SPOTLIGHT on the

ELVIS BOOKS

by 
PAUL BÉLARD

Article-review, Nigel Patterson, July 2026

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Introduction
This article provides mini-reviews of “Elvis Milton Berle Show June 4 & 5 1956” and “Elvis Second Ed Sullivan Show October 28 1956” and discusses several of Paul Bélard’s “subject-specific” releases.

Since 2016, author-researcher Paul Bélard has published more than 40 Elvis related books. His Elvis canon falls into two categories: "day-by-day" accounts and "subject specific" volumes. All volumes measure 8.5 x 11 inches.

Bélard's "day-by-day" releases are designed to provide the full story of Elvis Presley through image and historic archival material, while his "subject specific" books offer a "deep dive" into their subject matter.

His “subject specific” releases comprise three distinct elements: 

o   issues around and aspects of his career
o   the King's things
o   books about important people in the Elvis story

 

Mini-reviews of the most recent releases by Paul Bélard

Bélard's most recent "day-by-day" volumes focus on Elvis on The Milton Berle Show and Elvis' 2nd Appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show (in a sense you can argue they are also "subject specific"). 

Both events represent important points in the Elvis story!

Elvis' performance of Hound Dog on the Milton Berle show was more than controversial. His exaggerated "bump and grind" moves, reminiscent of the style of striptease artists, caused a furore among conservative parents while inciting carnal/lascivious thoughts in the young girls who comprised the majority of his fan base. 

Elvis' second appearance on the Ed Sullivan program, four months later, saw him still filmed without the censorship that saw his third Sullivan appearance filmed "from the waist up". The broadcast generated high ratings, but his signature, energetic hip movements further enraged critics. Following the show, Elvis was "burned in effigy" by angry crowds in cities like Nashville and St. Louis, the protestors citing his "negative influence on youth" and conservative religious leaders heightened their backlash against Elvis and the "devil's music".

In both books, Bélard has assembled photos and archival material that properly tell the story of each performance. Not surprisingly, given Elvis' appearances were 70 years ago, there are some grainy or dark/blurry images.

Readers will have seen many of the images in both books before, likely not so the wide range of archival material. In any case, having such a comprehensive record of images and archival elements in the one book is important.

Further observations:

Elvis Milton Berle Show June 4 & 5, 1956

Elvis appeared twice on the Milton Berle Show. The first was on June 3, 1956 and telecast “live” from the USS Hancock. This appearance is not covered in the book.

Rather, the book focuses on Elvis’ second (and controversial) appearance on June 5. It also includes photos and information for June 4. There is an error on the spine of the book which incorrectly states the dates as June 5 and 6.

This release is 209 pages and features attractive front and back covers. It is arguably one of, if not the best, of the author's Elvis "day-by-day" chronicles. The visual element (mostly b&w) dominates, the archival material strong but a clear runner-up.

 

More than 100 pages are devoted to photos of Elvis' performance and they are more than striking! They really shine on the quality white background, photo grade, paper stock.

Also, the images are high quality, the few exceptions being two "candids" of Elvis with singer, dancer and model, Bobbie Honeycutt, at the beginning of the book, two colorised and blurry shots of Elvis in action (p141), and pages 150-151 which appear to be kinescope sourced.

 

There are so many great images that it is difficult to single out particular ones. Some are:

Pages 68-77 - 10 glorious pages of Elvis close-up (entangled) with his adoring fans (above)
p121 - Elvis partly enveloped in shadow with a contrasting bright desk lamp shining behind him in stereo (below, right)
pp142-143 - which show similar images but where, IMO, the colorized version is superior (above)
pp 154-155 - Elvis with Irish McCalla (Sheena, Queen of the Jungle) while showing different images are intriguing as one is in color and the other isn't. (below)

 

Also included at the end of the book are several pages of Elvis cartoon artworks - they are interesting and impressive.

Among the interesting archival items are various press reviews - the infamous review where Jack Gould noted that "Mr Presley has no discernible singing ability" is a classic - and:

o   NBC File on Elvis' appearance
o   TV Star and Parade magazine cover (in color)
o   Thanks “Mr Television” Milton Berle From the Colonel and Elvis Presley (poster)
o   Information and photos of the gold microphone bookends gifted to Milton Berle by EPE
o   Elvis Presley "Hound Dog Premieres on Milton Berle" colorized state quarter coin.

 

Trivia: Did you know that the only two occasions when Elvis appeared on TV where he did not have a guitar were the Milton Berle show and the Frank Sinatra "Welcome Home Elvis" TV special.

Available from Amazon US < - - > Amazon UK

 

 

Elvis Second Ed Sullivan Show October 28, 1956

The book contains 210 color and b&w pages. 

