Producer and host of the DEC4 Podcast. Co-Sponsor of The Bill Podcast and Letter from Helvetica.
RIP Robbie Robertson đ
One of The Band's great performances, with the Staple Singers, from The Last Waltz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2eTW8qZBtk
The Last Waltz - The Weight: The Band, joined by the Staple Singers, perform their classic song, "The Weight".BUY THE MOVIE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D25...
In the latest post on our podcast website, Francesc Lopez, founder and webmaster of the pioneering Elvis information site, elvisconcerts.com, talks to us about this incredible online resource he created nearly thirty years ago, and has been developing and improving ever since.
What sets elvisconcerts.com apart as something unique and special, is that it is a repository for everything you need to know about Elvisâ life as a professional, touring entertainer from the 1950s to the 70s. There is also a comprehensive database with a convenient search function so that you can explore an extensive library of information by multiple criteria.
We find out about the technical challenges Francesc faced during the internetâs formative years, and explore in detail some of the features that make this site an essential, trusted source, including concert stats and schedules, setlists, jumpsuit information, availability of official and unofficial sound and vision, a huge archive of press coverage of Elvisâ personal appearances, and much more. We ask a couple of âfansâ questions as well, and expand on a couple of Francescâs thoughts and recommendations, with some additional context, background and links.
Huge thanks to Francesc for taking the time to answer a few questions, and for his tireless work in creating and maintaining one of the most informative, fact-based and accurate Elvis sites online, and one that has been visited many millions of times. đđ
https://dec4podcast.com/2023/07/21/francesc-lopez-podcast-supplement-founding-webmaster-of-pioneering-elvis-website-elvisconcerts-com/
Francesc Lopez is the founder and webmaster of the pioneering website, elvisconcerts.com. He very kindly agreed to a written interview about the incredible online project that he created during theâŚ
to the BeachLife Festival in May when I got to hangout with the very talented Mike Love of the The Beach Boys! Even Mike joined in on the celebration! đ
Weâve been able to meet and hangout with so many amazing people so far on this tour. The Celebration tour continues this Sunday in Manitoba, Canada with Hearty Har
Congratulations to the very talented team behind Letter from Helvetica, which has also been nominated for a gong in the British Podcast Awards.
On June 24th, 1977, Elvis played to 10 000 at Dane County Coliseum, Madison, Wisconsin, the third to final night of what would be his last tour.
Ronnie Tutt had abruptly departed the tour for family reasons, with Jerome 'Stump' Monroe filling in on drums for one night, pending the arrival of Larrie Londin, who would play the final two shows in Cincinnati and Indianapolis.
Jerome Monroe was already part of the touring operation as occasional bodyguard, and drummer for the Sweet Inspirations. He also played with the orchestra and the Stamps in the pre-intermission segment of the show. In a later interview, he told the Elvis Information Network that he only found out he would be playing behind Elvis that night during the intermission. (He had played live with Elvis just twice, in 1971 and 1975).
"...That was a scary day. I was very, very nervous...Elvis came up to me and said, 'You can do it, Stump', and Iâm looking at him saying this manâs got more faith in me than I have in myself..."
Oh yes, and there was a little excitement on the way in from the airport...
đ§ Its time for PART 2 of Natalie Roles' fabulous Beth Cordingly đŽââď¸ interview! The talented pair chat presenting, awkward encounters, fitness & which star loved Out NOW Spotify đ https://open.spotify.com/show/1VShSqFzXWbmdrYwsKO7D0 Sponsors George Fairbrother Saturday Morning Press Books đđ
Letter from Helvetica is a scripted audio series written by and starring Andrew Mackintosh and also starring Natalie Roles. Between them, these two hugely talented artists were in over 500 episodes of the legendary ITV police drama, The Bill. The producer is Oliver Crocker, one of Britainâs leading authors, podcasters and publishers on classic British television.
If you love audio content in the tradition of some of the great BBC radio dramas and comedies, Letter from Helvetica is thoroughly recommended, and has made the Apple Top 40 in fiction podcasts.
You can also now catch Natalie Roles hosting The Bill Podcast which has over 100 episodes in the catalogue, including cast and crew interviews, tributes and reunions. The Bill Podcast has been played over 350 000 times and is in the top 1.5 % of podcasts globally.
Very proud, also through the Armstrong and Burton Series and DEC4, to be co-sponsoring these great projects. đ
POSTER REVEAL! Letter from Helvetica is an 8-part taking a humorous look at civilisation through the eyes of Abby, a talented biologist on a research mission in and her Uncle John, a retired army colonel living in The pair explore the world from both sides of the globe, discussing everything from culture and cuisine, to nature and naturism, introducing us along the way to a veritable feast of characters. Starring Andrew Mackintosh and Natalie Roles, our series is streaming now on all good podcasting platforms. New episode tonight! https://open.spotify.com/show/2P7WJUBtHkq16xLopjg7iz
Gainesville Band hard at work...
Very grateful to these talented legends for their support of our DEC4 Podcast series.
Our leading DEC4 Podcast contributor Gary Wells Vintage Leisure has written a fascinating review of the 1987 Ritchie Valens biopic, La Bamba, particularly recognising the stunning supporting performance of Esai Morales.
La Bamba (1987) Starring Esai Morales, Lou Diamond Phillips, Rosanna DeSoto, Danielle von Zerneck, Elizabeth PeĂąa, Joe Pantoliano, Rick Dees and Brian Setzer. Directed by Luis Valdez. From ColumbiaâŚ
Congratulations to The Bill Podcast for cracking the Apple Top 40 in film and television podcasts.
Very proud to co-sponsor this great success, which according to Listen Notes, is now in the top 1.5% of podcasts globally.
â
New Presenter â
New Look â
New Theme
A new era of The Bill Podcast begins as your new host Natalie Roles interviews fellow about her life, career and Sun Hill days! https://soundcloud.com/thebillpodcast
is now released by Amazon Music & Spotify
Sponsored by George Fairbrother & Saturday Morning Press Books
Status Quo bass player John 'Rhino' Edwards turned 70 this week (May 9th) đđ¸
In May 1975, Elvis performed a special concert in Jackson, Mississippi; a benefit for the victims of a tornado that had recently devastated McComb, a town around 80 miles south of the State Capital.
It was the initiative of Colonel Parker, and although the altruistic intent could not be denied, he had an ulterior motive, cleverly using the initiative of the tornado benefit concert to coax an otherwise reluctant Elvis to get back on the road. Following late night discussions at Graceland involving Colonel Parker himself, RCA executive George Parkhill, and concert promoter Tom Hulett, direct contact was made with Mississippi Governor, Bill Waller, and plans for the show were set in motion.
The benefit concert was eventually held on May 5th 1975, and Parker's "while we're out there, we might just as well do a few more", expanded into an 18 show southern tour, between April 24th and May 7th.
Elvis and Colonel Parker covered all their own costs for the benefit, and everyone from onstage talent to road crew donated their time. The State Fair Coliseum and staff were also provided at no cost. As a result of this cooperation at all levels, Elvis was able to hand a cheque for $108 860, from arena ticket sales alone, to the State Governor, prior to the show. The amount would go even higher from the sale of donated Elvis merchandise.
The Delta Democrat Times wrote;
ââŚElvis Presley returned to his native state for a benefit performance Monday night and received a thunderous reception from more than 10,000 fans who packed the Mississippi (State Fair) Coliseum. The 40 year old Tupelo native, a little heavier now but dazzling in a baby blue casual suit and dark blue shirt, strode onto the stage amid cheers and screamsâŚâ
A resolution of appreciation was passed in the Mississippi State Legislature, stating; âThis compassionate gesture of concern is appreciated by all Mississippiansâ.
In order to secure the State Fair Coliseum at no cost, a classic side-deal was done that would commit Elvis to return there for some paying dates. He performed three sold out shows over June 8th and 9th.
RIP Gordon Lightfoot đ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GAzC3ouCIs
The late John Wilkinson (1945-2013) played rhythm guitar in nearly 1100 Elvis Presley Concerts, up until and including the very last one in June of 1977. He...
Another great Gainesville Band moment..đ¸đ¸đ
Some very recent and great quality audience sound and vision from Status Quoâs European tour, December, 2022 (Hanover, Germany).
Francis is sounding fantastic here, at the grand age of 73, the band is tight as ever, and the they all look like they are having as much fun as the audience. đ
Gainesville Band - thought you might like this đ
LIVE @ Out Out Quoing XMAS Tour, Swiss Life Hall, Hanover, GermanyCaroline - Rain - Little Lady - Softer Ride - Beginning of the End - Hold You Back - Rock ...
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In March, 1976, two highly accomplished Nashville musicians joined the Elvis show for the first tour of the year; Larrie Londin on drums and Shane Keister on piano.
Larrie Londin recalled that they all assembled at Graceland prior to the tour for band rehearsals - Elvis dropped in to say hello and then left. Larrie thought he had gone off to get a soft drink, but it soon became apparent that Elvis wasn't coming back. All their gear was then packed up and shipped to the first venue, and he and Shane Keister had to make it up as best they could on stage.
Larrie Londin said this of Elvis' special rapport with his drummers;
"...Elvis hated drum risers. He wanted the drums on the floor right next to him, as close as possible. He wanted to feel the bass drum kicking him in the ass. He roamed around the stage, but at critical moments in the show - tempo changes and endings - he was always right there close - so that I could see him give signals..."
A fascinating featurette narrated by John Fogerty himself with some nice backstage moments as well, marking his first tour in which he has full ownership and control of his catalogue. đ
Bula Quo, otherwise known as Guitars, Guns and Paradise, was an unlikely 2013 feature film project starring Status Quo, along with Craig Fairbrass, Jon Lovitz and Laura Aikman. It was directed by Stuart St Paul, a highly accomplished stuntman and stunt coordinator with credits that spanned James Bond, Emmerdale, and Mrs Brownâs Boys, D'Movie.
Filmed on Fiji, the plot involved a rock and roll band, a tropical island and a brush with a gangland murder. According to a note on IMDb, it was funded through a UK government tax incentive scheme, which rather conveniently enabled Status Quo to offset an outstanding tax bill.
The clip, from the Status Quo official channel, has been viewed 1.5 million times (which is probably a few more than actually saw the movie at its limited cinema release). If nothing else, it looks like a huge amount of fun.
The soundtrack album reached #10 in the UK, and #17 in Germany.
Status Quo performing "Bula Bula Quo" taken from the new album BULA QUO! - OUT NOWOrder on: iTunes - http://smarturl.it/BulaQuoiTunesAmazon - http://smarturl...
On February 16th, 1977, Elvis played to just under 11 000 at Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, Alabama. Unusually for the southern fan heartland, the show hadnât quite sold out, with a small number of good seats still being hawked just hours before the concert.
This clip features a slightly imperfect Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel medley that doesn't quite recover from piano player Tony Brown's mistake at the beginning, and Elvis' own reaction đ
; then, from later on in the performance, some serious work on Where No One Stands Alone.
On February 16th, 1977, Elvis played to just under 11 000 at Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, Alabama. Around this time, recordings were consistently being made...
Marty Pasetta (1932-2015) was perhaps the top producer and director of event, variety and entertainment television in the 1970s and 80s. In 1972 he was brought in to work with Elvis, and helm the pioneering satellite live concert broadcast, Aloha From Hawaii, which would go out to an international audience in January, 1973.
In preparation, he attended Elvisâ concerts in Long Beach, California, in November 1972, to get a feel for the show. He thought the music aspect was strong, but the performance, and staging, visually boring.
Pasetta was not one to compromise in the cause of creative excellence. He and his staff came up with designs that included a lower than usual stage with a catwalk into the audience. Colonel Parker rejected much of this outright, but Pasetta persisted and asked for the opportunity to present his ideas directly to Elvis.
There followed a slightly bizarre meeting with Elvis and members of the Memphis Mafia (whom Pasetta referred to as âgoonsâ) during which they wore their sunglasses indoors and prominently displayed their handguns. Despite feeling thoroughly intimidated, Pasetta presented his designs, and told Elvis face-to-face he needed to lose weight and move more on stage, as Pasetta intended make extensive use of closeups during the performance.
