Bob Williams, a longtime photographer with the Memphis Commercial Appeal who enthusiastically chronicled the career of Elvis Presley, capturing the emerging King of Rock and Roll in what would become some of the singer's most iconic poses and most revealing unguarded moments, has died. He was 96.
Williams captured some key moments in Memphis history but is best known for his Elvis portraits.
He was among the first photographers to take an interest in the future superstar, shooting young Elvis and gaining the trust and friendship of the boy's parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley, when the family still lived at 1414 Getwell.
“He got to be very good friends with the Presleys" said his daughter. "He would go and basically hang out. He took pictures of Elvis that are now iconic. Elvis in front of the gates of Graceland the day they were installed, before they were even painted. Elvis with his Rolls-Royce."
William’s archive of Elvis-related photographs includes close to 3,000 images. He was working on a book of his stunning images when he died which should be published later this year.