The Essential Elvis: The Life and Legacy of the King as Revealed Through 112 of His Most Significant Songs [Paperback]

Samuel Roy (Author), Tom Aspell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1998

The Essential Elvis is the story of the King of Rock 'n' Roll and his effect on music through an analysis of 112 essential performances that defined his career.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558536930
• ISBN-13: 978-1558536937
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,075,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Look at Presley's Music, September 24, 1999

By 

Scott T. Rivers (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential Elvis: The Life and Legacy of the King as Revealed Through 112 of His Most Significant Songs (Paperback)

"The Essential Elvis" is a thoughtful exploration of the King's music from 1954 until his death in 1977. It's an important and much-needed work that concentrates solely on Presley's artistry. Authors Samuel Roy and Tom Aspell break free from the ill-informed mythology of most Elvis publications by re-examining Presley's work in provocative, exciting ways. You may not agree with all of the writers' criticisms, but it encourages you to track down the 112 Elvis recordings listed in their book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tribute to the King!, September 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Essential Elvis: The Life and Legacy of the King as Revealed Through 112 of His Most Significant Songs (Paperback)

This excellent book is about what was most important to Elvis and his fans: his songs and music. One of the most significant things the authors said about Elvis is the following words: «The first and best thing that can be done for Elvis Presley is to lessen the emphasis that has been placed on his later years and focus on the talent and genius that define the King.....one of the reasons for his demise was because he cared and felt too much...it got to the point that being Elvis Presley was one of the hardest jobs in the world». I agree completely with the authors and, as a fan, my only wish is that this book will make the people, who don't respect Elvis, see the light...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A FITTING TRIBUTE TO THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING, February 22, 2003

By 

Alan W. Petrucelli (THE ENTERTAINMENT REPORT (ALAN W. PETRUCELLI)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential Elvis: The Life and Legacy of the King as Revealed Through 112 of His Most Significant Songs (Paperback)

There have been 4,567 books written about Elvis, mostly by people who have never known him, but whose third cousin's sixth-removed niece might have once dated Elvis' former schoolteacher's third wife. Then there's "The Essential Elvis." What makes this book so different is that Samuel Roy and Tom Aspell trace Elvis' life and legacy through personal history as well as 112 of his most significant songs. The book doesn't proclaim to be an expose or definitive history (it's neither); what it is is a clear portrait of the Man Who Would Be King, told through behind-the-scenes knowledge that uncovers and pieces
together the story of a man, his times, talent and cultural influences. And the 20 photographs -- many of which have never been published --- add a nice touch.