Elvisville Legacy: The Story of Albert Hand and His Connection to Elvis Presley in Europe
A printer from Derbyshire played a crucial role in connecting Elvis Presley with fans across Europe in the 1960s. Albert Hand, who published the Elvis Monthly Magazine from Heanor, developed a close relationship with the Presley family and even opened a store called "Elvisville" in Heanor Records. His grandson, Andy Quinn, plans to use a £175,000 lottery heritage grant to create an oral history project to share his grandad's contribution to pop music with schools, care homes, and community settings.
Hand, a printer at A. Gaunt & Sons in Heanor, started printing fanzines about Elvis Presley in 1959, which quickly gained popularity. He eventually became the president of the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain and created a community of Elvis fans that still exists today. Hand's magazines served as a platform for fans to connect with each other and share their love for the music icon.
The success of the publications led Hand to open a music shop, Heanor Records, which attracted customers from various European countries. He expanded his publication to cover other musicians as well, interviewing artists like Dusty Springfield and Frankie Valli. Hand's contributions to pop culture and his close relationship with Elvis Presley left a lasting impact on the music industry.
Quinn aims to retell his grandad's story through the accounts of those who knew him, highlighting his influence on pop culture and Elvis's British fanbase. With the help of a £175,000 grant, Quinn and his wife have established Enriching Communities CIC to compile oral history accounts that will be shared in community spaces. The project aims to celebrate Hand's legacy and share his inspiring story with a wider audience.
The story of Albert Hand's role in connecting Elvis Presley with fans across Europe is a testament to the power of passion and dedication in shaping pop culture history. Through the oral history project funded by a lottery heritage grant, Andy Quinn hopes to honor his grandad's legacy and inspire others with this remarkable tale of music, friendship, and community.