This week ElvisNews.com is on-line for five years. The site started as “The Elvis Telegraph”, but changed its name and url to ElvisNews.com with its tenth weekly edition. The first update on the site told everyone the intention of the people behind it:
“Earth - August 30, 1999. This Monday is an important day for all Elvis-fans on the Internet. It is the day that a new site was started, including a newsletter to keep all Elvis-fans informed on anything that is going on in the Elvis-world. The chief editor promises to make this magazine a must for every Elvis-fan. Besides the news there will be regulars like "site of the week", reviews of CDs, movies, concerts and so on. He also stated that any help will be appreciated. Any contributions can be sent to us by a special form. It would be nice when this magazine is carried by a lot of fans.
Let's hope this zillionth Elvis-website will add something extra and will be a huge success. We'll try to be the main newsletter without pushing others aside. In stead of that, we hope to stimulate other websites, by providing links to whatever source we have.”
With this first item some Elvis fans boldly went where no other fan club went before, collecting all the Elvis Presley news from around the world (wide web) and share it with Elvis fans world wide.
Five years ago news on Elvis was scattered all over the world (wide web) on websites, fan club magazines and news letters. Several fans decided to collect all information on one site with the idea, one update per week would be enough for a guy who died almost 25 years before … how wrong they were!
Five years later Elvis appears to be more alive than ever! This, and other websites that followed in its footsteps collecting news, are updated several times per day, making this almost a full-time job. The popularity of message boards only added to the real-time spread of news among the Elvis fans. Most news is available before it is officially announced.
Our conclusion; when Elvis fans team together, something beautiful emerges! We hope – and think - that we succeeded in our goal and would like to use this opportunity to thank all Elvis fans, fan clubs, websites, producers and companies world wide who contributed so much to ElvisNews.com, helping us to spread all the news available to every corner of the world (wide web). Many became more than contributors, they became friends, thank you, thank you very much!
As a special thank you to you, our reader, we decided to do a special give-a-way: tell us your opinion about the biggest changes in the Elvis world during the last five years (use "the give your opinion"-link) and you might be one of the lucky winners. You can win a special SUN promotional CD or one of the new DVD releases from Warner Bothers.
Any time soon there will be some more surprises from ElvisNews.com, just keep your eye on the site.
ElvisNews.com 5 Years Around
August 26, 2004 | Other
kingtiger0321 wrote on
August 26, 2004
Congrats. on 5 years. I enjoy your site and hope it's around for another 5 or longer :) This site is the first site I look at when I get online, I'd be lost without it.
E.J.F... wrote on
August 28, 2004
Where would we be without ElvisNews.com? Personally it has become part and parcel of everyday life, just like eating and sleeping...and drinking beer! Here's one toast to you lovely guys (and dolls)! Keep up the good work. You are doing a wonderful job.
Mark wrote on
August 27, 2004
That is a tall order I would say you are the first to break news on new CD and DVD releases and other stories which is great to get also you Elvis day by day well just you whole web site is just the best on the web
Kenneth wrote on
August 27, 2004
i think that chart success is the biggest positive change in the 'ELVIS' world but what bothers me is his recognition, to be placed behind bob dylan, as one example, really does get to me, i just don't understand it, but as far as 'ELVIS NEWS.COM. is concerned, there really is no place else to go, it does it all for all 'ELVIS' fans and what i especially like, is that it is children friendly, my 8 yrs. and up relatives and their friends can and do go to this site without me having to worry about them reading foul language and the like, it is not allowed in my home nor on this site. the people who run ELVIS NEWS are to be commended for the job they do,and i wish them the best for whatever roads they choose to go down.
David Brys wrote on
August 30, 2004
It is never easy to make a small difference in the lives of thousands. You guys did and you should be proud of yourselves. Your site IS a treat!
jb gude wrote on
August 27, 2004
Congratulations Guys!
I remember with pride and happiness when you asked for permission to include an article I had written on a newsgroup on your site in the spring/summerof 2000 I think it was. This site has always been my startpage everytime I login to the internet. I like to think that you have set the standards for most other sites that sprang up later.
The biggest change was that the movie studios and the corporations realised the importance of this and other sites and take many of the opinions/views expressed seriously! some have even started posting here showing who or which really matters. So lets raise our glasses to the next ,well 5 years. Cheers! jb
CapiTrueno wrote on
August 29, 2004
It's incredible how the public opinion on Elvis has changed in the last five years. From a fat drug-addict alien he's become the creator of rock and roll. The 30 #1 Hits, A Little Less Conversation, Aloha and 68 Comeback, Lilo & Stitch... Elvis is more alive than ever!!! All that has happened in the last five years, and ElvisNews.com has been there to make us all witnesses! Thanks guys!
