Midweek UK Chart Updates

Why only 15,300?? There are supposed to be 20,000 to start with. I know some of them have leaked out of the UK, there were about 20 in Waterford and I believe there have been a number in various Dublin outlets. But at most we are talking about hundreds, not thousands. Where are the 4,000 missing singles?? The scale of the scamming is incredible. Will the extra 15,000 due out later in the week get over the counter?? I could not see the charity single selling less than 30,000, bad as it is. Cliff Richard would probably buy them himself if neccessary to get to #1.

There must be more copies out there, but where?

There is definitely a shortage of "It's Now or Never" singles. I have managed to get each of the previous singles with some effort but this release has been impossible. All the shops I tried were restricting sales to one per customer, but even then I've not been able to get one. Something is certainly going on somewhere because not all the copies are getting through!

is the sun newspaper correct are there to be NO MORE! Todd please enlighten us

Can anyone answer me this cos I'm not sure how it works: 'Goodies' - ciara was #1 for this week right? So, going by the midweek sales: (1) 'It's Now Or Never' - Elvis Presley - 15,300 copies (2) 'Goodies' - ciara - 4,300 Does this mean Elvis would go to #1 or does the 4,300 sales of the 'Goodies' - ciara single get added to its sales last week? I'm not sure at all. Ta.

No John, sales do NOT get added, its only the sales in that particular week that count. Elvis was about the same ahead of ciara this time last week, so we cant count any chickens by Tuesdays figures. I've a feeling that the charity single will fly off the shelves this weekend judging by the amount of copies they have stacked up in my local HMV and Elvis will again just fall short of Number One. Its not as if there are any more 'Its now or never' to be had in the shops are there?

I cant remember where i read this but i heard they pressed 7,500 of the vinyls and 15,000 of the cd singles. I am not so sure about that though because they are suppose to be numbered.And the Jailhouse Rock vinyl i got is numbered in the 8,000s.Have they pressed less of Its Now or Never ? If they have pressed what i just said where are the rest of them ? None of this makes sense to me

It's a bit like watching a car crash - you want to help, but all you can do is watch it happen. Where the hell is everybody? We've had no explaination from EPE, BMG or anyone, which only goes to prove how little they care.

I think you will find The Sun newspaper, is absolutely spot on.

Anybody know what they have been saying in the sun about the charts in the uk ?

Yesterday i walked into HMV Belfast and there was 15 Its Now or Never vinyl including numbers 7, 8 ,9, 10. so i bought numbers 7 and 8. Arnt the lower numbers more collectable?

If you go to the sun website (easy to work out : thesun co uk with dots between co and uk) and type in 'elvis' in the top right hand corner 'search the sun for', you will find out what the Sun is saying. Basically that record bosses are rigging the charts so Elvis CANNOT get to Number One, and that Elvis fans are being cheated

Top marks to the Sun. At least the fans have a bit of a voice on this one. Which gives me an idea: I am now going to contact The Memphis Commercial Appeal to see if they're interested in EPE's attitude towards us British fans.

BMG are cheating us fellow elvis fans. Will they please release the amount needed for It's now or never to get to number one. Think about the fans for a change. Put it to number one where it belongs. Ive heard that more singles will be released on thursday, but how many? This charity single is helping save lives. But next week lets hope we can actually see an Elvis single on the shelves.

From Yahoo News: ELVIS PRESLEY'S record label have been accused of rigging the British singles chart, so his re-released hits all hit the number one spot. All 18 of the late rock legend's UK number one singles are being re-released in successive weeks, in a bid by SONY/BMG to cash in before the 50-year copyright protection on sound recordings expires on his earlier hits across much of Europe. But fans of The King are complaining the singles are unobtainable - as only 20,000 copies of each song is being released. Some record stores are only receiving two copies of each song in a ploy to ensure each CD is sold out by the time the next song hits the shops, maximising the chance of securing the Number one spot. Sony/BMG have pledged to make more copies available, but a secret document sent to record shops yesterday (25JAN05) reportedly tells retailers not to expect any more. 26/01/2005 14:16

Strange i heard this song before, was it last week?

Has anyone read the SUN article completely?? Other versions of the article are on the internet, similar to what cj posted below. This is VERY NEGATIVE for Elvis. Accusing the the #1's as being rigged. The SUN is doing us no favours.

