Dead Elvis

Greil Marcus is the author of The Doors, Mystery Train, and other books.

Marcus's rapt attention to what Elvis continues to mean is both transmitted and justified in a splendid piece of critical art ... a marvelous and profane book about a cultural symbol of cultural symbol-making.

• Part 1 Pre-dead Elvis: jungle music - the all-time all-star 1950s rock 'n' roll movie; king death. Part 2 The absence of Elvis: Elvis - the ashtray; duets; tale from the crypt; the myth behind the truth behind the legend; the road away from Graceland; a view of Graceland - the absence of Elvis. Part 3 The return of Elvis Presley: the last breakfast; never bet the devil your head gallery; the king of rhythm and blues; good book on Elvis published - shocking truth revealed; ten years after - death on the installment plan. Part 4 Still dead: the man who wasn't Elvis; emanations, sightings, disappearances, or a seance of 18 mediums; a corpse in your mouth - adventures of a metaphor, or modern cannibalism; still dead - Elvis Presley without music.