Forever Elvis

ROCK 'N' ROLL

It was just ten years ago that Elvis Presley signed his contract with RCA Victor, made a few records like Hound Dog and Heartbreak Hotel, and overnight became the rage and outrage of the U.S. A year later, everything from lipsticks to T shirts bore the Presley imprimatur. He made his first movie, and his take from all and sundry was estimated at $1,800,000. Then came two years in the Army to put a damper on Elvis. As an ex-G.I., he was given an ecstatic welcome home by his fans. Since then, practically no one knows anyone who has heard much about Elvis. But at the end of a decade of strutting and strumming he is bigger than ever--moneywise. This year he personally figures to make at least $5,000,000.

Not a Loser. At 30, Elvis is the granddaddy of big-time rock 'n' roll. His second-skin jeans have been replaced by somewhat wider slacks. His sideburns have been shortened 1 1/2 inches. And his gyrations have calmed down to a dull twitch.

He no longer appears on television; he has not even made a personal appearance in four years. All he does is make a few records and three movies a year. For his just finished picture, Harem Holiday, which he completed in 18 days from start to finish, he was paid $1,000,000. The other two pictures he will make this year are on older, less lucrative contracts, so he will only clear $1,000,000 or so for the pair. "These are Presley pictures," explains an M-G-M studio man who worked on five of them. "They don't need titles. They could be numbered. They would still sell."

Then there is one LP, four single records and soundtrack albums from the films (Girl Happy was No. 15 on last week's Variety Bestselling LPs), which bring in about as much again. In addition to his salary, he also gets 50% of the movie profits, and since not one of his 17 pictures has ever lost money (he is the No. 6 box-office attraction in the U.S., No. 4 in Britain), that 50% on old and current films is an easy $1,000,000 more.

Split Bricks. The remarkable thing is that Elvis the private human being has not been terribly touched by it all. He still calls elders of a year or more by their surnames, keeps in top physical shape with touch-football games, holds a black belt in karate (earned during his stint in the service), and can split a brick or a stacked pair of two-by-four boards with his right hand (which, as a result, is slightly deformed).

He does, however, indulge a few personal whims. He likes peanut butter and banana sandwiches with Pepsi or Nesbitt's orange soda to drink. He owns half a dozen cars, including a gold-trimmed Cadillac that has been spray-painted with 40 coats of crushed diamonds. But since that is a bit showy for everyday and is being used by RCA on promotion tours, a black Rolls-Royce does the journeyman work.

Still a bachelor, he has surrounded himself with eight Tennessee buddies. They earn their pay by keeping everyone else away, and Elvis leads a totally encapsulated life. His managers and agents, headed by the ever-canny Colonel Tom Parker, would like to present the image of a monk in sideburns but, admits Elvis, "I have looked for years. I don't plan to become a Hollywood creation who has several marriages. I pray I will find the right girl and raise a little Elvis Jr."

Between pictures, Elvis does just about what he wants, usually takes off cross-country with his cronies to Memphis and his 18-room, $1,000,000 hideaway, Graceland. "I withdraw not from my fans but from myself," he drawls. "After work, I just give out." He gives out into a place with jukebox at poolside, a den for his 31 gold (million-seller) single records. There is a private suite for him and another for his grandmother, Mrs. Minnie Presley, 74. He doesn't like to think about Elvis the idol when he's not working. When ABC's Shindig celebrates his tenth anniversary this week by singing his songs, he might not even watch. "I don't regard money or position as important. But I can never forget the longing to be someone. I guess if you are poor, you always think bigger and want more than those who have everything when they are born."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.