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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Dalya Alberge

Elvis was a devout Christian who prayed before shows, reveals stepbrother

Elvis Presley performing on his comeback TV special in 1968.
Elvis Presley performing on his comeback TV special in 1968. Photograph: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

While his fans worshipped him as a rock’n’roll deity, Elvis Presley would say a prayer before going on stage, reading the Bible and looking to God for guidance in everything he did, his stepbrother has recalled.

“When we saw him bow his head, then we knew,” Billy Stanley, who also worked for the singer, told the Observer, noting that Presley did not recite the prayer aloud. “It was probably about 15 seconds long. I asked him once, ‘Why do you say the prayer before?’ He said: ‘It kind of settles my nerves but also I want God to help bless this concert, so make it a good one.’ He always turned to God whenever he needed help.”

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