NEA
06-24-2006, 05:17 PM
Here's some 'tidbits' for fans of the original Extended Play (EPs) vinyl albums:
RCA issued Elvis EPs from 1956 to 1967 when they deleted the mini LP.
The majority of the releases featured four songs as standard issue.
The majority of the EPs were all released over time with slight variations: Black label/'Nipper' the dog on top, Black label/'Nipper' on side and then Orange label (no 'Nipper').
Elvis' first EP released in March, 1956 was a very rare double EP entitled "Elvis Presley" and consisted of 8 songs from his very first LP. The EP boasted the same cover as the LP too. This release was only issued on Black label/'Nipper' on top.
Elvis' second EP release was a 4-song variation of his first EP and was the first Extended Play to chart in Billboard's Hot 100. It reached the number 24 position. This EP was available with three different covers.
Elvis' "Heartbreak Hotel" EP was available with two different covers.
The "Any Way You Want Me" EP featured 3 Sun recordings and boasted two different covers.
The classic EP "The Real Elvis" was one of the most popular releases featuring the double A-sided smash single "Hound Dog" / "Don't Be Cruel". This classic was available for five years and was subsequently released on the 'Gold Standard Series' maroon label with 'Nipper' on top.
"Elvis, Volume 1" EP was taken from Elvis' second LP and was issued with two different picture covers. It charted at Number 6 in Billboard's Hot 100 in November, 1956.
The "Love Me Tender" EP featuring all 4 songs from Elvis' first movie was issued with two different covers.
The "Strictly Elvis" EP released in January, 1957 featured 4 more songs from Elvis' second LP and was available with two different covers.
The EPs "Loving You, Volume 1" and "Loving You, Volume II" featuring all the songs from Elvis' first colour movie were both released with two different covers.
"Just For You" EP featured 3 of the songs from Side 2 on the "Loving You" LP and was available with two different covers.
"Peace in the Valley" was Elvis' first religious recording and was initially only released on the black label/'Nipper' on top, but four years later became Elvis' second 'Gold Standard Series' release on the maroon label with 'Nipper' on top.
The "Elvis Sings Christmas Songs" EP boasted the same cover as "Elvis' Christmas Album" LP from 1957.
"Jailhouse Rock" EP featured all five songs from the smash hit movie and went on to become Elvis' best-selling Extended Play.
The "Elvis Sails" EP was the first Elvis interview record released to the public by RCA and featured press interviews with 'The King' during his embarkation at Brooklyn Army Terminal. The later 'Gold Standard Series' issue had a different back cover to the original 1959 calendar design.
The three EPs "A Touch of Gold, Volume 1", "A Touch of Gold, Volume II" and "A Touch of Gold, Volume III" were all originally released on the 'Gold Standard Series' with maroon label/'Nipper' on top.
In 1961, RCA released the "Elvis by Request" EP which was the only 'Long Playing Compact' 33 1/3rpm issued to the public. It charted at Number 14 on Billboard's Hot 100.
1965's "Tickle Me" EP which featured 5 songs used for the movie soundtrack had three different covers.
"Easy Come, Easy Go" featuring six songs from the movie, was the final EP that RCA released to the public.
RCA issued Elvis EPs from 1956 to 1967 when they deleted the mini LP.
The majority of the releases featured four songs as standard issue.
The majority of the EPs were all released over time with slight variations: Black label/'Nipper' the dog on top, Black label/'Nipper' on side and then Orange label (no 'Nipper').
Elvis' first EP released in March, 1956 was a very rare double EP entitled "Elvis Presley" and consisted of 8 songs from his very first LP. The EP boasted the same cover as the LP too. This release was only issued on Black label/'Nipper' on top.
Elvis' second EP release was a 4-song variation of his first EP and was the first Extended Play to chart in Billboard's Hot 100. It reached the number 24 position. This EP was available with three different covers.
Elvis' "Heartbreak Hotel" EP was available with two different covers.
The "Any Way You Want Me" EP featured 3 Sun recordings and boasted two different covers.
The classic EP "The Real Elvis" was one of the most popular releases featuring the double A-sided smash single "Hound Dog" / "Don't Be Cruel". This classic was available for five years and was subsequently released on the 'Gold Standard Series' maroon label with 'Nipper' on top.
"Elvis, Volume 1" EP was taken from Elvis' second LP and was issued with two different picture covers. It charted at Number 6 in Billboard's Hot 100 in November, 1956.
The "Love Me Tender" EP featuring all 4 songs from Elvis' first movie was issued with two different covers.
The "Strictly Elvis" EP released in January, 1957 featured 4 more songs from Elvis' second LP and was available with two different covers.
The EPs "Loving You, Volume 1" and "Loving You, Volume II" featuring all the songs from Elvis' first colour movie were both released with two different covers.
"Just For You" EP featured 3 of the songs from Side 2 on the "Loving You" LP and was available with two different covers.
"Peace in the Valley" was Elvis' first religious recording and was initially only released on the black label/'Nipper' on top, but four years later became Elvis' second 'Gold Standard Series' release on the maroon label with 'Nipper' on top.
The "Elvis Sings Christmas Songs" EP boasted the same cover as "Elvis' Christmas Album" LP from 1957.
"Jailhouse Rock" EP featured all five songs from the smash hit movie and went on to become Elvis' best-selling Extended Play.
The "Elvis Sails" EP was the first Elvis interview record released to the public by RCA and featured press interviews with 'The King' during his embarkation at Brooklyn Army Terminal. The later 'Gold Standard Series' issue had a different back cover to the original 1959 calendar design.
The three EPs "A Touch of Gold, Volume 1", "A Touch of Gold, Volume II" and "A Touch of Gold, Volume III" were all originally released on the 'Gold Standard Series' with maroon label/'Nipper' on top.
In 1961, RCA released the "Elvis by Request" EP which was the only 'Long Playing Compact' 33 1/3rpm issued to the public. It charted at Number 14 on Billboard's Hot 100.
1965's "Tickle Me" EP which featured 5 songs used for the movie soundtrack had three different covers.
"Easy Come, Easy Go" featuring six songs from the movie, was the final EP that RCA released to the public.