Listen free for 30 days

  • Elvis Presley

  • The Man, the Life, the Legend
  • Written by: Pamela Clarke Keogh
  • Narrated by: Anna Fields
  • Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (27 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Elvis Presley cover art

Elvis Presley

Written by: Pamela Clarke Keogh
Narrated by: Anna Fields
Try for $0.00

$14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.28

Buy Now for $26.28

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

It was that voice, those eyes, that hair, the cars, the girls. Elvis Presley revolutionized American pop culture when, at age 21, he became a modern superstar. A Memphis Beau Brummel even before he found fame, Elvis had a personal style that, like his music, had an immediate impact on his audience that continues to influence us today.

"Elvis Presley is the greatest cultural force in the twentieth century," proclaimed Leonard Bernstein. The author writes, "His appearance on Ed Sullivan ripped the 1950s in half." By any measure, Presley's life was remarkable. From his modest beginnings in a two-room house to his meteoric rise to international fame, everything about his life, from his outsized talent to his car collection, clamored for attention. And he got it.

Keogh compellingly examines Elvis' life and style to reveal the generous, complex, spiritual man behind the 14-karat-gold sunglasses and answers the question, "Why does Elvis matter?"

©2004 Pamela Clarke Keogh (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

What the critics say

"Before Elvis there was nothing." (John Lennon)
"Appealing....[An] intimate portrait of a man who was larger than life." (Publishers Weekly)

Editorial Review

The King is dead - long live the King. The influence of Elvis Presley on western pop culture is unmatched, and this brilliant unabridged audiobook tells the story of the “King of Rock and Roll” from his childhood in Tennessee to the bright lights of superstardom and beyond. This is the rise and fall of Elvis Presley, told like never before.

When it comes to cultural impact and lasting legacy, few artists come close to Elvis Presley. They don’t call him “The King of Rock and Roll” for no reason, after all. This fascinating listen explores the life and career of Elvis, from the release of his debut single, “That’s All Right,” to his relationship with his wife, Priscilla Presley (née Wagner).

This unabridged audiobook, written by Pamela Clarke Keogh and excellently narrated by Anna Fields, is a warts and all deep dive into the life and times of Elvis Presley, arguably the most important cultural force of the 20th century. From his early days in Memphis to the bright lights of New York, Hollywood, and a sobering death at Graceland, Keogh asks the question on everybody’s lips; ‘Why does Elvis Presley matter?”

Because of the tunes, the style, the life, and the legend, of course. There was more to Elvis Presley than immediately meets the eye, and this excellent audiobook dives deep into the cultural legacy of a truly iconic artist. Elvis Presley has influenced practically everyone to follow in his rock and roll footsteps, from Bruce Springsteen to John Lennon and the rest. Elvis Presley: The Man, the Life, the Legend is a must-listen for Elvis fans and newcomers alike. Anna Fields brings her usual excellence to the narration, detailing a most remarkable life with verve and vigour. Get this on the wish list and get ready to rock.

What listeners say about Elvis Presley

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    18
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    15
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    14
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Could Not Finish

Terrible narration, rambling story line, uninteresting, irritating, jumped back and forth, too difficult to follow.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Was Disappointed

I thought this would have been so much more interesting, I forced my way through to finish it , the narration may have been my biggest problem though ! wow

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Acceptable Biography.. If A Bit Gossipy

To her credit, Journalist & Lifestyles Author Pamela Clarke Keogh is very effective at incorporating direct quotes into the text (lending the book an admirable air of authenticity) and does not shy away from controversy (discussing The King's promiscuity and drug addiction, for example).
Less fortunately, Keogh betrays her background - spending an inordinate amount of effort discussing Elvis's style, fashion, and celebrity (she actually goes into mini-biographies for his various tailors, hairstylists, "Memphis Mafia" posse members, and Television/Movie influencers that capitalized on his popularity).
An example of the focus: "The Colonel actually scheduled a Press Conference after Elvis and Priscilla's marriage. But first.. their outfits:" - followed by a five minute description of their hair, makeup, shoes, and accessories 🙄
Additionally, (in combination with the "gossip column" approach), the overly-colloquial delivery is straight-up baffling. This reads like an 'Esquire' exposé.
It does, however, cover the major events in Elvis Presley's life nicely (upbringing, first recording with Sun Records, 'Ed Sullivan' appearance, Military service, Marriage, 'The '67 Comeback Special', Vegas contracts, etc).

Reader Anna Fields contributes to the "Meh" impression I got from the audiobook. She definitely turns in a professional performance - delivering creditable diction, timbre, and cadence (backed up by capable technical support from Blackstone Audio Inc).. and does a suitably subdued and accurate impersonation of Elvis where it's called for.. but she reads at a plodding pace (playback at 1.15X sounds most natural) and with a generally unspectacular/uninterested tone.

Altogether, this 5/10 star effort is a reasonable download if you can get it as a 'Plus' selection.. but if they ask for a Credit, much better Biographies exist.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!