Tag Archives: Beale Street

July 10, 2015 · 3:09 pm

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 52 – A Quickie & a Contest

Today’s post will be very short. It’s been a busy week and I’ve barely had time to think. So, I thought I would just share a few random things. And, I’m rolling out a contest and will ask an Elvis questions to get it started.

~ A DJ on Elvis radio was talking to fans who were visiting Graceland. One of the people he spoke with was a man who had lost his sight. His lifelong dream was to visit Graceland, and he and his wife hoped to do it together one day. He was finally visiting Graceland, but he lost his wife nine years earlier. His children and grandchildren brought him. How sad that, when he finally realized his dream to visit Elvis’ home, it was without his wife, or his sight. 😦 It’s also yet another example of what a huge impact Elvis has on his fan’s lives, and how emotionally tied to him we can be.

~ I also wanted to share this song. I hadn’t heard it in a while, and Elvis Radio played it recently. His voice is haunting and beautiful, and the lyrics are sooo sad.

~ On a lighter note…

Beginning with this post, I am starting a contest through my blog where, each month, I will give away a $10 gift card from Amazon or Barnes and Noble, plus winner’s choice of any of my published stories. All you have to do to enter is comment. On or around the 10th of each month. I will draw one name from all the commenters.

Elvis question of the week:

Name 3 songs Elvis recorded with the word ‘rain’ in the title.

Have a wonderful weekend…thanks for stopping by!

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EOLS Charity

Elvis was known for his giving heart and charitable work during his lifetime. Lisa Marie and Elvis Presley Enterprises have continued that tradition with their involvement in various charities. In 1984, The Elvis Charitable Foundation was formed. The EPCF created a scholarship fund for students majoring in the arts. The charity also contributes to one of Elvis’ favorite charities, Goodwill Homes, a Memphis facility that provides counseling and services for abused children and their families. The EPCF also assists numerous other charities, especially focusing on arts, education and children’s programs.

Learn more here, including how to donate:

http://www.graceland.com/epcf/

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On Elvis’ birthday this year, I released a Vintage Romance short story set in 1957, and of course, my heroine is an Elvis fan. 🙂 As a tribute to Elvis’ generosity, and in order to assist with this worthy cause, 10% of my proceeds for End of Lonely Street will go to the EPCF.

All Toby Lawson wants is to go to college to become a teacher and to be free of her alcoholic mother and some painful memories. But when her mother nearly burns the house down, Toby must put her dreams on hold and return home to care for her. The only time she isn’t lonely and miserable is when she’s listening to her heartthrob, Elvis Presley. His music takes her away and helps her escape from everything wrong in her life.

Noah Rivers has always loved Toby, but no matter what he says, she can‘t get past the fact that her drunken mother once kissed him. He soon realizes the true problem lies in Toby’s belief she’s not good enough for him and in her fear she will be just like her mother.

What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?

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Tagged as 99 Cents, Alicia Dean, Amazon, Beale Street, Comment to Enter, Elvis fan, Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, End of Lonely Street, EPCF, Graceland, Green, Green Grass of Home, Kindle, Memphis, Ramblings Part 52, Rock and Roll, Sirius XM Elvis Radio, Vintage Historical Romance, Wild Rose Press

July 3, 2015 · 10:40 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 51 – My First Elvis Concert – 40 Years Ago

July 8^th will mark the 40^th anniversary of my first Elvis concert in 1975. There would be two more, one in 1976, one in 1977. After the March 25, 1977 concert, as we did each year, my sisters and I anxiously awaited the announcement of Elvis’ appearance in our city the following year. We knew his tour would bring him through Oklahoma City, we just didn’t know exactly when, and we had to stay on top of it, because his tickets sold out very quickly.

However, instead of hearing the dates of his 1978 tour, five months later, we received the announcement that he had passed away. We were shocked, devastated, grief-stricken, as was most of the world.

From the July 8, 1977 Concert in Oklahoma City

I don’t know if I can really describe what it felt like to be at one of his concerts, but I’m going to try…(I had just turned 14 a week before my first Elvis concert, FYI)

In the weeks leading up to the concert, I feel like ‘THE DAY’ will never get here. It’s almost all I can think about. Then, the day comes, and I’m so excited, I feel like I’ll burst with anticipation.

We arrive at the packed Myriad Convention Center (now the Cox Convention Center) and find our seats. They are far from the stage, but it doesn’t matter. I will actually be in the same room with Elvis…it seems impossible, too good to be true. I admit, I don’t remember anything about the opening act(s). All I recall is wishing they would hurry up and finish, so Elvis would come on stage.

Finally, they do. There is an intermission that seems to last forever. Then…the lights go down. A chorus of frenzied screams rise. I scream right along with them. This music starts…

I can literally feel it moving through me, vibrating my insides. My body tingles, my heart drops into my stomach. I can barely breathe. I can’t believe that, in moments, I am going to see Elvis… The spotlight shines at the side of the stage, then Elvis appears, strides out onto stage, and the crowd goes insane. I am screaming, crying. Elvis starts singing C.C. Rider (I wish I could remember each song he sang, that I had written them all down, but I didn’t. I wasn’t thinking about it back then, about how I would want to hold onto every minor detail of the memory, I was living in the moment. :)) I am not close enough to see him that well, but I have binoculars, and I can bring him nearer… He’s beautiful. He smiles and smirks and jokes and gives scarves and kisses.

I am soooo jealous that I am not one of the lucky girls close enough to get either. But his magical voice booms through the auditorium. The crowd screams so loudly, it’s hard to hear some of the songs, but I can’t fault them, because I am screaming as well. I am crying, too. Partly out of happiness, but partly out of an odd sadness, knowing that this is all I can have of him, these few hours of watching him perform, and then, it will be over. I can’t touch him, I can’t meet him, I can’t be a part of his world. I can’t marry him… (Yes, I definitely wanted to marry him. I fantasized about it, as many, many young girls and women did.).

The air sizzles with electricity. There is nothing like the feeling of being at an Elvis concert…knowing that he is THERE, in the room, in the flesh…it’s surreal and amazing. Much too soon, it’s over. He sings “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and kisses more girls, shakes hands, and I know…he’s going to be gone in seconds. Then, he waves, strides off stage, and an intense loss fills me. I’m still happy, because I just saw Elvis live…but I’m also deeply sad. It’s over. And, I know, that nothing else that will happen can compare when I just experienced.

Article about Elvis’ performance on July 8, 1975: http://www.elvisconcerts.com/newspapers/press351.htm

A few of my favorite snippets from the article:

Elvis shows he’s a showman, manipulating the audience to the point that he can curl his lip and get a reaction.

His show contains no elements of surprise, but it needs no drama, for the audience provides the tension.

Presley has reached the point in his career – maybe the plateau – where he doesn’t ever need to sing another new song.

The fans are there, evidenced by the sellout of 15,000 – plus tickets in a single day for the Myriad concert. He can probably come here anytime he wants to – five days in a row – and fill the place. If nothing else, Elvis Presley is a phenomenon, finding fans from every walk of life and in generation after generation.

AND

Elvis doesn’t need to milk an audience for its applause. All he has to do is show up.

I know that I am luckier than many Elvis fans. Some never saw him in concert at all, and I feel truly blessed that I did. Thanks to my parents, who knew how much it meant to me and my sisters. I am still slightly resentful that they did not allow me or my younger sister, Ruth, to go to the first Elvis concert my two older sisters, Sheri and Janis, attended. Granted, it was in 1970, and Ruth and I were ‘almost’ 7 and 9, respectively, but still…I thought we should have been allowed to go. Don’t you?

Did you ever see Elvis live in concert? What is the most memorable concert you’ve ever been to?

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EOLS Charity

Learn more here, including how to donate:

http://www.graceland.com/epcf/

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What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?

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Tagged as 50 Shades of Elvis, 50 things I love about Elvis, 99 Cents, Alicia Dean, Amazon, Ann-Margaret, Beale Street, Elvis concert Oklahoma City, Elvis fan, Elvis in Concert, Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, End of Lonely Street, EPCF, Graceland, Kindle, Lisa Marie Presley, Memphis, Rock and Roll, Sirius XM Elvis Radio, Vintage Historical Romance, Viva Las Vegas, Wild Rose Press

June 26, 2015 · 7:47 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 50 – 50 Things I love About Elvis

In honor of my 50^th post (yes, I’ve been posting about Elvis every week for almost a year. And, I still have things to say about him…can you believe it?), anyway, I thought I would see if I could think of 50 things I love about Elvis. In the words of Barney Stinson…Challenge accepted!

So…here goes…(This is really long, and I doubt anyone will read it all, but I wrote it anyway :))

