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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2025
The below interesting news article was shared with me by my good and long-time friend Deb O. who has stood by me and helped for many years. My heartfelt thanks to her.
Lawsuit alleges irreplaceable Elvis Presley artifacts illegally put up for auction
by
The Bettmann Archive via Getty Images
HomeNational News Lawsuit alleges irreplaceable Elvis Presley artifacts illegally put up for auction
(MEMPHIS, TN) — The gatekeepers of Elvis Presley’s estate are trying to recover a potential trove of records and memorabilia left behind by the King of Rock and Roll, according to a lawsuit filed in California.
The lawsuit, filed just before 6 p.m. on Dec. 24, is a fitting coda to a year that saw Presley’s iconic Memphis home nearly auctioned off as part of what federal authorities now call an attempt to defraud both Presley’s family and Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Now, the operators of Graceland allege “irreplaceable” items they bought more than three decades ago from Presley’s longtime manager, Col. Tom Parker, have fallen into the hands of people who have no right to them and are now trying to sell them in an online auction.
“It is now clear that some of the material that the parties to the Parker Acquisition intended to be transferred to [Elvis Presley Enterprises], never was,” the lawsuit claims. Despite “clear and repeated demands” that the defendants stop hawking what was not theirs to sell, those demands were “ignored,” according to the filing.
At issue is a collection that allegedly includes everything from contracts and agreements signed by Presley, to a telegram from associates congratulating Elvis and his then-wife Priscilla on the birth of their daughter, Lisa Marie. Elvis Presley Enterprises contends the cache of memorabilia is valued at upwards of $2 million, though the “unique” artifacts are “priceless.”
The items were listed on the website of GWS Auctions, a California company that boasts sales of “celebrity” items from the likes of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and Johnny Cash. The Presley items listed in the lawsuit appeared as available online in mid-November under the heading “The Lost Collection of Elvis, Col. Tom Parker & More.” Elvis Presley Enterprises alleges the auctioneeing company advertised while knowing the sellers had no legal right to the items, which the company denies.
The origin of the dispute dates back to 1990, when Col. Parker, “known as a meticulous record keeper and a real pack rat who held onto everything,” directly sold EPE “perhaps the greatest collection of Elvis-related documents and memorabilia ever held by anyone other than Elvis himself,” the suit alleged, adding it is the “entire collection” as it pertained to “Elvis and Elvis related memorabilia, irrespective of where such material was located.”
EPE acquired the collection as part of its ongoing effort to catalogue, preserve and showcase artifacts connected to the life and career of one of rock and roll’s first global superstars. One of the company’s executives, Jack Soden, “had dealt with and known Col. Parker for many years” and said he “was acting with the authority of Elvis’s widow Priscilla Presley, was intent on acquiring from Parker every scrap of Elvis-related material Parker owned.”
The lawsuit alleges company leaders believed all the items covered in the agreement “had been collected,” only now to find otherwise. Some of those items “ended up in the possession” of one of Parker’s former longtime employees after Parker’s death in 1997, according to the filing.
Then in December 2021, the lawsuit says, the co-founder of GWS Auctions, Brigitte Kruse, reached out to both Priscilla Presley and Graceland’s chief archivist to tell them she knew that the employee had items that should be in EPE’s custody. Kruse allegedly even shared videos of her discussions with him acknowledging who owned what.
Kruse allegedly told Graceland’s archivist Angela Marchese “that she knew these materials were involved in ‘theft’ and rightfully belonged to EPE,” according to a signed declaration by Marchese obtained by ABC News.
When a Presley executive confronted the employee directly, he backtracked, saying it had all been “a misunderstanding,” and he only had “photocopies,” not originals, the suit says.
“Some of the very documents and memorabilia Kruse claimed [the employee] possessed have now been listed for sale,” the suit alleges, adding “it is apparent” how those items “made their way” to the auction house.
“Kruse listed the Property for sale despite knowing, as she made clear in her email to Marchese and contemporaneous conversations with Marchese, that Kruse knew these items to be stolen Property rightfully belonging to [EPE],” the suit said.
EPE sent a cease-and-desist letter to Kruse earlier this month.
In response, a lawyer for GWS said the company “denies any wrongdoing whatsoever,” and denies that the “characterizations of the communications between” Kruse and Marchese “are accurate or complete.” GWS also denied EPE’s property interest and said that they would “proceed with the auction,” according to the suit and appended exhibits.
In a statement to ABC News, Kruse pushed back on the allegations against her and her company, saying that the assertions are “unfounded and without merit.”
