Statement From BMG/SONY On Additional Singles

January 18, 2005 | Music

The following message has been posted on the 18uk1s site today:

"Dear Elvis fans,

We have been inundated with calls this week from Elvis fans who have not been able to buy this weeks single. Demand, it seems has outstripped supply.

As we have said in previous statements, we made a marketing decision to limit the quantities of each release to make them collectible and hopefully increase demand to ensure we would get Elvis back to the top of the charts, where the fans want to see him. This decision was based on previous sales history. However, it seems that as the media interest in Elvis has built around this campaign, more and more people want to buy the Elvis singles.

As a result of this we are manufacturing an additional 5,000 copies of each single. These 5,000 are in addition to the already increased run from last week meaning that in total we are producing over 50% more singles than we originally planned.

We hope that with this much increased quantity that fans who bought the original box will now be able to complete their sets without having to pay inflated prices for the product.

Additional quantities of 'Jailhouse Rock', 'One Night' and 'A Fool Such As I' on CD will be manufactured however instore dates will vary so please check with your local retailer for further information.

Additional quantities of 'One Night' and A Fool Such As I' 10" will be instore from January 27th.

All other releases will see their additional quantities instore on the day of release.

Thank you for your patience and your continued support, we wholeheartedly apologise again for any issues incurred trying to purchase singles but please rest assured we are doing all we can to resolve them."

SONY BMG

Source:18 # UK Hits

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Rev. Gerhard wrote on January 18, 2005

"to ensure we would get Elvis back to the top of the charts"... who can believe this? If you really would have had an interest in seeing him in the charts you would have made a nice video too as it is usual for any musician. And not only ususal but effective in advertising too. No, the last three number one hits in England are only the work of the fans. Yours, BMG/RCA/Sony, not at all. Elvis doesn't need you, because he has his fans, the very best in the world.

I am Buffalo-Horn! wrote on January 18, 2005

Hi folks, have just received this pleasant & literate letter from MVC. It sets out exactly what the position is regarding the record shops & RCS. It is no good us blaming the shops, this utter mess is totally down to RCA. Here is the letter: 14th January 2005 Dear Mr Roughton We are writing with regard to your recent order for the Elvis Presley limited edition singles. Following lengthy discussions with the suppliers of these singles, BMG Records, we have now had comfirmation that MVC will not be receiving any copies of the singles you have ordered from us. This is entirely due to a systems error at BMG, which resulted in our orders not being processed correctly. The stock we ordered from BMG has subsequently been despatched to other retailers, and sold to their customers. As the singles were manufactured in very limited quantities there is no more stock available to us. We apologise profusely for not being able to fufil your order, which regrettably was due to circumstances entirely beyond our control. If you paid a deposit when placing your order, we will of course refund your money in full on your next visit to our local store. Please find a gift voucher enclosed, with our compliments, which you can spend in any branch of MVC or Woolworths. Once again, please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience and disappointment caused by this error. Yours sincerely MVC Customer Services On behalf of MVC Entertainment Limited Enc

pacer1965 wrote on January 18, 2005

Tell you truth Bernard i dont know who to blame any more. Some say its bmg/sony fault and then others say its the record shops fault. Who do you believe ? Maybe we are to blame because we all love Elvis so much, just kidding guys.

data wrote on January 18, 2005

I agree with Rev. Gerhard the fans are the reason why Elvis is on top. BMG made the same mistake it always makes. No promotion, there is promotion now because Elvis is at N° 1 but BMG only counts on fans to buy the set or the singles(a mistake),so promotion was mostly made via fan clubs.And why bother to have a good video to go along with it, we only need the fans and they buy it anyway.It is at N°1 but even fans can not get there copy. So this set is "For EP fans only" New fans:sorry but stores can not help you to buy one of these singles. But maybe you can ask a voucher from BMG, a reduction on the next Elvis project,only thing is,will you know anything about it.

Glenny boy wrote on January 18, 2005

I for one am pretty cheesed off, by the time i get into the city record shops the singles are completely sold out.The 5000 extra singles might help but i doubt it, 42 years a fan and a moment of history like this i can't take part. Gutted.Sick as aparrot.Oh well, were did i put thse originals!!!

