Elvis Presley book club
A look at four key aspects of Elvis’s life…
Before he was famous
The 1950s King of Rock’n’Roll
Elvis and The Colonel
Elvis in the Movies

A look at the legend that is Elvis Presley. Including, his early days, 1950s King of Rock’n’Roll. his relationship with Colonel Tom Parker and closing with his movie career – Elvis Presley Book Club.

Derek Shelmerdine, author of Rock’n’Roll Unravelled
is one of the guests on Tony Higginson’s Book Club.

Live on Facebook and Zoom
Facebook – Beyond Books Media Ltd
…8.00 to 10.00 pm (UK) Sunday 21 August

If you missed the show… watch this space
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Elvis Presley book club

Elvis Presley book club
Four aspects of the Elvis Presley Legend

Part 1. Before he was Famous

Firstly, we take a look at Elvis in his early days. What he was up to before he found international fame with his first RCA release, Heartbreak Hotel.

Part 2. The 1950s King of Rock’n’Roll

As a result of Heartbreak Hotel spending 8 weeks as the top of the Billboard chart, Elvis continued to build his career to become the King of Rock’n’Roll

This detailed companion blog, Elvis before he was famous, contains even more information than I talk about in the show.

Part 3. Elvis and The Colonel

Guitarist Scotty Moore was Elvis’s first Manager. Bob Neal took over from Scotty Moore and consequently, established Elvis as a popular performer in his local area. During this time Elvis became a regular on the Louisiana Hayride radio show. At first Colonel Parked worked alongside Bob Neal, before becoming Elvis’s sole manager.

Many Elvis fans consider the Colonel to have held Elvis back. Despite this, I’ll be looking at how the Colonel probably saved Elvis from fading away in the 1960s. After the 1950s, Elvis was always going to be famous but I’ll be looking at the Colonels’ 1960s policy of just movies. This strategy effectively enabled Elvis to grow his fan base and become the legend that he is now.

Part 4. The Movie Years

Lastly, we take a look at what must be the most controversial period of Elvis’s career. During Part 3 of the show I look at how the Colonel’s 1960s movie strategy probably elevated Elvis from being famous to legendary. After the 1950s, Elvis was always going to be famous but without the movies he would probably be about as famous as say, Johnny Cash or Frank Sinatra. As a result of Colonel Tom Parker’s management, Elvis Presley shares the same lengendary status as The Beatles.

Derek Shelmerdine presents the outline of the story. In addition Tony and his other guests relate their own comments and memories. Plus live music, poetry readings and some very lively conversation.

Tony Higginson’s Beyond Books Book Club

Every week Tony Higginson hosts his Beyond Books Book Club.
Moreover, it goes out live on Zoom and Facebook at 7.00 to 9.00 pm (UK) on Sunday evenings.
If you are watching the show live on Facebook you can certainly join in the conversation.

Author of Rock’n’Roll Unravelled, Derek Shelmerdine is a regular monthly guest on the Beyond Books Book Club.

The Book Club has a regular panel of writers, poets, musicians and book-lovers in general. Consequently, the discussion is wide ranging with readings, poetry recitals and live performances from the musicians.

Elvis Presley book club – Beyond Books Book Club

Recorded live on Facebook and Zoom on 21 August 2022.