INTERVIEW RUSS HOWE & TOM SALVA
I would like to do something different to start with. Could you introduce each other to the rest of the Elvis fans around the world? This way we get a more fair impression of what you two have done so far in the Elvis business and you can brag of each other that you wouldn’t have done otherwise.
Russ: I have been a very close friend of Tom Salva and his family for many years. We both share the excitement of collecting candid Elvis photos. Not only does Tom have an incredible collection of candids, but he also has an extensive collection of items owned by Elvis, which is a passion, we both share.
Some of the items in Tom ‘s collection include: the Tree of Life necklace, the suit that Elvis wore in "It Happened At The World’s Fair", the original DEA badge that President Nixon gave to Elvis and a two piece jumpsuit Elvis wore in Vegas in 1974, among many other priceless items.
Tom: My family and I socialize outside of Memphis with Russ and his wife, we’ve known each other for years. Russ and I have the same interest and we try to blow each other’s minds with new acquisitions. What’s mine is his and vice versa. In Russ’ personal collection he owns the blue jacket from the movie Spinout, the star ruby and diamond ring that Elvis wore on stage, firearms etc. We are currently negotiating with casinos to have a personal display of or items.
What is the project you are most proud of having done and why?
Russ: In this year alone, we were involved in contributing rare photos to various projects, all, which were wonderful! We have contributed photos to our dear friend, Bud Glass’ DVD, "Behind the Image", "Elvis and June" A Love Story DVD, "200 Hundred Cadillac’s" (which we were also consultants), and Barbara Leigh’s book, "The King, McQueen and the Love Machine". But of course, the one thing we’re the most proud of is our up coming book.
Tom: I agree with Russ. Any project involving Elvis is such a passion with us it makes us happy. It’s a work of love. It was a great satisfaction to have Graceland use us as consultants.
3. What are your favorite single-album-films?
Tom: My favorite single has to be "Cant Help Falling In Love"- Album the Memphis Sessions, Favorite film: "On Tour", it shows the candid side of Elvis as much as the performer.
Russ: Elvis recorded so many wonderful songs, but my favorite single would have to be "Sweet Angeline". I find that is voice in that song is as smooth as silk. Choosing a favorite album is really tough, I have many favorites and it’s impossible to pick just one. I would have to say that my favorite movie is "Charro", I feel that Elvis got an opportunity to truly act.
4. I know that you Russ have a great photo collection. How many do you have and what is the rarest one?
Russ: I have thousands of photos. It’s hard to say which one is the rarest, but it would probably be between 8 photos of Elvis wearing a turban in 1972 and the original color photos of Elvis and the Beatles from August of 1965, which you can see in Joe Tunzi’s book, "Beatles 65". If you’d like to see some of the photos in our collection, please visit:
www.kingcandids.com
Tom: In our next book the "Ultimate Candid" book we will include really rare photos. For example the turban and long coat, Elvis standing in front of Sun Studio with Sam Phillips and Marion Keisker, showing Sam and Marion his new white Lincoln. Early 60’s at the Graceland gates with the Memphis Mafia and fans in color from Elvis’ own private collection. I own thousands of candids. We’ll be thrilled to share them with all Elvis fans throughout the world.
5. I will ask that since you have so many photos, do you know why there are so relative few photos from 1969-1970? At least to me that is (maybe) the most interesting period to get Elvis photos from and one should think that it was a pretty big happening that Elvis entered Vegas. I know the Tunzi books but I feel there ought to be more. Or is it a lot in private collector’s hands?
Russ: There really not that rare, we have plenty of them and they will be seen in our future "Ultimate Candid" book. Guaranteed to be the mother of all candid photo books.
Tom: I agree with Russ, you may feel that there isn’t that many. But there are candid shots you never even knew existed.
6. Who came up with the idea of your latest book "Rock N’ Nassau"?
Russ: The idea for the 1973 Nassau Coliseum book was Tom’s.
