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Lifelong Elvis collector Ian McQuillan discusses the rarest records of Elvis Presley - from Sun Records worth $10,000+, international rarities, even shares insider tips for spotting counterfeits, and explains why young collectors are driving a thriving market for the King's rarest vinyl.
Topics Include:
Ian McQuillan introduces himself as 55-year Elvis fan since age 2
Scottish parents in New Zealand exposed him to Elvis on record player
"Big Hunk of Love" was his first memorable Elvis song obsession
RCA distributed Elvis records globally, making them widely available worldwide
Elvis market remains strong while other 50s rockabilly artists declined significantly
Elvis cornered teenage markets in UK, Australia, New Zealand more than US
Parkes, Australia hosts massive annual Elvis festival with 20,000+ attendees
Elvis Week celebration started small, now draws 50,000+ fans to Memphis
Elvis has bigger catalog depth than any other recording artist
Sun Records represent collectible pinnacle - only five official 45/78 releases
78rpm records rarer due to shellac brittleness, 95% destroyed over time
Sun 209 "That's All Right" commands $10,000-12,000 in mint condition
Sam Phillips used multiple pressing plants, creating interesting variants and rarities
Initial Sun pressings probably 20,000-30,000 copies, reaching 200,000 total eventually
Early distribution concentrated in American South, spreading through Elvis touring
Promotional Sun records exist with distinctive red stamps, worth significant premiums
Jack White famously paid $300,000 for unreleased Elvis acetate recording
RCA reissues sound much cleaner than original hissy Sun pressings
Sam Phillips likely pressed extra inventory after selling Elvis to RCA
Counterfeit Sun records identifiable by shiny vinyl, wrong dates, label gaps
Pre-army Elvis albums (1954-1960) remain most collectible among LP collectors
SPD promotional EPs from first album worth $1,200-4,000 in good condition
Australian gold label first album worth $1,500-2,000, extremely hard to find
Colored vinyl "Moody Blue" pressings command $2,000-3,000 from collectors
8-tracks, reels, cassettes now collectible after being worthless for decades
Follow That Dream label produces high-quality Elvis reissues for serious fans
New Elvis footage and recordings still surface regularly from private collections
Young professionals in 20s-40s driving current strong collector market demand
Elvis Week features conventions, tributes, candlelight vigil at Graceland annually
Colonel Parker's merchandising legacy created massive collectible memorabilia market today
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About The Vinyl Guide
If you like records, just starting a collection or are an uber-nerd with a house-full of vinyl, this is the podcast for you. Nate Goyer is The Vinyl Guide and discusses all things music and record-related.