Stone Cold Natural Freak: A Personal Look At Elvis Presley

I have been attending Elvis Week now for more than five years and I must say that this one was among the very best so far.  Although the temperature in Memphis was unbearably hot and kept me feeling exhausted, the events the EPE staff came up with were extremely exciting.  Here is a rundown of some of the events I attended, a few honest criticisms and a few random thoughts.

One of the first things my Mom and I always do upon arriving is to peruse all of the shops around Graceland to see the new merchandise, and to just begin to soak up the atmosphere in general.  The newer products this year were for the most part well done.  The T-Shirt designs are typically pretty superb and I try to overlook certain things that have been licensed that I don’t find all that appealing.  There wasn’t anything overtly offensive that I saw this year, such as the dreaded Elvis Duck heads that have popped up in the past few trips. 

I am continually disapointed by what is happening to Elvis’ music selection in the shops.  The "Good Rockin Tonight" music shop should be just that, and there is no excuse for it to not be fully stocked with all of the FTDs as well as all of the currently available BMG products.  T-Shirts and souvenirs are fine but in the end it should be about the music and a new fan walking into this store would have trouble knowing what to get.  I think a total overhaul of the store is in order, with not only getting all the music in stock but also some sort of interactive guide (and a knowledgable staff) that could help newcomers with their collection.  Each year Elvis’ cds seem to be pushed further and further back which is a real disservice to the man and his legacy. 

Our first big event this year was the annual A CELEBRATION OF FANS and that was a very well organized and fun time.  It is always a pleasure to see and hear Jerry Schilling and his presence along with the wonderful display of charity made by the fan club presidents was inspiring. 

The ELVIS EXPO that ran for three days was also fairly well organized.  Most of the booths set up were very respectful and the people for the most part were extremely friendly.  It was difficult to get the Insider’s guests autographs during the conference due to time and the crowds but I think EPE handled this as well as they possibly could. 

August 12th brought the beginning of THE ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST CONTEST.  We did not attend this and I find EPE’s embrace of this to be the most disappointing decision they have ever made.  While some of these ‘artists’ are talented and love the man, overall they have done more to hurt the legacy of Elvis Presley more than anyone else.  I refuse to have anything to do with this and I am really saddened by EPEs sanctioning of such an event.  That said, outside of the usual jump suited idiots walking around Graceland, we were free of having to see any of this. 

The Sunday night scavenger hunt was a serious blast as always and this is a great event that the staff of EPE obviously work extremely hard on.  It is a great way to see the mansion, have fun, learn about Elvis and maybe even win some prizes. 

Monday was Day One of The Insider’s Conference and it was pretty solid although it wasn’t as memorable as some past Insider’s Conferences.  The highlight of the day was the spirited Mary Ann Mobely who seemed very friendly and obviously happy to be there.  The Maxine Brown-Joanne Cash segment would have been in serious trouble had the always reliabe and personable Host Tom Brown not have been there to come between the two of them.  The co-stars talk between Darlene Tompkins, Chris Noel and Cynthia Pepper was okay but they had such limited time with him that I kind of wished for something a little more substantial for the thirtieth anniversary.  I won’t say much on the Colonel Parker segment.  I appreciate that Loanna Parker is looking out for her late husband’s best interests but no amount of revisionism will make me forget many of the things Elvis sacrificed artistically because of his very greedy manager. 

The first ever concert on Graceland’s lawn was held that night and while I had mixed feelings about it, it turned out okay.  It started late and not being a Nascar Fan I was a bit baffled by the whole Dale vibe, but a lot of people really got into it.  The Dempsey’s performed  a fairly spirited set and Andy Childs group did a solid, if not totally memorable, job.  The restored print of "Viva Las Vegas" was then shown and it looked fantastic. 

Day Two of The Insider’s Conference was a real triumpth and was easily one of the highlights of the whole week.  We were treated to fascinating conversations by the TCB Band, The Sweet Inspirations and The famed American Studio Memphis Boys Band.  All of these segments were fascinating and everyone was obviously very excited to be there and their passion for Elvis was infectious.  The real highlight was Jerry Schilling’s talk with Priscilla.  She is so much more personable, friendly and open in person.  At one point Jerry tried to stop and she asked to continue.  She was obviously enjoying being there and her talk was a really special thing to see. 

Night Two on the lawn was also much better than night one.  We were treated to a very fitting gospel show featuring The Stamps, The Imperials and The Sweets and then were shown "That’s The Way It Is."  Hearing this wonderful music in front of Graceland as the sun went down was really special and it seemed like everyone there felt it.  I still have mixed feelings about so many people about being on the lawn, drinking, eating and most likely littering but it was still a nice event. 

Wednesday the 15th was of course The Vigil.  There isn’t too much I can say about that.  It was moving, it was hot, it was packed.  The floral displays this year were really incredible.  We attended three film showings at the Malco Theatre earlier that day and that was loads of fun.  Seeing "Girl Happy", "Charro" and "Live A Little, Love A Little" on the big screen was amazing.  "Charro" especially was spellbinding and the staff of the Malco is always great.  It is a fine event and I can’t understand why more fans don’t go.  There has been a misprint two years running in the Elvis Week newspaper guide regarding the directions to the Theater and I wonder if that has caused some to miss the event. 

We slept in on Thursday after the Vigil, missing both the Jerry Osbourne talk and George Klein memorial, in preparation for the two concerts.  The Fed-Ex concerts were incredible, mind-blowing events and were both unforgettable.  The TCB band as well as the backing groups were all smoking (particularly in the much looser second show) and the filmed opening was chillingly great.  I can’t imagine how emotional it must have been for Jerry, Joe and George to film that.  Lisa-Marie’s duet on "In The Ghetto" and seeing her get down with Myrna Smith on stage was worth the ticket price.  I have a few reservations about the video but I realized that it was done in a rush, and the song was so great that I can forgive any shortcomings.  Highlights of the first concert, outside of the opening and the duet, was the second half where the band really locked into gear and by the time "An American Trilogy" started everyone was on their feet.  The second show was perhaps even better.  Starting out with a killer orchestrated version of Bill Conti’s "Gonna Fly Now" from "Rocky" and then brief opening sets from The Sweets and Imperials; the TCB band hit the stage roaring.  "Pola Sald Annie" was especially jaw dropping with Jerry Scheff doing some of the most intense and dirty bass work I have heard in a long time.  Both shows were stunning. 

We spent our last day touring the mansion and I must say the heat and the crowds finally got to us and I think we were both suitably exhausted by the time we got ready to go. 

Depite the heat, this was one of the best Elvis Weeks ever.  Thanks to all the EPE staff, especially Scott and Angie who are always so incredibly friendly, for putting so much work into making the week special.  It was an amazing trip I will never forget. 

Let’s get January here now!

A huge kick each Elvis Week is getting to meet people who knew, worked with and loved the man.  Here are a few favorites of the many autographs I have collected in just the past five years.

Many thanks to the staff at Elvis Presley Enterprises for putting on one of the best Elvis Weeks ever. 

FULL REVIEW NEXT WEEK OF THIS VERY SPECIAL SHOW.

Thank you E.P.E. and the whole crew for putting on such an amazing show.  My full review will be coming next week.

“When I first heard Elvis’ voice I just knew that I wasn’t going to work for anybody; and nobody was going to be my boss…Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail.”
-Bob Dylan-

I WILL BE POSTING A DETAILED REPORT ON PRISCILLA’S VISIT NEXT WEEK WHEN I RETURN HOME.

Thank you Priscilla and E.P.E. for a wonderful ending to a great conference.  More thoughts and photos of this historic appearance next week.

I WILL BE POSTING A DETAILED REPORT ON THE FABULOUS CONFERENCE NEXT WEEK WHEN I RETURN HOME.

It was a real dream getting to see two founding members of one of my all time favorite soul groups in person yesterday.  I will be posting more thoughts when I return home next week and have more time to write…in the meantime here are a few shots of two true greats, Myrna and Estelle

Here are some early shots from the first evening’s concert.

Of the two nights, the second was absolutely the better of the two and featured a moving once in a lifetime performance by The Imperials, The Stamps and The Sweet Inspirations all on the stage together. 

Here are few not so great quality images from the first day of the Insider’s Conference.  It was hosted again by the wonderful Tom Brown from Turner Classic Movies and it included guests Dick Grob, Charles Stone and Loanna Parker (discussing the Colonel). the awesome D.J. Fontana on early years with Elvis, a panel of Co-stars including Chris Noel, Spiritual advisor Larry Gellar, The Brown’s member Maxine Brown and the charming Mary Ann Mobley. 

Tomorrow’s guest include the TCB band, The Sweet Inspirations and Priscilla.  It promises to be pretty extraordinary.

Sunday was an extremely busy day.  This morning we were guests at the very well put together fan club presidents event that included guests Jerry Schilling, Dick Grobe and Sam Thompson.

Next up was the first day of the massive Elvis Expo.  While many of the booths, including several of the most notable, hadn’t been set up, it was already very impressive.  Highlights included seeing two of Elvis’ outtfits from THAT’S THE WAY IT IS and ELVIS AND TOUR, and meeting the very friendly and warm Tanya Lemani who was so memorable as "Little Egypt" in the comback special.  I am really excited about meeting more notables in the next couple of days, including the mighty Sweet Inspirations, and re-introducing myself to the TCB band as well as some other favorites.

We wrapped up the day with a real favorite, the Bears On Tour Scavenger Hunt.  We have been partaking in this event for the last several years and it is always a lot of fun.  Who knows, maybe even one day we will even actually win!  Tomorrow is one of the real highlights of the week, day one of the Insider’s Conference featuring The Sweet Inspirations, the TCB band, Jerry Schilling and Priscilla Presley.

