There’s an exceptional clarity to the mix that really brings out Jerry Scheff’s funky bass work on Proud Mary, making this version genuinely great. Elvis has also left behind the angry outbursts that characterized many of his mid/late 1974 shows.
Elvis shines with enthusiasm throughout this show. One highlight is ‘Love Me’ – another song full of emotion from Elvis.
The Imposters
The Imposters were one of the bands featured on Elvis Matters Band Tour 2023 and are known for their tributes to Elvis. Since their formation in Memphis in 1983, The Imposters have performed at various events both domestically and abroad, released several albums, won multiple awards, become regular performers at music festivals, appeared on American Idol, and been regulars at Graceland for annual Elvis Week celebrations.
This event will include concerts, backstage tours, panel discussions, and special guest appearances. Starting the event on August 9, fans can participate in The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest; then, throughout the week, enjoy meet & greets, request performances, and more ETA-related activities!
At the heart of this event lies an intimate concert starring Elvis and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, performing his classic rock n’ roll hits and tender ballads to critical and audience acclaim. Additionally, during CONVERSATIONS ON ELVIS, fans will hear personal reflections about Elvis himself from Darlene Love, Jay Osmond, and other industry luminaries.
Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe grew up in Surrey, England, a half generation after The Beatles. His early bands, Brinsley Schwarz and Rockpile helped cultivate London pub-rock and rockabilly scenes that would eventually give way to punk and new-wave music. In addition, Lowe produced modern classics for The Damned, Pretenders, and Dr. Feelgood, as well as modern classics that appeared on The Bodyguard soundtrack (1992), selling over 40 million copies and providing him with royalties that enable him to live comfortably today.
He lives in a West London row house filled with books (such as a biography of Karl Marx, a pictorial history of boxing, and Hans Fallada’s The Drinkers novel), records, and other items ranging from documents to knickknacks. His hair has turned white, worn in an elegant take on pompadour style, puffy and slightly haggard from age; his clothing could easily have come from one worn by an elderly boarding-school headmaster near retirement; it would even look fine inside such an atmosphere!
Lowe’s latest release, Tokyo Bay/Crying Inside, includes a surf guitar band wearing lucha libre masks while performing. While this might seem peculiar, the unique pairing actually mirrors his longstanding refusal to take himself seriously while echoing Elvis Costello’s recent work with Los Straitjackets – an instrumental surf band also dressed up like this – as an exercise in self-parody.
Lowe and Los Straitjackets share both a manager (Jake Guralnick, the son of music journalist Peter Guralnick) and an indie record label in North Carolina called Yep Roc. Recently they toured together and are currently recording an album together with songs that include covers as well as original compositions; Lowe is also working with former partner Peta Waddington (singer-songwriter) to record some duet tracks which should be released next year.
Elvis Costello
Declan Patrick MacManus OBE (born 25 August 1954 in London, England), more commonly known by his stage name Elvis Costello, is an English musician and singer-songwriter. Considered one of the most versatile and influential songwriters of his generation, Costello excels at taking folk music out of its traditional confines and breaking it open against punk’s harsh edges, showing an understanding of the intersections between power and intimacy in human relationships. With an exceptional voice spanning rock to opera music styles, he offers something for every taste imaginable!
My Aim Is True is widely considered one of the landmark debut albums in pop music history, helping define new wave as it emerged and later with his work with Attractions, including political-tinged pop music with political overtones. A key figure during Britain’s Invasion period, Gabriel collaborated with Peter Gabriel, Nick Lowe, and other artists.
The Attractions disbanded in 1985 following Costello’s backing of the Pogues on their song Rum Sodomy and the Lash. He made guest appearances on Spinal Tap during this time as host David Letterman was away, filling in for him temporarily; and also co-wrote songs with director Terry Gilliam for their musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream production, co-writing songs together with him to compose its score.
In 2004, he appeared in Cold Mountain, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination, alongside Alison Krauss, who sang his songs on its soundtrack. Additionally, he has written for television shows such as 3rd Rock from the Sun, Frasier, and Two and a Half Men, additionally appearing in movies such as 200 Cigarettes, The Spy Who Shagged Me, and Spice World.
He is best known for writing classical works such as Welcome to the Voice, an opera that premiered in Bologna, Italy, in 2006. Additionally, in 2008, he began hosting two seasons of Spectacle, a discussion and performance TV show; furthermore, he has recorded solo albums alongside working alongside jazz pianists Bill Frisell and Brad Mehldau.
The Memphis Horns
Stax Records created a new musical genre known as Southern Soul in the 1960s. While vocalists tended to dominate record label rosters, its true magic lay with Booker T and the MGs and Memphis Horns (led by trumpeters Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love). They quickly became global ambassadors of Memphis’ sound; you can hear them on hit records by fellow Stax artists Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett Sam & Dave Rufus Thomas, plus non-Memphians, including Doobie Brothers Aretha Franklin and Peter Gabriel U2.
Jackson and Love were born three days apart in 1941, and both became familiar with music through their parents, starting their musical careers by learning their respective instruments when they reached 11 and 12, respectively. Jackson took up trumpet at 11 while Love began on saxophone; both would go on to perform at local clubs and church bands before eventually moving onto Stax Records’ house band in the mid-60s and working alongside legendary Stax musicians such as Steve Cropper, Duck Dunn, and Packy Axton – legends all.
Soon, other record companies were eager to have them work for them, and the duo quickly had an impressive roster of hit songs. Although requested to remain exclusive with Stax Records, they refused and eventually formed The Memphis Horns; since then, their signature sound has appeared on countless Gold and Platinum albums.
The Memphis Horns may be the most recorded brass section ever, and their distinctive sound can be heard on many Billboard hits, including Respect by Aretha Franklin, Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits by Doobie Brothers and Rattle and Hum by U2. Their contributions to rock and soul music cannot be understated.
Experience the legacy of Elvis at Graceland and learn all aspects of his career through Graceland’s world-renowned Elvis museum, from his start at Sun to movie roles to jumpsuits and awards; you’ll gain insight into why he remains one of history’s most revered artists.
