The world of rock and roll was changed forever when Elvis Presley arrived onto the scene with his swinging hips, dulcet tones and a pretty boy face that sent fans wild. He made hit after hit and even made a foray into Hollywood during his near 15-year career.
His supporters were devastated when news broke that he had suffered a heart attack in his bathroom. The King had been suffering from a series of health issues, including glaucoma, high blood pressure, liver damage, and an enlarged colon - but his sudden death was still a huge shock.
But his wife Priscilla reckons Elvis intentionally meant to have a fatal overdose.
In an upcoming HBO documentary, titled Elvis Presley: The Searcher, she claims Elvis 'knew what he was doing', in those final moments. The 72-year-old was asked about her former husband's drug use and why, if it was so rampant, did he not get help.
In her interview she said: "He knew what he was doing and people go, 'why didn't anyone do anything?' Well, that's not true.
"People there in the inner group did - but you did not tell Elvis what to do. You'd have been out of there faster than a scratched cat. They would try and - no way."
It's a statement that will no doubt send a shockwave through the Graceland community, who feel like The King was taken from them by an accident. It also comes just a few months after alleged suicide notes were revealed by his former road manager Joe Esposito.
He told Radar the note allegedly written by Elvis said: "I need a long rest. I'm sick and tired of my life."
"If it wasn't for my prayers, I think my life would end. My willpower is almost gone."
The note added that letting Priscilla go was one of his biggest mistakes and that he had a huge amount of guilt for not being able to kick his drug habit.
Priscilla claims that that addiction started when Presley was drafted into the army in 1958.
When he joined the 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, Germany, a sergeant introduced him to amphetamines, according to biographer Peter Guralnick, who wrote Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley.
Priscilla said in the HBO documentary: "He had manoeuvres that he had to do late at night, so the pills were given to the guys and that's how he started.
"And if you take a sleeping pill, you have to do something to get yourself awake. He was in uncharted territory, he truly was, and he did this and tried to do this alone."
Featured Image Credit: Ollie Atkins, Former White House photographerTopics: Entertainment, Music, Interesting