Ray Connolly
As the world’s first “rock star” there was no one to tell Elvis what to expect, no one who could help him, guide him, or advise him. On the outside he was full of charm, sex appeal, confident on stage and gifted in the recording studio. He had it all. With his voice and style influencing generations of musicians, he should have been able to sing any song that he liked, to star in any film he was offered and to tour in any country he choose. But he wasn’t.
The circumstances of his poor beginnings in the American south, lack of education left Elvis with a life long vulnerability. His teaming up with ‘Colonel’ Tom Parker, was a disaster and he lost control over his own life. The book covers all, in an easy to read and informative stye.
‘Being Elvis was published on the 40th Anniversary of his death. It is an easy read and fills in the details, especially around his relationship with his mother,drug addiction, the Memphis Mafia, time in the army, movies, and his wife (ex) Priscilla.
Muhammad Ali put it best: “I felt sorry for him…he didn’t enjoy life. He stayed indoors all the time. I told him he should go out there and see people. He said he couldn’t because everywhere he went, they mobbed him.”
-Hachette Australia
