late March, 2006
- Roosevelt statue's fate is finally set in stone
By SONI SANGHA
(Duluth News Tribune, March 31 2006)
TENAFLY--The semicircular limestone monument to Theodore Roosevelt officially became a landmark Thursday. The Historic Preservation Office of the Department of Environmental Protection unanimously voted to add to the state's historic register what is thought to be the only publicly accessible tribute to the 26th president's environmental conservation efforts. The monument, by Trygve Hammer, will join nine other sites in Tenafly already on the list of state treasures, which includes more than 1,700 items, mostly homes and buildings. ... Restoration is ongoing. The monument is at the Roosevelt Commons on Riveredge Road, across from Borough Hall. ...
But the crowning achievement could be yet to come. The monument was also nominated for a slot on the federal historic register, kept by the National Park Service. If it passes that hurdle, the sculpture will be among only five sites in Tenafly, 246 in Bergen County and 1,514 in New Jersey that are listed alongside Elvis Presley's home Graceland, California's infamous Alcatraz Island and New York City's Carnegie Hall. ...
- Graceland A National Historic Landmark
Posted by Melissa Moon
(WREG-TV, March 31 2006)
Graceland has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991 and fans have long considered it a national treasure. Monday, dozens of fans and Priscilla Presley were on hand as Interior Secretary Gale Norton made it official. In a special ceremony on the lawn of Graceland, the King's home was added to the list of National Historic Landmarks. "We honor Graceland as a rich reflection of American culture. A place of national significance, worthy of our country's recognition. The amazing story of Elvis Presley is embodied here in this home, which I am proud to declare a National Historic Landmark," said Norton.
Priscilla thanked fans for showing up and said Elvis would be pleased by it all. "I was across the street and saw a billboard and I thought my God he would just never believe that it had come to what it is today. Not only did he enjoy it, but let everyone enjoy it," said Presley.
Fans young and old and many from across the globe said they wouldn't have missed this for the world and felt lucky to have witnessed part of history. "I've been an Elvis fan since I was as young as my son was or younger and for it to happen and for it to be a historic moment I could share with my children. I was crying. To be here when all this was happening," said Lucy Pierri, an Elvis fan from Chicago. "We just happened to be here when all this happened. It's a dream come true," said Ian Allsapp, a fan from England.
And fans all agree this is one honor for Graceland that is long overdue. "We were just saying you can mention Graceland in any continent and everybody knows what it means," said Lisa Criscione. The last site in Tennessee to become a National Historic Landmark was Sun Studios and it also has an Elvis connection. Sun Studios is where the king began his recording career. There are fewer than 2,500 hundred National Landmarks.
- Guest Book for Charlie Hodge
Source; Email to Presleys in the Press
(Decatur Daily, March 30 2006)
On the Guest Book for Charlie Hodge there are 64 pages of tributes to Charlie Hodge from people all around the world. The Guest Book will remain online for another 5 days. After April 4th, 2006, it no longer will be available for reading and adding entries (unless enough people sponsor it to become permanent).
- Museum For 'Rebel' Icon James Dean Is Closing
By Greg Levine
(Forbes, March 30 2006)
The King never truly leaves the building. But another icon of retro-cool has. In fact, the whole building closed around him. James Dean, 1950s anti-hero to moody adolescents and suburban rebels without causes to speak of, has been the subject of folkore, song lyrics and pop paintings. Small wonder that the star of Giant and East of Eden, like Elvis Presley, also merited a museum. Unlike the eternal lord-in-absentia of Memphis and Las Vegas, who perpetually tops The Forbes Top-Earning Dead Celebrities List, Dean only scored a spot on the Near Misses roster. Also unlike "Elvis the Pelvis," whose swiveling hips were censored by CBS, Dean's museum is, sadly, passing into history. The owner of a museum chronicling the actor's fast-burning candle -- he died at 24 -- says he closed its doors for good, after struggling financially since its 2004 inception. ... The curator said he would soon be erecting a small display in the National Automotive & Truck Museum in the town of Auburn. Unfortunately, only 25% of the memorabilia that had been displayed will have room in the new boutique space. Loehr said he plans to continue operating his Dean memorabilia store, called Rebel, Rebel, and the gallery's Web site.
- Barbra Streisand: What You Never Knew
(CBS, March 29 2006)
Barbra Streisand is among the world's biggest stars and has been for the past 45 years. She is a singer, actress, director, producer, and has won just about every major award. A new unauthorized biography traces her eventful life, chronicling everything from Streisand's painful childhood to her long list of romantic conquests. The book is called "Barbra - The Way She Is" and author Christopher Andersen joined The Early Show Wednesday to tell more about his findings. Asked by co-anchor Harry Smith whether Streisand would like the book, Andersen admitted that the star would be less than pleased. "She said once that 'If God wrote my biography I wouldn't like it,' " he said. "She's a control freak."