Tom: I was at one of the shows in 73. It was always a dream to do a book and accumulate photos and memories from that day. Russ and I sat down one day and decided to go for it. Once we got the word out the fans were very excited and eager to help.
7. When did the work start on the book?
Russ: The idea was born about 2 years ago. It came to life a few months ago, when we got together with our friend Joe Tunzi, who will be publishing the book.
Tom: The work started 2 years ago, other publishers showed an interest, but those deals fell through, then Joe Tunzi got word of it and the rest is history.
8. I haven’t seen it yet but are the pictures in b/w or does it have some color photos?
Russ: The pictures were taken in black and white, although the book will have a color back and front cover. We do have color photos from the show and we did toss the idea around to have a color section, but in order to keep the cost down for the fans we opted against it.
Tom: Russ hit it right on the head, we have numerous color photos but keeping the cost down was the main concern. I’m sure these other photos will be seen sometime in the future when we do a color concert book. We it comes to color pictures the photos on the front and back are only a taste of what’s to come.
9. Who did what on the book?
Russ: J.A.T. Publishing is publishing the book and free-lance writer and good friend Jim Donohue, is writing the text.
Tom: To build on what Russ said, we put the photos in chronological sequence. It begins with Elvis leaving his hotel on his way to the coliseum, follows him backstage, onto the stage, to leaving the coliseum. We researched the songs he performed and the suits he wore, plus tried to gather as many memories as possible.
10. What is your favorite Elvis website?
Tom: KingCandids.com
Russ: I have a few I check everyday, but at the top of the list is EP Gold.com and ElvisNews.com.
11. Your favorite author on Elvis-books?
Tom: Peter Guralnick and Bill Burk.
Russ: My favorite has to be Joe Tunzi because of the great photos he comes up with.
12. Whom should we interview next for EP Gold?
Tom: Ginger Alden. She can give us great insight into Elvis’ last days.
Russ: I’d like to see Billy Smith interviewed. He was really close to Elvis and I’m sure he has a lot of great stories to share.
13. Your biggest wish?
Tom: In Feb. of 1971, I visited Memphis State University on a football recruitment trip. Mayor Henry Loeb asked me, "while you’re here son, is there anything I can do for you"? I replied, "yes, I’d like to meet the man", he replied the man? Yes, I said, Elvis! A little while later I got into a limo. with the Mayor and drove up to the Graceland gates. The driver beeped the horn and the gates opened. The gatekeeper, Harold Loyd walked over and said " Good Evening Mr. Mayor what can we do for you? The mayor said," we have a future Memphis State Tiger here and he what like to meet Elvis". Much to my disappointment, we were informed that although Elvis would love to meet me, he was in Vegas performing. I wish he was home! L
Russ: My biggest wish was to have met Elvis, shake his hand and say "Thank you".
14. And have you something to say to the EP Gold readers?
Tom: We are happy to share our photo collection with Elvis’ fans, and we hope others will follow in the same spirit.
Russ: This book is just the beginning. We hope to bring to you many more photo books on Elvis that will blow your socks off! We thank you for support and your endless love and dedication to Elvis.
15. At last, can you tell me if we can expect more photobooks from you guys and what are your future plans?
Russ: Yes definitely, we have a lot of great plans. I’ll let Tom tell you about them.
Tom: Yes, like I said previously we guarantee that the "Ultimate Candid" book will follow in various volumes, plus the concert books. Thousands of photos are available on stage, but the most intriguing are the off stage shots. We are currently consulting on other documentaries and will keep everyone updated. We are in current negations, with casinos on the East Coast to display our collection. The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland has expressed an interest in displaying our personal artifacts also. We are also working with Bud Glass on the Behind The Image book that will be out soon. Both Russ and I would like to thank Kenneth for the great questions and of course, Andylon for her everlasting support.
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Quelle: EpGold.Com</span>
Autor
