He was the undisputed King of Rock 'n' Roll, a global sex symbol who dominated the charts, even after he tragically died aged just 42. But there was one thing that Elvis Presley could never conquer - despite owning what was dubbed the finest private jet in the world - his deep-seated fear of flying.
He was afraid of flying and preferred to travel by car or bus. In addition to two Lockheed JetStars, the 'King of Rock and Roll' flew a small fleet of private jets. The Lisa Marie, Elvis Presley's first airplane, cost $250,000 (around $1.2 million today) in 1975.
Yet, Elvis continued to fear that he was no longer relevant and that he would be quickly forgotten. Priscilla, like everyone who knew and loved Elvis, regrets that he never knew just how great his legacy was while he lived – and what it would become after he died.
He was one of the greatest entertainers of all time and exuded confidence in his public appearances and performances. However, under the surface, Elvis Presley was a worrier. The King of Rock and Roll struggled with stage fright his whole professional life and often worried about his career.
Elvis Presley Airways
Presley harbored dreams of one day owning his own fleet of aircraft and purchased three planes before his death in 1977. While the Lisa Marie was referred to as “the pride of Elvis Presley Airways”, the singer also flew another jet called 'Hound Dog II'.
According to Magic, Elvis's fear of flying started in 1956, when the flight he was taking from Amarillo to Nashville had engine trouble and had to make an emergency landing. His ex-wife Priscilla confirmed the rumors to Larry King, saying, “He had a fear of flying, and his mother didn't really want him flying either.
Elvis bought the JetStar in 1976 for $840,000, which amounts to approximately $4.4 million in today's dollars. It is one of several private jets owned by the late legend, with two currently on display at Graceland. According to Mecum, the jets were used to transport the singer, his TCB band, backup groups, Col.
“Elvis never thought that he would be remembered, that was his thing,” Priscilla says. “He said, 'you know, once I pass nobody will remember me' and that really stuck with me … [throughout his fame] he was always asking, 'How long will this last? '”
It was during a live performance in Hawaii that Elvis Presley was famously seen crying. It was 1965 and he was performing his hit song “Can't Help Falling in Love.” The moment was captured by photographer Alfred Wertheimer and has become one of the most iconic images of Elvis.
His legs shook during the concert, partly out of nerves, and those leg movements sent the audience over the edge. “During the instrumental parts, he would back off from the mic and be playing and shaking, and the crowd would just go wild,” Scotty later told biographer Peter Guralnick.
Elvis was so nervous when he first started playing in front of crowds that his legs would shake. Ironically enough, his shaky legs would become one his most famous dance moves.
Priscilla, 76, revealed her marriage to Elvis had its challenges, including his temper. "If he saw somebody he didn't like on the TV, he'd get his gun out and blow it up," Priscilla told the outlet.
On the night of February 1, 1976, Elvis Presley took his private jet from Graceland to Denver and back in one night because he was craving an 8,000 calorie sandwich made from a hollowed out loaf filled with an entire jar of peanut butter, one jar of jelly, and a pound of bacon.
During his active military career Mr. Presley served as a member of two different armor battalions. Between March 28 and September 17, 1958, he belonged to Company A, 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 37th Armor, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
Although Elvis professed to be a lover, not a fighter, The King was not adverse to putting up his dukes if a fight couldn't be avoided.
Elvis Presley's three-octave vocal range was exceptional, 'very narrowly all at once a tenor, baritone, and bass'. A 1987 article in the Village Voice included an assessment of his voice in classical terms, categorizing it as a 'lyric baritone ... [but with] unexpectedly rich low [notes] ... and astounding high notes'.
While his gorgeous locks of jet-black hair that perfectly complement Elvis Presley's eye color of striking ice blue helped him seduce any woman possible, it's surprising to know that The King of Rock' n' Roll was actually born a natural blonde.
Reportedly the last song Elvis sang in private was a rendition of 'Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain,' performed on his piano in Graceland hours before his death. It would become the first exposé on Presley's years of drug misuse.
PBS reported that at the time of Presley's death two pathologists "found evidence of severe and chronic constipation, diabetes and glaucoma." The painkillers Presley used are believed to have contributed to his severe constipation.
Journalist Alanna Nash, the author of the books The Colonel and Elvis and the Memphis Mafia, said, “Elvis, who never really understood the Sixties, felt threatened by the Beatles, since they were having huge hits at a time he wasn't, when he was making formulaic movies.”
How Many Cars Did Elvis Own? Elvis's car collection is reported to have expanded to over 200 automobiles in his lifetime. He favored Cadillacs but also had an extensive collection of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, some of which are on display at Graceland.
According to People magazine, the battered jet, which had been parked at the Roswell International Air Center in New Mexico, sold at auction on Jan 8 — which would have been Presley's 88th birthday. Presley bought the jet, which seats up to nine, on Dec. 22, 1976, for $840,000.
In 1993, Graceland purchased the property. Today, all shops and attractions in what is now known as Graceland Plaza are owned and operated by EPE.
Elvis never played a concert “down under,” but that hasn't stopped tens of thousands of Australians from making him their own at an annual festival.