Priscilla Presley

The Look

/ TY / 5 Comments

Last month, NEON released the official teaser trailer for Baz Luhrmann’s latest project, EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert. Check it out over on YouTube.

As Elvis Presley fans we could say a lot of things about that trailer, couldn’t we? We could quibble over dates, for instance, or debate the definition of “lost.”

None of that matters.

There’s a blink-and-you-miss-it moment in the trailer that clinches EPiC for me. Watching Elvis over the years, you become familiar with a certain look in his eyes. It’s a quick glance. Sometimes directly to fans. Sometimes to cameras. He seems to say, “You’re in on this with me, aren’t you?”

In the EPiC teaser, it occurs at 0:58. Here it is:

Elvis Presley in 1970, from the EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert teaser, 2025, NEON

Elvis Presley in 1970, from the EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert teaser (2025, NEON)

The film hits IMAX theaters worldwide on February 20, with early access showings beginning on February 18, and then expands to wide release on February 27 globally.

While there have been limited-run screenings over the years, EPiC represents the first wide release of an Elvis documentary in cinemas since 1981’s This Is Elvis.

We’ve lost many first generation Elvis fans since that time. For many second (and beyond) generation fans, like myself, events like EPiC are the closest we’ll ever come to experiencing Elvis in person.

EPiC allows Elvis to tell his own story, using audio from multiple sources. It also features fully restored video of previously released and unreleased content. Most of the footage used was originally filmed for the documentaries Elvis: That’s The Way It Is (1970) and Elvis On Tour (1972).

The film left stellar reviews in its wake after the world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September last year, the European premiere at the Zurich Film Festival in September and October, and the United States premiere in Memphis at the TCB Showroom on January 8, the 91st anniversary of Elvis’ birth.

Footage from other eras is also featured to help round out the narrative. Most notably, color footage of Elvis performing in Hawaii in 1957 is included–30 seconds of which was first released by Graceland with little fanfare on the Aloha From Hawaii: 40th Anniversary Edition DVD (2013).

Sony on January 8 announced plans for the EPiC soundtrack, which will be available February 20 on digital and CD and April 24 on vinyl.

You can preview one of the songs on YouTube here: “Wearin’ That Night Life Look.”

This mashup combines elements from “Wearin’ That Loved-On Look,” “Night Life,” “Let Yourself Go,” and “I, John.” On paper it sounds like a mess, but it manages to work. I love it. As Elvis says, “Just play the hell out of it!”

Luhrmann produced and directed EPiC. He also co-produced, co-wrote, and directed ELVIS (2022), a fictionalized account of the singer’s life that starred Austin Butler (Elvis Presley), Tom Hanks (“Colonel” Tom Parker), and Olivia DeJonge (Priscilla Presley). That film earned nearly $300 million worldwide in its box office run. Butler won a Golden Globe for his portrayal and the movie earned eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor (Butler).

That the editor of the teaser trailer included “the look” gives me confidence that EPiC will do Elvis justice. We need to experience and support this one at our local theaters. Don’t make the mistake of waiting to watch it at home. Find it at a theater near you.

And, yes, we’re still in on it with you, Elvis.

Valley Of Echoes

/ TY / 6 Comments

You’re traveling through a curious dimension of ideas . . . the edge of reality.

Where Nothing's Real - Artwork created for The Mystery Train with assistance from ChatGPT

“Where Nothing’s Real” (Artwork created for The Mystery Train with assistance from ChatGPT)

The Elvis Odyssey

Part IV: Valley of Echoes

It is a time of transition. Fresh from two years of military service, Elvis Presley has returned to the top of the music world, his voice more powerful than ever.

As the industry begins to shift, however, a quiet threat emerges. Lucrative movie deals bring steady success, but at the cost of creative fire.

For loyal fans, glimpses of the dwindling spark that once ignited almost every recording can still shine through. . . .

Listen along on Spotify.

#145 I’m Comin’ Home (1961)
Something For Everybody
Nashville, TN

This song. Wow, just wow. Give me a second, I need to turn the jukebox up again.

I’ve loved “I’m Comin’ Home” since first hearing it in 1987. Floyd Cramer’s magnificent piano absolutely drives this one. The song takes interesting lyrical turns between an almost blues quality and a hopeful note.

This stretch of three songs–“I’m Comin’ Home” through “I Want You With Me”–is another of my favorite sequences in The Elvis Odyssey. All three were recorded in March 1961 at RCA’s Nashville studio.

#146 I Feel So Bad (1961)
I Feel So Bad (Single)
Nashville, TN

“I Feel So Bad” peaks at #5.

In the stereo version of “I Feel So Bad,” listen out for the sax of Boots Randolph moving from left to center in the midst of his solo. This was reportedly due to Elvis being so enthralled by Randolph’s performance that he walked over to him, causing the sax to be picked up through his vocal microphone.

#147 I Want You With Me (1961)
Something For Everybody
Nashville, TN

More Cramer goodness on piano here. That man could play! You’ll hear him on many songs in today’s segment of The Elvis Odyssey. Elvis was blessed to be able to surround himself with top-notch musicians for most of his recordings.

#148 No More (1961)
Blue Hawaii
Hollywood, CA

As Elvis soundtrack albums go, Blue Hawaii is certainly one of the better ones. It is cohesive and has several great songs.

#149 Can’t Help Falling In Love (1961)
Blue Hawaii
Hollywood, CA

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” peaks at #2.

#150 Rock-A-Hula Baby (1961)
Blue Hawaii
Hollywood, CA

After recording the Blue Hawaii soundtrack in Hollywood, Elvis arrives in Hawaii. Before location shooting begins, he performs a benefit concert for the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, which gives the long-stalled tribute to fallen heroes the final push it needs after more than a decade of fundraising struggles.

#151 His Latest Flame (1961)
His Latest Flame (Single)
Nashville, TN

“His Latest Flame” peaks at #4.

#152 Little Sister (1961)
His Latest Flame (Single)
Nashville, TN

“Little Sister” peaks at #5.

#153 Follow That Dream (1961)
C’mon Everybody
Nashville, TN

#154 Good Luck Charm (1961)
Good Luck Charm (Single)
Nashville, TN

“Good Luck Charm” earns Elvis a number one hit.

#155 Night Rider (1961)
Pot Luck With Elvis
Nashville, TN

“Night Rider” is yet another stellar Elvis album cut that should have been a single.

#156 King Of The Whole Wide World (Alternate-1961)
Return Of The Rocker16
Hollywood, CA M7-Take 4 [unedited master]

This extended version of “King Of The Whole Wide World” included the full Randolph sax solo that was unfortunately truncated in the released master.16A Randolph was another key session player from this period that featured on a number of highlights from this timeframe.

#157 You’ll Be Gone (1962)
Do The Clam (Single)
Nashville, TN

I’m not saying that “You’ll Be Gone” would have lit up the charts when it was finally released in 1965, but surely it would have made a better A-Side than “Do The Clam” from the Girl Happy movie? Of course, that would have gone against the approach of Elvis’ manager, Tom Parker, to let the music sell the movies and the movies sell the music.

#158 Suspicion (1962)
Pot Luck With Elvis
Nashville, TN

#159 She’s Not You (1962)
She’s Not You (Single)
Nashville, TN

“She’s Not You” peaks at #5.

#160 Return To Sender (1962)
Return To Sender (Single)
Hollywood, CA

“Return To Sender” peaks at #2.

Elvis: “I’d like to do something someday where I feel that I’ve really done a good job as an actor in a certain type role, but I feel that it comes with time and a little living and a few years behind you. I think that, really. I think that it will come, eventually. That’s my goal.”AF

#161 Bossa Nova Baby (1963)
Bossa Nova Baby (Single)
Hollywood, CA

“Bossa Nova Baby” peaks at #8.

#162 Devil In Disguise (1963)
Devil In Disguise (Single)
Nashville, TN

“Devil In Disguise” peaks at #2.

#163 Witchcraft (1963)
Bossa Nova Baby (Single)
Nashville, TN

#164 Long Lonely Highway (1963)
I’m Yours (Single)
Nashville, TN

Elvis: “[My mother] never really wanted anything, anything fancy. She just stayed the same all the way through the whole thing. I wish–there’s a lot of things happened since she passed away that I wish she could have been around to see that would’ve made her very happy and very proud, but that’s life. I can’t help it.”AG

#165 Viva Las Vegas (1963)
Viva Las Vegas (Single)16B
Hollywood, CA

“Viva Las Vegas” is a stone-cold Elvis classic.

#166 It Hurts Me (Alternate-1964)
Kissin’ Cousins (Single-Italy)16C
Nashville, TN [master, alternate mix]

From “It Hurts Me”: “If you ever tell him you’re through, I’ll be waiting for you. Waiting to hold you so tight. Waiting to kiss you goodnight. Yes, darling, if I had someone like you.”

Elvis is now averaging three movies a year. His music begins to take a backseat to those demands. Other than three songs recorded in January 1964, including “It Hurts Me,” 1964-1965 consists only of movie soundtrack sessions for Roustabout, Girl Happy, Harum Scarum, Frankie and Johnny, and Paradise, Hawaiian Style.17

Meanwhile, the Beatles arrive in America and begin the “British Invasion” with an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964.

Elvis: “At a certain stage, I had no say-so in it. I didn’t have final approval of the script, which means I couldn’t say, ‘This is not good for me.’ . . . I don’t think anybody was consciously trying to harm me. It was just Hollywood’s image of me was wrong, and I knew it, and I couldn’t say anything about it. I couldn’t do anything about it.AH

#167 Run On (1966)
How Great Thou Art
Nashville, TN

In 1966, Elvis’ passion for music finally begins to re-emerge with the recording of How Great Thou Art, a gospel album that earns him his first Grammy Award.

Elvis: “Gospel is really what we grew up with, more than anything else.”AI

#168 In The Garden (1966)
How Great Thou Art
Nashville, TN

#169 Indescribably Blue (1966)
Indescribably Blue (Single)
Nashville, TN

“Indescribably Blue” is one of those midnight brooding Elvis songs, in the vein of “Blue Moon” or “Mystery Train.”

On May 1, 1967, 32-year-old Elvis marries Priscilla Beaulieu in Las Vegas, shortly before her 22nd birthday.

#170 You Don’t Know Me (1967)
Elvis Sings Guitar Man
Nashville, TN

#171 Speedway (1967)
Speedway
Hollywood, CA

Elvis: “I was doing a lot of pictures close together. And the pictures got very similar. A lot of them got very similar. If something was successful, they’d try to re-create it the next time around. So, I’d read the first four or five pages, and I knew it was just a different name with twelve new songs in it. The songs were mediocre in most cases. You can’t get good songs.”AJ

#172 Suppose (Alternate-1967)
Double Features: Easy Come, Easy Go/Speedway
Hollywood, CA Take 1

#173 Guitar Man (1967)
Clambake
Nashville, TN

When no one can duplicate rising country star Jerry Reed’s original guitar style for Elvis’ cover of his “Guitar Man,” producer Felton Jarvis calls in Reed himself, who then plays in a couple of Elvis sessions.

#174 Mine (1967)
Speedway
Nashville, TN

#175 High Heel Sneakers (1967)
Guitar Man (Single)
Nashville, TN

With “High Heel Sneakers,” we hear a hint of the raw, bluesy voice that Elvis will spotlight in his 1968 television special.

#176 Singing Tree (1967)
Clambake
Nashville, TN

#177 You’ll Never Walk Alone (Alternate-1967)
A Life In Music
Nashville, TN Take 2

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” features Elvis on the piano, and in this alternate take he just won’t let the song go. A beautiful performance. While “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is technically a non-secular song, Elvis transforms it into a spiritual song of inspiration.

#178 All I Needed Was The Rain (1967)
Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others
Nashville, TN

Elvis: “I was never indifferent [about the movies]. I was so concerned until that’s all I talked about. It worried me sick. . . . It was nobody’s fault except maybe my own. I didn’t know what to do. I just felt I was obligated very heavy at times to things I didn’t fully believe in, and that was very difficult.”AK

#179 Stay Away (1968)
US Male (Single)
Nashville, TN

On February 1, 1968, Lisa Marie Presley is born in Memphis to Priscilla and Elvis.

#180 Wonderful World (1968)
Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others
Hollywood, CA

From “Wonderful World”: “Heaven is found right here on the Earth. It surrounds us in wonderful things all around in this wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful world.”

#181 Edge Of Reality (Alternate-1968)
Double Features: Live A Little, Love A Little / Charro / The Trouble With Girls / Change Of Habit
Hollywood, CA [unedited master]

Elvis: “So, I had thought they would try to get a new property for me or give me a chance to show some kind of acting ability or do a very interesting story, but it did not change. It did not change. And so I became very discouraged. They couldn’t have paid me no amount of money in the world to make me feel any self-satisfaction inside.”AL

#182 A Little Less Conversation (Alternate-1968)
Memories
Hollywood, CA Take 2 [acetate version]18

Recorded for the movie Live A Little, Love A Little, the single version of “A Little Less Conversation” barely makes it into the top 70.

With Elvis’ movies and records no longer attracting the audiences they once did, no one is sure how an upcoming television special devoted to the star will turn out.

Elvis Presley will return in The Elvis Odyssey Part V: Electric Dawn.

Assorted Rambles

16Return Of The Rocker (1986) was the first Elvis album I ever personally owned. I was 11-years-old. It obviously influenced me for I realized just now that all 12 songs on that compilation made The Elvis Odyssey. Not even That’s The Way It Is, another favorite album of mine, can say that.

Return Of The Rocker is another well-edited and sequenced release from the Gregg Geller era. It really is a perfect compilation of the 1960-1963 timeframe for Elvis, managing to blend his soundtrack and non-soundtrack recordings in an effective way.

While Ernst Jorgensen’s much broader ELVIS: From Nashville To Memphis – The Essential 60s Masters I (1994) was revelatory in that it resurrected tons of Elvis’ non-soundtrack recordings from being filler cuts on albums otherwise devoted to often poor movie tunes, it also can feel a bit antiseptic. Intersperse the tracks of ELVIS: Command Performances – The Essential 60s Masters II into the former’s sequence, though, for quite a different and improved listening experience. Adhering so strictly to the 5-CD format established by the ’50s set was a detriment to both the ’60s and ’70s sets.↩︎

16AThough I don’t know that it was really publicized at the time, Return Of The Rocker actually featured the debut of this extended master of “King Of The Whole Wide World” with the full concluding sax solo by Randolph. The standard version fades way too early and always sounds incomplete to me. Unfortunately, Spotify had only the standard master and an inferior outtake to choose from so I went with the standard master on that variant of this playlist.↩︎

16BDecember 21, 2025 Original Text and Footnote: The fact that a stone-cold Elvis classic like “Viva Las Vegas” was apparently released as a B-Side to an inferior cover of a Ray Charles tune [“What’d I Say”] boggles my mind.

I say “apparently” because some sources list “Viva Las Vegas” as the A-Side, but I’m going by Ernst Jorgensen’s definitive Elvis Presley: A Life In Music – The Complete Recording Sessions from 1998 for this kind of information. However, I have discovered in life that “definitive” does not always mean “perfect.”

January 19, 2026 Update: Neal Umphred of Elvis: A Touch of Gold pointed me to a scan of the single’s RCA listing notice hosted on Keith Flynn’s Elvis Presley Pages site that indicates “Viva Las Vegas” was the intended A-Side. I’ve accordingly updated the reference above. Thank you to Neal and Keith!↩︎

16CWhen “It Hurts Me” was first released as a single in Italy, it sounded quite different from its U.S. counterpart. It turned out that solely the left channel from the stereo recording had been accidentally used for the mono version in Italy, rather than including the right channel as well. This had the distinct advantage of leaving out the Jordanaires, which makes it my go-to version of the song. Though I had to use the standard version on the Spotify playlist, the standard version actually would not have made The Elvis Odyssey and we would have jumped from 1963 to 1966. ↩︎

171964-1965 was the true nadir of Elvis’ career. Though The Elvis Odyssey is essentially a career-spanning retrospective, it is, admittedly, a bit of a cheat. It is most noticeable here in the “valley.” We skip more than 95% of 1964 and 100% of 1965. I could have included a couple of those songs, I suppose. Despite how bad the movie and most of the tunes are, there are actually two or three good songs on the Paradise, Hawaiian Style album, for instance. But are they better than any of the 200 songs of The Elvis Odyssey? Not to me, anyway. At least not at this time in my life when I am compiling this list.

The problem with skipping all of these low points, though, is that it makes the slow comeback a little less noticeable when playing through. A false impression could be given listening to the tracks the way I have arranged them here that Elvis was solid throughout the 1960s. The thing to keep in mind, though, is that these are the fleeting “glimpses” of his old creative fire that will soon be returning in force. Whereas this 1961–March 1968 stretch produced a whopping 43% of his lifetime studio masters, I’ve cherrypicked to such a degree that this timeframe represents only 19% of the tracks of The Elvis Odyssey.↩︎

18When first released in 1998, this backup acetate recording of “A Little Less Conversation” was reported to be an unused vocal from a remake of the song dropped from Elvis’ 1968 television special. The previously unreleased performance soon took on a life of its own far beyond the original single. It was included in the remake of Ocean’s Eleven (2001) and became the theme song to the television series Las Vegas (2003-2008). It has also shown up in multiple other projects.

In 2002, most notably, the track was remixed by DJ and producer Junkie XL (JXL) for a Nike commercial and later released as a single that topped the charts in multiple countries. While the remix reached only #50 in the US, its inclusion on ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits (2002) helped propel that compilation to the top of the US album charts.

Though it is often still wrongly associated with the June 1968 recordings for the television special, the acetate recording of “A Little Less Conversation” was later revealed to be take 2 from the original March 1968 studio session, whereas the single master had been take 16 from the same date. I have to say, Take 2 has a heck of a lot more bite to it than Take 16 or even Take 10, the version used on the Almost In Love (1970) album. It is unfortunate that the blander takes were chosen for release during his lifetime.↩︎

Sources for Elvis Quotes

AFca. September 1962, Interview, Hollywood, CA↩︎

AGca. September 1962, Interview, Hollywood, CA↩︎

AHca. July 1972 Interview↩︎

AIca. July 1972 Interview↩︎

AJca. July 1972 Interview↩︎

AKca. July 1972 Interview↩︎

ALca. July 1972 Interview↩︎

“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31

Endless Twilight

/ TY / 2 Comments

You’re wandering in an amazing land of imagination . . . the edge of reality.

Only Memories - Artwork created for The Mystery Train with assistance from ChatGPT

“Only Memories” (Artwork created for The Mystery Train with assistance from ChatGPT)

You awaken back in the Mystery Train Diner. As I welcome you over to the Conductor’s table again, you realize it wasn’t a dream. It was all real.

“When our story ended last time, Elvis was back on top,” I say. “His compelling work from June 1968 to August 1970 is rivaled only by his stunning output from 1955 to 1957. And after a stretch like that, well, even Elvis can’t run the whole race wide open. Maybe losing speed was bound to happen.”

Disappointed, you point out that Elvis still had seven years to go.

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, we have plenty more ’70s songs in the jukebox. Some of them will hold their own against even his peak work. However, after August 1970, something was different,” I contend.

I snap my fingers and the jukebox begins to play again.

The Elvis Odyssey

Part II: Endless Twilight

After completing his third stint at the International Hotel and a brief concert tour, his first since 1957, Elvis Presley’s grueling schedule sends him back to Nashville to finish a country album and record another single. The session is quick, and his mood is darker. . . .

Listen along on Spotify.

#49 Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (Alternate-1970)
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Nashville, TN [master, alternate mix]

Elvis’ studio take on “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” is impressive and provides a unique interpretation of the song first recorded by Big Maybelle in 1955 but best known for Jerry Lee Lewis’ 1957 version for Sun Records. Elvis’ live versions of this one tend to be throwaways, but this studio version is a solid rocker despite being used for the Elvis Country album.8

After all, it’s not just country, it’s Elvis country. There’s a difference.

Elvis: “Country music was always a part of the influence on my type of music, anyway. It’s a combination of country music and gospel and rhythm & blues all combined is what it really was. As a child, I was influenced by all that. . . .

“I liked all different types of music when I was a child. Of course, the Grand Ole Opry was the first thing I ever heard, probably, but I liked the blues, and I liked the gospel music, gospel quartets, and all that.”H

In January 1971, the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (the Jaycees) award Elvis as one of the ten “Outstanding Young Men of the Nation” for 1970. Other recipients for 1970 include Dr. Mario Capecchi, biophysicist, and Thomas I. Atkins, politician and civil rights activist. Elvis is so honored by the civic award that he accepts it in person and gives a heartfelt speech.

Elvis: “When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie. So every dream that I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times.

“These gentlemen over here, it is these type people who care, who are dedicated. You realize that it is . . . possible that they might be building the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s not too far-fetched from reality.

“I’d like to say that I learned very early in life that ‘Without a song, the day would never end. Without a song, a man ain’t got a friend. Without a song, the road would never bend. Without a song.’ So, I keep singing a song.”I

#50 Early Morning Rain (1971)
Elvis Now
Nashville, TN

After a fourth engagement at the International Hotel, Elvis is back at RCA’s Nashville studio in March 1971. This time, the goal of what is planned to be another marathon session is to create a number of singles and three albums, including his third Gospel LP and his second Christmas LP.9 Elvis initially leans toward making a folk album, but the concept never fully materializes.

Elvis’ version of “Early Morning Rain” is one of those tracks where the sound of his voice is simply soothing. I remember a local DJ “discovering” this song back in the 1990s when he picked up a copy of Elvis Now at a used record shop and played the song back-to-back on his weekly radio show the first night and then featured it for multiple weeks in a row.

Though suffering a severe cold, Elvis records four masters during the first night of the session, but is hospitalized the following day for a recurring glaucoma issue. The rest of the March session is eventually cancelled. He returns to Nashville in May and records over 30 more masters.

While many of the performances are strong, the underlying material is lacking at times compared to 1969 and 1970.

#51 I Shall Be Released (Informal-1971)
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Nashville, TN

#52 Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Informal-1971)
Our Memories Of Elvis: Volume 2 – More Of The Pure Elvis Sound
Nashville, TN Take 1 [extended master, alternate mix]

#53 Amazing Grace (Alternate-1971)
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Nashville, TN Take 2

In this alternate take of “Amazing Grace,” Elvis and the musicians add a bluesy feel. Unfortunately, his producer suggests they back it off so the official master, though beautiful in its own right, sounds much more conventional.

#54 I’ve Got Confidence (1971)
He Touched Me
Nashville, TN

#55 Lead Me, Guide Me (1971)
He Touched Me
Nashville, TN

#56 I’m Leavin’ (1971)
I’m Leavin’ (Single)
Nashville, TN

#57 It’s Only Love (Alternate-1971)
Elvis Aron Presley
Nashville, TN Take 10 [master, alternate mix]

#58 It’s Still Here (Alternate-1971)
Elvis Aron Presley
Nashville, TN Take 5 [master, alternate edit]

I first heard “It’s Still Here” on the 1988 compilation album Elvis In Nashville. Not only did I appreciate the heartache of the lyrics, but I also loved that it featured Elvis on piano.

In June, Elvis returns to the Nashville studio. In the course of three nights, he records a half dozen more gospel masters and even takes a stab at Frank Sinatra’s signature hit “My Way” before leaving the studio in frustration. He never records in Nashville again.

Nevertheless, the gospel album, He Touched Me, goes on to earn Elvis his second Grammy Award.

Elvis: “Once you get involved in this racket, this business, your life is public, really.”J

#59 Burning Love (1972)
Burning Love (Single)
Hollywood, CA

Now formally separated from his wife, Elvis arrives at RCA’s Hollywood studio in March 1972 for a short but productive recording session. His focus and energy are on songs of love lost, so friends and bandmates must goad him into recording the upbeat “Burning Love.”

Peaking at number two, the song becomes his most successful since “Suspicious Minds.” “Burning Love” proves to be his 38th top ten hit in 16 years. Rather than release the cut as part of a regular Elvis album, RCA reserves it for a budget compilation consisting primarily of old movie tunes.

I can only imagine how confused potential new fans were who bought the album on the strength of “Burning Love,” and the move, in my opinion, undoubtedly impacted future record sales.

#60 Separate Ways (1972)
Separate Ways (Single)
Hollywood, CA

Written by Elvis’ friend and bodyguard Red West, “Separate Ways” is one of the love-lost songs that commands the singer’s attention during the Hollywood session.

Though released together as a single, “Separate Ways” and “Always On My Mind” from the session are also relegated to yet another budget album of otherwise old songs.

From “Separate Ways”: “Someday when she’s older, maybe she will understand why her mom and dad are not together. The tears that she will cry when I have to say goodbye will tear at my heart forever.”

Pass me that napkin, will ya? My cheeseburger must have some really strong onions.

#61 For The Good Times (1972)
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Hollywood, CA

Elvis: “I’m in a publishing firm, but I’ll take songs from anywhere or from anybody if they’re good. It doesn’t have to be in my company, it could be just completely an unknown person, and just anybody that writes a song, if they can get it to me and if it’s good, I’ll do it.”K

After the session ends, Elvis and company stick around for a couple more days to rehearse for their April tour as well as run through a staged recording session for the benefit of MGM’s cameras that have arrived to film a new documentary, Elvis On Tour.

#62 Young And Beautiful (Rehearsal-1972)
Elvis On Tour
March 31, Hollywood, CA [alternate mix]

This surprise run through of “Young And Beautiful” from 1957’s Jailhouse Rock was a highlight of FTD’s 2004 album Elvis On Tour: The Rehearsals. I expected it to be a one-liner or tossed off, but Elvis actually does a serious, full version of the song.

#63 Always On My Mind (Remake-1972)
Elvis On Tour
March 30, Hollywood, CA Take 3 Master [alternate mix]

As part of the staged session for MGM, Elvis remakes “Always On My Mind,” the master version of which he had just recorded the night before.

This version of “Always On My Mind” is even better than the master, as it sounds a little less country. This same take is later used as the basis for a slight remix on the This Is Elvis soundtrack (1981), the version that first drew my attention to this incredible performance.

#64 Johnny B. Goode (Alternate-1972)
Elvis On Tour
March 30, Hollywood, CA Take 3 Master [alternate mix]

Elvis: “Man, I was tame compared to what they do now. Are you kidding? I didn’t do anything but just jiggle. . . . I really can’t criticize anybody in the entertainment field. I think there’s room for everybody, and I hate to criticize another performer.”L

Including his Vegas stints and multiple tours, Elvis performs 165 concerts in 1972. RCA records shows during his winter engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton (formerly the International), his April tour, and his June shows at Madison Garden. RCA captures so much live material that most of it remains unreleased for decades to come.

#65 Never Been To Spain (Live-1972)10
Elvis On Tour
April 10, Richmond, VA

#66 You Gave Me A Mountain (Live-1972)
Elvis On Tour
April 10, Richmond, VA

#67 It’s Over (Live-1972)
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
February 17 Dinner Show, Las Vegas, NV

#68 I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live-1972)
Elvis On Tour
April 10, Richmond, VA

#69 How Great Thou Art (Live-1972)
Elvis On Tour
April 9 Evening Show, Hampton Roads, VA

While MGM/Turner released this incredible live version of “How Great Thou Art” on the Elvis: The Lost Performances videotape back in 1992, RCA/BMG/Sony only first made it available in an audio release in 2022.

#70 It’s Impossible (Live-1972)
Elvis (Fool)
February 16 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV

I first heard “It’s Impossible” when a DJ spun it at a local restaurant that has long since closed (an inspiration for the Mystery Train Diner). I remember it felt amazing at that time to hear a “new” Elvis live song, as I (quite wrongly, I might add) thought I had heard them all by then. All these years later, I still haven’t heard ’em all.

In January 1973, Elvis arrives in Hawaii shortly after his 38th birthday. He’s there not to vacation but to deliver a live benefit concert that will be broadcast live via satellite to select countries.11

His last television special, 1968’s ELVIS, had closed with “If I Can Dream,” a “message” song written especially for Elvis and the show. Performed with passion by Elvis, it had been a bold musical statement on the tragic national events of that year while still maintaining hope for a better future. For the Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii special, however, there would be no such risks. In fact, no original songs were commissioned for the special at all.

Elvis: “It’s a great privilege to do this satellite program, and I’m going to do my best, and all the people that work with me, to do a good show, which is pure entertainment–no messages and no this and that–just to try to make people happy for that one hour that it comes across. If we do that, then, I think we’ve done our jobs.”M

#71 What Now My Love (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite
January 14, Honolulu, HI

From “What Now My Love”: “No one would care, no one would cry, if I should live or die.”

#72 I’ll Remember You (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite (2022 FTD Edition)
January 14, Honolulu, HI [master, alternate mix]

#73 A Big Hunk O’ Love (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite
January 14, Honolulu, HI

After the satellite show, Elvis returns to Las Vegas for his normal routine at the Hilton. In June and December, he records at Stax Studio in Memphis.

#74 Promised Land (Alternate-1973)
Promised Land (2011 FTD Edition)
Memphis, TN Take 6 [undubbed master]

I can still remember the first time I heard the Promised Land album. I was in 7th grade and borrowed it from my brother’s record collection. Due to the title, I thought it was a gospel album. I sure was in for a surprise when I dropped the needle and Elvis rocked into “Promised Land.” It remains one of my all-time favorite Elvis albums.

#75 It’s Midnight (Alternate-1973)
Memphis
Memphis, TN Take 19 [undubbed master]

#76 For Ol’ Times Sake (1973)
Raised On Rock (Single)
Memphis, TN

#77 You Asked Me To (1973)
Promised Land
Memphis, TN

#78 I’ve Got A Thing About You, Baby (Alternate-1973)
Memphis
Memphis, TN Take 15 [undubbed master]

#79 Lovin’ Arms (1973)
Good Times
Memphis, TN

#80 Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues (Alternate-1973)
Memphis
Memphis, TN Take 9 [undubbed/unedited master]

In October, Elvis’ divorce from Priscilla is finalized.

From “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues”: “You know my heart keeps telling me, ‘You’re not a kid at 33. Play around you’ll lose your wife. You play too long, you’ll lose your life.'”

#81 Thinking About You (1973)
My Boy (Single)
Memphis, TN

#82 Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming (Alternate-1973)
Rhythm And Country
Memphis, TN Take 4

Though Elvis does not record in the studio in 1974, RCA does capture a live album on March 20, Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis. A powerful rendition of “How Great Thou Art” on that album secures Elvis his third and final Grammy.

#83 Shake A Hand (1975)
Today
Hollywood, CA

In March 1975, Elvis returns to RCA’s Hollywood studio and efficiently records an entire album, Today.

#84 Bringing It Back (1975)
Bringing It Back (Single)
Hollywood, CA

#85 America The Beautiful (Live-1975)12
Holiday Season In Vegas
December 13 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV [undubbed master]

In anticipation of the 1976 U.S. bicentennial, Elvis begins trying out “America the Beautiful” in his live shows during 1975.

#86 For The Heart (Alternate-1976)
Memphis
Graceland, Memphis, TN [master, alternate mix]

With Elvis ever more reluctant to enter the studio, RCA takes the unusual step in 1976 of bringing equipment to Graceland to establish a temporary recording studio in Elvis’ den. Elvis records there in February and October.

Wasted as a B-Side to “Hurt,” “For The Heart” is one of those overlooked Elvis numbers that should be a real classic. I love both the master and this stripped-down mix released on last year’s Memphis boxed set. It was a real struggle to choose one over the other. I went with this one for now. Next week, I might swap the master back into the jukebox, though.

Elvis: “I suppose the most important thing in a person’s life is happiness. I mean, not worldly things because, gee whiz, you can have cars, you can have money, you can have a fabulous home, you can have everything. If you’re not happy, what have you got?”M1

#87 Solitaire (Alternate-1976)
Memphis
Graceland, Memphis, TN Take 11 [undubbed master]

From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee is a dark, depressing album, but I have loved it since first hearing it as a teen. I consider it one of Elvis’ greatest achievements in terms of albums. “Solitaire” really stands out and this undubbed version from the 2024 Memphis set somehow makes it even better.

Elvis: “The image is one thing, and the human being is another. It’s very hard to live up to an image.”N

#88 She Thinks I Still Care (Alternate-1976)
Way Down In The Jungle Room
Graceland, Memphis, TN Take 2B

This slightly faster take on “She Thinks I Still Care” first surfaced as the underlying source of a remix on the 1980 Guitar Man album. Its first release in pure form on the 1995 Walk A Mile In My Shoes boxed set proved that it should have been chosen as the master for the Moody Blue album.

