the making of Elvis

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

The making of the king: A rare glimpse into Elvis Presley's life before he earned fame and fortune

But early that year, with Presley's meteoric and ultimately tragic ride to fame and renown still to come, recording company RCA hired Alfred Wertheimer to photograph their 21-year-old star. The photos Wertheimer shot - nearly 3,000 that year - showed the young Memphis crooner assuredly taking the first steps on the path to become an icon.