Introduction
Elvis Presley – the King of Rock and Roll – spent his life under the stage lights, surrounded by cheers and relentless tour schedules. But behind the scenes and away from the cameras, Elvis had another passion: flying. And no one knew this better than Ron Strauss – his personal pilot during the final years of his life.
In the 1970s, at the height of his fame, Elvis constantly traveled from city to city for performances. Whether he was in Las Vegas or Los Angeles, he always wanted to return to Graceland immediately after a show, no matter how late at night or how far away it was. The privacy and comfort of private flights led him to purchase the luxurious Convair 880, which he named “Lisa Marie” after his daughter. Inside, everything was fit for royalty in the sky – from suede seats and gold-plated seat belts to a private bedroom at the back.
For Ron, flying with Elvis was more than a job – it was a privilege. He saw a side of Elvis the public never did: warm, generous, and deeply loyal. Elvis would make sure a pilot’s wife could join a trip if treated unfairly, hand out generous bonuses to his crew, or upgrade the plane’s radar system purely for safety. But Ron also witnessed another side – an Elvis worn down by illness, yet determined to step on stage, never letting the audience down.
There were unforgettable flights: landing in Denver just to celebrate his daughter’s birthday with cake and giant “over-the-top” sandwiches; flying through violent thunderstorms; or climbing to safety after a bomb threat. In every situation, Elvis kept his smile and his concern for those around him.
On August 16, 1977, the news of Elvis’s death at 42 shocked the world. Ron continued to fly the “Lisa Marie” for a few more trips – one of them carrying Priscilla Presley back to Memphis for the funeral. Years later, when he spoke about those times, it wasn’t to sensationalize but to honor a great man who, despite failing health, gave everything for music and his fans.
Today, the “Lisa Marie” still stands proudly at Graceland, a testament to a golden era – and to the friendship between a legendary king and his loyal pilot.