Return Of The King: Elvis Presley’s Great Comeback
by Gillian G Gaar

From Song Of The Shrimp to comeback King

Sorry to go all lavatorial, but the two items which prompted a cheer then a splutter in this latest addition to the ever-growing Elvis book pile are, respectively, references to a fabulous bootleg called Elvis’ Greatest Shit!, which roped together such dodgy movie classics as Dominic The Impotent Bull, then the revelation that Presley got so over-heated during the “sit down” section of the 1968 TV special that he spontaneously ejaculated in his leather cat-suit. Maybe old news to Elvis obsessives, but there are so many books retelling every aspect of the man’s life that these kind of liveners help jump-start such a project. That this book also proves a cut above the usual is a major bonus.

Gaar sets out to explain how Elvis managed to turn his ailing, dodgy movie-smothered career around with that seismic TV special aired in December 1968. She covers the stultifying career doldrums of the previous two years, the show itself in microscopic detail, and the ensuing studio renaissance and Vegas era which dominated the rest of his life, before offering details of his estate, gig lists etc. Her intensive research, new interviews with friends, fans and colleagues (particularly director Steve Binder), plus an easy writing style combine to make this a worthy purchase for the understandably hesitant Elvis browser.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

ISBN 9781906002282, 272 pages

Reviewed by Kris Needs
<< Back to Issue 379

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