His voice: From his early days to the last days of his life, he had a beautiful, powerful voice that you could feel clear through to your soul.
His movies: He made 31 motion pictures, and while not all of them were riveting classics, some were really great movies, and the ones that weren’t all that great were still fun and enjoyable.
He was a man’s man. He loved football, was a black belt in Karate, loved fast cars, wasn’t afraid to fight, whether it was defending himself or coming to the defense of someone else. He also insisted on doing his own stunts in Roustabout, which was pretty cool for a multi-mega-million star like him.
His generosity: Not only did he give to charities and to his friends and family, he gave to complete strangers. In his own words: “Money’s meant to be spread around. The more happiness it helps to create, the more it’s worth. It’s worthless as an old cut-up paper if it just lays in a bank and grows there without ever having been used to help a body”
His delivery: Not only did Elvis have an amazing voice, he delivered a song with so much heart, that he actually made you believe whatever he was singing.
His love for his mother.
His sense of humor.
His service in the army. As everyone knows, he was drafted at the height of the beginning of his career. He was offered an opportunity to get out of it, or to go into special services where he would only have to entertain and be a spokesperson for the military, but he chose to do his tour like any other soldier.
He was humble. He was in awe of his good fortune and his fame. He was afraid that one day he would wake up and find it had all been a dream, or that everyone would forget him.
He stayed true to his home town of Memphis, bought a house there and remained in it for the twenty years from the time he purchased it to the time he passed away.
His knack for producing music. The people who worked with him said Elvis was a genius at arranging his music, and he had an uncanny knack for getting everything exactly right in his songs.
His ability to make people happy. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard fans say that listening to Elvis music or watching his movies helped them during some of the darkest times of their lives. I haven’t really had ‘dark’ times in my life, thank God, but when I’m down, I can listen to him or watch his movies, and I immediately feel better.
The way he connected with and worked the audience. He didn’t just perform, he engaged with the audience, giving scarfs and kisses, joking with them and making them feel a part of something truly special.
His relationship with his father. While he wasn’t as close to him as he was his mother, he loved him and treated him well all his life.
He treated his employees with respect and appreciation.
He was a great friend. If you were allowed in his circle, he treated you like family and he gave the same loyalty he expected to receive. Granted, he fired his friends from time to time when they pissed him off, but most of the time, he rehired them.
He was a badass. In 1956, he got into a fight with two guys at a gas station, one of them was nearly twice his size, and he held his own. And, in June of 1977, he noticed two guys beating up on another guy and he jumped out of his limo and stopped the fight. (I’ve told these stories before, but they are worth repeating)
He had a way of making people feel comfortable and important, even though he was a super star. I, of course, did not have the pleasure of experiencing this myself, but I’ve heard several interviews with people who said the same.
His charisma. He had a special presence, a special charisma that you could feel, even in a concert hall with tens of thousands of other people. I can only imagine what it must have been like up close and personal.
He was sexy. The way he moved, his looks, the way he expressed himself, the way he sang, sooo sexy.
His way of speaking. He had an adorable southern accent and a speaking voice that was just as sexy as his singing voice.
He was patriotic. He loved America and was proud of his country.
He shot up televisions. Many people might think this is a negative, but I think it’s funny. And, in the words of JD Sumner, of the stamps quartet, to Elvis, destroying a television would be like us tossing a 98 cent lighter when it stopped working. How many of us would like to pull out a gun and blow a hole in the television when, say, the Kardashians come on?
He gave his all in concerts. He sang, danced, joked with the audience and worked his heart out in his performances.
His spirituality. He loved God and sang the heck out of gospel music.
His eyes. I know this falls under looks, but they were so beautiful, so special, that they deserve a number of their own. Blue, sparkling, and gorgeous.
Even though he wasn’t crazy about many of the movies he made, or the songs he sang, he told his guys that, if they were going to perform the songs, no matter how silly they were, they were going to do the best job they could.
He didn’t conform. When he was in school, his dress and hair style was a unique style that made him the butt of ridicule, but he still wore and did what he wanted, no matter what others thought. He did the same when he started his career. He took a lot of criticism, a lot of heat, but he prevailed and started a movement that rocked the world.
His love of fun. He was a kid at heart and loved to have a good time with his buddies. Once he became famous, he couldn’t go to movies or amusement parks like normal people, so he would rent them out in the wee hours and entertain all his friends.
Graceland. His home was his haven, his refuge, and he welcomed his friends and family into it. I love that, even all these years after his death, his home is a place where fans can go to see his things and feel his presence.
He shared the stage with others. I loved in his concerts when he would turn the stage over to one or the other of his background singers, when he would introduce his band, and give everyone on stage special attention. I remember in the Elvis on Tour documentary, when he had the Stamps sing “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” and the audience was cheering, and he gently shushed them so he could listen to the Stamps sing.
The ’68 Special. His first performance after 8 years of making movies and not doing concerts was a ground-breaking, masterpiece of a success.
His smile. Again, part of his looks, but it deserves its own number. He had a beautiful, engaging smile that lit up his entire face.
In that vein, his laugh. He had a great sense of humor and loved cutting up with his friends and on stage. People who knew him said he hand an infectious laugh and when you heard it, you couldn’t help but feel happy.
His love of reading and thirst for knowledge. It bothered Elvis that he hadn’t gone to college, so he read everything he could get his hands on and educated himself on as many subjects as he could.
His appreciation of his fans. He was truly grateful for the love and support of his fans. He didn’t take them for granted, he was always aware that we were the ones who put him where he was, and he showed his appreciation.
This line in Jailhouse Rock.
He was polite. He called people sir and ma’am and treated others with respect.
The way he was on movie sets. The people he worked with said he didn’t act like a superstar, like he was better than they were. He listened to their advice, he was easy to work with, and he made everyone feel comfortable.
He never forgot his beginnings. He didn’t try to hide who he was or where he came from. He was used to being poor, and he was aware his fortune could be taken away.
His rehearsals. Thanks to Sirius Elvis Radio, we have the opportunity to listen in on some of his rehearsals. Not only was he funny and loose and engaging, even when he messed up on a song, it was still fantastic.
If he liked someone and wanted to keep them around, he would just give them a job. He was responsible for tons of people making an excellent living and being able to take care of their families.
He knew what he wanted, especially when it came to his music, and he did what it took to make each song the best it could be. In 1956, he wanted the Jordanaires to sing back up, but Chet Atkins was the producer, and he refused to allow them to come to the recording session. Elvis never cared for Chet after that. And, not long after, the Jordanaires were part of his band. When he recorded Jerry Reed’s “Guitar Man,” the guitar did not sound like it did on Jerry’s version, and he wanted that sound. So, he brought Jerry Reed himself in to play on the song.
He loved movies…something he and I have in common. His favorites were Peter Sellers movies. Oddly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Peter Sellers movie, but I plan to watch one, one of these days.
He loved football. I think it’s so cool that he loved sports, and football was his favorite. The Cleveland Browns were his favorite team. I have a feeling, had he lived, he would have enjoyed pro basketball, once the Memphis Grizzlies came to be.
He was a wonderful father. Lisa Marie was only nine years old when he died, but in the short time she had her father, he doted on her. She still holds special memories of him and is proud to be his daughter.
His concerts. I had the honor of attending three of Elvis’ concerts, and they were truly magnificent. You could literally feel the electricity in the air when he walked on stage.
His music: He was one of the most versatile singers in history. He could sing blues, country, rock, soul, pop, gospel, and even opera. He recorded nearly 800 songs, and like his movies, I didn’t love all of them, but most of them were fantastic.
Elvis Christmas. Elvis recorded several awesome Christmas songs. And, it was his favorite time of year. He had Graceland decorated beautifully each Christmas season, and they are still using the same decorations. His favorite thing about the holiday was generously giving to his friends, family, and employees.
His desire to be a serious actor. While I loved his movies, they weren’t exactly critically acclaimed. And, with the exception of King Creole, Elvis wasn’t very proud of his movies. He studied actors like Marlon Brando and James Dean and had the desire to do the kind of films they did.

There you have it, 50 things. If I put my mind to it, I might be able to come up with a few more. Is there anything I missed that you love about Elvis?

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EOLS Charity

Learn more here, including how to donate:

http://www.graceland.com/epcf/

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June 19, 2015 · 12:33 pm

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 49 – The Movies 14-16 (1964) – Kissin’ Cousins ~ Viva Las Vegas ~ Roustabout

Kissin’ Cousins:

I hate to say it, but not only is this probably my least favorite Elvis movie, I really didn’t like it at all. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed watching it because I had the pleasure of watching and listening to Elvis, but the movie was silly, not just ‘fun’ silly like some of his movies, but really, really silly. And, the romance was a sub par. It seemed like he just decided between the two girls and chose the dark-haired one and suddenly they were a couple. I did love that there were two Elvis’, even though the hick in the blond wig just didn’t quite measure up to the ‘other’ Elvis. Critics have said that this was the beginning of the downhill spiral of low budget, bad Elvis movies, but I loved most of the ones that came after, so I beg to differ.

