THE MIRROR: PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY VISIT THE REAL KING
They went to a wedding in Memphis and couldn't resist a private tour of Graceland TM! Take a look at the article. There's a good picture of them dressed in rhinestone suits and big belts!
Showing posts with label Elvis Presley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elvis Presley. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
WES BRYAN MY LIFE IN MUSIC - TECHNOLOGY UPDATE - STATS and CTNWB OUR YOUTUBE STATION!
It's April 2014 and we're slowly updating this Google Blog, which has been written since August 2007 and in that time has gotten a number of expired links, YouTube videos, and so on. Eventually we will replace all expired videos with new ones that have no commercials, as possible and rethink our CTNWB station. (Someone else has a YouTube station called WES BRYAN - MY LIFE IN MUSIC which has no relationship with us.)
We take pride in this project, know that some of you use it for research, and want it to stand as a useful, informative, and beautiful Blog!
In summer 2009 Google installed a simple stat's function on all Bloggers, and since then we give it a look once in a while. As of April 8 2014 Google is reporting that we've enjoyed 63,703 hits.
One of the things that's come up is that from time to time some other stats company shows up or sneaks up and broadcasts its take on our stats as well its take on the selling price of the blog - which isn't for sale! These are commercial enterprises that we have no relationship with.
And we would never agree that the total value of a blog is all about hits anyway! How can you put a price on a teenager reading about Eddie Cochran for the first time or evaluate the treasure of a free paper doll of Elvis Presley from Dover Publications or the connection an old friend has made?
Never once since it's happened that a strange stats company has reported stats to the world have they been equal to the stats Google Blogger reports, which is always many more hits to the blog. Of course, we never did write just to get stats. But we trust Google over these other stat companies.
We've stayed to our subject pretty much with is EARLY ROCK AND ROLL, ROCKABILLY, THE COVER TUNE ERA, THE SINGER SONGWRITER SCENE, THE BRITISH INVASION of AMERICA and the AMERICAN INVASION OF BRITAIN. We've never intended to cover the entire history of Rock and Roll! Just like the title says this is WES BRYAN - MY LIFE IN MUSIC!
We notice hits from a variety of countries and on which posts seem to be the most interesting to our readers and it is fascinating to know that someone on a computer from some lesser known location of the world reads us - thus the THANK YOU to our READERSHIP posts. We never post a country that Google hasn't shown us to be reading. So even as we do this update, we've got about 1500 hits a month... on older posts and newer.
AND WE THANK YOU for READING WES BRYAN - MY LIFE IN MUSIC!
******
Here is a partial list of countries from which readers make it to our site!
First the top 10 as of today...
United States
Russia
Germany
United Kingdom
Canada
France
Netherlands
Ukraine
Spain
Australia
WE NOTE THAT THE READERSHIP FROM SPAIN IS MUCH MORE RECENT!
We are also enjoying hits from:
China
Brazil
India
Sweden
Italy
Malaysia
Finland
Portugal
Algeria
Malta
United Arab Emerits
South Korea
New Zealand
Argentina
Bulgaria
Poland...
and many other countries!
We take pride in this project, know that some of you use it for research, and want it to stand as a useful, informative, and beautiful Blog!
In summer 2009 Google installed a simple stat's function on all Bloggers, and since then we give it a look once in a while. As of April 8 2014 Google is reporting that we've enjoyed 63,703 hits.
One of the things that's come up is that from time to time some other stats company shows up or sneaks up and broadcasts its take on our stats as well its take on the selling price of the blog - which isn't for sale! These are commercial enterprises that we have no relationship with.
And we would never agree that the total value of a blog is all about hits anyway! How can you put a price on a teenager reading about Eddie Cochran for the first time or evaluate the treasure of a free paper doll of Elvis Presley from Dover Publications or the connection an old friend has made?
Never once since it's happened that a strange stats company has reported stats to the world have they been equal to the stats Google Blogger reports, which is always many more hits to the blog. Of course, we never did write just to get stats. But we trust Google over these other stat companies.
We've stayed to our subject pretty much with is EARLY ROCK AND ROLL, ROCKABILLY, THE COVER TUNE ERA, THE SINGER SONGWRITER SCENE, THE BRITISH INVASION of AMERICA and the AMERICAN INVASION OF BRITAIN. We've never intended to cover the entire history of Rock and Roll! Just like the title says this is WES BRYAN - MY LIFE IN MUSIC!
