Elvis Presley and his backing band played shows night after night to adoring audiences. Though Elvis’ feelings about his music career varied over the years, he went through periods of caring deeply about it. During these times, he wanted to make sure his band was as focused as him. To ensure this, Elvis employed a trick to keep them on their toes.
Elvis Presley kept his band focused during performances
When Elvis was in high school, he performed in a talent show. Here, he learned how much he loved to draw a reaction out of his audience. He wanted his band to help him achieve this, and it drove him to frustration when they didn’t seem to be taking this task seriously. Elvis recalled one concert during which he heard his band discussing home renovations.
“Those guys were reading Better Homes and Gardens and stuff like that — they play...
Elvis Presley kept his band focused during performances
When Elvis was in high school, he performed in a talent show. Here, he learned how much he loved to draw a reaction out of his audience. He wanted his band to help him achieve this, and it drove him to frustration when they didn’t seem to be taking this task seriously. Elvis recalled one concert during which he heard his band discussing home renovations.
“Those guys were reading Better Homes and Gardens and stuff like that — they play...
- 5/11/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley began to receive death threats as his fame increased. He received a particularly frightening threat before one show; it scared him and his entourage badly enough that he said goodbye to his family before taking the stage. Afterward, though, he teased his bodyguards about taking it seriously. In private, he seemed much more shaken by it.
Elvis claimed he was afraid to sleep alone after a death threat
Ahead of a show in Las Vegas, several members of Elvis’ entourage received phone calls from a person who claimed to have information about a plot to kill Elvis. They informed the FBI, and Elvis called members of his entourage who were not in Vegas to have them closer to him.
“He just stumbled into my arms and hugged me,” his friend Jerry Schilling said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick.
Elvis Presley...
Elvis claimed he was afraid to sleep alone after a death threat
Ahead of a show in Las Vegas, several members of Elvis’ entourage received phone calls from a person who claimed to have information about a plot to kill Elvis. They informed the FBI, and Elvis called members of his entourage who were not in Vegas to have them closer to him.
“He just stumbled into my arms and hugged me,” his friend Jerry Schilling said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick.
Elvis Presley...
- 2/2/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley planned to play a concert despite knowing that people had been making anonymous threats against him. The threats were credible enough that the FBI became involved, and Elvis wept before he went onstage. The concert was immensely stressful for practically everyone involved, but Elvis seemed to enjoy the adrenaline rush it gave him. One friend said that Elvis actually seemed disappointed that someone hadn’t shot at him.
Elvis Presley played a concert after receiving a threat on his life
Elvis played a series of shows at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. He fell into a routine there but was abruptly shaken from it when someone called the hotel to say there was a plot to kidnap Elvis. Two days later, they received another call with information about a threat on Elvis’ life that would be carried out during his concert.
Elvis did not cancel the show despite his fear.
Elvis Presley played a concert after receiving a threat on his life
Elvis played a series of shows at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. He fell into a routine there but was abruptly shaken from it when someone called the hotel to say there was a plot to kidnap Elvis. Two days later, they received another call with information about a threat on Elvis’ life that would be carried out during his concert.
Elvis did not cancel the show despite his fear.
- 12/8/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Like many other celebrities, Elvis Presley had an entourage. They toured with him, lived with him, and served as dedicated employees. According to the other people in Elvis’ life, they were a little too devoted to the musician. One of Elvis’ backup singers said there was always a level of tension in the room when Elvis’ entourage was around. It wasn’t always clear if Elvis was aware of this.
Elvis’ entourage guarded him closely
Elvis’ piano player, Glen D. Hardin, described the entourage as a “silly boys’ club … Just one big party.” Others viewed it differently, though. Many members of the entourage had known Elvis for years and were willing to defend him by any means necessary. As a result, the musician began receiving assault and battery charges.
Though Elvis wanted them to protect him against assassination attempts, they also kept people in Elvis’ band away from him. Elvis...
Elvis’ entourage guarded him closely
Elvis’ piano player, Glen D. Hardin, described the entourage as a “silly boys’ club … Just one big party.” Others viewed it differently, though. Many members of the entourage had known Elvis for years and were willing to defend him by any means necessary. As a result, the musician began receiving assault and battery charges.
Though Elvis wanted them to protect him against assassination attempts, they also kept people in Elvis’ band away from him. Elvis...
- 11/5/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
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