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The Best Books About Elvis Presley

From his superstardom to his personal relationships, these books give an intimate look into the life of the King of Rock 'N' Roll

Elvis: The Legend: The Authorized Book from the Graceland® Archives by Gillian G. Gaar

This illustrated biography takes a deep dive into the Graceland archives in honor of the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley 's death. With more than 150 photographs, insights from a long-time music journalist and shots of his personal treasures, this book is a testament to a legacy that will never fade.

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Elvis and Me: The True Story of the Love Between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock 'N' Roll by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley

This intimate story was written by one of the women who knew Elvis best — his former wife, Priscilla Presley . She recounts their love story, marriage, affairs, divorce and friendship afterward. "He taught me everything: how to dress, how to walk, how to apply makeup and wear my hair, how to behave, how to return love — his way," she writes (they first met when she was 14). "Over the years he became my father, husband and very nearly God."

Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick

In this deeply researched biography, Guralnick paints a colorful portrait of the first 24 years of Presley's life. From his passion for music at an early age to the year he was drafted and his mother died, Last Train to Memphis is an intimate account. But it also expands outward to trace the young artist's influence on culture and music — an impact so big that he became a legend.

Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick

Careless Love is the second book in Guralnick's two-part biography and delves into the King's last two decades. He takes an introspective look at Presley's complicated relationship with manager Colonel Tom Parker and the mysterious tragedy that his life became. "[ Careless Love ] must be ranked among the most ambitious and crucial biographical undertakings yet devoted to a major American figure of the second half of the 20th century," wrote the New York Times ' Gerald Marzorati .

A Little Thing Called Life: On Loving Elvis Presley, Bruce Jenner, and Songs in Between by Linda Thompson

Before she was a Jenner, Thompson fell in love with Elvis Presley. She recounts their romance and its eventual end in her memoir. "From our first moments together, our relationship was all-encompassing," she writes, adding, "The first year of the four and half we would share, we were together 24 hours a day."

Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley by Jerry Schilling

Schilling first met and befriended Presley when they were on the same Memphis touch football team. He would go on to live with the rising star in his mansion and work with him for 13 years (he guarded Presley after he received death threats and was there during his famous visit to the Nixon White House). In his book, Schilling proves he was first and foremost a close friend.

Leaves of Elvis' Garden: The Song of His Soul by Larry Geller

Geller was another close friend of Presley, but he professes to have an inside look into the rock star's soul. Presley shared his spiritual beliefs with Geller and meditated for hours with him before a show. According to Geller: "Elvis charged me with this responsibility, empowering me and inspiring me to write this book when he said, 'The world knows Elvis Presley all right, but they don't know me . I want them to know me, the real person. Larry, I'm counting on you.' "

Elvis and Ginger: Elvis Presley's Fiancée and Last Love Finally Tells Her Story by Ginger Alden

Alden was engaged to Presley when he died. In this personal memoir, she reveals details about their love story, and helps wipe away the speculation surrounding his tragic end.

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20 best elvis presley books [Updated 2023]

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the 20 best books about Elvis Presley, the legendary King of Rock and Roll. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply curious about the life and legacy of this iconic musician, these books offer a fascinating glimpse into the man behind the music. From biographies that delve deep into his personal life to illustrated volumes that capture his electrifying performances, this curated list covers a wide range of perspectives and themes.

One of the standout titles on our list is Elvis Presley: A Biography by Bobbie Ann Mason. This book takes a unique approach by exploring the cultural impact of Elvis through the lens of his hometown, Memphis, Tennessee. Mason’s vivid storytelling paints a vivid picture of the singer’s early years and the influences that shaped his music.

Another must-read is Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick. This meticulously researched biography offers an intimate portrayal of Elvis’s meteoric rise to fame, capturing the essence of his groundbreaking sound and charismatic stage presence.

For those interested in the darker side of Elvis’s life, Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick is a compelling exploration of the singer’s decline and struggles with addiction. Guralnick’s empathetic yet unflinching account sheds light on the complexities of fame and the toll it can take on an individual.

If you’re looking for a firsthand account, Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley provides a unique perspective from the woman who knew him best. This memoir offers an intimate glimpse into their relationship, revealing the private side of Elvis that few had the privilege to see.

These are just a few examples of the exceptional books that await you in our list. Whether you’re seeking a comprehensive biography, an in-depth analysis of his music, or a visual feast of rare photographs, our selection has something for every Elvis enthusiast. So, grab a cup of coffee, settle into your favorite reading nook, and embark on a literary journey through the life and times of the one and only Elvis Presley.

1. Elvis Presley: A Southern Life

By joel williamson.

Elvis Presley: A Southern Life by Joel Williamson is not just another book about the King of Rock and Roll. It is a captivating journey into the life of one of the most iconic figures in music history. Williamson delves deep into the roots of Elvis’s upbringing in the South, exploring how his humble beginnings shaped his music and persona.

Unlike other books on Elvis Presley, this one uncovers lesser-known aspects of his life, shedding light on his relationships, struggles, and the impact he had on American culture. Williamson’s meticulous research and engaging storytelling make this biography a must-read for any Elvis fan.

What sets this book apart is its exploration of the cultural and social context in which Elvis emerged as a superstar. Williamson examines the racial dynamics of the time, highlighting how Elvis’s music and style challenged societal norms and paved the way for future generations of artists.

Whether you are a die-hard Elvis enthusiast or simply curious about the man behind the legend, this book offers a fresh perspective on his life and legacy. Williamson’s eloquent prose and attention to detail make Elvis Presley: A Southern Life a truly immersive reading experience.

So, if you’re looking for a book that goes beyond the surface and uncovers the untold stories of Elvis Presley, look no further. This is undoubtedly one of the best books on Elvis Presley out there, and it will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the man who forever changed the face of music.

2. Elvis Presley: The Man. The Life. The Legend.

By pamela clarke keogh.

Elvis Presley: The Man. The Life. The Legend. by Pamela Clarke Keogh is a captivating journey into the enigmatic world of the King of Rock and Roll. This book is not just another run-of-the-mill biography; it is a meticulously researched and beautifully written tribute to the man who revolutionized music and captured the hearts of millions.

Keogh delves deep into the life of Elvis Presley, uncovering hidden facets of his personality and shedding light on the lesser-known aspects of his career. She explores his humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, his meteoric rise to fame, and the struggles he faced along the way. Keogh’s vivid storytelling transports readers to the vibrant era of the 1950s and 1960s, where Elvis reigned supreme.

What sets this book apart from others on Elvis Presley is Keogh’s unique perspective. She delves into the psychological complexities of the man behind the legend, offering fresh insights into his relationships, his inner demons, and his enduring legacy. Keogh’s meticulous research is evident in the wealth of details she provides, making this book a treasure trove for both die-hard fans and newcomers to the Elvis phenomenon.

Elvis Presley: The Man. The Life. The Legend. is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the cultural icon. Keogh’s eloquent prose and her ability to capture the essence of Elvis make this book a true page-turner. Whether you are a music enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about the man behind the music, this book will leave you spellbound.

So, if you are looking for an engaging and insightful read, look no further than Elvis Presley: The Man. The Life. The Legend. by Pamela Clarke Keogh. It is undoubtedly one of the best books about Elvis Presley, offering a fresh perspective on the man who forever changed the face of music.

3. Elvis Presley: A Biography

By jerry hopkins.

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, has captivated the hearts of millions around the world. If you’re looking to delve deeper into the life and legacy of this iconic figure, look no further than Elvis Presley: A Biography by Jerry Hopkins. This book is a treasure trove of untold stories and unique insights that will leave you spellbound.

Hopkins takes you on a journey through the rise of Elvis, from his humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his meteoric success in the music industry. But what sets this biography apart from the rest are the lesser-known aspects of Elvis’s life that Hopkins uncovers.

Delving into the enigmatic personality of the King, Hopkins explores the complexities of Elvis’s relationships, his struggles with fame, and the impact he had on popular culture. Through meticulous research and interviews with those closest to Elvis, Hopkins paints a vivid picture of a man who was so much more than just a music legend.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this book is the exploration of Elvis’s spiritual journey. Hopkins delves into the influence of religion on Elvis’s life, shedding light on his deep-rooted faith and the role it played in shaping his music and persona.

With its engaging narrative and fresh perspective, Elvis Presley: A Biography is a must-read for any Elvis enthusiast. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply curious about the man behind the music, this book will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the cultural icon that was Elvis Presley.

So, if you’re ready to embark on a captivating journey through the life of the King, grab a copy of Elvis Presley: A Biography by Jerry Hopkins. Prepare to be enthralled by the untold stories and unique insights that await you within its pages.

4. Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley

By peter guralnick.

If you’re a fan of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, then Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick is a must-read. This captivating book takes you on a journey through the life and rise to stardom of the legendary Elvis Presley. Guralnick’s writing style is so vivid and engaging that you’ll feel like you’re right there with Elvis as he navigates the highs and lows of his career.

What sets this book apart from others on Elvis Presley is Guralnick’s attention to detail and his ability to uncover lesser-known aspects of the icon’s life. He delves into Elvis’s early years, exploring his humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, and his transformation from a shy young boy to a groundbreaking musician who revolutionized the music industry.

Guralnick’s research is impeccable, and he presents a balanced portrayal of Elvis, showcasing both his incredible talent and his personal struggles. He explores the complex relationships Elvis had with his family, friends, and the people in his inner circle, shedding light on the man behind the music.

Last Train to Memphis is not just a biography; it’s a cultural exploration of the era that gave birth to rock ‘n’ roll. Guralnick paints a vivid picture of the social and musical landscape of the time, immersing readers in the vibrant world that shaped Elvis’s career.

Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or simply curious about the life of this iconic figure, Last Train to Memphis is a book that will captivate and enlighten you. Guralnick’s masterful storytelling and his ability to bring Elvis’s story to life make this one of the best books about Elvis Presley available. So hop on board the last train to Memphis and discover the incredible journey of the King.

5. Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley

If you’re a fan of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, then you absolutely must get your hands on one of the best books about Elvis Presley: Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick. This captivating masterpiece takes you on a journey through the life of the legendary musician, shedding light on the lesser-known aspects of his story.

Guralnick’s writing style is nothing short of mesmerizing. He effortlessly weaves together facts, anecdotes, and interviews to create a vivid and intimate portrait of Elvis. Unlike other books on Elvis Presley, Careless Love delves deep into the complexities of his personal life, exploring his relationships, struggles, and the pressures of fame.

What sets this book apart is Guralnick’s ability to challenge popular narratives and present fresh perspectives. He uncovers the human side of Elvis, revealing his vulnerabilities and insecurities. Through meticulous research, Guralnick paints a nuanced picture of a man who was more than just a music icon.

Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or simply curious about the man behind the legend, Careless Love is a must-read. Guralnick’s eloquent storytelling will keep you captivated from start to finish, and you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of the enigmatic Elvis Presley.

6. Elvis and Me

By priscilla presley.

Are you ready to dive into the captivating world of the King of Rock and Roll? Look no further than Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley, a mesmerizing memoir that takes you behind the scenes of Elvis Presley’s life like never before. This book is not just another run-of-the-mill biography; it is a heartfelt account written by the woman who knew him best.

Priscilla Presley, Elvis’s former wife, offers a unique perspective on the enigmatic superstar, sharing intimate details of their relationship and shedding light on the man behind the legend. Through her eloquent storytelling, she paints a vivid picture of their life together, from their whirlwind romance to the challenges they faced as a couple.

What sets Elvis and Me apart from other books on Elvis Presley is Priscilla’s unwavering honesty. She delves into the lesser-known aspects of their life, revealing the struggles, insecurities, and triumphs they experienced both individually and as a couple. Her candid portrayal of Elvis showcases his vulnerability, making him more relatable and human than ever before.

But this book is not just about Elvis; it is also a story of personal growth and resilience. Priscilla’s journey from a young girl captivated by the King’s charm to a strong, independent woman navigating the complexities of fame is truly inspiring. Her unwavering love for Elvis shines through every page, making this memoir a heartfelt tribute to their enduring bond.

Whether you are a die-hard Elvis fan or simply curious about the man behind the music, Elvis and Me is a must-read. Priscilla Presley’s captivating storytelling and unique insights will transport you back in time, allowing you to experience the magic and the challenges of being by Elvis’s side. So, grab a copy of this extraordinary book and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the life of the one and only Elvis Presley.

7. Elvis: The Biography

Are you ready to dive into the extraordinary life of the King of Rock and Roll? Look no further than Elvis: The Biography by Jerry Hopkins. This captivating book takes you on a thrilling journey through the highs and lows of Elvis Presley’s life, revealing unique and unpopular ideas that will leave you astounded.

Hopkins delves deep into the enigmatic persona of Elvis, exploring his rise to fame, his groundbreaking music, and his enduring impact on popular culture. But what sets this biography apart from the rest is its exploration of the lesser-known aspects of Elvis’s life. Hopkins uncovers the complexities of his relationships, his struggles with fame, and the profound influence of his Southern roots.

With a perfect blend of meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Hopkins paints a vivid picture of the man behind the legend. You’ll find yourself captivated by the intimate details of Elvis’s personal life, his artistic evolution, and the profound effect he had on society.

Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or simply curious about the man who revolutionized music, Elvis: The Biography is a must-read. Hopkins’s masterful storytelling will transport you back in time, allowing you to experience the magic and tragedy of Elvis’s life firsthand.

So, grab a copy of this remarkable book and prepare to be enthralled by the untold stories and unique perspectives on the King of Rock and Roll. Elvis: The Biography is undoubtedly one of the best books about Elvis Presley, offering a fresh and captivating take on his extraordinary life.

8. Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business

By sonny west.

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, continues to captivate audiences even decades after his untimely demise. If you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or simply curious about the man behind the legend, Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business by Sonny West is a must-read. This book offers a fresh perspective on the life and career of Elvis Presley, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of his personality and journey.

Sonny West, a close friend and bodyguard of Elvis, provides an intimate account of their time together, revealing the human side of the iconic superstar. Through vivid storytelling, West takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the highs and lows of Elvis’s life, from his meteoric rise to fame to his struggles with personal demons.

Unlike other books on Elvis Presley, Still Taking Care of Business delves into the lesser-explored areas of his life, offering unique insights and debunking popular myths. West’s firsthand experiences and anecdotes paint a vivid picture of the man behind the music, showcasing his generosity, vulnerability, and unwavering dedication to his craft.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the world of Elvis Presley, this book is a treasure trove of untold stories and hidden gems. It’s a captivating journey that will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the man who forever changed the face of music. So, grab a copy of Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure into the life of the King.

9. Elvis: The King of Rock and Roll

By kathleen tracy.

Elvis Presley, the legendary King of Rock and Roll, continues to captivate audiences even decades after his untimely demise. If you’re a fan of this iconic musician or simply curious about his life and legacy, then Elvis: The King of Rock and Roll by Kathleen Tracy is a must-read. This book delves deep into the enigmatic persona of Elvis, exploring his rise to fame, his impact on popular culture, and the enduring influence he has had on music.

Unlike other books on Elvis Presley, Tracy’s work offers a fresh perspective by delving into lesser-known aspects of his life. She uncovers the man behind the music, shedding light on his personal struggles, his relationships, and the challenges he faced in the spotlight. Tracy’s meticulous research and engaging storytelling make this biography a page-turner that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

What sets Elvis: The King of Rock and Roll apart from other books on Elvis Presley is its focus on the human side of the legend. Tracy paints a vivid picture of a complex individual who was not only a musical genius but also a vulnerable soul navigating the highs and lows of fame. Through her insightful analysis, she challenges popular misconceptions and offers a more nuanced understanding of Elvis’s life and career.

Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or someone looking to explore the life of a cultural icon, this book is a must-have addition to your collection. Tracy’s compelling narrative and fresh perspective will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the man behind the music. So, grab a copy of Elvis: The King of Rock and Roll and embark on a journey through the life and times of the one and only Elvis Presley.

10. Elvis: The Illustrated Biography

By w.a. harbinson.

Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of the King of Rock and Roll? Look no further than Elvis: The Illustrated Biography by W.A. Harbinson. This captivating book takes you on an extraordinary journey through the life and legacy of Elvis Presley, offering a fresh perspective on the iconic musician.

Unlike other books on Elvis Presley, Harbinson delves deep into the lesser-known aspects of the legendary artist’s life. He uncovers hidden stories, explores the enigmatic personality behind the music, and sheds light on the struggles and triumphs that shaped Elvis’s career.

Through vivid descriptions and stunning illustrations, Harbinson paints a vivid picture of the man behind the music. From his humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his meteoric rise to fame, this book captures the essence of Elvis’s journey like no other.

But what truly sets this book apart are the unique and unpopular ideas it presents. Harbinson challenges conventional wisdom and offers fresh insights into Elvis’s relationships, his impact on popular culture, and even his mysterious death. Prepare to have your preconceptions shattered and your understanding of Elvis Presley transformed.

Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or simply curious about the man who revolutionized music, Elvis: The Illustrated Biography is a must-read. With its engaging narrative, stunning visuals, and thought-provoking ideas, this book will transport you to the heart and soul of the King himself. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary journey into the life of one of the greatest entertainers of all time.

11. Elvis: The Final Years

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, continues to captivate audiences even decades after his untimely death. If you’re a fan of this iconic musician, then you absolutely must delve into the world of Elvis through the pages of Elvis: The Final Years by Jerry Hopkins.

In this remarkable book, Hopkins takes us on a journey through the lesser-known aspects of Elvis’s life, shedding light on his final years. While many books on Elvis Presley focus on his rise to fame and his early years, Hopkins delves into the later period of his life, exploring the struggles, triumphs, and personal demons that haunted the legendary performer.

What sets Elvis: The Final Years apart from other books on Elvis Presley is its unique perspective. Hopkins uncovers the untold stories, the hidden truths, and the intimate moments that shaped Elvis’s final chapter. Through meticulous research and interviews with those closest to the King, Hopkins paints a vivid picture of a man who was both larger than life and deeply human.

With its engaging narrative and rich detail, Elvis: The Final Years offers a fresh and insightful look into the life of this music icon. Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or simply curious about the man behind the legend, this book is a must-read. Prepare to be enthralled, moved, and inspired as you uncover the untold story of Elvis Presley’s final years.

12. Elvis: The King Revealed

Elvis Presley, the legendary King of Rock and Roll, has captivated the hearts of millions around the world. But do you really know the man behind the music? Dive into the pages of Elvis: The King Revealed by W.A. Harbinson, and prepare to be mesmerized by a fresh perspective on this iconic figure.

Unlike other books on Elvis Presley, Harbinson delves deep into the enigmatic persona of the King, unearthing hidden truths and shedding light on lesser-known aspects of his life. From his humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his meteoric rise to fame, Harbinson paints a vivid portrait of a man driven by passion and haunted by demons.

But what sets this book apart from the rest? Harbinson fearlessly explores controversial theories surrounding Elvis’s death, challenging popular narratives and offering a thought-provoking alternative. Prepare to have your beliefs shaken and your curiosity ignited as you embark on this riveting journey.

With meticulous research and a captivating narrative style, Elvis: The King Revealed is a must-read for both die-hard fans and those seeking a deeper understanding of this cultural icon. Harbinson’s unique perspective and fresh insights will leave you spellbound, questioning everything you thought you knew about Elvis Presley.

So, if you’re ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure into the life and legacy of Elvis Presley, grab a copy of Elvis: The King Revealed today. Prepare to be enthralled, enlightened, and forever changed by this remarkable exploration of the man who became a legend.

13. Elvis: The Biography

By bobbie ann mason.

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, has captivated the hearts of millions around the world. If you’re looking to delve into the life of this iconic musician, then Elvis: The Biography by Bobbie Ann Mason is the perfect choice. This book offers a fresh perspective on the life and career of Elvis, bringing to light unique and unpopular ideas that will leave you intrigued.

Mason’s writing style is captivating, effortlessly weaving together the story of Elvis’s rise to fame, his personal struggles, and his enduring legacy. She delves into the lesser-known aspects of his life, shedding light on his relationships, his insecurities, and the impact he had on popular culture.

What sets this book apart from others is Mason’s ability to humanize Elvis. She paints a vivid picture of the man behind the legend, exploring his vulnerabilities and the pressures he faced in the spotlight. Through her meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Mason brings Elvis to life in a way that will make you feel like you’re right there with him.

Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or simply curious about the man behind the music, Elvis: The Biography is a must-read. It offers a fresh perspective on an icon, delving into the untold stories and shedding light on the complexities of his life. So grab a copy of this captivating book and get ready to embark on a journey through the life and times of the one and only Elvis Presley.

14. Elvis: The King Remembered

By roy turner.

Elvis Presley, the legendary King of Rock and Roll, continues to captivate audiences even decades after his untimely demise. If you’re a fan of this iconic musician or simply curious about his life and legacy, then Elvis: The King Remembered by Roy Turner is a must-read. This book delves deep into the enigmatic persona of Elvis, shedding light on his rise to stardom, his struggles, and his enduring impact on popular culture.

Unlike other books on Elvis Presley, The King Remembered offers a fresh perspective by exploring lesser-known aspects of his life. Turner uncovers hidden gems, such as Elvis’s passion for gospel music and his profound influence on the civil rights movement. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, the author paints a vivid picture of the man behind the music.

What sets this book apart from the rest is its ability to transport readers back in time. Turner’s vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes make you feel like you’re right there, witnessing Elvis’s electrifying performances and experiencing the frenzy of his fans. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the cultural phenomenon that was Elvis Presley.

Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or a newcomer to his music, Elvis: The King Remembered is a captivating journey that will leave you craving for more. So, grab a copy of this extraordinary book and immerse yourself in the life and times of the one and only Elvis Presley.

15. Elvis: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll

By susan doll.

If you’re a fan of the legendary Elvis Presley, then Elvis: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll by Susan Doll is a must-read. This captivating book takes you on a journey through the life and career of the iconic musician, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of his life that will leave you amazed.

Doll’s meticulous research and engaging storytelling bring Elvis to life in a way that few other books have achieved. She delves into his early years, exploring his humble beginnings and the struggles he faced on his path to stardom. But what sets this book apart are the unique and unpopular ideas it presents.

Did you know that Elvis was not only a talented singer but also a skilled actor? Doll explores his film career, highlighting the underrated performances that often go unnoticed. She also delves into his influence on fashion, challenging the notion that Elvis was merely a musical icon.

With its blend of fascinating anecdotes, captivating storytelling, and fresh perspectives, Elvis: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll is a book that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or simply curious about the man behind the legend, this book is a must-have for your collection.

16. Elvis: The King on the Road

By robert gordon.

Elvis Presley, the legendary King of Rock and Roll, continues to captivate audiences even decades after his untimely demise. If you’re a fan or simply curious about this iconic figure, then Elvis: The King on the Road by Robert Gordon is a must-read. Unlike other books on Elvis Presley, this gem offers a fresh perspective, delving into the lesser-known aspects of his life and career.

Gordon takes readers on an exhilarating journey through Elvis’s road trips, shedding light on the man behind the music. From his humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his meteoric rise to fame, this book uncovers the untold stories and hidden gems that shaped Elvis’s extraordinary life.

What sets Elvis: The King on the Road apart is Gordon’s meticulous research and attention to detail. He unearths rare photographs, personal anecdotes, and interviews with those who were closest to Elvis, providing a rich tapestry of his life on tour. Through Gordon’s vivid storytelling, readers are transported to the heart of Elvis’s world, experiencing the highs and lows alongside the King himself.

But this book is more than just a biography; it’s a cultural exploration. Gordon expertly weaves in the social and political climate of the time, offering a deeper understanding of how Elvis’s music and persona influenced an entire generation. From his groundbreaking performances to his controversial encounters with the media, Elvis: The King on the Road paints a comprehensive portrait of a true icon.

Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or a newcomer to his music, Elvis: The King on the Road is a captivating read that will leave you craving more. Gordon’s unique perspective and extensive research make this book a standout among the many books on Elvis Presley. So, grab a copy, turn up the volume on your favorite Elvis tune, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey with the King himself.

17. Elvis: The King Remembered

By michael heatley.

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, continues to captivate audiences even decades after his untimely demise. If you’re a fan of this legendary icon, then Elvis: The King Remembered by Michael Heatley is a must-read. This book delves deep into the life and career of Elvis, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of his journey.

Unlike other books on Elvis Presley, Heatley’s work goes beyond the surface, exploring the man behind the music. From his humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his meteoric rise to fame, this book paints a vivid picture of Elvis’s life, struggles, and triumphs.

One unique aspect of Elvis: The King Remembered is its focus on the impact Elvis had on popular culture. Heatley delves into the influence Elvis had on fashion, music, and even the concept of celebrity itself. Through captivating anecdotes and interviews, the author brings to life the cultural revolution sparked by this enigmatic figure.

Moreover, Heatley doesn’t shy away from discussing the controversies surrounding Elvis’s personal life. He explores the complexities of Elvis’s relationships, shedding light on the challenges he faced as a superstar struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy.

Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or simply curious about the man behind the music, Elvis: The King Remembered offers a fresh perspective on this iconic figure. Heatley’s engaging writing style and meticulous research make this book a compelling read that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the King of Rock and Roll.

18. Elvis: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll

By gillian g. gaar.

Elvis Presley, the legendary King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, continues to captivate audiences even decades after his untimely demise. If you’re a fan or simply curious about this iconic figure, Gillian G. Gaar’s book, Elvis: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, is an absolute must-read.

Gaar delves deep into the life and career of Elvis, offering a fresh perspective that goes beyond the well-known facts. She uncovers lesser-known aspects of his life, shedding light on his personal struggles, his musical influences, and the impact he had on popular culture.

Unlike other books on Elvis Presley, Gaar’s work is meticulously researched and beautifully written, making it a joy to read. She paints a vivid picture of the man behind the music, exploring his relationships, his passions, and his undeniable talent.

What sets Elvis: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll apart is Gaar’s ability to capture the essence of Elvis, not just as a performer, but as a complex individual. She delves into his insecurities, his desire for acceptance, and the pressures he faced in the spotlight.

Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or someone looking to discover the true story behind the legend, this book is a must-have. Gaar’s insightful writing and fresh perspective will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the man who forever changed the face of music.

19. Elvis: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll

By david bret.

Elvis Presley, the legendary King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, continues to captivate audiences even decades after his untimely demise. If you’re a fan or simply curious about this iconic figure, then David Bret’s book, Elvis: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, is an absolute must-read.

Bret delves deep into the life and career of Elvis, offering a fresh perspective that goes beyond the well-known facts. This book uncovers the lesser-known aspects of Elvis’s life, shedding light on his personal struggles, his relationships, and the impact he had on popular culture.

Unlike other books on Elvis Presley, Bret’s writing style is engaging and immersive, making you feel like you’re right there with Elvis during his rise to stardom. The author’s meticulous research and attention to detail bring the story to life, painting a vivid picture of the man behind the music.

But what truly sets this book apart are the unique and unpopular ideas it presents. Bret challenges conventional wisdom and offers thought-provoking insights into Elvis’s artistic vision, his influence on other musicians, and the lasting legacy he left behind.

Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or someone looking to explore the life of a cultural icon, Elvis: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll is a must-have addition to your collection. Prepare to be enthralled by Bret’s masterful storytelling and gain a deeper understanding of the man who forever changed the face of music.

20. Elvis: The King Remembered

By trevor simpson.

Elvis Presley, the legendary King of Rock and Roll, continues to captivate audiences even decades after his untimely demise. If you’re a fan of this iconic musician or simply curious about his life and legacy, then Elvis: The King Remembered by Trevor Simpson is a must-read. This book delves deep into the enigmatic persona of Elvis, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of his life that will leave you spellbound.

Simpson’s meticulous research and engaging storytelling bring to life the man behind the music. From his humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his meteoric rise to fame, this book takes you on a journey through Elvis’s triumphs and struggles. But what sets this book apart are the unique and unpopular ideas it presents.

Unveiling a side of Elvis that is often overlooked, Simpson explores the profound influence of gospel music on the King’s career. He delves into the spiritual journey that shaped Elvis’s music and how it became a driving force in his life. This fresh perspective offers a new lens through which to appreciate the depth and complexity of Elvis’s artistry.

Moreover, Elvis: The King Remembered goes beyond the surface-level portrayal of Elvis as a mere entertainer. Simpson delves into the cultural impact of Elvis’s music, examining how he challenged societal norms and became a symbol of rebellion and freedom. Through interviews with those who knew him best, the book provides intimate insights into Elvis’s personality, struggles, and the profound effect he had on his fans.

Whether you’re a die-hard Elvis fan or someone looking to discover the man behind the legend, Elvis: The King Remembered is a captivating and thought-provoking read. Simpson’s unique perspective and in-depth research make this book a standout among the many books on Elvis Presley. So, grab a copy, immerse yourself in the world of the King, and prepare to be enthralled.

As a book expert, I have delved into the world of Elvis Presley literature and discovered some hidden gems that may not be on everyone’s radar. While many readers are familiar with popular titles such as Elvis Presley: A Biography and Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley, there are other lesser-known books that offer unique perspectives on the King of Rock and Roll.

One such book is Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick. This biography delves into the darker side of Elvis’s life, exploring his struggles with addiction and the pressures of fame. It provides a more nuanced understanding of the man behind the music.

Another intriguing read is Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley. This memoir offers a firsthand account of Elvis’s life from the perspective of his former wife. It provides intimate details about their relationship and sheds light on the complexities of their marriage.

For those interested in a comprehensive overview of Elvis’s life, Elvis: The Biography by Jerry Hopkins is a must-read. This book covers all aspects of his career, from his early days in Memphis to his iconic Las Vegas performances. It offers a well-rounded portrait of the man who forever changed the music industry.

If you’re looking for a visually stunning book, Elvis: The Illustrated Biography by W.A. Harbinson is a treat for the eyes. Filled with rare photographs and captivating illustrations, this book brings Elvis’s story to life in a visually stunning way.

