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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Aug 23 2008, 12:17 PM
By Kevin Fischer
Thursday, Aug 21 2008, 07:26 PM
Now think about that for a moment.
It wouldn’t take me very long to answer, that’s for sure.
If you had the final say on whom you would re-name the Memphis International Airport after, who would get your vote?
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I believe there is but one answer: Elvis, naturally.
One could make an argument for B.B. King, whose name is legendary on Beale Street.
How about Isaac Hayes?
The soul singer who recently passed away should have his name permanently associated with the Memphis airport according to a local Congressman.
I had the good fortune of meeting Isaac Hayes and seeing him in concert, and he was an outstanding talent. The Congressman, no doubt, means well. But his idea might turn out to be divisive.
He needs to simply forget it.
Here’s the story.
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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Aug 16 2008, 06:00 AM
Thirty-one years ago today, Elvis Presley died at Graceland. The following is a special edition of my regular feature, Week-ends commemorating this anniversary.
HEROES OF THE WEEK
In last year's special edition of Week-ends, I mentioned the legion of fans that make the annual trek to Graceland for ELVIS Week, and the rest of the year, they help keep the memories alive. This year, one of the many examples of how Elivs was a true hero.
This is the most touching story I could relate about Elvis, so heartwarming that it inspires and impresses non-Elvis fans, too.
The following is a true story that I hope you will take the time to fully read. There is a book and movie about this wonderful story about Elvis and a remarkable young girl that, unfortunately, are very hard to find.
Please read about the Elvis we rarely hear about:
"The movie, Touched By Love, was based on the book To Elvis, With Love. Lena Canada's now very rare memoir tells the powerful, true story of Lena's friendship and love for Karen, the young girl crippled and dying from the effects of cerebral palsy. It is also the story of the power that Elvis holds for many people. In Karen's case the exchange of letters and gifts between Elvis and her bring incredible joy and happiness to the remainder of her greatly shortened life."
Read the entire article.
In the movie, Karen is played incredibly by a very young Diane Lane. She is unresponsive until she hears and sees Elvis. Her nurse encourages Karen to write to Elvis, but Elvis doesn't write back. Undaunted, little Karen keeps writing and writing, even though her daily trips to the mailbox in her wheelchair yield nothing. This goes on for quite some time, until finally.......
That's where we pick up the movie in this lengthy, but very touching clip (11:00 minutes).
VILLAINS OF THE WEEK
Those who needlessly and cruelly feel the desire to constantly make heartless jokes about this great performer. And the idiots who insist that Elvis is still alive.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“ I don’t sound like nobody.”
Elvis, to Sun records secretary Marion Keisker when she asked him who he sounded like.
Elvis was told to return to being a truck driver.
Grand Ole Opry manager Jim Denny after Elvis performed in 1954 for the first and only time at the Opry. Elvis swore he’d never go back. Years later, Garth Brooks commented in a television interview that one of the greatest thrills of playing the Opry was that he got to play on the same stage Elvis had.
“Rockin’ on music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can’t help but move to it. That’s what happens to me. I can’t stand still. I’ve tried it and I just can’t do it.”
Elvis, on Elvis.
”His kind of music is deplorable, a rancid smelling aphrodisiac. It fosters almost totally negative and destructive reactions in young people.”
Frank Sinatra, in Elvis’ early days. The two would later become good friends.
”I wanted to say to Elvis Presley and the country that this is a real decent, fine boy."
Ed Sullivan to Elvis during one of Elvis’ appearances on Sullivan’s popular Sunday night variety show.
”Elvis was the king. No doubt about it. People like myself, Mick Jagger and all the others only followed in his footsteps."
Rod Stewart.
”A Presley picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood.”
Producer Hal Wallis.
”A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the black man's music, when in fact almost every black solo entertainer copied his stage mannerisms from Elvis.”
Jackie Wilson
”There have been a lot of tough guys. There have been pretenders. And there have been contenders. But there is only one king.”
Bruce Springsteen
”When I first heard Elvis' voice I just knew that I wasn't going to work for anybody; and nobody was going to be my boss. Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail.”
Bob Dylan
”Elvis is the greatest cultural force in the twentieth century. He introduced the beat to everything, music, language, clothes, it's a whole new social revolution… the 60's comes from it.”
Leonard Bernstein
”There have been many accolades uttered about Elvis' talent and performances through the years, all of which I agree with wholeheartedly. I shall miss him dearly as a friend. He was a warm, considerate and generous man.”
Frank Sinatra
”Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique, irreplaceable. More than twenty years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense. And he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness and good humor of this country.”
President Jimmy Carter after Elvis’ death
”Before Elvis, there was nothing.”
John Lennon
”If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead."
Johnny Carson
”Elvis taught white America to get down.”
James Brown
”We’ll never know what an old Elvis Presley would have been like. He’ll just always be the King.”
Pat Boone
”When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie .So every dream I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times. These gentlemen over there, these are the type who care, are dedicated. You realize if it´s not possible that they might be building the kingdom, it´s not far-fetched from reality. I´d like to say that I learned very early in life that:
'Without a song the day would never end
Without a song a man ain´t got a friend
Without a song the road would never bend
Without a song...'
So I keep singing a song.Good night. Thank you.”
Elvis in his acceptance speech in 1971 for being one of the Top Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the national Junior Chambers of Commerce (the Jaycees).
OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK
R.I.P. Elvis? Some just won't let that happen, as the debate over his death continues.
MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK
Last year, I wrote about Elvis' tremendous philanthropy and generosity. One of his great acts that many are unaware of was a benefit concert for the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK
For the seond year in a row, Elvis Week featured an American-Idol-like, "Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist" contest. I can do without it. I can count on less than one hand the Elvis impersonators I have liked. The rest of them do more harm than good to the Elvis legacy, some intentionally.
STRANGEST, MOST UNUSUAL STORY OF THE WEEK
Maybe not strange, but amazing.
Have any guess as to what the most expensive piece of Elvis memorabilia is? His gold lame suit? A guitar or piano? Some jewelry? A cape? One of his cars?
Try this.
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By Kevin Fischer
Thursday, Aug 14 2008, 10:22 PM
Elvis had been dead for 25 years when one of his obscure recordings was re-mixed in 2002. It quickly soared to the top of the charts in 20 countries and was added to the CD, “Elvis’ 30 #1 hits, becoming #1 hit, #31.
In 1968, Elvis sang “A Little Less Conversation” in the forgettable movie, “Live a Little, Love a Little.” The King sang the song to Celeste Yarnall, a typical Hollywood blonde beauty.
Yarnall is in Memphis this week to help commemorate ELVIS WEEK. From gomemphis.com:
"Who knows what would have been if we hadn't both been married...," mused Yarnall, remembering the two weeks she spent on the set with Elvis.
Set among the swinging beaches and bachelor pads of Southern California, "Live a Little, Love a Little" casts Elvis as dune buggy-driving Greg Nolan, a photographer for Classic Cat girlie magazine. A relatively risque attempt to elevate the Elvis musical to a more mature level, the movie was based on the novel "Kiss My Firm But Pliant Lips" by Daniel Greenburg. Yarnall said the book's title came to mind during the many retakes of her kissing scene with the King. "I was never quite sure how many times Elvis flubbed his lines just to keep the scene going."
Yarnall recalls Elvis’ reaction at the time to a tragic moment in American history.
"Live a Little, Love a Little" was shot in the early spring of 1968. "At this time, Martin Luther King's funeral was being televised, and Elvis was very broken up," Yarnall said. "We watched the funeral in his dressing room and he sang 'Amazing Grace,' a capella, and he was crying and I was comforting him.
Read the entire article...
And then watch the original version from 1968 with Celeste Yarnall...
And Elvis' 31st #1 hit, 25 years after his death....
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By Kevin Fischer
Wednesday, Aug 13 2008, 09:15 PM
Think this won't sell some copies. Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) has announced the first-ever Elvis Duets album, and it's a Christmas compilation. The CD will be out this October. Here are details from CNN and the press release from EPE.
And the ubiquitous Elvis makes more history, this time with his ex-wife, Priscilla. But the weddiing bells ring again as both are now the newest editions to the Barbie collector series.
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By Kevin Fischer
Monday, Aug 11 2008, 06:50 PM
August 9-17 is ELVIS WEEK 2008. I am proud to be an Elvis fan.
"What happened Aug.16, 1977, would become one of the most highly publicized cliffhangers since the deaths of the Romanovs in Russia, the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa or conspiracy theories about a Marilyn Monroe murder."
The man who conducted the autopsies of Martin Luther KIng Jr. and Elvis Presley stands by his conclusions of over 30 years ago about the death of the King of Rock and Roll even though other medical officials disagree. It appears Elvis can never rest in peace.
Details from the Memphis Commerical Appeal.
