late June, 2005
- The Jordanaires, voices behind Elvis, still singing
By Pat Harris
(Yahoo! News / Reuters, June 30, 2005)
"I'm on a small label right now making some noise," said the brash, dark-haired kid. "But if I get a recording contract with a major company, I want you to back me up." The year was 1955. The little-known youngster was Elvis Presley, making a backstage pitch to Gordon Stoker, whose Jordanaires quartet had just finished backing up Eddy Arnold at a show in Memphis. "Nobody had heard of Elvis Presley," Stoker, now 80, recalled recently, "but apparently he was impressed with our rendition of 'Peace in the Valley' because his first love was always gospel, you know. He had listened to us on the Grand Ole Opry where we were the first white quartet to sing spirituals, and his music was influenced by that too."
The collaboration took off and the Jordanaires ultimately sang back-up on some of Elvis' biggest hits including "Don't Be Cruel" and "Jailhouse Rock." The quartet also sang back-up for Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Brenda Lee, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton -- even the Beatles' Ringo Starr. Although they are hardly household names themselves, they have recorded with an estimated 2,500 different artists and have sung on more Top 10 records than any other vocal group in history, culminating in record sales of more than $2.6 billion.
Looking back on this career, Stoker lounged in the old RCA studio where Presley put out those first albums on Nashville's famed "Music Row." His gaze lingered on the somewhat battered 1949 Steinway, the recording equipment, the instruments, the straight-back chairs and the black-and-white photos on the wall taken when Presley and his entourage were all so very young. It was almost as if they had left on a break from a session.
Stoker remembers being surprised a year after meeting Presley when the "noise" he spoke of making at Sun Records in Memphis had landed him a contract with RCA. By that time, the Jordanaires, who had formed their quartet in 1948 in Springfield, Missouri, were a fixture in Nashville.
ELVIS HAD A REQUEST
Country star Chet Atkins, who was producing Presley's first RCA record, told Stoker that the young fellow had asked for the Jordanaires to sing backup. "Chet didn't think the kid would go anywhere in the music business," Stoker said. "He said that Elvis was just a long-haired kid who was a passing fancy and he called me in to sing backup with Ben and Brock Speer on the session. "It wasn't that we had anything against the Speers," said Stoker, "but in music, meshing harmonies and styles can be tricky. But I went over to the studio and Elvis asked where the rest of the Jordanaires were and was disappointed that they weren't there. Four months later, Chet brought in the Speers again to join me in backing up Presley on 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,' which was a big hit." At that point, Elvis insisted not only on the Jordanaires on all future sessions but also their name on his album -- an unusual move since no backing musicians, producers or engineers were given credit on labels then.
This time he got his way. The long-haired kid was a star with enough clout to overrule Atkins, then a powerhouse in the business. Presley's manager, Col. Tom Parker, "told Chet that when Elvis asks for someone, Elvis gets them," Stoker recalled. And, he added, "to the day he died, Elvis didn't like Chet."
It was the beginning of a 14-year relationship during which the Jordanaires provided backup on "Don't Be Cruel," "All Shook Up," "Jailhouse Rock," "Can't Help Falling in Love" and numerous other Presley hits. It lasted until Presley based his career in Las Vegas and the Jordanaires declined to leave their roots in Nashville for the bright lights of the gambling mecca. Was it a hard decision to make? "Well," drawled the white-haired Stoker who sees nothing unusual about his continuing to sing harmony at age 80 for the biggest artists in the business, "not really. We could have gone with Elvis to Las Vegas with our careers tied to his but it made more sense for us to stay here and make music with just about everyone in the business. So that's what we did." ...
- A hound dog dressed like Elvis
(stuff.co.nz, June 29, 2005)
Fido might seem just as happy drinking his water out of your toilet as he would a Homer Simpson water bowl. But retailers are betting that pet owners are a bit more finicky and fashionable and willing to pay for new lines of pet products from brand names. Dog owners can indulge their inner fashion stylists by outfitting their pets in SpongeBob SquarePants collars or Elvis sweaters, for example, rather than no-name items. ...
- Viewers win one more for the 'Gipper' as Reagan named Greatest American
(Yahoo! News / AFP, June 29, 2005)
US television viewers handed Ronald Reagan the title of "Greatest American" ahead of legendary president and national savior Abraham Lincoln and civil rights trailblazer Martin Luther King Jr. Reagan, who died last year aged 93, headed a list of 25 contenders sorted by votes of three million viewers in a live finale to the Discovery Channel/AOL "Greatest American" campaign.
