Sonny west and Dave Hebler conference 1977

[Glenn]

have they realeased the whole Sonny west and Dave Hebler conference from 1977.

I really want to see the whole conference.
I saw some on This is Elvis.

[nashville cat]

Yes, I'm interested in this too. Judging from the clips I have seen, I haven't been able to determine if the conference is before or after EP's death.

Makes you wonder how much splash the book would have made if Elvis hadn't died. :hmm:I'd venture to say it wouldn't have made much splash at all.

[srj1967]

Judging from the clips I have seen, I haven't been able to determine if the conference is before or after EP's death.





It was recorded the day after Elvis died. If I remember correctly, it was the afternoon of August 17th.

[Mr.Aron77]

Yes, I'm interested in this too. Judging from the clips I have seen, I haven't been able to determine if the conference is before or after EP's death.

Makes you wonder how much splash the book would have made if Elvis hadn't died. :hmm:I'd venture to say it wouldn't have made much splash at all.


Elvis seemed quite worried about it.

[srj1967]

Yeah, and the book had been serialised before Elvis' death and was making a lot of news. Obviously, Elvis' death gave it a lot of extra publicity it never would've had, but it still would've been big news had he not died.

And say what you will about Elvis: What Happened and why/how it was written, but there were more than a few kernels of truth in it.

[jak]

Yes, I'm interested in this too. Judging from the clips I have seen, I haven't been able to determine if the conference is before or after EP's death.

Makes you wonder how much splash the book would have made if Elvis hadn't died. :hmm:I'd venture to say it wouldn't have made much splash at all.

That book was going to be huge even if Elvis didnt die.Not just a splash but a tidal wave.You have to look back at that time period.Elvis had the image of an angel.This was the first book to expose his personal life without sugar coating anything.It was a blockbuster no matter what.
Jak

[Mr.Aron77]

Well said SRJ and Jak.

Too many people I have met haven't even read the thing, yet feel qualified to judge the book from what they have heard.

Elvis wasn't an angel and that book contains a lot of truth.

To think a tell-tale book on Elvis wouldn't make a splash in the 70's is not exactly fair comment!

[Tony Trout]

Not to turn this into an "Elvis: What Happened" book-bashing, but I find the book difficult to read simply because it ping-pongs back and forth between the early years one minute then your in a hotel room in the 1970s and then you're back in the 1950s again...there just doesn't seem to be any 'continuity' to the book...but I will agree that the book was a blockbuster of a book for it's time and opened alot of people's eyes to what life for Elvis "behind the scenes" was like....

Looking back on things, I do feel that the West boys (Red & Sonny) do now regret writing the book ('d like to know Hebler's thoughts 'bout writing the book and how he feels about it today)...they both loved Elvis and to be honest they were only trying to 'wake Elvis up' to what he was doing to himself and the people around him....unfortunately, it was too late.....:'( :'(

[nashville cat]

Well said SRJ and Jak.

Too many people I have met haven't even read the thing, yet feel qualified to judge the book from what they have heard.

Elvis wasn't an angel and that book contains a lot of truth.

To think a tell-tale book on Elvis wouldn't make a splash in the 70's is not exactly fair comment!

I've read the book several times, so I feel I'm as qualified to discuss it as anyone else. Elvis had been the subject of a lot of tabloid speculation for years. They had reported his eccentric behavior, and this wasn't even the first rumours of drugs.

Granted, these were people that had been very close to Elvis, and it was a major event. But I just don't see how it would have affected his career in any major way, or caused fans to stop going to see his concerts or buying his records.

[Mr.Aron77]

I've read the book several times, so I feel I'm as qualified to discuss it as anyone else. Elvis had been the subject of a lot of tabloid speculation for years. They had reported his eccentric behavior, and this wasn't even the first rumours of drugs.

Granted, these were people that had been very close to Elvis, and it was a major event. But I just don't see how it would have affected his career in any major way, or caused fans to stop going to see his concerts or buying his records.



Then you should be familiar with how Elvis attempted to have the book stopped? How he threatened to have Red West killed?

Not exactly the actions of a man who shares the same stream of thought as yourself.

If you think the book would have caused no major harm to Elvis, it will probabaly be impossible to argue the point with you.

Elvis in 77' wasn't exactly the best stage act around, and that was due to Elvis, his drug abuse and lack of respect for himself.

I love Elvis, but facts are facts.

[memphis 77]

this press confrence was called and rushed on the 17 th of august by the publisher, they were asked quite a few questions , like are you surprised about the death, who are you working for now, did you ask for your job back, doid you speak to him since the firing, these were omitted from this is elvis, there is one point where sonny breaks down really bad, and tells all that his cousin RED was to distrought over the death to make the confrence, this is available from a guy in arkansas, but again thequality is very poor. As for the book, i believe that they were tying to be as honest and accurate as possible, but of course the publisher wanted this thing to be sensationalized, and they had to get graphic. I have no doubt that the WESTS both LOVED E.P. i mean he was their BROTHER,MENTOR[showed them a life like no one else could or would] i believe that they were let go because they were an expensive liability, and VERNON sought to it that they were going to ruin ELVIS publicly and financialy, i also believe that he must have told E.P. what his plans were for them, and i was shocked that ELVIS let this happen[this really made him look like a coward] ELVIS also had a bad quality, he was a coward in that he never was one to say sorry, nor make many of his own decisions[wether right or wrong], these guys desrved better than that, they were loyal ELVIS wasn't, i guess he wanted them gone, if he didn't he surly would have put his foot down. I still think that THE WESTS never could of accepted the truth, and no doubt E.P. would of had future problems, the reason being that they were trying real hard to stop the drugs/meds from comming in, and confronting him that he had a problem, and one that was out of control. VERNON sure could have helped his only son by being concerned with his sons health and not the purse strings just my opinon .

[nashville cat]

Then you should be familiar with how Elvis attempted to have the book stopped? How he threatened to have Red West killed?

Not exactly the actions of a man who shares the same stream of thought as yourself.

If you think the book would have caused no major harm to Elvis, it will probabaly be impossible to argue the point with you.

Elvis in 77' wasn't exactly the best stage act around, and that was due to Elvis, his drug abuse and lack of respect for himself.

I love Elvis, but facts are facts.

Please read my posts before you get so up in arms about it. I'm talking about Elvis' career, not Elvis' personal life. Of course the book dealt a terrible personal blow to Elvis. But I don't think it would have stopped the fans from loving Elvis. He had been on a downward spiral for years, but the fans still flocked to his shows. He had faced a paternity suit, a divorce, rumours of drugs, flak from being overweight, etc, but his career continued.

[elvis himselvis]

I thinks this story has two sides.
You can see it as a challenge to Elvis(as they did) but you can also see it as a way to destroy Elvis...
They were mad at him and now want him to pay for that and write this book and let him feel bad,wanting that Elvis fans would be shocked about there King.
I think Elvis was afraid of that,and that his fans don't like him anymore and will be disapointed.
I have never read the book but i think it tells alot of information that nobody should have known.
I think Elvis had it those last months in his mind all the time and that have helped him to his death...

[Unchained Melody]

I find it to be a sad interview to watch...imo, they were (WEST BROTHERS) trying to help Elvis by telling him what he was doing, and what he was becoming and how he was killing himself with the drugs..i don't think they were set out trying to hurt Elvis or just for the money because someone for Elvis offered them a large sum of money not to publish the book but they did anyway. I also understand how Elvis felt, his friends for over 20 years go and tell everyone about his personal life..he probably felt like they betrayed him..when in all honesty, they wanted to help him and for him to get better cause of how sick he was.

[srj1967]

I find it to be a sad interview to watch...imo, they were (WEST BROTHERS) trying to help Elvis by telling him...

Not brothers at all. Red and Sonny are cousins.

[elvis himselvis]

Memphis 77,you say that they didn't want to make money by publishing this book,but they did it.
Now that can happen,but if you really don't want to make money,but help you friend of the drugs,you can give all that money to charity.
And did they do that??
I don't think so

[srj1967]

Memphis 77,you say that they didn't want to make money by publishing this book,but they did it.
Now that can happen,but if you really don't want to make money,but help you friend of the drugs,you can give all that money to charity.
And did they do that??
I don't think so

They had lost their jobs and were essentially unskilled at the time. Sonny West told me during our interview that money was not their intention when collaborating on the book, and he personally made very little off it. Neither did Red or Dave. We're talking a measly couple of grand here. As someone who has looked directly into Sonny's eyes and asked him to his face whether he was lying to me about anything, I have to say I believed him.

