Mid February 2004
- A seat next to a king
(St Petersburg Times, February 19 2004)
Jim Thompson of Cincinnati relaxes last week near a statue of Elvis Presley in front of Clearwater Bait & Tackle on Gulf to Bay Boulevard. Thompson, who moved from Oldsmar to Ohio three years ago, was visiting with friend John Spence, who owns the store and collects Elvis memorabilia.
- 'Gone With the... Rust'
By ROSANNA MAH
(Los Angeles Independent, February 18 2004)
Fortunately, Hollywood Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant has a sense of humor. As he was overseeing the burial of yet another time capsule in Hollywood, Grant held up a nugget of Elvis Presley's original Walk of Fame star. "$500!" yelled out a spectator nearby. "You've got it man," Grant retorted. "I've got 50 of those at home, and at $500 a piece, I've finally found a sucker." There were plenty of laughs and chuckles. Good thing, too. Because otherwise Grant and many of those who came to the unearthing ceremony of a time capsule of Hollywood's first 50 years of history had reason to cry. What they unearthed was a water-logged capsule in which most of the metallic contents were rusted and corroded, among them a stainless steel box containing a script and audio reel of Gone with the Wind, arguably Hollywood's greatest film. ...
- Cinema memorabilia goes under hammer
By Helen Manusu
(Manning River Times, February 18 2004)
[NSW, Australia]... Taree's Civic was more than just an entertainment venue, it was a way of life for a couple of growing generations, including mine. ... The memories came flooding back when I was invited to view some of the Hatsatouris family memorabilia which will be publicly auctioned onsite next Sunday, February 22. ... Among the collection will be Shelley bone china cups and saucers, old records including 78s and 45s of greats such as Elvis Presley, The Dave Clark Five, Duane Eddie and Nana Mouskouri. ...
- Legendary quartet makes visit to the area
By Brian Livingston
(Laurel Leader-Call, February 18 2004)
The Stamps Quartet can trace its roots back to the 1920s. But the roots of the quartet go much deeper - into the Gospel. Though some of the members have changed throughout the years the group has always stayed true to the Southern Gospel music. That is one reason why Elvis Presley used the quartet to back him up during his appearances. Because of that association, The Stamps Quartet has enjoyed the notoriety that has taken them to European tours. The quartet of men, complete with keyboardist Jerry Kelso, were in Jones County recording a segment for the Gospel Singing USA program shown on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday on Channel 6, ACTS TV of Comcast Cable. The program is produced by Randy Blakeney Tele-Productions.
Two of the current men, the elder statesmen in terms of both being with the quartet and in keeping the spirit of Gospel music alive, are Ed Hill and Ed Enoch. They said they were privileged enough to sing along with Elvis in the years leading up to the "King's" death in August of 1977. While Taylor, who sings tenor, talked to a fan about a recent tour of parts of Europe and Owens, the bass, went through a sound check, Hill and Enoch talked about their association with the quartet, their love of Gospel music, and of course, Elvis. "Gospel music has always been a part of my life," said Hill who started signing in gospel groups when he was 15 years old. I've been at this now for 45 years and have loved every moment of it." Enoch almost matches Hill in years singing songs that tribute the love of God. He calls those 33 years, and especially those spent with Elvis, quite rewarding.
"Gospel music was Elvis' first love," Enoch said. "He was very true to the music and it was a sheer joy to sing with him." Enoch joined The Stamps Quartet in 1969 while Hill joined the group a year later. The next seven years spent with Elvis produced not only memorable performances but also unforgettable visions of one of the world's biggest performers. "He was so kind to us," Enoch said of Elvis.
Hill said even though Elvis may hurt someone's feelings, the King would do all he could to make amends. We all knew him pretty well. You don't spend that much time with someone without getting close to them. And just like any group of people somebody might get their feelings hurt. If Elvis thought he did that, he'd do everything he could to smooth it over. He was really an extraordinary person," Hill said.
But even with Elvis, it was always about the music- the gospel that put music to the words of God and celebrated his greatness using notes and melodies, harmonies and solos. ...
