early June 2007
- KING'S RANSOM
(dailyrecord.co.uk, June 8, 2007)
A gold-plated gun that once belonged to Elvis Presley is to be sold at an auction in Los Angeles. The Walther semiautomatic pistol is expected to fetch £10,000.
- Elvis joins Premier League in legal showdown with YouTube
By Owen Gibson
(Guardian Unlimited, June 7, 2007)
The Premier League yesterday joined forces with Elvis in its legal battle against YouTube. The league launched its class action against the Google-owned video-sharing online phenomenon last month, claiming it was illegally hosting thousands of clips of top-flight football action, and called for others to join it.
Yesterday Cherry Lane Music Publishing, which administers more than 65,000 copyrights including those of Elvis Presley, John Denver and the Black Eyed Peas, joined the legal action alongside the French football and tennis federations.
- Driving and playing cool
By MARTIN F. KOHN
(freep.com, June 7, 2007)
For a guy whose title is director of historical resources, John Metz uses the word "cool" a lot. "It's a very cool car," Metz says, speaking of Elvis Presley's 1971 DeTomaso Pantera. "It's a sports car, it's got a Ford engine and an Italian body. What makes this one especially cool is that Elvis got angry and shot it." You can see the bullet hole if you go to the Henry Ford Museum. That's where Metz works and that's where the exhibit he helped put together, Rock Stars' Cars & Guitars, opens Saturday and runs through Sept. 30.
Made up of 20 rides (a few are motorcycles) and 30 guitars, Rock Stars' Cars & Guitars features stuff connected to Elvis, John Lennon, Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Jon Bon Jovi, Elton John, Madonna, the Beach Boys, ZZ Top, Marilyn Manson, Metallica, U2, Kiss, Van Halen and others.
Every artifact tells a story, but only the tale of Elvis' car appears to involve gunplay. According to officials at Graceland, Presley's Memphis home turned museum, the singer used to keep several cars parked in his horseshoe-shaped driveway with the keys in their ignitions. "He had an aunt living with him who thought it was irresponsible," Metz relates. She removed the keys. One day Elvis went to take his Pantera for a spin. No keys. Blam.
Otherwise, "Rock stars are just like us," Metz says. "There are things they're nostalgic about. There are cool cars they've always wanted to own . . . They're able to buy them."
John Lennon bought himself a 1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V, had bright, swirling designs painted on it and lent it out to friends like Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. It's here.
Madonna made a grand entrance at the 2001 Grammy Awards in a rhinestone-encrusted 1979 Lincoln Continental limo. It's here.
There is a preview bash Thursday beginning at 6:30 with a dinner ($125), and at 8 with a dessert reception ($40). Call 313-982-6001. Musician and producer Don Was will deliver a free talk, "Music in the Motor City: A Personal Journey," at 11 a.m. Saturday in the museum's Anderson Theatre.
- Online Now: Elvis.com
Posted by Amy Arnold
(fox16.com, June 7, 2007)
Elvis Presley is an American Icon and his image, music and life are legendary worldwide. You can experience all-Elvis all-the-time from the comfort of a laptop computer thanks to technology. He's been gone for 30 years but is still one of the highest grossing celebrities of all time, and one website can let you peer into the life and career of a legend.
Elvis.com is THE cyber destination for all the loyal subjects of the king of rock and roll. You can find out all about Elvis by checking out his biography, film and TV appearances, famous quotes and the songs that topped the billboard charts. Explore the grounds of Graceland through virtual tours or step into the lobby of the real Heartbreak Hotel. Find out the latest news or get answers to frequently asked questions about the legendary singer. You can even count down the days, hours and minutes until the annual Elvis week kicks off on August 11th.
And no true Elvis fan can miss shopping for everything from DVDs and T-shirts to clocks and even rubber ducks adorned with the face of the king [the latter is in disgusting bad taste and should be boycotted - Presleys in the Press]. The site boasts an enormous wealth of all things Elvis and is a must see for everyone who's ever gotten all shook up by the one and only man in the blue suede shoes.
