Wait a minute--did I just refer to Elvis as other than merely mortal? Not so, and Peter Guralnick's astonishing Careless Love finally makes it possible for us to grasp Elvis as human. While other books about him could fill a thousand mausoleums, let them, because Guralnick's two-volume set (the first is Last Train to Memphis (1994)), will stand as the definitive biography of this great American.
But before you dive in, let me say that Careless Love, while beautifully and carefully written, and extra-carefully researched--Guralnick had access to unorganized files in Graceland unlike anyone prior to him--it is dense with factual trivia insterspersed with the dramatic events of Elvis' life (and the lives of those around him). This book is not for the casual reader; in its intimate details, vast narrative, and utter lack of superhero worship glitter, this book will probably appeal less to traditional Elvis fanatics than to those seriously interested in this man who became a 20th century phenomenon.
Again and again, Elvis is described as "humble, shy, respectful, hard-working." This seems true, right, but what is most effective in Guralnick's portrait is what's shown and not told--Elvis' misplaced affections, his desire to keep family and friends around him at all times (but then, you can't blame him). These people, from his father Vernon, to Priscilla, to old friends like Red West, had to put up with his mood swings, his anger, his jet-setting on a whim, the covert operations of smuggling girls in and out of his bedroom. Seemingly without concern for finances he gave away Cadillacs, motorcycles, TVs, homes, jewellry, to those around him, testing loyalty, wanting only their dedication to his perverse lifestyle.
Guralnick makes it clear that one of the young men in Elvis' employ became one of his most trusted friends--and one who was hounded out of the circle by Elvis' "good ol' boy" cronies. Larry Geller was a hairstylist when he met Elvis in April 1964. Immediately there was a rapport, for Geller filled a gap in Elvis' life--a hunger for spiritual, even intellectual pursuits. Geller listened while E poured his heart out about his mother--and if you know anything about Elvis, you know he loved his mother and when she died, well, he was never the same.
Elvis became quite the reader--one of the many revelations here. I won't comment on the types of religious books he read--well, suffice to say today they'd probably be shelved in the dreaded "New Age" section of bookstores, but who am I to say? Sometimes the critic in my head won't shut up--but it's obvious that E had found a bedrock for his life that he had not found in Col. Parker, in Priscilla, perhaps not even in his music. You really feel it when Guralnick describes how Elvis' friends (and let's not forget, they were his employees as well) start to openly mock Geller and his interests, and, by proxy, Elvis' interests as well, although they would never do so to his face. This part of Elvis they could never understand, a part that required a depth of feeling--and perhaps an ego--that these guys didn't have.
Some of my favorite parts of the book were when Elvis was in Vegas. Contrary to popular belief, Elvis turned in many great performances in Las Vegas. After spending years away from the stage, preoccupied with Priscilla, the baby, bad movies, etc., he was glad to concentrate on the music once again. He handpicked his backup band, and the performances highlighted his freewheeling, energetic, off-the-cuff personality that had been stifled. Guralnick excels in revealing how Elvis' confidence and enthusiasm returned at this point, and how he spent less and less time with Col. Parker. In these pages, Elvis comes across as simply wonderful. The best thing about this work is that it is simply about Elvis' life--indeed, it ends a mere page after detailing the funeral (50,000+ outside Graceland); James Brown gets a moment alone with the body; and Col. Parker tells a grieving Vernon Presley that even now they must think of the future (ooh, that conniving huckster bastard!) There is very little moralizing, even when it could be so easy: such as when Elvis wanted to have contracts put out on Mike Stone, whom Priscilla had had an affair with,and on his close friends Red and Sonny, who wrote the 1977 tell-all Elvis: What Happened?
No, what Guralnick gives us here is the portrait of a great man, a man whose legacy today is encrusted with gold and lacquer, a man who should be rediscovered and remembered as he is here: without myth, without ceremony, but with every respect and honor due him.
Soon after his return, Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker puts "his boy" on the road to on going commercial success. But unlike the 50's, this time, there is little regard for Elvis'artistry. And here is where Elvis' career problems begin. While Elvis generates a lot of cash for both himself and the show business industry, the artist in him begins to feel stifled and disappointed because he has few opportunities to express his creativity. But when he does get the odd chance to show his stuff, the results are inevitably good on both celluloid and especially vinyl.
You can see it in movies like "Flaming Star" and "Follow That Dream". And you can hear it in beautiful recordings like BobDylan's composition "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" or in the more raucus numbers like "High Heel Sneakers", "Down In the Alley","Big Boss Man" among many others.It makes you think, "What could Elvis have achieved during the 60's had he been given more and better opportunities?"
Heaven must have glimpsed his sorrow and graced Elvis with the opportunity to shine brightly again in both the 1968 Comeback Special and the recording sessions at Chip Moman's American Studios in 1969. The results were stellar and continue to stand the test of time. The 1970's should have been a continuation of Elvis' creative renaissance and for a while they were. Elvis put on some extraordinary concerts and made more good records. But again, his creativity was stifled, this time with bad financial decisions made on his behalf, to boot. All this combined with the pressures of his enormous fame, a low boredom level and a restlessness that would not allow him to enjoy a stabilizing, conventional family life, contributed to his unmaking.
There is much tragedy in Elvis' story to be sure. But inside this frequently troubled man was an emormous charisma and humanity that continues to draw fans from every walk of life. While this is wondrous to observe; his fame was too much for amortal man to shoulder. At times, Elvis must have felt like Atlas out of Greek Mythology.
I guess it was Socrates, who said, "know thy self". Elvis certainly tried but never seemed to come up with a satisfactory answer as to why HE was chosen to be Elvis Presley and what HE thought about the part he had to play. You keep hoping Guralnick will answer these questions for you but he can't.He does however take you along for the ride with Elvis so you can ponder the price of fame and extreme adulation for yourself. A worthwhile read.
