late July 2007
- On the Elvis trail [a three-page article]
By Andrew Perry
(Daily Telegraph, July 28, 2007)
Thirty years after Elvis Presley's death, the pilgrims are heading to the Deep South in their tens of thousands. What is it that draws them?
It took me less than 10 minutes to spot my first Elvis. It was 9pm, and I'd barely had time to check into my hotel on the main drag in Tupelo, Mississippi, when I saw him standing in the lobby, with his Arthur Scargill sweep-over dyed black, and each cheek plastered with enormous patches of black Fuzzy Felt. He sported a Hawaian shirt, whose roomy dimensions could not disguise his vast girth, and, of course, a pair of over-sized gold-rimmed sunglasses.
The next morning, I encountered three more Elvises before breakfast. "Did you see enough of 'em yet?" asked a Southern lady in the lift, responding to my baffled expression. "I just saw two downstairs, waiting for their food. I said: 'I hope y'all have ordered the fried pork chops!' They didn't seem to find that funny."
Over the next day or two in Tupelo - the real Elvis Presley's humble place of birth - there would be dozens more of these caricature-ish imposters to contend with.
I had been bussed there from Memphis airport, along with a large contingent from the European media, to sample the town's annual Elvis Festival, a contest for "tribute artists" (impersonators). The winner would represent Tupelo at a much bigger bash in Memphis in August, to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the death of the King of Rock'n'Roll.
Tupelo used to be best known for the devastating tornado that struck in 1936, killing 200 people and leaving thousands homeless; John Lee Hooker chronicled the disaster in one of his most haunting blues numbers, Tupelo.
Since 1955, the city has been known the world over for something more positive, if ultimately also tragic. Elvis-generated tourism now largely accounts for Tupelo's affluence and indeed, for the recent construction of the Hilton in which I stayed.
There are 100,000 visitors annually, but in this anniversary year the city expects that number between August 11 and 19 alone.
On the surface, the tribute artists represent a reassuringly old-school and organic brand of American craziness, but that impression quickly fades. In every store and on every street corner, I seemed to bump into an overweight man perspiring in a sequin-studded, white-nylon jumpsuit.
I watched an afternoon's worth of officially sanctioned tribute artistry in a stuffy conference hall, which was buzzing with a feverish and unpleasant air of reality-TV competitiveness. It was surely no coincidence that Lisa Marie Presley, the King's daughter, recently sold an 85 per cent share in Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc, to CKX, the company behind Pop Idol.
I found it depressing how many tributes presented a uniform, ritualised parody of Presley at his most grotesque - in his dying days in mid-1970s Las Vegas.
Why always Elvis the Blimp? Why not the dynamic, hip-shakin' blade who changed the world 20 years earlier? Surely he's the one that anniversary tourists will come looking for in August... The real Elvis trail begins in East Tupelo, at the two-room shotgun shack where Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935.
Preceding him into the world by 35 minutes was a stillborn brother, who was given the name Jesse Garon before being interred a couple of miles away at Priceville Cemetery. Elvis often talked about the brother he never knew, and his belief that a surviving twin gains the strength of both.
The shell of the original Presley shack has been filled with blousy imitation furnishings, including a double bed, an old stone ice box, and a framed version of Rudyard Kipling's aspirational poem If, which Presley memorised at an early age. After his death, a chapel and classy museum were erected nearby.
In pre-war days, East Tupelo was a separate and socially inferior town, on the wrong side of the tracks. Life there was simple, rustic, very poor, a far cry from the pretty lawns and car parks of today.
The local tourist office arranged for two of Elvis's childhood friends to share their memories of the place. One, Guy T Harris, recalled how he, Elvis, and their other young friend, James Ausborn, would play by the creek.
... Where others may go for Elvis the firearms and karate fanatic, or Elvis the jumpsuited entertainer, or Elvis the practical joker, I found myself enthralled by Elvis the questing spirit. Even after learning of him parroting If, and gaining strength from his stillborn twin brother, I'd never suspected that he was the kind of guy who might read Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse.
A display from his old office also includes Thomas Troward's The Creative Process in the Individual , complete with Presley's spidery notes in the margins, and a framed print of Theodore Roosevelt's speech with the line "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena..." Contrary to popular belief, there was an Elvis who had a sense of calling, who reflected on fame and what might be achieved by it for the greater good. ...
- This week's Video Clips column
By JIM THOMSON
(.canoe.ca / Sun Media, July 27, 2007)
Elvis may have indeed left the building, but the King of Rock 'n' Roll is set for a guest appearance in your living room. Both Paramount Home Entertainment and MGM Home Entertainment honour Elvis Presley this week with a total of 12 movies featuring the rock icon -- and one horror fantasy with the King as central character. Next month will mark the 30th anniversary of Presley's death. Fans can relive some of the magic with the following.
