The Elvis Reader: Texts and Sources on the King of Rock 'N' Roll

ISBN 10: 0312069669 / ISBN 13: 9780312069667

Published by St Martins Press, New York, 1992

About this Item

Clean, unmarked copy with crease-free spine. BP/Music/Rock.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1636747222314

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Elvis Reader: Texts and Sources on the King of Rock 'N' Roll
• Publisher: St Martins Press, New York
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0312069669
• ISBN 13: 9780312069667
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Music-Rock

About this title

Synopsis

Collects short stories, critical essays, interviews, articles, and reviews on Elvis Presley, and includes a comprehensive reference section

Reviews

These 29 recycled essays and excerpts examine "The King" from a variety of perspectives. The more academic pieces explore musical influences (e.g., "Presley and the Gospel Tradition") and the ways in which Elvis exemplified a Southern identity. Drug abuse and sexual adventures are recounted in the more lurid essays, especially excerpts from Albert Goldman's controversial, landmark biography Elvis ( LJ 2/1/82). Accounts of psychic encounters after death, Elvis appearing as a hitchhiker to an alcoholic truck driver, and Elvis appearing in surgical garb in a hospital delivery room saying "It's a boy!" suggest the wide range of his impact on American culture. The work of some notable rock journalists are featured, including Lester Bangs and Nick Tosches, and the preface by Mojo Nixon adds a comic touch. Not essential, but a good anthology recommended for general readers.
- Richard W. Gre frath, Univ. of Nevada Lib., Reno
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.