Gates of Graceland - Elvis in 1955

In the latest episode of Graceland's new web series, Gates of Graceland, Elvis biographer Peter Guralnick speaks with Tom Brown about how Elvis' career grew in 1955.
Guralnick wrote the two-volume Elvis biographies, "Careless Love" and "Last Train to Memphis." In this episode, he discusses Elvis' early managers and producers, such as Sam Phillips at Sun Studio, how other artists influenced Elvis and Elvis' early touring career.
Want to know more? Go to Graceland.com and start planning the ultimate rock 'n' roll pilgrimage.

[@patcater5436]

I MET ELVIS IN 1954 AND IN MY HEART HE WAS ALREADY AN IDOL.. HE WAS GREAT THEN,LATER AND ALWAYS. THE FOREVER KING!!!!👑👑💕👑👑💕👑👑💕👑👑💕👑👑💕👑👑💕👑💕👑👑💕♥️♥️🌷♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@kimberdancer4289]

Just found out that in September 1955 he, Scotty, and Bill ate a small diner in my small town on his way to a show. The owner didn’t know who he was so EP gave him a copy of Let’s Play House 🎶 8 weeks later, he was a household name!!

[@wayneyork8994]

I was 7 when he passed away but I still love his music and him as an entertainer

[@brendafulmernickel1218]

1956 was special to Elvis knew his Heaven on Earth took off. 1955 was WORK,WORK, and more WORK! MY take! ❤🎶🎯

[@catalinegreanu]

Great interview! Thanks! TCB!!!!

[@Germania72]

Omg, when I see those photos of an almost teenage Elvis, I just feel like he looks so innocent and sweet. LOL

[@gracieg7601]

He was very naive and sweet.

[@ellenfiore3726]

Ty for all your interviews love them🥰

[@elvishimselvis4380]

Excellent. Thank You.

[@plmillerda]

love the interviews thank you

[@CadiaComanducci]

Interessante intervista al sig.Guralnick....sembra essere il biografo più acclarato di Elvis ....(almeno, in Italia gli editori dicono cosi). Cerco i suoi libri che però, sono in lingua inglese.....spero di trovare edizione tradotta in italiano

[@maureenhall251]

Alanna Nash's books are fantastic reading and anyone that wants to know even more about Elvis should read her books. "Baby Lets Play House: Elvis Presley and the Women who loved him", "Colonel Tom Parker: The extraordinary story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley", "Elvis Aaron Presley: Revalations from the Memphis Mafia". Alanna Nash covers a lot of territory and its an enthralling read. Why not get her on to talk about her books and opinions of Elvis

[@gracieg7601]

I didn’t know about these books. Thanks for that info.

[@iamneverwrong6635]

Parker took 50 percent of Elvis’ earnings. Totally and completely highway robbery. That man was truly a villain.

[@sillysambo1000]

Oh yeah..he was wanted for the death of a man back in Holland were he was from..he was illegally living in America..that's why he wouldn't let Elvis tour abroad. he would have to travel and get caught..he sucked the marrow out of Elvis s bones..

[@gracieg7601]

Gladys was the first to say she wasn’t fond of parker. But she died so there was no one to keep a eye on him then. Vernon Judy saw parker helping Elvis get richer all the time.

[@catalinegreanu]

I am NOT AT ALL a Parker fan.... On the contrary... But without the Colonel in the 50s...it might have been no ELVIS... also, he did not 50% of everything made...i advice you to read Alana Nash's book.... Before making any statements!!!

[@veganvintagegeek935]

I read that when Col. Parker courted Elvis' parents he lied and told Gladys that Hank Snow was also going to be looking after Elvis and helping Col. Parker. What Elvis' parents should've done was read the contract first and learned that Col. Parker was dead set on owning Elvis for his own personal gain, if only Gladys had known Elvis would've never signed that contract. And all Gladys ever wanted was Elvis to get married and be a singer that got to come home at night, just like Hank Snow and the other musical artist around Memphis at that time. And What I do not understand is once Hank Snow found out that he was not going to be part of managing Elvis why did'nt he fight Col. Parker. And eventually Elvis' parents found out Hank Snow was no longer around why did'nt they fight Col. Parker for lying about Hank being his partner. Unless Col. Parker lied once again to Elvis' parents and made up some fake story about Hank changing his mind about co-managing Elvis', one will never know.

[@ellenfiore3726]

So sad lovely people but not educated

[@gracieg7601]

Gladys died. So all the stuff parker was up to went by the wayside. Vernon just kinda let it happen.

[@Ericlawless]

A lawyer involved during the process would have been a great idea.

[@lynells3060]

The anniversary of his birthday is one month away. If he was so unhappy in his last year he sure would probably be even now. He didn't want to be old and still expected to be performing. Parker just used Elvis as a cash cow much like Priscilla and Lisa are doing so today. Glad we had him and his music. His music today.

[@gracieg7601]

Elvis had plans to slow down after the tour that didn’t happen.

[@michaelphipps5066]

To EveryBody Out There There I Repeat There Was No Such Person As Col.Tom Parker

[@michaelrawson6261]

How ironic that The King went with the lawbreaking criminal embezzler Parker to reach a worldwide demographic, yet Parker couldn't oblige with tours in those places, because he couldn't get a passport...!!

[@angellromanjr7554]

Thursday 1953 = .. .. .. .. 1 2 3 Friday 1954 = .. .. .. .. .. 1 2 Saturday 1955 = .. .. .. .. .. .. 1

[@chairlesnicol672]

? ? ?

[@creekers1135]

Parker’s estate if any should be sued and orders to pay Elvis’s estate back.