Product Description
A must for every Elvis fan, this awesome collection assembles his best romantic songs, such as: Always on My Mind Are You Lonesome Tonight? Can't Help Falling in Love For the Good Times Good Luck Charm The Hawaiian Wedding Song It's Impossible It's Now or Never Let It Be Me Love Me Tender Spanish Eyes Suspicious Minds Unchained Melody You Don't Know Me and many more! Includes an introductory article. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Presents A Lot Of Questions.....
Dr. Bill Beeny gives us a detailed look into how he obtained an Elvis liver sample taken from 1975, and had it tested against a sample from the body in the casket in 1977. The specimens did not match, they were from two different bodies. This great book presents a lot of questions and Mr. Beeny gives a lot of reasons on how and why Elvis could have faked his death. This book is a must for any Elvis fan. Could the world's greatest entertainer still be alive? I hope so. This book gives a lot of evidence showing that he could be.

What are they thinking?
Look, I haven't even read the thing...but the review of the first page shows a type-o in the opening paragraph...the word "debate" is spelled incorrectly!I can't trust a book that would have such a glaring error. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A nice memoir
J. D. Sumner is beloved among gospel music fans for his bass voice and sense of humour, and Elvis Presley was one of his biggest fans. J. D. and the Stamps Quartet toured and recorded with Elvis from 1972 until the end in 1977. This book is full of fun stories about those years, and the friendship the two singers had. It is not an Elvis biography, many writers have done that elsewhere, just a collection of reminiscenses from one of Elvis' closest friends. It becomes clear early in the book how much Elvis idolized J. D., always referring to him as "Mr. Sumner", even though there was only a few years separating them age-wise. After concerts, Elvis would invite the Stamps up to his suite to sing gospel all night. Gospel was his first love, musically, and he liked to feature the Stamps in his shows regularly (singing "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" or "Why Me Lord"). It might surprise some fans to read that, yes, Elvis was a Christian, especially when we've been inundated with tabloid type tales about Elvis' later years. J. D. was there, he knew what the man was really like, not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, just a believer struggling to live out his life the way he should. Although J. D. has passed on, I'm confident he and his friend Elvis are singing together together again, singing praises to the King.

J.D. Sumner shares about his time with Elvis Presley
You've read about Elvis' love of Southern Gospel music. This book tells how The Stamps Quartet and others came to be a part of the excitement we knew as "Elvis".It tells of the ups and downs of travelling.the business end of things, the generosity of Elvis Presley.You'll gainknowledge from this book and you'll be glad you have it.I too am glad,but mine is signed to me by Mr J.D. Sumner.You'll see pictures of theStamps Qt and Elvis, the Stamps tour bus with TCB on the side. Even apicture of the check Elvis signed, to J.D Sumner, as a down payment on thetour bus.Add this to your collection, you'll be glad you did. ... Read more

Book Description
The Forgotten Family of Elvis Presley is based on the life of Elvis' aunt Lois Smith and Uncle Johnnie Smith ( Brother of Gladys Presley ). In a book written " Elvis A-Z " the author has stated that Johnnie was never married. My friends in this book you will meet the wife and five children of Johnnie Smith. The Kidnapping of Lois SmithThe Pain and AbuseThe Death of Gladys Smith The Reported Death of Elvis ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Aunt Lois Speaks Out
This book is very good. I just wish it had been a little longer.
It is only 92 pages and I read it in about an hour.
Lois became the aunt of Elvis when she was kidnapped and forced to marry
Johnnie Smith which was the brother of Gladys Presley which of course is the mother of Elvis. Johnnie was a mean man and it was a bad life but Lois did become close to Gladys. It upset me a little to read that after Elvis bought Graceland one day the kids of Lois went to see Elvis and Gladys when Gladys opened the door she told the kids to go home and put some better clothes on and not come to Graceland again dressed like that but Lois said the kids had on their best outfits. Did Gladys now think she was better than her family?
I was glad to read that Lois still remained close to the family anyway.
This book makes you feel as if Lois is sitting right beside you telling you her story. It is a fast read but very good!
All Elvis fans should have this book in your collection.

Message From the Author
Dear Friends, Thank you for your interest in The Forgotten Family of Elvis Presley book. your thoughts and comments about this title is welcome and we would love to hear from you.

Don't waste your money.
Another feeble attempt, but this time by a distant family member, to place themselves in the Elvis Presley money machine and trade on the name a bit. Lump this one in with those travesties by the Stanley's and Albert Goldman, and, oh yeah, Lucy D'Arbin. TRASH ... Read more

Book Description
Elvis Presley's TCB Band rhythm guitarist, John Wilkinson, tells his story. The first member of the TCB Band to write a book, Wilkinson describes meeting Elvis Presley twice as a boy and a young man, who left a lasting impression on the King of Rock and Roll. So much so that when Elvis decided to form a band, quit the movies and return to live performance, he tapped John (who was also recommended by Presley's lead guitarist, the legendary James Burton) to join. From the first concert in 1969 until the final in 1977, John played more than 1,100 performances with Elvis, never missing a show. For fans curious about what Elvis was really like during these years, Wilkinson's wonderful story will reassure them that Elvis never lost it and always had it. A must for any Elvis fan's book collection and a great story for anyone who enjoys musician biographies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

John and Elvis
I gave this book four stars because it started off a little slow.
But did get better about the middle.
It is a pretty good book for any Elvis Fan.

A GREAT, PERSONABLE READ
the Author shows his writing chops enough in this biog to enhance the story, without making the story revolve around his talents as an author, which is refreshing.There isn't much by way of gratuitous verbage- just here's a guy with an incredible story...and I mean, really really interesting...dude met elvis on 3 seperate occassions YEARS apart, starting from a young kid, leading to his eventual employment.

I really enjoyed it, and recommend it to not only fans of elvis and music, but fans fo Biogs in general.

An honest account by Elvis' rythm guitarist and friend.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only reason I gave it four stars is because of editing.Other than that, the content is excellent. John really loves and respects Elvis still, that much is evident. But, he is not afraid to talk about the tough stuff or give his opinion of all the hangers-on ie..Memphis Mafia. He has great stories in here you won't find anywhere else, and some you will but from his perpective. The differences here, over other Elvis books, is that one: it has the ring of truth, two: it does not try to rewrite in order to glorify the writer and three: you won't find any Elvis bashing here. Just great stories by a fantastic guitarist who loved, worked for and admired Elvis Presley. I highly recommend it!

