Apart from being the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley was a passionate music lover with tastes as varied as his career.
His personal record collection, meticulously catalogued at Graceland, holds over 2,000 albums and singles, and was summarised on a 2004 issue of the British Record Collector magazine, revealing a deeper side to Elvis, one that reflected his love for gospel harmonies, soulful ballads, and powerful voices.
While Elvis himself became a global sensation with his blend of gospel, blues, country, and rock, his listening preferences were surprisingly personal. Gospel music, in particular, was one of his true loves.
Friends and family recall how Elvis often gathered them at Graceland to listen to records by his favourite gospel quartets like the Harmonizing Four and the Golden Gate Quartet. Jake Hess, lead singer of the Statesmen Quartet and later the Imperials, was one of his biggest inspirations. “He loved close harmony,” said Red West, a longtime friend and member of the Memphis Mafia.
His devotion to gospel wasn’t limited to a single style. The Blackwood Brothers, the Stamps Quartet, and the Jubil-Aires were all well represented in his collection. He even collaborated with the Imperials as backup singers during his later Las Vegas performances.
Beyond gospel, Elvis had a deep appreciation for soul and rhythm and blues. His all-time favourite singers included Roy Hamilton and Jackie Wilson. Hamilton’s powerful baritone and songs like Unchained Melody were so influential that Elvis later recorded his own haunting version of the track.
Jackie Wilson’s energy and charisma on stage also left a lasting impact on Elvis’s style, with songs like Night and Lonely Teardrops becoming staples of his personal playlist.
Country music also played a significant role in Elvis’s life. His collection featured legends like Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, and Bobbie Gentry, whose Ode to Billie Joe became a favourite.
Dean Martin was another standout. Although Elvis owned several Frank Sinatra records, it was Martin’s laid-back, crooning style that won him over. Songs from Martin’s Dino: Italian Love Songs were frequently played at Graceland.
While Elvis was known as a rock pioneer, rock bands were surprisingly sparse in his collection. He owned only a few Beatles albums, along with records by Chicago and The Turtles. His friends say he preferred solo artists with big voices rather than groups.
One major exception was Tom Jones, who became a close friend. Elvis admired Jones’s voice and often called Memphis radio stations to request his version of Green, Green Grass of Home. The two spent time together backstage in Las Vegas, sharing a mutual appreciation for each other’s work.
Female singers had a more limited presence in his collection, though some stood out. Anne Murray was one of his favourites, admired for her “clear and distinctive voice.” Mahalia Jackson’s gospel recordings were also a staple, alongside tracks by Dionne Warwick, Bobbie Gentry, and his former backup group, The Sweet Inspirations.
Elvis’s collection even included some unexpected choices. He owned several comedy albums, including The First Family by Vaughn Meader and Laugh…Live! by Jonathan Winters. David Cassidy records were also part of his collection, likely bought for Lisa Marie. Classical music was represented too, with works by Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms sitting next to albums by Dean Martin and the Ink Spots.
Among the collection’s rare gems was Ballads of The King (Songs of Elvis Presley) by the Johnny Mann Singers. And yes, Elvis owned several of his own releases, including Elvis Is Back and A Date with Elvis, and they were reportedly well-worn – a sign that even the King couldn’t resist revisiting his greatest hits.