Early December 2006
- Verve song tops sad song list
(u.tv, December 11, 2006)
Dr Harry Witchel, an expert in physiology and music, analysed the physical reactions to music on behalf of Nokia UK. Using a shortlist compiled by the Official UK Charts Company, he measured their "tune trigger quotient" measuring heart rate, respiratory response and skin temperature to find the saddest, happiest and most exhilarating tracks. The happiest songs were measured by contentment judged on levels of sighs per minute (indicating the recall of happy memories) plus low level of boredom. Sad tracks were indicated by decreased heart rate and exhilarating tunes by increase in breaths per minute. The happiest song was LDN by Lily Allen, followed by Abba`s Dancing Queen and REM`s Shiny Happy People.
... The saddest ten songs were:
1. The Verve - The Drugs Don`t Work
2. Robbie Williams - Angels
3. Elton John - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
4. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
5. Sinead O`Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U
6. Will Young - Leave Right Now
7. Elvis Presley - Are You Lonesome Tonight?
8. Christina Aguilera - Beautiful
9. James Blunt - Goodbye My Lover
10. Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees
- ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST
(Chronicle Herald, December 11, 2006)
BIRTHDAY GAL: Talented actress Teri Garr was born on this day in 1949 in Lakewood, Ohio. Garr's earliest work was as a dancer in nine Elvis Presley movies. She went on to acting parts in various 1970's TV series and movies. Garr was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in 1982's Tootsie. Garr stays busy acting on TV and in films, despite her battle with multiple sclerosis. ...
- weird news
(Kansas City Star, December 11, 2006)
Finnish professor Jukka Ammondt's twin passions of Elvis Presley and Latin have grown stronger over the years. He performs Elvis songs in Latin. Among the Ammondt-Presley standards are "It's Now or Never" ("Nunc hic aut numquam") and "Love Me Tender" ("Tenere me, suaviter").
- These gifts lend an extra dimension
By RON BERTHEL
(rgj.com / AP, December 10, 2006)
Pop culture pops up these new gift books that add a third dimension to text and pictures. If celebrities don't pop up at your house, you can go to a celebrity's house through "Graceland: An Interactive Pop-up Tour" (Quirk, $40) by Chuck Murphy.
Graceland in Memphis, Tenn., was the home of Elvis Presley for 20 years until his death in 1977. It is now a National Historic Landmark and museum and a popular tourist attraction. In the book, explanatory text accompanies nine two-page spreads depicting some of Graceland's features, indoors and outdoors. An exterior view of the mansion emerges, complete with a pink 1955 Cadillac parked out front; on the same page, a smaller pop-up shows the modest home in Tupelo, Miss., where Presley was born. Other vignettes take readers into the den, nicknamed the Jungle Room for its motif; the Meditation Garden, where Presley is buried; and the kitchen, where just about everything pops up but the toaster, and where curious fans who look inside Presley's fridge find pickles, peppers, Pepsi and a loaf of Wonder Bread. ...
- Lawyer is still rocking and rolling for children's benefit
By MAX B. BAKER
(STAR-TELEGRAM, December 10, 2006)
In 1963, Rocky Walton played guitar in a band called The Intruders, and one of their gigs was a teen hop benefiting the Goodfellow Fund at the Riverside Recreation Center in east Fort Worth. Walton, an Arlington lawyer, is still rocking and rolling 43 years later and doing what he can for children during the holidays. He recently performed at an Arlington event to aid needy families. ... Countless volunteers like Walton have done their part to support the Goodfellow Fund, which was started by Star-Telegram employees in 1912. In earlier times, volunteers helped prepare packages and delivered them to needy families. Boy Scouts have hoisted sacks stuffed with toys while Cub Scouts have urged people to donate money. Walton, 58, a former Arlington City Council member, said he and four buddies formed the band when he was 15. Charlie Welch sang and played the bass, Terry Norman played the drums, Gary Denton played the guitar and Randy Lee strapped on the saxophone. The Intruders played rock 'n' roll, including Top 40 hits by artists like Elvis Presley and the Beatles. ...
- Songwriter Wheeler returns to first love: painting
By Paul Clark
(citizen-times.com, December 10, 2006)
Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Hank Williams Jr. made hits of songs penned by Billy Edd Wheeler. But he started out as a painter and has now come back, following his long, successful detour. Wheeler has recently returned to painting with a naturalness that attests to his abilities not only as a songwriter, but also as a novelist, poet and playwright. ... Wheeler is best known for writing songs such as "Jackson," a Grammy-award winner recorded by Cash and featured in the movie "Walk the Line." Wheeler also wrote the Kenny Rogers hit "Coward of the County." He has received 13 awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers for songs recorded by Judy Collins, Bobby Darin, The Kingston Trio and Neil Young. He was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame by Nashville Association of Songwriters International. ...
- And to All a Raucous, Rollicking Good Night
By Anita Huslin
(Washington Post, December 10, 2006)
Standing beside the church organist, the soloist slaps her thigh and bends her knees in time to the music as she sings, the notes fluttering as she lifts her arms dramatically for the finale. She's a dead ringer for Ethel Merman. Which may sound a bit irreverent, except for the fact that tonight is pageant night, an event that in years past has conjured such "luminaries" as Hugh Hefner, Elvis Presley, Lawrence Welk, Sonny and Cher, Julia Child and the Energizer Bunny. ...
- Kahugu wins Las Vegas Marathon
(Sports Illustrated / AP, December 10, 2006)
Joseph Kahugu passed fellow Kenyan Noah Talam during the 14th mile to take control of the men's race and got by female champion Jemima Jelagat with about a half-mile left to win the male-female challenge prize Sunday at the Las Vegas Marathon. ... The marathon included 28 couples from throughout the United States and Canada who were either getting married or renewing their vows at a wedding chapel at mile 5.5. Seventy-five "Running Elvi," or Elvis Presley impersonators, also participated.
- After long battle, New Haven Coliseum bows out
By CATHY JAN
(Yale Herald, December 8, 2006)
Thirty-odd years, a showcase of pop stars and sports heroes, and more than a few battles later, the verdict seems to be in: The New Haven Coliseum is finally going to be torn down. Formally named the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the building sits on 4.5 acres of land adjacent to the Knights of Columbus headquarters, just a few blocks away from our hallowed halls. This concrete giant's anonymity to current Yale students stems largely from a long, drawn-out period of inactivity since the its polemical closure four years ago. ... Construction for the New Haven Coliseum began in 1970 and lasted for three years. A sports arena by design, it has hosted games for various hockey leagues, the opening games of Yale's 2002 National Invitational Tournament for men's college basketball, and an arena football team. In its heyday, the building's stage saw Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Garth Brooks perform, while other artists including Van Halen recorded Coliseum shows of which tapes are still being sold today. ...
Photo BRONWEN ROBERTS/YH
- Music Roots
(2nd item)
By Jason Kelly
(Bloomberg, December 8, 2006)
Another museum, honoring blues musician B.B. King, is under development in Indianola, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) south. Graceland, the mansion memorial to rocker Elvis Presley, is about 30 miles north of Tunica, in Memphis, Tennessee. ...
- A treasure trove of guitars -- and Elvis' grass skirt
(Sun-Sentinel, December 8, 2006)
The Seminoles will get control of one the world's largest collections of rock 'n' roll memorabilia -- about 70,000 items from musical artists. The collection boasts guitars from the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bo Diddley, Tom Petty, Pearl Jam, Bon Jovi and the Ramones. Clothing includes John Lennon's army jacket worn on the Imagine album and his "Live in NYC" glasses, Johnny Cash's boots, a vintage fabric tank top worn by Gwen Stefani, a black blazer worn by Bruce Springsteen, Jimi Hendrix's pants and Dolce & Gabbana rhinestone shoes worn by Madonna.
Some obscure objects are Elvis Presley's grass skirt and lei from the movie Blue Hawaii and a kilt worn by Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses. Platinum and gold records, posters and album art are also displayed. Hard Rock's collection is rotated throughout its numerous locations and is constantly expanding, said Deborah Sierchio of Coyne Public Relations, a spokeswoman for Hard Rock International. Clapton donated the first piece of memorabilia to Hard Rock shortly after its London cafe opened. The cafe was one of Clapton's hangouts and he asked the staff whether he could hang his guitar -- a burgundy Fender Lead II -- to mark his favorite barstool. A week later, Pete Townshend of The Who sent a package to the cafe with a note, "Mine's as good as his! Love, Pete."
- Top 10 lists present variety
(Register-Mail, December 7, 2006)
Here's a list of all submissions for The Register-Mail's Top Ten Christmas Songs.
Tom Martin, Editor
1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - The Pretenders
Bulletin: Chrissie Hynde absolutely nails this song, and others can stop recording it. The soft wash of guitars is the perfect accompaniment for Hynde's content yet somber vocal.
2. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
Elvis wraps this up with cool, and the background singers provide the ribbons and bows. Thanks, King.
3. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2
Longing, despair and Christmas never sounded so good.
4. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms
This is Americana circa 1957. Beam me back, Bobby.
5. Christmas in the City - Mary J. Blige
Love the melody and vocals. The song is silky with a little thump.
7. White Christmas - The Drifters
Hats off to Bing, but I'd rather hang with The Drifters on this one. What a blast!
