No Elvis Biography Tells All —
Gaps in Elvis History Need Filling

Is there room for another Elvis biography? You wouldn't think so. Three widely known ones have been published. Jerry Hopkins wrote the first one, Elvis: The Biography, in 1971 and followed it up with a second volume in 1981. That same year Albert Goldman's controversial biography, Elvis, was published. However, Peter Guralnick's two-volume work is currently considered the definitive Presley biography. His Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley appeared in 1994, followed by Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley in 1999.

However, the fact is that, as lengthy as past biographies have been, they only provide an overview of the eventful life of Elvis Presley. There are gaps waiting to be investigated and reported on in detail.

His biographers have given little note to this period of Elvis's life. Hopkins devoted just 4 pages to it, Goldman 10 pages, and Guralnick 11.

When I started looking into Elvis's 1957 concerts, I was amazed at how much information was available but had never been revealed by his biographers. The result was Elvis’57: The Final Fifties Tours, published in 2007.

In Elvis's life there were many interesting and meaningful events that are generally unknown or have been under-reported. Some are serious in nature, while others are simply interesting anecdotes. As I come across these stories, I'll report them here. Check out the links below. Each one fills another small gap in the fascinating life story of Elvis Presley. — Alan Hanson (February 2008)


Sam Phillips at Sun Records In the Memphis recording scene of the fifties, Sam Phillips Was "Big Daddy".

Elvis and Racism: The "Shine" Rumor The idea that Elvis was a racist lives on, even though the rumor behind it was discredited in 1957

Did Elvis Steal the Music? Some still think Presley stole the music and moves of black R&B musicians in the fifties

Elvis Slept Here So the Columbia Inn Motel in little Kalama, Washington, can claim after Elvis Presley's caravan stopped there on the way to Seattle in 1962.

Colonel Parker Talks About Elvis Movies In a 1964 Variety interview, Elvis's manager addressed criticism that he was mismanaging Presley's Hollywood career.

Presley's Parents Talk About Raising Young Elvis In an interview for a 1956 newspaper article, Vernon and Gladys Presley revealed how they raised their son.

Elvis at the Seattle World's Fair Behind the scenes with Elvis during his 10 days on location filming It Happened At the World's Fair.

Elvis's Number Two Records Elvis's 7 number 2 records on Billboard's "Hot 100," along with his 14 number one records, help make him King of the Charts.

Elvis Surveyed in the Fifties Pollster Eugene Gilbert's newspaper column brought some reason to the Presley debate in 1956-57.

Elvis's Gas Station Fight Elvis’s rebellious image in 1956 was fueled by a fight with two gas station attendents.

When Elvis Met Nixon An urban legend was born when the King of Rock 'n 'Roll bonded with the President of the United States.

The Elvis Presley Story Recalling Watermark's 1971 Elvis radio documentary.

Elvis on New Year's Eve On the last night of the year, Elvis sometimes performed, sometimes partied, and sometimes just relaxed.

Europe's Response to Elvis's Death Presley record sales boomed across the continent in August 1977.

Elvis at 75: A Time to Reflect Sixties radical Abbie Hoffman recalls the influence of Elvis on American popular culture.

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