From MGM:
- Clambake (1967), co-stars Shelley Fabares, Bill Bixby and James Gregory. Trivia note: The film was set in Miami, but shot in and around Los Angeles.
- Follow That Dream (1962), co-stars Arthur O'Connell, Anne Helm and Simon Oakland. Trivia note: Rocker Tom Petty has said he wanted to become a musician after watching Elvis in this film. Personal trivia note: The ocean liner featured in the movie was the one that brought my Mum, brother, sister and I to Canada.
- Frankie & Johnny (1966), co-stars Donna Douglas, Harry Morgan and Sue Ane Langdon.
- Kid Galahad (1962), co-stars Gig Young, Lola Albright and Charles Bronson. Trivia note: Michael Curtiz, Presley's favourite director, also directed the original Kid Galahad in 1937.
- Bubba Ho-Tep (2002), stars Bruce Campbell (as Elvis), Ossie Davis and Bob Ivy. The horror-fantasy-comedy has become a cult favourite. The limited-edition release features collectible packaging (a white leather jumpsuit) and bonus material including commentary, deleted scenes, featurettes on the making-of, makeup, costumes and music.
From Paramount:
- King Creole (1958), co-stars Carolyn Jones, Walter Matthau, Dean Jagger and Vic Morrow. Trivia note: Of his movies, this was Elvis' favourite. He was granted a two-month extension from the draft board to wrap filming before he went into the U.S. Army.
- G.I. Blues (1960), co-stars Juliet Prowse and Robert Ivers. Trivia note: The unit Elvis is stationed with in the movie was the same as his real regiment in the army (32nd Armored).
- Blue Hawaii (1961), co-stars Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury and Nancy Walters. Trivia note: Lansbury, who plays Elvis' mother in the film, was only 10 years older than him.
- Roustabout (1964), co-stars Barbara Stanwyck, Leif Erickson and Sue Ane Langdon. Trivia note: Look for Raquel Welch as an extra, a college student in the Tea House.
- Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), co-stars Stella Stevens, Jeremy Slate and Benson Fong. Trivia note: Only one of Elvis' films to be nominated for a Golden Globe.
- Fun In Acapulco (1963), co-stars Ursula Andress and Alejandro Rey. Trivia note: Teri Garr makes her film debut, although in an uncredited role as an extra.
- Paradise Hawaiian Style (1966), co-stars Suzanna Leigh and James Shigeta. Trivia note: Petula Clark was originally offered the role eventually captured by Leigh.
- Easy Come, Easy Go (1967), co-stars Dodie Marshall and Pat Harrington Jr. Trivia note: The 50th top grossing film of the year.
And, oh yes, thank you ... thank you very much ...
- Elvis, Chaplin and FDR are in archive
(Yahoo! News, July 27, 2007)
More than 6 million film and recording artifacts -- including footage of Charlie Chaplin's bowlegged gait and Elvis Presley's gyrations -- have a new home on a hillside in this town southwest of Washington, D.C. The National Audio-Visual Conservation Center was officially turned over to the Library of Congress on Thursday. The three-building complex brings together all the library's scattered recordings and conservation staff in a specially equipped center for the first time. ... The trove of 6.3 million items includes footage of Chaplin's movies, the original negatives from "Casablanca," Presley's 1964 movie "Viva Las Vegas," a complete set of Ed Sullivan's variety shows and footage of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's speech after the Pearl Harbor attack. ...
- Elvis Presley Anniversary Weekend
Source: Andy Wint
(manx.net, July 27, 2007)
As part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of the death of the King of Rock'n'Roll the Villa Marina's Broadway Cinema will be giving fans old and new the opportunity to see 'Elvis at the Movies' in an Elvis Mini-Film Festival. There will be afternoon matinees of 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Girl Happy' across the weekend of 17th August giving everyone the opportunity to taste the experience which millions of fans had from 1956 to 1972, to see Elvis on the big screen.
The musical drama Jailhouse Rock (1957) and romantic musical comedy Girl Happy (1965) both feature a clutch of Elvis songs and co-stars including Shelley Fabares, the late Judy Tyler, Gary (Bing's son) Crosby, Mickey Shaughnessy and Harold Stone.
In addition to the cinema presentation the 30th anniversary of the death of the King of Rock'n'Roll will be marked by a tribute concert in aid of the Manx-based charity Friends of Chernobyl's Children hosted by two 1970's Radio 1 deejays, Paul Burnett and David Hamilton. The commemorative concert featuring the 9-piece Spirit of Elvis show will be held at the Villa Marina Royal Hall, Harris Promenade, Douglas on Friday 17th August at 9pm. It provides the centerpiece for a weekend of celebration of the life and influence of Elvis Presley. Additionally, during the course of the evening, someone will win a trip for two to Memphis, Tennessee - Elvis' home from 1957 until his death in 1977.
