Elvis Presley | Interviews and Articles. All about The King of Rock 'n' Roll.
Read all the latest Interviews and Articles about Elvis Presley. The King of Rock 'n' Roll.
(Impulsive) Elvis Presley Gives $11,500 Gift
MEMPHIS, Tenn. Mennie Person never expected to meet Elvis Presley, much less wind up on his gift list. Mrs. Person was caught by surprise Sunday evening when she was admiring Presley's custom-made Cadillac outside a Cadillac agency. 'I had my head over in it and he came out of the back parking lot and asked if I liked it'. The car Mrs. Person selected was a gold and white model that lists for about $11,500. Mrs. Person said that when Presley learned her birthday was Tuesday, he handed her the keys to the car, wished 'Happy Birthday' and told an aide to write her a check to 'buy some clothes to go with the car'.
Elvis' father, Vernon Presley
One of the constants in Elvis Presley's life was his father, Vernon Presley. Elvis' dad was always there, raising his son in Tupelo, supporting his early career in Memphis and working behind the scenes as his son became the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Jesse D. and Minnie Mae Presley welcomed their son, Vernon Elvis Presley, into the world on April 10, 1916, in Fulton, Mississippi.
Meeting The King Of Rock & Roll Had Me 'All Shook Up'
Once upon a time in the land of celebrity there existed a star that shined brightly like an exploding nova, and when he was gone, he left behind a trail of stardust that still glitters in the eyes of his faithful fans… I was privileged to meet this super star and to share in some of the fun of his summer engagement at Lake Tahoe, California. It was a summer I will always treasure.. And now, as I approach my 60th birthday, there's a twinkle in my eye whenever I remember the night I met the king of Rock & roll….the following is a recollection of that unforgettable meeting…
Scotty Moore | Meeting Elvis | The Sun Sessions | '68 Comeback Special
View three video interviews with Scotty Moore. Scotty talks about meeting Elvis, about The Sun Sessions, where Scotty says that it was Bill Black that came up with the flip side for what would be their first record. It was their rendition of the bluegrass standard 'Blue Moon of Kentucky', made famous by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys. And in a third interview Scotty talks about The 68 Comeback Special.
Marian J. Cocke Remembers Elvis Presley
In this article, published by NurseZone on July 8, 2002, Marian J. Cocke talks about Elvis Presley and the day made his way into her life.
Mark James: Caught in a Trap: Suspicious Minds: Elvis' Last No. 1 Hit
Mark James: The next day I heard the track at the studio. At first, I thought it sounded too slow. But when I heard how it was embellished later, I was blown away. This is important to note as Chips has always stated he was disgusted (As you will read in the next paragraph) with what Felton Jarvis did, and we are referring to the fade out and back in at the end of the song, yet here is the songwriter giving his overwhelming blessing to the extra production. Elvis fans also approve it should be noted, when in 1987 RCA removed the ending for the release, 'The Memphis Record', fans cried out demanding it be restored.
Annett Wolf, co-producer of Elvis In Concert 1977 has died
Danish director, writer producer, interviewer for TV documentaries, feature films and stage plays, Annett Wolf died. She was 88. R.I.P. In 1977, director Dwight Hemion and producer Gary Smith were commissioned by the CBS television network to produce a one-hour special, 'Elvis in Concert'. The show became Elvis Presley's final tour. Wolf was hired to cover all the behind the scenes activities and to interview Elvis's fans. One of the most haunting moments she captures is Elvis Presley, just before going on stage, bowing his head in prayer. During the tour it becomes clear that Presley's physical condition is deteriorating. Out of respect Annett decides to cancel her scheduled interview with the King.
James Brown and Elvis Presley
James Brown and Elvis Presley were good friends and admired each others talents. James Brown said of Elvis: 'I wasn't just a fan, I was his brother. He said I was good and I said he was good; we never argued about that. Elvis was a hard worker, dedicated, and God loved him ... I love him and hope to see him in heaven. There'll never be another like that soul brother'. James did get to spend quite a bit of time at Graceland
Elvis Presley 'Introduced' Me To Johnny Cash
Following is an essay written by June Carter Cash telling of how she came to meet Johnny Cash. The story is largely about June and Johnny Cash but contains a very interesting story of how Elvis 'introduced' June to Johnny Cash. We hope you enjoy the story. He was stooped down on one knee and grasping a guitar trying to tune it to somewhere near the correct pitch to make a correct cord ring .... Who is Johnny Cash I asked Elvis Presley ....
Johnny Cash Remembers Elvis Presley
There were a lot of white people listening to 'race music' behind closed doors. Of course, some of them (some of us) were quite open about it, most famously Elvis Presley.
Animal Instinct: Elvis Presley's Pets
In 'Tiger Man', Elvis Presley sings that he's the 'king of the jungle' - and that's a pretty accurate description of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Elvis loved animals of all kinds. He had many pets during his lifetime - so many, in fact, that it would be a pretty difficult to name them all.
The aftershocks of King Creole by Paul Simpson
In the second of two articles, Paul Simpson traces the impact of 'King Creole's comparative commercial failure on Hal Wallis, Elvis Presley and the King's movies.
Kurt Russell and Elvis Presley
Kurt Russell began his film career at the age of 10 in an uncredited part as in Elvis Presley's It Happened At The World's Fair. A favorite scene in the movie is when a ten-year-old Kurt Russell is paid by Elvis' character to kick him in the shins. Little did anyone dream that years later the same Kurt Russell would play Elvis in the made for TV move 'Elvis' and receive an Outstanding Lead Actor Emmy nomination for his portrayal.
Jan Shepard Dies: 'King Creole' Actress Was 96
Jan Shepard, who acted opposite Elvis Presley in 1958's King Creole and 1966's Paradise, Hawaiian Style, and appeared in more than 30 TV Westerns, died Jan. 17 at a hospital in Burbank, Calif. of pneumonia brought on by respiratory failure. She was 96.
Baz Luhrmann: Unseen Elvis footage documentary film
Baz Luhrmann is using the voracious amount of research he put into the 2022 'ELVIS' film he co-wrote into a second feature film, this one closer to documentary than narrative feature. He shared an advance look at a teaser trailer on where he's going. Luhrmann posted a new video on Instagram: 'I'm really thrilled that I am finally able to announce that we have all been working hard and collaborating on unearthing and showcasing a treasure trove of unseen footage, sound and other materials to create something special for the big (and small) screen TCB!'
Carl Perkins | Blue Suede Shoes and Elvis Presley
Carl Perkins was born in Tennessee on April 9, 1932. He kicked off his musical career in the mid 1940s, performing at local dances with his brothers Jay and Clayton as the 'Perkins Brothers Band'.
Interview with Norm Crosby
I met Elvis first in Las Vegas. I think I was appearing with Tom Jones and he came backstage to say hello to Tom or we went to his dressing room to say hello. And then I was working at Harrah's up in Lake Tahoe and Elvis I believe was at the Sahara across the street. And we renewed our friendship. You know, we used to go over after the show and in the evening and hang out a little bit and got to chat with him in his suite and all the guys would go up for get together. And just he was a delightful person.
Hal Wallis and Elvis Presley
Hal B. Wallis, C.B.E., was born, Harold Brent Wallis on 14 September 1899 in Chicago. He died on October 5, 1986. He was an Academy Award-winning American motion picture producer. His family moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1922 where he found work as part of the publicity department at Warner Bros. in 1923. Hal Wallis received sixteen Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, winning for Casablanca in 1943. For his consistently high quality of motion picture production, he was twice honored with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. He was also nominated for seven Golden Globe awards. He won two Golden Globe awards awards for Best Picture. In 1975, he received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement.
Elvis Presley's Stutz Blackhawk's
Among many of Elvis Presley's prized cars was his Stutz Blackhawk's. Elvis was the first in America to own a Stutz, and probably his favouite car of the '70s was his 1973 Stutz Blackhawk III.
Christmas With Elvis
The arrival of winter at Graceland was always a special time of year for Elvis. It meant the holiday season was fast approaching and the anticipation of all the fun things the season would bring, including decorating for Christmas, opening Christmas presents with friends and family, the annual New Year's Eve party, Elvis' birthday, building snowmen in the front yard of Graceland and more.
Annette Day | Elvis Presley's Co-Star in Double Trouble
One of the youngest actresses to ever costar with Elvis, English ingenue Annette Day was just 18 years old when she acted in Double Trouble. Day was discovered in typical Hollywood fashion. Producer Judd Bernard was shopping in an antique store on London's famed Portobello Road when he caught a glimpse of the red-haired teenager. The shop belonged to Day's mother, and Day was working behind the counter that day. Months later, when Bernard was casting for the film, he remembered the perky girl and called on her to ask the fateful question, 'Do you want to be an actress?'.
