The Smiley Smile Message Board

Just found out my Elvis Music FAQ book has arrived at the warehouse! I should have a few in a matter of days. Two weeks until domestic release, one month worldwide! Been waiting twenty years for this, and I can't describe how blessed I feel in every way. Thanks to my family, blood and otherwise, who have made one guy's dreams come true!

Can't wait for this one!  Love the FAQ series and I'm sure this will be another winner...congrats!

I hope I'll have mine at the end of october! I'm happy for you Mike!

Thank you. I just mentioned on the Elvis Collectors board and should probably mention here a special thanks to Jon Stebbins. He encouraged me way back when to stick with my writing, and I consider him a mentor as far as adding factual detail and humor to my work. Andrew Doe needs a special thanks as well. All that I said about Jon applies here as well. These guys set the bar high and gave me something to shoot for.

Thank you. It is quite amazing that words I wrote right here in my office are going to be read by people so far away. Always have been sincerely grateful for your support.

(http://www.epg-ev.de/tl_files/Neuerscheinungen/2013/book_Elvis_Music_FAQ_US_201310.jpg)

Since this is the cover, here are some more pics from that show (taken from and more under: http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/1956_florida_state_theater_august_10_11.html ).

(http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/img/elvis/50s/56/1956_august_10_1.jpg)

(http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/img/elvis/50s/56/florida_state_theater/1956_august_preacher_10_11_fans.jpg)

(http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/img/elvis/50s/56/1956_august_10_2.jpg)

(http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/img/elvis/50s/56/1956_august_10_11_4.jpg)

You know I really like the cover. It was the one thing I was shown after the fact and I am happy with the picture they chose.

I have always felt Beach Boys and Elvis share some audience cross over. The music is very different but I think the sheer quality and representation of American idioms are the link. A lot of artists have a cross over you don't expect and I've been happily surprised in this case.

Yeah, I like that cover too. It's a picture that is not as worn out as others. In fact I don't think I have ever seen it being used as a cover or something similar.


I think it's just the love for making music that comes through. No matter which genre of music, no matter if classical or pop/rock, the love of the artist for his work always shines through and the listener can connect with it. At least that's what I think.

Yes that is the point of music to me. I don't care who or what, the most essential thing in all good music is that love was put into it somewhere. That's the only thing needed in all cases.

http://www.elvisinfonet.com/interview_mike_eder_Elvis_Music_FAQ.html

Elvis is just damn good.
- Mike Eder

 :thumbsup


Thanks for the link. Just makes one more interested in finally reading the book. I'm curious to read the parts about Elvis as producer. I never thought about the possibility of Elvis producing other artists. Interesting idea. He definitely learned a lot from Sam Phillips and later on Leiber&Stoller. I wonder what might have had come out as a result.
Are the demos of Voice anywhere to be heard?

I know the Voice demos exist, never heard them but they are in the vault. Funny how "Elvis the producer" is overlooked but he knew how to make a good sounding record when he was invested in a song.

They just got here! First time to hold my own book. What an experience!

Great!! How do they look?

They are pretty perfect. Look the same as Jon FAQ, they all do basically in the series. Just knocked out and going to again read it.

Post a pic of the book to whet our appetites!

Hi Justin,
Scroll up and you can see it here. Also the links have the pictures. The Elvis Info Net interview will soon have some of the contact sheets of photos from the book.

Been having fun reading the Amazon.com charts
#77,222 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #68 in music related items!
How is this happening! ;D

IT HIT NUMBER ONE ON AMAZON! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Mike, the german amazon has your book as being released at the end of November. Do you know if that is true or if it might get released before that? Otherwise I'd probably order it via amazon.com if that won't be too much more expensive.

Rocker it should be no more than a week for the US and no more the 3 weeks for the rest of the world. Either way is fine with me.

Was great to hear from Jack today about the Elvis book. He wants to tell me about going with Carl to an Elvis show. I will post about it in the main section but he is ill so it will take a little while maybe. Should be a good story. I like Carl's quote on Elvis "His voice was a total miracle." In that vein and totally in a pure sense, let's take time to have a nice thought about him. He is having some surgery and I think it would cheer him up.

