Elvis Presley’s Bible

Elvis Presley became famous for his style of rock and roll, but his past was steeped with singing gospel music. Elvis often sang gospel songs with other musicians after his concerts and considered himself a Christian throughout his life. He owned several Bibles in his lifetime, including one from 1977 that is filled with original notes and markings showing the significance of certain verses for him. Other Bibles, like this one, have only his name on the cover. Elvis’s only Grammy awards were for his gospel music, winning Best Sacred Performance in 1967 and Best Inspirational Performance in 1972 and 1974.

Published in 1970 by Royal Publisher Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. Acquired before 1977 by Pat Hyder, Cowpens, South Carolina;[1] Gifted on February 20, 1977, to Elvis Presley;[2] Gifted on February 21, 1977, to Chris Lacey, South Carolina;[3] Purchased on December 9, 2004, by Gene Albert (Christian Heritage Museum), Hagerstown, Maryland;[4] Purchased in 2010 by Green Collection, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Donated in 2016 to National Christian Foundation (later The Signatry) under the curatorial care of Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC.

Notes: [1] Presentation page of Bible indicates that Pat Hyder presented this Bible to Elvis on February 20, 1977. [2] Certificate of authenticity signed by Chris Lacey (who worked as a security liaison and driver for Elvis Presley on February 20 and 21, 1977) on December 9, 2004; document is provided with object. The certificate includes provenance and states “after the show on February 20, 1977, in Charlotte, Chris spoke to Elvis in his suite. Elvis was sitting down reading this Bible at the time. The following evening Chris was responsible for bringing all of Elvis’s personal belongings and show outfits to the airport. Chris noticed the Bible was not there and realized Elvis had taken it with him to the show. [3] Certificate of authenticity by Chris Lacey states that at the airport after the show on February 21, 1977, “Elvis approached Chris before getting on the plane and handed him this Bible. Elvis said, ‘here is a good book you should read.’ Chris opened it and realized that a fan from SC had given him this Bible. [4] Certificate of authenticity by Chris Lacey states “Chris held on to it until December 9, 2004, at which time he sold it to Gene Albert of Hagerstown, Maryland.”

Selected References:

Steve Green, Jackie Green, and Bill High, This Dangerous Book (Harper Collins, 2017).

Museum of the Bible Publications:

Museum of the Bible, Museum of the Bible Curriculum: Genesis to Ruth, vol. 1 (Museum of the Bible and Compedia Software & Hardware Ltd., 2016–2017), 2.

Music and the Bible