In 1956, a twenty-one-year-old singer named Elvis Presley was at the beginning of his remarkable career. Alfred Wertheimer, a young New York photojournalist, was asked by Elvis’s new label, RCA Victor, to photograph their new artist. In the course of his one-day assignment for RCA, Wertheimer was struck by the stunningly photogenic performer and felt compelled to continue documenting the everyday moments in Elvis’s life during that crucial year.
Wertheimer’s unobtrusive photographs of Elvis in performance, with his fans, in the recording studio, and at home (aff) with his family present a unique look at one of the world’s most famous cultural figures. These images were the first and the last unguarded look at Elvis, and also constitute an important visual document of post–World War (aff) II America.
With hundreds of gorgeously reproduced high-quality prints, Elvis is the result of a special alchemy between an exceptionally talented photographer and a charismatic young man on the brink of superstardom.
As somebody who was a baby when Elvis died, this book, for me, was awesome. He was such a photogenic man, these picture definitely capture his essence. The cover photo is almost haunting. There is also a pretty cool story of the photographer that goes along with the pictures. This book definitely covers a story that has not been told yet.
If you are an Elvis fan, you have to get your hands on Elvis!
I was a teen and remember the day Elvis died. I was camping with my sister and a bunch of friends. We cried all day. And his music was "old" then, he was just a performer that everyone of every age loved. Now my 13 year old is hooked on "retro" music and is loving the music from the 60's, 70's and 80's. I'd love to get my hands on this book and think she would even like it. I remember watching Elvis movies with my dad when I was young. He sure was a talented man. So sad the way his life all panned out…but so happy we have his music to hold onto forever…
You would definitely enjoy this book then! I just found so many of these pictures haunting (like the cover one). I am a tad younger than you, so I don't remember Elvis, but my mom is a fan.