Miss Clawdy wrote on January 19, 2005

Very bad marketing! This thing could have been running all over Europe, if these people wouldn't be more interested in 3rd class casting show singers and artist, we don't even remember in 6 months. I wonder if anyone at BMG lies awake at night, counting the numbers of records, that could have been sold? Well if they would, they find out, that it's a damn shame! I wonder if anyone notices the dissapointment of all of us, that helped Elvis to remain the no 1 artist over 50 years. Gee, BMG, it's not enough you're doing. Wake up!!!

dailyone wrote on January 19, 2005

there right they told us this we just didnt read it correctly . the plus is that elvis with these limited supplies has put elvis at number 1 . seeing that fool such as i has bought out that should mean that it is and will be number 1 again . i wonder i wonder if this is correct . buy it englanders we are proud of you keep the flag flying and ireland as well .

emjel wrote on January 19, 2005

OK I think we've all got our feelings off our chests regarding the availability issues. I'd like to talk about thsoe infernal stickers that are plastered all over the CD singles. The picture quaility of AFSAI is brilliant, probably the best I've seen apart from a mint USA single. But on my copy,that damn sticker is right across the bottom of Elvis' face. This has been a problem with some of the stickers on the back - just put on somewhere near the bottom, but generally intruding across Elvis' face. Try getting them off to re-position, and you take the laminate off too. Someone in BMG's art department needs a kick up the *****. I was also hoping that they could have used the German single sleeve for Wooden Heart, or something a little more appropriate from G I Blues than the Gold Standard Single pic release from 1964, and back to front too. I know it detracts from the original US release, but they've already moved away from the concept of "original" by having a third track on each release. Food for thought for everyone to think about. Mike

Glenny boy wrote on January 19, 2005

No we haven't got the availability things off our chests.Today i took a day off to look around all the records shops i could find, not one copy of any single, personally I find the whole thing a kick in the teeth.However i do agree that regardless of a lot of loyal fans not having copies its great to see our Boy Number One gain.

Rev. Gerhard wrote on January 19, 2005

How long do they own the rights of each song? 50 years? Okay, "let's look in the future, forget the past, you're not my first love, but you're the lowest". No company could make a bigger fool of itself.

RobIreland wrote on January 19, 2005

BMG why no extra singles in Belfast stores ????

emjel wrote on January 19, 2005

Hey SPINOUT - Lighten up a bit. I didn't get my vinyl copy!!, but if I find a copy of AFSAI on CD, I'll let you know via this website. I tried the "wetting method" but it did not work - I know many others who have tried the same - it still removes the lamination and leaves a dull area.

emjel wrote on January 19, 2005

Spinout - I couldn't agree more - it is bl**** annoying, especially when you are trying to maintain a collection that has been built up for 43 years. I spoke to my local Virgin and was told that while they expect addional CD copies in, the vinyl pressings are going to the larger city stores only. HMV seem to be the safer bet, although they let me down this week & they suggest getting at the store at 8.30am when they open to secure copies.

Tony C wrote on January 19, 2005

Lighter fluid is good for removing the labels. Squirt a small amount around one edge, and it will run down the back of the label. The glue will dissolve and the label will be able to be removed without tearing the laminate. I have used this method for many years on second hand records. Just one thing, do not smoke a cigarette while doing this!

Eddie White wrote on January 19, 2005

emjel you would be hard pushed to find a Virgin in my town

RobIreland wrote on January 19, 2005

Ok i have just phoned HMV Belfast and was told that they didnt even recieve any A Fool Such As I singles at all last week!!! Right has anyone got the phone number to BMG ? Todd seems like it is BMGs fault after all as I spoke to the HMV manager and he told me that BMG have been messing them around and not suppling them with the singles , are they crazy or something??? If anyone has a phone number for these goofs please give i to me.

