However, that does not in any way detract from its value. Verdict: Being Elvis A Lonely Life does not really offer a new perspective on the Elvis story. More recently, Professor Joel Williamson covered not dissimilar themes in his 2014 release, Elvis Presley: A Southern Life by examining the influence of Elvis’ southern upbringing (as does Connolly) and the destructive impact of excesses and insecurity on Elvis and his growing inability to function as a reasonably normal human being. Similarly, the idea that Elvis knew (or sensed) his life was ending has been suggested by numerous others, such as Elvis' step-brother, David Stanley and his housekeeper, Nancy Rooks. In Lonely Streeet the authors concluded that in the end, Elvis self-destructed due to the twin pressures of boredom and loneliness. It has been well discussed in many other biographies, interviews and memoirs, from Kathy Westmoreland and Jerry Schilling to Larry Geller and the Peter Brown/Pat Broeske biography, Down At the End of Lonely Street. The theme of Elvis being lonely is not new. Instinctively, this is a crucial issue in any serious consideration of "Elvis". The author takes from this that death was the only escape available to Elvis, who was the first icon to experience unheard of levels of public adoration, media scrutiny and invasion of privacy at a global level. Regardless, the thematic element of the book’s title is eloquently argued by Connolly and cogently reflected by Elvis’ apparent statement shortly before his death: Elvis A Sociological Portrait (Dorothy Arnall Leasman) is a third title that also may have been useful in framing the discussion. Given it's sub-title: A Lonely Life, I was surprised the author's bibliography did not include two books relevant to the theme, The Inner Elvis A Psychological Biography of Elvis Aaron Presley (Peter Whitmer, Ph.D.) and Psychological Autopsy of Elvis Presley (William J. three sections of standard color and b&w visuals (24 pages).After Elvis Died What Happened To.? (this section could have been longer to include an update on people such as DJ Fontana, Marion Keisker, the Stanley brothers, Linda Thompson, Ginger Alden and Marty Lacker).List of Elvis Presley's Best Recordings.Kathy would also shake her head as Elvis worried that he would be quickly forgotten after his death. She would console him as he agonised about the soon to be published book ( Elvis What Happened?) by Red West, Sonny West and Dave Hebner. Kathy would spend the night listening to Elvis as he talked about his mother, Gladys, his weight, his health and his daughter, Lisa Marie. He didn't want to be alone, to sleep alone. In the Foreword, Connolly candidly asserts his underlying titular theme:Īnd, lying lonely and depressed in his suite, temporarily abandoned after his latest girlfriend had become bored with the treadmill of touring, Elvis Presley had sent for his soprano backing singer Kathy Westmoreland to keep him company. Somewhat bizarrely, but nevertheless instructively, the author opens his 2016 biographical examination of the Elvis story by recounting a conversation with Robert Zimmerman, better known as Bob Dylan. (Connolly also interviewed and met Elvis in Las Vegas in 1969 - see interview below) Prior to publication of Being Elvis, Ray Connolly was best known in Elvis circles for his excellent biographical article ( A Rock Odyssey) which, quite strangely, complemented a series of sheet music for 69 Elvis recordings in the popular 1978 book release, Elvis Complete (released as The Compleat Elvis in the US - the US edition including sheet music for an additional six songs).
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