mid June, 2005
- Footsteps of Elvis at Naantali Spa
(HELSINGIN SANOMAT, June 15, 2005)
A unique Elvis Presley exhibition, entitled Footsteps of Elvis is being arranged in the city of Naantali in south-western Finland. The exhibition is the largest existing private Elvis collection outside the Presley home, Graceland. Elvis's stepbrother David Stanley, 49, came to Finland to open the exhibition. "Elvis wanted to delight people and liked to present them with cars and other items", said Stanley. Two of these cars are now on show: a gold-coloured Mercedes 450 SLC and a sparkling white Lincoln Mark V. The items in Naantali's exhibition include one of the many television receivers that Elvis shot at, his karate outfit, his guitar, some jewellery, and pistols he owned, as well as an official deputy sheriff's star which Elvis used to stop and reprimand speeding motorists. ...
- Lauderdale Courts home to Elvis open to visitors
(Slidell Sentry-News, June 14, 2005)
From Elvis' Historic Lauderdale Courts Apartment, visitors can find themselves walking in Memphis to Rock 'n' Roll sites.
There is only one place on earth you can stay where Elvis lived. That place is Lauderdale Courts. Second only to Graceland, it is the Memphis home he lived in the longest. In 1949, the Presleys moved into 185 Winchester, #328 at Lauderdale Courts shortly after they moved to Memphis from Tupelo. The 689 square foot, two-bedroom apartment was originally part of the Roosevelt-era WPA housing development that is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
It was 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 would cross two streets west to hear Southern gospel concerts in the now-razed Ellis Auditorium.
Lauderdale Courts visitors can walk to historic rock n' roll places that still stand. Elvis walked south to nearby Beale Street, where he listened to the blues artists of the day or browsed Lansky Bros. store (now at The Peabody Hotel) to see the latest clothes. Around the corner he would listen to gospel and R B records at Pop Tunes record store. It would be the first store to sell his records. About a mile southeast of his community was the famed Sun Studio. Overnight guests will be able to step back in time in the restored apartment that features, vintage furniture and bathroom fixtures, a kitchen with working 1951 refrigerator plus reproductions of Presley family photos and memorabilia. Modern conveniences like microwave, plasma HDTV, DVD/CD and free wireless internet access are also available. Amenities that guests can also enjoy are an outdoor pool, billiard room plus fitness, business and media centers.
Up to four guests can stay for a two-night minimum or six-night maximum for an introductory rate of $249.99 per night. Reservations are being accepted for overnight stays except for twice yearly public tour weeks (August 10 - 17, 2005 January 6 - 11, 2006) when the apartment will be open for $10.00 public tours.
"We are offering any rock 'n' roll buff or Elvis fan a chance of a lifetime," stated Alexandra Mobley, asset manager for the site. "We have received overwhelming positive feedback about the apartment from visitors and overnight guests. This is where Elvis was influenced as a young musician. It's the ultimate "sleep where he slept experience."
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 community. Lauderdale Courts at Uptown Square is a $36 million dollar, award-winning renovation and is part of the $150 million, 1,000-home, 100-city-block downtown development called Uptown Memphis. Uptown Memphis is the concerted public-private revitalization by downtown Memphis developers Jack Belz of Belz Enterprises and Henry Turley of Henry Turley Company and the City of Memphis. For reservations or tour dates call (901) 521-8219 or for more information visit http://www.lauderdalecourts.com.
- Lions Club hands Lifeline first loss
By Byron Painter
(Marion Daily Republican, June 14, 2005)
The Lifeline Pony baseball team was all shook up Monday after its 4-3 loss to Lions Club in Marion Pony Baseball action. Lifeline was 9-0 going in, and one of its coaches, Lester James, had promised the team he would coach as Elvis Presley if the team won its first nine games. "We lost a bet at the beginning of the season," said James. "If they went halfway through the season undefeated, I would dress up as Elvis." Doug Dorris, one of the other coaches, and James were singing Elvis songs early in the season, so the decision to be Elvis was born. So on Monday just before the game, James went to his vehicle and came back in Elvis garb, with the famous sideburns (attached to a pair of glasses) and all. But it was Cody Richert who helped ruin Elvis' visit to Ray Fosse Park. ...
Elvis Presley (otherwise known as Lester James)
makes his grand entrance Monday night
for the Lions Club-Lifeline baseball game.
