Elvis ‘Federal Agent at Large’ April 22, 2011
Posted by irishelectionliterature in History, Music.Tags: Elvis Presley
trackback
It’s the anniversary of Richard Nixon’s death today…..
A letter written to him by Elvis Presley in 1970 requesting to become a “Federal Agent at Large”. Amongst other things we read that Elvis had ” done an in-depth study of drug abuse and Communist brainwashing techniques …”
After handing in the letter, Elvis got to meet Nixon that afternoon, however he wasn’t made a “Federal Agent at Large”.
Dear Mr. President:
First, I would like to introduce myself. I am Elvis Presley and admire you and have great respect for your office. I talked to Vice President Agnew in Palm Springs three weeks ago and expressed my concerns for our country. The drug culture, the hippie elements, the SDS, Black Panthers, etc. do not consider me as their enemy or as they call it, the establishment. I call it America and I love it. Sir, I can and will be of any service that I can to help the country out. I have no concerns or motives other than helping the country out. So, I wish not to be given a title or an appointed position. I can and will do more good if I were made a Federal Agent at Large and I will help out by doing it my way through communications with people of all ages. First and foremost, I am an entertainer, but all I need is the Federal credentials. I am on the plane with Senator George Murphy and we have been discussing the problems that our country is faced with.
Sir, I am staying at the Washington Hotel, Room 505-506-507. I have two men who work with me by the name of Jerry Schilling and Sonny West. I am registered under the name of Jon Burrows. I will be here for as long as it takes to get the credentials of a Federal Agent. I have done an in-depth study of drug abuse and Communist brainwashing techniques and I am right in the middle of the whole thing I can and will do the most good.
I am glad to help just so long as it is kept very private. You can have your staff or whomever call me anytime today, tonight or tomorrow. I was nominated this coming year one of America’s Ten Most Outstanding Young Man. That will be in January 18 in my home town of Memphis, Tennessee. I am sending you a short autobiography about myself so you can better understand this approach. I would love to meet you just to say hello if you’re not too busy.
Respectfully,
Elvis Presley
P.S. I believe that you, Sir, were one of the Top Ten Outstanding Men of America Also.
I have a personal gift for you which I would like to present to you and you can accept it or I will keep it for you until you can take it.
Given he was taking up 3 rooms all by himself at the Washington Hotel – I think he (+ his mix of prescribed medication) got the word order mixed up – should read ‘Large Federal Agent’
(Not an entirely accurate gag, I fear – as isn’t this from around the time of the Vegas comeback special – before his weight started ballooning again in the early 70s ??)
Hunter S. Thompson’s obituary of RMN here:
http://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/unbound/graffiti/crook.htm
Reminds me of my own feelings on the passing of Charles Haughey.
As part of my out-of-the-box approach to job seeking, I recently offered to become an agent at large for the ECB, citing my extensive experience of mind-bending fantasy economics and creeping socialism for corporations. They didn’t even have the decency to reply.
Ingrates.
Well, I think it’s fair to say he had done an in- depth study of drug use, albeit on a bit less of a theoretical nature than would be ideal in a federal agent
Happy Easter all !