The ULTIMATE Elvis Presley birthday list

 

 

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Singers Elvis Presley admired

Elvis had a unique style whether it was in his singing, his concerts, his acting roles, his voice, his mannerisms, and even the clothes he wore. Simply put Elvis was…cool.

Some of the singers that Elvis Presley listened to and/or admired were; J.D. Sumner, Blackwood Brothers, Dean Martin, Mario Lanza, Caruso, Tom Jones, Barbara Streisand (note: Elvis and Priscilla went to her concert in Las Vegas in 1969 and not only did they enjoy it but it gave Elvis some ideas about his Las Vegas act being: the room size, acoustics, audience interaction, lighting, etc. Worth noting is that Streisand did not sell out the 2,000 seat showroom and it was thought that “if Barbara can’t sell it out no one could” and yet not only did Elvis sell out every show of his 30 day run in Vegas but he did two shows a day and on rare occasions three shows a day), Andy Williams, Hank Williams, Roy Orbinson, Charlie Rich, Ronnie Milsap, the Gatlin Brothers, the Imperials, Millie Kirkland, Kathy Westmoreland, the Blossoms, the Sweet Inspirations, and others that I will detail in future posts.

Thank you for checking us out and please feel free to share this post, and others, via social media.

Take care and may God bless you.

Jeff Schrembs
http://www.ElvisCollector.info
http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org

Rare Elvis Presley jewerly May 2016

Some things Elvis disliked

There was, and never will be, no one like Elvis.

In today’s technological world we read about cloning, robots, artificial intelligence, downloading memories, holograms, etc. but Elvis (as we all are) was “Elvis” because how he grew up. Who he was exposed to. How much he loved his mother. The pains of being shy. The agony that comes from lack of monetary means as a child. His love of music. Of God.

But, this post is about some of the things that Elvis disliked so here goes.

Elvis disliked:

Steve Allen for putting him in a tuxedo and having him sing to a hound dog on national tv.

People watching him eat other than his friends, family, loved ones, etc.

Drug dealers.

Any “man” who would strike a woman.

Alcohol (but he did on occasion partake of peach brandy or a screwdriver). Alcoholism as he had seen, and heard, of how devastating it was and the violence that arose from it.

Braggers.

Being contractually bound, during the 1960’s, to make movies whereby he had no say over the scripts – storylines – etc. He complained, and this manifested itself in Elvis becoming “ill”, that he was singing to a chicken coop and that the songs (with exceptions of course) were ridiculous.

People who were not loyal.

Hollywood (in general and with exceptions of course).

Thanks for visiting this blog and please feel free to share this blog via social media.

Take care and may God bless you.

Jeff Schrembs
http://www.ElvisCollector.info
http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org

Elvis thoughts March 2016

Elvis’ 80th birthday was about 2 months ago and Elvis week, during August, is a summer away.

http://www.Elvis.com is always updating and should be a “go to” for Elvis fans.

I am getting (shocker) older and I feel it more and more each day. So much of the world I grew up with is…gone. We are the last generation that had a foothold in Elvis’ life onstage and off. And (sadly) each passing year those who knew Elvis the best have passed away. Alot to swallow in this one sentence.

Elvis was a pioneer.

Elvis was a son.

Elvis was a singer.

Elvis liked to play the piano.

Elvis did not read music.

Elvis went through the majority of his career recording without headphones which is commonplace today. Interesting on the rock documentary “Elvis on Tour” there is a scene when Elvis comments, in the recording session with JD Sumner and the stamps quartet, and he is wearing headphones and says “boy it’s hard to get used to this headphones” (note: I am going by memory so please excuse me if it is not verbatim).

Elvis was…Elvis.

‘Nuff said.

Jeff Schrembs
http://www.ElvisCollector.info

Underrated Elvis Presley songs

IN MY WAY recorded by Elvis Presley.

This is a simple, thoughtful, and hauntingly beautiful song.

