a blog about elvis presley's music and records
ELVIS’ FIRST APPEARANCE on national television was on January 28, 1956, when he performed two songs on Jackie Gleason’s Stage Show. This was the first time that most Americans got to see him and—unless they were a fan of country & western music—it was the first time they got to hear him sing! [Read more] ““see him! hear him! on stage show” flyer”
THE EXPLOITATION OF ELVIS PRESLEY began in 1956. Elvis Presley Enterprises was established to authorize the manufacturing of novelty items about “the most talked about new personality in the last ten years of recorded music” to be sold to fans. RCA Victor also capitalized on their singer’s popularity by manufacturing a pair of Elvis Presley phonographs. [Read more] “the highly collectible elvis presley phonographs of 1956”
THE MOST ICONIC IMAGE in rock & roll history was taken at the dawn of the genre’s rise to popularity. It is of a young Elvis Presley before most of the world had even heard his name, let alone his music. He is on stage, legs spread, his body pulled back from his new Martin D‑28 guitar. [Read more] “the world’s most famous and iconic rock & roll photograph”
AUGUST 16, 1977, was the day the Earth stood still: Elvis died. Very few fans were aware of his deteriorating health and we were unprepared for our own response to his death. Fans were aware of Elvis in general: his latest album, MOODY BLUE, had been released four weeks earlier and was selling better than usual. [Read more] “moody blue – facts and fallacies about elvis’ final album as a collector’s item”
AS A SYMBOL OF POTENCY, by 1968 Elvis Presley was perceived by many as being, um, flaccid. His records had lost any semblance of allegiance to—or even recognition of—the passion and fervor of its country and blues roots. The soundtrack music he had been recording for the requisite three movies per year owed more to “How Much Is That Doggie In The Window” than to Big Boy Crudup or Hank Williams. [Read more] “at the crossroads: on being an elvis fan in 1968 when all appeared lost”
THE GOLD STANDARD SERIES was revamped for the fourth and final time in 1976 with a new look. Along with the rest of the RCA catalog, the modern look and layout of the previous orange and red labels was jettisoned and the company opted for a retro look: black was back and so was Nipper! [Read more] “the elvis presley gold standard 45s part 8 (1976–2000)”
IN 1969, the Gold Standard Series was changed for the third time: the visually lifeless orange label was replaced by a more attractive bright red label. (The orange label remain as the primary label for RCA’s standard catalog singles and albums.) Otherwise, the layout and the typeface remained the same from the previous to the newest. [Read more] “the elvis presley gold standard 45s part 7 (1969–1976)”
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] “the elvis presley gold standard 45s part 6 (1969)”
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 elvis presley gold standard 45s part 5 (1965–1968)”