late January 2007
Go to coverage of the Parkes Elvis Revival Festival
- ABC Taps Victor Garber for New Drama. Plus: Elvis heading to the big screen, Crowded House planning world reunion tour, and more...
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By Mike Bruno
(ew.com, January 24, 2007)
New production company options Elvis book
Newly-minted Cinema League has optioned movie and TV rights for Sergeant Presley: The Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years in a deal with authors Rex and Elisabeth Mansfield and Marshall and Zoe Terrill. The story follows Presley through basic training in Texas to Germany and includes his addiction to prescription medications and his introduction to Priscilla. Rex Manfield was a fellow soldier during the singer's tour in the Army from 1958 to 1960, and his wife Elisabeth was once romantically linked with Presley. Shooting is scheduled to start this summer. (Hollywood Reporter)
- Singer doesn't want band to be associated with country music
By Kaye Maloney
(Yaho! Finance / PRNewswire, January 24, 2007)
He is dropping the "Lone Stars" from his name because he doesn't want to be associated with what country music means today. Singer Dale Watson is playing at 8 p.m. on Friday at the Lafayette Brew Co., 622 Main St., Lafayette, with a sound inspired by Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. "Watson plays traditional honky-tonk, the type of country that was around in the late 50s and early 60s, when it was more purely connected to the roots of country music," Richard Fudge, promoter from Friends of Bob, wrote in an e-mail.
Dale Watson, who used to be called Dale Watson and His Lone Stars, is developing a new genre of music with his friends called amripolitan. Watson said he's using it as a clean slate because no preconceived notions are attached. He wants amripolitan to mean original music with roots. Watson said he wants to be separated from country music. "It would be more accurate to leave country out of it, they own it now and you can't change it, they've stolen country," said Watson. "To me, it automatically means crap." ...
- Three Kings Team Up in the War Against Heart Disease - Elvis Presley's Last Song 'Just Like Rollin' Up Hill' Now Being Auctioned on eBay
(Yaho! Finance / PRNewswire, January 24, 2007)
On Jan. 29th, 2007 at 2:00PM PST the winning bid will have controlling interest to the Elvis Presley-Paul Terry King Song registered on BMI.com as work number 7600186.
The three kings are the "King of Rock and Roll" Elvis Presley, the Larry King Cardiac Foundation and songwriter Paul Terry King (co-author of the last known song co-written but never released by Elvis), who is now auctioning off his copyrighted interest to the song titled "Just Like Rollin' Up Hill" (registered under Elvis Presley's BMI work number 7600186 on BMI.com).
A portion of the proceeds go to the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, whose mission is to provide funding for lifesaving cardiac procedures for individuals who, due to limited means and no insurance, would be otherwise unable to receive lifesaving treatment.
Elvis Presley and former American Studios songwriter Paul Terry King co- wrote two songs in 1973 and performed them privately - "If I'd Only Bought Her Roses" and "Just Like Rollin' Up Hill." Elvis and King's first song "If I'd Only Bought Her Roses," US copyright PAu-1810-413, was purchased by Elvis-a-Rama in 2005. Elvis-a-Rama was planning an Elvis impersonation contest with the winning contestant singing "If I'd Only Bought Her Roses." The songs (along with remaining assets of Elvis-a-Rama) were purchased by billionaire Robert Sillerman's company CKX in 2005 for an undisclosed amount prior to release.
Devoted fans, music enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and/or entertainers can now bid and get copyright and performance rights to one of the most prized possessions of the King himself, his music - and help in the war against heart disease.
"It's Now or Never!" This opportunity will never be available to the public again. The song is now available to the public on eBay. The auction closes at 2:00PM PST on Monday, January 29th, 2007. To listen to song, and learn all about it, go to http://www.ElvisSong.info. To bid now go to http://eBay.com/elvissong, or contact eBay powerseller Mike Waters toll-free @ 866-499-0963.
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.
- AUCTION ...