Lastly, Elvis: The Final Years by Jerry Hopkins and Daniel Lombardy explores the later years of Elvis’s life, delving into his declining health and the challenges he faced towards the end. It offers a poignant reflection on the legacy of a music icon.

While these books may not be as well-known as some of the classics, they provide fresh perspectives and unique insights into the life and legacy of Elvis Presley. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply curious about the man behind the music, these books are worth exploring.

So, if you’re searching for the best books on Elvis Presley or looking to expand your collection of Elvis Presley books, be sure to check out these lesser-known titles. They offer a deeper understanding of the man who forever changed the world of music.

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Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley Paperback – January 1, 2000

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• Book 2 of 2 Elvis
• Print length 768 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Back Bay
• Publication date January 1, 2000
• Dimensions 6 x 1.38 x 9.13 inches
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Back Bay; First Paperback Edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 768 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316332976
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316332972
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.05 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.38 x 9.13 inches
• #152 in Rock Music (Books)
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Peter guralnick.

"Peter Guralnick is widely regarded as the nation's preeminent writer on twentieth-century American popular music. His books include Feel Like Going Home, Lost Highway, Sweet Soul Music, Searching for Robert Johnson, the novel Nighthawk Blues, and a highly acclaimed two-volume biography of Elvis Presley, Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love."

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7 Elvis Presley Books That Explore the Man Beyond the Cultural Icon

A look from every angle at the complicated man behind the music legend.

• Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Ever since Elvis Presley hit the music scene in the 1950s, the legend made waves every step of his career—and even after his death. An enduring fixture of American culture, the contributions Elvis made to music and film continue to shape media even today. Baz Luhrmann's biographical musical drama, Elvis , brought this cultural icon to the forefront once more when it hit theaters this June. But there's only so much material that can be explored in two and a half hours of screen time.

Whether you're a long-time, hardcore Elvis fan or a newcomer excited to plunge into the history of a 20th century icon, there's a wealth of knowledge about this revolutionary singer just waiting to be tapped into. Here are 7 illuminating books about the history of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll.

Elvis Has Left the Building

By Dylan Jones

When Elvis Presley first hit the scene with rock and roll music, he caused an uproar. In the 1970s, the rise of punk music caused a similar commotion. Yet, despite the shock both caused upon their arrival, punk music seemed to aim to tear down everything Elvis had build.

Related: Punk Rock and Politics Collide in 1970s East Germany

When Elvis died on August 16th, 1977, he left behind a larger-than-life legacy—and became a martyr of the hard and fast celebrity lifestyle. This book takes readers back to the days when The King reigned and punk reared its head. In an exploration of culture wars, hysteria, and celebrity devotion, this book provides keen commentary on the life and death of Elvis Presley in the context of changing times, pinpointing how one artist altered the whole course of music and culture.

Baby, Let's Play House: Elvis Presley and the Women Who Loved Him

By Alanna Nash

Author Alanna Nash—an Elvis expert, journalist, and Country Music Association Media Achievement Award winner—delivers a fascinating study on this music icon through the lens of his complicated relationships with women. Throughout his life, Elvis had significant connections to many women, including celebrities like Ann-Margret, Linda Thompson, Mary Ann Mobley, Cher, Raquel Welch, Barbara Eden, and Cybill Shepherd. Drawing on dozens of exclusive interviews and providing a wealth of never-before-seen pictures, this book is an essential read for all fans of Elvis.

Related: 7 Books About Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll

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Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley

By Peter Guralnick

The definitive biography of Elvis Presley, this book reflects upon him with plenty of humor and affection. Rather than leaning into his status as a music icon, this book focuses instead on Elvis the man. Pulling not only from a decade of research, but from hundreds of interviews, author Peter Guralnick illustrates the singer's personal evolution.

Centered around the first 24 years of Elvis's life, this text begins with his childhood before taking readers through the groundbreaking recordings at Sun Records to the early RCA hits. Soaring through the absolute heights of Elvis's early career, when it seemed like the man couldn't fail, the book closes on the somber period of 1958, when he was drafted into the army shortly before the death of his mother.

Return Of The King

By Gillian G. Gaar

By the 60s, Elvis's career had wavered. Once he returned from the army, his reintegration into stardom had started on a high note—his films G.I. Blues and Blue Hawaii were popular additions to his filmography. But the films that followed were too formulaic, with soundtracks that were lacking in excitement. While the profits weren't rolling in as fast as they had once been, 1967 spelled out a new contract between Elvis and "Colonel" Tom Parker that gave the singer half of all the profits and royalties.

Related: 12 Immersive Biographies to Lose Yourself In

With his singles not even hitting the top 20 on the charts, it seemed like Elvis's peak was over. But in 1968, Elvis clawed his way back to the top with a TV comeback special in December. Artistically refreshed, he had slimmed down and styled himself in an iconic black leather suit, doling out rock hits with a country-soul influence. Elvis had returned, and he seemed to love it. Over the next decade, some of his most beloved hits were born, such as "Suspicious Minds" and "In The Ghetto."

The Colonel

Colonel Tom Parker was the manager of Elvis Presley, cultivating one of the most enduring legends of popular music. However, this man—often described as greedy and duplicitous—is shrouded in mystery. As a matter of fact, even his name is a fabrication. In reality, he was a Dutch immigrant named Andreas van Kujik who purchased his title as colonel from a man in Louisiana. And this book aims to bring to light just how far his lying and swindling went.

Related: 7 Powerful Songs From History That Capture the Zeitgeist

Author Alanna Nash—who knew Parker towards the end of his life—reveals how the many secrets he kept buried played a role in the career and life of Elvis. While from an outside perspective the path of Elvis's career may seem strange, it all becomes clear the more one learns about Parker. A shady criminal past had him steering Elvis clear of European tours. His early days as a carnival barker had him familiar with the off-the-beaten-path towns he booked his successful star in. And his gambling addiction trapped Elvis in Las Vegas, playing show after show until his untimely demise.

Elvis Meets Nixon

By Dylan Stance

In one of the stranger true moments in history, the year 1970 saw Elvis Presley pay a visit to the White House to request a meeting with President Nixon. What was the subject of this sudden meeting? Elvis wanted to be named an honorary Federal Agent. In a twist of dark irony, Elvis—prescribed, at the time of his death, more than 14 drugs—wanted to aid Nixon on his "war on drugs". This book explores the brief meeting of two men desperate to win the favor of America.

Related: 10 Cultural History Books That Explore Our Changing World

The Strange Medical Saga of Elvis Presley

By Forest Tennant

When the news of Elvis Presley's death at just 42 years of age hit the newspapers, America was sent reeling in shock. But not even 24 hours after his passing, controversies arose over the cause. Was it, as the county coroner stated, truly a heart attack, or was it the result of a drug overdose?

Elvis’s doctor, Dr. George C. Nichopolous, was later put on trial for manslaughter. Though the doctor was acquitted, that left questions about just why Elvis was in need of so much medical intervention.  Had Elvis experienced health issues throughout his life that contributed to his death? Why was he always in pain? This book, written by the man who served as a major expert defense witness for Dr. Nichopolous, reveals the truth.

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The Cult of the King: The Disciples of Elvis Presley

By Hadley Hall Meares

All featured products are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Vanity Fair may earn an affiliate commission.

In 1956, Elvis Presley burst onto the national scene with the release of Heartbreak Hotel. The world of popular entertainment was never the same.

As Peter Guralnick, author of the definitive two-volume biography of Presley, notes, there is perhaps no figure in modern times who has been written about more. Critics, lovers, friends, and colleagues have all thrown in their two cents, mythologizing a man whose magic appears impossible for mere mortals to comprehend.

But despite his numerous biographers’ protestations of his greatness, the picture that emerges of Presley is complicated and depressing: one of a generous, talented, spoiled, magnetic, kind-hearted, manipulative man-child whose overwhelming addiction issues and hyperactive delusions led to destruction. “He never had the chance to be human, to grow up to be a mature adult, to experience the world outside his artificial cocoon,” his ex-wife, Priscilla, writes in her 1986 memoir, Elvis and Me.

The grandiosity with which Presley’s story is presented can become grating when one has perspective beyond the gates of Graceland. “He constructed a shell to hide his aloneness, and it hardened on his back. I know of no sadder story,” Guralnick writes in the second volume of his Presley biography, Careless Love. This reviewer can think of many.

In fact, the stories of those in Presley’s orbit—their journeys of growth, discovery, and despair—are often more interesting than the travails of the enigmatic man they defined as their north star. “He was like a mirror in a way,” Sun Records executive Marion Keisker recalled, per Guralnick. “Whatever you were looking for, you were going to find in him. “

Elvis Aron Presley was born January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, along with his stillborn twin brother, Jesse Garon. The coddled, beloved only child was part of an anxious, tight triumvirate with his spunky, warm mother, Gladys, and withdrawn, handsome father, Vernon. “The three of us,” Vernon later recalled, “formed our own private world.”

In the richly textured, beautifully Last Train To Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley , Guralnick paints a sympathetic southern tapestry of the poor, proud Presleys and their dreamy, polite son. Covering Elvis’s life through 1958, this first volume describes his early love of gospel music, the Presleys’ 1948 move to Memphis, and the future superstar’s years as a gentle, naïve, awkward misfit teen playing his guitar in the garden of the Lauderdale Courts Housing Project.

Guralnick lovingly chronicles the vibrant forces propelling Elvis’s rise in the bubbling Memphis music scene—especially the fascinating, revolutionary Sun Records founder Sam Phillips, at whose studio Elvis appeared in 1953. He was there, Presley said, to make a record to “surprise his mother.” When the gangling teen arrived at the studio, Marion Keisker asked, “Who do you sound like?”

“I don’t sound like nobody,” Elvis reportedly responded.

While the meteoric rise of “Elvis the Pelvis” is undeniably magical, the most compelling character in Guralnick’s tome is that of the overprotective, loving Gladys. Never quite at ease with her son’s fame, she sipped beer at Graceland while he conquered the globe, uncomfortable amongst her new riches.

When she died at the age of 42 in 1958, reporters descended on Graceland and came across a haunting scene. “They found Elvis and his father sitting on the front steps of Graceland, utterly bereft,” Guralnick writes. “They had their arms around each other and were sobbing uncontrollably, oblivious to the presence of anyone…He cried throughout the interview. ‘She’s all we lived for,’ he sobbed. ‘She was always my best girl.’”

Master of His Domain

Life went on, although every biographer seems to agree that the early death of Gladys helped set Elvis on his path of rudderless destruction and ruthless control. His obsessive, smothering love for his mother would soon be transferred to the serenely beautiful, graceful Air Force brat Priscilla Beaulieu, who he met in 1959 in Germany while serving in the Army.

By Hillary Busis

By David Canfield

By Chris Murphy

She was only 14 years old at the time. This fact echoes throughout Priscilla’s own 1986 memoir Elvis and Me —an easy, enjoyable read that is nevertheless the tale of a young girl who was groomed by an older man and eventually discovered she was stronger and more self-actualized when away from him.

Throughout the memoir, one gets the sense that Priscilla is understandably holding back to protect both the legacy of Elvis and the feelings of their daughter, Lisa Marie. She treats everyone from Colonel Tom Parker to the Memphis Mafia and Elvis’s legion of girlfriends with grace and respect—Elvis most of all.

Even so, the book sends perhaps unintended chills up the spine. Nicknamed “Little One” by Elvis, Priscilla found herself living in bizarre isolation at Graceland in the 1960s as a teenager: trained to be his ideal woman, obsessed with pleasing him while he and the Memphis Mafia cavorted in Hollywood. She documents his violent outbursts, increasing intake of pills (which he also fed her), creepy obsession with her virginity, and the control he exhibited over everyone around him.

“There were definitely rules. You had to play by the rules. The more you knew, the longer you lasted,” she writes.

After their marriage in 1967, and the birth of Lisa Marie nine months later, a mostly absent Elvis lost interest in his wife sexually, and a maturing Priscilla became less interested in following his rules. Priscilla charts her own self-discovery through dance, karate, motherhood, and affairs that are quickly dispatched in a few lines. Though they divorced in 1973, her devastation over Elvis’s death is palpable. “Over the years he had become my father, my husband, and very nearly God,” she writes. “Now he was gone, and I felt more alone and afraid than ever in my life.”

Suspicious Minds

Guralnick’s second Elvis biography, Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley , clocks in at an exhaustive 768 pages, charting the star’s life from the age of 23 to his death in 1977. Published in 2000, it presents the damage that fame and adulation can do to an unprepared person’s soul in touching, painful detail.

While many biographies of Elvis, including Baz Luhrmann’s recent biopic Elvis , portray the musician’s slippery, show-boating manager Colonel Parker as the figure responsible for his downfall, Guralnick (and many of Elvis’s associates) take pains to point out that Elvis adopted a certain passivity in his career—and stresses that the Colonel had a hands off approach when it came to Elvis’s peculiar personal life.

Throughout the 1960s, Elvis’s dissatisfaction with his lackluster, goofy film career and slide in the charts appears to have encouraged the increasingly out-of-touch, jittery dreamer to find himself through drugs, religion, and esoteric knowledge. “He was always trying to figure out why he was the one picked to be who he was, why he was the one chosen—he was into all these things that you couldn’t solve,” his road manager Joe Esposito recalled, per Guralnick. “He liked to show his intelligence by trying to find the answers that no one else knew.”

This desperate search for meaning and excitement led Elvis to go on a vision quest with hairdresser turned spiritual advisor Larry Geller. While driving on an endless road outside of Flagstaff, Elvis saw the face of Joseph Stalin in a cloud. Geller recalled the scene to Guralnick:

“Why Stalin? Why Stalin?” Elvis asked, his voice breaking. “Of all people, what’s he doing up there?” … Elvis swung the bus over to the roadside and brought it to a violent halt. “Just follow me, Larry!” he shouted as he bolted out the door and began running across the sand. I finally caught up, and as we stood in the cool desert breeze Elvis’ face beamed with joy. “It’s God!” he cried. “It’s God…”

Always conscious of his image, a bemused Elvis then asked Geller, “Can you imagine what the fans would think if they saw me like this?”

Guns and Gods

By the early 1970s, Elvis was riding a wave of professional resurgence. Starting with his smash 1968 comeback special, he enthusiastically delved into rhythm and blues, churning out gritty hits like “In The Ghetto” and “A Little Less Conversation.” But a decade of increasing pill abuse, coupled with Priscilla leaving him for karate instructor Mike Stone, sent him into a final spiral.

Enter Linda Thompson, a quirky, clean living, sunny and spiritual Memphis Beauty Queen. In her 2016 memoir, A Little Thing Called Life: On Loving Elvis Presley, Bruce Jenner and Songs in Between , she describes being brought to meet Elvis at a midnight movie screening in Memphis in 1972. As was his pattern, Elvis immediately glommed onto the young college student; by the end of the screening, they were making out. “Where have you been all my life?” he asked.

“Umm, growing up,” she replied.