Enjoy

 

Take care and may God bless you.

Jeff Schrembs

http://www.ElvisCollector.info

http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org

 

Extremely rare photo of Elvis Presley mother

WM Gladys on Audubon drive fixing hair in mirror

Elvis Presley beloved mother, Gladys Love (Smith) Presley, lived a life of loss – hard work – and unconditional love for her only child…Elvis.

This is one of the rarest photographs of Gladys in the world. On the eve of Christmas 2015 I wanted to share it.

Merry Christmas to all.

Take care and may God bless you.

 

PUBLISHED with the expressed permission of Jeff Schrembs

http://www.ElvisCollector.info

http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org

 

Elvis Presley requirements – September 10, 2015 edition

Welcome to the September 10, 2015 edition of Elvis Presley requirements.

What are, or is, the “Elvis Presley requirements” you say?

Well, it is my (approximately) six decades of personal experiences of  collecting, reading, etc. all things of quality concerning the life, onstage and off, of Elvis Presley.

If you want to learn intricate details about Elvis, and even after these six decades I am still learning and/or rediscovering, I have some recommendations.

First and foremost you can garner a lot of information, music, videos, etc. by visiting the official Elvis Presley website of http://www.Elvis.com. YouTube has a lot of content as well but don’t get distracted, or worse, about others that have adverse agendas and/or use attention getting subject lines that are hollow.

There are some exceptional books about Elvis. Some of the most interesting Elvis books are authored by Peter Guralnick] and some of my favorite books, which I recommend, are authored by Alanna Nash.

You can find exceptional books, articles, writings, posts, video projects, documentaries, etc. with contributions by (including but not limited to); Marty Lacker, Billy Smith, Red West, Sonny West, Jerry Schilling, Sandi Pichon, Joe Esposito, Sandie Kay Stevens, etc.

If you are looking for some great songs Elvis recorded, but are not widely acknowledged but are nonetheless exceptional, here are a few of my favorites; inherit the wind, wearing that loved on look, wonderful world, unchained melody, treat me nice, snowbird, walk a mile in my shoes, you’ll never walk alone, 500 miles, mona lisa (aka portrait of my love), trying to get to you (1968 edition), let yourself go, and edge of reality.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention http://www.ElvisCollector.info and http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org.

Until next time…

WM ARMY Elvis hair short growing out sitting head down reading papers rare scale 10 WM Elvis with Priscillla 1967 Elvis drivng his Rolls Royce rareraereare WM HORSEBACK 1969 side shot with many others getting autograph

Review of Elvis’ “If I Can Dream” rendition with the Philharmonic Orchestra

A “new” rendition of Elvis’ incomparable rendition of “If I Can Dream” has been made available on CD and/or download. There is no doubt that everyone had good intentions and put together a quality cd. Everyone of the musicians in the Philharmonic Orchestra are talented and that is a good thing. Same with the backup singers.
Over the years the estate has undertaken endeavors to have some of Elvis’ songs altered and released. I know the reasons are, in part, in order to garner some media buzz and to potentially reach new audience members who then will become Elvis fans. I have supported the estate, in many ways both publicly and privately, and I have no plans to do otherwise.
However, Elvis Presley was more than a singer. He was more than an exciting performer. He was, in every sense of the word, a music producer. Felton Jarvis, who I had the honor of corresponding with, was (at first) RCA’s record producer of Elvis’ recordings in 1966 but then went to work exclusively with Elvis until Elvis’ death in 1977. Felton readily admitted that Elvis was a perfectionist of his recordings. He “felt” the song. He was “moved” by the words and the enunciations. He surrounded himself with some of the greatest musicians, orchestra, and backup singers in the world. His songs oozed unique vocal inflections with meaning. With soul. Majestic in it’s impact. Ageless in it’s spirit.
Elvis’ performance in the 1968 Singer special entitled “Elvis” was Elvis’ first live performance in (approximately) 8 years. Elvis lost weight. He sang and rehearsed instead of having to focus on his movie contracts has he had been since 1960 where he was committed to (approximately) 3 movies per year. Elvis was saddened at the loss of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and bothered that his special man had been gunned down in Elvis’ (home) residency of Memphis Tennessee.
Steve Binder did a phenomenal job putting this special together along with “keeping it real” with Elvis. For the first time in memory someone was honest with Elvis. Binder knew that Elvis was a great talent but that the movies he had been making had diluted his impact pertaining to his recordings, impact, popularity, and ability to garner new fans. Steve Binder wanted to make Elvis’ music relevant. He wanted Elvis to lose weight and sing. He surrounded Elvis with possibilities and Elvis seized the opportunity. As an Elvis fan there are not enough adjectives, or words, to fully express how Steve Binder changed Elvis’ career and propelled him to international superstardom with a body of works to follow that will forever be among the greatest recordings ever made.
The backdrop of this was the 1960s. You had the Beatles, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Motown, Vietnam, etc. Times were changing. People were changing. There were divisions of all kinds. And yet in this Singer TV Special of 1968 Elvis rose to this occasion with a blend of rock, gospel, humor, attitude, and with an unequalled vocal range with a sweat dripping performance for the ages.
Back when I was married my wife wasn’t an Elvis fan. She liked a few of his songs. But when it came to Elvis’ career she stated that Elvis, in his 1968 Singer special, was “the most handsome and the best”. I miss her.
There is a story behind the writing of “If I Can Dream” that is very special. I encourage Elvis Presley fans to seek out the works, endeavors, and words of those who have recanted the facts about Elvis – the SInger 68 special – etc. This includes but is not limited to; Marty Lacker, Billy Smith, Red West, Sonny West, Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, Alanna Nash, Sandi Pichon, Sandie Kaye Stevens, Steve Binder, http://www.Elvis.com and more.
“If I Can Dream” was a song that (initially) Elvis sang wearing black leather (not the best version but highly entertaining and moving) before a live audience and athen wearing his custom tailored white suit complete with his jet black hair, earned sweat, and bona fide emotions. He lived that song. Hearing that song left an impression long after Elvis finished and said “goodnight”. Long after the TV Special ended. In my case “If I Can Dream” was among the greatest recordings Elvis made and I have (literally) seen them all. Listened to them countless times. There is something important about Elvis singing this song. It’s not something one could easily put their finger on. Nonetheless it is apparent with every movement. Every hand gesture. Every exchange of the microphone. Every note of that brilliant song. Elvis put his talents on display and was rewarded with high TV ratings, a renewed career, options, and confidence.
As much as I respect, and appreciate, the estate’s decisions pertaining to this song I can’t help but be honest and state that Elvis’ versions recorded for the 68 Special, are exceptional and should be listened to as Elvis performed it. No duets. No fake holograms. No background singers. No changes. This performance, and the recording, can stand alone…on it’s own.
Finally, would anyone allow the Mona Lisa to be altered? The statue of David? Those are masterpieces that are appreciated for what they are. The works of a god given once in a millennium talent who, through their success and failures, were brave enough to pursue their talents. Long after they took their last breath the works they left behind are beautiful to the eye along with spawning a fawning respect.
These works of art were made by true…artists. They need no changes. For one to behold…is all that needs to happen. Elvis Presley was an artist. Elvis’ songs, including “If I Can Dream”, need to simply be…watched…and listened to…as they were meant to.
Take care and may god bless you.

Elvis. Elvis Presley. Elvis Aron Presley. And the fans who remember him

WM 1956 Elvis shirtless Graceland wiping off shoulder

Singer.

Performer.

TV star.

King of Las Vegas.

His live performances unequalled.

Gospel singer.

Actor.

Son.

Father.

Friend.

Employer.

To his fans  he left behind three decades of exceptional professional endeavors that resonates to this very moment.

“Nuff said.

Jeff Schrembs

http://www.ElvisCollector.info