Elvis Presley 'would have loved' new biopic film says Tom Jones
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Elvis Presley performed countless times around the USA in the early-1960s, and in his final decade of singing he performed nightly at the International Hotel to sold-out crowds. The King of Rock and Roll’s stepbrother has now revealed that the singer had a spiritual ritual he would carry out every evening after he finished performing to his countless loyal fans.
Billy Stanley, Elvis’ stepbrother, recently opened up about the side of the King that fans have never known.
Billy recalled a tender version of the King who acted like an older brother to him, and was vulnerable in his strongest moments.
He also remembered how Elvis left himself unguarded every night after singing. Instead of turning to alcohol or drugs to bring himself down, Elvis would turn to one of the biggest passions he retained from his childhood: his religion.
Billy revealed that Elvis would worship his god every night after playing music live, as an act of celebration, and reflection.
Billy said: “A lot of people don’t realise that after every show, he would unwind by singing gospel songs until the sun came up.”
Even on Elvis’ busiest days, he would sing hymns to his god to relax after a hard night’s work. And not only did Elvis practice what he preached, but he looked after the Bible that he kept with him at all times, Billy revealed. He was always studying it, highlighting scriptures and prayers that he felt spoke to him in some way.
“He was in touch with the Lord,” Billy went on. “A lot of people said: ‘Well, he did this and that.’ [But] we all fall short. We’re all human. As Christians, most of us live under a magnifying glass. Well, Elvis lived under a microscope because he was a big star. It was tough.”
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Billy said that Elvis had a harder life than many other Christians, and even personified his troubles as having a “devil on one shoulder, God on the other”. “There was a constant battle going on in his head,” he added.
However, he would battle these issues by doing what he knew best: Turning to his god.
Even in the early 1970s when Elvis’ relationship with his wife, Priscilla Presley, was beginning to crumble, he knew where he had to turn.
Billy said: “[Elvis] would just dive into the Bible and read it. Any experience that we all have is in the Bible… it will comfort you. I think the biggest thing everybody has a problem with is forgiveness. But God forgives. All you have to do is ask for it. But we have a hard time forgiving ourselves.”
He added that Elvis often spoke about how “god forgives us”. “He took great comfort in that,” he added. “Once you start believing Jesus came and died for your sins, your actions will change. You will try to stop doing the things that aren’t good for you.”
Priscilla and Elvis finalised their divorce on October 9, 1973. But Elvis still had a smile on his face when they walked down the aisle of the governmental building after finishing their paperwork.
As legend goes, Elvis took Priscilla’s hand as they walked out of the room and crooned a beautiful Dolly Parton song to his now ex-wife.
Elvis sang I Will Always Love You to Priscilla, with whom he had shared a home, a daughter – Lisa Marie Presley – and countless pets.
Billy revealed that this was normal for Elvis, who “focused on helping others”.
He went on: “The Bible says the Lord loves a generous giver and [Elvis] was the most generous giver I’ve ever met. Whenever you’re feeling lonely or feeling like nobody loves you… you see that the devil’s playground is your mind. But helping somebody else? It takes away all that self-doubt and fears you have going on in your life. That’s what we’re all put here on this Earth for. Elvis believed that.”
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