Supporters credit Reagan, dubbed 'The Great Communicator' who served as president from (1981-1989) with winning the Cold War and restoring American morale after a string of foreign policy reverses. Opponents however contend that Reagan's legacy has been boosted artificially by supporters since he left office.
Assassinated president Lincoln, who saved the American union from breaking up during the Civil War, came second, one place ahead of King. George Washington, the first US president was fourth. Statesman, inventor and philosopher Benjamin Franklin was fifth. Current US President George W. Bush was sixth, immediately ahead of predecessor Bill Clinton, who edged out the 'King' Elvis Presley, by one spot, despite being impeached over a sex scandal. ...
- Forget plain vanilla - today's gear sends a message: Jackets say it all
By Rob Honzell
(Calgary Sun, June 29, 2005)
It used to be that just having a leather jacket was enough. James Dean, Elvis Presley; it worked for them. But these days, a simple black leather jacket just doesn't seem to cut it. Today, people want their jacket to be as unique - and stylish - as they are. From Tom Cruise to Russell Crowe, those deciding to deck themselves out in a jacket that fits not only their shoulders but their personalities as well, are among Hollywood's best and brightest. Many are wearing pieces emblazoned with logos and crests, such as the Pelle Pelle line ...
- SIRIUS celebrates Elvis Radio anniversary
(Yahoo! Finance / bizjournals.com, June 29, 2005)
SIRIUS Satellite Radio is gearing up for its first anniversary of Elvis Radio, the first all-Elvis radio channel, and is planning a party fit for the King at Graceland this weekend. Created in conjunction with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Elvis Radio is broadcast live from its studio at Graceland and was launched on July 2, 2004. In honor of the anniversary, Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton and Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton have declared Saturday as "Elvis Radio Day."
The July 2 celebration will start at noon outside the studio in Graceland Plaza, with EPE CEO Jack Soden announcing the official proclamation of "Elvis Radio Day," followed by a champagne toast, birthday cake and free, limited-edition T-shirts. The special anniversary broadcast will include interviews with musicians who played with Elvis and actors who appeared alongside him in movies.
Last year, Robert F.X. Sillerman's CKX Inc. bought a majority interest in the assets comprising the estate of Elvis Presley. Sillerman paid about $100 million for 85% of Lisa Marie Presley's interests. Most of Elvis's personal effects and the title to Graceland and its 13.6-acre grounds in Memphis remain with Lisa Marie Presley. The deal included all trademark rights to the name, likeness and image of Elvis Presley. It includes all intellectual property, including EPE's collection of photographs, archival documents and footage and music publishing catalog. It also included the Graceland visitor center complex and Heartbreak Hotel, across the street from the mansion, and all other real estate investments of Elvis Presley Enterprises.
- "Elvis Presley International Airport, Memphis"
Released by: ElvisArt
(free-press-release.com, June 28, 2005)
The "Elvis Presley International Airport, Memphis" campaign, first publicised by Wily Scott Shepard in the "Memphis Business Journal" 2001, and subsequently in newspapers around the globe, including the British "News of the World", raised a few eyebrows in the rest of Memphis media back then.
A couple of years later Memphis WMC TV5 took up the story and even ran a poll in which the Elvis Presley International Airport proposal received more than 75% of the vote! Considering we already have a John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Louis Armstrong and John Lennon Airport, the reasons for the authorities in Shelby County Memphis to deny Elvis such an honour is quite mystifying.
Last Sunday two famous Memphians made the top ten in the list of the, "100 Greatest Americans", on the Discovery Channel. Martin Luther King, and Elvis Presley. Therefore failing an Elvis Airport why not, "The King International Airport, Memphis". A case of fulfilling two Kings, with one throne!
- Danzig: Often Imitated, Never Duplicated
By Keith Carman
(ChartAttack.com, June 28, 2005)
Glenn Danzig isnšt called "The Evil Elvis" for no reason. Not unlike Elvis Presley, the Danzig/former Misfits and Samhain singer has had his share of impersonators throughout his 30 year musical career. But unlike The King, most of Danzig's clones pretend to have never heard of him. ...
- 'Jailhouse Rock' is Elvis' best, bar none
By Matthew Towner
(Lexington Herald-Leader, June 28, 2005)
Elvis Presley was a bigger star in life than he could ever be in Hollywood. He was so good at being Elvis -- on stage and off -- that no fictional role could measure up. The King persona was better suited for home movies than big motion pictures, and that's why his lesser concerts hold up better than the better films. In the later films, it seemed that even Elvis knew he was betraying his music. So he quit Hollywood after starring in 31 movies, and when you look back at some of them, it was the right choice.
