Customer Reviews

Genuine Elvis, The: Photos and Untold Stories about the King

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Released in July, this new book release is a surprise which lives up to its title.

The stories and recollections come from a diverse group of family, friends and peers. Apart from the authors, the reader is treated to many great stories by names we immediately recognise such as Pat Boone, Jerry Schilling, Ray Walker (Jordanaires) and Alfred Wertheimer (photographer), to those we are not familiar with including Howard Hite (Tupelo Hardware Company), Judy Spencer Nelon (the Judy Spencer Nelon Group), Jimmy Angel (friend/performer) and Charles Watt (disc jockey).
All have something interesting and informative to convey. Jerry Schilling reflects on Christmas with Elvis in 1975; Pat Boone talks about he and Elvis were both essentially "good ole boys"; Judy Spencer Nelon reflects on the importance of gospel music to Elvis and Howard Hite recalls the day Gladys and Elvis came into the store with Elvis wanting a rifle but Gladys wanting him to buy a guitar (and we all know the outcome); while Charles Watts recalls the fans, National Guard, state troopers and local police when Elvis returned to Tupelo for his legendary concert in 1956. These and many more stories keep the reader enthralled.

The text is nicely balanced by a mix of photos, archival material and artworks. There are numerous visuals you probably haven't seen before including Elvis in Sheffield, Alabama during a train stop in the 1950s, Elvis and cousin Gene Smith, Elvis surrounded by black and white fans as he leaves the Hudson Theater in 1956 and a still from the set of Loving You with Elvis, family and cast at lunch.

The real highlight (for me) was Ronnie McDowell's sublime Elvis artworks. These need to be seen to be appreciated but it is clear Ronnie would have a very successful other career should he ever decide to give up his day job. They resonate with rich, vibrant color and each scene depicts an important part of the Elvis story. You will marvel at (Elvis outside the) Roxy Theater; Lonely Street (Elvis and James Dean); A Tale of Two Kings (Elvis and Clark Gable in Hollywood); Reflection of a King, Elvis and Friends and to name just a few. My favourite is The World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band: The Rising Sun Edition which is a joy to behold. McDowell's prowess with the paint brush is prodigious and will be a revelation to many.
The Genuine Elvis: Photos and Untold Stories about the King is a smallish book with a correspondingly small price. The book and page design is strong. Overall, it represents very good value for money!

Verdict: A welcome addition to the bourgeoning Elvis library. Great stories are complemented by some very rare photos and absolutely stunning artworks by the multi-talented McDowell.

Nigel Patterson, Elvis Information Network ([...])

I was very pleased with my purchase. I ordered the book mainly for the photos and most of them are very good. The condition of the book and the time in shipping was good as well. Thank you.

Over a big disappointment.

The book was a lot smaller and thinner than I expected.

many of the quotes (it's overly generous to call them stories when they mostly don't go over a small page) weren't from people who knew Elvis - they were often by people who just a meet or a wanted to meet Elvis.

No rare or new photos - and yes, there are new photos of Elvis surfacing all the time.

I couldn't help but think that this was more about Ronnie and his paintings than Elvis.


If you're a super hardcore collector, this is for you, I suppose

As a mere hardcore collector myself, this isn't something I would have put on my shelf if I had seen it in the store first.

Ronnie McDowell is the greatest. I have been to about 12 of his concerts. He spends time with the fans and is a wonderful singer, artist and writer. I have some of his prints and this book, which is great.

This book has a lot of previously un-released picture. It is a great little book especially if you want to see some different pictures.

This is a small, short book, just 112 pages counting everything between the covers, and there is a fair amount of blank space and large print. The authors stretched the material to increase the page count. However, all in all, it is a nice book but not worth a high price.

The authors have provided different perspectives on Elvis from what you might have read before. I thought the reflections by Gene Smith's wife were interesting. (Gene Smith was Elvis's first cousin.) She knew Elvis very well as he was coming to fame and afterward.

There are plenty of photos and illustrations. Some of the photos are new.

On page 21, in an illustration by Ronnie McDowell, the vehicle is miss-identified as a 1957 Ford Fairlane. It is a 1957 Mercury Monterey. You can see "Monterey" written on the side of the fender.

Here is a breakdown of the book with the number of pages indicated for each section:

Title Page and associated - 6
Preface and associated - 5
Louise Smith, Widow of Gene Smith - 18
Charles Watts, Disc Jockey - 4
Jimmy Angel, High School Friend - 4
Al Wertheimer, Photographer - 5
Pat Boone, Singer - 2
Jerry Schilling, Close Friend - 5
Gordon Stoker, The Jordanaires - 5
Ray Walker, The Jordanaires - 5
Jerry Chesnut, Songwriter - 4
George Klein, Close Friend & Disc Jockey - 3
Ronnie McDowell, Performer & Artist - 8
Judy Spencer Nelon, The Judy Nelon Group - 5
Dak Alley - Singer/Songwriter - 5
Terry Blackwood - The Imperials - 4
John Hughey, Steel Guitarist - 2
Howard Hite, Tupelo Hardware - 6
Edie Hand, Family Member - 4
Acknowledgments - 2
Meet the Authors - 10

I really enjoyed this little book. I understand why some may be disappointed if they were expecting a full sized biography. Of course, that is not what this book is. It is a short trip down memory lane of people remembering amusing and nice stories about Elvis. The icing on the cake is Ronnie McDowell's beautiful paintings. This book will make you smile.

The writing & stories I've heard while Ronnie was on George Klein's Friday SIRIUS satellite radio show, but some of the artwork....WOW!! I have two of the prints/poster sized, bought from Ronnie's website. I only wish he'd have the others for sale. I also wish the book was sized larger - like maybe 11x17 size pages vs. the pocket size it comes in. It is well worth the purchase price for any true Elvis fan.

I really enjoyed this little book. Having been an Elvis fan over 50 years, I thought I had read everything about the man, but this book has very personal stories which are lovely to read. Gives a real insight into a very humble and genuine man, which is not very often portrayed. Highly recommended.

I love this book on Elvis. I love learning about Elvis. I recommend this book to all Elvis fans. Wonderful value.