Saturday was a fairly slow day for us.  After visiting Priceville Cemetery we went to the Tupelo Fan Appreciation Ceremony which was nice and then we made our way up to Memphis.  Crowds had already begun to converge on the town when we arrived in the scortching mid afternoon August heat.  Our afternoon mostly consisted of visiting the shops, walking around and looking at some of the new merchandise.  The evening brough our first walk up of the week where we paid our respects and looked at some of the early bouquet arrivals.  Sunday promises to be a much busier and even hotter day.  Here are a few images from Saturday.

With the welcome arrival of the last few remaining unreleased Elvis Presley films on dvd now out, one has to ask the question, where is the Golden Globe award winning 1972 documentary ELVIS ON TOUR?  This moving and penetrating look into Elvis’ world is one of the most essential documents on the man ever released and yet it continues to remain missing in action on Region One disc.  The thirtieth anniversary of Elvis’ tragic passing, not to mention the 25th anniversary of the film itself, seemed like the perfect time for its release, but there are still no definitive plans for it. 

The film, directed by award winning filmmakers Robert Abel and Pierre Adidge, documents Elvis at one of the most pivotal moments in his life and features some of the most intense and personal moments he ever shared with the public.  Featuring portions from one of the most extraordinary sit down interviews he ever gave, along with some of the most volatile and searing concert footage ever shot, ELVIS ON TOUR is a raging and moving film that should have been on dvd long ago. 

With it’s cutting edge split screen montages (overseen by none other that young filmmaker Martin Scorsese right around the time he shot the great BOXCAR BERTHA and just before MEAN STREETS) and unflinching look at an increasingly exhausted Elvis, the film is a fast moving whirlwind of a documentary that chronicals a man burning, still very brightly, at both ends.  Hardcore fans will of course know of the hours of outtake footage that is currently on the collectors market, and seeing that material makes the unavailabilty of a fully loaded up box set special edition of the film even more frustrating. 

Originally released in November of 1972 with the rumored live album called STANDING ROOM ONLY failing to accompany it, ELVIS ON TOUR received mostly positive reviews and did very well for a concert film.  After being ignored critically for most of his movie career, I have always wondered what Elvis must have felt when the film did indeed share the Golden Globe that year for best documentary.  The film was even more succesful in Europe, and specifically Asia, where they were yearning to see Elvis live on stage.  It is worth noting that the worldwide broadcast of ALOHA FROM HAWAII would be taped shortly after the film started to make such waves in Japan during the Christmas of 72. 

While it is arguable whether or not this film is the equal of 1970’s THAT’S THE WAY IT IS, what is not in question is that we are given the opportunity to see Elvis at an increasingly vulnerable point in his life and for all its stengths, THAT’S THE WAY IT IS doesn’t have the devastating emotional impact of ELVIS ON TOUR. 

I urge everyone to sign the ELVIS ON TOUR dvd petition at:

http://www.petitiononline.com/041972/petition.html

At this point even a crisp bare bones presentation of just the film would be most welcome but what we really need is a mulit disc presentation with the input of Abel, Adidge and Scorsese, three men who worked incredibly hard and diligently on this film back in 72 to make it as real and memorable as they could.  They succeeded in capturing one of our great artists at one of his peaks and delivered a really special film that very much needs to be back in the public eye. 

One of the most iconic images in the young Elvis Presley’s life is of coure the Tupelo Hardware store where he was bought his first guitar as a child.    

While I have been to this site many times it is really always amazing to see the reactions of people who haven’t.  Yesterday we happened to be at the store at the same time as a tour bus carrying a group of very friendly European visitors and their excitement was extremely infectious and that made the re-visiting even more special.

Here are a few images I took today of Elvis’ birthplace. 

Elvis Week Is On.  We arrived in Tupelo early this afternoon and were greeted by a 103 degree temperature and humidty you could cut a knife with.  Despite that the drive was nice and my mother and I are very excited about beginning our annual pilgrimage to Memphis for Elvis Week. 

We decided to stop by Tupelo first this time so we can attend the fan appreciation day tomorrow morning.  We spent the afternoon revisiting the birth place as it has been a few years since we have had a chance to come here.  The museum was nice and the renovations that have been done were very well designed.  There was already a pretty large crowd and as usual we were greeted with the warm sound of many delightful accents from all over the world. 

We then re-vistied Tupelo’s famed hardware store where the young Elvis had his first guitar bought for him and for the rest of the evening we are mostly just going to recover from the drive.  I will post some more photos from our first afternoon later this evening and am looking forward to really getting things into full swing tomorrow when we drive into Memphis after the morning ceremony.

Hello,

My name is Jeremy Richey and I am a student, writer and a major Elvis Presley fan.  I have set up this blog to document the upcoming Elvis Week 07 and to also post reviews of Elvis’ music and films.  I have a main film and music blog that I update daily and it is located at:

mooninthegutter.blogspot.com

I invite everyone to visit there and will supply a link for it in the links section.  I also have a more specialized blog dedicated to the career of Nastassja Kinski located at:

nostalgiakinky.blogspot.com

I hope everyone enjoys my report on the upcoming Elvis Week, my memories of past weeks and my reviews of Elvis related films and music.

Thank you.