Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt2 The Sixties

I'll bet "Tiger Man" was added at the last minute.

Love the fine print at the bottom advertising the Special.

 

Unless I'm mistaken, other than the gospel albums, it is the first non-soundtrack LP to be christened after the title of one of the songs on it. Camden would continue this trend, and while the main label wouldn't make it the norm during Elvis's lifetime (although it dabbled in it from time to time), it's certainly something which we now associate with Elvis through the use of the device almost incessantly over the last thirty or so years by both FTD and bootlegs.

But I think you hit the nail on the head as to why the title was chosen. Flaming Star might not have been a big commercial success, but by 1968 it had undoubtedly gained a reputation as a much better film than initial reaction in 1960(1?) would have suggested. It had been shown on TV a number of times, was by that time viewed as one of Elvis's best films, and it was the most recognisable title out of all the songs on the album. It was also one of those songs that mysteriously hadn't appeared on LP and which fans, no doubt, wanted in that format, so that was another way of luring buyers in.

 

I seem to recall a discussion on FECC that a number of the reissues can't be included because of the amount of bonus material included on them. i'm sure someone here will know enough to confirm or deny that.

 

Not sure if anyone upthread mentioned it, but "If I Can Dream" b/w "Edge Of Reality" and Elvis Sings Flaming Star and Others were the first Elvis records to carry the "new" RCA logo. The new logo appeared on the picture sleeve of "A Little Less Conversation" b/w "Almost In Love", but the records were pressed with black Nipper-on-left labels.

 

Certainly it was the most recognizable song on the LP, but was it more recognizable than Follow That Dream or Viva Las Vegas, two other soundtrack title songs that had never appeared on LP? It just seems an odd, arbitrary choice.

 

Agreed. Singer Presents ELVIS Singing Follow That Dream And Others sounds much better too!

 

I hear you. Still, throughout the 1970's and then post-death during the late-1970's, 1980's, 1990's (during the start of the CD boom), 2000's, etc., I suspect at some point, From Elvis In Memphis likely moved a million units in the U.S., and almost certainly worldwide. Then again, I could be way off here.

 

I just came across another article from ChartMasters that verified that Garth Brooks Limited Series box set did help him gain two million each in certifications that pushed two of his albums over into Diamond status, Garth Brooks, his debut album, and Sevens. The RIAA rules are rather convoluted and change fairly often these days, but IIRC you are correct that it has something to do with the amount of bonus material or whether the box set merely includes the exact configuration of the original album or not. I cannot seem to find the actual RIAA rule on this, but I believe that Elvis's 60 album box set would up the individual count of his albums, if they met a new gold or platinum level. Again, I could be wrong, but that is the way it seemed to work for Garth's Limited Edition box set, but it does not work that way for most box sets. I think it is all about whether the albums within the box set are a close approximation of a stand alone album. I am sure that the RIAA has a more specific criteria, but I cannot seem to find it after a quick search.

 

I believe that you have to be correct about the overall sales of this album. I just do not see how it could not have reached that status by now. My goodness, the inclusion of In The Ghetto alone would have driven the sales forward for many years.

 

True. Granted, some of the album's hits and associated singles were available on more attractive hits compilations over the years, but still, over a 50 year period, in a world of hundreds of millions of music consumers, one suspects From Elvis In Memphis went platinum at some point. Much lesser albums have moved a million.

 

Viva Las Vegas was a B-side rather than an EP track, and therefore was probably being held back at that point in case there was to be another Gold Records volume a few years down the line. And, as we know, the soundtrack EPs (Kid Galahad, Viva Las Vegas, Follow that Dream, and Easy Come Easy Go) all got divided up on later Camdens. I don't know for sure when the Camden contract came into being, but it's highly likely these EPs were earmarked for them at a relatively early stage, even if they didn't appear until 1971. Had they not been earmarked for specific projects, it's surely likely that at least one or two tracks would have emerged on Let's Be Friends or Almost in Love.

It's also worth remembering that Viva Las Vegas wasn't a big hit single at the time of release - and, if it was, Parker was likely to keep it in reserve for another Gold Records compilation which he must have been envisaging as happening a few years down the line.

 

Well, there were many years where this album wasn't in print. When finally issued on CD, I don't think it sold very well. Even if we count sales of the album collection, what's that, maybe 10k? The FTD (if it even counts) would be another 3-5K? And if a casual fan wanted In The Ghetto, I can see them getting that track on one of the myriad Greatest Hits LPs/45/CDs it appeared on.

I'm playing Devil's advocate a bit here. And I'd truly love to see it certified Platinum as it's probably my favorite Elvis album (as released in his lifetime).

 

Hey, the official numbers seem to back you up, but I just wonder how this album got lost between the success of the 68 Comeback Special, From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis albums and all the great press Elvis was now getting with his back to back top top five singles. Even ETTWII recently received platinum status. I have to say that I have not always trusted the official numbers on Elvis's record sales. I sometimes think they got overblown (One billion albums sold?) and sometimes I get the feeling they were underreported when Elvis died (I have never seen so many record albums in my life when I would visit multiple record stores after he passed away; copies of Moody Blue and Elvis In Concert were stacked on the floors in rows deeper than you could count). I do not think they were returned either. As we all know, RCA had to put their factory employees on overtime to keep up with the demand.

 

Maybe a case of mild oversaturation? Within the period of 12 months, RCA released Elvis ('68 Special Soundtrack), FEIM, the double LP From Memphis To Vegas / From Vegas To Memphis, Elvis Sings Flaming Star, Let's Be Friends. There were three movies released in 1968, and three more in 1969. Of course there was the '68 Special on TV. There were also, what, 6 45's issued during this period too? A consumer can only purchase just so much Elvis! Present company of those in this and the FTD thread excluded, of course

 

From Elvis In Memphis remained in the catalog until RCA stopped making LPs altogether, sometime around 1990-1992 (in the US). It came out on CD 1991. As far as I know From Elvis In Memphis has always been available on either LP or CD since 1969.

 

I've been reading today's conversation with great interest .. The Singer thing, is bizarre to me no matter what but ...

On the Gold and Platinum records....
Album- certification- year certified
30 #1's - 6x platinum 2018
That's The Way It Is - platinum 2018
I got Lucky - platinum 2011
Elvis Christmas - gold 2011
Elvis (56) - platinum 2011
Elvis Presley (56) - platinum 2011
Elvis (73) - 5x platinum 2010
How Great Thou Art - 3x platinum 2010
Frankie And Johnny - platinum 2004
Almost In Love - platinum 2004
Lets Be Friends - platinum 2004
From Nashville To Memphis - platinum 2004
Separate Ways - platinum 2004
C'mon Everybody - gold 2004
Flaming Star - platinum 2004
Complete Sun Sessions - gold 2004
The Number One Hits (87) - 3x platinum 2002
Aloha From Hawaii - 5x platinum 2002
Elvis In Concert - 3x platinum 2002
Blue Hawaii - 3x platinum 2002
Original Christmas Album - 3x platinum 1999
Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis - gold 1999
Elvis is Back - was certified Gold in 1999 ... desperately disappointing should have been at least triple platinum bu then
On Stage - certified Platinum in 1999
MSG - platinum 1999
Golden Records vol 1 - 6x platinum 1999
He Touched Me - platinum 1999
Tv special album - platinum 1999
Golden Records vol 5 - gold 1999
Something For Everybody - gold 1999
His Hand In Mine - platinum 1992
Elvis Now - Gold 1992
Moody Blue - platinum 1992
Golden Records vol 2 - platinum 1992
vol 3 - platinum 1992
GI Blues - platinum 1992
Roustabout - gold 1988
Elvis Country - gold 1977
From Elvis Presley Blvd - gold 1977
From Elvis In Memphis - gold 1970
From Memphis To Vegas/Vegas To Memphis - gold 1969
Loving You - Gold 1968
Girls Girls Girls - gold 1963

I find it bizarre some of the biggest sellers on that list.
The most important thing to note though (and this is from the RIAA official site. So these are, to the best of my knowledge the current official certifications.) - The four or five albums on the bottom haven't been re-certified since basically since release. So it is no wonder that there are some peculiarities when looking at what is and isn't platinum.

Edit - These are just what at a quick glance seemed to be the main, actual albums. I included the two versions of number one hits, because it is nearly ten million sold ... and interesting to me

 

and as I was just saying, it is one of the few Elvis albums never to have been re=certified by the RIAA via RCA or whoever is the responsible party... it is weird most of the others are....
I reckon it has easily gone platinum in the last fifty years

 

One album that went out of print very quickly was Elvis (Fool). It was never reissued on LP. It only came out in its original orange label. Never came out in the tan or the new black label and never was assigned a new catalog number. I was not reissued after his death (like the handful of soundtracks that went OOP in 1969 did). It sold 200K initially. It did become platinum however. Once it was released on CD in 1994 (and reissued in 1999) there seemingly was a pent up desire for the album as so many missed out in the short window it was available on LP. The value of the LP shot up drastically in the late 70s and the 80s.

 

Also from RIAA official site. Although this list does not include singles, it does include 45 Extended Play Albums (ShortFormalAlbum):
(the "none" is genre.) Interestingly From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis gets gold in 1969 but the single LP Elvis In Person gets platinum in 2011. But its other half Back In Memphis does not get an award. In the 70s Live Elvis records did generally better than non-compilation studio albums.
The Camden Christmas Album leads the way. (The LOC-1035/LPM-1951 went triple Platinum) List also includes Record Club and TV album offers.

Title Highest Award Certification Date Category Format Genre
ELVIS' CHRISTMAS ALBUM 10X Multi-Platinum September 9, 2011 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS: 30 #1 HITS 6X Multi-Platinum March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS' GOLDEN RECORDS, VOLUME 1 6X Multi-Platinum July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS (Brookville) 5X Multi-Platinum December 1, 2010 SOLO ALBUM None
ALOHA FROM HAWAII 5X Multi-Platinum August 1, 2002 SOLO ALBUM None
THE TOP TEN HITS 4X Multi-Platinum January 6, 2004 SOLO ALBUM None
IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME 4X Multi-Platinum March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE 3X Multi-Platinum January 6, 2004 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS IN CONCERT 3X Multi-Platinum August 1, 2002 SOLO ALBUM None
HOW GREAT THOU ART 3X Multi-Platinum October 13, 2010 SOLO ALBUM None
BLUE HAWAII 3X Multi-Platinum July 30, 2002 SOLO ALBUM None
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF CHRISTMAS 3X Multi-Platinum July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
A LEGENDARY PERFORMER, VOLUME 1 3X Multi-Platinum March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS' CHRISTMAS ALBUM (ORIGINAL) 3X Multi-Platinum July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
THE NUMBER ONE HITS 3X Multi-Platinum August 6, 2002 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS AS RECORDED AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN 3X Multi-Platinum July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
THE KING OF ROCK N ROLL: THE COMPLETE 50'S MASTERS 2X Multi-Platinum July 30, 2002 SOLO ALBUM None
THE ELVIS PRESLEY STORY 2X Multi-Platinum July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
JAILHOUSE ROCK 2X Multi-Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
WORLDWIDE 50 GOLD AWARD HITS, VOLUME 1 2X Multi-Platinum June 17, 1992 SOLO ALBUM None
BURNING LOVE AND HITS FROM HIS MOVIES, VOLUME 2 2X Multi-Platinum January 6, 2004 SOLO ALBUM None
PURE GOLD 2X Multi-Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO ALBUM None
AMAZING GRACE-HIS GREATEST SACRED PERFORMANCES 2X Multi-Platinum July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
MOODY BLUE 2X Multi-Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO ALBUM None
A LEGENDARY PERFORMER, VOLUME 2 2X Multi-Platinum July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
50 YEARS - 50 HITS 2X Multi-Platinum July 30, 2002 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS VOLUME 1 2X Multi-Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
2ND TO NONE Platinum November 24, 2003 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS TV SPECIAL Platinum July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
ESSENTIAL ELVIS Platinum March 3, 2016 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS ARON PRESLEY Platinum June 17, 1992 SOLO ALBUM None
HITSTORY Platinum March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS (2nd) Platinum August 10, 2011 SOLO ALBUM None
G.I. BLUES Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO ALBUM None
FROM NASHVILLE TO MEMPHIS Platinum January 6, 2004 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS IN PERSON Platinum September 15, 2011 SOLO ALBUM None
DOUBLE DYNAMITE Platinum January 6, 2004 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS IN HOLLYWOOD Platinum December 2, 2010 SOLO ALBUM None
WORLD GOLD AWARDS VOLUME I & II Platinum July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
IF EVERY DAY WAS LIKE CHRISTMAS Platinum July 30, 2002 SOLO ALBUM None
SEPARATE WAYS Platinum January 6, 2004 SOLO ALBUM None
WELCOME TO MY WORLD Platinum January 14, 1983 SOLO ALBUM None
I GOT LUCKY Platinum September 15, 2011 SOLO ALBUM None
FRANKIE & JOHNNY Platinum January 6, 2004 SOLO ALBUM None
BLUE CHRISTMAS Platinum August 4, 2010 SOLO ALBUM None
FOLLOW THAT DREAM Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
ELVIS' GOLDEN RECORDS, VOLUME 3 Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO ALBUM None
FLAMING STAR Platinum January 6, 2004 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS' GOLDEN RECORDS, VOLUME 2 Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO ALBUM None
HEART AND SOUL Platinum March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
PEACE IN THE VALLEY Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
ELVIS SINGS HITS FROM HIS MOVIES, VOL. 1 Platinum January 6, 2004 SOLO ALBUM None
HIS HAND IN MINE Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO ALBUM None
ALMOST IN LOVE Platinum January 6, 2004 SOLO ALBUM None
ON STAGE FEBRUARY 1970 Platinum July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
ULTIMATE GOSPEL Platinum March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
LOVE ME TENDER (SOUNDTRACK) Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
ELVIS SINGS CHRISTMAS SONGS Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
THE REAL ELVIS Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
ELVIS - THAT'S THE WAY IT IS Platinum March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS! HIS GREATEST HITS Platinum April 28, 1998 SOLO ALBUM None
LET'S BE FRIENDS Platinum January 6, 2004 SOLO ALBUM None
HE TOUCHED ME Platinum July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
KING CREOLE VOLUME 2 Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
LOVING YOU, VOLUME 2 Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
ELVIS PRESLEY Platinum August 10, 2011 SOLO ALBUM None
KING CREOLE VOLUME 1 Platinum March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
GIRL HAPPY Gold July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
LOVING YOU VOLUME 1 Gold March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
ELVIS PRESLEY Gold March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
KING CREOLE Gold July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS NOW Gold March 27, 1992 SOLO ALBUM None
KID GALAHAD Gold March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
ELVIS IS BACK Gold July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
THE COMPLETE SUN SESSIONS Gold August 6, 2002 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS PRESLEY CHRISTMAS DUETS Gold March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY Gold July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
FROM MEMPHIS TO VEGAS Gold December 12, 1969 SOLO ALBUM None
C'MON EVERYBODY Gold January 6, 2004 SOLO ALBUM None
FROM ELVIS PRESLEY BLVD., MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE Gold October 7, 1977 SOLO ALBUM None
ROUSTABOUT Gold May 20, 1988 SOLO ALBUM None
FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS Gold January 28, 1970 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS' GOLDEN RECORDS, VOLUME 5 Gold July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES-THE ESSENTIAL 70'S MASTERS Gold July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
RECORDED LIVE ON STAGE IN MEMPHIS Gold July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS' GOLDEN RECORDS, VOLUME 4 Gold March 27, 1992 SOLO ALBUM None
THIS IS ELVIS Gold August 6, 2002 SOLO ALBUM None
HE TOUCHED ME: THE GOSPEL MUSIC OF ELVIS PRESLEY Gold March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
PLATINUM: A LIFE IN MUSIC Gold August 1, 2002 SOLO ALBUM None
THE VERY BEST OF LOVE Gold September 15, 2011 SOLO ALBUM None
WHITE CHRISTMAS Gold March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
LOVING YOU Gold April 9, 1968 SOLO ALBUM None
AN AFTERNOON IN THE GARDEN Gold March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS SINGS FOR KIDS Gold September 15, 2011 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS COUNTRY Gold December 1, 1977 SOLO ALBUM None
THE ROCK 'N' ROLL ERA Gold July 31, 2002 SOLO ALBUM None
HEARTBREAK HOTEL Gold March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
A LEGENDARY PERFORMER, VOLUME 3 Gold December 18, 1978 SOLO ALBUM None
ARTIST OF THE CENTURY Gold March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
THE GREAT PERFORMANCES Gold March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
LOVE ME TENDER Gold January 6, 2004 SOLO ALBUM None
MEMORIES OF ELVIS Gold July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
CHRISTMAS PEACE Gold March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
THE OTHER SIDES-WORLDWIDE GOLD AWARD HITS VOL. 2 Gold July 15, 1999 SOLO ALBUM None
HE WALKS BESIDE ME - FAV. SONGS OF FAITH & INSPIR. Gold March 27, 1992 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS ROCK Gold March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS Gold December 6, 1991 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS PRESLEY GOSPEL TREASURY Gold February 1, 2000 SOLO ALBUM None
PEACE IN THE VALLEY-THE COMPLETE GOSPEL RECORDINGS Gold March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS CHRISTMAS Gold September 15, 2011 SOLO ALBUM None
MAHALO FROM ELVIS Gold September 15, 2011 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS VOLUME 2 Gold March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
ELVIS PRESLEY Gold March 27, 1992 SOLO SHORTFORMALBUM None
THE LEGEND LIVES ON Gold August 1, 2002 SOLO ALBUM None
GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS Gold August 13, 1963 SOLO ALBUM None
50 GREATEST LOVE SONGS Gold August 4, 2010 SOLO ALBUM None
ELVIS' GREATEST JUKEBOX HITS Gold March 8, 2018 SOLO ALBUM None

