The Elvis Encyclopedia

by David E. Stanley, Frank Coffey

Sixteen years after his sudden death, Elvis Presley is more popular than ever. This first complete and authenticated compendium contains everything there is to know about the King's personal life, presented in riveting detail by David Stanley--Elvis's stepbrother--who lived with Elvis for 17 years at Graceland. 200 photos. Four-color throughout.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music

287 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1994

About the author

David E. Stanley was born in Newport News, Virginia in 1955. Three years later, his parents divorced, setting the stage for an extraordinary event. In 1960, Dee Stanley married Vernon Presley, Elvis Presley’s widowed father. David was just four years old, 20 years younger than his new stepbrother, when he moved into the Graceland Mansion in Memphis, TN.

At the age of 16, David began working and touring with Elvis as a personal aide and bodyguard. From 1972 to 1977, he did hundreds of shows with his world-famous stepbrother and was part of some of the most historical concert events of the 20th century.

From his moment of glory to his tragic demise, David witnessed the Elvis phenomenon first hand. David would be among the first to discover the lifeless body Elvis Presley on August 16, 1977.

In 1980, David overcame his own battle with substance abuse and soon after began his speaking career. He effectively used his celebrity status and own personal experiences to communicate the dangers of drug abuse in hundreds of schools, collages and institutions throughout North America and Europe.

Today, David E. Stanley is a highly sought after Charismatic Speaker, Author, Filmmaker, and Founder & CEO of Impello Entertainment. His personal life story of triumph over adversity and stepping into Gods greatness continues to impact millions around the world.

His published works include the New York Times’ bestseller, Elvis We Love You Tender, The Elvis Encyclopedia, Raised on Rock, Conversations with The King: Journals of a Young Apprentice, Restoring My Father’s Honor: A Sons Crusade, and his most recent release My Brother Elvis: The Final Years. David also wrote, produced and directed the film Protecting the King in 2007.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea how long I have had this Book for, but I have just read it for the first time .. What is great about this book has to be the quantity of pictures and all the personal anecdotes from close friends and band members. The information about each single and LP record released, plus a page about each film. This book covers everything a Fan would want to know.
The main body of the book covers his life .. all the early info is there, school, first jobs etc.
Then starting in 1954 and going all the way through to 1977 all the significant dates are listed .. when contracts were signed, controversial TV appearances, live performances, cutting of records, making movies etc.. It is only when you start to notice things like the tour dates are concurrent, straight from a tour to the studio, to the movie set, to Graceland to the next tour etc., that you can see why it all went to horribly wrong for him. Today, an artist or group will only do one performance .. whereas Elvis, in his Las Vegas era, was performing at 8pm & midnight, with a possible 3am thrown in at the weekend ..
There is speculation regarding why he never toured Europe, criticism of The Colonel and more damming, names the Dr who continued to enable the prescription drug habit, which ultimately led to his death.
So sad ..

[Chris Shepard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great if you like Elvis. Not so much if you don't, obviously! Fun fact: Elvis, for all of his albums and songs, had only 3 songwriting credits, as cowriter.

[Kacey Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it in one sitting. Gripping and harrowing, it seemed an honest portrayal of the real man behind the fame, flaws and all. Loved it.

[Vincenzo Ridente · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just ordered my copy of The Elvis Encyclopedia from Amazon I can't wait to receive it I've heard good things about it's full of tons of info