Beyond The Reef | The Elvis Presley Hawaii Connection
Much has been written about the various musical styles that influenced Elvis: Country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, pop and rhythm & blues. However, one very distinct style has always been omitted from this list: Hawaiian music. From the early 20th century Hawaiian music or Hawaiian-inspired music was present in the U.S. both as an influence on various forms of popular music as well an artistic and commercial force of its own.
Minnie Mae Presley | Elvis' paternal grandmother
Minnie Mae Presley was Elvis Presley's paternal grandmother, whom he affectionately called 'Dodger'. Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, in Lee County. His family tree traces both east and west of the All America City. His parents came from the the two counties that surround Lee County: His mother's family is from Pontotoc County, which is to the west of Lee County, and his father's family is from Itawamba County, which to to the east.
Elvis Presley Rocks 'n Rolls Tacoma Teenagers into Frenzy at Bowl
Elvis Presley sang to a crowd of 5,000 in Lincoln Bowl yesterday afternoon. A smile played on the full lips of the husky, loose-jointed young man in the gold jacket. His black shirt was unbuttoned to his breastbone. He wiggled his hips in tight fitting black pants and several thousand girls gasped and screamed in unison. He spread his arms and they shrieked again. 'I'll take care of you in a minute,' Elvis Presley said husky-voiced to the loudest of his fans. And 6,000 people in Lincoln Bowl yesterday erupted in shouts, screams and hand-clapping.
Norbert Putnam Reflects On The King
Elvis Presley strolled into RCA Studio B in Nashville on the evening of June 4, 1970, his attire accentuated by a black cape and matching cane. 'I was wondering', he said to his musicians, a smile creasing his lips', if you folks would like to make some phonograph records tonight?' The room erupted in cheers.
Elvis Presley Biography | A Comprehensive history of Elvis Presley's dynamic life
In this comprehensive Elvis Presley biography, you will find a complete history of Elvis' dynamic life story from his humble beginnings through his rise to stardom. It is a fascinating journey which has earned Elvis Presley his still undefeated title of the "King of Rock 'N Roll".
Interview with legendary guitarist, Reggie Young
One of the most recorded guitar players of all time, Reggie Young has played on hundreds of hit songs in multiple genres. His career spans over 50 years and between the years 1967 thru 1971 alone his guitar was on 120 Top 40 pop and R&B hits. He's recorded with Elvis and opened for The Beatles along with playing guitar on several hundred different artists recordings, playing rockabilly, R&B, rock, pop, country and jazz with some of the greatest of all time: ... Do you have a special memory with Elvis? Well, it's all a special moment. But especially American, the one on one, when we were just sittin' around talking and you know, after the fact I look back and say, man I was just sittin' around talking to Elvis.
Millie Kirkham Remembers her first Recording Session with Elvis Presley
Did you know Elvis did not want to record 'Blue Christmas'? Elvis told the band to play and sing as badly as possible. Millie Kirkham tells the story as she remembers her first Recording Session with Elvis Presley.
Glen Glenn's Meeting With Elvis
Now for the first time we have previously unpublished details of Glen's meeting with the yet to be crowned King Of Rock and Roll. Glen has photographs with many famous performers. What makes them unique is the time frame that these photos were taken.
Songwriters Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman
Songwriters Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Arrested at the Gates of Graceland | Interview with Jerry Lee Lewis
In the early hours of November 22, 1976, Harold Loyd, Elvis', and the presiding guard on duty at Graceland, was greeted by an unexpected visitor, Jerry Lee Lewis. Jerry Lee, accompanied by his wife, pulled up to the mansion's front gate in his new Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. He asked Loyd if he could see Elvis, but was told that the King was asleep. Lewis politely thanked Loyd and drove away without incident. Later that morning, at 9:30 a.m., Lewis flipped his Rolls while rounding the corner at Peterson Lake and Powell Road in Collierville.
Elvis Presley | Pennsylvania Sports Arena, April 5, 1957
Jimmy Velvet: Elvis' show was unbelievable, I had never seen anything like it, I mean Jacksonville wasn't anything like this. There were so many kids there climbing over each other it was amazing. The screaming you never heard anything, the screaming never stopped, but he didn't have to hear very much, he felt it.
Listening, seeing and touching Elvis when the King played Spokane's Memorial Stadium in August 1957
Fans who experienced Elvis Presley perform at Memorial Stadium in August 1957 recall how the King looked and sounded as he gyrated across the stage at the peak of his career.
Ready for an AI-Boosted 'Sun Sessions'?
