Elvis fans around the world are anxiously awaiting the release of this exciting new book which looks at Elvis and his historic appearance in Vegas in 1969. Here is the first look at both the front and back cover art.

Meet author Ken Sharp during Elvis Week 2009. Ken will be at the following events:

Elvis 1969 - A Celebration Concert
Friday, August 14
Prior to and following the concert
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
255 North Main Street, downtown Memphis.  

Conversations on Elvis - Session 2
Saturday, August 15
1:00 p.m.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
255 North Main Street, downtown Memphis.  

Elvis: Vegas '69 Book Signing
Saturday, August 15
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Everything Elvis Store at Graceland Crossing

Additionally, many of the celebrities quoted in the book will be available at Elvis Week events signing autographs. 

Click here to pre-order the book on ShopElvis.com.

Packed with over 100 new interviews, the 60,000 word text plus many rare, previously unseen photos offer a gripping account of this seminal event told by the people who were there including Priscilla Presley, Elvis's TCB bandmates, the Sweet Inspirations, the Imperials, the Memphis Mafia, celebrities in attendance, International hotel personnel including owner Kirk Kerkorian, hotel President Alex Shoofey, publicity and showroom staff, security, international media and much more.

July 31, 1969 marks an historic milestone in Elvis's career. Bolstered by the runaway success of the '68 Comeback show and energized by productive recording sessions at American Sound Studios, which would spawn such timeless hits as " Suspicious Minds", "In The Ghetto" and "Don't Cry Daddy," Elvis launched his return to live performance at Las Vegas's International Hotel in the summer of 1969.

Elvis: Vegas '69 is an all new 200-page hardback book that commemorates the 40th anniversary of Elvis’s historic return to live performance. Written by Ken Sharp, author of the critically acclaimed FTD book, Writing For The King, the book tells the remarkable story of Elvis's return to the concert stage told through first-hand accounts by those lucky enough to be on hand to witness his miraculous artistic and creative rebirth. Sharp has also authored or co-authored many other music books including Overnight Sensation: The Story Of The Raspberries, Power Pop!, Meet The Beatles...Again!, Reputation Is A Fragile Thing: The Story Of Cheap Trick, and Small Faces: Quite Naturally.

With Sharp's latest book, you'll learn the backstory behind what led to Elvis's triumphant return to live performance. You'll go behind closed doors with Elvis and the band in pre-show rehearsals and revel in the excitement and anticipation of opening night. The actual opening show is then chronicled through the eyes of the people that were there along with the press conference, after show celebration and more.

Packed with over 150 stunning full color and B&W images, many culled from the Graceland archives, vintage Vegas/Elvis concert memorabilia, a '69 show index and much more, the book will transport the reader back to "the Strip" for one of the most electrifying moments in Elvis' monumental career.

Elvis Week 2009 in Memphis will be the site of the worldwide book premiere and launch. The book will also be for sale on ShopElvis.com.

Other Elvis Week events celebrating Elvis' 1969 concert include Elvis 1969 - A Celebration Concert at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14 at The Cannon Center and Conversations on Elvis - Session 2, An Insider Look at Elvis In Vegas 1969 at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, also at The Cannon Center. For more information on these and other Elvis Week events, click here. 



More information on Ken Sharp's book Elvis: Vegas '69 will be posted soon.