Just as hot in death as he was in life, Elvis may have left the building...but he has not left our minds! Read on:

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Presley, the 'King,' Cracks 100 Million in Sales
Mon Aug 12, 6:42 PM ET
By Sue Zeidler

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Fans around the world may take a moment of silence to observe the 25th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley this week, but the roar of cash registers to mark the occasion will be deafening.

Demonstrating that the King's selling power is now hotter than ever, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on Monday announced the sales total of the "King of Rock 'n Roll" recently reached 100 million albums in the United States, up from 80 million at its last count.

The new tally puts him behind only the Beatles who have sold 165 million units in the United States, and veteran rockers Led Zeppelin and country star Garth Brooks, who have each sold 105 million units.

With only days to go before the Aug. 16 anniversary of Presley's passing, the "Elvis-mania" marketing machine has gone full tilt, with various posthumous tributes being planned all week near his home at Graceland in Memphis, as well as around the world and on the Internet.

A newly released remix of a 1960s Presley song "A Little Less Conversation," recently climbed the pop charts in both the United Kingdom and the United States, and Bertelsmann AG's RCA in September plans to release "Elvis 30 No 1 Hits," a compilation of chart-topping songs, which industry experts say could sell millions of copies.

"Reaching this milestone now is a perfect tribute to the legendary career of Elvis Presley," said RIAA Chairman and chief executive officer Hilary Rosen, referring to the 100 million unit sales total.

"He was and will always be a cultural, musical and an American icon. We have long known that due to scattered sales data from the early years of Elvis' career, the true volume and scope of his sales have not been reflected," she said.

Presley holds the record for the most chart hits, the most top-10 singles and most weeks at No. 1, according to music trade magazine Billboard Magazine.

The RIAA said it will continue to work closely with RCA, Presley's label, to keep track of his sales.

Among Presley's best-selling albums are "Heart and Soul," "The Rock 'n' Roll Era," "It's Christmas Time," "Platinum: A Life In Music," and "The Legend Lives On."

In all, Presley has received 88 Gold Records (selling at least 500,000 units), 45 of which have gone on to be certified Platinum (selling at least one million units) and 22 have gone on to multi-Platinum status, selling two million units or higher, the RIAA said.

His highest certified album is "Elvis' Christmas Album" which has been certified for the sale of more than seven million copies, the RIAA said.

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Also, while I'm at it.. Lisa Marie Presley (Elvis' daughter and the former Mrs. Michael Jackson) married actor (and nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola) Nicolas Cage this past weekend in Hawaii.

Now back 2 the topic.

Although I hate 2 think about his death, I wonder what business Prince will do after he's left us physically. I have heard of the infamous "vault"... I wonder just how much material there is, and how long they'll release his stuff long after his demise?

Makes u think, eh?

Wow, sales must have really gone through the roof in just the last couple of weeks.

Top 15 Artist Cumulative Album Sales (U.S.)
(RIAA published statistics as of 8/7/02)

1. The Beatles (164.5 million albums)
2. Led Zeppelin (105)
3. Garth Brooks (104)
4. Elvis Presley (86.5)
5. Eagles (83.5)
6. Billy Joel (77)
7. Pink Floyd (73.5)
8. Barbra Streisand (68.5)
9. Elton John (64.5)
10. AC/DC (63)
11. Aerosmith (62.5)
12. Madonna (59)
13. Michael Jackson (58)
14. Bruce Springsteen (56.5)
15. The Rolling Stones (53.5)

June7 said:

Yeah...what they said...

I guess birthday celebrations and 25th anniversaries of one's death will do that 2 the figures.

Also, think about the fact that the Disney film "Lilo & Stitch" featured Elvis big time, and the sales of that disc had 2 make a difference in the latest count.

Not 2 mention he currently has a Number 1 hit in the UK with "A Little Less Conversation"...it all adds up.

Tho these r United States figures only, I wonder what the world wide figures list would look like...I know Michael Jackson would b up there higher on the list...

(edited 2 correct fuck up. )
[This message was edited Mon Aug 12 18:06:56 PDT 2002 by June7]

Even Chuck D. has come around...though he stops short of saying he was wrong, or apologizing:

http://story.news.yahoo.c.../chuck_d_4

OK...who put that smiley face beside Michael Jackson. It wasn't there in the original transfer and I didn't put it there.

Red said:

looks like 8 then ) as such: 8)

The figure was 58 million, but written as it was, this emoticon-happy site changed it up on you.

hmmm...I wonder...

hey!

This just in:

"It's Now or Never?" Well, Not Exactly
Craig Shelburne
08/09/2002



Although he's been dead for 25 years, Elvis Presley remains a hot commodity. Earlier this year, the animated Disney feature Lilo & Stitch introduced the King to a new generation of music fans. Presley also scored a European smash hit this summer with "A Little Less Conversation," which matches those trembling vocals to an infectious techno beat. For old-school fans, Elvis: The Great Performances is a three-volume set (on VHS and DVD) gathering some of the King's most famous moments as an entertainer. On Sept. 24, Elvis: 30 #1 Hits (RCA) will collect his best-known songs on one CD, with "A Little Less Conversation" included as a bonus track.

Visitors to Memphis during Elvis Week shouldn't miss Elvis: The 25th Anniversary Concert at the Pyramid Arena on Aug. 16. Event organizers restored 1970s performance footage, and dropped out all the sound except the vocal track. Then, they invited Presley's numerous former band mates to once more accompany the King on stage. With Presley's imposing image projected on a gigantic screen, it probably won't seem too different from a modern-day concert. Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley will attend.

Looking ahead, Priscilla also anticipates a stage musical based on her love affair with Elvis, titled Elvis and Priscilla. It may or may not be composed of Elvis' songs, but its music will reflect the era -- much like Broadway's Mamma Mia! She hopes to undertake an American Idol-like talent search to cast the lead roles; production may not get underway for more than a year. Though she's hoping for a Broadway run, the musical may launch from Las Vegas.