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Elvis at 21: New York to Memphis
In 1956, a twenty-one-year-old Elvis Presley was at the beginning of his remarkable and unparalleled career and photographer Alfred Wertheimer was asked by Presley’s new label, RCA Victor, to photograph the rising star. With unimpeded access to the young performer, Wertheimer was able to capture the unguarded and everyday moments in Elvis' life during that crucial year, a year that took him from Tupelo, Mississippi to the silver screen, and to the verge of international stardom and his crowning as "The King of Rock 'n' Roll.” As Alfred Wertheimer photographed Elvis during 1956, and again in 1958, he created classic images that are spontaneous, unrehearsed and completely without artifice.
Wertheimer’s photographs of Elvis are extraordinary and he appears almost ethereal, whether reading a newspaper while waiting for a cab, or washing his hands during one of his many train trips. After 1958 and Elvis’ induction into the army, the world seemingly forgot about Wertheimer’s magical photographs- for nineteen years- until Aug 16, 1977, the day Elvis died and Time Magazine called. “The phone hasn’t really stopped ringing in the last thirty years,” observes Wertheimer.
Many of the photographs in this visual treasury are previously unpublished and some have become almost as famous as the man himself.
Wertheimer’s photographs of Elvis are extraordinary and he appears almost ethereal, whether reading a newspaper while waiting for a cab, or washing his hands during one of his many train trips. After 1958 and Elvis’ induction into the army, the world seemingly forgot about Wertheimer’s magical photographs- for nineteen years- until Aug 16, 1977, the day Elvis died and Time Magazine called. “The phone hasn’t really stopped ringing in the last thirty years,” observes Wertheimer.
Many of the photographs in this visual treasury are previously unpublished and some have become almost as famous as the man himself.
254 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 13, 2008
"Elvis at 21" is a collection of photographs by Alfred Wertheimer, who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Elvis will never be photographed or documented in such a manner in his life time. What we have here are images of the 'man who fell to earth.' Elvis looks like an alien from outer space. One wonders if Bowie thought of Elvis at this time and place for his inspiration for his role in the Nick Roeg film.
But here via the photos you get a narrative of sorts. Bittersweet because we know what happens. Nevertheless Elvis is such an important figure in pop music culture. It goes beyond if you hate or love his music - he is simply Elvis.
And these images are so beautiful. The composition of the photos are great. Wertheimer is a fantastic picture taker. And Elvis is so raw, untrained and just simply and naturally brilliant. No true Elvis fan can claim to be a fan without this book, and for those who didn't or don't want to understand what the fuss was about - take a look at this book and see a future being born and perhaps destroyed at the same time. This charming man, Elvis.
But here via the photos you get a narrative of sorts. Bittersweet because we know what happens. Nevertheless Elvis is such an important figure in pop music culture. It goes beyond if you hate or love his music - he is simply Elvis.
And these images are so beautiful. The composition of the photos are great. Wertheimer is a fantastic picture taker. And Elvis is so raw, untrained and just simply and naturally brilliant. No true Elvis fan can claim to be a fan without this book, and for those who didn't or don't want to understand what the fuss was about - take a look at this book and see a future being born and perhaps destroyed at the same time. This charming man, Elvis.
June 24, 2024
Beautiful oversized book filled with iconic photos of Elvis taken by Alfred Wertheimer in 1956. He was hired by RCA to take publicity shots of Elvis. They are all in black and white and show what Elvis’s world was like. His parents, grandmother, cousins, and fans are all here. His home on Audubon Drive (pre-Graceland) is shown. This is supposed to be the last look at Elvis living in the day-to-day world.
July 5, 2013
Very good photographs.Legendary. People did not at least originally
buy Presleys music because he was close to All -American in looks.
Elvis looks native-american the real all-american.Some racists
consider native-americans to be white.Elvis invented rockabilly,
played the piano well by ear, and wrote about 50 or 60 good gospel
songs according to Christian Century.I saw the photographs in person
at the exhibit in Fort Worth.Now Im going to buy the book.
buy Presleys music because he was close to All -American in looks.
Elvis looks native-american the real all-american.Some racists
consider native-americans to be white.Elvis invented rockabilly,
played the piano well by ear, and wrote about 50 or 60 good gospel
songs according to Christian Century.I saw the photographs in person
at the exhibit in Fort Worth.Now Im going to buy the book.
September 10, 2014
This book contains the photo titled "The Kiss" which in my estimation is the sexiest photo ever taken by anyone, of anyone. Just outstanding photos. Also, book is extremely well made. Worth searching for and buying.
June 10, 2016
Especially fascinating to anyone interested in Richmond history as Elvis's 1956 concert at the Mosque, stay at the Jefferson Hotel, and "mystery date" are the centerpiece of this book-length photo essay.
July 28, 2014
A masterpiece. Photography/subject relationship at its finest.
February 16, 2023
Stunning collection of photographs of Elvis Presley in 1956 . The Author was given unlimited access to Elvis during the period when he was about to become a world wide star .Such access wold never be given again . The format of the book is a short description of the situation followed by the photographs . The photos are true works of art .
August 12, 2024
Masterpiece. The only thing is sometimes Al mentioned photos that weren’t in the book. Also some black silver pages could’ve been filled with more photos!!
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March 21, 2019Call me crazy, I read over 80 books about Elvis Presley in 2007. They kept my mind on other things than politics and politicians. 😊
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews