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Elvis - The Legend: The Authorized Book from the Official Graceland Archive
Authorized by the Graceland® Archives, this remarkable illustrated biography marks the 40th anniversary of Elvis’s death—and tells his story as never before.
Take a journey through the Graceland archives and get an inside, close-up look at the King of Rock and Roll. Featuring insightful text from a respected music journalist who has written extensively on Presley, this authorized book recounts every aspect of his history: Elvis’s closest relationships, his hit albums, his successful movie career, and his lasting legacy. More than 150 color and black-and-white photographs capture Elvis with friends and family, and show personal items, including his jewelry, guitars, clothing, vehicles, letters, and publicity material.
Take a journey through the Graceland archives and get an inside, close-up look at the King of Rock and Roll. Featuring insightful text from a respected music journalist who has written extensively on Presley, this authorized book recounts every aspect of his history: Elvis’s closest relationships, his hit albums, his successful movie career, and his lasting legacy. More than 150 color and black-and-white photographs capture Elvis with friends and family, and show personal items, including his jewelry, guitars, clothing, vehicles, letters, and publicity material.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
192 pages, Hardcover
Published July 5, 2022
3 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Gillian G. Gaar
51 books50 followersI write regularly about music, entertainment, and travel. I enjoy taking pictures for my articles and books as well. My very first book was "She's A Rebel: The History of Women in Rock & Roll," first published in 1992, and updated in 2002; Yoko Ono wrote the book's preface, and it still gives me a thrill to see her name on the cover. Other areas of expertise include Nirvana, the Beatles, and Elvis, all of whom I've written books about. I've also written for a variety of publications around the world, including Mojo, Rolling Stone, Goldmine (where I had regular Beatles and Elvis columns), and many others. I was also a senior editor at legendary Seattle music publication "The Rocket."
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 13, 2022
Elvis: The Legend shares facts and anecdotes about Elvis Presley's life and career. Mixed in with the text, the book contains photos of Elvis and documents of interest like telegrams and receipts for his clothing.
The information is shared by topic rather than chronologically, which I found a little annoying, but I got over it.
"At the end of his set, Elvis had teasingly announced 'Girls, I'll see you all backstage," then found himself being chased across the field by a pack of screaming teenage girls, who followed him into the locker room and tore off his jacket, shirt, and shoes." pg 29
Readers will find nothing very controversial in this book- perhaps because it is the "authorized book from the Graceland archives". I picked it up because I recently watched the Baz Luhrmann film about Elvis and I wanted to know if he had to enter military service because of a run-in with the police about his dancing, which the film implied.
That did not seem to be the case. But again, this book isn't a true biography, so maybe I should look somewhere else.
A fact the film glossed over that this book shares is while Elvis was stationed in Germany, he met his eventual wife Priscilla Beaulieu when she was only 14 years old. They didn't marry until she was a respectable 21, but I found that initial meeting surprising.
"Then, on September 24, 1959, Elvis met 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, who had been brought to 14 Geothestrasse by a mutual friend." pg 52
I suppose things were done differently back in the day.
Recommended for Elvis fans looking to know more about Presley. Those searching for a biography should look elsewhere.
The information is shared by topic rather than chronologically, which I found a little annoying, but I got over it.
"At the end of his set, Elvis had teasingly announced 'Girls, I'll see you all backstage," then found himself being chased across the field by a pack of screaming teenage girls, who followed him into the locker room and tore off his jacket, shirt, and shoes." pg 29
Readers will find nothing very controversial in this book- perhaps because it is the "authorized book from the Graceland archives". I picked it up because I recently watched the Baz Luhrmann film about Elvis and I wanted to know if he had to enter military service because of a run-in with the police about his dancing, which the film implied.
That did not seem to be the case. But again, this book isn't a true biography, so maybe I should look somewhere else.
A fact the film glossed over that this book shares is while Elvis was stationed in Germany, he met his eventual wife Priscilla Beaulieu when she was only 14 years old. They didn't marry until she was a respectable 21, but I found that initial meeting surprising.
"Then, on September 24, 1959, Elvis met 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, who had been brought to 14 Geothestrasse by a mutual friend." pg 52
I suppose things were done differently back in the day.
Recommended for Elvis fans looking to know more about Presley. Those searching for a biography should look elsewhere.
July 22, 2020
Absolutely lovely read!
It's the kind of a book you buy for you collection! AND, of course, learn things you could not have learned from anywhere else!
Beautiful mixture of the overall life and career story, and fun facts, lovely pictures and actual documents to back the information up.
It's NOT an in-depth kind of work (or otherwise said, it's NOT a proper biography) , but a brilliant read for a lighter learning curve!