About: Elvis plays two roles. One of them was Josh Morgan, an army officer who is sent to the Smoky Mountains to convince a backwoods family to allow the Army to build a missile site on their land. He is chosen because he is from the area. As it turns out, the family is his kinfolk, including a lookalike cousin, Jodie Tatum, played by Elvis in a blond wig. Elvis falls for one of the hill girls and the Army gets their site, but the family also benefits. Happily Ever After, etc.

Side notes: Elvis hated wearing the strawberry blond wig.

Yvonne Craig, who was his co-star and leading lady, was also in “It Happened at the World’s Fair” although she was not his main love interest. When asked what it was like working with Elvis, she said:

“I did two movies with Elvis – “It Happened at the World’s Fair” and “Kissin’ Cousins” and both times not only was he an absolute joy but the experience itself was wonderful. He was extremely professional – always on time, knew his lines, and was very much a part of the cast, never pulling rank as the “star”. He had a great deal of self-deprecating sense of humor and was very much a “southern gentleman” as far as good manners were concerned. Because he surrounded himself with his friends from Memphis, it was for me like always having about ten playful but protective big brothers on the set.”

Favorite Song: Tender Feeling

Favorite Scene: I suppose it’s the end where Elvis is singing Kissin’ Cousins and looking adorable.

Viva Las Vegas

This was one of the most well-loved Elvis movies, and is one of my favorites. I believe a lot of it had to do with the chemistry between Ann-Margaret and Elvis. It has been rumored, and I believe it to be true, that they were deeply in love in real life. I think she would have been a perfect mate for him. They had a lot in common, and dear Lord, what a gorgeous couple they made.

About: Elvis plays Lucky Jackson, a race car driver trying to earn money to put a new engine in his race car in time for the Grand Prix. He meets and falls for Rusty, played by Ann-Margaret, who fears for his safety and wants him to give up racing for her.

Side Notes: Viva Las Vegas grossed more than the Beatles movie “Hard Day’s Night” even though they were released in the same year, when Beatle Fever was in full swing.

The tabloids released images of the Elvis and Ann-Margaret wedding scene, claiming that the two had actually gotten married.

This was Elvis’ highest grossing film.

Favorite Song: I had a few favorites in this one, among them: The lady loves me, If You Think I Don’t Need You, and C’mon Everybody.

Favorite Scene: Lots of favorite scenes, but one of my top ones is when Rusty goes on a date with the Count because she’s angry with Lucky. Lucky is their waiter for the evening, and he’s ornery and adorable while serving them.

Roustabout:

GREAT movie! Lots of fighting and hotness and emotional moments. I love in his movies, when he’s performing and troublemakers come in. Of course, a fight breaks out and Elvis says cute things and punches people. 🙂 Another plus for this movie; Elvis wore a lot of black leather and was a smarta$$, which created some sexy and funny moments. I wasn’t wild about Joan Freeman, who played his love interest, Cathy. Not sure why, maybe it was the dorky head scarfs.

About: Elvis plays Charlie Rogers, a man with a troubled past who finds trouble wherever he goes. After being fired from a singing gig, he encounters carnival owner, Maggie (played by Barbara Stanwyck). She is with Joe, her friend and co-worker, and Joe’s daughter, Cathy. When Joe runs Elvis off the road because he’s flirting with Cathy, Maggie offers to have his motorcycle fixed and put him up at the carnival until it’s ready. Elvis sings at the carnival and brings in customers, helping them out of their financial bind. But, he and Joe butt heads and Elvis leaves, only to return to claim the girl and save the day.

Side Notes: Elvis insisted on doing his own stunts.

Raquel Welch played a college student in the opening scene:

Mae West was first offered the role of Maggie, but declined when they refused to rewrite the script to make her one of Elvis’ love interests.

Favorite Song: One Track Heart

Favorite Scenes: Actually, they are favorite lines…

College student to Elvis (Charlie): This is a real crummy joint, I’ve seen more action in a zoo.
Charlie: From which side of the cage, pal?

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After they pull Elvis off of the guy he’s fighting at the carnival:
Cathy: “What are you trying to prove? You know you can beat him.”

Charlie: “He doesn’t know it.”

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Charlie, when Madame Mijanou, played by Sue Ann Langdon, is putting the moves on him: I can only make love outdoors. The first girl I ever tried to make love to was hooked on the outdoors. I had to take the top down before she’d let me kiss her.

Madame Mijanou: Did you ever kiss her?

Charlie: Three hours later.

Madame Mijanou: It took you three hours to take the top down on a convertible?

Charlie: It wasn’t a convertible.

Thank you for joining me. Have you seen these movies? What did you think?

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EOLS Charity

Learn more here, including how to donate:

http://www.graceland.com/epcf/

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What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?

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Click Here for Nook

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Tagged as 99 Cents, Alicia Dean, Amazon, Ann-Margaret, Beale Street, Elvis fan, Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, End of Lonely Street, EPCF, Graceland, Kindle, Kissin' Cousins, Memphis, Rock and Roll, Roustabout, Sirius XM Elvis Radio, Vintage Historical Romance, Viva Las Vegas, Wild Rose Press

June 12, 2015 · 10:31 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Presley Fan – Part 48 – Elvis in June

On today’s post, I thought I would share some important events in Elvis’ life that occurred in the month of June, along with a few interesting tidbits…

June 5, 1956 — Elvis appeared on the Milton Berle Show and sang “Hound Dog.” His performance caused quite a stir, not all of it positive. The “Elvis the Pelvis” nickname came about shortly after this performance.

