The Elvis Beat Newsletter

A selection of my writings from The Elvis Beat, my Official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter, originally published in print between 1992 and 1997 during my earliest years of writing about Elvis.

Review: ELVIS ON VH-1 [The Elvis Beat newsletter]

/ TY

I was 17 when I wrote this review back in 1992 for The Elvis Beat #3, my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.

Elvis on VH-1 (VH-1), starring Elvis Presley, directed by Ken Schreiber, aired September 1992.

This VH-1 Elvis special was surprisingly good. Produced for use as part of its Elvis festivities in September, during which he was “VH-1 Artist of the Month,” it featured many other musical stars commenting positively on Elvis, including Billy Joel, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Elton John, Tom Jones, The Beach Boys, Richard Marx, Dwight Yoakam, and Smokey Robinson.

Many Elvis friends or associates also appeared, including Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, The Jordanaires, George Klein, and Bob Weisman.

Clips from Jailhouse Rock, Viva Las Vegas, Elvis On Tour, and Elvis: The Lost Performances rounded out this entertaining 30 minute special.

Songs include:

  • “Jailhouse Rock”
  • “Baby, I Don’t Care”
  • “Viva Las Vegas”
  • “Love Me Tender”
  • “Can’t Help Falling In Love”
  • “I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water”
  • “Burning Love”
  • “Just Pretend”
  • “Don’t Be Cruel”

Rating: 7 out of 10

Review: ELVIS TODAY CD [The Elvis Beat newsletter]

/ TY

I was 17 when I wrote this review back in 1992 for The Elvis Beat #3, my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.

Elvis Today (RCA), recorded by Elvis Presley, produced by Felton Jarvis. Executive Producer: Elvis Presley. Recorded March 10-13, 1975, RCA Studios (Hollywood). Released: May 1975. Re-released: 1992 (CD).

The country-flavored Elvis Today has a very sad tone which is probably a reflection of the impact Elvis’ personal life had on his selection of material to record. Two of the best songs on the album, “Pieces Of My Life,” and “Bringin’ It Back,” could be interpreted as messages aimed at Priscilla.

Despite the sad tones, or perhaps because of them, Elvis Today is an excellent album which stands as an example to disprove criticism that Elvis released no meaningful songs or albums after 1970.

This is one of several 1970s Elvis albums which unfortunately had been deleted from the RCA catalog. Thanks to the “Elvis In The 90’s” series, these albums are finally beginning to return, and Elvis Today is one of the first. Its superior sound quality stands a testament to RCA’s new commitment to Elvis releases.

Songs:

  1. “T-R-O-U-B-L-E”
  2. “And I Love You So”
  3. “Susan When She Tried”
  4. “Woman Without Love”
  5. “Shake A Hand”
  6. “Pieces Of My Life”
  7. “Fairytale”
  8. “I Can Help”
  9. “Bringin’ It Back”
  10. “Green, Green Grass Of Home”

Rating: 8 out of 10

New Elvis CDs released [The Elvis Beat newsletter]

/ TY

I was 17 when I wrote this item back in 1992 for The Elvis Beat #3, my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.

The following new Elvis CDs have been spotted, in addition to the ones listed in our last issue, at local record stores as part of the “Elvis In The 90s” RCA series:

  • Elvis In Person
  • Back In Memphis
  • Love Letters From Elvis

Nothing mellow about ’em [The Elvis Beat newsletter]

/ TY

I was 17 when I wrote this article back in 1992 for The Elvis Beat #3, my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.

Kyle Petty was showing off his latest t-shirt before a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race in Martinsville, Virginia. Kyle, who was on the pole for that September race, said he had the shirt special made. It featured the Elvis stamp on the front and Kyle’s father, Richard Petty, on the back.

Kyle, driver of the #42 Mello Yello Pontiac, called his creation “A Pair Of Kings.” Richard Petty is known among race fans as the “King Of Stock Car Racing.”

Kyle, who is an Elvis fan and once had a promising career as a country music singer before deciding to devote his full time to racing, also had a decal which read, “In loving memory of Elvis” on his Pontiac for the August 16 race in Bristol, Tennessee. In addition, Kyle’s racing helmet includes a small picture of Elvis on the side.

November marked the end of Richard Petty’s legendary career as a NASCAR driver, during which he won an unprecidented 200 races and 7 championships.

Elvis’ second grandchild born [The Elvis Beat newsletter]

/ TY

I was 17 when I wrote this article back in 1992 for The Elvis Beat #3, my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.

Lisa Marie Presley gave birth to Elvis’ second grandchild and first grandson on October 21 in Tampa, Florida. The 7-pound, 8-ounce boy is the second child of Lisa and her husband, musician Danny Keough. Danielle, their first child, is now three. […] The baby was not named until almost a month after his birth. On November 19, the name was finally announced to the world: Benjamin Storm Keough. […]

As usual, the tabloids had a field day and made accusations that Lisa wants nothing to do with her father or his fans and intends that Benjamin never learn of his famous grandfather. […] Fans should remember to keep all of this in perspective – these same tabloids are responsible for thousands of bogus stories, including idiotic claims that Elvis is alive, various pieces of untrue trash about Elvis, and other memorable headlines, such as: “Aliens stole my face!”

Don’t be quick to draw conclusions based on this so-called “news.” We never believe the tabloids’ strange Elvis stories, so we certainly should not believe similar stories about his daughter. Lisa deserves the privacy Elvis was never given […].

Lisa, who is 24, lives with her husband in Los Angeles and there has been much speculation that she will soon follow in both of her parents’ footsteps and pursue an acting career. […] With Elvis as their grandfather, and a musician as their father, maybe Danielle and Benjamin will be the musical duo of the 21st century.

Chris On Tour [The Elvis Beat newsletter]

/ TY

I was 17 when I wrote this item back in 1992 for The Elvis Beat #2, my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.

On Tour With Elvis is a new book by Christopher Brown of Canada which gives a detailed look at one of Elvis’ 1975 concert tours.

The author stresses that On Tour With Elvis, which is not available in bookstores, is a very positive book that would be of special interest to fans of the 1970s Elvis.

This book is only available in limited quanties, so act fast and contact Christopher Brown at the following address for more information. […]

WHEN ELVIS DIED is back [The Elvis Beat newsletter]

/ TY

I was 17 when I wrote this item back in 1992 for The Elvis Beat #2, my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.

When Elvis Died is returning to bookstores this month in an updated paperback form. This is one of only ten Elvis books recommended by Graceland. I read the original edition and found it to be an excellent book, dealing with the media coverage of Elvis’ death. The new edition will also include a complete listing of his films and network television appearances.