Johnny G wrote on January 19, 2005

Come on guys, lets give BMG a break. They have produced enough singles of each to match previous sales. That may have been a little short sighted but I bet none of us expected this kind of reaction to songs we all know and love and can get many times over in other CDs etc. I still dont have my copies of AFSAI yet and am hoping they are as good as their word in getting the extra stuff to the stores next week. I know its been a cock up but at least they appear to be trying to do something positive about it. The ones to blame for all this are the Ebay get rich quick brigade and I for one hope that the extra copies leave at least some of these greedy people with copies they dont want and cant sell

RobIreland wrote on January 19, 2005

Johnny G Excuse me but did you read my posting ?? BMG d not supply the Belfast stores last week with the single! do you understand ? We are the ones left with useless boxes here. They are not supplying the stores in Belfast and Belfast is a fairly main city.

ranger wrote on January 19, 2005

This news is welcome and I just hope that the extra copies reach people who want to listen to the music. I've just gone on ebay, and there are currently 743 entries for 'A Fool Such As I'. I've got a horrible feeling that many of these extra copies will also be on ebay next week. I take it that people will be restricted to one copy of each format per person.

Jim Semple wrote on January 19, 2005

By the way, as of 5.30pm tonight UK time, the official Elvis Presley website, had still not updated their news section, since the 12th of January. Their last record is regarding Jailhouse Rock and so far, no mention of One Night or the 1000th UK Number One. Now that really is appalling and something worth moaning about !

volvo wrote on January 19, 2005

I'm a bit fed up! I just had a phone call from my local (and only) record shop, they tell me that as their allocation of future Elvis CDs is so low, they are not going to get any in at all, even when extra copies are released. I cannot pre-order online with Amazon or HMV, and I refuse to pay inflated prices on e-bay, so it looks like my little black box is only going to contain 2 cds.

RobIreland wrote on January 19, 2005

Volvo i completely sympathise with you. Belfat HMV didnt even get the first batch of AFSAI singles in never mind the extra copies, im gettiing fed up with this whole thing, it has caused me such a hard and frustrating time this week. Think i'll just go back to downloading.

emjel wrote on January 19, 2005

Kilburn Tony - Yeah, I'va always used that method, but to no avail on these copies I have. The lamination is not like it used to be in the good old days. Iwonder if the represses will have the labels? BBC Ceefax predicting Elvis will be at No1 on Sunday with AFSAI, but reckon that could be the lot, as the new disaster single is out next Monday, and I guess that'll be Number 1 for many weeks. Hopefully, INON and the follow ups will still get to No.2.

pacer1965 wrote on January 19, 2005

Has anyone recieved an email from EPE ? About Jailhouse Rock not being shown on Top of the pops cause i just did. If anyones got one read it. Anyone know when these extra singles are being released ?

data wrote on January 19, 2005

It is amazing to see how many fans are complaining about not getting there copy of the singles. Has any of you ever stood still on how non Elvis fans react when they see they can not buy a single they like. Afther all it is number one and why could it not be so that other people also are interested. Nowhere to find. Great promotion.

King 14 wrote on January 19, 2005

Has it occurred to fans that the extra pressed unnumbered discs being run off at 5000/10000 copies are more limited than the numbered ones and may therefore become more collectable! I think that those buying many copies/ebayers are going to get their fingers burnt as ,for all the discs are limited edition/supply there is also only (ultimately a limited market for the whole set. Non fans who like these tracks can buy them all much more cheaply on the No.1 s cd /album

RobIreland wrote on January 19, 2005

data etc these singles could not be founf in Belfast because they were never delivered , we didnt get supplys at all this week, how is that great promotion data ??? its just a waste of time and petrol money for us.

cockney_bill wrote on January 19, 2005

Can somebody explain something to me (Todd?) We are told that 20,000 Cd's are being produced of each single and 7,500 Vinyl (although I suspect the vinyl figure is more like 10,000 because my 'All shook Up' has a number in the 9000's). We are told that on Monday Morning ALL copies are sold out, there is not a copy left to be had anywhere right? How comes then that Elvis tops the midweek charts with 13,500 copies sold? What has happened to the other 16,500 copies? Are these 'under the counter sales to ebayers affecting sales that much? If so, how gutted are we going to feel in subsequent weeks if Elvis misses out on the top spot by a few thousand copies. I really hate these ebayers, and I wish there was something that someone could do to stop these people getting rich off of poor fans backs. I spotted 3 copies of 'Its Now or never' on ebay today, with a price tag of £60 each all from the same seller. The guy even had the cheek to state that these releases were available on ebay only.

