Publisher Description

A Classic Rock book of 2020"I had to leave town for a little while--" with these words, Elvis Presley truly came home to rock and roll. A little over a month earlier he had staged rock's first and greatest comeback in a television program, forever known as "The '68 Comeback Special." With this show, he resurrected himself--at the age of 33, no less--from the ashes of a career mired in bad movies and soundtracks. So where to go from here?Like a killer returning to the scene of the crime, Elvis came back home to Memphis, where it had all begun. Eschewing the fancier studios of Nashville and Hollywood, he set up shop at the ramshackle American Sound Studio, run by a maverick named Chips Moman with an in-house backing band now known as "The Memphis Boys," and made the music of his life. The resulting work, From Elvis in Memphis, would be the finest studio album of his career, an explosion of mature confidence and fiery inspiration. It was the sound of Elvis establishing himself as a true rock and roll artist--and proving his status as a legend.

Author Biography

Eric Wolfson worked as an artist and musician in Boston and New York City, before settling in Washington, D.C. He works at the Performing Arts Division of the United States Copyright Office in the Library of Congress. He is the only employee in the agency whose desk has a shrine to Elvis.

Table of Contents

AcknowledgmentsPrologue: From Elvis in HellThe Cover: From Elvis in Burbank1 The Arrival2 The Great Advice3 The Promise4 The Funeral Procession5 The Tear-Stained Pillow6 The DepartureInterlude: From Elvis in Purgatory7 The Shaking8 The Backroads9 The Confession10 The Cotton Dress11 The Beautiful Bird12 The Vicious CycleThe Back Cover: From Elvis in VegasEpilogue: From Elvis in ParadiseWorks Cited

Review

In just over 160 pages, Wolfson offers a compelling, slightly tragic, and surprisingly full look at the ultimate larger-than-life artist. * Pittsburgh Current *
If all you know of Elvis Presley is "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender," or that hideous white jumpsuit Vegas phase, do yourself a favor and check out "From Elvis In Memphis." And while you're at it, pick up Eric Wolfson's wonderful celebration of that record. You won't regret it. * All Music Books *
From Elvis In Memphis is one of Elvis' best and Eric Wolfson's book a worthy companion. It comes highly recommended. * Elvis Today *
[A] fine piece of work that opens up the album in new ways. * Greil Marcus, author of Mystery Train, Lipstick Traces, & The Old, Weird America: The World of Bob Dylan's Basement Tapes *
Like the best books of the 33 1/3 series, Wolfson's contribution brings alive an album that may be largely unknown to music fans but deserves serious appraisal–and gets it. * PopMatters *
I can do nothing else than highly recommend this neat piece of work. It has been a pretty long time since I enjoyed an Elvis related book as much as this one. * Elvis News *
Vividly evokes the characters from this history. * Memphis Flyer *
This book is a great, colorful and above all essential read on one of Elvis' most important albums. It documents the story behind the album in-depth, keeping you engrossed throughout the book. It makes you think, re-listen to the songs from new perspectives and form your own opinions. * Elvis Day by Day *
One of the most important examinations of Elvis' music ever released, & as an examination of a single Elvis album, unique. * Elvis Information Network *

Promotional

A discussion of one of the most influential 20th century performer's most underrated album and the narrative it tells about Elvis and his relationship to home.

Review Quote

"Vividly evokes the characters from this history." - Memphis Flyer "This book is a great, colorful and above all essential read on one of Elvis' most important albums. It documents the story behind the album in-depth, keeping you engrossed throughout the book. It makes you think, re-listen to the songs from new perspectives and form your own opinions." -- Elvis Day by Day "One of the most important examinations of Elvis' music ever released, & as an examination of a single Elvis album, unique." -- Elvis Information Network

Promotional "Headline"

A discussion of one of the most influential 20th century performer's most underrated album and the narrative it tells about Elvis and his relationship to home.

Feature

Elvis Presley is arguably the most influential performer of the 20th century, as well as one of the most popular performers ever. He also has had more albums chart on the Billboard 200 than any other artist, with 129 to date. Yet there has never been a book written about one of his albums.

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