Andersen's book reveals the painful past that Streisand had to overcome on the road to stardom. Her father died of undiagnosed epilepsy when she was just a year old, leaving her in the hands of what Andersen describes as a "mean stepfather." ... When Streisand became a star, she quickly became one of the most powerful women in Hollywood, but not always the most popular. Andersen told the story of her relationship with Walter Matthau during the filming of "Hello, Dolly." "He hated Barbra Streisand," he said. "He had just won an Oscar for 'The Fortune Cookie.' She was running the show. She was telling the director, Gene Kelly, how to direct that movie. Walter Matthau went to the head of the studio, Richard Zanuck, and Zanuck said, 'I'd love to help you but this is not 'Hello, Walter' we're making.' "
But even if Matthau didn't like her, plenty of other men did. Her first husband was the actor Elliott Gould. ... As for her other romantic relationships, Andersen said Streisand nearly tied the knot with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau of Canada. "She was thinking of marrying him and thinking of becoming the first lady." And he claims Streisand shared some special moments with Elvis Presley. "She had a relationship back when they were both starring on stage in Las Vegas," he said. "And at one point he came into her dressing room, caught her by surprise, got down on his knees, took the bottle of finger nail polish and started painting her nails. He said, 'You are the only one who ever intimidated me.' " ...
- Video of Ceremony of Elvis Presley's Graceland Mansion Being Named Historic Landmark Now Online
Source: Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
(Yahoo! Finance / PRNewswire, March 29 2006)
Elvis Presley Enterprises (http://www.elvis.com/gracelandtours) announced today that they are offering free public access via streaming video to the ceremony designating Graceland, home of the king of rock 'n' roll Elvis Presley, a National Historic Landmark. Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Priscilla Presley made the announcement during a special ceremony on the grounds of Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. The video was shot for archival purposes but, because of the high level of interest, the decision was made to make it available for the public.
View Ceremony Designating Graceland a National Landmark (http://elvis.com/graceland/special/video_nat_hist_landmark.asp)
Graceland: Home of Elvis Given Nation's Highest Recognition
Graceland was Presley's primary residence for 20 years of his 23-year career and is the one site most associated with him. Elvis Presley's Graceland is one of the five most visited home museums in the United States and the most recognizable residence in the nation after The White House.
The National Historic Landmark designation is the highest such recognition accorded by our nation to historic properties. These special places are the actual sites where significant historical events occurred, or where prominent Americans worked or lived, and represent the ideas that shaped our nation. Fewer than 2,500 historic places carry the title of National Historic Landmark.
Elvis Fans Celebrate Around the World
"We have been receiving phone calls and e-mails from Elvis fans from around the world," stated Scott Williams, Manager of Marketing and Communications. "Thanks to the internet, there are now hundreds of thousands of people all over the world who will be able to experience this historic day from their own homes and offices."
About: ELVIS PRESLEY ENTERPRISES, Inc.
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and internet projects. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit Elvis.com . EPE is a subsidiary of CKX, Inc., a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ National Market System (NMS) under the ticker symbol CKXE.
- New role for Elvis Presley's home
(Herald Sun / AFP, March 29 2006)
Elvis Presley's home in Memphis is the world's most visited private residence. And as of yesterday, it's also a National Historic Landmark. "American culture and music changed irreversibly because of Elvis," said Interior Secretary Gale Norton. "It would be difficult to tell the story of the 20th century without discussing the many contributions made by this legendary artist."
The designation puts the Tennessee mansion on the same list as other notable American landmarks such as the Alamo, the White House and Mount Rushmore. Fewer than 2500 historic places have been awarded the designation. Elvis bought the sprawling property for $145,000 in 1957 with earnings from his first hit record, Heartbreak Hotel. His widow [ie, ex-wife] Priscilla Presley first opened Graceland's doors to visitors in 1980. It now draws nearly 700,000 visitors a year.
- TCB realty
(Boston Herald, March 29 2006)
PRISCILLA PRESLEY insisted that Graceland is not on the auction block, y'all. Rumors that the Memphis manse owned by her late hubby, Elvis Presley, flared up after Monday's announcement that the King's crib was designated a National Historic Landmark. Presley told People that her daughter, Lisa Marie, was the sole owner of the property. "It will be a place for her and the children to visit forever," said Mom.
- It's official: Graceland's a landmark
By Cheryl Truman
(Lexington HERALD-LEADER, March 28 2006)
Graceland is now a hunka hunka burnin' National Historic Landmark. The Memphis home that Elvis Presley -- aka "The King," and if you have to ask king of what, excuse yourself now -- bought in 1957 has long been among the nation's most visited tourist attractions. Yesterday, Graceland's cult popularity was coated with the patina of historic propriety.