- Stefani channels a range of blondeness
By Jon Bream
( Star Tribune, June 6, 2007)
CONCERT REVIEW: Froth was the operative word for her program, presented in a thin and reedy voice.
Gwen Stefani is all about blonde ambition. In concert Tuesday at the Xcel Energy Center, the pop star channeled Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Michelle Pfeiffer (in "Scarface"), rapper Eve and, quite unintentionally, the blonde of the moment. Stefani's opening number, "The Sweet Escape", was a takeoff on Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock". ...
- Gospel show closes festival
By SHEENA BARNETT
( Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, June 6, 2007)
The 2007 Tupelo Elvis Presley Festival ended with standing ovations and loud applause at the gospel show Sunday. Fans gathered in the First United Methodist Church for the two-hour long show. The applause never seemed to stop for the four acts that appeared on stage. Local group the Landmarks got the crowd going with "When We All Get Together With the Lord" and "Angels Watching Over Me."
Landmarks member Larry Kirk introduced the band and cracked a few jokes. "We were told we were the No. 2-rated attraction in Tupelo," he said. "You see that sign that says, 'Elvis Presley Landmarks?"
The Landmarks won a standing ovation, as did the Lane Chapel Quartet, who followed. The crowd clapped and tapped their feet as the foursome sang songs like "Nearer, My God, to Thee," "World Peace" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother."
Dean Vegas, an Elvis Presley tribute artist from Australia, then took the stage. Vegas told the crowd this was his first trip to Tupelo. I'd like to say, 'How y'all doin'?'" he said. Vegas sang "Walk a Mile in My Shoes."
The Imperials, who sang and recorded with Presley, then sang "Amazing Grace" with Vegas.
The group sang several songs they recorded with the King of Rock 'n' Roll. "There's a Sweet, Sweet Spirit," "He Touched Me" and "How Great Thou Art" received thunderous applause from the audience. ...
- Weintraub gears up for 'Ocean's Thirteen'
By Bruce Fessier
(The Desert Sun / Associated Press, June 5, 2007)
Producer Jerry Weintraub is known for his huge, circus-style promotions, going back to his days as concert promoter for Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. In 2004, Diane Sawyer's "Primetime Live" interviews with Weintraub and the cast of "Ocean's Twelve" from the producer's Bighorn Golf Club home in Palm Desert helped turn the sequel into a hit on par with its predecessor, "Ocean's Eleven." ... Stateside promotions for "Ocean's Thirteen" begin today with Weintraub and leading men George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon adding their hand and footprints to the cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. A publicist said Weintraub is the first producer to be so honored. ...
- THE ART OF PARIS
By Liz Smith
(New York Post, June 5, 2007)
'NO. 47 said to No. 3, you're the cutest jailbird I ever did see!" sang Elvis Presley in the still-eyebrow-raising "Jailhouse Rock" prison number. AND SO Paris Hilton is now in the clink, a bigger "star" than when she was sentenced and sure to emerge even more fascinating to those who adore her numbing charisma. ...
- A scarce exotic
By Gavin Foster
(Mail & Guardian Online, dated May 28, found June 5, 2007)
Elvis Presley put three bullets into his when it wouldn't start, but most owners of the other 7 300 or so De Tomaso Panteras produced between 1970 and 1993 loved 'em, because they looked and sounded absolutely gorgeous, and delivered supercar performance at affordable prices. Pity about the build quality though. ...
The Pantera, one of just 7 300 in the world. (Photograph: Gavin Foster)
- Elvis Everywhere!
By Danza Johnson
(Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, June 3, 2007)
First United Methodist Church
2 to 4 p.m. - The Landmarks, Lane Chapel Quartet, Terry Blackwood & The Imperials, Dean Vegas
Not even the rain could stop the crowds from piling into Tupelo to celebrate the King. The droves of thick rhinestone jumpsuit-wearing, lip-curling, hip-swinging, sideburned men and women strolling the streets of downtown were a dead giveaway that the annual Elvis Presley Festival was in full swing. The day kicked off with an early morning parade through downtown. Crowds lined the sidewalks waiting for the many Kings of rock 'n' roll to stroll through.
