early August, 2006
- The ultimate Elvis pilgrimage
By Julianne Beckett
(stuff.co.nz August 9, 2006)
All shook up with this hectic, electronic, terrorist-threatened existence of 2006? Well, don't despair. The simple life of yesteryear exists in Memphis, Tennessee. Here, you'll soon unwind in the memories of the rockabilly days captured in the Johnny Cash biopic, Walk The Line. You'll feel the rhythm and blues of Beale Street, hear the echoes of Cash recording at Sun Records, and be transported to a time when a hunky rock `n' roller named Elvis was winning hearts and minds.
Curious about this celebrity who earned his crown before our time, husband Tom and I are off to visit the home he called Graceland. But first, we check into The Heartbreak Hotel. We kick off our shoes and settle into one of the Elvis movies playing on the hotel's in-house TV. Next morning, after this Elvis refresher, we ditch the remote and board a shuttle bus bound for the house sitting ever so sadly across the road in its time warp.
From under a pretty entrance chandelier, we gaze into a stylish living room - soft white decor complimented by a pair of stunning peacocks inlaid in cut glass doors. These lead to the piano room, where the baby grand waits patiently for the next Presley singalong. The pool room is lined with fabric, pleating outward from the ceiling's centred leadlight shades and down the walls. The jungle room has green shag pile carpet. A guitar rests in a chair. Maybe Elvis had just been strumming a few strings of Wooden Heart? The basement entertainment area has a mirrored ceiling and three television sets set into one wall. The decor sounds a little tacky but when you see it, it's not.
Given Elvis' liking for food, the kitchen was at the heart of Graceland. It looks so lived in I bet if we could open the cupboard doors we'd find peanut butter jars and sauerkraut tins.
Elvis clearly enjoyed watching TV - they are scattered throughout. But most of all, you can see the soul of Graceland was music. We find ourselves in a comfortable family home much smaller and far less pretentious than we imagined.
As we step into the peaceful grounds at the rear, we enter Elvis' playground. Out here, he and his friends raced golf buggies, rode horses, played racquetball and practised karate. The trophy room and racquetball court show off Elvis' trophies, stage costumes and gold and platinum records from all over the world. We peek into the humble office used by Colonel Tom Parker and father, Vernon, to manage the Elvis phenomenon.
More than one billion Elvis records have been sold globally; more records than any artist to date. At Graceland, his estate boasts he achieved this success without the electronic help of today's music industry and without performing outside North America.
The 31 films released worldwide starring Elvis, the chick magnet, might have helped a smidgen. He amassed a fortune, gave half of it away and loved the attention of his fans. He longed to tour overseas. But the anxieties of illegal alien Parker, a controlling influence who helped himself to a whopping 50 per cent cut of Elvis' earnings, put paid to that. Before we realise it, the morning has flown by and we are in the meditation garden, looking at Elvis' grave.
Though previously not particularly interested in Elvis, we are now quite fond of this all-American hero, this unconventional God-fearing Santa who experienced a thunderbolt rise from rags to riches and seduced women right out of their aprons. Shame he died so young. As we look at the dates on his grave, we realise had he lived, he'd now be 71. We can't help wonder how his life would have turned out, had his twin brother Jessie not died.
We have walked a mile in his shoes and it is time to re-board our shuttle and leave the past behind. Across the road, the Rockabilly Cafe beckons. A hotdog, a shake, a quarter in the Wurlitzer and Elvis reminds us of a young man In the Ghetto.We soon notice that some of the oldies surrounding us aren't your everyday, rocking chair oldies. They have Elvis sideburns, Elvis hairdos and Elvis leather jackets. They are authentic rockers making a pilgrimage.
From Tupelo, we fly to Hawaii for the rest of our holiday. Try as we might to forget Elvis, we suddenly see him everywhere. His movie, Blue Hawaii, opens the giant outdoor movie session on Waikiki every evening. Before we know it, we are off to see the Blue Hawaii Dinner Show. "Why me?" I wonder with my heart a flutter, as cute Elvis impersonator Ron Short drags me on stage to dance with him. He sings to me as we dance, but I'm afraid I don't hear the words.
- Elvis Week Kicks Off
(WKRN Nashville August 8, 2006)
He is worshipped more than any king alive and the cult of Elvis to some is more powerful than any religion. The cultural impact Elvis made on the face on 20th century popular music is undeniable and Tuesday, Elvis Week, an annual pilgrimage to commemorate the King's death on August 16, kicked off. Elvis died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977. ...
- Speaking Roses(R) Renews License Agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. to Sell Elvis(R) Embossed Roses
Source: Speaking Roses, Inc.
(Financial News - Yahoo! August 8, 2006)
Speaking Roses International, Inc., the company that patented flower embossing technology, today announced that a license agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises to print Elvis images on
roses has been renewed through July 2008. The collectible roses, which were originally introduced during the 2004 Elvis Week in Memphis, TN,feature the signature and images of "The King of Rock and Roll" printed directly onto the rose petals. Roses embossed with "Love Me
Tender"®, "Always On My Mind"®, "Are You Lonesome Tonight"® and other popular song titles are also available.
"Elvis aficionados are some of the most passionate music fans in the world, we are extremely pleased by the response we have received with our fresh cut Elvis Roses," said Ted Lassetter, president/CEO of Speaking Roses. Our relationship with Elvis Presley Enterprises allows
us to honor 'The King of Rock and Roll' with a truly remarkable collectible in a category all its own."
Each August, Elvis fans from around the world gather in Memphis, Tennessee for Elvis Week; a commemoration of the music, magic and memories associated with the legacy of Elvis Presley. Long-time fans and those who are new to it enjoy a full week of music, dance, sports, social and charitable events in an atmosphere of international friendship and camaraderie. This year's commemoration is scheduled August 8-16. Elvis Roses may be purchased online at www.elvisroses.com or by calling 800-801-9855. About Speaking Roses
With a unique, patented embossing technology, Speaking Roses is able to print customized messages, pictures and logos directly on the petals without damaging the flower. This cutting edge technology allows customers to create a personalized gift for any occasion including personal gifts, weddings, funerals, and corporate promotions. SRII has registered the patent in over 100 countries worldwide. Full-service floral shops are opening in the United States and internationally through the sale of area development rights, franchising opportunities and licensing arrangements. Speaking Roses have been used at several high-profile occasions, including presidential events, Hollywood awards shows, celebrity birthdays and major sporting events.
About Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) 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 www.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.
About CKX, Inc.
CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ:CKXE - News), a company controlled by Robert F.X.
Sillerman and affiliates, is engaged in the ownership, development and
commercial utilization of entertainment content. To date, the Company
has focused on acquiring globally recognized entertainment content and
related assets, including the rights to the name, image and likeness
of Elvis Presley; the operations of Graceland; the rights to the name,
image and likeness of Muhammad Ali; and proprietary rights to the
IDOLS television brand, including the American Idol series in the
United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS television show
format which, collectively, air in over 100 countries around the
world. CKX plans to continue to make strategic acquisitions of, or
partner or align with, companies or individuals that control various
forms of established entertainment content, which may include
intellectual property rights in music, film, television programming,
written works and characters, rights to names, images and likenesses,
video games, corporate brands and other related assets. For more
information about CKX, Inc., visit its corporate website at
www.ckx.com.
- Obituary: Dr. Ellen Hays Perrin / Former dean of women at Slippery Rock U. Dec. 11, 1922-Aug. 6, 2006
ByGabrielle Banks
(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette August 8, 2006)
... Dr. Hays Perrin died at home in Crafton on Sunday, after suffering a heart attack. She was 83. During her 21 years as a professor, dean of women and assistant to the vice president for student affairs at Slippery Rock, Dr. Hays Perrin lived in Mt. Lebanon in a house she shared with her mother and aunts. After they passed away, she sold the home and moved in with Ms. Hoover, the caretaker for her elderly relatives. ... Her musical taste ranged from classical to Elvis Presley. ...
- International fans coming to Elvis' hometown
By M. SCOTT MORRIS
(Daily Journal August 8, 2006)
TUPELO - Elvis Presley's music and legend spanned the United States and the world. On Tuesday - not quite 29 years after the King of Rock's death on Aug. 16, 1977 - busloads of fans from Great Britain will arrive at the Elvis Presley Birthplace to see where the music began. "It's our annual Fan Appreciation Day," said Dick Guyton, executive director of the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation. "The buses will start arriving at 10:45 a.m." Henry Dodge, chairman of the foundation, and city dignitaries will deliver introductions, then the fans will be free to examine Elvis' hometown.
A trio of storytellers who knew Elvis as a child in Tupelo will share their memories at 1 and 2 p.m. at the chapel on the birthplace grounds. "The Landmarks will be performing in the fellowship hall of St. Mark's United Methodist Church just across the street," Guyton said. "Kay Bain and the Mornin' Show Band will be playing, too." The church will sell concessions during the concerts. The fans from across the Atlantic Ocean actually will arrive in Tupelo today and they'll stay until Wednesday, when they travel to Memphis for Elvis Week celebrations.
- It's Elvis Week
By Jeannie Peng and Lici Beveridge
(Clarion-Ledger / Hattiesburg American August 7, 2006)
"The King is dead, but he's not forgotten." - Neil Young
Elvis Presley may have died in 1977, but his music, movies and memories live on. Each year, people of all ages and from around the world flock to Memphis to celebrate the King of Rock 'n' Roll's life during Elvis Week, which this year begins Tuesday and lasts until the anniversary of Elvis' death, Aug. 16. "My whole family are big Elvis fans. I think he's still popular today because he was able to impact all types of music such as pop, rock, gospel and country," said Gene Hudson, 61, production assistant and air personality for Classic Country Eagle 99. "Everybody loved him. He was generous, too."
Gail Smith, 56, of Hattiesburg, is likely to agree. "He's The King!" Smith said. "Elvis was the first white man to cross over to rockabilly. He was heavily influenced by black music in the 1950s, and brought it to the attention of white people. He's still popular today because his music is timeless." Timeless is just the right word to describe Elvis' impact. As recently as Wednesday, Elvis was still making headlines around the globe.
"At the recent (Aug. 2) Collingwood (Ontario, Canada) Elvis Festival, 94 Elvis tribute artists landed a Guinness World Record designation by being the largest group of ETAs to sing an Elvis song in unison," says a news release on elvis.com. "The song choice was All Shook Up. "
In June, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi with President Bush and Laura Bush, toured Elvis' Memphis home, Graceland, now a tourist destination. President Bush and Koizumi teamed to pay their own tribute to The King with a duet of Elvis' I Want You, I Need You, I Love You.
Chris Seigler, 31, of Hattiesburg theorizes about Elvis' popularity. "Elvis is popular today because he was the original rock star," Seigler said. "He's even more popular because he's dead. The impact he's had on music is that he brought rock 'n' roll to the mainstream and made it accessible to the larger audiences."
Denny Sumrall, 33, of Oak Grove, also attributes some of Elvis' lingering popularity to his death, but also credits the singer's talent in many aspects of his life. "When you die, you become more popular," Sumrall said. "Elvis started it all. He was rock 'n' roll. He opened the door for everyone. He invented the peanut butter and banana sandwich and the POW movie; you've got to be thankful for that."
Though Elvis made Memphis his homebase, the Tupelo native made frequent trips to his home state. At least two of his performances were in Meridian and Jackson; the latter performance at the Mississippi Coliseum having raised $100,000 in 1975 for tornado victims, according to the Web site experts.about.com.
Elvis came through Hattiesburg in the 1950s on his many visits to the Coast to see his then-girlfriend, June Juanico of Biloxi. He often would stop to eat at the now-defunct Choctaw ribs restaurant in Hattiesburg. According to an auction catalog for Elvis items held in October 1999 posted on the Web site www.biwa.ne.jp, Elvis was ticketed for speeding in the Pine Belt on Aug. 22, 1956.
"I almost met him one time," said Bob Dunaway of Clinton, formerly of Columbia. "Indirectly ... he kind of fathered the kind of nondescript music people listen to today. Elvis certainly had exposure - he had lots of copycats."
It is often said that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, so with thousands of Elvis tribute artists worldwide, The King might be the most flattered man on Earth. Said Toby Branan, 35, of Hattiesburg: "He's still popular because he was an original - the real deal. He's a rock icon."
- Dakota Fanning 'raped' in new film: North Carolina prosecutors 'aware' of 12-year-old girl's graphic scene
(WorldNetDaily.com August 7, 2006)
Prosecutors in Wilmington, N.C., "are aware" of a scene for the movie "Hounddog" in which the character played by 12-year-old actress Dakota Fanning reportedly is violently raped, and say if an investigation is launched, authorities could consider sexual exploitation charges. The scene, widely reported on the Internet, is in the movie where Fanning plays the role of a "precocious, troubled girl (who) finds safe haven in the music and movement of Elvis Presley," according to Blue Line Radio, which monitors child-abuse allegations. ...
- Apple previews Leopard operating system
By Glenn Chapman
(Yahoo! News August 7, 2006)
Apple Computer showcased its Leopard operating system, due out next year, to the cheers of software developers gathered for a major conference. With its trademark theatrical flair, the maker of Macintosh computers and iPod music players demonstrated new Leopard features that included playful "iChat" video-conferencing and a "Time Machine" that resurrects lost data.
... Jobs told the receptive audience that some Leopard features were going to be kept secret because "we don't want our friends in Redmond to start their copiers any sooner than necessary." "If you can't innovate, I guess you imitate," Apple vice president of software engineering Bertrand Serlet said as a picture of an obese Elvis Presley impersonator was displayed on a wall screen behind him. "But it is never quite as good."
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