Ally wrote on January 19, 2005

I am glad to read about extra singles, but I have just looked on Ebay & there is one seller from London selling 31 vinyl of next weeks record. Can't something be done, trace the numbers back to the store they were supplied too and then maybe shoot the manager.

cockney_bill wrote on January 19, 2005

Maybe thats a 'little' extreme Ally - but I agree there must be SOMETHING that can be done. Following on from my recent post, I know someone will point out that some copies are probably left behind the counter reserved, and people wont pick them up until later in the week. However we are still hitting number One with 20,500 copies out of a total 35,000+ (with the extras we are supposed to have) that are 'apparantly' sold out - because you havent a hope in hell of locating an actual shop with a copy by the end of the week. Where on earth are these 15,000 odd copies, 'cause they aint in the shops are they? And like I said, if they are 'lost' (i.e not counted as chart sales) copies because of mass putting aside for ebays than I'm with Ally...Someone needs shooting

Aaron24 wrote on January 20, 2005

These "E-bayers" make me sick. One guy has 33 copies of "It's Now Or Never" on sale already. How the hell do they manage to get their hands on so many copies? If someone in front of me in a music shop was buying multiple copies I'd have some severe words to say. I refuse to pay silly money to these guys cos' they're just taking the mickey out of real fans. BMG need to sort this. If a football fan buys a ticket for a game and then sells it for more than they paid they can be arrested. Obviously there's a market for Limited Editions which can become valuable in the future but these guys are clearly just profiteering from real fans.

RobIreland wrote on January 20, 2005

we just want one copy of each to fill our boxes , just one copy, its all begining to sound really sad now ! Im afraid the thrill has gone for me. This could have been such a happy proud time for us all, ahh well instead we all feel like fools, elvis fans a joke again !!

ranger wrote on January 20, 2005

Do you think that any of these sellers on ebay appreciate the irony of calling their product 'limited' or 'rare', when there are hundreds of similar lots either side of their own advertisement? Also when you look closer at the ads, grand claims are often made for their particular copy. Currently a vinyl copy numbered just under 5,000 is specifically described as a 'low' number. Out of 7,500? Surely it's a 'middling' number. Perhaps someone will soon announce 'middling' numbers to be particularly desirable!

emjel wrote on January 20, 2005

I'd prefer not to have a complete collection than to pay these robbing b******* the exhorbitant prices they are charging on e-bay and any other such sites. I still say that the fan club should buy as many copies of these extra pressings and sell them to fan club members only.

RobIreland wrote on January 20, 2005

emjel hardley fair, im not a member but have followed Elvis all my life. You should simply be able to bring your box into the store to prove your a cllecter , therefor the singles should only be sold to box holders, one per box.

Son Of Mark 64 wrote on January 20, 2005

Could somebody tell me how many cds and 10" vinyl are released of each single thankyou

Son Of Mark 64 wrote on January 20, 2005

Just a comment if people by large quantities do these count for chart positions because I heard if you by over five at one go they dont?

emjel wrote on January 20, 2005

Rob - I'm not a member either, but if I could ensure getting all the records, then for £12, it would be worth it. Saves on petrol & parkin expenses and time etc. I've just spoken to HMV customer services. They were not particularly helpful, but maintain that actual distribution is down to BMG changing/redirecting orders to different shops. Maybe you and anyone should give them a call and vent your anger. BMG number is (020) 73847500 HMV 0207 467 1109.

Eddie White wrote on January 20, 2005

INON is due to be released next week. This is E's biggest selling single in the UK. As the new charity single as no release date yet (but scheduled for the begining of February), INON has a good chance of making it to No.1. It will be E's next single AYLT which will suffer at the expense of the charity single.

emjel wrote on January 20, 2005

Eddie White - The Tsunami Charity single is out next Monday. BBC ceefax Page 501) report that AFSAI will probably be No1. (third in a row) but will probably be the last No.1 for several weeks because of the charity single.

pacer1965 wrote on January 20, 2005

Mark if you buy more than four singles they dont count them in the charts. So the multiply copies what the ebay have bought dont count towards the charts. Which is bad news. Give me back my single of A fool such as I ebay ! The ebayers make me feel sick as well

