a blog about elvis presley's music and records
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. [Continue reading]
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. [Continue reading]
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. [Continue reading]
IN 1976, the Gold Standard Series was revamped for the fourth and final time with a new ‘retro’ 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! [Continue reading]
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.) [Continue reading]
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. [Continue reading]
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. [Continue reading]
SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, the powers-that-be at RCA Victor decided that the recordings that Elvis Presley labored over in the studio were not up to snuff. You know, the ones that sold a bajillion copies and almost single-handedly justified the invention of the 45 rpm single as a medium. [Continue reading]
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. [Continue reading]