Jailhouse Rock is one of the exceptions. The King's third film was the best showcase of his musical talents and, just as importantly, the best camouflage of his acting weaknesses. As Vince Everett, the moody young man who finds music while in jail, Elvis mirrors the handsome portrait that hangs on history's walls. The raw charisma, perfect hair and slender physique are all there. It's the Elvis everyone wants to remember. And an audience is there to hear the voice that never left, too. Whenever possible, the script smartly manufactures a way to put Vince in front of screaming fans. He even performs on TV while in the stir, and after that he's everywhere.
Perhaps The King's movies never matched his music because he preferred the instant feedback of a live audience instead of a director's counsel. As the brief narrative interludes between numbers remind us, he wasn't much of a technical actor. But his brilliant musical performance in Jailhouse Rock, particularly on the title number, is worthy of any Elvis concert compilation. Even when the audience is composed of paid extras, he knows when to stop to acknowledge the response.
Watching the film today, the campy contrivances to get Elvis out of his shirt or onto a stage are obvious. But while the story might be forgettable, Jailhouse Rock is an important part of the interesting and unforgettable story that was Elvis Presley's life.
'Jailhouse Rock'
What: Part of the Summer Movie Classics series. The show also will include a classic cartoon and 1943 Batman serial.
When: 1:30 and 7:15 p.m. Wed.
Where: The Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St.
Cost: $3.
- Wearing Elvis
By Julie Watson
(Forbes.com, June 27, 2005)
When Russell Simmons or Sean Combs makes public appearances, it's almost a given that they'll be wearing their own fashion apparel lines, generating free publicity for the brand and boosting sales as fans rush to wear what they see their idols wearing. But what happens when the celebrity has been dead for 25 years?
Ask Elvis Presley Enterprises. The for-profit business came out with its first fashion line in February, the same month that the King's daughter Lisa Marie Presley sold a majority interest in the company to CKX. The clothing line flopped. "Consumers and buyers have preconceived notions of what Elvis was," says Carol Butler, director of worldwide licensing for EPE, speaking at a licensing conference. "The vision we have of him is he was hip, a leader. He changed style, music and dance. When we shop that, it's a hard sell." But EPE isn't giving up. It's incorporating the changes that retail buyers suggested -- such as different pant-leg styles and logo sizes -- and plans to relaunch the brand in August with an upscale line and a department store line. Consumers won't find it in Wal-Mart .
The designer behind the original and new line is Paul Guez, the founder of Sasson Jeans. When Guez came on board, he became a master licensee for EPE and has invested millions in what he's named Elvis Presley Clothing, Butler says.
There are currently 150 Elvis licensees, but EPE is moving away from the smaller licensees to build consistency into the brand. The licensing is where the big money lies. Last year, EPE pulled in $40 million in sales. (See: "Top-Earning Dead Celebrities.") In a recent U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, CKX said that for the quarter ended March 31, revenue for the Presley business totaled $5.8 million, with $2.5 million coming from royalties and licensing and the rest from the Graceland operations. Its operating profit totaled $962,000, which included a $323,000 loss on the Graceland operations. However, winter isn't the peak tourist season for Elvis' former home.
Lisa Marie retained sole ownership of Graceland and her father's personal effects, but sold 85% of the business which controls the commercial use of the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, the operation of Graceland and related attractions and revenue derived from Elvis' music, films and television specials. The trust she formed to run the operations got $50.1 million in cash, convertible preferred and common stock and the repayment of $25.1 million in debt.
Fashion is only one of a number of ventures to keep Elvis' name in the spotlight. (See: "Elvis Lives--In Merchandising At Least.") There's also a radio station on Sirius Satellite Radio (nasdaq: SIRI - news - people ), a film festival, a Broadway musical, a television special that ran on Viacom's (nyse: VIAb - news - people ) CBS network and a new advertising campaign, "Elvis Lives."
The apparel line still has a long road ahead of it. It all depends on what image of Elvis prevails. Will it be the overweight Vegas Elvis; the hip-gyrating 1950s young Elvis; or the playboy in such movies as Spinout, Blue Hawaii and Viva Las Vegas?
Butler admits that the new line with its subdued fashions and fitted clothing doesn't sit well with the traditional fan base.
"The older audience doesn't like that. They want something boxy, something with his image on it, so they can sleep with Elvis."
To help with that, EPE has brought in some interesting bedfellows: Jay-Z, Eminem, J-Lo, Nelly, Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons. EPE recently signed e-Fashion Solutions to run its e-tail operations. The company founded by former Calvin Klein executives Edward Foy, Jr. and Jennifer Silano-Foy, also operates the Web stores for the above-mentioned celebrities.
