How religious was Elvis Presley?

Thomas Melin of the Elvis Today blog posted a transcript (part one and two) of an interview he did with Per-Erik “Pete” Hallin, a Swedish musician who played with the King in 1973 and 1974. One of the questions that Elvis Today asks is, "How religious was Elvis, in your opinion?" Here is Per-Erik's answer:

It's a very difficult question. And I tend to generally hesitate to say how religious a person is, that I know or have known, whoever it might be. But I can say with certainty that he had faith in God, no doubt, and that these songs corresponded to a very deep longing that he had. But I also believe that he longed for making it even more consumate in some way, and more fully than it was. In some way, he was imprisoned in his own success. It was not easy being Elvis, so to speak.

Elvis Today also asked, "What relationship did Elvis have to gospel music?" Per-Erik's response:

I think I can say without hesitation that gospel was simply the type of music he liked the most. And I think that if anyone of those who knew him well, and perhaps better than I did, would sit next to me, they would nod and agree and say, “yes that's the way it was.” And it has been said many times and I myself have experienced it.

Does success prevent people from being fully religious? Don't know. Per-Erik implies it. Maybe it's all the distractions, the possibilities. It might be easier to give your life to God if your life doesn't offer too many choices. Anyway, here is Per-Erik grooving on the piano and singing: