National & International News & Info
23rd April 2008
Did Elvis make a secret visit to London?
According to impressario Bill Kenwright Elvis Presley made a secret visit to England in 1958 and was shown the sights of the capital by Tommy Steele, while he was stationed in Germany.
5th March 2008
Sad death of Todd Morgan
Todd Morgan passed away on Saturday at the age of 45 from what was believed to be a massive heart attack. He was found by friends at his East Memphis home Sunday morning after he didn't show up for a pre-planned gathering.
Todd made a career out of Graceland, starting out as a tour guide in May of 1983 following his graduation from the University of Mississippi. In his 25 years as an Elvis Presley Enterprises employee, Todd played a major part in the development of Graceland as an attraction and in the many projects produced by EPE that have allowed fans all over the world to celebrate the life and legacy of Elvis Presley.
STATEMENT FROM LISA MARIE PRESLEY
"Todd's sudden and untimely death is a huge shock and a great loss for us personally and for EPE. He has been an incredible gift and Gem in all of the 25 years that he worked at Graceland. He was so unbelievably devoted to us, to my Father and to his job. His heart, soul and his dedication could never be replaced. This is just nothing but sad and awful for everyone, our prayers and hearts are with him and his family. He will be deeply missed."
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$200 million plan for redevelopment of Graceland
December 2007
CKX and Elvis Presley Enterprises are planning on putting over $200 million into this project, which is already underway, as businesses and land are being bought up along Elvis Presley Boulevard. Some areas are being purchased for over five times their actual value, while other business have taken legal action against the Estates plans to take over the area.
This month the Memphis City Council could pass a resolution to support their plan to redevelop over 100 acres with plans that include:
An Elvis themed hotel and conference centre
Walkways on Elvis Presley Boulevard
Retail complexes
Several restaurants
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Elvis Is The Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Artist of All Time
28/11/2007
Rock website Rockintown.com have been conducting an online poll to name the Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Artist of All Time.
With 4689 votes so far Elvis (the only artist appearing from the 1950s) is almost 2000 votes ahead of Led Zepplin in 2nd place, while the Beatles are kept out of the top ten, looking in at No.11
You can vote for Elvis until New Years Eve and here is the run down so far:
1. Elvis Presley 4689 16.4%
2. Led Zeppelin 2817 9.8%
3. Evanescence 2423 8.5%
4. Pearl Jam 1960 6.8%
5. U2 1374 4.8%
6. Green Day 867 3.0%
7. Nirvana 816 2.8%
8. AC/DC 791 2.8%
9. Pink Floyd 787 2.7%
10. Foo Fighters 775 2.7%
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Elvis Song Features in Christmas Movie
The upcoming comedy Fred Claus, starring Vince Vaughn, features Elvis Presley in the soundtrack singing Santa Claus is back in Town
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Elvis Presley Back At Number One
Forbes published their list of the Top-Earning Dead Celebrities, and Elvis is back on the number one spot after his estate earned $49 million this past year. Kurt Cobain beat last Elvis to the No.1 spot last year, after a one-off sale of Cobain's recorded catalogue caused his earnings to rocket for that year.
The Forbes top ten is as follows:
1. ELVIS PRESLEY
2. JOHN LENNON
3. CHARLES SCHULZ
4. GEORGE HARRISON
5. ALBERT EINSTEIN
6. ANDY WARHOL
7. DR. SEUSS (THEODOR GEISEL)
8. TUPAC SHAKUR
9. MARILYN MONROE
10. STEVE MCQUEEN
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Robert Goulet has died aged 73
The award-winning singer Robert Goulet has died of lung disease after the search for a donor lung failed.
The Broadway star, who found fame with his 1960 role in Camelot and was championed by Ed Sullivan will also be remembered as the man that caused Elvis Presley to fire a bullet through his own television set, when he was fed up of watching the singer on the box.
However, Goulet maintains that the two of them were good friends and Elvis even gave him a ring.
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Ailing bank Northern Rock is now managed under the codename Elvis.
The Financial Services Authority has nicknamed the struggling Northern Rock Bank as Elvis. FSA regulators have chosen the Northern Rock / Jailhouse Rock link to come up with this codename.
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Lisa Marie Debuts In The Ghetto on Oprah
Lisa Marie Presley was special guest on Sept 10th on the season premiere of the Oprah Winfrey Show, which featured the television debut of her duet with Elvis: In The Ghetto.
Lisa described recording the song as very emotional and that therecording session brought her to tears.
“I don't sing as well as he does” She explained. “I don't usually get emotional… so I knew that was something special, that moment.”
Proceeds from the song will go to the ongoing New Orleans, Louisiana relief effort.
Lisa last appeared on the show with her mother Priscilla, as they both discussed her upbringing and the pressures on her as Elvis Presley’s only child.
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The King has become Elvis' first ever #1 album in Germany ! Although Elvis is hugely popular in Germany and has had numerous #1 singles, amazingly this is the first time one of his albums has taken top spot
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London, June 27 : Ex-footballer/actor Vinnie Jones renewed his wedding vows to his wife of 13 years Tanya in an Elvis Presley style ceremony.
