Archives for November 2007

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan —  Pakistani opposition leaders were divided Friday on whether to contest parliamentary elections under President Pervez Musharraf, a day after he bowed to international pressure by saying he would end emergency rule ahead of the ballot.Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said her opposition party would participate in the Jan. 8 elections "under protest.""We're worried about the elections, we have our reservations, but we're going in under protest," Bhutto said in an interview with Associated Press Television News."We hope as we participate we can try and improve the situation," she said after meeting a U.S. congressional delegation.A close aide to Nawaz Sharif, another former prime minister who heads a 33-member opposition alliance, said Friday his group will try to win Bhutto's support to boycott the vote unless Musharraf reinstates the Supreme Court chief justice and other judges he sacked after declaring the emergency on Nov. 3."Nawaz Sharif will soon meet with Benazir Bhutto to persuade her that the entire opposition should boycott the elections, if Musharraf does not reinstate the judges," said Zafar Ali Shah, a senior leader of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N party.Musharraf had ruled Pakistan as a military dictator since 1999 when he overthrew Sharif in a coup, but he stepped down from his role as military commander on Wednesday and has pledged to reinstate democracy, after coming under strong pressure to do so from President Bush.On Thursday he said he would lift emergency rule on Dec. 16.An electoral boycott would represent a serious blow to Musharraf's stated intentions to restore democracy.A U.S. senator who met with Bhutto at her house in Islamabad said his congressional delegation was "encouraged" that Bhutto would not boycott.

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   If you are feeling low, down the dumps or missing your college days its time to swing with the music of THE GREATEST COLEGE CLASSICS which is a cool breeze for the people who want to remember those days when they were young, carefree and naughty go in your past while driving a car or sitting alone in your study. Sometimes more than just the songs, it is the CD cover that catches your attention. THE GREATEST COLLEGE CLASSICS is one of them. A cover which could go down as one of the most innovative ever to have arrived in Indian music scene, it is designed as a diary of a college student with space for 2 CDs as one flips the pages. The pages themselves have been imaginatively designed as one can sense a teenager using it as a scrapbook for penning his/her thoughts. Some of these thoughts take shape as lyrics of 28 chartbuster tracks, mostly from the 70s, which form a part of this compilation. A romantic album, it could well have arrived around Valentines! When first song in the compilation is as intoxicating as 'Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas' [Blackmail], you know that there is something special on your way. Kishore Kumar goes on to revive the nostalgia with songs like 'Chalte Chalte' [Chalte Chalte], 'Chhu Kar Mere Mann Ko' [Yaarana], 'Pyaar Maanga Hai' [College Girl], 'Dilbar Mere' [Satte Pe Satta], 'Saagar Jaisi Aankhon Waali' [Saagar], 'Kitne Bhi Tu Kar Le Sitam' [Sanam Teri Kasam] and 'Koi Roko Na' [Priyatma]- none of which need any introduction. Apart from these sugar coated melodious romantic numbers, Kishore Kumar is also heard in his full-on 'masti' mood as he goes ballistic along with R.D.Burman, Bhupinder, Sapan Chakravorty and Gulshan Bawra in 'Pyaar Hamein Kis Mod Pe Le Aaya' [Satte Pe Satta], a song which till date is a picnic favorite. Kishore da's naughty streak is revisited when 'Ye Jawani Hai Deewani' & 'Saamne Ye Kaun Aaya' (both from [Jawani Deewani]), 'Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koyi Hamein Pyaar Kar Le' [Johney Mera Naam], 'Choori Nahi Ye Mera Dil Hai' [Gambler], 'Janu Meri Jaan' [Shaan], 'Jahan Teri Ye Nazar Hai' [Kaalia], 'Koi Haseena' [Sholay] and 'Sara  Zamaana' [Yaarana] come one after another. But the real kick comes when the ever-so-loved 'masala' track 'Ek Aankh Maroon To' from 'Tohfa' makes a special appearance of sorts. Oh, how much we loved the cinema of 80s! With Kishore Kumar dominating the album, the few remaining tracks are required to be special to make their presence felt in THE GREATEST COLLEGE CLASSICS. They do justify their presence, especially songs like 'Hum Tumhen Chahte Hai Aise' [Qurbani], 'Kya Dekhte Ho' and 'Laila O Laila [all from Qurbani].  'Hothon Se Chu Lo Tum' [Prem Geet] is special as it brings to fore Jagjit Singh while Pancham da sung 'Dil Lena Khel Hai Dildar Ka' and Shailendra Singh's 'Hoga Tumse Pyaara Kaun' [both from 'Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai'] are worthy inclusions. Asha Bhonsle and Preeti Sagar come up with a solo each in the form of 'Pyaar Karne Waale' [Shaan] and 'My Heart Is Beating' [Julie], hence making it a complete youth album. Good part about this 2 CD compilation is that each of them deserves to be termed as a college classic. It doesn't seem like a gimmicky experiment at all and justifies the effort that has gone into making this compilation the way it is. Gift it to your loved one!