An amazing read
Unique in it's own right, this is an interesting and educational read.I totally enjoyed reading about John's life and his various meetings and involvement with many musical artist.Elvis fans will appreciate the honesty of John and his one on one with the KING not to mention others in the entertainment industry.You will not be disappointed with this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (70)

Priscilla certainly lives a vivid fantasy life in this book...
A piece of TRAILER TRASH WRITTEN by a piece of trailer trash. They'd laugh him right off the stage...Simon Cowell would give him a choice "review" of his "talent"....And WHY do you think a guy like Elvis would wait for someone like Priscilla? He didn't wait. He was a babe magnet. He had a whole entourage of woman drooling over him, and he's gonna "wait" for some 13 year old? Priscilla knew exactly what she needed to do to keep the guy. And it DIDN'T involve Tiddly Winks.. This book is PURE FICTION.If you expect ME or ANYONE ELSE to BELIEVE this garbage, you have some serious problems!!

I'm not sure that I liked this book.
It was definitely worth reading.But I didn't enjoy reading it.Elvis came across as a spoiled child and someone who could be cruel and heartless at times and I didn't like that at all.
Left me with a lot of unanswered questions and doubts.

Elvis and Me
Great Movie about Elvis and Pricilla. It shipped in record time and it was in terrific condition. The book shipped very fast and was also in great condition and very informative and had pictures.

My Opinion
Ok so I read a lot of the reviews people left when I was considering buying this book. I almost did not buy it, because of the reviewsreviews. First let me say I adore Elvis, I grew up with his music, and everytime I hear his songs they put me in a good mood. So I just have to say that after reading the book I loved it!

I think people are too hard on Priscilla. This book is called Elvis and me not Lets talk about me.... ggsshh come on so what if she brushed over her affairs, people want to know what Elvis was like not her. Its her side, And I really do believe they loved each other very much.

Who are we to sit here and judge her or him or their bond. So yes it shows Elvis was intresting and odd..very odd but hey thats what made him him. And as for her parents... well I wouldnt agree with what they decided but I dont believe they were out to get his money!
So go on its a good book!!!

Elvis and Me..couldn't put it down
I first came across this book years ago at my local Library. I actually read it 2x's before I had to take it back. And I received it for a gift for Christmas one year. This has to be by far one of the best books I've read about Elvis Presley. I enjoyed it so much and I have 2 copies of it because I actually read my other one over 100x's. I'm not even kidding. Yes it's crazy but I enjoyed the book that much. If you haven't read it I recommend it highly! It's a beautiful love story it truly is. I enjoy the movie too. Although most Elvis fans don't like the movie. I like the love aspect of it and the Nostalgic clips. Check it out if you haven't watched it.
Elvis Always! ... Read more

Book Description
When Bobbie Ann Mason first heard Elvis Presley on the family radio, she recognized him as "one of us . . . a country person who spoke our language"--Southern, working class, a little wild. In Elvis Presley, the bestselling author of the two modern American classics Shiloh and Other Stories and In Country captures all the vibrancy and tragedy of this mythic figure.

With heartfelt intimacy and a novelist's insight, Mason charts the intoxicating life of the first rock-and-roll superstar, whose music shattered barriers and changed the sound of America. Elvis the impassioned singer and charismatic youth embraced the celebrity brought him by a host of top-forty hits and movies. But Elvis the small-town boy and devoted son was in no way prepared for being catapulted into an unimagined stratosphere. This is the riveting story of an unforgettable man and his indelible legacy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Perfect for Non-Fans
At 200 or fewer pages, the Penguin Lives impose the quality of succinctness upon their authors. After all, who wants to read a thousand-page tome about someone in whom you have only a passing interest?

The other good thing about them is that authors are matched to their subjects (e.g., Paul Johnson on Napoleon, John Keegan on Churchill, Sherwin Nuland on Leonardo).

Prior to reading this book, I had never heard of Bobbie Ann Mason, but based upon name alone, it was clear that she was a southern woman. That caused me to worry that the book would be adulatory, and so it was at both the beginning and end of the book, with Ms. Mason attributing everything that happened in the world in the 1950s to Elvis.

She goes on, however, to provide a highly readable, detailed acccount of Elvis' life, just about as much as the typical reader is likely to find interesting. Obviously, anyone interested in pursuing the subject can move on to the the longer biographies (Ms. Mason provides an extensive bibliography), but the average reader is likely to be satisfied by what she has put on their plate. An interesting documentary to view after, or in conjunction with, reading the book is Elvis Presley - Memphis Flash, which details Elvis'life during the early Tupelo and Memphis years, including extensive interviews with his friends, classmates, and musical historians.

It's worth noting that Elvis was not the first rock star nor the only one during the 50s. Two others that spring to mind were Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison, both of whom wrote their own music and had major impact on the musicians that followed (e.g., the Beatles and the Rolling Stones). Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, they were not "cute," and consequently, did not attain a following among teen-aged girls.

Elvis the King and his decline.
I am not sure why all the reviewers rated this book so low.Perhaps, they are angry with Mason for telling us that Elvis was hooked on drugs.
Elvis was a great singer (and my favorite).It was a loss he had to do die so young.Mason details the rise of Elvis, and his short twenty plus years in the spotlight.The author also shows the negatives of Elvis, and why these eventually led to his destruction.Perhaps Mason analizes Elvis too deeply.After all, he was only a singer.

This is a OK read for those interested in Elvis's life.I thought the author did a good job of breaking down what constituted Presley's life and meaning.

Mason On Elvis:An American Tragedy
Bobbie Ann Mason is the person who should have written this book on Elvis. Born in 1942, she grew up on a dairy farm in Mayfield, Kentucky; she and Elvis then are from the same time and part of the country. It is obvious from every page of this work that Ms. Mason likes Elvis's music and understands what his contribution to America and the world was. There is no substitute, as some of us remember, to being alive when Elvis literally burst on the music scene and shook us from the Eisenhower 50's. Of course Ms. Mason, one of our best living fiction writers, says it better than I: "For me, Elvis is personal--as a Southerner and something of a neighbor. I heard Elvis from the very beginning on the Memphis radio stations. Many parents found Elvis's music dangerously evocative, his movements lewd and suggestive--but when my family saw Elvis on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW, singing 'Ready Teddy', my father cried, 'Boy, he's good!'"

My problem with this book is the same I have with the other books in this series-- their required brevity makes any in-depth study of the character impossible. This series works best, I think, in Douglas Brinkley's book on Rosa Parks since no bio of her except one for children had ever been written so he was covering new ground rather than rehashing previous material. Ms. Mason lists her sources, saying she relied heavily on Peter Guaralnick's two books on Pressley that I have not read. I did read, however, the awful book by Albert Goldman whom I believe Ms. Mason alludes to in her introduction: "In 1980, a scurrilous biography portrayed him as a redneck with savage appetites and perverted mentality, and of no musical significance to American culture." Ms. Mason provides the ultimate insult by not giving the name of the biographer.

Ms. Mason discusses briefly Elvis's movies and his interest in books. I didn't know he read books or that Priscilla got him to burn them. Ms. Mason also says that by the end of 2000 Graceland had become the most visited private home in the U. S. When I visited his grave a few years ago-- Graceland was closed that day-- I was saddened so see that out of hundreds of "floral arrangements" there was not one real flower. I suppose as the Lorettta Lynn character says in "Cold Miner's Daughter," that the plastic ones last longer.

Bereft
When these publishing houses reach into the shallow end of the writing pool to assign authors the task of patching together a novella, this is the inevitable pitiful result. Superficiality overflows her perspectives, and the style of the book is forced, as she tries to spin a tome of the south as a tapestry into Elvis' life. I must've been absent from the planet during the minute that Elvis' career took this downward spiral she focuses on. Recently he has had the number 1 song and album in the world, which went gold or platinum in 60 countries. 15,000,000 people from around the world have stopped by his house over the last 20 years, making Graceland the most visited home in the world (next to the White House which is a public building); there are over 700 fan clubs; he has sold more records since 1977 than any 3 acts combined; his posthumous concert tour breaks attendance records around the world, and a whole new generation of children have discovered him in the Lilo & Stitch movie. There are still more books sold and written about Elvis than any other artist. He was voted the "Artist of the Century" the 57th "Most Influential Person of the Millennium," and his song, "That's All Right Mama" was chosen by CNN as the "Song That Changed The World." He revolutionized, Radio, Concerts, the Record Industry, the Music Charts, Television, Movies, Pop Culture, Male Sexuality and fan devotion. He first created the generation gap in the 50s and bridged it in the 70s. Without Elvis crossing over to open the portal for Black entertainers, Motown would've been a regional success only. After 9/11 when the world sought emotional comfort through songs of inspiration and patriotism, "America The Beautiful" sung by Elvis in 1972, went up the Top 10 charts worldwide. A man that accomplished all this in just 22 years---so much that his work and image still dominate the perlieu 26 years after his demise--- deserves better than to be written about by an author of the ilk of a Bobbie Ann Mason.
P.S He is releasing another album, that will be pushed to the top by another Number 1 single.

A quick glimpse of the King...
This book fits well into the Penguin Lives series - none of them are meant to be definitive pictures of the person being written about, but most of them succeed in giving a good glimpse of a person's life and accomplishments, however, most are over far too quickly and with many details left to further reading. That's not necessarily a bad thing if it's what you're expecting.

This book on Elvis is a WHOOSH WHAT HAPPENED?!?! sort of a quick read. Before I knew it I was turning the final page. Elvis' forty-two years were exhausted in a few hours of reading.The prose is mostly very readable, but early on the author didn't seem to know what to write about Elvis' childhood, so she rhapsodizes on the taste of hamburgers or makes numerous Faulkner references. I almost didn't make it past the first few chapters. Admittedly, there is probably a lack of material on this part of Elvis' life, but that doesn't mean we need a short essay on the lucious taste of hamburgers and how Elvis surely loved them.

Happily, Faulker is never mentioned in subsequent chapters, and the dearth of material vanishes. What follows is a good but all too quick and somewhat one-sided view of the life of Elvis. There is a hint of a 'Poor Elvis' theme as the author continually mentions his "innocence." Even towards the end of his life, when Elvis was literally destroying himself and seemed somewhat nuts, the tone is mostly sympathetic. The author almost blames Elvis' fame more than Elvis himself.It is true that fame can destroy a person. It's happened to too many people (even many who were never famous), but typically there's something else about the person that causes this self-destruction rather than simply the fact that they're famous. Though to be fair, it's a short book so all sides of the story cannot be told.

If you're already versed inthe life of Elvis Presley you'll likely find little new information here. I used the book as a starting point. I wanted to know more about Elvis' life, but I wasn't sure to what extent. This book was perfect as a glimpse into what happened to Elvis and the major events of his strange life. As a result of reading this book, I would really like to know more details about his "fall." This book whizzes through his final years by outlining some crazy stories such as Presley's visit with Nixon, his fascination with karate, his bizarre stage shows (to my generation, Elvis' 70's stage shows are strange and almost surreal to watch), the origin of his 70's persona (there's more to it than Captain Marvel), his divorce from Priscilla (good for her!), his becoming a narcotics officer, and his overall increasingly obsessive behavior. There's much more there I'm sure than this book tells, though it's probably not a happy tale, and this book strives to be a happy book.

The book does not mention accusations pointed at Elvis of racism. There are positive quotes from Little Richard, a Black Panthers Leader, and Elvis himself. Right or wrong, many people my age see Elvis as a thief of "black music" and as a symbol of white cultural appropriation and domination. I'm not supporting or denying this view, but the book implicitly takes the stance that this is not an issue or that "everything's okay" on this count. Elvis, along with Sam Phillips, is celebrated as a joiner of the races. This is at best controversial. Nonetheless, the overly positive view the book takes makes me want to learn more about this topic.

The book also goes a little light on Elvis' movies. They are far worse than the book leads on (I've seen all but a couple of them). It's easy to see how his legendary status declined since most people born after Elvis' death experience him first through his movies. It's really very hard to take Elvis seriously when your first exposure to him is "Paradise Hawwaiian Style", "It Happened at The World's Fair", or "Harum Scarum." In the end, his films did far more damage to his name than Elvis could ever imagine. Historically, it's telling that while the Beatles were working on Seargent Pepper, Elvis was working on "Clambake."

The book also doesn't mention what is usually considered Elvis' most critically acclaimed album: "From Elvis in Memphis." Elvis could make some darn good music when he was focused. His music is generally not album-oriented, however, so many of his albums sound merely like collections of songs strung together. "From Elvis in Memphis" is an exception to this, and is enjoyable from beginning to end. It deserves a mention even in a survey.

Overall, the book piqued my interest in Elvis as a cultural icon who took a huge fall for complicated reasons. He is right up there with Marilyn Monroe, Kurt Cobain, and Micheal Jackson in terms of the negative impact fame can have on a life. Concerning the topic of Elvis in general, there's more and less of what you'd think involved. He is a tragic figure and a symbol and a warning of the potential destructive powers of fame and wealth.

But if you want to know more details, you'll have to read another book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

elvis died on the commode!!
this, along with goldman's first book on elvis, is the only literature any elvis fan will ever need. this book suggests that elvis presley intentionally overdosed on prescription drugs. and the fact that the so-called "king" died while sitting on his "throne" (read: commode) unintentionally opened the door for numerous punchlines!

Cynnical Goldman
I have been Elvis' number one fan for the past 49 years.I own all concerts, movies, songs, books but I'll never spend a dime on anything Goldman does.There will never be another Elvis in our lifetime or anyone else's. He is and always will be The King.What a lonely life he had to leave but what he left us is a timeless legacy never to be forgotten.

Patti Hebert Ross
Beaumont TX

Not Hard to Believe
I must admit, I am not much of an Elvis fan. Never have been. I have always thought that Elvis-mania was the product of clever marketing by Col. Tom Parker rather than any truly overwhelming talent on Presley's part. But, leaving aside the merits or lack thereof of Elvis the performer, I can say that it's not hard to believe that Elvis the man had a lot of inner pain. And that this inner pain may have caused him to take his own life. Therein lies the thesis of the book.

I found this little book to be immensely compelling. It's a detailed accounting (based mostly on information from Elvis's stepbrother, David Stanley) of the last 24 hours of Elvis's life. The basic theme of the book is to correct errors from Goldman's previous book (the controversial 1982 biography, Elvis). In the 1982 book, Goldman had posited that that Presley died of a massive heart attack caused by years of drug dependency and eating like a glutton.

Now in this later book, Goldman claims that there were inaccuracies in his previous accounting of Presley's death, and he wants to set the record straight. Now, says Goldman, new evidence (again, mostly provided by David Stanley) indicates that Presley did not die of natural causes, but instead killed himself by overdosing on a stash of drugs that he stockpiled. Supposedly David Stanley, not wanting to see Elvis's name tarred with the brush of suicide, got rid of the needles and drug packets near Presley's body before the paramedics arrived.

The idea that Presley committed suicide is, of course, not hard to believe. Goldman is not the only Presley biographer who wrote of Presley's disturbed state of mind at the end of his life. It is pretty much common knowledge that Presley was depressed, drug-dependent, grossly overweight, and had many regrets about his life and career. And when a person is that despondent, it's no surprise that their thoughts can turn to suicide.

Naturally, diehard Elvis fans detest Goldman and maintain that this book, and the prior book he wrote about Elvis, are (in no particular order): inaccurate; mean-spirited; biased (many claim that Goldman disliked Elvis personally and his dislike for his subject caused him to always present Elvis in the worst possible light).

However, not a single word of either book has been disproven.Goldman is an academic, and his research is thorough, based on interviews who are "primary sources" - in other words, with people who knew Presley best - "the Guys" (a.k.a. his handlers/bodyguards who were with him 24 hours a day). Indeed, a number of the Guys were actually related to Presley in one way or another, and knew him well, from childhood.

So riddle me this: why is it so difficult for fans to believe that their hero was not a god, but rather a deeply flawed human being who battled his inner demons, and unfortunately lost the battle? If Elvis was a depressed junkie who just didn't want to live anymore, why is that something to be appalled at? Again, given what is well-known about Elvis's state of mind at the end of his life, it's actually quite believable.

And...believe it or not, Goldman may actually have written this not because he enjoyed Presley-bashing, but because it was the truth and he called it as he saw it, based on the facts. That is possible.

LAWDY, LAWDY, LAWDY It's Gaudy!
To quote Shakespere, the uproar this book caused was "Much ado about...." you guessed it. Okay, here's the story- Albert Goldman, a man who disliked Elvis intensely, wrote this acid account detailing The King's most intimate eating, dating, and bathroom habits. Just how Mr.Goldman acquired this information, I leave to one's own imagination. For good measure, he throws in descriptions of Graceland, Elvis' relationship with his mother- in short, his OPINIONS about Elvis Presley. However, through the years the book has taken on a life of its own. People in the "Memphis Mafia" and other inner circles who cooperated with its publication were scorned and cursed as "Judas" by die hard fans, and are to this day. Albert Goldman's book jacket picture was actually fashioned into a bull's eye by outraged Elvisphiles for the throwing of darts. Reading "THE Book", is akin to sacrilege for the Elvis-is-my-life fan, and Goldman is likened to Satan. My opinion? Whether you love Elvis, are indifferent to him, or could care less, this book is like chocolate- you hate yourself for consuming it, but you do it anyway. I was an Elvis fan before I read it, and after. Don't be afraid to challenge your idols. If they're as great as you say, they will stand up to it and it won't shake your admiration. Actually, the book itself is nothing earth shattering, and it certainly isn't one of your timeless classics. It's what it was meant to be- a trashy, dishy gossipfest. It's gotten more attention than it's worth, in my humble view, and so did its author, who, incidentally, was found dead,in his bedroom, bloated and under mysterious circumstances, an irony that was not lost on me.

Can't make up my mind!
Like it or not, this book was at times pretty entertaining,sad and shocking. I love Elvis(been to Graceland)and i don't like him portrayed as a pathetic man.Reading this book made me sad more than anything else.Idon't believe that Elvis committed suicide, he was so sick he didn't needto.I also don't have any faith in the sources Goldberg uses throughout thebook. I liked the picture of the floorplan of Graceland in the middle.So,make up your own mind. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Alanna Nash's biography of Colonel Tom Parker uncovers a life story even more complicated, dark, and entertaining than that of the promoter's greatest talent, Elvis Presley. Nash had unique access to the Colonel and many of those closely connected to him in assembling the facts that underlie her narrative, and the book reads like a mystery as it probes the origins of Parker's power.

Ultimately, Parker was protecting himself in his manipulation of Elvis, Nash argues. Though her evidence is not conclusive, she suggests that Parker (born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk) feared deportation his entire life, but, more importantly, he may have fled his native Holland in 1929 after committing murder. In America Andreas transformed himself into Tom Parker while immersing himself in the worlds of the carnival and circus. This work led him to the promotion of musical acts and, eventually, the creation of his greatest mass entertainment and merchandising bonanza, Elvis. Elvis would become a shield against the demons of Parker's past and resource to fuel his insatiable appetites.

Parker's life remains shrouded to a large degree, despite Nash's efforts. The narrative is at times sensational in its attempts to dramatize the malign aspects of Parker's character, and those coming for a definitive answer as to the cause of Elvis's self-destruction will find new light, but no final answers. Yet, Nash's biography will likely remain the best picture we will ever have of the mysterious Tom Parker, and fans of Elvis will appreciate this insider's view into their hero's rise and fall. --Patrick O'KelleyBook Description

Customer Reviews (21)

Was the Colonel truly good for Elvis as a man?
Truly this book has great research in it, and it is valuable as a resource for anyone seriously interested in Elvis.Tom Parker, no doubt, did something really bad in Holland (maybe murder) as he never even communicated with his family after the late 1930's. Parker also did possess a certain power over Elvis that probably depressed Elvis to some degree, and Elvis knew of some of Parker's gambling habits (as one can hear in the 9-2-74 closing show, for example), and Parker lost nearly 90 million dollars in gambling (as estimated).That is truly incredible, but this book doesn't speculate into the nefarious nature of these habits or analyze what drove Parker to gamble, and we may never know.For its reluctance to analyze, I give the book 4 stars instead of 5.