Would recommend it for anyone who wants to know the basics and to hear some more curious facts without reading boring bits that not everyone would be looking for except from the people REALLY into him!
Really enjoyable!
It's the kind of a book you buy for you collection! AND, of course, learn things you could not have learned from anywhere else!
Beautiful mixture of the overall life and career story, and fun facts, lovely pictures and actual documents to back the information up.
It's NOT an in-depth kind of work (or otherwise said, it's NOT a proper biography) , but a brilliant read for a lighter learning curve!
Would recommend it for anyone who wants to know the basics and to hear some more curious facts without reading boring bits that not everyone would be looking for except from the people REALLY into him!
Really enjoyable!
October 24, 2017
The author of the book is obviously a big Elvis fan and her enthusiasm is infectious! This isn't an indepgh biography, more like a summary of interesting facts, achievements and pictures of his life. She included many facts about his life that I’ve not come across before - like going into a little detail about his personal music tastes and records he collected. Her descriptions of his own music kept making me pause my reading to go and have a listen. My only grumble is the book was quite repetitive. Maybe it wasn’t imagined some one would read this book cover to cover. If you just dipped in to randomly and just read one chapter at a time they each stand alone.
February 25, 2023
Wer kennt ihn nicht den King of Rock'n'Roll? Er begeisterte Generationen und obwohl ich selbst erst elf Jahre alt war, als er im August 1977 starb, liebe ich seine Musik seit jeher.
Im Oktober 2022 habe ich mir den Film über Elvis Aaron Presley mit Austin Butler und Tom Hanks in den Hauptrollen angesehen. Seitdem versuche ich wieder mehr über diesen Ausnahmemusiker und sein Leben zu erfahren. Deshalb kam dieser Bildband mit seiner Biografie genau zum richtigen Zeitpunkt.
Voller Begeisterung habe ich - die vom Graceland Archiv autorisierte Biografie - durchgesuchtet. Er zeigt sämtliche Stationen aus dem Leben des King, angefangen von seiner Geburt, dem verstorbenen Zwillingsbruder und den ärmlichen Verhältnissen, in denen Elvis aufwuchs, bis hin zu seinem Leben als Superstar.
Der Bildband zeigt nicht nur hochwertige Aufnahmen von Elvis als Kind bis zu seinem Tod, sondern auch Konzerttickets und Tourprogramme, Rechnungen vom Schneider, Filmplakate oder Bilder aus Graceland. Diese Erinnerungsstücke geben einen sehr persönlichen Einblick in das Leben des größten Rock 'n' Roll Stars. Jede seiner Platten, TV-Auftritte, Tourneen und Filme sind mit ausführlicher Textbeschreibung im Buch beschrieben und abgebildet. Überrascht war ich, dass Elvis in wirklich sehr vielen Filmen mitgespielt hat. Obwohl er als King des Rock'n'Roll in die Geschichte eingegangen ist, galt seine Liebe dem Gospel.
Vermisst habe ich allerdings, die im Film im Mittelpunkt stehende "Beziehung" seines Managers zu Elvis. Hier wird kaum erwähnt, wie sich Colonel Tom Parker an den Einnahmen von Elvis bedient hat, um seine immer größer werdenden Spielschulden zu tilgen.
Dieser Bildband ist ein kleines Juwel, der sich immer wieder durchzublättern lohnt.
Fazit:
Ein Buch, welches in keinem Regal fehlen sollte! Ein Stück Musikgeschichte für Fans und solche, die es noch werden wollen.
Im Oktober 2022 habe ich mir den Film über Elvis Aaron Presley mit Austin Butler und Tom Hanks in den Hauptrollen angesehen. Seitdem versuche ich wieder mehr über diesen Ausnahmemusiker und sein Leben zu erfahren. Deshalb kam dieser Bildband mit seiner Biografie genau zum richtigen Zeitpunkt.
Voller Begeisterung habe ich - die vom Graceland Archiv autorisierte Biografie - durchgesuchtet. Er zeigt sämtliche Stationen aus dem Leben des King, angefangen von seiner Geburt, dem verstorbenen Zwillingsbruder und den ärmlichen Verhältnissen, in denen Elvis aufwuchs, bis hin zu seinem Leben als Superstar.
Der Bildband zeigt nicht nur hochwertige Aufnahmen von Elvis als Kind bis zu seinem Tod, sondern auch Konzerttickets und Tourprogramme, Rechnungen vom Schneider, Filmplakate oder Bilder aus Graceland. Diese Erinnerungsstücke geben einen sehr persönlichen Einblick in das Leben des größten Rock 'n' Roll Stars. Jede seiner Platten, TV-Auftritte, Tourneen und Filme sind mit ausführlicher Textbeschreibung im Buch beschrieben und abgebildet. Überrascht war ich, dass Elvis in wirklich sehr vielen Filmen mitgespielt hat. Obwohl er als King des Rock'n'Roll in die Geschichte eingegangen ist, galt seine Liebe dem Gospel.