“EPE and Graceland’s assertions are unfounded and without merit. This is merely another attempt to discredit our founder and the company. Under no circumstances would we engage in the sale of “stolen” items, and this collection was sought after by auction houses globally,” Kruse said.
“The items in question successfully passed our auction house’s due diligence process and were subsequently offered for public sale. Furthermore, no police report has ever been filed by EPE/Graceland, and the owner has possessed this collection for several decades,” Kruse added.
As of Monday night, the auction site is still up, though bidding is closed.
The keepers of the Presley legacy say the decades-long story of Elvis is one of people trying to profit off of the King – and often at the expense of him and his family.
In May, Elvis’ idyllic Graceland retreat was mysteriously announced for auction by an unknown company calling itself “Naussany Investments,” which claimed that Lisa Marie used Graceland as collateral to take out a $3.8 million loan and had not repaid it.
The ensuing investigation stretched all the way from Memphis to Florida, where the notary whose fake seal was used for the alleged fraud spoke up — and Presley’s granddaughter countersued, stopping a possible sale. In August, the alleged perpetrator behind that alleged fraud was arrested in the Ozarks: Lisa Findley was apprehended on Aug. 16, the 47th anniversary of Elvis’ death. Federal prosecutors charged the Missouri woman with mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. The case is still pending, and Findley is last listed in custody in Tennessee.
“People have been trying to take from Elvis since Elvis was Elvis,” Joel Weinshanker, managing partner of Elvis Presley Enterprises, told ABC News this fall. “Elvis was a human being. He was a really good human being,” he said. “Pick on somebody else. Have a heart, have a conscience. And even if you don’t have a heart or have a conscience — know that you won’t get away with it.”
Lawsuit alleges irreplaceable Elvis Presley artifacts illegally put up for auction
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Celebrate Elvis’ birthday at Graceland
January 8-11, 2025
In January 2025, Graceland will celebrate the 90th birthday of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Born in 1935 in humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis Presley achieved legendary status, leaving a legacy that still resonates.
Join us at Graceland in Memphis on January 8-11 for a memorable celebration featuring live concerts, panels, special tours, and much more! Performers and special guests include Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys, who sang backup for Elvis as part of JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet; Terry Blackwood, who sang backup for Elvis as part of The Imperials; Sweet Inspiration Estelle Brown; Bill “Superfoot” Wallace; Terry Mike Jeffrey; Dean Z; Pat Dunn; Argo; Tom Brown; and more.
Tickets for Elvis’ Birthday Celebration are now on sale!
https://www.graceland.com/elvis-birthday
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SENT TO JESSE THRU THIS POINT
ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2025
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SATURDAY. JANUARY 4, 2025
My very good and long-time friend Lucilia L. emailed me the below sweet image back in December and I am so apologetic that lack of time has delayed my sharing it until today.
My heartfelt thanks to Lucilia.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2025
Elvis Presley Reaches A New Career Peak On A Chart That Didn’t Exist During His Lifetime
Senior Contributor
Hugh McIntyre covers music, with a focus on the global charts.
Jan 5, 2025,08:00am EST
Elvis Presley’s The Classic Christmas Album brings him to a new career peak on Billboard’s Top … [+]
Getty Images
A lot has changed in the music industry since Elvis Presley’s passing. In the decades following his death, perhaps the most meaningful shift has been the introduction of streaming, which has completely revolutionized how people consume music and how artists impact the Billboard charts.
Many musicians who enjoyed their heyday in the years before streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music emerged as powerful forces in the music business haven’t recreated their popularity in a new era. Tastes have changed, and many older listeners don’t necessarily focus on consuming the songs and albums they love on those sites. Presley has bucked that trend, at least somewhat, by scoring several hits on Billboard’s Top Streaming Albums chart—and he’s still climbing on that tally.
This week, Presley hits a new career high on the Top Streaming Albums ranking, which lists the most-streamed full-lengths in the U.S. The singer’s The Classic Christmas Album surges from No. 38 to No. 20, which now stands as the loftiest position he’s ever seen.
Presley beats his previous all-time high of No. 22, which he reached almost exactly a year ago. On the chart dated January 6, 2024—which reflected listening from the 2023 Christmas season—another popular holiday set, Elvis’ Christmas Album, debuted and peaked at No. 22.
Even before The Classic Christmas Album pushed past Elvis’ Christmas Album in terms of top placement, the former title stood out as Presley’s sturdier win on the Top Streaming Albums chart. His current hit has spent seven frames on the streaming-only roster, while Elvis’ Christmas Album only managed one turn before disappearing.
Billboard introduced the Top Streaming Albums chart only relatively recently, but Presley has still managed to collect a pair of smashes on the tally. That’s fairly rare among acts that got their start in the spotlight more than half a century ago, and that fact underlines his ongoing popularity in American pop culture.
The Classic Christmas Album is on the rise on multiple Billboard charts this week, as listeners in the U.S. can’t get enough of holiday music around this time of year. In addition to the Top Streaming Albums roster, Presley’s hugely successful collection reaches a new peak on the Top Country Albums and Top Rock Albums lists as well. It jumps to No. 4 on the former while finally conquering the latter for the first time.
ForbesBusinessHollywood & Entertainment
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Elvis at 90: Decade-by-decade milestones in the life — and afterlife — of the King
Memphis Commercial Appeal
When Graceland representatives slice into an elaborate cake in a public ceremony on Jan. 8, 2025, the cuts might be hashmarks counting down a noteworthy milestone in the chronology of Elvis Presley: the 90th anniversary of the birth of the man known as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Will the cake yield 90 slices? Who knows? “90” is a large number. That’s why this look back at 90 years of Elvis is citing instead a more manageable 10 milestones: one Elvis highlight per decade, from the 1930s, when he was born, until our currently unfolding decennium, the 2020s.
Not many people could justify such a retrospective. A remarkable aspect of Elvis is that his afterlife, like his life, continues to produce news. Most of us will be little remembered a half-century after death, but Elvis Presley is still debated and celebrated.
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/2025/01/02/elvis-presley
The above article contains links to 55 photos of Elvis with details of the event from which the photos were taken. They are beautiful and the historical details are very interesting. Below is one of my favorite photos and description. You will see an arrow allowing you to scroll through all of the photos within the above article.
I also really like this photo from the above article. This one is a good comparison to the photo of himself which Jesse gave me so many years ago.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025
Elvis Would Be Turning 90 in 2025. Here’s What It’s Like to Visit His Boyhood Home.
Tupelo, Mississippi tells a story of a young boy who sang in a country gospel church and bought his first guitar down at the local hardware store.
Reminders of Elvis’s life and music are everywhere, even 47 years after his death. From hearing one of his many hits on the radio to playfully mumbling “Thank you very much” in imitation of The King of Rock and Roll’s distinctive drawl to watching a seemingly never-ending stream of movies about his life, Elvis is gone but not forgotten.
But there’s no place he’s remembered so well as the city of his birth: Tupelo, Mississippi.
Although other cities claim Elvis’s history — namely Memphis, where his iconic home, Graceland, still stands — Tupelo tells a more innocent story of a young boy who sang in a country gospel church and bought his first guitar down at the local hardware store. If Elvis were alive today, he’d be getting ready to celebrate his 90th birthday on January 8, 2025. While no one knows what turning 90 would have looked like for Elvis, one thing’s sure: Tupelo is ready to celebrate the birth of her favorite son.
The History of Tupelo
In upper Mississippi, Tupelo was initially settled by the Chickasaw Nation, who ceded what is now present-day Tupelo after the War of 1812 ended. President Andrew Jackson subsequently ordered the Chickasaw moved to Oklahoma, and Mississippi became the 20th state to enter the Union in 1818. Tupelo was chartered in 1870 with a population of 618 people; Henry C. Medford became the city’s first mayor. In 2020, the city, now home to 37,000 people, celebrated its sesquicentennial.
Aside from being famous as Elvis’s birthplace, Tupelo was the first city to be supplied with power from the Tennessee Valley Authority. President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Tupelo in 1934 — the year before Elvis was born — and officially flipped the switch on the federally operated utility.
Elvis’s Birthplace and Early Years
Elvis Aaron Presley was born in 1935 in a two-room shotgun-style home built by his father, Vernon Presley, with $180 that he borrowed. The home was later repossessed because Vernon could not repay the loan for the building materials. The family lived in various other locations in Tupelo until Elvis was 13, after which they moved to Memphis.
The Elvis lore in Tupelo is dedicated to Elvis’s early life. If you want to explore the history of his rise to fame, flashy sequined jumpsuits, and life of indulgent excess, Memphis and Graceland tell the story of that stage of his life. Tupelo paints a picture of the gentler time of Elvis’s formative years and his musical foundations.
Visiting Tupelo Today
Unsurprisingly, Elvis-related tourism is the top draw for Tupelo. Although the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum receives substantially fewer visitors than Graceland – about 100,000 visitors per year compared with Graceland’s 600,000 – Tupelo is an easy add-on to a pilgrimage to Memphis, just 115 miles southeast. The birthplace complex contains the home built by Vernon, Elvis’s boyhood church, a memorial park, and a small museum dedicated to his early life and times. The home was re-purchased by Elvis when he was 21, with the proceeds from his 1957 homecoming concert in Tupelo. Elvis donated the house, plus 15 acres, to the city, along with funds to build a park and youth center, which today houses the visitor’s center and museum.
Elvis’ birthplace home was staged with the help of his father, who provided advice on the placement of the modest furnishings. Although most items inside aren’t original to the home, the Presley family donated the old-fashioned icebox. It’s humbling to stand in the tiny space, so simple compared to most homes today, and realize that someone who rose to meteoric fame had such austere beginnings.
The church on the property has been restored to look as it did when Elvis attended services as a child. The immersive church experience lasts about 20 minutes. Guests file into old-fashioned wooden pews, and a docent stands at the pulpit to give a brief speech. Then, state-of-the-art video screens descend from the ceiling, and visitors plunge into a 1940s-era gospel service. The service is projected onto the walls, which gives a 360-degree experience so real that you have to look at your shoes to convince yourself a time machine hasn’t rocketed you back 70-something years. The service culminates with a shy, young Elvis performing a solo hymn.
The park also includes a reflecting pond featuring the sculpture Becoming, which consists of two juxtaposed statues: 11-year-old Elvis holding a guitar in his lap, shadowed by Elvis the Entertainer in all his jumpsuited glory holding his cape aloft.
In the small museum are displays of some of young Elvis’ comic books and the story of his boyhood fascination with superheroes. It makes one wonder if his later glitzier, fitted sequined jumpsuits and flowing capes were inspired by his childhood admiration of Captain Marvel Junior.
Downtown Tupelo
Downtown Tupelo is full of Elvis memories. The Tupelo Hardware Company, where Elvis got his first guitar, is still a thriving hardware store. An X on the floor marks the spot where Elvis stood when the proprietor took the guitar from the display case and handed it to a newly minted 11-year-old whose mama had said no to the rifle he’d really wanted for his birthday. And, unlike most modern-day hardware stores, this one still sells guitars.
Stroll through Reed’s Department Store, where Elvis’s mother, Gladys Presley, once worked. A large mural in the men’s department shows employees at the 1934 company picnic, where you can see Gladys when she was pregnant with Elvis.
Downtown is also home to Fair Park, once a fairground where Elvis performed in 1956 and 1957. A statue of Elvis performing is a larger-than-life landmark and a fun selfie spot. Amid the fashionable boutiques, galleries, and eateries, Elvis murals and painted six-foot guitars dot the cityscape, offering a perfect blend of homage to The King and present-day food and shopping.
Tupelo Beyond Elvis
Although the light shines brightly on Elvis, there are other things to do in town, such as taking a charcuterie board-making class at CharCutie Tupelo, sampling mead made with Mississippi honey at Queen’s Reward Meadery, or exploring the area on a bike. Hotel Tupelo offers complimentary loaner bikes for guests.
Exploring the Mississippi stretch of the Natchez Trace Parkway — a 444-mile scenic road that also winds through Alabama and Tennessee — is another popular Tupelo pastime. The Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center has interpretive exhibits that explain the area’s history. A Chickasaw Heritage Center, which will tell the story of the native people displaced after the War of 1812, is currently under construction and expected to open in late 2026.
Celebrating the Life of Elvis
Although Tupelo expects a record number of visitors on Elvis’s January 8 birthday, and the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum will have a celebration complete with cake, the real party doesn’t start until summer. Every June, more than 40,000 people descend on Tupelo for the annual Elvis Festival to celebrate his life and contributions to music because, let’s face it: June is a much more pleasant time for outdoor festivities than January.
This five-day event includes performances by Elvis tribute artists, professional performers that imitate Elvis’s look and musical style. These artists are serious about their craft, so expect to be politely corrected if you refer to them as “Elvis impersonators.” The festival also includes celebrity appearances, living history re-enactments of important events in Elvis’s life, a 5K race, food — odds of finding a peanut butter and banana sandwich and some fried pickles are above average — and other events sponsored by the Tupelo Elvis Presley Fan Club.
It’s an opportunity to join other fans in honoring what Elvis gave to the world of music and pop culture and perhaps wistfully discussing what might have been if he’d lived a longer life. One thing we know with absolute certainty — we’re all glad his mom said no to the rifle. Happy Birthday, Elvis.
The 2025 Tupelo Elvis Festival takes place June 4-8 in Tupelo, Mississippi.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025
Donny Osmond praises late Elvis Presley for one piece of advice he received as early teen
Donny Osmond is remembering the best advice he received from the “king” of rock ‘n’ roll.
Osmond, 67, recalled the words of wisdom from Elvis Presley that resonated with him at a young age.
