IIn the early '80s, author Elaine Dundy plunked herself down in Tupelo, talked to everyone who had known Elvis and his family and wrote a beautifully researched biography, Elvis and Gladys.

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If you have the opportunity to visit Graceland, plan to spend the whole day. Sun Records in Memphis and Studio B in Nashville are also well worth visiting.

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In this photo-essay, we look at the forces that shaped Elvis Presley and at the high price he paid for fame and fortune.​