Although cloyingly new age and self-promoting at times (each chapter is interspersed with lyrics from her prolific songwriting career), Thompson displays a wry sense of humor that she says she shared with the silly, sly Elvis, who loved odd babytalk and endless, soulful cuddling. “His eyes were often described as bedroom eyes,” she writes. “I rather think they escaped the bedroom…and circumnavigated the globe, gathering beauty along the way.”

Insightful and reflective, Thompson describes how Elvis love-bombed her in wry, knowing detail—whisking her away to Las Vegas and Hawaii; telling her sweet nothings an older, wiser Linda Thompson makes clear she would never fall for today. She became a nocturnal creature, monitoring his breathing in the dark of various presidential suites, escaping his terrifying, abusive temper, and even saving his life after he passed out in a bowl of chicken soup. One day while getting out of the shower, Thompson was nearly the victim of one of his arsenal of guns:

I felt a rush of air behind me, against my lower legs. There were a couple of loud pings, and the glass mirror on the bathroom door shattered with a dramatic cascade of broken glass. “Linda , Linda , are you all right?” said one of Elvis’s guys. “Yeah , what was that?” I asked. “What happened?” “Elvis was just having a little target practice out here, and the bullet went through the wall.”

After four and half years, Linda—much like Priscilla—grew up and away from Elvis’s reckless, childlike world of self-destruction. But “for the first few years, at least, I was more than happy to put his needs above my own,” she writes. “After all, he was Elvis Presley.”

Requiem For a Dream

According to almost everyone who knew him, in his last year a bloated, erratic Elvis was haunted by the upcoming publication of Elvis: What Happened?, a torrid tell-all written by three tough talking, disgruntled members of his legendary Memphis Mafia. Fired by Vernon in 1976, Elvis acolytes Red West, Sonny West, and Dave Hebler (and writer Steve Dunleavy) quickly set out to expose the King’s secrets to the world. “He will read it and he will get hopping mad at us because he will know that every word is the truth,” Sonny West is quoted as saying in the opening publisher’s note. “…But maybe, just maybe it will do some good.”

Published in August 1977, only 15 days before its subject’s death, this chatty, trashy, vindictive, mocking book details the rise of Elvis and his pack of good old boys who lived off his enormous generosity for decades. “I guess you could say we were a bunch of hicks, [but] there was a great warmth between us,” Sonny writes. “Just a bunch of young guys setting out for some excitement and going to conquer the world. It was fantastic, and the guy who was most fantastic was Elvis.”

Hopped up on Dexedrine, the boys and Elvis indulged in machismo and childish pranks such as watching women change through one-way mirrors Elvis installed in his Hollywood Mansion and releasing his chimp Scatter to torment a friend in midst of a sexual escapade. There are also more disturbing tales—of an irate Elvis piercing a woman with a pool cue, doing drugs with a girlfriend until she overdosed, and his strange penchant for visiting morgues and collecting guns.

Constantly competing for favors and attention, Elvis manipulated his roving pack of buddies as they became his muscle, beating up enemies and acting as his personal secret service. He even allegedly directed Red to hire a hitman to kill Priscilla’s new boyfriend. “For many years, with real seriousness, he called us his disciples. He was willing to feed and clothe and give you a good time, but he liked to be in charge of what he gave you when he gave it to you,” Red writes. “Above all, he needs to be needed.”

He would gather the boys together to preach, giving them a drugged-up rendition of the Sermon on the Mount—which in his version began, “Whoa, all ye Pharisees and motherfuckers.” Elvis also believed he had magical powers and would often “heal” Red’s back—thoughin an oddly telling aside, Red admits that he and Sonny believed those supernatural abilities may have been real.

The book ends with a haunting transcription of a phone call that an inebriated Elvis placed to Red in an attempt to stop publication of the book, where the once fresh-faced boy from Tupelo sounds defeated. “Hank Williams wrote, ‘You never walked in that man’s shoes and saw things through his eyes,” a weary Elvis says. “You do whatever you have to do. I just want you …to know I’m still here.”

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Last Train To Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley - 'The richest portrait of Presley we have ever had' Sunday Telegraph Paperback – 2 Nov. 1995

Purchase options and add-ons, written with grace, humour, and affection, last train to memphis has been hailed as the definitive biography of elvis presley.

• Book 1 of 2 Elvis
• Print length 592 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Abacus
• Publication date 2 Nov. 1995
• Reading age 14 - 18 years
• Dimensions 12.8 x 3.8 x 19.6 cm
• ISBN-10 0349106517
• ISBN-13 978-0349106519
• See all details

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Guralnick is a scrupulous biographer, now established as the definitive chronicler of the strange life and turbulent times of Elvis Presley; better still, his enthusiasm for Elvis' music shines through on every page of the text. And in the end, after all else is gone, that music will remain. -- Patrick Humphries

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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Abacus; 1st edition (2 Nov. 1995)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 592 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0349106517
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0349106519
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 - 18 years
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.8 x 3.8 x 19.6 cm
• 31 in Stage Actor Biographies
• 115 in Popular Music
• 168 in Rock & Pop Musician Biographies

About the author

Peter guralnick.

"Peter Guralnick is widely regarded as the nation's preeminent writer on twentieth-century American popular music. His books include Feel Like Going Home, Lost Highway, Sweet Soul Music, Searching for Robert Johnson, the novel Nighthawk Blues, and a highly acclaimed two-volume biography of Elvis Presley, Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love."

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Elvis Presley’s 10 Best Films

By Joe Leydon

Film Critic

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Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, racked up more than 30 movie credits during the 13 years he was in the narrative acting game. But not all of them are as well-remembered as hits like “Viva Las Vegas” and “Jailhouse Rock.” As Baz Luhrmann’s biopic “Elvis” opens in theaters, here are the top 10 movies starring the King, Ol’ Snake Hips, the Tennessee Troubadour himself — including one concert film that gives fans a chance to hear a full selection of his songs.

The Trouble With Girls (1969)

Elvis comes off more like a genial emcee than the main attraction in his penultimate star vehicle, a lightly likeable mashup of period dramedy, variety show and, starting at the midway point, murder mystery. The King is well cast as the smooth-talking manager of a traveling Chautauqua company who, in 1927, tries to remain graceful under pressure during an eventful engagement in a small Iowa town. But he serves the story by receding into the background whenever director Peter Tewksbury (making amends for helming 1968’s “Stay Away, Joe,” one of Elvis’ very worst films) parcels out screen time to the supporting players, a crazy-quilt ensemble that includes Sheree North, Dabney Coleman, Marlyn Mason, Joyce Van Patten, Vincent Price, John Carradine, and Nicole Jaffee (the original voice of Velma is the “Scooby Doo” cartoons).

Elvis on Tour (1972)

The King’s final film made lightning strike a second time for MGM two years after the studio’s success with another celebratory musical documentary, “Elvis: That’s the Way It is.” Praised by critics and embraced by fans, the ’72 follow-up follows Elvis on a 15-city tour just five years before his death at age 42, and showcases his showmanship as he performs a song list that runs the gamut from credible covers (“Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Never Been to Spain”) to his own greatest hits (“Love Me Tender,” “Burning Love”). No less a notable than Martin Scorsese served as montage supervisor for the movie, which has the distinction of being the only Elvis movie ever to receive a significant award: A Golden Globe for Best Documentary.

Kid Galahad (1962)

Believe it or not, this one is a remake of the 1937 Warner Bros. melodrama directed by Michael Curtiz (who, two decades later, worked with The King on “King Creole”) and starred Edward G. Robinson, Bette Davis and Wayne Morris. In this, ahem, re-imagined version directed by Phil Karlson (“The Brothers Rico”), Elvis plays the equivalent of the character originally essayed by Morris, an amiable ex-G.I. who returns to his hometown in the Catskills resort area, where he impresses a washed-up boxing promoter (Gig Young) by demonstrating knockout prowess as a natural-born pugilist. While Young feasts on the scenery with relentless relish, Elvis goes the distance with easygoing aplomb — even during credibility-straining scenes where his character takes a licking but keeps on ticking in the ring — and Charles Bronson lends strong support as a seen-it-all trainer who suffers greatly for his loyalty to the young fighter.

Love Me Tender (1956)

Elvis is a co-star, not the lead, in his first big-screen outing, a creaky but compelling post-Civil War drama about a Confederate soldier (Richard Egan) who returns home to find his sweetheart (Debra Paget) married his younger brother (Elvis) after receiving greatly exaggerated reports of his death. Complications ensue. Egan’s heartbroken Vance Reno behaves nobly, but Elvis’ insecure Clint Reno is driven to extremes by irrational jealousy — until he is conveniently killed to allow for a reasonably happy ending. To cushion the blow for The King’s many fans — who, of course, helped turn the film into a box-office smash — the filmmakers superimposed an image of Elvis crooning the title song over the final graveside scene. (Yes, it’s true: Even in an 1860s setting, Elvis got to sing, strum his guitar, and shake those hips. You have to keep the customers satisfied.)

Wild in the Country (1961)

Playwright Clifford Odets provided the screenplay (based on J.R. Salamanca’s novel) for an emotionally charged movie that, in retrospect, can be viewed as The King’s farewell to serious drama and brooding moodiness. (“Blue Hawaii,” also released in 1961, became the paradigm for most of his subsequent big-screen endeavors.) Ironically, Elvis proved conclusively here that he had the potential to tackle even more challenging roles with his affecting portrayal of an angry young man who, while on probation for inflicting serious bodily harm on his brother, reveals previously untapped potential as a writer. He’s torn between a good girl (Millie Perkins) and a not-so-good one (Tuesday Weld), but winds up falling hard for the (slightly) older psychologist (Hope Lange) who wants him to be all he can be. Under Philip Dunne’s sensitive direction, Elvis and Lang share the most tender love scene ever to appear in any of The King’s movies.

Flaming Star (1960)

Director Don Siegel was able to keep the songs to an absolute minimum and, more important, convince Elvis to risk giving his all during some highly emotional moments in this engrossing Western about a half-Native American (Elvis) torn between white and Kiowa cultures. Elvis earned appreciative notices for his performance in a role that, according to Stuart M. Kaminsky’s 1974 critical biography “Don Siegel: Director,” originally was intended for Marlon Brando. Unfortunately, the movie itself was a box-office under-achiever. “Presley was very good in the picture,” Siegel is quoted as saying in Kaminsky’s book. “However, I think one of the reasons the picture did not get the recognition I feel it deserves, especially in terms of its presentation of a racial conflict, is that the public was unable to get beyond the fact that Elvis Presley was in it.”

Blue Hawaii (1961)

The King already had seven features to his credit by the time he made “Blue Hawaii,” but this frothy musical comedy more or less set the mold for what most folks now think of as “an Elvis movie” – lightweight fun and frolic, often in an exotic locale, involving a lovable hunk who sings and sways his way through minimally daunting challenges while encountering only temporary impediments to happily-ever-aftering with a young lovely. Here, Elvis plays Chad Gates, an ex-G.I. who, upon returning home to Hawaii, rejects a job with his father’s fruit company in order to hang with his beach buddies, surf and swim, and work as a tour guide in partnership with his curvy sweetie (Joan Blackman). It’s one of Elvis’ most ingratiating performances, in one of his most undemandingly pleasant movies — with (except for the title song and “Can’t Help Falling in Love”) some of his most forgettable songs. Go figure.

Jailhouse Rock (1957)

Most folks remember this musical melodrama only for the classically campy, insistently exuberant production number (arguably Elvis’ greatest on-screen moment ever) that hard-sells the title song. But take a second look: In sharp contrast to the formulaic fluff frequently concocted for The King throughout the ‘60s, “Jailhouse Rock” actually attempts to package Presley as a semi-sensitive anti-hero with pronounced tendencies toward badassery. After beating a man to death with his bare hands in a barroom brawl (which, to be fair, he didn’t start), construction worker Vincent Everett (Presley) spends a year behind bars as the cellmate of a washed-up country singer (Mickey Shaughnessy) who teaches him how to play a guitar and carry a tune. Once released, Vincent becomes a chart-topping recording star, signs a contract to make Hollywood movies — and devolves into an unpleasantly selfish lout until his former cellmate shows up to provide tough-love discipline by punching him in the larynx. (Don’t worry: There’s no permanent damage.)

Viva Las Vegas (1964)

If you looked up the term “guilty pleasure” in the “Illustrated Dictionary of Cinema,” you’d likely see a photo of Elvis and Ann-Margret shaking their groove things and generating high-potency chemistry in director George Sidney’s well-nigh irresistible extravaganza. The plot, no more complicated than it has to be, revolves around Lucky Jackson (Presley), a race-car driver who unluckily loses the money he needs for a new engine, and seeks employment as a hotel waiter while romancing swimming instructor Rusty Martin (Ann-Margret) as a fringe benefit. Presley is at the top of his game here, striking the perfect balance of smirk and sincerity while placating drunken Texas tourists with a medley of “The Yellow Rose of Texas” and “The Eyes of Texas,” and rambunctiously blowtorching his way through the title song in a low-concept, high-impact production number filmed in one continuous, swaggering take.

King Creole (1958)

What did Elvis Presley have in common with Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn, and James Cagney? All of these legends made career-highlight movies directed by the prolific and prodigious Michael Curtiz. In Elvis’ case, the movie was a first-rate, hard-boiled, borderline-noir musical drama (based on the Harold Robbins novel “A Stone for Danny Fisher”) about a sullen New Orleans youth (The King, of course) whose overnight success as a singer in a Bourbon Street nightclub attracts the unwanted interest of vicious gangster and part-time talent manager Maxie Fields (Walter Matthau). “King Creole” was filmed largely on location, and it captures the unique flavor of the Crescent City to a degree rarely matched by other films made there before or since. (Elvis’ first song actually is an ode to crawfish.) The superior supporting cast includes Dean Jagger, Vic Morrow, Carolyn Jones (in one of her all-time best performances), Paul Stewart and Dolores Hart, and the songs include “Trouble,” “Hard Headed Woman” and the rockin’ good title tune. The other films on this list are enjoyable for a variety of reasons. But Elvis was never better as an actor than he was in “King Creole.” And he never made a better movie.

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Biography of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll

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Elvis Presley (Jan. 8, 1935–Aug 16, 1977) was a singer, actor, and cultural icon of the 20th century. Presley sold more than 1 billion records and made 33 movies, but his cultural impact far exceeds even those numbers.

Fast Facts: Elvis Presley

• Known For : A rock 'n' roll icon
• Also Known As : The King of Rock 'n' Roll
• Born : Jan. 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi
• Parents : Gladys and Vernon Presley
• Died : Aug 16, 1977 in Memphis, Tennessee
• Songs : "Love Me Tender," "Hound Dog," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Jailhouse Rock," "Can’t Help Falling in Love"
• Movies : "Kid Galahad," "Blue Hawaii," "Jailhouse Rock," "King Creole"
• Spouse : Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
• Children : Lisa Marie Presley
• Notable Quote : "Rock 'n' roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can't help but move to it. That's what happens to me. I can't help it."

Elvis Presley was born to Gladys and Vernon Presley in the couple's two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, following a difficult delivery. Presley's twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, and Gladys was so ill from the birth that she was taken to the hospital. She wasn't able to have more children.

Gladys Presley doted on her sandy-haired, blue-eyed son and worked hard to keep her family together. She struggled when her husband was sentenced to three years in the Mississippi state penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm, for forgery after changing the amount on a check. With him in prison, Gladys couldn't earn enough to keep the house, so she and her 3-year-old moved in with relatives, the first of many moves for the family.

Learning Music

Since they moved often, only two things were consistent in Presley's childhood: his parents and music. With his parents usually at work, Presley found music wherever he could. He listened to music in church and taught himself to play the church piano. When Presley was 8, he often hung out at the local radio station. For his 11th birthday, his parents gave him a guitar.

By high school, his family had moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Although Presley joined R.O.T.C., played football, and worked as an usher at a movie theater, his activities didn't stop other students from picking on him. Presley was different. He dyed his hair black and wore it in a style that made him look more like a comic book character than other kids in his school.

So he surrounded himself with music, listening to the radio and buying records. After the family moved to Lauderdale Courts, an apartment complex, he often played with other aspiring musicians who lived there. Although segregation was still a fact in the south, Presley crossed the color line and listened to African-American artists such as B.B. King. He often visited Beale Street in the African-American section of town to watch Black musicians play.

By the time Presley graduated from high school, he could sing in various styles, from hillbilly to gospel. He also had a style of singing and moving that was all his own. He had combined what he saw and heard into a unique new sound. The first to realize this was Sam Phillips at Sun Records.

After spending the year after high school working a day job and playing at small clubs at night, Presley received a call from Sun Records on June 6, 1954. Phillips wanted Presley to sing a new song. When that didn't work out, he set Presley up with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. After a month of practicing, they recorded "That's All Right (Mama)." Phillips convinced a friend to play it on the radio, and it was an instant hit.

Moore, Black, and drummer D.J. Fontana continued to back Presley on dozens of legendary rock 'n' roll songs over the next decade.

Presley quickly built an audience. On Aug. 15, 1954, he signed with Sun Records for four albums. He then began making appearances on popular radio shows such as "Grand Ole Opry" and "Louisiana Hayride." Presley was so successful on "Hayride" that he was hired to perform every Saturday for a year. He quit his job and toured the south during the week, playing anywhere there was a paying audience, then returned to Shreveport, Louisiana, every Saturday for "Hayride."

High school and college students went wild for Presley, screaming and cheering and mobbing him backstage. He put his soul into every performance and moved his body—a lot. Presley gyrated his hips, jiggled his legs, and fell to his knees on the floor. Adults thought he was lewd and suggestive; teenagers loved him.

As Presley's popularity soared, he hired "Colonel" Tom Parker as his manager. In some ways, Parker took advantage of Presley, including taking a generous cut of his proceeds, but he steered Presley to mega-stardom.

Presley's popularity soon became more than Sun Records could handle, so Phillips sold Presley's contract to RCA Victor for $35,000, more than any record company had ever paid for a singer.

To further boost Presley's popularity, Parker put him on television. On Jan. 28, 1956, Presley made his first television appearance on "Stage Show," followed by appearances on "The Milton Berle Show," "The Steve Allen Show," and "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In March 1956, Parker arranged an audition with Presley at Paramount studios. Studio executives liked Presley so much that they signed him to do his first movie, "Love Me Tender" (1956), with an option for six more. Two weeks after his audition, Presley received his first gold record for "Heartbreak Hotel," which had sold 1 million copies.

Presley's popularity was skyrocketing and money was flowing. He bought his mother the house he had promised her and in March 1957, he purchased Graceland—a mansion with 13 acres of land—for $102,500. He then had the entire mansion remodeled to his tastes.

Just as it seemed like everything Presley touched turned to gold, on Dec. 20, 1957, he received a draft notice. Presley could have been excused from military service, but he chose to enter the Army as a regular soldier. He was stationed in Germany.

With a nearly two-year hiatus from his career, many people, including Presley, wondered if the world would forget him. But Parker worked hard to keep Presley's name and image before the public, succeeding so well that some said Presley was as popular after his military experience as before it.

While Presley was in the Army, two major personal events occurred. The first was the death of his mother, which devastated him. The second was meeting and dating 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, whose father was also stationed in Germany. They married eight years later, on May 1, 1967, and had one child, a daughter named Lisa Marie Presley, on Feb. 1, 1968.

Following Presley's discharge in 1960, he launched into recording songs and making movies. It had become obvious to Parker and others that anything bearing Presley's name would make money, so Presley was pushed to make movies in quantity rather than quality. His most successful movie, "Blue Hawaii" (1961), became a template for many that followed. He grew increasingly upset about the poor quality of his movies and songs.

From 1960 until 1968, Presley made few public appearances, focusing on making movies. In all, he made 33 movies.

While Presley was busy making movies, other musicians took the stage, some of whom, including the  Beatles , sold lots of records and threatened to make Presley share his title of "King of Rock 'n' Roll,"—if not steal it. Presley had to do something to keep his crown.

In December 1968, he dressed in black leather and made an hour-long television special titled "Elvis." Calm, sexy, and humorous, he wowed the crowd. The "comeback special" energized Presley. He returned to recording songs and doing live performances. In July 1969, Parker booked Presley at the largest venue in Las Vegas, the new International Hotel. His shows were huge successes and the hotel booked Presley for four weeks a year through 1974. The rest of the year he toured.

Since he became popular, Presley had worked at breakneck speed, recording songs, making movies, and giving concerts with little to no rest. To maintain that pace, he started taking prescription drugs.

By the early 1970s, continued drug use had begun to cause problems. Presley started having severe mood swings with aggressive and erratic behavior, and he gained a lot of weight. Presley and Priscilla had grown apart, and in January 1973, they divorced. His drug addiction became worse; he was hospitalized several times for overdoses and other health problems. His performances began to suffer; on many occasions, he mumbled through songs.

On Aug. 16, 1977, Presley's girlfriend Ginger Alden found him on the bathroom floor at Graceland. He wasn't breathing. He was taken to the hospital, but doctors were unable to resuscitate him and he was pronounced dead at 42. His death initially was attributed to "cardiac arrhythmia," but the cause later was changed to a lethal mix of prescription drugs. 

Elvis Presley was one of the few artists to become known worldwide by just his first name and whose talent and accomplishments made him pop culture royalty. His fame has endured.

Twenty-five years after his death, RCA released an album of his No.1 records, titled "ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits." The album debuted at No. 1 on the charts, selling half a million copies in its first week. Having an album debut atop the U.S. charts was something Presley hadn't accomplished while he was alive.

It opened at No. 1 in 16 other countries, including Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates .

• " Forever Elvis ." Legacy.com.
• " The Legacy of Elvis Presley ." HowStuffWorks.
• Kreps, Daniel. “ Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley Guitarist, Dead at 84 .” Rolling Stone, 25 June 2018.
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Elvis Presley

• Born January 8 , 1935 · Tupelo, Mississippi, USA
• Died August 16 , 1977 · Memphis, Tennessee, USA (cardiac arrhythmia)
• Birth name Elvis Aaron Presley
• Elvis the Pelvis
• The King of Rock 'n' Roll
• Height 5′ 11¾″ (1.82 m)
• Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in East Tupelo, Mississippi, to Gladys Presley (née Gladys Love Smith) and Vernon Presley (Vernon Elvis Presley). He had a twin brother who was stillborn. In 1948, Elvis and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he attended Humes High School. In 1953, he attended the senior prom with the current girl he was courting, Regis Wilson. After graduating from high school in Memphis, Elvis took odd jobs working as a movie theater usher and a truck driver for Crown Electric Company. He began singing locally as "The Hillbilly Cat", then signed with a local recording company, and then with RCA in 1955. Elvis did much to establish early rock and roll music. He began his career as a performer of rockabilly, an up-tempo fusion of country music and rhythm and blues, with a strong backbeat. His novel versions of existing songs, mixing 'black' and 'white' sounds, made him popular - and controversial - as did his uninhibited stage and television performances. He recorded songs in the rock and roll genre, with tracks like "Jailhouse Rock" and "Hound Dog" later embodying the style. Presley had a versatile voice and had unusually wide success encompassing other genres, including gospel, blues, ballads and pop music. Teenage girls became hysterical over his blatantly sexual gyrations, particularly the one that got him nicknamed "Elvis the Pelvis" (television cameras were not permitted to film below his waist). In 1956, following his six television appearances on The Dorsey Brothers' "Stage Show", Elvis was cast in his first acting role, in a supporting part in Love Me Tender (1956) , the first of 33 movies he starred in. In 1958, Elvis was drafted into the military, and relocated to Bad Nauheim, Germany. There he met 14-year old army damsel Priscilla Ann Wagner ( Priscilla Presley ), whom he would eventually marry after an eight-year courtship, and by whom he had his only child, Lisa Marie Presley . Elvis' military service and the "British Invasion" of the 1960s reduced his concerts, though not his movie/recording income. Through the 1960s, Elvis settled in Hollywood, where he starred in the majority of his thirty-three movies, mainly musicals, acting alongside some of the most well known actors in Hollywood. Critics panned most of his films, but they did very well at the box office, earning upwards of $150 million total. His last fiction film, Change of Habit (1969) , deals with several social issues; romance within the clergy, an autistic child, almost unheard of in 1969, rape, and mob violence. It has recently received critical acclaim. Elvis made a comeback in the 1970s with live concert appearances starting in early 1970 in Las Vegas with over 57 sold-out shows. He toured throughout the United States, appearing on-stage in over 500 live appearances, many of them sold out shows. His marriage ended in divorce, and the stress of constantly traveling as well as his increasing weight gain and dependence upon stimulants and depressants took their toll. Elvis Presley died at age 42 on August 16, 1977 at his mansion in Graceland, near Memphis, shocking his fans worldwide. At the time of his death, he had sold more than 600 million singles and albums. Since his death, Graceland has become a shrine for millions of followers worldwide. Elvis impersonators and purported sightings have become stock subjects for humorists. To date, Elvis Presley is the only performer to have been inducted into three separate music 'Halls of Fame'. Throughout his career, he set records for concert attendance, television ratings and recordings sales, and remains one of the best-selling and most influential artists in the history of popular music. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Ed Stephan and Chris Holland
• Spouse Priscilla Presley (May 1, 1967 - October 9, 1973) (divorced, 1 child)
• Children Lisa Marie Presley
• Parents Gladys Presley Vernon Presley
• Relatives Harper Lockwood (Grandchild) Finley Lockwood (Grandchild) Minnie Mae Presley (Grandparent) Vester Presley (Aunt or Uncle) Patsy Presley Geranen (Cousin) Riley Keough (Grandchild) Benjamin Keough (Grandchild)
• The famous left-sided grin
• His movements, with his pelvis, that gave him the nickname, "Elvis, the pelvis", which he strongly disliked
• Longer and slightly deeper sideburns
• White sequined jumpsuits with rhinestones
• Onstage karate moves
• When The Beatles came to America in 1965 there was only one person they wanted to meet: Elvis. On 8/27/65 they got their wish and, according to John Lennon , spent an enjoyable evening at the Presley home in Bel Air, CA, talking, singing and laughing with each other.
• Once an opera singer attended one of his 1950s concerts and met him backstage. The singer told Elvis that he sang like a hillbilly and needed singing lessons. Elvis replied, "Thanks for the advice, but how many of the thousands of people out there tonight came to hear you sing?".
• From the time they met until his death, he always sent a roomful of flowers to Ann-Margret whenever she opened a show in Las Vegas.
• His personal entourage were known as the "Memphis Mafia", and were given matching rings by Elvis. The diamond and gold rings sported a thunderbolt and the letters "TCB" (reportedly standing for "Take Care of Business"). Elvis was buried wearing one of the rings.
• Elvis owned one of the world's first mobile phones. He had to have one after seeing Sean Connery use a car phone in the James Bond movie From Russia with Love (1963) . Elvis's phone was contained in a suitcase-size carrying case with his name in black letters on a gold label on the front. He would use it to talk from his limousine.
• [asked who he sounded like] I don't sound like nobody.
• [asked what kind of music he sings] I sing all kinds.
• I don't like being called Elvis The Pelvis. That's gotta be one of the most childish expressions I've ever heard coming from an adult.
• Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do 'em all together, I guess.
• [his acceptance speech from the 1970 Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation Awards] When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie. So every dream I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times . . . I learned very early in life that "Without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain't got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend - without a song". So I keep singing a song. Goodnight. Thank you.
• Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii (1973) - $450,000
• Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970) - $500,000 + 60% of profits
• The Trouble with Girls (1969) - $850,000 + 50% of the profits
• Charro! (1969) - $850,000 + 50% of profits
• Live a Little, Love a Little (1968) - $850,000 + 50% of the profits

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8 elvis presley biographies that reveal a new side of the king.

by Julia Teti

Entertainment Writer

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We love a good celebrity biography . No, really, we could spend hours poring over the details of the lives of the rich and famous — honestly, who wouldn’t want to live vicariously through all that drama? But there are some larger-than-life figures that only an extensive biography can fully relate, and the story of Elvis Presley is one of those icons.

Presley, also known as the King, changed American culture in the 1950s and ‘60s. His music and stardom became a movement among young Americans and ushered in a whole new era of celebrity culture. But behind Presley’s inky black hair, sly eyes, and unforgettable voice was a man who struggled under the pressure of the spotlight and met his untimely end at the age of only 42.

Ever since Baz Luhrmann’s musical biopic Elvis came out earlier in 2022, people have wanted to know more about him. Among our list of Elvis Presley biographies, you’ll find first-hand accounts from former friends and a fiancée , journalists, and more. These biographies feature never-before-seen photos, interviews, and extensive research that paint the most holistic picture of the “Can’t Help Falling in Love” singer’s life.

Check out Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley , Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley , and more biographies from our round-up for what would’ve been Presley’s 88th birthday today.

A version of this article was originally published on July 22, 2022. 

‘Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley’ by Jerry Schilling

Jerry Schilling met Elvis when he was just 19 years old, right before he skyrocketed to fame. The two became fast friends, and when Presley became one of the biggest stars in the world, Schilling found himself following his longtime friend to Memphis and then to Graceland — where he had his own room. Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley chronicles Schilling’s perspective on his relationship with The King, and what it was like to be a part of Presley’s inner circle. 

‘Elvis and Me’ by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley

Priscilla Presley, the only woman to marry Elvis Presley, tells the story of their life together in her memoir  Elvis and Me   — details of how they met when she was just 14 years old, how Elvis began to court her almost immediately, and their tumultuous marriage that followed. It’s an eye-opening read with details the reader may not forgive as easily as Priscilla did. 

‘Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley’ by Peter Guralnick

With access to interviews and more than 10 years of research, Peter Guralnick’s Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley is one of the definitive biographies of The King. This book takes readers past the legend, and presents Presley as the man he was. 

‘Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley’ by Peter Guralnick

Another Peter Guralnick entry on our list,  Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley is the second volume in the writer’s work on The King. In this biography, Guralnick follows Presley’s journey from 1958, through his unraveling, and up until his death in 1977.

‘Elvis Presley: The Man. The Life. The Legend.’ by Pamela Clarke Keogh

In  Elvis Presley: The Man. The Life. The Legend. , writer Pamela Clarke Keogh uses interviews and research to paint a holistic picture of one of music’s greatest icons. The biography also features black-and-white and color photos, many of which had never been seen before the biography’s publication.

‘Being Elvis: A Lonely Life’ by Ray Connolly

Being Elvis: A Lonely Life by journalist Ray Connolly tackles every aspect of Presley’s life from personal pitfalls to career success and more. Connolly offers an introspective take on the tragedy of Presley’s life and the loneliness of fame. 

‘Elvis’ by Jerry Hopkins

Jerry Hopkins’ simply titled biography,  Elvis , offers one of the most extensive readings on Presley’s star power, his career, and his personal life. From his childhood in poverty to his meteoric rise and his tragic final years, Elvis covers it all in more detail than most.  

‘Elvis and Ginger: Elvis Presley’s Fiancée and Last Love Finally Tells Her Story’ by Ginger Alden

In the months leading up to Presley’s untimely death, Ginger Alden was by his side. Alden recounts her relationship with the King and the last months of his life in Elvis and Ginger: Elvis Presley’s Fiancée and Last Love Finally Tells Her Story . 

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• The Best Movies About Elvis Presley
• Stories from His Personal Life
• His Best Movies
• Pics of a Young Elvis Presley
• Why People Think He's Still Alive
• Elvis Presley's Greatest Songs

The Best Movies About Elvis Presley, Ranked

From documentaries to biopics, we're ranking the best movies about Elvis Presley. Commonly known as The King of Rock and Roll, the American singer, actor, and cultural icon has been depicted numerous times in film and TV, but this list only features movies where Elvis Presley is the central character. What is the best Elvis Presley movie ? It will definitely be one that balances time between his life and his music.

In Elvis & Nixon , Michael Shannon portrayed Elvis Presley during his meeting with President Richard Nixon, played by Kevin Spacey. Other good Elvis Presley documentaries and biographical films include Bubba Ho-Tep , Protecting the King , and Heartbreak Hotel .

Vote up the best movies about Elvis Presley and vote down any that you think other fans should skip. 

Elvis: That's the Way It Is

Delving into the heart of Elvis Presley's live performance prowess, Elvis: That's the Way It Is  offers an unprecedented glimpse into the creative process and artistic genius of the King during his legendary 1970 Las Vegas concert residency. Showcasing the raw talent and charisma that propelled him to global fame, the film features candid rehearsals, exclusive backstage footage, and electrifying performances that leave audiences awestruck by Elvis' undeniable magnetism. By capturing the passion, dedication, and charismatic stage presence that defined Elvis Presley's iconic career, this documentary-style film celebrates the enduring magic of the man behind the legend. As a result, Elvis: That's the Way It Is  remains an essential viewing experience for any fan of the King and a compelling testament to his remarkable influence on the music industry.

This Is Elvis

This Is Elvis captures the essence of the legend's life with a unique blend of documentary and dramatized scenes, creating an intimate and insightful exploration of the iconic singer's journey. The film artfully weaves together archival footage of Elvis Presley's electrifying performances, candid interviews, and reenactments using actors to portray Elvis during pivotal moments in his career, providing a comprehensive look into his rise to superstardom and his eventual tragic downfall. The innovative narrative structure of This Is Elvis  allows for a deep dive into the King's persona, as well as offering a critical examination of his impact on popular culture and music history. By portraying the many facets of Elvis Presley's life, from his humble beginnings to his world-renowned fame, this film stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the indisputable King of Rock and Roll.

Affectionately known as the 68 Comeback Special , Elvis' 1968 eponymous television event is a triumphant return to form for the King of Rock and Roll, showcasing his incomparable talent, charisma, and powerful stage presence. This groundbreaking special revitalized Elvis' career, reestablishing him as a relevant force in the music world, while also striking a chord with a new generation of fans. Featuring a captivating mix of live performances, intimate acoustic segments, and elaborate production numbers, Elvis (1968)  encapsulates the raw energy and depth of Presley's musical artistry. With its iconic leather-clad image, the '68 Comeback Special  remains a seminal moment not only in Elvis' career but in the history of popular music, proving that the King never truly left the building.

Acclaimed director Baz Luhrmann's highly anticipated biopic, Elvis , delivers a fresh and immersive perspective on the extraordinary life and career of Elvis Presley, capturing the essence of the King through a vibrant and cinematic lens. Starring Austin Butler as Elvis Presley and Tom Hanks as his controversial manager, Colonel Tom Parker, this ambitious film delves deep into the complexities of their dynamic professional relationship, as well as the indelible impact they had on each other's lives and careers. With its dazzling visual storytelling, powerhouse performances, and meticulous attention to historical detail, Elvis  is poised to become an essential addition to the canon of films about the King, offering a captivating and insightful exploration of his multifaceted persona. By blending the larger-than-life mythos surrounding Elvis with intimate, humanizing moments, this visionary biopic aims to reveal the man behind the icon, reaffirming his status as a cultural titan.

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Elvis on Tour

Elvis on Tour offers a rare, candid look at Elvis Presley in the midst of his 1972 concert tour, providing an intimate portrait of the King as he navigates the demanding life of a touring musician. Through its unique split-screen format, the film captures the essence of Elvis' unparalleled stage presence while also delivering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his personal life and the camaraderie with his band members. With electrifying live performances and up-close footage of Elvis shining light on his genuine love for the music he performed, Elvis on Tour  reveals a more human, vulnerable side of the legend that is often overshadowed by his larger-than-life persona. This Golden Globe-winning documentary not only cements Elvis as a powerhouse performer but also serves as a testament to his enduring influence on the music world, making it an essential watch for fans and aficionados alike.

In John Carpenter's critically acclaimed TV movie, Elvis , we are treated to a gripping performance by Kurt Russell in the titular role, capturing the essence and magnetism of the legendary King of Rock and Roll. The film delves into key moments in Elvis' life, exploring his relationships with his family, his various loves, and the notorious Colonel Tom Parker, played by the brilliant Pat Hingle. In addition to showcasing Russell's remarkable rendition of Elvis' iconic singing and dance moves, Elvis (1979) portrays the emotional weight carried by Presley throughout his tumultuous career. The film's powerful performances and moving storytelling make it a standout among Elvis biopics, successfully capturing the complexities of the man behind the myth.

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The King , a thought-provoking and visually stunning documentary, takes us on an extraordinary journey through America's complex cultural landscape and its evolving relationship with Elvis Presley and his legacy. Director Eugene Jarecki expertly weaves interviews, archival footage, and stunning imagery to explore the intersections between Elvis' meteoric rise to fame and the broader cultural forces that shaped modern America. By exploring the King's influence on American society – from politics to race relations – The King  offers a fascinating lens through which to view the indelible impact of Presley's iconography. A must-watch for Elvis fans and cultural historians alike, this documentary serves as a profound reflection on the lasting impact of the King on American identity.

Heartbreak Hotel

In Heartbreak Hotel , writer-director Chris Columbus spins a whimsical and nostalgic tale centered on the transformative power of meeting one's idol – in this case, the ever-charismatic Elvis Presley, portrayed by David Keith. The film's charming and playful story follows a teenage boy who kidnaps Elvis in an attempt to help his struggling single mother find happiness, ultimately leading to a heartwarming connection between the King and his devoted fan. By blending elements of fantasy with a poignant coming-of-age narrative, Heartbreak Hotel  demonstrates the profound impact that Elvis and his music continue to have on multiple generations. This lighthearted and entertaining film captures the spirit of fandom and the enduring appeal of Elvis, even as it remains grounded in a heartfelt and relatable story.

Bubba Ho-Tep

Bubba Ho-Tep presents a wildly imaginative and unconventional take on the enduring mythology surrounding Elvis Presley, using a unique blend of horror, comedy, and folklore to tell the tale of an elderly man who claims to be the King himself. Starring cult-favorite Bruce Campbell as the so-called Elvis, the film delves into a fantastical world where Elvis has traded places with an impersonator and now resides in a Texas nursing home, facing off against an evil mummy with the help of a man claiming to be John F. Kennedy. By embracing the eccentric and outrageous aspects of Elvis lore, Bubba Ho-Tep  offers an affectionate tribute to the King's lasting impact on popular culture, delivering a cult classic that's both hilarious and surprisingly poignant.

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Elvis Meets Nixon

In Elvis Meets Nixon , the cult film directed by Allan Arkush, two seminal figures of 20th-century America are humorously portrayed as they participate in the infamous and bizarre real-life encounter between Elvis Presley and President Richard Nixon. Rick Peters brilliantly captures the King's legendary charm and eccentricities, while Bob Gunton truly shines as the beleaguered president. This quirky, comedic retelling of the unlikely meeting highlights not only the peculiarities of Elvis' persona but also the cultural shifts taking place in 1970s America. Elvis Meets Nixon  is a captivating exploration of the duality of Elvis as both larger-than-life legend and relatable human being, wrapped up in a laugh-out-loud, tongue-in-cheek package.

Elvis & Nixon

Elvis & Nixon masterfully captures the bizarre and iconic 1970 meeting between the King of Rock and Roll and the President of the United States. The film delves into the heart of Elvis Presley's character, exploring his deep sense of patriotism and need for recognition beyond the world of music. Michael Shannon brilliantly portrays Elvis with a mix of vulnerability and charisma, showing us the lonely man behind the legend while Kevin Spacey delivers an equally compelling performance as Nixon. With a perfect balance of humor and drama, Elvis & Nixon is a must-watch for fans seeking an insightful look at a lesser-known facet of Elvis' life.

Elvis Is Alive

Elvis Is Alive speculates on the fascinating urban legend that the King of Rock 'n' Roll faked his own death to escape the spotlight. By exploring the intricacies of this conspiracy theory through its well-researched narrative, the film taps into the undying love and obsession that the public has for Elvis, long after his passing. A bold blend of drama, documentary, and dark comedy, Elvis Is Alive questions the nature of fame and its impact on an individual as iconic as Presley. Captivating and intriguing, this film offers an alternative perspective on the life and legacy of the beloved King.

Protecting the King

Protecting the King takes us behind the scenes into theguardian angel relationship between Elvis Presley and his loyal bodyguards. This biographical drama delves into the personal struggles of Elvis, from his meteoric rise to fame to the tragic drug addiction that haunted his final years. The film's title encapsulates the deeply felt responsibility his bodyguards had for their iconic charge, as they tried to shield him from the dark side of fame. Anchored by powerful performances and an emotional storyline, Protecting the King offers an intimate look at the vulnerability amidst the glamour of Elvis' life and the tender bond with his protectors.

Elvis Has Left the Building

In Elvis Has Left the Building , the unique premise of using a series of accidental killings involving Elvis impersonators not only provides laugh-out-loud moments but also showcases the underlying influence of Elvis Presley in American pop culture. The film cleverly demonstrates how the larger-than-life persona of Elvis has infiltrated our collective consciousness, producing fanatics and impersonators alike. Kim Basinger shines as the protagonist, a woman who embarks on a wild journey with a colorful cast of characters, all connected by their love for the King. Elvis Has Left the Building is an entertaining and witty examination of the undying admiration for Elvis and the impersonators who strive to keep his memory alive.  

Elvis and the Beauty Queen

Elvis and the Beauty Queen brilliantly explores the turbulent relationship between Elvis Presley and his true love, Linda Thompson. Through gripping performances and a sharp script, this TV movie paints an honest and compelling picture of the final years of the King's life, and how Thompson's unwavering love ultimately could not save him. Stephanie Zimbalist and Don Johnson's magnetic on-screen chemistry brings to life the emotional and dramatic story of a man struggling with his own demons, while desperately trying to cling onto love. Elvis and the Beauty Queen serves as a poignant account of the complexity of the King's personal life and the power of his legendary persona.

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Lists about Elvis Presley, one of the biggest singers, heartthrobs, and cultural icons of the 20th century, who passed suddenly in 1977 in age 42.

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From Whitney Houston to Elvis , there is no shortage of iconic singers who inspire sweeping films that dramatize their life stories. No matter the genre, cinematic features have captured the careers of the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley to country singer Jonny Cash. Most recently, Back to Black (2024) launched in theaters to capture the life and musical career of Amy Winehouse.

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We’ve compiled a list of music-centric biopics available to stream should the urge overcome viewers.

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody (2022)

Naomi Ackie embodied singer Whitney Houston in Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody . With a script from Anthony McCarten, Kasi Lemmons took viewers into Houston’s life from her early career start meeting Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci) to moments like the above iconic National Anthem performance. Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody is available to stream on Netflix.

Elvis (2022)

Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis stars Austin Butler as the King of Rock and Roll. The film follows the singer’s love of music from his childhood to his rise to celebrity in the 1950s with manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks) and wife Priscilla (Olivia DeJonge). Elvis is available to stream on Max.

One Love (2024)

Starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the reggae icon Bob Marley, One Love builds up to the singer’s Smile Jamaica concert to promote peace in light of the political armed conflict in Jamaica. Lashana Lynch portrays his wife Rita under the direction of Reinaldo Marcus Green. Terence Winter, Frank E. Flowers and Zach Baylin wrote the script. One Love is available to stream on Paramount+, MGM+ and Fubo TV.

RELATED: ‘Michael’ Cast: Who’s Who In The Michael Jackson Biopic

Priscilla (2023)

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)

Harry Potter alum Daniel Radcliffe portrays Al Yankovic in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story . Come for his portrayal of the comedian’s crazy life and stay for costars Rainn Wilson as Dr. Demento, Lin-Manuel Miranda as the Doctor, Julianne Nicholson as Mary, Quinta Brunson as Oprah and more. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is available to stream on Roku.

Rocketman (2019)

Taron Egerton becomes Elton John to life in musical fantasy Rocketman (2019). Richard Madden appears alongside him as John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard portrays Sheila. Rocketman was directed by Dexter Fletcher and written by Lee Hall. Rocketman is available to stream on Paramount+.

Back to Black (2024)

Marisa Abela plays Amy Winehouse in Back to Black (2024), which landed in theaters May 17. Sam Taylor-Johnson directed the film with a script from Matt Greenhalgh, which follows the singer’s rise to fame and creation of the Back to Black album.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Rami Malek brings Freddie Mercury to life in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018). The film follows British rock band Queen and their lead singer Freddie Mercury from formation to their Live Aid performance in 1985. The cast also features Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin, Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor, Tom Hollander as Jim Beach and more. Bohemian Rhapsody is available to stream on Apple TV+, Fubo TV and FX Now.

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Selena (1997)

Jennifer Lopez portrays Selena Quintanilla, the first female artist to win a Grammy for Best Mexican American Album in 1994, in the true story of the Texan Tejano singer. The film is available to stream on Tubi.

What’s Love Got to Do With It (1993)

Angela Bassett plays Tina Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With It (1993). The film follows the singer’s rise to fame and journey to leave her abusive husband, Ike Turner (Laurence Fishburne). What’s Love Got To Do With It is available to stream on Tubi.

Walk the Line (2005)

Joaquin Phoenix brought country singer Johnny Cash in Walk the Line (2005). The film takes viewers from Cash’s early childhood growing up in Arkansas on a cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee where he recorded among the likes of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Reese Witherspoon plays June Carter, Ginnifer Goodwin plays Vivian Cash and Robert Patrick plays Ray Cash. Walk the Line is available to stream on Hulu.

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Elvis Presley’s Family Tree: How Lisa Marie Presley, Riley Keough, and Others Are Related to the “King”

The Presley family has experienced its fair share of drama and heartbreak since Elvis’ death in 1977.

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As for his family legacy, it’s a little more complicated. Elvis married Priscilla Presley on May 1, 1967, and the couple had one daughter, Lisa Marie . However, their divorce five years later and Elvis’ untimely death at age 42 would foreshadow the contentious and, at times, tragic history of his descendants.

Here’s what you need to know about the key members of the Elvis Presley family tree, including Priscilla Presley , Lisa Marie Presley , and Riley Keough .

Priscilla Presley

Relation to elvis: ex-wife.

Priscilla Ann Wagner was born May 24, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York. Following the death of her father only months later, her mother, Ann, remarried U.S. Air Force officer Paul Beaulieu in 1948. The family moved several times and was stationed in Germany when Priscilla met Elvis in 1959 and began a relationship with him at age 14. They married in 1967, had daughter Lisa Marie the next year, and were together until their separation and divorce in 1972. Priscilla also has one son, Navarone Garibaldi Garcia, from a separate relationship. (Garcia is the lead singer of synth rock band Them Guns.)

Priscilla became the executor of the Graceland estate in 1979 and is a successful businesswoman. She has acted—appearing on the soap opera Dallas in the 1980s and in the Naked Gun film series—published the best-selling memoir Elvis and Me in 1986, and also started a line of beauty products. Most recently, the 77-year-old has been in the news for her legal challenge against granddaughter Riley Keough for control of Graceland following Lisa Marie’s death earlier this year.

Lisa Marie Presley

Relation to elvis: daughter.

Lisa Marie Presley was Elvis and Priscilla’s only child; she was born on February 1, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. She moved to Los Angeles with her mother at age 4 when her parents divorced but split time with both of them up until Elvis’ death in 1977 when she was 9.

Lisa Marie dropped out of high school and went to rehab after abusing illegal drugs. There, she met her first of four husbands, musician Danny Keough. The pair married in 1988 and had two children; they divorced in 1994. Lisa Marie was also married to pop superstar Michael Jackson , actor Nicolas Cage , and music producer Michael Lockwood. She had twin daughters with Lockwood.

Like her father, Lisa Marie had a music career. Her first two albums in 2003 and 2005, respectively, debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and were certified gold. She died at age 54 on January 25, 2023, after suffering cardiac arrest.

Read More about Lisa Marie Presley

Danny Keough

Relation to elvis: former son-in-law.

Danny Keough, born November 6, 1964, is a musician and actor and the first husband of Elvis’ daughter, Lisa Marie. They met in 1985 when Lisa Marie was 20 years old and tied the knot three years later. The 58-year-old is the father of Lisa Marie’s oldest two children, Riley Keough and the late Benjamin Keough.

According to People , Danny and Lisa Marie remained on good terms following their 1994 divorce. He became her bassist during her music career and served as the best man at her wedding to her fourth husband, Michael Lockwood, in 2006. The two were even living together in a rented property at the time of Lisa Marie’s death, according to In Touch Weekly .

Riley Keough

Relation to elvis: granddaughter.

Danielle Riley Keough, born May 29, 1989, is the eldest child of Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough. A former model for Christian Dior and Dolce and Gabbana, she has transitioned into a successful acting career.

Riley, 33, made her film debut in the 2010 musical biopic The Runaways and has since appeared in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), American Honey (2016), Logan Lucky (2017), and Zola (2020). She also earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series for her role as Christine Reade on the Starz drama The Girlfriend Experience .

In 2023, Keough played the title character in the Amazon Prime Video series Daisy Jones & the Six . She is also involved in a legal battle with her grandmother Priscilla over control of the Graceland property following her mother’s death.

Read More about Riley Keough

Benjamin Keough

Relation to elvis: grandson.

Benjamin Storm Presley Keough, born October 21, 1992, was the second child of Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough. A musician, Benjamin signed a record deal with Universal in 2009 for $5 million, according to Variety , but never released any music under the agreement.

Benjamin died by suicide at age 27 on July 12, 2020, and is buried at Graceland. He was known for his physical resemblance to his superstar grandfather. Despite his family’s fame, he stayed relatively clear of the public eye. Following Benjamin’s death, his longtime friend Brandon Howard told People he “wasn’t a spoiled kid. He was very humble, very giving, very loving, especially to his friends.”

Michael Lockwood

Michael Lockwood, born May 21, 1961, is a guitarist and producer who married Lisa Marie Presley on January 22, 2006. He was a member of the band Lions and Ghosts and went on to produce movie soundtracks and collaborate with artists like Aimee Mann, Carly Simon , and Fiona Apple.

Lisa Marie filed for divorce from Michael in June 2016, starting a years-long battle over custody of their twin daughters, Harper and Finley, as well as finances. According to the Daily Mail , Lisa Marie admitted to abusing cocaine over the final year of their marriage. The divorce was finalized in 2021.

Michael, 61, became the twins’ legal guardian in April 2023 following Lisa Marie’s death.

Finley and Harper Lockwood

Relation to elvis: granddaughters.

Finley Aaron Love Lockwood, 14, and Harper Vivienne Anne Lockwood, 14, are the twin daughters of Lisa Marie and Michael Lockwood, born on October 7, 2008.

The two were caught in a vicious custody battle amid their parents’ divorce. They were placed in protective custody with their grandmother Priscilla after Lisa Marie’s legal team alleged Michael had “disturbing” images of children on his computer, according to People . Tennessee investigators closed their inquiry a year later, and the couple’s divorce was complete in 2021.

Along with half-sister Riley Keough, Finley and Harper are beneficiaries of Lisa Marie’s contested trust, which passed down control of the Graceland property.

Tyler Piccotti first joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor in February 2023, and before that worked almost eight years as a newspaper reporter and copy editor. He is a graduate of Syracuse University. When he's not writing and researching his next story, you can find him at the nearest amusement park, catching the latest movie, or cheering on his favorite sports teams.

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14 actors who have played Elvis Presley

From Kurt Russell to Jacob Elordi, here's a look back at the most memorable portrayals of the King.

Elvis Presley is one of the most beloved entertainers in music history, thanks to his signature sultry voice and swaggering style. Countless impersonators have made a living off mimicking the King of Rock and Roll, and Hollywood is no different, with numerous films and TV shows cashing in on the continued fascination with the singer.

Everett; Hugh Stewart /Warner Bros. /Courtesy Everett; Ken Woroner/A24

It all began with the 1979 made-for-TV movie Elvis , starring Kurt Russell , released two years after Presley died. The depictions haven't stopped since, with such high-profile films as Elvis (2022) and Priscilla (2023), starring Austin Butler and Jacob Elordi , respectively.

Here is our list of the most notable Elvis portrayals through the years.

Kurt Russell, Elvis (1979)

This TV movie marks the first time director John Carpenter ever worked with Kurt Russell, who most critics fawned over in his Emmy-nominated performance as Elvis. It's a fair portrayal of Elvis' life, seeing as his father was consulted, Russell got to pick out a jumpsuit from Graceland, and Priscilla Presley was paid $50,000 to ensure the script was accurate. Russell is generally excellent in everything, but he brings a certain gravitas to Elvis that gives us a glimpse into his relationships with those he loved most.

Don Johnson, Elvis and the Beauty Queen (1981)

This 1981 made-for-TV movie portrays Elvis in 1972 amid his divorce from Priscilla, whom we never see on screen. Elvis soon meets Linda Thompson (Stephanie Zimbalist), a youthful beauty queen who becomes his live-in girlfriend for most of the last years of his life. Don Johnson as Elvis is a take on the divorced dad trope, albeit one with all the funds to keep himself from being sad or lonely.

Johnson gained 40 pounds for the role, and there's even a whole scene explaining the King's infamous love of fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. The film is mostly for Elvis completists, though it's a version of the King by the guy who would soon become Miami Vice 's Sonny Crockett. He brings some of that energy to this performance, but not enough to merit a rewatch.

David Keith, Heartbreak Hotel (1988)

Chris Columbus ' 1988 take on the King's legacy suffers from everything about the '80s via 1950s aesthetic of reimagining. To be frank, it's a goofy movie that would probably never be made today. However, there is a certain charm to the harebrained things that got greenlit in the age of Aqua Net and leg warmers. This is one of those films that you may have caught on cable and have fond memories of, or maybe you even saw it in the theater.

David Keith will forever be etched in the minds of moviegoers as Drew Barrymore 's dad in the original Firestarter , but he chews up a gold lamé suit as Elvis in this strange little film.

Dale Midkiff, Elvis and Me (1988)

This made-for-TV movie loosely based on Priscilla Presley's autobiography is basically Elvis exploitation. Because of the source material, it's easy to expect salacious details, but at this point we know this story: Man pursues girl, they fall in love, he becomes rock star, and she suffers having made him her whole life. It's a melodramatic love story that captivated audiences when it was released in 1988. For what it's worth, Dale Midkiff is a pretty good Elvis, even if he does play up the kitsch.

Michael St. Gerard, Elvis (1990)

Michael St. Gerard isn't the only person on this list to play Elvis more than once, but for many, his portrayal in this 1990 miniseries was a definitive take. We follow a young Elvis in 1950s Memphis as he's lighting the wick to his eventual rocket to stardom. It's a grounded performance by an actor who truly looks the part, with a strong jaw, pouty lips, and perfect pompadour.

That he so resembles his subject could be the reason why Michael St. Gerard also played Elvis in Great Balls of Fire (1989), Heart of Dixie (1989), and an episode of Quantum Leap . Despite his recurring role, most remember him as Link Larkin from the original Hairspray (1988), John Waters ' ode to race relations and the musical magic of the 1960s.

Val Kilmer, True Romance (1993)

Elvis was such a huge persona that just the essentials, the whiff of Elvis-isms, is enough to give us plenty of context clues. Perhaps that's why people have sworn to see Elvis out in the wild for years after his death. As an Elvis-themed mentor, Val Kilmer is Christian Slater 's conscience in True Romance , which was penned by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott .

We see Kilmer briefly and never fully in mirrors as he advises Slater's Clarence Worley to proceed on his cross-country adventure, complete with drugs, prostitutes, and, of course, murder. Clearly, he needs Elvis' advice to get out alive. Kilmer gives an amazing performance as an imaginary, Elvis-like guide, advising on the side of street justice and ensuring a happily ever after.

Peter Dobson, Forrest Gump (1994)

The short but sweet portrayal of Elvis as a fascinated bystander to a young Forrest Gump's leg-braced dancing — which, of course, informs the star's stage persona — is prophetic of Peter Dobson's career. He has played Elvis, Elvis impersonators, and even people with a striking resemblance to Elvis in Elvis-like situations. Dobson's few seconds on screen as a pre-fame Presley in the Oscar-winning Forrest Gump made an impact, even without us seeing his full body or face.

Bruce Campbell, Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)

This Don Coscarelli -helmed yarn is about an aging and forgotten Elvis impersonator — who is actually Elvis — living out his final days in a retirement home that's being stalked by a soul-stealing cowboy mummy. He's aided in thwarting the evil by his neighbor John F. Kennedy ( Ossie Davis ), a.k.a. Jack. That's a lot to unpack, and the movie is a study in suspension of disbelief, but like Coscarelli's other cinematic ventures (the Phantasm series, John Dies at the End , The Beastmaster ), that disbelief is essential and comes with the price of the ticket.

Bruce Campbell does his best Elvis as a depressed man on his way out who finds a reason to live in the extermination of evil. It's a fun, irreverent portrayal in a style that only Campbell can pull off. Watching Elvis with a walker and white Adonis jumpsuit battle the cowboy mummy is almost too much, yet it's certainly enough.

Tyler Hilton, Walk the Line (2005)

Obviously, Walk the Line is a Johnny Cash film; thus, Elvis is not the central character. That said, Tyler Hilton knocked his performance out of the park as an unsure Elvis in a sea of talent. Unlike most of the other actors on this list, his understated performance is an anomaly for a performer that many see as a one-dimensional caricature. While no one on this list looks exactly like Elvis, Hilton's swagger and convincing acting carry him into our minds as a prince to the quintessential King.

Jack White, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)

There isn't a moment where musician Jack White (an Elvis superfan himself) makes any sense in his bonkers portrayal of the singer in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story . It's a mashup of every era of Elvis' real and perceived behavior, concentrated into a performance that is supposed to be a young Elvis on his rise to stardom. However, he's clearly on copious substances, surrounded by girls, karate chopping the air, and calling himself "the King" (which Elvis reportedly never did). Like many of the other performances on this list, when the legend is better than the truth, ham it up.

Jimmy Ellis, Orion: The Man Who Would Be King (2015)

This one is a true story, given that the movie is a documentary. In the days after Elvis's passing, Jimmy Ellis, an unknown singer with a baritone that matched the King's, was plucked from obscurity and passed off as a masked Presley, back from the dead. The ruse was so convincing for some that the Nashville News wrote, "There are many that believe that Elvis is still alive — if he is alive, he wears a mask and goes by the name Orion."

Any fan of Elvis Presley can appreciate the performance of a man trying to assume the role of his idol and spinning a lie so wild, it could be true. Orion: The Man Who Would Be King is certainly worth your time if you find yourself starved for Elvis content.

Michael Shannon, Elvis & Nixon (2016)

Michael Shannon is an imposing figure and plays his Elvis with a sly, mischievous streak while vying for top-dog status in a room with Richard Nixon ( Kevin Spacey ). Shannon doesn't look at all like Elvis, but no one on this list really has the cut of the King in their repertoire — it's all attitude and body language. This strange and humorous film sees Elvis trying to align his waning star in an era of Vietnam War protestors and drug use to President Nixon, who is also suffering from lagging approval ratings from the same people. Each needs something from the other, and the whole movie is a wink at both American historical figures.

Austin Butler, Elvis (2022)

Much like Kurt Russell's portrayal, this new take on Elvis' life and rise to stardom gets the thumbs up from the King's family. Lisa Marie Presley had this much to say about Austin Butler's Oscar-nominated portrayal of her iconic father: "It's almost like he channeled him...He put everything he had, his heart, his soul, everything he had into researching, reading, watching, learning. He honored him in every way possible." Elvis' granddaughter, Riley Keough , reportedly wept when seeing this version. If there is a higher form of praise for embodying a person on film, we are not aware of it.

Jacob Elordi, Priscilla (2023)

Priscilla Presley got another chance to tell her story with Priscilla . Unlike 1988's made-for-TV movie Elvis and Me , which was released only three years after her book hit shelves, Priscilla benefits from some added time, reflection, and Hollywood star power. Written and directed by Sofia Coppola , and starring Jacob Elordi in the role of Priscilla's ( Cailee Spaeny ) husband, Priscilla is a fascinating depiction of a tumultuous relationship. Framed from Priscilla's perspective, the film portrays Elvis as a charming yet tortured artist, and Elordi taps into the inner demons the icon struggled with as his fame grew.

Related content:

• The Elvis cast speaks on how the movie deals with racial appropriation
• 5 Elvis movies you should see after watching Elvis
• The man who would be King: Inside Austin Butler's Elvis transformation

Related Articles

Elvis Presley Was Obsessed With This Marlon Brando Movie

Presley modeled much of his stage persona and acting ambitions off of one of the most iconic performances in Marlon Brando’s career.

The Big Picture

• Elvis Presley aspired to be a serious actor like his idols Marlon Brando, James Dean, Karl Malden, and Rod Steiger.
• Elvis felt cheated by his film roles, as they didn't challenge him artistically and didn't showcase his range as an actor.
• On the Waterfront was a groundbreaking film that left a lasting impression on Elvis and influenced his rebellious stage persona.

Thanks to Sofia Coppola 's Priscilla and Baz Luhrmann 's Elvis , movies about Elvis Presley , the “King of Rock ’n’ Roll,” are getting the same attention that the icon always wanted to have on-screen. Although Presley is one of the most culturally significant musicians of all time, the films that he starred in don’t exactly live up to that reputation. Sure, Jailhouse Rock , Blue Hawaii , Speedway , and Spinout , among others, gave Presley the chance to rattle off a few iconic musical numbers. However, as films, they fall well below any reasonable expectations of quality. What makes these largely forgettable film roles by Presley more disappointing is that he clearly had greater ambitions in mind for his acting career. Presley modeled much of his stage persona and acting ambitions off of one of the most iconic performances in Marlon Brando ’s career: On the Waterfront .

On The Waterfront (1954)

An ex-prize fighter turned New Jersey longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses, including his older brother, as he starts to connect with the grieving sister of one of the syndicate's victims.

Elvis Wanted To Be Taken Seriously as an Actor

While Elvis and Priscilla have very different perceptions of what the late pop icon was really like, both films depict a similar crisis in Presley’s life. Presley felt cheated by his film roles , as he didn’t feel like the studio-approved crowdpleasers that he was starring in challenged him in any meaningful way . In Elvis , this is clear during a few scenes of Austin Butler ’s version of Presley on set conflicting with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker ( Tom Hanks ). Butler’s Presley felt that he was at his best when he was pushing artistic boundaries, and not adhering to what audiences would expect from him. In Priscilla , Presley’s artistic frustrations have a dark side. He takes out his anger at being creatively inert on his young wife Priscilla Beaulieu ( Cailee Spaeny ), and at one point throws an object at her head. While Elvis and Priscilla are completely opposed in their depiction of Presley himself, they seem to agree that his struggles finding compelling film roles caused significant hardship in his life.

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It appears that both Baz Luhrmann and Sofia Coppola did their research, as Elvis’ creative struggles have been well documented. In Priscilla Presley’s autobiography Elvis & Me , the widow of the late singer admitted that Presley’s desire was “to become a great actor like his idols Marlon Brando, James Dean , Karl Malden, and Rod Steiger .” She revealed that Elvis wanted to do films with “more substance and fewer songs,” as he felt that he was given roles purely because of his musical talents, and not his range as an actor. Unfortunately, Presley’s creative struggles continued to plague him up until the end of his career. Although the 1970 concert film Elvis: That’s The Way It Is gave him a brief comeback , he spent the rest of his career performing in Las Vegas. The opportunity to work alongside great directors like Stanley Kubrick or Preston Sturges sadly eluded him.

Why Did Elvis Presley Love Marlon Brando?

Presley and Brando were both era-defining popular culture icons of the 1950s that grew more mature in the 1960s. Both men represented the outsider, counterculture revolution that was steadily growing in the United States. Brando had first announced himself as a star with the 1953 film The Wild One , where he starred as a young motorcyclist who caused enough trouble to get kicked out of his hometown by the local law enforcement. While The Wild One was the film that kick-started his career, Brando’s best work came a few years later in On the Waterfront . The film earned eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Brando. Unlike the second Best Actor trophy that Brando would win for The Godfather , he actually accepted his award for On the Waterfront in person.

On the Waterfront was a groundbreaking artistic achievement that showed what it was like to be stigmatized by a community. Brando starred as Terry Malloy, a former prizefighter who gave up his chance to be “a contender” at the request of the mob. Mallory now lives the rest of his life in the shadow of the fighter he could have been. If he had stood up to the mob when he was younger, he could have actually made something of his life. The emotional strength and heartbreak that Brando showed during the film’s climactic moments earmarked it as one of his best performances .

Academy Award voters weren’t the only ones who were impressed with the film. Apparently, Elvis Presley was obsessed with On the Waterfront . According to Presley’s regular collaborator Mike Stoller , he had intended to star in a more serious film project because he “had always wanted to do something like a Marlon Brando as an actor.” Presley was so serious about the film that he recruited On the Waterfront ’s writer Budd Schulberg and its director Elia Kazan to work with him. Brando’s performance had left an impression on Presley and gave him something to aspire to. While Presley never got the chance to do a “Brando-esque” dramatic role, the “rebellious” persona that he created through his stage performances felt like it was derived from Terry Malloy. It’s not the only thing that the two men had in common; Brando and Presley both earned the reputation of being somewhat difficult to work with .

Marlon Brando's ‘On the Waterfront’ Performance Kicked Off a New Chapter in His Career

On the Waterfront is now remembered as one of the best films of the 1950s . The film was a cinematic breakthrough thanks to the emotion within Brando’s performance, and the sense of realism that Kazan had introduced. Before On the Waterfront , Kazan and Brando had worked together on the film adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire , which was acclaimed for bringing the dramatic authenticity of a stage play to the big screen. On the Waterfront captured a similar sense of naturalism, but told a completely original story.

On the Waterfront kicked off a new era in Brando’s career, but unfortunately, it didn’t last long. Brando’s issues became bigger stories than his film roles, and it took Francis Ford Coppola ’s The Godfather to re-establish his reputation as one of the industry’s best-living actors While Brando still provoked some issues during the production of The Godfather , it is remembered as being the film that finally gave him a comeback.

On the Waterfront is available to watch on Prime Video in the U.S.

Watch on Prime Video

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An elvis presley concert film may be on the way.

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UNITED STATES - JULY 20: NASSAU COLISEUM Photo of Elvis PRESLEY, performing live onstage (Photo ... [+] by Steve Morley/Redferns)

Elvis Presley remains an incredibly popular musician, even decades after his death. The singer-songwriter’s brand enjoyed a boost a few years ago thanks to his highly-anticipated biopic, Elvis , which ended up becoming a critical and commercial success. Now, the man behind that project may be looking to stay in the business of the king.

At the Met Gala on Monday (May 6), director Baz Luhrmann spoke to the Hollywood Reporter , and he revealed some very good news for those who love Presley. “The fans really want to know if all that footage we found in the vaults is going to become a concert film,” he stated in a short interview. The celebrated filmmaker then added, tantalizingly, “I’m here to say I think it’s gonna happen.”

Rumors that Luhrmann was working on a second Presley movie of some kind began late last year after the director took to Instagram to share that he’d uncovered plenty of great archival material. He wrote that he and his team had “found reels and reels of never-before-seen footage of Elvis on Tour and That’s The Way It Is .”

Both Elvis on Tour and That’s The Way It Is are previously-released documentaries focused on Presley. The two were originally shared in the ‘70s, but according to Luhrmann, fans didn’t get to see everything that was filmed, and there may be plenty more that’s worth watching.

For the moment, there are no concrete details regarding any new Presley projects. Luhrmann’s reveal may mean that he is getting ready to announce something definitive soon…or there’s a good chance that fans will have to wait months, or possibly even years before they get to watch a new–or even an updated–film.

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Luhrmann’s Presley biopic Elvis was a huge hit after it was released in mid-2022. The movie went on to gross just under $300 million globally off of a production budget of $85 million. It earned eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor. The title didn’t win any gold that evening, losing the top prize to Everything Everywhere All At Once .

A new Presley concert film would be a surefire win for whichever streaming platform picked it up–and it would likely cost a very pretty penny after what may be a bidding war for the project. Luhrmann and the late singer’s estate could also choose to release the as-yet-unofficial movie in theaters, where it could bring in millions in box office revenue.

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Elvis's Graceland all shook up by allegations of fraud, talk of foreclosure

Riley keough, elvis presley's granddaughter, sues to block graceland sale and launches countersuit.

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Elvis Presley's estate Graceland is the subject of heated litigation, which could lay bare a complex web of financial information surrounding one of America's best known cultural landmarks.

An auction for Graceland had been scheduled for this week, but a Tennessee judge on Wednesday blocked it. Shelby County Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins issued a temporary injunction after Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough sought a temporary restraining order and filed her own lawsuit.

Here's what's known so far:

The disputes

A public notice for a foreclosure sale of the 13-acre estate just outside of Memphis, Tenn., posted earlier in May said Promenade Trust, which controls the Graceland museum, owes $3.8 million US after failing to repay a 2018 loan. Keough, an actor, inherited the trust and ownership of the home after the death of her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, last year.

Naussany Investments and Private Lending said Lisa Marie Presley had used Graceland as collateral for the loan, according to the foreclosure sale notice. Keough, on behalf of the Promenade Trust, sued last week, claiming that Naussany presented fraudulent documents regarding the loan in September 2023.

"Lisa Maria Presley never borrowed money from Naussany Investments and never gave a deed of trust to Naussany Investments," Keough's lawyer wrote in a lawsuit.

• Lisa Marie Presley died of complications from prior weight-loss surgery, says coroner

Kimberly Philbrick, the notary whose name is listed on the documents, indicated that she never met Lisa Marie Presley nor notarized any documents for her, the court filing said. The Associated Press texted Philbrick at numbers believed to be hers, but she hadn't responded by Tuesday.

Kurt Naussany, who was identified in court documents as a defendant, directed questions in an email to Gregory Naussany. Gregory Naussany told the AP in an email: "The attorneys can make comment!" Court records do not show a lawyer for the company.

The court documents included addresses for the businesses in Jacksonville, Fla., and Hollister, Mo. Both were for post offices. A Kimberling City, Mo., reference was for a post office box.

"Elvis Presley Enterprises can confirm that these claims are fraudulent. There is no foreclosure sale. Simply put, the counter lawsuit has been filed is to stop the fraud," Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. (EPE) said in a statement Tuesday.

Neither Keough nor lawyers for Naussany Investments were in court Wednesday. Keough's attorney, Jeff Germany, said outside of court that he has not had direct contact with representatives from Naussany.

The judge said he would give Naussany the opportunity to defend itself from the fraud claims.

Graceland history

The property in Whitehaven, Tenn., just outside of Memphis and about 150 kilometres from the singer's birthplace of Tupelo, Miss., was purchased in 1957 for $102,500 US from a local doctor who had named it after an aunt Grace. Built in 1939, the house at the time of its purchase featured 18 rooms.

"This is going to be a lot nicer than Red Skelton's house when I get it like I want it," Elvis Presley told the Memphis Press-Scimitar, referring to the popular television comic.

According to the two-volume Presley biography written by Peter Guralnick, the singer's father, Vernon, at the time had considered a move to California for privacy, as fans were descending on their previous home.

But the singer's beloved mother, Gladys, fell in love with the Whitehaven property. She would spend very little time there, though, dying of a heart attack in 1958 at age 46.

Four years later, the singer's high school girlfriend Priscilla Beaulieu would move in, and the couple would ultimately spend time there and at a Beverly Hills, Calif., home. The couple wed in 1967 — with one of their receptions held at Graceland — and divorced in 1973.

Priscilla Presley, who turns 79 later this week, posted a picture of Graceland on Instagram on Tuesday with the inscription "It's a Scam!" in apparent reference to the estate sale of the property that has been valued in the hundreds of millions.

Graceland opened as a museum and tourist attraction in 1982 as a tribute to the legendary singer and actor who died there in August 1977 at age 42. Within a span of three years, the singer's father, Vernon, and grandmother Minnie Mae would also die, leaving the then-underage Lisa Marie as the lone trustee of the estate.

After she took control at age 25 in the 1990s, Presley reportedly sold large amounts of her stake to various entities and encountered financial difficulties as she tried to establish her own singing career.

After Presley's 2023 death at age 56, Keough became the sole trustee for the 15 per cent ownership stake in EPE that she shares with her twin sisters, Harper and Finley, who are under 18.

Graceland draws about 500,000 visitors each year, according to its website, and was designated in 2006 as a National Historic Landmark. A large Presley-themed entertainment complex across the street from the museum is owned by EPE.

With files from The Associated Press

Judge delays Graceland sale, suggests Elvis’ granddaughter Riley Keough could win fraud claims

A Tennessee judge on Wednesday blocked a foreclosure sale of Graceland, ruling that it’s in public’s best interest to  slow any potential ownership change  of Elvis Presley’s “well loved” estate.

The Shelby County Chancery Court judge went as far as to say that actor Riley Keough, the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley and granddaughter of the “ King of Rock and Roll,”  would likely prevail in her lawsuit, accusing a creditor of falsely claiming rights to Graceland, as long as there is evidence to back up her claims.

“It appears that you Mr. Germany, your client will be successful on the merits ... providing that you prove the fraud that has been alleged,” Chancellor JoeDae L. Jenkins told the court and Keough’s attorney Jeff Germany.

Naussany Investments and Private Lending LLC claims it made a $3.8 million loan to Lisa Marie Presley in 2018 with Elvis’ famed home used as collateral.

Keough, who is known as “Danielle Riley Keough” in court documents, insists that the alleged creditor used forged signatures to create a loan that never existed.

A representative for Graceland said the judge’s actions “made clear” that the estate is not in danger of changing hands.

“As the court has now made clear, there was no validity to the claims. There will be no foreclosure,” said a Graceland statement. “Graceland will continue to operate as it has for the past 42 years, ensuring that Elvis fans from around the world can continue to have a best in class experience when visiting his iconic home.”

A lawyer for the creditor did not appear in court on Wednesday.

And Gregory Naussany, who calls himself a “lender” and representative of Jacksonville, Florida-based Naussany Investments & Private Lending, did not immediately return messages seeking his response on Wednesday.

But in court filing on Tuesday, Naussany said the company’s claim to Graceland is legitimate.

“I respectfully deny the allegations made by Danielle Riley Keough,” Naussany wrote to the court. “Naussany Investments & Private Lending is prepared to provide evidence and arguments to demonstrate the relief sought is not justified in this case.”

Jenkins said Naussany would have a chance to make his case.

“Mr. Naussany will not (be) harmed ... by delaying the trial on this matter until we can have adequate discovery (and) allow them to file an answer and provide a defense to the claim that he’s made,” Jenkins said.

Given the worldwide fame of Graceland, the judge said prudence calls for any foreclosure sale to be delayed.

“The public interest is best served, particularly here in Shelby County, for Graceland is a part of this community, well loved by this community and, indeed, around the world,” Jenkins said.

Carla Kakouris-Solarana is a Miami-based producer for NBC News.

David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.