“I remember when we were talking to Elvis one day, our family even. He said, ‘If I could do it all over again, I’d get closer to my fans,'” Osmond told People.
Donny Osmond, left, shared the best advice he received from Elvis Presley at a young age. (Debra L Rothenberg/WireImage/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
“I was 14 at the time when he said that. And it really, really influenced me that a guy this big, you know, the ‘king’ of rock ‘n’ roll, says he wishes he could get closer to his fans ’cause he was so isolated. That’s one of the reasons why I do it, because that came from the ‘king.’”
In 2017, Osmond opened up about his encounters with Presley on the ITV show “Lorraine” and how he was the “nicest guy.” He added that Presley reminded him of the importance of being a “real person.”
Osmond continued to explain how he’d taken a more modern approach with social media in 2024 and said he “really enjoys” engaging with his fans as he reflected on his illustrious musical career.
“Can you imagine what I could have done with social media and the ‘Puppy Love’ days?” he remarked.
Presley reminded Osmond of the importance of being a “real person.” (Getty Images)
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/donny-osmond-praises-late-elvis-presley-advice-teen
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2025
I happened upon the below article that I really enjoyed. Because I have been friends with Elvis/Jesse for so many years and am so blessed to have many handwritten letters and signatures, this book is very interesting to me. I hope everyone will take the time to read and digest this most interesting article about this new forthcoming book.
Elvis Presley’s Dedication To Fans Shines Through In New Book ‘Yours Elvis Presley’
Contributor
Pam Windsor lives in Nashville, Tennessee and writes about music.
Jan 7, 2025,01:47pm EST
Updated Jan 7, 2025, 02:20pm EST
Elvis Presley signs autographs outside a movie studio in New York, NY (October 1956). Always willing … [+]
Bettmann Archive
One of the greatest rock and roll artists the world has ever known, Elvis graciously went out of his way to try and sign an autograph for every fan who asked him.
Stephen Shutts (a devoted fan who saw Elvis in concert four times) has spent decades in the Elvis memorabilia and autograph business. He’s collected and sold plenty of both. But when it came to autographs, he began noticing there was much more to it, than the signatures themselves. Every autograph has its own unique story, often involving a committed and extremely lucky fan, who got to meet Elvis in person.
Elvis Presley autograph
Courtesy of Stephen M. Shutts
And while the circumstances may have been different with each encounter, nearly everyone sharing their story, remarked on Elvis’ kindness, generosity, and deep appreciation for those who loved and supported his music.
“I had been assembling autographs as far back as the 90s,” Shutts explains. “Elvis was such a nice guy, he never turned people down. So, there are thousands and thousands of autographs out there. But what was interesting to me was the story behind them. Some are funny, some are sad, some are charming, and some are kind of silly. But everyone had a special experience.”
Shutts (who owns rockologyllc.com) began traveling the country to collect some of those stories and has compiled them in a book called “Yours Elvis Presley.”
“Yours Elvis Presley” is a new book written by Stephen M. Shutts.
Courtesy of book author Stephen M. Shutts
It’s full of photos and shared memories that show an interesting side of the man known as the “King of Rock and Roll.”
There are stories from “gate gals” who hung out before and after shows, others lucky enough to meet Elvis backstage, and many who came across him unexpectedly at a restaurant or other public location. There are also memories from those who met him while he was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army.
A page from “Yours Elvis Presley,” a new book documenting the iconic singer’s willingness to sign … [+]
Courtesy of Stephen M. Shutts
Page from “Yours Elvis Presley” showing Elvis Presley while stationed with the U.S. Army in Germany.
Courtesy of Stephen M. Shutts
While the majority of autographs are on photos or pieces of paper, there are some that ended up on more untraditional items.
“I love the story about the woman who had her sandals signed,” Shutts says. “I can imagine her desperation. ‘Oh, it’s Elvis, I’ve got to get an autograph!’ So, she’s scrambling around for anything he can write on. Sandals would have been the last thing I would have thought of. But it’s a great story, plus it took place in Palm Springs during a great era, the mid-60s.”
Elvis Presley signs sandal for fan who spotted him in Palm Springs, CA in the mid 60s and had not … [+]
Courtesy of Stephen M. Shutts
Elvis Presley signed baseball glove for a young fan at Ft. Hood.
Courtesy of Stephen M. Shutts
There’s the doll a little girl loaned to the crew shooting the Elvis movie Follow That Dream in 1961. Due to labor laws, children could only work for a short period of time, so the doll served as a stand-in.
“The doll was borrowed and they put wardrobe on it to be a stand-in for a child actor in the film,” says Shutts. “Elvis not only made sure the doll got back to this little girl, he signed it, as well. Any other film company might have decided, ‘Hey, don’t worry about the doll, we’ll just toss it.’ But Elvis made sure she got it back.”