Prior to the evening show Elvis was busy rehearsing, held a press conference and posed for pictures as he was given a polio shot – busy day to say the least.

The visuals are of very good quality with only a few being blurry/out of focus. A number of pages allow you to compare colorized photos with the original b&w images.

Some of the other standout images are two great photos of Elvis with actress Susan Johnson (above) and a semi-color image of Elvis with strangely pursed lips on the cover of the popular German magazine, Der Spiegel - inside the substantive 9-page article, "Elvis the Pelvis" (reproduced in its entirety).

On pages 94 and 95 and 120 and 121 the reader gets to judge the merits of an original b&w photo compared to one that has been colorized.

And for those with investigative talent, in one dark and blurry photo featuring Elvis with an unidentified woman, the author queries whether the woman's head has been pasted on!

There are also numerous photos of Elvis with fans and a delightful image of Elvis with British film and comedy legend, Joyce Grenfell. I found the three-page spread showing the hordes of fans lined up outside Studio 50 (where the show was taped) as especially evocative.

As for the show itself, Bélard covers it with 40 pages of photos and several pages for the various press reviews.

The archival material in Paul Bélard's books is always interesting as the items are a direct link to, and reflection of the actuality of the time. 

Among the archival elements in this release are:

o   a telegram from Tom Diskin to DJ Fontana advising of a rehearsal at Elvis' home on October 22 for the show
o   correspondence to Colonel Parker and others about arrangements for the show
o   a perplexing letter to the Colonel from his secretary, Trude Forsher, where she expresses concern that she may have done something to displease him (the Colonel)

One item of particular interest is the statement of Elvis' payment for his performance....$16,666.66. While that may not seem much, it is the equivalent of US$200,000 today! That Colonel Parker's cut was 25% will irk many fans. The issue becomes even greater when we read that after withholding tax and payments to his band and the Jordanaires, Elvis received only $6,025.36 (= 36% of his gross fee)!

Strangely, the author has included the article "My Afternoon with Elvis" (by Megan McKinney) twice (well almost twice as the final three paragraphs are missing from its second inclusion).

Available from Amazon US < - - > Amazon UK

Verdict: Two (more) strong entries in Paul Bélard's bourgeoning Elvis canon. If your pockets aren't deep enough to purchase both releases, I recommend the Uncle Miltie release due to its stunning visuals.

 

Paul Bélard's "Subject Specific" Books
Many of these have been reviewed by EIN and links are included to the full reviews as well as a synopsis of each review.

Bélard’s “subject specific” books are:

o   Elvis The Gospel Singer (2016)
Synopsis: Paul Bélard has a quest to present the Elvis story in chronological visual form. To date he has released seven books with another 40+ at an advanced stage. In “Elvis The Gospel Singer” Bélard moves from his chronological account of the Elvis day-by-day biography and offers a subject specific chronological account of Elvis' favourite music: gospel.

Over an impressive 300+ pages the author offers a full account of the gospel artists and music influencing Elvis and provides the lyrics for, and often background information to, all of Elvis' gospel recordings.
With more narrative than usual Bélard delves deep into Elvis and his love of gospel music and includes rare historic material, and some unusual but valid song choices.

o   Elvis Black and White to Technicolor (about Elvis' relationship with Black Americans) (2016 and 2020)
Synopsis: On publication this release from Paul Bélard (with Joseph Krein) was one of the more important Elvis books for several years. The reason why is that addresses the controversial issue that Elvis was racist. The authors tackle the subject of Elvis' relationship with Black America head on through a balanced and impressive mix of text and image. Bélard and Krein's research has uncovered rare archival material on the issue and the book includes hundreds of comments about Elvis by Black Americans.

o   Elvis A Humanitarian (2019)

 

o   Elvis The King of the Rings Volume 1 (2020 and 2021)
Synopsis: Unlike previous volumes, author-researcher Paul Bélard’s latest instalment doesn’t cover a specific period of time, it covers a “shiny” part of our man's life, his love for big and glittery jewelry, specifically rings.
Elvis liked expensive things: cars, motorcycles, clothes, and jewelry. His jewels befitted a king. He wore sumptuous pendants hung on heavy gold chains; huge lavish rings dripping of rubies, sapphires, lapis lazuli, and emeralds; bracelets of gold and precious gems.
The singer Robert Goulet described Elvis’ penchant for generosity: “I remember once we sat together backstage for two hours. And he was a charming, delightful man. And at one point I said, “That’s a beautiful ring you have there.” He said, “You like it?” I said, “It’s beautiful!” He took it off his hand and put it on mine. He gave me his ring.”
The book features 254 pages dedicated to Elvis’ love of rings. The photos include close-ups of so much glorious "Bling" along with stories of Elvis wearing them on-stage and even where they ended up.