[memphis 77]

Memphis 77,you say that they didn't want to make money by publishing this book,but they did it.
Now that can happen,but if you really don't want to make money,but help you friend of the drugs,you can give all that money to charity.
And did they do that??
I don't think so

um no i did not say that they din't want money, carefully read the post and then comment, i stated that VERNON's concern was money.

[Tony Trout]

.....there is one point where sonny breaks down really bad and tells all that his cousin RED was to distrought over the death to make the confrence....



If I'm not mistaken, the real reason that Red wasn't there was because he was on location working on a television show with Bob Conrad...

[Mr.Aron77]

That was when Elvis died.

I'm pretty sure Red didn't work the rest of that day or the days following Elvis's death.

Elvis and Red were pretty close and Red felt very hurt by Elvis's self destruction and also the way Elvis fired him without saying anything.

Turn the tables -

Successul drugged up superstar sacks his bodyguards and best friends through his dad with 2 weeks pay and no real explanation.

Elvis messed up - big time. The book was essentially Elvis's fault, in a roundabout way I mean.

[elvis himselvis]

um no i did not say that they din't want money, carefully read the post and then comment, i stated that VERNON's concern was money.


I'm sorry my friend
i was talking about the post of cheiff 77

[Joe Car]

Anybody who thinks that they wrote this book to help "straighten" EP out, isn't being realistic. They wrote it for the $$$$$. Whatever Elvis offered them was nowhere near what they were to earn through the sales of E-What Happened.

[JDD]

Anybody who thinks that they wrote this book to help "straighten" EP out, isn't being realistic. They wrote it for the $$$$$. Whatever Elvis offered them was nowhere near what they were to earn through the sales of E-What Happened.




I think that depends which one of them that you're discussing. Sonny and Red both to me seem like it was at least in part to try and shock Elvis into shaping up and kicking the drugs. In Part I'm sure it was also part revenge, He had fired them with no notice. I know I'd be Pissed off.

On the other hand Hebler wasn't that well liked by Elvis at the end, if those tape of phone conversation with Elvis and Red after the fact are legitimate.
It seemed Mutual as the worst stuff in that book, came from him.
If the tape was legit, he was hurt, and they said they were as well, but it sounded as if Elvis forgave the West Boys.

Also Sonny and Red both claim that a lot of what they said, to Steve Dunleavy was changed.

It would have been interesting to see If Elvis had lived another 5 or 10 years what effect the book would have had on him personally, if it would have led him to "straighten up" . The main
thing that seemed to bother him was that suddenly other people would know.

[Glenn]

Is the whole conference on Youtube. If not maybe someone can put it on Youtube if they have it. Pretty please

:blush: :blush:

[CHRISTIAN M]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_2JhupjT5c

Hope this help you
Christian M

[Merry]

To the Moderators and fellow Fans:

As an Elvis fan, I'm wondering if this video should be removed, and not shared?

The reason why, is that what Sonny is saying, is opposite to the PROOF from the Coroner, that Elvis didn't have what Sonny said was in his body.

These lies shouldn't be perpetuated, I respectfully feel, that the rumours should NOT be perpetuated here, and that video removed.

I'm not wanting to cause trouble, I'm talking about being respectful of Elvis' memory, and the obvious flaw in Sonny's argument, somehow (perhaps) trying to explain his behaviour.

I wasn't there, obviously; however, I just feel saddened if lies are spread, because of this video, especially to such a large membership, such as TCB has (referring again to the statement re the Coroner's report saying what Sonny claimed was in his system, WASN'T at all).

I'm happy to remove my post, if need be.

Repectfully,

Jess

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I've often wondered if the Wests/Hebler hadn't leaked that they were writing a book would Elvis have re-hired them?

To get back to the book; I think there was a multitude of reasons the book was written, Anger, Money & to help Elvis. This is a toxic cocktail and nobady come out of it looking good. As they saying goes you hurt the ones you love :'(

[elvis himselvis]

what sonny is saying about the cocaine is true...he did it in 1974
but i have heard he took it a couple of times,but didn't like it and then stopped with it...

[Tony Trout]

There were fourteen different drugs found in Elvis's system when he passed away....included also is information about the drugs found in Elvis's system and how they affect the body over either a short time or a long span of time:

Codeine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codeine) (and I always thought he was allergic to Codeine? :hmm: )

Morphine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphine)

Quaalude (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaalude) (sedative or a "downer")

Valum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valium) (sedative or a "downer")

Diazepam metabolite (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/PEOPLE/injury/research/job185drugs/diazepam.htm) (a sedative or "downer")

Valmid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valmid) (yep, another sedative or "downer")

Placidyl (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placidyl) (you guessed it....another sedative)

Amytal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amytal) (A sedative or "downer" that also has analgesic properties)

Nembutal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nembutal) (once more...a sedative or "sleeping pill")

Carbrital (another sedative)

Demerol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demerol) (a pain-relieving drug)

Sinutab (the decongestant) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoephedrine)

Elavil (antidepressant) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elavil)

Aventyl (http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-a05.html) (antidepressant)


He may not have had cocaine in his system but he most definitely had either uppers or downers in his system at the time of his death...from looking at the list there's no denying that...


Elvis definitely was not a saint...even though I detest talking 'bout the circumstances of his death and what brought it on, you can't just overlook the fact that Elvis literally abused his body way beyond his limit by abusing prescription and harder drugs....it's a well known fact that Elvis would "mutilate" himself just to get more "stuff"...and by 1973 he had literally become an addict...and it cost him his life.


I think it's time we stop trying to avoid the drug issue in regards to Elvis and stop pretending he was "Mr. Goody Two-Shoes Who Never Did Anything Wrong".....


Elvis was a man...he had his faults...he was not perfect by any means...he wasn't a god...he wasn't a super human being....he was an incredibly gifted and talented man who as Sonny said: "had it all in the palm of his hand and the drugs took it away from him".....

[JonRomanovich]

The statement from that conference that seems to make the most sense to me is .."How do you save a man from himself?"

[meg]

Codeine (and I always thought he was allergic to Codeine? )

Morphine

Quaalude (sedative or a "downer")

Valum (sedative or a "downer")

Diazepam metabolite (a sedative or "downer")

Valmid (yep, another sedative or "downer")

Placidyl (you guessed it....another sedative)

Amytal (A sedative or "downer" that also has analgesic properties)

Nembutal (once more...a sedative or "sleeping pill")

Carbrital (another sedative)

Demerol (a pain-relieving drug)

Sinutab (the decongestant)

Elavil (antidepressant)

Aventyl (antidepressant)

Don?t believe everything!(n)

Nembutal and Carbrital is the same
Diazepam and Valium is the same

[Tony Trout]

Codeine (and I always thought he was allergic to Codeine? )

Morphine

Quaalude (sedative or a "downer")

Valum (sedative or a "downer")

Diazepam metabolite (a sedative or "downer")

Valmid (yep, another sedative or "downer")

Placidyl (you guessed it....another sedative)

Amytal (A sedative or "downer" that also has analgesic properties)

Nembutal (once more...a sedative or "sleeping pill")

Carbrital (another sedative)

Demerol (a pain-relieving drug)

Sinutab (the decongestant)

Elavil (antidepressant)

Aventyl (antidepressant)

Don?t believe everything!(n)

Nembutal and Carbrital is the same
Diazepam and Valium is the same


Um, are you saying that you don't believe me? If you don't believe me, ask the coroner...these substances were found in his system at the time of his death...it's time we stop denying that he never took drugs (prescription or otherwise)...the facts are there and documented...as I said earlier, Elvis Aaron Presley was no saint...Dr. Nick gave Elvis nearly 19,000 prescriptions in the last two y ears of Elvis's life. Elvis was in absolute and complete denial that he even had a drug problem....and that denial cost him his life.

[srj1967]

For the absolute best account of Elvis' death and whatever drugs were involved, you can't go past THE DEATH OF ELVIS, WHAT REALLY HAPPENED by Charles C. Thompson II and James P. Cole.

Totally free of sensationalism, it details the whole shebang, from Dr. Nick's involvement to Elvis' own complicity. It is the best book on the subject I have ever read. It is greatly detailed, medically sound and - from a research point of view - faultless.

Amazon.com link:

http://www.amazon.com/Death-Elvis-James-P-Cole/dp/0385302282/sr=8-1/qid=1170956648/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-6469635-1122848?ie=UTF8&s=books

No one can deny Elvis took vast amounts of drugs. He was, for all intents and purposes, a drug addict. Of course, the stuff he was taking was "legal" as opposed to the street drugs like heroin.

Personally, I couldn't care less what drugs he took; I don't judge him for that, or anything really. I am fascinated though as to the theories as to why he took the drugs ...

[elvis himselvis]

There were fourteen different drugs found in Elvis's system when he passed away....included also is information about the drugs found in Elvis's system and how they affect the body over either a short time or a long span of time:

Codeine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codeine) (and I always thought he was allergic to Codeine? :hmm: )

Morphine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphine)

Quaalude (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaalude) (sedative or a "downer")

Valum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valium) (sedative or a "downer")

Diazepam metabolite (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/PEOPLE/injury/research/job185drugs/diazepam.htm) (a sedative or "downer")

Valmid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valmid) (yep, another sedative or "downer")

Placidyl (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placidyl) (you guessed it....another sedative)

Amytal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amytal) (A sedative or "downer" that also has analgesic properties)

Nembutal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nembutal) (once more...a sedative or "sleeping pill")

Carbrital (another sedative)

Demerol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demerol) (a pain-relieving drug)

Sinutab (the decongestant) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoephedrine)

Elavil (antidepressant) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elavil)

Aventyl (http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-a05.html) (antidepressant)


He may not have had cocaine in his system but he most definitely had either uppers or downers in his system at the time of his death...from looking at the list there's no denying that...


Elvis definitely was not a saint...even though I detest talking 'bout the circumstances of his death and what brought it on, you can't just overlook the fact that Elvis literally abused his body way beyond his limit by abusing prescription and harder drugs....it's a well known fact that Elvis would "mutilate" himself just to get more "stuff"...and by 1973 he had literally become an addict...and it cost him his life.


I think it's time we stop trying to avoid the drug issue in regards to Elvis and stop pretending he was "Mr. Goody Two-Shoes Who Never Did Anything Wrong".....


Elvis was a man...he had his faults...he was not perfect by any means...he wasn't a god...he wasn't a super human being....he was an incredibly gifted and talented man who as Sonny said: "had it all in the palm of his hand and the drugs took it away from him".....

I had seen a list like this one already before,but it's sad that Elvis needed so much.
When you see this list it's logical he died...sadly

[meg]

Um, are you saying that you don't believe me? If you don't believe me, ask the coroner...these substances were found in his system at the time of his death...it's time we stop denying that he never took drugs (prescription or otherwise)...the facts are there and documented...as I said earlier, Elvis Aaron Presley was no saint...Dr. Nick gave Elvis nearly 19,000 prescriptions in the last two y ears of Elvis's life. Elvis was in absolute and complete denial that he even had a drug problem....and that denial cost him his life.


I didn?t say nothing:) But you can?t say anything with this list!And you need to know how much(mg):)

[Tony Trout]

Of course, the stuff he was taking was "legal" as opposed to the street drugs like heroin.

Um...Elvis did use Dilaudid which is drugstore heroin...Dlaudid is nearly five times stronger than morphine and two and a half times stronger than heroin.....it's not actual heroin, but it's the same difference....




I didn?t say nothing:) But you can?t say anything with this list!And you need to know how much(mg):)


The codeine found in his system was nearly ten times the therapeutic level...if you remember, Elvis apparently couldn't take Codeine in large doses...

I believe that Elvis's dependence on alot of this stuff was psychological...I do realize that he did have certain health problems that he did need medication for but alot of this stuff he was taking he had absolutely no business whatsoever taking.

[ajr]

then you have this report : ummm, who to believe ??

http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight_howdidelvisdie.html

"As a toxicologist, if you ask me why he had the drugs (in his system), the answer is that he needed them medically. All the drugs were in a range consistent with therapy and therapeutic requirements for known conditions of illnesses which he had," Dr. Finkle said.