Before becoming a global, iconic superstar, Elvis was just another wide-eyed kid from the South—well, not quite. These rarely seen early photos of The King on tour, at home and in the studio on the eve of superstardom reveal his charisma and ability to captivate people (especially girls). The photos of Elvis at his home in Memphis in just socks and a pair of jeans show a vulnerable view of the King that is startlingly humanizing. The images—by Alfred Wertheimer—are on display at Australia’s National Portrait Gallery in Canberra through March 2014.
Elvis at 21