RCA Extended Plays - Stateside.

[NEA]

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.

[NEA]

Like Album, Like....EP!

[NEA]

A much sought-after classic!

[NEA]

Only one connection - "Elvis"

[NEA]

Keeping in the spirit of the season.

[NEA]

Elvis' biggest-selling Extended Play.

[NEA]

A rare interview EP & "A Touch of Gold, Volume 1" on the 'Gold Standard Series' label.

[NEA]

The first 33 1/3 Extended Play album.

[NEA]

The final official RCA Elvis EP.

[songs4u]

I have some original 45 EPs. My uncle bought a lot of Elvis records when they first came out. I have most of my uncle's 45s now. I, also, have some 45s released later. The ones my uncle bought have no covers.

I have a lot of LPs, also.

I've never given much thought to how valuable or sought after some of them might be. I'm learning a lot about that here.

I pull them out once in a while and listen to them.

[NEA]

Hi Gayle,

Good to know you've got quite a substantial collection of original vinyl releases there...I'm sure a few fans on this forum might like to reply on this thread with some information of the approximate value of some of these records.

Cheers,

NEA.

[Lee82]

• The "Any Way You Want Me" EP featured 3 Sun recordings and boasted two different covers.

My uncle gave me this EP a few years ago. It didn't have a cover, so I'd like to see what the two different covers look like. Could anyone post these, please?

[Raised on Rock]

Cool post! I like the cover of THE REAL ELVIS, a classic! must get a scan of that one and do a poster or a T shirt. Thanks for doing this one!

[NEA]

My uncle gave me this EP a few years ago. It didn't have a cover, so I'd like to see what the two different covers look like. Could anyone post these, please?

Hi Lee82,

Here is the cover for the "Any Way You Want Me" EP. The cover on the left here was the standard issue and the other cover was the same but with a black strip across the top that featured the song titles. The cover on the right here is a later Chinese version (I think!).

Cheers,

NEA.

[JerryNodak]

I've always found it interesting that Elvis supposedly asked RCA not to include "Sound Advice" on the "FTD" ep because he didn't like the song. Personally, if it had been my choice I would have tossed out "I'm Not The Marrying Kind". I can't stand that song. But I think "Sound Advice" is catchy.

[NEA]

Interesting story, JerryNodak...

Just for you, here's the EP in question - it climbed to No.15 on the Billboard chart in May,1962. I wonder what Elvis had to say when "Sound Advice" showed up on the "Elvis for Everyone" LP three years later...

[JerryNodak]

NEA: I read somewhere through these many years that RCA actually asked Elvis if they could use that song when they created the "Anniversary" album that became "Elvis For Everyone". A grab bag of leftovers if ever there was one. But, I admit that I've always enjoyed the album nonetheless. Also, I love the tacky, cheesey artwork.

[NEA]

"Elvis For Everyone" LP has become a classic and much sought-after classic, and was a Top Ten hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 1965.

It stands as one of the more distinguishing pieces of album art too and I love the photos of some of Elvis' earlier albums on the cover along with the different 1961/62 shots of Elvis next to each song title, plus 'Nipper' also puts in an appearance on top of a cash register on the cover!

A nice colourful touch.

NEA.

[PiersEIN]

Thanks NEA, nice topic.

The first record I ever bought (aged 5) was 'Kid Galahad'. Wonderful stuff.
I still have the vinyl but sadly lost the original (asian) hard cardboard cover.

Luckily I have an original US replacement.
Only took me 30 years to sort out!

Cheers
Piers