Elvis Presley documentary to launch on HBO

A career-spanning Elvis Presley documentary directed by Thom Zimny featuring new interviews and Graceland archive footage will launch on HBO

A two-part Elvis Presley documentary is to launch on HBO.

Emmy and Grammy award-winning director Thom Zimny – who previously worked on two Bruce Springsteen documentaries – is at the helm of the as-yet-untitled film which chronicles Presley's life from childhood until his final Jungle Room recording sessions in 1976.

The three-hour documentary also features "unprecedented access to Graceland archives," never-before-seen photos and 20 new interviews with producers, engineers and musicians who worked with the late rock icon.

HBO miniseries president Kary Antholis tells Deadline: "The film draws upon very rare footage that captures Elvis' musicianship in a new and exciting way. The artistry on display in that footage reminded us of the great work by Jon Landau and Thom Zimny on HBO films documenting the studio artistry of Bruce Springsteen.

"We are thrilled to have them at the helm to lend their unique cinematic perspectives to this iconic, complex and singular artist."

No release date has been announced for the film. Further details will be available in due course.

It was announced last month that a biopic based on the life of Elvis Presley's longtime Sun Records producer Sam Phillips is to star Leonardo Di Caprio.

http://teamrock.com/news/2016-11-16/elvis-presley-documentary-to-launch-on-hbo

Graceland Mansion

The Ultimate Rock ‘n’ Roll Destination

Explore Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland Mansion. Fully immerse yourself in Elvis' life and career like never before at Elvis Presley's Memphis as you experience Elvis' roots, his influences and his artistry. Savor delicious Memphis cuisine at our themed restaurants. Stay in luxury at our AAA Four-Diamond Guest House at Graceland resort.

https://www.graceland.com/visit/

Heartbreak Hotel

Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel  Live in 1968

Remembering the King: Elvis Presley died 40 years ago

Aug. 16, marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, known the world over as the "King of Rock 'n' Roll."

Presley was just 42 years old when he passed away at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, from a heart attack.

Presley was the first rock 'n' roll superstar, whose charisma, energetic music and good looks helped make him one of the most influential and recognizable cultural icons of the 20th century.

His passion for and promotion of artists like Little Richard and Fats Domino helped open the door to the commercial acceptance of black rock 'n' roll artists by white audiences. Presley's musical talents extended beyond rock to pop balladry, gospel and country.

Presley remains the most successful individual music artist ever, with more than 211 million certified units sold worldwide. He's scored 10 chart-topping albums on the Billboard 200 and 18 No. 1 singles on the Hot 100. Various successful posthumous Presley albums, including compilations, rarities collections and more, continue to be released.

After Presley's death, Graceland became a huge tourist attraction. The property recently was expanded to include a huge entertainment complex with museums, eateries and a hotel.

In observance of the anniversary of Presley's passing, Graceland is hosting an expanded, nine-day edition of its Elvis Week celebration that kicked off Friday, Aug. 11, and runs through Saturday, Aug. 19. Today's scheduled events include the "ELVIS: Live in Concert 40th Anniversary Celebration," taking place at the FedExForum in downtown Memphis.

The show will feature film footage of Presley performing his classic songs with live accompaniment from a full symphony orchestra, plus a guest appearance by Presley's ex-wife, Priscilla Presley.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/remembering-king-elvis-presley-died-40-years-ago/story?id=49251303

Elvis Presley ‎– ELV1S - 30 #1 Hits

ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits is a greatest hits collection of songs by American rock and roll icon Elvis Presley. It was released by RCA Records on September 24, 2002. It is the first Elvis Presley album to feature the remix of "A Little Less Conversation" by Junkie XL that was released earlier in the year and reached No. 1 in the UK and Australia.

When released, ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits was an instant success, going straight to the top of the albums charts in several countries and shipping mass quantities around the world. By 2003 the album had received certifications in more than fifteen regions and had sold millions of copies worldwide. A companion album, 2nd to None, was released the next year.