From shipping to design to customer service, they run all the brands' Web stores out of their New Jersey warehouse, making it more cost-efficient for brands to outsource instead of hiring in-house staff to run their online operations.
But the bonus for EPE could be if they can cross promote with the hip-hop brands and get some street cred for the King. Could Phat King Clothes be next?
- ... Cowriters keep Lipton's life light
(Book review)
By JOHN SMYNTEK
(Detroit Free Press, June 26, 2005)
Why read a biography about Peggy Lipton at all? After all, she was only a one-hit wonder in the 1960s with a role on "Mod Squad," one of producer Aaron Spelling's first pieces of cheese for ABC. True, men of a certain age bracket (now in their mid- to late 50s) will remember her as one of the TV goddesses (probably Susan Dey of "The Partridge Family" was the other) who personified the California girls the Beach Boys sang about.
... Lipton married ace music producer Quincy Jones, virtually disappeared and re-emerged after divorcing him with a small role in the cult favorite of the 1980s, "Twin Peaks." ... The highlights -- or maybe the lowlights: Lipton bedded many of the major pop figures of the 1960s and '70s. She basically seduced Beatle Paul McCartney, beating out millions of women who could only dream of it. Though she walked away from the dangerously hyper Sammy Davis Jr., she slept with Elvis Presley at Graceland only to find the King was, ah, er, less than potent in the consummation department. Actor Terence Stamp scored, too. She admits to being an easy mark during the pre-AIDS, free-love era. ...
- Methinks They Do Protest
(book review)
By gypsyman
(blogcritics.org, June 27, 2005)
The Importance of Being Famous : Behind the Scenes of the Celebrity-Industial Complex
Maureen Orth
Book from Henry Holt and Co.
Release date: 06 May, 2004
... "Methinks she doth protest too much" said one of Shakespeare's characters concerning the another's protestations of denial. It has been suggested that perhaps the same could be said for our newest idols. That those individuals who decry the intrusion in their lives the loudest by the masses of paparazzi are those most desirous of said attention. ... Do you honestly believe that people who consider it necessary to hire someone to issue statements about their personal lives are not courting the attention they claim to despise? ... Having carefully constructed careers conditional upon public adoration: the more that people lay out shekels to worship their image the higher the wattage of their star power, what did they expect? That they could shut off what they had created? With the worship comes the heightened expectations and demands. ... They couldn't have been blind to past history. One only need to look at the lengths people have gone to obtaining relics from previous stars. Those who buy sweat stained pieces of Elvis' scarves with all the devotion shown to a shard of the true cross surely must have prepared you for what was in store? ...
- There's still a whole lot of shakin' going on
By ROBERT HILBURN
(Buffalo News / Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2005)
How ya doin', killer?" Jerry Lee Lewis asks guests backstage at a casino showroom near San Bernardino where the famed "wild man" of rock 'n' roll will go onstage in 20 minutes. Well, maybe it's time to forget that wild man part. After nearly a half-century on the road, Lewis looks like a rock 'n' roller approaching the end of the trail. At 69, his face puffy and jowly, Lewis moves so slowly backstage that you wouldn't want him near a treadmill without paramedics in the building. Watching him slumped in a chair, it's hard to imagine him being able to do anything more onstage than accept an award.
Then again, people have counted Lewis out for decades - only to see him bounce back, from delicate stomach operations and career-threatening scandals. And sure enough, this night at the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino, Lewis not only makes it to the piano but comes alive once his fingers hit the keys, pumping out that distinctive Lewis groove that is part honky-tonk, part boogie-woogie, part juke joint and all magic. "You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain!" he shouts at the beginning of "Great Balls of Fire," one of the lustful tunes that made anxious parents in the '50s thankful for the less-threatening Elvis Presley. ...
- The power of suggestion lingers: Brain scans show hypnosis helps to focus the mind
By Roxanne Khamsi
(Nature, June 27, 2005)
Therapists who swear that hypnosis can help their patients now have more evidence to back their claim. A study of brain-scan images shows that hypnosis can indeed alter cognitive activity after subjects have come out of the trance state, and that this can help them concentrate on certain tasks. In a study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, hypnotized subjects outperformed their peers at a classic test of mental focus. And scans pinpointed the area of the brain responsible for this lasting effect. Hypnotists can strongly influence the behaviour of their subjects, sometimes helping them to give up addictive substances or, in tricks performed during stage performances, bark like a dog on hearing Elvis Presley. ...
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