early July 2008
- ELVIS PRESLEY - ROW OVER $140,000 ELVIS MAGAZINE
(contactmusic.com, July 10 2008)
The U.K government has been heavily criticised for wasting tax-payers' money on a magazine which claimed that ELVIS PRESLEY was a gypsy. Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month magazine also suggests that Presley's ancestors were Sinti - German gypsies who emigrated to America in the 18th century. The publication - for school pupils - also claims that film legends Charlie Chaplin and Rita Hayworth came from gypsy backgrounds.
The magazine was given a $140,000 (GBP70,000) grant by the British government. But Schools Minister Lord Adonis has been criticised over the "politically correct" initiative.
Member of Parliament Philip Davies says, "This is a grotesque abuse of taxpayers' money. When families are struggling to pay their bills, for the Government to fund this magazine which speaks garbage is just another kick in the teeth."
The Department of Children, Schools and Families said the magazine was designed to increase understanding of travellers' cultural heritage. A spokesman said: "It is not true that Andrew Adonis has approved or endorsed the distribution to schools of Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month magazine. "The department provided GBP70,000 of funding to the gypsy, Roma and traveller community. The aim was to produce material and events across the country to celebrate the culture of the gypsy, Roma and traveller community."
- Elvis was the gipsy King, says traveller magazine
By Laura Clark
(Daily Mail, July 10 2008)
It was designed to dispel myths about the travelling community. But a magazine which claims that Elvis was a gipsy is simply peddling more, critics say.
The journal, which cost taxpayers up to £70,000, was produced by organisers of the Government backed gipsy history month and sent to schools. It says that Elvis Presley was descended from German gipsies who emigrated to the U.S. in the early 18th century, pointing out that his mother's maiden name was Smith - said to be a common surname used by British Romanies.
The journal also claims gipsy descent for Charlie Chaplin, Sir Michael Caine and Rita Hayworth. It also cites Johnny Frankham, said to be 'famous for having floored the great Cassius Clay in an exhibition fight'.
But an expert has accused the magazine of spreading 'cant and misinformation' and pointed out that Elvis never claimed traveller origins. David Altheer, a writer and researcher on gipsy culture, added: 'As far as it is known, there is no record of Elvis ever having claimed anything to do with gipsies. The fact someone had gipsy in their family 300 years ago is frankly irrelevant - it does not mean you are a gipsy.' ...
- ClubHouse Pass, Inc. Signs Licensing Agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
(centredaily.com, July 9 2008)
ClubHouse Pass, Inc. is proud to announce a new licensing
agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. ClubHouse Pass is the
creator of the newest collectible that has taken the concept of a
backstage pass and turned it into a must have for any music fan and
serious collector.
"We couldn't ask for a better situation to be able to create
collector passes for Elvis Presley," says ClubHouse Pass President
Michael Speakman. "It's a perfect opportunity for us, to be able to
produce the new collectible for fans of the King of Rock 'n' Roll."
ClubHouse Pass will release its first set of limited edition
products from "The Elvis ClubHouse Pass Collection" on July 9th, 2008.
This special Elvis collection will consist of four different series:
the Platinum Pass depicts Elvis' top selling album; All Access Pass
covers his most important live concerts; Backstage Pass covers his
career in the movie industry; and the VIP Pass highlights his
milestones in life. ...
- ¡Ask a Mexican!
By Gustavo Arellano
(San Antonio Current, July 9 2008)
Dear Mexican: What's the fascination Mexicans have with Elvis?
- Good Roceando Tonight
Dear Gabacho: Your question is spot-on, but it's taken a while for Elvis to achieve icon status amongst Mexicans. As recounted in Eric Zolov's 1999 book, Refried Elvis: The Rise of the Mexican Counterculture, the King largely sparked the roots of rock en espanol by inspiring groups like Los Locos del Ritmo and Los Teen Tops to pirate his style beat-for-beat, pompadour-for-pompadour, uh-huh huh-for-uh-huh huh.
This initial love affair ended in 1957, when Mexican newspapers published without proof that Presley said, "I'd rather kiss three black girls than a Mexican girl." Seeing an opportunity to crack down on a burgeoning youth movement, Mexico's civic fathers denounced Presley as a maricon and negrito-lover and organized Elvis-memorabilia burnings.
Mexicans being Mexicans, most dutifully followed instructions. Elvis wouldn't receive a fair shake from the country - not even after Fun in Acapulco - until the 1970s, when his visage became the backbone of the borderlands' burgeoning black velvet-painting industry.
Wabs have largely loved the King since, as they realized he was more Mexican than an eagle on a cactus. Remember the comparison I made between rednecks and wabs a couple of weeks back? Consider Elvis and his similarity with Mexicans: skinny as a youngster, obese by the end but still caliente; a hardworking country boy corrupted by the big city's excesses; a taste for big belts and shimmering suits; a propensity for unhealthy food and bedding underage girls. And have you heard his versions of the ranchera standards "Guadalajara" and "Alla en el Rancho Grande"? No gabacho can sing those songs that good - and I'm even including Charles Bronson.
- Music Review: Janis Martin - The Female Elvis: Complete Recordings 1956-1960
By David Bowling
(blogcritics.org, July 8 2008)
Janis Martin passed away last fall to little fanfare and re-action by the American music buying public. However, fifty years ago she was publicized and recognized as the female Elvis Presley.
The RCA label signed Janis Martin to a recording contract a couple of months after Elvis. She was just shy of her 16th birthday. One similarity she bore to the king was that she came out of the country rockabilly tradition, but it was her stage act that inspired RCA to crown her with the title of the female Elvis Presley. This would prove an impossible moniker for Janis Martin to live up too. Later in life, she would always say that Carl Perkins was her favorite artist.
She issued the single "Will You Willyum" in 1956 and it became a hit, reaching the American top forty charts and ultimately selling close to a million copies. The flip side, "Drugstore Rock 'N' Roll" was written by Martin, proving that she could produce a well constructed song. Her second single, "My Boy Elvis," was an attempt to cash in on the Presley legacy and it did not sell well. Her first full album featured many of the musicians that were playing for Elvis at the time. Guitar players Chet Atkins and Grady Martin, piano player Floyd Cramer and bassist Bob Moore all provided instrumental support for Janis. Her first album was even produced by Steve Sholes, who would go on to produce many of Elvis' releases. ...
- Music Review: Elvis Presley - Girls, Girls, Girls
By David Bowling
(blogcritics.org, July 8 2008)
Girls Girls Girls is not considered to be one of the better Elvis Presley films. It was universally panned at the time of its release. Yet Girls Girls Girls remains the only Elvis Presley film to be nominated for a major award. It was nominated for a best picture Golden Globe in the musical or comedy category for 1963. It lost to Music Man but at least one of Elvis' films was so honored.
I consider Girls Girls Girls to be an average Elvis film. That means it was pleasant, inoffensive and goes well with a bucket of popcorn. Elvis was back in Hawaii trying to buy a boat so he could stay in business and of course was involved in a love triangle. He performed 14 musical numbers in this film.
The soundtrack album to Girls Girls Girls was released November 9, 1962 and reached number three on the national charts. It continued the success of Elvis' soundtrack releases as it earned a gold record for sales.
"Return To Sender" was pulled from the album and released as a single. It rose to number two in the United States, selling over a million copies, and was a worldwide hit. This mid-tempo pop track remains one of Elvis' signature songs. There were several other quality songs contained on this album. The title song "Girls Girls Girls" was a smooth up-tempo number that still makes most people smile. The rocking "I Don't Wanna Be Tied" and "Thanks To The Rolling Sea" are both very listenable and stand on their own merits outside of the movie's context.
The downside of Girls Girls Girls is that it is the first film to present a growing number of poorer quality songs. It is only because of Elvis' voice that many of them are even acceptable. In this film, at least, he is able to rise above the lack of quality in much of the material. "The Walls Have Ears," "We're Comin' In Loaded," "We'll Be Together" and others strain Elvis to the max to provide a credible performance. Songs of this nature would become all too common as the 1960's progressed.
When reviewing or even thinking about Girls Girls Girls, "Song Of The Shrimp" must be mentioned. Listening to the song on the album does not do it justice. This song must be seen in the movie to be appreciated. Who else but Elvis would sing a song about luring a shrimp into a pot of gumbo and make it interesting. He makes the listener want to jump into the net with the aforementioned shrimp. I don't know if this performance was great but it sure was memorable.
Girls Girls Girls finds Elvis seemingly engaged, looking trim, and appearing happy. While this may not be a great film or a particularly memorable soundtrack, it is still talked about and purchased more than 40 years after its release. Not many films or albums have enjoyed such longevity.
- Elvis Presley Special Coming to CMT, Wal-Mart
(CMT News, July 7 2008)
A new, two-hour TV special, Elvis: Viva Las Vegas, will air Aug. 11 on CMT. The DVD and Blu-ray disc will go on sale exclusively at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club on Aug. 12. The special includes rarely seen footage of Presley performing in Las Vegas, numerous interviews with people who knew him and musical performances by Faith Hill, Toby Keith and Joe Perry, Chris Isaak and Brandi Carlile, Three 6 Mafia, Chris Daughtry and Celine Dion. The DVD also contains never-before-seen bonus material not included in the original television special. Presley died on Aug. 16, 1977.
- The Zippin Pippin -- Elvis' Favorite Ride -- Is Donated to Save Libertyland
By Cherie Heiberg
(Mermphis Flyer, dated April 26. found July 3 2008)
On Monday, Carolina Crossroads, the company that bought Libertyland's Zippin' Pippin, the second-oldest wooden roller coaster in the world, for $2,000, donated the coaster to Save Libertyland - which was incorporated as a nonprofit organization last week.
Steven Mulroy, lawyer and County Commissioner, burned the midnight oil last week to get Save Libertyland incorporated as a nonprofit. The city's deadline for a decision on what was to be done with the classic coaster was Tuesday, April 24th.
Carolina Crossroads had originally planned to take the cars from the coaster and build a replica of it at their retro rock-and-roll themed amusement park, Roanoke Rapids. Though they have maintained one of the coaster's cars and are still planning to build a replica, they've given the rest of the coaster to Save Libertyland.
Today, at the gates of Libertyland, Mulroy said that Save Libertyland plans to donate the 100-year-old coaster back to the city of Memphis, with the condition that the city preserve it.
"Through the generosity of Carolina Crossroads, we hope to open a park around the Zippin Pippin rollercoaster and the historic Grand Carousel, which have both been a part of the city's history for nearly a century," Mulroy said.
Save Libertyland would like to turn all 20 acres of the former amusement park into a city park, using Coney Island's redevelopment plan as a model. The organization would be willing to work with the Salvation Army, which plans to buy all 170 acres of the Mid-South fairgrounds in August in order to build a community center.
Libertyland, like its famous coaster, has had its ups and downs over the years. It was opened on July 4th, 1976, to coincide with the nation's bicentennial. The Pippin, which was Elvis' favorite roller coaster, continues to attract people from all over the world as a part of their Elvis experience.
The organization has been in contact with Elvis Presley Enterprises. Save Libertyland would like to work with the EPE to possibly include the Zippin' Pippin in tours of Elvis' Memphis, a plan that Save Libertyland's Denise Parkinson maintained could help the roller coaster pay for itself.
Save Libertyland also plans to get the coaster on the National Historic Registry, which would bar federal funds from being used to move or destroy the coaster. It would be the second ride in Libertyland to be on the registry, along with the Grand Carousel, which has a history of its own.
The Grand Carousel has long had a reputation for being haunted. On August 2nd, 1976, not two months after the park opened, a 17-year-old boy named Mike Crockett was operating the carousel as his first summer job. When a child in the park lost his balloon in the ride's inner workings, Crockett climbed into its roof to retrieve the prize. While he was inside, the carousel somehow started up and the gears crushed him to death.
"No one even knew his name until today," Parkinson said. "I want to re-envision this place as the Mike Crockett Memorial Park."
- Jitterbug fever creeps into library as part of reading program
By Cassie Fleming
(Grand Island Independent, July 2 2008)
Corie Snell stood with her hands on her hips and looked around the room at a group of girls hopping and twirling to Elvis Presley songs. "Yeah, sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's cute," the 10-year-old said. Looking at the boys tumbling on one another in the far corner, she added, "But the boys, ughh."
As part of the Grand Island Public Library's Summer Reading Program, 40 children learned to dance the jitterbug Wednesday morning. The library offers programs every weekday. Two each week relate to the summer's theme, "Catch the Reading Bug." ... Sheere Gleason, who taught the morning lesson, began by explaining to the children that the dance was popular in the 1930s and early 1940s. While that resulted in many blank faces, Gleason asked who had heard of Elvis. Many children shot their hands into the air. ...
- End of an era
(albany.yourguide.com.au, July 2 2008)
IN 1956, Mel Gibson was born, Elvis Presley recorded Heartbreak Hotel and Karla Kinnear began her career as a swimming instructor. For the last 22 years she has been a familiar face to thousands of children at Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre who have learnt to swim under her watchful eye. But on Friday, 52 years after she taught her first students at Middleton Beach, she will hang up her water wings for the last time. ..
- Elvis as you've never seen him: The photos Colonel Parker didn't want the world to see
By Ray Connolly
(Mail Online, dated June 27, found July 2, 2008)
Elvis Presley remains the most famous and most loved rock star of all time. But for almost all of his 21 years in the spotlight, until his death in 1977 at the age of 42, he remained a distant enigma to his fans. Surrounded by a mob of minders, he hardly ever gave interviews and virtually the only published photographs of him were those carefully selected by his manager, 'Colonel' Tom Parker, to show Elvis in a wholesome light.
But at the very beginning of his career, when his first hit, Heartbreak Hotel, was bounding up the U.S. charts, things were different. Wanting all the publicity they could get for their new singer, Elvis's record company, RCA, hired freelance photographer Alfred Wertheimer to spend a few weeks following the young star around.
So, in March 1956, Wertheimer went to work. Meeting Elvis at a New York TV studio, he later hung around his hotel suite, observed him recording Don't Be Cruel and Hound Dog, photographed him alone and unnoticed on the New York streets, and then went out on tour with him where the groupies were already beginning to line up.
He shot almost 4,000 black-and-white, fly-on-the-wall frames of the singer on the very cusp of unimaginable fame, many of which have rarely been seen.
And what pictures! Wertheimer had never heard of Elvis before taking the commission, but through his lens he watched as over a few short weeks America capitulated to the singer.
It was the last time the private Elvis, the 'real' Elvis, who was even prepared to have the photographer follow him into his bathroom and bedroom, would be caught on camera in this way. By the early summer of 1956, a veil had fallen between Elvis and his fans. Parker had decided no one from the media would ever get this close to his star again. From that moment, Elvis entered a cocoon, locked out from the real world by his enormous fame and his manipulative manager. ...
- Elvis marathon
By Jay Lustig
(nj.com / Star-Ledger, July 1, 2008)
Elvis Presley is the subject of an unusual tribute at the Union County Arts Center in Rahway.
On the Fourth of July -- and the 3rd and the 5th, as well -- a parade of Elvis Presley impersonators will sing, strut and snarl at the Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving St., Rahway. The theater will present the New Jersey Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and Festival at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, 2 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday. The winner will receive cash plus an opportunity to compete for the national Ultimate Elvis title in Memphis next month.
The first two days will be devoted to preliminaries, and the last day to finals. Shawn Klush, who won last year's national Ultimate Elvis contest, and Ray Walker (from Presley's backing vocal group the Jordanaires) will also perform on Saturday.
Tickets are $10 for Thursday or Friday; $25-$60 for Saturday. Call (732) 382-6815 or visit elvisnj.com.
- Music Review: Elvis Presley - King Creole
Written by David Bowling
(blogcritics.org, July 1, 2008)
The world, as millions of Elvis fans knew it, came to an end in late 1957. Elvis Presley received his draft notice ordering him to report for service on December 20th. The draft board would agree to postpone his induction until March 24, 1958 so he could finish the movie, King Creole. Elvis would serve in the army for two years and be honorably discharged on March 2, 1960.
There is no doubt that Elvis made a number of uninspiring movies during his lifetime but there were several films that ranged from good to excellent. King Creole remains one of his better films and is still entertaining a half century later. It was also Elvis' favorite film. Elvis trivia question: What was the only Presley film nominated for a Golden Globe award as best picture of the year in the musical or comedy category?
King Creole was directed by the legendary Michael Curtiz. He won the Oscar for best director for the film Casablanca. He also directed such films as White Christmas, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Captain Blood, and Yankee Doodle Dandy. This proved that with capable and creative direction, Elvis could make good movies.
The film, King Creole, also produced another interesting story. Elvis' female co-star was Delores Hart who also starred in the film, Loving You. She would leave acting in the 1960s and enter a cloistered convent as a nun. Today she is a Mother Superior but remains a voting member of the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and gets to vote for the best picture Oscar each year.
Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker, continued to produce many of the songs for Elvis' films from his own writing factory. He hired writers to churn out songs which would hurt the overall quality of the films. Parker maintained an iron hand over Elvis Presley's career and would reject any ideas, no matter how good, that would threaten that control. ... While I recommend the movie this soundtrack is not an Elvis Presley classic. ...
|