(sinchew-i.com, January 24, 2007)
A typed letter signed by Elvis Presley (above) and a contract signed by Audrey Hepburn for How To Steal A Million, on display at the 20th Century Fox auction for the Motion Picture and Television Fund at Swann Auction Gallery, New York City.
Photo: AFP
- The King rocks on
By Peter Vincent
(moneymanager.com.au, January 24, 2007)
Thirty years after his death, Elvis still has folk all shook up. There is nowhere in the world Jacqueline Feilich would rather be than Memphis, Tennessee, in August. So that's where the 36-year-old Elvis tribute artist (the term Elvis impersonator is frowned on by the faithful) will be, along with an estimated 100,000 other Elvis Presley fans.
This year's annual Elvis Week runs from August 11 to 19 and marks the 30th anniversary of the King's death, on August 16, 1977, on the toilet of his Graceland mansion from a drug overdose and complications from heart disease. "I couldn't think of not going," says Feilich, who has been twice before. "There is something amazing in the air. Everyone there shares a love and a passion for Elvis. "You are almost dripping all things Elvis when you are there."
Hundreds of events are planned in Memphis for Elvis Week, including a street parade, an emotional candlelight vigil at Graceland, where Elvis is buried, a concert in which his backing musicians accompany video footage of Elvis singing, collectables fairs, exhibitions of Elvis-inspired artworks and demonstrations of his favourite recipes, such as bread stuffed with bacon, peanut butter and grape jam.
There will also be speeches and autograph sessions with celebrities who were close to Elvis, tours of Graceland and various tribute artist competitions. There are so many Elvis tribute artists that entrants are split into 1950s, 1960s and 1970s categories.
At least two Australian travel agents are sending tour groups to Memphis for the celebrations. Melbourne agency Jetset Brighton runs an 11-day holiday to Memphis costing $7925 for a single or $6317 a person for a couple. Jetset Brighton owner Anne Fitzgerald has been on similar tours twice before, both times led by her husband, Melbourne radio DJ Peter O'Callaghan from 1278 Magic. "I am a fan now, although I didn't start out that way," she says. "At first I thought it was a bit weird, I couldn't believe my eyes at how big the thing was and how full-on the fans were. I just became immersed in his life and music."
She says the camaraderie on the Elvis Week tours is closer than that of other tour groups. "Other people might share a desire to see a glacier or the Eiffel Tower, but these people arrive with a close bond between them."
Parramatta's Harvey World Travel is also taking a group to Graceland, as part of a 22-day trip that also visits Las Vegas, New Orleans (where it will visit locations from the 1958 Elvis movie King Creole) and Tupelo (Elvis's birthplace). The tour, run in conjunction with the Elvis Presley Fan Club of Australasia, will visit Memphis for eight days and will be restricted to 100 people. Tickets cost $6600 for flights, accommodation and all travel.
Club president Jim Porter, 48, who is leading the tour and has been to Memphis 15 times since 1984, says the biggest buzz is meeting fans from around the world. "The English send a lot of fans, but they are pretty sedate. The most fun are the Brazilian and Argentinian fans. They are like us Aussies, they just want to party."
Sydney's Explore Holidays runs an 11-day tour that visits Nashville, but includes an overnight stopover in Memphis and a trip to Graceland. The tour runs between April and October and costs $6990 a person.
Fun fact
Before he became a star, Bruce Springsteen jumped the fence at Graceland and asked to speak to "The King" before being ejected by security.
- Elvis
(donga.com, January 24, 2007)
What makes Elvis Presley, a former truck driver from Memphis, so special that he has become immortal in many people's hearts? Although 30 years have passed since Elvis passed away, he is still writing the history of the music industry.
Various events have been held on both Elvis' birthday (January 8) and his memorial day to cherish the memory of deceased Elvis. In particular, bigger and more exciting events will be held all across this year in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of his death. For instance, Elvis singing style imitation competitions were already held in Japan and Spain early this month.