Tiffany Sanders and her son Marcus, 4, and daughter Candice, 7, were among the parade patrons. "I love Elvis," said Sanders as she rocked her hips to old Elvis tunes. "I was born and raised in Tupelo so I didn't have a choice, I inherited it. "This festival just gets better and better every year. Usually festivals get old real fast, but this one has a new wrinkle every year. I just hope no one steps on my blue suede shoes!"
Despite a day of steady rainfall, dozens of umbrella-wielding Elvis fans packed the lawn of City Hall to listen to and watch Elvis tribute artists take their best shot at being the King.
"He sounds just like Elvis,' said Patrick Davis of Memphis as he cheered on one of the
performers. "I've been listening to Elvis for a long time and that guy sounds just like him. He ain't doing much for dancing though, but if I close my eyes and listen to him, he's the King."
With the gate to the main concert area on Front Street not opening until 5 p.m., people were lining up in the rain as early as 3:30 p.m. to assure themselves good seats. Minnie Williams was there to see 2006 American Idol winner Taylor Hicks and didn't care how long she had to wait. "He was my favorite Idol winner," said Williams. "This will be my first time seeing him in person. If I have to sit in a little rain to get a good view of him then so be it."
PHOTO: (C. Todd Sherman)
Brandi Fishel of Mobile, Ala., ran this year's "Running with the King" 5K run at Veterans Park in an Elvis jumpsuit and sunglasses.
- ONE OF THE KING'S MEN: Sonny West recalls life with Elvis Presley in new book
By Chris M. Junior:
(Ashbury Park Press, June 3, 2007)
For many of Elvis Presley's early fans and admirers, their first time seeing him perform was in 1956 via his appearances on such TV programs as "The Milton Berle Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show."
Not Sonny West. His first Presley performance was at West's high school in 1954.
Four years later, West was introduced to Presley at a skating rink in their hometown of Memphis, Tenn. Two years after that, West began a 16-year stint working for Presley and was a charter member of the singer's entourage, otherwise known as the Memphis Mafia.
West recounts these moments and much more about his life with Presley in "Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business," released last month by Triumph Books.
"I knew that one day after he passed away that I would have to write a book that really told of my love for him, my commitment to him, rather than one as a challenge to him to point out what he was doing to himself," says the 68-year-old West, who still lives in Tennessee. The "challenge" he is referring to is his previous Presley book, "Elvis: What Happened?" Released shortly before Presley's death in 1977 at age 42, West and two other dismissed Memphis Mafia members, Red West (Sonny's cousin) and Dave Hebler, wrote about Presley's prescription drug habits, hoping he would see the error of his ways.
"I will say that if Red and I had been working for Elvis at the end, 'Elvis: What Happened?' would never have been written," says West. "This would be the book that I would have written, but it probably wouldn't have been right away."
The seeds for "Still Taking Care of Business" were planted around 2001, when West met collaborator Marshall Terrill, who has co-written books about actor Steve McQueen and basketball legend Pete Maravich. "Originally, it started out with Red and I. That's what Marshall's idea was," says West. "Then Red, being as busy as he was, couldn't find the time. So Marshall and I -- we just went ahead and did it with just me." They began writing in 2002 and finished last year, relying on West's memory as well as research.
"My memory's pretty good," he says. "I have proven that out over time with people. One time, when I was telling some stories in Palm Springs, (former Memphis Mafia member) Jerry Schilling sat in on them and said, 'You took me back on those things. I totally forgot about that."
