Happy Birthday Elvis !!!!!!!!!

He would have been 74.


Sometimes I have an idea to write about something then I learn something I did not know before. Around 2003, we got this intern at Percom. Very nice kid. Wish we were as nice to her as she was to us. Two facts my co workers can attest to: 1. My desk is always messy. 2. Part of that mess is I always had books.

Not only did we not pay her anything for her work but once in a while she had nothing to do. That's when she had the guts to read what I handed to her. That was the beginning of her discovery of Elvis. It's almost my raison de etre. Years later she still tells me she is an Elvis fan. I hope she reads this and chimes in with a testimonial. On his birthday I hope you all respond with something nice to say about the King. To the one blog that asks you nicely . I promise it won't "return to sender".


I have more than a few Elvis videos supplied and yes there is a standard song there but I also included two gospel numbers that you may have never heard. Elvis loved gospel music regardless of what his image was. If nothing else, watch the last video which is not of Elvis but of Sonny, Red , Marty , Lamar and Billy.

The video right before that is Elvis singing with former army buddy Charlie Hodge. The man honored to get his scarves and water. Elvis influenced Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. That's all you need to know.

Ed




Frank Sinatra Quotes about Elvis Presley
His kind of music is deplorable, a rancid smelling aphrodisiac. It fosters almost totally negative and destructive reactions in young people.

Rod Stewart Quotes about Elvis Presley
Elvis was the king. No doubt about it. People like myself, Mick Jagger and all the others only followed in his footsteps.

Mick Jagger Quotes about Elvis Presley
He was a unique artist… an original in an area of imitators.

Hal Wallis (Producer) Quotes about Elvis Presley
A Presley picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood.

John Landau Quotes about Elvis Presley
There is something magical about watching a man who has lost himself find his way back home. He sang with the kind of power people no longer expect from rock 'n' roll singers.


Doughboy Quotes about Elvis Presley
There are no bad Elvis movies, only bad people who think that there are bad Elvis movies

Greil Marcus Quotes about Elvis Presley
It was the finest music of his life. If ever there was music that bleeds, this was it.

Jackie Wilson Quotes about Elvis Presley
A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the black man's music, when in fact almost every black solo entertainer copied his stage mannerisms from Elvis.

Bruce Springsteen Quotes about Elvis Presley
There have been a lot of tough guys. There have been pretenders. And there have been contenders. But there is only one king.

Bob Dylan Quotes about Elvis Presley
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.

Leonard Bernstein Quotes about Elvis Presley
Elvis is the greatest cultural force in the twentieth century. He introduced the beat to everything, music, language, clothes, it's a whole new social revolution… the 60's comes from it.

Frank Sinatra Quotes about Elvis Presley
There have been many accolades uttered about Elvis' talent and performances through the years, all of which I agree with wholeheartedly. I shall miss him dearly as a friend. He was a warm, considerate and generous man.

President Jimmy Carter, on Elvis' Death, Quotes about Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique, irreplaceable. More than twenty years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense. And he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness and good humor of this country.

Al Green Quotes about Elvis Presley
Elvis had an influence on everybody with his musical approach. He broke the ice for all of us.

Huey Lewis Quotes about Elvis Presley
A lot has been written and said about why he was so great, but I think the best way to appreciate his greatness is just to go back and play some of the old records. Time has a way of being very unkind to old records, but Elvis' keep getting better and better.

Time Magazine Quotes about Elvis Presley
Without preamble, the three--piece band cuts loose. In the spotlight, the lanky singer flails furious rhythms on his guitar, every now and then breaking a string. In a pivoting stance, his hips swing sensuously from side to side and his entire body takes on a frantic quiver, as if he had swallowed a jackhammer.

John Lennon Quotes about Elvis Presley
Before Elvis, there was nothing.

Johnny Carson Quotes about Elvis Presley
If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead.

Eddie Condon (Cosmopolitan) Quotes about Elvis Presley
It isn't enough to say that Elvis is kind to his parents, sends money home, and is the same unspoiled kid he was before all the commotion began. That still isn't a free ticket to behave like a sex maniac in public.

Ed Sullivan Quotes about Elvis Presley
I wanted to say to Elvis Presley and the country that this is a real decent, fine boy.

Howard Thompson Quotes about Elvis Presley
As the lad himself might say, cut my legs off and call me Shorty! Elvis Presley can act. Acting is his assignment in this shrewdly upholstered showcase, and he does it.

Carl Perkins Quotes about Elvis Presley
This boy had everything. He had the looks, the moves, the manager, and the talent. And he didn't look like Mr. Ed like a lot of the rest of us did. In the way he looked, way he talked, way he acted… he really was different.







http://www.elvis.com/graceland/calendar/elvis_birthday.asp


Annual Events
The Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration

Below is the current Elvis Birthday Celebration 2009 calendar of events along with ticket purchase information for each event. Updates to the calendar will be made as additional guests, details and events are confirmed. Please check back often to get the latest updates.

The ticket prices below include sales tax. There is a $4.50 per transaction service fee for each order placed through Graceland. This includes orders made over the phone or online orders. All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. Please note, if you are ordering your tickets to tour Graceland at the same time as ordering your birthday event tickets, the $4.50 order fee for Graceland tickets is a separate charge from the $4.50 order fee for birthday tickets and will appear as two separate order fees on your final order listing.

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ELVIS PRESLEY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION 2009
Thursday, January 8 - Sunday, January 11

TUESDAY 6
If you will be in town earlier in the week, you can enjoy Elvis night at the Memphis Grizzlies game.

2009 Grizzlies Elvis Birthday Night - A Night of Elvis and Grizzlies Basketball
7:00pm. FedExForum, downtown Memphis. Join Elvis fans in town for Elvis' birthday as the Memphis Grizzlies celebrate the life of a Memphis legend – Elvis Presley. The Memphis Grizzlies will be playing the Minnesota Timberwolves and there will be Elvis–themed music, movie clips, and live entertainment. To order tickets, visit the Grizzlies web site.
THURSDAY 8

D&N's and Elvis Meetup's Gospel Tribute to Elvis
12:01 a.m. - 12:15 a.m. Graceland Front Gates
D&N's Elvis Presley Fan Club and the Elvis Meetup Fan Club invite you to join their annual tradition. Meet at the gates of Graceland at midnight on Elvis's birthday as they join fans from across the globe singing familiar gospel songs, and of course, Happy Birthday to Elvis.
Elvis Presley Day Ceremony
9:30 a.m. North lawn of Graceland. Enjoy a ceremony with a special program hosted by Priscilla Presley, along with Graceland/EPE officials, a birthday cake cutting and a proclamation of Elvis Presley Day by Memphis and Shelby County officials. Free admission. Complimentary birthday cake and coffee served at the Chrome Grille restaurant across the street from the mansion following the ceremony.

Can't be in Memphis for the Elvis Day Ceremony? You will still be able to enjoy the ceremony live via a special streaming livecam that will be available. Click here for details and to bookmark the page.

Terry Mike Jeffrey Performing Live
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Graceland Ticket Pavilion. After enjoying Elvis birthday cake, enjoy a live, unplugged session of Elvis music performed by Terry Mike Jeffrey inside the ticket pavilion at Graceland. Free.

Bears on Tour - Scavenger Hunt at Graceland
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Starting at the Graceland Ticket Office. Guests are invited to tour Graceland Mansion (no audio tour) and the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum while simultaneously participating in a trivia scavenger hunt. All participants receive a collectible, limited-edition Elvis Presley birthday bear from Limited Treasures. Adult and junior versions of the scavenger hunt will be available. Prizes for both adult and junior versions to be announced. Admission: $29.00 Adults; $12.00 children 7-12. Tickets on sale now through Graceland Reservations by calling (800) 238-2000 or (901) 332-3322, or you can click here to purchase online.

Club Elvis at Graceland
8:00 p.m. - 12:00 Midnight. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza. Come hang out and enjoy a private party with your fellow Elvis fans. A disc jockey spins Elvis records for your listening and dancing pleasure. Cash bar featuring adult beverages (ID's checked) and soft drinks. Outdoor smoking area designated, no smoking inside. Admission $20.00. Tickets on sale now through Graceland Reservations by calling (800) 238-2000 or (901) 332-3322, or you can click here to purchase online.
FRIDAY 9

Elvis Meet Up at Marlowe's
12:00 p.m. 4381 Elvis Presley Blvd.
No cover charge but attendees pay for their own food, drinks and tips. Special guests have been invited and Elvis door prizes will be given. RSVP to Sharon Parker at 615-830-5126 or email elvismeetupatmarlowes@hotmail.com.

Official Elvis Insiders Reception and Graceland Tour
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. An event exclusively for members of the Elvis Insiders. A private evening tour of Graceland Mansion in all its holiday splendor and a reception across the street in Graceland Plaza. The reception will not be a seated "theater-style" event but will be a progressive event moving about the plaza area and will include Elvis's airplanes, The Elvis Presley Automobile Museum and the "Elvis Jumpsuits: All Access" exhibit in the Sincerely Elvis Museum. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bars will be available. In honor of the 40th anniversary of Elvis' historic recording sessions at American Sound Studios on January 13, 2009, special guests for the event will be The Memphis Boys (Gene Chrisman, Bobby Wood, Bobby Emmons, Reggie Young and Mike Leach), who are all part of the self-named rhythm section that served as the house band on those recording sessions. In twelve days, Elvis cut 36 sides at American Sound and the sessions produced some of his best work. "In the Ghetto," "Suspicious Minds," and "Don't Cry Daddy" all went gold, and "Kentucky Rain" was also a huge success. In addition, Rex Mansfield, who was inducted, trained and served with Elvis in the Army, and Elisabeth Mansfield, Elvis' secretary while he was stationed in Germany, will also be special guests at the event and will be meeting fans, signing autographs and selling copies of their book Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years. Everyone wins a door prize. As has become tradition, just for the dates of the Elvis Birthday Celebration, special Elvis exhibits from the Graceland Archives will be in place inside the residential area of the mansion. The special evening tour of the mansion includes the audio tour presentation, plus Elvis Christmas music playing in the background. Decorations for the 2008/2009 holiday season will be in place. Because of space limitations, Elvis Insiders may purchase only one guest ticket in addition to their own. Admission $44.00 adults, $22.00 children 7-12, children under 7 free. Parking in the main Graceland parking lot is free beginning at 4:30 PM. Tickets on sale now through Graceland Reservations by calling (800) 238-2000 or (901) 332-3322, or you can click here to purchase online.
SATURDAY 10

Fan Club Presidents' Event
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon. Fogelman Executive Conference Center, University of Memphis. Join Elvis Presley fan club presidents from independent Elvis fan clubs from around the world at this special event to learn about the amazing work that fan clubs do to continue on Elvis's name and memory. All fans are invited to attend this event where they can learn more about what official Elvis Presley fan clubs do, while also enjoying a program of EPE company updates and special announcements. The special guest speakers for this year's event will be Rex Mansfield, who was inducted, trained and served with Elvis in the Army, and Elisabeth Mansfield, Elvis' secretary while he was stationed in Germany. Rex and Elisabeth will be sharing stories about their time they spent in the Army with Elvis. Elvis Presley fan club presidents will receive an invitation to the event directly from EPE to reserve their complimentary ticket for the event and do not need to call Graceland Reservations. Tickets for additional fan club members and the general public are $8.00. Tickets on sale now through Graceland Reservations by calling (800) 238-2000 or (901) 332-3322, or you can click here to purchase online.

Elvis Birthday Celebration - Mississippi RiverKings vs. Texas Brahmas
Game time 7:05 pm, DeSoto Civic Center.
Doors open at 6:00 pm, with the first 1,000 fans receiving an Elvis Presley themed hockey puck. Elvis Tribute Artist, Joe Trites will sing the National Anthem. ETA Matt Joyce will lead a "Rock-a-Hula" hula hoop contest. ETA Cody Slaughter will sing Elvis hits during intermission and post-game public skating. Also, Elvis trivia, music and film clips will played throughout the night. Tickets start at just $10. Call the RiverKings at 662-342-1755 for ticket and promotional information.

The Elvis Presley Birthday Pops
8:00 p.m. The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 North Main Street in downtown Memphis. Celebrate the king of rock 'n' roll with The Imperials, Terry Mike Jeffery and Elvis himself on the big screen as the Memphis Symphony presents its annual Elvis Birthday Pops concert. Tickets are available through the MSO Box Office by calling 901.537.2525, or online at MemphisSymphony.org.
SUNDAY 11

Elvis Birthday Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza. Enjoy breakfast in the Elvis Presley Car Museum while listening to Elvis music and watching Elvis videos on the drive-in theater movie screen. Tickets are $27.00 per person. Tickets on sale now through Graceland Reservations by calling (800) 238-2000 or (901) 332-3322, or you can click here to purchase online. Cut off for purchasing tickets for this event is Wednesday, January 7 at 5:00 p.m. CST.
MULTIPLE DATES

Graceland Tours
Tours of Graceland Mansion, the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, Elvis's personal jets, the Sincerely Elvis Museum and Private Presley available daily. Click here for tickets and details. Graceland Mansion is decorated in all its traditional splendor indoors and out through January 11th. Especially for fans coming in for the Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration, special additional exhibits will be in place throughout the mansion January 8-11. Click here to purchase tickets online. To order tickets over the phone, call from all parts of the world (901) 332-3322. Or, from the USA and Canada, call toll-free 800-238-2000.

Free Walk-Up Times for The Meditation Garden
Daily throughout the year there is a period of time for free-admission walk-up visits to the Meditation Garden at Graceland, where the grave sites of Elvis and members of his family are located. Then the area becomes part of the regular ticketed Graceland Mansion tours for the rest of the day. The winter hours for free walk-up visits are 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. daily. During the Elvis' Birthday Celebration, there will also be nightly walkups from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on January 7, 8 and 10.

Elvis Bingo
January 8: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
January 9: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
January 10: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
January 11: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Heartbreak Hotel Dining Area. Play bingo for great Elvis prizes. Admission is FREE, but you need at ticket. Free tickets are available at the entrances into the dining area at least 30 minutes before the games start. Available on a first come, first serve basis.

NOTE: All event information is subject to change.