Elvis Presley image used by permission, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

Elvis Presley has been dead for 32 years, and yet dedicated writers continue to find new facets to his life, one of the most heralded during the 20th century. The role of the females who influenced him — including Priscilla Presley, Ann-Margret and his mother, Gladys Presley — is at the heart of Baby, Let’s Play House: Elvis Presley And The Women Who Loved Him.

Released just in time for Friday’s 75th anniversary of his birth, the 704-page effort details the ways in which women helped him find his stage persona and the ways in which he was forever searching to find real meaning in his off-stage relationships.

“For me, part of the story was, given the conservatism of the 1950s and given his religious background, how he was so in touch with his sexual side,” author Alanna Nash — who’s also written books about Elvis’ entourage and his manager, Col. Tom Parker — told The Memphis Commercial Appeal.

“But, most importantly,” she added, “I wanted to know how a man who genuinely loved and revered women and who sought their company, could not find a single long-lasting romantic relationship.”

Elvis had a stillborn brother, which made his bond with his mother, Gladys, stronger than might be typical under ordinary circumstances. During a key portion of his youth, Elvis’ dad was imprisoned, and he became even more tied to his mother. Her death in August 1958 was a pivotal moment in his life, and he met Priscilla in Germany a year later. Elvis was 23, Priscilla was 14 — that age difference became a pattern he repeated in relationships through the rest of his life.

“In terms of emotional maturity, Elvis never really got past the age of 15 to 18,” Alanna said. “He never quite grew up. That’s part of his charm. But that’s also part of his tragedy with women. When he does find a grown-up woman — an Ann-Margret or a Linda Thompson — he doesn’t really know how to relate to them. Instead he keeps picking young girls who can’t give him what he really needs, can’t fill his emotional needs. So he keeps moving on to the next and the next and the next. Really, that was the case until he died.”

Her book isn’t just about Elvis’ love life. It also includes the influence of such important figures as Mae Boren Axton, the songwriter whose “Heartbreak Hotel” aided his transformation from Southern cult figure to national star, and Marion Keisker, the receptionist who prodded producer Sam Phillips to pay more attention to the shy, pimply version of Elvis that first entered the Sun Records offices in 1953.

With the 75th anniversary looming, Alanna’s book is not the only one celebrating the King. Also in stores this week: The King And Dr. Nick: What Really Happened To Elvis And Me, written by Dr. George Nichopoulos and Rose Clayton Phillips; and Elvis: My Best Man: Radio Days, Rock ‘N’ Roll Nights, And My Lifelong Friendship With Elvis Presley, authored by George Klein and Chuck Crisafulli.

ShareThis