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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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