Raymond Moody is mostly known for his books on
near-death experiences, most notably "Life after life". In
"Elvis after life", he investigates paranormal activities associated
with the death of Elvis Presley.
Since Elvis was a famous performer and living legend, it's not really surprising that a cult following evolved around him, especially since he died relatively young. (Other celebrities who got a near-religious cult following after their untimely deaths include Princess Diana and assassinated US president John F. Kennedy.) Despite this, the Elvis phenomenon is somehow considered too ridiculous to take really seriously, and is often lampooned in comic shows. It's the stuff National Enquirer is made of. As usual, Moody has a more open-minded attitude and decides to follow the trail.
Interestingly, "Elvis after life" is a very sceptical book compared to Moody's other works. Perhaps it was written or researched during a period when Moody still wasn't sure about what to believe. Perhaps he really is a sceptic when it comes to Elvis sightings. Judging by his other published works, Moody does believe in the immortality of the soul, the ability to contact deceased relatives, etc. His former assistant, Dannion Brinkley, is something of a New Age prophet. But for whatever reason, Moody chose not to believe the Elvis stories. Still, "Elvis after life" is interesting reading.
Moody has interviewed people who had vivid dreams foretelling the death of Elvis. A casual friend of Elvis saw his apparition or "ghost" shortly before hearing the news of Elvis' death. Elvis has also appeared in near-death or out-of-body experiences. An elusive truck driver eventually admits to Moody that he picked up the ghost of Elvis Presley just outside Memphis! There is also the story of a haunted jacket which once belonged to Elvis, and another story of a father who found his lost son in LA after being tipped off by a mysterious "police officer" who turned out to be the spirit of the deceased pop singer. Moody also mentions the rumours about Elvis still being alive (the book was published in 1989), including the furor around Orion, another pop singer many suspected of being Elvis himself.
What I found most fascinating was the strong impact Elvis had on his fans, an impact that lasted a lifetime for many of them, and the almost hysterical reactions when people heard about his death. People who worked called it a day upon hearing the news, others broke down or immediately left for Memphis. Moody retells a story about a diner where two of the guests, who disliked Elvis, were physically attacked by the others, and eventually had to flee! Many simply refused to believe that Elvis was dead, which explains the strong reactions to Orion, who sounded like Elvis Presley and was wearing a mask (his manager, when interviewed by Moody, denies that Orion consciously attempted to mimic the deceased performer, but other sources tell a different story).
Although the author eventually decided to remain sceptical, he nevertheless treats the people he talked to with a great deal of respect and open-mindedness. "Elvis after life" can therefore be read by both sceptics and "true believers". The book is essentially a collection of anecdotes, although interesting ones. There is very little analysis over and above the trivial. Yet, the book does give a relatively good, and even somewhat shocking, overview of the Elvis subculture and the almost religious reverence shown to The King.
Recommended.
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