THE REBEL & THE KING by NICK ADAMS
An Elvis biography, told by a best friend.
Hello to THE Nick Adams and Elvis Presley fans from around the world!
Nick and Elvis backstage during Tupelo Homecoming Concert, September 26, 1956.
“This is one of the most honest, touching and truthful books I’ve read about Elvis. I had no idea the extent of Nick’s connection to Elvis’ family and hometown. We never hear much about his mother and father. Nick brings them to life. It’s fascinating stuff.”
“The Rebel & The King chronicles Adams’ and Presley’s adventures in Hollywood and eight days in Memphis with youthful exuberance and innocence.”
“An unabashedly adoring glimpse into the life of The King.”
A Friendship Ensues - Nick Adams and Elvis Presley
Still struggling to make his break, the budding star, Nick, met Elvis by happenstance on a movie set, and it was history from there. The two hit it off quickly and both grew into their celebrity statuses together. Nick, who already had high-profile friends such as James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Dennis Hopper throughout his acting career, showed Elvis around Hollywood. Elvis was a huge James Dean fan and, in turn, Elvis kindly invited Nick into his home. Introducing him to his family and Memphis friends.
Nick Adams would later tell the story of meeting Mr. Presley and how their budding friendship ensued. He had nothing but compliments and fun tales of The King and his loved ones. Unfortunately, it was years after both their deaths that the story was discovered by Nick Adams's daughter, Allyson Adams.
The Rebel & The King details Elvis and Nick’s close friendship and whirlwind eight days in Memphis during the famous singer’s Tupelo homecoming in the summer of ’56. Elvis hired Nick to open his concerts and do comedic impersonations of Marlon Brando, James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, and other famous personalities to 50,000 fans. They tore it up.
Several years later, Nick’s own fame would rise when he starred in and co-created the short-lived, iconic Western television series, The Rebel, in 1959-61, featuring Johnny Cash’s famous song “Johnny Yuma.” Allyson was born when both Elvis and Nick were at Paramount.
Possibly the Best Elvis Presley Biography Discovered
Nick Adams was nominated for an Academy Award in 1964 for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a murderer on death row in Twilight of Honor with Richard Chamberlain and Joey Heatherton. He appeared in film classics Rebel Without a Cause, Mister Roberts, Picnic, Pillow Talk, and No Time for Sergeants, as well as thirty other films. Then came the Japanese Godzilla sci-fi cult movies, Monster Zero, Frankenstein Meets the Outer Space Monster, and Boris Karloff’s horror movie, Die Monster Die.
The Rebel & The King is a historical document as if Nick and Elvis are speaking from the grave. The book reveals the light side of a sometimes dark legacy. The Rebel and The King would both die young, but they managed to stir it up before leaving us too soon. Enjoy the ride. It’s how they would have wanted it.
A Book to be added to any collection of Elvis memorabilia, you can pick up your copy of The Rebel and the King (Expanded Version) on Amazon here: “The Rebel and the King by Nick Adams” to read all about Elvis and Nick’s friendships and their rock and roll time.
By the time Elvis Presley made it to Hollywood in 1956, he was already a well-known name. Many heard about his appearances and friendships through news articles and grapevines, but few retell the story in the heat of the moment as Oscar-Nominated Actor Nick Adams did.
“A new book gives an in-depth look at life as Elvis’ good friend. It is a behind the scenes look at the friendship and bond shared with The King of Rock-n-Roll. ”
Nick and Elvis at Paramount. Nick first met The King when he introduced himself during a filming, the two quickly became friends, a friendship that was uniquely detailed in a manuscript Allyson Adams, his daughter, discovered after his death. That is how a different type of Elvis Biography, The Rebel and the King, came to be.
Please contact us if you would like to purchase an autographed copy by Allyson Adams of First Edition The Rebel & The King that includes the original Nick Adams manuscript and a complimentary Nick and Elvis photo.
Thank you to everyone who keeps making this journey an adventure. Most of all here’s to The King, Elvis!