#89 Moody Blue (Alternate-1976)
Memphis
Graceland, Memphis, TN Take 10 [undubbed/unedited master]

#90 Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain13 (Alternate-1976)
Memphis
Graceland, Memphis, TN Take 5 [undubbed/unedited master]

#91 Unchained Melody (Live-1977)
Moody Blue
April 24, Ann Arbor, MI

#92 Pledging My Love (1976)
Way Down (Single)
Graceland, Memphis, TN

#93 Way Down (1976)
Way Down (Single)
Graceland, Memphis, TN

Elvis’ final single, his 100th, is Way Down/Pledging My Love.

Elvis: “What do I look at myself as? . . . As a human being, really, who has been very, extremely fortunate in so many ways. . . .

“I’ve experienced a lot of the different phases in life. I’ve experienced happiness and loneliness, the wealthy side of life, the average side of life–not having anything, but not knowing what it’s like to have anything–and tragedy . . . like losing my mother while I was in the Army. . . .

“I look at myself strictly as a human being who’s, like I said, been very lucky, but whose life–I have blood running through my veins–can be snuffed out in just a matter of seconds, not as anything supernatural or better than any other human being.”O

#94 My Way (Live-1977)
My Way (Single)
June 21, 1977, Rapid City, SD

Elvis: “Until we meet you again, may God bless you. Adiós.”P

Elvis performs his last concert on June 26, 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 42-year-old has the next six weeks off and then is scheduled to leave for another concert tour on August 16. He spends the downtime at Graceland, much of it with his 9-year-old daughter, Lisa Marie.

The next tour is never to be. Sometime on the morning of Tuesday, August 16, Elvis Presley dies alone at Graceland.

In the twilight glow, the music never ends.

Neither does our story.

Elvis Presley will return in The Elvis Odyssey Part III: Storming The Mountain.

Assorted Rambles

8An extended edit of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” is available on some albums. Elvis sounds nearly manic after where the song traditionally fades, and I don’t like the longer version nearly as much. Sometimes less is more.↩︎

9I love Christmas music, especially by Elvis, so don’t take their exclusion thus far to mean anything other than I’m saving seasonal favorites to spotlight in the jukebox in a future post.↩︎

10This next stretch of songs in The Elvis Odyssey represents some of my personal favorites of live recordings from this year. However, you could reasonably swap in whatever 1972 versions of these songs you prefer, as just about all of them are strong. No need to use these exact versions.↩︎

11An entire mythology has built up around Aloha From Hawaii that I will not spend much time debunking. The special, though a ratings success, was not watched live by billions of people even when including the many countries that showed it on tape delay. In the US, NBC did not even air Aloha From Hawaii until April 4, which was over 11 weeks after Elvis performed the concert and 2 months after the accompanying live album hit record stores. During the Aloha concert, Elvis appears rather subdued and nervous at first, but eventually loosens up in the second half of the program, from which all of The Elvis Odyssey selections are drawn.↩︎

12This performance of “America The Beautiful,” captured directly from the soundboard rather than as a formal recording, was released as the flipside to “My Way,” the first Elvis single after his death. While I remember hearing his records before his death, these are the first two Elvis songs I can specifically remember, so I include “America The Beautiful” here for that reason alone.↩︎

13The whole reason I first got to hear From Elvis Presley Boulevard was because Mom bought the album for “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain.” She had recently heard that this, along with “Unchained Melody,” was one of the last songs he ever sang on the morning of his death. Of course, the actual moment was not recorded. It was just Elvis rehearsing at the piano. No one knew it would be the last time.↩︎

Sources for Elvis Quotes

HFebruary 27, 1970, Press Conference, Houston, TX↩︎

IJanuary 16, 1971, Acceptance Speech, Memphis, TN↩︎

Jca. September 1962, Interview, Hollywood, CA↩︎

KJune 9, 1972, Press Conference, New York, NY↩︎

LJune 9, 1972, Press Conference, New York, NY↩︎

MNovember 20, 1972, Press Conference, Honolulu, HI↩︎

M1ca. Late 1956 Phone Interview with “Buddy”↩︎

NJune 9, 1972, Press Conference, New York, NY↩︎

Oca. September 1962, Interview, Hollywood, CA↩︎

PJune 19, 1977, Concert, Omaha, NE↩︎

“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.”
Psalm 73:26

Guest Post: A Trip Down 2012 (Part 2)

/ Guest Conductor / 2 Comments

The Best News Stories 2012 (A) by Kees

Halfway through the year, as part of a “double post” with Ty, I compiled an article listing what I considered the Elvis news highlights of 2012 through that point. Now, on the verge of 2013, it is time for me to finish with what I consider the most important Elvis news stories from the last six months. Let’s pick it up where we left off.

A Boy From Tupelo

July 28: The Holy Grail

One of the best news stories of 2012 was, of course, the announcement of the release of A Boy From Tupelo by Ernst Jorgensen. July gave us the tracklisting, confirmation of a previously unreleased song entitled “Little Mama,” and several live performances of songs we only knew from studio recordings.  Three days later, the box was released. Funny to see how all details were kept secret, especially in this day and age when nothing appears to be safe.

Wire Machine

July 13: A Miracle

Miracles do exist. On July 13, news broke that YouTube user “amberola1b” posted a previously unreleased recording of Elvis singing “I Forgot To Remember To Forget” live at the Louisiana Hayride on October 1, 1955. How ironic it is that after ten years of work, Jorgensen finally announces the release of Elvis’ body of work from that era and then this recording surfaces. News went through the Elvis world like a wildfire.

The song was recorded on an early Silvertone “wire” recording machine. We initially hear Buzz Busby and the Bayou Boys before Horace Logan introduces Elvis, Scotty, and Bill with their “modern-day type” new single, “I Forgot To Remember To Forget.” 
The reaction from Jorgensen was, “Wow – it’s unbelievably beautiful. I’m still trying to recover from the shock.”

The audio quality was very good, especially considering that it was a camcorder capturing the antique machine playing the wire. It almost sounded better than the new concert recordings on the A Boy From Tupelo set. This discovery showed that miracles can still happen. Who knows what is still out there ready to be discovered?

Especially because you could listen to the newly discovered song, this was one of the highlights of the year for me. I enjoyed being an Elvis fan again.

It was sad that Elvis Presley Enterprises did not appear interested in this news. I mailed them several times but got no other answer than, “Thank you for sending your email concerning a new live recording of Elvis. Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about the new recording besides the link that you shared with me in your prior email.” EPE never mentioned the newly discovered recording.

One day after the song hit the Elvis world, the owner discovered the potential value of what he had put online and threatened all those linking to his video with copyright violations. The song was bootlegged by various fan clubs and appeared on a handful of CDs, so fans could still enjoy this recording. An official release still has yet to see the light.

Graceland book

July 6: Graceland Through The Years 1957-1977

Boxcar Enterprises released a book, Graceland Through The Years 1957-1977, on July 6. The first edition of the book, limited to 2000 copies, sold out immediately. I enjoyed reading this book very much. It brought back a lot of memories of walking through the famous mansion in 2001. I still cannot believe that a former bootlegger can produce a book like this, rather than EPE, which is sitting on a wealth of original information and memorabilia. Graceland Through The Years contains 450 pages with over 1000 photos, many never before published.

Bootleg Elvis book

July 3: A Bootleggers Treasure

Speaking of bootleggers, the book Bootleg Elvis was also released in July. With the Graceland and Tupelo books, this release marks another essential book release. It documents all known vinyl bootleg releases, with additional background information from the original bootleggers themselves. It is not the kind of book you sit down and read cover-to-cover, but it is an essential reference and fun book to browse through every now and then. It is always fun to look up the vinyl in your own collection (no I found no hidden treasure …). When will the follow-up on all bootleg CDs appear?

August 1: The Holy Grail From Another Planet

August 1, 2012 marked the release of A Boy From Tupelo book and CD set – an essential release for any fan who wants to know everything from the early years of Elvis Presley’s career in music. I’m still reading it and will be for some time. Thank you, thank you very much, Ernst!

Sony Legacy also spread the news on the Prince From Another Planet double CD/DVD set containing Elvis’ legendary concert performances from Madison Square Garden. Sony simultaneously released three Madison Square Garden products:

1.) A vinyl re-issue of the original 1972 album As Recorded At Madison Square Garden. [Music On Vinyl also re-issued this same title.]

2.) A double CD containing the original mixes of Elvis’ June 10 shows as originally released on As Recorded At Madison Square Garden and 1997’s An Afternoon In The Garden.

3.) The Prince From Another Planet double CD/DVD set containing new mixes of both June 10 shows, with the DVD including audience footage from the afternoon show.

One would expect that the two CD sets would be the same, but Sony instead decided that the sets would contain different mixes and masterings of these concerts. Also, the footage on the DVD does not cover the entire concert, so Sony chose to show a black screen while the audio continues. Why not create a mini concert with only the available footage?

Elvis with Sheila Ryan

Elvis with Sheila Ryan

September 18: Sheila Ryan Died

This year quite a few people from the Elvis world died. Bernard Lansky, who dressed him in the early days, friends like Patti Parry and Lance Legault, people he worked with professionally or admired, like Tony Curtis, musicians, directors, and concert promotors.

One stood out from the rest for me – his one-time girlfriend Sheila Ryan. She passed away at the age of 59 after a battle with cancer. After Elvis and Linda Thompson broke up, he dated Sheila for a while in 1974. They first met in Las Vegas. Elvis performed “And I Love You So” many times during his concerts and dedicated it to Sheila.

October 23: Hits From The Seventies

The Follow That Dream Collectors label released the Hits Of the 70’s compilation in October. Is it a very important release? I guess not, but it does mark a new direction for the collectors label. Could it be the bottom of the barrel is finally in sight after 100+ FTD releases?

The CD itself got mixed reactions and reviews, mainly because it did not contain any previously unreleased material. For me personally, that’s no problem, the music on this compilation is very good and I enjoy listening to it very much. Releases like this bring back memories of discovering Elvis when I was young.

November 28: Elvis Inducted into Memphis Music Hall of Fame

Elvis, among other Memphis music greats, was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame during a musical tribute held at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis.

Memphis is often known as the cradle for legendary musicians in blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. Until now, there was no Hall Of Fame – which was new to me. Walking around Memphis and enjoying all the different links to many kinds of music, this had escaped me.

The event was sponsored by the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. The ceremony consisted of 25 inductees who maintained strong ties to the Memphis community and were pioneers in the music industry. Other Memphians honoured were Sun Studio founder Sam Phillips, DJ Dewey Phillips, blues legends BB King, Howlin’ Wolf, and Isaac Hayes, among many others.

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Priscilla Presley accepted on behalf of Elvis and noted that Elvis’ musical influences included several of his fellow inductees. “I know he would be humbled and pleased to be included in standing with them tonight at this inaugural event,” she said in a video message presented during the ceremony.

Back In Memphis, 2012 FTD Edition

November 5: Back In Memphis

The Follow That Dream label announced the release of Back In Memphis in their Classic Album” series. This is one of my all-time favourite albums with great recordings like “Inherit the Wind”, “Stranger in My Own Hometown” and, of course, the fan-favorite “Suspicious Minds” – which FTD added as a bonus track. The additional alternate takes of these and other songs from the original album never sounded so good.

November 26: Elvis Files Vol. 1 ’53-’56

Erik Lorentzen shared a preview of the first volume of his Elvis Files anthology. This volume contains the years 1953 through 1956. These years turned the boy into a man and finally the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. If I think of Elvis, images from this era come to mind. For me, this is what embodies Elvis. Two volumes are still shrink-wrapped and will probably be after I receive this volume. The first volume chronicles Elvis’ rise from his pre-SUN discovery to becoming the world’s biggest new sensation – over more than 500 pages and 1,200 photos. Featuring all Elvis events from 1953-1956, every working moment, the early tours, the first Las Vegas trip, recording sessions, the TV shows, and lots of unseen and unpublished images (according to the press-release). Originally announced for release in December 2012, it will be available early 2013.

December 21: Aloha From Hawaii – 40th Anniversary Edition

The year closes with a bang! Boxcar Enterprises announced that, in association JAT Publishing, it will release a 40th Year Anniversary special book in celebration of Elvis’ iconic Aloha from Hawaii, titled Elvis – Aloha via Satellite, in February 2013.

This massive, comprehensive 450-page volume is packaged and housed the same as Elvis Presley’s Graceland Through The Years. The book comprises hundreds upon hundreds of photographs, many of which have never before been seen.  Also collected exclusively are scores of historical memorabilia and the Colonel’s original internal documents and scripts. According to the press release, this is intended to create a time-travel experience of sorts documenting the most ground breaking event in the annals of television history.

2012 Wrap-up

So this wraps up 2012. Was it a good year? Browsing through the 290 posts I did on my Elvis Day By Day blog I can only say it was. On only 75 days, I did not find anything interesting to post. After years with only a few outstanding releases, 2012 raised the bar on CD and book releases, while vinyl made a comeback.

I did not get much of the 35th anniversary celebrations, but we got A Boy From Tupelo, for many fans a “holy grail”, we got a lot of vinyl, we got the Prince From Another Planet, a newly discovered recording of “I Forgot To Remember to Forget”, many import releases, and a series of great books. A few years ago, we thought the well had run dry, but I believe we may still get a few surprises in the years to come. See you around next year!

/Kees, Elvis Day By Day

The Best News Stories 2012 (B) by Kees

2011 Emmy Awards to include tribute to 1968’s ELVIS special

/ TY / 6 Comments

2011’s Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards will include a brief tribute to the 1968 ELVIS television special (“Emmy Awards Special Tribute to Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special” — Elvis.com).

Steve Binder, the ELVIS special’s producer and director, will appear, as will Priscilla Presley, Elvis’ ex-wife. Binder and Presley will also present four awards. The Creative Arts show tapes September 10 for airing September 17 on REELZCHANNEL.

The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards airs live on FOX the following day, September 18. Though the Creative Arts Emmys will be mentioned, this broadcast will likely not include the ELVIS special.

Notably, the ELVIS special failed to receive any Emmy nominations in 1968, though Binder went on to receive nominations for other projects, including a win in 1977 for the Barry Manilow Special.

From Blogs To Books/From Books To Movies

/ TY / 2 Comments

Thanks again to Thomas for taking over as guest conductor last week. I decided to just take the whole week off from keeping up with Elvis news and writing the blog. Honestly, what I learned during my week away from The Mystery Train is that I need time off from here more often, despite how much I love it. Taking a few steps back made me realize that sometimes this fun little hobby consumes too much of my life.

Last Train To Memphis: The Movie That Wouldn’t Die

With that being said, I did have a chance to go back and catch up on the news. One of the main stories to hit the Elvis sites last week was talk of a movie version of Last Train To Memphis: The Rise Of Elvis Presley, Peter Guralnick’s definitive early Elvis biography. The book was first released in 1994, seventeen years ago. I believe Hollywood has been trying to turn this into a movie for almost that long.

I can actually remember covering the Last Train To Memphis movie for the fan club newsletter I wrote back in the early to mid 1990s. My last story on the subject was something to the effect of “Unfortunately, plans for a movie version of Last Train To Memphis have been put on hold.”

Over the years, the project has continued to garner a mention out here in web land every now and then. IGN Movies even reviewed a rough draft script for Last Train To Memphis by Jim Uhls (Fight Club) back in 2000. None other than The New York Times listed a now-abandoned Last Train To Memphis incarnation with Mike Newell directing, Leonardo DiCaprio producing, and John Goodman appearing in an unidentified role (perhaps Colonel Tom Parker?). Long-time Elvis friend Jerry Schilling was also attached to the project as co-producer.

Here we are, well over a decade later, and plans for the movie have apparently been put back on the track, with John Fusco set to write a new adaptation for producer Steve Bing (“John Fusco Takes His Shot At Early Elvis” — Deadline Hollywood). Fusco‘s biggest credit to date is 1988’s Young Guns, while a few of Bing’s past productions have been documentaries. He also wrote the Chuck Norris Missing In Action series of movies.

My hope is that Last Train To Memphis: The Rise Of Elvis Presley will not be yet another conventional dramatization of Elvis’ life, but instead a definitive documentary using archival music, footage, and photographs to tell the story. After all, the only person who can really do Elvis justice is Elvis himself. Johnny Depp need not apply.

An ultimate Elvis documentary would fill the void left by the now-dated This Is Elvis and Elvis: The Great Performances. If they do this movie right, there’s a sequel already waiting in the wings in the form of Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley, Guralnick’s somewhat disappointing 1999 follow-up that covered the remainder of Elvis’ life.

Sometimes, initiatives take flight right out of the Projects That Will Never Happen Department, and maybe that will be the case with Last Train To Memphis.

Live like Elvis – at any budget

ElvisBlog was one of several sites to cover one of Elvis’ former homes going on the rental market. The southern California residence that then-newlyweds Elvis and Priscilla used in 1967 can be yours for just $25,000 a month and includes, amazingly enough, “floor-to-ceiling walls throughout.”

If $25,000 a month is too much for you, then perhaps you might want to furnish your own version of Graceland instead by perusing eBay’s local classified advertisements (“Recreate Graceland Forever!” — The eBay Classifieds Blog). The Jungle Room is pretty cool, especially since two of my favorite albums were recorded there, but I think Elvis’ TV Room is more my style.

Judging a blog by its book cover

Finally, be sure to check out the ultra-slick cover to Thomas’ forthcoming book, which compiles his first 271 posts on the Elvis Today blog. It also features one never-before-published article. Hey Thomas, I’m just wondering, who is going to star in the inevitable movie version of the Elvis Today blog?

Elvis On Tour tonight

/ TY / 2 Comments

The legendary Elvis Presley returns to the big screen tonight as Elvis On Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration debuts in a special presentation at theaters across the United States.

Presented by Warner Home Video, Elvis Presley Enterprises, and Fathom, the event features the newly restored for high definition Elvis On Tour, a special message to fans from Elvis’ ex-wife, and what promoters bill as “never-before-seen” footage of Elvis.

Warner Brothers confirmed earlier this week that Tuesday’s DVD and Blu-ray releases of Elvis On Tour will actually contain a slightly modified edition of the film. A live version of “Don’t Be Cruel” replaces the “Johnny B. Goode” rehearsal that originally opened 1972’s Elvis On Tour.

It is unclear whether the “Cruel Edit” opening will also appear in tonight’s showing of the movie. In 2000, Warner Brothers’ limited release theatrical showing of a new version of Elvis-That’s The Way It Is included a live performance of “Are You Lonesome Tonight” over the closing credits. However, they were unable to obtain rights to the song for use in the 2001 DVD release, replacing it instead with footage of Elvis hosting celebrities backstage after one of the Vegas shows.

We’ll find out soon enough if the Cruel Edit extends to the theatrical presentation or only applies to the home releases. For those of you able to make it, have fun at the show tonight!

* * *

I have to admit that Warner’s handling of the “Johnny B. Goode” debacle has dampened most of my enthusiasm for tonight’s event and next week’s home media releases. I just can’t seem to get pumped up again. I hope that changes by the time the lion roars.

* * *

Elvis On Tour Countdown

  • Tonight: Elvis On Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration theater event
  • 5 days until Elvis On Tour (2010 Cruel Edit) Blu-ray and DVD releases

* * *

For more information (official sites):

Selected posts about Elvis On Tour from The Mystery Train: