Viva Doc Pomus: Songs For Elvis (The Demos) (RSD 25)

Celebrating Doc Pomus’ 100th birthday, this collection features 30 previously unissued songs written for or with Elvis Presley in mind, or recorded by Elvis himself. These tracks have been transferred from the original acetates and meticulously restored and mastered by multiple Grammy®-winning engineer Michael Graves and Jordan McLeod. The release comes with the full cooperation of the Doc Pomus Estate.

“A Teenager In Love,” “Save The Last Dance For Me,” “This Magic Moment,” “Can’t Get Used To Losing You”—there’s not much in early rock history that can equal those songs. Doc Pomus wrote hit after hit, often with an array of songwriting partners, with Mort Shuman chief among them. Together, they helped define the sound of the late 1950s and early 1960s, crafting timeless classics that have been covered by artists around the world. But one artist stood above the rest—Elvis Presley.

Pomus and Shuman were the names behind some of Elvis’s most remarkable recordings, including “Viva Las Vegas,” “(Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame,” and “Turn Me Loose”—all of which became classics. But where did those songs originate? In the demos.

Painstakingly transferred, restored, and mastered from the original acetates, with full approval and cooperation from the Pomus estate, Viva Doc Pomus: Songs For Elvis (The Demos) showcases the recordings that were submitted to Presley for his consideration. Some of these tracks, including the well-known hits, were recorded and released by Elvis, while others were left behind for reasons lost to time. These unheard gems leave us wondering what could have been had The King chosen to record and release them.

Available as a double LP in opaque orange vinyl for Record Store Day, Viva Doc Pomus: Songs For Elvis (The Demos) brings the origins of rock & roll to life. Hear what Elvis heard for yourself and imagine the possibilities. Viva Doc Pomus indeed!