The Life of Elvis Aron Presley

Those Swivelling Hips: Elvis, "Sphilkes", & Gospel Ecstasy - by Daniel Klein

Abstract: Elvis's provocative on-stage movements are often attributed to his blatant sexuality and his desire to shock and seduce his audience. But based on my understanding, Elvis was far too shy and, in a sense, "proper", for this explanation to be tenable. Elvis, I believe, was bursting with excessive energy, what is called in Yiddish "sphilkes", and what might be called by psychologists today, Attention Deficit Syndrome. In his frequent visits to Black gospel churches, he witnessed an outlet for this energy -- the St. Vitus Dance-like storms of motion of the ecstatic members of these congregations. Probably more unconsciously than consciously, he adopted these quivers and shakes as a way of expressing himself as he sang. But in the process, he did, indeed, shock and seduce his audience, and liberate the middle-class white world to a deeper physical expression of feelings that climaxed in the dancing and & "free expression" of the Sixties.

"Shake, Rattle and Roll": Bill Randle and Electric Elvis - by Roger Hall

Abstract: Bill Randle seldom gets the credit he deserves for helping promote the early career of Elvis Presley during 1955 and 1956. During that time, Randle was a very influential disc jockey in Cleveland, Ohio. He helped promote such recording artists as Pat Boone, Bill Haley and His Comets, and The Four Lads. He also recognised the emergence of Elvis as a future star. Bill Randle was the first disc jockey to write about Elvis in a newspaper in 1955. He was also responsible for the first film appearance of Elvis (still unreleased) in 1955. And Randle was the one who first introduced Elvis on national television. All of these facts illustrate how important Randle was in providing the proper illumination of "Electric Elvis" when he made his breakthrough in 1956. Since I worked for Bill Randle in the 1970s, I'll be adding some of my personal comments about him and what he told me about the young Elvis.

Inhibition, Prohibition, Exhibition - by David Neale

Abstract: In this paper, David Neale examines three seminal elements that characterised Elvis' career.

The Oral History Project: Elvis Aron Presley - by Johannes P. Mueller

Abstract: A short stage play about the life and legacy of Elvis Aron Presley in six acts. The play highlights key events in his life, the doubts felt by and decline of Elvis throughout his life, and offers a reflection on his meaning in society twenty-six years after his physical death.

Press Media Reaction to the Death of Elvis Aaron Presley in August 1977

- by Dr Gary Enders

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to identify if there were any material differences in press (daily and weekly) media reaction to the death of Elvis Aaron Presley.