- New Hard Rock Rolls Out Elvis Guitar, Kiss Costumes
By CURTIS ROSS
(Tampa Tribune Online, February 18 2004)
Officials with Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino can tout their accommodations and upcoming entertainment. But it wouldn't be the Hard Rock without a bunch of guitars on the walls. The instruments aren't on display yet, but a few choice items were trotted out for a news conference Tuesday. ... Among the items Bernstine showed - ``something historic, something unusual and something really recognizable,'' he said - was a Framus guitar donated by Elvis Presley to the March of Dimes in 1958. Bernstine said the guitar was ``the only known guitar that Elvis Presley ever presented to anyone.'' ...
- Sea cadet trio back from training ship
(Highland News Group, February 17 2004)
THREE young people from Lochaber have just returned from a weekend "on board" one of the Navy's "Stone Frigates" for an introductory marine engineering course - which they all passed. As well as being famous as the home for the familiar red and grey Search and Rescue helicopters, and the only place in the UK visited by Elvis Presley, HMS Gannet also houses the Sea Cadet Corps National Engineering Training Centre. ...
- Coshocton native hopes for musical success
(Coshocton Tribune, February 16 2004)
David Martin was raised in a musical home. The youngest of six children, Martin would spend the weekends listening to his father's music with his siblings. Martin's father, Grady, listened to a variety of music. Artists including Jimmy Smith, Mahalia Jackson, Lou Rawls, Tobacco Road and Johnny Taylor were often-played favorites. But it was Elvis Presley's style that made Martin realize becoming a musician was in his blood.
"I used to love Elvis Presley and the way he'd croon to the ladies," Martin said. "That's when I knew I had a love for music." Martin is finding success in California and is making a big push into the music industry with the release of his solo single and video, "Anyway," from his soon-to-be-released album, "King David's Throne." ...
- Filmmaker finds a home in Hayward
By Emma Schwartz
(Tri-Valley Herald, February 16 2004)
Cal State Hayward professor James Forsher's love affair with film began before he reached double digits. The Southern California native's romance blossomed not simply on regular outings to the movie theater, but also through his family's close ties to many of Hollywood's top moguls. A friendship with the infamous Hollywood manager Colonel Tom Parker led Forsher's mother, Trude, to a job as Elvis Presley's personal secretary. Oddly, Forsher said, his Austrian-born Jewish mother served as a perfect middleperson between Elvis, Parker and the entertainment world. ... With all the teaching and research, Forsher still hasn't stopped making films. He plans to turn sections of his book into a documentary series. And he has a few more light-hearted features on the agenda, including a personal memoir of his childhood memories of Elvis. Despite the glitz of life near Elvis, it wasn't all glamour for a 5-year-old Forsher. The documentary will be called "The Year I Hated Elvis."
- Candidates woo voters with songs
By ANDREA JONES
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 15 2004)
John Edwards was born in a "Small Town." John Kerry "Won't Back Down." And Howard Dean wants "A Little Less Conversation." Sometimes, political campaigning really is just a song and dance. The theme songs candidates choose when hitting the trail can speak volumes to voters, as presidential hopefuls try to cement a carefully crafted image or evoke a certain feeling. ... "Mellencamp songs just fit John Edwards really well," Rubey said. ... Mellencamp's agent, Bob Merlis, said the musician is "happy to help." Mellencamp and other artists don't receive royalties when songs are played at events, but Merlis said he believes "a change in the country" would be payment enough. ... Rockers have raised issues with political camps over theme songs in the past. ... Dean also used a remix of Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation" and Jackson Browne's "Doctor My Eyes." "Songs can be really, really powerful," Tyler said. "In Dean's case, though, I guess it wasn't enough." Whatever their musical tastes, any of the candidates would be happy to trade their theme songs for President Bush's: "Hail to the Chief."
- From Honest Abe to Elvis to now, NYC saloon offers ale and inspiration
(www.woai.com / Associated Press, February 15 2004)
Sitting in the back room of his bar, flanked by dozens of regulars, Matty Maher considered a life spent pouring ales and spinning tales as owner of New York's oldest and most storied saloon. The Irish immigrant had walked into McSorley's Old Ale House 40 years earlier and never left, working behind the bar before buying the place in 1977. Ownership of the East Village landmark relies on a simple concept, Maher said: Run the bar, don't ruin it. ... Not when your bar has a history like McSorley's, which is set to celebrate its 150th anniversary on Tuesday. Not when its cramped confines, its sawdust floor, its peerless dark and light ale offered inspiration since the 19th century to poets and painters, drinkers and dreamers. ... In his 1925 poem, "i was sitting in mcsorley's," e.e. cummings described "the ale which never lets you grow old." Standing on a table 39 years later, Elvis Presley offered a tribute in song while "half-lit after doing a show at the Garden," recalled Maher. ...
- Fire burns much of Apacheland tourist site
By Brent Whiting
(Arizona Republic, February 14 2004)
At least 10 of 12 buildings at Apacheland Movie Studio, a tourist attraction east of Apache Junction, were destroyed in a fire that broke out shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday, officials said. More than 30 firefighters were called to battle the blaze at the 85-acre commercial site, where about 40 years ago Ronald Reagan introduced "Death Valley Days" in front of the weathered storefronts. Also, John Wayne, Chuck Connors, Hugh O'Brian and Elvis Presley all pretended to duck bullets there. ...
- GHS Students Sing Valentine's Greetings To 17 Happily Surprised Loved Ones
By ELMA S. PRESLEY
(Greene County Online / Greeneville Sun, February 14 2004)
Casey Freshour had tears in her eyes Friday morning as she stood listening to a love tribute from her husband, Mark. Her "Singing Valentine" was delivered by four members of Greeneville High School's Advanced Chorus, who sang "The Rose" to Casey (and her co-workers) at the office of Greeneville Oil & Petroleum, Inc. ... In addition to Bette Midler's "The Rose," groups sang another Midler song, "Wind Beneath My Wings," and a song made famous by Elvis Presley, "Love Me Tender."
Most Popular Song: The most popular request was "Wind Beneath My Wings." Both "Love Me Tender" and "Wind Beneath My Wings" were four-part arrangements - arrangements for soprano, alto, tenor and bass singers, May said.
- Martin Jurow, famed movie producer, dies at 92
By PHILIP WUNTCH
(TwinCities.com / Dallas Morning News, February 13 2004)
Martin Jurow, for seven decades a vital force on the show-business scenes of Broadway and Hollywood, died Thursday evening in Dallas. He was 92 and had been suffering from Parkinson's disease for more than a decade.
Jurow, a Dallas resident since 1971, was a longtime agent and studio executive in both New York and Hollywood who produced classics including "Breakfast at Tiffany's."
During the golden years of Hollywood studio filmmaking, he was executive assistant to movie titans Jack L. Warner and Hal B. Wallis and negotiated the original Hollywood contracts for Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Elvis Presley, Jack Lemmon, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. ...
- Legoland snaps together a new attraction
By CANDICE REED
(North County Times, February 13 2004)
Daphne Stone stood smiling next to the colorful block head of Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday morning and smiled as her grandmother snapped her photo at Legoland California's newest attraction ---- Block of Fame. ... Legoland's newest attraction, the Block of Fame, which debuted Friday, has transformed a winding, tree-lined walkway into a fun and educational three-dimensional gallery, putting guests face-to-face with historical and popular personalities who figure prominently in world culture. Legoland master model builders spent more than 40 hours designing, plotting and creating each bust. The collection of busts also includes William Shakespeare, Elvis Presley, Ludwig van Beethoven, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Marilyn Monroe and Albert Einstein. The life-size busts on pedestals are replicated in detail in Lego bricks for the theme park's newest attraction. Park officials plan to open five new attractions this year ---- beginning with the Block of Fame ---- in the largest expansion since the park opened in 1999.
- Schoolhouse rock
By SHELLEY NELSON
(Duluth News Tribune, February 13 2004)
There was a whole lot of shaking going on at Great Lakes Elementary after students raised almost $11,000. The gymnasium at Great Lakes Elementary School was alive with energy as hundreds of kids chanted: "Elvis, Elvis, Elvis." After weeks of hard work, the students got their reward for raising nearly $11,000 for the school. Elvis Presley was in the house. And students went wild, dancing, singing and chanting as the King strutted his stuff in the school's gymnasium. "It wasn't really Elvis," said 6-year-old Al Eculmer. "Elvis is dead. He died in 1977. It was really the principal." Principal Dennis Mertzig donned the jumpsuit, sunglasses, and of course, a wig to keep his end of the bargain he made with students. "I'm a little nervous doing this," he admitted. But Mertzig made a promise to his students. And he kept it. After all, he told students he would dress as Elvis and perform in concert if they raised $10,000 through the school's fourth annual Knowledge-A-Thon. "They did it," Mertzig said. "They deserved this." ...
