XM

ELVIS WEEK
30th Anniversary 1977-2007

Elvis died 30 years ago this week (August 16, 1977) and The 50s on 5 has a week of programs honoring the legacy of the most popular American Icon in history.

The Ken Smith Show & The Night Prowl Show With Matt The Cat:

Our own resident Memphian, Alex Ward (host of XM’s “Pink & Black Days”) will be all over Memphis all week covering Elvis Week for the 50s on 5. He’ll go from activities on Beale Street to the candle light vigil at Graceland and everywhere in-between. Catch daily reports LIVE FROM MEMPHIS on The Ken Smith Show (Weekdays 3-6pm ET) and on The Night Prowl Show (Weeknights 7-Midnight ET).

Elvis In Harlem

It took a white hep cat singing rhythm and blues to launch rock n’ roll into the mainstream, but Elvis didn’t come out of nowhere. His R&B; influences run deep. Matt The Cat brings Elvis’ influences to the surface on “Elvis In Harlem” as we commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the death of the King Of Rock n’ Roll. You’ll hear the original R&B; versions of the songs that Elvis made famous as well as rare interview footage of Elvis on his musical influences. Before he was King Of Memphis, Elvis WAS “Harlem”.

Harlem Airs:
Monday 8/13 at 1pm ET
Tuesday 8/14 at 9pm PT – Midnight ET
Friday 8/17 at 6pm ET
Sunday 8/19 at 11am ET

The Pink & Black Days

This week Alex Ward outdoes himself with a show that took him months to put together. Alex has uncovered interview footage with Sam Phillips, the late owner of Sun Records and the guy who single-handedly discovered Elvis Presley. Alex has an exceptional insight into Elvis, being a life-long Memphian and he’s going to share that with you. The Pink & Black Days will also feature rare interviews with some of Elvis’ closest friends.

Pink & Black Days airs:
Wednesday 8/15 at 1pm ET
Thursday 8/16 at 6pm ET
Saturday 8/18 at 6pm ET
Sunday 8/19 at 9pm ET

Part 4 of the Complete Roy Orbison gathers parts 1-3 together in a three hour, long-form radio Roy extravaganza. Trace his entire three decade career from his early days at the legendary Sun Records to his 80s comeback with Virgin Records and “You Got It”. Roy tells his entire story in his own words through rare, never-before-heard interviews. Highlights include an appearance on the BBC’s Top Of The Pops program, Tom Petty talking about how the Traveling Wilburys were formed and a 1956 live appearance on his own Odessa, TX TV show. The show is hosted by Matt The Cat and will air at a special, revised schedule.

Wednesday, April 26th at 3pm EST
Saturday, April 29th at noon EST
Sunday, April 30th at 3pm EST

I hope you enjoy this special as much as I enjoyed putting it together. This 3 part special was almost a year in the making and I must thank Barbara Orbison and the Orbison Estate for helping me out by providing some of the rare interview footage that made this special stand out.

-MTC

50s on 5

Wednesday, April 19 at 4pm EST, Friday, April 21 at 2pm EST & Saturday, April 22 at 5pm EST.

Part Three of the Complete Roy Orbison looks at the third and final chapter of his legendary career. Roy’s switch from Monument Records to MGM Records meant that the songs remained top notch, but the hits were few and far between. Roy never stopped touring and writing and believing that one day he’d make it back up to the top. You’ll hear his amazing comeback in the 80s with the hits “You Got It”, “Crying” with KD Lang and “Handle With Care” with the Traveling WIlburys. Some of the people that knew him best, like Tom Petty, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Bono and Elvis Costello share some of their Roy Orbison stories.