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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Aug 9 2008, 12:00 AM
By Kevin Fischer
Friday, Jun 27 2008, 11:30 PM
Tonight, a historic edition of Friday Night Live. “Elvis Presley rocked the world in the 1950’s, a leader among performers who brought about a revolution in music and pop culture. Through most of the 1960's he concentratedmainly on his movie career, which had been very successful, but, by the end of the decade, was in a downturn and had become a grind, seldom giving him opportunities to prove himself as a serious actor. By 1968, it had been more than seven years since Elvis had appeared on stage in front of a live audience.”
Liner Notes, ELVIS: '68 COMEBACK SPECIAL, Deluxe Edition DVD
Elvis was to do a TV special to air in December 1968 on NBC sponsored by Singer. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker envisioned and wanted a Perry Como family-type program.
Fortunately, the creative team behind the special went in a different direction, creating a revolutionary format (Elvis goes unplugged) and a comfort zone enabling Elvis to once again show his energetic self and truly shine.
“In his first television special Elvis plays his greatest role – simply being himself, the real Elvis as performer and person. Usually referred to as The ’68 Special or The ’68 Comeback Special, the actual name of this landmark television program was Elvis. Taped in June 1968, it first aired the following December 3rd on NBC-TV, attracting 42% of the television viewing audience, the network’s biggest ratings victory that year and the season’s top-rated show. It stands as one of the great moments in rock music history and as a stunningly brilliant milestone in Elvis Presley's career. After this triumph Elvis poured renewed creative vigor into his recording work, wrapped up his movie contract obligations and returned full-time to the concert stage, beginning a new and exciting era of the Elvis phenomenon.”
Liner Notes, ELVIS: '68 COMEBACK SPECIAL, Deluxe Edition DVD
40 years ago tonight, June 27, 1968, Elvis began taping the segments for the NBC special. The show opened with silhouetted guitar players and moved on to Elvis performing in the round in front of a studio audience with full orchestra and also with old band members and friends.
It’s Elvis at his very best.
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By Kevin Fischer
Monday, Jun 23 2008, 11:23 PM
Just in time for Summerfest, Rolling Stone is out with its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time.
It should come as no surprise that Elvis makes the list at #37 with, “That’s All Right, Mama,” his very first recording.
Rolling Stone writes:
“Lead guitarist Scotty Moore's hillbilly blues has become ground zero for the last 54 years' worth of rockabilly. On Elvis' first single, the guitarist's lusty solo matches Elvis' vocals and rhythm guitar perfectly — it's hard to believe this is the only second time they played together.”
The #1 song on the list:
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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, May 24 2008, 08:32 PM
Underneath the Army helmet is none other than Pvt. Elvis Presley as he arrived in Friedberg, West Germany, in October 1958.
Kansas City Star
On this Memorial Day weekend, remember Elivs was a great American, and a veteran.
During his stint in the Army, the greatest and most famous entertainer in the world served as a chauffeur.
From the Kansas City Star:
Fort Leavenworth deputy commander honored
Jack Walker, deputy to the garrison commander at Fort Leavenworth, doesn’t want to be known as the man Elvis Presley chauffeured.
Indeed, Walker’s 50-year career in the federal government earned him special recognition Thursday from Fort Leavenworth Commander Lt. Gen. William Caldwell.
Walker, 74, oversees the post’s day-to-day affairs. Before starting that job in 1985, his lengthy army career included a stint in 1958 at Fort Hood, Texas, where the young Presley drove Walker while undergoing basic training.
“I hope I have done something that warrants more on my tombstone than, ‘Elvis was his driver,’ ” he said.
Kansas City Star, 5/22/08
Oh, I don't know. Sounds pretty cool to me.
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By Kevin Fischer
Friday, May 23 2008, 05:45 PM
By Kevin Fischer
Sunday, May 4 2008, 05:15 PM
Elvis hated beer.
He wasn’t crazy about alcohol.
But when he did have a cocktail, his drink of choice was a margarita. (Source: Sirius Satellite Radio, The Elvis Channel).
In the movie, “Fun in Acapulco,” Elvis sang Marguerita, the name of the character played by love interest, Ursula Andress.
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By Kevin Fischer
Monday, Apr 21 2008, 07:15 PM
A special thank you to one of my 48 readers who knows I’m an Elvis fan and reminded me of this special day, not just in Elvis history, but in the history of pop culture.
Fifty-two years ago today, Elvis achieved his first #1 hit, one of the most influential songs ever recorded.
Here’s more about the song and the songwriter.
And, from the famous ’68 Comeback Special, Elvis opens a kick-butt medley with his very first chart-topper:
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By Kevin Fischer
Monday, Apr 14 2008, 05:30 PM
Mario Tarradell of the Dallas Morning News puts the news bulletin that Mariah Carey now has more #1 singles than Elvis in the proper perspective.