Here is just one of the many scathing reviews that resulted:

By Ben Gross of the Daily News:

“Popular music has been sinking in this country for some years. Now it has reached its lowest depths in the ‘grunt and groin’ antics of one Elvis Presley. The TV audience had a noxious sampling of it the other evening. Elvis, who rotates his pelvis, was appalling musically … He gave an exhibition that was suggestive and vulgar, tinged with the kind of animalism that should be confined to dives and bordellos.”

Haha, so, in other words, he’s extremely sexy… 😉

June 10, 1958 — Elvis was on leave from the military and held a recording session in Nashville. He recorded the following songs:

I Need Your Love Tonight

A Big Hunk O’ Love

Ain’t That Loving You Baby

(Now And Then There’s a) Fool Such As I

I Got Stung

This would be his last session until after his discharge from the army in 1960.

June 26, 1977 — Sadly, Elvis gave the last concert of his life on this date at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. I’d seen him March 25 of that year in Norman, Oklahoma at the Lloyd Noble Arena, not knowing it would be the last time I would ever have the pleasure of attending an Elvis concert. 😦

Elvis Bites Reporter

Elvis was in Charlotte, North Carolina for a concert in June, 1956. A female reporter walked up to Elvis, who was sitting in a car, to take a picture. Elvis leaned his head out the window and bit her on the hand. Not at all pleased, she called him a “big bruiser” and asked him ‘what’s the big idea.’ He said, “I was only being friendly, like a little puppy dog.” The reporter told him no one had ever bitten her in friendship, and he replied, “Lady, if you want to get ahead, you gotta be different.” The reporter didn’t file a lawsuit, but in this day and age, I would imagine the outcome would have been quite different. 🙂 (It’s unfortunate that he chose to bite one of the very few young women who did NOT like getting bitten by him :))

This is a picture from that same trip to Charlotte (this girl is not the reporter :))

Elvis dog tags

While Elvis was in the army, tons of merchandise was released to keep him in the forefront of the public’s mind. One of the more unique items was Elvis Dog Tags. They were available in either silver or gold and included Elvis’ Army serial number, his blood type, a picture, and copy of his signature. The tags weren’t made available until July, but the buzz for them began in June. A deejay in Boston had the idea for a gimmick where he offered six tags to the first three girls who came to the station wearing a bathing suit and to the first three boys who arrived with guitars. More than 600 people showed up on the rainy night at the studio. Three police vehicles were dispatched to maintain order. Among the crowd were twenty-two boys with guitars and sixteen girls wearing bathing suits.

Can you imagine what those would be worth now? I wasn’t born yet, or I definitely would have one. 🙂

Thanks for joining me…have a fabulous weekend!

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EOLS Charity

Learn more here, including how to donate:

http://www.graceland.com/epcf/

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On Elvis’ 80th birthday this year, I released a Vintage Romance short story set in 1957, and of course, my heroine is an Elvis fan. 🙂 As a tribute to Elvis’ generosity, and in order to assist with this worthy cause, 10% of my proceeds for End of Lonely Street will go to the EPCF.

What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?

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June 5, 2015 · 10:39 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Presley Fan – Part 47 – New Elvis Postal Stamp Coming

Most of you probably recall, or have heard, about the Elvis stamp that was released on his 58^th birthday, January 8, 1993. Well, now, a brand new Elvis stamp is coming. The postal service has announced that Elvis will be the sixth entertainer featured in the Music Icons series. So far, the series has released stamps of Johnny Cash, Lydia Mendoza, Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin.

For the previous stamp, Americans were given the opportunity to vote on which artwork should appear on the stamp:

Young Elvis by Mark Stutzman

70’s Elvis by John Berkey

Young Elvis won by 75% and this is the stamp:

How awesome is it that the US Postal Service allowed the public to choose the image? That has never happened before, or since. The Elvis stamp is the most popular commemorative stamp of all time. Of course, I’m not at all surprised. 🙂

For the upcoming stamp, Graceland will hold a First-Day-of-Issue dedication ceremony on August 12, during this year’s Elvis Week celebration. The hashtag #ElvisForever is being used to tweet about the event.

Postmaster General Megan Brennan released this statement:

“Elvis is a natural addition to our Music Icon Series. His life and talents are an incredible story. Spanning from his humble beginnings in a Tupelo, Mississippi, two-room house to becoming one of the most legendary performance artists of the 20th Century, Elvis Presley’s works continues to resonate with millions the world over.”

I, for one, cannot disagree.

So…what image do you think should be used for the new stamp?

50’s Elvis?

68 special?

70’s Elvis?

I find them all delightful, so no matter what, I’ll be pleased. 🙂

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May 29, 2015 · 9:32 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Presley Fan – Part 46 – Remix Songs

In the years following Elvis’ death, his producer, Felton Jarvis, recorded remixes of many of Elvis’ songs by adding some kind of 80’s techno mix sound. While I love the idea of Elvis music being re-released, I do not like these updated versions. They take away the pure, magical, unique sound that made Elvis so special. Some say it was a way to breathe new life into his music, and to have ‘new’ releases from Elvis. If that’s what they wanted, then they could simply take some of Elvis’ lesser known, but amazing, songs and remaster and release them.

Felton was a great producer, but actually, Elvis had a huge part in the production of his music. He had an uncanny knack for knowing exactly what a song needed to get it just right. I doubt that he would be thrilled about these new versions. When I hear some of these songs come on Sirrius XM Elvis radio, I can tell, in the first few notes, if it’s one of the new versions, and I usually turn off the radio. Why would I want to listen to that, when the original is so much better? Brings to mind the adage, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’

A few examples:

Blue Suede Shoes:

Now listen to it the way it was meant to sound:

Another, which was a big hit, but still, not as good as the original. A Little Less Conversation:

Now, Elvis singing the original movie version from Live a Little, Love a Little. And, you get to see his gorgeousness while he’s singing. You’re welcome!

Admittedly, these versions are fun, but they’re just not the way the songs were meant to be.

What do you think? Elvis Original or Elvis 2.0?

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May 22, 2015 · 10:03 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Presley Fan – Part 45 – Memories and Tidbits

Today is random day. Thought I’d share some Elvis facts and some personal Elvis memories.

Elvis didn’t like to wear jeans, because they reminded him of when he was poor. He mostly only wore them for movie roles.

In the 1957 movie, Loving You

My dad used to tease my sisters and I unmercifully about Elvis, but after Elvis passed away, he said he’d never tease us again. My oldest brother, Eddie, also gave us a hard time about Elvis. I remember one particular remark that, while I probably didn’t think it was very amusing at the time, is actually pretty funny. Referring to the below album cover, he said “It looks like his face caught on fire and someone tried to put it out with an ice pick.” Ha! It totally does not, right? 🙂

Elvis wanted to perform in Europe but he never toured outside the United States. Supposedly, it was because Colonel Parker, his manager, was an illegal immigrant, and he was afraid he would not be allowed back in the U.S. Isn’t that crazy to think something like that prevented fans all over the world from seeing Elvis in concert?

In January, 1974, when I was 12, Elvis released a single, “There’s a Honky Tonk Angel,” which received a lot of airplay on country radio stations. Each morning before school, my sisters and I called a local Oklahoma City station, I think it was KEBC, but I’m ashamed to say I can’t recall specifically, and requested the song. The DJ would always play it for us before it was time to leave for school, and that started our day off perfectly.

Lisa Marie once worked for Jerry Schilling, one of Elvis’ closest lifelong friends and a manager/producer. They kept it a secret, and no one knew when they called, that she was the one answering phones. Jerry said that sometimes she would come into his office and say, “There’s a call from someone wanting to talk with you about Lisa Marie.” She got a kick out of them not knowing it was her. Somehow, word leaked and the media converged on the office. Lisa had to quit after that, and she was very disappointed. It was her first job, and she loved being able to live like a regular person. Side note: Jerry’s nickname for Lisa was “Memphis.”

My sister, Ruth, and my brother-in-law, Tom, took me to Memphis for my fortieth birthday (we won’t say how many years ago that was…), and we took a riverboat ride on the Mississippi. Unfortunately, there was no air-conditioning in the boat, and this was July. In Memphis. Yes, July. Anyway… We went to the outside top of the boat to get some air, although I will say, it wasn’t really ‘cool’ air, it was more like thick, sticky, humid air. And, the worse part was, while outside, we were being eaten alive by mosquitoes as big as our heads. For some reason, they especially attacked Ruth. We got back to the hotel and were riding the elevator up to our room. Ruth (who loves Elvis every bit as much as I do) was sweat-soaked and riddled with huge, itchy mosquito bites. She said, “I can’t wait to get out of this hell-hole of a town.” (or something to that effect). I said, “But, Ruth, Elvis LOVED Memphis!” And she said, “That son of a bitch had air-conditioning everywhere he went!” My mouth dropped open and I said, “You just called Elvis a son of a bitch.” She was immediately horrified and apologetic. And, of course, being the loving sister that I am, I have not let her forget it.

Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston’s mother, was an original, founding member of the Sweet Inspirations and sang back up for Elvis.

Jerry Schilling was once married to Myrna Smith, another member of the Sweet Inspirations.

My son, Presley, is a server in a restaurant. Recently, a couple came in and sat in his section. When he introduced himself, they said, “Oh my God, your name is Presley?” My son said it was, and they told him that, two years ago, their baby girl was born, and they named her Presley. This day was the two year anniversary of her death. Presley was very moved and a bit emotional. They felt there was a reason for them to connect with him that day. It was a sad, but special moment for the couple and for my son.

My kids and niece (the tall blonde in the back) in front of Graceland. My son, Presley is wearing the yellow Elvis shirt.

Thank you for stopping by. Any Elvis memories or facts you’d like to share?

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May 15, 2015 · 10:26 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part 44 – Million Dollar Quartet Musical Stage Production

My condolences to the family of B.B. King, who passed away last night at 89 years old. B.B. was a supremely talented singer and musician, and a wonderful person with a big heart. B.B. and Elvis had a great deal of respect for one another. I’d like to believe they are singing together in Heaven today.

Million Dollar Quartet:

On December 4, 1956, Carl Perkins, who had already had a hit with Blue Suede Shoes, was in Sun Studios for a recording session…

Sam Phillips, the owner of the studio who discovered Elvis, had brought in Jerry Lee Lewis, a talented but barely known singer and piano player. Johnny Cash stopped by, as did Elvis, with his girlfriend, Marilyn Evans, whom Elvis had met in Vegas where she was dancing in the chorus line at the Frontier. Elvis was now with RCA, but he loved Sun Records and Sun, and missed recording there. The four soon-to-be legendary stars launched into a jam session, and Jack Clement, an engineer with Sun, recorded it. A Memphis newspaper wrote an article about the session the next day and titled it “Million Dollar Quartet.” The article carried the below picture. The now famous version has Marilyn cropped out:

I was fortunate to have the opportunity attend the musical portrayal of this historic event with my friends, Kathy L Wheeler, Krysta Scott, her daughter Taylor, and my sister, Christi Perryman last Friday night at The Civic Center in Oklahoma City. (Coincidentally, I ran into my daughter, Lana Clary, and her friend, Sara Kitchell, at the play. Lana claims she told me months earlier that she was going, but I don’t believe her. I wouldn’t have forgotten something like that…would I?) 🙂

The show was phenomenal! It was much better than I expected, although I did expect to like it. Not only was it funny…Jerry Lee was quite a character…the music was incredible. I was blown away by the talent of the four actors; Jacob Rowley as Elvis, Gabe Bowling as Carl Perkins, Scott Moreau as Johnny Cash, and Colte Julian (a graduate of Oklahoma State University who grew up in Fletcher, Oklahoma) as Jerry Lee Lewis. Not only did they play their parts to near perfection, they did their own singing and actually played the instruments. It was amazing, seriously amazing. Bryan Langlitz as Sam Phillips did an excellent job as well.

Check out the trailer (this is not with the cast I saw. I believe it is the original New York cast):

As everyone who knows me probably knows, I do not like Elvis impersonators, but this was different. This was a young, talented actor portraying Elvis. And Jacob did a marvelous job. He didn’t sound ‘just like Elvis’ but his singing was great, and when he did a beautiful rendition of Peace in the Valley, he sounded similar to Elvis. One thing I will say, he had Elvis’ 50’s moves down. His dancing was adorable and so exciting to watch.

Colte as Jerry Lee was hilarious and supremely talented. The way he beat the hell out of the piano, kicked over his stool, and generally Jerry Lee’d it up, was one of the highlights of the show. Scott and Gabe, who played Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins respectively, were excellent as well. I had to laugh when Carl whined about Elvis stealing his song and people thinking “Blue Suede Shoes” was Elvis’ song. 🙂 I loved the glimpses into the realism of their history. For the female part, I believe for legal reasons of some kind, they used a character named Dyanne to represent Elvis’ girlfriend. The actress, Laura Obenauf, was talented as well and sang a few songs too, although I don’t believe Marilyn actually sang in the session.

The show provided a little snippet of how each of the four came to be with Sam Phillips, which I loved. The end was a dazzling, rocking, spectacular performance where the four actors donned glitzy jackets and sang and played their hearts out. By the end of the production, my sister and I were in tears. It was so much fun, so moving and so poignant at the same time. SPOILER ALERT: Toward the end, Sam grabs his camera and says he wants to get a picture of ‘his boys’ and tells them to gather around the piano. He said something to the effect of “This would be the first time and the last time these guys played together…I just wish they could have lived happier lives.” The actors were all in the pose of the original MDQ photo. The stage went dark and bright white camera flashes went off. Lights came back on and suspended above the stage was the actual famous MDQ photo while the original 1956 recording of them singing “Down by the Riverside” plays. They were all so young and talented and full of dreams. Elvis’ beautiful face held so much happiness and hope. It was very emotional.

Immediately when it was over, myself, my sister, my daughter and her friend all wanted to watch it again. It was that good. If you get a chance, do yourself a favor and go see the show. You won’t regret it.

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May 8, 2015 · 11:18 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part 43 – The Movies 12-13 (1963) – It Happened at the World’s Fair and Fun in Acapulco

I have seen all of Elvis’ movies over the years, multiple times, but I am watching them again (I have them all on DVD) and blog about them from time to time. I am up to Elvis’ 12th and 13th movies.

It Happened at the World’s Fair

I like this movie more than I remembered liking it. I’d always counted it as one of my lesser favorites, but it was actually wonderful. Very sweet, some funny moments, great songs. What’s not to love? And, oh yeah, ELVIS!!

About: Elvis plays Mike Edwards, a playboy crop duster pilot whose partner has a gambling problem and causes them to lose their airplane. They head to Seattle, where Elvis’ friend ‘knows a guy.’ They meet up with an adorable Chinese girl and her grandfather, who are on their way to Seattle for the World Fair, and they give Elvis and his friend a ride. Upon arrival, the grandfather is called to work, and he convinces Elvis to take the little girl to the fair. Throughout the day, he and the child bond, and he meets and falls for a beautiful nurse. Elvis runs across the little girl later, crying. He learns that her grandfather has gone missing. Elvis takes her home to care for her. Cuteness and music and misunderstandings and romance ensue. In the end, grandfather is found, Elvis gets the girl.

Side notes: Kurt Russell made his movie debut in an uncredited role, playing a boy at the Fair who Elvis pays a quarter to kick him in the shin so he’ll have an excuse to go see the pretty nurse again. Kurt would later play Elvis in a tv movie.

I was curious about the little girl, because she looked a lot like the little girl from Girls, Girls, Girls. Also, she was adorable. And, Elvis (in the movie) was so sweet to her, their scenes were heartwarming.

I researched and learned that her name is Vicky Tiu (who later became the First Lady of Hawaii :)). She was the sister of the little girl in Girls, Girls, Girls, who was first picked to play in this movie, but was unavailable because she was playing piano for President Kennedy at the White House (two of her other siblings also appeared in Girls, Girls, Girls) Vicky was only 6 1/2 at the time, it was the only movie she would ever make, and she was incredibly homesick. She told about a time when she was having trouble nailing a scene. They’d done about 30 takes, and she was crying, and the director was getting frustrated. Elvis stepped in and said, “That’s it, it’s a wrap. The little lady and I are going to have something to eat.” He took her to dinner that evening, and the next day, she nailed the scene. How precious is that? A huge superstar like him doing something like that? He was indeed a very special man.

My favorite songs from the movie: Relax, One Broken Heart for Sale or They Remind Me Too Much of You

Favorite scenes:

I don’t know that I had a particular favorite scene, but there were lots of favorite moments. Early in the movie, Elvis was putting the moves on a girl (Yvonne Craig who played Batgirl on the Batman TV show and would be Elvis’ love interest in Kissin’ Cousins), and she was resisting (yeah, right!), and her parents came home, her dad chased him with a shotgun, etc. That scene had some funny moments. Something that occurred to me, though, was how Elvis had this sizzling charisma with literally every woman he did a scene with. You could actually feel it oozing from the screen.

The movie had some funny one-liners. In one scene with Elvis, the little girl, and his love interest, Elvis makes some kind of joke, and the little girls asks him a question about it, and the nurse says, “No, dear, he was merely being funny.” Elvis says, “Did you say merely or nearly?”

When he first meets the nurse, he is being a ‘wolf’ and making advances. She tries to kick him out of the exam room, but he won’t leave. She says, “Do you want me to to call the guard?” He says, “I like it better with just the two of us.”

The scenes with Kurt Russell are also sooo cute. When Elvis first comes across him and asks him to kick him in the shin, Kurt says, “Are you drunk, Mister?” Later, after Elvis has reeled the nurse in and she’s falling for him, they run into Kurt again. He says, “Hey, Mister, want me to kick you in the shin again?” Elvis knows he’ll be busted, since the nurse is right there with him. He is trying to shoo Kurt away and be discreet. He says he’s never seen the kid before, and finally, says “Here’s 50 cents, go away.” Kurt says, “Thanks, Mister!” And kicks him in the (very sore) shin again. PLUS, the girls is onto him and angrily storms away.

Fun in Acapulco

I’m afraid I would have to classify this as one of my lesser favorites. While I did enjoy watching it again, it wasn’t one that surprised me by being better than I remembered. It was about the same as I remembered. However, I will have to say that I have a different appreciation for the many shots of a shirtless Elvis. 🙂

About: Elvis plays Mike Windgren, who is fired, because of a girl, from his job on a boat. He runs into a little boy, who insists on becoming Elvis’ manager, and gets him singing gigs. The gorgeous Ursula Andress plays his love interest. Elvis is afraid of heights, due to a tragedy in his past. He was part of a family circus act, and he dropped his brother on the high wire, causing his death. Elvis ends up overcoming his fear, and getting the girl.

Side notes: None of the scenes were actually filmed in Mexico. Teri Garr has an uncredited part as a dancer. She was an uncredited dancer in seven of his movies.

My favorite song from the movie: Bossa Nova (I’ve gained a new appreciation for this song, and especially love that it’s in a Heineken commercial)

Favorite scenes:

I mostly had some favorite ‘moments.’ The scene where the little boy is on the phone, wheeling and dealing, and Elvis is sitting on the bed, watching. He’s wearing blue pajamas that bring out the gorgeous color of his eyes.

And, when Elvis comes out of the pool, wet, wearing a black bathing suit.

Also, the obligatory fight scenes, which I always love. In this one, Elvis does this cute little movement with his shoulder. He had some signature gestures in many of his movies, that you can see if you watch closely (which, of course, I do), and this is one of them. Loved it! (Yes, I know it’s minor, but it’s ELVIS!) – Check it out:

See what I mean? 🙂

Thank you for joining me. Have you seen these movies? What did you think?

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Tag Archives: Beale Street

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 52 – A Quickie & a Contest

Today’s post will be very short. It’s been a busy week and I’ve barely had time to think. So, I thought I would just share a few random things. And, I’m rolling out a contest and will ask an Elvis questions to get it started.

Elvis question of the week:

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END OF LONELY STREET – Now Only 99 Cents!

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 51 – My First Elvis Concert – 40 Years Ago

However, instead of hearing the dates of his 1978 tour, five months later, we received the announcement that he had passed away. We were shocked, devastated, grief-stricken, as was most of the world.

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END OF LONELY STREET – Now Only 99 Cents!

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 50 – 50 Things I love About Elvis

In honor of my 50^th post (yes, I’ve been posting about Elvis every week for almost a year. And, I still have things to say about him…can you believe it?), anyway, I thought I would see if I could think of 50 things I love about Elvis. In the words of Barney Stinson…Challenge accepted!

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Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 49 – The Movies 14-16 (1964) – Kissin’ Cousins ~ Viva Las Vegas ~ Roustabout

Kissin’ Cousins:

Viva Las Vegas

Roustabout:

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Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Presley Fan – Part 48 – Elvis in June

On today’s post, I thought I would share some important events in Elvis’ life that occurred in the month of June, along with a few interesting tidbits…

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Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Presley Fan – Part 47 – New Elvis Postal Stamp Coming

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Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Presley Fan – Part 46 – Remix Songs

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Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Presley Fan – Part 45 – Memories and Tidbits

Today is random day. Thought I’d share some Elvis facts and some personal Elvis memories.

EOLS Charity

Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part 44 – Million Dollar Quartet Musical Stage Production

Million Dollar Quartet:

On December 4, 1956, Carl Perkins, who had already had a hit with Blue Suede Shoes, was in Sun Studios for a recording session…

EOLS Charity

Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part 43 – The Movies 12-13 (1963) – It Happened at the World’s Fair and Fun in Acapulco

It Happened at the World’s Fair

Fun in Acapulco

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Tag Archives: Beale Street

Today’s post will be very short. It’s been a busy week and I’ve barely had time to think. So, I thought I would just share a few random things. And, I’m rolling out a contest and will ask an Elvis questions to get it started.

Elvis question of the week:

EOLS Charity

END OF LONELY STREET – Now Only 99 Cents!

However, instead of hearing the dates of his 1978 tour, five months later, we received the announcement that he had passed away. We were shocked, devastated, grief-stricken, as was most of the world.

EOLS Charity

END OF LONELY STREET – Now Only 99 Cents!

In honor of my 50th post (yes, I’ve been posting about Elvis every week for almost a year. And, I still have things to say about him…can you believe it?), anyway, I thought I would see if I could think of 50 things I love about Elvis. In the words of Barney Stinson…Challenge accepted!

EOLS Charity

Kissin’ Cousins:

Viva Las Vegas

Roustabout:

EOLS Charity

On today’s post, I thought I would share some important events in Elvis’ life that occurred in the month of June, along with a few interesting tidbits…

EOLS Charity

EOLS Charity

EOLS Charity

Today is random day. Thought I’d share some Elvis facts and some personal Elvis memories.

EOLS Charity

Million Dollar Quartet:

On December 4, 1956, Carl Perkins, who had already had a hit with Blue Suede Shoes, was in Sun Studios for a recording session…

EOLS Charity

It Happened at the World’s Fair

Fun in Acapulco

EOLS Charity

Latest Instagram Post

Follow Blog via Email

In honor of my 50^th post (yes, I’ve been posting about Elvis every week for almost a year. And, I still have things to say about him…can you believe it?), anyway, I thought I would see if I could think of 50 things I love about Elvis. In the words of Barney Stinson…Challenge accepted!