late October, 2005
- Elvis, Beatles share stage at Col Ballroom
By David Burke
(Quad-City Times, October 24 2005)
There's only one documented meeting between Elvis Presley and the Beatles. "They wanted to meet many times with Elvis, but they just never could arrange it," said Elvis impersonator Irv Cass. The King met the Fab Four on Aug. 27, 1965, in Bel Air, Calif., while he was filming the movie "Girl Happy." "There was probably a little animosity there, because they were taking over the music and getting all the No. 1s," Cass said. "But ... they played guitars and had about four hours of talking, playing and jamming." In that case, then history will somewhat repeat itself next Saturday night with the show "Elvis Meets the Beatles" takes the stage at the Col Ballroom, Davenport. Cass - a Detroit-based Elvis impersonator who will return to the Quad-Cities the following weekend to defend his two-time title in the Isle of Capri-Bettendorf's "Tribute to the King" contest - and fellow impersonator Dwight Icenhower will perform four sets. Icenhower will perform Elvis in the early years and the 1968 comeback special eras; Cass will take Elvis through the movie years and the jumpsuit era.. ...
- 'Blackpool's' mash-up of genres a mixed bag
(Yahoo! Australia & NZ News / Reuters, October 24 2005)
Viva Blackpool" (just plain "Blackpool" in its native England, where it aired in November) is a genre hybrid: drama, mystery, satire, gangster saga, cop drama, comedy and musical. There's a lot to get past until hulky David Morrissey, as a heavily sideburned, loud-shirt-wearing, swaggering businessman of questionable morals, suddenly starts to shimmy and sing. The numbers are very broad and played for laughs that, at least initially, they don't get. Creator-writer Peter Bowker, whose credits include the BBC series "Casualty," has characters launch into sing-along and dance-along versions of popular, easily recognizable songs, including Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas," which opens the six-part miniseries. Other tunes include songs by Jimmy Cliff, Billy Idol, the Smiths and Diana Ross. ...
- Gold teeth, Elvis stamps among items sold at state auction
By TIFFANY ARNOLD
(Herald-Mail, October 23 2005)
A woman's gold, bottom front teeth sold for $400 to bidder No. 136, a pawn shop owner from Maysville, W.Va. Those teeth, plus several gold and diamond rings, belonged to lot No. 244 at an auction of unclaimed goods the State of West Virginia held Saturday at Spring Mills Middle School. The state auctioned 420 lots of items that had been left unclaimed for years in safe deposit boxes. "People die, move away, they just forget about the stuff," said Richard Fisher, chief investigator for the state treasury. The last safe box auction was held in 2001, said Paul W. Hill, deputy treasurer for electronic government. Goods included Elvis stamps, which sold for $9; two empty jewel cases to antique, which sold for $2; and a ring of white gold, which sold for $4,300. ...
- Ken counts on a make-over to win back Barbie
By Nina Goswami
(news.telegraph.co.uk, October 23 2005)
They broke up after 43 years together citing irreconcilable differences. Now, after a mere 18 months apart, Ken wants Barbie back. What's more he is prepared to make the effort to change. He will unveil a new look early next year and his spokesman at the manufacturers Mattel promises a radical, highly secret, rethink. In the 1970s this plastic doll's masculine Elvis Presley look made Barbie's plastic heart skip a beat. But more than four decades on, Ken's metrosexual blonde beach boy image helped to lead the love of his life to dump him for an Australian surfer called Blaine. Mattell stopped promoting the two together and Ken was pushed to the back of the toy shop shelves. ...
Ken's looks through the decades
- An actress before God: Mother Dolores Hart
By George Krimsky
(Republican-American, October 23 2005)
Of all the nuns at Regina Laudis, the most renowned is Mother Dolores Hart, who gave up a glamorous Hollywood career 42 years ago for a life of holy seclusion. Now 67, she is the Bethlehem abbey's prioress and second in command. But her elevated status in the holy order does not prevent her from maintaining ties with the film world. She still holds membership in the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences that allows her to vote in Oscar selections each year. What made a young actress who starred opposite Elvis Presley (in "Loving You" and "King Creole") give up an aspiring career and the man she loved for the monastic life? ... Today, Mother Dolores is still in near constant pain from a disease for which there is no treatment. But she gains comfort from serving as national spokesman for the Neuropathy Association.
- Out of TUNE: No Neil Diamond? No Connie Francis? No Chubby Checker? Rock Expert offers a dozen names he says belong in the Hall of Fame
By ED LEVY
(Buffalo News, October 23 2005)
As a disc jockey, musician and unofficial rock-music historian, I've found it increasingly painful to see the direction the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has been taking. The most troubling problem is the most basic: Artists who deserve to be inducted are - year after year after year - unjustly passed over. At the same time, many groups and artists have been inducted who, based on their body of work, simply don't deserve the recognition. The Rock Hall has ignored growing demands by fans and experts for a more accurate, trustworthy and realistic process of choosing nominees and inductees. It almost seems that the Hall is deliberately trying to create music history rather than report it. The Rock Hall has a cultural responsibility to report the facts, and do so accurately.
