A New Beginning for Elvisly Yours in 2006 This year there will be a new beginning for Elvisly Yours after five
years of personal challenges. Elvis fans in Britain and around the world have
seen Elvisly Yours open a new shop, develop our website to one of the best and
most popular in the world, start a campaign to launch a chain of Elvisly
Yours Restaurants around the world, continue promoting Elvis positively to get
him the recognition and respect he deserves after years of put downs, lead the
fight against the tyranny of Elvis Presley Enterprises and now fans have
started to hear our call and followed us. What they don't know is all this time
my better half Maureen had to fight a battle against cancer. Just two days
after we opened our store at 233 Baker Street, London in March 2000 she was
diagnosed with breast cancer. Cancer is a 'dirty' and 'taboo' word and often
people do not want to discuss it or know how to talk to its victims. For years
it was a death warrant but Maureen has proved you can fight and beat the
disease. Normally such personal matters are not discussed in a Newsletter but I
have Maureen's permission to write this feature to give hope to the thousands
of Elvis fans that will also also get cancer this year. With strength of
character, willpower, support of loved ones and modern drugs you can beat cancer
and live a normal life again, Maureen is living proof. In
1999 after 14 years of litigation in the USA and UK I finally defeated Elvis
Presley Enterprises in the UK Court of Appeals. Publicity went all over the
world and I had a green light to develop Elvis business worldwide, outside the
States. First I needed to sell my old, commercial building in East London and
find a new home and to give us sufficient cash to develop Elvisly Yours. By
early 2000 we were raring to go and then the bombshell hit with Maureen
diagnosed with cancer. Even though everything looked normal with Elvisly Yours it
wasn't as I wanted to be there with Maureen hand in hand to help her in her
fight. I attended every hospital visit, every operation, every treatment day
after day, month after month, year after year for the past five years when
finally Maureen was given the all clear later last year. I was with her in the
hospital when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer and I had to challenge
the Consultant when he said it was advisable to have her breast removed.
Coldly he said that was the best alternative and Maureen became traumatized and
could not speak. Women do not need to have their breast removed they can just
have the cancerous lump removed in most cases. Since 11% of all women in
Britain will get breast cancer in their lifetime it is a frightening statistic
to know how many have had their breasts surgically removed,
unnecessarily. Thankfully, another consultant did the operations, first
to remove the lump and later to remove the lymph nodes. His name was Mr. Haq
(in Britain they call consultants Mister instead of Doctor) and he had a
caring and wonderful bedside manner and was a brilliant surgeon, so you can
hardly see the scars. Maureen just hates hospitals and left the hospital the
night after the first operation and the next morning after the second operation.
In our area, Hertfordshire, they have a wonderful system called "Hospital at
Home". Maureen should have stayed in hospital for at least a week after
removal of her lymph glands. Instead, the hospital came to our home. Several times
a day a nurse came to dress Maureen's wounds, administer medicine and
injections and check her progress. It is an amazing medical system because everyone
gains, an extra bed is free at the hospital, the staff are relaxed visiting
patients and the patient feels more secure in their own home. Of course, all
this was FREE under the British Health Care system. It always amazes me how
the American people have put up with private rather that State Health Care for
all these years so that sudden illness can financially wipe out a person's
and their family's lives. Maureen was well enough last year
to fulfil a dream and visit the home, Jamaica, of many of the children she
had taught in London for 26 years. British people will know Audley Harrison,
our Olympic Gold medal heavyweight boxing champion. After he won his 'gold'
medal he was on a TV programme being asked who had the most influence in his
life and he said "his teacher" and named Maureen. We did not see the
show but a friend phoned to tell us and I tracked down his office address and
Maureen wrote. She had told him about the cancer and he phoned the hospital
to make a surprise visit thinking she was still there. On discovering she was
now home he phoned her and was on the phone for 1.5 hours and they have kept
in touch ever since. When he got married in August in Montego Bay, Jamaica he
invited us to the private wedding. It was a wonderful affair and amazing
wedding with his beautiful bride Raychell. Audley will make a big comeback after
his recent surprise defeat and he will eventually become world heavyweight
champion, confirmed to me by no greater expert than Lennox Lewis. In the
photos below, from the wedding reception, please note we are standing, that is how
tall Audley and Lennox are and Raychell is 5ft 6 ins and Audley 6ft 6
ins. | 
Audley, Raychell, Maureen and
Sid
| | 
Audley, Lennox Lewis, Maureen and
Sid
| Now Maureen is free of cancer I can
concentrate 100% of my time in developing our Elvis business and I have started the
New Year in great style negotiating for and signing up new Licensing
Agreements for Elvis products. Deals have been finalised for a range of
t-shirts and women's skinny t-shirts that will be available in the shops from
Spring. There are negotiations ongoing for Elvis playing cards, Elvis fabrics,
dress shirts, Elvis CD holders, Elvis gold records, a 2007 calendar, Elvis Wines
and sparkling wines and we are only three weeks into the New Year. We hope
to develop a new range of dozens of new products for the home and to wear. As
more and more new Elvisly Yours products come to the market we will keep you
informed through our Cyber Newsletter and website. However, there is a 3-6
month lead time usually for developing new products from signing contracts to
seeing the product in the shops, so please be patient. We are also in negotiations to tour major Elvis Shows and Elvis Exhibitions
around the world and hopefully this year will see the first "Elvisly Yours
Restaurant". They say good things come to those that wait and finally that wait
is over and Elvisly Yours will make for a bigger and better Elvis World.