Joemin - there is no doubt that, the charts were rigged for last weekend, and a great chance for this week too. Record Labels, continually rotate their acts, nobody in the industry wanted a 3rd Elvis number one, its a fact. Where are all these so called extra copies gone ? The answer is nowhere, because they were never shipped out. With regards to The Sun, they have been brilliant to Elvis recently. You would never normally get Elvis mentioned in their Bizarre section, but he has been in there, in a positive way, several times.

Jim Semple, the article in the SUN is as posted by cj below it is NOT saying that the charts are rigged AGAINST Elvis. The article is say the charts are rigged IN FAVOUR of Elvis. Have you read the full article in the SUN?? Is it the same as on Yahoo news??

I was informed by a staff member of HMV that the cd box set will be released in the summer again as one package but in the futre these first singles are going to be sooo sought after. Cant believe i got number seven and eight og "Its Now or Never£. You go Viva!

Whatever will the papers think up next.This news is going to be very bad publicity for Elvis i am afraid. Next they will be saying the king is still alive. Sony could do Elvis more harm than anyone. I dont like the sound of this at all guys. I wished they had never released these 18 no 1s in the uk now.

Rob-Irish, I think you are from the Belfast area?? I think there is a plan to release the singles in Ireland at some point, that may be what that person was referring to. I expect it will be in small quantities though.

Thanks Rob for the info I will wait till the summer then. And it would not surprise me if the charts are rigged.They have probably been doing it for years anyway !

joemin Hi there , I am from Belfast,yes,. They have released the singles here but im referring to the box set in one complete package. They are releasing it in one package during the summer at sometime.

Another interesting point was that they made and released nearly twice as many boxes than theyr releasing singles.

Looking at those figures again, there are over 11,000 singles missing?? There are 20,000 cds and 7,500 vinyls released. Only 15,300 across the counter. Allowing for say 700 leaking into Republic of Ireland, that leaves 11,500 unaccounted for. Please, nobody buy them on EBAY. These will have to show up somewhere.

Hope they are releasing it all in the summer, i for one shall definitley wait until then if that is so.

Joemin - my point was (perhaps not that clearly made), is that the charts are rigged full stop, for Elvis and against Elvis. Infact, it makes absolutely no difference who the act is, it will happen to everybody who is likely to have hit records. The music industry do not want one artiste to dominate the charts. It really is that simple. I honestly dont believe that BMG / Sony have released any extra copies at all, because there are thousands missing, and its not down to Ebay, they only have them on there in their 10s, and certainly not hundreds.

I've not been avoiding the issues, I've ad the worst case of flu ever. If we read anything nasty about Elvis in the SUN we don't believe a word. If we read anything nasty about SONY-BMG in the SUN we believe every word. And as for secret messages sent to record shops what a load of balls. Sony/BMG is a record company not M15, mind you Bertlesmann used to be Adolph Hitler's printers during WWII and that is the truth (I wonder what the SONY people did for the Japs as part of the Axis of Evil?) Todd Salughter

Jim Semple, I agree to the extent that Elvis was sacrificed last weekend by BMG in favour of a new BMG artist. The origonal plan was to release those extra singles late in the week, and they were held back when it became obvious who was likely to make #1. However, this is different to the slant being put out in the media. On BBC when Elvis got his second #1 the Guiness Book of Records guy said said that the chart was rigged for that. There was no rigging, the chart reflected what was sold. THe entire music industry knew that sales are slow in January, and it was open to anyone to challenge for that #1 slot. However, even at that, the Elvis singles are more expensive than most other singles on sale so Elvis was at a disadvantage if anything. From next week on I do expect that the 35,000 cd's and 12,500 vinyls will be in the stores from the start of the week. With the rapid decline of teh EBAY market over the last 2 days I think product availability will be much. much better from next week on.

Todd, great to see you back. Any idea how sales are going now?? Is #1 a possibilty this week?? Looks like the charity song is going to flop, though I have heard that beatles fans are planning to mass buy it to try to keep Elvis off the top. I don't honestly believe that they are that well organised.

