Elvis Presley Struggled to Find Lasting Love
Although his bedroom was essentially a revolving door, Elvis Presley struggled to find a love that would last. That's the unexpected theme of Baby, Let's Play House, a new book by Alanna Nash about the charismatic singer and the many, many women who loved him. (Read an excerpt.) Nash starts with a chapter about his robust mother, Gladys. At first, I thought it was an odd way to begin a book about romantic conquests, but as the story evolves, their complex relationship ultimately underscores an essential part of Presley's psyche: The fact that no girlfriend would ever be able to replace his mother's presence, nor would any woman be able to fill the void he felt as a "twinless twin." The hookups are plentiful later -- are they ever! -- but that first chapter goes a long way toward explaining his sexual decisions later in life, especially his preference in girls.
Some of his lovers go into detail, which can be a little much, while others prefer to keep their affairs private. Priscilla Presley plays a supporting role, of course, but she's not in the book nearly as much as I expected. Frankly their story is not exactly a fairy tale and their "alone time" in Germany is kind of disturbing in retrospect, since she was only 14 when they met -- and how she worked her way into his life is a whole other story.
Nash's award-winning background in music journalism allows to her illustrate the impact of Presley's professional achievements, such as the revitalizing '68 comeback special, without veering too far off course from the topic at hand. Baby, Let's Play House is not so much about conquests as about the journey of a man who fought an extreme case of loneliness, yet remains beloved by music fans even now.
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Debra Ann says:
He was a momma’s boy and had survivors quilt!! To bad he let drugs end his life so young. He was a great singer.
rockerbillie says:
~~~From everything I have read and watched about Elvis, in my opinion, he just loved women. He enjoyed giving them a thrill. He was the first Rockstar. And sure he had a huge void of loneliness. His devotion to staying up all night after shows and singing gospel music is endearing. He soul searched long before anyone discussed that in the industry. He wanted answers, why he was given so much and others so little. He was very intelligent and his gift to all of us is so great.
nan says:
I received the book as a gift, read it and am still depressed over it. Although a man in public life, wonder what ever happened to loyalty from those whom we trust the most in life?
This book, to me, reveals that Elvis and his mother were close, a wonderful loving, total dedicated, unconditional love. That was no surprise.
What did surprise me is the depth that people will sink to for a piece of the Elvis action/money train. Women and a stepbrother who claims he loved Elvis, reveal things that should have NEVER been revealed. That is so very very sad. The author is on the gravy train, as well. I find the fact that these women reveal details of their sexual experiences with Elvis in such great detail proves their own need to jump on the “I knew Elvis” wagon. These bottom feeders, including the women he loved and supposedly loved him, tell too much. These were the ones that according to Ms. Nash’s analysis would not be the marrying kind to Elvis specifications. Mere sluts. And so, you knew Elvis and told things to impress who? The world, his fans? No, you are a disloyal whore. And he didnt marry anyone but Priscilla. Nothing .. nothing.. changes that fact and the fact that he only has one child, Lisa Marie Presley.
These bottom feeding disloyal “friends/lovers disgust me beyond words. No one seems to care that his daughter is here on earth, able to be aware of and read the trash they wrote about her father. Shame on them all and shame on all those that contributed to this piece of trash. If they truly loved and cared about Elvis, they NEVER would have betrayed him in life or in death. The only one who seems to have any class in this whole situation is Ann Margaret and George Klein. The info from Priscilla, of whom was given a royally rotten “deal” in this book, were simply quotes taken from Priscilla’s book.
But hey, stand in line and get on the Elvis gravy train.
Carmel De Francesco says:
I find it so sad that after nearly 33 years since Elvis’ death people still find the need to write about him - devulging intimate details - so they say. From what I have gathered from reading about Elvis and watching documentaries about him, in my opinion he was an electrifying entertainer - if not the best entertainer and a wonderful giving man. Lets celebrate his wonderful music and Elvis as a brilliant entertainer AND let him rest in peace. In addition, I too agree that he loved women and they loved him back - how could he not be loved, one just is to look at him particularly around the time of the 1968 comeback and the beginning of his Vegas years in the early 1970’s - what a gorgeous man! He was born to be an entertainer and deserves to be the King of Rock n Roll.
Peacock Queen says:
I agree with Nan and Carmel. The man is dead. Can’t we simply love the musical legacy he gave us and then leave the man alone?
Melody says:
Elvis was a human being just like we ; he was not this semi-god image that many people created. He committed errors and mistakes well the man after all was not perfect- perfect only God. Elvis had a God-given talent no doubt about it. Many of us has loss a family relatives such as a mother,dad, childern, and it is very difficult to overcome a loss of someone. Elvis lost his mother at the age of 23 when he was in highligts, and he discovered that his money was not able to save her life. Elvis ´s mother would not be able to share other great moments of his lifetime . First he had to cope with the death of Jesse Garon,twin brother; then,Gladys’s death. Hey !! you´ve to be a superman not to feel a double sense of loss. Elvis was womanizer and what men in earth is not even the fatherpriests,so who are us to codemn the man private life. On the other hand,Priscilla has xploited Elvis[in life & death]when it has been convenient for her & when it has not ; she has taught very disrepectful of him.Lisa Marie,poor soul, is working hard to make her name of her own. And,I sense Lisa Marie is realizing her life through her daughter’s life Riley who is a famous model,and I hope because of her talents & not because she is Elvis ´s granddaughter;nevertheless, Priscilla used to critized how Elvis sheltered her life from the outside world& she did the same with Lisa Marie. I love Elvis’s music, great and outstanding voice, his attitude, his virtues[his many defects were comprehensible ; all of us have one] and the talents he shared with us. Thirty-three years had passed since Elvis’s physically left the building, but spiritually he is in the heart of his fans. In a way thanks for Priscilla ’s vision we have Elvis’s Graceland and items to visit. Elvis the man better than the myth !!!!!!!