The King and The FBI
Elvis Presley wanted to visit the FBI 28 years ago, but J. Edgar Hoover got some advice from an underling: Presley's"not the type of individual whom the director would want to meet."
Memos concerning Presley's FBI visit have been posted on the FBI's Web page on the Internet. They show Hoover took the advice, but may have regretted it.
"It is noted at the present time he (Presley) is wearing his hair down to his shoulders and indulges in the wearing of all sorts of exotic dress," wrote FBI official M.A. Jones in advising against a Hoover handshake with the king of rock 'n' roll. "I concur," Hoover wrote on the bottom of the page.
But after Presley visited the FBI with six of his security people, Jones sent in a memo saying everything went swimmingly.
"Despite his rather bizarre personal appearance, Presley seemed a sincere, serious minded individual who expressed concern over some of the problems confronting our country, particularly those involving young people," Jones wrote.
The visit occurred Dec. 31, 1970, just 10 days after Presley sought and got an Oval Office meeting with President Nixon to discuss ideas for fighting drugs.
At the FBI, Presley seized the opportunity to knock some competitors for young people's affections the Beatles.
He said the British singing group "laid the groundwork for many of the problems we are having with young people by their filthy unkempt appearances and suggestive music," Jones reported.
"He advised that the Smothers Brothers, Jane Fonda and other persons in the entertainment industry of their ilk have a lot to answer for in the hereafter for the way they have poisoned young minds by disparaging the United States in their public statements and unsavory activities," Jones added.
He noted that Presley had volunteered to Nixon to help fight narcotics and that Nixon had given him a badge of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. "Presley was carrying this badge in his pocket and displayed it," Jones said.
Presley told officials that he had read Hoover's books about the communist threat and felt that no one "has ever done as much for his country," Jones wrote.
Responded Hoover, in a letter to Presley four days later: "Your generous comments concerning this bureau and me are appreciated, and you may be sure we will keep in mind your offer to be of assistance."