Posted by PaulB on September 19, 2001, at 12:32:30
In reply to Re: Elvis Presleys Depression » PaulB, posted by kazoo on September 18, 2001, at 23:13:43
> > I wanted to post a message about Elvis because I just finished the much hailed and raved about second part biography of Elvis life by Peter Guralnick called 'Careless Love-The Unmaking of Elvis Presley'.
> > The author says that he believed that for the last three to four year of Elvis life he was suffering from clinical depression. For anyone who knows more about Elvis is this true because he did continue to live his life right up until his death in 1977(girlfriends, performaces, holidays). He continued to perform right up until the end. How bad was his depression REALLY and what kind of things was he depressed about. Do you think the final night of his life he was depressed and do you think he OD'd
> > PaulB
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> I read the same book (in fact, I've read quite a few books on Elvis). Though I found Mr. Presley's life interesting, I couldn't stand his music.
>
> Unfortunately, Mr. Guralnick is ten years behind the times. The late Albert Goldman via a sequel to his original Elvis biography came to the same conclusion in 1991, but nobody listened or believed Goldman at the time.
>
> Get a copy of "Elvis: The last 24 hours" and determine for yourself if Elvis was depressed and intentionally over-dosed himself.
>
> Re. the things that could have made Presley depressed: this is self-evident by the way he lived and the people who leeched off of him starting with that carny Colonel Parker.
>
> Personally, I couldn't draw any conclusion from either work since the main component of the argument is very much dead, which is circular reasoning, but it's the best I can do for now.
>
> By the way, the very best book I've read on Elvis is the original Goldman work entitled "Elvis." This was out-of-print for a while, but it may be back. I have autographed copies of both Goldman books. He was a friend of mine.
>
> kazooKazoo
Thanks for your response. The reason I posted it was because fame and celebrity seems to be the most sought after status with all its attachments-looks, lifestyle, fame, money etc yet most celebrities are apparently miserable(depressed). Elvis Presley seemed a typical and most symbolic of the price that can be paid for fame-arguably the most written about figure and well known of our time. I was disspointed that you wrote I would have to draw my own conclusion but I agree with you that, as with Monroe Elvis's end remains something of a mystery. Always and forever a mystery with these celebs isnt it. Fascinating guy though. At least would you say it was a sad story overall?
PaulB
PS Will try and get hold of that book and impressed with your acquaitance with author.
poster:PaulB
thread:11539
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010915/msgs/11573.html