Peter@EM wrote on
August 27, 2004
Congratulations from Belgium! You're doing a wonderful job - it's the best way to unite Elvisfans from all over the world. Thumbs up for you guys. I don't know where you find the time to do such a highly professional job - but be assured that it's very appreciated by thousands of fans worldwide! If the news isn't posted on ElvisNews.com - it's no news at all.
Mathias wrote on
August 30, 2004
Dear Elvisnews, Once in a lifetime a legend. This is right said about Elvis and right said about you. A lot of others have come and gone in the last five years and your still here. Your site is always my favorite and the first one to get some quality and serious news. There are not much rumors spread through your site like others often do. The only minus are your CD reviews, very often they are too positive and the soundquality is far often not half as good as you are able to hear it! But let me thanks once again for your wonderful job and support you always give us first. Keep on doing such a fantastic job and keep the spirit alive! Best regards.
Dan The Man wrote on
August 27, 2004
Hi there, happy anniversary and keep up the good work. The biggest change, I think, is the growing recognition Elvis get's, especially from the stars who are on the scene today. It's very popular to have Elvis mentioned, or Elvis songs, in the movies. The music heroes of today all pay their tribute to Elvis, either on stage or on their albums. Elvis is hot!
Richard wrote on
August 27, 2004
Congratulations to you hard workers of this fine website.
I wish you many years on stage. TCB.
I remember a line from a lady who said on the
"Elvis in Concert" lp:
"He will always be the King no matter what". And she was right. Not only the last five years Elvis has been an icon in our society. He has been that for over several years. The last 5 to 8 years Elvis is dicovert (again) by the 'younger' people who appreciate good music. And when the 'dig' his music they often go deeper in to the man behind the music. They discover that the King of Rock 'n Roll not only is the man who invented Rock 'n Roll but that he is much more than that:
He was the first, the last, He is everything.
And don't forget that people like yourselfs bring other people in contact with Elvis just by talking about him or let them hear the music.
Viva wrote on
August 26, 2004
Congratulations and well done. I have visited all the major Elvis sites and Elvis news is the one I always return to. There's no bull, just what's going on in the Elvis world. Great stuff. As for the biggest change in the Elvis world in the last 5 years, well aside from the chart and sales successes, I feel the biggest and most important change is in the way in which Elvis (the man and the performer) is being perceived by the general public and the general media. It is now ok to like Elvis, especially in the younger generation. This should mean that ultimately Elvis will be given the respect he should have been given 20-25 years ago. With the release of TTWII SE, even those (generally) underestimated Vegas shows are watched with awe and admiration by all who witness it. This is vital for the continuation of his legacy in the decades to come. Most importantly though, Elvis (as Jerry Schilling said) only ever wanted to be loved and accepted. I think he would be happy now.
Maurice wrote on
August 27, 2004
ElvisNews: five years already? I consume it daily, couldn't live without it. Congratulations
SendToTodd wrote on
August 26, 2004
The Elvis World is not unique in that like-minded souls reach out for kindred spirits with which to share their devotion. This affection is reflected in all affinity groups. We differ as supporters because we know that our hero is, was, and will always be the best, and we are proud of our eliteness and arrogrance. ElvisNews.com provides a tidal platform for news views and overviews and both stimulates and infuriates from, both here and here. (I've not said "there" because where is here or there in the cyber world.) The guys who stitch this together every day, obviously don't drink enough, so I send you a bottle of cyber scotch, so that you can have one on me. Congratulations you cloggies have a nice day.
ijustcanhelpbelievin wrote on
August 26, 2004
first off congrats to all of you who run this site!!! by far,the best elvis site around cyber-land!!! as far as the biggest changes in the elvis world over the past 5 years,here is my opinion..."ftd" releasing great "live soundboard" recordings of his las vegas career...more,and more of elvis's "70's" recordings coming to a very different respect(finally)as they were classic then,and even more so now...the remastered digital sound,and quality of the "68 special,and aloha" have surely taken us to new heights...nike's "a little less conversation" surely made elvis shine bright,and bring a new generation of elvis fans...the reissuing of "that's the way it is" in a special edition cd was fantastic...his movie career has also taken a different perspective in that allot of his movies meaningless to people then,and more insightful now..."IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME" just how talented elvis really was...
