Elvis Monthly Magazine

Elvis Monthly was a fan magazine dedicated to Elvis Presley, which ran for over 40 years until 2003, making it one of the longest-running Elvis fan publications in history. Here’s a brief overview of its history and significance.

1960s launch and early years

Elvis Monthly was first published in 1960 by Albert Hand, a passionate Elvis fan and music promoter from the UK. The magazine was created as a way for Elvis fans to stay updated on his life, career, and latest news at a time when fan communication was limited to print.

The magazine quickly gained popularity, offering fans exclusive photos, interviews, song lyrics, and news about Elvis’s films, concerts, and records.

Magazine content and format

The magazine was published monthly, initially in a small pocket-sized format, with each issue featuring around 20 pages of content.

It included fan letters, articles about Elvis’s personal life and career, photos (some of which were rare or exclusive), and reviews of his latest releases or appearances.

Over the years, it became a central hub for Elvis fans, helping to build and sustain his massive fanbase even during quieter periods of his career.

Popularity in the 60s and 70s

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Elvis Monthly was instrumental in keeping fans connected to their idol, especially when Elvis focused on film work or when his live appearances were rare.

As Elvis’s career evolved, the magazine documented every phase, from his post-army comeback to his Las Vegas years, until his untimely death in 1977.

1977 onwards Post-Elvis era

Even after Elvis Presley’s death, Elvis Monthly continued to thrive, shifting its focus to preserving his legacy. It published articles on his influence on music and culture, reissues of his albums, and fan tributes.

The magazine provided an important outlet for fans to reminisce and continue celebrating Elvis’s life and music.

Later years and final issue

By the late 1990s, the magazine’s popularity began to decline, partly due to the rise of the internet, which offered fans easier access to information and photos.
The final issue of Elvis Monthly was published in 2003, marking the end of an era. In total, 537 issues were published, making it one of the longest-running fan magazines in music history.

Legacy

Elvis Monthly is remembered as a cornerstone of Elvis fandom, offering a sense of community to fans during his life and continuing to celebrate his legacy for decades after his passing. The magazine remains a collectible item among Elvis enthusiasts today.

Elvis Monthly played a key role in fostering and maintaining the global Elvis Presley fanbase, offering a dedicated space for fans to celebrate and stay connected to the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”