Of course, Korea is no exception. A Broadway musical, "All Shook Up," featuring 24 Elvis songs, will be performed from January 30 at the Chungmu Art Hall.
Lee Jong-jin, the director of Follow That Dream, an Elvis memorial museum in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, is planning to launch a preparatory committee for the 30th anniversary of Elvis¹s death in March in an effort to hold a number of memorial events in August, the month Elvis died. Lee is planning several events at the moment, including an original LP disc exhibition, a large scale singing competition, and a Cadillac exhibition by personally bringing a dozen Cadillac convertibles that Elvis used to drive when he was still alive from the U.S.
Meanwhile, Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE), a company that owns the exclusive rights to Elvis Presley's name, likeness, and music publishing, is drawing much attention with its memorial events. EPE will launch over 40 events starting at the end of January with the release of DVD collections featuring Elvis's 25th live concert and movies in which he starred. In addition, starting in July, EPE will also begin to sell peanut butter and canned banana products which will have an Elvis picture on their labels to target teenagers and people in their 20s who may not know him. Moreover, EPE will hold a large-scale Elvis memorial concert by inviting a few dozen pop singers between August 11 and 19.
Elvis, who made his debut in 1956, left numerous hit songs, such as "Love Me Tender," "Hound Dog," "Heartbreak Hotel," and "Don't be Cruel," along with his trademark fashion of sideburns and bellbottom pants. Elvis had 149 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and 39 songs on its top 10 chart. No one has been able to break Elvis's record over the past 30 years. "He is the origin of 20th century rock 'n roll history. Even the Beatles were influenced by Elvis Presley," Bae Cheol-soo, a popular radio DJ in Korea, said. "Although he was white, he was able to transcend racial barriers, often by expressing the sentiments of black Americans."
Elvis is not just a thing of the past. His hit song, "A Little Less Conversation," was remixed as a dance song and topped the British single chart. A greatest-hits album, Elvis' 30 #1 Hits, has been number one on 15 different countries' album charts. "Although Elvis Presley's music is sometimes too straightforward and macho, it has the spirit of freedom and resistance trying to break free from restraints," said Lee So-eun, an actress who performs Natalie for the musical, "All Shook Up."
- Melinda Doolittle soars to the top of Idol auditions in Memphis
(Houston Chronicle, January 23, 2007)
Are we only at week two? Memphis, TN: Home of Elvis Presley -- and yet another round of interminable, inconsequential American Idol auditions. But be it an overall kinder vibe or late-game editing due to swirling accusations of cruel and unusual judges, tonight's critiques were decidedly less personal. But only a little more helpful. ...
- Elvis Presley and Halle Berry; What Do They Have in Common? Diabetes
(Yahoo! Finance / PRNewswire, January 23, 2007)
Celebs in Hollywood, Past and Present: Who Hides Their Diabetes-Who Doesn't; This Sunday on dLifeTV
Halle Berry hardly discussed her diabetes for years. Elvis Presley kept it a secret. Mary Tyler Moore has it, and is an outspoken advocate for the cause. dLife Correspondent and Hollywood actor Jim Turner (Arli$$, Bewitched, and others) has type 1 diabetes himself. This Sunday on dLifeTV, Turner examines the 'dream factory' to reveal what Hollywood legends have revealed their diabetes, who has kept it a secret, and who lives with it today. ... what revealing diabetes could mean in a profession that is based just as much upon perception as it is on talent and good looks. What are the reasons to keep diabetes silent? Tune in Sunday to find out on another new episode of dLifeTV (on CNBC at 7:00 PM ET/6:00 PM CT/4:00 PM PT). ...
- No stamp on KFC founder please, pleads Anderson
Author : Indo Asian News Service
(earthtimes.org, January 23, 2007)
Pamela Anderson, former 'Baywatch' star, is protesting a request by KFC to put its founder Colonel Sanders on a stamp. She wrote an angry letter to the postmaster general. Anderson is a strong animal-rights activist and she blasted KFC for its treatment of chickens. She has been a part of a campaign for chickens, reports newsweek.com.
