Celebrating the Life of Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley, an American icon, remains unrivaled in American culture: in his music, his cultural impact, and the very chapters of his rags-to-riches life story. More than three decades after his death, Elvis remains a significant presence in worldwide popular culture. 

In 1956, a twenty-one-year-old singer named Elvis Presley was at the beginning of his remarkable career. Alfred Wertheimer, a young New York photojournalist, was asked by Elvis's new label, RCA Victor, to photograph their new artist. In the course of his one-day assignment for RCA, Wertheimer was struck by the stunningly photogenic performer and felt compelled to continue documenting the everyday moments in Elvis's life during that crucial year.

Wertheimer's unobtrusive photographs of Elvis in performance, with his fans, in the recording studio, and at home with his family present a unique look at one of the world's most famous cultural figures. These images were the first and the last unguarded look at Elvis, and also constitute an important visual document of post-World War II America.

With hundreds of gorgeously reproduced high-quality prints, Elvis is the result of a special alchemy between an exceptionally talented photographer and a charismatic young man on the brink of superstardom.

On the day of his birth (January 8, 1935) we celebrate the life of Elvis Presley with some of his greatest hits. Enjoy.

National Treasure

In 1956, a twenty-one-year-old Elvis Presley was at the beginning of his remarkable and unparalleled career and photographer Alfred Wertheimer was asked by Presley’s new label, RCA Victor, to photograph the rising star. With unimpeded access to the young performer, Wertheimer was able to capture the unguarded and everyday moments in Elvis' life during that crucial year, a year that took him from Tupelo, Mississippi to the silver screen, and to the verge of international stardom and his crowning as "The King of Rock 'n' Roll.” As Alfred Wertheimer photographed Elvis during 1956, and again in 1958, he created classic images that are spontaneous, unrehearsed and completely without artifice. 

 
Wertheimer’s photographs of Elvis are extraordinary and he appears almost ethereal, whether reading a newspaper while waiting for a cab, or washing his hands during one of his many train trips. After 1958 and Elvis’ induction into the army, the world seemingly forgot about Wertheimer’s magical photographs- for nineteen years- until Aug 16, 1977, the day Elvis died and Time Magazine called. “The phone hasn’t really stopped ringing in the last thirty years,” observes Wertheimer. 

 
Many of the photographs in this visual treasury are previously unpublished and some have become almost as famous as the man himself. 

Elvis (One on One)

"Alfred Wertheimer's photographs of Elvis Presley are a national treasure. They are a unique visual record of the most exciting and influential performer of our time." - Chris Murray

Elvis at 21
 Limited edition features: 1,500 copies, comes in a clamshell box with a signed photograph and contact sheet, clothbound portfolio case containing four limited edition photographic prints (11 x 14), and an exclusive edition of Elvis Ships Out (a 48 page, cloth bound, 8 x 10, keepsake archive of Elvis' stint in the US Army).

"These photographs of Elvis Presley are without a doubt the most important and compelling images ever taken of the greatest rock-and-roll icon of all time. No other photographer has ever come closer to catching Elvis Presley's magic than Alfred Wertheimer." - Chris Murray

One on One with Bob Marley, Rolling Stones, and Elvis

Insight Editions has had the pleasure of highlighting some pretty legendary musicians in our publications and this year, we're excited to launch our new One on One series for an even more intimate look at some music icons.

Bob Marley, Elvis and the Rolling Stones are the first three names to make it on this list with photograph collections unlike anything else we've ever done.

David Burnett followed Bob Marley on his Exodus tour in 1977, taking photos on the bus, during sound check, playing soccer, and in concert. 

"It's not every day that you come across an unpublished collection of photographs of a legend. It is even more amazing when those photographs were taken by an accomplished, award-winning photojournalist." - Chris Murray (from the introduction)

Available Now:

Bob Marley
by David Burnett

Paperback

160 pages

$14.99

Coming Soon:

Elvis
April 2012

Photographs by Alfred Wertheimer

Paperback

320 pages

$19.99

"...when somebody is doing something that is more important in his or her life than having their photograph taken, you're going to get good pictures." - Alfred Wertheimer

Rolling Stones

September 2012
Photography by Gered Mankowitz, Written by Sean Egan

Paperback

240 pages

$19.99