Tracks

–Elvis Presley Heartbreak Hotel 2:10

–Elvis Presley Don't Be Cruel 2:04

–Elvis Presley Hound Dog 2:16

–Elvis Presley Love Me Tender 2:45

–Elvis Presley Too Much 2:33

–Elvis Presley All Shook Up 2:00

–Elvis Presley (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear 1:48

–Elvis Presley Jailhouse Rock 2:37

–Elvis Presley Don't 2:49

–Elvis Presley Hard Headed Woman 1:56

–Elvis Presley One Night 2:33

–Elvis Presley (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I 2:40

–Elvis Presley A Big Hunk O'Love 2:12

–Elvis Presley Stuck On You 2:21

–Elvis Presley It's Now Or Never 3:15

–Elvis Presley Are You Lonesome Tonight? 3:06

–Elvis Presley Wooden Heart 1:58

–Elvis Presley Surrender 1:51

–Elvis Presley (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame 2:10

–Elvis Presley Can't Help Falling In Love 3:01

–Elvis Presley Good Luck Charm 2:26

–Elvis Presley She's Not You 2:08

–Elvis Presley Return To Sender 2:09

–Elvis Presley (You're The) Devil In Disguise 2:23

–Elvis Presley Crying In The Chapel 2:23

–Elvis Presley In The Ghetto 2:45

–Elvis Presley Suspicious Minds 4:29

–Elvis Presley The Wonder Of You 2:35

–Elvis Presley Burning Love 2:50

–Elvis Presley Way Down 2:37

–Elvis* vs. JXL* A Little Less Conversation (JXL Radio Edit Remix) 3:30

https://www.discogs.com/es/Elvis-Presley-ELV1S-30-1-Hits/master/138404
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ELV1S:_30_No._1_Hits

Elvis Presley Biography

The incredible Elvis Presley life story began when Elvis Aaron Presley was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. He and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953.

Elvis’ musical influences were the pop and country music of the time, the gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel sings he frequently attended, and the black R&B he absorbed on historic Beale Street as a Memphis teenager.

In 1954, Elvis began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture.

Here are a few Elvis Presley facts: he starred in 33 successful films, made history with his television appearances and specials, and knew great acclaim through his many, often record-breaking, live concert performances on tour and in Las Vegas. Globally, he has sold over one billion records, more than any other artist. His American sales have earned him gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards. Among his many achievements were 14 Grammy nominations (3 wins) from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award which he received at age 36, and his being named One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970 by the United States Jaycees. Without any of the special privileges, his celebrity status might have afforded him, Elvis honorably served his country in the U.S. Army.

His talent, good looks, sensuality, charisma, and good humor endeared him to millions, as did the humility and human kindness he demonstrated throughout his life. Known the world over by his first name, he is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture. Elvis died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977. He was 42.

https://www.graceland.com/elvis/biography.aspx

Elvis Presley’s First Album

“Well it’s a-one for the money…”

So starts an album that changed history – Elvis Presley’s very first album.

With its raw and exciting mix of country and blues, this was one of the first rock ‘n’ roll albums ever made, and it helped catapult the young 21-year-old singer to stardom. “Elvis Presley,” the album, turns 60 years old this month.

On November 21, 1955, Elvis’ contract at Sun was purchased by RCA, and he was officially on a major label. RCA paid $35,000 – an unheard of amount at the time – for the soon-to-be-crowned King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

He’d recorded many songs at Sun, but not all of them had been released by the time he signed with RCA. RCA re-released all five of his original Sun singles on their label in December 1955 after they bought his contract. He had his first RCA recording sessions in January 1956, and he’d cut what would become one of his biggest hits, “Heartbreak Hotel.” As “Heartbreak Hotel” climbed the charts, Elvis also made his national TV debut on the Dorsey Brothers’ “Stage Show,” with six appearances in the first three months of 1956.

To capture some of this early Elvis energy, RCA put together Elvis’ eponymous first album, with a mix of Sun Studio cuts and some of the tunes he’d recorded in those first RCA studio sessions. RCA actually struggled to re-create that clean, crisp Sun sound, so those first few recording sessions took a bit of work on the label’s part.

“I Love You Because,” “Just Because,” “I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’)” “Trying to Get to You” and “Blue Moon” were the Sun Studio cuts included on Elvis’ album. “Heartbreak Hotel,” though it was a hit, wasn’t included on the album and remained a single.

“Elvis Presley,” which has gone both Gold and Platinum since its March 23, 1956, release, features one of the most iconic album covers of all time. The famous photo was taken while Elvis and his band were performing in Tampa, Florida, on July 31, 1955. Many other musicians have created their own versions of this cover, like The Clash’s 1979 album “London Calling,” which features “London Calling” in pink and green letters and Clash bassist Paul Simonon smashing his bass on stage at The Palladium in New York City.
Elvis’ album cover ranks No. 40 in Rolling Stone’s list of Top 100 Album Covers of All Time, and the album itself lands at No. 56 in its Top 500 Albums of All Time list.

In just 12 tracks that span only 28 minutes, Elvis’ first album perfectly captures the potential of the young King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. It proved Elvis could sing anything from exciting, genre-bending tracks to beautiful, haunting ballads.

What’s your favorite track from this album? Vote for your favorite Elvis song from 1956 in our Elvis 1956 Bracket Challenge.

https://www.graceland.com/blog/elvis-presleys-first-album/

1935 ELVIS IS BORN

Shortly before dawn, Gladys Presley gives birth to twin sons. The first, Jessie Garon, is stillborn. The Second Elvis Arron, is born healthy and would be Gladys and Vernon’s only child. Elvis is named after his father, Vernon Elvis Presley, and Mr. Presley’s good friend in Tupelo, Aaron Kennedy. Elvis grows up in a close-knit, working class family, consisting of his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, who all live close by in Tupelo. Although there is little money, Vernon and Gladys do their best to provide for their son. They attend the Assembly of God Church while in Tupelo where Elvis loves singing gospel. He also grows up listening to the bluesmen in the neighborhood and country music on the radio.

http://www.elvis.com/about/timeline

Only You

Only you can do make all this world seem bright 

Only you can do make the darkness bright 

Only you and you alone can thrill me like you do 

And do fill my heart with love for only you. 

Only you can do make this change in me 

For it's true you are my destiny 

When you hold my hand I understand 

The magic that you do 

You're my dream come true 

My one and only you 

Only you can do make this change in me 

For it's true you are my destiny 

When you hold my hand I understand 

The magic that you do 

You're my dream come true 

My one and only you.

Pet Shop Boys & Elvis "Always On My Mind"

"Always On My Mind" by The Pet Shop Boys was first performed on a 1987 television special called 'Love Me Tender,' commemorating the 10 year anniversary of Elvis Presley's passing.  Many other artists performed covers of his songs as well.  "Always On My Mind" was so well received, The Pet Shop Boys decided to record a studio version for single release, and it became one of the biggest hits of their career.  It reached #1 in The UK, Canada, Germany, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, #2 in Austria, Belgium and Ireland, #3 in Norway and South Africa, #4 in The US, #5 in The Netherlands, #8 in New Zealand, #9 in Italy, #10 in Australia and #22 in France.  They subsequently recorded a somewhat different version for their third album Introspective (1988), combining it with another song, "In My House."  The version here (original single) did not appear on an album until their first compilation, Discography, in 1991.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eTWWHGouSM

Don't Be Cruel

"Don't Be Cruel" gave Elvis Presley his biggest success on record. The song was written by Otis Blackwell, a favorite of the singer. It is a lover's plea in which the narrator begins by saying he is alone and apologizing to his girlfriend, then goes on to declare his fidelity, ask her to come over, and finally propose marriage. Presley was played a demo of the song at a recording session on July 2, 1956, and immediately agreed to record it. (He took a songwriting credit as a "cut-in.") He gave it a bouncy arrangement which made for an infectious track that suggested rockabilly while remaining a pop recording. "Don't Be Cruel" was released as a single later in the month. Its B-side, "Hound Dog," proved so popular that the two songs were linked and the record was treated as a double-A-side single. It topped the pop, country, and R&B charts for months, selling more than four million copies and becoming the biggest single record of 1956. Though it remains closely identified with Presley, "Don't Be Cruel" has been successfully covered by other artists. Bass player Bill Black, who played on the Presley recording, cut an instrumental version with his Combo that reached the pop Top 20 and the R&B Top Ten in 1960. Barbara Lynn had a minor chart entry with her version in 1963. The Judds took "Don't Be Cruel" into the country Top Ten in 1987, and Cheap Trick brought it back to the pop Top Five in 1988. In addition to appearing on 12 chart albums by Elvis Presley between 1958 and 1992, it has been featured on chart albums by a variety of other artists, among them Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Swan, Alvin Lee, Merle Haggard, and Neil Diamond. And there have been dozens of other recordings, including ones by Sandy Denny, Dillard and Clark, Connie Francis, Tom Jones, Albert King, Al Kooper, Sandy Nelson, the Platters, the Residents, and the Smithereens. Song titles cannot be copyrighted, and, in 1988, Babyface, L.A. Reid, and Daryl Simmons wrote their own song called "Don't Be Cruel," which became a number one R&B and Top Ten pop hit for Bobby Brown.

https://www.allmusic.com/song/dont-be-cruel-mt0041515985

Elvis Presley Movies

1 Love Me Tender (1956)

At the end of the Civil War, a Confederate team is ordered to rob a Union payroll train but the war ends leaving these men with their Union loot, until the Feds come looking for it. (89 mins.)

Director: Robert D. Webb

Stars: Richard Egan, Debra Paget, Elvis Presley, Robert Middleton

2 Loving You (1957)

A musician and a publicist help a delivery man achieve stardom. (101 mins.)

Director: Hal Kanter

Stars: Elvis Presley, Lizabeth Scott, Wendell Corey, James Gleason

3 El rock de la cárcel (1957)

After serving time for manslaughter, young Vince Everett becomes a teenage rock star. (96 mins.)

Director: Richard Thorpe

Stars: Elvis Presley, Judy Tyler, Mickey Shaughnessy, Vaughn Taylor

4 El barrio contra mí (1958)

A rebellious young man takes a job as a nightclub singer to make ends meet, attracting the attention of a local crime boss. (116 mins.)

Director: Michael Curtiz

Stars: Elvis Presley, Carolyn Jones, Walter Matthau, Dolores Hart

5 G.I. Blues (1960)

Tulsa, a soldier with dreams of running his own nightclub, places a bet with his friend Dynamite that he can win the heart of an untouchable dancer...but when Dynamite is transferred, Tulsa must replace him in the bet. (104 mins.)

Director: Norman Taurog

Stars: Elvis Presley, Juliet Prowse, Robert Ivers, James Douglas

6 Estrella de fuego (1960)

When fighting breaks out between two cultures in West Texas, the mixed-blood Pacer tries to act as a peacemaker, but the "flaming star of death" pulls him irrevocably into the deadly violence. (101 mins.)

Director: Don Siegel

Stars: Elvis Presley, Barbara Eden, Steve Forrest, Dolores del Rio

7 El indómito (1961)

A troubled young man discovers that he has a knack for writing when a counselor encourages him to pursue a literary career. (114 mins.)

Director: Philip Dunne

Stars: Elvis Presley, Hope Lange, Tuesday Weld, Millie Perkins

8 Amor en Hawai (1961)

After arriving back in Hawaii from the Army, Chad Gates defies his parents' wishes for him to work at the family business and instead goes to work as a tour guide at his girlfriend's agency. (102 mins.)

Director: Norman Taurog

Stars: Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury, Nancy Walters

9 Persigue tus sueños (1962)

When the Kwimper family car runs out of gas on a new Florida highway and an officous state supervisor tries to run them off... (109 mins.)

Director: Gordon Douglas

Stars: Elvis Presley, Arthur O'Connell, Anne Helm, Joanna Moore

10 Piso de lona (1962)

When he completes his military service Walter Gulick returns to his birthplace, Cream Valley, New York... (95 mins.)

Director: Phil Karlson

Stars: Elvis Presley, Gig Young, Lola Albright, Joan Blackman

Puedes encontrar más filmografía aquí: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls059414601/

Jailhouse Rock

"Jailhouse Rock" is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller that first became a hit for Elvis Presley. RCA Victor released the song on a 45 rpm single on September 24, 1957,although the song was released in 1957 it became popular in the 1960s to coincide with the release of Presley's motion picture, Jailhouse Rock.

Rolling Stone magazine included it at number 67 on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time[2] and was named one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. In 2004, it finished at number 21 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of top tunes in American cinema. On November 27, 2016, the Grammy Hall of Fame announced its induction, along with that of another 24 songs.[3]

Presley's performance of the song in the film, choreographed as a dance routine involving himself and a large group of male prisoners, was featured among other classic MGM musical numbers in the 1994 documentary That's Entertainment! III. The film version differs from the single version of the song, featuring backing instrumentation and vocals not heard on the record.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jailhouse_Rock_(song)

Elvis vs Junkie XL

"A Little Less Conversation" is a song written by Mac Davis and Billy Strange originally performed by Elvis Presley for the 1968 film Live a Little, Love a Little. The song became a minor hit in the United States when released as a single with "Almost in Love" as the A-side. A 2002 remix by Junkie XL of a later re-recording of the song by Presley became a worldwide hit, topping the singles charts in nine countries and was awarded certifications in ten countries by 2003.

The song has made numerous appearances in popular culture and has been covered by several artists.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Little_Less_Conversation