"Whatever I need you to do"
West was a 21-year-old Air Force veteran working at a Memphis appliance store in 1960 when Presley, who had recently been discharged from the Army, offered him a job. When West asked what he'd be doing, Presley's response was, "Everything. Whatever I need you to do - performing errands, looking after my cars, keeping jealous boyfriends off my back." West did all that and more, and as a result, he was with Presley during key personal and professional moments. He was there when The Beatles visited Presley on Aug. 27, 1965, and an entire chapter is devoted to that event.
v
There also is a chapter about Presley making a spur-of-the-moment trip to the White House in 1970. Presley, concerned about drug use by young people and figuring he could be of service to the country, wanted to ask President Richard M. Nixon for a federal narcotics badge. Presley met Nixon and received his badge. West and Schilling didn't leave empty-handed, either.
More than 35 years later, West still gets a kick talking about how Presley hoodwinked Nixon for extra gifts. When the president gave West and Schilling a pair of gold keychains featuring the presidential seal, Presley said to Nixon, "Mr. President, they have wives, too." That prompted Nixon to go back to his desk and give them two pins with the seal. "When we left," says West, "I said to Elvis, "Man, do you believe you lied to the president of the United States?' He said, "What do you mean, lied to him?' I said, "You said we were married. I'm not getting married until next weekend, remember? You're my best man.' He said, "Never mind. You're already married. You're just going through the ceremony now.' "He could justify anything."
Cost-cutting dismissal
West, his cousin and Hebler were fired in 1976 in what was described to them as cost-cutting moves. (In his book, West writes that confronting Presley about his drug use, plus being blamed by Presley for security-related lawsuits against the singer, may have been factors in his firing.)
Vernon Presley, Elvis' father, called West to tell him he was dismissed. "I would much rather that Elvis would have done it," says West. "Elvis doing it would not have been cold and detached. Vernon enjoyed telling us. He didn't like us guys. He was jealous of us guys because of our relationship with Elvis . . . we meant too much to him for Vernon's liking."
A possession that still means the world to West is his necklace with the letters TCB (which stands for "Taking Care of Business," a favorite Presley saying) over a lightning bolt. West writes in his book that he was present in October 1970 when Presley picked up the initial batch of TCB necklaces, and the legend himself put the first one around West's neck. "Other than me, I don't know who still has an original," says West. "I was offered some very big money for it (years ago). I said, "No, it's not for sale.' They said, "Everything's for sale.' I said, "Well, probably so, but you wouldn't pay what it would cost you for this. "They said, 'Give me a figure.' I said, 'I really can't count that high.' "
- Strange but True: Elvis Has Entered Town Hall ; Bizarre Stories From Around the World HE TOPS POLL IN SPAIN
By AVRIL CADDEN
(Red Orbit, June 3, 2007)
VOTERS in Reus - a small town near Barcelona - have chosen Elvis as their new councillor. Former postie Ariel Santamaria dressed in full Presley regalia during the election. His plans include painting the town hall pink and planting hashish in parks.
- JACK WHITE IS ELVIS PRESLEY
(wmctv.com / Associated Press, June 2, 2007)
Rocker JACK WHITE has ended months of speculation by confirming he is playing ELVIS PRESLEY in upcoming comedy WALK HARD. The White Stripes frontman will play The King alongside Jenna Fischer and John C. Reilly in the new movie, due out next year (08). He says, "It's my favourite era of Elvis, around '56, and when John sent me the script I laughed out loud the whole way through."
A NAME="200706a">early June 2007
- 'All Shook Up' a light, enjoyable slice of Americana
By John Farrell
(Press-Telegram, June 1, 2007)
'ALL SHOOK UP'
What: Musical based on songs made famous by Elvis Presley, book by Joe DiPietro
Where: Segerstrom Hall, Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday; through June 10
Tickets: $20-$70
Information: (714) 556-2787
MORE THAN 25 years after his death, Elvis Presley is still the king. His music, his performing style, his laconic "Thank you, ma'am," are still as familiar as they were when he died prematurely at his Graceland home. And there are people, not as many as formerly, who still report seeing Elvis alive and well in the most unlikely spots.