A case in point: Ritchie Valens is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, he certainly does not have the credentials to be there. His entire musical career was only nine months long. He had one Top 20 song, and died when he was 17 years old. I like Ritchie Valens and own most of his music, but his body of work is just too small. By contrast, you have Neil Diamond. His career spans more than 40 years. Beginning as a writer at the Brill Building in the early '60s, his first hit was in 1966 ("Solitary Man"), and he had a long line of hits including several No. 1 songs and many Top 10s. He has written songs done by the Monkees, Barbra Streisand, UB40, Lulu, Deep Purple and countless others. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and given a special achievement award from that body. He has sold more than 120 million albums. His body of work is obviously Hall of Fame worthy. Yet Diamond has never even been nominated. Many of Diamond's fans are so upset and disillusioned, they won't even acknowledge the Rock Hall, nor will they visit there. When you multiply the fans of other obviously deserving groups and artists who shun the Rock Hall, the numbers become staggering. This has translated into steadily declining attendance and is one reason why the Rock Hall has not been a financial success. If the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame wants to restore its credibility, it will induct Diamond and these other deserving artists as soon as possible.
THE DESERVING DOZEN
1. Neil Diamond - See Above.
2. The Guess Who - Canada's all-time No. 1 rock 'n' roll group, which had a long string of hits from 1965 to 1975, including a No. 1 song in 1970 ("American Woman"). Their influence on subsequent Canadian artists is immeasurable. Burton Cummings possesses one of rock's greatest voices. Randy Bachman is perhaps one of the most underrated rock and jazz guitarists. Together Bachman and Cummings were one of the most formidable song writing duos of their era. Their stature in Canada is at the superstar level, but like Diamond, the Guess Who has never even been nominated. It's another major oversight for the Rock Hall, one which has alienated many Canadian rock fans.
3.Connie Francis - She was the undisputed top female teen idol of the '50s and the early '60s and sold more records than Elvis between 1958 and 1962. She had 35 top 40 hits (16 that went gold), including several No. 1s and many Top 10s. She had the first rock 'n' roll song by a female artist to sell over 1 million copies ("Stupid Cupid" in 1958). She was the female artist of the year for seven years in a row. Joel Whitburn rated her the 11th most important rock act for the first 10 years of rock 'n' roll. She has sold over 110 million albums worldwide. Add to that the quality of her voice and the influence she had on upcoming female rock artists. Her omission smacks of sexism.
4. Chubby Checker - You cannot discuss the history of rock 'n' roll between 1959 and 1964 without prominently mentioning Chubby Checker. A little history lesson: Rock 'n' roll was in severe trouble starting in 1958, when Elvis went into the Army. Quickly on the heels came the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly on Feb. 3, 1959. That was followed shortly thereafter by the payola scandal, threatening rock's credibility and future. Rock 'n' roll was at its lowest point. To the rescue came Chubby Checker and the "dance craze" era. He kept rock alive and kept America dancing. His influence spawned such things as the "Locomotion," the "Watusi," "Bristol Stomp," "Twist and Shout," "Twistin' the Night Away," "South Street," "Dance, Dance, Dance," "The Peppermint Twist," "Dancin' in the Street," as well as his own hits including "The Twist," "The Limbo Rock," "Pony Time," "Popeye the Hitchhiker," "Let's Twist Again," "Dancin' Party," "The Fly," etc. Checker saved rock 'n' roll (with later help from the Brill Building, the Beach Boys, and the Four Seasons). In its infinite wisdom, the Rock Hall has never even nominated Chubby.
5. The Dave Clark Five - Another history lesson: The British Invasion was the second most important event in rock history (behind the emergence of Elvis Presley, and just ahead of Woodstock). The Dave Clark Five is just one of many British Invasion groups who have been constantly slighted. Dave Clark's unique drumming style influenced the likes of Ringo Starr, Max Weinberg and Bruce Springsteen to various punk groups of the '70s, and can even be heard in '90s groups like Green Day. For a while, the DC5 were as popular as the Beatles. They had a long string of hits between 1964 and 1968. Mike Smith (lead vocalist) of the DC5 is perhaps one of rock's most underrated voices. This year was the first year the DC5 was nominated.
6. The Moody Blues - Considered by most rock experts to be the fathers of psychedelic rock, they were the first group to extensively use symphony orchestras in their songs. The members of the Moody Blues are all accomplished musicians who play nearly 100 different instruments. Between 1967 and 1972, the Moody Blues had seven consecutive albums that went gold and/or platinum. The Moody Blues has never been nominated for the Rock Hall.
7. Chicago Transit Authority (later known as Chicago) - Their first year of eligibility was 1993. Since then, they have been nominated twice, but never inducted. Chicago has had more than 20 platinum albums and numerous hits including several No. 1s and plenty of Top 10s. Their first two albums are considered by many to be masterpieces. They were and are the premier "brass sound" band influencing many groups and artists along the way. Their career spans over 35 years.
8. The Hollies - Another British Invasion group which gets no respect from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They actually pre-dated The Beatles (as did Gerry and the Pacemakers) in popularity in England, and had a huge string of hits from 1962 to the mid '70s. While they were far more popular in England than in the States, they still had six top 10 hits here. Their vocal harmonies (Graham Nash and Allan Clarke) are among the best in rock, with "Bus Stop" just one shining example. They were also one of the most prolific British Invasion bands, with over 350 songs. (The Beatles had 184). They have never been nominated for the Rock Hall.
9. The Carpenters - Yes, The Carpenters! Consider these facts - three No. 1 songs, five No. 2 songs (second only to Elvis who had six), 12 Top 10 songs, eight gold albums, five platinum albums, 10 gold singles, the bestselling American group of the 1970s, 18 Grammy award nominations. At the first American Music Awards in 1973, they were voted the best group in the rock/pop category. The Carpenters also have their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Richard Carpenter, who was a classically trained pianist, was also composer, arranger, producer and background singer for most of their material. He has been described as a "musical genius" by the likes of Herb Alpert, Brian Wilson and Burt Bacharach. Add to that Karen Carpenter's self-taught drumming and, most of all, the most pristine female voice in all of rock. While some may condemn the Carpenters for being too syrupy or squeaky-clean, if you judge them on merit, it is obvious they belong in the Rock Hall.
10. Jethro Tull - Their first four albums ("This Was," "Stand Up," "Benefit," and probably their most successful opus "Aqualung") were all critically acclaimed by nearly every rock critic on the planet. They have released 40 albums in 37 years and are one of the most original, innovative and progressive rock groups in history. Ian Anderson is an unbelievable flute player. Even though they did not have much chart success, their music has withstood the test of time. Jethro Tull also has never been nominated.
11. Paul Anka - One of the first and most successful rock teen idols, Anka was the only one who wrote most of his own songs. Even Elvis couldn't claim that. When "Diana" became a hit, Anka was only 15 years old. A prolific song writer, Anka has penned over 900 songs. He has had three No. 1 hits, and dozens of top 10 and top 20 hits. For others, he wrote "My Way" (Frank Sinatra), "She's a Lady" (Tom Jones), "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" (Buddy Holly) and "The Tonight Show Theme." Anka has also never been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
12. Neil Sedaka - After an initial career as a Brill Building composer, Neil Sedaka decided to try his hand as a performer with huge success. Between 1959 and 1963, only Connie Francis and Elvis Presley sold more records. He had three No. 1 1 hits, nine top 10s, and 15 top 20s. When his popularity started to decline during the mid '60s, he returned to being a successful songwriter for other artists. ("Where The Boys Are," "Workin' On a Groovy Thing," "Love Will Keep Us Together," "Bad Blood" etc.). He even managed a few hits for himself ("Laughter in the Rain," the slow version of "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do"). Sedaka, too, has never been nominated.
The omission of these (and other) artists leads to the question: Just who are these voters, what are their credentials and why do they show favoritism towards punk acts and R&B artists? The beauty of early rock 'n' roll was the inclusion of a variety of styles (country and western, rhythm and blues, folk, pop, soul and even gospel). The Rock Hall's voters seem to have forgotten this. ... The latest group of 15 nominees leaves much to be desired. ... Finally, one of the Rock Hall's most shameful acts was its failure to induct George Harrison as a solo artist while he was still alive. Even though everyone knew how ill he was, the Rock Hall did not induct him, when they had two chances to do so. Harrison died in 2001. He wasn't inducted until 2004. ... It is time for accomplishment and substance to prevail over image and style.
- Internet date 'led to child's abuse'
(stuff.co.nz, October 22 2005)
An Elvis Presley impersonator who met a young mother through an internet chatroom allegedly assaulted her three-year-old son with a drawing pin, rubbed his face in urine and flushed his head down a toilet to "teach him a lesson" for bed-wetting. ...
- Elvis made northern debut 50 years ago in Brooklyn
By Jeff Maynor
(WKYC-TV, October 21 2005)
DJ Alan Freed may have started rock and roll music in Cleveland but 50 years ago this week it was another influential Cleveland disc jockey who changed everything when he decided Elvis Presley was something more than just a country singer.
