拍品 150
150
Elvis Presley

细节
Elvis Presley
An arch top acoustic guitar in a red sunburst finish, laminated single cutaway body with cream binding, arched top with bound 'f' holes, twenty fret rosewood fingerboard with block inlays, adjustable wooden bridge and metal tailpiece with Made In Germany impressed at the base, signed and inscribed on the body in blue biro by Presley To "Bob" Robert, Don't try too hard, thanks from Elvis Presley "1959", additionally signed on the back by Elvis, his father Vernon Presley and Lamar Fike; accompanied by a letter stating that the guitar came from Germany where the original owner Robert Allison, a fellow soldier was posted between 1957-1963, he met Elvis for the first time during winter manoeuvers around Grafenwöhr, in 1959, Allison ...invited Elvis to a party.... in Frankfurt near the AFN radio station, much to his surprize Elvis turned up with his father Vernon and a friend Lamar Fike, during the evening ...Elvis was asked to play a couple of songs which he had to deny because of contractual restrictions. Much to everybody's delight later that evening Elvis changed his mind so this red and black guitar was handed over to him as far as Allison recalls .."Love Me Tender" and "Don't Be Cruel" were among the songs he played on that occasion. Just before Elvis left the party he signed the guitar... 1p. (2)
出版
SCHRÖER, Andy Private Elvis - Elvis in Germany - The Missing Years, London: Boxtree, 1993, pp.30-31, 115-116
更多详情
See front cover? and colour illustration p.

拍品专文

When Elvis was posted to Germany he took his father, Vernon, with him, his grandmother Minnie "Dodger" Mae and friends Red West and Lamar Fike. Lamar Fike was a fan from the early days ...The huge Texan, Lamar Fike...had wangled an introduction to Elvis after a concert, [and] won his heart with his natural good-humour, and eventually became the "Court Jester" of Elvis' entourage. So devoted was Fike, he even tried to enlist at Local Board 86, Memphis, Tennessee, the day Elvis was formally inducted there, but he was rejected because of his weight, approx. 300 pounds. Elvis subsequently invited Fike to come to Germany with Minnie Mae, Vernon and Red West...

Presley rarely performed in public whilst in Germany due to contractual restrictions. He apparently refused to sing for the army generals, however he did occassionally perform for his fellow soldiers. On one occasion for instance he produced and directed a live review whilst on board the USS General Randall, he did not actually sing during this performance but played guitar and piano. Apart from private performances such as this Presley remained resolutely determined not to perform officially until he left the army in March 1960. This guitar is believed to be one of the few instruments used by Elvis in a private performance in Germany during his period with the army.