From Booklist
Klein’s paean is awfully sincere but, in its folksy naiveté, oddly fetching. Maybe it’s the bio the King would have most wanted. Klein, who met Elvis in eighth grade, has been in the music business most of his life. He hosted early rock shows on Memphis radio and TV, was close at hand during Elvis’ early career, and remained a member of the inner circle to the end. Since then, he has hosted various Elvis-related radio shows and produced an Elvis documentary, and been interviewed by the likes of Larry King, Oprah, and Geraldo Rivera. He recalls a 1955 colloquy in which he suggested Elvis had already risen to such heights that he was “competition” for “Webb Pierce and Ferlin Husky and Hank Snow.” Tellingly, Presley “shook his head and let out a little snort of a laugh. ‘No, George, I’m shooting for Bill Haley,’” he replied. Soon enough, Elvis was at the top of the pop as well as the country charts, and Bill Haley was looking for a new hook. --Mike Tribby
Review
“George, bravo! I learned some new things about you and your life, especially the earlier years. I feel you capture the essence of Elvis not only in dialogue, but also in giving the reader a sense of his personality, humor, and his spirit of play. . . . I know that Elvis would be proud that you’ve remained his loyal and lifelong friend.” —Priscilla Presley
“George was with Elvis from the beginning. He personally knows the story.” —Dick Clark
“George Klein is something else. Through the years, George has been right there. He’s got the great stories and he’s always talked about Elvis and presented him with great dignity.” —Tom Petty
“GK was there from the beginning, and there ’til the end. This book is fact.” —Jerry Lee Lewis
“GK was one of the most important friends and confidants of Elvis Presley. This book captures all the excitement of the birth of rock ’n’ roll, and reminds us of the very significant roles that Elvis and GK played as rock ’n’ roll pioneers.” —Jerry Schilling
From the Hardcover edition.
“George was with Elvis from the beginning. He personally knows the story.” —Dick Clark
“George Klein is something else. Through the years, George has been right there. He’s got the great stories and he’s always talked about Elvis and presented him with great dignity.” —Tom Petty
“GK was there from the beginning, and there ’til the end. This book is fact.” —Jerry Lee Lewis
“GK was one of the most important friends and confidants of Elvis Presley. This book captures all the excitement of the birth of rock ’n’ roll, and reminds us of the very significant roles that Elvis and GK played as rock ’n’ roll pioneers.” —Jerry Schilling
From the Hardcover edition.