In 1955, young Elvis Presley was a hillbilly novelty act; opening shows for Johnny Cash and Slim Whitman. Cleveland was the first northern city to see Elvis, booked on country shows at the Circle Theater by DJ Tommy Edwards. "Tommy did a lot of country shows and, as you know, Elvis started as a hillbilly act," Chuck Rambaldo with Tommy Edwards Records says. And he might have stayed just a hillbilly act if he had not crossed paths with Cleveland's star-making disc jockey Bill Randle who would introduce Elvis to the nation on network television.
Three months before the nation first saw Elvis, Brooklyn teenagers would see him at their new auditorium as Randle made his movie. ... "I loved Pat Boone, probably most impressed with Bill Haley and the Comets," Pat Smith of the class of ' 50 says. But no one had ever heard of Elvis Presley. ... Joyce [Harrison] still has the snapshot she took of Elvis that day, folded over from caring it in her wallet. ...
Elvis at the Brooklyn High auditorium in 1955
- ALL CROOK UP: CASHIER STEALS FOR ELVIS OBSESSION
By Rod Chaytor
(Mirror, October 21 2005)
A TOWN hall cashier stole more than half a million pounds in car parking fees to fund her obsession with Elvis Presley. Julie Wall spent the loot on rare records, DVDs, videos and mementos of the King after council bosses failed to spot the scam for nearly a decade.
The 46-year-old helped herself to £10,000 a month in loose change, mostly £1 coins collected from car park machines, which she swapped for notes. When she was nabbed in July she had taken £557,327 from North Kesteven council, Lincs. Spinster Wall was yesterday jailed for three years after admitting theft. Luke Blackburn, defending, told Lincoln crown court: "She is ashamed and more sorry than she can say. "She was in the grip of an exceptional habit. She knew she would be caught but didn't stop." The court heard Wall was "left to her own devices" in her office, allowing her to falsify records without suspicion. She was well liked by colleagues who described her as "mild and modest".
Wall, who had been with the council since she was 16, often paid up to £3,500 for rare Elvis imports. But most of her music collection was stashed in the attic of her home at Sleaford, Lincs, and never even played. It is expected to be confiscated to help pay back the money she stole.
WHAT SHE CAN SING IN PRISON
Pound Dog
Suspicious Fines
Love Me Spender
AmeriCON Trilogy
I Just Can't Help Thieving
The Blunder of You
Blue Suede Screws
A Little Less COINversation ...
- Economic power of Elvis endures long after death: Elvis Presley Enterprises kept music legend's memory alive to tune of $40 million in 2004
By RYAN UNDERWOOD
(tennessean.com, October 21 2005)
Elvis is alive. OK, maybe not in the actual, medical sense of the word, but from a sales and marketing perspective Elvis is almost as hot today as when he first shook his scandalous hips on the Ed Sullivan show in 1956. "The beauty of Elvis is that there are so many facets to him," said Scott Williams, the marketing manager for Elvis Presley Enterprises, the name of the company that oversees business operations of the Elvis estate. Williams was in town yesterday speaking to the Nashville Advertising Federation, a local industry group, about how to market a rock legacy long after the celebrity himself has died. "What we want to do is let fans enjoy Elvis in their own way," he said. Translation: Whether you like Elvis solely for his music, for his movies, for the kitsch factor -- or better yet, for all those reasons, Williams' job is to offer plenty of innovative ways to meet that demand. And judging from the numbers, it's a business strategy that's working.
Last year, EPE brought in roughly $40 million, making Elvis No. 1 on Forbes magazine's 2004 list of the top-earning dead celebrities, ahead of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz and Lord of The Rings author J.R.R Tolkien. In February, New York-based company CKX acquired an 85% stake in EPE from Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley for roughly $108 million in cash and stock, according to SEC filings. In addition, the company paid wife Priscilla Presley $6.5 million and annual payments of $550,000 for the next eight years for commercial use of the Presley name.
A month after buying EPE, the company purchased 19 Entertainment, the company that created the Pop Idols television franchise. Already, Williams hinted, the sister companies are working together, as Graceland recently hosted the top four contestants on Canadian Idol, footage of which became great fodder for Elvis.com. Elvis.com, which draws 600,000 unique visitors per month and drew 1 million during August, the month Elvis died, keeps its audience engaged with such mundane technologies as a Webcam on the property and message boards. ... Elvis licensing is such a big business that a full-time staff of 10 people does nothing but handle licensing deals. And yet, despite having about 400 ongoing licensing partnerships, a full 98% of proposed Elvis projects are rejected each year, Williams said. "After Elvis died, there were so many licensing deals signed that led to a lot of very tacky stuff," Williams said. (Moments before, he was standing before a luncheon audience extolling the potential eBay value of a limited-edition Elvis CelebriDuck -- a branded line of celebrities done up in rubber duck form.) Said Williams: "We're very careful. We only do licensing deals that make sense with the Elvis image."
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