(BYRON PAINTER PHOTO)
- Elvis Presley no King in bed!
(Hindustan Times / Asian News International, June 13, 2005)
King of Rock n Roll Elvis Presley may have conquered the world with his music but he proved to be a disappointment in bed, according to the 70's icon Peggy Lipton. The former Mod Squad beauty, whose list of ex-boyfriends include Sir Paul McCartney and Keith Moon, was disappointed when her encounter with the Presley turned into an anti-climax. "He took me away on his plane and brought me up to Tahoe, I believe. We tried to go to bed right away," Lipton was quoted by Femalefirst, as saying. "There was nothing to talk about with Elvis. He was either doing his karate things or eating. There was really no dialogue there so we went to bed right away and it just didn't happen for him. We tried a few more times and nothing ever happened, so I just let it go," she added.
- Spielberg: No movie yet for Japan PM despite looks
(Yahoo! News / Reuters, June 13, 2005)
Filmmaker Steven Spielberg praised Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's "movie star good looks" on Monday, but nimbly dodged the question of whether the Japanese leader had a future in film. Spielberg was in Japan to promote his "War of the Worlds" starring Tom Cruise, which premieres in Tokyo later on Monday. "Your prime minister has movie star good looks," Spielberg told reporters after meeting Koizumi for a chat about cinema. But asked whether Koizumi might star in a future Spielberg movie, he replied: "You know, I would hate to take him away from you and bring him to Hollywood. "Doesn't he do better work here in Japan?" Koizumi, one of Japan's most media savvy leaders, has a penchant for photo ops with celebrities. In March, he turned a chat with actor Richard Gere into an impromptu dance session, and he once crooned an Elvis Presley tune with Cruise.
- Jackson Acquitted But Money Woes Persist
By Brett Pulley
(forbes.com, June 13, 2005)
Now that Michael Jackson has been found not guilty of child molestation and related charges, one of the first things the onetime King of Pop must do is get his business and financial affairs in order. Facing a debt load of about $340 million and dwindling prospects for generating new sources of income, Jackson is expected in the coming weeks to work on restructuring his finances. The debt, which was recently purchased from Bank of America by a hedge fund, Fortress Investment Group, comes due later this year. Jackson's primary objective, according to a source close to the singer, is to restructure the debt and avoid being forced to sell his valuable music publishing businesses, which together are worth over $650 million.
... Additionally, Jackson owns Mijac Music, a publishing company that includes many of his own hits as well as hits from such acts as Sly and the Family Stone, Elvis Presley and Dion. Jackson, one of the top-selling artists of all time, also receives royalties from his own music, the sales of which have diminished greatly in recent years. ...
- Mount Pleasant Middle students earn 2nd place in world competition
By Erin Cox
(Independent Tribune, June 13, 2005)
Take a six-member team, combine their brain power, add some creativity and a few Elvis Presley tunes. The ingredients result in a recipe for success for Mount Pleasant Middle School's Odyssey of the Mind team. Using a humorous skit involving puppetry, mimes and a little "All Shook Up," the team won second place in the 2005 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals for Division II, Problem 5, on May 21-25 at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo. Members Alex Ramdin, Sean Crisco, Ariel Dixon, Kandace Thomas, Evan Vollman and Carson Deese, coached by Mount Pleasant Middle teacher Jennifer Riordon and parent Nancy Ramdin, beat out a team from Poland to place second behind a Singapore team at the 26th annual creative problem solving event. ...
- Sunday bylines
By Pam Fine
(Indianapolis Star, June 12, 2005)
It just so happens that in my mail last week I received an anonymous letter signed by "A couple of friendly journalism teachers." They wrote to tell me, among other things, that The Indianapolis Star "made a terrible mistake some time ago when you discontinued your Sunday political column. Reporting what politicians say and do just isn't good enough for your subscribers or a good newspaper," the letter continued. "Their sayings -- and their actions -- desperately need to be interpreted."
Editor Dennis Ryerson and I couldn't agree more. That's why today we're reintroducing a political column in The Star, penned by Matthew Tully. Since joining The Star in 2002, Tully has covered city-county government, Mitch Daniels' campaign for governor and metro issues, including the debate over funding for a new Colts stadium.
Tully grew up in Northwest Indiana and is an Indiana University graduate. He was a reporter for the Gary Post-Tribune for five years before joining Congressional Quarterly in Washington, where his primary responsibility was covering the Senate. The Clinton impeachment trial and the political aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks were among his assignments. Tully's a pretty serious guy, so it was fun this past week to tease him about the vacation he took to Elvis Presley's Graceland to "prepare" himself for his new assignment. He told us he's formed some new, indelible memories of Elvis, including the singer's shag-carpeted ceiling and sequined jumpsuits. Tully hopes to bring some levity to our news pages along with analysis of issues and insights about politicians. ...
- Watching the finals and wishing for Wilt
By Mark Purdy
(Mercury News, June 12, 2005)
Maybe 15 years ago, a gonzo rock singer named Mojo Nixon wrote a magnificent song called "Elvis Is Everywhere.'" The premise was simple: Everybody in the world should have a little Elvis Presley inside them, and if they don't, something is seriously wrong with those people. I was thinking about that song the other night. Because as I watched the NBA finals proceed sluggishly across my television screen -- Hey, do you think the Pistons can smash the 70-point barrier tonight? -- I was struck with the same idea. Except that it wasn't about Elvis. It was about Wilt Chamberlain. Right now, the NBA finals need a whole lot more Wilt. Instead, we have way too much Tim Duncan and Rasheed Wallace. This isn't the same thing. It isn't even in the same area code. ...
- VEGAS MINISTER WANTS TO SEE DEMI + BRUCE REUNITE
(contactmusic.com, June 12, 2005)
The Las Vegas, Nevada chapel minister who wed BRITNEY SPEARS and JASON ALEXANDER and ELVIS PRESLEY and PRISCILLA BEAULIEU is desperate to see BRUCE WILLIS and DEMI MOORE back together. REV CHAROLETTE RICHARDS, who runs the Little White Chapel, also wed Demi and Bruce in 1987 and admits she has never seen a couple so in love, and was devastated when they split up. Richards says, "I was just struck by how much in love they were. The romance was just overwhelming. I would dearly love to see them get back together."
- The Rev. Al Green is still in love with love songs
By Ben Fong-Torres
(San Francisco Chronicle, June 11, 2005)
... Rev. Al Green, who will headline the Russian River Blues Festival in Guerneville on June 18, had enjoyed a string of hits in the early '70s with smooth, sensuous songs such as "Let's Stay Together," "I'm Still in Love With You," and "You Ought to Be With Me." But by mid-decade, he'd been born again, switched to gospel music, become an ordained minister and opened his own church in Memphis.
... In his memoir, "Take Me to the River," Green, who is 59, refers to Willie Mitchell as a father figure. It was a role, he wrote, that was "vacant since that day I had marched out of the apartment and turned my back on my daddy's plans for my life." That apartment was in Grand Rapids, Mich., where Al, the sixth of 10 children, and his parents had moved, looking for a better life than they'd had in Forrest City, Ark. There, Robert Greene (his son later changed the spelling of his surname) was a sharecropper, and he'd formed a family gospel group. Al, however, also loved the music of Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, James Brown and Elvis Presley.
Elvis? "I loved the music," he says. "The shake, rattle and roll, hip- swinging, hair-down-in-your face -- that was one of my little fantasies, and this guy filled it really well." Al would sneak records into the apartment, and one day, his father, who'd forbidden the playing of secular music, caught him dancing to a Jackie Wilson record. Al, only 14, left home to move in with a friend who lived nearby.
... When he began contemplating a return to love songs, he says he had a consultation with God. "And God said, 'Al, I gave you the songs, they are wonderful songs, they are beautiful songs. Nobody's shooting or killing or anything in here, these are what you call life songs, life experience songs." And so, in concert these days, the Rev. Al Green sprinkles a couple of gospel favorites into a show that features hits from the '70s and his more recent recordings. He clearly favors, and savors, the early hits. ...
- Greatness in the eyes of the beholder
By Jeff Mullin
(Enid News & Eagle, June 12, 2005)
Everyone, it seems, has compiled some kind of list these days. Forbes magazine has compiled a list of lists, which includes such life-changing topics as the world's most expensive lingerie (a French firm called Aubade sells a bra and panty set for $198), the best topless beaches (Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil comes out on, er, top) and the worst cars (the best of the worst is the Kia Rio).