As the latest Presley archival release, Memphis, suggests, there are still discoveries to be made in Presley's archives - and a more radical future may be ahead. Presley's Sun Studios sessions, with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, were recorded live to single-track mono tape by label owner Sam Phillips, which means any real remixes of the songs have always been impossible. But AI demixing technology - which allows instruments to be separated from a single track - keeps advancing. Jorgensen recently asked Emile de la Rey, who worked on the sound for Peter Jackson's Get Back documentary, to do a test remix of 'Good Rockin' Tonight' using Jackson's proprietary AI technology. The results, 'a perfect separation of instruments' along with the removal of tape hiss, were far superior to any more widely available machine-learning methods, so Jorgensen is waiting for access to that level of technology. Once he's got it, he says, 'I'd like to do everything from the Fifties. Because even the Sun recordings, they are very simple. There's an acoustic and electric and a slap bass. But when you open that up, it's still like a new revelation. It's not like it becomes thin and you think, 'Oh, is that all there is?'
Jessie D. McDowell (J.D.) Presley | Elvis Presleys Grandfather
Elvis Presley's Grandfather, Jessie D. McDowell (J.D.) Presley was born on April 9, 1896. We tell his story in great detail and with compassion, and include audio of his two songs he recorded in 1958. For the first time we name Elvis' great-grandfather on his father side and publish a photo of Elvis' great grand-mother, Rosella. Includes video, of Elvis' Grandfather Jesse D. Presley with his wife, Vera, on CBS TV in 1958 discussing his new record, his singing debut and hopes of becoming a success. Plus audio of the two songs he recorded, and released on record!!
Review | Elvis Presley at The New Frontier Hotel April 1956
Elvis Presley, unanimously acclaimed by critics as the most important singing find since Johnnie Ray, will open in the New Frontier Hotels' Venus Room Monday, April 23, as a special added attraction to the Freddy Martin show. The handsome 21-year-old rock 'n' roller's appearance in the latest Sammy Lewis production is considered to be the Las Vegas entertainment scoop of the year. (Las Vegas Sun : April 21, 1956).
Elvis Presley Arrest Warrant
This is a genuine document. A 1974 arrest warrant issued to Elvis Presley by the city of Los Angeles. The warrant stemmed from a failure by Elvis to appear in court regarding his vehicle being parked in a red no parking zone at the Los Angeles International Airport. The original citation was issued December 18, 1974. Elvis' bail was set at $20.
Elvis Presley's first cousin, Harold Loyd, reveals secrets of the King of Rock n' Roll
'Elvis is good to his family and he is good to his fans', Harold Loyd told this writer in 1992, some fifteen years after his first cousin died on August 16, 1977. 'He would love knowing that fans still come to Graceland. He loves his fans'. In May 1976, this reporter first met Loyd at the famous musical gates at the entrance of Presley's home, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee. Besides being a loyal cousin to the King of Rock and Roll, Loyd was obviously a dedicated ambassador to the fans who came daily to visit the home. Loyd was generous with information and praise for Presley as he agreed to sit down at the Graceland gate guard shack for conversation and interviews each evening for a few days.
Interview with Susan Henning
Susan Henning was born in North Hollywood, raised in the San Fernando Valley, the blonde, tan, blue-eyed California girl epitomized the Healthy All American girl. She won 'Miss Teen USA' in 1965. Susan appeared in Elvis' movie, 'Live A Little, Love A Little' and says her all-time favorite was the 1968 'Elvis Special' where 'Elvis and I came together again igniting our chemistry to thrill the fans'.
Elvis Presley and Karate
Elvis was first exposed to Karate in 1958 after he was drafted into the Army and stationed in Germany. His first instructor was a German shotokan stylist named Juergen Seydel who taught Elvis at his off-base housing in Nauheim until 1958. One nice thing about the military was that you got thirty days of paid vacation (leave) each year. During his vacation in Paris he would take private lessons with Tetsugio Murakami, one of Japan's top shotokan stylists, who would help pioneer shotokan in Europe. On one occasion he spent nine straight days studying for several hours each day with Murakami.
Interview with Red West
Red West was born Robert Gene West in Memphis, Tennessee in 1936, the son of Lois and Newton Thomas West. He was a high school friend of Elvis Presley. An excellent athlete and former U.S. Marine, West played football for his high school and junior college teams and was a boxer in the Golden Gloves championships. It's said, as legend has it, that you rescued Elvis from being beaten up at Humes High when a group of boys wanted to cut his hair. What's the real story, and was that what happened? Red West: That is the real story.
