Description:
The King is dead, long live the King. From his start as a truck driver in the rural South to his legendary white-suited Vegas performances, Elvis Presley's scandalously wiggly ways, crooning voice, and unbeatable charisma have kept the public fascinated. The King on the Road documents Elvis's road tours with a fan's obsession. With ticket stubs, publicity posters and trinkets, news clippings, and interviews, it could be your own treasured scrapbook. Happily, the photos go backstage, showing the band, fan club and stadium shots, and unusual close-ups. The book, arranged chronologically, covers the years 1954 to 1977. Details of significant milestones highlight each section: October 16, 1954, the date of Elvis's first appearance on Louisiana Hayride; the Memphis charity shows of February 1961; and, of course, the December 3, 1968, Comeback show broadcast on national television. Robert Gordon's text combines the public and private Elvis smoothly, always focusing on his skill as a performer and the eyebrows raised worldwide by his onstage antics. The financial details of some of his early benefit concerts are staggering in the context of the time: fees of $150,000 were waived repeatedly, $62,000 raised during one show in Hawaii, $60,000 for Memphis children's charities, and $100 plate lunches at the Hotel Claridge that included show tickets and a $3.50 meal. Whether you're a fan of Elvis's music or his stage presence, The King on the Road makes a perfect addition to your bookshelf or collection of memorabilia. --Jill Lightner
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