Being Elvis: A Lonely Life Hardcover – March 21, 2017

What made this such a difficult read is was what was left out. Mr. Connolly did a fine job of describing the lows of the King. But either out of a zeal for a journalistic hit piece or he was genuinely butt hurt that Elvis’ career did not turn out the way Connelly wanted it to, the writer either totally missed or glossed over the following:-The pure joy and happiness Elvis felt singing live. As described by many who knew him, it was what he lived for most. As such, he liked the tours and did not look at them as grueling, but likely a reason to get out of the house and do what he did best! This was barely touched on in the afterword.-The deep satisfaction he had gifting items to people. This is a trait not found in many people and Elvis truly enjoyed giving what he did not have and seeing how it made people feel. Greed was not part of his DNA. It was not “manic“ as described in the book, but heartfelt and FUN for him.-how much Elvis loved being Elvis! He was often quoted as saying he enjoyed the attention and didn’t know what he would do otherwise, despite the fact that he often wondered why he was born with the talent and looks he had, and why he affected people the way he did.-typical focus on the drug use without a deep dive into the many health issues he inherited from his mother and grandparents. He was never going to live a long life. The puffiness in his face and belly we’re not just from eating bacon sandwiches...he was afflicted with the same issues his mother had, liver, colon, glaucoma, arthritis it goes on and on.Yes I’m obviously a big fan, but also disappointed at this missed opportunity of capturing what it was like “Being Elvis.“

Veteran rock journalist Ray Connoll pauses at this juncture 40 years after the death of the one and only Elvis Presley and offers one of the more sensitive surveys of the star’s life – the early beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi with his loving but poor parents to his rise as a singer, a soldier, a curiosity who had the ability to blend country western, gospel, rock and roll and his own extraordinary vocal range into a world renowned star, and a suffering man who feared his adoring public and found solace in drugs.Photographs are plentiful but not the glorious types we see on posters and art books, but rather the simple side of Presley – his family, wives, colleagues, and private moments. It is this admixture of the public Elvis with the private Elvis that makes Connoll’s biography so touching.Well written and researched, this is more than like the book that will become the definitive biography of a phenomenon of our times. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, November 17

I have read several other books on Elvis' life. This is the first one which reviewed his life in chronological order starting from the beginning until his untimely death. I very much enjoyed knowing the order of events and details. This account is clear, respectful and honest.

This is the best book I have read about Elvis. I tried reading the Peter Guaralnik book and just could not get interested in it. I loved this book because it was really interesting and I could not put it down. Thank you Mr. Connolly for a wonderfully written biography of Elvis' life. Enjoyed seeing all the songs he sang .Did not know he had sung so many. Lee Strang

Connolly provides a lot of data; i.e. good and bad as respects Elvis. So many biographies only outline how "great" the person was; this shows that Elvis had some detractions which never made the headlines; e.g. Colonel Parker, Ann Margaret, etc. A very "easy read" and for any Elvin fan, a MUST.

FEEL IN LOVE WITH THE REAL ELVIS!Touched my heart & soul!Elvis wanted to be different,he made Elvis the entertainer to be just as he was in the earlier years!He got lost in the dream when the drugs took over n his many health issues did also!I dont think he would ever have been faithful to any female,he was in search of meaning in his life and the need for self acceptance never came to be!I have loved Elvis all my life! Never realising he was searching for lifes true meaning! Died alone!Sadness is what i feel at this moment!

This book was so interesting and informative. I wanted to know how a person with such a God given gift developed this ability. I felt the author provided an open and realistic view of Elvis and his entire life. Ray Connolly wrote an exceptionally expressive version of a wonderful and amazing talent and the very sad life style that led to his demise. One thing that you could be positive on throughout the book was that Elvis Knew God!!I purchased a copy for one of my son's and loaned my book to another son.In my opinion this was an excellent book and I do recommend it to those people I think would be interested Thank You Yvonne Blackman.

Just started reading this. Fascinating book and writing is intriguing. I've been a huge Elvis fan since I was 12 and I'm familiar with his life. But the book stills attracts my curiosity because of fantastic writing skills of the author.

I have read many books about Elvis and they normally fall into one of two categories: Elvis: ‘the legend, a god who walked among us and who could do no wrong’; or Elvis: ‘the drugged-up, jumpsuit-wearing has-been who squandered his talent’. Irrespective of stance, both angles go for the sensationalist approach designed to grab headlines and sell books.What I loved about this book was the fact that it gave a balanced insight into Elvis as a fallible human being, like you or I, and tried to understand what it must have been like to live his life, with his talent, good looks and unprecedented fame. It is truly one of the best, most considered books I have ever read about him and I finished it feeling that finally someone had done Elvis, the man, not the legend, justice.

An open and honest book on Elvis' life. Well researched and truthful. Only when slight error in facts. That was in regard to who first came up with the idea of Elvis doing the worldwide satellite show.Yes, in 1973 it came from RCA and not Elvis' manager. But the original idea was proposed by 'The Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain' in the early sixties when the first satellites were launched. The idea back then was dismissed, and RCA's suggested was no more than re-floating the original idea.Sadly between Elvis' manager and RCA they both failed their client. Elvis never reached his full potential. He didn't get the best songs because of the money grabbers. It is small wonder that Elvis had so many hits, he would have had a load more given decent material.Thanks Ray for telling it straight and not just going for the headlines to sell your book. There have not been that many books about Elvis that have stuck to the truth, without at least some embellishing. Well worth the read, though for a seasoned life long fan, there was little I didn't know all ready. Some though, such as the truth about Elvis' manager was good to have confirmed.

After a joyful rise to fame and fortune, Elvis later said that this is the only part of his career that he enjoyed. A unique talent that was never really fulfilled and that was how Elvis felt , as Connolly shows so well . He was complicit ,ofcourse, in this with his addictions but aiso the victim of a ruthless manager. Taken from beginning to end , Ray Connolly writes a 20th century tragedy of approaching Elizabethan proportions. However,unlike Shakespeare's tragic heroes,Elvis left a rich legacy as Connolly shows. This is a biography that is rich in detail written with a balanced analysis of the evidence and a fluent style.

Read this book if you remember his immediate impact on the music world.Read it if you grew up listening to your parents records of Elvis.Read it if you occasionally caught and appreciated one of his songs on a music programme.No-one who heard him sing has ever forgotten Elvis Presley , but we didn`t know him or know of the loneliness and fragility which affected his life.Ray Connolly has brought us closer to understanding him and the reason for his tragic early death.Thank you Ray.

A couple of little things annoyed me, as Gladys once being written as "Grace" in the book and a picture of Priscilla saying they were married when she was 19, when she was actually 3 weeks shy of her 22nd birthday! but overall, I think this book tells Elvis' story superbly. Elvis isn't remembered for the raw, exceptional talent he was and this book explores in depth how his management and loss of his mother shaped who he became as he struggled with living up to an image.I found it one of the best books i've read to get a feel for what it was really like being Elvis Presley. His sad demise and the work load he endured until his death was a heartbreaking read. As Bob Dylan says - "I thank God for Elvis Presley". Highly recommend this book.