o   Elvis Firearm and Weapons Collector (2020 and 2021)
Synopsis: The latest photobook from prolific Elvis author/researcher, Paul Bélard, Elvis Firearm & Weapon Collector An Illustrated Compendium, focuses on one of Elvis’ major passions.  Elvis’ love of guns (and other weapons) is well known, but until now there has not been a detailed narrative and visual record of this passion. Bélard has managed to compile a visually impressive and narratively comprehensive account, presenting hundreds of Elvis’ guns, knives, holsters, and other associated items, and most of the items are in color.
With interesting background information and a range of rare archival material (including affidavits, auction records, and letters of provenance) this book is an important one which neatly fills a hole in the multi-faceted Elvis story.

o   Don’t Be Cruel – The Story of Bill Black (2021)
Synopsis: It is easy to forget that, in the beginning, Elvis was only one part of a trio put together by Sam Phillips, which included Bill Black on bass and Scotty Moore on lead guitar.
The unique sound that emerged from their early sessions was the result of a close collaboration of like-minded musicians and an engineer who wanted to generate something as yet unheard.
Bill Black's contribution to Elvis’ success went beyond the bass playing. His antics on stage — twirling his bass, riding it as if it was a bronco to be tamed, trading corny jokes with Elvis — delighted the audiences. Scotty confirmed that, “If it hadn’t been for Bill, we would have bombed many times in the early days.”
Memphis Mansion’s Henrik Knudsen fortuitously befriended Bill Black's family and was entrusted with the family’s treasured scrapbook. Using this key source, plus the investigative power of author Paul Bélard, key rock'n'roll bassman Bill Black finally gets the biography he deserves with this impressive 260-page book.

 

o   Elvis King of the Rings Volume 2 (2022 and 2025)
Synopsis: The second volume of Paul Bélard’s two volume photo-journal record of Elvis’ love of rings has been released. It is rich in narrative detail and jaw dropping, visual splendor....... they say first impressions last! The cover image of Elvis’ famous TCB ring is truly striking and sets the tone for what is an impressive examination of another 100+ rings that Elvis owned during his lifetime. This is more than a photo-book and while the mostly colour images dominate, the narrative component contains valuable and interesting information...

o   Elvis Gold and Silver Watches (2023)

o   Elvis The King of Bling (2024)

o   Elvis Religion and Spirituality (2025)

 

o   The King and the Jester (Cornelius van Kuijk) (2024)
Synopsis: Elvis author Paul Bélard's "special interest" book all about Elvis and manager Colonel Parker is a great read.

The cover notes, "As this uncultured philistine said of himself, "I did not know what to make of Elvis, or his music. I did not care, but I saw the reaction of the audience says and it was enough for me". Parker promptly realised that Elvis was his own ticket to wealth."
Bélard's new 260-page book's twenty three chapters include, 'The Hank Snow Affair', 'The Snowman', 'The Lost Years', 'The Narcissist',  'World Wide Tour', 'What Could Have Been' and 'Exposing The Con Man'.
The author makes his disdain for Parker known from the outset and he does not hold back about what he sees as one of, if not the biggest, travesties and examples of unscrupulous mismanagement, in show business history!
Some fans have suggested that Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 ELVIS drama made Parker out to be too much of a cartoon villain but after reading this book the movie looks even more truthful than fans might have believed. ...

o   Marion Keisker: The Woman Who First Recorded Elvis (2025)
Synopsis: This Paul Bélard release is a detailed account of Marion Keisker's life and her key role in the Elvis story.
"That woman was the one who had faith she was the one that pushed me... Marion did it for me" - Elvis Presley 1971
.. Marion was Sam Phillips' assistant when he established the Memphis Recording Service, and later Sun Records.
She is best remembered as the first person to record Elvis in July 1953, then encouraging Sam Phillips (numerous times) to record him "commercially", therefore playing a pivotal role in Elvis' ascent towards the pinnacle of his career.
Throughout interviews given, Marion discloses the workings of Sun Records, the sessions, Elvis' moods during those first days of his career. There is a trove of little known or unknown anecdotes many fans will delight in.
This book is a fitting and well-deserved tribute to Marion Keisker.
Packed full of great stories, rare photos and Marion's personal recollections this is a book that any Elvis fan should enjoy.

Future & new releases from Paul Bélard:

The author is currently working on books about “Scotty Moore” and the third and final volume of “Elvis King of the Rings” has been published a few days ago.

Note: All of Paul Bélard’s Elvis related books are available only in “softcover” format.

While Paul Bélard ’s books are available on Amazon sites, “author signed” copies can be obtained directly from Paul: pbelard@hotmail.com

Check EIN’s comprehensive “Book Reviews” section for reviews of Paul Bélard’s “Elvis day-by-day” series of books

EIN interviews with Paul Bélard: