Brian Quinn

Please go to the following URL's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da5a5kkCEdY Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da5a5kkCEdY Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSTEeJ0A674 Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7BW9bSHO2c Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQN75FC1kOc Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IREsJfYymA Part 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfj5aA_ujNA Part 7 Brian

Apparently the BBC has confirmed that Tom Jones will be the star at the 'Forever Elvis' Concert in Hyde Park. From Tom's point of view it is a shrewd move. His latest album is a gospel one and he is just about to release a single from it - 'Run On' - the Elvis track. His audience, being mainy an Elvis one, will favour gospel and it could do him a lot of good chartwise. Of course he was a friend of Elvis' and knew Priscilla well so I suspect he will look forward to appearing. The TCB Band were at the BBC this week-end going through the final details. Could be interesting if they back Jones. He is also appearing at 'The Concert For Heroes' at Twickenham on the same day. Perhaps he will bring Robbie Williams with him. I only hope that the weather is kind to us!! Brian

Talking of Elvis' missing movie scenes that are possibly in existence please go to the following URL: http://www.elvistoday.blogspot.com Brian

ELVIS IN OCALA: Ocala's Helen Helvenston wrote: "Elvis Presley's first appearance in Ocala was May 10, 1955, at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. "In 1953, Jim Kirk arrived here to open WMOP, the second radio station to serve Ocala. Knowing that promotion was the key to bringing country music to Marion County, he contracted with the Hubert Long Booking Agency to bring in country and gospel concerts. By 1955, Elvis had cut his ties with the Louisiana Hayride and was managed by Col. Tom Parker. "The show was part of a tour to introduce Elvis to the area. Kirk was warned that his performance might be ... ah ... controversial. Several name country music stars were included in the show, so the Southeastern was selected as it was big enough to hold the expected audience of 1,000 that these stars would draw. No one was aware they would be introduced to the then little-known Elvis as the main feature. The pavilion had no roof, but had there been one, Elvis would have brought it down on his stunned, excited and cheering audience. "Many strange comments have been attributed to this event as the years have distorted memories, but the fact is — Elvis was a sensation! Our then small town of Ocala was given a gift in having this early performance. Elvis came in unknown and left with a firm fan base in Marion County, thanks to forward thinking Jim Kirk." THE KING!: Ocala's Wanda McCann wrote: "I read in your column recently about Elvis Presley being in Ocala one time before making a movie here later. I had moved to Ocala in 1955 from Fort Lauderdale. I was in 10th grade and went to school in Anthony. At that time, the FFA sponsored a stock show at Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in the spring. And following the stock show was a country music show. "Having just moved here, I didn't go that year. But that was the year Elvis was here. Next day at school, everyone was talking about this guy that shook all over and was wearing a red sports coat. Guess what? No one could remember his name! I told them when someone does remember, he will be a big hit as that's all everyone is talking about. "A friend of mine and her younger sister's brothers worked for a radio station, so they were allowed behind the scenes. The younger sister was sorry for Elvis, as no one was asking for his autograph. So, she kept going back and asking him for one. She has a piece of notebook paper today with his autograph written all over it in all directions." Brian :D

Please go to the following URL: Brian

The following review has just been posted on the Web: "Elvis on Tour Directed by Pierre Adidge & Robert Abel By Vish Khanna (http://www.playbill.ca) Capturing his humility and bombast, the Golden Globe-winning Elvis on Tour is a remarkably revealing and vibrant look at Elvis Presley on a 15-city U.S. tour in 1972. After busting the shackles of the movie contracts that kept him preoccupied throughout the '60s, Presley took to live performances again like a hungry, if eager to please, dog on the hunt. The success of the concert film Elvis: That's The Way It Is only bolstered he and his entourage's belief in the power he wielded as a dynamic, charismatic stage icon. But the King was a complex character, willing to embrace the caricature of his persona if it meant drawing fans and curious onlookers to his more earnest, emotional side. Over 25 performances, both on-stage, backstage and in-studio, Elvis on Tour showcases the full breadth of Elvis's vision as an entertainer, from the pageantry of his giant, kick-ass band and infamous sequined, one-piece suits (and the countless scarves handed out to hysterical fans) to his sincerity as a musician with a deep respect for soul and passion in human expression. Presley and his 15-piece band could be as devastating running through theatrical rockers like "Polk Salad Annie," "Never Been to Spain" and the live debut of "Burning Love" as they are delivering slow-burning ballads like "American Trilogy" or "Bridge Over Troubled Water," where Elvis's command as a performer is matched by his inspiring taste and appreciation for great, witty songwriters. The frantic nature of Elvis's departure from each venue (confirmed by the now famous "Elvis has left the building" tagline at the end of each of these shows) is captured in the close quarters of limousines and backstage escapes, as filmmakers Pierre Adidge and Robert Abel took full advantage of rare access to their star. Including interviews with Elvis and father Vernon, and footage spanning his entire career, the film is a rather brilliant summation of Presley's strengths as a cultural figure just prior to his decline and eventual deterioration as a mortal being. And in employing the split-screen process used by Woodstock, and having a young Martin Scorsese direct the various, contextual montage sequences, Elvis on Tour offers viewers a genuinely multi-layered perspective on the most famous and fascinating musical figure of the last century. (Warner)." Personally speaking, despite already having a good DVD version of 'On Tour' I still think that the new version is worth purchasing. The sound, particularly the bass is improved as is the colour. For me the only two negative aspects are: 1. The missing 'Johnny B. Goode' opening sequence and 2. The lack of a bonus DVD containing the unreleased outtakes of which we know there are many. Brian

