Elvis Presley’s final tour bodyguard has revealed why the legendary musician ‘didn’t like to be touched’ and his negative feelings towards women at the time.
Dubbed as the ‘King of Rock n Roll,’ Elvis was the heartthrob of the 1950s, captivating the hearts of many women.
Despite his immense popularity, the Jailhouse Rock icon led a challenging life under the public eye.
Ted Pryor, who authored a book about his experiences as Elvis’ bodyguard, has recently shared insights into the singer’s lifestyle during his last tour, highlighting his aversion to being ‘touched’.
During the period preceding his death in 1977, Pryor ensured Elvis’s safety while the star reportedly endured significant pain.
A super middleweight kickboxing champion, Pryor joined the Presley team due to Elvis’ interest in martial arts.
In an interview with Fox News, Pryor mentioned: “Elvis, when he was younger in the service, he learned a little bit of martial arts, and he was infatuated with it.
“Getting to bodyguard for ‘the King’ was pretty exciting for me.”
During his final tour, Elvis faced public and media scrutiny over his weight gain.
“He was really heavy,” Pryor remarked.
Pryor also offered an explanation for why Elvis disliked being touched.
“Elvis was at a point where he was so heavy he didn’t like to be touched, because he was constantly perspiring and hot,” he explained.
Regarding why Elvis embarked on the final tour, Pryor revealed: “Unfortunately, no one knew it then, but he was broke.
“He had to start touring, because his manager gambled his money away.”
Despite his difficulties, Pryor cherished his memories with the star, recalling that Elvis treated his bodyguards ‘really well’.
Having a predominantly female fan base for years, Elvis’s attitude towards women changed later in life, as noted by Pryor.
Pryor explained: “He lost his mom, he lost his wife, and he was sour toward women.”
Elvis’s sudden death on August 16, 1977, due to cardiac arrest, was a shocking event for his family, friends, and fans alike, as they were unprepared for such a loss.
“I think the whole world was shocked when that happened,” Pryor said.