Interview with Anita Mann
Anita Mann (born 1946 in Detroit, Michigan) is an Emmy-award winning choreographer, as well as a dancer and actress. Mann has been honored by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences as one of America's top five contemporary choreographers. She is also the recipient of five Emmy Awards and accolades from every corner of the industry. Mann began her career as one of the David Winters' dancers on TV shows such as Shindig!, The T.A.M.I. Show and Monte Carlo: C'est La Rose, a Grace Kelly documentary special. I think being a real person, I kind of go back to being out of place, out of step sometimes with the time. Like, being something so unique at a time in life. Makes you stand out more. Although probably he would stand out at any time.
Freddy Bienstock | Music Publishing and Elvis Presley
Although Freddy Bienstock is not a household name, he is famous to many as the music publisher and plugger for Elvis Presley. But still, even to Elvis fans, he is something of a mystery figure. We know about James Burton, Scotty Moore, Red West and Colonel Parker, but who can tell you much about Freddy Bienstock? And yet look in the index of any Elvis Presley biography and you will find references to him. He runs through Peter Guralnick's definitive biographies, and, quite clearly, he is an essential component in the Elvis story.
Interview with Sheila Ryan
Interview with Sheila Ryan who was was Elvis' girlfriend after Linda Thompson. Sheila was the Oct.'73 Playboy cover girl and married James Caan in '76 (divorced in '77). Elvis had qualities that no other human being has, had, will have. Some of them are so hard to describe because the charisma, the qualities that he had were almost not of this world, you know. They were, a lot of times, angelic. He knew things before I knew things. He knew things that I was feeling before I was feeling them.
James Burton Looks Back on Elvis Presley's Vegas Years
Elvis Presley's longtime guitarist looks back on his career rebirth in 1969. 'I hadn't actually met Elvis before I went to work with him', says the legendary guitarist James Burton, who'd already worked with a veritable who's who of rock stars when he picked up the phone one night in 1969 and found himself speaking to the King himself, Elvis Presley. 'I'd played the Louisiana Hayride around the time he came through when he was just starting out, but I didn't actually meet Elvis until 1969. He called me on the phone at my home in L.A., and I talked to him for two or three hours on the phone. He asked me if I'd be interested in going to Vegas and putting a band together for him. So I did'.
Singer & Musician Nick Bruno Shares Stories From His Years Working With Elvis
Nick Bruno is a multi-talented singer, musician, and record producer who has worked with many different artists throughout his impressive and lengthy career. In the early 70s, he joined J.D. Sumner & The Stamps which, at the time, was singing backup for Elvis Presley.
The Death Of Elvis Presley | August 16, 1977
Elvis Presley died at Graceland on August 16, 1977. He was 42 years old. Through the early morning of the 16th, Elvis took care of last-minute tour details and relaxed with family and staff. He was to fly to Portland, Maine that night and do a show there on the 17th, then continue the scheduled tour. Elvis retired to his master suite at Graceland around 7:00 AM to rest for his evening flight. By late morning, Elvis Presley had died of heart failure. In a matter of hours the shock registered around the world.
Elvis Presley And The Events Of 1977
Elvis Presley & the event of 1977. A detailed look at the years events.
Chet Atkins talks about Elvis Presley
Could Elvis actually play guitar? He played pretty good, yeah. And he played piano and drums. The first sessions he'd come in and work. After that, when he got more confident, he'd come in and play drums a while, then guitar, then piano. Then he'd practice his karate and then send out for 85 White Cottage burgers and then he'd go to work around 11 o'clock at night. But he loved gospel music. Jake Hess had influenced him and Bill Monroe and Big Boy Crudup. The first time I ever heard him I thought, 'What in the hell is this?' I couldn't tell if he was black or bluegrass or gospel or what. Of course that was what made him what he was. He was so damn versatile he could sing anything.
Interview with Elvis Presley: October 28, 1957, Los Angeles
Interview with Elvis Presley just after the general press conference, but prior to his debut at the Pan-Pacific in Los Angeles. How do you write music if you don't read it? It's all a big hoax, honey. I never wrote a song in my life. I get one-third of the credit for recording it. It makes me look smarter than I am. I've never even had an idea for a song. Just once, maybe. When? I went to bed one night, had quite a dream, and woke up all shook up. I phoned a pal and told him about it. By morning, he had a new song, 'All Shook Up'.
next page >>
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