In her letter Anderson wrote: 'Honouring a man whose legacy involves breaking animals' bones and scalding animals to death in defeathering tanks is contrary to the values of most compassionate citizens, and I hope that you'll deny KFC's request.' She added: How about another Elvis (Presley) stamp instead?'
- Always on my mind
(iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk, January 22, 2007)
THE Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance has received a £900 donation from Elvis fans. The Warwickshire branch of the Elvis Presley Fan Club handed over a cheque on Wednesday, after Neil Hardisty - who runs the branch with his wife Cynthia - said he became aware of the air ambulance as a lorry driver out on the roads. He subsequently found out that it was not funded by central government and relied on donations from the public.
It is the second time the fan club has given money to the air ambulance through funds raised at discos every two months. Neil, of Collycroft, Bedworth, said: "Our discos are 100 per cent Elvis. No funny impersonators in awful jump suits, just a dedicated Elvis DJ."
- Stolen costumes: return to sender
By Emma Clark
(St Albans Observer, January 22, 2007)
THE entire costume collection of Europe's former number one Elvis impersonator has been returned to sender after it was stolen from his car. Leigh Casling, a contract manager for John O'Conner, from Marshalswick, is delighted to be reunited with his wardrobe after a woman stumbled across his clothes while walking her dog in Nomansland Wood. The singer had been left all shook up when thieves smashed the back window of his van, which was parked in Wheathampstead Cricket Club car park and stole a plain brown suitcase from the back seat.
But thieves, who would not have known it was filled with specially-made Elvis wigs, sideburns, costume jewellery, jumpsuits, platform boots and business cards, dumped the contents in the wood. Leigh, who was voted the number one Elvis Presley impersonator in Europe in 2005, said: "Apart from 30 scarves which I use to throw to the audience, it's all there, just a bit dirty. "It's great, it's so nice that the woman took the time to contact me. It was heartbreaking when it happened. To them it's nothing, they just smashed the back window and took what they could. But to me, apart from costing an arm and a leg, it's more sentimental than anything."
The popular singer, who turned on the St Albans Christmas lights this year, was worried that without his costumes he would have to cancel future charity gigs and, not wanting to lose that loving feeling, he immediately ordered new sets of the expensive specially-made costumes. Coupled with his originals, he now has a wide selection of outfits to make him stand out on stage.
One item that he is particularly pleased to have back is a gold-coloured chain given to him by his daughter as a good luck gift. He said: "My little girl gave it to me for my first show and I've worn it at every gig. Something like that can't be replaced."
- Figuring Elvis
By Don Stuart
(rushvillerepublican.com, January 21, 2007)
It's not unusual for me to send belated birthday cards, NOT because I forget, mind you, but merely because I'm a slow rememberer. Anyway, this column belatedly honors a famous birthday boy, and it's late in several ways: The honoree is "late," as in six feet under; the birthday was a couple weeks ago; and this tribute was written in 2005. (If you remember it, then holy smokes, I want you on my Trivial Pursuit team!)
Once again this year, I expect millions of people are celebrating throughout January the way my family is: in weeks of festive parties honoring the birthdate of Elvis. (Does anyone even bother to say "Presley" anymore? If you say, "Hey, an Elvis movie is on TV!" it's not like anyone's going to think it stars Elvis Stojko, that Olympic skater from Canada, right? When somebody says they've been listening to Elvis tunes, no one starts humming the greatest hits of Elvis Grbac. Remember Elvis Grbac? Former NFL quarterback? Twice led the league in fewest vowels?)
