Product Description

Forty-year entertainment industry veteran Jerry Schilling offers an intimate memoir of his friendship with Elvis Presley, taking readers from the late-night parties at Graceland to the bright lights of Hollywood sets and glittering stages of Las Vegas.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35281 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08-17
• Format: Bargain Price
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 368 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In 1954, at age 12, Schilling first met fellow Memphis homeboy Presley, a 19-year-old truck driver "a year out of high school and less than a week into a recording career that carried no guarantee of turning into steady work." He provides a fascinating view of Memphis in the late '50s, but most of his memoir is from after 1964, when he officially joined the retinue of friends—the "Memphis Mafia"—that served as Elvis's surrogate family. While this thoroughly enjoyable book deftly describes his many adventures with Elvis and other notables, including the Beatles, Ann-Margret, the Beach Boys and Billy Joel, the heart of it is his many observations of Elvis's inner exploration. Unlike the rest of Elvis's posse, Schilling was liberal in his musical and racial views, and he shared Elvis's spiritual hunger "for a sense of meaning and purpose." Schilling provides the most detailed account yet of the sometimes comical LSD trip he took with Presley, and he poignantly observes the "disappointment and frustration" Elvis felt about his Hollywood movies. Overall, Schilling's heartfelt narrative makes this more than just another piece of Elvis product. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From AudioFile
Author Schilling, a member of Elviss retinue, the Memphis Mafia, had the opportunity to see a more introspective side of The King. His experiences give this memoir unique insights into the man. William Dufris could have tried to imitate the well-recognized timbre and intonation of Elviss voice, but he chose instead only to slightly alter his tone, making Elvis sound more like a person and less like an icon. Dufris softens his delivery during particularly moving episodes: when Elvis sings gospel, when he wins his first Grammy, and when he learns of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dufris keeps his tongue in his cheek for the comic story of Elviss visit with President Nixon, who designated him a special agent in the fight against drug abuse. R.O. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
When 12-year-old Schilling was invited to join the older kids in their football game, he was surprised to learn that the guy calling the plays was the singer of "That's All Right (Mama)," a song currently tearing up the airwaves. Schilling eventually joined Presley's entourage, the Memphis Mafia, a close-knit group of bodyguards, road managers, and confidants. He had the difficult task of trying to be a true friend without becoming a yes-man or a pain in the ass. In 1977 he was one of Presley's pallbearers and later joined Elvis Presley Enterprises as creative affairs director, whose job was to protect Presley's image and legacy. Schilling's account of his years with Presley joins the ever-growing body of work written by associates (Elvis: What Happened, 1977; Good Rockin' Tonight, 1994; Elvis' Man Friday, 1994), sharing anecdotes, gossip, and insights into what made Elvis Elvis. Schilling portrays an incredibly successful, talented, charismatic, spiritual, and moody force prone to acts of extreme generosity (he paid for Schilling's West Hollywood Hills home) who was ultimately a tragic figure whose short life was beset by constant creative disappointment. Benjamin Segedin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Elvis Book
I bought this book for my friend Charr, she and I are both big Elvis fans. She had been trying to find this particular book and when I gifted it to her she was elated. It shipped on time and was in great condition. It was a great experience for all invovled. Thanks for making my dear friend so happy! Cecilia

ME AND A GUY NAMED ELVIS
I cannot stress what a beautifully written story told about Elvis from a man who considered him his best friend, who knew him most. It is one of the very best books I have ever read about Elvis. Very emotional and moving! Every Elvis Fan should have this book. It is a most enjoyable read.....true, factual, telling "the inside story" of this Phenomenal Genius together with the "HUMAN SIDE" of a man struggling with his unbelievable success and personal heartaches. This is a story from a real, loyal friend who truly loved Elvis....who loved him and accepted him as he was, even through the pain. Jerry Schilling was that friend.....and what a friend he was. We all need friends like him.

Elvis Book by Jerry Schilling.
Fantastic book about Elvis. This is the first book in a long time that I have read about Elvis where I actually learned new details about his life. If you are an Elvis fan this is a must buy!