When Elvis met Nixon

You've seen the photo and heard the story, but not in this much detail. Go here.

Elvis is Everywhere

Seen one Elvis, seen 'em all. Not quite. Everything's bigger in Texas and Ken Shimamoto contributes this clip of Extreme Elvis:

Well that's alright, Mamma

I did attend an Elvis party last weekend so this is appropriate.

From Las Vegas (where else?) comes news that Big Elvis (aka impersonator Pete Vallee) is offering to take a DNA test to prove his is indeed a direct descendant of The Big Prez. Judge for yourself.

Party down with Colonel Parker

The Barman is going to an Elvis-themed party in a couple of weeks. With so many would-be Presleys in the house, I'm thinking the only choice of costume (apart from going as Priscilla) is Colonel Tom Parker.

It's a little-known factoid that the real reason Elvis never toured outside the US (apart from some 1957 shows in Canada which had an open border then) was that his manager wasn't a legitimate American citizen and might have been deported had he applied for a passport.

Happy Deathday, Elvis

Today is the 26th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. The King was found next to his throne in his Memphis palace, the victim of excessive medication and a pre-Internet sedentary lifestyle.

It was only last week that an unknown bidder paid $US300,000 at auction for this jumpsuit worn by The King, which originally cost $10,0000 to make. That's some expensive fancy dress costume to wear to a party. Ya'all be careful with the punch.

Anarchy in Graceland

Yes, I know, there's been minimal ranting lately - for reasons I won't bore you with - so here's a quick line to indicate there are still signs of life. I stumbled over a myspace thingie for a San Francisco band called the Sex Presleys recently and if The King's tunes sung to the music of Rotten et al is your bag, you'll probably enjoy 'em. Gimicky, I know, but everybody's got to have their schtick.

Some Other Shit I've Been Liking:

"Old Shoes New Clothes" - the sweeping new album by Johnny Casino & The Secrets.

Demos by The Passengers - yes, an album is pending down the track.

"The Floating Life" - esoteric and moody debut record by Stewart "Leadfinger" Cunningham's new-ish band, on Spanish label Bang! Records.

"Stranded in the Nineties" - Brother Brick's posthumous double CD compilaiton on Off The Hip.

"Rejectionville" - Posthumous compile of tracks by the Kryptonics. One classic and a string of shouldabeen hits. On Memorandum.

Elvis always was an over-achiever