| 
| | The book that helped Maureen the most
There is one book that stands head and shoulders above all other books on cancer
and it is by Chris Woollams called, "Everything you need to know to help you
beat cancer". When his daughter developed an aggressive,
malignant brain tumour Chris decided he would not let his daughter die. He
had previously put his successful group of companies on the stock market and
retired from business to develop his knowledge of health. He used this
knowledge and new research to help his daughter defeat an aggressive brain tumour. In
his words, "having spent so much time finding out so much, I simply wanted
to share it with everyone". He has produced the most thorough,
informative, easy reading book on cancer in the world that must be read by
everyone who has cancer as well as their friends and relatives.
The ISBN number is 0-0542968-0-X. I tried to find it on Amazon but it is
listed as out of print. The last contact address we had was the email enquiries@iconmag.co.uk
or
Tel: 44-(0)1280-815166 fax: code+824655 |
Robbie Williams' Management are Miserable Sods
Most people are aware of Robbie Williams love for Elvis
and his latest single is a tribute to Elvis Presley. Robbie claims he says a
little prayer to Elvis before he performs. The consortium responsible for the
designs and Business Plans for the Restaurants have suggested from the
beginning we should make contact with Robbie Williams. It was felt because of his
love for Elvis he would be interested in such a wonderful idea as "Elvisly
Yours Restaurants" to enhance the memory and legacy of Elvis Presley with
such spectacular designs and plans. I am sure Robbie would love to perform a
tribute to Elvis at one of our "Elvisly Yours Restaurant" in London or other
locations around the world. But how do you get through
to Robbie Williams? Sadly, the only way was to go through his management
company and I found the phone number and address and cold-called the management
company last week. I spoke to a lady who answered the phone but she said his
manager was busy and perhaps she could help. I had mentioned how big a fan
Robbie was of Elvis and I had two proposals that had Elvis connections that
Robbie might be interested in. She was considerate and helpful and asked me to
send an email with details. I also decided to deliver a CD-ROM and architect's
designs to Robbie's Management offices in Shepherd's Bush. Coincidentally,
they are in the street opposite my family's travel agent shop "Newmont
Travel" who are Britain's leading and cheapest travel company for flights to
the West Indies. I thought that was a good omen when I delivered the package
but I was so wrong... 
Within 45 minutes
of delivering the CDRom, letter and architects designs I got a gruff phone
call from someone in the Management company. He talked fast so I did not catch
his name but he totally rejected both proposals. I had also suggested that
perhaps Robbie would love to make a guest starring appearance as Vince Everett
in "Jailhouse Rock the Musical" for the Las Vegas production when it opens
sometime this year as I knew the American producer. Everyone would gain from
the publicity coup and perhaps Robbie could finally break into America. I was
told Robbie is not interested in the American market nor is his interested in
"Elvisly Yours Restaurant". I tried to explain in a little more detail about
the Restaurants but he interrupted me to state coldly and bluntly "I told you
Robbie would not be interested in your Restaurant". I said "could you
at least give Robbie the CDRom and architects designs?" and he
refused. Does his management company even control his personal
interests in life ? What a sad state of affairs when someone who loves Elvis
Presley is denied seeing the plans for an Elvis Restaurant because a manager says
he would not be interested without having the courtesy to pass on the
information and let Robbie judge for himself. In the case of Elvis often great
ideas, great songs, great projects never got beyond Colonel Parker so Elvis never
knew and this was particularly relevant in the 1960's and the movie era when
Elvis was given such poor quality songs for many of the banal movies he
hated to make. We will be approaching other rich, famous Elvis fans in the coming
months to support our Project and meanwhile prepare for a campaign to launch
shares. Our latest interest is from Spain for "Elvisly Yours
Restaurants" in Barcelona and Madrid.
 |
| 50th Anniversary
of Heartbreak Hotel January 10th was the 50th
Anniversary of Elvis' recording of "Heartbreak Hotel". It was just two
days after his 21st birthday and his first record for RCA after leaving Sun
Records. Even in those early days Elvis had the perfect 'ear' for music and
realised the haunting effect he could create on the record from the echo in the
stairwell of the RCA Studios.
