The Truth About Elvis Presley's Final Year Before He Died

Few, if any, figures in rock and roll history are as timeless -- or controversial -- as Elvis Presley. Both a rebel and a heartthrob, Elvis changed the way the world thought about music, pop culture, and celebrity. Here's what the last 12 months of Elvis' life were like.

As a young man embracing both a punishing work schedule and the stresses of newfound celebrity, Elvis was under a tremendous amount of pressure. Young Elvis became dependent on several different types of prescription drugs, specifically amphetamines to keep him awake and barbiturates to help him sleep or relax. Early on, these were heavily pushed by his manager, the infamous "Colonel" Tom Parker, who many believe swindled the naive young Elvis while running him ragged.

By 1976, Elvis wasn't just getting his uppers and downers from his manager. He had a private doctor who would prescribe him any pill he asked for, according to a People Magazine story published shortly after his death. Dr. George Nichopoulos, aka "Dr. Nick," traveled with Elvis, and carried three suitcases of pills to make sure he could fulfill any of Elvis' needs.

It was reported that, over the last 20 months of Elvis' life, Dr. Nick prescribed him over 12,000 pills. The doctor claimed they were for Presley's entourage as well. His excuse for throwing all these high-octane drugs around? If he didn't prescribe the pills to Elvis, someone else would, and at least this way he wouldn't get them off the street.

The toxicology report from Elvis' death said he had the opiates Dilaudid, Demerol, and Percodan in his blood, not to mention Quaaludes and codeine. However, though Dr. Nick was charged with 11 felony accounts of overprescribing drugs, he was acquitted — the medical examiner claimed that Elvis had died of heart disease, adding,

"Had these drugs not been there, he still would've died."

Watch the video for more of The Truth About Elvis Presley's Final Year Before He Died.

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Elvis’ private doctor | 0:00
Holed up at Graceland | 1:31
The new girlfriend | 2:32
Overeating and obesity | 3:35
Stuck in bed | 4:30
His painful final album | 5:19
Extreme depression | 6:04
Knowing the end was near | 6:55
Friendship with his live-in nurse | 7:44
Surprisingly active last 24 hours | 8:43

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