LARRY GELLER: ELVIS PRESLEY'S HAIR STYLIST, SPIRITUAL ADVISOR, AND SOUL MATE

When it came to matters of the spirit and good looks, Elvis Presley's confidant and cherished hair stylist, Larry Geller, was there. He was responsible for the King's iconic hair styles, and moreover, became Elvis's spiritual advisor, jumping aboard Elvis's collective of friends, employees, associates, and family, known as the Memphis Mafia. Larry was also the last person to touch the sacred body of Elvis Presley.

Opening the first all Men's hair salon with famous Hollywood hair-stylist Jay Sebring, Larry's clientele comprised of the most handsome and iconic men in show business;  Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, Sammy Davis Jr, Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, Sam Cooke, Glen Campbell, Tony Bennett, Jackie Gleason, Rock Hudson, Roy Orbison, Peter Sellers, and of course the one client that made Larry's career go gold in April of '64, Elvis Aaron Presley.

Put aside the iconic image of Elvis Presley, and what you have is a mortal man. A man with great
charisma, bold aspirations, personal struggles, vices, fears, and a determination to give love and happiness through the legacy that he manifested. He was the embodiment of the American Dream- success, fame, fortune, security and comfort; However, within the excesses that came from those highs, Elvis also symbolizes the disembodiment of the American dream- the fallacies that emerged from the riches and fame, and the pressures of holding up his legacy and the marvel he represented to his fans. 

In this conversation, Larry shares some of his most intimate and humble stories about his friendship with Elvis. He takes us into Elvis's psyche in those last 10 years of his life as he persevered to keep the image in tact, all the while searching for spiritual enlightenment, and rethinking his career, amidst marital issues, health concerns, and destructive vices. 

Also discussed is,  Elvis's thoughts on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr and how the civil rights movement played out in his hometown, a meeting with James Brown, and why Elvis downplayed his title as the "King Of Rock and Roll

There aren't too many people still alive who knew Elvis on a personal level. Although Elvis and Larry's relation may have been concerning for some of the others in the Elvis entourage, Elvis confided in Larry to help him find himself and connect with a sense of spirit, to perhaps fill a void in Elvis's life. Larry Geller is keeping the legacy alive and understood, and more than anyone bringing us a little closer to Elvis Presley.

Elvis & Larry/ Oahu '77

Thankfully, this interview doesn't at all offer any tabloid related content or speculation. There are no questions about illegitimate children, Foul play, paranormal, family or explotive questions about Elvis's personal life or image -all the things Americans consider "news" these days. Gossip and Tabloid media culture can be coined as the pallbearers to the legend of Elvis Presley as still today Tabloid media implements itself as news, which has depreciated the value and dialogue of the American people

A big warm thanks to Boston-based hairstylist/guitarist of the band Loretta, Francesca Colvario , for asking the right questions and helping to make this interview matter.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN GRACELAND: ELVIS PRESLEY'S HAIR STYLIST, SPIRITUAL ADVISOR, AND SOUL MATE, LARRY GELLER