A Photographic History Of Elvis

A Photographic History of Elvis presents his life and achievements in a series of photographs, which capture Elvis the singer and movie star as well as Elvis the family man, accompanied by detailed narrative captions. From his first record release in 1954 to his untimely death in 1977, this book tells the amazing Presley story.

More than two hundred spectacular photographs, sensual, luminous, frenzied, true, from 1955 to the present, that catch and define the energy, intoxication, rebellion, and magic of rock and roll; the first book to explore the photographs and the photographers who captured rock’s message of freedom and personal reinvention—and to examine the effect of their pictures on the musicians, the fans, and the culture itself. The only music photographers whose names are well known are those who themselves have become celebrities. But many of the images that have shaped our consciousness and desire were made by photographers whose names are unfamiliar. Here are Elvis in 1956—not yet mythic but beautiful, tender, vulnerable, sexy, photographed by Alfred Wertheimer . . . Bob Dylan and his girlfriend on a snowy Greenwich Village street, by Don Hunstein . . . John Lennon in a sleeveless New York City T-shirt, by Bob Gruen . . . Jimi Hendrix, by Gered Mankowitz, a photograph that became a poster and was hung on the walls of millions of bedrooms and college dorms . . . For the first time, the work of these talented men and women is brought into the pantheon; we see the musicians they photographed and how the images gave rock and roll its visual identity. To bring together these images, Gail Buckland, acclaimed photographic editor, curator, and scholar, looked through the archives of one hundred photographers, selecting pictures not on the basis of the usual suspects, but on the power of the images themselves, often picking an image a photographer didn’t even remember he or she had taken. Buckland writes about the photographers, their influences, their relationships with their subjects, how they took the images, how they saw what they saw and captured what they captured: the spirit and essence of rock. A revelation of an art form whose iconic images changed the world as we knew it.

Photographs taken in 1956 show Elvis Presley on the road, in rehearsal, backstage with fans, and in concert

A photographic collection that provides an all-access pass to the personal and professional world of Elvis Presley, as photographed by Thom Gilbert, whose stunning photos of Elvis artifacts reveal the man behind the legend. Behind-the-scenes images of Elvis's personal memorabilia, jewelry, clothing, and cars, plus interior images from his homes and birthplace are paired with portraits of friends, fellow musicians, co-stars, and fans, whose memories and anecdotes create a remarkable picture of this extremely generous and talented man.

An exclusive account of the extraordinary life of Elvis Aaron Presley. This book details the undisputed facts of Elvis' life and career and is illustrated with over 100 rare and exclusive photographs. Elvis was often thought to be a recluse, but these photographic records shows Elvis meeting and mixing with some of the most famous and influential people of our time. Pop stars, politicians and presidents all wanted to meet The King and this picture portfolio details many of those exciting moments.

From the beginning of his career to his death as the Hollywood icon Elvis Presley sang and enchanted thousands of people. Publicity photos and behind-the-scenes shots from the Hollywood Photo Archives include scores of long been forgotten or abandoned images in neglected studio archives.