Cover Art Jerry Schilling Book

This is one I´ll definitely buy. Mr. Schilling has always seemed like a great guy and I´m sure he has fascinating stories about his years with Elvis. I see the Foreword is by Peter Guralnick, that´s something to look forward to read, he´s always got something interesting to tell.

How come the big discussion whether Jerry Schilling will write some "fine stories" about his friend or not? Personally, I'm not that interested in a book that gives a quite narrow perspective on the man himself. I guess that's why Albert Goldmans book has been so critisized - beacause he told a few stories that some naive fans just wouldn't believe to be true. Maybe Goldman didn't flatter Elvis the way Schilling surely will do in his book, but he contributed with some very interesting facts about the economics behind the king, the man behind the myth, etc. I love listening to and watching Elvis, but I won't surrender to the arguements that claim that he was nothing but a nice guy. Of course he had troubles, of course he had dark sides, and I don't think it's "dirty" to put it out there! As a university student, I think Albert Goldmans "Elvis" was an academic essay, in the true sentence of the word. But maybe "Me and a guy named Elvis" will be interesting anyway - I have always seen Jerry Schilling as a REAL friend of Elvis, not one of them phonies. I guess time will tell...

So, why do I have issues? Because I prefer a more academic analysis on Elvis and the time he came through in, rather than a book that will tell the same stories we've heard a thousand times before: "flatter flatter flatter"...? I'm indeed an Elvis fan, and I have been a fan since I was just a little kid, and I'll always be! BUT - as an Elvis fan I consider it most important to realize that he was just an ordinary man with an extraordinary voice, and I won't limit myself to neglect those "dark sides" that were so obvious.

I think most books released on Elvis are critical. Albert Goldman's book was a work based on spurious facts and an academic essay on how to make money off dead people (as they can't sue). Last year, family members revisited the past with Elvis By The Presleys, which within 15 minutes on the DVD, Priscilla's age is mentioned on first meeting (again) and had sections based on his womanizing. We can also go back to books such as Elvis What Happened or Elvis And Me for even more reference, if that's what floats your boat. Personally, I think it would be refreshing to hear about the man without having facts, which to be honest are getting very stale.