BackinMemphis

Here we bring you another installment of our interview with Hollywood actress, Jan Shepard who co-starred in King Creole and Paradise, Hawaiian Style. Here she talks about Elvis and Dolores Hart working together and her surprise birthday party which Elvis attended. Missed the other interview clips with Jan? They are on the right side of our front page. Much more with Jan to come, as well as many other surprises coming soon!

Jan, Ray and myself in Hollywood, Ca last spring. Jan Shepard who co-starred with Elvis in King Creole and Paradise, Hawaiian Style will be a special guest for Elvis Week 2012. I am thrilled Jan will be joining us all in Memphis. She is an absolute delight and a classy lady! Jan will join the panel of movie co-stars on August 12 . Elvis Week 2012 for more info.

After 43 years of marriage, Mary Ann Mobley and Gary Collins call it quits. The couple filed for legal seperation earlier this month and records show that they have been living apart since October 1, 2010. Mobley's rep tells TMZ , Maryann is miserable about the whole situation. Maryann Mobley, former Miss America 1959 and best known to Elvis fans as the king's co-star in Harum Scarum & Girl Happy , is battling stage 3 breast cancer and is undergoing chemo and radiation at this time. Gary is extremely depressed about his wife's illness and they both need the break. Gary has had his own battles, he was arrested 3 times and convicted twice for DUI. My best memories of Gary Collins are from his 80's talk show, Hour Magazine. Here is a clip of an interview he did with Bette Davis . It's odd to see her light up on a tv talk show. Not seen today! Mary Ann will be a special guest at Elvis Week 2012 in Memphis, TN this August. We wish both Mary An

Grooveshark will become the first music streaming service to offer recordings from the world-famous Sun Records, the indie label with some justifiction for its slogan, “Where rock & roll was born.” Among the artists with music included in the deal are Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and others who may not be such household names but who also represent a seminal era in music history. The new partners said this demonstrated how a streaming service like Grooveshark had the power to introduce classic artists, like those on Sun Records, into mainstream pop culture. This remark underscores one of the unappreciated aspects of customized radio: smart programming and algorithms put songs into users’ streams that data show they’re likely to enjoy, exposing them to new and catalog music they may never have heard otherwise. Sam Phillips launched his record company in 1952. Collin Brace, vice president, Sun Entertainment Corp., observed that its legacy didn’t mean

The London production of rockabilly tuner Million Dollar Quartet has released a live cast album! Recorded at the Noël Coward Theatre, the CD was released on September 29 in honor of original ‘million dollar quartet’ member Jerry Lee Lewis’ 76th birthday.  Inspired by the famed December 4, 1956, recording session that brought together rock icons Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, Million Dollar Quartet recreates the legendary session and the story of the men who made it happen. With a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, the production features a roster of classic rock and country hits, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” The Million Dollar Quartet London cast includes Ben Goddard as Jerry Lee Lewis, Derek Hagen as Johnny Cash, Michael Malarkey as Elvis Presley, Oliver Seymour-March as Carl Perkins, Bill Ward as Sun Records founder Sam Ph

Chuy's will open its third Middle Tennessee location at 1901 Broadway on Oct. 11, the Tex-Mex restaurant chain said today. The Austin, Texas-based chain already operates locations in Cool Springs and Murfreesboro. The Nashville location will employ 180 people and feature an Elvis Presley shrine , metal palm trees and hubcap-covered ceilings. Other restaurants with Williamson County connections that have recently opened or plan to open in Nashville include Saffire owner Tomkats Restaurant Group and Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant. Founded in 1982, Chuy’s operates 23 locations in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas.

This is a satire article and is NOT TRUE . *What else could go wrong for convicted former governor Rod Blagojevich? Ted McClelland takes a satirical look at the coup de grace. The world keeps turning its back on former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. A day after the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission asked the Illinois Supreme Court to suspend the convicted politician’s law license, the estate of Elvis Presley announced that Blagojevich has been banned for life from Graceland, the Memphis mansion that has been maintained as a shrine to Elvis since the singer’s death in 1977. “Due to the egregious breadth of Blagojevich’s conduct while governor of Illinois, he is no longer welcome on any Presley family properties,” Elvis’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, said in a statement. “He is also prohibited from singing ‘Treat Me Nice’ in public, or impersonating Elvis in any way.” Following the family’s lead, the international Elvis community moved swiftly to dissociate itself fr

Lisa Marie Presley The Theater, Lincoln Center, NYC.  September 14, 2011   Lisa Marie Presley attended New York Fashion Week earlier this month. Lisa made a rare public appearance at the Anna Sui show, looking stylish and slender in black skinny jeans and a blazer.

So says this Beverly Hills Hairdresser, Carrie White . She told the NYPost that the highlight of her career was styling the King. While doing Priscilla Presley’s hair, the King’s wife asked her the one question every hairdresser would love to hear: “Do you think you could cut my husband’s hair?” White said yes, and went to Elvis ’ house in Holmby Hills, styled his hair and even cut wigs for him as disguises. She dyed his hair black because he loved crooner Roy Orbison so much, she says. “Could I wear my hair like Ricky Nelson?” the King asked, referring to the singer’s thick locks. “Elvis, let’s not mess with your success,” White responded. To thank her, Elvis told his assistant to “get her that Lady Derringer, the one that fits into an evening bag . . . and a box of bullets, too." White got her start in the 1960s, styling hair for socialite Betsy Bloomingdale and actresses Jennifer Jones and Vanessa Redgrave. She became the go-to person for Vogue , Harper’s Bazaar an

Shocking audio was played in the court room yesterday in which Dr.Conrad Murray claims to have taped Michael Jackson in May of 2009. On the recording, MJ is slurring his words. It's very curious as to WHY Dr. Murray was recording Michael Jackson to begin with. One person commented it was to protect himself. My question is, as a doctor isn't he supposed to protect his patient? It's so very sad that Michael was under the influence of such heavy drugs and unable to enjoy his life with his family and fans who he loved so very much. What caused his pain to make him want to just escape into such a state? It's very much like reliving history, too similiar to the life and death of Elvis Presley.

 Sassy rockabilly singer Imelda May yesterday revealed how she helped her mother battle breast cancer. The 37-year-old star, who is in the midst of a US tour, urged women to "speak up" if they discovered a lump. She revealed her mother, Madge Clabby, was among the more than 2,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland each year. "When someone you love is going through breast cancer, you want to do everything you can to help them," Imelda said. "Thankfully, I was able to be there for my mother when she needed me, just like she has always been there for me." Breast cancer survivor Nicola Turley from Galway said she never thought she would develop the disease at the age of 33, just one year after giving birth to her first child. "To me, breast cancer was a disease for older women, not someone like me. But every woman is at risk and needs to know what to look out for," Ms Turley said. Mobile testing units from the Marie Keati

Documentary Reflects on the Memphis 13: MyFoxMEMPHIS.com Memphis, 1961. A city that for previous decades was firmly set on the path of separate, but equal in the education of white and black children. But, on October 3rd the burden of historic change would ride on the shoulders of 13 black children specifically chosen to integrate four all-white schools. "It's a moment in Memphis history where there was really deliberate planning by all parties involved in order to avoid the chaotic result like we would have seen in Montgomery or Little Rock," explained University of Memphis Law Professor Daniel Kiel, the filmmaker behind a new movie called "The Memphis 13." Next week the release of "The Memphis 13" chronicles a slice of history which many Memphians might not remember, but they can look back on with some degree of pride. The previous year, all of the more than 40,000 black students in the Bluff City went to segregated schools. However, six week

X Factor USA airs again on Wednesday 8 PM EST on FOX!

The Grove Grill 4550 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN COUNTRY SHRIMP AND GRITS WOOD GRILLED SALMON We visited one of THE top ten fine dining restaurants in Memphis , The Grove Grill . And it was amazing! This is traditional southern food with a modern twist. The staff was very knowledgeable and polite. The restaurant itself was very spacious with private rooms for larger parties which we like for Elvis Week ! The wine list was quite impressive. And this is definitely one of the most romantic restaurants in Memphis for couples. I bet they are packed on Valentine's Day. This is for sure a place I will recommend to folks traveling to Memphis! And a place we will frequent during our many trips to Memphis.I have been traveling to Memphis over 25 years, and this is by far one of THE best meals I have had, if not THE best! If you're looking for ribs, you came to the wrong place! But after you have visited our ribs recommendation of Cozy Corner , which may very well be THE best

Lansky's Plays Unique Role in Medal of Honor Ceremony: MyFoxMEMPHIS.com A 26-year old Kentuckian received the award of a lifetime as Dakota Meyer's military heroics took center stage at a rare Medal of Honor ceremony held at the White House on Thursday. But, one Memphian can stand proud in knowing he had a big hand in making sure Meyer looked his best for the big moment. Hal Lansky doesn't exactly know how his store was chosen for a top secret assignment from the pentagon. However, considering the storied history and the reputation of his family's business, he shouldn't be surprised why he was asked to help a hero look his best. During his two year stint in the Army, Elvis Presley depended on good ole' Uncle Sam to provide his military wardrobe. Of course before and after his military hitch, the fancy duds the King of Rock N' Roll donned on stage were the custom-made eye-popping creations of famed Memphis clothier Lansky's. But, imagine Hal Lansky&

The Delta Music Museum in Ferriday, operated by the secretary of state's office, has added more entertainers to its Hall of Fame. The Hemphills , a gospel group organized more than 40 years ago, was honored Saturday for its contribution to that music genre, and James Burton was inducted for his blues guitar talent. The induction of Burton, a native of Dubberly, and Joel and LaBreeska Hemphill, who pastored a church for years in Bastrop, bring to 21 the number of individuals who have been tapped for the Hall of Fame, a tribute to musicians and singers from the Louisiana-Mississippi area. Burton began playing professionally at age 14 and later joined the Louisiana Hayride, a Shreveport music cavalcade that featured the likes of Elvis Presley, George Jones and Johnny Horton. Burton has played with Ricky Nelson, Glen Campbell, Dean Martin, John Denver, Kenny Rogers, Elvis Costello and Johnny Cash. Burton won a Grammy for best country instrumental performance in 2009. The Hemphi

This film from a 1957 concert by Elvis Presley at Memorial Coliseum was recently evaluated by Indiana University archive specialists. Elvis footage is genuine, but short and silent Frank Gray | The Journal Gazette Indiana University Library film archivist Rachael Stoeltje and auctioneer Glenn Ellenberger view film of Elvis Presley at Memorial Coliseum in 1957. He had his gold leaf suit coat. He whirled his arms like a windmill. He danced with the microphone stand. Indeed, a film purported to be of Elvis Presley performing in a 1957 concert at Memorial Coliseum is what the label on the can claims: Elvis live, 54 years ago. The film surfaced about two weeks ago when a woman who was planning to auction off her late husband’s huge collection of model trains pulled the old Elvis film out of the attic and suggested tossing it into the mix. The auctioneer, Glen Ellenberger of Ellenberger Brothers Auctions in Bluffton, didn’t think that was a good idea. Toy train buffs a

After reports that Real Housewives of DC star, Michaele Salahi was kidnapped, TMZ uncovers the truth. White house crasher & star of RHW of DC, Michaele flew to Nashville last night with Journey guitarist, Neal Schon where the band performed. Tonight the band plays along with the group Foreigner at the Fed Ex Forum in downtown Memphis. It still sounds odd and possibly even a publicity stunt. But one never knows, maybe Michaele wised up and is ready to move on from her toxic marriage. Maybe a photo op at Graceland while in Memphis?

HStudio is delighted to announce our partnership with Priscilla Presley in creating a sophisticated home and lifestyle collection that mixes vintage inspiration with modern accents, and Priscilla's signature style. Inspired by Priscilla's personal experiences, the collection evokes a romantic sensibility interwoven with a designer style she has cultivated over the years as a personal passion. Priscilla and HStudio will collaborate to create unique and sophisticated products including home decor, accent furniture, storage, organizational products, and more. "Priscilla Presley is an international celebrity and respected style icon. We are extremely pleased to collaborate with her to create a home collection that reflects her unique style. Her loyal following will undoubtedly be excited to see her distinctive design sense and bring Priscilla's style into their homes," said HStudio. "I am passionate about the art of design and it is my desire that everythi

Edison Pena, one of the 33 rescued Chilean miners who gained worldwide attention for their 69-day ordeal trapped underground, has been admitted to a clinic to be treated for alcohol addiction. Pena, who became known after the rescue for his Elvis Presley imitations and appeared on US television with David Letterman, is "in good hands", his wife Angelica Alvarez told El Mercurio newspaper. Pena, 35, was the 12th miner to emerge in the now-famous rescue from the copper and gold mine in northern Chile after 69 days, in scenes watched by millions around the world on live television last year. He was hospitalised last year for a panic attack following the media frenzy around the miner rescue. He also went on a US tour that included a visit to Presley's Graceland mansion, a TV appearance and ran in the New York City marathon. Pena did not attend the anniversary commemoration of the mine collapse attended by President Sebastian Pinera. Source: AFT BIM: I along

The estate of Elvis Presley is using a litigation fund to help finance a court case against Sony in one of the highest profile cases yet to make use of this section of the investment industry. Litigation funds pay part or all of a claimant’s legal fees in exchange for a slice of the damages. They have been touted as an alternative investment strategy, offering a spread of risk unrelated to the performance of financial markets or economies; but in the UK, at least, they have been struggling to grow. Litigation funds: the strategy pays a claimant’s legal fees in exchange for part of the damages The sector got a boost at the end of last month, when London-based Calunius Capital announced it would be funding litigation on behalf of Elvis Presley Enterprises in Germany. The case is against RCA Records, now part of the Sony Group, which acquired the worldwide rights to Presley’s back catalogue in 1973. According to the legal complaint, the 1973 deal gave RCA a “conspicuously disproportio

Were you at Elvis Week 2011 or know somebody that was? Hundreds of photos are now available for purchase on smugmug.com . Photos come on many types of paper and in many sizes, making them great gifts for everyone. Some of our group was caught on film....see below! Our group @ Ernst & Roger's Event The Legendary Brian B getting wine for me @ the fan club event!

Elvis Presley in Concert is coming to the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Ireland, on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 and The O2 in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday, March 14, 2012! A ticket pre-sale only for basic and plus members of the Elvis Insiders will begin on Monday, September 5, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. Ireland Time (3:00 a.m. EST) and go through Wednesday, September 7, 2011. On Monday, September 5th, Elvis Insiders who want to purchase tickets during the pre-sale can visit ElvisInsiders.com and visit the NEWS section for the pre-sale link. Ticket sales for the general public will begin on Thursday, September, 8, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. Ireland time (3:00 a.m. EST.) See more dates for the 2012 Elvis Presley in Concert European tour @ elvis.com! We'll be at both shows and hope to see you there too!

Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and the Calunius Litigation Risk Fund announced today developments in a multi-million Euro lawsuit against Arista Music, formerly RCA Records, in Germany. The suit, which was filed in the name of its sister company Elvis Presley Enterprises, LLC in December 2010, is demanding proper payment for sound recordings in Germany featuring Elvis Presley including new media, like downloads, ringtones and entertainment apps that Presley himself could not have dreamed would someday exist. The suit is only applicable to sound recordings in Germany and is limited to amounts earned since March 2002 and future revenue until 2023 following an amendment to German copyright law that extended the term of copyright protection. The suit alleges that Presley was unjustly exploited during his lifetime by the record company and that his estate has continued to suffer from those injustices. The central issue, as it relates to this German suit, is the 1973 buyout agreement,

Lara Neel | The Journal Gazette A reel of film of a 1957 Elvis concert at the Coliseum was found among items for a model train auction. ’57 Elvis at Coliseum film could rock fans A little more than 54 years ago Elvis Presley performed at Memorial Coliseum. You’d probably have to be in your mid-60s to even remember the concert, and if you actually attended the show you’re probably at least 70 today. That’s a long time ago, so let’s just say the King’s 1957 local concert hasn’t been a topic of daily conversation for some time. Until last week. It seems that Ellenberger Brothers Auctions, which is having a big auction of model trains Sept. 10, stumbled across an odd item that was tossed into the sale at the last minute, almost as an afterthought. The item had nothing to do with trains. It was nothing more than a tin can, actually one of those flat containers used to hold old film reels. On the cover was a little piece of tape with the words “Elvis 1957 Cole

Messiah Productions ' Elvis Live Live Live Volume 2' : The Cincinnati Special plus the main attraction Elvis On Tour and That's The Way It Is Out-takes in perfect quality . The DVD includes Johnny B. Goode complete version...Always On My Mind with different camera angles and see Elvis walk out of the studio, an outstanding never released version of Words and the complete Fort Dix farewell interview. There's more... 80 minutes of Elvis in Cincinnati on March 21, 1976 , both the afternoon and evening performances with 30 minutes of unreleased footage from the two shows. If that's not enough a bonus CD of rare tracks with many unreleased versions come one and all to the video and audio event of the year. This DVD / CD project is a limited edition....Get one while they last ! Bonus CD Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall - undubbed master  She Thinks I Still Care - unedited undubbed master  The Last Farewell - False start, undubbed master  Moody Blue - overdub