Late July 2004
- Elvis Statue in Shreveport
(KSLA-TV, July 28, 2004)
Elvis Presley, what's left to write about the king of rock and roll, a pioneer, a rock icon that transcends generations. Even our own Andy Clark of pothole patrol impersonates the king. But there is something new, an Elvis statue in Shreveport Louisiana. Diane Patrick: Founder of Elvis' Angels Fan Club: "People love to have their pictures taken with the statues, they have two in Memphis and everyone is always trying to get around the statue and have their picture made". Fred: "So you think this might draw some tourism?" Diane: "oh, absolutely". Diane Patrick is the founder of the Elvis' Angels, and says Shreveport has a very significant connection to Elvis' beginning. Diane: Elvis pretty much put the municipal Hayride and the Hayride itself on the map. Only a handful of Elvis Presley statues exist, that's because Elvis Presley Incorporated has to approve of the statue and if the angels statue is approved it will go here, in front of the Municipal Auditorium. Diane: "There will be a concert there that same night the tcb which was Elvis' concert band from 69 to 77 will be there DJ Fontane, the first drummer will be there whose from Shreveport". Other artists with an Elvis connection will be there too. And the angels are hoping to raise enough money to make sure the king's likeness will join them.
- Shreveport group commits $40,000 to Elvis statue
(katc.com / Associated Press, July 28, 2004)
Opting for a little less talk and a lot more action, Shreveport's Downtown Development Authority has voted to invest 40-thousand dollars toward a statue of Elvis Presley that one day will grace the front of Municipal Auditorium. Hopes are to have the statue in place in time for the October 16th celebration of the 50th anniversary of the king of rock 'n' roll's first performance on the Louisiana Hayride. The statue, which will become one of only a handful of Graceland-sanctioned Elvis statues worldwide, will cost 60-thousand dollars. The remaining funds will be collected through donations, an initiative being led by the local Elvis' Angels Fan Club. So far, the group has raised a little more than 200 dollars. However, club president Dianne Patrick of Mooringsport says letters of support have been received from as far away as London, Ireland and Belgium.
- The mystery of 'Red Elvis': Virtually unknown in his native United States, folk singer Dean Reed was one of the GDR's biggest celebrities
By Ernest Gill
(Expatica, July 28, 2004)
He was called the "Johnny Cash of Communism" and the "Red Elvis of Red Square". His name was Dean Reed and he was a stunningly-handsome American folk singer and actor in a score of spaghetti Westerns. Virtually unknown in his native United States, he was one of the East Bloc's biggest celebrities and his tragic death just before the fall of Communism was one of the great mysteries of the Cold War. His life - and death - are the stuff of such drama that recently it was announced that Tom Hanks and Dreamworks studios had bought the rights from Reed's heirs to do a biographical movie with Hanks playing the guitar-strumming Reed himself.
Now the final scene to that movie will have a new twist amid revelations that Reed committed suicide and was not eliminated by the East German Stasi secret police, as had been assumed for years. His life ended in a car at the bottom of a lake outside East Berlin. It started on a chicken farm outside Denver in 1938. In the mid-1950s, when Elvis and Fabian brought sex to rock 'n' roll, Reed parlayed his wholesome, square-jawed, blue-eyed good looks and a sweet singing voice into a singing career. ...
- Paronto is back in tune for Memphis
By Howard Herman
(Berkshire Eagle, July 28, 2004)
Memphis is the home of Elvis Presley and Graceland. And for one Berkshire County minor leaguer, being in the rock and blues capital of Tennessee has him back on track. Chad Paronto, a right-handed reliever, is making music for the Triple A Memphis Redbirds of the Pacific Coast League. ...
- Uptown Memphis Announces Opening Date for Former Elvis Presley Home
(PRNewswire, July 27, 2004)
The Uptown Partnership and the City of Memphis announced today that the renovation of young Elvis Presley's teenage home will be completed this summer with a grand opening slated for
10:00 am, August 9, 2004. In a partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises, the Elvis Suite has been designed to accommodate tours for fans and the public during Elvis Birthday celebrations each January and Elvis Week every August.
