Elvis: His Love for Gospel Music and J D Sumner

J. D. Sumner is beloved among gospel music fans for his bass voice and sense of humour, and Elvis Presley was one of his biggest fans. J. D. and the Stamps Quartet toured and recorded with Elvis from 1972 until the end in 1977. This book is full of fun stories about those years, and the friendship the two singers had. It is not an Elvis biography, many writers have done that elsewhere, just a collection of reminiscenses from one of Elvis' closest friends. It becomes clear early in the book how much Elvis idolized J. D., always referring to him as "Mr. Sumner", even though there was only a few years separating them age-wise. After concerts, Elvis would invite the Stamps up to his suite to sing gospel all night. Gospel was his first love, musically, and he liked to feature the Stamps in his shows regularly (singing "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" or "Why Me Lord"). It might surprise some fans to read that, yes, Elvis was a Christian, especially when we've been inundated with tabloid type tales about Elvis' later years. J. D. was there, he knew what the man was really like, not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, just a believer struggling to live out his life the way he should. Although J. D. has passed on, I'm confident he and his friend Elvis are singing together together again, singing praises to the King.

You've read about Elvis' love of Southern Gospel music. This book tells how The Stamps Quartet and others came to be a part of the excitement we knew as "Elvis". It tells of the ups and downs of travelling. the business end of things, the generosity of Elvis Presley. You'll gain knowledge from this book and you'll be glad you have it. I too am glad, but mine is signed to me by Mr J.D. Sumner. You'll see pictures of the Stamps Qt and Elvis, the Stamps tour bus with TCB on the side. Even a picture of the check Elvis signed, to J.D Sumner, as a down payment on the tour bus. Add this to your collection, you'll be glad you did.