It was a stroke of genius Elvis
maintained throughout his career. Elvis made no.1 again on the Billboard Chart
in America for this 50th Anniversary release although the statistic seems
rather meaningless when you discover only 4,200 copies were sold the week it was
released, compared to the millions it sold after being 8 weeks at no.1 in
1956. | | Apparently, we are told "Heartbreak Hotel" will not be released
in Britain, how short-sighted of BMG/Sony. I am sure they could have sold
tens of thousands of a limited edition box set featuring a copy of the original
on vinyl and a CD. |
|
| 
Original RCA Studio B Nashville, now being
destroyed
Photo of Abbey National
building after demolition. Elvisly Yours Shop is at the end of the building works
and hoardings, next door the London Beatles Store.
| | Why Does AMERICA Continually DESTROY its
HERITAGE ? Just when we are celebrating the
50th Anniversary of Elvis recording his first worldwide hit "Heartbreak
Hotel" at RCA Studios in Nashville we have learned they are tearing the building
down. Bob Sillerman should buy the building and move it lock, stock and
barrel to Graceland. EPE could create a fabulous new Museum opposite the
house that would attract not only Elvis fans but millions of country
fans. What wonderful plans are there after this disgraceful destruction of an
American historic landmark? ... there will be a parking lot! One of the highlights of my visit to Memphis and that of the groups I took
with Elvisly Yours was "American Sound Studio". Elvis recorded some of
his greatest songs at "American Sound Studio" in Memphis like 'Suspicious
Minds', 'In the Ghetto', 'Don't Cry Daddy' and Kentucky Rain. The Studio was
kept going through the love and dedication of one man, Bill Glore, but he had no
support from the City or Graceland. Bill used to try and recreate for fans
the atmosphere when Elvis was recording at the Studios. Sadly, with failing ill health he was forced to close and the studio
was bulldozed to the ground. Why does America continually destroy its
heritage? EPE should have bought the building and rebuilt it opposite Graceland.
The last concert venue for Elvis Presley in Indianapolis was recently
destroyed... the destruction of buildings associated with Elvis never seems to
end. Conversely, in Britain we have "Listed
Buildings" that cannot be destroyed, protected by Acts of Parliament and some
buildings are not that old, but have an historic significance. At the moment the Elvisly Yours shop is almost surrounded by
a building lot. The famous Abbey National Building (at 221b Baker St, the
home of Sherlock Holmes) has been demolished but the famous facade and clock
tower of the building had to be preserved. The new
apartments will maintain the original facade and famous clock tower for
future generations to enjoy. The name plate on the wall by the entrance to the
new apartments for the 'home' of Sherlock Holmes has been preserved there
forever. Every time someone wrote to Sherlock Holmes they received a reply from
the Abbey National. |
|
| 
Cover of the video available
from
Warner Home Video
| | 'Elvis On Tour’ DVD Petition
We have repeated a campaign from our last Newsletter. Please pass this on to all your Elvis contacts. Let us
show MGM and EPE our real spirit! It would be great if
everyone got proactive on this one. We have been informed by the Elvis
Infonet website Australians have been very good in signing up - but
it would be great if readers of the Elvisly Yours Newsletter could help
spread the word throughout the rest of the world for the 'Elvis On
Tour’ DVD release. It's time for Elvis fans to show MGM and EPE that they are
ignoring a massive market. We have been waiting far too long, over 33 years
since the original film and 13 years since our last glimpse of some ‘outtake’
material in ‘Lost Performances'! Having missed its 30th anniversary the new
‘Elvis On Tour’ DVD release is long overdue. Let's get
the 'Elvis- On Tour' DVD released! Help the cause by signing the ‘Elvis On
Tour Petition’ and we can show MGM and EPE that they are ignoring a massive
market. Please click on this link
and sign the
petition The Petition was created and written by
Gregory Nolan Jr. and Renan
Augusto. |
Where have all the Elvis fans
gone ? | 
Graceland
HIT THE ROAD JACK
and take your Elvis Ducks with you | | January 2006
had the smallest number of Elvis fans at Graceland since Elvis died. Yet,
Elvis is bigger now than ever. In the last three years Elvis sold more albums
and singles than probably all the years since 1978 (the year after he died).
There were more Elvis fans and more publicity generated around the world from
an Elvis Tribute Contest in Blackpool, England than at Graceland. We have been
informed there were record crowds at Elvis Birthday Celebrations in
other countries but at Graceland only a handful of fans attended. Why
should overseas fans be attending Elvis Events in other parts of the world en
masse but Elvis' home, Graceland, attract so few people ? Some leading lights
in the Elvis World have said it is all to do with the "cycle of years". The
theory is the year before and after the 5th and 10th series of anniversaries
are always down on numbers. Because next year will be the 70th birthday of
Elvis fans are saving their money for next year so have missed the 2006 birthday
celebrations. The abbreviation for the good ol' American expression
'BS' is my answer to this misguided idea. With more and more Elvis fans in the
world there should be more and more visiting Graceland. What is needed is a
new management team at Graceland who are motivated, dedicated, caring for
Elvis Presley and his memory. They should start to organise programmes, events,
attractions that are exciting, inventive and show the Elvis World EPE really
care about Elvis and his wonderful legacy. They should be working with Elvis
fan clubs and fans around the world rather than harassing, intimidating and
alienating them. I have lots and lots of ideas to make Graceland really rock
'n' roll and the crowds of real Elvis fans will come back in their masses. I
have not been back to Graceland since January 1993 (after 52
visits from England) and thousands like me will stay away until there are
radical changes in the management of EPE. It does not matter what year it
is, if you put on attractive progammes featuring celebrities, family and
friends of Elvis the fans know and love they will go to Graceland. Bob
Sillerman is a highly intelligent and an amazingly successful businessman and the
new owner of EPE. His company CKXE has the money and power to make changes
for the better in the Elvis World but the first step must be to get rid of all
the old guard at Graceland... Bob....please SACK JACK
!! | |
Exclusive SACK JACK badges from Elvisly
Yours Wear your SACK JACK buttons with
pride and send out a strong message that you have had enough of the old style
management of EPE and want change to come in the Elvis World after so many
years of hurt, aggravation, pain and intimidation caused by Soden and his
cronies. |
SACK JACK & HIT THE ROAD badges
available from Elvisly Yours 4 badges £3.95plus £1.00 p&p (order
box)
 |
|
50th Anniversary Elvis' Homecoming in Tupelo
| 
Festival Dates: June 2-4,
2006
|
The
Tupelo
Convention &
Visitors Bureau
and the
Elvis
Presley Festival
invite you
to
celebrate
the
50th
Anniversary
of
Elvis’
Homecoming to
Tupelo,
Mississippi
at
the
8th Annual Elvis
Presley
Festival!
| | | | | | | Relive
the day in 1956 when Tupelo’s most famous native son came home for the first
time to perform as a star. Festivities begin on Friday, June 2nd with the
re-creation of the homecoming parade through Downtown Tupelo and the famous
concert held on the grounds of the Mississippi- Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. The
celebration continues through Sunday, June 4th, with the 8th Annual Elvis
Presley Festival, featuring a fabulous music line-up and fun festival activities
in a family/friendly
atmosphere. (copyright: Tupelo Convention
& Visitors Bureau) I wrote
to the organisers of this Event offering to promote it on our website and
Newsletter and asked for further details as there was no programme of events
listed on their website. I got a brief, one line reply suggesting they were
sold out and did not need help. All these years since Elvis died Tupelo has been
neglected by Graceland instead of being supported. EPE management thought
they may lose a "buck" if they promoted Tupelo. There should be daily
buses between Graceland and Tupelo thus encouraging many visitors to stay
overnight in Memphis after visiting Tupelo instead of jumping off their tour
bus seeing Graceland and leaving the city immediately after their
tour. | | | |
| 10% discount
on all orders received before Valentines Day, February 14th
2006
| | 
Diamonte necklace
£5.95
p&p UK £1.00, Eu £2.00,
Ov
£3.00
Elvis medallion
£5.95
p&p UK £1.00, Eu £2.00,
Ov
£3.00
| | NEW ELVIS PILLOWCASE 
D20. Elvis pillowcase
£8.95
p&p UK £1.50, Eu £3.00, Ov £4.50
| | 
Elvis sunglasses GOLD
£8.95
p&p UK £1.00, Eu £2.00,
Ov
£3.00
Elvis sunglasses SILVER
£8.95
p&p UK £1.00, Eu £2.00,
Ov
£3.00
|
| |
