Being Elvis cover art

Being Elvis

A Lonely Life

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Being Elvis

By: Ray Connolly
Narrated by: Russell Bentley
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About this listen

 What was it like to be Elvis Presley? What did it feel like when impossible fame made him its prisoner? As the world's first rock star there was no one to tell him what to expect, no one with whom he could share the burden of being himself - of being Elvis.

On the outside he was all charm, sex appeal, outrageously confident on stage and stunningly gifted in the recording studio. To his fans he seemed to have it all. He was Elvis. With his voice and style influencing succeeding generations of musicians, he should have been free to sing any song he liked, to star in any film he was offered, and to tour in any country he chose.

But he wasn't free. The circumstances of his poor beginnings in the American South, which, as he blended gospel music with black rhythm and blues and white country songs, helped him create rock and roll, had left him with a lifelong vulnerability. Made rich and famous beyond his wildest imaginings when he mortgaged his talent to the machinations of his manager, 'Colonel' Tom Parker, there would be an inevitable price to pay. Though he daydreamed of becoming a serious film actor, instead he grew to despise his own movies and many of the songs he had to sing in them. He could have rebelled. But he didn't. Why? In the Seventies, as the hits rolled in again, and millions of fans saw him in a second career as he sang his way across America, he talked of wanting to tour the world. But he never did. What was stopping him?

BEING ELVIS takes a clear-eyed look at the most-loved entertainer ever, and finds an unusual boy with a dazzling talent who grew up to change popular culture; a man who sold a billion records and had more hits than any other singer, but who became trapped by his own frailties in the loneliness of fame.©2016 Ray Connolly (P)2022 Weidenfeld & Nicolson Entertainment & Celebrities Music Celebrity Funny

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All stars
Most relevant  
From my perspective, this was brilliant to listen to. Giving insight and a different dimension to the life of Elvis. Some areas I had no or little knowledge of, which made this book even better. This is definitely worth a listen one of which anyone will enjoy, even non-fans. Brilliantly put together and very enjoyable.

A brilliant listen definitely need in your library

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Great read, insightful and detailed. thoroughly enjoyed the Elvis story from beginning to end.

excellent

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Brilliant book loved it !! I do have the hard book but listening to the audio kept me interested

Being Elvis

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Brilliantly narrated lots of details and honest account of what and who Elvis really was from the young star to his death And what drove him to his grave .. A very good listen!

Great details Pretty honest account of what really was going on with Tom Parker Elvis the women and his Entourage

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Overall, the book was enjoyable to listen to and gave a good general overview of Elvis' life and career. Never sensational in his approach, the author writes with respect for Elvis and covers the more delicate parts of the story without digging too deeply.

If you want a warts and all deep delve into the life of Elvis, this book isn't for you. But if you're looking for an entertaining listen that leaves you feeling like you have just accessed a movie of his life, made for a general and wide audience.... then this is exactly what you've been looking for.

A Great Starting Point

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Really enjoyed this book. Nothing new in it I hadn’t read before but the author manages to bring the human side of Elvis to life

Well worth a listen

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The wither does an ok job of covering the sweep of the Elvis story. Brings to life the odd life that he had to lead and the challenges of having everything you want. However the narration is really terrible and detracts from the story.

Decent basic biog but awful narration

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I have read many Elvis books and think I know quite a lot about his life and work. As it has been suggested elsewhere in these reviews, if this is one of the first books you've read about him, it is a good starting point. However, if you want something more or different, this is not the book for you. It feels like every story told has been taken from other books. Having just read Ginger Aldens book for example, the stories involving her are lifted straight from it. I'm not sure what I was expecting but it just seemed to be a very basic telling of Elvis's life and music. On the plus side, It was very well narrated,

Nothing new here

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