May 12, 20238 min read

Love my Talent, Love Me True: Elvis Presley - Looks, Fashion, Women & Addiction

Elvis Presley with Ursula Andress & Elsa Cárdenas in Fun in Acapulco, 1963. (Source: Wikimedia Commons). PART 1: The Rise of the King - Elvis Presley, Talent and Looks He was more than just a musician. He was a cultural icon, an electrifying performer, and an enigma. Elvis Presley's music continues to inspire and captivate audiences decades after his untimely death. But what was it about the King that made him so special?

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1935, Elvis grew up in poverty. Despite his humble beginnings, he was blessed with a remarkable talent for music. As a child, he sang in church and listened to the blues and country music that permeated the airwaves of the South.

But it wasn't until he walked into the Memphis Recording Service in 1953 that Elvis's life would change forever. He recorded a few tracks for a gift to his mother, and his raw and unpolished voice caught the attention of the studio's owner, Sam Phillips.

Sun Studios - Memphis, TN. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Phillips recognized that Elvis had something special - a unique voice and an undeniable charisma. He paired Elvis with two talented musicians, guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, and the trio began to experiment with a new style of music that fused elements of blues, country, and rock and roll.

BlueMoonBoys, Elvis, Scotty Moore and Bill Black. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Their first recording, "That's All Right" hit the airwaves in 1954 and caused a sensation. People had never heard anything like it before. Elvis's voice was raw and emotive, and his stage presence was electrifying. He gyrated and swiveled his hips in a way that was both scandalous and exhilarating.

Elvis Presley, "That's Alright (Mama)" - First Release - 1954. (Source: YouTube).

Over the next few years, Elvis's star continued to rise. He released hit after hit, including "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog," and "Jailhouse Rock." He appeared on television, in films, and in sold-out concerts across the country.

Lobby card promoting the 1957 film Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley. The caption reads: "Elvis Presley and lovely Jennifer Holden find romance in a swimming pool". (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

But it wasn't just Elvis's talent that made him a superstar. It was his looks. With his dark hair, chiseled features, and smoldering eyes, Elvis was a true heartthrob. Teenage girls swooned over him, and their mothers couldn't help but be captivated by his charm.

A cropped photograph depicts singer Elvis Presley's bust 1957. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Elvis's fashion sense was also a big part of his appeal. He was a trendsetter, known for his flamboyant stage costumes and his love of flashy jewelry. He wore tight pants, sequined jumpsuits, and capes with dramatic collars. He was always pushing the boundaries of fashion, and his fans loved him for it.

Elvis Presley performing during his 1973 television special Aloha From Hawaii. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

But while Elvis's talent, looks, and fashion sense made him a legend, there was also a darker side to his story. He struggled with addiction throughout his life, and his relationships with women were often tumultuous. PART 2: Love Me Tender, Love Me True - Elvis Presley's Women and Relationships Elvis Presley was not just a music icon but also a ladies' man, who had numerous relationships throughout his life. Women were drawn to him, and he had an undeniable charm that made him almost irresistible. But his relationships were also marked by heartbreak and pain, and his personal life was far from perfect.

American singer Elvis Presley stripped to his waist after escaping from a fan riot, during the concerts performed in Jacksonville, Florida between May 12-13, 1955. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

One of the most significant women in Elvis's life was his mother, Gladys. Elvis had a close relationship with her, and her death in 1958 had a profound impact on him. It was a loss that he never fully recovered from, and it is said that he often sought out maternal figures in his relationships with women.

One of Elvis's early relationships was with Dixie Locke, whom he met when they were both in high school. They dated for several years, and Dixie was even Elvis's prom date in 1953. But their relationship ended when Elvis's career began to take off, and he became too busy for a serious relationship.

Photo of Elvis Presley signing autographs for some young fans in Minneapolis Minnesota. He was in the city for a personal appearance. 3 June 1956. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Elvis's first serious girlfriend was Anita Wood, who he met in 1957. They dated for several years and were even rumored to be engaged at one point. But their relationship ended when Elvis's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, advised him that he needed to be a single man to maintain his image as a sex symbol.

Photo of Elvis Presley and his girlfriend at the time, Anita Wood, riding a ferris wheel. 17 September 1960. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Elvis's most significant and well-known relationship was with Priscilla Beaulieu. They met when Priscilla was just 14 years old and Elvis was serving in the army in Germany. They began dating when she was 16, and Elvis's infatuation with her was clear. They eventually married in 1967, but their relationship was tumultuous, and they divorced in 1973.

Elvis Presley and Priscilla with Lisa Marie, February 1968. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

One of the lesser-known women in Elvis's life was Linda Thompson, who dated him from 1972 to 1976. Linda was a beauty pageant queen and had a successful career as a songwriter. She was with Elvis during some of the most significant moments of his career, including his legendary Aloha from Hawaii concert. Linda has since spoken publicly about her relationship with Elvis, describing him as a kind and loving man but also someone who struggled with addiction and insecurity.

Elvis's relationships with women were often marked by jealousy, possessiveness, and a need for control. He had a reputation for being manipulative and would often try to keep his girlfriends isolated from their families and friends. But despite the challenges, his relationships with women were an essential part of his life, and they played a significant role in shaping his legacy.

Photo of Elvis Presley and Deborah Paget from the 1957 film Love Me Tender. 19 February 1957. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

PART 3: The King's Demons - Elvis Presley's Struggles with Addiction Elvis Presley's life was marked by his incredible talent and fame, but it was also plagued by addiction and a destructive lifestyle. He struggled with a range of addictions throughout his life, from prescription drugs to alcohol, and his substance abuse had a significant impact on his health and career.

Elvis's addiction to prescription drugs began in the 1960s, when he was prescribed amphetamines and barbiturates by his doctors. He initially took the drugs to help him cope with the grueling demands of his career, but over time, he became increasingly dependent on them.

By the mid-1970s, Elvis was taking a dangerous cocktail of drugs, including Dilaudid, Demerol, and Quaaludes, which left him frequently sedated and unable to perform. Despite his addiction, Elvis's management team continued to push him to perform, booking him for grueling tours and demanding schedules. This pressure only added to his stress and contributed to his substance abuse. In addition, Elvis's personal life was often tumultuous, and his relationships with women were frequently strained.

Elvis's addiction and health problems became increasingly apparent in the last years of his life. He suffered from high blood pressure, heart disease, and other health issues related to his lifestyle and substance abuse.

Paradoxically, during this period, he wrote a personal letter to Richard Nixon and on December 21, 1970 he delivered it to the northwest gate of the White House. The five-page letter, written on American Airlines stationery, requested a meeting with President Nixon. Presley's intention was to gift the President with a World War II-era pistol and acquire the credentials of a federal agent in the war on drugs for himself. An extract from the letter states:

" I have done an in-depth study of drug abuse and Communist brainwashing techniques and I am right in the middle of the whole thing where I can and will do the most good..."

Page one of the handwritten letter from Elvis Presley to Nixon. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).The full transcript of the five-page letter can be found in this link.

The meeting actually took place on that very same day and included Delbert "Sonny" West, and Jerry Schilling.

Elvis Presley, Delbert "Sonny" West, and Jerry Schilling meeting Richard Nixon. On December 21, 1970, at his own request, Presley met then-President Richard Nixon in the Oval Office of The White House. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

In August 1977, Elvis was found unconscious on the floor of his bathroom at Graceland, and he died shortly afterward from a heart attack. He was just 42 years old.

here are ten interesting and lesser-known facts about Elvis Presley:

1. Elvis was a natural blonde, but he started dying his hair black early in his career to look more distinctive on stage.

2. Despite his reputation as a ladies' man, Elvis was very close to his mother, Gladys, and was devastated by her death when he was just 22 years old.

3. Elvis had a pet chimpanzee named Scatter, who lived with him at Graceland and often accompanied him on tours.

4. In addition to his music career, Elvis also had a successful acting career, appearing in over 30 films throughout his lifetime.

5. Elvis was a big fan of karate and studied the martial art under Grandmaster Kang Rhee.

6. Elvis had a twin brother named Jesse Garon Presley, who was stillborn just before Elvis's birth.

7. Elvis was a collector of police badges and memorabilia, and he often carried a badge himself, despite not being a law enforcement officer.

8. Elvis's favorite sandwich was reportedly a combination of peanut butter, banana, and bacon, which he called the "Fool's Gold Loaf."

9. Elvis was inducted into the US Army in 1958 and served for two years, mostly in Germany.

Elvis Presley poses for the camera during his military service at a US base in Germany. Circa 1958. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

10. Elvis was a deeply spiritual person and was interested in a range of religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Eastern philosophies. He often carried religious texts and symbols with him, and his spiritual beliefs played a significant role in his music and life.

Elvis's death was a shock to his fans and the world, and it marked the end of an era. His music and legacy continue to inspire new generations, but his struggles with addiction and personal demons are a reminder of the price of fame and the dangers of a destructive lifestyle.

Despite the challenges he faced, Elvis Presley remains an enduring cultural icon and a symbol of American music and culture. His talent, looks, fashion, and personal life continue to captivate audiences around the world, and his influence can be seen in the work of countless musicians and artists who followed in his footsteps.

A photograph promoting the film Jailhouse Rock depicts singer Elvis Presley. 1957. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Elvis Presley was a beloved and complex figure, whose life was marked by incredible highs and devastating lows. His talent and charisma made him a star, but his addiction and personal demons also led to his downfall. His legacy is a reminder of the price of fame and the dangers of excess, but also of the enduring power of music and the impact that one person can have on the world.

As the King himself once said: