"Heartbreak Hotel": Before Elvis
The story of how “Heartbreak Hotel” came to be Elvis Presley’s first hit record is a long and fascinating tale. At the root of the saga...
A family affair
Few things in life were as important to "Heartbreak Hotel" co-composer Mae Boren Axton as the concept of Family. A recurring theme of the...
I read the news today
On 24th April 1993, the BBC broadcast a new TV documentary produced by their Arena arts team, entitled "Tales of Rock 'n' Roll:...
Hank Williams, country superstar
Some musical stars are so talented and successful they come to define their musical genre. In effect, as far as the public is concerned,...
Jack Stapp, at the top of the Tree
Perhaps the most overlooked part of the "Heartbreak Hotel" saga is the crucial issue of publishing rights. In 1950s popular music, the...
The Boren family
Mae Boren Axton's full birth name was Nannie Mae Boren which is exactly and precisely the same name as her mother. She was the...