It’s difficult to understand why, but in spite of Elvis’ fame and the hordes of people who were almost always around him, he was actually very lonely. I think maybe that’s one of the reasons he surrounded himself with so many people, to fight that loneliness. I remember reading this story a while back, from a member of his entourage although I don’t recall which one, (this is the way the story was relayed):
“Elvis had been ill with a cold and he was in the music room playing gospel songs on the piano. I walked into the room and said, ‘How are you feeling, Elvis?’
‘Alone,” said the king.’
Many people who knew him have told similar stories. Longtime girlfriend Linda Thompson said Elvis told her that he was intensely lonely on the inside.
From friend, hairdresser and confidante, Larry Geller (taken from this website: http://elvispresleybiography.net/index.html)
“Elvis sat in silence for a moment with his eyes fixed on the ground, then looked up at me. ‘No one knows, Larry. No one knows, an’ it might surprise you just how God-awful lonely I get, how empty my life feels sometimes.'”
When I first heard Elvis sing ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’ back in 1973 during the Aloha from Hawaii concert, and he began with, “I’d like to sing a song that’s probably the saddest song I’ve ever heard” it had a huge impact on me. He’d done Don’t Cry Daddy, In the Ghetto, Long Black Limousine, Mama Liked the Roses, and no doubt heard countless sad songs in his life, yet a song about loneliness was ‘probably one of the saddest’ to him.
Watch the clip and listen to the haunting sadness in his voice. 😦 (Pay special attention to what he does at around :46 seconds. I must apologize in advance for the sexiness he throws in there. The man couldn’t do anything, even be lonely and sad, without also being extremely hot and sexy 🙂 )
Here, I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry is sung by Hank Williams, Sr, who wrote it (and was one of the saddest men I’ve ever heard of.) This song was my dad’s favorite, so it makes me a little sad to listen to it, but it’s sort of a good kind of sad, because it reminds me of my daddy. 🙂
Two legends, two men who had so much talent and such a bright future, but were extremely lonely souls who died too young.
I’ve been alone a lot in my life. I live alone, and I spend a great deal of time by myself. But, I can honestly say, I never feel ‘lonely.’ There is a huge difference between being alone and loneliness. So sad that someone like Elvis had to experience it so intensely.
I have to wonder if Elvis feeling lonesome had something to do with his stillborn twin, Jesse Garon. Elvis always felt a part of him was missing, and he wondered what his purpose in life was, why he lived when his brother didn’t, and why fame came to him of all people. Most likely, it also stemmed from losing his mother, at a fairly young age, just when he was making it big.
What do you think? Any ideas about what contributed to his loneliness?
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EOLS Charity
Elvis was known for his giving heart and charitable work during his lifetime. Lisa Marie and Elvis Presley Enterprises have continued that tradition with their involvement in various charities. In 1984, The Elvis Charitable Foundation was formed. The EPCF created a scholarship fund for students majoring in the arts. The charity also contributes to one of Elvis’ favorite charities, Goodwill Homes, a Memphis facility that provides counseling and services for abused children and their families. The EPCF also assists numerous other charities, especially focusing on arts, education and children’s programs.
Learn more here, including how to donate:
http://www.graceland.com/epcf/
END OF LONELY STREET – Now Only 99 Cents!
On Elvis’ birthday this year, I released a Vintage Romance short story set in 1957, and of course, my heroine is an Elvis fan. 🙂 As a tribute to Elvis’ generosity, and in order to assist with this worthy cause, 10% of my proceeds for End of Lonely Street will go to the EPCF.
All Toby Lawson wants is to go to college to become a teacher and to be free of her alcoholic mother and some painful memories. But when her mother nearly burns the house down, Toby must put her dreams on hold and return home to care for her. The only time she isn’t lonely and miserable is when she’s listening to her heartthrob, Elvis Presley. His music takes her away and helps her escape from everything wrong in her life.
Noah Rivers has always loved Toby, but no matter what he says, she can‘t get past the fact that her drunken mother once kissed him. He soon realizes the true problem lies in Toby’s belief she’s not good enough for him and in her fear she will be just like her mother.
What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?
Author Alicia Dean 
I think a lot of “famous people” are lonely. Many “driven” men and women seem to be seeking…perhaps seeking what they can’t (or at least haven’t) found. Wealth and fame can provide an illusion of happiness but the old saying “money can’t buy happiness” may be far more real than those of us who “muddle along” will (hopefully) ever know. The sadist song I’ve ever heard is “Only The Lonely” by Roy Orbison (Elvis commented favorably on Orbison’s vocal range). I don’t know if Elvis ever “covered” that song or not but if so I’d love to hear his version of it! I still listen to their songs whenever they are on the classic rock station I have constantly on in the house.
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Frankly, Alicia, I believe you’re right on about the loneliness resulting from the loss of his stillborn twin…perhaps, like a missing part of his soul, for lack of a better description. I say this because I have a family member who also lost his identical twin brother soon after birth and he’s suffered from some similar “maladies” throughout his life, primarily, clinical depression. Vamp makes some good points in her comment to which I’d add “It’s lonely at the top.” Further, the saddest/best traditional country song and one I can listen to and damn near cry every time is George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today” — I doubt Elvis ever covered it, but I would loved to have heard his rendition. Or not. I’d probably still be bawling.
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I never thought anout the twin angle, but that’s an interesting concept. I also think that kind of fame has to mess with your head big time. I imagine people grabbing at you constantly to feed their needs, or to curry your favor. I think that would make anyone lonely.
One of the saddest country songs I’ve heard (and one of my fsvorites) is TIRED by Toby Keith. It’s an older song, probably written before he hit it big, and I can hear a sense of giving up on his voice.
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