April 09 - Destined to Give, Be Seen and Played

Elvis author, Sally A. Hoedel, has announced the June 1, 2026 release of her third book in her 'Destined to...' series. Focusing on Elvis' generosity to others, the book, titled 'Destined to Give - The Legendary Generosity of Elvis Presley'.

Description: Destined to Give - The Legendary Generosity of Elvis Presley examines the evolution of the King of Rock and Roll’s benevolent giving and the purpose he found by sharing much of his wealth with others. Hoedel explores the roots of that generosity, which was a learned behavior when he was on the receiving end during those early years of poverty in Tupelo. It was there that he witnessed a natural sense of giving rooted in survival.

Fame allowed Elvis Presley to be generous in ways he never could have imagined. However, trust became hard to come by for Elvis. His last personal sense of humanity was felt when helping nameless faces in need. They expected nothing from him and were grateful for the unexpected kindness. Gifting a complete stranger a new car certainly seems like a tale of great myth. Yet, in his final years, those were the moments of Elvis’ truest self-expression – the decent man behind the crown who only wanted to help people.

Elvis Presley had a strong moral compass, but it was difficult to follow at times while in the trenches of fame. The money blinded it. The fame distorted the reality of it. Expectations of those around him and expectations of the entire planet sometimes buried it. However, his values remained, most visibly in the continuous acts of generosity.

Hoedel previously wrote the books 'Destined to Die Young' (2020) and >>> 'Destined to Fly: From Iowa to Elvis The Story of Pilot, Ron Strauss' (2022). 

Destined to be Seen

New color footage of Elvis from May 13, 1956 at the Auditorium in St. Paul, Minnesota has surfaced.

Destined to be Sold

The Hagstrom Viking II electric guitar that Elvis played during his ’68 Comeback Special is headed to auction (again) via Sotheby’s, after selling for US$625,000 in 2021. The guitar, serial #732240, is now expected to fetch between US$1 million and US$2 million.

In fact, that was the only time Presley used this guitar, serial and it has since been in the possession of several private collectors. Between 1998 and 2000, it was also showcased in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“This guitar became a symbol of Elvis’ legendary comeback,” comments Craig Inciardi, Sotheby’s Music and Pop Culture Specialist. “Guitars have always been central to his image, but seeing Elvis return to the stage after years away, dressed in his iconic black leather outfit and playing this guitar, created one of the most enduring images in rock history. It marked a pivotal moment, reconnecting him with a generation of fans and cementing his status as the King of Rock and Roll.”

This iconic Hagstrom guitar was used by the King himself in the 1968 television special, Singer Presents ... Elvis, commonly referred to as the '68 Comeback Special. Presley played the guitar during full band numbers and seated jam sessions, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Trouble,” and “Guitar Man.” The cover of Presley’s 1969 album From Elvis in Memphis also features a photograph of him playing the guitar.

The '68 Comeback Special was monumental, marking Elvis Presley's return to live performance after a seven-year break during which he had focused largely on film appearances. The most-watched program of the television season, the ’68 Comeback Special sparked a massive resurgence in Elvis’ popularity and revived his singing career, expanding his appeal to younger listeners.

When rehearsals and early filming got underway, a guitar that Presley had brought with him didn’t pop against the bold red and black colors of the set design. Seeking a more visually striking instrument, Steve Binder and producer Bones Howe asked session guitarist Al Casey if Elvis could use his cherry red Hagstrom instead. Casey obliged, and the rest is history.

Bidding for the online auction has just opened today (April 9) and will wrap up on April 23. Furthermore, it will also be on display at Sotheby’s New York Breuer Building between April 13 and April 20.

If you have cash to spare, here is the link to >>> Sotherby's.

Coincidentally, Elvis' “Viva Las Vegas” Gibson Acoustic guitar used by Elvis in the second half of MGM's film "Viva Las Vegas" is also up for auction. It is part of the '2026 April Rock & Roll Auction' from "one-of-a-kind treasures" Backstage Auctions.

Originally two guitars were used during the film's production. The first guitar was damaged when Elvis fell into a pool with it, leading to water damage. This second guitar, stamped with "Elvis Presley" and "MGM" inside, was subsequently used for the remaining scenes. 'Viva Las Vegas' was released by MGM in 1964 and starred Elvis alongside Ann-Margret.

 
The guitar comes with a letter of Provenance from Charlie Hodge & Alan Fortas, both of whom were in the Memphis Mafia.

Note: The guitar shows signs of use, consistent with its function as a film prop and its age. It retains the original stamps that denote its association with Elvis Presley and MGM.

Current Bid $5,500, Bidding closes April 25, 2026. 

Also for sale is an Elvis owned and stage Used Electro Voice RE15 microphone with “Elvis” engraved on the handle. This microphone was personally owned and used by Elvis Presley both on and off stage during the 1970s. It features his name "Elvis" engraved on the handle, marking it as a significant piece of music memorabilia.

The Electro Voice RE15 was a popular microphone during the 1970s, known for its unidirectional dynamic features and clear sound quality. Elvis Presley frequently performed using this model during his live shows and recordings throughout the 1970s, a period marked by his numerous successful Las Vegas residencies and nationwide tours.

Provenance/Authenticity: Letter of Authenticity from Charlie Hodge, Elvis Presley's close friend.

If you have cash to spare, here is the link to >>> Backstage.

(Source: Elvis Presley's Book Discussion Group / Sally A. Hoedel / Guitar World / Rolling Stone / El vis Information Network)