In 1956, a twenty-one-year-old Elvis Presley was at the beginning of his remarkable and unparalleled career. Photojournalist Alfred Wertheimer was asked by Presley's new label, RCA Victor, to photograph the rising star for a one-day assignment that quickly developed into an odyssey. Wertheimer followed Elvis in the hours before, during and after his performance, building up a collection of around 400 photographs in this short period of time. The photographer found himself stunned by the musician’s ease at being photographed, allowing him to document Elvis in the most private of moments. As a result he felt compelled to continue photographing the musician, stretching far beyond the requirements of his assignment.