The FBI Files on Elvis Presley

Edited by Thomas Fensch

Published in harback and paperback by New Century Books.

Hardback: ISBN 0-930751-03-5; Paperback: ISBN 0-930751-04-3

Almost all Elvis fans know that the FBI kept files on Elvis Presley. FBI head, Hoover, was not the nicest of people, after all, holding prejudices against everyone and anything (even though, as it later turned out, he was not God's gift to clean living), so it's not surprising that he wanted close tabs kept on this "danger to society."

When I first received "The FBI Files on Elvis Presley," I thought I would learn about the machinations of Hoover and his cronies in their attempt to undermine Elvis's character and generally discredit him. None of this, however, appears in the book, which limits itself to files relating to the FBI's investigations into threats and crimes aimed against or relating to Elvis.

The book reproduces actual texts from numerous FBI reports dating from 1959 to 1981 (though including letters from 1956), apparently exactly as written, though with some specifics deleted, presumably to protect the innocent. The reports cover such varied topics as threats on Elvis's life, paternity claims, extortion attempts, and, perhaps most famously, the controversies surrounding his planes. In addition, a quite extensive appendix shows actual copies of some of the original reports and related documents -- again, carefully censored.

The files included in the book have apparently never before been published, which must make them of some interest. However, though the FBI might be a half-decent investigative agency, the writing capabilities of its operatives seem extremely limited, so the reports do not exactly make the most enthralling reading on the surface, especially as great tracts are duplicated from one report to another. On the other hand, amateur sleuths and others interested in the minutiae of events surrounding Elvis may take the time to analyse the reports and find interesting hidden details. I particularly enjoyed reading the "observations" included in a 1970 memo responding to a request for Elvis to be allowed a tour of the Bureau and to "meet with the director":

"...he is certainly not the type of individual whom the Director would wish to meet. It is noted at the present time he is wearing his hair down to his shoulders and indulges in the wearing of all sorts of exotic dress..."

Almost unbelievable that some conservative nerd was still able to think and write like this in 1970!

I do not think that "The FBI Files on Elvis Presley" is a book for all Elvis fans. I have no doubt, however, that some fans will find it interesting, fascinating, and a useful source of research data; the book should also appeal to FBI buffs and to others interested in the sometimes strange world of law enforcement and "national security."

The book is quite pricey at $20 for the paperback version and no less than $35 for the hardback.

David Neale.

copyright October 2001

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