Elvis also sent her a photo of him on set with the doll clearly behind him.
Elvis Presley autographed a doll a little girl loaned to the film crew on his 1961 film “Follow That … [+]
Courtesy of Stephen M. Shutts
From a monetary standpoint, Elvis autographs have steadily gone up in value through the years. Today, Shutts says, someone interested in selling an Elvis autograph can usually get anywhere between $1800 and $3000. Depending on the circumstances, that can go even higher.
“The lower range, between $1800 and $2000 is what you can usually get for what they call a ‘cut autograph’ where someone simply handed him a piece of paper and he signed it,” Shutts says. “The more desirable autographs, such as a photo signed on the front, command more money. Contracts signed by Elvis can get pretty lofty. And a handwritten letter, which is extremely rare, puts you in the $30,000 – $40,000 range.”
When it comes to autographs, Shutts, who is an Elvis handwriting expert, warns buyers to beware. He says there are a number of forgeries in circulation, as well as autographs actually signed by secretaries or other office staff, who responded to written requests from fans.
Author Stephen Shutts, a rock memorabilia collector and business owner (Rockology LLC)
Credit: Chris Hollo
While Shutts has been in the middle of “the Elvis world” for most of his life (he’s bought and sold numerous Elvis items including jumpsuits, jewelry, vehicles, and a ski boat currently on display at Graceland), even he has trouble describing the intense devotion that exists nearly five decades after Elvis’s death. It’s difficult to believe Elvis would have turned 90 this week, had he lived to see his 2025th birthday (January 8th).
“It’s hard to wrap my head around the Elvis phenomenon,” Shutts says, noting a lot of various factors behind Elvis’ appeal. “He had amazing good looks, he was dripping with charisma, he was always ahead of the game on fashion, just his whole rags to riches story. He was the ultimate rock star.”
Of course, there’s also his incredible catalogue of music that older fans still love, and new fans continue to discover.
Rock and roll musician Elvis Presley performing on the Elvis comeback TV special on June 27, 1968. … [+]
Getty
But, beyond all of that, Shutts says there was something truly special about Elvis that no one else has come close to matching.
“I always go back to his generosity, especially in comparison to artists today. You know, the body guards, the paparazzi, Elvis was never that way. He set the standard very high and I think a lot of people, from an artist perspective today, have failed. He was just a very decent human being, giving out autographs, but also gifts, and so forth. His is a story even Hollywood couldn’t have made up.”
Set to become available on Amazon in February, “Yours Elvis Presley” is on sale now via private order at a cost of $145, plus shipping. It also comes with a companion guide on analyzing Elvis Presley autographs. To learn more, email Shutts at marketingelvis@gmail.com.
Photos of Elvis signing autographs from “Yours Elvis Presley”
Courtesy of Stephen M. Shutts
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Pam Windsor is a journalist covering all things music. Based in Nashville, TN, she’s written for Forbes.com
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Elvis Presley’s Dedication To Fans Shines Through In New Book ‘Yours Truly Elvis’
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JANUARY 8, 2025
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
ELVIS/JESSE
WE LOVE YOU DEARLY
ALWAYS AND ETERNALLY
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Hi to all of you dear visitors to our website.
I have just compiled the last of your messages to Jesse and will be mailing them out to Jesse. I know he will truly enjoy reading all of the kind and sweet sentiments in your messages.
It has truly been my pleasure to make this opportunity available for every one of you to write to Jesse. It has made me feel excellent to see the number of messages and the content of your messages.
God willing, I will open a Messages to Jesse page for Christmas and his birthday again in December of 2025.
‘Til we meet again, may God bless each of you. Adios.
Love, light, and peace always,
Linda Hood Sigmon
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SENT TO JESSE THROUGH THIS POINT
ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025
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MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025
I have some news from Jesse tonight. He called me a little bit ago. We only spoke for a few minutes as it was uncomfortable for him to be standing up to use the phone. He said that he had some surgery…of course, that scared me. I asked if he would be alright and he said that he is OK and will be alright. He will be seeing the Dr. tomorrow. He said he will try to call me again to let me know how he is doing. I have been very worried about him and feel so much better after speaking with him.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025
Below I am sharing photos of the two Christmas gifts from Jesse that Tom and I received back in December. Our kind go-between phoned us to tell us that Jesse had sent gifts to him to be forwarded to us for Christmas and we did receive these gifts a few days later. He told me then that Jesse was not doing too good but that he would be all right.
