April 24 - Rock and Roll Generation

Due for release early May 2024 from the Rock and Roll Generation are the French magazines 'Elvis Presley 1935 - 1955 L'Enfant Divin' and 'Elvis Presley 1956 - 1958 Le King'. 

More information when available.

Elvis On Fire In Toledo

Due for release on digital platforms from the Memphis Recording Service on April 25, 2024 is 'On Fire In Toledo - 1956'. 

It features a recently discovered interview and three new live performances from November 22, 1956. Part of the interview was available from Keith Flynn's Elvis Presley website and the recent ElvisOne CD 'Legendary Elvis'.

Tracks: Radio Wowo Interview by Ron Ross / Introduction / Heartbreak Hotel / Long Tall Sally / Don't Be Cruel (incomplete).

Number One Essentials

Due for re-release on June 1 2024 from the Number One Essentials record label is the compilation LP 'Elvis Presley - Number One U.S. Singles: 1956 - 1962'. The 180 Gr. LP  comes housed in gatefold sleeve.  It was previously released by the Pan Am record label in 2016.

Description: This compilation collects all of the King's singles that reached number one on the US pop charts between 1956 and 1962. As bonus tracks it contains two No. 1 hits on the UK Pop Chart

Side A: Heartbreak Hotel - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - Hound Dog - Don`t Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - Too Much - All Shook Up - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Jailhouse Rock

Bonus Song: That's All Right Mama

Side B: Don't - Hard Headed Woman - A Big Hunk O'Love - Stuck On You - It's Now Or Never - Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Surrender - Good Luck Charm

Bonus Song: One Night

(Source: Facebook / Elvis Club Berlin)

Golden Years Radio Show

Elvis author and radio presenter Matt Shepherd invited me to share my Top 3 favorite Elvis Presley songs on his Golden Years radio show. 

Besides Elvis, Little Richard provides some more music from the Rock & Roll Heaven. There's mini chart countdowns from 1957 and 1962. Petula Clark takes us "Downtown" for our Easy Listening Moment. There's a battle of the bands featuring The Beatles v The Beach Boys. Who is the best? Have your say! Plus it's back to 1958 for our "smoochie at the end of the show". The great days are back again!

Listen to the show >>> here. 

The show is currently in the Top 10 in both the 1950s and 1960s on the global Soundcloud charts. Let's see if we can get this to No. 1!

April 23 - A Hawaiian Vinyl Songbook

Due for released from the V180 record label is the LP 'Elvis Presley - Songbook with Friends'. This Limited Edition comes on 180 Gr. blue-green-yellow colored vinyl. More information when available. 

Hawaii 1973

Due for release on May 31, 2024 on red colored vinyl is the double 10-inch set 'Hawaii 1973'. 

Publicity stated: A live concert to me is exciting because of all the electricity that is generated in the crowd and on stage. It’s my favourite part of the business.’ – Elvis Presley.

The stellar live performance featured on this record is a moment of brilliance. This is the soundtrack of the satellite broadcast of Elvis’ concert special from Hawaii on 14 January 1973. This was arguably his final moment of genius.

Featuring many classics from Elvis’ incredible catalogue, the 22 songs he performed included Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog and An American Trilogy.

The broadcast was seen by approximately 1.3 billion people in 36 countries and remains a fan favourite that clearly demonstrates the talent and charisma of the man they call ‘The King’ – Elvis Presley.

Limited to just 500 numbered copies.

Side One

2001: A Space Odyssey

See See Rider

Burnin’ Love

Something

You Gave Me a Mountain

Side Two

Steamroller Blues

My Way

Love Me

Johnny B. Goode

It’s Over

Blue Suede Shoes

I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry

Side Three

I Can’t Stop Loving You

Hound Dog

What Now My Love

Fever

Welcome to My World

Suspicious Minds

Side Four

I’ll Remember You

Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin’

An American Trilogy

Big Hunk O’ Love

Can’t Help Falling in Love

(Source: Amazon / Pascal Matteo)

April 22 - That's Allright - 70th Anniversary Edition

Graceland announces the June 14, 2024 release of the exclusive 70th Anniversary Collector’s Edition Of 'That’s All Right'.

Publicity stated: July 5, 1954, marked a pivotal moment in music history. In a small recording studio owned by Sam Phillips at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, an obscure young singer by the name of Elvis Presley started a revolution. Backed by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Elvis’ rendition of Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup’s 'That’s All Right' ignited the career of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and changed the landscape of music forever.

Seven decades later, Elvis’ legacy is as vibrant and influential as ever, continuing to captivate and inspire generations around the globe. In honor of the 70th anniversary of this iconic recording that changed it all, Graceland is offering a limited-edition single sided collector’s 10-inch vinyl single of Elvis’ earliest take of 'That All Right' from that July night in 1954 at Memphis Recording Service. 

Fans can now pre-order their collector’s edition of 'That’s All Right' single through ShopGraceland.com. The collector’s edition vinyl single will also be available for purchase on-site at Graceland in mid-June, pending availability following pre-orders.

Note: shipping for European fans is more than the price of the single ... once again Graceland seems to forget that the majority of the Elvis fans lives outside the United States. 

(Source: Graceland)

April 20 - Record Store Day 2024

Today marks Record Store Day 2024, with two official 'Record Store Day' releases from the French V.P.I. record label: 'I'm Counting On Them' and 'Elvis Styles'.

Details 'I'm Counting On Them': This album brings together two singer-songwriters, both pianists, who made a remarkable contribution to the work and career of the King. 

While Otis Blackwell excelled in Rock 'n' Roll, of which he was one of the great craftsmen (providing Elvis with no less than three number 1 hits), Don Robertson, on the other hand, was a master in the art of the ballad (several of his compositions would appear on the B-sides of successful singles). Two exceptional artists who deserve a place in the Music Pantheon! 

The LP is available from the >>> V.P.I online store here.

Details 'Elvis Styles': In 1960, the renowned composer Leonard Bernstein said, "Elvis Presley is the greatest cultural force of the 20th century... He introduced rhythm into everything and changed it all, music, language, clothes. It's an entirely new social revolution from which the '60s emerged." 

And it's true that Elvis could sing anything! This triple album features no less than 54 tracks, the majority of which are alternate versions. A unique compilation, never before realized, that is truly exceptional, showcasing the various facets of the artist.

The LP is available from the >>> V.P.I online store here.

Both CDs are also available in CD editions.

Note: the LP's were already available a week before the "official" RSD release date.