VEGAS '69 - the new book

[Getlo]

VEGAS '69 - anybody got this book yet?

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/book..._69_book.shtml

Got mine yesterday, and it's very good. Not quite worth the price though.

Hadn't seen most of the pictures before, and they're all amazing. Good quality production overall.

A nice touch is the full index of live recordings, as compiled by the great Keith Flynn (www.keithflynn.com). I didn't realise there was so much '69 stuff available.

Now, as is my tradition, here are the book's faults and quirks, as I see them:

* It's bad enough having to have barcodes on everything these days, but for the back-cover barcode to include the US PRICE above it is just tacky. I bought a second copy for a friend's 50th birthday next year, so now he'll know how much I paid for it. Ugh!

* There's a lot of great background stuff, but I don't think the book needed 12 full pages on the '68 special. And it isn't until page 80 (of just over 200 pages) until the opening show is even discussed.

* Many photos are specifically captioned as July 31st, 1969 and one of the photographers talks about how they could only shoot from the balcony. And yet, someone else mentions there were no cameras. I'll take author Ken Sharp's word for it, grudgingly, but I still have my doubts as to whether these (magnificent!) pics can actually be from opening night.

* For some reason, there's a picture from LA in 1970 on page 181 ... with no explanation as to why. By way of reference, they included a July 1970 rehersal pic on page 47, but an author's note explained that it was there because no '69 rehearsal pics exist, and they wanted to give the reader a feel for rehearsals. Fair enough. But LA '70 for no reason?

* After the section on the post-show press conference - which, the book says, The Colonel spontaneously decided on when Elvis was halfway through the first show, hence no moving footage or sound available - the book loses its way slightly talking about the aftermath of '69 ... and there are random pics from the early years thrown in, several of which aren't even Vegas-related.

But overall, it's a good purchase and worth it for the pictures alone. Most of the text is simply the direct words of people who were there, musicians etc.

My favourite highlight was the comment from Rolling Stone writer David Dalton, who was at opening night in '69 with his wife. He'd also been to Woodstock, Monterey Pop and Altamont around the same time. (Lucky S.O.B!).

"My wife and I took synthesized psilocybin so we were tripping when the show was happening."

Man, what a night for them!

[molokai123]

cant wait to get this book!!

[franny]

Thanks, for the info Getlo.
I know some member's pre-ordered it a few months ago...
Btw, how much is it?

franny

[Getlo]

Btw, how much is it?

US$50.

Did I mention that this is there in permanent black and white on the back cover?!!!

[franny]

US$50.

Did I mention that this is there in permanent black and white on the back cover?!!!

You sure did. Can you make that disappear with a black marker?

franny

[hgs262626]

You reckon any pics will be uploaded?

[dj_ethan]

Thanks, for the infos !!!!!

[Tony Trout]

VEGAS '69 - anybody got this book yet?

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/book..._69_book.shtml

Got mine yesterday, and it's very good. Not quite worth the price though.

Hadn't seen most of the pictures before, and they're all amazing. Good quality production overall.

A nice touch is the full index of live recordings, as compiled by the great Keith Flynn (www.keithflynn.com). I didn't realise there was so much '69 stuff available.

Now, as is my tradition, here are the book's faults and quirks, as I see them:

* It's bad enough having to have barcodes on everything these days, but for the back-cover barcode to include the US PRICE above it is just tacky. I bought a second copy for a friend's 50th birthday next year, so now he'll know how much I paid for it. Ugh!

* There's a lot of great background stuff, but I don't think the book needed 12 full pages on the '68 special. And it isn't until page 80 (of just over 200 pages) until the opening show is even discussed.

* Many photos are specifically captioned as July 31st, 1969 and one of the photographers talks about how they could only shoot from the balcony. And yet, someone else mentions there were no cameras. I'll take author Ken Sharp's word for it, grudgingly, but I still have my doubts as to whether these (magnificent!) pics can actually be from opening night.

* For some reason, there's a picture from LA in 1970 on page 181 ... with no explanation as to why. By way of reference, they included a July 1970 rehersal pic on page 47, but an author's note explained that it was there because no '69 rehearsal pics exist, and they wanted to give the reader a feel for rehearsals. Fair enough. But LA '70 for no reason?

* After the section on the post-show press conference - which, the book says, The Colonel spontaneously decided on when Elvis was halfway through the first show, hence no moving footage or sound available - the book loses its way slightly talking about the aftermath of '69 ... and there are random pics from the early years thrown in, several of which aren't even Vegas-related.

But overall, it's a good purchase and worth it for the pictures alone. Most of the text is simply the direct words of people who were there, musicians etc.

My favourite highlight was the comment from Rolling Stone writer David Dalton, who was at opening night in '69 with his wife. He'd also been to Woodstock, Monterey Pop and Altamont around the same time. (Lucky S.O.B!).

"My wife and I took synthesized psilocybin so we were tripping when the show was happening."

Man, what a night for them!

This book isn't one of those "limited availability"/"limited release" type of books is it, Getlo?

Just curious.....

(Just looked on the ElvisAustrailia website - the book is now $89.95 then when you count in $40.00 for shipping the total comes to $121.77! What the heck? I thought it was only supposed to be U.S. $50.00?? I went ahead and 'took the plunge' and ordered it - it had better be worth what I paid!)

[italianfan]

Thanks Getlo for the review. Great to see someone who actually knows something about Elvis, reviewing a product without bias. Thanks!

[Getlo]

This book isn't one of those "limited availability"/"limited release" type of books is it, Getlo?

I don't know. It's by the same people who did Writing For The King, although I never got that one.

I can't imagine it would get a huge production run.

[Diane]

Thank you for the information on this book Getlo. It sounds like one I'd love to own when I get that spare $50.

Diane

[Teddy]

I appreciate the detailed report.

I'm in the States next month so I think I'll get it there, to take advantage of the exchange rate

[Unchained Melody]

This book isn't one of those "limited availability"/"limited release" type of books is it, Getlo?

Just curious.....

(Just looked on the ElvisAustrailia website - the book is now $89.95 then when you count in $40.00 for shipping the total comes to $121.77! What the heck? I thought it was only supposed to be U.S. $50.00?? I went ahead and 'took the plunge' and ordered it - it had better be worth what I paid!)

Tony, its only 50 US Dollars off of shop Elvis.com Elvis Austrailia is an excellent site but you could get them books way cheaper off of other places.

[Tony Trout]

Tony, its only 50 US Dollars off of shop Elvis.com Elvis Austrailia is an excellent price but you could get them books way cheaper off of other places.

Dang! I didn't think of ShopElvis! Crap! *sigh*

[debtdbruno]

Thanks Getlo, great review. Hopefully mine will be in my sweaty little hand by the end of this week.

Deb

[Jungleroom76]

Thanks for the info. Getlo!!!

Although this book wasn't on my radar to purchase, it is still definitely interesting to hear the good and bad of it! I'll be anxious to see what some of the other members have to say about it when they receive their copies!!

TCB!
Mike

[TCB4ELVIS]

Cool thanks for the heads on the book being worth its price. can you post at least one rare photo that has never been seen before?

[Getlo]

Tony, its only 50 US Dollars off of shop Elvis.com Elvis Austrailia is an excellent site but you could get them books way cheaper off of other places.

Yeah, I should have said that I ordered the book so long ago (from Elvis Australia of course) and can't remember how much I paid. Don't think it was the full $US50 ... but either way, it's annoying as my friend will have to see a price on his gift.

I get annoyed with greeting cards that have the prcie on the back, too!

At least you can scratch those out with a pen, but obviously I wouldn't touch the Vegas book.

[Getlo]

Cool thanks for the heads on the book being worth its price. can you post at least one rare photo that has never been seen before?

Sure, what the heck.

Because I'm such a nice guy, here are three that were new, at least to me.

Note: I don't have a scanner so these pics were taken with my camera. The quality is much better and sharper in the actual book.

[TotallyInsane]

VEGAS '69 - anybody got this book yet?

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/book..._69_book.shtml

Got mine yesterday, and it's very good. Not quite worth the price though.

Hadn't seen most of the pictures before, and they're all amazing. Good quality production overall.

A nice touch is the full index of live recordings, as compiled by the great Keith Flynn (www.keithflynn.com). I didn't realise there was so much '69 stuff available.

Now, as is my tradition, here are the book's faults and quirks, as I see them:

* It's bad enough having to have barcodes on everything these days, but for the back-cover barcode to include the US PRICE above it is just tacky. I bought a second copy for a friend's 50th birthday next year, so now he'll know how much I paid for it. Ugh!

* There's a lot of great background stuff, but I don't think the book needed 12 full pages on the '68 special. And it isn't until page 80 (of just over 200 pages) until the opening show is even discussed.

* Many photos are specifically captioned as July 31st, 1969 and one of the photographers talks about how they could only shoot from the balcony. And yet, someone else mentions there were no cameras. I'll take author Ken Sharp's word for it, grudgingly, but I still have my doubts as to whether these (magnificent!) pics can actually be from opening night.

* For some reason, there's a picture from LA in 1970 on page 181 ... with no explanation as to why. By way of reference, they included a July 1970 rehersal pic on page 47, but an author's note explained that it was there because no '69 rehearsal pics exist, and they wanted to give the reader a feel for rehearsals. Fair enough. But LA '70 for no reason?

* After the section on the post-show press conference - which, the book says, The Colonel spontaneously decided on when Elvis was halfway through the first show, hence no moving footage or sound available - the book loses its way slightly talking about the aftermath of '69 ... and there are random pics from the early years thrown in, several of which aren't even Vegas-related.

But overall, it's a good purchase and worth it for the pictures alone. Most of the text is simply the direct words of people who were there, musicians etc.

My favourite highlight was the comment from Rolling Stone writer David Dalton, who was at opening night in '69 with his wife. He'd also been to Woodstock, Monterey Pop and Altamont around the same time. (Lucky S.O.B!).

"My wife and I took synthesized psilocybin so we were tripping when the show was happening."

Man, what a night for them!

Thanks for the review. You said you got it for your friend that turns 50 next year - I guess you forgot I turned 50 THIS year!!