President Pervez Musharraf stepped down Wednesday from his powerful post as Pakistan's military commander, a day before he was to be sworn in as a civilian president in a long-delayed pledge not to hold both jobs.During a change of command, Musharraf relinquished his post by handing over his ceremonial baton to his hand-picked successor, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani.Pakistan’s President Gen. Pervez, second left, reviews the guard of honor at the armed forces headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007. Musharraf visited the troops to bid them farewell, a day before standing down as military chief to become a civilian head of state in a move aimed at easing the country's political crisis. Pakistan’s President Gen. Pervez, second left, reviews the guard of honor at the armed forces headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007. Musharraf visited the troops to bid them farewell, a day before standing down as military chief to become a civilian head of state in a move aimed at easing the country's political crisis. "(You) are the saviors of Pakistan," Musharraf said in an emotional final speech to the troops. He appeared to be blinking back tears as the guard of honor performed a final march-by.Musharraf's retirement from the military has been a key opposition demand and the move may help defuse a possible boycott of parliamentary elections in January by parties opposed to his rule. Since seizing power in a coup in 1999, Musharraf has served as president while retaining his post as head of the armed forces.

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SAAWARIYA is a film which didn't have a story to begin with, ends abruptly in such a way as if the last few pages of the script went missing and Bhansali was threatened by the Sony guys to wrap up the film. Pronto start flashing the end credit rolls and as a viewer you are left glued to the seats, not due to film's gripping power but sheer shock value, as the usher forces you to leave the auditorium before letting in unfortunate patrons queuing up for the next show. If one looks closely, somehow one of the threads of JAB WE MET forms the entire plot of SAAWARIYA. The only difference here being that SAAWARIYA ends where JAB WE MET met it's interval point. Guy hands over the girl to the man she loves and the film ends. Period. Arrey, ye tha kya? Aur ye dikhaya kyon? Was it something to do with 'I-didn't-get-her-but-would-still-always-love-her' or plain 'bewakoofi'? Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been announcing to the world that his SAAWARIYA is a simple story told in a simple and slow manner. Yes, the story is quite simple. And that's because actually there is no story at all. Is it told simply? Well, there are doubts to that! After all when even potholes are so carefully constructed as a result of multimedia programming and then architecturally designed on concrete, one would hardly term it as simple cinema. The film has been told slowly? Oh yes, and sir you deserve 20 out of 10 here. The film is so slow that one starts longing for an interval point 30 minutes into the film. Extra long pauses are the call of the day for this artistic piece of cinema that between two dialogues, one can pass on the popcorn and borrow some nachos without missing anything! And by the way that whistle which seems to be the theme love tune in the film and is blown by Ranbir, Rani, Sonam and all the prostitutes in the imaginary city of Bhansali is more eerie than lovable! In fact in the song 'Pari' when a group of prostitutes start walking in a ghostly manner towards Ranbir while bringing out this painful sound, it seems more Shyamalan cinema than Bhansali's! The sore most point of SAAWARIYA is that there is no reason why people keep falling in love in 'pehli nazar'. It happens to Ranbir as he sees Sonam standing on a bridge. A year back it has also happened to Sonam who has seen Salman getting wet in rain (with his kurta on) as he reads his 'namaaz'. Their love is nothing but crazy as Ranbir is unable to forget Sonam while Sonam is unable to forget Salman. And in between there are also some misleading references to Salman being there/not there. One hopes for these answers in the end but I guess this is where someone stole the script. The movie ends. Ranbir starts fighting off his sadness with a friendly self boxing match (watch out for this innovative reference which appears at least thrice) and Rani goes to the production office to collect her last installment of remuneration after through with her 'sutradhar' act. One actually feels sad for the cast and crew of the film. Ranbir is a very good actor and one can see that he has given his all to come up with a fine act. Confident in front of camera and very likeable, Ranbir is an actor who can fit into different genres as he progresses further in his career. Still, apart from dropping his sensibilities to be convinced about the part he plays, he is also forced to drop his towel. Sonam on the other hand is a mixed bag. Mostly average, at places she does demonstrate good control over her emotions and body language. However, whenever she does her child-woman act, she becomes theatrical. Rani Mukherjee is very good in her street-smart prostitute act though Salman in a 10 minutes screen presence is a bore as he sleepwalks through the instructions as laid down to him by his director. Zohra Sehgal and Begum Para are required to play the stereotype Catholic and Muslim characters respectively. Since the film is so dimly lit throughout due to it being set in the night, one feels pity for the cameramen who would have gone half blind trying to capture the correct frames. On the other hand the art director would have wished that the film's story would have elevated his hard work to a different level. Monty's music is a mixed bag as the title song 'Saawariya' and 'Mashaallah' turn out to be the pick of the lot. But Sanjay Leela Bhansali's SAAWARIYA has made me completely forget the two films that were most mercilessly panned by one and all. That's because when 2007 ends, until and unless one of the 5 major films up for release turn out to be an even troublesome experience, SAAWARIYA would stand out as the biggest cinematic blunder of the current times.

Britney Spears will get to spend Christmas morning with her sons, a judge ruled Monday.A holiday visitation schedule was hammered out between the pop tart and her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, in a closed-door court hearing in Los Angeles."There was extensive discussion and agreement on the visitation over the holiday period," said Los Angeles Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini. "It's different from the existing [custody] schedule."K-Fed has full custody of the children, Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1. Spears only has twice-weekly monitored access to her sons, including an overnight visit."Kevin thinks it's absolutely appropriate that they both get to see the kids over the holidays," said Federline's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan.Neither K-Fed nor Spears attended yesterday's hearing.Parachini refused to give details of the feuding couple's holiday arrangements. But the entertainment Web site TMZ reported Brit gets the kids on Christmas morning.