- Pereda just wants to make people happy with his music
By Jim Harrington
(Argus, February 13 2004)
THE college kids up the street at U.C. Berkeley were hungry for new policies and new ways of thinking. The teens across the Bay in Haight-Ashbury were hungry for new experiences and new sounds. But growing up in Berkeley in the 1960s, young Elias Pereda was just plain hungry. Born in 1957, Pereda faced a hard reality early on. He was the eldest of nine children in a poverty-stricken family where putting enough food on the table each night was no sure thing. ... From that humble beginning, Pereda pursued a lifelong love affair with jazz and other musical genres. He started with singing for his shoe-shine customers, adding a song to the shine for an additional 10 cents, and has moved steadily along in the industry to the point where he has worked with the likes of B.B. King, Ray Charles and Sly Stone. A multitalented musician, composer and arranger who is best known as a vocalist and trumpeter, Pereda is currently leading his own band, which performs Saturday and Feb 28 at The Mojo Lounge in Fremont. Of special note, the band features legendary bassist Mario Suraci, who has played with such greats as Sinatra and Elvis Presley. ...
- RETURN OF THE TUNE: Grown-up pop takes hold of listeners who favor melody over rhythm and flash
By BRIAN MCCOLLUM
(Detroit Free Press, February 13 2004)
Right now, we think of it as the insipid diversion that either annoyed or titillated us for a few days. But history may have a different use for the 2004 Super Bowl debacle, making it a convenient benchmark, a handy line of demarcation, in the bigger pop culture story. When Justin Timberlake ripped the red lace from Janet Jackson's outfit during halftime, he didn't just expose her cleavage. He revealed a bigger kind of chasm -- one that we may someday designate as the moment when American culture of the early 21st Century officially split down two separate paths. It may seem a long leap from Jackson's breast to Josh Groban. But that's the point. As the classically trained pop vocalist arrives at the Fox Theatre for a Valentine's Day performance, he brings with him not just one of the country's hottest-selling records, but an entire cultural phenomenon.
Groban is part of an explosive resurgence of grown-up pop, new sounds that sound like old sounds -- and are luring many adults back into music stores for the first time in years. As his album "Closer" closes in on 3 million copies sold -- just three months after its release -- Groban is the latest flag-bearer for a trend that's been building steam for several years. The Billboard pop charts remain ruled by youthful pop, as they have since Elvis Presley ordained rock 'n' roll in 1955. But something else is elbowing its way in among the Britney Spearses and Linkin Parks and Chingys. ...
- The Island Hopper: Don't call them impersonators: Joe Marino and his band don't just sound like the artists they cover. They honor the music too
By TIFFANY YATES
(Naples Daily News, February 13 2004)
My boyfriend asked, as I left to go to Blu Fusion this past Sunday night, what I was reviewing for this week's column.
"Ugh," he said when I told him it was an Elvis-style show.
I hastened to assure him that I was excited: I love Elvis impersonators, good or bad - sometimes especially when they're bad. I have seen a Samoan Elvis, a Mexican Elvis, and I darn near got to see a dwarf Elvis, but missed the boat on that one. "We're tribute artists," Joe Marino hastened to assure me when I shared my partiality with him between sets at Blu Fusion. "We hate the term 'impersonators.'"
... The set does begin with an Elvis rock block, and the tall, lanky Marino has an upswept pompadour and ducktail that certainly suggest the King, before the doughnut days. His vocal mannerisms on songs like That's Alright, Mama, Treat Me Nice and Heartbreak Hotel are spot-on, complete with the warbling vibrato and smooth tenor of the young Elvis. And his gyrating hips clearly channel the spirit of Presley. The King's Men behind him have those corny doo-wop backup vocals down pat, the acoustics even mastered somehow so they sound exactly like the Elvis recordings of my childhood. The band is smooth, and so tight and professional you know the musicians have put some work into it.
And yet they aren't trying to sell you on a dead-on Elvis (dare I say it) "impersonation." It's Presleyan, sure - in a big way - but as done by a band with its own dynamic. ...
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