About David

More About David

David E. Stanley was born in Newport News, Virginia, in 1955. After his parents divorced three years later, his life took a remarkable turn when, in 1960, his mother, Dee Stanley, married Vernon Presley, the widowed father of Elvis Presley. At just four years old, David, along with his two brothers, Billy, 7, and Ricky, 6,  moved into Graceland Mansion in Memphis, TN, where he became the younger stepbrother of Elvis.

Growing up in a Christian household, David left high school to work and tour with Elvis as a personal assistant and bodyguard. From 1972 to 1977, he participated in countless shows and some of the most iconic concerts of the twentieth century.

On August 16, 1977, David was one of the first to find his beloved stepbrother deceased from a prescription drug overdose at Graceland. This devastating loss profoundly impacted him, prompting a change in his life. Through his faith, David overcame his own struggles with addiction and shifted his focus towards educating, motivating, and inspiring others.

Today, David E. Stanley is a Speaker, Author, Producer, Advocate, and the President of David Stanley Communications. He is also the Founder of the Raised on Rock Foundation. His books include the New York Times bestseller Elvis: We Love You Tender, The Elvis Encyclopedia, Raised on Rock, Restoring My Father’s Honor, and his latest, My Brother Elvis: The Final Years. addition to writing, he produced and directed the 2007 film Protecting the King and is currently working on his next book, Broken Vessels.

For over forty years, David has utilized his unique platform as a member of Rock & Roll’s first family to share his powerful testimony, titled From The King of Rock and Roll To The King of Kings.