We notice hits from a variety of countries and on which posts seem to be the most interesting to our readers and it is fascinating to know that someone on a computer from some lesser known location of the world reads us - thus the THANK YOU to our READERSHIP posts. We never post a country that Google hasn't shown us to be reading. So even as we do this update, we've got about 1500 hits a month... on older posts and newer.
AND WE THANK YOU for READING WES BRYAN - MY LIFE IN MUSIC!
******
Here is a partial list of countries from which readers make it to our site!
First the top 10 as of today...
United States
Russia
Germany
United Kingdom
Canada
France
Netherlands
Ukraine
Spain
Australia
WE NOTE THAT THE READERSHIP FROM SPAIN IS MUCH MORE RECENT!
We are also enjoying hits from:
China
Brazil
India
Sweden
Italy
Malaysia
Finland
Portugal
Algeria
Malta
United Arab Emerits
South Korea
New Zealand
Argentina
Bulgaria
Poland...
and many other countries!
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
WANNA GO SEE ELVIS' GOLD SUIT? SAN FERNANDO VALLEY MUSEUM SPOTLIGHTS
DAILY NEWS ; MUSEUM SPOTLIGHTS OLD SAN FERNANDO VALLEY - NUDIE'S SUITS
By Gregory J. Wilcox, Los Angeles Daily News on 3/27/2014
Tommy Gelinas, a voracious Valley memorabilia collector and owner of the Print Lab in North Hollywood, founded the museum last year, largely so he could show off his finds. It now houses two “Nudie mobiles,” old Pontiac Bonnevilles customized by Nudie Cohen, the late Studio City-based western-clothing designer. Cohen was responsible for the “Rhinestone Cowboy” craze, and the museum proudly displays a gold lamé suit he designed for Elvis Presley.
HERE'S THE LINK TO THE VALLEY RELICS MUSEUM http://www.valleyrelics.org/
Valley Relics Museum
21630 Marilla St.
Chatsworth CA 91311
818-678-4934
Hour of Operation
Every Saturday from 10:00am - 3:00pm
By Gregory J. Wilcox, Los Angeles Daily News on 3/27/2014
Tommy Gelinas, a voracious Valley memorabilia collector and owner of the Print Lab in North Hollywood, founded the museum last year, largely so he could show off his finds. It now houses two “Nudie mobiles,” old Pontiac Bonnevilles customized by Nudie Cohen, the late Studio City-based western-clothing designer. Cohen was responsible for the “Rhinestone Cowboy” craze, and the museum proudly displays a gold lamé suit he designed for Elvis Presley.
HERE'S THE LINK TO THE VALLEY RELICS MUSEUM http://www.valleyrelics.org/
Valley Relics Museum
21630 Marilla St.
Chatsworth CA 91311
818-678-4934
Hour of Operation
Every Saturday from 10:00am - 3:00pm
Thursday, March 27, 2014
NASCAR TEAM OWNER DALE EARNHARDT JR. UNVEILS ELVIS CAR! STUTZ BEARCAT III
YAHOO AUTOS - ELVIS PRESLEY'S LAST RIDE full article link DALE EARNHARDT JUNIOR UNVEILS by Justin Hyde at Yahoo Autos.
So of course it was Elvis Presley's favorite — and today, the Stutz which Elvis drove hours before his death was given a reintroduction at the hands of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Unveiled at the Charlotte Motor Speedway by Earnhardt, NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick and Ray Evernham — all in Elvis shades — the black 1973 Stutz Bearcat III was Elvis' third Stutz; he had bought a white copy and the second prototype the company built by hand. In that era, the Stutz could sell for the equivalent of more than $100,000 and the company often billed itself as selling the world's most expensive car. Finished in red leather, the car was essentially Presley's daily driver at the time of his death in August 1977.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
FROM OUR ARCHIVES POST (197) WHAT'D WE DO WITHOUT THOSE BLUE SUEDE SHOES ? CARL PERKINS and ELVIS PRESLEY
Carl Perkins' Rockabilly "Blue Suede Shoes," is so associated with Elvis Presley but Carl was first with it and the song was covered again and again, a true classic in its own time.
Here's a YouTube presentation of Carl singing "Blue Suede Shoes."
And here's one of many videos featuring Elvis Presley singing probably the song most associated with him other than "Hound Dog"...
)
Here's a YouTube presentation of Carl singing "Blue Suede Shoes."
And here's one of many videos featuring Elvis Presley singing probably the song most associated with him other than "Hound Dog"...
)
Thursday, February 13, 2014
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO OLD FRIENDS AND NEW! A COUPLE MESSAGES TO FANS and COMMENTERS!
WE GOT A FEW COMMENTS THAT WE THOUGHT WE'D RESPOND TO HERE!
To Celine who wrote to us about maybe getting married at the Elvis Chapel in Vegas... We've never been there but it seems to us that you could have a lot of fun creating your own
ELVIS PRESLEY THEMED WEDDING! We wish you the best!
To Denice who wrote to us about also trying to locate my old friend DON DARCEL,
we'll get in touch if and when we find Don... He is missed as well as missing in action!
and thanks for letting us know that Wes Bryan was "Big in Fort Lee."
To Bonnie; You and Charlie are well remembered as fun making friends
at Elvis' house parties in Los Angeles, California!
To Arne, our champion Wes Bryan - YouTube video poster from Sweden.
We haven't forgotten about you!
Half the United States may as well be Sweden this winter!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
CHET ATKINS TRIVIA : CHET PLAYED ON EVERLY BROTHERS RECORDS AS WELL AS ELVIS' HEARTBREK HOTEL
When it was cut, Chet played on Heartbreak Hotel on RCA, no it wasn't The Blue Moon Boys group or Scotty Moore...
According to the Rock Hall bio, "As a studio musician, he appeared on records by Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, and countless country musicians. Atkins thumb-and-fingerpicking style influenced George Harrison, Duane Eddy, the Ventures, Eddie Cochran, Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler, as well as innumerable country pickers. Even the likes of Ted Nugent has credited Atkins with inspiring him to take up the instrument. ‘’I think he influenced everybody who picked up a guitar,’’ said Duane Eddy."
MISTERGUITAR - CHET ATKINS OFFICIAL
According to the Rock Hall bio, "As a studio musician, he appeared on records by Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, and countless country musicians. Atkins thumb-and-fingerpicking style influenced George Harrison, Duane Eddy, the Ventures, Eddie Cochran, Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler, as well as innumerable country pickers. Even the likes of Ted Nugent has credited Atkins with inspiring him to take up the instrument. ‘’I think he influenced everybody who picked up a guitar,’’ said Duane Eddy."
MISTERGUITAR - CHET ATKINS OFFICIAL
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
JIM MORRISON TRIVIA : HIS FAVORITE SINGER WAS ELVIS
According to the film WHEN YOU'RE STRANGE, a film about the Doors by Tom DiCillo, Jim Morrison's favorite singer was Elvis. Towards the end of Jim's career, he had switched his affiliation to FRANK SINATRA!
When You're Strange is C 2010
When You're Strange is C 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS!
A bit of controversy over if this is actually Elvis or an impersonator singing. Here is the definitive answer, posted on YouTube.
"This was officially released on the Memphis Recording Service release Off Duty with Private Presley in 2010. This recording was from May 1958. On the same day, he sang Sail Along Silvery Moon/I Understand Just How I Feel, Happy, Happy Birthday Baby; Dialogue, I Can't Help It, Dialogue, Who's Sorry Now, Who's Sorry Now reprise, another five goes at Happy, Happy Birthday Baby, Dialogue, Tumblin' Tumbleweeds/Blue Moon/Don't You Know I Love You, Tomorrow Night (twice), Little Darlin' Monologue, and Just A Closer Walk With Thee. Who's Sorry Now was done by Anita Wood with Elvis singing backup."
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
THERE'S A HOUSE PARTY TONIGHT : FROM WES BRYAN - MY LIFE IN MUSIC ARCHIVES
Post (70) from November 13, 2007!
The first party I attended at Elvis' after moving to LA, Johnny Rivers and I drove up to Bel Air. Elvis was making the movie "Flaming Star" at 20th Century Fox. It was his 6th movie. Johnny had been over to Elvis and he said "I know he wants to see you." So we got into Johnny's car and drove up to Bel Air.
In the movie "Flaming Star," Elvis played what we referred to then as a "half breed," someone who was half Native American. It was Marlon Brando who the writers had in mind to play the part Elvis did. It wouldn't be the first or last time that a script written with James Dean or Marlon Brando in mind ended up staring Elvis Presley.
The femme fatal of the film was actress Barbara Eden, who would become known for her signature role in the television series "I Dream of Jeannie."