Million Dollar Quartet Eyeing 2011 London Bow By Adam Hetrick (www.playbill.com} 02 Sep 2010 The Tony Award-nominated musical Million Dollar Quartet, which conjures a legendary jam session among some of country music's biggest stars, will likely make its West End debut in 2011. Auditions for the four main roles of Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins will begin Sept. 13 in London, with dates to follow in Glasgow, Liverpool, Bristol and Dublin, according to the official U.K. website for Million Dollar Quartet. The official site also states that the West End production is projected for a 2011 arrival. Representatives for the musical offered the following statement to Playbill.com: "Produced by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions, American Pop Anthology, Broadway Across America, James L. Nederlander, Joseph Smith and Michael McCabe, Million Dollar Quartet is looking to open in London's West End in 2011 with exploratory casting sessions/auditions beginning this month." As on Broadway, producers of the London run are seeking actor-musicians who will not only inhabit the music icons, but play their songs as well. Producers are also soliciting auditions via a YouTube casting page for the musical. Brian :D

Study Elvis The University of Amsterdam, Faculty American Studies, presents a bachelor course this fall on "Elvis Presley: from King to Contemporary Saint", starting September 10, 2010. Goals are: 1) Introducing students to Elvis Presley as an icon of American culture 2) Focusing on the religious or spiritual meaning of American icons as Elvis in the US and in the Netherlands Content: In the course we will analyze the life of Elvis Presley (1935-1977) and his posthumous career. The rise of Elvis in the mid-fifties marked the start of pop music and youth culture in the United States and abroad. "Before Elvis, there was nothing" said John Lennon. Although Elvis was considered a threat to the moral and religious establishment when he started, he was quite religious himself. Elvis was the first of many idols to come. After his untimely death his musical inheritance and his mansion Graceland gained a sacred status. What is the religious or spiritual meaning of Elvis as a cultural phenomenon anno 2010 in the United States, Europe and especially the Netherlands? Professor Ruud Janssens of American Studies has asked Fred Omvlee, chaplain and aspiring to obtain a PhD on the religious meaning of the cultural phenomenon Elvis Presley, to present this course. Literature that will be used in this course is: Erika A. Doss, "Rock and Roll Pilgrims: Reflections on Ritual, Religiosity, and Race at Graceland" in Peter Jan Margry, Shrines and Pilgrimage in the Modern World (Amsterdam University Press 2008) Erika A. Doss, Elvis Culture, Fans, Faith and Image, (University Press of Kansas 1999) Peter Guralnick. Last Train to Memphis. The Rise of Elvis Presley. (London, Abacus, 1994-2003) Peter Guralnick. Careless Love. The Unmaking of Elvis Presley. (Little, Brown and Company, 1999) Kees 't Hart & John Schoorl, Wees niet wreed. Gedichten voor Elvis Presley, (Amsterdam, Nijgh & Van Ditmar 2008) (Dutch) Greil Marcus,"Elvis: Presliad" in Mystery Train. Images of America in Rock 'n' Roll Music, (London, Faber and Faber, 5th edition 2000) Gregory L. Reece, Elvis Religion, The cult of the King, ( London and New York, I.B. Tauris 2006) Gilbert B. Rodman, Elvis after Elvis, the posthumous career of a living legend, (London and New York, Routledge 1996) Rob van Scheers, Elvis in Nederland, (Meulenhoff 2010 or earlier editions) (Dutch) Information Source: www.elvisnews.com Brian

The song 'Pocketful Of Rainbows' is a new entry at #39 on this weeks Irish Top 50. No doubt because of its use in a TV commercial for the Irish lottery. http://www.lottery.ie/magichappens/index.html Brian

Please go to the 'Elvis Express' Website at: www.elvis-express.com Brian :D

The following line has now been deleted from the official webpage for the concert: **** Please note: This Concert will be available to watch on TV via the Red Button *** I wish they would get these things right!! Brian :(

Really liked this 2 hour show. Bill Kenwright is a mega Elvis fan and this certainly comes across. Priscilla also came over much better than she normally does and she is surprisingly shrewd when it comes to discussing Elvis. Great plugs for 'Viva Elvis' also. I certainly agree with Bill " Elvis has never left the building". One minor negative point is that Bill, in his enthusiasm, tended to cut Priscilla's replies short. Brian

One of the new additions to the line-up is Elio PACE. You might recognize the following song: Brian

On Tonight (1st). You can listen to the show, when it airs, through the BBC iplayer, here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/radio2 Brian :D

The line-up of stars performing as of 1st September includes: Scouting For Girls Imelda May Fyfe Dangerfield Jon Allen KT Tunstall Michael Ball Mica Paris Tony Christie The Magnets Fran Healy (from Travis) Craig David Tony Hadley Marti Pellow Nell Bryden Suzi Quatro Elio Pace and his band TCB Band - Glen Hardin (piano) James Burton (Gtr) Jerry Scheff (Bass gtr) Ronnie Tutt (dms) BBC Concert Orchestra (60 piece) Conductor Mike Dixon Capital Voices Firework finale Brian :D

To vote for Elvis please go to the following URL: http://www.persoonvanhetjaar.nl/index.php THEN click on STEM to vote and confirm e-mail when sent to you. You can vote each day. Brian :D

Apparently the organisers tried to get some big stars to appear at this Concert, including Cliff Richard, Tom Jones and Coldplay but they had other commitments. Hopefully they will get at least one 'star attraction' to top the bill otherwise The TCB Band with Elvis on the big screen will top it. Perhaps they should anyway. I am surprised that the remaining members of The Beatles are not appearing or some of the early British rockers like Marty Wilde and Joe Brown. Brian

The latest line-up as of 28th August for the 'Forever Elvis' Tribute Concert: Scouting For Girls Imelda May Fyfe Dangerfield Jon Allen Russell Watson The Magnets Fran Healy (from Travis) Craig David Tony Hadley Marti Pellow Nell Bryden Suzi Quatro TCB Band - Glen Hardin (piano) James Burton (Gtr) Jerry Scheff (Bass gtr) Ronnie Tutt (dms) BBC Concert Orchestra (60 piece) Conductor Mike Dixon Capital Voices Firework finale. More artists to be added. Brian :D

Please go to the folowing URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tdmvm Brian :D

According to DJ Chris Evans over 40,000 tickets have already been sold for the Concert and we do not yet know the names of the really big stars who will attend. Brian

BBC Radio 2 will be bringing together some of the biggest names in music to pay tribute to the music of Elvis in a special concert hosted by Chris Evans . Priscilla Presley will be making a special guest appearance. The cast of the show will also be joined by the TCB Band (Jerry, Ronnie, Glen D and James), who will perform a number of songs both with the artists and Elvis on the big screen. The proceedings will be led by Chris Evans plus other guest presenters who are all great Elvis fans, culminating in a spectacular firework finale. Brian

Please go to the following URL: http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article.aspx?articleid=17947 Brian :D

Even better news. As of today (23rd August) 'Elvis 75' has sold 63,798 copies in the UK thereby making it eligible for a SILVER Award (60,000). Brian

Hi Tilly, Glad you liked the YouTube footage from 'Viva Elvis'. Apparently, the scene you refer to was inspired by Elvis' love of the Captain Marvel comics. The producer of the show spent hours and hours researching Elvis before putting the show together and that was one of the aspects which he mentioned from Elvis childhood. It will be a great boost to Elvis' legacy when the show finally goes on the national circuits. I bet it is a sell-out wherever it goes. Brian

Please go to the following URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UOhL_0Jax0 Brian :D