For our final upload this year, sampled from our end-of-year special back in 2021, our leading contributor, Gary Wells, shares some personal Christmas and New Year reading, viewing and listening for the vintage leisure enthusiast.
Gary takes us through some of his own Christmas family traditions, including this 1959 compilation volume by Ed Sullivan. Read Gary’s review here.

Gary also references as a seasonal favourite the 1982 movie, Diner, written and directed by Barry Levinson and produced by Jerry Weintraub (1937-2015). As well as a successful film producer, Weintraub was a philanthropist and a very well-liked and respected talent manager (John Denver) and concert promoter, (Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys). A pioneer of large-arena music events, he facilitated Elvis’ move out of Las Vegas showrooms and onto the arena tour circuit, working with Elvis and the Colonel right up to the end, and actually beyond. It was Jerry Weintraub who finally convinced a hesitant Colonel Parker to book Elvis into Madison Square Garden, New York, which helped to make 1972 one of the most successful and high profile years of Elvis’ career. Weintraub also made a handful of movie cameo appearances, including as gangster Sonny Capps in The Firm.
And finally one more suggestion for a quiet New Year at home; the Martin Scorsese concert movie, The Last Waltz (released 1978), featuring The Band and an array of incredible guest artists.
The complete episode also featured a discussion on American Graffiti, and a preview of our series on Elvis’ iconic 1973 satellite broadcast, Aloha From Hawaii. There is also an embedded video of a Last Waltz highlight, The Weight, featuring the Staple Singers.
The DEC4 Podcast Companion: Elvis Aloha From Hawaii Preview and End of Year Special
Thank you for joining us again on the DEC4 Podcast, Gary Wells (soulrideblog.com) is back with host George Fairbrother to not only preview our upcoming episodes on Elvis’ 1973 satellite concert, Aloha From Hawaii, but to also share some Christmas and holiday season viewing and listening traditions and recommendations.
Gary’s ever-growing website, your home for vintage leisure, has a number of Christmas related articles, reviews and recommendations. Find the collection here, soulrideblog.com (Christmas), or head straight to his most recent post, an in-depth look at Elvis’ Christmas recordings.
Very special thanks to Gary Wells, to Detlef Wolff and Gainesville, and to Steve Collins.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year to all our readers and listeners, and our special thanks to you for such great support across multiple platforms.
We’ll see you again in the New Year!
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