Introduction
5 Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know About the King of Rock, Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley—the eternal icon of rock and roll—was more than just a magnetic voice and captivating performer. Behind the spotlight are lesser-known stories, and one of them is that Elvis struggled with a stutter. From a young age, he had trouble speaking. His childhood girlfriend, Mary Morgan, recalled that Elvis often seemed anxious and couldn’t sit still. Many believe that singing helped him overcome his speech difficulties, which is partly why he was encouraged to pursue music.
In the 1958 film King Creole, viewers can hear subtle signs of his stutter. Elvis himself admitted in a 1956 interview: “I usually stutter a little when I get excited, especially with words starting with ‘W’ or ‘I’.”
Another little-known fact is that Elvis actually disliked his famous gold lamé suit. The outfit, commissioned by his manager Colonel Parker, became iconic. However, Elvis found it uncomfortable, particularly the gold pants made of shimmering, delicate fabric that would flake when he slid on stage. During his 1957 tour, he mostly replaced the gold trousers with black ones and rarely wore the full suit.
In December 1970, Elvis made a spontaneous trip to Washington, D.C. Many assume he went solely to meet President Nixon, but the truth is different. After a heated argument with his father and wife over his excessive spending, Elvis stormed out of Graceland and flew to the capital alone—something he had never done since becoming a star. Later, while on a flight to visit a friend, he suddenly got the idea to write to Nixon, and their historic meeting took place the next day.
One of Elvis’s most painful moments came after the tragic death of his Jailhouse Rock co-star Judy Tyler. They had formed a close bond during filming, and when she died in a car crash just weeks after filming ended, Elvis was devastated. He spent hours driving around Memphis on July 4th, trying to process the loss.
Despite his fame, Elvis often questioned the deeper meaning of life. In the mid-1960s, he began visiting spiritual centers in California, seeking answers beyond fame. He even considered becoming a spiritual teacher. Although he didn’t pursue that path professionally, Elvis often shared spiritual books and ideas with close friends and family—always searching for something greater.