The world remembers Elvis Presley as the undisputed King of Rock’n’Roll, a cultural icon whose swiveling hips and electrifying performances changed music forever. Yet, sixty years after a young, unknown 19-year-old recorded his first single, “That’s All Right (Mama)”, another side of Elvis continues to resonate deeply: his profound religious faith and his powerful gospel recordings. While stories of his later years often focus on excess, the man behind the legend was deeply spiritual, a journey powerfully expressed when Elvis Singing How Great Thou Art earned him his first Grammy Award.
Elvis Presley looking contemplative
The Roots of Faith in the King’s Music
Elvis’s connection to faith wasn’t a late-life development; it was woven into the fabric of his upbringing. His Pentecostal childhood profoundly shaped his musical sensibilities. The energy and style of his Southern church experiences bled into his secular rock’n’roll hits, but his dedication to gospel music remained a constant throughout his career. Jerry Schilling, a close confidant within Elvis’s “Memphis Mafia,” revealed that Presley often found solace escaping to a piano, singing gospel songs and old spirituals for hours.
His gospel recordings achieved significant popularity, spanning his career from early hits like “Peace in the Valley” and “Run On” to later powerful renditions such as “I Got Confidence” and “Amazing Grace”. It was his stirring version of “How Great Thou Art,” however, that brought him mainstream recognition for his sacred music, securing his first Grammy. He would go on to win two more Grammys, both for his gospel work. “I know practically every religious song that’s ever been written,” Elvis once proudly stated.
Elvis Presley praying backstage before a performance
More Than Just Songs: A Life Guided by Belief
For Elvis, faith extended far beyond the recording studio. Friends attested to his deep knowledge of the Bible, claiming he knew it better than many ministers. During difficult times, he reportedly turned to the Scriptures for comfort and grace, often leaving his Bible open to 1 Corinthians 13, St. Paul’s discourse on love. Prayer was also integral to his routine; he insisted on praying with his band before every concert.
His faith manifested in tangible ways. He was known for spending time comforting friends in need and gave generously to various charities. This spiritual depth wasn’t lost on those around him. Ray Walker of The Jordanaires, the quartet that frequently backed Elvis, observed, “He was a deeply spiritual man; he was more spiritual than anyone around him.” Jason Freeman of Memphis’s Legendary Sun Studio echoed this sentiment: “He wasn’t faking it, and people can tell that. He was very spiritual, and that attracted a lot of people to him.”
Elvis Presley depicted in a moment of prayer
A Higher Purpose: Music and Ministry
By the mid-1960s, Elvis felt he had a dual purpose: to bring happiness through his music and to serve a higher calling for God. He later expressed this higher purpose as showing his fans the truth of Christianity and the peace it brought him. His faith was a source of immense personal strength. Charles R. Wilson of the University of Mississippi suggests, “His religious faith told him ‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so’… so his faith gave him much inspiration.”
Stained glass window featuring Elvis Presley at the Hard Rock Cafe
Ironically, a quasi-religion has sprung up around Elvis, sometimes dubbed “Elvism” or the “Presleyterian church,” with Graceland as its “holy land.” This level of adoration is likely far removed from what Elvis himself would have wanted. His friend, gospel legend J.D. Sumner, recounted an incident in Las Vegas where a fan presented Elvis with a crown, calling him “the king.” Elvis gently corrected her: “No, honey, I’m not the king. Christ is the king. I’m just a singer.”
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Faith
Just hours before his death, Elvis was heard reciting a Christian prayer of repentance, seeking guidance. While his life was marked by immense fame and personal struggles, his deep-seated faith remained a constant anchor. The power and sincerity evident when hearing Elvis Singing How Great Thou Art serve as a potent reminder of this vital aspect of his identity. Beyond the rock’n’roll icon, Elvis Presley was a man on a spiritual journey, whose gospel music continues to inspire and uplift audiences worldwide, revealing the heart of the man behind the King.
