TCB Band TCB Band - Still Taking Care Of Business

(Memphis Mansion) softcover, english, 29,5 x 21 x 1 cm, 142 pages, photobook (b&w and color) Photos: Eddie Michel Azoulay - Words: Thomas La Cour

When listening to Elvis in the 70s, you're not just hearing Elvis; you're just as much hearing the TCB Band. In the almost 40 years that have passed since Elvis died, all members have remained involved in musical projects and on special occasions come together to recreate the spark we know from Hawaii, Madison Square Garden, Las Vegas and concert and studio recordings from all over the United States.

The Danish city of Randers has been a regular venue, since Henrik Knudsen (concert organizer and owner of the largest Elvis Museum outside the US) invited them over for the first time in 1999. 25 shows on Danish soil to date (plus the big screen concerts "Elvis: The Concert"), and when Glen, James and Ronnie returned at Elvis' posthumous 80th birthday in January 2015, the idea arose to photo document the show. The documentary and reportage photographer Eddie Michel Azoulay, who is also a devoted Elvis fan, was assigned with the task and when the TCB Band returned to Randers in 2016, Eddie was back with his cameras in place. Backstage. On stage. During the waiting period.

Initially, Henrik and Eddie didn't really know what the photos should be used for. Perhaps an exhibit. Perhaps a booklet, or a book. Slowly the idea took shape and the result is what you're holding in your hand: A photo essay for and about the TCB Band. A tribute and a thank you to the band and all its living and deceased members through the years —and James Burton, Glen D. Hardin and Ronnie Tutt in particular.

We owe them a heartfelt thank you, because they to-gether with Elvis created the songs that have become such an essential a part of the soundtrack of life.
And we owe them a lot of gratitude for not calling it quits a long time ago and instead keep coming back. Again and again. So that all of us who didn't get to see Elvis live, can have a musical experience that comes quite close.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Thomas la Cour

 

 

This TV special included the first ever unplugged session presented together with musicians from the early days such as Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana. 1973 saw THE TV mega event at all: Elvis Presley, 'Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite'! Elvis' Honolulu appearance, the first time that a show was broadcasted worldwide via satellite! He was ahead of his time! Elvis Presley had 148 US single chart hits, including some so-called double-sider when A- and B-side both hit the charts like his 1956 smash 'Don't Be Cruel b/w Hound Dog', plus 15 EP hits between 1956 and 1977. Two billion of sold media and sound carriers by Elvis Presley is the estimated number! He received 14 Grammy nominations until 1978 and three Grammy for his Gospel interpretations. Elvis was the youngest artist when honored with the Bing Crosby Award (Lifetime Achivement Award) in 1971.

 

He is presented in 5 Halls of Fame (Rock'n'Roll, Rockabilly, Country, Blues and Gospel). Six of his song interpretations are collected in the Grammy Hall of Fame. On top of it all Elvis Presley got the most gold and platinum records and a Diamond-Award. He definetly is the 'Best selling solo artist in U.S. History' (RIAA – Record Industry Association of America)! Elvis Presley CD albums, vinyl records as LPs or singles at 45rpm - Bear Family offers a huge number of various Elvis Presley CDs, vinyl-LPs and 45rpm singles, vinyl- and CD box sets, books and mags, DVDs, unique and extraordinairy memorabilia! Let's say it in the words of one of Elvis sixties album title: There is "Something For Everybody"! And hey, you name it! Elvis Presley is the King of Rock'n'Roll, the biggest icon in showbusiness, and a great person who lives on forever!

Bear Family Records treats his legacy with the most respect and an optimum capacity of expert knowledge.