The tension broke, and Elvis hugged Pasetta, promising that they would work to âmake super magic for the tube togetherâ. He also pointed out that, âThe Colonel controls my business. I control my creativity and my music and my show. He has nothing to say about it. That's your rule. You will deal with Joe Espositoâ.
Marty Pasetta continued to make significant television throughout the 1980s, directing the Academy Awards each year until 1988, and helming major variety events. He died in 2015, aged 82, in a freak traffic accident - he was accidentally run over by the car in which he had been a passenger and from which he had just alighted, along with one other person who was also struck. The driver, who was also exiting the vehicle but had mistakenly left the transmission engaged, was arrested for driving while intoxicated.
When Elvis arrived in Honolulu on January 9th, 1973, several days ahead of the Aloha From Hawaii rehearsal concert and satellite broadcast, he was helicoptered from the airport to the Hilton Village for a filmed reception with fans, and where he had a few brief words with an old friend, âUncleâ Tom Moffatt.
Tom Moffatt was a DJ and concert promoter who, according to his 2016 obituary on Hawaii News Now, âmade his name in the islands in 1957, when he brought Elvis Presley to perform before thousands of adoring fansâ. Tom Moffatt described Elvis' first show in Hawaii as one of the most exciting events he had ever presented; âI remember he did Hound Dog and then everybody's screaming. He jumped off the stage, got on his knees with his guitar and the place went bananas.â
Moffatt had been promoting Elvisâ Hawaiian fan club around the time of Love Me Tender, organising a competition to win the hat Elvis wore in the movie and receiving 53 000 entries, alerting Colonel Parker to Elvisâ enormous local popularity. Elvis played three very successful shows in Honolulu over November 10th and 11th, 1957, cementing the relationship. Keen to secure Elvis for his first touring show after discharge from the Army, Moffatt bailed up Colonel Parker who was vacationing in Hawaii while Elvis was still in Germany, securing a commitment on the promise of a huge petition signed by local fans, urging Elvis to come back to Hawaii.
The result would be the famous USS Arizona Memorial benefit show in 1961, which raised over $65 000, more than 10% of the final cost of the project. According to Moffatt in an interview with Dutch television, the idea for the benefit aspect was Colonel Parkerâs alone, responding to news that the entire memorial project was about to collapse through lack of funding. Parker and Elvis covered all their own expenses (as they did in 1975 for the McComb Tornado benefit in Mississippi).
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser described Tom Moffatt as âone of the most influential figures in the Hawaii entertainment industryâ, the first rock DJ in Hawaii and one of the pioneers of modern Top 40 Radio, dominating the ratings throughout the 1960s on radio station KPOI. He was clearly liked and trusted by both Elvis and Colonel Parker, and was given access for interviews, including long-distance by phone to Germany, and later brought some Hawaiian fans, contest winners, to visit Elvis on the Hollywood set of Blue Hawaii.
Over six-decades as a concert and event promoter, Tom Moffatt Productions brought a spectacular roster of artists to Hawaii, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, The Shirelles, Connie Francis, the Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, Everly Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr, Liza Minelli, Michael and Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston and the Eagles. According to his obituary, he presented almost every big name in the music business at least once, presented classical concerts, ballet and musical theatre, and was the leading promoter of âmega-concertsâ at the 50 000 seat Aloha Stadium. He also ran record labels and was strongly committed to actively promoting local artists and material.
He continued working as a promoter and DJ into his 80s, and passed away in December 2016, aged 85.
When Elvis arrived in Honolulu on January 9th, 1973, several days ahead of the Aloha From Hawaii rehearsal concert and satellite broadcast, he was helicopter...
Here's a little holiday listening - an audio journey to Memphis, Tupelo and Las Vegas thanks to Mr Vintage Leisure himself, Gary Wells.
Find us on Soundcloud, also Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, and actually a few places we never realised we were on. đ
In this special extended episode, Gary Wells (www.soulrideblog.com) is our guide for an immersive audio tour through Memphis and Las Vegas. Weâre considering these destinations wholly in the context o
Liberty Lane, written by Francis Rossi and John âRhinoâ Edwards, is a track from Status Quoâs album, Backbone, released in 2019 and their most successful album of new material since the 1980s. It went top ten in the UK, Germany and Switzerland and charted well across Europe.
A great live version here captured from the audience in Belgium, September 2022.
"Liberty Lane"I was taking a walk down liberty lane todayThinking how the time has slipped awayBut it's really not so badYou don't miss what you never hadI s...
A little December Elvis history đ
Between Christmas and New Year 1976, Elvis embarked on a short but lucrative tour to big arenas, including his first show in Birmingham, Alabama, and ending with his acclaimed New Year's Eve performance in Pittsburgh.
The itinerary and attendances:
Dec 27 Wichita State University, Wichita, KS - 10 000
Dec 28 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, TX - 9 800
Dec 29 Jefferson Coliseum, Birmingham, AL - 18 400
Dec 30 The Omni, Atlanta, GA - 17 000
Dec 31 Civic Center Arena, Pittsburgh, PA - 16 409
In the context of the time, this tour generated a lot of local excitement and was very enthusiastically received. During a period when press reaction could go either way, it's interesting to see how this tour was covered;
The Birmingham News:
"...Elvis was in good voice, good shape, good health and good spirits. He had lost weight and gained confidence. His act was full of humour, zest, and occasional beautyâŚHe is living proof that attempts at experimentation and innovation are not essential within the context of rock concerts. You simply need to have a positive talent, charismatic personality, a passion for performing, and the experience of handling an audience at any time in any place. Presley is still possessed of a fine voice which he uses with great enthusiasm on material that reveals him as a traditionalist, romanticist and sardonic-observer of the phenomenon he has becomeâŚ"
The Dallas Times Herald;
"âŚElvis, make no mistake, is a phenomenon. No one else has gone 20 years perched at the peak. Alice Cooper and the vaudeville rockers may trail in the dust of Elvis' heels. He could probably even cause an alarming dip in the Nielsen rating playing opposite Charlie's Angels. Where superstars quickly burn themselves out, Elvis survives, spreading himself to new generations of fansâŚ"
đ âĄď¸
A little December Elvis history đ
Between Christmas and New Year 1976, Elvis embarked on a short but lucrative tour to big arenas, including his first show in Birmingham, Alabama, and ending with his acclaimed New Year's Eve performance in Pittsburgh.
The itinerary and attendances:
Dec 27 Wichita State University, Wichita, KS 10 000
Dec 28 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, TX 9 800
Dec 29 Jefferson Coliseum, Birmingham, AL 18 400
Dec 30 The Omni, Atlanta, GA, 17 000
Dec 31 Civic Center Arena, Pittsburgh, PA 16 409
In the context of the time, this tour generated a lot of local excitement and was very enthusiastically received. During a period when press reaction could go either way, it's interesting to see how this tour was covered;
The Birmingham News:
"...Elvis was in good voice, good shape, good health and good spirits. He had lost weight and gained confidence. His act was full of humour, zest, and occasional beautyâŚHe is living proof that attempts at experimentation and innovation are not essential within the context of rock concerts. You simply need to have a positive talent, charismatic personality, a passion for performing, and the experience of handling an audience at any time in any place. Presley is still possessed of a fine voice which he uses with great enthusiasm on material that reveals him as a traditionalist, romanticist and sardonic-observer of the phenomenon he has becomeâŚ"
The Dallas Times Herald;
"âŚElvis, make no mistake, is a phenomenon. No one else has gone 20 years perched at the peak. Alice Cooper and the vaudeville rockers may trail in the dust of Elvis' heels. He could probably even cause an alarming dip in the Nielsen rating playing opposite Charlie's Angels. Where superstars quickly burn themselves out, Elvis survives, spreading himself to new generations of fansâŚ"
On December 12th, 1976, Elvis played his final ever show in Las Vegas, ending a 15 show engagement that had begun on December 2nd. Being the closing night, the show ran to about 90 minutes rather than the usual one hour, and the performance was recorded from within the audience and bootlegged.
It's an enjoyable show, the setlist is varied and interesting, with a couple of impromptu moments by request, including a slightly imperfect Sweet Caroline for a couple in the audience who, Elvis acknowledged, came every time he was booked in Vegas. Elvis seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself, and there was perhaps only one brief moment of temper as he expressed some disapproval over the band's work on My Way (poor Tony Brown gets a bit of a rev up).
It was during this engagement that a subsequent (mostly) discredited report in the Nashville Banner, citing anonymous sources, alleged that Colonel Parker had lost one million dollars at the gaming tables and was selling Elvis' contract 'for health and financial reasons'. The story was emphatically denied by the Colonel himself, and the alleged buyers, a consortium of 'West coast businessmen' never materialised, if they had ever existed at all.
There was no thought at the time that this was going to be Elvis' final Vegas season, contrary to what was claimed in the Banner article. Elvis was booked to open the big new showroom, the Hilton Pavilion, in October 1977.
On December 12th, 1976, Elvis played his final ever show in Las Vegas, ending a fifteen show engagement that had begun on December 2nd. The schedule was now ...
Status Quo's front man Francis Rossi says he hopes they still live up to fans expectations after 48 years in the business. | ITV News Meridian
Over November 28th and 29th, 1976, Elvis played two nights at San Franciscoâs elegantly named Cow Palace, with 14 300 at each show. The first night's performance was recorded at the soundboard and bootlegged, and it's an interesting mix with prominent piano, which gives an idea how hard Tony Brown was working at the keyboard.
James Kelton reviewed this November 28th show for the San Francisco Examiner, with a mix of admiration and a little cynicism;
ââŚElvis Presley returned to the Bay Area last night for his first concert in four years - the first of two sold-out shows at the Cow Palace. Presley sauntered onstage looking disinterested while the band pounded out the thunderous theme from the movie '2001' and the auditorium lit up with flashbulbsâŚTrue to form, Elvis strapped on his guitar and opened with 'C.C. Rider' and 'I Got A Woman', just as he had at The Oakland Coliseum in 1972âŚDressed all in white and carrying a few extra pounds, the heaviest of rock and roll heavies seems to have little new to show his frantically loyal audience these daysâŚâ
The reviewer noted the enthusiasm of the fans, and described Elvis as a âmoney making marvelâ and a âfirst rate singer (when he felt like it)'. He pronounced the show, as a whole, polished and professional, although regretfully observed the lack of âragged energy that helped inspire a generation of rebelliousness.â
Over November 28th and 29th, 1976, Elvis played two nights at San Franciscoâs Cow Palace. This is an edited soundboard of the first night, with perhaps arou...
Over the 17th and 18th of November, 1972, Elvis played his final three shows of the year at the Honolulu International Centre, Hawaii. He would be back at the same venue a few weeks later for the Aloha From Hawaii satellite broadcast.
With only the usual rudimentary stage and lighting rig, the HIC was at its full capacity of over 8 500 for these shows. This would drop by over 2 000 to accommodate the special stage and studio equipment for the upcoming broadcast.
Wayne Harada, who went on to write perhaps the definitive review of Aloha, reviewed the third and final show for the Honolulu Advertiser, beneath the headline 'Presley Legend Alive and Very Well';
"...Elvis Presley remains one of the most electrifying showbiz marvels - an incandescent musical force who's a legend in his own time. And the 26,000 fans who took in his three sellouts at the H.I.C. Arena over the week-end will long remember Presley's mystique, the charisma and that indelible animal magnetism that combined to make him a Big Leaguer nearly two decades ago... when he hits that stage, there's no denying. Elvis is a champ, the king of rock, a living American myth..."
Warm-up comedian Jackie Kahane, who didn't always get an easy run in the press (one reviewer referred to his act as 'a test of endurance') and who had been given a very rough time in New York that summer, also went down very well;
"...Comic Jackie Kahane turned out to be a pleasant opening surprise. His gags are witty, timely, and above all, clean. And unlike so many others, Kahane quits when he's ahead, never overstaying his welcome..."
Concert stats, dates and review thanks to www.elvisconcerts.com đ
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