To those reports add one more: In spirit Elvis was alive and well at Segerstrom Hall, Orange County Performing Arts Center Tuesday night when the Broadway musical "All Shook Up," inspired by some of Presley's better-known music, took the stage.
There is more to this show than just music, though. Joe DiPietro, who wrote the book, brings in a little Shakespeare and a lot of Presley's stage persona to create a story that is woven around some two dozen
- Spanish town elects 'Elvis' as councillor
(uabc.net.au / Reuters, June 1, 2007)
Council meetings in northern Spains could take a turn for the bizarre after the town of Reus voted in a councillor who promised to turn up dressed as Elvis Presley and wants to turn the town square into a nudist pool. Ariel Santamaria, a former postman, stood for a small independent party dressed in full Elvis regalia complete with sideburns and won enough votes last weekend to take a council seat.
It remains to be seen how other parties will take his proposals for Reus, a town of 100,000 people near Barcelona. His platform included plans to paint the town hall pink, plant marijuana in the parks and give the town police global positioning systems to find people who might need a light while rolling a joint.
- CKX CEO bids to take Elvis, 'American Idol' private
By Lisa Baertlein
(usatoday.com / Reuters, June 1, 2007)
Robert Sillerman, CEO of CKX, a company that has bought the rights to Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, and American Idol, poses in his New York City office with various items that represent his companies holdings.
Some very public names may be going private. CKX chairman and CEO Robert Sillerman said he and other executives have made a $1.3 billion bid to privatize the company, which controls the names, images and likenesses of the late music and movie icon Elvis Presley and the living boxing legend Muhammad Ali. The former radio and concert mogul is getting a hand in the effort from Simon Fuller, chief executive of CKX subsidiary 19 Entertainment Limited, the British-based firm behind the Pop Idol television talent show and its hit U.S. spinoff, American Idol.
Sillerman, the company's biggest shareholder, offered to enter into a complex series of transactions that would include a cash purchase of CKX's outstanding common stock at a price of $13.75 per share, which represents a 29% premium over the stock's closing price of $10.63. With 97.06 million shares outstanding, that would amount to about $1.33 billion.
According to a statement, the company's directors have been actively considering the proposal and have scheduled a meeting for early Friday morning to consider the bid and hear the recommendation of a special committee of independent directors. CKX - which also operates Graceland, Presley's former home turned tourist attraction - expects to make a "comprehensive announcement" following that meeting.
By Todd Plitt, USA TODAY
- CKX chairman makes buyout bid for Elvis estate operator
(wmctv.com / Associated Press, May 31, 2007)
CKX Incorporated, the operator of Elvis Presley's Graceland estate in Memphis, has received a buyout offer from its chairman and chief executive, Robert F.X. Sillerman. The offer values the company at 1.3-$$3 billion. Sillerman, the company's single largest shareholder, said he and Simon Fuller, the chief executive of a CKX subsidiary, would purchase the company's outstanding common stock for $13.75 per share in cash.
CKX's board has been actively considering the proposal and plans to have another meeting Friday morning to consider the bid. CKX owns and develops entertainment content, including licensing the name and likeness of such figures as Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali. It also has the rights to the "American Idol" television show and adaptations that air in more than 100 countries.
- Spanish town votes in Elvis flares and nude pool
(Yahoo! News, May 31, 2007)
Council meetings in Reus could take a
turn for the bizarre after the northern Spanish town voted in a
councillor who promised to turn up dressed as Elvis Presley and
wants to turn the square into a nudist pool. Ariel Santamaria, a former postman, stood for a small independent party dressed in full Elvis regalia complete with sideburns and won enough votes last weekend to take a council seat.
It remains to be seen how other parties will take his proposals for Reus, a town of 100,000 people near Barcelona. His platform included plans to paint the town hall pink, plant marijuana in the parks and give the town police global positioning systems to find people who might need a light while rolling a joint.
|
