Elvis Presley remains one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. And even today, nearly fifty years after his passing, Presley's influence on music is considerable. Throughout his life, he surrounded himself with a coterie of friends and associates, an inner circle of confidants that became known as the Memphis Mafia. Some of these buddies were people the singer had known since high school; others he'd met in the army. Several could best be described as "hangers-on."
As Presley's fame grew, so did the influence the group wielded over their famous employer. They went everywhere with him, and Elvis was rarely seen alone. In time, the Memphis Mafia was regarded as having an unhealthy hold over Elvis. And it only got worse.
To learn more about the friends Elvis would later accuse of betraying him, click through the gallery.