At the house Elvis came through the door still covered in the body makeup the studio had him wear to appear darker. (He also wore brown contact lenses to cover his naturally blue eyes.) When you look at some of the stills of the film today, you can see how unnatural it looks.
He welcomed me with a hug and told us to make ourselves at home until he got all that makeup off. It took him near an hour.
This was the beginning of my being a regular at Elvis Presley's house parties - the time of my life! Elvis' as my second home!
The first party I attended at Elvis' after moving to LA, Johnny Rivers and I drove up to Bel Air. Elvis was making the movie "Flaming Star" at 20th Century Fox. It was his 6th movie. Johnny had been over to Elvis and he said "I know he wants to see you." So we got into Johnny's car and drove up to Bel Air.
In the movie "Flaming Star," Elvis played what we referred to then as a "half breed," someone who was half Native American. It was Marlon Brando who the writers had in mind to play the part Elvis did. It wouldn't be the first or last time that a script written with James Dean or Marlon Brando in mind ended up staring Elvis Presley.
The femme fatal of the film was actress Barbara Eden, who would become known for her signature role in the television series "I Dream of Jeannie."
At the house Elvis came through the door still covered in the body makeup the studio had him wear to appear darker. (He also wore brown contact lenses to cover his naturally blue eyes.) When you look at some of the stills of the film today, you can see how unnatural it looks.
He welcomed me with a hug and told us to make ourselves at home until he got all that makeup off. It took him near an hour.
This was the beginning of my being a regular at Elvis Presley's house parties - the time of my life! Elvis' as my second home!
Monday, January 6, 2014
ELVIS SINGING AT HIS HOME ON ROCCA PLACE LOS ANGELES : IF I LOVED YOU
ELVIS loved to sing. This video of a private recording at Rocco place appeared on YouTube and we thought you'd enjoy the informality of the occasion.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
LENNONYC : JOHN LENNON and JACK DOUGLAS, MUSIC PRODUCER ON ELVIS and the EARLY ROCK AND ROLLERS
LENNONYC is a documentary put out by PBS : AMERICAN MASTERS
Jack Douglas was the music producer of Lennon's album DOUBLE FANTASY. In this film, he talks about the song "Starting Over" and John talks about that time in his life when he was reaching back to his roots in early Rock and Roll.
JACK : "He's doing his Elvis Impersonation... the Elvis intonation. It brought back the feeling of early Rock and Roll."
JOHN : "It was tongue and cheek Elvis. It was John Lennon - American Rock and Roll - not competing but enjoying it."
John Lennon goes on to mention Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly, and Elvis Presley as inspirations to him as a developing musician.
Jack Douglas was the music producer of Lennon's album DOUBLE FANTASY. In this film, he talks about the song "Starting Over" and John talks about that time in his life when he was reaching back to his roots in early Rock and Roll.
JACK : "He's doing his Elvis Impersonation... the Elvis intonation. It brought back the feeling of early Rock and Roll."
JOHN : "It was tongue and cheek Elvis. It was John Lennon - American Rock and Roll - not competing but enjoying it."
John Lennon goes on to mention Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly, and Elvis Presley as inspirations to him as a developing musician.
Friday, January 3, 2014
OUR ELVIS PRESLEY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION - 2014!
When we began blogging in 2007, we dedicated this effort to ELVIS PRESLEY.
And every year we having Blogger Celebration focused on Elvis for his birthday. Elvis was born January 8, 1935. He'd be 79 years old if he were alive today.
This year the nature of our celebration is different because of the YouTube videos that have been posted by people who have somehow gotten their hands on HOME RECORDINGS. Now these people may have been there (or maybe their parents were since so many of us from the early rock and roll era are senior citizens now or have passed on). We don't know, but we think they're authentic.
We want to let you know that we're planning some Down Time in 2014. This blog is experiencing a lot of glitches - some mystifying - that need to be resolved that will take some time and focus, as well as updating of videos and links, and we haven't given up on a good slideshow to replace the one that went down with changes at Photobucket. (Some of our pages and posts just went poof!)
But for now relax and enjoy, and let the year begin on Elvis!
This popular publicity photo of Elvis is one of my favorites.
And every year we having Blogger Celebration focused on Elvis for his birthday. Elvis was born January 8, 1935. He'd be 79 years old if he were alive today.
This year the nature of our celebration is different because of the YouTube videos that have been posted by people who have somehow gotten their hands on HOME RECORDINGS. Now these people may have been there (or maybe their parents were since so many of us from the early rock and roll era are senior citizens now or have passed on). We don't know, but we think they're authentic.
We want to let you know that we're planning some Down Time in 2014. This blog is experiencing a lot of glitches - some mystifying - that need to be resolved that will take some time and focus, as well as updating of videos and links, and we haven't given up on a good slideshow to replace the one that went down with changes at Photobucket. (Some of our pages and posts just went poof!)
But for now relax and enjoy, and let the year begin on Elvis!
This popular publicity photo of Elvis is one of my favorites.
Monday, December 30, 2013
ELVIS PRESLEY : OH HOW I LOVE JESUS
Several home recordings of Elvis and friends singing at his house have emerged on YouTube in recent months, and this is one of them. Because this blog focus isn't on Gospel Music, though you can pull up the Gospel Music Association in a previous post, we haven't written much about Elvis and Gospel music, but he loved Gospel music, and I have memories of those times when he sang Gospel - even at parties. He could bring tears to your eyes.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
(481) NANCY SINATRA'S BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKIN'
A while back we posted on Nancy Sinatra when she was one of the guests on the TV program that featured Elvis Presley and her father, Frank Sinatra, The Welcome Back Special. Elvis had just returned to the United States from Germany and the United States Army.
"Are you ready boots? Start Walkin!" These words are so associated with Nancy, who chose to record songs on Frank's Reprise label (where my friend Jimmy Bowen became a producer) that portrayed her as a take-charge, in control, and liberated woman. The song was written for her by Lee Hazelwood and it became a number one hit in the United States and the United Kingdom, making Nancy one more American who Invaded Britain.
No doubt initially aided by her loving dad, Nancy, who appeared on the Welcome Back Special in what was a prim prom-gown kind of dress, had moved with the times, the early 1960's and the dancing Go Go Girls.
Now Nancy has her own site, but we found it down, and we think it may be bombarded because of the news recently that a son of Mia Farrow's may be Franks. We proceeded to the Sinatra Family site and same thing.
So we're going to post the links for you here and hopefully when you try them, they'll be up!
NANCY SINATRA OFFICAL link
SINATRA FAMILY OFFICIAL link
Lee Hazelwood passed away in 2007. Here's a link to some good career information for the man who was known to be a rugged individualist!
CBENJAMIN WORDPRESS ON LEE HAZELWOOD link
Church Benjamin is a Blogger on Word Press! His theme is SONGS YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD, and he's a good writer.
"Are you ready boots? Start Walkin!" These words are so associated with Nancy, who chose to record songs on Frank's Reprise label (where my friend Jimmy Bowen became a producer) that portrayed her as a take-charge, in control, and liberated woman. The song was written for her by Lee Hazelwood and it became a number one hit in the United States and the United Kingdom, making Nancy one more American who Invaded Britain.
No doubt initially aided by her loving dad, Nancy, who appeared on the Welcome Back Special in what was a prim prom-gown kind of dress, had moved with the times, the early 1960's and the dancing Go Go Girls.
Now Nancy has her own site, but we found it down, and we think it may be bombarded because of the news recently that a son of Mia Farrow's may be Franks. We proceeded to the Sinatra Family site and same thing.
So we're going to post the links for you here and hopefully when you try them, they'll be up!
NANCY SINATRA OFFICAL link
SINATRA FAMILY OFFICIAL link
Lee Hazelwood passed away in 2007. Here's a link to some good career information for the man who was known to be a rugged individualist!
CBENJAMIN WORDPRESS ON LEE HAZELWOOD link
Church Benjamin is a Blogger on Word Press! His theme is SONGS YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD, and he's a good writer.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
WES BRYAN ON THE COVER OF THE AKRON BEACON JOURNAL'S ROTO MAGAZINE 1957
Local Akron, Ohio photographers and journalists and DJ's, as well as Southern Boys like Jimmy Bowen, Buddy Knox, and even Elvis Presley, were influential in my career - and this 1957 cover was my lucky break. It makes me wonder about the role of Fate in a life.Tuesday, September 3, 2013
MARTIN SHEEN QUOTE on ELVIS PRESLEY and JAMES DEAN
"Jim Dean and Elvis were the spokesmen for an entire generation. When I was in acting school in New York, years ago, there was a saying that if Marlon Brando changed the way people acted, then James Dean changed the way people lived. He was the greatest actor who ever lived. He was simply a genius."
- Martin Sheen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
