The ‘King’ Gets a Castle in Denmark - ArtsBeat Blog - NYTimes.com

June 16, 2010
By Felicia R. Lee

Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate in Memphis is being duplicated in Denmark and is set to open in 2011 as part of a Presley museum, Agence France-Presse reported. Workers laid the first brick on Tuesday in the small western town of Randers, which already has an Elvis Presley museum that opened 15 years ago and now receives around 25,000 visitors a year.

The Danish Graceland is an “exact copy” of the Memphis estate, the Presley museum director, Henrik Knudsen, said in an interview with the news agency. It will include some 6,000 of Presley’s possessions, including clothes, boots, guitars, letters and contracts, Mr. Knudsen said. In addition, the new museum will have a shop, a restaurant and a theater that will screen films about Presley on a loop. The town’s tourist office estimated that between 75,000 and 125,000 visitors a year would make the pilgrimage to yet another homage to the King.

Article Source: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/16/the-king-gets-his-castle-in-denmark/

A King's legacy spruces up an office wall

August 27, 2009
By john mackie, VANCOUVER SUN

Bruce Allen has made untold millions managing the careers of music stars like Bryan Adams, Michael Buble and Loverboy.

But his real musical love is Elvis Presley. I mean, this is a guy who paid $18,000 US for The King's personal barber chair.

Red Robinson is big on Elvis, too. The legendary rock and roll DJ introduced The Pelvis at his Empire Stadium show Aug. 31, 1957, and collected every Elvis record he ever came across - about 400 LPs and 300 45s.

Robinson recently sold his 4,000-square-foot house in Deep Cove and relocated to a 1,500-square-foot condo in Coal Harbour. He needed to do some serious downsizing, and asked Allen if he wanted to buy his Elvis records.

Naturally Allen said yes. But he didn't want to just put them on a shelf, or box them up in his storage locker. So he decided to do The Elvis Wall.

Basically Allen filled up an entire wall beside his office with Elvis records. They're arranged six records high and 28 across in a glass display case, and they make a very impressive sight.

There are familiar records (the iconic 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong), obscure records (the soundtrack to the best-forgotten flick It Happened At the World's Fair) and unauthorized "bootleg" records (Elvis Rocks Little Rock, a live recording from 1956).

Some albums have two covers - the 1966 movie Spinout was called California Holiday in some countries, and Robinson bought both. (They're identical, except for the titles.) The 45 covers are amazing, capturing the movie star Elvis in out-takes from Jailhouse Rock, Kid Galahad, and King Creole.

Many of the records are quite rare, and worth big bucks. There is a bizarre promo 45 called Perfect for Parties, where Elvis chats up records you could play at parties. There is also an odd EP called Elvis Sails, a momento from Elvis' induction into the U.S. Army in 1958.

"NBC went on the troop ship that was taking him to Germany and interviewed him," explains Robinson, who will emcee the Elvis tribute at the PNE Aug. 31.

Robinson thinks the most valuable album in the collection is a mono version of the soundtrack to the 1968 movie Speedway.

"They only pressed 300 and said, 'Hold it, people want to listen to it in stereo,'" Robinson explains. "There were only a few made, and it's worth thousands of dollars."

In the middle of all the records is Andy Warhol's 1963 print Double Elvis, featuring Elvis firing a gun in cowboy garb.

"It's not real, it's a copy," admits Allen, 64. "If you had an original it would be a couple of million bucks."

Robinson declines to say how much he sold the collection to Allen for. But mounting the records on the wall has been a big hit with visitors to Allen's office in the old BC Electric Railway station at Carrall and Hastings.

"People come down and take pictures," Allen notes. "It amazes people when they see all the different covers."

The wealth of covers even impresses Allen's star clientele, which includes Adams, Buble, Martina McBride, Anne Murray and Jann Arden.

"It's pretty funny," says Allen. "When my artists walk down here and look at it, in many ways I think it's quite humbling.

"In another way, if they want to see somebody who was exploited, there was a guy that was exploited, big-time. It's not really something to be proud of, all this stuff up there, cause there was a lot of bad product that RCA put out. The Colonel didn't really protect him."

The Colonel was Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker. After Presley's death, information came out about all sorts of bad deals the Colonel had made for Elvis.

"The repackaging is kind of endless," says Allen. "The most exploited artist of all time, without a doubt."

He points to Presley's Moody Blue album.

"When he died they wheeled that out right away," he notes.

"It's very interesting the difference now between Michael Jackson dying and [Elvis] dying. I talked to the RCA [records] guys and they said they were all at a convention. They came in and they said 'Listen Elvis just died, everybody go back to their offices.'

"And they had trucks just riding around the United States, full of records, to drop them off wherever they could. They just pressed and pressed and pressed and then pressed some more. It was just ridiculous."

Robinson didn't just sell off his Elvis records, he sold off his entire 25,000 record collection. But the 72-year-old still has plenty of memorabilia left from nearly five-and-a-half decades in the music biz.

Much of it can be seen by the public at the Red Robinson Theatre in the Boulevard Casino in Coquitlam. His office is down the hallway from Allen, and is adorned with all sorts of vintage pictures of Robinson with the stars he met, from Elvis and Buddy Holly to the Beatles, Ricky Nelson and Tom Jones.

The niftiest item, though, might be "Little Ray," a 17-inch high "animatronic" doll of the late Ray Charles.

It looks like a giant bobblehead, with Charles in his trademark sunglasses, smiling, clad in a shiny silver jacket that looks like it's made out of alligator skin. Charles is seated at a piano, and when you press a button, his head bobs, his fingers tickle the ivories and the doll plays What'd I Say and America the Beautiful.

It's so ridiculous, it's sublime.

Article Source: http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/King+legacy+spruces+office+wall/1936453/story.html

Steve Brewer's Lonely Street on DVD, with Elvis

Here's a bonus review of all things a DVD...but it is based on a mystery writer's novel

By Oline H. Cogdill
Mystery Fiction Columnist

Lonely Street: Bridge Home Entertainment, $19.99, 88 minutes running time, Rated: R.

Robert Patrick gives one of the best interpretations of Elvis Presley in the movie Lonely Street since Bruce Campbell showed The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll as a nursing home resident fighting mummies in Bubba Ho-Tep.

This is the same Patrick who as the cyborg T-1000 terrorized Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, who played Col. Tom Ryan in CBS’ The Unit and who portrayed Johnny Cash’s father in Walk the Line. Patrick regularly pops up in movies and TV as either a villain or iron-jawed tough guys.

But Patrick is unrecognizable as any of his signature roles as Elvis – or rather Mr. Aaron -- in the entertaining Lonely Street (Bridge Home Entertainment, $19.99, 88 minutes running time, Rated: R).

Based on Steve Brewer’s first novel in his Bubba Mabry series, Lonely Street is a quirky, humorous film that also stays faithful to the spirit of the authors’ amusing series.

Bubba (Jay Mohr, Gary Unmarried) is a down-on-his-luck Albuquerque private investigator who takes just about any job to pay the bills.

In Lonely Street, Bubba may have the job of his life when he is asked to keep tabloid reporter Hank Tankersley away from a client – “Mr. Aaron,” who bears a striking resemblance to Elvis Presley. Mr. Aaron (Patrick) attributes his survival to downing wheat-grass shooters and practicing tai chi while living in New Mexico for more than 30 years.

When Hank is killed, Bubba tries to find out what the reporter was planning to do with his story as well as prove that he had nothing to do with the man’s death.

The investigation gives Bubba a primer on the music industry, courtesy the scheming pony-tailed record producer Jerry Finkelman (Joe Mantegna) and leads him to the hooker with an agenda Bambi Gamble (Nikki Cox) and tabloid editor, Felicia Quattlebaum (Lindsay Price, Lipstick Jungle).

Mohr shows Bubba’s humor and slacker mentality as well as his innate desire to do the right thing, so evident in Brewer’s novels. Mantegna gives his usual spot-on performance, getting caught in the absurdity and campiness that pervades Lonely Street.

But it’s Patrick with his limited screen time that steals the show, mumbling like Elvis yet also showing a regal quality that made that boy from Mississippi grow up to be The King. Only Campbell in Bubba Ho-Tep can beat Patrick as Elvis.

The short bonuses on Lonely Street’s DVD include a look at how this independent movie got made – which included luck and creative fundraising that falls just short of putting on bake sales and car washes. Mohr also tells how he and Cox (Las Vegas) were married shortly after filming ended more than two years ago.

There are also production stills set to original songs by Elvis impersonator James Brown and a music video.

Lonely Street will make you remember why Elvis was The King; read Brewer’s novels to find out what Bubba did after his brush with Elvis.

Article Source: http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/features/arts/offthepage/blog/2009/08/steve_brewers_lonely_street_on.html

Woman simply has too much Elvis

by Sarah Schuch Flint Journal
Monday August 31, 2009, 8:00 AM

FLUSHING -- There's been an Elvis Presley sighting in Flushing.

In fact, his face can be seen all over Diane Blower's porch, as it is filled with Elvis memorabilia she needs to part with.

Blower, 70, of Flushing hopes the recent anniversary of Elvis' death on Aug. 16 will spark someone's interest in buying her items.

"(The porch) is the length of the house and both sides are full," Blower said.

Blower, who has been collecting Elvis items since he began singing, has about $1,500 worth of stuff to sell after selling half her collection a couple of years ago. She has moved from a five-bedroom house to a two-bedroom home and can't fit it all anymore.

Blower wants to sell her entire collection for $1,000 to one buyer.

Blower's menage of Elvis items includes movies, postcards, jewelry, Elvis' manager's autograph, calendars, music, an Elvis telephone that plays "Jail House Rock" when it rings, plates, bumper stickers, Christmas cards, lots of pictures, plaques with pictures of his living room and jungle room on them, a porcelain Elvis doll and a travel bag, among many other things.

"I was just crazy about him," Blower said. "If you lived back in the '50s, you would understand."

Blower can't cut Elvis out of her life completely, though. She still has a chair, pillows, purses, shirts and a footstool covered with Elvis' image.

Source Article: http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/08/woman_simply_has_too_much_elvi.html

Elvis' Former Wife Gets Icon Activist Award!

August 31, 2009



Elvis Presley's former wife, was honoured at the Much Love Animal Rescue's Third Annual Bow Wow Wow Dinner in Hollywood. She was awarded the Icon Activist's Award in front of a star-studded crowd, that included Denise Richard, Tori Spelling, Jerry O'Connell, and Jason Lewis.

Priscilla Presley reportedly became quite emotional as she accepted the prestigious honour, however, while accepting the honour she admitted that she was quite "embarrassed" as there were people in the audience who have done more than her.

She even confessed to having committed the cardinal sin of naively purchasing her three pooches from Bel Air's infamous puppy mill, the very thing the organization has been trying to prevent. Mills are mass operations that keep dogs in cages for their entire lives for breeding purposes only, with very little veterinary care or human companionship.

Once their reproductive ability dwindles, they are generally killed, abandoned or sold to another mill. "I didn't know at the time, but I'm glad I did that because I was able to rescue them, they would have died. It was like having a newborn baby. One was so sick I had it sleeping with me," Fox News quoted her as saying.

She proudly announced: "I've now got rescue horses at Graceland. Especially now with the economy, this has really opened my eyes to what's going on out there. We need to give a voice to these animals."

A source closer to Priscilla said that her passion for rescuing animals had been pivotal in helping her through the dark days after the King's death.

Source: http://living.oneindia.in/insync/2009/elvis-presley-priscilla-animal-rescue-310809.html

Federal grant will spruce up Graceland area

City match increases pot to more than $1.2 million
By Amos Maki (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The City of Memphis got a federal grant Tuesday that will help improve the area around Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Whitehaven, one of the city's top tourist destinations.

More than a million dollars will be used to beautify the Elvis Presley Boulevard Corridor from Shelby Drive to Interstate 55. The funds come from a $975,312 federal grant with a local match of $243,828.

"These enhancements will be seen by millions of tourists who come to our city each year to visit Graceland," said Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery.

The money will be used to improve the street and walkways, and for utility relocation and upgrades.

This is the first phase of the city's efforts to enhance the Elvis Presley Boulevard Corridor.

Future phases of the project will extend north of Winchester Road to I-55 and south of Craft Road to Shelby Drive.

City leaders and economic development officials have targeted the area for clean-up because of the numbers of tourists who visit to tour Graceland.

Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. has been in discussion with city and economic development officials for more than a year about its plans for a $250 million overhaul of Graceland mansion and the surrounding area.

The Graceland plans include razing the cramped visitor center -- located in a former strip mall across the street from the white-columned mansion -- and replacing it with a facility seven times the size of the mansion.

Graceland spokesman Kevin Kern said Tuesday he didn't have specifics about the grant the city received and was unable to comment.

Article Source: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/aug/25/graceland-area-get-makeover/

Excellent Elvis related video and article to check out....

Graceland Style: What's Your Favorite Elvis Fashion?

Emory Magazine took an Elvis fashion book on the road to find out what really are his fans' favorites. Summer 2009

The short clip is a humorous way to explore Elvis’ notorious clothing collection, and you can play along with those interviewed in the video. The link is below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnQ3QY-cqIE



Check out accompanying article -

Long Live the King
From fashion to Facebook, Elvis Presley still leads the way to Graceland
By Mary J. Loftus

http://www.emory.edu/EMORY_MAGAZINE/2009/summer/elvis.html

Feel free to direct any further questions to Nicole Anderson at nicole.anderson@emory.edu.

Weather Causes Damage At Graceland!

Tree down at Graceland

Last night just after 7, the sky over Graceland got very dark, the winds begun to whip, and the rain fell.

Guests visiting Elvis' grave were asked to evacuate the property but refused. EPE employees exclusively told Elvis Unlimited that it took 15 minutes to get guests to leave the property ( for their own safety) due to the weather conditions. Staff also said, " The fans are passionate. They really love Elvis! And despite the weather, they wanted to stay."

And hats off to the Graceland staff for wanting the fans to come down from the hill until the storm ended. The Graceland staff put safety first. And from the picture shown, you can see why they were so concerned for tourists. A tree on the front lawn fell down during the storm. It fell and broke the original white wooden fence which has been at Graceland while Elvis lived there. I am sure Graceland will have this tree cleaned up and the lawn looking as beautiful as ever ASAP! Luckily no one was hurt not even a squirrel!

http://www.elvisunlimited.com/news.asp?page_id=79&news_id=1534

IMPORTANT: 'Elvis On Tour' release on DVD. Need YOUR help!

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU VOTE ON THIS ONE.
& Please pass this on to your Elvis friends.
It has gone up 120 votes since yesterday - but surely Elvis fans can produce a 6,500 votes to get it to number 1?

IMPORTANT: 'Elvis On Tour' release on DVD: With perfect timing for Elvis Week the Turner Classic Movies website has a list of popular films (not available on dvd) that you can vote for to be produced on DVD. Today 'Elvis on Tour' is on the list at only #92.
1958's 'This Angry Age' staring Anthony Perkins is at number one but with only 6448 votes, Bogart's classic 'The African Queen' is at #2.
'Elvis On Tour' has 1206 votes so far.
If everyone who visits this site today CLICKS HERE TO VOTE - we can take 'Elvis On Tour' to the top of the list in one day!
Show MGM that Elvis fans care and really do want to see 'Elvis On Tour' finally released. If we can achieve a stunning set of votes then this will push MGM to release the upgraded 'Elvis On Tour Special Edition' DVD and this will get BMG to finally release the 'Elvis On Tour' CD box-set that Ernst has promised.

To check out the overall MGM movie list click here

or CLICK HERE TO VOTE for 'Elvis On Tour'.

Votes are tallied once a day. Go ahead and vote and let your ELVIS voice be heard!

(News, Source;EIN)

Much Love Animal Rescue Honors Priscilla Presley At Bow Wow WOW Event

On Saturday, August 22, Priscilla Presley will be honored at Much Love Animal Rescue’s third annual Bow Wow Wow event in Hollywood, California.

The event is being being billed as a “star-studded affair” and will include comedy, festive food and drink (VEG, of course) and a silent auction. The rescue organization is giving Presley a special tribute for “her generosity towards animals, rescuing horses, and other charitable efforts.”

We haven’t received the celebrity roster for this year’s event, but last year’s benefit was attended by stars like Denise Richards, Kate Walsh, Tori Spelling, Kevin Nealon, Paula Abdul, Jamie King, Amy Smart and many more. Fancy!

Interested in attending the bash?

Tickets . To learn more visit start at $200.00 and can be purchased through their website MuchLove.org!

Source Article: http://www.ecorazzi.com/2009/07/29/much-love-animal-rescue-honors-priscilla-presley-at-bow-wow-wow-event