E.L.V.I.S wrote on
August 27, 2004
i love this site guys :-) its what keeps us all up to date with the king. Being a young fan of 16 i have alot of elvis years to go and relie heavily on this great site to keep me close to the latest happenings in elvis world....as for the biggest change well me myself feel there has been no change....elvis is still as ever rocking as he was, his music has a timeless class of its own. It still feels like elvis is alive and well in memphis so i cant really say theres been a change. Oh there is one change: elvis is getting better and better everyday :-)
keep t.c.b elvis news!!
doctor wrote on
August 27, 2004
This is by far the best web site of any kind, anywhere! It is a must for anyone who remotely consider themselves an elvis afficionado or for anyone new to the elvis world. What is great about the last five years? It is simply that Elvis is finally getting the respect from mainstream society that he always should have had. All its's taken is BMG and EPE finally getting their act together and putting out Elvis' legacy with the care it deserves. Give people quality entertainment and they'll buy it and accept it. You can't fake talent and soul ... Elvis had both in such abundance that the rest of the world was bound to realize it sooner or later. Keep up the fantastic work, elvisnews, and many more fun-filled years! (:
elvis tcb wrote on
August 28, 2004
I'm a new member to your site and all I can say is wow,what a great way to stay informed about Elvis.
Keep up the great service that you do and alway's T.C.B.
Frans67 wrote on
August 27, 2004
Of course happy aniversary for you all; keep goin'; and i would like to state that one of the best things happening in the last five years is ''Elvis The Concert' which i saw several times in Rotterdam and Amsterdam -i have very good memories of them; they were skillfully played ; very professional with electricity in the air! A unique live event in the world; they should take it to South-America or Africa!
A C H wrote on
August 31, 2004
In the last 5 years, Elvis web pages spread around the world and this made Elvis and us, stronger. Now, with the internet, everything is easier for us. We get the news very quickly. we can buy, sell or trade Elvis items very easily. We can contact other fans in a way we didn't expect to do 5 years ago. I don't think Elvis would be so big today if we didn't have the internet and the "Elvis News" web pages.
Lowri wrote on
August 31, 2004
I am 13 and only started liking Elvis a couple of years ago , Elvis is fantastic. Using the internet and your website I have learnt lots more about the king and his life , your website played a major part in my history project and helped me recieve full marks for my project of Elvis, Elvis is undoubtablly the greatest man that ever lived, his songs are exciting and entertaining, he was completely individual, and now having a website like this, devoted fans, like me and everyone viewing this have something to get up to date news, facts and other info. i love this website , but, not as much as i love elvis and everything about him
Lex wrote on
August 31, 2004
Not sure if it's only the last five years, but the Internet gives real fans a chance to warn for frauds, and unfortunately their are many of them (as in the real world ;-)).
Besides that, others came and vanished, only a few sites survived... and those are the best.
Jon Thor wrote on
September 02, 2004
The biggest change is, with all due respect to elvisnews.com, the start of the Follow That Dream Collectors Label
judy presley wrote on
September 02, 2004
I think the biggest change in the past 5 years to the Elvis world started with the 25th. anniversary celebrations - this is where it all started for me and I'm sure for many others too. Before this time I was totally unaware of the continuing and flourishing interest Elvis held for so many people and I'm very proud now to be included in that number. Since that time things have just snowballed and Elvis is well and truly back in the public eye with RCA and EPE pushing to keep him there with the new releases, re-releases, Aloha/Comeback DVD's etc. and the issue of similar items by other companies. All power to them - I think it's great!
alan57 wrote on
September 04, 2004
want find what's new in the elvis world, i go straight to elvis news,for the most up to date items of news on our man elvis you can't go wrong here,keep up the good work looking forward to the next five years with you
Pierjo wrote on
September 04, 2004
Congratulations to each and everyone of you. You couldn't do a better job! Every day I visit your site and I'm sure delighted with the up-to-date news and the great respect you have for Elvis fans. Your site is the best! Just keep up that amazing and wonderful job.
TCB Presley wrote on
September 06, 2004
The biggest advancement in the Elvis world in the past five years has got to be that of the tremendous efforts made by EPE and BMG/RCA in getting more of Elvis' music and overall positive image out to the worldwide general public. Most of us that visit ElvisNews.com on a regular basis were Elvis fans when being an Elvis fan wasn't all that cool. It's a lot different now and I think that has been the biggest change.
Creating 'new songs' for today's generation by adding a more contemporary instrumental track and rearranging it in a hip kind of way, by releasing Elvis' biggest hits on two different compilations with improved audio and putting Elvis' music in TV commercials, music videos and major motion picture soundtracks have all combined to bring Elvis back to the forefront in the worldwide entertainment scene. Elvis has been an icon for nearly fifty years and will be for many, many more due to a lot of what has happened in the past five years.