Elvis Straight Up

Destined to become the most examined and talked about book since Elvis, What Happened?. NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE EVER READ BEFORE...ELVIS-STRAIGHT UP! WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT ELVIS PRESLEY. What was the "real" Elvis like? The search for the truth is over! Elvis always lovingly and with true admiration refered to Joe Esposito as "Gentleman Joe". In the 35 years that I have known him, Joe has continued to conduct himself in that fashion. You only need to read his latest book to get a true understanding of who Joe is, and a clearer picture of who Elvis and his friends and lovers were, and what life with the King involved. I love you, Joe....thanks for being a true friend to me and to Elvis....even today. - Linda Thompson, Elvis' girlfriend and confidant, 1972-1976 Loved the book. Joe tells the truth about Elvis's colleagues and friends. - Patti Parry, close friend of Elvis' since the early sixties In "Elvis Straight Up" Joe gives a realistic look at Elvis and those around him. Thanks, Joe, for having the courage to be truthful and giving those "on the outside" real information, not just supposition. For fans who are tired of fictionalized stories and sugar-coated variations, this is the book to read. Be informed by one who knows. - Loanne Parker, Mrs. Colonel Tom Parker, manager of Elvis Presley

The touching story of thirty years of friendship between George Klein and the King that “offers an insider’s view of Presley the man as opposed to Presley the singer, actor, and icon” (Associated Press). “You capture the essence of Elvis not only in dialogue, but also in giving the reader a sense of his personality, humor, and his spirit of play.”—Priscilla Presley When George Klein was an eighth grader at Humes High, he couldn’t have known how important the new kid with the guitar—the boy named Elvis—would later become in his life. But from the first time GK (as he was nicknamed by Elvis) heard this kid sing, he knew that Elvis Presley was someone extraordinary. During Elvis’s rise to fame and throughout the wild swirl of his remarkable life, Klein was a steady presence and one of Elvis’s closest and most loyal friends until his untimely death in 1977. In Elvis: My Best Man, a heartfelt, entertaining, and long-awaited contribution to our understanding of Elvis Presley and the early days of rock ’n’ roll, George Klein writes with great affection for the friend he knew about who the King of Rock ’n’ Roll really was and how he acted when the stage lights were off. This fascinating chronicle of boundary-breaking and music-making through one of the most intriguing and dynamic stretches of American history overflows with insights and anecdotes from someone who was in the middle of it all. From the good times at Graceland to hanging out with Hollywood stars to butting heads with Elvis’s iron-handed manager, Colonel Tom Parker, to making sure that Elvis’s legacy is fittingly honored, GK was a true friend of the King and a trailblazer in the music industry in his own right.

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Elvis Presley’s fiancée and last love tells her story and sets the record straight in this deeply personal memoir that reveals what really happened in the final years of the King of Rock n' Roll. Elvis Presley and Graceland were fixtures in Ginger Alden’s life; after all, she was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. But she had no idea that she would play a part in that enduring legacy. For more than three decades Ginger has held the truth of their relationship close to her heart. Now she shares her unique story… In her own words, Ginger details their whirlwind romance—from first kiss to his stunning proposal of marriage. And for the very first time, she talks about the devastating end of it all and the fifty thousand mourners and reporters who descended on Graceland in 1977, exposing Ginger to the reality of living in the spotlight of a short yet immortal life. Above it all, Ginger rescues Elvis from the hearsay, rumors, and tabloid speculations of his final year by shedding a frank yet personal light on a very public legend. From a unique and intimate perspective, she reveals the man—complicated, romantic, fallible, and human—behind the myth, a superstar worshipped by millions and loved by Ginger Alden. INCLUDES PHOTOS

There's no holding him back. Known for his opinions--and unabashed expression of them--Don Cherry has been causing debate for decades. Topics on "Coach's Corner" sometimes veer away from sports and on to other matters that are near and dear to Cherry's heart: the war in Afghanistan and politics, among many others. In Straight Up and Personal, Cherry shares his thoughts on a broader range of issues than he ever has before. He shares some of his personal experiences on and off the ice, and offers the lessons he's learned along the way. This is Don Cherry: straight up and personal.

After nearly two decades as Elvis Presley’s right-hand-man, Joe Esposito gives readers an honest and vivid memoir filled with stories and answers as he recalls the wondrous and exciting life of the King. Joe Esposito first met Elvis Presley in the Army in Germany where they would play football together and travel to Paris for the Holidays. When their days as soldiers were done and Presley moved on to a life on the road and a star in Hollywood, he brought Esposito with him as his road manager. For the first time, Elvis’s closest confidant, best friend, and the unofficial don of the infamous Memphis Mafia is pulling the curtain back on his time with Elvis in order to set the record straight and tell readers what life with the King was really like. This fond and honest memoir shares the good and the bad of life on the road with Elvis, from the concerts to the parties and all the women in between. Complete with sixteen pages of rare photographs, Good Rockin’ Tonight answers the unanswered questions about the life of Elvis Presley, from his long years in Hollywood to his tragic descent into drugs and all of the relationships he made along the way.

The ultimate introduction to the life and works of the King Want to understand Elvis Presley? This friendly guide covers all phases of Elvis's career, from his musical influences as a teenager in Memphis and his first recordings to his days at Graceland and the mystery surrounding his death. You'll discover little-known details about his life, appreciate his contributions to music and film, and understand why his work still resonates with so many people today. Explore Elvis's musical roots — see how Elvis's childhood and his Southern background influenced the development of his sound Trace the beginnings of his storied career — be there as Elvis makes his first recordings for Sun Records Relive the magic — experience the frenzy and excitement that surrounded Elvis's entrance to the national music scene Take a fresh look at Elvis's films — understand the misconceptions surrounding Elvis's Hollywood career Watch as Elvis reinvents himself — witness his comeback to live performances, culminating with an historic act in Las Vegas Open the book and find: The significance of the major events in Elvis's career Meanings behind Elvis's music The controversy over his musical performing style Career highlights that no other performer has accomplished A typical Elvis concert — what it was like and what it meant Details on Elvis's television appearances The many ways fans keep Elvis's memory alive An appendix of the important people in Elvis's life

Elvis Presley's clever manipulation of his numerous interests remains one of the music world's great marvels. His synthesis of country, rhythm & blues and gospel resulted in an inventive mixture of hair-raising rock & roll and balladry. This book focuses on the music of Presley's groundbreaking early years and includes a comprehensive analysis of every Presley recording session from the 1950s. Chapters show how Presley, with one foot in delta mud and the other in a country hoedown, teamed with Scotty Moore and Bill Black to fuse two distinctly American musical forms--country and blues--to form what would come to be known as "rockabilly." Also detailed is Presley's influence on music and how his contributions are still celebrated today.