Things You'll Need:
- Time. Computer. Internet Connection.
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Step 1
Elvis Presley Onstage circa 1956Go to www.Elvis.com for this is the OFFICIAL ELVIS PRESLEY WEBSITE and it is incredible!
This Website is courtesy of EPE, which is Elvis Presley Enterprises, and is high quality and has access to photos/videos/articles that are priceless and reflect every aspect of Elvis Presleys' life. -
Step 2
Elvis Presley circa 1960If you are looking for Elvis Presley Collectibles, including photographs and albums/45's, then please check out these Websites from Paul Litcher and/or Russ Howe. Paul Litcher and Russ Howe are two INCREDIBLE sources and they (a) knew Elvis (b) are Elvis Experts and (c) have some Elvis Collectibles not to be found anywhere else.
Paul Litchers' Website is www.ElvisUnique.com and Russ Howes' Website is www.Kingcandids.com.
Worth noting is that Paul Litcher is a great "Elvis Presley resource" and he has published several massive books, dating back to the 1970's, that not only show each album/45 "cover" but gives the details of the ORIGINAL RECORDINGS along with the "imprint information" that you can cross reference to ensure that your record is "original" and not some "reproduction".
Paul Litcher covers the entire Elvis Record Collection starting from Sun Records to RCA to Camden (which was an authorized issued album issued during Elvis' lifetime).
IF you are wanting to start your collection, or looking to add to it, I recommend that you start with records/albums that we issued in their ORIGINAL format during the time that Elvis lived (i.e. January 8, 1935 through August 16, 1977) with the last album being "Moody Blue" which was issued in blue vinyl (unheard of prior to 1977 for Elvis Fans).
For a complete visual reference you can checkout www.ElvisCollector.info and see every album cover issued during Elvis' life (along with many videos, rare photos, etc.)
Between www.Elvis.com, Paul Litcher, Russ Howe, and www.ElvisCollector.info you get insight from sources who love "anything/everything Elvis related" and update their sites regularly. -
Step 3
Elvis Presley circa 1958If you are looking for Elvis Presley Concert information there is an EXCELLENT RESOURCE online that I highly recommend at ElvisConcerts.com I have visited this site since "day one" and have yet to find any "flaws" whatsoever (note: the only flaws I have ever found were minor and they were dates on photographs published) and they have so much detail (including songs for each Concert) that one cannot possibly see everything in one visit. They update their site regularly adding new photos/details/articles which is great for Elvis Fans Worldwide.
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Step 4
Elvis Presley circa 1962Have Fun!
Elvis Presley made over 30 movies (including two "Concert Documentary's" called "Elvis: That's The Way It Is" and "Elvis On Tour"), put out recordings from 1955-1977, made several memorable TV appearances (i.e. Dorsey Brothers Show, Milton Berle, Ed Sullivan, etc.), and several "specials" including "Elvis Is Back" with Frank Sinatra (1960) and "Elvis" aka: Comeback Special/68 Special/68 Comeback Special/Singer Special along with "Aloha From Hawaii" (1973) and lastly (sadly) the 1977 CBS Elvis Special which put together Elvis' Concert Appearance(s) from the summer of 1977.
Thus Elvis created "something for everyone" including Gospel, Country, Rock and Roll, Rythmn and Blues, etc. musically and was constantly changing his looks and evolving his Concert "style". Elvis Presley was an amazing entertainer and is beloved throughout the World. Collecting Elvis Presley, and/or just being a Fan, is something that you can share with strangers - friends - or make new friends from around the World. -
Step 5
Elvis Presley circa 1966Getting to know about Elvis Presley would be incomplete without knowing about those who he loved, befriended, and shared his life with. Each one is deserving of their own respect, appreciation, admiration, and acknowledgment for their role in Elvis' life and for their part (specifically Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, and Jack Soden who is President of EPE) of keeping Elvis' Estate "alive and well" and available to Elvis Presley Fans Worldwide.
Besides his beloved Mother (Gladys Love Presley who died on August 14, 1958), his Father (Vernon Elvis Presley who died on June 16, 1979), his grandparents (Minnie Mae Presley aka: Dodger and Jesse Presley who also went by Jesse Pressley), and his only daughter named Lisa Marie Presley (who will be turning 42 years old on February 1, 2010), and his ex-wife Priscilla Presley those closest to Elvis throughout his "entertainer days" were known as the "Memphis Mafia" (see next step for details about the Memphis Mafia) -
Step 6
Elvis Presley Onstage circa 1970There is a lot of misconception about Elvis' friends known as the Memphis Mafia so I will try to explain. The "core group" is/was (as of January 2010) Red West (who went to High School with Elvis and befriended him after some boys were accosting Elvis and threatening to cut his long hair in the boys bathroom at Humes High School when Red West, a football player and good athlete, came in and said "it looks to me like he don't want his hair cut so if you cut his you are gonna have to cut mine and that's a different story" to paraphrase), Sonny West (Red Wests cousin), Lamar Fike, Marty Lacker, and Billy Smith (Elvis' cousin). Sadly, Charlie Hodge, who was an established Gospel Singer and Entertainer, became Elvis' "right hand man" on stage during his Touring years in the 70's, passed away March 3, 2006. Each of these men have been part of numerous books, videos, and Elvis conventions and are respected ASSETS to the Elvis Community. Worth noting is that Marty Lacker is a "tireless" Elvis advocate who continues to this day to "correct" false info about Elvis online, in the media, and in print. I APPLAUD Marty Lacker for his efforts and respect him tremendously.
Joe Esposito (www.tcbjoe.com) is a great resource and he was a trusted friend of Elvis' starting when they met in the Army in the late 1950's and continuing on until Elvis' passing. Jerry Schilling also worked with Elvis in the 60's and 70's and Elvis thought so much of him that he bought him a home that Jerry resides at today.
In Elvis' circle of friends I would be remiss if I did not include the names of George Klein (Elvis' High School friend and also a disc jockey), Scotty Moore/Bill Black (who started recording with Elvis at Sun Records) and then DJ Fontana (who joined Elvis and Scotty/Bill as the drummer), Colonel Parker (who managed Elvis career from 1956 through 1977) who also had a company authorized to issue Elvis items called "Boxcar Enterprises", Larry Geller (Elvis hairstylist and a kind hearted man with spiritual aspects that Elvis respected), and recording Groups; The Sweet Inspirations (female backup group during Elvis concert years from 1969-1977), the Jordanaires (wonderful Gospel Group that Elvis befriended for years and recorded with from 1956-1970), and the Imperials (from 1966-1971), and JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet (1971-1977). Rounding out the names of the Memphis Mafia would be: Al Strada, Alan Fortas, Richard Davis, Dave Helber, Dr. Nick, Rick, David and Billy Stanley ( -
Step 7
Elvis Presley circa 1973Lastly, eBay (www.ebay.com) has some great RARE items concerning Elvis Presley but I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE to do their research - adhere to their budget monetary - and check out the Sellers before bidding/buying.
"Window shopping" (i.e. looking but not buying) is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED at www.ebay.com until the time, if ever, occur when you decide to buy. Items are updated daily, and by the minute, so there is always "new items" to look at and enjoy.
I hope that this information concerning Elvis Presley Online has been helpful. Besides the Web sites listed herein there are many others worthy of mention and all it takes is a few minutes, clicking "links" available from these sites OR by using Internet Search Engines and type in "Elvis Presley Web sites" so that you can find sites that you enjoy. That is part of the fun of the "Elvis Presley Online World" is that new stories are updated (literally) daily.
In closing, if I left anyone out (personally or their Website) of merit then accept my apology in advance for I am "aging in years" in spite of my visual appearance (caution: attempt at humor).
Take care and God bless.
Your Friend in Elvis,
Jeff Schrembs
FULL DISCLOSURE: Jeff Schrembs is solely expressing his opinion and is not affiliated, in any way/shape/form, with EPE or Elvis Presleys' Estate or with Paul Litcher or with Russ Howe and/or any Website mentioned herein except for www.ElvisCollector.info (which does NOT offer any items for sale on the site, does not allow advertisers, does not have any pop-ups, etc.).