Apparently, Hulk Hogan doesn't know best when it comes to his marriage. The retired wrestler was reportedly blindsided by the news that his wife, Linda Marie Bollea, had filed for divorce after 24 years together. Court documents show that Bollea, 48, filed a petition for dissolution of marriage on Tuesday.Reached for comment Friday by the St. Petersburg Times, Hogan, 54, said he was unaware of the development in his marital status and thanked the reporter for the "great information," before hanging up the phone.He called back five minutes later to say he had been "kind of shocked" by the news. "You caught me off guard. My wife has been in California for about three weeks," Hogan was quoted as saying. "Holy smokes. Wow, you just knocked the bottom out of me. I just pulled over to the side of the road for five minutes to find out what was going here."Pressed for more details on the presumed split, he replied that his relationship was his "private business."Hogan, whose real name is Terry Gene Bollea, married Linda Marie in 1983. They are the parents of 19-year-old Brooke Hogan and 17-year-old Nick Hogan. The possibility that the couple would part ways was the subject of an episode of their VH1 reality show, Hogan Knows Best. On the show, however, they ultimately reconciled.More recently, the Hogans have been preparing to help son Nick defend himself against a felony charge of reckless driving, stemming from the August car crash that left his passenger critically injured.

 

  No doubt singing is a talent but not everyone in this world get success as the famous Elvis Presley did in 1954 even now after his death there are people who miss him immensely and enjoy his songs which he sang with sincerity and depth.  Elvis Aaron Presley, in the humblest of circumstances, was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. He and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953.  Elvis’ musical influences were the pop and country music of the time, the gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel sings he frequently attended, and the black R&B he absorbed on historic Beale Street as a Memphis teenager. In 1954, he began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture.He starred in 33 successful films, made history with his television appearances and specials, and knew great acclaim through his many, often record-breaking, live concert performances on tour and in Las Vegas. Globally, he has sold over one billion records, more than any other artist. His American sales have earned him gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards for 150 different albums and singles, far more than any other artist. Among his many awards and accolades were 14 Grammy nominations (3 wins) from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, which he received at age 36, and his being named One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970 by the United States Jaycees. Without any of the special privileges his celebrity status might have afforded him, he honorably served his country in the U.S. Army. His talent, good looks, sensuality, charisma, and good humor endeared him to millions, as did the humility and human kindness he demonstrated throughout his life. Known the world over by his first name, he is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture. Elvis died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977. Elvis Presley's family moved to Memphis when he was 13. After working as a movie theater usher and a truck driver, he began singing locally as "The Hillbilly Cat", then signed with a local recording company, then in 1955 with RCA. He did much to establish early rock and roll music, bringing black blues singing into the white, teenage mainstream. Teenage girls became hysterical over his blatantly sexual gyrations, particularly the one that got him nicknamed "Elvis the Pelvis" (TV cameras were not permitted to film below his waist). When he died he had sold over 600-million singles and albums. The first of his 33 films was Love Me Tender (1956); critics blasted most of his films, but they did very well at the box-office earning upwards of $150 million. Military service in the late 1950s and the "British invasion" of the 1960s reduced his concerts, though not his movie/recording income. He made a comeback in the 1970s, but his increasing weight and dependence upon stimulants and depressants took their toll. Since his death his Memphis home Graceland has become a shrine for followers. Elvis impersonators and purported sightings have become stock subjects for humoristsPresley began his career as one of the first performers of rockabilly, an up-tempo fusion of country and rhythm and blues with a strong back beat. His novel versions of existing songs, mixing 'black' and 'white' sounds, made him popular - and controversial - as did his uninhibited stage and television performances. He recorded songs in the rock and roll genre, with tracks like "Jailhouse Rock" and "Hound Dog" later embodying the style. Presley had a versatile voice and had unusually wide success encompassing other genres, including gospel, blues, ballads and pop. To date, he is the only performer to have been inducted into three separate music 'Halls of Fame'. In the sixties, Presley made the majority of his thirty-three movies - mainly poorly reviewed musicals. 1968 saw a critically-acclaimed return to live music, followed by performances in Las Vegas and across the U.S. Throughout his career, he set records for concert attendance, television ratings and recordings sales. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in the history of popular music. His death, at the age of 42, shocked his fans worldwideTrivia
Twin brother Jesse Garon Presley died at birth (Elvis was delivered 35 minutes later).

Earned a black belt in karate. [1960]

Won three Grammy Awards, all for his Gospel music.

His hair colour was blonde until his early teens. As he got older his hair became darker. By the time he had his hair cut for the army at age 22 its natural color was dark chestnut (according to Charlie Hodge, who served with him in the army).

Was originally considered for the Kris Kristofferson role in A Star Is Born (1976), but Elvis turned it down because manager Tom Parker refused him permission to act in a movie where he wouldn't have top billing. Also, he didn't like the fact that the producer, Jon Peters, was completely unknown.

Owned a pet chimpanzee called "Scatter".

Has more multiplatinum album sales than any other performer, with twelve albums selling over 2 million copies.

Father of Lisa Marie Presley (b. 1st February 1968).

Interred at Graceland Estate, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

His autopsy detected ten different drugs in his bloodstream.

Is a direct descendant of Abraham Lincoln's great-great grandfather, Isaiah Harrison.

Had 18 Billboard #1 Songs, the first "Heartbreak Hotel" in March, 1956; the last, "Suspicious Minds" in Sept. 1969.

Has sold over 1,300,000,000 albums worldwide; more than any other musical artist/group in the world, including The Beatles.

When The Beatles came to America in 1965 there was only one person they wanted to meet - Elvis, and on August 27, 1965 they got their wish and according to John Lennon spent an entirely enjoyable evening at the Presley home in Bel Aire, California, talking, singing and laughing with each other.

Bought Graceland mansion on 19 March 1957 from Mrs. Ruth Brown Moore for $102,500. The mansion, built of tan Tennessee limestone, consists of 23 rooms and 13.7 surrounding acres. The Music Gates were installed in April of 1957.

His television debut was on the regionally telecast "Louisiana Hayride", 5 March 1955 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

In September of 1955, "Country Song Roundup" magazine was the first to feature and article on Elvis, calling him a "folk music fireball."

In April of 1955 Elvis auditioned for a spot on Arthur Godfrey's "Talent Scouts" (1948) and was turned down.

Elvis' body was placed in a family crypt in Memphis on 18 August 1977. On 29 August 1977, however, an attempt was made to steal the body but the plan failed and three men were charged with trespassing and released on bond. Because of this incident, Vernon Presley, received approval from the Memphis Adjustment Board to allow reinterment of the bodies of Elvis and his mother Gladys Presley to the Meditation Garden behind Graceland, which took place on 2 October 1977.

The book he was reading at the time of his death was "The Scientific Search for the Face of Jesus" by Frank O. Adams, (Psychical Aid Foundation, USA, 1972).

From the time they met up until his death, Elvis always sent a roomful of flowers to Ann-Margret whenever she opened up a show in Las Vegas.

Was one of the performers featured on a set of stamps of rock and blues legends issued by the U.S. Postal Service in June 1993.

Mother Gladys bought him his first guitar at age 12 (1947)

1953 graduate of Humes High School, Memphis, TN.

Was one of the first people in the U.S. to own a "Betamax" system VCR

Honorary Member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

After seeing him in concert, Liberace suggested adding flashy costumes into his act. Elvis took his advice, and became famous for his gold lame jackets and jeweled white jumpsuits. He later reserved a seat for Liberace at many of his concerts.

One of only a handful of artists inducted into both The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and The Country Music Hall of Fame. Others include Johnny Cash and Hank Williams.

Died with about $5 million in his bank account.

Elvis did not like confrontation. He wanted to fire his manager, Tom Parker, many times. He would tell his friends "Tell Parker he's fired." His friends would go tell him, then Parker would say "Tell Elvis to tell me personally". Elvis never would.

"Heartbreak Hotel," which spent 17 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's country chart (and 10 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100) was the No. 1 country song of the year 1956.

Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998.

His 1977 country hit, "Way Down," was the No. 1 song on Billboard magazine's country singles chart the week of Elvis' death. Nine other songs would go to No. 1 on Billboard's country charts between 1956 and 1981 and include: "I Forgot to Remember to Forget," "Heartbreak Hotel," "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," and the two-sided No. 1 hit "Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel" (all 1956); "All Shook Up," "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" and "Jailhouse Rock" (all 1957); "Moody Blue" (1977); and "Guitar Man" (1981, a remixed version released more than three years after his death). Most of his 1950s No. 1 country hits were also No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well.

In Sam Lovullo's book "Life in the Kornfield" (which recalled his years as producer of the country music TV series "Hee Haw" (1969)), he remarked that Elvis was a big fan of "Hee Haw" (1969) and had always wanted to perform on the show. However, according to Sam Lovullo, Elvis remarked they'd have to tape his spots in the middle of the night, knowing that if manager Tom Parker found out, he'd never clear his appearance. Several months after Elvis' death, his father, Vernon Presley, appeared on "Hee Haw" (1969) and spoke about how the world would always love him and remember his music.

Hysteria over "Elvis sightings" after his death were lampooned in the Mojo Nixon song "Elvis Is Everywhere", and "Elvis Is Dead" by Living Colour.

His personal entourage were known as the "Memphis Mafia", and were given matching rings by Elvis. The diamond and gold rings sported a thunderbolt and the letters "TCB" (reportedly standing for "Take Care of Business"). Elvis was buried wearing one of the rings.

Pictured on a 29¢ US commemorative postage stamp issued 8 January 1993, the 58th anniversary of his birth. This was the inaugural issue in the Legends of American Music series.

In 2002, a re-mixed version of one his more obscure recordings, "A Little Less Conversation", became a dance club hit, and topped the charts in the United Kingdom.

The lightest Elvis ever weighed, as an adult, was 170 lbs in 1960 following his discharge from the U.S. Army. The heaviest was at the time of his death, which was 260 lbs.

Was always known to be generous to a fault with family, friends and even total strangers. Anyone who admired any posession of his, from one of his many Cadillacs to any bit of bric-a-brac in his home, often found themselves the new owners of that posession.

He fell in love with Elizabeth Montgomery on the set of Kid Galahad (1962), she visited his house on two occasions. Nothing came of it as she was married to Gig Young at the time, but they remained good friends until he died.

Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (sponsored by the Gospel Music Association) in 2001.

Made the first ever musical video of all time: Jailhouse Rock (1957).

When Ed Sullivan finally allowed him to appear on "Toast of the Town" (1948), he was filmed from the waist upwards.

His 1960 single "It's Now Or Never" is one of the best selling singles of all times (if not 'the' best selling single) with sales which are estimated between 25 and 30 million copies.

He is responsible for the best selling single of the 1950s ("Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel", 1956) and that of the 1960s ("It's Now Or Never", 1960).

His 29¢ commemorative postage stamp issued in 1993, sold more copies than any other postage stamp in U.S. Postal Service history.

A remix of his song "A Little Less Conversation" which was featured on the soundtrack to the film Ocean's Eleven (2001) became a Billboard #1 hit single over twenty years after Presley's death.

The Beatles were admirers of his work and, although John Lennon said they enjoyed his company very much, Elvis himself, ironically, thought that they were a bad influence on America's youth.

Was extremely proud of his Cherokee roots. Wanted to be more open about it but was advised against it, according to some sources by Tom Parker, since this was around the time that there were still racial tensions in the US. Sometimes the audiences were "deceived with the truth" like in G.I. Blues (1960) when his character tells about his Cherokee background. In real life his Cherokee roots started with his maternal great-great-great grandmother Morning Dove White and it was even rumored in Memphis that he had Cherokee blood from his father's side of the family as well, though never confirmed.

He was allegedly offered roles in The Rainmaker (1956), The Defiant Ones (1958), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), West Side Story (1961), Sweet Bird of Youth (1962), The Fastest Guitar Alive (1967), Midnight Cowboy (1969), True Grit (1969), Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), A Star Is Born (1976) and Grease (1978).

He said his favorite of his films was King Creole (1958).

Angered Ed Sullivan by singing the gospel song, Peace In The Valley on his show, after Sullivan asked him not to.

He was a distant cousin of President Jimmy Carter.

Was a Deputy Sheriff in Shelby County, Tennessee.

Hal B. Wallis, producer of 8 Elvis films, dreamed of making a western starring John Wayne and Elvis.

In 1973 he met with Led Zeppelin members Robert Plant and John Paul Jones in Los Angeles. An idol to the members of Led Zeppelin, Elvis wanted to meet "who was outselling him" at concerts (Zeppelin was in the midst of a record-breaking tour that year). A meeting was arranged with two of the four band members (Plant and Jones). Plant was so awestruck at meeting his idol in person that he could barely speak to him. Jones, nearly as awestruck as Plant, made small talk with the "King," and mentioned what a beautiful watch Elvis wore. Elvis, always the generous one, instantly traded his $5,000 gold and diamond watch for Jones' $10 Mickey Mouse watch. This broke the ice with all of them, and they became fast friends. Throughout the early '70s, members of Led Zeppelin even attended a few of Elvis' concerts, and were granted the privilege of sitting in the front row by the King himself.

He named his favorite films as: Rebel Without a Cause (1955), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and Dirty Harry (1971).

Was an Army veteran. He was drafted in 1958, stationed in West Germany and discharged in 1960. Presley, who achieved the rank of Private First Class, was a public relations headache for the Army, according to U.S. military documents released by the Pentagon on June 9, 2005. "Elvis Presley will not be released in a manner different from any other inductee serving overseas," the Army's adjutant general wrote to citizens who complained following reports that the rock 'n' roll icon would get an early "good behavior" discharge. When he entered the Army at Memphis, Tennessee, on March 24, 1958, there was a public outcry from his fans, and protests flowed to Washington, including a hand-written plea released by the National Archives and Records Administration. "Dear Mamie," one correspondent wrote to then-first lady Mamie Eisenhower. "Will you please, please be so sweet and kind as to ask Ike [President Dwight D. Eisenhower] to please bring Elvis Presley back to us from the Army" We need him in our entertainment world to make us all laugh." A 1959 Army memo set out the Presley problem: "When Private First Class Presley was first inducted, there was considerable adverse public reaction ... alleging that he would receive preferential treatment in the Army. This impression has been largely replaced by a public impression of a good soldier serving his military obligation. ... Many teenagers who look up to and emulate Private First Class Presley will ... follow his example in the performance of their military service."

On December 21, 1970, he paid a visit to President Richard Nixon at the White House in Washington, D.C. The meeting was initiated by Presley, who wrote Nixon a six-page letter requesting a visit with the President and suggesting that he be made a "Federal Agent-at-Large" in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

More people watched Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii (1973) (TV) (live Via Satellite TV special) than watched Neil Armstrong walk on the moon.

He only performed two concerts outside of the United States, both in Canada.

Son of Vernon Presley and Gladys Presley.

Recorded 33 takes of Hound Dog.

His favorite sports were raquetball and football.

Passed out from exhaustion after recording If I Can Dream.

After production of his 1968 NBC television special he told producer Steve Binder he would never make another movie or song he didn't believe in.

Once sent $1,000,000 to Buford Pusser, the Tennessee sheriff who was the subject of the 1973 film Walking Tall (1973).

Once gave a robe to Muhammad Ali which said 'The Peoples Champion'.