Eddie White wrote on January 20, 2005

Mike -emjel you're right. I was thinking about the other one 'Tears in Heaven'. which will obviously be released soon after 'Grief Never Grows Old'

GeorgeM wrote on January 20, 2005

HMV Oxford Street told me today that they did not know when they would get the new stock and said that they had only been allocated a very small amount, It could not be preordered from them, and It would be first come, first served. I'm not sure this will actually help the fans or just merely create more riches for ebay sellers. I did get hold of unnumbered one night editions last week as HMV had some small stock of them when bmg released the extra stock. All we ask for now regarding "A fool such as I" is unnumbered uk editions that we can buy and not have to hunt for or visit HMV every single day to stand a chance of obtaining? Surely with no chance of "a fool" remaining at No1, stock should be available for fans next week in the high street. I for one, have actually placed orderded on amazon.de for the german stocks as they are still available. As they have not arrived yet I don't know the difference between these versions as far as the printed labels, sleeve limited edition number etc. Does anyone know If the german editions come from the same stock or are a different numbered set or not numbered at all? Buying the german editions seems more logical than going to ebay.

Jim Semple wrote on January 20, 2005

Today at Virgin in Birmingham, they don't even have Elvis in the Chart Top 40 ! Still got Steve Brookstein showing as Number 1 !. They did have a small note, saying that they have no stock of Elvis CDs and 10'' records as yet, but if and when they do come in, they will be limited to just 1 per person. Incidentally, the Aloha and 68 DVDs were in 16th and 17th position on the DVD Charts.

Jim Semple wrote on January 20, 2005

NEWSFLASH - Top of The Pops have got the guy (an impersonater) who does the Elvis musical to sing ''One Night'' in the studio, as they still can't get permission of EPE to show any footage. I think we have reached an absolute new low here, this is absolutely sickening. I am furious. And yes its all down to EPE. Disgusting, getting some guy to sing in his place. Please visit the BBC News website, Entertainment Section for details.

data wrote on January 20, 2005

Dear ROB, you have to read my message correct. That is just what i mean, we are dissapointed but how do you think non fans feel when they do not find a copy. Thats what i mean with great promotion.It is just the opposite, no promotion for Elvis at all. Not for Elvis fans and also not for non Elvis fans that want to buy one of these singles. You know my point of vieuw on this matter i blame EPE and BMG for all of this and i agree with you, you only misunderstood me. And i still like the remixes and the idea for bringing out a new remix.

RobIreland wrote on January 20, 2005

ooops data , im blinded by dissapointment and frustration here. Now we have to put up with an impersonater too, i cant stand anymore. sham sham sham!

RobIreland wrote on January 21, 2005

After E-mailing BMG about no singles available in Belfast I got a reply from them. The same statment thats on here.

derekd wrote on January 21, 2005

Rob - just popped into wollies ['ards] more afsai expected on monday, but won't keep one 4me. HMV [dave] forrestside may get it, not 100%, but if they do they'll keep one for me. Hope this is some help to you and others.

RobIreland wrote on January 21, 2005

derekd Thanks alot for the info , maybe the stores in Belfast will get some on Monday then , lets hope so.

pacer1965 wrote on January 21, 2005

You wont believe this guys but my son went into Hmv today and bought me back a copy of A Fool Such As I on cd. It was the last one there !

Tony C wrote on January 21, 2005

Todd Slaughter mentioned in one of his postings that some of the Elvis singles are being sold by people that work in record shops either directly on ebay or to people to are giving them financial reward for reserving them. He was 100% correct. This posting is being made at 5pm London time on Friday the 21st, and already copies of "It's Now or Never" are for sale on ebay. The sellers are even stating the number of the copy they are selling. I would encourage people not to buy from these people, at least until after the last single has been released. The more people pay on ebay, the more difficult it will be each way to do what we have been doing for nearly fifty years, simply going into a record shop and buying Elvis' new record on the day of release.

ranger wrote on January 21, 2005

The bottom appears to have fallen out of the 'AFSAI' market on ebay. The going rate for a CD single is currently about £11. I know one store that 'might' have two copies of 'It's Now Or Never' on Monday and another, one mile away, which 'should have one or two'. I'm going on ebay now to get a pair of trainers!