Does anybody care what the SUN is writing about all this. I do'nt there is only one thing that realy matters, has the Elvis single sold the most copy's this week, if so ,than it should be at number 1. If other singles are better, well it is up to the record buying public to buy more of those artists. First they say it is the lowest selling number 1 and now the charts are rigged. Look at last weeks number 1 if the numbers here are correct it only sold 4300 and this is a new single. The SUN should ask itself the question why new singles are not selling at all. I believe that is the problem,and not Elvis getting to number 1.

I can only repeat what I've posted on the "It's now or never flying" section of EN: I find it more interesting these days not to wonder about where to find the latest Elvis single, but to wonder how EPE and BMG are going to f**k it up this time. I think this week on Top Of The Pops we will have the gorgeous Fearne proudly announcing that Elvis has made chart history by having the most pretentious and dim-witted management company on four separate occasions, and also the longest run of silence in response to criticism. OK pop pickers, here's the top five from the Elvis singles stitchup chart: New at 5 it's "I've Lost You" by HMV & Woolworths, non mover at 4 it's "Where did they go lord" by BMG, Down at 3 it's "(Don't) Put the blame on me" by EPE, Up at 2 it's "I'm gonna get a back hander somehow" by EPE & BMG And this weeks brand new number 1, despite not being available anywhere and being buried six miles underground in an old disused salt mine it's "Wearin' That Shat On Look" by The Elvis Fans. Unfortunately, we cannot show the video for this record, but EPE have kindly supplied us with a model made out of an old washing up liquid bottle with pipe cleaners for arms and lentils for eyes; and they only charged us twenty grand for it, god bless 'em.

After many years away from the Elvis world I came back into the fold a few years ago and have been delightedat how Elvis has been rehabilitated in the eyes of many including the young where Ive seen,generally speaking a new found respect eg the Gallagher brothers etc. As a comparative outsider I find this "world is against Elvis" a little exagerated. I know there has been cynicism and bad press but Ive heard young people talking about Elvis in in the same way as more contemporary artists.With regard to shortages the singles are limited and were available for preorder many weeks before the campaign started.Dont let the problems all blind everybody to the reality -Elvis has had 2 no1s and a no2 in 3 weeks and ,at worst is going to have 4 mo top 5s. make the most of it.As for greedy speculators/ebayers remember this-the whole campaign is fan driven-for all the discs are in limited supply there is also ultimately limited demand meaning in time that those hording spares will have to offload at cheaper prices and the market will collapse.My advise is igore the second hand market at high prices,continue to attempt to build with new copies where available and pick up the rest when prices fall.Still a shame about the lack of TV/video promotion-this has kept alot of this campaign within the Elvis world

Although i'm inclined to say any publicity is good publicity i'm not so sure on this one, it seems the record industry as a whole do not want elvis to break all the records in chart history even though it is inevitable, after all he holds most of them already but it seems that the achievments are being sneered upon, the industry people like to fall back on the facts that if downloads were included then elvis would not feature in the top 10 but i have to differ, elvis is one of the most downloaded artists on the net and compares favourably to todays musicians in this department so really i think they should check thier facts before they start to use that hollow argument, the fact is that these singles could be selling 3-4 times over the amount they are selling because of elvis's huge fan-base and that no artist has ever had or ever will have such a loyal following

I've just been going through the Radio 1 Messageboard, to check out the latest Elvis insults and its staggering, the amount of ignorant kids who can't stand his music. Check it out, listen to all the crap they come out with. One kid said ''he only had one decent record and that was ALLC''. You know what, id put them all against a wall and shoot the lot of them ! And after I have shot them, I will shoot the EPE hierarchy and the BMG/Sony hierarcy. And if I still can't buy any records in the shops, I might shoot myself too. Right, I feel better now :-).

Elvis generated 40 million dollars last year. That means tons of folks are digging his scene. Who cares what some kids are saying. Elvis' earnings speak for his popularity and staying power. Elvis "left the building" over 27 years ago and is still going STRONG. If I run into someone who rips Elvis, I throw the numbers on them. There is no way they can counter the facts.

Elvis did not genrate $40 million last year! EPE generated $40 million net income. Not the same thing at all. In addition to this, is EPE gross income and outside EPE, revenue from record sales, books, merchandise other than through EPE, revenue to film companies etc etc etc. WIthout doubt, Elvis is the biggest 'celebrity' industry in the world, hence why $100 million for 85% of EPE (twice annual earnings) makes no sense whatsoever..

HMV in Richmond now have copies of AFSAI on the shelves. I bought one this morning. HMV in Wimbledon have copies of Its Now or Never behind the counter,they are not putting them on display. Lets stop whinging and lets start collecting. It took me 25 years to find and buy all the originals of Elvis's official album releases - the journey was great fun - all you younger fans who are relatively new to Elvis collecting don't worry about not having this or that - have great fun finding them in obscure places in the years to come.

Jim please stop worrying about what there saying on the radio one site. No Elvis fans listen to that rubbish radio station anyway. Even my kids dont listen to radio one. I would expect the charity single to get to number one this week even if it is not that good.They done a tribute to Elvis on Blue Peter last week. The women presenter cant remember her name is an Elvis fan. And it does not make sense harmston

Today is the day the extra copies of It's Now or Never are expected out. Happy hunting.

harmston, There is no EPE's without Elvis. Sadly EPE's, aka Elvis don't receive much dough for Elvis' music sales. They can thank the Ole Colonel for that. Regardless, it is totally amazing the $$$$ Elvis generated and continues to generate.

SteveB, you quoted $40m as the figure Elvis generated last year. This isn't so - as I said EPE generated that in net income. Elvis and EPE are not synonymous - EPE is merely part of the Elvis 'industry'. If you were to look at revenue generated by Elvis - this would indeed include both EPE and non-EPE revenue, the latter embracing record sales (BMG), books, merchandise not sold by EPE (although its income would include any licencing fee payable), film sales etc etc. EPE's income is only primarily from image rights and Graceland, but you still need to include all other Elvis 'sales' if you are trying to assess how much revenue Elvis generated.

Your all getting very heavy in here. Does no one talk about how good the music is anymore?

joemin, 'Beatles' fans are going to mass-buy the charity single to stop Elvis!' Really? Elvis and Beatles' fans are surely one and the same, aren't they? On the subject of The Beatles, ten years ago (1995) I'm convinced that the record industry (the tip sheets, the retailers, TV, radio etc.) made sure that 'Free As A Bird' didn't get to No.1.. much like the 'A Fool Such As I' fiasco last week. Quite why I don't know, but the utterly appalling 'Earth Song' by Michael Jackson got plugged outrageously in the week leading up to the chart. No one expected Jackson to get to No.1, nobody appeared to like the song, Jackson was already perceived as a fruitcake, everyone seemed to think the video hideous, and yet. I guess that the modern record industry does not like to be reminded that it was in much ruder health 40 years ago.

Good news from the Elvis - 18No1's site:- ELVIS FOR EVERYBODY To commemorate the anniversary of Elvis’ 70th birthday, SONY BMG embarked on a groundbreaking plan to release all his UK #1 singles over consecutive weeks, starting Jan 3rd 2004. To make them appealing to Elvis’ loyal fans, the company decided to package each single with original artwork and make them limited and numbered. Using previous sales of Elvis singles as a guide it was decided to manufacture 30,000 singles – 20,000 CD’s and 10,000 10”’s. Due to the unique nature and timing of this campaign, the UK’s enduring love of The King and his music, in addition to the huge media interest the release of these singles has caused, demand for these classic chart-toppers quickly outweighed the stock in the shops. The decision to increase the pressing runs of both formats was quickly implemented and this additional stock continues to be delivered into record stores this week (January 26). However the company, as well as the retail trade and the media, continue to be inundated by fans who are desperate to find copies of the releases to complete their box sets. In reaction to the fans comments and stock availability, the company has now decided to make ALL singles, from the first release, ‘Jailhouse Rock’, to the current ‘It’s Now Or Never’, and all future singles, available in non-limited, non-numbered editions. This means that every record store in the UK is able to order unlimited quantities of each single though this additional stock will not be numbered as previous singles have been. The company will also manufacture more of the CD and 10” boxes which house this single collection. These will be available from April 25th 2005. As Elvis sang… ‘A little less conversation a little more action’ and we hope these actions will give the huge number of UK fans what they want: Elvis back in the charts through national availability of these historic singles that will complete this unique, amazing collection. Elvis For Everybody.

ranger what are you on about "everybody" whos "everybody" Iknow alot of people myself included who thought the Earth song was a very meaningful and heart felt song. You shouldent go slagging people you dont know off either, you dont know if that guys guilty or a victum do you?! Youv just done to M. Jackson what alot of people do to Elvis , rubbish him because of how he lives and his lifestyle. That guy is a very talented musician and I really hope he's not guilty of the accusations.

This should take the arse out of the EBAY market and the extotionists. It should mean that more of the current product remain available for sale over the counter. The current schedule is for a total of 45,000 singles each week. We could now surely expect sales figures in excess of 30,000 for each title, a few more #1's possible again. WELL DONE Sony/BMG

Joemin thats if its true and they can be believed, they arnt that blind, its not as if they didnt see this comming, and they new there was no video footage availabe too, so keep an open mind. Just been thinking, The 10" vinyl covers wont stay the same the whole way through. Wont the sixties and seventis have picture covers ? or am i wrong ?

love seeing Elvis at the top.

I'll believe the "extra" singles when I see them. Has Sony?BMG actually sent a copy of this latest "Elvis For Everybody" letter to all the record shops? The stores need to know they can now actually get the "extra" singles, or us fans still won't be able to buy them & Elvis won't get back to number one, which is all I care about. We'll see on Monday morning won't we? When we queue up to try & buy "Are You Lonesome Tonight"..

because of all this bluing elvis has not got to number 1 with afsai . stop bluing and start buying .

Hopefully all will go smoothly from now on, but what will we do if we've nothing to complain about! rob-irish, in that bit about 'Earth Song'/'Free As A Bird', at no time did I mention the 'accusations' about Michael Jackson. Please go back and read it. The harshest point I made was that he was 'already perceived as a fruitcake'. OK so the word fruitcake was a bit throw-away, but the tabloid press had, by 1995, already, cruelly, labelled him 'Wacko Jacko'. For what it's worth, I don't think the guy has a talented bone in his body (see Madonna, George Michael and pretty much that whole generation) and I've every right to voice that haven't I? You love Elvis, and you voice it. One thing tough, the final nail in the coffin of the pop chart (which we've all been focusing on in recent weeks) was the succession of singles taken from 'Thriller' all those years ago. That has now become an industry norm, and now very few new releases are actually 'new' releases. Also, again for what it's worth and although I will not be following the trial myself, I take no pleasure in the current proceedings being taken against him.

Ranger Wacko jacko its a bit like Elvis the Pelvis isnt it, name calling , anyway dont think we should get too far into this, we can agree to disagree cause in my opinnion George Micheal is also a very talented singer/ songwriter. Have you ever heard is live version of Queens "Somebody to Love"? its outstanding. Maybe you just have something against Micheals in general ? lol. anyway lets get back to Elvis.

If anyone ordered their number ones set from Amazon, could they let me know if they have had any trouble receiving their goods. I pre-ordered my set on the 10th Dec, and I am yet to receive the All shook up single and box, and also this weeks 'It's now or never'. All others released so far have eventually turned up. I am concerned now as to wether the box will be available for me, and if I'm going to miss any more due to delays.

If Any1 Has Been To A Elvis Concert Or MET Elvis Presley PLz Email Me Becuse Im 11 Years Old AND Crazy about elvis presley and i want to know if any1 has!

To Phantom 3428. I too have placed orders with amazon for each single. Last week they were 5 days late in sending AFSAI, but it evenytually arrived last saturday. This week they were due to send It's Now or Never on Monday, but by friday I was fed up and compalined. they wrote back to say that although they had accepted my order they were out of stock and that they were awaiting stock from another supplier. So I gave up and went to my local Asda and was suprised to find they had one copy left of It's Now Or Never. This morning I cancelled the order for It's now or Never and will try Asda each Monday, if I get each single from other sources I will then cancel each Amazon order. If the amazon copies are sent quickly then I will let the order complete. This seems to be the only way to do it, but nothing is guaranteed.

"It's Now or Never".as reported on FECC, is at number one in the UK CD Charts, great news if it stays there till the Official BBC results are broadcast tomorrow night the 29th January 2005. If number one it would cerainly help to lift the sales of "Love, Elvis", for Valentines Day:-) Famous Elvis fans Bill Clinton and Bono of U2 are featured in our news because of the World Economic Forum. High profile Elvis fans in "The Irish Times" news is good to see-no matter what you think of them and their politics:-)