A must read for any Elvis fan!!
I read this book a few days after receiving it. It was excellent. Nash has a very special gift. Having read just about everything about Elvis I could get my hands on over the years, I thought I knew it all. It seems most of the books I have read are saying the same stuff. THE COLONEL is full of thorough research and info I had never read before. I loved it. I knew Parker was different, but I had no idea how different. He sounds a bit twisted. He also sounds very misunderstood. And not very happy. Nash should should be very proud of what she's accomplished with the book. I
suspect she has enough material about her actual conversations with him for
another book.I hope she writes it.

A bit far-fetched, but an interesting read......
A biography on such a secretative person as Colonel Parker is interesting in and of itself. I found the first chapters of this book highly speculative, however, and not at all persuasive regarding the evil lurking in Col. Parker's past. However, the info within the book does shed some light on the Colonel's personality, his personal make-up and his mastery of promotion. I learned a lot about his approach, his philosophy and his perceptions of Elvis as he directed one of the most talented people ever. Anyone interested in Elvis would find this book entertaining, though troublesome, as the Colonel's practices are uncovered. The Colonel was always there pulling his magical strings and I now better understand how he played his part. Some of the information is disturbing and pretty cold hearted. At the same time, look at the great success he made of his client. One has to wonder what Elvis would have been without the Colonel .........after reading this I felt I was reading a Shakespearian tragedy.......as the main players self-destructed.........still I can make a little more sense of it all from reading this book. Elvis fans, beware, after reading this book I felt sad for him and not quite as sympathetic for the Colonel............

A True Depiction of Andreas' Heart
In all of my Elvis journeys I have been waiting for a long time for a book that depicts the true hidden world of Colonel Parker (aka Andreas) and his relationship with Elvis.The research and conclusions of Alanna regarding his inner secrets are extraordinarily accurate.As a professional singer myself I must admit I would give anything to have had such a dedicated and talented manager like Col. Parker; but, without having to pay the price that Elvis did.I'm certain that if Elvis had read this book he would have agreed with its conclusions. And in my opinion, Col. Parker would probably have never made a name for himself without Elvis Presley.

This book would also be a great read for those in power in the music industry, and the wannabees that litter the entertainment landscape.

Outstanding research and scholarship.Thank you Alanna!

Hurt how made monstruosities to Elvis..
Elvis really is one person that tolerated, because to bear with person like his fans, is to be a hero.
But to be a prisioner of the system in the person of this killer, is really to be a saint.
Around Elvis I saw a criminal system of money that used his body and voice to make money.
And this book only make more powerful this criminal and made of Elvis only a piece of mockery for his own fans ...and for stranges that saw him for "older" people.
Is not extraordinary. Is the Elvis that every fan believe to see. Even if Elvis was seeing and knowing for his own fans. Even in the picture, this criminal is over Elvis like the perfect dangerous image because of the position of image of this criminal ( at left but in an important place ). And the image of Elvis in a little space near the rihgt.
Even the message of image is very clear: Elvis was only a fool for his own fans.
But if you want to made this system richer is your desition. ... Read more

Book Description
During his life, Elvis Presley was idolized; since his death, he has become immortalized.Now, drawing from LIFE magazines unrivaled archives, Charles Hirshberg and the editors of LIFE chronicle in pictures and text Elvis transformation from shy teenager to superstar.It is a story best told in the details, and this singular collection of unforgettable pictures reveal all those detailsthe sad, the funny, and the passionate. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Fascinating reading
Dick Grob has written a book that should be essential reading for every hard-core Elvis Presley fan.I have read more than 300 books on my hero so far and this one is at the top of my list. Thanks to his determined and exhaustive detective work and love/respect for his ex-employer, he has answered a lot of questions that, I am sure many of us have had for a lot of years. I feel quite certain that Mr. Grob has done everything that anyone can do to solve the mystery surrounding the untimely death of the greatest entertainer and most beautiful, kind human being that ever lived.Thanks, Mr. Grob, especially for taking such good care of Elvis in death as you did when he was alive. You thought of everything and I am so grateful to you. I hope you are working on a sequel.

Worth every penny
This is a huge book, and I thumbed through the book for hours. Details, times, that the author writes are lengthy (taped phone converataions that one goes on 20 pages) etc. Some parts I can skip, but it actually makes A LOT of sense and is so vividly written you can have a mental picture of the stories he describes.

Setting The Record Straight
At long last a book that reveals what actually happened in August 1977, and many of the events leading up to those sad days. Mr. Grob has done his Homework and his research is without fault.

With all of the lies and half-truths that have been presented to the Public, it is so good to read a book that was so carefully done, and in such excellent taste.

If you want a Good Read, you cannot do much better than this book. Not just for Elvis Presley Fans, but for anyone who enjoys reading. I found it impossible to put down this most interesting book.

Just the facts
I found this book to be very different than the typical Elvis book. It is definitely one you can not put down. It has over 600 pages of little known stories about Elvis and the author really speaks from the heart. As an Elvis fan, it is refreshing to read such an unusual book about Elvis' life and death.

It was an informative, honest account of the facts.
Mr. Grob has written a first hand account of the events surrounding the death of Elvis. He is the only person qualified to write this account because as the chief of Elvis'Security he was in a position to know thefacts he writes about. He tells you honestly and factually what took placeand does it in such a manner that makes the book very difficult to putdown. You find yourself reading "just one more page" and that isthe aim of any author. They get you interested and keep you that way. Mr.Grob writes in the same manner he treats people. He is straight forward andsincere and it is these very traits that have endeared him to Elvis Fansall over the world. His honesty and sincerity is what sets this book apartfrom other books written by Elvis "Associates". The book isthoroughly researched and factual in its account of events. First hand andgenuine. I heartly recommend this book to all fans. You would not find amore truthful accont anywhere. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Memories of Elvis
I really liked this book. it was one of the more honest books written about Elvis. and written by the people that knew him best his family. i really liked the part about the ghost of Gladys and Elvis still walking around at graceland. and the music that you hear coming from Elvis bedroom when no one is in there that gave me chills! a good Elvis book for all fans.

Elvis:Precious Memories
I take issue that this Elvis (maternal) cousin has taken on the name, Presley. Her mother was a Presley by birth... so where does Donna's father feature in all this name changing?

As for the book Donna claims as her own it is in fact just a reworking of her mother's original book. However, the original & this re-works does offer some precious gems... Nuff said from this Elvisbuff.

Elvis:Precious Memories
I have read this awesome book more times then any other. What a wonderful insight from a family member. No phoniness here, just straight talk and no nonsense! I would recommend it to all Elvis fans!

The best book ever written about Elvis
I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to all of Elvis' fans. It was written from the heart and also showed what a real family man Elvis was. I had the chance to meet Donna Presley and what a breath of fresh airshe is. I also had this book send to Eurpoe to one of my sisters whom alsois a huge Elvis fan. She really enjoyed the book also.

