Elvis Religion The Cult of the King

The cult of Elvis Presley has, since his death, become ever more pervasive in American culture. From Graceland to Las Vegas, from fans to impersonators, from novels, films and popular music to websites, outsider art and tabloid conspiracy theories, Elvis Religion explores this frequently bizarre phenomenon and investigates how the King of Rock 'n' Roll became a god-like figure. Elvis, we discover, is found everywhere. Not just an icon for late night lonely hearts in Memphis, or Elvis impersonators on a Vegas stage, he is the inspiration behind the violence of movies like Mystery Train and Wild at Heart , the kitsch sanctuary of Graceland Too, the music of Kirsty MacColl and Paul Simon, and the Internet church for whom he is a supernatural being dwelling in the constellation of Orion. Gregory L. Reece makes a journey to discover the Jumpsuit Jesus for himself, taking him into the heart of fan obsession. Along the way, he discovers that if Elvis Saves, it is because the Memphis Messiah seems like a prophet for our times.

Gregory L. Reece's first memory of a public event is of being told of Elvis' death--the beginning of a lifelong fascination. He is a lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Acknowledgements

viii

Introduction

1

(6)

1 Elvis in Memphis: Happy Hour at the Heartbreak Hotel

7

(16)

Elvis Presley's Graceland

9

(4)

Pilgrims and Shrines

13

(4)

Happy Birthday, Elvis

17

(2)

Conclusion

19

(4)

2 Elvis Incarnate: Impersonators, Tribute Artists, and Priests

23

(24)

Impersonators and Tribute Artists

27

(10)

Elvis Expo 2004

27

(4)

Being Elvis

31

(6)

Impersonators and Priests

37

(6)

Elvis Weddings

37

(4)

Elvis Chaplains

41

(2)

Conclusion

43

(4)

3 Elvis in Film: Violent Visions, Ambiguous Angels

47

(24)

Elvis Movies

47

(12)

Mystery Train

49

(2)

Wild at Heart

51

(1)

True Romance

52

(3)

3000 Miles to Graceland

55

(1)

Six-String Samurai

56

(1)

Finding Graceland

57

(1)

Heartbreak Hotel

58

(1)

Bubba Ho-tep

58

(1)

Violent Visions

59

(5)

Ambiguous Angels

64

(3)

Conclusion

67

(1)

An Elvis Filmography

68

(3)

4 Elvis in Fiction: Memphis Messiah, Jumpsuit Jesus

71

(24)

Memphis Messiah

72

(7)

Elvis and Nixon

74

(2)

That's Alright Mama

76

(3)

Jumpsuit Jesus

79

(9)

Graceland

79

(1)

Me, the Moon, and Elvis Presley

80

(3)

Biggest Elvis

83

(2)

Stark Raving Elvis

85

(3)

Conclusion

88

(1)

An Elvis Bibliography

89

(6)

5 Elvis in Song: Graceland Gospel, Elvis Elegies, and Ironic Invitationals

95

(18)

Graceland Gospel

98

(4)

Elvis Elegies

102

(6)

Ironic Invitationals

108

(2)

Conclusion

110

(3)

6 Elvis in Art: Outsider Elvis and Graceland Too

113

(22)

Graceland Too

113

(8)

Andy Warhol and Velvet Elvis

121

(1)

Outsider Elvis

122

(6)

Howard Finster

123

(3)

Joni Mabe

126

(1)

The Twenty-Four Hour Church of Elvis

127

(1)

More Elvis Art

128

(1)

Conclusion

129

(6)

7 Elvis on the Internet: Presleyterians, Eighth Day Transfigurists, and The Dizgraceland Chapel

135

(20)

The Websites

139

(11)

The Elvis Séance

139

(1)

Blue Star Love

140

(2)

The Eighth Day Transfigurist Cult

142

(1)

Dizgraceland Chapel

143

(1)

The Church of Elvis, Universal Life Church

143

(2)

The First Church of Jesus Christ, Elvis

145

(1)

Elvis Underground

146

(1)

The Church of the Militant Elvis Party

147

(1)

The First Presleyterian Church of Elvis the Divine

148

(2)

Sincerity and Irony, With and Without a Cause

150

(3)

Conclusion

153

(2)

8 Elvis in the Tabloids: Alive and Coming Back!

155

(24)

Orion

156

(1)

Is Elvis Alive?

157

(4)

Elvis Sightings

161

(4)

The Return of the King

165

(2)

The Elvis-Jesus Mystery

167

(9)

Adam/Jesus (Elvis)

168

(2)

Christian Prophecy

170

(2)

Tabloid Conspiracy Theory

172

(2)

The Seventh Seal

174

(2)

Conclusion

176

(3)

9 Ironic Kingdom: Elvis and Religion in Popular (and Not so Popular) Culture

179

(14)

Poor Boys and Pilgrims

180

(4)

Outside, Underground, and Way Out

184

(2)

At a Theater Near You

186

(7)

Here is My Body, Bloated for You

187

(2)

Ironic Kingdom, or What's So Funny about Saint Elvis?

189

(4)

Postscript: Pass the Elvis-Themed Lunchbox and Thermos Salt-and-Pepper Shaker Set, Please

193

(2)

Bibliography

195

(2)

Index

197

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