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By Kevin Fischer
Sunday, Apr 13 2008, 04:50 PM
I never watch American Idol. But I have been watching Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) that has a similar format to Idol: amateurs perform in front of judges, viewing public also gets to vote, and one by one the competitors are eliminated until there’s a winner.
I am not alone. DWTS is one of the highest rated shows in America. Millions have watched the show all season.
What drew this Elvis fan to DWTS this season was the list of celebrity ballroom dancers that includes Priscilla Presley.
I am fully aware that as impressive as Presley has been, she’s not going to win. It’s clear to me that the judges are in love with former Olympic skater Kristi Yamaguchi and Jason Taylor of the Miami Dolphins. Yamaguchi could fall and break her ankle and the three judges would all give her 10’s.
I’m no Arthur Murray, but it appears to me that the judges have been too kind to some while too brutal to other competitors.
Presley was a guest on the Elvis Channel on Sirius Satellite radio last week and said she felt the judges have been too picky. During her dance last Monday, she was docked points because at one point, both of her feet left the dance floor, a serious taboo in ballroom competition. There were some boos from the studio audience when the judges gave their remarks and when her scores were announced.
All the more reason synchronized swimming should not be an Olympic sport.
On Monday night, Presley will dance the rhumba to a rendition of Roberta Flack’s, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” I’m sure it won’t look or sound like an Elvis rhumba.
Imagine the lovely Elsa Cardenas in a very tiny convertible with Elvis, as he sings the following in the 1963 film, “Fun in Acapulco”…..
Priscilla has kept her promise that she won't dance to any Elvis songs, although Elvis and DWTS would be a perfect match.............and how!
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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Apr 5 2008, 10:05 AM
I consider the NCAA Final Four to be the most exciting sporting event of the year.
I’ll be cheering for Elvis’ team, the Memphis Tigers as they take on UCLA today.
(Non-sports fans, there are some articles in the above link you may find interesting, including one player's love and devotion to his 97-year old grandmother, and another on all those tattoos).
Graceland continues to celebrate the success of an extremely talented Memphis team.
And there’s no doubt whatsoever that Elvis is a Tiger fan.
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By Kevin Fischer
Wednesday, Apr 2 2008, 10:46 PM
Mariah Carey made news today when she vaulted into a tie with Elvis Presley for second place on the list of artists with the most #1 singles.
Mariah Carey’s latest release, “Touch My Body,” will vault to #1 giving Carey 18 #1 singles, the same number as Elvis.
The Beatles have 20 #1 hits.
This is a major pop culture development. I never would have thought The Beatles and Elvis would ever be threatened on this list by anybody.
Is this Elvis fan saddened by the news?
Not at all.
Let’s keep this in perspective.
From Elvis.com:
Record Sales
It is estimated that Elvis Presley has sold over one billion record units worldwide, more than anyone in record industry history. In America alone, Elvis has had 150 different albums and singles that have been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with more certifications expected as research into his past record sales continues and as current sales go on. Research is also underway to document his record sales achievements in other countries. It is estimated that 40% of Elvis' total record sales have been outside the United States.
Record Chart Statistics
Elvis has had no less than 149 songs to appear on Billboard’s Hot 100 Pop Chart in America. Of these, 114 were in the top forty, 40 were in the top ten, and 18 went to number one. His number one singles spent a total of 80 weeks at number one. He has also had over 90 charted albums with ten of them reaching number one. These figures are only for the pop charts, and only in America. He was also a leading artist in the American country, R&B, and gospel fields, and his chart success in other countries was substantial.
Besides…..
Can you name three Mariah Carey #1 hits?
Here are the 17 #1’s Carey had before “Touch My Body”:
Now, according to Elvis.com, here are Elvis’ #1 singles.
| Heartbreak Hotel |
1 |
1956 |
| I Want You, I Need You, I Love You |
1 |
1956 |
| Don't Be Cruel |
1 |
1956 |
| Hound Dog |
1 |
1956 |
| Love Me Tender |
1 |
1956 |
| Too Much |
1 |
1957 |
| All Shook Up |
1 |
1957 |
| (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear |
1 |
1957 |
| Jailhouse Rock |
1 |
1957 |
| Don't |
1 |
1957 |
| Hard Headed Woman |
1 |
1958 |
| A Big Hunk O' Love |
1 |
1959 |
| Stuck On You |
1 |
1960 |
| It's Now or Never |
1 |
1960 |
| Are You Lonesome Tonight? |
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