Amazing Elvis Presley Book – Blue Suede Shoes: The Culture of Elvis

Elvis Presley is known around of the world as the “King of Rock and Roll.” The life of this iconic music performer ended way too early. Now you can read about the incredible life of Elvis in a new book titled “Blue Suede Shoes: The Culture of Elvis“.

The book includes stunning photographs from talented photographer Thom Gilbert. It’s a terrific, in-depth view of Elvis that draws the reader in. You get to see behind-the-scene looks at the life of Elvis Presley. He still is an iconic giant. This book helps to endure his legacy for many years to come.

What I enjoy is the book shows numerous photos of his personal life. Elvis was a very private person. In part due to his personality. On the other hand, his popularity and intense fan base made it a problem for him to be out in public. So these personal photos cast a light on his life that is so fulfilling.

The Foreword of the new book “Blue Suede Shoes: The Culture of Elvis” was by silver-screen star Kim Novak. She wrote, “This book by brilliant photographer Thom Gilbert is a must for all who want to know more about Elvis through the people who were so very close to him. Through their words and Thom’s masterful images, we can come even nearer to understanding the life and true soul of Elvis Presley.”

Elvis Presley photo

In addition to his personal life, the book offers incredible images of his belongings, surroundings and even the people closest to him during his life. You’ll see and read about the closest friends of Elvis, plus fellow musicians during his music career. The legacy of Elvis lives on through these stunning photos. As result, the unique stories and facts from Thom Gilbert are not just informative, but heart felt.

Who can forget seeing the image of Elvis in his famous white jumpsuit. Many of his iconic show costumes and clothing are included in this book. Seeing the gold lame jacket will bring back fond memories for many of his fans. In fact, numerous fans have been quoted in the “Blue Suede Shoes: The Culture of Elvis” book.

For those who enjoy history, you are in luck. Thom Gilbert includes a timeline of the various parts of Elvis’ life. For example during the early years, he was born in 1935, sign a deal with RCA in 1955 and records the hit song “Heartbreak Hotel” a year later. It became his first of many gold records. Elvis met is future wife, Priscilla Beaulieu in 1959, while stationed in Germany.

Many movie fans know of the successful career of Kim Novak. She won a Golden Globe award in 1955. It was for the “most promising newcomer.” In 1958, Kim Novak starred in the amazing Alfred Hitchcock movie – Vertico.

Thom Gilbert is a critically acclaimed photographer. His portraiture-style work is unique and he has worked with many
entertainment industry stars. His work has been published in leading outlets, such as New York Magazine, LA Confidential, Interview and Gotham. The first book published by Thom Gilbert was “Soul: Memphis’ Original Sound” in 2014.

The “Blue Suede Shoes: The Culture of Elvis” book is scheduled to be released in August 2017.

Please return again soon to follow this luxury blog. We enjoy sharing unique stories with our readers. Be sure to purchase a copy of “Blue Suede Shoes: The Culture of Elvis”. Lastly, let us help you plan a trip to Graceland and discover the life of death of Elvis Presley.




Kauai Movie Adventure Tour – Alii Movie Excursion and Scenic Hanalei

Wailua River boat cruise - Kauai, Hawaii.jpg
Wailua River – scene location in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”

Hawaii has long been a popular location for Hollywood movies. Over the years, well over 100 movies have been filmed just on Kauai “The Garden Isle.”

If you want to experience the Hollywood side of Hawaii, then choose Polynesian Adventure Tours as your personal tour guide.

For those who can’t get enough movies and are a self-proclaimed “movie buff,” then be sure to try the “Ali’i Movie Excursion and Scenic Hanalei” land tour from Polynesian Adventure Tours.

Hanalei beach - Kauai, Hawaii

In addition to enjoying many of the most beautiful sights on Kauai, you will also experience a Hawaiian Hollywood journey and explore some of the most exciting and romantic movie locations on the island.

The Ali’i Movie Excursion and Scenic Hanalei tour is the newest on Kauai and is definitely a “must do.”

You can enjoy this tour from the comfort of well maintained, air-conditioned mini-buses. It’s a fun and pleasurable live narrated tour that offers specially licensed video scenes from the popular  movies that were filmed on the island of Kauai.

As you drive around the island, not only will you see famous locations used in Hollywood films, but there are numerous stops along the way so you can take photos and pose like your favorite leading actor.

For example, Hanalei Pier was a fun stop. On the shores of the beautiful and world’s famous Hanalei Bay, Hanalei Pier was the location for a pivotal scene in the classic 1959 movie “South Pacific.” Stroll to the end of the pier and gaze out across the blue waters of Hanalei Bay, or watch daring local kids jump from its roof.

Hanalei Pier - Kauai, Hawaii - South Pacific movie
Hanalei Pier – scene location in “South Pacific”

The Ali’i Movie Excursion and Scenic Hanalei tour is for everybody, including locals and tourists, families and groups of friends.

We were picked up at our hotel on-time and had fun meeting the others on our tour that day. Our driver – Jack Custer, was very knowledgeable as he has lived on the island for numerous years. He taught us many interesting facts about Hawaii, the island of Kauai, as well as its many scenic spots.

Overall you will visit over 15 locations including the following:
*Ahukini Pier
*Hanamaulu Bay
*Otsuka’s
*Kealia Over Look
*Haupu Ridge
*Poipu at Kipu Kai
*Aliomanu
*Hanalei Pier
*Lumahai Beach
*Ching Young Village
*Hanalei Valley Lookout
*Makaiwa Resort Quest
*Opaeka’a Falls
*Coco Palms
*Menehune Fish Pond

Famous Movie Scenes include:
*South Pacific
*Jurassic Park
*Blue Hawaii
*Donovan’s Reef
*Pagan Love Song
*Beachhead
*Uncommon Valor
*Sadie Thompson
*Six Days & Seven Nights
*Wackiest Ship in the Navy
*Raiders of the Lost Ark

On an island so beautiful and lush, is one of the ugliest and saddest stories on Kauai. In its prime, the iconic Coco Palms Hotel was one of a kind. The most popular movie filmed at the Coco Palms was “Blue Hawaii,” which starred Elvis Presley.

Coco Palms Hotel - Kauai, Hawaii
Coco Palms Hotel

In 1992, Hurricane Iniki slammed into the beautiful island of Kauai, causing devastating damage and power outages that lasted for months. One of the most hard hit areas was near Wailua. The result is the ruined remains of the once famous and long vacant – Coco Palms Hotel. http://www.polyad.com/kauai/alii_movie_tour_scenic_hanalei.html




Complete Elvis Presley Masters Collection

The Complete Elvis Presley CD collection
Courtesy of: SONY Music

If you are a big Elvis Presley fan or know somebody who is, then this CD collection from the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll is a must.

This definitive Elvis Presley music collection from SONY Music, comes housed in a beautiful, limited edition, display case.

This ultimate Elvis Presley music collection includes originally released master recordings, in addition to 103 rare recordings.

The SONY Music CD set includes over 35 hours of music and comes with over 800 tracks.

You also receive a 240 page exclusive hardcover book filled with Elvis stories, facts and photographs of the the King.

This one of a kind Elvis Presley Masters Collection is available in limited supplies, and are individually numbered to 1,000

Priced at $749 (plus tax and shipping) , this collector’s musical package is only available through www.CompleteElvis.com




Elvis Resort Coming To Las Vegas

Elvis is coming back to Las Vegas.

First hint was the site TradeMork, which follows trademark news and rumors, recently reported that Elvis Presley Enterprises has filed paperwork to protect the trademark names: “The Elvis Las Vegas” and “The E Las Vegas.”

Is this enough evidence to conclude that an Elvis themed resort will be coming soon to Las Vegas? Possibly.  But maybe this is.

FX Real Estate and Entertainment has announced plans to build an Elvis Presley themed hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

The building will be located on an 18-acre lot beside the MGM grand and across from the Monte Carlo.  The site is currently home to several retail spaces owned by FX.

The complex will feature a 2,269 room hotel, a 93,000 square foot casino and a convention center with accompanying retail space.

The project is expected to cost roughly $3.1 billion dollars and could open as early as 2013.

Initial rumors also circulated about Graceland hosting the resort hotel. There are goals for “Graceland” in Memphis to double its annual visitors from today’s number of about 600,000. Adding an Elvis resort hotel near Graceland was another possibility and would help achieve that goal.

It still may happen, but Elvis is first coming to Vegas. Viva Las Vegas!