Elvis Gospel

ELVIS was very religious, at times he would sit with his Aunt Nash, Vernon's sister, who was an ordained Minister, and talk with her about the teachings of the Bible.

Elvis was deeply moved by Gospel and Spiritual music.

Elvis' belief of life after death was one he often talked about.

Elvis died at Graceland on August 16th 1977

When Charlie and Billy saw Elvis' body upstairs earlier, Elvis was clutching the book Larry Geller had given him about the holy shroud. Charlie and Billy told Larry about this and his thoughts were, "How perfect, Elvis was reading about Jesus when he passed away."

Elvis took pleasure in listening to gospel. Elvis strongly believed, there was nothing as influential or inspirational than the good gospel music, he would carry around a case of a hundred or so albums-most of them were gospel music.

Listening to his chosen gospel music was a means for Elvis to get in touch with his roots; he often used this music for giving praise to the Lord when feeling humble and thankful, which he regularly did. The Bible says to sing praise and lift your voice to Him.

When Elvis sang "How Great Thou Art" he felt it in his soul, with such feeling and meaning he had the power in him to move mountains. Elvis quite often liked to listen to Mahalia Jackson, who was to Elvis, the Queen of Gospel.

Elvis liked all kinds of music he had a lot of albums. Various artist in the Country, Pop and Gospel field. He would often listen to Mario Lanza. Even in Memphis as a young man, Elvis would go to a place called Blues Alley and spend hours listening to Blues singers. He would list to Gospel and even symphony music.

He could appreciate all kinds of different and varied musical styles; he just adored Gospel, JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. JD and myself are great friends we go back some 40 years. JD would often let Elvis in the back door whenever the Blackwood Brothers were singing.

In those day Elvis was so poor he couldn't afford to pay to see the group perform so JD let Elvis in. Elvis never forgot what JD did for him.

WHO WERE ELVIS INFLUENCES?

You'd be surprised Elvis had certain sounds which he would use like what he called his Billy Erstein voice on "Fame and Fortune." He loved Mario Lanza's voice in fact he could sing as high as Mario Lanza.

Elvis had a three octave range which is a fantastic range for an untrained singer. Let me tell you Elvis never had a singing lesson in his life. Anyway, Lanza highest note he ever got was a C above the middle C and I heard Elvis sing a high C many times on stage.

Famous Quotes

"I wasn't just a fan, I was his brother. He said I was good and I said he was good; we never argued about that. Elvis was a hard worker, dedicated, and God loved him. Last time I saw him was at Graceland. We sang Old Blind Barnabus together, a gospel song. I love him and hope to see him in heaven. There'll never be another like that soul brother.

James Brown

"Everyone in rock 'n roll including myself was touched by Elvis ?spirit, I was, and always will be a fan."

Bryan Ferry

"If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead." Johnny Carson (1925 - ____) US talk show host, comedian. In The Ultimate Success Quotations Library, 1997.

Ex girlfriends Quotes

Ann-Margret: "Elvis' reputation will never die!" (Ann-Margaret was Elvis' co-star in Viva Las Vegas)

Cybil Shepherd: "Every time I visit the folks back home I say a prayer over his grave - his spirit is with me to this day." (Cybil, Memphis born actress and former Miss Tennessee)

Linda Thompson: "Once Elvis touched your life you're never the same. (Elvis' live-in-sweetheart for 5 years. She recently made millions selling off the jewellery that Elvis gave her)

Ginger Alden: "Having been loved by Elvis, it's hard to find a replacement." (It was Ginger who discovered Elvis' body in the bathroom, at Graceland)