BACK TO ELVIS

A new interview with me is up and I really am happy about it. Jim Ellis did the interview and I thank him
http://elvismomentsintime.freeforums.org/our-interview-with-mike-eder-on-his-new-book-elvis-music-faq-t2994.html

This should work, I had a little trouble getting on but Jim is keeping his eye out for new members. It is a site that Rex Martin ran and even if you know him only by name ((like myself) he is worthy of being remembered in the Elvis world. All of us know more about Elvis because of him so I was really happy to do this. The interview is really interesting as far as the questions. I like this part of promotion because it makes me think. All the interviews have been terrific and I can hardly wait to do more. Not because I get to talk Mike Eder, but because I get to talk music. I like getting my name out there in any way possible of course, but I enjoy this in a number of other ways too. I guess I get to talk to everyone who reads it, and that is so fascinating if you think about it.

Hope you like it and Jim will help you get on there.

One last brainstorm, do you want to see me on Conan O'Brien? Here is what I wrote him. I always felt he and I would get along and I have not done this sort of pitch before. Never though anything I write is mainstream enough. You all proved me mistaken, and I don't know how to thank you enough. If you do want to see me on Conan go to his page on facebook (I share it on mine and let me know if you can't see it and I will try to send it out personally to you) and repost this with "I Want Mike Eder and Conan to talk vinyl". This is a crazy idea but I have been on a winning streak that I didn't dream of before a few weeks ago. I should try as I like him so much and he loves Elvis and vinyl.

Hey if it doesn't happen in the next few days just try old fashioned snail mail, I know I will be sending a letter. Conan co Conan O'Brien 4000 Warner Blvd., Stage 15, Burbank, California 91522

Including the pitch because this might answer a lot of questions on all of my books. Focus is on Elvis but Beach Boys and First Edition made it too. This is again crazy but who knows.  I doubt this will get to Conan directly right now, but I will write address this to him. Conan I wrote a best seller on Elvis Presley strictly regarding him as an artist and a human being. That has probably not happened before in my line of writing which used to be so specialized for an audience. A rockabilly Sun Records loving audience who collects vinyl. Now I can but original vinyl albums from my mall again. Elvis Music FAQ has been number 1 on Amazon.com before it got out. This is in the music category, not charts, but music related sales overall. You are the only host I want to talk to. I can talk more than Elvis. I am a fan of all fifties to seventies music on vinyl despite being born in 1976. Obviously I made it my life's quest to succeed in media, much like yourself. I think we might have a lot to talk about on air, but also off. I am currently shopping a music based book on the Beach Boys "I Can Hear Music" and also am going to be the official biographer of the First Edition with "Tell It All Brother-the Story Of The First Edition". Neither band a musically turned on guy like you needs no introduction to, or if you do in a deeper way you will go ape over them both. It is you type of music. I have been watching for 20 years, the same amount of time I have been trying to "make it" in my end of the industry. I was 15 when first published and it got me an interview in the Washington Post. I just went on from there. I have made it in a small way, but you are the person in the business I think I would most want to have a conversation with. I am with Hal Leonard which has a company called Backbeat you may have already heard of with your love of vintage music. These are all bios done by fans and I think any of the authors would be a good guest. I am not being paid to do this by the way. I just want you aware of the company and what I do. Please consider contacting me. edermike@msn.com and whoever is in charge here or can get this to Mr. O'Brien I have a great life story that is positive and can be of help to future writers which I think is so important. It can actually perhaps be used for anyone who wants to make it big. I know the show well and know I would be someone who could get over in 5 minutes something unique in my field. Lets make this work if just for a conversation. Not pulling you leg at all, will send over any info you need on anything I do. Here is my official press release, talk to you soon.
http://halleonardbooksnewsroom.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/elvis-music-faq/

Potsed it to Conan's site.

Thanks if amazon.de doesn't change it I'll probably go with amazon.com


I wonder what that story about Jack and Carl is. For having so many - even close - connections, there didn't really happen much between Elvis and the Beach Boys (or it isn't known).

Well if Jack can tell me soon I will share it on a promotional interview and try to bring the Beach Boys up a touch. Brian told me the very best Elvis story, you all know it but the way he told it to me is funny! I think you all would laugh.

I thought this was so funny.

I had my first hate mail!

"No offense is English your first language"

My reply

"No offense, are you a........well never mind"

An honor I think actually!

Why do I think the joke will be lost on them!!!! >:D

Fun side of things folks, really it is!

You know you got it made when you get that kind of mails...  :-D


Posted by SonoraDick in the main section this interview features some nice though not new things by the BBs about Elvis.

http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2013/10/03/brian-wilson-al-jardine-mike-love-interview-part-2/#sthash.5ekg7p7E.dpbs


RCM: Mike and Al, you ran into Elvis in the late ‘60s at an L.A. recording studio, what are your memories of that chance encounter?

Al Jardine: Bruce (Johnston) and I met Elvis in the late ‘60s. He was working in the studio across the hall from us at Western. Bruce and I went over and introduced ourselves and he was very delighted to see us. He was trim and great looking, just like his album covers. He hadn’t gone back out on the road yet. We encouraged him to get back to work and he took us up on it.

Mike Love: He was in the big room at Western and had his cape on at the time (laughs). He was preparing to go back out on tour and he was asking us, “Well, what’s it like?” He was a really kind gentleman. He couldn’t have been nicer. He definitely knew who The Beach Boys were.
You couldn’t not be aware of who The Beach Boys in the ‘60s.
We saw him play live in Vegas at The Hilton and he was darn good. I mean, what a voice, he was The King!

RCM: Brian, I understand you met Elvis in the ‘70s?

Brian Wilson: I was recording with Terry Melcher at RCA Victor Records in 1975. We were working on the song Why Do Fools Fall in Love? Terry said, “Hey, Elvis is in the next studio recording.” That was a big surprise to hear he was in the studio next to me. So I walked into the studio and said, “Hi, I’m Brian Wilson” and he goes, “Hello Duke.” I don’t know why he called me Duke.
I said, “Would you like to hear what I’m doing in the studio?” and he said yes. So we walked over to my studio and listened to what I was doing and then said he had to leave.
It was a thrill to meet him and he was real happy to meet me. I liked Elvis Presley’s songs. I never saw him live. I thought Elvis was a very underrated singer, he was a very good singer. He was more of a star. He was known more for his fame than his voice. I think he deserved more credit for his voice.




This is the song Elvis was working on when Brian stormed into his session:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pljYD7ncmSU

By the way-Brian's memory may not be that great....or maybe it is.  Jack Lloyd told me he took Brian, Marilyn, Carl and other BBs to see Elvis in August 69 in Vegas.  I suppose Jack's memory could be off...but he seems to have a pretty good one based on my conversations with him.   Brian does have a good memory for some things but not for others.

What I have heard is that the Beach Boys (minus Brian) went to see him in Vegas in '69 and met him backstage. I guess there are more versions of that story around. Don't know what is true and what just mis-remembered.
Just imagine if Brian saw Elvis in '69 on stage. That must've blown his mind (and anyone else's too). But Brian only seems to remember the story of '75

I like that Brian goes out of his way to praise Elvis as a singer. Elvis is such an icon in our culture, much of the time the music gets overlooked, because we are so focused on the image - the sideburns, the hip swiveling, the jumpsuits, the scarves. None of that would mean anything without the music.

This isn't about Mike's book which hopefully will be in my hands soo, but I didn't want to start another thread for this. I think this song gets overlooked too often. I remember when I was a kid, shortly before I got to know Elvis this song was covered by someone and used in a german tv commercial. I really liked it and then I got to know that it was an Elvis song shortly after that. I still love it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70FnOCzjL2I

Probably gets overlooked because it was buried on a thrown together album called Elvis for Everyone. It was on a 33 1/3rd 7 inch EP before that called Elvis By Request. I think it's a nice tune. The great thing about Elvis music is that there's so much of it! People complain about how much garbage he recorded, but throw out the 50% that's garbage, and you still have more great songs than anyone.