FBI Files: Part 1 of 12

(Source: https://vault.fbi.gov/Elvis%20Presley%20, released 12/06/2010)

This is the first set of papers released from the FBI vault that involve Elvis and is probably the most interesting.

Though Elvis wasn’t actually investigated by the FBI, he appears in several of their files, covering the years 1956-1980. These files contain information regarding extortion attempts that targeted Elvis (which were investigated by the FBI), correspondence from members of the public expressing concern over Elvis’ stage performances and music (which make fascinating reading towards the end of the PDF file!), as well as letters related to Elvis’ wish to meet J. Edgar Hoover, the first Director of the FBI.

In total, there are 663 pages of documents. This first set contains 51 pages.


Selected Highlights

U.S. Govt. Memo
To: Mr Bishop
From: M.A. Jones
Date: 12/30/70

Presley’s sincerity and good intentions notwithstanding he is certainly not the type of individual whom the Director would wish to meet. It is noted at the present time he is wearing his hair down to his shoulders and indulges in the wearing of all sorts of exotic dress.

(PDF page 6, my emphasis)


U.S. Govt. Memo
To: Mr Bishop
From: M.A. Jones
Date: 01/04/71

Presley indicated that he is of the opinion that the Beatles laid the ground work for many of the problems we are having with young people by their filthy unkempt appearances and suggestive music while entertaining in this country during the early and middle 1960’s. He advised that . . . Jane Fonda, and other persons on the entertainment industry of their ilk have a lot to answer for in the hereafter for the way they have poisoned young minds by disparaging the United States in their public statements and unsavory activities.

(PDF page 9, my emphasis. This comment is particularly ironic in light of the deep concerns expressed over Elvis’ own performances further on in the PDF!)

Presley did give the impression of being a sincere, young man who is conscious of the many problems confronting this country. In view of his unique position in the entertainment business, his favorable comments concerning the Director and the Bureau, and his offer to be of assistance as well as the fact that he has been recognized by the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the President, it is felt that a letter from the Director would be in order.

(PDF page 10)


Letter from the La Crosse Register (Official Newspaper of the Diocese of La Crosse) to J. Edgar Hoover
May 16, 1955
The Most Rev. John P. Treacy D.D.

. . . eye-witnesses have told me that Presley’s actions and motions were such as to rouse the sexual passions of teenaged youth. One eye-witness described his actions as “sexual self-gratification on the stage,” – another as “a strip-tease with clothes on.” . . . It is known by psychologists, psychiatrists and priests that teenaged girls from the age of eleven, and boys in their adolescence are easily aroused to sexual indulgence and perversion by certain types of motions and hysteria, — the type that was exhibited at the Presley show.

. . .

From eye-witness reports about Presley, I would judge that he may possibly be both a drug addict and a sexual pervert . . .

(PDF pages 35 & 36)


FBI Files Part 01

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