I did not want to post the photos of the gifts until I did hear from Jesse and knew that he was indeed doing OK. Since he did call me yesterday, I do want to share the photos of the gifts below.
Needless to say, Tom and I do love these sweet gifts and will treasure them always just as we have everything that Jesse has given us over the past 32 years.
He sent Tom the figure of the mountain lion which is just beautiful. I am displaying all sides of it so that the intricate markings by the artist, and the artist’s name may be seen as well as the year.
I love the beautiful ring that Jesse sent to me. The sapphire is my birthstone so it is very special to me.
(The ring did not come in this box…I used this for display only.)
Our heartfelt thanks to Jesse for these sweet and thoughtful gifts.
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I have so many things going on these days with my three-days-a-week physical therapy sessions, helping our friend with her health problems, our other appointments of our own, etc. So, I had not thought of the importance of this date Jan. 14th until I read an email from my good friend Chris Mc. Below is the message that Chris sent to me…and I thank him so very much for reminding me.
Today the 14th was when he rocked them around the world….
Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite is a concert starring Elvis Presley that took place at the Honolulu International Center and was broadcast live via satellite to audiences in Asia and Oceania on January 14, 1973. The show was presented with a delay in Europe. In the United States, to avoid a programming conflict with Super Bowl VII and Elvis on Tour which was playing in cinemas at the time, NBC opted to air a ninety-minute television special of the concert on April 4.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2025
In memory of President & Mrs. Jimmy Carter… Showing them with Elvis.
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SENT TO JESSE THROUGH THIS POINT
ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2025
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2025
As most of us know, Elvis was close friends with Muhammad Ali. Below is one reason why they had much in common and became true friends. Ali’s birthday was January 17, which, in numerology, becomes a number 8 day that matches Elvis’ January 8 birthday: 1 + 7 = 8.
Muhammad Ali was an American former heavyweight champion boxer and one of the greatest sporting figures of the 20th century12. He was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. on January 17, 1942
On Episode #7 of “Globetrotting with Trey” I share a story of The Greatest of All-Times, Muhammad Ali, and his friendship with Elvis Presley. Plus join me on June 10th, 2016 inside the KFC YUM! Center in Louisville,Ky at Muhammad Ali’s Memorial Service. Hear President Bill Clinton, comedian Billy Crystal, and others talk about The People’s Champ! This video is in honor of The Greatest Heavy Weight Boxer of All-Times, Muhammad Ali!!
When Vernon met Muhammad Ali, 1978.
When Vernon met Muhammad Ali, 1978. Well, Joe Esposito and Tom Parker were there too. Most probably in Las Vegas.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2025
Below is a video of photos along with the complete audio album of the show we were present for in Charlotte, N. C. on March 20th, 1976. This was a true red letter day for me and Tom. We loved and treasured the memory of every moment of this show. This was the ONLY Elvis concert that we were ever able to attend.
When Jesse and I first started speaking on the phone, he asked me if I had been to one of his shows and I immediately told him the date and location of this show. He immediately responded something like “Oh, that was not a good show.” Needless to say, I told him how wonderful it really was and how much it meant to me.
I don’t know how I missed seeing this on YouTube for so long. But, I thank God that I stumbled upon it today.
Tom and I were being respectful of all rules when we attended this show and did not carry any camera or recording device of any kind so I have never even had so much as a photo that we took of the show. I have a few photos from the show that I have found on the Internet but that is all. Coming upon this YouTube video is like a blessing from God. My sincerest heartfelt thanks to the owner of this channel for creating and sharing this video.
Elvis Presley – Steamrollin’ Charlotte – March 20, 1976 Full Album
Elvis Presley Concert CD
youtu.be/NCpKceutaS8?si=SOwkGxKwk1Vhkx6N
2,122 views Dec 2, 2018
Recorded live at the Charlotte Coliseum. March 20, 1976 (2:30 PM). Charlotte, NC. Released 1994 Pictures From Concert March 20, 1976 Tracklisting [01] Opening Vamp 1:00 [02] See See Rider 2:40 [03] I Got A Woman – Amen 8:31 [04] Love Me 3:48 [05] Let Me Be There 2:51 [06] You Gave Me A Mountain 4:30 [07] Steamroller Blues 3:11 [08] Until It’s Time For You To Go 4:17 [09] All Shook Up 1:01 [10] Polk Salad Annie 4:23 [11] Band Introductions 9:07 [12] And I Love You So 3:34 [13] Hurt 2:26 [14] Burning Love 4:24 [15] America The Beautiful 2:38 [16] Funny How Time Slips Away 2:57 [17] How Great Thou Art 3:18 [18] Hawaiian Wedding Song 3:03 [19] Can’t Help Falling In Love 1:46 [20] Closing Vamp 2:20 March 20, 1976 (2:30 PM). Charlotte, NC.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025
My good friend Dennis F. Miller shared the below great photos with me. I appreciate these so much and send Dennis my heartfelt thanks.