 

Wow, learn something new every day! I thought it went OOP in the very early 80's, I certainly never saw new copies for sale after that. It was a revelation when The Memphis Record (the remixed 2 LP release), the Sun collection and the Top 10 hits came out in 1987 as I finally started seeing Elvis vinyl in the shops again. And was thrilled about the Memphis set as I was glad to see the material available easily.

 

That's one reason I've always been confused about Elvis' management. It seems that these roles that should have been separated were always blurred together with Parker somewhere in the mix. One can certainly make the case that Parker didn't always deal above board with Elvis but it seems that Elvis dropped the ball too. Once Elvis got his cut no matter the shenanigans beforehand, he could have sought professional council on managing it. Elvis wasn't the only entertainer to spend recklessly by any measure but it seems he could have benefited from a clear financial firewall between himself and Parker.

 

We look back on this period now as a golden age for Elvis, but my research of reviews and articles from the time suggest that this is a view that has emerged after the event. The "great press" is somewhat exaggerated for the purpose of liner notes etc.

The comeback garnered high viewing figures for sure, but it only received so-so reviews for the most part, with some criticising the production numbers and others criticising the live elements. And the album did no better in the charts than Harum Scaum. The same is true of From Elvis to Memphis, which got some good, some bad reviews, but only Billboard and Guralnick's really single it out for the great work it is - and even then Guralnick throws in significant caveats (although I have considerable issues with his comments).

The one album from the period that got universal praise was the live album from From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis. The studio part of the double album was not generally well-received - Robert Hilburn called it "a disappointment" - but the live album had almost unanimous praise - and got it again when released on its own.

 

I believe that Elvis's "Fool" album has never been certified by the RIAA for gold or platinum sales, but it is often mixed up with a commemorative album from 1973 that did get certified five times platinum and also his platinum certified similarly titled Elvis album from 1956.

 

I also thought it was out of print for some years, and that the Memphis Record effectively replaced it in the catalogue. It certainly wasn't in shops when I started buying Elvis material. According to discogs, there was a limited edition release in 1981 on Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, but otherwise no issues in America between 1977 and 1991.

 

Yes, I still love to listen to The Memphis Record. I like a lot of the remixes they used. I bought my Dad From Elvis In Memphis and Elvis Country in the late 80s each with the new AFL and AYL (respectively) prefix catalog numbers.