Anyway, I imagine Elvis commemorations are especially popular in Rushville. This is due to a little theory I have: that Elvis is alive, and hiding in Rushville. After all, the name "Rushville" has hidden within it - prepare to gasp - all the letters that spell "Elvis!" I admit, the theory still needs some work. For example, I don't know what to make of the leftover letters, which spell "hurl." My No. 2 son (age 19) says "Wake up, dad; 'hurl' is what people do when they hear your theories about Elvis living in Rushville."
Okay, maybe he's right, and Elvis really is gone. If so, then one thing's for sure: Since I started writing columns, I've mentioned Elvis more than any other dead celebrity. Sure, I've dropped Paris Hilton's name several times, but brain-dead isn't the same as Elvis-dead. Over the past year, No. 3 son (age 9) has developed a small but ongoing interest in Elvis. It's nothing like his devotion to NBA star Ben Wallace. But that's understandable since Ben is, like, a 19-time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award. Elvis never won that. But then, Elvis was a shooting guard.
No. 3 took a liking to Elvis when he sang "Jailhouse Rock" in a children's theater show last spring. He really enjoyed the song, but he liked mimicking The King's hip-grinding moves even better. He got a little too good at it, though; to make sure the audience only saw him from the waist up, he had to perform the number behind a poster of Ed Sullivan.
Last Halloween, he wore an Elvis costume. For Christmas he got an Elvis CD and - I kid you not - an Elvis action figure. Well, it's more like an inaction figure. It has no moveable or bendy parts, but at least it's properly proportioned, unlike, say, a Barbie doll, or the amount of attention paid to Britney Spears.
The toy Elvis is extremely detailed, and frozen in the following pose (please consult with your physician before trying this at home): He's standing before a microphone, with a guitar resting on his leg, which is propped on a tiny but incredibly realistic chair. (I swear, the seat cushion has what looks to be the imprint of Col. Tom Parker's fanny!) Elvis' face bears a heartfelt expression, a look his friends say he often gave to his daughter, Lisa Marie, or to a freshly made peanut butter-and-banana sandwich.
The company that makes the Elvis figure - McFarlane Toys - also makes a Jimi (does anyone even bother to say "Hendrix" anymore?). I guess they've cornered the market on playthings depicting entertainers who took way too many drugs and died young. The Jimi figure is shown as he appeared at Woodstock, and I might just buy it, because, like 83 million other people, I was THERE, man. I think. Anyway, Jimi's posed making a {V" sign with his left hand - the precise moment in his Woodstock performance when he ordered two bags of cotton candy. Oops, sorry. No. 4 son (age 7) says Jimi's giving the "Peace" sign.
- Working with the stars
By SUSAN KOOMAR
(Pocono Record, January 21, 2007)
Ethel Gabriel has worked with legends such as Elvis and Sinatra and will be auctioning off some rare memorabilia from that time. Ethel Gabriel made music, history and some very famous friends.
As the first female record producer at RCA, she fondly remembers the swiveling hips of Elvis Presley and the swingin' swagger of Frank Sinatra. But at age 85, Gabriel finds it's time to downsize her symphony-sized collection of stuff.
Her treasures - including a Grammy award and 15 Gold Records - will be sold on Tuesday in Mount Bethel by auctioneer Bob Teel. One of the shiny platters is for Elvis's' "Pure Gold." Gabriel, who played trombone and led her own 1930s dance band, marveled at the young man from Mississippi when the president of RCA insisted she journey south to see him. "He had a different expression, a different voice, a whole different style," Gabriel recalled. "A lot of singers sound good, but they're not original."
She met Elvis and his mom at their little white house in Tupelo. Later, Gabriel saw his tragic decline. "When he got hooked on drugs it wasn't his fault. He couldn't get over it. I tried to help him with it. I was down there a couple of times," she said. "He said he was so sorry he messed up his life." ...
- New Haven coliseum razed for development
(Yahoo! News, January 21, 2007)
Crews set off a thunderous explosion Saturday to demolish Veterans Memorial Coliseum, a 35-year-old arena that held sporting events and concerts by Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. ...
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