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SENT TO JESSE THROUGH THIS POINT
ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2025
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024
Riley Keough will be holding a bash this year to mark her grandfather Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday, a source claims.
It is claimed Keogh is planning to have the celebration at her Graceland property in Memphis, Tennessee, the former home of The King, who died there in 1977 after suffering a cardiac arrest.
A source close to Keogh’s family told Life & Style that “a four-day celebration is planned where fans can come to Graceland and celebrate Elvis.”
They said Keogh is more committed than ever to preserving the legacy of her grandad and mom, Lisa Marie Presley, who died in January 2023 as a result of a small bowel obstruction.
The insider said: “It’s been two years since Riley lost her mom, but it’s all still very raw for her.
They said: “The grief is still front and center. But she’s incredibly strong and wants to forge on with this tribute to Elvis because she knows it’s what Lisa Marie would have wanted.”
The source said the event will include special tours and performances from different musicians who sang backup for Elvis.
They said: “Riley knows it will mean a lot to his fans to be able to celebrate him for his birthday, and she wants to give them something unforgettable.”
The source also revealed after the celebration there will be a gathering of “just close friends and family.” at the propertywhere Elvis, Lisa Marie and her son Ben are all buried.
They explained: “Being there on the property is incredibly emotional for Riley and the rest of the family” due to their loved ones being buried there.
Keogh wants her grandma Priscilla, younger sisters and dad to attend the event, according to the insider.
They added: “It’s going to be very intimate and a chance for them to process more of their grief, while also celebrating the incredible life of their patriarch, Elvis.”
Riley and Priscilla were entangled in a legal battle over Lisa Marie’s will after her death including ownership of Graceland.
They walked the red carpet together at the 75th Emmy Awards in January 2024 and at the time a source said the reunion was “new.”
They said: “It has been months of fighting and hard feelings, and they are just working through all of that. Stepping out together at the Emmys was their way of showing the world a united front.”
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MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2025
My friend Chris McC sent the below to me and I appreciate him doing so very much. He said that this is the best account of this project that he has read and I certainly agree with Chris.
Can’t wait to view this when it comes out.
Once more, my appreciation to Chris for sharing this with me.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025
More information regarding Baz Luhrmann’s new film project:
EXCLUSIVE: Remember how long it took Austin Butler to shed his Elvis Presley vocal and physical patter after living with the character through the pandemic and beyond for Elvis? Well, his director Baz Luhrmann was right alongside him, and he also hasn’t gotten The King out of his system.
He’s using the voracious amount of research he put into the film he co-wrote into a second feature film, this one closer to documentary than narrative feature. He was kind enough to give Deadline readers an advance look at a teaser trailer on where he’s going. Have a look above.
“There has always been talk amongst Elvis’ fans, both longtime fans and newer fans brought in by our film Elvis, of missing reels and never-before-seen concert footage,” Luhrmann told Deadline. “During the making of Elvis, from very early on in my process I had the privilege to access the studio’s vaults deep in the salt mines of Kansas, where troves of old film negatives are stored. We were astonished by the sheer volume of unused footage from Elvis: That’s the Way It Is, the film of Elvis’s legendary 1970 Summer Festival in Las Vegas – all shot on anamorphic 35mm, and also from Elvis’s road concert film from two years later, Elvis on Tour.
“Equally exciting was that we found not only picture that has never been seen at this quality, but also rare behind-the-scenes audio that had been feared lost, especially some fascinating recordings of Elvis telling stories from his own life in his own words.
“We’re still very much in the middle of creating this work, but there has been so much talk and such enthusiasm for this, that I felt now it was time to share what has been happening with it. I can’t say much more about it, except that I wouldn’t call it a documentary, or a concert film; our aim here is to make something new in the Elvis canon. My creative team at Bazmark is being led by my longtime editor, Jonathan Redmond and we’ve partnered with the terrific teams at Authentic Studios and Sony Music Vision, with great support from Warner Bros., to bring something to the screen that befits the magnitude of Elvis as a performer, but also offers deeper revelations of his humanity and inner life.”
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SENT TO JESSE THRU THIS POINT
ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2025
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I HAVE CREATED A NEW PAGE FOR CURRENT NEWS AND EVENTS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, 2025
PLEASE VISIT THE BELOW LINK TO ACCESS THAT PAGE.
The following was my closing message on the “Messages to Jesse…” page.