Elvis Presley's Rise to Stardom

Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley, a biography hailed as the definitive work on the legendary Elvis Presley, has been written with grace, humor, and affection. This work sets aside the myths and focuses on Elvis' humanity in a way that has yet to be duplicated. Recognized as a New York Times Notable Book and the winner of the Ralph J. Gleason Music Book Award, the book offers a fresh perspective on the icon.

From the moment Elvis first shook up the world in the mid-1950s, he has been one of the most vivid and enduring myths of American culture. Last Train to Memphis goes beyond the legend, presenting an Elvis that is more human and multifaceted. Based on hundreds of interviews and nearly a decade of research, the book traces the evolution not just of the man, but also of the music and the culture he left utterly transformed, creating a complete portrait of Elvis and his world.

The volume covers the first twenty-four years of Elvis' life, delving into his childhood, the stunning first recordings at Sun Records ("That's All Right," "Mystery Train"), and the early RCA hits ("Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel"). These were the years of his improbable self-invention and unprecedented triumphs, a period when everything he tried seemed to succeed wildly. However, the book takes a somber turn in 1958 when Elvis was drafted into the army and his mother passed away shortly thereafter.

Throughout the narrative, readers are taken deep into Elvis' life, exploring his lifelong passion for music of every sort, from blues and gospel to the crooning of Bing Crosby and Mario Lanza. The book also delves into his compelling affection for his family and his intimate relationships with girlfriends, mentors, band members, professional associates, and friends. It showcases the loneliness, the trustfulness, the voracious appetite for experience, and above all, the unshakable, almost mystical faith that Elvis had in himself and his music.

Drawing frequently on Elvis' own words and the recollections of those closest to him, the book offers an emotional, complex portrait of the young Elvis Presley, allowing his extraordinary accomplishments to ring true in a way that has not been previously revealed. Peter Guralnick has masterfully crafted a rich panoply of people and events that illuminate an achievement, a place, and a time as never before.

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