racist in the song "Fight the Power," is scheduled to participate. The special, to air in late November or December, is one of several projects commemorating the 25th anniversary of Presley's death. "Elvis 30 No. 1 Hits" debuted at No. 1 last week, selling about 500,000 copies. The CD will retain the top spot for a second week. Industry figures released Wednesday show it sold 337,000 copies for the week ending Sunday, outselling the Rolling Stones' greatest hits CD, "Forty Licks," by about 27,000 copies.
- 'Elvis' to 'Elvis': Don't be cruel
By Scott Hiaasen
(Cleveland.com / The Plain Dealer, October 10, 2002)
One Elvis has a suspicious mind. The other has a criminal record. And their battle to become the reigning King of Northeast Ohio has landed them both in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Elvis impersonator Chesiree Bellvano of Akron filed a lawsuit yesterday accusing rival Elvis "tribute artist" Don Wright of sabotaging his business by telling fans that Bellvano is a registered sex offender and a disgrace to the King's memory. Wright, also of Akron, printed the allegations on fliers and handed them out at shows, including one at the Quaker Steak & Lube restaurant in
Valley View, according to the suit. Wright is not completely wrong: Bellvano was indeed a registered sex offender in Summit County, but he's not any more, said Bellvano's lawyer, James Major. He says the charges against Bellvano were minor and date to his days as a Chippendale's dancer, when one dance went a little too far.
- Elvis Presley's first guitar on sale
(ITV, October 10, 2002)
Elvis Presley's first guitar - more than 50 years old and held together with tape - is expected to fetch more than £4 million at auction. It was given to him by his mother for his 11th birthday in 1946, when it would have cost the equivalent of £5. The guitar is one of the star attractions of a mega-auction of celeb memorabilia in New York this weekend which is expected to attract thousands of collectors.
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