A great view of the personal Elvis by members of his family.
So many books have been written about Elvis Presley that you almost canpredict what the next sentence will be.Not so with this one.The beautyof this book is that it truly gives you the sense of perspective from afamily member's point of view... an "insider's point of view".Ifelt as if I were listening to an old family friend telling me about"great uncle so and so" (who just happens to be Elvis Presley)!The book does a good job of tying a lot of the family members together,reminding us that, in addition to being a Superstar, Elvis was also a manwith a family that he loved and was devoted to. Some great never-beforepublished photos lend an air of personal closeness to the Presley familyand homeplace, drawing the reader into a better understanding of thedynamics that helped shape the man and the image. From their perspectives,his two cousins do a good job of blending their "preciousmemories" together with their love and appreciation for their famous relative. I would highly recommend this to true Elvis fans as well asanyone who wants to get another view of a very famous man. ... Read more

Book Description

You're no idiot, of course.You've seen Elvis on postage stamps, watched him strut his stuff in a bunch of Hollywood musicals, and possibly even seen those skydiving impersonators in Honeymoon in Vegas. But now you're wondering...why all this fuss about the King 20 years after his death?Don't bend your pelvis out of shape!The Complete Idiot's Guide to Elvis gives you a royal tour of the Elvis phenomenon and show you why 50,000,000 fans can't be wrong.In this Complete Idiot's Guide you get:

Customer Reviews (3)

Would have put 0 stars but review will not accept
My name is Richard Davis. I am an original member of the Memphis Mafia.Apparently, Frank Coffey, has not researched the subject of Elvis Presley for this book.This book is full of falsehoods and a plethora of errorsand every true Elvis fan will see through the book's inaccuracies fromwrong dates to out and out lies. I am an authority on Elvis because I am anoriginal member of the Memphis Mafia and have been since 1961.I am one ofthe only members who actually lived with Elvis at Graceland. I was hismovie stand-in, one of his bodyguards, wardrobe manager and part of his"inner circle" of friends.If you enjoy reading fiction thisbook is for you!

enjoyable
I found this book to enjoyable,easy to read full of lots of information.It was worth the buy.

Fun but flawed
I'm an Elvis fan, I saw him in concert three times, I have ALL his official recordings and many more 'unofficial', I've read every major Elvis biography. As a general fun introduction to the world of Elvis, this bookis OK. There are several striking errors in pictures and descriptions ofspecific records, and some errors in describing the King's life and filmwork. This book seems to have been written by a real Elvis enthusiast tofit the "Complete Idiot" series format, but it was clearly notreviewed for accuracy by a real and true Elvis collector of many years.(That could be because most of them have or are trying to write their ownbooks! I'm not.) As an overall book in this format it is an easy read, Iwould say enjoyable except I was dismayed each time I saw an error. Thisbook may lead you to more in-depth and more accurate sources for specificdetails of Elvis' life and his recorded or filmed works. I did buy thisbook and I am keeping it. (Recommended in-depth authors:Guralnick--ultimate two-volume biography, Jorgenson--recordings.) ... Read more

Product Description
Ancestors of "Elvis Aaron Presly" is a unique look at Elvis's heritage. He has many interesting Ancestors. He has many Royal Lines. For anyone who wants to know if theyare related too. The Author has found she is his 8th cousin once removed. You too, could be related. ... Read more

Book Description
Elvis Presley wears another crown besides the King of Rock N Roll--he also is the King of Collectibility. Nearly a quarter century after his death, items bearing Elviss name and likeness are in hot demand. In this comprehensive book, renowned Elvis expert Sean ONeal chronicles the Elvis phenomenon in more than 600 color photographs. Commercially produced memorabilia, novelties, magazines, promotional pieces, and movie paraphernalia recount Elviss life and career. Items range from concert posters, to paint by number sets, to the Presley family bible. Every item is presented with its current market price. A special section provides tips on how to avoid counterfeit memorabilia and forged autographs. Also included is a history of Elvis Presley Enterprises, the original creator of Elvis merchandise. This fascinating reference book is the definitive guide to collecting Elvis. ... Read more

Book Description
Elvis Presley Unseen Archives

This book charts the life and achievements of the boy from Tupelo, Mississippi, from his first taste of fame in the early 1950s to his untimely death in 1977. Over 400 fabulous photographs document the important events in his life and career. The pictures are accompanied by informative captions, adding context and depth to his amazing story, and an appendix of facts and figures sets out his remarkable achievements in the music industry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Outstanding Collection of Photos
The narrative is typical, but the collection of photos makes this book worth getting for Elvis fans.An interesting fact is that Elvis served in the Army without reservation for the full lenght of his term unlike George W. Bush.

Elvis Unseen Archives
Every Elvis Presley fan should own this book. Pictures on every page,colour and black and white, and many unseen photographs.My daughter just bought herself a copy, and now I have to get one too.
Great Book!

Good and Bad
Very nice layout of pictures both color and B&W. High quality shots. Some very common pictures but also filled with "new" pictures previously unpublished. The compliants I see are that there are captions inside pictures covering up parts of the pictures, this is annoying. Also the author didn't check the facts right. There are many errors in these captions when talking about Elvis and his life. But this book is mainly about the pictures, a great coffee table book! ... Read more

Book Description
A devoted son. A generous friend. A model Army recruit. A gifted entertainer. A beloved hero to millions. This is the Elvis Presly the world knew -- and cherished.
Brooding. Violent. Obsessed with death. Strung out. Sexually driven. This is the other side of Elvis -- according to the three men who lived with him through it all -- a man who:
* Chamed a beautiful young fan into joining him on a drug binge for two that nearly killed her
* Took a group of friends on a 3 A.M. visit to a mortuary to look at corpses and talk about embalming
* Hurled a pool cue at a party guest who interrupts his game, injuring her breast
* Talked with his bodyguard about a "hit" on the man he felt stole his wife
Steve Dunleavy has woven together the experiences of three Presley bodyguards who were there partying with him, womanizing with him, worrying with him -- tasting the pleasure and the pains of life with the most fabulous star in showbiz history! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Sonny West: Elvis' ONLY true friend
This book is a must read and I only wish Elvis would have listened to Sonny's advice.I met Mr. West during Elvis Week this year and he is a classy gentleman.He was sweet, humble and he still loves Elvis.The Bible says in John 15:13,"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."Sonny West was one of the only real, true friends Elvis EVER had.