8. Christmas Time is Here - The Vince Guaraldi Trio
It's difficult to choose just one from the Peanuts gang special, but this one ushers in the season best for me.
9. Let It Snow - Dean Martin
The coolest of the Rat Pack, I could hear Deano sing "corn for poppin' "all day long.
10. Silver and Gold - Burl Ives
I can't explain it. The song gets me all verklempt.
Sharon Trotter-Martin, Entertainment Panelist
1. Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) - U2
Bono and company turn the holiday blues into joyful rock perfection.
2. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
This song avoids all sugary sentimentality and offers a shot of melancholy instead. ...
- Investor eyes Elvis' fave Libertyland for future amusement park
(FOX 10 / Associated Press, December 7, 2006)
A Kansas investor is considering developing an amusement park at the former site of Libertyland in Memphis, where Elvis Presley often rode his favorite roller coaster. Robert Barnard, whose company owns Joyland Amusement Park in Wichita, Kansas, has issued a letter of intent to the city of Memphis to put five (m) million dollars into the Mid-South Fairgrounds during a 36-month lease for a park to open May 31st. Libertyland closed last year after several seasons of falling attendance and financial losses. The park's rides were auctioned off, including Elvis' beloved Zippin Pippin wooden coaster. Barnard said his plans include a water park, and he wants the deal to include the Zippin Pippin and a century-old hand-carved carousel owned by the city.
- ELVIS' WEDDING RING UP FOR AUCTION
(contactmusic.com, December 7, 2006)
ELVIS PRESLEY's diamond and platinum wedding ring is set to be auctioned off to the highest bidder when it goes under the hammer in Hollywood. The King's ring will be one item in a cache of movie and TV memorabilia sold off at the Profiles In History auction house on 14 and 15 December (06). The wedding ring, which is decorated with eight baguette-cut diamonds within a border of 16 diamonds, is expected to fetch between $100,000 (GBP51,280) and $150,000 (GBP77,000) when it goes under the hammer next week. Profiles In History owner JOE MADDALENA says, "This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a true piece of pop culture history." Also up for sale at the auction is BERT LAHR's original COWARDLY LION costume from 1939 movie THE WIZARD OF OZ and JAMES DEAN's switchblade from REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE.
- ADDING MULTIMEDIA In TV Guide Magazine's December 11 Issue (on Newsstands December 7)/ TV Guide Magazine Offers Exclusive Look at Special Elvis-Themed Holiday Episode of Las Vegas
Source: TV Guide
(Yahoo! Finance / BUSINESS WIRE, December 6, 2006)
It has been decades since Elvis sang his last song in Sin City, but in an upcoming episode of the NBC hit Las Vegas the King is front and center on The Strip and TV Guide magazine's December 11 issue has all the scoop. This special issue of the magazine will highlight four covers graced by Las Vegas stars Molly Sims and Josh Duhamel, each affixed with a distinctly designed collectible Elvis CD-ROM.
The episode of Las Vegas, entitled "White Christmas," features an Elvis soundtrack with six classic songs from SONY BMG's new 23-track release Elvis Christmas (in stores now), a definitive career-spanning collection of holiday songs from Elvis Presley. According to the show's creator, it is thanks entirely to the music that he was permitted to move forward with a holiday show at all. "I've always wanted to do a Christmas show, but I was never allowed to because they can only repeat the show during the holidays," creator Gary Scott Thompson tells TV Guide. Adding the Elvis soundtrack changed all that, he says.
With contributions from Elvis Presley Enterprises and Sony BMG Music Entertainment, the enhanced CD-ROM--with four different cover designs, each depicting a different image of Elvis from various stages in his life and career-- will feature a number of multi-media elements including a previously unreleased version of the Elvis holiday song, "It Won't Seem Like Christmas Without You" (courtesy of Sony BMG Strategic Marketing Group); an Elvis photo gallery; a peek at Elvis' "Blue Christmas" video; an Elvis Christmas e-card; and behind the scenes footage from the taping of the Las Vegas Elvis-themed episode.
In this special holiday episode of Las Vegas, premiering December 15 at 9:00PM ET/PT, the halls of the Montecito are decked with "The Elvis Collection" -- a fictitious traveling exhibit straight from Graceland. Presley video footage plays on the giant projection screens that surround the casino's sports book; his studded jumpsuits are on display by the poker tables; and his '56 white Cadillac convertible is parked near the roulette wheels. (Elvis' actual belongings rarely leave Memphis, so all items in the collection are replicas). It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of year, but it seems nothing is going right. Casino honcho Ed Deline (James Caan) is miserably stuck in a Kris Kringle costume during a 100 degree heat wave; Delinda's (Sims) first Christmas with Danny (Duhamel) is sidetracked by a theft, and Mary (Nikki Cox) is caught off guard by some disturbing news about her haunting past. Vanessa Marcil and James Lesure also star in the episode, and Cheryl Ladd guest stars.
TV Guide's December 11 issue goes on sale Thursday, December 7. The collectible CD-ROMs will be available on newsstand editions of the magazine only.
- Now, bite into Elvis' peanut butter and banana sandwich
By ANI
(Yahoo! News India, December 6, 2006)
Rock n Roll legend Elvis Presley's favourite snack fried peanut butter and banana sandwich is to be immortalised in a new chocolate bar. Chocolate giants Hershey will release a limited edition of its Reese chocolate cup range featuring a layer of peanut butter and a layer of banana creme next July (07) to mark the singer's 30th anniversary since he died. A spokesperson for the makers behind the calorie-busting snack, Stephanie Mortiz revealed that she felt it was the perfect American combo. It brings The King's favourite taste of peanut butter and banana to life, and it's a fantastic way to bring two American icons together," she was quoted by Contactmusic, as saying.
- Hershey's cup runneth over in honor of Elvis
By TIMES WIRES
(St Petersburg Times, December 5, 2006)
This just in from the Heartclog Hotel: To commemorate the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, the Hershey Co., the nation's largest candymaker, is planning to introduce a limited-edition, peanut-butter-and-banana-creme Reese's cup. Featuring a dashing picture of a young and svelte Elvis on the front of the package, the Reese's Elvis Cup, as it will be called, will land on store shelves next July, in plenty of time for Elvis Week in August. Presley died on Aug. 16, 1977. As part of the release of the Reese's candy bar, an instant-win promotion on the label will offer a trip for two to Graceland, the Presley mansion in Memphis, among other possible Elvis goodies.
- Nashville gets a share of Elvis Week in 2007
By TRAVIS LOLLER
(Daily Journal / Associated Press, December 4, 2006)
Next year's Elvis Week commemorating the 30th anniversary of the King's death will go beyond the usual Memphis events to honor some of Nashville's own Presley lore. Besides a Beale Street parade and the usual vigil at Graceland in Memphis, the week's calendar features a special concert at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium 196 miles away to benefit Belmont University's music business scholarship program. "We like to say Elvis may have lived in Memphis, but he made his music here," Belmont spokeswoman Pamela Johnson said.
The studio most closely associated with the King's early career was Sun Records in Memphis, where producer Sam Phillips recorded Presley's first records and nurtured his rise to fame before he signed with RCA in 1955. But Nashville's RCA Studio B, where the concert and scholarship fund were announced, was built for Elvis, she said, and he recorded many hits there, such as "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" and "It's Now or Never." Thanks to a partnership with the Curb Family Foundation, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum now runs tours of the studio, which is restored to its 1970s condition, and Belmont students practice recording using the old analog equipment.
Gordon Stoker, who sang backup for Elvis as part of The Jordanaires, was at the Monday announcement, telling stories of recording with Presley at Studio B. Still in the studio is a broken wooden cabinet that once held some faulty recording equipment that provoked Elvis to show off his temper, Stoker told The Associated Press. "He kicked it and burst it in," Stoker said. "He hauled off and cussed it. ... I asked the Country Music Hall of Fame never to repair it."
Most Elvis Week events take place in Memphis, but every year sponsor Elvis Presley Enterprises includes a few others on its official calendar, such as those in Presley's birthplace of Tupelo, Miss., spokesman Todd Morgan said. ...
- A Major Musical Moment in History
(Yahoo! Finance / PRNewswire, December 1, 2006)
The Million Dollar Quartet Gathered at Sun Studios 50 Years Ago Featuring Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash
December 4th 2006 marks a very important day in music history. Fifty years ago, on December 4th 1956, a coincidental gathering of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash at the famous Sun Studio in Memphis Tennessee, resulted in the world's first superstar jam session and the making of the one and only Million Dollar Quartet. Although Jerry Lee Lewis might be the last one standing, The Million Dollar Quartet lives on in the 50th Anniversary Edition of The Complete Million Dollar Quartet CD (Sony BMG Strategic Marketing Group). The 50th Anniversary Edition of The Complete Million Dollar Quartet features 12 minutes of previously unreleased music. This is the first time that the historic recording session has been released in its entirety and in the sequence in which it was originally recorded.
- Hopeless Romantic
By: Scott Tady
(timesonline.com, December 1, 2006)
Think of the great romantic singers: Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Marvin Gaye, Rod Stewart, Tony Bennett. Only two are still alive, with Stewart, the "young'un" at 61. In an "American Idol-ized" era that favors vocal histrionics, contemporary pop stars seldom croon with the elegance of the masters. Does that make romantic singing a dying art? ...
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