David E. Stanley was born in Newport News, Virginia in 1955 to Bill and Dee Stanley. Three years later his parents divorced, setting the stage for an extraordinary event.

In 1960, Dee Stanley married Vernon Presley, Elvis Presley’s widowed father. David Stanley was just four years old, 20 years younger than his new stepbrother, when he moved into the Graceland Mansion. Without a choice, Elvis Presley had become David’s big brother.

In 1972, at the age of 16 David dropped out of school and began touring with Elvis as a full-time personal aide and bodyguard. From 1972 to 1977 David did hundreds of concerts with Elvis and was part of some the most historical entertainment events of the 20th century.

As part of Rock & Roll’s first family David witnessed the Elvis phenomenon first hand.  From Elvis’ moments of glory to the events that led to Elvis’ tragic death on August 16, 1977 David was there.  He was among the first to find the lifeless body of the man who had been his brother, friend, and surrogate father.

Written and directed by Stanley in 2007, Protecting The King is David’s story.  A story of brotherly love and dedication that takes audiences inside the last five years of the life of The King Of Rock & Roll.