In Defense Of Elvis--For information's sake
Red and Sonny West say they wrote `Elvis, What Happened' out of love and loyalty and to help Elvis. But, just so all of you know, since the publication of this book Sonny West has admitted that the book was published chiefly out of revenge for those three men being fired after 20 years of service to Elvis, a man they still call their friend?
These men may not have been paid much but for how many years did they stay by Elvis' side and bask under his spotlight and enjoy the fruits of his loving labors to this world? If Elvis threw away his money it was HIS to throw away (What Colonel Parker didn't take of it) and it's a shame he also threw it away on these men.
The morning of his death, Elvis was reading an advance copy of this book and he was devastated and called what these men did 'the worst betrayal.' He was worried even more about his fans and what poor Lisa Marie would think. That my friends should tell all of you something.
I am not sure if these men considered the repercussions. And I also have to wonder why those around Elvis didn't get him help? I would be wary of purchasing this book or any books by Alana Nash and Albert Goldman, and that includes Sonny West's latest book 'Still Taking Care of Business.' These books are all aimed at demeaning Elvis, who was the most gifted and brilliant entertainer of all time.

TCBXXO--A loyal fan of Elvis.

Elvis What Happened
This book was a good read.
these guys say they wrote this book to help Elvis I am not so sure about that,because a lot of the stories in this book are very hurtful for not only Elvis but his family as well. the book is a good read because it really lets us see just how bad the drug use had gotten.I do think a lot of this maybe true but at the same time
it seems it was written to get back at Elvis for letting them go after so many years. the book takes us inside the world of Elvis in those last drug filled days. it is a sad book but shows you just how bad drugs can take you down. any Elvis fan would find the book interesting.

Amazingly Honest -- lack in literary style kept it from being 5 stars
Normally I would never give a book I find to be so sloppily organized and redundant 4 stars. However, I am making an exception with this book because the actual SUBSTANCE in the book is undeniable -- replete with firsthand accounts of many, many different (and often disturbing) scenarios. Full of the demons the kind of life these authors lived has. A fascinating read.

It is a portrait not only of Elvis but of the "yes men" who chose to let Elvis be the center of their universes -- even when they weren't being paid or paid very little. It also describes many, many incidents that show the irresponsibility of Elvis and of themselves in the name of "fun." When Elvis caused damage he just threw money at it, and there was always plenty of money to throw at it; when the "boys" felt any tinges of responsibility for making poor choices they chalked it up to loyalty to Elvis.

He didn't often pay them much, but they lived in the craziness and glamour of a lifestyle only sometime very rich and very famous could have, and -- as it is repeated so often in the book -- their loyalty to him was out of love (at least what they thought was love).

It is amazing that this book came out just before Elvis died of a drug overdose. Most people didn't realize about Elvis's drug habits -- and by the time they did, it was too late.

I can't help but feel that the title: ELVIS: WHAT HAPPENED? was as a direct question to Elvis. As if the guys who wrote it felt that maybe Elvis would read the book and be reminded of how much they loved him -- but also have to face his self-destructive lifestyle.

I find this book very honest not only because of what it says about Elvis -- and it IS about Elvis -- but what it confesses about the men who wrote it -- especially Red West and Sonny West. There is MUCH confession here, and things that would be hard to admit to oneself much less a mass of strangers in a book. If they did not spare Elvis in their truth-telling, I suspect it would be fair to say that they did not spare themselves either. And because of this, I can't help but believe the book is very honest.

The agitatingly redundant part of the book was perhaps more the fault of the ghost writer or editor. It's all right for a two-hour movie to flash back and forth through time, but for an entire book to go from '58 to '73 back to '58 then to '75 then back to '61 and progress to '62 ... well, you get the picture. This is why I don't give the book 5 stars.

If I find a book interesting -- and this one is -- I often like to read it cover to cover in a short amount of time. But this book drove me nuts anytime I gave it more than an hour of reading time due to the unnecessary sense of vertigo from constant drifting and shifting back and forth into different places in time, but also because of certain phrases -- only slightly reworded -- used again and again and again until I could hardly stand it. A good editor, in my opinion, would have cut and pasted that baby big-time -- put it in chronological order -- and then dropped all the repetitive phrases from the book except for perhaps the very beginning and very end of the book.

However it is also those repetitive phrases, along with the title of the book, that make me to feel that this book was written very much with Elvis reading it in mind -- and wanting to remind him over and over how they loved him and were loyal to him in so many ways. Or maybe it wasn't even that. Maybe -- in fact, surely -- they were fighting their own demons after coming out of so many years in their very dysfunctional relationships that they had with Elvis and with each other. Sometimes when you are trying to resolve something and make sense of it you just feel a need to talk about it, hoping that something will suddenly snap and all the pieces will finally fall in place.

Very much a "reality book."

I think the authors really hoped that the book would help bring Elvis to his senses so that he would dry out from all his pills and become the guy they once knew and loved most.

One other thing: I found it fascinating to read all the things people put up with around Elvis. I'm sorry, but just one day with some of his antics with guns for instance and I would be SO out of there. As I read this book I was not just dismayed by Elvis's self-destruction, but by the self-destruction that went on for just about everyone involved in Elvis's daily life (except for the possible exception of Col. Parker who seemed to lead a totally separate personal life, his role being limited more to being Elvis's respected, capable, somewhat heavy-handed and influential personal manager).

Biggest missed opportunity for Elvis: turning down a role in the movie THUNDER ROAD -- apparently under Col. Parker's insistence. Because, like many celebrity singers, Elvis wanted to be a movie star.

I would like to know what Elvis might have done if he had refused to make all the "musical travelogue" movies he hated so and had divorced himself from Col. Parker's ruling hand. Elvis, (and I agree with him), didn't like those movies much and hated making them, but it was "sure money," a thing Parker, like any "good" businessman, always liked to go for. It was Parker too who chose to stage Elvis's "comeback" after the Army in a Las Vegas setting. Well, I won't go on and on anymore. Needless to say, this book got me to thinking about a LOT of things. It's revealing, informative, often brutally honest, and best of all really stirring. It gave me a LOT to think about -- not only about Elvis but about "yes men," women and fans who went over the top in their own personal choices in response to the opportunity to be in the inner circle with this man or chose to storm the stage at one of his concerts, be it for a decade or an hour.

Riveting stuff. Just don't try to read it all at once. I'm tellin' ya, that'd drive you nuts! Perfect would be maybe 15-30 minutes a day. Worth the read.

A fascinating portrait; a good warning to others.
I for one *do* believe the authors loved Elvis and wanted him to get help. On the other hand, as an expose of a friend, it's pretty coldblooded.

It's sad that Elvis died just prior to the release of this book. It might have been the "hit-bottom-moment" he needed to realize, once and for all, how the pills (and not just the Colonel's singleminded focus on the bottom line, not just "too much fame too soon") had changed him. (The Colonel and fame being aggravating factors, yes.)

Why didn't anyone force Elvis to get help? Because you can't force anyone to help themselves, and Elvis' being "The King" didn't help matters much.

The book really demonstrates anecdotally how incredibly indulged Elvis was by everyone around him, and how extreme fame and drugs combined to shelter Elvis and keep him in a fantasy world.

It's a sad end to a man of faith and generosity.

Why is this book out of print? Two reasons:

1) It's painful to read.

2) While author and bodyguard Red doubtless did have roles directing the musical side of Elvis' career, calling Red "the genius behind Elvis' music" is so patently absurd as to further distance the reader, casting doubt not only on the credibility -- but the sanity -- of the authorial voice.

Still, a fascinating portrait, best in combination with a book like Peter Guralnick's more erudite Elvis biography, "Careless Love". ... Read more

Product Description
Includes melody lines, lyrics and chord symbols for 200 songs recorded by the King of Rock N' Roll: Ain't That Loving You Baby All Shook Up Always on My Mind An American Trilogy Any Day Now Any Way You Want Me Are You Lonesome Tonight? Baby, Let's Play House A Big Hunk O' Love Blue Christmas Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain Blue Hawaii Blue Moon Blue Moon of Kentucky Blue Suede Shoes Bossa Nova Baby Can't Help Falling in Love Change of Habit Crying in the Chapel Don't Be Cruel (To a Heart That's True) For the Good Times Frankfurt Special G.I. Blues Girl Happy Girls! Girls! Girls! Green Green Grass of Home Heartbreak Hotel Help Me Make It Through the Night Hound Dog I'll Be Home on Christmas Day I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry The Impossible Dream (The Quest) It's Now or Never It's Over Jailhouse Rock Kentucky Rain King Creole Love Me Tender Make the World Go Away Merry Christmas, Baby Old Shep Return to Sender Suspicious Minds (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear Treat Me Nice Unchained Melody Viva Las Vegas You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' many more! For piano, voice, guitar and all C instruments. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Wish this helpful 4 u. Songs list
ain't that loving you baby
all shook up
always on my mind
an american trilogy
any day now
any way you want me
are you lonesome tonight
as long as I have you
Baby, I don't care
baby, let's play house
big boss man
a big hunk o' love
aitter they are, harder they fall
blue christmas
blue eyes crying in the rain
blue hawaii
blue moon
blue moon of kentucky
blue suede shoes
bossa nova baby
bringing it back
burning love
can't help falling in love
change of habit
clean up your own back yard
crying in the chapel
don't
don't ask me why
don't be cruel
don't cry daddy
don't leave me now
doncha' think it's time
double trouble
early mornin' rain
edge of reality
fame and fortune
flaming star
follow that dream
fool
a fool such as I
for ol' times sake
for the good times
for the heart
frankfort special
fun in acapulco
funny how time slips away
gentle on my mind
g.l. blues
girl happy
the girl of my best friend
girls girls girls
good luck charm
good rockin' tonight
got a lot o' livin' to do
green green grass of home
guitar man
hard headed woman
the hawaiian wedding song
heartbreak hotel
help me make it throught the night
his latest flame
holly leaves and christmas trees
hound dog
hurt
i beg of you
i believe
I can't stop loving you
I feel so bad
I got a woman
I got lucky
I got stung
I gotta know
I just can't help believin'
I miss you
I need your love tonight
I slipped I stumbled I fell
I want you I need you I love you
I was the one
I'll be home on christmas day
I'll remember you
I'm leavin'
I'm left you're rignt she's gone
I'm so lonesome I could cry
I've got a thing about you, baby
I've lost you
If every day was like christmas
If I can dream
If I get homeon Christmas day
If you love me
If you talk in your sleep
the impossible dream
in the ghetto
it feels so right
it hurts me
it's easy for you
It's impossible
It's midnight
It's now or never
it's only love
it's over
jailhouse rock
just pretend
just tell her jim said hello
kentucky rain
king creole
kissin' cousins
let it be me
let me be there
little sister
lonely man
lonesome cowboy
long black limousine
love me
love me tender
love me love the life i lead
love song of the year
loving you
make me know it
make the world go away
mary in the morning
mean woman blues
merry christmas baby
a mess of blues
moody blue
my baby left me
my boy
my little friend
my wy
mystery train
never again
never been to spain
the next step is love
old shep
on a snowy christmas night
one broken heart for sale
one night
only believe
only the strong survive
paralyzed
party
patch it up
peace in the valley
please don't drag that string around
pledging my love
polk salad annie
power of my love
the promised land
puppet on a string
raised on rock
ready teddy
reconsider baby
release me
return to sender
rock a hula baby
roustabout
santa claus is back in town
sata bring my baby back
separate ways
she thinks I still care
she's not you
snowbird
softly as i leave you
solitair
the sound of your cry
spinout
steamroller
stuck on you
suppose
surrender
suspicious minds
sweet caroline
teddy bear
that's all right
there goes my everything
too much
treat me nice
trouble
t-r-o-u-b-l-e
unchained melody
until it's time for you to go
viva las vegas
walk a mile in my shoes
way down
we can make the morning
wear my ring around your neck
wearin' that loved on look
what now my love
when I'm over you
where did they go, lord
the wonder of you
the wonderful world of christmas
wooden heart
you don't have to say you love me
you don't know me
you gave me a mountain
you're a heartbreaker
you're the devil in disguise
you've lost that loving feeling
young and beautiful ... Read more

Book Description

An intimate portrait of young Elvis Presley's years in Germany as an American GI -- wiht hundreds of rare photographs and revelations from Elvis intimates

In September 1958, U.S. Army Private 53310761, Elvis Presley, sailed for Germany as part of the 3rd Armored Division. just twenty-three years old, he was, arguably, the most famous man on earth.

Nearly thirty years later Andreas SchrÖer, a German private eye fascinated by Elvis, spent seven years completing the awesome task of reconstructing Elvis's time in Germany. He tracked down Elvis's friends, acquaintances, and admirers-even a previously unknown German girl with whom Elvis had a secret relationship. Their stories, together with more than 270 rare photographs from their personal collections, are presented here.

Private Presley traces the story of Elvis's two years in the army: the trauma of his mother's death just three weeks before he left for Germany; the media circus of his arrival and the constant attention of the press during his stay; his first experiments with drugs; the girls with whom he was and was not involved; his early encounters with his future wife, Priscilla, who was just fourteen when they met; and his triumphant return to America.

Although the life of Elvis Presley was filled with controversy, it is widely acknowledged that his time in Germany was a crucial watershed in his career as well as in his private life. It is also the least documented period of his life, making Private Presley the only accurate study of the rock legend as soldier.

Customer Reviews (1)

Private Presley
If you like to see Elvis in Uniform, this is the BOOK !!!! It is filled with tons & tons of photographs. It is also a rather big book, so that means you also get to have bigger Elvis pictures printed. Elvis in Army, Elvis with girls, Elvis at charity...quite a well informed book of what he's doing during his army years. Well done. ... Read more