The Presley residence is now part of the new Uptown Square community in the innovative Uptown Memphis development. The apartment was originally part of Lauderdale Courts, a Roosevelt-era WPA housing development. The Presley
family lived in this close-knit neighborhood from 1949 to 1953. Here Elvis met other Memphis musicians, practiced in the basement laundry room and gained confidence by performing for family and friends in the community courtyards.
He walked to nearby Beale Street, where he listened to the blues artists of the day. He had easy access to Sun Studio and Pop Tunes record store around the corner.
Originally slated for demolition, Lauderdale Courts was saved by the appeals of Elvis fans and the Memphis Heritage preservation organization. The colonial revival 347-unit apartment community is now on the National Register
of Historic Places. Renovated and renamed Uptown Square, the model mixed- income property is Memphis' first wireless apartment complex complete with business center, pool, fitness center, media and coffee rooms. ...
- Clinton frames Democrat goals
(Arizona Republic, July 26, 2004)
Well, Elvis spoke. And the convention hall rocked. Bill Clinton actually rushed the start of his speech, seeming to want to shortchange the overwhelming demonstration that was clearly developing. ...
- Sempra breaks ground on Escondido power plant
By ERIN MASSEY
(North County Times, July 23, 2004)
The last time a large power plant was under construction in San Diego County, Elvis Presley was producing hit songs, Sempra Energy President Donald Felsinger said Thursday morning.
Felsinger spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for the 546-megawatt Palomar Energy plant on 20 acres of industrial-zoned land southwest of the Highway 78 and Interstate 15 interchange. ...
- Sporty name leads to TV fame for Espyn Burks
By Michael Peters, Beaumont Enterprise
(Rocky Mountain News, July 22, 2004)
Some people name their children after family members, some choose saints, while others give their kids the moniker of a movie star. But when naming their firstborn, Rodney and Beckie Burks decided to take the concept of reality television to a whole new level. Meet the Burks' 3-year-old daughter, Espyn. If you ever questioned the cultural significance of ESPN, the 25-year- old, 24-hour sports network, then you need look no further than the neighborhood were Rodney Burks and his family reside. ... After spending the past several years setting their watch to ESPN, the network is now causing the Burkses' family and friends to mark their calendars. Espyn is scheduled to be included in a segment of ESPN's 25th anniversary special Sept. 6. ... The Burkses admitted they didn't consider the repercussions their daughter Espyn's name might create as she gets older. dThey gave their second daughter, born almost two years later, a name with even more star power: Jordyn (as in Michael) Presley (as in Elvis).
- Star tribute program returns to Wellsville
By MATTHEW STEWART
(The Review Online, July 22, 2004)
A group from Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort is sponsoring an outdoor star tribute event Sunday at the Main Street gazebo featuring Elton John, Anne Murray, Dean Martin, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond and Elvis impersonators. ...
- We Don't Need No Thought Control: Leave your kids alone - My Back Pages - Rock 'n' roll reading
By Greg Cahill
(Metroactive Music, July 21, 2004)
Say what you want about Albert Goldman -- the Kitty Kelley of rock writers -- but his cutting, no-holds-barred biographies of such rock icons as Elvis Presley and John Lennon put the false images of our heroes under the full glare of the sun. In true Hollywood Babylon-style -- and unlike Greil Marcus, who could find a fathomless ocean of mystery in every note Robbie Robertson ever played -- Goldman plowed fearlessly through the sordid backwater of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, earning enemies but making for great summer reading. ...