Vermisst habe ich allerdings, die im Film im Mittelpunkt stehende "Beziehung" seines Managers zu Elvis. Hier wird kaum erwähnt, wie sich Colonel Tom Parker an den Einnahmen von Elvis bedient hat, um seine immer größer werdenden Spielschulden zu tilgen.
Dieser Bildband ist ein kleines Juwel, der sich immer wieder durchzublättern lohnt.
Fazit:
Ein Buch, welches in keinem Regal fehlen sollte! Ein Stück Musikgeschichte für Fans und solche, die es noch werden wollen.
January 27, 2023
For someone like me that lives in Las Vegas and also works with the history of this city, Elvis is literally the king of our town. It’s not uncommon to see Elvis impersonators walking down the street and his music is heard playing everywhere. This book is a wonderful journey through his career and his music. Taken from the Graceland archives, there are photos and documents that bring a personal touch to this beautiful book.
May 17, 2025
I really enjoyed the book as a fan of Elvis’ work and rock n’ roll in general. The book is extremely comprehensive of the different stages of Elvis’ life, and the pictures are just lovely. The only grime is that it jumps from era to era, such as the 1970s to the 1950s, which I believe would have been better ordered chronologically. But an amazing book! Will probably read again when I’m in an Elvis mood.
March 20, 2024
I would have given 5 stars, however, some on the information was incorrect. Lisa Marie DOB wrong in book. Listed as 5/1/68. Her DOB is 2/1/68. I found a few other small mistakes.
I also didn’t not like that it was not in chronological order.
Beautiful photos though! I also learned a bit more about my man Elvis 💖
I also didn’t not like that it was not in chronological order.
Beautiful photos though! I also learned a bit more about my man Elvis 💖
August 16, 2022
Gorgeous photography and interesting insights makes this collection a winner. Long live the King.
December 13, 2022
Excellent book with amazing photos and facts relating to Elvis's career. Covers the full length of his career.
August 21, 2022
Nachdem ich Buz Luhrmann's Elvis Verfilmungen gesehen habe, hatte ich das Bedürfnis mehr über den King of Rock 'n' Roll zu erfahren. Was ist wahres dran an der Geschichte die im Film erzählt wird und was ist frei erfunden. Wer war der Mann den man bis heute kennt obwohl man nur seinen Vornamen ausspricht, den dieser reicht um direkt einordnen zu können: ja Elvis Presley! Ich wollte einfach mal mit diesem Bildband beginnen. Er bringt Einblick in die Karriere von Elvis und beschreibt mit welchen Platten er bekannt wurde, welche Filme er gedreht hat etc. Man bekommt hierzu eine gute Übersicht. Weshalb ich mir schon eine DVD/Konzertdokumentation auserkoren habe welche dann auch bald dran kommt. Hier sind viele Bilder beinhaltet, vor allem auch Graceland fand ich beeindruckend und hätte direkt Muse hinzupilgern um es live zu sehen. Außerdem sind einige Fundstück abgedruckt wie z.B. die Zulassung seines pinken Cadillac's der auf seinen Dad lief. Man erfährt das Elvis nicht nur die Musikwelt verändert hat, sondern auch einiges anderes, ohne es zu Wissen, beeinflusst hat. Wer hier allerdings die Skandalwelt sucht der ist bei diesem Bildband falsch.
Ich fand es schön die ganzen Bilder zu sehen und etwas über die Karriere zu erfahren, war und ist doch auch meine Mum bis heute Elvis Fan. Allerdings hätte ich es besser gefunden das ganze wäre Grundsätzlich nach der Zeitskala des Geschehens angeordnet gewesen. Die Kapitel sind anders betitelt und so beginnt man oft wieder von Anfang bis Ende der Zeitskala von Elvis leben. Da muss man sich dann etwas reinfinden.
Ich fand es schön die ganzen Bilder zu sehen und etwas über die Karriere zu erfahren, war und ist doch auch meine Mum bis heute Elvis Fan. Allerdings hätte ich es besser gefunden das ganze wäre Grundsätzlich nach der Zeitskala des Geschehens angeordnet gewesen. Die Kapitel sind anders betitelt und so beginnt man oft wieder von Anfang bis Ende der Zeitskala von Elvis leben. Da muss man sich dann etwas reinfinden.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews