As we find ourselves in between podcast episodes, in this interim newsletter we take a look at how Elvis’ professional fortunes were tracking in the summer of 1977 leading up to, and after, his untimely death on August 16th.
That's a good in-depth look at Elvis' world at the point where it came to an end. The only problem that stood out was the reference to the Mexican Sundial jumpsuit, where the caption said "There were apparently two identical versions of this suit." I think that myth started with the Jerry Hopkins book ''Elvis: The Final Years'' which incorrectly stated that there were two identical suits. While talking about the CBS TV special, the book stated that Elvis alternated between them as he wore one while the other was being cleaned. Understandably, that detail got passed on by readers to the point that it it was believed by many fans, even some who consider themselves 'jumpsuit junkies.' It turns out that it was incorrect. Gene Doucette, the tailor responsible for the styling of all of Elvis' wardrobe (both onstage and streetwear) was quite explicit about only ever having made one such jumpsuit in a YouTube video. As well as the Mayan Calendar design, he incorporated the art deco shape of the top of New York's Chrysler Building into the embroidery on either side of the bell bottom kick pleats.
In every other respect, this article is a great summary in your broader look at each phase of his life.
Great information about the suit, the reference to 'two versions' also featured in Peter Guralnick's 1999 bio, Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley, which has always been a go-to reference for me, and from memory he did cite Jerry Hopkins' book as one of his reference points, although he did a huge number of interviews himself.
I'd subsequently read on elvisconcerts.com, another great resource, that there was, in fact, only one, but the perception that there was supposedly a second suit certainly made sense given that it was worn just about every night, with only a couple of exceptions, in the final tours. The laundry schedule must have been a nightmare on tour! The Chrysler Building influence is also fascinating, I'll have a closer look.
It's great to get the additional verified factual context here that you have provided, there could obviously be no better source than Gene Doucette himself. Thank you for reading, and for taking the time to comment in such helpful detail.
That's a good in-depth look at Elvis' world at the point where it came to an end. The only problem that stood out was the reference to the Mexican Sundial jumpsuit, where the caption said "There were apparently two identical versions of this suit." I think that myth started with the Jerry Hopkins book ''Elvis: The Final Years'' which incorrectly stated that there were two identical suits. While talking about the CBS TV special, the book stated that Elvis alternated between them as he wore one while the other was being cleaned. Understandably, that detail got passed on by readers to the point that it it was believed by many fans, even some who consider themselves 'jumpsuit junkies.' It turns out that it was incorrect. Gene Doucette, the tailor responsible for the styling of all of Elvis' wardrobe (both onstage and streetwear) was quite explicit about only ever having made one such jumpsuit in a YouTube video. As well as the Mayan Calendar design, he incorporated the art deco shape of the top of New York's Chrysler Building into the embroidery on either side of the bell bottom kick pleats.
In every other respect, this article is a great summary in your broader look at each phase of his life.
Great information about the suit, the reference to 'two versions' also featured in Peter Guralnick's 1999 bio, Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley, which has always been a go-to reference for me, and from memory he did cite Jerry Hopkins' book as one of his reference points, although he did a huge number of interviews himself.
I'd subsequently read on elvisconcerts.com, another great resource, that there was, in fact, only one, but the perception that there was supposedly a second suit certainly made sense given that it was worn just about every night, with only a couple of exceptions, in the final tours. The laundry schedule must have been a nightmare on tour! The Chrysler Building influence is also fascinating, I'll have a closer look.
It's great to get the additional verified factual context here that you have provided, there could obviously be no better source than Gene Doucette himself. Thank you for reading, and for taking the time to comment in such helpful detail.