Hi Everyone. To get you in the mood for the upcoming "Elvis Birthday Bash - 2024 Comeback Special" on Monday January 8 2024 at the luxurious Write Off Room in Studio City, here is a nice review by "Variety" of one of our Elvis B-Day Bashes back in January of 1997.
My post here is of a nice review in "Variety", the bible of the entertainment industry, of one of our Elvis Birthday Bashes at the House of Blues from the decades that Art Fein and I hosted and produced it, this from January of 1997. Yes, The Knack even re-united for this one show and they even got Weird Al to come out to introduce them! You will probably have to enlarge it a little to keep from straining your eyesight. Over our many years, Variety has reviewed our Elvis B-Day Bashes four times, each quite good reviews.I would also especially express my deep thanks to the Los Angeles Times, who every single year would do a pre-article on the Elvis show the day before, and then review the show 2 days after the event. Many thanks from Art Fein and myself especially go to legendary L.A. Times music journalists: Robert Hilburn, Randy Lewis, Steve Hochman, and Steve Appleford for their time, effort, interest, and care that they put into the Elvis Bash, and, as a side note, the time, effort, interest, and care the L.A. Times put into my Barn Dance over our 25 year run. So much appreciated. The same deep appreciation goes to another long time L.A. music journalist, Jonny Whiteside, best known for his decades writing for the L.A. Weekly, Burbank Leader, and Glendale Press, with the same time, effort, interest, and care with his annual write-ups on the Elvis B-Day Bash and also lots of write-ups on the Barn Dance. The L.A. press has been wonderful and so supportive, so many more such as Todd Everett ( Herald Examiner, Variety), Music Connection, ( the late Billy Block, Jana Pendragon), Bam, L.A. Reader, Daily News.
And special thanks go to my long time friend and Rockabilly afficienado, Art Fein, for allowing me to co-host and co-produce the Elvis Bash with him for so many years. He is a true gentleman.
Thank you folks. Stay safe. Sending lots of love, hugs, and Best Wishes Always to you all. Or, in honor of Elvis' birthday, I'm sending you all "A Big Hunka Love".