THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

December 21, 1970

MEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT’S FILE SUBJECT:

December 21, 1970

12: 30 p. m. Meeting with Elvis Presley

Monday, December 21, 1970

12: 30 p. m.

The meeting opened with pictures taken of the President and Elvis Presley.

Presley immediately began showing the President his law enforcement para-

phernalia including badges from police departments in California, Colorado

and Tennessee. Presley indicated that he had been playing Las Vegas and

the President indicated that he was aware of how difficult it is to perform

in Las Vegas.

The President mentioned that he thought Presley could reach young people,

and that it was important for Presley to retain his credibility. Presley re-

sponded that be did his thing by “just singing.” He said that he could not

get to the kids if he made a speech on the stage, that he had to reach them

in his own way. The President nodded in agreement.

Presley indicated that he thought the Beatles had been a real force for anti-

American spirit. He said that the Beatles came to this country, made their

money, and then returned to England where they promoted an anti-American

theme. The President nodded in agreement and expressed some surprise.

The President then indicated that those who use drugs are also those in the

vanguard of anti-American protest. Violence, drug usage, dissent, protest

all seem to merge in generally the same group of young people.

Presley indicated to the President in a very emotional manner that he was

“on your side.” Presley kept repeating that he wanted to be helpful, that

he wanted to restore some respect for the flag which was being lost. He

mentioned that he was just a poor boy from Tennessee who had gotten a lot

from his country, which in some way he wanted to repay. He also mentioned

that he is studying Communist brainwashing and the drug culture for over

ten years. He mentioned that he knew a lot about this and was accepted by

the hippies. He said he could go right into a group of young people or hippies

and be accepted which he felt could be helpful to him in his drug drive. The

President indicated again his concern that Presley retain his credibility.