a blog about elvis presley's music and the records it can be found on
ELVIS ON RECORD is a catch-all category for articles that cover a broad expanse of Presley’s career. Here you will find such articles as those that list his hit records from around the world, or reviews of boxed CD sets that collect sides from the 1950s though the ’70, or the latest updates on his RIAA Gold and Platinum Record Awards.
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IN 1969, the Gold Standard Series label was dramatically modified, along with the rest of the RCA Victor catalog (45s, EPs, LPs, and reel-to-reel tapes). Gone was the familiar glossy black background with “RCA Victor” in traditional serif type with the big “V” across the top. Gone, too, was the dog, beloved Nipper, cocking his head to his master’s voice emanating from the horn of an antique phonograph. READ MORE
IN 1965, the Gold Standard Series label was changed for the first time. The labels remained an attractive glossy black, but “RCA Victor” was moved to the right side of the spindle hole while Nipper was placed on the left side. Again, there was no mention of “Gold Standard” anywhere on the label; only the 447 prefix identified these records as reissues. READ MORE
THE GOLD STANDARD SERIES of reissues of Elvis Presley’s 45 pm singles ran for more than forty years. During this time, ninety-five records were released, including thirteen unique picture sleeves! Some of these records went through five label changes, meaning each has five major variations of interest to must-have-it-all Elvis collectors, of which there are more than a few. READ MORE
IN 1964, the Gold Standard Series was used by RCA to expose the old Elvis to the new and younger record buyers brought to the stores by the Beatles and the rest of the British Invasion—which in early 1964 was basically the Fab Four and the Dave Clark 5. READ MORE
WHY ARE THEY SO RARE? When were these records released with these bloody orange labels? How many titles were released? How many copies of each were manufactured? These questions have puzzled Elvis collectors for years—they certainly baffled me as editor of the O’Sullivan Woodside record collectors price guides way back when. READ MORE
IN LATE 1958, the Gold Standard Series of 45 rpm singles was released by RCA Victor in the US market. While it was never stated as such, the series seems to have been launched solely to keep Elvis Presley records in print. The Gold Standard 45s looked identical to the company’s regular catalog 45s: they had glossy black labels with “RCA Victor” on top at 12 o’clock with Nipper-and-gramophone just below it. READ MORE