This interview from a recorded press conference with Elvis Presley in 1957. He was in Vancouver, Canada, where he had performed in front 25,000 fans. Elvis was at the height of his success. He was 22-years old. His third film ‘Jailhouse Rock’ was about to be released, and the whole of the United States was in the grip of ‘Elvis-mania’...

How do you rate yourself as an actor Elvis?
Pretty bad! I mean that’s something you learn through experience.

After a big show what relaxes your nerves?
Well, take last night, we had a show in Vancouver...I didn’t sleep until 10 o’clock today! I just get all keyed-up
...it’s tough to relax.

How much did you pay for your guitar?
About $500 dollars. It’s a standard guitar with a leather cover over it ... I had that made.

Do you find that touring is much harder on you than making movies?
Touring is the roughest part. It’s really rough because, I mean, you’re in a town and you do a show, you come off stage,
you ride in a car and you go to the next town...

Will you be making more movies and doing more TV?
Well, I think every performer likes to work with a live audience...

How do you feel about being asked questions about your personal life?
Well let’s face the facts ... anybody that’s in the public eye ... their life is never private ... everything you do the public knows about — that’s the way it has always been and that’s the way it will always be.

Elvis would you like to go on a holiday? You’ve been on the go for two years now...
Four years!

What happened four years ago? Did you get your start four years ago?
Yes.

Where?
Memphis.

Is that when the first record came out?
Yes...actually I wasn’t known at all until Colonel Parker [Elvis’ manager] started managing me you see...then I got on RCA [record company] and then I started being known.

What about some retirement Elvis?
Yes, I’d like to...[there is laughter at this point]

Would you do it of your own free will?
Retirement?

Yes, just quitting, what do you think about it?
Well, I’ll put it like this, I’ll never quit as long as I’m doing O.K.

What do you consider is doing ok?
Well as long as you are pleasing the people it would be foolish to quit.

Text with kind permission of BMG Ariola A/S

Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, at his home ‘Graceland’. His final years were not happy ones. Yet, although he died a somewhat tragic figure, he is fondly remembered by many. He still has a large following of fans all over the world.