Now the Discovery Channel is asking its viewers to decide who is the greatest American, living or dead. Defining greatness is a bit like defining beauty, it all depends on your point of view. Historian Daniel Boorstin said "Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some hire public relations officers." "The secret of greatness is simple," wrote author Wilfred A. Peterson, "do better work than any other man in your field - and keep on doing it." Sir Winston Churchill once said, "The price of greatness is responsibility," while former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall said "We have, I fear, confused power with greatness."
Thus it is no surprise, then, the greatest American is .... Homer Simpson. That, at least, was the opinion of those responding to a BBC News poll from a couple of years ago. The cartoon head of the dysfunctional, and sickly yellow, Simpson clan received 47.2 percent of the vote. Abraham Lincoln was second with 9.7 percent of the vote from the largely international audience, followed by Martin Luther King Jr., with 8.5 percent. Interestingly, Mr. T, from the TV series "The A Team," placed fourth with 7.8 percent of the vote. Either "The A Team" is still popular someplace, or those responding to the poll have long memories, since the show went off the air in 1987.
The Discovery Channel's top 100 in the race for the title of greatest American included some worthy choices, like Susan B. Anthony, Alexander Graham Bell, George Washington Carver and Jonas Salk, and some of more questionable credentials, like Martha Stewart, Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Phil, Madonna and Hugh Hefner. The top 25 finalists include a bicyclist (Lance Armstrong), an evangelist (Billy Graham), a talk show host (Oprah Winfrey) and a genius (Albert Einstein). It is an eclectic group, ranging from Walt Disney to Elvis Presley, from George Washington to George Bush. There is a brother act, the Wright brothers, and a husband a wife team, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Picking a single person as the "Greatest American," is rather like picking the greatest song of all time, or the top movie ever. It's difficult to compare films or songs in different genres, not to mention the fact everyone's taste is different.
Is Martin Luther King Jr. greater than Benjamin Franklin? Each changed the world, in his own way, in his own time. Can you compare Bill Gates to Henry Ford? Both altered the way Americans live and work, but does Gates' software outstrip Ford's hardware as far as greatness is concerned?
Bob Hope and Elvis Presley were great entertainers, but can their contributions to society be compared to those of Rosa Parks or Thomas Edison? ... America is great not because of the efforts of one person, but of many. Even, I suppose, Homer Simpson. D'oh!
- Tickets on Sale for 2nd Annual Elvis Film Festival
(PRWeb, June 12, 2005)
Tickets are now available for the 2nd Annual Elvis Film Festival presented by Lenny's Sub Shops. The festival will be held Monday, August 15, 2005 at the Malco Paradiso Theatre beginning at 9:30am. The festival is scheduled in conjunction with Graceland during Elvis Week 2005 and currently is the only one of its kind at a movie theatre in the United States. The 2nd Annual Elvis Film Festival will feature the films Viva Las Vegas and Elvis: That's the Way It Is: Special Edition, along with a special free viewing of the DVD, Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii playing as follows:
9:30am Viva Las Vegas
11:45am Elvis: That's the Way It Is: Special Edition
2:30pm Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii (DVD)
Tickets for Viva Las Vegas and Elvis:That's the Way It Is: Special Edition are $6.50 each and are available thru the Graceland sales/reservation department until August 5. ...
- Tribute to Prima is better than ever
By TED HADLEY
(Buffalo News, June 11, 2005)
Musical tribute to Louis Prima.Through June 26 in Shea's Performing Arts Center, 710 Main St., 856-5650.
Louis Prima, who gave up classical violin for boogie-woogie trumpet, was a headline entertainer for 47 years. Born in New Orleans in 1910 to Italian immigrants, Prima's show business career began with famed Red Nichols and the Five Pennies, and he later fronted his own big band in the 1930s. He somehow stumbled into a series of forgettable movies - "Rhythm on the Range," with Bing Crosby 1936, for example - before national stardom beckoned after marrying deadpan singer Keely Smith, wife No. 4, in 1948. Recordings went gold, Las Vegas welcomed the man they called "the Wildest." Prima's opening nights anywhere became legendary. Reviews all echoed the words of New York critic Gene Knight: "Pandemonium reigned last night. And so did Louis Prima." ... The stage is alive with flashes of color, fast-changing costumes by Michael Chamberlain aiding here, pastel flimsies for the girls here, gangster-ish suits for the guys there, with impossible attire for Norm Sham, returning as Louis Prima, he of the stutter-step and complete body wiggle. It is said that Elvis Presley borrowed Prima's on-stage moves; the King should have waited for Sham's.
- It's official: now everyone will get a reality show
By Bob Sassone
(TV Squad, June 11, 2005)
Filed under: Reality, FOX
What the hell is this show? Princes of Malibu? Starring composer David Foster (!), husband of Linda Thompson (Elvis Presley's ex-girlfriend, Bruce Jenner's ex-wife), dealing with his crazy party boy stepsons in Southern California? Oh heaven help us.
It's on FOX starting July 10, if you're interested.
Linda Thompson and David Foster
- Nostalgia works for Jimmy Carpenter
By Margarita Venegas
(Shelby Star, June 11, 2005)
Posters, books and records of Elvis, the Beatles and others line the walls of the graphic designer's home studio. There are other items, too, examples of work he has done for modern events in and around Cleveland County, such as the Over the Mountain Triathlon and Shelby filmmaker Earl Owensby's DVD and video covers. But, it's the work with Elvis and Beatles items that Carpenter holds dear. In Libba Laney's sixth grade English class at South Elementary, a young Carpenter wrote in an essay, "I would like to design Elvis and Beatles record album covers someday."
Starting in 1986, after graduating from Cleveland Community College, Carpenter worked with different advertising agencies in the Shelby area. He learned a lot in that time of graphics transition from cut-and-paste hand-mounted work to computer technology and eventually went into business for himself. ... Last month, two of his works - one Beatles-related and one Elvis-related - gained public attention. ... Also in May, the extended DVD version of Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley's May 13 CBS-TV Special, "Elvis By The Presleys," hit the stores. The DVD has a special bonus feature titled "45 rpm," which is a slide show of all Presley's gold and platinum singles. One of Carpenter's custom collectables sleeve designs for "Blue Suede Shoes" is featured in the slide show.
"My goal was to create something that looked authentic - like a period piece," Carpenter said of the "Blue Suede Shoes" vinyl sleeve that he created for a record collection. "It showed me that I achieved my goal." ...
- Lady Luck smiled on couple's wedding
By SUSAN PHINNEY
(SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, June 11, 2005)
Las Vegas, the site of so many famous and infamous weddings -- Elvis and Priscilla Presley, Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, to name just two -- celebrated its centennial this week with a wedding for 100 couples from all over the U.S. (including a handful from the Seattle area). ...
- Touting heritage
(Daily Journal, June 10, 2005)
William Faulkner and Elvis Presley - different as they may be in many respects - share two great commonalities. First, they were probably the most influential Americans of the 20th century in their respective fields - Faulkner in literature, Presley in popular music - and both had, and continue to have, international followings. Second, they were both deeply rooted in their native Northeast Mississippi soil.
That one small geographic region in the rural South could produce two such cultural giants in close to the same era is remarkable. That more people don't join those who already come here to observe and celebrate their origins needs to be remedied. It's the legacy and heritage of Faulkner, Presley and lesser-known people, events and traditions that the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance wants to preserve and enhance. In so doing, they're convinced of two things: 1) That Northeast Mississippians can come to a greater appreciation of what has gone before them to shape their region and culture, and 2) that economic benefits can come from sharing that cultural heritage with others.
The creation of a William Faulkner Heritage Corridor, discussed last week, is an initiative by the relatively new alliance to help make that happen.
The plan seeks to link Faulkner-related sites in a way that helps visitors who come on Faulkner pilgrimages to Oxford - his home for most of his life - connect with his New Albany birthplace, family-related sites in Ripley and other points of interest. Tying these together in ways that can be marketed to prospective visitors has significant promise. The essence of community and economic development in the future, it has become increasingly clear, is for communities and regions to take an inventory of their unique assets and build on those in creative ways. No other region can claim William Faulkner to the extent that Northeast Mississippi can. It's quite appropriate to play that card for all it's worth, just as there is nothing but positive gain to be had from promoting Tupelo as Elvis's birthplace and formative environment. Cultural appreciation and celebration helps enhance the self-understanding and awareness of the uniqueness of that culture among those who live in it. ...
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