Friends of Chernobyl's Children is raising funds to provide travel, clothing and footwear for children from Belarus to continue to visit the Island to bolster their immune systems. Their country even now suffers the consequences of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
For concert and movie information go to www.elvis.im for ticket availability contact Villa Marina Box Office on 694555, e-mail tickets@villamarina.dtl.gov.im or see www.villagaiety.com
- Elvis Presley's Words of Wisdom Explore the Pursuit of a Happier Life
(PRWEB, July 27, 2007)
"Health and Happiness Elvis Style" by Elvis aficionado Kristi Weldon is a hip, helpful Elvis-inspired guide to living one's life to the fullest.
Elvis fan Kristi Weldon's gleeful little instruction booklet, "Health and Happiness Elvis Style," shows how anyone can live a richer life by studying the way Elvis Presley lived his. Timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Elvis's death in August, this is a great gift book for the King's fans and an inspirational manual for all.
Now every reader can get in touch with their inner Elvis and put his life-affirming messages to use with the wise and witty guidebook, "Health and Happiness Elvis Style" by Kristi Weldon.
An intuitive wellness consultant and researcher, Weldon recognizes the valuable lessons demonstrated during Elvis' life and death, and she realizes how these things might impact and help people today. Incorporating one Elvis life lesson per page, the book is a user's guide for anyone who wants to learn more about Elvis, model themselves after the King, or simply wants to live their life to the fullest.
Opening the book to any page to finds inspirational nuggets of the King's wisdom. Learn to love and accept yourself, Elvis suggests. Be careful whom you trust and don't forget to take time to be nice to others. Stand up for what you believe in, and always say "yes ma'am" and "thank you very much." Witty, wise, and inspirational, "Health and Happiness Elvis Style" really rocks!
For more information or to request a free review copy, please contact the author at Kristi @ HappyElvis.com. "Health and Happiness Elvis Style" is available for sale online at Amazon.com, Borders.com, and through additional wholesale and retail channels worldwide.
About the Author
Wellness consultant Kristi Weldon has worked as a writer, editor and for Fortune 100 corporations. A Reiki Master and dedicated Elvis fan, she currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband.
About BookSurge
BookSurge LLC, an Amazon.com company, is a pioneer in self-publishing and print-on-demand services. Offering unique publishing opportunities and access for authors, BookSurge boasts an unprecedented number of authors whose work has resulted in book deals with traditional publishers as well as successful authorpreneurs who enhance or build a business from their professional expertise.
- Tell us what you remember about the day Elvis died
(Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, July 26, 2007)
Aug. 16 is an emotion-ridden date for Elvis Presley fans everywhere. It's only appropriate that in The King's hometown, the Daily Journal will remember the 30th anniversary of his death, but we'd like our readers to participate in our coverage.
If you'd like to tell us what you remember about that day, where you were, how you reacted or anything else you think is relevant, write to us at djnews@djournal.com or fax to News Dept. at (662) 842-2233.
Please keep your story to 350 words. Deadline to submit is 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6. Be sure to include your name and contact information such as telephone number, home address and e-mail address.
If we use your story in the newspaper, we may want to get your photograph. Other stories will be posted on djournal.com.
- News Tip: Elvis' Mixed Legacy in the Black Community: Thirty years after his death, Elvis is remembered for his icon status, not for musical contributions
(Duke University, July 26, 2007)
As the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death approaches, an expert on black popular culture says that Elvis' enduring legacy among fans both black and white has more to do with his display of "unbridled white male sexuality" than his music.
Mark Anthony Neal, an author and associate professor at Duke University, says some in the black community resented Elvis because he made his fortune popularizing black musical forms and because of a myth that he thought blacks were inferior.
"Elvis, in his own way, attempted to show some sort of respect for the musical forms that he was essentially exploiting," Neal says. "There is no concrete evidence of him being a racist."
Elvis, who died Aug. 16, 1977, enjoyed and was influenced by black music, Neal says. "He emerged at a time when the practice of covers was very prominent. The black version of a song was marketed to black audiences and the white version was marketed to white audiences. 'Take 'Hound Dog.' Everyone knows that Big Mama Thornton recorded the song before Elvis did. What Elvis showed was that you could have a white artist who could record black music and be successful with it.
"He was simply the person that helped popularize rhythm and blues, as well as rock-a-billy and country." Neal says Elvis' popularity, including the proliferation of impersonators and the suggestion that he may still be alive, are about Elvis "the package and the icon" rather than his work as a musician.
"He didn't change the musical landscape. Elvis wasn't an innovator. He didn't bring anything musical to the table. He simply popularized derivatives of R&B and country," Neal says.
Comments to: camille.jackson@duke.edu
- Elvis: The King Has Left the Building But Not the Radio
From Corey Deitz
(radio.about.com, July 26, 2007)
Even though Elvis Presley has been gone since August 16, 1977, his music has never left the radio. Besides still being played on local stations with Oldies formats, Elvis hits have found new life on Internet radio stations, on Satellite Radio and even in Podcasts.
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