EIN Spotlight 'Elvis Presley: A Different Kind of Idol

The Breaking Up and The Bumps

When he starts a show, Elvis takes a few swipes at his guitar, then lurches into one of his scorchers like, I Want You, I Need You (“Ah Wa-ha-hunt Yew-who, Ah Nee-hee-heed You-who”) or his first hit, Heartbreak Hotel. The girls out front go into their screams and seizures. From then on, most of them do not hear what Elvis sings as he flings about, bringing his susceptible audience to the breaking point.

“He isn’t afraid to express himself,” was one 15-year-old’s defense of his free style. “When he does that on TV, I get down on the floor and scream.”

The rewards of this fearless expression are almost unbelievable for the young man who gave up his truck driving job two years ago to become a full-time singer. Since the first of the year, he has fallen just short of grossing half a million dollars — $100,000 for over 125 public appearances, $350,000 in record royalties, $20,000 from TV, and $50,000 more due in the fall for three Ed Sullivan appearances.

TREASURED HAIRS plucked from Elvis Presley's sideburns were the prizes in a letter contest run by Boston disk jockey Norm Prescott. who got 5.000 letters when he announced that he had shipment of hairs from New York where their removal from Elvis was witnessed by a notary public. Both the letters above won prizes.

Below right, Prescott studies his acquisitions under a magnifying glass.

NEW HOME Presley built for himself and parents has fence with musical staff and notes. Girls on the lawn are plucking grass blades they need to join local fan club.

HEARING THEIR HERO, admirers kneel outside his home pressing ears to his bedroom wall. Elvis was asleep inside and girls thought they heard him snoring.

BACKSTAGE KISSES are bestowed on pretty admirers. Above is a Jacksonville girl. Below is Andrea June Stephens who came to Jacksonville from Atlanta, Ga. after writing prizewinning letter on why she would like to meet Elvis. Promised a dinner date with Elvis, she got instead a cheeseburger in a Jacksonville diner.

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A Town All Worked Up

When Elvis Presley played in Jacksonville, Fla. last summer, his easily-aroused fans ripped nearly all his clothes off. Memories of this visit and of Presley’s growing notoriety stirred up civic leaders, and when the singer headed back to Jacksonville this month to play a two-night stand, the city was ready for him. Juvenile Court Judge Marion Gooding had warrants prepared, charging Presley with impairing the morals of minors. The judge declared he would sign and serve them if Presley repeated the torso-tossing spectacle of his earlier visits.

“I don’t do no dirty body movements,” protested Presley. But he toned down his act noticeably, and the judge took no further action.

Neither this nor clergymen’s denunciation of Presley dampened teenage enthusiasm. and his six performances all sold out. Elvis left town richer in pocket and with the prayers of devout citizens following him.

PRAYER FOR PRESLEY in Trinity Baptist Church came after the Reverent Gray said the singer had achieved "a new low in spiritual degeneracy.

If he were offered his salvation tonight, he would probably say, 'No thanks, I'm on the top'."

Then teenagers in front rows led in prayer that salvation be granted him.

Spotlight by Piers Beagley / Original magazine supplied by Paul Gansky
-Copyright EIN March 2025. Do Not reprint or republish without permission.

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Spotlight "Elvis Presley: Sun's Newest Star": Printed in the US 'Cowboy Songs' June 1955 issue this was the first national magazine article about Elvis.
The magazine was dedicated to "Hillbilly - Western Songs" and "Favorite Folktunes", country musicians Webb Pierce, Ferlin Husky and The Davis Sisters were all noted on the font cover - along with "Elvis Presley - A Dream Come True".
The article noted that, 'Elvis Presley 'Sun’s Newest Star' at 19 is already enjoying the first reality of life’s dream: to sing for people and hear the spontaneous applause that means he’s made a hit!'
It is interesting that despite the magazines focus on folktunes / country songs the article praises Elvis for his "authentic treatment of Rhythm and Blues songs".

The first in an EIN series looking at early, original magazine articles about Elvis Presley.
Go here to discover more..
(EIN Spotlight by Piers Beagley / Paul Gansky)

Magazine Review -'Remembering Elvis... The King at 90': LIFE magazine commemorates Elvis' upcoming 90th birthday. It is described as:
“Celebrate the King of Rock 'n' Roll with this keepsake biography of Elvis Presley, lavishly illustrated with dozens of historic photos, including many from the archives of LIFE magazine.
“A detailed timeline traces Elvis's life from when he received his first guitar to his glory days filled with recording, acting, and gyrating for shrieking fans, to his great '68 comeback, and right up to his untimely death in 1977.
“Intimate photojournalism combines with insightful text to reveal Elvis behind the scenes: at Graceland and on the road, with Priscilla and Lisa Marie, in front of the cameras, and on the stage.
Explore the days of "Heartbreak Hotel," "Don't Be Cruel," "Blue Suede Shoes," "Jailhouse Rock," "Love Me Tender," "Blue Christmas" and so many other unforgettable hits.

Does the magazine add anything new to their previous "Remembering Elvis" publications?
EIN's Piers Beagley shelled out hard-earned cash hoping for something new, but sadly he was disappointed - Check out our review to find out why.
(Book Review, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'The Elvis Files Vol. 1 1953-56' In Depth Book Review: The first volume of the Elvis Files story, chronicling Elvis' rise from his pre SUN discovery to becoming the world's biggest new sensation - nearly 600 pages & over 1,400 photos...
All ELVIS EVENTS in this Time Frame Period 1953-1956 are shown..
- Every Working Moment...
- The Early Tours
- Plenty of CANDID Moments.
- Elvis Interviews
- The TV Shows
There is an incredible impact to this book that can shock even the most blasé of Elvis fans who think they have seen it all before. The amazing amount of sensational images, interviews and informative articles gathered together within its 600 pages is stupefying.
Of all the books I have previously purchased about early Elvis none of them demonstrate the excitement and dynamic life of Elvis as well as this superb volume. No other series of Elvis photo-books comes close.

Click here to find out what it includes with lots of example pages, book extracts - plus great ELVIS photos
(Book Reviews, Source;EIN)

'Elvis Presley: The Searcher' EIN Spotlight: The 2018 HBO Documentary & SONY release
The three-hour, two-film presentation focuses on Elvis Presley the musical artist, taking the audience on a comprehensive creative journey from his childhood through the final 1976 Jungle Room recording sessions. The films include stunning atmospheric shots taken inside Graceland, Elvis’ iconic home, and feature more than 20 new, primary source interviews with session players, producers, engineers, directors and other artists who knew him or who were profoundly influenced by him.

In our extensive spotlight EIN tracks the publicity, interviews and the reviews...
Compiled by Piers Beagley

Go here for Everything You Need To Know

(Spotlight, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

"Baby, Let's Play House": Recorded at Sun Studios in February 1955, Presley’s historic rendition of "Baby, Let's Play House" reveals the comprehensive love for – and knowledge of – the blues. Compared to the Arthur Gunter original Elvis’s version is much more emphatic, playful, exuberant, tougher and scornful. The interplay between Bill Black’s thunderous bass-slapping, Elvis’s audacious, experimental vocal – he makes use of every trick in his rapidly expanding vocal repertoire – and Scotty Moore’s snarling rhythm guitar creates something that transcends such labels as country and blues.
“You may have a pink Cadillac but don’t you be nobody’s fool.” But who is Elvis singing to here?

In this EIN Spotlight respected author Paul Simpson takes a fascinating look at this Sun Studios Elvis classic..

(Spotlight, Source;PaulSimpson/ElvisInformationNetwork)

Did Elvis Record 'Tiger Man' At Sun?: A question that has puzzled Elvis fans through the years is whether he actually recorded the song ‘Tiger Man’ during his years at SUN studios.
The basic question is why did Elvis refer to 'Tiger man' several times in concert as “The second song that I ever recorded, not too many people heard it”?
And if Elvis DID record it, then why hasn’t any reference to it at SUN or proof of its existence been found?
Elvis would first perform ‘Tiger Man’ in concert at his first 1969 Las Vegas International season and would continue playing it through the years – usually in a medley with Mystery Train - until his last performance at Saginaw on May 3 1977. He would sing it over 150 times on stage!
The thought that there might be an acetate or undiscovered tape of Elvis at SUN singing ‘Tiger Man’ is a mouth-watering concept - but is it an unlikely fantasy or strong possibility?
Go here to our detailed 'TIGER MAN' spotlight as EIN's Piers Beagley puts in the hard yards to check the facts from the fantasy .
(Spotlight; Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)

'1956, Elvis Presley’s Pivotal Year': TIME magazine featured this recent article by SONY/FTD's music producer and consultant Roger Semon. The article helps explain to readers what the new deluxe box-set 'Young Man With The Big Beat' is all about.
... "In the mid-1950s, the post-war Eisenhower era of social conformity in America was at its peak, and musically, the most threatening image appeared to be Bill Haley’s kiss-curl as he sang “Rock Around The Clock.” That all changed on Jan. 28, 1956, when a raw and electric Elvis Presley made his breakthrough on the CBS program Stage Show. Presley’s good looks, sensuous moves and mesmerizing voice made him a sensation overnight. But it wasn’t until a third appearance on the show that Presley truly challenged the status quo. On Feb. 11, the singer performed “Heartbreak Hotel” and by April, the single would be #1 on the Billboard chart. At last, teenagers had music of their own to swoon over while their parents continued listening to Frank Sinatra and Mario Lanza....

Click HERE for the full article and fabulous Elvis Photos.
(Spotlight; Source;Time/ElvisInfoNet)

"The Impact Of Elvis Presley"

'Elvis - a Different Kind Of Idol'

From LIFE magazine August 1956

- Spotlight by Piers Beagley / Paul Gansky

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