- Millican to race Elvis-themed dragster in Memphis, Indy
(NHRA News, July 21, 2004)
Clay Millican of Team 104+ Performance Additives/Lehman Racing will race an Elvis Presley-themed dragster in conjunction with team sponsors 104+ Performance Additives and Werner Enterprises at the NHRA O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park Aug. 20-22 in honor of the city's "50 Years of Rock 'n Roll" celebration. He will also race the car at the 50th Annual Mac Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in September.
"The 50 Years of Rock 'n Roll celebration is a great opportunity for Memphis to show its roots in American culture, and I am so grateful to be able to race this one-of-a-kind Elvis-themed dragster," said Millican. "Since I'm from the Memphis area, it really means a lot to be a part of this wonderful celebration. Our team hopes to honor Elvis and his legacy with a win at the Mid-South Nationals in front of friends, family, and members of Elvis Presley Enterprises."
The car will be unveiled at Elvis's home of Graceland Aug. 9, the start of "Elvis Week" in Memphis, which commemorates the singer's death.
Elvis Presley Boulevard will be shut down, and Millican will perform a burnout in the Elvis-themed dragster for fans of Elvis and drag racing alike to witness. Following the burnout, Millican's car will be on display at Graceland Aug. 9-10, and he will be available for autographs and pictures both days.
In conjunction with the Elvis-themed car, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Memphis Motorsports Park, Lehman Racing, and the NHRA are running "The Great Elvis Racing Adventure Sweepstakes" from July 20 - August 10. One lucky grand prize winner and a guest will receive two round-trip airline tickets to Memphis, three night hotel accommodations in a king suite at the Heartbreak Hotel, a rental car, two VIP tours of Graceland, dinner for two at the Hard Rock Cafe on Beale Street, two tickets to the NHRA O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals, VIP passes to Lehman Racing's hospitality area, Suite passes, honorary Lehman Racing pit crew status, an assortment of merchandise, an NHRA event prize pack, the opportunity to participate in opening ceremonies on Sunday for the Finals and a photo on the Elvis.com photo spotlight. Contestants should visit www.elvis.com for more information and to enter the sweepstakes via an online entry form.
Millican's Top Fuel dragster will feature an Elvis logo on both sides of the car with the phrase "That's All Right", commemorating Elvis's very first single. "He Dared To Rock" is written on the front wing of the car, and the "50 Years of Rock 'n' Roll" logo is on the nose of the car. Additionally, Millican and Lehman Racing team members will wear Elvis-themed crew jerseys throughout the race weekend. The jerseys will be autographed and auctioned off after the race by Memphis Motorsports Park, with all proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
- European Union vows to eye music industry closely after OKing Sony-BMG merger
By PAUL GEITNER
(Canadian Press, July 21, 2004)
Independent record companies Tuesday threatened to go to court to challenge Sony and Bertelsmann's creation of the world's second largest music company after failing to convince European Union antitrust regulators to block the deal. The European Commission unconditionally approved the 50-50 joint venture between Japan's Sony Music and BMG, the German media giant's music unit, late Monday after finding insufficient evidence the deal would harm consumers. The deal is expected to win U.S. antitrust clearance within days, bringing Sony artists like Aerosmith, George Michael and Barbra Streisand and BMG's Avril Lavigne and Elvis Presley under one roof. ...
- Retired car salesman turned down Elvis
[Obiturary]
By Linda A. Moore
(Commercial Appeal, July 20, 2004)
Otha Palmer Murry, the man who brought Toyotas to Memphis and denied credit to the future King of Rock and Roll, will be remember most for the way he treated customers. Mr. Murry, 86, died Thursday at Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett. He spent more than 53 years in the auto business.
"He was always fair and honest with them," said brother Glen Murry of Germantown. "Plus he treated everybody like he would like to be treated." ... Not long after, in the early 1950s, a young man tried to buy a Pontiac for $495. He had no credit, so Mr. Murry turned him down. The man was Elvis Presley. "If I had just kept the paperwork," Murry told The Commercial Appeal in 2001. ...
- Roberson Is 'All Shook Up''s New Choreographer
By Kenneth Jones
(Sheffield Today, July 20, 2004)
Ken Roberson has joined the creative team of the new Broadway-bound musical All Shook Up, replacing Jodi Moccia as choreographer, a spokesman for the show said. All Shook Up is the new original musical comedy about a small town shaken awake by a mysterious, leather-jacketed stranger, and has a score made up of tunes Elvis Presley made famous. It will play the Palace Theatre starting Feb. 20, 2005. Opening is March 24. Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) fashioned the original libretto to All Shook Up. Directed by Christopher Ashley, All Shook Up will receive its world premiere in Chicago in a five-week, pre Broadway engagement at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre, Dec. 21, 2004-Jan. 23, 2005.
Ken Roberson is associate choreographer of Broadway's Avenue Q and was assistant choreographer of Jelly's Last Jam. His national tour credits include Guys and Dolls, Cinderella, The Civil War and Harlem Song. He directed and choreographed A Brief History of White Music.
Roberson studied at Alvin Ailey and earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Georgia. His one-man show, I Think, Therefore, I Is, has garnered critical acclaim.
"A new musical comedy set in 1955, All Shook Up is not a biographical revue," according to the announcement. "Somewhere in middle America - one girl's wish and a surprise visit from a mysterious leather jacketed, guitar-playing stranger will lead a small town to discover the magic of romance and the power of rock & roll. This irresistible new musical features 24 legendary Elvis classics including 'Heartbreak Hotel,' 'Love Me Tender,' 'Don't Be Cruel,' 'Cant Help Falling in Love' and 'All Shook Up.'"
- Jones the voice still drives women wild: it must be good being Tom Jones
(Sheffield Today, July 20, 2004)
At the grand old age of 64 the slightest shake of his now stout hips sends grown women into a frenzy and earns respect from thousands of men. Last night a diverse Chatsworth audience enjoyed the grandad's gravelly tones and watched in adoration as he strutted across the stage, adding hip gyrations and pelvic thrusts at every opportunity. His efforts soon found Tom - sporting a black shirt and trousers throughout - drenched in sweat, but the Welshman reassuringly confessed he would probably perspire at the North Pole before carrying on regardless. ... After a four-minute break, filled with chants for "more", Tom returned with a 1950s rock-and-roll medley - dedicated to his friend Elvis Presley, who Tom happily announced is back in the top ten this week. Just time for a Kiss goodnight with his infamous cover of Prince's record before Tom was gone. The tight-fitting leathers may be a thing of the past but Mr Jones still has a fu ture in the music game - not bad going after 44 years.
- Sony and BMG merger backed by EU
(BBC, July 19, 2004)
The planned merger between music giants Sony and Bertelsmann (BMG) has been given the green light by the European Union, with no strings attached. The proposed marriage will leave four industry majors with about 80% of the world music market. ... The merged company, to be called Sony BMG, is to be based in New York. The deal will bring together under one roof Sony stars such as Barbara Streisand and Beyonce and BMG stars, including Elvis Presley and Christina Aguilera.
- EU approves Sony-Bertelsmann music tie-up: source
(Yahoo! News / AFP, July 19, 2004)
The European Commission gave an unconditional green light to a merger between Japan's Sony and the music arm of Germany's Bertelsmann, in the latest global entertainment industry tie-up, an EU source said. ... The Commission, the European Union's executive arm, is set make its verdict on the merger public on Tuesday. The Commission opened an inquiry into the deal between Sony's music arm and Bertelsmann music business BMG in February on concerns that a combined group would dominate the market. If the merger goes ahead, the market will be carved up between four instead of five majors: Vivendi's Universal, the newly-created SonyBMG, Warner and EMI. Together they would share around 80 percent of European recorded music sales. ... The merger will bring together Sony stars such as Barbara Streisand and Beyonce and BMG stars, including Elvis Presley and Christina Aguilera.
Go to earlier articles
|