His favorite actors were Marlon Brando and James Dean, the latter Elvis considered an acting genius (in a 1956 interview).

His two favorite books were The Holy Bible and The Impersonal Life.

His favorite class in high school was wood shop.

His mansion, Graceland, is the 2nd most-visited house in America. The first is the White House.

Elia Kazan wanted him for several movies but Tom Parker refused to allow Elvis to act in those movies.

The last film he saw at the cinema was The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).

Tried to get a print of Star Wars (1977) to show his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, the day before he died.

He is mentioned in the song "Three Minute Boy" by Marillion (from their 1998 album "Radiation").

When he was in high school, he was on the Humes High School boxing team.

Loved football and often had three televisons set up at Graceland to watch all of the games.

He used to play touch football at Whitehaven High School during the '60s and early '70s with kids around the neighborhood.

Helped to support an All-Negro Day at the Memphis Zoo in 1956.

In 1975 he purchased a poor black East Memphis woman an electric wheel chair and picked her up and personally sat her in it. The woman's teenage daughter told Elvis she liked his car. He gave it to her and even gave her boyfriend a job.

He was a huge fan of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and had requested to meet him in 1966, but the meeting never happened.

Was a huge fan of the television shows "The Jeffersons" (1975), "Good Times" (1974), "Happy Days" (1974) and "The Flip Wilson Show" (1970).

Once an opera singer attended one of his 1950s concerts and met him backstage. The singer told Elvis that he sang like a hillbilly and needed singing lessons. Elvis replied by saying, "Thanks for the advice, but how many of the thousands of people out there tonight came to hear you sing?".

His surname was Anglicized from the German Pressler during the Civil War. His ancestor Johann Valentin Pressler emigrated to North America in 1710. Pressler first settled in New York, but later moved to the South. Jaime Pressly is also a descendant from him. A connection between the Pressleys of Oprah Winfrey's great-grandfather and the ancestors of Elvis Presley has been posited but not confirmed. He also had Scottish, Dutch and Cherokee ancestry, among others.

Shown on a 5.50 kr postage stamp issued by Sweden in 2004.

He was the #1 touring act in America for 1977; the year he died. This, despite the fact that he was well below par and only toured until July, is quite an achievement.

Held the world indoor attendance record for a concert, which was at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, on Dec' 31st '76. There was 62,500 in attendance, with another record for takings in a single show $850,000.

Held a single day's attendance record for his march 74 shows at the Houston Astrodome in march '74 -- 89,000 fans for two shows.

He was voted the 3rd Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone.

According to a broadcast on the A&E Biography channel, he once attended a concert for singer Connie Francis and had to leave for emotional reasons once he heard her sing the Italian song "Mama" as his mother had just recently died.

Shares a birthday with fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members David Bowie, The Doors guitarist Robby Krieger and legendary promoter Bill Graham.

Linda Thompson lived with Elvis for four years from 1972 to 1976. She was a former "Miss Tennessee," actress and songwriter. Other than Priscilla Presley, Thompson was the most significant romance that Elvis ever had.

As an infant, survived a tornado in Tupelo, Mississippi which killed 233.

Is portrayed by Kurt Russell in Elvis (1979/I) (TV), by Bruce Campbell in Bubba Ho-tep (2002), by Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Elvis (2005) (TV), by Tyler Hilton in Walk the Line (2005), Val Kilmer in True Romance (1993), and by 'Michael St Gerard (I)' in _Elvis (1990)_.

Suffered from chronic insomnia.

Is mentioned in Shania Twain's song "That Don't Impress Me Much"

His tombstone gives his name as "Elvis Aaron Presley", whereas he was in fact named "Elvis Aron Presley". Although this fueled conspiracy theories that he had faked his death, it is generally believed he changed his middle name so it would be the same as the Biblical Aaron.

Spoofed in Eminem's music video "Without me"

Had glaucoma in the 1970s.

At the time of his death in 1977, he was the second biggest selling recording artist of all time, after Bing Crosby.

He was a born again Christian who loved to sing gospel music.

Not one of Elvis' 31 feature films or either of his two music documentaries were nominated for a single Academy Award in any category.

He had two full face-lifts and rhinoplasty during the mid-1970s. On one of these visits to hospital he was accompanied by Linda Thompson.

He worked with legendary guitar player Hank Garland from 1957 to 1961.

Was director Robert Wise's original choice to play Tony in West Side Story (1961).

Portrayed by actor Jason Alan Smith in the film Crazy (2006).

Nephew of Vester Presley.

Although the films he starred in were not critically acclaimed, only Wild in the Country (1961) failed to get its money back.

In the month following his final concert at Indianapolis on 26 June 1977, he was reported to have gained a further 50 lbs in weight.

Is portrayed by Val Kilmer in True Romance (1993). Like Presley, Kilmer also has Cherokee heritage.

Of his many impersonators, his personal favorite was Andy Kaufman.

Prior to being signed by RCA in November 1955, Elvis was known as "The Hillbilly Cat" in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.

Although his height was measured as 6' when he joined the army in 1958, photographs show Elvis was wearing his army boots at the time which may have slightly increased his height.

Is portrayed by Michael St. Gerard in Great Balls of Fire! (1989)

His song "Heartbreak Hotel" is based on a suicide note left in a Florida hotel suite.

Elvis topped the Forbes list of deceased highest earners for the fourth consecutive year, with earnings of $45 million in the year 2004.

In 1977 alone, his personal physician Dr George Constantine Nichopoulos (usually referred to as "Dr Nick") had prescribed 10,000 hits of amphetamines, barbiturates, narcotics, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, laxatives, and hormones for Presley.

Barbra Streisand originally wanted Elvis to play the role of John Norman Howard in A Star Is Born (1976), but the studio couldn't meet Tom Parker's demands ($1 million plus equal billing with Streisand).

Among the actors who coveted the role, Elvis dreamed of playing Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather (1972), but could not get an audition.

One of his biggest hit songs, "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", was actually written in 1926 and first recorded by Al Jolson.

He was an avid collector of guns and badges.

Is the subject of the song "Elvis Ate America" on the album Passengers Original Sountrack 1.

Once claimed Robert Mitchum was the inspiration for his famous hairstyle. Presley met Mitchum to discuss the possibility of starring together in Thunder Road (1958), but unfortunately Tom Parker's demands for Presley's salary could not be met.

Is portrayed by 'Peter Dobson' in Forrest Gump (1994).

Along with Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins, Elvis was a member of the celebrated "Million Dollar Quartet", so named because they were money-makers for Sam Phillips's Sun Records Label.

Newspaper reports indicated that Sammy Davis Jr., Farrah Fawcett, Burt Reynolds and John Wayne were supposed to attend Presley's funeral, but they did not turn up. Ann-Margret, James Brown and George Hamilton were the only celebrities in attendance.

He was seriously considered for the role of the Texas Ranger in _True Grit (1969)_ starring John Wayne. Unfortunately Tom Parker's demand that Presley should receive top billing could not be met, so the part went to Glen Campbell instead.

He was offered a role in the animated film Gay Purr-ee (1962).

His autopsy detected fourteen different drugs in his bloodstream, ten in significant quantity.

His home Graceland in Memphis is the second most popular private tourist attraction in the United States after the White House, and is estimated to bring in $150 million to the city itself each year.

Named the highest earning deceased celebrity for the sixth consecutive year in 2006 by Forbes.com.

He was considered for Ricky Nelson's role in Rio Bravo (1959) starring John Wayne and Dean Martin. However, by the time filming began in May 1958 Presley was stationed with the US army in Germany.

Elvis is credited as a co-writer of "(I'll) You'll )Be Gone" (1965).This was the B side of the hit from the film "Tickle Me" , "Do The Clam". It is found in his 5 CD box set of 60s recordings.Elvis composed the lyrics and he brought the song to a recording session of usual 60s soundtracks.

In 1973 he was biggest tax payer in USA.

It was estimated that he earned earned $4.5 billion in his lifetime.

Has sold roughly 1,800,000,000 records (1.8 billion), more than any other artist or music group.

With a lot of entertainers making a living mimicking Elvis, Jimmy Buffett wrote a song called "Elvis Imitators" making mention of a few of Elvis' films, song titles, and mannerisms.

Has sold 1.8 billion records worldwide, more than any other artist or music group.

Was discovered by Sam Phillips.

Inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture. [11 November 2004]

Both his parents were unemployed welfare recipients.

In 1970 he wrote to J. Edgar Hoover requesting to join the FBI at the height of its campaign against political protests in the United States.

At his meeting with President Richard Nixon in December 1970, Presley denounced The Beatles as "very anti-American" for openly using drugs and protesting the Vietnam War, and suggested that they should be banned from entering the United States.

Met President Lyndon Johnson at the White House in 1965.

Was voted best singer of all time by Q Magazine.

Has been portrayed by actors like Val Kilmer, Harvey Keitel, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kurt Russell, Don Johnson, Bruce Campbell, David Keith, Rob Youngblood and Peter Dobson.

The last song he performed in public was "Can't Help Falling In Love".

He did an early '60s concert in Hawaii, and donated the proceeds to help build the USS Arizona memorial.

Has sold 1.1 billion records worldwide, more than any other artist or group apart from The Beatles.

Turned down leading role in The Fastest Guitar Alive (1967), which went to his friend Roy Orbison.

In 2007 the National Rifle Association (NRA) released an Elvis Presley Tribute Revolver, officially authorized by his estate.

Following a concert in Hawaii in 1961, Presley concentrated on making movies and he did not perform live before an audience again for eight years until his return to Las Vegas in 1969.

Ranked #2 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists.

Ranked #8 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll.

As a young man, Elvis idolized a gospel group called The Statesmen. According to Elvis' backup singer and lifelong friend Joe Moscheo, Elvis' leg-twitching dance moves were inspired by The Statesmen's bass singer, 'Big Chief' Wetherington, who was famous for his leg twitching.

Between 1957 and 1969, he performed only two concerts and made just two television appearances.

In 1962 he ceased almost completely to record non-soundtrack songs until his 1969 album "From Elvis in Memphis".

In July of 2005, Presley was named one of the top 100 "Greatest Americans," following a vote organized by Discovery Channel. In the vote, Presley ranked ahead of all entertainers and in 8th place behind Presidents Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, plus Martin Luther King and Benjamin Franklin.

Has spent a total of 79 Weeks at the number 1 position in USA.

In total, he has spent 2,574 weeks in both the UK singles and album charts, way ahead of his closest competitors, namely Cliff Richard (1,982), Queen (1,755), the Beatles (1,749), and Madonna (1,660).

He was planning his first ever European tour in 1978.

In Alexandria, Louisiana, early in 1977 a local journalist complained that the singer was on stage for less than an hour and "was impossible to understand." In Baton Rouge, Presley didn't go on stage at all. He was unable to get out of his hotel bed and the rest of the tour was canceled.

Investor CKX paid $100 million for an 85% interest in Presley's income in February 2005.

Robbie Williams dedicated his song "Advertising Space" to him.

He never wrote a song.

Of his movies, the one he disliked the most was Clambake (1967).

His favorite actors were James Dean, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen and Marlon Brando - who ironically strongly disliked Presley.

Some of his favorite movies were Rebel Without a Cause (1955), The Magnificent Seven (1960), Bullitt (1968) and Dirty Harry (1971).

Mentioned in Walter Kirn's novel "Thumbsucker".

He was a great fan of Peter Sellers.

 

 

 Hema Malini a mother of 2 daughters recently celebrated her birthday but she is no new comer in the bollywood industry but in fact a star of the yester years but when you ask her she is still a child at heart. Hema Malini turns 59 on 17th October. But she is young by heart. She doesn't want her age would mention. This year she is spending her birthday with hubby Dharmendra and daughters Esha and Ahana. She says, "I want to be with my family. Nowadays people celebrate birthdays for others' sake, not for themselves. I think I'm still child by heart and never shy away from letting that child run free. I don't care what people think about the way I act. Sometimes I act younger than my daughters, but that's when they say, 'Mama, stop it!'" Dance always excites Hema. She performed Durga at the Mysore Palace for Dussehra.

                                 If you have not had the opportunity to watch the channel PEACE then please watch it because the famous debater and scholar of Islam Dr. Zakir Naik is so knowledgeable not only about his own religion but on all other religions also namely Hinduism and Christianity. He quotes such verses from the Holy Books that the person is tempted to listen to what he is discussing this shows how informative this channel is and addictive too after you have watched a few discussions of Dr. Zakir Naik.  A medical doctor by degree, Dr. Zakir Naik is renowned as a dynamic international orator on Islam and Comparative Religion. Any Person who  listen's to his question and answers session is going to be astonished and overwhelmed as he clarifies Islamic viewpoints and clears misconceptions about Islam, using the Quran, authentic Hadith reciting each and giving each Surat, Ayat number(by heart) and he has not only learned Quran and Hadith by heart but has also learned several Bibles, the Talmud and the Torah (the Jewish scriptures), the Mahabharata and the Bhagwat Gita (the Hindu holy books), and other scriptures and gives very satisfying answer in conjunction with reason, logic and scientific facts. He has learned hundred and thousands of pages from different books by heart and  has the knowledge of scientific and mathematical facts and theories. Dr. Zakir is popular for his critical analysis and convincing answers to challenging questions posed by audiences specially non-muslims, after his public lecture. By the way remember he is not 70 years old ,but just 38. In the last 7 years, Dr. Zakir Naik has delivered more than 700 public talks in the U.S.A., Canada, U.K., Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, South Africa, Mauritius, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Guyana (South America) and many other countries, in addition to numerous public talks in India. His lists of guests have included ambassadors of the respected countries, Army Generals, Political Leaders, Sports Persons, religious scholars , entrepreneurs, and most importantly the ordinary people. He has successfully participated in several symposia and dialogues with prominent personalities of other faiths. His public dialogue with Dr. William Campbell (of USA), on the topic, “The Quran and the Bible in the light of Science” held in city of Chicago, U.S.A., on April 1, 2000 was the most famous one.

When Sudhir Mishra's last directorial venture Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi released, ironically both the film as well as it's music was appreciated much after the film came and went off the theaters. Even though the soundtrack had arrived on stands months before the film hit the marquee, it started making an impression amongst the connoisseurs of quality music only later.The same composer-lyricist jodi of Shantanu Moitra and Swanand Kirkire, who came into limelight after Parineeta and Lage Raho Munnabhai, is repeated for Prakash Jha produced Khoya Khoya Chand which is a period film based on the Hindi film industry of the 50s/60s. Since Shantanu and Swanand have demonstrated their stranglehold over period music in Parineeta earlier, there is little doubt that Khoya Khoya Chand would take one down the memory lane as well.Write your own music review of Khoya Khoya Chand Two lyricists, Swanand Krkire and Ajay Jhingran, get together to wear a different hat and instead come behind the mike for the title song Khoya Khoya Chand. A song which begins with a hint of jazz and transitions quite smoothly into a 'qawalli', Khoya Khoya Chand comes with a high lyrical quality and boasts of a catchy combination of rhythm and melody. Swanand and Ajay sing in perfect harmony and for a listener, it is a seamless composition to relish and give a repeat hearing. A good start which should make for a high intensity viewing on screen.A bona fide jazz track set truly in the style of 50s is heard next in the form of ‘Yeh Nigahein'. One has heard of references to 'madhoshi se bhara geet' in the past. Well, 'Yeh Nigahen' is a live example of how a song truly falls justifies such a reference. The choice of singers is apt here as Sonu Nigam, who has been quite selective of late, gets into a perfect Mohd. Rafi mode and pays a true homage.

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