Vinnie, famous for his scary and aggressive style of acting, expressed his love by hiring a white Cadillac to drive his wife to the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas, reports The Sun.
The couple, who have been married since June 1994, renewed their vows at the 24-hour drive in chapel in Sin City.
The actor, who has starred in films such as Gone In Sixty Seconds and Snatch, wore a purple suit with a big white buttonhole bloom for his Elvis-style ceremony.
An Elvis imitator was also around to sing a few classics for the couple.
Elvis songwriter dies aged 85
Ben Weisman, legendary Elvis Presley songwriter, has died at the age of 85.
The man who Elvis referred to as "the mad professor", penned more of his songs than any other writer, including 'First in Line', 'Got a Lot of Living to Do', and 'Follow That Dream'.
Weisman had reportedly been suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and was being treated in a hospital in Los Angeles prior to his death.
PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT
& WARNER HOME VIDEO TO CELEBRATE
ELVIS PRESLEY AUGUST 7
24 Films Include WHV’s New Editions of Jailhouse Rock, Viva Las Vegas, Elvis: That’s the Way it Is, along with the DVD debut of This is Elvis, and the Elvis Hollywood Collection with Six New-to-DVD titles Plus PHE’s The Lights! Action! Elvis! Collection
Burbank, Calif. May 14, 2007 – On August 7, Warner Home Video (WHV) and Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) will again join forces, this time to celebrate the life of Elvis Presley, and commemorate the 30th anniversary of “The King’s” passing. The man who made blue suede shoes, hound dogs and hip swivels an indelible part of America’s pop culture will come alive again as the two studios pool their DVD sales and marketing resources to release a total of 24 Elvis Presley films. The lead WHV titles in the promotion are Deluxe Editions of Viva Las Vegas and Jailhouse Rock and 2 Disc Special Editions of Elvis: That’s the Way It Is and This is Elvis (making its DVD debut). The lead Paramount offering is The Lights! Action! Elvis! Collection presented in a collectible blue suede case.
A series of major events honoring this rock ‘n’ roll icon are being planned throughout this year, the highlight of which is ‘Elvis Week 2007,’ taking place in Memphis from August 11 through August 18. As part of the festivities, Warner Home Video will be collaborating with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) on two “Elvis Music and Movies” nights on the grounds of Graceland Mansion, with outdoor screenings of Viva Las Vegas on August 13 and Elvis: That’s the Way It Is on August 14. WHV will also have a promotional presence at other Elvis Week events presented by EPE, including the Elvis Insiders Conference, “Elvis: The 30th Anniversary Concert” and the “Elvis: Midnight in Vegas Concert.” This year’s Elvis Week, which commemorates the 30th anniversary of Elvis’ passing, is expected to be the biggest edition of the annual celebration of Elvis’ life and legacy to date. For all the details visit www.ElvisWeek.com
New Elvis BookMuch has been written about The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll over the years, but nothing ever like this. On the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, fans will get the full story from Sonny West (Elvis’ close friend bodyguard of sixteen years) in the brand-new book Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business. The never-before-told stories are sure to enthrall Elvis Presley fans around the globe.
Available to pre order on amazon at £11.89
Elvis Presley Statue Going Up in Hawaii
Elvis Presley fans will soon have a place in the islands to fondly remember why they couldn't help falling in love with the star of 'Blue Hawaii.'
Wearing his signature flare-legged, big-collared, bejewelled and strategically snug ensemble, the King will reappear in the islands in the form of a life-sized bronze statue marking the site of his historic 1973 concert 'Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii.'
The statue, commissioned by TV Land, a division of MTV Networks, will be unveiled in July in front of the Neal Blaisdell Center. The tribute by the network and the city and county of Honolulu is meant to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Presley's death at Graceland on Aug. 16, 1977.
'Elvis remains an idol and a hero to so many of us. And because of his time spent here, Hawaii considers him an adopted son,' said Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, himself a crooner who sang an Hawaii-themed medley at his inauguration.
'Elvis will forever remain a part of Hawaii's identity _ from his film `Blue Hawaii' to his 1961 benefit performance to raise money for the USS Arizona Memorial to the historic concert which the sculpture commemorates.'
The `73 concert was the first musical event ever sent around the world by satellite.
The resulting live album has since gone platinum five times over.
ELVIS IS NAMED AS ONE OF THE TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL FIGURES IN AMERICAN HISTORY
Elvis Presley has been listed as number 66 in a list of the Top 100 Most influential Figures In American history. Ten eminent historians were polled to produce the list, which was published by The Atlantic. The number one spot is occupied by Abraham Lincoln. Elvis Presley, Sun Records Back in Business TogetherMore than five decades after he left the roster of Sun Records, Elvis Presley's name and likeness will again be featured on products issued by the record label Sam Phillips founded in Memphis. Sun Entertainment Corp., now based in Nashville, and Elvis Presley Enterprises announced the licensing agreement Thursday (Oct. 12). Details of the deal were not disclosed, although a press release indicated Presley's name and image will be used with the Sun logo "for a broad range of commemorative retail products." With an in-flight airing of Elvis Presley's greatest hits President Bush took Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi South Friday to see Graceland. DVDs of Elvis's movies were available aboard Air Force One, and White House press secretary Tony Snow sported gold-rimmed plastic sunglasses for the flight to Memphis, unarguably Koizumi's highlight of the week.
The Bush-Koizumi tour through the late rock 'n' roll legend's mansion was wrapping up two days of consultations.
Aides said the president decided a Graceland tour was the perfect way, along with a gift of a jukebox loaded with Elvis hits, to bid adieu to a leader who is departing office in September
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NEW BOOK OUT, RECOMMENDED NOT ONLY FOR ITS CONTENT, BUT ALSO THE AUTHOR IS MAKING A CONTRIBUTION TO OUR CHOSEN CHARITY, DOUGLAS HOUSE RESPICE.
ELVIS THROUGH MY EYES - HEART SHAPRE.
A BOOK ABOUT THE LIFE OF ELVIS, NARRATED BY JAMES SAMUEL DENSON, WHO HELPED RAISE ELVIS AT THE REQUEST OF HIS MOTHER.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON AND ALSO FROM AUTHORHOUSE, PRICE $20 PLUS SHIPPING - GO TO http://elviscities.com/~the heart of elvis
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Graceland Mansion To Be Designated National Historic Landmark
On Monday, March 27 at 10:00 AM, Priscilla Presley, Interior Secretary Gail Norton, and others were at Graceland to announce its designation as a National Historic
Landmark.
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3 HOUR DVD FROM CZECH REPUBLIC "TIME WARP"
A DVD FEATURING HOME MOVIE FOOTAGE FROM 6 1974/5/6 ELVIS CONCERTS WITH ORIGINAL SOUND ADDED. ONLY A LIMITED QUANTITY AVAILABLE.
ORDER FROM ELVIS PRESLEY FAN CLUB PO BOX 4 LEICESTER LE1 3ZL ENGLAND
PRICE £20 PLUS £1 POSTAGE, EU ADD £2
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ELVIS IS STILL THE KING (as if we didn't know!)
A NEW POLL COMPILED BY THE GUINNESS BOOK OF BRITISH HIT SINGLES AND ALBUMS TO FIND THE 100 MOST SUCCESSFUL ACTS OF ALL TIME PLACES ELVIS STILL TOP , BASED ON TOTAL ALBUM AND SINGLES SALES OVER AN ACT'S CAREER. ELVIS HAS SPENT A TOTAL OF 2,574 WEEKS IN THE BRITISH SINGLES AND ALBUMS CHARTS.
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STEVE WRIGHT ON RADIO 2 HAS BEEN CONDUCTING A POLL OF THE MOST REQUESTED LOVE SONGS.
FIRST WAS 'YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVING FEELING' BY THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS (which of course Elvis did a cover of), FOLLOWED BY ELVIS WITH 'THE WONDER OF YOU'.
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ELVIS TOPS HIGH EARNERS LIST
Elvis has again topped the list of high earners of those who are no longer with us. This is the 4th consecutive year, with royalties and other income totalling £25 million in 12 months.
Charles Schulz (of peanuts fame) was 2nd, and John Lennon 3rd.
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CAN YOU IMAGE THAT????
The most reproduced image in the history of postage stamps is of course the Queen. She features on the stamps of 54 countries. But did you know that only Elvis comes anywhere close to this, having appeared on the stamps of 40 countries – though sadly only after he died.
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Elvis' Label and Studio Up for Grabs
Pop star Justin Timberlake wants to return to his home town of Memphis, Tennessee to buy Elvis Presley's old recording studio and label.
Timberlake heads a consortium of investors in talks to snatch up Elvis' Sun label and Otis Redding's former label Stax - as well as a huge recording complex.
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Elvis' hairstyle most iconic ever
He might have been the king of rock and roll but Elvis Presley rules the roost when it comes to the most iconic hairstyle ever if a new survey commissioned by Argos is to be believed.
According to The Sun, Elvis legendary quiff and sideburns came out as the top most hairstyle in the poll conducted on 1500 men. David Beckham came runner-up while Bob Marley's dreadlocks came third.
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ONE NIGHT BECOMES THE UK'S 1000TH NUMBER 1 AND IS ALSO ELVIS' 1000TH WEEK IN THE UK TOP 10 CHART
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LONG LIVE THE KING OF MUSIC
Elvis has spent longer in the UK charts than he did alive. The king, who died aged 42, has racked up an amazing 47 years in the single and album charts. 10 more than nearest rival, Cliff Richard.
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DID YOU KNOW????
Ex US President Bill Clinton is an Elvis fan with quite a collection. His secret service codename was Elvis.
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