Govinda Gallery

Alfred Wertheimer’s new book Elvis and the Birth of Rock and Roll is a ‘tour de force’. Published by Taschen, it is being launched next week in Los Angeles and the following week in New York City. Taschen is an extraordinary publisher and Elvis and the Birth of Rock and Roll is the ultimate presentation in book form of Alfred Wertheimer’s photographs of Elvis Presley in 1956.

It is my honor to be the editor of Elvis and the Birth of Rock and Roll and to have contributed an essay to the book. As part of the celebration of the release of Alfred Wertheimer’s monumental publication I present here for the first time rare footage of your humble editor circa 1956, imitating Elvis Presley, for your pleasure and amusement.

Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” featuring Chris Murray from Chris Murray on Vimeo.

Next week in Los Angeles on May 1st the Grammy Museum will host Alfred Wertheimer for a discussion of his new book along with Bob Santelli, the Director of the Grammy Museum, and myself at 7:00 p.m. On May 2nd the Beverly Hills Taschen store will host Alfred Wertheimer, who will be inscribing the limited edition book for collectors from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. On May 9th the New York Taschen store will launch Elvis and the Birth of Rock and Roll with Alfred Wertheimer in attendance, also from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.