The King Lives On With The DVD Release Of Elvis: The Great Performances

10-Jul-02

Rhino Home Video Releases The First-Ever DVD Boxed Set Spanning Elvis Presley's Movie and Music Career On August 13, 2002LOS ANGELES -- All shook up about the 25th Anniversary of Elvis Presley's death? Don't be. Rhino Home Video will release ELVIS: THE GREAT PERFORMANCES, a three-volume collection containing more than 40 renowned performances, rare interviews, intimate video clips and additional in-depth footage that spotlights the legendary rock 'n' roll idol. The boxed set, a collector's dream in blue suede-type packaging with silver embossing, will be available on August 13, 2002 for $49.99. Each volume is also availableseparately for $19.99.All three DVDs offer insight into Elvis Presley's extraordinary career in music, both onstage and off. Volume I: Center Stage captures Elvis's undeniable appeal and irresistible stage presence. Included is his first televised performance on Stage Show in 1956, which shocked a nation. Volume II: The Man And His Music offers a glimpse into his private life and the effects of his unprecedented fame. Featured are rare home movies of Elvis' friends and family as well as the recently discovered first recording of""My Happiness."" Volume III: From The Waist Up, narrated by U2's Bono, follows Elvis's path to stardom and the remarkable trajectory of an unknown singer turned rock 'n' roll icon in just 12 months.Highlights from the ELVIS: THE GREAT PERFORMANCES include:* All three appearances from The Ed Sullivan Show* Performances from The Steve Allen Show, The Milton Berle Show and The Dorsey Brothers' Stage Show* Rare home movies of Elvis' friends and family* Elvis' first recording, ""My Happiness,"" recorded for his mother at Sam Phillips' studio* Elvis' long-lost screen test for Paramount Studios* Footage from the 1968 Elvis comeback special* Movie clips from Jailhouse Rock, King Creole, Love Me Tender, and Girls, Girls, Girls* Volumes I & II are narrated by George Klein, Elvis' close friend Elvis Presley has sold more than one billion record units worldwide and had 131 albums and singles certified gold, platinum or multiplatinum. He had no less than 149 songs appear on Billboard's Hot 100 Pop chart, including 114in the Top 40, 40 in the Top 10 and 18 at #1, including a recent top singles hit in the UK. He now surpasses The Beatles as the artist with the most #1 songs. Elvis received 14 Grammy nominations (winning three times)and starred in 31 feature films, as well as two theatrically released concert documentaries. The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences honored him with their Lifetime Achievement Award in 1971. Elvis passed away on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42.