The Jewish World of Elvis Presley

by Roselle Kline Chartock

Elvis and At first glance these two words may not seem to go together. But the truth is that, despite growing up in a fundamentalist Christian family in the Deep South - an area sometimes known for its anti-Semitism - Elvis Presley nevertheless developed a deep affinity to Jews. This book contains answers to two What accounted for this deep affinity? And what was the nature of the personal relationships Elvis developed with the Jews he befriended in Memphis - including merchants and members of his inner circle, the Memphis Mafia - and those he met in the music and movie industries? In this vivid description of Elvis' Jewish world -- that also reflects his humanitarian and philosophical interests -- Roselle Kline Chartock reveals a little-known side of this rock 'n' roll icon, including Presley's own Jewish heritage. There is within this book ample evidence that Presley's personality as well as his musical gifts were, in part, shaped by his Jewish world.

276 pages, Paperback

Published November 24, 2020

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was never an Elvis fan, having come of age ten years too late in the Beatlemania era. But I was intrigued about the book when I heard Roselle Chartock interviewed on WAMC and borrowed it through interlibrary loan. I am of course familiar with many of Elvis' recorded songs, (Blue Suede Shoes! Jailhouse Rock!) but I never saw an Elvis movie, nor owned a record. Jewish? What? Before the book, I was more familiar with Elvis imitators and the iconic, somewhat pathetic sense of his almost cartoonish and tragic persona during his declining years. I love the movie "Honeymoon in Vegas" with that scene when all the imitators skydive. But Elvis as a real person and a true and talented artist?

Now I am an Elvis fan! I have watched "Loving You" and will watch "King Creole" next. As I progressed through the chapters in the book, I availed myself of the internet - YouTube and Spotify have a lot- to broaden my experience of Memphis in the 50's and 60's and see and read even more about Elvis' life and his people. I saw his first TV appearance on the Milton Berle show, etc.
The book has a lot to offer, and is very well organized with abundant photos, interesting anecdotes, careful citations and an index. Each chapter can be read stand alone or in sequence because Chartock spirals back, as she moves the history forward, filling in information on key people and events more than once, but each time further developing the connections.
I still recall Patti Perry's anecdote from 1973 that Elvis wrote on a paper his philosophy for a happy life,"Someone to love, something to look forward to, and something to do." (page 114)
I just loved the book and THANK YOU ROSELLE!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but long winded