Review of the Day: Last Train To Memphis

Last Train to Memphis is a biography of the first half of Elvis Presley’s life from his early days in Tupelo, Mississippi to his induction in the army and the death of his beloved mother, Gladys. The second volume, Careless Love — which I have not read — covers the second, decidedly tragic, half of Elvis’ life. 

Elvis comes across, at least in my opinion, as an earnest, deeply religious, family man in these pages. For example:

“That was Elvis’ mark—he conveyed his spirituality without being able, or needing, to express it. And all these adults with their more complicated lives and dreams and passions and hopes looked for themselves in his simplicity” (p. 121).

Or consider when he met the young Natalie Wood:

Elvis and his gang drink only soft drinks….” In an interview with Albert Goldman years later Natalie described herself, a child of Hollywood, as intrigued by his very conventionality. “He was the first person of my age group I had ever met who said to me: ‘How come you’re wearing makeup? Why do you want to go to New York? Why do you want to be on your own?’… It was like having the date that I never ever had in high school. I thought it was really wild! 

“I hadn’t been around anyone who was [that] religious. He felt he had been given this gift, this talent, by God. He didn’t take it for granted. He thought it was something that he had to protect. He had to be nice to people. Otherwise, God would take it all back” (p. 337).

It would be important to listen to Elvis’ music, particularly the Sun recordings like “Blue Moon of Kentucky”, “That’s All Right”, and “Mystery Train” to supplement the reading. I would also recommend listening to some of his musical influences like the Ink Spots, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and the Blackwood Brothers.

Last Train To Memphis showed me why Elvis was an important cultural figure, and the book stopped just before his life took a long tragic turn. I recommend it.

kindle and libro fm audiobook. 580 pgs. 16 September 2025.