In Kentucky, sites designated National Historic Landmarks include Keeneland Race Course, the Old Morrison office building at Transylvania University, Perryville Civil War Battlefield in Boyle County, and the Fort Boonesborough site in Richmond -- all sites that have considerably more than 50 years of history. On the other hand, the Covington and Cincinnati Suspension bridge also is on the national list, even though few people linger there for souvenirs. Kentucky National Historic Landmark houses include Frankfort's Liberty Hall and Lexington's Ashland, the estate of American statesman and orator Henry Clay.
Clay held the title of the Great Compromiser, but he was never called the King, never wiggled his hips on national TV nor sang about suspicious minds. Nor does Ashland boast a tiki-themed "jungle room."
- Graceland to remain in the Presley family
(United Press International, March 28 2006)
Priscilla Presley says her family has no intention of selling Graceland, the Memphis estate her late husband bought 20 years ago. ...
- Memphis natives have warm memories of Elvis, his home
By RICHARD CONN
(The Villages Daily Sun, March 28 2006)
Elvis Presley's sprawling Graceland estate garnered an honor Monday normally reserved for the sites of historic military battles or the homes of former presidents. And the designation has one Villager who had more than a few encounters with Presley "all shook up." "I was really glad to see it; I think it's very fitting," said Memphis, Tenn., native Alex Coles about Graceland's designation as a national historic landmark. "People come not only from all over the United States, but also from parts of Europe as well to see it."
Elvis was - and still is - considered royalty in Memphis. They don't call him "The King" for nothing. But Coles has a special insight into just how revered Presley is in his hometown. From 1962 to '67, Coles' wife Ann worked as a deputy at the Shelby County Sheriff's Department in Memphis. For two of those years, Coles said his wife had the plum assignment of essentially working security at Graceland, a job she procured through her friendship with Elvis' former girlfriend and longtime friend Anita Wood.
"Elvis called (Ann) 'Little Mama' that's a saying rock and rollers had," Coles remembered. "And he would always call her at home and wish her a happy birthday." Coles said because of his wife's employment with Presley he had the opportunity to be in the presence of rock and roll royalty on several occasions.
"I met Elvis many times; he was a sensational man," Coles said. "He was always very polite." Coles said he has been inside Graceland at least 10 times and especially loves "The Jungle Room," a glaring example of the opulence of the '70s, filled with furniture upholstered in animal fur and decorated with Polynesian idols and a waterfall. But the estatešs backyard, which is also Elvis' burial site, holds a special place in Coles' heart. "It's very touching," he said. "They play very somber music. It's really something to see." Coles remains an Elvis fan. He said his home telephone is even chock full of Elvis ringtones.
Villager Nancy Parris, another Memphis native, said while she believes Graceland is a "rock and roll landmark," she is not sure if the mansion deserves the same designation given to the White House."The first time I went (to Graceland) I was very disappointed," Parris said. "You were expecting this really big mansion." And she adds, "The rooms (Elvis) decorated were atrocious." Still, Parris said that stories of Presley's benevolence toward the less fortunate were well known and that his death on Aug.16, 1977, cast a pall over the entire city. "It was just terrible," she said.
And almost 30 years after Elvis' death, Coles said his presence still looms exceedingly large in the River City. If you choose to visit Memphis, "don't be cruel" when speaking about "The King." "You won't find anybody in Memphis that will talk bad about him," Coles said. "A local hero is a local hero."
- FORMER PRESLEY HOME FOR SALE ON EBAY
(contactmusic.com, March 28 2006)
A house in Memphis, Tennessee purchased by ELVIS PRESLEY in 1956 will go up for sale on internet auction site eBay next month (APR06). Presley and his parents purchased the home in March 1956, the same month HEARTBREAK HOTEL became his first number one hit. The home was the setting for many famous photos of The King, notably ones taken by ALFRED WERTHEIMER. The family moved out of the house in 1957, when they relocated to Graceland, which was named a National Historic Landmark on Monday (27MAR06). The mid-'50s ranch-style house has a low-pitched hip roof, an attached two-car garage, a motorcycle garage and a swimming pool. Bidding on the online auction site will open on 14 April (06) and close 14 May (06).
- J.R. Moehringer: A Day at Sinatra's House
Posted by Michael Yessis
(World Hum, March 28 2006)
In the travel issue of West, the new weekend magazine in the Los Angeles Times, the Pulitzer Prize winner and author of the excellent memoir The Tender Bar (one of my favorite recent books) has a fun piece about spending 24 hours in Frank Sinatra's former Palm Springs home. Moehringer goes with the second-person approach. "You're not comfortable with idolatry. You've never conceded any kinship with people who worship celebrities," he writes. "You once visited Graceland and felt very distant from the throngs standing in line, waiting their turn to walk across Elvis' shag rugs. You shuddered at the ghouls who logged onto EBay and bid for Britney Spears' used chewing gum. But Sinatra is different, you tell yourself. Sinatra is - you know, Sinatra."
- Pa. Coroner Known for Big Cases, Big Ego
By JOE MANDAK
(Ely Times, March 27 2006)
Dr. Cyril Wecht, forensic pathologist to the stars, doesnt just tell his critics off. He cuts them to pieces with words. "Anytime you or any of your minions, sycophants, or other assorted motley crew wish to publicly debate the activities of my office, just let me know," Wecht wrote. "I can only hope that you will have occasion to require the services of this office in the most possible personal fashion."
Wecht, 74, gained celebrity as a critic of the Warren Commission investigation of John F. Kennedy's assassination and as a consultant on such cases as the death of Elvis Presley, the slayings of JonBenet Ramsey and Laci Peterson , and the attempted murder trial of Claus von Bulow. He is a familiar face to TV viewers, often weighing in on big cases in the news, and recently helped Louisiana officials conduct autopsies on Hurricane Katrina victims. Federal prosecutors say Wecht used county employees, equipment, even unclaimed morgue cadavers for the benefit of his multimillion-dollar private pathology practice. ...
- Elvis Mania, Redux: It's not the fans who are crazy this time -- it's the Elvi
By Jeanne Marie Laskas
(The Californian / Associated Press, March 26 2006)
At first, I was just thinking: singing telegram. I was thinking: gorilla in a tutu with balloons and a song, perhaps. But as I searched online, all at once the word appeared like an apparition upon my computer screen: "Elvis-gram." How very exhilarating. Inspirational. That was it! I would ask Elvis to make an appearance at my sister-in-law's surprise birthday party, which I myself was unable to attend. Sending Elvis in my stead would be the stuff of hunka hunka burnin' beauty.
Eileen, the sister-in-law, is a woman who believes in irony and Elvis. When I was in grad school and living in a neighborhood of funky shops, I stumbled upon a giant pink Elvis lamp -- a plaster rendition of the King himself doing his lip thing and with a light bulb sticking out of his head -- and I knew she would love it. In fact, she loved it so much she had me run back to that store and buy one for each of her four children. I have always felt somewhat responsible for kicking off Eileen's Elvis stage, which is now into its second decade.
The online ad was from a Vegas-based Elvis. I wondered if I could I find a local Elvis -- and on such short notice. There were just four days until the party. I posted my urgent request on some Elvis-related Web sites and bulletin boards. I should not have put my phone number on that request.
-- "Hello, this is Elvis. Yes, I can do your gig. My standard package is three songs, a scarf and a framed 8-x-10 photo of myself, which I will sign."
-- "Hello, this is Elvis, responding to your post. I can fit you in. I can't sing 'Happy Birthday' for religious reasons, but I have 126 other songs. I should mention that I have the best costumes in a 500-mile radius."
-- "Howdy, ma'am. I am Elvis. I have been doing this for 16 years from the bottom of my heart. Don't pick a guy you haven't heard. There are so many bad ones. Check out my Web site. My voice has not been altered in any way, and neither have my pictures."
-- "Yo, this is Elvis. What's up? Call me back. I can be young Elvis or old Elvis. I tend to be cheaper than the other guys, and I don't charge mileage. What songs do you want?"
The thing I've discovered is that if you ask for Elvis, he will answer. And answer. And answer. The e-mails I received came in even more rapid-fire succession than the calls. A shower of Elvises (Elvi?) grew into a storm. I was becoming concerned. What sort of life force had I tapped into? Would it continue to grow? Would it take over my computer, my telephone and my community until it tried to gobble up the world itself? "I don't understand why you aren't calling me back!" snapped one of the Elvises. "Do you want me to come to your party or not?"
- Cindy Walker leaves legacy of songs
(The Bryan-College Station Eagle / Associated Press, March 26 2006)
Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Cindy Walker, whose songs were recorded by stars ranging from Bing Crosby to Elvis Presley, has died at 87. Walker died Thursday night at Parkview Regional Hospital in Mexia, said her niece, Carol Adams. She said Walker had been ill for several months. Adams said Walker remained humble. 0"With all the awards she was given, she never put one on the wall," Adams said. "They're all under the bed. She said that she didn't need that; she knew what she'd done." ...
- Cindy Walker, songwriter for the stars
By LAURA MITCHELL
(The Californian, March 26 2006)
Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Cindy Walker, whose songs were recorded by stars ranging from Bing Crosby to Elvis Presley, died Thursday, said her niece, Carol Adams. She was 87. Walker's songs were recorded by generations of celebrities ...
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