The Elvis Trail [Radio 2 Elvis Season]

First stop is the town where Elvis was born, shortly before dawn, on 8 January 1935 - Tupelo in Mississippi. Michael visits the birthplace museum where director, Dick Guyton, guides us around the two-room shack built the year before Elvis' birth, by his father Vernon and grandfather Jesse. Whilst here, Michael chats to some of the visitors and marvels at their loyalty and devotion to the King, as many of them return year after year like pilgrims to a shrine. The religious imagery recurs throughout this trip.

Moving on from the house, Michael visits the tiny but beautiful First Assembly of God church where Elvis sang as a boy. Helping to tell the story of his early years are several of his school friends; Guy Thomas Harris, James Ausborn, Azalia Moore and a cousin, Sybil Presley; whilst Steve Holland, a member of the local assembly, provides some economic and political context.

James Ausborn, a special friend of Elvis' and brother of Mississippi Slim, the musician and local DJ who promoted Presley's career, takes Michael to Johnnie's Drive-In, to see where Elvis sat and ate his burgers and drank his special Royal Cola. Later, on the 'right' side of the tracks in Tupelo, Michael meets genealogist Julien Riley, who tells us that Elvis was actually not a Presley but a Wallace, with links back to Scotland!

At one of Elvis' schools in Tupelo, Milam High, Michael meets up with several more of his friends, including psychiatrist Billy Welch who used to sing with the King at school, and harmonica player Jimmy Gault. At the Elvis Presley Heights Museum, the trail leads to Bill and Linda Kinard, who've amassed a good deal of Presley memorabilia, including the famous pink Cadillac.

Whilst there, Michael talks to the policeman who was on duty the night Elvis made a legendary home performance in front of a near 'riot' of Tupelo girls; Presley cousins, Charlene Presley and Edie Hand; collector Joyce Logan; and DJ Charlie Watts, who interviewed Gladys and Vernon Presely and Elvis himself. Extracts from these interviews are included, the interview with Gladys being the only known example of her recorded voice. Charlene later takes Michael out to Priceville Cemetery where Elvis' stillborn twin brother Jesse Garon is buried at a secret location.

At Lawhorn school Michael talks to school friends Don Winders and Shirley Gillentine, who won a talent competition, knocking Elvis into fourth place! At the local cinema, Elvis's black friend Sam Bell explains how they used to go to the movies, but in segregated seats, and how Elvis would sneak over into the black section to sit with Sam.

The visit to Tupelo ends next week, at the famous hardware store where Elvis was bought his first guitar; and the store is exactly as it was in 1945.

Michael Freedland follows the life of Elvis Presley, starting at his birthplace.

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the life of Elvis Presley

First stop is the town where Elvis was born, shortly before dawn, on 8 January 1935 - Tupelo in Mississippi. Michael visits the birthplace museum where director, Dick Guyton, guides us around the two-room shack built the year before Elvis' birth, by his father Vernon and grandfather Jesse. Whilst here, Michael chats to some of the visitors and marvels at their loyalty and devotion to the King, as many of them return year after year like pilgrims to a shrine. The religious imagery recurs throughout this trip.

Moving on from the house, Michael visits the tiny but beautiful First Assembly of God church where Elvis sang as a boy. Helping to tell the story of his early years are several of his school friends; Guy Thomas Harris, James Ausborn, Azalia Moore and a cousin, Sybil Presley; whilst Steve Holland, a member of the local assembly, provides some economic and political context.

James Ausborn, a special friend of Elvis' and brother of Mississippi Slim, the musician and local DJ who promoted Presley's career, takes Michael to Johnnie's Drive-In, to see where Elvis sat and ate his burgers and drank his special Royal Cola. Later, on the 'right' side of the tracks in Tupelo, Michael meets genealogist Julien Riley, who tells us that Elvis was actually not a Presley but a Wallace, with links back to Scotland!

At one of Elvis' schools in Tupelo, Milam High, Michael meets up with several more of his friends, including psychiatrist Billy Welch who used to sing with the King at school, and harmonica player Jimmy Gault. At the Elvis Presley Heights Museum, the trail leads to Bill and Linda Kinard, who've amassed a good deal of Presley memorabilia, including the famous pink Cadillac.

Whilst there, Michael talks to the policeman who was on duty the night Elvis made a legendary home performance in front of a near 'riot' of Tupelo girls; Presley cousins, Charlene Presley and Edie Hand; collector Joyce Logan; and DJ Charlie Watts, who interviewed Gladys and Vernon Presely and Elvis himself. Extracts from these interviews are included, the interview with Gladys being the only known example of her recorded voice. Charlene later takes Michael out to Priceville Cemetery where Elvis' stillborn twin brother Jesse Garon is buried at a secret location.

At Lawhorn school Michael talks to school friends Don Winders and Shirley Gillentine, who won a talent competition, knocking Elvis into fourth place! At the local cinema, Elvis's black friend Sam Bell explains how they used to go to the movies, but in segregated seats, and how Elvis would sneak over into the black section to sit with Sam.

The visit to Tupelo ends at the famous hardware store where Elvis was bought his first guitar; and the store is exactly as it was in 1945.

Michael Freedland explores Elvis Presley's birthplace of Tupelo.

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the life of Elvis Presley

Here Michael not only visits the world famous Graceland - how could he not?! - but he also tours the iconic Sun studios. He talks to the hit songwriter Stan Kesler; Elvis's great friend, former DJ George Klein; and movie co-star, Susanna Leigh. In the renowned Peabody Hotel, Michael meets the tailor Bernard Lansky - now 82 years old - who was responsible for Elvis's taste in sharp and original clothing at an early age.

Perhaps the highlight of the Memphis trip though, is the visit to the Lauderdale Courts, the housing project where Elvis lived with his family when they were beginning to escape from the grinding poverty they had experienced in Tupelo. There Michael meets a whole bunch of Elvis's friends: Jerry and Neil Niker, Fred Frederick, bassist Bill Black's brother Ken, Blanche Jordan Scott, Gene West, Jack Berelson, and special friend Buzzy Forbess. Many of these people still meet regularly to talk over old times and keep up with each other all these years later.

Other contributors include Graceland cook, Nancy Rooks, who tells of late night chats with Elvis on religious matters; Mike Freeman who talks to Michael about Elvis's first house in Audubon drive; school friend Gene Bradberry, businessman Bill Haltom whose father was Elvis's pastor; Buddy Chapman, the Memphis police director at the time of Presley's death; Elvis's secretary Becky Yancey; Elvis's very special frind and nurse, Marian Cocke; gospel singer Jimmy Blackwood; and, intriguingly in a rare interview, Dr Nichopoulos - Elvis' personal physician Dr Nick.

Michael Freedland continues his journey in Memphis, Tennessee.

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the life of Elvis Presley

Here Michael not only visits the world famous Graceland - how could he not?! - but he also tours the iconic Sun studios. He talks to the hit songwriter Stan Kesler; Elvis's great friend, former DJ George Klein; and movie co-star, Susanna Leigh. In the renowned Peabody Hotel, Michael meets the tailor Bernard Lansky - now 82 years old - who was responsible for Elvis's taste in sharp and original clothing at an early age.

Perhaps the highlight of the Memphis trip though, is the visit to the Lauderdale Courts, the housing project where Elvis lived with his family when they were beginning to escape from the grinding poverty they had experienced in Tupelo. There Michael meets a whole bunch of Elvis's friends: Jerry and Neil Niker, Fred Frederick, bassist Bill Black's brother Ken, Blanche Jordan Scott, Gene West, Jack Berelson, and special friend Buzzy Forbess. Many of these people still meet regularly to talk over old times and keep up with each other all these years later.

Other contributors include Graceland cook, Nancy Rooks, who tells of late night chats with Elvis on religious matters; Mike Freeman who talks to Michael about Elvis's first house in Audubon drive; school friend Gene Bradberry, businessman Bill Haltom whose father was Elvis's pastor; Buddy Chapman, the Memphis police director at the time of Presley's death; Elvis's secretary Becky Yancey; Elvis's very special frind and nurse, Marian Cocke; gospel singer Jimmy Blackwood; and, intriguingly in a rare interview, Dr Nichopoulos - Elvis' personal physician Dr Nick.

Michael Freedland continues his journey in Memphis, Tennessee.

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the life of Elvis Presley

In Nashville, Michael visits the famous RCA Studio B where Presley recorded so many of his famous hits after he'd already hit the big time with Sam Phillips at Sun - tracks like Are you Lonesome Tonight? and It's Now Or Never. At the studio Michael chats to Ray Walker of The Jordanaires (who sang backing vocals on many of Elvis' recordings); singer TG Sheppard; and former girlfriend, Ann Ellington Wagner.

Later on in Nashville, we hear from Million Dollar Quartet producer Cowboy Jack Clement; Ryman Auditorium marketing manager Brian Wagner; Grand Ol' Opry singer Carol Lee Cooper; bodyguard Sonny West; country singer and impersonator Ronnie McDowell. Michael also takes a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Ernest Tubbs Record Store, where Elvis used to appear on the radio show, the Midnight Jamboree.

Michael Freedland continues his journey in Nashville, Tennessee.

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the life of Elvis Presley

In Vegas, Michael takes a tour of the King's Ransom exhibit at the Imperial Palace Hotel, a museum run by Jimmy Velvet. He talks to devoted fan, Vicky Sisler; fan club supremo Sue Land; one of Elvis' Memphis Mafia Joe Esposito, who actually met Elvis out in Germany when they were doing their national service; Linda Thompson's brother Sam, another Presley bodyguard; and jeweller Stuart Small, who has many tales to tell of Elvis' legendary generosity.

In LA, we explore Elvis' film career, talking to co-star Celeste Yarnall; screenwriter Michael Hoey; friend, impersonator and Mafia protege, Jimmy Angel; his hairdresser and spiritual companion, Larry Geller; and former girlfriend Linda Thompson, who speaks candidly of her time with Elvis. Michael also spends an extraordinary evening in the home of one of Presley's songwriters, Don Robertson, who manages to play the piano despite a recent stroke.

What comes out of all these conversations? A truly rich and insightful picture of Elvis the man, and Elvis the singer. A man with a fierce temper but a man with a tremendous respect for people, who 'Yes, Ma'amed' and 'No, Sirred'; a lonely man with a thirst for friendship, companionship; a man who could spend all night on the dodgems but who had an insatiable spiritual desire to find out what his purpose on earth was; a great singer and superstar who yearned for the ordinary things in life; a man of huge generosity, who gave away millions of dollars worth of cars, houses and jewels to friends and often complete strangers; a shy man, a modest man, a man of simple tastes; the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the life of Elvis Presley